cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adeno-Associated Virus Antibody Profiles in Newborns, Children, and Adolescents

Neutralizing antibodies (NAb) to an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector due to previous natural infection with wild-type AAV can significantly limit gene transfer. NAb titers to AAV serotype 2 (AAV2) and AAV8 in human subjects (0 to 18 years) were studied. NAb prevalence is moderate at birth, decreases markedly from 7 to 11 months, and then progressively increases through childhood and adolescence.
Early Intervention for Speech Impairment in Children With Cleft Palate

Abstract Objective:This study explored the effectiveness of a parent-implemented, focused stimulation program on the speech characteristics of children younger than 3 years with cleft lip and palate. The research questions included the following: (1) Can parents be trained to deliver an early intervention (EI) program for children with cleft palate? (2) Does a parent-implemented EI program result in positive changes in speech characteristics? Participants:Ten mother-child pairs in which the child had cleft lip and palate (CLP) and 10 mother-child pairs in which the child did not have a cleft (NCLP). The children ranged in age from 14 to 36 months of age and were matched between the CLP and the NCLP groups for vocabulary size, age, and socioeconomic status. Main Outcome Measures:Group differences (CLP and the NCLP) for preintervention and postintervention language and speech measures were compared. Results:The results of this study showed that the mothers could be trained to deliver the intervention reliab...
The Role of Luteinizing Hormone in Regulating Gene Expression During Selection of a Dominant Follicle in Cattle

At approximately 8.5 mm in diameter, the future dominant follicle is "selected" for continued growth in cattle. In the present study, cows were treated with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor antagonist, acyline, just before follicle selection (near 7.8 mm) to investigate the role of LH in changing mRNA concentrations during selection of a dominant follicle. The ovaries containing the expected dominant follicle (EDF; first largest follicle) and expected largest subordinate follicle (ESF) were removed after 12 or 24 h of treatment. Real-time PCR was used to determine mRNA concentrations. ELISA was used to measure testosterone and 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) and radioimmunoassay to measure androstenedione (A(4)) in follicular fluid. Concentrations of E(2) were greater in EDF than in ESF of untreated cows near the time of follicle selection (12 h) or at 12 h after selection (24 h). Testosterone, E(2), and A(4) were all dramatically decreased by acyline treatment at both times. In theca cells, acyline treatment reduced CYP17A1 (P450 17alpha) in EDF and STAR (steroidogenic acute regulatory protein) in both EDF and ESF but did not alter CYP11A1 (P450scc). In granulosa cells (GCs), LHCGR (luteinizing hormone [LH] receptor) was much greater in EDF than in ESF at both time of selection (739% greater) and 12 h after selection (2837% greater) and was decreased by acyline in EDF (87% decrease). The mRNA for CYP19A1 (cytochrome P450 aromatase) and PAPPA (pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A) tended to be greater in EDF than in ESF at follicle selection, and both mRNAs were much greater at 12 h after selection, with acyline significantly decreasing PAPPA mRNA after 24 h of treatment. The mRNA for FSHR (follicle-stimulating hormone receptor) was not different in EDF versus ESF and was not altered by acyline. Thus, induction of LHCGR mRNA in GCs is an early event during the follicle selection process, and surprisingly, expression of LHCGR mRNA is dependent on circulating LH. Production of follicular A(4), testosterone, and E(2) are also acutely related to LH but due to changes in expression of STAR and CYP17A1 in TC.
Adult Sequelae of Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Fetal intrauterine growth restriction has been associated with adult disease in both human epidemiologic studies and in animal models. In some cases, intrauterine deprivation programs the fetus to develop increased appetite and obesity, hypertension, and diabetes as an adult. Although the mechanisms responsible for fetal programming remain poorly understood, both anatomic and functional (cell signaling) changes have been described in affected individuals. In some animal models, aspects of fetal programming can be reversed postnatally; however, at the present time, the best strategy for avoiding the adult consequences of fetal growth restriction is prevention.
State Terrorism and Globalization The Cases of Ethiopia and Sudan

This article compares the essence and effects of Ethiopian and Sudanese state terrorism by focusing on the commonalities between the two states. These peripheral African states have used global and regional connections and state terrorism as political tools for creating and maintaining the confluence of identity, religion, and political power. Ethiopia primarily depends on the West, and Sudan on the Middle East, since Christianity and Islam are the dominant religions in these African states respectively. While the Ethiopian state was formed by the alliance of Abyssinian (Amhara-Tigray) colonialism and European imperialism, the Sudanese state was created by British colonialism known as the Anglo-Egyptian condominium. Massive social and cultural destruction and violence have produced and maintained these colonial political structures. These structures, in turn, have racialized identities by facilitating the processes of Abyssinianization and Christianization in Ethiopia, Arabization and Islamization in Suda...
Case Series: Vaginal Rupture Injuries after Sexual Assault in Children and Adolescents

