cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-term evaluation of bone mass in free fibula flap mandible reconstruction.

background Vascularized fibula transfer has become a preferred method of mandibular restoration after oncologic surgical ablation. In order to elucidate the long-term effect on fibular mass after mandibular reconstruction, change in fibular height was utilized as an indirect measure of change in bone mass over time. Other potentially influential factors in long-term bone mass preservation were evaluated; these included site of re-construction (central, body, ramus), patient age, length of follow-up, adjuvant radiotherapy, and the delayed placement of osseointegrated dental implants. methods A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing free fibula mandible reconstruction for oncologic surgical defects between 1987 and 1993 was performed. Postoperative panorex examinations were used to evaluate fibular height and bony union after osteotomy. Fixation hardware was used as a reference to eliminate magnification as a possible source of error in measurement. Only patients with at least 24 months follow-up were included in this study. results There were 27 patients (15 males and 12 females) with a mean age of 43 years (range 14 to 65) included in this study. Mandibular defects were anterior (16) and lateral (11). There were between two and five segmental osteotomies per patient (excluding the ends of the graft). Thirty percent of patients had delayed placement of osseointegrated dental implants. Initial panorex examinations were taken between 1 and 9 months (mean 2) postoperatively. Follow-up panorex examinations were taken 24 to 104 months (mean 54) postoperatively. The bony union rate after osteotomy was 93%. Comparative measurements of fibular height revealed that central segments underwent a mean decrease in height by 4% (range 0% to 22%); body segments decreased in height by 7% (range 0% to 33%); ramus segments decreased in height by 5% (range 0% to 15%). In each anatomic segment, fibular height varied by 10% or less when compared with respect to patient age, length of follow-up, adjuvant radiation therapy, and the presence of osseointegrated dental implants. conclusions We conclude that the retention of fibula height seen in this study indicates that fibula bone mass is preserved after free flap mandible reconstruction. Furthermore, these findings are not affected by the site of reconstruction, patient age, length of follow-up, adjuvant radiation therapy, or presence of osseointegrated dental implants. This study further supports the efficacy of vascularized fibula grafts for mandible reconstruction.
Mating activity and status of overwintering monarch butterflies (Lepidoptera: Danaidae) in central California

Based on spermatophore counts, >40% of the overwintering females were mated when they arrived at the Pismo North Beach winter site, San Luis Obispo County, California, in October. This percentage remained statistically unchanged until a few weeks before emigration in February. During this period, significantly more mating pairs on the ground were observed within the grove than in an adjacent open field. There was a positive linear relationship between female forewing lengths and the number of spermatophores. Mean female body weights decreased to their lowest level in December but increased in March to a level similar to their arrival weights. This increase, however, is attributed to size (based on forewing length) of the butterflies remaining at the winter site rather than to their multiplemated condition.
Gastric polyps and dysplasia

Abstract Gastric polyps are not uncommonly encountered at endoscopy and their discovery will normally precipitate a biopsy to determine the nature of the lesion. The foundation for arriving at the correct diagnosis is to be aware of the entities that exist and to this end we offer a classification based on histogenesis to aid the diagnostic endeavour. The vast majority of polyps encountered are epithelial in origin and so this review will focus mainly on epithelial polyps. Like elsewhere in the gastrointestinal tract, epithelial polyps can be associated with dysplasia which can be challenging to diagnose and grade. Dysplasia in the upper gastrointestinal tract has undergone recent reclassification and so we provide update and discussion on this neoplastic process as it applies to the stomach.
Effect of Topical Trifluridine on Thygeson' Superficial Punctate Keratitis

Abstract Six eyes of four patients with Thygeson's superficial punctate keratitis were treated with trifluridine 1 % drops. Five of the six treated eyes responded favorably to topical trifluridine therapy. Symptoms and later the signs of the disease disappeared, but more slowly than observed following topical corticosteroid therapy. One patient with an 11-year history of topical corticosteroid dependence for clearing of lesions was treated successfully with trifluridine, and his eyes have remained clear for over one year without therapy. Mild irritation and transient timbal follicle formation were the only recognized side effects. Trifluridine is thus an effective and safe alternative to corticosteroids in the treatment of this condition and may offer a means of treating the steroid-dependent patient.
The Sale of Monk Certificates during the Sung Dynasty. A Factor in the Decline of Buddhism in China

Historians of Buddhism in China have long ago noted the fact that after the T'ang dynasty Buddhism no longer played a creative role in the literature and arts of China, and that the Buddhist church ceased to make any significant contributions toward the religious and social life of the nation. Some people are inclined to attribute this decline of Buddhism to the suppression of 845, when 260,000 monks and nuns were ordered defrocked, and over 40,000 temples and shrines ordered destroyed. It was held that the religion never recovered from this blow. However, this view does not take into account the fact that during certain periods of the Sung dynasty, the number of monks and nuns actually exceeded that under the T'ang; in 1021, monks 397,615, nuns 61,239; in 1034, monks 385,220, nuns 48,742. It would be necessary therefore to look for some other factors to account for the decline in the influence of the sangha, especially during and after the Sung dynasty.
A resource allocation model for denial of service

