cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lipoxygenase product formation and cell adhesion during neutrophil-glomerular endothelial cell interaction

Leukotriene (LT) and lipoxin (LX) levels were monitored in ionophore-stimulated coincubations of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and microvascular kidney glomerular endothelial cells (GEN) to determine the profile of lipoxygenase (LO) products generated during cell-cell interactions and the relative contributions of transcellular pathways to LO product biosynthesis in this setting. LTB4 and LTC4 were the major products formed, as determined by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassay. LTB4 and LTC4 levels were increased by 23 and 185%, respectively, in coincubations of PMN and GEN, compared with incubations of PMN alone. In contrast, LXA4 and LXB4 levels were not changed in the presence of GEN. These data suggested that GEN utilize PMN-derived LTA4 to generate LT. In keeping with this hypothesis, LT biosynthesis was enhanced if PMN were primed with human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), a cytokine that augments LTA4 biosynthesis by activated PMN. The influence of LT on PMN adhesion to GEN was also assessed, since adhesion appears to be a pivotal event in recruitment of PMN in acute glomerulonephritis. Under basal conditions, LTB4 provoked low levels of adhesion via a PMN-directed CD11/CD18-dependent mechanism. The level of adhesion was markedly enhanced by prior priming of PMN with GM-CSF or activation of GEN with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF). LTB4 was as potent in this regard as the complement component C5a, platelet-activating factor (PAF), and interleukin-8 (IL-8), other mediators that contribute to the entrapment of PMN in inflamed glomeruli. LTC4 also provoked PMN-GEN adhesion via a CD11/CD18-dependent mechanism, but, in contrast to LTB4, via actions with GEN. This action of LTC4 appeared to be mediated, at least in part, by induction of PAF synthesis by GEN. Interestingly, LT-induced PMN-GEN adhesion was markedly attenuated following remodeling of PMN phospholipids with 15(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, a product of 15-LO, which has been implicated as an anti-inflammatory eicosanoid in some experimental and human inflammatory diseases. Taken together, these results provide further evidence that 1) transcellular biosynthetic pathways may amplify the profiles of inflammatory mediators and thereby contribute to leukocyte recruitment in acute glomerulonephritis and 2) that products of the 5-LO and 15-LO pathways may exert opposing actions on PMN trafficking during glomerular inflammation in vivo.
Actuator lifetime predictions for Ni60Ti40 shape memory alloy plate actuators

Shape memory alloys (SMAs), due to their ability to repeatedly recover substantial deformations under applied mechanical loading, have the potential to impact the aerospace, automotive, biomedical, and energy industries as weight and volume saving replacements for conventional actuators. While numerous applications of SMA actuators have been flight tested and can be found in industrial applications, these actuators are generally limited to non-critical components, are not widely implemented and frequently one-off designs, and are generally overdesigned due to a lack of understanding of the effect of the loading path on the fatigue life and the lack of an accurate method of predicting actuator lifetimes. Previous efforts have been effective at predicting actuator lifetimes for isobaric dogbone test specimens. This study builds on previous work and investigates the actuation fatigue response of plate actuators with various stress concentrations through the use of digital image correlation and finite element simulations.
I. Nutrient intake from food and from supplements: Dietary status of lactating women

With breast-feeding reportedly on the increase, it is important to know the dietary intakes of women to support this practice.
Challenging Perceptions of the Health Team Members1

In this “professional polemic,” the author—a member of The A.n.A Advisory Hoard—examines developing trends to promote better health care by enlarging the health team through the use of lesser trained personnel. In so doing, he adjures the dietetic profession to share responsibilities with, rather than delegate duties to, such assistants.
Advances and perspectives in heart surgery

Significant advances in five areas of cardiac surgery have contributed to better short and long term results. These include: the use of hypothermia and cardioplegic solutions for intraoperative myocardial protection. Improvement in design and hemodynamic characteristics of prosthetic valves. Refinements in electrosurgical techniques for the treatment of arrhythmias refractory to medical therapy. Improvement in circulatory assist devices including the total artificial heart, and significantly better results in heart transplants due to a better understanding of immunosuppression and infection control. Current information on these five areas is summarized.
Professor Arrow on the Social Discount Rate

In this section I briefly sketch an alternative conceptual framework for measuring the social rate of discount. In it, the discount rate is obtained by tracing through the effects of additional government borrowing on various classes of investment and saving. The resulting figure for the social rate of discount is a weighted average of the marginal rates of productivity of capital in the various sectors from which investment is displaced and of the marginal rates of time preference applicable to the various groups (if any) whose saving is stimulated (through higher interest rates) by the additional government borrowing.
The Critique of Neoclassical Macroeconomics Summarised

The purpose of this book has been to analyse critically neoclassical macroeconomics as it is taught. The presentation has gone into considerable detail, and the reader might have lost track of the basic purpose of the critique. The basic purpose has been to refute the fundamental macroeconomic ‘parables’ of neoclassical theory: (1) other things equal, more employment requires a lower ‘real wage’ (commodity wage); and (2) other things equal, increases in the price level are proportional to increases in the money supply. Each parable can be restated in the more journalistic and ideological form in which one frequently encounters them: (1) cutting wages will bring full employment; and (2) inflation is the result of increases in the money supply.
Synthesis and characterization of fluorinated azadipyrromethene complexes as acceptors for organic photovoltaics.

