cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sustained Decreases in Risk Exposure and Youth Problem Behaviors After Installation of the Communities That Care Prevention System in a Randomized Trial

OBJECTIVE: To test whether the Communities That Care (CTC) prevention system reduced levels of risk and adolescent problem behaviors community-wide 6 years after installation of CTC and 1 year after study-provided resources ended. DESIGN: A community randomized trial. SETTING: Twenty-four small towns in 7 states, matched within state, randomly assigned to control or intervention condition in 2003. PARTICIPANTS: A panel of 4407 fifth-grade students was surveyed annually through 10th grade from 2004 to 2009. Intervention A coalition of community stakeholders received training and technical assistance to install CTC, used epidemiologic data to identify elevated risk factors and depressed protective factors in the community, and implemented programs to address their community's elevated risks from a menu of tested and effective programs for youths aged 10 to 14 years, their families, and schools. OUTCOME MEASURES: Levels of risk and incidence and prevalence of tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use; delinquency; and violent behavior by grade 10. RESULTS: Mean levels of targeted risks increased less rapidly between grades 5 and 10 in CTC than in control communities and were significantly lower in CTC than control communities in grade 10. The incidence of delinquent behavior, alcohol use, and cigarette use and the prevalence of current cigarette use and past-year delinquent and violent behavior were significantly lower in CTC than in control communities in grade 10. CONCLUSIONS: Using the CTC system can produce enduring reductions in community-wide levels of risk factors and problem behaviors among adolescents beyond the years of supported implementation, potentially contributing to long-term public health benefits. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01088542. Language: en
Biomass yield and nitrogen content of annual energy/forage crops preceded by cover crops

Abstract In order to reduce input costs and improve sustainability of energy/forage crops in the northern Great Plains (NGP), preceding cover crops can be included into existing annual crop systems. The objective of the study was to determine biomass yield and quality of five annual energy/forage crops, grown after six different, leguminous and non-leguminous cover crop species. The experiment was conducted at two locations, Fargo and Prosper, ND, from 2010 to 2012. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three replicates, in a split-plot arrangement where the preceding season's cover crop was the main plot and the forage crop was the sub-plot. Six cover crops, forage pea (Pisum sativum L.) cv. Arvika, Austrian winter pea (Pisum sativum ssp. arvense (L.) Poir), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth.) forage radish (Raphanus sativus var. niger) cv. Daikon, turnip (Brassica rapa var. rapa) cv. Purple Top, and forage turnip (Brassica campestris x napus) cv. Pasja, were planted no-till on 8 to 9 August in 2010 and 2011 into oat (Avena sativa L.) residue. In the following spring, five energy/forage crops, maize (Zea mays L.), forage sorghum and sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), oat, and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) were planted no-till onto the winter-killed cover crops residue. Results across locations and years indicated forage pea and forage radish, produced the highest dry matter yield (3.3 Mg ha−1) in the fall. Total plant N content was 116 kg N ha−1 in forage peas and 76 kg N ha−1 in forage radish, respectively. Results across locations and years indicated all energy/forage crops had greater biomass yield, and total N content when preceded by a legume cover crop compared with a non-legume or the check, in the previous year. Forage sorghum had the highest average biomass yield among the five energy/forage crops, with 17.8 Mg ha−1, followed by sweet sorghum with 15.3 Mg ha−1. In conclusion, forage pea was the most suitable cover crop to provide additional N for the subsequent crops in the NGP. Forage sorghum and sweet sorghum can be considered as the most productive energy/forage crops, especially when preceded by a legume cover crop.
On the Entropy of Compound Distributions on Nonnegative Integers

Some entropy comparison results are presented concerning compound distributions on nonnegative integers. The main result shows that, under a log-concavity assumption, two compound distributions are ordered in terms of Shannon entropy if both the ldquonumbers of claimsrdquo and the ldquoclaim sizesrdquo are ordered accordingly in the convex order. Several maximum/minimum entropy theorems follow as a consequence. Most importantly, two recent results of Johnson (2008) on maximum entropy characterizations of compound Poisson and compound binomial distributions are proved under fewer assumptions and with simpler arguments.
Intermediates of Denitrification in the Chemoautotroph Thiobacillus denitrificans

Intact cells obtained from Thiobacillus denitrificans grown autotrophically with thiosulfate as the oxidizable substrate and nitrate as the final electron acceptor catalyzed the reduction of nitrate, nitrite and nitric oxide stoichiometrically to nitrogen gas with the concomitant oxidation of thiosulfate. In addition, nitrous oxide was also capable of acting as the terminal oxidant of the respiratory chain with thiosulfate as the reductant. The anaerobic oxidation of thiosulfate by NO3 -, NO, and N2O was sensitive to the flavoprotein inhibitors, antimycin A or NHQNO, and cyanide or azide thus, implicating the participation of flavins, and cytochromes of b-, c-, and a-types in the denitrification process. The nitrite reductase system, however, was not markedly affected by the electron transport chain inhibitors. The experimental observations suggest that the dissimilatory nitrate reduction in the chemoautotroph T. denitrificans involves nitrite, nitric oxide, and nitrous oxide as theintermediates with nitrogen gas as the final reduction product.
Ideal Stochastic Dynamic Route Choice Models

