cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimation of pupil size by digital photography

Purpose: To evaluate a digital photography method of pupil size estimation over a broad range of illumination conditions and to compare this method with common clinical techniques. Setting: College of Optometry, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA. Methods: Two examiners measured the pupil diameter in 45 right eyes at 3 illumination levels: <0.63 lux (dark), 5 lux (dim), and 1000 lux (bright). Estimation by infrared video recording, the reference standard, was compared with measurements by digital photography, ruler, semicircular templates, and the Colvard pupillometer. Masked graders measured pupil size from infrared video recordings and digital photographs. Results: The repeatability of the measurement method determined by the mean intraclass correlation coefficients was highest for video recording across conditions (0.86–0.97), followed by digital photography (0.76–0.94), Colvard pupillometry (0.63–0.82), ruler (0.71–0.85), and templates (0.70–0.83). An analysis of variance showed a significant difference in pupil size by method (P<.001). All methods except digital photography estimated smaller pupil sizes under dark and dim illumination than infrared video measurements (all P<.01). Under bright illumination, the ruler measurements were significantly smaller (–0.15 mm) and the Colvard pupillometer measurements were greater (+0.30 mm) than the reference (P<.01). The 95% limits of agreement (LoA) between examiners were smallest for video measurements at all light levels. The remaining measures ranked from best to worst by 95% LoA were digital photography, Colvard pupillometry, ruler, and templates. Conclusions: Estimation of pupil size by digital photography was more repeatable and accurate than estimates by common clinical techniques over a wide range of illumination. Although not as quick as other methods, digital photography is relatively inexpensive, permits lasting documentation, and allows independent grading suitable for clinical research purposes.
Bistability coordinates activation of the EGFR and DPP pathways in Drosophila vein differentiation

Cell differentiation in developing tissues is controlled by a small set of signaling pathways, which must coordinate the timing and levels of activation to ensure robust and precise outcomes. Highly coordinated activation of signaling pathways can result from cross-regulatory interactions in multi-pathway networks. Here we explore the dynamics and function of pathway coordination between the EGFR and DPP pathways during Drosophila wing-vein differentiation. We show that simultaneous activation of both the EGFR and DPP pathways must be maintained for vein cell differentiation and that above-threshold ectopic activation of either pathway is sufficient to drive vein cell differentiation outside the proveins. The joint activation of the EGFR and DPP signaling systems is ensured by a positive feedback loop, in which the two pathways stimulate each other at the level of ligand production.
Asymptotic analysis of Bayesian quickest change detection procedures

In the sixties, Shiryaev obtained the structure of the optimal quickest change detection procedure for detecting changes in i.i.d. sequences in a Bayesian setting. However, the analysis of the performance of this procedure in terms of average detection delay versus false alarm probability has been an open problem. In this paper, we investigate the performance of the optimal Bayesian quickest change detection procedure in an asymptotic setting where the false alarm probability goes to zero. The results of this study are shown to be especially important in deriving asymptotically optimal solutions to decentralized quickest change detection problems.
Application of a hybrid controller with non-contact impedance to a humanoid robot

This paper addresses the design issues of a hybrid neural network-based PID control with grey prediction and non-contact impedance as applied to a humanoid robot named ISAC. ISAC uses two six degree-of freedom manipulators called soft arms which are actuated by pneumatic artificial muscles. High nonlinearities such as hysteresis and unknown dynamics of these muscles make arm control a challenging task. ISAC was designed to assist physically challenged, therefore it has to fulfill safety precautions concerning its movements. To evaluate the proposed controller, it was tested for human-like grasping motions while guaranteeing the safe interaction with humans. The controller consists of two sub-controllers, an open-loop neural network-based controller which is managed by non-contact impedance and powered by grey prediction.
Chronic Lung Disease and Randomized Interventional Trials: Status in 2005

After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Describe the benefits and difficulties inherent in conducting randomized clinical trials (RCTs). 2. Describe the results of recent trials of therapies to prevent chronic lung disease (CLD). 3. Describe the trends in risk and resulting prevalence of the adverse effects of CLD in recent years. 4. Describe the limitations of RCTs in examining methods of reducing CLD. This review summarizes results of definitive interventional randomized clinical trials (RCTs) designed to reduce the incidence of, or the severity of, chronic lung disease (CLD) of prematurity. The mostly modest results understate the considerable energy expended to accomplish such studies. Included in the efforts to complete successful RCTs are inspiration, design, securing of funding, enrollment, analysis of results, and achievement of publication. This review is wholly dependent on the publication of results, both those in which the patients in the experimental arm fared better (few) and those reporting no differences in the primary outcome of CLD (many). All completed and published studies contributed to providing guidance for current and future therapy. The review focuses on definitive, preferably multicenter, and, when possible, blinded studies. Randomized trials have been embraced relatively recently but now exuberantly by neonatologists. Nonetheless, testing of putative interventions against CLD could occur more quickly with a coordinated effort to enroll a higher proportion of the very low-birthweight (VLBW) (<1,500 g) and extremely low-birthweight (ELBW) (<1,000 g) infants scattered throughout the approximately 650 self-described level III intensive care units in the United States. Perhaps the payers of neonatal intensive care cumulatively will encourage development of coordinated activities in the future. CLD is more heterogeneous than the now rare entity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). BPD was described originally as flowing seamlessly from severe respiratory failure, frequently in near-term babies who had respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and occasionally …
Emotions and cognitions in coronary heart disease: Risk, resilience, and social context

