cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multi-agent Model Analysis of the Containment Strategy for Avian Influenza (AI) in South Korea

This research presents a multi agent model to estimate and predict the spread of Avian Influenza (AI) in various attributes and environments in a given population. AI can be transmitted by air and is a critical hazard to birds, especially chickens and ducks. The virus occurs naturally in birds and is capable of being transmitted from an infected bird to another. It is conceivable that AI could be a major threat to human health if the virus becomes capable of transmission to human beings. The next outbreak of AI could lead to millions of deaths unless a feasible strategy for AI containment can be developed.This paper focuses the flexibility that a multi agent system offers. Agent-based models can closely mimic the situations that exist in real system where several autonomous components may be interacting with each other. The modeling approach offers the advantage of examining the interactions between the agents. This research studies the interactions of three critical factors that characterize AI outbreaks. These properties are quarantine range, incubation period and infection probability. The multi agent model investigates the nature of spreading of AI by incorporating these three properties. We illustrate the potential benefits of multi agent modeling in containing the spreading of AI by presenting how efficiently the virus can be contained. Our work exploits data on the 2008 outbreak of AI in South Korea.
Winter movements of Louisiana pine snakes (Pituophis ruthveni) in Texas and Louisiana

Abstract Despite concerns that the Louisiana Pine Snake (Pituophis ruthveni) has been extirpated from large portions of its historic range, only a limited number of studies on their movement patterns have been published. Winter movement patterns are of particular interest since it has been hypothesized that impacts of management practices would be reduced during the winter. Using radiotelemetry, we determined winter movement patterns of Louisiana Pine Snakes (11 males, 8 females) in 5 study areas (2 in Louisiana and 3 in Texas). Movements during winter (November—February) were greatly curtailed compared to the remainder of the year; however, snakes occasionally undertook substantial movements. Relocations were typically within the snake's previous active-season home range, and movements were more frequent in the early portion of winter. All hibernation sites were within Baird's Pocket Gopher (Geomys breviceps) burrow systems at depths ranging from 13–25 cm. Louisiana Pine Snakes did not use communal hiber...
Neutrophil Activation, Polyphosphoinositide Hydrolysis, and the Guanine Nucleotide Regulatory Proteins

Mechanochemical transduction is an intimate component of several functions that neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leukocytes (neutrophils) perform as part of their role in the body’s first Hne of defense against foreign pathogens. Thus, the neutrophils represent a convenient model system for the study of the activation mechanisms in nonmuscle cells.
Vietnamese American Trajectories: Dimensions of Diaspora

Vietnam" or "Where's the best pho restaurant in town?" or "I have this wonderful Vietnamese girl who does my nails." I know that I am not the only one to hear these comments or questions, although I have had to learn not to take offense, especially when they come from strangers trying to initiate polite conversation. In my gracious moments, I think at least Americans are not just associating us only with that war in which we were perceived as helpless peasants, barbaric warriors, or cheap prostitutes. But nowadays our ubiquitous soup joints have influenced American culinary taste, and our interactions are amicable, even if it is only while we are servicing their beauty needs. Currently, with the U.S. and British invasion of Iraq, I hear the term "Vietnam War" in the media constantly; however, the reference is rarely about the Vietnamese or Vietnamese Americans. I am troubled by the parameters of these perceptions about us.
Predictive Ability of Direct Antibody Testing in Infants Born to Mothers with Rh(D) and Other Minor Red Blood Cell Antibodies.

Objective Hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) most commonly occurs in neonates whose mothers carry nonpassively acquired antibodies directed against red blood cell (RBC) antigens. Because affected neonates may develop severe hyperbilirubinemia, early identification of at-risk neonates is critically important. We hypothesized that use of the direct antibody test (DAT) would be of high predictive value in identifying those neonates most likely to meet treatment criteria for hyperbilirubinemia. Study Design We performed a retrospective chart review of all mother–infant pairs in which RBC antibodies were detected on routine prenatal screening during the current pregnancy (2011–2013). We then compared DAT results of neonates who eventually met the treatment criteria for hyperbilirubinemia with those who did not. Main Results Fifty-sixty neonates were born to mothers with clinically significant antibodies. The sensitivity and specificity of a positive DAT result for meeting the treatment criteria were 87.5 and 93.3%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 77.8 and 96.6%, respectively. Conclusion The result of a DAT, obtained in neonates of mothers with clinically relevant alloantibodies, is a specific marker with good positive predictive value for identifying those who are most likely to meet the treatment criteria for hyperbilirubinemia.
Hyperexcitability in Combined Entorhinal/Hippocampal Slices of Adult Rat After Exposure to Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor

Scharfman, Helen E. Hyperexcitability in combined entorhinal/hippocampal slices of adult rat after exposure to brain-derived neurotrophic factor. J. Neurophysiol. 78: 1082–1095, 1997. Effects of br...
Management of internal acoustic meatus and facial nerve preservation in operations of acoustic neuromas

