cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Growth factor therapy sequesters inflammation in affording neuroprotection in cerebrovascular diseases

ABSTRACTIntroduction: In recent years, accumulating evidence has demonstrated the key role of inflammation in the progression of cerebrovascular diseases. Inflammation can persist over prolonged period of time after the initial insult providing a wider therapeutic window. Despite the acute endogenous upregulation of many growth factors after the injury, it is not sufficient to protect against inflammation and to regenerate the brain. Therapeutic approaches targeting both dampening inflammation and enhancing growth factors are likely to provide beneficial outcomes in cerebrovascular disease.Areas covered: In this mini review, we discuss major growth factors and their beneficial properties to combat the inflammation in cerebrovascular diseases. Emerging biotechnologies which facilitate the therapeutic effects of growth factors are also presented in an effort to provide insights into the future combination therapies incorporating both central and peripheral abrogation of inflammation.Expert commentary: Many ...
A Study on Requirement and Influencing Factors of Home-based Care Services for the Residents of Urban Community

Objective To study the demand of home-based care services by the residents and its influencing factors,so as to provide scientific basis for community home-based care services mode.Method The demand of home-based care services by the residents and its influencing factors were investigated by epidemiologic prevalence survey.Results In 1200 survey participants,the average scores of living care demand,health care demand and spiritual demand were 4.82±1.99, 1.99±1.35,and 1.54±0.90,as the perfect scores of these were 19 points,7 points and 8 points,while 72.8%,75.8% and 96.2% survey participants' scores were below the average score.The aged who was enterprise worker and lived alone had more living care demand.The aged who was enterprise worker and had better social security,higher incomes,poorer self-care ability,had more health care demand.Younger and highly educated aged had more spiritual demand.Conclusions The demand of home-based care services in this city is generally low. The demand is influenced by many factors,so the influencing factors should be adequately considered. It is suggested that communities should provide different services for different aged groups because it can promote social development.
Challenge and direction of research on alcoholic liver disease

Alcoholic liver disease( ALD) will likely become one of major etiologies of chronic liver diseases in the future. The diagnosis and management of ALD were recently updated bythe EASL,AASLD,APASL,and Chinese clinical practical guidelines in 2010- 2012. However,the pathogenesis of ALD still remains obscure. In this editorial,we briefly summarize the recently discovered molecular mechanisms, chronic- binge ethanol feeding model( Gao- binge model),and therapeutic targets for ALD. We also discuss the different characteristics of ALD between China and Western countries due to differences in ALDH2 genotypes and other genetic factors,drinking patterns,and co- factors. The number of ALD patients is alarmingly rising in China,so it is critical to conduct nationwide large- scale epidemiological ALD surveys,to promote basic and clinical ALD research,and explore novel therapies for ALD in China.
XBP-1 a Selective and Specific Target for Immunotherapy in Myeloma.

X-box binding protein 1 (XBP-1) is a transcription factor is essential for the differentiation of plasma cells and the unfolded protein response. XBP-1 is significantly up-regulated in myeloma cells compared to both normal plasma cells and B-cells. Selective and specific requirement of XBP-1 for differentiation of B cells to plasma cells and its further up-regulation in multiple myeloma (MM) cells makes it a promising target for immunotherapy directed at MM. We have evaluated XBP-1 as a target antigen to develop MM-specific immunotherapy. In order to generate XBP-1 antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), we have identified HLA-A2-specific peptides derived from non-spliced (short form) and spliced (long form) XBP-1 proteins. We have further modified the peptide by altering one amino acid, which is critical for HLA-A2 affinity, to obtain epitope, which has higher stability to HLA-A2 clefts. The modified XBP-1 peptides were able to evoke higher levels of IFN-g release compared to native peptides and were able to induce CTLs highly specific to MM, demonstrated by Calcein-released cytotoxicity assay. Cytotoxic activity of these XBP1 peptide-specific-CTLs against U266, a HLA-A2+/XBP-1+ MM cell line was 60% and 79% by CTLs stimulated by non-spliced peptide and 69% and 88% by CTLs stimulated by spliced peptide at Effector:Target ratios of 20:1 and 60:1, respectively. The CTLs did not lyse HLA-A2− or XBP-1− cells. These results were further confirmed by the novel CD107 cytotoxicity assay, which detects MM-specific cytolytic CD8+ T cells by flow-cytometric analyses. The CTLs generated with XBP-1 peptide displayed distinct phenotypes, showing high CD69+CD45RO+ cell population (62% in non-spliced peptide-CTLs, 67% in spliced peptide-CTLs, 4% in unstimulated control-CTLs) and CD45RA+CCR7+ cell population (1% in non-spliced peptide-CTLs, 1% in spliced peptide-CTLs, 24% in unstimulated control-CTLs). In conclusion, we report the identification of highly immunogenic heteroclitic XBP-1 epitopes that have ability to generate MM-specific CTLs. Confirmation of in vivo activity of these CTLs in SCID mouse model is currently underway prior to its evaluation in clinical studies.
Effect of cryptobiotic crust type on microarthropod assemblages in piñon-juniper woodland in central New Mexico

