cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impaired bone marrow lymphocyte proliferation in acute myelogenous leukemia

Bone marrow cells were cultured in liquid media with and without phytohemagglutinin (PHA) to test bone marrow lymphocyte response during the remission period of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Mitogen-stimulated cultures from nine leukemic patients while in complete remission showed high percentages of morphologically transformed lymphocytes, but proliferation of these cells was significantly decreased (p less than 0.02) in cultures from six patients who subsequently relapsed (mean remission duration 10 months) and died. In contrast, lymphocyte proliferation in cultures from three AML patients with long remission (greater than 30 months) was comparable to controls. Parallel cultures without added PHA showed a progressive decrease in total viable cell number with time, but an increasing percentage of macrophages in both control and AML cultures. These studies suggest that bone marrow lymphocyte proliferation, but not morphologic transformation, is impaired in some patients with AML, and that identification of this defect may be of prognostic value.
Innovations in Aortic Disease: The Ascending Aorta and Aortic Arch

Significant innovations have defined the approach to the proximal thoracic aorta. Aortic proteolysis predisposes to dissection and aneurysm. Losartan may prevent aortic root dilation in Marfan syndrome. The Loeys-Dietz syndrome mandates early aortic intervention. Because genetic aortopathies have a multicenter registry, further aortic molecular advances are likely. Acute intramural hematoma (IMH) may be due to aortic dissection with unrecognized microintimal tears. Type-A IMH is often a surgical emergency, whereas type-B IMH often requires medical management. Because preoperative ischemia predicts mortality in type-A dissection, it is logical to classify this disease by ischemic presentation. Because advanced age worsens the outcome in type-A dissection, transcatheter interventions should be urgently developed for this high-risk subgroup. Aortic arch repairs shorter than 45 minutes in duration are safely performed under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest with/without perfusion adjuncts. Bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) offers the best neuroprotection for complex repairs longer than 45 minutes. Axillary artery cannulation improves outcomes in proximal thoracic aortic procedures. Contralateral hemispheric ischemia is possible with unilateral ACP because cross-cerebral perfusion may be inadequate. Arch repair with ACP and moderate HCA is safe and effective and represents a research opportunity for pharmacologic ischemic preconditioning. Antegrade thoracic aortic stenting for DeBakey 1 dissection thromboses the distal false lumen to improve long-term aortic outcomes. Endovascular arch repair is feasible and may soon be done off-pump. These described innovations have collectively ushered in a paradigm shift in diseases affecting the ascending aorta and aortic arch.
Spontaneous ovarian tumors in twelve baboons: a review of ovarian neoplasms in non-human primates

: Twelve spontaneous ovarian tumors were found in the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research baboon colony. These included four granulosa cell tumors, three teratomas, two endometrioid carcinomas, one seromucinous cystadenofibroma, a cystic papillary adenocarcinoma, and an ovarian carcinoma. Age was a pre-disposing factor. With one exception, the tumors of surface epithelial- and sex cord-stromal origin occurred in baboons over 17 years of age. The exceptional animal was 7 years of age when a malignant granulosa cell tumor with Sertoli cell differentiation was identified. The two endometrioid tumors, which were found in 17- and 30-year-old animals, were both associated with endometriosis. In contrast, the teratomas, which are tumors of germ cell origin, were found in younger animals, i.e. 17 years of age or younger. One case of an ovarian carcinoma with metastases was observed in a 6-month-old infant. Cases of spontaneous ovarian tumors from the literature are reviewed.
Loaded Shortening, Power Output, and Rate of Force Redevelopment Are Increased With Knockout of Cardiac Myosin Binding Protein-C

Myosin binding protein-C (MyBP-C) is localized to the thick filaments of striated muscle where it appears to have both structural and regulatory functions. Importantly, mutations in the cardiac MyBP-C gene are associated with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The purpose of this study was to examine the role that MyBP-C plays in regulating force, power output, and force development rates in cardiac myocytes. Skinned cardiac myocytes from wild-type (WT) and MyBP-C knockout (MyBP-C −/− ) mice were attached between a force transducer and position motor. Force, loaded shortening velocities, and rates of force redevelopment were measured during both maximal and half-maximal Ca 2+ activations. Isometric force was not different between the two groups with force being 17.0±7.2 and 20.5±3.1 kN/m 2 in wild-type and MyBP-C −/− myocytes, respectively. Peak normalized power output was significantly increased by 26% in MyBP-C −/− myocytes (0.15±0.01 versus 0.19±0.03 P/P o · ML/sec) during maximal Ca 2+ activations. Interestingly, peak power output in MyBP-C −/− myocytes was increased to an even greater extent (46%, 0.09±0.03 versus 0.14±0.02 P/P o · ML/sec) during half-maximal Ca 2+ activations. There was also an effect on the rate constant of force redevelopment (k tr ) during half-maximal Ca 2+ activations, with k tr being significantly greater in MyBP-C −/− myocytes (WT=5.8±0.9 s −1 versus MyBP-C −/− =7.7±1.7 s −1 ). These results suggest that cMyBP-C is an important regulator of myocardial work capacity whereby MyBP-C acts to limit power output.
The safety of low molecular-weight heparin after blunt liver and spleen injuries

