cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recent Thymus Emigrant CD4+ T Cells Predict HIV Disease Progression in Patients With Perinatally Acquired HIV

Background Robust immune restoration in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients is dependent on thymic function. However, few studies have investigated thymic function and its correlation with disease progression over time in HIV-positive patients. Methods In this longitudinal prospective study, we followed 69 HIV-positive patients who were perinatally infected. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stained with monoclonal anti-CD4 and anti-CD31 and recent thymic emigrants (CD4+recently emigrated from the thymus (RTE), CD4+CD31+) quantified by flow cytometry. Statistical analysis used Wilcoxon rank sum test, Kruskal-Wallis, Spearman correlation, and Kaplan-Meier estimates; Cox regression models were performed for the longitudinal analysis. Results Median age of HIV positive patients enrolled was 13 years (interquartile range [IQR], 8.6). CD4+RTE% decreased with age and was higher in females. Median CD4+RTE% was 53.5%, IQR, 22.9. CD4+RTE% was closely related to CD4+% and absolute counts but independent of viral load and CD8+CD38+%. Antiretroviral compliance as well as higher nadir CD4+% were associated with higher CD4+RTE%. Low CD4+RTE% predicted poor progression of VL and CD4+% over time. Conclusions CD4+RTE% predicts disease progression and may reflect history of disease in HIV-positive patients and adolescents. They are easy to measure in the clinical setting and may be helpful markers in guiding treatment decisions.
Infections in heart transplant recipients.

Heart transplantation is an increasingly common and successful mode of treatment for advanced cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, and congestive heart failure. Cumulative figures as of October 1990 revealed that 14,000 heart transplantations and 1,100 heart-lung or lung transplantations had been performed worldwide, with further increases in annual numbers limited only by the availability of donors. Approximately 90% of heart transplant recipients survive for 30 days, with a 10-year actuarial survival rate of 70%. These figures are most impressive in light of the condition of the patients before they receive a transplant: most are categorized as New York Heart Association Class IV, with estimated life expectancies of 30-60 days without transplantation. The use of heart transplantation for infants <12 months of age is a new development, with an actuarial survival rate of 80% at 5 years. Improvements in methods of immunosuppression and of therapy for infection in immunosuppressed patients have decreased mortality due to infection in heart transplant recipients. Still, at least one-fourth of deaths among these patients are due to infection. Short-term mortality among heart transplant recipients is due mostly to infection and acute rejection; most long-term mortality is due to transplant atherosclerosis. The heart transplant recipient is at greatest risk for life-threatening infection in the first 3 months after transplantation, with a major infectious episode occurring in onethird of patients by 12 months. Infections rarely develop after this period. Any discussion of infections following heart transplantation must include the preoperative screening of the recipient and the donor for infectious risks, the use of perioperative and prophylactic antibiotics, the impact of various immunosuppressive regimens on early and late infectious complications, and the differing etiologic agents and sites of early and late infections.
Observations on Gasterella Lutophila

Lansing, Michigan, in two wood-lots of hardwood trees, from a cultivated field, under a willow tree on the campus of Michigan State College, from the bank of the Red Cedar River and from a grove of white pines; there was one collection from the bank of the Wabash River near Montezuma, Indiana. In each case, soil from the top three inches was placed in a large culture-dish and saturated with sterile, distilled water. After a few hours, the excess water was poured off and the cover of the dish put in place in order to prevent the rapid loss of moisture. The dishes were kept in the dim, natural light of the laboratory; the temperature varied from 80° to 90°, sometimes 94° F. The soils were kept for a period of six weeks. Any basidiocarps that appeared were collected at various stages of growth, killed, imbedded in paraffin, sectioned and stained.3 After the fruiting-bodies ceased to develop, the soil was stirred slightly, more water was added and then poured off. In one case a few new basidiocarps appeared.
Family Influence on Careers Among Asian Parent–Child Dyads

Previous research in vocational psychology has investigated various contextual factors that have influenced the career development process of Asian Americans. Such factors include family influence, acculturation, cultural values, and conflict within the family. However, there has been limited research on the role of family influence on careers in the context of Asian parent–child dyads. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the congruence of family influence on careers, specifically investigating whether aspects of family influence are predicted by congruence of values, acculturation, and intergenerational conflict, among Asian parent–child dyads. There were a total of 30 Asian parent and college-age student dyads. Multiple regression analyses were performed to answer the research question, with findings suggesting that congruence of values, acculturation, and intergenerational conflict predicted congruence of the family expectations aspect of family influence on careers. Implications fo...
23 cases of motor disturbance of limbs caused by enteroviruses

