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Mammals differ regarding their placentae, but in all species placental trophoblasts interact intimately with the uterine endometrium to mediate the transfer of nutrients from the mother to the embryo/fetus through the closely juxtaposed microcirculatory systems of the uterus and placenta. Placentation in ruminants is intermediate between the non-invasive type, as observed in the epitheliochorial placenta of pigs, and the invasive type, as observed in the haemochorial placentae of mice and humans. In ruminants, placental trophoblast cells invade uterine endometrial tissue, but invasion is believed to be limited to the endometrial luminal epithelium (LE). In the LE there are varying degrees of syncytialisation among species, with syncytialisation being more extensive in sheep than cows. The hallmarks of placentation in ruminants include: (1) an extended period in which conceptuses (embryos and associated placental membranes) elongate and must be supported by secretions (histotroph) from the uterus; (2) a cascade involving an array of adhesion molecules that includes integrin-mediated attachment of the conceptus trophoblast to the endometrial LE for implantation; (3) syncytialisation of the developing early placenta, a process for which there is currently limited understanding; and (4) development of placentomes that define the cotyledonary placentae of cows and sheep, and provide haemotrophic support of fetal development. The United States cattle industry is burdened by losses of pregnancies of up to 45% of cows bred. Many of these losses in ruminant species are the result of errors in the development of the placenta. This review describes and discusses what is currently known about some of the complex molecular and physiological events that underlie successful placentation in cows and sheep. Increased understanding of placentation is critical for developing advances to improve reproductive efficiency in animal agriculture enterprises that provide high-quality animal protein for human consumption. Photograph by Dr Robert C. Burghardt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the infusion of diversity training in physical education teacher education (PETE) programs and curricula in the U.S. Provision of curriculum content and professional socialization experiences that enhances intercultural sensitivity to better prepare novice teachers for effective work; Understanding of physical activity and sport participation patterns of a diversity of learners and athletes; Exposure of the widening cultural and ethnic gap between school and PETE students and their teachers in physical education.

Rationale: Chronic bronchitis is, by definition, a chronic condition, but the development and remission of this condition in cigarette smokers with or without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are poorly understood. Also, it is unclear how the persistence or new development of chronic bronchitis affects symptoms and outcomes.Objectives: To ascertain the relationship between smoking status and the presence or absence of chronic bronchitis and the subsequent effects on symptoms and outcomes.Methods: We analyzed 1,775 current or ex-smokers with GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) stage 0-IV COPD in phase 2 of the Genetic Epidemiology of COPD (COPDGene) Study, which included subjects after 5 years of follow-up from phase 1. We asked subjects at enrollment and at 5 years of follow-up about symptoms consistent with chronic bronchitis. We divided subjects into four groups: persistent chronic bronchitis- (negative at phase 1/negative at phase 2), resolved chronic bronchitis (positive/negative), new chronic bronchitis (negative/positive), and persistent chronic bronchitis+ (positive/positive). We analyzed respiratory symptoms, health-related quality of life, lung function, exacerbation frequency, and 6-minute walk distance.Measurements and Main Results: Compared with the persistent chronic bronchitis- group, members of the persistent chronic bronchitis+ group were more likely to have continued smoking (53.4%). Subjects with new chronic bronchitis were more likely to have resumed (6.6%) or continued smoking (45.6%), whereas subjects with resolved chronic bronchitis were more likely to have quit smoking (23.5%). Compared with the persistent chronic bronchitis- group, the other groups had a shorter 6-minute walk distance, worse lung function, greater exacerbation frequency, and worse respiratory symptoms. Modified Medical Research Council dyspnea and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire scores worsened between phase 1 and phase 2 in subjects with new chronic bronchitis but improved in the resolved chronic bronchitis group. On multinomial logistic regression, quitting smoking conferred an odds ratio (OR) of 4.289 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.689-6.842) for resolved chronic bronchitis, whereas resuming smoking had an OR of 4.585 (95% CI, 2.008-10.471) for new chronic bronchitis. Persistent smoking had an OR of 2.621 (95% CI, 1.677-4.096) and 5.767 (95% CI, 3.702-8.983) for subjects with new chronic bronchitis and subjects with persistent chronic bronchitis, respectively.Conclusions: Persistent and newly developed chronic bronchitis are associated with continued or resumed smoking, greater respiratory symptoms, worse health-related quality of life, worse lung function, and greater exacerbation frequency. These findings stress the importance of repeatedly assessing chronic cough and sputum production in smokers to identify those at risk for poor outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses gun rights, schools, and the constitutionality of the private universities' exemption from Nebraska's Concealed Handgun Permit Act. The U.S. Supreme Court case McDonald v. City of Chicago, which deals with guarantees of liberty under the Second Amendment to the nation's Constitution and state and federal regulations in America, is mentioned. State gun laws and decisions by U.S. federal courts are examined, along with the handgun-related case District of Columbia v. Heller.