BACKGROUND: Vaginal rupture following sexual assault is a rare but life-threatening occurrence requiring prompt recognition and treatment. Here, we describe four such cases in children. Our purposes are to increase clinicians' awareness of the physical trauma that a sexual abuse victim can suffer from and increase recognition that these victims require immediate trauma services. CASES: Each patient had obvious hymenal and vaginal lacerations with a vaginal apical rupture injury and secondary acute blood loss. None of the four victims sustained infectious sequelae. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: Providers should have a low threshold for managing sexual abuse victims as trauma cases when they have obvious hymenal and vaginal lacerations and genital bleeding, proceeding expeditiously to examination under general anesthesia when appropriate. Language: en
The Role of Prostaglandin E2 in Tumor-Associated Immunosuppression

Tumor-associated inflammation can create an immunosuppressive microenvironment allowing tumor cells to escape immunosurveillance. Inhibiting immunosuppression remains one of the major challenges in cancer immunotherapy via checkpoint inhibitors. Recent preclinical data from the Reis e Sousa group may provide a strong rationale for developing new therapeutics to subvert tumor-induced immunosuppression via prostaglandin inhibition.
Effects of fibroblast growth factor-4 (k-FGF) on long-term cultures of human bone marrow cells

Fibroblast growth factor-4 (FGF-4), a highly mitogenic protein encoded by the k-fgf/hst oncogene, stimulates the growth of a variety of cells of mesenchymal and neuroectodermal origin. Addition of FGF-4 to human long-term bone marrow cultures increased both the cell density of the stromal layer and the number of hematopoietic colony forming cells in the cultures in a dose-dependent manner. Hematopoiesis in the stromal layer persisted for up to 8 months. Erythropoiesis was maintained for up to 4 weeks, but granulocytes were the predominant nonadherent cell type. Cultures treated with FGF had increased numbers of monocytes compared with control cultures and some CD14+, CD45+ monocytes could still be detected after 8 months of continuous culture. The addition of the growth factor increased the rate of growth of the stromal layer and appeared to delay its senescence. Subcultures made in the presence of FGF-4 had up to 10-fold increases in plating efficiency and grew as relatively uniform monolayers. These subcultures retained the capacity to support hematopoiesis for several months, while untreated subcultures, made without FGF-4, grew erratically and generally lost the capacity to support hematopoiesis within 4 to 6 weeks. The improved growth after subculture greatly enhanced the reliability of limit- dilution assays of multipotential hematopoietic stem cells that use stromal cell monolayers. The primary effect of FGF-4 appeared to be on the stromal cells of the long-term bone marrow cultures, but a direct effect on hematopoietic progenitors could not be ruled out.
Assessment of infrared remote chemical sensing systems with numerical simulations

A general approach to the evaluation of remote chemical sensors is described that can be used to provide evaluation of the chemical detection in a particular chemical scenario. It will be used to make comparisons of a CO{sub 2} laser differential absorption lidar sensor and a passive thermal FTIR sensor. The focus of the study will be to evaluate the advantage of the FTIR sensor's increased spectral coverage and number of frequency channels.
A bayesian approach to multiple target localization

In this paper a multiple target localization problem is considered with only a partially known signal propagation model. Specifically, we assume that localization is to be effected by measuring the received signal strength (RSS) at each sensor. That RSS is modeled by a standard signal propagation model, though with unknown parameters. We adopt a Bayesian approach to propose a Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) type of algorithm for simultaneously estimating these unknown parameters and the source locations. Our approach also yields a posterior density function of these quantities conditioned on the RSS measurements. Such a density is useful for a visual inspection of the terrain to ascertain the source locations. The convergence of the algorithm is established under mild assumptions. Simulation results that support the analysis are provided.
Staying silent about safety issues: Conceptualizing and measuring safety silence motives

Communication between employees and supervisors about safety-related issues is an important component of a safe workplace. When supervisors receive information from employees about safety issues, they may gain otherwise-missed opportunities to correct these issues and/or prevent negative safety outcomes. A series of three studies were conducted to identify various safety silence motives, which describe the reasons that employees do not speak up to supervisors about safety-related issues witnessed in the workplace, and to develop a tool to assess these motives. Results suggest that employees stay silent about safety issues based on perceptions of altering relationships with others (relationship-based), perceptions of the organizational climate (climate-based), the assessment of the safety issue (issue-based), or characteristics of the job (job-based). We developed a 17-item measure to assess these four motives, and initial evidence was found for the construct and incremental validity of the safety silence motives measure in a sample of nurses.
Usefulness of the Monkey Model to Investigate the Role of Soy in Postmenopausal Women's Health

Some of the important health issues for postmenopausal women include cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, breast cancer, and relief of menopausal symptoms. Ovariectomized cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) have many strengths as models for research in this area including a close phylogenetic relationship to humans, similarities in lipid/lipoprotein metabolism and coronary artery anatomy, similar skeletal anatomical and morphological characteristics, mammary glands with similar pathophysiological characteristics, and a 28-day menstrual cycle with similar hormonal fluctuations. Monkeys (macaques) also experience declining ovarian function and irregular menstrual cycles (natural menopause) when they approach 24 to 29 yr of age. However, because of their very short life span after natural menopause, ovariectomized macaques are used to model postmenopausal women. The cynomolgus monkey model has been useful in defining the potential cardiovascular benefits of soy foods and soy supplements; however, it remains unclear whether the observations are generalizable to all women or only to those who, like cynomolgus monkeys, convert the soy isoflavone daidzein to the metabolite equol. Particularly important has been the use of the cynomolgus monkey model to understand the effects of soy on breast health. There is evidence from a cynomolgus monkey trial to suggest that soy/soy phytoestrogens have no estrogen agonist effects for breast. Finally, soy/soy phytoestrogens do not appear to be an adequate alternative to postmenopausal hormone therapy. Nevertheless, important attributes of soy have been identified, and it may have potential as a complementary component to hormone therapy.
An integrated approach to lower blepharoplasty.

