cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neutrophil activation and protease imbalance in respiratory tract of infants with respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis

Objective To better understand the neutrophil activation and protease imbalance in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis. Methods Pediatric patients with RSV bronchiolitis were collected,11 with the Lowell scores ≥ 10 (severe group),and 19 with the Lowell scores < 10 (mild group). 20 RSV bronchiolitis patients in convalescent group,24 patients with bacterial pneumonia,and 15 patients as control group. The percentages of neutrophils were detected. ELISA was used to detect the concentration of neutrophil elastase (NE) and interleukin (IL)-8,and the elastase inhibition capacity (EIC)/free neutrophil elastase activity were detected by colorimetry. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the expression of α1 antitrypsin(α1AT) . Results The neutrophil percentage,the NE and IL-8 concentration of the RSV bronchiolitis group (0.528,6.39 × 107 kg/L and 13.62 × 109 kg/L)were all significantly higher than those of the control(0.074,2.53 × 107 kg/L and 2.64 × 109 kg/L) and convalescent groups(0.306,1.23 × 107 kg/L and 5.95 × 109 kg/L,all P < 0.05 ). The neutrophil percetage and IL-8 concentration of the convalescent group were both significantly higher than those of the control group ( both P < 0.05 ). Increased expression of α1 AT in RSV bronchiolitis was found when compared with convalesent infants(0. 49 vs 0.09,P < 0.05). The free elastase activity level of the bronchiolitis group was 6/30,not different with 7/24 of pneumonia group,and it was only one in convalesent infants. Conclusion Mass of neutrophil aggregation and activation exist in RSV bronchiolitis,as welt as protease system imbalance,and may play an important role in the inflammatory response and pathogenesis of RSV bronchiolitis. Key words: Respiratory syncytial virus infections; Bronchiolitis; Alpha 1-antitrypsin
Practice advisory: Etanercept for poststroke disability Report of the Guideline Development, Dissemination, and Implementation Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology

Objective: To review evidence regarding the effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of etanercept used to treat patients with poststroke disability. Methods: We searched MEDLINE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for studies of adult patients with poststroke disability treated with etanercept in order to improve their functional status. We rated each study for risk of bias (Class I–IV) using the American Academy of Neurology therapeutic classification of evidence scheme. Practice recommendations were formulated on the basis of the strength of the evidence and assessments of potential benefits, potential harms, and patient preferences. Results: Two case series were identified, and both reported clinical improvements 3 weeks following treatment across a wide range of functional domains. However, both studies were rated Class IV because of poor methodologic quality (i.e., high risk of bias). Conclusions: For patients with poststroke disability, the evidence is insufficient to support or refute a benefit of etanercept for the treatment of poststroke disability. Recommendations: Clinicians should counsel patients considering etanercept for treatment of poststroke disability that the evidence is insufficient to determine the treatment9s effectiveness and that it may be associated with adverse outcomes and high cost (Level U).
Affinity of the HIV-1-Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibody 2F5 for gp41 ELDKWA Peptide Analogues

The human monoclonal antibody 2F5 (mAb 2F5) has broad neutralizing activity when tested against primary HIV-1 isolates [1, 2]. This antibody binds to the linear peptide epitope ELDKWA, corresponding to residues 662–667 from the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp41. The ELDKWA epitope is highly conserved among a wide range of HIV-1 isolates. We are currently investigating the structural and conformational requirements of the ELDKWA epitope for 2F5 binding. This research should assist us in the design of conformationally constrained ELDKWA analogues that might elicit an immune response that mimics the HIV-neutralizing actions of mAb 2F5 and provide protective immunity against HIV-1 infection. Towards this goal, several series of peptides have been synthesized and were tested for their affinities for mAb 2F5 by ELISA.
The Entrepreneurial Model

The entrepreneurial model gives the highest policy priority to market principles. The goals of efficiency, increased productivity, and cost containment take precedence over equal access to health services and equal treatment by medical personnel. To attain these goals, entrepreneurs support decentralization, competitive markets, and limited state intervention into the health care market. According to this model, sharp distinctions separate the private from the public sector, with government playing a subordinate role. The market responds to diverse needs and preferences. Purchasers, providers, and consumers enjoy extensive market freedom. Managers in private health insurance corporations make decisions based on cost-benefit analyses. Physicians and hospital personnel have clinical autonomy to treat patients, who choose their health providers from competing plans. The individual assumes personal responsibility for health care needs. Healthy persons finance their medical expenses through private insurance plans. Whereas the healthy pay low insurance premiums, higher-risk sick people must pay more expensive premiums. Means-tests determine eligibility for public health care benefits, which government officials allocate mainly to those with low incomes. These entrepreneurial values reinforce a socially stratified health care system based on extensive income differentiation.1
General Purpose Computer-Aided Engineering Tools for Environmental Software Systems

