cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of Frailty on Hematopoietic Cell on Early Transplant Outcomes in Older Recipients

Introduction: With improvements in transplant strategy and supportive care, hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is increasingly being used to treat older patients (60-80 years). Frailty is a well-accepted phenomenon in the geriatric population characterized by diminished physiological reserve and increased vulnerability to stress, with strong associations with falls, disability, hospitalization and mortality. Since HCT is a substantial stressor, we hypothesized that the prevalence of frailty and pre-frailty will increase in the immediate post-transplant period, and that frailty will be associated with early (1y) post-transplant non-relapse mortality (NRM). Methods: We conducted a prospective, longitudinal study of 96 patients undergoing HCT at age 40y or older between February 2014 and April 2015, and serially performed a multi-domain geriatric assessment (incorporating function, comorbidity, cognition, psychological state, social activity/support, and nutritional status) in additional to demographic, transplant and disease related variables. Frailty was defined by presence of 3 or more of the following criteria: unintentional weight loss, exhaustion, weakness, slow walking speed and low physical activity; pre-frailty was defined by presence of 1 or 2 of the criteria. Geriatric assessments were performed pre-HCT and at 100 days, 6 months and 1 year post HCT. The prevalence of frailty and pre-frailty was evaluated at each time point in older (60-74y, n=48) vs. younger (40-59y, n=48) recipients. Longitudinal assessments (baseline, 100 days, 6 months, 1 year) of ordinal frailty measures were assessed using random effects and non-linear mixed logistic regression models. Impact of frailty on 1 year NRM was estimated using cumulative incidence estimates. Results: Older patients were more likely to undergo reduced intensity conditioning, and less likely to be employed at HCT. The prevalence of frailty increased with time since HCT: The prevalence of frailty was 8% at baseline and increased to 39% by 6 months ( In the random effects model for frailty, increasing time from transplant was associated with a 3.7 times higher odds of frailty (OR: 3.7, 95% CI: 1.9-7.2, p Despite only limited follow up to date in this recent cohort, we identified a trend towards increasing non-relapse mortality (NRM) in frail patients. The cumulative incidence of NRM at one year was 7% (95% CI: 0-14%) in the non-frail group, 23% (95% CI: 8-38%) in the pre-frail group and 28% (95% CI: 0-57%) in the frail group (p-value for trend= 0.07). Conclusion: Independent of specific medical co-morbidities or the HCT-CI, frailty was noted in 8%, and pre-frailty in 44% of our HCT population prior to HCT, and was not dependent on age. Frailty is a transitional state and appears to reflect a dynamic progression from robustness to functional decline with time since HCT. It is associated with a higher mortality, indicating a need to identify vulnerable populations and define their need for specific interventions. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
The Robotic-Assisted Treatment of Endometriosis: A Colorectal Surgical Perspective

Endometriosis is a common benign gynecologic condition defined as the presence of uterine lining, or endometrium, outside of the uterine cavity. Implants create a proinflammatory environment secondary to the production of cytokines, prostaglandins, and metalloproteinases. The inflammation present in endometriosis lesions leads to scar tissue formation and adhesions between pelvic organs. Severe dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility are the most common symptoms of women diagnosed with endometriosis. Symptoms can be debilitating affecting work productivity and quality of life.
Structure and Bonding in Coordination Compounds

The chemistry of coordination compounds is a broad area of inorganic chemistry that has as its central theme the formation of coordinate bonds. A coordinate bond is one in which both of the electrons used to form the bond come from one of the atoms, rather than each atom contributing an electron to the bonding pair, particularly between metal atoms or ions and electron pair donors. Electron pair donation and acceptance result in the formation of a coordinate bond according to the Lewis acid-base theory (see Chapter 5 ). However, compounds such as H 3 N:BCl 3 will not be considered as coordination compounds, even though a coordinate bond is present. The term molecular compound or adduct is appropriately used to describe these “complexes” that are formed by interaction of molecular Lewis acids and bases. The generally accepted use of the term coordination compound or coordination complex refers to the assembly that results when a metal ion or atom accepts pairs of electrons from a certain number of molecules or ions. Such assemblies commonly involve a transition metal, but there is no reason to restrict the term in that way because nontransition metals (Al 3+ , Be 2+ , etc.) also form coordination compounds.
Redefining the Functional Organization of the Planum Temporale Region: Space, Objects, and Sensory–Motor Integration

The planum temporale (PT) is defined anatomically by the triangular surface on the supratemporal plane posterior to Heschl’s gyrus (see Clarke and Morosan, Chapter 2). Its posterior boundary is the termination point of the Sylvian fissure, its medial boundary is the insula or the point where the supratemporal plane transitions into the parietal operculum, and its lateral boundary is the lateral lip of the superior temporal gyrus (Fig. 12.1).
Callous-Unemotional Traits are Uniquely Associated with Poorer Peer Functioning in School-Aged Children.