A denial-of-service protection base (DPB) is characterized as a resource monitor closely related to a TCB, supporting a waiting-time policy for benign processes. Resource monitor algorithms and policies can be stated in the context of a state-transition model of a resource allocation system. Probabilistic waiting-time policies are suggested in addition to the finite- and maximum-waiting-time policies. The model supports concurrency, multiprocessing and networking. A simple example of a DPB is given, as a feasibility and consistency check on the definitions. >
Hoover's Truce: Wage Rigidity in the Onset of the Great Depression

This article analyzes President Herbert Hoover's role in causing wage rigidity during the onset of the Great Depression, through two conferences in which he encouraged business leaders to maintain high wages. New data on the set of firms and trade associations attending these conferences provides evidence that Hoover's conferences delayed the cuts in hourly wages at a small number of large firms, although this result may have been due to characteristics of the particular industries the firms represented. In a cross-section of industries, there is no evidence that industry representation at the December conference affected the timing of wage cuts.
Low-Cost Characterization and Calibration of RF Integrated Circuits through $I$ – $Q$ Data Analysis

Due to the increasing complexity of radio-frequency circuits, their testing becomes more challenging. A large number of performance parameters under several operation conditions are needed in order to ensure compliance to specifications. In this paper, we present a low-cost test methodology that determines significant performance parameters, such as path gain IIP 3, quadrature imbalances, noise, bit error rate, and error vector magnitude through a single test setup. The proposed test methodology is applicable for both single-carrier and multicarrier systems. Simulation and measurement results indicate that these performance parameters can be calculated and estimated accurately through a single test setup and using a shorter test sequence than required by traditional techniques. In addition, a calibration technique is presented for single-carrier systems to recover marginally failing devices through analytically correcting performance parameters.
Structure and Function of MARTX Toxins and Other Large Repetitive RTX Proteins

The Repeats-in-Toxins (RTX) family of proteins classically consists of cytolysins and hemolysins. Over the past decade, genome sequencing revealed the existence of very large members of this family. These are all repetitive proteins ranging in size from 200 to 900 kDa that function as toxins or adhesins. Many are exported by Type I secretion. One major new subfamily is the large repetitive RTX adhesins and biofilm-associated proteins. These are characterized by 80- to 300-amino-acid repeats ordered in tandem, although the sequence and number of the repeats vary by protein. The second major new subfamily is the multifunctional-autoprocessing RTX toxins, which are associated with cytotoxicity and pathogenesis. These proteins are in turn distantly related to Yersinia hypothetical RTX proteins that may autoprocess by a similar mechanism. This review discusses current knowledge regarding the structure and function of these new subfamilies of RTX proteins.
Effect of Heat Treatment on Crack-Resistance Curves in a Liquid-Phase-Sintered Alumina

The effects of heat treatment on the Rcurve (crack-resistance) behavior of a commercial liquid-phase-sintered (LPS) alumina have been studied using the indentation–strenght test. An enhancement of the R-curve characteristic of this LPS alumina is obtained by a treatment that increases the scale of the microstructure. The enhanced R-curve characteristic leads to the desirable property of flaw tolerance, albeit at the expense of a diminished strenght at small crack sizes. The implications of these findings are discussed with reference to processing and design strategy.
Cascaded noise-shaping modulators for oversampled data conversion

In oversampled data converters, sampling at well above the Nyquist rate is combined with feedback and digital filtering to exchange resolution in time for that in amplitude. By this means it is possible to aggressively exploit the scaling of VLSI technology to increase the precision with which analog signals can be digitized. As a consequence, oversampling now plays a dominant role in the implementation of high-resolution A/D and D/A converters for applications such as digital audio. Moreover, this approach is being extended to digitizing signals with bandwidths as high as several MHz through architectural and circuit innovations that enable operation at relatively low oversampling ratios. This paper outlines the principle of noise-shaping modulators for both A/D and D/A conversion.
Pseudotumor cerebri presenting with ataxia and hyper-reflexia in a non-obese woman treated with sinus stenting.

Aim To report a successful treatment of an atypical case of pseudotumor cerebri. Background Pseudotumor cerebri is a disorder of raised intracranial pressure. Multiple Case Series have been published about its treatment with sinus stenting. All these cases have had typical presentations. Case An atypical fulminant case of pseudotumor cerebri which was treated successfully with venous sinus stenting. Conclusion Venous sinus stenting can be done effectively in atypical cases of pseudotumor cerebri.
Public Administration, Social Science, and Political Association

Public administration writers have placed considerable faith in the power of social science to improve the practice of public administration. This article argues that such faith derives from their ...
Poster abstract: Enabling reliable and high-fidelity data center sensing

