cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Climatic zonation drives latitudinal variation in speciation mechanisms

Many groups of organisms show greater species richness in the tropics than in the temperate zone, particularly in tropical montane regions. Forty years ago, Janzen suggested that more limited temperature seasonality in the tropics leads to greater climatic zonation and more climatic barriers to organismal dispersal along elevational gradients in the tropics relative to temperate regions. These factors could lead to differences in how species arise in tropical versus temperate regions and possibly contribute to greater tropical diversity. However, no studies have compared the relationships among climate, elevational distribution and speciation in a group inhabiting both tropical and temperate regions. Here, we compare elevational and climatic divergence among 30 sister-species pairs (14 tropical, 16 temperate) within a single family of salamanders (Plethodontidae) that reaches its greatest species richness in montane Mesoamerica. In support of Janzen's hypothesis, we find that sister species are more elevationally and climatically divergent in the tropics than in the temperate zone. This pattern seemingly reflects regional variation in the role of climate in speciation, with niche conservatism predominating in the temperate zone and niche divergence in the tropics. Our study demonstrates how latitudinal differences in elevational climatic zonation may increase opportunities for geographical isolation, speciation and the associated build-up of species diversity in the tropics relative to the temperate zone.
Computed tomographic (CT) neuroradiological evaluation of intra-axial and extra-axial lesions: a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) study of film and 1K workstation

Digital display workstations are now commonly used for cross-sectional image viewing; however, few receiver operating characteristic (ROC) studies have been performed to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of hard copy versus a workstation display for neuroradiology applications. We have performed an ROC study of film and 1K workstation based on the diagnostic performance of neuroradiology fellows to detect subtle intra- axial (high density (HD) and low density (LD)) and extra-axial (fluid, blood) lesions presented on computed tomographic (CT) images. An ROC analysis of the interpretation of approximately 200 CT images (1/2 normals and 1/2 abnormals) was performed by five experienced observers. The total number of abnormal images were equally divided among the three represented types of lesions (HD, LD, and extra-axial lesions). The images comprising the extra-axial lesion group were further subdivided into the following three distinct types: subdural hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and epidural hemorrhage. A fraction of the abnormal images were represented by more than one type of lesion, e.g., one abnormal image could contain both a HD and LD lesion. The digitized CT images were separated into four groups and read on the standard light box and a 1K workstation monitor equipped with simple image processing functions. Confidence ratings were scaled on a range from 0 (least confident) to 4 (most confident). Reader order sequences were randomized for each reader and for each modality. Each observer read from a total of eight different groups with a four-week intermission following the fourth group. The randomly assigned image number, lesion type and approximate location, incidental findings and comments, and confidence ratings were reported in individual worksheets for each image. ROC curves that were generated and analyzed for the various subgroups are presented in addition to the overall generalized jackknifed estimates of the grouped data. Also, 95% confidence intervals are presented for the differences in the area under the ROC curves. Although there were no statistically significant differences in the diagnostic accuracy between the original CT slice with HD and LD lesions viewed on the light box and on the 1K display workstation, the observers tended to record extra- axial lesions more frequently and with more confidence on the 1K display in comparison to the light box primarily due to the added advantage of adjusting the display window levels.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Optimal tradeoffs for location-based routing in large-scale ad hoc networks

Existing location-based routing protocols are not versatile enough for a large-scale ad hoc environment to simultaneously meet all of the requirements of scalability, bandwidth efficiency, energy efficiency, and quality-of-service routing. To remedy this deficiency, we propose an optimal tradeoff approach that: 1) constructs a hybrid routing protocol by combining well-known location-update schemes (i.e., proactive location updates within nodes' local regions and a distributed location service), and 2) derives its optimal configuration, in terms of location-update thresholds (both distance- and time-based), to minimize the overall routing overhead. We also build a route-discovery scheme based on an Internet-like architecture, i.e., first querying the location of a destination, then applying a series of local-region routing until finding a complete route by aggregating the thus-found partial routes. To find the optimal thresholds for the hybrid protocol, we derive the costs associated with both location updates and route discovery as a function of location-update thresholds, assuming a random mobility model and a general distribution for route request arrivals. The problem of minimizing the total cost is then cast into a distributed optimization problem. We first prove that the total cost is a convex function of the thresholds, and then derive the optimal thresholds. Finally, we show, via simulation, that our analysis results indeed capture the real behavior.
Hypoxia-induced reactive oxygen species formation in skeletal muscle

The existence of hypoxia-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production remains controversial. However, numerous observations with a variety of methods and in many cells and tissue types are supp...
A Mouse Model of Arterial Gene Transfer Antigen-Specific Immunity Is a Minor Determinant of the Early Loss of Adenovirus-Mediated Transgene Expression