This study examines externalizing symptoms (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], conduct problems, and callous-unemotional [CU] traits) in relation to domains of peer functioning (social competence, loneliness, and close friendship quality), with a specific focus on the role of CU traits. One hundred twenty-four elementary students (grades 3–6; 45% boys) completed multiple measures of peer functioning, and teachers completed measures of externalizing symptoms and social competence. After controlling for demographic variables and other externalizing symptoms, CU traits were significantly associated with poorer peer functioning across all variables except for demands of exclusivity in close friendships. ADHD symptoms were also uniquely associated with poorer social functioning across a number of variables. In contrast, conduct problems were at times associated with better social functioning after controlling for the effects of other externalizing problems. These findings bolster the importance of developing and evaluating social skills interventions for children displaying elevated CU traits.
Differential Desensitization Observed at Multiple Effectors of Somatic μ-Opioid Receptors Underlies Sustained Agonist-Mediated Inhibition of Proopiomelanocortin Neuron Activity.

Activation of somatic μ-opioid receptors (MORs) in hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons leads to the activation of G-protein-coupled inward rectifier potassium (GIRK) channels and hyperpolarization, but in response to continued signaling MORs undergo acute desensitization resulting in robust reduction in the peak GIRK current after minutes of agonist exposure. We hypothesized that the attenuation of the GIRK current would lead to a recovery of neuronal excitability whereby desensitization of the receptor would lead to a new steady state of POMC neuron activity reflecting the sustained GIRK current observed after the initial decline from peak with continued agonist exposure. However, electrophysiologic recordings and GCaMP6f Ca2+ imaging in POMC neurons in mouse brain slices indicate that maximal inhibition of cellular activity by these measures can be maintained after the GIRK current declines. Blockade of the GIRK current by Ba2+ or Tertiapin-Q did not disrupt the sustained inhibition of Ca2+ transients in the continued presence of agonist, indicating the activation of an effector other than GIRK channels. Use of an irreversible MOR antagonist and Furchgott analysis revealed a low receptor reserve for the activation of GIRK channels but a >90% receptor reserve for the inhibition of Ca2+ events. Altogether, the data show that somatodendritic MORs in POMC neurons inhibit neuronal activity through at least two effectors with distinct levels of receptor reserve and that differentially reflect receptor desensitization. Thus, in POMC cells, the decline in the GIRK current during prolonged MOR agonist exposure does not reflect an increase in cellular activity as expected. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Desensitization of the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) is thought to underlie the development of cellular tolerance to opiate therapy. The present studies focused on MOR desensitization in hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons as these neurons produce the endogenous opioid β-endorphin and are heavily regulated by opioids. Prolonged activation of somatic MORs in POMC neurons robustly inhibited action potential firing and Ca2+ activity despite desensitization of the MOR and reduced activation of a potassium current over the same time course. The data show that somatic MORs in POMC neurons couple to multiple effectors that have differential sensitivity to desensitization of the receptor. Thus, in these cells, the cellular consequence of MOR desensitization cannot be defined by the activity of a single effector system.
Size-Dependent Inhibitory Effects of Antibiotic Drug Nanocarriers against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Multidrug membrane transporters (efflux pumps) are responsible for multidrug resistance (MDR) and the low efficacy of therapeutic drugs. Noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) possess a high surface-area-to-volume ratio and size-dependent plasmonic optical properties, enabling them to serve both as imaging probes to study sized-dependent MDR and as potential drug carriers to circumvent MDR and enhance therapeutic efficacy. To this end, in this study, we synthesized three different sizes of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), 2.4 ± 0.7, 13.0 ± 3.1, and 92.6 ± 4.4 nm, functionalized their surface with a monolayer of 11-amino-1-undecanethiol (AUT), and covalently conjugated them with antibiotics (ofloxacin, Oflx) to prepare antibiotic drug nanocarriers with conjugation ratios of 8.6 × 102, 9.4 × 103, and 6.5 × 105 Oflx molecules per NP, respectively. We purified and characterized the nanocarriers and developed cell culture medium in which the cells grew normally and the nanocarriers were stable (non-aggregated), to quan...
Effects of Vapor Shield Expansion on Vapor Shield Effectiveness and Plasma Gun Efficiency

The vapor shield outward expansion rate can be shown to affect energy transport through the vapor shield, thereby influencing the vapor shield effectiveness. To more accurately determine the divertor plate erosion depth from a tokamak fusion reactor disruption or plasma gun sources, it is then necessary to include source plasma (beam) momentum transfer and beam mass deposition to the expanding vapor shield. Other factors such as incident heat flux and target Z value are shown to influence the vapor shield expansion rate as well. Code calculations show that increasing heat fluxes can increase the fraction of vapor shield kinetic energy and lower the fraction f of incident energy transported to the solid. Low-Z materials give higher kinetic energies as well but result in a higher f due to a lower specific heat. These results can also be applied to plasma gun technology to help increase its efficiency. In an electrothermal gun, the plasma expansion rate (rate at which vaporized material travels out of the gun) can cause differing plasma residence times and differing plasma temperatures as well. Determining the mechanisms that influence the vapor shield expansion rate and showing its sensitivity on f can give us a qualitative way of determining how changing parameters can influence plasma gun efficiency. Low-energy (<200 eV) disruption plasmas add much mass as well as momentum to a vapor shield. Mass addition can cause the vapor shield temperature and f to differ for a given incident heat flux and change the vapor shield expansion rate as well. Also, we find that deuterium's shielding effectiveness differs from carbon.
The Role of Feedback During Academic Testing: The Delay Retention Effect Revisited

