cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficiently Generating k-Best Solutions to Procurement Auctions

Procurement executives often find it difficult to articulate their preferences and constraints regarding auctions, making it difficult to cast procurement decisions as straightforward optimization problems. This paper presents an efficient algorithm to aid decision support in such situations. Instead of trying to compute a single optimal solution for the auction winner determination problem, we generate many candidate solutions in ascending order of buyer expenditure. Standard techniques such as clustering and dominance pruning can then trim this list to a compact yet diverse menu of alternatives; other analyses can illuminate the cost of constraints and the competitive landscape. Our efficient solution-generation algorithm addresses sealed-bid procurement auctions with multiple suppliers and multiple types of goods available in multiple units. It supports multi-sourcing and volume discounts/surcharges in bids. Our algorithm may optionally incorporate certain classes of hard constraints, generating only solutions that satisfy them.
A beginner’s guide to the theory of CMB temperature and polarization power spectra in the line-of-sight formalism

Abstract We present here a detailed, self-contained treatment of the mathematical formalism for describing the theory of polarized anisotropy in the cosmic microwave background. This didactic review is aimed at researchers who are new to the field. We first develop the mathematical tools for describing polarized scattering of CMB photons. Then we take the reader through a detailed derivation of the line-of-sight formalism, explaining the calculation of both temperature and polarization power spectra due to the scalar and tensor perturbations in a flat Universe.
Constructing Confidence Intervals For Flexible Budget Cost Estimates

A multiple-cost flexible budget can be constructed using either the Aggregate Cost Analysis Method or the Component Flexible Budget Method. This paper derives and illustrates the use of a confidence interval formula for an annual cost estimate that is developed by summing 12 monthly flexible budget estimates.
A distributed group tool for issue analysis

A description is given of the architecture and implementation of a distributed graphical tool, the Graphic Issue Analysis (GIA) system to support brainstorming and issue analysis. GIA is implemented using an object-oriented environment for personal computers attached to local networks. It allows groups to share issues and comments on those issues in real time. This group tool allows the user to represent a mental model graphically and share it with others in the group in real time. Conflicts are resolved and semantic information in a general form is preserved. It is expected that the information captured and displayed will greatly enhance the group's ability to gather ideas and reach a consensus on those ideas. >
Beginning French and Spanish

Author's Summary— Analysis of a technique for beginning classes in French and Spanish, which should be read in connection with Professor R. E. Monroe's article in the January issue and with other articles to appear in later numbers. While making no claim to being the only effective method, this description suggests a way of teaching elementary French and Spanish which has been used with thousands of students and which is a vital and interesting way to learn to read these languages.
Copper-Mandrel Potentiometer Dynamic Error and Compensation

A simple potentiometer equivalent circuit is presented that is valid for single or multiturn, copper-mandrel, wire-wound precision potentiometers. Developed to obtain a practical approximation of potentiometer ac characteristics, it is particularly useful in error analyses where small phase errors are critical. Capacitive compensation techniques are also given that can achieve considerable reduction in potentiometer dynamic error. Even for heavy capacitive loading it is possible virtually to eliminate potentiometer phase error (important in most analog computer circuits). Correspondingly, high-frequency square waves can be attenuated reasonably by such capacitively-compensated potentiometers.
Passivation and Characterization of Germanium Surfaces

This chapter reviews the chemical passivation of germanium surfaces achieved in a variety of environments (ultra high vacuum or UHV, gas and liquid phases). The UHV studies make it possible to better control the chemical nature of surface termination and to study the resulting structure and bonding geometries. Gas phase or vapor processing helps span a larger pressure range, sometimes important to achieve thin film growth (e.g., nitridation). Finally, wet chemical treatments are attractive for large industrial batch processing. They remain, however, the most difficult methods to fully control germanium passivation. For that reason, emphasis is given to understanding how various experimental characterization techniques can best study germanium surfaces in all these environments, and to summarizing the best current processing conditions.
Enhanced Metallization Stability on Mercury-Cadmium-Telluride

Synchrotron radiation photoemission studies of ultra-thin Yb diffusion barriers at the interface between Mercury-Cadmium-Telluride semiconductors and Ag overlayers show that the interlayers act as effective diffusion barrier only after thicknesses of 10-15 A are reached. Studies of interlayer morphology by means of photoemission from physisorbed Xe indicate that effective diffusion barriers are consistent with a model in which a continous Yb-Te reacted layer is covered by an Yb-rich layer with high alloying enthalpy for Hg.
Plasmid DNA Encoding CCR7 Ligands Compensate for Dysfunctional CD8+ T Cell Responses by Effects on Dendritic Cells

