cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Kidney diseases associated with haematological cancers

Improved survival of patients with haematological malignancies owing to advancements in therapy emphasizes the need for heightened awareness of renal complications that can occur as a result of such malignancies or their treatment. Here, the authors examine the incidences, aetiologies, mechanisms and treatment options for a variety of renal disorders associated with haematological malignancies. As haematopoietic stem cell transplantation emerges as an important therapy for haematological malignancies, they also consider the renal complications of this procedure. Advances in chemotherapy for haematological malignancies, resulting from a greater understanding of the complex pathophysiology of these diseases, have improved the survival of patients with these disorders. Clinicians must now, therefore, be more aware of the issues related to fluid, electrolyte, and acid–base disorders, as well as acute and chronic kidney injuries that can develop in such patients as a result of the underlying malignancy and its treatment. Patients with acute kidney injury associated with haematological malignancy have a worse prognosis than do other patients with acute kidney injury. Glomerular diseases associated with haematological malignancies are thought to be paraneoplastic syndromes with variable histological presentations. Some of the newest therapeutic agents used to treat haematological malignancies have adverse renal effects that can preclude continuation of treatment, often leading to difficult clinical decisions when patients have advanced disease and alternative treatment options are limited. Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation has an expanding role as a therapy for haematological malignancies but is also associated with important renal complications. Here, we review the literature that examines the incidences, aetiologies, mechanisms and treatment options for renal disorders associated with haematological malignancies.
Integration of Hybrid-Electric Strategy to Enhance Clean Snowmobile Performance

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Snowmobile Team has designed and constructed a hybrid-electric snowmobile for entry in the 2005 Society of Automotive Engineers’ Clean Snowmobile Challenge. Built on a 2003 cross-country touring chassis, this machine features a 784 cc fuel-injected four-stroke engine in parallel with a 48 V electric golf cart motor. The 12 kg electric motor increases powertrain torque up to 25% during acceleration and recharges the snowmobile’s battery pack during steady-state operation. Air pollution from the gasoline engine is reduced to levels far below current best available technology in the snowmobile industry. The four-stroke engine’s closed-loop EFI system maintains stoichiometric combustion while dual three-way catalysts reduce NOx, HC and CO emissions by up to 94% from stock. In addition to the use of three way catalysts, the fuel injection strategy has been modified to further reduce engine emissions from the levels measured in the CSC 2004 competition. The entire hybrid drivetrain including battery pack and a twostage muffler is packaged in a manner that maintains the snowmobile’s aggressive OEM appearance.
On compiling explainable models of a design domain

The purpose of this paper is to draw from our work on design1 (implemented in a program called DONTE), to tentatively lay out some implications for the compilation of explainable design domain models. Using a simple example, we develop a framework for viewing the incremental compilation of domain models that rely progressively less on search and more on compiled foresight.
The Influence Of Patient Location and Physician on Sputum Adequacy in a Veterans Administration Medical Center

Routine bacterial sputum culture results from September 1987 through August 1988 were reviewed to determine the relationship of patient location and physician on specimen adequacy. Specimens from patients in intensive care units (ICUs) were more likely to be good than those from other hospital wards. In addition, when physicians were rotating in ICUs, the quality of sputa from their patients was significantly better than when the same physicians were rotating in non-ICUs. As a single factor, patient location (ie, ICU vs non-ICU) is more important than physician in determining the quality of sputum for culture. However, there is no doubt that physician ordering practices and demands for proper specimen collection are also very important factors.
Future orientation, perception of population problems and birth planning behavior.

A measure of the strength of future orientation in a sample of 350 college students correlated positively with the perceived seriousness of the U.S. and world population problems as well as the likelihood of using a variety of birth control techniques. Correlations were low (.20 to .30).
Upregulation of Mac-1 surface expression on neutrophils during simulated extracorporeal circulation

The leukocyte integrin Mac-1 (alpha m beta 2, CD11b/18 CR3, MO1), in addition to binding iC3b, has been shown to be the receptor for the coagulation proteins fibrinogen, factor X, and high molecular weight kininogen. Mac-1 is known to be upregulated by agonists that stimulate neutrophils or monocytes. Previous studies from this laboratory have documented neutrophil activation during cardiopulmonary bypass. We therefore used an experimental model for cardiopulmonary bypass, a simulated extracorporeal circulation, to study the surface expression of Mac-1 on peripheral blood leukocytes by immunofluorescence flow cytometry. The number of Mac-1 receptors in polymorphonuclear leukocytes had increased 2.2 times and 2.9 times baseline by 2 hours at 37 degrees C and 28 degrees C, respectively (p < 0.001). Neutrophil elastase-alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor complexes (a measure of neutrophil degranulation) increased more than sixfold from 41 micrograms/L to 256 micrograms/L after 2 hours at 28 degrees C. The number of Mac-1 receptors expressed on polymorphonuclear leukocytes correlated with polymorphonuclear leukocyte elastase complexes (r = 0.93). Mac-1--bearing lymphocytes did not display any change in receptor number in the simulated extracorporeal circulation. By 2 hours, monocytes at 37 degrees C showed only insignificant increase; at 28 degrees C they displayed a 1.6 times increase (p < 0.05). By maintaining a temperature-matched standing control samples, we could prove that, unlike the Mac-1 in polymorphonuclear leukocytes, this increase in monocyte Mac-1 is not from bypass but is rather an effect of temperature. These data suggest that a receptor for procoagulant proteins on circulating polymorphonuclear leukocytes (Mac-1) is upregulated during simulated extracorporeal circulation.
Studies on Depurination and Alkylation of DNA’s of Different Base Compositions

