cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The American Diabetes Association’s 48th Annual Advanced Postgraduate Course

This article covers symposia presented at the American Diabetes Association’s 48th Annual Advanced Postgraduate Course, which was held in New York in January 2001. Topics include management of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, management of diabetes and hypertension, estrogen therapy and cardiovascular disease, and use of ACE inhibitors. At the American Diabetes Association’s 48th Annual Advanced Postgraduate Course in New York, 19–21 January 2001, much emphasis was devoted to cardiovascular disease (CVD) management in patients with diabetes. Henry Ginsberg, New York, NY, discussed diabetic dyslipidemia as a part of the hyperglycemia syndrome and, more importantly, the insulin resistance syndrome. Central to diabetic dyslipidemia is the elevation of fatty acid levels, with consequent elevated total triglycerides, reduced HDL cholesterol levels, and normal or mildly elevated levels of LDL cholesterol of abnormal composition. Thus, triglyceride levels exceed 235 mg/dl in 9 vs. 19% of nondiabetic vs. diabetic men and are >200 mg/dl in 8 vs. 17% of women. HDL cholesterol levels <31 mg/dl are seen in 12 vs. 21% of the two groups of men, and levels <41 mg/dl are seen in 10 vs. 25% of the respective groups of women. LDL cholesterol levels are similar in individuals with and without diabetes, exceeding 190 mg/dl in 11 vs. 9% and 16 vs. 15% of men and women, respectively (1). Similarly, in the U.K. Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS), HDL levels were lower and triglyceride levels were higher in both men and women with diabetes, although among women with diabetes, LDL cholesterol levels were higher (2). Insulin resistance is associated with a 30–40% higher free fatty acid (FFA) level because of decreased adipocyte uptake and increased release, leading to an increase in hepatic triglyceride synthesis, with increased VLDL production. In the circulation, cholesterol ester transfer protein, which resides mainly on HDL particles, transfers cholesterol from …
Localized detection of action potential-induced presynaptic calcium transients at a Xenopus neuromuscular junction

1. Action potential (AP)-induced fluorescence transients were measured, using Ca2+ indicators and a spot-detection method, at single nerve terminals of a cultured Xenopus neuromuscular junction preparation with simultaneous measurement of neurotransmitter release. 2. Transients obtained using the low affinity Ca2+ indicator Oregon Green 488 BAPTA-5N (OGB-5N) exhibited rapid rising (t1/2 (time at which one-half of the peak fluorescence was attained) = 0.54 ms) and decaying (tau fast = 1.9 ms) phases. The higher affinity indicator Oregon Green 488 BAPTA-2 (OGB-2) produced transients with significantly slower kinetics (t1/2 = 2 ms; tau slow = 73 ms). 3. Tetanic stimulation elicited distinct increases in fluorescence in response to each AP. Each OGB-5N fluorescence increase was more rapid than those observed using OGB-2. Furthermore, a smaller proportion of residual fluorescence at the end of the train was observed using OGB-5N. 4. When OGB-5N was used, a significant [Ca2+] increase was observed prior to the release of neurotransmitter. This was not observed when OGB-2 was used. 5. We conclude that the use of localized optical detection coupled with low affinity Ca2+ indicators can help elucidate rapid changes in presynaptic [Ca2+] dynamics underlying evoked neurotransmitter release.
Clustering genes using gene expression and text literature data

Clustering of gene expression data is a standard technique used to identify closely related genes. In this paper, we develop a new clustering algorithm, MSC (Multi-Source Clustering), to perform exploratory analysis using two or more diverse sources of data. In particular, we investigate the problem of improving the clustering by integrating information obtained from gene expression data with knowledge extracted from biomedical text literature. In each iteration of algorithm MSC, an EM-type procedure is employed to bootstrap the model obtained from one data source by starting with the cluster assignments obtained in the previous iteration using the other data sources. Upon convergence, the two individual models are used to construct the final cluster assignment. We compare the results of algorithm MSC for two data sources with the results obtained when the clustering is applied on the two sources of data separately. We also compare it with that obtained using the feature level integration method that performs the clustering after simply concatenating the features obtained from the two data sources. We show that the z-scores of the clustering results from MSC are better than that from the other methods. To evaluate our clusters better, function enrichment results are presented using terms from the Gene Ontology database. Finally, by investigating the success of motif detection programs that use the clusters, we show that our approach integrating gene expression data and text data reveals clusters that are biologically more meaningful than those identified using gene expression data alone.
Temperature-sensitive acetylesterase activity of haemagglutinin-esterase specified by respiratory bovine coronaviruses

