cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Increased Proliferation of FoxP3 Regulatory T Cells after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Is Counterbalanced by Increased Susceptibility to Apoptosis

Abstract CD4+FoxP3+ Regulatory T cells (Treg) play a critical role in the maintenance of tolerance after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We previously demonstrated that patients with active chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) have a reduced frequency of Treg. However, the mechanisms responsible for inadequate Treg reconstitution in patients with cGVHD have not been characterized. We therefore examined phenotypic and functional characteristics of Treg in 16 patients 2–41 months (median 10 months) post-HSCT to elucidate these mechanisms. Treg were compared to conventional CD4+FoxP3-T cells (Tcon) within individual patient samples and to healthy donors. All patients received TBI-based myeloablative conditioning, peripheral blood stem cells from HLA-matched donors (12 MRD; 4 URD) and acute GVHD prophylaxis (11 tacrolimus and sirolimus; 5 tacrolimus and methotrexate). At the time of analysis, 9 patients had no chronic GVHD, 5 had active chronic GVHD (1 limited disease; 4 extensive disease) and 2 had inactive chronic GVHD. Total CD4 counts were relatively low after HSCT compared to healthy donors (median CD4 273/ul vs 756/ul). After HSCT, patient Treg exhibited a predominant CD45RA(−)CCR7(−) effector/memory phenotype. Expression of CD31 on CD45RA+ Tcon and Treg was used to identify cells within these subsets that were recent thymic emigrants (RTE). In patient samples, 16.5% of Tcon and 2.8% of Treg expressed CD31+CD45RA+. In healthy donors, 22.9% of Tcon and 5.4% of Treg were CD31+CD45RA+. The lower fraction of RTE within the Treg population after transplant suggests that Treg primarily reconstitute through peripheral proliferation rather than through thymic generation. The proliferative capacity of both Tcon and Treg was examined by evaluating expression of Ki-67 in these subsets. After transplant, Ki-67 expression was significantly higher in Treg (5.2%) than in Tcon (1.5%) (p
Illness Doula: Adding a New Role to Healthcare Practice

In this article, we explore the possibility of adding a new role to the clinical encounter: an illness doula. Even though research and education in medical humanities and narrative medicine have made improvements in humanizing healthcare, progress is slow and ongoing. There needs to be an intervention in the practice of healthcare now for people currently going through the system. An illness doula, like a birth doula, would facilitate and insure that attention is paid to the personal needs and desires of the patient in the present system. We envision illness doulas having the ability and availability to accompany the patient throughout the healthcare process, to help communicate with clinicians, and to ensure that patient preferences are understood and respected along the way. We discuss how this idea emerged through the clinical encounters of two of our authors, the possibilities and limitations of creating a new role for illness doulas, and the logistics of how to put this new role into play.
Validation of rail vehicle system dynamic models

This paper presents results of a validation effort carried out on several analytical models that deals with the dynamic behaviour of railway freight cars. Model validation criteria for the four principal performance regimes - lateral stability, trackability, steady state curve negotiation and ride quality - are developed. The validation criteria and results are discussed in the context of available field test data.
Application of Nonlinear Displacement-Dependent Dampers in Suspension Systems

Dampers are frequently used for vibration reduction and isolation. While passive dampers are still being used, semi-active dampers such as MR and ER dampers have found their ways to expensive commercial applications. They use magnetorheological (MR) or electrorheological (ER) fluids as the damper fluid, subjected to a controllable field to obtain variable damping. These dampers are more efficient; however, due to the high cost of MR and ER fluids, they are too expensive to be used in the suspension systems for passenger cars Nonlinear Displacement-Dependent (NDD) damper has been recently developed for vibration reduction and control in mechanical systems. The damping coefficient of the NDD damper increases as the velocity reduces which compensates for the reduced velocity. This low-cost damper results in a smoother and more consistent damping force and energy dissipation and resolves the major drawback of the linear dampers, which is their poor performance, and the semi-active ones, which is their high cost. It also causes smaller force transmission in vibration isolation applications. In this paper the performance of the NDD damper in suspension systems has been investigated. The suspension system equipped with the NDD damper is modeled and its performance is compared to that of the conventional models.
Line of charges in electrolyte solution near a half-space: II. Electric field of a single charge

The electric potential of a single charge in electrolyte solution near a dielectric or a semiconducting half-space is determined in closed form when the electrostatics is described by the linear Debye-Huckel (D-H) equation. The electric potential strongly depends on the Debye length of the solution, the substrate-to-solution dielectric constant ratio, and the Debye length of the semiconductor. The technique of Hankel transforms is shown to be a useful tool in solving such axially symmetric boundary value problems for the D-H equation.
Perspectives on gesture from autism spectrum disorder: Alterations in timing and function

The target article highlights the utility of new technology to study sign language and gesture. Research in special populations - specifically, individuals with autism spectrum disorder, ASD - may further illuminate sign/gesture similarities and differences and lead to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of growth and change. Even verbally fluent speakers with ASD display distinctive qualities in sign and gesture.
Indiana bicentennial torch project: Trial by fire

