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Accurately identifying metastatic disease is critical to directing the appropriate treatment in pancreatic cancer. Mucin 5AC is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer but absent in normal pancreas tissue. The present proof-of-concept study demonstrates the efficacy of an anti-mucin 5AC antibody conjugated to an IR800 dye (MUC5AC-IR800) to preferentially label a liver metastasis of pancreatic cancer (Panc Met) in a unique patient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) model. In orthotopic models, the mean tumor to background ratio was 1.787 (SD ± 0.336), and immunohistochemistry confirmed the expression of MUC5AC within tumor cells. MUC5AC-IR800 provides distinct visualization of pancreatic cancer liver metastasis in a PDOX mouse model, demonstrating its potential utility in staging laparoscopy and fluorescence-guided surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastric cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths, with more than one million new cases and approximately 841,000 deaths annually worldwide. We report a case of a young patient (25 years old) with an aggressive form of gastric cancer. The patient had previously been treated for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), which is a main risk factor for developing gastric cancer. Genetic testing showed an E-cadherin (CDH1) germline mutation of unknown significance. After eight cycles of chemotherapy, a positron emission tomography (PET) scan showed disease progression with an enlarging hypermetabolic right adnexal mass suspicious for metastatic disease. Tumor pathology demonstrated invasive and poorly differentiated gastric carcinoma. The analysis of the tumor biopsy indicated the very high expression of a chemokine, C-X-C motif chemokine 5 (CXCL5). The combination of H. pylori infection with an existence of a rare CDH1 mutation could have contributed to this aggressive gastric cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor-specific targeting with fluorescent probes can enhance contrast for identification of cancer during surgical resection and visualize otherwise invisible tumor margins. Nanobodies are the smallest naturally-occurring antigen-binding molecules with rapid pharmacokinetics. The present work demonstrates the efficacy of a fluorescent anti-CEA nanobody conjugated to an IR800 dye to target and label patient derived pancreatic cancer xenografts. After intravenous administration, the probe rapidly localized to the pancreatic cancer tumors within an hour and had a tumor-to-background ratio of 2.0 by 3 h. The fluorescence signal was durable over a prolonged period of time. With the rapid kinetics afforded by fluorescent nanobodies, both targeting and imaging can be performed on the same day as surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor management of endotracheal tube cuff pressures occurs in more than 50% of all general anesthetics, leading to tracheal ischemia, tracheal rupture, sore throats, recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, tracheal stenosis, microaspiration, and/or inadequate ventilation. General endotracheal anesthesia is common practice throughout the world. Endotracheal tube cuffs are filled with a fluid (gas or liquid) to a safe and adequate pressure of 20 to 30 cm H2O to protect the lung parenchyma from aspiration while also ensuring positive pressure can be generated to oxygenate/ventilate patients. An evidence-based project to improve anesthesia providers' management of endotracheal tube cuff pressures was performed at a military medical center in the southwestern United States. The intervention consisted of an education presentation, availability of cuff manometers in all operating rooms, a charting reminder to document cuff pressures, and a visual prompt in the electronic anesthesia record. The intervention resulted in a statistically significant increase in safe cuff pressures (P = .0032; odds ratio = 4.41, 95% CI = 1.71-11.3). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of room impulse responses to localise reflecting surfaces and estimate room geometry is applicable in numerous aspects of acoustics, including source localisation, acoustic simulation, spatial audio, audio forensics, and room acoustic treatment. Geometry inference is an acoustic analysis problem where information about reflections extracted from impulse responses are used to localise reflective boundaries present in an environment, and thus estimate the geometry of the room. This problem, however, becomes more complex when considering non-convex rooms, as room shape cannot be constrained to a subset of possible convex polygons. This paper presents a geometry inference method for localising reflective boundaries and inferring the room's geometry for convex and non-convex room shapes. The method is tested using simulated room impulse responses for six scenarios, and real-world room impulse responses measured in a cuboid-shaped room, using a spherical microphone array containing multiple spatially distributed channels capable of capturing both time- and direction-of-arrival. Results show that the general shape of the rooms is inferred for each case, with a higher degree of accuracy for convex shaped rooms. However, inaccuracies generally arise as a result of the complexity of the room being inferred, or inaccurate estimation of time- and direction-of-arrival of reflections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contribution: This paper provides evidence of the lack of gender diversity at audio engineering conferences, using a novel and inclusive gender determination method to produce a new dataset of author gender. Background: Audio engineering has historically been male-dominated; while the number of non-male audio engineers has increased recently, the industry mindset has changed very little. Studies into the gender diversity of this field are required, to force a shift in mindset and create a more inclusive environment. Research Questions: To what extent is there an imbalance in the representation of different genders at audio engineering conferences? Do conference topic, presentation type, or author position have an impact on the gender balance? Methodology: A novel method was designed to obtain pronouns of authors where possible, avoiding removal of data or potential false positives. The main limitation of this methodology is the time required for gender determination. Gender composition was analyzed across 20 conferences, with gender balance further analyzed within four key categories: 1) conference topic; 2) presentation type; 3) position in the author byline; and 4) the number of authors. Findings: This paper demonstrates a clear lack of gender diversity in conference authorship in audio engineering. The results show low overall representation of non-male authors at audio engineering conferences, with significant differences across conference topics, and a notable lack of gender diversity within invited presentations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although electrical activation of the carotid sinus baroreflex (baroreflex activation therapy) is being explored