cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
GROWTH IN ARCTIC UNGULATES: POSTNATAL DEVELOPMENT AND ORGAN MATURATION IN RANGIFER TARANDUS AND OVIBOS MOSCHATUS

Young arctic ungulates must grow quickly to use forages available during brief summers. We measured growth and organ maturation in Rangifer tarandus (reindeer, caribou) and Ovibos moschatus (muskoxen) at 3 stages: the neonatal period (1–30 days), during transition from milk to plants (30–60 days), and at maturity. Although reindeer provided greater maternal investment than muskoxen in utero (6.9% compared with 4.8% maternal mass), both species grew at similar rates (0.002 compared with 0.005 day � 1 ). High thyroid secretion and large hepatic lipid reserves in neonates indicated high rates of energy metabolism for thermogenesis and use of nutrients sequestered in utero. Mass gains during the neonatal period were associated with large gastric abomasa that would allow young ungulates to digest milk soon after birth. Body growth continued during transition to forage (60 days of age), which was accompanied by expansion of rumen, small intestine, and colon. Growth and organ maturation of arctic ungulates, therefore, emphasizes maternal investment in utero and the duration of growth, with little variation in growth rate during both neonatal and transitional phases.
Transverse-mode and polarisation characteristics of double-fused 1.52 mu m vertical-cavity lasers

The authors report the transverse mode and polarisation characteristics of a novel 1.52 mu m vertical-cavity laser that utilises an InGaAsP strain-compensated quantum-well active layer and two AlAs/GaAs quarter-wave mirrors. The devices exhibit 4 mA room-temperature pulsed threshold current and 14 mW output power. >
Wastes and Byproducts

Ceramic products can often be made from raw materials taken directly from the earth without further refinement, requiring only mixing, forming and heat treating to produce a marketable item. The cost of these raw materials, used without modification, is small, and the market price of the products made from such unaltered raw materials is also relatively low. One would, therefore, conclude that a used (waste) low priced product of this type would find very little or no market, because it would have to compete with the new low priced product. Fortunately, this is not the case, and there is a place in the market for reprocessed ceramic products. Common bricks are a good example of a ceramic reused product of this type.
Symmetrical discounting of the future and the past in heavy smokers and alcohol drinkers

s / Drug and Alcohol Dependence 156 (2015) e102–e182 e157 Symmetrical discounting of the future and the past in heavy smokers and alcohol drinkers Lara Moody2,1, Warren K. Bickel2 1 Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, United States 2 Addiction Recovery and Research Center, Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Roanoke, VA, United
Interactions between Peers’ and Individuals’ Personalities Affect Individuals’ Performance

The effects of interactions between peers and individuals personality traits on individuals’ performance were investigated in two studies. Study 1 results showed that introverts evaluated extraverted and disagreeable peers’ performance as lower than those of introverted. Study 2 replicated the results of Study 1 using a controlled experimental design, and also showed that interactions with extraverted and disagreeable peers enhanced negative arousal among introverts but not among extraverts. In turn, attributions and negative arousal mediated the relationships between agreeableness and extraversion of peers and their performance ratings given by introverts. Overall, the results supported the tenants of arousal theory that introverts are more reactive to stimuli than extraverts and demonstrated the potential importance of interactions between peers’ personality traits in affecting individuals’ work outcomes.
Development of the Virtual Measurement System Based on Component Oriented

A general-purpose automatic measurement system was developed through integrating the traditional general-purpose signal generator and test apparatus by LabVIEW software development terrace.The system realized the generation of excitation signal and the collection of response signal based on computer and data acquisition card.The system changed the complicated program process into two steps,component development and the component joint,in which thought of component oriented in software engineering was used.While enumerate control with strict data types was used to improve the reusability and the extendibility.We also made use of the Queue technology of the synchronous control technology in LabVIEW to realize the joint of general-purpose automatic test system components,thus realized the integration of signal source and test instrument,so that avoided the problem of data loss.
ACL reconstruction with carbon fibers in animal experiments

The treatment of ACL insufficiency is still an unsolved clinical problem. The very promising results after the reconstructions of ligamentous structures with carbon fibers have created a new method for ACL substitution. However, several papers deny the value of carbon material in the intraarticular operations.
Asymmetric Giant Lipid Vesicle Fabrication

Synthetic lipid bilayers have long been used as models of cell membranes. The compositional asymmetry in the eukaryotic plasma membrane is a key chemical characteristic of this membrane that has traditionally been difficult to reproduce in synthetic systems. In this chapter, we describe recent technologies for fabricating compositionally asymmetric giant unilamellar lipid vesicles (GUVs) and provide detailed protocols for a microfluidic-based fabrication technique.
Importance of substrate composition, pH and other variables on tissue factor enhancement of factor VIIa activity.

