cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The zona reticularis is the site of biosynthesis of dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in the adult human adrenal cortex resulting from its low expression of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase

Based on indirect evidence, it has often been assumed that the zona reticularis of the adult human adrenal cortex is the source of the adrenal androgens, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulfate (DHEAS), but direct tests of this concept have been few. Using the techniques of cell culture, Northern blotting, and RIA, we compared the properties of separated adult zonal cells to those of fetal zone cells, a cell type well known to secrete large amounts of DHEA(S) due to its low expression of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta HSD). In nine glands from donors of a wide age range, the zona fasciculata and zona reticularis were separated and dissociated, and the cells were placed in culture. After 5 days, serum was removed by a 24-h period in serum-free defined medium followed by a 24-h exposure to cAMP analogs, with the optional addition of insulin, also in serum-free medium. The separated fasciculata and reticularis cells showed large differences in the DHEA(S)/cortisol (F) production ratios from added pregnenolone precursor, consistent with the synthesis of only F and essentially no DHEA(S) by fasciculata cells and with the synthesis of mostly DHEA(S) with little or no F by both reticularis cells and fetal zone cells. The different patterns of steroidogenesis were accompanied by a much lower level of expression of type II 3 beta HSD in reticularis cells, similar to that in fetal zone cells. In contrast, other genes were similarly regulated in the two adult zones and in the fetal zone by both cAMP and insulin. The levels of messenger ribonucleic acids for 17 alpha-hydroxylase, cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme, 21-hydroxylase, and 11 beta-hydroxylase responded to cAMP and insulin in both reticularis cells and fetal zone cells in the same pattern as that previously established in fasciculata cells. The central role of the limited expression of 3 beta HSD in the DHEA(S)-synthesizing property of reticularis cells was established by inhibition of 3 beta HSD in fasciculata cells with trilostane, which caused them to increase their DHEA/F production ratio to a level exceeding even that in fetal zone cells. There did not appear to any age-related changes in gene expression that could account for the large age-related decline in DHEA(S) biosynthesis in humans in either reticularis or fasciculata cells. Thus, the most likely cause of the age-related decline in adrenal androgen biosynthesis is an age-related decline in the number of functional reticularis cells, without a major change in the differentiated properties of the zonal cells as a function of age.
Stationary covariance realization with a specified distribution of amplitudes

The signals one encounters in examining image intensity data seldom appear to be even approximately Gaussian and as a consequence Gauss-Markov filtering theory, which vision researchers have found to be so useful in tracking and road following, has not been of much value in understanding the basic science involved in developing low level vision algorithms. We propose a methodology for stochastic modeling which allows one to explore a class of models better fitted to the distribution of values taken on by the data while maintaining the ability to fit the autocorrelation function.
Vitamin D deficiency and the risk of incident Type 2 diabetes.

Evaluation of: Knekt P, Laaksonen M, Mattila C et al.: Serum vitamin D and subsequent occurrence of Type 2 diabetes. Epidemiology 19, 666–671 (2008). Cross-sectional studies have demonstrated that lower serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels are associated with obesity, the metabolic syndrome, impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes. However, as in all cross-sectional studies, the direction of causation is unclear. The article by Knekt et al. was the first prospective study to demonstrate that low 25(OH)D levels predict incident diabetes. This study utilized a nested case–control design of 412 incident diabetes cases and 986 age/sex matched controls drawn from two large Finnish cohorts totaling 7503 participants aged 40 years and over followed for up to 22 years. In men, although not in women, higher baseline 25(OH)D reduced the risk of incident diabetes by 72%. Recently, other prospective cohort studies have shown that baseline 25(OH)D deficiency is associated with incident cardiovascular disease eve...
New mechanism for generating a single transverse spin asymmetry

We propose a new mechanism for generating a single transverse spin asymmetry (STSA) in polarized proton-proton and proton-nucleus collisions in the high-energy scattering approximation. In this framework the STSA originates from the $q\ensuremath{\rightarrow}qG$ splitting in the projectile (proton) light-cone wave function followed by a perturbative ($C$-odd) odderon interaction, together with a $C$-even interaction, between the projectile and the target. We show that some aspects of the obtained expression for the STSA of the produced quarks are in qualitative agreement with experiment: STSA decreases with decreasing projectile ${x}_{F}$ and is a nonmonotonic function of the transverse momentum ${k}_{T}$. In our framework the STSA peaks at ${k}_{T}$ near the saturation scale ${Q}_{s}$. Our mechanism predicts that the quark STSA in proton-nucleus collisions should be much smaller than in proton-proton collisions. We also observe that in our formalism the STSA for prompt photons is zero.
Evolution of galaxy bias, generalized

