cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oral exposure to polystyrene nanoparticles affects iron absorption

The use of engineered nanoparticles in food and pharmaceuticals is expected to increase, but the impact of chronic oral exposure to nanoparticles on human health remains unknown. Here, we show that chronic and acute oral exposure to polystyrene nanoparticles can influence iron uptake and iron transport in an in vitro model of the intestinal epithelium and an in vivo chicken intestinal loop model. Intestinal cells that are exposed to high doses of nanoparticles showed increased iron transport due to nanoparticle disruption of the cell membrane. Chickens acutely exposed to carboxylated particles (50 nm in diameter) had a lower iron absorption than unexposed or chronically exposed birds. Chronic exposure caused remodelling of the intestinal villi, which increased the surface area available for iron absorption. The agreement between the in vitro and in vivo results suggests that our in vitro intestinal epithelium model is potentially useful for toxicology studies. E ngineered nanoparticles have unique physical and chemical properties and are currently used in a variety of applications, including the food 1–4 and pharmaceutical industries 5,6 . The increased surface area, unique crystalline structure, small size and enhanced reactivity of some nanomaterials, however, may lead to harmful interactions with cellular material, and no studies have addressed the chronic effects of nanoparticle exposure on the normal function of the intestinal epithelium 7 . It is estimated that the average person in a developed country consumes between 10 12 and 10 14 man-made fine (diameter, 0.1–1 mm) to ultrafine (diameter, ,100 nm) particles every day 8 . These dietary particles are mainly TiO2, silicates and aluminosilicates derived from food additives such as stabilizers and anticaking agents 8 . Because most of these micro- and nanoparticles have negatively charged surfaces, they can bind to biomolecules in the gut lumen, absorb across the gastrointestinal tract and accumulate at the base of Peyer’s patches, where a large concentration of M cells are found 8 . M cells transport microorganisms and particles from the gut lumen to immune cells across the intestinal epithelium, and are important for defending the body against ingested toxic substances and stimulating mucosal immunity 9 . The ingestion of dietary particles has been thought to promote the development of Crohn’s disease, which is characterized by transmural inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract that first appears over the Peyer’s patches 10 . Lomer et al. have shown that patients with Crohn’s disease who followed a diet low in TiO2 and aluminosilicate microparticles for four months had a reduction in the Crohn’s disease activity index 10 . Patients with Crohn’s disease are also prone to iron deficiency, suggesting a possible link between nanoparticle consumption, the development of Crohn’s disease and iron absorption 11 .
Glucose Intolerance in a Three-Year-Old Child With Cystic Fibrosis

Glucose intolerance preceding pulmonary disease in a child with cystic fibrosis is de scribed. After glucose intolerance was con trolled with tolbutamide, the pulmonary infec tion resolved. Early recognition and treatment of "diabetes" in children with cystic fibrosis is emphasized.
Controls on the regional-scale salinization of the Ogallala aquifer, Southern High Plains, Texas, USA

An extensive saline plume (>250 km 2 ) within the regionally important unconfined aquifer in the Neogene Ogallala Formation overlies the Panhandle oil and gas field in the Southern High Plains, Texas, USA. Relative to upgradient Ogallala water, the plume waters have d 18 O( ˇ6.7 toˇ8.8-) and d D( ˇ42 toˇ88-) values that tend to be depleted and have higher Cl (>150 mg/l) and SO4 (>75 mg/l) concentrations. Various end-member-mixing models suggest that the plume composition reflects the presence of paleowaters recharged during Middle to Late Wisconsinan time rather than salinization associated with petroleum production. Paleowaters probably mixed with salt-dissolution zone waters from the underlying Upper Permian formations before discharging upward into the Ogallala Formation. Cross-formational discharge is controlled primarily by the geometry of the underlying units, as influenced by the Amarillo uplift, pinch-out of the laterally adjoining confined aquifer in the Triassic Dockum Group, variations in the saturated thickness of the Ogallala aquifer and the presence of potential pathways related to salt dissolution. # 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
E' and Its Variation With Depth

The modulus of soil reaction, E’, characterizes the stiffness of soil backfill placed at the sides of buried flexible pipelines for the purpose of evaluation deflection caused by the weight of backfill above the pipe. In this study, the nature of E’ is investigated in detail to determine whether its magnitude increases with increasing depth of embedment. The development of E’ in the literature is reviewed, and data from field installations are presented to establish that E’ can be shown to increase with depth on the basis of previous research. Analytical methods, based on elastic theory and finite element techniques, are also used to demonstrate the dependence of E’ on depth. Design values of E’, which vary with depth, are presented, together with recommendations regarding the use of E’ in the Iowa formula.
CD4+-T-cell responses generated during murine Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium infection are directed towards multiple epitopes within the natural antigen FliC.

