cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Water Economy of Two Desert Canids: Coyote and Kit Fox

Water loss rates (W1) were determined by tritium dilution for free-ranging kit foxes ( Vulpes macrotis ), for unrestrained desert coyotes ( Canis latrans ), and for kit foxes in a naturally landscaped outdoor enclosure. Coyote W1 was much greater in summer than in winter ( P < 0.001). Seasonal variation of W1 was not statistically apparent in kit foxes. The weight-specific water loss of kit foxes was intermediate between summer and winter rates in coyotes. Kit fox W1 was 65% of that predicted on the basis of body weight, whereas W1 for summer coyotes was 155% of predicted. Metabolic water was estimated to contribute 18% of total daily water requirements for kit foxes and approximately 10% for coyotes in summer. For both coyotes and kit foxes, the acquisition of preformed water was calculated to require substantially more prey than was required to meet energy demands.
Testing and Analysis of the Load Distribution Among Bearings in a 600 MW Steam Turbine Unit

Established was a mathematical model for solving the load distribution among bearings in a steam turbine. A group of strain gauges was arranged at both sides of the couplings of the turbine rotor and the whole bridge mode was adopted to measure and test the bending strain values at multiple sections of the rotor,thus obtaining the loads on bearings by using the strain values actually measured. The method in question was used to develop a strain system for testing the loads on bearings of a steam turbine. An experimental study was performed of a 600 MW steam turbine unit and the loads distribution among bearings of a high pressure rotor and two low pressure rotors were obtained with the alignment of the shafting system of the unit being analyzed. The test results show that the method un-der discussion can be used to conveniently and accurately identify the load and center distribution of bearings,thus offering guidance for installation and maintenance of the unit.
Abstract ES9-1: Role for IGF/Insulin signaling in breast cancer

Because insulin regulates glucose homeostasis, there has been extensive study into the molecular mechanisms of action of the insulin signaling system. Besides insulin, additional ligands, insulin-like growth factor (IGF) – I and –II and specific receptors for these ligands regulate cellular biology. The receptors share a similar structure and function. Once ligand binds the extracellular domain, a conformational change occurs allowing autophosphorylation of the intracellular tyrosine kinase domains and subsequent activation of multiple signaling pathways that ultimately result in cellular glucose uptake. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) results from deficient insulin receptor (InsR) signaling and subsequent elevation of serum glucose with compensatory attempt at regulating this pathophysiology by increased insulin production by the pancreas. While the etiology of T2D is complex and multi-factorial, obesity and insulin resistance are epidemiologically and mechanistically linked. Insulin was one of the first peptide growth factors known to stimulate breast cancer proliferation. Epidemiological data link obesity, metabolic syndrome (hyperinsulinemia), and elevated levels of IGFs to breast cancer risk and poor outcome for women diagnosed with breast cancer. These data, in part, led to the development of multiple targeted therapies for breast cancer. Receptor targeting of IGF-receptor signaling was not successful in hormone receptor (HR) positive breast cancers possibly because drugs designed to target this receptor disrupted the negative feedback of this endocrine system and resulted in the elevation of serum insulin levels. Since InsR was not affected by anti-IGF receptor drugs, the potential that InsR was stimulated by these drug treatments could explain their failure. In contrast to receptor targeting strategies, the inhibition of downstream signaling pathways, such as mTORC1, have been successful in HR-positive breast cancer. Preclinical and clinical data have revealed complex intracellular and endocrine feedback pathways that affect the ability of any single targeted drug to effectively disrupt signals from this ligand-receptor family. This session will discuss combination strategies based on clinical and preclinical studies that could translate into effective drug therapies to disrupt this signaling system. Citation Format: Yee D. Role for IGF/Insulin signaling in breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr ES9-1.
Exploring the economic significance of the surf tourism market by experience level

Abstract Although it has increased in popularity, surfing as a form of active sport tourism has received little attention in relation to its economic impact. The purpose of this paper is to explore the economic significance of the surf tourism market and examine any differences in spending based on surfer experience level. A longitudinal survey yielded 706 completed surveys for analysis. Descriptive and ANOVA statistics revealed that, as a niche tourism group, surfers bring economic benefits to a destination and that there are differences between surfers based on the number of years spent surfing. Surfers typically travel in groups of two to four people and were most likely to be repeat visitors to the destination. In addition, this group spends money on a year-round basis. As surfers gain experience in their sport they are also more likely to travel more frequently and spend more money per day.
Polymer Coating Materials and Their Fouling Release Activity: A Cheminformatics Approach to Predict Properties.

