cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pharmacotherapy of actinic keratosis

Actinic keratosis (AK) represents the initial intraepidermal manifestation of abnormal keratinocyte proliferation with the potential of progression to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). When in limited numbers, clinically visible AKs are treated individually with ablative and/or surgical procedures (lesion-directed treatment), while multiple and sublinical AKs are treated with field-directed therapies that use ablative, nonablating and other topically applied treatment modalities. Owing to difficulties in predicting which AK will progress to SCC, the general rule is to treat all AKs. The goals of treatment are to eliminate the AKs, minimizing their risk of progression to invasive SCC, while pursuing good cosmetic outcomes. Prevention is the most important treatment modality for AKs. Avoidance of sun and artificial sources of ultraviolet light, applying sunscreen and self-examination are among the most effective preventive measures. Chemopreventive modalities such as retinoids, 2-(Difluoromethyl)-dl-ornithine (DFMO), perillyl alcohol, T4 endonuclease V, and dl-alpha-tocopherol are described. Lesion-directed treatment modalities include cryotherapy, surgery and electrodessication with or without curettage. Field-directed treatment modalities include nonablative and ablative laser resurfacing, dermabrasion, chemical peels, topical immunomodulators (imiquimod, 5-fluorouracil and diclofenac) and photodynamic therapy. And, finally, newer and investigational treatment modalities such as ingenol mebutate, resiquimod and betulinic acid are also being discussed.
Dental injuries due to African traditional therapies for diarrhea.

The number of immigrants and refugees from Asia and Africa to developed countries has increased in the past 20 years. Through caring for these patients, western physicians have become increasingly aware of traditional healing practices such as coining, cupping, and herbal therapies.1 Most physicians know little about traditional healing practices involving the mouth. We present 3 cases of dental malformations from care provided by traditional healers in East Africa (figures​(figures11,​,2,2, and​and33). Figure 1 On a routine physical examination, this 6-year-old Somali boy, a recent immigrant to the United States, was noted to be missing both primary lowercuspids. Figure 2 A 7-year-old Somali boy (brother of boy infigure 1) was also noted on a routine physical examination to have enamel defects located centrally on the buccal surface of both lower cuspids. The right cuspid was broken off above the defect. Figure 3 A 16-year-old Somali boy, who had been in the United States for several years, was noted by his primary care dentist to be missing both permanent lower incisors.
Recent Highlights of ATVB Diabetes Mellitus

The defining feature of diabetes mellitus is elevated levels of blood glucose. The majority of cases of diabetes mellitus result from 2 major etiologic mechanisms.1 First, type 1 diabetes mellitus is an autoimmune disease in which absolute deficiency of insulin because of immune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells causes hyperglycemia. Second, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is characterized by insulin resistance. The main risk factors for T2D include obesity, excess caloric consumption, and reduced physical activity. A strong genetic component contributes to vulnerability to T2D as well. In addition to type 1 diabetes mellitus and T2D, diabetes mellitus associated with pregnancy, so-called gestational diabetes mellitus, is often a forbearer of T2D. Epidemiological data indicate that both type 1 diabetes mellitus and T2D are on the rise throughout the world.2,3 The complications of diabetes mellitus reduce health and life span in affected individuals and add a substantial financial burden to already taxed healthcare delivery systems. Because cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetes mellitus,4,5 identification of the fundamental biochemical and molecular pathways that lead to diabetic complications is essential. In this context, several recent publications in ATVB have provided novel insights into mechanisms that cause diabetes mellitus, its complications, and the failure of vascular and wound repair in the disease. This article reviews recent studies published in ATVB on diabetes mellitus and its complications. From experiments and trials in human subjects, rodents, and swine models, as well as in primary cells exposed to high glucose, diabetes mellitus–relevant conditions, this article summarizes many of these recent publications within a brief context of the literature. As noted above, the significant long-term impact of T2D on life- and health span has led to many endeavors to block the development of diabetes mellitus …
The PHB1/2 phosphocomplex is required for mitochondrial homeostasis and survival of human T cells

Many immune pathologies are the result of aberrant regulation of T lymphocytes. A functional proteomics approach utilizing two-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled with mass spectrometry was employed to identify differentially expressed proteins in response to T cell activation. Two members of the prohibitin family of proteins, Phb1 and Phb2, were determined to be up-regulated 4-5-fold upon activation of primary human T cells. Furthermore, their expression was dependent upon CD3 and CD28 signaling pathways that synergistically led to the up-regulation (13-15-fold) of Phb1 and Phb2 mRNA levels as early as 48 h after activation. Additionally, orthophosphate labeling coupled with phosphoamino acid analysis identified Phb1 to be serine and Phb2 serine and tyrosine phosphorylated. Tyrosine phosphorylation of Phb2 was mapped to Tyr248 using mass spectrometry and confirmed by mutagenesis and phosphospecific antibodies. In contrast to previous reports of Phb1 and Phb2 being nuclear localized, subcellular fractionation, immunofluorescent, and electron microscopy revealed both proteins to localize to the mitochondrial inner membrane of human T cells. Accordingly, small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of Phbs in Kit225 cells resulted in disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential. Additionally, Phb1 and Phb2 protein levels were up-regulated 2.5-fold during cytokine deprivation-mediated apoptosis of Kit225 cells, suggesting this complex plays a protective role in human T cells. Taken together, Phb1 and Phb2 are novel phosphoproteins up-regulated during T cell activation that function to maintain mitochondrial integrity and thus represent previously unrecognized therapeutic targets for regulating T cell activation, differentiation, viability, and function.
Hydrogel-actuated tunable-focus microlens arrays mimicking compound eyes

