cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Smad6 represses Dlx3 transcriptional activity through inhibition of DNA binding

Dlx3 (Distal-less 3) is a homeobox-containing transcription factor required for normal placental development in mice. Here we demonstrate that Dlx3 interacts with Smad6, a member of a larger family of transcriptional regulators generally thought to regulate transforming growth factor beta/bone morphogenetic protein signaling. Immunocytochemical and immunoprecipitation studies demonstrate overlapping nuclear localization and physical interaction between Dlx3 and Smad6 in human choriocarcinoma cells and in differentiated trophoblasts from human placenta. In vitro protein interaction studies mapped the Smad6 interaction domain within Dlx3 to residues 80-163, a region of Dlx3 that includes a portion of the homeodomain. Dlx3 and Dlx4 share homology within this region, and Dlx4 was also found to bind Smad6. Using the Esx1 gene promoter as a model for a Dlx3-responsive gene, studies demonstrate two near consensus Dlx3 binding sites within the proximal 2.3 kb of the transcription start site. Interestingly, binding of Dlx3 to one of these two sites was inhibited by interaction with Smad6. Consistent with this result, expression of an Esx1 promoter luciferase reporter was increased by overexpression of Dlx3; this effect was reversed with co-expression of Smad6. Further, small interference RNA-mediated knockdown of endogenous Smad6 increased Dlx3-dependent expression of the Esx1 gene promoter. Thus, Smad6 appears to functionally interact with Dlx3, altering the ability of Dlx3 to bind target gene promoters. Smad6 appears to play a modulatory role in the regulation of Dlx3-dependent gene transcription within placental trophoblasts.
Effects of Sintering Temperature and Time on Grain Size and Dielectric Constant of Potassium Tantalum Niobate Films

Thin films of potassium tantalum niobate (KTN) formed by metalorganic deposition were subjected to one- and two-step sinterings in air and potassium atmosphere. These polycrystalline films were found to be mechanically robust and display electrical properties similar to single-crystal KTN. This report shows that film grain size increased with sintering temperature and time. Scanning electron micrographs revealed grain sizes ranging from submicrometer to 5 μm in diameter. The maximum relative permittivity, its corresponding rate of change with temperature, and film grain size were measured as a function of sintering temperature and time.
Fast -time Simulation of an Automated Conflict Detection and Resolution Concept

This paper investigates the effect on the National Airspace System of reducing air traffc controller workload by automating conflict detection and resolution. The Airspace Concept Evaluation System is used to perform simulations of the Cleveland Center with conventional and with automated conflict detection and resolution concepts. Results show that the automated conflict detection and resolution concept significantly decreases growth of delay as traffic demand is increased in en-route airspace.
HIV Sexual and Drug-Use Risk in Drug-Dependent Pregnant Patients in Comprehensive Drug Treatment.

This secondary analysis study investigated HIV sexual and drug-use risk in drug-dependent pregnant patients over the first month postrandomization to reinforcement-based treatment (RBT) (n = 47) or usual care (UC) (n = 42). Analysis of primary outcomes had indicated that RBT participants spent significantly longer time in treatment and recovery housing than UC participants. The present study examined the ability of 9 risk markers—age, race, estimated gestational age at treatment entry, lifetime substance abuse treatment episodes, history of prostitution charges, history of serious depression, current heroin injection status, current housing status, and current partner substance use—to predict changes in HIV risks. Sexual risk declined for participant subgroups with prostitution-charge histories and unstable housing. Drug-use risk declined for heroin injectors and nondepressed participants. A relationship was found between number of lifetime drug treatment episodes and sexual and drug-use risk. The role of risk markers in the response of drug-dependent pregnant women to drug treatment require attention.
Actions and comparative efficacy of phosphatidylcholine formulation and isolated sodium deoxycholate for different cell types

Background Phosphatidylcholine formulation has been used to dissolve local fat deposits. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of phosphatidylcholine formulation and its vehicle sodium deoxycholate alone on different cell lines to understand better its mechanism of action.
Randomized clinical trials: Problems and values

Problems with randomization can be grouped as ethical or methodological. Those who consider randomization unethical believe it deprives patients of their best chance for a good result or actually does them harm. Methodological criticisms are based on the selectivity of randomized studies in terms of time and money. Finally, although no one suggests that randomization produces any statistical disadvantage, some critics think that its statistical advantages have been exaggerated.
Why even egalitarians should favor market health insurance.