Background:Limitations associated with traditional skin-muscle flaps and later with transconjunctival fat resection combined with carbon dioxide laser resurfacing have led to newer concepts in lower blepharoplasty that emphasize fat preservation, blending of the lid-cheek junction, simplified skin e
Abstract LB-241: HGF promotes resistance to MET inhibitor AMG337 in MET-amplified gastric cancer cells

The MET oncoprotein is a tyrosine kinase that is the only known receptor for its ligand, HGF (Hepatocyte Growth Factor). In approximately 5% of gastric cancers, MET is activated by focal amplification, rendering it constitutively active and ligand independent. MET-amplified cancer cell lines and xenografts are typically dependent on MET signaling for proliferation or survival. To test this dependency in patients, a number of small molecule MET inhibitors, including AMG337, are currently undergoing clinical evaluation for the treatment of MET-amplified tumors.Here we characterize resistance mechanisms to MET inhibitor AMG337 in vitro. We show that under standard culture conditions, resistance does not readily arise in MET-amplified gastric cell lines SNU620 and MKN45 treated with a therapeutic dose (>IC90) of AMG337. Surprisingly however, exogenous recombinant human HGF enables resistance to readily appear, with emergent cultures possessing resistance mutations in the MET activation loop at positions D1228 and Y1230. Phosphoprotein analysis shows that HGF increases autophosphorylation and activation of mutant MET sufficiently to drive cell proliferation even in the presence of AMG337.Notably, deep sequencing and clonal analysis of individually barcoded cells show that pre-existing mutant clones are likely present in cultures prior to drug treatment. However, such clones are unable to robustly proliferate in drug-containing media unless HGF is present. Based on copy number analysis, we propose that a single or small number of pre-existing mutant MET alleles in an individual cell is sufficient to drive resistance in the presence of exogenous HGF. In contrast, in HGF-negative media, a single mutant MET allele is insufficient and thus resistance does not readily arise unless gradual drug dose escalation protocols that select for increased mutant MET copy number are employed.Our results identify a key mechanism by which HGF can promote resistance to MET inhibitors in MET-amplified cancer cell lines. Because HGF is present in tumor microenvironments, combining anti-HGF antibodies with maximally-tolerated doses of small molecule MET inhibitors such as AMG337 may be beneficial in preventing resistance and in promoting durable responses. Citation Format: Marcia Gordon, Alexandra Croft, Chi-Ming Li, Sean Taylor, Sean R. Caenepeel, Kim Quon. HGF promotes resistance to MET inhibitor AMG337 in MET-amplified gastric cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-241. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-LB-241
Fixed-dose, weight-adjusted, unfractionated heparin was as effective and safe as low-molecular-weight heparin for venous thromboembolism.

Source Citation Kearon C, Ginsberg JS, Julian JA, et al. Comparison of fixed-dose weight-adjusted unfractionated heparin and low-molecular-weight heparin for acute treatment of venous thromboemboli...
Understanding Hemodialysis Access Recirculation

Hemodialysis access recirculation decreases the adequacy of dialysis delivery to the patient and is important to diagnose because inadequate dialysis can be associated with increased mortality. In some series, a high degree of access recirculation can reliably predict a hemodynamically significant stenosis. Causes of recirculation include decreased arterial inflow (arterial anastomosis stenosis), decreased venous outflow (venous stenosis), and technical issues such as improper needle placement. This chapter discusses the different aspects in understanding hemodialysis access recirculation and management of complications associated with the above.
Automating MBARI's midwater time-series video surveys: The transition from ROV to AUV

MBARI has been conducting remotely operated vehicle (ROV)-based video surveys of the upper 1000 meters of the water column in Monterey Bay, California for over 23 years. These surveys have produced a unique midwater time-series data set that has enabled MBARI scientists to observe changes in mesopelagic animal distribution and community structure in Monterey Bay over that time period. These changes can generally be associated with both short and long term changes in water mass structure, including some now being associated with climate change. This historical data set is becoming even more important as we begin to observe the effects of climate change on community structure and ecology in the midwater environment and try to predict the impact of future change. However, this data set comes at a high cost in ROV and support ship time required to conduct the surveys. In order to sustain these surveys into the future, a more cost effective approach is required. In an effort to reduce cost, improve methodology and develop a system that has the potential to be exported to other institutions, MBARI has developed a high definition video module to be deployed on its Dorado class autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). This paper explores the challenges of this development, the chosen solutions, and presents early data derived from our initial inter-comparisons of video collected concurrently with MBARI's ROV and midwater imaging AUV.
Resizable, scalable, concurrent hash tables via relativistic programming