Abstract Background Anticoagulation is routinely administered to all trauma patients owing to the high incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, the timing of administration of anticoagulation is not clearly defined when patients have blunt spleen or liver injuries because of the perceived risk of hemorrhage with early administration. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed of all blunt trauma patients who sustained blunt liver and/or spleen injuries during the 5-year period from 2007 to 2011. Data were collected for all patients managed with nonoperative therapy for these injuries while also receiving routine prophylactic anticoagulation with low molecular-weight heparin. Patients were categorized based on the initiation of enoxaparin therapy after injury: early ( 72 hours). Primary and secondary outcomes were designated as need for operative or radiologic intervention secondary to spleen or liver hemorrhage, number of transfusions, and incidence of VTE. Results Three hundred and twenty-eight patients were included. There were no enoxaparin-related hemorrhagic complications or hemorrhage necessitating operative intervention. Patients in the early, intermediate, and late groups received an average of .9, .93, and 1.55 units of blood, respectively. There was 1 pulmonary embolism in the early group, and there were 6 VTE complications in the late group (3 deep venous thromboses and 3 pulmonary embolisms). Conclusions There are currently no standards for the initiation of prophylactic anticoagulation in trauma patients with blunt liver and spleen injuries. Early administration may be safe and reduce the incidence of thrombotic complications in patients with blunt spleen and liver injuries. Prospective studies in this area are warranted.
A new efficient SVM and its application to real-time accurate eye localization

For complicated classification problems, the standard Support Vector Machine (SVM) is likely to be complex and thus the classification efficiency is low. In this paper, we propose a new efficient SVM (eSVM), which is based on the idea of minimizing the margin of misclassified samples. Compared with the conventional SVM, the eSVM is defined on fewer support vectors and thus can achieve much faster classification speed and comparable or even higher classification accuracy. We then present a real-time accurate eye localization system using the eSVM together with color information and 2D Haar wavelet features. Experiments on some public data sets show that (i) the eSVM significantly improves the efficiency of the standard SVM without sacrificing its accuracy and (ii) the eye localization system has real-time speed and higher detection accuracy than some state-of-the-art approaches.
Relationship between temporomandibular joint dynamics and mouthguards: feasibility of a test method.

A test system was developed establishing the feasibility of collecting biomechanical data as they relate to the use of mouthguards. Previous experimental studies have examined the physical and mechanical properties of mouthguard materials. This information has been used as a guide for establishing material standards and specifications for the fabrication of mouthguards, but it lacks the key biomechanical parameters required for a thorough mouthguard evaluation. The current study was designed to assess whether the impact force, condylar deflection, and strain superior to the temporomandibular joint region could be measured. A drop test was conducted on a cadaveric specimen to simulate loading at the chin point. To measure the force of impact, an accelerometer was attached to an impactor of known mass. High-speed biplanar (1000 frames per second) radiographs were used to determine condylar displacement. Radio-opaque markers were inserted into the bone at predetermined locations. Total displacement of these markers was determined in reference to anatomical landmarks. Strain gauges were attached to the mandible and skull to monitor the effects of the condyle impacting the base of the skull. Based on the data collected, forces were calculated by determining the product of the time-based accel- eration and known mass. A measurable change in force between the mouthguards and the control (no mouthguard) was demon- strated. The average condylar displacement was successfully measured and indicated as an increase in total deflection for impacts conducted with mouthguards. Quantifiable strain was measured in the region above the mandibular fossa with and without the insertion of a mouthguard at all impact conditions. However, it was determined that additional gauges would provide critical data. Key biomechanical parameters for chin-point impacts were determined in the current study. The technique demon- strated that both displacement within the mandibular fossa and loading of the condyles occur during the impact event. Although the current study established a technique that can be used to examine the relationship between mouthguards and jaw-joint injuries, the role, if any, mouthguards play in the reduction of injuries cannot be established until a thorough analysis is completed.
Lowly-expressed genes in Arabidopsis thaliana bear the signature of possible pseudogenization by promoter degradation