Socialism is dead, though many of its academic proponents take no notice of its demise. With its death, private property in the means of production is not generally in dispute, and the action in political philosophy centers on the justification of the welfare state. The heart of the welfare state is social insurance programs, such as government managed and subsidized health insurance, retirement pensions, and unemployment insurance. The arguments about health insurance will arguably be among the most ferocious, difficult, and important of the welfare-state debates: Ferocious, because proposals to alter government managed or subsidized health care strike at people's fears and concerns in a way matched by few other proposals. Difficult, because people can often not even conceive of a (genuine) market alternative to the status quo in health insurance, and there is no real existing alternative to hold up as a model. Important, because if an intellectually solid case for market health insurance can be established, then supporters of the welfare state should be on the defensive, since social health insurance is an institution central to their vision of the just or good society.
Reactions of boron with soils

Boron is an essential micronutrient for plants, but the range between deficient and toxic B concentration is smaller than for any other nutrient element. Plants respond directly to the activity of B in soil solution and only indirectly to B adsorbed on soil constituents. Soil factors affecting availability of B to plants are: pH, texture, moisture, temperature, organic matter and clay mineralogy. Boron adsorbing surfaces in soils are: aluminium and iron oxides, magnesium hydroxide, clay minerals, calcium carbonate, and organic matter. Boron adsorption reactions can be described empirically using the Langmuir adsorption isotherm equation, the Freundlich adsorption isotherm equation, and the phenomenological Keren model. Chemical models such as the constant capacitance model, the triple layer model, and the Stern VSC-VSP model can describe B adsorption over changing conditions of solution pH and B concentration. Boron desorption reactions often exhibit hysteresis. The rate of B desorption can be described using the first order rate equation, the Elovich reaction rate equation, and the power function equation.
Uptake, Distribution, and Excretion of Fluorocarbon FX-80 (Perfluorobutyl Perfluorotetrahydrofuran) during Liquid Breathing in the Dog

The uptake, distribution, and excretion of FX-80, a water-insoluble mixture of isomers of perfluorobutyl perfluorotetrahydrofuran, were studied in 17 dogs subjected to liquid breathing with oxygenated FX-80. The absence of excess fluoride ion in urine suggests that FX-80 is not metabolized, nor is i
The greens of lead

An 84-year-old male with a history of diabetes mellitus type 2, prostate cancer and congestive heart failure was admitted for lower extremities cellulitis. His skin examination revealed localized green pigmentation of the palmar surface of the left hand (Figure 1). The patient had been injured during the Second World War and had metal fillings, probably lead fragments, embedded in his skin since then. This type of skin discoloration caused by direct implantation of bullet lead residues is permanent but benign, because lead fragments in soft tissue usually become encapsulated with fibrous tissue and do not cause problems. Lead poisoning has been reported after intra-articular implantation of lead bullet fragments. 1 Our patient did not present any symptoms of lead intoxication besides his skin green pigmentation.
The Economics of Non-selfish Behavior: Decisions to Contribute Money to Public Goods

The Economics of Non-selfish Behavior: Decisions to Contribute Money to Public Goods . By Stephan Meier. Northhampton, MA: Edward Elgar, 2006, 168 pp., ISBN 13-978-1-84542-4411, $85.00 hardcover. T...
Technology-Driven Convergence of Business Processes in the Acquisition Cycle: Implications for Accountants and Educators

ABSTRACT: Organizations have sought competitive cost advantage in the acquisition cycle through software associated with e-procurement, expense management, payment technology, data mining, ERP “bolt-ons,” and regulatory compliance. The net effect of advancing technology has been a convergence of the different business processes operating within the acquisition cycle such that the potential exists for one basic procurement process and payment tool to support multiple business applications, greatly improving organizational efficiency. Thus, this paper examines (1) processes within the traditional acquisition cycle and the technological and control drivers that sustain them, (2) how emerging technologies (in particular, card-based payment technologies) are disrupting the acquisition cycle, and (3) how new technology represents a paradigm shift for accountants and educators that requires a significant reconsideration of the nature of and balance between key controls, risks, and efficiency. The paper also exa...
Spatialized Browsing in Large Data Archives

Exponentially growing data archives emphasize the need for efficient techniques and novel approaches to find and extract information. Information visualization has emerged in the Information Retrieval domain to facilitate access to large databases. This development acknowledges the need to focus on higher level cognitive processes in information seeking. Graphic depictions of large databases are increasingly based on the spatial metaphor. These representations are also known as spatialized views or information spaces. Whereas space as a data property has implications for the design and implementation of spatial information systems, this paper explores whether commonly used spatial concepts could be used as browsing metaphors to explore a digital library catalog. A proof of concept is provided that illustrates how spatial metaphors might be embodied in a query interface to visually explore the catalog of the Alexandria Digital Library. This experimental interface includes an information landscape that is based on three spatial concepts, distance (similarity), arrangement (dispersion and concentration), and scale (level of detail).
Dry age-related macular degeneration: mechanisms, therapeutic targets, and imaging.

Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of irreversible visual dysfunction in individuals over 65 in Western Society. Patients with AMD are classified as having early stage disease (early AMD), in which visual function is affected, or late AMD (generally characterized as either “wet” neovascular AMD, “dry” atrophic AMD or both), in which central vision is severely compromised or lost. Until recently, there have been no therapies available to treat the disorder(s). Now, the most common wet form of late-stage AMD, choroidal neovascularization, generally responds to treatment with anti–vascular endothelial growth factor therapies. Nevertheless, there are no current therapies to restore lost vision in eyes with advanced atrophic AMD. Oral supplementation with the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) or AREDS2 formulation (antioxidant vitamins C and E, lutein, zeaxanthin, and zinc) has been shown to reduce the risk of progression to advanced AMD, although the impact was in neovascular rather than atrophic AMD. Recent findings, however, have demonstrated several features of early AMD that are likely to be druggable targets for treatment. Studies have established that much of the genetic risk for AMD is associated with complement genes. Consequently, several complement-based therapeutic treatment approaches are being pursued. Potential treatment strategies against AMD deposit formation and protein and/or lipid deposition will be discussed, including anti-amyloid therapies. In addition, the role of autophagy in AMD and prevention of oxidative stress through modulation of the antioxidant system will be explored. Finally, the success of these new therapies in clinical trials and beyond relies on early detection, disease typing, and predicting disease progression, areas that are currently being rapidly transformed by improving imaging modalities and functional assays.
A statistical approach to the estimation of delay-dependent switching activities in CMOS combinational circuits

This paper describes a new procedure for estimating the delay-dependent switching activities in CMOS combinational circuits. The procedure is based on analytic and statistical techniques to take advantage of their time-efficiency over conventional logic simulators. Combinational circuits driven by synchronized logic signals are considered as application targets and the statistical properties of logic signals and circuit parameters are defined and evaluated. The experimental result on benchmark circuits shows the significant time efficiency of the proposed procedure.
Are Federal Dollars Bearing Fruit?: An Analysis of the College Assistance Migrant Program

This study considers 4 years of national College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) data from programs located across the United States. Findings reveal that 81% of the migrant college students served by CAMP continue to study a 2nd year. Researchers found that the success of high-achieving programs can overshadow less effective ones and, thus, recommend that future program reviews be concerned with the whole as well as the parts. The development of program evaluation criteria is recommended.
Modelling considerations in probabilistic performance‐based seismic evaluation: case study of the I‐880 viaduct

Limitations associated with deterministic methods to quantify demands and develop rational acceptance criteria have led to the emergence of probabilistic procedures in performance-based seismic engineering. The Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research performance-based methodology is one such approach. In this paper, the impact of certain modelling decisions made at different stages of the evaluation process on the performance assessment of a typical multi-bent viaduct is examined. Modelling, in the context of this paper, covers hazard modelling, structural modelling and loss modelling. The specific application considered in this study is a section of an existing viaduct in California: the 1-880 interstate highway. Several simulation models of the viaduct are developed, a series of nonlinear time-history analyses are carried out to predict demands, measures of damage are evaluated and the probability of closure of the viaduct is estimated using the specified hazard for the site. It is concluded that the methodology offers several advantages over existing deterministic performance-based procedures. Results of the investigation indicate that the assessment methodology is particularly sensitive to the reliability of decisions made by bridge inspectors following a seismic event, and to the dispersion in the demand estimation, which in turn is influenced by several factors including soil-structure interaction effects and ground motion scaling procedures.
Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion

The laboratory diagnosis and clinical management of unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) patients is a controversial issue in contemporary obstetrics. In this report, the results of laboratory investigations and immunotherapy of RSA patients referred to our Center since 1986 are detailed. Our analyses have resulted in grouping RSA patients into primary (1 degree), secondary (2 degrees), and unexplained classifications. Laboratory evaluation criteria included assays for both complement-dependent and complement-independent antipaternal antibodies as well as histocompatibility antigen tissue typing for HLA, A, B, C, and DR antigens. In addition, mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC) were performed to assess the degree of HLA-D locus compatibility between couples and to test for the presence of MLC inhibitors in maternal blood. Immunotherapy options and the rationale for their use are given and preliminary outcome data are presented from randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trials.
Effects of Level of Internet Retailer’s Service Quality on Perceived Apparel Quality, Perceived Service Quality, Perceived Value, Satisfaction, and Behavioral Intentions Toward an Internet Retailer:

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the level of Internet retailer’s service quality (IRSQ) on perceived apparel quality, perceived service quality, consumer value perception of...
Fly-height, pitch, and crown measurements of hard-disk sliders by capacitance stripe