Objective To explore the microsurgical removal techniques of acoustic neuromas in internal acoustic meatus, to discuss the skills and experiences of nerve preservation, and to improve the rate of tumor removal and facial nerve preservation.Methods A total of 49 patients suffering from acoustic neuromas treated microsurgically with suboccipital retrosigmoid transmeatus approach from January 1998 to December 2004 were analyzed retrospectively. CT scan of internal auditory canal was performed preoperatively, and facial nerve function monitoring and brain stem evoked potential were also performed intraoperatively. The microsurgical skills were also analyzed retrospectively.Results Anatomic preservation of facial nerve was achieved in 43 cases with preservation rate of 87.8%, and functional preservation of facial nerve (H-B grading, Grade Ⅰ and Grade Ⅱ) was in 35 patients at discharge. Anatomic preservation of facial nerve was failed in 6 cases, thereinto, intracranial end to end anastomosis of the facial nerve was performed in 2 cases. Total resection of the tumor was achieved microsurgically in 45 cases with a total removal rate of 91.8% and subtotal resection in 4 cases. No patient died.Conclusion It is very important of learning the pathological anatomic relationships among acoustic nerve, facial nerve and the tumor in internal acoustic canal and mastering microsurgical technique of totally resecting tumor and preserving the facial nerve.
Fracture of neck and shaft of same femur. Report of a case in a child.

A case of a child with concomitant fractures of the neck and shaft of the same femur is discussed. It is recommended that the fracture of the femoral neck be internally fixed and that the fracture of the shaft be treated non-operatively.
Phase Transformation-Driven Surface Reconstruction of FeNi Nanostructures

Numerous attempts have been made to search for large magnetic anisotropy and coercivity in all ferrous metal materials, but our capability to realize metastable tetragonal ferrous nanostructures is still limited. Here we present a rational epitaxial core/shell design to stabilize tetragonal iron–nickel (FeNi) nanostructures to reveal substantial coercivity and anisotropy. Phase transformation of gold–copper (AuCu) cores induced a surface stress that efficiently triggers a tetragonal reconstruction of FeNi shell within a critical thickness range. A tunable magnetic performance is dictated by the chemical composition and thickness of FeNi shell, as well as a plasmon effect from the AuCu core. Rapid progress in epitaxial core/shell growth and phase transformation opens up exciting opportunities to stabilize unusual nanostructures and develop high performance multifunctional nanomaterials.
Diffuse electrical injury: a study of sequelae as a function of gender

Diffuse electrical injury (DEI) is a rarely occurring class of electrical injury that can arise even after a low voltage contact. It is characterized by broad symptomatology which is often disproportionate to the magnitude of the contact. The occurrence rate of 65 symptoms, categorized by gender, was studied. Data was derived from a Web-based interactive survey of individuals who suffered low voltage (<1000 volts) contacts and were more than six months post incident. Statistically significant differences (based on a Chi Squared test) among gender were noted for unexplained moodiness and short-term memory loss. For the majority of symptoms, no significant difference between the groups was revealed (P<0.05). Results suggest that although male and female DEI patients present with a similar symptom profile, DEI may present with certain differences in men compared to women.
Psychometric Validation of a Brief Self-report Measure of Diet Quality: The DASH-Q.

Abstract Objective The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is recommended for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular chronic diseases. This study describes the development, internal consistency, and validation (predictive and convergent) of a population-based, self-report measure (the DASH Quality [DASH-Q]) to assess adherence to the DASH diet among adults. Design Cross-sectional online surveys to evaluate the psychometric properties of the DASH-Q. Participants US adults consisting of a national sample (n = 407) and a Southern university sample (n = 405). Main Outcome Measures Diet quality scores. Analysis Item and scale psychometric properties were examined using corrected item total correlations and principal component analysis. The authors validated the DASH-Q by examining associations with an existing self-report nutrition scale and other nutrition-related behaviors. Results The DASH-Q yielded acceptable internal consistency (α = .77–.83) in both samples. The DASH-Q scores correlated moderately to strongly with all nutrition-related criteria ( P Conclusions and Implications The DASH-Q had sufficient psychometric robustness for use as a population-based measure. The DASH-Q is recommended as an easily used measure of DASH adherence for populations that need to modify their diet to manage chronic illness.
The Future of Lower-Income Students in Higher Education: Rethinking the Pell Program and Federal Tax Incentives