Pseudogenes are defined as nonfunctional DNA sequences with homology to functional protein-coding genes, and they typically contain nonfunctional mutations within the presumptive coding region. In theory, pseudogenes can also be caused by mutations in upstream regulatory regions, appearing as open reading frames with attenuated expression. In this study, we identified 1,939 annotated protein-coding genes with little evidence of expression in Arabidopsis thaliana and characterized their molecular evolutionary characteristics. On average, this set of genes was shorter than expressed genes and evolved with a 2-fold higher rate of nonsynonymous substitutions. The divergence of upstream sequences, based on ortholog comparisons to A. lyrata, was also higher than expressed genes, suggesting that these lowly expressed genes could be examples of pseudogenization by promoter disablement, often due to transposable element insertion. We complemented our empirical study by extending the models of Force et al. (Force A, Lynch M, Pickett FB, Amores A, Yan YL, Postlethwait J. 1999. Preservation of duplicate genes by complementary, degenerative mutations. Genetics 151:1531‐ 1545.) to derive the probability of promoter disablements after gene duplication.
The Impacts of Environmental Regulations on Industrial Activity: Evidence from the 1970 & 1977 Clean Air Act Amendments and the Census of Manufactures

This paper estimates the effects of environmental regulations on industrial activity. The analysis is conducted with the most comprehensive data available on both regulations from the Clean Air Act Amendments' division of counties into pollutant-specific nonattainment and attainment categories and manufacturing activity from the 1.75 million plant observations that comprise the 1967-87 Censuses of Manufactures. Emitters of the controlled pollutants are subject to greater regulatory oversight in nonattainment counties. I find that in the first 15 years after the Amendments became law (1972- 1987), nonattainment counties (relative to attainment ones) lost approximately 590,000 jobs, $37 billion in capital stock, and $75 billion (1987$) of output in pollution intensive industries. These estimates are derived from a statistical model for plant-level growth that controls for plant fixed effects, unrestricted industry shocks, and unrestricted county shocks. Importantly these findings are robust across many specifications, and the effects are apparent across a wide range of polluting industries. Although the decline in manufacturing activity was substantial in nonattainment counties, it was modest compared to the size of the entire manufacturing sector.
Addressing Challenging Behaviors in Head Start: A Closer Look at Program Policies and Procedures

In this study, Head Start policies and procedures related to child guidance and addressing challenging behaviors were examined. Data were gathered from six Head Start programs in the Midwest, through interviews and document analysis. The findings provide a glimpse into how Head Start programs support children’s social and emotional competence and address young children’s challenging behavior. Implications for practice and research are discussed.
Anti-cooperative Oxidation of Ubiquinol by the Yeast Cytochrome bc1 Complex

We have investigated the interaction between monomers of the dimeric yeast cytochrome bc(1) complex by analyzing the pre-steady and steady state activities of the isolated enzyme in the presence of antimycin under conditions that allow the first turnover of ubiquinol oxidation to be observable in cytochrome c(1) reduction. At pH 8.8, where the redox potential of the iron-sulfur protein is approximately 200 mV and in a bc(1) complex with a mutated iron-sulfur protein of equally low redox potential, the amount of cytochrome c(1) reduced by several equivalents of decyl-ubiquinol in the presence of antimycin corresponded to only half of that present in the bc(1) complex. Similar experiments in the presence of several equivalents of cytochrome c also showed only half of the bc(1) complex participating in quinol oxidation. The extent of cytochrome b reduced corresponded to two b(H) hemes undergoing reduction through one center P per dimer, indicating electron transfer between the two cytochrome b subunits. Antimycin stimulated the ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase activity of the bc(1) complex at low inhibitor/enzyme ratios. This stimulation could only be fitted to a model in which half of the bc(1) dimer is inactive when both center N sites are free, becoming active upon binding of one center N inhibitor molecule per dimer, and there is electron transfer between the cytochrome b subunits of the dimer. These results are consistent with an alternating half-of-the-sites mechanism of ubiquinol oxidation in the bc(1) complex dimer.
Affordances in Product Architecture: Linking Technical Functions and Users’ Tasks

Developing usable and desirable products requires an understanding of how users build close relationships with objects and how these relationships can be controlled by developers. This paper discusses the importance of the concept of affordances as an instrument useful for understanding the relationships between technical functions and user tasks. The approach introduces a Function-Task Design Matrix to link technical functions with user tasks and to capture relevant affordance-level requirements throughout the product architecture generation. Functional and Operational Affordance levels are introduced to help determine the product attributes necessary to optimize the ease with which users can undertake technical functions. The paper uses functional language, focusing attention towards the use of the product, rather then merely its workings. The tools for describing affordances are described first, followed by a step-by-step description of how they can be used to improve decisions during product architecture generation. The mechanism is illustrated in a case study on a kitchen appliance.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Genetic Screening Technology: Ethical Issues in Access to Tests by Employers and Health Insurance Companies

Whereas the introduction of new technologies previously has raised the ethical question of who ought to have access to a new procedure or device, genetic testing technology raises the new ethical question of to whom access to a new technology ought to be limited. In this article we discuss the implications of employers and private health insurance companies having access to genetic testing technology. Although there may be legitimate business interests in allowing employers and insurers to conduct genetic screening, there are other valid societal interests in regulating or limiting the use of this technology by third parties. Public policy developed in the area of new genetic technology must reflect such interests.
A4-2: ICD-10 CM Transition across Three Research Centers.