DNA’s from four different sources, varying in G + C content from 36% to 72%, were subjected to depurination by heating at neutral pH (100°, 24 hr) or to alkylation (dimethyl sulfate, 37°); the extent of alkylation was measured by total release of 7-N-methylguanine by heating at neutral pH (100°, 4 hr). The fraction of guanine or adenine released by depurination and the fraction of guanine alkylated were found to be independent of G + C content, i.e., independent of the average base distribution or base densities along the DNA molecule. These two reactions (depurination at neutral pH and alkylation) have been implicated as causes of spontaneous and induced mutability. If, indeed, these reactions under the conditions studied are representative of the mutagenic processes in vivo, then causes other than variations in base distributions must be sought to explain the fact that observable mutabilities vary along the molecule of DNA.
A General Approach toward Electron Deficient Triazole Units to Construct Conjugated Polymers for Solar Cells

Triazole based structural units have been widely used to construct conjugated polymers for optoelectronic applications; yet the design and synthesis of such units have been limited to just a few known examples. We report a general yet versatile synthetic approach toward a diverse set of triazole based conjugated molecules bearing various electron accepting abilities. The structural differences of as-synthesized three new triazole acceptors have a significant impact on the optoelectronic properties of conjugated polymers incorporating these triazoles. Bulk heterojunction solar cells based on one of these new polymers, PyCNTAZ, feature a high open circuit voltage of ∼1 V and a notable efficiency of 8.4% with an active layer thickness around 300 nm.
Persistence of Traditional Lifeways by Early Chinese Immigrants: Faunal Evidence from the High Lung Laundry (CA-SBA-2752H) Santa Barbara, California

Analysis of 41,000 faunal specimens from a family-run nineteenth-century Chinese laundry in Santa Barbara, California, reveals the tenacity with which these early Asian immigrants retained their traditional lifeways. Over three decades, the meat portion of the laundrymen’s diet consisted largely of Sus scrofa (swine) (85%) with lesser quantities of beef, fish, and barnyard fowl. Invertebrate seafood, cat, and turtle added to the distinctly Chinese menu. These findings are much like those from numerous other coeval immigrant sites in California and other western states. While dietary pattern is a strong indicator of ethnic identity, it is only one way to assess cultural integration. Nevertheless, the protracted retention of this traditional diet suggests limited assimilation into the social context of Santa Barbara while at the same time the immigrant laundrymen performed an important economic function within the community.
Oxygen and hydrogen isotope ratios of chert from the Sixtymile Formation in Grand Canyon National Park, USA: a warm palaeoclimate, freshwater deposit

New oxygen and hydrogen isotope ratios of chert from middle, intraformational breccias, and upper breccia members of the Sixtymile Formation (SMF) in eastern Grand Canyon National Park (AZ) yield palaeoclimate estimates between 27 and 33 °C. The isotopic compositions of cherts define a domain approximately parallel to the meteoric water line when plotted on a δD–δ18O diagram; these data indicate that meteoric water was involved during formation of the chert. In thin section, the absence of interlocking mega quartz (>35 μm) and silica-filled fractures and veins, along with preserved micromorphological silica fabrics, suggest that the chert has not been permeated by later hydrothermal fluids. Petrographic observations in thin section such as cyclic silica precipitation phases and glaebular micromorphologic fabrics lend support to the interpretation that meteoric waters were involved during chert precipitation. The post 742 Ma SMF has been correlated with diamictite (transition) beds of the Kingston Peak Formation (CA), which in turn have been interpreted to have been deposited during the Sturtian Ice Age (~750–700 Ma). Absence of facetted and striated clasts and other diagnostic glaciogenic features in the SMF, an unconformable contact with the stratigraphically older Chuar Group, coupled with warm palaeotemperature data inferred from stable isotope values of chert, tentatively suggest that deposition of sediment in the SMF likely did not take place during the Sturtian Ice Age.
Experimental investigation of the effect of ethyl alcohol surfactant on oxygen mass transfer and bubble size distribution in an air-water multiphase Taylor-Couette vortex bioreactor