Inspired by the structure of natural compound eyes, a liquid tunable-focus microlens array omnidirectionally arranged on a transparent hemispherical dome is demonstrated. Benefiting from the dome structure, this microlens array exceeds traditional planar ones with wide field of view (FOV). Each microlens in this microlens array was formed by a curved water-oil meniscus. The focal length of the microlenses could be individually tuned by a thermo-responsive hydrogel microactuator. Planar and hemispherical microlens arrays were tested and the focal length of the hemispherical microlens array varied from 3 mm to 32 mm. Focused images from the microlens arrays were recorded by a CCD-coupled stereoscope.
The importance of calcium in interpretation of NaK-ATPase isoform function in the mouse heart.

We have recently emphasized an important role for intracellular calcium in changes that occur in the adrenergic system in cardiac hypertrophy and failure in the mouse heart [1,2]. For example, the blunting or loss of function of the β-adrenergic receptor signaling pathway that has been described for a number of mouse transgenic models can be restored to normal by “unloading” the heart of calcium [2]. It is well known that the isolated rat heart responds in a perfectly normal manner to a variety of pharmacological agents including digitalis and to physiological stimuli, but only when the perfusion media contains “low” calcium, ranging from 0.25 to 1.0 mM [3–7]. Less is known about the isolated mouse heart although most agree that the calcium requirements for pharmacological and physiological studies are the same as the rat [5]. In the case of the NaK-ATPase (NKA) three α isoforms have been described. The adult heart contains all three, the adult rat heart expresses α1 and α2and the adult guinea pig heart expresses only the α1. The subcellular distribution for these isoforms has been described [8]. In terms of characteristics, all three isoforms are quite similar in kinetics, affinities for the monovalent ions, Mg2+ and ATP. There are some differences described in isolated heart studies for the relative affinities of cardiac glycosides, but nothing, in our opinion, of such magnitude to have pharmacological or toxicological significance. For some years, there has been much discussion about different functions for these isoforms and conjecture about co-localization or not of specific isoforms with the Na/Ca exchange protein. The latter has bearing on a concept of a putative endogenous ouabain-like factor as well as assigning a specific role for one isoform to digitalis-induced positive inotropy and for another … *Corresponding author. Tel.: +1-513-5582-400; fax: +1-513-5581-778
Response to: Comment on Intra-articular hip injections for lateral hip pain.

We appreciate the thoughtful insights of the reader and the questions regarding our study that these bring to light. We hope to provide some clarity with regard to our methodology. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results were available during the evaluation of a majority of our cohort, it is important to remember that greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) is a clinical diagnosis that encompasses a number of disease processes and pain generators [1, 2]. It was our belief that the patients in the cohort should be diagnosed and treated based on their clinical symptomatology rather than their MRI findings, especially given the high rates of incidental findings in asymptomatic, middle-aged adults [3]. Given the proximity of targeted intra-articular and symptomatic extra-articular structures, it is feasible that some of the therapeutic effect of the injections was derived from local corticosteroid spread. On the other hand, previous reports cite a high prevalence of intra-articular pathology in patients with symptomatic extra-articular findings, which was confirmed by our own data [4]. Evidence would suggest that intra- and extra-articular pathologies are more interrelated than commonly believed and are likely concurrently present in many patients [5]. The modality of pain resolution in our study may therefore be multifactorial. It is also possible that a course of hip-specific physical therapy (PT) and anti-inflammatory medications were primarily responsible for the benefits attributed to the injections. Along these same lines, one could also postulate that the intra-articular injections improved outcomes via a ‘placebo effect’. Without comparison groups, it is not possible to derive these answers from our data. Patients with refractory GTPS are often given few options when PT, trochanteric injections and time fail to provide relief. This can be difficult to accept for both the patient and the physician. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intra-articular injections when other non-surgical options had been exhausted. Although few conclusions can be drawn, our study shows that intra-articular injections may offer another potential treatment option for this difficult problem.
Assessing the residual effects of Carpobrotus edulis invasion, implications for restoration