Background/AimsThe United State currently uses version nine (ICD-9) for diagnosis and procedure coding. Federal regulations require that the US adopt the next version (ICD-10) by 10/1/2014. The new version expands the number of diagnosis codes from about 13,000 to 68,000, providing more granularity to classify diseases. Challenges in moving to ICD-10 include: (a) the crosswalk between versions is a many-to-many match; (b) the relationship between the old and the new codes will sometimes be complex; and (c) it will encompass system-level changes such as expanded field sizes and support for alphanumeric characters. Our challenge is to implement the transition across three research centers at Kaiser Permanente Northwest, Southeast and Hawaii.MethodsThe three research centers need to account for the new ICD-10 code set and any new data structures introduced by either the EMR or Research Data Warehouse. A smooth transition between coding systems requires working with researchers across the three regions. This includes identifying corresponding ICD-10 codes that correctly identify the research cohort members and remediating the existing programing logic. Kaiser Permanente’s Center for Health Research (CHR) has developed a detailed plan to accomplish these two goals. CHR staff are partnering with the Kaiser Health Plan ICD-10 implementation team in the development of our project plans. The standard source to be used for mapping at the three Kaiser Research centers is the General Equivalence Mappings based Crosswalk Query Tool, which Kaiser is implementing to support transition mapping needs.ResultsThe CHR ICD-10 remediation team has completed the Framing and Planning phases including identifying programs/tables affected, sharing remediation solutions across the Kaiser regional research teams, and meeting with the Health Plan to coordinate efforts. We have developed a project remediation checklist and will report on the development of validation testing plans and the refinement of vanguard project code mappings.ConclusionsIn the transition to ICD-10, it is essential to have a well-formed plan and to identify and include all stakeholders in the process. It is also beneficial to share tools and ideas between research centers to improve the overall methods.
Cricket antennae shorten when bending (Acheta domesticus L.).

Insect antennae are important mechanosensory and chemosensory organs. Insect appendages, such as antennae, are encased in a cuticular exoskeleton and are thought to bend only between segments or subsegments where the cuticle is thinner, more flexible, or bent into a fold. There is a growing appreciation of the dominating influence of folds in the mechanical behavior of a structure, and the bending of cricket antennae was considered in this context. Antennae will bend or deflect in response to forces, and the resulting bending behavior will affect the sensory input of the antennae. In some cricket antennae, such as in those of Acheta domesticus, there are a large number (>100) of subsegments (flagellomeres) that vary in their length. We evaluated whether these antennae bend only at the joints between flagellomeres, which has always been assumed but not tested. In addition we questioned whether an antenna undergoes a length change as it bends, which would result from some patterns of joint deformation. Measurements using light microscopy and SEM were conducted on both male and female adult crickets (Acheta domesticus) with bending in four different directions: dorsal, ventral, medial and lateral. Bending occurred only at the joints between flagellomeres, and antennae shortened a comparable amount during bending, regardless of sex or bending direction. The cuticular folds separating antennal flagellomeres are not very deep, and therefore as an antenna bends, the convex side (in tension) does not have a lot of slack cuticle to "unfold" and does not lengthen during bending. Simultaneously on the other side of the antenna, on the concave side in compression, there is an increasing overlap in the folded cuticle of the joints during bending. Antennal shortening during bending would prevent stretching of antennal nerves and may promote hemolymph exchange between the antenna and head.
A Bayesian approach to diagnosis of asset pricing models

A large literature has arisen which exploits a particular portfolio on the mean-variance frontier, determining a minimum variance bound on the set of stochastic discount factors (state price to probability ratios). This paper proposes a new variational characterization of the closely related set of state price densities, based on minimization of the Kullback-Leibler Information Criterion. In contrast to the variance bound, the resulting information bound automatically satisfies an important positivity constraint. Furthermore, the information bound is determined by a portfolio which maximizes expected CARA utility. Several interpretations of the information bound are given, and empirical uses of it are illustrated.
EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL OF ELECTRODIALYSIS

Electrodialysis is an electrochemical membrane separation technique for electrolyte solutions that is used in several industries for a wide variety of applications. Students at the undergraduate level can learn the principles that govern electrodialysis and perform relatively simple experiments to examine fundamental operating parameters. This paper describes a hands-on investigation of electrodialysis that introduces the fundamental principles, design, and applications of electrodialysis technology. The effects of various process operating conditions on the system performance are explored experimentally. Emphasis is given to data analysis and engineering calculations related to rate of ion transfer, Faraday’s law, efficiency, energy consumption, and separation performance. These experiments can be implemented in core chemical engineering courses such as unit operations and separation processes, or in elective or graduate-level courses in green/environmental engineering, wastewater treatment, electrochemical engineering, pharmaceutical engineering, and food engineering.
Influence of High Voltage Pulsed Current on Edema Formation Following Impact Injury in Rats

