cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Public Educational Policy as Performance: A Queer Analysis

This critical policy analysis examines the publicly contested process through which one school district in Texas successfully enacted a queer inclusive policy. The purpose of this research is to illuminate dynamics of policy adoption in order to support development of equitable educational policies. Analysis focused on performativity of the body politic, with attention to how emergent transgressive discourses of queer equity in educational policy are taken up, enacted, and contested within the public sphere. Data sources were a sample of 74 print media articles from 2006 to 2014 reporting on the policy development and state-wide struggle related to the district’s 2012 adoption of domestic partner benefits. The analysis identified two key strategies used in the public sphere to impede policy adoption: (1) a patterned public representation of queer inclusive policy as hetero-exclusive; (2) a restratification of heteronormative social organization through disciplinary mechanisms. It also identified two strategies used by the district to facilitate adoption of this equity oriented policy: (1) socially transformative leadership through systematic engagement across differences; (2) building district social justice capacity. Implications identify strategies for managing equity oriented policy development within contested contexts, and also address the value of queer theory as an intellectual tool for critical policy analysis.
Contrasting roles of immune cells in tissue injury and repair in stroke: The dark and bright side of immunity in the brain

Despite considerable efforts in research and clinical studies, stroke is still one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Originally, stroke was considered a vascular thrombotic disease without significant immune involvement. However, over the last few decades it has become increasingly obvious that the immune responses can significantly contribute to both tissue injury and protection following stroke. Recently, much research has been focused on the immune system's role in stroke pathology and trying to elucidate the mechanism used by immune cells in tissue injury and protection. Since the discovery of tissue plasminogen activator therapy in 1996, there have been no new treatments for stroke. For this reason, research into understanding how the immune system contributes to stroke pathology may lead to better therapies or enhance the efficacy of current treatments. Here, we discuss the contrasting roles of immune cells to stroke pathology while emphasizing myeloid cells and T cells. We propose that focusing future research on balancing the beneficial-versus-detrimental roles of immunity may lead to the discovery of better and novel stroke therapies.
The Many Faces of Impulsivity

Impulsivity is a multifaceted concept that captures an inability to wait, a preference for risky outcomes, a tendency to act without forethought, an insensitivity to consequences, and/or an inability to inhibit inappropriate behaviors. Because it touches on so many different aspects of behavior, impulsivity connects to a number of other concepts including patience, self-control, delay of gratification, intertemporal choice, discounting, risky choice, risk taking, inhibitory control, and sensation seeking. Therefore, researchers have created a taxonomy that carves up the concept into different types of impulsivity. A primary distinction divides impulsivity into impulsive choice (or decision making) and impulsive action (or disinhibition) based on both behavioral correlates across tasks and neural mechanisms. Due to the many different varieties of impulsivity, this concept is of relevance to a large number of fields, including psychology, economics, biology, neuroscience, anthropology, nutrition, finance, and environmental sciences. The current volume reflects the scope of impulsivity by including contributors from a wide range of fields who work across levels of analysis, species, and timescales to understand the many faces of impulsivity.
Renal Failure After Cardiac Operations: Not All Acute Kidney Injury Is the Same

Background The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) database does not distinguish between a decline in creatinine clearance vs new hemodialysis (HD) when qualifying acute renal failure (ARF) after a cardiac operation. We hypothesized that patients requiring HD experience significantly greater postoperative morbidity and death. Methods We included all patients who underwent STS index cardiac operations at our institution from 2008 to March 2015 and did not have preexisting renal failure (creatinine >4.0 mg/dL or preoperative HD). We identified patients meeting STS criteria for ARF: threefold rise in serum creatinine, creatinine exceeding 4.0 mg/dL (non-HD ARF) with minimum rise of 0.5 mg/dL, or HD (ARF-HD). After propensity matching non-HD ARF and ARF-HD groups across 14 variables (including baseline glomerular filtration rate), we compared incidences of our primary outcome, death, and secondary outcomes, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay (LOS), and discharge to a location other than home. Results Among 4,154 study patients, we identified 113 (2.7%) that experienced new-onset non-HD ARF (n = 57) or ARF-HD (n = 56) postoperatively. Propensity matching resulted in 51 well-matched pairs who experienced non-HD ARF or ARF-HD (all p > 0.10). Patients requiring HD suffered significantly greater operative mortality (67% vs 22%, p p p p = 0.08). Conclusions After cardiac operations, patients who experienced ARF-HD experienced triple the mortality and double the ICU and postoperative hospital LOS compared with patients who experienced non-HD ARF.
Pharmacokinetics of Sucralose and Acesulfame-Potassium in Breast Milk Following Ingestion of Diet Soda.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine sucralose and acesulfame-potassium (ace-K) pharmacokinetics in breast milk following maternal ingestion of a diet soda. Methods: Thirty-four exclusively breast-feeding women (14 normal-weight, 20 obese) consumed 12 ounces of Diet Rite Cola, sweetened with 68-mg sucralose and 41-mg ace-K, before a standardized breakfast meal. Habitual non-nutritional sweeteners intake was assessed via a diet questionnaire. Breast milk was collected from the same breast before beverage ingestion and hourly for 6 hours. Results: Owing to one mother having extremely high concentrations, peak sucralose and acesulfame-potassium concentrations following ingestion of diet soda ranged from 4.0 to 7387.9 ng/mL (median peak 8.1 ng/mL) and 299.0 to 4764.2 ng/mL (median peak 945.3 ng/mL), respectively. Conclusions: Ace-K and sucralose transfer into breast milk following ingestion of a diet soda. Future research should measure concentrations after repeated exposure and determine whether chronic ingestion of sucralose and acesulfame-potassium via the breast milk has clinically relevant health consequences.
Alteration of RH gene structure and expression in human dCCee and DCW- red blood cells: phenotypic homozygosity versus genotypic heterozygosity