Tissue factor (TF) markedly enhances the ability of factor VIIa (FVIIa) to cleave both macromolecular and small peptidyl substrates. Using soluble mutant TF (sTF) to investigate TF-enhanced FVIIa amidolytic activity in solution, we screened thirty-four commercially available peptidyl-p-nitroanilide substrates and found that substrate hydrolysis rates were influenced by both the peptide sequence and the N-terminal blocking group (MeSO2 > MeO-CO or free N-terminus >> benzoyl). Two substrates (Chromozym t-PA: MeSO2-D-Phe-Gly-Arg-pNA; and CBS 34.47: H-D-cyclohexylglycyl-alpha-aminobutyryl-Arg-pNA) were cleaved at rates higher than those of previously reported chromogenic substrates for FVIIa. The pH range of FVIIa amidolytic activity toward Chromozym t-PA was 6.5 to 10 with an optimum at pH 7.8, while sTF.VIIa had a higher pH optimum (pH 8.4 to 8.5). The degree of enhancement of FVIIa activity by sTF varied from 12-fold at pH 7.5 to 73-fold at pH 9.9. The effect of a variety of agents on FVIIa amidolytic activity was surveyed: most decreased activity, while glycerol and ethylene glycol enhanced the activity of FVIIa but not sTF.VIIa. These results indicate that the effect of sTF on the catalytic center of FVIIa is pH-dependent, and that certain polyalcohols can partially substitute for TF.
Pretransfusion Compatibility Testing

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a discussion on pretransfusion compatibility testing that is most relevant to practicing physicians. For blood components to be safely issued and transfused to recipients, a series of laboratory tests are performed to ensure immunological compatibility. The process include preparation of packed red blood cells, typing patient RBCs, screening patient sera for the presence of unexpected RBC-reactive antibodies, and crossmatching as a final check to verify compatibility between donor RBCs and patient sera. The overall goal of this testing is to help prevent the occurrence of potentially fatal hemolytic transfusion reactions. From the perspective of the requesting physician, it should be appreciated that such reactions, although rare, are almost always because of clerical errors that result in the transfusion of ABO-mismatched blood. Most commonly, these errors occur on patient wards by the inadvertent mislabeling of blood specimens or by the transfusion of a patient with blood intended for someone else. Therefore, the importance of proper patient identification during blood specimen collection and blood component administration cannot be overemphasized.
The Royal Rebel

From the moment that Abbas succeeded his father (Tewfik) he refused to accept the role in which he had been cast by the British. Technically he was a constitutional monarch, unable to act without the consent of the council of ministers. Nevertheless he held a fair amount of personal power and influence. He was the representative of the Ottoman sultan, embodying a prestigious semi-religious position. He was a direct descendant of Mohammed Ali, founder of the dynasty. He had access to huge financial resources with which he did not scruple to bribe politicians and members of the press. He was known to be vindictive, never failing to come down hard on any Egyptian who incurred his serious displeasure. As a result few were willing to risk offending him.
Functional importance of stripping in NFκB signaling revealed by a stripping-impaired IκBα mutant

Stress-response transcription factors such as NFκB turn on hundreds of genes and must have a mechanism for rapid cessation of transcriptional activation. We recently showed that the inhibitor of NFκB signaling, IκBα, dramatically accelerates the dissociation of NFκB from transcription sites, a process we have called “stripping.” To test the role of the IκBα C-terminal PEST (rich in proline, glutamic acid, serine, and threonine residues) sequence in NFκB stripping, a mutant IκBα was generated in which five acidic PEST residues were mutated to their neutral analogs. This IκBα(5xPEST) mutant was impaired in stripping NFκB from DNA and formed a more stable intermediate ternary complex than that formed from IκBα(WT) because DNA dissociated more slowly. NMR and amide hydrogen–deuterium exchange mass spectrometry showed that the IκBα(5xPEST) appears to be “caught in the act of stripping” because it is not yet completely in the folded and NFκB-bound state. When the mutant was introduced into cells, the rate of postinduction IκBα-mediated export of NFκB from the nucleus decreased markedly.
The Role of Moonlighting GAPDH in Intracellular Membrane Trafficking: Tubulin Regulation and Modulation of Cytoskeletal Structure

Intracellular membrane trafficking provides for subcellular macromolecule transport. This requires the formation of large protein–membrane complexes of defined structures as well as a mechanism through which macromolecules may move between each complex. Recent evidence indicates that moonlighting GAPDH fulfills important roles in intracellular membrane trafficking. These encompass both its incorporation into subcellular trafficking complexes and its role in the formation of the transport mechanisms through which molecules are moved from one intracellular compartment to another. This includes its requirement for Rab2-mediated formation of vesicular tubular complexes; the functional requirement for its phosphorylation by two separate kinases; its modulation of tubulin structure; and the resultant changes in cytoskeletal architecture that facilitate molecule transport. In toto, these findings highlight this aspect of moonlighting GAPDH function.
Disease progression in C9orf72 mutation carriers