Numerous respiratory bovine coronaviruses (RBCV) were isolated recently from nasal swab samples and lung tissues of feedlot cattle with acute respiratory tract disease. These newly emerging RBCV isolates exhibited distinct phenotypic features that differentiated them from enteropathogenic bovine coronaviruses (EBCV). The RBCV strains had a receptor-destroying enzyme function mediated by acetylesterase (AE) activity of the haemagglutinin-esterase (HE) glycoprotein. The HE genes of wild-type EBCV strain LY138 and RBCV strains OK-0514 (OK) and LSU-94LSS-051 (LSU) were cloned, sequenced and transiently expressed in COS-7 cells. The enzymic properties of HE proteins in COS-7 cellular extracts and in purified virus preparations were assayed at room temperature, 37 degrees C and 39 degrees C by two different assays. One assay used p-nitrophenyl acetate (PNPA) as substrate and detected serine-esterase activity; the second assay monitored AE function with bovine submaxillary mucin (BSM) as substrate. The PNPA tests confirmed that HE proteins of EBCV and RBCV were functionally expressed in transfected COS-7 cells. Time-dependent determination of the AE activity of purified RBCV OK and LSU particles showed lower AE activity at 39 degrees C than at 37 degrees C, whereas the purified EBCV LY particles retained full AE activity at both 37 degrees C and 39 degrees C. Transiently expressed RBCV HE exhibited a marked reduction of AE activity after 40 min of assay time at 37 degrees C. In contrast, the AE activity of the transiently expressed EBCV HE remained stable beyond 40 min. The deduced amino-acid sequences of the HE proteins specified by the RBCV strains OK and LSU contained specific amino-acid changes in comparison with the EBCV LY strain, which may be responsible for the observed enzymic differences. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that RBCV strains have evolved to selectivelyreplicate in respiratory tissues and that HE may play a role in this tissue tropism.
Object category recognition by a humanoid robot using behavior-grounded relational learning

The ability to form and recognize object categories is fundamental to human intelligence. This paper proposes a behavior-grounded relational classification model that allows a robot to recognize the categories of household objects. In the proposed approach, the robot initially explores the objects by applying five exploratory behaviors (lift, shake, drop, crush and push) on them while recording the proprioceptive and auditory sensory feedback produced by each interaction. The sensorimotor data is used to estimate multiple measures of similarity between the objects, each corresponding to a specific coupling between an exploratory behavior and a sensory modality. A graph-based recognition model is trained by extracting features from the estimated similarity relations, allowing the robot to recognize the category memberships of a novel object based on the object's similarity to the set of familiar objects. The framework was evaluated on an upper-torso humanoid robot with two large sets of household objects. The results show that the robot's model is able to recognize complex object categories (e.g., metal objects, empty bottles, etc.) significantly better than chance.
Acute Interventional Cardiac Catheterization

In the past, cardiac catheterization has been used primarily as a method for providing diagnostic information in patients with cardiac disease. Recently, it has become clear that these same techniques can be modified to allow direct therapeutic intervention for the definitive treatment of cardiac disorders. Since the original description of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in 1977 by Andreas Gruentzig, the technique has become well recognized as a safe and effective treatment for selected patients with single or multivessel coronary artery disease. The term interventional cardiac catheterization is now used to describe a variety of direct therapeutic procedures performed with catheterization techniques. Yet PTCA is by far the most common application of interventional cardiac catheterization. When PTCA was first described, it was applied only to patients who were in stable condition without evidence of myocardial infarction. In recent years however, several investigators have begun to apply these same techniques on a emergency basis on patients with acute myocardial infarction (1–3).
Regulation of Drosophila life span by olfaction and food-derived odors

Smell is an ancient sensory system present in organisms from bacteria to humans. In the nematode Caeonorhabditis elegans, gustatory and olfactory neurons regulate aging and longevity. Using the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, we showed that exposure to nutrient-derived odorants can modulate life span and partially reverse the longevity-extending effects of dietary restriction. Furthermore, mutation of odorant receptor Or83b resulted in severe olfactory defects, altered adult metabolism, enhanced stress resistance, and extended life span. Our findings indicate that olfaction affects adult physiology and aging in Drosophila, possibly through the perceived availability of nutritional resources, and that olfactory regulation of life span is evolutionarily conserved.
Analyzing the Structure and Evolution of Massive Telecom Graphs

With the ever-growing competition in telecommunications markets, operators have to increasingly rely on business intelligence to offer the right incentives to their customers. Existing approaches for telecom business intelligence have almost solely focused on the individual behavior of customers. In this paper, we use the call detail records of a mobile operator to construct call graphs, that is, graphs induced by people calling each other. We determine the structural properties of these graphs and also introduce the Treasure-Hunt model to describe the shape of mobile call graphs. Moreover, we determine how the structure of these call graphs evolve over time. Finally, since short messaging service (SMS) is becoming a preferred mode of communication among many sections of the society, we study the properties of the SMS graph. Our analysis indicates several interesting similarities and differences between the SMS graph and the corresponding call graph. We believe that our analysis techniques can allow telecom operators to better understand the social behavior of their customers and potentially provide major insights for designing effective incentives.
Effect of the Combined Estrogen & Progestin Transdermal Contraceptive Method Ortho Evra® on Body Composition of Adolescent Girls

embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma and a rare malignant tumor that arises from embryonic muscle cells. It is typically found in female infants and young children under the age of fourteen. Symptoms vary depending on the exact location of the tumor. We report two cases of adolescent girls, ages 15 and 17, with sarcoma botryoides. Case: The first patient was a 15 year old nullipara who presented with prolonged vaginal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, symptomatic anemia, and a presumed diagnosis of retained products of conception. She was found to have a large mass in the vagina. Uterine inversion was diagnosed and the inversion catalyst was initially presumed to be an immature teratoma of the uterus. She underwent chemotherapy and almost one year after her initial diagnosis she was readmitted with a retroperitoneal mass which was consistent with metastatic embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. The initial tumor was found in retrospect to be consistent with the subsequent diagnosis of sarcoma botryoides. The second patient was a 17 year old virginal girl who presented with pain, bleeding and a pelvic mass. She underwent an exam under anesthesia, exploratory laparoscopy and biopsy of a large vaginal mass. The pathology revealed embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. She was treated with multi-agent chemotherapy and subsequently underwent resection of the remaining tumor which arose from the cervix in pedunculated fashion. Comments: When assessing an adolescent with vaginal bleeding and mass, sarcoma botyoides should be part of the differential diagnosis.
Controller design-algorithms for MIMO linear systems; part 1: continuous-time controllers for state-stabilization with high-performance disturbance-immunity

A simple, compact design-algorithm for the rapid design of a continuous-time, output-feedback, multi-variable controller is presented. The controller achieves high-performance state-stabilization of a general class of n/sup th/ order, MIMO, linear dynamic systems operating in the presence of uncertain, unmeasured, multi-variable, external disturbance-inputs. A rigorous proof of the system closed-loop performance is provided.
ANTIGENIC VARIANTS OF INFLUENZA A VIRUS (PR8 STRAIN) II. SEROLOGICAL AND IMMUNOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF VARIANTS DERIVED FROM VARIANTS

Four successive generations of antigenic variants of influenza PR8-S virus, each derived from the previous one by serial passage in the lungs of mice immunized with the homologous agent, were compared with the original parent PR8-S virus with respect to their serological and immunological character. It was demonstrated by means of H.I., complement-fixation and in ovo-neutralization tests that the variants exhibited a progressively decreasing reactivity with the parent PR8-S antiserum while retaining the ability to elicit antibody to PR8-S influenza virus and to their respective predecessors. Accompanying these changes was a progressive reduction in antigenicity without any significant changes in pathogenicity for mice. Experimental evidence was presented which indicates that the serological changes observed with the variants are not related to the P-Q phenomenon. Antibody absorption tests showed that the variants share antigens with PR8-S virus but differ from it by the presence of specific antigenic components; these increase in quantity with each successive variant while the amount of related antigens shows a progressive decrease. The importance of evaluating the significance of antigenic changes of influenza viruses with active immunity tests was emphasized by the fact that PR8-S vaccine protected mice against fatal infection with lethal doses of the variant strains although the latter had a progressively decreasing serological reactivity with PR8-S antiserum. The inheritable character of the new antigenic properties of the variant strains was demonstrated by their persistence in the absence of thea selective environment following 18 to 24 serial intranasal passages with large inocula in normal mice and following limiting dilution passage in fertile eggs.
Unilateral Presidential Power during the Obama Presidency: Executive Agreements and the Implementation of American Diplomacy

Obama has completed far fewer treaties than his predecessors. The use of executive agreements, the alternative to treaties, has continued apace. The change is partly a result of polarization in the Senate, which increases the president’s reliance upon unilateral authority. Despite this marked change in the implementation of US diplomacy, we have little understanding of the nature of these agreements and how they compare to treaties. Does the departure from the treaty signal a change in how presidents complete agreements? Does Obama’s shift away from treaties mean that executive agreements will be used with greater frequency in dealing with significant matters, in which the norm has been to use treaties? Answering these questions requires an extensive analysis of the hundreds of agreements completed in recent years. To begin answering these questions, I catalogue and code nearly 800 executive agreements signed during Obama’s first term (2009 to 2012). The executive agreements are coded on a variety of variables: topic, agreement partner, agency, etc. Various data challenges exist in accurately cataloguing executive agreements that make firm conclusions regarding the reasoning behind Obama’s use of executive agreements difficult. Several possibilities are discussed in the conclusion.
Parental, in Utero, and Early-Life exposure to Benzene and Risk of Childhood Leukemia: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract Benzene is an established cause of adult leukemia but its association with childhood leukemia remains unclear. We performed a systematic review of the epidemiologic literature on benzene and childhood leukemia, and used meta-analysis to explore causal inference, evaluate bias, and identify sources of heterogeneity. The summary relative risk estimate (RR) for childhood leukemia for all studies combined was 1.84 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.43, 2.37; n=23). In studies of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the RR was 2.22 (95%CI: 1.65, 2.99; n=8). For studies of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), the RR was lower (RR=1.62; 95%CI: 1.28, 2.04; n=16). Summary relative risks were higher for studies examining maternal (RR=1.96; 95%CI: 1.39, 2.78; n=13) versus paternal exposure (RR=1.23; 95%CI: 1.07, 1.41; n=14), and in studies assessing benzene exposure based on maternal occupation (RR=1.71; 95%CI: 0.91, 3.24; n=6) compared to paternal occupation (RR=1.18; 95%CI: 0.94, 1.50; n=6) or traffic density (RR=0.97; 95%CI: 0.75, 1.25; n=6). Summary relative risks were also higher for exposure during gestation (RR=1.91; 95%CI: 1.32, 2.75; n=12) compared to other periods, and remained elevated in studies adjusted for smoking or socioeconomic status. Overall, these findings suggest that benzene is associated with increased risk of childhood leukemia. Disclosures Smith: University of California: Consultancy.
The Market for Generic Brand Grocery Products: A Review and Extension:

This article reviews the demographic and psychographic characteristics of the market for generic brand grocery products. The results of an examination of panel data relating to the purchase behavio...
Velocimetry Using Graphite Tracer Particles in a Scramjet Flowpath (Invited)

Adhesion of tracer particles to experimental facility windows is a substantial barrier to the implementation of particle image velocimetry (PIV) in confined flows. Prior experiments have addressed this problem by limiting the exposure of windows to tracer-laden flow, but in some flows of interest this is not possible. This study addresses the cavity flameholder of a scramjet combustor, which features a confined, recirculating, high-temperature flow with high dynamic range of velocity. Attempts at PIV measurements using the metal oxide tracer particles common in combustion studies fouled flowpath windows to the point of preventing measurements. To overcome this, graphite flakes were selected as a tracer material due to their tendency to be consumed by combustion after a short duration in the facility flow. Sample imaging showed these particles could be adequately detected by the PIV system optics, yet did not foul facility windows. Particles additionally survived passage through reaction regions. Numerical models were developed to estimate particle recession rate and aerodynamic response, confirming the suitability of graphite flakes as velocimetry tracers.
Chlorate-resistant variants of Nicotiana tabacum L.

In somatic hybrids of each of four chlorate-resistant cell lines of Nicotiana tabacum L., two of which were also nitrate-nonutilizing, and a common chlorate-sensitive parent, nitrate utilization and/or chlorate resistance were found to be recessive traits. Complementation for nitrate utilization was observed in somatic hybrids of the two nitrate-nonutilizing cell lines. No chlorate-resistant or nitrate-nonutilizing seedlings were detected among a large number of progeny resulting from the self-fertilization of a somatic hybrid plant one of whose parents was one of the nitrate-nonutilizing cell lines.
How Extensive the Planning and Development Program

Cut short the planning and development program — and risk a serious mistake? Or carry it out more fully—and risk delay of entry into the market?Seven factors are suggested which should influence th...
Jet quenching parameter of the quark-gluon plasma in a strong magnetic field: Perturbative QCD and AdS / CFT correspondence

We compute the jet quenching parameter $\stackrel{^}{q}$ of a quark-gluon plasma in the presence of a strong magnetic field using perturbative QCD (pQCD) in the weakly coupled regime, and $\mathrm{AdS}/\mathrm{CFT}$ correspondence in the strongly coupled regime of $\mathcal{N}=4$ super Yang-Mills. In the weakly coupled regime, we compute $\stackrel{^}{q}$ in pQCD at complete leading order (that is, leading log as well as the constant under the log) in the QCD coupling constant ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{s}$, assuming the hierarchy of scales ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{s}eB\ensuremath{\ll}{T}^{2}\ensuremath{\ll}eB$. We consider two cases of jet orientations with respect to the magnetic field: 1) the case of a jet moving parallel to the magnetic field; 2) the case of a jet moving perpendicular to the magnetic field. In the former case, we find $\stackrel{^}{q}\ensuremath{\sim}{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{s}^{2}(eB)T\mathrm{log}(1/{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{s})$, while in the latter we have $\stackrel{^}{q}\ensuremath{\sim}{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{s}^{2}(eB)T\mathrm{log}({T}^{2}/{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{s}eB)$. In both cases, this leading-order result arises from the scatterings with thermally populated lowest-Landau-level quarks. In the strongly coupled regime described by the $\mathrm{AdS}/\mathrm{CFT}$ correspondence, we find $\stackrel{^}{q}\ensuremath{\sim}\sqrt{\ensuremath{\lambda}}(eB)T$ or $\stackrel{^}{q}\ensuremath{\sim}\sqrt{\ensuremath{\lambda}}\sqrt{eB}{T}^{2}$ in the same hierarchy of ${T}^{2}\ensuremath{\ll}eB$ depending on whether the jet is moving parallel or perpendicular to the magnetic field, respectively, which indicates a universal dependence of $\stackrel{^}{q}$ on $(eB)T$ in both regimes for the parallel case, the origin of which should be the transverse density of lowest-Landau-level states proportional to $eB$. Finally, the asymmetric transverse momentum diffusion in the case of a jet moving perpendicular to the magnetic field may give an interesting azimuthal asymmetry of the gluon bremsstrahlung spectrum in the Baier-Dokshitzer-Mueller-Peigne-Schiff and Zakharov (BDMPS-Z) formalism.
Analysis of linear time-in-variant system