Fry (1996) showed that galaxy bias has the tendency to evolve towards unity, i.e. in the long run, the galaxy distribution tends to trace that of matter. Generalizing slightly Fry's reasoning, we show that his conclusion remains valid in theories of modified gravity (or equivalently, complex clustered dark energy). This is not surprising: as long as both galaxies and matter are subject to the same force, dynamics would drive them towards tracing each other. This holds, for instance, in theories where both galaxies and matter move on geodesics. This relaxation of bias towards unity is tempered by cosmic acceleration, however: the bias tends towards unity but does not quite make it, unless the formation bias were close to unity. Our argument is extended in a straightforward manner to the case of a stochastic or nonlinear bias. An important corollary is that dynamical evolution could imprint a scale dependence on the large scale galaxy bias. This is especially pronounced if nonstandard gravity introduces new scales to the problem: the bias at different scales relaxes at different rates, the larger scales generally more slowly and retaining a longer memory of the initial bias. A consistency test of the current ($\mathrm{\text{general relativity}}+\mathrm{\text{uniform dark energy}}$) paradigm is therefore to look for departure from a scale-independent bias on large scales. A simple way is to measure the relative bias of different populations of galaxies which are at different stages of bias relaxation. Lastly, we comment on the possibility of directly testing the Poisson equation on cosmological scales, as opposed to indirectly through the growth factor.
Optoelectronic tweezers for particle and cell manipulation

Optoelectronic tweezers is a new tool for parallel optical manipulation of colloids and cells. Using a digital projector to pattern dynamic virtual electrodes on a photoconductive surface, we demonstrate parallel trapping, transporting, and sorting of micro/bio-particles.
Collaborative information seeking

The notions that information seeking is not always a solitary activity and that people working in collaboration for information intensive tasks should be studied and supported have become more prevalent in recent years. Several new research questions, methodologies, and systems have emerged around these notions that may prove to be useful beyond the field of collaborative information seeking CIS, with relevance to the broader area of information seeking and behavior. This article provides an overview of such key research work from a variety of domains, including library and information science, computer-supported cooperative work, human-computer interaction, and information retrieval. It starts with explanations of collaboration and how CIS fits in different contexts, emphasizing the interactive, intentional, and mutually beneficial nature of CIS activities. Relations to similar and related fields such as collaborative information retrieval, collaborative information behavior, and collaborative filtering are also clarified. Next, the article presents a synthesis of various frameworks and models that exist in the field today, along with a new synthesis of 12 different dimensions of group activities. A discussion on issues and approaches relating to evaluating various parameters in CIS follows. Finally, a list of known issues and challenges is presented to provide an overview of research opportunities in this field.
Algorithms for arbitrary precision floating point arithmetic

The author presents techniques for performing computations of very high accuracy using only straightforward floating-point arithmetic operations of limited precision. The validity of these techniques is proved under very general hypotheses satisfied by most implementations of floating-point arithmetic. To illustrate the applications of these techniques, an algorithm is presented which computes the intersection of a line and a line segment. The algorithm is guaranteed to correctly decide whether an intersection exists and, if so, to produce the coordinates of the intersection point accurate to full precision. The algorithm is usually quite efficient; only in a few cases does guaranteed accuracy necessitate an expensive computation. >
Measurements of nitrogen oxides in the Arctic

Nitric oxide (NO) and total reactive nitrogen (NOy) were measured at the NOAA Geophysical Monitoring for Climatic Change baseline site near Barrow, Alaska, during July–August 1988. Concentrations of NOy in air from the clean-air sector (45° to 130°) ranged from non-detectable to 300 ppt (hourly-average), with a median value of 100 ppt. NO concentrations were generally less than the detection limit of 50 ppt and reached a maximum of 100 ppt. These levels are similar to those observed at other remote sites, and are lower than the two previous measurements of NOy and peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) in the Arctic during spring. A diurnal cycle in NOy concentrations was also observed, with maximum levels near local solar noon, and minima near midnight. The cause of this cycle is not known, but it may be due to (1) daytime ventilation of NOy-rich air to the surface each day combined with fog scrubbing or dry deposition at night or (2) biological production of NO.
Rethinking Combative Dialogue: Comparative Philosophy as a Resource for Examining Models of Dialogue

In this essay I am concerned with our understanding of philosophical dialogue. I will examine the most prevalent western model of dialogue—the combat model—and suggest some flaws in this model. I will outline concerns as to how standards for what counts as ‘philosophical’ are determined, and use this outline to frame preliminary objections to conceiving of philosophical dialogue as combative. Noting that philosophy is a socially and historically rooted practice, I argue that the view of philosophy as a kind of combat has its origins in features of ancient Greek life. Next, I will look to other cultures and traditions for differing conceptual resources. Specifically, I look to ancient China’s philosophical narrative as one that does not primarily conceive of philosophy in terms of combat. I conclude by suggesting the relevance of this inquiry into methodology for practices of teaching philosophy.
The dynamics of agricultural production and the calorie-income relationship: Evidence from Pakistan☆

