cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Boric acid ingestion clinically mimicking toxic epidermal necrolysis

The ingestion of large amounts of boric acid, a component of household insecticides, is a rare occurrence, characterized by a diffuse desquamative skin eruption, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, delirium, acute renal failure and prolonged ileus. A 56-year-old male with a history of multiple previous suicide attempts was witnessed ingesting household roach killer and 4 days later presented to the hospital with lethargy, stiffness and a diffuse erythematous and desquamative eruption with bullous formation. He subsequently developed erythema of both palms as well as alopecia totalis. Histopathology from a right arm shave biopsy revealed a mostly intact epidermis with subtle vacuolar alteration of the basal layer, scattered intraepidermal apoptotic keratinocytes, parakeratosis with alternating layers of orthokeratosis and considerable superficial exfoliation; accompanying dermal changes included vasodilatation and mild perivascular inflammation. This report describes the cutaneous and systemic complications in a rare case of boric acid ingestion. There is little published material on the symptoms and histopathology following boric acid ingestion, but knowledge of this entity is important, both to differentiate it from other causes of desquamative skin rashes and to allow the initiation of appropriate clinical care. Language: en
The Mechanical Behavior of Microcellular Foams

The mechanical behavior of microcellular open-cell foams prepared by a thermally induced phase separation process are investigated. The foams studied were prepared from isotactic polystyrene, polyacrylonitrile, and poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) (rigid foams), and polyurethane and Lycra (elastomeric foams). Their densities were in the range 0.04--0.27 g/cm3. Conventional polystyrene foams were used for comparison. The moduli and collapse stresses of these foams were measured in compression and compared with the current constitutive laws which relate mechanical properties to densities. A reinforcement technique based on the in-situ precipitation of silica was used to improve the mechanical properties. 13 refs., 4 figs., 3 tabs.
A new era of discovery in facial plastic surgery.

Objective To review recent advances in our understanding of molecular biology and wound healing relevant to facial plastic surgery. Data Sources Recent basic science literature relevant to molecular biology and wound healing and its clinical implications. Conclusions During the 21st century, we will experience a new biological and informational age that will have profound implications for facial plastic surgery. This modern era will be driven by discoveries in molecular biology and wound healing that will result in new diagnosis and treatment modalities.
Interrelations of Oral Microorganisms, Immunoglobulins, and Dental Caries Following Radiotherapy

Of 42 head and neck cancer patients with radiotherapy-induced xerostomia, 36 survived to permit a postirradiation caries evaluation. Twenty-three developed an average of 17.6 caries lesions and 13 had no new lesions within 30 months postirradiation. All caries-inactive patients had been initially assigned to daily self-application of a 1% sodium fluoride gel. The preirradiation caries experience and the oral microbial profile were comparable in both groups. After tumoricidal irradiation, the mean plaque increase of Streptococcus mutans was 25 times greater in the caries-active than in the caries-inactive group. Postirradiation caries was also associated with increased plaque Lactobacillus sp, Candida sp, and Streptococcus sp, and serum IgD and IgG concentrations. Conversely, plaque Staphylococcus sp, Streptococcus salivarius, and Veillonella sp and saliva IgA concentrations were significantly higher in the caries-inactive than in the caries-active group. Both groups demonstrated decreases in plaque Strept...
A survey of decision tree classifier methodology

A survey is presented of current methods for decision tree classifier (DTC) designs and the various existing issues. After considering potential advantages of DTCs over single-state classifiers, the subjects of tree structure design, feature selection at each internal node, and decision and search strategies are discussed. The relation between decision trees and neutral networks (NN) is also discussed. >
A General Method for Describing Sources of Variance in Clinical Trials, Especially Operator Variance, in Order to Improve Transfer of Research Knowledge to Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate how the skill level of the operator and the clinical challenge provided by the patient affect the outcomes of clinical research in ways that may have hidden influences on the applicability of that research to practice. Rigorous research designs that control or eliminate operator or patient factors as sources of variance achieve improved statistical significance for study hypotheses. These procedures, however, mask sources of variance that influence the applicability of the conclusions. There are summary data that can be added to reports of clinical trials to permit potential users of the findings to identify the most important sources of variation and to predict the likely outcomes of adopting products and procedures reported in the literature. Materials and Methods: Provisional crowns were constructed in a laboratory setting in a fully crossed, random-factor model with two levels of material (Treatment), two skill levels of students (Operator), and restorations of two levels of difficulty (Patient). The levels of the Treatment, Operator, and Patient factors used in the study were chosen to ensure that the findings from the study could be transferred to practice settings in a predictable fashion. The provisional crowns were scored independently by two raters using the criteria for technique courses in the school where the research was conducted. Results: The Operator variable accounted for 38% of the variance, followed by Treatment-by-Operator interaction (17%), Treatment (17%), and other factors and their combinations in smaller amounts. Regression equations were calculated for each Treatment material that can be used to predict outcomes in various potential transfer applications. It was found that classical analyses for differences between materials (the Treatment variable) would yield inconsistent results under various sampling systems within the parameters of the study. Conclusions: Operator and Treatment-by-Operator interactions appear to be significant and previously underrecognized sources of variance. It is suggested that variance estimates of factors thought to significantly influence the transfer of research findings to practice contexts and evidence of representative sampling across practice contexts be regularly included in reports of clinical trials.
Viewpoint: The future of research in pediatric allergy: What should the focus be?

