cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Benign breast disease, recent alcohol consumption, and risk of breast cancer: a nested case–control study

Introduction Alcohol consumption is a well-established risk factor for breast cancer. Some studies have suggested that the risk of breast cancer associated with alcohol consumption is greater for women with a history of benign breast disease (BBD). We hypothesized that among women with biopsyconfirmed BBD, recent alcohol consumption would increase the risk of breast cancer in women with proliferative breast disease to a greater extent than in women with nonproliferative breast disease. Methods We conducted a nested case–control study in the Nurses' Health Study I and II. The cases (n = 282) were women diagnosed with incident breast cancer, with a prior biopsyconfirmed breast disease. The controls (n = 1,223) were participants with a previous BBD biopsy, but without a diagnosis of breast cancer. Pathologists reviewed benign breast biopsy slides in a blinded fashion and classified the BBD as nonproliferative, proliferative without atypia, or atypical hyperplasia, according to standard criteria. Results Women with nonproliferative breast disease consuming ≥ 15 g of alcohol per day had a nonsignificant 67% increased risk of breast cancer (odds ratio = 1.67; 95% confidence interval 0.65 to 4.34) compared with nondrinkers. There was no evidence that recent alcohol consumption increased the risk of breast cancer to a greater extent in women with proliferative BBD than among women with nonproliferative BBD (P for interactio n = 0.20).
Optimal Supervisory Control of Regular Languages

This chapter presents optimal supervisory control of dynamical systems that can be represented by deterministic finite state automaton (DFSA) models. The performance index for the optimal policy is obtained by combining a measure of the supervised plant language with (possible) penalty on disabling of controllable events. The signed real measure quantifies the behavior of controlled sublanguages based on a state transition cost matrix and a characteristic vector as reported in Chapter 1 and earlier publications. Synthesis of the optimal control policy requires at most n iterations, where n is the number of states of the DFSA model generated from the unsupervised plant language. The computational complexity of the optimal control synthesis is polynomial in n. Syntheses of the control algorithms are illustrated with two application examples.
Environmental and infectious factors in eosinophilic esophagitis

Identifying possible environmental or infectious etiologic factors for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) may offer insight into opportunities for disease prevention and treatment. We reviewed the current literature to assess environmental and infectious factors evaluated in EoE. Few studies have been conducted, however a consistent inverse association between EoE and H. pylori has been described. Several studies suggest a weak association between season and EoE diagnosis, but the evidence is inconclusive. EoE has also been associated with early life factors, including Cesarean delivery and antibiotic use. Larger studies are needed to evaluate these associations more thoroughly. Several papers have speculated the potential for anti-secretory agents to contribute to EoE. This has not been formerly evaluated. In summary, there is significant opportunity in the future to advance our understanding of possible environmental etiologic factors for EoE.
Migratory salmonid redd habitat characteristics in the Salmon River, New York

Non-native migratory salmonids ascend tributaries to spawn in all the Great Lakes. In Lake Ontario, these species include Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), coho salmon (O. kisutch), steelhead (O. mykiss), and brown trout (Salmo trutta). Although successful natural reproduction has been documented for many of these species, little research has been conducted on their spawning habitat. We examined the spawning habitat of these four species in the Salmon River, New York. Differences in fish size among the species were significantly correlated with spawning site selection. In the Salmon River, the larger species spawned in deeper areas with larger size substrate and made the largest redds. Discriminant function analysis correctly classified redds by species 64–100% of the time. The size of substrate materials below Lighthouse Hill Dam is within the preferred ranges for spawning for these four species indicating that river armoring has not negatively impacted salmonid production. Intra-specific and inter-specific competition for spawning sites may influence redd site selection for smaller salmonids and could be an impediment for Atlantic salmon (S. salar) restoration.
A model of the rat phrenic motor neuron

We have developed a model for the rat phrenic motor neuron (PMN) that robustly replicates many experimentally observed behaviors of PMNs in response to pharmacological, ionic, and electrical perturbations using a single set of parameters. Our model suggests that the after-depolarization (ADP) response seen in action potentials is a result of the slow deactivation of the fast sodium channel in the range of the ADP coupled with the activation of the L-type calcium channel (I/sub CaL/). This current and its interactions with the small and large conductance calcium-activated potassium currents (I/sub KCaSK/ and I/sub KCaBK/, respectively) is also important in the generation of spike frequency adaptation in the repetitive firing mode of activity. Other aspects of the model conform very well to experimental observations in both the action potential and repetitive firing mode of activity, including the role of I/sub KCaSK/ in the medium after-hyperpolarization (AHP) and the role of I/sub KCaBK/ in the fast AHP. We have made a number of predictions using the model, including the characterization of two putative sodium currents (fast and persistent), as well as functional roles for the N- and T-type calcium currents.
Challenges in the treatment of younger women with breast cancer

SUMMARY Breast cancer in the younger patient is a perplexing issue for many clinicians because the topic is fraught with so much uncertainty. While most clinicians know that young women unfortunately fare worse after a breast cancer diagnosis, it is not clear how to best improve that outcome. Issues that are unique to young, premenopausal women regarding both local and systemic therapy will be discussed in this article. Additionally, the side effects of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy can be particularly damaging to a younger woman’s quality of life. In particular, sexual dysfunction and infertility are common problems that are extremely important to young patients, although many doctors actually avoid these topics because of unfamiliarity with their management. This article aims to shed light on these clinically relevant topics.
Is Stenomylus tubutamensis Ferrusquia-Villafranca 1990 a valid species?