The growth, complexity, and reliance on software as part of the Department of Defense and Navy (DoD/Navy) warfare systems is continuing to increase. This increase in software complexity and reliance has been accompanied by an increase in software intensive system acquisition cost, schedule, and technical performance failures. The DoD/Navy is not performing as a smart partner with industry to successfully apply the latest software methodologies and technologies to achieve the goal of Open Architecture-based reusable software components, and thereby improve quality and reliability while also reducing cost and schedule overruns. A key enabler for improving software intensive system acquisition is the reconstitution and utilization of government in-house software subject matter experts that can lead and work with industry software engineers as part of an integrated software development team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring issues related to activation and fission processes occur in many health physics, instrumentation and equipment design, nuclear forensics, and homeland security applications. Gamma radiation that is emitted during these processes as a result of the radioactive decay of reaction by-products [delayed gammas (DGs)] provides unique signatures that are useful for interrogation and information acquisition. Thus, it is of compelling interest to have a simulation tool that can be used to conduct studies to provide insights into the activation and fission processes. Beginning with version 2.5.0, MCNPX has been undergoing major upgrades to facilitate DG simulations. We illustrate the upgrades for a simple multiparticle reaction model involving 60Ni and for 235U photofission caused by 12-MeV photons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the Brown v. Board of Education case was used as a point of reference to elaborate on the often divergent realities in education and sport for Black and White Americans. The impetus to integrate sport and the movement to integrate educational institutions in America were two separate yet often paralleled phenomena. It is typically argued that efforts to integrate educational institutions were about ensuring equitable access and opportunity. Less so, due to moral principles, integration in sports was more about winning and generating revenue. Still today, race-related divergences are reflected in education and sport. The intent of this article is to reflect on America's education and sport histories (then) and highlight some present-day realities (now) as associated with the social construct of race, particularly for Black male students and athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Earth Observing System Microwave Limb Sounder measures several atmospheric chemical species (OH, HO2, H2O, O3, HCl, ClO, HOCl, BrO, HNO3, N2O, CO, HCN, CH3CN, volcanic SO2), cloud ice, temperature, and geopotential height to improve our understanding of stratospheric ozone chemistry, the interaction of composition and climate, and pollution in the upper troposphere. All measurements are made simultaneously and continuously, during both day and night. The instrument uses heterodyne radiometers that observe thermal emission from the atmospheric limb in broad spectral regions centered near 118, 190, 240, and 640 GHz, and 2.5 THz. It was launched July 15, 2004 on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Aura satellite and started full-up science operations on August 13, 2004. An atmospheric limb scan and radiometric calibration for all bands are performed routinely every 25 s. Vertical profiles are retrieved every 165 km along the suborbital track, covering 82°S to 82°N latitudes on each orbit. Instrument performance to date has been excellent; data have been made publicly available; and initial science results have been obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of African American faculty on their organizational socialization in kinesiology-based (i.e., sport pedagogy, exercise physiology, motor behavior, sport management/history) programs at predominantly White American institutions of higher education (PW-IHE). Participants were 9 African American tenure-track faculty members from various kinesiology-based programs at PW-IHE. Data were gathered via interviewing and analyzed within the framework of critical race theory (Ladson-Billings, 2000). Findings are presented using storytelling and thematic narratives. Interviews with the participants revealed four major recurring themes with regard to: (a) resources, opportunities, and power structures; (b) programmatic neglects and faculty mentoring needs; (c) social isolation, disengagement, and intellectual inferiority issues; and (d) double standards, marginalization, and scholarship biases. This study suggests that faculty and administrators at PW-IHE should develop sensitivity toward organizational socialization issues relevant to faculty of color. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the history of African American fraternal associations in the U.S. Origin of African American fraternalism; Comparison of the neglect and distortion in historical scholarship between U.S. and African American fraternalism; Efforts of African American scholars in the early twentieth century, such as W. E. B. Du Bois and Carter G. Woodson, to counter the racist interpretation of African American life.