From September 9, 2016 through October 15, 2016, over 2000 citizens of Indiana carried an unusual torch through all 92 counties. A map updated in real time indicated the current location of the torch and social media sites featured photos and videos taken a short time before using the torch. This torch was the result of many student projects and a challenging integration and production process. This paper will provide you with insight into some of what was required to make this happen along with lessons learned and observations on ways that this project went beyond what is practiced in most student projects or even industry sponsored projects.
Steady as a rock: Biogeomorphic influence of nurse rocks and slope processes on kūpaoa (Dubautia menziesii) shrubs in Haleakalā Crater (Maui, Hawai'i)

Abstract This study examines biogeomorphic interactions between nurse rocks, slope processes, and 300 kūpaoa ( Dubautia menziesii ) shrubs in Haleakalā Crater (Maui, Hawai'i). Research objectives were to: assess the association of kūpaoa with substrates upslope and downslope of plants, and proximity to the closest rock uphill; contrast shrub/substrate relationships with site frequency of sediment types; measure surface soil shear-strength and compressibility on 50 paired locations near boulders; and investigate the aggregation characteristics and spatial patterns of kūpaoa in relation to rock and substrate variation. Data analyzed came from three 100-plant surveys at 3 sites: a plant census at 2720–2975 m altitude, and wandering-quarter transects (WQTs) across two areas (2610–2710 m); ground sediment cover was estimated along four phototransects on these sites. Data for the three 100-plant surveys included substrate type—outcrops, blocks, cobbles, pebbles, exposed soil, organic litter—upslope from each plant, and distance to the largest rock upslope. The two surveys examined along WQTs included substrate type found downslope from kūpaoa, plant height, plant diameters across and along the slope, and distance between successively censused plants. Most plants grew downslope of nurse rocks; > 74% were adjacent to blocks or outcrops, and > 17% near cobbles. Plants showed avoidance for finer substrates; only ~ 5.3% and 2.7% grew on/near bare soils and pebbles, respectively. About 92% of kūpaoa were ≤ 10 cm downslope of rocks; > 89% grew ≤ 2 cm away, and ~ 83% in direct contact with a rock. Some seedlings also grew on pukiawe ( Leptecophylla tameiameiae ) nurse plants. Several stable rock microsites protected plants from disturbance by slope processes causing debris shift. Site sediments were significantly finer than substrates near plants; shrubs grew preferentially adjacent to boulders > 20 cm wide, which were more common near plants than across sites. Soils downslope of 50 boulders—mean 41.3 cm—showed higher shear strength and compressibility than soils along rock sides. These boulder dams stop descending debris, steadily deflecting them toward rock sides, whereas protected soils downslope of blocks are infrequently disturbed and develop into downslope elongated, clast-free fine-earth flags. Kūpaoa were uniformly dispersed across slopes, showing a single-phase mosaic arrangement, without apparent aggregation. Slopes where kūpaoa grows had a relatively uniform distribution of surface sediments; observed kūpaoa patterns may have resulted from the array of microsites generated by surface rocks and sediments, as shrubs simply responded to such spatial structure.
Composite neonatal and maternal morbidities with small- versus appropriate- for gestational age among uncomplicated obese women undergoing repeat cesarean delivery*

Abstract Purpose: Our goal was to compare composite neonatal and maternal morbidities (composite neonatal morbidity (CNM), composite maternal morbidity (CMM)) among deliveries with small for age (SGA) versus appropriate for gestational age (AGA; birthweight 10–89%) among obese versus nonobese women undergoing repeat cesarean delivery (CD). Study design: This is a secondary analysis of a prospective observational study. Women who had elective CD ≥ 37 weeks were studied. We excluded multiple gestations, fetal anomalies, > 1 prior CD, and medical diseases. Patients were divided into BMI ≥ 30 versus < 30 kg/m2. CNM included respiratory distress syndrome, necrotizing enterocolitis, severe intraventricular hemorrhage, seizure, or death; CMM included transfusion, hysterectomy, operative injury, coagulopathy, thromboembolism, pulmonary edema, or death. Multivariate logistic regression was used to control for confounding factors. Results: Of 7561 women we included, 65% were obese and 35% were not. SGA rates differ...
A compact watt-level GaN-on-Si class AB power amplifier for handset applications

This paper presents a GaN-on-Si HEMT Class AB Power Amplifier (PA) delivering watt level power in the 870 MHz band with a power added efficiency (PAE) of 55.4% at 30dBm, and ACPR of −35.5dBc for a 3.84MHz WCDMA signal with 7.5dB PAPR. The PA achieves 45.2% fractional bandwidth, spanning from 600–950 MHz with more than 10dB gain. This PA was implemented using surface mount components that have values feasible for potential future integration into a single chip PA solution. Watt-level output power with high linearity makes this PA a useful component for handset transmitters operating in wideband modulation schemes with stringent linearity requirements.
Computational advances in sparse L1-norm principal-component analysis of multi-dimensional data

We consider the problem of extracting a sparse Li-norm principal component from a data matrix X ∊ RD×N of N observation vectors of dimension D. Recently, an optimal algorithm was presented in the literature for the computation of sparse L 1 -norm principal components with complexity O(NS) where S is the desired sparsity. In this paper, we present an efficient suboptimal algorithm of complexity O(N2(N + D)). Extensive numerical studies demonstrate the near-optimal performance of the proposed algorithm and its strong resistance to faulty measurements/outliers in the data matrix.
Intraoperative Assessment of Cortical Perfusion After Intracranial-To-Intracranial and Extracranial-To-Intracranial Bypass for Complex Cerebral Aneurysms Using Flow 800.

