cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of Smoking Exposure Change on Infant Birth Weight Among a Cohort of Women in a Prenatal Smoking Cessation Study

introduction: Despite the known harmful effects of smoking during pregnancy, the highly addicted find it difficult to quit. Decreased smoking may be regarded as a means of harm reduction. There is limited information on the benefits of smoking reduction short of quitting. This study used salivary cotinine to assess the impact of change in smoking exposure on birth weight in full-term infants. Methods: In a prenatal smoking cessation study, smoking status was validated by saliva cotinine at baseline and end of pregnancy (EOP). Salivary cotinine ≥15 ng/ml defined active smoking. Based on salivary cotinine, women were grouped as non smoking/quit, light exposure (<150 ng/ml), and heavy exposure (≥150 ng/ml) at baseline and EOP. EOP and baseline smoking status were stratified to form smoking exposure change groups. Mean birth weight was compared among those who quit, reduced, maintained, and increased. results: Smoking cessation was associated with a 299 g increase in birth weight compared with sustained heavy smoking, p = .021. Reduced exposure from heavy to light was associated with a 199 g increase in birth weight compared with sustained heavy exposure, a 103 g increase compared with increased exposure, and a 63 g increase compared with sustained light exposure. Differences among continuing smokers were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Although not statistically significant, the increase in infant birth weight associated with reduction from heavy to light exposure suggests potential for benefit. The only statistically significant comparison was between quitters and sustained heavy smokers, confirming that smoking cessation should remain the goal for pregnant women.
Psychotherapy and Neuroimaging

Technological advances in neuroimaging have enabled researchers to examine, in vivo, the relationship between psychotherapeutic interventions and markers of brain activity. This review focuses on two kinds of neuroimaging studies in psychotherapy: those that examine the patterns of brain activity associated with response to treatments and those that examine the changes that occur in brain activity during treatment.
Where Is the Essence? Developmental Shifts in Children’s Beliefs About Internal Features

The present studies investigated children’s and adults’ intuitive beliefs about the physical nature of essences. Adults and children (ranging in age from 6 to 10 years old) were asked to reason about 2 different ways of determining an unknown object’s category: taking a tiny internal sample from any part of the object (distributed view of essence) or taking a sample from one specific region (localized view of essence). Results from 3 studies indicated that adults strongly endorsed the distributed view, and children showed a developmental shift from a localized to distributed view with increasing age. These results suggest that even children go beyond mere placeholder notions of essence, committing to conceptual frameworks of how essences might be physically instantiated.
Asynchronous Access to Conventional Course Delivery: A Pilot Project.

This study describes a technological pilot project providing 160 graduate students with asynchronous access to the ongoing proceedings of a lecture-based course. Exactly half of the students spoke the language of instruction, English, as a second language (ESL). While the asynchronous video-on-demand service proved popular overall, ESL students were markedly heavier users of the system and reported most enthusiastically on its benefits. Asynchronous access was valued as much for empowering the learner with control of the lecture as it was for the issue of convenience. Furthermore, the medium of video capture was found to create an impression of intimacy simultaneously cleansed of environmental distractions, an experience not necessarily consistent with live attendance. These findings became the foundation of a course distribution system now providing lectures to over 1,500 undergraduates each semester, yet many of the observed benefits remain to be confirmed by future research.
Overexpression of G Protein–Coupled Receptor Kinase-2 in Smooth Muscle Cells Attenuates Mitogenic Signaling via G Protein–Coupled and Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptors

Background—Neointimal hyperplasia involves activation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) by several G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) agonists, including endothelin-1, angiotensin II, thrombin, and thromboxane A2. Signaling of many GPCRs is diminished by GPCR kinase-2 (GRK2). We therefore tested whether overexpression of GRK2 in SMCs could diminish mitogenic signaling elicited by agonists implicated in the pathogenesis of neointimal hyperplasia. Methods and Results—Overexpression of GRK2 was achieved in primary rabbit aortic SMCs with a recombinant adenovirus. Control SMCs were infected with an empty vector adenovirus. Inositol phosphate responses to endothelin-1, angiotensin II, thrombin agonist peptide, and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) were attenuated by 37% to 72% in GRK2-overexpressing cells (P<0.01), but the response to the thromboxane A2 analogue U46619 was unaffected. GRK2 also inhibited SMC [3H]thymidine incorporation stimulated not only by these agonists (by 30% to 60%, P<0.01) but also by 10...
Equivalent transformation for a partially adaptive array