This paper introduces the concept,sufficient prerequisite and judging method of Linear Time-Invariant(LTI)system,drawing assistance from the zero and polar analysis.It mainly states its judging method,and gives some examples to explain its application in the aspects of how to automatically control the LTI system and how to properly choose the system parameter.
Investigation on common antibiotic residue levels in freshwater fish in Qingyuan city

Objective To understand the antibiotic residue levels in commercial freshwater fish in Qingyuan city,and provide basis for taking supervision measures efficiently. Methods Two hundred and forty freshwater fish samples were randomly collected from Qingyuan in 2011 and 2012 to detect the oxytetracycline,tetracycline,chloramphenicol and aureomycin by HPLC(high performance liquid chromatography). Results The qualified rate of 240 samples was 94. 6%. There was no statistical difference in the positive rates of the four antibiotics between the two years(P 0. 05),but significant difference was found in the positive rates and over- limit rates of the four antibiotics(P 0. 05). The same was also found in over- limit rates of four antibiotics among different seasons and different places(P 0. 05). The unqualified ratio of oxytetracycline was 4. 2%,highest among the 4 antibiotics. Conclusion Antibiotic residue was found in some commercial freshwater fish in Qingyuan,so more supervision and administration should be strengthened on culture and marketing.
Investigation Point Positioning and Application for Soil Pollution Based on Electronic Map

The method of grid generation for soil pollution status investigation is introduced. The process and detail steps are given. Some key points are analyzed. Henan province is adopted as an example.
Alterations in hepatic production and peripheral clearance of IGF-I after endotoxin

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) produces a rapid and sustained reduction in the circulating concentration of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), which may be responsible, in part, for the alterations in protein metabolism observed in these animals. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether this drop was due to a decreased hepatic production of IGF-I and/or an increased clearance of the peptide from the blood. Four hours after intravenous injection of LPS the plasma IGF-I concentration was decreased 50%. IGF-I release by in situ perfused livers from control rats was constant throughout the 60-min perfusion period and averaged 111 +/- 3 ng/min. In contrast, hepatic IGF-I output was decreased 46% by in vivo LPS. In contrast, livers from LPS-injected rats released more IGF binding proteins-1, -2 and -4 than did control livers. Hepatic cell isolation indicated that LPS decreased the IGF-I content in Kupffer and parenchymal cells, but not endothelial cells, by approximately 45%. Pharmacokinetic analysis of blood 125I-IGF-I decay curves indicated that the half-life for whole body clearance of 125I-IGF-I from the circulation was not altered by LPS. However, LPS increased 125I-IGF-I uptake by spleen, liver, lung, and kidney while decreasing uptake by the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract. These results indicate that the LPS-induced decrease in blood IGF-I concentration is primarily due to a reduction in hepatic production, not a change in whole body peptide clearance, and that a decreased production by both parenchymal and Kupffer cells contributes to this alteration.
Threshold cointegration between inflation and US capacity utilization

ABSTRACTAn analogue to the Phillips curve shows a positive relationship between inflation and capacity utilization. Some recent empirical work has shown that this relationship has broken down when using data after the mid-1980s. We empirically investigate this issue using several threshold error correction models. We find, in the long run, a 1% increase in the rate of inflation leads to approximately a 0.0046% increase in capacity utilization. The asymmetric error correction structure shows that changes in capacity utilization show significant corrective measures only during booms while changes in inflation correct during both phases of the business cycle with the corrections being stronger during recessions. We also find that, in the short run, changes in the inflation rate do Granger cause capacity utilization while changes in capacity utilization do not Granger cause inflation. The Granger causality from inflation to capacity utilization can be interpreted as supporting recent calls made in the popular...
Nationalisms, Homes, and Hostilities

In The Spectre of Comparisons, Benedict Anderson recalls being asked in 1963 by a European diplomat to translate a speech given by Indonesian president Sukarno. Unexpectedly, in the middle of his speech, Sukarno began to discuss Adolf Hitler, describing him as a clever, idealistic, and patriotic leader. Anderson reported he felt vertigo as he listened to the account: ‘For the first time in my young life I had been invited to see my Europe as through an inverted telescope’.1 Characteristics that evoked opprobrium in one civilization could elicit praise in another.
Treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

e15505 Background: Most bladder cancer patients are diagnosed with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Tumor recurrence among NMIBC patients is common. Post-operative intravesical chemother...
Enlarged leukocyte referent libraries can explain additional variance in blood-based epigenome-wide association studies

