cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acute multiple sclerosis characterized by extensive mononuclear phagocyte infiltration.

In this study, we examine the clinical, neuroradiological, and immunohistochemical findings of a 51 year old white female who died 27 months after onset of acute multiple sclerosis despite treatment with interferon-β, azathioprine, corticosteroids, and cyclophosphamide. Immunohistochemical studies revealed extensive gliosis and mononuclear phagocyte infiltration with corresponding upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines (eg. IFN-α, TNF-α). The significance of immunohistochemical findings with respect to clinical presentation is discussed.
Kostenerstattung ist kein Allheilmittel

Es ist derzeit popular, statt des bisherigen Sachleistungsprinzips bei der arztlichen Honorierung die Kostenerstattung zu fordern. Dabei wird oft verkannt, dass das Prinzip der Kostenerstattung der Arzteschaft eine Menge neue Probleme bescheren wird, wenn nicht zuvor die GOA und der EBM geandert und an die neue Situation angepasst werden.
Modernism and the Reinvention of Decadence: T. S. Eliot: 1910–1922

When T. S. Eliot sailed to Europe in July 1914, he was resuming a journey he had begun in November 1910 – on several levels. As a student, he had spent that earlier academic year in Paris, where he attended lectures at the Sorbonne and officially, if somewhat diffidently, furthered his work toward a doctorate in philosophy at Harvard. As a poet, however, he drew deeply from the Parisian scene. One of the primary sites in the poetics of urban modernity, the city offered him the spirits of Baudelaire and Laforgue and the legacy of a heady French decadence . The atmosphere went straight to his head as the muse of youth and crested into a period of poetic productivity as intense in its energy as it was promising in quality. Now, in 1914, the doctoral student was using a fellowship to bring his dissertation to completion, beginning with summer study at the University of Marburg in Germany and continuing at Merton College, Oxford. The mood was professional, dutiful, resigned. And the maturing poet … well, this poet was, in his own view, not maturing at all: the correspondence from that summer shows him already thinking of himself, in the conceit of a witticism for another stalled career, as a young poet “with a great future behind him.”
Protecting the Science Communication Environment: The Case of Childhood Vaccines

This paper examines childhood vaccines. It is animated by two reciprocal goals. One is to illustrate how the quality of the science communicating environment — the sum total of practices and cues that orient individuals in relation to what is known by science — affects the public’s recognition of one vital form of decision-relevant science. The other is to underscore the critical need for self-conscious management of the quality of the science communication environment to protect public health. The paper starts with the case of the wide-spread rejection of the requirement of universal immunization of adolescents against the human papilloma virus in the U.S.: that outcome, the paper argues, was attributable in full to reckless private and governmental decisionmaking that aggravated influences known to detract from the capacity of diverse citizens to recognize valid decision-relevant science. Next the paper examines the situation for other childhood vaccines: the same laissez faire stance has in that context left the science communication environment unprotected from a host of influences that threaten to corrode confidence in his critical public-health policy. The paper concludes, more optimistically, with a set of recommendations that parallel and amplify ones made by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Vaccine Advisory Council (2015) to systematize evidence-based science communication relating to childhood vaccination. The NVAC Report, the paper suggests, furnishes a blueprint for a much larger scale project to fashion a set of institutions and cultural practices suited for protecting the science communication environment.
Diagnosis of trichomoniasis in men by urine cytology.

BACKGROUND Trichomonas vaginalis is a rare finding in urine cytology specimens, especially those from men; only 2 case reports have been described in the literature. The authors of the current report sought to determine the incidence and clinical significance of this finding in urine cytology in males. METHODS The authors' cytopathology archives were queried for urine cytology specimens that contained Trichomonas over a 30-year period. Clinical information from men with Trichomonas-positive urines was reviewed retrospectively. Slides were reviewed, and the morphologic characteristics of the organisms were recorded. RESULTS Trichomonas was detected in 73 of 60,000 urine cytology specimens (0.1%). The patients included 45 women and 28 men. Men with Trichomonas in their urine ranged in age from 28 to 87 years (mean age, 67 years; median, 71 years). Trichomonas organisms were round to oval, with eccentric nuclei and cytoplasmic granules. Acute inflammation was observed in 6 of 7 cases. Clinical history was available in 13 of 28 men. Lower urinary tract symptoms were reported in 10 of 13 men, most commonly hematuria; and urethral strictures were identified by cystoscopy in 3 of 13 men. Clinical follow-up was available for 10 of 13 patients; of these, 8 (80%) had received treatment with metronidazole based on urine cytology results. CONCLUSIONS This study is the largest series of Trichomonas infection in men diagnosed by urine cytology in the literature. Most men had no prior diagnosis of trichomoniasis and received specific antibiotic therapy based on their urine cytology results. Urine cytology may represent the initial diagnostic test for Trichomonas in men, and accurate cytologic diagnosis may prevent undesired adverse outcomes for them and their partners. Cancer Cytopathol 2016. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
An approach to analyzing adaptive intelligent vehicle system using SMT solver