Abstract —We developed a murine model of arterial gene transfer and used it to test the role of antigen-specific immunity in the loss of adenovirus-mediated transgene expression. Adenoviral vectors encoding either β-galactosidase (β-gal) or green fluorescent protein were infused to the lumen of normal common carotids of CD-1 and C57BL/6 mice and atherosclerotic carotids of Apoe −/− mice. At 3 days after gene transfer, significant reporter gene expression was detected in all strains. Transgene expression was transient, with expression undetectable at 14 days. Next, a β-gal–expressing vector was infused into carotids of ROSA26 mice (transgenic for, and therefore tolerant of, β-gal) and RAG-2−/− mice (deficient in recombinase-activating gene [RAG]-2 and therefore lacking in antigen-specific immunity). β-Gal expression was again high at 3 days but declined substantially (>90%) by 14 days. In vivo labeling with bromodeoxyuridine revealed that carotid endothelial proliferation was increased dramatically by the gene-transfer procedure alone, likely leading to the loss of episomal adenoviral DNA. Gene transfer to normal and atherosclerotic mouse carotids can be accomplished; however, elimination of antigen-specific immune responses does not prevent the early loss of adenovirus-mediated transgene expression. Efforts to prolong adenovirus-mediated transgene expression in the artery wall must be redirected. These efforts will likely include strategies to avoid the consequences of increased cell turnover. Nevertheless, despite the brevity of expression, this mouse model of gene transfer to normal and severely atherosclerotic arteries will likely be useful for investigating the genetic basis of vascular disease and for developing gene therapies. The full text of this article is available at http://www.circresaha.org.
A new MCMC algorithm for seismic waveform inversion and corresponding uncertainty analysis

SUMMARY It is superior to formulate an inverse problem in a Bayesian framework and fully solve it by stochastically constructing the posterior probability density (PPD) distribution using Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms. The estimated PPD can also be used to compute several measures of dispersion in the model space. However, for realistic application, MCMC methods can be computationally expensive and may lead to inaccurate PPD estimation as well as uncertainty analysis due to the strong non-linearity and high dimensionality. In this paper, to address the fundamental issues of efficiency and accuracy in parameter estimation and PPD sampling, we incorporate some new developments into a standard genetic algorithm (GA) to design more powerful algorithms for the practical geophysical inverse problems such as a non-linear pre-stack seismic waveform inversion. First, a multiscale real-coded hybrid GA is developed to facilitate exploitation of the model space for optimal parameters at a fine scale. It is demonstrated that, by using realcoding and especially multiscaling to trade information between the model vectors defined at different resolutions, we attain a substantial speed-up in computation and obtain accurate parameter estimations. This new optimization method is further adapted to a new multiscale GA based MCMC method, in which multiple MCMC chains defined at different scales are run simultaneously in parallel. To gain the benefits of both the faster convergence of coarse scales and the greater detail of fine scales, realizations of chains at different scales are combined for intelligent proposals that facilitate exploration of the model space at the fine scale. In this study, the new MCMC is justified using an analytical example and its performance on PPD estimation, and uncertainty quantification is demonstrated using a non-linear seismic inverse problem. We find that incorporation of multiscaling in the Bayesian approach shows a great promise in solving inverse problems that involve computationally intensive forward modelling. We also find that the multiscaling is particularly attractive in addressing the model parametrization issue since the job of ‘model selection’ could be done based on the results of ‘parameter estimation’ at multiple scales, which circumvents separately solving a model selection problem in a Bayesian framework.
PolyDoms: a whole genome database for the identification of non-synonymous coding SNPs with the potential to impact disease

As knowledge of human genetic polymorphisms grows, so does the opportunity and challenge of identifying those polymorphisms that may impact the health or disease risk of an individual person. A critical need is to organize large-scale polymorphism analyses and to prioritize candidate non-synonymous coding SNPs (nsSNPs) that should be tested in experimental and epidemiological studies to establish their context-specific impacts on protein function. In addition, with emerging high-resolution clinical genetics testing, new polymorphisms must be analyzed in the context of all available protein feature knowledge including other known mutations and polymorphisms. To approach this, we developed PolyDoms (http://polydoms.cchmc.org/) as a database to integrate the results of multiple algorithmic procedures and functional criteria applied to the entire Entrez dbSNP dataset. In addition to predicting structural and functional impacts of all nsSNPs, filtering functions enable group-based identification of potentially harmful nsSNPs among multiple genes associated with specific diseases, anatomies, mammalian phenotypes, gene ontologies, pathways or protein domains. PolyDoms, thus, provides a means to derive a list of candidate SNPs to be evaluated in experimental or epidemiological studies for impact on protein functions and disease risk associations. PolyDoms will continue to be curated to improve its usefulness.
Norms and Narratives: Can Judges Avoid Serious Moral Error?

Examines notorious cases that, in retrospect, appear reprehensible and injure the reputation of a prominent judge or court. Suggests that these often result from judicial blind spots that are a product of lack of familiarity with a human condition or dilemma. Suggests that, in the absence of broad experience, literature and reading can aid understanding through vicarious experience.
Intestinal microbiota and the efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation in gastrointestinal disease.