The flagellar filament protein FliC is a natural antigen recognized by memory CD4+ T cells recovered from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium-infected humans and mice. To further investigate T-cell responses to FliC, we derived FliC-specific CD4+-T-cell clones from mice of two different haplotypes following oral S. enterica serovar Typhimurium infection. Using C-terminal truncations of MalE-FliC recombinant fusion proteins, we mapped antigenic activity to four different regions of FliC; three of the four epitope-containing regions were present in both FliC and the alternate flagellin subunit FljB. We determined that two novel FliC epitopes were also present in flagellins from several gram-negative enteric bacterial species: Ek-restricted FliC 80-94 (amino acids 80 to 94) and Ab-restricted FliC 455-469. Further mapping confirmed the presence of two previously identified FliC epitopes: Ak-restricted FliC 339-350 and Ab-restricted FliC 428-442. Therefore, like the recognition site of the innate immune receptor Toll-like receptor 5, three of four FliC epitopes recognized by CD4+ T cells colocalize in the D0/D1 domains of FliC. Salmonella-infected macrophages and dendritic cells stimulated epitope-specific CD4+-T-cell proliferation; infected dendritic cells also activated T cells to produce gamma interferon. These data demonstrate that Salmonella infection generates murine CD4+-T-cell responses to multiple epitopes in the natural antigen FliC and that recognition of infected phagocytes by FliC-specific CD4+ T cells triggers effector functions known to be essential for protective immunity. Together, these data suggest that FliC-specific CD4+ T cells may contribute to cell-mediated host defenses against Salmonella.
Biology of glioma cancer stem cells.

Gliomas, much like other cancers, are composed of a heterogeneous mix of neoplastic and non-neoplastic cells that include both native and recruited cells. There is extensive diversity among the tumor cells, with differing capacity for in vitro and in vivo growth, a property intimately linked to the cell’s differentiation status. Those cells that are undifferentiated, self-renewing, with the capacity for developing tumors (tumorigenic) cells are designated by some as cancer stem cells, because of the stem-like properties. These cells may be a critical therapeutic target. However the exact identity and cell(s) of origin of the so-called glioma cancer stem cell remain elusive. Here we review the current understanding of glioma cancer stem cell biology.
A Phenomenology of Democracy

This article has two objectives. First, and in particular, it seeks to reinterpret the ostracism procedure of early democratic Athens. Since Aristotle, this has been understood as a rational, political weapon of collective defense, intended to expel from Athens a disproportionately powerful individual. In this article, by putting emphasis on themateriality, gestures, and location of ostraka -casting, I propose instead that the institution can more fruitfully be understood as a ritual enactment of civic unity. Second, and more generally, I hope to explore the frames within which early Athenian democracy is placed: while Greek kingship and tyranny (i.e. “primitive” polities) have been very successfully explored through anthropological and cross-cultural comparison, Greek democracy for the most part has remained in the domains of the institutional historian and political theorist. Taking a phenomenological and comparative approach, this article asks how the citizens of early democratic Athens experienced and comprehended their new sovereignty and the invented procedures of mass decision-making through which it was expressed.
First Pharmacological Therapy for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in Premenopausal Women Flibanserin

Objective: To review data regarding flibanserin, a recently approved therapy for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). Data Sources: Literature search of MEDLINE (September 1995 to November 2015) was performed using the search term flibanserin. Reference lists from included articles were reviewed for pertinent citations. Study Selection and Data Extraction: We included phase-3 trials of flibanserin as a treatment for HSDD. Four reports of phase-3 trials were included. One extension study of four phase-3 trials and one phase-2 pharmacokinetic trial were also included. Data Synthesis: Though a strong placebo response was demonstrated, flibanserin consistently, yet marginally, showed improvement (compared with placebo) in the number of satisfying sexual events per month. The most common adverse events were dizziness (11.4%), somnolence (11.2%), nausea (10.4%), fatigue (9.2%), insomnia (4.9%), and dry mouth (2.4%). Conclusions: Flibanserin is effective in the treatment of HSDD. Flibanserin should be admin...
Hits, Misses, and False Alarms in Simultaneous and Sequential Lineups

Studies indicate that sequential lineups decrease the rate of false alarms at the cost of increasing the rate of lost hits. This paper discusses how policymakers should assess this data, considering measures of probative value and the preference for false acquittals over false convictions. It compares sequential to simultaneous lineups and discusses the compromise position of allowing a second lap to witnesses who do not make an identification after first viewing a sequential lineup.
Freedom Technology Services

This case is suitable for classes in business ethics, leadership and organizational behaviior, entrepreneurship, and managing small enterprises. It focuses on the conflict between the personal values of the entrepreneur and the risk of losing a major customer. It deals with the issue of whether the entrepreneur should prosecute a CFO for stealing corporate money. And the decision is complicated because the CFO's husband is, in effect, the company's largest customer.
Examining the relationships between perceived neighborhood mobility characteristics, perceived incivilities, travel attitudes, and physical activity amongst university faculty and staff