Self-adaptive intelligent vehicle system has become more attractive due to its capability of adaptation to varying and stochastic environments in an efficient and autonomous manner. The dynamic demeanor in adaptation and reconfiguration of intelligent vehicle systems will facilitate the existing federal and civil construction in better planning as well as in abbreviating the huge amount of budget of government and will ameliorate and impoverish the day to day lifestyle of mass generation with enhanced efficiency in green-energy oriented transportation systems. However, such systems may be prone to runtime failures when the overall environmental dynamics as well as the required parameters cannot be adequately considered during design time. In this project, we have examined and investigated the typical safety critical issues using SMT solver on a speed synchronization racing car example in both design and implementation level. In the design level, a Petri Net model is adopted as the high level abstraction of the racing car. In the implementation level, the system was developed in Java and Lejos package since the application toolkit is LEGO mindstorm EV3 robotic kit. In addition to this, both a set of safety properties and Petri Net model was rewritten in Z3 specification, where the safety properties are verified against the system model. The observed results of the specified properties have demonstrated that all required system constraints for hardware and firmware were analyzed and verified on an optimized version of Petri Net model of the system. This is the first time, from our literature review, to see the validation of the both design and implementation level using SMT Solver. Furthermore, this result has provided strong and rigid foundation for the runtime verification of cyber physical systems.
Trends in Public–Private Pay Parity in State and Local Governments:

Have state and local governments (SLGs) achieved pay parity with the private sector? The answer depends on how one defines parity. Using a standard labor economics model on U.S. Census data from 1990 to 2014, we find different patterns if we focus on pay, on pay plus benefits, or on total compensation within an occupation. All approaches indicate that pay is higher in local than in state governments and that Blacks, Hispanics, and employees without college diplomas earn higher pay in SLGs than in the private sector. In contrast, Whites, Asians, and college graduates are less likely to enjoy higher pay working in SLGs than in the private sector. Unsurprisingly, states with more liberal and Democratic legislatures pay public employees better, relative to workers in the private sector.
The Tenth Chapter

[1] And I saw another mighty angel [2] come down from heaven, [3] clothed with a cloud [4] and the rainbow upon his head. [5] And his face as it were the sun [6] and his feet as it were pillars of fire. [7] And he had in his hand a little book open. [8] And he put his right foot upon the sea and his left foot on the earth, [9] and cried with a loud voice as when a lion roareth. [10] And when he had cried, seven thunders spake their voices. [11] And when the seven thunders had spoken their voices, [12] I was about to write, and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me: [13] ‘Seal up these things which the seven thunderings spake [14] and write them not’.
Death Associated Protein 5 (DAP5/p97/NAT1) Contributes to Retinoic Acid-Induced Granulocytic Differentiation and Arsenic Trioxide Induced Apotosis through Inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Cells: A Novel Mechanism.

Abstract All-trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA) is a naturally occurring metabolite of retinol (vitamin A)and acts as a potent inducer of cellular differentiation and growth arrest in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), a type of acute myeloid leukemia (M3-AML). APL is characterized by translocation t(15;17), fusing PML (promyelocytic leukemia) and RARα (retinoic acid receptor) genes, leding to expression of PML/RARα receptor protein and differentiation block. Arsenic trioxide (ATO) induces ( 1 μM) in APL cells. Currently, both ATRA and ATO are successfully used in the treatment of APL in the clinic. However, the molecular mechanisms of myeloid differentiation and apoptosis induced by these agents are not fully understood. We previously reported that ATRA inhibits the translation initiation through multiple mechanisms, including upregulation of translation initiation inhibitors, DAP5/p97 and PDCD4 tumor suppressor protein. Here we investigated the role and regulation of death associated protein-5 (DAP5/p97/NAT1), a novel inhibitor of translational initiation, in myeloid (granulocytic and monocytic) cell differentiation and apoptosis. We found that ATRA (1 μM) induced a marked DAP5/p97 protein and mRNA expression during granulocytic differentiation of NB4 and HL60 cells but not in differentiation-resistant cells, which express very low levels of DAP5/p97. DAP5/p97 was translocated into nucleus during the differentiation of NB4 cells induced ATRA. At differentiation inducing doses, ATO, dimethysulfoxide, 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin-D3, and phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate also induced a significant DAP5/p97 expression in NB4 cells. However, ATO at apoptotic doses, but not ATRA, induced DAP5/p86, a proapoptotic form of DAP5/p97. ATRA and ATO -induced expression of DAP5/p97 was associated with inhibition of phosphaditylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway, which is known to stimulate cap-dependent translation of mRNAs. To show direct link between PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and DAP5 expression, we treated cell with PI3K and mTOR inhibitors LY294002 and by rapamycin, respectively. We found that inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway upregulated DAP5/p97 expression in NB4 cells. Finally, knockdown of DAP5/p97 expression by small interfering RNA significantly inhibited ATRA-induced granulocytic differentiation detected by expression of CD11b and ATO-induced apoptosis in NB4 cells detected by Annexin V assay (p Download : Download high-res image (106KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure
Cognitive Functioning in Older Adults With Schizophrenia

