cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A rapid and simple silver enhancement procedure for ultrastructural localization of the retrograde tracer WGAapoHRP-Au and its use in double-label studies with post-embedding immunocytochemistry.

WGAapoHRP-Au is a colloidal gold conjugate of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) coupled to enzymatically inactive (apo) horseradish peroxidase (HRP). This protein-gold complex has proven very useful for retrograde tracing studies in the nervous system (Basbaum and Menetrey: J Comp Neurol 261:306, 1987). To identify retrogradely labeled cells, the colloidal gold is made visible by silver intensification. As the tracer has no HRP enzymatic activity, it can be combined with HRP-based procedures (or with fluorescent methods) in a variety of multiple-label studies. Standard silver intensification procedures, however, are run at low pH and therefore are incompatible with good EM preservation; moreover, osmication of the tissue oxidizes the silver product, which is then lost in subsequent dehydration steps. This report describes a rapid and simple commercially available silver intensification procedure. The procedure is run at neutral pH and can be performed after osmication. The tracer is readily detected at the EM l...
Plasmacytoma and upper airway obstruction

Extramedullary plasmacytomas are hematologic malignancies that occur primarily in the head and neck region. They usually involve the submucosal lymphoid tissue of the nasopharynx or paranasal sinuses and present as soft tissue masses, but have not been previously reported to cause airway obstruction. In general, detection of plasmacytoma antedates the eventual development of the systemic hematologic malignancy, multiple myeloma, by months or years. We describe a unique case of acute upper respiratory tract obstruction secondary to compression by an extramedullary plasmacytoma occurring in the neck of a patient with history of long-standing multiple myeloma. Upper airway obstruction may be a manifestation of untreated plasmacytoma. It is imperative for otolaryngologists and head and neck surgeons to be familiar with this entity because total excision, as well as radiation therapy, for plasmacytomas can be curative in patients without underlying overt plasma cell dyscrasias.
Investigational Vertebroplasty Safety and Efficacy Trial (INVEST): Patient-reported Outcomes through 1 Year

Given the observed short- and long-term outcomes of this study, the role of vertebroplasty in the treatment of painful vertebral compression fractures warrants further study.
Theoretical Derivation of Value of Travel Time and Demand Elasticity: Evidence from New Jersey Turnpike Toll Road

Users' value of travel time (VOTT) and their responsiveness to toll changes (elasticity) for different trip purposes in the presence of time-of-day pricing is explored for drivers on the New Jersey Turnpike (NJTPK). An analytical model is developed by extending DeSerpa's classical time allocation model and relaxing the constant marginal utility assumption. This model joins users' time-of-day choices in the presence of time-of-day pricing and departure- or arrival-time restrictions. With traveler survey data collected to evaluate the NJTPK time-of-day pricing program, VOTT and elasticity functions for different departure-time choices and trip purposes are estimated. The main contribution of the empirical results is the finding that in the presence of time-of-day pricing applications, when the main choice of commuters is departure time rather than alternative routes or modes, VOTT and elasticity of a user are influenced by trip purpose, desired arrival time, and early or late arrival amount in addition to t...
Reiki for the treatment of fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Fibromyalgia is a common, chronic pain condition for which patients frequently use complementary and alternative medicine, including Reiki. Our objective was to determine whether Reiki is beneficial as an adjunctive fibromyalgia treatment. Design: This was a factorial designed, randomized, sham-controlled trial in which participants, data collection staff, and data analysts were blinded to treatment group. Setting/location: The study setting was private medical offices in the Seattle, Washington metropolitan area. Subjects: The subjects were comprised 100 adults with fibromyalgia. Intervention: Four (4) groups received twice-weekly treatment for 8 weeks by either a Reiki master or actor randomized to use direct touch or no touch (distant therapy). Outcome measures: The primary outcome was subjective pain as measured by visual analog scale at weeks 4, 8, and 20 (3 months following end of treatment). Secondary outcomes were physical and mental functioning, medication use, and health provider visits. Participant blinding and adverse effects were ascertained by selfreport. Improvement between groups was examined in an intention-to-treat analysis. Results: Neither Reiki nor touch had any effect on pain or any of the secondary outcomes. All outcome measures were nearly identical among the 4 treatment groups during the course of the trial. Conclusion: Neither Reiki nor touch improved the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Energy medicine modalities such as Reiki should be rigorously studied before being recommended to patients with chronic pain symptoms.
Urbanization and crime : Germany, 1871-1914

Introduction 1. The criminal justice system: safe streets in a well-organized police state 2. Popular opinion: crime as a 'foreign' concept 3. Long-term trends: the modernization of crime and the modernization of German society 4. Urban-rural difference, ethnicity and hardship: cities are not to blame 5. Criminals and victims: the crucial importance of gender 6. Conclusion: crime rates, crime theories and German society.
Eosinophils and allergic airway disease: there is more to the story