as a device therapy for resistant hypertension, possible effects on baroreflex dynamic characteristics of interaction between electrical stimulation and pressure inputs are not fully elucidated. To examine whether the electrical stimulation of the baroreceptor afferent nerve impedes normal short-term arterial pressure (AP) regulation mediated by the stimulated nerve, we electrically stimulated the right aortic depressor nerve (ADN) while estimating the baroreflex dynamic characteristics by imposing pressure inputs to the isolated baroreceptor region of the right ADN in nine anesthetized rats. A Gaussian white noise signal with a mean of 120 mmHg and standard deviation of 20 mmHg was used for the pressure perturbation. A tonic ADN stimulation (2 or 5 Hz, 10 V, 0.1-ms pulse width) decreased mean sympathetic nerve activity (367.0 ± 70.9 vs. 247.3 ± 47.2 arbitrary units, P < 0.01) and mean AP (98.4 ± 7.8 vs. 89.2 ± 4.5 mmHg, P < 0.01) during dynamic pressure perturbation. The ADN stimulation did not affect the slope of dynamic gain in the neural arc transfer function from pressure perturbation to sympathetic nerve activity (16.9 ± 1.0 vs. 14.7 ± 1.6 dB/decade, not significant). These results indicate that electrical stimulation of the baroreceptor afferent nerve does not significantly impede the dynamic characteristics of the arterial baroreflex concomitantly mediated by the stimulated nerve. Short-term AP regulation by the arterial baroreflex may be preserved during the baroreflex activation therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent clinical trials in patients with drug-resistant hypertension indicate that electrical activation of the carotid sinus baroreflex can reduce arterial pressure (AP) for more than a year. To examine whether the electrical stimulation from one baroreflex system impedes normal short-term AP regulation via another unstimulated baroreflex system, we electrically stimulated the left aortic depressor nerve (ADN) while estimating the dynamic characteristics of the carotid sinus baroreflex in anesthetized normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY; n = 8) rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR; n = 7). Isolated carotid sinus regions were perturbed for 20 min using a Gaussian white noise signal with a mean of 120 mmHg for WKY and 160 mmHg for SHR. Tonic ADN stimulation (2 Hz, 10 V, and 0.1-ms pulse width) decreased mean sympathetic nerve activity (73.4 ± 14.0 vs. 51.6 ± 11.3 arbitrary units in WKY, P = 0.012; and 248.7 ± 33.9 vs. 181.1 ± 16.6 arbitrary units in SHR, P = 0.018) and mean AP (90.8 ± 6.6 vs. 81.2 ± 5.4 mmHg in WKY, P = 0.004; and 128.6 ± 9.8 vs. 114.7 ± 10.3 mmHg in SHR, P = 0.009). The slope of dynamic gain in the neural arc transfer function from carotid sinus pressure to sympathetic nerve activity was not different between trials with and without the ADN stimulation (12.55 ± 0.93 vs. 13.03 ± 1.28 dB/decade in WKY, P = 0.542; and 17.37 ± 1.01 vs. 17.47 ± 1.64 dB/decade in SHR, P = 0.946). These results indicate that the tonic ADN stimulation does not significantly modify the dynamic characteristics of the carotid sinus baroreflex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concentrations of H2O, F, Cl, C, P, and S have been measured by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) in experimentally produced peridotite phases (including clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, olivine, garnet, amphibole, and mica) and coexisting basanitic glasses. Because only two experiments produced glasses on quenching (with the melt phase in others reverting to felt-like crystallite masses) H2O concentrations in melts were also separately determined from mass-balance relationships and by assuming constant H2O/La in melts and starting materials. The resulting values were used to calculate mineral/melt partition coefficients (D values) for H2O [where ... = (mass fraction of H2O in crystal)/(mass fraction of H2O in melt)] for conditions of 1025-1190 °C and 1.0-3.5 GPa. These gave 0.0064-0.0164 for clinopyroxene, 0.0046-0.0142 for orthopyroxene, 0.0015-0.0016 for olivine, and 0.0016-0.0022 for garnet. Although less information was obtained for the other volatiles, F was found to be significantly more compatible than H2O during peridotite melting, whereas Cl is significantly less compatible. S also has small but appreciable solubilities in amphiboles and micas, but not in pyroxenes or olivine. The solubility of C in silicate minerals appears to be negligible, although C was present in coexisting melts (~0.5 wt% as CO2) and as residual graphite during experiments. The D values for H2O in clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene are positively correlated with ivAl but negatively correlated with the H2O concentrations of melts (when considered as wt%). These relationships are consistent with the broad trends of previously published partitioning data. Although some of the concentration dependence can be related to cross-correlation between ivAl in pyroxenes and H2O concentrations in melts (via the latter's control of liquidus temperatures) this relationship is too inconsistent to be a complete explanation. A concentration dependence for ... can also be independently predicted from speciation models for H2O in silicate melts. Thus it is likely that ... is influenced by both ivAl and the absolute concentration of H2O in melts. ... for clinopyroxene is inversely correlated with M2 site radii. Because the latter decrease with increasing pressure and temperature, relatively hot and/or deeply derived melts should be enriched in Ce relative to H2O when compared to melts from cooler and shallower mantle sources. Conversely, melts from H2O-rich settings (e.g., subduction zones) should have higher H2O/Ce than their source rocks. When combined with previously obtained partitioning data for non-volatile elements (from the same experiments), our data are consistent with the enrichment of intraplate basalt sources in both volatile and non-volatile incompatible elements by small-degree melts derived from local mid-ocean ridge basalt sources. In this way, volatiles can be seen to play an active role (via their promotion of partial-melting and metasomatic processes) in the auto-regulation of incompatible element concentrations in the depleted upper mantle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the findings of a national inquiry into cases of misdiagnosis of miscarriage in the Republic of Ireland and to report the results of implementation of the findings of the inquiry, including investment in new equipment and training, new national guidelines, and rigorous annual audit of early pregnancy units.Design: Narrative description of the inquiry and its findings and results of a subsequent audit.Setting: Not applicable.Patient(s): Women with problems of bleeding and/or pain in early pregnancy who were erroneously diagnosed as having a nonviable intrauterine pregnancy.Intervention(s): After two cases of misdiagnosis of miscarriage that were widely reported in the Republic of Ireland in June 2010, a Miscarriage Misdiagnosis Review Team was commissioned by the Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) to undertake