We examined whether the residual effects on soil caused by the invasion of Carpobrotus edulis, common iceplant, would inhibit the reestablishment of a native plant species. Carpobrotus edulis interacts both directly by suppressing the growth and establishment of other plants and indirectly by altering soil chemistry. We tested whether the residual effects of C. edulis resulted in lowered germination, survival, growth, and reproduction of Gilia millefoliata, a rare dune annual. We compared G. millefoliata planted in plots previously occupied by C. edulis to G. millefoliata planted in plots that previously had native vegetation. Each plot received three treatments: seed, transplant, and unplanted, and were censused every three weeks until senescence. Carpobrotus edulis had strong negative effects on the germination, survival, growth, and reproduction of G. millefoliata. C. edulis lowers soil pH and increases organic content due to the recalcitrance of tissue to decomposition, which may have evolved as a mechanism to facilitate recolonization and invasion.
Predicting unwanted pursuit: Attachment, relationship satisfaction, relationship alternatives, and break-up distress

We examined attachment and relationship variables as predictors of unwanted pursuit behavior (UPB) as reported by targets of pursuit and by pursuers. Factor analyses revealed two dimensions, Pursuit and Aggression, on Spitzberg and Cupach’s measures of UPB for targets and pursuers. Results indicated no sex differences in reports of UPB by either targets or pursuers for Pursuit or Aggression, although female pursuers reported engaging in more ‘monitoring’ and ‘physically hurting’ their targets than male pursuers. For pursuers, anxious attachment and distress at break-up were the most robust predictors of both Pursuit and Aggression. Targets reported more instances of UPB than did pursuers. Among targets, none of the variables predicted Pursuit, but anxious attachment and relationship dissatisfaction predicted Aggression.
Modeling three-dimensional acoustic waves in the ocean

Conventional three-dimensional ocean acoustic modeling ignores Earth flattening, while this effect, as has been shown by Munk et. al. (J. Phys. Oceanogr, 18, 1988, 1876-1898), can not be ignored for long-range transmissions. To take into account the Earth flattening, a new three-dimensional wave equation is derived, in the paper, in terms of a new coordinate system: the ellipsoidal coordinates (geographic latitude, longitude, and depth). From the wave equation, a set of three-dimensional ray equations is then obtained. Both the wave equation and the ray equations account for Earth flattening and Earth curvature, so that they are very useful for solving long-range problems in ocean acoustics and in seismology. The derivations of these new equations are presented in the paper. >
Widespread inbreeding and unexpected geographic patterns of genetic variation in eastern hemlock ( Tsuga canadensis ), an imperiled North American conifer

Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis [L.] Carr.) is an ecologically important tree species experiencing severe mortality across much of its eastern North American distribution, caused by infestation of the exotic hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae Annand). To guide gene conservation strategies for this imperiled conifer, we conducted a range-wide genetic variation study for eastern hemlock, amplifying 13 highly polymorphic nuclear microsatellite loci in 1,180 trees across 60 populations. The results demonstrate that eastern hemlock exhibits moderate inbreeding, possibly a signature of a prehistoric decline associated with a widespread insect outbreak. Contrary to expectations, populations in formerly glaciated regions are not less genetically diverse than in the putative southern refugial region. As expected, peripheral disjunct populations are less genetically diverse than main-range populations, but some are highly genetically differentiated or contain unique alleles. Spatially explicit Bayesian clustering analyses suggest that three or four Pleistocene glacial refuges may have existed in the Southeastern United States, with a main post-glacial movement into the Northeast and the Great Lakes region. Efforts to conserve eastern hemlock genetic material should emphasize the capture of broad adaptability that occurs across the geographic range of the species, as well as genetic variability within regions with the highest allelic richness and heterozygosity, such as the Southern Appalachians and New England, and within disjunct populations that are genetically distinct. Much genetic variation exists in areas both infested and uninfested by the adelgid.
Seed production of mature forest-grown American chestnut (Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Borkh)1

Abstract Gilland, K. E. (Department of Environmental and Plant Biology, Ohio University, Athens OH 45701), C. H. Keiffer (Department of Botany, Miami University, Oxford OH 45042), and B. C. McCarthy (Department of Environmental and Plant Biology, Ohio University, Athens OH 45701). Seed production of mature forest-grown American chestnut (Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Borkh). J. Torrey Bot. Soc. 139: 283–289. 2012.—Few records concerning pre-blight seed production of forest grown American chestnut (Castanea dentata) exist. As blight resistant American chestnut becomes available to use in restoration efforts, many conservation groups are interested in reintroducing the species as a wildlife food resource. As part of a long-term ecological study involving a disjunct population of American chestnut in Wisconsin, we examined seed production of mature forest grown trees in fall 2005 and 2006. Eleven large diameter (> 23 cm DBH), overstory position, fruiting American chestnuts were selected and measured for height, ...
Design of prototype scientific CMOS image sensors

We present the design and test results of a prototype 4T CMOS image sensor fabricated in 0.18-µm technology featuring 20 different 6.5 µm pixel pitch designs. We review the measured data which clearly show the impact of the pixel topologies on sensor performance parameters such as conversion gain, read noise, dark current, full well capacity, non-linearity, PRNU, DSNU, image lag, QE and MTF. Read noise of less than 1.5e- rms and peak QE greater than 70%, with microlens, are reported.
Fault detection in DCVS circuits