Transplantation of stool for the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) disease was first reported in 4th-century China by Ge Hong, who described the use of human fecal suspension by mouth for patients who had food poisoning or severe diarrhea.1 In the 16th century, Li Shizhen described oral administration of fermented fecal solution, fresh fecal suspension, dry feces, and infant feces for the treatment of severe diarrhea, fever, pain, vomiting, and constipation.1 In the 17th century, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) began to be used in veterinary medicine, both orally and rectally, and was later termed “transfaunation.”2 The first “modern” use of FMT in humans was for the treatment of pseudomembranous colitis caused by Micrococcus pyogenes (Staphylococcus). It was given as fecal enemas and was reported in 1958 in a 4-patient case series by Eiseman and colleagues.3 Use of FMT for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) was also by enema and first reported in 1983 by Schwan and colleagues.4 Until 1989, fecal retention enema was the most common technique for FMT5; however, alternative methods of administration have been used subsequently, including fecal infusion via nasogastric tube (1991),6 gastroscopy and colonoscopy (1998, 2000),6,7 and self-administered enemas (2010).8 To date, well over 500 cases of FMT have been reported worldwide and include approximately 75% by colonoscopy or retention enema and 25% by nasogastric (or nasoenteric) tube or gastroduodenoscopy.9,10
Dementia in systemic diseases.

As a first step in analyzing dementia in a patient with or without signs of systemic disease, the mental deterioration needs to be defined. The effects of the dementia on different components of memory are clues to the location of processes causing memory loss. The analysis should also take into account impairment of other cognitive functions, other neurologic signs and symptoms, and any evidence of general disease. Discussion of several systemic illnesses in which dementia may be prominent illustrates application of this approach.
Sanitary investigation of village concentrated water supply in Weifang

Objective To investigate the health situation of village concentrated water supply,and provide scientific evidence to prevent from water-borne infection.Methods From July to November in 2011,684 villages concentrated water supply sites were selected randomly,and their basic situation was investigated.The source and peripheral water of each site was detected.Results Ground water was major source of countryside concentrated supply water in Weifang,the proportion of deep layer ground water was 95.91%,the proportion of complete treated engineering water was 2.78%,the proportion of water supplied with sterilization installation was only 6.87%;in those 1 368 detected water samples,the total qualification rates were 35.82%,the qualification rate of source and peripheral water was 38.45% and 33.19%;the microbes and nitrate exceeded national standard obviously,and the total number of colony,coli group,nitrogen and heat-proof coli group also exceeded standards obviously,which unqualified rates were 45.54%,36.33%,23.25% and 12.79%.Conclusion The sanitary situation of countryside concentrated water supply in Weifang is poor,there is health hidden danger in village drinking water.
The effects of group psychological training on improving mental health level of emergency nurses

Objective To evaluate the effects of group psychological training on improving mental health of emergency nurses. Methods A 12-week group psychological training program including 5 units were developed and used to train emergency nurses. Results The psychological health level of emergency nurses was lower than normal people. After group psychological training,the total score and the factors scores of somatization,obsessive-compulsive symptom,interpersonal sensitivity,depression,anxiety and photic anxiety in SCL-90 decreased( P 0. 05). Conclusion Group psychological training can effectively reduce the psychological pressure and improve the mental health of emergency nurses.
Bonn, World City: Explaining the FRG’s Provisional Capital through Government-Commissioned Documentaries during the Adenauer Years

This essay examines two documentaries on Bonn produced by the Deutsche Wochenschau that the Federal government commissioned during the Adenauer period (1949–63), to make the argument that they portray Bonn as having all the necessary features to compete with any “permanent” capital of the Western world, in spite of its status as provisional capital. In organizing their narratives, both films embrace Bonn’s inherent contradiction between a provincial setting and the international capital duties in such a way as to use it to demarcate the capital’s provisionality, thereby deflecting wide-spread public criticism of Bonn as capital due to financial and political considerations. In their thematic alignment, the films thus reflect the complexity of the sociopolitical founding discourses attached to the installment of the FRG on one of the central fault lines of the Cold War, the repercussions of which can be traced all through Aden-auer’s chancellorship. Bonn emerges from the films as the dynamic capital of a new Germany after 1945, which, led by Federal Chancellor Konrad Adenauer as its central architect, took a confident and forward-looking role in world politics.
Evidence that the acute cardiovascular response to isoprenaline is partly mediated via renin release.