High voltage pulsed current (HVPC) has been shown to be effective in curbing posttraumatic edema formation in frogs. The purpose of this study was to establish the utility of HVPC in controlling edema formation in a mammalian model. Both feet of 20 anesthetized rats were traumatized following initial determination of hind-limb volumes. Four 30-minute cathodal HVPC treatments at 120 pulses per second and 90% of visible motor threshold interspersed with 30-minute rest periods were applied to one randomly selected hind limb of each rat via the immersion technique. The other hind limb served as a control. Limb volumes were measured after each treatment and rest period. All data were expressed as changes from pretrauma limb volumes in milliliters per kilogram of body weight; these data were analyzed by repeated-measures analyses of variance and post hoc paired t tests. Volumes of untreated limbs were significantly greater than volumes of treated limbs after the second treatment. Evidence of significant treatment effects in frogs, and now rats, provides a compelling rationale for initiating trials of efficacy of cathodal HVPC in inhibiting acute edema formation in humans.
Varieties of Veterans' Courts A Statewide Assessment of Veterans' Treatment Court Components

Since the mid-2000s, there has been an upsurge in the development of Veterans’ Treatment Courts (VTCs) to support justice-involved veterans’ treatment needs while also providing criminal justice su...
Modification of the Neonatal Resuscitation Program Algorithm for Resuscitation of Conjoined Twins

There are no national or international guidelines for the resuscitation of conjoined twins. We have described how the U.S. Neonatal Resuscitation Program algorithm can be modified for delivery room resuscitation of omphaloischiopagus conjoined twins. In planning for the delivery and resuscitation of these patients, we considered the challenges of providing cardiopulmonary support to preterm conjoined twins in face-to-face orientation and with shared circulation via a fused liver and single umbilical cord. We also demonstrate how in situ simulation can be used to prepare a large, multidisciplinary team of health care professionals to deliver safe, efficient, and effective care to such patients.
Methyl methane sulfonate induced enhancement of Friend viral leukemogenesis

Exposure to the chemical carcinogen, methyl methane sulfonate, enhanced leukemogenesis in mice given threshold doses of Friend leukemia virus, as shown by peripheral white blood cell counts, splenomegaly and survival.
Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) as a mediator of the watery diarrhea syndrome.

Evidence that VIP is the principal humoral mediator of the watery diarrhea syndrome includes: (a) actions of VIP in experimental animals parallel the clinical manifestations of the syndrome; (b) infusions of VIP induce watery diarrhea in intestinal loops of dogs and a picture resembling the clinical syndrome in pigs, at circulating levels of the peptide similar to those observed in human disease; (c) most patients with the watery diarrhea syndrome and underlying tumors have elevated plasma levels of VIP; (d) in those patients in whom pre- and postoperative measurements were made, plasma VIP levels fell to the normal range with removal of the tumor and relief of the diarrhea; and (e) extracts of such tumors are rich in VIP-immunoreactivity and VIP-like biologic activity. A few patients with the syndrome have been reported to have normal plasma VIP levels, and it is possible that other humoral agents (such as pancreatic polypeptide, prostaglandins) may contribute to the production of the diarrhea.
The May Fourth Era at Yale-in-China, 1917-1921

In 1906, Yale University founded a missionary middle school in Changsha, the capital city of China’s Hunan province. Long regarded by foreigners as China’s most conservative and anti-foreign province, Hunan, only five years previous, had been the last Chinese province to open its doors to foreign settlement. In this new and seemingly fertile field, the Americans of the Yale Foreign Missionary Society cultivated their middle school (Yali) and, by 1916, had greatly expanded their presence by also opening a School of Nursing, a College of Arts and Sciences, and a Medical School. As with most missionary educational enterprises of this period, the primary objective of the Yale educational missionaries was to inculcate their students with Western Science and knowledge, and, most importantly, Christian values. With the anti-traditional and pro-democracy message of the New Culture movement that erupted amongst China’s youth both before and after the May Fourth incident of 1919, the Yale missionaries, like others, believed that their efforts were being fulfilled. However, after this rising student consciousness turned increasingly nationalistic and anti-foreign, the Yale missionaries eventually not only had to address its implications within the context of the greater missionary enterprise in China, but, even more importantly, had to confront its manifestations amongst the students in their own institution.
The media, voter fraud, and the U.S. 2012 elections

Over the past decade, voter fraud has emerged as a salient issue in American politics and elections. Despite minimal evidence of fraud cases and non-existent effects on election outcomes, Americans...
Synergy of a warm spring and dry summer

An analysis suggests that high carbon uptake by US land ecosystems during the warm spring of 2012 offset the carbon loss that resulted from severe drought over the summer — and hints that the warm spring could have worsened the drought.
Social Skills and Problem Behaviors as Mediators of the Relationship between Behavioral Self-Regulation and Academic Achievement.