Background Revascularization strategies for complex cerebral aneurysms are largely based on subjective interpretation of flow demands, or indirect measures of perfusion in at-risk territories. Indocyanine Green -based flow analyses ((ICG-BFA); Flow 800, Carl Zeiss, Oberkochen, Germany) provide a real-time, semiquantitative measure of intraoperative cortical perfusion during cerebral bypass surgery for complex aneurysms. Objective To determine the utility of intraoperative ICG-BFA for assessing cortical perfusion in at-risk territories during cerebral bypass for complex aneurysms requiring vessel sacrifice. Methods Retrospective analysis of consecutive patients from a prospective, single-institution open cerebrovascular database. Results Intraoperative ICG-BFA confirmed adequate cortical perfusion in 2 patients with fusiform posterior circulation aneurysms, treated with a posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA)-PICA and occipital artery (OA)-to-third segment of the posterior cerebral artery (P3) bypass with proximal vessel sacrifice, respectively. ICG-BFA was used in a third patient that underwent clip reconstruction/ intracranial-to-intracranial bypass for a large middle cerebral artery (MCA) bifurcation aneurysm requiring sacrifice of the temporal M2 branch. In this case, a frontal M3 to temporal M3 side-to-side anastomosis was created to arborize the MCA tree and allow filling of both M2 territories through a single M2 branch. After aneurysm reconstruction, ICG-BFA identified an inadvertent occlusion of the frontal M2 that left the entire MCA distribution reliant on collateral flow but did not cause a neuromonitoring change. Repeat ICG-BFA after clip re-arrangement demonstrated aneurysm occlusion and equal flow in both frontal and temporal MCA cortical distributions from the arborization. Conclusion ICG-BFA is a useful adjunct for intraoperative cortical flow assessment during cerebral revascularization for complex aneurysms requiring vessel sacrifice.
The Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) in the USA

The Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) was founded in 1997 as an alternative approach to accreditation of teacher education in the United States. It combines an innovative focus on student learning and an evidence-based audit method. Its review process is supported by detailed protocols, well-defined visits, a strict separation between the auditor role and the summative evaluation role, and use of scholarly standards for reliability and validity. Programs must meet standards that focus on student learning and its use for academic planning and improvement, but they select what evidence to use in making their claims. This approach has allowed programs to gather detailed evidence that is both meaningful and useful for improvement. Today, with about 100 members and nine institutions that are accredited, TEAC competes for recognition with a long-established agency, but the two organizations share a common goal of offering public assurances about the strength of teacher education programs.
A web-based environment for introductory programming courses

This paper describes a web-based technology oriented towards the development of a system for automatic generation of supplemental teaching materials for students. The system is intended for students attending introductory programming courses. It offers a rich variety of learning resources for their preparation. The most powerful feature of the system is its capability to automatically generate exercises. A subsystem for automated generation of programs and corresponding results obtained after their execution was developed as well.
LOCATION OF THE HEME IRON ATOMS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE QUATERNARY STRUCTURE OF THE CARBONMONOXY-β 4 TETRAMER

Using a single isomorphous derivative of carbonmonoxy-β 4 , we have been able to locate and refine the positions of heme iron atoms of native carbonmonoxy-β 4 using anomalous scattering data. The geometry of the four heme irons is characterized by almost exact 222 symmetry with iron-iron distances that are closer to those of liganded hemoglobin than those of deoxyhemoglobin.
Modeling Heat Capacities of High Valence-Type Electrolyte Solutions with Pitzer's Equations

Apparent molar heat capacities C p,φ for 71 rare earth chlorides, nitrates, and perchlorates, alkaline earth and transition metal chlorides, nitrates, and perchlorates, and alkali metal carbonates and sulfates have been fitted to the Pitzer equation for heat capacities. The apparent molar heat capacities at infinite dilution $$C_{{\text{p,}}\Phi }^{\text{o}} $$ (equal to the standard partial molar heat capacity, $$\overline C _{{\text{p,2}}}^{\text{o}} $$ ) were used to evaluate a set of “best” ionic heat capacities, from which improved values of $$C_{{\text{p,}}\Phi }^{\text{o}} $$ for the electrolytes were calculated. These were then used in the Pitzer equation to reevaluate the higher Pitzer coefficients. The Pitzer coefficients so evaluated can express, in most cases, the behavior of C p,φ within experimental error from infinite dilution to the upper limit of the data. Ionic heat capacities have been correlated with the absolute entropies of the ions by statistically assigning the ionic heat capacities to obtain the best linear fit.
Does dietary fiber affect food intake and body weight

