cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of intra-articular vanilloid receptor agonists on pain behavior measures in a murine model of acute monoarthritis

Arthritis is the most common cause of disability in the US, and the primary manifestation of arthritis is joint pain that leads to progressive physical limitation, disability, morbidity, and increased health care utilization. Capsaicin (CAP) is a vanilloid agonist that causes substance P depletion by interacting with vanilloid receptor transient receptor potential V1 on small unmyelinated C fibers. It has been used topically for analgesia in osteoarthritis with variable success. Resiniferatoxin (RTX) is an ultra potent CAP analog. The aim of this study was to measure the analgesic effects of intra-articular (IA) administration of CAP and RTX in experimental acute inflammatory arthritis in mice. Evoked pain score (EPS) and a dynamic weight bearing (DWB) device were used to measure nociceptive behaviors in a murine model of acute inflammatory monoarthritis. A total of 56 C57B16 male mice underwent EPS and DWB testing - 24 nonarthritic controls and 32 mice with carrageenan-induced arthritis. The effects of pretreatment with 0.1% CAP, 0.0003% RTX, or 0.001% RTX were measured. Nociception was reproducibly demonstrated by increased EPS and reduced DWB measures in the affected limb of arthritic mice. Pretreatment with 0.001% RTX resulted in statistically significant improvement in EPS and DWB measures when compared with those observed in carrageenan-induced arthritis animals. Pretreatment with IA 0.0003% RTX and IA 0.01% CAP resulted in improvement in some but not all of these measures. The remaining 24 mice underwent evaluation following treatment with 0.1% CAP, 0.0003% RTX, or 0.001% RTX, and the results obtained were similar to that of naive, nonarthritic mice.
Improvement of gate critical dimension for 40nm node device

We tried to improve the variation of gate critical dimension(CD) within-wafer for 40nm node device at gate etching condition especially Bottom-Anti-Reflective-Coat (BARC) etching step. Gas diffusion influences in the etching chamber and temperature effects of electrostatic chucked (ESC) were investigated in this study. Finally it was achieved the optimal etching condition which significantly improved the within-wafer variation of the gate CD.
Spatial investigation of aging-involved crashes: A GIS-based case study in Northwest Florida

Abstract This study attempts to understand the unique nature of crashes involving aging drivers, unlike many previous crash-focused traffic safety studies mostly focusing on the general population. The utmost importance is given to answering the following question: How do the crashes involving aging drivers vary compared to crashes involving other age groups? To achieve this objective, a three-step spatial analysis was conducted using geographic information systems (GIS) with a case study application on three urban counties in the Northwest Florida region, based on crash data obtained from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). First, crash clusters were investigated using a kernel density estimation (KDE) approach. Second, a crash density ratio difference (DRD) measure was proposed for comparing maxima-normalized crash densities for two different age groups. Third, a population factor (PF) was developed in order to investigate effect of spatial dependency by incorporating the effect of both number and percent of 65 + populations in a region. This spatial analysis was followed by a logistic regression-based approach in order to identify the statistically significant factors that can help investigate the distinct patterns of crashes involving aging drivers. Results of this study indicate that crashes involving aging drivers differ from other age group crashes both spatially and temporally. Further, the DRD and PF factors are useful metrics to identify and investigate important regions of study. The GIS-based knowledge gained from this research can contribute to the development of more reliable aging-focused safety plans and models.
Hard Pion Electroproduction at Medium Energies

Even at moderate energy machines, there is a regime where hard pion electroproduction proceeds by a perturbatively calculable process. The process, they claim, is not the leading twist fragmentation one but rather a higher twist process that produces kinematically isolated pions. Semiexclusive data may teach us more about parton distribution functions of the target and the pion distribution amplitude. In addition, there is a connection to generalized parton distribution calculations of exclusive processes in that the perturbative kernel is the same. The subject of this report is semiexclusive photoproduction of hard pions, and the semiexclusive deep inelastic scattering version of the same, e + p {yields} e + {pi} + X, which we can also write as p(e,e{prime}{prime})X. The authors are interested in pions with large transverse momentum (that is what ''hard'' means), and particularly in pions that are kinematically isolated, rather than pions that are part of a jet. And further, they shall hope to isolate processes that can be calculated perturbatively using Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD).
Lack of symmetry in the major lower limb veins