Objective To investigate cause,epidemiology,clinical features and prognosis of children's motor disturbance of limbs caused by enteroviruses.Methods The data of epidemiology,clinical features,enteroviruses detection results of children with limb paralysis caused by enteroviruses treated in Xi'an Municipal Children's Hospital in a period from 2001 to 2007 were analyzed.Results 23 children suffered from limb paralysis,including 17 boys(73.9%) and 6 girls(26.1%).The disorder was commonly seen in those children aged 1~3 years old(16 children,69.6%) and in seasons of June to September of a year(13 children,56.7%).The rural area was high prevalence region of the disorder(17 children,73.9%).Most of patients(13 children,56.6%) had gastrointestinal symptoms.The limbs affected were single lower limbs(20 children,87.0%).The serological examination shown that main pathogen was Coxsackie virus(CV)(15 cases,65.2%) and the next pathogen was echovirus(8 cases,34.8%).No evidences of poliovirus infection were found.For most children,their limbs' function recovered within 3 months completely.Conclusion The limb paralysis caused by enteroviruses is commonly seen in those children aged 1~3 years old.Most of the patients manifested single lower limbs' paralysis.CV may be main pathogen of the disorder.The prognosis of the disorder is good.
First detection report for the rabies virus in Chinese Ferret-Badger

Objective To investigate the infection rate of the rabies virus in the Chinese Ferret-Badger in Lishui City,and to provide the scientific evidence for the prevention and control of rabies.Methods Brain specimens of Chinese Ferret-Badger were collected from the pestilential region of Lishui City.Rabies virus antigen was detected by direct fluorescent antibody method(DFA) and its nucleic acid was measured by nest polymerase chain reaction(PCR).Results The Chinese Ferret-Badger brain specimen with rabies virus was first detected in China.The positive rate was 5.0%(1/20).A 256 bp gene of positive brain specimen was successfully amplified by RT-PCR,which consistent with the theoretical value.Conclusion Immunological and molecular biologic methods were first used for the detection of rabies virus in Lishui City.Rabies virus transmission was occurred among the Chinese Ferret-Badger in the pestilential region.
Application of AMPSO-BPNN based on chaos search in photovoltaic power forecasting

Based on the analysis of influential factors of output power in photovoltaic systems,the training samples are generated according to the similar day principle. The chaos search theory and adaptive mutation theory are introduced to improve the particle swarm optimization algorithm,then the prediction model based on chaos search and AMPSO-BP neural network is proposed. The model can preferably overcome the randomness of BP network initialization,and improve the generalization ability,convergence speed and prediction accuracy. Different models are trained and verified with the data of photovoltaic power station and meteorological observation station. Results show that the optimization model has higher prediction accuracy,and the optimization results of adaptive mutation particle swarm optimization based on chaos search is better than that of simple particle swarm optimization.
Breeding of Dominant Brittle Culm CMS Line Zhongcui A in Rice

Zhongcui A,a new ID-type CMS line of brittle culm rice and derived from the cross of Zhong 9A∥ Zhong 9B/ZGBCR1,was developed by China National Rice Research Institute and Shenyang Agricultural University through the testcross and successive backcross method.ZGBCR1 originated from a fragile plant of the F2 population of three-way cross of Ⅱ-32B∥Xieqingzao B/Dular.The brittle culm is controlled by a single dominant gene.Zhongcui A has characteristics of the fragility in leaves and culms througout the whole growth stage,high combining ability,fine grain quality,medium resistance to blast and bacterial leaf blight,good flowering habits and high outcrossing rate.The F1 hybrids of Zhongcui A show strong heterosis and are breakable with their leaves and culms.It was technically identified in Zhejiang in September,2008.It shows a good potentiality in utilization of rice straw as feed and indica-japonica inter-subspecific heterosis.
In Situ Single‐Nanoparticle Spectroscopy Study of Bimetallic Nanostructure Formation

Bimetallic nanostructures (NSs), with utility in catalysis, are typically prepared using galvanic exchange (GE), but the final catalyst morphology is dictated by the dynamics of the process. In situ single nanoparticle (NP) optical scattering spectroscopy, coupled with ex situ electron microscopy, is used to capture the dynamic structural evolution of a bimetallic NS formed in a GE reaction between Ag and [PtCl6]2−. We identify an early stage involving anisotropic oxidation of Ag to AgCl concomitant with reductive deposition of small Pt clusters on the NS surface. At later stages of GE, unreacted Ag inclusions phase segregate from the overcoated AgCl as a result of lattice strain between Ag and AgCl. The nature of the structural evolution elucidates why multi-domain Ag/AgCl/Pt NSs result from the GE process. The complex structural dynamics, determined from single-NP trajectories, would be masked in ensemble studies due to heterogeneity in the response of different NPs.
Hedgehog pathway inhibition in advanced basal cell carcinoma: latest evidence and clinical usefulness

Treatment of locally advanced basal cell carcinomas (laBCCs) with large, aggressive, destructive, and disfiguring tumors, or metastatic disease is challenging. Dysregulation of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway has been identified in the vast majority of basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). There are two United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA)-approved Hh pathway inhibitors (HPIs) that exhibit antitumor activity in advanced BCC with an acceptable safety profile. Common adverse effects include muscle spasms, dysgeusia, alopecia, fatigue, nausea and weight loss.
Transverse Dynamic Stability of Planing Craft

A method has been developed to evaluate the coupled roll-yaw-sway dynamic stability of hard-chine hulls in the planing regime. Expressions for the linear stability derivatives are presented as functions of geometry and loading, speed, trim angle, and wetted keel and chine lengths. A stability criterion is derived, and the effects of length/beam ratio, loading, LCG location, deadrise, and appendages on stability are examined. The importance of coupling among roll, yaw and sway is demonstrated. It is also shown that appendages tend to reduce the roll stability although this effect is mitigated by coupling effects. A simple method to check the transverse dynamic stability of a proposed design is presented.
A Book for None? Teaching Biblical Studies to Millennial Nones.