Cryptobiotic crusts make up an important part of the ground cover in arid systems. Along with their roles of retarding soil erosion and enhancing soil fertility, crusts may also be supporting local and regional arthropod biodiversity. We inventoried arthropod species in mossy, lichen, and mixed (lichen and mossy) cryptobiotic crusts at 2 sites in central New Mexico pinon-juniper habitat. We collected 240 crust samples and used a heptane flotation technique to extract the microarthropods. We found 39 species of microarthropods and small macroarthropods, with significantly fewer species on lichen. Species richness was higher in March than in August, but diversity was lower because of dominance by the mite Neonanorchestes sp. Mean area differed significantly for different crust types, but arthropod species richness did not follow the pattern of more species on crusts with larger area. Arthropod species may be influencing such processes as nutrient cycling; therefore, the crust/arthropod interaction may be critical to aridland health.
Finding a helix in a haystack: nucleic acid cytometry with droplet microfluidics

Nucleic acids encode the information of life, programming cellular functions and dictating many biological outcomes. Differentiating between cells based on their nucleic acid programs is, thus, a powerful way to unravel the genetic bases of many phenotypes. This is especially important considering that most cells exist in heterogeneous populations, requiring them to be isolated before they can be studied. Existing flow cytometry techniques, however, are unable to reliably recover specific cells based on nucleic acid content. Nucleic acid cytometry is a new field built on droplet microfluidics that allows robust identification, sorting, and sequencing of cells based on specific nucleic acid biomarkers. This review highlights applications that immediately benefit from the approach, biological questions that can be addressed for the first time with it, and considerations for building successful workflows.
Novel collection method for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from dogs.

Abstract Host derived chemical cues are an important aspect of arthropod attraction to potential hosts. Host cues that act over longer distances include CO 2 , heat, and water vapor, while cues such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) act over closer distances. Domestic dogs are important hosts for disease cycles that include dog heartworm disease vectored by mosquitoes, however the host VOCs utilized by vectors are not well known. Herein we present a novel method that sampled VOCs from a dog host. A Tenax TD stainless steel tube was held near a dog’s fur and skin, which collected VOCs that were later desorbed and tentatively identified using a gas chromatograph–mass spectrospectrometer (GC–MS). Background air chemicals were subtracted from the dog sample, resulting in 182 differentiated compounds, a majority of which were identified by ionization fragmentation patterns. Four dogs were sampled and shared 41 of the identified chemicals. VOCs were representative of aliphatics, aromatics, aldehydes, alcohols and carboxylic acids. This chemical characterization method has the potential to identify both individuals and breeds of dogs in addition to other potential uses such as disease diagnosis.
How Dare you Make Her Black

As I write this essay, social protests swell across the United States following the racially charged deaths of several young men and women of color by those entrusted to serve and protect, and the inconsistent media coverage of those events. Initially, it seems unimportant (perhaps even frivolous) to interrogate a film adaptation of a Young Adult dystopic science fiction series when occurrences of such violence reflect a more powerful image of our racial prejudices and sanctioned social inequities.
Elite cues and public polarization on transgender rights

This study adds to the emerging literature explaining public opinion toward transgender rights by demonstrating the importance of elite cues for such an opinion. Data from two cross-sectional surve...
Coding and Reimbursement for Vascular Lab Testing

Noninvasive vascular lab studies remain a safe and inexpensive means to assess for the presence and severity of vascular disease. Appropriate use of the vascular lab allows a clinician to avoid ordering advanced diagnostic imaging studies, which are not only more expensive but also pose radiation and contrast risks for patients. Accurate coding is the bedrock of reimbursement; however, in order to maintain a viable noninvasive lab, the manager must understand the nuances of insurance coverage policies and many additional details related to reimbursement.
Contemporary management of cardiac implantable electronic device infection.

### Learning objectives As our population ages with the increasing prevalence of comorbidities, and indication for cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) expand for treatment of heart failure, bradyarrhythmias and sudden cardiac death prevention, there is a simultaneous increase in associated device infections.1 The incidence of CIED infections is around 1% to 2% among reported observational and registry studies.2 3 These device infections are associated with significant morbidity, increased long-term mortality and associated healthcare costs.4 Rates of CIED infection are higher with device replacement or upgrade procedure and thoracotomy implants.5 There are several known factors associated with increased risk of CIED infection (box 1). In particular, the risk of infection is higher among patients undergoing defibrillator and cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) device implants compared patients with simple pacemaker implants.6 Adequate skin preparation, strict aseptic technique, preprocedural antibiotic prophylaxis, periprocedural anticoagulant therapy management, meticulous surgical technique and a robust quality control programme is necessary for the prevention of infections. With the introduction of leadless pacemakers and subcutaneous implantable defibrillators, management of CIED infections continues to evolve.7 8 Professional society documents continue to provide guidance on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of CIED infections.9–11 In this review article, we attempt to provide an overview of prevention, diagnosis and management of CIED infections to the practising cardiologist.Box 1 ### Risk factors associated with CIED infection. CIED, cardiac implantable electronic device; CRT, cardiac resynchronisation therapy; ICD, implantable cardioverter defibrillator. #### Patient-related factors 1. Older age. 2. Male sex. 3. Comorbidity 1. Diabetes. 2. Renal insufficiency. 3. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 4. Heart failure. 4. Medication use 1. Anticoagulant therapy. 2. Corticosteroids. 5. Presence of central …
Power Allocation and Spectrum Sharing in Multi-User, Multi-Channel Systems