Cognitive deficits are thought to be a core feature in schizophrenia and have been found to be strongly associated with impairments in functioning. It is estimated that more than 70% of patients with schizophrenia have cognitive impairment. The aim of this article is to critically review the emerging literature on cognition in older adults with schizophrenia. Specifically, we address the following questions: Are there differences in cognitive functioning between older adults with schizophrenia and their healthy age peers as well as with younger people with schizophrenia? What are the factors associated with cognitive deficits and their interaction over time? What are the life course trajectories of cognitive deficits, especially in later life? Are older adults with schizophrenia more likely to develop dementia, and, if so, does it differ from other dementias? Are there pharmacological and psychosocial interventions that can successfully treat cognitive deficits in older adults with schizophrenia?
Using the Improvisational "Yes, and…" Approach as a Review Technique in the Student-Centered Biology Classroom.

In the biological sciences, students frequently equate understanding to compiling and memorizing information as a series of isolated facts. For this reason, they struggle to connect major concepts across course curriculums. In other disciplines, improvisation techniques have been introduced as a way to engage with millenials, who learn best through inductive and experiential learning. Here we present an improvisational classroom activity called “Yes, and…” as a review technique that can be used throughout the semester and in multiple contexts to help students assimilate and integrate information. Students in small groups first review a major topic provided by the instructor (for example, DNA structure or DNA properties). Then, one student in the group contributes one sentence that starts a narrative about the topic being reviewed as learned in class. Additional members of the group then take turns, one at a time, to add additional layers of details to the narrative. The group dynamic continues until all of the students in the group have contributed at least one sentence to the narrative. Students are encouraged to listen carefully to their classmates’ contributions so that inaccurate ideas can be identified and tweaked through conversation at the end of one round of the exercise. The instructor moves between groups to continue to foster the learning experience. We find that the “Yes, and…” approach promotes deep student engagement with course material, collaboration among students of different backgrounds, and fosters development of oral communication skills.
Autologous Cord Blood Infusions Are Safe and Feasible in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Results of a Single-Center Phase I Open-Label Trial

Despite advances in early diagnosis and behavioral therapies, more effective treatments for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are needed. We hypothesized that umbilical cord blood-derived cell therapies may have potential in alleviating ASD symptoms by modulating inflammatory processes in the brain. Accordingly, we conducted a phase I, open-label trial to assess the safety and feasibility of a single intravenous infusion of autologous umbilical cord blood, as well as sensitivity to change in several ASD assessment tools, to determine suitable endpoints for future trials. Twenty-five children, median age 4.6 years (range 2.26-5.97), with a confirmed diagnosis of ASD and a qualified banked autologous umbilical cord blood unit, were enrolled. Children were evaluated with a battery of behavioral and functional tests immediately prior to cord blood infusion (baseline) and 6 and 12 months later. Assessment of adverse events across the 12-month period indicated that the treatment was safe and well tolerated. Significant improvements in children's behavior were observed on parent-report measures of social communication skills and autism symptoms, clinician ratings of overall autism symptom severity and degree of improvement, standardized measures of expressive vocabulary, and objective eye-tracking measures of children's attention to social stimuli, indicating that these measures may be useful endpoints in future studies. Behavioral improvements were observed during the first 6 months after infusion and were greater in children with higher baseline nonverbal intelligence quotients. These data will serve as the basis for future studies to determine the efficacy of umbilical cord blood infusions in children with ASD. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2017;6:1332-1339.
On the Convergence Conditions of Distributed Dynamic State Estimation Using Sensor Networks: A Unified Framework

In this paper, the problem of distributed state estimation using sensor networks is considered for a very general scenario, where: 1) the process model of the target and the sensing models of local agents are assumed to be linear and time varying; 2) the communication topology between agents is modeled as a general directed graph, and is subject to change with time; and 3) there might exist a time-varying set of agents not directly sensing the target. A distributed hybrid information fusion (DHIF) algorithm, which requires no global parameter and only one communication iteration per time instant, is proposed. The DHIF algorithm computes confident but consistent estimates. The convergence of the proposed algorithm is guaranteed with very mild sufficient conditions formulated in such a general scenario. Specifically, the directed switching graphs do not necessarily need to be (jointly) strongly connected nor balanced. Then the conditions are shown to be “almost” necessary. In the special case where the process/sensing models and the topology are both time invariant, the conditions are necessary after certain relaxation. Comparisons with existing algorithms are shown both analytically and numerically. The convergence results are illustrated in simulations. In the end, the proposed algorithm is also extended to the situation with nonlinearities involved, and illustrated in simulation.
The Research Process

