cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EARLY LATERAL BIAS IN TUFTED CAPUCHINS (CEBUS APELLA)

We investigated the development of lateral bias in infant tufted capuchins (Cebus apella) by recording head orientation during the first 2 postnatal weeks and hand preference during Weeks 23 to 24 and 47 to 48. We found that lateral bias for head orientation at 1 to 2 weeks was negatively related to hand preference at 23 to 24 weeks. Further, we found population-level left-hand preferences at both 23 to 24 and 47 to 48 weeks, and that hand preference at 23 to 24 weeks is positively correlated with hand preference at 47 to 48 weeks. We also noted a trend toward a sex difference in the direction of neonatal head orientation, with males exhibiting a left-side preference and females exhibiting a lack of preference toward either side. Our findings differ from those obtained in studies with developing humans and chimpanzees in two important ways. First, the trend for head orientation and hand preference in infant capuchins was to the left rather than to the right. Second, we found a negative relation between direction of early head orientation and subsequent hand preference. It seems likely that research examining cerebral development in capuchins will help us to better understand the occurrence of left-handedness and the development of cerebral dominance in humans. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 32: 45–50, 1998
Up-Regulation of miR-34a by Zinc Deficiency

Mild-to-moderate zinc deficiency is common throughout the world. The biochemical changes associated with zinc deficiency have been extensively studied. However, the study of the regulation of microRNAs expression by zinc has just begun. MicroRNAs play a significant role in the regulation of gene function by binding to complementary regions of specific target mRNAs. MicroRNAs whose expression is altered in response to low zinc may play a role in adaptive responses to low zinc. Herein, the effect of low zinc intake on the expression of miR-34a in intestine, liver and thymus was analyzed in mice. In addition, the effect of low and excess zinc on the expression of miR-34a was analyzed in human hepatoma cells HepG2. Mice fed a low zinc diet exhibited low zinc content in tibia and increased expression of zinc transporter Slc39a4 in intestine. Moreover, the expression of miR-34a was increased in intestine and thymus of zinc deficient mice. The expression of miR-34a was also increased in HepG2 cells grown in low zinc medium. However, the expression of this microRNA was not affected by excess zinc. The up-regulation of miR-34a associated with zinc deficiency could be part of an adaptive response to cues generated in cells under low zinc conditions such as oxidative stress and inflammation.
Peak power output is maintained in rabbit psoas and rat soleus single muscle fibers when CTP replaces ATP

The chemomechanical coupling mechanism in striated muscle contraction was examined by changing the nucleotide substrate from ATP to CTP. Maximum shortening velocity [extrapolation to zero force from force-velocity relation (Vmax) and slope of slack test plots (V0)], maximum isometric force (Po), power, and the curvature of the force-velocity curve [a/Po (dimensionless parameter inversely related to the curvature)] were determined during maximum Ca2+-activated isotonic contractions of fibers from fast rabbit psoas and slow rat soleus muscles by using 0.2 mM MgATP, 4 mM MgATP, 4 mM MgCTP, or 10 mM MgCTP as the nucleotide substrate. In addition to a decrease in the maximum Ca2+-activated force in both fiber types, a change from 4 mM ATP to 10 mM CTP resulted in a decrease in Vmax in psoas fibers from 3.26 to 1.87 muscle length/s. In soleus fibers, Vmax was reduced from 1.94 to 0.90 muscle length/s by this change in nucleotide. Surprisingly, peak power was unaffected in either fiber type by the change in nucleotide as the result of a three- to fourfold decrease in the curvature of the force-velocity relationship. The results are interpreted in terms of the Huxley model of muscle contraction as an increase in f1 and g1 coupled to a decrease in g2 (where f1 is the rate of cross-bridge attachment and g1 and g2 are rates of detachment) when CTP replaces ATP. This adequately accounts for the observed changes in Po, a/Po, and Vmax. However, the two-state Huxley model does not explicitly reveal the cross-bridge transitions that determine curvature of the force-velocity relationship. We hypothesize that a nucleotide-sensitive transition among strong-binding cross-bridge states following Pi release, but before the release of the nucleotide diphosphate, underlies the alterations in a/Po reported here.
Tropomyosin and dilated cardiomyopathy: revenge of the actinomyosin "gatekeeper".

One of the most important recent advances in our understanding of the basic mechanisms of genetic cardiac disease has been the central role played by mutations in structural proteins. Nearly 2 decades ago Geisterfer-Lowrance et al. ([1][1]) published the first linkage of a mutation in the beta-MyHC
High accuracy radiative data for plasma opacities11This article is part of a Special Issue on the 10th International Colloquium on Atomic Spectra and Oscillator Strengths for Astrophysical and Laboratory Plasmas.