Aim: We examined whether variation in blood-based epigenome-wide association studies could be more completely explained by augmenting existing reference DNA methylation libraries. Materials & methods: We compared existing and enhanced libraries in predicting variability in three publicly available 450K methylation datasets that collected whole-blood samples. Models were fit separately to each CpG site and used to estimate the additional variability when adjustments for cell composition were made with each library. Results: Calculation of the mean difference in the CpG-specific residual sums of squares error between models for an arthritis, aging and metabolic syndrome dataset, indicated that an enhanced library explained significantly more variation across all three datasets (p < 10-3). Conclusion: Pathologically important immune cell subtypes can explain important variability in epigenome-wide association studies done in blood.
FRP Development in the United States

Abstract This report examines the development of nonmetallic fiber based reinforcement in the United States. Much of the research is original and some is influenced or supported by international activities. The current lack of use of these materials in the United States belies the fact that considerable knowledge exists regarding FRP characterization and performance. To put the combined experience into perspective, FRP applications are grouped into functional categories. These categories include; characterization of FRP reinforcement, reinforced concrete structures, prestressed concrete beams, and the mechanics and design of FRP reinforced members. Research needs are identified based on the current development of FRP reinforcement both in the United States and worldwide research.
Basement Membrane Type IV Collagen and Laminin: An Overview of Their Biology and Value as Fibrosis Biomarkers of Liver Disease

Basement membranes provide structural support to epithelium, endothelium, muscles, fat cells, Schwann cells, and axons. Basement membranes are multifunctional: they modulate cellular behavior, regulate organogenesis, promote tissue repair, form a barrier to filtration and tumor metastasis, bind growth factors, and mediate angiogenesis. All basement membranes contain type IV collagen (Col IV), laminin, nidogen, and perlecan. Col IV and laminin self-assemble into two independent supramolecular networks that are linked to nidogen and perlecan to form a morphological discernable basement membrane/basal lamina. The triple helical region, 7S domain and NCI domain of Col IV, laminin and laminin fragment P1 have been evaluated as noninvasive fibrosis biomarkers of alcoholic liver disease, viral hepatitis, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Elevated serum Col IV and laminin are related to degrees of fibrosis and severity of hepatitis, and may reflect hepatic basement membrane metabolism. But the serum assays have not been linked to disclosing the anatomical sites and lobular distribution of perisinusoidal basement membrane formation in the liver. Hepatic sinusoids normally lack a basement membrane, although Col IV is a normal matrix component of the space of Disse. In liver disease, laminin deposits in the space of Disse and codistributes with Col IV, forming a perisinusoidal basement membrane. Concomitantly, the sinusoidal endothelium loses its fenestrae and is transformed into vascular type endothelium. These changes lead to capillarization of hepatic sinusoids, a significant pathology that impairs hepatic function. Accordingly, codistribution of Col IV and laminin serves as histochemical marker of perisinusoidal basement membrane formation in liver disease. Anat Rec, 300:1371-1390, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Management of Chronic Pulmonary Obstructive Disease: a Review of Long Acting Beta 2 Agonists

Use of inhaled aerosols allows selective treatment of the lungs by achieving high drug concentrations in the airways while minimizing systemic effects. Inhaled long acting beta 2 agonists (ILAB) produce a more rapid onset of action than oral delivery and are convenient and safe for the most patients. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a respiratory disease that causes progressive symptoms of breathlessness, cough, and mucus buildup. It is the sixth most common cause of death worldwide and is associated with significant healthcare costs. ILAB have demonstrated to be very effective in the treatment of asthma and COPD. They work through sustained muscle relaxation and are potent bronchodilators. ILAB’s are widely prescribed to manage the symptoms of COPD and asthma when short-acting agents alone are no longer sufficient. Twice-daily treatment with an inhaled ILAB or once-a-day treatment with the Ultra LABA is aimed at relieving symptoms, improving exercise tolerance and quality of life, slowing decline of disease, improving lung function, and preventing and treating exacerbations. There is no evidence to support the use of ILAB or the Ultra LABA, alone or in combination with a corticosteroid, as a first line agent for treatment of COPD or asthma.
Measuring the effects of anthropogenic CO2 emissions on global nutrient intakes: a modelling analysis