Abstract Panel data on farm households from rural Pakistan are used to estimate the calorie response to different components of income in an analysis that takes into account the sequential nature of agricultural production, labor and capital market imperfections, heterogeneity, and productivity effects of calories. The estimates indicate that the income-calorie relationship depends importantly on production stage, the form of income, the liquidity of assets, and the extent to which income is anticipated. The planting-stage wage-calorie elasticity is 0.61, but income increases in the food-abundant harvest stage have only small effects on calorie consumption confined to households with below-average wealth.
Quality-based Score Level Fusion in Multibiometric Systems

The quality of biometric samples has a significant impact on the accuracy of a matcher. Poor quality biometric samples often lead to incorrect matching results because the features extracted from these samples are not reliable. Therefore, dynamically assigning weights to the outputs of individual matchers based on the quality of the samples presented at the input of the matchers can improve the overall recognition performance of a multibiometric system. We propose a likelihood ratio-based fusion scheme that takes into account the quality of the biometric samples while combining the match scores provided by the matchers. Instead of estimating the quality of the template and query images individually, we estimate a single quality metric for each template-query pair based on the local image quality measures. Experiments on a database of 320 users with iris and fingerprint modalities demonstrate the advantages of utilizing the quality information in multibiometric systems.
Learning surface text patterns for a Question Answering System

In this paper we explore the power of surface text patterns for open-domain question answering systems. In order to obtain an optimal set of patterns, we have developed a method for learning such patterns automatically. A tagged corpus is built from the Internet in a bootstrapping process by providing a few hand-crafted examples of each question type to Altavista. Patterns are then automatically extracted from the returned documents and standardized. We calculate the precision of each pattern, and the average precision for each question type. These patterns are then applied to find answers to new questions. Using the TREC-10 question set, we report results for two cases: answers determined from the TREC-10 corpus and from the web.
Kruppel-like factor 4, Elk-1, and histone deacetylases cooperatively suppress smooth muscle cell differentiation markers in response to oxidized phospholipids.

Phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), such as increased proliferation, enhanced migration, and downregulation of SMC differentiation marker genes, is known to play a key role...
Talent beyond Words: Unveiling Spatial, Expressive, Kinesthetic, and Musical Talent in Young Children.

Talent Beyond Words was developed to identify and serve children with potential talent in the performing arts, especially dance and percussion music. Participants in the program included elementary...
Rethinking Inalienability: Trusting Nongovernmental Archives in Transitional Societies

Using Cambodia as a case study, this article explores a circumstance under which it is not only defensible, but preferable for nongovernmental archives to claim custody of records documenting state-sponsored human rights abuses. The author posits that trust rather than inalienability is a more useful ethical lens through which to view custody disputes and argues that nongovernmental archives are often more trustworthy stewards of records documenting human rights abuses in societies still undergoing transitional justice. Finally, this paper concludes by both expanding provenance as it applies to records of human rights abuses to include survivors of abuse as key stakeholders and shifting the conceptual relationship between archives and survivors of human rights abuses from one of custodianship to one of stewardship.
Working Set-based Physical Memory Ballooning.

Minimizing the total amount of physical memory consumption of a set of virtual machines (VM) running on a physical machine is the key to improving a hypervisor’s consolidation ratio, which is defined as the maximum number of VMs that can run on a server without any performance degradation. To give each VM just enough physical memory equal to its true working set (TWS), we propose a TWS-based memory ballooning mechanism that takes away all unneeded physical memory from a VM without affecting its performance. Compared with a state-of-the-art commercial hypervisor, this working setbased memory virtualization technique is able to produce noticeably more effective reduction in physical memory consumption under the same input workloads, and thus represent promising additions to the repertoire of hypervisor-level optimization technologies.
New Species of Paratyndaris with Notes on Described Forms (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)

Male .–Form robust, cylindrical, piceous with violaceous lustre, each elytron with an irregular yellow area along side margin back of humerus extending beyond the middle, another similar area extending from near base to apical fourth of elytron, the distance of one interspace from suture; areas irregularly joined near base, clothed with fine recumbent white pubescence which is denser on ventral surface and along sides of pronotum.
Fertility of hybrids fromSolanum phureja and haploidS. Tuberosum matings

A workable level of male and female fertility is present among many haploids (2n–24) obtained from the common potato,S. tuberosum (2n–48). However, the incidence of male fertility and the seed set obtained following numerous interhaploid matings have been consistently low. Hybrids between the cultivated diploid (2n–24) species (S. ajanhuiri, S. goniocalyx, S. phureja, S. stenotomum) and the pollen-fertileS. tuberosum haploids provide one means of overcoming this low fertility.
Effects of Connection Number on Dynamic Property of Double-tower Connected Structures

Steel reinforced concrete frame structure is used as the calculation and analysis models,finite element analysis software ANSYS is used to analyze and compare the dynamic characteristics of double-tower connected structures and single level double-tower connected structures,dynamic characteristics are educed at different connected structure levels.
Exploring Long-term Food Pantry Use: Differences Between Persistent and Prolonged Typologies of Use