Opacity, which gives the measure of the radiation transport in plasmas, is caused by the repeated absorption and emission of the propagating radiation by the constituent plasma elements. Microscopically, opacity (κ) depends mainly on two radiative processes: (i) photo-excitation (bound-bound transition) and (ii) photo-ionization (bound-free transition) in addition to electron-photon scattering. The monochromatic opacity κ(ν) at photon frequency ν is determined by the atomic parameters, oscillator strengths (f), and photo-ionization cross sections (σPI). However, total monochromatic opacity is obtained from summed contributions of all possible transitions from all ionization stages of all elements in the source. The calculation of accurate parameters for such a large number of transitions has been the main problem for obtaining accurate opacities. The overall mean opacity, such as the Rosseland mean opacity (κR), depends also on the physical conditions, such as temperature, density, elemental abundances, a...
Impact of a U.S. antismoking national media campaign on beliefs, cognitions and quit intentions

In 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launched a national tobacco education campaign, Tips From Former Smokers, that consisted of graphic, emotionally evocative, testimonial-style advertisements. This longitudinal study examines changes in beliefs, tobacco-related cognitions and intentions to quit smoking among U.S. adult smokers after a 12-week airing of the campaign (n = 4040 adult smokers pre- and post-campaign). Exposure to the campaign was associated with greater odds of intending to quit within the next 30 days [odds ratio (OR) = 1.28, P < 0.01] and within the next 6 months (OR = 1.12, P < 0.05), and quit intentions were stronger among respondents with greater campaign exposure (OR = 1.12, P < 0.01). Campaign exposure was also associated with significant changes in beliefs about smoking-related risks (ORs = 1.15-2.40) and increased worries about health (b = 0.30, P < 0.001). Based on study change rates applied to U.S. census data, an estimated 566 000 additional U.S. smokers reported their intention to quit smoking within the next 6 months as a result of viewing campaign advertisements. Campaign effects were consistent with the theory of reasoned action and an expanding body of research demonstrating that graphic, emotional advertisements are highly effective for prompting positive cessation-related cognitions and behavioral intentions.
Application of tephra volume models to ejecta volumes from subsurface explosion experiments

Deposit volume is a critical factor for reconstructing an explosive eruption. Volume estimate models typically used for large Plinian deposits have been adapted and improved repeatedly over the last few decades. Less work has been done to refine a method for estimating the volume from smaller deposits produced by discrete phreatic and phreatomagmatic explosions. The characterization of the volume and distribution of deposits is required to quantify the physical hazards presented by different explosion types and develop appropriate models of future eruptions. Six classic tephra volume models were assessed using a dataset from subsurface explosion experiments. The models typically did a poor job modelling the volume of proximal deposits as a component of total deposit volume of discrete explosion deposits. Models reproduced medial and distal deposit volumes with greater success, particularly the Exponential model and a more recent Linear Regression model. It is therefore recommended, when possible, to use digital elevation models produced from GPS or laser-based methods to characterize proximal deposits separately and to use tephra volume estimates for medial and distal deposits. Additionally, this dataset enabled the comparison of ejecta volumes with crater diameters and highlighted that this relationship only holds for simple crater scenarios without any lateral vent migration, collapse or erosion of the crater under study. The assessment and improvement of these methods are required to ensure accurate deposit volumes as they serve as one of the most important inputs to hazard assessments and numerical models.
Natural vs. Drug-Modified Cholesterol Levels and the Incidence of Ischemic Stroke (P06.228)

Objective: To determine whether naturally low LDL and high HDL levels are associated with a lower incidence of first-time ischemic stroke compared to drug-modified low LDL and high HDL levels. Background High LDL and low HDL levels have been associated with a higher risk of ischemic stroke. However, most studies investigating this relationship are a subset of drug clinical trials where variation in cholesterol levels is considered only as a factor in drug-related reduction of stroke incidence. Clinical observation reveals that patients with a very low burden of cerebrovascular disease share low LDL and high HDL levels and, frequently, these patients are not taking any cholesterol-modifying drug. Design/Methods: In this cross-sectional study we included patients 55 years or older admitted to an academic institution with a diagnosis of ischemic stroke (stroke) or any other diagnosis (control) and who had MRI brain with diffusion-weighted and T2/FLAIR sequences. We excluded patients who had negative DWI (stroke group) or T2/FLAIR lesions suggestive of previous stroke as well as patients with a reported history of stroke. Univariate analysis and logistic regression were performed for statistical analysis. Results: Older age, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, higher LDL and triglycerides levels were associated with increased incidence of ischemic stroke in the univariate analysis. In the logistic regression analysis, after matching LDL values and age, patients who were on cholesterol-modifying drugs had a lower incidence of ischemic stroke compared to patients who weren9t. After dividing LDL levels in 3 groups, the preventive effect of not being on a cholesterol-modifying drug was strong and significant in the group with the lowest LDL values ( Conclusions: Patients in the group with the lowest LDL-cholesterol who are not on a cholesterol-modifying drug (i.e who have naturally low LDL-cholesterol) have a lower incidence of first-time ischemic stroke compared to patients who have drug-modified low LDL-cholesterol levels. Disclosure: Dr. Osorio Flores has nothing to disclose. Dr. Venkatesh has nothing to disclose.
Effect of Nalorphine and Levallorphan on Brain Concentrations of Levorphanol in the Dog.