Students completed 5 quizzes during the semester using tesponse formats that provided no feedback (word-processed answer sheet, Scantron form), delayed feedback (end of test, 24 hours), or immediate feedback while answering each test item. Administered 2 weeks after students had completed the 5th quiz, the final examination consisted of 50 items, with 10 items randomly selected from each quiz. Scores on each quiz, time to complete each quiz, and average study time per quiz did not differ as a function of response format. Students demonstrated the highest recall, the most accurate identification of initial responses, the most confidence in their answers, and the least amount of perseverative incorrect responding on those final examination items that were originally responded to when immediate feedback was provided. These same students demonstrated less recall, less identification accuracy, lower confidence in their answers, and more perseverative incorrect responding on those final examination items that were originally responded to when either end of test or delayed feedback had been provided. Students’ self-reports assessing how response format affected learning, retention, and confidence were consistent with quantitative outcomes. The present results support prior’ demonstrations that combining immediate feedback with the opportunity to answer until correct not only assesses, but also teaches, in a manner that promotes the retention of course materials across the academic semester.
Predictive value of creatine kinase (CK)-MB for diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction after major noncardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to provide insight into the interpretation of CK-MB data after major noncardiac surgery. METHODS Some 3,321 patients who underwent major non-emergent noncardiac procedures (orthopedic 31%, intrathoracic 12%, vascular 22%, other 35%) were studied. All patients had at least two CK samples measured postoperatively. RESULTS Acute myocardial infarction was diagnosed in 43 (1.3%) patients using study criteria including CK-MB and electrocardiographic data. All of the various threshold values of peak CK-MB values and peak CK-MB as a percentage of total CK had poor positive predictive values because of high false positive rates and the low rate of acute myocardial infarction. CONCLUSION These data demonstrate the need for markers of myocardial injury with greater cardiac specificity after noncardiac surgery.
A Little Knowledge Is a Dangerous Thing

To deconstruct the modern anti-vaccination movement, Andrew Wakefield’s central role is highlighted, from his 1998 coauthored article linking MMR and autism to his 2016 film Vaxxed: From Cover-Up to Catastrophe. Moreover, a synthetic overview traces additional roots of modern opposition, such as the environmental movement and a profound shift in the concept of childhood. This has generated a phenomenon consisting of anti-vacs, anti-toxs, and delayers. The process of conveying this information to the public is multifaceted, with the notion of celebrification stressed.
An ardent anti-slavery tale: Narrating resistance through Chicago's Underground Railroad, 1856-present

Originally situated in a suburb, today the 1856 Gray House is a private residence and part of Chicago's Old Irving Park neighbourhood. Known for his vocal stand against slavery, John Gray was the f...
Calculus Reordered: A History of the Big Ideas by David Bressoud, Princeton University Press, Princeton, 2019.Change Is the Only Constant: The Wisdom of Calculus in a Madcap World by Ben Orlin, Black Dog & Leventhal, New York, 2019.Infinite Powers: How Calculus Reveals the Secrets of the Universe by Steven Strogatz, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Boston, 2019.

Single variable calculus as we know it—the e-δ definition of the limit, the limit definition of continuity and the derivative, the mean value theorem, Riemann’s definition of the integral, the fund...
How the Interplay of Consumer-Brand Identification and Crises Influences the Effectiveness of Corporate Response Strategies:

Consumer-brand identification (CBI) establishes when consumers use the defining attributes of a brand to define themselves. This study examines whether and how CBI influences the effectiveness of c...
The interplay between surface facet and reconstruction on isopropanol conversion over SrTiO3 nanocrystals

Abstract Strontium titanate (SrTiO3) is an extensively investigated perovskite for various applications due to its optical, electrical and chemical properties. To gain an in-depth understanding of the active sites involved in heterogeneous catalysis over the broadly used SrTiO3 (STO), we studied a model reaction, isopropanol conversion, on three differently shape-controlled nanocrystals: cube, truncated cube and dodecahedra. SEM, XRD and XPS confirmed the morphology, phase and composition of STO shapes. Low energy ion scattering (LEIS) revealed the occurrence of surface reconstruction over STO shapes during O2 pretreatment at different temperatures. Based on the catalytic activities, scanning transmission electron microscopy images and density functional theory calculations, the step sites on STO derived from surface reconstruction were proposed to be the active sites for isopropanol conversion. This was further confirmed by steady state isotopic kinetic analysis (SSITKA) which demonstrated similar intrinsic turnover frequencies (TOFs) for the differently reconstructed STO shapes. It is concluded that the crystal facets impose an indirect effect on the catalysis of STO via controlling the degrees of surface reconstruction: the less stable STO (1 1 0) facet (dodecahedra) leads to more step sites after reconstruction and hence higher overall reaction rate than the more stable (1 0 0) facet (cube). This work highlights the important interplay between the crystal facet and surface reconstruction in controlling the nature and density of active sties and thus catalysis over complex oxides.
Plasma Metabolomic Changes in Mice With Time-restricted Feeding-attenuated Spontaneous Metastasis of Lewis Lung Carcinoma.