RACNet is a sensor network that monitors a data center's environmental conditions at high temporal and spatial resolutions. The data RACNet collects can improve the energy efficiency of data centers, currently one of the fastest growing energy consumers in the U.S. RACNet overcomes the challenge of reliable and low-latency data gathering from dense networks deployed in harsh RF environments through rDCP, a novel network protocol that decouples data collection from topology control. Furthermore, rDCP automatically partitions the network to multiple routing trees, each operating at a different frequency channel. The combination of these features enables rDCP to scale up while maintaining high data yields. Preliminary results from a production deployment of 694 sensors (including 174 wireless nodes) show that rDCP achieves a data yield of 99%, while delivering 90% of the measurements in less than 30 seconds.
Assessing Investors' Abilities to Assimilate International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Earnings Announcements Data

[Abstract: To improve comparability of financial statements across countries, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) are involved in the convergence process for a single, high quality accounting standards. This paper examines the market’s reaction (price and volume) to IFRS-based earnings announcements of UK listed firms in the US equity markets and assess if US and IFRS accounting principles differences impair the ability of US investors to assess the information contained in IFRS accounting system output. Specifically, this paper tests whether US investors are able to interpret and use IFRS accounting reports in making trading and investment decisions. How US market participants react to IFRS earnings disclosures is important to regulators (e.g., the SEC and the FASB) in their task in improving comparability of financial reporting. This study may contribute to the debate on global convergence with IFRS, particularly convergence between IFRS and US GAAP with respect to earnings measurement. The results provide evidence that unexpected returns and volume of shares traded increased during IFRS-based earnings release dates. The price analyses indicate that US investors use information about UK’s firms IFRS earnings in valuation, and that the US market responses to IFRS earnings differ somewhat to the US earnings. Thus, US market participants do not appear to be confused by US/IFRS GAAP differences, and in fact use IFRS earnings in their valuation of UK firms.
Group Status and Criminal Defenses: Logical Relationship or Marriage of Convenience?

Group status has become increasingly significant with respect to criminal defenses. With varying degrees of success, academics, judges, and commentators have argued that group status can serve as an appropriate basis for defending against a charge or for avoiding or reducing punishment. Three of the most important and pervasive defensive theories based on group status are Battered Women Syndrome, Social Background Defense, and Cultural Back-ground Defense. Given their potential breadth and scope, these recently-asserted defenses must be examined in light of traditional understandings not only of justification and excuse but also of extenuation and mitigation. Based on such an examination, this article concludes that group status should rarely be relevant with respect to justification; however, it should sometimes be relevant with respect to certain types of excuse. Further, group status should almost always be relevant with respect to extenuation and mitigation based on partial or imperfect justification and excuse.
A circuit level hot-carrier evaluation system

A fully integrated system that facilitates the evaluation and prediction of hot-carrier effects at the circuit level is described. The system is capable of executing constant voltage and constant current ratio stress conditions at the transistor level, performing extensive data analysis and extraction, and simulating circuit reliability at a user-defined future time. Through these enhancements, more precise model parameter values can be attained, which in turn improves the overall accuracy of the circuit aging simulation. Quantitative verification of the simulation results against experimental data was accomplished using 0.5- mu m CMOS ring oscillators. The reliability of the ring oscillators as a function of stress time, power supply voltage, capacitive loading, and passivation technology is analyzed. In all these cases, less than 2% absolute error was observed between the experimental and simulation results when using this automated hot-carrier evaluation system. >
Id proteins Id1 and Id2 selectively inhibit DNA binding by one class of helix-loop-helix proteins

The DNA binding activities of some basic region and putative helix-loop-helix (bHLH)-containing transcriptional factors can be inhibited by the Id protein. Because Id contains the HLH motif for dimerization but not the basic amino acid region for DNA binding, heterodimers of Id with bHLH transcriptional factors may not bind to DNA. We have isolated and characterized the gene and cDNA clones for a new Id protein, designated Id2. The Id2 protein contains a helix-loop-helix motif similar to that of the previously described Id protein (referred to here as Id1), but the two proteins are different elsewhere. Id1 and Id2 are encoded by two unlinked genes, as shown by chromosome mapping. The two Id proteins have similar inhibitory activities. They selectively bind to and inhibit the function of one set of bHLH proteins, typified by E2A.E47 and E2B.m3, but not that of the other set, including TFE3, USF, and AP4. The Id proteins also homodimerize poorly. Expression of both Id genes is down-regulated during differentiation in a variety of cell types.
Radiation damage assessment of Nb tunnel junction devices

The radiation hardness of a new technology using Josephson junctions was explored by an irradiation using a fluence of 7.6*10/sup 14/ protons/cm/sup 2/ at an energy of 63 MeV from the U.C. Davis cyclotron. In what may be the first radiation assessment of Nb/Al/sub 2/O/sub 3//Nb devices, the permanent damage in these devices was investigated. No permanent changes in the I-V characteristics of the junctions were observed, indicating no significant level of material defects have occurred at this level of irradiation. >
Deletion in the Shigella Enterotoxin Genes Further Attenuates Shigella flexneri 2a Bearing Guanine Auxotrophy in a Phase 1 Trial of CVD 1204 and CVD 1208