SummarySimultaneous administration of 2 mg/kg of either nalorphine or levallorphan with C14-labeled levorphanol, 2 mg/kg? in the dog results in a marked diminution of brain concentrations of levorphanol as compared with control. On the other hand, the antagonist drugs did not alter significantly the plasma levels of the levorphanol. The most satisfactory explanation at present is a local brain effect, intra-cerebral vascular, physical-chemical at the molecular level reducing passive membrane penetration, or alteration of an active metabolic process. The phenomenon is not characteristic of all narcotic analgesics, the nalorphine-morphine result being a noted exception.
Theoretical Investigation on the Steric Interaction in Colloidal Deposition

A theoretical investigation was conducted upon the steric interaction between a spherical particle and a flat plate. The effects of curvature on both the segment density distribution of polymer and on the steric interaction energy between a particle and a plate were examined. It was found that the conventional approach using Derjaguin approximation may overestimate the interaction energy, especially for very small particles. Based on the results obtained from applying the Flory–Krigbaum theory with the accurate geometry change during the interaction, simple approximate expressions of exponential form were proposed for both the osmotic (mixing) and elastic contributions to the steric interaction energy for a sphere-plate interaction. The proposed model was validated against a set of experimental results from a reported study employing atomic force microscopy. Also investigated was the steric interaction between a spherical particle coated with polymer and an uncoated flat surface. It was found that the ste...
Sedimentary Evolution of the Guide Basin in the Late Cenozoic and the Uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The extremely thick Cenozoic strata in the Guide basin contain important mammal fossils, which are of great scientific significance for studying the stratigraphic age and the uplift of the plateau. Based on the mammal fossils and paleomagnetic dating of the typical section, a detailed sedimentary study has revealed 19 lithofacies, 5 sedimentary environments and 8 stages of depositional evolution since 11 Ma BP. The corresponding relationship between the sedimentation of the Guide basin and the tectonic uplift reveals that the Plateau has experienced 5 phases from -11 to -1. 8 Ma, which are: the stable phase (7. 65 Ma) , stepwise uplift phase (7. 65 -3. 6 Ma), rapid and massive uplift phase (3. 6 - 2. 6 Ma), large-scale extrusion and fault subsidence phase (-2. 6 Ma) and large-scale rapid and massive uplift phase (-1. 8 Ma), which caused the Guide basin to be penetrated and dried up, giving birth to the Yellow River.
20 MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY AND IMAGING OF TERM NEONATES AFTER HYPOXIC ISCHEMIC ENCEPHALOPATHY FOR PREDICTING LONG-TERM OUTCOME

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates. In recent years, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) have been shown to be useful in predicting neurologic outcome for a variety of CNS injuries in all pediatric age groups. The objective of this study was to determine 1) if early measurements of MRS metabolites such as N-acetylaspartate (NAA), creatine (Cr), choline (Cho), myo-Inositol (Ins), glutamate/glutamine (Glx) and lactate (Lac) can predict long-term (6-12 mo) neurologic outcome in neonates with HIE and 2) if abnormalities seen on MRI correlate with MRS findings. In this retrospective study, we included 21 term neonates with confirmed HIE in whom MRI and MRS was obtained within the first two weeks of life (mean 8 ± 4 days). Metabolite ratios were determined for occipital gray matter (OGM), basal ganglia (BG) and thalami (TH). MR images were scored for basal ganglia and watershed region injury by a neuroradiologist using a validated MR scoring system. Neurologic outcome was determined 6-12 months after injury by a pediatric neurologist and dichotomized into good (normal, mild disabilities) and poor (moderate and severe disabilities, vegetative state or dead) outcomes. We found that patients with poor outcomes (n=6) had significantly decreased NAA/Cr (p= 0.02), NAA/Cho (p = 0.001) and Ins/Cr (p=.05) and increased Cho/Cr (p = 0.001) ratios compared to the good outcome group (n= 15) in OGM. In addition, lactate was found in 83% of patients with poor outcomes vs 13% with good outcomes (p=.002). In the BG, we found that patients with poor outcomes (n = 5) had decreased NAA/Cho (p = 0.05) and increased Cho/Cr (p = 0.04) and decreased NAA/Cre (p=.04) in the TH. Strong and significant correlations were found between NAA/Cho and Cho/Cre ratios from OGM and BG with MRI scores from BG. A logistic regression model using two variables, NAA/Cho from OGM and the MRI score from the basal ganglia, was able to predict dichotomized outcome with 95% accuracy with one false negative prediction. Early MRS in combination with MRI was found to be useful for predicting long-term outcome after HIE in neonates.
Discovery and Fertility Expression of New TGMS Germplasm Yueguang S in Rice