Lymphotoxin α-deficient (LTα −/− ) mice, which lack lymph nodes and possess a disorganized spleen, develop dysfunctional CD8 + T cells upon HSV infection and readily succumb to herpes encephalitis. Such mice do develop apparently normal peptide-specific CD8 + T cell responses, as measured by MHC class I tetramer staining, but the majority of cells fail to become cytotoxic or express peptide-induced IFN-γ production. In the present study, we demonstrate that functional defects of CD8 + T cells in LTα −/− mice can be largely rectified by the administration of plasmid DNA encoding CCR7 ligands before HSV infection. Treated mutant mice developed increased peptide-specific cytotoxic responses, enhanced numbers of CD8 + T cells capable of producing IFN-γ, as well as improved resistance to HSV challenge. The corrective effect of chemokine treatment appeared to result from improved dendritic cell-mediated Ag presentation. Thus, a major consequence of the treatment was an increase in splenic dendritic cell number in CCR7 ligand-treated LTα −/− mice with such splenocyte populations showing improved APC activity in vitro. Our results document that functional defects of CD8 + T cells can be corrected, and indicate the value of plasmid vector encoding appropriate chemokines to achieve such immunotherapy.
Reproductive Dysfunction from the Stress of Exercise Training is not Gender Specific: The "Exercise-Hypogonadal Male Condition"

Investigative studies point to participation in exercise training as having significant detrimental effects upon reproductive hormonal profiles in men. Specifically, men chronically exposed to training for endurance sports exhibit persistently reduced basal (resting-state) free and total testosterone concentrations without concurrent LH elevations. Men displaying these symptoms have been deemed to exhibit the "Exercise-Hypogonadal Male Condition" (EHMC). The exact physiological mechanism inducing the reduction of testosterone in these men is currently unclear, but is postulated to be a dysfunction within the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal regulatory axis. The potential exists for the reduced testosterone concentrations within EHMC men to be disruptive and detrimental to some anabolic-androgenic testosterone-dependent physiological processes. Findings, while limited, suggest spermatogenesis problems may exist in some cases; thus, infertility risk in such men is a critical concern. Present evidence suggests the EHMC condition is limited to men who have been persistently involved in chronic endurance exercise training for an extended period of time, and thus is not a highly prevalent occurrence. Nevertheless, it is critical that endocrinologist and fertility clinicians become more aware of the existence of EHMC as a potential problem-diagnosis in their male patients who exercise.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in patients with congenital heart disease in the pediatric intensive care unit.

Background:Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization has been recognized as a significant problem among hospitalized patients. Available data about prevalence of MRSA among ch...
Database design for ecologists: Composing core entities with observations

Abstract The ecoinformatics community recognizes that ecological synthesis across studies, space, and time will require new informatics tools and infrastructure. Recent advances have been encouraging, but many problems still face ecologists who manage their own datasets, prepare data for archiving, and search data stores for synthetic research. In this paper, we describe how work by the Canopy Database Project (CDP) might enable use of database technology by field ecologists: increasing the quality of database design, improving data validation, and providing structural and semantic metadata — all of which might improve the quality of data archives and thereby help drive ecological synthesis. The CDP has experimented with conceptual components for database design, templates, to address information technology issues facing ecologists. Templates represent forest structures and observational measurements on these structures. Using our software, researchers select templates to represent their study’s data and can generate normalized relational databases. Information hidden in those databases is used by ancillary tools, including data intake forms and simple data validation, data visualization, and metadata export. The primary question we address in this paper is, which templates are the right templates. We argue for defining simple templates (with relatively few attributes) that describe the domain's major entities, and for coupling those with focused and flexible observation templates. We present a conceptual model for the observation data type, and show how we have implemented the model as an observation entity in the DataBank database designer and generator. We show how our visualization tool CanopyView exploits metadata made explicit by DataBank to help scientists with analysis and synthesis. We conclude by presenting future plans for tools to conduct statistical calculations common to forest ecology and to enhance data mining with DataBank databases. DataBank could be extended to another domain by replacing our forest–ecology-specific templates with those for the new domain. This work extends the basic computer science idea of abstract data types and user-defined types to ecology-specific database design tools for individual users, and applies to ecoinformatics the software engineering innovations of domain-specific languages, software patterns, components, refactoring, and end-user programming.
Cutting Edge: B Cell Receptor Signals Regulate BLyS Receptor Levels in Mature B Cells and Their Immediate Progenitors

This study examines how B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) receptor expression and responsiveness are influenced by B cell receptor (BcR) signaling. Our results show that resting and BcR-stimulated B cells are dependent on BLyS for survival and that B cells remain BLyS responsive during BcR-induced activation. Further, BcR ligation up-regulates expression of the BLySR B cell maturation defect/BLySR3 (Bcmd/BR3), but not other known BLySRs. Finally, the coupling of BcR signaling with Bcmd/BR3 expression is limited to late transitional and mature B cells. Together, these findings establish the coupling of BcR signaling with Bcmd/BR3 expression as a fundamental aspect of follicular B cell selection, survival, and activation.
Crystalline Antibiotics in the Nutrition of Poults Kept on Raised Screen Floors