Objective: To assess changes in 3 clinical measures, the Revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R), letter fluency, and Frontal Behavioral Inventory (FBI), over time in C9orf72 mutation carriers (C9+) with varied clinical phenotypes. Methods: Thirty-four unrelated participants with mutations in C9orf72 were enrolled in a prospective natural history study. Participants were classified as asymptomatic, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), ALS–familial frontotemporal dementia (FTD), or behavioral-variant FTD by clinical diagnostic criteria. Diagnostic cognitive and motor tests were repeated at 6 and 18 months. The ALSFRS-R, letter fluency, and FBI were administered at baseline and follow-up visits at 6, 12, and 18 months. Results: The clinical diagnosis of most patients did not change over the follow-up. ALSFRS-R scores correlated with measures of motor function. Letter fluency correlated with FBI and cognitive tests. ALSFRS-R, letter fluency, and FBI differed among the C9+ diagnostic subgroups at enrollment and worsened over follow-up in symptomatic patients, with different slopes among the subgroups. Most patients survived to the 6-month time point after enrollment. Survival of C9+ patients with ALS and C9+ patients with ALS-FTD declined over the 12- and 18-month follow-up. Conclusions: The pattern of scores of the ALSFRS-R, letter fluency, and FBI distinguished between ALS, ALS-FTD, and FTD presentations of C9orf72 mutation carriers and asymptomatic carriers. Longitudinal changes in these measures occurred with disease progression in a manner consistent with presenting phenotype.
Ground Control to Major Tom: the importance of field surveys in remotely sensed data analysis

Author(s): Bolliger, Ian; Carleton, Tamma; Hsiang, Solomon; Kadish, Jonathan; Proctor, Jonathan; Recht, Benjamin; Rolf, Esther; Shankar, Vaishaal | Abstract: In this project, we build a modular, scalable system that can collect, store, and process millions of satellite images. We test the relative importance of both of the key limitations constraining the prevailing literature by applying this system to a data-rich environment. To overcome classic data availability concerns, and to quantify their implications in an economically meaningful context, we operate in a data rich environment and work with an outcome variable directly correlated with key indicators of socioeconomic well-being. We collect public records of sale prices of homes within the United States, and then gradually degrade our rich sample in a range of different ways which mimic the sampling strategies employed in actual survey-based datasets. Pairing each house with a corresponding set of satellite images, we use image-based features to predict housing prices within each of these degraded samples. To generalize beyond any given featurization methodology, our system contains an independent featurization module, which can be interchanged with any preferred image classification tool. Our initial findings demonstrate that while satellite imagery can be used to predict housing prices with considerable accuracy, the size and nature of the ground truth sample is a fundamental determinant of the usefulness of imagery for this category of socioeconomic prediction. We quantify the returns to improving the distribution and size of observed data, and show that the image classification method is a second-order concern. Our results provide clear guidance for the development of adaptive sampling strategies in data-sparse locations where satellite-based metrics may be integrated with standard survey data, while also suggesting that advances from image classification techniques for satellite imagery could be further augmented by more robust sampling strategies.
Regional histologic differences in the long head of the biceps tendon following subpectoral biceps tenodesis in patients with rotator cuff tears and SLAP lesions.

The purpose of this study was to quantify the regional histology of the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) and compare the histopathology present to clinical findings in patients with rotator cuff tears and SLAP lesions. Prospectively enrolled patients undergoing an open subpectoral LHBT tenodesis in the setting of a rotator cuff (RTC) tear or SLAP lesion. Perioperative data were collected and the excised LHBT was analyzed by a fellowship trained pathologist. Tendons were sectioned into proximal (biceps anchor), middle (bicipital groove), and distal (myotendinous junction) portions. Sections were stained with Movat’s pentachrome stain and digitized for analysis. Comparisons were made between the histologic findings present in the setting of a rotator cuff tear with those seen in the setting of a SLAP tear. 39 tendons were analyzed: 20 from patients with SLAP lesions (mean age of 44.7 years, range 23–60 years) and 19 from patients with rotator cuff tears (mean age of 58.7 years, range 43–71). Patients with the most pathologic tendons in the bicipital groove were significantly older (59.4 vs. 50.4 years; p < 0.05), reported higher pre-operative VAS scores (6.6 vs. 5.0; p < 0.02), and demonstrated lower pre-operative ASES scores (41.6 vs. 50.7; p < 0.05). The RTC group showed significantly more mucinous degeneration at both the proximal (p < 0.03) and the middle (p < 0.01) tendon portions compared to the SLAP group. In both groups, the portions of proximal tendon showed significantly (p < 0.05) more mucinous degeneration than distal portions. Regional histologic differences exist in the LHBT. Rotator cuff patients showed the most degenerated tendon in the bicipital groove and these patients tended to be older and have higher VAS and lower ASES scores. Surgeons should consider performing a subpectoral biceps tenodesis as the bicipital groove portion of the tendon may be very degenerated, especially in patients with rotator cuff disease. Additional research is warranted to distinguish whether treating the biceps differently in distinct geographic regions affects patient outcomes. II.
Modelling nucleation from solution with the string method in the osmotic ensemble

ABSTRACTDirect molecular simulation of nucleation from solution is a challenging task, requiring a combination of ‘rare events’ techniques and methods to control the chemical potential. Rare event methods usually keep the total number of molecules fixed, resulting in artificial free energy profiles due to the depletion of solute from the solution phase. In order to address this issue, we present a new approach that uses the string method in collective variables in the osmotic ensemble to obtain minimum free energy pathways for nucleation at constant supersaturation. Our method does not require using an explicit reservoir of solute molecules, or making additional assumptions about the activity coefficients in the solution. We apply the new method to the crystallisation of sulfamerazine from acetonitrile and methanol solutions, and compare the resulting potential of mean force profiles to those obtained using analytical corrections previously employed in the literature.
The Innovation Premium: Managing for High Return on Innovation

At Arthur D. Little, Fortune Magazine’s annual ranking of ``America’s Most Admired Companies’ (Fortune Magazine, 2008) triggered the question which of the ranking criteria used (Fortune magazine ranking criteria: Innovation, People Management, Use of Corporate Assets, Social Responsibility, Quality of Management, Financial Soundness, Long-term Investment, Product/Service Quality.) correlate more or less strongly with stock performance, after all the most relevant evaluation aspect from an investor’s point of view.
Evaluation and treatment of common spine and trunk problems.

