cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High precision and continuous optical transport using a standing wave optical line trap

We introduce the Standing Wave Optical Line Trap (SWOLT) as a novel tool for precise optical manipulation and long-range transport of nano-scale objects at low laser power. We show that positioning and transport along the trap can be achieved by controlling the lateral component of the scattering force while the confinement of the particles by the gradient force remains unaffected. Multiple gold nanoparticles with a diameter of 100 nm were trapped at a power density 3 times smaller than previously reported while their transverse fluctuations remained sufficiently small (±36 nm) to maintain the order of the particles. The SWOLT opens new doors for sorting, mixing, and assembly of synthetic and biological nanoparticles.
Distinct Physiologic and Inflammatory Responses Elicited in Baboons after Challenge with Shiga Toxin Type 1 or 2 from Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli is a principal source of regional outbreaks of bloody diarrhea and hemolytic-uremic syndrome in the United States and worldwide. Primary bacterial virulence factors are Shiga toxin types 1 and 2 (Stx1 and Stx2), and we performed parallel analyses of the pathophysiologies elicited by the toxins in nonhuman primate models to identify shared and unique consequences of the toxemias. After a single intravenous challenge with purified Stx1 or Stx2, baboons (Papio) developed thrombocytopenia, anemia, and acute renal failure with loss of glomerular function, in a dose-dependent manner. Differences in the timing and magnitude of physiologic responses were observed between the toxins. The animals were more sensitive to Stx2, with mortality at lower doses, but Stx2-induced renal injury and mortality were delayed 2 to 3 days compared to those after Stx1 challenge. Multiplex analyses of plasma inflammatory cytokines revealed similarities (macrophage chemoattractant protein 1 [MCP-1] and tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α]) and differences (interleukin-6 [IL-6] and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor [G-CSF]) elicited by the toxins with respect to the mediator induced and timing of the responses. Neither toxin induced detectable levels of plasma TNF-α. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the in vivo consequences of the toxins have been compared in a parallel and reproducible manner in nonhuman primates, and the data show similarities to patient observations. The availability of experimental nonhuman primate models for Stx toxemias provides a reproducible platform for testing antitoxin compounds and immunotherapeutics with outcome criteria that have clinical meaning.
Paradigm Shifts in Inpatient Psychiatric Care of Children: Approaching Child‐ and Family‐Centered Care

This article was completed while the senior author was supported by a Fellowship in Leadership Education Excellence in Caring for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities at the Shriver Center/University of Massachusetts Medical School, and was funded by a grant from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (#MCJ2591510) TOPIC: This article describes the components of child- and family-centered care, including a review of the literature about the delivery of family-centered care and the barriers that often prevent the provision of such care. The article describes an inpatient child psychiatric unit that has implemented an approach to care that embraces these principles. The changes in structures and policies that the unit adopted are described, with specific examples cited as illustrations of the components of this care. PURPOSE: To describe the elements of child- and family-centered care and the ways in which this model of care may be implemented on inpatient child psychiatric units. SOURCES USED: Literature review including journal reports and articles and books. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary outcomes are encouraging in the decrease in use of practices such as restraint and seclusion, and physical holds. Further research examining parents’ satisfaction is warranted in determining the success of such endeavors.
Integration of Size and Binocular Disparity Visual Cues in Manual Depth-Control Tasks

and Mary K. Kaiser NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035 Humans rely on a plethora of visual cues to inform judgments of the depth or range of a particular object or feature. One source of information is binocular (or stereo) vision, enabled by the slight differences in the images between the two eyes. Another source of information is the size, in visual angle, of the feature or object. Although it is possible to provide binocular disparity in a display, it typically implies increased system cost or lower update rates; therefore it is useful to determine how critical it is to provide binocular disparity to the user. This paper describes the results of several experiments investigating the integration of stereo and size cues in performing manual control tasks. In the first experiment, a visual cue integration model was developed for two types of manual control tasks (rate-control and acceleration-control) and different levels of cue salience. The results of this experiment were that stereo disparity dominated judgments of depth position, while size dominated judgment of depth rate. From this experiment, it was hypothesized that stereo disparity would do more to improve performance on rate-control tasks more than on acceleration-control tasks. Two additional experiments were conducted, with and without stereo display, to test this hypothesis at different update rates. The results confirmed that while stereo disparity improved performance on rate-control tasks, it did not improve performance on acceleration-control tasks; in fact, performance was reduced with stereo disparity when the display method reduced update rate below a particular threshold.
Absence of remotely triggered large earthquakes beyond the mainshock region