The effect of dietary fiber on energy intake or body weight has been the subject of numerous clinical studies. Critical examination of the studies shows that many have methodological problems that limit their usefulness. Problems include the absence of a placebo treatment, confounding with time, inadequate measurement of food intake, very low doses of fiber, inappropriately short treatment and observation periods, and multiple changes in the diet. The reviewed evidence indicates that supplementation with wheat bran has no effect on energy intake or body weight; however, other types of fiber may have an effect. Four studies showed that fiber supplementation resulted in a 0.2 to 0.4 kg/week greater weight loss in the treatment than in the control subjects. One study showed a decrease of 1,071 kcal/week in a subject's spontaneous intake. None of the studies reviewed followed subjects for longer than 3 months.
A Secure Hash Commitment Approach for Moving Target Defense of Security-critical Services

Protection of security-critical services, such as access-control reference monitors, is an important requirement in the modern era of distributed systems and services. The threat arises from hosting the service on a single server for a lengthy period of time, which allows the attacker to periodically enumerate the vulnerabilities of the service with respect to the server's configuration and launch targeted attacks on the service. In our work, we design and implement an efficient solution based on the moving "target" defense strategy, to protect security-critical services against such active adversaries. Specifically, we focus on implementing our solution for protecting the reference monitor service that enforces access control for users requesting access to sensitive resources. The key intuition of our approach is to increase the level of difficulty faced by the attacker to compromise a service by periodically moving the security-critical service among a group of heterogeneous servers. For this approach to be practically feasible, the movement of the service should be efficient and random, i.e., the attacker should not have a-priori information about the choice of the next server hosting the service. Towards this, we describe an efficient Byzantine fault-tolerant leader election protocol that achieves the desired security and performance objectives. We built a prototype implementation that moves the access control service randomly among a group of fifty servers within a time range of 250-440 ms. We show that our approach tolerates Byzantine behavior of servers, which ensures that a server under adversarial control has no additional advantage of being selected as the next active server.
Leveraging mobile technologies to improve longitudinal quality and outcomes following bariatric surgery.

Obesity is the leading cause of death worldwide and a significant contributing factor to heart disease, diabetes, and many other life-limiting health burdens (1). In the United States alone, the prevalence of obesity rose from 30.5% in 2000 to 39.8% in 2016 and has been cited as a leading factor in the slowing of US mortality improvement over the last few decades (2,3). Without a doubt, the obesity epidemic requires careful attention as the search for medical, environmental, and health policy solutions to this complex problem continues.
Hippuric acid and 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid inhibit murine osteoclastogenesis through RANKL-RANK independent pathway.

Nutritional factors influence bone development. Previous studies demonstrated that bone mass significantly increased with suppressed bone resorption in early life of rats fed with AIN-93G semi-purified diets supplemented with 10% whole blueberry (BB) powder for 2 weeks. However, the effects of increased phenolic acids in animal serum due to this diet on bone and bone resorption were unclear. This in vitro and in ex vivo study examined the effects of phenolic hippuric acid (HA) and 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid (3-3-PPA) on osteoclastic cell differentiation and bone resorption. We cultured murine osteoclast (macrophage) cell line, RAW 264.7 cells, and hematopoietic osteoclast progenitor cells (isolated from 4-week-old C57BL6/J mice) with 50 ng/ml of receptor activator of nuclear factor κ-Β ligand (RANKL). Morphologic studies showed decreased osteoclast number with treatment of 2.5% mouse serum from BB diet-fed animals compared with those treated with serum from standard casein diet-fed mice in both RAW 264.7 cell and primary cell cultures. HA and 3-3-PPA, but not 3-4-PPA, had dose-dependent suppressive effects on osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast resorptive activity in Corning osteo-assay plates. Signaling pathway analysis showed that after pretreatment with HA or 3-3-PPA, RANKL-stimulated increase of osteoclastogenic markers, such as nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 and matrix metallopeptidase 9 gene/protein expression were blunted. Inhibitory effects of HA and 3-3-PPA on osteoclastogenesis utilized RANKL/RANK independent mediators. The study revealed that HA and 3-3-PPA significantly inhibited osteoclastogenesis and bone osteoclastic resorptive activity.
Response to “Discretionary Wars, Cost-Benefit Analysis, and the Rashomon Effect”

Dr. Jonathan Ratner’s discussion is amazing and a valuable commentary (and sometimes a corrective) upon the work in our article. We are grateful for his thoughtful examination and testing of the as...
Adaptive Feedback Cancellation in Hearing Aids Based on Orthonormal Basis Functions With Prediction-Error Method Based Prewhitening

