cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Photically evoked potentials and afterpotentials recorded from the visual cortex of the unanesthetized hedgehog

Evoked potentials to visual stimuli (VEP) were recorded from the visual cortex of the unanesthetized hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), a primitive placental mammal with relatively little differentiation of cortex and thalamus. The VEPs consisted of several distinct positive and negative voltage deflections. Reproducibility of the response was high, as indicated from the small intrasession and intersession response variability. Rhythmic afterpotentials (AP), previously reported for higher mammals, were readily elicited. They had a lower frequency (3/sec) than APs observed in other mammals. The use of the hedgehog in electrophysiological and psychophysiological research is suggested because data obtained from this primitive placental mammal may shed light on CNS functions of higher mammals, as well as mammalian forms 'lower' on the evolutionary scale.
Effects of Na(+) and K(+) channel blockade on vulnerability to and termination of fibrillation in simulated normal cardiac tissue.

Na+ and K+ channel-blocking drugs have anti- and proarrhythmic effects. Their effects during fibrillation, however, remain poorly understood. We used computer simulation of a two-dimensional (2-D) ...
MONOCULAR DIPLOPIA DUE TO SPHEROCYLINDRICAL REFRACTIVE ERRORS (AN AMERICAN OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOCIETY THESIS)

Purpose Ordinary spherocylindrical refractive errors have been recognized as a cause of monocular diplopia for over a century, yet explanation of this phenomenon using geometrical optics has remained problematic. This study tests the hypothesis that the diffraction theory treatment of refractive errors will provide a more satisfactory explanation of monocular diplopia.
Mapping urban landuse types in Los Angeles using multi-date Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer vegetation image products

The Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) vegetation data products provide a new opportunity for urban landuse classification study using multi-date remote sensing data. The main advantage of this data source is its ability to provide seasonality information for different types of vegetation covers. It has been demonstrated that vegetation covers of different moisture conditions or different species compositions have different variation patterns in the time series of the MODIS Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) values. This research tries to explore the possibility of using the multi-date MODIS vegetation data products for mapping different landuse types in the Los Angeles area. It was suggested that vegetation of different urban landuse types exhibits unique seasonal variation patterns in their EVI time series due to differences in species composition, moisture condition, and vegetation density. These unique temporal signatures are the basis for image classification. Two classification methods were used for comparison. The Method 1 used a single-date MODIS EVI image and the Density Slice classification method. Method 2 used the Decision Tree classification on the images created from the eleven seasonality parameter values computed by the TIMESAT. The two methods were employed to classify an urban landscape in Los Angeles into five key landuse types. Classification accuracy assessment was conducted by examining their overall accuracy and Kappa coefficient values. The results of this research suggest that the seasonality information contained in the multi-date MODIS vegetation products are valuable for urban landuse mapping. It improved the overall classification accuracy by 9.4 percents and has a higher Kappa index of 0.52. It was also suggested that seasonality parameters extracted from the multi-date MODIS EVI data can be used to classify the vegetated areas in the urban and suburban areas in Los Angeles into subclasses (parks and low density residential neighborhoods, natural vegetation area, and agricultural fields).
Making gestural input from arm-worn inertial sensors more practical

Gestural input can greatly improve computing experiences away from the desktop, and has the potential to provide always-available access to computing. Specifically, accelerometers and gyroscopes worn on the arm (e.g., in a wristwatch) can sense arm gestures, enabling natural input in untethered scenarios. Two core components of any gesture recognition system are detecting when a gesture is occurring and classifying which gesture a person has performed. In previous work, accurate detection has required significant computation, and high-accuracy classification has come at the cost of training the system on a per-user basis. In this note, we present a gesture detection method whose computational complexity does not depend on the duration of the gesture, and describe a novel method for recognizing gestures with only a single example from a new user.
Alasdair MacIntyre and Radically Dialogical Politics

In this paper, I show that in the field of political theology, Alasdair MacIntyre is best seen not as the harbinger of an isolated, nostalgic, and conservative politics, but as an advocate of a kind of pluralistic dialog similar to that advocated by adherents of radical democracy. After an overview of MacIntyre's contemporary appropriation of Aristotle, I argue that reading MacIntyre in the light of his rejection of the fact-value distinction helps show the radical (rather than balkanizing) theo-political implications of his work, and dissolves many of the obstacles that might cause one to suspect that MacIntyre's project necessarily leads to withdrawal from pluralistic society. In conclusion, I sketch the contours of a MacIntyrean politics by way of his anthropological insights in Dependent Rational Animals. From this angle, one can see MacIntyre advocating a “local politics of dependence” that does not eschew inter-traditioned dialog, but seeks to enable its occurrence despite the resistance provided by...
Assessment of Lumbar Fusion: Importance of Dynamic Plain Standing X-rays