Background We created a live, attenuated, oral Shigella vaccine by constructing a lineage of guanine auxotrophs and conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to ascertain (1) the attenuation profile of Delta guaBA Shigella flexneri 2a, which harbors deletions in the guanine nucleotide synthesis pathway (CVD 1204); (2) additional attenuation conferred by deletions in set and sen genes encoding Shigella enterotoxins (ShETs) 1 and 2, respectively (CVD 1208); and (3) the relative immunogenicity of these constructs. Methods Inpatient volunteers received a single oral dose of CVD 1204, CVD 1208 (10(7), 10(8), or 10(9) cfu), or placebo. Clinical, immunologic, and microbiologic responses were evaluated. Results Reactogenicity occurred in 8 of 23 recipients of CVD 1204, characterized by diarrhea (30%), fever (22%), and/or dysentery (17%), but in only 1 (5%) of 21 recipients of CVD 1208 (brief fever) (P=.02, Fisher's exact test). Antilipopolysaccharide responses, as measured by antibody-secreting cell, serum, or fecal antibody levels, occurred in 67%, 71%, and 100% of recipients of CVD 1204 and in 86%, 43%, and 100% of recipients of CVD 1208 at doses of 10(7), 10(8), and 10(9) cfu, respectively. Conclusions We conclude that 1 or both ShETs are virulence determinants in humans; their inactivation, in combination with Delta guaBA, leads to a well-tolerated and immunogenic Shigella vaccine candidate.
Reliability and minimal detectable change in scapulothoracic neuromuscular activity

Alterations in scapular muscle activity, including excess activation of the upper trapezius (UT) and onset latencies of the lower trapezius (LT) and serratus anterior (SA) muscles, are associated with abnormal scapular motion and shoulder impingement. Limited information exists on the reliability of neuromuscular activity to demonstrate the efficacy of interventions. The purpose of this study was to characterize the reproducibility of scapular muscle activity (mean activity, relative onset timing) over time and establish the minimal detectable change (MDC). Surface electromyography (sEMG) of the UT, LT, SA and anterior deltoid (AD) muscles in 16 adults were captured during an overhead lifting task in two sessions, oneweek apart. sEMG data were also normalized to maximum isometric contraction and the relative onset and mean muscle activity during concentric and eccentric phases of the scapular muscles were calculated. Additionally, reliability of the absolute sEMG data during the lifting task and MVIC was evaluated. Both intrasession and intersession reliability of normalized and absolute mean scapular muscle activity, assessed with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), ranged from 0.62 to 0.99; MDC values were between 1.3% and 11.7% MVIC and 24 to 135 mV absolute sEMG. Reliability of sEMG during MVIC was ICC = 0.82–0.99, with the exception of intersession upper trapezius reliability (ICC = 0.36). Within session reliability of muscle onset times was ICC = 0.88–0.97, but between session reliability was lower with ICC = 0.43–0.73; MDC were between 39 and 237 ms. Small changes in scapular neuromuscular mean activity (>11.7% MVIC) can be interpreted as meaningful change, while change in muscle onset timing in light of specific processing parameters used in this study is more variable.
Sensing Sulfur Conditions: Simple to Complex Protein Regulatory Mechanisms in Plant Thiol Metabolism

Sulfur is essential for plant growth and development, and the molecular systems for maintaining sulfur and thiol metabolism are tightly controlled. From a biochemical perspective, the regulation of plant thiol metabolism highlights nature's ability to engineer pathways that respond to multiple inputs and cellular demands under a range of conditions. In this review, we focus on the regulatory mechanisms that form the molecular basis of biochemical sulfur sensing in plants by translating the intracellular concentration of sulfur-containing compounds into control of key metabolic steps. These mechanisms range from the simple (substrate availability, thermodynamic properties of reactions, feedback inhibition, and organelle localization) to the elaborate (formation of multienzyme complexes and thiol-based redox switches). Ultimately, the dynamic interplay of these regulatory systems is critical for sensing and maintaining sulfur assimilation and thiol metabolism in plants.
The Circadian System in Higher Plants

The circadian clock regulates diverse aspects of plant growth and development and promotes plant fitness. Molecular identification of clock components, primarily in Arabidopsis, has led to recent rapid progress in our understanding of the clock mechanism in higher plants. Using mathematical modeling and experimental approaches, workers in the field have developed a model of the clock that incorporates both transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of clock genes. This cell-autonomous clock, or oscillator, generates rhythmic outputs that can be monitored at the cellular and whole-organism level. The clock not only confers daily rhythms in growth and metabolism, but also interacts with signaling pathways involved in plant responses to the environment. Future work will lead to a better understanding of how the clock and other signaling networks are integrated to provide plants with an adaptive advantage.
Polyploidy: Duplication of the Entire Genome