Abstract Background Contemporary texts frequently present the venous system of the lower limb as a prime example of bilateral symmetry. However, overt bilateral asymmetry may be noted. This study was designed to examine and to quantify the level of symmetry in the lower extremity veins. Methods This prospective cohort study evaluated major anatomic differences between right and left lower extremity veins in adult patients. Two hundred patients presenting with signs and symptoms of chronic venous disease (CVD; class 2-6) and venous reflux on duplex ultrasound were examined. A second group of 25 healthy volunteers without reflux or obstruction were used as controls. Those with conditions that could potentially alter vasculature, including vascular malformation, lower extremity trauma, and previously documented surgery for venous disease or bypass operations, were excluded. Only overt changes in the main superficial veins (great saphenous and small saphenous veins) and deep veins (femoral, popliteal, peroneal, and tibial veins) of the lower extremities were examined for symmetry. The level of small saphenous vein termination and thigh extension veins were also included. Location and extent of hypoplasia or aplasia and venous duplication or triplication were noted for all venous segments. Results Of the 100 patients (200 limbs) with CVD class 2-3 (age, 49 years; range, 21-78 years), the extent of asymmetry in the superficial system, deep system, and combined was 84%, 86%, and 100%, respectively. Similarly, of the 100 patients (200 limbs) with CVD class 4-6 (age, 56 years; range, 28-84 years), the level of asymmetry in the superficial system, deep system, and combined was 83%, 84%, and 100%, respectively. Fifty (100 limbs) healthy volunteers (age, 46 years; range, 18-74 years) also presented similarly elevated levels of asymmetry compared with both cohorts of differing CVD class severity (superficial, 78%; deep, 84%; both, 100%). The most common reason for asymmetry in the great saphenous vein was hypoplasia or aplasia, whereas duplication was rare. In the small saphenous vein, the level of termination, thigh extension, and hypoplasia were the more frequent reasons. In the deep veins, duplication of the femoral and popliteal veins at different locations and extents was the most common finding for asymmetry. These findings remained consistent for all subgroups of patients and healthy controls. Conclusions A complete lack of symmetry is consistently seen in CVD patients and healthy subjects. Asymmetry in the veins of the lower extremities appears to be the norm. This is true despite examination of only overt changes and exclusion of multiple veins from the comparison.
Generalization Of Behaviorally Oriented Assertive Training

The extent to which assertive training effects generalized was examined in this analogue study. A complex, behaviorally oriented training program was effective in facilitating assertiveness, as assessed by global self-report and behavioral measures. Increased assertiveness was maintained for a 3-week follow-up period. In-depth analysis of results indicated that training effects only generalized to behavioral situations highly similar to those employed in training. Even this limited generalization was not maintained for the follow-up period. Furthermore, an extensive training manipulation to facilitate generalization was unsuccessful. These results provide support for a specificity conceptualization of assertive behavior.
Structured data and inference in DeepQA

Although the majority of evidence analysis in DeepQA is focused on unstructured information (e.g., natural-language documents), several components in the DeepQA system use structured data (e.g., databases, knowledge bases, and ontologies) to generate potential candidate answers or find additional evidence. Structured data analytics are a natural complement to unstructured methods in that they typically cover a narrower range of questions but are more precise within that range. Moreover, structured data that has formal semantics is amenable to logical reasoning techniques that can be used to provide implicit evidence. The DeepQA system does not contain a single monolithic structured data module; instead, it allows for different components to use and integrate structured and semistructured data, with varying degrees of expressivity and formal specificity. This paper is a survey of DeepQA components that use structured data. Areas in which evidence from structured sources has the most impact include typing of answers, application of geospatial and temporal constraints, and the use of formally encoded a priori knowledge of commonly appearing entity types such as countries and U.S. presidents. We present details of appropriate components and demonstrate their end-to-end impact on the IBM Watsoni system.
From Primary Emotions to the Spectrum of Affect: An Evolutionary Neurosociology of the Emotions

Cognitive appraisal theorists, psychological constructivists, and social constructivists contend that emotions are not natural kinds and are therefore refractory to classification. Evolutionary biologists and affective neuroscientists, however, have amassed theoretical and empirical evidence suggesting basic emotions are natural kinds. We describe continuity between Maclean’s fourfold ethogram, Plutchik’s four life problems, and Fiske’s four sociorelational models. Plutchik advanced a psychoevolutionary theory of emotions and, by splitting his four existential dimensions by valence, was able to correctly identify eight primary emotions. These are the prototypical adaptive reactions to the eight existential situations, which are also seen as natural kinds. We argue that the concept of primary emotions is an important theoretical advance and additionally enables classification of pairs and triples of primary emotions which form secondary and tertiary emotions. We present a complete classification of the 28 secondary emotions and analyze one of the 56 potential tertiary-level emotions, resentment. Affect-spectrum theory proposes causal relations between the eight valenced sociorelational models and Plutchik’s inventory of eight primary emotions. We examine two hypotheses of affect-spectrum theory through a content-analytic, lexical-level study of Euro-Australians and Australian Aborigines. The analysis shows that the positive experiences of communal sharing and authority ranking are predictive of joy and anger, respectively, and joy and anger together are predictive of pride. A parallel analysis indicates that negative involvements in communally shared and authority-ranked social relations predict sadness and fear, respectively; these in turn are predictive of shame.
Protomusik und Sprechen