Until recently, scientists have lacked the technology and data needed to support or refute the centuries-old belief that emotions influence coronary health. The past two decades have witnessed dramatic advances in knowledge concerning the pathophysiology underlying coronary heart disease (CHD) and the contribution of emotions and cognitions to disease processes. This progress, in combination with findings from a growing body of large, methodologically sound epidemiological studies, provides substantial evidence that negative emotions and cognitions, including hostility and related constructs, and sub-facets of negative affectivity (e.g., depression, anxiety) contribute to the initiation and progression of CHD. In contrast, research focused on the potential resilient contribution of positive emotions and cognitions has been notably absent from the literature. Furthermore, studies concerning emotions and health have often neglected important contextual factors and concomitant social processes. In the current review, we examine the evidence regarding the roles of emotions and cognitions in CHD risks and outcomes, and suggest that further attention to positive emotional constructs is warranted. We also suggest that the literature would benefit from a more integrative conceptualization of cognitive/emotional and social factors, to better understand how each variable contributes to coronary disease. We further encourage a focus on broad contextual factors, including socioeconomic status (SES) and ethnicity, which may elucidate the circumstances under which health effects of cognitions and emotions are most likely to emerge. We conclude by noting the implications of the current knowledge base for coronary interventions and the practice of cardiac psychology.
Patterned Growth of Vertically Aligned Organic Nanowire Waveguide Arrays

Vertical nanowire arrays were prepared from an organic dye compound, 1,5-diaminoanthraquinone (DAAQ), on various types of substrates by a facile physical vapor transport method. It was found that the DAAQ grows much faster on the substrates with higher surface energies. Therefore, patterned growth of the nanowire arrays was achieved by modifying the substrate surfaces both geometrically and chemically to induce selective growth in areas of higher surface energies. The DAAQ nanowires can serve as nanosized active optical waveguides that allow the locally excited photoluminescence to propagate along the length of the wires. The low-loss waveguide propagation modes along the nanowire were observed experimentally. The nanowire arrays can be integrated directly with a portable fiber optics spectrometer for chemical vapor sensing.
PS1-62: Assessing Readiness for Team Care in Community-based Clinics: Barriers and Facilitators to Implementing an Evidence-based Intervention to Improve BP Control

Background/Aims Understanding the barriers and facilitators to implementing evidence-based models of care in typical community settings is critical to the successful translation of research-tested interventions into practice. The Electronic Communications and Home Blood Pressure Monitoring trial (e-BP), implemented in a large, integrated group practice, demonstrated that team-care and incorporating a pharmacist to manage hypertension via secure e-mail communications in an existing patient-shared electronic health record (EHR) resulted in almost twice the rate of BP control compared to usual care. We sought to assess whether e-BP could be implemented in community-based primary care clinics with very different contextual features (e.g. inexperience with pharmacist team members, limited IT infrastructure, and vulnerable patient populations).
Coronary arterial tree remodeling in right ventricular hypertrophy

We investigated coronary vascular adaptations occurring in right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH). Six pigs had RVH induced by pulmonary artery stenosis for 5 wk. Three pigs served as controls. At autopsy we made silicone elastomer casts of the right coronary arteries (RCA) and collected morphometric data. We organized the segments and their diameters and lengths into a framework of a modified Strahler's ordering scheme in which the order number of an offspring is increased only if its diameter is greater than the diameters of its parents by a specific amount. The segments of the same order arranged in series are combined into elements. In RVH the total number of orders of vessels was larger than the control by 1; the total number of elements in each order increased greatly, whereas the diameters and lengths of each order decreased somewhat. The total RCA resistance decreased in RVH mainly because the total cross-sectional area (CSA) of every order was increased. Because the diameters of the resistance vessels decreased, this decrease in total RCA resistance was due to a numerical increase in resistance vessels. These findings indicate that new flow channels have been established. In contrast, the RCA was remodeled in that the lumen diameter increased. Pressure-flow curves showed a decrease of coronary resistance in RVH, in agreement with the morphometric findings. We conclude that there is significant remodeling of the coronary arterial vasculature in RVH, and any future analysis of coronary hemodynamics of the right ventricle in hypertrophy must take the morphometric remodeling into account.
Neck pain and rash in an 18-year-old student