The millennial generation is distinctive for several reasons, not the least is its growing religious disaffiliation. Given a growing disinterest in religion in general and the Bible in particular especially among the fast growing group of millennial “nones” how can biblical studies classes still be seen as appealing and relevant? This article seeks to answer this question by examining the identity and concomitant values of millennials. As a result of this analysis I argue that while the Bible as inherent authority may be quickly losing its appeal, the Bible as an example of human creativity, group reflection, political rhetoric, and social discourse makes the study of the Bible particularly relevant for millennials contemplating careers in the global marketplace even if the importance of the Bible itself is waning for this generation. I show how in my introductory New Testament class I attempt to implement these ideas.
Character and Consistency

The myth they chose was the constant lovers. The theme was richness over time. It is a difficult story and the wise never choose it because it requires a long performance and because there is nothing, by definition, between the acts. Robert Hass Character and personality traits are invoked to explain what people do and how they live: Peter didn't mingle at the party because he's shy, and Sandra succeeds in her work because she's diligent. Traits also figure in prediction: Peggy will join in because she's impulsive, and Brian will forget our meeting because he's absentminded. So too for those rarefied traits called virtues: James stood his ground because he's brave, and Katherine will not overindulge because she's temperate. Such talk would not much surprise Aristotle (1984: 11O6a14—23); for him, a virtue is a state of character that makes its possessors behave in ethically appropriate ways. I'll now begin arguing that predictive and explanatory appeals to traits, however familiar, are very often empirically inadequate: They are confounded by the extraordinary situational sensitivity observed in human behavior. Discussion of the descriptive psychology occupies me for several chapters; afterward, I'll be positioned to address related normative concerns. Traits and Consistency Dispositions As I understand it, to attribute a character or personality trait is to say, among other things, that someone is disposed to behave a certain way in certain eliciting conditions. In philosophy, this seems a standard interpretation: Character traits, and virtues in particular, are widely held to involve dispositions to behavior.
Repetitive Biomimetic Self-healing of Ca(2+)-Induced Nanocomposite Protein Hydrogels.

Self-healing is a capacity observed in most biological systems in which the healing processes are autonomously triggered after the damage. Inspired by this natural behavior, researchers believed that a synthetic material possessing similar self-recovery capability could also be developed. Albeit various intrinsic self-healing systems have been developed over the past few decades, restriction on the biocompatibility due to the required synthetic conditions under extreme pH and with poisonous cross-linker significantly limits their application in biomedical field. In this study, a highly biocompatible nanocomposite protein hydrogel with excellent biomimetic self-healing property is presented. The self-healing protein gel is made by inducing calcium ions into the mixture of heat-induced BSA nano-aggregates and pristine BSA molecules at room temperature and under physiological pH due to the ion-mediated protein-protein association and the bridging effect of divalent Ca2+ ions. The as-prepared protein hydrogel shows excellent repetitive self-healing properties without using any external stimuli at ambient condition. Such outstanding self-recovery performance was quantitatively evaluated/validated by both dynamic and oscillatory rheological analysis. Moreover, with the presence of calcium ions, the self-healing behavior can be significantly facilitated/enhanced. Finally, the superior biocompatibility demonstrated by in vitro cytotoxicity analysis suggests that it is a promising self-healing material well-suited for biomedical applications.
Initial Validation of the U.S. Army Global Assessment Tool

The U.S. Army developed the Global Assessment Tool (GAT) to monitor psychosocial fitness and well-being among soldiers and provide a means to objectively gauge the success of newly implemented resilience training programs. Despite its widespread use (taken over 5.2 million times) and stated utility for program evaluation, there is relatively little published evidence regarding the GAT’s reliability and validity. We used exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) with 4 random samples of soldiers (n = 10,000 each) to examine the factorial validity and reliability of the GAT. An 11-factor solution (Self-Management, Positive Affect, Meaning, Work Engagement, Organizational Trust, Loneliness, Negative Cognitions, Hostility, Negative Emotions, Depressive Symptoms, and Emotion-Focused Coping), with 4 additional factors assessing character strengths (Intellect, Warmth, Civic Strengths, and Temperance), fit well and replicated in a second random sample. A higher order, 2-factor model using composites scores ...
“Two Totally Different People”: Dissonance of Intersecting Identities in White College Women

This phenomenological study explored the intersecting privileged (racial) and oppressed (gender) identities of eight White college women. Through three interviews, this study aimed to understand how the participants experience socially conflicting identities. Findings indicated that the participants felt more connected to their gender than their race. In addition, participants experienced dissonance when considering how their gender and racial identities work to form a holistic self. Implications for student affairs research and practice are shared.
Defining a nine-biomarker panel for predicting bladder cancer outcome in combination with smoking intensity: A report from the Los Angeles Cancer Surveillance Program.