Abstract This chapter delves into the interactive nature of the research process and how nurses can utilize curiosity to improve nursing knowledge. This chapter explores the process of research as a quest to solve problems and advance understanding in nursing practice. Nurses begin to cultivate this spirit of inquiry by questioning the status quo, locating and evaluating research, and integrating reliable evidence into clinical practice. More advanced nurses will identify gaps in the evidence and seek to fill them by formulating research questions, gathering and analyzing data, and applying the results to change current standards of practice and improve patient outcomes.
Translational Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Characterization and Target-Mediated Drug Disposition Modeling of an Anti-Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor Antibody, PF-06741086.

Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) exhibits multiple isoforms, which are known to present in multiple locations such as plasma, endothelium, and platelets. TFPI is an endogenous negative modulator of the coagulation pathway, and therefore, neutralization of TFPI function can potentially increase coagulation activity. A human monoclonal antibody, PF-06741086, which interacts with all isoforms of TFPI is currently being tested in clinic for treating hemophilia patients with and without inhibitors. To support clinical development of PF-06741086, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics of PF-06741086 were characterized in monkeys. In addition, a mechanistic model approach was used to estimate PK parameters in monkeys and simulate PK profiles in human. The results show that PF-06741086 exhibited target-mediated drug disposition and had specific effects on various hemostatic markers including diluted prothrombin time, thrombin generation, and thrombin-antithrombin complex in monkeys after administration. The model-predicted and observed human exposures were compared retrospectively, and the result indicates that the exposure prediction was reasonable within less than 2-fold deviation. This study demonstrated in vivo efficacy of PF-06741086 in monkeys and the utility of a rational mechanistic approach to describe PK for a monoclonal antibody with complex target binding.
Expert Networks: Theory and Applications

Philosophically, the study of expert networks stems from a desire to capitalize on the major strengths of both expert systems and neural networks. The major thrust of this type of hybrid system is to synthesize the capability of expert systems to capture expert domain knowledge in an inference-based system with the power of black-box neural networks trained from example data.
Duopoly and Oligopoly

In this chapter, we will study simple interactions of firms that are few in number and that recognize the influence of each other’s actions on the outcome of their own actions.
Collective intelligence for einclusion

Collective intelligence is a concept under development that could have an important impact on eInclusion, adding a social component to the actions in favour of disadvantaged people. Even if some interesting applications of the concept have been presented, their description so far mainly deals with the technical aspects of their implementation. The main message of the paper, based on preliminary work in the laboratory and experiments in the field under preparation as an activity in the AAL (Ambiente Assisted Living) project FOOD, is that a careful analysis of the features of the problem to be addressed and of the community potentially active in the support cooperative network can lead to a more efficient set up and running of applications based on the collective intelligent concept.
Assessing the Impact of Sustainability-Themed Programming Assignments

This lightning talk describes initial research to assess the impact of a set of multidisciplinary programming projects in introductory CS and IS courses. Students in these courses are given a series of programming projects designed around various components of sustainability (e.g. air pollution, wind power). These projects are intended to provide students with a lightweight, non-intrusive introduction to sustainability concepts while still assessing their ability to perform introductory programming tasks. This approach is intended to show students the applicability of programming towards sustainability concepts, but it is also intended help build students' knowledge and spark interest in applying sustainability concepts in their own communities and daily routine. Recently, we have undertaken an effort to more accurately assess the impact of these projects on students' knowledge, understanding, appreciation, and practice of sustainability concepts. Small post-project reflective writing exercises have been used to assess the influence that the sustainability-based projects have had on students' knowledge and behavior. This work has included initial development of custom reflective writing exercises and an accompanying grading rubric, as well as pre- and post-course surveys, but more work is needed to develop and/or refine these instruments and the overall approach. This assessment effort began in Spring 2018 and is currently in pilot. We are seeking additional interested faculty collaborators and feedback on the approach. Especially welcome are faculty who may have an interest in adopting and/or helping to develop assessment materials or sustainability-themed projects.
CD91 on dendritic cells governs immunosurveillance of nascent, emerging tumors

