cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The novel ETA receptor antagonist HJP-272 prevents cerebral microvascular hemorrhage in cerebral malaria and synergistically improves survival in combination with an artemisinin derivative

Aim To investigate the association between vasculopathy and survival during experimental cerebral malaria (ECM), and to determine whether targeting the endothelin-1 (ET-1) pathway alone or in combination with the anti-malaria drug artemether (a semi-synthetic derivative of artemisinin) will improve microvascular hemorrhage and survival.
Interface waves along fractures in anisotropic media

ABSTRACTThe detection of fractures in an anisotropic medium is complicated by discrete modes that are guided or confined by fractures such as fracture interface waves. Fracture interface waves are generalized coupled Rayleigh waves whose existence and velocity in isotropic media depend on the stiffness of the fracture, frequency of the source, and shear-wave polarization. We derived the analytic solution for fracture interface waves in an orthorhombic medium and found that the existence and velocity of interface waves in anisotropic media are also affected by the orientation of a fracture relative to the layering. Laboratory measurements of fracture interface waves using ultrasonic transducers (central frequency ∼1 MHz) on garolite specimens confirmed that the presence of fracture interface waves can mask the textural shear-wave anisotropy of waves propagating parallel to the layering. At low stresses, a layered medium appears almost isotropic when a fracture is oriented perpendicular to the layering, a...
Persistently infected horses are reservoirs for intrastadial tick-borne transmission of the apicomplexan parasite Babesia equi.

Tick-borne pathogens may be transmitted intrastadially and transstadially within a single vector generation as well as vertically between generations. Understanding the mode and relative efficiency of this transmission is required for infection control. In this study, we established that adult male Rhipicephalus microplus ticks efficiently acquire the protozoal pathogen Babesia equi during acute and persistent infections and transmit it intrastadially to naive horses. Although the level of parasitemia during acquisition feeding affected the efficiency of the initial tick infection, infected ticks developed levels of > or =10(4) organisms/pair of salivary glands independent of the level of parasitemia during acquisition feeding and successfully transmitted them, indicating that replication within the tick compensated for any initial differences in infectious dose and exceeded the threshold for transmission. During the development of B. equi parasites in the salivary gland granular acini, the parasites expressed levels of paralogous surface proteins significantly different from those expressed by intraerythrocytic parasites from the mammalian host. In contrast to the successful intrastadial transmission, adult female R. microplus ticks that fed on horses with high parasitemia passed the parasite vertically into the eggs with low efficiency, and the subsequent generation (larvae, nymphs, and adults) failed to transmit B. equi parasites to naive horses. The data demonstrated that intrastadial but not transovarial transmission is an efficient mode for B. equi transmission and that persistently infected horses are an important reservoir for transmission. Consequently, R. microplus male ticks and persistently infected horses should be targeted for disease control.
Ordering High-cost Medical Imaging: A Right or a Privilege?

Imagine for a moment, a medical system composed of 3 groups of clinicians. One group has a high level of understanding of most high-cost imaging studies and generally orders studies appropriately. The second group has a pretty good understanding of some types of high-cost imaging studies but has serious gaps in knowledge regarding the appropriateness of some types of examinations, including those outside its area of clinical expertise. The third group is essentially clueless about what high-cost imaging studies can and cannot show and is incompetent in ordering them. Now imagine that the society in which these clinicians and their patients live is being financially crushed by the costs of medical care. Imagine further that in this society anyone with a medical degree has an inherent right to order any test, regardless of cost and whether it makes any clinical sense. A physician can order hundreds of useless computed tomography, magnetic resonance, ultrasound, or nuclear medicine studies without ever being asked to provide a rationale for them or even guess at their likely utility. In this imaginary system, the clueless physician has the same right to order as the competent physician. Just imagine. Consider how this differs from other aspects of medicine: Physicians, at least in hospitals, are required to demonstrate competence before being allowed (or granted privileges) to perform their duties, be they procedures, surgeries, consultations, or interpretations of electrocardiograms, laboratory studies, pulmonary function testing, vascular laboratory examinations, or even imaging studies themselves. But in this imaginary society, there is no need for any mechanisms to identify or rectify abuse of imaging studies. No need to show competence before being allowed to order multi-thousand dollar exams. No need to track any misuse of technology. No need to see which patients are being overtreated, over-radiated, overtaxed, or indeed, overcharged. Just not that important. And nobody would be rude enough to suggest that these clinicians might not be experts in highly specialized imaging options and could benefit from input from other, more knowledgeable
p63: Molecular complexity in development and cancer.