1. The possible effect of the increased plasma renin activity induced by β−adrenoreceptor stimulation in supporting arterial pressure has been studied in five normal subjects on a diet of 100 mmol of sodium/day for 4 days or 40 mmol of sodium/day for 4 days by infusing isoprenaline at 1·0, 2·0 or 3·0 μg min −1 70 kg −1 , each for 1 h with 45 min between each infusion rate. During the last 30 min of each isoprenaline dose, the angiotensin II analogue [Sar 1 , Ala 8 ]angiotensin II (saralasin) was infused. 2. Isoprenaline significantly (at least P P 3. With patients on a low sodium diet, saralasin lowered mean arterial pressure at all three isoprenaline infusion rates. On the low sodium diet the fall in mean arterial pressure caused by saralasin was significantly greater ( P −1 70 kg −1 than at the infusion rate of 1·0 μg min −1 70 kg −1 . The change in mean arterial pressure with saralasin before and during isoprenaline infusion on both diets was significantly correlated ( r = −0·39, n = 38, P 4. It is concluded that during β−adrenoreceptor stimulation the increased plasma renin activity (acting through angiotensin) supports arterial pressure.
Game Development as a Pathway to Information Technology Literacy.

Teaching game development has become an accepted methodology for introducing programming concepts and capturing the interest of beginning computer science and information technology (IT) students. This study, conducted over three consecutive semesters, explores game development using a gaming engine, rather than a traditional programming language, as a means not only to introduce programming concepts, but also to promote the development of information and communications technology (ICT) literacy skills among first-year business students. The paper argues that in addition to learning programming concepts, completing the steps involved to develop and publish an original game requires students to demonstrate a variety of ICT skills. To be successful, they must be proficient at creating and editing multimedia, interacting with multiple operating systems and mobile devices, performing research online, transferring files from one machine to another, and uploading the files for their games to an app store and the web.
The time and cost investment required to obtain and initiate direct-acting antiviral therapy.

BACKGROUND Obtaining direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medications for treatment of HCV is labour-intensive for providers. The purpose of this study was to assess the amount of unbillable time and to estimate the financial burden of obtaining DAAs for HCV. METHODS Patients prescribed DAA therapy from 30 September 2014 to 19 March 2015 at an academic hepatology practice were enrolled prospectively. Providers recorded the amount of time required to obtain HCV therapy for each patient. RESULTS A total of 79 patients consented, 27 of whom were excluded due to incomplete data or deferment of therapy. In our patient population 56% of patients had private insurance, 27% Medicare and 15% Medicaid. The median time spent per patient was 92.5 min (IQR 80.00-108.80). The median cost spent per patient was $78.85 (IQR 66.75-94.30). CONCLUSIONS Development of a streamlined process to reduce the time and cost for physicians to obtain DAAs is needed. Removing this barrier will encourage physicians to adopt HCV treatment to address the large number of patients in need.
Ischial Bursa Injection

: The ischial bursa can become inflamed (ischial bursitis or ischiogluteal bursitis aka “Weaver’s bottom”) due to minor trauma and overuse and from prolonged sitting. Patients typically complain of buttocks pain or pain worsened by the seated position.
Animal Behavioral Studies, Primates

Aggression may either promote sociality or disrupt it. All of an individual's social and physical skills may be involved and mechanisms exist to minimize the resulting damage. Territoriality, Dominance and other learned relations can reduce the costs of fighting. Aggression can result from Conflict and Competition but does not always result from either. Other factors also induce aggression. Third parties often intervene in fights and mechanisms restoring social relations (Reconciliation) also exist. Aggression can serve to protect the group from external and internal sources of disturbance, and contributes to socialization, but uncontrolled aggression can destroy a group.
Pharmacological Interference in Arachidonic Acid Cascade

In order to be metabolized by oxidative tissue enzymes arachidonic acid (AA) has to be liberated from the cellular phospholipids by phospholipase A2 (1). In certain cells, e.g. in platelets, phospholipase requires calcium ions for its optimal biochemical activity (2), and therefore Ca2+ ionophors activate AA cascade (3) while the drugs which rise intracellular cAMP levels sequestrate Ca2+, and thus inhibit AA liberation and its subsequent metabolism (4). Mepacrine and bromophenacetyl bromide are direct inhibitors of phospholipase A2 (5). We have proposed (6,7) that the liberation of AA from intact tissues is hindered by glucocorticosteroids as well as by anti-inflammatory steroids, eg. dexymethasone. Other authors since have confirmed our hypothesis (8,9,10), and Flower and Blackwell (11) demonstrated that glucocorticosteroids induce the endogenous synthesis of a phospholipase A2 inhibitor.
Fetal bovine dermis as an alternative to allograft in large burn injuries