This report describes a comparative study on the dCCee and DCW-red blood cells devoid of RhD and CcEe antigens, respectively. Southern blots showed that the two variants carried opposite deletions in the D and non-D (CcEe) genes. Rh haplotyping and exon polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay indicated that the deletions did not extend beyond the 5' region upstream from exon 1 or the 3' region downstream from exon 10 of the respective genes. This was confirmed by finding intact promoters and 3' untranslated regions in both D and non-D genes in each variant. Reverse transcriptase-PCR and cDNA sequencing showed the expression of two transcripts in each cell type. In dCCee cells, one transcript was the regular Ce form and the other occurred as a D-Ce-D hybrid whose Ce sequence spanned exons 2 through 9. In DCW-cells, the two transcripts were derived from reversely arranged hybrid genes, ie, the CW-D gene was formed by fusion of CW exon 1 with D exons 2 through 10, whereas the reverse product was formed by fusion of D exons 1 through 9 with non-D exon 10. These results indicated that DNA deletion and recombination had occurred in either cis or trans configuration and involved both RH loci in the dCCee or DCW-genome. Identification of such compound alterations correlates the genotypes with phenotypes and explains the lost Rh antigenic expression. A reinvestigation of gene organization also led to the reassignment of several 5' and 3' splice sites. Together, this study not only shows the complexity of Rh phenotypic diversity, but also points to the importance of concurrent analysis of genomic structure and transcript expression in deciphering the underlying genetic mechanisms.
The Rejectability Graph of Two Sets of Examples

This chapter is based on the findings presented in [Triantaphyllou and Soyster, 1996] and presents the motivation and definition of a special graph which can be easily derived from positive and negative examples. To understand the motivation for introducing this graph, consider a situation with n = 5 attributes.
APPLICATIONS – TRANSPORTATION | Electric Vehicles: Fuel Cells

Hydrogen may be the best long-term solution to the environmental concerns associated with the carbon-based fuels now used in most vehicles. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are completely free from tailpipe pollutant emissions, including particulates, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. Fuel cell vehicles can also address concerns about energy diversity and security. Hydrogen can be derived from many feedstocks, but it is unique as an energy carrier in that it can be created from water and electricity, allowing it to be produced from clean, renewable energy sources. A fuel cell vehicle can be 30% more efficient than alternates on a well-to-wheel basis. A final factor in favor of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is that they can be refueled in a much shorter time than battery-run electric vehicles. Still, the automotive hydrogen fuel cell must meet rigorous requirements, including having high power density, packaging well into a vehicle, starting quickly from freezing conditions, while at the same time being of a low cost. This article discusses the design options and key trade-offs in fuel cell system design to meet these requirements and identifies where further research, development, and policy support are needed.
A Non-Invasive Material Characterization Framework for Bioprosthetic Heart Valves

Computational modeling and simulation has become more common in design and development of bioprosthetic heart valves. To have a reliable computational model, considering accurate mechanical properties of biological soft tissue is one of the most important steps. The goal of this study was to present a non-invasive material characterization framework to determine mechanical propertied of soft tissue employed in bioprosthetic heart valves. Using integrated experimental methods (i.e., digital image correlation measurements and hemodynamic testing in a pulse duplicator system) and numerical methods (i.e., finite element modeling and optimization), three-dimensional anisotropic mechanical properties of leaflets used in two commercially available transcatheter aortic valves (i.e., Edwards SAPIEN 3 and Medtronic CoreValve) were characterized and compared to that of a commonly used and well-examined surgical bioprosthesis (i.e., Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT Magna aortic heart valve). The results of the simulations showed that the highest stress value during one cardiac cycle was at the peak of systole in the three bioprostheses. In addition, in the diastole, the peak of maximum in-plane principal stress was 0.98, 0.96, and 2.95 MPa for the PERIMOUNT Magna, CoreValve, and SAPIEN 3, respectively. Considering leaflet stress distributions, there might be a difference in the long-term durability of different TAV models.
Same space – different perspectives: comparative analysis of geographic context through sketch maps and spatial video geonarratives

The importance of including a contextual underpinning to the spatial analysis of social data is gaining traction in the spatial science community. The challenge, though, is how to capture these dat...
Economic Effects of Climate Change in Alaska

AbstractWe summarize the potential nature and scope of economic effects of climate change in Alaska that have already occurred and are likely to become manifest over the next 30–50 years. We classi...
To See or Not to See: Issues Surrounding the Social Meanings of Skin Color.