Im Sinne der Tradition von Charles Darwin behaupten wir hier, dass der Ursprung der Sprache auf der Entwicklung von Kognition und Protomusik beruht. Durch sexuelle Selektion und andere Faktoren wie Belohnung ist Vokalisierung der Ausgangspunkt fur die Entwicklung von Sprechen und Sprache. Gesten und korperliche Signale oder Reaktionen haben vermutlich die Entwicklung komplexer Vokalisation unterstutzt. In einem Zeitraum von etwa 4 Mio. Jahren, vermuten wir, dass es verschiedene Protostadien bei der Entwicklung von Kognition und Sprechen gegeben haben muss. H. erectus konnte der erste Hominid gewesen sein, der Protosprechen verwendete, um abstrakte und symbolische Konzepte in Form von diskreten linguistischen Einheiten auszudrucken. Wir vermuten weiterhin, dass komplexe Silbenstrukturen nachgeahmt wurden, um eine sprachliche Syntax zu entwickeln.
Integrated Powertrain Energy Management and Vehicle Coordination for Multiple Connected Hybrid Electric Vehicles

This paper investigates the integrated optimization of internal powertrain energy management and external vehicles coordination for multiple autonomous and connected hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). Most existing research on hybrid vehicles powertrain energy management only considers a single vehicle scenario and is independent from vehicle coordination control. With the advancement of connected and autonomous vehicles, optimizing both the vehicle level coordination and powertrain level power management together can bring in substantial benefits in the overall energy efficiency. In this paper, to enable such an integrated optimization scheme, first, the models of the external vehicle level dynamics and internal powertrain dynamics are built for each vehicle. Second, by integrating the dynamics of these two interactive levels together, an augmented system is formed. Then, the HEVs energy management problem and the decentralized vehicle coordination for a set of HEVs are addressed in a unified framework using dynamic programming. The results show that, as a result of the integrated optimization, the vehicles are able to operate close to the most fuel-efficient region, and the battery can avoid being depleted or over charged while maintaining the same state of charge at the beginning and the end. Moreover, much less fuel consumption can be achieved for the driving cycle considered, compared with the separated optimization method.
Hypotension Risk Based on Vasoactive Agent Discontinuation Order in Patients in the Recovery Phase of Septic Shock.

Study objectives Patients with septic shock often require vasoactive agents for hemodynamic support; however, the optimal approach to discontinuing these agents once patients reach the recovery phase is currently unknown. The objective of this evaluation was to compare the incidence of hypotension within 24 hours based on the discontinuation order of norepinephrine (NE) and vasopressin (AVP) in patients in the recovery phase of septic shock. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting The medical, surgical, and neurosciences intensive care units (ICUs) at a large tertiary care academic medical center. Patients A total of 585 adults in the recovery phase of septic shock who received fixed-dose AVP for at least 6 hours as an adjunct to NE between September 2011 and August 2015 were included. Of these patients, 155 had AVP discontinued first, and 430 had NE discontinued first. Measurements and main results Hypotension was evaluated during the 24-hour period after discontinuation of the first vasoactive agent and was defined as mean arterial pressure less than 60 mm Hg with one or more of the following interventions: increased remaining vasoactive agent dose by 25%, reinstitution of the discontinued agent, or administration of at least 1 L of fluid bolus. Time to hypotension was evaluated with survival analysis, and risk of hypotension was evaluated with multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression. No significant difference between groups was noted in the incidence of hypotension within 24 hours (55% in the AVP discontinued first group vs 50% in the NE discontinued first group, p=0.28) or ICU mortality (45.2% vs 40.0%, p=0.26). After adjustment for baseline factors with multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression, having AVP discontinued first was independently associated with an increased risk of hypotension with a time-varying effect that decreased over time (HR(t) = e[1.16-0.08*t] , p Conclusion In patients recovering from septic shock treated with concomitant AVP and NE, no significant difference was noted in the incidence of hypotension based on discontinuation order of these agents.
Sacral Neuromodulation for Overactive Bladder

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a urologic condition that negatively impacts quality of life. Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) is a safe and effective treatment option that has been studied extensively in patients with severe and refractory OAB. SNM significantly reduces urgency, frequency, and incontinence while also improving quality of life. Although SNM is not currently indicated for the treatment of OAB symptoms due to neurologic disease, recent literature suggests that these patients may also benefit from SNM. Other areas requiring further investigation include reduction of adverse events associated with SNM and the overall cost benefit ratio of SNM.
Blocking alcoholic steatosis in mice with a peripherally restricted purine antagonist of the type 1 cannabinoid receptor

Type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1) antagonists have demonstrated promise for the treatment of obesity, liver disease, metabolic syndrome, and dyslipidemias. However, the inhibition of CB1 receptors in the central nervous system can produce adverse effects, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Efforts are now underway to produce peripherally restricted CB1 antagonists to circumvent CNS-associated undesirable effects. In this study, a series of analogues were explored in which the 4-aminopiperidine group of compound 2 was replaced with aryl- and heteroaryl-substituted piperazine groups both with and without a spacer. This resulted in mildly basic, potent antagonists of human CB1 (hCB1). The 2-chlorobenzyl piperazine, 25, was found to be potent (Ki = 8 nM); to be >1000-fold selective for hCB1 over hCB2; to have no hERG liability; and to possess favorable ADME properties including high oral absorption and negligible CNS penetration. Compound 25 was tested in a mouse model of alcohol-induced li...
A Case of Sensory Ataxia and Cardiac Hypertrophy Associated with Anti-Voltage Gated Potassium Channel (VGKC) Autoantibodies. (P2.208)