Abstract Early behavioral self-regulation is an important predictor of the skills children need to be successful in school. However, little is known about the mechanism(s) through which self-regulation affects academic achievement. The current study investigates the possibility that two aspects of children's social functioning, social skills and problem behaviors, mediate the relationship between preschool self-regulation and literacy and math achievement. Additionally, we investigated whether the meditational processes differed for boys and girls. We expected that better self-regulation would help children to interact well with others (social skills) and minimize impulsive or aggressive (problem) behaviors. Positive interactions with others and few problem behaviors were expected to relate to gains in achievement as learning takes place within a social context. Preschool-aged children ( n = 118) were tested with direct measures of self-regulation, literacy, and math. Teachers reported on children's social skills and problem behaviors. Using a structural equation modeling approach (SEM) for mediation analysis, social skills and problem behaviors were found to mediate the relationship between self-regulation and growth in literacy across the preschool year, but not math. Findings suggest that the mediational process was similar for boys and girls. These findings indicate that a child's social skills and problem behaviors are part of the mechanism through which behavioral self-regulation affects growth in literacy. Self-regulation may be important not just because of the way that it relates directly to academic achievement but also because of the ways in which it promotes or inhibits children's interactions with others.
Iraq: Quintessential Rogue State

Before the American invasion into the ancient land between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, Iraq constituted the quintessential rogue state. It exceeded each of the established criteria. Externally, its behavior was alarming. Under Saddam Hussein, Iraq attacked two neighbors, threatened others, sponsored terrorism abroad, pursued weapons of mass destruction, and perennially destabilized the Persian Gulf region. Internally, Hussein (a pathological monster) crushed dissent, murdered potential rivals, and savagely exterminated thousands of Kurdish and Shiite citizens, some with chemical weapons. If other rogue regimes did not consciously adopt Iraq’s pushing the envelope of accepted state behavior, Hussein did anticipate theirs. Until he tempted fate too far and it bit back, the Iraqi dictator excelled in taunting the United States.
Putting viruses to work in CAR therapies

The difference between the patient who gets cured after surgery, chemotherapy and event targeted therapies and who relapses with a small quantum of intrepid cancer cells is whether the Dendritic cell T cell complex could find and eliminate residual minimal tumour load. A very significant chapter in these battles has opened up with the Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) Therapy. Many B cell Neoplasms express CD19. CARs can be engineered into viruses and expressed by T cells. CAR T cells with anti CD19 faculties can be transferred to the patient. This novel therapy shows many promises and raises new questions.
Modeling the Evolution of Climate Change Assessment Research Using Dynamic Topic Models and Cross-Domain Divergence Maps

Climate change is an important social issue and the subject of much research, both to understand the history of the Earth's changing climate and to foresee what changes to expect in the future. Approximately every five years starting in 1990 the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) publishes a set of reports that cover the current state of climate change research, how this research will impact the world, risks, and approaches to mitigate the effects of climate change. Each report supports its findings with hundreds of thousands of citations to scientific journals and reviews by governmental policy makers. Analyzing trends in the cited documents over the past 30 years provides insights into both an evolving scientific field and the climate change phenomenon itself. Presented in this paper are results of dynamic topic modeling to model the evolution of these climate change reports and their supporting research citations over a 30 year time period. Using this technique shows how the research influences the assessment reports and how trends based on these influences can affect future assessment reports. This is done by calculating cross-domain divergences between the citation domain and the assessment report domain and by clustering documents between domains. This approach could be applied to other social problems with similar structure such as disaster recovery.
Cooperation between hearing and vision in people with cochlear implants.

The cochlear implant (CI) is the single most successful neuroprosthetic device available today, often restoring functional hearing in many of those who were profoundly deaf (1). Unlike traditional hearing aids that serve to amplify ambient sound, the CI bypasses the transduction process and provides direct electrical signals to the nerve fibers of the inner ear. Consequently, candidates for the CI are those whose deafness is a result of damage to the sensitive transduction machinery of the cochlea itself, which serves to convert sound energy into electrical impulses that are transmitted to the brain. The CI comprises a microphone that captures sounds (and that often sits behind the earlobe), a signal processer that selectively filters and amplifies these sounds, a transmitter that converts these filtered sounds into electrical impulses, and an electrode array that is implanted into the cochlea and that delivers these impulses to the nerve fibers. Although the CI has now been used for over 50 y, our understanding of how the brain reorganizes following CI implantation remains in its infancy. Part of this is a result of striking differences in brain organization before implantation, where auditory areas of the brain have developed differently depending upon the nature of early auditory experience (and dependent upon genetic factors, among others). Part of this is undoubtedly also a result of differences in how the brain responds to the new device, with factors such as age, years, and degree of deafness, and specifics of the surgery, and implant each likely to contribute. However, a major component of this gap in our knowledge is a technical one, in that CI patients are not eligible for standard imaging procedures, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), due to the implanted electronics of the device. Recent advances in new imaging modalities are beginning to circumvent … [↵][1]1Email: mark.wallace{at}vanderbilt.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Illicit Financial Flows and the Problem of Net Resource Transfers from Africa: 1980-2009