The capacitance-stripe technique uses a special disk and high-speed capacitance amplifier to yield profiles of the air-bearing surface of a flying slider. The author reports extensions of the technique to make it more applicable to modern low-flying sliders. These include a more planar substrate, an amplifier less sensitive to large lead impedances, and the use of a difference measurement to account for the nonuniform rail-widths of some modern sliders. Results of fly height, pitch, and crown measurements are close enough to interferometric measurements of these quantities to encourage the use of capacitance stripe as a low-cost alternative technique. Landing measurements on an IBM 3390-type slider show the slider tipping forward on landing owing to frictional torques. >
Implementation of the Noblis Sensor Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and the Noblis Autonomous Marine Sensor System (NAMSS) within an Autonomous Sensor Network (ASN)

Maritime observation systems currently are insufficient in spatial distribution, sensor type availability, interoperability, cost, and deployment utility to adequately support coastal marine and estuarine decision-makers and event responders. The goal of the Autonomous Sensor Network (ASN) project is twofold. First is to develop the rapidly deployable Noblis Autonomous Marine Sensor System (NAMSS) to demonstrate that more affordable and capable small sensor systems can be developed to significantly augment the currently expensive and limited number of systems in use. Second is to integrate NAMSS (and other existing operational sensor systems, both satellite and in situ) with emerging capabilities in the Noblis Sensor Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) along with geospatial analysis and visualization services to demonstrate the value of this enhanced capability. The ASN will be an automated observation, detection, alert, tasking, deployment, and product delivery system designed to allow domain users to react quickly and efficiently to a variety of emergent incidents, as well as improve the efficacy of longer-term monitoring, in estuarine and coastal marine waters. Noblis originated this project through internal corporate research and is working with partners in the Chesapeake Bay Observing System (CBOS) to build upon the initial work of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center on the NASA Earth Observing (EO)-1 Sensor Web. The ASN will expand current EO-1 Sensor Web capabilities and extend them into the logistically and operationally challenging coastal marine and estuarine environment of the Chesapeake Bay, U.S. national marine sanctuaries, and other vitally important marine ecosystems. The ASN is intended to be a demonstration of the benefit of a rapid prototyping approach to exemplify the potential of CBOS and the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS). While initial efforts focus on a few select marine environments, this project is adaptable and scalable to national use for IOOS.
Patient Compliance with Nasal CPAP Therapy for Sleep Apnea

Continuous positive airway pressure via the nasal route (nasal CPAP) has been convincingly shown to reduce the frequency of occlusive and mixed patterns of sleep apnea. 1–4 In addition, we have recently demonstrated that a single night of nasal CPAP, applied in a hospital setting, is well-tolerated by a majority of sleep apnea patients. Although long-term patient compliance is a critical determinant of the success of home nasal CPAP therapy, few data addressing this issue are available. Sullivan et al 5 reported continued abatement of daytime somnolence in 35 patients during three to 30 months of home nasal CPAP therapy. Similarly, Frith et al 6 described long-term nasal CPAP therapy (seven to 22 months) in five of seven patients. In neither study, however, was information provided regarding the nightly frequency of nasal CPAP use or the fraction of nightly sleep time during which nasal CPAP was employed. In a small number of patients, McEvoy and coworkers 7 reported that the use of home nasal CPAP varied from three to seven nights per week. This study did not address the use of nasal CPAP in terms of the fraction of nightly sleep time during which the device was applied. If patients do not use nasal CPAP during all sleep time, the therapeutic results may be suboptimal. Comprehensive information about long-term compliance would allow a greater understanding of the utility of nasal CPAP as a therapy for sleep apnea. Accordingly, we sent questionnaires to our patients on chronic nasal CPAP therapy. The responses extend our previous findings and indicate that, although this treatment modality is not without its discomforts and inconveniences, it is well-tolerated and conscientiously used on a long-term basis by most patients.
Relativistic-particle quantum mechanics

In this lecture I hope to show that relativistic-particle quantum mechanics with direct interactions is a useful tool for building models applicable to hadron systems at intermediate energies. To do this I will first describe a class of models designed to incorporate nucleon-nucleon interactions, pion production, absorption and scattering into a single dynamical framework without dressing the nucleons with pion clouds. The second major topic concerns electromagnetic interactions. In the previous lecture I specifically excluded long-rang forces and zero-mass particles. Since many of the experimental data in hadron physics involve electromagnetic interactions this limitation is a major defect which must be addressed.
Simultaneous and interleaved polling: an upstream protocol for WDM-PON

We present a simultaneous and interleaved polling algorithm for upstream traffic scheduling for a WDM-PON broadband access network. We analyze the guaranteed and maximum bandwidth, and average packet delay performance for the WDM-PON users.
Use of Plant Resin by a Bee Assassin Bug, Apiomerus flaviventris (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

