cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular basis for species-specific sensitivity to "hot" chili peppers.

Chili peppers produce the pungent vanilloid compound capsaicin, which offers protection from predatory mammals. Birds are indifferent to the pain-producing effects of capsaicin and therefore serve as vectors for seed dispersal. Here, we determine the molecular basis for this species-specific behavioral response by identifying a domain of the rat vanilloid receptor that confers sensitivity to capsaicin to the normally insensitive chicken ortholog. Like its mammalian counterpart, the chicken receptor is activated by heat or protons, consistent with the fact that both mammals and birds detect noxious heat and experience thermal hypersensitivity. Our findings provide a molecular basis for the ecological phenomenon of directed deterrence and suggest that the capacity to detect capsaicin-like inflammatory substances is a recent acquisition of mammalian vanilloid receptors.
Longitudinal Weight Loss Patterns and their Behavioral and Demographic Associations

Identification of weight change patterns may allow tailored interventions to improve long-term weight loss. To identify patterns of weight change over 18 months, and assess participant characteristics and intervention adherence factors associated with weight change patterns in a sample of 359 overweight/obese adults. Weight loss (0–6 months) was achieved with reduced energy intake and increased physical activity (PA). Maintenance (7–18 months) provided adequate energy to maintain weight and continued PA. Latent profile analysis identified three weight change profiles. During weight loss/maintenance, participants in profiles 2 and 3 (18-month weight loss ∼14 %) attended more behavioral sessions and performed more PA compared with profile 1 (18-month weight loss <1 %). Self-efficacy for both weight management and exercise barriers were higher in profiles 2 and 3 compared with profile 1 following weight loss and during maintenance. Weight change patterns can be identified and are associated with both participant characteristics and intervention adherence.
The influence of a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet on bone development in the fetuses of rat dams with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

1. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of diet on the mandibles and growth centres of the long bones in the fetuses of diabetic rat dams given a normal diet compared with those given a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet. 2. On the 9th day of gestation, the controls, groups 1 and 3, were injected with citrate buffer and given 200 and 600 g protein/kg diets respectively. Groups 2 and 4 were injected with 40 mg streptozotocin/kg body-weight and pair-fed with groups I and 3 respectively on the 200 and 600 g protein/kg diets. 3. On day 22, some dams were injected with either 45 Ca or [ 14 C]proline. Mandibles and long bones were removed and weighed and analysed for Ca content, 45 Ca uptake, collagen and collagen synthesis. 4. The body-weights, and mandibular and long-bone weights of the fetuses in the diabetic 200 g protein/kg group were smaller than those of the non-diabetic 200 g protein/kg group, whereas those of the diabetic 600 g protein/kg group showed no difference from the non-diabetic 600 g protein/kg group. 5. The rate of collagen synthesis was higher in the fetuses of the diabetic 600 g protein/kg group than those of the non-diabetic group. Bones of the diabetic 200 g protein/kg group were lower in collagen content when compared with the non-diabetic group, whereas there was no difference between the diabetic and non-diabetic 600 g protein/kg groups. 6. Ca uptake and total Ca contents in the mandibles and long bones showed no difference between diabetic and non-diabetic groups fed on both diets. 7. A high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet appeared to have a certain beneficial effect on bone development of the growing fetuses from diabetic dams.
Ethylene: potential key for biochar amendment impacts

Significant increases in root density, crop growth and productivity have been observed following soil additions of biochar, which is a solid product from the pyrolysis of biomass. In addition, alterations in the soil microbial dynamics have been observed following biochar amendments, with decreased carbon dioxide (CO2) respiration, suppression of methane (CH4) oxidation and reduction of nitrous oxide (N2O) production. However, there has not been a full elucidation of the mechanisms behind these effects. Here we show data on ethylene production that was observed from biochar and biochar-amended soil. Ethylene is an important plant hormone as well as an inhibitor for soil microbial processes. Our current hypothesis is that the ethylene is biochar derived, with a majority of biochars exhibiting ethylene production even without soil or microbial inoculums. There was increased ethylene production from non-sterile compared to sterile soil (215%), indicating a role of soil microbes in the observed ethylene production. Production varied with different biomass sources and production conditions. These observations provide a tantalizing insight into a potential mechanism behind the biochar effects observed, particularly in light of the important role ethylene plays in plant and microbial processes.
Lottery puzzles and Jesus' ‘Return’

This paper is about a puzzle – I'll call it ‘the Return’ – that puts considerable pressure upon Christians to accept a very robust scepticism about the future. Those familiar with work on so-called ‘lottery puzzles’ will notice much similarity between those puzzles and the Return. However, there is an important difference that renders the Return an especially difficult problem for a Christian who believes that he has much knowledge about the future. After introducing the Return, I'll argue that it is immune to the most promising non-sceptical approaches to more familiar lottery puzzles.
IN SITU CHARACTERIZATION OF TWO-PHASE FLOW IN CATHODE CHANNELS OF AN OPERATING PEM FUEL CELL WITH VISUAL ACCESS