This paper discusses the results of a pilot study that used a structural equation modeling approach (SEM) to examine whether self-reported physical activity levels can be explained as a function of participants’ perceived neighborhood mobility characteristics, perceived neighborhood incivilities (i.e. social and physical conditions in a neighborhood that are viewed as troublesome and potentially threatening by residents and users of public spaces), and travel attitudes. Data was collected by survey from ninety-four faculty and staff working at universities in three cities. The study results indicated that travel attitudes explain about seven percent of the variance in physical activity. More importantly, they indicated that the majority of the variance in perceived neighborhood mobility—that is, the degree to which the built environment is perceived to support physical activity, including active commuting—can be explained by perceived incivilities and travel attitudes alone. This finding is significant because it suggests that simply increasing mobility options may not be sufficient to get people to engage in more physical activity, since peoples’ perceptions of their mobility options are influenced by more than just the real availability of options in the built environment. A larger follow-up study is needed to verify these findings. Nonetheless, planners and policy makers may want to rethink how they approach encouraging people to engage in physical activity, since the built environment may not be as significant as the perceptual one.
Cyclic AMP and Polyamines Overcome Inhibition by Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein through eIF5A-Mediated Increases in p35 Expression and Activation of Cdk5

Inhibitory molecules associated with CNS myelin, such as myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), represent major obstacles to axonal regeneration following CNS injury. Our laboratory has shown that elevating levels of intracellular cAMP, via application of the nonhydrolyzable analog dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP), can block the inhibitory effects of MAG and myelin. We have also shown that elevation of cAMP results in upregulation of arginase I and increased polyamine synthesis. Treatment with putrescine or spermidine blocks myelin-mediated inhibition of neurite outgrowth, but the mechanism underlying this effect has not yet been elucidated. Here we show that cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) is required for dbcAMP and putrescine to overcome MAG-mediated inhibition. The ability of dbcAMP and putrescine to overcome inhibition by MAG is abolished in the presence of roscovitine, a Cdk inhibitor that has greater selectivity for Cdk5, and expression of dominant negative Cdk5 abolishes the ability of dbcAMP or putrescine to enhance neurite outgrowth in the presence of MAG. Importantly, dbcAMP and putrescine increase expression of p35, the neuron-specific activator of Cdk5, and rat DRG neurons transduced with HSV overexpressing p35 can overcome inhibition by MAG. The upregulation of p35 by putrescine is also reflected in increased localization of p35 to neurites and growth cones. Last, we show that putrescine upregulates p35 expression by serving as a substrate for hypusine modification of eIF5A, and that this hypusination is necessary for putrescine's ability to overcome inhibition by MAG. Our findings reveal a previously unknown mechanism by which polyamines may encourage regeneration after CNS injury.
Nonconvulsive Seizure in Post Stem Cell Transplant Patients (P06.017)

Objective: We studied 10 cases of Nonconvulsive seizure (NCS) in liquid tumor patients who had stem cell transplant (SCT). Background NCS is difficult to diagnose clinically and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality if it is not treated promptly. Design/Methods: We retrospectively reviewed descriptive data of 10 cases of NCS in patients with SCT from available electronic medical records. Results: There were 8 women and 2 men aged 34-70 years. Seven patients developed NCS within 4 months following SCT. One patient had prior history of seizure. There were no clear neurologic findings other than altered sensorium. Six patients were taking Tacrolimus. Tacrolimus levels were not supratherapeutic. At the time of diagnosis of NCS, five patients were on Cefepime and 3 patients were on Meropenem. Eight patients had some degrees of renal insufficiency (GFR: 63.1 ml/min±30.8). Blood cultures were positive for bacteria in two, cytomegalovirus antigen in one and human herpesvirus-6 PCR in two patients. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology and microbiology studies were negative. CSF showed elevated protein in 7 cases and WBC of 12 in one case. Brain MRI and CT scan showed posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in two patients. NCS was diagnosed with the first bedside 20 minute EEG in 7 patients, second EEG in 2 patients and third EEG in one patient. Seizure was treated and controlled with one anti-epileptic drug (AED) in all patients, except two patients who needed second AED for a brief time. The next day follow up EEG in one patient showed persistent NCS. Conclusions: NCS should be considered in a post SCT patient with altered mental status. Longer bedside EEG or frequent EEGs are useful to diagnose the NCS. NCS in post SCT patient is usually multifactorial and easily treatable with single AED. Disclosure: Dr. Zohrevand has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tummala has nothing to disclose.
Analysis of HIV / AIDS voluntary counseling and testing( VCT)in Hubei Province( 2011-2013)

Objective To understand the state of human immunodeficiency virus( HIV) voluntary counseling and testing( VCT) in Hubei Province from 2011 to 2013,so as to provide evidence for the establishment of preventative measures. Methods Data were collected from 333 outpatients seeking VCT consultations including demographic information,reasons for seeking VCT,and results of HIV antibody screening. Results 176 163 participants received VCT services from 2011 to 2013 in Hubei Province. 173 832 participants accepted HIV antibody screening,the screening rate was 98. 68%,among which 0. 77% were HIV positive. 90. 12%participants actively sought the VCT service. The difference in proportions of those seeking VCT service during the past three years was statistically significant( χ2= 342. 774,P 0. 05.) Males who have sex with males got the highest HIV screening positive rate in the past three years at 10. 26%. Conclusion It is necessary to promote outreach services in the entertainment locations and providerinitiated HIV testing and counseling( PITC) in medical institutions,so as to improve early detection of HIV / AIDS.
Comparison of spatial and temporal characteristics of neuronal activity in sequential stages of hippocampal processing.