Acoustic feedback is a persistent problem in hearing aids, which limits the achievable amplification and may severely degrade the sound quality by producing howling artifacts. A potential approach to feedback cancellation is to estimate the feedback path utilizing an adaptive filter. However, estimation of the feedback path suffers a large model error, known as the bias, due to the correlation between the loudspeaker and source signals. A prediction-error method (PEM) based prewhitening filter has been widely utilized to reduce the bias. This approach, however, requires a large number of adaptive parameters, thus increasing the computational complexity, reducing the convergence rate, and limiting the added stable gain. We introduce an adaptive feedback cancellation (AFC) algorithm derived based on the orthonormal basis functions (OBFs) for closed-loop identification of the feedback path by minimizing the prediction error. The OBFs are defined by a set of fixed poles and a small number of adaptive tap-output weights. We study two methods for obtaining the fixed poles, an inherently stable least-squares method and a log-scale frequency resolution method. The poles are then embedded as the a priori information into the algorithm. The proposed algorithm is extensively evaluated with speech and music source signals and with sudden changes in the feedback path. The experimental results show that the proposed method significantly increases the added stable gain, accelerates the convergence rate, and enhances the sound quality compared to state-of-the-art, while requiring far fewer adaptive parameters which leads to reduced computational complexity.
Inguinal Hernia Repair in the Elderly

Inguinal hernia is one of the most common surgical procedures that general surgeons perform. Surgical intervention for inguinal hernia is performed for pain and discomfort interfering with the quality of life (QOL) and to prevent emergency surgery in case of incarceration and/or strangulation, which is associated with very high rates of morbidity and mortality. The elderly population has a higher burden of comorbidities, and they tend to present late to seek medical care. Some studies have shown that 40% of inguinal and femoral hernia repairs in patients above 65 years of age are performed for incarceration or bowel obstruction. This chapter will review how the elderly might present to surgeons; as practicing surgeons, residents, and allied health personnel, we all should be aware that the elderly differ from the younger cohort in the mode of presentation due to the inherent difference in anatomy and physiology after aging. Then we will highlight the choice of anesthesia for surgery as this has been shown to carry a huge impact on postoperative outcomes. The third section delves into the surgical technique; although it remains the same, the type, timing, and indications in the elderly differ from the non-elderly. The last section is the synthesized version of the most important established guidelines about the management of IH in the elderly and concludes the chapter with recommendations.
Familism and the intent to practice safe sex among Chinese women living in the United States: an integrative model of behavioral prediction approach

Background: Asians living in the United States face unique HIV risk. From 2010 to 2017, the number of diagnosed HIV cases increased by almost 40% among Asians, while on average, the US has seen a 1...
Survey of egg quality in commercially available table eggs.

Increased demand in consumer choice has resulted in a wide variety of egg selection available in the retail market. Specialty and designer chicken eggs represent a portion of the table egg market that is increasing in size. Egg quality is known to be of great importance in all eggs as it relates to food safety, consumer preferences, and product value. In this study, egg quality characteristics were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA to evaluate 2 commercially available conventional egg brands (A and B) and 4 commercially available designer egg brands (C-F). Three hundred nine eggs were evaluated for shell and content weight, dimensional measurements, and breakage force. Calculations were completed to determine %yolk and albumen, yolk index, and Haugh units (HU), followed by an accelerated lipid oxidation study. No significant variation exists in breakage force. Brands A-E meet AA grade standard at a score of 72 HU or above, while brand F, a pasture-raised brand, meets the A grade standard, falling between 60 and 71 HU. Brand F has the highest yolk fan color value (10.41 ± 0.193, P < 0.001) and the lowest yolk index (0.523 ± 0.013, P < 0.05). In addition, brand F has the lowest albumen height (P < 0.001). As albumen height is an indication of freshness, and as all eggs were of equivalent age, it is possible that brand F exhibits overall lower quality than other brands. The conventionally raised white eggs of A experienced the greatest increase in % free fatty acids, which would likely result in off-flavors from hydrolytic rancidity. The organic cage-free D eggs have a significantly greater peroxide value (17.3 ± 2.9, P < 0.001), relative to all other brands, and is over the 10 mEg/kg threshold, which would be considered an unsuitable product for consumption. Ultimately, the measures of egg quality used in this study are essential for evaluating the delivery of the specialty market to the consumer and may indicate that improved measures of quality are needed to truly differentiate between the different egg types and their quality.
Primate anterior insular cortex represents economic decision variables postulated by Prospect theory

Abstract In humans, risk attitude is highly context-dependent, varying with wealth levels or for different potential outcomes, such as gains or losses. These behavioral effects are well described by Prospect Theory, with the key assumption that humans represent the value of each available option asymmetrically as gain or loss relative to a reference point. However, it remains unknown how these computations are implemented at the neuronal level. Using a new token gambling task, we found that macaques, like humans, change their risk attitude across wealth levels and gain/loss contexts. Neurons in their anterior insular cortex (AIC) encode the ‘reference point’ (i.e. the current wealth level of the monkey) and the ‘asymmetric value function’ (i.e. option value signals are more sensitive to change in the loss than in the gain context) as postulated by Prospect Theory. In addition, changes in the activity of a subgroup of AIC neurons are correlated with the inter-trial fluctuations in choice and risk attitude. Taken together, we find that the role of primate AIC in risky decision-making is to monitor contextual information used to guide the animal’s willingness to accept risk.
A New Technique of Pars Plana Vitrectomy with Microinterventional Nucleus Disassembly to Reduce the Energy of Fragmatome Lensectomy for Posteriorly Dislocated Crystalline Lens Removal.