The immune system detects aberrant, premalignant cells and eliminates them before the development of cancer. Immune cells, including T cells, have been shown to be critical components in eradicating these aberrant cells, and when absent in the host, incidence of cancer increases. Here, we show that CD91, a receptor expressed on antigen-presenting cells, is required for priming immune responses to nascent, emerging tumors. In the absence of CD91, effector immune responses are subdued, and tumor incidence and progression are amplified. We also show that, consequently, tumors that arise in the absence of CD91 express neo-epitopes with indices that are indicative of greater immunogenicity. Polymorphisms in human CD91 that are expected to affect ligand binding are shown to influence antitumor immune responses in cancer patients. This study presents a molecular mechanism for priming immune responses to nascent, emerging tumors that becomes a predictor of cancer susceptibility and progression.
Tangiball: Dynamic Embodied Tangible Interaction with a Ball in Virtual Reality

Tangible interaction in virtual reality (VR) is known to offer several benefits. Although using tangible objects as controllers in VR is common, incorporating real-life tangible objects for dynamic embodied interactions is not a well-researched area. To that end, we propose a tangible soccer game system (?Tangiball') in room-scale VR, in which users interact with a tangible ball with their feet in real-time by only seeing its virtual representation inside a head mounted display. Tangiball includes a custom-built transparent tangible ball, inside which motion tracking markers are placed using a custom 3D printed attachment. The uniqueness of the Tangiball lies in the dynamic embodied tangible VR interaction it offers. This paper includes the design decisions and iterations, system details and lessons learned. The results of the pilot testing are promising, as users engaged with the Tangiball effortlessly and intuitively and mentioned that it was playful.
Integrative Sizing/Real-Time Energy Management of a Hybrid Supercapacitor/Undersea Energy Storage System for Grid Integration of Wave Energy Conversion Systems

Grid-connected operation of an offshore renewable energy source (RES), comprising a wave energy converter (WEC), a hybrid supercapacitor (SC)/undersea energy storage system (HESS), and a set of power electronics converters (PECs), is investigated. Since the HESS components feature distinctive power and energy characteristics, the effect of the operating point on their storage capacity must be considered. Thus, an integrative sizing and real-time energy management strategy (EMS) based on reinforcement learning (RL) is proposed. Effectiveness of the sizing approach is examined by comparing the power and energy capacity of the HESS components under the proposed method and when they are sized individually. A similar WEC output power profile is used and it is assumed that the storage components, as hybrid or individually, counteract the power fluctuations. To verify the adaptability of the RL-based EMS (RLEMS), different power profiles are used in the learning and testing phases. Real-time implementation feasibility is validated through real-time simulations. The obtained results confirm that the power and energy capacity of the HESS components are significantly reduced when EMS is considered in the sizing stage. Further, the WEC output power could be regulated by the RLEMS, even in the presence of serious imbalances between harvested and dispatched wave energies.
Real-world comparison of immune checkpoint inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer following platinum-based chemotherapy.

PurposeImmunotherapy is a relatively new treatment modality for advanced non-small cell lung cancer following platinum-based chemotherapy. Nivolumab, pembrolizumab, and atezolizumab demonstrated su...
Interaction of Graphene And Polycaprolactone at Atomic Level

The investigation of biocompatible biomaterials has greatly contributed to the development of regenerative medicine. Now, many new materials are fabricated for patients’ using in real life such as polyethylene-polypropylene-cellulose wound dressing, titanium bone implants, etc. Here we are investigating the interaction of polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold with graphene (GRA) nano-particles at atomistic level. Herein, we utilized molecular dynamics to find the interfacial interaction between graphene sheets and PCL chains in the GRA-PCL nanocomposite system. To electrospin the GRA-PCL scaffold, graphene particles were evenly dispersed into PCL solution by sonication. To imitate real-life scenario and to initiate our modeling experiment, the PCL chains were randomly aligned on graphene; simulations are implemented to investigate the stabilization process of graphene and PCL in nanoscale. The trajectorial analysis like the center of mass distance, contact area, root mean square deviation (RMSD) and energetic analysis helped examine the interfacial interaction. During 10ns simulation, randomly aligned extended PCL chains shrunk and adsorbed onto the surface of graphene without affecting the size of the scaffold. Wrapping effect was detected, which showed great attraction force between graphene and PCL. Van der Waal’s force analysis supported these phenomena described above, and hydrophobic interaction also contributed to the interaction of these two materials.
Recent Airborne Sar Demonstrations for Monitoring and Assessment of Volcanic Lava Flow and Severe Flooding

The unique capabilities of imaging radar to penetrate cloud cover and collect data in darkness over large areas at high resolution makes it a key information provider for the management and mitigation of natural and human-induced disasters such as earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, floods, sinkholes, and wildfires. In 2018 we demonstrated the utility of NASA/JPL’s airborne Ka-band single-pass interferometric radar (GLISTIN-A) to monitor the growth of lava flow thickness during the surprisingly extensive Kilauea volcano eruption that lasted 3 months. We also deployed UAVSAR’s L-band polarimetric repeat-pass interferometric radar at the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to monitor flood extent in heavily vegetated areas of North and South Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.
Prostate Specific Antigen and Prostate Specific Antigen Doubling Time Predict Findings on 18F-DCFPyL Positron Emission Tomography/Computerized Tomography in Patients with Biochemically Recurrent Prostate Cancer