a c V g m b 57-year-old woman sustained an unstable flexionistraction fracture of the lumbar spine. She underwent urgical stabilization at another institution. This enailed a staged anterior and posterior approach with inerbody fusion of L1-L2, L3-L5 and posterior fusion and nstrumentation of L1-L5. There was initial improveent of her symptoms, but she later developed recurrent nset of back pain that was activity-related and imroved with rest. She had no fever, chills, nausea, vomting, weight change, or bowel or bladder dysfunction. n examination, she was neurologically intact with full otor strength and normal sensation. Range of motion f the lumbar spine was reduced, which accentuated her ack pain. The presence of severe persistent back pain along with ractured spinal implants at L2-L3 on plain x-rays reulted in the presumed diagnosis of a pseudarthrosis (A, nteroposterior, B, lateral). Nonunion of the fusion asses was not evident. Subsequent evaluation and exensive multimodality workup at several institutions inluding oblique x-rays, CT scan (C, sagittal; D, axial), nd MRI with gadolinium demonstrated bridging bone nd an apparent solid arthrodesis on multiple views. T-guided biopsy, bone scan, and laboratory blood ork did not reveal any evidence of a tumor or infection. ecause of a negative workup for evidence of infection, umor, or stenosis, combined with evidence of a solid usion, she was referred to us for evaluation. Simple tanding flexion-extension x-rays (E, flexion; F, extenion) revealed obvious motion at L2-L3 and motion at he fractured implant, confirming the pseudarthrosis. Lumbar fusion is a commonly performed spine surery, increasing in rate in the past decade, and often nvolving a multidisciplinary surgical team. The deciion to undergo revision surgery for persistent back pain fter spinal fusion is a challenge. The main goal is to stablish a diagnosis to develop a treatment plan. The ifferential diagnosis includes pseudarthrosis, infection, umor, stenosis, or unstable fracture. The evaluation hould include a careful history specifically for “red flag” s
Memoryless relay strategies for two-way relay channels

We propose relaying strategies for uncoded two-way relay channels, where two terminals transmit simultaneously to each other with the help of a relay. In particular, we consider a memoryless system, where the signal transmitted by the relay is obtained by applying an instantaneous relay function to the previously received signal. For binary antipodal signaling, a class of so called absolute (abs)-based schemes is proposed in which the processing at the relay is solely based on the absolute value of the received signal. We analyze and optimize the symbol-error performance of existing and new abs-based and non-abs-based strategies under an average power constraint, including abs-based and non-abs-based versions of amplify and forward (AF), detect and forward (DF), and estimate and forward (EF). Additionally, we optimize the relay function via functional analysis such that the average probability of error is minimized at the high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) regime. The optimized relay function is shown to be a Lambert W function parameterized on the noise power and the transmission energy. The optimized function behaves like abs-AF at low SNR and like abs-DF at high SNR, respectively; EF behaves similarly to the optimized function over the whole SNR range. We find the conditions under which each class of strategies is preferred. Finally, we show that all these results can also be generalized to higher order constellations.
11.5: A MEMS-based vacuum gauge for measuring pressure and out-gassing rates in miniaturized vacuum microelectronic devices

Cr/Au meander-shaped resistors were fabricated on 200nm thick square silicon nitride diaphragms on silicon with diaphragm dimensions of 0.775mm, 1.025mm, 1.275mm, 1.775mm, and 2.275mm. At 760Torr, the resistors were heated to about 20°C–60°C above ambient by Joules heating and the resistances were monitored as a function of pressure from 760Torr to 2×10−4Torr. As expected from kinetic theory, the sensitivity of the gauges shifted from high to low pressure with increasing diaphragm size (distance from the heat source to the cold junction). Measurements were taken at powers ranging from 0.6mW to 6mW. The sensors were applied to measure potential vacuum bursts due to outgassing events in field emitters and to measure the pressure inside of glass capillaries.
Management for Breast Implants in Patients Undergoing Mitral Valve Surgery Through a Right Minithoracotomy

We present the surgical technique and rationale for the management of breast implants in two patients who underwent mitral valve repair through a right minithoracotomy.
Design and performance of a scaled electromechanical wind turbine power train model

Many wind turbine designs employ induction machines, operating as fixed speed, squirrel cage generators, or as variable speed, wide slip and double fed induction generators (DFIG). In order to study, prototype, and demonstrate the effectiveness of each design, an electro-mechanical model of a wind turbine power train has been constructed at an approximate scale of 1:1000, relative to a utility-scale wind turbine. The power train model includes the rotor, the gearbox, and the generator. The model was characterized under a range of steady state conditions. Electrical measurements were made with a commercial power quality analyzer, and rotational speed measured with a contact tachometer.
Why does religion turn violent? A psychoanalytic exploration of religious terrorism.