Dynamic route guidance systems are being developed to inform and guide drivers regarding their best departure times and routes so as to avoid congestion delay. However, some drivers may not rely on the information provided by the route guidance system to adjust their departure times and routes. Furthermore, drivers without navigation systems do not have perfect information on the network traffic and must use their own experience and perception of current traffic conditions to make travel decisions. Thus, there is a need to develop dynamic route choice models under imperfect as well as perfect information.
Concept-based electronic health records: opportunities and challenges

Healthcare is a data-rich but information-poor domain. Terabytes of multimedia medical data are being generated on a monthly basis in a typical healthcare organization in order to document patients' health status and care process. Government and health-related organizations are pushing for fully electronic, cross-institution, integrated Electronic Health Records to provide a better, cost effective and more complete access to this data. However, provision of efficient access to the content of such records for timely and decision-enabling information extraction will not be available. Such a capability is essential for providing efficient decision support and objective evidence to clinicians. In addition researchers, medical students, patients, and payers could also benefit from it. We present the idea of concept-based multimedia health records, which aims at organizing the health records at the information level. We will explore the opportunities and possibilities that such an organization will provide, what role the field of multimedia content management could play to materialize this type of health record organization, and what the challenges will be in the quest for realizing the idea.We believe that the field of multimedia can play a very active role in taking healthcare information systems to the next level by facilitating the access to decision-enabling information for different types of users in healthcare. Our goal is to share with the community our thoughts on where the field of multimedia content management research should be focusing its attention to have a fundamental impact on the practice of medicine.
Management of the Adolescent with Substance Use Disorders and Comorbid Psychopathology

Substance use disorders are common in youth, and co-occurring psychiatric disorders are present in the majority of cases. This article reviews clinical considerations unique to the population, including intricacies of assessment and special treatment considerations. Several psychotherapeutic intervention models are discussed, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectic behavior therapy, motivational enhancement therapy/motivational interviewing, family behavior therapy, multidimensional family therapy, and multisystemic therapy. Research on psychopharmacologic treatment is limited, and primarily focuses on mood disorders and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. To maximize outcome, recommendations based on practice parameters promote integration of treatment modalities versus serial or concurrent treatment of co-occurring substance use and psychiatric disorders.
Toll-Like Receptor 7 Mediates Early Innate Immune Responses to Malaria

Innate immune recognition of malaria parasites is the critical first step in the development of the host response. At present, Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) is thought to play a central role in sensing malaria infection. However, we and others have observed that Tlr9(-/-) mice, in contrast to mice deficient in the downstream adaptor, Myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MYD88), exhibit few deficiencies in immune function during early infection with the malaria parasite Plasmodium chabaudi, implying that another MYD88-dependent receptor also contributes to the antimalarial response. Here we use candidate-based screening to identify TLR7 as a key sensor of early P. chabaudi infection. We show that TLR7 mediates a rapid systemic response to infection through induction of cytokines such as type I interferons (IFN-I), interleukin 12, and gamma interferon. TLR7 is also required for induction of IFN-I by other species and strains of Plasmodium, including an etiological agent of human disease, P. falciparum, suggesting that malaria parasites harbor a common pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) recognized by TLR7. In contrast to the nonredundant requirement for TLR7 in early immune activation, sensing through both TLR7 and TLR9 was required for proinflammatory cytokine production and immune cell activation during the peak of parasitemia. Our findings indicate that TLR7 plays a central role in early immune activation during malaria infection, whereas TLR7 and TLR9 contribute combinatorially to immune responses as infection progresses.
Dynamic integration and query processing with ranked role sets

The role-set approach is a new conceptual framework for data integration in multidatabase systems that maintains the materialization autonomy of local database systems and provides users with more accurate information. The role-set approach presents the answer to a query as a set of relations where the distinct intersections between the relations correspond to the various roles played by an entity. The authors show how the basic role-based approach can be extended in the absence of information about the multidatabase keys (global IDs). They propose a strategy based on ranked role-sets that makes use of a semantic integration procedure based on neural networks to determine candidate global IDs. The data integration and query processing steps then produce a number of role-sets, ranked by the similarity of the candidate IDs.
Family Policy in Germany: Is the Romanticized Idealization of the Male Breadwinner Losing its Relevance?