Background/aim Time-restricted feeding (TRF) during the dark phase of the day restores metabolic homeostasis in mice. Materials and methods We performed untargeted metabolomic analysis on plasma from mice subjected to TRF that attenuates high-fat diet-enhanced spontaneous metastasis of Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC). Results Twenty-four of 152 identified metabolites differed among the four dietary groups (non-LLC-bearing mice fed the AIN93G diet and LLC-bearing mice fed the AIN93G, the high-fat diet (HFD), or TRF of the HFD). Component 1 of sparse partial least squares-discriminant analysis showed a clear separation between non-LLC-bearing and LLC-bearing mice. Major metabolites responsible for the changes were elevations in α-tocopherol, docosahexaenoic acid, cholesterol, dihydrocholestrol, isoleucine, leucine, and phenylalanine and decreases in lactic acid and pyruvic acid in LLC-bearing mice particularly those fed the HFD. Time-restricted feeding shifted the metabolic profile of LLC-bearing mice towards that of non-LLC-bearing controls. Conclusion Time-restricted feeding improves metabolic profile of LLC-bearing mice.
Spacecraft Formations Using Relative Orbital Elements and Artificial Potential Functions

A control methodology to design and establish spacecraft formations is presented. The intuitive design of complex spacecraft formation geometry is achieved by utilizing two different sets of relative orbital elements derived from a linearization of the dynamics. These sets provide strong insights into the shape, size, and orientation of the relative trajectory and facilitate the design of relative orbits in addition to relative positions. An artificial potential function (APF) composed of an attractive potential for goal seeking and a repulsive potential for obstacle avoidance is constructed. The derivation of a control law from this APF results in a computationally efficient algorithm able to fully control the relative position and velocity of the spacecraft and therefore to establish spacecraft formations. The autonomous selection of some of the design parameters of the model based on fuel minimization considerations is described. An assessment of the formation establishment accuracy is conducted for different orbital perturbation as well as various degrees of thrust errors and state uncertainties. Then, the performance of the control algorithm is demonstrated with the numerical simulation of four different scenarios. The first scenario is the design and establishment of a 10-spacecraft triangular lattice, followed by the establishment of a 37-spacecraft formation composed of two hexagonal lattices on two different relative planes. The control method is used to illustrate proximity operations with the visual inspection of an on-orbit structure in the third scenario. Finally, a formation composed of four spacecraft arranged in a tetrahedron is presented.
Chapter 2 – Core Problems

Publisher Summary This chapter deals with the core problems of motor control research. There are many ways to organize the body of knowledge comprising the field of human motor control. One is by discipline, taking what has been learned in the various approaches to the field, such as physics, engineering, and statistics. Another is by method, considering the techniques used to analyze the human motor control system, such as mathematical modeling, observation of behavior, and recording of physiological signals. Yet another approach is by activity, focusing on things people do, such as walking, looking, reaching, and speaking. There are four such problems, each with its own associated name: the degrees of freedom problem, the sequencing and timing problem, the perceptual-motor integration problem, and the learning problem.
Contextual stressors and the role of religion and spirituality in the mental health of Latino/a immigrant parents and youth

Abstract In this chapter, we provide a review of the literature addressing the mental health of Latino/a immigrant youth and parents. Relying upon the integrative risk and resilience model proposed by Suarez-Orozco et al. (2018) , we first review various challenges in the political and social contexts of reception (e.g., attitudes toward immigrants) and in the microsystem (e.g., neighborhood and school climates) that influence the mental health of both Latino/a immigrant youth and parents. Next, we focus on one of the specific intersecting social positions identified by Suarez-Orozco and colleagues, namely religion and spirituality. We examine religiosity and spirituality as sources of strength and resilience for Latino/a immigrant youth and parents. Finally, we conclude with a discussion of the mechanisms by which religiosity and spirituality may influence the psychological functioning and well-being of Latino/a immigrant families.
Understanding Parents-in-Law’s Uncertainty Management through a Relational Turbulence Lens

This study investigated parents-in-law's (PIL) relational uncertainty management, specifically, associations between PIL’s relational uncertainty, cognitions (i.e., identity goal and perceived comm...
NEI-Supported Age-Related Macular Degeneration Research: Past, Present, and Future