A bee assassin bug, Apiomerus flaviventris Herrich-Schaffer (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), of the arid or semiarid southwestern North America is known to exploit resins from plants and apply them to the eggs for protection. To elucidate the source and possible functions of the resin, A. flaviventris were collected in the Anza Borrego Desert State Park, California, and observed in the laboratory. Female A. flaviventris collected the resin from a desert perennial shrub, brittlebush, Encelia farinosa Gray ex Torr. (Asteraceae). Bioassays with the predatory ant species Forelius pruinosus (Roger) and Linepithema humile (Mayr) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) indicated that the brittlebush resin coating is important in preventing A. flaviventris eggs from being picked up by omnivorous predators.
The Diurnal Variation of Precipitation in California and Nevada

Abstract The diurnal variation of precipitation across California and Nevada has been studied by means of a harmonic analysis of 35 years of hourly precipitation data for 347 stations, and a regional probability of precipitation analysis for grouped stations. Results are shown for the cool (November-April) and warm (May-October) seasons. For all measurable (>0.25 mm) precipitation events, the phase of the cool season diurnal cycle tends to peak between 0300–0900 LST along the coast, between 1000–1300 LST in the coastal mountains and the Sierra Nevada and in the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys and between 0800–1200 LST in most of Nevada. Similar times are found during the warm season along the coast and in the coastal mountains while there is a shift to 1400–2000 LST inland across the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys, the Sierra Nevada and Nevada. For the heavier (>2.5 mm) precipitation events, the phase of the cool season diurnal cycle tends to peak from 1300–1800 LST at many locations. Exceptions in...
Long Exposure Point Spread Function Estimation from Solar Adaptive Optics Loop Data

We present a method to estimate the Long Exposure Point Spread Function of an AO corrected solar image using AO loop data. With this LEPSF image quality can be brought closer to diffraction limit level.
Zensei: Augmenting Objects with Effortless User Recognition Capabilities through Bioimpedance Sensing

As interactions with everyday handheld devices and objects become increasingly common, a more seamless and effortless identification and personalization technique will be essential to an uninterrupted user experience. In this paper, we present Zensei, a user identification and customization system using human body bioimpedance sensing through multiple electrodes embedded into everyday objects. Zensei provides for an uninterrupted user-device personalization experience that is difficult to forge because it uses both the unique physiological and behavioral characteristics of the user. We demonstrate our measurement system in three exemplary device configurations that showcase different levels of constraint via environment-based, whole-body-based, and handheld-based identification scenarios. We evaluated Zensei's classification accuracy among 12 subjects on each configuration over 22 days of collected data and report our promising results.
Commitment, Deference, and Legislative Institutions

Informational theories of legislative institutions have demonstrated the potential collective gains from committee specialization due to the use of restrictive amendment procedures. For these benefits to be realized, however, the floor majority must overcome a commitment problem. I demonstrate that in a multistage game, majority rule, combined with the fact that generations of legislators overlap, allows the legislature to solve the commitment problem and to sustain legislative norms and institutions even if legislators are “finitely lived.” The model suggests that rather than restrictive amendment procedures, it is the committee's expectation of floor deference that sustains committee specialization. As a consequence, legislative norms may collapse due to an unexpected influx of new members even if the distribution of preferences in the legislature does not change. Finally, I discuss consequences for a comparative study of legislative institutions.
Lived experience of the warrior nurse as an advisor

ABSTRACT Purpose: Described the lived experience of U.S. warrior nurses who served as advisors to host nation officials in Afghanistan. Method: The phenomenological approach was applied to obtain comprehensive descriptions from 10 warrior nurses. The modified Stevick–Colaizzi–Keen data analysis method was utilized as the researcher had performed in the role of interest. Discussion: Textural themes included (a) challenging role, (b) challenging place, and (c) changed. One of two structural themes representing the core traits included four subthemes (a) be careful, (b) be powerful, (c) be courageous, and (d) be resourceful. The other structural theme representing the skin or outer traits included four subthemes (a) be impeccable, (b) be malleable, (c) be caring, and (d) be resilient. Conclusion: The findings provided validation of previous information and new insight for nursing and military professions in terms of advancement of the practice of military nursing and enhancing the understanding of personnel ...
Persistent Expression of 3-Methylcholanthrene-Inducible Cytochromes P4501A in Rat Hepatic and Extrahepatic Tissues

We reported earlier that 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) persistently induces hepatic ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activities (CYP1A1) in rats for up to 45 days. In this investigation, we tested the hypotheses that persistent expression of CYP1A1 activities is paralleled by sustained induction of CYP1A1/CYP1A2 apoproteins and their mRNAs and that this phenomenon is mediated by mechanisms other than retention of MC in the rat. Rats were given MC (93 micromol/kg) i.p., once daily for 4 days, and CYP1A1/1A2 parameters were measured in liver at selected time points. MC-elicited increases in CYP1A1/1A2 activities, apoprotein contents, and mRNA levels were sustained for several weeks after the last dose of MC treatment. MC also caused long-term induction of CYP1A1 in lungs and mammary glands. Rats treated with [(3)H]MC once daily for 4 days excreted 92. 3% of the administered radioactivity in feces and urine by day 15. The intrahepatic concentration of MC at the 15-day time point was 270 pmol/g. Dose-response studies showed that administration of MC (2 micromol/kg), which produced an intrahepatic concentration of 271 pmol/g after 24 h, did not induce CYP1A1/1A2 activities, strongly suggesting that the sustained induction of CYP1A1/1A2 was not due to retention of the parent MC in the body. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that persistent CYP1A1 induction by MC involved Ah receptor-independent mechanisms. In conclusion, our results support the hypothesis that persistent expression of CYP1A1/1A2 by MC is mediated by mechanisms independent of the retention of the parent carcinogen.
Pathogenic analysis of the first serogroup B Epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis death case in Dongguan