Software systems to support environmental research and management can often be developed and applied within the context of general purpose computer-aided engineering tools such as spreadsheets and databases. Reliance on general purpose CAE tools reduces development time, is usually less expensive and yields software that is often more capable for a specific task than custom-designed systems with a broader range of functionality. We outline several examples of such applications in this paper, including a spreadsheet for toxic emissions weighting, database and matrix manipulation software for life cycle assessment using economic input-output models, a database system to support environmental reporting, and a Java-enabled browser for visualizing a TRI database.
Other Writings of Leon H. Keyserling: The Problems of Economic Balance and the End of Poverty — the Crucial Connection

In previous chapters, we have examined the analysis of Keyserling from the Council of Economic Advisers (chapter 3); the hearings before the Joint Economic Committee of Congress (chapter 4); and the works of the Conference on Economic Progress (chapter 5). In this chapter, I will deal with his various selected writings in such places as the New York Times, Challenge magazine, Harper’s, the Atlantic Economic Journal, and elsewhere.
Proteomics Analysis Reveals Previously Uncharacterized Virulence Factors in Vibrio proteolyticus

ABSTRACT Members of the genus Vibrio include many pathogens of humans and marine animals that share genetic information via horizontal gene transfer. Hence, the Vibrio pan-genome carries the potential to establish new pathogenic strains by sharing virulence determinants, many of which have yet to be characterized. Here, we investigated the virulence properties of Vibrio proteolyticus, a Gram-negative marine bacterium previously identified as part of the Vibrio consortium isolated from diseased corals. We found that V. proteolyticus causes actin cytoskeleton rearrangements followed by cell lysis in HeLa cells in a contact-independent manner. In search of the responsible virulence factor involved, we determined the V. proteolyticus secretome. This proteomics approach revealed various putative virulence factors, including active type VI secretion systems and effectors with virulence toxin domains; however, these type VI secretion systems were not responsible for the observed cytotoxic effects. Further examination of the V. proteolyticus secretome led us to hypothesize and subsequently demonstrate that a secreted hemolysin, belonging to a previously uncharacterized clan of the leukocidin superfamily, was the toxin responsible for the V. proteolyticus-mediated cytotoxicity in both HeLa cells and macrophages. Clearly, there remains an armory of yet-to-be-discovered virulence factors in the Vibrio pan-genome that will undoubtedly provide a wealth of knowledge on how a pathogen can manipulate host cells. IMPORTANCE The pan-genome of the genus Vibrio is a potential reservoir of unidentified toxins that can provide insight into how members of this genus have successfully risen as emerging pathogens worldwide. We focused on Vibrio proteolyticus, a marine bacterium that was previously implicated in virulence toward marine animals, and characterized its interaction with eukaryotic cells. We found that this bacterium causes actin cytoskeleton rearrangements and leads to cell death. Using a proteomics approach, we identified a previously unstudied member of the leukocidin family of pore-forming toxins as the virulence factor responsible for the observed cytotoxicity in eukaryotic cells, as well as a plethora of additional putative virulence factors secreted by this bacterium. Our findings reveal a functional new clan of the leukocidin toxin superfamily and establish this pathogen as a reservoir of potential toxins that can be used for biomedical applications.
Characterization of the second conserved domain in the heme uptake protein HtaA from Corynebacterium diphtheriae

Abstract HtaA is a heme-binding protein that is part of the heme uptake system in Corynebacterium diphtheriae . HtaA contains two conserved regions (CR1 and CR2). It has been previously reported that both domains can bind heme; the CR2 domain binds hemoglobin more strongly than the CR1 domain. In this study, we report the biophysical characteristics of HtaA-CR2. UV–visible spectroscopy and resonance Raman experiments are consistent with this domain containing a single heme that is bound to the protein through an axial tyrosine ligand. Mutants of conserved tyrosine and histidine residues (Y361, H412, and Y490) have been studied. These mutants are isolated with very little heme (≤ 5%) in comparison to the wild-type protein (~ 20%). Reconstitution after removal of the heme with butanone gave an alternative form of the protein. The HtaA-CR2 fold is very stable; it was necessary to perform thermal denaturation experiments in the presence of guanidinium hydrochloride. HtaA-CR2 unfolds extremely slowly; even in 6.8 M GdnHCl at 37 °C, the half-life was 5 h. In contrast, the apo forms of WT HtaA-CR2 and the aforementioned mutants unfolded at much lower concentrations of GdnHCl, indicating the role of heme in stabilizing the structure and implying that heme transfer is effected only to a partner protein in vivo.
The home the law built: white domesticity and the designs of juvenile dependency law in Los Angeles, California

In juvenile dependency law and the spaces in which it is practiced, race, class, and gender power are produced together. This article examines the design of monitored visitation rooms in a Children...
Seroconversion rates among health care workers exposed to hepatitis C virus-contaminated body fluids: The University of Pittsburgh 13-year experience.

Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission to health care personnel (HCP) after exposure to a HCV-positive source has been reported to occur at an average rate of 1.8% (range, 0%-10%). We aimed to determine the seroconversion rate after exposure to HCV-contaminated body fluid in a major U.S. academic medical center. Methods A longitudinal analysis of a prospectively maintained database of reported occupational injuries occurring between 2002 and 2015 at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center was performed. Data collected include type of injury and fluid, injured body part, contamination of sharps, resident physicians' involvement, and patients' hepatitis B virus (HBV), HCV, and HIV status. Results A total of 1,361 cases were included in the study. Most exposures were caused by percutaneous injuries (65.0%), followed by mucocutaneous injuries (33.7%). Most (63.3%) were injuries to the hand, followed by the face and neck (27.6%). Blood exposure accounted for 72.7%, and blood-containing saliva accounted for 3.4%. A total of 6.9% and 3.7% of source patients were coinfected with HIV and HBV, respectively. The HCV seroconversion rate was 0.1% (n = 2) because of blood exposure secondary to percutaneous injuries. Conclusions This study provides the largest and most recent cohort from a major U.S. academic medical center. The seroconversion rates among HCP exposed to HCV-contaminated body fluids was found to be lower than most of the data found in the literature.
Time-Resolved Linear Dichroism Measurements of Carbonmonoxy Myoglobin as a Probe of the Microviscosity in Crowded Environments.

The distribution of viscosities in living cells is heterogeneous because of the different sizes and natures of macromolecular components. When thinking about protein folding/function processes in such an environment, the relevant (micro)viscosity at the micrometer length scale is necessarily distinguished from the bulk (macro)viscosity. The concentration dependencies of microviscosities are determined by a number of factors, such as electrostatic interactions, van der Waals forces, and excluded volume effects. To explore such factors, the rotational diffusion time of myoglobin in the presence of varying concentrations of macromolecules that differ in molecular weight (dextran 6000, 10 000, and 70 000), shape (dextran versus Ficoll), size, and surface charge is measured with time-resolved linear dichroism spectroscopy. The results of these studies offer simple empirically determined linear and exponential functions useful for predicting microviscosities as a function of concentration for these macromolecul...
Multi-FPGA Systems: Logic Emulation

Publisher Summary This chapter emphasizes on the hardware and software systems of a commercial field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based emulator. Although off-the-shelf FPGAs have been used effectively in a number of commercial logic emulators, several issues related to FPGA compile time, design debugging, and emulator host interfacing must be addressed to maintain their commercial viability. FPGA-based logic emulation is a distinct example of a commercially successful reconfigurable computing application. A key aspect of its success has been the development of sophisticated software systems that can seamlessly map a large ASIC design to hundreds of FPGAs with minimal or no designer intervention. An important characteristic of most multi-FPGA emulators is the scheduling of both intra-FPGA computation and inter-FPGA communication in concert with a global system clock. The use of scheduling overcomes limited FPGA pin resources and takes advantage of signal dependencies, so that only portions of a design are active at a given time. Contemporary multi-FPGA logic emulators are used as both physical replacements in circuit and as coverification engines to accelerate design simulation. These supporting environments have advanced in recent years to include multiple asynchronous clock domains and support for incremental design changes. Extended compile times are quickly becoming a dominant issue for FPGA-based emulators and have motivated the development of fast FPGA compile approaches. Although emulation systems with custom-designed logic processors have been developed, recent FPGA trends and faster compile approaches may spur renewed interest in FPGA-based emulation.
Anthropogenic fragmentation of landscapes: mechanisms for eroding the specificity of plant–herbivore interactions

Reduced ecological specialization is an emerging, general pattern of ecological networks in fragmented landscapes. In plant–herbivore interactions, reductions in dietary specialization of herbivore communities are consistently associated with fragmented landscapes, but the causes remain poorly understood. We propose several hypothetical bottom–up and top–down mechanisms that may reduce the specificity of plant–herbivore interactions. These include empirically plausible applications and extensions of theory based on reduced habitat patch size and isolation (considered jointly), and habitat edge effects. Bottom–up effects in small, isolated habitat patches may limit availability of suitable hostplants, a constraint that increases with dietary specialization. Poor hostplant quality due to inbreeding in such fragments may especially disadvantage dietary specialist herbivores even when their hostplants are present. Size and isolation of habitat patches may change patterns of predation of herbivores, but whether such putative changes are associated with herbivore dietary specialization should depend on the mobility, size, and diet breadth of predators. Bottom–up edge effects may favor dietary generalist herbivores, yet top–down edge effects may favor dietary specialists owing to reduced predation. An increasingly supported edge effect is trophic ricochets generated by large grazers/browsers, which remove key hostplant species of specialist herbivores. We present empirical evidence that greater deer browsing in small forest fragments disproportionately reduces specialist abundances in lepidopteran assemblages in northeastern USA. Despite indirect evidence for these mechanisms, they have received scant direct testing with experimental approaches at a landscape scale. Identifying their relative contributions to reduced specificity of plant–herbivore interactions in fragmented landscapes is an important research goal.
ICA6150349, a Highly Selective Glucagon Agonist, in Combination with Exenatide Significantly Reduces Weight and Glucose in Obese and Diabetic Rats