Water management is a critical factor in the performance and durability of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. In situ experiments are needed to gain a better understanding of water transport within the channels of the cell during operation. In this work a 50 cm 2 fuel cell with optical access is designed and tested in an in situ experimental facility. Two-phase flow in the cathode channels of the cell is observed, and flow patterns are characterized. Three primary two-phase structures are identified – slug flow, film flow, and mist flow – and a flow pattern map is developed. A comparison between in situ and ex-situ flow pattern maps shows that ex-situ experimentation can be used to predict some in situ flow characteristics, but cannot capture the effects of reaction kinetics or relative humidity. The total pressure drop signature is seen to be a useful parameter for predicting two-phase flow dynamics in the gas channels. In addition, channel to channel flow variation caused by the presence of liquid water in the cathode channels is investigated using entrance region pressure drop measurements.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) Non-B Subtypes Are Similar to HIV-1 Subtype B in that Coreceptor Specificity Is a Determinant of Cytopathicity in Human Lymphoid Tissue Infected Ex Vivo

We sought to determine the relationship between virus-mediated CD4+ T-lymphocyte cytopathicity and viral coreceptor preference among various human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) subtypes in an ex vivo-infected human lymphoid tissue model. Our data show that all R5 HIV-1 infections resulted in mild depletion of CD4+ T lymphocytes, whereas all X4 HIV-1 infections caused severe depletion of CD4+ T lymphocytes regardless of their subtype origin. Thus, at least for the viruses within subtypes A, B, C, and E that were tested, coreceptor specificity is a critical factor that determines the ability of HIV-1 to deplete CD4+ T cells in human lymphoid tissue infected ex vivo.
Object and space-based attentional selection in three-dimensional space

It has been previously demonstrated that visual attention has an extent in depth (3D space) as well as an extent in the fronto-parallel plane (2D space). Numerous experiments have also demonstrated that attention can be allocated to objects, and that “object-based” attention can overcome some of the costs associated with moving attention about in 2D space. In real visual environments, objects often have an extent in depth. Four experiments were conducted to examine the nature of object-based attention in 3D space. The experiments demonstrated large object-based attention benefits, as well as costs for switching attention in depth. However, the costs associated with switching attention in depth were eliminated with objects that had an extent in depth. Experiments 2-4 examined the interaction of spatial attention in 3D space and object-based attention. Evidence was found for the spread of spatial attention to objects. However, contrary to other work (Lavie & Driver, 1996), neither non-predictive exogenous s...
SYNTHESIS, SOME SPECTROSCOPIC AND ELECTROCHEMICAL INVESTIGATIONS ON NOVEL MONOMERIC AND POLYMERIC ACETYLENE SUBSTITUTED THIOPHENE MONOMERS AND POLYMERS

Abstract Acetylene substituted thiophenes of the following types were synthesized: Ar-[tbnd]-Ar-[tbnd]-Ar, Ar′-[tbnd]-Ar′-[tbnd]Ar′, Ar-[tbnd]-Ar′-[tbnd]-Ar, Ar′-[tbnd]-Ar-Ar-[tbnd]-Ar′, Ar-[tbnd]-Ar-Ar′-[tbnd]-Ar′These monomen were polymerized to the corresponding polymers. The UV-spectra and their oxidation potentials were determined. Attempts to correlate these two properties will be reported. The corresponding polymers were of relative low molecular weight and me nonconductors in the doped as well as iodine doped state.
Factors related to academic success among nursing students: a descriptive correlational research study.

Background: The current rise in employment is improving forecasts for the future supply of registered nurses; however sizeable shortages are still projected. With the intention of improving academic success in nursing students, related factors need to be better understood. Objectives: The purpose of the correlational study was to describe the relationship between emotional intelligence, psychological empowerment, resilience, spiritual well-being, and academic success in undergraduate and graduate nursing students. Design/setting: A descriptive correlational design was utilized. The study was set in a private Catholic university. Participants: There were 124 participants. There were 59% undergraduate and 41% graduate students. Methods: Background data, in addition to the Spreitzer Psychological Empowerment Scale, the Wagnild and YoungResilienceScale,andtheSpiritualWell-Being ScaleandtheMayer–Salovey–CarusoEmotionalIntelligence Test, was collected from students who met study criteria. Results: In a combined sample, academic success was correlated with overall spiritual well-being, empowerment and resilience. Although academic success was not correlated with overall emotional intelligence, it was correlated with the emotional intelligence branch four (managing emotions) score. When undergraduate and graduate students were considered separately, only one correlation was found to be significantly related to academic success in the undergraduate sample, namely, emotional intelligence branch one (perceiving emotions). When examiningthedatafromjustgraduatelevelnurses,significantrelationshipswerefoundbetweentotalemotional intelligence with academic success, resilience with academic success, and psychological empowerment with academic success. Conclusion: The significant relationship between psychological empowerment, resilience, spiritual well-being and academic success in this study supports the statements in the literature that these concepts may play an important role in persistence through the challenges of nursing education. Research is needed to examine if strategies to enhance empowerment, resilience, and spiritual well-being can increase academic success in a test–retest design.
How Is Pain Influenced by Cognition? Neuroimaging Weighs In