Earthquakes trigger damaging aftershocks in nearby regions, but whether they also trigger large earthquakes over significant distances has been unclear. Analysis of seismic data since 1979 suggests that earthquakes triggered more large shocks only over distances of about 1,000 km, and did not increase the seismic hazard risk on a global scale.
Salivary Proteins of Lygus hesperus (Hemiptera: Miridae)

ABSTBACT Lygus hesperus Knight (Hemiptera: Miridae) causes economic damage to a wide range of crops in the western United States. While stylet-probing, L. hesperus discharge saliva consisting of lytic enzymes that facilitate extraoral digestion of host tissues. L. hesperus saliva primarily consists of polygalacturonases, α-amylases, and proteases, but salivary constituents other than these enzymes have not been documented. Improved knowledge of L. hesperus salivary proteins could lead to a better understanding of Lygus-host interactions, and aid in the development of crops that are resistant or tolerant to injury caused by Lygus spp. The objective of our study was to use mass spectrometry to identify salivary proteins of L. hesperus adults. Multiple polygalacturonases and proteases were identified from diet that was stylet-probed and fed upon by L. hesperus. Laccase, alkyl hydroperoxide reductase-like protein, glucose dehydrogenase, and xanthine dehydrogenase were identified in styletprobed diets by using...
A Self-Conditioner for Resin-Modified Glass Ionomers in Bonding Orthodontic Brackets

Abstract Objective: To evaluate a new self-etch conditioner used with resin-modified glass ionomers (RMGIs) in bonding orthodontic brackets. Materials and Methods: Sixty human molars were cleaned, mounted, and randomly divided into three groups. In group 1 (control), 20 orthodontic brackets were bonded to teeth using Transbond Plus Self-etching Primer; in group 2, 20 brackets were bonded using an RMGI with a 10% polyacrylic acid conditioner. In group 3, 20 brackets were bonded using Fuji Ortho LC with a new no-rinse self-conditioner for RMGIs. The same bracket type was used on all groups. The teeth were debonded in shear mode using a universal testing machine, and the amount of residual adhesive remaining on each tooth was evaluated. Analysis of variance was used to compare the shear bond strength (SBS), and the χ2 test was used to compare the Adhesive Remnant Index (ARI) scores. Results: There were no significant differences in the SBS (P = .556) between the groups. The mean SBS for Transbond Plus was 8....
Rapid sequence magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of children with hydrocephalus.

Objective Recent reports have shown the utility of rapid-acquisition magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of children with hydrocephalus. Rapid sequence MRI (RS-MRI) acquires clinically useful images in seconds without exposing children to the risks of ionizing radiation or sedation. We review our experience with RS-MRI in children with shunts. Methods Overall image quality, cost, catheter visualization, motion artifact, and ventricular size were reviewed for all RS-MRI studies obtained at Seattle Children's Hospital during a 2-year period. Image acquisition time was 12–19 seconds, with sessions usually lasting less than 3 minutes. Results Image quality was very good or excellent in 94% of studies, whereas only one was graded as poor. Significant motion artifact was noted in 7%, whereas 77% had little or no motion artifact. Catheter visualization was good or excellent in 57%, poor in 36%, and misleading in 7%. Small ventricular size was correlated with poor catheter visualization (Spearman's ρ = 0.586; P Conclusions Our study supports that RS-MRI is an adequate substitute that allows reduced use of CT imaging and resultant exposure to ionizing radiation. Catheter position visualization remains suboptimal when ventricles are small, but shunt malfunction can be adequately determined in most cases. The cost is significantly more than CT, but the potential for lifetime reduction in radiation exposure may justify this expense in children. Limitations include the risk of valve malfunction after repeated exposure to high magnetic fields and the need for reprogramming with many types of adjustable valves.
Evolution of precipitation and convective echo top heights observed by TRMM radar over the Indian Ocean during DYNAMO