Abstract STOKSTAD and Jukes (1950a) reported that aureomycin hydrochloride would promote the growth of White Holland turkey poults. Atkinson and Couch (1951a) reported that aureomycin and streptomycin would stimulate the growth of turkey poults maintained in pens on litter. Attempts to stimulate the growth of turkey poults with crystalline B12 or an APF concentrate containing only vitamin B12 have been unsuccessful (McGinnis et al., 1949; Singsen and Matterson, 1949; Stokstad and Jukes, 1950a; Atkinson and Couch, 1951; and Patrick, 1951). The purpose of the present study was to test the growth promoting effect of streptomycin, aureomycin and penicillin when fed to turkey poults maintained in battery brooders with raised screen floors. This work is an extension of an earlier report from this laboratory (Atkinson and Couch, 1951a) where streptomycin and aureomycin were found to stimulate the growth of turkey poults kept in pens on litter. EXPERIMENTAL The Broadbreasted Bronze poults used . . .
Systems glycobiology: biochemical reaction networks regulating glycan structure and function

There is a growing use of bioinformatics based methods in the field of Glycobiology. These have been used largely to curate glycan structures, organize array-based experimental data and display existing knowledge of glycosylation-related pathways in silico. Although the cataloging of vast amounts of data is beneficial, it is often a challenge to gain meaningful mechanistic insight from this exercise alone. The development of specific analysis tools to query the database is necessary. If these queries can integrate existing knowledge of glycobiology, new insights may be gained. Such queries that couple biochemical knowledge and mathematics have been developed in the field of Systems Biology. The current review summarizes the current state of the art in the application of computational modeling in the field of Glycobiology. It provides (i) an overview of experimental and online resources that can be used to construct glycosylation reaction networks, (ii) mathematical methods to formulate the problem including a description of ordinary differential equation and logic-based reaction networks, (iii) optimization techniques that can be applied to fit experimental data for the purpose of model reconstruction and for evaluating unknown model parameters, (iv) post-simulation analysis methods that yield experimentally testable hypotheses and (v) a summary of available software tools that can be used by non-specialists to perform many of the above functions.
Colorectal Cancer: Another Complication of Diabetes Mellitus?

Delayed stool transit and other gastrointestinal abnormalities are commonly observed in persons with diabetes mellitus and are also known to be associated with colorectal cancer. Previous studies of the contribution of diabetes to colorectal cancer incidence and mortality have been limited by small sample sizes and failure to adjust for covariates. With more than 1 million respondents, the 1959-1972 Cancer Prevention Study provided a unique opportunity to explore whether persons with diabetes (n = 15,487) were more likely to develop colorectal cancer during a 13-year follow-up period than were persons without diabetes (n = 850,946). After adjustment for colorectal cancer risk factors, such as race, educational level, body mass index, smoking, alcohol use, dietary intake, aspirin use, physical activity, and family history of colorectal cancer, the incidence density ratio comparing colorectal cancer in those with diabetes and those without diabetes was 1.30 (95% confidence interval 1.03-1.65) for men and 1.16 (95% confidence interval 0.87-1.53) for women. However, diabetes was not associated with greater case fatality. Future studies should explore the possibility of a cancer-promoting gastrointestinal milieu, including delayed stool transit and elevated fecal bile acid concentrations, associated with hyperglycemia and diabetic neuropathy.
Comparative Metabolic Systems Analysis of Pathogenic Burkholderia

ABSTRACT Burkholderia cenocepacia and Burkholderia multivorans are opportunistic drug-resistant pathogens that account for the majority of Burkholderia cepacia complex infections in cystic fibrosis patients and also infect other immunocompromised individuals. While they share similar genetic compositions, B. cenocepacia and B. multivorans exhibit important differences in pathogenesis. We have developed reconciled genome-scale metabolic network reconstructions of B. cenocepacia J2315 and B. multivorans ATCC 17616 in parallel (designated iPY1537 and iJB1411, respectively) to compare metabolic abilities and contextualize genetic differences between species. The reconstructions capture the metabolic functions of the two species and give insight into similarities and differences in their virulence and growth capabilities. The two reconstructions have 1,437 reactions in common, and iPY1537 and iJB1411 have 67 and 36 metabolic reactions unique to each, respectively. After curating the extensive reservoir of metabolic genes in Burkholderia, we identified 6 genes essential to growth that are unique to iPY1513 and 13 genes uniquely essential to iJB1411. The reconstructions were refined and validated by comparing in silico growth predictions to in vitro growth capabilities of B. cenocepacia J2315, B. cenocepacia K56-2, and B. multivorans ATCC 17616 on 104 carbon sources. Overall, we identified functional pathways that indicate B. cenocepacia can produce a wider array of virulence factors compared to B. multivorans, which supports the clinical observation that B. cenocepacia is more virulent than B. multivorans. The reconciled reconstructions provide a framework for generating and testing hypotheses on the metabolic and virulence capabilities of these two related emerging pathogens.
Three cases of rarefaction of the skeleton in Africans, two associated with severe urinary bilharziasis.