ICA6150349, a 38-amino acid analog of glucagon, is peptidase resistant and highly selective for the glucagon receptor. ICA6150349 continuously infused SC at 50 mcg/kg/d (ED 50 ) in DIO LE rats reduced weight (21%), fat mass (37%), and food intake (17%) and normalized triglycerides and cholesterol to lean control levels. ICA6150349 (50 mcg/kg/d) in combination with exenatide (10 mcg/kg/d) further reduced weight (38%), fat mass (70%), and food intake (52%) and also normalized glucose and lipids to lean control levels. ICA6150349 continuously infused at 50 mcg/kg/d in ZDF rats increased HbA1c (1.3%), reduced weight (29%), fat mass (42%), and food intake (13%) and normalized triglycerides (66%) and cholesterol (38%) to lean control levels. ICA6150349 (50 mcg/kg/d) in combination with exenatide (10 mcg/kg/d) decreased HbA1c (1.5%), off-setting the increase seen with ICA6150349 monotherapy. The ICA6150349 and exenatide combination reduced weight (19%), fat mass (25%), food intake (29%) cholesterol (27%) and triglycerides (41%). In rodent models of obesity/T2D, ICA6150349 in combination with exenatide can significantly reduce weight, fat mass, glucose and lipids, sometimes normalizing these parameters to lean control levels. Disclosure M. Paulik: Employee; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc.. T. Tlusty: None. M.K. Grizzle: None. M. Copeland: None. S. Weng: None. W.C. Blackwell: Employee; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc. V. Srivastava: Employee; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc. J. Way: Employee; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc. S. Roller: Employee; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc.. D. Zane: None. R. Hodge: Employee; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc.. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc. A.A. Young: Employee; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc.. Stock/Shareholder; Self; GlaxoSmithKline plc. P.L. Feldman: Employee; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc..
Post-transcriptional Control of the Expression of Photosynthetic Complex Formation in Rhodobacter sphaeroides

Rhodobacter sphaeroides is a facultative photoheterotroph, able to grow on a variety of reduced organic carbon sources either in the presence or absence of O2, in either the light or dark. When grown anaerobically in the light, the organism is a photoheterotroph utilizing light energy captured and transferred via a series of functionally interrelated spectral complexes. Energy ultimately transferred to the reaction center complex (RC) is the source of oxidation of one of a special pair of bacteriochlorophyll (Bchl) molecules (Sauer, 1986)1.
Effects of Exercise, Physical Trauma, and High Sugar Intake on Chromium, Copper, and Zinc Metabolism

The stresses of strenuous exercise, physical trauma and high sugar intake have all been shown to alter chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) metabolism. Strenuous exercise (10 K run or treadmill exercise to exhaustion) led to elevated urinary Cr and Zn losses. Serum Cr was elevated immediately following exercise, serum zinc decreased two hours post exercise and serum Cu was not altered significantly by acute strenuous exercise. Basal urinary Cr and Cu losses of trained runners were greater than those of sedentary control subjects. Physical trauma (primarily motor vehicle accidents) led to several-fold increases in urinary Cr concentration and marked changes in serum Zn. Hypozincemic values (amplt;30 ug/dl) remained below normal four days following trauma. The stress of a high sugar diet also increased Cr losses. Urinary Cr losses were associated with the insulinogenic properties of the sugars consumed. In summary, physical and dietary stresses alter trace metal metabolism and changes in trace metal metabolism are often independent of changes in macroelements.
Human beta-Tubulin Isotypes Can Regulate Microtubule Protofilament Number and Stability.

Summary Cell biological studies have shown that protofilament number, a fundamental feature of microtubules, can correlate with the expression of different tubulin isotypes. However, it is not known if tubulin isotypes directly control this basic microtubule property. Here, we report high-resolution cryo-EM reconstructions (3.5–3.65 A) of purified human α1B/β3 and α1B/β2B microtubules and find that the β-tubulin isotype can determine protofilament number. Comparisons of atomic models of 13- and 14-protofilament microtubules reveal how tubulin subunit plasticity, manifested in “accordion-like” distributed structural changes, can accommodate distinct lattice organizations. Furthermore, compared to α1B/β3 microtubules, α1B/β2B filaments are more stable to passive disassembly and against depolymerization by MCAK or chTOG, microtubule-associated proteins with distinct mechanisms of action. Mixing tubulin isotypes in different proportions results in microtubules with protofilament numbers and stabilities intermediate to those of isotypically pure filaments. Together, our findings indicate that microtubule protofilament number and stability can be controlled through β-tubulin isotype composition.
Characterizing urbanization impacts on floodplain through integrated land use, hydrologic, and hydraulic modeling