A partially adaptive array is one in which elements of a phased array are controlled or adaptively weighted in groups or in which certain elements, called auxiliary elements, are made controllable. Mathematically, this type of array is formed by transforming all of the elements of an array by a nonsquare matrix such that the resulting output vector has a length less than the number of array elements. It is shown that there is an equivalent matrix transform that can effectively be utilized in analyzing the partially adaptive array's performance when a small number of external jammers are present. Processor implementation and convergence rate considerations lead to the desirability of reducing the dimensionality of the cancellation processor while maintaining good sidelobe interference protection. A meaningful measure of canceller performance is to compute the optimal output signal-to-noise ratio. This expression is a function of the jammer, direction-of-arrival vectors (DOAVs), jammer powers, the array steering vector, and internal noise. It is shown that if this expression is computed for the fully adaptive array then it is easily computed for the partially adaptive array by transforming the jammer DOAVs and the steering vector by the orthogonal projection matrix defined by the rows of the subarray transformation matrix and substituting these vectors back into the original expression for the fully adaptive array. >
Comprehensive Proteomic Analysis of Influenza Virus Polymerase Complex Reveals a Novel Association with Mitochondrial Proteins and RNA Polymerase Accessory Factors

The trimeric RNA polymerase complex (3P, for PA-PB1-PB2) of influenza A virus (IAV) is an important viral determinant of pathogenicity and host range restriction. Specific interactions of the polymerase complex with host proteins may be determining factors in both of these characteristics and play important roles in the viral life cycle. To investigate this question, we performed a comprehensive proteomic analysis of human host proteins associated with the polymerase of the well-characterized H5N1 Vietnam/1203/04 isolate. We identified over 400 proteins by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), of which over 300 were found to bind to the PA subunit alone. The most intriguing and novel finding was the large number of mitochondrial proteins (∼20%) that associated with the PA subunit. These proteins mediate molecular transport across the mitochondrial membrane or regulate membrane potential and may in concert with the identified mitochondrion-associated apoptosis inducing factor (AIFM1) have roles in the induction of apoptosis upon association with PA. Additionally, we identified host factors that associated with the PA-PB1 (68 proteins) and/or the 3P complex (34 proteins) including proteins that have roles in innate antiviral signaling (e.g., ZAPS or HaxI) or are cellular RNA polymerase accessory factors (e.g., polymerase I transcript release factor [PTRF] or Supt5H). IAV strain-specific host factor binding to the polymerase was not observed in our analysis. Overall, this study has shed light into the complex contributions of the IAV polymerase to host cell pathogenicity and allows for direct investigations into the biological significance of these newly described interactions.
Contemplate sorting with columnsort

The efficiency of Internet search engines has made it trivial for students to find implementations of standard algorithms. This fact has led computer science educators to be more creative with their assignments to encourage students to create their own implementations. Unfortunately, excessive creativity can obscure learning objectives, particularly for less insightful students. We demonstrate that recasting the parallel sorting algorithm Columnsort for a uniprocessor environment provides the foundation for a variety of sorting assignments that can engage students while not obscuring educational objectives.
High power efficient dye amplifier pumped by copper vapor lasers

An extensive study has been performed on a dye amplifier pumped by copper vapor lasers. The amplifier utilizes a transverse pumping configuration in which the dye flow, pump beam, and dye extraction beam are mutually orthogonal. The operating characteristics of the amplifier have been studied using four dye-solvent systems which span the wavelength range continuously from 560 to 690 nm. Optimum conversion efficiencies of 18-30 percent at output powers of 0.41-0.76 W have been measured from the four dyes at a 6 kHz pulse repetition rate. The efficiencies and output powers were limited only by the available copper laser pump power. Analytic expressions have been obtained for the amplifier power gain and efficiency using a rate equation treatment of the system dynamics. Excellent agreement is obtained between the predicted and measured amplifier gain characteristics for rhodamine 6G.
One Nanosecond Pulsed Electron Gun Systems

At SLAC there has been a continuous need for the injection of very short bunches of electrons into the accelerator. Several time-of-flight experiments have used bursts of short pulses during a normal 1.6 micro-second rf acceleration period. Single bunch beam loading experiments made use of a short pulse injection system which included high power transverse beam chopping equipment. Until the equipment described in this paper came on line, the basic grid-controlled gun pulse was limited to a rise time of 7 nanoseconds and a pulse width of 10 nanoseconds. The system described here has a grid-controlled rise time of less than 500 pico-seconds, and a minimum pulse width of less than 1 nanosecond. Pulse burst repetition rate has been demonstrated above 20 MHz during a 1.6 microsecond rf accelerating period. The order-of-magnitude increase in gun grid switching speed comes from a new gun design which minimizes lead inductance and stray capacitance, and also increases gun grid transconductance. These gun improvements coupled with a newly designed fast pulser mounted directly within the gun envelope make possible subnanosecond pulsing of the gun.
A Field Guide to the Mps1 Family of Protein Kinases