Although back pain in the athlete is generally of a benign mechanical nature, all complaints should be taken seriously and fully evaluated. The physician should be alert to the many problems seen in the back of athletes and aware of what activities and sports specifically tend to aggravate certain problems. Although most of these entities can be treated with a relatively generic exercise protocol, each case must be individually evaluated and treatment tailored to fit the problem.
Electron impact excitation of the 1(1)S-->3(1)P transition in helium.

In the first direct application of the electron-photon coincidence technique for differential cross-section measurements, experimentally determined ratios of the differential cross sections for the electron impact excitation of the $1^{1}S\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2^{1}P$ to the $1^{1}S\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3^{1}P$ transitions are presented at 30 and 40 eV incident electron energies. Differential cross sections for the $1^{1}S\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3^{1}P$ transitions are derived by normalizing these ratios to available experimental differential cross sections for the $1^{1}S\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2^{1}P$ transition.
Abstract TP297: Ischemic Stroke in Young Adults: An Analysis From 2009-2016 Using Get With the Guidelines

Background and Objectives: Emerging literature indicates that stroke incidence among U.S. citizens ages 18 to 45 have increased in recent years. An increase in young strokes leads to a the dispropo...
International trade effects of a potentially revived Trans-Pacific partnership for North America

Abstract. This paper analyzes the international trade relations of the United States, Canada, and Mexico with the now defunct Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP12) member countries currently and historically in order to provide insights for potential future effects provided United States decides to join the new Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP or TPP11) with the remaining original TPP countries. Using a gravity model estimation, we find that the existing free trade agreements (FTAs) between TPP12 countries (intra-TPP) and FTAs between TPP12 members and other countries (extra-TPP) have positively impacted trade in the 1980-2015 period. A revived TPP12 agreement promises to boost trade further. Keywords. International trade, Gravity model, Free trade agreements, Trans-Pacific partnership. JEL. F10.
Glaucoma medications in pregnancy

Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive disease of the optic nerve which is relatively uncommon in childbearing age; however, its management is a real challenge. Although the intraocular pressure decreases in pregnancy, many glaucoma patients continue to require treatment. In addition to the side effects, antiglaucoma medications on the mother, the possible side effects of drugs on the fetus must be taken into account. The only antiglaucoma medication categorized in Category B is brimonidine, and all others are in Category C. Most evidence on glaucoma medications in pregnancy comes from single case reports or animal studies with the limitations that these impose. Theoretically, glaucoma medications may damage the fetus; however, they may not have substantial clinical significance with routine dosages and no topical antiglaucoma agents have strong evidence of safety to the fetus based on the human studies. When discussing possible options for glaucoma management with the pregnant patient, it is important to emphasize the lack of definitive studies and the patient may be involved in the therapeutic decision-making process.
Nivolumab-induced hypothyoidism with consequent hypothyroid related myopathy.

PurposeNivolumab is a fully human IgG4 programmed death 1 immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) antibody that has anti-tumor activity by selectively blocking the interaction of the programmed death 1 r...
Effect of an equipment-behavior change intervention on handwashing behavior among primary school children in Kenya: the Povu Poa school pilot study

Handwashing prevalence in schools in Kenya is low due to lack of access to water and soap and lack of drive for handwashing. Soapy water made from detergent powder is an inexpensive alternative to bar soap and disgust and social norms change can be powerful drivers of handwashing, but their effectiveness has not been assessed in school setting. In Kenyan public schools, we evaluated an equipment-behavior change intervention’s effect on handwashing outcomes. We also monitored functionality of the Povu Poa prototypes to identify design improvements necessary for continued high usage in institutional settings. The intervention included the “Povu Poa”, a new type of handwashing station that dispensed foaming soap and rinse water, combined with school-wide behavior change promotion based on disgust and social norms. In this stepped-wedge cluster-randomized trial, we randomly selected 30 schools and divided them into 3 groups of 10. Following baseline data collection, we delivered the intervention sequentially (Group 1: 3–5 weeks after baseline; Group 2: 6–8 weeks; Group 3: 19–24 weeks). We observed outcomes [1] availability of handwashing materials at handwashing places, and; 2) observed handwashing behavior after toilet use among schoolchildren) at baseline and in three follow-up rounds. We compared the outcomes between schools that had received the intervention and schools that had not yet received the intervention. Water and soap/soapy water were available at 2% of school visits before intervention, and at 42% of school visits after intervention.. Before intervention, we observed handwashing with water after 11% of 461 toilet use events; no one was observed to wash hands with soap/soapy water. After intervention, we observed handwashing after 62% of 383 toilet use events (PR = 5.96, 95% CI = 3.02, 11.76) and handwashing with soap/soapy water after 26% of events (PR incalculable). Foaming soap dispenser caps were cracked in 31% of all observations, but were typically still functional. Our combined equipment-behavior intervention increased availability of handwashing materials and improved the compliance with handwashing after using the toilet, but handwashing with soap was still rare. Equipment durability must be improved for deployment in schools at scale. American Economic Association’s Registry for Randomized Controlled Trials; Trial Registry Number (TRN): AEARCTR-0000662; Date of Registry: April 14, 2015.
Cholesterol-loading of membranes of normal erythrocytes inhibits phospholipid repair and arachidonoyl-CoA:1-palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine acyl transferase. A model of spur cell anemia.