Purpose To describe a novel technique of lens disassembly in posteriorly dislocated crystalline lens removal. Methods A microinterventional microfilament loop device (miLOOP) was introduced through the sclerotomy created for the Fragmatome to cleave the lens into smaller, manageable pieces. Results Five cases were performed with this technique with improved visual acuity (VA) and no complications. Conclusion The use of microinterventional nucleus disassembly during pars plana vitrectomy for retained lens material is a novel approach with potential advantages including decreased operating time and reduced complications secondary to excessive production of ultrasound energy.
LGG-05. GENERATION OF NOVEL MOUSE MODELS FOR BRAF V600E MUTANT GLIOMAGENESIS TO GAIN MECHANISTIC INSIGHTS INTO TUMOR FORMATION AND PROGRESSION

Background The BRAF V600E mutation occurs in ~ twenty percent of histologically diverse pediatric gliomas and is the second most common mutation in pediatric low-grade gliomas (LGG). BRAF V600E expression in LGG with balanced CDKN2A is associated with a higher rate for progression than for BRAF V600E wildtype tumors, and despite adjuvant therapy, consisting of resection, radiation and chemotherapy. Progression invariably occurs in BRAF V600E mutant CDKN2A deleted gliomas, marking a high-risk group. Here, we aim to overcome the lack BRAF V600E mutant glioma models that allow for studies of stem and progenitor cells and the immune system ability to understand progression.
Heuristic Scheduling Procedures for PRT System

While rapid transit systems have been suggested as alternatives to our automobile clogged cities, they have faced a problem in providing passengers with the type of service that they expect from their automobile. In an effort to provide for a rapid transit system that offers the advantages of the automobile but has greater capacity, the Morgantown Personal Rapid Transit System was conceived. A Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system is characterized by relatively small vehicles that provide direct station to station travel without intervening stops. Service is essentially provided on demand much the same way as an elevator operates. In order to compete with the automobile, the PRT must be operated as efficiently as possible in order to keep passenger waiting time to a minimum. This paper is concerned with the development of efficient scheduling algorithms which will keep passenger waiting times at an acceptable level while providing for efficient usage of the system. Before examining these procedures, a brief description of the Morgantown PRT system will be given.
The Interaction of Low-Frequency Acoustic Waves with a One-Dimensional Random Sediment Model

The onset of stochastic effects at low frequencies is studied for a thick sediment layer resting upon a rock basement. Reasonable values of density and sound speed fluctuations and refractive gradients are incorporated; the model, however, is one-dimensional, i.e., lateral homogeneity is assumed. Appropriate scales are introduced and the asymptotic theory of White and Franklin1 is applied to approximate the fields within the sediment as the sum of a deterministic component and a small, zero-mean Gaussian fluctuation. All aspects of this approximation — in particular the covariance matrix of the fluctuation process — can be explicitly determined.
Modeling of miec cathodes : The effect of sheet resistance

The critical behavior of electrode polarization resistance versus feature height for patterned MIEC cathodes of constant surface area and TPB length suggests a competition between bulk ionic resistance and electronic resistance. A model taking both effects into account is derived and applied to a two-dimensional reduction of the problem. Testing the model using parameters that are realistic for an LSM-YSZ system reveals that the model structure does, in fact, replicate the critical behavior. This lends credence to the hypothesis of electronic-ionic competition as the source for this behavior, and provides a basis for further quantitative investigation of the oxygen reduction process using patterned electrodes.
Gunshot injuries to the liver : The role of selective nonoperative management

Abstract Background: Selective nonoperative management of blunt liver injuries has become standard practice in most trauma centers. We evaluated the role of selective nonoperative management of gunshot wounds to the liver. Study Design: This was a retrospective review of gunshot wounds to the liver treated in a level I trauma center. Patients with peritoneal signs or hemodynamic instability were operated on without delay. Patients with a soft, nontender abdomen and no signs of heavy bleeding were selected for nonoperative management. Liver injury was diagnosed by CT scan. If peritonitis or signs of substantial internal bleeding developed, an operation was performed; otherwise the patient was discharged within a few days of admission. Analysis was restricted to the group of patients with isolated liver injuries. Results: During a 42-month period, 928 patients were admitted with abdominal gunshot injuries, 152 of whom (16%) had a liver injury. In 52 patients (34% of all liver injuries), the liver was the only injured intraabdominal organ (4 patients had associated kidney or splenic injuries that did not require surgical repair). Thirty-six of the patients (69%) with isolated liver injuries had an emergent operation because of signs of peritonitis or hemodynamic instability. The remaining 16 patients (31%) were selected for nonoperative management (3 patients had associated right kidney injury). Five patients in the observed group required delayed operation because of development of signs of peritonitis (4 patients) or abdominal compartment syndrome (1 patient). The remaining 11 patients (7% of all liver injuries or 21% of isolated liver injuries) were managed successfully without operation. One patient with delayed operation developed multiple complications from abdominal compartment syndrome, and 1 patient in the nonoperative group had a biloma, which was treated with percutaneous drainage. Conclusions: Selected patients with isolated grades I and II gunshot wounds to the liver can be managed nonoperatively.
Probing the WW gamma vertex in e+/-p--> nu gamma X.