Allergic diseases have been increasing during the last three decades, and exact reasons for this are still debated. Despite intense ongoing research, a lot of aspects of allergic diseases are still poorly understood, resulting in limitations in current therapeutic approach to allergies. In this viewpoint, important unanswered research questions are raised mainly on novel therapeutic approaches to allergic children, and suggestions for future research are raised. Three aspects of pediatric allergy are distinguished: the prevention, control, and cure.
Interleukin-12 Treatment during Immunization Elicits a T Helper Cell Type 1-like Immune Response in Mice Challenged with Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Improves Vaccine Immunogenicity

Adjuvant effects of exogenous interleukin (IL)-12 on induction of immune responses against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in mice were evaluated. Giving recombinant IL-12 at the time of immunization with a formalin-inactivated alum-precipitated RSV preparation resulted in significant reduction of virus replication in lungs 4 days after RSV challenge. Intraperitoneal or intramuscular IL-12 was effective when given at the time of immunization but not at the time of challenge. IL-12 treatment resulted in increased interferon-gamma mRNA in lungs, increased IgG2a RSV-specific antibody isotype utilization, and increased endogenous IL-12 p40 mRNA expression. IL-12 treatment did not significantly affect clinical outcome or cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity. These data demonstrate that IL-12 has potent adjuvant effects that may be due to induction of T helper cell type 1-like immune responses.
Do English and ESL Faculties Rate Writing Samples Differently

This study investigates the degree to which differences exist in the writing scores of native speakers and international students at the end of their respective first-year composition courses (ESL 100 and ENG 100, in this case). Eight members each from the ESL and English faculties at the University of Hawaii at Manoa rated 112 randomly assigned compositions without knowing which type of students had written each. A holistic 6-point (0-5) rating scale initially devised by the English faculty was used by all raters. Raters were also asked to choose the best and worst features (from among cohesion, content, mechanics, organization, syntax, or vocabulary) of each composition as they rated it. The results indicated that there were no statistically significant mean differences between native-speaker and ESL compositions or between the ratings given by the English and ESL faculties. However, the features analysis showed that the ESL and English faculties may have arrived at their scores from somewhat different perspectives.
An innovative dynamic bus lane system and its simulation-based performance investigation

The strategy of exempting bus from other traffic through exclusive bus lanes (XBL) is prevalent. Rather than just deploying the XBL system, in this study, a new innovative dynamic bus lane (DBL) operation system which is expected to be more productive is initially introduced. Unlike conventional studies which are mainly focused on operational performance of buses, this study attempts to examine the influences on buses and adjacent traffic following the provision of both XBL and the new system. Impact measurements in terms of travel time and traffic conflicts changes are used as assessment indicators. Comparisons with the exclusive bus lane system as well as the mixed traffic flow are analyzed and highlighted through the application of micro-simulation approach. Simulation results showed that both XBL and DBL have positive impact on buses and negative impact on adjacent traffic. Traffic conflicts frequency will increase if either bus lane system is applied. Also it is found that DBL performs better than XBL in terms of achieving the goal of bus operation improvement while limited the performance deterioration to other vehicles and conflicts risks in a relative lower magnitude. Results also suggest the necessity of selecting the optimal strategies according to the tradeoff between the operational performance and safety performance under different traffic conditions.
Continuing HIV Risk in New York City Injection Drug Users: The Association of Syringe Source and Syringe Sharing

Sterile syringe access is an important means to reduce HIV risk, but many injection drug users (IDU) who obtain syringes from sterile sources continue to share syringes. We examined the factors associated with continuing syringe sharing in New York City. We recruited 500 active IDU in 2005 through respondent-driven sampling. In multiple logistic regression, not obtaining all syringes in the past year exclusively from sterile sources was associated with increased syringe sharing. Ensuring adequate syringe availability as well as engaging and retaining nonusers and inconsistent users in sterile syringe services may increase sterile syringe access and decrease syringe sharing.
A Modeling Environment for the Optimization of Space Architectures

The selection of a space system architecture to perform a human space mission is the most important decision in the development process. This decision provides the greatest impact on the cost and performance of the mission. However, decisions not only affect the current mission, but also subsequent missions in the overall exploration program. This paper presents a means of selecting system architectures during the architecture-level design space exploration. Decision making in commercial industry uses Net Present Value (NPV) as a selection criterion because it normalizes the return on investment to the current value. This paper extends NPV to space systems architecture selection. Within the evolutionary exploration program in place at NASA, NPV could be used to make decisions that not only affect the current mission, but also subsequent missions in the sequence. Finally, this exploration and selection methodology is used to compare human Mars system architectures.
Estimating the Quality of Databases