Three Africans - one adult and two children - had severe osteoporosis. The cause in each could not be determined. One child probably had a form of renal rickets, and in the other two cases fairly advanced bilharzial disease was observed in the urinary tract, but no positive relationship between it and the osteoporosis could be drawn. Nevertheless, it is considered worthy to draw attention to the possible relationship between severe urinary bilharziasis and osteoporosis of the skeleton.
Renal response of anesthetized rats to low-dose infusion of atrial natriuretic peptide.

Studies were performed in rats to determine the minimum infusion rate of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) associated with detectable changes in renal function and to determine the change in plasma levels of the peptide produced by these infusion rates. Synthetic ANP-(4-28) was administered to anesthetized euvolemic rats at rates ranging between 10 and 230 ng.kg-1.min-1 for 30 min. Significant natriuresis and diuresis were seen with an infusion of 20 ng.kg-1.min-1. At this rate of infusion, plasma ANP averaged 279 +/- 19.9 pmol/l (vs. 158 +/- 11.8 pmol/l in control rats). A transient increase in K excretion was seen with infusions higher than 100 ng.kg-1.min-1. There was no measurable change in glomerular filtration rate up to an infusion of 160 ng.kg-1.min-1. A significant decrease in mean arterial pressure was only seen with an infusion of 230 ng.kg-1.min-1. In volume-expanded rats, infusion of ANP at 10 ng.kg-1.min-1 induced a significant natriuresis. Our results indicate that natriuresis and diuresis are caused by an infusion of ANP which produces changes in plasma ANP concentration that may well result from stimulation of endogenous ANP release. In contrast, changes in K excretion, glomerular filtration rate, and arterial blood pressure may require changes in plasma ANP that are not easily achievable by physiological interventions.
K-12 Computer Science: Aspirations, Realities, and Challenges

Now more than ever, revitalization of computer science as a mainstream discipline within K-12 education is an important goal worldwide. Especially in the US, where most states fail to understand the nature of computer science as an academic field, the challenges are enormous. What recent efforts have been made in the US toward reaching this goal, and to what extent have these efforts been successful? This paper addresses these questions.
Novel Matter-wave Gyroscope via Vortex Superposition in BEC

We present a novel matter-wave gyroscope employing a superposition of two counter-rotating vortices in Bose-Einstein condensates that can be generated using orbital angular momentum of light. We also discuss the sensitivity of such a device.
Ionization constants of basic dyes in relation to gastric secretion.

SummaryThe ionization constants of 14 basic dyes belonging to 5 chemical classes, azo, azines, xanthenes, oxazines and thiazines, each containing 2-4 compounds, were determined spectrophotometrically in buffered 50% alcoholic solutions. The dyes were those which Ingraham and Visscher have found to be secreted by the stomach. Fairly good agreement for the ionization constants by 3 different methods (spectrophotometric in buffered 50% alcohol, titration in water and in 50% unbuffered alcohol) is obtained for Nile Blue A, Bismarck Brown Y, Rhodamine B, Chrysoidin Y, Neutral Red and Pyronine B. With the exception of Acridine Red these are all the weaker bases. Higher values were found for the other dyes by the spectrophotometric method. The spectrophotometric pKa values paralleled the buffer/benzene ratios. The order of basicity varies in different media. It was not possible to correlate satisfactorily the secretion of dyes in a biological system with their ionization constants in aqueous or buffered 50% alco...
Investigation on AIDS Related Knowledge and Sexual Behavior Among Female Sex Workers in Zhoukou

Objectives To investigate AIDS related knowledge and high risk behavior among the female sex workers(CSWs) in Zhoukou,and to provide the evidence for scientific and effective prevention measures.Method A structured questionnaire was anonymously administered face to face to reachable 560 CSWs in the five project counties.Results The overall AIDS related knowledge awareness rate among the female sex workers was 94.71%,98.16% prostitutes received AIDS advocacy;98.53% of commercial release received condoms;83.52% of the size in the last three months each time when commercial sexual activity are using condoms;60.61% appeared among the symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases related to regular hospital for treatment.Conclusion Project area the size of the crowd AIDS advocacy work continued in a solid and effective,100% use of condom promotion.
Analysis and evaluation of the measles surveillance and to epidemic characteristics in Wuhu city during 2009-2011