4575 Background: Urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) is a disease of alterations in several cellular pathways. Routine molecular profiling studies do not account for smoking, a well established risk factor for UCB, and its influence on outcome. This study assessed the prognostic potential of a multi-pathway protein panel across all UCB stages in a population-based cohort after accounting for clinicopathologic factors and smoking history. Methods: 212 UCB patients from the LA CSP, part of the NCI/SEER cancer registry, were included. "Smoking intensity" analyzed biologic and molecular impact of smoking by combining smoking status, duration of smoking and number of cigarettes smoked daily into a composite covariate. Tumors were profiled for Bax, caspase-3, Apaf-1, Bcl-2, p53, p21, COX2, VEGF and E-cadherin alterations by IHC. Univariate analyses and multivariable modeling examined associations with outcome. Results: Median follow up was 13.2 years. Age, pathologic stage, adjuvant therapy (all p< 0.001)...
Advancing Omics Data Analysis: A Call for Participation by a Statistician in the Field

Statisticians undoubtedly play a significant role in data science. Omics data, which has been defined as “the collective technologies used to explore the roles, relationships, and actions of the va...
Book Review: Emblematic monsters: unnatural conceptions and deformed births in early modern Europe

In this engaging book, Alan W Bates surveys monstrous births in Europe between 1500 and 1700. The book has two central arguments. First, based on internal evidence and modern knowledge of birth defects, Bates argues that the accounts of monstrous births in early modern broadsheets, sermons, tracts, and learned journals describe real cases and that their authors strove to be as accurate as possible. Second, these monstrous births were interpreted in the framework of the emblem tradition that was all the rage in early modern Europe. In turning monstrous births into emblems, early modern Europeans interpreted them as signs or portents. They did not invent monsters to make a point, but they believed that God did so.
Environmental transport of endogenous dairy manure estrogens

Although estrogens originating from dairy manure applied to agricultural soils as a fertilizer can potentially contaminate surface water and groundwater, the variables that control transport are poorly understood. Our objective was to assess the potential for off-site movement of endogenous dairy cattle estrogens when manure is applied on fields at agronomically relevant fertilization rates. Estrone (E1), 17α-estradiol (α-E2), and 17β-estradiol (β-E2) were used in laboratory sorption, desorption, and transformation incubations with both manure and an agriculturally relevant soil. Sorption on manure containing 44% organic carbon exceeded sorption on soil containing 0.8% organic carbon by 20 to 150 times, following the pattern of β-E2 > α-E2 > E1. Approximately 20% of E1 and 17% of α-E2 were desorbed from manure, whereas only about 4% of β-E2 was desorbed. Thirty to seventy percent of α-E2 and β-E2 were converted to E1 in soil and manure, making it imperative that transformation reactions be considered when predicting transport and potential biological effects in the environment. Overall results indicate that high organic carbon concentrations and relatively low amounts of desorption inhibit the potential for off-site transport of endogenous dairy manure estrogens.
Letter by Tang et al Regarding Article, "The Fluid Mechanics of Transcatheter Heart Valve Leaflet Thrombosis in the Neosinus".

We read with great interest the article by Midha and colleagues1 on thrombus formation in the neosinus after transcatheter aortic valve replacement. The authors reported that thrombus formation was associated with a nominal or overexpanded Sapien 3 (S3) valve (Edwards Lifesciences LLC, Irvine, CA) and deeper implantation of the CoreValve (Medtronic Inc, Galway, Ireland). They also reported that intraannular or subannular leaflet position and reduced cardiac output increased stasis in the neosinus and native sinuses. We have 3 questions for the authors. First, the mean expansion of S3 by diameter in the thrombus group was 95.2±5.2%, which was similar to that reported by the same group using the RESOLVE registry …
Ballistic tongue projection in a miniaturized salamander

Miniaturization of body size is often accompanied by peculiarities in morphology that can have functional consequences. We examined the feeding behavior and morphology of the miniaturized plethodontid salamander Thorius, one of the smallest vertebrates, to determine if its performance and biomechanics differ from those of its larger relatives. High-speed imaging and dynamics analysis of feeding at a range of temperatures show that tongue projection in Thorius macdougalli is ballistic and achieves accelerations of up to 600 G with low thermal sensitivity, indicating that tongue projection is powered by an elastic-recoil mechanism. Preceding ballistic projection is an unusual preparatory phase of tongue protrusion, which, like tongue retraction, shows lower performance and higher thermal sensitivity that are indicative of movement being powered directly by muscle shortening. The variability of tongue-projection kinematics and dynamics is comparable to larger ballistic-tongued plethodontids and reveals that Thorius is capable of modulating its tongue movements in response to prey distance. Morphological examination revealed that T. macdougalli possesses a reduced number of myofibers in the tongue muscles, a large projector muscle mass relative to tongue mass, and an unusual folding of the tongue skeleton, compared with larger relatives. Nonetheless, T. macdougalli retains the elaborated collagen aponeuroses in the projector muscle that store elastic energy and a tongue skeleton that is free of direct myofiber insertion, two features that appear to be essential for ballistic tongue projection in salamanders.
Biochemistry Of Thiocystine