The authors examine interactions among public policy, family values, and family living in Germany, a unique and evolving marketing system. A brief historical synopsis of family policy and family matters in Germany is presented. Then, the traditional normative framework underlying most family matters—the paradigm of the male breadwinner—is discussed. For many Germans, the values behind the male breadwinner paradigm do not provide guidelines for daily decisions. Rather, they reflect a romanticized abstraction of idealized family living. The article concludes with a call for an open dialogue about the normative foundations of family policy in Germany, eventually to establish agreed upon norms and guiding principles for public policy aimed at family, with implications for the marketing system and societal well-being.
cultural difference and the density of objects

A partir de l'etude de la culture materielle des Iles Trobriand et de Samoa, de la valeur qui est attribuee a chaque objet (paquets de feuilles de bananiers, les coquillages dans la kula, les vetements), l'A. montre l'aspect economique des echanges, l'importance de l'histoire de l'objet, et de la renommee du proprietaire
From STEM to SEAD: speculative execution for automated defense

Most computer defense systems crash the process that they protect as part of their response to an attack. Although recent research explores the feasibility of self-healing to automatically recover from an attack, self-healing faces some obstacles before it can protect legacy applications and COTS (Commercial Off-The-Shelf) software. Besides the practical issue of not modifying source code, self-healing must know both when to engage and how to guide a repair. Previous work on a self-healing system, STEM, left these challenges as future work. This paper improves STEM's capabilities along three lines to provide practical speculative execution for automated defense (SEAD). First, STEM is now applicable to COTS software: it does not require source code, and it imposes a roughly 73% performance penalty on Apache's normal operation. Second, we introduce repair policy to assist the healing process and improve the semantic correctness of the repair. Finally, STEM can create behavior profiles based on aspects of data and control flow.
Transformed Facial Similarity as a Political Cue: A Preliminary Investigation

Experimental subjects evaluated a political candidate whose face was digitally altered to absorb the subjects' facial structure. For half of the subjects, the photograph of the candidate was morphed such that the image presented was a blend composed of 60% of the unfamiliar Caucasian male and 40% of the subject. For the other half the photograph was unaltered. Given previous research on implicit familiarity (Zajonc, 1968, 1980), we predicted that the morph would advantage the candidate. The results demonstrated no main effect of the similarity manipulation. However, there was a robust similarity by gender interaction. Male subjects evaluated the morphed candidate more favorably than the unaltered photograph, while female subjects rated him more negatively. We discuss potential explanations for this interaction effect and explore the possible implications of facial similarity as a political cue in both high- and low-information elections.
Identifying and quantifying printed circuit board inductance

The concepts of inductance and partial inductance play a key role in printed circuit board (PCB) modeling. The inductance of the signal path is an important parameter in high-speed signal integrity calculations. Delta I noise modeling, crosstalk calculations, and common-mode source identification all rely heavily on accurate estimations of the partial inductance associated with traces, vias, and signal return paths on printed circuit boards. The paper begins by identifying and quantifying the parameters that affect the inductance of typical PCB geometries. Closed-form equations are provided for estimating the partial inductances of simple trace, via, and ground plane configurations. Finally, the issue of current "crowding" around via connections in planes and its affect on the partial inductance of the plane is addressed. >
A systematic review to identify areas of enhancements of pandemic simulation models for operational use at provincial and local levels.

In recent years, computer simulation models have supported development of pandemic influenza preparedness policies. However, U.S. policymakers have raised several concerns about the practical use of these models. In this review paper, we examine the extent to which the current literature already addresses these concerns and identify means of enhancing the current models for higher operational use. We surveyed PubMed and other sources for published research literature on simulation models for influenza pandemic preparedness. We identified 23 models published between 1990 and 2010 that consider single-region (e.g., country, province, city) outbreaks and multi-pronged mitigation strategies. We developed a plan for examination of the literature based on the concerns raised by the policymakers. While examining the concerns about the adequacy and validity of data, we found that though the epidemiological data supporting the models appears to be adequate, it should be validated through as many updates as possible during an outbreak. Demographical data must improve its interfaces for access, retrieval, and translation into model parameters. Regarding the concern about credibility and validity of modeling assumptions, we found that the models often simplify reality to reduce computational burden. Such simplifications may be permissible if they do not interfere with the performance assessment of the mitigation strategies. We also agreed with the concern that social behavior is inadequately represented in pandemic influenza models. Our review showed that the models consider only a few social-behavioral aspects including contact rates, withdrawal from work or school due to symptoms appearance or to care for sick relatives, and compliance to social distancing, vaccination, and antiviral prophylaxis. The concern about the degree of accessibility of the models is palpable, since we found three models that are currently accessible by the public while other models are seeking public accessibility. Policymakers would prefer models scalable to any population size that can be downloadable and operable in personal computers. But scaling models to larger populations would often require computational needs that cannot be handled with personal computers and laptops. As a limitation, we state that some existing models could not be included in our review due to their limited available documentation discussing the choice of relevant parameter values. To adequately address the concerns of the policymakers, we need continuing model enhancements in critical areas including: updating of epidemiological data during a pandemic, smooth handling of large demographical databases, incorporation of a broader spectrum of social-behavioral aspects, updating information for contact patterns, adaptation of recent methodologies for collecting human mobility data, and improvement of computational efficiency and accessibility.
Optogenetic stimulation of Drosophila heart rate at different temperatures and Ca2+ concentrations