Homoleptic zinc(II) complexes of di(phenylacetylene)azadipyrromethene (e.g., Zn(WS3)2) are potential non-fullerene electron acceptors for organic photovoltaics. To tune their properties, fluorination of Zn(WS3)2 at various positions was investigated. Three fluorinated azadipyrromethene-based ligands were synthesized with fluorine at the para-position of the proximal and distal phenyl groups, and at the pyrrolic phenylacetylene moieties. Additionally, a CF3 moiety was added to the pyrrolic phenyl positions to study the effects of a stronger electron withdrawing unit at that position. The four ligands were chelated with zinc(II) and BF2+ and the optical and electrochemical properties were studied. Fluorination had little effect on the optical properties of both the zinc(II) and BF2+ complexes, with λmax in solution around 755 nm and 785 nm, and high molar absorptivities of 100 × 103 M−1cm−1 and 50 × 103 M−1cm−1, respectively. Fluorination of Zn(WS3)2 raised the oxidation potentials by 0.04 V to 0.10 V, and the reduction potentials by 0.01 V to 0.10 V, depending on the position and type of substitution. The largest change was observed for fluorine substitution at the proximal phenyl groups and CF3 substitution at the pyrrolic phenylacetylene moieties. The later complexes are expected to be stronger electron acceptors than Zn(WS3)2, and may enable charge transfer from other conjugated polymer donors that have lower energy levels than poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT).
Contention, Violence and Stalemate in Post-War Libya

Post-war Libya provides an interesting case study for how weakly institutionalized political opportunity structures shape and are shaped by decisions of emergent groups, especially newly mobilized ...
Electrochemical response studies of γ-Fe 2 O 3 -CH composite carbon paste modified electrode

γ-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles were synthesized by microwave method and characterized. The average particle size was found 22–50 nm by XRD and AFM. Chitosan was prepared from the crab shell and characterized. γ-Fe 2 O 3 -chitosan composite carbon paste modified electrode was prepared and characterized by using XRD, FT-IR and SEM technique. The electrochemical responses of this γ-Fe 2 O 3 -CH composite electrode have been studied in potassium ferrocyanide/KCl system using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The cyclic voltammetric and EIS studies indicated better electron transfer of γ-Fe 2 O 3 -CH composite(3:1) carbon paste modified electrodes compared to bare, γ-Fe 2 O 3 , chitosan composite electrodes. The surface parameters like surface coverage (τ), Diffusion coefficient (D 0 ), and rate constant (k S ) were studied. The shelf-life of the developed electrode system is about 12 weeks under refrigerated conditions.
The evolution of pace in popular movies

Movies have changed dramatically over the last 100 years. Several of these changes in popular English-language filmmaking practice are reflected in patterns of film style as distributed over the length of movies. In particular, arrangements of shot durations, motion, and luminance have altered and come to reflect aspects of the narrative form. Narrative form, on the other hand, appears to have been relatively unchanged over that time and is often characterized as having four more or less equal duration parts, sometimes called acts – setup, complication, development, and climax. The altered patterns in film style found here affect a movie’s pace: increasing shot durations and decreasing motion in the setup, darkening across the complication and development followed by brightening across the climax, decreasing shot durations and increasing motion during the first part of the climax followed by increasing shot durations and decreasing motion at the end of the climax. Decreasing shot durations mean more cuts; more cuts mean potentially more saccades that drive attention; more motion also captures attention; and brighter and darker images are associated with positive and negative emotions. Coupled with narrative form, all of these may serve to increase the engagement of the movie viewer.
Through-skull vasculature assessment using fluorescence brain imaging on murine models at around 800 nm

We describe a scanning near-infrared fluorescence imager for through-skull non-invasive brain imaging on live murine models. The captured photoluminescence feature through scattering media was enhanced using a high sensitivity scientific CMOS sensor with the obtained spatial resolution of 15.63 μm, depth of field of 5 mm and an average local signal-to-noise ratio of 37.5 dB.
A Multi-agent Parallel Approach to Analyzing Large Climate Data Sets

Despite various cloud technologies that have parallelized and scaled up big data analysis, they target data mostly in texts which are easy to partition and thus easy to map over a cluster system. Therefore, their parallelization do not necessarily cover scientific structured data such as NetCDF or need additional, user-provided tools to convert the original data into specific formats. To facilitate user-intuitive parallelization of such scientific data analysis, this paper presents an agent-based approach that instantiates distributed arrays over a cluster system, maintains structured scientific data in these arrays, deploys many mobile agents over the arrays to perform computational actions on data, and collects necessary results. To demonstrate the practicability of our agent-based approach, we focused on climate change research and implemented a web-interfaced climate analysis, using the MASS (multi-agent spatial simulation) library. In this paper, we show practical advantages of, performance improvements by, and challenges for our agent-based approach in structured data analysis.
Identification of genome-wide non-canonical spliced regions and analysis of biological functions for spliced sequences using Read-Split-Fly