Abstract Background Since the preindustrial era, atmospheric CO 2 concentrations have been rising steadily at a pace that is projected to continue unless concerted action is taken to reduce anthropogenic emissions. Meanwhile, several studies have shown that the edible portions of many food crops—namely, wheat, rice, field peas, and potatoes—contain 4–10% less zinc, iron, and protein when grown at CO 2 concentrations that are anticipated within the next 50 years. Our study aimed to examine which populations around the world might be most vulnerable to the effect of CO 2 -related nutritional declines based on their diets. Methods We model scenarios under both ambient and increased CO 2 concentrations and estimate the loss of nutrients at the population level for each of 152 countries that would occur as a result of anthropogenic CO 2 emissions. The micronutrient contributions of individual foods to the diet were calculated by combining two types of data: dietary information derived from food balance sheets that have been expanded using additional data for food production and trade, and each food's nutrient content collected from food composition tables. Crops' change in nutrient content due to elevated CO 2 concentrations (550 ppm) were estimated based on previous meta-analyses of experimental data. Findings We find that populations in lower-income countries relying particularly on wheat and rice as staple foods and with low amounts of animal-source food in the diet—India, southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East—are at highest risk of increased nutritional deficiency in zinc, iron and protein. 658 million children and women of childbearing age (27% of world total) are at moderate-to-high risk in at least two nutrients. India, which contributes 460 million to the total, is at high risk across all three nutrients and the highest-risk country globally. Furthermore, because of the disproportionate burden on poorer countries, these areas also lack the resilience to combat these effects due to greater reliance on subsistence farming, reduced dietary diversity, lower caloric intake, and greater prevalence of concurrent diseases that could worsen the health effects of nutritional deficiency. Interpretation Future changes in dietary patterns might alleviate such trends without additional intervention, but they could also exacerbate them. Within the most vulnerable countries, ongoing monitoring and awareness of the effect will be important to stave off potentially higher rates of malnutrition. Funding The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Influence of carbon nanofiber clustering in cement pastes exposed to sulfate attack

Abstract The effects of CNFs and CNF clustering on the microstructural evolution and mechanical response of cement pastes subjected to sulfate attack were studied. Portland cement pastes with and without 0.5% CNFs were exposed to sodium sulfate for a total duration of 550 days. The presence of CNFs and CNF clusters led to pore refinement, limited sulfate-induced microstructural changes, and provided a reinforcing network that delayed the onset of cracking and spalling and increased the cement paste expansion capacity. At all stages of exposure, the cement paste with CNFs experienced less sulfate-induced changes in flexural strength than the reference cement paste.
The Anatomy of Accommodation

Disorders of the accommodative mechanism are prevalent in children and adults. Accommodative convergence can have a profound influence on eye alignment in children, and presbyopia is the most commo...
Intelligent data filtering in constrained IoT systems

The expansion of complex autonomous sensing and control mechanisms in the Internet-of-Things systems clashes with constraints on computation and wireless communication resources. In this paper, we propose a framework to address this conflict for applications in which resolution using a centralized architecture with a general-purpose compression of observations is not appropriate. Three approaches for distributing observation detection workload between sensing and processing devices are considered for sensor systems within wireless islands. Each of the approaches is formulated for the shared configuration of a sensor-edge system, in which the network structure, observation monitoring problem, and machine learning-based detector implementing it are not modified. For every approach, a high-level strategy for realization of the detector for different assumptions on the relation between its complexity and the system's constraints is considered. In each case, the potential for the constraints' satisfaction is shown to exist and be exploitable via division, approximation, and delegation of the detector's workload to the sensing devices off the edge processor. We present examples of applications that benefit from the proposed approaches.
Effects of Caffeine Administration on Reaction Time, Attention, and Inhibitory Control in Children and Adolescents

Previous studies have shown that caffeine can improve performance on cognitive tasks in adults, but little work has been done in children and adolescents, who use caffeine less habitually. The primary aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that acute caffeine enhances performance on cognitive tasks in children and adolescents. Two secondary aims were to determine if these effects differ as a function of sex, puberty, and menstrual cycle phase and if these effects can be attributed to withdrawal reversal. Children were given a cognitive test battery using the Automated Neurological Assessment Metrics (ANAM) before and 60 min after administration of placebo or caffeine (1 or 2 mg/kg). The number of correct responses and throughput on the Stroop task were increased after caffeine administration. Caffeine also decreased reaction time on the Stroop and decreased the standard deviation of the reaction time on the Go/No-Go task. We further analyzed these data based on presence or absence of withdrawal symptoms and by usual caffeine use and found that the effects of caffeine remained. We found interactions between sex and caffeine for Go/No-Go task time and the standard deviation of the reaction time on the Stroop task and an interaction between caffeine dose and menstrual cycle phase on the standard deviation of the reaction time on the Go/No-Go task. These results are consistent with previous studies showing caffeine facilitates performance on some cognitive tasks and that these improvements are not related to reversal of withdrawal effects. This study is among the first to report sex differences in responses to caffeine on cognitive tasks in children and adolescents.
Orbital Decompression: Transnasal and Transethmoid Endoscopic Approaches