This report analyses the volume and pattern of recorded and unrecorded capital flows to and from Africa and its various regions and country groups over the period 1980-2009. It also provides the main trends of resource transfers; it does not provide an analysis of the reasons underlying the flows. Further analysis on the dynamics of the flows will need to be based on in-depth, country-specific work. For the purposes of this study, recorded "capital flows" are financial and non-financial transactions recorded in the balance of payments, whereas unrecorded capital flows primarily involve the "flight" of capital. The report assumes that unrecorded capital flows are illicit in nature and involve the transfer of money earned through corruption, kickbacks, tax evasion, criminal activities, and transactions of certain contraband goods. Likewise, legal funds earned through legal business but transferred abroad in violation of exchange control regulations also become illicit. More specifically, net recorded transfers (NRecT) are based fully on recorded balance of payments items. The narrow version of this measure, NRecT Narrow, is simply equal to the Financial Account Balance, whereas the broad measure, NRecT Broad, is equal to the Financial Account Balance plus the sum of net current and net capital transfers. Net resource transfers (NRT) are calculated by the difference between NRecT and illicit financial flows (IFF), which also have two versions, normalized (conservative) and non-normalized (robust). Hence, there are four alternate measures of NRT, corresponding to the version of recorded transfers and outflows of illicit capital. These concepts are important as they enable a comparison of NRecT against unrecorded outflows of illicit capital.Results indicate that Africa was a net creditor to the world, as measured by the net resource transfers, to the tune of up to US $1.4 trillion over the period 1980-2009, adjusted for inflation. While there were brief periods in the early 1980s and the 1990s, when Africa received small net resource transfers from the rest of the world, the continent has been a net provider of resources to the world with estimates of real NRT ranging from US $597 billion to US $1.4 trillion, depending on the definition used for the transfers (NRecT, Narrow or Broad, and IFF, normalized or non-normalized). The most optimistic estimate of NRT (or lowest negative NRT of US $597 billion) involves broadly defined recorded transfers net of conservatively estimated illicit outflows (BroadNRTNorm), while the most pessimistic scenario (negative transfers amounting to US $1.4 trillion) involves narrowly defined recorded transfers net of robust estimates of illicit outflows (NarrowNRTNon-norm).
Evolvability of the vertebrate craniofacial skeleton

The skull is a vertebrate novelty. Morphological adaptations of the skull are associated with major evolutionary transitions, including the shift to a predatory lifestyle and the ability to masticate while breathing. These adaptations include the chondrocranium, dermatocranium, articulated jaws, primary and secondary palates, internal choanae, the middle ear, and temporomandibular joint. The incredible adaptive diversity of the vertebrate skull indicates an underlying bauplan that promotes evolvability. Comparative studies in craniofacial development suggest that the craniofacial bauplan includes three secondary organizers, two that are bilaterally placed at the Hinge of the developing jaw, and one situated in the midline of the developing face (the FEZ). These organizers regulate tissue interactions between the cranial neural crest, the neuroepithelium, and facial and pharyngeal epithelia that regulate the development and evolvability of the craniofacial skeleton.
Long Noncoding RNA-Associated Transcriptomic Changes in Resiliency or Susceptibility to Depression and Response to Antidepressant Treatment.

Background Recent emergence of long noncoding RNAs in regulating gene expression and thereby modulating physiological functions in brain has manifested their possible role in psychiatric disorders. In this study, the roles of long noncoding RNAs in susceptibility and resiliency to develop stress-induced depression and their response to antidepressant treatment were examined. Methods Microarray-based transcriptome-wide changes in long noncoding RNAs were determined in hippocampus of male Holtzman rats who showed susceptibility (learned helplessness) or resiliency (nonlearned helplessness) to develop depression. Changes in long noncoding RNA expression were also ascertained after subchronic administration of fluoxetine to learned helplessness rats. Bioinformatic and target prediction analyses (cis- and trans-acting) and qPCR-based assays were performed to decipher the functional role of altered long noncoding RNAs. Results Group-wise comparison showed an overrepresented class of long noncoding RNAs that were uniquely associated with nonlearned helplessness or learned helplessness behavior. Chromosomal mapping within the 5-kbp flank region of the top 20 dysregulated long noncoding RNAs in the learned helplessness group showed several target genes that were regulated through cis- or trans-actions, including Zbtb20 and Zfp385b from zinc finger binding protein family. Genomic context of differentially expressed long noncoding RNAs showed an overall blunted response in the learned helplessness group regardless of the long noncoding RNA classes analyzed. Gene ontology exhibited the functional clustering for anatomical structure development, cellular architecture modulation, protein metabolism, and cellular communications. Fluoxetine treatment reversed learned helplessness-induced changes in many long noncoding RNAs and target genes. Conclusions The involvement of specific classes of long noncoding RNAs with distinctive roles in modulating target gene expression could confer the role of long noncoding RNAs in resiliency or susceptibility to develop depression with a reciprocal response to antidepressant treatment.
Results from the NOvA Experiment