It is generally thought that most canonical or non-canonical splicing events involving U2- and U12 spliceosomes occur within nuclear pre-mRNAs. However, the question of whether at least some U12-type splicing occurs in the cytoplasm is still unclear. In recent years next-generation sequencing technologies have revolutionized the field. The “Read-Split-Walk” (RSW) and “Read-Split-Run” (RSR) methods were developed to identify genome-wide non-canonical spliced regions including special events occurring in cytoplasm. As the significant amount of genome/transcriptome data such as, Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) project, have been generated, we have advanced a newer more memory-efficient version of the algorithm, “Read-Split-Fly” (RSF), which can detect non-canonical spliced regions with higher sensitivity and improved speed. The RSF algorithm also outputs the spliced sequences for further downstream biological function analysis. We used open access ENCODE project RNA-Seq data to search spliced intron sequences against the U12-type spliced intron sequence database to examine whether some events could occur as potential signatures of U12-type splicing. The check was performed by searching spliced sequences against 5’ss and 3’ss sequences from the well-known orthologous U12-type spliceosomal intron database U12DB. Preliminary results of searching 70 ENCODE samples indicated that the presence of 5’ss with U12-type signature is more frequent than U2-type and prevalent in non-canonical junctions reported by RSF. The selected spliced sequences have also been further studied using miRBase to elucidate their functionality. Preliminary results from 70 samples of ENCODE datasets show that several miRNAs are prevalent in studied ENCODE samples. Two of these are associated with many diseases as suggested in the literature. Specifically, hsa-miR-1273 and hsa-miR-548 are associated with many diseases and cancers. Our RSF pipeline is able to detect many possible junctions (especially those with a high RPKM) with very high overall accuracy and relative high accuracy for novel junctions. We have incorporated useful parameter features into the pipeline such as, handling variable-length read data, and searching spliced sequences for splicing signatures and miRNA events. We suggest RSF, a tool for identifying novel splicing events, is applicable to study a range of diseases across biological systems under different experimental conditions.
Obstetric Complications: Consumption Coagulopathy

Many disorders unique to pregnancy are associated with the development of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). These conditions include preeclampsia, placental abruption, septic abortion, fetal death in utero, and amniotic fluid embolus. Although the basic underlying clinical entities are very different, the same basic haemostatic problem develops. The normal mechanisms which control and regulate coagulation are disrupted. Thrombin production becomes excessive and rampant clot formation proceeds. In defense, the fibrinolytic system is activated, producing excess quantities of plasmin, in an attempt to lyse the fibrin clots. The action of plasmin leads to the production of fibrin degradation products and further disruption of coagulation. The patients’ clinical manifestations of this haemostatic disorder, DIC, will depend on a combination of several factors: 1) the patient’s basic underlying disease process, 2) the rate and duration of the coagulation system activation, and 3) the dominance of either the coagulation or fibrinolytic process. In order to diagnose and treat such patients who develop DIC, it is most helpful to review the basic pathophysiologic mechanisms that lead to disseminated intravascular coagulation. Once this basic foundation for understanding the process of DIC is established, the diagnosis and treatment of DIC and the unique problems associated with each clinical entity can be addressed.
Endoscopic Management of Hydrocephalus and Choroid Plexus Cauterization

Whereas the endoscope was already well established in urology before its introduction to neurosurgery, not surprisingly, it was a urologist, Dr. Victor de l’Espinasse, who first performed a neuroendoscopic procedure. In 1910, he inserted a cystoscope into the ventricle for resection of the choroid plexus for two infants with hydrocephalus (Zada et al., World Neurosurg 79:S3–13, 2013). This technique was subsequently refined by one of the pioneers of neuroendoscopy, Walter Dandy, over the next 20 years. Further technical developments by the 1960s revolutionized endoscopy and expanded its indications in neurosurgery. Optics had improved considerably and include the development of the rod-lens optical system by Hopkins in 1959 and the fiber-optic cold-light source by Karl Storz (Ishii and Gallia, Neurosurg Clin N Am 21:585–94, 2010). While the initial utilization of the endoscope was used primarily in the treatment of hydrocephalus, its current applications continue to expand, and the endoscope is now considered an invaluable tool for the treatment of intracranial tumors. Presently, endoscopic procedures for the management of hydrocephalus include endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), septum pellucidotomy, fenestration of intraventricular septations, cisternal interventions, placement and removal of catheters, and choroid plexus cauterization (CPP).
Computer Security and Public Key Cryptography