1. What are this patient’s most striking clinical and laboratory findings? 2. How do you explain this patient’s most striking clinical and laboratory findings? 3. What condition(s) is (are) suggested by this patient’s most striking clinical and laboratory findings? 4. What additional test(s) should be ordered on this patient and why? 5. What is this patient’s most likely diagnosis? 6. How is this patient’s condition typically treated?
Piecewise Pulse Wave Imaging (pPWI) for Detection and Monitoring of Focal Vascular Disease in Murine Aortas and Carotids In Vivo

Atherosclerosis and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAAs) are two common vascular diseases associated with mechanical changes in the arterial wall. Pulse Wave Imaging (PWI), a technique developed by our group to assess and quantify the mechanical properties of the aortic wall in vivo, may provide valuable diagnostic information. This work implements piecewise PWI (pPWI), an enhanced version of PWI designed for focal vascular diseases. Localized, sub-regional PWVs and PWI moduli ( ${\rm E}_{\rm PWI}$ ) were estimated within 2-4 mm wall segments of murine normal, atherosclerotic and aneurysmal arteries. Overall, stiffness was found to increase in the atherosclerotic cases. The mean sub-regional PWV was found to be $2.57\pm 0.18$ m/s for the normal aortas $({\rm n} = 7)$ with a corresponding mean ${\rm E}_{\rm PWI}$ of $43.82\pm 5.86$ kPa. A significant increase ( $({\rm p}\leq 0.001)$ ) in the group means of the sub-regional PWVs was found between the normal aortas and the aortas of mice on high-fat diet for 20 ( $3.30\pm 0.36$ m/s) and 30 weeks ( $3.56\pm 0.29$ m/s). The mean of the sub-regional PWVs ( $1.57\pm 0.78$ m/s) and EPWI values ( $19.23\pm 15.47$ kPa) decreased significantly in the aneurysmal aortas $({\rm p}\leq 0.05)$ . Furthermore, the mean coefficient of determination $({\rm r}^{2})$ of the normal aortas was significantly higher $({\rm p}\leq 0.05)$ than those of the aneurysmal and atherosclerotic cases. These findings demonstrated that pPWI may be able to provide useful biomarkers for monitoring focal vascular diseases.
Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB confers enhanced neonatal intracranial transduction by AAV8 but not by 5, 9 or rh10

Sanfilippo syndrome type B (mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB, MPS IIIB) is a lysosomal storage disease resulting from deficiency of N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (NAGLU) activity. To determine the possible therapeutic utility of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) in early gene therapy-based interventions, we performed a comprehensive assessment of transduction and biodistribution profiles of four central nervous system (CNS) administered rAAV serotypes, -5, -8, -9 and -rh10. To simulate optimal earliest treatment of the disease, each rAAV serotype was injected into the CNS of neonatal MPS IIIB and control animals. We observed marked differences in biodistribution and transduction profiles between the serotypes and this differed in MPS IIIB compared with healthy control mice. Overall, in control mice, all serotypes performed comparably, although some differences were observed in certain focal areas. In MPS IIIB mice, AAV8 was more efficient than AAV5, -9 and -rh10 for gene delivery to most structures analyzed, including the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and thalamus. Noteworthy, the pattern of biodistribution within the CNS varied by serotype and genotype. Interestingly, AAV8 also produced the highest green fluorescent protein intensity levels compared with any other serotype and demonstrated improved transduction in NAGLU compared with control brains. Importantly, we also show leakage of AAV8, -9 and -rh10, but not AAV5, from CNS parenchyma to systemic organs. Overall, our data suggest that AAV8 represents the best therapeutic gene transfer vector for early intervention in MPS IIIB.
SOD1 Overexpression Preserves Baroreflex Control of Heart Rate with an Increase of Aortic Depressor Nerve Function

Overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as the superoxide radical (O2 (∙-)), is associated with diseases which compromise cardiac autonomic function. Overexpression of SOD1 may offer protection against ROS damage to the cardiac autonomic nervous system, but reductions of O2 (∙-) may interfere with normal cellular functions. We have selected the C57B6SJL-Tg (SOD1)2 Gur/J mouse as a model to determine whether SOD1 overexpression alters cardiac autonomic function, as measured by baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and aortic depressor nerve (ADN) recordings, as well as evaluation of baseline heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Under isoflurane anesthesia, C57 wild-type and SOD1 mice were catheterized with an arterial pressure transducer and measurements of HR and MAP were taken. After establishing a baseline, hypotension and hypertension were induced by injection of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and phenylephrine (PE), respectively, and ΔHR versus ΔMAP were recorded as a measure of baroreflex sensitivity (BRS). SNP and PE treatment were administered sequentially after a recovery period to measure arterial baroreceptor activation by recording aortic depressor nerve activity. Our findings show that overexpression of SOD1 in C57B6SJL-Tg (SOD1)2 Gur/J mouse preserved the normal HR, MAP, and BRS but enhanced aortic depressor nerve function.
The Neighbor Says: Nima Yushij and the Philosophy of Modern Persian Poetry