Radar data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission show the evolution of echo tops of convective elements over the Indian Ocean and Maritime Continent during the Dynamics of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (DYNAMO) field campaign of 2011–2012. Echo top heights exhibited a bimodal distribution wherein cumulonimbi of moderate height constituted a “congestus mode” while vertically extensive cumulonimbus made up a “deep mode.” An intraseasonal time scale dominated variability in these modes from October to January over much of the Indian Ocean. Over the Maritime Continent, there was no clear intraseasonal signal in convective echo top heights. Where the intraseasonal oscillation was detected, radar echoes evolved from being dominated by the congestus mode to being characterized by more deep mode convection on time scales of less than 1 week. The areal coverage of congestus echoes began to increase 2–8 days prior to the rise in area of deep echoes. These satellite-derived results confirm that the time scale for convective deepening seen at individual DYNAMO observational sites is consistent with that of convection on the large scale over the Indian Ocean. Intraseasonal variability of zonal wind, temperature, and humidity as depicted by reanalysis is also consistent with that derived from rawinsonde observations during DYNAMO. Thus, the gradual buildup of convection as depicted by recent versions of the “discharge-recharge” hypothesis does not accurately describe evolutions of convection prior to MJO events observed during DYNAMO, although cloud moistening processes may still be relevant on time scales of 1 week or less.
Internet Law in a Nutshell

This clear, handily organized primer is ideally suited for law students or lawyers who need a brief exposition of the core cases and statutes shaping Internet law, technologies, and policies. The book begins with a clear review of the history, technology, and competing theories of the Internet that enables a deeper understanding of case law and statutory developments discussed in the substantive chapters. The book covers a broad array of Internet law topics including the history of the Internet to the rapidly evolving Web 3.0, competing theories of Internet governance, cyber jurisdiction and enforcement of judgments, choice and conflicts of law, cybertorts, online contracting and licensing, the protection of online intellectual property assets, the protection of online privacy, criminal liability for Internet activity, and European Community Directives such as the E-Commerce Directive, Brussels Regulation, and Rome I Regulation. This nutshell is the first student outline, study guide, or brief exposition of the law of the Internet. The emphasis on topics such as licensing and e-commerce transactions makes it an indispensable legal resource for anyone who works online, including high-tech and e-commerce companies, old economy businesses with websites, Internet developers, software programmers, graphic artists and individuals with websites.The Preface, Outline, and Chapter One are available to download here.
Supramolecular formation of triblock copolymers in polar/nonpolar solvents

Triblock copolymers could form supramolecules in either polar or nonpolar solvents at appropriate concentration and temperature ranges or in the presence of additives. The association properties and the structure of supramolecules of PEO-PPO-PEO and PPO-PEO-PPO (PEO and PPO refer to poly(oxyethylene) and poly(oxypropylene), respectively) triblock copolymers in xylene and/or water were investigated by using light scattering, small-angle neutron scattering, and small-angle X-ray scattering. The association process of aqueous solution or water-rich ternary systems was entropy driven and temperature played an important role. The additive, e.g., water in the oil-rich ternary system, played a very important role on the micellization of PEO-PPO-PEO, e.g., Pluronic L64, in xylene. The micelles had a core-shell structure and the micellar shell was rather heavily solvated. At high copolymer concentrations, large aggregates with a lamellar structure was formed and the amount of large aggregates increased with increasing copolymer concentration before gel formation.
SyFi: a systematic approach for estimating stateful firewall performance