Neuroimaging can inform cognitive theories to the extent that particular patterns of brain activity are sensitively and specifically associated with particular types of cognitive processes. We illustrate the utility of neuroimaging data in one specific case: understanding cognitive influences on pain. We first argue that pain self-reports are often inadequate to fully characterize pain experience and the processes that underlie it. Then, we describe how neuroimaging measures have been used to corroborate the effects of psychological manipulations on pain by focusing on placebo treatments and demonstrating effects on the best available correlates of pain experience. In addition, using placebo analgesia as an example, we argue that brain evidence is useful for building psychological theories likely to yield valid and generalizable predictions, because biologically informed theories are grounded in the constraints inherent in the relevant physiological systems. Finally, we suggest that neuroimaging findings will become increasingly useful for constraining psychological inference as brain patterns diagnostic of particular types of mental events are identified and characterized. In our view, the relationships between biological findings and cognitive theory are empirically based and must develop through an iterative process of synthesis across studies, topics, and methods.
The modeling of long-term ingestion of drugs in mammals

This article describes a model of the effects of growth and changes in metabolism on drug residues in mammals. The model shows how changes in mass (i.e., growth) and metabolic activity affect the residual drug concentration in animals that are continuously exposed to a drug over long periods of time. These examples of the oral administration of the highly toxic pesticide dieldrin illustrate the gross features obtained by using a simplified model.
Utility of mesohabitat features for determining habitat associations of subadult sharks in Georgia’s estuaries

We examined the affects of selected water quality variables on the presence of subadult sharks in six of nine Georgia estuaries. During 231 longline sets, we captured 415 individuals representing nine species. Atlantic sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon terranovae), bonnethead (Sphyrna tiburo), blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) and sandbar shark (C. plumbeus) comprised 96.1% of the catch. Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) was used to assess environmental influences on the assemblage of the four common species. Results of the CCA indicated Bonnethead Shark and Sandbar Shark were correlated with each other and with a subset of environmental variables. When the species occurred singly, depth was the defining environmental variable; whereas, when the two co-occurred, dissolved oxygen and salinity were the defining variables. Discriminant analyses (DA) were used to assess environmental influences on individual species. Results of the discriminant analyses supported the general CCA findings that the presence of bonnethead and sandbar shark were the only two species that correlated with environmental variables. In addition to depth and dissolved oxygen, turbidity influenced the presence of sandbar shark. The presence of bonnethead shark was influenced primarily by salinity and turbidity. Significant relationships existed for both the CCA and DA analyses; however, environmental variables accounted for <16% of the total variation in each. Compared to the environmental variables we measured, macrohabitat features (e.g., substrate type), prey availability, and susceptibility to predation may have stronger influences on the presence and distribution of subadult shark species among sites.
Transient Aquifer Flows by Characteristics Methods

A numerical model is presented to analyze nonsteady radial flow in a finite or infinite leaky aquifer system. An equation of motion alteration, which involves the introduction of an inertia multiplier, converts the standard equations of transient ground-water flow to a form suitable for efficient solution by the method of characteristics. The result is a numerical method that should be attractively competitive in computer time usage with other numerical procedures currently in use. The equations are presented and the procedure developed for axisymmetrical flow. Several examples are used to expose the influence of the size of the distance intervals and the size of the inertia multiplier on the accuracy of the numerical process. Either constant or time-variable discharge or drawdown rates may be used as boundary conditions in infinite or bounded radial aquifer systems. Radially varying aquifer properties and leakage may also be treated.
Globalization and Cross-Border Labor Organizing

The globalization of the world economy has opened up new possibilities for cross-border labor organizing. In fact, several U.S. unions are working together with unions from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Japan, South Korea, and many European nations. For example, over the last several years, UNITE (Union of Needletrades, Industrial, and Textile Employees), the AFL-CIO, and the international garment workers trade secretariat have worked directly with maquiladora workers in Honduras and the Dominican Republic. These efforts led to the formation of several labor unions and the first contracts ever negotiated in the maquiladoras in the Dominican Republic. In addition, labor rights and solidarity organizations, like the Campaign for Labor Rights, Witness for Peace, and the US/Guatemala Labor Education Project (US/GLEP), along with many other groups, have also played key roles in the formation of maquiladora unions in Nicaragua and Guatemala.
Social Contexts of Development in Natural Outdoor Environments: Children's Motor Activities, Personal Challenges and Peer Interactions at the River and the Creek.