Abstract Volumetric liquid side mass transfer, bubble size distribution, and bubble shape were measured in a vertically oriented semi-batch gas-liquid Taylor-Couette vortex reactor with an aspect ratio of Γ = h /( r o − r i ) = 40 and radius ratio of η = r i / r o = 0.75. Azimuthal Reynolds number, Axial Reynolds number and Capillary number were varied between 0 to 3.8 × 10 4 , 7 to 99, and 6.1 × 10 −6 to 76.0 × 10 −6 , respectively. Power-law correlations based on these data were presented for dimensionless Sauter mean diameter and Sherwood number in terms of the dimensionless parameters. Presence of ethanol as surfactant in the liquid was shown to inhibit bubble coalescence, which in addition to lowering interfacial surface tension causes a generally smaller bubble size at higher concentrations of surfactant. It was also shown that the mass transfer coefficient generally increases with higher concentrations of surfactant. Both the bubble diameter and mass transfer are influenced more at lower concentrations of surfactant, and the introduction of higher amount of ethanol causes a decrease in both parameters.
Early intervention for youth at high risk for bipolar disorder: A multisite randomized trial of family-focused treatment

Aims Despite the considerable public health impact of bipolar disorder (BD), no psychosocial interventions have been systematically evaluated in its early prodromal stages. We describe the rationale, design and analytic methods for a 3-site randomized trial of family-focused treatment for youth at high risk (FFT-HR) for BD. Methods Participants (ages 9-17 years) have a diagnosis of unspecified BD or major depressive disorder, current mood symptoms and at least one first- or second-degree relative with a lifetime history of BD I or II. Participants are randomly assigned to FFT-HR (12 sessions in 4 months of family psychoeducation and skills training) or enhanced care (EC; 6 individual and family sessions over 4 months), with pharmacotherapy provided as needed. A subset of participants undergo pre- and post-treatment functional MRI (fMRI) scans while performing face-rating and family problem-solving tasks designed to activate corticolimbic circuitry. Independent evaluators assess participants’ status every 4 to 6 months for up to 4 years. Results We hypothesize that FFT-HR will be more effective than EC in reducing the severity of mood symptoms (primary outcome) and the hazard of a first manic episode (secondary) over 4 years. Secondarily, we will explore whether FFT-HR is associated with greater decreases in amygdala activation and increases in dorsolateral, ventrolateral or anterior medial prefrontal cortex activation from pre- to post-treatment. Clinical characteristics of 133 subjects enrolled at baseline are described. Conclusions This study will test a novel intervention to reduce the early symptoms of BD, and identify neural and behavioural mechanisms that may help refine future treatments.
A Quantitative NMR Method for Silyllithium Analysis

A rapid and extremely simple method for silyl anion analysis is presented. The progress of silyllithium reagent preparation can be determined by quenching an aliquot with neat chloro(trimethyl)silane, evaporation, dilution with CDCl 3 , and direct proton NMR analysis. This procedure is fast, simple, and allows for identification and relative quantification of the starting reagent, intermediates, and the silyllithium product.
Clinical Phenomenology and Nosology

The publication of DSM-IIΙ in 1980 seems to have reawakened interest in clinical phenomenology and nosology of child and adolescent psychopathology. The body of data is growing on mood disorders in children and adolescents who have been diagnosed by different sets of criteria. At the same time, two new sets of criteria are being developed. Much new work needs to be done on the external validation of the categories delineated by these different systems.
N-CoR-HDAC Corepressor Complexes: Roles in Transcriptional Regulation by Nuclear Hormone Receptors

Many nuclear hormone receptors (NHRs) actively repress the expression of their primary response genes through the recruitment of transcriptional corepressor complexes to regulated promoters. N-CoR and the highly related SMRT were originally isolated and characterized by their ability to interact exclusively with the unliganded forms ofNHRs and confer transcriptional repression. Recently, both the N-CoR and SMRT corepressors have been found to exist in vivo in multiple, distinct macromolecular complexes. While these corepressor complexes differ in overall composition, a general theme is that they contain histone deacetylase enzymatic activity. Several of these complexes contain additional transcriptional corepressor proteins with functional ties to chromatin structure. Together, these data suggest that modulation of chromatin structure plays a central role in N-CoR mediated transcriptional repression from unliganded NHRs.
Structure-Function Analysis of Group A Streptococcal M Proteins with Hybridoma Antibodies

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses structure–function analysis of group A streptococcal M proteins with hybridoma antibodies. The M protein on the surface of group A streptococci is the major virulence factor of the organism. M protein, which is the type-specific substance of group A streptococci, is a fibrous molecule that partially constitutes the fimbriae or fuzzy layer on the outermost surface of the bacteria. Organisms that are rich in M protein are resistant to phagocytosis in the nonimmune host. In the immune host, antibodies against only M protein opsonize and protect against subsequent infections by related serotypes of streptococci. All cases of acute rheumatic fever are preceded by group A streptococcal pharyngitis; however, only a very small percentage of individuals with streptococcal sore throat subsequently develop rheumatic fever. To maintain the functional characteristics of M protein, the seven-residue periodicity is retained from one serotype to another, while antigenicity is altered to enhance the survivability of the organism in the host.
Nol9 is a Spatial Regulator for the Human ITS2 pre-rRNA Processing Complex