Objective: To describe laboratory findings in a teenager with progressive ataxia and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Background: There are reported cases of ataxia linked to VGKC autoantibodies, however they are typically related to cerebellar dysfunction. Cases of limbic encephalitis, Morvan’s syndrome and acquired neuromyotonia have been described in the setting of VGKC autoantibodies. Design/Methods: Here we describe a 19 year old male with history of scoliosis, concussion, and myopic astigmatism, who presented for an evaluation of abnormal gait, which progressively got worse over a course of 6 months. Neurologic exam revealed bilateral finger-to-nose dysmetria, decreased vibration sense over the lower extremities, Romberg (+) with an ataxic gait. Results: A brain and spine MRI was suggestive of non-specific white matter hyperintensities in the brain, without evidence of cerebellar dysfunction and syrinx over T5 through T9. Electromyography (EMG) testing revealed an acquired demyelinating generalized peripheral neuropathy, affecting sensory fibers, consistent with sensory ataxia. Echocardiogram was consistent with HCM. Whole exome sequencing was unrevealing. Laboratory work up including CBC, BMP, LFT, lipid panel, AFP, heavy metal, hepatitis panel, HIV, VLCFA, alpha galactosidase, anti-GALOP, anti-GM1, anti-asialo GM1, anti-GD1b, anti-GD1a, anti-sulfatide, anti-SGPG and anti-MAG were all found to be normal, except mildly low vitamin E levels, which were treated. Paraneoplastic panel identified VGKC antibodies at a level of 6250 pmol/L. PET/CT whole body scan was normal. Patient received monthly IVIG therapy. On a 6 month follow-up, VGKC antibodies decreased to 425pmol/L, EMG was unchanged, and gait significantly improved. Conclusions: There are no reported cases in the literature with co-existent findings of sensory ataxia, HCM, and positive VGKC autoantibodies to the best of our knowledge. The spinal syrinx in this patient was an incidental finding, unlikely to have contributed to his symptomatology. However, good response to IVIG therapy is more suggestive of an underlying autoimmune process. Disclosure: Dr. Alessi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kaur has nothing to disclose. Dr. Manganas has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bindra has nothing to disclose.
Heat Stress and Thermal Ablation Induce Local Expression of Nerve Growth Factor Inducible (VGF) in Hepatocytes and Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Preclinical and Clinical Studies

The purposes of this study were to test the hypothesis that heat stress and hepatic thermal ablation induce nerve growth factor inducible (VGF) and to determine intrahepatic versus systemic VGF expression induced by thermal ablation in vivo and in patients. Hepatocytes and HCC cells were subjected to moderate (45°C) or physiologic (37°C) heat stress for 10 min and assessed for VGF expression at 0-72 h post-heat stress (n ≥ 3 experiments). Orthotopic N1S1 HCC-bearing rats were randomized to sham or laser thermal ablation (3 W × 90 s), and liver/serum was harvested at 0-7 days postablation for analysis of VGF expression (n ≥ 6 per group). Serum was collected from patients undergoing thermal ablation for HCC (n = 16) at baseline, 3-6, and 18-24 h postablation and analyzed for VGF expression. Data were analyzed using ordinary or repeated-measures one-way analysis of variance and post hoc pairwise comparison with Dunnett's test. Moderate heat stress induced time-dependent VGF mRNA (3- to 15-fold; p < 0.04) and protein expression and secretion (3.1- to 3.3-fold; p < 0.05). Thermal ablation induced VGF expression at the hepatic ablation margin at 1 and 3 days postablation but not remote from the ablation zone or distant intrahepatic lobe. There was no detectable serum VGF following hepatic thermal ablation in rats and no increase in serum VGF following HCC thermal ablation in patients at 3-6 and 18-24 h postablation compared to baseline (0.71- and 0.63-fold; p = 0.27 and p = 0.16, respectively). Moderate heat stress induces expression and secretion of VGF in HCC cells and hepatocytes in vitro, and thermal ablation induces local intrahepatic but not distant intrahepatic or systemic VGF expression in vivo.
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE AND CONFORMATION OF A 10-ISOPROPYL BILIRUBIN