This study examined the influence of spending time outdoors on young children’s physical and socioemotional development. We observed preschoolers’ activities in two naturally provisioned outdoor environments over the course of one year. Eleven preschoolers were videotaped continuously for 16 days at a local river and 9 days at a creek adjacent to the school. In addition to the quantitative analyses of children’s behaviors, a case study of three children’s experiences over the course of the year was conducted. Both the river and the creek settings encouraged a multitude of physical and play behaviors with similar types of affordances, including flat surfaces for running, rocks for climbing and jumping off, and water for exploration and play, but the wilder environment (river) afforded more risk and personal challenges. Observations of children’s motor activities, play and responses to challenging environmental features supported the importance of accumulated experience and social context for the developmen...
Prognostic Implications of Long-Chain Acylcarnitines in Heart Failure and Reversibility With Mechanical Circulatory Support.

Abstract Background Heart failure (HF) is characterized by perturbations in energy homeostasis and metabolism. The reversibility and prognostic value of circulating markers associated with these changes remain unclear. Objectives This study sought to describe the metabolomic profiles of patients along the spectrum of systolic HF, determine their association with adverse outcomes in a clinical trial of HF, and evaluate whether identified metabolites change with treatment for end-stage systolic HF. Methods To assess association of metabolites with clinical outcomes, we evaluated a population of 453 chronic systolic HF patients who had been randomized to exercise training versus usual care. To assess change in metabolites with mechanical circulatory support, 41 patients with end-stage HF who underwent left ventricular assist device (LVAD) placement were studied. Targeted, quantitative profiling of 60 metabolites using tandem flow injection mass spectrometry was performed on frozen plasma samples obtained prior to randomization, as well as prior to and ≥90 days post-placement in the LVAD group. Principal components analysis was used for data reduction. Results Five principal components analysis–derived factors were significantly associated with peak V o 2 levels at baseline in fully adjusted models. Of these, factor 5 (composed of long-chain acylcarnitines) was associated with increased risk of all 3 pre-specified clinical trial outcomes: all-cause mortality/all-cause hospitalization, all cause-hospitalization, and cardiovascular death or cardiovascular hospitalization. Individual components of factor 5 were significantly higher in patients with end-stage HF prior to LVAD placement and decreased significantly post-implantation. Conclusions In chronic HF patients, circulating long-chain acylcarnitine metabolite levels were independently associated with adverse clinical outcomes and decreased after long-term mechanical circulatory support. These metabolites may serve as potential targets for new diagnostics or therapeutic interventions. (Exercise Training Program to Improve Clinical Outcomes in Individuals With Congestive Heart Failure; NCT00047437 )
Self-Tuning Fiber Lasers

We demonstrate that the integration of data-driven machine learning strategies with adaptive control are capable of producing an efficient and optimal self-tuning algorithm for mode-locked fiber lasers. The adaptive controller, based upon a multiparameter extremum-seeking control algorithm, is capable of obtaining and maintaining high-energy, single-pulse states in a mode-locked fiber laser while the machine learning characterizes the cavity itself for rapid state identification and improved optimization. The theory developed is demonstrated on a nonlinear-polarization-rotation-based laser using waveplate and polarizer angles to achieve optimal passive mode-locking despite large disturbances to the system. The physically realizable objective function introduced divides the energy output by the fourth moment of the pulse spectrum, thus balancing the total energy with the time duration of the mode-locked solution. Moreover, its peaks are high-energy mode-locked states that have a safety margin near parameter regimes where mode-locking breaks down or the multipulsing instability occurs. The methods demonstrated can be implemented broadly to optical systems, or more generally to any self-tuning complex systems.
Home touring as hospitable urbanism

AbstractThis paper twins theories of urbanism and feminist hospitality in exploring the practice of historic home touring as demonstrative of hospitable urbanism, an ethical opening of self and neighborhood to strangers. In Phoenix, Arizona, the quintessential “ahistorical” sprawling metropolis, historic home touring is particularly evocative. With 35 residential historic districts covering much of the central city, Phoenix boasts an entire home tour season each spring. I consider the opening of private homes to the public a gesture of urban welcome critical in tempering the exclusionary tendencies of historic districts. Such seemingly minor practices are increasingly perceived as consequential in generating (or foreclosing) lived community amid difference (gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, migration status, religion, etc.). Without striving toward openness, vulnerability, and inclusion, urban communities risk becoming shuttered, sterile, and disconnected from public life. However brief or atmospheric, ...
Investigation of Parents’Satisfaction of Immunization Service in Jing’an District,Shanghai

OBJECTIVE To improve the immunization service quality in Jing’an District,the parents’satisfaction of immunization service were evaluated. METHODS About 50 children were selected from every 5 vaccination clinic, parents of selected children were investigated by questionnaire to know their satisfaction to 6 kinds of immunization service. RESULTS Most parents were satisfied with immunization service,the proportion of parents who satisfied with vaccination clinic environment was the lowest,as 85.1%. And the proportion of parents who satisfied with doctor’s skill for vaccination was highest,as 99.2%. 79.6% of parents were satisfied with all 6 kinds of service. Parents satisfaction was influenced by economic income level. CONCLUSION Most parents were satisfied with immunization service. But with the improvement of economic income,the parents’ requirements of immunization service was increasing. The environment of vaccination should be better to improve the quality of immunization service.
Color of cooked carrots related to carotene content.