Introduces a series of articles on urban labor history, with a special focus on workers in the city. Roots of the old urban and labor history; Emergence of multiethnic, racial, women, and gender studies; Rise of the new United States urban, labor, and working-class history.

Explores the perceptions of teachers in the United States on the effectiveness of block scheduling. Purpose of the study; Sample; Procedures of the study; Findings on block scheduling effectiveness; Block scheduling's important implementation factor; Conclusions and recommendations for further research.

Explores the perceptions of the teachers in the United States on the advantages and measurable outcomes of the 4 x 4 block scheduling design. Perceived advantages of block scheduling; Information on the research studies on measurable outcomes; Purpose of the study; Instrumentation; Findings; Conclusions.

Presents information on a study conducted to evaluate the Cabral and Dahab Paradigm in comparison to other science parks in the United States, by applying ten conditions for success to the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center (VTCRC). Number of persons employed at the VTCRC; How other university-related research parks value the elements of the Cabral-Dahab Paradigm.

Examines the rut susceptibility of large stone mixtures or asphalt pavings having maximum aggregate sizes between 25 to 63 millimeter used as subgrades in the United States. Mixed results of compressive and recovery tests; Differences on stone-on-stone contact; Dilatory tendencies of mixture.

This article focuses on the health aspects of hazardous waste disposal in the U.S. Apparently, public concern about the potential adverse effects of chemicals on the environment and on human health is widespread and that the public has become highly suspicious of the chemical industry and has little confidence in government efforts to protect it from unknown and unseen chemical threats. The chemical industry, faced with mounting costs of research, development, and regulation, is allegedly concerned that its economic base is being eroded. Scientists are unable to provide enough information that is clear, concise and unequivocal. Concerned citizens, aware of the potential for environmental and human health hazards, are angered by the unresponsiveness of the system. Government is allegedly criticized on all sides for actions and reactions and challenged in court at every move. As a result, it is not surprising that public concerns range form serious and well-founded to hysterical when faced with the possible health effects caused by chemical disposal sites. With regard to those disciplines that focus on the understanding of possible health effects from chemical disposal sites, the situation is allegedly acute. INSETS: Perham, Minnesota;A Worker's Dilemma;Drake Site: Lockhaven, Pennsylvania.

Examines the evolution of the discipline of African American urban history since the 1960s. Origins of the discipline; Rapid growth of all black urban communities in United States in the 1960s and 1970s; Topics discussed within the field; Areas for future research.

Reports on findings gathered at an 11-mound at the Watson Brake site in Louisiana which was inhabited by native peoples around 5400-5000 before the present. Use of radiometric, luminescence, artifactual, geomorphic, and pedogenic data to date the site; Other remnants of human habitation in the area including bone fragments, pieces of pottery, and fire pits.

Presents an overview of published data on the archaic Hedgepeth Mounds complex in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana. Sherwood Gagliano's archaeological survey in southeastern Louisiana in 1960; Question on the reliability of the radiocarbon ages of mounds; Studies of mound-fill pedogenesis suggesting that the formation of a subsurface B horizon can be used to estimate the antiquity of mounds.

Presents a study that aims to compile information on current practices and attitudes concerning legal issues at American daily newspapers. View of newspaper editors on the impact of chief justice William Rehnquist and justice Antonin Scalia on free press issues; Favor of Rehnquist on First Amendments freedom; Ramifications of media law decisions.

The article discusses a survey, organized by the American Society of Journalism School Administrators. It indicates that schools and departments which have established such committees consider them to be valuable assets to journalism education. Committees are similar in that most are strictly advisory. They meet once or twice a year with university administrators sitting in on the sessions. A primary advantage is that professional journalists and publishers are successful in making the administration aware of journalism education's needs. "An improved budget for this fiscal year is due in part to support provided by professional advisory committee," says Ronald T. Farrar, chairman at the University of Mississippi.

