cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hyperemesis gravidarum: A case of starvation and altered sensorium gestosis (ASG)

Of the problems that complicate child-bearing, hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), or severe nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP), is likely one of the most painful with unrelenting retching and vomiting that can lead to measurable injuries such as Mallory-Weiss Syndrome and esophageal rupture, and/or subtle maternal cognitive impairments related to starvation and dehydration. Recognized hallmarks of HG include dehydration, ketonuria, weight loss over 5%, and electrolyte abnormalities not attributable to other causes. Historically providers regarded the hyperemetic as a difficult to treat patient with potentially underlying psychological problems. Sick patients who experience pain and suffering present challenges to care, not excepting NVP. Ill patients can be demanding and agitated. Agitation can be one of the early signs of delirium or altered mental status (AMS). AMS can include previously diagnosed psychiatric conditions as well as new onset of Wernicke's encephalopathy, deliria, insomnia, hallucinations and autoscopy, resulting from various etiologies including and not limited to medications, pain including pain from hunger, vomiting and retching, constipation, dehydration, altered electrolytes, hypoglycemia, malnutrition and sleep deprivation. AMS may have a subtle waxing and waning trajectory, making the condition difficult to diagnosis in early stages. What have not been well elucidated in AMS are subjective images and/or experiences. Whether all AMS experiences are similar is unknown. We believe there may be a transient alteration of cognitive status or "altered sensorium gestosis" (ASG), attributed to the direct insults of hyperemesis gravidarum which will be discussed herein. How prevalent ASG might be is unknown and needs further investigation.
Human Trafficking Training and Identification of International Victims in the United States

The relationship between human trafficking training of helping professionals and identification of international victims in a U.S. locality presumed to have a large number of victims was examined over a three-year period. No relationship was observed; although the number of trainees increased annually to a total of more than 7,000, the number of newly identified victims remained low, for a total of only 43. Possible explanations for this finding are discussed.
The isolation and X-ray crystal structure of [Li(Et2O)2(CHPh)PPh2]

Abstract The organolithium complex [Li(Et2O)2(CHPh)PPh2] (1) has been prepared by lithiation of the corresponding phosphine with n-BuLi and recrystallized from Et2O solution. The structure of 1 was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Compound 1 crystallizes as a monomer with two molecules of Et2O coordinated to the lithium metal. Crystal data (Mo Kα radiation) at −90°C for 1: a = 10.350(1) A , b = 11.063(1) A , c = 12.528(1) A , α = 79.19(1)°, β = 66.84(1)°, γ = 77.56(1)° , triclinic, space group P 1 , R = 0.087 (F > 4σ(F)) , wR2 = 0.1611.
Wavelet-based multiscale anisotropic diffusion in cone-beam CT breast imaging denoising for x-ray dose reduction

The real-time flat panel detector-based cone beam CT breast imaging (FPD-CBCTBI) has attracted increasing attention for its merits of early detection of small breast cancerous tumors, 3-D diagnosis, and treatment planning with glandular dose levels not exceeding those of conventional film-screen mammography. In this research, our motivation is to further reduce the x-ray exposure level for the cone beam CT scan while retaining acceptable image quality for medical diagnosis by applying efficient denoising techniques. In this paper, the wavelet-based multiscale anisotropic diffusion algorithm is applied for cone beam CT breast imaging denoising. Experimental results demonstrate that the denoising algorithm is very efficient for cone bean CT breast imaging for noise reduction and edge preservation. The denoising results indicate that in clinical applications of the cone beam CT breast imaging, the patient’s radiation dose can be reduced by up to 60% while obtaining acceptable image quality for diagnosis.
Behavior Varies by Environment; Quality of Data Does Not

Since environments affect ordinary behaviors, could they also affect the accuracy of self-reports and thus research findings? This study confirmed that the behavior of most people did vary among different environments, and then examined the role of environment-behavior dependencies in the accuracy of self-reports of behavior for the same persons. Ten persons monitored and reported their own behaviors, which were also recorded by independent observers. Findings demonstrated environmental influences in ordinary aspects of their behavior, but few variations in accuracy of the data that could attributed to the environments in which the behaviors had occurred. Since the accuracy of the method does not appear to be linked to variations in the environments, these results enhance the utility of self-reports for environment-behavior research.
The asset allocation decision in retirement: lessons from dollar-cost averaging

Abstract How should a retiree allocate his wealth between stocks and bonds? We address this question by studying whether it would have been better to have consumed periodically from stocks than from bonds over the seven decades of U.S. financial markets beginning in 1926 and ending in 1995. We find that retirees would have consistently done better by investing in stocks as opposed to bonds. When we analyze dispersion in consumption around its mean we find that there are greater chances for low consumption from the bond portfolio and greater chances for high consumption from the stock portfolio. Thus, we challenge the conventional wisdom that one should move away from stocks and towards bonds as one ages.
The possibility of exchange

I first characterize a moral mistake in coercion. The principle of independence with which I criticize coercion seems also to condemn exchange. I propose an account of exchange from which it follow...
A co-availability scheduling model for coordinating multi-disciplinary care teams

