cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Developmental Exposures of Male Rats to Soy Isoflavones Impact Leydig Cell Differentiation

Testicular Leydig cells, which are the predominant source of the male sex steroid hormone testosterone, express estrogen receptors (ESRs) and are subject to regulation by estrogen. Following ingestion, the two major isoflavones in soybeans, genistin and daidzin, are hydrolyzed by gut microflora to form genistein and daidzein, which have the capacity to bind ESRs and affect gene expression. Thus, the increasing use of soy-based products as nondairy sources of protein has raised concerns about the potential of these products to cause reproductive toxicity. In the present study, perinatal exposure of male rats to isoflavones induced proliferative activity in Leydig cells. Isoflavones have the capacity to act directly as mitogens in Leydig cells, because genistein treatment induced Leydig cell division in vitro. Genistein action regulating Leydig cell division involved ESRs, acting in concert with signaling molecules in the transduction pathway mediated by protein kinase B (AKT) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Enhanced proliferative activity in the prepubertal period increased Leydig cell numbers, which alleviated deficits in androgen biosynthesis and/or augmented serum and testicular testosterone concentrations in adulthood. Together, these observations indicate that the perinatal exposures of male rats to isoflavones affected Leydig cell differentiation, and they imply that including soy products in the diets of neonates has potential implications for testis function.
Coccinellid response to landscape composition and configuration

Arthropod natural enemies provide valuable pest suppression in agricultural land- scapes. Natural enemy abundance and diversity within a given crop, in turn, have frequently been shown to be positively related to the amount of semi-natural habi- tat in the landscape. However, other aspects of landscape structure may also influence natural enemy communities and may be more amenable to management. 2 We simultaneously assessed the relationship among several metrics of landscape structure, as well as between these metrics and coccinellid activity in soybean fields. We used partial least squares regression to examine the coccinellid response to landscape structure. 3 Coccinellid activity was lowest in landscapes dominated by annual crops grown in large fields and highest in landscapes dominated by semi-natural habitats such as grasslands and forests, with a higher diversity of crops grown in smaller fields. 4 Landscape characteristics, including composition factors such as the type and amount of different land covers and configuration factors such as the interspersion of these land covers, are often correlated within a set of landscapes. Isolating the effects of individual landscape characteristics on natural enemy communities will be necessary to move forward with the development of management actions that can increase biocontrol services in agroecosystems.
Seasonal succession of pollinator floral resources in four types of grasslands

Pollinators are declining globally, and this decline in ecosystem services threatens the stability of agricultural and natural systems. Pollinators depend on a diversity of floral resources that are primarily found in uncultivated areas of agro-ecosystems such as grasslands. Seasonal succession (the seasonal changes that occur in community composition and structure) of floral resources is an essential consideration for pollinator conservation within agro-ecosystems. Different types of grasslands common within agricultural landscapes could be expected to differ in their seasonal succession of floral resources. Here we investigated how different types of grasslands important for pollinator conservation in the tallgrass prairie ecoregion (remnant prairies, reconstructed prairies, conservation grazed cattle pastures, and old fields) differ in their seasonal succession of floral resources by sampling the plant community every two weeks from 3 May through 4 October 2013. We found remnant prairies had greater richness of inflorescences when summed over the growing season, and that remnants were least similar to the other grassland types in terms of composition. Reconstructed prairies had high richness of inflorescences and exhibited the most similarity in composition to remnant prairies only during the middle of the growing season. Conservation grazed cattle pastures had more periods where turnover in composition from one survey to the next was low, indicated by the coefficient of variation in turnover throughout the season. Old fields had the lowest richness of inflorescences and were significantly different from reconstructed and remnant prairies.
What are exciting in laser science

Recent advances in selected areas of laser science are briefly reviewed. They include laser technology, coherent control of quantum systems by lasers, X-ray generation by ultrashort high-intensity laser pulses, and laser spectroscopic studies of surface catalysis in real environment.
Integration of indocyanine green videoangiography with operative microscope: augmented reality for interactive assessment of vascular structures and blood flow.

BACKGROUND Preservation of adequate blood flow and exclusion of flow from lesions are key concepts of vascular neurosurgery. Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence videoangiography is now widely used for the intraoperative assessment of vessel patency. OBJECTIVE Here, we present a proof-of-concept investigation of fluorescence angiography with augmented microscopy enhancement: real-time overlay of fluorescence videoangiography within the white light field of view of conventional operative microscopy. METHODS The femoral artery was exposed in 7 anesthetized rats. The dissection microscope was augmented to integrate real-time electronically processed near-infrared filtered images with conventional white light images seen through the standard oculars. This was accomplished by using an integrated organic light-emitting diode display to yield superimposition of white light and processed near-infrared images. ICG solution was injected into the jugular vein, and fluorescent femoral artery flow was observed. RESULTS Fluorescence angiography with augmented microscopy enhancement was able to detect ICG fluorescence in a small artery of interest. Fluorescence appeared as a bright-green signal in the ocular overlaid with the anatomic image and limited to the anatomic borders of the femoral artery and its branches. Surrounding anatomic structures were clearly visualized. Observation of ICG within the vessel lumens permitted visualization of the blood flow. Recorded video loops could be reviewed in an offline mode for more detailed assessment of the vasculature. CONCLUSION The overlay of fluorescence videoangiography within the field of view of the white light operative microscope allows real-time assessment of the blood flow within vessels during simultaneous surgical manipulation. This technique could improve intraoperative decision making during complex neurovascular procedures.
Vitamin B complex studies with diets differing in the level of protein.

SummaryExperiments involving the feeding to rats of diets varying in the level of casein were carried out. The following facts were established:1. In ad libitum feeding the fecal elimination of the B vitamins studied closely paralleled the level of dietary protein. In equalized feeding the fecal elimination of biotin, pantothenic acid, and nicotinic acid was directly proportional to the protein content of the diet.2. The hepatic storage of the B vitamins studied was correlated directly with the protein content of the diet. This relationship existed both in ad libitum and controlled feeding experiments, The hepatic stores of folic acid, biotin, pantothenic acid, and riboflavin found in rats fed the lower levels of protein were indicative of either frank or incipient deficiencies.3. Leucopenia and agranulocytosis were induced readily by diets low in protein. Under these conditions the existence of the dyscrasia was correlated with the reduced fecal elimination and hepatic storage of folic acid. When diets m...
Cortical Bone Thickness of the Distal Part of the Tibia Predicts Bone Mineral Density.

Background: Poor bone density may affect surgical planning, treatment outcome, and postoperative protocols. Many patients with foot and ankle problems have not undergone a dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan, which is currently the gold standard for determining bone density. The purpose of this study was to determine if the cortical bone thickness (CBT) of the distal part of the tibia measured on radiographs correlated with bone mineral density. Methods: After exclusion criteria were applied, 167 consecutive adult patients (mean age and standard deviation [SD], 62 ± 11.62 years) who had had standardized ankle radiographs and a DXA scan within 6 months of each other were included in this retrospective study. The CBT was measured with both the gauge and the average method on standardized anteroposterior, lateral, and hindfoot alignment radiographs. The relationship between CBT in the distal part of the tibia and DXA findings in the hip, proximal part of the femur, and lumbar spine was assessed with Pearson correlations. The interrater and intrarater reliability of CBT measurements was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficients. Subgroup analysis was performed to determine the ability of CBT thresholds to predict osteoporosis. Results: Average CBT measurements on the anteroposterior, lateral, and hindfoot alignment views strongly correlated with DXA findings in the proximal part of the femur (r = 0.70, 0.64, and 0.55, respectively; p < 0.0001), the hip (r = 0.74, 0.67, and 0.53; p < 0.0001), and the lumbar spine (r = 0.61, 0.60, and 0.47; p < 0.0001). The interrater and intrarater reliability of the CBT measurements was excellent. Use of a 3.5-mm average CBT of the distal part of the tibia on the anteroposterior view as the threshold value for predicting osteoporosis (T score less than −2.5) had a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 25%, an accuracy of 33%, a positive predictive value of 19%, and a negative predictive value of 100%. Conclusions: Measurement of the average CBT of the distal part of the tibia is a quick and reliable method for obtaining information on bone quality. CBT measured on standard ankle radiographs correlated strongly with DXA results and may prove to be a useful screening tool for osteoporosis. Level of Evidence: Diagnostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Productivity Growth,Factors Reallocation and China's Economic Growth——Empirical Study Based on Sub-sectors

This paper analyzes the productivity growth and factor allocation effects for the case of 8 macroeconomic sectors and 18 manufacturing during the period of 1999-2009,based on the cross-industry panel data of China.The findings are listed as follows: ①Macro-economy TFP growth rate has declined since 2008,labor allocation effects have increased with a rise in productivity,but capital allocation effects has a negative figure.②Industry environmental TEP has shown a sharp decline and both its labor and capital allocation have shown negative numbers.After calculating TFP growth and the effects of factors reallocation on economic growth by building-up a regressive model,it is found that TFP growth has a positive effect on the economic growth,while factors reallocation has a negative one.The results show the importance and urgency of changing the economic growth pattern and adjusting the economic structure.As two important engines of our country's economic growth,technological advancement and transformation of structure should interact and play a positive role in promoting the future economic growth.
The effect of cell population density on nutrient uptake and cell metabolism: a comparative study of human diploid and heteroploid cell lines.

The possibility that contact inhibition of growth in cultures of human diploid cells is influenced by the effects of cell crowding on nutrient uptake by the cells was investigated. Two human lung cell lines were compared, the diploid line MRC-5 and the heteroploid line L-132. In pre-confluent cultures the ability of these 2 cell types to accumulate amino acids was very similar. Post-confluent L-132 cells showed very little change from the pre-confluent cultures but the ability of MRC-5 cells in post-confluent cultures was greatly reduced. The intracellular concentrations of various amino acids necessary to achieve the maximum rate of protein synthesis were found. These values were identical for sparse and crowded cultures but due to the reduced uptake ability of crowded MRC-5 cells a far higher external amino acid concentration was required in post-confluent cultures. This meant that although amino acids did not become growth-limiting until over 80% utilized in pre-confluent cultures, in post-confluent cultures they became growth-limiting when only 50% utilized. Although protein synthesis was significantly affected by extracellular amino acid concentration and cell crowding, thus contributing towards the effect of contact inhibition of growth, DNA synthesis was shown to be the major metabolic function in contact inhibition. Increased cell density had a very inhibitory effect on DNA synthesis in MRC-5 cultures, but not in L-132 cultures, and this was unaffected by extracellular amino acid and glucose concentration.
Follicle-stimulating hormone blocks estrogen-positive feedback during the early follicular phase in monkeys

Normally cycling rhesus monkeys were treated with 12.5 IU of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH; n = 9) or saline ( n = 9) on cycle days 1 to 4, 1 to 6, or 1 to 8 and 50 μ g/kg estradiol benzoate ( E 2 B, intramuscularly) on day 1, 3, or 5, respectively. Blood was collected daily, then every 8 hours for 96 hours after E 2 B treatment. Serum was assayed for FSH and luteinizing hormone (LH) by radioimmunoassay. Laparoscopy and serum E 2 levels were used to assess ovarian follicular development. Eight of nine FSH-treated monkeys failed to demonstrate typical LH surges in response to E 2 B. One monkey treated with E 2 B on day 1 had an attenuated LH surge. All nine control monkeys demonstrated typical threefold LH increases within 72 hours after E 2 B treatment. Supraphysiologic ovarian stimulation was not visibly evident until 5 days after initiation of FSH treatment. These results suggest that the FSH-induced blockade of estrogen-positive feedback for the LH surge antecedes overt ovarian hyperstimulation.
Hypoglycemia and Neural Dysfunction

Evoked potentials were used to measure neural function in relation to blood glucose concentration in 17 children at the Department of Child Health, University of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Eddy current–nulled convex optimized diffusion encoding (EN-CODE) for distortion-free diffusion tensor imaging with short echo times

Purpose To design and evaluate eddy current–nulled convex optimized diffusion encoding (EN-CODE) gradient waveforms for efficient diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) that is free of eddy current–induced image distortions. Methods The EN-CODE framework was used to generate diffusion-encoding waveforms that are eddy current–compensated. The EN-CODE DTI waveform was compared with the existing eddy current–nulled twice refocused spin echo (TRSE) sequence as well as monopolar (MONO) and non–eddy current–compensated CODE in terms of echo time (TE) and image distortions. Comparisons were made in simulations, phantom experiments, and neuro imaging in 10 healthy volunteers. Results The EN-CODE sequence achieved eddy current compensation with a significantly shorter TE than TRSE (78 versus 96 ms) and a slightly shorter TE than MONO (78 versus 80 ms). Intravoxel signal variance was lower in phantoms with EN-CODE than with MONO (13.6 ± 11.6 versus 37.4 ± 25.8) and not different from TRSE (15.1 ± 11.6), indicating good robustness to eddy current–induced image distortions. Mean fractional anisotropy values in brain edges were also significantly lower with EN-CODE than with MONO (0.16 ± 0.01 versus 0.24 ± 0.02, P < 1 x 10-5) and not different from TRSE (0.16 ± 0.01 versus 0.16 ± 0.01, P = nonsignificant). Conclusions The EN-CODE sequence eliminated eddy current–induced image distortions in DTI with a TE comparable to MONO and substantially shorter than TRSE. Magn Reson Med, 2017. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Musculoskeletal Assessment and Training: The Young Athlete

The primary purpose of a preparticipation physical examination is to identify risk factors that may predispose an athlete to physical and/or psychological injury. Inclusion of a physiological assessment complements the more traditional preparticipation health examination by contributing valuable information toward the specific physical strengths and weaknesses of the young athlete. This information when combined with the orthopedic and medical components of a preparticipation examination can dramatically enhance the safety of sports participation.
Single versus combined immunoregulatory approach using PD-1 and CTLA-4 modulators in controlling sepsis.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Sepsis is a disease process characterized by an extreme inflammatory response followed by a period of severe immunosuppression. In recent years, there has been improved survival in the initial immune response during systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and compensatory anti-inflammatory response, yet is mostly unchanged with 18–30% mortality during the later stage of sepsis despite numerous Phase 3 clinical trials.Areas covered: This review article presents a critical evaluation of the most promising newer studies aimed at improving the immunosuppressive stage of sepsis. Administration of DHEA/AED/AET show promise in improving survival. Blockade of signaling pathways for PD-1/PD-L1/CTLA-4, and partial blockade of TREM-1 signaling, and modification to sTREM-1 and the JAK/STAT pathway are promising methods of restoring host immune response and improving survival. While there has been significant progress, currently no findings have been translated into effective clinical interventi...
Price Volatility in the Natural Gas Market

This paper examines the causes and behavior of price volatility in the US natural gas market. Although natural gas prices are among the most volatile, they have received limited academic scrutiny heretofore. The study’s main findings are: (1) the natural gas market is characterized by volatility persistence, (2) predicted volatility increases more following a positive shock than an equal negative shock, (3) there are day-of-the-week and month-of-the-year patterns in this market, (4) surprises in the change in natural gas in storage cause increased volatility, (5) volatility tends to be higher during and immediately after bid week, and (6) volatility tends to be higher on winter days when the temperature is lower than normal. The model developed and employed in this research is an improved procedure for testing and quantifying the hypothesized volatility determinants within a GARCH type model.
An open-source method to analyze optokinetic reflex responses in larval zebrafish

Abstract Background Optokinetic reflex (OKR) responses provide a convenient means to evaluate oculomotor, integrative and afferent visual function in larval zebrafish models, which are commonly used to elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying development, disease and repair of the vertebrate nervous system. New method We developed an open-source MATLAB-based solution for automated quantitative analysis of OKR responses in larval zebrafish. The package includes applications to: (i) generate sinusoidally-transformed animated grating patterns suitable for projection onto a cylindrical screen to elicit the OKR; (ii) determine and record the angular orientations of the eyes in each frame of a video recording showing the OKR response; and (iii) analyze angular orientation data from the tracking program to yield a set of parameters that quantify essential elements of the OKR. The method can be employed without modification using the operating manual provided. In addition, annotated source code is included, allowing users to modify or adapt the software for other applications. Results We validated the algorithms and measured OKR responses in normal larval zebrafish, showing good agreement with published quantitative data, where available. Comparison with existing method(s) We provide the first open-source method to elicit and analyze the OKR in larval zebrafish. The wide range of parameters that are automatically quantified by our algorithms significantly expands the scope of quantitative analysis previously reported. Conclusions Our method for quantifying OKR responses will be useful for numerous applications in neuroscience using the genetically- and chemically-tractable zebrafish model.
Stroke Associated With Surgical and Transcatheter Treatment of Aortic Stenosis: A Comprehensive Review

Stroke is a potential complication of treating patients with aortic stenosis via surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR), transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), and balloon aortic valvuloplasty. Because there are limited and heterogeneous data on the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of stroke among patients being treated for aortic stenosis, we performed a comprehensive review of the literature. The risk of stroke after AVR in the general population is approximately 1.5%, and the risk is increased (to approximately 2% to 4%) in older and higher-risk patients. Strokes were reported in 1.5% to 6% of patients treated with TAVR, and in the only randomized trial of AVR versus TAVR, there was an increased risk of 30-day strokes (minor and major strokes and transient ischemic attacks) with TAVR (5.5% vs. 2.4%, p = 0.04).
A Well-Tempered Hybrid Method for Solving Challenging Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TDDFT) Systems.

The time-dependent Hartree–Fock (TDHF) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) equations allow one to probe electronic resonances of a system quickly and inexpensively. However, the iterative solution of the eigenvalue problem can be challenging or impossible to converge, using standard methods such as the Davidson algorithm for spectrally dense regions in the interior of the spectrum, as are common in X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). More robust solvers, such as the generalized preconditioned locally harmonic residual (GPLHR) method, can alleviate this problem, but at the expense of higher average computational cost. A hybrid method is proposed which adapts to the problem in order to maximize computational performance while providing the superior convergence of GPLHR. In addition, a modification to the GPLHR algorithm is proposed to adaptively choose the shift parameter to enforce a convergence of states above a predefined energy threshold.
Thermal Properties of the Polylactone of Dimethylketene, A New Model Polymer

During the past three decades much of the increase in our knowledge of polymeric systems, their physics and thermodynamics, has been based on a relatively few model polymer materials. These are polymers which can be made to certain specifications, whose molecular weight is easy to determine and whose molecular weight distribution and chemical properties may be controlled within certain predetermined limits. For this reason the number of cases where polystyrene and polyformaldehyde (polymethyleneoxide) have been studied far outweighs their commerical importance. To the polymer physicist a new or previously unrecognized model polymer is always of interest.
Meta-evaluation: Purpose, Prescription, and Practice

Metaevaluation is the evaluation of evaluation. Formative metaevaluation helps evaluators ensure their services are relevant and technically sound. Summative meta-evaluation adds credibility to primary evaluations and helps evaluation audiences gauge how much confidence they should place in findings. Metaevaluation performed for synthesis purposes ensures that only methodologically sound evaluations will be used to extend knowledge about the effectiveness of a given type of intervention. Metaevaluation as a vehicle for research on evaluation aids in the evaluation discipline’s self-knowledge and in developing more sophisticated models and tools for evaluation. The article describes the purposes metaevaluation serves, methodological approaches for conducting metaevaluations, and practice-oriented considerations.
Terrorism as Disaster

According to the old common wisdom, terrorists want an audience, but not a large number of dead (see Waugh, 1990). The reasoning is that, while attacks can demonstrate the power and commitment of the terrorists, the vulnerabilities of their targets, and the ineffectiveness of government authorities, large numbers of deaths can alienate political support. Grisly pictures of car and suicide bombings cause television viewers to weigh the objectives of the organizations against those human lives. Now, the old common wisdom itself has been a casualty of evolving terrorist motivations and technologies of war. Since the 1980s, terrorists have shown increasing willingness to kill many people, often innocent bystanders, without regard for the impact on public opinion and potential political support. Bombings of aircraft, public markets, schools, and other gathering places have increased the casualty lists. The general populace, rather than representatives of the state or socioeconomic elitists, has become the target of choice. As a result, the new common wisdom since the 1990s is that terrorists may wish to kill hundreds or thousands or even millions of people and may well have the wherewithal to do it. The shift to mass casualty and mass destruction attacks by some terrorist organizations has increased the potential for disaster and fundamentally changed the nature of the hazard. Moreover, as the scale of the attacks has increased, the psychological and social impacts of terrorism have certainly changed. Individuals and communities often surprisingly adjusted to the relatively localized violence that characterized terrorism during the early decades after World War II. The potential lethality and destructiveness of terrorism today makes it a hazard that cannot be ignored.
Management of Esophageal Variceal Bleeding

Esophageal variceal bleeding is a potentially life-threatening complication of portal hypertension. One-third of cirrhotic patients with documented varices bleed within 2 years from the time of initial diagnosis. Mortality rates from an initial episode of bleeding are 20–35% and approximately 30% with each additional episode of bleeding. Risk factors for acute bleeding episodes include advanced cirrhosis, large or proximal extension of varices, high portal pressure, continuation of alcohol consumption, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Hypertension in African Americans

Hypertension is a common clinical problem in African Americans and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Though there is a perception that hypertension can be difficult to control in this population, good understanding of the multitude of factors that can influence blood pressure can facilitate better management practices. In this chapter, we summarize the epidemiology and pathophysiology, and outline some strategies for systematic evaluation and management of hypertension in African Americans.
Mechanistic insights from human studies of asthma

Abstract Obesity is a risk factor for the development of asthma that worsens severity and control in those with existing asthma. Many intersecting mechanisms may underlie the obesity-asthma relationship: alterations in pulmonary physiology secondary to the mechanical load of truncal fat; environmental exposures; metabolic effects including insulin resistance and dyslipidemia; immunomodulatory and inflammatory effects of obesity including altered adipokine profiles; oxidative stress; the microbiome; and genetic and epigenetic changes within molecules involved in metabolic regulation. These different factors may be variably present in any one individual. In this chapter, we will summarize what is known about the mechanisms causing asthma in obesity, how this might explain different phenotypes, and why it sometimes differs between children and adults.
Dominant Discourse Professional Language and Legal Change

This article examines the changing relationship between legal and non-legal decision-makers in custody cases. Although custody determinations historically were viewed as legal events accomplished by legal decision-makers through legal procedures, the recent trend toward joint custody and mandatory mediation represents an appropriation by the helping professions of authority in this area. The shared-parenting ideal established by these professional groups facilitated substantive change in long-lasting policy. These changes have been obscured by the helping professions’ focus on the decision-making process.This paper analyzes the helping professions’ presentation of the contrasting therapeutic and legal models and argues that the success of the helping professions in displacing legal divorce in custody matters resulted from the criticism of existing practices, procedures, and decision-makers and from their success in labeling divorce as an emotional crisis. Professor Fineman suggests a return to a legal model in custody cases and proposes the 'primary parent' rule as a way to implement this goal.
Parents and caregivers: creating a strong foundation for engagement

Abstract This chapter provides a framework for the importance of parent engagement when working with youth in medical and therapeutic settings, and how to best navigate the parent engagement process. It explains how to build strong alliances with the parents of youth seeking treatment services, assess caregivers’ readiness for change, manage “resistance” and ruptures in the provider/patient alliance, and how to deliver parent-focused education and interventions with effective caregiver engagement. The chapter is based on social learning and motivational interviewing theories and best practices and provides easy-to-use advice about how to foster a positive engagement with caregivers and prevent and manage lack of follow-through.
Introducing a Supportive Care Team for Advance Directive Education in a Neurological and Neurosurgical Patient Population.

Background:Patient-centered care includes delineation of patient treatment values (ie, advance care planning [ACP]). Advance care planning often includes advance directive (AD) completion and is un...
More than Warm Fuzzy Feelings: The Imperative of Institutional Morale in Hospital Pandemic Responses.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created or exacerbated numerous crises threatening social, economic, and political institutions around the world. While it has received far less attention than the public ...
Hiding in Plain Site: Detecting JavaScript Obfuscation through Concealed Browser API Usage

In this paper, we perform a large-scale measurement study of JavaScript obfuscation of browser APIs in the wild. We rely on a simple, but powerful observation: if dynamic analysis of a script's behavior (specifically, how it interacts with browser APIs) reveals browser API feature usage that cannot be reconciled with static analysis of the script's source code, then that behavior is obfuscated. To quantify and test this observation, we create a hybrid analysis platform using instrumented Chromium to log all browser API accesses by the scripts executed when a user visits a page. We filter the API access traces from our dynamic analysis through a static analysis tool that we developed in order to quantify how much and what kind of functionality is hidden on the web. When applying this methodology across the Alexa top 100k domains, we discover that 95.90% of the domains we successfully visited contain at least one script which invokes APIs that cannot be resolved from static analysis. We observe that eval is no longer the prominent obfuscation method on the web and we uncover families of novel obfuscation techniques that no longer rely on the use of eval.
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Surgical Interventions of Adnexal Masses in Pregnancy

Study Objective To compare maternal and fetal outcomes in laparoscopy versus laparotomy in the surgical management of adnexal masses in pregnancy. Design Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. 8027 titles and abstracts were screened, followed by 691 full articles. Ten retrospective studies were included in the meta-analysis. Setting N/A Patients or Participants N/A Interventions N/A Measurements and Main Results 287 women underwent laparoscopy and 496 underwent laparotomy. The median age undergoing laparoscopy versus laparotomy was similar (27.7 years and 27.3 years, respectively, p=0.80), as was the mean gestational age at time of surgery (16.0 weeks in laparoscopy and 15.6 weeks in laparotomy, p=0.59). The median size of the mass was 7.8 cm in laparoscopy and 9.1 cm in laparotomy (p=0.07). The most common pathology was dermoid (36%) and the overall risk of malignancy was 1%. Women undergoing laparoscopy were less likely to have a preterm delivery (OR 0.72 [0.33, 1.45]). However, laparoscopy was more likely to result in spontaneous abortion (OR 1.67 [0.67, 4.33]). Operative time was increased by 12.6 minutes in laparoscopy as compared to laparotomy (median 76.6 minutes vs 64.0 minutes, p=0.05). The Estimated blood loss (EBL) was lower in laparoscopy by 26.6 mL (median 48.9 mL for laparoscopy versus 75.5 mL for laparotomy, p=0.05). The median length of hospital stay (LOS) was 2.8 days for those undergoing laparoscopy versus 5.8 days for laparotomy (p Conclusion Laparoscopy for the surgical management of adnexal masses is associated with a lower EBL and reduced LOS. There is no statistically significant difference in the odds of preterm delivery or spontaneous abortion in laparoscopy as compared to laparotomy. Additional surgical complications and fetal outcomes of interest were not compared due to heterogeneity of the included articles. Laparoscopy is a safe alternative to laparotomy for the surgical management of adnexal masses in pregnancy.
Research on the Integration of Curriculum Ideological and Political Elements into Communication Principles

The proposal of curriculum ideological and political education puts forward new requirements for the reform of specialized curriculum teaching in the new era. As the core professional course of communication and electronics, the course of communication principles plays an important role in the cultivation of students' professional basic theoretical knowledge and practical ability. This paper analyzes the importance of integrating ideological and political education into the course of communication principles, deeply excavates the ideological and political elements contained in the course of communication principles, and puts forward requirements for the teachers and evaluation system of teaching, thus providing a reference for the comprehensive training of communication and electronic talents.
Differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells to hepatocyte-like cells for toxicological applications: recent advances using small molecule approaches

Abstract Hepatocytes play a central role in toxicological studies, yet the paucity and variability in supply and instability under in vitro conditions limit the use of primary human hepatocytes in such applications. In the last decade, there has been burgeoning interest in the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) as a defined and renewable source of hepatic cells. Many protocols have been developed thus far, which generated cells with encouraging results in terms of marker expression and functional assays. However, most of these methods rely on the use of growth factors therefore suffering the disadvantages of high cost and low reproducibility. Recently, increasing studies have shown the feasibility and advantages of using small molecules (SMs) for the generation of HLCs. In this chapter, we present a historical overview and current status on the differentiation of iPSCs into HLCs, and focus on recent development of SM-based differentiation protocols. We also discuss applications of HLCs in hepatotoxicity studies and offer some perspectives on future development of the field.
Politics and the Street in Democratic Athens

This book is the first in-depth study of the classical Athenian public sphere. It examines how public opinion was created by impromptu theatrics and by gossip, and how it flowed into and out of the civic institutions. Athenians did not have hookah bars or coffee shops but they did socialize in symposia, gymnasia and workshops, and above all in the Agora. These represented the Athenian 'street', an informal political space that was seen as qualitatively different from the institutional space of the assembly, the council and the courts where elite orators held sway. The book explores how Athenians of all sorts, such as politicians, slaves and philosophers, sought to exploit the resources of the 'street' in pursuit of their aims.
“The More Things Change...”: Clouser on Bioethics in Medical Education

In this paper, I have sought to highlight the pioneering contributions made by Dan Clouser to the emerging field of bioethics. Building on Clouser’s advice, I have also offered additional suggestions regarding the methods and core content of bioethics instruction in medical schools. Due in no small measure to Clouser’s work, I am confident that bioethics will continue to evolve and expand into the twenty-first century and beyond.
Genetic Screen for Suppressors of Yeast Coq8 Mutants

Coenzyme Q (Q) is a lipid electron and proton carrier in the electron transport chain. Q functions in mitochondrial respiratory chain and serves as a lipophilic antioxidant. In yeast Saccharomyces ...
Ovarian cancer alpha 1,3-L-fucosyltransferase. Differentiation of distinct catalytic species with the unique substrate, 3'-sulfo-N-acetyllactosamine in conjunction with other synthetic acceptors.

Several N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) derivatives were tested as acceptors for alpha 1,3-L-fucosyltransferase present in human ovarian cancer sera and ovarian tumor. The enzyme of the soluble fraction of tumor was purified to apparent homogeneity by chromatography on bovine IgG glycopeptide-Sepharose followed by Sephacryl S-200 (M(r) 80% activity was found as alpha 1,2-fucosyltransferase and the rest as alpha 1,3-fucosyltransferase. A screening of 21 ovarian cancer and 3 normal sera (3'-sulfo LacNAc as acceptor) showed 17-572% increase (average increase, 188%) of alpha 1,3-fucosyltransferase activity in cancer.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Human Factors and Safety in Nuclear Power Plant Control Rooms

The safety of nuclear power plants, particularly with regard to human factors concerns, has been the subject of several studies in the past few years. These studies have established the need for human factors research in nuclear power plants. Power plant operators and regulatory agencies have responded by funding further research and implementing safety programs that reflect human engineering principles. An example of an industry-sponsored research effort is reported. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the probable operator responses to a large earthquake in the vicinity of Pacific Gas and Electric's Diablo Canyon facility. As a result of this effort, several improvements were made in the control room and related facilities. Language: en
CHARACTERISTICS OF PARA-INFLUENZA 1 (HA-2) VIRUS III. : Antigenic Relationships, Growth, Interaction with Erythrocytes, and Physical Properties

Dick, Elliot C. (Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, La.) and William J. Mogabgab. Characteristics of para-influenza 1 (HA-2) virus. III. Antigenic relationships, growth, interaction with erythrocytes, and physical properties. J. Bacteriol. 83:561–571. 1962—Hemagglutination-inhibition tests with rabbit and rooster immune sera showed HA-2-like strains of para-influenza 1 to be nearly as closely related antigenically to para-influenza 3 (HA-1) virus as to the Sendai strain of para-influenza 1; however, convalescent sera from humans infected with para influenza 1 virus exhibited four-fold or greater increases in antibody to HA-2 and Sendai viruses, but seldom to HA-1. Para-influenza 1 (HA-2) infectivity was destroyed within 2 hr at temperatures approaching 50 C; at 36 C, infective virus disappeared by 80 hr. At a temperature of 44 C or below, the hemagglutinin (HA) titer remained unchanged for 100 hr; but at temperatures above this, hemagglutinin was destroyed rapidly. Virus infectivity was found to be most stable at very slightly acid or neutral pH and to be increasingly labile at pH values more extreme than 5.7 and 8.7. Hemagglutinin was generally more resistant than infectivity to extremes of reaction; this was most notable in the alkaline range. In primary monkey-kidney tissue culture, virus was adsorbed in 5 hr, new infective virus was noted in 11 to 15 hr, and maximal amounts were detected at 60 hr and maintained through 132 hr. Production of hemagglutinin paralleled that of infectivity. The tcid50/HA ratio was approximately 4.5. With human type “O” erythrocytes, the HA titer of Copenhagen 222 virus suspensions was raised two- to fourfold by increasing the temperature of reaction and sedimentation from 4 C to room temperature. It could not be demonstrated that this thermal effect was due either to an increased total adsorption at an elevated temperature or to a greater rate of adsorption; the rate of hemagglutination was, however, increased by fourfold at the higher temperature.
Scalability of databases for digital libraries

Search engines of main-stream literature digital libraries such as ACM Digital Library, Google Scholar, and PubMed employ file-based systems, and provide users with a basic boolean keyword search functionalities. As a result, new and powerful querying capabilities are not easy to implement on top of such systems, and not provided. In comparison, query languages of database systems traditionally have high expressive power. This paper evaluates the scalability of the approach of deploying relational databases as backend systems to digital libraries, and, thus, making use of the query languages and the query processing capabilities of database query engines for literature digital libraries. To evaluate our approach, we built a scalable prototype digital library built on top of a relational database management system, and its advanced query interface which allows users to specify dynamic text and path queries in an intuitive, hierarchical manner. This paper evaluates the scalability of two search query processing approaches, namely, ad-hoc queries, pre-compiled queries (stored-procedures). We demonstrate that, with reasonably priced hardware, we are able to build an RDBMS-based digital library search engine that can scale to handle millions of queries per day.
Polynucleotide phosphorylase of Micrococcus luteus. Studies on the polymerization reaction catalyzed by primer-dependent and primer-independent enzymes.

Abstract Primer-dependent polynucleotide phosphorylase catalyzes the polymerization of ADP even in the absence of oligonucleotide primer. The reaction is very slow compared to the rate in the presence of primer, but the extent of reaction is directly proportional to time. Autocatalytic kinetics and long lags, observed earlier with cruder enzyme preparations, are absent with highly purified enzyme. The products of the reaction are very long polymer chains and do not serve as primers. No short chain intermediates are detectable and polymerization is therefore processive. Polymerization by primer-independent enzyme is also processive. In unprimed synthesis the apparent Km for ADP with dependent enzyme is several orders of magnitude higher than that found with independent enzyme. In the presence of oligonucleotide primer, dependent enzyme catalyzes the addition of mononucleotide residues to the primer. The reaction is not processive; no very long chain polymer is made and short chain intermediates are readily detected. On the other hand, primer-independent enzyme does not incorporate primer, if supplied, into long chain polymer; under these conditions polymer synthesis de novo continues in a processive fashion.
Surface Structure of Streptomycete Spores as Revealed by Negative Straining and Freeze-Etching

The application of a simple negative staining technique and freeze-etching has revealed detailed information on the species-specific surface structure of spores and aerial hyphae of streptomycetes. Images
Novel mutations of Escherichia coli that produce recombinogenic lesions in DNA. I. Identification and mapping of arl mutations.

Abstract Hyper-rec mutants of Escherichia coli were originally identified as lac-diploid strains whose colonies exhibited unusually high numbers of Lac+ papillae during growth on indicator plates (Konrad, 1977). For this work, 38 hyper-rec strains with particularly high frequencies of papillation were selected and screened further, in order to identify those unusually proficient in recombination of bacteriophage λ. The screening procedure, plate-stock growth of λ duplication phages, yielded four strains that exhibited both enhanced recombination of λ and normal (or higher) yields of progeny phage. The mutants displayed the same novel phenotype: phage recombination was normal during the first lytic infection, but was stimulated four- to sixfold if the phages had previously been propagated for several cycles in the mutants. Phages thus appeared to accumulate an enhanced potential for recombination during growth in these four strains. The mutations responsible were designated arl. Enhanced recombination of the phages propagated on arl strains occurred in subsequent test infections of both arl and arl+ bacteria, but not in recA cells. Both the high frequency of Lac+ papillae and the effects on λ recombination appeared to result from the same mutations. The former phenotype was used for genetic analysis of two arl mutants; their location is near 2 minutes on the E. coli map. Known alleles of two nearby genes, polB and mutT, do not confer a hyper-rec phenotype (by the lac-diploid assay). High-level RecA-constitutive strains do not exhibit enhanced recombination of duplication phages.
Gammalinolenic Acid, an Unsaturated Fatty Acid with Anti-Inflammatory Properties, Blocks Amplification of IL-1β Production by Human Monocytes

Administration of gammalinolenic acid (GLA), an unsaturated fatty acid, reduces joint inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Addition of GLA in vitro suppresses release of IL-1β from human monocytes stimulated with LPS. LPS-induced IL-1β release is followed by IL-1-induced IL-1β release, an amplification process termed autoinduction. We show here with peripheral blood monocytes from normal volunteers and from patients with rheumatoid arthritis by using IL-1R antagonist to block autoinduction and IL-1α stimulation to simulate autoinduction that ∼40% of IL-1β released from LPS-stimulated cells is attributable to autoinduction and that GLA reduces autoinduction of IL-1β while leaving the initial IL-1β response to LPS intact. Experiments with cells in which transcription and protein synthesis were blocked suggest that GLA induces a protein that reduces pro-IL-1β mRNA stability. IL-1β is important to host defense, but the amplification mechanism may be excessive in genetically predisposed patients. Thus, reduction of IL-1β autoinduction may be protective in some patients with endotoxic shock and with diseases characterized by chronic inflammation.
Breast Cancer Subtype as a Predictor of Lymph Node Metastasis according to the SEER Registry

Purpose Breast cancer subtype correlates with response to systemic therapy and overall survival (OS), but its impact on lymphatic spread is incompletely understood. In this study, we used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry to assess whether the subtype can predict the presence of nodal metastasis or advanced nodal stage in breast cancer.
Translates of Polynomials

We undertook this study of affine pencils especially to celebrate the 70th birthday of our good friend C. S. Seshadri. The first named author met Seshadri in Paris in 1958 and had the pleasure of seeing him frequently ever since. We are very happy to say to him: JEEVEMA SHARADAH SHATAM.