Objective To evaluate the quality of measles surveillance and epidemic characteristics in Wuhu and provide a basis for further enhancing measles control.Methods Surveillance situation and to epidemic characteristics were analyzed in Wuhu from 2009 to 2011.Results The annual average reported incidence of excluded measles cases reached 5.22 per 100 thousand.The rate of timely investigation about suspected measles cases,collection rate of blood specimen,timely submission rate of blood samples,timely report rate of blood specimen test results,rate of measles outbreaks in serological diagnosis,and so on all reached the goals.The incidence of measles were 92.9,6.1 and 9.5 per million from 2009 to 2011.The rate was higher in urban than that in rural areas.88.24% of cases occurred from March to August.The peak time of the measles showed prolonged trend.Incidence of measles was the highest in infants during 2009-2011,and the age-specific incidence was 124.34 per 100 thousand,accounted for 27.06% of the total rate.57.97% of the infants with measles cases were less than 8 months.77.26% measles cases were more than 15 years old.Its incidence showed rising trend,the proportion of measles cases in older children and adult were 46.12%,64.29% and 68.18% respectively from 2009 to 2011.81.57% of the measles cases had not accepted timely immunization or vaccination.Conclusions The measles surveillance system was sensitive,and the quality of measles surveillance was high from 2009 to 2011.It's necessary to take more active and effective measures to strengthen prevention and control of measles in infants,older children and adults.
Feasibility of Lowering the Rated Voltage of 1 000 kV Substation MOA

To optimize insulation coordination and improve the economy of project,we calculated the maximal absorbed energy of UHV substation MOA under different system overvoltage,and analyzed MOA varistor accelerated aging test results,which is with 95% chargeability of three MOA manufacturers in our country.It is pointed out that MOA of UHV substation is secure and feasible when the rated voltage is reduced from 828 kV to 804 kV or 780 kV,and this change decreases the MOA protection level by 2.9% or 5.8%.Moreover,it is revealed that the substation overvoltage level is lowered as the decrease of MOA protection level.Calculation of substation overvoltage of follow-up 1 000 kV transmission projects indicates that substation lightning overvoltage and the phase-to-earth overvoltage can respectively be lowered by 3% and 5%,which can increase the insulation safety margin of substation,so as to lower insulation level or reduce the maximum shielding lightning current of substation incoming lines section.In the mean time,the rated voltage of 500 kV and 750 kV power system is analyzed,and the recommendation of lowering their rated voltage is put forward.
Managing Entrapped Gear During Chronic Total Occlusion Interventions

Entrapment of interventional equipment is an infrequent complication of percutaneous coronary interventions, with an incidence of less than 0.3 % in the contemporary era, but when it does occur, it can potentially lead to major complications such as vessel perforation, thrombosis, and early and late myocardial infarctions. Where attempts at percutaneous retrieval fail, emergent surgical extraction or coronary bypass may be required.
Environmental and Occupational Public Health

Environmental health and occupational health and safety have long been established subfields of public health research, policy, and practice (Frumkin 2010). More so perhaps than areas such as infectious disease or health promotion, environmental and occupational health remind us that the health of a society is profoundly affected by its economic system and economic development. Today, the environmental health field is largely concerned with a human-made (anthropogenic) environment brought about by urbanization, the extraction of natural resources, industrial manufacture, the physical separation of home and workplace, and the transportation systems needed to support this mode of economy and pattern of living. Economic development alters the natural environment and sometimes harms ecosystems in terms of the humanly useful services they provide, their diversity, and their resilience. We are coming to understand that all of this has significant consequences for human health.
Acebutolol disposition after intravenous administration

The disposition of acebutolol has been studied following intravenous doses of 0.25 to 1.0 mg/kg in 9 healthy subjects using a specific chromatographic assay to determine concentrations of drug in blood. The mean blood clearance was 6.55 ml/min/kg and the mean renal clearance, 2.68 ml/min/kg. Blood clearance was found to have a coefficient of variation of 14% for the group, to be independent of dose, and to remain essentially constant over approximately 3 wk. The fraction of the dose excreted in the urine unchanged was 0.405. Data were fitted to an equation for a two-compartment model. The mean fast and slow half-lives were 6.08 and 156.8 min, respectively. The volume of the central compartment was 0.223 L/kg, and the volume of distribution at steady-state was 1.165 L/kg. The fraction of acebutolol unbound to plasma proteins was 0.743 and was independent of drug concentration in the range examined. Data obtained from 15-min infusions were used to predict plateau blood concentrations with good accuracy during an 8-hr dosage regimen.
Social Epidemiology of Depression and Anxiety by Gender Identity

Abstract Purpose This study investigates depression and anxiety in gender minority (i.e., transgender and/or gender nonconforming) compared with nongender minority (cisgender) young adults. Methods Data were from the Growing Up Today Study, a national cohort of U.S. young adults. A two-step method (maternal-reported natal sex in 1996 cross-classified with participant-reported current gender identity in 2010) was used to identify gender minority and nongender minority respondents (n = 7,831; mean age = 26 years). Differences in past week depressive symptoms and anxious symptoms were examined cross-sectionally by gender identity. Gender minority and nongender minority respondents were compared using age-adjusted logistic regression models. Results In gender minorities, the prevalence of depressive and anxious symptoms meeting clinical cutoffs was 52% and 38%, respectively, compared with nongender minorities (27% and 30% in females and 25% and 14% in males; p Conclusions Gender identity is an understudied social determinant of mental health. Surveillance efforts to monitor mental health disparities should include survey questions to assess gender identity in epidemiologic research. Research and interventions to understand and ameliorate mental health disparities by gender identity are needed.
The endometrial biopsy as a guide to the management of luteal phase defect