Abstract In the United States, fluvial flood risk is managed by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which delineates areas that have a 1% chance of flooding each year (i.e. the 100-year floodplain). Development within and adjacent to riverine floodplains exacerbates flood losses by increasing peak discharge and runoff volume, shortening the time to peak, and altering the extent of the floodplain. This paper improves understanding of how future development can alter the 100-year floodplain in a watershed in Houston, TX through land use projection, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, and implements a novel method for considering the impact of both regional trends in development and site-scale development policies on runoff response. The methodology presented in this paper integrates future development scenarios from a machine learning land use projection model with distributed hydrologic modeling and coupled 1D/2D unsteady hydraulic modeling to produce future floodplain estimates. Current site-scale detention requirements are represented within the hydrologic model to evaluate the regional effectiveness of these policies under future development conditions in 2050. Results indicate that the 100-year floodplain can expand by up to 12.5% across the watershed as a result of projected development in 2050 using current stormwater mitigation policies, and the number of parcels within the floodplain can increase by up to 18.8%. This study demonstrates how incremental land use changes can significantly alter the reality of flood risk in urbanizing watersheds, and how existing land use policies may be insufficient to mitigate impacts from future development.
Non-Sun-Synchronous Ocean Surface Wind Measurement Under Heavy Rain By Cygnss

The unique capability of CYGNSS in measuring ocean surface wind speed from non-sun-synchronous orbits under heavy rain is demonstrated in the northward migration of convective systems into the Bay of Bengal during summer monsoon onsets.
A comparison of clustering algorithms applied to fluid characterization using NMR T1-T2 maps of shale

Abstract Nuclear magnetic resonance T1-T2 maps are popular for characterizing fluids in shale. The characterization, however, is often done manually, which is difficult for shale due to its complicated nature. This work investigates the clustering approach for fluid characterization on T1-T2 maps by comparing 6 different algorithms: k-means, Gaussian mixture model, spectral clustering, and 3 hierarchical methods. T1-T2 maps are collected on shale samples at as-received and dried conditions. We propose two cluster validity indices to select the optimal cluster number and best algorithm. Our results validate the capability of the two indices. Gaussian mixture model is found to be the best algorithm in most of the cases, as its fluid partitioning shows the highest consistency with theoretical fluid boundaries. In addition, 5 fluid components are identified from Gaussian mixture model, and their values are qualitatively validated by comparing with those in literature. Results also indicate that clustering is sensitive to the fluid distribution. Drying the sample producing better clustering by revealing the footprint of organic matter. This work provides a practical guide for applying cluster analysis in fluid characterization in Nuclear magnetic resonance T1-T2 maps.
The SDO/EVE Solar Irradiance Coronal Dimming Index Catalog. I. Methods and Algorithms

When a coronal mass ejection departs, it leaves behind a temporary void. That void is known as coronal dimming, and it contains information about the mass ejection that caused it. Other physical processes can cause parts of the corona to have transient dimmings, but mass ejections are particularly interesting because of their influence in space weather. Prior work has established that dimmings are detectable even in disk-integrated irradiance observations, i.e., Sun-as-a-star measurements. The present work evaluates four years of continuous Solar Dynamics Observatory Extreme Ultraviolet Experiment (EVE) observations to greatly expand the number of dimmings we may detect and characterize, and collects that information into James’s EVE Dimming Index catalog. This paper details the algorithms used to produce the catalog, provides statistics on it, and compares it with prior work. The catalog contains 5051 potential events (rows), which correspond to all robustly detected solar eruptive events in this time period as defined by >C1 flares. Each row has a corresponding 27,349 elements of metadata and parameterizations (columns). In total, this catalog is the result of analyzing 7.6 million solar ultraviolet light curves.
Analysis of Two-Dimensional Feedback Systems Over Networks Using Dissipativity

This paper investigates the closed-loop $\mathcal {L}_2$ stability of two-dimensional (2-D) feedback systems across a digital communication network by introducing the tool of dissipativity. First, sampling of a continuous 2-D system is considered and an analytical characterization of the QSR-dissipativity of the sampled system is presented. Next, the input-feedforward output-feedback passivity, a simplified form of QSR-dissipativity, is utilized to study the framework of feedback interconnection of two 2-D systems over networks. Then, the effects of signal quantization in communication links on dissipativity degradation of the 2-D feedback quantized system is analyzed. Additionally, an event-triggered mechanism is developed for 2-D networked control systems while maintaining $\mathcal {L}_2$ stability of the closed-loop system. In the end, an illustrative example is provided.
A Systematic Review of Newer Antidiabetic Agents in the Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Objective:To evaluate glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), dipeptidyl-peptidase IV (DPP-4) inhibitors, and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT) inhibitors to treat nondiabetic an...
Who revolts? Income, political freedom and the Egyptian revolution

This study addresses the question: who is likely to participate in a public revolt against autocratic governments? In doing so, it asserts that a greater emancipative value, primarily, as well as a greater importance placed on politics and living of democracy will drive an individual to participate in a revolution. To evaluate this assertion, we explore the connection between an individual’s income level and his or her desire for political freedom in the context of the Arab Spring in Egypt that ousted an autocratic regime. Based on cross-sectional data taken from the fifth wave of the world values survey in 2008, one that employs a nationally representative sample of 3051 respondents from Egypt, we find that high-income individuals are more likely than are middle- and low-income individuals to report higher emancipative values and empowerment to participate in a revolution. This result supports the public choice view that revolutions are motivated by private expected utility and benefits-costs calculus.
Asymmetrical Multi-task Attention U-Net for the Segmentation of Prostate Bed in CT Image.