We introduce a co-availability scheduling problem that arises in various healthcare settings in which personnel from different disciplines work together as care teams and for which synchronisation of their availability impacts scheduling flexibility and procedure timeliness. Examples include breast cancer surgery involving oncologic and plastic surgeons, primary and specialty care integrated visits, and vascular interventions involving cardiac surgeons, radiologists and radiology technicians. We develop an integer programming model to help create optimal schedules that maximise the amount of co-available time across the scheduling templates of the desired team members, while still satisfying each of their clinic coverage, preference and extraneous responsibilities constraints. Application to breast surgery at a major cancer centre increased team co-availability by 94%, with sensitivity analysis in other scenarios producing 64–152%, increases in favourable team assignments, and without negatively affecting...
N-hydroxyacetaminophen: A microsomal metabolite of N-hydroxyphenacetin but apparently not of acetaminophen

Abstract High pressure liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed that hamster liver microsomes form N-hydroxyacetaminophen from N-hydroxyphenacetin but apparently not from acetaminophen. Nevertheless more covalent binding of radiolabel occured with 3H-acetaminophen as a substrate than with 14C N-hydroxyphenacetin. It, therefore, seems likely that the principle chemically reactive metabolite formed from acetaminophen does not arise through the formation of N-hydroxyacetaminophen as has been previously postulated.
Rest break interventions in stoop labor tasks

Abstract Hand cultivation and harvest of agricultural products constitute strenuous physical tasks. Working with labor–management ergonomics committees in agricultural settings, the UC Agricultural Ergonomics Research Center (AERC) tested an experimental rest and recovery protocol for its impact on symptoms and productivity during two types of work tasks. The experimental condition consisted of adding a 5 min rest break to every working hour in which there was no other scheduled break (e.g., lunchtime). This resulted in an additional 20 min of rest per workday. We tested the intervention in two trials: Trial one compared workers ( n = 66 ) randomly assigned to an experimental or a control group during the harvest of commercial strawberries. Trial two utilized a cross-over design ( n = 16 pairs of workers) to compare experimental and control conditions while workers inserted bud grafts into young 18″ high citrus trees. For both trials, workers under the experimental condition reported significantly less severe symptoms than workers under control conditions. The order in which the intervention was given, however, appeared to result in variations in productivity. We conclude that the introduction of frequent, brief rest breaks may improve symptoms for workers engaged in strenuous work tasks.
Regrowth of InP by MOVPE on dry-etched heterostructures of InP-GaInAsP

Abstract The MOVPE growth behavior of InP on masked and dry-etched ridges in InP/InGaAsP heterostructures grown on (001)-oriented InP substrates has been studied by scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy. It is found that the orientation of the ridges is critical for obtaining good planarization. For ridges oriented along the [110] direction, the growth is uniform and defect-free, leading to a plane surface. In the orthogonal [110] direction, 60° twins are nucleated adjacent to the walls of the ridge. The resultant high density of (111)/(001) facets enhances the growth rate in these regions, leading to projecting walls at the sides of the ridge.
Comparison of the function of the tight junctions of endothelial cells and epithelial cells in regulating the movement of electrolytes and macromolecules across the cell monolayer.

In cell culture, both endothelial and epithelial cell monolayers have been found to generate structurally similar tight junctional complexes, as assessed by thin section electron microscopy. Although structurally similar, the tight junctional complexes of the two cell types are, at least in part, responsible for the very different permeability characteristics of native endothelial and epithelial cell monolayers. The purpose of this work was to compare cultured endothelial and epithelial cells with respect to the function of their tight junctional complexes in regulating the movement of macromolecules and ions across the cell monolayers, and define functional parameters to characterize the tight junctional complexes. Bovine aorta endothelial cells and T84 colonic carcinoma epithelial cells were cultured on a microporous membrane support. The permeability coefficients of inulin, albumin, and insulin were determined with the cell monolayers and compared with the permeability coefficients obtained with 3T3-C2 fibroblasts, a cell line that does not generate tight junctions. Electrical resistance measurements across the monolayer-filter systems were also compared. The permeability coefficient of albumin across the endotnelial cell monolayer compared favorably with other reported values. Likewise, the electrical resistance across the T84 cell monolayer was in good agreement with published values. Utilizing permeability coefficients for macromolecules as an index of tight junction function, we found that a distinction between a lack of tight junctions (fibroblasts), the presence of en-dothelial tight junctions, and the presence of epithelial tight junctions was readily made. However, when utilizing electrical resistance as an index of tight junction function, identical measurements were obtained with fibroblasts and endothelial cells. This indicates that more than one index of tight junction function is necessary to characterize the junctional complexes. Although structurally similar, epithelial cell and endothelial cell tight junctions perform very different functions, and, from our data, we conclude that the demonstration of tight junctional structures by electron microscopy is not relevant to the functional nature of the junction: structure does not imply function. A minimal assessment of tight junction function should rely on both the determination of the electrical resistance across the cell monolayer, and the determination of the permeability coefficients of selected macromolecules.
Loss aversion without the endowment effect, and other explanations for the WTA–WTP disparity

