cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Apolipoprotein E e4 Allele Increases Risk for Psychotic Symptoms in Alzheimer's Disease

The apolipoprotein E (ApoE) ɛ4 allele is a well-documented genetic risk factor for sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). Its association with psychopathology among AD patients has been the subject of discrepant reports. We aimed to determine whether ApoE ɛ4+ and ɛ4– AD patients exhibit a different risk profile for psychotic symptoms and other behavioral disturbances. The Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) was administered to determine the frequency and severity of psychotic and other behavioral symptoms in a sample of n=266 AD patients who had been genotyped for ApoE. Multiple logistic regression models were used to calculate the association between the ApoE ɛ4 allele and the presence of psychotic symptoms (delusions or hallucinations). Exploratory analyses were also conducted to determine the impact of disease severity on ɛ4 effects and to examine the association between ɛ4 and other behavioral symptoms. ApoE ɛ4 was significantly associated with psychotic symptoms (odds ratio (OR)=1.87, 95% CI=1.07–3.29, P=0.029), adjusting for age, sex, education, and MMSE score. More stringent definitions of clinically significant psychosis yielded similar results. Exploratory analyses suggested that this effect accrued specifically from patients with severe-stage AD and primarily from an association between ɛ4 and delusions. The ɛ4 allele did not appear to influence the development of most other behavioral symptoms in our sample. In conclusion, AD patients who carry the ApoE ɛ4 allele are at greater risk than noncarriers for developing psychotic symptoms, particularly as the severity of their dementia progresses.
Caches versus object allocation

Dynamic object allocation usually stresses the randomness of data memory usage; the variables of a dynamic cache working set are to some degree distributed stochastically in the virtual or physical address space. This interferes with cache architectures, since, currently, most of them are highly sensitive to access patterns. In the above mentioned stochastically distributed case, the true capacity is far below the cache size and largely differs from processor to processor. As a consequence, object allocation schemes may substantially influence cache/TLB hit rates and thus overall program performance. After presenting basic cache architectures in short, we sketch an analytical model for evaluating their true capacities. Some industrial processors are evaluated and potential implications for memory management techniques are discussed.
CAN A LINEAR AUTOASSOCIATOR RECOGNIZE FACES FROM NEW ORIENTATIONS

An often noted limitation of computational models of faces operating on two-dimensional pixel intensity representations is that they cannot handle changes in orientation. We show that this limitation can be overcome by the use of multiple views of a given face instead of a single view to represent the face. Specifically, we show that a linear autoassociator trained to reconstruct multiple views of a set of faces is able to recognize the faces from new view angles. An analysis of the internal representation of the memory (i.e., eigenvectors of the between-unit-connection weight matrix) shows a dissociation between two kinds of perceptual information: orientation and identity information.
Implementation of an Atmosphere-Ocean General Circulation Model on the Expanded Spherical Cube

A hydrodynamical kernel that drives both an atmospheric and oceanic general circulation model is implemented in general orthogonal curvilinear coordinates using the finite-volume method on the sphere. The finite-volume method naturally describes arbitrary grids, and use of the vector-invariant form of the momentum equations simplifies the generalization to arbitrary coordinates. Grids based on the expanded spherical cube of Rancic et al., which contain eight singular points, are used. At these singularities the grid is nonorthogonal. The combined use of vector-invariant equations and the finite-volume method is shown to avoid degeneracy at these singular points. The model is tested using experiments proposed by Williamson et al. and Held and Saurez. The atmospheric solutions are examined seeking evidence of the underlying grid in solutions and eddy statistics. A global ocean simulation is also conducted using the same code. The solutions prove to be accurate and free of artifacts arising from the cubic grid.
Firm Choice Of Discount Rate Used In Valuing Pension Obligations

This paper examines how the minimum liability reporting requirement for defined benefit pension plans affects the choice of actuarial assumptions. There is a long history of accounting literature which suggests that firms select accounting practices in order to artificially improve the appearance of their operations. Similarly, there is a history of research regarding the question of how firms select the actuarial assumptions used in accounting for their defined benefit pension plans. This paper makes a unique contribution to this line of research in that it explicitly examines and focuses on the effect of the “minimum liability” requirement under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 87.
Synthesis of Group 4 [(RN-o-C6H4)2O]2− complexes where R is SiMe3 or 0.5 Me2SiCH2CH2SiMe2