a national review of other possible cases of misdiagnosis of miscarriage. The Review Team made a series of recommendations that were subsequently implemented in full. The results of the implementation of the findings of the Review Team have been the subject of three annual audits across the country.Main Outcome Measure(s): The main outcome measure was the occurrence of misdiagnosis of miscarriage in the Republic of Ireland before and after implementation of the findings of the Review Team.Result(s): Twenty-four confirmed cases of misdiagnosis of miscarriage were identified, mostly occurring between 2005 and 2010. Analysis led to a series of recommendations by the Review Team, which were implemented in full by the HSE. Over € 3 million was provided to fund implementation; 26 high-quality gynecological ultrasound machines were purchased to reequip 19 units involved in provision of care to women with suspected miscarriage. There was further allocation of resources for new equipment and improvement in the management and staffing of early pregnancy units across Ireland, with each center now having a dedicated and properly staffed Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit. A national training program in the management of early pregnancy problems has been implemented, along with regular national meetings to discuss early pregnancy problems. National clinical guidelines on the diagnosis and management of miscarriage for implementation have been distributed to all hospitals.Conclusion(s): No cases of miscarriage misdiagnosis were identified in any of the three annual audits, suggesting that implementation of the findings of the review has been successful. We believe that this is the first report of national change in practice leading to improvement in clinical outcomes in the management of suspected miscarriage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to identify the contribution of myelinated (A-fiber) and unmyelinated (Cfiber) baroreceptor central pathways to the baroreflex control of sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) and arterial pressure (AP) in anesthetized Wistar-Kyoto (WKY; n 8) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR; n 8). The left aortic depressor nerve (ADN) was electrically stimulated with two types of binary white noise signals designed to preferentially activate A-fibers (A-BRx protocol) or C-fibers (C-BRx protocol). In WKY, the central arc transfer function from ADN stimulation to SNA estimated by A-BRx showed strong derivative characteristics with the slope of dynamic gain between 0.1 and 1 Hz (Gslope) of 14.63 ± 0.89 dB/decade. In contrast, the central arc transfer function estimated by C-BRx exhibited nonderivative characteristics with Gslope of 0.64 ± 1.13 dB/decade. This indicates that A-fibers are important for rapid baroreflex regulation, whereas C-fibers are likely important for more sustained regulation of SNA and AP. In SHR, the central arc transfer function estimated by A-BRx showed higher Gslope (18.46 ± 0.75 dB/decade, P < 0.01) and that estimated by C-BRx showed higher Gslope (8.62 ± 0.64 dB/decade, P < 0.001) with significantly lower dynamic gain at 0.01 Hz (6.29 ± 0.48 vs. 2.80 ± 0.36%/Hz, P < 0.001) compared with WKY. In conclusion, the dynamic characteristics of the A-fiber central pathway are enhanced in the high-modulation frequency range (0.1-1 Hz) and those of the C-fiber central pathway are attenuated in the lowmodulation frequency range (0.01- 0.1 Hz) in SHR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Ankle sprains are the most common orthopaedic pathologic condition, and more concerning is the high percentage of persons who develop chronic ankle instability (CAI). Researchers have reported that patients with CAI are restricted occupationally, have more functional limitations, and have a poorer health-related quality of life. We do not know if these limitations decrease physical activity levels. Objective: To assess total weekly steps taken between persons with CAI and persons with healthy ankles. Design: Case-control study. Setting: University research laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 20 participants with unilateral CAI (9 men, 11 women; age ¼ 21.2 6 1.9 years, height = 174.3 ± 6.9 cm, mass = 71.9 ± 11.7 kg) and 20 healthy participants (9 men, 11 women; age=20.4 ± 2.1 years, height = 172.1 ± 5.5 cm, mass = 73.1 ± 13.4 kg) volunteered. Main Outcome Measure(s): We provided all participants with a pedometer and instructed them to wear it every day for 7 days and to complete a daily step log. They also completed the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), the FAAM Sport version, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. A 2-way analysis of variance (group╳ sex) was used to determine if differences existed in the total number of weekly steps, ankle laxity, and answers on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire between groups and between sexes. Results: We found no group3sex interaction for step count (F range = 0.439-2.108, P = .08). A main effect for group was observed (F1,38 = 10.45, P = .04). The CAI group took fewer steps than the healthy group (P = .04). The average daily step count was 6694.47 ± 1603.35 for the CAI group and 8831.01 ± 1290.01 for the healthy group. The CAI group also scored lower on the FAAM (P = .01) and the FAAM Sport version (P = .01). Conclusions: The decreased step count that the participants with CAI demonstrated is concerning. This decreased physical activity may be secondary to the functional limitations reported. If this decrease in physical activity level continues for an extended period, CAI may potentially be a substantial health risk if not treated appropriately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common cause of cancer and cancer-related death. Surgery is the only curative modality. Fluorescence-enhanced visualization of CRC with targeted fluorescent probes that can delineate boundaries and target tumor-specific biomarkers can increase rates of curative resection. Approaches to enhancing visualization of the tumor-to-normal tissue interface are active areas of investigation. Nonspecific dyes are the most-used approach, but tumor-specific targeting agents are progressing in clinical trials. The present narrative review describes the principles of fluorescence targeting of CRC for diagnosis and fluorescence-guided surgery with molecular biomarkers for preclinical or clinical evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Embolism refilling is thought to require relaxation of xylem tension, and it is unclear whether and how tall trees or plants growing in arid or saline soils recover from embolism. We tested whether foliar water uptake could enable embolism refilling in dehydrated twigs of the grey mangrove (Avicennia marina).Four dehydrated twigs were imaged by laboratory‐based micro‐computed tomography before and after wetting leaves.Emboli were observed in dehydrated stems and leaves. Embolism decreased with increasing distance from the cut end of stems, suggesting that stem emboli were caused by cutting. A significant (P = 0.026) c. 80% reduction in the embolised area was observed in leaves