This paper, though more technical in detail and methodology than many in the Journal, is of interest, for it presents objective measures which can be applied to the study of food quality. Subjective evaluations are compared with chromatographic measures.
Cerebrally induced cardiac arrhythmias (CICA)

Cerebrally induced cardiac arrhythmias pose a challenge in the care of the intensive care patient. Although prognosis is based mainly on the neurologic status, treatment of the arrhythmia should be instituted promptly especially where cardiac function is impaired. Correct diagnosis is of prime importance because delay of surgical intervention or inadequate choice of anticoagulants or antiarrhythmic drugs may be deleterious. Although descriptions of this phenomenon have appeared in the literature for decades, with the increasing capability of better and more successful management and the recognition of the significance of these on cardiac function, new attention should be focused on the subject. A review of the literature, diagnosis, and management of cerebrally induced cardiac arrhythmias is presented. Examples are given of patients without antecedent heart disease in whom cardiac arrhythmias secondary to neurologic compromise later manifested.
Are the Effects of Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Depression Falling? Review and Critique of the Evidence

Johnsen and Friborg (Psychological Bulletin 2015; doi:10.1037/bul0000015) report that modern cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) clinical trials yield less relief from depression compared to seminal trials, but methodological limitations may qualify the conclusions. Given the empirical support for CBT for depression, a closer look is warranted. High I2 coefficients were reported for a subgroup analysis, and no heterogeneity estimates were reported for the primary analyses, raising concerns about the appropriateness of meta-analysis and interpretations of the findings. Concerns are raised about the presence of CBT in comparison groups. Data regarding CBT competence were largely missing, and fidelity data were often absent. Without these data, attributions about changes in effect sizes from early studies may be premature. The proliferation of CBT may have been accompanied by modifications to the model, accompanied by variability in quality, adherence, and competence. A call to high-fidelity and high-quality CBT is made.
Lukas, Johannes (1901–1980)

Johannes Lukas (1901–1980) was born in Bohemia and educated in Vienna. While teaching at Al-Azhar University (Cairo), he conducted the first modern linguistic studies of many native languages of Central Africa. In 1933, he joined the Department of African Studies at the University of Hamburg, becoming chair in 1954. He wrote groundbreaking descriptive and comparative works on Kanuri, Tubu (Tedaga) (both Nilo-Saharan), Bole (Bolanci), Bade, Musgu. Mokolo, Buduma, Giziga (all Chadic) and other languages. In 1936 he proposed the Chado-Hamitic (Chadic) family as a member of the Hamito-Semitic (Afroasiatic) phylum, and later confirmed the existence of the East Saharan (now Saharan) family.
Comparative analysis of the photocatalytic reduction of drinking water oxoanions using titanium dioxide.

Regulated oxidized pollutants in drinking water can have significant health effects, resulting in the need for ancillary treatment processes. Oxoanions (e.g., nitrate) are one important class of oxidized inorganic ions. Ion exchange and reverse osmosis are often used treatment processes for oxoanions, but these separation processes leave behind a concentrated waste product that still requires treatment or disposal. Photocatalysis has emerged as a sustainable treatment technology capable of catalytically reducing oxoanions directly to innocuous byproducts. Compared with the large volume of knowledge available for photocatalytic oxidation, very little knowledge exists regarding photocatalytic reduction of oxoanion pollutants. This study investigates the reduction of various oxoanions of concern in drinking water (nitrate, nitrite, bromate, perchlorate, chlorate, chlorite, chromate) using a commercial titanium dioxide photocatalyst and a polychromatic light source. Results showed that oxoanions were readily reduced under acidic conditions in the presence of formate, which served as a hole scavenger, with the first-order rate decreasing as follows: bromate > nitrite > chlorate > nitrate > dichromate > perchlorate, corresponding to rate constants of 0.33, 0.080, 0.052, 0.0074, 0.0041, and 0 cm2/photons × 1018, respectively. Only bromate and nitrite were reduced at neutral pH, with substantially lower rate constants of 0.034 and 0.0021 cm2/photons × 1018, respectively. No direct relationship between oxoanion physicochemical properties, including electronegativity of central atom, internal bond strength, and polarizability was discovered. However, observations presented herein suggest the presence of kinetic barriers unique to each oxoanion and provides a framework for investigating photocatalytic reduction mechanisms of oxoanions in order to design better photocatalysts and optimize treatment.
Exposure to Lead and Other Heavy Metals: Child Development Outcomes