Discovery of the p53 homologs p63 and p73 has brought new excitement to the p53 field. Identification of homologous genes coding for several proteins with similar and antagonistic properties towards p53 has been both intriguing and perplexing. A multitude of properties have been attributed to these new homologs and this review will focus on the biochemical and biological aspects of one family member, p63. Although the most ancient member of the p53 family, p63 is the most recently discovered and the least is known about this family member. Unlike p53, whose protein expression is not readily detectable in epithelial cells unless they are exposed to various stress conditions, p63 is expressed in select epithelial cells at high levels under normal conditions, p63 is highly expressed in embryonic ectoderm and in the nuclei of basal regenerative cells of many epithelial tissues in the adult including skin, breast myoepithelium, oral epithelium, prostate and urothelia. In contrast to the tumor suppressive function of p53, over-expression of select p63 splice variants is observed in many squamous carcinomas suggesting that p63 may act as an oncogene. Undoubtedly, the biochemical and biological activities attributed to p63 over the next several years will be diverse and regulation of the p63 gene and its several protein products complex. The use of various model systems and the study of human disease should continue to lead to rapid advances in our understanding of the role of p63 in development, epithelial cell maintenance and tumorigenesis.
Uncertainty analysis for knowledge-based decision aids: Application to PDSS (phosphorus decision support system)

Abstract The uncertainty associated with predictions generated by computer decision support systems is often not quantified. First order uncertainty analysis was adapted to quantify the uncertainty in the prediction of phosphorus requirements by the phosphorus decision support system (PDSS). Uncertainties were evaluated on the basis of input values of each variable rather than using the population mean and standard deviation as in standard first order uncertainty analysis. The comparison between first order uncertainty analysis and Monte Carlo simulation showed a good agreement when the coefficient of variation of the buffering coefficient was small. Components of overall uncertainty in PDSS were identified and compared. Crop critical level and buffer coefficient contributed the most uncertainty —a more than variation in extractable P or rate of the P slow reaction. The identification and ranking of the source of variation helps prioritize research to improve recommendation precision.
New cancellation technique for electromagnetic induction sensors

A new technique is presented for canceling the coupling between the coils of an electromagnetic induction sensor while using simple dipole detection coils. A secondary bucking transformer is used to cancel the coupling between the coils. The technique allows the cancellation that can be obtained using a quadrupole receive coil while maintaining the depth sensitivity and simple detection zone of a dipole coil. Simple circuit models for the sensor with some of the important parasitic effects are developed. An experimental model is developed and used to demonstrate the technique. Experimental results are presented that demonstrate more than 75 dB of cancellation up to 100 kHz and the response of the sensor to a few targets.
Consumer Perceptions of Compatibility in Cause-Related Marketing Messages

Consumers respond more positively to marketing efforts, like celebrity endorsements and sponsorships, when the image of the sponsoring company or brand is compatible with the celebrity or sponsored event. The authors explore the concept of compatibility within a cause-related marketing context. The results of an experiment confirm the role of sponsor/cause compatibility for the creation of positive consumer perceptions of the donor, and highlight the importance of individual characteristics that affect perceptions of the cause and its compatibility with a donor. Theoretical and strategic implications and future research directions are discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Statistical Reliability of Bone Biopsy for the Diagnosis of Diabetic Foot Osteomyelitis

Bone biopsy is often referred to as the reference standard for the diagnosis of diabetic foot osteomyelitis (OM), and it also serves as an important interventional tool with respect to diabetic foot infections and limb salvage. However, the phrase bone biopsy lacks a standardized definition, and the statistical reliability of the pathologic diagnosis has not been previously examined. The objective of the present study was to quantify the reliability of the histopathologic analysis of bone with respect to the diagnosis of diabetic foot OM. Four pathologists, kept unaware of the previous pathology reports and specific patient clinical characteristics, retrospectively reviewed 39 consecutive tissue specimens and were informed only that it was "a specimen of bone taken from a diabetic foot to evaluate for OM." As a primary outcome measure, the pathologists were asked to make 1 of 3 possible diagnoses: (1) no evidence of OM, (2) no definitive findings of OM, but cannot rule it out, or (3) findings consistent with OM. There was complete agreement among all 4 pathologists with respect to the primary diagnosis in 13 (33.33%) of the 39 specimens, with a corresponding kappa coefficient of 0.31. A situation of clinically significant disagreement, or in which at least 1 pathologist diagnosed "no evidence of OM," but at least 1 other pathologist diagnosed "findings consistent with OM," occurred in 16 (41.03%) of the specimens. These results indicate agreement below the level of a "reference standard" and emphasize the need for a more comprehensive diagnostic protocol for diabetic foot OM.
Dynamic Event/Fault Tree Analysis of Multi-agent Systems Using Galileo