As the costs of higher education have soared, the value of Pell grants has declined, making it more difficult for lower-income students to obtain an education without being hopelessly mired in debt. This article traces the evolution of the Pell program and discusses the diametrically opposed proposals of Presidents Obama and Trump to reform federal funding for higher education. The article proposes an alternative plan that would require a redirection of a portion of the funds from the Pell program and a reshuffling of the current tax incentives for higher education. The advantages of this proposal are that it would provide more efficient funding for higher education because it would lower many of the barriers that lower-income students face, it would help alleviate the student debt crisis, and it would not involve an expenditure of additional federal funds.
Head and Neck Essentials in Global Surgery

Caring for patients with head and neck tumors in any setting requires careful consideration of functional, oncologic, and cosmetic outcomes. In the resource-limited setting, certain challenges are often associated with providing high-quality care for these patients, including limited imaging, histopathology and rehabilitation services, few radiation and medical oncology colleagues, and a lack of complex reconstructive capabilities. The head and neck surgeon must be prepared to adapt accordingly. A range of head and neck tumors are reviewed, including those of the larynx, maxilla and hard palate, thyroid, parotid gland, mandible, skin of the head and neck, nasal cavity, and paranasal sinuses, with discussion of considerations particular to the diagnosis and management of each pathology. Tracheostomy and neck dissection are also discussed. Focus is placed on pathologies commonly encountered in sub-Saharan Africa. This chapter is intended to provide a framework for approaching surgical care of head and neck tumors in the resource-limited setting.
An Elf2-like transcription factor acts as repressor of the mouse ecto-5′-nucleotidase gene expression in hepatic myofibroblasts

Hepatic fibrosis represents a pathological wound healing and tissue repair process triggered in response to chronic liver injury. A heterogeneous population of activated non-parenchymal liver cells, known as liver myofibroblasts, functions as the effector cells in hepatic fibrosis. Upon activation, liver myofibroblasts become fibrogenic, acquiring contractile properties and increasing collagen production capacity, while developing enhanced sensitivity to endogenous molecules and factors released in the local microenvironment. Hepatic extracellular adenosine is a bioactive small molecule, increasingly recognized as an important regulator of liver myofibroblast functions, and an important mediator in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis overall. Remarkably, ecto-5′-nucleotidase/Nt5e/Cd73 enzyme, which accounts for the dominant adenosine-generating activity in the extracellular medium, is expressed by activated liver myofibroblasts. However, the molecular signals regulating Nt5e gene expression in liver myofibroblasts remain poorly understood. Here, we show that activated mouse liver myofibroblasts express Nt5e gene products and characterize the putative Nt5e minimal promoter in the mouse species. We describe the existence of an enhancer sequence upstream of the mouse Nt5e minimal promoter and establish that the mouse Nt5e minimal promoter transcriptional activity is negatively regulated by an Elf2-like Ets-related transcription factor in activated mouse liver myofibroblasts.
The Impact of Family Change on Income Poverty in Colombia and Peru

We examine families with children and the potential impact of changes in family structure on changes in income poverty between 2003 and 2012 in Colombia and Peru. Results show that although the typ...
Abstract 16698: Cardiomyocyte-specific Deletion of Cathepsin K Protects Against Doxorubicin-induced Cardiac Dysfunction

Background and objective: The cysteine protease cathepsin K is elevated in both human and animal models of heart failure. Global deletion of cathepsin K attenuates both high fat diet- and pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy and contractile dysfunction, although the role of cardiac cathepsin K remains unclear. To this end, the objective of this study was to generate a cardiomyocyte-specific knockout of cathepsin K ( Ctsk -/- ) and to test the hypothesis that deletion of cardiac cathepsin K protects against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Methods: Ctsk -/- mice were generated by Ctsk targeted trap-allele including both FLP-FRT and Cre-lox systems. Cre-recombinase in myosin-heavy chain-Cre transgenic mice recognizes LoxP sites in “floxed (flanked by LoxP)” mice, and deletes the exons from 2 to 5 of Ctsk . Protein and mRNA levels of Ctsk and exon 2 were determined by Western blot and quantitative RT-PCR respectively. Four-months-old control (fl/fl-Cre - ) and Ctsk -/- (fl/fl-Cre + ) mice received two injections of doxorubicin (10mg/kg, i.p. at 3-day intervals, 20mg/kg cumulative), one week following which, body and tissue weight, echocardiographic properties, cardiomyocyte contractile function and Ca 2+ -handling were evaluated. Results: Cathepsin K mRNA and protein were attenuated by over 80% in the hearts of the knockout mice compared to the control. Doxorubicin injections resulted in an increase in total heart mass and the length of individual cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, doxorubicin-treated mice exhibited cardiomyocyte contractile dysfunction, characterized by depressed peak-shortening, maximal velocity of shortening and re-lengthening, and impaired intracellular Ca 2+ homeostasis. Additionally, mice receiving doxorubicin exhibited significant increases in end-systolic and end-diastolic diameters and decreased fractional shortening and wall thickness. These deleterious cardiac effects of doxorubicin were significantly attenuated or reversed in mice lacking cardiac cathepsin K. Conclusion: Mitigation of doxorubicin-induced cardiac anomalies by targeted deletion of cardiac cathepsin K suggests that cathepsin K represents a novel, bona-fide, pharmacological target for cardiac toxicity and complications.
Estimating the error variance in a high-dimensional linear model