Author(s): Wright, Charles; Mazzucco, Anna E; Becker, Steven M; Sieving, Paul A; Tumminia, Santa J | Abstract: PurposeTo review past and current National Eye Institute (NEI)-supported age-related macular degeneration (AMD) activities and initiatives and preview upcoming coordinated efforts for studying AMD.MethodsWe conducted and summarized a portfolio analysis and literature review of NEI intramural and extramural AMD activities.ResultsThe NEI supports a broad range of AMD research, both by individual independent investigators as well as through networks and consortia. The International AMD Genomics Consortium, Age-Related Eye Disease Study, Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2), and Comparison of AMD Treatments Trial legacy work probed the complex genetics, clinical presentation, and standards of patient care, respectively. The NEI AMD Pathobiology Working Group identified gaps and opportunities for future research efforts. The AMD Ryan Initiative Study and clinical trials testing the efficacies of minocycline to modulate retinal microglia activity and induced pluripotent stem cells-derived retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) patch implants to rescue photoreceptor cell death are among the future directions for NEI-supported AMD research. Finally, NEI commissioned the creation of AREDS2 participant-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines linked to their associated genomic and phenotypic datasets. These datasets will also be linked to the data obtained using their associated iPSC-derived cells (RPE, retina, choroid) and made publicly available.ConclusionsInvestments by NEI for AMD research will continue to provide invaluable resources to investigators committed to addressing this complex blinding disease and other retinal degenerative diseases.Translational relevanceNEI now stands poised to expand the resources available to clinical investigators to uncover disease mechanisms and move experimental therapies into clinical trials.
Platelet function in stroke/transient ischemic attack patients treated with tocotrienol

The purpose of this study was to characterize the effects of tocotrienol form of vitamin E (TCT) on platelet function in patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). A double blind, randomized, single center phase II clinical trial was conducted comparing placebo (PBO) and 400 and 800 mg TCT daily for a year in 150 patients with a sentinel ischemic stroke or TIA event in the prior 6 months. Platelet function was measured at baseline and then, at 3 month intervals for a year, using light transmission aggregometry. The incidence of aspirin resistance in aspirin-treated patients or platelet inhibition in patients on clopidogrel alone was compared between the three treatment groups. Results showed that in patients taking aspirin and clopidogrel, the incidence of aspirin resistance was significantly decreased from 40% in PBO-treated patients to 9% in the 400 mg TCT group and 25% in the TCT 800 mg group (P = .03). In conclusion, patients on aspirin and clopidogrel had a higher incidence of aspirin resistance than all patients treated with aspirin alone and TCT decreased the frequency of aspirin resistance in this group.
Acoustic Correlates of the Voice Qualifiers: A Survey.

Our voices are as distinctive as our faces and fingerprints. There is a spectrum of non-disjoint traits that make our voices unique and identifiable, such as the fundamental frequency, the intensity, and most interestingly the quality of the speech. Voice quality refers to the characteristic features of an individual's voice. Previous research has from time-to-time proven the ubiquity of voice quality in making different paralinguistic inferences. These inferences range from identifying personality traits, to health conditions and beyond. In this manuscript, we first map the paralinguistic voice qualifiers to their acoustic correlates in the light of the previous research and literature. We also determine the openSMILE correlates one could possibly use to measure those correlates. In the second part, we give a set of example paralinguistic inferences that can be made using different acoustic and perceptual voice quality features.
Nanoscale flow past a colloidal cylinder confined in a slit channel: Lubrication theory and molecular dynamics analysis

Plane Poiseuille flow past a nanoscale cylinder that is arbitrarily confined (i.e., symmetrically or asymmetrically confined) in a slit channel is studied via hydrodynamic lubrication theory and molecular dynamics simulations, considering cases where the cylinder remains static or undergoes thermal motion. Analytical expressions for the drag force and volumetric flow rate valid for high confinement and arbitrary off-center displacements are derived for the first time in this work. Lubrication theory predictions are in close agreement with molecular dynamics simulations of flows having molecularly thin lubrication gaps, despite the presence of significant structural forces induced by the crystalline structure of the modeled solid. While the maximum drag force is observed in symmetric confinement, i.e., when the cylinder is equidistant from both channel walls, the drag decays significantly as the cylinder moves away from the channel centerline and approaches a wall. Hence, significant reductions in the mean...
THE FOOD GAP FOR THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD COMMODITIES IN THE STATE OF KUWAIT