The eosinophil has been perceived as a terminal effector cell in allergic airway diseases. However, recent work has shown that this multifunctional cell could be more involved in the initial stages of allergic disease development than was previously thought, particularly with regard to the ability of the eosinophil to modulate T-cell responses. In this review, we discuss recent advances that suggest that eosinophils can present antigen to naive as well as to antigen-experienced T cells, induce T helper 2 cell development, cytokine production or both, and affect T-cell migration to sites of inflammation. These findings are changing the way that eosinophil function in disease is perceived, and represent a shift in the dogma of allergic disease development.
Gamma surgery in the treatment of nonsecretory pituitary macroadenoma

Object. The authors report on a retrospective analysis of the imaging and clinical outcomes following gamma surgery in 100 patients with nonsecretory pituitary macroadenoma. Methods. Between June 1989 and March 2004, 100 consecutive patients with nonsecretory pituitary macroadenoma were treated at the Lars Leksell Center for Gamma Surgery, University of Virginia Health System (Charlottesville, VA). Ninety-two patients had residual or recurrent macroadenoma following one or more surgical procedures. In eight patients, gamma surgery was the primary treatment. Ten patients received conventional fractionated radiotherapy before the gamma surgery. Sixty-nine patients required hormone replacement therapy for one or more deficits before gamma knife treatment. Peripheral doses between 5 and 25 Gy (mean 18.5 Gy) were administered. Imaging and endocrinological follow-up evaluations were performed in 90 patients; these studies ranged from 6 to 142 months (mean 44.9 months) and 6 to 127 months (mean 47.9 months), respectively. Tumor volume decreased in 59 patients (65.6%), remained unchanged in 24 (26.7%), and increased in seven (7.8%). The minimal effective peripheral dose was 12 Gy; peripheral doses greater than 20 Gy did not seem to provide additional benefit. Of 61 patients with a partially or fully functioning pituitary gland and follow-up data, 12 (19.7%) suffered new hormone deficits following gamma surgery. In patients with endocrinological follow-up data that had been collected over more than 2 years, the rate of new deficits was 25%. No neurological morbidity or death was related to treatment. Conclusions. Current experience suggests that gamma surgery is an appropriate means of managing recurrent or residual nonsecretory pituitary macroadenoma following microsurgery and a primary treatment in selected patients. To evaluate definite rates of recurrence and new endocrine deficiencies, long-term follow-up studies are needed.
Strange Stability in Hierarchically Coupled Neuropsychobiological Systems

A major theoretical issue of concern to neuropsychobiologists today involves a meaningful integration of data and models from the spatially, temporally, and conceptually disjoint subdisciplines of brain research. Catalytic and binding events in neurotransmitter enzymes and receptors occurring over angstroms in nanoseconds and mood cycles involving brain hemispheric asymmetries over decimeters in months span electromagnetic events of a similar range of scales in time and space, yet find harmonious integration in quasi-stable patterns of observable behavior. The macroscopic phenomena have been explained in the context of deterministic elementary processes and from the perspective of a single level of experimental observation. The pursuit of the field mechanisms underlying the brain’s cross-scale vertical integration requires more abstract metrics with the potential for generalization across disciplinary boundaries. During the two recent decades of radical reductionism in brain research, neurobiologists have treated as experimentally undefinable such global descriptive concepts from the 1950s as attention [1], limbic system emotionality [2], and brain function as a reflex arc through a dynamically configured network of delays [3].
Sexual functioning and quality of life after prostate cancer treatment: considering sexual desire.

Abstract Objectives To evaluate whether the relationship between sexual desire and quality of life (QOL) is moderated by sexual functioning in 91 men who had received treatment for localized prostate cancer within the past 18 months. Methods Items from the University of California, Los Angeles, Prostate Cancer Index and Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite were used to assess sexual factors, and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—General Module was administered to evaluate QOL. Education, income, and the Charlson comorbidity index were significantly related to QOL and controlled in all analyses. We tested a moderated regression model to predict QOL. Results Although a main effect was detected for sexual functioning, the interaction of sexual desire and sexual functioning added a significant amount to the explained variance in QOL. Post hoc tests of moderation revealed that men with lower sexual functioning had significantly lower QOL scores as the level of sexual desire increased, suggesting that desire in the absence of adequate functioning may result in poorer QOL. Additionally, a tendency was found for men with better sexual functioning to have higher QOL scores as the level of sexual desire increased. Conclusions The results of our study suggest that both sexual desire and sexual functioning are necessary for optimal QOL and highlight the utility of considering these two facets of sexuality independently to maximize the prediction of variance in QOL scores.
Persistent Heat Signature for Pose-oblivious Matching of Incomplete Models

Although understanding of shape features in the context of shape matching and retrieval has made considerable progress in recent years, the case for partial and incomplete models in presence of pose variations still begs a robust and efficient solution. A signature that encodes features at multi-scales in a pose invariant manner is more appropriate for this case. The Heat Kernel Signature function from spectral theory exhibits this multi-scale property. We show how this concept can be merged with the persistent homology to design a novel efficient pose-oblivious matching algorithm for all models, be they partial, incomplete, or complete. We make the algorithm scalable so that it can handle large data sets. Several test results show the robustness of our approach.
Amphiphilic Blockers Punch through a Mutant CLC-0 Pore