This is a work in progress. It may look like a finished academic paper with its text bristling with citations and references, but that is an illusion—in Freud’s sense. It is a wish—a wish to be done with this terrible topic. Over the summer of 2001 a book of mine was completed titled Terror and Transformation: The Ambiguity of Religion in Psychoanalytic Perspective (Jones, 2002). Because it had the word Terror in the title and came out a few months after 9/11, I have been swept up into a vortex of discussions about religion and terrorism, a topic I find extremely foreign to my experience and very aversive. Also, like many in the New York metropolitan area, I find that 9/11 still casts a longer shadow over my life (in ways that I still find hard to talk about) than the World Trade Center towers ever cast when they stood erect over lower Manhattan. As much as I want to escape from these discussions, I have been unable to. I am writing as a clinical psychologist of religion, interested in the psychological dynamics involved in religion and especially in religiously motivated violence and what that might contribute to the psychology of religion. I am not proposing a general theory of terrorism but rather asking what a psychological, primarily psychodynamic, exploration of religious terrorism might tell us about that phenomenon and about the psychology of religion in general. Reading the literature on this topic I am struck by the paucity of discussion of both of these factors—the psychodynamics of religious terrorists and the religious aspect itself. In part that is because most of the mainstream, scholarly literature is written by social psychologists, not clinicians, and political scientists rather than by scholars of religion or psychologists of reli
A systems analysis of importin-α-β mediated nuclear protein import

Importin-β (Impβ) is a major transport receptor for Ran-dependent import of nuclear cargo. Impβ can bind cargo directly or through an adaptor such as Importin-α (Impα). Factors involved in nuclear transport have been well studied, but systems analysis can offer further insight into regulatory mechanisms. We used computer simulation and real-time assays in intact cells to examine Impα–β-mediated import. The model reflects experimentally determined rates for cargo import and correctly predicts that import is limited principally by Impα and Ran, but is also sensitive to NTF2. The model predicts that CAS is not limiting for the initial rate of cargo import and, surprisingly, that increased concentrations of Impβ and the exchange factor, RCC1, actually inhibit rather than stimulate import. These unexpected predictions were all validated experimentally. The model revealed that inhibition by RCC1 is caused by sequestration of nuclear Ran. Inhibition by Impβ results from depletion nuclear RanGTP, and, in support of this mechanism, expression of mRFP-Ran reversed the inhibition.
College Women’s Stay/Leave Decisions in Abusive Dating Relationships: A Prospective Analysis of an Expanded Investment Model

The purpose of the current study was to explore college women’s stay/ leave decisions in abusive relationships using a prospective methodology. Participants (N = 323) completed surveys at the beginning and end of a 10-week academic quarter for course credit. A path analysis suggested that the model—which included investment model variables (i.e., relationship commitment, investment, satisfaction, and quality of alternatives), childhood abuse, psychological distress, avoidance coping, and self-esteem—was a good fit to the data and predicted abused women’s leaving behaviors over the interim. The implications of these findings for future research, theory, and clinical work are discussed.
Effects of Poststroke Losartan Versus Captopril Treatment on Myogenic and Endothelial Function in the Cerebrovasculature of SHRsp

Background and Purpose— We assessed the ability of poststroke captopril and losartan treatment to reverse myogenic and endothelial dysfunction in the middle cerebral arteries of Kyoto-Wistar stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRsp) that developed intracerebral hemorrhagic stroke. Methods— SHRsp were sampled before and after stroke development and after up to 37 days of captopril (50 mg/kg per day) or losartan (35 mg/kg per day) treatment initiated after stroke. Pressure-dependent constriction to a 100-mm Hg pressure step, constriction to nitric oxide synthase inhibition (100 μmol/L Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester), and endothelium-dependent vasodilation to bradykinin (1.6 μmol/L), 2-f-LIGRLO-NH2 (1 μmol/L, a protease-activated receptor-2 agonist), and A23187 (2 μmol/L) were evaluated in middle cerebral arteries at 100 mm Hg with a pressure myograph. Results— Middle cerebral arteries from SHRsp with stroke could not constrict to pressure or nitric oxide synthase inhibition, lacked the ability ...
Left hemisphere representations of emotional facial expressions

Abstract Researchers have suggested that the right hemisphere is superior at processing emotional facial expressions because it contains stored perceptual ‘templates’ of facial expressions. We tested each hemisphere of a split-brain patient on two tasks involving emotional facial expressions. Both hemispheres performed equally well and significantly above chance matching facial expressions with emotion words. The subject's right hemisphere consistently performed well judging whether two facial expressions were the same or different. His left hemisphere performed poorly on this discrimination task at first, but showed a sharp improvement when the instructions were changed slightly, emphasizing verbal labels for the facial expressions. Results suggest that ‘facial expression templates’ may not be stored only on the right.
Regulation of Gene Expression by Cell-to-Cell Communication: Acyl-Homoserine Lactone Quorum Sensing