The food gap represents the extent of the inability of national production to meet the population's need for that commodity or group of commodities, and it is the percentage of what the agricultural sector produces with its commodities than that which is consumed during a certain period. The research covered the food gap for the most important agricultural commodities in the State of Kuwait, which are red meat, poultry meat, eggs and fish. milk, shrimp, feed and vegetables during the years 2001/2002 - 2017/2018 and measure the size of the gap where it was found that the meat gap fell from 94% to about 83% during the study 2001/2018 period and increase self - sufficiency of the meat bin ratio and development of h and from 6% to 17% and an annual average of 86% meat gap. As for the poultry meat gap, it increased from 58% in 2001/2002 to about 69% in 2017/2018 with an annual average of 69%. As for the milk gap, the gap in milk consumption increased from about 82% in 2001/2002 to about 81% in 2017 / 2018, with an annual average of 82%, while the white gap reached about 7% in 2001/2002 and disappeared in 2008/2009. As for the fish gap, the size of the gap increased from 59% in 2001/2002 to about 92% in 2017/2018 with an annual average of 80%. As for fresh vegetables, the size of the gap increased from 42% in 2001/02 to about 57% in 2017 / 2018, with an annual average of 51.5%, and it is evident that the gap in each of poultry meat, fish and fresh vegetables has increased, its stability in milk, its decline in red meat, and the achievement of sufficiency and then a surplus of eggs, and then the study recommends expanding modern agriculture to provide food commodities and fill the food gap . Research problem : As a result of the limited agricultural resources in the State of Kuwait and the increase of the population (whether local or expatriate) during the study period, and the high level of income of the population led to an increase in demand for food agricultural commodities with limited agricultural resources, which led to an increase in the rates of demand for the consumption of agricultural commodities at rates greater than the increase in production. Which requires with him to study the size of the gap to reduce it in the future. Research objective : To study the most important agricultural food commodities in terms of: 1- Production quantities and their development during the study period 2001-2018. 2- Consumption quantities and their evolution during the study period 2001-2018. 3- Estimating gap size, measurement, and trend for all commodities. 4- Estimate the self-sufficiency ratio and its trend Research method: The method of analyzing data and statistical indicators of averages, percentages, and others was used . Sources: Data of the Public Authority for Agriculture and Fish Resources in the State of Kuwait, available research and references in the field. Conclusively, the research recommends working to bridge the increasing food gap during the study period for most of the commodities studied, in the State of Kuwait.
Pictorial review of parathyroid adenomas on Tc-99m sestamibi SPECT

1148 Objectives: 1. To review the appearance of parathyroid adenomas on Tc-99m sestamibi SPECT. 2. Learn the locations of ectopic parathyroid adenomas. 3. Illustrate false positive studies and pitfalls, with pathological correlation. Methods: Localization of parathyroid adenomas is important for operative planning, as the presence of an ectopic parathyroid adenoma can alter surgical approach. A collection of Tc-99m sestamibi SPECT images will be presented, demonstrating parathyroid adenomas in expected locations, as well ectopic locations, such as mediastinal, intra-thyroidal and retropharyngeal locations. Cases of parathyroid hyperplasia will also be presented. Finally, we will present examples of false positive studies and imaging pitfalls. Results: N/A Conclusions: Accurate pre-operative localization of parathyroid adenomas is important. Awareness of the locations of ectopic parathyroid adenoma and pitfalls can help improve diagnostic sensitivity and specificity.
An Animated Functional Data Analysis Interface to Cluster Rapid Lung Function Decline and Enhance Center-Level Care in Cystic Fibrosis.

Identifying disease progression through enhanced decision support tools is key to chronic management in cystic fibrosis at both the patient and care center level. Rapid decline in lung function relative to patient level and center norms is an important predictor of outcomes. Our objectives were to construct and utilize center-level classification of rapid decliners to develop an animated dashboard for comparisons within patients over time, multiple patients within centers, or between centers. A functional data analysis technique known as functional principal components analysis was applied to lung function trajectories from 18,387 patients across 247 accredited centers followed through the United States Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Patient Registry, in order to cluster patients into rapid decline phenotypes. Smaller centers ( 150 patients) centers. Small centers also had the lowest prevalence of early rapid decliners (17.7%, versus 24% and 25.7% for medium and large centers, resp.). The animated functional data analysis dashboard illustrated clustering and center-specific summaries of the rapid decline phenotypes. Clinical scenarios and utility of the center-level functional principal components analysis (FPCA) approach are considered and discussed.
Toward Elicitation of Bioactive Secondary Compounds with Environmentally Sound Plant Treatments: Insight into the Balance between Photosynthetic Primary and Kaempferol Accumulating Secondary Metabolism Using Young Soybean Plants

Environmentally sound plant treatments that can impose mild physiological stress and elicit bioaccumulation of useful phytochemicals such as kaempferols are limited. We tested ABA foliar application, 100 or 200 µM, and two types of leaf wounding, piercing or hole punching in young greenhouse-grown soy plants. Leaf gas exchange and A/Ci response, \(\phi\)PSII, pigments and antiradical activity were measured using the same leaf and kaempferols were measured in the leaf above. ABA 200 µM-treated plants had \(\geq\)20% less gas exchange and 17% less ETR, but greater Vcmax and Jmax compared with control. They had 55% and 100% more stomatal limitation to Pnet and \(\phi\)PSII, respectively, than the control. Leaf-wounded plants showed the lowest stomatal limitation to either Pnet or \(\phi\)PSII. Leaf piercing increased chlorophylls 39% and carotenoids 38% compared with the control. Six kaempferols quantified were found to be mono-, di- and triglycosides. Each leaf treatment increased total kaempferol yield ranging from 42% in ABA 100 µM to 68% in ABA 200 µM treatment compared with control. In general, kaempferol yields were positively correlated to Pnet in ABA 100 µM-treated plants and to gs in ABA 200 µM-treated plants but negatively correlated to Pnet in leaf-pierced plants. Results of this study show that appreciable increase in kaempferol yield and thus phytochemical or nutritional quality of soy leaves is achievable with environmentally friendly foliar treatments. ABA application and wounding affected the association between photosynthetic primary metabolism and kaempferol accumulation differently. Both ABA application and wounding are promising leaf treatments for eliciting kaempferol accumulation in young soy leaves.
Chlamydia trachomatis TmeA Directly Activates N-WASP To Promote Actin Polymerization and Functions Synergistically with TarP during Invasion.