Intracellularly applied amphiphilic molecules, such as p-chlorophenoxy acetate (CPA) and octanoate, block various pore-open mutants of CLC-0. The voltage-dependent block of a particular pore-open mutant, E166G, was found to be multiphasic. In symmetrical 140 mM Cl−, the apparent affinity of the blocker in this mutant increased with a negative membrane potential but, paradoxically, decreased when the negative membrane potential was greater than −80 mV, a phenomenon similar to the blocker “punch-through” shown in many blocker studies of cation channels. To provide further evidence of the punch-through of CPA and octanoate, we studied the dissociation rate of the blocker from the pore by measuring the time constant of relief from the block under various voltage and ionic conditions. Consistent with the voltage dependence of the effect on the steady-state current, the rate of CPA dissociation from the E166G pore reached a minimum at −80 mV in symmetrical 140 mM Cl−, and the direction of current recovery suggested that the bound CPA in the pore can dissociate into both intracellular and extracellular solutions. Moreover, the CPA dissociation depends upon the Cl− reversal potential with a minimal dissociation rate at a voltage 80 mV more negative than the Cl− reversal potential. That the shift of the CPA-dissociation rate follows the Cl− gradient across the membrane argues that these blockers can indeed punch through the channel pore. Furthermore, a minimal CPA-dissociation rate at a voltage 80 mV more negative than the Cl− reversal potential suggests that the outward blocker movement through the CLC-0 pore is more difficult than the inward movement.
Maternal Parity and Diet (n-3) Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Concentration Influence Accretion of Brain Phospholipid Docosahexaenoic Acid in Developing Rats

The long-chain PUFA, docosahexaenoic acid [22:6(n-3), DHA], a major component of neuronal membrane phospholipids, accumulates in brain during late prenatal and early neonatal development and is essential for optimal attentional and cognitive function. Because all nutrition is supplied to the developing fetus/neonate by the mother and maternal DHA status is affected by parity, this study examined the effects of maternal diet and parity on DHA accretion in the developing brain. Whole brain total phospholipid fatty acid composition was determined by TLC and GC in weanling male Long-Evans rats (n = 5) from the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th litters of dams fed diets containing alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), containing ALA and preformed DHA (ALA + DHA), or lacking ALA (low-ALA). First-litter low-ALA offspring exhibited a decrease in phospholipid fatty acid DHA content to 68% of 1st-litter ALA pups. DHA in 2nd-litter low-ALA pups was further decreased to 55% of 1st-litter ALA pups, but further decreases were not observed in subsequent litters. DHA levels increased 15-20% in 2nd to 4th-litter ALA + DHA pups and 11% in 4th-litter ALA pups compared with 1st-litter ALA pups. These findings demonstrate that maternal diet and parity interact to affect offspring brain DHA status and suggest that maternal multiparity may place offspring at greater risk of decreased accretion of brain DHA if the maternal diet contains insufficient (n-3) PUFA.
A Markov process based dilemma zone protection algorithm

Dilemma zone (DZ) is an area at high-speed signalized intersections, where drivers can neither cross safely nor stop comfortably at the yellow onset. The dilemma zone problem is a leading cause for crashes at high-speed signalized intersections and is therefore a pressing issue. This paper presents a novel Markov-chain-based dilemma zone protection algorithm that considers the number of vehicles caught in DZ as a Markov process. The new algorithm can predict the numbers of vehicles in DZ and determine the best time to end the green so as to reduce the number of vehicles caught in DZ per hour. The algorithm was compared to the traditional green extension system and the results showed that the new algorithm was superior.
Converse Lyapunov theorems and robust asymptotic stability for hybrid systems

We state results on the existence of smooth Lyapunov functions for hybrid systems whose solutions satisfy a class-KLL estimate with respect to two measures. The class-KLL estimate, a natural extension of class-KL estimate, is in terms of the elapsed time and the number of jumps that have occurred. The main result is that a smooth Lyapunov function exists if and only if the class-KLL estimate is robust. In turn, sufficient conditions for robustness are given. Special cases include systems with compact attractors. Most of the results parallel, and unify, what has been developed previously for differential inclusions and difference inclusions.
Dabigatran versus warfarin after mechanical mitral valve replacement in the swine model