With more and more electronic information sources becoming widely available, the issue of the quality of these often-competing sources has become germane. We propose a standard for specifying the quality of databases, which is based on the dual concepts of data soundness and data completeness. The relational model of data is extended by associating a quality specification with each relation instance, and by extending its algebra to calculate the quality specifications of derived relation instances. This provides a method for calculating the quality of answers to arbitrary queries from the overall quality specification of the database. We show practical methods for estimating the initial quality specifications of given databases, and we report on experiments that test the validity of our methods. Finally, we describe how quality estimations are being applied in the Multiplex multidatabase system to resolve cross-database inconsistencies.
Public Policy Issues Raised by the Report of the Lehman Bankruptcy Examiner

This statement addresses the following issues of public policy in the context of the Lehman failure: The extent to which corporate governance should be enhanced to appropriately manage firm risk. The role of the SEC as Lehman’s primary regulator in oversight, examination and enforcement in advance of Lehman’s bankruptcy filing, and the role of the other government agencies, including the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (FRBNY), that were monitoring Lehman during the crisis; The relationship and means of communication, especially formal and informal information sharing, between the SEC and FRBNY as Lehman’s financial condition deteriorated as well as between Lehman, the SEC, the Treasury Department, the Board of Governors Federal Reserve, and the FRBNY.The appropriateness of accounting practices such as Repo 105 or 108 and the adequacy of the disclosure of such accounting practices.The quality of Lehman’s Management Discussion and Analysis disclosures in its public filings for the 2007 reporting periods.
Shamon: A System for Distributed Mandatory Access Control

We define and demonstrate an approach to securing dis- tributed computation based on a shared reference monitor (Shamon) that enforces mandatory access control (MAC) policies across a distributed set of machines. The Shamon enables local reference monitor guarantees to be attained for a set of reference monitors on these machines. We im- plement a prototype system on the Xen hypervisor with a trusted MAC virtual machine built on Linux 2.6 whose reference monitor design requires only 13 authorization checks, only 5 of which apply to normal processing (others are for policy setup). We show that, through our architec- ture, distributed computations can be protected and con- trolled coherently across all the machines involved in the computation.
Changes in Reference Question Complexity Following the Implementation of a Proactive Chat System: Implications for Practice

There has been longstanding debate about whether the level of complexity of questions received at reference desks and via online chat services requires a librarian’s expertise. Continued decreases in the number and complexity of reference questions have all but ended the debate; many academic libraries no longer staff service points with professional librarians. However, convenient, proactive online chat services could reverse the trends. This paper provides results of a study of reference question complexity following implementation of a proactive chat service. The study reveals changes in the complexity of chat questions that may have implications for staffing online reference services.
Generalizability Theory Applied to Reading Assessments for Students With Significant Cognitive Disabilities

Students with significant disabilities must participate in large-scale assessments, often using an alternate assessment judged against alternate achievement standards. The development and administration of this type of assessment must necessarily balance meaningful participation with accurate measurement. In this study, generalizability theory is used to estimate the dependability of reading items and tasks that have been administered using two formats of communication (receptive and expressive). The results reflect a trade-off between meaningful participation and accurate measurement of students with significant cognitive disabilities, particularly when considering the two formats. Significant variance is obtained for persons interacting with tasks, whereas the effect of raters is negligible. Furthermore, these results appear to vary across administrative format.
Gravitational search for cryptovolcanism on the Moon: Evidence for large volumes of early igneous activity

Abstract We define lunar cryptovolcanism as volcanic deposits on the Moon hidden by overlying material. Notably, cryptovolcanism includes both cryptomaria (subsurface extrusive basaltic deposits that are obscured by overlying higher albedo basin and crater ejecta) and earlier candidate extrusives, such as the Mg-suite. Knowledge of the volume and extent of cryptovolcanism is necessary for a comprehensive understanding of lunar volcanic history, particularly in early (pre 3.8 Ga) epochs when abundant impact craters and basins obscured surface volcanic deposits by lateral emplacement of ejecta. We use Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) gravity and Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) topography data to construct maps of the Moon's positive Bouguer and isostatic gravity anomalies, and explore the possibility that these features are due to mass excesses associated with cryptovolcanism by cross-referencing the regions with geologic data such as dark halo craters. We model the potential cryptovolcanic deposits as buried high-density rectangular prisms at depth in the upper crust, and find a volume of candidate buried cryptovolcanism between 0.4 × 10 6 km 3 and 4.8 × 10 6 km 3 , depending on assumptions about density and crustal compensation state. These candidate deposits correspond to a surface area of between 0.50 × 10 6 km 2 and 1.14 × 10 6 km 2 , which would increase the amount of the lunar surface containing volcanic deposits from 16.6% to between 17.9% and 19.5%. The inferred volume of cryptovolcanism is comparable to the smallest estimates of the volume of visible mare basalts and up to ∼50% of the largest estimates; the high-resolution GRAIL and LOLA observations thus would collectively indicate that early (pre 3.8 Ga) lunar volcanism is an important element of lunar thermal evolution. Alternatively, the buried material could represent the presence of intrusive Mg-suite sills or plutons.
Smart glove