Abstract To learn why WTA regularly exceeds WTP in economic experiments involving inexpensive market goods with ample substitutes, the verbal protocol technique was used in a real cash experiment employing a random price auction. Results suggest that the primary reason for the disparity was subjects’ reluctance to suffer a net loss from any transaction, whether purchase or sale, and tendency to consider sale much below assumed market price as a loss. This interpretation indicates a kind of loss aversion, but not the kind envisioned in the endowment effect, which maintains that selling creates a loss and buying creates a gain.
Female and male socialization experiences: An initial investigation

This study compares socialization experiences of 134 men and 84 women 8–10 months into their first jobs after college graduation. Generally the availability of various activities and events did not differ between men and women but men were more likely to report experiencing the various socialization activities as more helpful than were women. Contrary to speculations, the gender of an individual supervisor did not mediate either the perceived availability or helpfulness of various socialization opportunities. These findings are discussed within an attributional perspective.
Love, Jazz, and a Sense of the Holy: Conceptualizing the Teacher in Toni Morrison's Beloved

Two years ago Hilary Davis and Maxine Greene brought our attention to the art of Toni Morrison through a conversation on her novel Jazz.Implicit in their decision to organize and host that alternative session was an assertion that Morrison’s art is worthy of the attention of philosophers of education. I wish to expand that assertion here by claiming Morrison as a public intellectual with important insight into the nature, means, and ends of education. She is, I will argue, not only an important literary artist, but a philosopher of education whose work constitutes a critical intervention in certain powerful educational discourses. Her novel Beloved suggests alternatives to concepts, such as “teacher,” which I will explore in this essay.
Nanoscale Effects on Thermodynamics and Phase Equilibria in Oxide Systems

Because different solid materials (phases) have different surface energies, equilibria among them will be significantly affected by particle size. This Minireview summarizes experimental (calorimetric) data for the surface energies of oxides and discusses shifts in the stability of polymorphs, the thermodynamics of hydration, and oxidation-reduction reactions in nanoscale oxide systems.
Dimensions of knowledge: fact or skill, quality or quantity

This paper compares several systems for automated acquisition and representation of knowledge using two epistemological dimensions: (1) symbolic versus numeric knowledge, or "quality" versus "quantity," and (2) declarative versus procedural knowledge, or "fact" versus "skill.". >
The two-stage standard: Res ipsa loquitur

Abstract Periprosthetic joint infection is a morbid and costly complication of total knee arthroplasty. Treatment options vary depending on chronicity of the infection, causative organism, and host factors. Some authors advocate single-stage exchange arthroplasty to decrease patient morbidity and healthcare utilization costs. Due to its proven efficacy for infection eradication and soft tissue healing, however, two-stage exchange arthroplasty remains the gold standard for treatment of periprosthetic joint infection after total knee arthroplasty. In this review, we present the technique of two-stage exchange arthroplasty and evidence supporting its use.
Optimum Shunt Capacitor for Power Factor Correction at Busses with Lightly Distorted Voltage

The goal of this paper is to determine the effect of time variation of system impedances and voltage harmonics on the value of optimum capacitor for power factor correction at busses with nonsinusoidal voltage. Two types of 24 hours time-variation of voltage harmonices and Thevenin impedance are assumed. The equivalent load impedance is also considered time variable and assumed to contain a large proportion of induction motors. The daily energy losses are computed and graphed in function of the shunt capacitance used for power factor correction. The results of this study indicate that in order to avoid resonances and to find the optimum capacitor the time variation of harmonics and system impedances must be known as precise as possible.
Epithelial-specific Cre/lox recombination in the developing kidney and genitourinary tract

Ksp-cadherin is a unique, tissue-specific member of the cadherin family of cell adhesion molecules that is expressed in tubular epithelial cells in the kidney and developing genitourinary (GU) tract. It has recently been shown that a 1341-bp fragment of the 5' flanking region containing the Ksp-cadherin gene promoter can recapitulate the complete expression pattern of the gene in the developing kidney and GU tract. Similar to the endogenous Ksp-cadherin gene, transgenes containing 1341 bp of the 5' flanking region are expressed in developing nephrons, ureteric bud, mesonephric tubules, Wolffian duct, and Mullerian duct. In adult mice, the expression is restricted to renal tubules. In the current study, Ksp1.3/Cre transgenic mice carrying 1329 bp of the Ksp-cadherin 5' flanking region linked to the Cre recombinase gene were produced. Adult transgenic mice expressed Cre recombinase in renal tubules, especially collecting ducts and thick ascending limbs of Henle's loops. Transgenic embryos expressed Cre recombinase in the branching ureteric bud, developing renal tubules, and sex ducts. Ksp1.3/Cre transgenic mice were crossed with mice carrying a lacZ reporter gene that is activated by Cre/lox-mediated genetic recombination. Bitransgenic progeny expressed lacZ exclusively in renal tubules, mesonephric tubules, ureteric bud, developing ureter, and Wolffian duct. These results demonstrate that Ksp1.3/Cre transgenic mice express Cre recombinase exclusively in the kidney and developing GU tract and can mediate epithelial-specific Cre/lox recombination in these tissues. Ksp1.3/Cre transgenic mice should be useful for cell lineage studies and kidney-specific gene targeting.
Devices, drugs, and the Food and Drug Administration: increasing implications for ischemic stroke.