ABSTRACTHunger mitigation in the United States has traditionally blended a variety of “emergency resources,” from both the public and private sectors, yet the long-term use of these programs, food pantries in particular, is becoming commonplace. Still, there is little information on long-term (24+ months) pantry use. This article examines the differences, particularly in food security status and use of federal support programs, between traditional, short-term emergency pantry users and an emerging population of long-term users. We found that there are 2 distinct groups of long-term users based on frequency of use, prolonged (infrequent) and persistent (frequent), and that each of these groups has distinct vulnerability to food insecurity as well as mitigation strategies for dealing with food insecurity.
Antibiotic Stewardship and Hospital Hygiene in German Paediatric Inpatient Facilities: A Qualitative Survey from the Paed IC Working Group.

Background: Antibiotic stewardship (ABS) and hospital hygiene have both been identified as key components to increase patient safety in hospital inpatients. To set the stage for a new approach in this field, a working group of German Pediatric Infectious Disease (PID) Specialists invented the Paed IC Project in 2012. Methods: This article summarized the results of a qualitative study using telephone interviews, to which 18 German PID specialists were invited. Results: All local study coordinators and additional PID specialists from the 11 paediatric tertiary care inpatient facilities consented to participate. Only 3 of 18 participants (16.7%) are medical directors of an independent PID department. The majority of the participants agreed with the statement, that there is a need for a national clinical practice guideline (in Germany) which outlines specific paediatric aspects of ABS. In addition, concise internal clinical practice guidelines describing the most important PIDs in addition to the Handbook “Infections in Children and Adolescents” published by the DGPI were deemed necessary. 89% denied having access to any financial reimbursement allocated to cover systematic clinical audits. The hospital administration in most participating hospitals (72%) does not provide the medical specialties with personnel/financial resources to implement an ABS-program as recommended by recent guidelines. Conclusion: This qualitative study adds important information to adjust future strategies for ABS implementation in German paediatric inpatient care facilities.
Significant enhancement of photocatalytic water splitting enabled by elimination of surface traps in Pt-tipped CdSe nanorods

Pt-tipped CdSe nanorods epitaxially passivated with atomic-level CdS shells have been synthesized and have significantly improved the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution efficiency by 6.5 times. The enhancement is due to the effective elimination of surface defects/trap states in the CdSe nanorods, thereby minimizing exciton recombination and maximizing the charge separation efficiency.
Use of Meta-analysis as a Teaching Strategy in Nursing Research Courses

In order to become knowledgeable consumers of nursing research, nursing students must be able to critically read research and determine the study's value for nursing practice. As the number of nursing intervention studies rises and research topics are studied more extensively, the use of meta-analysis in the discipline of nursing will also increase. The same scientific rigor demanded of other types of research must be applied to meta-analysis. In this article two teaching strategies using meta-analysis are shared for sharpening both undergraduate and graduate nursing students' critiquing skills. On the undergraduate level, nursing students can assess the quality of the studies included in a particular meta-analysis. On the graduate level, students can use an appraisal checklist of criteria for evaluating the actual meta-analysis.
Transition, Economics of

The economics of transition is a relatively new field of scientific inquiry dealing with economic phenomena that arise as countries move from central planning to a decentralized market system. Since transition is one of the most important phenomena of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, affecting about one-third of the world's population, transition economics has grown rapidly. The field of transition economics is unique because it permits researchers to examine how economies behave when markets are just being created and established phenomena of advanced economies, such as unemployment, are just starting to appear.
The role of acute circulatory support in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock

In the setting of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock, three primary treatment objectives include providing circulatory support, ventricular unloading, and restoring myocardial perfusion. In addition to primary percutaneous coronary intervention, each of these three objectives can be achieved with appropriate use of an acute mechanical circulatory support (AMCS) pump. Over the past decade, utilization of percutaneously-delivered AMCS devices including the Impella axial-flow catheter, TandemHeart left atrial-to-femoral artery bypass system, and veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) has grown exponentially. In this review, we will discuss the hemodynamic impact of each AMCS device and clinical data surrounding their use in the setting of STEMI complicated by cardiogenic shock.
Therapeutics: Gene Therapy for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency

This review seeks to give an overview of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, including the different disease phenotypes that it encompasses. We then describe the different therapeutic endeavors that have been undertaken to address these different phenotypes. Lastly we discuss future potential therapeutics, such as genome editing, and how they may play a role in treating alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
The Anglo-American and Commonwealth Negotiations for a Zimbabwean Settlement between Geneva and Lancaster, 1977–1979

ABSTRACTAs historical interest and scrutiny has grown over the diplomatic history of the Rhodesian crisis from the mid-1970s to independence in 1980, the bulk of historical attention has been focused on the two big conferences in this period, the Geneva talks in October–December 1976, and the Lancaster House talks in September–December 1979. This article examines the shifting contours of Anglo-American negotiations with the leaders of the Zimbabwean Patriotic Front (Joshua Nkomo and Robert Mugabe), the Front Line State presidents, the South African government and the UDI government of Ian Smith in this important period between Geneva and Lancaster House. This article begins by examining the rivalry between Nkomo and Mugabe. In doing so, it sees their suspicions of, and participation in, the Anglo-American talks in these three years as being part of their own competition and rivalry to become the leader of a future independent Zimbabwe. The article then examines attempts by the Nigerians and the British to...
Beta-2 microglobulin clearance in high-flux dialysis and convective dialysis modalities: a meta-analysis of published studies.