A crystal structure determination of a bilirubin analog (1) with an isopropyl group at C(10) is reported. Conformation determining torsion angles within the molecule and key hydrogen bond distances and angles are compared to those from molecular dynamics calculations and to the corresponding values from bilirubin X-ray determinations and molecular dynamics calculations. The crystal structure of 1 is very similar to that found by X-ray analysis of bilirubin and shows that 1 adopts a folded, intramolecularly hydrogen bonded ridge-tile conformation stabilized by six hydrogen bond. Taken collectively, the data indicate that even when a sterically demanding and potentially conformation distorting isopropyl group is located on the ridge-tile seam near the center of the molecule at C(10), intramolecular hydrogen bonding persists in the solid state. Like other bilirubins, the component dipyrrinones of 1 are present in the bis-lactam form with Z-configuration double bonds at C(4) and C(15).
Learning conjunctive concepts in structural domains

We study the problem of learning conjunctive concepts from examples on structural domains like the blocks world. nus class of concepts is formally defined and it is shown that even for samples in which each example (positive or negative) is a two-object scene it is NP-complete to determine if there is any concept in this class that is consistent with the sample. We demonstrate how this result affects the feasibility of Mitchell's version space approach and how it shows that it is unlikely that this class of concepts is polynomiaIIy learnable from random examples in the sense of Valiant. On the other hand, we show that this class is polynomially learnable if we allow a larger hypothesis space. This result holds for any fixed number of objects per scene, but the algorithm is not practical unless the number of objects per scene is very small. We also show that heuristic methods for learning from larger scenes are likely to give an accurate hypothesis if they produce a simple hypothesis consistent with a large enough random sample.
Critical Failure: Computer-Aided Instruction and the Fantasy of Information

The history of the use of various kinds of computers in education involves frequent triumphalist claims about the inevitable automation of instruction and equally frequent declarations of the failure of this project. This article situates both types of claims within a broader cultural understanding, one that holds that the human world is fundamentally informational and therefore amenable to improvement by computers.
Image Processing in Quantum Computers.

Quantum Image Processing (QIP)is an exciting new field showing a lot of promise as a powerful addition to the arsenal of Image Processing techniques. Representing image pixel by pixel using classical information requires an enormous amount of computational resources. Hence, exploring methods to represent images in a different paradigm of information is important. In this work, we study the representation of images in Quantum Information. The main motivation for this pursuit is the ability of storing N bits of classical information in only log(2N) quantum bits (qubits). The promising first step was the exponentially efficient implementation of the Fourier transform in quantum computers as compared to Fast Fourier Transform in classical computers. In addition, images encoded in quantum information could obey unique quantum properties like superposition or entanglement.
Non-lytic clearance of influenza B virus from infected cells preserves epithelial barrier function

Influenza B virus (IBV) is an acute, respiratory RNA virus that has been assumed to induce the eventual death of all infected cells. We and others have shown however, that infection with apparently cytopathic viruses does not necessarily lead to cell death; some cells can intrinsically clear the virus and persist in the host long-term. To determine if any cells can survive direct IBV infection, we here generate a recombinant IBV capable of activating a host-cell reporter to permanently label all infected cells. Using this system, we demonstrate that IBV infection leads to the formation of a survivor cell population in the proximal airways that are ciliated-like, but transcriptionally and phenotypically distinct from both actively infected and bystander ciliated cells. We also show that survivor cells are critical to maintain respiratory barrier function. These results highlight a host response pathway that preserves the epithelium to limit the severity of IBV disease.
In Situ Synchrotron X‐ray Characterization Shining Light on the Nucleation and Growth Kinetics of Colloidal Nanoparticles

Rational synthesis of colloidal nanoparticles with desirable properties relies on precise control over the nucleation and growth kinetics, which is still not well understood. The recent development of in situ high energy synchrotron X-ray techniques offers an excellent opportunity to quantitatively monitor the growth trajectories of colloidal nanoparticles in real time under real reaction conditions. The time-resolved, quantitative data of the growing colloidal nanoparticles are unique to reveal the mechanism of nanoparticle formation and determine the corresponding intrinsic kinetic parameters. This review discusses the kinetics of major steps of forming colloidal nanoparticles and the capability of in situ synchrotron X-ray techniques in studying the corresponding kinetics.
Small cell carcinoma of the prostate: National patterns of care and outcomes.

9Background: Small cell prostate cancer (SCPC) is a rare entity with treatment patterns extrapolated from small cell cancer of the lung. Outcomes have been evaluated in small series but prognostic ...
Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Agents: A Crucial Pandemic Tool

Among the myriad infectious disease threats humans face from bacteria, prions, parasites, protozoa, fungi, ectoparasites, and viruses, it is viral infections that arguably constitute the biggest pa...
Designing and Implementing a Model for a Semi-autonomous Blind-guiding System