Section Editors:: Marc Fisher MD Antoni Davalos MD The approval process at the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been of little interest previously to stroke neurologists, but an increasing number of devices are being approved for stroke prevention (carotid stents, patent foramen ovale closure) and now also for acute ischemic stroke intervention. Felten et al provide a review of the CDRH approval process and give their perspective concerning the recent approval of the Concentric Merci Retriever in acute ischemic stroke. Drs Becker and Brott were members of the FDA advisory panel that reviewed the MERCI (Mechanical Embolus Removal in Cerebral Ischemia) Trial and approval application. Despite concerns raised by the advisory panel, the Merci device was ultimately approved by CDRH. It is not our purpose to arbitrate the specific concerns raised by the advisory panel or to question the CDRH decision; readers can judge the strength of the evidence for themselves. However, we do wish to consider some of the implications of this decision for patient care and stroke clinical research. The Merci Retriever was approved for clot removal in brain arteries and not as a therapeutic modality for acute ischemic stroke. This distinction is critically important. The MERCI Trial relied on historical controls (mostly data from PRolyse in Acute Cerebral Thromboembolism [PROACT] II) for demonstration of safety, recanalization efficacy, and clinical outcome.1 Although not the primary end point, it is useful to summarize clinical outcomes in the MERCI Trial. The median baseline National Institutes of Health (NIH) Stroke Scale score was 17 in the PROACT II controls and 19 in the MERCI patients, implying that the MERCI patients had more severe strokes. This could partly reflect the inclusion of patients with internal carotid and vertebral basilar occlusions …
Surface array waveguide mode analyzer

A type of mode analyzer based on an array of field probes at the surface of an overmoded circular waveguide is described. This type of device is needed in high-power microwave research where waveguide sizes typically permit dozens of modes to propagate. Initial experiments at 11 GHz using a 2-in diameter waveguide with 16 propagating modes and 20 surface probes have demonstrated the feasibility of the technique which relies on singular value decomposition algorithms for modal analysis. To make calibration feasible the field probes must respond only to the E-field or the H-field at the waveguide wall. Optimization of probe placement and anticipated errors are analyzed. >
α-Retinol Is Distributed through Serum Retinol-Binding Protein-Independent Mechanisms in the Lactating Sow-Nursing Piglet Dyad

α-Retinol (αR) is a structural isomer of retinol [vitamin A (VA)] that does not bind to serum retinol-binding protein (RBP). In this study, α-retinyl acetate (αRA) was synthesized and given orally (35 μmol) to VA-deficient lactating sows (n = 11) to assess its potential to trace RBP-independent retinol transport and tissue uptake. The αRA dose primarily appeared in sow serum as 4 α-retinyl esters (αRE) with peak serum total αR concentrations (the sum of the alcohol and ester forms) detected at 2 h (70 ± 23 nmol/L, mean ± SEM) postdose. From 0 to 40 h postdose, the percentage of serum total αR in the alcohol form did not increase. Rapid αR uptake into sow milk was observed with peak concentrations (371 ± 83 nmol/L) at 7.5 h postdose, consistent with the uptake of αRE from chylomicra. A high percentage of the αRA dose (62 ± 15%, mean ± SD) was present in the livers of sows (n = 6) killed 22-28 d postdose. Approximately 15-26% of the sow αRA dose was transferred to the livers of the nursing piglets (n = 17) after 3 d. In piglets and sows, a similar percentage of hepatic total αR was detected in the ester form as that of hepatic total retinol. Taken together, these data suggest that an oral dose of αRA effectively traces the uptake, esterification, chylomicron transport, and hepatic storage of retinol and may be useful for deciphering the role of RBP-independent delivery of retinol to other tissues.
Comparative Hepatic Toxicity: Prechronic/Chronic Liver Toxicity in Rodents:

The morphologic assessment of the gross and microscopic appearance of the liver can provide a broad base of knowledge concerning the potential toxicity of a drug or chemical. This information may either lead to an understanding of the underlying mechanism of toxicity or guide further study to discern the mode of action of the hepatotoxicity. In standard regulatory bioassays, toxicity studies are conducted during phase 1 and phase 2 of the development process to define the acute, subchronic and chronic toxicity of the test compound. In the liver, there are a limited number of morphologic changes that can be identified using conventional light microscopy. These morphologic alterations are often characterized as "adaptive," consisting of an exaggerated normal physiologic response; "pharmacologic," consisting of an expected alteration in response to the desired action of the test article; or "adverse," consisting of morphologic alterations that are generally undesired, progressive and deleterious to the normal function of the cell(s) involved. Morphologic evidence of adverse effects may involve hepatocytes, the biliary system, hepatic vasculature, Kupffer cells, or stellate cells (Ito cells). In drug discovery and development programs, it is necessary to utilize a multidisciplinary approach, using different endpoints, to investigate the same or similar biological responses in the liver. This results in large amounts of data that must be organized in a retrievable fashion. In order for such a multidisciplinary approach to succeed, each discipline must organize and generate their data in a manner that is easily used by others in the process. The toxicologic pathologist must develop and use standardized nomenclature and diagnostic criteria when examining the liver so that data from various investigators can be compared in a useful manner.
An efficient algorithm for dual-voltage design without need for level conversion

We propose a technique to use dual supply voltages in digital designs to reduce energy consumption. New algorithms are proposed for finding and assigning a lower voltage in a dual voltage design. Given a circuit and a supply voltage and an upper bound on the critical path delay, the first algorithm finds an optimal lower supply voltage and a second algorithm assigns that lower voltage to selected gates. A linear time algorithm described in the literature is used for computing slacks for all gates of the circuit for a given supply voltage. For the computed gate slacks and the lower supply voltage, all gates are divided into three groups such that no gate in the first group can be assigned the lower supply, all gates in the second group can be simultaneously set to lower supply while maintaining positive slack for every gate, and gates in the third group are assigned low voltage, iteratively, in selected subsets at a time. The gate slacks are recalculated after each such voltage assignment. Thus, the overall complexity of this reduced power dual voltage assignment procedure is O(n2). SPICE simulations of ISCAS'85 benchmark circuits using the 90-nm bulk CMOS technology results show up to 60% energy savings.
The role of speculation in crude oil prices

The primary objective of the paper is to investigate if the 2007–2008 crude oil price shock was caused by speculation or changes in fundamentals. First, the history of crude oil prices and energy trends are presented. By evaluating empirical findings and introducing a representative agent model with perfect foresight, the second part of the paper discusses how the 2007–2008 price shock could have been driven purely by changes in market fundamentals. The last part of the paper takes advantage of the fact that all price innovations enter the unified world market for crude oil from the Dubai-Fateh spot price and the price of WTI far-month futures contract. It does so by utilising DOLS estimation to determine R-values which identifies periods of cointegration breakdown and analysing the direction of causality by applying an error correction model during these periods. The paper concludes that the 2007–2008 boom and bust in prices was instigated by changes in fundamentals which were in turn amplified by hedgers and speculators.
The effect of estrogen compared to estrogen plus progesterone on the exercise electrocardiogram.

OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of estrogen compared to estrogen plus progesterone on the stress electrocardiogram (ECG) in relationship to stress-gated myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in postmenopausal women. BACKGROUND It is generally recognized that estrogen may cause false positive ST depressions on the stress ECG. The effects of estrogen plus progesterone are not known. This study was performed to define the effects of these agents on the stress ECG correlated with results from MPI. METHODS We evaluated 140 postmenopausal women-31 not taking any hormone replacement therapy (HRT); 75 taking estrogen alone; and 34 taking estrogen plus progesterone. Women with a history of coronary artery disease (CAD), cardiomyopathy, or an abnormal resting ECG were excluded. All women underwent a symptom-limited treadmill test and MPI. RESULTS The overall sensitivity and specificity of the stress ECG compared to MPI in women not taking HRT was 54% and 78%, respectively. In women taking estrogen or estrogen plus progesterone, the sensitivity was unchanged. The power to detect clinically meaningful sensitivity difference (10%) was poor (p = 0.09). The specificity was reduced to 46% (p < 0.01) in women on estrogen therapy. In women taking estrogen plus progesterone, specificity was 80%. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that estrogen increases the false positive rate of the stress ECG. This decreased specificity is countered by co-administration of progesterone. Nonetheless, because the sensitivity of the stress ECG is only 50% to 57% in postmenopausal women, women at risk should have imaging in conjunction with stress for the optimal detection of CAD.
Genome-Wide Analysis Reveals a Highly Diverse CD8 T Cell Response to Murine Cytomegalovirus

Human CMV establishes a lifelong latent infection in the majority of people worldwide. Although most infections are asymptomatic, immunocompetent hosts devote an extraordinary amount of immune resources to virus control. To increase our understanding of CMV immunobiology in an animal model, we used a genomic approach to comprehensively map the C57BL/6 CD8 T cell response to murine CMV (MCMV). Responses to 27 viral proteins were detectable directly ex vivo, the most diverse CD8 T cell response yet described within an individual animal. Twenty-four peptide epitopes were mapped from 18 Ags, which together account for most of the MCMV-specific response. Most Ags were from genes expressed at early times, after viral genes that interfere with Ag presentation are expressed, consistent with the hypothesis that the CD8 T cell response to MCMV is largely driven by cross-presented Ag. Titration of peptide epitopes in a direct ex vivo intracellular cytokine staining assay revealed a wide range of functional avidities, with no obvious correlation between functional avidity and the strength of the response. The immunodominance hierarchy varied only slightly between mice and between experiments. However, H-2 b -expressing mice with different genetic backgrounds responded preferentially to different epitopes, indicating that non-MHC-encoded factors contribute to immunodominance in the CD8 T cell response to MCMV.
A commentary on the utility of a new L-DOPA-responsive dystonia mouse model