AbstractSkin color, one of the most conspicuous physical traits, encompasses complex social and cultural meanings and value judgments that can influence individuals’ lived experiences and social we...
Geographic Characteristics of Loneliness in Primary Care

Loneliness is associated with poor health outcomes, and there is growing attention on loneliness as a social determinant of health. Our study sought to determine the associations between community factors and loneliness. The Three-Item Loneliness Scale and zip codes of residence were collected in primary care practices in Colorado and Virginia. Living in zip codes with higher unemployment, poor access to health care, lower income, higher proportions of blacks, and poor transportation was associated with higher mean loneliness scores. Future studies that examine interventions addressing loneliness may be more effective if they consider social context and community characteristics.
Epidemiology of Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries in Throwing Versus Contact Athletes of the National Collegiate Athletic Association: Analysis of the 2009-2010 to 2013-2014 Seasons

Background:The management and outcomes of elbow ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries in throwing athletes have been well investigated. However, less is known regarding the management, severity,...
27 Year Old Black Male with a Widespread Recurrent Rash Which Occasionally Forms Vesicles

A 27-year-old African-American male presented with a recurring rash which occasionally forms vesicular lesions containing clear fluid. The lesions were pruritic and spreading spread over much of the skin surface. The patient had been given Bactrim-400 mg oral tablets, but the lesions failed to resolve. The patient has a history and treatment of syphilis, has been diagnosed as HIV positive and no reported sexual contact.
A method to measure the partitioning coefficient of volatile organic compounds in nanoparticles.

Abstract The partitioning behavior of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into nanoparticles is less studied compared to those of semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) because of the lower concentration of the VOCs that is expected to partition into particles. One challenge in measuring the accurate partition coefficient of VOCs is quantifying their low mass fraction that sorbed on nanoparticles and differentiating them from the high VOC concentrations present in the gas-phase. Systematically characterizing the partitioning coefficient at a specific environmental condition is also difficult when sampling in the field. During field sampling, thermal and non-thermal issues such as sampling artifacts and non-equilibrium conditions because of a dynamic environment often result in considerable variability in the measured partition coefficients. In this study, we developed a bench-scale system that can achieve precise control of the experimental condition (e.g., relative humidity, temperature, and particle composition) and allow us to measure the low concentration of 1,2-dichlorobenzene in the particles. A similar set up can be used to study the low mass fraction of other VOCs partitioning in nanoparticles. The detailed but uncomplicated system setup may assist other researchers that investigate the global fate and transport and health effects of VOCs. • A bench-scale system was built in the laboratory to study the gas-to-particle partitioning • Experimental conditions can be controlled and easily varied • The system enables the systematic study of a single environmental factor on the partitioning process
The Antitrust Revolution

The Antitrust Revolution of the early 1980s arose from various intellectual currents, including specifically the growing acceptance of modern game theory. Its greatest impact, however, lay in the d...
The novelty of icosapent ethyl in the management of hypertriglyceridemia and alleviating cardiovascular risk

Hypertriglyceridemia is believed to be independently associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. Lifestyle changes and dietary modifications are recommended for individuals with high serum triglyceride (TG) levels (150-499 mg/dl), and pharmacological therapy in addition to lifestyle modification is recommended when serum TG levels ≥ 500 mg/dl. A residual cardiovascular risk remains even in statin appropriate treated patients with CVD risk factors, and in this patient population, hypertriglyceridemia poses an independent and increased risk of ischemic events. In December 2019, the US FDA approved icosapent ethyl (IPE) as an adjunct to a maximally tolerated statin to reduce the risk of CVD events in adults with serum triglycerides > 150 mg/dl and have either established cardiovascular disease or diabetes and two or more additional CVD risk factors. Since IPE significantly decreases total ischemic events in the aforementioned patient population, it would be intriguing to know whether IPE alone added an advantage to lifestyle modification in the low-risk population, who has serum triglyceride between 150 mg/dl and 499 mg/dl.
Nonlinear optics improves mid-infrared vibrational imaging

Vibrational microscopy based on the mid-infrared (MIR) absorption of molecular modes is a proven strategy for label-free imaging. Yet, as a tool for cellular imaging, MIR vibrational imaging suffers from several shortcomings., among which the low spatial resolution and the unavailability of affordable imaging cameras with high pixel densities. In this presentation, we will discuss how nonlinear optical (NLO) interactions can be employed to improve MIR imaging considerably. First, we introduce a new NLO method for capturing MIR images on a regular Si-based camera. Second, we highlight how NLO interactions can be used to improve the resolution in MIR microscopy.
Use of Text Messaging and Facebook Groups to Support the Healthy Children, Strong Families 2 Healthy Lifestyle Intervention for American Indian Families