Stenomylus tubutamensis was reported as the smallest species of the genus by Ferrusquia-Villafranca (1990). Eight diagnostic characters, or groups of characters were listed as autapomorphies for S. tubutamensis . Three additional characters were shared with other species of Stenomylus . A re-analysis of S. tubutamensis was made by comparing its diagnostic characters to the same characters based on larger samples of other species of Stenomylus . The re-analysis shows that S. tubutamensis possesses one autapomorphy based on the original diagnostic characters. Nor does the S. tubutamensis possess a unique combination of characters. The study shows that many characters, especially raw dental metric characters, of the Stenomylinae are quite variable in their expression and can only be assessed by examination of means and ranges of variation based on large samples. The diagnosis of S. tubutamensis is revised. Relative to the other species of Stenomylus , S. tubutamensis is now diagnosed by the possession of the smallest upper canine, smallest P1, shortest average p1–p2 diastema, shortest average C–P1 diastema, shortest average p2–p3 diastema, and narrow, slit-like fossettids on the lower molars. The abandonment of the subgenera Stenomylus and Pegomylus is proposed.
Segmentation of Lesions with Improved Specificity in Computer-Aided Diagnosis Using a Massive-Training Artificial Neural Network (MTANN)

Segmentation of lesions plays an important role in computer-aided diagnostic (CAD) schemes, because the accuracy of segmentation affects the accuracy of the feature extraction and analysis based on segmented lesions, and therefore, the final accuracy of classification. Accurate segmentation is difficult especially for complicated patterns such as lesions overlapping or touching normal structures, low-contrast lesions, and subtle opacities. With standard segmentation methods, normal structures overlapping or touching lesions are often erroneously included in segmented regions. In addition, normal structures are often segmented erroneously as lesions. Thus, improving the specificity of segmentation methods is very important in the development of a CAD scheme. Our purpose in this study was to develop a supervised lesion segmentation method based on a massive-training artificial neural network (MTANN) filter in a CAD scheme for detection of lung nodules in CT. The MTANN filter was trained with actual nodules in CT images to segment nodules with improved specificity. With the MTANN-based segmentation method, the specificity of the segmentation was improved; thus, the overall performance of our CAD scheme was improved substantially.
Genome-wide mapping of DNA hydroxymethylation in osteoarthritic chondrocytes.

Objective To examine genome-wide 5hmC distribution in osteoarthritic (OA) and normal chondrocytes to investigate the effect on OA-specific gene expression.
Absolute Band Counts in Febrile Infants: Know Your Laboratory

It was the impression of 1 of the authors that band counts in febrile infants ≤60 days of age were much higher as reported from the clinical laboratory at Children’s Hospital Medical Center of Akron, Ohio, than they had been at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York. Absolute band counts (ABC) from 119 febrile infants ≤60 days of age seen in the emergency department of Children’s Hospital Medical Center of Akron for whom blood culture results were known were obtained retrospectively and compared with results from a prospective study conducted in Rochester. In Akron, 45% of the infants had elevated band counts and 16% had no other risk factor for serious bacterial infection compared with 5.9% and 1.4%, respectively, in Rochester. The ABC can vary widely from laboratory to laboratory. The clinician must use caution when using the ABC as a criterion for identifying infants at low risk for serious bacterial infection.
Mixin' up components

Recently, we (2001) proposed a language called ACOEL (a component-oriented extension language) for abstracting and composing software components. Components in ACOEL are black-box components, and each component consists of: (1) an internal implementation containing classes, methods, and fields that is hidden to the external world; and (2) an external contract consisting of a set of typed input and output ports. Components in ACOEL interact with each other only via these ports. In this paper we extend ACOEL in two directions: (1) use mixins to customize the services provided by a component without exposing its internal implementation, (2) add support for virtual types and sub-type relation among components. We show how mixins and virtual types together allows us to build adaptable applications based on black-box component principles.
Evaluating progress in reducing workplace violence: trends in Washington State workers' compensation claims rates, 1997-2007.