ABSTRACTBackground: Mechanical heart valve replacement is an absolute indication for anticoagulation. We report our experience comparing dabigatran to warfarin as thromboembolic prophylaxis after mechanical mitral valve replacement in the swine model. Methods: Nineteen swine underwent mitral valve replacement with a regulatory approved, 27 mm mechanical valve. Two control groups consisted of three animals receiving no anticoagulation and five animals receiving warfarin (5 mg once a day [QD], adjusted to maintain international normalized ratio [INR] from 2.0 to 2.5). The experimental group consisted of 11 animals receiving dabigatran (20 mg/kg twice a day [BID]). The study period was 90 days. The primary outcome was animal mortality; secondary outcomes included presence of thrombus and bleeding complications. Results: The experimental group had four full-term survivors (40.0%); there were no full-term survivors in either control group. The average length of survival was 50.3 days in the experimental group ...
Ionic Liquids in Lipid Extraction and Recovery

The market for lipids is a broad and expanding one that includes nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and precursors for fuels such as biodiesel. However, it can also suffer periodic fluctuations in demand, which can undermine product revenues. This chapter describes the various processes of lipid extraction from biomass sources such as food waste, animal waste, oil seeds, and unicellular microorganisms.
The electron paramagnetic resonance of metalloproteins.

E.p.r. is a spectroscopic technique that probes the environment of a paramagnetic centre by defining tlie size and shape of the magnetic moment produced by the unpaired electron. and by characterizing any magnetic fields which might be produced by the parent molecule in the vicinity of the paramagnetic centre. In the context of our interests, these unpaired electrons are found either in selected transition metal ions or in certain organic free radicals. My talk will focus on the e.p.r. of biochemically interesting transition metal ions, for only these paramagnets exhibit a great variety of magnetic nionients. Organic radicals by contrast have identical magnetic moments (to within la). Notable examples of e.p.r.-active metalloproteins are listed in Table 1 and members of this Table will be discussed in detail by other contributors to this Colloquium. As is the case with most forms of spectroscopy, e.p.r. measurements of paramagnetic metalloproteins ;ire made with one of two objectives in mind. Conceptually the simplest. but by no means insignificant, is the ability of e.p.r. to provide a quantitative measure of the amount of paramagnetic species present in one's sample. In this instance. e.p.r. plays the same role as absorbance measurements in many other areas of biochemical research. The particular virtue of e.p.r. is that. for most systems, tlie intensity of the e.p.1. signal is independent of the chemical species so that a sample can be quantified without a priori knowledge of an 'extinction coefficient'. Such measurements occupy a large part of the e.p.r. method; iti general. they d o n o t require any special knowledge of the e.p.r. process (see Note 1 . Appendix 3 ) . The second objective is to obtain insights into the structural domain i t i which the paramagnet resides. and t o characterize the local environment of the paramagnet by probing tlic interaction of local electric and magnetic fields with the unpaired electron( s ) of the transition metal ion. This latter utilization of e.p.r. requires substantiallj, more understanding of tlie e.p.r. phenomenon than d o intensity measurements and the objective of this review is
Organizing Cells Within Non-Periodic Microarchitectured Materials That Achieve Graded Thermal Expansions

The aim of this paper is to introduce an approach for optimally organizing a variety of different unit cell designs within a large lattice such that the bulk behavior of the lattice exhibits a desired Young’s modulus with a graded change in thermal expansion over its geometry. This lattice, called a graded microarchitectured material, can be sandwiched between two other materials with different thermal expansion coefficients to accommodate their different expansions or contractions caused by changing temperature while achieving a desired uniform stiffness. First, this paper provides the theory necessary to calculate the thermal expansion and Young’s modulus of large multi-material lattices that consist of periodic (i.e., repeating) unit cells of the same design. Then it introduces the theory for calculating the graded thermal expansions of a large multimaterial lattice that consists of non-periodic unit cells of different designs. An approach is then provided for optimally designing and organizing different unit cells within a lattice such that both of its ends achieve the same thermal expansion as the two materials between which the lattice is sandwiched. A MATLAB tool is used to generate images of the undeformed and deformed lattices to verify their behavior and various examples are provided as case studies. The theory provided is also verified and validated using finite element analysis and experimentation.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Activity of new insecticides against adults of Hippelates collusor and H. pusio.

The biological activity of 15 insecticides (not reported previously) against adults of Hippelates collusor (Townsend) was studied in the laboratory. All 15 materials evaluatecl had higher biological activity than malathion. VC-13, OMS-8, dimethoate. OMS-115 and G-30494 were exceptionally effective. The low mammalian toxicities of these compounds have stimulated special interest in their use for eye gnat control. Other materials which were less effective than those mentioned above but were more effective than malathion were Bayer 25141, G-27365, GC-4072, Bayer 29493, OMS-3 and phosphamidon. DDT and Zectran®showed less activity than malathion.
U.S. Policy, Cultural Heritage, and U.S. Borders

This article situates the discussion of illicit trafficking in antiquities in the context of the relationship between the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security. The main argument is that U.S. cultural heritage policy is part of a broader agenda of political discourse that links matters of heritage to wider concerns of security. If the underlying goal of the U.S. State Department is mutual understanding through open dialogue, how can initiatives that focus on the criminal networks and security, efforts tackled by the Department of Homeland Security, contribute to building a positive image for the United States abroad? Here I explore strategic aspects of U.S. cultural policies and federally supported programs aimed at mitigating against the illicit trade in antiquities as part of building and maintaining cultural relations.
Chorioamnionitis Caused by Capnocytophaga: Case Report and Review