The problem of computer security arises in several contexts in this modern age where most computers are connected to the Internet. Being connected is of course valuable but it also means that the computer is liable to invasion by unfriendly external agents (sometimes called hackers) which inject viruses, which are insidious programs that can insert themselves into a computer’s operating system and cause serious damage in its executable functions and also possibly access confidential files. This raises problems in computer security. The problem of virus protection is treated by several software companies who sell their products to the computer owner. In this chapter, we are interested in another aspect of computer security which the computer owner can deal with directly. This is the problem of confidential (or secret) encrypted email. We have already mentioned that Turing worked on cryptography in World War 2.
Tobacco Smoke–Induced Immunologic Changes May Contribute to Oral Carcinogenesis

Objective The objective of this study was to determine if tobacco smoke (TS), a risk factor for cancers of the aerodigestive tract, may contribute to oral carcinogenesis, in part, by suppressing local immunity. Methods Mice were placed in Plexiglas holders in which they breathed TS through the nose and mouth for 1 hour daily for 21 days. Control mice breathed room air in the same manner. One day after the last exposure, mice were immunized by application of oxazolone to each buccal mucosa. Control mice were mock immunized by application of vehicle alone. Five days later, all mice were challenged on the ears with oxazolone, and 24-hour ear swelling assessed as contact hypersensitivity. Results Mice exposed to TS had a significantly smaller contact hypersensitivity response compared with controls. When subsequently reimmunized on the glabrous skin, mice originally primed through TS-exposed mucosa could not be fully immunized, indicating induction of immunologic tolerance by exposure to hapten through TS-perturbed mucosa. Immunocompetent mice exposed to TS in this manner and challenged by submucosal placement of a syngeneic malignant tumor had significantly increased tumor growth over time compared with controls. No difference in growth rate was observed when the experiment was performed with natural killer cell–deficient, SCID (severe combined immunodeficiency) mice. In addition, exposure of epidermal Langerhans cells in vitro to an aqueous extract of TS impaired their ability to undergo maturation and to present antigen to responsive T cells. Conclusions Immunologic changes induced in the oral cavity by exposure to TS may play a role in the development of oral cancers.
Characterization of backcross introgression lines derived from Oryza nivara accessions for photosynthesis and yield

Improvement of photosynthetic traits is a promising strategy to break the yield potential barrier of major food crops. Leaf photosynthetic traits were evaluated in a set of high yielding Oryza sativa, cv. Swarna × Oryza nivara backcross introgression lines (BILs) along with recurrent parent Swarna, both in wet (Kharif) and dry (Rabi) seasons in normal irrigated field conditions. Net photosynthesis (PN) ranged from 15.37 to 23.25 µmol (CO2) m−2 s−1 in the BILs. Significant difference in PN was observed across the seasons and genotypes. Six BILs showed high photosynthesis compared with recurrent parent in both seasons. Chlorophyll content showed minimum variation across the seasons for any specific BIL but significant variation was observed among BILs. Significant positive association between photosynthetic traits and yield traits was observed, but this association was not consistent across seasons mainly due to contrasting weather parameters in both seasons. BILs 166s and 248s with high and consistent photosynthetic rate exhibited stable high yield levels in both the seasons compared to the recurrent parent Swarna. There is scope to exploit photosynthetic efficiency of wild and weedy rice to identify genes for improvement of photosynthetic rate in cultivars.
Culturally congruent mentorship can reduce disruptive behavior among elementary school students: results from a pilot study

Our study objective was to examine the feasibility of implementing a culturally congruent mentorship pilot program, Youth-First (YF), that targets behavior modification among elementary school-aged children with disruptive behavior and a history of school suspension. We hypothesize that it is feasible to implement the YF program to reduce disruptive behaviors and recidivism of level III/IV infractions in school settings among at-risk African American students. We assessed program feasibility based on the success of program acceptance by parents/guardians, study enrollment, and intervention compliance by students. A pre/posttest study design was used to examine whether the YF program reduced recidivism of disruptive behavior among enrolled at-risk African American elementary school children between September 2016 and January 2017. Generalized linear mixed models examined whether student behavioral scores improved over time and varied by program mentor. A McNemar test examined the reduction in cumulative incidence of level III/IV infractions pre-post YF program intervention. Intervention acceptance, enrollment, and compliance were 100% (95% confidence interval [CI] 86 to 100%), 100% (95% CI 86 to 100%), and 67% (95% CI 45 to 84%), respectively (N = 24). Overall, student behavioral scores improved and plateaued over time (Time2 effect: b = − 0.01, 95% CI − 0.02, < 0.01); a two-week period was associated with a seven-point improvement (effect size: Cohen’s d = 0.47, 95% CI 0.03, 0.94) in behavioral scores. Behavioral score improvements were class-specific, based on respectfulness behavior (b = 0.11, 95% CI < 0.01, 0.26). No recidivism of level III/IV infractions was reported during and post YF intervention. The integration of culturally congruent mentorship in elementary school-settings is feasible and can reduce risk of disruptive behaviors among at-risk African American students. Future studies should use randomized clinical trials to determine the effectiveness of culturally congruent mentorship interventions (void of potential selection and confounding biases) in reducing disruptive behavior, level III/IV infractions, and school suspensions among at-risk children.
The Virtual Gratitude Visit (VGV): Using Psychodrama and Role-Playing as a Positive Intervention