Sadly, the rich world of modernist Persian poetry remains fairly well beyond the reach of the average English reader who may wish to experience in translation the best of 20th-century Iran's pre-em...
Characterization of a Chitosanase from Jelly Fig (Ficus awkeotsang Makino) Latex and Its Application in the Production of Water-Soluble Low Molecular Weight Chitosans

A chitosanase was purified from jelly fig latex by ammonium sulfate fractionation (50–80% saturation) and three successive column chromatography steps. The purified enzyme was almost homogeneous, as determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and gel activity staining. The molecular mass of the enzyme was 20.5 kDa. The isoelectric point (pI) was <3.5, as estimated by isoelectric focusing electrophoresis on PhastGel IEF 3-9. Using chitosan as the substrate, the optimal pH for the enzyme reaction was 4.5; the kinetic parameters Km and Vmax were 0.089 mg mL-1 and 0.69 μmol min-1 mg-1, respectively. The enzyme showed activity toward chitosan polymers which exhibited various degrees of deacetylation (21–94%). The enzyme hydrolyzed 70–84% deacetylated chitosan polymers most effectively. Substrate specificity analysis indicated that the enzyme catalyzed the hydrolysis of chitin and chitosan polymers and their derivatives. The products of the hydrolysis of chitosan polymer derivatives, ethylene glycol (EG) chitosan, carboxymethyl (CM) chitosan and aminoethyl (AE) chitosan, were low molecular weight chitosans (LMWCs); these products were referred to as EG-LMWC, CM-LMWC and AE-LMWC, respectively. The average molecular weights of EG-LMWC, CM-LMWC and AE-LMWC were 11.2, 11.2 and 8.89 kDa, respectively. All of the LMWC products exhibited free radical scavenging activities toward ABTS•+, superoxide and peroxyl radicals.
Understanding depressive symptoms among community-dwelling Chinese older adults in the Greater Chicago area

Objective: This study aimed to examine the prevalence of depressive symptoms among U.S. Chinese older adults. Method: Data were from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (PINE) study, a population-based survey of U.S. Chinese older adults aged 60 years and above. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to examine depressive symptoms. Results: Of the 3,159 community-dwelling Chinese older adults, 1,717 (54.4%) reported having any depressive symptoms in the last 2 weeks. Older age (r = .09), being female (r = .10), lower income (r = .09), not being married (r = .07), having fewer years in the United States (r = .05), lower overall health status (r = .32), poorer quality of life (r = .14), and worsening health over the past year (r = .24) were significantly and positively correlated with any depressive symptoms. Discussion: Depressive symptoms are common among U.S. Chinese older adults in the Greater Chicago area. Further longitudinal studies should be conducted to better understand r...
Integration of Uncertain Ramp Area Aircraft Trajectories and Generation of Optimal Taxiway Schedules at Charlotte Douglas (CLT) Airport

The integration of aircraft maneuver characteristics into an optimal taxiway scheduling solution is challenging due to the uncertainties that are intrinsic to ramp area aircraft trajectories. To address the challenge, we build a stochastic model of ramp area aircraft trajectories that is used to generate a probabilistic measure of conflict within the Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) ramp area. Parameters of the conflict distributions are estimated and passed to a Mixed Integer Linear Program that solves for an optimal taxiway schedule constrained to be conflict free in the presence of trajectory uncertainties. Here we extend our previous research by accounting for departing and arriving aircraft whereas our prior formulation only accounted for departing aircraft.
Synovial cysts (ganglia) of bone. Report of two cases.

Two cases of synovial cysts of bone are reported. Synovial cysts of bone occur clinically as painful lesions in the small bones of the hands or feet or in the ends of the long bones, while on roentgenogram they appear as expanding lytic lesions with a smooth, dense sclerotic wall. The cysts are adjacent to joint surfaces with which a connection may or may not be evident. The shell of sclerosed bone may serve to distinguish these cysts from the chondromatous and giant-cell tumors. Pathologically, the cysts contain mucinous rather than serous fluid. Histologically, the wall is composed of dense fibrous and loose fibroblastic mucinous tissue and may display, in part, a lining resembling synovial membrane; but there is no giant-cell reaction, new-bone formation, inflammatory response, or pigment and fat deposition. Synovial cysts have none of the features of synovioma or giant-cell tumors of bone and are not true tumors. They do not have the pigment deposition or giant-cell rcsponse seen in unicameral bone cysts to which they may be considered analogous if one chooses to accept Jaffe's concept of an aberration in the development or growth of local osseous tissue as the cause of both lesions. Synovial cysts probably develop from a defect in the joint surface with either simple extrusion of synovial fluid or proliferation of the synovial membrane through the defect. Previous disease or injury may be a factor in the development of such cysts. The recommended treatment is enucleation of the cyst and packing with bone chips when feasible.
Effects of injectable trace mineral supplementation in lactating dairy cows with elevated somatic cell counts