Optogenetics is a revolutionary technique that enables noninvasive activation of electrically excitable cells. In mammals, heart rate has traditionally been modulated with pharmacological agents or direct stimulation of cardiac tissue with electrodes. However, implanted wires have been known to cause physical damage and damage from electrical currents. Here, we describe a proof of concept to optically drive cardiac function in a model organism, Drosophila melanogaster. We expressed the light sensitive channelrhodopsin protein ChR2.XXL in larval Drosophila hearts and examined light-induced activation of cardiac tissue. After demonstrating optical stimulation of larval heart rate, the approach was tested at low temperature and low calcium levels to simulate mammalian heart transplant conditions. Optical activation of ChR2.XXL substantially increased heart rate in all conditions. We have developed a system that can be instrumental in characterizing the physiology of optogenetically controlled cardiac function with an intact heart.
DIFFERENTIATION AND APPLICATIONS

The prominent features of the graph of an elementary algebraic function may be discovered by using certain simple procedures. This chapter explains how to employ the derivative to reveal significant features of the graph and to use derivatives in examining functions for extreme values. It explains differentiation of implicit functions and how to carry out a suitable operation of differentiation with respect to time. In the analysis of physical situations by mathematical means, one is often interested in the time rates of change of the variable quantities involved. In many cases, it is possible to express the variable as an explicit function of time t. The time rate of such a variable is then readily found by differentiating this function with respect to time.
Not All Quiet on the Eastern Front

(1990). Not All Quiet on the Eastern Front. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: Vol. 46, No. 9, pp. 35-38.
Deception in Autonomous Vehicle Decision Making in an Adversarial Environment

This paper considers stochastic games under imperfect information in the discretetime/discrete-state case. More specifically, the case where one player (Red) has perfect information, and the other player (Blue) has imperfect, observation-based information is considered. One motivation for this study is to demonstrate that the solution of the imperfect information game problem for the Red player collapses down to solution of an optimal control problem if Red is allowed to have knowledge of both Blue’s control algorithm and Blue’s observation process (as well as the initial state distribution). The analysis demonstrates that under the aforesaid assumptions, any Blue algorithm which maps probability distributions into some finite control space yields the same algorithmic approach for Red to compute the optimal control (which is deceptive when appropriate). The optimal control problem for Red is solved, and numerical simulations demonstrate that this optimal control for Red can significantly outperform the optimal state feedback game Red controller when deception is useful. (When there is no mismodeling, it never underperforms state feedback.) That is, the automatically computed Red controller successfully employs deception to achieve improved results where possible. Although the result is a necessary mathematical building block, the assumptions are too strong for the conclusions, on their own, to have real-world weight. In order to determine reasonableness of the conclusions, the effects of mismodeling of the Blue algorithm by Red are studied as well. The application example is a simple UAV Command and Control problem.
The effect of STAT3 antisense oligonucleotide on proliferation and apoptosis in human cervical cancer HeLa cell line

Objective:To investigate the effects of signal transduction and activators of transcription 3(STAT3) antisense oligonucleotide on proliferation and apoptosis in human cervical carcinoma HeLa cell in vitro.Methods:The cell lines were divided into three groups,blank control group,sense oligonucleotide group,and antisense oligonucleotide group.The antisense oligonucleotide was designed based on STAT3 gene sequence and transfected into HeLa cells with Lipofectamine 2000.STAT3 mRNA and protein levels were detected by RT-PCR and western blot respectively.The cell proliferation was measured by MTT,the early apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry.Results:In contrast to the blank control group and sense oligonucleotide group,STAT3 mRNA and protein levels in antisense oligonucleotide group were down regulated(P0.05),the proliferation was inhibited and early apoptosis was increased(P0.05 and P0.01).Conclusions:The STAT3 antisense oligonucleotide can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis by down-regulated the expression of STAT3 in HeLa cells.It may be a new kind of treatment method for cervical carcinoma.
Threshold value of early warning for infectious disease by school absenteeism surveillance in Shunyi District,Beijing