Exposure to certain heavy metals, including lead, can be toxic even in low concentration. Although recent efforts have reduced exposure to lead and other heavy metals, heavy metal exposure continues to be represent a significant problem. Children are particularly vulnerable to the exposure to lead and other heavy metals; this vulnerability extends from the prenatal period through childhood. Effects of exposure to heavy metals on child development outcomes have been observed in a variety of domains (e.g., cognitive functioning, academic achievement, and behavior), and may lead to the development of mental health disorders. Moreover, a growing body of research suggests that there is no safe level of exposure to certain metals (e.g., lead), and the effects of exposure can have long-lasting impacts that may be impossible to reverse. In this chapter, the effects of exposure to lead and other metals in childhood in a variety of domains are reviewed. Implications for mental health diagnosis and special education eligibility are discussed, and intervention strategies are presented.
Control of a radial micro-grid with unbalanced loads based on a Distributed Model Predictive Control for grid mode operation

This paper presents a distributed finite control set model predictive control (DFCS-MPC) approach to control a microgrid with grid mode of operation. The micro-grid supplies a combination of balanced and unbalanced loads. Converters are controlled to feed current according to shared factors. All grid and micro-grid components are decomposed into positive and negative sequences. Each converter has an associated cost function that is minimized to find the optimal control actuation. In this way the control is decentralized. To validate the approach, a two unit micro-grid is simulated. Emphasis is on the tracking efficiency of sequence components currents. Validation is performed for a strong and weak main grid. Results confirm good tracking performance of the controller for both conditions of the main grid.
CD4+ T-cell–independent mechanisms suppress reactivation of latent tuberculosis in a macaque model of HIV coinfection

The synergy between Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and HIV in coinfected patients has profoundly impacted global mortality because of tuberculosis (TB) and AIDS. HIV significantly increases rates of reactivation of latent TB infection (LTBI) to active disease, with the decline in CD4(+) T cells believed to be the major causality. In this study, nonhuman primates were coinfected with Mtb and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), recapitulating human coinfection. A majority of animals exhibited rapid reactivation of Mtb replication, progressing to disseminated TB and increased SIV-associated pathology. Although a severe loss of pulmonary CD4(+) T cells was observed in all coinfected macaques, a subpopulation of the animals was still able to prevent reactivation and maintain LTBI. Investigation of pulmonary immune responses and pathology in this cohort demonstrated that increased CD8(+) memory T-cell proliferation, higher granzyme B production, and expanded B-cell follicles correlated with protection from reactivation. Our findings reveal mechanisms that control SIV- and TB-associated pathology. These CD4-independent protective immune responses warrant further studies in HIV coinfected humans able to control their TB infection. Moreover, these findings will provide insight into natural immunity to Mtb and will guide development of novel vaccine strategies and immunotherapies.
Behavioral Effects of Antiepileptic Drugs

Parental responses to a Child Behavior Checklist were compared before and after changing antiepileptic therapy in an open, parallel design study in the School of Pharmacy and Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Altered Functions of Human Blood Derived Vascular Endothelial Cells by Simulated Microgravity

The detrimental effects of space travel on the cardiovascular health of astronauts has been of paramount interest in the recent years. The role of the endothelium in regulating this cardiovascular degeneration has also been studied extensively. The primary goal of this study is to understand the effects of simulated microgravity on the proliferative, secretory and anti-thrombogenic functions of endothelial cells differentiated from human blood derived progenitor cells. Exposure to simulated microgravity enhanced proliferation as well as release of soluble nitric oxide while downregulating the release pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6).Interestingly, the cells also upregulated gene expression of heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) which may be a potential adaptation mechanism of the cells to altered gravity conditions. However these secretory as well as proliferative functions did not affect the anti-thrombogenic functions of these cells. Their anti-coagulative and anti-thrombogenic ability as assessed by both upregulation of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) as well their ability to delay plasma clotting, were impaired on exposure to microgravity.These results collectively provide a useful insight into various mechanisms involved in regulating anti-thrombogenic ability of the endothelium as well as cardiovascular health in altered gravity conditions.
Adaptive decentralized control with nonminimum-phase closed-loop channel zeros

We apply retrospective cost adaptive control (RCAC) to a two-channel decentralized disturbance rejection problem. It is shown that the closed-loop channel zeros for each subcontroller consist of the plant zeros and poles of the remaining subcontroller. The nonminimum-phase (NMP) closed-loop channel zeros are included in the modeling information required by RCAC. Two adaptation schemes are presented. In one-controller-at-a-time adaptation, one subcontroller is adapted with the other subcontroller fixed at zero. The first subcontroller is then fixed while the second subcontroller is adapted taking into account the NMP closed-loop channel zeros. We also consider concurrent adaptation, where both controllers are updated at the same time. Finally, we apply this technique to decentralized control of the position and shape of a 2DOF lumped flexible body.
Discovery and Preclinical Work

In any drug discovery and development effort, we must accomplish a number of critical steps to arrive at a compound that is safe and efficacious, and also exhibits the complex array of desired drug-like behaviors that warrants advancement to the clinic. These tasks include target identification and validation; screening for active compounds; chemical modification of candidate compounds to achieve optimized pharmacology; formulating the final drug product; and establishing safety in preclinical models. “Repurposing” drugs that have previously been approved (or shown to be safe in humans) for new clinical indications can provide a faster, less risky, and more cost-effective route for bringing a new therapy to patients. Such shortcuts in development can be particularly valuable to resource-constrained academicians. When performing drug discovery research, we must be particularly attentive to the robustness of our experiments, because inability to reproduce academic data continues to be a sticking point when projects are transferred to industry. Our experiments must be appropriately blinded, statistically powered, and meticulously documented so that our findings are worthy of the large investment required for their further translation into a drug. This chapter walks through the essential preclinical drug development steps that lead to a clinical drug candidate.
Identification of zfp148 (ZBP-89) as a Novel GATA-1 Associated Transcription Factor Involved in Megakaryopoiesis and Definitive Erythropoiesis.