Spur cell anemia may occur in severe liver disease including alcoholic cirrhosis. Spur cell anemia red blood cells (RBCs) have a characteristic morphology, with irregular projections, an increased ratio of membrane cholesterol (Ch) to phospholipid, evidence of oxidative damage, and shortened survival resulting in hemolytic anemia. Normal RBCs may acquire many of the features of spur cells either by transfusion into a spur cell patient or in an in vitro model system that loads the RBC membrane with Ch relative to phospholipid by means of Ch-rich, phospholipid-Ch sonicates. We found evidence of abnormal phospholipid repair metabolism in spur cell anemia RBCs characterized by decreased arachidonate (Ar) uptake into phospholipids and by increased uptake into a fatty acid membrane repair intermediate, acylcarnitine (AcylCn). To study the possible modulation of phospholipid repair metabolism in spur cells by Ch-loading, we compared the Ar metabolism of RBCs loaded with Ch in vitro with that of control cells incubated in autologous serum. Ar, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, is especially sensitive to peroxidation and, thus, is likely to be involved in phospholipid repair. Ch-loading decreased the incorporation of [14C]Ar into total lipids (Ch-loaded, 1,113 +/- 48 pmol/10(10) RBCs; control, 1,525 +/- 48 pmol/10(10) RBCs) including phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylcholine. Uptake of [14C]Ar into AcylCn increased (control AcylCn, 169 +/- 31 pmol/10(10) RBCs; Ch-loaded AcylCn, 196 +/- 35 pmol/10(10) RBCs; P = .0012). Thimerosal, an inhibitor of arachidonoyl- CoA:l-palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine acyl transferase or lysophosphocholine acyl transferase (LAT), produced a similar pattern of metabolic abnormality, with decreased incorporation into phospholipid but relative increase into AcylCn. We assayed LAT in RBC membranes from Ch-loaded RBCs, using [14C]arachidonoyl CoA as precursor, and found similar decreased LAT activity at concentrations of 1-palmitoyllysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) from 1 to 30 micromol/L. Similar LAT assay results were obtained using [14C]palmitoyl LPC as the precursor. We conclude that Ch-loading of RBC membranes results in inhibition of LAT in the cell-free system in vitro and may account for the inhibited phospholipid repair in Ch-loaded intact RBCs in vitro and in spur cell anemia RBCs in vivo. Decreased ability to replace peroxidized membrane fatty acid by this metabolic pathway may contribute to the hemolytic process in spur cell anemia.
P179 Promoting awareness of cleft care: improving collaboration & communication

Background Cleft lip and/or palate affects approximately 1 in 700 live births worldwide. 50% of the Irish cohort present as a cleft of the palate alone. Up to a third are not detected within the first 24 hours of life. Averages of 60% with lip involvement are diagnosed on antenatal scanning. Cleft Teams accept referrals upon diagnosis, collaborating and communicating with local services on a Hub & Spoke model to provide care. Delays in diagnosis and referral times can have a negative impact on the child and family. Some 400 syndromes are associated with clefting, most within the rare diseases category, and may not be diagnosed until months or years after birth. Aims Promote awareness of how cleft care is organized in Ireland. Encourage enhanced collaboration & communication with local hospital and community based services to improve diagnosis rates and referral times. Highlight the need for on–going monitoring by key health care professionals (HCPs). Methods Audits of timing of diagnosis demonstrated. Interventions planned by the Cleft Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNSp) detailed. Areas for improved working links are discussed. Results On-going audit demonstrates upward trends in diagnosis rates – 82% diagnosis in the 1st24 hours of life for 2018 birth cohort with cleft palate only. Education sessions provided by the CNSp to HCPs have received positive feedback. Liaison with Public Health Nurses is proving successful for weight monitoring and cleft surgery planning. Discussion Although cleft is a specialist area of practice it affects on average 80 families a year in the Republic of Ireland. The Cleft CNSp has a role to educate and collaborate with maternity & community HCPs in highlighting the importance of prompt diagnosis and subsequent referral and management. Conclusion On-going audit is important to identify trends/improvements. Continued education sessions for HCPs can assist with increasing awareness of cleft conditions, and the idea of ‘link nurses’ or ‘cleft champions’ could be considered. With a changing Model for Children’s Healthcare in Ireland further work is required with Neonatology, General Paediatrics, General Practitioners and Genetic teams to formulate more robust pathways for equal access to care and to assist potential syndrome diagnosis. In the interim the Cleft Team propose that each child has access to a named paediatrician locally for
Reactivity, Mechanism, and Assembly of the Alternative Nitrogenases.