Combat sports are competitive sports where two fighters fight against each other abiding by certain rules of engagement. Boxing and mixed martial are the most popular and fastest growing combat sports and have become a major source of entertainment for fans and the general public. There are many tools employed that help fighters learn the sports punching and kicking mechanics, defensive and offensive attacks and drills to improve endurance, but rarely do we see technology gadgets employed to assist fighters during this learning process. The purpose of this project is to develop a training glove for fighters that will help them master defense and punching mechanics which in turn will help them improve their endurance. The performance metric of the fighter revolves around three key factors: punch count, punch force and guard level monitoring. The system will keep count of the number of punches thrown during a training session as the fighter hits the bag, measure the punching force and monitor the fighters guard level. This will greatly improve the fighter's defense mechanics because the system will inform the fighter when his hands are down, reminding them that they are making a mistake. This will force the fighter keep his hands up at an appropriate height and angle that is appropriate for defense. The total number of punches and the force count will be saved so that the fighter can compare current and previous training sessions. Graphs such as punch output vs. time and force output vs. time will allow the fighter, and his coach, to see how his punch count and punching power has increased over time. The system will encompass a hardware component and a software component to process all the data provided by the hardware. The hardware component involves the use of accelerometers, force sensors, a microprocessor and transceivers. The software component of the project involves writing software for a mobile device
Incidence of and Factors Associated With Hypogeusia in Healthy Children.

Importance There are currently no measures of isolated glossopharyngeal taste in healthy children, to our knowledge. Objective To define the taste characteristics of an otherwise healthy pediatric population that could serve as a control group for further investigations. Design, Setting, and Participants A prospective study of taste and smell was conducted from August 4 to 29, 2014, at a general pediatrics clinic in a tertiary care medical center in 80 healthy children aged 6 to 17 years who were receiving well-child examinations or vaccinations or in their healthy siblings. Exposures Testing of smell and taste. Main Outcomes and Measures Demographic data were gathered on age, sex, and body mass index as well as type of insurance. Smell testing was performed with the National Institutes of Health Toolbox Odor Identification Test, with scores based on national averages for age and sex. Validated Taste Strips were used for testing sweet, salty, sour, and bitter tastes. One strip at a time was placed on the midline of the tongue at the circumvallate papillae in random tastant order and in increasing concentrations. Correct identification of the tastant earned 1 point; of 16 possible points, a score of less than 9 signified hypogeusia. Fisher exact test was used for statistical analysis. Results The mean (SD) age of the 80 children in this study was 11.3 (3.2) years, and 43 were boys (54%). Hypogeusia was identified in 32 (40%) of the 80 children. Overweight or obesity was identified in 23 children (29%) (15 [31%] with a normal sense of taste and 8 [25%] with hypogeusia; P = .62), and 12 (15%) used public insurance (7 [15%] with a normal sense of taste and 5 [16%] with hypogeusia; P > .99). Age younger than 12 years (24 [50%] with a normal sense of taste and 19 [59%] with hypogeusia; P = .50), male sex (25 [52%] with a normal sense of taste and 18 [56%] with hypogeusia; P = .39), overweight or obesity (15 [31%] with a normal sense of taste and 8 [25%] with hypogeusia; P = .62), insurance type ( P > .99), and olfaction less than the 50th percentile (29 [60%] with a normal sense of taste and 17 [53%] with hypogeusia; P = .65) or hyposmia ( P = .47) were not statistically significantly correlated with overall hypogeusia. Conclusions and Relevance A significant proportion of otherwise healthy children have hypogeusia according to previously published criteria. This study will provide baseline data from which future investigations studying taste disturbances in patients with chronic tonsillitis and after tonsillectomy can be compared.
Optical Ranging Measurement with a Lunar Orbiter: Limitations and Potential

Ranging measurements provide precision distance between spacecraft on planetary mission and ground stations. Navigators, radio scientists, and planetary scientists use ranging for their applications and have collectively advanced the precision. Currently, conventional ranging is carried out coherently with radio links. Optical ranging promises several order of magnitude improvements over radio ranging. This study analyzes one-way uplink optical ranging data collected by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter on a solar system scale. Analysis was approached from a navigation perspective to determine the quality of the optical ranging data. Because of the nature of one-way data, which use two different clocks to construct a range, special attention was paid to properly modeling the spacecraft clock, and several approaches are presented to model the clock. Trajectories computed using optical ranging data both match the published trajectory within the published uncertainty and result in a residual root mean square ...
Enzymes of glucose catabolism pathways in Colletotrichum and Gloeosporium.