The zinc finger transcription factor GATA-1 plays an essential role in megakaryocytic and erythroid terminal maturation. Yet the molecular mechanisms that control GATA-1 function are incompletely understood. Many transcription factors, in addition to binding DNA, make important protein-protein interactions that modulate their activity. Here, we show that GATA-1 participates in stable multiprotein complexes ranging from ~100 kDa to greater than 600 kDa in murine L8057 megakaryoblastic cells. We generated stable L8057 cell lines expressing metabolically biotinylated and FLAG epitope tagged GATA-1, and performed tandem anti-FLAG immunoaffinity and streptavidin affinity purification of GATA-1 associated complexes. Mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) of co-purified proteins identified the known GATA-1 associated proteins Friend of GATA-1 (FOG-1), SCL, Ldb1, Runx-1/Cbf-β, SP1 and all components of the NuRD complex. In addition, we reproducibly co-purified zfp148 (also called ZBP-89/BERF-1/BFCOL-1, mtβ), a ubiquitously expressed Kruppel-type zinc finger transcription factor that binds GC-rich DNA elements. Zfp148 also co-purified with GATA-1 in erythroid (MEL) cells. Physical interaction between GATA-1 and zfp148 was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation experiments using an anti-zfp148 antibody, and their interaction domains mapped to a C-terminal region of zfp148 and the zinc finger domain of GATA-1. Morpholino-mediated knock-down of zfp148 expression in zebrafish embryos ablates thrombocyte (equivalent to mammalian megakaryocyte/platelet) development, but does not significantly affect erythroid development (equivalent to mammalian primitive erythropoiesis at this stage of development). In vitro differentiation of murine ES cells containing homozygous disruption zfp148 by genetrap insertion (zfp148 gt/gt ) shows essentially normal primitive erythropoiesis, but markedly impaired megakaryocytic and definitive erythropoiesis. Preliminary chimeric studies in adult mice demonstrate a failure of zfp148 gt/gt ES cells to contribute to mature erythrocytes. These findings suggest that zfp148 cooperates with GATA-1 to control differentiation of erythroid and megakaryocytic lineages. The differential requirement of zfp148 for definitive, but not primitive, erythropoiesis raises the possibility of a role in developmental hemoglobin switching.
A combined static-dynamic single-dose imaging protocol to compare quantitative dynamic SPECT with static conventional SPECT.

SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is a clinical mainstay that is typically performed with static imaging protocols and visually or semi-quantitatively assessed for perfusion defects based upon the relative intensity of myocardial regions. Dynamic cardiac SPECT presents a new imaging technique based on time-varying information of radiotracer distribution, which permits the evaluation of regional myocardial blood flow (MBF) and coronary flow reserve (CFR). In this work, a preliminary feasibility study was conducted in a small patient sample designed to implement a unique combined static-dynamic single-dose one-day visit imaging protocol to compare quantitative dynamic SPECT with static conventional SPECT for improving the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD). Fifteen patients (11 males, four females, mean age 71 ± 9 years) were enrolled for a combined dynamic and static SPECT (Infinia Hawkeye 4, GE Healthcare) imaging protocol with a single dose of 99mTc-tetrofosmin administered at rest and a single dose administered at stress in a one-day visit. Out of 15 patients, eleven had selective coronary angiography (SCA), 8 within 6 months and the rest within 24 months of SPECT imaging, without intervening symptoms or interventions. The extent and severity of perfusion defects in each myocardial region was graded visually. Dynamically acquired data were also used to estimate the MBF and CFR. Both visually graded images and estimated CFR were tested against SCA as a reference to evaluate the validity of the methods. Overall, conventional static SPECT was normal in ten patients and abnormal in five patients, dynamic SPECT was normal in 12 patients and abnormal in three patients, and CFR from dynamic SPECT was normal in nine patients and abnormal in six patients. Among those 11 patients with SCA, conventional SPECT was normal in 5, 3 with documented CAD on SCA with an overall accuracy of 64%, sensitivity of 40% and specificity of 83%. Dynamic SPECT image analysis also produced a similar accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. CFR was normal in 6, each with CAD on SCA with an overall accuracy of 91%, sensitivity of 80%, and specificity of 100%. The mean CFR was significantly lower for SCA detected abnormal than for normal patients (3.86±1.06 vs 1.94±0. 0.67, P < 0.001). The visually assessed image findings in static and dynamic SPECT are subjective, and may not reflect direct physiologic measures of coronary lesion based on SCA. The CFR measured with dynamic SPECT is fully objective, with better sensitivity and specificity, available only with the data generated from the dynamic SPECT method.
A Sweet Case of Mycoplasma