In 2000,Yueguang S,a new thermo-sensitive genic male sterility(TGMS) germplasm in rice,was discovered and identified in the progeny of the cross of Chaoji 97/Mingqi 596 in the late cropping season.Based on the results of split seeding trials in Guangzhou,it was male sterile from early June to the end of September,with a sterile period of over 100 days in a year.Treated with different regimes of photoperiod and temperature in phytotron,it became partially fertile at the temperature of 23.5℃,but its bagged seed set maintained 0 at the temperature of 24℃ or over.It was found that its fertility was mainly controlled by the environmental temperature.According to the allelism test,the male sterility gene of Yueguang S was different from that of Pei′ai 64S.
Developmental Constraints on Conditioning

Emphasis on developmental research has been associated historically with the controversy between hereditarians who claimed that most behavioral patterns are preprogrammed genetically and environmentalists who maintained that behavior is the product of experience, both embryonic and postnatal. As history tends to repeat itself, the pendulum of scientific opinion has swung ponderously but predictably from one of these two extreme philosophies of behavior to the other. Whenever this recycling pendulum passed through the middle of its arc, the significance of developmental research increased dramatically, and then it declined slowly as either end of the arc was approached.
Physical modalities other than stretch in spastic hypertonia.

This article reviews various physical modalities that have been used in spastic hypertonia, particularly superficial heat and cold, diathermies (ultrasound, microwave, and short-wave irradiation), electrical stimulation (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), implanted spinal stimulation (rectal stimulation), and massage (deep friction, superficial contact). The duration of the effects of most physical therapies is relatively short (eg, cooling, heating, and massage), which often may limit their application to immediate prestretch or pre-exercise periods. The potential capacity of ultrasound therapy to improve the efficacy of chronic stretch in lengthening muscle may be a promising option. The neurodestructive potential of high intensity microwave for the personnel involved and controlled evidence of its value is required before this modality can be recommended in spasticity. Overall, controlled, double-blind studies are mandated to evaluate the longterm impact of repeated use of these short-term modalities on function and recovery in patients with spasticity.
Development of a method to relate the moisture content of a building material to its water activity.

Subjective indicators of building dampness consistently have been linked to health, but they are, at best, semi-quantitative, and objective and quantitative assessments of dampness are also needed to study dampness-related health effects. Investigators can readily and non-destructively measure the “moisture content” (MC) of building materials with hand-held moisture meters. However, MC does not indicate the amount of the water in a material that is available to microorganisms for growth, that is, the “water activity” (Aw). Unfortunately, Aw has not been readily measurable in the field and is not relatable to MC unless previously determined experimentally, because for the same moisture meter reading, Aw can differ across materials as well as during moisture adsorption vs desorption. To determine the Aws that correspond to MC levels, stable air relative humidities were generated in a glove box above saturated, aqueous salt solutions, and the Aw of gypsum board and the relative humidity of the chamber air were tracked until they reached equilibrium. Strong correlations were observed between meter readings and gravimetrically determined MC (r=.91-1.00), among readings with three moisture meters (r=.87-.98), and between meter readings and gypsum board Aw (r=.77-.99).
Multiple biological functions of Twist1 in various cancers

// Zhixiang Zhao 1,2,* , Mohammad Aminur Rahman 1,* , Zhuo G. Chen 1 and Dong M. Shin 1 1 Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America 2 Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China * These authors have contributed equally to this study Correspondence to: Dong M. Shin, email: // Keywords : twist1, EMT, stemness, angiogenesis, chemo-resistance Received : June 29, 2016 Accepted : January 01, 2017 Published : January 12, 2017 Abstract Twist1 is a well-known regulator of transcription during embryonic organogenesis in many species. In humans, Twist1 malfunction was first linked to Saethre-Chotzen syndrome and later identified to play an essential role in tumor initiation, stemness, angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis, and chemo-resistance in a variety of carcinomas, sarcomas, and hematological malignances. In this review, we will first focus on systematically elaborating the diverse pathological functions of Twist1 in various cancers, then delineating the intricate underlying network of molecular mechanisms, based on which we will summarize current therapeutic strategies in cancer treatment that target and modulate Twist1-involved signaling pathways. Most importantly, we will put special emphasis on revealing the independence and interdependency of these multiple biological functions of Twist1, piecing together the whole delicate picture of Twist1’s diversified pathological roles in different cancers and providing new perspectives to guide future research.
Survey of beaver-related restoration practices in rangeland streams of the western USA

Poor condition of many streams and concerns about future droughts in the arid and semi-arid western USA have motivated novel restoration strategies aimed at accelerating recovery and increasing water resources. Translocation of beavers into formerly occupied habitats, restoration activities encouraging beaver recolonization, and instream structures mimicking the effects of beaver dams are restoration alternatives that have recently gained popularity because of their potential socioeconomic and ecological benefits. However, beaver dams and dam-like structures also harbor a history of social conflict. Hence, we identified a need to assess the use of beaver-related restoration projects in western rangelands to increase awareness and accountability, and identify gaps in scientific knowledge. We inventoried 97 projects implemented by 32 organizations, most in the last 10 years. We found that beaver-related stream restoration projects undertaken mostly involved the relocation of nuisance beavers. The most common goal was to store water, either with beaver dams or artificial structures. Beavers were often moved without regard to genetics, disease, or potential conflicts with nearby landowners. Few projects included post-implementation monitoring or planned for longer term issues, such as what happens when beavers abandon a site or when beaver dams or structures breach. Human dimensions were rarely considered and water rights and other issues were mostly unresolved or addressed through ad-hoc agreements. We conclude that the practice and implementation of beaver-related restoration has outpaced research on its efficacy and best practices. Further scientific research is necessary, especially research that informs the establishment of clear guidelines for best practices.
Antibiotic-induced population fluctuations and stochastic clearance of bacteria