Abstract Complexes that contain the [(Me3SiN-o-C6H4)2O]2− ligand ([1]2−) of the type [1]M(NMe2)2, [1]MCl2, and [1]MMe2 have been prepared where M=Ti, Zr, or Hf. Although cations prepared by addition of [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] or [PhNMe2H][B(C6F5)4] to [1]ZrMe2 or [1]HfMe2 could not be observed in NMR studies, addition of [(η5-C5H4Me)2Fe][B(C6H5)4] to [1]HfMe2 in the presence of THF led to isolation of {[1]HfMe(THF)2}[B(C6H5)4]. An X-ray study showed the cation to be a distorted octahedron in which the [1]2− ligand is in the mer arrangement and is significantly twisted from a planar NC2OC2N arrangement. The THF ligands are trans to one another. No well-behaved activity for the polymerization of 1-hexene could be observed with activated [1]ZrMe2, while {[1]HfMe(THF)2}[B(C6H5)4] was inactive. The reaction between Li2[O(o-C6H4NH)2] and Me2ClSiCH2CH2SiMe2Cl in THF produced a cyclic diamido/ether ligand H2[2]. The reaction between H2[2] and Zr(NMe2)4 or ZrR4 (R=CH2Ph, CH2SiMe3) gave [2]Zr(NMe2)2(HNMe2) and Zr[2]2, respectively. The dimethylamine in [2]Zr(NMe2)2(HNMe2) could be replaced with pyridine or 2,4-lutidine to give [2]Zr(NMe2)2(L) (L=pyridine or 2,4-lutidine), which then could be converted into [2]ZrCl2(L) with excess Me3SiCl. The reaction between [2]ZrCl2(py) and two equivalents of Me3SiCH2MgCl gave a bimetallic complex in which one of the trimethylsilyl methyl groups has been doubly CH activated, as confirmed by X-ray crystallography.
Plastic Pipe For Water and Gas Distribution

If a new pipe material is to be used for gas or water service, a number of factors must be considered. Some of the factors affecting plastic pipe performance are: Installation, long-term strength, aging resistance, chemical resistance, type of failure, permeability, and quality control procedures. These factors are all susceptible to laboratory evaluation, and it is the purpose of this paper to study such a laboratory evaluation. Of course, there are other factors (such as cost) entering into the suitability of a new material for gas or water distribution piping, but these are not subjects for laboratory study. Although a laboratory study can supply considerable information about a material, the final choice of a material is often ultimately a matter of engineering judgment, based on its projected use and the conditions under which it will perform.
Improved Product Energy Intensity Benchmarking Metrics for Thermally Concentrated Food Products

Product energy intensity (PEI) metrics allow industry and policymakers to quantify manufacturing energy requirements on a product-output basis. However, complexities can arise for benchmarking of thermally concentrated products, particularly in the food processing industry, due to differences in outlet composition, feed material composition, and processing technology. This study analyzes tomato paste as a typical, high-volume concentrated product using a thermodynamics-based model. Results show that PEI for tomato pastes and purees varies from 1200 to 9700 kJ/kg over the range of 8%–40% outlet solids concentration for a 3-effect evaporator, and 980–7000 kJ/kg for a 5-effect evaporator. Further, the PEI for producing paste at 31% outlet solids concentration in a 3-effect evaporator varies from 13 000 kJ/kg at 3% feed solids concentration to 5900 kJ/kg at 6%; for a 5-effect evaporator, the variation is from 9200 kJ/kg at 3%, to 4300 kJ/kg at 6%. Methods to compare the PEI of different product concentrations...
193 nm ultraviolet photodissociation mass spectrometry for the structural elucidation of lipid A compounds in complex mixtures.

Here we implement ultraviolet photodissociation (UVPD) in an online liquid chromatographic tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) strategy to support analysis of complex mixtures of lipid A combinatorially modified during development of vaccine adjuvants. UVPD mass spectrometry at 193 nm was utilized to characterize the structures and fragment ion types of lipid A from Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using an Orbitrap mass spectrometer. The fragment ions generated by UVPD were compared to those from collision induced dissociation (CID) and higher energy collision dissociation (HCD) with respect to the precursor charge state. UVPD afforded the widest array of fragment ion types including acyl chain C–O, C–N, and C–C bond cleavages and glycosidic C–O and cross ring cleavages, thus providing the most comprehensive structural analysis of the lipid A. UVPD exhibited virtually no dependence on precursor ion charge state and was best at determining lipid A structure including acyl chain l...
A binder-free sulfur/carbon composite electrode prepared by a sulfur sublimation method for Li–S batteries

A binder-free sulfur/carbon composite electrode was prepared by a sulfur sublimation method. Sulfur nanoparticles fill large pores in a carbon paper substrate and primarily have a monoclinic crystal structure. The composite electrode shows a long cycle life of over 200 cycles with good rate performance in Li–S batteries.
Computational Identification and Experimental Evaluation of Metal–Organic Frameworks for Xylene Enrichment

We report the computational discovery and experimental evaluation of nanoporous materials targeted at the adsorptive separation of p-xylene from a C8 aromatics mixture. We first introduce a computational method that is capable of efficiently predicting the p-xylene selectivities and capacities for a large database of porous materials. We then demonstrate the application of this method to screen a database of several thousand metal–organic framework (MOF) structures. Our computational screening methodology predicted that two MOFs with good solvothermal stability and commercially available linkers give comparable performance to the state-of-the-art zeolite BaX currently used in industrial p-xylene separations. The best-performing MOFs are then synthesized, and their xylene separation characteristics are evaluated in detail through breakthrough adsorption experiments and modeling. We find that the selectivities obtained in these materials are higher than that of any MOF previously reported in the literature ...
Equal Justice for All: Care of LGBT Youth in the Juvenile Justice System