Sweet syndrome, also known as acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis, is an uncommon inflammatory disorder marked by fever and swelling of the skin that can be very painful. It is especially rare in the pediatric population. Infection is a well-known trigger for Sweet syndrome, but this entity has, to our knowledge, never been described after Mycoplasma infection. Herein, we describe the first pediatric case of febrile neutrophilic dermatosis associated with Mycoplasma infection.
Thioredoxin system-mediated regulation of mutant Kras associated pancreatic neoplasia and cancer

// Michelle A. Schultz 1, 2 , Andrew M. Diaz 1 , Sharon Smite 1 , Anna R. Lay 3 , Brian DeCant 1 , Ronald McKinney 1 , Windel E. Mascarinas 2 , Yinglin Xia 1 , Carola Neumann 4 , David Bentrem 2 , David W. Dawson 3 and Paul J. Grippo 1, 2 1 Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois-Chicago, Chicago IL 60612, USA 2 Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago IL 60611, USA 3 Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA 4 Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh PA 15232, USA Correspondence to: Michelle A. Schultz, email: buffalosoldierms@gmail.com , maschult@uic.edu Keywords: peroxiredoxin-1 (Prdx1), thioredoxin (Txn) system, Kras, pancreatic cancer Received: July 13, 2016 Accepted: June 26, 2017 Published: October 04, 2017 ABSTRACT Peroxiredoxin-1 (Prdx1), a member of the thioredoxin (Txn) system, is overexpressed and correlates with poor prognosis in pancreatic cancer patients and can suppress Kras signaling through redox-mediated inhibition of ERK and AKT in lung and breast cancer. Its redox function is maintained by Txn and sulfiredoxin (Srxn), and its tumor promoting functions are activated by post-translational modification. We studied the role of the Txn system in pancreatic neoplasia and cancer by determining how it regulates the phosphorylation of Kras effectors and by determining its association with patient survival. We found that elevated Prdx1 nuclear localization significantly correlated with better patient survival. Our data also demonstrate that the expression of the Txn system is dysregulated, with elevated Prdx1 expression and significantly decreased Txn and Srxn expression in pancreatic lesions of targeted mutant Kras mouse models. This correlated with distinct differences in the interconversion of Prdx1 oligomers that affect its ability to regulate ERK and AKT phosphorylation. Our data also suggest that Prdx1 post-translational modification and oligomerization suppress Prdx1 mediated redox regulation of ERK phosphorylation. We observed distinct differences in Txn expression and in the ability of pTyr-Prdx1 to bind to pERK in a PanIN model of pancreatic neoplasia as compared to an IPMN model, indicating a distinct difference in the function of post-translationally modified Prdx1 in cells with less Txn expression. Modified Txn system function and post-translational regulation may therefore play a significant role in pancreatic tumorigenesis by altering Kras effector phosphorylation and inhibiting the tumor suppressive redox functions of Prdx1.
Roth Is Roth as Roth: Autofiction and the Implied Author

Womble adds to the long-standing conversation surrounding the narratological term ‘implied author’ through a look at autofiction. Using close readings of novels by Paul Auster, Philip Roth and Bret Easton Ellis, he argues that the autofictive technique used in each novel provides a new platform on which to consider the implied author. Differentiation between narrative agents is a crucial element of classical narratology, and Womble contends that autofiction offers unique challenges and complications to the way readers understand the role of author, narrator and the link between the two: the implied author. This chapter identifies autofiction as another narrative device used to enable thematic emphases of narrative texts.
Poisoning Their Coffee: Louis Armstrong and Civil Rights

This essay argues that the life and music of Louis Armstrong challenged mainstream American values and attacked racial hierarchy. In his lifestyle Armstrong pursued a carnivalesque celebration of b...
Premature Ventricular Contractions and Non-sustained Ventricular Tachycardia: Association with Sudden Cardiac Death, Risk Stratification, and Management Strategies

Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) are frequently encountered and a marker of electrocardiomyopathy. In some instances, they increase the risk for sustained ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and sudden cardiac death. While often associated with a primary cardiomyopathy, they have also been known to cause tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy in patients without preceding structural heart disease. Medical therapy including beta-blockers and class III anti-arrhythmic agents can be effective while implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICD) are indicated in certain patients. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is the preferred, definitive treatment in those patients that improve with anti-arrhythmic therapy, have tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy, or have certain subtypes of PVCs/NSVT. We present a review of PVCs and NSVT coupled with case presentations on RFA of fascicular ventricular tachycardia, left-ventricular outflow tract ventricular tachycardia, and Purkinje arrhythmia leading to polymorphic ventricular tachycardia.