Effective antibiotic use that minimizes treatment failures remains a challenge. A better understanding of how bacterial populations respond to antibiotics is necessary. Previous studies of large bacterial populations established the deterministic framework of pharmacodynamics. Here, characterizing the dynamics of population extinction, we demonstrated the stochastic nature of eradicating bacteria with antibiotics. Antibiotics known to kill bacteria (bactericidal) induced population fluctuations. Thus, at high antibiotic concentrations, the dynamics of bacterial clearance were heterogeneous. At low concentrations, clearance still occurred with a non-zero probability. These striking outcomes of population fluctuations were well captured by our probabilistic model. Our model further suggested a strategy to facilitate eradication by increasing extinction probability. We experimentally tested this prediction for antibiotic-susceptible and clinically-isolated resistant bacteria. This new knowledge exposes fundamental limits in our ability to predict bacterial eradication. Additionally, it demonstrates the potential of using antibiotic concentrations that were previously deemed inefficacious to eradicate bacteria.
Belastungsinduzierte Myokardischamie: Die Bedeutung der Herzfrequenzreduktion in der Therapie

Eine rationale Therapie der belastungsinduzierten Myokardischamie und der belastungsinduzierten Angina pectoris mus auf einem Verstandnis des Krankheitsprozesses und seiner Auswirkungen auf die regionale Myokarddurchblutung und kontraktile Funktion beruhen. Dem Kliniker steht ein wachsendes Arsenal von Pharmaka fur die Behandlung Koronarkranker zur Verfugung, im wesentlichen Betablocker, Kalziumantagonisten und Nitrate. Diese unterschiedlichen Pharmaka haben deutlich verschiedene Effekte auf die Koronarzirkulation, den kontraktilen Zustand des Myokards und die periphere Zirkulation. Daher erscheint eine Kombinationstherapie in manchen Situationen attraktiv. Solche komplexen therapeutischen Ansatze machen das Verstandnis der anatomischen, physiologischen und pathologischen Mechanismen und zusatzlich der Wirkungsweise der einzelnen Pharmaka um so notwendiger. In diesem Kapitel sollen die Bedeutung der Tachykardie fur die Auslosung einer Myokardischamie und die Bedeutung der Herzfrequenzreduktion fur die Therapie der belastungsinduzierten Myokardischamie im Zusammenhang der zugrundeliegenden Pathophysiologie diskutiert werden.
Assessment and Treatment of Excess Weight

Overweight (a body mass index [BMI] between 25.0 and 29.9 kg/m2) and obesity (a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or more) [1] are wide-spread, global health problems. The author discusses techniques for the treatment of overweight and obesity based on empirical findings and evidence-based clinical guidelines that include (1) assessment and evaluation of the overweight or obese patient; (2) treatment strategies including lifestyle modification (dietary intake, physical activity, behavioral modification), pharmacotherapy, and surgical therapy; and (3) weight loss maintenance strategies.
Satellite Passive-Microwave Measurements of Sea Ice

Sea ice spreads over millions of square kilometers in each polar region at all times and has numerous impacts on the polar atmosphere, oceans, and ecosystems, making it a key variable in the polar climate system. Satellite passive-microwave observations have proven effective for monitoring the sea ice covers due to the strong contrast between the microwave emissions of ice and liquid water and the fact that microwave measurements of the Earth’s surface can be made from satellites during nighttime as well as daytime and under cloudy as well as cloud-free conditions. Satellite passive-microwave measurements of sea ice began in the early 1970s and have been made routinely since the late 1970s, providing a record of the ice cover of each polar region every few days to a spatial resolution of 25–50 km or better. These measurements have been used to determine sea ice concentration, extent, type, season length, temperature, melt, and velocity. The record has quantified seasonal, regional, and interannual variabilities and decadal scale trends. It has revealed statistically significant decreases in Arctic sea ice coverage from the late 1970s to the early twenty-first century and much lesser magnitude increases in Antarctic sea ice coverage over the same period.
A weight loss intervention delivered by peer coaches in primary care: Rationale and study design of the PROMISE trial.