Due to the lack of a standardized methodology for reporting firewall performance, current datasheets are designed for marketing and provide inflated throughput measurements obtained under unrealistic scenarios. As a result, customers lack usable metrics to select a device that best meets their needs. In this paper, we develop a systematic approach to estimate the performance offered by stateful firewalls. To do so, we first conduct extensive experiments with two enterprise firewalls in a wide range of configurations and traffic profiles to identify the characteristics of a network's traffic that affect firewall performance. Based on the observations from our measurements, we develop a model that can estimate the expected performance of a particular stateful firewall when deployed in a customer's network. Our model ties together a succinct set of network traffic characteristics and firewall benchmarks. We validate our model with a third enterprise-grade firewall, and find that it predicts firewall throughput with less than 6-10% error across a range of traffic profiles.
Transitions of Care and Rehabilitation After Fragility Fractures

Transitions in care are a vulnerable time period for patients during which unintended errors may occur. This article discusses potential risks that could occur during care transitions, suggested improvements, and the transition from hospital to skilled nursing facilities for patients needing rehabilitation after their discharge from the hospital. Different rehabilitation settings and their reimbursement are reviewed. Common potential medical conditions arising in patients undergoing rehabilitation, rehabilitation goals, and secondary prevention also are discussed.
Travel in immersive virtual environments: an evaluation of viewpoint motion control techniques

Presents a categorization of techniques for first-person motion control, or travel, through immersive virtual environments, as well as a framework for evaluating the quality of different techniques for specific virtual environment tasks. We conduct three quantitative experiments within this framework: a comparison of different techniques for moving directly to a target object varying in size and distance, a comparison of different techniques for moving relative to a reference object, and a comparison of different motion techniques and their resulting sense of "disorientation" in the user. Results indicate that "pointing" techniques are advantageous relative to "gaze-directed" steering techniques for a relative motion task, and that motion techniques which instantly teleport users to new locations are correlated with increased user disorientation.
Spaces for Change: Gender and Technology Access in Collaborative Software Design

Equitable computer collaborations in mixed-gender teams have been a pressing issue for many years. While some have argued for creating single-gender teams or girls-only computer activities, our approach was different. The current study examines a three-month software design activity in which mixed teams of girls and boys (10–12 year olds) designed and implemented multimedia astronomy resources for younger students. In this context we assessed gender differences in students' levels of access to technology and how these participation patterns changed throughout the project duration. We found through our qualitative analyses that the configuration of social, physical and cognitive “spaces” in the project environment contributed to a positive change in girls' levels of access. We discuss the implications of these results in regard to issues surrounding the development and maintenance of gender equity in computer use and further research.
Multi-atlas segmentation with joint label fusion and corrective learning—an open source implementation

Label fusion based multi-atlas segmentation has proven to be one of the most competitive techniques for medical image segmentation. This technique transfers segmentations from expert-labeled images, called atlases, to a novel image using deformable image registration. Errors produced by label transfer are further reduced by label fusion that combines the results produced by all atlases into a consensus solution. Among the proposed label fusion strategies, weighted voting with spatially varying weight distributions derived from atlas-target intensity similarity is a simple and highly effective label fusion technique. However, one limitation of most weighted voting methods is that the weights are computed independently for each atlas, without taking into account the fact that different atlases may produce similar label errors. To address this problem, we recently developed the joint label fusion technique and the corrective learning technique, which won the first place of the 2012 MICCAI Multi-Atlas Labeling Challenge and was one of the top performers in 2013 MICCAI Segmentation: Algorithms, Theory and Applications (SATA) challenge. To make our techniques more accessible to the scientific research community, we describe an Insight-Toolkit based open source implementation of our label fusion methods. Our implementation extends our methods to work with multi-modality imaging data and is more suitable for segmentation problems with multiple labels. We demonstrate the usage of our tools through applying them to the 2012 MICCAI Multi-Atlas Labeling Challenge brain image dataset and the 2013 SATA challenge canine leg image dataset. We report the best results on these two datasets so far.
“Recovery Speaks”: A Photovoice Intervention to Reduce Stigma Among Primary Care Providers