By becoming tetraploid, what used to be the diploid chromosome complement becomes the haploid set (genome). Thus, duplication of all gene loci, the structural cistrons as well as the regulatory cistrons which control the structural cistrons, is accomplished “in one fell swoop”. The mechanism of gene duplication by polyploidy has none of the shortcomings exhibited in tandem duplication. Concordant duplication of all gene loci creates no problem with regard to the dosage relationship of functionally related genes, and duplication of each structural gene is accompanied by duplication of its own regulator. As the original gene and its duplicate are carried by two separate chromosomes, no instability is induced by gene duplication. As will be shown, however, polyploidy has its own shortcomings. Quite clearly, tandem duplication and polyploidy complement each other as the means of achieving meaningful gene duplication. It would not be surprising if during the course of vertebrate evolution these two means were used alternatively.
Hybrid female mate choice as a species isolating mechanism: environment matters.

A fundamental goal of biology is to understand how new species arise and are maintained. Female mate choice is potentially critical to the speciation process: mate choice can prevent hybridization and thereby generate reproductive isolation between potentially interbreeding groups. Yet, in systems where hybridization occurs, mate choice by hybrid females might also play a key role in reproductive isolation by affecting hybrid fitness and contributing to patterns of gene flow between species. We evaluated whether hybrid mate choice behaviour could serve as such an isolating mechanism using spadefoot toad hybrids of Spea multiplicata and Spea bombifrons. We assessed the mate preferences of female hybrid spadefoot toads for sterile hybrid males vs. pure-species males in two alternative habitat types in which spadefoots breed: deep or shallow water. We found that, in deep water, hybrid females preferred the calls of sterile hybrid males to those of S. multiplicata males. Thus, maladaptive hybrid mate preferences could serve as an isolating mechanism. However, in shallow water, the preference for hybrid male calls was not expressed. Moreover, hybrid females did not prefer hybrid calls to those of S. bombifrons in either environment. Because hybrid female mate choice was context-dependent, its efficacy as a reproductive isolating mechanism will depend on both the environment in which females choose their mates as well as the relative frequencies of males in a given population. Thus, reproductive isolation between species, as well as habitat specific patterns of gene flow between species, might depend critically on the nature of hybrid mate preferences and the way in which they vary across environments.
Mechanistic investigation of the Zn/Pd/C catalyzed cleavage and hydrodeoxygenation of lignin

While current biorefinery processes use lignin only for its heat value, the conversion of lignin to high value chemicals is an area of increasing interest. Herein we present a detailed mechanistic study of the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of lignin by using a synergistic Pd/C and ZnII catalyst through use of both lignin model compounds and lignocellulosic biomass. Spectroscopic data coupled with the study of lignin model compounds suggest that ZnII activates and facilitates removal of the hydroxyl group at the Cγ position of the β-O-4 ether linkage. Activation is proposed to occur through formation of a six-membered ring complex of ZnII coordinated to the oxygen atoms at Cα and Cγ of the lignin model compound guaiacylglycerol-β-guaiacyl.
A benzoate-activated promoter from Aspergillus niger and regulation of its activity

The filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger is able to use benzoic acid as a sole carbon source by conversion to protocatechuic acid and subsequent metabolism. Synthesis of the first enzyme in this metabolic pathway, benzoate p-hydroxylase, is encoded by the bphA gene and positively regulated at the transcriptional level by benzoic acid. Methyl benzoate and para-aminobenzoate also act as inducers of the bphA gene. We show that bphA expression in A. niger in response to benzoate is confined to a 530-bp fragment from the bphA promoter region from -787 to -509 bp from the transcriptional start site. Electrophoretic mobility-shift assays show that a benzoate-response element, consisting of a single 6-bp sequence (5'-TAGTCA-3') within a 51-bp sequence in this region, is most likely to be involved in binding of one or more proteins that modulate the activity of the promoter in response to benzoic acid. We show through fusion of promoter fragments with the green fluorescent protein that the active sequences are located within a 200-bp sequence containing the TAGTCA benzoate-response element. Identification of the benzoate-response element in the bphA promoter region constitutes the first step in the development of a benzoate-inducible promoter system that could be used to control gene expression in fungi, and possibly in other organisms, such as plant and animal cells.
Reflectance confocal microscopy features of mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome: correlation with histopathologic and T-cell receptor rearrangement studies.