ABSTRACT Chlamydia trachomatis is a medically significant human pathogen and is an epithelial-tropic obligate intracellular parasite. Invasion of nonprofessional phagocytes represents a crucial step in the infection process and has likely promoted the evolution of a redundant mechanism and routes of entry. Like many other viral and invasive bacterial pathogens, manipulation of the host cell cytoskeleton represents a focal point in Chlamydia entry. The advent of genetic techniques in C. trachomatis, such as creation of complete gene deletions via fluorescence-reported allelic exchange mutagenesis (FRAEM), is providing important tools to unravel the contributions of bacterial factors in these complex pathways. The type III secretion chaperone Slc1 directs delivery of at least four effectors during the invasion process. Two of these, TarP and TmeA, have been associated with manipulation of actin networks and are essential for normal levels of invasion. The functions of TarP are well established, whereas TmeA is less well characterized. We leverage chlamydial genetics and proximity labeling here to provide evidence that TmeA directly targets host N-WASP to promote Arp2/3-dependent actin polymerization. Our work also shows that TmeA and TarP influence separate, yet synergistic pathways to accomplish chlamydial entry. These data further support an appreciation that a pathogen, confined by a reductionist genome, retains the ability to commit considerable resources to accomplish bottle-neck steps during the infection process. IMPORTANCE The increasing genetic tractability of Chlamydia trachomatis is accelerating the ability to characterize the unique infection biology of this obligate intracellular parasite. These efforts are leading to a greater understanding of the molecular events associated with key virulence requirements. Manipulation of the host actin cytoskeleton plays a pivotal role throughout Chlamydia infection, yet a thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms initiating and orchestrating actin rearrangements has lagged. Our work highlights the application of genetic manipulation to address open questions regarding chlamydial invasion, a process essential to survival. We provide definitive insight regarding the role of the type III secreted effector TmeA and how that activity relates to another prominent effector, TarP. In addition, our data implicate at least one source that contributes to the functional divergence of entry mechanisms among chlamydial species.
Kleine Geschichte des Konstruktivismus

The article provides a series of hints on constructivist thinkers prior to the emergence of „radical constructivism“, starting with the Presocratics and progressing via Vico, Berkeley, Kant or Vaihinger and others. Following this the author investigates such core constructivist notions of „knowledge“ and ,„environment“ and concludes with a plea for an „ontological agnosticism“ which, in more than one way, leads back to the beginning of the article, namely to the presocratic schools of thought.
Role of VEGF-C in Proliferation and Migration in a Cancer Model

ROLE OF VEGF-C IN PROLIFERATION AND MIGRATION IN A CANCER MODEL By Emily M. Benke, B.S. A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Human Physiology at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2008 Major Director: Dr. Andrew Yeudall Philips Institute, VCU School of Dentistry Head and neck cancer ranks high among the most common cancers world wide. In addition, there is a high recurrence rate, as well as a high prevalence of loco-regional tumor spread. Among many factors contributing to metastasis is vascular endothelial cell growth factor C. VEGF-C is primarily an inducer of new lymph vessel formation, typically during embryogenesis; however, some advanced cancers show a significant increase in VEGF-C expression, suggesting a role in metastasis. In the current study, the effects of VEGF-C expression were tested in HN12 cells, which are highly metastatic and known to express high levels of the chemokine CXCL5. A connection between VEGF-C
Recent Advances in Hydroxyapatite Scaffolds Containing Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Modern day tissue engineering and cellular therapies have gravitated toward using stem cells with scaffolds as a dynamic modality to aid in differentiation and tissue regeneration. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are one of the most studied stem cells used in combination with scaffolds. These cells differentiate along the osteogenic lineage when seeded on hydroxyapatite containing scaffolds and can be used as a therapeutic option to regenerate various tissues. In recent years, the combination of hydroxyapatite and natural or synthetic polymers has been studied extensively. Due to the interest in these scaffolds, this review will cover the wide range of hydroxyapatite containing scaffolds used with MSCs for in vitro and in vivo experiments. Further, in order to maintain a progressive scope of the field this review article will only focus on literature utilizing adult human derived MSCs (hMSCs) published in the last three years.
Using Asset Teams to Design Mass-Customizable Next-to-Skin Apparel