We present algorithms for shrinking and expanding a hash table while allowing concurrent, wait-free, linearly scalable lookups. These resize algorithms allow Read-Copy Update (RCU) hash tables to maintain constant-time performance as the number of entries grows, and reclaim memory as the number of entries decreases, without delaying or disrupting readers. We call the resulting data structure a relativistic hash table. Benchmarks of relativistic hash tables in the Linux kernel show that lookup scalability during resize improves 125x over reader-writer locking, and 56% over Linux's current state of the art. Relativistic hash lookups experience no performance degradation during a resize. Applying this algorithm to memcached removes a scalability limit for get requests, allowing memcached to scale linearly and service up to 46% more requests per second. Relativistic hash tables demonstrate the promise of a new concurrent programming methodology known as relativistic programming. Relativistic programming makes novel use of existing RCU synchronization primitives, namely the wait-for-readers operation that waits for unfinished readers to complete. This operation, conventionally used to handle reclamation, here allows ordering of updates without read-side synchronization or memory barriers.
Biomarkers To Predict Outcome after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant (HCT).

Abstract Two tools have recently been developed to predict allogeneic HCT tolerance: the HCT-comorbidity index (HCT-CI) (Sorror, Blood 2005) and “risk group” (Artz BBMT, 2006). The HCT-CI focuses on a comprehensive list of comorbidities whereas the “risk group” combines a simple comorbidity tool and performance status to identify patients at high risk for transplant-related mortality (TRM) and inferior survival. However, clinical parameters have limitations of reproducibility and accuracy. Biomarkers represent another promising method of risk stratification. Thus, we analyzed whether biomarkers independently predicted HCT tolerance. Among 112 consecutive transplants on a single protocol, 81 patients with pre-HCT cryopreserved sera underwent analysis of C-reactive protein (CRP) and 79 of interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. AML and MDS represented the most common diagnosis (57%). All patients underwent HCT using fludarabine (125 mg/m2 IV total), melphalan (140 mg/m2 IV total) and alemtuzumab (100 mg IV total). The median age was 52 yrs and 46% had active disease at HCT. The median follow-up was 42 months. To determine tolerance, we evaluated initial hospital duration, aGVHD, and TRM. Median duration of initial hospitalization for HCT was 23 days and Grade II–IV aGVHD developed in 30 pts. Day 100 and day 180 TRM were 17% and 23% respectively. The median pre-HCT CRP level was 18.5 mg/L (mean, 40.5 mg/L; range, 0.17 to 180). The median IL-6 was 78.3 mg/L (range, 10 to 2258). CRP and IL-6 above the median were tested as adverse risk factors. High CRP was strongly associated with prolonged hospitalization (P=0.007) whereas increased IL-6 was not (P=0.30). HCT-comorbidity index (HCT-CI) ≥ 3(P=0.126) and “risk-group” (P=0.091) did not confer an increased risk of prolonged hospitalization. In univariate analysis, CRP above the median also predicted for grade II–IV aGVHD (P= 0.003). TRM was predicted by CRP (P=0.013) but not IL-6 (P=0.22). Multivariate analysis showed CRP retained independent predictive value for TRM when considering adverse risk factors of age ≥50, HCT-CI ≥ 3, active disease, or “risk group”. The impact of these biomarkers was limited to HCT tolerance as CRP and IL-6 did not predict for increased relapse (P=0.42 for both). Finally, inferior overall survival was associated with pre-HCT CRP (P= 0.029) but not IL-6 (P= 0.48). CRP holds promise as a reproducible biomarker to predict HCT related morbidity and mortality independent of standard measures. IL-6 may be less useful. These findings require validation, but because of the ready availability and reproducibility of CRP, this biomarker could be rapidly integrated into other HCT risk-assessment tools. P value for Transplant-Related Mortality Predictive Factor Univariate Multivariate Age 0.27 0.79 Disease 0.16 0.26 HCT-CI 0.79 0.98 Risk Group 0.11 0.061 C-reactive protein 0.013 0.047 Interleukin-6 0.22 - HCT- CI-hematopoietic cell transplant comorbidity index
Numbers and brains.