A novel cheminformatics-based approach has been employed to investigate a set of polymer coating materials designed to mitigate the accumulation of marine biofouling on surfaces immersed in the sea. Specifically, a set of 27 nontoxic, amphiphilic polysiloxane-based polymer coatings was synthesized using a combinatorial, high-throughput approach and characterized for fouling-release (FR) activity toward a number of relevant marine fouling organisms, including bacteria, microalgae, and adult barnacles. In order to model these complex systems adequately, a new computational technique was used in which all investigated polymer-based coating materials were considered as mixture systems comprising several compositional variables at a range of concentrations. By applying a combination of methodologies for mixture systems and a quantitative structure–activity relationship approach (QSAR), seven unique QSAR models were developed that were able to successfully predict the desired FR properties. Furthermore, the dev...
Potential to improve precipitation forecasts in Texas through the incorporation of multiple teleconnections

Climate oscillations are one of the primary factors that influence precipitation. This study uses canonical correlation analysis (CCA) to examine how El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, North Atlantic Oscillation, Pacific Decadal Oscillation, and the Pacific-North American pattern influence precipitation in Texas. This study identifies the months, regions, and time lags where the relationships between climate oscillations and precipitation are strongest. Correlation results indicate that ENSO accounts for the greatest amount of precipitation variance in Texas. However, including all five climate oscillations is important and together they account for a greater amount of the variance in precipitation than any individual climate oscillation. Precipitation in southern Texas is more strongly influenced by climate oscillations than other regions in Texas. The CCA results demonstrate that there are statistically significant relationships between the climate oscillations and precipitation at time lags longer than 6 months during the summer and at time lags shorter than 6 months during the winter. Based on the CCA results, a precipitation forecast model was developed for the three climate regions that we defined. In the cases of January, the Heidke Skill Score (HSS) of our model is comparable or higher to those achieved by the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) in each region. For all of the 36 month/region cases (12 months × 3 regions), there are 50% cases that the HSS of our model is comparable or higher to those achieved by the CPC. The results of this study illustrate that including multiple teleconnections can increase forecast skill, and statistical methods are useful for precipitation forecasting at a 0-month lead time.
Baseline symptoms are associated with post-concussion symptom frequency and severity in college and high school athletes

Objective To determine the association between baseline symptoms and symptom frequency and severity one day post-concussion in college and high school athletes. Design Prospective cohort. Setting USA colleges (n=26) and high schools (n=210). Subjects Concussed individuals (n=375; 314 males; 61 females) recruited from a baseline cohort (N=8,905). Intervention Baseline presence or absence for each of the 20 items on a Graded Symptom Checklist (GSC). Outcome measures GSC symptom frequency and severity one day post-concussion. Results Individuals with baseline headache (χ2(1)=10.98; P 0.05). Conclusions Athletes reporting baseline symptoms, particularly those in physical and sleep-related domains, were more likely to report a higher frequency and severity of these same symptoms one day post-concussion. Understanding factors influencing post-concussion symptom recovery may inform clinical decision-making and offer selection criteria for appropriate active recovery strategies. Competing interests None.
The Wisconsin Role in the School Choice Movement

Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson led a Midwestern policy revolution in the late 1980s and early 1990s centered on providing parents with more school choices. Since those early years, school choice in the forms of private school vouchers, public charter schools, and public school open enrollment have spread across almost all of the country. Longitudinal evaluations of the effects of the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP), the voucher program initiated by Governor Thompson, indicate that student achievement outcomes were not consistently affected by vouchers but other vital student outcomes, including educational attainment, civic values, criminal proclivities as well as parent and student satisfaction were positively influenced by participation in private school choice. A generally similar pattern of results applies to public charter schools and open enrollment. Parents across the U.S. tend to have more educational options in no small part due to the pioneering initiatives of Tommy Thompson. Although the evidence on school choice, and the desirability of the policies themselves, remains fiercely contested 30 years later, our assessment is that, on balance, disadvantaged families in Wisconsin and elsewhere are no worse off and most likely somewhat better off if they have availed themselves of the school choice opportunities that Governor Thompson helped to make possible.
Assessing Alternative Organic Amendments as Horticultural Substrates for Growing Trees in Containers1

Abstract Conventional substrates for nursery plant production typically are soilless media that are comprised of low bulk density material with either organic or synthetic components. These mixes aim to provide a lightweight medium that provides acceptable water holding capacity and nutrient retention and create a suitable environment for root proliferation and biomass growth. In an effort to identify alternatives to traditional container substrates, a comparative amendment study was conducted to observe changes in media qualities and plant growth response of Aronia melanocarpa ‘Viking' and Acer saccharum over a period of 16 months. Materials used to amend traditional medium included composted green waste, biosolids and wood chips, biochar, aerated compost tea and vermicompost. The results of this study found that all amendments performed equally as well as control (NULL) treatments for root, shoot and total biomass production for both Aronia melanocarpa ‘Viking' and Acer saccharum. After a period of 16 m...
Expatriates’ international opportunity recognition and innovativeness: The role of metacognitive and cognitive cultural intelligence

Abstract International opportunity recognition has become increasingly important in both the international business and international entrepreneurship fields. While previous international entrepreneurship research has suggested a wide variety of innovation-inducing factors, it has neglected the role of cross-cultural competences and the expatriate as a potential actor. Building on the experiential learning theory and a model of opportunity recognition, we argue how and why metacognitive and cognitive cultural intelligence are important cross-cultural competences that stimulate and enable expatriates to discover international opportunities and be innovative. We use a mixed method approach to analyze differences in the innovativeness of expatriates.
Polycrystalline Terfenol-D thin films grown at CMOS compatible temperature

