cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Antagonism of Chk1 Signaling in the G2 DNA Damage Checkpoint by Dominant Alleles of Cdr1

Activation of the Chk1 protein kinase by DNA damage enforces a checkpoint that maintains Cdc2 in its inactive, tyrosine-15 (Y15) phosphorylated state. Chk1 downregulates the Cdc25 phosphatases and concomitantly upregulates the Wee1 kinases that control the phosphorylation of Cdc2. Overproduction of Chk1 causes G2 arrest/delay independently of DNA damage and upstream checkpoint genes. We utilized this to screen fission yeast for mutations that alter sensitivity to Chk1 signaling. We describe three dominant-negative alleles of cdr1, which render cells supersensitive to Chk1 levels, and suppress the checkpoint defects of chk1Δ cells. Cdr1 encodes a protein kinase previously identified as a negative regulator of Wee1 activity in response to limited nutrition, but Cdr1 has not previously been linked to checkpoint signaling. Overproduction of Cdr1 promotes checkpoint defects and exacerbates the defective response to DNA damage of cells lacking Chk1. We conclude that regulation of Wee1 by Cdr1 and possibly by related kinases is an important antagonist of Chk1 signaling and represents a novel negative regulation of cell cycle arrest promoted by this checkpoint.
The influence of the vergence system on strabismus diagnosis and management.

The vergence system is an important element in human eye movement control. It comprises horizontal, vertical, and torsional components, the largest of which is convergence. Vergence performance is largely involuntary, although voluntary effort can influence convergence. Vergence function can be damaged by trauma or organic disease and, because convergence can be exerted voluntarily, it is susceptible to purposeful subjective disturbances. Vergence function is important in the maintenance of binocular control, being synonymous with motor fusion. The most common vergence dysfunction affects convergence and may be exhibited as an excess or weakness such as convergence spasm or paralysis. Divergence dysfunction generally presents with diminished function such as divergence weakness; vertical and cyclovergence disturbances are rare. An update is given on the neuroanatomical areas that subserve the vergence system. Clinical examples of the most common vergence disorders are presented. The influence of the verge...
Shape Variation of Medial Axis Representations via Principal Geodesic Analysis on Symmetric Spaces

Statistical shape analysis of anatomical structures plays an important role in many medical image analysis applications. For instance, shape statistics are useful in understanding the structural changes in anatomy that are caused by growth and disease. Classical statistical techniques can be applied to study shape representations that are parameterized by a linear space, such as landmark data or boundary meshes, but they cannot handle more complex representations of shape. We have been developing representations of geometry based on the medial axis description or m-rep. While the medial representation provides a rich language for variability in terms of bending, twisting, and widening, the medial parameters are elements of a nonlinear Riemannian symmetric space. Therefore, linear statistical methods are not applicable in the m-rep setting, and statistical methods for analyzing manifold data are needed. This chapter presents a general method called principal geodesic analysis (PGA) for computing the variability of manifold-valued data. PGA is a direct generalization of principal component analysis (PCA) and is based solely on intrinsic properties of the underlying manifold, such as the notion of geodesic curves and distance. We demonstrate the use of PGA to describe the shape variability of medial representations, and results are shown on a hippocampus data set. The applicability of PGA is also shown within a 3D image segmentation framework based on a Bayesian posterior optimization of deformable medial models.
Ergonomic Design Considerations for Ultrasound Real-Time Scanners

The existing design of ultrasound real-time scanners is not satisfactory from the standpoint of operator comfort or efficient use. As currently configured, these units are cumbersome and fatiguing to use and require unnecessarily complex and time-consuming movements on the part of the operator. Redesigning ultrasound scanners so that they conform to accepted principles of ergonomics or human-factor engineering should make it possible to achieve increased efficiency and improved study quality.
On the St. Petersburg paradox

We1 ask what is the appropriate price c to pay to receive an amount X ≥ 0; X ∼ F(x). This is known as the St. Petersburg paradox if Pr{X = 2k} = 2−k, k = 1, 2, … Here EX = ∞. Is any price c aceptable? We consider this distribution as well as the distribution Pr{X = 22k} = 2−k, k = 1, 2, …, which might be called the super St. Petersburg paradox in which not only is EX equal to infinity, but E log X is infinity as well. Let μ r = (EXr)1/r denote the rth mean of X. We identify three critical costs, μ −1 = 1/E(1/X), μ 0 = eE lnX, and μ 1 = EX, and conclude that we want some of X if c ≤ μ 1 , and that taking all of X is growth optimal if c ≤ μ −1 . Thus all prices c are attractive in the St. Petersburg game.
Reactive Laser Ablation Synthesis of Nanosize Alumina Powder

An aluminum (Al) target was laser ablated in an oxygen (O2) atmosphere, producing nanosize alumina (Al2O3) powder. The powder surface area decreased (and the particle size increased) with both increasing oxygen pressure and laser fluence. All powders produced had surface areas between 135 and 250 m2/g, corresponding to primary particle sizes ranging from 7 to 3 nm in radius. Phase evolution with temperature was studied via X-ray diffraction. These powders showed a direct transformation from γ- to α-alumina at approximately 1200°C, bypassing other transition alumina phases, while still maintaining small particle size ( 30 nm). Despite the nanosize particles, green densities equal to 54% of the skeletal density (i.e., true density of the solid phase) were obtained by uniaxial pressing at 40 MPa.
Point mutations in the stem-loop at the 3' end of mouse histone mRNA reduce expression by reducing the efficiency of 3' end formation.

Abstract Mammalian histone mRNAs end in a highly conserved stem-loop structure, with a six-base stem and a four-base loop. We have examined the effect of mutating the stem-loop on the expression of the histone mRNA in vivo by introducing the mutated histone genes into CHO cells by stable transfection. Point mutations have been introduced into the loop sequence and into the UA base pair at the top of the stem. Changing either the first or the third base of the conserved UYUN sequence in the loop to a purine greatly reduced expression, while changing both U's to purines abolished expression. A number of alterations in the stem sequence, including reversing the stem sequence, reversing the two base pairs at the base of the stem, or destroying the UA base pair at the top of the stem, also abolished expression. Changing the UA base pair to a CG or a UG base pair also reduced expression. The loss of expression is due to inefficient processing of the pre-mRNA, as judged by the efficiency of processing in vitro. Addition of a polyadenylation site or the wild-type histone processing signal downstream of a mutant stem-loop resulted in rescuing the processing of the mutant pre-histone mRNA. These results suggest that if the histone pre-mRNA is not rapidly processed, then it is degraded.
Endothelial Dysfunction is Associated with Occult Coronary Artery Disease Detected by Positron Emission Tomography.

Abstract Objective: Silent myocardial ischemia is common in asymptomatic subjects without a prior history of coronary artery disease (CAD) and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Our objective was to determine whether endothelial dysfunction is associated with silent myocardial ischemia and whether the association is independent of genetic and familial factors. Material and methods: We examined 416 male monozygotic and dizygotic twins aged 47 to 63 years, free of symptomatic CAD. Subclinical ischemia was diagnosed by [13N] ammonia positron emission tomography at rest and after adenosine stress. Endothelial function was measured by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery. Generalized estimating equations were used for analysis. Results: Fixed perfusion defects were found in 24 (6%) twins and reversible perfusion defects in 90 (22%) twins, indicating subclinical ischemia. There was an inverse correlation between FMD and the reversible perfusion defect score (r = − 0.14, p = 0.01) but not the fixed defect score (r = − 0.017, p = 0.73). From the lowest to the highest quartiles of FMD, the prevalence of reversible defects decreased from 28% to 14%, p = 0.008. In multivariable analysis, reversible defects were significantly associated with each quartile of decreasing FMD (OR = 1.3; 95% 1.1, 2.5). In 54 twin pairs discordant for endothelial dysfunction (FMD ≤ 7% dilation from baseline), twins with endothelial dysfunction had 9% higher likelihood of having perfusion defects than their co-twins without endothelial dysfunction (p = 0.041). Conclusions: Endothelial dysfunction is independently associated with silent ischemia and this association is not confounded by genetic or other shared familial factors.
Drought and corn in Kentucky

Abstract Accurate documentation and analysis of historical data can play an important role in effective decision-making and mitigation of drought impacts. Drought has been recorded in Kentucky since the late 1800s and data on corn prices and corn yield in Kentucky have been recorded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) since the late 1920s. Yet, there is no known single long-range historical study that documents both drought and its impacts on corn production in the state. Corn is one of the most important agricultural crops in Kentucky and drought can have a significant impact on this crop. Proper documentation of drought impacts will help identify drought vulnerabilities and result in improved risk management and mitigation. The purpose of this research is to document and describe the history of drought in Kentucky and its impact on corn production. Furthermore, the study assessed relationships between drought episodes and the price of corn and revenue from corn production by climate divisions. Historically, the most significant drought years in Kentucky were 1930–31, 1940–42, and 1952–55, and more recently were 1987–88, 1999–2000, and 2007. The results of this study provide a historical account of how corn yield, production, and prices deviated from decadal averages during these significant drought years. The study found up to 47% reduction in revenue from corn during episodes of severe drought in Kentucky. It is concluded that this study provides a clearer understanding of drought impacts on Kentucky corn production and thus improves our ability to address and potentially reduce such impacts.
On Soames's solution to the sorites paradox

Soames's solution to the sorites paradox turns on two features of vague predicates: (i) they are (at least potentially) partially defined and (ii) they are context-sensitive. A partially defined predicate, 'is F' say, is one whose extension and antiextension are mutually exclusive but not jointly exhaustive. For any object o that is in neither the extension nor the antiextension, both the claim that o is F and the claim that o is not F should be rejected. There is (at least potentially) a truth-value gap.' Given the understanding of the material conditional that is provided by the strong Kleene tables,2 this means that for any standard sorites paradox of the form of the (implausibly short) one displayed in $2, the conditionals near the beginning will be true; the ones in the middle will lack truth values that is, will be 'undefined'; and the ones toward the end will be true, since their antecedents will be false. None will be outright false. So the conclusions of sorites arguments can be avoided by rejecting some of the conditional premisses without thereby being forced to accept their negations. By itself, this is not very satisfactory. Soames considers two objections. Objection 1. If partial definition were the whole story and o were an object in the undefined range of the predicate, then we would have no
User modeling via stereotypes

This paper addresses the problems that must be considered if computers are going to treat their users as individuals with distinct personalities, goals, and so forth. It first outlines the issues, and then proposes stereotypes as a useful mechanism for building models of individual users on the basis of a small amount of information about them. In order to build user models quickly, a large amount of uncertain knowledge must be incorporated into the models. The issue of how to resolve the conflicts that will arise among such inferences is discussed. A system, Grundy, is described that builds models of its users, with the aid of stereotypes, and then exploits those models to guide it in its task, suggesting novels that people may find interesting. If stereotypes are to be useful to Grundy, they must accurately characterize the users of the system. Some techniques to modify stereotypes on the basis of experience are discussed. An analysis of Grundy's performance shows that its user models are effective in guiding its performance.
Multi-Site Comparison of the Effects of Success for all on Reading Achievement

This study investigated the effects of the Success for All (SFA) program on elementary school students' reading achievement in 4 cities. The purpose was to conduct an independent examination of the program's effectiveness separate from the program's developers and from the school district in which it was first implemented. The research framework employed a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design with nonequivalent but systematically matched groups. Results indicated greater achievement for students in SFA classes at 3 of the sites, especially for students achieving below the 25th percentile, relative to students in control classrooms at all 4 sites. However, SFA effects were not as strong and consistent as those obtained in the original studies. This research suggests that SFA can be implemented in sites geographically removed from the developers and apart from their direct supervision, but that continual monitoring and support of the program's quality is needed to ensure success over time.
The otters of Amchitka: Alaskan nuclear testing and the birth of the environmental movement

Between 1965 and 1971, the USA executed three underground nuclear tests on the remote Aleutian island of Amchitka. Public outcry over these tests, and the US government’s response to the widespread international public condemnation of Aleutian nuclear testing, provide an important lens through which to view the emerging environmental movement. By examining contemporary narratives and the US government’s own classified and publicly available documentary film evidence, I argue that the Amchitka nuclear tests beginning in 1965 were not simply concurrent with a widening environmental movement, but played a vital role in amplifying that movement’s development. The Amchitka tests gave birth to organizations that continued to be major actors in the environmental movement, including Greenpeace, which seized the opportunity to couple anti-nuclear aims with environmental policy concerns. Indeed, the Amchitka tests gave rise to Greenpeace – a fact often lost in historical accounts of the beginning of the environment...
Perspectives on training relative to standardized guidance documents

A multipurpose review plan, or part of a review plan, related primarily to training is reviewed. Issues pertaining to the organization and content of a hypothetical guidance document on nuclear power plant training are discussed. While a review plan is oriented toward the review process, a guidance document can be used for various purposes, which are defined by the issuing organization. >
Calculated fission barriers, ground-state masses, and particle separation energies for nuclei with 76 ≤ Z ≤ 100 and 140 ≤ N ≤ 184☆

Abstract We calculate fission barriers and ground-state masses for 1125 nuclei with 76 ≤ Z ≤ 100 and 140 ≤ N ≤ 184. We use the macroscopic-microscopic method to calculate the energy as a function of elongation, necking, mass-asymmetric, and axially asymmetric shape coordinates. For the macroscopic model we use the droplet model with a 1973 set of parameters. The microscopic corrections are calculated by use of the modified oscillator model. The results are summarized in two tables. The first table gives, for each nucleus, the heights relative to the ground state of the saddle points and minima of the fission barriers and the corresponding values of the shape coordinates. The second table gives the ground-state mass excess, the maximum barrier height, neutron and proton separation energies, and alpha and beta Q -values.
Adaptive blind channel identification of FIR channels for Viterbi decoding

Relying upon the diversity introduced by fractional-sampling or by multiple sensors, two different approaches for blind adaptive channel identification are proposed based on existing batch algorithms. We show that the adaptive approach allows tracking of time-variations in the channel and provides robustness to nearly common channel roots. Existing second-order adaptive procedures typically employ suboptimal linear equalizers whereas the adaptive channel estimators we propose can be used in an optimal maximum likelihood sequence estimator. Simulations are provided that demonstrate the performance of the proposed channel estimators when used in the Viterbi algorithm for symbol detection.
A Pretest and Higher Order Expansions in GMM for Nearly Weak Instruments

In this paper we analyze GMM with strong and nearly-weak instruments. In the nearly weak-GMM, the correlation between the instruments and the first order conditions decline at a slower rate than root T. We find an important difference between the nearly-weak case and the weak case. Inference with point estimates is possible with Wald, Likelihood Ratio and Lagrange Multiplier tests in GMM with semi-weak instruments. The limit is the standard X squared limit. This is important from an applied perspective since tests on the weak case do depend on the true value and can only test simple null. Even though we may have all nearly-weak instruments in GMM it is still possible to test various hypothesis of interest. We also find a difference between nearly-weak and standard GMM cases. We derive higher order expansions for test statistics in the nearly-weak case, and we show that with declining quality of instruments finite sample behavior of these tests get worse, so standard GMM finite sample behavior is always better than nearly-weak GMM. Unlike the standard GMM, in the nearly-weak GMM we can not eliminate the second order terms from these test statistic's expansions. Wald test in Continuous Updating Estimator (CUE) have desirable properties in higher order expansions in the nearly-weak case. We also propose a pretest, bootstrap Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, to differentiate between weak and nearly-weak asymptotics. This is based on bootstrapping Wald CUE test. Since Wald CUE test has different limits under weak and nearly-weak cases and has good properties in the higher order expansions its empirical distribution can be used in a pretest. We also conduct some simulations and show that some of the asset pricing models conform to nearly-weak asymptotics. Clearly, this paper shows that when we move away from the standard GMM towards nearly-weak case, finite sample behavior suffers but large sample theory remains intact. But if we further move away from the nearly-weak case to weakly identified GMM the large sample theory changes too.
Aspirin use is associated with lower indices of liver fibrosis among adults in the United States.

Summary Background Recent animal studies have shown that platelets directly activate hepatic stellate cells to promote liver fibrosis, whereas anti-platelet agents decrease liver fibrosis. It is unknown whether platelet inhibition by aspirin prevents liver fibrosis in humans. Aim To examine the association between aspirin use and liver fibrosis among adults with suspected chronic liver disease. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III. We identified 1856 individuals with suspected chronic liver disease (CLD). The degree of liver fibrosis was determined using four validated fibrosis indices and a composite index. Results The use of aspirin was associated with a significantly lower composite liver fibrosis index calculated from FIB4, APRI, Forns and NFS [0.24 standard deviation (s.d.) units lower; 95% CI −0.42 to −0.06, P = 0.009]. The association of aspirin with lower fibrosis scores was significantly larger among those with suspected CLD compared to those without (−0.23 vs. −0.03 s.d. units; P interaction = 0.05). The negative association between aspirin use and lower fibrosis index was consistent across all four fibrosis indices (P = 0.002–0.08) in individuals with chronic viral hepatitis, suspected alcoholic liver disease and NASH. In comparison, no negative associations with liver fibrosis were seen with ibuprofen in parallel analyses. Conclusions The use of aspirin was associated with significantly lower indices of liver fibrosis among US adults with suspected chronic liver diseases. Aspirin and other anti-platelet drugs warrant further investigation for the prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis.
FEDs Impact On The Value Of Dollar Through Interest Rates

In this study we aimed to demonstrate how the actions of FED indirectly impact the value of American dollar. We specifically hypothesized that when FED encourages banks to borrow more from each other by holding the discount rate higher than the federal funds rate then this should have a negative impact on the value of dollar and also subsequent higher spread between federal funds rate and prime rate. We also hypothesized that as this spread gets larger a subsequent depreciation in dollars value and negative effect on unemployment should be observed. Although we were unable to demonstrate the impact when the spread between the prime rate and federal funds rate is considered, our results show that when FED encourages banks to borrow from each other by holding the discount rate higher than the federal funds rate, the American dollar goes down in value and corresponding larger difference between federal funds rate and prime rate is observed.
Resistance to endotoxin after protection against initial lethal challenge with adrenocorticosteroids or chlorpromazine.

SummaryMice protected against an initial lethal challenge with brucella endotoxin by treatment with cortisone acetate, 9-alpha-fluorohydrocortisone acetate, or chlorpromazine develop resistance to subsequent challenge to endotoxin.
Resorcinol-Templated Head-to-Head Photodimerization of a Thiophene in the Solid State and Unusual Edge-to-Face Stacking in a Discrete Hydrogen-Bonded Assembly

A head-to-head photodimerization of a β-substituted thiophene stacked face-to-face in the solid state using a ditopic hydrogen-bond-donor template is reported. The face-to-face stacking is attributed to contributions of intertemplate forces, which contrasts an assembly wherein the same thiophenes stack edge-to-face yet maintain a discrete hydrogen-bonded structure.
On the Reception of Vaughan Williams's Symphonies in New York, 1920/1–2014/15

This article considers the reception of Ralph Vaughan Williams's nine symphonies (and a few non-symphonic works) in New York City (and, occasionally, its suburban environs), from the American premiere of A London Symphony on 30 December 1920 to a performance of Symphony No. 6 on 10 December 2014. The author argues that the reception rolls out across five distinct periods: (1) 1920/1–1922/3: the New York premieres of A London Symphony, A Sea Symphony and A Pastoral Symphony (in that order), all to greetings that were lukewarm at best; (2) 1923/4–1934/5: Vaughan Williams's reputation grew meteorically, and A London Symphony became something of a staple; during this period Olin Downes of the New York Times became Vaughan Williams's most ardent champion among New York's music critics; (3) 1935/6–1944/5: Symphonies 4 and 5 made their New York debuts, and a rift opened between the pro-Vaughan Williams New York Times and the negative criticism of the New York Herald Tribune, one that would follow Vaughan William...
Minimized Converging Single-Point (MConS) Kinematics: a Novel Approach to Fastening Detachable Spacecraft Structures

The process of connecting or detaching separate bodies in space can be aided very readily by the use of kinematics. A kinematic mounting system, as the definition will be used in the context of this topic, is a structural bond created solely by the geometry of a surrounding structure and a structure being bound. The use of kinematics can have very significant advantages over traditional fasteners like bolts and traditional clamps if certain features are utilized.
A NEW METHOD ON ANALYZING THE STABILITY OF FOAM DRILLING FLUIDS

The most important factor for evaluating the capability of foam drilling mud is the foam stability, that is the foam half-life. Currently the most common method used to determine the foam half-life is the conventional measuring cylinder method which is simple and convenient. However, the disadvantages are artificial errors and it can not be recorded the foam decay process. To overcome such a limitation, a new method has been used to evaluate the foam stability. An apparatus which is called MA-2000 Turbi Scan has been used to analyze the foam stability. The measurement is more advanced and accurate and is controlled by a computer operating automatically. The analyzing results are two curves exported by computer. From the curves we can observe clearly the foam decay process and numerate the foam half-life.
Impact of a Theory-Guided Encouragement Intervention on an Employee Walking Pilot Program

This study investigated the impact of encouraging e-mails on self-efficacy, adherence, and step-count in a 10-week walking program. Using a 3 × 3 mixed design, participants randomly received task-involving/caring (n = 37), ego-involving (n = 35), or neutral (n = 34) e-mails and completed pre-/mid-/post surveys. Exercise self-efficacy increased over time, regardless of e-mail content. More of the task/care group adhered (63%) than ego (41%) or neutral groups (50%). The task/care group members who adhered reported significantly more daily-steps than ego or neutral groups. Results suggest that the theoretical framework used to guide encouragement in walking programs may impact participants’ adherence and steps.
Saccadic and Fixation Systems of Oculomotor Control in Monkey Superior Colliculus

Saccadic eye movements and the intervening periods of visual fixation represent one of the simplest behavioral systems that have been studied in the primate. The Superior Colliculus (SC) is a key structure in both systems, but only one step in a control system extending from cerebral cortex to the pons. Recent experiments on the saccadic system have shown that a modified feedback system controlling the position of the eyes can explain key aspects of the initiation of saccades by the SC. Identification of a fixation zone within the anterior colliculus Ims emphasized the importance of active fixation. Initial studies of the interaction between these two systems are consistent with the idea that one inhibits the other, and further experiments may provide a model for the study of the interactions between systems.
The science of deep specification (keynote)

Abstraction and modularity underlie all successful hardware and software systems: We build complex artifacts by decomposing them into parts that can be understood separately. Modular decomposition depends crucially on the artful choice of interfaces between pieces. As these interfaces become more expressive, we think of them as specifications of components or layers. Rich specifications based on formal logic are little used in industry today, but a practical platform for working with them could signicantly reduce the costs of system implementation and evolution by identifying vulnerabilities, helping programmers understand the behavior of new components, facilitating rigorous change-impact analysis, and supporting maintainable machine-checked verication that components are correct and fit together correctly. Recently, research in the area has begun to focus on a particularly rich class of specifications, which might be called deep specifications. Deep specifications are rich (describing complex component behaviors in detail); two-sided (connected to both implementations and clients); formal (written in a mathematical notation with clear semantics to support tools such as type checkers, analysis and testing tools, automated or machine-assisted provers, and advanced IDEs); and live (connected directly to the source code of implementations via machine-checkable proofs or property-based random testing). These requirements impose strong functional correctness conditions on individual components and permit them to be connected together with rigorous composition theorems. This talk presents the key features of deep specifications, surveys recent achievements and ongoing efforts in the research community (in particular, work at Penn, Princeton, Yale, and MIT on formalizing a rich interconnected collection of deep specifications for critical system software components), and argues that the time is ripe for an intensive effort in this area, involving both academia and industry and integrating research, education, and community building. The ultimate goal is to provide rigorously checked proofs about much larger artifacts than are feasible today, based on decomposition of proof effort across components with deep specifications.
Investor Sentiment and Real Investment

We study how investor sentiment affects real investment. We find that both investment and external finance increase with sentiment. The relation between q and investment increases with sentiment, while the relation between cash flow and investment declines with sentiment. These findings suggest that sentiment both creates and alleviates financial constraints. We find that investment in low sentiment states leads to increases in operational efficiency, whereas investment in high sentiment states leads to declines in operational efficiency. Investment and external finance in high sentiment states predict worse stock returns than investment and external finance in low sentiment states. The findings suggest that investor sentiment creates inefficiencies in the allocations of both financial and real resources.
Efficacy and Optimal Duration of Metallic Stent in the Management of Refractory Anastomotic Stricture After Liver Transplantation

Background & Aims Anastomotic bile duct stricture (ABS) remains as one of the most common complications in liver transplant patients. Current practice of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with insertion of plastic stent often requires multiple procedures before achieving stricture resolution. To date, studies using covered self-expandable metallic stent (cSEMS) in ABS management reported varying degrees of efficacy. The aim of this study was to analyze long-term efficacy of cSEMS in patients with ABS and identify factor(s) influencing the probability of stricture resolution. Methods Liver transplant patients with ABS who received cSEMS were identified by query of our endoscopic database. The rate of stricture resolution, duration of stricture-free interval, factors associated with stricture resolution, and adverse outcomes were analyzed. Results Among 44 liver transplant patients with refractory ABS who underwent ERCP-cSEMS, stricture resolution was observed in 33 patients (75%). Longer duration of cSEMS insertion was the only variable associated with increasing probability of stricture resolution. There was 20% increase in odds of stricture resolution for every additional week cSEMS was in place. Among 33 patients with initial stricture resolution, 26 patients (78.8%) maintained bile duct patency throughout the follow-up period. The most common adverse outcome was internal migration of cSEMS, which occurred in 11 patients (25%). Conclusions The rate of ABS resolution observed with cSEMS placement in a single ERCP session appears to be comparable with that of multiple ERCPs with plastic stent placement reported previously. Longer stent insertion period is associated with higher likelihood of ABS resolution.
A Survey of Graphical Enumeration Problems

We present a wide range of graphical enumeration problems, far more comprehensive than any which has appeared previously. Although various sophisticated, recondite, and specialized terminology may confuse the situation, the fact is that very many pattern and configuration problems become graphical in nature when properly reformulated. Furthermore, the conceptual difficulty of the problem is more easily identified when recast in terms of graphs or variations on graphs. Within the hundreds of problems indicated, there is adequate material to occupy research scholars for generations.
Analysis of disease surveillance of endemic fluorosis in Yanqing county of Beijing in 2008

Objective To explore the effectiveness of defluoridization of water and the morbidity trends in endemic fluoroais areas in Yanqing county of Beijing, in order to provide the basis for the formulation of prevention and control measures. Methods In 2008, stratified random was used to collect water samples to detect the amount of drinking water fluoride in three villages(Gujiaying, Bojiying and Hujiaying) in Yanqing county using ion-selective electrode in both dry and rainy seasons. Sixty-three students in 8 - 12 years old and 664 adults over 16 years of age were determined of urinary fluoride, and examine the prevalence of dental fluorosis. ResultsThe fluorine content in drinking water in the dry and rainy seasons was (0.72 ± 0.12), (0.76 ± 0.18)mg/L, respectively. The median of fluorine content in urine of children was 1.11 mg/L with the range of 0.32 - 4.15 mg/L; the median of fluorine content in urine of adult was 1.42 mg/L with the range of 0.37 - 4.65 mg/L. The detection rate of dental fluorosis in children was 23.81%(15/63), dental fluorosis index was 0.45; the detection rate of dental fluorosis in adult was 54.97% (365/664), dental fluorosis index was 1.70. Conclusions Fluorine content in drinking water meets the national standard in Yanqing county. The morbidity of endemic fluorosis descends in some extent in a result of defluoredization. Key words: Fluoride poisoning; Fluomsis, dental; Water; Urine; Epidemiologic studies
Analytical far-field calculation of arbitrarily oriented antenna arrays

In this paper, we present an analytical approach to calculate the far-field radiation pattern of conformal arrays, consisting of arbitrarily oriented antennas. In particular, we focus on spherical arrays of microstrip patch antennas. This approach reduces the computational time and resource requirements as compared to a full-wave conventional EM solver. It should be mentioned that this method is not limited to spherical arrays only and can be applied to any other configurations as well. Also, this analytical approach makes it possible to run optimization processes faster, and to meet various design objectives.
Zn2+-induced disruption of neuronal mitochondrial function: Synergism with Ca2+, critical dependence upon cytosolic Zn2+ buffering, and contributions to neuronal injury.

Abstract Excitotoxic Zn2+ and Ca2+ accumulation contributes to neuronal injury after ischemia or prolonged seizures. Synaptically released Zn2+ can enter postsynaptic neurons via routes including voltage sensitive Ca2+ channels (VSCC), and, more rapidly, through Ca2+ permeable AMPA channels. There are also intracellular Zn2+ binding proteins which can either buffer neuronal Zn2+ influx or release bound Zn2+ into the cytosol during pathologic conditions. Studies in culture highlight mitochondria as possible targets of Zn2+; cytosolic Zn2+ can enter mitochondria and induce effects including loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), mitochondrial swelling, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. While brief (5 min) neuronal depolarization (to activate VSCC) in the presence of 300 μM Zn2+ causes substantial delayed neurodegeneration, it only mildly impacts acute mitochondrial function, raising questions as to contributions of Zn2+-induced mitochondrial dysfunction to neuronal injury. Using brief high (90 mM) K+/Zn2+ exposures to mimic neuronal depolarization and extracellular Zn2+ accumulation as may accompany ischemia in vivo, we examined effects of disrupted cytosolic Zn2+ buffering and/or the presence of Ca2+, and made several observations: 1. Mild disruption of cytosolic Zn2+ buffering—while having little effects alone—markedly enhanced mitochondrial Zn2+ accumulation and dysfunction (including loss of ∆Ψm, ROS generation, swelling and respiratory inhibition) caused by relatively low (10–50 μM) Zn2+ with high K+. 2. The presence of Ca2+ during the Zn2+ exposure decreased cytosolic and mitochondrial Zn2+ accumulation, but markedly exacerbated the consequent dysfunction. 3. Paralleling effects on mitochondria, disruption of buffering and presence of Ca2+ enhanced Zn2+-induced neurodegeneration. 4. Zn2+ chelation after the high K+/Zn2+ exposure attenuated both ROS production and neurodegeneration, supporting the potential utility of delayed interventions. Taken together, these data lend credence to the idea that in pathologic states that impair cytosolic Zn2+ buffering, slow uptake of Zn2+ along with Ca2+ into neurons via VSCC can disrupt the mitochondria and induce neurodegeneration.
The Motivic Spectral Sequence

In this chapter we explain the Atiyah-Hirzebruch spectral sequence that relates topological K-theory to singular cohomology and try to motivate the search for a motivic version. In the time since [18] appeared, which concerns motivation for such a motivic spectral sequence, many authors have produced results in this direction. We describe the Bloch-Lichtenbaum spectral sequence [8] for the spectrum of a field together with the Friedlander-Suslin and Levine extensions [12, 28] to the global case for a smooth variety over a field. We explain the Goodwillie-Lichtenbaum idea involving tuples of commuting automorphisms and the theorem [19] that uses it to produce a motivic spectral sequence for an affine regular noetherian scheme, unfortunately involving certain non-standard motivic cohomology groups. We present Suslin’s result [41], that, for smooth varieties over a field, these non-standard motivic cohomology groups are isomorphic to the standard groups. We sketch Voevodsky’s approach via the slice filtration [43, 47, 49], much of which remains conjectural. Finally, we sketch Levine’s recent preprint [29], which gives a novel approach that yields a spectral sequence for smooth varieties over a field and makes it extremely clear which formal properties of K-theory are used in the proof. At this point we refer the reader also to [11] where a similar spectral sequence is developed for semi-topological K-theory. The importance of the motivic spectral sequence lies in its applications. Important work of Voevodsky [42, 44, 48] makes motivic cohomology amenable
Surgical Emergencies in the Cancer Patient

Emergency care is needed in cancer patients under a variety of circumstances. These interventions can be divided into medical and surgical emergencies, and further subdivided into those related to the cancer diagnosis or cancer therapy and those unrelated to the cancer and only occurring incidentally in the cancer patient. Although it is tempting to always connect the new surgical problem to a cancer recurrence, in many instances the new problem is unrelated and the cancer diagnosis is of no consequence. Those surgical emergencies not related to a cancer diagnosis are not discussed in detail within this chapter and are covered elsewhere in this volume. Nongeneral surgical emergencies in the cancer patient are listed in Table 101.1.
Spectroscopy of Molecular Ions in Coulomb Crystals.

In this Perspective, we examine the use of laser-cooled atomic ions and sympathetically cooled molecular ions in Coulomb crystals for molecular spectroscopy. Coulomb crystals are well-isolated environments that provide localization and long storage times for sensitive measurements of weak signals and cold temperatures for precise spectroscopy. Coulomb crystals of molecular and atomic ions enable the detection of single-photon molecular ion transitions at a range of wavelengths by a change in atomic ion fluorescence at visible wavelengths. We give an overview of the state of the art from action spectroscopy to quantum logic spectroscopy for a wide range of molecular transitions from rotational sublevels separated by 10–7 cm–1 to rovibronic transitions at 25 000 cm–1. We emphasize how this system allows for unparalleled control of the molecular ion state for precision spectroscopy with applications in astrochemistry and fundamental physics. We conclude with an outlook of the use of this control in cold mole...
High density lipoprotein mimicking nanoparticles for atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is a major contributor to many cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and peripheral arterial disease, making it the leading cause of death worldwide. High-density lipoproteins (HDL), also known as “good cholesterol”, have been shown to demonstrate anti-atherosclerotic efficacy through the removal of cholesterol from foam cells in atherosclerotic plaques. Because of the excellent anti-atherosclerotic properties of HDL, in the past several years, there has been tremendous attention in designing HDL mimicking nanoparticles (NPs) of varying functions to image, target, and treat atherosclerosis. In this review, we are summarizing the recent progress in the development of HDL mimicking NPs and their applications for atherosclerosis.
Lp time asymptotic decay for general hyperbolic–parabolic balance laws with applications

We study the time asymptotic decay of solutions for a general system of hyperbolic–parabolic balance laws in one space dimension. The system has a physical viscosity matrix and a lower-order term f...
Treatment and management of cognitive dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis

Cognitive impairment is a common and devastating manifestation of multiple sclerosis (MS). Although disease-modifying therapies have been efficacious for reducing relapse rates in MS, such treatments are ineffective for treating cognitive dysfunction. Alternative treatment approaches for mitigating cognitive problems are greatly needed in this population. To date, cognitive rehabilitation and exercise training have been identified as possible candidates for treating MS-related cognitive impairment; however, cognitive dysfunction is still often considered to be poorly managed in patients with MS. This Review provides a comprehensive overview of recent developments in the treatment and management of cognitive impairment in people with MS. We describe the theoretical rationales, current states of the science, field-wide challenges and recent advances in cognitive rehabilitation and exercise training for treating MS-related cognitive impairment. We also discuss future directions for research into the treatment of cognitive impairment in MS that should set the stage for the inclusion of cognitive rehabilitation and exercise training into clinical practice within the next decade. In this Review, the authors discuss the treatment and management of cognitive impairment in people with multiple sclerosis. They describe the theoretical rationales, challenges and advances in cognitive rehabilitation and exercise training for treating multiple sclerosis-related cognitive impairment, and discuss future directions for research in this field.
Clinical analysis of 62 cases of convulsion associated with acute purulent meningitis of children

Objective The study was conducted to investigate the acute phase of convulsion related problem on the clinical manifestations,imaging and electroencephalograph (EEG) examination of purulent meningitis.Methods Cluster sampling method was employed to select children in our hospital,a total of 301 cases with purulent meningitis was analyzed retrospectively.Among them,62 cases had convulsion.The incidence of convulsion in the acute phase of the purulent meningitis,risk factors,and prognosis were analyzed.Results The convulsion incidence rate of acute purulent meningitis was 20.60％.The partial seizure was eight cases (12.90％).The secondarily generalized seizure following partial seizure was 15 cases (24.19％).The generalized seizure was 32 cases (51.61％).The convulsive status was 7 cases (11.29％).The EEG abnormality was significantly different between the convulsion group and the no convulsion group (P ＜ 0.05).The incidence of brain organic damage was significantly different between two groups (P ＜0.05).The multivariate unconditional logistic regression analysis showed,cause of disease,first symptom,disturbance of consciousness,obvious signs,and cerebrospinal fluid culture with convulsion were the relevant factors (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions The most common seizure of purulent meningitis was the generalized seizure.Brain organic damage easily resulted in convulsion of purulent meningitis.The days of hospitalization,cause of disease,first symptom,disturbance of consciousness,obvious signs,and cerebrospinal fluid culture with convulsion were the positively relevant factors.Those positively relevant factors in combination of the clinical manifestations,imaging,and EEG examination in children would play an important role in diagnosis,treatment,and prognosis evaluation of convulsion derived from purulent meningitis.Moreover,convulsion affects the disease recovery in children with purulent meningitis. Key words: Meningitis; CONVULSIONS△; Child