Background Recent meta-analyses suggest that higher removal of beta-2 microglobulin (β2M) with either high-flux (HFD) dialysis or hemodiafiltration (HDF) may be associated with decreased total and cardiovascular mortality in dialysis patients. However, there are limited data about the performance of high flux dialyzers and/or convective therapies in removing β2M. Methods This is a random effects meta-analysis and meta-regression of data extracted from randomized controlled trials and observational studies in hemodialysis, hemofiltration and HDF regarding the efficiency of high flux dialyzers to remove β2M. Studies were searched using ProQuest in SCOPUS, EMBASE and MEDLINE. Results We included 69 studies from 1 January 2001 to 12 June 2017 on 1879 patients with 6771 available measurements. Average β2M clearance was 48.75 mL/min [95% confidence interval (CI) 42.50-55.21] for conventional HF dialysis, and 87.06 mL/min (95% CI 75.08-99.03) for convective therapies (hemofiltration and HDF) with substantial heterogeneity among studies [P (Q) ≤ 0.001]. In multivariable meta-regression analyses, we found significantly higher β2M clearance for polyarylethersulfone dialyzers when used for HFD and polysulfone membranes in convective therapies. However, the mass of β2M removed into the dialysate did not depend on membrane material. Adjusted dialysate-side (-22.279, 95% CI -9.8 to -34.757, P < 0.001) β2M clearances were significantly lower than whole blood clearances, suggesting that adsorption contributes substantially to β2M removal. Higher Kuf, blood flow and substitution fluid rates but not dialysate flow rates were associated with statistically significant and clinically meaningful elevation in β2M clearance from the body independent of the dialysis modality. Conclusions Membrane composition and characteristics, modality (convective versus diffusive), blood flow rates and substitution fluid rates in HDF play a significant role in the efficient removal of β2M from the body in both diffusive and convective dialysis.
Internet of Services

The Internet of Things could be a short-lived phrase since it will soon become the Internet of Services (IoS). IoS is a major pillar of the future Internet because it presents everything on the Internet as a service. The Internet of Things (IoT) will become the enabler of IoS as we move into the service era. Different hardware configurations will enable different kind of services. This paper provides a brief introduction into the Internet of Service.
Greek-letter Social Organizations in Higher Education: A Review of Research

This selective review of research on Greek-letter social organizations (Greeks, hereafter) involves a multidisciplinary stance, addressing both theoretical and applied questions. The literature bearing directly or indirectly on Greeks runs the gamut from theoretical issues to practical, legal, and administrative questions. In addition, it intersects with research domains in their own right, such as alcohol or drug abuse, racial discrimination, political attitudes, and sexual attitudes and behavior. Faced with this range of issues, we established boundaries for this review. For the most part, we excluded (a) popular, editorial, or polemic articles which did not report research, (b) discussions of legal issues, (c) studies sponsored by national fraternal organizations, (d) program evaluation studies, and (e) “intra-Greek” studies with no Independent students. Finally, we focused on more recent research published from 1975 to the present, using summary information from previous reviews to cover earlier studies (e.g., Feldman and Newcomb, 1969; Shaffer, 1983; or Winston and Saunders, 1987). Earlier studies, however, were occasionally cited if they helped to establish a consistent pattern.
Finite Element Modeling and Bridge Reliability Evaluation

In this study an investigation is conducted on the methodology used to analytically evaluate the safety of existing bridges. This methodology is presented and applied to one of the oldest types of bridges, truss bridges. An interpretation of the AASHTO loading for the bridge is presented. Four finite element models are identified and described: two two-dimensional models, one composed entirely of truss elements and one containing beam and truss elements; and two three-dimensional models, one composed of beam and truss elements only and one including beam, truss, and shell elements. Utilizing both deterministic and probabilistic techniques, the results obtained from the models are evaluated and compared, indicating that simplistic two-dimensional models which neglect the effects of longitudinally and transversely eccentric loading and possible internal horizontal stresses induced by stringer/deck interaction are not conservative.
Preoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Vena Caval Tumor Thrombi: Experience with 5 Cases