As wireless communication devices become more pervasive, the demand for the frequency spectrum that serves as the underlying medium grows. Traditionally, the problem of allocating the resource of the frequency spectrum has been handled by granting organizations and companies licenses to broadcast at certain frequencies. This rigid approach leads to significant under-utilization of this scarce resource. Moreover, frequency utilization varies significantly with time and location. A cognitive radio is a wireless communication device that is aware of its capabilities, environment, and intended use, and can also learn new waveforms, models, or operational scenarios [1]. Recently, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has established rules (see [2]) that describes how cognitive radios can lead to more efficient use of the frequency spectrum. These rules along with the cognitive radio’s features and the fact that information in the wireless network is decentralized and users may be strategic give rise to a wealth of important and challenging research issues associated with power allocation and spectrum sharing.
Enhanced Subchondroplasty Treatment for Post-Traumatic Cartilage and Subchondral Bone Marrow Lesions in a Canine Model.

This study characterizes outcomes associated with subchondroplasty (SCP) versus SCP enhanced with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMC) treatment of impact-induced subchondral bone marrow lesions (BML) using a validated preclinical canine model. With IACUC approval, purpose-bred research hounds (n = 24) underwent arthroscopic impact injury (40 N) to both medial femoral condyles. At 3 months, functional assessments, arthroscopy, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed. One knee in each dog (n = 24; n = 12 per endpoint) was randomly assigned to SCP with the other knee randomly assigned to SCP + PRP, SCP + BMC or sham injection (control) (n = 8 per group; n = 4 per endpoint). Dogs were evaluated at 6 and 12 months after treatment using functional assessments, radiography, arthroscopy, and MRI and humanely euthanatized at 6 or 12 months after treatment for histologic assessments. At 6 months post-treatment, comfortable range-of-motion (CROM) was higher (p < 0.04) in SCP + PRP and SCP + BMC knees compared with controls. At 1 year post-treatment, %Total Pressure Index was higher (p = 0.036) in SCP + BMC compared with controls, pain was lower (p < 0.05) in SCP + BMC and SCP + PRP compared with SCP and controls, and CROM was higher (p < 0.05) in SCP + BMC and SCP + PRP compared with SCP and controls. Knees treated with SCP + PRP and SCP + BMC had better (p < 0.05) MRI grades than SCP and controls. No statistically significant differences in arthroscopic or histologic pathology were noted. Clinical significance: Biologics added to SCP treatment may further enhance its beneficial effects by improving range-of-motion, pain severity, and limb loading through 1 year after treatment. However, these benefits must be considered alongside cost, logistics, and treatment availability. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:740-746, 2020.
Asymptotic form of the charge-exchange cross section in three-body rearrangement collisions

A three-body general-type rearrangement collision is considered where the initial and final bound states are described by hydrogenlike wave functions. The solution obtained is for the first Born approximation where the full interaction potential is taken into account. When the initial state is the ground state, it is shown that for n/$mu$Z very-much-greater-than 1, where n,$mu$, and Z are, respectively, the principal quantum number, the reduced mass, and the nuclear charge of the formed atom, the capture cross section at all incident energies and for capture into the s, p, and d angular momentum states behaves as C/n$sup 3$ + O (1/n$sup 5$), where C depends on masses and charges of the particles, the final angular momentum, and the incident energy. An analytic expression for C is given. It is shown that for the low-lying levels the 1/n$sup 3$ scaling law at all incident energies is only approximately satisfied. The only exception is for capture into the s states according to the Oppenheimer- Brinkman-Kramers approximation. The case for the symmetric collisions is considered and it is shown that for high n and high incident energy E, the cross section behaves as 1/E$sup 3$. Zeros and minima in the differential crossmore » sections are given in the limit of high n for electron capture by protons from atomic hydrogen, and for positronium formation by proton--atomic-hydrogen collisions.« less
The natural course of atopic dermatitis

The natural course of atopic dermatitis(AD) has been a key subject with major concerns of physicians and patients.The pathogenesis of AD is complicated, which is associated with genetic, immunological, environmental and lifestyle factors, resulting in skin barrier impairment and immune system dysfunction.Therefore, there are individual differences in the age of onset, duration, aggravation, prognostic factors for remission and response to treatment.In recent years, with evidence of genetic research and a large amount of clinical retrospective studies, we have a more comprehensive understanding of the natural course of AD, which will help develop individualized treatment and evaluation strategies. Key words: Atopic dermatitis; Natural course
Cerebroarterial pulsatility and resistivity indices are associated with cognitive impairment and white matter hyperintensity in elderly subjects: A phase-contrast MRI study

Increased cerebroarterial pulsations are thought to be contributing factors in microvascular damage and cognitive impairment. In this study, we assessed the utility of two-dimensional (2D) phase-co...
A longitudinal examination of patient portal use on glycemic control among patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes.