Children and adolescents who self-identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender experience specific stressors in the juvenile justice system. Clinical and support services for youth who identify as members of sexual orientation and/or gender identity minority populations within child welfare and forensic systems will be reviewed, with particular focus on the comparative example of a North American major municipal context.
Massive Pulmonary Embolization

A 44-year-old man who had undergone 3-vessel coronary artery bypass graft surgery 1 week earlier presented with a 1-day history of dyspnea at rest and near syncope. His physical examination was remarkable for tachycardia (134 bpm) and tachypnea (rate=34). Cardiac and pulmonary examinations were otherwise normal. Chest radiography was unremarkable except for postsurgical cardiac changes. The ECG demonstrated sinus tachycardia and an SI,QIII,TIII pattern (Figure 1), suggestive of pulmonary embolization. Laboratory examination showed a total leukocyte count of 17 500, …
PARAMETRIC PUMPING A MODEL FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORT

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the elements of parametric pumping, which means coupled action of one oscillatory field upon another to give a desired result. For example, two pendulums, whose weights are connected through a spring, exercise complex parametrically induced motions on each other. Laser action depends upon coupling of electromagnetic waves with quantum mechanical electronic fields of atoms. The chapter describes some minimum-essential mathematical model-building procedures that underlie the engineering design of large-scale chemical plants. Parametric pumping is a form of active transport, a process by which a mass flux against an apparently adverse fluid-phase concentration gradient is developed in a localized structure at the expense of some form of energy.
Numerous Signs and Natural Objects

Nothing makes the process of sign development as clear as what has happened with numbering signs, for their particular float from concreteness to abstract symbolisation parallels the float of signs from Object reference to Interpretant generation. In fact, numbering signs may very well be among the oldest of signs, for as Peirce argues in ‘Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers’: ‘The forms of the words in all languages show the cardinals to be the oldest; and since they thus appear to have been first conceived, that conception must be the simplest’ (4.658). Yet although Peirce recognises numbering signs are fundamental to reasoning, he concludes this discussion by stressing the archetypal quality of numbers. He says, ‘It is because [of] this form of relation of rational consequence that numbers are of such importance in reasoning. But the highest and last lesson is that of the supremacy of the forms of relation for which their tawdry outside is the mere shell of the casket’ (4.681). Thus if anyone is still tempted to think that logico-mathematical sign systems are free from the ‘corruption’ of natural languages, it may help to look at how numbering signs, as forms of ‘rational consequence’, have developed their own abstractive states and to consider just how much natural languages have shed their own object caul with only a slightly different emphasis.
Sex differences in lower extremity kinematics and patellofemoral kinetics during running

ABSTRACTThe incidence of patellofemoral pain (PFP) is 2 times greater in females compared with males of similar activity levels; however, the exact reason for this discrepancy remains unclear. Abnormal mechanics of the hip and knee in the sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes have been associated with an increased risk of PFP. The purpose of this study was to compare the mechanics of the lower extremity in males and females during running in order to better understand the reason(s) behind the sex discrepancy in PFP. Three-dimensional kinematic and kinetic data were collected as male and female participants completed overground running trials at a speed of 4.0 m · s−1 (±5%). Patellofemoral joint stress (PFJS) was estimated using a sagittal plane knee model. The kinematics of the hip and knee in the frontal and transverse planes were also analysed. Male participants demonstrated significantly greater sagittal plane peak PFJS in comparison with the female participants (P < .001, ES = 1.9). However, the fe...
Recent advances in diagnostic bronchoscopy

The field of diagnostic bronchoscopy has been revolutionized in the last decade primarily with the advent of endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) but also with the addition of multiple different techniques for "guided-bronchoscopy". These advances have had a substantial impact in the management of lung cancer with bronchoscopy now providing both diagnosis and mediastinal staging in a single procedure. EBUS has, in fact, become the first choice for staging of the mediastinum over cervical mediastinoscopy (CM). Although EBUS is now a well-established technique, there are continuous efforts from the scientific community to improve its diagnostic performance, and these will be reviewed in this manuscript. The term "guided-bronchoscopy" was recently coined to describe a myriad of techniques that guide our bronchoscopes or bronchoscopic tools into the periphery of the lungs in addition to our conventional fluoroscopy. Electromagnetic and non-electromagnetic navigation, thin and ultrathin scopes, as well as radial-probe EBUS have collectively increased our yield for smaller peripheral lung lesions and continue to evolve. Despite this improved diagnostic yield, there is still ample room for improvement and newer techniques are under way. With new therapies available for patients with interstitial lung disease, achieving a specific histologic diagnosis is now of paramount importance. Given the high morbidity and mortality of surgical biopsies, bronchoscopic cryobiopsy is being rapidly adopted as a safer and effective alternative, and it is likely going to play a major role in the management of these diseases in the near future. This manuscript we will focus on recent advances in EBUS, guided-bronchoscopy, and the use of cryobiopsy.
Job insecurity: An integrative review and agenda for future research.