Much research has been done in recent years in the apparel industry to incorporate different fabrics, mesh designs, nanomaterials and "smart fabrics" for sports, first responder and military apparel. One application of these technologies exists in next-to-skin apparel, where combinations of varying fabrics and/or finishes are being used to provide thermal and moisture management. This paper describes a case study showing how asset teams may effectively communicate to develop multidisciplinary solutions to design problems. In particular, the workflow used to develop a database of the thermal distributions of the human torso will be discussed. This database will be data mined to determine whether the mass-customization of next-to-skin apparel designed to optimize thermal and moisture management is feasible or not.
Elastic and frictional properties of graphene

We descnbe studies of the elastic properties and frictional characteristics of graphene samples of varying thickness using an atomic force microscope. For tensile testing, graphene is suspended over micron-sized circular holes and indented by atomic force microscope (AFM) tips. Fitting of the force-displacement curves yields the prestress and elastic stiffness, while comparison of the breaking force to simulation gives the ultimate strength, which is the highest measured for any material. Experiments on samples with 1-3 atomic layers yield similar values for the intrinsic stiffness and strength of a single sheet, but also reveal differences in mechanical behavior with thickness. The frictional force between an AFM tip and graphene decreases with thickness for samples from 1 to 4 layers, and does not depend on the presence of a substrate. High-resolution friction force imaging in stick-slip mode shows the same trend, and allows direct imaging of the crystal lattice.
Bank Performance: Market Power or Efficient Structure?

Regulatory change not seen since the Great Depression swept the U.S. banking industry beginning in the early 1980s, culminating with the Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994. Significant consolidations have occurred in the banking industry. This paper considers the market-power versus the efficient-structure theories of the positive correlation between banking concentration and performance on a state-by-state basis. Temporal causality tests imply that bank concentration leads bank profitability, supporting the market-power, rather than the efficient-structure, theory of that positive correlation. Our finding suggests that bank regulators, by focusing on local banking markets, missed the initial stages of an important structural change at the state level.
Spike timing‐dependent plasticity at GABAergic synapses in the ventral tegmental area

Persistent changes in excitatory and inhibitory synaptic strengths to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) neurons in response to addictive drugs may underlie the transition from casual to compulsive drug use. While an enormous amount of work has been done in the area of glutamatergic plasticity of the VTA, little is known regarding the learning rules governing GABAergic plasticity in the VTA. Spike timing-dependent plasticity, STDP, has attracted considerable attention primarily due to its potential roles in processing and storage of information in the brain and there is emerging evidence for the existence of STDP at inhibitory synapses. We therefore used whole-cell recordings in rat midbrain slices to investigate whether near-coincident pre- and postsynaptic firing induces a lasting change in synaptic efficacy of VTA GABAergic synapses. We found that a Hebbian form of STDP including long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) can be induced at GABAergic synapses onto VTA DA neurons and relies on the precise temporal order of pre- and postsynaptic spiking. Importantly, GABAergic STDP is heterosynaptic (NMDA receptor dependent): triggered by correlated activities of the presynaptic glutamatergic input and postsynaptic DA cells. GABAergic STDP is postsynaptic and has an associative component since pre- or postsynaptic spiking per se did not induce STDP. STDP of GABAergic synapses in the VTA provides physiologically relevant forms of inhibitory plasticity that may underlie natural reinforcement of reward-related behaviours. Moreover, this form of inhibitory plasticity may mediate some of the reinforcing, aversive and addictive properties of drugs of abuse.
On sparseness, ambiguity and other decision problems for acceptors and transducers

We consider some decision problems on sparseness, degrees of ambiguity and multiple valuedness concerning finite-state and pushdown acceptors and transducers. A language L is sparse if there is a polynomial P such that the number of strings of length n in L is atmost P(n). A recognizer (transducer) is of polynomial ambiguity (valued) if there exists a polynomial P such that the number of derivations (outputs) for any input of length n is at most P(n). We relate these problems and show that they are decidable for finite-state devices. For cfl's, only the sparseness problem is decidable. We also study some properties of structure generating function defined as f L (z)=Σa n z n , where a n is the number of strings of length n in a language L. Our results are useful in proving the non-regularity/non-context-freeness of some languages.
Making Territorial Claims: Brazilian Hip Hop and the Socio-Geographical Dynamics of Periferia

In this essay I posit that the stylistic divergences in Brazilian hip hop reveal a set of social and geographical dynamics related to Sao Paulo, the country's largest city and supposed beacon of modernity. The case of Sao Paulo hip hop speaks beyond Brazil and potentially contributes to larger discussions of the contemporary city complex including the role of the working-class periphery sprawls on urbanism. This text focuses on the primacy of periferia (periphery) as an ideological and spatial concept rooted in the artistic expressions of the “marginal.” In their activities, hip hoppers articulate “periphery” as not only a place but also as an epistemology, which in turn works to change the meaning of the city for the historically disenfranchised. Not without its limitations and internal critics, marginality secretes a “magic” or at least retains a pull as hip hoppers and urban, working-class Brazilians, in general, look to convince others of their value in exchange for respect.