BACKGROUND Mycosis fungoides/Sezary syndrome (MF/SS) often requires multiple skin biopsies for definitive diagnosis. In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) visualizes high-resolution cellular detail of the skin. The objective of this study is to evaluate the morphologic features of MF/SS using RCM and to correlate RCM features with histopathology and T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement studies. METHODS A cohort of patients with active/recurrent or suspicious MF/SS disease was prospectively recruited for RCM imaging and histopathologic/RCM images were evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed to identify unique RCM features and to correlate RCM features with histopathologic findings and TCR rearrangement studies. RESULTS Eighty-three lesions were evaluated. Correlation between RCM and histopathology was moderate for all relatable features (κ = 0.41, p<0.001), almost perfect for intraepidermal atypical lymphocytes [prevalence and bias-adjusted kappa (PABAK) = 0.90], and fair for Pautrier collections (κ = 0.32, p = 0.03). Lesions with Pautrier collections identified by RCM were significantly more likely to show TCR clonality (p = 0.04) and diagnostic features of MF/SS on histopathology (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS Our study captures morphologic RCM criteria for a variety of skin lesions. Pautrier collections visualized by RCM are associated with improved histopathologic diagnosis and detection of TCR gene clonality. Although further studies are needed to validate the diagnostic implications of RCM for MF/SS, our study highlights the potential utility of RCM.
A New Antennal Sensillum of Blattella germanica (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) and Its Presence in Other Blattaria

A sensillum not previously recognized as unique on the flagellum of Blattella germanica (L.) is an inconspicuous, solitary, circular structure, about 3 mμ. in diameter, without seta. It occurs in both sexes of all instars, including adults. In the latter, 3 sensilla, symmetrically distributed, occur on the distal periphery of each meristal annulus and doublet. Longitudinally, the sensilla describe 3 traceable lines, which may extend from base to apex. These sensilla, here called marginal because of their location, were found typically distributed on the flagella of all 44 species of Blattaria examined.
Degradation of swept-parameter VEP responses by neutral density filters in amblyopic and normal subjects

PURPOSE To determine whether objective visual function, measured by swept-parameter visual evoked potential (sVEP), is preferentially degraded by neutral density filtration (NDF) in normal control and fellow eyes compared to amblyopic eyes, and to determine whether the response to NDF is a function of stimulus type, using grating and vernier stimuli. METHODS Monocular Snellen acuity and both grating and vernier sVEP responses were measured in each eye of 23 children or adolescents with amblyopia and 21 visually and neurologically normal children or adolescents. Acuity and sVEP responses were measured with and without a 2.0 log unit neutral density filter before the viewing eye. RESULTS Suprathreshold sVEP grating responses were more sensitive than vernier to degradation by amblyopia in the unfiltered state and to NDF-induced preferential degradation of responses from fellow and normal control eyes. For threshold measurements, on the other hand, vernier responses were more sensitive to degradation by amblyopia in the unfiltered state and to NDF-induced preferential depression. Threshold vernier responses of amblyopic eyes were paradoxically enhanced by NDF. CONCLUSIONS Neutral density filtration causes preferential degradation of both threshold and suprathreshold sVEP responses in normal control eyes and fellow eyes of amblyopes, compared to amblyopic eyes. The degradation is stimulus specific and dependent upon whether threshold or suprathreshold responses are measured. Grating responses are more likely to identify suprathreshold abnormalities, while vernier stimuli are more likely to detect threshold abnormalities. These findings may be used to optimize the stimulus parameters and design of future studies utilizing evoked potential techniques in amblyopic subjects.
Implication of Akebail·Mijieti’s Novels

There are natural national features in the novels by Akebail·Mijieti, a Kazakh writer, the subject matters in the novels are widespread, words are interesting and humorous, descriptions of mentality are careful and lifelike, expressive methods are implicative and various. The novels show an aesthetic style, not only easy, succinct but abstract and meaningful.
Effect of Copper Deficiency on Enzyme Secretion from Isolated Pancreatic Acini

Over the past 15 years a number of reports have appeared which indicate that copper (Cu) deficiency is accompanied by a selective and progressive atrophy of pancreatic acinar tissue without any change in the ductal tissue1–3. Smith, et al3 observed that this pancreatic atrophy was also associated with functional alterations of the organ, as indicated by a reduced in vivo pancreatic secretory response to secretin or caerulein. To evaluate further the changes in secretory response of the exocrine pancreas in Cu deficiency, the present study investigates the changes in enzyme secretion from dispersed pancreatic acini in response to CCK-8 (cholecystokinin octapeptide), secretin and carbachol. In addition, amylase, trypsin and chymotrypsin activities (as a measure of enzyme levels) in the pancreas were also determined.
Anemia and heart failure a new pathway

Anemia is common among patients with heart failure, probably occurring in approximately 20% of patients, depending on the definition of terms and severity of patient illness. Some anemia is likely dilutional ([1][1]), but most is probably true anemia due to chronic disease or iron deficiency ([2][2
Mitigation of divertor heat flux by high-frequency ELM pacing with non-fuel pellet injection in DIII-D

Abstract Experiments have been conducted on DIII-D investigating high repetition rate injection of non-fuel pellets as a tool for pacing Edge Localized Modes (ELMs) and mitigating their transient divertor heat loads. Effective ELM pacing was obtained with injection of Li granules in different H-mode scenarios, at frequencies 3–5 times larger than the natural ELM frequency, with subsequent reduction of strike-point heat flux (Bortolon et al., Nucl. Fus., 56, 056008, 2016). However, in scenarios with high pedestal density (∼6 × 1019 m−3), the magnitude of granule triggered ELMs shows a broad distribution, in terms of stored energy loss and peak heat flux, challenging the effectiveness of ELM mitigation. Furthermore, transient heat-flux deposition correlated with granule injections was observed far from the strike-points. Field line tracing suggest this phenomenon to be consistent with particle loss into the mid-plane far scrape-off layer, at toroidal location of the granule injection.
Effect of oregano essential oil and tannic acid on storage stability and quality of ground chicken meat