between the start and the end of the experiment (29 ± 10 h after wetting). Embolus diameter was unaffected by wetting.Embolism refilling occurred slowly, in stems embolised by cutting and leaves embolised by cutting and/or dehydration. The lack of response of embolus diameter to wetting suggests that capillarity was not the main mechanism for refilling. Results show that excised twigs of A. marina are able to recover from embolism by absorption of atmospheric water and call for studies under natural conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alemtuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody specific for the CD52 protein present at high levels on the surface of B and T lymphocytes. In clinical trials, alemtuzumab has shown a clinical benefit superior to that of interferon-β in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients. Treatment with alemtuzumab leads to the depletion of circulating lymphocytes followed by a repopulation process characterized by alterations in the number, proportions and properties of lymphocyte subsets. Of particular interest, an increase in the percentage of T cells with a regulatory phenotype (Treg cells) has been observed in multiple sclerosis patients after alemtuzumab. Since Treg cells play an important role in the control of autoimmune responses, the effect of alemtuzumab on Treg cells was further studied in vitro. Alemtuzumab effectively mediated complement-dependent cytolysis of human T lymphocytes and the remaining population was enriched in T cells with a regulatory phenotype. The alemtuzumab-exposed T cells displayed functional regulatory characteristics including anergy to stimulation with allogeneic dendritic cells and ability to suppress the allogeneic response of autologous T cells. Consistent with the observed increase in Treg cell frequency, the CD25hi T-cell population was necessary for the suppressive activity of alemtuzumab-exposed T cells. The mechanism of this suppression was found to be dependent on both cell-cell contact and interleukin-2 consumption. These findings suggest that an alemtuzumab-mediated increase in the proportion of Treg cells may play a role in promoting the long-term efficacy of alemtuzumab in patients with multiple sclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the age-related changes in diastolic filling parameters in the aging hearts of active C57Bl/6J mice throughout the life span to indicate optimal age periods for improvements in resting diastolic parameters. METHODS: Fourteen C57Bl/6J mice (seven males and seven females) were individually housed at 8 wk of age in cages with a running wheel, magnetic sensor, and digital odometer. Duration, distance, and running velocity were recorded daily. Fourteen additional mice C57Bl/6J mice (seven males and seven females) were placed in individual cages without running wheels at 8 wk of age. Pulsed-wave Doppler transmitral inflow recordings with a SONOS 5500 ultrasound and 15-6L ultrasound probe were used to image the left ventricle every 4 wk throughout the life span. RESULTS: Peak E wave filling velocities were significantly greater by the start of the second quarter of the life span in the mice with access to running wheels (P < 0.0001). Peak E wave velocities improved in both groups during the first half of the life span (P < 0.0001) and declined throughout the second half of the life span (P < 0.0001). Early-to-late (E:A) filling ratio was significantly greater for the physically active mice by the start of the second quarter of the life span (P < 0.0001) and continued throughout most of the remainder of the life span (P < 0.0001). No differences were observed between the two groups of mice with peak A wave filling velocities (P > 0.05). Similar findings were observed when corrected for resting heart rate. CONCLUSIONS: Lifelong physical activity resulted in greater diastolic filling parameters by the second quarter of the life span, highlighting the clinical importance of regular aerobic activity in young adulthood as a mechanism for improved left ventricular performance with aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major barrier to the diagnosis and effective treatment of solid-tumor cancers is the difficulty in detection and visualization of tumor margins in primary and metastatic disease. The use of fluorescence can augment the surgeon's ability to detect cancer and aid in its resection. Several cancer types express carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) including colorectal, pancreatic and gastric cancer. Antibodies to CEA have been developed and tagged with near-infrared fluorescent dyes. This review article surveyed the use of CEA antibodies conjugated to fluorescent probes for in vivo studies since 1990. PubMed and Google Scholar databases were queried, and 900 titles and abstracts were screened. Fifty-nine entries were identified as possibly meeting inclusion/exclusion criteria and were reviewed in full. Forty articles were included in the review and their citations were screened for additional entries. A total of 44 articles were included in the final review. The use of fluorescent anti-CEA antibodies has been shown to improve detection and resection of tumors in both murine models and clinically. The cumulative results indicate that fluorescent-conjugated anti-CEA antibodies have important potential to improve cancer diagnosis and surgery. In an emerging technology, anti-CEA fluorescent antibodies have also been successfully used for photoimmunotherapy treatment for cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Light/medium truck drivers involved had higher FROI rates than heavy truck drivers involved in crashes. • Younger light/medium truck drivers were represented at a higher proportion in crash FROIs compared to younger heavy truck drivers. • The retail trade industry made up the largest percentage of light/medium truck local crash FROIs (47%); the transportation and warehousing industry was most frequently cited in heavy truck FROIs. • Light/medium truck crashes most frequently involved being rear-ended, running red lights, and turning in front of other vehicles. Objective: Multiple heavy truck driver injury studies exist, but there is a paucity of research on light and medium truck driver injuries. The objective of this study was to use first report of injury (FROI) data to: (a) compare demographic and injury characteristics; (b) assess workers' compensation (WC) claim disposition and lost work time status; and (c) describe injury scenarios by vehicle type for heavy truck and light/medium truck driver local crashes. Method: Kentucky Department of Workers' Claims FROI quantitative and free text data were analyzed for years 2010–2019. Of 800 total FROIs, 451 involved heavy trucks and 349 involved light or medium trucks. Results: There was a higher light/medium truck driver crash FROI rate compared to the heavy truck driver crash FROI rate. There was a higher proportion of younger light/medium truck driver crash FROIs compared to younger heavy truck driver crash FROIs. The retail trade industry made up the largest percentage of light/medium truck local crash FROIs (47%); the transportation and warehousing industry