Terfenol-D thin films have the largest magnetoelastic coefficient at room temperature of any material system and thus are ideal for voltage induced strain multiferroics. However, Terfenol-D requires 500 0C processing temperature which prohibits its use in CMOS devices where processing temperatures must be below 450 0C. In this paper, we describe a deposition process that produces quality Terfenol-D film with processing temperature below 450 0C. These films have extremely smooth surfaces (Ra∼1nm) with excellent magnetoelastic properties (λs=880 microstrain) similar to its bulk polycrystalline counterpart. The films are produced by DC magnetron sputtering and deposited on heated substrates at 250 0C and post annealed at either 250 0C, 400 0C or 450 0C. Among these films only the film annealed at 450 0C produces crystalline Terfenol-D with a face centered cubic crystal structure and saturation magnetization of ∼700 emu/cc. MOKE Magnetic hysteresis loops measured with four point bending fixture show compressi...
Spiking allows neurons to estimate their causal effect

Neural plasticity can be seen as ultimately aiming at the maximization of reward. However, the world is complicated and nonlinear and so are neurons9 firing properties. A neuron learning to make changes that lead to the maximization of reward is an estimation problem: would there be more reward if the neural activity had been different? Statistically, this is a causal inference problem. Here we show how the spiking discontinuity of neurons can be a tool to estimate the causal influence of a neuron9s activity on reward. We show how it can be used to derive a novel learning rule that can operate in the presence of non-linearities and the confounding influence of other neurons. We establish a link between simple learning rules and an existing causal inference method from econometrics, yielding proofs of both the correctness of the approach as well as its asymptotic behavior.
Rutting Evaluation of Alaskan Asphalt Pavement Containing Sustainable Materials

Permanent pavement deformation, or rutting, is one of the most noticeable distresses in hot mix asphalt. In Alaska, pavement rutting concerns exist at different levels because of seasonal climate change and traffic variation across the entire state. A number of sustainable materials in recent years have been used in Alaska’s pavement construction for their durability and economic and environmental benefits. These materials include modified or highly modified asphalt, warm mix asphalt (WMA), and recycled asphalt pavement (RAP). Using these materials in asphalt pavements may overturn the current understanding of rutting performance in Alaska. Therefore, this study aimed at conducting comprehensive rutting evaluations of these sustainable materials and their applications in Alaska. Based on data collected from 29 Alaskan mixtures, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (ρ) was used to discover the link between asphalt pavement analyzer (APA) rut depth and asphalt mixture performance tester parameters for rutting evaluation in order to identify good rutting indicators. The correlation of APA rut depth and flow number (FN) was found to be the strongest, and FN was recommended for rutting evaluation if the APA test was not available. APA results confirmed the good rutting resistance of asphalt mixtures containing high-end modified binders, such as WMA that is produced by adding Sasobit and RAP. Preliminary field evaluation showed no significant rutting concerns in Alaska regarding the application of mixtures containing modified binders, WMA, and RAP.
Chemoprevention: Cinderella Waiting for the Ball

Tamoxifen was first shown to prevent the initiation and promotion of rat mammary carcinogenesis in the 1970s. During the 1990s, numerous trials were initiated to test the worth of tamoxifen to decrease the incidence of breast cancer in otherwise healthy women. The Royal Marsden study was first with a vanguard study in the 1980s followed by the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) P-1 trial, the Italian Study of women not at risk, and the International Breast Cancer Study Group (IBIS). Multiple subsequent analyses all showed some efficacy to reduce breast cancer incidence, but the NSABP study was the strongest powered clinical trial uniformly demonstrating a 50 % decrease in incidence for both pre- and postmenopausal women at risk. As predicted, endometrial cancer was the most troublesome side effect, but only in postmenopausal women taking tamoxifen.
Iatrogenic lymphoproliferative disorders in non-transplantation settings.

Over the last decade, it has become clear that iatrogenic immunodeficiency-related lymphoproliferative disorders can occur in non-transplantation settings. These lymphoproliferative disorders occur predominantly in patients with rheumatologic diseases who are treated with immunomodulatory drugs. Luce immunodeficiency-related lymphoproliferations in other settings, these represent a spectrum of lymphoid neoplasms and are frequently associated with Epstein-Barr virus. The distribution of histologic types of iatrogenic lymphoproliferations in non-transplantation settings appears to differ from that seen in other immunodeficiency settings with a probable increase in representation of Hodgkin’s disease and lymphoproliferations resembling Hodgkin’s disease. Recognition of these immunodeficiency-related lymphoproliferative disorders is important for appropriate patient management.
Preventing Childhood Malaria: Strategies That Work Today and Directions for the Future