Background Few obesity interventions have been developed for American Indian (AI) families despite the disproportionate risk of obesity experienced within AI communities. The emergence of mobile technologies to enhance intervention delivery could particularly benefit AI communities, many of which are hard to reach and underserved. Objectives This study aimed to assess the use and perceptions of text messaging and Facebook to support delivery of the Healthy Children, Strong Families 2 (HCSF2) mailed healthy lifestyle/obesity prevention intervention and discuss lessons learned regarding intervention support via these platforms among AI participants. Methods From among AI families with young children (ages 2-5 y), 450 adult-child dyads were recruited from 5 rural and urban communities for a year-long intervention. Intervention content was delivered by mail and supported by text messaging and optional Facebook groups. Participants provided feedback on text message and Facebook components post-intervention, and Facebook analytic data were tracked. Results Self-report feedback indicated high satisfaction with both text messaging and Facebook, with tangible content (e.g., recipes, physical activity ideas) cited as most useful. Overall, participants reported higher satisfaction with and perceived efficacy of Facebook content compared with text messaging. Analytic data indicate the optional HCSF2 Facebook groups were joined by 67.8% of adult participants. Among those who joined, 78.4% viewed, 50.8% "liked," and 22.6% commented on ≥1 post. Engagement levels differed by urban-rural status, with more urban participants "liking" (P = 0.01) and commenting on posts (P = 0.01). Of note, nearly one-third of participants reported changing phone numbers during the intervention. Conclusions This study demonstrates high satisfaction regarding mobile delivery of HCSF2 intervention support components. Best practices and challenges in utilizing different mobile technologies to promote wellness among AI families are discussed, with particular focus on urban-rural differences. Future mobile-based interventions should consider the context of unstable technology maintenance, especially in low-resource communities.This work is part of the HCSF2 trial, which is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01776255).
Cultural and heritage tourism: an introduction: by Dallen J. Timothy, Bristol, UK, Channel View Publications, 2020, 576 pp., $149.95 (hardback), ISBN: 978184541771

Cultural and heritage tourism continues to boom as one of the most prevalent and popular forms of tourism today. In recent decades, a proliferation of articles and books have appeared on the horizo...
Associations Between Salivary Bacteriome Diversity and Salivary Human Herpesvirus Detection in Early Childhood: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background The bacteriome is associated with susceptibility to some eukaryotic viruses, but no study has examined associations between the salivary bacteriome and human herpesviruses (HHVs). We provide new prevalence and incidence estimates for salivary herpesviruses detection and estimate associations with bacteriome diversity in young children. Methods Salivary samples collected at ages ~2, 8, 12, and 24 months from 153 children participating in the Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia cohort 2 (COHRA2) were screened for HHVs using the Fast-Track Neuro9 multiplex PCR assay, and for the bacteriome using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. We used Cox proportional hazard models to test for associations between the salivary bacteriome and hazards of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and human herpesvirus-6 (HHV6). Results CMV, HHV6, and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) were detected at all visits. Human herpesvirus-7 (HHV7) was first detected at the 8-month visit and herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) was only detected at the 12-month visit. Varicella-zoster virus, herpes simplex virus 2, and human herpesvirus-8 were never detected. HHV6 (24-month cumulative incidence: 73.8%) and CMV (24-month cumulative incidence: 32.3%) were detected most frequently. Increasing salivary bacteriome diversity was associated with longer survival to first detection of CMV (hazard ratio [95% CI]: 0.24 [0.12, 0.49]) and HHV6 (hazard ratio [95% CI]: 0.24 [0.13, 0.44]). Conclusion CMV, HHV6, EBV, HHV7, and HSV1 were detected in the saliva during the first 2 years of life. Time to first detection of CMV and HHV6 was associated with salivary bacteriome diversity, suggesting a possible interaction between HHVs and the salivary bacteriome.
Awful Archives: Conspiracy Theory, Rhetoric, and Acts of Evidence

With its publication date in April 2020, contemporaneous with the initial waves of both COVID-19 and COVID-19 misinformation sweeping across America, Jenny Rice’s Awful Archives: Conspiracy Theory,...
Immune Regulation and Autoimmunity

When the immune response is generated against self-antigens (autoantigens), the resulting response is an autoimmune response. Response to self-antigens can occur due to failure of central tolerance in primary lymphoid organs and failure of peripheral tolerance in secondary lymphoid organs and other peripheral tissues after migration if lymphocytes into peripheral tissues. During B and T cell development in the bone marrow and thymus, central tolerance mechanisms render cells tolerant to host antigens. The development of tolerance to self-antigens is the regulatory mechanism that allows host cells to ignore self-antigens so that T and B cells do not become activated following encounter with antigen. For suppression, MHC-antigen engagement leads to suppression or anergy rather than activation. Instead of immunogenicity the response is tolerogenicity. An immunogen that can elicit an immune response can also act as a tolerogen. Various factors can lead to tolerance. Antigen exposure during fetal development can lead to tolerance. Lack of co-stimulatory molecules such as CD40-CD40L engagement or CD28-CD80/86 engagement can lead to anergy. Inhibitory surface molecules and cytokines can also render cells tolerant. For example CTLA4-CD80/86 interaction is inhibitory instead of activating T cells. High doses of antigen, long term persistence of antigen in the host, intravenous (iv) or oral administration of antigen can also lead to tolerance. The elimination of high affinity self-reactive cells by apoptosis during negative selection of B and T cells in the bone marrow and thymus respectively, ensures those cells will not encounter host antigen leading to cell activation. During T cell development, self-antigens on privileged host tissue is not exposed to T cells in the thymus medulla. Tissues of the eyes, testes and brain are considered immune privileged and antigens from these tissues are not exposed to developing T lymphocytes. While self-reactive lymphocytes may be found in sites considered immuneprivileged, regulatory mechanisms that include suppression of T cell activation may function to prevent host cell attack and the release of proinflammatory cytokines that mediate host tissue damage.
Poster: DyPolDroid: User-Centered Counter-Policies Against Android Permission-Abuse Attacks