Objectives: This study reports trends in the pattern of injuries related to workplace violence over the period 1997-2007. It tracks occupations and industries at elevated risk of workplace violence with a special focus on the persistently high claims rates among healthcare and social assistance workers. Methods: Industry and occupational incidence rates were calculated using workers' compensation and employment security data from Washington State. Results: Violence-related claims rates among certain Healthcare and Social Assistance industries remained particularly high. Incidents where workers were injured by clients or patients predominated. By contrast, claims rates in retail trade have fallen substantially. Conclusions: Progress to reduce violence has been made in most of the highest hazard industries within the Healthcare and Social Assistance sector with the notable exception of psychiatric hospitals and facilities caring for the developmentally disabled. State legislation requiring healthcare workplaces to address hazards for workplace violence has had mixed results. Insufficient staffing, inadequate violence prevention training and sporadic management attention are seen as the key barriers to violence prevention in healthcare/social assistance workplaces. Language: en
Arts-Based Instructional Leadership: Crafting a Supervisory Practice that Supports the Art of Teaching

If teaching at its best is an art (Davis, 2005; Sarason, 1999; Grumet, 1993; Eisner, 1985; Barone, 1983; Greene, 1971; Smith 1971), then instructional leadership of teaching, done best, must also be based in art (Behar-Horenstein, 2004; Klein, 1999; Eisner, 1983 & 1998a; Blumberg, 1989; Barone, 1998). The author examines possible applications of an arts-based approach to instructional leadership (Blumberg, 1989; Pajak, 2003; Barone, 1998). Building on the research base regarding instructional leadership as art form, the author combines the Feldman Method (Feldman, 1995) of critique, Eisner’s (1998) notion of connoisseurship and Ragans’ (2005) articulation of the elements of art and the principles of design to construct a practice that captures both the technical craft of teaching and the aesthetic dimensions evident in artistic pedagogy (Eisner, 1983; Sarason, 1999). Preliminary results of an ongoing implementation study are presented.
Microbial reductive dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls in heat treated and bromoethanesulfonate treated anaerobic sediment slurries

Abstract Anaerobic reductive dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in heat treated, bromoethanesulfonate (BES) treated, and untreated slurries of PCB-contaminated upper Hudson River sediment was investigated to better understand the microorganisms that mediate this process. Extensive meta-and para-dechlorination of Aroclor 1242 and 2,3,4-trichlorobiphenyl (2,3,4-CB) occurred in both the untreated and heat treated slurries. Heat treatment of the slurries eliminated methanogenesis, enhanced 2,3,4-CB dechlorination, and caused extensive meta- and para-dechlorination of Aroclor 1242 earlier than in untreated slurries. BES treatment (1 mM) of the slurries caused a 90% reduction in methanogenesis and inhibited metadechlorination of PCB congeners containing 2,3- and 2,5-dichlorophenyl groups. The results suggest that there are at least two distinct microbial PCB reductive dechlorination activities in PCB-contaminated upper Hudson River sediment, a meta-dechlorination activity and a para-dechlorination activity on Aroclor 1242. Both of these microbial activities are apparently not methanogenic and are resistant to or activated by heat treatment. In addition, the meta- but not the para-dechlorinating activity is inhibited by BES treatment.
Ground water quality concerns about nitrogen.

ABSTRACT Concern by the public and others exists about the health, economic, and resource conservation aspects of nitrate leaching into ground water supplies. An examination of these topics as they relate to nitrogen (N) management and ground water protection is made. During the past 10 years, annual N fertilizer consumption has increased about 25 percent in Developed Countries and about 160 percent in Developing Countries of the World. The public is concerned about toxicity and health effects of nitrate that may be entering ground water supplies used for drinking water. Of special concern are methemoglobinemia and cancer. Both are discussed as they relate to the possible effects of nitrate ingestion and public health. The economic importance of N for crop production is well known. However, practices to minimize N losses are important to protection of ground water. Benefits of decreasing nitrate pollution in ground water are diffuse, enjoyed by all users of the aquifer, while costs of improving ground water quality are relatively concentrated among farmers who must alter their farming practices to reduce nitrate leaching. Therefore, some form of government intervention is needed to allign the interests of the individual farmer with the broader social interest. Several public policy options are discussed. Finally, the relationship on N fertilizer use, and modern technology in general, to resource conservation is addressed. Generally, increased crop yields allow more erosive or poorer land to be removed from production, thus decreasing soil erosion and production costs. The relationship of various management, land use, and soil factors to ground water nitrate concentrations are also discussed.
Properties of chitosan/soy protein blended films with added plasticizing agent as a function of solvent type at acidic pH

ABSTRACTPure and blend films from chitosan (CH) and soy protein isolate (SPI) were produced in varying compositions (CH/SPI 75/25, 50/50, 25/75 w/w) based on the solvent type (acetic and formic acids). Glycerol was used as a plasticizer. The interactions between the two biopolymers was confirmed by FTIR and TGA, indicating miscibility and compatibility. Increasing the amount of soy protein decreased the tensile strength and absorptive properties, but improved the ability of the film to withstand thermal degradation. Blend films cast using acetic acid gave higher hydrophobicity, better internal blend miscibility, and better tensile properties than blend films cast from formic acid.
3D guided comprehensive approach to mucogingival problems in orthodontics