Agent-oriented software engineering (AOSE) has the potential to revolutionize critical software systems by employing autonomy, adaptability, and robustness mechanisms advantageous to essential infrastructure. Yet, requisite with critical software is the need for dependability techniques to provide high assurance that the multi-agent system (MAS) will function as intended. In this paper we investigate how dynamic event/fault trees (DEFT) can be utilized for AOSE as a mechanism to analyze and reason about agent behavior and failures. Specifically, we: (1) adapt DEFT for MAS to identify and analyze necessary safety responsibilities; (2) show how the use of Galileo, the tool for DEFT probabilistic risk assessment, assists in developing a more robust MAS; and, (3) identify necessary AOSE-specific enhancements for DEFT needed to better support the dependability analysis of MAS. We illustrate this work through an application to a proposed NASA agent-based satellite swarm.
Family Background and Propensity to Engage in Infidelity

The current study explored how a variety of family-of-origin experiences are related to individuals’ infidelity history. A survey was completed by 294 participants and we found that parental infidelity, parental marital status, parental conflict, and parental marital satisfaction were associated with the likelihood of offspring having ever engaged in infidelity. When considered together, parent infidelity and parent satisfaction were uniquely related to offspring infidelity. Additionally, parental marital status moderated the relationship between parent infidelity and offspring infidelity, as individuals who experienced neither event were particularly unlikely to have ever engaged in infidelity. Little evidence was found that individuals’ infidelity beliefs were linked with their family-of-origin experiences or their own infidelity behavior. Results indicate that family-of-origin experiences are related to individuals’ infidelity behavior, a finding that has implications for future research as well as cli...
Age Differences in Online Social Networking: Extending Socioemotional Selectivity Theory to Social Network Sites

This article extends socioemotional selectivity theory to online social networking by examining age differences in the size and composition of Facebook networks across a wide age range of Facebook users (18 to 93 years old) in a nationally representative sample. Findings suggest increasing selectivity of Facebook social partners with age. Compared to younger adults, friend networks of older adults are smaller but contain a greater proportion of individuals who are considered to be actual friends. Moreover, a higher proportion of actual to total Facebook friends is associated with lower levels of social isolation and loneliness across the life span.
Development and application of a bioindicator for benthic habitat enhancement in the North Carolina Piedmont

This paper describes the development, application, and evaluation of a method for assessing the effectiveness of stream restoration activities in enhancing four lotic habitats based on the presence of habitat specialists. Three genera were identified as specialists for indicators of the enhancement of woody debris, coarse bed substrate, fine roots, and leaf pack habitats. These indicator genera were determined for each habitat type through indicator species analysis, extensive literature review, and consultation with local experts and a statewide distribution database. Water quality influences were isolated by excluding taxa with low tolerance to degraded water quality conditions. The difference in the presence of indicator genera between pairs of upstream-restored reaches was used to evaluate the success of the restoration activities in re-establishing benthic habitats. Application of this methodology to 27 paired reaches in the North Carolina Piedmont indicated that no change in specialists was the most frequent result of restoration, particularly for the woody debris habitats, when each habitat was examined individually. By combining the habitats into a composite score, a distinction by land use emerged, with habitats in urban areas indicating the greatest enhancement, while presence of the indicator genera at the agricultural and rural sites showed no clear trend of improvement or degradation in response to the restoration activities. When this composite IG metric was compared to the EPT taxa richness metric and RBP scores, the dependency of the EPT taxa richness metric on upstream conditions and the improvement in discriminatory ability over the RBP score suggest that this indicator genera (IG) metric provides a distinct signal for representing the biological perspective on the enhancement of benthic habitats by stream restoration activities. While further development of the methodology is desirable, this framework introduces a valuable alternative for evaluating benthic habitat enhancement in various hydrogeographic and land use conditions, and is constructive for guiding restoration designs to maximize biotic integrity.
Hole injection oxide breakdown model for very low voltage lifetime extrapolation

An anode hole injection model for silicon dioxide breakdown characterization is presented. The model is valid for a large thickness range between 2.5 nm and at least 13 nm, which provides a method for predicting dielectric lifetime for reduced power supply voltages and aggressively scaled oxide thicknesses. The model extrapolation predicts Q/sub BD/ and t/sub BD/ behavior including a fluence in excess of 10/sup 7/ C/cm/sup 2/ at V/sub ox/=2.4 V for a 2.5-nm oxide. Moreover, it is fully complementary with the well-known thick oxide 1/E model, while offering the ability to predict oxide reliability for low voltages. >
LEAST HARM: A DEFENSE OF VEGETARIANISM FROM STEVEN DAVIS'S OMNIVOROUS PROPOSAL

In his article, "Least Harm," Steven Davis argues that the number of animals killed in ruminant-pasture production is less than the number of animals killed in crop production. Davis then concludes the adoption of an omnivorous diet would cause less harm than the adoption of a vegetarian diet. Davis's argument fails on three counts: first, Davis makes a mathematical error in using total rather than per capita estimates of animals killed; second, he focuses on the number of animals killed in production and ignores the welfare of these animals; and third, he does not count the number of animals who may be prevented from existing. When we correct these errors, Davis's argument makes a strong case for, rather than against, adopting a vegetarian diet: vegetarianism kills fewer animals, involves better treatment of animals, and likely allows a greater number of animals with lives worth living to exist.
Current ideas about the production of the electroglow of Uranus