Job insecurity reflects a threat to the continuity and stability of employment as it is currently experienced. Job insecurity has been the focus of increasing scholarly and popular attention in light of technological, economic, and political changes over the past few decades that have left many insecure about the future of their jobs. Yet, conceptual ambiguities exist; the literature remains fragmented; and there lacks an overarching framework through which to organize and reconcile findings. The goal of this article is to offer an integrative review and conceptual framework that addresses these challenges and provides the groundwork for future research. To that end, it proposes a definition of job insecurity that differentiates it from potential antecedents, moderators, and outcomes. The article addresses antecedents and introduces a typology of mechanisms and threat foci that links antecedents to job insecurity and suggests yet unexplored predictors. Furthermore, the framework developed here considers f...
Database Lists A to Z: A Practitioner’s Tips and Caveats for Managing Database Lists

ABSTRACTDatabase lists, frequently presented on Databases A to Z and subject pages, are a long-standing component of a library’s web presence. Tools for producing and managing the list are frequently a part of a more comprehensive library technology, such as electronic resource management (ERM) systems, integrated library system-ERMS, and content management systems such as LibGuides. Published literature provides good coverage of these technologies, but pays little attention to functionality for database list management. This article illustrates A to Z database list evolution from 1999 to 2017 by way of manifestations at the University of Central Florida Library, conceptualizes database list systems and functions, presents findings from a survey, and shares tips and practical considerations for producing and managing database lists.
THE SYSTEM OF FRACTIONAL NUMBERS

This chapter discusses the system of fractional numbers. A distinguished-partition is identified by, or associated with, an ordered pair of whole numbers. To determine the multiplicative inverse of a given nonzero fractional number, the fractional number is determined, such that the product of it and the given fractional number is the identity for multiplication. The sum or product of two fractional numbers can be determined by choosing any element or representative of each of the fractional numbers, and then determining the sum or product of these representatives. Fractions are used to determine sums and products of fractional numbers in a way that is analogous to the way finite sets are used to determine sums and products of whole numbers. The chapter describes an isomorphism between the system of whole numbers and a subsystem of the fractional numbers. The system of whole numbers is isomorphic to a subsystem of the system of fractional numbers.
Immune and molecular determinants of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in inflammatory breast cancer.

11501Background: Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is the most aggressive form of primary breast cancer and has poor responses to standard of care neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Given there is a li...
Changing literacy instruction in Kenyan classrooms: Assessing pathways of influence to improved early literacy outcomes in the HALI intervention

Abstract This study uses data from the Health and Literacy Intervention (HALI) program evaluation, an in-service teacher training program focused on early grade literacy instruction for class one teachers. We assess how changes in classroom instructional processes impacted by the HALI teacher training were associated with improved early literacy outcomes for children. We find that experimentally induced increases in exposure to print—measured both through changes to time spent reading in class and through print displayed in the classroom—were associated with improvements in students’ reading fluency and reading comprehension. Implications for global education efforts to improve learning outcomes are discussed.
Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus mRNA Accumulation in Nuclear Foci Is Influenced by Viral DNA Replication and Viral Noncoding Polyadenylated Nuclear RNA.

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), like other herpesviruses, replicates within the nuclei of its human cell host and hijacks host machinery for expression of its genes. The activities that culminate in viral DNA synthesis and assembly of viral proteins into capsids physically concentrate in nuclear areas termed viral replication compartments. We sought to better understand the spatiotemporal regulation of viral RNAs during the KSHV lytic phase by examining and quantifying the subcellular localization of select viral transcripts. We found that viral mRNAs, as expected, localized to the cytoplasm throughout the lytic phase. However, dependent on active viral DNA replication, viral transcripts also accumulated in the nucleus, often in foci in and around replication compartments, independent of the host shutoff effect. Our data point to involvement of the viral long noncoding polyadenylated nuclear (PAN) RNA in the localization of an early, intronless viral mRNA encoding ORF59-58 to nuclear foci that are associated with replication compartments. IMPORTANCE Late in the lytic phase, mRNAs from Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus accumulate in the host cell nucleus near viral replication compartments, centers of viral DNA synthesis and virion production. This work contributes spatiotemporal data on herpesviral mRNAs within the lytic host cell and suggests a mechanism for viral RNA accumulation. Our findings indicate that the mechanism is independent of the host shutoff effect and splicing but dependent on active viral DNA synthesis and in part on the viral noncoding RNA, PAN RNA. PAN RNA is essential for the viral life cycle, and its contribution to the nuclear accumulation of viral messages may facilitate propagation of the virus.
Tidal Channels on Tidal Flats and Marshes