Abstract Aim This study examined glycemia level over a 2-year period between portal users and non-users. Methods This retrospective cohort study used data from electronic health records (EHRs) of a large academic medical center and its ancillary patient portal. A total of 15,528 patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were included. Using propensity score matching (PSM), portal users and non-users were balanced on demographic and clinical characteristics. Mixed-effects polynomial regression modeling was employed to evaluate the HbA1c change over time between groups. Results The patient sample was 85.9% (13,333) white and 52.5% (7375) male. On average, patients were 62.8 (SD, 11.7) years old and with obesity (mean BMI: 34.2 ± 7.2 kg/m2) with uncontrolled T2DM (initial HbA1c: 8.5 ± 1.5%). After PSM, portal users (n = 4924) and non-users (n = 4924) were matched on all variables except for the insurance. The mixed-effects modeling showed a nonlinear decrease of HbA1c in both groups over time. A significant interaction was observed with a greater decline, followed by a smaller rise of HbA1c in portal users than non-users. Conclusions The use of the patient portal was significantly associated with a lower HbA1c. This finding supports patient portals as a promising tool for improving clinical outcomes in patients with uncontrolled T2DM.
Donor-derived Cell-free DNA Combined With Histology Improves Prediction of Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Over Time in Kidney Transplant Recipients Compared With Histology Alone.

Higher Banff inflammation and chronicity scores on kidney transplant biopsies are associated with poorer graft survival, although histology alone has limitations in predicting outcomes. We investigated if integrating donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA, Allosure; CareDx, Inc.) with Banff biopsy scores into a predictive model for estimated glomerular filtration rate over time can improve prognostic assessment versus histology alone. Methods We identified 180 kidney transplant patients with dd-cfDNA assessed within 1 mo of biopsy. Using linear mixed-effects models, a prediction model of Banff histology scores and dd-cfDNA on estimated glomerular filtration rate over time was derived. Nested models were compared using the likelihood-ratio test, Akaike Information Criterion, and Bayesian Information Criterion to assess if inclusion of dd-cfDNA into a model consisting of Banff biopsy scores would improve model fit. Results Univariate models identified significant covariate-by-time interactions for cg = 3 versus <3 (coefficient: -1.3 mL/min/1.73 m2/mo; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.4 to -0.2; P = 0.02) and ci + ct ≥ 3 versus <3 (coefficient: -0.7 mL/min/1.73 m2/mo; 95% CI, -1.3 to -0.1; P = 0.03) and a trend toward significant covariate-by-time interaction for dd-cfDNA (coefficient: -0.5 mL/min/1.73 m2/mo; 95% CI, -1.0 to 0.1; P = 0.08). Addition of acute inflammation (i, t, and v), microvascular inflammation (g and ptc), and inflammation in area of interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy scores to chronicity scores (cg ≥ 3 and ci + ct ≥ 3) did not improve model fit. However, a model including dd-cfDNA with cg and ci + ct with covariate-by-time interactions had a better model fit compared with cg and ci + ct alone (likelihood-ratio test statistic = 21.1; df = 2; P < 0.001). Conclusions Addition of dd-cfDNA to Banff biopsy scores provided better prognostic assessment over biopsy characteristics alone.
Disparities in mental health, social support and coping among individuals with mobility impairment.

Abstract Background CDC estimated that 19.4 million (7.8%) US adults are living with mobility impairment, who are unable to walk a quarter mile. Individuals with physical disability reported greater depression and, in some cases, insufficient social support. Objectives This study explores the extent of disparities in psychological health, social support, and coping mechanisms among those with mobility impairment as compared to those without such impairment, and the longitudinal effect of onset of mobility impairment on subsequent psychosocial health and coping. Methods Individuals with mobility impairment were matched to controls from a nationally representative sample, using the propensity score method. The final sample included 345 matched pairs. Regression models with robust standard errors were used to assess disparities in outcomes by mobility status. Autoregressive models were used to assess the longitudinal effect of the onset of mobility limitation on these outcomes. Results Those with impaired mobility fared significantly higher on negative affect (p Conclusion Our work revealed a piece of reality of individuals living with mobility impairment and will inform designing effective interventions to mitigate psychosocial health disparities in this population.
Session details: Developers Track