Android applications are extremely popular, as they are used for banking, social media, e-commerce, etc. However, several malicious applications have recently carried out data leaks and spurious credit card charges by abusing the Android Permissions granted initially to them by unaware users in good faith. To alleviate this pressing concern, we present DyPolDroid, a dynamic, semi-automated security framework that builds upon Android Enterprise, a device-management framework for organizations, allowing for users to design and enforce custom Counter-Policies, effectively protecting against such malicious applications without requiring advanced security and/or technical expertise.
P168 – 2679: Intrafamilial variability in Ehlers Danlos syndrome type VI

Objective The kyphoscoliotic type of the Ehlers-Danlos (EDSVIA) is a rare connective tissue disorder characterized by kyphoscoliosis, muscular hypotonia prominent in the neonatal period, joint hypermobility, easily bruisable skin, and occasionally rupture of the eye globe and vessels. Patients generally present with motor developmental delay. The clinical presentation among individuals affected with EDS VIA is variable, and genotype-phenotype correlation has not been established yet. Mutations in PLOD1 leading to deficiency of the enzyme lysyl hydroxylase 1 (LH1) cause underhydroxylation of collagen lysyl residues and, hence, abnormal formation of collagen cross-links. This results in an abnormal urinary excretion pattern of lysyl-pyridinolines (LP) and hydroxylysyl-pyridinolines (HP) cross-links. Therefore, the diagnosis of EDS VIA relies on the demonstration of a markedly increased ratio of total LP to HP (LP/HP), and may then be confirmed by molecular genetic analysis of PLOD1. Patients A 8.5-year-old girl, and her 11-year-old brother from a consanguineous family was evaluated because of developmental delay, scoliosis and laxity. Diagnosis at referral was Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy. Skin lesions, joint hyper laxity, hyperelastic and fragile skin were additional clinical clues for EDSVIA. Conclusions We present a family with two affected siblings both showing increased urinary LP/HP ratio, harboring a homozygous large duplication (c.975+975_1755+? dup; p.Glu326_Lys585dup) between exon 10 and 16 of PLOD1, and showing broad intra-familial clinical variability especially in the degree of severity of kyphoscoliosis and gross-motor involvement.
A Twentieth Amendment Parable

The twentieth amendment receives virtually no attention in modern American constitutional law. Adopted in 1933, the primary purpose of the amendment was to eliminate lame-duck Congresses. The proponents of the amendment argued that lame-ducks were subject to nefarious influences and that allowing lame-duck legislation contradicted the voice of the people in the most recent election. But the text of the twentieth amendment simply moved the date on which the newly elected President and Congress took office from March to January, and does not expressly prohibit lame-duck legislation. The framers of the amendment could not conceive of Congress meeting during the holiday months between November and January, so they thought that moving the dates would eliminate future lame-duck Congresses. Since 1933, though, Congress has met during the lame-duck period with increasing frequency to enact significant legislation. Such a result would not occur if the courts interpreted the twentieth amendment according to its purpose instead of its text. That is the approach that the Supreme Court has taken with respect to the eleventh amendment, which now provides a broad basis for state sovereign immunity. I argue, though, that constitutional provisions should be interpreted consisted with their texts, and that more ambitious purposes such as that supporting the twentieth amendment should not be enforced by the courts in the face of the Constitution's more narrow express language.
TEST METHODS TOR DETERMINING THE EFFECT OF VARIOUS TREATMENTS ON PAPER

(1972). TEST METHODS TOR DETERMINING THE EFFECT OF VARIOUS TREATMENTS ON PAPER. Studies in Conservation: Vol. 17, Lisbon Congress 1972: Conservation of Paintings and the Graphic Arts, pp. 985-994.
Nonlinear learning approach to robust fault diagnosis

This paper presents an overview of a learning methodology for detecting and diagnosing faults in nonlinear dynamic systems. The main idea behind this approach is to monitor the plant for any off-nominal behavior due to faults utilizing on-line approximators. In the presence of a failure, the on-line approximator can be used as an estimate of the nonlinear fault function for fault diagnosis purposes. Furthermore, during the initial stage of monitoring, the learning capabilities of the on-line approximator can be used to learn the modeling errors, thereby enhancing the robustness properties of the fault diagnosis scheme.
Hepcidin in β‐thalassemia