In shallow coastal settings channels provide a pathway for the tide to propagate and are, thus, a primary control on the sedimentation and ecology of these environments. Being shaped by bidirectional flows, tidal channels exhibit morphologies, which, despite apparent similarities, bear significant and fundamental differences to fluvial channels, specifically their scaling with size. This chapter considers the classification of tidal channels and the networks they form. We examine the hydrodynamics of shallow tidal channels, including asymmetry in period or velocity between the ebb and flood tides, and the hysteresis seen in stage-velocity curves in regions with large intertidal areas. Channel initiation may occur either through incision or by variations in rates of deposition. Tidal channels evolve over time and a number of relationships are presented that have been derived to describe the geometry of tidal channels. Mutually-evasive pathways of flood and ebb flows may produce cuspate meanders; a morphology unique to tidal channels. Of particular importance, in terms of preservation potential, is the development of meanders in channels and the resulting pointbars. Pointbars in tidal environments are often fully or partially detached from the bank by a channel formed by the subordinate tidal current, however their exact morphology varies being dependent on channel sinuosity and tidal asymmetry. Channels are preserved through infilling (as tidal prism is reduced) and through lateral accretion, particularly at meanders. Pointbars in tidal regions are generally heavily bioturbated in the upper tidal range, and mid-tidal zones will exhibit inclined stratigraphy, often with intercalated beds of muddier and sandier deposits.
The relationship between blood lead levels and neurobehavioral test performance in NHANES III and related occupational studies.

OBJECTIVES The goals of this study were two-fold: (1) to assess the relationship between blood lead levels and neurobehavioral test performance in a nationally sample of adults from the third National Health and Nutrition Evaluation Survey and (2) to analyze the results from previously published studies of occupational lead exposure that used the same neurobehavioral tests as those included in the survey. METHODS Regression models were used to test and estimate the relationships between measurements of blood lead and performance on a simple reaction time, a symbol-digit substitution, and a serial digit learning test in adults aged 20-59 years who participated the survey. Mixed models were used to analyze the data from the occupational studies. RESULTS The blood lead levels of those participating in the survey ranged from 0.7 to 41.8 microg/dl. The estimated geometric mean was 2.51 microg/dl, and the estimated arithmetic mean was 3.30 microg/dl. In the survey, no statistically significant relationships were found between blood lead concentration and performance on the three neurobehavioral tests when adjusted for covariates. In the occupational studies, the groups exposed to lead consistently performed worse than control groups on the simple reaction time and digit-symbol substitution tests. CONCLUSIONS The results from the survey and the occupational studies do not provide evidence for impairment of neurobehavioral test performance at levels below 25 microg/dl, the concentration that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention define as elevated in adults. The average blood lead level of the exposed groups in the occupational studies was 41.07 microg/dl, less than 50 microg/dl, the minimum concentration that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires for medical removal from the workplace. Given the evidence of impaired neurobehavioral performance in these groups, the 50 microg/dl limit should be reevaluated.
Inducible Recombinant Cell Cultures and Bioreactors

This investigation, in common with another recent one, examined the kinetics of a recombinant E. coli strain in conventional chemostats and immobilized recombinant cell (IMRC) bioreactor sytems. Both studies showed similar findings: i.e., a significant decrease in the selection rate between CSTR and IMRC systems. However, the link between the observed transient response of the bioreactor and longer cell doubling times in the immobilized state awaited our study. These results are in agreement with those obtained in an earlier study of selection between recombinant and wild-type cell populations, in which wall growth (i.e., self-immobilization) effects played a significant role in the long-term bioreactor response. Similarly, in our work, the rate of selection was found to decrease significantly in the presence of a fixed (immobilized) cell population. Using rigorous bioreactor modeling and parameter estimation methods, analysis of the data provides a clear picture of the relative importance of plasmid partitioning kinetics and the ratio of recombinant to free cell growth rates in the overall transient response of the bioreactor.
MULTI-VIEW FRAME RECONSTRUCTION WITH CONDITIONAL GAN

Multi-view frame reconstruction is an important problem particularly when multiple frames are missing and past and future frames within the camera are far apart from the missing ones. Realistic coherent frames can still be reconstructed using corresponding frames from other overlapping cameras. We propose an adversarial approach to learn the spatio-temporal representation of the missing frame using conditional Generative Adversarial Network (cGAN). The conditional input to each cGAN is the preceding or following frames within the camera or the corresponding frames in other overlapping cameras, all of which are merged together using a weighted average. Representations learned from frames within the camera are given more weight compared to the ones learned from other cameras when they are close to the missing frames and vice versa. Experiments on two challenging datasets demonstrate that our framework produces comparable results with the state-of-the-art reconstruction method in a single camera and achieves promising performance in multi-camera scenario.
Unstable Pediatric Femur Fractures: Combined Intramedullary Flexible Nails and External Fixation.