Segmentation of the prostate bed, the residual tissue after the removal of the prostate gland, is an essential prerequisite for post-prostatectomy radiotherapy but also a challenging task due to its non-contrast boundaries and highly variable shapes relying on neighboring organs. In this work, we propose a novel deep learning-based method to automatically segment this “invisible target”. As the main idea of our design, we expect to get reference from the surrounding normal structures (bladder&rectum) and take advantage of this information to facilitate the prostate bed segmentation. To achieve this goal, we first use a U-Net as the backbone network to perform the bladder&rectum segmentation, which serves as a low-level task that can provide references to the high-level task of the prostate bed segmentation. Based on the backbone network, we build a novel attention network with a series of cascaded attention modules to further extract discriminative features for the high-level prostate bed segmentation task. Since the attention network has one-sided dependency on the backbone network, simulating the clinical workflow to use normal structures to guide the segmentation of radiotherapy target, we name the final composition model asymmetrical multi-task attention U-Net. Extensive experiments on a clinical dataset consisting of 186 CT images demonstrate the effectiveness of this new design and the superior performance of the model in comparison to the conventional atlas-based methods for prostate bed segmentation. The source code is publicly available at https://github.com/superxuang/amta-net.
Young’s Seminormal Representation, Murphy Elements, and Content Evaluations

These are notes resulting from a course in Algebraic Combinatorics given at the University of California at San Diego in winter 2003.
Leidenfrost Evaporation-Assisted Ultrasensitive Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

Leidenfrost evaporation-assisted Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy on hierarchical plasmonic micro/nanostructures provides fast ultrasensitive biochemical detection methods beyond the diffusion limit.
Fast and Effective Identification of Window and Door Openings for UAVs' Indoor Navigation

As one of today's popular research field, autonomous unmanned systems are widely used in entertainment, search and rescue, health, military, agriculture and many other fields with the advantages of technological developments. Object detection is one of the methods used for autonomous vehicles to gather and report information about its environment during mission. With the ability to detect and classify objects, an unmanned vehicle can determine the type and number of objects around it and use this information in its autonomous motion and path planning or reporting the objects with the desired features. In an indoor environment, the data coming from an optic sensor provides enough capability to detect crossing points for an intelligent unmanned aerial vehicle such as doors, windows and stairs. However, sliding objects like windows and doors need to be classified as open or closed if this information will be used for path planning. Moreover, the crossing point's width needs to be calculated to ensure it is safe to go through it. So as to provide a robust navigation plan, LIDAR sensor data can be used to ensure object classification. In this study, a method to fuse LIDAR and optic sensors data has been developed and by the way a stronger object detection method is created. A crossing point is classified as an open/closed and determined whether to have enough space or not to pass through. This method was operated in a developer board mountable in a flying quadrotor which makes it possible to use it in a real-time scenario. The success of the approach has been shown with different scenarios.
Clipping of Multiple Cerebral Aneurysms Through Cranioorbital Zygomatic Approach: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

Ruptured cerebral aneurysm is a grave disease, with a high morbidity and mortality, mandating securing the aneurysm to eliminate fatal rebleeding.1 Multiple aneurysms are frequent and may occur in approximately 20% of the cases with female prominence.2 The risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage in unruptured aneurysms is higher in patients who had prior ruptured aneurysms.3 Hence, there is an indication of treating all concomitant aneurysms when one is ruptured. We present the case of clipping of 3 aneurysms via a cranioobritozygomatic (COZ) approach including a middle cerebral artery, anterior choroidal artery, and superior cerebellar artery in a patient presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage and multiple aneurysms with suboptimal morphology for endovascular coiling. We highlight the advantages of the COZ in the clipping of complex posterior circulation aneurysms and the advantage of mobilization of neural structures to gain wider exposure.4-6 The temporal fossa space provided by zygomatic osteotomy allows the outward mobilization of the temporal lobe after freeing it by splitting the Sylvian fissure. The falciform ligament is opened overlying the optic nerve, allowing for safe dissection within the opticocarotid window. The oculomotor nerve is detethered from the dura surrounding its entry into the cavernous sinus. These maneuvers allow for mobilization of the critical neurovascular structures, which widens the operative corridor without undue traction or retraction. The COZ with clinoidectomy shortens and widens the operative field, allows for enhanced maneuverability, improved visualization, and exposure of the clinoidal carotid, and facilitates the release and mobilization of the optic and third nerve. The patient consented to surgery. Image at 1:40 reprinted with permission from Al-Mefty O, Operative Atlas of Meningiomas. Vol 1, © LWW, 1998.
Race And British Electoral Politics