Advances in technology have enabled the clinician to use a 3-dimensional (3D) guided approach to orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning, leading to a more predictable treatment sequence and outcome for orthodontists and surgeons. Important factors must be taken into consideration when planning orthodontic treatment such as the existing and projected tooth position as well as the periodontal soft and hard tissue phenotype. 3D anatomic analysis of the dentoalveolar complex may provide more information than what can be derived from 2-dimensional radiographs and the clinical examination. It can help identify patients at risk for the development of mucogingival problems during or after orthodontic treatment and can guide the clinician in determining the appropriate intervention to minimize the risks of an unfavorable outcome.
Thermo-Chemistry of Non-Metallic Inclusions in Ductile Iron

Non-metallic inclusions formed during multi-stage ductile iron melt treatment play an important role in solidification, structure, and casting quality. Professor Carl Loper made fundamental studies on the role of inclusions in heterogeneous nucleation of graphite. In this article, a comparison of inclusions in steel and cast iron was done using thermodynamic calculations (FACTSAGE software) and automated SEM/EDS inclusion analysis (ASPEX system). Statistics of non-metallic inclusions (size, shape, composition) were studied in the iron and steel samples collected by quenching after different stages of melt treatment as well as from castings. The suggested methodology of inclusion analysis has the potential to be applied together with adaptive thermal analysis (ATAS) for solving practical problems such as decreasing shrinkage defects in ductile iron.
Longitudinal Changes and Interobserver Variability of Systolic Myocardial Deformation Values in a Prospective Cohort of Healthy Fetuses across Gestation and after Delivery

Background Normative data for fetal myocardial deformation values have not been comprehensively described in a longitudinal cohort. The effect of gestational age on these values and on interobserver variability require further investigation. Methods Sixty gravid women were prospectively enrolled before 20 weeks' gestation. The following measures were obtained by two blinded observers at five time points across gestation and also at 4 to 8 weeks' postnatal age: global circumferential strain and strain rate, global longitudinal left ventricular strain and strain rate, global longitudinal right ventricular strain and strain rate, and left and right ventricular myocardial performance indices. Optimal myocardial visualization and frame rate (≥100 frames/sec) were ensured. Results For gestational age groups ≥24 weeks, intraclass correlation coefficients between observers were >0.70 for all measures and >0.85 for the majority of measures of myocardial deformation. At 20 to 21 weeks' gestation, intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.35 to 0.52 for longitudinal measures and 0.74 to 0.82 for circumferential measures. Myocardial performance index intraclass correlation coefficients were Conclusions Interobserver variability of fetal strain and strain rate measured at ≥24 weeks' gestation was lower in comparison with values obtained at 20 to 21 weeks' gestation and lower in comparison with left ventricular and right ventricular myocardial performance indices using the described protocol. Gestational changes in fetal myocardial deformation values likely reflect changes in preload and/or afterload on the fetal heart.
SCALE EFFECTS W WAVE ACTION THROUGH POROUS STRUCTURES

The energy in waves which impinge on a porous structure, such as a rubblemound breakwater, is divided into reflected energy, transmitted energy, and the energy dissipated by turbulence within the structure. To obtain information on the reliability of using models to predict the transmission of wave energy through a rubble medium, a series of three models were constructed and tested in the 1 ft. by 3 ft. by 106 ft. wave channel at the University of California. The models consisted of rectangular, vertical-faced, wire baskets (constructed of expanded metal lath) which were filled with crushed stone. The three models were 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 ft. in length, respectively. All models were 1 ft. wide and 3 ft. high. Each structure was installed in turn in the wave channel and subjected to wave action with the wave height being measured both seaward (H ) and leeward (Hp) by resistance-type wave gages.
Majority Decision-Making with Partial Unidimensionality *

A major dilemma for majority decision-making occurs when the summation of transitive individual preference orderings results in an intransitive social ordering. The problems posed by this phenomenon, which is known as the paradox of voting, can be seen in the following standard example. Suppose there are three individuals, one with each of the following preference orders of three alternatives: ABC, BCA, CAB . Under majority rule, A would defeat B, B would defeat C , and C would defeat A , so there is no majority winner. Most voting procedures, of course, yield a unique result whether or not the paradox occurs. But from this example it is apparent that when the paradox does occur, a majority of the voters prefer an alternative other than the one which is selected. Moreover, if a typical voting procedure is used, which of the alternatives is selected depends on the order in which the alternatives are voted on. Clearly these results have important implications, whether one is concerned with normative questions about majority rule or with the practical politics of legislative decision-making. In the burgeoning literature on the voting paradox, surely one of the most impressive and well-known findings is Black's and Arrow's demonstration that the paradox cannot occur if the set of individual preference orderings is single-peaked. Since single-peakedness implies that the individuals and alternatives can be arrayed on a single dimension, their finding has a meaningful substantive interpretation. Namely, complete agreement on a dimension for judging the alternatives ensures that majority voting will yield a transitive social ordering of the alternatives.
Rigid Residue Scan Simulations Systematically Reveal Residue Entropic Roles in Protein Allostery.