The endometrial biopsy serves as a useful and valuable tool in the diagnosis and treatment of luteal phase defect (LPD). Eighty patients were diagnosed as having an LPD by endometrial biopsy. The subjects were divided into four equal groups, and different treatment protocols were introduced according to the histologic pattern found in the endometrial biopsy specimen. Patients in group I had glandular stromal asynchrony and were treated with clomiphene citrate therapy. Progesterone suppositories were administered to those patients in group II who showed glandular stromal synchrony. Groups III and IV had the same histologic pattern as groups I and II, but a reversal of the treatment protocol was made. The raw pregnancy rate was 85% and 80% for groups I and II, respectively. Groups III and IV had a raw pregnancy rate of 40% and 30%, respectively. Life-table analysis projected the pregnancy rate based on the protocol of therapy administered. This confirmed our findings and strengthened our belief that the endometrial biopsy is an invaluable guide in the treatment of LPD. This article addresses two distinct endometrial patterns within the framework of LPD and proposes a structured therapeutic regimen to treat this defect.
Witchcraft and Colonial Rule in Kenya, 1900–1955: The World of Oathing and Witchcraft in Mau Mau–era Machakos

The colonial state in Kenya confronted the ultimate challenge to its authority during the Mau Mau rebellion. From October 1952 to December 1959, Kenya was officially under a state of emergency resulting from a violent, anti-colonial insurgency conducted by (largely) Kikuyu guerrilla fighters. In much the same way that witchcraft carried multiple meanings, “Mau Mau” came to refer to the insurgent movement itself, to the guerrilla fighters and the rebellion’s more passive adherents, and also to the oaths of allegiance that fighters and adherents took, or were forced to take.
The Role of Physiology and the Surgeon’s State of Mind in the Surgical Decision-Making Process

The surgeon is like the captain of a complex ship that often travels and navigates through some rough waters. Just like with any other leadership position, such as those associated with a business organization, flying an aircraft, a military unit or squadron, or even a sports team, a lot depends on this one person. The direction in which how he or she will steer the ship, which in this case represents the operating theater, through the dangerous and sometimes uncharted seas between life and death, will have substantial effects on everyone involved with the voyage. The difference between the realities of an operating theater and this wrecked ship metaphor is if things go wrong, the only one who is lost and never returns home is the patient. The aim of this chapter is attempt to understand the role of physiology and surgeon’s state of mind on surgical decision-making.
Psychopathology and Epilepsy

The psychopathology of childhood epilepsy was examined by comparing symptoms in 48 children with complex partial seizures (CPS), 39 with primary generalized epilepsy with absence (PGE), and 59 nonepileptic children, aged 5 to 16 years, referred by pediatric neurologists to the UCLA Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychiatric Institute, Los Angeles, CA.
Response of ADHD with Giant SEP to Valproate

Three boys, ages 4.5, 6, and 6.7 years, with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) associated with giant somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP), who responded well to extended-release valproate (ER-VPA), are reported from the University of Tokushima Graduate, and Miyoshi Medical Clinic, Higashikagawa, Japan.
Assets of and Challenges to Communities

An understanding of community assets is a prerequisite to teaching and learning about community. This chapter summarizes major community assets—housing, infrastructure, food, health, safety, jobs, financial security, families, and education—and the challenges communities confront in providing them and keeping them strong. Each asset is analyzed individually, with the perspective that their interaction is necessary to a holistic understanding of community and to addressing community challenges in an interconnected process.
Rethinking Discussions of Justice in Educational Research: Formative Justice, Educational Liberalism, and Beyond:

Background/ContextEducational research tends to borrow accounts of justice from scholarship embedded within the structures and commitments of other disciplines or fields of study. This has created ...
Outcomes in Older Patients with Grade III Cholecystitis and Cholecystostomy Tube Placement: A Propensity Score Analysis

Background The Tokyo Guidelines recommend initial cholecystostomy tube drainage, antibiotics, and delayed cholecystectomy in patients with grade III cholecystitis. Study Design We used Medicare data (1996 to 2010) to identify patients 66 years and older who were admitted with grade III acute cholecystitis. We evaluated adherence to the Tokyo Guidelines and compared mortality, readmission, and complication rates with and without cholecystostomy tube placement in a propensity-matched (1:3) cohort of patients with grade III cholecystitis. Results There were 8,818 patients admitted with grade III cholecystitis; 565 patients (6.4%) had a cholecystostomy tube placed. Cholecystostomy tube placement increased from 3.9% to 9.7% during the study period. Compared with 1,689 propensity-matched controls, patients with cholecystostomy tube placement had higher 30-day (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.26; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.50), 90-day (HR = 1.26; 95% CI 1.08 to 1.46), and 2-year mortality (HR = 1.19; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.36) and were less likely to undergo cholecystectomy in the 2 years after initial hospitalization (33.4% vs 64.4%; HR = 0.26; 95% CI 0.21 to 0.31). Readmissions were also higher at 30 days (HR = 2.93; 95% CI 2.12 to 4.05), 90 days (HR = 3.48; 95% CI 2.60 to 4.64), and 2 years (HR = 3.08; 95% CI 2.87 to 4.90). Conclusions Since the introduction of the Tokyo Guidelines (2007), use of cholecystostomy tubes in patients with grade III cholecystitis has increased, but the majority of patients do not get cholecystostomy tube drainage as first-line therapy. Cholecystostomy tube placement was associated with lower rates of definitive treatment with cholecystectomy, higher mortality, and higher readmission rates. These data suggest a need for additional evaluation and refinement of the Tokyo Guidelines.
Influence of sex on microvascular and macrovascular responses to prolonged sitting.