The activity of individual pyramidal cells in the CA1 and CA3 subfields of the rodent hippocampus exhibits a remarkable selectivity for specific locations and orientations of the rat within spatially-extended environments. These cells exhibit high rates of activity when the animal is present within restricted regions of space, referred to as place fields, and are exremely quiet when it is elsewhere. Although this phenomenon has been well studied in the CA fields of the hippocampus, relatively little is known about the spatial and temporal firing characteristics either of the entorhinal cortical inputs to the hippocampus, or of the subicular recipients of the output of hippocampal place cells. We report here on a comparison of spatial and temporal discharge characteristics among entorhinal cortex, CA3 and CA1, and the subiculum. CA3 complex spike cells were significantly more spatially specific than their CA1 counterparts. Neither entorhinal cortex nor subiculum exhibited the highly localized patterns of spatial firing observed in the CA fields. In addition, average discharge rates in these areas were substantially higher. However, particularly in subiculum, there was evidence for spatially consistent , but dispersed, firing in some cells, suggestive of the convergence of a number of CA1 place cells. The patterns observed are not consistent with the hypothesis that spatial selectivity is progressively refined at the various levels of hippocampal processing. Rather, hippocampal output appears to be expressed as a much more highly distributed spatial code than activity within the hippocampus proper. We suggest that the sparse coding used within the hippocampus itself represents a mechanism for increasing the storage capacity of a network whose function is to form associations rapidly.
Covalently Bound Nitroxyl Radicals in an Organic Framework

A series of covalent organic framework (COF) structures is synthesized that possesses a tunable density of covalently bound nitroxyl radicals within the COF pores. The highest density of organic radicals produces an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal that suggests the majority of radicals strongly interact with other radicals, whereas for smaller loadings the EPR signals indicate the radicals are primarily isolated but with restricted motion. The dielectric loss as determined from microwave absorption of the framework structures compared with an amorphous control suggests that free motion of the radicals is inhibited when more than 25% of available sites are occupied. The ability to tune the mode of radical interactions and the subsequent effect on redox, electrical, and optical characteristics in a porous framework may lead to a class of structures with properties ideal for photoelectrochemistry or energy storage.
From Sponge to Human: The Evolution of Consciousness

The attention schema theory is a proposed explanation for the brain basis of conscious experience. The theory is mechanistic, testable, and supported by at least some preliminary experiments. In the theory, subjective awareness is an internal model of attention that serves several adaptive functions. This chapter discusses the evolution of consciousness in the context of the attention schema theory, beginning with the evolution of attentional mechanisms that emerged more than half a billion years ago and extending to human consciousness and the social attribution of conscious states to others.
Significance of Serum Free Light Chain Estimation with Detectable Serum Monoclonal Protein on Immunofixation Electrophoresis.

Abstract The serum free light chain (SFLC) assay is useful in detecting monoclonal protein when there no detectable M protein on immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE). There are limited data on its value when IFE is positive. In a small series of 5 patients achieving CR, normalization of SFKLR was found to precede IFE negativity by a few weeks (Moesbauer et al. ASH 2005). Results on 231 serum samples from myeloma patients (most on therapy) where serum IFE showed IgA κ (n=33), IgA λ (n=13), IgG κ (n=153), or IgG λ (n=32), and where simultaneous SFLC and immunoglobulin (Ig) estimation had been performed were analyzed. Samples with >1 monoclonal band or multiple oligoclonal bands were excluded. The serum free κ:λ ratio (SFKLR; normal 0.26–1.65) was abnormal in 113 (49%) and normal in 118 (51%). IgG and IgA levels were compared in the context of normal versus abnormal SFKLR within each of the 4 isotypes (IgA κ, IgAλ, IgG κ, IgG λ). The table below shows that involved Ig levels were higher with abnormal than with normal SFKLR. However, uninvolved Ig levels were higher with normal than with abnormal SFKLR suggesting that normalization of SFKLR may mark a response to therapy - improved uninvolved Ig levels being evidence of response. Monoclonal protein Immunoglobulin Abnormal SFKLR Normal SFKLR P IgA kappa IgA 1640 (190–4000) 515 (102–2230) 0.048 IgA kappa IgG 419 (118–1120) 404 (197–1740) 0.39 IgA lambda IgA 408 (159–696) 704 (180–779) 0.17 IgA lambda IgG 619 (495–1510) 1530 (533–1700) 0.025 IgG kappa IgA 42 (7–225) 94 (7–642) 0.0009 IgG kappa IgG 1490 (585–5560) 1260 (327–2690) 0.004 IgG lambda IgA 32 (7–121) 96 (19–562) 0.047 IgG lambda IgG 2060 (555–12300) 1050 (432–2830) 0.018 However, does normalization of SFKLR universally herald IFE negativity? This is an important unanswered question because SFKLR is normal in a high proportion of samples which still show monoclonal protein on IFE. The figures below show scatter plots of IgG and IgA for each of the 4 isotypes for normal vs abnormal SFKLR. Within each plot, there is no obvious pattern distinguishing normal (x) from abnormal (o) SFKLR. However, there are a number of normal SFKLR points with high involved and low uninvolved Ig levels where a normal SFKLR is difficult to explain. Download : Download high-res image (89KB) Download : Download full-size image Download : Download high-res image (100KB) Download : Download full-size image We conclude that the SFLC assay often reveals normal SFKLR even when there is a detectable monoclonal protein in the serum. Whether this always predicts eventual paraprotein clearance and achievement of IFE negativity in patients on therapy is unknown, and needs to be studied prospectively.
Reply to “Comment on ‘Thermal phase noise in Fabry-Pérot resonators and fiber Bragg gratings’ ”