Dynamic CMOS circuits are known to be easier to test, in general, than static CMOS circuits. Differential cascode voltage switch (DCVS) logic belongs to the dynamic CMOS logic family. No comprehensive results on deterministic testing of DCVS circuits have been presented previously. This paper discusses the detection of stuck-open, stuck-on and stuck-at faults in these circuits. A test set which detects all single stuck-on faults in the functional sections of the DCVS gates in the circuit can also be guaranteed to detect all multiple stuck-on, multiple stuck-open and unidirectional stuck-at faults in these sections, even when the faults are not confined to the functional section of a single gate. All detectable faults in the precharge, access and buffer transistors are also detected by the test set. >
Real-time highway pull-over vehicle monitoring using fiber microbending-loss reflectometry

This paper introduces a novel application of fiber microbending sensor to monitor the highway vehicles, i.e. overtime pull-over vehicles. Precise locations and durations of the overtime pull-over vehicles can be detected and alarms can be sent to highway administrators. Highway administrators can use these data to maintain the traffic order, secure the passengers and enforce the law. The sensor is designed based on fiber microbending effect and optical time-domain reflectometry method is utilized to generate, collect and process the optical signals. The experiment is designed to simulate the highway shoulder with vehicle parking on it. Different vehicle weight-induced fiber microbending losses are detected and measured. By the optical time domain reflectometry technique, the precise locations of pull-over vehicles have been obtained.
Fiber Metal Abradable Seals

Fiber metal abradable seals are used to control clearances in the compressor and turbine sections of gas turbine engines. Fiber metal seals are good abradables that rub by the low energy mechanism of brittle fiber fracture over a wide range of rub conditions. Rub mechanisms are significantly influenced by features in the seal microstructure.High temperature fiber metal seals have been developed with temperature capability to 1650°F (1170 K). These seals have been characterized to determine abradability, mechanical properties, temperature resistance and permeability.Copyright © 1984 by ASME
Effects of cations on activity and thermostability of alkaline phosphatase in hela cells.

SummaryIn deoxycholate lysates from HeLa cells Zn+ + reversed inhibition of alkaline phosphatase by glycine. Low concentrations of this cation were found to reactivate dialyzed preparations of the same enzyme. Mg+ + retarded thermal inactivation of alkaline phosphatase. Delay in heat inactivation was observed in alkaline phosphatase preparations from both prednisolone treated and control cultures of HeLa cells.
Observer Reliability in Ankle Radiographic Measurements

We analyzed 50 sets of ankle radiographs to determine the interobserver and intraobserver reliability when obtaining common linear and angular measurements. The radiographs were divided into two groups: one group included 25 normal ankles, and the second group included 25 fractured ankles. Each set of radiographs was evaluated independently by four different observers on two separate occasions under controlled conditions. Six radiographic parameters were measured on all 50 sets of films: syndesmosis A, syndesmosis B, syndesmosis C, the medial clear space, and the talocrural and bimalleolar angles. On the 25 sets of fracture films, four additional measurements of fracture displacement were included: displacement of the medial malleolus (mortise), displacement of the lateral malleolus (AP and lateral), and displacement of the posterior malleolus. Reliability was evaluated with an analysis of variance intraclass correlation coefficient. Among the examiners, 9 of the 10 parameters could be measured reliably. ...
Preparation of Nb-doped TiO2 films by the sol-gel method

Preparation de TiO 2 dope Nb et etude de la relation entre la resistivite des couches semiconductrices et leur microstructure, celle-ci etant due aux conditions de croissance et aux supports utilises. Pour un support TiO 2 sur SiO 2 , des couches fabriquees sont uniformes et leur resistivite n'est que d'environ 40 Ω
High-temperature contact metamorphism of calc-silicate xenoliths in the Kiglapait Intrusion, Labrador

Calc-silicate xenoliths occur as part of a xenolith and autolith swarm in the Lower Zone of the Kiglapait Intrusion, Labrador. All xenoliths are lighter-colored than the local troctolite host rock, and are surrounded by a 1–2 cm thick reaction zone of clinopyroxenite. The typical mineral assemblage in calc-silicate xenoliths is diopside + forsterite + monticellite + spinel, and one also contains akermanite. Reaction zones are dominated by diopside and spinel. All clinopyroxene compositions are “fassaitic,” with high concentrations of Al 2 O 3 (4–12 wt%), TiO 2 (1–4 wt%), and calculated Fe 2 O 3 (Fe 3+ > Fe 2+ ). In addition, clinopyroxene grains locally display extreme zoning in Si, Al, Ti, and X Mg . Akermanite contains up to 1.5 wt% Na 2 O. Textures in the xenoliths are complex, with most containing highly irregular intergrowths of diopside, forsterite, and monticellite. Akermanite and forsterite are separated locally by a coarse symplectic intergrowth of diopside and monticellite, which resulted from a retrograde reaction. The dominant assemblage probably represents the production of monticellite from calcite + clinopyroxene + forsterite, until calcite was consumed. These reactions require metamorphic temperatures of ~900 °C and pressures ≤ 0.4 kbar, such that the xenoliths were probably derived from the roof of the magma chamber. Whole-rock compositions reflect either substantial chemical exchange with the Kiglapait magma, or a very impure dolomitic protolith. The clinopyroxenite reaction zones were produced primarily by assimilation of carbonate by the Kiglapait magma, in combination with the effects of magma undercooling near the xenoliths.
We are carried high and raised up by their giant size.