Objective:To analyze the pathogenic character of the first serogroup B Epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis death case in Dongguan on October,2010.Methods:The tests of routine disposal,latex agglutination and PCR were used to identify the pathogenic bacterial strain in the sample,then some drug sensitive tests were used for the strain.Results:The patient in the case died of serogroup B Neisseria meningitides,and the strain was sensitive to ampicillin(AMP),ciprofloxacin(CIP),rifampicin(RA),chloromycetin(CHL),cefalotin(CF),Erythromycin(E) and tetracycline(TE),but insensitive to sulfonamides(SMZ).Conclution:This is the first case of an infant less than a month died of serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis in China,which prompts that the surveillance of Epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis pathogeny should be strengthened.
Rainfall, evapotranspiration, and soil moisture as herbage production predictors for Wyoming rangelands

ABSTRACTRangelands are an important ecosystem in the western US, and herbage and livestock production are important issues throughout the western states. Making stocking rate decisions early in the growing season is difficult because of high variation in annual herbage production. In this study, regression analysis was used to relate herbage biomass to monthly and growing season predicator variables (rainfall, actual evapotranspiration, and soil moisture) using data collected from fifteen Wyoming rangeland sites. Both predictor and response variables were scaled before regression to correct for different physical and environmental conditions between sites. Growing season precipitation was the strongest predictor of herbage biomass production (r2 = 0.79), followed by growing season actual evapotranspiration (r2 = 0.69), and growing season profile-average soil water content (r2 = 0.59). April profile-average (0–90 cm) and April surface (0–30 cm) soil moisture also predicted herbage biomass (r2 = 0.53–0.54),...
XI.—An Investigation into the Effects of Seasonal Changes on Body Temperature.

Monthly observations, extending over one year, were made on the rectal temperature of 114 domestic fowls (Gallus gallus, ♀) and records from forty-one of these were obtained for two years. Six different breeds were used, each located in a separate pen, all under similar conditions, and the mean temperatures for each group were plotted out to form an annual temperature curve. It was found that— 1. The lowest temperatures occur in December, January, and February, and the highest in June, July, and August, corresponding in a general way with the temperature of the external air. 2. Barometric pressure does not appear to have any influence on the body temperature of the hen. 3. The curve of egg-production does not coincide with the annual temperature curve, the former reaching its highest level in April and May, the latter in June, July, and August. If we compare the mean rectal temperature at two periods of the year when the external or weather conditions are approximately the same (April-May and September-October), but when the vitality of the birds, as indicated by the curve of egg-production, moulting, etc., is at a maximum and minimum respectively, we find that the figures are practically identical. This would seem to show that cyclical bodily changes have little effect on body temperature as compared with outside influences.
The General Ability Measure for Adults

The General Ability Measure for Adults (GAMA; Naglieri and Bardos in General Ability Measure for Adults (GAMA). National Computer Systems, Minneapolis, 1997) is accessible to persons with a wide variety of backgrounds; it is a nonverbal test that is free of the confounding characteristics of expressive language skills and exposure to a formal English-speaking academic environment. Naglieri and Bardos (1997) stated that the GAMA “evaluates an individual’s overall general ability with items that require the application of reasoning and logic to solve problems that exclusively use abstract designs and shapes” (p. 1). The GAMA does not follow a particular theoretical model but rather attempts to offer an alternative to the measure of general ability after recognizing many inherent problems with tests of general ability that use subtests that have been used as measures of nonverbal ability despite the fact that their administration directions include lengthy and wordy verbal directions (see for example the Wechsler series of tests). It offers an efficient research supported means to estimate a person’s overall cognitive ability. As of the writing of this chapter, the GAMA is undergoing a national re-standardization. In addition to a more recent normative sample, the GAMA-2 will address much of the feedback the GAMA authors received from users in the field.
The Effects of Growth of Democracy and Transition to Market-Based Economies on Women's Well-Being