Gratitude has been established as one of the leading interventions that can lead to sustainable happiness. This paper describes the virtual gratitude visit (VGV) selected for the inaugural Avant-Garde Clinical Intervention award at the 2017 International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA) conference in Montreal, Canada. The technique activates many therapeutic elements contained in the literature on gratitude, role-playing, and storytelling and is described for use by clinicians and coaches in both individual and group settings. The VGV uses role-playing with an empty chair, and a role-reversal to enact a gratitude visit. This extends the applicability of an expression of gratitude to include people who are unavailable; those who have passed on; “parts” of ourselves we have gratitude toward (such as a time when we had more resilience, grit, or joy in our lives); or expressed gratitude toward a higher power or entity. Additionally, the usefulness of the VGV as a non-reading and non-writing positive intervention could have tremendous value for the typically under-represented individuals of more than 775 million adults in the world who are illiterate.
CEO and Organizational Celebrity: Investigating Media Attributions and Organizational Agency

CEO and organizational celebrity are two important social approval assets that have relevant, yet different, effects on organizational decision making processes and performance (Rindova, Pollock, &...
Characterizing fracture response of cracked transversely graded materials

Abstract Property gradation along a crack front makes conventional fracture mechanics analyses challenging. This issue is addressed in the present study through a combination of full-field measurements and modeling. We develop a novel experimental setup that consists of a synchronous dual Digital Image Correlation (DIC) system, facilitating in situ measurement of displacement and strain fields on both sides of a transversely precracked multi-layered structure subjected to uniaxial tensile load. By measuring the evolution of stress intensity factors developed on the opposite sides of the sample, we explore the mechanisms of crack initiation and propagation in the examined graded sample. Our experimental measurements are supplemented by a finite element analysis that elucidates the deformation and fracture response of the internal layers for which surface measurement is not possible. Finally, based on experimental and numerical observations, we develop a simple model that allows for prediction of critical far-field loads at which transversely graded structures fail. The capability of our proposed model in predicting tensile failure loads is demonstrated through a brief study of the influence of gradient function on the load bearing and fracture resistance in various graded structures.
Development of High Efficiency Window Air Conditioner Using Propane under Limited Charge

Abstract The residential air conditioner market has a significant portion of window air conditioners (WAC). Due to the compact size and small refrigerant charge, WACs are most tolerant of flammable refrigerants. Hydrocarbon (HC) refrigerants are natural substances and have significantly better environmental impacts and lower costs than conventional refrigerants like R-410A and R-22. The paper aimed to develop a WAC prototype using propane (R-290) and verify the performance metrics in the laboratory. The key of developing the WAC using a flammable refrigerant is to control the refrigerant charge under the limit of building safety regulation with the performance meeting the Energy Star standard. To minimize the charge, compact heat exchangers were utilized. To achieve the target efficiency, we collaborated with a leading rotary compressor manufacturer to develop a compressor prototype specifically optimized for R-290, able to achieve superior energy efficiency. In addition, we conducted model-based investigations to identify further charge reduction potential. With using microchannel heat exchangers to replace the fin-and-tube condenser and evaporator, the system charge can be decreased to 150 g.
Fundamentals of Radiation Oncology for Neurologic Imaging

Although the physical and biologic principles of radiation therapy have remained relatively unchanged, a technologic renaissance has led to continuous and ever-changing growth in the field of radia...
Chapter 18 – Carbohydrate Structure

: Although carbohydrates are the most abundant compounds on earth, they normally constitute only about 1% of the mammalian organism. At rest, the central nervous system consumes more carbohydrate than any other organ system. Mammalian enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism recognize only the D-isomers. Fructose is a 6-carbon ketose found in sucrose. Maltose is an intermediate in the intestinal digestion of glycogen and starch. Monosaccharides such as galactose, glucose, ribose, and fructose usually exist in ring rather than linear forms. Reduction of NAD+ and NADP+ by dehydrogenases changes the character of the nicotinamide ring, with resultant changes in absorption spectra.
Diverse reproductive patterns of Bluehead Chub (Nocomis leptocephalus) and their relationships with nest size and interactions with an associate, Yellowfin Shiner (Notropis lutipinnis)