The publication of Prof. Morey Haymond's review in this issue of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolism completes the series of invited lectures given at the 5 th International Symposium on Amino Acid/Protein Metabolism in Health and Disease: State of the Art at the Turn of the Millennium. The Symposium was held in Perugia (Italy) on 23-25 th Sept. 1999, and was organised by the Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolism of the University of Perugia. As organisers of the meeting we had asked Prof. Haymond to open it by making a historical research of the progress made by science in the field of protein metabolism over the last millennium. He accepted the challenge with enthusiasm, producing this superb work.
Direct Measurements of Transverse Piezoelectric Coefficient e31 of PZT Thin Films

The purpose of this paper is to develop a direct method to measure e31 of PZT thin films regardless of the boundary conditions of the specimens. The experimental setup consists of a silicon beam with a PZT film excited by a tiny shaker. A charge amplifier detects the charge accumulated in the PZT film. A spectrum analyzer processes the charge amplifier’s output to obtain a frequency spectrum. In addition, three calibration points are defined along the PZT film as 1, 2, and 3. These points are evenly spaced with distance Δx. A laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV) measures the deflection w1 , w2 , and w3 of the calibration points 1, 2, and 3. According to Euler-Bernoulli beam theory, the normal strain is e ≈ 0.5h(w1 – 2w2 + w3 )/(Δx)2 , where h is the thickness of the cantilever. Finally, the ratio of the charge to the strain e gives e31 . Note that this approach does not depend on the boundary conditions of the specimen. Therefore, the boundary conditions do not affect the accuracy of the measurements. To demonstrate the direct measurement method, we fabricate a silicon cantilever beam with a PZT film using sol-gel processes. The dimensions of the silicon canteliver and the PZT thin film are 30 mm × 7.5 mm × 0.4 mm and 4 mm × 4 mm × 1 μm, respectively. Using the resonance amplitude of the first bending mode at 520 Hz, we obtain e31 to be 0.24 C/m2 .© 2004 ASME
Working with Industry

The academic medical–industrial complex (to restate President Dwight Eisenhower’s concept of the military–industrial complex) is forever growing larger and more complex. Pharmaceutical companies and medical device companies need help from academic physicians and researchers for a variety of reasons. These include: the companies need to learn the conditions that actually need treatment or are being insufficiently treated, to new potential mechanistic pathways of pharmacologic relevance, to the identification of new therapies or technologies themselves, and then finally to the actual application of those in clinical trials to eventually garner approval from federal agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration. And that is not even taking into account that these academic colleagues, after a drug or device is approved, become their main market, as they begin to prescribe these drugs or encourage these institutions to buy new devices. Stated another way, the pharmaceutical and device industries ultimately feed off the medical system. That system helps those companies identify a mission in the first place, understand approaches for undertaking that mission, seeing that mission to completion (i.e., the approval of a new drug or device), and then serving as the major consumer of the product of that mission.
An electron microscopical study: The structure and morphology of ultramicroscopic dendrites of alpha iron

The three papers by Dr. Michael W. Freeman and myself describe the role of electron microscopy in the determination of certain properties of ultramicroscopic crystals of alpha iron and in the assessment of their uses.
Birth Asphyxia, Cerebral Metabolism and Head Size

Studies of cerebral oxidative metabolism were carried out by phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy during the first week of life in 52 infants with birth asphyxia admitted to the Neonatal Unit at University College Hospital, London.
Soft Photon and Graviton Theorems in Effective Field Theory

Extensions of the photon and graviton soft theorems are derived in 4D local effective field theories with massless particles of arbitrary spin. We prove that effective operators can result in new terms in the soft theorems at subleading order for photons and subsubleading order for gravitons. The new soft terms are unique, and we provide a complete classification of all local operators responsible for such modifications. We show that no local operators can modify the subleading soft graviton theorem. The soft limits are taken in a manifestly on-locus manner using a complex double deformation of the external momenta. In addition to the new soft theorems, the resulting master formula yields consistency conditions, such as the conservation of electric charge, the Einstein equivalence principle, supergravity Ward identities, and that particles with spin greater than two cannot couple to those with spin less than or equal to two.
3D-Printed Multidrug-Eluting Stent from Graphene-Nanoplatelet-Doped Biodegradable Polymer Composite