Thiocystine, bis-[2-amino-2-carboxyethyl]trisulfide, is a relatively stable trisulfide analog of cystine. The compound was first isolated by Fletcher and Robson1 from hydrochloric acid hydrolysates of proteins which are rich in cystine. The trisulfide and a small amount of accompanying tetrasulfide were artefacts produced by acid- catalyzed exchange reactions between cystine and its decomposition products. Sandy et al.2 isolated thiocystine, the trisulfide of glutathione, and the corresponding mixed trisulfide between glutathione and cysteine from Rhodopseudomonas spheroides. Also, Massey et al.3 detected the presence of the trisulfide of glutathione in commercial samples of the compound.
Quantum chemistry of nonbenzenoid cyclic conjugated hydrocarbons

The results of our calculations based on both the static and dynamic theories show that most of the nonbenzenoid cyclic conjugated systems examined exhibit in a greater or lesser degree a marked double-bond fixation. The static theory indicates that even in benzene there exists a hidden tendency to distort into a skewed structure and that such a tendency is actually realized in [4n+2] annulenes larger than a certain critical size. In nonalternant hydrocarbons bond distortion is a rather common phenomenon. Fulvenes, fulvalenes and certain peri-condensed nonalternant hydrocarbons undergo a first-order bond distortion, and most of the cata-condensed nonalternant hydrocarbons suffer a secondorder pseudo Jahn-Teller bond distortion.
Synergistic effect of cobalt chloride (CoCl2) and estrogen on hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in endometrial cancer cells in vitro

1373 Estrogen (17β-estradiol, E2) rapidly and strongly induces the expression of VEGF, a potent inducer of increased microvascular permeability and angiogenesis, in normal endometrial epithelial cells in rats in vivo. Recent work in our laboratory showed that this effect is mediated through the combined actions of estrogen receptor α (ERα) and HIF-1α, and requires the PI3K/Akt pathway [Kazi A et al., 2005; Kazi A and Koos R, 2007]. Similar to its role in normal endometrial growth, E2-induced, HIF-1α-mediated VEGF expression could contribute to the growth of endometrial carcinomas. Several studies have shown, however, that E2 induces little or no VEGF expression in ERα-positive cancer cells in vitro.One major difference between the in vitro and in vivo situations is that cultured cells are exposed to a high, non-physiological oxygen level (20%), which causes HIF-1α degradation and, consequently, abnormally weak E2 induction of VEGF expression. To determine whether restoring HIF-1α in cultured cancer cells would restore E2-induced VEGF expression, we treated human endometrial cancer cells (ECC-1) with E2 (10 nM) in the absence or presence of CoCl2 (100 :M), which inhibits oxygen-induced HIF-1α degradation. HIF-1α levels were determined using Western blots and VEGF mRNA was measured using real-time RT-PCR. HIF-1α was undetectable in untreated ECC-1 cells, and as expected, E2 treatment alone did not increase VEGF mRNA levels at 2 or 4 h in these cells. HIF-1α was readily detectable, however, in cells 2 and 4 h after of treatment with CoCl2 alone. When cells were treated with both CoCl2 and E2, there was a synergistic increase in both HIF-1α protein and VEGF mRNA levels by 2 and 4 h. As expected, this effect was blocked by the PI3K inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002. Thus, restoring HIF-1α in ECC-1 cells does unmask E2-induced VEGF expression. Interpretation of this result is complicated, however by a recent study [Chachami G et al. 2004] which showed that CoCl2 may also induce HIF-1α expression via activation of the PI3K pathway. Therefore, we treated ECC-1 cells with combinations of CoCl2 and wortmannin (100 nM) or LY294002 (50 µM) and examined HIF-1α protein and VEGF mRNA levels. PI3K inhibitors reduced the CoCl2-induced increases in both, but only by approximately half. This is consistent with CoCl2 both inhibiting HIF-1α degradation, by a mechanism that is not PI3K-dependent, and stimulating HIF-1α expression, which is PI3K-dependent. These studies shed light on the mechanism of action of CoCl2 in the regulation of HIF-1α. This will facilitate its use as a tool to study the pathways involved in the regulation of HIF-1α-dependent genes by E2, such as VEGF, that could contribute to the survival, growth and spread of cancers of the endometrium and other E2-sensitive tissues(supported by NICHD U54 Cooperative Centers Program HD36207).
Alzheimer's Disease Markers in Aged ApoE-PON1 Deficient Mice.

Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with aging. Cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension and atherosclerosis increase the risk for AD. Polymorphic alleles of apolipoprotein E (ApoE) are one of the main genetic determinants of AD. Objective Mice, double-knockout (DKO) for ApoE (major cholesterol carrier in brain) and PON1 (paroxonase1, reduces oxidative stress), showed severe age-dependent atherosclerosis of the arteries carrying blood to the brain even on normal diet. This prompted us to investigate the possibility of an AD pathology resulting from the deficiency of ApoE and the induction of oxidative stress. Methods Atherosclerotic lesions were quantified by ImageJ. The brain hippocampus of young and old ApoE-PON1 DKO mice and control mice were harvested. RT-PCR analysis was performed for mRNA levels of AD specific markers. Blood levels of S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B) protein were measured by ELISA. H&E as well as immunostaining was performed to detect amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in brain tissues. Evans blue dye was used to evaluate the vascular permeability and blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction. Results Results showed that the older DKO mice had severe carotid atherosclerosis, increased mRNA levels of AD markers in brain tissue, and elevated levels of serum S100B protein. Immunological staining confirmed the characteristics of AD. Ex-vivo imaging showed higher levels of Evans blue dye in the ApoE-PON1 DKO mice brain tissues, pointing toward impaired vasculature. Conclusion Aged ApoE-PON1 DKO mice displaying AD specific markers along with Aβ plaques, NFTs, and disrupted BBB suggests the animals are suffering from AD.
Bubbles and rationality in bitcoin

Periodically collapsing rational bubbles model speculative demand in asset markets. The price and quantity of bitcoin are integrated of different orders, which is evidence of a bubble. Cointegration tests that allow for the potential presence of such bubbles with alternative proxies for fundamentals cannot reject a bubble in bitcoin.
Rumen–reticulum organ mass and rumen mucosa surface area of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) consuming two energy diets

Flexibility in gut morphology has fitness consequences in herbivores. To accommodate dietary variation in energy concentration, rumen–reticulum absorptive capacity and organ mass might also covary....
DNA damage triggers increased mobility of chromosomes in G1-phase cells

During S phase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, chromosomal loci become mobile in response to DNA double-strand breaks both at the break site (local mobility) and throughout the nucleus (global mobility). Increased nuclear exploration is regulated by the recombination machinery and the DNA damage checkpoint and is likely an important aspect of homology search. While mobility in response to DNA damage has been studied extensively in S phase, the response in interphase has not, and the question of whether homologous recombination proceeds to completion in G1 phase remains controversial. Here, we find that global mobility is triggered in G1 phase. As in S phase, global mobility in G1 phase is controlled by the DNA damage checkpoint and the Rad51 recombinase. Interestingly, despite the restriction of Rad52 mediator foci to S phase, Rad51 foci form at high levels in G1 phase. Together, these observations indicate that the recombination and checkpoint machineries promote global mobility in G1 phase, supporting the notion that recombination can occur in interphase diploids.
Enhanced Voltage Droop Control Strategy for DC Microgrid System with State Variable Feedback

Voltage Droop (VD) with inner loop Proportional-Integral (PI) control has been used in DC microgrids (DC MG) for autonomous power sharing among the interconnected loads via Power Electronic Interfaces (PEI’s). However, Voltage Droop Control (VDC) with integrated PI control poses some inherent limitations in DC MG such as undesirable DC bus voltage fluctuations, poor transient performance under sudden load changes and the inability to capture unmodeled DC MG system dynamics, such as cable line resistance effects. This paper presents a novel inner loop state variable feedback integrated VDC for DC MG to enhance system transient performance and provide stable DC bus voltage with reduced fluctuations. MATLAB/Simulink-based simulation and experimental results are provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed control technique.
Chirurgie: Divergierende Krankheitsbilder

In der klinischen Praxis sind verschiedene Faktoren zu beobachten, die sich im Umgang mit Menschen mit Flucht- und Migrationshintergrund als Herausforderungen erweisen konnen: Stereotypen, schablonenhafte Denkmuster und unreflektierte Annahmen uber fremde Kulturen sind oft von signifikanter Bedeutung. Eine sorgsame, sozial- und kulturanthropologisch fundierte und quellenkritische Verwendung der Begriffe und Konzepte sind daher eine notwendige Bedingung fur eine an der realen Lebenswelt der betroffenen Menschen orientierte Medizin. Hinzu kommen eine adaquate Berucksichtigung juristischer und politischer Aspekte sowie die starkere Beachtung psychosozialer Zusammenhange von Krankheiten und Gesundheitsversorgungen auch jenseits der entsprechenden medizinischen und psychologischen Spezialdisziplinen. Es ist grundlegend, dass das von Fluchtlingen und Migranten Erlebte sowie flucht- und migrationsbedingte als auch seltene erbliche Erkrankungen (z. B. Sichelzellanamie) nicht nur medizinisch, sondern auch im kollektivistischen Krankheitsverstandnis des Betroffen beleuchtet werden.
Revelation and Kingdom

Aquinas’s introduction of the notion of revelatio in the Summa theologiae begins to edge out Augustine’s idea of illuminatio. By the late fourteenth century “reuelacion” has entered English. Only beginning with Vatican I is there mention of revelatio, however, and Vatican II offers a different sense of the concept: it is Christ manifesting himself, not the content of Scripture. In effect, theological epistemology has become phenomenology. Jesus’s self-manifestation does not occur within the horizon of the world; rather, it takes place within the horizon of the Kingdom. What is revealed in Jesus’s preaching is the coming of the Kingdom in our exercise, as second nature, of ἀγάπη. This coming is unlike that of stable phenomena: the Kingdom is multi-stable, here yet to come, within yet without, weak yet strong, and so on. Revelation, properly understood after Vatican II, is the uncovering of the Kingdom in all its various facets.
Integrating Cultural Awareness into Medical Gross Anatomy Instruction.