The representation of discrete and continuous quantities appears to be ancient and pervasive in animal brains. Because numbers are the natural carriers of these representations, we may discover that in brains, it’s numbers all the way down.
Consequences of severe habitat fragmentation on density, genetics, and spatial capture-recapture analysis of a small bear population

Loss and fragmentation of natural habitats caused by human land uses have subdivided several formerly contiguous large carnivore populations into multiple small and often isolated subpopulations, which can reduce genetic variation and lead to precipitous population declines. Substantial habitat loss and fragmentation from urban development and agriculture expansion relegated the Highlands-Glades subpopulation (HGS) of Florida, USA, black bears (Ursus americanus floridanus) to prolonged isolation; increasing human land development is projected to cause ≥ 50% loss of remaining natural habitats occupied by the HGS in coming decades. We conducted a noninvasive genetic spatial capture-recapture study to quantitatively describe the degree of contemporary habitat fragmentation and investigate the consequences of habitat fragmentation on population density and genetics of the HGS. Remaining natural habitats sustaining the HGS were significantly more fragmented and patchier than those supporting Florida’s largest black bear subpopulation. Genetic diversity was low (AR = 3.57; HE = 0.49) and effective population size was small (NE = 25 bears), both of which remained unchanged over a period spanning one bear generation despite evidence of some immigration. Subpopulation density (0.054 bear/km2) was among the lowest reported for black bears, was significantly female-biased, and corresponded to a subpopulation size of 98 bears in available habitat. Conserving remaining natural habitats in the area occupied by the small, genetically depauperate HGS, possibly through conservation easements and government land acquisition, is likely the most important immediate step to ensuring continued persistence of bears in this area. Our study also provides evidence that preferentially placing detectors (e.g., hair traps or cameras) primarily in quality habitat across fragmented landscapes poses a challenge to estimating density-habitat covariate relationships using spatial capture-recapture models. Because habitat fragmentation and loss are likely to increase in severity globally, further investigation of the influence of habitat fragmentation and detector placement on estimation of this relationship is warranted.
The myth of the consumption-oriented economy and the rise of the desiring subject

L'A. denonce le mythe qui voit dans l'avenement de l'economie orientee vers la consommation un facteur de bouleversement de la subjectivite. Il decrit de quelle maniere John Kenneth Galbraith, Vance Packard ou encore Daniel Horowitz envisagent l'apparition de ce nouveau type d'economie. L'A. se demande si la publicite, en suscitant le desir individuel, permet veritablement de resoudre, pour le capitalisme, le probleme de la demande. Il s'efforce de verifier l'hypothese selon laquelle le developpement de la subjectivite centree sur le desir est liee a la transition, au debut du 20 e siecle, d'une economie a faible niveau de production, reposant sur l'epargne, a une economie a niveau de production important reposant sur la consommation. Il presente un certain nombre de donnees collectees aux Etats-Unis entre 1869 et 1929. Il analyse l'evolution de l'epargne, du Produit national brut, de la prodution d'equipement industriels, de la production de biens, de la consommation par secteur d'activite
Ear to the ground or useless entities? Citizen journalism and mainstream media in India

Citizen journalism is on the rise in India. Through the lens of the intermedia agenda setting theory, content analysis and qualitative interviews, this study looks at how one citizen led media outl...
Sleep in a large, multi-university sample of college students: sleep problem prevalence, sex differences, and mental health correlates.

Abstract Objectives To (1) describe sleep problems in a large, multi-university sample of college students; (2) evaluate sex differences; and (3) examine the unique associations of mental health symptoms (i.e., anxiety, depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder inattention [ADHD-IN], ADHD hyperactivity-impulsivity [ADHD-HI]) in relation to sleep problems. Methods 7,626 students (70% female; 81% White) ages 18-29 years (M=19.14, SD=1.42) from six universities completed measures assessing mental health symptoms and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results A substantial minority of students endorsed sleep problems across specific sleep components. Specifically, 27% described their sleep quality as poor, 36% reported obtaining less than 7 hours of sleep per night, and 43% reported that it takes >30 minutes to fall asleep at least once per week. 62% of participants met cut-off criteria for poor sleep, though rates differed between females (64%) and males (57%). In structural regression models, both anxiety and depression symptoms were uniquely associated with disruptions in most PSQI sleep component domains. However, anxiety (but not depression) symptoms were uniquely associated with more sleep disturbances and sleep medication use, whereas depression (but not anxiety) symptoms were uniquely associated with increased daytime dysfunction. ADHD-IN symptoms were uniquely associated with poorer sleep quality and increased daytime dysfunction, whereas ADHD-HI symptoms were uniquely associated with more sleep disturbances and less daytime dysfunction. Lastly, ADHD-IN, anxiety, and depression symptoms were each independently associated with poor sleep status. Conclusions This study documents a high prevalence of poor sleep among college students, some sex differences, and distinct patterns of mental health symptoms in relation to sleep problems.
Selective dopaminergic neurotoxicity of three heterocyclic amine subclasses in primary rat midbrain neurons.