Patients with percutaneous coronary intervention generally receive either bare metal stents or drug-eluting stents to restore the normal blood flow. However, due to the lack of stent production with an individual patient in mind, the same level of effectiveness may not be possible in treating two different clinical scenarios. This study introduces for the first time the feasibility of a patient-specific stenting process constructed from direct 3D segmentation of medical images using direct 3D printing of biodegradable polymer-graphene composite with dual drug incorporation. A biodegradable polymer-carbon composite is prepared doped with graphene nanoplatelets to achieve controlled release of combinatorics as anticoagulation and antirestenosis agents. This study develops a technology prototyped for personalized stenting. An in silico analysis is performed to optimize the stent design for printing and its prediction of sustainability under force exerted by coronary artery or blood flow. A holistic approach covering in silico to in situ-in vivo establishes the structural integrity of the polymer composite, its mechanical properties, drug loading and release control, prototyping, functional activity, safety, and feasibility of placement in coronary artery of swine.
Fractal scaling analysis of groundwater dynamics in confined aquifers

Abstract. Groundwater closely interacts with surface water and even climate systems in most hydroclimatic settings. Fractal scaling analysis of groundwater dynamics is of significance in modeling hydrological processes by considering potential temporal long-range dependence and scaling crossovers in the groundwater level fluctuations. In this study, it is demonstrated that the groundwater level fluctuations in confined aquifer wells with long observations exhibit site-specific fractal scaling behavior. Detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) was utilized to quantify the monofractality, and multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MF-DFA) and multiscale multifractal analysis (MMA) were employed to examine the multifractal behavior. The DFA results indicated that fractals exist in groundwater level time series, and it was shown that the estimated Hurst exponent is closely dependent on the length and specific time interval of the time series. The MF-DFA and MMA analyses showed that different levels of multifractality exist, which may be partially due to a broad probability density distribution with infinite moments. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the underlying distribution of groundwater level fluctuations exhibits either non-Gaussian characteristics, which may be fitted by the Levy stable distribution, or Gaussian characteristics depending on the site characteristics. However, fractional Brownian motion (fBm), which has been identified as an appropriate model to characterize groundwater level fluctuation, is Gaussian with finite moments. Therefore, fBm may be inadequate for the description of physical processes with infinite moments, such as the groundwater level fluctuations in this study. It is concluded that there is a need for generalized governing equations of groundwater flow processes that can model both the long-memory behavior and the Brownian finite-memory behavior.
User Stance Prediction via Online Behavior Mining

Nowadays social media, such as Twitter and all kinds of online forums, becomes a platform where people can express their opinions implicitly or explicitly. For example, in Twitter, people follow people they trust, and retweet the tweets they agree. In online forums, such as PoliticalForum.com, people explicitly express their opinions and interact with each other using text. Our goal is to understand people's stance on some (political) issue according to their online behaviors that can be captured in social media, including links they have issued and content they have generated, which is essential for national security and policy making. Existing attempts in this direction, however, oversimplified the problem in several aspects. First, they usually treat the user stance prediction problem as a binary classification problem, e.g., left or right, or positive or negative, while the extent of people's attitude is very critical. Second, most of the existing work depends heavily on labels, which is unacceptable for large-scale social media data and impossible to label when user stance is modeled as a numerical number. Third, most of the methods do not attempt to understand the rationality behind their online behaviors. In contrast, (1) our proposed methods can predict user stance in terms of numerical values; (2) our methods are unsupervised methods and no labels are required for the analysis; and (3) the models are carefully designed with the consideration of human rationality of their choices. In particular, two specific user stance prediction problems will be included in this keynote: (1) political ideology detection for ordinary twitter users via their heterogeneous types of links; and (2) user stance prediction in news commenting system. These methodologies may benefit more applications ranging across a wide spectrum of domains.
Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Added to Yogurt

Abstract Much research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids provide health benefits including improvements to the cardiovascular system, synthesis of skeletal muscle mass, alleviating rheumatoid arthritis, improved eye health, improved mental health and cognitive functioning, and benefits in maternity and fetal development. In addition to consuming fatty fish and various plant sources, fortification of omega-3 fatty acids into foods can be used to increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids have been successfully incorporated into yogurt as the product retains its desirable properties after fortification and can still provide desirable health benefits. However, a concern about a lack of consumer acceptance is perhaps the main issue to address before an increased consumption of yogurt containing fish oil can occur.
Utilization by the rat of 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid as a substitute for nicotinamide.