At present, the technology of blind guiding systems has occurred polarizations. On the one hand, traditional blind canes have gradually failed to meet the needs of the blinds; on the other hand, blind guiding equipment based on deep learning and vision algorithms is in the ascendant, however with their technical difficulties and high price, they are hard to put into use in a short period of time. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a transition product. This paper will propose a semi-autonomous blind-guiding cane based on the technology in robot controlling field. The paper will introduce the electromechanical system of the cane, the PMSM driving algorithm, how the ultrasonic sensor acquires the information, and how to use the information for obstacle-avoidance path planning. In this paper, a guiding model will be established based on the STM32L4 microcontroller, and the effects of its implementation will be displayed.
Sports Participation and Exercise Restriction in Children with Isolated Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Our study was to apply the 2015 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Athletic Participation Guidelines to a group of otherwise healthy school age children and young adults with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and describe the potential competitive sports restriction as they age. We performed a retrospective chart review of children and young adults aged 5 to 22 years with isolated BAV with at least two echocardiograms between 2000 and 2013. Using task force guidelines, exercise restriction was recommended for any of the following: (1) any dilation of the aortic root, (2) any dilation of the ascending aorta, (3) moderate aortic stenosis, (4) severe aortic regurgitation; (5) left ventricular dilation or (6) reduced shortening fraction. Of the 345 patients with isolated BAV, 202 were considered restricted at study entry. The final cohort included 123 children and young adults. Over the course of follow up, 36% (44 of 123) met restriction criteria. The most likely cause for restriction was aortic dilation (34%). Progression of aortic valve disease occurred in a minority of patients (3%). There were no reports of death, dissection or catheter or surgical based intervention. In conclusion, we found that strict adherence to current guidelines would result in restriction of more than 1/3 of school age children and young adults with BAV from some form of competitive athletics during school age years. Strict application of the current guidelines in this age group may lead to over-restriction of youths from competitive sports.
Acute medicine IIBiomarkers in acute medicine

Biomarkers represent a major technological innovation in medicine. This article discusses the definition and uses of biomarkers, particularly their role in diagnosis, risk stratification and management of disease. It reviews the current roles of the seven most commonly used biomarkers in the acute setting (troponin, creatine kinase, myoglobin, brain natriuretic peptide, d-dimer, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin). The article looks briefly at the utility of point-of-care testing, which, despite concerns about accuracy, can help to risk-stratify patients more efficiently at the point of presentation. Biomarkers currently in development for diagnosis and prognostication across a spectrum of disease are surveyed.
Evaluating the effects of parallax in archaeological geometric morphometric analyses

Geometric morphometrics is a powerful set of techniques that can be used to visualize and analyze the shape of artifacts. With the growing use of geometric morphometrics in archaeology, it is important to understand and identify limitations in the method. One such limitation is the accumulation of measurement error. Here, we investigate the impact of parallax or the effect of the position of an object in relation to the camera. We designed an experiment to assess the effect of parallax on measurements of artifact morphology by photographing a sample of artifacts at close range (50 cm) and systematically shifting the fixed angle of the camera relative to the artifact in five steps: 90°, 95°, 100°, 105°, and 110°. We took digital images of geometric microliths from three Jordanian Epipalaeolithic sites at each of the camera angles. We then digitized the outline of each artifact using 24 sliding landmarks. Our subsequent analyses of microlith shapes grouped by camera angle show that they are statistically indistinguishable from each other, which suggests that within these parameters, parallax has little effect on geometric morphometric measurements. While taking digital images directly above artifacts is ideal, the angle at which previously published photographs of artifacts is sometimes unknown. Our findings suggest that small deviations of the camera angle (up to 20° from horizontal) will not significantly impact geometric morphometric analyses.
Advanced Glycation End Products

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) play a major role in diabetic vascular complications, such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), by activating pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory responses. Although traditionally AGEs have been associated with uncontrolled hyperglycemia of diabetes mellitus, there is increasing evidence that exogenous AGEs from diet have an important contribution to these processes. The reduction of dietary AGE intake has been demonstrated to prevent or diminish pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory responses in several clinical trials. These trials have also demonstrated that dietary AGE restriction is simple, feasible, and safe to apply clinically, even in CKD patients. In this chapter, we will summarize the current data on the use of this intervention in clinical practice with particular emphasis on CKD patients.
PNEUMON: A DDDAS Framework to Detect Fatigue and Dyspnea in COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is one of the major pulmonary diseases and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although there is no cure for COPD, it can be managed by medication and rehabilitation. Therefore, it is important to monitor the progression of the disease. In this paper, we propose a framework to detect and study the symptoms of COPD using multiple physiological sensors. We focus on two main symptoms dyspnea and fatigue. As there are two types of fatigue physical and cognitive, their detection and sensor fusion pose a challenge. To address this, we employ the Dynamic Data-Driven Application System (DDDAS) paradigm that enables us to collect and analyze data in real-time.
3D Culturing of Organoids from the Intestinal Villi Epithelium Undergoing Dedifferentiation.