Nest construction by males is a common reproductive strategy in fishes, but little is known about intra-specific variation in nesting behavior and reproductive interactions with other species. In the southeastern USA, reproductive interactions between bluehead chub (Nocomis leptocephalus) and their nest associate, such as yellowfin shiner (Notropis lutipinnis), are mutualistic because the shiner requires chub nests to spawn but the chub also benefits from additional shiner eggs by reducing predation risk on their own eggs (i.e., dilution effect). As proxies for reproductive success of bluehead chub, we studied factors affecting their nest size variation and utilization by yellowfin shiner in three streams in the upper Piedmont region of South Carolina, USA. A total of 92 nests (71 spawned and 21 abandoned) were located, and we recorded spawning activity, nest size, number and size of male bluehead chub, number of yellowfin shiner, and environmental variables for 89 consecutive days in 2016. Path analysis showed that larger males spawned earlier in the season than smaller males, and instances of pebble re-use for nest construction increased through the spawning season, which extended from April to June. Larger males more likely shared the same nest with each other than smaller males, and larger or more males constructed larger nests and attracted more yellowfin shiner. Nest size also increased when males re-used substrate materials from old nests, and nests built in this manner (36 nests) were equally prevalent as newly constructed nests (35 nests). This study suggests that complex mechanisms mediate host nest size and interactions with nest associates, and individual variation likely shapes dynamics of the mutualistic reproductive interaction.
Diet Modifies Pioglitazone's Influence on Hepatic PPARγ-Regulated Mitochondrial Gene Expression.

Pioglitazone (Pio) is a thiazolidinedione (TZD) insulin-sensitizing drug whose effects result predominantly from its modulation of the transcriptional activity of peroxisome proliferator-activated-receptor-gamma (PPARγ). Pio is used to treat human insulin-resistant diabetes and also frequently considered for treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In both settings, Pio’s beneficial effects are believed to result primarily from its actions on adipose PPARγ activity, which improves insulin sensitivity and reduces the delivery of fatty acids to the liver. Nevertheless, a recent clinical trial showed variable efficacy of Pio in human NASH. Hepatocytes also express PPARγ, and such expression increases with insulin resistance and in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Furthermore, mice that overexpress hepatocellular PPARγ and Pio-treated mice with extrahepatic PPARγ gene disruption develop features of NAFLD. Thus, Pio’s direct impact on hepatocellular gene expression might also be a determinant of this drug’s ultimate influence on insulin resistance and NAFLD. Previous studies have characterized Pio’s PPARγ-dependent effects on hepatic expression of specific adipogenic, lipogenic, and other metabolic genes. However, such transcriptional regulation has not been comprehensively assessed. The studies reported here address that consideration by genome-wide comparisons of Pio’s hepatic transcriptional effects in wildtype (WT) and liver-specific PPARγ-knockout (KO) mice given either control or high-fat (HFD) diets. The results identify a large set of hepatic genes for which Pio’s liver PPARγ-dependent transcriptional effects are concordant with its effects on RXR-DNA binding in WT mice. These data also show that HFD modifies Pio’s influence on a subset of such transcriptional regulation. Finally, our findings reveal a broader influence of Pio on PPARγ-dependent hepatic expression of nuclear genes encoding mitochondrial proteins than previously recognized. Taken together, these studies provide new insights about the tissue-specific mechanisms by which Pio affects hepatic gene expression and the broad scope of this drug’s influence on such regulation.
Black and indigenous resistance in the Americas: from multiculturalism to racist Backlash: by Juliet Hooker, London, Lexington Books, 2020, x+330 pp., $115.00 / £88.00, ISBN 978-1-7936-1550-3

Black and Indigenous Resistance in the Americas: From Multiculturalism to Racist Backlash, examines the important question of what caused the contemporary white supremacist surge of racism in a reg...
A charged NET accelerates atherosclerosis in acute infections

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) accelerate vascular inflammation in a model of endotoxinemia.
Comparison of Phenotypic Characteristics and Prognosis Between Black and White Patients in a Tertiary ALS Clinic.

Objective To compare characteristics between Black and White patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in order to identify disparities and phenotypic variability. Methods We performed database review for patients seen between 1997 and 2020 at the Emory ALS Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Patients with ALS were included for analyses if race was self-reported as Black or White and symptom onset was prior to January 1, 2017. Variables examined include race, age at onset, diagnostic delay, site of onset, median income, C9orf72 mutation status, feeding tube and tracheostomy status, vital capacity, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale–revised(ALSFRS-R) score, and survival time. Results A total of 2,363 patient records were queried, and 1,298 were included in analysis; 203 self-identified as Black and 1,095 as White. Black patients had younger age at symptom onset, lower frequency of C9orf72 mutations, lower median income, longer diagnostic delay, and lower baseline ALSFRS-R and vital capacity compared to White patients. Black patients had a longer median survival than White patients; however, race was not an independent predictor of survival time when controlling for age at symptom onset, bulbar onset, and C9orf72 positivity. Conclusions Black patients with ALS had longer median survival compared to White patients, but race was not independently associated with survival after controlling for age, site of onset, and C9orf72 status, factors known to predict prognosis. Black patients with ALS had longer diagnostic delay and lower baseline ventilatory and functional status at first clinic visit compared to White patients, which could be suggestive of barriers to tertiary care. Further studies are needed to identify the underlying causes of ALS racial differences.
Rehabilitation Intensity and Patient Outcomes in Skilled Nursing Facilities in the United States: A Systematic Review.