Part 1 Examining race and ethnicity in the British electoral context: introductory remarks, Shamit Saggar analyzing race and elections in British politics - some conceptual and theoretical concerns, Shamit Saggar ethnic minorities and the British party system in the 1990s and beyond, Anthony M. Messina. Part 2 Political parties and "race politics": ethnic minority participation and representation and the British electoral system, Michel Le Lohe ethnic politics and the Conservatives in the post-Thatcher era, Paul Rich New Labour debates and dilemmas, Kalbir Shukra inequality, political opportunity and ethnic minority parliamentary candidacy, Andrew Geddes. Part 3 Levels of participation and policy influence: integration within the British political parties - perceptions of ethnic minority councillors, Jessica R. Adolino the role of black and Asian MPs at Westminster. Jaqi Nixon community politics and the problems of partnership - ethnic minority participation in urban regeneration networks, Philip Nanton the public policy agenda - campaigning and politics for a multi-ethnic good society, Kaushika Amin and Robin Richardson piecing together the puzzle - ethnic and racial politics and the British electoral map, Shamit Saggar.
The early promoters of bacteriophage HK022: contrasts and similarities to other lambdoid phages.

Abstract The pL, pR and pM promoters of lambdoid phages direct the transcription of early phage genes and the prophage repressor gene. We have determined the start points of transcription for these three promoters in the lambdoid phage HK022 and have shown that the HK022 repressor represses the early promoters, pL and pR, and activates the repressor promoter, pM. HK022 resembles other phages of the lambda family in these respects, as it does in the functional organization of most of its early genes and sites. One exception is nun, the first gene of the HK022 pL operon, which is expressed in the presence of prophage repressor and thus differs from its lambda counterpart, gene N. We show that transcription of nun in a lysogen does not initiate at pL but instead starts upstream at the pM promoter. This difference in transcription fits the different roles of Nun and N proteins in the physiology of the two phages: Nun protects HK022 lysogens against superinfection with certain other lambdoid phages, while N promotes the transcription of early lambda genes.
The GMCPHD tracker applied to the Clutter09 dataset

The contribution of this paper is twofold: first, it exposes the tracking community to a dataset previously used in acoustics studies and second, it explores the use of the features in this real dataset in clutter removal. For the latter, the Minimal Redundancy Maximal Relevance (MRMR) technique was chosen for feature selection due to its flexibility on big data; the top features ranked by MRMR are sent to a C4.5 decision tree for classification. Contacts that were not identified as clutter are given to the Gaussian Mixture Cardinalized Probability Hypothesis Density (GMCPHD) tracker. Several metrics show that a very small number of features can be employed for satisfactory tracking performance.
WASP: an enhanced indoor locationing algorithm for a congested Wi-Fi environment

Accurate and reliable location information is important to many context-aware mobile applications. While the Global Positioning System (GPS) works quite well outside, it is quite problematic for indoor locationing. In this paper, we introduce WASP, an enhanced indoor locationing algorithm. WASP is based on the Redpin algorithm which matches the received Wi-Fi signal with the signals in the training data and uses the position of the closest training data as the user's current location. However, in a congested Wi-Fi environment the Redpin algorithm gets confused because of the unstable radio signals received from too many APs. WASP addresses this issue by voting the right location from more neighboring training examples, weighting Access Points (AP) based on their correlation with a certain location, and automatic filtering of noisy APs. WASP significantly outperform the-state-of-the-art Redpin algorithm. In addition, this paper also reports our findings on how the size of the training data, the physical size of the room and the number of APs affect the accuracy of indoor locationing.
Lack of sex-related differences in saquinavir pharmacokinetics in an HIV-seronegative cohort.

Aims To examine the influence of sex on steady-state saquinavir pharmacokinetics in HIV-seronegative volunteers administered saquinavir without a concomitant protease inhibitor. Methods Thirty-eight healthy volunteers (14 female) received saquinavir soft-gel capsules 1200 mg three times daily for 3 days to achieve steady-state conditions. Following administration of the 10th dose, blood was collected serially over 8 h for measurement of saquinavir plasma concentrations. Saquinavir pharmacokinetic parameter values were determined using noncompartmental methods and compared between males and females. CYP3A phenotype (using oral midazolam) and MDR-1 genotypes at positions 3435 and 2677 were determined for all subjects in order to characterize possible mechanisms for any observed sex-related differences. Results There was no significant difference in saquinavir AUC0−8 or any other pharmacokinetic parameter value between the sexes. These findings persisted after mathematically correcting for total body weight. The mean weight-normalized AUC0−8 was 29.9 (95% confidence interval 15.5, 44.3) and 29.8 (18.6, 40.9) ng h−1 ml−1 kg−1 for males and females, respectively. No significant difference in CYP3A phenotype was observed between the groups; likewise, the distribution of MDR-1 genotypes was similar for males and females. Conclusion In contrast to previous study findings, results from this investigation showed no difference in saquinavir pharmacokinetics between males and females. The discrepancy between our findings and those previously reported may be explained by the fact that we evaluated HIV-seronegative volunteers and administered saquinavir in the absence of concomitant protease inhibitors such as ritonavir. Caution must be exercised when extrapolating pharmacokinetic data from healthy volunteer studies (including sex-based pharmacokinetic differences) to HIV-infected populations or to patients receiving additional concurrent medications.
Systems Infrastructure at Google (A)