Clonogenicity of organoids from the intestinal epithelium is attributed to the presence of stem cells therein. The mouse small intestinal epithelium is compartmentalized into crypts and villi: the stem and proliferating cells are confined to the crypts, whereas the villi epithelium contains only differentiated cells. Hence, the normal intestinal crypts, but not the villi, can give rise to organoids in 3D cultures. The procedure described here is applicable only to villus epithelium undergoing dedifferentiation leading to stemness. The method described uses the Smad4-loss-of-function:β-catenin gain-of-function (Smad4KO:β-cateninGOF) conditional mutant mouse. The mutation causes the intestinal villi to dedifferentiate and generate stem cells in the villi. Intestinal villi undergoing dedifferentiation are scraped off the intestine using glass slides, placed in a 70 µm strainer and washed several times to filter out any loose cells or crypts prior to plating in BME-R1 matrix to determine their organoid-forming potential. Two main criteria were used to ensure that the resulting organoids were developed from the dedifferentiating villus compartment and not from the crypts: 1) microscopically evaluating the isolated villi to ensure absence of any tethered crypts, both before and after plating in the 3D matrix, and 2) monitoring the time course of organoid development from the villi. Organoid initiation from the villi occurs only two to five days after plating and appears irregularly shaped, whereas the crypt-derived organoids from the same intestinal epithelium are apparent within sixteen hours of plating and appear spherical. The limitation of the method, however, is that the number of organoids formed, and the time required for organoid initiation from the villi vary depending on the degree of dedifferentiation. Hence, depending upon the specificity of the mutation or the insult causing the dedifferentiation, the optimal stage at which villi can be harvested to assay their organoid forming potential, must be determined empirically.
Standards, curriculum, and assessment in early childhood education: Examining alignment across multiple state systems

Abstract State governments are largely responsible for most early childhood education (ECE) policies (e.g., state pre-K, Child Care and Development Fund [CCDF]). However, multiple ECE funding streams and governing agencies within a state can lead to misaligned policies and incoherent systems. Thus, there exists great variability within and across states in ECE policy implementation. In our study we descriptively analyzed nationally, publicly available data to assess alignment within state policy systems on three policy levers often used in K-12 education research: state ECE standards, curricula, and assessment, the latter of which we operationalized as states’ quality rating and improvement systems. Additionally, we examined the extent to which the governance of our focal policy levers is dispersed across, or housed within, different state-level institutions or agencies (i.e., alignment via governance). Our descriptive analyses reveal little and limited alignment between a state's policy levers of standards, curriculum, and assessment, and between state preschool policies—state pre-K and CCDF—with respect to curricular guidance. We also find wide variation in the number of ECE governing agencies within a state. The findings indicate potential for confusion around policies for early learning providers and demonstrate largely misaligned or poorly specified policies that are dispersed at the state level. We hope that researchers will continue to refine this initial model of alignment in the context of a rapidly changing ECE policy field.
Studies of Thermal Convection in a Rotating Cylinder with Some Implications for Large Scale Atmospheric Motions

The results of several years of research in atmospheric models are presented. A brief historical summary covers the important experimental work of early investigators in this field as well as the immediate background of the work at Chicago. The experiments are conducted in rotating cylindrical containers with various arrangements of the heat sources and sinks. A short description of the experimental apparatus and of several of the more unusual or important techniques which have evolved is presented.
Glypican-1 is crucial for the angiogenic and metastatic potential of pancreatic cancer cells

1963 Cancer cells express many heparin binding growth factors (HBGFs) that act through cognate high-affinity receptors, thereby posing a significant challenge for targeted therapeutics. The heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) glypican-1 (GPC1) is a co-receptor for many HBGFs, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2). We now show that down-regulation of GPC1 in PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells resulted in attenuated tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis in athymic mice, and that athymic mice that were GPC1 null exhibited decreased tumor angiogenesis and metastasis following intra-pancreatic implantation with either PANC-1 or T3M4 pancreatic cancer cells, as well as fewer pulmonary metastases following intravenous injection of murine B16-F10 melanoma cells. In addition, hepatic endothelial cells isolated from GPC1 null mice exhibited an attenuated mitogenic response to vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), whereas immortalized murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) isolated from these mice demonstrated decreased migration in response to FGF2 in comparison with immortalized wild type MEFs. Taken together, these results indicate that cancer cell and host-derived GPC1 is crucial for a full angiogenic and metastatic potential of pancreatic cancer cells, and for promoting a tumor microenvironment that supports cancer cell growth and metastasis. Therefore, targeting GPC1 may represent a strategy that blocks multiple pathways that support these processes in pancreatic cancer.
Effects of actinobolin on growth and some metabolic activities of cariogenic streptococci in vitro and in vivo.