Cell cycle events must be faithfully executed and properly integrated to ensure genetic stability. The Mps1 family of protein kinases has recently emerged as a critical regulator of genetic stability, because they regulate several processes central to mitotic fidelity. The spindle checkpoint monitors alignment of mitotic chromosomes, and centrosomes control cell cycle entry, mitotic spindle assembly, and cytokinesis. Several studies have shown that vertebrate orthologues of budding yeast Mps1p regulate the spindle checkpoint. More recently it has been demonstrated that human Mps1 is also required for centrosome duplication, normal mitotic progression, and cytokinesis.
Trade-Offs Between Grounded and Abstract Representations: Evidence From Algebra Problem Solving

This article explores the complementary strengths and weaknesses of grounded and abstract representations in the domain of early algebra. Abstract representations, such as algebraic symbols, are concise and easy to manipulate but are distanced from any physical referents. Grounded representations, such as verbal descriptions of situations, are more concrete and familiar, and they are more similar to physical objects and everyday experience. The complementary computational characteristics of grounded and abstract representations lead to trade-offs in problem-solving performance. In prior research with high school students solving relatively simple problems, Koedinger and Nathan (2004) demonstrated performance benefits of grounded representations over abstract representations—students were better at solving simple story problems than the analogous equations. This article extends this prior work to examine both simple and more complex problems in two samples of college students. On complex problems with two references to the unknown, a “symbolic advantage” emerged, such that students were better at solving equations than analogous story problems. Furthermore, the previously observed “verbal advantage” on simple problems was replicated. We thus provide empirical support for a trade-off between grounded, verbal representations, which show advantages on simpler problems, and abstract, symbolic representations, which show advantages on more complex problems.
Human observers have optimal introspective access to perceptual processes even for visually masked stimuli

Many believe that humans can 'perceive unconsciously' - that for weak stimuli, briefly presented and masked, above-chance discrimination is possible without awareness. Interestingly, an online survey reveals that most experts in the field recognize the lack of convincing evidence for this phenomenon, and yet they persist in this belief. Using a recently developed bias-free experimental procedure for measuring subjective introspection (confidence), we found no evidence for unconscious perception; participants' behavior matched that of a Bayesian ideal observer, even though the stimuli were visually masked. This surprising finding suggests that the thresholds for subjective awareness and objective discrimination are effectively the same: if objective task performance is above chance, there is likely conscious experience. These findings shed new light on decades-old methodological issues regarding what it takes to consider a neurobiological or behavioral effect to be 'unconscious,' and provide a platform for rigorously investigating unconscious perception in future studies.
Studies on Red Cell Aplasia. III. Treatment With Horse Antihuman Thymocyte Gamma Globulin

A case of pure red cell aplasia, which did not respond to corticosteroids, splenectomy, or cyclophosphamide, has been described. In vitro studies performed with the patient’s marrow showed a much smaller response to erythropoietin than that observed with previous patients who did respond to cyclophosphamide. The patient’s plasma and γG-globulin fraction inhibited the rate of heme synthesis of normal marrow cells in vitro. The γM-globulins did not inhibit heme synthesis in the same system. The patient was treated with cyclophosphamide and horse antihuman thymocyte gamma globulin (HAHTGG) and had a definite increase in red cell production, but a severe febrile reaction occurred that prevented further use of the HAHTGG. This study indicates that HAHTGG may be of aid in treating severe cases of red cell aplasia when more effective means of minimizing hypersensitivity reactions are devised.
INDONESIA AND THE ORIGINS OF DUTCH COLONIAL SOVEREIGNTY

The Major steps taken in the settlement of the Indonesian dispute on November 1, 1949, at the Hague and the subsequent transformation of the East Indian Archipelago into a modern national state have thrown into even sharper focus the recent significant changes in the political constitution of the once great colonial powers. The solution of the Indonesian problem has in no small measure been based on a recognition of the mutual economic and cultural interdependence of the two disputants. With this recognition the political factors of the problem have lost much of their controversial nature. The future of the Netherlands Commonwealth, on the basis of a harmonious co-operation in the realms of trade, agriculture, industry, and cultural exchange between the various partners, seems assured. Although the period of armed conflict between Indonesians and Dutch would justify the assumption that the Dutch wished to continue exclusive political control over the Indies it now seems that Dutch recognition of Indonesian national sovereignty might eliminate any lingering suspicion in the minds of Indonesian nationalists. The question of political liberty, once regarded, even by the United Nations mediators, as the nub of a possible settlement of the conflict has lost much if not all of its meaning. Colonial sovereignty, and all that it entails, has now come to an end.
GIS and Spatial Databases for Land Mine Mapping

It is estimated that there are over 60 million land mines located in approximately sixty countries no longer involved in wars. These land mines are the cause of up to 25 000 deaths or injuries per year. The majority of victims are civilians working their lands or children playing. Currently there are many governmental, military, and non-profit organisations working to improve the land mine problem. These organisations usually work independently in addressing mine awareness and education, mine removal, and victim relief and assistance in affected countries.
Human rights and the politics of risk and blame: lessons from the international reproductive health movement.