This paper assesses the effects of the growth of democracy on various measures of well-being in transition economies throughout the world and in post-communist countries over the past three decades. The results suggest that the effects of democratization on quality of life differ across gender. Specifically, while democracy has positive effects overall, the quality of life for women declines on several key measures, especially in the area of economic opportunities. The results also demonstrate vast differences in the effects of democratization between the world in general and the post-communist region. The study suggests that comprehensive investigation of democratization requires regional and gender-specific analyses. These differing effects of democracy need to be considered as policies develop in transitional democracies.
Parents Can Help Children Learn Mathematics.

parents want their children to enjoy school and succeed with school work. They are eager to help children learn mathematics, but many are not sure how to proceed. Parents can help children with mathematics if we suggest activities and sample questions to ask. They can help children develop mathematical concepts and build vocabulary, and they can foster an attitude of curiosity about numbers and shapes. The suggestions that follow can be shared with parents of both preschool children and children in the elementary grades, The suggestions are merely idea starters. Parents will be able to elaborate; they will soon extend the list with their own ideas. Before you give these activities to a child's parents, highlight those activities for which the child is ready. Even so, parents will also need to judge what is appropriate for each child. Alert them to the fact that they may get some surprises: some children will show understanding beyond what parents expect; others will lack needed skills. These discrepancies can be discussed at the next parent-teacher conference.
Auditor Dismissals: What Does Timing Reveal that Disclosures Do Not?

Auditor resignations provide a clear signal of accounting problems or heightened audit risk; however, registrants label the vast majority of auditor changes as dismissals, which carry more ambiguity. Motivated by the opacity of current dismissal disclosures, this study explores the usefulness of these disclosures compared to an alternative signal – the timing of the dismissal within the reporting year – for inferring the causes and implications of dismissals. Dividing the reporting year into key periods, we find that the probabilities of future restatements, material weaknesses, and delistings following a dismissal generally increase within the reporting year while negative circumstances disclosed do not. Analyses suggest that the timing patterns are caused by burgeoning, yet undisclosed, conflicts between the client and the outgoing auditor, rather than by transition difficulties involving the new auditor (as prior literature claims). The timing patterns strongly persist after controlling for negative circumstances that registrants disclose in the dismissal filing, suggesting that the disclosures are not fully revealing. In fact, disclosed negative circumstances have no incremental predictive power for future restatements and delistings. Our results suggest a severe lack of informativeness of current disclosures and support previous calls for improvement of dismissal disclosure regulation.
Abstract 4530: A biophysical model for necrosis development in glioblastoma informed by subject-specific MRI measurements

Introduction We have previously developed the means to use quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data to initialize a biophysical model (Model 1) of tumor growth which accurately predicts future tumor volume but fails to capture the development of low-cellularity (or necrotic) regions in a murine model of glioblastoma. In this work, we expand upon this biophysical model (Model 2) to characterize necrosis by relating tissue perfusion to cell death. We evaluate the accuracy of both models to in vivo measurements of tumor growth. Methods To evaluate this model, rats (n = 4) with C6 gliomas were imaged with dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) and diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) seven times over 10 days. DCE-MRI was used to identify tumor regions and estimate tissue perfusion (as estimated by the parameter Ktrans), while DW-MRI was used to estimate cell number. For both Models 1 and 2, parameters describing tumor proliferation, diffusion, and carrying capacity were optimized from the first three imaging time points. For Model 1, these parameters were then used in a forward evaluation of the model to predict future tumor growth at the later days. For Model 2, additional parameters describing cell death and sensitivity to Ktrans were estimated from the all timepoints and used to simulate tumor growth over the final four time points. Error was assessed between the model and observed tumor growth by calculating the percent error in tumor volume, percent error in voxel cell number, and the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) over the final four days. Results No statistically significant differences for percent error in tumor volume were observed between Model 1 (6.49 ± 4.70%, mean and 95% confidence interval) and Model 2 (6.77 ± 4.77%). Model 1 had 12.0 ± 0.3% error in voxel cell number in low cellularity regions (where cellularity was between 60-80% of carrying capacity). Model 2, however, exhibited a statistically significant decrease (P 0.90 in high cellularity regions. Conclusion Incorporating a model of cell death informed by tissue perfusion improves the overall tumor growth characterization by decreasing the error in predicted cell number at the voxel level in the low cellularity (or hypoxic) regions. The lack of a model for Ktrans in the current implementation, however, requires a posteriori measurements to update tissue perfusion. Further work is needed to develop a predictive model for the spatial-temporal evolution of Ktrans. Citation Format: David A. Hormuth, Thomas E. Yankeelov. A biophysical model for necrosis development in glioblastoma informed by subject-specific MRI measurements [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4530. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-4530
Expression and assembly of largest foreign protein in chloroplasts: oral delivery of human FVIII made in lettuce chloroplasts robustly suppresses inhibitor formation in haemophilia A mice.