We report a case of pathologically demonstrated chorioamnionitis due to Capnocytophaga species. The mother had high fever and marked uterine tenderness, and the infant had poor Apgar scores, fever, and pulmonary infiltrates. Both recovered after receiving specific antibiotics. Pathological examination of the placenta revealed acute chorioamnionitis, subchorionitis, and vasculitis of the umbilical vein. The dramatic clinical and pathological features of this case are compared with those of the nine previously reported cases of infection due to Capnocytophaga species occurring in pregnancy.
WAVE AND CURRENT INTERACTIONS IN SHALLOW WATER

Interactions between waves and currents are common and important phenomena in the coastal zone. Coastal currents, such as longshore currents, rip currents, and river flows, can significantly change wave heights and directions of wave propagation. Consequently, the design for shoreline protection measures must be adjusted accordingly. Various theories for wave-current interactions exist and have been reviewed by Peregrine and Jonsson (1983). Most of these theories are developed for large-scale currents where the length-scale for the current variation is much greater than the typical wavelength. These theories cannot be applied to the coastal currents which are small-scale currents. In this paper, the interactions between currents and nonlinear shallow water waves are investigated. Boussinesq equations are used to derive evolution equations for spectral wave components. The current intensity is assumed to be larger than the leading wave orbital velocity and smaller than the group velocity. The length-scale of the current is much shorter than those assumed in the existing large-scale theories. To facilitate numerical computations, the parabolic approximation is applied and a simplified model is developed. A numerical example is given for the refraction and diffraction of cnoidal waves over a rip current on a sloping topography. Both normal and oblique incident cases are examined.
Assessing Goodness of Fit of Hybrid Choice Models: An Open Research Question

Recent research in travel behavior has contributed numerous technical developments for the estimation of discrete choice models with latent attributes, including the hybrid choice model (HCM). However, assessment of goodness of fit, reliability, validity, and predictive capacities of the joint model remain open research questions. The HCM is a special form of structural equation modeling (SEM). Several goodness-of-fit indexes are all in standard use in psychometric SEM. In this paper, the validity of these indexes is examined for the HCM case. Behavior of SEM fit assessment tools is known in factor analysis (some controversies in this area are reviewed in this paper), but performance of these indexes in the HCM has not been studied. A Monte Carlo study, as well as empirical microdata on bicycle route choice, was used to show that standard SEM fit assessment did not work as expected for the HCM. Important differences were discovered in model fit between the HCM and the multiple indicator multiple cause (MI...
Comparative Perspectives on Organizational Learning, Instructional Leadership, and Culturally Responsive Practices: Conclusions and Future Directions

This chapter begins with a further synthesis of the commonalities and differences in capacity building , instructional leadership , and culturally responsive practices as well as recommendations for leadership preparation and policy across the countries included in this text. Next, the chapter highlights the value of comparative and challenges of international research studies to the field of educational administration preparation, practice, and policy . This chapter concludes with suggestions for future research in the international study of successful school principals (ISSPP).
Staging Workup in Pregnant Cancer Patients

Imaging serves a fundamental role in the diagnosis and staging of most malignancies. Selection of imaging procedures commonly used in the staging of oncology patients must be carefully considered in pregnant patients with a cancer diagnosis, given potential risks to the developing fetus from exposure to ionizing radiation. Alternative imaging methods, which either minimize or eliminate the use of radiation, may be preferable in this clinical situation. This chapter provides an overview of imaging modalities that can be considered in pregnant cancer patients, as well as imaging techniques and procedures for specific anatomic locations, including the breast, bones, head and neck, thoracic, and abdominopelvic regions.
Mental Health Service Utilization Among Frail, Low-Income Elders

Abstract This study was conducted to determine the extent to which service providers in a community-based care program accurately identified and referred elders with symptoms of depression. Interviews were conducted with 79 frail, low-income elders, with the CES-D used to gauge depressive symptomatology. Reviews of their case files were then conducted to determine first, the extent to which case managers recognized depressive symptoms and second, the extent to which respondents who screened with significant symptoms were referred for mental health services. Results suggest an imperfect association between CES-D scores and case managers' perceptions and referrals. Less than 1/3 (31%) of those who screened for depression received counseling.
Interannual Variability in Global Mean Sea Level Estimated from the CESM Large and Last Millennium Ensembles