We study the prospects of testing the $\mathrm{WW}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ vertex in ${e}^{\ensuremath{-}}p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{\gamma}X$ and ${e}^{+}p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{\gamma}X$ at the DESY $\mathrm{ep}$ collider HERA and the combination of the CERN ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ collider LEP and Large Hadron Collider (LHC), LEP/LHC. Destructive interference effects between the standard model and the anomalous contributions to the amplitude severely limit the sensitivity of both processes to nonstandard $\mathrm{WW}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ couplings. Sensitivity limits for the anomalous $\mathrm{WW}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ couplings $\ensuremath{\kappa}$ and $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ at HERA and LEP/LHC are derived, taking into account experimental cuts and uncertainties, and the form factor behavior of nonstandard couplings. These limits are found to be significantly weaker than those which can be expected from other collider processes within the next few years. At HERA, they are comparable to bounds obtained from $S$-matrix unitarity.
Beyond Abortion: The Implications of Human Life Amendments

Embryos and fetuses are alive, at the very least in the biological sense. They are also members of the species Homo sapiens. Therefore, it is true that abortion destroys a biologically living being that is a member of the species Homo sapiens. The question is not whether fetuses are human life; this is a biological question. But biological facts alone do not entail moral facts. The contentious issue is whether embryos and fetuses are human (normative) persons, that is, whether fetuses are the kind of beings that possess moral status, moral rights, and, consequently, legal rights. This is not an empirical question; determining whether a fetus is a human person is not answerable by taking a closer look at fetal biology. The issue of what constitutes a person is a metaphysical, philosophical, and theological one. Philosophers, ethicists, theologians, politicians, and the everyday man or woman, all have some belief concerning what it means to be a person. For some, for example the Catholic Church, all members of the species Homo sapiens, from conception until death, count as persons. On the other end of the spectrum, some philosophers argue that a necessary requisite for personhood is the possession of certain cognitive capacities, such as self-consciousness, reasoning abilities, autonomy, and moral agency. For others, the basic capacity for consciousness is sufficient for some degree of moral status. Individuals are irrevocably divided on the issue of fetal personhood and moral status, and will presumably remain so because there is no empirical answer to this question. The different empirical, philosophical, theological, and metaphysical views that are brought to the table cement the unlikelihood of consensus on this issue. Yet, there have been various attempts to codify into law certain conservative views concerning when the human fetus becomes a human person in a direct attempt to challenge Roe v. Wade. These challenges have taken the form of attempted passages of Human Life/Personhood Amendments (hereon in HLPA) in various states, all of which propose to officially designate embryos and fetuses persons from fertilization or conception, and grant them all the legal rights thereof. In the 2008 election year, Colorado and Montana had on their state ballots propositions (Propositions 48 and CI-100, respectively) that, had they passed, would have expanded the legal definition of personhood to encompass newly fertilized eggs. Some citizens of Georgia attempted to do the same in 2008, bs_bs_banner
"Personals" advertisements of lesbian women.

Based on a design adapted from previous content analyses of the "Personals" advertisements of heterosexual men and women and of homosexual men, advertisements for lesbian partners were studied in the light of predictions derived from exchange theory and from the findings of other studies of lesbianism. Lesbians' advertisements, as hypothesized, were found to emphasize positive characteristics and to de-emphasize the negative; to be more like those of nonlesbian women advertisers than like those of men of either sexual orientation; and to tend toward an androgynous style. Implications of these and other findings are discussed. Language: en
Splenic vasculitis, thrombosis, and infarction in a febrile dog infected with Bartonella henselae

Objective To describe the clinical course and successful management of a febrile dog with polyarthritis, splenic vasculitis, thrombosis, and infarction that was infected with Bartonella henselae. Case Summary An 8-year-old female spayed Labrador Retriever was referred to The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center Emergency Service for evaluation of limping, fever, vomiting, and malaise of 4 days’ duration. Physical examination abnormalities included generalized weakness, diminished conscious proprioception, bilateral temporalis muscle atrophy, and diarrhea. Peripheral lymph nodes were normal, and there were no signs of abdominal organomegaly, joint effusion, or spinal pain. Abdominal ultrasound identified a nonocclusive splenic vein thrombus. Fine-needle aspirates of the spleen revealed pyogranulomatous inflammation, mild reactive lymphoid hyperplasia, and mild extramedullary hematopoiesis. Splenic histopathology found marked, multifocal to coalescing acute coagulation necrosis (splenic infarctions) and fibrinoid necrotizing vasculitis. Bartonella henselae DNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced from the splenic tissue. The dog responded favorably to antimicrobials and was healthy at the time of follow-up evaluation. New and Unique Information Provided Bartonella henselae is an incompletely characterized emerging canine pathogen. This case report establishes a potential role for this bacterium as a cause of vasculitis and thromboembolism, which have not been previously reported in association with B. henselae infection in dogs.
Some New Exceptions for the Semantic Tableaux Version of the Second Incompleteness Theorem