Objective:Preliminary findings are reported from a photovoice intervention, “Recovery Speaks,” to reduce primary care provider stigma in regard to people with mental illness and addiction.Methods:Twenty-seven primary care providers were recruited through a practice-based research network. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention—attending a one-hour performance followed by discussion—or to no intervention. Provider stigma was evaluated by using established measures of stigma and recovery and qualitative responses. Linear mixed models controlling for baseline differences compared changes in provider stigma across time and groups.Results:Providers who attended Recovery Speaks demonstrated significantly decreased negative stereotypes, attribution of dangerousness, fear, desire to coerce people into treatment, desire to segregate people from the community, and desire for avoidance. More desire to help and more hope for recovery were also found.Conclusions:Witnessing people’s unique recovery sto...
Pseudosarcoma in Paget disease of bone. A case report.

Rares descriptions dans la litterature, portant sur les neoformations periostees benignes dans la maladie de Paget. Interet de leur connaissance dans le diagnostic differentiel avec la degeneration sarcomateuse
Flame stabilization using a plasma discharge in a lifted jet flame

Stable combustion in a harsh environment, such as lean fuel concentration and/or low temperature conditions, is attractive because of its low emissions. However, such flames suffer from lack of stability. In our research, an AC plasma discharge is applied to a lifted jet flame to increase the stability of the flame. Two types of discharges are utilized for this experiment. First, a single electrode diffuse discharge (SEDD) directly to the liftoff flame base is investigated. Second, a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) is achieved by adding a quartz coated secondary electrode. To quantify the stability, we measure the jet velocity and coflow velocity corresponding to liftoff and/or blowout points for both cases. We find that addition of a very small amount of energy (less than 0.01% of the energy of main system) to the flow in the form of these types of discharges significantly improves the flame stability. For example, we observe that the SEDD increases the liftoff stability limit by 30% in terms of coflow speed. In addition, it shows a self-adjusting feature of the discharge angle such that the stabilization can be achieved regardless of orientation and location of the electrode over a relatively broad range of conditions. In case of DBD, we find a more intense stabilization effect, 50% of the improvement in terms of coflow speed, than the single electrode discharge as well as a self-ignition ability, which is not found in the first type of discharge. In addition, we believe that the essential characteristic of the non-equilibrium state of the DBD due to its short pulse duration enables the targeting of energy deposition in an efficient way.
What is procedural justice? Criteria used by citizens to assess the fairness of legal procedures.

This paper examines procedural justice in the context of citizen experiences with the police and courts. It is based on interviews of 652 citizens with recent personal experiences involving those authorities. I will consider two issues: first, whether the justice of the procedures involved influences citizen satisfaction with outcomes and evaluations of legal authorities; and second, how citizens define "fair process" in such settings. The results replicate those of past studies, which found that procedural justice has a major influence on both satisfaction and evaluation. They further suggest that such procedural justice judgments are complex and multifaceted. Seven issues make independent contributions to citizen judgments about whether the legal authorities acted fairly: (1) the degree to which those authorities were motivated to be fair; (2) judgments of their honesty; (3) the degree to which the authorities followed ethical principles of conduct; (4) the extent to which opportunities for representation were provided; (5) the quality of the decisions made; (6) the opportunities for error correction; and (7) whether the authorities behaved in a biased fashion. I found that the meaning of procedural justice varied according to the nature of the situation, not the characteristics of the people involved.
The effect of somatostatin on glucose stimulated adenosine 3'-5',monophosphate accumulation and glucose oxidation by isolated rat islets of Langerhans.