The lasso has been studied extensively as a tool for estimating the coefficient vector in the high-dimensional linear model; however, considerably less is known about estimating the error variance in this context. In this paper, we propose the natural lasso estimator for the error variance, which maximizes a penalized likelihood objective. A key aspect of the natural lasso is that the likelihood is expressed in terms of the natural parameterization of the multiparameter exponential family of a Gaussian with unknown mean and variance. The result is a remarkably simple estimator of the error variance with provably good performance in terms of mean squared error. These theoretical results do not require placing any assumptions on the design matrix or the true regression coefficients. We also propose a companion estimator, called the organic lasso, which theoretically does not require tuning of the regularization parameter. Both estimators do well empirically compared to preexisting methods, especially in settings where successful recovery of the true support of the coefficient vector is hard. Finally, we show that existing methods can do well under fewer assumptions than previously known, thus providing a fuller story about the problem of estimating the error variance in high-dimensional linear models.
Crystal growth kinetics of triblock Janus colloids

We measure the kinetics of crystal growth from a melt of triblock Janus colloids using non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations. We assess the impact of interaction anisotropy by systematically varying the size of the attractive patches from 40% to 100% coverage, finding substantially different growth behaviors in the two limits. With isotropic particles, the interface velocity is directly proportional to the subcooling, in agreement with previous studies. With highly anisotropic particles, the growth curves are well approximated by using a power law with exponent and prefactor that depend strongly on the particular surface geometry and patch fraction. This nonlinear growth appears correlated to the roughness of the solid-liquid interface, with the strongest growth inhibition occurring for the smoothest crystal faces. We conclude that crystal growth for patchy particles does not conform to the typical collision-limited mechanism, but is instead an activated process in which the rate-limiting step is the collective rotation of particles into the proper orientation. Finally, we show how differences in the growth kinetics could be leveraged to achieve kinetic control over polymorph growth, either enhancing or suppressing metastable phases near solid-solid coexistence lines.
Application of a direct aerosol exposure system for the assessment of biological effects of cigarette smoke and novel tobacco product vapor on human bronchial epithelial cultures

Recent advancements in in vitro exposure systems and cell culture technology enable direct exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) of human organotypic bronchial epithelial cultures. MucilAir organotypic bronchial epithelial cultures were exposed, using a Vitrocell exposure system, to mainstream aerosols from the 3R4F cigarette or from a recently developed novel tobacco vapor product (NTV). The exposure aerosol dose was controlled by dilution flow and the number of products smoked; there were five exposure conditions for 3R4F smoke and three for NTV vapor. The amount of nicotine delivered to the tissues under each condition was analyzed and that of the total particulate matter (TPM) was estimated using nicotine data. The nicotine dose was similar for the two products at the highest dose, but the estimated TPM levels from the NTV were 3.7 times the levels from the 3R4F. Following 3R4F smoke exposure, a dose dependent increase was observed in cytotoxicity, cytokine secretion, and differential gene expression. However, no changes were detected in these endpoints following NTV vapor exposure, suggesting the biological effects of NTV vapor are lower than those of conventional combustible CS. Our study design, which includes collection of biological data and dosimetry data, is applicable to assessing novel tobacco products.
Neuromuscular Junction (NMJ): Aging

Aging is associated with reduced physical activity, a loss of motor neurons, and a decrease in muscle fiber size (sarcopenia), all of which may affect long-term plasticity of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). For each of these factors, it is essential to consider motor unit (muscle fiber) type since the properties of motor neurons and muscle fibers are precisely matched and selective motor unit recruitment is a primary mechanism by which the nervous system controls muscle contraction. This article examines age-related changes in properties of different motor unit types and how these may affect structural and functional remodeling of NMJs.
Software Analytics: What’s Next?