was most frequently cited in heavy truck FROIs (46%). The heavy truck types most frequently identified in FROIs were semi-trucks (13%) and dump trucks (11%). The most common light/medium truck type identified was delivery trucks (30%). Most commonly, heavy truck crash FROIs involved rollovers, driving off/overcorrecting on narrow roadways, and driving downhill/unable to downshift. Light/medium truck crash FROIs most frequently involved being rear-ended, running red lights, and turning in front of other vehicles. Conclusions: The utilization of WC FROI data highlighted top injury scenarios and specific vehicle types for targeting driver safety training among truck drivers, particularly light/medium truck drivers. Road safety policies regarding driver training, crash reviews, and in-vehicle monitoring systems are needed for truck drivers with previous crash injuries, especially for light and medium truck drivers. Practical applications: Enhanced safety training on speeding on narrow roadways, on nearing intersections, and on downshifting on hills is needed for semi-truck, dump truck, and coal truck drivers with previous crash injuries. Rear-end crash prevention training (e.g., gradual stopping and checking mirrors) is needed for drivers of furniture, automotive parts and accessories, and groceries and soft drink delivery trucks with previous crash injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adipose tissue inflammation and specifically, pro-inflammatory macrophages are believed to contribute to insulin resistance (IR) in obesity in humans and animal models. Recent studies have invoked T cells in the recruitment of pro-inflammatory macrophages and the development of IR. To test the role of the T cell response in adipose tissue of mice fed an obesogenic diet, we used two agents (CTLA-4 Ig and anti-CD40L antibody) that block co-stimulation, which is essential for full T cell activation. C57BL/6 mice were fed an obesogenic diet for 16 weeks, and concomitantly either treated with CTLA-4 Ig, anti-CD40L antibody or an IgG control (300 µg/week). The treatments altered the immune cell composition of adipose tissue in obese mice. Treated mice demonstrated a marked reduction in pro-inflammatory adipose tissue macrophages and activated CD8+ T cells. Mice treated with anti-CD40L exhibited reduced weight gain, which was accompanied by a trend toward improved IR. CTLA-4 Ig treatment, however, was not associated with improved IR. These data suggest that the presence of pro-inflammatory T cells and macrophages can be altered with co-stimulatory inhibitors, but may not be a significant contributor to the whole body IR phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For decades, H0 and q0 were the quest of cosmology, as they promised to characterize our “world model” without reference to a specific cosmological framework. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we show that q0 cannot be directly measured using distance indicators with both accuracy (without offset away from its true value) and precision (small error bar). While H0 can be measured with accuracy and precision, to avoid a small bias in its direct measurement (of order 5%) we demonstrate that the pair H0 and ΩM (assuming flatness and w = −1) is a better choice of two parameters, even if our world model is not precisely ΛCDM. We illustrate this with analysis of the Constitution set of supernovae and indirectly infer q0 = −0.57±−0.04. Finally, we show that it may be possible to directly determine q0 with both accuracy and precision using the time dependence of redshifts (“redshift drift”). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peripheral tolerance to developmentally regulated antigens is necessary to sustain tissue homeostasis. We have now devised an inducible and reversible system that allows interrogation of T-cell tolerance induction in endogenous naïve and memory CD8 T cells. Our data show that peripheral CD8 T-cell tolerance can be preserved through two distinct mechanisms, antigen addiction leading to anergy for naïve T cells and ignorance for memory T cells. Induction of antigen in dendritic cells resulted in substantial expansion and maintenance of endogenous antigen-specific CD8 T cells. The self-reactive cells initially exhibited effector activity but eventually became unresponsive. Upon antigen removal, the antigen-specific population waned, resulting in development of a self-specific memory subset that recalled to subsequent challenge. In striking contrast to naïve CD8 T cells, preexisting antigen-specific memory CD8 T cells failed to expand after antigen induction and essentially ignored the antigen despite widespread expression by dendritic cells. The inclusion of inflammatory signals partially overcame memory CD8 T-cell ignorance of self-antigen. Thus, peripheral CD8 T-cell tolerance for naïve CD8 T cells depended on the continuous presence of antigen, whereas memory CD8 T cells were prohibited from autoreactivity in the absence of inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alemtuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody against CD52, an antigen found on the surface of normal and malignant lymphocytes. It is approved for the treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and is undergoing Phase III clinical trials for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The exact mechanism by which alemtuzumab mediates its biological effects in vivo is not clearly defined and mechanism of action studies have been hampered by the lack of cross-reactivity between human and mouse CD52. To address this issue, a transgenic mouse expressing human CD52 (hCD52) was created. Transgenic mice did not display any phenotypic abnormalities and were able to mount normal immune responses. The tissue distribution of hCD52 and the level of expression by various immune cell populations were comparable to those seen in humans. Treatment with alemtuzumab replicated the transient increase in serum cytokines and depletion of peripheral blood lymphocytes observed in humans. Lymphocyte depletion was not as profound in lymphoid organs, providing a possible explanation for the relatively low incidence of infection in alemtuzumab-treated patients. Interestingly, both lymphocyte depletion and cytokine induction by alemtuzumab were largely independent of complement and appeared to be mediated by neutrophils and natural killer cells because removal of these populations with antibodies to Gr-1 or asialo-GM-1, respectively, strongly inhibited the activity of alemtuzumab whereas removal of complement by treatment with cobra venom factor had no impact. The hCD52 transgenic mouse appears to be a useful model and has provided evidence for the previously uncharacterized involvement of neutrophils in the activity of alemtuzumab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Vitamin D inadequacy is associated with medication refractory musculoskeletal pain and neuromuscular dysfunction. This vitamin deficiency could subsist as an unrecognized comorbid condition among patients with chronic pain. The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and clinical correlates of vitamin D inadequacy in patients seeking treatment for chronic pain. Design. Retrospective case series. Setting. Multidisciplinary pain rehabilitation center at a tertiary referral medical center. Patients. The study involved 267 chronic pain patients admitted from February to December 2006. Intervention. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) was drawn at admission. Outcome Measures. Patients with serum 25[OH]D levels ≤20 ng/mL were considered to have inadequate levels and those with levels >20 ng/mL were considered to have adequate levels. Upon admission, opioid intake was documented and patients completed the Short Form-36 Health Status Questionnaire. Results. The prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy was 26% (95% confidence interval, 20.6–31.1%). Among patients using opioids, the mean morphine equivalent dose for the inadequate vitamin D group was 133.5 mg/day compared with 70.0 mg/day for the adequate group ( P = 0.001). The mean duration of opioid use for the inadequate and adequate groups were 71.1 months and 43.8 months, respectively ( P = 0.023). Opioid users with inadequate levels reported worse physical functioning ( P = 0.041) and health perception ( P = 0.003) than opioid users with adequate levels. Conclusion. The prevalence and clinical correlates identified in this pilot study provide the basis for the assertion that vitamin D inadequacy may represent an under-recognized source of nociception and impaired neuromuscular functioning among patients with chronic pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a strong link between formal plant breeding and seed supply. In developed countries, it was the emergence of systematic plant breeding that generated new named varieties and stimulated organized seed multiplication and marketing by commercial companies. In developing countries likewise, the experience of the ‘Green Revolution’ in the 1960’s led to the establishment in the following decade of national seed projects which could deliver the products of plant breeding more effectively from breeder to farmer. The provision of a secure conduit leading from research to agriculture remains a major justification for formal seed systems. The limitations of formal breeding approaches have been recognized in recent years, especially for crops grown in marginal and diverse environments, where farmers’ requirements are more complex. This has prompted interest in alternative participatory plant breeding strategies in which farmers can play an active role in the selection process. There has been a parallel recognition of the role of the informal seed sector, as the major seed supplier in many crops and areas where the regular sale of seed by formal organizations is difficult. The question which arise therefore is—“How do participatory breeding approaches relate to both formal and informal seed systems?” The purpose of this paper is to examine the technical, regulatory and policy aspects of this question, with emphasis on the following issues: The synthesis of this discussion is that PPB initiatives must be linked to a secure diffusion strategy within and beyond the participating communities if the technical and social benefits of this approach are to be fully realized. National policies relating to seeds and regulatory frameworks must also take account of this approach to avoid downstream constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: Older adults are known to gain the benefits of improved cognition, reduced risk of falls, and decreased mortality when participating in regular physical activity. Nearly sixty percent of older adults suggest they are not involved with regular physical activity or exercise, but those who are regularly active participate in different structured and unstructured programming options. Our investigation studied the influence of different physical activity options on perceived quality of life, step counts, and sleep behaviors in the older adult population. METHODS: Forty-five older adult volunteers answered a questionnaire that asked "Do you exercise?" If answered "Yes", then participants were asked "Is it structured (SE-Structured Exercise) or independent (IE-Independent Exercise)?". If answered "No", then participants were asked "Do you lead an active lifestyle (AL-Active Lifestyle) or not (C-Control)?" Nine men and 36 women participated in the current study, with group mean ages (±SD) of SE: 73.9±6.6yrs (n=13), IE: 76.5±6.1yrs (n=13), AL: 79.9±9.6yrs (n=10), C: 69.8±5.8yrs (n=9). Perceived health status and sleep quality were assessed with the SF-36 & PSQI, respectively, while daily energy expenditure and sleep quality were measured through a wrist worn Fitbit Charge HR for seven days. RESULTS: Groups were similar in height and weight (p>0.05), but SE and C were found to be younger (p=0.02) than the IE and AL groups. No group differences were observed for energy expenditure, sleep quality, or sleep efficiency (p>0.05). Pain (p= 0.002) and physical functioning (p=0.01) were lesser in the AL group compared to the remaining groups. Perceived health (p= 0.07) and daily step count (p= 0.07) trended towards group differences but were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Physical functioning and daily pain were influenced by physical activity programming with older adults, yet daily step counts and energy expenditure was found to not be influenced by type of activity programming with older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: To examine thickness of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and if that thickness relates to physical activity levels one year after an ankle sprain. METHODS: Twenty college students (8 males and 12 females, age=21.2 ± 2.4yr., mass=80.9±21.6kg, ht=173.3±10.6cm) with an acute LAS and 20 healthy matched controls (8 males and 12 females, age=21.9± 2.8yr., mass=79.1±20.2kg, ht=172.5±9.8cm) participated in the study. ATFL thickness was measured with a LOGIQ Book (GE Healthcare, Waukesha, WI) diagnostic ultrasound. The examiner orientated the probe to view the cross sectional view of the lateral malleolus and the lateral talar articular surface cartilage and the neck of the talus. Measurements of ATFL thickness were made using ImageJ software (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD). Thickness of the ATFL was measured at the midpoint of the ligament between the attachments of the lateral malleolus and talus. The main outcome measures were the thickness of the ATFL (mm) at 3 days post LAS and 1 year post LAS, and physical activity levels as measured by the IPAQ and NASA physical activity scales. RESULTS: There was a significant relationship between ATFL thickness and both the IPAQ and NASA physical activity scales. As ligament thickness increased, "average time spent performing vigorous physical activity" significantly decreased (p=.04, r²=-.86) and "average time spent performing moderate physical activity" (p=.02, r²=-.84) one year after injury. Subjects with a LAS also had a significant relationship with time spent walking (p=.01, r²=-.92), and days per week where they pursued vigorous activity (p=.02, r²=-.81) or moderate activity (p=.04 r²=-.85) one year after their sprain. As ligament thickness