Objectives of this clinical trial were to evaluate the effects of injectable trace mineral supplementation (ITMS) on somatic cell count (SCC), linear score (LS), milk yield, milk fat and protein contents, subclinical mastitis cure, and incidence of clinical mastitis in cows with elevated SCC. Holstein cows from a commercial dairy farm in New York were evaluated for subclinical mastitis, defined as SCC ≥200×10(3) cells/mL on the test day preceding enrollment. Cows with a history of treatment for clinical mastitis in the current lactation and those pregnant for more than 150d were not eligible for enrollment. Cows fitting inclusion criteria were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 treatment groups. Cows assigned to ITMS (n=306) received 1 subcutaneous injection containing zinc (300mg), manganese (50mg), selenium (25mg), and copper (75mg) at enrollment (d 0). Control cows (CTRL; n=314) received 1 subcutaneous injection of sterile saline solution. Following treatment, visual assessment of milk was performed daily, and cows with abnormal milk (i.e., presence of flakes, clots, or serous milk) were diagnosed with clinical mastitis (CM). Chronic clinical mastitis was defined as cows with 3 or more cases of CM. Milk yield, milk fat and protein contents, SCC, and LS were evaluated once monthly. Additionally, randomly selected animals were sampled to test serum concentrations of selected minerals on d0 and 30 (n=30 cows/treatment). Treatment did not affect serum concentrations of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, iron, manganese, selenium, and zinc on d30. Injectable supplementation with trace minerals did not improve overall cure of subclinical mastitis (CTRL=42.8 vs. ITMS=46.5%), although a tendency was observed in cows with 3 or more lactations (CTRL=27.1 vs. ITMS=40.0%). Supplementation did not reduce treatment incidence of CM (CTRL=48.2 vs. ITMS=41.7%); however, it tended to reduce the proportion of cows diagnosed with chronic CM (CTRL=16.9 vs. ITMS=12.0%), particularly among first-lactation cows (CTRL=18.4 vs. ITMS=7.6%). Cure of subclinical mastitis was associated with higher serum concentrations of phosphorus and selenium on d30. Supplementing trace minerals to cows with elevated SCC had no effect on milk yield, milk fat and protein contents, SCC, and LS.
Liver injury associated with dimethyl fumarate in multiple sclerosis patients.

Background:In pre-approval trials, there was an increased incidence of mild, transient elevations of liver aminotransferases in study subjects treated with dimethyl fumarate (DMF).Objective/methods...
Using Game Theory for Threat Intelligence

Introduction Penetration testing is regarded as the gold-standard for understanding how well an organization can withstand sophisticated cyber-attacks. In a penetration test, a “red team” is hired to expose major flaws in the firm's security infrastructure. Recently, however, the market for exploit kits has continued to evolve and what was once a rather hard-to-penetrate and exclusive market—whose buyers were primarily western governments [95], has now become more accessible to a much wider population. In particular, 2015 saw the introduction of darknet markets specializing in zero-day exploit kits—exploits designed to leverage previously undiscovered vulnerabilities. These markets, which were discussed in Chapters 3–5, make exploits widely available to potential attackers. These exploit kits are difficult and time consuming to develop—and are often sold at premium prices. The cost associated with these sophisticated kits generally precludes penetration testers from simply obtaining such exploits, meaning an alternative approach is needed to understand what exploits an attacker will most likely purchase and how to defend against them. In this chapter, we introduce a data-driven security game framework to model an attacker and a defender of a specific system, providing system-specific policy recommendations to the defender. In addition to providing a formal framework and algorithms to develop strategies, we present experimental results from applying our framework, for various system configurations, on a subset of the real-world exploit data gathered from the system presented in Chapter 4. This game theoretic framework provides another example of rich cyber threat intelligence that can be derived from the darknet exploit data. For this chapter, we surveyed 8 unique marketplaces and show some example exploit kits from the data set in Table 6.1. The widespread availability of zero-day exploits represents a potential game changer for penetration testers— specifically posing the following questions: • What exploits will an attacker likely purchase if he targets my organization? • What software used in the organization pose the biggest risk to new threats? To address these challenging questions, we extend a data-driven security game framework, initially introduced in [90]. Given a system configuration (or a distribution of system configurations within an organization) we model an attacker who, given a budget, will purchase exploits to maximize his level of access to the target system. Likewise, a defender will look to adjust system configurations in an effort to minimize the effectiveness of an attacker while ensuring that necessary software dependencies are satisfied.
Global frictions and the production of locality in Kenya’s music video industry:

This article explores the relationship between global imaginaries, frictions, and the production of locality through an examination of the Kenyan music video industry. Localities are constructed, in part, through the constitutive work of the imagination. Friction occurs when divergent constructions of the global imaginary become entangled with each other. Through an examination of the production, distribution, and reception of Kenyan music videos, this study identifies three types of friction that occur in cultural production: collaborative frictions, in which collectivities work across differences toward a common cause; combative frictions, in which collectivities are positioned in direct opposition to each other; and competitive frictions, in which the interests of different collectivities conflict at times and align at others. This study contributes to scholarship on cultural production in non-Western contexts by articulating hybridity as both an antecedent to and outcome of transcultural exchange.
THE KIDNEY GLOMERULAR EPITHELIUM IN RESPONSE TO DIFFERENT PHYSIOLOGICAL STATES AND EXPERIMENTAL CONDITIONS

Publisher Summary The kidney glomerular epithelium is comprised of a specialized population of cells, termed as “podocytes.” From these cells, an elaborate arrangement of cellular processes arises and wraps around the underlying glomerular capillary loops. The filtration slits that form between interdigitating podocyte processes help to determine solute efflux across the glomerular wall. Glomerular podocytes play an important role in synthesizing the glomerular basement membrane and undergo characteristic morphological alterations in response to the nephrotic condition. The ultrastructural characteristics of the glomerular epithelium and the morphological alterations that these cells undergo in response to the nephrotic state, the in vitro environment, treatment with polycations, treatment with the compounds that effect cytoplasmic microfilaments, and treatment with the drugs that depolymerize cytoplasmic microtubules have been reviewed. The electron dense tracer polycationized ferritin (PCF) has been used to elucidate the anionic nature of the glomerular free surface and the effects of binding of these cationic molecules to this surface.
Watershed Manager’s View

The view of the Integrated Spatio-Temporal Ecological Modeling System (I-STEMS) presented here describes what land managers will encounter when they use the model. I-STEMS will appear to the land manager to be an array of land management decision support systems (DSSs) seen through a familiar I-STEMS interface. These systems will be known as I-STEMS models. Some models will be relatively complete simulations that simultaneously capture all aspects of the watershed processes. Other models will focus on very specific management questions. A large model might simultaneously simulate watershed activities running at a number of different spatiotemporal scales to simultaneously capture such components as the behavior of individuals representing a threatened or endangered species; the behavior of larger populations; human activities, including training, logging, and recreation; economic consequences; biodiversity consequences; fire; disease propagation; and movement of genetics.
Arctic cryosphere and Milankovitch forcing of Great Basin paleoclimate.

Although Great Basin paleoclimate history has been examined for more than a century, the orbital-scale paleoclimate forcings remain poorly understood. Here we show – by a detailed phasing analysis of a well-dated stalagmite δ18O time series – that Great Basin paleoclimate is linearly related to, but lagged, the 23,000 yr precession cycle in northern hemisphere summer insolation by an average of 3240 years (−900 to 6600 yr range) over the last two glacial cycles. We interpret these lags as indicating that Great Basin climate is sensitive to and indirectly forced by changes in the cryosphere, as evidenced by fast and strong linkages to global ice volume and Arctic paleoclimate indicators. Mid-latitude atmospheric circulation was likely impacted by a northward shifted storm track and higher pressure over the region arising from decreased sea ice and snow cover. Because anthropogenic warming is expected to reduce northern hemisphere snow and ice cover, continued increase in atmospheric greenhouse gases is likely to result in warming and drying over coming centuries that will amplify a warming trend that began ~2400 years ago.
From whorl to cloth: An analysis of textile production in the Tiwanaku provinces

Abstract Studies of prehispaic Andean textile production, which featured prominently in domestic and state economies, have drawn on typology and context analyses of spindle whorl assemblages, supplemented by ethnohistorical descriptions of cloth, to reconstruct craft specialization, gender dynamics, and tribute systems. The excellent preservation of cloth in the southern Andes, offers a unique opportunity to compare the inferences gained from spindle whorl analyses with the attributes of surviving textile assemblages, specifically the quality of yarn and finished cloth. Here, we present a study of spindle whorls and cloth associated with the Middle Horizon (A.D. 500–1100) state of Tiwanaku in the south-central Andes. In the first part of this study, we propose a regional typology for Tiwanaku spindle whorls, introducing new evidence from Tiwanaku provincial sites in Moquegua, Peru. The subsequent comparison of spindle whorl types with yarns and cloth qualities from mortuary and domestic textiles found in Moquegua reveals spinning and weaving to be mechanically, cognitively, and contextually distinct processes that are nevertheless part of an integrated process. We conclude that Tiwanaku textile production was at once embedded in multigenerational and gendered communities, and probably more informal than in other prehispanic Andean states.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Resident Perception of Personal Achievement and Anxiety: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Purpose Anxiety is prevalent among medical residents and is associated with fatigue, psychological dysfunction, and burnout. A low personal achievement level is a characteristic of burnout, which—if unaddressed—may lead to medical error and decrease the quality of patient care. This study aimed to assess both personal achievement levels and anxiety levels in current oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) residents and to discern a relationship between anxiety severity and perceived personal achievement level among residents. Materials and Methods An anonymous 20-question cross-sectional online survey was developed using the anxiety component of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the personal Maslach Burnout Inventory. The survey was sent to all the OMS residents enrolled in programs affiliated with the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in 2017. Univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted to obtain summary measures of the predictor (anxiety) and the outcome (personal achievement) stratified by age, gender, marital status, program type (4- or 6-year program), and year of residency. Multinomial logistic regression models were obtained to evaluate the association between anxiety and personal achievement. A 2-sided P Results We received 238 responses (20% response rate); 58% of respondents had moderate or severe levels of anxiety, and nearly half of respondents reported moderate or low levels of personal achievement. Women were more likely to have severe anxiety than men (60% vs 37%, P Conclusions More than half of OMS residents in the United States report moderate to severe anxiety. Higher levels of anxiety are associated with lower personal achievement levels. It is important to understand the negative impact anxiety has on trainees, including the unintended consequences.
An Examination of Indicator Values and Their Aggregation