Abstract Introduction Dermal substitutes can be an essential treatment option for patients with very large burn injuries. We reviewed and compared our experience with a fetal bovine dermis dermal substitute versus allograft for adult burn patients with large burn injuries. Methods After obtaining regulatory approval from our local institutional review board, we performed a 1 year retrospective review of adult burn patients with a TBSA of 50% or greater who underwent grafting with either fetal bovine dermis or allograft. We collected data that included age, TBSA, length of stay, number of operations,% area grafted with either allograft or fetal bovine dermis, and time between allograft or fetal bovine dermis grafting to autografting. All mean values are mean ± standard deviation, and all median values are median (interquartile range) Results Overall for this review 15 patients met entry criteria. The mean age was 36 ± 9 years and mean TBSA was 71 ± 15%. Mean area grafted with either allograft (ALLO) or fetal bovine dermis (FBD) was 20 ± 8%. Mean time from grafting with ALLO or FB was 30 ± 12 days. There was no difference in median age between the ALLO group (30 (26–31)) and FBD group (35 (32–46) and there was no difference in median TBSA between the ALLO group (68(60–75)%) and FBD group (69(59–88)%). The median area grafted with allograft was 20(20–30)% which was not significantly different than the median area grafted with FBD (16.5(11–26)%). Additionally, there was no difference between the time from grafting with ALLO to autologous skin grafting (26(22–36) days) and the time from grafting with FBD to autologous skin grafting (25.5(21–32) days). Conclusions Fetal bovine dermis is an acceptable alternative to allograft in patients with a large TBSA burn-injury. Further studies are needed to determine if infectious and functional outcomes are improved with fetal bovine dermis.
Iterative Design of Class-D Inductive Power Transfer Systems Using an Equivalent DC Circuit

This work presents an equivalent DC circuit for modeling the steady-state behavior of a class-D inductive power transfer (IPT) system with series-parallel compensation capacitors. The equivalent circuit models lossy full-bridge (FB) and half-bridge (HB) class-D inverters and rectifiers. Convenient expressions for the maximum obtainable efficiency and component voltage and current stresses are derived using the model. We apply the model to a representative design problem, and formulate a step-by-step design procedure, with the goal of simplifying and generalizing the design process. The accuracy of the model is validated by comparing analytical results with simulated and measured results. The model's value for solving other types of design problems is discussed.
The Integrated Model of Organizational Ethical Decision Making

Understanding ethical decision making processes within organizations is a complex yet important endeavor. Key features of organizations, such as routines, control mechanisms and the information env...
Abstract 576: LDL-Trafficked Small RNAs Promote Atherosclerosis through TLR Signaling in Macrophages

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease, and despite resounding success in lipid management to reduce cardiovascular events, most heart attacks in the US occur in patients with clinically...
Upping the Anti’s: 50 Years of Vilifying Intellectuals, the Government, and the Media

American attitudes toward the institutions of knowledge have transformed in the past half-century. As the national culture developed to include more citizens in the areas of higher education, the media, and politics, many conservatives began to question those in power. Since the mid-twentieth century, there has been a growing accusation of liberal bias in colleges, in the news, and in government. These verdicts of one-sidedness helped usher in a new media system, one tailored specifically for those on the right. Rooted in truth but inflated into the illusory, the conservative accusations of bias have led to a cynical dismissal of these three foundations. Dagnes examines the formation, development, and contemporary conservative arguments against liberal universities and professors, against a large and intrusive government, and against a biased news media. These arguments together comprise one important reason that there is a right-wing media circle today.
Performance Characteristics of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients With Pancreas Divisum.

Objective This study was designed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of standard nonsecretin-enhanced preprocedural magnetic resonance imaging/cholangiopancreatography (MRI/MRCP) in patients with and without pancreas divisum. Methods Patients undergoing MRI/MRCP followed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with between 2009 and 2016 were reviewed. The diagnostic accuracy of the MRI/MRCP was evaluated against the pancreatography. A subsequent independent blinded re-review performed by an expert abdominal radiologist was also evaluated. Multivariate binary logistic regression was performed to assess the impact of clinicopathologic factors on the diagnostic accuracy. Results A total of 189 patients were included in analysis. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of MRI/MRCP for pancreas divisum were 63%, 97%, 94%, and 82% initially and 81%, 91%, 91%, and 82% on the expert review. Motion artifact, the presence of pancreatic tumor, and pancreatic necrosis were not found to significantly impact the accuracy. A normal diameter pancreatic duct (P = 0.04) and complete divisum anatomy were correlated with improved accuracy (P = 0.001). Conclusions Although expert review, normal duct diameter, and complete divisum are associated with increased sensitivity, pancreas divisum may be uncharacterized by preprocedural MRI in 19% to 37% of patients before the index endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.
PanDA: Panoptic Data Augmentation

The recently proposed panoptic segmentation task presents a significant challenge of image understanding with computer vision by unifying semantic segmentation and instance segmentation tasks. In this paper we present an efficient and novel panoptic data augmentation (PanDA) method which operates exclusively in pixel space, requires no additional data or training, and is computationally cheap to implement. By retraining original state-of-the-art models on PanDA augmented datasets generated with a single frozen set of parameters, we show robust performance gains in panoptic segmentation, instance segmentation, as well as detection across models, backbones, dataset domains, and scales. Finally, the effectiveness of unrealistic-looking training images synthesized by PanDA suggest that one should rethink the need for image realism for efficient data augmentation.
Analysis on misdiagnosis of a case of novel variant of NLRP12.