In a recent issue of Brain, we reported on the generation and characterization of a mouse model of the rare disease L-DOPA-responsive dystonia (DRD). Here, we discuss the utility of these mice for understanding broader disease processes and treatment strategies. Using specific experimental designs that either work “forward” from genetic etiology or “backward” from the symptomatic presentation, we discuss how our data and future work can be used to understand broader themes.
Comparative Study of Liver Gene Transfer With AAV Vectors Based on Natural and Engineered AAV Capsids

Vectors based on the clade E family member adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotype 8 have shown promise in patients with hemophilia B and have emerged as best in class for human liver gene therapies. We conducted a thorough evaluation of liver-directed gene therapy using vectors based on several natural and engineered capsids including the clade E AAVrh10 and the largely uncharacterized and phylogenically distinct AAV3B. Included in this study was a putatively superior hepatotropic capsid, AAVLK03, which is very similar to AAV3B. Vectors based on these capsids were benchmarked against AAV8 and AAV2 in a number of in vitro and in vivo model systems including C57BL/6 mice, immune-deficient mice that are partially repopulated with human hepatocytes, and nonhuman primates. Our studies in nonhuman primates and human hepatocytes demonstrated high level transduction of the clade E-derived vectors and equally high transduction with vectors based on AAV3B. In contrast to previous reports, AAVLK03 vectors are not superior to either AAV3B or AAV8. Vectors based on AAV3B should be considered for liver-directed gene therapy when administered following, or before, treatment with the serologically distinct clade E vectors.
Pharmacotherapeutics of Biotechnology-Derived Products

Biotechnology has contributed to important advances in the healthcare field. Products include various hormones, enzymes, cytokines, vaccines, and monoclonal antibodies, with use in diverse therapeu...
The Evolution of Chinese Property Law: Stick by Stick?

Chinese land reform has managed to maintain and disintegrate state and collective land ownership simultaneously by discarding the unitary conception of ownership. It is consistent with the idea that “property comprises a complex aggregate of social and legal relationships” rather than being “the simple and nonsocial relation between a person and a thing.” Regardless of Chinese legal scholars’ enthusiasm for or leftists’ hatred of the idea of individuals having sole and despotic dominion over private property, law and policy makers of Chinese land reform have often taken a more pragmatic approach, reconfiguring land rights in China “stick by stick.” The two main achievements of Chinese land reform, i.e., the establishment of land use rights (LURs) in the urban area and the establishment of land management and contract rights (LMCRs) in the rural area, are examples of the stick by stick approach. The ideological debate over privatization, in contrast, has more often intensified conflicts within the country’s political system. When such ideological enthusiasm dominates the law-making process, it hampers land reform, as exemplified in the making of the 2007 Property Law. It is therefore misleading to ask who owns and who prevails in the context of Chinese land reform. The better question is how the bundle of sticks is arranged among government, communities, and individuals. This bundle of rights metaphor, or conception of legal relations, as Michael Heller calls it, is useful because society is generating more forms of property than the simple thing-ownership metaphor captures. This chapter also examines the recent policy developments following the third plenum of the 18th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and finds that law and policy makers have stuck to the stick by stick approach. The chapter develops its arguments by reviewing the major property laws and policies over the past three decades to outline the basic contours of the Chinese property system.
Cryptococcus neoformans: Tripping on Acid in the Phagolysosome

Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn) is a basidiomycetous pathogenic yeast that is a frequent cause of meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised individuals. Cn is a facultative intracellular pathogen in mammals, insects and amoeba. Cn infection occurs after inhalation of spores or desiccated cells from the environment. After inhalation Cn localizes to the lungs where it can be phagocytosed by alveolar macrophages. Cn is surrounded by a polysaccharide capsule that helps the fungus survive in vivo by interfering with phagocytosis, quenching free radical bursts and shedding polysaccharides that negatively modulates the immune system. After phagocytosis, Cn resides within the phagosome that matures to become a phagolysosome, a process that results in the acidification of the phagolysosomal lumen. Cn replicates at a higher rate inside macrophages than in the extracellular environment, possibly as a result that the phagosomal pH is near that optimal for growth. Cn increases the phagolysosomal pH and modulates the dynamics of Rab GTPases interaction with the phagolysosome. Chemical manipulation of the phagolysosomal pH with drugs can result in direct and indirect killing of Cn and reduced non-lytic exocytosis. Phagolysosomal membrane damage after Cn infection occurs both in vivo and in vitro, and is required for Cn growth and survival. Macrophage treatment with IFN-γ reduces the phagolysosomal damage and increases intracellular killing of Cn. Studies on mice and humans show that treatment with IFN-γ can improve host control of the disease. However, the mechanism by which Cn mediates phagolysosomal membrane damage remains unknown but likely candidates are phospholipases and mechanical damage from an enlarging capsule. Here we review Cn intracellular interaction with a particular emphasis on phagosomal interactions and develop the notion that the extent of damage of the phagosomal membrane is a key determinant of the outcome of the Cn-macrophage interaction.
Model Invalidation for Switched Affine Systems with Applications to Fault and Anomaly Detection