It is our great pleasure to welcome you to the rebooted Developers Day, at with WWW 2016.The success of the World Wide Web depends on its developers. From Hypertext and Web Browsers to the APIs that extend the capabilities of the Web, developers have played a very important role in making the Web as ubiquitous as it is today. To celebrate this great driving force behind the Web, we have rebooted the Developers Day at the World Wide Web Conference.The presenters at Developers Day are developers who have interesting open-source software to showcase to the Web developer community. The submissions that were accepted for presentation clearly showed an innovative use of technology, a potential to advance the state of the art of the Web, and a real-world application of the software. Some of the presentations include social bots, Web-based payment protocols, collaborative web environments, tracking changes in large knowledge organization systems, and testing frameworks suited for the Web. All of these topics are timely and are of interest to the general Web developer community.The program for the Developers Day consists of a round of lightning talks followed by Birds of a Feather (BoF) sessions where attendees are able to get an in-depth look at the software presented in the form of a hands-on tutorial as well as a discussion of open challenges, next steps, and application areas. We believe that such developer discourse is essential for the advancement of the Web.
Effect of a Concurrent Enrollment Preparatory Course on Student Achievement and Persistence in General Chemistry

A concurrent preparatory course was developed for a university-level general chemistry course to replace prerequisite classes and online exercises implemented in previous years. The concurrent preparatory course was structured with 3 h of active learning class time. Lecture content was delivered asynchronously online. Topics were chosen on the basis of fundamental topics needed to succeed in general chemistry. Topics included both those typically found in a preparatory chemistry class as well as some simpler topics being taught in the first course of general chemistry. Two cohorts of students in a program designed to facilitate minoritized student achievement in biological sciences were compared. In the initial year of this study, a prerequisite online homework module was required. In the following year, the concurrent preparatory course was required. Students who took concurrent preparatory course did significantly better on the common final exam than those who did not.
Omega Transition Accompanied by Mechanical Induced Twinned Martensite in Medium Manganese Steels

The omega transition process was firstly analyzed combined with martensitic transformation in this investigation. In order to avoid the influence of auto-tempering on metastable omega phase, martensitic transformation process was inspired by deformation at room temperature. Omega phase was found only exist within twinned martensite with single variant, and the results indicate that omega phase formed by the lattice invariant twin shear during the dynamic transformation of twinned martensite. Besides, the nature poor ductility of twinned martensite was discussed.
Layered Li–Ni–Mn–Co oxide cathodes

Almost 30 years since the inception of lithium-ion batteries, lithium–nickel–manganese–cobalt oxides are becoming the favoured cathode type in automobile batteries. Their success lies primarily with their superior energy density relative to lithium–cobalt oxide, lithium–manganese oxide and lithium–iron phosphate electrodes.
Estimating the population at high risk for tuberculosis through household exposure in high-incidence countries: a model-based analysis

Abstract Background Household contacts of people with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) have greater risk of developing TB. Recent guidelines conditionally recommended TB preventive treatment (TPT) for household contacts of any age living in TB high-incidence countries, expanding earlier guidance to provide TPT to household contacts under five. The all-age population of household contacts has not been estimated. Methods Our model-based estimation included 20 countries with >80% of incident TB globally in 2019. We developed country-specific distributions of household composition by age and sex using bootstrap resampling from health surveys and census data. We incorporated age-, sex-, year-, and location-specific estimates of pulmonary TB incidence from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019 to estimate the population in each country sharing a household with someone with incident pulmonary TB, and quantified uncertainty using a Monte Carlo approach. Findings We estimate that 38 million [95% uncertainty interval (UI) 33- 43 million] individuals lived in a household with someone with incident pulmonary TB in 2019 in these 20 countries. Children under five made up 12% of the population with household exposure, while adults were 65%. Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia, and Pakistan had the highest proportion of the population with household exposure, while India had the highest number of contacts (11·4 million, 95% UI 9·7-13·4 million). Interpretation Expanding TPT evaluation to household contacts of all ages in high-incidence countries could include a population more than 7-times larger than the under-5 contacts previously prioritized. This would substantially increase the impact of household contact investigation on reducing TB morbidity and mortality. Funding JMR is supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (K01 AI138620). This research was funded in part by a 2020 developmental grant from the University of Washington / Fred Hutch Center for AIDS Research, an NIH funded program under award number AI027757 which is supported by the following NIH Institutes and Centers: NIAID, NCI, NIMH, NIDA, NICHD, NHLBI, NIA, NIGMS, NIDDK. This work was funded in part by the National Science Foundation (DMS-1839116).
Theoretical interpretation of infrared spectra of the ClH stretching vibration in the gaseous (Ch3)2O · · · HCl complex

The paper presents a theoretical interpretation of the fine structure of infrared spectra of the ClH stretching region in the gaseous (CH3)2O ··· HCl complex. The idea of Millen and Schrems is adopted, in which the spectrum represents a vibrational progression of the hydrogen-bond stretching mode, and each subband is formed by the progression of the hydrogen-bond bending mode. The rotational structure is present in such defined fine bands. Theoretical bands are calculated for three different temperatures and for the complex with DCl using two coupling parameters evaluated from the bandwidth. Results show that the most intense peak is associated with the Oσ Oσ transition in the stretching O ··· Cl vibration. They also suggest that the complex is nonplanar.
Progressive view-dependent isosurface propagation