Biological nitrogen fixation is catalyzed by the enzyme nitrogenase, which facilitates the cleavage of the relatively inert triple bond of N2. Nitrogenase is most commonly associated with the molyb...
Deletion of Cardiomyocyte Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 Beta (GSK-3β) Improves Systemic Glucose Tolerance with Maintained Heart Function in Established Obesity.

Obesity is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including heart failure. Thus, there is an urgent need to understand the molecular mechanism of obesity-associated cardiac dysfunction. We recently reported the critical role of cardiomyocyte (CM) Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β) in cardiac dysfunction associated with a developing obesity model (deletion of CM-GSK-3β prior to obesity). In the present study, we investigated the role of CM-GSK-3β in a clinically more relevant model of established obesity (deletion of CM-GSK-3β after established obesity). CM-GSK-3β knockout (GSK-3βfl/flCre+/−) and controls (GSK-3βfl/flCre−/−) mice were subjected to a high-fat diet (HFD) in order to establish obesity. After 12 weeks of HFD treatment, all mice received tamoxifen injections for five consecutive days to delete GSK-3β specifically in CMs and continued on the HFD for a total period of 55 weeks. To our complete surprise, CM-GSK-3β knockout (KO) animals exhibited a globally improved glucose tolerance and maintained normal cardiac function. Mechanistically, in stark contrast to the developing obesity model, deleting CM-GSK-3β in obese animals did not adversely affect the GSK-3αS21 phosphorylation (activity) and maintained canonical β-catenin degradation pathway and cardiac function. As several GSK-3 inhibitors are in the trial to treat various chronic conditions, including metabolic diseases, these findings have important clinical implications. Specifically, our results provide critical pre-clinical data regarding the safety of GSK-3 inhibition in obese patients.
Cannabis constituents reduce seizure behavior in chemically-induced and scn1a-mutant zebrafish.

Abstract Current antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are undesirable for many reasons including the inability to reduce seizures in certain types of epilepsy, such as Dravet syndrome (DS) where in one-third of patients does not respond to current AEDs, and severe adverse effects that are frequently experienced by patients. Epidiolex, a cannabidiol (CBD)-based drug, was recently approved for treatment of DS. While Epidiolex shows great promise in reducing seizures in patients with DS, it is used in conjunction with other AEDs and can cause liver toxicity. To investigate whether other cannabis-derived compounds could also reduce seizures, the antiepileptic effects of CBD, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabinol (CBN), and linalool (LN) were compared in both a chemically-induced (pentylenetetrazole, PTZ) and a DS (scn1Lab−/−) seizure models. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) that were either wild-type (Tupfel longfin) or scn1Lab−/− (DS) were exposed to CBD, THC, CBDV, CBN, or LN for 24 h from 5 to 6 days postfertilization. Following exposure, total distance traveled was measured in a ViewPoint Zebrabox to determine if these compounds reduced seizure-like activity. Cannabidiol (0.6 and 1 μM) and THC (1 and 4 μM) significantly reduced PTZ-induced total distance moved. At the highest THC concentration, the significant reduction in PTZ-induced behavior was likely the result of sedation as opposed to antiseizure activity. In the DS model, CBD (0.6 μM), THC (1 μM), CBN (0.6 and 1 μM), and LN (4 μM) significantly reduced total distance traveled. Cannabinol was the most effective at reducing total distance relative to controls. In addition to CBD, other cannabis-derived compounds showed promise in reducing seizure-like activity in zebrafish. Specifically, four of the five compounds were effective in the DS model, whereas in the PTZ model, only CBD and THC were, suggesting a divergence in the mode of action among the cannabis constituents.
COVID-19: a primer for the rheumatologist: management of patients and care settings.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: There are currently many unanswered questions surrounding the management of patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic and several 'rapid' guidelines have been released, although are subject to be updated and changed in the near future. The purpose of this review is to discuss the approach to management of patients with immune-mediated diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic. RECENT FINDINGS: At present, there is little evidence to suggest an increased risk of COVID-19 infection or its complications in patients with immune-mediated diseases or associated with conventional or biologic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs; however, glucocorticoid use does appear to have negative associations. SUMMARY: Currently, conventional and biologic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs can be continued in the absence of SARS-CoV-2 exposure. In the case of exposure, with the exception of hydroxyhcloroquine and sulfasalazine, immunosuppression should be held for 2 weeks. Our recommendations and the guidelines we discuss here are based on C-level recommendations but help provide a framework for how to counsel our patients during this pandemic.
Improving the utility of MIP analysis for cementitious systems through Gaussian process regression modeling to predict electrical resistivity