Recent debates about the "politicization" of public health obscure the ways in which epidemiological concepts of risk are routinely used in the legal and political systems to apportion blame and responsibility for poor health. This article uses the example of reproductive health and rights to argue that new understandings of the connection between socioeconomic conditions and poor health will only generate change when they are reframed into political claims and pressed by social movements. In this connection human rights language principles and practice hold great potential for the US reproductive rights movement which has sometimes been constrained by the narrow scope of court rulings. (authors)
The Specialist Discount Negative Returns for MBAs with Focused Profiles in Investment Banking

Recent scholarship on the returns to labor market specialization often claims that being specialized is advantageous for job candidates. We argue, in contrast, that a specialist discount may occur ...
Fate of palmitate and of linoleate perfused through the isolated rat liver at high concentrations

SUMMARY When rat livers were perfused with red cell-albumin solutions containing high concentrations of free fatty acids (FFA), the FFA were very rapidly taken up. Concomitantly, the glyceride content of the liver rose by 25-60% over control values, the absolute increment corresponding roughly to the amount of FFA taken up. The net increase in liver glyceride content was independent of whether palmitate, linoleate, or a combination of the two was used to raise the FFA concentration of the perfusate. The results support the conclusion drawn from earlier in vivo studies that high serum FFA levels can directly contribute to development of fatty liver. When the initial FFA concentration of perfusate was less than l pEq/ml, there was no significant increment in the glyceride content of the perfusate. When the initial FFA concentration of the perfusate was high (2-3 pEq/ml), the glyceride content of the perfusate rose significantly during a 90-min perfusion. The changes in the fatty acid pattern of the glycerides in the liver and in the perfusate indicated that the fatty acid added to the perfusate to raise the FFA concentration to high levels was being preferentially utilized for formation of the new glycerides, but the quantitative effects when perfusing with palmitate alone and linoleate alone differed. Perfusion with palmitate markedly increased the percentage of palmitate in liver glycerides but increased only slightly the percentage of palmitate in the perfusate glycerides. Linoleate had less effect on the fatty acid pattern of the liver glycerides and a greater effect on that of the perfusate glycerides. The differences between the metabolic fates of the two fatty acids are consistent with results of in vivo studies reported previously. Studies of utilization of labeled FFA4 by liver slices showed that relatively more labeled palmitate was incorporated into glycerides and relatively more linoleate into phospholipids. Incorporation into other lipids and conversion to Con were also compared. Livers were perfused with palmitate at low and at high concentration adding palmitate-1-04 as a tracer. It was shown that high FFA concentrations strongly stimulated conversion to U402 and incorporation into glycerides but had a 1e.s marked effect on incorporation into phospholipids.
Equity Estimation and Assessing Market Response: A Rejoinder:

The authors use a simulation that explores the same factors used by Wildt (1993), but provides results that refute several of the findings reported in that study. The authors maintain that, under c...
The efficacy observation of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in treatment of respiratory failure caused by pneumocystis pneumonia in AIDS patients

Objective To study the clinical efficacy of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in treatment of respiratory failure caused by Pneumocystis pneumonia in AIDS patients. Methods 48 cases with respiratory failure caused by Pneumocystis pneumonia in AIDS patients in our hospital during the period from Jan 2012 to Mar 2013 were divided into the conventional therapy group( Drug+nasal / mask oxygen therapy) and the BIPAP therapy group( Drug+BIPAP therapy) according to accept the BIPAP therapy or not. The arterial partial pressure of oxygen( PaO2),Respiratory rate( P) after treating 48 hours,and the hospitalization time,Changes in serum albumin,mortality in the two groups were observed and compared. Results compared with the conventional group,the PaO2was significantly increased and the rate of respiratory was obviously decreased after treating 48 hours in the BiPAP group,P0. 05; In addition,the level of serum albumin was improved,hospitalization time was obviously reduced and the mortality were significantly decreased,P0. 05. Conclusion For respiratory failure caused by Pneumocystis pneumonia in AIDS patients,the treatment of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation can significantly improve hypoxemia 、respiratory function and reduce body energy consumption,so improve the prognosis of patients.
Study on Procedure for Supervising Wall Thinning of In-service Heating Tubes with RFT

Aiming at disadvantages in supervision approach for wall thinning of heating tubes,procedure for supervising wall thinning of in-service heat tubes with RFT is stated.On the basis of introducing basic principle of RFT,the paper discusses essentials of procedure for supervising wall thinning of in-service heating tubes with RFT,including determination of inspection evidence,selection of supervision system,design of sampling tube and adjustment of supervision system.The practical supervision shows that RFT is workable in supervising wall thinning of heating tubes.
Evaluation Study of multiplex PCR assay for detection Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli

Objective Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli multiplex PCR assay for detection of target bacteria,specificity,anti-jamming performance evaluation Method ①Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli by multiplex PCR respectively according to a variety of target bacteria kit instructions PCR mixture and PCR amplification procedures,the PCR products were Qiaxcel Advanced automated nucleic acid protein electrophoretic separation analyzer,reference reagent instructions on the target bacteria identification;With the target bacteria by habitat similar to the coexistence of non- target organisms and high frequency hybrid template to detect Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli on Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli multiplex PCR assay to assess the specificity;Through the target and non-target bacteria bacteria mixed template to detect foodborne pathogens multiplex PCR assay to assess anti-jamming capability Result Target bacteria added to the system at the same time,adding a large number of non- target organisms,target amplification fragments are still very good,except for the detection of target bacteria specific bands,no nonspecific bands produced.Conclusion The corresponding target bacteria can give an accurate identification results,specificity is good,and the coexistence of habitat similar to high-frequency non-target bacteria on the detection of target bacteria do not produce interference.
Open lung biopsy in the immunosuppressed patient. Is it really beneficial

Considerable disparity of opinion exists concerning the risk: benefit ratio of open lung biopsy in immunosuppressed patients. Eighty-three consecutive patients who underwent open lung biopsy were analyzed, and 70 of the 83 (84 percent) patients were immunosuppressed. A specific etiologic diagnosis was obtained by open lung biopsy in 46 of 83 (55 percent) patients, and a nonspecific diagnosis in 37 of 83 (45 percent). Of 53 specific diagnoses in the 46 patients, 15 (28 percent) were infection and 35 (61 percent) were neoplasm. Diagnostic errors occurred twice, for a diagnostic accuracy of 97.5 percent (81 of 83). A change in treatment was dictated by biopsy results in 37 of 83 (45 percent) patients. No deaths were directly attributable to the operative procedure, but surgical complications occurred in eight of 83 (9.6 percent) cases. Hospital mortality rate was 25 percent (21 of 83); late mortality rate was an additional 40 percent (25 of 62) with an average follow-up of 9.7 months. Of those patients whose lung biopsies dictated a change in treatment, eight of 37 (22 percent) died in the hospital; of those with no treatment change indicated, 13 of 46 (28 percent) died (p = N.S.). Patients whose biopsies yielded a specific diagnosis fared no better than those without diagnosis (hospital mortality 26 percent [12 of 46] versus 24 percent [nine of 37], p = N.S.), a finding at variance with previously published series. Total cumulative mortality rate for immunosuppressed patients was 63 percent (44 of 70). Only two of 13 nonimmunosuppressed patients died (cumulative mortality rate 15 percent). Financial analysis revealed that the cost of caring for these desperately ill patients is exceedingly high. Open lung biopsy is an accurate diagnostic tool with low surgical mortality and acceptable morbidity. Thoughtful individual consideration must be given to each case, with realistic assessment made of the benefits likely to result from a definitive diagnosis, given the patient's underlying disease and current state of health. Appropriate selection of patients for open lung biopsy is recommended, with aggressive early diagnosis and management of pulmonary infiltrates before multisystem failure has occurred.
SU-G-TeP1-04: Deriving Spot Shape Criteria for Proton Pencil Beam Scanning

Purpose: The shape of a single beam in proton PBS influences the resulting dose distribution. Spot profiles are modelled as two-dimensional Gaussian (single/ double) distributions in treatment planning systems (TPS). Impact of slight deviations from an ideal Gaussian on resulting dose distributions is typically assumed to be small due to alleviation by multiple Coulomb scattering (MCS) in tissue and superposition of many spots. Quantitative limits are however not clear per se. Methods: A set of 1250 deliberately deformed profiles with sigma=4 mm for a Gaussian fit were constructed. Profiles and fit were normalized to the same area, resembling output calibration in the TPS. Depth-dependent MCS was considered. The deviation between deformed and ideal profiles was characterized by root-mean-squared deviation (RMSD), skewness/ kurtosis (SK) and full-width at different percentage of maximum (FWxM). The profiles were convolved with different fluence patterns (regular/ random) resulting in hypothetical dose distributions. The resulting deviations were analyzed by applying a gamma-test. Results were compared to measured spot profiles. Results: A clear correlation between pass-rate and profile metrics could be determined. The largest impact occurred for a regular fluence-pattern with increasing distance between single spots, followed by a random distribution of spot weights. The results are strongly dependent on gamma-analysis dose and distance levels. Pass-rates of >95% at 2%/2 mm and 40 mm depth (=70 MeV) could only be achieved for RMSD<10%, deviation in FWxM at 20% and root of quadratic sum of SK <0.8. As expected the results improve for larger depths. The trends were well resembled for measured spot profiles. Conclusion: All measured profiles from ProBeam sites passed the criteria. Given the fact, that beam-line tuning can result shape distortions, the derived criteria represent a useful QA tool for commissioning and design of future beam-line optics.
Photonic-Assisted Error-Free Wireless Communication With Multipath Precompensation Covering 2-18 GHz