Abstract Heterocyclic amines (HCAs) are primarily produced during high temperature meat cooking. These compounds have been intensively investigated as mutagens and carcinogens. However, converging data suggest that HCAs may also be neurotoxic and potentially relevant to neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). The identification of new potential etiological factors is important because most PD cases are sporadic. Our group previously showed that 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) was selectively neurotoxic to dopaminergic neurons. However, PhIP is one of many HCAs, a class of compounds that exhibits wide structural variability. The goal of this study was to determine the neurotoxicity of the most prevalent and best studied HCAs from three subclasses: aminoimidazoaazarenes (AIA), α-carbolines, and β-carbolines. Using E17 rat primary midbrain cultures, we tested dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic neurotoxicity elicited by the following compounds: 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ), 2-amino-3,8-dimethylmidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (4,8-DiMeIQx), PhIP, 1-methyl-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole (harmane), 9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole (norharmane) and 2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (AαC) at concentrations ranging from 100 nM–5 μM. All tested HCAs were selectively neurotoxic, though the dose required to elicit selective loss of dopaminergic neurons or decreases in dopaminergic neurite length was compound specific. Non-dopaminergic neurons were unaffected at all tested doses. The sensitivity (determined by threshold dose required to elicit selective neurotoxicity) appears to be unrelated to published mutagenic potency. Both AIA and α/β-carbolines produced oxidative damage, which was magnified in dopaminergic neurons vs. non-dopaminergic neurons as further evidence of selective neurotoxicity. These studies are expected to prompt clinical and mechanistic studies on the potential role of HCA exposure in PD.
Projections of Climate Change Effects on Water Temperature Characteristics of Small Lakes in the Contiguous U.S.

To simulate effects of projected climate change on water temperature characteristics of small lakes in the contiguous U.S., a deterministic, one-dimensional year-round water temperature model is applied. In cold regions the model simulates ice and snow cover on a lake. The lake parameters required as model input are surface area, maximum depth, and Secchi depth as a measure of radiation attenuation and trophic state. The model is driven by daily weather data. Weather records from 209 stations in the contiguous U.S. for the period 1961–1979 were used to represent present climate conditions. The projected climate change owing to a doubling of atmospheric CO2 was obtained from the output of the Canadian Climate Center General Circulation Model. The simulated water temperature and ice characteristics are related to the geometric and trophic state lake characteristics and to geographic location. By interpolation, the sensitivity of lake water temperature characteristics to latitude, longitude, lake geometry and trophic status can therefore be quantified for small lakes in the contiguous U.S. The 2× CO2 climate scenario is projected to increase maximum and minimum lake surface temperatures by up to 5.2°C. (Maximum surface water temperatures in lakes near the northern and the southern border of the contiguous U.S. currently differ by up to 13°C.) Maximum temperature differences between lake surface and lake bottom are projected to increase in average by only 1 to 2°C after climate warming. The duration of seasonal summer stratification is projected to be up to 66 days longer under a 2×CO2 climate scenario. Water temperatures of less than 8°C are projected to occur on lake bottoms during a period which is on the order of 50 days shorter under a 2×CO2 climate scenario. With water temperature change projected to be as high as 5.2°C, ecological impacts such as shifts in species distributions and in fish habitat are most likely. Ice covers on lakes of northern regions would also be changed strongly.
Genetic evaluation of an index of birth weight and yearling weight to improve efficiency of beef production

The CGC population is a stabilized composite of 1/2 Red Angus, 1/4 Charolais, and 1/4 Tarentaise germplasm. The objectives of this research were to estimate genetic parameters for weight traits of CGC and to evaluate genetic responses resulting from selection based on the following index: I = 365-d weight 3.2(birth weight). Phenotypes evaluated were birth weight (n = 5,083), 200-d weight (n = 4,902), 365-d weight (n = 4,626), and the index. In addition, there were 1,433 cows with at least one recorded weight, and 4,375 total observations of cow weight collected at the time their calves were weaned. In 1989, a randomly selected control line and a line selected for greater values of the index were established. Average generation intervals were 3.16 +/- 0.04 and 3.90 +/- 0.08 yr in the index and control lines, respectively. The index selection line (n = 950) accumulated approximately 212 kg more selection differential than the control line over three generations (n = 912). Heritability estimates for direct effects were 0.32 +/- 0.04, 0.49 +/- 0.05, 0.49 +/- 0.05, 0.30 +/- 0.04, and 0.70 +/- 0.04 for the index, birth weight, 365-d weight, 200-d weight, and cow weight, respectively. Heritability estimates for maternal effects were 0.05 +/- 0.02, 0.11 +/- 0.03, 0.04 +/- 0.02, and 0.19 +/- 0.04 for the index, birth weight, 365-d weight, and 200-d weight, respectively. In the control line, direct genetic changes for the index and its components were small. For the index selection line, direct genetic changes for the index, birth weight, 365-d weight, 200-d weight, and cow weight were 6.0 +/- 0.3, 0.45 +/- 0.09, 7.74 +/- 0.55, 3.42 +/- 0.25, and 6.3 +/- 0.9 kg/generation, respectively. Maternal genetic changes were generally small for both the control and index selection lines. Thus, selection for the index produced positive correlated responses for direct genetic effects on BW traits at all ages, with only minor effects on maternal genetic effects. Results demonstrate that despite a genetic antagonism that compromises selection response for decreased birth weight and increased postnatal growth, favorable genetic responses can be achieved with the selection index used in this study.
Using CAD Tools for Embedded System Design: Obstacles Encountered in an Automotive Case Study

Historically, digital system CAD research has emphasized increasing the size and complexity of the largest feasible design. However, the success of embedded system design efforts may depend more on design exibility and lifecycle cost optimization than on an ability to synthesize hardware containing millions of transistors. This paper reports the results of a case study using a commercial CAD tool to redesign an automotive electronics product. Although the tool was in fact able to perform the required design synthesis, the case study uncovered obstacles to the adoption of CAD tools by some classes of embedded system designers.
Utility of screening echocardiogram after endomyocardial biopsy for identification of cardiac perforation or tricuspid valve injury.