Introduction The treatment of pediatric femur fractures continues to evolve. In the past, many of these fractures required prolonged hospitalization in traction. More recently, flexible elastic nails have gained popularity. However, length unstable and comminuted fractures can present some unique challenges. To avoid common complications of elastic nailing in the setting of unstable fractures we describe a technique of augmenting this treatment with external fixation for cases requiring additional rotational or longitudinal stability. Case report A series of two patients are described who underwent intramedullary flexible nails and external fixation for a closed unstable midshaft femur fracture: An 8-year-old male that sustained a left periprosthetic femur fracture after a fall on his scooter, and a 5-year-old female that sustained a right femur fracture after a fall from a wet decking. Both patients had their external fixator removed after 4 weeks and achieved radiographic and clinical fracture union at 8-week postoperatively. Conclusion Treatment with elastic nails and external fixator for unstable pediatric femur fractures is a minimally invasive technique that safely provides fracture stability.
A Causal Inference Approach to Understand the Link between Air Pollution Exposure and the Occurrence of Multiple Sclerosis Relapses

When answering environmental health related questions, most often, only non-randomized observational data can be collected for ethical or practical reasons. The lack of randomized exposure prevents...
Aedes albopictus is a competent vector of Zika virus: A meta-analysis

Background Much work has been done in recent years to determine the vector competence of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) for Zika virus (ZIKV). If competent, Ae. albopictus could become an important vector in the spread of ZIKV to areas which until now have been considered safe from the virus. Despite much speculation about Ae. albopictus’ competence for ZIKV, there have been, to date, no quantitative syntheses of Ae. albopictus’ competence, nor have the potentially confounding differences between studies been addressed. Methodology/ principle findings This study represents a quantitative meta-analysis of the literature surrounding this topic by examining infection rates (IR) and transmission rates (TR) among sample populations of Ae. albopictus at 7 and 14 days post infection (dpi) across 15 journal articles comprising 23 studies. Our analyses examined potentially confounding variables in the studies contained therein, including: geographic origin of viral strain or mosquito population tested, whether sympatry of the tested viral strain and mosquito population was important, and freshness of blood meal. Our results suggest 1) Ae albopictus is a competent vector for ZIKV and 2) that origin of Ae. albopictus population and origin of viral strain had significant effects on the competence of Ae. albopictus to transmit ZIKV. Conclusions/ significance These results indicate a need to further explore the effects of methodology on vector competence studies and to examine in more detail the geographic variation in the competence of Ae. albopictus for ZIKV as well as the underlying causes of said variation. The ability of Ae. albopictus to carry and transmit ZIKV also points to a need to create new vector control strategies in case of a ZIKV outbreak in an area where Ae. albopictus is prominent. Finally, this study represents a potential template for future meta-analyses in the field of vector competence, where this type of study has been under-utilized despite the abundance of relevant studies.
On the Relationship between Dust Devil Radii and Heights.

Abstract The influence of dust devils on the martian atmosphere depends on their capacity to loft dust, which depends on their wind profiles and footprint on the martian surface, i.e., on their radii, R . Previous work suggests the wind profile depends on a devil’s thermodynamic efficiency, which scales with its height, h . However, the precise mechanisms that set a dust devil’s radius have remained unclear. Combining previous work with simple assumptions about angular momentum conservation in dust devils predicts that R ∝ h 1 ∕ 2 , and a model fit to observed radii and heights from a survey of martian dust devils using the Mars Express High Resolution Stereo Camera agrees reasonably well with this prediction. Other observational tests involving additional, statistically robust dust devil surveys and field measurements may further elucidate these relationships.
Leaving tissue associated with infrequent intracranial EEG seizure onsets is compatible with post-operative seizure freedom

Identify seizure onset electrodes that need to be resected for seizure freedom in children undergoing intracranial electroencephalography recording for treatment of medically refractory epilepsy. All children undergoing intracranial electroencephalography subdural grid electrode placement at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia from 2002–2008 were asked to enroll. We utilized intraoperative pictures to determine the location of the electrodes and define the resection cavity. A total of 15 patients had surgical fields that allowed for complete identification of the electrodes over the area of resection. Eight of 15 patients were seizure free after a follow up of 1.7 to 8 yr. Only one seizure-free patient had complete resection of all seizure onset associated tissue. Seizure free patients had resection of 64.1% of the seizure onset electrode associated tissue, compared to 35.2% in the not seizure free patients (P = 0.05). Resection of tissue associated with infrequent seizure onsets did not appear to be important for seizure freedom. Resecting ≥ 90% of the electrodes from the predominant seizure contacts predicted post-operative seizure freedom (P = 0.007). The best predictor of seizure freedom was resecting ≥ 90% of tissue involved in majority of a patient’s seizures. Resection of tissue under infrequent seizure onset electrodes was not necessary for seizure freedom.
Regression of Infratentorial Superficial Siderosis Following Surgical Repair of a Spontaneous Spinal CSF Leak

Treatment of the underlying spinal CSF leak in the early stages of SS may be beneficial in preventing progressive SS.
Alfabetizando científicamente mi práctica pedagógica. Una investigación-acción para transformar la forma de enseñar ciencias naturales de una profesora de educación básica a sus estudiantes de séptimo año básico