Malaria, an ancient plague named “Mal Air” by the Italians for its association with swampy areas, remains the most lethal single agent for children under the age of 5: it is responsible for 8% of all deaths in this population. One million children die each year, which is equivalent to one death every 30 s approximately the same number of people that die from HIV each year. Public awareness and funding for treatment and control has trailed significantly. One of the reasons for this is that 90% of the deaths are confined to children (Johansson, Newby, Renshaw, & Wardlaw, 2007). In ­addition, they live in sub-Saharan African, and so they are largely invisible to the industrialized world. However, malaria can be transmitted throughout the tropics and in temperate zones, including the USA and Europe, and it is as lethal to nonimmune adults as it is to young children. As with all infectious diseases drug-resistant strains have developed posing increased risk to travelers and residents. A number of ­economists also suggest that endemic diseases such as malaria are one of the ­primary obstacles to economic development (Teklehaimanot, McCord, & Sachs, 2007). In the case of malaria, 40% of the world’s population is affected.
Shahbag Stolen? Third Force Dynamics and Electoral Politics in Bangladesh:

The Shahbag Movement, demanding capital punishment for war criminals of the 1971 liberation war in Bangladesh, emerged in February 2013 in Dhaka. This youth-led grassroots movement erupted in respo...
Optical switching with organics

Organic microcavity optical transistors open up opportunities for real-world optical switching at room temperature. Now, an all-optical switch at room temperature, using an organic exciton medium with high quantum yield, brings us a step closer to all-optical logical networks.
Validity and Reliability of the Updated CDC Worksite Health ScoreCard.

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the updated 2019 CDC Worksite Health ScoreCard (CDC ScoreCard), which includes four new modules. Methods We pilot tested the updated instrument at 93 worksites, examining question response concurrence between two representatives from each worksite. We conducted cognitive interviews and site visits to evaluate face validity, and refined the instrument for public distribution. Results The mean question concurrence rate was 73.4%. Respondents reported the tool to be useful for assessing current workplace programs and planning future initiatives. On average, 43% of possible interventions included in the CDC ScoreCard were in place at the pilot sites. Conclusion The updated CDC ScoreCard is a valid and reliable tool for assessing worksite health promotion policies, educational and lifestyle counseling programs, environmental supports, and health benefits.
Divergent mass selection for ear length in the Iowa Long Ear Synthetic maize cultivar after twenty-seven cycles of selection

26 Introduction 27 Materials and Methods 29 Results and Discussion 33 Response to selection 33 Correlated responses 38 Analysis of the Sl-bulked lines 39 Analysis of genetic variability among SI lines 42 References 47
Mesenchymal Stem Cells Delivered in a Novel Cartilage Mimetic Hydrogel for the Treatment of Focal Chondral Lesions in an Equine Animal Model

Objectives:A degradable biomaterial has been developed that resembles the native cartilage biochemical properties, in which stem cells can be seeded, differentiate and develop cartilaginous tissue....
Racial disparities in end-stage renal disease in a high-risk population: the Southern Community Cohort Study

The Southern Community Cohort Study is a prospective study of low socioeconomic status (SES) blacks and whites from the southeastern US, where the burden of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and its risk factors are high. We tested whether the 2.4-fold elevated risk of ESRD we previously observed in blacks compared to whites was explained by differences in baseline kidney function. We conducted a case-cohort study of incident ESRD cases (n = 737) with stored blood and a probability sampled subcohort (n = 4238) and calculated estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from serum creatinine. 86% of participants were enrolled from community health centers in medically underserved areas and 14% from the general population in 12 states in the southeastern United States. Incident ESRD after entry into the cohort was ascertained by linkage of the cohort with the US Renal Data System (USRDS). Median (25th, 75th percentile) eGFR at baseline was 63.3 (36.0, 98.2) ml/min/1.73m2 for ESRD cases and 103.2 (86.0, 117.9) for subcohort. Black ESRD cases had higher median (25th, 75th) eGFR [63.3 (35.9, 95.9)] compared to whites [59.1 (39.4, 99.2)]. In multivariable Cox models accounting for sampling weights, baseline eGFR was a strong predictor of ESRD risk, and an interaction with race was detected (P = 0.029). The higher ESRD risk among blacks relative to whites persisted (hazard ratio: 2.58; 95% confidence interval: 1.65, 4.03) after adjustment for eGFR. In this predominantly lower SES cohort, the racial disparity in ESRD risk is not explained by differences in baseline kidney function.
Concise Synthesis of (+)‐[ 13 C 4 ]‐Anatoxin‐a by Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of a Cyclic Iminium Ion

An asymmetric total synthesis of [13 C4 ]-anatoxin-a ([13 C4 ]-1) has been developed from commercially available ethyl [13 C4 ]-acetoacetate ([13 C4 ]-15). The unique requirements associated with isotope incorporation inspired a new, robust, and highly scalable route, providing access to 0.110 g of this internal standard for use in the detection and precise quantification of anatoxin-a in freshwater. A highlight of the synthesis is a method that leverages a cyclic iminium ion racemization to achieve dynamic kinetic resolution in an enantioselective Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) cyclization.
Anemia Among Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair: From the National Inpatient Sample in the United States.