Experiments by a number of workers have established the fact that addition of tryptophan to the diet results in increased synthesis of nicotinic acid by a number of mammals.
Ureteroscopic Management of Stones During Pregnancy

The management of stones during pregnancy can be a daunting undertaking for both patient and provider. Ureteroscopy is increasingly utilized as a definitive therapy in this setting. However, the risks—both real and perceived—make this an expedition that can be fraught with anxiety for all parties involved.
Identifying the acceptor state in NiO hole collection layers: direct observation of exciton dissociation and interfacial hole transfer across a Fe2O3/NiO heterojunction

NiO is widely utilized as a hole transport layer in solar energy devices where light absorption in a photoactive layer is followed by charge separation and hole injection into a NiO collection layer. Due to the complex electronic structure of the hybridized valence band in NiO, the chemical nature of the hole acceptor state has remained an open question, despite the fact that hole localization in this material significantly influences device efficiency. To comment on this, we present results of ultrafast charge carrier dynamics in a NiO based model heterojunction (Fe2O3/NiO) using extreme ultraviolet reflection-absorption (XUV-RA) spectroscopy. Element specific XUV-RA spectroscopy demonstrates the formation of transient Ni3+ within 10 ps following selective photoexcitation of the underlying Fe2O3 substrate. This indicates that hole transfer in this system occurs to NiO valence band states composed of significant Ni 3d character. Additionally, we show that this hole injection process proceeds via a two-step sequential mechanism where fast, field-driven exciton dissociation occurs in Fe2O3 in 680 ± 60 fs, followed by subsequent hole injection to NiO in 9.2 ± 2.9 ps. These results reveal the chemical nature of the hole acceptor state in widely used NiO hole transport layers and provides a direct observation of exciton dissociation and interfacial hole transfer in this model system.
Crystal Growth and Structure Characterization of Three Layered Uranyl Phosphates and Their Relation to the Phosphuranylite Family

Three new materials related to the phosphuranylite family were synthesized by using alkali chloride fluxes at 875 °C: CsNa3[(UO2)3O2(PO4)2] (1), Cs2Na4[(UO2)5O5(PO4)2] (2), and Rb6[(UO2)5O5(PO4)2] (3). CsNa3[(UO2)3O2(PO4)2] (1) crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 with the lattice parameters, a = 6.9809(3) A, b = 9.3326(4) A, c = 12.9626(5) A, α = 71.5620(10)°, β = 78.9430(10)°, and γ = 68.0840(1)°; Cs2Na4[(UO2)5O5(PO4)2] (2) crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 with the lattice parameters, a = 6.9890(3) A, b = 12.9652(6) A, c = 13.2086(6) A, α = 96.224(2)°, β = 101.433(2)°, and γ = 105.459(2)°; and Rb6(PO4)2[(UO2)5O5] crystallizes in the P21/m space group with the lattice parameters, a = 6.9255(3) A, b = 24.773(1) A, c = 7.07647(3) A, and β = 90.741(1)°. The sheets of 1 are based on the phosphuranylite topology, while the sheets of 2 and 3 contain sheets based on the U3O8 and uranophane topologies but differ in the orientation of the phosphate tetrahedra. The regions between the sheets ...
The Sociogenesis of TSS and Its Lingering Legacy

AbstractThis article is a commentary on Olesen’s (1986) article “Analyzing Emergent Issues in Women’s Health: The Case of Toxic Shock Syndrome,” which is reprinted in this issue. Here, I place the ...
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) mediates protection against glucose toxicity in human Müller cells via activation of VEGF-A signaling.

Abstract Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has become a target of interest for drug development aiming to treat diabetic retinopathy. Since IL-6 signaling can promote beneficial as well as detrimental effects via two different signaling pathways, the objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of classical IL-6 and IL-6 trans-signaling on human Muller cells (HMC), which are important for the development of diabetic retinopathy. HMCs were cultured in normal (5 mmol/L) and high (25 mmol/L) glucose plus or minus IL-6 or IL-6/sIL-6R. IL-6 receptor expression using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry and cytokine release using magnetic bead assays were determined. HMCs express the membrane bound form of the IL-6 receptor (mIL-6R), gp130, and can release the soluble forms sIL-6R and sgp130 demonstrating that HMCs are capable of responding to classical IL-6 and IL-6 trans-signaling. IL-6 protected HMCs from glucose toxicity via VEGF-A signaling. IL-6/sIL-6R caused only modest protection, which was not mediated by VEGF-A. Our data show for the first time that classical IL-6 signaling exerts its beneficial effects through VEGF-A action contrary to IL-6 trans-signaling, which was VEGF-A independent. These results have clinical implications for drug development targeting IL-6 since strict anti-IL-6 therapies might further decrease neuroretinal functions in the diabetic retina.
Bio-inspired Approach to Thwart Against Insider Threats: An Access Control Policy Regulation Framework

With the ever increasing number of insider attacks (data breaches) and security incidents it is evident that the traditional manual and standalone access control models for cyber-security are unable to defend complex and large organizations. The new access control models must focus on auto-resiliency, integration and fast response-time to timely react against insider attacks. To meet these objectives, even after decades of development of cyber-security systems, there still exist inherent limitations (i.e., understanding of behavioral anomalies) in current cyber-security architecture that allow adversaries to not only plan and launch attacks effectively but also learn and evade detection easily. In this research we propose a bio-inspired integrated access control policy regulation framework which not only allows us to understand anomalous behavior of an insider but also provides theoretical background to link behavioral anomalies to the access control regulation. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed framework we use real-life threat dataset for the evaluation purposes.
Effect and Mechanism of Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors on Trabecular Outflow