To better understand global mean sea level (GMSL) as an indicator of climate variability and change, contributions to its interannual variation are quantified in the Community Earth System Model (CESM) Large Ensemble and Last Millennium Ensemble. Consistent with expectations, the El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is found to exert a strong influence due to variability in rainfall over land (PL) and terrestrial water storage (TWS). Other important contributors include changes in ocean heat content (OHC) and precipitable water (PW). The temporal evolution of individual contributing terms is documented. The magnitude of peak GMSL anomalies associated with ENSO generally are of the order of 0.5 mm·K−1 with significant inter-event variability, with a standard deviation (σ) that is about half as large The results underscore the exceptional rarity of the 2010/2011 La Nina-related GMSL drop and estimate the frequency of such an event to be about only once in every 75 years. In addition to ENSO, major volcanic eruptions are found to be a key driver of interannual variability. Associated GMSL variability contrasts with that of ENSO as TWS and PW anomalies initially offset the drop due to OHC reductions but short-lived relative to them. Responses up to 25 mm are estimated for the largest eruptions of the Last Millennium.
The MDM2 Antagonist Nutlin-3 Is a Potent Inducer of Apoptosis in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells with Wild-Type p53 and Overexpression of MDM2.

In pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), overexpression of MDM2 by leukemic cells is typically associated with a wild-type (wt) p53 phenotype and chemoresistance. A recently-developed small-molecule antagonist of MDM2, nutlin-3, inhibits the MDM2-p53 interaction, resulting in induction of p53 activity and apoptosis. In the present study, we evaluated the cytotoxic effect of nutlin-3 on ALL cells with different p53 status and MDM2 expression, using 18 cell lines and 30 primary leukemia samples. We found that both ALL cell lines and primary ALL samples with wt-p53 are sensitive to nutlin-3. No cytotoxic effect of nutlin-3 was detected in ALL cells with either p53-mutant or null phenotypes. In wt-p53 ALL cells, there was a significant positive correlation between MDM2 expression levels and sensitivity to nutlin-3. Nutlin-3-induced cell death was mediated by p53-induced activation of pro-apoptotic proteins and by p53-induced repression of the anti-apoptotic protein survivin. Because p53 function is inhibited by MDM2 in chemoresistant, MDM2-overexpressing ALL cells, potent killing of these cells by nutlin-3 suggests that this agent may be a novel therapeutic for refractory ALL.
Low Testosterone Alters the Activity of Mouse Prostate Stem Cells.

BACKGROUND Low serum testosterone (low T) has been repeatedly linked to worse outcomes in men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer (PC). How low T contributes to these outcomes is unknown. Here we demonstrate that exposure to low T causes significant changes in the mouse prostate and prostate stem cells. METHODS Mice were castrated and implanted with capsules to achieve castrate, normal, or sub-physiological levels of T. After 6 weeks of treatment, LC-MS/MS was used to quantify the levels of T and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in serum and prostate tissue. FACS was used to quantify the percentages of purported prostate stem and transit amplifying (TA) cells in mouse prostates. Prostate tissues were also stained for the presence of CD68+ cells and RNA was extracted from prostate tissue or specific cell populations to measure changes in transcript levels with low T treatment. RESULTS Despite having significantly different levels of T and DHT in the serum, T and DHT concentrations in prostate tissue from different T treatment groups were similar. Low T treatment resulted in significant alterations in the expression of androgen biosynthesis genes, which may be related to maintaining prostate androgen levels. Furthermore, the expression of androgen-regulated genes in the prostate was similar among all T treatment groups, demonstrating that the mouse prostate can maintain functional levels of androgens despite low serum T levels. Low T increased the frequency of prostate stem and TA cells in adult prostate tissue and caused major transcriptional changes in those cells. Gene ontology analysis suggested that low T caused inflammatory responses and immunofluorescent staining indicated that low T treatment led to the increased presence of CD68+ macrophages in prostate tissue. CONCLUSIONS Low T alters the AR signaling axis which likely leads to maintenance of functional levels of prostate androgens. Low T also induces quantitative and qualitative changes in prostate stem cells which appear to lead to inflammatory macrophage infiltration. These changes are proposed to lead to an aggressive phenotype once cancers develop and may contribute to the poor outcomes in men with low T. Prostate 77:530–541, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison of four different nerve conduction techniques of the superficial fibular sensory nerve.

Introduction There are many different nerve conduction study (NCS) techniques to study the superficial fibular sensory nerve (SFSN). We present reference distal latency values and comparative data regarding 4 different NCS for the SFSN. Methods Four different NCS techniques, Spartan technique, Izzo techniques (medial and intermediate dorsal cutaneous branches), and Daube technique, were performed on (114) healthy volunteers. A total of 108 subjects with 164 legs were included. Results The mean latency of the Spartan technique was longest (3.9 ± 0.3 ms) while the Daube technique was the shortest (3.6 ± 0.7 ms). The mean amplitude of the Daube technique displayed the highest (15.2 ± 8.2 μV) with the Spartan technique having the lowest (8.7 ± 4.2 μV). Among the absent sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs), the Spartan technique was absent only twice (1.2%) and the Izzo Medial technique was absent more than the other techniques (2.9%). Conclusions All 4 techniques were reliable methods for obtaining the superficial fibular nerve SNAP, present in 95% of individuals. Muscle Nerve 56: 458–462, 2017
Cloud-based machine learning for predictive analytics: Tool wear prediction in milling