Medical students need to understand how culture and patient management relate in order to provide optimal care to a diverse society. Multiple studies call for more cultural training in medical education. Some studies show that well-intentioned cultural competency curriculum can reinforce stereotypes, yet it is essential for educators to discuss varying identities with our students in their training in order to avoid the implication that white is the default patient identity. Our study evaluates a pilot, novel approach for integrating cultural content into the biomedical sciences, specifically gross anatomy. Clinical vignette practice questions were developed as tools to help students expand their anatomical knowledge and cultural and socioeconomic awareness, taking special consideration to avoid stereotypical presentations. We evaluated class of 2021 students’ self-reported cultural awareness and ability to utilize culturally relevant information through completion of a survey in fall 2017 (pre) and winter 2017 (post). The students were surveyed on their ability to recognize and/or integrate culturally relevant information. Twenty-one students (n = 21) participated. There was significant improvement in the overall cultural awareness score between the pre- and post-surveys (pre mean = 3.54, while post mean = 3.81; p = 0.016). The most dramatic domains that students became aware of included incorporating culturally relevant information into a treatment plan and communicating with sensitivity and respect when caring for patients. Culturally informed curriculum does not need to be limited to the humanities courses in medical education. Direct integration into biomedical sciences is a novel approach to help students gain exposure to biomedical and cultural content simultaneously.
The Watershed Architecture of the Mekong River Basin

In this project, I suggest an alternative, speculative future in counterpoint to the recent construction and planned development of large-scale, water-based infrastructural transformations in South...
Investigating Reddit Self-Disclosure and Confessions in Relation to Connectedness, Social Support, and Life Satisfaction

As a site where users can, and often do, remain anonymous, Reddit is a useful site for investigating how online disinhibition contributes to the sharing of private information. The current study surveyed Reddit users (N = 628) about the sharing of personal information unknown to their friends and families – and in particular, the use of threads developed for confessionary purposes. Results revealed a connection between the sharing of personal unknown information and feelings of connectedness, social support, and life satisfaction, as well as the traits of sensation seeking and narcissism. Furthermore, the frequency of posting official confessions was positively related to loneliness and narcissism, and negatively related to social connectedness and life satisfaction. Rating and/or commenting upon confession posts was significantly related to sensation seeking and narcissism. Finally, spending more time online, on social media, and on Reddit was associated with more self-disclosure of intimate and unknown information.
An empirical study of machine learning techniques for affect recognition in human-robot interaction

Given the importance of implicit communication in human interactions, it would be valuable to have this capability in robotic systems wherein a robot can detect the motivations and emotions of the person it is working with. Recognizing affective states from physiological cues is an effective way of implementing implicit human-robot interaction. Several machine learning techniques have been successfully employed in affect-recognition to predict the affective state of an individual given a set of physiological features. However, a systematic comparison of the strengths and weaknesses of these methods has not yet been done. In this paper we present a comparative study of four machine learning methods - k-nearest neighbor, regression tree, Bayesian network and support vector machine as applied to the domain of affect recognition using physiological signals. The results showed that support vector machine gave the best classification accuracy even though all the methods performed competitively. Regression tree gave the next best classification accuracy and was the most space and time efficient.
From Mario Kart to pro-poor environmental governance

Improving environmental stewardship requires improvement of the options available down to the poorest resource users. Agriculture will no longer be the path to development and better options that it once was, without rethinking how and where to intervene. An iconic video game provides a lens into how this can happen.
Creating resistances: pastoral care in a post-colonial world: by Melinda J. McGarrah Sharp, Leiden, NE, Brill Press, 2019, 195 pg, $57.00 (Hardcover)

Melinda A. McGarrah Sharp’s second book, Creating Resistances: Pastoral Care in a Post-Colonial World is a gift to the field of practical theology and a powerful pedagogical resource for professors...
Lymphopenia following pancreaticoduodenectomy is associated with pancreatic fistula formation.

Backgrounds/Aims Post-operative pancreatic fistulas (POPF) are a major source of morbidity following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). This study aims to investigate if persistent lymphopenia, a known marker of sepsis, can act as an additional marker of POPF with clinical implications that could help direct drain management. Methods A retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent PD in a single hospital network from 2008 to 2018. Persistent lymphopenia was defined as lymphopenia beyond post-operative day #3. Results Of the 201 patients who underwent PD during the study period 161 patients had relevant laboratory data, 81 of whom had persistent lymphopenia. 17 patients with persistent lymphopenia went on to develop a POPF, compared to 7 patients without. Persistent lymphopenia had a negative predictive value of 91.3%. Multivariate analysis revealed only persistent lymphopenia as being independently associated with POPF (HR 2.57, 95% CI 1.07-6.643, p=0.039). Patients with persistent lymphopenia were more likely to have a complication requiring intervention (56.8% vs 35.0%, p<0.001). Conclusions Persistent lymphopenia is a readily available early marker of POPF that holds the potential to identify clinically relevant POPF in patients where no surgical drain is present, and to act as an adjunct of drain amylase helping to guide drain management.
Multi-Objective Model-based Reinforcement Learning for Infectious Disease Control