Knowing what factors control software projects is very useful because humans might not understand those factors. Developers sometimes develop their own ideas about good and bad software, on the basis of just a few past projects. Using software analytics, we can correct those misconceptions. Software analytics lets software engineers learn about AI techniques. Once they learn those techniques, they can build and ship innovative AI tools. That is, software analytics is the training ground for the next generation of AI-literate software engineers. This article is part of a special issue on software engineering’s 50th anniversary.
Alteration of Flaw Sizes and KIc’s of Si3N4 Ceramics by Molten Salt Exposure

Silicon nitride ceramics are being considered for structural applications at elevated temperatures in corrosive environments including exposure to gaseous and molten salts (1). Although silicon nitride is generally considered to be corrosion resistant, relatively little effort has been expended to document in detail the effects of molten salt exposure on the mechanical behavior of silicon nitride ceramics. There have been several studies of the effects of oxidation in gaseous ambients on the strengths of hot-pressed and reaction sintered Si3N4. For example, Evans and Davidge (2) have shown that oxidation at 1400°C can markedly improve the high temperature strength of reaction sintered Si3N4 as long as the samples are not cycled to room temperature after oxidation and before testing. These results have been partially explained by flaw healing upon oxidation and microcracking (due to β → α-cristobalite transformation) upon cooling. Most studies of the effects of oxidation on the strengths of the hot-pressed varieties of Si3N4 have concluded that, when the starting strengths are limited by microstructurally controlled flaws, prolonged oxidation results in strength reduction (3).
AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma.

An unusually disseminated, aggressive form of Kaposi’s sarcoma and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, a rare “opportunistic” infection, have remained, respectively, the most frequently observed neoplastic and infectious manifestations of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the United States and Europe since the beginning of the epidemic [1, 2]. Twenty-six cases of what is now known as AIDS-associated Kaposi’s sarcoma were first seen in homosexual and bisexual men in New York City and California between November 1979 and April 1981 [3]. At the same time in Los Angeles five cases of P. carinii pneumonia were also reported in young homosexual men [1]. Kaposi’s sarcoma, P. carinii pneumonia, and other live-threatening opportunistic infections were previously known to occur in association with diseases involving defective cell-mediated immunity as seen in patients with congenital immunodeficiencies, lymphoreticular malignancies, renal transplant recipients, and other patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy [4]. The sudden epidemic occurrence of Kaposi’s sarcoma and unusual opportunistic infections among previously “healthy” individuals who had no recognizable cause of immunosuppression suggested a common, underlying acquired immunologic disorder and eventually led to the realization that a new epidemic, now called AIDS, was on the horizon. Within a few months similar cases were seen among intravenous drug abusers and eventually in hemophiliacs and other recipients of blood products and blood transfusions.
Design and Implementation of Distributed Ultra-High Temperature Sensing System With a Single Crystal Fiber

Modern high-temperature processes, such as fossil energy production, nuclear reactors, and chemical reactors lack robust, distributed sensing systems to map temperatures in these high-value harsh-environment systems. Regular silica-fiber-based distributed temperature sensing systems usually only operate at temperatures below about 800 °C. In this paper, we present the design, implementation, and testing of a distributed ultra-high temperature sensing system using Raman scattering intensity, which operates from room temperature to above 1400 °C. Consideration is given to the impacts of thermal radiation, fluorescence, and the multimode nature of unclad single-crystal fiber to optimize the system. Results from picosecond and sub-nanosecond lasers were compared. Measurements were taken with a ∼2 m sapphire optical fiber, which represents the longest commercially available length. A spatial resolution of 12.4 cm and position standard deviation of 0.28 mm were achieved up to the maximum testing temperature of 1400 °C, which is a new record for distributed temperature sensing systems.
School Choice and Learning Opportunities

School choice has expanded significantly in the past couple of decades and is likely to continue doing so. Rigorous research has informed our understanding of the impact of school choice options on student achievement, attainment, and family satisfaction. It has also shed light on the effects of different school governance structures, residential location and access, segregation patterns, parents’ stated and actual preferences, information flows, and the attributes of effective choice schools. Further research is needed to address the variability in effects of school choice options, both between and within sectors (e.g., charter, voucher, and private schools). Such research will allow sociologists to broaden their focus from the “horse race” of comparing one school sector to another (e.g., public and private, charter, and traditional public) to considering new waves of questions that can benefit today’s increasing number of partnerships between researchers, policymakers, and practitioners. This in turn will lead researchers to additional theorizing, moving them beyond market and institutional theories to developing new ones that depict current empirical conditions.
The Epistemology of Testimony-Based Knowledge and Justification

Testimony is a special challenge in epistemology. Human life as we know it would be impossible without it; we commonly accept it without question; and only the highly skeptical doubt that from it we gain much knowledge about matters on which we lack independent evidence. In my theory of testimony, it figures as an essential source of knowledge in our lives, but not as a basic source of it; and the way in which testimony yields justification for believing its content is very different from the way in which it yields knowledge. Isabelle Kesels, David Lambert, and Christian Quast have produced a long and detailed study of my treatment of the topic, and here I can note only some important aspects of it and seek to discuss them in ways that may advance understanding of some major aspects of the topic.
Land Surveying Research: 1965-1975

A review of land surveying research based on articles published during the period 1965-1975 is presented. The areas covered include: (1) Land identification systems; (2) monumentation and legal aspects; (3) land surveying methods and survey control; (4) instrumentation; (5) education and professional registration; and (6) current and future research need.
A Biomimetic Nanoparticle to "Lure and Kill" Phospholipase A2.