Intra-protein information is transmitted over distances via allosteric processes. This ubiquitous protein process allows for protein function changes due to ligand binding events. Understanding protein allostery is essential to understanding protein functions. In this study, allostery in the second PDZ domain (PDZ2) in the human PTP1E protein is examined as model system to advance a recently developed rigid residue scan method combining with configurational entropy calculation and principal component analysis. The contributions from individual residues to whole-protein dynamics and allostery were systematically assessed via rigid body simulations of both unbound and ligand-bound states of the protein. The entropic contributions of individual residues to whole-protein dynamics were evaluated based on covariance-based correlation analysis of all simulations. The changes of overall protein entropy when individual residues being held rigid support that the rigidity/flexibility equilibrium in protein structure is governed by the La Châtelier’s principle of chemical equilibrium. Key residues of PDZ2 allostery were identified with good agreement with NMR studies of the same protein bound to the same peptide. On the other hand, the change of entropic contribution from each residue upon perturbation revealed intrinsic differences among all the residues. The quasi-harmonic and principal component analyses of simulations without rigid residue perturbation showed a coherent allosteric mode from unbound and bound states, respectively. The projection of simulations with rigid residue perturbation onto coherent allosteric modes demonstrated the intrinsic shifting of ensemble distributions supporting the population-shift theory of protein allostery. Overall, the study presented here provides a robust and systematic approach to estimate the contribution of individual residue internal motion to overall protein dynamics and allostery.
Security Technologies for NGN

With the development of NGN technologies and Everything over IP, network security has become an important part of the current network. The 3 layers x 3 planes x 8 dimensions security architecture defined by ITU X.805 for the end-to-end communications is the basis of the research and application of network security technologies. NGN has several security requirements including security strategy, authentication, authorization, access control and audit, time stamp and time source. NGN divides the network into different security areas in both logical and physical ways, and there are different security strategies for different areas. Through the security mechanisms of identification, authentication and authorization, transmit security, access control, audit and supervision, the security requirements of the network would be realized.
Values of Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 and Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 in Diagnosis and Therapeutic Effect Judging in Children with Short Stature

Objective To explore the values of insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3(IGFBP-3) in diagnosis and therapeutic effect judging in children with short stature.Methods 1.Serum growth hormone(GH)levels of 124 preadolesent children with short stature were determined with arginine stimulation and clonidine provocation tests,and according to the peak value of serum GH,they were classified into 2 groups:growth hormone deficiency group(GHD group,n=40) and idiopathic short stature group(ISS group,n=84).Twenty healthy children were selected as control group.At the same time,serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels were determined by ELISA for GHD,ISS and control groups,and the serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels of GHD group,ISS and control groups were compared by pairwise.2.In all subjects,15 children with GHD were treated with domestic recombinant human growth hormone(rhGH) for 6 months,the dosage was 0.1 IU /(kg·d).Their height,body weight,bone age,serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels were measured before and after 6 months of the treatment.Results 1.The serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels in GHD and ISS groups were significantly lower than those in control group(Pa0.01);the serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels in GHD and ISS group were significant differences(Pa0.01),the serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels of GHD before and after treatment were compared with a significant differe-nce(Pa0.01);diagnosis of GHD,IGF-1 for 67.8% of specificity,sensitivity for 75%;the specificity of IGFBP-3 was 88%,a sensitivity of 85%.2.rhGH treatment was markedly accelerated growth rate,serum IGF-1,IGFBP-3 levels increased significantly;The level of serum IGF-1 in pretreatment was negatively correlated to the growth velocity(GV) after 6 months of treatment(r=-0.78 P0.01);The changes of IGF-1 after 6 months treatment was significantly positive correlated with the growth velocity after treatment(r=0.82 P0.01).Conclusion IGF-1,IGFBP-3 can be used to diagnosis and therapeutic effect forecasts in children with short stature.
Disentangling Disease Heterogeneity with Max-Margin Multiple Hyperplane Classifier

There is ample evidence for the heterogeneous nature of diseases. For example, Alzheimer's Disease, Schizophrenia and Autism Spectrum Disorder are typical disease examples that are characterized by high clinical heterogeneity, and likely by heterogeneity in the underlying brain phenotypes. Parsing this heterogeneity as captured by neuroimaging studies is important both for better understanding of disease mechanisms, and for building subtype-specific classifiers. However, few existing methodologies tackle this problem in a principled machine learning framework. In this work, we developed a novel non-linear learning algorithm for integrated binary classification and subpopulation clustering. Non-linearity is introduced through the use of multiple linear hyperplanes that form a convex polytope that separates healthy controls from pathologic samples. Disease heterogeneity is disentangled by implicitly clustering pathologic samples through their association to single linear sub-classifiers. We show results of the proposed approach from an imaging study of Alzheimer's Disease, which highlight the potential of the proposed approach to map disease heterogeneity in neuroimaging studies.
Improving Connectivity in Indonesia: The Challenges of Better Infrastructure, Better Regulations, and Better Coordination