Abstract The ribosome plays a universal role in translating the cellular proteome. Defects in the ribosome assembly factor Las1L are associated with congenital lethal motor neuron disease and X-linked intellectual disability disorders, yet its role in processing precursor ribosomal RNA (pre-rRNA) is largely unclear. The Las1L endoribonuclease associates with the Nol9 polynucleotide kinase to form the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) pre-rRNA processing machinery. Together, Las1L-Nol9 catalyzes RNA cleavage and phosphorylation to mark the ITS2 for degradation. While ITS2 processing is critical for the production of functional ribosomes, the regulation of mammalian Las1L-Nol9 remains obscure. Here we characterize the human Las1L-Nol9 complex and identify critical molecular features that regulate its assembly and spatial organization. We establish that Las1L and Nol9 form a higher-order complex and identify the regions responsible for orchestrating this intricate architecture. Structural analysis by high-resolution imaging defines the intricate spatial pattern of Las1L-Nol9 within the nucleolar sub-structure linked with late pre-rRNA processing events. Furthermore, we uncover a Nol9 encoded nucleolar localization sequence that is responsible for nucleolar transport of the assembled LasL-Nol9 complex. Together, these data provide a mechanism for the assembly and nucleolar localization of the human ITS2 pre-rRNA processing complex.
Active Attention-Modified Policy Shaping: Socially Interactive Agents Track

We present the Active Attention-Modified Policy Shaping (Active AMPS) algorithm, which allows learning robots to request feedback from multi-tasking human teachers. Active AMPS uses Reinforcement Learning supplemented with feedback from teachers, while avoiding frequently interrupting the teacher. This algorithm does so by selectively asking for attention from teachers in low-information areas of the state space when there is uncertainty about the teacher's feedback. Active AMPS allows people to take breaks from teaching the robot to complete other tasks, and is forgiving to lapses in human attention if learning occurs over long periods of time. We test Active AMPS both in simulation and on a physical robot in a human study. In simulation, we find that Active AMPS outperforms Attention-Modified Policy Shaping (AMPS), achieving an 11.0% increase in area under its learning curve while receiving 89.9% less feedback. In the human study, we find statistically significant results showing that Active AMPS allows people to complete 77.5% more work than AMPS while the robot receives 48.5% less feedback, without decreasing performance.
An Applied Contextual Model for Promoting Self-Regulation Enactment Across Development: Implications for Prevention, Public Health and Future Research

This theoretical paper presents a public health approach for promoting self-regulation across development that is based in cross-disciplinary theory and research. The self-regulation promotion model includes three key approaches that are each dependent on the relationship that children and youth have with caregivers: teaching self-regulation skills, building supportive environments, and providing co-regulation. This model extends the science of self-regulation insofar as it: (1) focuses on promoting wellbeing (not only reducing risks) across domains of functioning, (2) addresses self-regulation intervention across childhood and through young adulthood, (3) integrates multiple theories and applies them to intervention in meaningful ways, and (4) identifies specific strategies that can be used in natural developmental contexts and that address the social ecological environment as well as the individual child. We describe seven key principles that support the model including a description of self-regulation processes and implications for promoting self-regulation at each developmental stage. We end with broad implications for intervention, highlighting the relevance of the self-regulation promotion model for practitioners, policy makers, and prevention researchers.
Feature selection for position estimation using an omnidirectional camera

Abstract This paper considers visual feature selection to implement position estimation using an omnidirectional camera. The localization is based on a maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) with a map from optimally selected visual features using Gaussian process (GP) regression. In particular, the collection of selected features over a surveillance region is modeled by a multivariate GP with unknown hyperparameters. The hyperparameters are identified through the learning process by an MLE, which are used for prediction in an empirical Bayes fashion. To select features, we apply a backward sequential elimination technique in order to improve the quality of the position estimation with compressed features for efficient localization. The excellent results of the proposed algorithm are illustrated by the experimental studies with different visual features under both indoor and outdoor real-world scenarios.
Stress responses in the chemistry and mRNA abundance of the peripheral blood in the American alligator.

To monitor physiological and toxicological conditions in an endangered species, noninvasive to minimally invasive sampling methods are needed. We analyzed peripheral blood cells to determine if we could monitor some physiological responses of the American alligator following capture stress. Juvenile American alligators were restrained for 16 h to examine the stress response in plasma and blood cells. Plasma corticosterone concentrations were increased by restraint as were plasma concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), uric acid, and glucose; a sexually dimorphic response was seen in AST and CK concentrations. The lapse time of restraint was associated with altered messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of the glucocorticoid receptor (GCR) in red blood cells and JUN proto-oncogene in both white and red blood cells. A two-way cluster analysis revealed that two major clusters of factors were associated with the responses seen: (a) mRNA levels of GCR and heat-shock proteins in both blood cells were associated with plasma corticosterone concentration, whereas (b) androgen receptors and JUN mRNA levels in both blood cells were associated with cloacal temperature and body composition. Blood cells appear to be an excellent source to examine the cellular stress response to steroid hormone signals in mRNA levels. We propose that this approach, using blood cells, could provide essential insights into the molecular responses associated with stress in reptiles as well as many other nontraditional model species, including endangered species.
Alexa Weik von Mossner (ed.), Moving Environments: Affect, Emotion, Ecology, and Film