Respiratory enzymes of cultures of pathogenic Gloeosporium musarum Cke. & Mass. and saprophytic Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Penz. isolated from Central American bananas were studied using spectral changes of co-enzyme oxidation-reduction reactions as the criterion of measurement. Both fungi were similar in that they appeared to lack phosphofructokinase, but showed activity in the enzymes associated with the pentose phosphate pathway. Pyruvate breakdown could proceed either to ethanol or via the citric acid cycle. The only distinction noted between C. gloeosporioides grown on Dglucose and that grown on 2-deoxy-D-glucose was that in the latter case glutamic dehydrogenase was induced. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides grown on both sugars and G. musarum grown on D-glucose demonstrated an enzyme blockage at the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase level in the presence of added 2-deoxy-D-glucose. The ability of C. gloeosporioides to utilize 2-deoxy-D-glucose as its sole carbon source is thought to depend upon the induction of a shunt from the pentose phosphate pathway.
Scientific Veal Production and Opposition Legislation in New Jersey1

Abstract Recent efforts by animal rights groups to limit livestock production practices have focused on veal production. Legislation has been introduced in California, Illinois, and New Jersey that would ban or limit certain aspects of veal production. The legislation in New Jersey would ban tethering, mandate the feeding of iron supplements shortly after birth, and mandate the feeding of “digestible fiber” beginning at 14 d of age. All of these requirements may be contraindicated for optimal veal calf health. In addition, they invite more extreme measures. For example, the tethering ban may be extended to all dairy and beef animals up to 340 kg (750 lb) and could extend to adult and junior cattle shows and exhibitions as well. This paper describes the effects of these practices (tethering, controlling iron intake, and limiting fiber intake) on calf health and management. Portions of this paper were written to provide the New Jersey legislature with a science-based perspective on veal-raising practices addressed in the legislation. Finally, this paper will seek to point out implications of this and other legislative approaches to limit livestock management practices.
Relationship between obesity indices and blood pressure and hypertension among rural residents in Henan province

Aim:To investigate the relationship between different obesity indices and blood pressure and hypertension among rural residents in Henan province.Methods:Data of 20 152 participants aged ≥18 years in a rural district of Henan in 2007 to 2008 were collected and analyzed.Results:The systolic pressure(SBP),diastolic pressure(DBP),pulse pressure(PP) and the prevalence of hypertension increased along with BMI and WHtR,and the above parameters in people with central obesity were higher than the normal people(P0.001).All the indices were positively correlated with SBP,DBP and PP(P0.001).Compared with the BMI18.5 kg·m-2 group,the odds ratios of 18.5 kg·m-2～,24.0 kg·m-2～,and ≥28.0 kg·m-2 groups for hypertension were 1.6(95%CI:1.2～2.0),2.2(95%CI:1.7～2.9),and 3.6(95%CI:2.7～4.8).Compared with the non-obesity group,the odds ratios of central obesity for hypertension was 1.3(95%CI:1.1～1.4).Compared with the WHtR0.47 group,the odds ratios of 0.47～,0.52～ and ≥0.57 groups for hypertension were 1.4(95%CI:1.3～1.6),1.6(95%CI:1.3～1.8),and 2.0(95%CI:1.7～2.4),P0.001.Conclusion:The obesity indices are positively correlated with blood pressure,PP,and the prevalence of hypertension among rural residents in Henan province;general obesity and central obesity should be controlled in order to prevent and treat hypertension.
The Transplantation and Application on μC/OS-II Based on C51 Microcontroller

Embedded operating system play an increasingly important role because of its simple,efficient.We choose theμC / OS-II whose source code is public,small and portable can be cut,and select the C51 microprocessor application platform.We migrate μC / OS-Ⅱ to the C51 microcontrollers.based on actual project requirements.Migration process is mainly concentrated in three re-write the file,a header file OS_CPU.H,a C code file and an assembly file OS_CPU_A.ASM OS_CPU_C.C file.Also made for the C51,a small memory optimization,the re-entry problems were analyzed and resolved for applications.
The state of what art

Psychological studies need to meet contemporary standards of research design and theoretical relevance within the mainstream of its behavioral science. The use of a clinical-scientist model for psychologists with greater emphasis on clinician than on scientist results in an impoverishment of psychological research and a paucity of stimulating theoretical speculation. Sporadic and pedestrian studies cannot explain why a necessary and sufficient relationship should exist between the presence of a cleft and the dependent measures used. As a result, psychological studies about cleft palate have managed to achieve a state of invisibility as far as most psychologists are concerned. As long as the present status remains at the current level, real progress is impossible, and we will be content with mediocrity.
The Liberty of Thomas Hobbes