The previous Comment clarifies a few key points that were unclear in an earlier paper by its authors, in particular their definitions of phase and of phase noise. We now agree that this earlier paper was modeling the resonance-frequency fluctuations of a Fabry-Perot resonator, whereas our article [Phys. Rev. A 89, 033818 (2014)] was modeling the noise in the phase of the resonator's output field. In light of the Comment, the two pictures are indeed consistent. The resonance-frequency fluctuations are independent of group index, whereas the phase noise in the output field is proportional to group index. This important dependence was pointed out in our paper [Phys. Rev. A 89, 033818 (2014)]. From a more physical standpoint, we argue that phase noise can be described without resorting to the concept of signal-to-noise ratio and that, although the phase noise is of course in part a property of the fiber itself, its group-index dependence is introduced solely by the resonator.
Demo Abstract: IASA - Indoor Air Quality Sensing and Automation

Using an air purifying system can remove indoor air pollutants, but because it increases electric power utilization, results in broader increases in air pollution. To explore the tradeoff between energy consumption and healthful air, we demonstrate the indoor air sensing and automation (IASA) system, an internet-of-things system. The IASA system uses an air quality sensor, gateway device, and smart thermostat to control the fan in a home’s heating and cooling system. When fine particulate matter is high, the system operates the fan to pull air through a furnace filter and remove the pollution from the indoor air. We describe our system design, deployment, and collected data. To date, we have collected 861,000 air quality measurements with IASA.
A Framework Illustrating Care-Seeking Among Older Adults in a Hospital Emergency Department.

Background and objectives Older adults seeking emergency department (ED) care often have multiple, complex chronic conditions. We sought to understand factors that influence ED care-seeking by older adults and present a theoretical framework illustrating this process. Research design and methods In this grounded theory study, we interviewed 40 older adults with chronic illness within 90 days of an ED visit to explore their decision-making about seeking ED care. We also interviewed 10 primary care and ED physicians to explore conditions that influence ED referrals. Interview transcripts were analyzed using constant comparison and dimensional analysis. Results ED care-seeking among older adults is complex and influenced by multiple internal and external conditions including symptom type, severity, and onset; previous experience with and meaning of similar symptoms; limited access to prompt primary care; social and financial concerns; and deciding if symptoms warranted immediate attention. When contacting their primary care providers (PCPs), patients were often referred to the ED. Discussion and implications Older adults seeking ED care make rational and appropriate choices which are often predicated by referrals from their PCPs. Expecting patients to have the requisite knowledge to determine if symptoms require emergency care is unrealistic. ED visits are often the best strategy for patients to receive appropriate care. A healthcare system that provides better continuity between PCPs and the ED, better access to PCPs for urgent care, and timely follow-up care that takes into account the multiple and complex medical and social needs of older community-living adults is needed.
Factors Influencing Academic Success for Design Students: A Study of Curricular Expectations and Ethical Issues

Federal legislation, America’s College Promise, urges community colleges and 4-year universities to comply with guidelines for college graduation rates and improved academic success outcomes as indicated in this bill. This study examines these student success factors. A pilot study of 22 students in a design degree program at a state university in a major metropolitan area was conducted to identify non-cognitive factors that impact academic success and graduation rates. A literature review was also conducted to examine the impact of financial aid, social situations, transfers between two-year and 4-year institutions and perceived satisfaction with course content and expectations of the role of the professor in the educational process. This research will be used to inform the second phase of research examining course content delivery methods and value-added strategies for improving education for students in design majors and in urban university settings based on reported satisfaction and demographic survey data.
Taking Behavioral Sciences Forward.

It has been almost one year now since I agreed to become the Editor-in-Chief for this important open access journal, for which I have served as a member of the editorial board since its early inception.[...]
RNA sequencing indicates that atrazine induces multiple detoxification genes in Daphnia magna and this is a potential source of its mixture interactions with other chemicals.