A process known as “electroglow” was identified by Broadfoot et al. /1/ shortly after the Voyager Uranus encounter as soft charged particle excitation of atmospheric gas in the presence of sunlight and in excess of the available photoelectron energy. Localized aurora and diffuse H and H2 band emissions have been observed from Uranus, and the H Ly a is highly variable. A high upper atmospheric temperature of 800 K and enhanced ionization layers were also observed at Uranus, and these phenomena are all similar to (but more pronounced than) those observed at Jupiter and Saturn. It is clear that the upper atmospheres of the outer planets are driven by more than solar EUV radiation. A theory has been advanced for the energization of photoelectrons and ions by ionospheric fields produced by the dynamo action of the atmosphere, and the potential contribution of scattering processes to these emissions is being re- analyzed.
Amino acid estimates of latitudinal temperature gradients and geochronology of loess deposition during the last glaciation, Mississippi Valley, United States

Principles of amino acid paleothermometry are used to estimate paleotemperatures and latitudinal temperature gradients for the period during and following the last glacial maximum in the Mississippi Valley. Gastropod shells were collected from the Peoria Loess for amino acid analysis, and Arrhenius parameters of isoleucine epimerization were determined experimentally for the gastropod genera Catinella and Hendersonia . There are 37 radiocarbon and 5 thermoluminescence ages that constrain the paleotemperature estimates and provide additional chronological data for loess deposition in the region. Amino acid paleotemperature estimates suggest that the north-south temperature gradient was significantly depressed in the Mississippi Valley for a considerable period during the past ≈25 k.y. Effective diagenetic temperature estimates indicate that at some time during or following the last glaciation, the effective-temperature gradient was ≈0.3–0.6 °C/degree of latitude, which is significantly lower than the modern mean annual air-temperature gradient of ≈0.9 °C/degree of latitude. Calculated effective paleotemperatures for three localities in Tennessee and Mississippi suggest that temperatures were ≈7–13 °C lower than present during the period from ca. 24 to 16 ka in the lower Mississippi Valley. These results provide additional evidence for a significant cooling in southern United States continental temperatures during the last glacial maximum.
Dysregulation of microRNA biogenesis and gene silencing in cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding RNAs that play key roles in the regulation of gene expression and the maintenance of homeostasis in animals and plants. Because miRNAs contribute to the regulation of various signaling pathways that mediate cell behavior, aberrant expression of miRNAs is associated with pathological conditions, including cancer. In this review, which contains three figures and 140 references, we discuss current knowledge about how the dysregulation of miRNAs occurs and how this contributes to tumorigenesis.
Clitoral and Vulvar Vestibular Sensation in Women Taking 20 mcg Ethinyl Estradiol Combined Oral Contraceptives: A Preliminary Study

ABSTRACT Introduction Many women taking low‐dose (20 mcg) oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) complain of decreased libido and arousal and some develop vulvar vestibular pain and dyspareunia. Free testosterone concentrations are decreased by the OCP. Genital sensation has not been objectively measured in women taking OCPs. Aim We assessed whether the 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol combined OCP and associated decrease in free testosterone levels affected genital sensation in a pilot study of a group of asymptomatic OCP users and controls. Methods Clitoral thermal, vibratory, and vestibular pain thresholds, sexual functioning, and free testosterone levels were measured in 24 women taking 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol combined OCPs and 28 comparison women not using hormonal contraception. Main Outcome Measures Female Sexual Functioning Index (FSFI), free testosterone, and clitoral heat, cold, and vibratory thresholds for sensation and vestibular pain thresholds. Results Free testosterone levels were lower in OCP users. There were no differences in FSFI scores, clitoral thermal or vibratory thresholds, or vestibular pain thresholds between groups. Conclusions Low‐dose (20 mcg) oral contraceptives decrease free testosterone but are not associated with alterations in clitoral or vestibular sensation. Further studies of genital sensation in women with OCP‐related sexual dysfunction are warranted. Lee M, Morgan M, and Rapkin A. Clitoral and vulvar vestibular sensation in women taking 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol combined oral contraceptives: A preliminary study.
A strategic framework linking quality and productivity

The fact that quality and productivity go hand–in–hand and not against each other has gained much support in the literature. There is a need to develop a conceptual framework that analyses transitions in quality and productivity simultaneously and establishes a rationale to demonstrate their relationship explicitly. Companies keep investing in quality–related activities, in pursuit of excellence to a point that these investments become counter– productive. Such a conceptual framework can help management decision–making in quality–related investments. The primary objective of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework linking quality and total productivity which can act as a yardstick for management in quality–related decisions. The application of this conceptual framework is demonstrated by a hypothetical example.
G-CSF as a Differentiation-Inducing Agent in Normal and Leukemic Myelopoiesis