The article describes human resource development (HRD) certificate programs currently offered at educational institutions throughout the U.S., and determines factors that are perceived by HRD certificate program administrators as influencing the development of HRD certificate programs. A certificate program is defined as a nondegree HRD academic program that awards certificates to participants who fulfill specific program requirements. Because a standard certification for HRD certificate programs does not exist, each provider determines its own certificate requirements. Sixteen primary factors served as the foundation for the development of HRD certificate programs. The four factors perceived by administrators to have the most effect on the development of HRD certificate programs are changed work environments, career development, certificate programs' clientele, and quality of the training professional. The perception of program administrators that changed work environments was a driving force in the development of HRD certificate programs is evidence of the reality of corporate restructuring and redesign. The emphasis on changed work environments, together with the number of programs reporting past and anticipated changes, points to the need to view change management knowledge and skills as essential for HRD professionals. The article challenges HRD program administrators to develop a better understanding of the history of the field and the factors that have an impact on HRD academic programs.

This article presents a critical review of the historical and sociological literature on Afro-Americans in northern cities during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It aims to explore these issues in some detail. Focusing roughly on studies covering the period 1890 to 1945, this analysis contains two basic objectives: to document the genesis of the "ghetto synthesis" or "ghetto formation" studies and to suggest proletarianization as an alternative theoretical departure in research on black urban life. The proletarian perspective is here offered as a complement and not a substitute for the valuable insights derived from the ghetto model. This critique is limited to research on blacks in northern cities, for, with few exceptions, scholars have only recently turned toward detailed studies of black life in the urban South. While the proletarianization of Milwaukee blacks in Wisconsin, exhibited similarities with experiences of blacks in larger northern cities, there were important differences between the experience of Milwaukee blacks and Afro-Americans in other cities; therefore, it is necessary to conclude with a call for more research.

The article comments on the case United States v. Gottfried. In the case it was held that a confession of one of several defendants, on trial jointly, is evidence only against the person who made it and will not be admitted to affect adversely others accused of participating in the crime. Concerning the problem of admissibility of confessions of a co-defendant, the Gottfried case reflects the majority view that the confession is receivable only against the confessor. This view is a derivative of the hearsay rule which dictates that only if the confessor reiterates his accusatory statement in court, and thus is subject to cross-examination, can it be admitted against his accomplice. Chief among the exceptions to this rule is found where the co-defendant acknowledges the confession, in which case the confession becomes admissible, not as evidence or statements of his accomplices, but as his own statement of facts. The confession shall not be used in evidence against the non-confessing defendant was determined in the Gottfried case.

The article focuses on dilemmas and stereotyping of African Americans in the U.S., specifically in the field of sports. Stereotypic beliefs have a long standing historical context in the U.S. characterized by blatant racial segregation wherein African Americans were barred from sports opportunities. The new dilemma has been observed after the Civil Rights era wherein racial equality and social justice are neglected.

Focuses on developments in the field of career and technical education research in the United States. Association for Career and Technical Education's convention; Decision to change the name of the "Journal of Vocational Education Research" into "Career and Technical Education Research"; Research conference to be hosted by the American Vocational Education Research Association in New Orleans, Louisiana; Formation of the Academy for Career and Technical Teacher Educators.

Presents information on a study which was conducted to determine the concerns of physical educators serving at public schools in Texas. Selection of the study's participants; Methods that were used to conduct the study; What physical educators at the senior level were most concerned with.