Abstract Atrazine is an herbicide with several known toxicologically relevant effects, including interactions with other chemicals. Atrazine increases the toxicity of several organophosphates and has been shown to reduce the toxicity of triclosan to D. magna in a concentration dependent manner. Atrazine is a potent activator in vitro of the xenobiotic-sensing nuclear receptor, HR96, related to vertebrate constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) and pregnane X-receptor (PXR). RNA sequencing (RNAseq) was performed to determine if atrazine is inducing phase I-III detoxification enzymes in vivo, and estimate its potential for mixture interactions. RNAseq analysis demonstrates induction of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), cytochrome P450s (CYPs), glucosyltransferases (UDPGTs), and xenobiotic transporters, of which several are verified by qPCR. Pathway analysis demonstrates changes in drug, glutathione, and sphingolipid metabolism, indicative of HR96 activation. Based on our RNAseq data, we hypothesized as to which environmentally relevant chemicals may show altered toxicity with co-exposure to atrazine. Acute toxicity tests were performed to determine individual LC50 and Hillslope values as were toxicity tests with binary mixtures containing atrazine. The observed mixture toxicity was compared with modeled mixture toxicity using the Computational Approach to the Toxicity Assessment of Mixtures (CATAM) to assess whether atrazine is exerting antagonism, additivity, or synergistic toxicity in accordance with our hypothesis. Atrazine-triclosan mixtures showed decreased toxicity as expected; atrazine-parathion, atrazine-endosulfan, and to a lesser extent atrazine-p-nonylphenol mixtures showed increased toxicity. In summary, exposure to atrazine activates HR96, and induces phase I-III detoxification genes that are likely responsible for mixture interactions.
Social Inequality, Crime, and Deviance

This chapter examines the role of social inequality in crime and deviance by specifying a social psychological theory of the causal mechanisms by which inequality is associated with crime. We begin by noting that the powerful have more input into the content of criminal law, a point illustrated by the relatively soft penalties for white collar and corporate crimes compared to the harsh penalties for street crimes typically committed by the less powerful. We then draw on pragmatist social thought and criminological theory to provide an integrated social psychological explanation that helps explain how social inequality may produce high rates of crime. We apply this perspective to explain crime rates across neighborhoods and communities, as well as crime across the life course. We end with a discussion of the consequences of mass incarceration for reproducing social inequality in the United States.
Unlocking the urban photographic record through 4d scene modeling

Vast collections of historical photographs are being digitally archived and placed online, providing an objective record of the last two centuries that remains largely untapped. We propose that time-varying 3D models can pull together and index large collections of images while also serving as a tool of historical discovery, revealing new information about the locations, dates, and contents of historical images. In particular, our goal is to use computer vision techniques to tie together a large set of historical photographs of a given city into a consistent 4D model of the city: a 3D model with time as an additional dimension. To extract 4D city models from historical images, we must perform inference about the position of cameras and scene structure in both space and time. Traditional structure from motion techniques can be used to deal with the spatial problem, while here we focus on the problem of inferring temporal information: a date for each image and a time interval for which each structural element in the scene persists. We first formulate this task as a constraint satisfaction problem based on the visibility of structural elements in each image, resulting in a temporal ordering of images. Next, we present methods to incorporate real date information into the temporal inference solution. Finally, we present a general probabilistic framework for estimating all temporal variables in structure from motion problems, including an unknown date for each camera and an unknown time interval for each structural element. Given a collection of images with mostly unknown or uncertain dates, we can use this framework to automatically recover the dates of all images by reasoning probabilistically about the visibility and existence of objects in the scene. We present results for image collections consisting of hundreds of historical images of cities taken over decades of time, including Manhattan and downtown Atlanta.
The Role of Early Experience in the Development of Autonomic Regulation

One of the most striking characteristics of autonomic physiology is the degree to which individuals differ from each other in both resting levels and response magnitude. These differences show stability over time (Lacey and Lacey, 1962), and the patterns described by measurement in multiple systems may provide a kind of physiological fingerprint of the individual (Sargent and Weinman, 1966). Furthermore, certain individuals may show exaggerated or markedly reduced responses in one or another autonomic subsystem which can result in disability, and even in death. One cannot confront such individuals, either as an investigator or a physician, without wondering how they acquired such a characteristic. The usual explanations in terms of aberrant emotional responses and their physiological concomitants have failed to be adequately supported by the evidence, and would fail to answer the question even if a consistent relationship could be demonstrated (Hofer, 1974). Alternately, supposing these individual differences to be due simply to genetic determinants ignores the vast body of evidence of developmental biology that even for structural ontogeny, the individual organism (phenotype) is the product of a continuing interaction between the genetic potential (genotype) and its own highly specific environment.
Detection of Fibrin Monomer: Comparison of the Immune Precipitate Method with the Serial-dilution Protamine Sulfate Test and the Ethanol Gel Test