The OPA Framework relies on indicators, defined and developed in the tradition of social science research. Indicators are surrogates that are directly measurable; whereas the attributes are concepts that do not admit to direct measurement. The value and benefits derived from a software measurement program accrue in time as experience enables the user to gain confidence in the values and to recognize the signals embodied in them.
Positive Psychology and Suicide Prevention: An Introduction and Overview of the Literature

Suicide is a significant global public health concern, resulting in over 800,000 deaths per year, and most suicide prevention efforts have historically adhered to a deficit-oriented, risk-based approach. In contrast, the authors in our volume take a strengths-based approach, which we term positive suicidology. Spanning both interpersonal and intrapersonal factors, our authors offer theory and research to support the use of adaptive characteristics, such as future orientation, forgiveness, gratitude, and mindfulness, to prevent suicide. We also consider context and culture, including community-based participatory empowerment strategies for suicide prevention. In this introductory chapter, utilizing a framework of applied resiliency, we discuss the integration of positive psychological theories, such as the Broaden-and-Build theory, and suicidology theories, such as emotion dysregulation theory, noting points of synthesis and highlighting opportunities for intervention. Our goal for this chapter and volume is that the reader will gain a better understanding of the emerging field of positive suicidology, including an ability to utilize this strength-based approach therapeutically to prevent suicide, and the curiosity to continue scientific exploration of the linkages between positive psychological factors and well-being as they occur in the context of distress.
Comparing habitual and i. Scription refractions

Many patients voice concerns regarding poor night vision, even when they see 20/20 or better in the exam room. During mesopic and scotopic conditions the pupil size increases, increasing the effects on visual performance of uncorrected (residual) refractive errors. The i.Scription refraction method claims to optimize traditional refractions for mesopic and scotopic conditions, by using the information that the Zeiss i.Profilerplus gathers of ocular aberrations (low and high order). The aim of this study was to investigate any differences between habitual and i.Scription refractions and their relationship to night vision complaints. Habitual, subjective, and i.Scription refractions were obtained from both eyes of eighteen subjects. Low and high order aberrations of the subjects were recorded with the Zeiss i.Profilerplus. The root mean square (RMS) metric was calculated for small (3 mm) and maximum pupil sizes. Subjects rated their difficulty with driving at night on a scale of 1–10. There was a statistically significant difference between the habitual and i.Scription refractions on both the sphere and cylinder values [(t = 3.12, p < 0.01), (t = 5.39, p < 0.01)]. The same was found when comparing the subjective and i.Scription refractions [(t = 2.31, p = 0.03), (t = 2.54, p = 0.02)]. There were no significant differences found when comparing the sphere and cylinder values between the habitual and subjective refractions or on any combination of spherical equivalent refraction. The maximum pupil size of the subject population on this study, measured with the i.Profilerplus, was 4.8 ± 1.04 mm. Ten out of the eighteen subjects had discomfort at night with an average magnitude of 4 ± 2.7. Ratings of difficulty with night vision correlated with the change in spherical equivalent correction between the habitual and i.Scription refractions (p = 0.01). A sub-analysis of myopic subjects (n = 15) showed an increase in the significance of this relationship (p = 0.002). The i.Scription method improves night vision by correcting the sphere and cylinder more precisely. There was a correlation between the amount of change in the cylinder value between habitual and i.Scription prescriptions and the magnitude of the reported visual discomfort at night.
The Authority of Love as Sentimental Contract

This paper argues that the categorical authority of love’s imperatives is derived from a sentimental contract. The problem is defined and the paper argues against two recent attempts to explain the authority of love’s demands by Velleman and Frankfurt. An argument is then set out in which it is shown that a constructivist approach to the problem explains the sources of love’s justifications. The paper distinguishes between the moral and the romantic case but argues that the sources of authority are paralleled in each. The paper ends by asking what we are to say when the demands of morality and the demands of love conflict.
Murine Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Enhances Retroviral-Vector Infection Efficiency of Hematopoietic Progenitors