Objective To establish a threshold value of early warning for infectious disease by school absenteeism surveillance to provide scientific evidence for early detection of outbreak of infectious disease at schools.Methods Data of daily absenteeism due to illness were collected from primary and secondary schools in Shunyi and number of absent students was recorded and estimated as daily and weekly mean number plus or minus standard deviation of the absent students(±s),excluding those absent due to disease outbreak,with mean plus one to three times of standard deviation as a selected warning threshold value and could be adjusted to an another adequate value abased on verification.Results As daily number of absent students averaged one to three per school,mean plus three times of standards deviation of the number of absent students was adequate for early warning,eight for secondary schools and 10 for primary schools,and as weekly number of absent students averaged six to 11,mean plus one standard deviation of the number of absent students was adequate,16 for secondary schools and 18 for primary schools.As daily maximal number of absenteeism due to illness averaged two to three students per class,mean plus one standard deviation of the number of absent students was relatively adequate for early warning,three for secondary schools and five for primary schools,and as weekly maximal number of absenteeism due to illness averaged three to four students per class,mean plus one standard deviation of of the number of absent students was adequate for early warning,six for secondary schools and seven for primary schools.Conclusions Threshold value of early warning for infectious diseases was set-up preliminarily by school absenteeism due to illness,eight to ten daily and 16 to 18 students weekly per school for secondary and primary schools,and three to five students daily and six to seven students weekly per class.
Single Molecule Studies of RNA-RNA Interactions

Non-coding RNAs including microRNAs, siRNAs, and snoRNAs interact with their targets directly through RNA-RNA interactions by base-paring (van Himbergen et al., Nucleic Acids Res 21(8):1713-1717, 1993). RNA-RNA interactions play important roles in gene transcription and protein translation, which can be investigated with several experimental techniques including single molecule methods. Here, we describe how single molecule Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) can be used to study RNA-RNA interactions in vitro by either surface immobilization or vesicle encapsulation.
Epigenetic Biomarkers of Breast Cancer Risk: Across the Breast Cancer Prevention Continuum

Epigenetic biomarkers, such as DNA methylation, can increase cancer risk through altering gene expression. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Network has demonstrated breast cancer-specific DNA methylation signatures. DNA methylation signatures measured at the time of diagnosis may prove important for treatment options and in predicting disease-free and overall survival (tertiary prevention). DNA methylation measurement in cell free DNA may also be useful in improving early detection by measuring tumor DNA released into the blood (secondary prevention). Most evidence evaluating the use of DNA methylation markers in tertiary and secondary prevention efforts for breast cancer comes from studies that are cross-sectional or retrospective with limited corresponding epidemiologic data, raising concerns about temporality. Few prospective studies exist that are large enough to address whether DNA methylation markers add to the prediction of tertiary and secondary outcomes over and beyond standard clinical measures. Determining the role of epigenetic biomarkers in primary prevention can help in identifying modifiable pathways for targeting interventions and reducing disease incidence. The potential is great for DNA methylation markers to improve cancer outcomes across the prevention continuum. Large, prospective epidemiological studies will provide essential evidence of the overall utility of adding these markers to primary prevention efforts, screening, and clinical care.
Stimulation of Cyclic Adenosine 3′:5′-Monophosphate Accumulation in Human Testes in Vitro by Luteinizing Hormone, Follicle-Stimulating Hormone, and Prostaglandins*

The gonadotropins luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulate cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) accumulation in human testicular incubates. The phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine acts synergistically with LH and FSH to enhance cyclic AMP accumulation. These studies indicate that cyclic AMP accumulation may be involved in the mechanism of action of LH and FSH in the human testes, as has been proposed for rat testes. The prostaglandins (PG PGE1, PGE2, PGA1, and PGF2alpha stimulate cyclic AMP levels at 10(-4) M in human testes. The E type prostaglandins are the most potent. They induce half-maximal stimulation of cyclic AMP at 7 x 10(-7) M.
Polarization based secure AES key transmission over optical fiber

This paper presents the design and implementation of a new technology that can securely transfer symmetric encryption keys, e.g., Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) keys, over an optical fiber using a polarization-based channel. The integrity of the polarization channel against possible leakage of information is established. The polarization channel is used to transfer symmetric key information between the two parties using states of polarization (SoP) as the carrier of information and to detect presence of an intruder. Since the SoP is known to evolve during propagation along optical fiber, a correction matrix is applied to the received state to recover the original SoP. The information transferred over the corrected SoP forms the key for one or more channels on the fiber for symmetric encryption.
Human Rights and Capabilities