Purpose Phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors increase matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) production by inhibiting re-uptake of adenosine and may potentiate nitric oxide (NO) activity. This study was performed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of PDE inhibitors on trabecular outflow in cultured human trabecular meshwork cells (HTMCs). Methods Primary HTMC cultures were exposed to 0, 20, and 50 μM dipyridamole (DPD) or theophylline (TPN). Permeability through the HTMC monolayer was assessed using carboxyfluorescein. The production of NO was assessed using the Griess assay and MMP-2 levels were measured via Western blotting. Results DPD significantly increased permeability accompanied with increased nitrite concentration and MMP-2 levels (all p 0.05). When treated with DPD and TPN together, both permeability and nitrite production were increased; however, MMP-2 levels showed no difference compared to DPD exposure alone (p > 0.05). Conclusions DPD increased trabecular permeability accompanied with increased nitrite production and MMP-2 levels. PDE inhibitors may increase trabecular outflow by increasing MMP-2 levels and by potentiating NO activity through cyclic GMP in HTMC.
Predicted decay ideals

For arbitrary positive integers q1≥q2≥⋯ we construct a family of monomial ideals such that for each positive integer e and for each ideal I in the family, the number of associated primes of Ie is q...
SOLAR C II RESONANCE-LINE PROFILES.

The profiles of the solar Cii resonance doublet λ1334.6 A are presented. Possible broadening mechanisms are discussed.
A Phase 1/2a Open-Label Study to Investigate the Safety of the Transplantation (by Injection) of Human Glial Restricted Progenitor Cells (hGRPs; Q-Cells®) into Subjects with Transverse Myelitis (TM) (P1.2-020)

Objective: The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the safety of Q-Cells® transplantation into the posterior columns of the spinal cord in patients with Transverse Myelitis A secondary objective of the study is to obtain preliminary data regarding the clinical activity of Q-Cells® Background: Transverse Myelitis (TM) is an inflammatory condition of the spinal cord that leads to demyelination. Use of a cellular therapeutic to supply oligoprogenitor cells to induce remyelination is proven in animal models. Design/Methods: Enrollment is planned for up to 9 subjects over 12 months. 3 subjects in each co hort. Each subject receives a single timepoint administration of Q-Cells®: with 10 unilateral injections targeted to posterior columns of the spinal cord. An observational period of each subject will be completed, before moving forward with next subject, and the next co hort. Study data will be assessed for safety and activity after the last subject has completed the 9-month study visit. Following the 9-month study period, subjects who consent will continue to be followed for safety and activity long-term in a separate protocol. Involvement consists of Screening, Pre-operative/Treatment, and Post-treatment study periods. Post treatment will be conducted at Study site only. Subjects must have the ability to undergo a laminectomy, and extensive immunosuppressive therapy for a prescribed period. Subjects must be ASIA 2(paralyzed), be able to complete MRI’s, and complete multiple follow-up visits. Results: Remyelination has been proven in animal models. No results from human trials, as yet. Conclusions: No conclusions have been reached in human trials, as yet. Disclosure: Dr. Cameron Watts has received research support from Myeletis Organization. Dr. Greenberg has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Novartis, Alexion, EMD Serono. Dr. Greenberg has received research support from Chugai, Medimmune, Genentech, MedDay, PCORI, NIH, NMSS and Guthy Jackson Charitable Foundation for NMO.
The Cybernetics Thought Collective: Machine-Generated Data Using Computational Methods

This dataset comprises machine-generated data from the research records and personal archives of four founding members of the transdisciplinary field of cybernetics—W. Ross Ashby, Warren S. McCulloch, Heinz von Foerster, and Norbert Wiener. These archives (or, fonds) are held by the British Library, the American Philosophical Society, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and MIT, respectively. The data were created for “The Cybernetics Thought Collective: A History of Science and Technology Portal Project” (2017–2019), a pilot project funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Using computational methods and tools—machine learning, named entity recognition, and natural language processing—on digitized archival records, the data were generated to enhance archival access in three distinct but interrelated ways: as archival metadata for the digitized records, as reusable data to facilitate digital scholarly analyses, and as the basis for a series of test visualizations. The data represent entities associated with cybernetic concepts and the main actors attached to the cybernetics movement and the exchange of its ideas. The dataset is stored along with the digitized records in the University of Illinois (U of I) Library’s multi-tiered repository, a replicated preservation service based on PREMIS (Preservation Metadata: Implementation Strategies). Reuse potential for this dataset includes historical/archival, linguistic, and artistic analyses of the data to examine connections between the cybernetic entities. Funding statement: “The Cybernetics Thought Collective: A History of Science and Technology Portal Project” (NEH PW-253912-17), was funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities’ Humanities Collections and Reference Resources program (US).