Inhibition of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) has long been considered for treating various diseases associated with an elevated PLA2 activity. However, safe and effective PLA2 inhibitors remain unavailable. Herein, we report a biomimetic nanoparticle design that enables a "lure and kill" mechanism designed for PLA2 inhibition (denoted "L&K-NP"). The L&K-NPs are made of polymeric cores wrapped with modified red blood cell membrane with two inserted key components: melittin and oleyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (OOPC). Melittin acts as a PLA2 attractant that works together with the membrane lipids to "lure" in-coming PLA2 for attack. Meanwhile, OOPC acts as inhibitor that "kills" PLA2 upon enzymatic attack. Both compounds are integrated into the L&K-NP structure, which voids toxicity associated with free molecules. In the study, L&K-NPs effectively inhibit PLA2-induced hemolysis. In mice administered with a lethal dose of venomous PLA2, L&K-NPs also inhibit hemolysis and confer a significant survival benefit. Furthermore, L&K-NPs show no obvious toxicity in mice. and the design provides a platform technology for a safe and effective anti-PLA2 approach.
Neuroimmune modulation of pain and regenerative pain medicine

Regenerative pain medicine, which seeks to harness the body's own reparative capacity, is rapidly emerging as a field within pain medicine and orthopedics. It is increasingly appreciated that common analgesic mechanisms for these treatments depend on neuroimmune modulation. In this Review, we discuss recent progress in mechanistic understanding of nociceptive sensitization in chronic pain with a focus on neuroimmune modulation. We also examine the spectrum of regenerative outcomes, including preclinical and clinical outcomes. We further distinguish the analgesic mechanisms of regenerative therapies from those of cellular replacement, creating a conceptual and mechanistic framework to evaluate future research on regenerative medicine.
Microbiota Effects on Carcinogenesis: Initiation, Promotion, and Progression.

Carcinogenesis is a multistep process by which normal cells acquire genetic and epigenetic changes that result in cancer. In combination with host genetic susceptibility and environmental exposures...
Extended smoothed boundary method for solving partial differential equations with general boundary conditions on complex boundaries

In this paper, we describe an approach for solving partial differential equations with general boundary conditions imposed on arbitrarily shaped boundaries. A continuous function, the domain parameter, is used to modify the original differential equations such that the equations are solved in the region where a domain parameter takes a specified value while boundary conditions are imposed on the region where the value of the domain parameter varies smoothly across a short distance. The mathematical derivations are straightforward and applicable to a wide variety of partial differential equations. To demonstrate the general applicability of the approach, we provide four examples herein: (1) the diffusion equation with both Neumann and Dirichlet boundary conditions; (2) the diffusion equation with both surface diffusion and reaction; (3) the mechanical equilibrium equation; and (4) the equation for phase transformation with the presence of additional boundaries. The solutions for several of these cases are validated against numerical solutions of the corresponding sharp-interface equations. The potential of the approach is demonstrated with five applications: surface-reaction?diffusion kinetics with a complex geometry, Kirkendall-effect-induced deformation, thermal stress in a complex geometry, phase transformations affected by substrate surfaces and relaxation of a droplet on irregular surfaces.
The Stories of Social Entrepreneurship: Narrative Discourse and Social Venture Resource Acquisition

Social entrepreneurship is a phenomenon of increasing significance. A key challenge for social ventures is resource acquisition. However, how social entrepreneurs gather the resources necessary to grow their organizations is not clear. The focus of this study is how narratives are used to acquire social venture resources. This topic is examined using a multi-study, inductive, theory-building design based on 121 interviews, observation, and archival data. In Study 1, 75 entrepreneurs, investors, and ancillary participants in the social enterprise sector are interviewed. In Study 2, case studies are constructed of eight technology-focused social ventures. Evidence from this study is used to construct a framework explaining how differences in entrepreneurs’ narrative tactics and characteristics are associated with differences in their resource acquisition success. Specifically, from Study 1 a typology is developed of social enterprise narratives, identify three narrative-types (personal, social-good, and business), and show that they possess unique elements. Evidence from Study 2 suggests that the three narrative-types serve as the building blocks for communication with external stakeholders. These findings contribute to three literatures that formed the basis of the study – social entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial resource acquisition, and organizational narrative theory – and have implications for work on competing organizational logics. They also produce several practical implications for social entrepreneurs.
Remote Longitudinal Inpatient Acute Stroke Care Via Telestroke.