Alexa Weik von Mossner (ed.), Moving Environments: Affect, Emotion, Ecology, and Film (Waterloo, ON: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 2014), 287 pp., $42.99 (pbk), ISBN: 978-1-77112-002-9.
Time-dependent Cues Encode the Minimum Exploration Time in Discriminating Naturalistic Compliances

Our perception of compliance is informed by multi-dimensional tactile cues. Compared with stationary cues at terminal contact, time-dependent cues may afford optimal efficiency, speed, and fidelity. In this work, we investigate strategies by which temporal cues may encode compliances by modulating our exploration time. Two potential perceptual strategies are considered, inspired by memory representations within and between explorations. For either strategy, we introduce a unique computational approach. First, a curve similarity analysis, of accumulating touch force between sequentially explored compliances, generates a minimum time for discrimination. Second, a Kalman filtering approach derives a recognition time from progressive integration of stiffness estimates over time within a single exploration. Human-subjects experiments are conducted for both single finger touch and pinch grasp. The results indicate that for either strategy, by employing a more natural pinch grasp, time-dependent cues afford greater efficiency by reducing the exploration time, especially for harder objects. Moreover, compared to single finger touch, pinch grasp improves discrimination rates in judging plum ripeness. The time-dependent strategies as defined here appear promising, and may tie with the time-scales over which we make perceptual judgments.
Monitoring Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Through Trends in Influenza-like Illness, Laboratory-confirmed Influenza, and COVID-19-New York State, Excluding New York City, 1 January 2020-12 April 2020.

Innovative monitoring approaches are needed to track the COVID-19 epidemic and potentially assess the impact of community mitigation interventions. In this report, we present temporal data on influenza-like illness, influenza diagnosis and COVID-19 cases for all four regions of New York State through the first six weeks of the outbreak.
Machine Learning Prediction of Extracapsular Extension in Human Papillomavirus-Associated Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

ObjectiveTo determine whether machine learning (ML) can predict the presence of extracapsular extension (ECE) prior to treatment, using common oncologic variables, in patients with human papillomav...
Tamm review: The effects of prescribed fire on wildfire regimes and impacts: A framework for comparison

Abstract Prescribed fire can result in significant benefits to ecosystems and society. Examples include improved wildlife habitat, enhanced biodiversity, reduced threat of destructive wildfire, and enhanced ecosystem resilience. Prescribed fire can also come with costs, such as reduced air quality and impacts to fire sensitive species. To plan for appropriate use of prescribed fire, managers need information on the tradeoffs between prescribed fire and wildfire regimes. In this study, we argue that information on tradeoffs should be presented at spatial and temporal scales commensurate with the scales at which these processes occur and that simulation modeling exercises should include some realistic measure of wildfire probability. To that end, we synthesized available scientific literature on relationships between prescribed fire and wildfire regimes, and their associated ecological and societal effects, focusing specifically on simulation modeling studies that consider wildfire probability and empirical and modeling studies that consider prescribed fire and wildfire regimes at spatial and temporal scales beyond individual events. Both empirical and modeling studies overwhelmingly show that increasing use of prescribed fire can result in wildfire regimes of lower extent and intensity. In some studies, a consequence associated with increased use of prescribed fire is an increase in the total, cumulative amount of fire on a landscape over time. Presumably this has implications for emissions and ecosystem carbon, however, effects on ecosystem carbon dynamics are much less clear as results vary considerably across studies. Results likely vary because studies use various landscape models with different parameter settings for processes (e.g., vegetation succession) and use different methodologies, time frames, and fire management and climate change scenarios. Future syntheses and meta-analyses would benefit from researchers providing more comprehensive and transparent documentation of model parameters, assumptions, and limitations. The literature review also revealed that studies on the implications of prescribed fire and wildfire regimes with regard to values other than carbon and emissions are scant and this represents a critical research need. Empirical studies are needed to calibrate and provide magnitude of order comparisons with simulation models and address tradeoffs with respect to other values (e.g., wildland urban interface, wildlife habitat). Such studies should be conducted with consideration for our framework, which includes the implications of prescribed fire and wildfire across broad spatial and temporal scales.
Defining the Protein Seeds of Neurodegeneration using Real-Time Quaking-Induced Conversion Assays