Purpose:Prostate specific membrane antigen targeted 18F-DCFPyL positron emission tomography/computerized tomography may offer superior image quality and sensitivity for the detection of biochemical...
The role of laser in percutaneous surgery. Is this the best option for this approach

espanolEl laser holmium esta establecido como gold-standard en el manejo de la litiasis con ureterosco-pio. El papel del laser en la nefrolitotomia percutanea varia ya que existen varios tipos de laser. El objetivo de este articulo es revisar el papel del laser en la ciru-gia percutanea renal para determinar si es una buena opcion terapeutica. Discutiremos la historia del laser en urologia, nefrolitotomia percutanea y sus resultados en la literatura, los pros y contras de los laseres vs otros li-totriptores como el tulio, el uso del laser para establecer el acceso percutaneo; el papel del laser en la cirugia percutanea no-litiasica. EnglishHolmium laser has been established as the gold-standard for the ureteroscopic management of urinary stone disease. However the role of laser in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) varies, as multiple energy sources and lithotripters are available. Currently, lasers are becoming more relevant with the development of several miniaturized PCNL techniques. The purpose of this article is to review the role of laser in percutaneous renal surgery, and whether or not it is the best option for this approach. Discussion points include: the history and background of lasers in urologic surgery, PCNL and its outcomes in the literature, the positives and negatives of lasers versus other lithotripters in several different PCNL techniques, emerging laser technology such as thulium fiber laser, the use of lasers in establishing percutaneous renal access, and laser’s role in non-stone percutaneous renal surgery.
Ankle torque estimation during locomotion from surface electromyography and accelerometry

Estimations of human joint torques can provide quantitative, clinically valuable information to inform patient care, plan therapy, and assess the design of wearable robotic devices. Standard methods for estimating joint torques are limited to laboratory or clinical settings since they require expensive equipment to measure joint kinematics and ground reaction forces. Wearable sensor data combined with neural networks may offer a less expensive and obtrusive estimation method. We present a method of mapping joint torque estimates obtained from motion capture and ground reaction forces to wearable sensor data. We use several different neural networks to learn the torque mapping for the ankle joints during standing, walking, running, and sprinting. Our results show that neural networks that consider time (recurrent and long short-term memory networks) outperform feedforward network architectures, producing results in the range of 0. 005-0.008N. m/kg mean squared error (MSE) when compared to the inverse dynamics model on which it was trained. As a point of reference, the typical measurement errors from inverse dynamics models are in the range of 0.0004-0.0064 N. m/kg MSE. Errors tended to increase with locomotion speed, with the highest errors during sprinting and the lowest during standing or walking. Future work may investigate model generalizability across sensor placements, subjects, locomotion variants, and usage duration. The proposed method relies on learning from a motion capture dataset, but once the model is built, the method uses wearable sensors that enable torque estimation without the motion capture data. These methods also have potential uses for the design and testing of wearable robotic systems outside of a laboratory environment.
Adolescent Development in the Digital Media Context.

Digital media has increasingly become a central feature in the lives of adolescents, yet its impact on youths’ development and mental health remains poorly understood. Granic et al. (this issue) co...
SensOrchestra: Collaborative Sensing for Symbolic Location Recognition