Objective Exponential increases in rehabilitation intensity in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) motivated recent changes in Medicare reimbursement policies, which remove financial incentives for providing more minutes of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Yet, there is concern that SNFs will reduce therapy provision and patients will experience worse outcomes. The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesize current evidence on the relationship between therapy intensity and patient outcomes in SNFs. Methods PubMed, Medline, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, PEDro, and COCHRANE databases were searched. English-language studies published in the United States between 1998 and February 14, 2020, examining the relationship between therapy intensity and community discharge, hospital readmission, length of stay (LOS), and functional improvement for short-stay SNF patients were considered. Data extraction and risk of bias were performed using the American Academy of Neurology Classification of Evidence scale for causation questions. American Academy of Neurology criteria were used to assess confidence in the evidence for each outcome. Results Eight observational studies met inclusion criteria. There was moderate evidence that higher intensity therapy was associated with higher rates of community discharge and shorter LOS. One study provided very low-level evidence of associations between higher intensity therapy and lower hospital readmissions after total hip and knee replacement. There was low-level evidence indicating higher intensity therapy is associated with improvements in function. Conclusions This systematic review concludes with moderate confidence that higher intensity therapy in SNFs leads to higher community discharge rates and shorter LOS. Future research should improve quality of evidence on functional improvement and hospital readmissions. Impact This systematic review demonstrates that patients in SNFs may benefit from higher intensity therapy. Because new policies no longer incentivize intensive therapy, patient outcomes should be closely monitored to ensure patients in SNFs receive high-quality care.
Association Between Recommended Preconception Health Behaviors and Screenings and Improvements in Cardiometabolic Outcomes of Pregnancy.

Introduction Gestational diabetes (GDM) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are associated with increased risk of maternal and infant illness and long-term elevated cardiometabolic risk. Little information exists on the prevention of either disorder before pregnancy. Our goal was to describe the association between preconception indicators and risk of gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Methods We used logistic regression to analyze cross-sectional data from the 2016-2017 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (N = 68,493) to quantify the association between 14 preconception health indicators (across domains of health care, nutrition and physical activity, tobacco and alcohol, chronic conditions, mental health, and emotional and social support) and, separately, GDM and HDP. We accounted for sampling weights and controlled for maternal age, race/ethnicity, prepregnancy insurance, prepregnancy body mass index, and report of a check-up in the year before pregnancy. Results Prepregnancy obesity was the strongest predictor of both HDP (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.1; 95% CI, 2.8-3.5) and GDM (aOR, 3.1; 95% CI, 2.7-3.5). Individual behaviors (eg, exercise, attending a check-up) were not associated with either HDP or GDM. A diagnosis of diabetes before pregnancy predicted HDP (aOR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.7-3.0). Conclusion Prepregnancy chronic disease and obesity predicted pregnancy complications (ie, GDM and HDP). Given the challenges in reversing these conditions in the year before pregnancy, efforts to improve preconception health may be best directed broadly to expand access to primary care for all women.
Langerhans cell histiocytosis: Presentation in a preterm neonate

Background Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disorder in which Langerhans cells (LC) accumulate in the skin or other organs and cause tumor formation or organ damage. Cutaneous lesions can vary widely and do not predict extent of systemic disease or prognosis. Case We present a premature infant with skin findings, multisystem involvement, and immunohistochemical markers consistent with multisystem LCH. Conclusion Limited data from preterm neonates with LCH suggest that prognosis is particularly poor, with even limited cutaneous disease often rapidly progressing to become fatal, although diagnosis is not always prompt. Early diagnosis and treatment may affect prognosis.
Temperature Dependency of Thixotropic Behavior of Whole Human Blood

Whole human blood was recently established as a thixotropic fluid whose apparent viscosity depends on the shear rate as well as the duration of the shear. The rheograms which characterize a thixo tropic fluid, the hysteresis loop and the torque-decay curve, were observed in whole human blood samples. These rheograms can be represented by a rheological equation developed by Huang. The thixo tropic parameters of the equation can be used to calculate the apparent viscosity of a whole human blood sample under different flow conditions.In addition, they supply certain unique information which can’t be obtained by conventional viscosity measurement of blood. This information includes the relative amount of erythrocytes in rouleaux formation, the rate constant of breakdown of rouleaux into individual red cells induced by a shear stress, the initial stress to start the blood flow, the Newtonian and non-Newtonian contribution of viscosity, etc. In this communication, we report the temperature dependency of these thixotropic parameters of blood samples taken from apparently healthy human subject. The temperature ranged from 22.8 to 41°C. Rheograms were measured of each whole blood sample via a Weissenberg Rheogoniometer modified with an electronic continuous drive system. Thixotropic parameters of the sample were calculated by a digital computer via a non-linear regression analysis program. Our results show the following original findings which will be of interest to biorheologists as well as physiologists. When these thixotropic parameters were plotted against the reciprocal absolute temperature, it was found that the yield stress, the Newtonian contribution of viscosity, the relative amount of rouleaux, the apparent viscosity and the non-Newtonian contribution of viscosity are all at a minimum value at 37°C. The rate constant of rouleaux breakdown to individual red cells has a linear relationship with a negative slope, from which, the activ ation energy of the rouleaux breakdown reaction can be evaluated. It is also found that the mechanicism of rouleaux breakdown reaction is independent of temperature.
Phenomenology of Polymer Solution Dynamics: The dynamic structure factor