We had read with great interest the paper about undefined systemic autoinflammatory diseases (SAIDs) by Ter Haar et al .1 We noticed heterogeneity of presentation in SAIDs, is difficult to diagnose, and there are no standard medications for the treatment. Here, we report a case with novel variant in NLRP12 was misdiagnosed as refractory systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) for 2 years. A 9-year-old girl presented with arthralgia for 2 months and skin rash on her trunk and fever for 10 days, despite antibiotic therapy. The affected joints were both knees and wrists. She was admitted to our department for an initial evaluation in June 2016. Laboratory investigations include the blood count (white blood count (WBC) 9.03×10∧9/L, platelet count (PLT) 508×10∧9/L), inflammatory parameters (high C-reactive protein (CRP) 117.7 mg/L, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) 108 mm/hour, serum ferritin 628.6 ug/L, interleukin-6 (IL-6) 325.3 pg/L). Serum creatinine, transaminase and procalcitonin …
Anthropocene Alerts in the Covid-Scene

Reading Anthropocene Alerts during the coronavirus pandemic casts an added haunted quality onto these essays. Alongside the ecological disasters and political dangers addressed here, another monste...
Hemorrhagic Shock and Resuscitation Causes Glycocalyx Shedding and Endothelial Oxidative Stress Preferentially in the Lung and Intestinal Vasculature.

Introduction Hemorrhagic shock has recently been shown to cause shedding of a carbohydrate surface layer of endothelial cells known as the glycocalyx. This shedding of the glycocalyx is thought to be a mediator of the coagulopathy seen in trauma patients. Clinical studies have demonstrated increases in shed glycocalyx in the blood after trauma, and animal studies have measured glycocalyx disruption in blood vessels in the lung, skeletal muscle, and mesentery. However, no study has measured glycocalyx disruption across a wide range of vascular beds to quantify the primary locations of this shedding. Methods In the present study, we used a rat model of hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation to more comprehensively assess glycocalyx disruption across a range of organs. Glycocalyx disruption was assessed by fluorescent-labelled wheat germ agglutinin or syndecan-1 antibody staining in flash frozen tissue. Results We found that our model did elicit glycocalyx shedding, as assessed by an increase in plasma syndecan-1 levels. In tissue sections, we found that the greatest glycocalyx disruption occurred in vessels in the lung and intestine. Shedding to a lesser extent was observed in vessels of the brain, heart, and skeletal muscle. Liver vessel glycocalyx was unaffected, and kidney vessels, including the glomerular capillaries, displayed an increase in glycocalyx. We also measured reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the endothelial cells from these organs, and found that the greatest increase in ROS occurred in the two beds with the greatest glycocalyx shedding, the lungs and intestine. We also detected fibrin deposition in lung vessels following hemorrhage-resuscitation. Conclusions We conclude that the endothelium in the lungs and intestine are particularly susceptible to the oxidative stress of hemorrhage-resuscitation, as well as the resulting glycocalyx disruption. Thus these two vessel beds may be important drivers of coagulopathy in trauma patients.
A Novel Teaching Strategy in Nursing Pharmacology: Learning Using Cognitive Load Theory.

ABSTRACT Nursing pharmacology is a complex and content-dense course that is often difficult for educators and students. Cognitive load theory explains why utilizing slide decks for instruction overloads the working memory and impedes processing information into long-term memory. An instructional design change in a baccalaureate nursing pharmacology course provided an example of understanding the impact of cognitive load theory. The Pharmacology Phamily Project is a multimodal, multiphase assignment in which students created a case study video about a unique medication and presented it via discussion board for peer feedback and learning. Student investment improved over traditional past semesters, and student-to-instructor feedback was positive.
How Severe Is This MR

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is one of the most common indications for echocardiography. Accurate quantification of MR severity is extremely important for proper decision-making regarding optimal treatment options. Echocardiography, and frequently trans-esophageal echo, provide thorough quantification information, as well as supporting evidence for the effects of the MR on the heart (e.g., LV/LA enlargement, presence and severity of pulmonary hypertension). It is important to utilize all available tools and measurements when assessing MR severity; reliance on one form of assessment can be deceiving and may result in inaccurate classification of MR severity. Conceptually, the severity of mitral regurgitation is determined by volume—how much blood (in milliliters) spills back from the LV into the LA during systole. A related concept that is also at the crux of determining MR severity is the regurgitant fraction—what percentage of the total stroke volume spills back into the LA. There are multiple echocardiographic quantification techniques for assessing MR severity including anatomic assessment for estimation of regurgitant orifice area, PISA method, color Doppler assessment, and volumetric calculations comparing flow volumes at various locations in the heart. For the most accurate assessment, a comprehensive evaluation should be undertaken and all possible data points should be analyzed.
Thermodynamic examination of the ion effect and cellular crowding on nucleic acids (LB210)