Symbolic location of a user, like a store name in a mall, is essential for context-based mobile advertising. Existing fingerprint-based localization using only a single phone is susceptible to noise, and has a major limitation in that the phone has to be held in the hand at all times. In this paper, we present SensOrchestra, a collaborative sensing framework for symbolic location recognition that groups nearby phones to recognize ambient sounds and images of a location collaboratively. We investigated audio and image features, and designed a classifier fusion model to integrate estimates from different phones. We also evaluated the energy consumption, bandwidth, and response time of the system. Experimental results show that SensOrchestra achieved 87.7% recognition accuracy, which reduces the error rate of single-phone approach by 2X, and eliminates the limitations on how users carry their phones. We believe general location or activity recognition systems can all benefit from this collaborative framework.
The State of Monoamine Activity in Children with Tyc Hyperkinesis and the Combined Type of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Aim: the primary purpose of this study was to explore the state of monoamine activity in children with tic disorder at a combined type of attention deﬁcit disorder (ADHD). Patients and methods: 404 children aged 6–10 years with a combined type of ADHD were divided into three subgroups according to the monoamine activity: 1 subgroup with a combination of hypofunction of dopaminergic and hyperfunction of the noradrenergic system — 120 patients, 2 subgroup with a combination of hyperfunction of the noradrenergic system with a relative balance of dopamine — 136 patients, 3 subgroups with biochemical parameters of monoamine indicators within the reference values — 148 children. The levels of monoamines, their precursors and metabolic products in daily urine were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection: dopamine, norepinephrine, adrenaline and serotonin, their metabolites — homovanilic acid, vanillylmandelic acid, 5-hydroxytryptophan and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and their precursors tryptophan and tyrosine. To assess the severity of the symptoms of ADHD, the SNAP-IV scale was used, and tic severity was determined using the Yale global tick severity scale. Results: сommon to all subgroups under consideration is characteristic that the severity of the tick correlates, ﬁ rst, with increased impulsivity (1 subgroup р = 0.0001, 2 subgroup р = 0.045, 3 subgroup р = 0.015). The degree of manifestation of the main symptoms of ADHD in children has competitive behavior with tics, which is associated with decompensation of the biochemical balance of monoamine systems. In subgroup 1, there is an increase in the consumption of norepinephrine (p = 0.002) with a large formation of metabolites and a further weakening of the activity of the dopamine (p = 0.029) and serotonin (p = 0.038) systems. In subgroup 2, the dopamine system is deﬁcient (p = 0.001) and the inhibitory function of the serotonin system increases (p = 0.003). In subgroup 3, the activity of the noradrenaline system increases with minimal participation of the dopamine system and a weakening of the inﬂuence of the serotonin system (p = 0.006). Conclusion: in cases of comorbidity of ADHD and tic disorder in children, observation revealed a change in the state of noradrenergic and dopamine systems and weakening of the inhibitory effect of serotonin, which probably has an effect on the general psychopathological proﬁle.
Comparison of forces generated using compression plating versus a magnetic lengthening nail in a sawbones femur model

Abstract Background The purpose of this study is to compare compression generated by a Precice magnetic lengthening intramedullary nail and a 5.0 mm limited contact dynamic compression plate. Methods Transverse osteotomy sites were created in the femoral shaft of ten Sawbones fourth generation composite femurs. Antegrade 10-degree trochanteric Precice nails and 8-hole, 5.0 mm plates were used for fixation. The plates were compressed by placing a neutral screw and three eccentrically drilled compression screws on alternating sides of the osteotomy. Average compression and distribution of compression were compared, and P-values Findings The Precice nail generated an average of 2.38 megapascal across the osteotomy sites. The plate generated an average of 0.70 megapascal (P Interpretation This study demonstrates that an electromagnetic intramedullary device is capable of generating significantly higher compression, in a more uniform distribution, than a 5.0 mm limited contact dynamic compression plate in a Sawbones model. The results indicate that electromagnetic intramedullary nail systems may be an ideal alternative to compression plating for treatment of at-risk fractures, nonunions, delayed unions, and intercalary allograft reconstruction.
Innovation in Banking and Excessive Loan Growth

The volume of credit extended by a bank can be an informative signal of its abilities in loan selection and management. It is shown that, under asymmetric information, banks may therefore rationally lend more than they would otherwise in order to demonstrate their quality, thus negatively affecting financial system soundness. Small shifts in technology and uncertainty associated with new technology may lead to large jumps in equilibrium outcomes. Prudential measures and supervision are therefore warranted.
Isolation of a Rhodobacter capsulatus bioB mutant and cloning of the bioB gene.

Abstract We isolated a Tn5 insertion mutant of Rhodobacter capsulatus which requires biotin for growth. Crossfeeding studies with Escherichia coli bio mutants indicated that the insertion is in the bioB gene. A cosmid that complements the bioB insertion was isolated, and the bioB gene was localized to a 2.85-kilobase EcoRI-PstI fragment.
Extending social networking into the secondary education sector

Secondary schools do not have the same technical resources and capabilities as universities. They usually need to rely on ready-to-use tools to fulfill their information and communication technology ( ICT) structure. Social networking site ( SNS) has emerged as a practical solution to this need. However, few have collected empirical data on the application of SNS in a secondary school setting. This paper probes into the current condition of SNS usage among secondary school students using a sample of 851 students in Macau, a Special Administrative Region ( SAR) of China. Data in terms of access, profile and activities are collected. The activities on SNSs are analyzed by regression techniques to produce a prediction model relating perceived academic benefit and SNS activities. The model yields a strong positive relationship between that benefit and activities such as raising questions and engaging in study-related discussions. The model also yields a weak dependency on activities such as searching for information and entertainment. The paper also evaluates the actual academic utilization of a Facebook Group for one class of secondary school students for a period of one year. At the end of the year, various opinion parameters are measured, and improvements are observed in most parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Segregation analysis of breast cancer in a population‐based sample of postmenopausal probands: The Iowa women's health study