Quorum sensing is an example of community behavior prevalent among diverse bacterial species. The term "quorum sensing" describes the ability of a microorganism to perceive and respond to microbial population density, usually relying on the production and subsequent response to diffusible signal molecules. A significant number of gram-negative bacteria produce acylated homoserine lactones (acyl-HSLs) as signal molecules that function in quorum sensing. Bacteria that produce acyl-HSLs can respond to the local concentration of the signaling molecules, and high population densities foster the accumulation of inducing levels of acyl-HSLs. Depending upon the bacterial species, the physiological processes regulated by quorum sensing are extremely diverse, ranging from bioluminescence to swarming motility. Acyl-HSL quorum sensing has become a paradigm for intercellular signaling mechanisms. A flurry of research over the past decade has led to significant understanding of many aspects of quorum sensing including the synthesis of acyl-HSLs, the receptors that recognize the acyl-HSL signal and transduce this information to the level of gene expression, and the interaction of these receptors with the transcriptional machinery. Recent studies have begun to integrate acyl-HSL quorum sensing into global regulatory networks and establish its role in developing and maintaining the structure of bacterial communities.
New Bounds on the Aperiodic Total Squared Correlation of Binary Signature Sets and Optimal Designs

We derive new bounds on the aperiodic total squared correlation (ATSC) of binary antipodal signature sets for any number of signatures K and any signature length L. We then present optimal designs that achieve the new bounds for several (K, L) cases. As an example, it is seen that the familiar Gold and (small or large) Kasami designs are not ATSC-optimal in general. The optimal signature set designs provided herein are in this sense better suited for asynchronous and/or multipath code-division multiplexing applications.
Growing Up Without Siblings and Adult Sociability Behaviors

We use data from the National Survey of Families and Households to examine a range of sociability behaviors for adults who grew up with and without siblings. Compared to adults who grew up with siblings, adults who grew up without siblings have less frequent social activities with relatives, and the difference is greater among those who did not live with both parents growing up. Differences in engaging in certain social events between adults who grew up without and with siblings vary by age. Differences in participation in sports, youth, or school related group activities for those who grew up without and with siblings vary by gender. Thus, there are some differences in adult sociability behaviors between those who grew up with and without siblings; however, our pattern of findings suggests that these differences are not large or pervasive across a range of sociability behaviors and may grow smaller with age.
Contemporary practical and legal guidelines for written employer-employee communication

Given the favorable support for organized labor by the government, understanding the legal ramifications of written documents is important. In this paper, the authors review the more significant ways organizations communicate with employees in writing, and provide some current practical guidelines managers can follow to prepare communications that are more effective and more positive. Where appropriate, the legal implications of poorly written communication are addressed and guidelines are provided based on current legal trends. The author noted that nothing in this article should be construed as legal advice, and that employers should seek the advice of a knowledgeable attorney when attempting to resolve potential legal issues associated with any type of employee communication.
Use of dendritic cells in drug selection, development and therapy.

Background: Dendritic cells (DC) have the unique ability to induce immunity against tumors and various pathogens or to promote tolerance in autoimmunity and transplantation. Hence, they are central to the regulation of immune responses. Objective/methods: Due to the unique tolerogenic ability of DC, understanding some of the key molecules that regulate DC function may help with targeting the relevant signals in DC as therapeutic options for many disease conditions. DC are also targets of drugs, and many of the anti-inflammatory and pharmaceutical agents used to prevent autoimmunity or inhibit graft rejection interfere with DC function. Results/conclusion: The drug-induced changes in DC may provide information for the selection of drugs and further drug discovery along with the use of DC as adjuvant in the treatment of autoimmunity and prevention of graft rejection in transplantation.
Numerical Inversion of the Abel Integral Function, Using Least-Squares Splines

In the Abel inversion of a function whose values are determined experimentally on a discrete set of points, random errors are amplified considerably. This paper presents a procedure to smooth the data before inversion, and thus keep the error amplification under control. Numerische Umkehrung der Abelschen Integralfunktion unter Anwendung der Kleinstquadratsplinefunktionen Bei der Abel-Umkehrung einer Funktion, deren Werte auf einer diskreten Punktmenge gemessen sind, werden Zufallsfehler wesentlich verstarkt. Hier wird ein Verfahren beschrieben, das vor der Umkehrung glattet, und dabei die Mesfehlerverstarkung gering halt.
Health-related quality of life after surgical treatment in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review.

Abstract Introduction Surgical resection currently is the best available treatment to enhance long-term survival after non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). With the anticipated growth in the number of NSCLC survivors diagnosed through computed tomography screening, health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) as an endpoint of treatment will become increasingly important. This article is a systematic review of the literature regarding HR-QOL in patients after surgical treatment. Methods Three computerized databases (PubMed, Medline, and CINHAL) were used to identify relevant articles. Inclusion criteria were: empirical studies English language, assessment of HR-QOL after surgical treatment for stage I, II, or III NSCLC, and publication prior to January 2012. Data were abstracted and content analyses were used to synthesize the findings. Results Nineteen out of 337 studies were reviewed. The majority of participants (67%) had stable or improved mental HR-QOL at 6-months after surgery. Compared with the general population, however, NSCLC survivors have poorer mental HR-QOL. Compared to pre-surgical status, participants had worse physical function at 6-months after surgery and had decreased physical function up to 2-years after surgery. Pain, fatigue, dyspnea and coughing were the most prevalent symptoms. Increased levels of dyspnea and fatigue persisted for at least 2-years after surgery. Continued smoking, presence of comorbidities, extensive surgical resection, and use of adjuvant therapy were associated with lower HR-QOL. Conclusions New interventions focused on smoking cessation, improving symptom control and physical function are needed to enhance HR-QOL after lung cancer surgery.
SSD tracking using dynamic template and log-polar transformation