Abstract Durability of concrete is a key design parameter and is strongly related to the penetrability of the cementitious binder matrix. This research evaluated methods to estimate the durability of concrete in service, using different procedures to characterize the penetrability of concrete, mortar, and paste. Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) was compared to several standardized testing methods (surface resistivity, bulk resistivity, and bulk diffusion) on specimens made from cementitious paste, mixed mortar, sieved mortar, and concrete. MIP measurements were compared to results from standardized methods, with the goal of developing useful correlations. Gaussian process regression (GPR) modeling was applied to predict the electrical resistivity of concrete using MIP measurements obtained from mortar specimens, in combination with chemical oxide compositions of the mortar components. The resulting GPR model was compared to the Katz-Thompson method for correlating MIP data to electrical resistivity measurements. In this study, GPR modeling offered an improvement over the Katz-Thompson method and was able to predict concrete surface resistivity using porosity data obtained from mortar, providing a potentially useful tool for rapid durability screening of supplementary cementitious materials.
A Model Study of Multilevel Signaling for High-Speed Chiplet-to-Chiplet Communication in 2.5D Integration

The quest for high yield has motivated significant advancement in 2.5D integrated circuits, where chiplets are integrated on a silicon interposer or a package substrate with high-speed parallel communication among them. These channels for 2.5D integrated systems need to have high data bandwidth per unit length (also called shoreline-BW-density and measured in Gb/s/mm) and lower energy per bit area (measured in pJ/b). Typically, NRZ signalling is used but achieving higher data rates continues to be a major challenge. In this paper we explore PAM4 as an alternative to NRZ for signalling the channels. Simulations show that we can achieve up to 63% more energy-efficiency and 27% higher BW density for 2.5D integrated systems.
Low Left Ventricular Stroke Work Index is Associated with a Poor Prognosis in LVAD Patients

Purpose Hemocompatibility-related adverse events (HRAE) are thought to be largely driven by the pump-patient interaction. We hypothesized that patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) with low left ventricular stroke work index (LVSWI), and thus less native contribution to total flow, would have more adverse clinical outcomes. Methods Hemodynamic data was prospectively collected from LVAD patients who had undergone a right heart catheterization with ramp study at our institution between April 2014 and July 2018. LVSWI was calculated as 0.0136 * ((cardiac index/heart rate) * 1000) * (mean arterial pressure - pulmonary capillary wedge pressure). We used a previously identified cutoff point of 31.73 for LVSWI to separate patients into low and high LVSWI groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the association between LVSWI and HRAE, heart failure (HF) readmission, and mortality. Results A total of 93 patients were included in this analysis - average age 61 +/- 11 years, 34% women, 40% Black, and 38% ischemic cardiomyopathy. Low LVSWI was not significantly associated with HRAE (HR 1.65, 95% CI 0.93-2.91, p = 0.081) in univariate analysis, but was statistically significant (HR 1.81, 95% CI 1.02-3.22, p = 0.042) when adjusted for LVAD type (HeartWare HVAD, Heartmate II, and Heartmate 3). Low LVSWI was significantly associated with HF readmission (HR 3.02, 95% CI 1.46-6.24, p = 0.0029) and mortality (HR 2.97, 95% CI 1.29-6.85, p = 0.011), even when adjusted for LVAD type (HR 3.15, 95% CI 1.52-6.54, p = 0.0021 and HR 3.13, 95% CI 1.36-7.21, p = 0.0074, respectively). Conclusion Low LVSWI in LVAD patients is associated with poor prognosis and worse clinical outcomes such as increased HF readmission and mortality.
A simulation method for muscle-driven swimming and its applications

A novel muscle-driven method (MDM) with its corresponding Compute Unified Device Architecture parallel computational code is newly developed to mimic shortening and lengthening of muscles, in a fish-like swimming body, which causes the body flapping in the transversal direction and create a thrust force to propel the body to cruise in the longitudinal direction. In this method, the fish body is discretized as mass points connected by elastic springs and muscle deformation is critically realized by using a constraint algorithm, called RATTLE, to control relative deformation distances between neighboring mass points of the muscles, while turbulent fluids are treated by a multi-relaxation time lattice Boltzmann method with a large eddy simulation. A validation for the MDM is extensively conducted by comparing our simulation results with the existing experimental and theoretical results. Subsequently, the frequency, amplitude, and wavelength of lengthening of muscles and the stiffness and mass density of the body are systematically varied at different levels and their effects on flapping and cruising motion and flow structures are studied at different Reynolds numbers.
Evolution of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies and the Prion Protein Gene (PRNP) in Mammals

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are currently incurable, always fatal, and have the potential to cross species boundaries. The expression of TSEs is thought to be influenced by genetic variation at the prion protein gene (PRNP). Although a wide range of mammals exhibit TSEs, it is currently unclear whether they are evolutionarily clustered or if TSE+ species are randomly distributed phylogenetically. We tested whether mammalian species with TSEs are phylogenetically underdispersed on three phylogenetic trees, one constructed from 20 aligned gene sequences for 102 taxa (a species tree), and PRNP gene trees from nucleotide and from amino acid sequence variation. TSEs were present in a variety of orders excluding Chiroptera, Eulipotyphyla, and Lagomorpha, and cetaceans. The occurrence of TSEs on the PRNP and species trees is non-random (Species tree D-value = 0.291; PRNP tree D-value = 0.273; PRNP amino acid tree D-value = 0.238), and TSEs appears to have arisen independently in the recent history of different mammalian groups. We found no evidence that particular protein motifs segregated between species with or without TSEs. Our findings suggest that the evolution of TSEs develops in groups of species irrespective of PRNP genotype.
The Leipzig Professorship