Inhibitor formation is a serious complication of factor VIII (FVIII) replacement therapy for the X-linked bleeding disorder haemophilia A and occurs in 20%-30% of patients. No prophylactic tolerance protocol currently exists. Although we reported oral tolerance induction using FVIII domains expressed in tobacco chloroplasts, significant challenges in clinical advancement include expression of the full-length CTB-FVIII sequence to cover the entire patient population, regardless of individual CD4+ T-cell epitope responses. Codon optimization of FVIII heavy chain (HC) and light chain (LC) increased expression 15- to 42-fold higher than the native human genes. Homoplasmic lettuce lines expressed CTB fusion proteins of FVIII-HC (99.3 kDa), LC (91.8 kDa), C2 (31 kDa) or single chain (SC, 178.2 kDa) up to 3622, 263, 3321 and 852 μg/g in lyophilized plant cells, when grown in a cGMP hydroponic facility (Fraunhofer). CTB-FVIII-SC is the largest foreign protein expressed in chloroplasts; despite a large pentamer size (891 kDa), assembly, folding and disulphide bonds were maintained upon lyophilization and long-term storage as revealed by GM1-ganglioside receptor binding assays. Repeated oral gavages (twice/week for 2 months) of CTB-FVIII-HC/CTB-FVIII-LC reduced inhibitor titres ~10-fold (average 44 BU/mL to 4.7 BU/mL) in haemophilia A mice. Most importantly, increase in the frequency of circulating LAP-expressing CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+ Treg in tolerized mice could be used as an important cellular biomarker in human clinical trials for plant-based oral tolerance induction. In conclusion, this study reports the first clinical candidate for oral tolerance induction that is urgently needed to protect haemophilia A patients receiving FVIII injections.
Buen Vivir as Policy: Challenging Neoliberalism or Consolidating State Power in Ecuador

Core countries, including the United States, and global financial institutions have exerted an unmatched power to define and implement neoliberal policies, globally. These policies conceive of development as strictly economic in nature and call for a reduction in the size of the state and increasing privatization to guarantee growth. In this paper I examine Ecuador’s adoption of ‘Buen Vivir’ to understand how the state can challenge the neoliberal agenda and how its power is redefined in the process. Buen Vivir is an indigenous Andean philosophy that emphasizes community well-being, reciprocity, solidarity, and harmony with Pachamama (Mother Earth). I analyze public government documents to investigate how policies based upon buen vivir have served to solidify an antisystemic position in a direct challenge to traditional neoliberal notions of economic prosperity, growth, and material accumulation. Through a review of how the state has sought to reposition itself as well as some of the contradictions in the implementation of Buen Vivir, I contend that the state exercises both dominating and transformative power. The case of Ecuador provides insight into the distinguishing role the state can play in resisting neoliberal development and in effect decentering global capitalism.
Clostridium difficle Enteropathy Is Associated With a Higher Risk for Acute Kidney Injury in Patients With an Ileostomy-A Case-Control Study.

Background Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is traditionally considered a colon-affecting disease with frequent pseudomembrane formation. However, multiple case reports have documented the existence of CDI in the small bowel, and the literature on outcome of C difficile enteropathy (CDE) is sparse. The aims of our study are to identify risk factors and to assess patient-related outcomes associated with CDE. Methods This is a case-control study involving 112 patients at our tertiary care center. Patients with an ileostomy who tested positive for C difficile toxins were assigned to the study group (n = 34). The control group included patients with an ileostomy who tested negative for the C difficile toxins (n = 78). Via chart review, we collected data on baseline characteristics, laboratory values, potential risk factors, and outcome measures. Results Patients in the study and control groups were comparable in baseline and laboratory characteristics. In univariate analysis, CDE was associated with a history of smoking (hazard ratio [HR], 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-4.3; P = 0.034), the presence of alcohol use (HR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.05-12.8; P = 0.042), and older median age at the time of ileostomy (HR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.07-1.3; P = 0.001). In multivariate analysis, no significant association between established CDI risk factors (eg, prior exposure to antibiotics and the use of proton pump inhibitors or histamine 2 receptor blockers) and the risk for the CDE was found. Only a history of alcohol intake was found to be associated with CDE (HR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.09-14.1; P = 0.036). No significant difference in mortality was found in the study and control groups (2.9% vs 1.3%, P = 0.52), but patients with CDE were more likely to have acute kidney injury (AKI) than those without CDE (odds ratio, 4.0; 95% CI, 1.2-13.0. P = 0.023). Conclusions We identified a history of alcohol use a risk factor for CDE. Furthermore, CDE was found be associated with an increased risk for developing AKI.
Der Flash-Mode und die mathematische Identifikation

Jemand bremst vor mir, rotes Licht. Ein Glas mit Rotwein kippt klirrend um. Das Baby rollt vom Wickeltisch. Die Pferde erschrecken und gehen durch.