Abstract Primary care offers a familiar and accessible clinical venue for patients with obesity to receive evidence-based lifestyle interventions for weight management. However, there are numerous barriers to the implementation of such programs in primary care, and previous primary care weight loss interventions demonstrate modest and temporary effects. Weight loss treatment delivered within primary care by peer coaches may offer a viable and effective alternative. The purpose of this trial is to test the effects of weight loss treatment that includes ongoing support from a peer coach (i.e., trained, salaried community health workers) as compared to self-directed treatment. Peer coach treatment will be delivered over 18 months and includes a combination of in-person, group-based office visits and individual telephone contacts. This weight loss trial will include 375 adults with obesity (BMI = 30–50 kg/m 2 ) randomized from 10 primary care practices. The primary outcome will be changes in body weight at month 18. Secondary outcomes will include key patient-centered outcomes, including quality-of-life, physical and social functioning, mood, and treatment satisfaction. The cost-effectiveness of the peer coach intervention will also be evaluated. If this novel intervention is effective, it could offer a practical and sustainable approach for the delivery of weight loss treatment in primary care that has the potential to improve clinical outcomes for patients, increase treatment options for primary care providers, and reduce obesity-related healthcare utilization and costs.
Priming of complex action via movement contingent sensory effects.

Abstract Objectives The aim of the present study was to examine whether movement contingent sensory effects could be used to prime and facilitate motor performance on a ball-tossing task. Design The ball-tossing task was performed across two consecutive days, and consisted of an acquisition phase and a test phase. During the acquisition phase, participants ( N = 30) practiced an underhanded ball tossing task to a near and far target ( N = 360 total, n = 180 each distance). Tosses that landed near the target immediately produced an auditory feedback tone upon landing, with unique tones for both the near and far target. In the test phase, the auditory tones preceded the toss and served as imperative stimuli for the tossing task. Method The test phase consisted of three tossing conditions (corresponding, non-corresponding, and control) in which the participants responded to the tones by tossing the ball to either the corresponding or non-corresponding target associated with the tones during learning. Results Findings indicated that both accuracy and consistency of ball tossing improved when the toss was preceded by the corresponding auditory feedback associated with the successful execution of the action during learning. Conclusions The present study extends previous research by showing that complex actions consisting of multiple degrees of freedom can be primed via movement contingent sensory effects. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that movement-effect priming can impact distal measures of motor performance (e.g., accuracy of tossing), as opposed to the features of movement production (e.g., response selection, initiation, and execution).
Ethanol and C2 ceramide activate fatty acid oxidation in human hepatoma cells

Obesogenic lipids and the sphingolipid ceramide have been implicated as potential cofactors in alcoholic liver disease (ALD) patients. However, the mechanisms by which these lipids modulate lipid trafficking in ethanol-treated human liver cells to promote steatosis, an early stage of ALD, are poorly understood. We measured fatty acid (FA) uptake, triglyceride export, FA synthesis and FA oxidation in human hepatoma (VL-17A) cells in response to ethanol and the exogenous lipids oleate, palmitate and C2 ceramide. We found that in combination with ethanol, both oleate and palmitate promote lipid droplet accumulation while C2 ceramide inhibits lipid droplet accumulation by enhancing FA oxidation. Further, using both a pharmacologic and siRNA approach to reduce peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α (PPARα) gene expression, we demonstrate that C2 ceramide abrogates ethanol-mediated suppression of FA oxidation through an indirect PPARα mechanism. Together, these data suggest that lipids interact differentially with ethanol to modulate hepatocellular lipid droplet accumulation and may provide novel targets for preventing the earliest stage of alcoholic liver disease, alcoholic steatosis.
A Review of Spirituality in Higher Education

Interest has grown steadily over the years towards understanding the environments in which individuals can work with the greatest authenticity, purpose and meaning. Varied labels have been applied ...
Regional Variation in Donor Refusal Rates Correlates with Poor Wait List Outcomes

Purpose Geographic variation in donation rates, transplant rates, and post-transplant outcomes in solid organ transplantation is well-described. We sought to test the hypothesis that organ refusal rates vary across regions and are associated with worse survival. Methods Retrospective review of the UNOS dataset (including the potential transplant recipients list which lists all offers of organs ultimately accepted for transplant) identified 5,639 pediatric ( heart transplant 2007-2017. Patients were stratified based on the UNOS region of listing. There were 12,447 donor hearts ( Results Regional refusal rates varied:73.5% to 93.1% (Table). Higher rates correlated with a lower likelihood of transplantation (r=0.60, p=0.048), higher waitlist mortality (r=0.67,p=0.008), a higher incidence of delisting for death or deterioration (r=0.61, p=0.04), higher mortality within 1 year of listing independent of transplant (r=0.080, p=0.003; see Figure), and higher 1 year post-transplant mortality (r=0.82, 0.002). Regional refusal rates were not correlated with mean regional wait times, or the number of donors available for each listed candidate. Conclusion Donor refusals rates vary widely between UNOS regions. Regions with high refusal rates also have poor outcomes following listing and transplantation.
Relational Recognition, Educational Liminality, and Teacher–Student Relationships