El objetivo de esta Investigacion-accion, enmarcada en el paradigma cualitativo fue t ransformar mi practica pedagogica, a partir de la ensenanza de las Ciencias Naturales como proceso y la promocion de la Alfabetizacion Cientifica, bajo la urgencia de aproximar la gestion de mis clases como profesora de Educacion Basica a los propositos de la Educacion Cientifica. Para el logro de dicho proposito, se aplico a estudiantes de septimo ano de Educacion Basica, un plan de accion enfocado en el desarrollo de habilidades de pensamiento cientifico, durante este proceso de implementacion se recogio informacion tanto de las y los estudiantes, como de la profesora investigadora, con el fin de analizar su contenido. Los resultados muestran que, para transformar mi practica pedagogica, es vital considerar como base del proceso de ensenanza y aprendizaje de las Ciencias Naturales, una cultura cientifica en el aula que provea a las y los estudiantes la oportunidad de interactuar con el lenguaje de las ciencias y experiencias sensorio-motrices, con el fin de que esta cultura cientifica adquiera significado y pueda constituir parte de su propia cultura
A Belt Method of Representing the Ground

T N the July issue of the Journal, Professor A Stalker described his ingenious method of placing a reflection plate representing the ground under alternate suction and ejection to remove the boundary layer and to reduce the vertical component of flow to zero. Certainly this constitutes an advance over both the mirror method and the ordinary ground board method. But some objections may perhaps be offered: 1. The surface of the reflector plate is broken up by the suction and ejection openings, which certainly does not make for accuracy. 2. The alternate suction and ejection make for a local circulatory flow which is undesirable. 3. The boundary layer is apparently not reduced to zero, as it should be. 4. Every new model tested in itself modified the boundary layer of the ground board, and therefore each new model should be accompanied by fussy and difficult measurements of boundary layer velocities. 5. I t is evident that some adjustment of suction and ejection effect along the length of the plate would be desirable. 6. The apparatus is not perfect "theoretically/' 7. I t is frequently desirable to test models of automobiles, trains, etc., a t varying wind speeds to determine an exponent of scale effect. In such a case it would be necessary to make painstaking adjustment of the suction and ejection to correspond with each tunnel speed. If it is really desirable to secure a standard reflector plate method, then the solution first proposed by Eiffel, some twenty years back, of a moving belt to represent the ground appears to be more attractive. Eiffel failed to make his moving belt function properly due to vibration and shifting of position. Such a belt has now been made to function (after four months of "cut and t ry" ) in the 9 foot wind tunnel of New York University and tests have been made up to speeds of 70 miles an
Unique gut commensal bacteria in CD44 deficient mice can ameliorate experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (THER7P.943)

Gut commensal microbiota synergize diet, metabolites, and innate immunity to maintain homeostasis of biological system. There are now emerging evidences implicating the role of gut microbiota in elicitation of human autoimmune diseases. It is has been reported that gut commensal microbiota and myelin autoantigen cooperate to trigger autoimmune demyelination and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). In the current study, we aimed to identify specific microbiota associated with the pathogenesis of EAE. We used EAE-susceptible CD44+/+ (WT) mice and EAE-resistant CD44-/- (KO) mice for the analysis of gut commensal bacteria. We found distinct bacteria profiles in naive WT and naive KO mice. After immunization with MOG35-55 peptide, the profiles dramatically changed on the bacterial classification levels. We identified several species as putative probiotics against the disease. We also observed these probiotics can prevent the development of EAE, and significantly ameliorate the disease. Upon analysis of the metabolites in situ in the gut, we identified probiotic-composites that suppressed encephalitogenesis of CD4+ effector T cells. Our results may offer novel strategies for the prevention and treatment of multiple sclerosis.
Management of a delayed post-pancreatoduodenectomy haemorrhage using endovascular techniques.

Abstract Background A delayed post pancreatoduodenectomy haemorrhage is associated with a significant increase in peri operative mortality. Endovascular techniques are frequently used for a delayed haemorrhage. However, limited data exists on the short and long term outcomes of this approach. A retrospective review over a 10 year period at a quaternary referral pancreatic centre was performed. Methods Between 2002–2012, 1430 pancreatoduodenectomies were performed, and 32 patients had a delayed haemorrhage (occurring >24 h post operatively) managed by endovascular techniques. The clinicopathological variables related to a haemorrhage were investigated. Results A total of 42 endovascular procedures were performed at a median of 25 days, with the majority of delayed haemorrhages occurring after 7 days. There were four deaths (13%) with three occurring in patients with a grade C haemorrhage. Seven patients (22%) experienced rebleeding, and two patients developed hepatic abscesses. Conclusion A delayed haemorrhage post pancreaticoduodenectomy can be managed by endovascular techniques with acceptable morbidity and mortality. Rebleeding and hepatic abscesses may occur and can be managed non operatively in most cases. The association of a delayed haemorrhage with a pancreatic fistula makes this a challenging clinical problem.
Smooth RRT-connect: An extension of RRT-connect for practical use in robots