Iron overload is the principal cause of morbidity and mortality in beta-thalassemia with or without transfusion dependence. Iron homeostasis is regulated by the hepatic peptide hormone hepcidin. Hepcidin controls dietary iron absorption, plasma iron concentrations, and tissue iron distribution. A deficiency in this hormone is the main or contributing factor of iron overload in iron-loading anemias such as beta-thalassemia. Hepcidin deficiency results from a strong suppressive effect of the high erythropoietic activity on hepcidin expression. Although in thalassemia major patients iron absorption contributes less to the total iron load than transfusions, in non-transfused thalassemia, low hepcidin, and the consequent hyperabsorption of dietary iron is the major cause of systemic iron overload. Hepcidin diagnostics and future therapeutic agonists may help in management of patients with beta-thalassemia.
Puerto Rico as a Critical Locality: Is a Post-Colonial Puerto Rico Possible? A Game-Theoretic Analysis of the Impasse over Puerto Rico's Status

The author applies the game-theoretic concept of the 'truel' (or three-person duel) to the Puerto Rico status debate. In summary, the debate over Puerto Rico's future political status resembles a three-person, sequential, random-order truel in which no single player is able to eliminate the other two players. In addition, the author applies some concepts from evolutionary biology (path dependence) and behavioral economics (loss aversion) to explain the current impasse over Puerto Rico's status. Finally, the author examines recent strategic behavior in the US Congress over Puerto Rican status.
Foraging Behavior of Lacewing Larvae (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) on Plants with Divergent Architectures

We investigated the effects of plant architecture on predator–prey interactions by quantifying the behavior of green lacewing larvae on perennial grasses with divergent leaf architectures. Crested wheatgrass produces flat, broad leaves similar to those of wheat, whereas Indian ricegrass bears linear leaves that are tightly rolled inward. In the absence of prey, lacewing time budgets and residence times were similar on the two grasses, although predators tended to search longer on crested wheatgrass. On plants infested with the Russian wheat aphid, lacewing larvae dislodged, contacted, and captured significantly more aphids on Indian ricegrass than on crested wheatgrass. Comparisons between aphid-free and aphid-infested plants suggest that differences in plant architecture modified prey accessibility rather than predator movement. Aphids on seedlings and mature plants of crested wheatgrass frequently occurred in concealed locations, such as in the rolls of immature leaves or in the blade–sheath junctions of mature leaves; aphids on Indian ricegrass were more likely to feed in exposed locations. Our focal-animal observations were consistent with results from population-level experiments and suggest that short-term, behavioral studies may help predict the effectiveness of predators at larger spatial and temporal scales.
INTERFERON-GAMMA -INDUCIBLE REGULATION OF THE HUMAN INVARIANT CHAIN GENE

Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) regulates a variety of immunoregulatory functions through the induction of a specific set of IFN-gamma response genes. This includes the invariant chain associated with the major histocompatibility complex class II molecules. To investigate the mechanism involved in the invariant chain (In) response to IFN-gamma we constructed chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) hybrid genes in which the CAT gene is under the control of the In promoter. The glioblastoma cell line, U-373 MG, transfected with a CAT construct having the In promoter sequence -790 to +1 bp showed over 3-fold increased CAT activity when treated with IFN-gamma indicating that this region confers IFN-gamma responsiveness to the CAT gene. The IFN-gamma response element in the promoter was further sublocalized to the region -120 to -61 base pairs (bp). This region contains homology to the interferon-stimulated response elements identified in other IFN responsive genes. By gel shift analyses, an IFN-gamma-induced sequence-specific DNA-binding factor was identified. This induced complex binds to an oligonucleotide corresponding to -107 to -79 bp of the In promoter. Mutations of this binding site at -94 and -92 bp drastically decreased binding of the constitutive and IFN-gamma-induced complexes. This IFN-gamma induced factor also binds to an oligonucleotide corresponding to -91 to -62 bp of the interferon-beta (IFN-beta) gene promoter, a region necessary for the induction of the IFN-beta gene by virus and double-stranded RNA. This binding specificity is characteristic of a family of DNA binding factors that bind both the interferon-stimulated response elements and the IFN-beta gene promoter.
Organic carbon burial rate and the molybdenum proxy: Theoretical framework and application to Cenomanian-Turonian oceanic anoxic event 2

[1] In this study the controls on organic carbon burial and molybdenum accumulation in ancient strata are investigated through an integration of biogeochemical modeling and data analysis. Critical aspects of the study are employment of a biogeochemical model for organic matter degradation to explore the controls on pore water sulfide generation and authigenic molybdenum accumulation and use of accumulation rate data for Mo, OC, CaCO3, Fe, and Ti to reconstruct organic matter remineralization processes. The model results form a conceptual framework for the interpretation of primary production estimates and geochemical burial fluxes (calculated on the basis of a high-resolution orbital timescale) for the Cenomanian-Turonian (C-T) oceanic anoxic event 2 interval in the Western Interior basin. The results of this study suggest that the strong correlation between source rock development and intervals of transgression in the geologic record (such as the C-T) could reflect a confluence of biogeochemical processes within sediments that obviates the need for large-magnitude changes in primary production levels or oceanographic conditions (such as prolonged periods of stable water column stratification).
History and systems of psychology