Abstract In this paper, the model (in)validation problem is addressed for the class of switched state space models. We pose the model invalidation problem as a mixed-integer linear program and solve it using the state-of-the-art MILP solvers. Model invalidation is mainly utilized to build trust in the models obtained from system identification. However, we turn our attention to solve another important class of problems using model invalidation approach proposed in this paper. It is shown that the model invalidation approach can be utilized to detect any general fault in cyber-physical systems. Moreover, it is illustrated that knowing the fault model can reduce the complexity of fault detection approach proposed here, if the fault and system model satisfy certain conditions.
How α-Helical Motifs Form Functionally Diverse Lipid-Binding Compartments

Lipids are produced site-specifically in cells and then distributed nonrandomly among membranes via vesicular and nonvesicular trafficking mechanisms. The latter involves soluble amphitropic proteins extracting specific lipids from source membranes to function as molecular solubilizers that envelope their insoluble cargo before transporting it to destination sites. Lipid-binding and lipid transfer structural motifs range from multi-β-strand barrels, to β-sheet cups and baskets covered by α-helical lids, to multi-α-helical bundles and layers. Here, we focus on how α-helical proteins use amphipathic helical layering and bundling to form modular lipid-binding compartments and discuss the functional consequences. Preformed compartments generally rely on intramolecular disulfide bridging to maintain conformation (e.g., albumins, nonspecific lipid transfer proteins, saposins, nematode polyprotein allergens/antigens). Insights into nonpreformed hydrophobic compartments that expand and adapt to accommodate a lipi...
General Finnish Population and Settlement Characteristics, 1946–1969

From the famine years of the 1860s to a maximum in 1969 Finland’s population more than doubled. Growth, however, was at reduced rates. There were 2 million people in 1879, 3 million by 1908 (29 years), and 4 million in 1946 (38 years). In the quarter century after World War II growth continued to decelerate until the greatest number of 4.7 million was reached at the end of 1969. By contrast Lapland’s numbers increased at much faster rates after 1946, a result of colonizing and rebuilding, but reached their highest figure by 1966. Thus, while the Continuous Settlement Region, the southern third of Finland, was urbanizing rapidly and losing some rural folk the Middle Fringe Zone of settlement in southern Lapland was changing somewhat similarly but undergoing major gains and then losses during the same period. So the pre-1946 changes in the geography and demography of Finland extended into the contemporary period.
An alternative construction of the Ewald sum

ABSTRACTPeriodicity is a popular way to handle boundaries in atomistic simulations in the bulk. However, slowly decaying Coulomb interactions lead to ill-defined energies and forces. The Ewald sum is a common way of giving meaning to these terms, but its derivation, based on Fourier series, is not transparent. Described in this article is a derivation based on the limiting behaviour as the cutoff goes to infinity of a truncated and shifted Coulomb potential. This observation strengthens the case for the use of the original Ewald sum. And such a construction may offer advantages for computation and/or modelling.
Numerical and experimental investigations of micro and macro characteristics of direct metal laser sintered Ti-6Al-4V products

Abstract Numerical modeling and experimental studies are developed to reveal the thermal, mechanical and material phenomena in the Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) processes of the Ti-6Al-4V products. Numerical models along with physical criteria and analytical equations are used to establish the processing window to show the interplay between the processing parameters and suggests the desirable operating regions. Samples are made to confirm the numerical predictions and show that the favorable part’s characteristics could be obtained if the undesirable work regions are avoided. Energy deposition density, in many occasions, is found to be a very useful factor enabling the simultaneous consideration of multiple parameters to determine the process response.
Role of LRV1 and RNAi in the Pathogenesis of Leishmania

The recent paper by Brettmann et al. provides insight as to how an RNA virus can persistently coexist in a protozoan with RNAi activity and how these two entities work to maintain balance. The authors were also able to successfully remove the virus and examine the role of the virus in parasitemia and the pathogenesis of leishmaniasis.
FGF21 Is an Exocrine Pancreas Secretagogue

The metabolic stress hormone FGF21 is highly expressed in exocrine pancreas, where its levels are increased by refeeding and chemically induced pancreatitis. However, its function in the exocrine pancreas remains unknown. Here, we show that FGF21 stimulates digestive enzyme secretion from pancreatic acinar cells through an autocrine/paracrine mechanism that requires signaling through a tyrosine kinase receptor complex composed of an FGF receptor and β-Klotho. Mice lacking FGF21 accumulate zymogen granules and are susceptible to pancreatic ER stress, an effect that is reversed by administration of recombinant FGF21. Mice carrying an acinar cell-specific deletion of β-Klotho also accumulate zymogen granules but are refractory to FGF21-stimulated secretion. Like the classical post-prandial secretagogue, cholecystokinin (CCK), FGF21 triggers intracellular calcium release via PLC-IP3R signaling. However, unlike CCK, FGF21 does not induce protein synthesis, thereby preventing protein accumulation. Thus, pancreatic FGF21 is a digestive enzyme secretagogue whose physiologic function is to maintain acinar cell proteostasis.
An evaluation of the health benefits achieved at the time of an air quality intervention in three Israeli cities.