This paper proposes a new isosurface extraction algorithm that extracts portions of the isosurface in a view-dependent manner by ray casting and propagation. The algorithm casts rays through a volume to find visible active cells as seeds and then propagates their polygonal isosurface into the neighboring cells. Small pieces of the isosurface are generated by distance-limited propagation and joined together to form the final surface. We demonstrate that this progressive algorithm generates an approximate result quickly and refines it to the final correct image over time. In addition, the algorithm scales with the resolution of the display and supports adaptive-resolution visualization.
Cannabinoid Receptor 1 Signaling in Embryo Neurodevelopment

In utero exposure to tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive component of marijuana, is associated with an increased risk for neurodevelopmental defects in the offspring by interfering with the functioning of the endocannabinoid (eCB) system. At the present time, it is not clearly known whether the eCB system is present before neurogenesis. Using an array of biochemical techniques, we analyzed the levels of CB1 receptors, eCBs (AEA and 2-AG), and the enzymes (NAPE-PLD, DAGLα, DAGLβ, MAGL, and FAAH) involved in the metabolism of the eCBs in chick and mouse models during development. The findings demonstrate the presence of eCB system in early embryo before neurogenesis. The eCB system might play a critical role in early embryogenesis and there might be adverse developmental consequences of in utero exposure to marijuana and other drugs of abuse during this period.
Histones of sea urchin embryos. Transients in transcription, translation, and the composition of chromatin.

Abstract A previously unidentified histone, H1x, is encoded by a messenger RNA that is distinct from H1m mRNA. There is a rapid rise in the H1x:H1m mRNA ratio at the late eight-cell stage, just preceding the unequal fourth cleavage. This rise is blocked by actinomycin D. A similar rise in the ratio of H1 histones synthesized in vivo and incorporated into chromatin occurs at the same time. Late in the 16-cell stage, the H1x:H1m mRNA ratio falls to the oocyte (“maternal”) level, and so does the ratio of H1 histones incorporated into chromatin. H1 synthesis was examined in the three different cell types of the 16-cell stage embryo, and differences in the relative synthesis of the two H1 histones were consistently observed. The divergence of histone synthesis pattern among the three cell types may be due to a divergence of cell cycle parameters following the fourth cleavage. These results have implications for the transcriptional regulation of histone synthesis and for the possibility of diverging chromatin composition and structure in very early development, at the time when determination is in progress.
Technology Use in Higher Education Instruction

Technology Use in Higher Education Instruction by Sammy Elzarka Claremont Graduate University: 2012 The significance of integrating technology use in higher education instruction is undeniable. The benefits include those related to access to instruction by underserved populations, adequately preparing students for future careers, capitalizing on best instructional practices, developing higher order thinking activities, and engaging students whose relationships with technology are increasingly native, among others. The significance of the current study is based on the fact that few prior studies focused on the factors that support, or inhibit, the use of educational technology by faculty in schools of education. The data collection instrument was a survey designed by the principal investigator based on review of the literature and professional experience. Five constructs were addressed by the survey: institutional policies, belief in the learning benefits, efficacy with integrating technology with content, barriers to technology use, and personal uses of technology. The survey was administered online and targeted 379 full and part time faculty in schools of education throughout the U.S. A total of 203 faculty members responded which was a response rate of 53%. Several path analyses were conducted to determine the variables that most related with the dependent variable, rate of technology adoption for professional instructional purposes. The variable that had the strongest relationship with the adoption rate for professional use was the adoption rate for personal use. This held true for all subgroups except part-time and older faculty. Suggestions for future research include the use of additional data sources to measure the variables described here. Study of the role of institutional policies in technology adoption should consider administrator perspectives in addition to those of faculty. Study of learning benefits should consider students' views in addition to those of faculty. Finally, efficacy variables should consider perspectives of college leaders and administrators.
Citizen Journalists' Views on Traditional Notions of Journalism, Story Sourcing, And Relationship Building

This study examines whether citizen journalists adhere to traditional journalistic norms when reporting. A nationwide survey and follow-up interviews with selected US citizen journalists showed they do consider traditional norms such as objectivity, gatekeeping, and balance to be very important. This is contrary to what some previous studies have found. Citizen journalists also indicated that both official and unofficial sources were integral to storytelling. This study's findings point to the need to examine further how citizen journalists incorporate traditional notions of journalism practice into their approaches to gathering and reporting news.
Risk factors, health behaviors, and injury among adults employed in the transportation, warehousing, and utilities super sector.