This case is a thick description of how a Senior Vice President of Engineering at Google, Bill Coughran, leads a high-performing engineering organization. The case focuses specifically on Coughran's use of encouraging two teams of engineers to develop competing solutions for application storage systems. It also shows how Coughran assembled an informal brain trust of managers and technical leaders that assist him in leading his 2,000-person organization. This case will be relevant for those interested in what it takes to lead for sustained innovation, particularly of knowledge workers like engineers. It also sheds light on how to develop leaders in engineering organizations.
A particle-tracking approach to simulating transport in a complex fracture

[1] Nearly all of the studies of flow and transport in fractured rocks have assumed that each fracture can be modeled as an open space between two surfaces with constant or variable separation. Field observations of rock fractures have shown that a fracture in the field can be rather more complex. Recent studies indicate that a complex fracture can be characterized as a thin fracture zone having several interconnected subfractures, which can contain mechanically dislodged and chemically altered materials with an enhanced porosity. This paper proposes a particle-tracking approach to calculate solute transport in a complex fracture, with structures in the fracture thickness normal to the fracture plane. These structures include subfractures, dead-end pores, gouge materials, small matrix blocks, and the adjacent rock matrix, all providing material in which solute diffusion and sorption can occur. The method is described; an example is provided to show its feasibility and the reasonableness of its parameter dependence; and, finally, direction for its further development is discussed.
A Study of Various Electrophoretic and Inhibition Techniques for Separating Serum Alkaline Phosphatase Isoenzymes

Optimal conditions for the identification and semiquantitation of the isoenzymes of serum alkaline phosphatase are reviewed and a new technique is presented. In the recommended scheme, specific disc electrophoretic conditions are used to produce good separations, which are improved by comparing the alkaline phosphatase patterns of sera before and after treatment with heat or urea (3 mol/liter). This method is compared with other electrophoretic and inhibition techniques. Interpretation is aided by ( a ) reference to the relative mobilities of each isozyme, and ( b ) inactivation of bone alkaline phosphatase by heat or urea. The isozymes originating from bile, intestine, placenta, bone, and liver can be independently resolved as separate bands with untreated sera except when bone alkaline phosphatase is grossly increased. The proposed method permits identification and semiquantitation of all the recognized alkaline phosphatase isozymes in most sera, as an aid to diagnosis.
Radioimmunoassay of Human Growth Hormone

Detailed methods for: (1) 131I iodination of human growth hormone (HGH); (2) purification of labeled HGH (HGH-131I; and (3) radioimmunoassay of HGH are given. Bio-Gel filtration is introduced as a rapid and reproducible method for purifying HGH-131I which has been obtained by a modification of the method of Greenwood et al. ( 1 ). Highly purified HGH-131I with a bindability of 96% or more is usually achieved.
Establishment of human parotid pleomorphic adenoma cells in culture: Morphological and biochemical characterization

This study reports the establishment of alpha-amylase-producing human parotid pleomorphic adenoma cell lines (2HP and 2HP1) which have been maintained in culture for over 1 yr. The procedures required preparation of cellular clumps from tumor tissue and plating them on plasma clot or precoated dishes. During the initial phase of growth they required modified MCDB-153 medium without serum. When cells showed signs of degeneration they were changed to MCDB-153 medium containing first 2% and then 10% heat inactivated fetal bovine serum. Although cells grew well in MCDB-153 containing 10% serum, the epithelial cell morphology was not distinct. Therefore, the growth and morphology of cells grown in MCDB-10% serum were compared with those in RPMI growth medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum and F12 containing 10% agammaglobulin newborn bovine serum. Although the growth of cells was a little slower in F12 medium than those in MCDB and RPMI, the epithelial cell morphology was maintained better than in other growth media. The cells of 2HP and 2HP1 produce low levels of alpha-amylase and relatively high levels of alpha-amylase mRNAs of 1176 and 702 bp and contain neurofilament-160, a neuronal-specific marker. The cells of 2HP1 are tumorigenic when tested in athymic mice, but the cells of 2HP are not. The establishment of amylase-producing human parotid adenoma cell lines of different characteristics in culture provides a new opportunity to study the mechanisms of differentiation and transformation, and regulation of alpha-amylase in these cells.