In a previous publication, a method for measuring fibrin monomer in plasma with the use of an immune precipitate of fibrinogen was described.5 The method was found to be more sensitive to unstabilized fibrin monomer than the serial-dilution protamine sulfate test, or the ethanol gel test, and detected fibrin in a mixture of the plasmin digestion products of fibrin. In the present study the sensitivity of the immune precipitate method for detecting specific plasmin digestion products of fibrin X, Y, D, and E, its sensitivity for stabilized fibrin monomer complexes, and its sensitivity for fibrin retaining B-peptide were measured and compared with the corresponding sensitivities of the serial-dilution protamine sulfate test and the ethanol gel test for detecting these same products. The immune precipitate method was found to be highly sensitive to stabilized fibrin monomer complexes and to fibrin retaining B-peptide; to be significantly less sensitive to the plasmin digestion fragments X, Y, and E; and to be insensitive to fragment D. The serialdilution protamine sulfate test and the ethanol gel test were found to be insensitive to all of the plasmin digestion products of fibrin and less sensitive to the other fibrin complexes.
Positioning Theory and Discourse Analysis

This chapter begins with a definition of discourse, elaborates on the link between positioning and discourse, and situates positioning theory within discourse analysis as an analytic approach. It describes how positioning theory uses the principles of various approaches to discourse analysis. In particular, the chapter explains how positioning analysis is different from or similar to conversation analysis, critical discourse analysis (CDA), and ethnography of communication.
Knockdown of CD44 expression decreases valve interstitial cell calcification in vitro

Our in vitro model of calcific aortic valve disease shows an interaction between the hyaluronic acid binding protein CD44 with the osteogenic factor OPN as a potential mechanism of aortic valve cal...
Human B-cell interleukin-10: B-cell lines derived from patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and Burkitt's lymphoma constitutively secrete large quantities of interleukin-10.

A recent addition to the lymphokine network is human IL-10 (hIL-10). This novel lymphokine has striking homology to BCRF1 protein, the product of a previously uncharacterized open-reading frame in the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome. To date, IL-10 expression has been described in several T clones induced with anti-CD3 and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), in monocytes stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and in murine B-cell lymphomas. We sought to determine whether human B cells express hIL-10 and, if so, its relationship to EBV and to other B-cell lymphokines. We studied 21 EBV- positive B-cell lines derived from patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and Burkitt9s lymphoma (n = 6), American Burkitt9s (n = 3), African Burkitt9s (n = 5), and normal lymphoblastoid cell lines (n = 7), in comparison with seven EBV- negative cell lines. All cell lines were activated with the tumor promoters PMA and teleocidin and were studied by Northern blot analysis, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA). We demonstrated that EBV- positive cell lines derived from patients with American Burkitt9s lymphoma, and especially those from patients with AIDS, constitutively express large quantities of hIL-10 by Northern blot analysis and ELISA (range, 3,101 to 25,915 pg/mL), and that both teleocidin and PMA induce hIL-10 in these cell lines. In contrast, six of seven EBV-negative cell lines did not express hIL-10 even by RT-PCR, and hIL-10 was not triggered by PMA or teleocidin. To assure that the 350 bp amplified by PCR was hIL-10 and not BCRF1, we used PCR primers, which do not amplify a fragment from plasmid templates containing BCRF1. Cloning and sequencing of the 350 bp product also demonstrated that B-cell IL-10 is identical to hIL-10 from the T-cell clone B21. Correlation of hIL-10 with other B-cell lymphokines secreted by these B-cell lines demonstrated that hIL-10 secretor cell lines also constitutively secrete or can be induced to secrete IL-6, although to a much lesser amount. Since both lymphokines influence B-cell growth and differentiation, we suggest that hIL-10 may contribute to the polyclonal B-cell activation and hyperglobulinemia seen in AIDS patients. Finally, several reports support the hypothesis that EBV is an important cofactor in the development of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-related B-cell lymphomas. Detection of large quantities of hIL-10 in B-cell lines derived from AIDS patients, the close association between EBV and hIL-10 shown in this report, and the ability of BCRF1 to capture hIL-10 activities, make hIL-10/BCRF1 an attractive candidate as a factor causing B-cell growth and immortalization in patients with AIDS and B-cell lymphomas.
Gallbladder volvulus in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia treated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Gallbladder volvulus is a rare condition that most commonly occurs in elderly women and often mimics acute cholecystitis in its presentation. This condition is a surgical emergency requiring cholecystectomy as it can lead to gallbladder perforation and bilious peritonitis with high morbidity to the patient. An 85-year-old woman with chronic lymphocytic leukemia presented with acute-onset right upper-quadrant abdominal pain and associated nausea with emesis. After admission to the surgical service and initiation of intravenous antibiotics, the patient was taken to the operating room for surgical management due to the persistence of symptoms. Intraoperative findings included a necrotic appearing gallbladder that was twisted on the cystic duct. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed, which was complicated by bile leak requiring endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with bile duct stenting followed by operative washout. Gallbladder volvulus can be challenging to diagnose. This condition should be suspected in elderly women with acute-onset abdominal pain and imaging concerning for acute cholecystitis. Emergent cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice for gallbladder volvulus.
Shearing overbite and asymmetrical jaw motions facilitate food breakdown in a freshwater stingray, Potamotrygon motoro.