The concept of liberty arose and developed in the republican tradition of Cicero and Rome, which dissident authors praised in retrospect from the moment Caesar and Augustus confirmed its loss. Many patriots in Italy, England, America, and France fought and died to restore republican institutions. But many others regretted the bloodshed and turmoil that ensued. One of the earliest and most influential critics of republican liberty, Thomas Hobbes,1 blamed England’s civil war on mixed government, and the division of powers between king, lords and commons.2 This “Libertie, where of there is so frequent, and honorable mention, in the Histories, and Philosophy of the Ancient Greeks, and Romans” produced (Hobbes believed) a dangerous class of “masterless men.”3 He criticized Aristotle and Cicero for perpetuating republican opinions, so that “by reading of these Greek, and Latine Authors, men from there childhood have gotten a habit (under a false shew of liberty) of favouring tumults, and … controlling the actions of their Sovereigns; and again of controlling these controllers, with the effusion of so much blood; as I think I may truly say, there was never anything so dearly bought, as these Western parts have bought the learning of the Greek and Latine tongues.”4
Infection of Hepatocytes With HCV Increases Cell Surface Levels of Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans, Uptake of Cholesterol and Lipoprotein, and Virus Entry by Up-regulating SMAD6 and SMAD7.

Background & Aims The signaling molecule and transcriptional regulator SMAD6, which inhibits the transforming growth factor β signaling pathway, is required for infection of hepatocytes by hepatitis C virus (HCV). We investigated the mechanisms by which SMAD6 and another inhibitory SMAD (SMAD7) promote HCV infection in human hepatoma cells and hepatocytes. Methods We infected Huh7 and Huh7.5.1 cells and primary human hepatocytes with Japanese fulminant hepatitis-1 (JFH1) HCV cell culture system (HCVcc). We then measured HCV binding, intracellular levels of HCV RNA, and expression of target genes. We examined HCV entry in HepG2/microRNA (miR) 122/CD81 cells, which support entry and replication of HCV, were transfected these cells with small interfering RNAs targeting inhibitory SMADs to analyze gene expression profiles. Uptake of labeled low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and cholesterol was measured. Cell surface proteins were quantified by flow cytometry. We obtained liver biopsy samples from 69 patients with chronic HCV infection and 19 uninfected individuals (controls) and measured levels of syndecan 1 ( SDC1 ), SMAD7 , and SMAD6 messenger RNAs (mRNAs). Results Small interfering RNA knockdown of SMAD6 blocked the binding and infection of hepatoma cell lines and primary human hepatocytes by HCV, whereas SMAD6 overexpression increased HCV infection. We found levels of mRNAs encoding heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), particularly SDC1 mRNA, and cell surface levels of heparan sulfate to be reduced in cells after SMAD6 knockdown. SMAD6 knockdown also reduced transcription of genes encoding lipoprotein and cholesterol uptake receptors, including the LDL receptor (LDLR), the very LDLR, and the scavenger receptor class B member 1 in hepatocytes; knockdown of SMAD6 also inhibited cell uptake of cholesterol and lipoprotein. Overexpression of SMAD6 increased the expression of these genes. Similar effects were observed with knockdown and overexpression of SMAD7. In addition, HCV infection of cells increased the expression of SMAD6, which required the activity of nuclear factor-κB, but not transforming growth factor β. Liver tissues from patients with chronic HCV infection had significantly higher levels of SMAD6, SMAD7, and HSPG mRNAs than controls. Conclusions In studies of hepatoma cell lines and primary human hepatocytes, we found that infection with HCV leads to activation of nuclear factor-κB, resulting in increased expression of SMAD6 and SMAD7. Up-regulation of SMAD6 and SMAD7 induces the expression of HSPGs, such as SDC1, as well as LDLR, very LDLR, and the scavenger receptor class B member 1, which promote HCV entry and propagation, as well as cellular uptake of cholesterol and lipoprotein.
The role of strong convexity-concavity in the convergence and robustness of the saddle-point dynamics

This paper studies the projected saddle-point dynamics for a twice differentiable convex-concave function, which we term saddle function. The dynamics consists of gradient descent of the saddle function in variables corresponding to convexity and (projected) gradient ascent in variables corresponding to concavity. We provide a novel characterization of the omega-limit set of the trajectories of these dynamics in terms of the diagonal Hessian blocks of the saddle function. Using this characterization, we establish global asymptotic convergence of the dynamics under local strong convexity-concavity of the saddle function. If this property is global, and for the case when the saddle function takes the form of the Lagrangian of an equality constrained optimization problem, we establish the input-to-state stability of the saddle-point dynamics by providing an ISS Lyapunov function. Various examples illustrate our results.
Chapter 17 Role of Elastic Stiffness and Fault Damping during Thrust-sheet Emplacement in a Foreland Belt