increased, overall subjective physical activity scores significantly decreased. CONCLUSIONS: One year after a LAS subjects had a significant relationship with ATFL thickness and activity levels. The changes in ATFL morphology may lead to the decreased physical activity levels due to the feeling of the ankle being unstable. Future research needs to focus on early interventions to ensure proper ligament healing occurs to restore joint function after an ankle sprain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The need to develop and deploy large-scale, cost-effective, renewable energy is becoming increasingly important. In recent years photovoltaic (PV) cells based on nanoparticles blended with semiconducting polymers have achieved good power conversion efficiencies (PCE). All the nanoparticle types used in these PV cells can be considered as colloids. These include spherical, rod-like or branched organic or inorganic nanoparticles. Nanoparticle–polymer PV cells have the long-term potential to provide low cost, high-efficiency renewable energy. The maximum PCE achieved to date is about 5.5%. This value should rise as recently reported theoretical predictions suggest 10% is achievable. However, there are a number of challenges that remain to be overcome. In this review two general types of nanoparticle–polymer PV cells are considered and compared in detail. The organic nanoparticle–polymer PV cells contain fullerene derivatives (e.g., phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester, PCBM) or single-walled nanotubes as the nanoparticle phase. The second type is hybrid inorganic nanoparticle–polymer PV cells. These contain semiconducting nanoparticles that include CdSe, ZnO or PbS. The structure-property relationships that apply to both the polymer and nanoparticle phases are considered. The principles underlying nanoparticle–polymer PV cell operation are also discussed. An outcome of consideration of the literature in both areas are two sets of assembly conditions that are suggested for constructing PCBM-P3HT (P3HT is poly(3-hexylthiophene)) or CdSe-P3HT PV cells with reasonable power conversion efficiency. The maximum PCE reported for organic nanoparticle PV cells is about twice that for inorganic nanoparticle–polymer PV cells. This appears to be related to morphological differences between the respective photoactive layers. The morphological differences are attributed to differences in the colloidal stability of the nanoparticle/polymer/solvent mixtures used to prepare the photoactive layers. The principles controlling the colloid stability of the nanoparticle/polymer/solvent mixtures are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The genomic locations and identities of the genes that regulate voluntary physical activity are presently unknown. The purpose of this study was to search for quantitative trait loci (QTL) that are linked with daily mouse running wheel distance, duration, and speed of exercise. F2 animals (n 310) derived from high active C57L/J and low active C3H/HeJ inbred strains were phenotyped for 21 days. After phenotyping, genotyping with a fully informative single-nucleotide polymorphism panel with an average intermarker interval of 13.7 cM was used. On all three activity indexes, sex and strain were significant factors, with the F2 animals similar to the high active C57L/J mice in both daily exercise distance and duration of exercise. In the F2 cohort, female mice ran significantly farther, longer, and faster than male mice. QTL analysis revealed no sex-specific QTL but at the 5% experimentwise significance level did identify one QTL for duration, one QTL for distance, and two QTL for speed. The QTL for duration (DUR13.1) and distance (DIST13.1) colocalized with the QTL for speed (SPD13.1). Each of these QTL accounted for 6% of the phenotypic variance, whereas SPD9.1 (chromosome 9, 7 cM) accounted for 11.3% of the phenotypic variation. DUR13.1, DIST13.1, SPD13.1, and SPD9.1 were subsequently replicated by haplotype association mapping. The results of this study suggest a genetic basis of voluntary activity in mice and provide a foundation for future candidate gene studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mineral assemblages in volcanic rocks record both pre-eruptive conditions and changes experienced by magma as it rises. Titanomagnetite in andesitic magmas is especially sensitive to changes in temperature and oxygen fugacity immediately prior to and during eruptions. Two end-member eruption states can be distinguished by examining titanomagnetite textures in erupted rocks. Slow-ascent eruptions—characterized by near-stagnant magma bodies and slow effusion of lava domes—show solid-state exsolution of titano-hematite/ilmenite lamellae within titanomagnetite hosts. By contrast, fast-ascent eruptions—characterized by rapid chilling of magma in sub-Plinian eruptions—contain titanomagnetites without such exsolution features. This mineralogical distinction is particularly useful in examining very fine-grained distal tephra layers where other characteristic properties of the two eruptions types are not present. Such tephra records in lake deposits typically provide the most precise long-term eruption records from andesitic volcanoes. Using an example from Mount Taranaki, New Zealand, we show that by classifying eruption styles within such sequences, the underlying magmatic system processes at a volcano can be elucidated and separated from other environmental factors such as vent/crater configuration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An 18.3 m (60 ft) simple span bridge is South Carolina''s first use of a glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) bridge deck system. This paper describes the initial preparation and instrumentation of this structure including the use of surveying techniques to determine overall bridge deflections. Also outlined are the procedures used for in situ load testing the bridge. Critical design criteria such as overall deflections, effective deck widths, bending of the GFRP deck and moment distribution factors are reported for this structure. Data collected indicates that the GFRP deck and steel girders are acting in a composite manner and that the deck system is relatively stiff despite the large girder spacing used. Over the course of the next several years this bridge will be tested on a regular basis to establish the long-term performance of the GFRP deck system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Treatment of the tetramethylfulvene-Ru(II) complex [(η6-C5Me4CH2)RuCl2]2 with allylmagnesium chloride leads to the allyl ruthenium complex [(η2:η5-C5Me4CH2CH2CH&z.dbnd6;CH2)Ru(η3-C3H5)], which has been characterized spectroscopically and by a single crystal X-ray determination. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Presents a study that quantified the role of solar radiation in structuring the shallow benthic communities of boreal forest lakes. Water chemistry from several lakes sampled at the Experimental Lakes Area; Total dissolved phosphorus, nitrogen and inorganic carbon; Filamentous green algae dominance in epilithon exposed to a gradient of solar ultraviolet-B fluxes in the lakes.