Preface I. PSYCHOLOGY'S HISTORICAL FOUNDATION. 1. Introduction: Past for Present. 2. Psychological Foundations in Ancient Greece. 3. From Rome through the Middle Ages. 4. The Reawakening of Intellectual Life. 5. The Emergence of Modern Science. 6. Sensationalism and Positivism: The French Traditions. 7. Mental Passivity: The British Tradition. 8. Mental Activity: The German Tradition. 9. Competing Models of Psychology. 10. Nineteenth-Century Bases of Psychology. 11. The Founding of Modern Psychology. II. TWENTIETH-CENTURY SYSTEMS OF PSYCHOLOGY. 12. American Functionalism. 13. The Gestalt Movement. 14. Psychoanalysis. 15. Early Behaviorism. 16. Later Behaviorism. 17. The Third Force Movement. 18. Contemporary Trends: Neofunctionalism. 19. Epilogue. Glossary. Name Index. Subject Index.
Abstract 4016: Serum proteomics uncover possible biomarkers associated with progression of metastatic breast cancer

Despite the recognized advances in the treatment of breast cancer, it still accounts for 15% of all cancer-related deaths. Ninety percent of breast cancer deaths are due to unpredicted metastasis. There is neither successful treatment for metastatic patients nor a specific test to predict or detect secondary lesions. Patients with primary tumor will be either overtreated with cytotoxic side effects or undertreated and risk recurrence. This necessitates the need for personalized treatment, which is hard to offer for such heterogeneous disease. Obstacles in treating breast cancer metastasis are mainly due to the gaps exist in the understanding of the molecular mechanism of metastasis. The linear model of metastasis is supported by several observations that reflect an early crosstalk between the primary and secondary tumor, which in turn makes the secondary microenvironment fertile for the growth of disseminated cells. This communication occurs through circulation and utilizes molecules which have not been identified to date. Identifying such molecules may help in detecting initial stages of tumor colonization and predict the target organ of metastasis. Furthermore, these molecules may help to provide a personalized therapy that aims to tailor treatment according to the biology of the individual tumor. Advances in proteomics allows for more reproducible and sensitive biomarker discovery. Proteomic biomarkers are often more translatable to the clinic compared to biomarkers identified using other -omics approaches. Further, protein biomarkers can be found in biological fluids making them a non invasive way to treat or investigate cancer patients. In this study we are screening serum samples of stage I and stage III breast cancer patients using cLC-MS/MS, with a focus on characterizing the differential expression of small peptide biomarkers. We typically analyze 2500 individual small peptide biomarkers in a single serum sample. Comparisons between different sample types (from stage I and III breast cancer patients in this case) allows for the detection of unique short peptide biomarkers present in one sample type. In our preliminary analysis of 6 patients of each type, we find roughly 64 short peptide biomarkers to be upregulated in patients with metastatic breast cancer. We also see the downregulation of an addition 92 short peptides in these same patients. The serum expression pattern and identity of peptides in metastatic patients may provide clues about the biology underlying tumor cell dissemination and colonization to specific sites. Citation Format: Adhari A. AlZaabi, Marc Hansen, Steven Graves. Serum proteomics uncover possible biomarkers associated with progression of metastatic breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4016. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4016
CONGENITAL ATRESIA AND STENOSIS OF THE DUODENUM A Review Compiled from the Members of the Surgical Section of the American Academy of Pediatrics

A review is presented of 503 patients with congenital duodenal obstruction, compiled from 65 hospitals by the Surgical Section of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Four hundred eighty-seven patients underwent primary operative correction of the malformation with an overall early and late mortality rate of 36%. Complications from associated major congenital malformations were the leading cause of death. Many of these anomalies were potentially correctable had they been recognized and early treatment instituted. More than half of the infants with duodenal atresia had associated malformations. Thirty percent of the patients had Down9s syndrome. End-to-side or side-to-side duodenoduodenostomy or jejunostomy are the most commonly used operative techniques for duodenal atresia. General anesthesia and tube gastrostomy are usually employed.
Chapter 9 Proteins of human herpesvirus-6

Publisher Summary This chapter illustrates the available information about HHV-6 proteins. With an estimated 170 kb DNA, HHV-6 should code for more than 70 proteins. Even though only a limited number of papers have been published on HHV-6 proteins, comparison of the reported molecular weights of HHV-6 proteins is hampered by the use of different gel systems and different strains of HHV-6. Shiraki et al. (1989) have analyzed the virion proteins of the HHV-6-related isolate HST from exanthem subitum, and have identified at least 29 polypeptides ranging from 280k–30k. Among these are the 225k, 120–110k, 84–76k, 70–65k, 60k, and 53k. The information generated will allow establishing the role of viral proteins in the replicative cycle of virus, virus infection, latency, and other functions that will eventually give a better understanding of this new member of the herpesvirus family and will open up approaches to control HHV-6 infections.
The Influence of Impact Energy and Direction on Thoracic Response

A test series using unembalmed cadavers was conducted to investigate thoracic response differences in lateral impacts between high energy (rib fractures produced) and low energy (no rib fractures produced) testing and also the response to low energy impacts for different impact directions (frontal, 45 degrees, and lateral). Five of the test subjects were instrumented with a nine-accelerometer package and an eighteen-accelerometer array to measure thoracic response. Seven of the test subjects were instrumented with a triaxial accelerometer on the head and a six-accelerometer array to measure thoracic response. Impact events were performed with either the UMTRI pendulum impact device or the UMTRI pneumatic impact device. The subject was struck with a free-travelling mass (25 or 56 kg) which was fitted with either a 15 cm round or 20 cm square rigid metal surface. For different impact tests this surface had affixed to it various materials which would produce different force-time and load distribution characteristics. For the covering abstract of the conference see HS-036 716. (Author/TRRL)
Prolonged mechanical unloading reduces myofilament sensitivity to calcium and sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium uptake leading to contractile dysfunction.

Background Prolonged unloading using left ventricular (LV) assist devices (LVADs) leads to unloading-induced atrophy with altered cardiomyocyte contractility. The causes for this time-dependent deterioration of myocardial function are unclear. Our aim was to determine the effects of prolonged mechanical unloading on cardiomyocyte function and, more specifically, on Ca 2+ cycling and myofilament sensitivity to Ca 2+ . Methods LV unloading was induced by heterotopic abdominal transplantation (UN) in rats for 5 weeks. Recipient hearts were used as controls (REC). LV myocytes were isolated and cardiomyocyte area measured by planimetry, sarcomere length measured by Fourier analysis of digitized cardiomyocyte images, and cytoplasmic [Ca 2+ ] monitored using Indo-1. Myofilament sensitivity to Ca 2+ was assessed as the slope of the linear relationship between Indo-1 ratio and sarcomere shortening during relaxation. Results UN cardiomyocyte area was smaller compared with REC (mean ± SEM: UN 2,503 ± 78 μm 2 [ n = 132], REC 3,856 ± 89 μm 2 [ n = 116]; p n = 37], REC 0.11 ± 0.01 μm [ n = 38]; p 2+ transient amplitude (UN 0.13 ± 0.01 Indo-1 ratio units [ n = 37], REC 0.11 ± 0.01 Indo-1 ratio units [ n = 38]; p = non-significant). Myofilament sensitivity to Ca 2+ was reduced in UN (UN 2.0 ± 1.2 μm/ratio unit [ n = 20], REC 3.7 ± 0.4 μm/ratio unit [ n = 22]; p 2+ uptake (assessed by 20 mmol/liter caffeine) was also reduced in UN (UN 84.3 ± 0.79% relative contribution [ n = 22], REC 89.8 ± 0.67% relative contribution [ n = 24]; p Conclusions Prolonged myocardial unloading causes depressed contractility due to reduced SR Ca 2+ uptake and myofilament sensitivity to Ca 2+ . These effects may be relevant with regard to myocardial performance after prolonged LVAD support.
Some perspectives on computational complexity

In past decades, the theory of computational complexity has flourished in terms of both the revelation of its internal structures and the unfolding of its numerous applications. In this paper we discuss several persistent and interwoven themes underlying many of these accomplishments. Chief among them are the interplay between communication and computation, the power of problem reduction, and the increasingly prominent role played by classical mathematics. We will also speculate on a few promising directions for future development of computational complexity.
Enmeshed in controversy: claims about the risks of vaginal mesh devices

Urinary incontinence is a hidden, private issue that affects over 40% of women. Its experience has been medicalised, mainly through urogynaecological surgery, more recently using implanted synthetic vaginal mesh. In this article, we analyse the power dynamics at play in the US Food and Drug Administration’s public hearings on the regulation of mesh. We use grounded theory to analyse verbatim transcripts of two days’ hearings in 2011 of a Food and Drug Administration medical devices advisory panel regarding the risks and benefits of the mesh. Applying the concept of language games to the transcripts, we found that mesh manufacturers and physicians expanded perceptions of the locations of risk, thereby diffusing responsibility for mesh-associated claims of adverse effects. This resulted in ‘organised irresponsibility’ where accountability for the risks reported by patients was deflected away from the mesh to other issues such as inadequacies of surgeons’ training. Patients in turn questioned the Food and Dr...
Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Complex sleep apnea is the term used to describe a form of sleep disordered breathing in which repeated central apneas (>5/hour) persist or emerge when obstructive events are extinguished with positive airway pressure (PAP) and for which there is not a clear cause for the central apneas such as narcotics or systolic heart failure. The driving forces in the pathophysiology are felt to be ventilator instability associated oscillation in PaCO2 arterial partial pressure of Carbon Dioxide, continuous cositive airway pressure (CPAP) related increased CO2 carbon dioxide elimination, and activation of airway and pulmonary stretch receptors triggering these central apneas. The prevalence ranges from 0.56% to 18% with no clear predictive characteristics as compared to simple obstructive sleep apnea. Prognosis is similar to obstructive sleep apnea. The central apnea component in most patients on followup using CPAP therap, has resolved. For those with continued central apneas on simple CPAP therapy, other treatment options include bilevel PAP, adaptive servoventilation, permissive flow limitation and/or drugs.