We have investigated the in vitro effects of the cytokine leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) on normal murine hematopoietic progenitors by measuring recovery and retroviral vector infection efficiency of 13-day posttransplant, spleen-colony-forming cell (CFU-S 13) in short-term culture. Up to a twofold increase in CFU-S13 recovery was observed, from 9.7 x 10(-5) cells in untreated controls to 17.8 to 19.5 x 10(-5) cells, depending on the concentration of LIF. Histologic analysis of spleen colonies from control and LIF-treated marrows demonstrated that there was no detectable alteration in the differentiative potential of CFU-S13. The efficiency of CFU-S13 infection was increased from 15% in untreated controls to 84% to 91% in LIF-treated marrows. Analysis of proviral integration sites in spleen colonies indicated that some CFU- S13 precursors were infected in the LIF-treated marrows.
On sustaining turbulence production in interacting supersonic streamwise vortices

Interacting supersonic streamwise vortices have been investigated as a means to enhance mixing at supersonic velocities. However, the turbulence dynamics associated with this class of flow has been left largely unexplored despite turbulence playing a major role in the achievement of molecular mixing. For this reason, the process of turbulent kinetic energy production in interacting supersonic streamwise vortices is investigated in this work. Specifically, the link between the mean flow motion and turbulence, represented by the production term of the turbulent transport equation, is analyzed. An approach is proposed in which the mean flow strain rates can be cast such that their intensity and morphology properly couple with the requirements imposed by the Reynolds stresses that, in the framework of this work, are shown to be intimately linked with the resulting plume morphology. The analysis is leveraged for the design of a mode of vortex interaction targeted to maintain a positive production of turbulent kinetic energy in the downstream evolution. The resulting configuration was experimentally investigated in a Mach 2.5 flow by stereoscopic particle image velocimetry. The results from these experiments show that the turbulence production remained positive and sustained turbulence levels, a unique result in the available literature. The role of turbulence anisotropy and the principal direction of negative planar strain rates are highlighted in detail in this work.
Severe neck pain and odynophagia secondary to acute calcific longus colli tendinitis: a case report.

Acute calcific longus colli tendinitis is a rare, noninfectious inflammatory condition caused by the deposition of calcium crystals. The condition is self-limiting, yet commonly misdiagnosed. Here we report a case of a patient with severe neck pain and odynophagia initially misdiagnosed as a retropharyngeal abscess before establishing the correct diagnosis of acute calcific longus colli tendinitis. A 60-year-old Caucasian man presented to an outside emergency department with a 5-day history of neck pain and odynophagia. The neck pain was severe and aggravated by movement. Laboratory evaluation revealed leukocytosis and elevated C-reactive protein. Computed tomography of his neck soft tissues was initially interpreted as a retropharyngeal abscess. Antibiotic therapy with piperacillin/tazobactam was initiated, and the patient was transferred to our tertiary care center for further evaluation and treatment. On physical examination, the patient’s neck range of motion was significantly diminished, and bilateral neck tenderness was present. An otolaryngologist performed an examination with laryngoscopy, the result of which was unremarkable. A radiologist at our facility interpreted his outside magnetic resonance imaging as showing “calcification in the prevertebral muscles at C1-C2, inflammation with edema of the prevertebral muscles, and retropharyngeal space edema/effusion,” consistent with acute calcific longus colli tendinitis. His antibiotics were discontinued, and he was started on intravenous ketorolac. He had significant improvement in his neck range of motion, and his pain diminished greatly. He was discharged on a 10-day course of diclofenac (50 mg three times daily). At 1-week follow-up, the patient was doing well; he had returned to work, and his pain was well controlled. This case report details the presentation, characteristic radiographic findings, and management of a patient with an extremely rare condition of neck pain and odynophagia that could be treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Translational control in aging and neurodegeneration

Protein metabolism plays central roles in age-related decline and neurodegeneration. While a large body of research has explored age-related changes in protein degradation, alterations in the efficiency and fidelity of protein synthesis with aging are less well understood. Age-associated changes occur in both the protein synthetic machinery (ribosomal proteins and rRNA) and within regulatory factors controlling translation. At the same time, many of the interventions that prolong lifespan do so in part by pre-emptively decreasing protein synthesis rates to allow better harmonization to age-related declines in protein catabolism. Here we review the roles of translation regulation in aging, with a specific focus on factors implicated in age-related neurodegeneration. We discuss how emerging technologies such as ribosome profiling and superior mass spectrometric approaches are illuminating age-dependent mRNA-specific changes in translation rates across tissues to reveal a critical interplay between catabolic and anabolic pathways that likely contribute to functional decline. These new findings point to nodes in posttranscriptional gene regulation that both contribute to aging and offer targets for therapy. This article is categorized under: Translation > Translation Regulation Translation > Ribosome Biogenesis Translation > Translation Mechanisms.