With the assumption of small motion displacements in sequences, templates can be matched successfully by SSD (sum-squared-difference) optimization technique. In this paper two crucial modifications are proposed to improve the original SSD tracking. First, templates are dynamically updated for each frame. Thus, instead of designing complicated parametric models to explain various image distortions in tracking sequences, more efficient and compact parametric models, say the pure translation model, can be adopted. Second, rotation and scale can be incorporated into a translation motion model after a log-polar transformation. Extensive experimental results performed on live video sequences show the effectiveness and advantage of our approach
Functions, Transformations, and Groups

Firm formal definitions come first in any systematic foundation of Mathematics. Hitherto, however, we have not formally defined the notion “function”, although we have used the notion extensively and consider it central to the organization of Mathematics. This delay was deliberate, since it has allowed the assembly of part of that wide variety of examples from which arises the general and abstract notion of function. Though some may hold that “abstract notions are difficult to understand” we hold with G. Kreisel that these notions “in fact, are usually introduced to make concrete situations intelligible” (Math Reviews 37 (1969) # 1224).
The Fate if 2, 4-D in Intact Soybean (Glycine Mix)

About 479,000 pounds of 2,4-D (2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) was applied to South Dakota’s crops in 2000. 2,4-D can injure or reduce yield of soybean (Glycine max) if deposited on growing plants. This study determined uptake, translocation, and metabolism of ring-labeled- 14 C-2,4-D in soybean at the third trifoliate (V3) stage of growth. Plants were harvested and partitioned into four parts from 1 hr (HAT) to 10 d (DAT) after treatment. Thin layer chromatography techniques were used to determine if 14 C remaining in the tissue was parent chemical or metabolite. 2,4-D uptake ranged from 39% at 1 HAT to 74% 6 DAT. By 10 DAT, 14 C translocated to the youngest tissue (10%) and older tissue (8%). All 14 C recovered from the treated leaf 1 HAT was parent 2,4D, however, at 24 HAT and later, only about 30% of the 14 C remained as 2,4-D whereas 70% of the 14 C was observed as a more water soluble compound.
Paget’s disease of bone

Abstract Paget’s disease is an osteoclastic-mediated disorder of bone that results in abnormal bone resorption associated with inadequate remodeling that leads to mechanically weakened bone. Demonstrating variable geographic prevalence, it is becoming less frequent and age of onset is lengthening in areas of once high prevalence prior to the institution of effective medical therapies, suggesting its etiology involves both environmental as well as genetic factors. Insights into its pathophysiology are helping to clarify other inherited osteolytic disorders of bone by providing additional insights into related cellular processes.
The Design and Performance Evaluation of Hypersonic Inlets for Scramjet Applications

A literature survey, conducted as part of this research effort, revealed that the morphing RAM-SCRAMJET model 1-3 , has many attractive engineering characteristics and is worthy of a realsitic engineering evaluation. The objective of this effort is to improve on the RAM-SCRAMJET model by incorporating real-world effects into the design process. In accomplishing this goal, a quasi-one-dimensional flow field solver with capabilities of modeling the real-world effects was developed, coded in object oriented FORTRAN, and incorporated into the NCAT original model. The improved quasi-one-dimensional flow field solver is based on the Runge-Kutta 4 th order method for solving systems of differential equations. In principle, the new solver allows for the flow field evaluation within arbitrary shaped ducts in which the influences of ‘area change’, ‘friction’, ‘heating’ and ‘chemistry’ may be of importance. Prior to incorporating the new solver into the NCAT RAMSCRAMJET model, a detailed validation study was conducted. These tests demonstrated that the ‘area change’ and ‘friction’ capabilities performed as expected. Unfortunately, the ‘heating’ and ‘chemistry’ capability did not, and as such these capabilities were not added to the NCAT model. Now, with improved but limited real-world capability, the NCAT RAMSCRAMJET model was used to conduct an updated system performance study. Engineering tests were conducted in the Mach number range of 4 through 12. Results showed the improved RAM/SCRAM jet code performs well at low Mach numbers, but did not compare well with independent efforts in the high Mach number region. At this stage, the difference is attributed to the fact that the new flow field solver cannot predict the effects of heating well.
Treating Uncertainties in Multibody Dynamic Systems Using a Polynomial Chaos Spectral Decomposition

This study addresses the critical need for computational tools to model complex nonlinear multibody dynamic systems in the presence of parametric and external uncertainty. Polynomial chaos has been used extensively to model uncertainties in structural mechanics and in fluids, but to our knowledge they have yet to be applied to multibody dynamic simulations. We show that the method can be applied to quantify uncertainties in time domain and frequency domain.© 2004 ASME
A Highly Thermostable Kanamycin Resistance Marker Expands the Tool Kit for Genetic Manipulation of Caldicellulosiruptor bescii.