Focuses on the significance of various racial issues covered during the United Nations Conference on Race and Racism in Durban, South Africa for Afro-Latino activists and development workers. Highlights of the conference in Durban; Political implications of the terminology Afro-Latino; Challenges faced by Afro-Latinos as discussed during the conference; Significance of the conference for the institutional development of Latin American groups and non-governmental organizations.

Seeks to re-balance the canon of anti-corn law leadership by examining the ideas of Thomas Perronet Thompson. Role in the work of the Anti-Corn Law League; Thompson's free trade principles; Personal leadership among anti-corn leaders; Links between the League and other phenomena as Chartism and the campaign for factory reform; Central importance of Thompson in the achievement of repeal.

Opinion. Responds to a review article written by professor Gregory Clark, which reviewed the book `Agricultural Rent in England, 1690-1914,' by M.E. Turner, J.V. Beckett and B. Afton, which dealt with a study of rents between 1690 and 1914. Method used to conduct study; Statistical information provided; Criticisms against the review by the authors;

Examines the relative efficiency of farming in open fields or enclosures in England. Yield and output of principal grain crops in 1795 to 1801; Implications to total agricultural productivity.

Reports on findings from the Cosmic Background Explorer satellite on the temperature of the universe. Correlation of figure to central features of universe; Development of structure within the universe; Identification of nature of the ubiquitous dark matter.

Focuses on the effect of exercise training in older men's left ventricular function. Criteria for endurance exercise training; Cardiovascular responses to beta-adrenergic stimulation; Cardiovascular changes after vagal blockade.

Examines the implication of the British government's involvement in Sierra Leone colony during the period 1780 to 1820 for its commitment to the abolition of slave trade and the `civilization' of Africa. Development of British interest in Africa in late eighteenth-century; Arguments of British abolitionists; Role of colony governor Thomas Perronet Thompson in the slave trade abolition.

Low power gas sensors with high sensitivity and selectivity are desired for many practical applications. Devices based on organic field effect transistors are promising because they can be fabricated at modest cost and are low power devices. Organic field effect transistors fabricated in bottom-gate bottom-contact configuration using the organic semiconductor [2,5-(2-octyldodecyl)-3,6-diketopyrrolopyrrole-alt-5,5-(2,5-di(thien-2-yl)thieno] [3,2-b]thiophene) (DPP-T-TT) were systematically investigated to determine the response characteristics to a series of alkylamines and ammonia. The highest sensitivity was to dibutylamine with a limit of detection of 0.025 ppb, followed by n-butylamine, 0.056 ppb, and ammonia, 2.17 ppb. A model was constructed based on the Antoine equation that successfully allows the empirical prediction of the sensitivity and selectivity of the gas sensor to various analytes including amines and alcohols based on the Antoine C parameter and the heat of the vaporization of the analyte. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Caesarean section (CS) rates are increasing and there are wide variations in rates internationally and nationally. There is evidence that women who attend their obstetrician privately have a higher incidence of CS than those who attend publicly. The purpose of this observational study was to further investigate why CS rates may be higher in women who chose to attend their obstetrician privately.Methods: This study analysed data collected as part of the clinical records by midwives at the woman's first antenatal appointment in a large European maternity hospital. All women who delivered between the years 2009 and 2017 were included. Data were analysed both cross-sectionally and longitudinally.Results: Overall, 73,266 women had a singleton pregnancy and 1830 had a multiple pregnancy. Of the packages of maternity care, 75.2% chose public, 10.8% chose semiprivate and 14.0% chose private. During the study, 11,991 women attended the hospital for their first and second pregnancies. Overall, women who attended privately were older and had higher proportions of infertility treatment and history of miscarriage (all p < 0.001) compared to those publicly-funded. Private patients were more likely to have a history of infertility, a history of miscarriage, a multiple pregnancy and to be ≥35 yrs. They had lower rates of obesity, smoking and illicit drug use in pregnancy (all p < 0.001). In women who chose private care, the overall rate of CS was higher compared to women choosing publicly-funded (42.7% vs 25.3%, p < 0.001) The increase was due to an increase in elective rather than emergency CS. The increase in elective CS fell after adjustment for clinical risks. In the longitudinal analysis, 89.7% chose the same package second time around. Women who changed from public to private care for the second pregnancy were more likely to have had a previous emergency CS or admission to the Neonatal Unit.Conclusions: This study suggests that the increased CS rate in women privately insured may be attributed, in part, to the fact that women who can afford health insurance choose continuity of care from a senior obstetrician because they are risk adverse and wish to have the option of an elective CS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article mentions the anniversary of Aspen Center for Physics, which has provided a serene environment for theoretical physicists in Colorado for 50 years.

Cosmology is in the midst of a period of revolutionary discovery, propelled by bold ideas from particle physics and by technological advances from gigapixel charge-coupled device cameras to peta-scate computing. The basic features of the universe have now been determined: It is 13.7 billion years old, spatially flat, and expanding at an accelerating rate; it is composed of atoms (4%), exotic dark matter (200%), and dark energy (76%); and there is evidence that galaxies and other structures were seeded by quantum fluctuations. Although we know much about the universe, we understand far less. Poised to dramatically advance our understanding of both the universe and the laws that govern it, cosmology is on the verge of a golden age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]