In this chapter I establish two primary claims. First, I suggest that human rights should be regarded as a subset of justice-based rights. I argue that human rights are especially urgent justice-based rights. Because health should receive special moral importance, I argue that health is properly regarded as a human right. Second, I argue that the capabilities approach to justice is the best approach to justice to support such a claim. I argue that because at its heart, the capabilities approach is concerned with dignity, equality, and autonomy, that it is an ideal candidate to promote the human right to health.
Accommodation Zones and Transfer Faults: Integral Components of Mid-Atlantic Ridge Extensional Systems

The style of tectonic extension varies rapidly along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge primarily as a consequence of along-axis variations in magma budget and episodic magmatism. Such variations require various types of strike-slip and oblique-slip faults or fault zones in order to accommodate variations in extensional strain at different scales. These types of accommodation zones and smaller scale transfer faults are well known in continental extensional terranes and are an important aspect of the extensional geometry along slow-spreading ridges and in ophiolites.
Analysis of Hazards of Dispersant Constituents and Review of Toxicological Studies

ABSTRACT The response to the 2010 Macondo oil well blow-out in the Gulf of Mexico used significant quantities of dispersants. The materials that comprise the oil dispersant, COREXIT 9500® present m...
Enhanced functionality of pea-rice protein isolate blends through direct steam injection processing

Direct steam injection (DSI) processing with pH adjustment was investigated to enhance the functionality of pea-rice protein isolate blends (PR). Protein slurries at concentration of 5%(w/w) of commercial pea and rice protein isolates in the ratio of 2:1(w/w) across a range of steam temperatures (66-107°C) and pH values (2-11) were studied. After DSI treatment, the PR were freeze-dried to obtain the final dry protein powder. Based on protein solubility profiles, the optimal DSI processing conditions were 107°C and pH 11. Available lysine was not reduced (P>0.05) in the blend. Solubility (from 3 to 41%, at pH 7), emulsifying activity index (from 5.9 to 52.5m2/g), foam stability (from 68.2 to 82.8%), and oil holding capacity (from 1.8 to 4.9g/g) values increased (P<0.05) compared to the untreated PR. DSI can modify the functionality of PR without affecting the essential amino acid composition.
Evolving Concepts in the Management of Retinopathy of Prematurity

Purpose The introduction of anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents has stimulated considerable reexamination of treatment strategies for the management of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Herein we summarize and review evolving concepts and provide a personal perspective on clinical management today and future directions of treatment. Design Literature review. Methods To synthesize the evolving management concepts for diagnosis and treatment of retinopathy of prematurity and to provide interpretation and perspective on current emerging therapies. Results Although initial treatment strategies focused on ablative therapy for threshold ROP, earlier treatment for type 1 or pre–threshold disease has been found to decrease unfavorable visual and structural outcomes. Vascular endothelial growth factor has emerged as a significant contributor to retinal-vascular diseases in the previous 2 decades. The potential role of anti-VEGF treatment for type 1 ROP has become a focus in recent years, but the protracted recurrence of disease and unknown adverse ocular and systemic effects have caused concern from some clinicians. In addition, the use of telemedicine technologies may provide the ability to screen remote areas with a shortage of ROP providers, thereby reducing the burden of disease. Conclusions The diagnosis and management of ROP has changed over the past 40 years; the role of anti-VEGF therapy remains to be established in current treatment strategies. Screening for initial disease and progression will likely be impacted by the increasing prevalence of telemedicine and relative shortage of clinicians.
Outcomes Following Acute Metacarpophalangeal Joint Arthroplasty Dislocation: An Analysis of 37 Cases.

Purpose There remains a paucity of information regarding the treatment outcomes of dislocation after metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to assess the outcomes of surgical and nonsurgical treatment modalities of MCP arthroplasty dislocations. Methods Of 816 MCP joint arthroplasties over a 14-year period, there were 37 (4%) acute MCP joint dislocations that required intervention by a health care professional. Implants involved included 28 nonconstrained implants including pyrocarbon (n = 17) and surface replacement arthroplasty (n = 11), and 9 silicone implants. The analysis included the treatment of dislocations after primary (n = 30) and revision (n = 7) MCP joint arthroplasty. Dislocation was defined as clinical and radiographic evidence of MCP joint prosthetic acute dislocation diagnosed and treated by a fellowship trained hand surgeon. Results Etiologies underlying the dislocations included implant fracture (n = 6), component loosening (n = 2), and soft tissue deficiency (n = 29). Of the 37 dislocations, treatments included 14 nonsurgical (closed reduction, orthosis fabrication) all of which ultimately failed. Surgically, including some of the failed prior procedures, 18 soft tissue stabilization procedures and 21 revision arthroplasties were performed, with 6 that had failed soft tissue stabilization. The soft tissue stabilization procedures had a 28% success rate in achieving a stable MCP joint. Revision arthroplasty had a 71% success rate. Subgroup analysis showed an 86% success rate for silicone revisions and a 43% success rate with nonconstrained revisions, with 80% and 36% 5-year survival free of instability, for the 2 types of implants, respectively. Conclusions The treatment of MCP joint arthroplasty dislocation with revision to silicone implant appears to hold the most promise in achieving a stable MCP joint after an acute prosthetic dislocation. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.
DNA as a Biosensor for Environmental Agents