This article continues our study of axiom systems that can verify their own consistency and prove all Peano Arithmetic's ?1 theorems. We will develop some new types of exceptions for the Semantic Tableaux Version of the Second Incompleteness Theorem.
Aeroheating Design Issues for Reusable Launch Vehicles: A Perspective

An overview of basic aeroheating design issues for Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLV), which addresses the application of hypersonic ground-based testing, and computational fluid dynamic (CFD) and engineering codes, is presented. Challenges inherent to the prediction of aeroheating environments required for the successful design of the RLV Thermal Protection System (TPS) are discussed in conjunction with the importance of employing appropriate experimental/computational tools. The impact of the information garnered by using these tools in the resulting analyses, ultimately enhancing the RLV TPS design is illustrated. A wide range of topics is presented in this overview; e.g. the impact of flow physics issues such as boundary-layer transition, including effects of distributed and discrete roughness, shock-shock interactions, and flow separation/reattachment. Also, the benefit of integrating experimental and computational studies to gain an improved understanding of flow phenomena is illustrated. From computational studies, the effect of low-density conditions and of uncertainties in material surface properties on the computed heating rates a r e highlighted as well as the significant role of CFD in improving the Outer Mold Line (OML) definition to reduce aeroheating while maintaining aerodynamic performance. Appropriate selection of the TPS design trajectories and trajectory shaping to mitigate aeroheating levels and loads are discussed. Lastly, an illustration of an aeroheating design process is presented whereby data from hypersonic wind-tunnel tests are integrated with predictions from CFD codes and engineering methods to provide heating environments along an entry trajectory as required for TPS design.
Neural structure and social dysfunction in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis

Individuals at a clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis have gray matter volume (GMV) abnormalities that are similar to, though less severe than, those in individuals with schizophrenia. Less GMV in schizophrenia is related to worse social cognition and social functioning, but the relationship between GMV and social functioning in CHR individuals has yet to be investigated. The aim of this study was to (1) investigate differences in GMV between healthy controls (HC) and CHR individuals, and (2) evaluate the relationship between GMV and social functioning in these two groups. Participants comprised 22 CHR and 21 HC individuals who completed a structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan as well as self-reported and interviewer-rated measures of social functioning. Processing and analysis of structural images were completed using voxel based morphometry (VBM). Results showed that the CHR group had less GMV in the left postcentral gyrus, bilateral parahippocampual gyri, and left anterior cingulate cortex. Reduced GMV in the postcentral gyrus and the anterior cingulate was related to self-reported social impairment across the whole group. This study has implications for the neurobiological basis of social dysfunction present before the onset of psychosis.
Slope histogram detection of forged handwritten signatures

A new approach to the problem of handwritten signature verification is presented. This method exploits the regularity of length and curvature of a signature. Overall signature content at various angles is evaluated to form a slope histogram. Histograms are then passed to a classifier constructed from 10 valid signatures. Performance of the classifier on a data pool of 1000 valid and casually forged signatures is evaluated. In particular the equal error rate of this approach is shown to average 7 across 9 different subjects. Increases in the classifier error rates are noted when the forger is allowed some a priori knowledge of the target signature.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Mobile learning in museums: how mobile supports for learning influence student behavior

Nomadic scientific inquiry -- technology-supported authentic inquiry done on-the-go, across settings -- has the potential to engage students in learning new concepts and practicing essential science skills. We developed the Zydeco system to support nomadic inquiry in part through enabling the collection and annotation of multimodal data (photographs and audio notes). The system was designed to bridge school and museum contexts through project-based science inquiry. In this study, we explore how Zydeco influences student behavior and sensemaking in the museum. We compared the behaviors of middle-school students who used either Zydeco or paper worksheets to perform inquiry in a museum, and found that, while both the worksheets and the system engendered heads-down behavior, the Zydeco system increased active sociocultural engagement.
Hydrazine as an electron donor to the water-oxidation site in photosynthesis.

Abstract Hydrazine is an electron donor to the oxidizing side of Photosystem II in photosynthesis. Hydrazine supports a light-dependent electron flow in chloroplasts inhibited at the water-oxidation site. This reactivated electron flow requires 10–20 mM hydrazine for maximal activity and is inhibited by 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dime-thylurea. In addition, hydrazine restores the fluorescence yield of the chlorophyll previously lowered by water-oxidation inhibitors and does not alter the oxidation or reduction of cytochrome f .