The proliferation of real-time monitoring systems and the advent of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) over the past few years necessitates the development of scalable and parallel algorithms that help predict mechanical failures and remaining useful life of a manufacturing system or system components. Classical model-based prognostics require an in-depth physical understanding of the system of interest and oftentimes assume certain stochastic or random processes. To overcome the limitations of model-based methods, data-driven methods such as machine learning have been increasingly applied to prognostics and health management (PHM). While machine learning algorithms are able to build accurate predictive models, large volumes of training data are required. Consequently, machine learning techniques are not computationally efficient for data-driven PHM. The objective of this research is to create a novel approach for machinery prognostics using a cloud-based parallel machine learning algorithm. Specifically, one of the most popular machine learning algorithms (i.e., random forest) is applied to predict tool wear in dry milling operations. In addition, a parallel random forest algorithm is developed using the MapReduce framework and then implemented on the Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud. Experimental results have shown that the random forest algorithm can generate very accurate predictions. Moreover, significant speedup can be achieved by implementing the parallel random forest algorithm.
How to spend it

Tech titan Jeff Bezos wants to splash his cash to make the world a better place. This means tackling the trickier problems--education and crumbling urban infrastructure--in addition to health and emergency relief. Auerbach investigates how Bezos can try to avoid the pitfalls of philanthropy
Adoption and sustained use of cleaner cooking fuels in rural India: a case control study protocol to understand household, network, and organizational drivers.

Implementing efficient stoves and clean fuels in low and middle-income countries are critical for improving health of poor women and children and improve the environment. Cleaner biomass stoves, however, perform poorly against the World Health Organization’s indoor air quality guidelines. This has shifted the focus to systematic dissemination and implementation of cleaner cooking systems such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) among poor communities. Even when there is some uptake of LPG by poor communities, its sustained use has been low. Concurrent use of LPG with traditional biomass cookstoves compromises reductions in household air pollution and limits health and environmental dividends. Therefore understanding key drivers of adoption and sustained implementation of clean fuels among the poor is critical. There is a significant gap, however, in the research to understand determinants and sustained exclusive use of clean fuels in rural poor communities. Using a case control study design, this study will explore the impact of affordability, accessibility, and awareness on adoption and sustained use of LPG among rural poor communities of India. The study uses a multistage random sampling to collect primary data from 510 households. Case group or LPG adopters constitute 255 households while control group or non-LPG adopters constitute the remaining 255 households. The study will deploy sophisticated stove use monitoring sensors in each of the stoves in 100 case group households to monitor stove use and stacking behavior (using clean and traditional systems of cooking) of participants for 12 months. Moreover, this will be the first study to explore the impact of personal social networks striated by gender on LPG adoption. This study is guided by the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) implementation science evaluation framework. Lessons from this study will feed into a larger discussion on developing a pro-poor strategy to foster uptake and sustained use of cleaner cooking systems such as LPG. Understanding the determinants of adoption and sustained use of cleaner cooking systems through the RE-AIM framework will expand our insights on implementation of cleaner cooking systems among poor communities and will advance implementation science in the clean cooking sector. A thorough study of such implementation strategies is crucial to realize multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals on global health, climate change, and energy security.
Polymerization in the Micellar State: Physicochemical Aspects

The physicochemical aspects of the polymerization in the micellar state are reviewed. The synthesis and functionalization of micelle-forming surfactant monomers, as well as their polymerization in the micellar state are briefly presented. The main factors which affect the micellar polymerization, i.e. concentration, medium and topochemistry are discussed, along with the fundamental problem of the rate of propagation of micellar polymerization relative to the rate of the slow micellar relaxation process. Also, general references are made to the organizational and aggregational characteristics of polymerized micelles, including tacticity, viscosity, fluorescence, molecular weight etc. Furthermore, the architecture of polymerized micelles is investigated as a function of the position of the backbone with respect to the polar head and the lipophilic part of the surfactant monomer. Some of the most widely investigated salts, including vinylpyridinium, vinylimidazolium, Na-10-undecenoate, allyldimethyldodecylammonium Br, etc. are specifically discussed. These examples illustrate the differences between micellar and isotropic polymerization.
Synthetic Metalloporphyrins and Resveratrol act synergistically as enhancers of cognitive performance through reduction of deposited amyloid beta and improvement of mitochondrial function in Alzheimer’s mice. (P5.087)