Background The prevalence and impact of anemia on the outcomes of transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) have not been well-studied. Anemia is a commonly encountered comorbidity among patients with cardiovascular disorders and is frequently under-recognized. The study aimed to analyze the prevalence of anemia and its impact on post-TMVr in-hospital outcomes. Methods The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) was queried to identify all patients who underwent TMVr from 2011-2015 in the United States by utilizing suitable International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes. The baseline characteristics and in-hospital outcomes were compared among patients with and without anemia. Results A total of 4,382 patients were identified. Out of these, 978 (22.3%) patients had baseline anemia. Anemic patients were noted to have a higher burden of co-morbidities, including chronic kidney disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. The in-hospital mortality was higher but not statistically significant between anemic and non-anemic patients (3.6% vs 2.6%; odds ratio (OR): 1.44; confidence interval (CI): 0.85-2.46, p=0.179). The other adverse outcomes, including the length of stay, the requirement for blood transfusions, the incidence of post-implant acute kidney injury, hemodialysis, and the cost of hospitalization, were higher in anemic patients. Conclusion Anemia was present in one out of five patients undergoing TMVr in this nationally representative cohort. Baseline anemia showed numerically higher but not statistically significant in-hospital mortality and was associated with other in-hospital adverse outcomes. Further larger studies are needed to highlight the importance of anemia in the TMVr procedure.
Sedation Considerations for ECMO

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used for respiratory and/or circulatory support when other conventional measures are no longer successful. Sedation and neuromuscular blockade management are a critical part in maintaining patient comfort and safety during ECMO cannulation. Historically patients have been kept heavily sedated and paralyzed to minimize accidental decannulation or interruption of ECMO flow, and theoretically obviate additional trauma to the lungs. The ECMO circuit and components can alter drug pharmacokinetics and volume of distribution leading to complexities in patient management. There are no evidence-based guidelines for sedation management while on ECMO, despite evidence in adult, general medical and surgical patients supporting improved outcomes with protocols targeting lighter sedation. With more experience and longer ECMO runs, the sedation landscape is shifting away from keeping patients heavily sedated and neuromuscular blockaded with increased realization of benefits associated with lighter sedation and “awake” ECMO in the appropriate population.
Understanding and Representing the Distinct Kinetics Induced by Reactive Collisions of Rovibrationally Excited Ephemeral Complexes across Reactive Collider Mole Fractions and Pressures.

Rovibrationally excited ephemeral complexes AB**, formed from the association of two molecules A + B, are generally considered to undergo collisions only with an inert bath gas M that transfer energy-inducing termolecular association reactions A + B (+M) â AB (+M). Recent studies have demonstrated that reactive collisions of AB** with a third molecule C-inducing chemically termolecular reactions A + B + C â products-can also be significant in combustion and planetary atmospheres. Previous studies on systems with reactive collisions have primarily focused on limited ranges of reactive collider mole fraction, XC, and pressure, P, specific to the chosen application. Yet, it remains to be established how such systems, and the rate constants of their emergent phenomenological reactions, behave over the wide XC and P ranges of potential interest-a gap in the present understanding that has impeded the development of broadly applicable rate laws and general treatment of such systems in kinetic modeling. Here, we present results from master equation calculations for HO2** formed from H + O2 and its reactions with H to advance understanding and explore representations of systems with reactive colliders across wide ranges of XC and P. With regard to understanding, we demonstrate that reactive collisions can both (1) increase the overall rate of conversion of reactants to products and (2) alter the branching ratio among final products. With regard to representations in kinetic models, we find that rate constants of all emergent phenomenological reactions-termolecular association A + B (+M), chemically termolecular A + B + C, and bimolecular AB + C-exhibit a rich XC and P dependence. We also present analyses to explore the existence of a unique phenomenological representation (or lack thereof) and assess ways for the distinct effects of reactive collisions to be represented in kinetic models.
Antinociceptive Effects of Kappa-Opioid Receptor Agonists

Preclinical models that assess "pain" in rodents typically measure increases in behaviors produced by a "pain stimulus." A large literature exists showing that kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonists can decrease these "pain-stimulated behaviors" following many different pain stimuli. Despite showing apparent antinociceptive properties in these preclinical models, KOR agonists failed as analgesics in clinical trials. Recent studies that assessed decreases in behavior due to a pain stimulus show that KOR agonists are not effective in restoring these "pain-depressed behaviors" to normal levels, which agrees with the lack of effectiveness for KOR agonists in clinical trials. One current explanation for the failure of previous KOR agonists in clinical trials is that those agonists activated beta-arrestin signaling and that KOR agonists with a greater bias for G protein signaling will be more successful. However, neither G protein-biased agonists nor beta-arrestin-biased agonists are very effective in assays of pain-depressed behavior, which suggests that novel biased agonists may still not be effective analgesics. This review provides a concise account of the effectiveness of KOR agonists in preclinical models of pain-stimulated and pain-depressed behaviors following the administration of different pain stimuli. Based on the previous results, it may be appropriate to include both behaviors when testing the analgesic potential of KOR agonists.
Prehydration mitigates damage accrued from prolonged periods of desiccation in cultured shoot apices of Syntrichia ruralis

We hypothesised that a prehydration period (exposure to humid air) should mitigate the damaging effects of short or long periods of desiccation in a desert moss, Syntrichia ruralis. Cultured uniclo...
Temporal vs. spatial variation in stress-associated metabolites within a population of climate-sensitive small mammals.