ABSTRACT Many species of fish process their prey with cyclic jaw motions that grossly resemble those seen in mammalian mastication, despite starkly different tooth and jaw morphologies. The degree of similarity between the processing behaviors of these disparate taxa has implications for our understanding of convergence in vertebrate feeding systems. Here, we used XROMM (X-ray reconstruction of moving morphology) to investigate prey processing behavior of Potamotrygon motoro, the ocellate river stingray, which has recently been found to employ asymmetrical, shearing jaw motions to break down its prey. We found that P. motoro modulates its feeding kinematics to produce two distinct types of chew cycles: compressive cycles and overbite cycles. The latter are characterized by over-rotation of the upper jaw relative to the lower jaw, past the expected occlusal limit, and higher levels of bilateral asymmetry as compared with compressive chews. We did not find evidence of the mediolateral shearing motions typical of mammalian mastication, but overbite cycles appear to shear the prey item between the upper and lower toothplates in a propalinal fashion. Additionally, comparison of hyomandibular and jaw motions demonstrates that the angular cartilages decouple jaw displacement from hyomandibular displacement in rostrocaudal and mediolateral directions. The multiple similarities between mammalian mastication and the dynamic processing behavior of P. motoro support the use of sub-family Potamotrygoninae as a model for studying evolutionary convergence of mastication-like processing.
Exergy optimal multi-physics aircraft microgrid control architecture

Abstract The more electric aircraft (MEA) concept aims to reduce emissions, fuel costs, and enable incorporation of electric weapon systems and advanced sensor platforms. These systems will further burden the electrical system due to the pulse like loading and require advanced control strategies and distributed energy storage systems to ensure stability. Furthermore, multi-physical coupling of thermal electrical systems are often compartmentalize and analyzed separately, forgoing congruency that could occur if analyzed together. Here, we study how exergy, the amount of useful energy throughout a system, can guide control design and system operation. A multi-physics networked microgrid model was developed of an aircraft with two generation sources, interconnecting power converters, a lumped thermal mass model and pulsed loading. The Hamiltonian Surface Shaping Power Flow Control (HSSPFC) strategy is applied to the electrical grid via idealized and distributed storage elements. The HSSPFC was first developed to solve a general, scalable, form a networked microgrid architecture and then applied to the specific aircraft model. Implementation of the HSSPFC requires an outer loop to balance installed generation and to manage storage. This was accomplished through an exergy optimal set point generation scheme that minimized exergy destruction in the power converters. Bus regulation of within 3% of the desired set point was achieved while servicing a 100 kW pulsed load. A tradeoff between optimization update rate and storage regulation was found to be limited by the algorithm execution speed. Increased optimization update rates were linked to reduced storage use and fewer transients in bus voltage. The thermal model was electrically coupled through pumping loads and by cooling the power electronics. Exergy optimal coolant pump operation was also studied. The minimal exergy and pump energy consumption were obtained by operating the coolant system near the upper temperature limit of the coolant, which minimized cooling electrical loads.
Blood BTEXS and heavy metal levels are associated with liver injury and systemic inflammation in Gulf states residents

Abstract Introduction Exposures to volatile organic compounds and metals have previously been associated with liver diseases including steatohepatitis, although more data are needed. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, styrene (BTEXS) and metals were measured in blood samples collected between May 2012–July 2013 from volunteers participating in home visits for the Gulf Long-term Follow-up (GuLF) Study. This cross-sectional analysis evaluates associations of exposure biomarkers with serum liver injury and adipocytokine biomarkers in a sample of 214 men. Methods Adult nonsmoking men without a history of liver disease or heavy alcohol consumption were included. The serologic disease biomarkers evaluated were the hepatocellular injury biomarker, cytokeratin 18 [whole (CK18 M65) and caspase-cleaved fragment (CK18 M30)]; and adipocytokines. Confounder-adjusted beta coefficients were determined using linear regression models for the overall sample (primary endpoints) and for obesity-classified sub-groups (secondary endpoints). A product interaction term between the exposure of interest and a dichotomized indicator of obesity was included to determine the disease modifying effects of obesity on the biomarker associations. Results The study sample was 57% white and 51% obese. In the overall sample, lead was positively associated with CK18 M30 (β = 21.7 ± 6.0 (SE), p = 0.0004); IL-1β (β = 32.8 ± 5.2, p Conclusion For the overall sample, heavy metal exposures were associated with liver injury (lead only) and/or systemic inflammation (lead and cadmium). Obesity modified the associations between BTEXS and heavy metal exposures on several of the outcome variables. In the obesity subgroup, liver injury was positively associated with lead, cadmium and benzene exposures; systemic inflammation was increased with lead, cadmium, benzene, and toluene exposures; and leptin was inversely associated with lead exposures. The cross-sectional design of this study makes it difficult to determine causality, and all results should be interpreted cautiously. Nonetheless, the potential impact of exposures to lead, cadmium, benzene and toluene in steatohepatitis, an obesity-associated inflammatory liver disease, warrants further investigation.