The Library of Integrated Network-Based Cellular Signatures (LINCS) is an NIH Common Fund program that catalogs how human cells globally respond to chemical, genetic, and disease perturbations. Resources generated by LINCS include experimental and computational methods, visualization tools, molecular and imaging data, and signatures. By assembling an integrated picture of the range of responses of human cells exposed to many perturbations, the LINCS program aims to better understand human disease and to advance the development of new therapies. Perturbations under study include drugs, genetic perturbations, tissue micro-environments, antibodies, and disease-causing mutations. Responses to perturbations are measured by transcript profiling, mass spectrometry, cell imaging, and biochemical methods, among other assays. The LINCS program focuses on cellular physiology shared among tissues and cell types relevant to an array of diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and neurodegenerative disorders. This Perspective describes LINCS technologies, datasets, tools, and approaches to data accessibility and reusability., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Smoking asthmatics respond worse to existing asthma therapies and have more asthma symptoms and exacerbations., Objective: We evaluated the Asthma Control Test (ACT) for assessing asthma control among smokers., Methods: Adults with asthma who smoked were enrolled and followed for 6 weeks. The statistical properties, validity, and responsiveness of the ACT were evaluated. Physician global assessment (GS) of asthma was the "gold standard.", Results: A total of 151 participants were enrolled: 52% female and 48% male. The median (interquartile ranges) was 35 (27, 43) years for age, 11 (7, 18) for pack-years, and 16 (13, 20) for the ACT score. Participants self-identified as African American (49%), non-Hispanic whites (38%), and Hispanic whites (11%). Participants were classified as well controlled (24%), not well controlled (42%), or very poorly controlled (34%) at enrollment. Cronbach's alpha (95% confidence interval [CI]) for the ACT at enrollment was 0.81 (0.76, 0.85). The intraclass correlation coefficient (95% CI) for agreement of scores at enrollment and 6 weeks was 0.68 (0.57, 0.78) in participant with stable asthma (n = 93). ACT scores were associated with GS (P < .001). Area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (95% CI) for an ACT cutoff score of ≤19 (not well controlled) was 0.76 (0.67, 0.84). The ACT score with the maximum area under the ROC curve was 18.6., Conclusions: The ACT questionnaire was reliable and discriminated between levels of asthma control in smoking asthmatics with similar sensitivity and specificity as nonsmoking asthmatics, which confirms its value as a tool for the management of asthma in this prevalent but understudied subgroup of subjects., (Copyright © 2017 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Periodontal diseases are initiated by subgingival periodontal pathogens in susceptible periodontal sites. The host immune response toward periodontal pathogens helps to sustain periodontal disease and eventual alveolar bone loss. Numerous adjunctive therapeutic strategies have evolved to manage periodontal diseases. Systemic and local antibiotics, antiseptics, and past and future host immune modulatory agents are reviewed and discussed to facilitate the dental practitioner's appreciation of this ever-growing field in clinical periodontics.

The Translational Research Working Group (TRWG) was created as a national initiative to evaluate the current status of National Cancer Institute's investment in translational research and envision its future. The TRWG conceptualized translational research as a set of six developmental processes or pathways focused on various clinical goals. One of those pathways describes the development of biospecimen-based assays that use biomarkers for the detection, diagnosis, and prognosis of cancer and the assessment of response to cancer treatment. The biospecimen-based assessment modality pathway was conceived not as comprehensive description of the corresponding real-world processes but rather as a tool designed to facilitate movement of a candidate assay through the translational process to the point where it can be handed off for definitive clinical testing. This paper introduces the pathway in the context of prior work and discusses key challenges associated with the biomarker development process in light of the pathway.

The purpose of this study was to examine reactions to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised recommendations for HIV testing by women attending community health clinics. A total of 30 women attending three community clinics completed semistructured individual interviews containing three questions about the recommendations. Thematic content analysis of responses was conducted. Results were that all agreed with the recommendation for universal testing. Most viewed opt-out screening as an acceptable approach to HIV testing. Many emphasized the importance of provision of explicit verbal informed consent. The majority strongly opposed the elimination of the requirement for pretest prevention counseling and spontaneously talked about the ongoing importance of posttest counseling. The conclusion was that there was strong support for universal testing of all persons 13 to 64 years old but scant support for the elimination of pretest prevention counseling. In general, respondents believed that verbal informed consent for testing as well as provision of HIV-related information before and after testing were crucial.

During boreal summer, much of the water vapor and CO entering the global tropical stratosphere is transported over the Asian monsoon/Tibetan Plateau (TP) region. Studies have suggested that most of this transport is carried out either by tropical convection over the South Asian monsoon region or by extratropical convection over southern China. By using measurements from the newly available National Aeronautics and Space Administration Aura Microwave Limb Sounder, along with observations from the Aqua and Tropical Rainfall-Measuring Mission satellites, we establish that the TP provides the main pathway for cross-tropopause transport in this region. Tropospheric moist convection driven by elevated surface heating over the TP is deeper and detrains more water vapor, CO, and ice at the tropopause than over the monsoon area. Warmer tropopause temperatures and slower-falling, smaller cirrus cloud particles in less saturated ambient air at the tropopause also allow more water vapor to travel into the lower stratosphere over the TP, effectively short-circuiting the slower ascent of water vapor across the cold tropical tropopause over the monsoon area. Air that is high in water vapor and CO over the Asian monsoon/TP region enters the lower stratosphere primarily over the TP, and it is then transported toward the Asian monsoon area and disperses into the large-scale upward motion of the global stratospheric circulation. Thus, hydration of the global stratosphere could be especially sensitive to changes of convection over the TP.