The “reversal of malignancy” in leukemia, while an attractive goal, is one that is rarely attainable in its entirety in clinical or experimental systems. What is more feasible and has proved attainable, is removal of the maturation block in the leukemic lineage with resulting development of varying but incomplete functional and phenotypic features of lineage-specific differentiation.
A component analysis of toilet-training procedures recommended for young children

We evaluated the combined and sequential effects of 3 toilet-training procedures recommended for use with young children: (a) underwear, (b) a dense sit schedule, and (c) differential reinforcement. A total of 20 children participated. Classroom teachers implemented a toilet-training package consisting of all 3 procedures with 6 children. Of the 6 children, 2 showed clear and immediate improvements in toileting performance, and 3 showed delayed improvements. Teachers implemented components of the training package sequentially with 12 children. At least 2 of the 4 children who experienced the underwear component after baseline improved. Toileting performance did not improve for any of the 8 children who were initially exposed to either the dense sit schedule or differential reinforcement. When initial training components were ineffective, teachers implemented additional components sequentially until toileting performance improved or all components were implemented. Toileting performance often improved when underwear or differential reinforcement was later added.
Effects of intraventricular infusion of corticotropin-releasing factor on VMH-lesioned obese rats

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) has been administered into the third ventricle of sham-operated and ventromedial hypothalamic (VMH)-lesioned rats in acute and chronic experiments. After a single 5-microgram injection of CRF, there was an acute reduction of food intake in both sham-operated and VMH-lesioned rats that persisted for 3 h. The effect was still present in the VMH-lesioned rats between 3 and 6 h but had dissipated in the sham-operated controls. Guanosine 5'-diphosphate (GDP) binding to mitochondria from interscapular brown adipose tissue was used as an index of thermogenic activity in this tissue. In 21-h food-deprived rats, GDP binding was significantly lower in VMH-lesioned than in sham-operated animals. Although the mean increase in sham-operated animals was increased, this was not significantly different from saline-injected controls. In the VMH-lesioned rats, however, CRF acutely increased GDP binding to values not different than those of the sham-operated controls. Serum corticosterone was significantly lower in the VMH-lesioned rats, but both groups showed a significant stimulation by CRF during a 7-day infusion of CRF (4.8 micrograms/day) into the third ventricle. Food intake was significantly depressed in the VMH-lesioned animals that received CRF, from values of 35 g/day to approximately 25 g/day. Body weight showed a slow steady decrease, having fallen by nearly 15 g at the end of the 7-day infusion period. In contrast the mean value in the VMH-lesioned controls had significantly higher in CRF-infused animals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
On the topology of the coefficients of the Alexander–Conway polynomials of knots

Using a special form of spanning surface for a knot, we give a formula for the coefficient of the z2-term of the Alexander–Conway polynomial in terms of the sum of determinants of the blocks of 2 × 2 submatrices of the Seifert matrix, from which the topological meaning of the coefficient is revealed.
2015 Hans O. Mauksch Address How Departments Can Respond to the Changing Popularity of the Sociology Major

While the popularity of the psychology major and the sociology major were comparable in 1970, sociology witnessed a decline while psychology witnessed expansion. This article considers strategies o...
Issues of Scale in Agile Micro Autonomous Systems

The quest for micro autonomous systems (MAS) is taking us from the realms of science and engineering, as with the University of California at Berkeley micro mechanical flying insect, to areas that would have been the realm of science fiction just a few years ago, as in Darpa’s Nano Air Vehicle program. Emboldened by advances in micro-scale technologies and inspired by insight into the mechanisms associated with biological locomotion, eventual realization of bird or insect size autonomous robots seems certain. Among the many technical challenges, issues associated with integration of MAS into complex human-directed information networks, in particular issues of autonomous sensory-response architectures for systems with multi-scale dynamics, may prove to be the largest hurdles. This paper speculates on the existence of a fundamental characteristic of autonomous systems that may underlie those hurdles.
SURVIVAL FOLLOWING PORTAL VENOUS AIR EMBOLIZATION: REPORT OF A CASE.