Theories about relationships impact the ways in which we imagine that teachers and students can or should interact. These theories often involve either individualistic or relational assumptions. A contrast has been made between theories that assume that the individual is primary, and the relationship secondary, and those that assume that the relationship is primary and the individual secondary. Roughly mapping on to these assumptions are the implications that educational relationships either ought to facilitate autonomy or community, emancipation or socialization. I argue that educational contexts occupy a liminal space at the boundaries of multiple contexts, and so have limited ability to either emancipate or socialize students relative to these contexts. However, the very liminality of the educational space allows for a unique view and exploration of these contexts using autonomy and community as means rather than ends of education. Learning, described here as re-co-gnition, is facilitated as students move away from and then return to the liminal (relational), and teachers and students view again together (recognize) the boundaries of these various contexts as they intersect at the school. Implications for teaching in this liminal space are explored for recognizing relationships between student and teacher, childhood and adulthood, home and the “outside world,” and boundaries within and between disciplines.
Case 51: Transsphenoidal Resection of a Pituitary Tumor

Today you are in the preoperative clinic. A 58-year-old lady (86 kg, 5 ft 9 in.) is scheduled next week for a transsphenoidal resection of a pituitary adenoma. She has a past history of coronary artery disease, hypertension, and an aortic valve replacement (mechanical prostheses). The latter was done 8 years ago. She is taking hypertensive medication and warfarin. She has no allergies and her last general anesthetic (aortic valve replacement) was uneventful. The neurosurgeon has included a note with the patient’s chart. In that he wants you to outline the medical management of the anticoagulation therapy.
Transport and concentration of wealth: Modeling an amenities-based-theory

We derive a reaction-advection-diffusion equation based framework for analyzing the movement of wealth in urban environments. Gentrification is a core issue that affects many urban areas, and the dynamics of such are not fully understood. To understand the process using a few physically relevant variables, we develop an approach to model the interplay between local amenities and wealth from existing analyses of factors influencing gentrification. We conduct a linear stability analysis on model parameters that results in spatially homogeneous solutions and determine directions for parameter changes to induce instabilities. From these parameters, we determine quantities that lead to the formation of areas of wealth and amenity concentration in the long term on bounded and unbounded domains. We present a global bifurcation result in two dimensions, leading to the existence and stability of non-constant equilibrium solutions, which represents solutions with wealth and amenity hotspots. Finally, we present a theory for discerning the one-dimensional pattern formation in the transition between stability and instability and verify numerically through a weakly nonlinear analysis. The analysis provides a promising framework for further verification using publicly available geospatial data on the relevant variables.
Unmet and Unimportant Preferences Among Nursing Home Residents: What Are Key Resident and Facility Factors?

Abstract Objectives The Preferences Assessment Tool (PAT) in the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 assesses 16 resident preferences for daily routines and activities. Although integrating important preferences into care planning is essential to provide person-centered care in nursing homes (NHs), preferences rated as important but unmet or unimportant may not receive much attention. This study aims to (1) identify the prevalence of unmet preferences and unimportant preferences, and (2) examine their associations with resident and facility-level characteristics. Design This is a longitudinal study of residents in NHs. Settings and Participants We used data from 2012–2017 MDS assessments of long-stay residents aged 65 or older in 295 Minnesota NHs. In total, 51,859 assessments from 25,668 residents were included. Methods Generalized linear mixed models were used to analyze resident and facility-level characteristics associated with having any unmet preferences, and with the number of unimportant preferences. Results Across all years for both daily routine preferences and activity preferences, 3.3% to 5.1% of residents reported that at least 1 or more preference was important but unmet, and 10.0% to 16.6% reported that 4 or more out of the 8 preferences were unimportant. Residents with higher depressive symptoms, and poorer physical and sensory function were more likely to report unmet preferences. Residents with poorer physical and sensory function, and living in rural facilities and facilities having fewer activity staff hours per resident day were more likely to report unimportant preferences. Conclusions and Implications Residents with functional and sensory limitations and living in underresourced NHs are more likely to report that preferences are unimportant, or that they are important but unmet. It is important for staff to elicit preferences that truly matter for residents, and to enable residents to meet their preferences.
FinFET—Based Low Swing Rotary Traveling Wave Oscillators

FinFET based, low swing clocking with rotary traveling wave oscillators (RTWO) is presented in this paper. It is shown that the low-swing clock signal generation by RTWOs is very effective, thanks to FinFETs accommodating high frequency operation and voltage scaling better than planar CMOS transistors. Low swing clocks are aimed at lowering the power dissipation of the clock networks, while maintaining the full voltage operation of non-clock components (such as logic and memory). In this work shows that robust low swing (LS) RTWOs are designed with FinFET based technologies. To this end, SPICE simulations are performed on the ISPD'10 clock benchmark circuits operating at 2.25 GHz and 3 GHz in the 16 nm FinFET technology node. LS-RTWO based designs are compared to an all digital phase locked loop (ADPLL) based designs operating at the same target frequency. At 3 GHz, the LS-RTWO consumes 36% lower power with 42.7dB better phase noise @10 MHz on comparison to corresponding ADPLL based designs.
Uterine Fibroid in a 16-Year-Old Adolescent Managed with a Fertility-Sparing Approach: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Abstract Background Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumor of the uterus in adult women. However, it is exceedingly rare in adolescents. Case A 16-year-old girl presented with severe anemia and abnormal uterine bleeding. MRI of the pelvis demonstrated a 9-cm mass within the uterus concerning for leiomyoma or leiomyosarcoma. A fertility preserving myomectomy led to the final diagnosis of a benign uterine fibroid. Summary and Conclusion Despite the rare incidence of leiomyomas in adolescents, it is imperative that it is included in the differential diagnosis when young women present with abnormal uterine bleeding. A less common diagnosis to consider is leiomyosarcoma; however, this is histologically diagnosed. Thus, a fertility-preserving myomectomy permits for a diagnostic opportunity to rule out a potential malignancy.
Alternative Etiologies of Liver Disease in Children With Suspected NAFLD