52 Introduction 53 Materials and Methods 55 Result and Discussion 59 Conclusion 64 References 65 CHAPTER 4: THE EFFECT OF ADDING DIFFRENT LEVEL OF TANNIC ACID ON THE STORAGE STABILITY AND QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF GROUND CHICKEN MEAT 81 Abstract 82 Introduction 83 Materials and Methods 85 Result and Discussion 89 Conclusion 94 References 95 82 Introduction 83 Materials and Methods 85 Result and Discussion 89 Conclusion 94 References 95 CHAPTER 5: THE EFFECT OF OREGANO OIL AND TANNIC ACID COMBINATIONS ON THE QUALITY AND SENSORY CHARACTRISTICS OF GROUND CHICKEN MEAT 109 Abstract 110 Introduction 111 Materials and Methods 113 Result and Discussion 119 Conclusion 124 References 125 110 Introduction 111 Materials and Methods 113 Result and Discussion 119 Conclusion 124 References 125
Evaluation of state sustainable transportation performances (SSTP) using sustainable indicators

Abstract Transportation systems facilitate the flow of goods and services globally, creating jobs and encouraging economic growth while generating negative impacts on the environment and society. Federal and state transportation agencies rely on sustainable practices to alleviate these impacts. While these practices are critical to lessen these negative impacts, transportation agencies and private companies still face two key challenges: a) understanding and defining the intents of the sustainable practices; and b) quantifying and determining the effectiveness of the practices. The paper addresses the issues of “intents” and “quantification” through the proposed State Sustainable Transportation Performances (SSTP) matrices. SSTP lays down the fundamentals of determining sustainability intents, and quantification approaches through 1) identifying the importance of sustainable indicators that are relevant to the practices and agencies, and 2) analyzing the effectiveness of practices through these indicators. These effectiveness measures could be used to determine the performance of different states’ transportation sustainability, and thus understand the gaps of reduced impacts between planned and reality. SSTP is not a rating system but a matrix to evaluate the sustainability of transportation policies and systems.
High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging of intracranial aneurysms treated by flow diversion

Abstract Object Flow diverter treatment of intracerebral aneurysms is highly successful and has low rates of morbidity and mortality. Among the primary concerns after endovascular treatment are failure to achieve aneurysm obliteration and recurrence, and close imaging follow-up is required. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) is being employed in evaluation of an increasingly wide variety of pathological conditions, but investigations into its use after flow diversion for aneurysm treatment have been limited. We present a brief overview of the literature on the use of HRMRI as a follow-up tool after aneurysm treatment using flow diversion, along with a case series describing three patients in whom we used HRMRI to assess aneurysm treatment response. Case descriptions Patient 1 presented with an ischemic stroke and was found to have an unruptured ophthalmic segment aneurysm. Patient 2 presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage from a ruptured vertebral artery pseudoaneurysm. Patient 3, on workup for possible metastatic melanoma, was found to have an unruptured posterior communicating aneurysm. All three were treated with flow diversion, and in all three cases HRMRI was used to evaluate aneurysm obliteration on outpatient follow-up. HRMRI offered excellent resolution of the parent vessel, aneurysm sac, and aneurysm wall, demonstrating decreased or loss of flow-related enhancement in the aneurysm lumen and development of aneurysm sac thrombosis. Conclusion HRMRI is a useful tool to evaluate aneurysm treatment by flow diversion and may represent an alternative to repeat digital subtraction angiography.
Alloxan-induced diabetes exacerbates coronary atherosclerosis and calcification in Ossabaw miniature swine with metabolic syndrome

There is a preponderance of evidence implicating diabetes with increased coronary artery disease (CAD) and calcification (CAC) in human patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS), but the effect of diabetes on CAD severity in animal models remains controversial. We investigated whether diabetes exacerbates CAD/CAC and intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) dysregulation in the clinically relevant Ossabaw miniature swine model of MetS. Sixteen swine, eight with alloxan-induced diabetes, were fed a hypercaloric, atherogenic diet for 6 months. Alloxan-induced pancreatic beta cell damage was examined by immunohistochemical staining of insulin. The metabolic profile was confirmed by body weight, complete blood panel, intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT), and meal tolerance test. CAD severity was assessed with intravascular ultrasound and histology. [Ca2+]i handling in coronary smooth muscle (CSM) cells was assessed with fura-2 ratiometric imaging. Fasting and post-prandial blood glucose, total cholesterol, and serum triglycerides were elevated in MetS-diabetic swine. This group also exhibited hypoinsulinemia during IVGTT and less pancreatic beta cell mass when compared to lean and MetS-nondiabetic swine. IVUS analysis revealed that MetS-diabetic swine had greater percent wall coverage, percent plaque burden, and calcium index when compared to lean and MetS-nondiabetic swine. Fura-2 imaging of CSM [Ca2+]i revealed that MetS-nondiabetic swine exhibited increased sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ store release and Ca2+ influx through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels compared to lean swine. MetS-diabetic swine exhibited impaired Ca2+ efflux. Diabetes exacerbates coronary atherosclerosis and calcification in Ossabaw miniature swine with MetS, accompanied by progression of [Ca2+]i dysregulation in advanced CAD/CAC. These results recapitulate increased CAD in humans with diabetes and establish Ossabaw miniature swine as an animal model for future MetS/diabetes comorbidity studies.
Measurements and analysis of water content in winter wheat leaf based on terahertz spectroscopy