This paper presents and discusses the main challenges that an archipelago like Indonesia is facing in improving its connectivity. Distinguishing between intra-island, inter-island, and international connectivity is essential in order to understand the nature of the challenges and causes behind the bottlenecks. High domestic shipping costs are identified as one key challenge. The Government of Indonesia has identified improved connectivity as a key issue in promoting economic growth, especially in the manufacturing sector, now that Indonesia can no longer rely on commodities as a driver of growth. Better infrastructure, regulations, and coordination among stakeholders are crucial components in promoting improved connectivity for manufacturing growth. Promoting investment in infrastructure is necessary, including both hard and soft infrastructure. However, Indonesian experience highlights that without regulatory reform and improved policy coordination, infrastructure investment will continue to lag behind. There is a need for an improved and empowered governance structure to turn investment plans into reality.
The Coil of Life

Although the human genome has now been decoded, the focus of investigations on the molecular form and biochemical functions of the gene continues unabated. One question of interest has been the manner in which the long strands of DNA are packed into the tiny confines of a cell.
Increased tolerance to stress in cardiac expressed gain-of-function of adenosine triphosphate–sensitive potassium channel subunit Kir6.1

Abstract Background The adenosine triphosphate–sensitive potassium (K ATP ) channel opener diazoxide (DZX) prevents myocyte volume derangement and reduced contractility secondary to stress. K ATP channels are composed of pore-forming (Kir6.1 or Kir6.2) and regulatory (sulfonylurea receptor, SUR1 or SUR2) subunits. Gain of function (GOF) of Kir6.1 subunits has been implicated in cardiac pathology in Cantu syndrome in humans (cardiomegaly, lymphedema, and pericardial effusions). We hypothesized that GOF of Kir6.1 subunits would result in altered myocyte response to stress. Materials and methods Isolated cardiac myocytes from wild type (WT) and transgenic Kir6.1GOF mice were exposed to Tyrode's physiologic solution for 20 min, test solution (Tyrode's or stress [hyperkalemic cardioplegia {CPG, known myocyte stress}] +/− K ATP channel opener DZX), followed by Tyrode's for 20 min. Myocyte volume and contractility were measured and compared. Results WT myocytes demonstrated significant swelling in response to stress, but significantly less swelling was seen in Kir6.1GOF myocytes. DZX prevented swelling secondary to CPG in WT but resulted in a nonsignificant reduction in swelling in Kir6.1GOF myocytes. Both WT and Kir6.1GOF myocytes demonstrated a reduction in contractility during stress, although this was only significant in Kir6.1GOF myocytes. DZX was not associated with an improvement in contractility in Kir6.1GOF myocytes following stress. Conclusions Similar to previous results in Kir6.1(−/−) myocytes, Kir6.1GOF myocytes demonstrate resistance (less volume derangement) to stress of cardioplegia. Understanding the role of Kir6.1 in myocyte response to stress may aid in the treatment of patients with Cantu syndrome and warrants further investigation.
Introduction & This Handbook

People have expressed ambivalence about education and schools for a long time. On the one hand, it is believed that a good education should produce better people, better in every aspect of human life: intellectual, moral, physical, social, vocational, aesthetic, spiritual and civic. On the other hand, we know that schools have often induced fear, boredom, subjugation and feelings of inadequacy among those being educated. Fifty years ago, Ivan Illich (1971) suggested that, if we want to enjoy the true promise of education, we must find alternative ways to educate; we should “deschool” our society.
Stroke Risk and Mortality in Patients With Ventricular Assist Devices.

Background and Purpose—Ventricular assist devices (VADs) have advanced the management of end-stage heart failure. However, these devices are associated with hemorrhagic and thrombotic complications...
Risk of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome with AED Therapy

The role of antiepileptic drugs in Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) was evaluated in a case-control study in Europe and reported from Mannheim, Germany.
Macroscale transformation optics enabled by photoelectrochemical etching of silicon (Conference Presentation)

Transformation optics provides a powerful tool for controlling electromagnetic fields and designing novel optical devices. In practice, devices designed by this method often require material optical properties that cannot be achieved at visible or near IR light wavelengths. The conformal transformation technique can relax this requirement to isotropic dielectrics with gradient refractive indices. However, there are few effective methods for achieving large arbitrary refractive index gradients at large scales, so the limitation for building transformation optical devices is still in fabrication. Here we present a photoelectrochemical (PEC) silicon etching technique that provides a simple and effective way to fully control the macro scale profiles of refractive indices by structuring porous silicon on the nanoscale. This work is, to our knowledge, the first demonstration of using light to control porosity in p-type silicon. We demonstrate continuous index variation from n = 1.1 to 2, a range sufficient for many transformation optical devices. These patterned porous layers can then be lifted off of the bulk silicon substrate and transferred to other substrates, including patterned or curved substrates, which allows for the fabrication of three dimensional or other more complicated device designs. We use this technique to demonstrate a gradient index parabolic lens with dimensions on the order of millimeters, which derives its properties from the distribution of nanoscale pores in silicon.
Sense-Data and Things in the Material World