A wireless communication experiment that uses photonic-assisted radio-frequency arbitrary waveform generation (RF-AWG) for precompensation of multipath distortion over a 2-18 GHz frequency band is reported. Photonic-assisted RF-AWG is used both for spread spectrum sounding of the multipath channel and for synthesis of precompensation waveforms that yield pulse compression and distortion suppression at the receiver. By directly encoding the precompensated waveforms in optical hardware, 250 Mbit/s error-free data transmission is achieved experimentally in binary-phase-shift-keying format. For the first time to our knowledge, phase compensation and time reversal precompensation techniques are compared in hardware encoded data transmission experiments; our results confirm predictions that phase compensation outperforms time reversal under intersymbol interference limited conditions.
Animal Models of Transgenerational Epigenetic Effects

Abstract The realization that epigenetic changes caused by extrinsic factors can be transmitted from an exposed founder to its progeny and subsequent generations in a wide range of taxons has generated great interest and debate. Such inherited changes may reflect much broader adjustments in phenotype that permit species to adapt to environment changes without altering their genetic blueprint. The phenomenon is often called transgenerational transmission, although the term is often inappropriately used, particularly in mammals. While such inheritance has been inferred to occur in humans, proving that it does so is impractical. Accordingly, most studies have been performed in animal models, particularly rodents. However, the case for epigenetic inheritance has only rarely been proven. Many studies have failed to follow descendants for the required number of generations to ensure effects are not manifested by direct encounter with germlines of F1 and F2 offspring. Mode of inheritance, whether through the female of male germline, has not usually been established, and, in general, we are far from understanding what groups of genes are affected. What is most lacking is a feasible mechanism for explaining the perpetuated response. Although altered gene expression in descendants is often associated with altered chromatin states, DNA methylation or histone protein modifications, this begs the question of how this information is passed through the germline and directed to re-occur in descendants. Most likely candidates for ensuring cross-generational transmission are RNA molecules that can bind DNA of particular target genes sequences and direct necessary chromatin structure changes to affect gene expression.
A new harvest operation cost model to evaluate forest harvest layout alternatives

In this paper we develop a new model for harvest operation costs that can be used to evaluate stands for potential harvest. The model is based on felling, extraction, and access costs and is unique in its consideration of the interaction between harvest area shapes and access roads. We illustrate the model and evaluate the impact of stand size, volume, and road cost when determining harvest layouts. We also present a generalized case where multiple unit road costs are considered in the same stand.
Effect of the surface charge distribution on the fluid phase behavior of charged colloids and proteins.

A generic but simple model is presented to evaluate the effect of the heterogeneous surface charge distribution of proteins and zwitterionic nanoparticles on their thermodynamic phase behavior. By considering surface charges as continuous “patches,” the rich set of surface patterns that is embedded in proteins and charged patchy particles can readily be described. This model is used to study the fluid phase separation of charged particles where the screening length is of the same order of magnitude as the particle size. In particular, two types of charged particles are studied: dipolar fluids and protein-like fluids. The former represents the simplest case of zwitterionic particles, whose charge distribution can be described by their dipole moment. The latter system corresponds to molecules/particles with complex surface charge arrangements such as those found in biomolecules. The results for both systems suggest a relation between the critical region, the strength of the interparticle interactions, and the arrangement of charged patches, where the critical temperature is strongly correlated to the magnitude of the dipole moment. Additionally, competition between attractive and repulsive charge–charge interactions seems to be related to the formation of fluctuating clusters in the dilute phase of dipolar fluids, as well as to the broadening of the binodal curve in protein-like fluids. Finally, a variety of self-assembled architectures are detected for dipolar fluids upon small changes to the charge distribution, providing the groundwork for studying the self-assembly of charged patchy particles.
Potential therapeutic targets of epithelial–mesenchymal transition in melanoma