Abstract Background The statistical association between increased exposure to air pollution and increased risk of morbidity and mortality is well established. However, documentation of the health benefits of lowering air pollution levels, which would support the biological plausibility of those past statistical associations, are not as well developed. A better understanding of the aftereffects of interventions to reduce air pollution is needed in order to: 1) better document the benefits of lowered air pollution; and, 2) identify the types of reductions that most effectively provide health benefits. Methods This study analyzes daily health and pollution data from three major cities in Israel that have undergone pollution control interventions to reduce sulfur emissions from combustion sources. In this work, the hypothesis tested is that transitions to cleaner fuels are accompanied by a decreased risk of daily cardiovascular and respiratory mortalities. Interrupted time series regression models are applied in order to test whether the cleaner air interventions are associated with a statistically significant reduction in mortality. Results In the multi-city meta-analysis we found statistically significant reductions of 13.3% [CI − 21.9%, − 3.8%] in cardiovascular mortality, and a borderline significant (p = 0.06) reduction of 19.0% [CI − 35.1%, 1.1%] in total mortality. Conclusions Overall, new experiential evidence is provided consistent with human health benefits being associated with interventions to reduce air pollution. The methods employed also provide an approach that may be applied elsewhere in the future to better document and optimize the health benefits of clean air interventions.
Doing Sexual Responsibility: HIV, Risk Discourses, Trust, and Gay Men Interacting Online:

This study draws from interviews with HIV-negative gay men to show how they are doing sexual responsibility online and how their actions uphold moralizing discourses around HIV. The analysis shows how gay men often engage in boundary work through stating their HIV status and “safe sex” practices on their online profile and through screening other people’s profiles for similar information. The gay men also avoid interactions with HIV-positive people, maintaining the stigmatization of HIV-positive people and constructing an HIV-positive serostatus as a status distinction. However, although the HIV-negative gay men are often invested in doing sexual responsibility, they eschew condom use with people they trust. This study then demonstrates the limitations and unintended consequences of discourses that often focus on risk and individual responsibility. These discourses ignore the relational and emotive components of sexual interactions, and hence fail to capture the complexities of people’s lives.
Overexpression of Populus × canescens isoprene synthase gene in Camelina sativa leads to alterations in its growth and metabolism

Abstract Isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene) is a hemiterpene molecule. It has been estimated that the plant kingdom emits 500–750 million tons of isoprene in the environment, half of which results from tropical broadleaf trees and the remainder from shrubs. Camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz) is an emerging bioenergy plant for biodiesel. In this study, we characterized isoprene formation following a diurnal/nocturnal cycle in wild-type Camelina plants. To understand the potential effects of isoprene emission on this herbaceous plant, a gray poplar Populus × canescens isoprene synthase gene (PcISPS) was overexpressed in Camelina. Transgenic plants showed increased isoprene production, and the emissions were characterized by a diurnal/nocturnal cycle. Measurements of the expression of six genes of the plastidial 2-C-methyl- d -erythriol-4-phosphate (MEP) pathway revealed that the expression patterns of three key genes were associated with isoprene formation dynamics in the three genotypic plants. Conversely, dissimilar gene expression levels existed in different genotypes, indicating that dynamics and variations occurred among plants. Moreover, transgenic plants grew shorter and developed smaller leaves than the wild-type and empty vector control transgenic plants. Photosynthetic analysis showed that the CO2 assimilation rate, intracellular CO2 concentration, mesophyll conductance and contents of chlorophylls a and b were similar among PcISPS transgenic, empty-vector control transgenic, and wild-type plants, indicating that the transgene did not negatively affect photosynthesis. Based on these results, we suggest that the reduced biomass was likely a trade-off consequence of the increased isoprene emission.
From academia to xianchang: feminism, documentary aesthetics and social movement*

Ai Xiaoming: I didn’t prepare much. Yesterday, Professor Zhang gave a talk to the undergraduates on ‘Urban Modernity and Female Screen Presence.’1 Today, we would like her to introduce some researc...
On Dialogue and Stories as Representations of Practice: An Introduction

In this essay, the author frames the contents of the book by connecting dialogues and storytelling to the notion of representations of practice, which he examines from a semiotic perspective. The author argues that a constructionist notion of representation supports taking the dialogues and storyboards presented in this book as representations of practice and seeing them against the background of other representations of practice such as transcripts, video records, and lesson plans.