The first reported case of nonfatal air embolization of the portal venous system was observed in a patient with chronic ulcerative colitis subsequent to barium-air contrast enema examination. The literature is reviewed and pathogenetic mechanisms are discussed. It is suggested that this phenomenon is probably overlooked in other surviving cases, and careful roentgenographic evaluation of the right upper quadrant will probably disclose similar unreported cases.
Clinical features of patients with acute bacillary dysentery

Aim To investigate clinical features of patients with acute bacillary dysentery in Huaibei,Anhui.Methods Clinical data of patients with acute bacillary dysentery were investigated and analyzed,retrospectively.Results The sex preference was almost the same and the average age was(21.2 ± 22.4) years old.Patients under 10 and from 21 to 40 years old were 63% of the total.50% of patients developed such disease in June and July.Conclusion The youth and children were more susceptible to acute bacillary dysentery,especially in June and July,and the sex preference was not diffferent.
Veracity: a fully decentralized service for securing network coordinate systems

Decentralized logical coordinate systems have been proposed as a means of estimating network distances. These systems have widespread usage in p2p networks, ranging from neighbor selection to replica placement. Unfortunately, these systems are vulnerable to even a small number of malicious nodes lying about their coordinates or measurements. In this paper, we introduce Veracity, a fully decentralized service for securing network coordinate systems. Unlike prior proposals, Veracity requires neither the presence of a large number of a priori trusted nodes nor the use of network triangle inequality testing. Veracity utilizes a vote-based approach, where all advertised coordinates are independently verified by a minimal set of nodes before being used. Via detailed simulations in p2psim, we demonstrate that Veracity mitigates a variety of known attacks against Vivaldi for moderate sizes of malicious nodes, incurring acceptable communication overhead, and in some cases, even reducing the convergence time of the coordinate system.
A Tree-Ring Reconstruction of Western Spruce Budworm History in the Southern Rocky Mountains

Une etude chronologique (de 1700 a 1983) des cernes de 10 peuplements melanges du sud des Montagnes Rocheuses du Colorado et du Nouveau-Mexique, a ete effectuee pour reconstituer la date, la duree et l'impact sur les croissance radiale des attaques de Choristoneura occidentalis. Les estimations de l'historique et des effets des attaques de l'insecte sont compares entre les peuplements et entre les periodes. Les changements dans le schema d'apparition de l'insecte depuis la moitie du 19eme siecle sont en partie expliques par les perturbations d'origine humaine
Drug-Induced Thrombocytopenia

Abstract Numerous medications are known to cause clinically significant thrombocytopenia by one of two mechanisms—inhibition of megakaryocyte proliferation and destruction of platelets in the peripheral blood. In the former situation, all myeloid elements are usually affected, leading to pancytopenia. However, a few agents are relatively specific for megakaryocytes. In the second group of conditions, antibodies are usually the cause of platelet destruction, but a few drugs appear to act directly on megakaryocytes and/or platelets without involvement of the immune system. Drugs appear to cause antibody-mediated platelet destruction by at least nine different mechanisms, each of which is reviewed in detail. Laboratory tests capable of determining whether thrombocytopenia is drug-induced and which drug is responsible can be of considerable value in the clinic. Available assays, although improved over those previously available, yield an unequivocal diagnosis only in a minority of cases, highlighting the need for further work to improve the sensitivity and specificity of assays for drug-dependent antibodies. Recent studies indicate that drug metabolites can induce sensitization leading to immune thrombocytopenia. It is likely that testing for metabolite-dependent antibodies will improve diagnostic yield. Drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia should be considered in any patient who develops acute thrombocytopenia of uncertain etiology since failure to entertain this possibility can lead to inappropriate treatment and risk of recurrence upon re-exposure to the sensitizing medication.
Spinal microglial activation in a murine surgical model of knee osteoarthritis

Summary Objective Microgliosis, the activation of microglial cells, is thought to contribute to synaptic transmission in the dorsal horn and thereby promote chronic pain. The primary aim of this study was to document the temporal profile of dorsal horn microgliosis after destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) in wild type (WT) and Adamts5 null mice. Since neuronal fractalkine (CX3CL1) contributes to microgliosis, we assessed its release from dorsal root ganglia (DRG) cultures after DMM. Design DMM or sham surgery was performed in the right knee of 10-week old male WT, CX3CR1-green fluorescent protein (GFP), or Adamts5 null C57BL/6 mice. Hind paw mechanical allodynia was monitored using von Frey fibers. L4 dorsal horn microgliosis was assessed 4, 8 and 16 weeks after surgery, based on the morphology of Iba1-immunoreactive microglia. DRG cells (L3–L5) were cultured and supernatants collected for fractalkine (FKN) ELISA. Results In WT mice, numbers of activated microglia were increased 8 and 16 weeks, but not 4 weeks, after DMM but not sham surgery. DRG cultures showed increased basal FKN release at 8 and 16 weeks. Adamts5 null mice did not develop mechanical allodynia up to 16 weeks after DMM. Accordingly, DRG cultures from these mice did not exhibit increased FKN release and dorsal horn microgliosis did not occur. Conclusion DMM surgery leads to late stage dorsal horn microgliosis. The temporal correlation with DRG FKN release suggests it may contribute to microgliosis. Reduced microgliosis in Adamts5 null mice, which are protected from joint damage and associated mechanical allodynia after DMM, suggests that microgliosis is associated with joint damage and accompanying persistent pain.
Designing role-playing video games for ethical thinking