Field evidence from ancient and modern foreland-type thrust belts indicates that several styles of fault slip are involved in the emplacement of external thrust sheets; for example, typical earthquake faulting in the range of 1 m s−1 and fault creep in the range of 10−5-10−6m s−1. Elastic stiffness and velocity-dependent fault damping are two of the fundamental factors that determine whether slip is stable or unstable. The elastic stiffnesses of sedimentary packages depend not only on elastic constants and thicknesses of the strata, but also on the elastic strain gradient with depth. Methods are developed to enable elastic stiffness and velocity-dependent fault damping parameters to be estimated with field data from thrust belts. Quantitative application of these methods is illustrated with the Hogsback thrust sheet in the Kemmerer region of the Wyoming Salient. The data indicate that some of the imbrication of the Hogsback ramp anticline probably had occurred seismically. Data analysis also indicates that the 12 km or more net slip of the Hogsback sheet accumulated principally by recurring slip events with specific rates at least 103 times greater than average geologic slip rates of 10−9-10−10 m s−1.
Replacing single frozen-thawed euploid embryos in a natural cycle in ovulatory women may increase live birth rates compared to medicated cycles in anovulatory women.

Purpose The goal of this study was to compare pregnancy outcomes between natural frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles in ovulatory women and programmed FET cycles in anovulatory women after undergoing in vitro fertilization with preimplantation genetic screening (IVF-PGS).
Dentin/Adhesive Interface in Teeth

Clinical studies have demonstrated an alarmingly high failure rate for posterior composite dental restorations. The premature failure of moderate-to-large composite restorations can be traced to a breakdown of the bond at the tooth surface/composite material interface and increased levels of cariogenic bacteria at the perimeter of these materials. In this chapter, we discuss the dentin/adhesive bond, with a focus on the failure of current adhesives to consistently seal and adhere to the dentin. The concept of forming a resin-reinforced hybrid layer for improved adhesion is presented. The complex role of water in dentin/adhesive bonding is then described. Finally, mechanisms leading to mechanical property changes at the interface are discussed.
Integrated Quantity/Quality Modeling — Receiving Waters

In recent years point sources of pollution that have contaminated both surface and ground water supplies have been addressed and significant progress in cleaning up these sources has been made. As a result, emphasis has shifted to nonpoint sources of pollution that have become significant problems. This is emphasized by the fact that nitrates and pesticides are being increasingly discovered in ground and surface water supplies. This chapter describes the use of mathematical models used to simulate the movement of water and chemicals in receiving waters: ground water, surface runoff, and surface impoundments. As in the previous chapter comments will be confined to nonpoint source issues. The general features, structure, examples, and strengths and weaknesses of each are presented.
Therapeutic Use of Estrogen Receptor β Agonists in Prevention and Treatment of Endocrine Therapy Resistant Breast Cancers: Observations From Preclinical Models

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. The majority of breast cancers express estrogen receptor (ER)α, and endocrine therapy is the primary therapeutic approach to treat ER positive breast cancers. However, developing resistance and side effects are common events of these therapeutic strategies. Recent studies have evaluated the role of ERs sub types and demonstrated that ERα is a tumorigenic and ERβ functions as a tumor suppressor. In recent years, preclinical studies focused on the use of natural and synthetic ERβ agonists to treat wide varieties of cancers, including breast cancer. Successful studies conducted so far, have established that ERβ agonists are effective both alone and in combination with chemotherapeutic agents. These data have suggested that use of ERβ agonists in combination with endocrine therapy may be an effective treatment strategy in hormone receptor positive breast cancers. The present review focuses on the tumor suppressive role of ERβ, and the efficacy and mechanisms of several natural and synthetic ERβ agonists against breast cancer.
The Construction of a Phonological System

The origins of phonological system are traced back to the first global ambient language influences, both auditory and visual, on infant vocal production. Vocal exploration allows the child to develop kinesthetic-auditory links as well as articulatory control. The child’s vocal motor schemes provide a perceptual match to selected salient adult words and form the basis for the first identifiable word productions. These vocal motor schemes, shaped by the phonetic affordances of the native language, provide the raw material out of which the child forges an incipient phonological system. Whereas the tightly constrained first words are relatively accurate but scarcely interrelated, gradual development of one or more word schemata leads to rapid lexical advances, less constrained selection, and more radical adaptation of adult forms to increasingly stable child templates. Non-linearity or “regression” in production accuracy marks emergent organization.
Vibrissa Movement, Sensation and Sensorimotor Control

Rats sweep their vibrissae through space to locate objects in their immediate environment. In essence, their view of the proximal world is generated through pliable hairs that tap and palpate objects. The texture and shape of those objects must be discerned for the rat to assess their value. Further, the location of those objects must be specified with reference to the position of the rat’s head for the rat to plan its future movements. This article reviews the nature of the sensors and motor plant that govern whisking, along with the neuronal circuitry and signaling that underlie vibrissae-based sensation and sensorimotor control.
Adaptive Aspects of Development: A 30-Year Perspective on the Relevance of Biomechanical and Allometric Analyses

The participants of the 1981 Dahlem conference questioned whether evolutionary history largely reflects the operation of natural selection, physical forces, historical accidents, or some combination of all three operating on developmental phenomena. They asserted that answering this question requires the help of biophysical (biomechanical) and allometric analyses. However, the participants also recognized that this kind of approach was insufficient at the time to answer this question. I review what was then known about these kinds of analyses, and I discuss how they have matured since 1981. I also illustrate how allometric analyses can be applied usefully to understand the role of natural selection and physical forces during the evolution of plants. I argue that neither biomechanics nor allometry is sufficient to provide a mechanistic explanation for the phenomena discussed during the 1981 Dahlem conference and that neither will mature sufficiently to do so since each lacks a mechanistic, theoretical foundation in the context of evolutionary and developmental biology.
Dual functionalized liposome-mediated gene delivery across triple co-culture blood brain barrier model and specific in vivo neuronal transfection.