Introduction We now consider measurements of the dynamic structure factor S ( q,t ) of substantially monodisperse polymers. The work here represents a sixth application of light scattering spectroscopy, as discussed in Chapter 4, to solution dynamics. Prior Chapters 6, 7, 8, and 9 included light scattering determinations of segmental motion, self- and tracer diffusion, rotational diffusion, and probe diffusion. The immediately prior chapter included light scattering spectra of colloidal systems, in which the underlying forces (hydrodynamic, volume exclusion) are much the same as in polymer solutions. Monodisperse solutions of flexible coils present new complications not seen in earlier discussions of light scattering spectroscopy. Light scattering measurements of rotational and segmental diffusion are only sensitive to a single “internal” variable, an orientation vector or tensor. Self- and tracer diffusion use dilute scattering chains in the presence of a nonscattering matrix, at small scattering vector q ; neither chain internal modes nor interference between scattering from pairs of tracer chains affects the scattering spectrum. Scattering from colloids and optical probes examines center-of-mass motion of rigid particles that have no significant internal modes. Here the scattering polymer coils are flexible and often are nondilute, so light scattering spectra include relaxations arising from single-chain center-of-mass displacements, relative motions of chain segments on a single chain, and correlations between positions and motions of chain segments on pairs of chains.
Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act: What Every Physician Should Know About the Federal Antidumping Law

Since 1986, the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) has imposed an obligation on hospitals and physicians to evaluate and stabilize patients who present to a hospital ED seeking care. Available sanctions for noncompliance include fines, damages awarded in civil litigation, and exclusion from Medicare. EMTALA uses several terms that are familiar to physicians (eg, "emergency medical condition," "stabilize," and "transfer"), but the statutory definitions do not map neatly onto the way in which these terms are used and understood in clinical settings. Thus, there is potential for a mismatch between a physician's on-the-spot professional judgment and what the statute demands. We review what every physician should know about EMTALA and answer six common questions about the law.
Production of local anesthesia by jet injection

Abstract A clinical survey of 500 cases indicates that the SyriJet Mark II jet injector is useful in providing topical anesthesia in all areas of the oral cavity. However, it was found not to be applicable for anesthetizing the posterior superior alveolar, inferior alveolar, or incisive nerves.
A simple and novel method for recovering adenovirus 41 in small volumes of source water.

Aim: A new procedure was developed to recover adenovirus 41 in small volumes (1 l) of water samples based on adsorption, elution and evaporation. Methods and Results: One litre of source water seeded with adenovirus 41 was adjusted to pH 3·5 and filtered using a large pore size (8·0 μm) negatively charged membrane filter (SCWP, 47 mm diameter, made of mixed-cellulose esters). Then, the filter was eluted using 4 ml of 1·5% beef extract plus 0·75% glycerol (pH 9·0). The eluate was reconcentrated to 0·1 ml or less volumes through evaporation assisted with air flow and heating at 55°C. Recovery of adenovirus 41 reached 55% under tested conditions and reduced filtration time by 85% in contrast to the widely used small pore size filter (0·45 μm pore size, 47 mm diameter). Reconcentration by evaporation achieved approx. 86·8% recovery from source water in approx. 1 h at no cost. Conclusion: The virus concentration method developed in this study is simple and cost-effective and can be used to efficiently recover adenovirus 41 from turbid water samples. Significance and Impact of the Study: The procedure developed can be applied to detect adenovirus 41 in source water within hours of sampling. In addition, this is the first application of evaporation to concentrate viruses in water samples.
Tight Bounds on Localized Sensor Self-Deployment for Focused Coverage

We consider the self-deployment problem in mobile sensor networks with the objective of providing focused coverage for a point of interest (POI) such that the maximum area around it is covered by sensors without sensing holes. We present a local greedy algorithm, called TTGREEDY, that solves this problem in at most R + 2.(n-1) time steps, where R is the distance to the farthest initial sensor position from the POI and n is the number of sensors. This is a significant improvement over the best previously known O(D) time step algorithm of Bl\'{a}zovics and Lukovszki, where D is the sum of the initial distances to the sensors from the POI. The main idea is to synchronously drive mobile sensors along a locally-computed triangle tessellation avoiding collisions of sensors. We also show that there are initial configurations of n sensors in this problem where at least R + (n-1)/2 time steps are needed by any greedy algorithm. These results provide the first tight runtime (within a small constant factor) solution to this problem.