Haas maintained his interests in the history of science and with the help of the famous and influential science historian Karl Sudhoff, he was appointed in 1914 as docent for science history and as lector of the Poggendorff Journal at the University of Leipzig. He gave several successful lectures on the topic but also gradually developed a strong interest in theoretical physics.
Auf den Spuren des Gedächtnisses

ERIC R. KANDEL wollte immer schon wissen, wie man sich etwas merkt und warum man es vergist: zunachst als angehender Psychoanalytiker, dann als Molekularbiologe. Inzwischen hat er die Forschung um entscheidende Schritte weitergebracht.
A Critique of Kirzner's Concept of Sheer Ignorance

The concept of sheer ignorance states that the main obstacle to grasping hitherto unnoticed profit opportunities is the decision makers' unawareness of their ignorance about the existence of discrepancies in prices that could be eliminated through profitable arbitrage operations. The paper argues that the logical justification of such unawareness is not fully consistent with the understanding of entrepreneurial discoveries in terms of price arbitrage. It also argues that, contrary to Kirzner's theory, the logic of entrepreneurial discoveries is compatible with strategies of deliberate search and the creation of new opportunities which, in their own turn, play the important role in shaping uncertainty. The paper's approach allows to further articulate the uniqueness of Austrian research program: To focus on the generation of new knowledge by entrepreneurs, as well as on their skillful use of probabilistic and interpretive subjective judgments.
Metal Ion Toxicity

General principles of metal ion toxicity in humans are discussed including comparative stabilities with a variety of ligands and interdependencies among metal ions. Short reviews are presented for cadmium, mercury, lead, and aluminum. Keywords: aluminum; cadmium; lead; mercury; metal toxicity; stability ruler
Silicon electrochemistry related to the formation of porous silicon

The authors have examined in detail the electrochemistry of both n- and p-type single-crystal
Acute Immobilization Stress Disrupts Testicular Steroidogenesis in Adult Male Rats by Inhibiting the Activities of 17α‐Hydroxylase and 17,20‐Lyase Without Affecting the Binding of LH/hCG Receptors

We have investigated the effect of acute immobilization (3 hours) stress on testicular steroidogenesis in the adult rat. Immobilization did not alter plasma luteizing hormone (LH) levels, but plasma testosterone (T) levels were reduced by 82%. Plasma levels of corticosterone in stressed rats were elevated more than ninefold over control levels. After 3 hours of stress, testicular levels of progesterone were elevated 33%, and levels of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and T were reduced 47% and 37%, respectively, compared to controls. Immobilization for 3 hours had no effect on the association or dissociation rate constants of LH/human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) receptors of testicular interstitial cells and did not alter specific hCG binding. The effect of 3 hours of immobilization on testicular 17 alpha-hydroxylase and 17,20-lyase was assessed by incubating testicular microsomes from stressed and control animals in the presence of 21[14C]progesterone and [3H]17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone. Immobilization of rats reduced the Vmax values of 17 alpha-hydroxylase and 17,20-lyase by 47% and 48%, respectively, but had no effect on the Km values. These results support the hypothesis that stress for 3 hours disrupts rat testicular steroidogenesis via a mechanism that is independent of changes in circulating levels of LH and the binding characteristics of LH/hCG receptors. The effects of immobilization on the content of testicular steroids and on the activities of 17 alpha-hydroxylase and 17,20-lyase suggest that stress inhibits the activities of both 17 alpha-hydroxylase and 17,20-lyase.
Latin American and Caribbean Ethnic Studies

After a long history of denial and suppression, the resurgence of ethnicity has become a potent factor in contemporary Latin America and the Caribbean. From the point of view of economic growth and...
Control without hierarchy.

Understanding how particular natural systems operate without central control will reveal whether such systems share general properties.
Insulin-like growth factor II modulates the routing of cathepsin D in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

A previous observation that insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) inhibits the cellular uptake of a lysosomal enzyme by inhibiting binding to the IGF-II/mannose 6-phosphate receptor led to the proposal that, in a cell producing IGF-II, the routing of lysosomal enzymes might be altered. To test this hypothesis MCF-7 breast cancer cells were transfected with pRc/CMV vector only (CMV) or vector containing IGF-II complementary DNA encoding either mature (M-II) or precursor (P-II) IGF-II, and the routing of cathepsin D, a predominant lysosomal enzyme in this cell line, was examined. The concentration of IGF-II in media conditioned by P-II clones (11.2 +/- 4.3 micrograms/ml) was much higher than in media conditioned by M-II clones (1.3 +/- 1.5 micrograms/ml). Metabolic labeling experiments were performed with 10 mM mannose 6-phosphate present in the medium to block reuptake of lysosomal enzymes. Cell extracts (C) and media (M) were immuno-precipitated with a cathepsin D antiserum, and immunoprecipitates were a...