Graves’ ophthalmopathy can be caused by excessive periorbital fat that puts pressure on the globe and adjacent structures resulting in proptosis, diplopia, and visual loss. The air-filled ethmoid and maxillary sinuses are adjacent to the bony orbit. Upon removal of the common walls between the orbit and these sinuses, there is a space provided into which the periorbital fat can prolapse relieving the intraorbital pressure. Performing the orbital decompression endoscopically through the ethmoid and maxillary sinuses permits a delicate and thorough procedure minimizing risk to important structures within the orbit.
Health and Well-being of Young Adults with Cerebral Palsy

i Abstract Health is a multidimensional, holistic, concept integrating physical and mental health. In childhood, the most common cause of physical disability is Cerebral Palsy (CP). For individuals with CP, health and well-­‐being is impacted by the complex interactions among their physical impairments, activity, participation and environmental barriers. Although CP is considered non-­‐progressive, secondary conditions (pain and fatigue) and their functional consequences have been found to worsen as the individual with CP ages. While preliminary evidence shows that many of the physical impairments (pain, fatigue, depression) reported in adults with CP begin during late adolescence, there is little information about the role personal and environmental factors, impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions have on health and well-­‐being of young adults with CP. To understand the health and well-­‐being of young adults with CP, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), a World Health Organization framework, guided the selection of survey instruments for this study. Surveys were sent to 610 young adults (18-­‐30 years) with CP. 95 surveys were returned, 55 were self-­‐ reported and 40 were completed by proxies. Increasing severity of impairment was associated with decreased participation in daily activities and social roles, while loss of ambulatory ability, pain, fatigue, depression, and activity level did not differ by severity Abstract ii of impairment. Environmental barriers restricted the level of participation only for the self-­‐report participants. Health status was decreased in those who self-­‐reported increased pain, fatigue, and depression; offset by emotional support. Life satisfaction was decreased by depression and poor health; offset by emotional support. Addressing the physical impairments, activity limitations, participation restrictions, personal factors and environmental barriers impacting young adults with CP requires coordinated efforts among the medical, educational and vocational systems. Theseii of impairment. Environmental barriers restricted the level of participation only for the self-­‐report participants. Health status was decreased in those who self-­‐reported increased pain, fatigue, and depression; offset by emotional support. Life satisfaction was decreased by depression and poor health; offset by emotional support. Addressing the physical impairments, activity limitations, participation restrictions, personal factors and environmental barriers impacting young adults with CP requires coordinated efforts among the medical, educational and vocational systems. These efforts need to begin early with appropriate assessment and treatment of impairments, provision of assistive technologies and augmentative communication, and adaptation of the environment to facilitate participation in activities and social roles. The health and well-­‐being in young adults with CP can also be improved with enhanced emotional support beyond the family unit through peer support groups, mentors, and other adult role models.
The Impartial Expert

The question posed by the title of this chapter is of more than mere academic interest at the present moment in the history of forensic psychiatry in the United States. As this book was in the process of being published, the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law after vigorous debate eliminated the word “impartiality” from its ethical guidelines,1 replacing it with the word “honesty” (see Appendix).
Shell Cross-Linked Micelles as Nanoreactors for Enantioselective Three-Step Tandem Catalysis

Functionalized amphiphilic poly(2-oxazoline)-based triblock copolymers that assemble into shell cross-linked micelles (SCMs) are described. These micelles permit the site isolation of three incompatible catalysts through compartmentalization, thereby enabling three-step non-orthogonal tandem processes in one pot. In particular, the acid-catalyzed ketal hydrolysis to prochiral ketones proceeded in the hydrophilic corona, followed by the Rh-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation to enantio-enriched alcohols in the cross-linked shell, and nucleophilic base-catalyzed acylation in the hydrophobic core. The catalysts are positioned in close proximity on a single micelle support to take advantage of the intramicellar substrate diffusion, yet they are sufficiently spaced apart from each other in physically distinct microenvironments. These compartmentalized micelles are substrate selective and, on a basic level, mimic compartmentalized catalytic architectures found in nature.
Melanoma risk modeling from limited positive samples

The key to effective cancer treatment is early detection. Risk models built from routinely collected clinical data have the opportunity to improve early detection by identifying high-risk patients. In this study, we explored various machine learning techniques for building a melanoma skin cancer risk model. The dataset contains records of routine dermatology office visits from 9,531,408 patients spread throughout the United States. Of these patients, 17,246 (0.18%) developed melanoma. We conducted extensive experiments to effectively learn from this dataset with limited positive samples. We derived datasets with more severe class imbalance and tested several classifiers with different data sampling techniques to build the best possible model. Additionally, we explored various properties of the datasets to determine relationships between class distributions and model performance. We found that randomly removing negative cases from the training datasets significantly improved model performance. K-means clustering of different groups of instances shows that there is greater homogeneity in negative samples, and the model results reflect that removing these samples increases overall model performance. This experiment provides a reference framework for future risk models, since most datasets will have a plethora of healthy patients, but only a few key patients that are at high risk for developing a disease.
Teacher perceptions of a project-based approach to social studies and literacy instruction

Abstract Although growing evidence from across the globe supports the use of project-based learning, teachers' use of the instructional approach can challenge their pedagogical beliefs and practices. This qualitative study examined how 24 second-grade teachers perceived their enactment of a social studies and literacy project-based curriculum within 20 high-poverty schools. Analysis of teacher interviews revealed successes and challenges they perceived in their enactment of the curriculum and the factors they perceived as contributing to those successes and challenges. In addition to reporting teachers’ perceptions, the study suggests implications for how to support teachers in their transition to using a project-based approach.