Ions play essential roles in forming functional RNA structures and can act as nucleophiles in RNA catalytic reactions. Under physiological conditions, folding of RNA requires potassium and magnesium ions. Nearly 30% of the cellular volume is occupied by ions and macromolecules. Cellular crowding affects the stability of nucleic acids by changing the availability of ions and water (excluded volume effect). To mimic cellular conditions, polyethylene glycol (PEG) is used as a “crowder.” RNA folding experiments on Group I introns show formation of more compact RNA structures at lower concentrations of magnesium ions in the presence of PEG. In this study, we are using the pyrophosphate sensor helix of the thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP)- binding riboswitch to examine the ion and crowding effects on small RNA. The stability of multiple bulge and helix constructs was studied using thermal denaturation experiments in varying ion and PEG conditions. Different cations, anions, and PEG concentrations influence small DN...
Detection and quantification capabilities for 85Kr with the NIST low-level gas counting system: Impacts of instrumental and environmental backgrounds

Among the most important, conservative geochemical tracers are the long-lived isotopes of krypton, 81Kr and 85Kr. Following a brief review of the metrology and applications of these radionuclides, we focus on the low-level measurement of the 10.8 year fission product 85Kr, in connection with its use for studying atmospheric transport and short term (decadal) atmosphere-ocean exchange and mixing. Special challenges for the study of 85Kr in the environment are: (1) reducing detection/quantification limits to mBq levels, to minimize the need for costly (large) atmospheric and marine samples, where current levels are ca. 1.4 Bq·m-3 (northern troposphere) and 0.08 mBq·kg-1 (surface ocean water); and (2) designing a protocol that accounts for the influence of both instrumental and environmental backgrounds and their variability. The capability of the NIST enhanced low-level gas counting system to meet these challenges was demonstrated theoretically and experimentally, showing that ambient 85Kr can be quantified in just 1.5 l air or 25 l seawater with 2000 min paired counting periods.
Women and social security: a progressive approach.

This article explores some major assumptions underlying the Social Security system and alternative approaches to rendering the system more economically viable, meeting the income needs of the elderly and/or providing greater equity under its benefit and taxation provisions. It attempts to show that the current structure of Social Security not only reinforces but also exacerbates the underlying economic inequalities in our nation's political economy under the guise of a social insurance program. In addressing selected benefit and taxation issues, the article focuses on how working and older women are faring in the 1990s under the Social Security system. It argues that although the program theoretically is gender neutral, its impact is not. Women, particularly those who are single, are poorly served. The article concludes that a progressive restructuring of the Social Security system itself is imperative if we are to meet the needs of a large percentage of workers, older people, and the economic and social ...
The early release of planned movement by acoustic startle can be delayed by transcranial magnetic stimulation over the motor cortex.

Non-technical summary Reaction times of planned movements can be reduced to less than 100 ms when a startling acoustic stimulus (SAS) is presented immediately prior to, or coincident with, the imperative ‘go’ cue. Based on the short latency of these reaction times, it has been suggested that the early release of planned movements by a SAS is mediated by shorter pathways that pass through the brainstem instead of via the primary motor cortex. Here we show that the application of high intensity transcranial magnetic stimulation over the primary motor cortex, a method that suppresses the excitability of the motor cortex and blocks voluntary drive, caused a significant delay in the onset of SAS-released movements. These findings provide evidence that the early release of planned movements by a SAS is mediated, in part, by pathways that pass through the primary motor cortex.
Early-life risk factors for late-onset depression.

Objective To assess differences between women with no history of depression (No MDD), early-onset depression (EOD), and late-onset depression (LOD) on psychosocial risk factors (marital conflict and lack of social support), neuroticism, and overall self-rated health. Method Diagnostic data from a community-based longitudinal study of women at mean ages 39, 42, 48, and 59 was used to create three groups of women (No MDD, EOD and LOD). These groups were then compared on psychosocial, personality, and overall health risk assessed approximately 10 years prior to diagnosis. Results There were no differences between the groups on marital conflict and social support. Those with EOD scored higher than those in the LOD and No MDD groups on neuroticism. Importantly, those with LOD reported poorer health than those with No MDD 10 years prior to diagnosis. Conclusions These findings provide support for the notion that poor health and not psychosocial risk factors or neuroticism predispose otherwise healthy adults to developing depression for the first time in late-life. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The layered sensing operations center: a modeling and simulation approach to developing complex ISR networks

In order to anticipate the constantly changing landscape of global warfare, the United States Air Force must acquire new capabilities in the field of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR). To meet this challenge, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is developing a unifying construct of "Layered Sensing" which will provide military decision-makers at all levels with the timely, actionable, and trusted information necessary for complete battlespace awareness. Layered Sensing is characterized by the appropriate combination of sensors and platforms (including those for persistent sensing), infrastructure, and exploitation capabilities to enable this synergistic awareness. To achieve the Layered Sensing vision, AFRL is pursuing a Modeling & Simulation (M&S) strategy through the Layered Sensing Operations Center (LSOC). An experimental ISR system-of-systems test-bed, the LSOC integrates DoD standard simulation tools with commercial, off-the-shelf video game technology for rapid scenario development and visualization. These tools will help facilitate sensor management performance characterization, system development, and operator behavioral analysis. Flexible and cost-effective, the LSOC will implement a non-proprietary, open-architecture framework with well-defined interfaces. This framework will incentivize the transition of current ISR performance models to service-oriented software design for maximum re-use and consistency. This paper will present the LSOC's development and implementation thus far as well as a summary of lessons learned and future plans for the LSOC.
A novel serotonin transporter ligand: (5-iodo-2-(2-dimethylaminomethylphenoxy)-benzyl alcohol.