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the accumulation of disease-related misfolded proteins. It is now widely understood that the characteristic self-amplifying (i.e., seeding) capacity once only attributed to the prions of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy diseases is a feature of other misfolded proteins of neurodegenerative diseases, including tau, Aβ, and αSynuclein (αSyn). Ultrasensitive diagnostic assays, known as real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assays, exploit these seeding capabilities in order to exponentially amplify protein seeds from various biospecimens. To date, RT-QuIC assays have been developed for the detection of protein seeds related to known prion diseases of mammals, the αSyn aggregates of Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy, and the tau aggregates of Alzheimer’s disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and other tauopathies including progressive supranuclear palsy. Application of these assays to premortem human biospecimens shows promise for diagnosis of neurodegenerative disease and is an area of active investigation. RT-QuIC assays are also powerful experimental tools that can be used to dissect seeding networks within and between tissues and to evaluate how protein seed distribution and quantity correlate to disease-related outcomes in a host. As well, RT-QuIC application may help characterize molecular pathways influencing protein seed accumulation, transmission, and clearance. In this review we discuss the application of RT-QuIC assays as diagnostic, experimental, and structural tools for detection and discrimination of PrP prions, tau, and αSyn protein seeds.
Pre-training naltrexone increases conditioned fear learning independent of adolescent alcohol consumption history.

Abstract Our previous research has shown a relationship between low voluntary alcohol consumption and high conditioned fear in male Long Evans rats. Here, we examined whether differences in the endogenous opioid systems might be responsible for these differences. Rats received 6 weeks of chronic intermittent to 20% alcohol (v/v) or water-only from PND 26–66. Based on their consumption during the last 2 weeks of alcohol access, the alcohol-access rats were divided into high drinking (>2.5 g/kg/24-h) or low drinking (
Connecting human and planetary health: interview with Christiana Figueres

Two global crises, Covid-19 and climate change, present threats that require urgent global solutions. They also demand long-term planning of the highest, most inclusive order. Christiana Figueres, ...
Agenda Discussion: Kinetics and Transport

In order to couple closely with the papers presented during the morning session as well as to allow additional time for discussion, which had been quite limited, the agenda was confined to a few principal topics. These were explored with specific reference to the papers presented earlier in the day. A summary of the discussion follows. Although the chronological sequence has not been maintained, an attempt has been made to preserve the flavor of the proceedings, with only minor additions, such as references and occasional summaries.
A Pen Pal Program During COVID-19 Pandemic Increases Student Interest for Careers in Geriatrics.

Social isolation and loneliness are serious issues facing older adults that have been intensified during COVID-19. Through a pen pal program, we connected 69 healthcare professional students with 180 older adults in our community to help reduce social isolation and loneliness. Participants were connected through letters, e-mails, and phone calls for three months. At the end of the program, we surveyed students (response rate: 62%). Half of the students reported spending less than 20 minutes per week on the project. Of the survey respondents roughly 91% were white, 74.4% were enrolled in the College of Medicine, and 51.1% were in their first year of their respective program. Students increased their knowledge of social isolation and loneliness (p = .0001), their interest in volunteering (p = .018) and working with older adults (p = .028), and their comfort communicating with older adults (p = .002). Students reported that their wellness improved and that they practiced skills that would be used in their future careers. By providing volunteer experiences to students, we can increase their exposure to the geriatric population, hopefully increasing the number of students who enter geriatrics while simultaneously reducing social isolation and loneliness in older adults.
Interaction patterns and support for learning in the primary foreign language classroom

In this study, both sociocultural and cognitive perspectives are used to investigate how learners in the primary foreign language classroom support each other’s learning during peer oral interaction, and how this is influenced by different interaction patterns. Learners were recorded taking part in 3 spot-the-difference tasks in a year 4 primary class, and Storch’s model of interaction patterns (2002) was used as a framework to classify learner interaction. Transcripts were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively, and show how learners used a variety of strategies to support their partner’s output. It also shows how the majority of learners worked collaboratively, how collaboration increased with task repetition, and how pairs who engaged in collaborative interaction provided most support for their peer. However, other dyads showed less mutuality and engaged little with each other’s contributions, with quantitative analysis showing these learners provided each other with the least support for language learning, as they were unlikely to ask their peer for help, one of the most common strategies used by other dyads.
Long-term in vivo operation of implanted cardiac nanogenerators in swine.

Abstract Implantable nanogenerators (i-NG) provide power to cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) by harvesting biomechanical energy locally eliminating the need for batteries. However, its long-term operation and biological influences on the heart have not been tested. Here, we evaluate a soft and flexible i-NG system engineered for long-term in vivo cardiac implantation. It consisted of i-NG, leads, and receivers, and was implanted on the epicardium of swine hearts for 2 months. The i-NG system generated electric current throughout the testing period. Biocompatibility and biosafety were established based on normal blood and serum test results and no tissue reactions. Heart function was unchanged over the testing period as validated by normal electrocardiogram (ECG), transthoracic ultrasound, and invasive cardiac functional measures. This research demonstrates the safety, long term operation and therefore the feasibility of using i-NGs to power the next generation CIEDs.
Study on the Position of Brand Positioning in Marketing Strategy