Abstract Gene therapy has become a promising approach for neurodegenerative disease treatment, however there is an urgent need to develop an efficient gene carrier to transport gene across the blood brain barrier (BBB). In this study, we strategically designed dual functionalized liposomes for efficient neuronal transfection by combining transferrin (Tf) receptor targeting and enhanced cell penetration utilizing penetratin (Pen). A triple cell co-culture model of BBB confirmed the ability of the liposomes to cross the barrier layer and transfect primary neuronal cells. In vivo quantification of PenTf-liposomes demonstrated expressive accumulation in the brain (12%), without any detectable cellular damage or morphological change. The efficacy of these nanoparticles containing plasmid β-galactosidase in modulating transfection was assessed by β-galactosidase expression in vivo. As a consequence of accumulation in the brain, PenTf-liposomes significantly induced gene expression in mice. Immunofluorescence studies of brain sections of mice after tail vein injection of liposomes encapsulating pDNA encoding GFP (pGFP) illustrate the superior ability of dual-functionalized liposomes to accumulate in the brain and transfect neurons. Taken together, the multifunctional liposomes provide an excellent gene delivery platform for neurodegenerative diseases.
ESC Based Optimal Stator Frequency Control of DFIG-DC System for Efficiency Enhancement

Unlike DFIG-AC system, the stator frequency of the DFIG-DC system is not set by the DC grid. This extra degree of freedom in stator frequency control introduces an interesting question: how to optimally regulate the stator frequency of the DFIG-DC system. It is demonstrated through simulation and experimental study that the efficiency of the DFIG-DC system varies with the change of stator frequency. At certain frequency, the efficiency of the DFIG-DC system is maximized. However, it is not viable in practice to determine the optimal stator frequency using model based approaches, since an accurate model of the power loss is typically difficult to acquire. To this end, an Extremum Seeking Control (ESC) based scheme is proposed as a model-free solution to track the optimal stator frequency in real time, based on the feedback of estimated efficiency. Both simulation and experimental results indicate that ESC can accurately find the optimal stator frequency to achieve the highest efficiency for the DFIG-DC system.
(Re)Designing for Engagement in a Project-based AP Environmental Science Course

AbstractThis paper describes a three-year, design-based research project to redesign a year-long, project-based advanced placement environmental science course to better support student engagement ...
Current controversies in early-stage melanoma: Questions on management and surveillance

There are a number of controversies and uncertainties relating to the management and surveillance of patients with early-stage, localized (ie, stage 0, I, and II) cutaneous melanoma. While tumor stage is a critical predictor of clinical outcome and guides treatment, accurate determination of stage may be affected by the biopsy technique used and the method of sectioning before histologic review. A new molecular prognostic test is available but has not been formally incorporated into staging or treatment guidelines. There are no randomized controlled clinical trials to support guidelines for surveillance following the treatment of early-stage melanoma. In the second article in this continuing medical education series, we review the controversies and uncertainties relating to these issues. The questions we address are controversial because they speak to clinical scenarios for which there are no evidence-based guidelines or randomized clinical trials with the consequence of considerable variability in clinical practice. Our goal is to provide the clinician with up-to-date contextual knowledge to appreciate the multiple sides of each controversy and to suggest pathways to resolution.
Ketoacidosis in Euglycemic Patients With Type 2 Diabetes After Abdominal Surgery

Diabetic ketoacidosis is defined as hyperglycemia >250 mg/dL with metabolic acidosis of arterial pH 10. Euglycemic ketoacidosis has been reported in patients with type 2 diabetes and in patients with type 1 diabetes. However, as a surgical complication, euglycemic ketoacidosis has not been reported. We report 2 cases from 2 teaching tertiary care centers of patients with type 2 diabetes who developed high-gap ketoacidosis in an intensive care unit while recovering from emergent abdominal surgery. Both patients developed altered mental status, metabolic acidosis with a bicarbonate level as low as 14 mEq/L, and an anion gap > 18, without hyperglycemia. Both patients had β-hydroxybutyrate levels > 5 mmol/L.
Aircraft Marketing in an Era of Deregulation

The deregulation of commercial aviation has had far-reaching effects on all aspects of business. In the Spring 1984 issue, the author explored some of the changes in the domestic airline industry. This article discusses the effects of deregulation on another group those who manufacture commercial aircraft.