Actinobolin, a known inhibitor of protein synthesis, has been shown not to interfere selectively with acid production or dextransucrase activity in a cariogenic streptococcus when the antibiotic is added to a concentration of 500 μg/ml. It has also been shown that actinobolin does not alter the total in vivo flora of the oral cavity of the rat when tested in a rat caries model system. A culture of cariogenic streptococci, adapted to in vitro growth in the presence of 1 mg of actinobolin per ml, has also been isolated.
Course 11 Pattern formation in visual cortex

The chapter reviews various theoretical approaches to studying spontaneous pattern formation in non-local neural models. The important role that symmetries play is emphasized throughout. The focus is on the discussion on activity-based patterns generated in primary visual cortex (V1), exploring the links between spontaneous cortical activity and the underlying functional architecture of V1. Such a link is recently indicated experimentally using single-unit recordings and real-time optical imaging, where it is found that very similar spatial patterns of ongoing population activity occur both when a neuron fires spontaneously and when it is driven by its optimal stimulus. The functional architecture of V1, emphasizing the correlations between the long-range recurrent circuitry and the various feature maps is reviewed. A number of large-scale continuum models of V1 that take into account such correlations are described and some of the basic methods for analyzing neural pattern formation including perturbation methods, the Fredholm alternative, amplitude equations, symmetric bifurcation theory, and mean field theory are introduced. These techniques are illustrated by considering the ring model of orientation tuning in a cortical hypercolumn. An example of pattern formation in a model of cortical development is discussed where the pattern is in the distribution of feedforward synaptic weights rather than in neural activity.
The management of non-governmental development organizations : an introduction

1. Introduction: the growth of the 'NGO management debate', Part I. 2. Contexts, histories and relevant concepts, 3. NGOs and development, 4. Culture and ambiguity an anthropological approach to NGO management, Part II. 5. Advocacy and service delivery: managing the main NGO activities, 6. NGOs and the management of relationships, 7. NGOs and the dynamics of internal management, 8. Conclusion: towards an understanding of NGO management
Profile‐Matching Selection Procedures

Profile matching involves matching the scores of an individual to some target profile. Matching indices are complicated by the fact that profiles can differ in both shape and level. Profile matching requires that individual scores be reliable and relatively uncorrelated. Keywords: profiles; matching; selection; reliability; intercorrelation
The Organization of Schools and Classrooms

Schools are complex organizations and their functioning involves far more than just the delivery of academic content. Existing research establishes the importance of taking such organizational features into account in examining how important school outcomes such as academic achievement are shaped by the relationships, interactions, and experiences of students and teachers. Standard approaches, however; tend to treat the organizational structures of schools as static and unchanging environments within which teachers teach and students learn. In contrast, we present the beginnings of a different conceptualization, one of schools as complex and dynamic social institutions constituted by multiple types of relations and defined at numerous levels. In this essay, we summarize existing research in order to elaborate such a view. To that end the essay is divided into four sections: major role relationships in the school; organizational levels of the school; current socio-cultural changes shaping schools as organizations; and finally, suggestions for future work. Keywords: school; education; organizations; institutions; social networks; social processes
Hereditary adrenocortical unresponsiveness to ACTH--another case.

We read with interest the excellent article on hereditary adrenocortical unresponsiveness to ACTH. (Pediatrics, 45:43, 1970) by Drs. Franks and Nance. We recently had a newborn infant with adrenocortical dysfunction, deficient cortisol production, and normal aldosterone production whom we feel fits the syndrome. In previous reports of this syndrome, the earliest age of diagnosis was 2 months. Those children who developed adrenal crisis shortly after delivery died before diagnosis or therapy could be initiated. Because of unusual hyperpigmentation and severe hypoglycemia, we were able to initiate studies necessary to make the diagnosis during the neonatal period.
On topological support of Dirichlet prior

Abstract Ferguson (1973) states that the topological support of a Dirichlet prior on the Borel σ-field (with respect to the weak convergence topology) of the set of all probability measures on the lines is the set of all probability measures with their topological supports contained in that of the parameter measure of the Dirichlet prior. We prove that statement with the line replaced by an arbitrary separable metric space and cite an application of our result to decision theory.
Cerium, uranium, and plutonium behavior in glass-bonded sodalite, a ceramic nuclear waste form

Abstract Glass-bonded sodalite is being developed as a ceramic waste form (CWF) to immobilize radioactive fission products, actinides, and salt residues from electrometallurgical treatment of spent nuclear reactor fuel. The CWF consists of about 75 mass% sodalite, 25 mass% glass, and small amounts of other phases. This paper presents some results and interpretation of physical measurements to characterize the CWF structure, and dissolution tests to measure the release of matrix components and radionuclides from the waste form. Tests have been carried out with specimens of the CWF that contain rare earths at concentrations similar to those expected in the waste form. Parallel tests have been carried out on specimens that have uranium or plutonium as well as the rare earths at concentrations similar to those expected in the waste forms; in these specimens UCl3 forms UO2 and PuCl3 forms PuO2. The normalized releases of rare earths in dissolution tests were found to be much lower than those of matrix elements (B, Si, Al, Na). When there is no uranium in the CWF, the release of cerium is two to ten times lower than the release of the other rare earths. The low release of cerium may be due to its tetravalent state in uranium-free CWF. However, when there is uranium in the CWF, the release of cerium is similar to that of the other rare earths. This trivalent behavior of cerium is attributed to charge transfer or covalent interactions among cerium, uranium, and oxygen in (U,Ce)O2.