Severe infectious diseases such as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pose a huge threat to public health. Stringent control measures, such as school closures and stay-at-home orders, while having significant effects, also bring huge economic losses. In the face of an emerging infectious disease, a crucial question for policymakers is how to make the trade-off and implement the appropriate interventions timely given the huge uncertainty. In this work, we propose a Multi-Objective Model-based Reinforcement Learning framework to facilitate data-driven decision-making and minimize the overall long-term cost. Specifically, at each decision point, a Bayesian epidemiological model is first learned as the environment model, and then the proposed model-based multi-objective planning algorithm is applied to find a set of Pareto-optimal policies. This framework, combined with the prediction bands for each policy, provides a real-time decision support tool for policymakers. The application is demonstrated with the spread of COVID-19 in China.
Self Driving Cars: All You Need to Know

Self-driving cars are coming closer and closer to being fact not fiction, but are we ready for them? In this research we analyze the current status in place for self-driving cars. We address the gaps that need to be filled, and we identify the questions that need to be answered before having self-driving cars on the road becomes a reality. Towards this, we discuss four issues with self-driving: policies, safety, security, and psychological acceptability of users. Our research will help individuals understand different aspects of self-driving cars and their benefits and challenges. Our paper will educate policymakers on the areas that need to be addressed before we deploy self-driving cars on the roads in a larger scale.
Quarks and Strings on a Lattice

Three lectures describe the lattice version of the color gauge theory of quarks. The string interpretation of the theory is emphasized. The strong coupling expansion is defined by a set of Feynman rules. The dominant diagrams are identified. The result is that for strong quark-gluon coupling, the lattice spacing is about 1/5 x 10−13cm, the nucleon has a mass of 1720 MeV/c2 while the N* mass is 1750 MeV/c. The π and ρ masses are fitted to experiment. The relativistic limit is explained for free field theories on a lattice. For the colored quark theory only a few aspects of the relativistic continuum limit are discussed. It is shown how short wavelength string fluctuations are suppressed. It is shown that the classical limit of the lattice theory is the relativistic continuum color gauge theory.
Algunas consideraciones económicas (1836): Análisis mexicano de la depresión a principios del siglo XIX

Algunas consideraciones economicas, publicado anonimamente en Mexico en 1836, presenta un analisis asombrosamente moderno de la depresion del siglo XIX. Los indicios internos sugieren que el autor pudo haber sido Jose Mariano Michelena, quien negocio un prestamo para Mexico con Barclay, Herring & Richardson y cuya fortuna personal sufrio muchos de los reveses de los que habla el folleto. Se habian combinado una tasa de cambio fija, costos irreductibles y el efecto del valor decreciente de la propiedad rural para deprimir la demanda total. El autor recomienda una moneda que abandone la paridad fija con la plata, que acabe con las presiones deflacionarias y que mantenga su valor al monetizar las responsabilidades sujetas a la riqueza real de los duenos de bienes raices.
Neural nets as models for study of multivalued logic

Summary form only given. It is suggested that since one can now implement neural nets which can actually perform certain basic information processing functions, it is of interest to see if one can fashion nets or systems of nets which can reproduce (i.e. mimic) certain trains of actions regularly performed by humans. The particular issue addressed is that of implementing a multivalued logic system in a neural net, concentrating on one such logic system, namely fuzzy set logic. The focus is on how a network might be used to describe a membership function and how a (multivalued) fuzzy logic system might also be accommodated with such a net. >
Chapter 4 Application of silicon-assisted intramolecular cross-coupling in total synthesis of (+)-brasilenyne

Publisher Summary (+)-Brasilenyne has been isolated from the digestive gland of a sea hare (Aplysia brasiliana). It has a nine-member cyclic ether skeleton containing a 1,3-cis-cis diene unit. As a part of a program on the development of new silicon-based cross-coupling reactions, the synthetic potential of the sequential ring-closing metathesis (RCM)/silicon-assisted intramolecular cross-coupling reaction for constructing medium sized, carbo- and heterocyclic systems bearing a 1,3-cis-cis diene unit has been recently demonstrated. It has been recognized that (+)-brasilenyne would be an ideal target to illustrate this synthetic method because the coupling process is suited to generate the oxonin core of 1 with its 1, 3-diene. The creation of the C (2) stereogenic center is a critical part of the strategy needed for the synthesis. A new ring opening reaction of a 1,3-dioxolanone with an acetylenic nucleophile has been developed to create the requisite stereogenic center at a propargylic position. This chapter discusses the efforts toward the first total synthesis of (+)-brasilenyne by applying these new transformations as strategic elements.
Terrific Majesty: The Powers of Shaka Zulu and the Limits of Historical Imagination

Terrific Majesty: The Powers of Shaka Zulu and the Limits of Historical Imagination. Carolyn Hamilton. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1998. xii. 278 pp., map, glossary, notes, bibliography, index.