It is the thesis of this paper that DNA can be utilized as a target to detect environmental agents that can modify DNA directly or indirectly through metabolic activation. Expression of DNA modification will be achieved by using as a target a bacterial gene encoding an easily assessable enzyme. The modified gene will be physically introduced into DNA repair deficient lymphoid lines. The level of damage will be reflected as loss of gene activity manifested as reduction of the specific enzyme activity. This extremely sensitive and specific assay, in its essence, is a “Host Cell Reactivation” (HCR) in which damaged viruses are repaired by their hosts.
Protein Detection in Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis

An investigator must take several factors into account for the process of staining and recording the location of bands after electrophoresis (Wilson, 1979, 1983). These should include (1) the selection and availability of an appropriate dye of satisfactory quality that will give adequate sensitivity; (2) the selection of a solvent that will provide a suitable dye concentration, solubility, and stability; (3) the formation of a stable dye—protein complex; (4) the easy removal of excess free dye for easy detection of stained proteins; and (5) storage of gels for further reference or for permanent recording by photography or analysis by computer, densitometry, or spectrophotometry.
A new probability density function for spatial distribution of soil water storage capacity leads to the SCS curve number method

Abstract. Following the Budyko framework, the soil wetting ratio (the ratio between soil wetting and precipitation) as a function of the soil storage index (the ratio between soil wetting capacity and precipitation) is derived from the Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCS-CN) method and the variable infiltration capacity (VIC) type of model. For the SCS-CN method, the soil wetting ratio approaches 1 when the soil storage index approaches ∞ , due to the limitation of the SCS-CN method in which the initial soil moisture condition is not explicitly represented. However, for the VIC type of model, the soil wetting ratio equals the soil storage index when the soil storage index is lower than a certain value, due to the finite upper bound of the generalized Pareto distribution function of storage capacity. In this paper, a new distribution function, supported on a semi-infinite interval x ∈ [ 0 , ∞ ) , is proposed for describing the spatial distribution of storage capacity. From this new distribution function, an equation is derived for the relationship between the soil wetting ratio and the storage index. In the derived equation, the soil wetting ratio approaches 0 as the storage index approaches 0; when the storage index tends to infinity, the soil wetting ratio approaches a certain value ( ≤1 ) depending on the initial storage. Moreover, the derived equation leads to the exact SCS-CN method when initial water storage is 0. Therefore, the new distribution function for soil water storage capacity explains the SCS-CN method as a saturation excess runoff model and unifies the surface runoff modeling of the SCS-CN method and the VIC type of model.
Multiphoton microscopy of ECM proteins in baboon aortic leaflet

The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays crucial role in defining mechanical properties of a heart valve yet the mechanobiological role of the ECM proteins – collagen and elastin - in living heart valve leaflets is still poorly understood. In this study, non-linear microscopy was used to obtain three dimensional images of collagen and elastin arrangement in aortic leaflets under combined steady flow (850 ml/min) and cyclic flexure (1 Hz) mechanical (dynamic) training. A novel bioreactor capable of mimicking the flow conditions in a living heart was used in this study and was optimized for microscopic imagery. A custom made non-linear microscope was used in this study to provide Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) imaging of collagen arrangement and two-photon imaging of elastin. Two control and three trained leaflet samples from static and dynamic tissue culture were imaged to observe protein changes in the tissue for a period of seven days. Dynamic training led to a decrease in alignment index of the protein fibers compared to the static treatment.
Survival and Transstadial Persistence of Trypanosoma cruzi in the bed bug (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)

Bed bug populations are increasing around the world at an alarming rate and have become a major public health concern. The appearance of bed bug populations in areas where Chagas disease is endemic raises questions about the role of these insects in the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of the disease. In a series of laboratory evaluations, bed bug adults and nymphs were experimentally fed with T. cruzi-infected blood to assess the ability of T. cruzi to survive inside the bed bug and throughout the insect's molting process. Live T. cruzi were observed in gut contents of experimentally infected bed bug adults via light microscopy and the identity of the parasite was confirmed via polymerase chain reaction analysis. T. cruzi persisted at least 97-d postinfection in adult bed bugs. Nymphal stage bed bugs that were infected with T. cruzi maintained the parasite after molting, indicating that transstadial passage of T. cruzi in bed bugs took place. This report provides further evidence of acquisition, maintenance, and for the first time, transstadial persistence of T. cruzi in bed bugs.
Molecular Photoelectrocatalysts for Light-Driven Hydrogen Production

The light-driven synthesis of fuels requires efficient coupling of photon absorption with bond-forming chemical reactions. Molecular photoelectrocatalysis is an emerging approach in solar fuel production based on single molecules that support electrochemical hydride formation and photochemical bond-forming fuel synthesis. This Perspective outlines the design requirements for transition metal candidates and describes the development of the first molecular photoelectrocatalyst for dihydrogen (H2) evolution. Mechanistic aspects are discussed in the context of electronic tuning of the catalyst, and the outlook for future development is considered.
Life-threatening Allergic Reactions Increasing Among Children.