We saw earlier how Moore, in his ‘Defence of Common Sense’, expressed himself as completely certain that those propositions that he calls the truisms of common sense are true. From among the classes of truisms in question propositions maintaining the existence of material objects are the most important for present purposes and so I will concentrate upon those. But while expressing himself as absolutely certain that propositions about the real existence of the Earth, human beings, and material bodies of various sorts are true, we saw also how Moore allows that he is “very sceptical as to what, in certain respects, the correct analysis of such propositions is”.1 This has to be seen as a major reservation in Moore’s philosophy, because of his conviction that “the whole question as to the nature of material things obviously depends upon their analysis”.2
Direct Polymerization of O-, N-, and Cl-containing Monomers

This chapter discusses the direct copolymerization reactions of α-olefins and functional monomers, such as oxygen, nitrogen, and chlorine. Two general research approaches, including protecting the polar functional groups and using less oxophilic late transition metal catalysts, have been described. The combination of both approaches usually results in the best performance, especially in Ziegler-Natta and metallocene catalysis. In addition to some concerns, such as (1) the cost of protection and deprotection processes and (2) the removal of impurities, it is very important to preserve some important polyolefin properties, such as crystallinity, melting temperature, and processibility during the functionalization reaction. The major applications of functional polyolefins are in the roles of interfacial agents to promote adhesion and compatibility among polyolefin and other polar materials in polyolefin blends and composites. The chapter discusses the advantages and disadvantages of both the protective and less oxophilic late transition metal catalyst approaches. These approaches depend on the selection between two co-existing acid-base interactions between a catalyst and a functional monomer containing two bases. The ideal reaction environment is a facile acid-base interaction between an active site and the Π-electrons of an α-olefin unit, and no acid-base interaction between an active site and a lone pair of electrons in a hetero-atom (O, N, X) of a functional group.
Imaging Assessment of Osteosarcoma in Childhood and Adolescence: Diagnosis, Staging, and Evaluating Response to Chemotherapy

Osteosarcoma is an aggressive tumor of mesenchymal origin, capable of producing osteoid and immature bone. It is the most frequent primary malignant skeletal neoplasm in children and adolescents. Imaging studies play a major role in initial diagnosis, staging, and assessment of tumor response to chemotherapy. Conventional radiography is the prime imaging modality for diagnosis of bony tumors. Radionuclide bone scan is used in detection of metastatic lesions in the other bones. Computed tomography may be used as an adjunct to conventional radiography, but its main role is detection of pulmonary metastasis. The standard magnetic resonance imaging is the most specific modality for local staging and monitoring response to chemotherapy, and distinguishing postsurgical changes from residual tumor. Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging has been introduced to quantify the percentage of tumor necrosis, identify early responders, and thus predict survival. The role of 18F fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) in the staging and management of osteosarcoma is evolving. It has the advantage of total body imaging and may have an overall role in tumor staging and grading, detection of early response, and therefore, in the prognosis and detection of recurrence.
Mediating Effects of DNA on Some Photochemical Processes

The work which follows may be thought of in terms of photosensitization of simple one electron transfer reactions and of the way in which the DNA environment effects both their yields and rates. Electron transfer reactions in DNA have important biological consequences; for example, they are involved in the formation and repair of thymine dimers which are the major damaging species produced in the cell by UV light (Jorns, 1987). Also, abnormally high mobilities for electrons in DNA have been reported (Van Lith et al., 1986), a phenomenon which may be of considerable importance in the understanding of many biological processes. The following studies make no pretense of being actual biological processes which commonly occur in living systems. The reactions studied are, however, electron transfer reactions which are caused to take place in the DNA matrix, and as such are valid reflections of the way DNA mediates such processes.
Malnutrition increases the risk of 30-day complications after surgery in pediatric patients with Crohn disease

Abstract Background Pediatric patients with Crohn disease (CD) are frequently malnourished, yet how this affects surgical outcomes has not been evaluated. This study aims to determine the effects of malnourishment in children with CD on 30-day outcomes after surgery. Study design The ACS NSQIP-Pediatric database from 2012 to 2015 was used to select children aged 5–18 with CD who underwent bowel surgery. BMI-for-age Z-scores were calculated based on CDC growth charts and 2015 guidelines of pediatric malnutrition were applied to categorize severity of malnutrition into none, mild, moderate, or severe. Malnutrition's effects on 30-day complications. Propensity weighted multivariable regression was used to determine the effect of malnutrition on complications were evaluated. Results 516 patients were included: 349 (67.6%) without malnutrition, 97 (18.8%) with mild, 49 (9.5%) with moderate, and 21 (4.1%) with severe malnutrition. There were no differences in demographics, ASA class, or elective/urgent case type. Overall complication rate was 13.6% with malnutrition correlating to higher rates: none 9.7%, mild 18.6%, moderate 20.4%, and severe 28.6% (p Conclusion Worsening degrees of malnutrition directly correlate with increasing risk of 30-day complications in children with CD undergoing major bowel surgery. These findings support BMI for-age z scores as an important screening tool for preoperatively identifying pediatric CD patients at increased risk for postoperative complications. Moreover, these scores can guide nutritional optimization efforts prior to elective surgery. Level of Evidence IV.
Atmospheric correction of commercial thermal infrared hyperspectral imagery using FLAASH-IR