The serotonin transporters (SERT) are the primary binding sites for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, commonly used antidepressants such as fluoxetine, sertraline, and paroxetine. Imaging of SERT with positron emission tomography and single photon emission computed tomography in humans would provide a useful tool for understanding how alterations of this system are related to depressive illnesses and other psychiatric disorders. In this article the synthesis and characterization of [(125)I]ODAM [(5-iodo-2-(2-dimethylaminomethylphenoxy)-benzyl alcohol, 9)] as an imaging agent in the evaluation of central nervous system SERT are reported. A new reaction scheme was developed for the preparation of compound 9, ODAM, and the corresponding tri-n-butyltin derivative 10. Upon reacting 10 with hydrogen peroxide and sodium[(125)I]iodide, the radiolabeled [(125)95%). In an initial binding study using cortical membrane homogenates of rat brain, ODAM displayed a good binding affinity with a value of K(i) = 2.8 +/- 0.88 nM. Using LLC-PK(1) cells specifically expressing the individual transporter (i.e. dopamine [DAT], norepinephrine [NET], and SERT, respectively), ODAM showed a strong inhibition on SERT (K(i) = 0.12 +/- 0.02 nM). Inhibition constants for the other two transporters were lower (K(i) = 3.9 +/- 0.7 microM and 20.0 +/- 1.9 nM for DAT and NET, respectively). Initial biodistribution study in rats after an intravenous (IV) injection of [(125)I]ODAM showed a rapid brain uptake and washout (2.03, 1.49, 0.79, 0.27, and 0.07% dose/organ at 2, 30, 60, 120, and 240 min, respectively). The hypothalamus region where the serotonin neurons are located exhibited a high specific uptake. Ratios of hypothalamus-cerebellum/cerebellum based on percent dose per gram of these two regions showed values of 0.35, 0. 86, 0.86, 0.63, and 0.34 at 2, 30, 60, 120, and 240 min, post-IV injection, respectively. The specific uptake in hypothalamus can be effectively blocked by pretreatment of known SERT ligands. The results suggest that this novel ligand displays desirable in vitro and in vivo properties as a potential SERT imaging agent.
Welcoming Schools: Small Changes That Can Make a Big Difference

In this article, the authors offer small changes in home–school relationships that can make a big difference in family involvement in schools.
Ion cyclotron waves in the Io torus: Wave dispersion, free energy analysis, and SO2 + source rate estimates

As the Galileo spacecraft passed through the Io torus, ion cyclotron waves were observed near the sulfur dioxide ion gyrofrequency. The torus plasma is continually replenished by the ionization of neutral particles from Io. It is well known that sulfur dioxide dissociates rapidly, so that the corotating torus plasma consists of predominantly sulfur and oxygen ions. However, for the small fraction of molecules that become ionized before dissociation, the appearance of SO2+ gyroresonant waves near Io indicates that the wave growth timescale (or wave-particle scattering time) is short compared with the lifetime of these SO2+ ions. Newly created ions initially form “ring”-type ion distributions which are highly unstable and generate the observed ion cyclotron waves. A warm plasma dispersion analysis finds that growth at the SO2+ gyrofrequency dominates over that at the O+ and S+ gyrofrequencies, partly because the ring energy scales with ion mass, but mainly due to the absence of a thermalized “background” component of SO2+ which would otherwise damp these waves. At the growth rate peak, the wave frequency is just below the SO2+ gyrofrequency (0.4 Hz) and the phase velocity is ∼55 km/s. A free energy analysis for wave-particle scattering of ions toward a “bispherical” shell-type distribution suggests that the SO2+ density in the torus falls off steeply with distance from Io wake values. These density estimates obtained from the observed wave power do not rely on assumptions of the exact plasma composition, but require that the SO2+ wave dominates the spectrum and is not strongly damped (as verified by the dispersion analysis). From our density estimates, we infer an ion production rate for SO2+ of ∼8×1026/s, representing the small fraction of sulfur dioxide that survives in molecular form long enough to be ionized and generate waves before dissociation occurs. This is consistent with 5% of the total ion source at the time of the Galileo flyby but is less than 3% of the widely accepted total torus supply rate of ∼3×1028 particles/s from Io.