ABSTRACT Caldicellulosiruptor bescii, an anaerobic Gram-positive bacterium with an optimal growth temperature of 78°C, is the most thermophilic cellulose degrader known. It is of great biotechnological interest, as it efficiently deconstructs nonpretreated lignocellulosic plant biomass. Currently, its genetic manipulation relies on a mutant uracil auxotrophic background strain that contains a random deletion in the pyrF genome region. The pyrF gene serves as a genetic marker to select for uracil prototrophy, and it can also be counterselected for loss via resistance to the compound 5-fluoroorotic acid (5-FOA). To expand the C. bescii genetic tool kit, kanamycin resistance was developed as a selection for genetic manipulation. A codon-optimized version of the highly thermostable kanamycin resistance gene (named Cbhtk) allowed the use of kanamycin selection to obtain transformants of either replicating or integrating vector constructs in C. bescii. These strains showed resistance to kanamycin at concentrations >50 μg · ml−1, whereas wild-type C. bescii was sensitive to kanamycin at 10 μg · ml−1. In addition, placement of the Cbhtk marker between homologous recombination regions in an integrating vector allowed direct selection of a chromosomal mutation using both kanamycin and 5-FOA. Furthermore, the use of kanamycin selection enabled the targeted deletion of the pyrE gene in wild-type C. bescii, generating a uracil auxotrophic genetic background strain resistant to 5-FOA. The pyrE gene functioned as a counterselectable marker, like pyrF, and was used together with Cbhtk in the ΔpyrE background strain to delete genes encoding lactate dehydrogenase and the CbeI restriction enzyme. IMPORTANCECaldicellulosiruptor bescii is a thermophilic anaerobic bacterium with an optimal growth temperature of 78°C, and it has the ability to efficiently deconstruct nonpretreated lignocellulosic plant biomass. It is, therefore, of biotechnological interest for genetic engineering applications geared toward biofuel production. The current genetic system used with C. bescii is based upon only a single selection strategy, and this uses the gene involved in a primary biosynthetic pathway. There are many advantages with an additional genetic selection using an antibiotic. This presents a challenge for thermophilic microorganisms, as only a limited number of antibiotics are stable above 50°C, and a thermostable version of the enzyme conferring antibiotic resistance must be obtained. In this work, we have developed a selection system for C. bescii using the antibiotic kanamycin and have shown that, in combination with the biosynthetic gene marker, it can be used to efficiently delete genes in this organism.
Experimental Study of Improving Radioprotective Effect by Decreasing mAs

[Objective]To improve the comprehensive radioprotective effect on photographers and patients by decreasing as far as possible needless X-ray radiation doses,and to explore the film quality obtained with short focal distance.[Methods]Totally 160 patients were selected in consecutive order as experimental group and also control group(namely self-control).They received chest imaging with different film focal distances.The examination data were recorded and analyzed.[Results] The total dosimetry received by 160 cases of experimental group was 1768.38×10-4μC/kg and 5493.54×10-4μC/kg in control group.The difference between them was significant(u=-166.66,P0.01).The films of the experimental group were clear and could satisfy the need for diagnosis.[Conclusion]The technique of chest imaging with short focal distance can obtain films of good quality and effectively improve radioprotective effect.
AN APPROACH TO SUITABILITY OF VARIOUS METHODS FOR DETECTING CONTENT OF CHLORIONS AND PROPOSAL OF A NEW METHOD

The error produced in detection of chlorion's content by using molar method has been presented,the suitability of different methods in detecting the content of chlorions being clarified,and a new method for detecting chlorions' content in boiler water of thermal power plants by using spectrophotometric method of mercury sulfocyanide being put forward.
Pharmacokinetic mechanisms of drug interactions.

Physicians can predict the way in which many drugs will interact if they differentiate between acidic and basic drugs and learn a few pharmacokinetic processes common to all drugs. This will enable them not only to anticipate serious and life-threatening reactions but also to maximize the beneficial effects of multiple-drug therapy.
Peptic ulcer disease in children

Although much of the understanding of the pathogenesis of ulcer disease is derived from data studying adults, there are certain manifestations and presentations that differentiate ulcers in children from those seen in adults. Therapy is aimed at reducing acid or improving mucosal defense. The recent recognition of the association of Helicobacter pylori with acid peptic disease has added to our understanding of the disease process and opened new avenues of therapy.
Editorial: Gut Health: The New Paradigm in Food Animal Production.