Magnetic resonance scans were performed preoperatively in 5 patients who underwent surgical removal of renal or adrenal tumors with direct extension of the tumor into the vena cava. Of the patients 4 had renal cell carcinoma and 1 had adrenocortical carcinoma. Magnetic resonance imaging staged correctly the level of vena caval tumor thrombus involvement in 4 patients and missed the presence of right atrial tumor extension in 1. This noninvasive imaging modality can be used instead of contrast venography in most patients to assess the presence and extent of vena caval tumor involvement by renal cell carcinoma. Contrast venography should be used for those patients with suspected cardiac involvement and for those whose tumor thrombus extent remains unclear after magnetic resonance imaging.
A Fractal Analysis of Sembene Ousmane's God's Bits of Wood (1960)

While conducting research on Sembene Ousmane’s God’s Bits of Wood (1960), I came across scholarly citations, books, and articles, discussing Sembene Ousmane’s work. However, no scientific analysis has been done on the text. This is a major gap in the literature because the complex issues involved with the decolonization movement, women and protest in colonial and post-colonial societies in Africa, color privilege, the exploitation of the working class, and the power relation between employees and employers. The exploitation of the railroad workers during the colonial period in Senegal, was ensure by the institutionalization of violence mainly, through the security apparatus put in place the French colonial administration, to discourage civil disobedience and severely punished those who do as in the case of the renewed workers’ strike in Thies, which is what Sembene examines and, therefore, deserves scientific treatise. Sembene God’s Bits of Wood relays the story behind the second biggest civil disobedience in the French Sudan half way through the end of the Second World War in Europe on October 10, 1942, when the locally employed staff at the "Dakar-Niger" railroad company in the town of Thies decided to walk off the job in observation of a general strike called by the railroad union committee to denounce the prejudices committed against the workers and negotiate new deals on the wage increase. God’s Bits of Wood takes place at the height of the railway expansion in the French colonies in West Africa. The “Dakar-Niger” railroad line played an integral part in the French railroad expansion plan in West Africa. As Sembene pointed out, “the Dakar-Niger line was almost a thousand miles of steel, linking together a million square miles of the African continent” (1960:75). This marked the beginning of a railroad expansion that would transform transportation and give more capacity for people and goods to be transported across borders. This study is an attempt to fill the gap. By using a pluridisciplinary approach (see Bangura, 2012), I employ the mathematical concept of Fractal Dimension and Complexity Theory to explore topic-entries progressing from more orderly to less orderly or disorder in the text. The results delineated from the MATLAB computer runs show that the combination of negative and positive feedback loops, which undergird several African knowledge systems, also comprise a major mechanism of general self-organizing systems discussed in Sembene Ousmane’s God’s Bits of Wood.
In vitro and in vivo evaluation of cephalosporins for the treatment of Lyme disease.

Author(s): Pothineni, Venkata Raveendra; Parekh, Mansi B; Babar, Mustafeez Mujtaba; Ambati, Aditya; Maguire, Peter; Inayathullah, Mohammed; Kim, Kwang-Min; Tayebi, Lobat; Potula, Hari-Hara Sk; Rajadas, Jayakumar | Abstract: BackgroundLyme disease accounts for g90% of all vector-borne disease cases in the United States and affect ~300,000 persons annually in North America. Though traditional tetracycline antibiotic therapy is generally prescribed for Lyme disease, still 10%-20% of patients treated with current antibiotic therapy still show lingering symptoms.MethodsIn order to identify new drugs, we have evaluated four cephalosporins as a therapeutic alternative to commonly used antibiotics for the treatment of Lyme disease by using microdilution techniques like minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). We have determined the MIC and MBC of four drugs for three Borrelia burgdorferi s.s strains namely CA8, JLB31 and NP40. The binding studies were performed using in silico analysis.ResultsThe MIC order of the four drugs tested is cefoxitin (1.25 µM/mL) g cefamandole (2.5 µM/mL), g cefuroxime (5 µM/mL) g cefapirin (10 µM/mL). Among the drugs that are tested in this study using in vivo C3H/HeN mouse model, cefoxitin effectively kills B. burgdorferi. The in silico analysis revealed that all four cephalosporins studied binds effectively to B. burgdorferi proteins, SecA subunit penicillin-binding protein (PBP) and Outer surface protein E (OspE).ConclusionBased on the data obtained, cefoxitin has shown high efficacy killing B. burgdorferi at concentration of 1.25 µM/mL. In addition to it, cefoxitin cleared B. burgdorferi infection in C3H/HeN mice model at 20 mg/kg.
Multiple UAVs for Mapping: A Review of Basic Modeling, Simulation, and Applications

The goal of this article is to provide an introduction to basic modeling and simulation techniques for multiple interacting unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), called swarms, for applications in mappi...
Emergency contraceptives over the counter. Allowing easy access is important.