Melanoma is a cutaneous neoplastic growth of melanocytes with great potential to invade and metastasize, especially when not treated early and effectively. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the process by which melanocytes lose their epithelial characteristics and acquire mesenchymal phenotypes. Mesenchymal protein expression increases the motility, invasiveness, and metastatic potential of melanoma. Many pathways play a role in promotion of mesenchymal protein expression including RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, Wnt/β-catenin, and several others. Downstream effectors of these pathways induce expression of EMT transcription factors including Snail, Slug, Twist, and Zeb that promote repression of epithelial and induction of mesenchymal character. Emerging research has demonstrated that a variety of small molecule inhibitors as well as phytochemicals can influence the progression of EMT and may even reverse the process, inducing re-expression of epithelial markers. Phytochemicals are of particular interest as supplementary treatment options because of their relatively low toxicities and anti-EMT properties. Modulation of EMT signaling pathways using synthetic small molecules and phytochemicals is a potential therapeutic strategy for reducing the aggressive progression of metastatic melanoma. In this review, we discuss the emerging pathways and transcription factor targets that regulate EMT and evaluate potential synthetic small molecules and naturally occurring compounds that may reduce metastatic melanoma progression.
Prognostic Value of Interim Chemotherapy 18F-FDG PET/CT in Pediatric Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

430 Objectives The International Pediatric Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Response Criteria recommends 18F-FDG PET/CT to evaluate response after completion of chemotherapy but questions utility after interim chemotherapy.[1] This study investigates the prognostic value of interim chemotherapy 18F-FDG PET/CT qualitative therapy assessment, as per the Lugano Classification, in pediatric patients with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL). Methods 29 pediatric patients, aged 2 - 17 years, with NHL had a total of 40 18F-FDG PET/CT scans performed at interim time points status post variable cycles of chemotherapy (range, 1-5 cycles; mean 2.8±0.9 cycles). PET/CT scans were evaluated using the Lugano Classification 5 point scale (5PS): 1, no uptake above background; 2, uptake ≤ mediastinum; 3, uptake > mediastinum but ≤ liver; 4, uptake moderately Results The 29 pediatric patients had a total of 11 different subtypes of NHL: Burkitt lymphoma (40%), T-cell lymphoma (15%), Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (12.5%), Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (7.5%), Mature B-cell lymphoma (2.5%), Undifferentiated mature B-cell lymphoma (2.5%), Marginal Zone Lymphoma (5%), Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (5%), Myeloid leukemia (2.5%), NK Cell cutaneous lymphoma (2.5%), Pre B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia (5%). Of the 40 interim chemotherapy 18F-FDG PET/CT scans performed on these 29 patients, 15 were positive (score 1, 2, and 3) and 24 were negative (score 4 and 5) based on the Lugano Classification 5PS. Total overall survival (OS) ranged from 1.2 - 97.2 months. Median OS ± standard deviation was 38.6 ± 27.4 months for the positive group and 50.2 ± 25.3 months for the negative group. Kaplan-Meier Survival Curves demonstrated statistically significant (p=0.04) separation in OS curves. Conclusions 18F-FDG PET/CT qualitative therapy assessment based on the Lugano Classification at interim time points during chemotherapy can predict overall survival in pediatric patients with NHL.
The effect of tail paint formulation and heifer behavior on estrus detection.

Although heifers can have better conception rates than cows, they are still subject to poor estrus detection and economic losses from reduced reproductive efficiency. Tail paint has been successful in identifying estrus, but behaviors such a licking or rubbing have been believed to remove the paint and lead to false-positives. To investigate tail paint utilization and potential relationships among behaviors, eighteen Holstein heifers were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: a control tail chalk (CON), tail chalk with proprietary ingredient (CHALK+); and a spray formulation (SPRAY). Experimental design was a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square. Visual observations were performed in 30 min segments every 2 h from 6 AM to 6 PM. Ovaries were examined via ultrasound imaging on d 0, 7, and 9 of each period. The presence of follicles or a corpus luteum (CL) was recorded with their respective sizes. Heifers receiving SPRAY had a lower number of licks received per day and less tail paint removed regardless of day or follicle size when compared with CON or CHALK+. Rump lick received, chin rest received, anogenital sniff received, mount received, and both initiated and received behaviors for attempt to mount occurred more in heifers with large follicles regardless of day. Producers looking for heifers to breed should focus on those receiving rump lick, chin resting, anogenital sniff, mount, and attempt to mount. The use and combination of these estrus detection tools can improve reproductive efficiency in dairy operations.
Nationwide Implementation and Outcomes of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain Over Clinical Video Teleconferencing