How can we better design games, such as role-playing video games (RPGs), to support the practice of ethical thinking? Ethical thinking is a critical component of twenty-first century citizenship and we need to design ways to creatively support its practice. This study investigates how male participants, ages 18–34, make ethical decisions in three in-game scenarios in Fable III, an RPG, and one additional scenario. The decision-making processes of thirty participants were analyzed; twenty were randomly assigned to play Fable III and ten were assigned to a control condition of written ethical scenarios. Results suggested that participants practiced a variety of ethical thinking skills and thought processes in both conditions, including reasoning-, empathy-, reflection-, and information gathering-related skills and thought processes. Three hypotheses were investigated and detailed, and any significant differences or similarities that emerged between conditions and across game scenarios were explored. Based on this analysis, four preliminary design principles were described.
Anesthetic implications for patients with Segawa syndrome.

Abstract Study objective To characterize the perioperative course of patients with Segawa syndrome undergoing anesthetic management. Design Retrospective observational case study. Setting Large tertiary medical center. Patients Patients with Segawa syndrome who underwent procedures requiring anesthetic management at our institution from January 1, 2004, through July 31, 2015. Measurements The health records of patients with Segawa syndrome. Main results Twelve patients with Segawa syndrome underwent 25 procedures requiring anesthetic management, including 20 operations with general anesthesia. Succinylcholine was administered in 6 cases and nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers in 5 cases, all without adverse effects. Perioperative complications were unrelated to anesthetic management or underlying neurologic condition. In 16 operations, the patients were receiving levodopa therapy at the time of the procedure. Conclusions In this cohort, patients with Segawa syndrome tolerated the anesthetic management, including neuromuscular blocker administration. Although these patients are frequently receiving levodopa therapy, no associated complications were noted.
Crete, June 1998

During the International Workshop on Electron Correlations and Materials Properties, June 28–July 3, 1998, near Iraklion on Crete (the last meeting Mel attended before Walter received his Prize, and the only one whose beautiful poster we framed), I hung out with the spouses and friends. In our ample free time, we explored the capitol city or joined organized tours that left from Amoudara, our tourist beach outside Iraklion. We made a pilgrimage to the tomb of Kazantsakis, banished outside the city walls, and visited the Lassithi Plain (home to the Valley of the Windmills and the Dictean Cave, birthplace of Zeus), Gortys (the old Roman capitol of Crete), the caves at Matala, and the ruins of Phaistos on the Mesara Plain.
Upper Extremity Motor Impairments and Microstructural Changes in Bulbospinal Pathways in Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke

Following hemiparetic stroke, precise, individuated control of single joints is often replaced by highly stereotyped patterns of multi-joint movement, or abnormal limb synergies, which can negatively impact functional use of the paretic arm. One hypothesis for the expression of these synergies is an increased dependence on bulbospinal pathways such as the rubrospinal and especially the reticulospinal tracts, which coactivate multiple muscles of the shoulder, elbow, wrist and fingers. Despite indirect evidence supporting this hypothesis in humans post-stroke, it still remains unclear whether it is correct. Therefore, we used high-resolution diffusion tensor imaging to quantify white matter microstructure in relation to severity of arm synergy and hand related motor impairments. Diffusion tensor imaging was performed on 19 moderately to severely impaired chronic stroke individuals and 15 healthy, age-matched controls. In stroke individuals compared to controls, there was significantly decreased fractional anisotropy and significantly increased axial and radial diffusivity in bilateral corona radiata and body of the corpus callosum. Furthermore, post-stroke the contralesional reticulospinal tract fractional anisotropy correlated significantly with both upper extremity synergy severity (r=-0.606, p=0.003) and hand impairment (r=-0.609, p=0.003). Fractional anisotropy in the ipsilesional rubrospinal tract significantly correlated with hand impairment severity (r=-0.590, p=0.004). For the first time, we separately evaluate reticulospinal and rubrospinal tract microstructure in chronic stroke individuals with upper extremity motor impairment. We demonstrate that individuals with the greatest upper extremity synergy severity and hand impairments post-stroke have the highest fractional anisotropy in the contralesional reticulospinal tract, a pattern consistent with increased myelination and suggestive of neuroplastic reorganization. Since the reticulospinal pathway microstructure, in particular, is sensitive to abnormal joint coupling and hand related motor impairment in chronic stroke, it could help test the effects of specific, and novel, anti-synergy neurorehabilitation interventions for recovery from hemiparesis.
Charge Density Wave Transition in (PbSe)1+δ(VSe2)n Compounds with n = 1, 2, and 3

A series of (PbSe)1+δ(VSe2)n heterostructures with extensive turbostratic disorder were synthesized with n = 1–3 through low temperature annealing of appropriately designed layered precursors. The crystal structures consist of alternating layers of CdI2 type structured VSe2 and distorted NaCl type structured PbSe. The n = 1 compound has a positive Hall coefficient and a charge density wave like transition at 100 K, during which the resistivity increases by a factor of 3.5 and the Hall coefficient increases by a factor of 8. The n = 2 and 3 compounds have negative Hall coefficients and significantly smaller changes in the slope of the resistivity and Hall coefficient as a function of temperature at similar temperatures. The distinctly different transport properties of the compound containing a monolayer of VSe2 compared to compounds with thicker VSe2 layers highlights the complexity of the electronic structure of these stacked systems. The differences cannot be simply explained by charge transfer between V...
Exosomes: novel regulators of bone remodelling and potential therapeutic agents for orthodontics.