We propose a new extend function for Rapidly-Exploring Randomized Tree (RRT) algorithms that expands along a curve, obeying velocity and acceleration limits, rather than using straight-line trajectories. This results in smooth, feasible trajectories that can readily be applied in robotics applications. Our main focus is the implementation of such methods on Ro-boSimian, a quadruped robot competing in the DARPA Robotics Challenge (DRC). Planning in a high-dimensional space is also a large consideration in the evaluation of the techniques discussed in this paper as motion planning for RoboSimian requires a search over a 16-dimensional space. In our experiments, we show that our approach produces results that are comparable to the standard RRT solutions in a two-dimensional space and significantly outperforms the latter in a higher-dimensional setting both in computation time and in algorithm reliability.
Ion-cyclotron resonance study of the kinetic energy dependence of ion—molecule reaction rates

Abstract A newly designed ion-cyclotron resonance (ICR) cell is used to investigate kinetic energy dependence in ion—molecule reactions. Two alternative approaches are presented: (1) The electron energy is pulsed from below to above the ionization potential to create an ion bunch which is then energized to a desired kinetic energy by a pulsed r.f. field in the source region. The products are then detected with a phase-sensitive detector referenced to magnetic field modulation. (2) An alternative scheme utilizes a double-pulse, double resonance technique. The electron grid and the r.f. field are pulsed at a high frequency to produce monoenergetic ion bunches. The kinetic energy dependence is directly observed by referencing a phase-sensitive detector to a much lower frequency used to gate the r.f. pulses. The results for kinetic energy dependence of ion—molecule reactions in methane, hydrogen, and rare gas—hydrogen systems obtained through these ICR techniques are presented. These results are compared with results obtained through other experimental techniques; generally excellent agreement is obtained.
Surfactant Protein A Enhances Alveolar Macrophage Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Neutrophils

Surfactant protein A (SP-A) is an innate immune molecule that binds foreign organisms that invade the lungs and targets them for phagocytic clearance by the resident pulmonary phagocyte, the alveolar macrophage (AM). We hypothesized that SP-A binds to and enhances macrophage uptake of other nonself particles, specifically apoptotic polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). PMNs are recruited into the lungs during inflammation, but as inflammation is resolved, PMNs undergo apoptosis and are phagocytosed by AMs. We determined that SP-A increases AM phagocytosis of apoptotic PMNs 280 ± 62% above the no protein control value. The increase is dose dependent, and heat-treated SP-A still enhanced uptake, whereas deglycosylated SP-A had significantly diminished ability to enhance phagocytosis. Surfactant protein D also increased phagocytosis of apoptotic PMNs by ∼125%. However, other proteins that are structurally homologous to SP-A, mannose-binding lectin and complement protein 1q, did not. SP-A enhances phagocytosis via an opsonization-dependent mechanism and binds apoptotic PMNs ∼4-fold more than viable PMNs. Also, binding of SP-A to apoptotic PMNs does not appear to involve SP-A’s lectin domain. These data suggest that the pulmonary collectins SP-A and SP-D facilitate the resolution of inflammation by accelerating apoptotic PMN clearance.
A Dynamical Model for the Twisted Gas Disk in Centaurus A

The prominent minor-axis dust lane across the radio galaxy Cen A has been extensively mapped in the emission lines of Hα, H I, and CO, revealing an ordered velocity field which has been interpreted as that of a warped and twisted disk of gas seen nearly edge-on. Here it is shown that the geometry of this disk can be explained as that of a near-polar structure precessing about the symmetry axis of an approximately oblate galaxy potential which, like the stellar body, is nearly round at the center, becoming flattened farther out. Both freely precessing models and those taking account of the self-gravity of the gas are presented. The broken elliptical ring of H I gas recently found to be associated with the faint outer shells of Cen A can be explained naturally as a continuation of the same precessing disk. This precessing model for the gas disk assumes that the gravitational potential of Cen A is close to axisymmetric; precession should be qualitatively similar if the figure is triaxial and tumbling about its short axis in the same sense as the rotation of the stars.
Factors Related to Northern Goshawk Landscape Use in the Western Great Lakes Region

Abstract Northern Goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) are a species of special conservation concern in the western Great Lakes bioregion and elsewhere in North America, and exhibit landscape-scale spatial use patterns. However, little information exists about Northern Goshawk habitat relations at broad spatial extents, as most existing published information comes from a few locations of relatively small spatial extent and, in some cases, short durations. We used an information-theoretic approach to evaluate competing hypotheses regarding factors (forest canopy cover, successional stage, and heights of the canopy top and base) related to odds of Northern Goshawk landscape use throughout the western Great Lakes bioregion based on an occupancy survey completed in 2008 (Bruggeman et al. 2011). We also combined these data with historical data of Northern Goshawk nest locations in the bioregion from 1979–2006 to evaluate the same competing hypotheses to elucidate long-term trends in use. The odds of Northern Goshawk ...