Abstract Objectives While telestroke ‘hub-and-spoke’ systems are a well-established model for improving acute stroke care at spoke facilities, utility beyond the hyperacute phase is unknown. In patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis via telemedicine, care at spoke facilities has been shown to be associated with longer length of stay and worse outcomes. We sought to explore the impact of ongoing stroke care by a vascular neurologist via telemedicine compared to care provided by local neurologists. Methods A network spoke facility protocol was revised to pilot telestroke consultation with a hub vascular neurologist for all patients presenting to the emergency department with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack regardless of time since onset or severity. Subsequent telestroke rounds were performed for patients who received initial telestroke consultation. Key outcome measures were length of stay, 30-day readmission and mortality and 90-day mRS. Results during the pilot (post-cohort) were compared to the same hospital's previous outcomes (pre-cohort). Results Of 257 enrolled patients, 67% were in the post-cohort. Forty percent (69) of the post-cohort received an initial telestroke consult. In spoke-retained patients followed by telestroke rounds (55), median length of stay decreased by 0.8 days (P = 0.01). Readmission and mortality rates did not differ significantly between groups (19.5 vs. 9.1%, P = 0.14 and 3.9 vs. 3.6%, P = 1, respectively). The favorable functional outcome rate was similar between groups (47.3% vs 65.9%, P = 0.50). Conclusions Longitudinal stroke care via telestroke may be economically viable through length of stay reduction. Randomized prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings and further investigate this model's potential benefits.
Multivariate functional group sparse regression: functional predictor selection

In this paper, we propose methods for functional predictor selection and the estimation of smooth functional coefficients simultaneously in a scalar-on-function regression problem under high-dimensional multivariate functional data setting. In particular, we develop two methods for functional group-sparse regression under a generic Hilbert space of infinite dimension. We show the convergence of algorithms and the consistency of the estimation and the selection (oracle property) under infinite-dimensional Hilbert spaces. Simulation studies show the effectiveness of the methods in both the selection and the estimation of functional coefficients. The applications to the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) reveal the regions of the human brain related to ADHD and IQ.
Analysis of Hospital Quality Measures and Web-Based Chargemasters, 2019: Cross-sectional Study

Background: The federal health care price transparency regulation from 2019 is aimed at bending the health care cost curve by increasing the availability of hospital pricing information for the public. Objective: This study aims to examine the associations between publicly reported diagnosis-related group chargemaster prices on the internet and quality measures, process indicators, and patient-reported experience measures. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we collected and analyzed a random 5.02% (212/4221) stratified sample of US hospital prices in 2019 using descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis. Results: We found extreme price variation in shoppable services and significantly greater price variation for medical versus surgical services (P=.006). In addition, we found that quality indicators were positively associated with standard charges, such as mortality (β=.929; P<.001) and readmissions (β=.514; P<.001). Other quality indicators, such as the effectiveness of care (β=−.919; P<.001), efficient use of medical imaging (β=−.458; P=.001), and patient recommendation scores (β=−.414; P<.001), were negatively associated with standard charges. Conclusions: We found that hospital chargemasters display wide variations in prices for medical services and procedures and match variations in quality measures. Further work is required to investigate 100% of US hospital prices posted publicly on the internet and their relationship with quality measures.
Jewish Communal Affairs

The years 2008–2012 brought significant change to the American Jewish community. As the economic recession created difficulties for individual Jews and Jewish institutions, a cultural climate that promoted individual fulfillment weakened Jewish group cohesion, leading, on the one hand, to disaffiliation, and on the other, to deep divisions about Israel and over the meaning of being Jewish.
Chapter 23 Immunoelectron Microscopy

Publisher Summary The purpose of this chapter is to provide a practical introduction to the technique of immunoelectron microscopy that is a tool for the ultrastructural localization of flagellar/ciliary components. As polyclonal antibodies recognize multiple antigenic determinants per target molecule, they generally produce better signals than monoclonal antibodies. Antibody specificity is to be evaluated by immunoblot analysis. There is detailing of the specimen preparation involving embedding and thin sectioning, embedment of Chlamydomonas in L.R. white, flagellar whole mounts, and tips for incubating EM grids on various solutions. Frozen thin sections provide good membrane preservation useful for the analysis of flagellar membrane-associated antigens. Freed from the masking effects of heavy fixation, dehydration, and embedment, axonemal whole mounts show excellent labeling densities. There is also a description of the method for the preparation of Chlamydomonas axonemal whole mounts. There are tips for incubating EM grids on various solutions. Successful immunolabeling of material on EM grids requires that the same grid be handled many times without damage. One way to accomplish this is to use a modified inoculating loop to move grids from solution-to-solution. Also a description of immunolabeling technique has been provided. Details have been presented on the choice of gold marker and Immunogold labeling of specimens on EM grids. In the absence of poststaining, the gold particles stand out well, to evaluate levels of specific staining of structures, and of background labeling. The initial screening of antibodies by immunofluorescence indicates where antigen should be detected. An ideal control is provided by performing identical localizations on mutant cells that lack the specific gene product being localized. In evaluation of antisera in immunofluorescence, a positive signal provides a guide, indicating where antigen is localized and suggesting that the antigen is concentrated enough to be detected at the EM level.
Enhancing OAuth services security by an authentication service with face recognition