Since unanticipated and unprotected coitus among adolescents is common easy availability of emergency contraception (EC) is important. However in spite of the efficacy of the two EC regimens available in the United States only 1% of women who might have benefited from EC has ever used it. The reasons for the low usage are lack of information and lack of access. Public service campaigns and pharmaceutical advertisements are beginning to address the lack of information but EC accessibility remains constrained by the fact that these hormonal contraceptives require a prescription. It is noted however that EC does not meet the requirements for prescription drugs. For example no learned intermediary is needed to diagnose a torn condom. In addition the dose is the same for all women and so does not need to be tailored to a specific patient’s needs. Finally the drug is safe and no adverse effects have been linked to its use even from an overdose. On the other hand factors such as cost embarrassment and inconvenience may deter young women from seeking prescriptions. The availability of EC over the counter in drug stores that are open evenings and weekends would remove these obstacles. Ultimately EC could supplement rather than replace the existing distribution of other contraceptives.
Designing experiences: by J. Robert Rossman and Mathew D. Duerden, New York, Columbia Business School, 2019, 224 pp., $30.00 (hardcover), ISBN: 978–0231191685

Designing Experiences is an easily accessible and thoughtfully designed book. While it offers theory and a significant amount of academic support to buttress its thesis, the book is written in a ma...
A novel device to prevent errors in medication dosing and dispensing

Erroneous intravenous drug administration has a high probability of causing patient morbidity or mortality during anesthesia. Anesthesiologists are cognizant of this longstanding issue, which has prompted the development of a variety of different protocols and solutions designed to ameliorate the problem and ultimately improve patient outcomes. Unfortunately, no definitive solution has been developed yet. Our invention is a medical device designed to drastically reduce, and hopefully upon further development, refinement and subsequent iterations, completely eradicate the potential for medical errors involving medication misidentification and quantitative errors in anesthetic dosing and dispensing.
Assessment and screening of positive childhood experiences along with childhood adversity in research, practice, and policy

Despite empirical evidence documenting the role of positive childhood experiences in predicting adaptation over the lifespan and across generations, this research has not yet been fully integrated ...
Community outreach for immigrant adults with diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

ABSTRACT There is a critical need to discover health-promoting strategies to address a growing Hispanic immigrant adult population with diabetes who are at risk or have chronic kidney disease. Fellows are uniquely positioned to lead research efforts focused on community outreach to recruit this population to a kidney health clinic. Innovative models of care are important to provide care to a population who may not seek medical attention. The author collaborated with a registered renal dietician to develop a kidney health clinic. Funding from the American Nephrology Nurses Association enabled a feasibility study to recruit patients and test the effects of a model of care on patient related and health care system outcomes.
Predictive significance of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte for cytomegalovirus infection in infants less than 3 months: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of the hematological parameters in the identification of human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in infants less than 3 months. METHODS A single-center, observational study of infants with CMV infection was conducted retrospectively. Routine blood parameters were analyzed in CMV-infected infants and controls with no differences of birthweight, sex, gestational age at birth, and date of admission. Furthermore, receiver-operating curve was used to assess the predictive value of the hematological parameters for CMV infection. RESULTS One hundred ninety cases with CMV infection were studied retrospectively. Compared with the control group, there were significant differences in the white blood cell count, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, platelet count, hemoglobin, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR), and lymphocyte-to-monocyte (LMR) for the patients with CMV infection (all p 0.28), an elevated PLR (>65.36), or both. NLR-PLR score for CMV infection prediction yielded higher AUC values than NLR or PLR alone (0.760 vs. 0.689, 0.689; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The NLR combined with PLR is potentially useful as a predictor of CMV infection in infants less than 3 months.
The "Inside-out" Technique for Hernia Repair with Mesh Underlay.

BACKGROUND: An improved method for mesh repair of ventral/incisional hernias after component separation is presented. The use of a Carter-Thomason suture passer (Cooper Surgical, http://www.coopersurgical.com) allows for safe passage of preplaced sutures on the mesh from within the abdominal cavity through the anterior rectus sheath. This "inside-out" method makes the underlay of mesh fast and easy by improving visualization and control of sharp instruments as they are passed through the abdominal cavity. Preplacement of sutures circumferentially on the mesh also improves the distribution of tension around the repair, which may ultimately reduce the risk of hernia recurrence. METHODS: The "inside-out" technique was performed on 23 patients at a single tertiary academic medical center from November 2011 to February 2014. We have followed these patients for a median of 24.5 months to assess for postoperative complications and hernia recurrence. RESULTS: We report an acceptable hernia recurrence rate (2 of 23 = 8.7%). One recurrence was observed in a patient who underwent repair of a recurrent ventral hernia and the other had significant loss of domain requiring an inlay mesh. CONCLUSIONS: The "inside-out" technique for ventral hernia repair with a mesh underlay after component separation using a Carter-Thomason suture passer is easy, safe, and reliable. We have observed no hernia recurrence in patients who underwent repair for a primary ventral hernia with an underlay technique.
Hypersexuality and limbic system seizures.