Use of telehealth technology to provide cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain (CBT-CP) is a promising practice given the prevalence of chronic pain and the difficulties in accessing CBT-CP. This paper is the first to describe the successful nationwide delivery of CBT-CP via clinical video teleconferencing (CVT) across a network of 37 sites in 14 states. Two hundred three patients with a variety of pain diagnoses were surveyed using the Pain Outcomes Questionnaire-VA (POQ) immediately before their initial CBT-CP CVT appointment and again at the final treatment appointment. Treatment consisted of an evidence-based CBT-CP protocol disseminated widely in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and delivered over 8–10 1-h individual therapy appointments. Paired sample t tests showed statistically significant improvements in pre-test to post-test scores for pain intensity, activities of daily living, vitality, and negative affect. Effect sizes were moderate, increasing confidence that these improvements were also clinically meaningful. Patients reported high levels of satisfaction on all five satisfaction items. This is the only study reporting results from CBT-CP services provided at such a large number of clinics over thousands of miles. While VHA is uniquely poised to deliver telehealth services across states due to its use of a reliable high-speed CVT network, nationwide electronic medical records system, absence of cross-state licensure restrictions, and capitated payment system; as the healthcare system in the USA moves toward nationwide electronic medical records and implementation of interstate licensing agreements, CVT would have increasing applicability outside of VHA.
Integrated genomic characterization of oral carcinomas in post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation survivors.

Abstract Objectives Secondary oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a late complication in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients, but little is known about long-term outcomes and prognostication. Additionally, molecular alterations and immunologic insights unique to this disease remain largely unexplored. Methods We present a cohort of 31 patients with post-HSCT OSCC and reported on clinicopathologic predictors of survival. Whole-exome sequencing was performed on 6 (19%) matched pairs of peripheral blood (post-conditioning, pre-HSCT) and tumor samples. The entire cohort had archival tumor available for immunoprofiling with PD-1/L1 immunohistochemistry. Results Five-year overall survival (OS) was 57% (95% CI: 46.1–69.8) with a median disease-free survival (DFS) of 13.3 months. Advanced initial staging, a buccal or oral tongue subsite, chronic oral graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and smoking all negatively impacted survival. High tumor mutational burden (TMB) (median 11.3 vs. 5.0) and unique mutational signatures were noted between unrelated and related donor groups – with a strong correlation between infiltrating PD-1+ lymphocytes and TMB (R = 0.98, p Conclusion Survival outcomes appear similar in HSCT survivors with OSCC compared with non-HSCT OSCC populations. We identified somatic alterations in genes with therapeutic potential unique to this subpopulation of oral cancers.
Costs and benefits of alternative food handling tactics help explain facultative exploitation of pollination mutualisms

Many mutualisms are taken advantage of by organisms that take rewards from their partners but provide no benefit in return. In the absence of traits that limit exploitation, facultative exploiters (partners that can either exploit or cooperate) are widely predicted by mutualism theory to choose an exploitative strategy, potentially threatening mutualism stability. However, it is unknown whether facultative exploiters choose to exploit, and, if so, make this choice because it is the most beneficial strategy for them. We explored these questions in a subalpine plant-insect community in which individuals of several bumble bee species visit flowers both "legitimately" (entering via the flower opening, picking up and depositing pollen, and hence behaving mutualistically) and via nectar robbing (creating holes through corollas or using an existing hole, bypassing stigmas and anthers). We applied foraging theory to (1) quantify handling costs, benefits and foraging efficiencies incurred by three bumble bee species as they visited flowers legitimately or robbed nectar in cage experiments, and (2) determine whether these efficiencies matched the food handling tactics these bee species employed in the field. Relative efficiencies of legitimate and robbing tactics depended on the combination of bee and plant species. In some cases (Bombus mixtus visiting Corydalis caseana or Mertensia ciliata), the robbing tactic permitted more efficient nectar removal. As both mutualism and foraging theory would predict, in the field, B. mixtus visiting C. caseana were observed more frequently robbing than foraging legitimately. However, for Bombus flavifrons visiting M. ciliata, the expectation from mutualism theory did not hold: legitimate visitation was the more efficient tactic. Legitimate visitation to M. ciliata was in fact more frequently observed in free-flying B. flavifrons. Free-flying B. mixtus also frequently visited M. ciliata flowers legitimately. This may reflect lower nectar volumes in robbed than unrobbed flowers in the field. These results suggest that a foraging ecology perspective is informative to the choice of tactics facultative exploiters make. In contrast, the simple expectation that exploiters should always have an advantage, and hence could threaten mutualism persistence unless they are deterred or punished, may not be broadly applicable.
Psychiatric and Pain Disorders

Despite great advances in the medical management of pain and psychiatric disease, there remains a fraction of patients who are refractory to available medical therapies. For example, despite therapeutic progress in recent years, conventional treatment of anxiety disorders fails or has only a temporary effect in 20% of patients. Pain and psychiatric disorders are often severely disabling and are associated with rates of suicide comparable with those of depression. When medical therapy fails, options include open surgical procedures, consisting of lesioning procedures or implantation of deep-brain stimulators, and radiosurgery. Radiosurgical options are well suited for functional neurosurgery, in which the surgeon strives to create a focused lesion without injuring or affecting adjacent structures.