We demonstrate that leg macrovascular function was consistently reduced in young men but not young women after prolonged sitting. In contrast, both men and women exhibited similar reductions in leg...
Differential proteomic analysis revealing the ovule abortion in the female-sterile line of Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.

Abstract Ovule abortion affects the yield and quality of Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. seeds. Research into ovule abortion has importance for improving the seed setting rate and establishing artificial seed production techniques. Fertile line (FL) ovules (FL-E) and sterile line (SL) ovules (SL-E) in the early stage of free nuclear mitosis of megagametophyte (FNMM), FL ovules (FL-L) and SL ovules (SL-L) in the late stage of FNMM of P. tabulaeformis were collected as materials. 4192 proteins were identified by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)-based analysis. Bioinformatics analysis implied that in SL ovules, substances and energy might be deficient, perhaps leading to abnormal DNA replication. Because the incomplete antioxidant system and the abnormal expression levels of enzymes involved in cell signal transduction, DNA DSBs probably occurs. Facing the abnormities of DNA replication and damage, the cell cycle was arrested and the DNA damage failed to be repaired, potentially resulting in the occurrence of PCD. Taken together, an inference can be drawn from our study – substance and energy deficiencies, reactive oxygen stress, and the failure of both cell cycle progression and DNA damage repair, which possibly hinder FNMM, leading to ovule abortion in the female-sterile line of P. tabulaeformis .
Selective Inhibition of STAT3 Phosphorylation Using a Nuclear-Targeted Kinase Inhibitor

The discovery of compounds that selectively modulate signaling and effector proteins downstream of EGFR could have important implications for understanding specific roles for pathway activation. A complicating factor for receptor tyrosine kinases is their capacity to be translocated to the nucleus upon ligand engagement. Once localized in subcellular compartments like the nucleus, the roles for EGFR take on additional features, many of which are still being revealed. Additionally, nuclear localization of EGFR has been implicated in downstream events that have significance for therapy resistance and disease progression. The challenges to addressing the differential roles for EGFR in the nucleus motivated experimental approaches that can selectively modulate its subcellular function. By adding modifications to the established EGFR kinase inhibitor gefitinib, an approach to small molecule conjugates with a unique nuclear-targeting peptoid sequence was tested in both human and murine breast tumor cell models ...
Influenza vaccination policies, masking protocols.

Influenza is the most common cause of vaccine-preventable deaths, with associated mortality contributing to approximately 24,000 deaths annually nationwide.1 The annual economic burden of influenza-attributable illness in the United States is estimated to be $87.1 billion, which includes $10.4 billi
Marginal levelized cost of energy bases optimal operation of distribution system considering photovoltaics

The significant increase in Distribution Generation (DG) technologies such as solar and wind can provide environmental and economic benefits. However, uncontrolled solar and wind penetration at distribution level can have adverse effects on the feeders, such as overleverage. On the other hand controlling DG output can reduce the benefits for the residential level DG operators. This paper proposes a methodology for controlling residential DG output while providing incentive for their participation. The control of residential level DG is based on the power-loss and node voltage. The proposed controller will maximize the real power output, will compensate the DG operator using the leveliazed cost of energy. Marginal Levelized Cost of Energy (MCLOE) is proposed in this work for PV modules using the concept of Levelized Cost of Energy in power system operations. The proposed method is able to minimize the electricity cost by using multi-objective optimized operation strategy for a distribution system with residential PVs. A case study is also presented to validate the feasibility of proposed methodology.
Command Center: Setting Up Round-the-Clock Monitoring During Cutover

Cutover is one of the most critical and complex phases of a divestiture. To help manage the complexity, it is important to set up dedicated teams and processes to govern cutover execution. This setup is known as a “command center.”
The Paradoxical Outcomes of Observing Others' Exercise Behavior on Social Network Sites: Friends' Exercise Posts, Exercise Attitudes, and Weight Concern.