The NOvA experiment is a long-baseline accelerator-based neutrino oscillation experiment. It uses the upgraded NuMI beam from Fermilab to measure electron-neutrino appearance and muon-neutrino disa...
MicroRNA-206 Downregulation Improves Therapeutic Gene Expression and Motor Function in mdx Mice

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe muscle-wasting disorder caused by a mutation in the dystrophin gene. Numerous gene therapies have been developed to replace or repair the defective dystrophin gene; however, these treatments cannot restore the full-length protein or completely resolve dystrophic symptoms. Secondary pathological mechanisms, such as functional ischemia and fibrosis, are thought to exacerbate the primary defect and cause the profound muscle degeneration found in dystrophic muscle. Surrogate therapies utilizing alternative therapeutic genes, or "booster genes," such as VEGFA and utrophin, seek to address these secondary mechanisms and have shown impressive benefit in mdx mice. A skeletal muscle-specific microRNA, miR-206, is particularly overexpressed in dystrophic muscle and inhibits the expression of known booster genes. Thus, we aimed to determine if miR-206 contributes to dystrophic pathology by repressing beneficial gene expression. Here, we show that AAV-mediated expression of a miR-206 decoy target effectively downregulated miR-206 expression and increased endogenous therapeutic gene expression in mature mdx muscle. Furthermore, treatment significantly improved motor function and dystrophic pathology in mdx mice. In summary, we have identified a contributing factor to the dystrophic phenotype and characterized a novel therapeutic avenue for DMD.
Scrotal Ultrasonography: A Predictor of Complicated Epididymitis Requiring Orchiectomy

The decision between continued medical therapy and surgical exploration in patients with complicated epididymitis is difficult. We evaluated scrotal ultrasonography as a noninvasive aid in such problematic cases. During a 48-month period 95 patients were hospitalized for treatment of epididymitis; 23 underwent scrotal ultrasonography and 10 required orchiectomy. Analysis of the 21 cases with abnormal findings demonstrated that orchiectomy was necessary in 1 of the 10 patients (10 per cent) with epididymal enlargement only, in 2 of 8 (25 per cent) with epididymal enlargement plus hypoechoic testes and in all 3 with epididymal enlargement plus testicular inhomogeneity (p equals 0.0099). Patients with progressive testicular changes on serial ultrasound examinations uniformly required orchiectomy (5 of 5). Sonographic findings of testicular inhomogeneity correlated with testicular infarction and findings of decreased testicular echogeneity correlated with acute or chronic orchitis. In the appropriate clinical setting gray scale ultrasonography provides objective information supporting the need for surgical intervention in selected patients with complicated epididymitis.
Prosthetic Valve Evaluation

Prosthetic valve evaluation by echocardiography can be challenging. All parameters, including 2D echocardiographic appearance, color flow Doppler features, and Doppler gradients, must be evaluated to determine if a valve is normal or abnormal. Each type of prosthesis and location will have unique appearances and flow properties. To be confident in prosthetic valve assessment the echocardiographer must be familiar with each of the valve prostheses, the normal flow patterns and pressure gradients for each valve, and other variables which can affect the echocardiographic measurements for prosthetic valves.
Market Trends: Past, Present, and Future

Flip chip, as the name implies, is a means of chip assembly whereby the chip is attached face down (active Integrated Circuit (IC) side down) to the substrate. Flip chip technology was invented by IBM in 1961 and is now 51 years old. This development allowed IBM to be the leader in producing high performance circuits. The method for production that IBM employed was expensive and limited its widespread use. IBM kept this technology captive until the mid 1990s. As it is well known IBM created the technology for its advanced computing needs. This technology utilized ceramic carriers and was suitable for high power dissipation. Although the original “controlled collapse chip connection,” also known as (C4), concept utilized solder coated copper balls to form the interconnect, high lead (97/3) solder evaporated through a molybdenum stencil became the staple of the technology for decades. IBM kept this technology captive, and the intellectual property (IP) protected and secret for many years past the original Patents useful lifetime.
Therapeutic Cardiac Patches for Repairing the Myocardium.

The explosion of stem cell research in the past several years has made its presence known in the field of cardiology and has been recently tasked with solving one of the largest health problems to afflict humanity: cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although stem cell therapy has shown glimmers of promise, significant problems remain that need to be addressed if these therapies are to ever find true success. One way to achieve this success is to take engineering principles and apply them to fabricate engineered cardiac tissues, composed of the aforementioned therapeutic stem cells and biomaterials to bolster the tissue’s reparative capacity. In this review, the authors examine advancements in cardiac cell therapy and biomaterial research and discuss how their combination has been used to create tissue-engineered patches capable of restoring function to the damaged or failing myocardium.