Per protocol, our institution obtains echocardiograms immediately after each EMB to rule out procedural complication. We sought to determine the incidence of echocardiogram-detected cardiac perforation and TV injury and to evaluate the utility of routine screening echocardiogram after each EMB in the current era. At a single center, 99% (1917/1942) EMB performed in 162 patients were immediately followed by an echocardiogram per protocol. There were five newly diagnosed pericardial effusions, and only one required pericardiocentesis. In the three echocardiograms demonstrating new flail TV, only one patient underwent surgical repair 2 months later. This study demonstrates the very low incidence of significant hemopericardium and TV injury after EMB in pediatric heart transplant recipients and argues against the utility of post-EMB echocardiograms to screen solely for procedural complications.
A new congenital myopathy

A case of non-progressive congenital myopathy is described in which there was absence of muscles and scapulo-peroneal distribution of weakness. The muscle biopsy showed preferential atrophy of Type I fibers and subsarcolemal bodies. These bodies were composed of an acidic protein with sulphahydryl groups which showed acid stable adenosine triphosphatase activity. The possibility of a maturational arrest as a cause is presented.
The use of model constructs to design collaborative health information technologies: A case study to support child development.

Abstract Objective Health information technology could provide valuable support for inter-professional collaboration to address complex health issues, but current HIT systems do not adequately support such collaboration. Existing theoretical research on supporting collaborative work can help inform the design of collaborative HIT systems. Using the example of supporting collaboration between child development service providers, we describe a deductive approach that leverages concepts from the literature and analyzes qualitative user-needs data to aid in collaborative system design. Materials and Methods We use the Collaboration Space Model to guide the deductive qualitative analysis of interviews focused on the use of information technology to support child development. We deductively analyzed 44 interviews from two separate research initiatives and included data from a wide range of stakeholder groups including parents and various service providers. We summarized the deductively coded interview excerpts using quantitative and qualitative methods. Results The deductive analysis method provided a rich set of design data, highlighting heterogeneity in work processes, barriers to adequate communication, and gaps in stakeholder knowledge in supporting child development work. Discussion Deductive qualitative analysis considering constructs from a literature-based model provided useful, actionable data to aid in design. Design implications underscore functions needed to adequately share data across many stakeholders. More work is needed to validate our design implications and to better understand the situations where specific system features would be most useful. Conclusions Deductive analysis considering model constructs provides a useful approach to designing collaborative HIT systems, allowing designers to consider both empirical user data and existing knowledge from the literature. This method has the potential to improve designs for collaborative HIT systems.
Manipulating network traffic to evade stepping-stone intrusion detection

Abstract Since stepping-stones were widely used to launch attacks over the targets on the Internet, many approaches have been developed to detect stepping-stone intrusion. We found that most of the approaches need to sniff and analyze computer network traffic to detect stepping-stone intrusion. In this paper, we introduce how to make a C# program to sniff TCP/IP packets from an interactive TCP session to help researchers to design more advanced tools for detecting stepping-stone intrusion. But some intruders can evade detection by using TCP/IP session manipulation, such as chaff-perturbation. In order to help researchers to understand how a session is chaffed and develop new tools not only to detect stepping-stone intrusion, but also to resist intruders’ chaff manipulation, we develop a C# program to inject meaningless packets into a TCP/IP session across the Internet.
Clinical Guideline Highlights for the Hospitalist: Maintenance Intravenous Fluids in Infants and Children

GUIDELINE TITLE 2018 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Clinical Practice Guideline: Maintenance Intravenous Fluids in Children RELEASE DATE: November 26, 2018 PRIOR VERSION: Not Applicable DEVELOPER: Multidisciplinary subcommittee of experts assembled by the AAP FUNDING SOURCE: AAP TARGET POPULATION: Patients 28 days to 18 years of age requiring maintenance intravenous fluids (IVFs).
The Relationship of Cognitive Function and Hearing Loss of the Elderly in the Audiologist Field