ABSTRACTThis study examined the implications of observing others’ exercise behavior on social network sites (SNSs). Social cognitive theory and social comparison theory were used to make predictions about the conditions under which individuals’ (N = 232) exposure to exercise-related SNS posts from others in their social network were related to their weight concerns and exercise attitudes. The results revealed a paradox in which observing others’ exercise posts was associated with both adaptive and maladaptive responses. The number of exercise-related SNS posts received from members of respondents’ social networks was associated with greater weight concern, and this relationship was stronger among respondents who viewed exercise-related posts from network members who were similar to respondents. Yet, among respondents who had a tendency to make appearance-related upward social comparisons, the number of others’ exercise-related SNS posts received was associated with pro-exercise attitudes.
Reliability analysis considering dynamic material local deformation

ABSTRACTMaterial deformation is one of the major causes of material failure. In a dynamic deformation process, local deformation—defined as the displacement of various local points on a material—essentially determines the failure. Most existing studies on material reliability are conducted based on either the failure time or the degradation data. The studies do not consider the dynamic local deformation of materials and often are not efficient enough to model the failure mechanism. In this article, we develop reliability analysis by using information contained in the dynamic local deformation of materials in a tensile process. Specifically, a new multivariate general-path model is proposed to describe the deformation process. A two-stage method is developed to estimate the model parameters and overcome the computational complexity. Based on the proposed model, reliability analyses are conducted for various cases of material deformation paths. A simulation study is implemented to verify and validate the de...
Diabetes and Birth Control: Part 1

Many women will experience pregnancy in their lifetime. However, not all women wish to get pregnant and those who do often want to wait until the time is right. Birth control allows women this opportunity. For women with diabetes, planning ahead is especially important. With the knowledge of the different types of birth control available, women with diabetes can make informed decisions about their reproductive health and choose the best method available for them. This article is Part One of a two-part series that discusses birth control options for women living with diabetes.
Can information warfare ever be just

The information revolution has fostered the rise of new ways of waging war, generally by means of cyberspace-based attacks on the infrastructures upon which modern societies increasingly depend. This new way of war is primarily disruptive, rather than destructive; and its low ’’barriers to entry‘‘ make it possible for individuals and groups (not just nation-states) easily to acquire very serious war-making capabilities. The ’’less lethal‘‘ appearance of information warfare and the possibility of ’’cloaking‘‘ the attacker‘s true identity put serious pressure on traditional just war doctrines that call for adherence to the principles of ’’right purpose‘‘, ’’duly constituted authority‘‘, and ’’last resort‘‘. Age-old strictures about noncombatant immunity are also attenuated by the varied means of attack enabled by advanced information technologies. Therefore, the nations and societies leading the information revolution have a primary ethical obligation to constrain the circumstances under which information warfare may be used -- principally by means of a pledge of ’’no first use‘‘ of such means against noncombatants.
LIMCH1-related genes demonstrate different invasive potential of morphological structures of breast cancer

Abstract Background Tumor cell invasion is an integral component of breast cancer progression. In cell motility, including tumor cells, involves the actin cytoskeleton, which is a complex system with many regulatory points. The new tumor supressor protein LIMCH1, which has an actin binding domain, is a promising molecular target to suppress invasion. The presented work is aimed at revealing features of LIMCH1 expression in cells that demonstrate various forms of invasion in breast cancer. Methods The study included 37 patients with invasive breast carcinoma of a non-specific type (all molecular types). A list of genes was formed and molecular networks associated with LIMCH1 signaling were constructed. Using the previously obtained unique data of transcriptomic microarray profiling of various morphological structures of invasive breast carcinoma of a non-specific type (GSE80754), differentially expressed genes associated with LIMCH1 in the morphological structures were annotated. Results Tumor cells can move collectively or individually. The structural diversity of the infiltrative component of invasive breast carcinima represent an attractive model for investigation of tumor cell invasion. The solid and trabecular structures, may be considered as a morphological manifestation of collective cell invasion. Discrete groups and single tumor cells, are an example of individual cell invasion. Analyze of expression LIMCH1-related genes in different morphological structures showed that proinvasive XPO1 gene downregulated in trabecular structures. In single tumor cells expression of ODF2 gene that had stimulation activity for prolifiration were supressed comparing with trabecular structures. SH3KBP1 gene in solid structures is upregulated comparing other structures. Well known that SH3KBP1 revents epidermal growth factor receptor degradation. Also, HuR gene expression were upregulated in solid and trabecular structures comparing single tumor cells. Conclusions The obtained data showed that the morphological structures of invasive breast carcinoma have significant functional heterogeneity associated with the manifestations of invasion regulated by the LIMCH1 protein. The study was supported by RFBR (#18-515-16001). Legal entity responsible for the study Tomsk National Research Medical Center. Funding Russian Foundation for Basic Research (project #18-515-16001). Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Low-velocity impact behavior of glass fiber epoxy composites modified with nanoceramic particles:

The introduction of new type of nanomaterials has provided challenges in a deeper level understanding of mechanical behavior and failure mechanisms of fiber-reinforced composites. In this study, a ...