Objective: Aim of present study was to investigate effects of synthetic metalloporphyrins alone and porphyrins with resveratrol on mitochondrial function, cognitive performance and total and mitochondrial amyloid-beta levels in Alzheimer’s mice. Background: Metalloporphyrins, characterized by a redox-active transitional metal coordinated to a cyclic porphyrin core ligand, mitigate oxidative/nitrosative stress in biological systems. Resveratrol is a polyphenol acting as a neuroprotectant by modulating Aβ pathomechanisms through anti- apoptotic, anti-oxidative stress, and anti-neuroinflammatory effects. Design/Methods: APP/PS-1 mice were treated with synthetic porphyrins (Co, Mn and Zn) alone or porphyrin + resveratrol for 90 days, followed by isolation of mitochondria from cortex, hippocampus and amygdala. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), MMP (mitochondrial membrane potential), cytochrome-c oxidase activity, ATP levels and Ab ELISA assays were performed. Behavioral testing was performed before the treatment, during the treatment and immediately prior to sacrifice. Results: Porphyrins alone improved mitochondrial respiration, ROS levels, MMP, cytochrome c oxidase and both spatial and non-spatial behavioral tasks, without significant change in levels of either Aβ1–40 or Aβ1–42. Top performing compound was Manganese [manganese (III) meso- tetrakis (4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin. When given with Resveratrol, best performing compound was Co-porphyrin with statistically more significant decrease in oxidative stress, improvement of cognitive function and interestingly decrease in total and soluble Amyloid-beta. Conclusions: Metal-based therapeutic approach to target mitochondrial homeostasis demonstrates immense promise in treating Alzheimer’s disease. Synergistic effect between metalloporphyrins and resveratrol resulting in decreased amyloid beta may offer further insight into role of amyloid and mitochondrial dysfunction in pathogenesis of neurodegeneration and potential for developing new treatment strategies. Our current experiments involve testing for potential synergism between amyloid binding compounds, metalloporphyrins, resveratrol and nicotinamide riboside in improving mitochondrial and cognitive function in Alzheimer’s mice. Study Supported by: N/A Disclosure: Dr. Dragicevic MD PhD has nothing to disclose. Dr. Zhang PhD has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bradshaw PhD has nothing to disclose.
Picornavirus protein processing--enzymes, substrates, and genetic regulation.

The sequence of events leading to the successful completion of a Picornavirus infection of susceptible cells is ultimately controlled by proteolytic processing. As a consequence of encoding their viral-specific polypeptides within a single, open reading frame, picornaviruses must depend upon the intramolecular and intermolecular interactions of viral proteinases and their cognate substrates. This chapter will first provide an overview of how the biosynthetic activities that occur during a picornavirus life cycle are regulated by protein processing activities and signals encoded in the viral genome. An examination of the nature of picornavirus proteinases and their polyprotein substrates will be presented in order to underscore the unifying principles of proteolytic cleavage and to point out the peculiar differences in processing strategies among the different picornaviruses. The application of recombinant DNA methodologies, particularly site-specific mutagenesis, to the study of structure/function relationships of picornavirus cleavage activities will then be discussed. This discussion will also focus on the molecular genetics of viable virus mutants with engineered processing lesions and on in vitro expression of altered cleavage phenotypes. Finally, the biochemical implications of the observed picornavirus processing activities will be addressed. In particular, primary sequence versus conformational determinants of protein processing will be analyzed, as well as the importance of cis versus trans cleavage.
The Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children—the WISC-R, WISC-III, and WPPSI-R

The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R, Wechsler, 1974) is, as its name suggests, a revised and updated version of the WISC, which was first published in 1949. It attempts to measure intelligence by assessing 10 abilities. (Actually, there are 12 with the supplementary Digit Span and Mazes subtests.) Its scoring procedure results in a scaled score for each of the subtests. These scores have a mean of 10 and a standard deviation of 3. The scaled scores are combined to produce scores for Verbal IQ (VIQ), Performance IQ (PIQ), and Full Scale IQ (FSIQ). The IQ scores have a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15. The WISC-R is an extremely popular instrument that has been translated into different languages including Saudi (Qataee, 1993). The WISC-R has since been revised and updated as the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition (WISCIII). However, owing to similarities between the two instruments, critique of the WISC-R will help inform use of the WISC-III.
Plant DNA Barcodes, Taxonomic Management and Species Discovery in Tropical Forests

DNA barcodes have great potential for species identification and taxonomic discovery in tropical forests. This use of DNA barcodes requires a reference DNA library of known taxa with which to match DNA from unidentified specimens. At an even more basic level, it presupposes that the species in the regional species pool have Latin binomials. This is not the case in species-rich tropical forests in which many species are new to science or members of poorly circumscribed species complexes. This chapter describes a workflow geared toward taxonomic discovery, which includes the discovery of new species, distribution records, and hybrid forms, and to management of taxonomic entities in forest inventory plots. It outlines the roles of laboratory technicians, field workers and herbarium-based taxonomists, and concludes with a discussion of potential multilocus nuclear DNA approaches for identifying species in recently evolved clades.
Visualizing the Paris Climate Talks on Twitter: Media and Climate Stakeholder Visual Social Media During COP21:

In 2015, meeting in Paris for the Conference of the Parties (COP21), representatives of 195 nations set an ambitious goal to reach net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by mid-century. This resea...