Recent studies suggest that exosomes are involved in intercellular communication required for the maintenance of healthy bone. Exosomes are small (30–150 nm in diameter) extracellular vesicles that are formed in multivesicular bodies and are released from cells as the multivesicular bodies fuse with the plasma membrane. Regulatory exosomes have the capacity to exert profound control over target cells. They can stimulate plasma membrane receptors and are also internalized by the target cell delivering proteins, lipids, small molecules and functional RNAs from the cell of origin. We and others have recently reported on regulatory exosomes from osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Key candidate molecules identified in exosome-based regulation of bone remodelling include receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (RANK), RANK-ligand (RANKL), ephrinA2, semaphorin 4D, microRNA-146a and microRNA- 214–3p. Exosomes will likely prove to be crucial elements in the communication networks integrating bone cells (osteoclasts, osteoblasts, osteocytes) and linking bone to other tissue. Exosomes collected from bone cells grown in culture may prove useful to augment bone remodelling associated with orthodontic force application or required for the repair of craniofacial bone. Various technologies allow exosomes to be engineered to improve their targeting and efficacy for therapeutic purposes. In summary, exosomes have emerged as important elements of the machinery for intercellular communication between bone cells. They hold great promise as therapeutic targets, biomarkers and therapeutic agents for orthodontists.
Analysis of Intraoperative Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Combined With Image Guidance for Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

BACKGROUND Minimally invasive lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) is traditionally performed with biplanar fluoroscopy. Recent literature demonstrates that intraoperative cone-beam computed tomography combined with spinal navigation can be safely utilized for localization and cage placement in LLIF. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the accuracy and safety of cage placement using spinal navigation in LLIF, as well as to evaluate the radiation exposure to surgeon and staff during the procedure. METHODS The authors performed a retrospective analysis of a prospectively acquired database of patients undergoing LLIF with image-based navigation performed from April 2014 to July 2016 at a single institution. The medical records were reviewed, and data on clinical outcomes, cage accuracy, complications, and radiation exposure were recorded. All patients underwent a minimum 30-d clinical follow-up to assess intraoperative and short-term complications associated with their LLIF. RESULTS Sixty-three patients comprising 117 spinal levels were included in the study. There were 36 (57.1%) female and 27 (42.9%) male patients. Mean age was 62.7 yr (range 24-79 yr). A mean 1.9 (range 1-4) levels per patient were treated. Cages were placed in the anterior or middle of 115 (98.3%) disc spaces. Image-guided cage trajectory was accurate in 116/117 levels (99.1%). In a subgroup analysis of 18 patients, mean fluoroscopy time was 11.7 ± 9.7 s per level. Sixteen (25.4%) patients experienced a complication related to approach. CONCLUSION Use of intraoperative cone-beam computed tomography combined with spinal navigation for LLIF results in accurate and safe cage placement as well as significantly decreased surgeon and staff radiation exposure.
Let’s Talk about Celibacy! How Western Christian Culture Affects the Construction of Sex, Body, and Gender in Popular and Scholarly Discourses

The periodical or permanent abstinence from sexual activity is a cultural and religious practice that can be found across historical and cultural contexts. Contemporary religious and non-religious discourses in the western context promote celibacy in consciously secular terms as a hip and even sexy lifestyle choice of the career-conscious and selfdetermined modern woman and man and idealize it as a possibility – especially for women – to find freedom, energy and subjecthood. At first sight, this seems far removed from the traditional Christian understanding of celibacy as an exercise of discipline over an unruly body that brings the believer closer to God, or the more secular view of celibacy as a rather sad sign that something is wrong with the celibate person. While I consider the oft-stated intention to develop a positive understanding of celibacy and to broaden the notion of sexuality to include celibacy as a form of sexuality in its own right a positive and important contribution of celibacy discourses at this moment, my analysis of popular and scholarly discourses about celibacy also highlights problematic aspects that counteract these attempts. As I will argue in this contribution from the perspective of Christian feminist theology, the apparently fundamental transformation in the understanding of celibacy from a repressive to an emancipatory practice has changed little in how discourses construct worldviews, social realities and identities, in particular with regard to sex, body and gender.