Hypersexual behavior was induced in adult male cats by repeatedly evoked limbic system seizures. Accentuation of Dopaminergic activity with drugs was used to facilitate development of the seizure induced hypersexuality. Hypersexuality consisted of biting knap of neck, mounting, thrusting and coital intromission. The gradual development and eventual disappearance of hypersexuality was correlated with the progressive prolongation of the seizures in their evolution. There are three stages of seizure evolution in relation to sexuality. First stage-normal sexuality, intermediate stage-hypersexuality and late stage-hyposexuality. A theoretical “hypersexual growth and decay curve” was constructed in relation to the evolution of limbic seizure durations in the intermediate stage. It was suggested that the observed hypersexuality was related to the early discharge activation of hypothalamic, preoptic and basal ganglia neurohumeral facilitatory mechanisms for sexuality, and the late effects were related to discharge activation of brain stem serotonergic inhibitory mechanisms. The discussion attempts also to use these experimental findings to explain clinically observed hyposexuality and hypersexuality. It was suggested that either hypersexuality or hyposexuality may be associated with psychomotor seizures and that the predominating sexual state at a given moment is dependent upon the evolutionary stage of the seizure at that moment. Consequently, psychomotor seizures with associated hypersexuality should not be considered a clinical anachronism. In fact, these observations support the impression that rape may be a manifestation of a psychomotor seizure.
Challenges to Microscopic Theories of Nuclear Structure

Several recent developments in nuclear structure ] research and technology that provide current challenges to microscopic theories are briefly discussed.
Image visibility of cancer to enhance targeting precision and spatial mapping biopsy for focal therapy of prostate cancer

Objective To assess the advantages of cancer image visibility when using multiparametric transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) in potential candidates for focal therapy for prostate cancer. Patients and Methods A total of 93 potential candidates for focal cryotherapy underwent grey-scale and Doppler TRUS-guided biopsy. All real-time TRUS images were recorded, allowing subsequent reviewing for the planning of targeted focal cryotherapy, and/or follow-up targeted biopsy. The spatial mapping of TRUS-visible lesions and targeted sampling areas were individually documented in schematic anatomic drawings of the prostate. Data from the baseline imaging-targeted biopsies were compared with systematic (non-targeted) biopsies. Of the 93 patients, 73 patients with low- to intermediate-risk disease were eventually considered to be candidates for hemi-ablative focal cryosurgery, i.e. cryoablation of one lobe. Results Among the 93 patients, a total of 681 biopsy cores were available for analysis, including imaging-targeted (n = 256, 37.5%) and systematic (n = 425, 62.5%) cores. Of the 256 targeted biopsy cores, 65% (n = 167) were positive for cancer, compared with 6.2% (26/425) in systematic (non-targeted) cores (P < 0.001). A total of 88% (82/93) of the biopsy-proven cancer index lesions were TRUS-visible. When comparing TRUS-visible with image-invisible index lesions, the cancer-involved core length was 6.1 vs 1.5 mm (P < 0.001), respectively. Furthermore, the percent of core with involved cancer was 48 vs 16% (P < 0.001), and the mean Gleason score was 7.0 vs 6.2 (P < 0.001). With increasing TRUS-visible lesion size ( 20 mm), cancer-involved core length and percent of core with cancer also significantly increased (P = 0.009 and P = 0.008, respectively). Conclusions TRUS-guided targeted biopsies significantly improved the detection and staging of higher grade and larger volume cancer, compared with image-blind (non-targeted systematic) biopsies. Image visibility enhanced the precise targeting and accurate spatial mapping of cancer to help identify more appropriate candidates for focal therapy.
California Inheritance and Gift Taxes: A Summary

The initial California inheritance tax law was enacted in 1893.1 This, however, imposed a tax only on inheritance by so-called "collateral" relatives as distinguished from "direct" relatives. The latter group consisted of: father, mother, husband, wife, lawful issue, lineal descendants born in lawful wedlock, adopted child, brother, sister, wife or widow of a son and husband of a daughter. Any estate valued at less than $500 was exempt. In 1897,2 resident nieces and nephews were added to the list of direct relatives, but in 18993 such nephews and nieces and brothers and sisters were taken out of the list of direct relatives. The Inheritance Tax Act of 1905' is the basic statute for the inherit-
Detonation loading of tubes in the modified shear wave speed regime

We performed experiments and numerical simulations on a thin-wall aluminum tube with internal gaseous detonation loading in the modified shear wave speed regime. Strain gauges were used to determine the time-dependent hoop strain on the surface of the tube. The experimental results were compared with analytical models and numerical simulations with explicit finite element computation treating the detonation as a traveling load. Hoop strain amplification factors (defined as the ratio of the dynamic strain to the equivalent static strain) close to two were obtained both in the present experiments and simulations. No resonance phenomena in the hoop strain were found in either experiments or simulations. Computations reveal the existence of a resonance in the shear strain.