Temporal variation in stress might signify changes in an animal's internal or external environment, while spatial variation in stress might signify variation in the quality of the habitats that individual animals experience. Habitat-induced variations in stress might be easiest to detect in highly territorial animals, and especially in species that do not take advantage of common strategies for modulating habitat-induced stress, such as migration (escape in space) or hibernation (escape in time). Spatial and temporal variation in response to potential stressors has received little study in wild animals, especially at scales appropriate for relating stress to specific habitat characteristics. Here, we use the American pika (Ochotona princeps), a territorial small mammal, to investigate stress response within and among territories. For individually territorial animals such as pikas, differences in habitat quality should lead to differences in stress exhibited by territory owners. We indexed stress using stress-associated hormone metabolites in feces collected non-invasively from pika territories every 2 weeks from June to September 2018. We hypothesized that differences in territory quality would lead to spatial differences in mean stress and that seasonal variation in physiology or the physical environment would lead to synchronous variation across territories through time. We used linear mixed-effects models to explore spatiotemporal variation in stress using fixed effects of day-of-year and broad habitat characteristics (elevation, aspect, site), as well as local variation in habitat characteristics hypothesized to affect territory quality for this saxicolous species (talus depth, clast size, available forage types). We found that temporal variation within territories was greater than spatial variation among territories, suggesting that shared seasonal stressors are more influential than differences in individual habitat quality. This approach could be used in other wildlife studies to refine our understanding of habitat quality and its effect on individual stress levels as a driver of population decline.
Sodium bicarbonate administration and subsequent potassium concentration in hyperkalemia treatment

Abstract Background Hyperkalemia is an electrolyte disorder commonly encountered in the emergency department that can result in significant morbidity and mortality. While sodium bicarbonate is often used for acute lowering of serum potassium, its efficacy is not well established. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and quantify the amount of potassium reduction in emergency department patients who received intravenous sodium bicarbonate as part of treatment for hyperkalemia compared with those who did not. Methods A retrospective electronic chart review was conducted on adult patients who presented to the emergency department with initial potassium concentration greater than or equal to 5.4 mMol/L and received intravenous insulin as part of hyperkalemia treatment. Patients who received intravenous sodium bicarbonate in addition to intravenous insulin were included in the sodium bicarbonate group. The control group included patients who did not receive intravenous sodium bicarbonate. The primary objective of this study was to compare the absolute reduction in serum potassium between initial and second concentrations in patients from the sodium bicarbonate group and those in the control group. Results A total of 106 patients were included in this study with 38 patients in the sodium bicarbonate group and 68 patients in the control group. Median initial potassium concentration was 6.6 mMol/L in the sodium bicarbonate group and 6.1 mMol/L in the control group (P = 0.009). Absolute reduction of potassium at first repeat was 1 and 0.9 mMol/L in sodium bicarbonate group and control group respectively (P = 0.976). Conclusions The addition of sodium bicarbonate therapy to intravenous insulin in the treatment of hyperkalemia did not offer statistically significant added efficacy in potassium lowering. Larger studies are needed to further validate the result findings.
Nuclear deformation guides chromatin reorganization in cardiac development and disease.

In cardiovascular tissues, changes in the mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix are associated with cellular de-differentiation and with subsequent functional declines. However, the underlying mechanoreceptive mechanisms are largely unclear. Here, by generating high-resolution, full-field strain maps of cardiomyocyte nuclei during contraction in vitro, complemented with evidence from tissues from patients with cardiomyopathy and from mice with reduced cardiac performance, we show that cardiomyocytes establish a distinct nuclear organization during maturation, characterized by the reorganization of H3K9me3-marked chromatin towards the nuclear border. Specifically, we show that intranuclear tension is spatially correlated with H3K9me3-marked chromatin, that reductions in nuclear deformation (through environmental stiffening or through the disruption of complexes of the linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton) abrogate chromatin reorganization and lead to the dissociation of H3K9me3-marked chromatin from the nuclear periphery, and that the suppression of H3K9 methylation induces chromatin reorganization and reduces the expression of cardiac developmental genes. Overall, our findings indicate that, by integrating environmental mechanical cues, the nuclei of cardiomyocytes guide and stabilize the fate of cells through the reorganization of epigenetically marked chromatin. Strain maps of cardiomyocyte nuclei during contraction indicate that, by integrating environmental mechanical cues, the nuclei of cardiomyocytes stabilize the fate of cells through the reorganization of epigenetically marked chromatin.
Zonisamide responsive familial myoclonus dystonia (P3.014)