The Editorial on the Research Topic Gut Health: The New Paradigm in Animal Production Optimal gut health is of vital importance to the performance of production animals. Gut health is synonymous in animal production industries with animal health. Although there does appear to be a direct relationship between animal performance and a “healthy” gastrointestinal tract (GIT), there is no clear definition for “gut health” that encompasses a number of physiological and functional features, including nutrient digestion and absorption, host metabolism and energy generation, a stable microbiome, mucus layer development, barrier function, and mucosal immune responses (1–8). The GIT is responsible for regulating physiological homeostasis that provides the host the ability to withstand infectious and non-infectious stressors (9–19). Understanding the interactions between these diverse physiological features emphasizes the extent of areas encompassed by gut health and the ability to regulate animal production. For our part, we will define gut health as the absence/prevention/avoidance of disease so that the animal is able to perform its physiological functions in order to withstand exogenous and endogenous stressors. Furthermore, worldwide public concerns about the production animal industries’ dependency on the use of growth-promoting antibiotics (AGPs) have resulted in the ban of AGPs by the European Union and a reassessment of their use in the United States. Thus, current research is focused on alternatives to antibiotics for sustainable food animal production (20). A recent Research Topic in Frontiers in Veterinary Infectious Diseases was on gut health and wondering whether we should consider gut health as the new standard when considering animal production. The objective of this Editorial is not to review the literature on gut health in production animals, but, rather, it is our attempt to summarize findings of the 15 papers that were published within this Research Topic. Obviously, the Topic was not comprehensive in the production animal commodity reported, but it was a very good overview of the current status of the ongoing work in gut health and physiology within the veterinary community.
Conversational Gaze Aversion for Virtual Agents

In conversation, people avert their gaze from one another to achieve a number of conversational functions, including turn-taking, regulating intimacy, and indicating that cognitive effort is being put into planning an utterance. In this work, we enable virtual agents to effectively use gaze aversions to achieve these same functions in conversations with people. We extend existing social science knowledge of gaze aversion by analyzing video data of human dyadic conversations. This analysis yielded precise timings of speaker and listener gaze aversions, enabling us to design gaze aversion behaviors for virtual agents. We evaluated these behaviors for their ability to achieve positive conversational functions in a laboratory experiment with 24 participants. Results show that virtual agents employing gaze aversion are perceived as thinking, are able to elicit more disclosure from human interlocutors, and are able to regulate conversational turn-taking.
"HEADS UP" DIGITALLY ASSISTED SURGICAL VIEWING FOR RETINAL DETACHMENT REPAIR IN A PATIENT WITH SEVERE KYPHOSIS.

Purpose To describe the surgical approach with a screen-based "heads up" digital viewing technology for the successful repair of a retinal detachment in a patient with severe kyphosis. Methods Case report. Results An 89-year-old man with vision loss in the left eye from a macula-involving retinal detachment of 4 weeks was scheduled for pars plana vitrectomy and retinal detachment repair. The patient had severe thoracic kyphosis, causing a fixed spinal flexion that presented a significant challenge to traditional intraoperative positioning and management. Surgery was performed using the NGENUITY system for primary surgical viewing, the surgeon operating heads up, and the patient in Trendelenburg position. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. Visual acuity improved to 20/80 and the retina remained attached with 11 weeks of follow-up. Conclusion Heads up digitally assisted viewing technology may be useful or preferred for patients requiring vitreoretinal surgery in the setting of severe musculoskeletal limitations or other positioning challenges.
In Patients with Acute Type B Aortic Dissection, Do Current Operative Therapies Reduce Complications Compared to Medical Management?

The management of acute type B aortic dissection (TBAD) has largely been dictated by whether or not the case is “complicated,” meaning symptomatic or extensive such that no intervention would lead to death. Historically, complicated acute TBAD has been managed with operative intervention and uncomplicated acute TBAD has been managed with medical treatment. Acute complicated TBAD left untreated has mortality rates as high as 50 % in the first month. While uncomplicated acute TBAD has good outcomes with medical management in the short-term, long-term outcomes are discouraging with mortality rates approaching 30–50 % at 5 years, largely due to aneurysmal degeneration of the false lumen. Both open and endovascular treatment strategies have a role in both complicated and uncomplicated acute TBAD and the role of endovascular intervention is ever-expanding as research shows favorable short-term outcomes and long-term aortic remodeling.
Why We Need More Degrees of Freedom

Abstract Mechanical systems encountered in biology typically have many more degrees of freedom (DOF) than the 6 DOF required to manipulate a body in space. Even the relatively rigid arthropods and crustaceans have at least 5 DOF in each limb; tentacles and human hands have many more. Robotics engineers are routinely required to choose the number of DOF in a robot in the early design stages, potentially limiting the robot's future uses. We theoretically motivate the definition of “mechanical versatility” as the ability of a mechanical system to express distinct static configurations and switch among them rapidly. Requiring versatility and assuming that the systems are power and force limited, and must furthermore resist finite energy environmental disturbances to their state, we show that such multiuse 1 mechanical systems have a lower bound on the number of DOF they require. For bio-mechanics, this suggests which organs and organisms will be driven to become more complex mechanically by indicating domains where higher DOF systems would intrinsically out-compete lower DOF systems.
Studies on the Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Receptor/Ionophore Proteins in Mammalian Brain