Background: Hearing loss related to age decline is well-known as presbycusis. There is approximately a half dozen types of presbycusis that include various sites of lesion which impact the effect of presbycusis on a person. Known types include sensory, neural, metabolic, mechanical, central, and indeterminate. It is difficult to for a hearing healthcare professional to know with certainty where the site of lesion is for the person affected by hearing loss; therefore, it is likely that presbycusis is a mixture of types as the audiometric configuration looks different for each person. Despite frequent differences in hearing test results, a generally “classic” display of presbycusis includes bilaterally (relatively) symmetric SNHL, absent or partial recruitment, negative history of noise exposure, and phonemic regression within word recognition scores. Discussion: It is crucial to understand that while the hearing system plays a large function role of moving sound through the ear and to the brain, the brain works diligently to process sound and bring meaning and understanding to the forefront. This means the ears and brain work together to listen to auditory stimulus and understand auditory stimulus. When either part of this system malfunctions, it can create a cause-and-effect action. Cognition is vital for mental health, capacity, and stability; however, aging is part of a natural process that not only impacts cognition, but also the ability to hear. This article focuses and discusses how aging can negatively impact both cognition and hearing. Conclusion: As aging ensues, decrease in cognitive function and hearing can be a hard transition to handle, mentally and emotionally. Sometimes, cognitive decline can be experienced first and then impact hearing or vice versa. However, hearing healthcare professionals are trained to handle how the synergistic effects of aging, cognition, and hearing loss impact the aging individual.
Transient dynamics, damping, and mode coupling of nonlinear systems with internal resonances

The study of both linear and nonlinear structural vibrations routinely circles the concise yet complex problem of choosing a set of coordinates which yield simple equations of motion. In both experimental and mathematical methods, that choice is a difficult one because of measurement, computational, and interpretation difficulties. Often times, researchers choose to solve their problems in terms of linear, undamped mode shapes because they are easy to obtain; however, this is known to give rise to complicated phenomena such as mode coupling and internal resonance. This work considers the nature of mode coupling and internal resonance in systems containing non-proportional damping, linear detuning, and cubic nonlinearities through the method of multiple scales as well as instantaneous measures of effective damping. The energy decay observed in the structural modes is well approximated by the slow-flow equations in terms of the modal amplitudes, and it is shown how mode coupling enhances the damping observed in the system. Moreover, in the presence of a 3:1 internal resonance between two modes, the nonlinearities not only enhance the dissipation, but can allow for the exchange and transfer of energy between the resonant modes. However, this exchange depends on the resonant phase between the modes and is proportional to the energy in the lowest mode. The results of the analysis tie together interpretations used by both experimentalists and theoreticians to study such systems and provide a more concrete way to interpret these phenomena.
Economics, Regulations, and Trends in Practice

This chapter presents an overview of patient care practice patterns of rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) for fine needle aspiration (FNA) or imaging-guided biopsy, with a focus on the professionals performing ROSE, laboratory resource utilization, economics of reimbursement, and trends in the future practice of ROSE.
Fertilizing Containerized Atlantic White Cedar Seedlings

Abstract Containerized Atlantic white cedar [Chamaecyparis thyoides (L.) B.S.P.] seedlings were fertilized with five rates (0.0, 2.4, 4.8, 7.2, and 9.6 kg/m3) (0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 lb/yd3) of contro...
Accuracy and precision of 3D-printed implant surgical guides with different implant systems: An in vitro study.

Abstract Statement of problem Implant guided surgery systems promise implant placement accuracy and precision beyond straightforward nonguided surgery. Recently introduced in-office stereolithography systems allow clinicians to produce implant surgical guides themselves. However, different implant designs and osteotomy preparation protocols may produce accuracy and precision differences among the different implant systems. Purpose The purpose of this in vitro study was to measure the accuracy and precision of 3 implant systems, Tapered Internal implant system (BioHorizons) (BH), NobelReplace Conical (Nobel Biocare) (NB), and Tapered Screw-Vent (Zimmer Biomet) (ZB) when in-office fabricated surgical guides were used. Material and methods A cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) data set of an unidentified patient missing a maxillary right central incisor and intraoral scans of the same patient were used as a model. A software program (3Shape Implant Studio) was used to plan the implant treatment with the 3 implant systems. Three implant surgical guides were fabricated by using a 3D printer (Form 2), and 30 casts were printed. A total of 10 implants for each system were placed in the dental casts by using the manufacturer's recommended guided surgery protocols. After implant placement, postoperative CBCT images were made. The CBCT cast and implant images were superimposed onto the treatment-planning image. The implant positions, mesiodistal, labiopalatal, and vertical, as well as implant angulations were measured in the labiolingual and mesiodistal planes. The displacements from the planning in each dimension were recorded. ANOVA with the Tukey adjusted post hoc pairwise comparisons were used to examine the accuracy and precision of the 3 implant systems (α=.05). Results The overall implant displacements were −0.02 ±0.13 mm mesially (M), 0.07 ±0.14 mm distally (D), 0.43 ±0.57 mm labially (L), and 1.26 ±0.80 mm palatally (P); 1.20 ±3.01 mm vertically in the mesiodistal dimension (VMD); 0.69 ±2.03 mm vertically in the labiopalatal dimension (VLP); 1.69 ±1.02 degrees in mesiodistal angulation (AMD); and 1.56 ±0.92 degrees in labiopalatal angulation (ALP). Statistically significant differences (ANOVA) were found in M (P=.026), P (P=.001), VMD (P=.009), AMD (P=.001), and ALP (P=.001). ZB showed the most displacements in the M and vertical dimensions and the least displacements in the P angulation (P Conclusions Dimensional and angulation displacements of guided implant systems by in-office 3D-printed fabrication were within clinically acceptable limits: