cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular mechanisms of tumor necrosis factor-α-mediated plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 expression in adipocytes

Increased expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor -1 (PAI-1) in adipose tissues is thought to contribute to both the cardiovascular and metabolic complications associated with obesity. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is chronically elevated in adipose tissues of obese rodents and humans and has been directly implicated to induce PAI-1 in adipocytes. In this study, we used 3T3-L1 adipocytes to examine the mechanism by which TNF-alpha up-regulates PAI-1 in the adipocyte. Acute (3 h) and chronic (24 h) exposure of 3T3-L1 adipocytes to TNF-alpha induces PAI-1 mRNA by increasing the rate of transcription of the PAI-1 gene, and de novo protein synthesis is not required for this process. Although the p44/42 and PKC signaling pathways appear to be significant in the induction of PAI-1 mRNA in response to acute treatment with TNF-alpha, the more dramatic induction of PAI-1 mRNA observed in response to chronic exposure of adipocytes to TNF-alpha was mediated by these and additional signaling molecules, including p38, PI3-kinase, tyrosine kinases, and the transcription factor NF-kappaB. Moreover, the dramatic increase in PAI-1 observed after chronic exposure of adipocytes to TNF-alpha was accompanied by increased metabolic insulin resistance. Finally, we demonstrate that the PKC pathway is also central for PAI-1 induction in response to insulin and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), two additional molecules which are elevated in obesity and shown to directly induce PAI-1 in the adipocyte. The understanding of the mechanism of regulating PAI-1 expression in the adipocytes at the molecular level provides new insight to help identify novel targets in fighting the pathological complications of obesity.
Bio-logic analysis of injury biomarker patterns in human serum samples

Digital biosensor systems analyzing biomarkers characteristic of liver injury (LI), soft tissue injury (STI) and abdominal trauma (ABT) were developed and optimized for their performance in serum solutions spiked with injury biomarkers in order to mimic real medical samples. The systems produced 'Alert'-type optical output signals in the form of "YES-NO" separated by a threshold value. The new approach aims at the reliable detection of injury biomarkers for making autonomous decisions towards timely therapeutic interventions, particularly in conditions when a hospital treatment is not possible. The enzyme-catalyzed reactions performing Boolean AND/NAND logic operations in the presence of different combinations of the injury biomarkers allowed high-fidelity biosensing. Robustness of the systems was confirmed by their operation in serum solutions, representing the first example of chemically performed logic analysis of biological fluids and a step closer towards practical biomedical applications of enzyme-logic bioassays.
Personality Disorders and Coping Among Anxious Older Adults

This study examined the interrelationships among anxiety, personality disorders, and coping strategies in anxious older adults (n = 28; age range = 55-89; mean = 66.0), nonanxious older adults (n = 100, age range = 55-79, mean = 64.6 ), and anxious younger adults (n = 132; age range = 17-30; mean = 20.2). Younger participants were college students and older participants were community-based family members of the students or recruits from local senior centers. Participants completed the Coolidge Axis II Inventory, the Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced scale, and the Brief Symptom Inventory. Results indicated that the prevalence of generalized anxiety states was relatively low and similar in both older and younger groups and dependent on measurement scale and criterion. At least one personality disorder was found in 61% of the older persons group; obsessive-compulsive, schizoid, and avoidant were the most frequently assigned personality disorders. Anxious older adults had elevated rates of dependent and avoidant personality disorder compared with nonanxious older adults. Younger anxious persons were found to have significantly greater personality dysfunction compared with older anxious persons. Finally, coping differences existed between older anxious and older nonanxious adults and between older anxious and younger anxious adults. Implications for diagnosis and treatment of anxiety in older adults were discussed.
The Syllogism of Neuro-Economics.

If Neuroscience is to contribute to Economics, it will do so by the way of Psychology. Neural data can and do lead to better psychological theories, and psychological insights can and do lead to better economic models. Hence, Neuroscience can in principle contribute to Economics. Whether it actually will do so is an empirical question and the jury is still out. Economics currently faces theoretical and empirical challenges analogous to those faced by Physics at the turn of the 20th century and ultimately addressed by quantum theory. If “quantum Economics” will emerge in the coming decades, it may well be founded on such concepts as cognitive processes and brain activity.
Former Presidents: Pensions, Office Allowances, and Other Federal Benefits

This report provides a legislative and cultural history of the Former Presidents Act. It considers the potential effects of maintaining the FPA or amending the FPA in ways that might reduce or otherwise modify a former President's benefits.
Unsupervised restoration of hidden nonstationary Markov chains using evidential priors

This paper addresses the problem of unsupervised Bayesian hidden Markov chain restoration. When the hidden chain is stationary, the classical "Hidden Markov Chain" (HMC) model is quite efficient, and associated unsupervised Bayesian restoration methods using the "Expectation-Maximization" (EM) algorithm work well. When the hidden chain is non stationary, on the other hand, the unsupervised restoration results using the HMC model can be poor, due to a bad match between the real and estimated models. The novelty of this paper is to offer a more appropriate model for hidden nonstationary Markov chains, via the theory of evidence. Using recent results relating to Triplet Markov Chains (TMCs), we show, via simulations, that the classical restoration results can be improved by the use of the theory of evidence and Dempster-Shafer fusion. The latter improvement is performed in an entirely unsupervised way using an original parameter estimation method. Some application examples to unsupervised image segmentation are also provided.
Isolation, DNA sequence, and regulation of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene that encodes DNA strand transfer protein alpha.

Abstract DNA strand transfer protein alpha (STP alpha) from meiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells promotes homologous pairing of DNA without any nucleotide cofactor in the presence of yeast single-stranded DNA binding protein. This gene (DNA strand transferase 1, DST1) encodes a 309-amino-acid protein with a predicted molecular mass of 34,800 Da. The STP alpha protein level is constant in both mitotic and meiotic cells, but during meiosis the polypeptide is activated by an unknown mechanism, resulting in a large increase in its specific activity. A dst1::URA3/dst1::URA3 mutant grows normally in mitotic media; however, meiotic cells exhibit a greatly reduced induction of both DNA strand transfer activity and intragenic recombination between his1 heteroalleles. Spore viability is normal. These results suggest that DST1 is required for much of the observed induction of homologous recombination in S. cerevisiae during meiosis but not for normal sporulation.
Surveillance for microbes and range expansion in house sparrows

Interactions between hosts and parasites influence the success of host introductions and range expansions post-introduction. However, the physiological mechanisms mediating these outcomes are little known. In some vertebrates, variation in the regulation of inflammation has been implicated, perhaps because inflammation imparts excessive costs, including high resource demands and collateral damage upon encounter with novel parasites. Here, we tested the hypothesis that variation in the regulation of inflammation contributed to the spread of house sparrows (Passer domesticus) across Kenya, one of the world's most recent invasions of this species. Specifically, we asked whether inflammatory gene expression declines with population age (i.e. distance from Mombasa (dfM), the site of introduction around 1950). We compared expression of two microbe surveillance molecules (Toll-like receptors, TLRs-2 and 4) and a proinflammatory cytokine (interleukin-6, IL-6) before and after an injection of an immunogenic component of Gram-negative bacteria (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) among six sparrow populations. We then used a best-subset model selection approach to determine whether population age (dfM) or other factors (e.g. malaria or coccidian infection, sparrow density or genetic group membership) best-explained gene expression. For baseline expression of TLR-2 and TLR-4, population age tended to be the best predictor with expression decreasing with population age, although other factors were also important. Induced expression of TLRs was affected by LPS treatment alone. For induced IL-6, only LPS treatment reliably predicted expression; baseline expression was not explained by any factor. These data suggest that changes in microbe surveillance, more so than downstream control of inflammation via cytokines, might have been important to the house sparrow invasion of Kenya.
Cytokine responses to treponema pectinovorum and treponema denticola in human gingival fibroblasts.

Human gingival fibroblasts were challenged with Treponema pectinovorum and Treponema denticola to test three specific hypotheses: (i) these treponemes induce different cytokine profiles from the fibroblasts, (ii) differences in cytokine profiles are observed after challenge with live versus killed treponemes, and (iii) differences in cytokine profiles are noted from different gingival fibroblast cell lines when challenged with these treponemes. Three normal gingival fibroblast cell cultures were challenged with T. pectinovorum and T. denticola strains, and the supernatants were analyzed for cytokine production (i.e., interleukin-1alpha [IL-1alpha], IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, gamma interferon, macrophage chemotactic protein 1 [MCP-1], platelet-derived growth factor, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor). Unstimulated fibroblast cell lines produced IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1. T. pectinovorum routinely elicited the greatest production of these cytokines from the fibroblast cell lines, increasing 10- to 50-fold over basal production. While T. denticola also induced IL-6 and IL-8 production, these levels were generally lower than those elicited by challenge with T. pectinovorum. MCP-1 levels were significantly lower after T. denticola challenge, and the kinetics suggested that this microorganism actually inhibited basal production by the fibroblasts. No basal or stimulated production of the other cytokines was observed. Significant differences were noted in the responsiveness of the various cell lines with respect to the two species of treponemes and the individual cytokines produced. Finally, dead T. pectinovorum generally induced a twofold-greater level of IL-6 and IL-8 than the live bacteria. These results supported the idea that different species of oral treponemes can elicit proinflammatory cytokine production by gingival cells and that this stimulation did not require live microorganisms. Importantly, a unique difference was noted in the ability of T. pectinovorum to induce a robust MCP-1 production, while T. denticola appeared to inhibit this activity of the fibroblasts. While the general cytokine profiles of the fibroblast cell cultures were similar, significant differences were noted in the quantity of individual cytokines produced, which could relate to individual patient variation in local inflammatory responses in the periodontium.
Percutaneous drainage of abscesses and fluid collections

Percutaneous drainage has rapidly become the initial procedure of choice in the treatment of most intra-abdominal abscesses. The retroperitoneal location of the urinary tract facilitates a percutaneous approach and has been found to be highly effective, with surgical intervention required in a minority of cases. Noninfected fluid collections, particularly those related to ureteral or renal pelvic injuries, may also be managed nonsurgically using percutaneous techniques, such as nephrostomy and antegrade stenting.
Concurrent rhinoplasty and endoscopic sinus surgery: a review of the pros and cons and a template for success.

Historically concurrent FESS/rhinoplasty was avoided due to concerns of increased risk of complication. Recent studies have shown that FESS/rhinoplasty can be performed simultaneously with good outcomes and no significant increase in complications. A thorough and effective approach to the patient with sinonasal obstruction requires attention to aesthetic, functional, and inflammatory issues. Medical treatment is an important adjuvant to surgery in order to optimize outcomes by improving patient symptoms long-term. Surgery for these patients should be performed in a careful, stepwise approach to address the nasal septum, inferior turbinates, paranasal sinuses, and external nasal structures.
The disclosure of Non-GAAP earnings following regulation G: : an analysis of transitory gains

SYNOPSIS: We investigate how managers report one-time gains resulting from legal settlements and insurance recoveries in press releases following Regulation G. Regulation G may have had the unintended consequence of allowing managers to omit mention of these transitory gains, resulting in higher reported performance absent non-GAAP disclosure. We find that while managers generally provide some information about transitory gains in the earnings announcement, there is a large amount of variation in the granularity of the detail. For example, the vast majority of managers (88.5 percent) mention the gain in the earnings announcement, but few (34 percent) report non-GAAP earnings per share summary figures explicitly excluding transitory gains. This percentage is significantly lower than pre-Regulation G, where approximately 62 percent of firms reported non-GAAP earnings per share excluding the transitory gain. Interestingly, we find that gains are less likely to be carved out of earnings when there are no conc...
A Surprising Finding Related to Executive Control in a Patient Sample of Hypersexual Men

ABSTRACT Introduction Patients seeking help for hypersexual behavior often exhibit features of impulsivity, cognitive rigidity, and poor judgment as well as deficits in emotion regulation and excessive preoccupation with sex. Some of these characteristics are also common among patients presenting with neurological pathology associated with executive dysfunction. Exploring relationships between dysregulated sexual behavior and executive deficits will enhance our understanding of hypersexuality. Aim This study sought to assess whether patients seeking help for hypersexual behavior exhibit executive deficits as measured by standardized neuropsychological tests of executive functioning when compared with healthy controls. Methods Executive deficits were assessed in a sample of male patients (N = 30) seeking help for hypersexual behavior compared with a nonhypersexual community sample of men (N = 30) using neuropsychological tests of executive functioning. Using multivariate statistics, differences between the groups were examined. Main Outcome Measures Sexual activity measured by the Hypersexual Behavior Inventory and the Compulsive Sexual Behavior Inventory. Executive functions measured through neuropsychological testing using several subtests of Delis–Kaplan Executive Function System: Color–Word Interference Test, the Tower Test, the Trail Making Test, the Verbal Fluency Test, as well as the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Psychopathology was assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, and cognitive ability was assessed using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. Results Significant differences on measures of hypersexuality were observed. However, the groups failed to exhibit significant differences across neuropsychological tests of executive functioning even after controlling for cognitive ability. Conclusions These results contradict a previous finding of executive deficits among hypersexual men measured by self‐report. The lack of executive deficits suggests that this population may exhibit domain‐specific aspects of impulsivity, poor judgment, and risky behavior that are not generalizable to other domains of life. Furthermore, our findings fail to support a conceptualization of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, proposed hypersexual disorder based on models of executive dysfunction. Reid RC, Garos S, Carpenter BN, and Coleman E. A surprising finding related to executive control in a patient sample of hypersexual men. J Sex Med 2011;8:2227–2236.
Student Use of the Internet

This article explores Internet use among undergraduates, especially at one public research university where researchers have studied students' self-reported Internet use for several years. Analysis of data from a survey administered to 490 undergraduates in Fall 2000 and a survey of 593 undergraduates in Fall 2003 revealed that Internet use is ubiquitous among undergraduates; students spend most of their online time using Instant Messenger and e-mail, surfing the Web, doing coursework and downloading things. Although males and females spend about the same amount of time online, some of that time is spent differently. At least ten percent of the students exhibit some problematic behaviors related to spending too much time on the Internet.
Molecular mechanisms of antiseizure drug activity at GABAA receptors

The GABAA receptor (GABAAR) is a major target of antiseizure drugs (ASDs). A variety of agents that act at GABAARs s are used to terminate or prevent seizures. Many act at distinct receptor sites determined by the subunit composition of the holoreceptor. For the benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and loreclezole, actions at the GABAAR are the primary or only known mechanism of antiseizure action. For topiramate, felbamate, retigabine, losigamone and stiripentol, GABAAR modulation is one of several possible antiseizure mechanisms. Allopregnanolone, a progesterone metabolite that enhances GABAAR function, led to the development of ganaxolone. Other agents modulate GABAergic “tone” by regulating the synthesis, transport or breakdown of GABA. GABAAR efficacy is also affected by the transmembrane chloride gradient, which changes during development and in chronic epilepsy. This may provide an additional target for “GABAergic” ASDs. GABAAR subunit changes occur both acutely during status epilepticus and in chronic epilepsy, which alter both intrinsic GABAAR function and the response to GABAAR-acting ASDs. Manipulation of subunit expression patterns or novel ASDs targeting the altered receptors may provide a novel approach for seizure prevention.
mRMR-based feature selection for classification of cotton foreign matter using hyperspectral imaging

A mRMR-based two stage framework was used for optimal wavelengths selection.A total of 12 wavelengths were selected for cotton foreign matter classification.The selected wavelengths were highly correlated to the properties of foreign matter.The selected wavelengths achieved 86% or higher hit rate for different classifiers. Different cotton foreign matter causes various levels of damage to textile products and decreases the monetary value of cotton. Hyperspectral imaging technique has shown the capability of discriminating the foreign matter, but its large amount of information which is mostly correlated and redundant limits the classification accuracy and processing speed. The goal of this study was to explore a new method of feature selection (minimum Redundancy Maximum Relevance algorithm) to select optimal wavelengths from the visible to near infrared spectra of the hyperspectral imaging data for cotton foreign matter classification. A spectral dataset containing 480 samples was collected from hyperspectral reflectance images of cotton lint and 15 types of foreign matter. Each sample was represented by a mean spectrum containing 256 wavelengths ranging from 400nm to 1000nm. The dataset was pre-processed by removing the noise, and the number of wavelengths was reduced from 256 to 223 by removing those with a signal to noise ratio lower than 10dB. The optimal wavelengths were selected from the pre-processed dataset by a two-stage approach. The first step was to rank the features using the minimum Redundancy Maximum Relevance algorithm and to provide only the top ranked features for the following feature selection. In the second step, the sequential backward elimination was applied to the top ranked wavelengths to select the optimal wavelengths for foreign matter classification. The generality of the selected wavelengths was evaluated by comparing the classification performance using the Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs). A total of 12 wavelengths were selected as the optimal feature set for foreign matter classification. Eight wavelengths from the visible range were related to the natural or artificial pigments of foreign matter, and the other four from the near-infrared range were related to the proteins or nutrients in foreign matter. The selected wavelengths achieved average classification rates of 91.25%, 86.67%, and 86.67% for the LDA, SVM, and ANNs, respectively, indicating the generality of the selected features. This study explored a new method for hyperspectral imaging optimal wavelength selection and the selected wavelengths can be used with different classifiers for cotton foreign matter classification.
Supramolecular Hydrogelators and Hydrogels: From Soft Matter to Molecular Biomaterials

In this review we intend to provide a relatively comprehensive summary of the work of supramolecular hydrogelators after 2004 and to put emphasis particularly on the applications of supramolecular hydrogels/hydrogelators as molecular biomaterials. After a brief introduction of methods for generating supramolecular hydrogels, we discuss supramolecular hydrogelators on the basis of their categories, such as small organic molecules, coordination complexes, peptides, nucleobases, and saccharides. Following molecular design, we focus on various potential applications of supramolecular hydrogels as molecular biomaterials, classified by their applications in cell cultures, tissue engineering, cell behavior, imaging, and unique applications of hydrogelators. Particularly, we discuss the applications of supramolecular hydrogelators after they form supramolecular assemblies but prior to reaching the critical gelation concentration because this subject is less explored but may hold equally great promise for helping ...
Free Vascularized Bone Grafting for Large-Gap Nonunion of Long Bones

Summary In conclusion, vascularized bone grafts provide a useful technique for difficult skeletal reconstructive problems. The advantages, indications, and method of this technique have been reviewed. The experience of the literature has been summarized, and our current experience with microvascular grafting was presented.
Two-Stage Buy-It-Now Auctions

This paper studies second-price auctions with a temporary Buy-It-Now price (BIN auctions) using a two-stage model, in which two groups of bidders enter the auction at different times. The early bidders are offered a Buy-It-Now (BIN) option to purchase the item immediately at a listed price (BIN price). If no early bidder accepts the BIN option, an additional group of bidders (late bidders) enter the auction and both groups of bidders participate in a second-price sealed-bid auction without BIN option. When bidders are risk averse with concave utility functions, we establish the existence and uniqueness of a cutoff equilibrium such that an early bidder will accept the BIN option if his valuation is higher than the cutoff valuation. Moreover, bidders are more likely to accept the BIN option when fewer bidders are offered the BIN option. We show that when facing risk averse bidders, the seller can obtain higher expected revenue in BIN auctions than in standard second-price auctions. Furthermore, the expected seller revenue decreases with the number of early bidders. Consequently, the expected seller revenue is higher in the auctions with BIN only available to a subset of bidders than in the auctions with BIN available to all bidders. These results may help explain the popularity of temporary BIN auctions on eBay and the observed high acceptance frequencies of BIN prices in experimental and field studies.
Efficient generation of generalized Monkhorst-Pack grids through the use of informatics

We present a method for rapidly generating efficient $k$-point grids for Brillouin zone integration by using a database of precalculated grids. Benchmark results on 102 randomly selected materials indicate that for well-converged calculations, the grids generated by our method have fewer than half as many irreducible $k$-points as Monkhorst-Pack grids generated using a more conventional method, significantly accelerating the calculation of properties of crystalline materials.
THREATS AND ANTI-SEMITIC BLAMING

A strategy for efficiently and effectively reducing anti-Semitic stereo-typing was presented, supported by the results of a questionnaire responded to by 15 randomly selected students between the ages of 18 and 32 years, at L.I.F.E. Bible College (associated with the Pentacostal Four-Square Church) in San Dimas, CA in 1993. Relationships predicted among stereotypic blaming and related threats were supported by the data--principally, that very negative combinations of common blamings called compound blamings, e.g., "Jews are rich because Jews are more dishonest," correlated significantly with a large group of far less negative anti-Semitic blamings and related threats. It was argued that a single compound blaming when deconditioned in a classroom, would be more effective in reducing over-all anti-Semitic blaming than deconditioning any other blaming or by using the more traditional group discussion or lecture methods for reducing prejudicial attitudes.
Gain-of-Function Research: Unproven Technique

The letter “Gain-of-function experiments on H7N9” (R. A. M. Fouchier et al. , 9 August, p. [612][1]; published online 7 August) is based on unproven assumptions from previous H5N1 studies and on less-than-critical examination of the basic biology of influenza viruses ([ 1 ][2]). Furthermore,
AIDS-related behavior analysis on 294 cases of MSM

[Objective]To understand the AIDS-related behavioral characteristics among MSM,and provide evidence for developing effective interventions. [Methods]The MSM,who were often in bars,parks and other places,were recruited for investigation about AIDS risk behavior characteristics and ways of making friends.The results were statistically analyzed with SPSS. [Results]A total of 294 individuals were investigated.The results showed that the average number of sexual partners was 4.71±18.75 in recent 6 months,low rate of condom use,45.49% used condom in every anal sex,only 15.85% used it in oral sex,the active test rate was 32.31%;76.64% had first sexual intercourse with men,66.53% made sexual partners via the Internet. [Conclusion]The characteristics of too many sexual partners,low use of condom and other AIDS high-risk behavior,and low active test rate of HIV exist among MSM population.Therefore,effective interventions should be developed urgently for this population.
Effect of dietary sodium bicarbonate on growth, liver copper concentration and incidence of gastric ulceration in pigs fed excess dietary copper.

An experiment was conducted with growing-finishing pigs to evaluate the interactive effects of dietary sodium bicarbonate (1%) and excess dietary Cu (250 mg/kg diet) on growth, liver Cu accumulation and incidence of gastric ulceration. A 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was used and each treatment was replicated four (Trial 1) or three (Trial 2) times with four pigs per replicate. Initial weight of the pigs was 57 (Trial 1) and 32 kg (Trial 2). Growth rate and efficiency of feed utilization were not affected (P > .10) by treatment. Sodium bicarbonate increased (P .10) the incidence of gastric ulceration.
Rating functional capabilities of veterans with traumatic brain injury by family members and veterans

Background/Aims: People with a traumatic brain injury often perceive their everyday functional capabilities differently from their families. The tendency to underrate one's own limitations is often attributed to deficits in self-awareness. Yet the possibility that family ratings are subjective and may thus account for differences has been neglected despite its clinical relevance. The present study examined possible factors influencing family member's ratings, testing two hypotheses: (1) Different types of relatives (i.e. spouses versus non-spouses) may rate functioning differently (2) Incongruence may be more pronounced in less observable domains of function. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 83 veterans with a traumatic brain injury and a non-spousal family member or spouse were interviewed at home, using the Patient Competency Rating Scale and eliciting sociodemographic characteristics. Findings: Competence ratings differed by relationship type (spouse/other), with spouses rating veteran functioning ...
Positive and negative effects of cellular senescence during female reproductive aging and pregnancy

Cellular senescence is a phenomenon occurring when cells are no longer able to divide even after treatment with growth stimuli. Because senescent cells are typically associated with aging and age-related diseases, cellular senescence is hypothesized to contribute to the age-related decline in reproductive function. However, some data suggest that senescent cells may also be important for normal physiological functions during pregnancy. Herein, we review the positive and negative effects of cellular senescence on female reproductive aging and pregnancy. We discuss how senescent cells accelerate female reproductive aging by promoting the decline in the number of ovarian follicles and increasing complications during pregnancy. We also describe how cellular senescence plays an important role in placental and fetal development as a beneficial process, ensuring proper homeostasis during pregnancy.
An Autonomous Charging System for a Robotic Fish

The use of autonomous underwater vehicles is often hampered by stringent power constraints that limit the duration of their deployment. Here, we present a novel autonomous underwater charging system for robotic fish. The system features a charging station designed with form-fit claws to facilitate the robotic fish docking. A controller is implemented externally to monitor the battery level of the robotic fish, swimming autonomously in two dimensions. When the battery level is low, the controller commands the robotic fish to approach the charging station using video feedback from an overhead camera. The approach angle of the robotic fish to the charging station is optimized through a series of experiments, assessing the success of both docking and electrical contact, as well as the time to approach the charging station. To demonstrate the feasibility of the autonomous charging system, the robotic fish is monitored as it cycles through periods of charging and discharging while swimming in the tank. The proposed system is expected to find application in laboratory and educational settings, where robotic fish should operate with minimal supervision and assistance from technical staff over extended time periods.
Association of Dietary Factors with Progression of AA in Stroke/TIA Patients

Objective: To investigate the effect of dietary factors such as calorie intake and dietary fats on the progression of aortic arch atheroma (AA). Background: In stroke/TIA patients, progression of AA is associated with recurrent vascular events. Design/Methods: Consecutive patients with measurable (>1 mm) AA atheroma on baseline transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) evaluation consented to a protocol mandated follow-up TEE at 12 months. Patients that had adequate paired AA images were assessed for progression, defined as Δ ≥ 1 grade worsening (based on plaque thickness over 12 months). Stroke risk factors and fasting lipid profile were assessed at baseline. The patient’s nutritional intake was measured at baseline using the Gladys Block Food Frequency Questionnaire. Results: One-hundred-nine patients (70 strokes, 33 TIAs) had sequential TEEs, of whom 27% (N=30) progressed and 73% (N=79) did not. Patients with progression had higher daily calorie (1778 ± 623 vs. 1378 ± 406 Calories, p=0.008), fat (76 ± 33 vs. 52 ± 23 grams, p=0.0002), carbohydrate (208 ± 78 vs. 169 ± 57 grams, p=0.01) and protein (73 ± 26 vs. 57 ± 21 grams, p=0.005) intake. On Further analysis among different fats showed a higher consumption of saturated fats (25 ± 12 vs. 17 ±8 grams, p=0.00051) as well as unsaturated fats (44 ± 20 vs. 30 ± 13 grams, p=0.002). These differences remained significant after we adjusted for the medication use. However the significance of these differences was attenuated after adjusting for the calorie intake. Cholesterol consumption did not differ between the progression and no-progression group (262 ± 125 vs. 213 ± 149 mg, p=0.2). Conclusions/Relevance: Calorie intake plays a significant role in the progression of AA. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and determine the specific dietary modifications that may prevent AA progression and associated recurrent vascular events.
Kappa and Rater Accuracy: Paradigms and Parameters

Drawing parallels to classical test theory, this article clarifies the difference between rater accuracy and reliability and demonstrates how category marginal frequencies affect rater agreement and Cohen's kappa (κ). Category assignment paradigms are developed: comparing raters to a standard (index) versus comparing two raters to one another (concordance), using both nonstochastic and stochastic category membership. Using a probability model to express category assignments in terms of rater accuracy and random error, it is shown that observed agreement (Po) depends only on rater accuracy and number of categories; however, expected agreement (Pe) and κ depend additionally on category frequencies. Moreover, category frequencies affect Pe and κ solely through the variance of the category proportions, regardless of the specific frequencies underlying the variance. Paradoxically, some judgment paradigms involving stochastic categories are shown to yield higher κ values than their nonstochastic counterparts. Using the stated probability model, assignments to categories were generated for 552 combinations of paradigms, rater and category parameters, category frequencies, and number of stimuli. Observed means and standard errors for Po, Pe, and κ were fully consistent with theory expectations. Guidelines for interpretation of rater accuracy and reliability are offered, along with a discussion of alternatives to the basic model.
Aspirations and the development treadmill

I describe a positive theory of socially determined aspirations, and some implications of that theory for the study of economic inequality and social conflict. The main contribution of the theory is that it attempts to describe, in the same explanatory arc, how a change in aspirations can be inspirational in some circumstances, or a source of frustration and resentment in others. These different reactions arise from the aspirational gap: the difference between socially generated aspirations and the current socio-economic standard that the individual enjoys. Ever-accelerating economic development can cut both ways in terms of inspiration and frustration.
Numerical modeling of fabric vertical flame testing: Textile samples:

The advantage of utilizing modeling to study fire performance of textiles is the ability to conduct detailed studies of the effect of fabric characteristics on flame spread. First, two textile mate...
Laboratory Approaches in Molecular Pathology—The Polymerase Chain Reaction

Abstract The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) represents a rapid, sensitive, and specific method for in vitro amplification of nucleic acid sequences. Through utilization of specific oligodeoxynucleotide primers, the PCR is capable of identifying a target sequence and then using a DNA polymerase able to amplify millions of copies (amplicons) of the target. The concept of the PCR was first described in the mid-1980s, and since that time developments related to methodological modifications and new forms of instrumentation have combined to enhance the technology, which has evolved into a reliable, affordable, user-friendly method that is performed in laboratories world-wide. The development of various chemistries for primer and probe labeling has produced an extraordinary technology with respect to performance characteristics. The first major technological breakthrough in the development of the PCR was the introduction of a thermostable DNA polymerase. The second major technological breakthrough in the development of the PCR was the introduction of the programmable heat block that automatically changes the reaction temperature during each amplification cycle—the thermocycler. The thermocycler instrument enabled automation of the PCR and the basic methodology has not changed significantly since the late 1980s. The PCR is now utilized as the basis for numerous clinical molecular diagnostic tests in laboratories around the world.
On Modified Self Organizing Feature Maps

This paper presents optimization of self-organizing feature maps by adjusting tunable parameters and in the iterative process by utilizing linear algebra concepts. A gradient rule is applied on the weights matrix singular value decomposition values during convergence phases to optimize the algorithm while achieving sufficient statistical accuracy. Tunable parameters such as the learning rate, and neighborhood radius are adjusted to support the learning algorithm. The algorithm presented herein is tested on the self-organization of the standard Iris dataset, in the literature.
Colorectal Cancer Presenting with Constipation During Pregnancy

Colorectal cancer is a rare occurrence during pregnancy and can present with symptoms that are common during pregnancy such as constipation.This can make the diagnosis of colorectal cancer during pregnancy difficult. Management of colorectal cancer during pregnancy is similar to the treatment of non-pregnant patients, but with fetal safety in mind. This case report describes a 33-year-old female gravida two para one (G2P1) at 29 weeks gestation who presented with a complete bowel obstruction. Colonoscopy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and later resection showed an obstructing malignancy which was then resected through an exploratory laparotomy with left hemicolectomy. Postoperatively, there was a concern for sepsis, so labor was induced and the baby was delivered vaginally. The patient then continued with chemotherapy with hematology-oncology. High clinical suspicion is needed to diagnose colorectal cancer during pregnancy. Once diagnosed, surgery can be considered if resectable, taking into account gestational age. Fetal safety is a major consideration during treatment.
Defining Intolerance of Ambiguity

Current tests of intolerance of ambiguity suffer from two grave faults—the measures are not logically consistent operational definitions of the concept, and they have poor psychometric properties. The logical implications of the theory of intolerance of ambiguity were reduced to a set of defining characteristics. Two of these attributes were used to generate two tests which operationally define these attributes, and are not inconsistent with the rest of the defining characteristics. The two tests, measures of “need for categorization,” and “need for certainty,” were examined for their psychometric properties. Their distributions satisfied the usual psychometric criteria, and their intercorrelations showed that the two dimensions were positively related.
The late inspiral of supermassive black hole binaries with circumbinary gas discs in the LISA band

We present the results of 2D, moving-mesh, viscous hydrodynamical simulations of an accretion disc around a merging supermassive black hole binary (SMBHB). The simulation is pseudo-Newtonian, with the BHs modeled as point masses with a Paczynski-Wiita potential, and includes viscous heating, shock heating, and radiative cooling. We follow the gravitational inspiral of an equal-mass binary with a component mass M_bh=10^6 M_sun from an initial separation of 60r_g (where r_g=GM_bh/c^2 is the gravitational radius) to the merger. We find that a central, low-density cavity forms around the binary, as in previous work, but that the BHs capture gas from the circumbinary disc and accrete efficiently via their own minidiscs, well after their inspiral outpaces the viscous evolution of the disc. The system remains luminous, displaying strong periodicity at twice the binary orbital frequency throughout the entire inspiral process, all the way to the merger. In the soft X-ray band, the thermal emission is dominated by the inner edge of the circumbinary disc with especially clear periodicity in the early inspiral. By comparison, harder X-ray emission is dominated by the minidiscs, and the light curve is initially more noisy but develops a clear periodicity in the late inspiral stage. This variability pattern should help identify the EM counterparts of SMBHBs detected by the space-based gravitational-wave detector LISA.
Postprocessing and Reconstruction Techniques for the Coronary Arteries

Proper post-processing of cardiac CT images is crucial to obtain high-quality diagnostic images of the coronary arteries. The design of acquisition protocols take into account scan-related factors such as the temporal and spatial resolution of the scanner as well as patient-relate factors such as the patient weight and ECG tracing. ECG gating can be performed with either prospective or retrospective gating, with each method having distinct advantages. The next phase of post-processing involves the layout of images on the cardiac CT workstation. These reconstruction techniques enable the interpreting physician to reliably identify the anatomy and course of the coronary arteries and interpret coronary artery plaque and luminal obstruction.
Synopsis of Current Developments: Safety

Safety in Sports Engineering is a broad and diverse topic. The papers in this section reflect that diversity. Historically safety in sport has been a stated goal, but often was secondary to performance. As we become more sophisticated in our ability to analyze and anticipate problems, we also become more proficient in the application of analytical tools such as qualitative analysis, simulation, application of new materials to old problems, statistical analysis, experimental field and lab studies, as well as epidemiological data to determine the degree to which a product might work.
Trends and Complications of Vulvar Reconstruction After Vulvectomy: A Study of a Nationwide Cohort.

Objectives The objective of this study was to determine complications associated with primary closure compared with reconstruction after vulvar excision and predisposing factors to these complications. Methods Patients undergoing vulvar excision with or without reconstruction from 2011 to 2015 were abstracted from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Common Procedural Terminology codes were used to characterize surgical procedures as vulvar excision alone or vulvar excision with reconstruction. Patient characteristics and 30-day outcomes were used to compare the 2 procedures. Descriptive and univariate statistics were performed. Adjusted odds ratios and confidence intervals were calculated using a logistic regression model to control for potential confounders. Two-sided α with P Results A total of 2698 patients were identified; 78 (2.9%) underwent reconstruction. There were no differences in age, race, body mass index, diabetes, hypertension, tobacco use, heart failure, renal failure, or functional status between the 2 groups. American Society of Anesthesiologists class 3 and 4 patients and those with disseminated cancer were more likely to undergo reconstruction (both P Conclusions Patients undergoing vulvar excision with reconstruction are at increased risk for readmission and postoperative complications compared with those undergoing excision alone. Careful patient selection and efforts to optimize surgical readiness are needed to improve outcomes. Long-term data could help determine if these 30-day outcomes are a reliable measure of surgical quality in vulvar surgery.
Associations among histological characteristics and patient outcomes in colorectal carcinoma with a mucinous component.

Aims Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) often has a mucinous component, with more than 50% mucin by volume defining the mucinous subtype of CRC. The prognostic impact of the mucinous phenotype remains unclear. Methods and results We evaluated 224 CRC with at least 5% mucinous component (herein 'mCRC') for patient sex, age, race and outcome; tumour size, location, stage and microsatellite instability (MSI) status; percentage of glands producing mucin; percentage of tumour volume composed of mucin; whether tumoral epithelium floated in mucin pools; tumour budding; signet ring cells (SRCs); and peritumoural inflammation (PI). We related these features to disease-specific survival and compared outcomes to 499 stage-matched, conventional colorectal adenocarcinomas. Factors predicting worse prognosis in mCRC on univariable analysis included non-MSI-high status (P = 0.0008), SRC (P = 0.0017) and lack of PI (P = 0.0034). No parameters were independently associated with outcome after adjusting for tumour stage in multivariate analysis. The percentage of glands producing mucin and percentage tumour volume composed of mucin did not affect prognosis, including at the recommended 50% cut-off for subtyping mCRC. Disease-specific survival for mCRC and adenocarcinomas were similar after accounting for stage. Conclusions Stage-matched mCRCs and adenocarcinomas have similar outcomes, with no prognostic significance to morphological subtyping. Histological characteristics of mCRC, including percentage of tumour volume comprised of mucin, were not predictive of outcome.