Within the last few years, several commercial long-wave infrared (LWIR) hyperspectral imaging (HSI) systems have been developed for remote sensing of the ground from aircraft. While much less expensive and more practical to operate than sensors such as SEBASS and MAKO, which have been developed primarily for research and Government use, the commercial systems have poorer signal-to-noise and/or spectral resolution. We investigate the utility of three commercial systems—the Telops Hyper-Cam, SPECIM AisaOWL, and ITRES TASI-600—for quantitative retrieval of surface temperature and emissivity spectra. Atmospheric retrieval, correction and temperature-emissivity separation are performed on example data from these sensors using FLAASH-IR, a first-principles algorithm that incorporates radiation transport calculations and atmosphere models from MODTRAN. The results from the commercial sensors are noisy compared with SEBASS but otherwise appear to be reasonable. Applying a noise suppression algorithm to the radiance data yields better temperature retrievals and much cleaner emissivity spectra, with minimal loss of information, and should benefit scene classification applications.
Counting Binomial Coefficients Divisible by a Prime Power

We define a new class of integer partitions generalizing hyperbinary partitions. We then utilize these partitions to provide a new, relatively simple formula for the number of binomial coefficients...
Decreased growth in Angus steers with a short TG-microsatellite allele in the P1 promoter of the growth hormone receptor gene.

A polymorphic TG-repeat microsatellite is located 90 base pairs upstream from a major transcription start site in the bovine growth hormone receptor gene. A shorter allele with 11 consecutive TG is common in Bos indicus cattle, whereas longer 16- to 20-TG-repeat alleles predominate in Bos taurus breeds. The purpose of this study was to compare growth and carcass traits between Angus steers that had two of the longer growth hormone receptor alleles with their half-siblings that had one short allele and one of the longer alleles. We genotyped 64 Angus sires with respect to the poly-TG microsatellite and identified six bulls that were heterozygous in that they had one short 11-TG allele and one of the longer alleles. We then grouped 125 steer progeny of these six heterozygous bulls according to their genotypes: only the longer 16- to 20-TG-repeat alleles were found in 73 steer progeny (long/long homozygotes), whereas a short 11-TG allele was paired with one of the longer alleles in 52 progeny (short/long heterozygotes). Contrasts for the long/long homozygotes vs the short/long heterozygotes were significant for weaning weight (17 +/- 4 kg; P .05) were detected for contrasts in birth weight (.3 +/- .6 kg), longissimus muscle area (-.2 +/- 1 cm2), or carcass fat depth (-.01 +/- .07 cm). This polymorphism has potential for use in DNA marker-assisted selection programs.
Metal Clusters in Catalysis XVII Catalytic Hydrocarbon Reactions

Catalytic scissions of carbon-hydrogen and carbon-carbon bonds 2,3 are processes of substantive scientific and technological interest; for example, they are critical elements in petroleum refining operations. Both reactions are catalyzed with relative faccility by solid state, particularly metallic surfaces2,3 but are catalyzed by coordination complexes only in rather special cases4. With discrete coordination or organometaliic complexes, catalytic carbon-hydrogen bond cleavage is well established in the reversible interaction of hydridometal complexes with olefins and dienes4–7 and for reversible reactions of aromatic hydrocarbons with a variety of transition metal complexes like (η5-C5H5)2TaH3 and platinum (II) halides8,9. in addition, this type of cleavage reaction, typically monitored by H-D exchange, is observed for the hydrogen atoms in ligands like alkyl- and arylphosphines, aryl phosphites, and alkvlcyclopentadienyl, with the ligand bound to a transition metal4,8,9. Catalysis of H-D exchange in aliphatic hydrocarbons presently has no precedent in coordination catalysis with but one dramatic exception10–12, D+ exchanges with the hydrogen atoms in methane and other saturated alkanes with a PtCl 4 2− catalyst dissolved in acetic acid and promoted by a noncomplexing mineral acid. Also demonstrated as catalysts, although of lower activity than platinum(ll), are Rhcl33H2°13 and Na3IrCl 6 14 .
The Energy Barrier for Monolayer Penetration

Abstract From published values of the evaporation resistance of fatty alcohols it is possible to calculate E /(CH 2 ), the activation free energy barrier per CH 2 group, as a function of surface pressure. By combining these results with the equilibrium surface pressure-area data for fatty alcohols, E (CH 2 ) can be determined as a function of x , the average separation of the hydrocarbon chains. E (CH 2 ) varies as an inverse high power of x . These calculations are discussed with regard to a general model for the energy barrier to monolayer penetration by simple gas molecules.