Wheat is a major grain crop in China. Water is one of the most important factors which influence the lifecycle and yield of wheat. It is of great significance to study the water content at the key stages of wheat growth in order to make irrigation decision to raise its yield. As Terahertz (THz) spectroscopy is a brand new sensing technology and sensitive to water absorption, the relationship between terahertz spectra and water content in winter wheat leaf was investigated and a preliminary result was presented in this paper. Forty winter wheat leaves samples with diverse range of water content (42.8%-72.5%) were collected. The Terahertz time domain spectra (THz-TDS) were first obtained and then transformed into Frequency-domain amplitude with the Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) method. The absorption and refractive index spectra were then calculated. The spectra were linearly fitted to obtain the slope and intercept used for building a calibration model. The partial least squares (PLS) method and linear regression were employed to establish models to determine leaf water content in the winter wheat. The predicted correlation coefficient and the root mean square error of the optimal model established with the Frequency-domain amplitude parameter at 0.3 THz by linear regression were 0.812% and 4.4%, respectively. The results showed that terahertz spectroscopy performed well in water content prediction and could be an effective and potential method for leaf water content measurement in winter wheat. Keywords: terahertz spectroscopy, winter wheat, gravimetric water content (GWC), partial least squares method DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20181103.3520 Citation: Li B, Long Y, Yang H. Measurements and analysis of water content in winter wheat leaf based on terahertz spectroscopy. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2018; 11(3): 178–182.
FIMBRIAL ADHESINS OF SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM Role in Bacterial Interactions with Epithelial Cells

S. typhimurium initiates infection of its mammalian host by attachment to mucosal surfaces in the intestine and subsequent invasion of epithelial cells. To date, three S. typhimurium fimbrial operons, fim,1pf and pef, have been characterized. This analysis suggests that fimbrial adhesins fulfill multiple functions during the initial phase of an infection. In addition to their role in colonization of the small intestine, adhesins contribute to the tissue tropism for Peyer’s patches, which is characteristic for Salmonella infections. Furthermore, by mediating the initial contact to epithelial cells, fimbrial adhesins appear to be necessary for invasion and possibly for elicitation of an inflammatory response. Thus, fimbriae are important virulence factors of S. typhimurium and their future analysis promises to yield fascinating new insights into host-parasite interactions of this pathogen.
A Review of Low-Dose-Rate Prostate Brachytherapy—Techniques and Outcomes

Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer in the United States and the second leading cause of male cancer death. The main therapeutic modalities for the treatment of prostate cancer are surgery, external beam radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, and brachytherapy. In recent years, brachytherapy has been increasingly utilized for the treatment of early-stage prostate cancer. Technological advances, including improvements in imaging, planning, and postimplant quality assessment by dosimetry have led to widespread use of brachytherapy. Outcomes for prostate brachytherapy have been shown to be equivalent, in selected patients, to those of other treatment modalities for prostate cancer, including radical prostatectomy and external beam radiation therapy. Further, prostate brachytherapy has quality-of-life benefits in comparison to these other treatment modalities, particularly in the domain of sexual function. This paper describes the history of low-dose rate brachytherapy; current techniques for brachytherapy implantation and postoperative dosimetric evaluation; recent outcomes studies; recent quality-of-life analyses; and current and future prostate brachytherapy developments, including open clinical trials. As research in prostate brachytherapy continues, it is likely that this modality will play an increasingly important role in the treatment of early-stage prostate cancer patients in the future.
Evaluation of alternative mode of action insecticides in managing neonicotinoid-resistant Frankliniella fusca in cotton

•Neonicotinoid treatments in cotton are ineffective against resistant tobacco thrips.•Foliar insecticides can effectively control resistant tobacco thrips in cotton.•Foliar insecticides minimize larval establishment on seedlings.•Cyantraniliprole and spinetoram minimize thrips injury to cotton seedlings.•Resistance management strategies should integrate these neonicotinoid alternatives.
Effects of Wind Stress and Surface Cooling on Cross-Shore Exchange

AbstractThe formation of coastal dense shelf water in winter provides the available potential energy (APE) to fuel baroclinic instability. The combined effects of baroclinic instability and wind fo...