Controlling secure access to web Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and web services has become more vital with advancement and use of the web technologies. The security of web services APIs is encountering critical issues in managing authenticated and authorized identities of users. Open Authorization (OAuth) is a secure protocol that allows the resource owner to grant permission to a third-party application in order to access the resource owner's protected resource on their behalf, without releasing their credentials. Most web APIs are still using the traditional authentication which is vulnerable to many attacks such as man-in-the middle attack. To reduce such vulnerability, we enhance the security of OAuth through the implementation of a biometric service. We introduce a face verification system based on Local Binary Patterns as an authentication service handled by the authorization server. The entire authentication process consists of three services: Image registration service, verification service, and access token service. The developed system is most useful in securing those services where a human identification is required.
Essentials of Steroid Structure, Nomenclature, Reactions, Biosynthesis, and Measurements

The steroids are lipids with molecular weights of about 300. They are synthesized in the ovary, testis, adrenal cortex, and placenta. Since 1929, when the steroid estrone was first isolated, over 200 steroids have been isolated and identified in biological material. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a brief overview of the structure, nomenclature, reactions, biosynthesis, and measurement of some steroid hormones of interest to the neuro-endocrinologist. Because the remainder of this book concentrates on physiological and behavioral effects related to the hormones of reproduction, the overview will focus on the primary hormones of the gonads (progestins, androgens, and estrogens) and will omit detailed discussion of the adrenal corticoids. It should be recognized, however, that the gonads may produce corticoids and the adrenals secrete progestins, androgens, and estrogens.
On the μ-admissible set in the extended affine Weyl groups of E6 and E7

Giving explicit examples we show that the μ-admissible set and the μ-permissible set do not agree for non-trivial minuscule coweights in the cases of E6 and E7.
Models for association rules based on clustering and correlation

Association rules require models to understand their relationship to statistical properties of the data set. In this work, we study mathematical relationships between association rules and two fundamental techniques: clustering and correlation. Each cluster represents an important itemset. We show the sufficient statistics for clustering and correlation on binary data sets are the linear sum of points and the quadratic sum of points, respectively. We prove itemset support can be bounded and approximated from both models. Support bounds and support estimation obey the set downward closure property for fast bottom-up search for frequent itemsets. Both models can be efficiently computed with sparse matrix computations. Experiments with real and synthetic data sets evaluate model accuracy and speed. The clustering model is accurate to estimate support, given a sufficiently large number of clusters and it is more accurate than correlation, except for sets of two items. Accuracy increases as the number of clusters grows, but decreases as the minimum support threshold decreases. Once built, the clustering model represents a faster alternative than the traditional A-priori algorithm and the correlation model to mine associations. The correlation model is faster to compute than clustering, but it is less accurate. Time complexity to compute both models is linear on data set size, whereas dimensionality marginally impacts time when analyzing large transaction data sets.
Can Corrective Feedback Bring About Substantial Changes in the Learner Interlanguage System

This paper explores the role of corrective feedback in communicative language classrooms. Seven empirical studies investigating the effectiveness of corrective feedback are examined to determine if corrective feedback can lead to substantial changes in learners’ interlanguage systems over the long term and to find out what factors are necessary for effective feedback. The review of literature reveals that corrective feedback can have an impact on learners’ interlanguage systems if teachers follow the necessary procedures: assessment of learners’ needs, analysis of the nature of errors, and employment of methods that pinpoint errors to make learners notice a mismatch between their output and the target form. However, corrective feedback over a short period is not sufficient and the availability of numerous opportunities to receive corrective feedback and follow-up exposure seems to be a crucial factor in deciding the efficacy of feedback.
Distribution of the Sample Version of the Measure of Association, Gamma

Abstract Random sampling experiments were performed to determine whether Goodman and Kruskal's asymptotic theory (2) for the sample version (G) of the measure of association Gamma (γ) is applicable to small samples. First, the asymptotic theory was checked against the results obtained with a series of 5 × 5 population cross classifications with values of γ covering the full range. For samples of size fifty, the tails of the distribution of (G — γ)/σ corresponded closely to the tails of the unit normal distribution when σ2 was the appropriate asymptotic variance derived in (2). Asymptotic normality still worked fairly well in the tails when σ2 was replaced by its maximum likelihood estimator, providing that |γ| <.50. There was, however, a clear tendency to have more observations in the tails than predicted from the asymptotic theory and this became very marked for large γ's. When σ was replaced by an upper bound derived in (2), (G — γ)/σ was of course more tightly concentrated. For the same series of popul...