Background The TWU super sector is engaged in the movement of passengers and cargo, warehousing of goods, and the delivery of services. The purpose of this study is to describe employee self-reported personal risk factors, health behaviors and habits, disease and chronic conditions, and employer-reported nonfatal injury experiences of workers in the TWU super sector. Methods National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data for 1997–2007, grouped into six morbidity and disability categories and three age groups, were reviewed. Demographic characteristics and prevalence estimates are reported for workers in the TWU super sector and the entire U.S. workforce, and compared with national adult population data from the NHIS. Bureau of Labor Statistics employer-reported TWU injury data from 2003 to 2007 was also reviewed. Results An average of 8.3 million workers were employed annually in the TWU super sector. TWU workers 65 or older reported the highest prevalence of hypertension (49%) across all industry sectors, but the 20% prevalence is notable among middle age workers (25–64). TWU workers had the highest prevalence of obesity (28%), compared to workers in all other industry sectors. Female TWU workers experienced the highest number of lost workdays (6.5) in the past year across all TWU demographic groups. Conclusions Self-reported high proportions of chronic conditions including hypertension and heart disease combined with elevated levels of being overweight and obese, and lack of physical activity—particularly among TWUs oldest workers—can meaningfully inform wellness strategies and interventions focused on this demographic group. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:556–568, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Projected Future Vegetation Changes for the Northwest United States and Southwest Canada at a Fine Spatial Resolution Using a Dynamic Global Vegetation Model.

Future climate change may significantly alter the distributions of many plant taxa. The effects of climate change may be particularly large in mountainous regions where climate can vary significantly with elevation. Understanding potential future vegetation changes in these regions requires methods that can resolve vegetation responses to climate change at fine spatial resolutions. We used LPJ, a dynamic global vegetation model, to assess potential future vegetation changes for a large topographically complex area of the northwest United States and southwest Canada (38.0–58.0°N latitude by 136.6–103.0°W longitude). LPJ is a process-based vegetation model that mechanistically simulates the effect of changing climate and atmospheric CO2 concentrations on vegetation. It was developed and has been mostly applied at spatial resolutions of 10-minutes or coarser. In this study, we used LPJ at a 30-second (~1-km) spatial resolution to simulate potential vegetation changes for 2070–2099. LPJ was run using downscaled future climate simulations from five coupled atmosphere-ocean general circulation models (CCSM3, CGCM3.1(T47), GISS-ER, MIROC3.2(medres), UKMO-HadCM3) produced using the A2 greenhouse gases emissions scenario. Under projected future climate and atmospheric CO2 concentrations, the simulated vegetation changes result in the contraction of alpine, shrub-steppe, and xeric shrub vegetation across the study area and the expansion of woodland and forest vegetation. Large areas of maritime cool forest and cold forest are simulated to persist under projected future conditions. The fine spatial-scale vegetation simulations resolve patterns of vegetation change that are not visible at coarser resolutions and these fine-scale patterns are particularly important for understanding potential future vegetation changes in topographically complex areas.
Integrative Anthropology and the Human Niche: Toward a Contemporary Approach to Human Evolution

A niche is the structural, temporal, and social context in which a species exists. Over the last two million years, the human lineage underwent clear morphological changes alongside less easily measurable, but significant, behavioral and cognitive shifts as it forged, and was shaped by, new niches. During this time period, core human patterns emerged, including the following: hypercooperation; lengthy childhood and complex parenting; intricate and diverse foraging and hunting patterns; novel and dynamic material and symbolic cultures; and complex communication and information sharing, eventually resulting in language. Approaches to human evolution grounded in paleoanthropology and archaeology offer fundamental insights into our past, and traditional evolutionary theory offers a strong grounding for explaining them. However, given the centrality of distinctive physiological, social, semiotic, and cognitive processes in human evolutionary histories, a broader anthropological approach can facilitate additional understanding of the human story. An integrative anthropology, reaching across subfields and foci, combined with contemporary evolutionary theory is an approach that can enhance our abilities to model and understand human evolution. [integrative anthropology, niche construction, evolution, extended evolutionary synthesis, Homo, semiosis, Pleistocene]
Pontine cholinergic neurons simultaneously innervate two thalamic targets

Cholinergic neurons located in the lateral dorsal tegmental (LDT) and pedunculopontine tegmental (PPT) nuclei have been shown to principally innervate the thalamus. In order to determine whether some of these neurons might simultaneously project to two thalamic targets we made microinjections of rhodamine-conjugated microbeads into the central-lateral nucleus of the thalamus and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated microbeads into the dorso-lateral geniculate nucleus. We then determined whether both tracers were found in immunohistochemically identified cholinergic somata in the LDT and PPT nuclei. Results showed that some cholinergic and non-cholinergic neurons in the LDT and PPT nuclei projected to both thalamic sites. This finding extends our understanding of the projections of the LDT-PPT cholinergic neurons and further supports the role of these neurons in complex behaviors.
Clinical judgment is superior to diagnostic tests in the management of pediatric small bowel injury