Brand positioning can provide consumers with specific product information according to brand image and help consumers choose brand products that meet their purchase needs. Through the comprehensive analysis of consumers and customers and the accurate positioning of the company’s brand, each brand company selects the target consumer market suitable for the brand, so that the brand positioning can fit the target market. This paper focuses on brand positioning in marketing strategy and puts forward practical strategies to help enterprises improve brand influence. In the research process based on the concept of brand positioning, brand positioning analysis can determine marketing strategy, consumer groups, corporate interests and brand strategy so as to provide reference for relevant staffs to improve enterprise market share.
Overview on current strategy of the treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas

We are currently in the midst of an exciting information explosion regarding the pathophysiology of the malignant lymphomas. Although tremendous advances in our understanding of these diseases have been made in the past ten to fifteen years, our therapeutic approaches to some of these diseases have remained relatively stagnant. This overview will briefly summarize advances in the fields of immunology, cytogenetics, molecular biology, and virology, examine the current status of therapy for the malignant lymphomas, and speculate regarding future trends in therapeutics.
Pleuropulmonary and Mediastinal Neoplasms

The chapter contains 52 frequently asked immunohistochemical questions with answers addressed with tables and concise note and representative pictures in the diagnosis of common and uncommon pleuropulmonary and mediastinal tumors. The questions and selected frequently used antibodies or antibody panels come from a review of numerous published literatures, books and book chapters incorporated with authors’ own practicing experience, which reflects up to date information in practicing immunohistochemistry in the field. Many of the antibodies have been tested, evaluated and verified in author’s institution on tissue microarray and tissue sections. In lights of recent progress in diagnosing and treating non-small cell lung carcinomas, the most useful diagnostic antibody panels have been highlighted in the chapter. In additions, current edition includes the most recently recognized new or better immuno-markers for the diagnosis of pleuropulmonary and mediastinal tumors. For example, the emergence of novel and better squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) markers, such as p40 and desmoglein-3 (DSG-3), enhances the possibility of effectively separating adenocarcinoma (ADC) from SCC on small biopsies and cytologic specimens, conserving tissue for molecular testing. For pleural lesions, the antibodies glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), insulin-like growth factor II messenger RNA binding protein-3 (IMP3) and cluster of differentiation (CD)146 have been shown to be helpful in differentiating reactive from malignant mesothelial proliferations. Many new organ-specific antibodies such as GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3), paired box gene (PAX)8, PAX2 and arginase-1, have greatly facilitated the diagnosis of metastatic carcinoma to the lung. Furthermore, immunophenotypes of various cell types of normal lung tissue have been described.
Uniform weak implies uniform strong persistence for non-autonomous semiflows

It is shown that, under two additional assumptions, uniformly weakly persistent semiflows are also uniformly strongly persistent even if they are non-autonomous. This result is applied to a time-heterogeneous model of S-I-R-S type for the spread of infectious childhood diseases. If some of the parameter functions are almost periodic, an almost sharp threshold result is obtained for uniform strong endemicity versus extinction.
Looking Forward in Anger

(2012). Looking Forward in Anger. Educational Philosophy and Theory: Vol. 44, No. 3, pp. 238-244.
An essential function for the calcium-promoted Ras inactivator in Fcγ receptor–mediated phagocytosis

Fc receptor (FcR)-mediated phagocytosis requires activation of the Rho GTPases Cdc42 and Rac1, but how they are recruited to the FcR is unknown. Here we show that the calcium-promoted Ras inactivator (CAPRI), a Ras GTPase-activating protein, functions as an adaptor for Cdc42 and Rac1 during FcR-mediated phagocytosis. CAPRI-deficient macrophages had impaired FcgammaR-mediated phagocytosis and oxidative burst, as well as defective activation of Cdc42 and Rac1. CAPRI interacted constitutively with both Cdc42 and Rac1 and translocated to phagocytic cups during FcgammaR-mediated phagocytosis. CAPRI-deficient mice had an impaired innate immune response to bacterial infection. These results suggest that CAPRI provides a link between FcgammaR and Cdc42 and Rac1 and is essential for innate immune responses.
Conjugated linoleic acid

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a term comprising 28 isomers of octadecadienoic acid (molecular weight 280) that have two double bonds separated by one single bond. It is used as an energy fuel like other fatty acids and complete oxidation depends on thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenate, carnitine, lipoate, ubiquinone, iron, and magnesium. CLA is a normal component of ruminant fat in dairy products and meat. Bile-salt activated lipase from pancreas in conjunction with colipase is the major digestive enzyme for the hydrolysis of CLA-containing di- and triglycerides. Micelles form spontaneously from the mixture of fatty acids, monoglycerides, bile acids, and phospholipids. CLA is taken up into the small intestine by diffusion and facilitated transport from mixed micelles and is conjugated to CoA by long-chain fatty acid CoA ligase. Beta-oxidation, both in mitochondria and in peroxisomes, is the main metabolic fate of CLA. Further, as is the case with other fatty acids, virtually no CLA is lost with feces or urine.
CD4 T Cell-Dependent Conditioning of Dendritic Cells to Produce IL-12 Results in CD8-Mediated Graft Rejection and Avoidance of Tolerance