OBJECTIVE: To describe the symptomatic benefit to Zonisamide in two cases of familial myoclonus dystonia BACKGROUND: Myoclonus dystonia syndrome (MDS) is a rare young onset movement disorder with a characteristic phenotype of alcohol responsive truncal/upper limb myoclonus with cervical dystonia and/or writer’s cramp. Epsilon-sarcoglycan gene ( SGCE ) mutations occur in a proportion of these cases. The SGCE gene encodes a transmembrane protein and is inherited as autosomal dominant with variable penetrance due to maternal imprinting. Clonazepam, Valproate, Topiramate, dopamine agonists, anti-cholinergics have been reported to improve symptoms to variable extents in MDS. We report two familial cases of MDS who did not respond well to Clonazepam but responded very well to Zonisamide. DESIGN/METHODS: MM a 60-year old Caucasian male developed involuntary movements (IM) - brief sharp jerks of the head, neck, shoulder and facial muscles from the age of 27 years. The IM were suppressed with alcohol; exacerbated by caffeine, fatigue and stress. Similar IM were reported by his daughter, brother and sister. MRI brain, EEG, CBC/CMP, serum anti-gliadin, endomysial antibodies were normal. MG the patient’s 16 year old daughter also developed IM of head/neck on writing that interfered with her daily activities. All investigations for a cause were negative. In both, genetic testing was positive for SCGE DNA sequence variations RESULTS: MM was initially treated with Clonazepam and later with Levetiracetam, Benzhexol, Artane and Levodopa. He did not respond and was later given Zonisamide 200 mg daily with significant improvement in the IM. MG was also started on Zonisamide and titrated to 200 mg daily with resolution of myoclonic jerks. CONCLUSIONS: We report two cases of familial MDS refractory to multiple medications but with a good response to Zonisamide. The responsiveness of MDS to Zonisamide has not been systematically evaluated and merits further study. Study Supported by: No disclosures Disclosure: Dr. Tummala has nothing to disclose. Dr. Chand has received personal compensation for activities with Teva Neuroscience and Allergan as a speaker.
Studies of nerve-muscle interactions in Xenopus cell culture: fine structure of early functional contacts

We have studied the fine structure of nerve-muscle contacts during the first few hours of synaptogenesis in embryonic Xenopus cell cultures. The precise timing of contact was achieved by manipulating isolated spherical myocytes (myoballs) into contact with growth cones or neurites of co-cultured spinal neurons. The contacts were shown to be functional by whole-cell voltage-clamp recording of nerve-evoked synaptic currents in the muscle cell. The ultrastructure of these functional contacts was examined by thin-section electron microscopy. In total, 20 nerve-muscle pairs were studied with contact periods ranging from 20 min to 12 hr, during which time a substantial increase in the amplitude of synaptic currents occurred. The structure of noncontacting cells and of nerve-muscle contacts formed between the cells by natural encounters in 1-d-old cultures were also examined in order to identify the features and the time course of morphological differentiation of early functional contacts. Prominent features of the contact area during the first few hours included: close apposition of the nerve and muscle membranes, greater frequency of coated pits and vesicles, and thickening of postsynaptic muscle membrane. Occasionally, clusters of clear vesicles occurred near presynaptic membrane, but no further sign of active zone differentiation was observed. In comparison, definitive active zone structure, well-formed extracellular basal lamina, and widened cleft were seen in natural contacts less than 24 hr old. This study of the identified functional contacts may help us to understand the structural basis for early nerve-muscle interaction and the functional significance of various synaptic specializations.
Pose Estimation from a Single Depth Image for Arbitrary Kinematic Skeletons

We present a method for estimating pose information from a single depth image given an arbitrary kinematic structure without prior training. For an arbitrary skeleton and depth image, an evolutionary algorithm is used to find the optimal kinematic configuration to explain the observed image. Results show that our approach can correctly estimate poses of 39 and 78 degree-of-freedom models from a single depth image, even in cases of significant self-occlusion.
Breast cancer screening: Racial/ethnic differences in behaviors and beliefs

Racial/ethnic differences in breast cancer screening behaviors and beliefs were examined in 259 asymptomatic women, 50 years old or older, who participated in a no-cost worksite breast cancer screening program. Hispanics were more likely than African Americans to report having had mammography in the past year. Caucasians and Hispanics were more likely than African Americans to report having had a clinical breast examination in the past year. African Americans to report having had a clinical breast examination in the past year. African Americans and Hispanics were more likely to practice monthly breast self-examination than were Caucasians. African Americans were more likely to report cancer-related fears and worries as barriers to mammography, whereas Caucasians were more likely to report being too busy, inconvenience, and procrastination as barriers. African Americans also were more likely to evaluate their physicians and other health professionals positively than were Caucasians. These results suggest a need to make a special effort to address cancer-related fears as barriers to screening among African Americans, and time-related barriers to screening among Caucasians.
Expression and Replication of the Influenza Virus Genome