Abstract Traumatic solid organ injuries are easily recognizable on computed tomography (CT) scans and usually are treated nonoperatively. Small bowel injuries may be difficult to diagnose and require prompt operation. This study was done to assess the role of clinical examination versus diagnostic tests in evaluating these injuries. The medical records of all pediatric (≤18 years old) patients treated at a pediatric trauma center from 1984 to 1995 were reviewed. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS software, with P values of less than .05 considered significant. Small bowel injury occurred in 48 patients (21 blunt, 27 penetrating). Most blunt injuries were automobile-related (11 patients) or attributable to recreational activities (4) or bicycle accidents (2). Penetrating injuries were primarily caused by assaults with guns (21) or knives (4). All conscious patients with small bowel injury had abnormal physical examination findings at the time of presentation. Nineteen patients had generalized peritonitis, and 14 had localized abdominal tenderness. The serum amylase level was abnormal in 2 of 18 cases. Abdominal CT seans were obtained in six patients and showed the injury in only three. Peritoneal lavage (DPL), performed in 10 patients, led to the diagnosis in five. There was no significant difference in the complication rate (30%) between patients operated on immediately because of a diagnostic test result and those operated on later, after a period of clinical observation ( P = 1.0, Fisher's Exact test). Associated injuries were common (60%) among both blunt and penetrating cases. In this nonoperative era of pediatric trauma care, small bowel injury is best diagnosed clinically. The physical examination is 100% sensitive in the conscious patient, and specificity is achieved by serial examination. Serum amylase, CT scan, and DPL are not reliable diagnostic tests to exclude these injuries. Patients can be observed until physical findings suggest bowel injury without increased morbidity. Associated injuries are common; thus, patients are best treated where multidisciplinary support is available.
Effect of Fortification with Iron on Susceptibility of Skim Milk and Nonfat Dry Milk to Oxidation

Abstract Iron-fortified nonfat dry milk can be made by mixing with dry ferric ammonium citrate or by spray drying iron-fortified skim milk concentrates (45% total solids). Concentrates can be fortified directly with an aqueous solution of ferric chloride or ferric ammonium citrate (any convenient concentration) or can be prepared from skim milks fortified similarly before pasteurization. Although some skim milks are susceptible to iron-catalyzed oxidation, they are stabilized during the concentration which precedes drying, and this resistance is retained in iron-fortified dry milk. Iron salts can be added in amounts equivalent to 20mg iron/liter skim milk with no adverse flavor effects when iron-fortified dry milk is reconstituted to skim milk or used in the preparation of 2-10 milk. In other food applications of fortified nonfat dry milk the only adverse effect of added iron was an undesirable color shift when it was added to cocoa, tea, or coffee. In rats, iron in iron-fortified milk is nutritionally as available as that in ferrous sulfate.
High precision measurement of gyro rotor sphericity

Abstract Quartz gyro rotors with a sphericity of better than one part per million are needed for the Relativity Gyroscope Experiment. This paper describes the measurement techniques that are employed to ensure that this requirement is met. The basic measurement is a surface irregularity map, generated with the help of a computer-aided roundness instrument with a measurement uncertainty approaching 2.5 nm. Analysis and plotting of the data, and the impact of the results on gyro performance, are discussed
Selections from current literature: digoxin in chronic heart failure.

Digitalis purpurea (foxglove) has been used for centuries. It was among the herbal remedies used in ancient Rome, and in the 16th century it was used in Ireland, Germany and England for ‘dropsy’ and other medical conditions. In 1785, William Withering reported on his study of digitalis extract used in 163 hospitalized patients, concluding that its beneficial action was due to effects on the power and motion of the heart. Pure digitoxin was first isolated from foxglove in 1875, and digoxin, the glycoside used today, was first isolated in 1957.1 Evidence to guide optimal management of heart failure continues to evolve, however, and the role of digitalis in heart failure has been called “the oldest continuing controversy in the history of medicine.”2 The articles in this selection provide food for thought on the place of digoxin in modern evidence-based management of heart failure.
Correlating fibronectin adsorption with endothelial cell adhesion and signaling on polymer substrates.

Fibronectin (Fn) adsorption was studied on different commercial polymer surface chemistries, including tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS), bacteriologic polystyrene (BPS), fluoropolymer Teflon AF, and poly-L-lactide (PLLA). Antibody probes detected the availability of Fn's cell binding domain on adsorbed Fn in the competitive presence and absence of bovine serum albumin (BSA). Domain availability was highest for Fn adsorbed on TCPS, especially in the presence of either serum albumin or dilute serum. Attachment and growth efficiencies for human umbilical venous endothelial cells (HUVECs) cultured on surfaces preadsorbed with Fn in serum and serum-free media correlated with antibody cell-binding domain availability: TCPS > BPS, Teflon AF > PLLA. Intracellular signaling from the GTPase, RhoA, was highest (RhoA:RhoGDI inhibitor ratio) in cells cultured on the Teflon AF surfaces, indicating that despite lower attached cell numbers on Teflon AF compared to TCPS, cell signaling remained activated after 24 h of growth. Up-regulated cellular Fn mRNA messages, assessed using RT-PCR techniques, supported HUVECs' producing the endogenous extracellular matrix (ECM) protein Fn in order to attach and survive on the suboptimal Teflon AF culture surfaces.