Abstract Anaphylaxis, a sudden and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction, is increasing among children according to a new report. As the rate rises, there is an increased need for awareness and education for parents and caregivers to help them recognize and treat anaphylaxis. For children who do are at-risk of an anaphylactic reaction, parents and teachers need to be vigilant about the signs of anaphylaxis and to begin treatment quickly. The chances of a positive outcome are increased if necessary medications are on hand during a life-threatening situation. As more children suffer from potentially life-threatening anaphylactic reactions, access to these medications and to emergency room care is essential to safeguarding the health of children.
Software listing: CHEMTOX database

Initially launched in 1983, the CHEMTOX Database was among the first microcomputer databases containing hazardous chemical information. The database is used in many industries and government agencies in more than 17 countries. Updated quarterly, the CHEMTOX Database provides detailed environmental and safety information on 7500-plus hazardous substances covered by dozens of regulatory and advisory sources. This brief listing describes the method of accessing data and provides ordering information for those wishing to obtain the CHEMTOX Database.
Verborgene Schalter im Gehirn

Erlebnisse und Erfahrungen losen epigenetische Veranderungen im Gehirn aus und beeinflussen dadurch die Aktivitat von Genen. Das kann Verhaltensanderungen bis hin zu psychiatrischen Storungen hervorrufen.
Keynote Talk: Many-Core SoC in Nanoscale CMOS: Challenges & Opportunities

Many-core SoC designs in scaled CMOS process demand wide dynamic voltage-frequency operating range, spanning multi-threaded high-throughput near-threshold voltage (NTV) to single-threaded burst performance modes, as well as fine-grain multi-voltage design and spatio-temporal power management to deliver maximum performance under stringent thermal and energy constraints. Interconnect scaling bottlenecks, process-voltage-temperature variations and aging-induced degradation pose major challenges going forward. We present key circuit and design techniques for logic, memory and on-die interconnect networks that enable efficient, variation-tolerant and resilient many-core SoC designs in nanoscale CMOS.
The problem of visibility in LGBT human rights: a reply to Camminga and Mills

ABSTRACTThis reply responds to contributions by Camminga and Mills to the issue’s sub-theme of ‘The Role of International and Domestic Law in Attaining Gender and Sexual Equality’.This reply argues...
Chronic lower extremity wounds in a patient with Klippel Trenaunay syndrome

Abstract Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome is a rare disorder consisting of the triad of vascular and/or lymphatic malformations, capillary malformations, and soft tissue or bony hypertrophy. Symptom control is the mainstay of treatment for these patients, with many of the symptoms never fully being relieved. In this case report, we present the case of a 46-year-old man with chronic lower extremity ulcerations unresponsive to wound care therapy. Owing to the chronic nature of his wounds and associated pain, reconstruction of his iliac vein was performed using polytetrafluoroethylene graft and an arteriovenous fistula.
Prevalence and Short-Term Clinical Outcome of Mobile Thrombi Detected on Transvenous Leads in Patients Undergoing Lead Extraction

Abstract Objectives This study sought to prospectively evaluate the prevalence, risk factors, and short-term major clinical outcomes of mobile thrombus detected on transvenous leads in patients undergoing lead extraction. Background The prevalence and clinical significance of thrombus on transvenous leads in patients undergoing lead extraction is not well characterized. Methods Consecutive patients undergoing transvenous lead extraction for noninfectious indications were enrolled. Preoperative transesophageal echocardiograms were performed prospectively for all patients to examine for mobile thrombus. Anticoagulation was not started for thrombus unless other indications were present. Clinical endpoints of mortality and cardiovascular morbidity (symptomatic pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, or cerebrovascular accident) were assessed at a minimum of 2-month follow-up. Results A total of 108 patients underwent lead extraction for noninfectious indications. Lead thrombi were detected in 20 (18.5%) patients and all were Conclusions Mobile thrombi on transvenous leads are commonly found in patients referred for transvenous lead extraction and are rarely associated with acute major adverse outcomes. Careful extraction of leads with small incidentally detected thrombi can likely be performed without major acute clinical sequelae. Larger studies with longer follow-up are needed to further assess the long-term clinical significance of lead thrombi.