Rejection of ectopic heart transplants expressing OVA requires OVA-specific CD4 and CD8 T cells. In the absence of CD4 T cells, OVA-specific CD8 T cells proliferate and migrate to the graft, but fail to develop cytolytic functions. With CD4 T cells present, clonal expansion of the CD8 T cells is only marginally increased but the cells now develop effector functions and mediate rapid graft rejection. In the presence of CD4 T cells, Ag and B7 levels do not increase on dendritic cells but IL-12 production is up-regulated, and this requires CD154 expression on the CD4 T cells. OVA-specific CD8 T cells lacking the IL-12 receptor fail to differentiate or mediate graft rejection even when CD4 T cells are present. Thus, CD4 T cells condition dendritic cells by inducing the production of IL-12, which is needed as the "third signal" for CD8 T cell differentiation and avoidance of tolerance.
Nuclear Magnetic Relaxation Dispersion Measurements of Ethylenediamine-Tetraacetatoiron(III) Complexes at High pH and Ionic Strength

Abstract Nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion measurements are reported for aqueous solutions of iron(III)-EDTA complexes at high pH and high ionic strength where the dominant species is the μ-oxo dimer. Formation of the dimeric species leaves only the outer coordination sphere contribution to the paramagnetic relaxation rate of the water protons in solution. The relaxation efficiency is further decreased by the decrease in the effective magnetic moment due to antiferromagnetic coupling. This result is in distinction to dimeric species that form with Gd(HEDTA) complexes at high pH in which antiferromagnetic coupling has not been observed to decrease the effective magnetic moment.
Simulation of stresses in TBC–EBC coating systems for ceramic components in gas turbines

Abstract Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) and environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) improve the efficiency and durability of turbine blades. Plasma-sprayed yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) coupled with dense, chemical vapor deposited functionally graded mullite is a promising TBC–EBC system. A computational model is constructed to consider effects of functional grading of the EBC, coating geometry, as well as density and depth of vertical cracks in the TBC on the stress distribution in the coating system. Functional grading of the EBC coating is found to reduce interfacial σxx mismatch at the interfaces of the coating system. The ratio of EBC to TBC thicknesses has a much smaller effect compared with the effect of grading. Vertical cracks increase TBC compliance but introduce substantial σxx fluctuations in the EBC, especially when cracks are through-thickness. Increased spacing between cracks is accompanied by greater σxx fluctuation. While TBC stresses are minimized with through-thickness and more distanced cracks, this geometry is not ideal for the EBC. The absence of cracks produces the best results for the EBC layer. If cracks are present, sub through-thickness, closely spaced cracks achieve the lowest magnitude and most uniform stresses in the EBC.
Interactive effects of MK-801 and morphine on EEG, EEG power spectra and behavior in rats: II. Morphine dependence.

Abstract A potential interaction between MK-801 and the cortical electroencephalographic (EEG) and behavioral expressions of morphine dependence in female Sprague-Dawley rats was assessed. Rats were treated chronically (7 days) with either morphine alone, morphine and MK-801 alone or saline vehicle alone. On day 8 all rats received morphine alone followed by naloxone. An additional group received chronic (7 days) morphine alone, followed by MK-801 on day 8 prior to morphine and naloxone. Naloxone-induced EEG complexity in morphine-dependent rats was significantly lower than in chronic saline-treated rats. Total power, mobility, mean frequency, complexity and edge frequency in response to naloxone-induced withdrawal in morphine-dependent rats were significantly altered from those in chronically MK-801 alone-treated rats. No differences were found in the EEG and behavioral responses to naloxone between rats that received chronic MK-801 and those that didn't during chronic morphine treatment. Acute MK-801 prior to naloxone in morphine-dependent rats attenuated the behavioral, but not the EEG response to naloxone-induced withdrawal.
Studies on polynucleotides. 146. High-pressure liquid chromatography in polynucleotide synthesis

Reverse phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) using columns containing microparticulate materials with bonded octadecyl groups has been developed as a rapid and efficient method for the separation of nucleosides, nucleotides, and, in particular, of protected oligonucleotides which are standard intermediates in the stepwise synthesis of deoxyribopolynucleotides. Reported are extensive studies of the influence of the different purine and pyrimidine bases, of protecting groups, of the phosphate groups, and of the chain lengths of oligonucleotides on their retention on such columns. Further, the application of HPLC in the stepwise synthesis of an oligonucleotide, d(G-G-A-A-G-C-T-T-A-A-C), has been described. The methods, which are herein described, lend themselves to separations on a preparative scale and effect a marked reduction (up to 50%) in the time required for the synthesis of oligonucleotides.