Receptor-ionophore proteins which mediate postsynaptic membrane responses to neurotransmitters can be studied in vitro by suitable radioactive ligand binding assays. Radioactive ligands are most appropriate when they act as potent and specific agonists or antagonists on the synapse under study. Drugs or toxins meeting these specifications are available for identification of numerous neurotransmitter receptors (Changeux et al., 1975; Cuatrecasas, 1974); in other cases binding of the radioactive neurotransmitter itself has been utilized (Snyder & Bennett, 1976). In very few cases have ligands been available for potential identification of elements other than the neurotransmitter recognition site (receptor) involved in mediating postsynaptic membrane responses (Young & Snyder, 1974; Bon & Changeux, 1975; Eldefrawi et al. 1977). Identification of binding sites in vitro as physiologically relevant postsynaptic receptor-ionophore proteins requires that numerous criteria be met, such as suitable quantity, binding affinity, tissue and subcellular location, and chemical specificity of the binding sites. In practice this last criterion demands quantitative estimates of dose-effect relationships for drugs active on the tissue under study and at least one such drug which is very specific for the receptor-ionophore as opposed to other potential binding proteins.
Abstract 5066: Combination treatment with SAHA and 5-Azacytidine (Decitabine) induces apoptosis and suppresses tumor growth in preclinical models of chondrosarcoma

Chondrosarcomas are the second most frequently occurring type of bone malignancy, and account for approximately 25% of all bone sarcomas. They are often highly aggressive neoplasms that rapidly progress and eventually recur and give distant metastases. They are largely considered to be resistant to conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Several studies have reported that targeting epigenetic mechanisms including DNA methylation or histone acetylation are novel approaches for the treatment of some human cancers. Previous reports have shown that the interaction of DNA methylation and histone modification regulates gene expression. In the present study, we hypothesized that concurrent inhibition of histone acetylation and DNA methylation could result in decreased viability of chondrosarcoma cells both in vitro and in vivo. To test this, we used a panel of chondrosarcoma cell lines including IDH wild type (CH2879), IDH1 mutant (JJ012) and IDH2 mutant (CS1) cell line. Results from our in vitro proliferation assay showed that combination of sub-IC50 concentrations of the DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor Decitabine (5-AZA-dC) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor (SAHA) resulted in decreased cell viability of all the three chondrosarcoma cell lines tested when compared to either drug alone. Western blot analysis showed induction of cleaved Poly-ADP Ribose Polymerase (PARP), a known marker of apoptosis. Consistent with augmented DNA damage, combination of Decitabine and SAHA markedly increased the levels of phospho-H2AX, a DNA damage marker, and pro-apoptotic BH3-only proteins such as Bim. Combination treatment also resulted in increased induction of histone acetylation (AcH3) and increased expression of E-Cadherin. Previous reports have shown that E-cadherin is critical for apoptosis and depletion and inhibition of E-Cadherin impairs apoptosis induction via DR4 and DR5 death receptors. To this end, we showed that induction of cleaved PARP by Apo2L/TRAIL stimulation decreased over time when E-Cadherin was knocked down by siRNA. Xenograft studies using IDH2 mutant (CS1) tumor model showed a significant suppression of tumor volume when animals were treated in combination with SAHA and Decitabine compared to single agent treatments. Taken together, our data strongly suggests that combination treatment with SAHA and Decitabine is a novel treatment approach and merits evaluation in the treatment of chondrosarcoma. Citation Format: Tahir Sheikh, Parag Patwardhan, Gary K. Schwartz. Combination treatment with SAHA and 5-Azacytidine (Decitabine) induces apoptosis and suppresses tumor growth in preclinical models of chondrosarcoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5066. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-5066
The use of phenobarbital and other anti-seizure drugs in newborns

Neonatal seizures constitute the most frequent presenting neurologic sign encountered in the neonatal intensive care unit. Despite limited efficacy and safety data, phenobarbital continues to be used near-universally as the first-line anti-seizure drug (ASD) in neonates. The choice of second-line ASDs varies by provider and institution, and is still not supported by sufficient scientific evidence. In this review, we discuss the available evidence supporting the efficacy, mechanism of action, potential adverse effects, key pharmacokinetic characteristics such as interaction with therapeutic hypothermia, logistical issues, and rationale for use of neonatal ASDs. We describe the widely used neonatal ASDs, namely phenobarbital, phenytoin, midazolam, and levetiracetam, in addition to potential ASDs, including lidocaine, topiramate, and bumetanide.
Hallpike, Charles Skinner

English otologist Charles Skinner Hallpike (1900–79) made several important contributions to neurotology, including his description in 1938 with neurosurgeon Hugh Cairns of endolymphatic hydrops as the pathology of Meniere's syndrome, his development of the bithermal caloric test technique, and his description in 1952 with otologist Margaret Dix of the clinical features of benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo along with description of a provocative test technique for this condition, the Dix–Hallpike maneuver.
Cervical Stump Extirpation

Quite often the extirpation of the cervical stump has become a complicate procedure. Until recently the vaginal surgical techniques was the gold standard for extirpation of the cervical stump. Sometimes adhesions and scarring on the intraabdominal surface of the stump make the procedure difficult. With the introduction of the Hohl adapter is now a surgical instrument available, which facilitates extirpation of cervical stump. Also, the closure of vessels and the release of adhesions is not a problem anymore.