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of alternative causes of liver disease in a cohort of youth with overweight and obesity undergoing evaluation for suspected nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS: Multicenter, retrospective cohort study of patients aged ≤18 years with overweight and obesity and evidence of elevated serum aminotransferases and/or hepatic steatosis on imaging, referred for suspected NAFLD to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (2009–2017) or Yale New Haven Children9s Hospital (2012–2017). Testing was performed to exclude the following: autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), Wilson disease, viral hepatitis (B and C), thyroid dysfunction, celiac disease, α-1 antitrypsin deficiency, and hemochromatosis. RESULTS: A total of 900 children with overweight and obesity (63% boys, 26% Hispanic ethnicity) were referred, with a median age of 13 years (range: 2–18). Most had severe obesity (n = 666; 76%) with a median BMI z score of 2.45 (interquartile range [IQR]: 2.2–2.7). Median alanine aminotransferase level at presentation was 64 U/L (IQR: 42–95). A clinically indicated liver biopsy was performed in 358 children (40%) at a median of 6 months (IQR: 1–14) post initial visit; of those, 46% had confirmed nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Positive autoantibodies were observed in 13% of the cohort, but none met criteria for AIH. Only 19 (2%) were found to have other causes of liver disease, with no cases of viral hepatitis or Wilson disease detected. CONCLUSIONS: In a large, multicenter cohort, the vast majority of children with overweight and obesity with presumed or confirmed NAFLD tested negative for other causes of liver disease. In contrast to a previous pediatric report, no patient was diagnosed with AIH.
A new methodological framework for hazard detection models in health information technology systems.

Abstract The adoption of health information technology (HIT) has facilitated efforts to increase the quality and efficiency of health care services and decrease health care overhead while simultaneously generating massive amounts of digital information stored in electronic health records (EHRs). However, due to patient safety issues resulting from the use of HIT systems, there is an emerging need to develop and implement hazard detection tools to identify and mitigate risks to patients. This paper presents a new methodological framework to develop hazard detection models and to demonstrate its capability by using the US Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Corporate Data Warehouse, the data repository for the VA’s EHR. The overall purpose of the framework is to provide structure for research and communication about research results. One objective is to decrease the communication barriers between interdisciplinary research stakeholders and to provide structure for detecting hazards and risks to patient safety introduced by HIT systems through errors in the collection, transmission, use, and processing of data in the EHR, as well as potential programming or configuration errors in these HIT systems. A nine-stage framework was created, which comprises programs about feature extraction, detector development, and detector optimization, as well as a support environment for evaluating detector models. The framework forms the foundation for developing hazard detection tools and the foundation for adapting methods to particular HIT systems.
Total-Body PET Multiparametric Imaging of Cancer Using a Voxel-wise Strategy of Compartmental Modeling.

Quantitative dynamic PET with compartmental modeling has the potential to enable multiparametric imaging and more accurate quantification as compared to static PET imaging. Conventional methods for parametric imaging commonly use a single kinetic model for all image voxels and neglect the heterogeneity of physiological models, which can work well for single-organ parametric imaging but may significantly compromise total-body parametric imaging on long axial field-of-view scanners. In this paper, we evaluate the necessity of voxel-wise compartmental modeling strategies, including time delay correction and model selection, for total-body multiparametric imaging. Methods: Ten subjects (5 patients with metastatic cancer and 5 healthy volunteers) were scanned on the uEXPLORER total-body PET/CT system following injection of 370 MBq 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). Dynamic data were acquired for 60 minutes. Total-body parametric imaging was performed using two approaches. One is the conventional method that uses a single irreversible two-tissue compartmental model with and without time delay correction. The second approach selects the best kinetic model from three candidate models for individual voxels. The differences between the two approaches were evaluated for parametric imaging of micro kinetic parameters and FDG net influx rate Ki. Results: Time delay correction had a non-negligible effect on kinetic quantification of various organs and lesions. The effect was larger in lesions with higher blood volume. Parametric imaging of Ki with the standard two-tissue model introduced artifacts in vascular regions, which was overcome by the voxel-wise model selection strategy. Conclusion: The time delay and appropriate kinetic model vary in different organs and lesions. Modeling of the time delay of the blood input function and model selection improved total-body multiparametric imaging.