The genome of influenza A viruses is composed of eight segments of negative polarity (see Chapter 1). In infected cells, these virion RNAs (vRNAs) are both transcribed into messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and replicated. The distinctive feature of influenza viral mRNA synthesis is that it is primed by 5′ capped (m7GpppNm-containing) fragments derived from newly synthesized host-cell RNA polymerase II transcripts (Bouloy et al., 1978, 1979; Krug et al.,1979; Plotch et al., 1979, 1981; Krug, 1981, 1983; Herz et al., 1981). The mRNA chains are elongated until a stretch of uridine residues is reached 17–22 nucleotides before the 5′ ends of the vRNAs, where transcription terminates and polyadenylate [poly(A)] is added to the mRNAs (Hay et al., 1977a; Robertson et al., 1981). For replication to occur, an alternative type of transcription is required that results in the production of full-length copies of the vRNAs. The full-length transcripts, or template RNAs, are initiated without a primer and are not terminated at the poly(A) site used during mRNA synthesis (Hay et al., 1977a, 1982). The second step in replication is the copying of the template RNAs into vRNAs. This synthesis also occurs without a primer, since the vRNAs contain 5′ triphosphorylated ends (Young and Content, 1971). The three types of virus-specific RNAs—mRNAs, template RNAs, and vRNAs— are all synthesized in the nucleus of infected cells (Herz et al., 1981; Jackson et al., 1982; Shapiro et al., 1987). During the early phase of infection, the synthesis of these three types of virus-specific RNAs is coupled (Hay et al., 1977a; G. L. Smith and Hay, 1982; Shapiro et al., 1987), whereas during the later phase of infection essentially only vRNAs are synthesized (Shapiro et al., 1987).
THE SURVIVAL OF UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IN MASSACHUSETTS: ERISA PREEMPTION OF AN ACT PROVIDING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, QUALITY, ACCOUNTABLE HEALTH CARE

* Luke T. Tashjian is an attorney practicing law in Worcester, Massachusetts. He received his J.D. with honors from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 2006. He is admitted to practice law in Massachusetts and Connecticut. 1. Retail Indus. Leaders Ass’n v. Fielder, 435 F. Supp. 2d 481, 496 n.15 (D. Md. 2006), aff’d, 475 F.3d 180 (4th Cir. 2007). Despite the United States spending sixteen percent of its gross domestic product on health care while other industrialized nations spend ten percent or less, Brief for AARP as Amici Curiae Supporting Appellant at 6, Retail Indus. Leaders Ass’n, 475 F.3d 180 (Nos. 06-1840 & 06-1901), the United States consistently performs more poorly than most industrialized countries on many mea­ sures of health care quality. NAT’L COAL. ON HEALTH CARE, HEALTH CARE FACTS: QUALITY OF CARE (2009), http://nchc.org/sites/default/files/resources/Fact Sheet­ Quality.pdf. “The U.S. is 33 percent worse than the best country on mortality from conditions amendable to health care—that is, deaths that could have been prevented with timely and effective care.” NAT’L COAL. ON HEALTH CARE, FACTS ON THE QUAL­
Regulation of biosynthesis of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and of tRNA in Escherichia coli. II. Isolation of regulatory mutants affecting leucyl-tRNA synthetase levels.

Spontaneous revertants of a temperature-sensitive Escherichia coli strain harboring a thermolabile leucyl-tRNA synthetase were selected for growth at 42°C. Of these, a large number still contain the thermolabile leucyl-tRNA synthetase. In four such revertants an increased production of the thermolabile enzyme was found. Two distinct genetic loci have been shown to be responsible for the overproduction of leucyl-tRNA synthetase. One locus, leuX, identifies a cis-dominant operator-promoter region adjacent to the structural gene for leucyl-tRNA synthetase, leuS; the other locus, leuY, maps far from leuS and codes for a protein. leuY− is recessive to leuY+.
Storage conditions of wet corn distillers' grains with solubles in combination with other feeds and understanding the effects on performance of lactating dairy cows

Ramirez-Ramirez, H. A., Geis, A. R., Heine, C. S., Clark, K. J., Gehman, A. M. and Kononoff, P. J. 2011. Storage conditions of wet corn distillers’ grains with solubles in combination with other feeds and understanding the effects on performance of lactating dairy cows. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 91: 331–339. Wet distillers’ grains are commonly stored in polyethylene silo bags until needed for feeding. The objective of the first experiment was to evaluate the nature of ensiling wet distillers’ grains with soluble (WDGS) alone or in combination with other feeds. A 3×4×3 factorial experiment was conducted in which 36 mixtures were made using three loads of distillers’ grains stored at varying levels with three feeds (corn silage, ground corn, and brome hay). In all mixtures, the addition of feeds to WDGS increased the pH of stored material. The objective of the second experiment was to evaluate the effects of feeding WDGS on milk production. Twenty Holstein cows were used in a 4×5 Youden square. Prior to initiation...