Inheritance of a major susceptibility gene for breast cancer has been primarily investigated in families with early-onset disease. However, familial clustering of late-onset breast cancer is well documented, and genetic factors may also be relevant. In the Iowa Women's Health Study, we evaluated evidence for a major gene after allowing for measured environmental risk factors. Two hundred sixty-five incident breast cancer probands were identified from a prospective cohort study of 41,837 women aged 55 to 69 years at baseline in 1986. A pedigree development form was mailed to the probands to ascertain all first-degree female relatives. A questionnaire and body measurement protocol were mailed to identified living relatives or surrogates. Segregation analyses were conducted on a total of 1,145 women in 251 families using regressive models as implemented in S.A.G.E. Mendelian codominant inheritance of an allele that produced an earlier age-at-onset provided the best fit to the data. Incorporation of measured environmental risk factors as covariates yielded no significant improvements in the likelihoods. Approximately 50% of this population could be expected to carry a late-onset breast cancer susceptibility gene, and 23% of the population is susceptible because of the environment in which they live. Homozygous gene carriers are predicted to have a mean age-at-onset of 48 years, over 20 years earlier than heterozygotes; few cases would be expected among non-gene carriers. In conclusion, the transmission pattern of late-onset breast cancer may be determined by a common susceptibility gene. ©1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Predicting topology survivability using path diversity

In this paper we extend our path diversity metric to create a composite compensated total graph diversity metric that is representative of a particular topology's survivability with respect to distributed simultaneous link and node failures. We tune the accuracy of this metric using 17 topologies, including 3 real fiber maps, 10 inferred logical maps, and 2 synthetic topologies having simulated their performance under a range of failure severities, and present the results. The topologies used are from national-scale backbone networks, with a variety of characteristics, which we characterize using standard graph-theoretic metrics. The end result is a compensated total graph diversity metric that accurately predicts the survivability of a given network topology.
Liquid ion exchangers in paper chromatography of steoidal glucosiduronic acids. Influence of different exchangers on the mobility in chloroform-formamide and correlation of chromatographic data.

Abstract A group of 25 steroidal glucosiduronic acids was chromatographed on paper in chloroform-formamide in the presence of several different liquid ion exchangers. Chromatograms were run also in three Bush-type systems. R F values were converted into R M values and the data were correlated by use of a series of regression equations of the type R M (Y) = a · R M (X) + b , in which X designates a standard system to which each other system (Y) is compared. The ratio of the slope a to the correlation coefficient r ( i.e., a/r ) is a measure of the resolving power of system Y relative to the standard system; intercept b , in association with slope a , is an indication of the polarity of system Y relative to X. The correlation coefficient r and the standard error of estimate sy·x are indications of whether solvent systems Y and X have very similar or relatively different resolving properties for a group of solutes. The regression equations are useful for correlating chromatographic data obtained from a group of compounds in several solvent systems. Properties of the chromatography systems are discussed and the relative importance of ion exchange and hydrogen bonding with the various solvent systems is pointed out. Δ R Ma and Δ R Mr values are given for functional groups at several locations in the conjugates for ten of the chromatography systems.
Mutations in the human homologue of mouse dl cause autosomal recessive and dominant hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia

X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia results in abnormal morphogenesis of teeth, hair and eccrine sweat glands. The gene (ED1) responsible for the disorder has been identified, as well as the analogous X-linked gene (Ta) in the mouse. Autosomal recessive disorders, phenotypically indistinguishable from the X-linked forms, exist in humans and at two separate loci (crinkled, cr, and downless, dl) in mice. Dominant disorders, possibly allelic to the recessive loci, are seen in both species (ED3, Dlslk). A candidate gene has recently been identified at the dl locus that is mutated in both dl and Dlslk mutant alleles. We isolated and characterized its human DL homologue, and identified mutations in three families displaying recessive inheritance and two with dominant inheritance. The disorder does not map to the candidate gene locus in all autosomal recessive families, implying the existence of at least one additional human locus. The putative protein is predicted to have a single transmembrane domain, and shows similarity to two separate domains of the tumour necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family.
Simultaneous energy and transmission auction

Summary form only given. A simultaneous forward (e.g., day ahead) energy and transmission auction model is presented. In this model, market participants, including energy and transmission capacity bidders, may submit any number of hourly and block offers and bids into a multi-location market. In this market, transmission capacity offered as transmission rights will be available for use in the energy market only if the relevant locational energy price differences are high enough for the transmission rights offer. As such this marker allows new investors in transmission capacity to avoid free-rider issues in the forward auction. At the same time this market can readily accommodate traditional financial transmission rights (FTRs). Market participants can place any limits on their offers and bids and the market operator can set a limit on the total value of trade by each market participants. An example of a 5-zone market auction is provided to show the application of the proposed simultaneous energy and transmission auction model.