SummarySomatostatin at a final concentration of 1 μg or 10 μg/ml did not affect glucose stimulated oxidation of either D-[14C]1 or D-[14C]6 glucose, but inhibited both insulin release and cyclic AMP accumulation by isolated rat islets of Langerhans.
A probabilistic forecasting model for accurate estimation of PV solar and wind power generation

Wind and Solar power are the most promising and rapidly developing renewable energy technologies that exist in our world today. They are also termed variable energy resources since their natural resources, wind speed and solar irradiance, are intermittent in nature. This variability is a critical factor when estimating the annual energy of wind and solar sources. Capital and operational costs associated with their implementation are highly affected when inaccurate estimations are carried out. This paper presents a new forecasting model for solar irradiance and wind speed by utilizing historical hourly data to outline an annual eight-segment probabilistic model of wind and solar. The proposed methodology employs a probabilistic approach to estimate the hourly wind speeds and solar irradiance for a year. The model is used to estimate the annual energy produced by a 42.5 MW wind farm and a 1.5 MW PV array. The results are compared with a four-season estimation approach, which have shown a substantial improvement in the estimation accuracy of the total energy produced.
POLYPLOID INDUCTION OF Populus HYBRID THROUGH ZYGOTIC CHROMOSOME DOUBLING WITH HIGH-TEMPERATURE TREATMENT

Based on zygote development,pollinated catkins of(Populus tomentosa × P.bolleana) ×P.bolleana were treated with high temperature to induce zygote chromosome doubling.In the greenhouse,the first mitotic division of zygote of(P.tomentosa × P.bolleana) ×P.bolleana occurred mainly 7d after pollination.39℃ was suitable for zygote chromosome doubling of(P.tomentosa × P.bolleana) × P.bolleana,with the best rate of tetraploid production of 7.4%.However,some triploids were formed owing to highly asynchronous development of ovule.ANOVA analysis showed that both stomata size and density were significant difference among diploid,triploid and tetraploid plants.
Study of existent determinant method for Sneak Circuit

The existent determinant method for sneak circuit is investigated in the paper.Circuits are represented by graph model.The number of paths of the circuits can be discovered by using adjoining matrix of graph model under certain combination of switches.Implemented functions of circuit can be determined by the relations between paths and functions.The algorithm of acquiring the number of shielding paths by short circuit is presented.Comparison between number of implemented functions and designed functions under certain combination of switches can determine whether sneak circuits exist..The investigation of the problem can perfect the technique of sneak circuit analysis and reduce the cost of sneak circuit analysis.
A Modified Nonlinear Hydraulic Turbine Model and Its Impact on Power System Simulation

The power system simulation software usually use ideal hydraulic turbine model in governor, the ideal model is the linearization of turbine steady state equation, it can hardly adapt to the various conditions and faults of power system. In this paper, a modified nonlinear model of hydraulic turbine is proposed based on basic turbine equations. The field test data of Jinpin Yiji plant verifies the validity of the proposed model. The model can greatly improve the accuracy under the condition of simplicity, so it is suitable to use the model in power system simulation. In order to compare the simulation results with different hydraulic turbine model, a 4-generator 2-area system is taken as example, the results show that the use of ideal turbine model may lead to a conservative result.
Don't toss out the biology

Now two studies have managed 12 to 13 days before destroying the embryos, suggesting it might be technically possible to go past the 14-day limit that many countries have. Magdalena Zernicka-Gaetz at the University of Cambridge, who led one of the studies, told a press conference that people may learn much of value by studying embryos past 14 days. Here, Maienschein says the 14-day limit on embryo research is a political one. Any rethink should not ignore the scientific facts
ADRC-based controller for MMC-HVDC

The operating principle of MMC(Modular Multilevel Converter) is briefly discussed. Aiming at the degraded system performance of interference rejection due to the inner-loop discrete current controller,an outer-loop controller with non-linear functions is designed based on the ADRC(Auto Disturbance Rejection Control). A direct circulating current suppressing controller based on the ADRC is designed to depress the circulating current of MMC and a negative-sequence current suppressing controller based on the ADRC is designed to depress the negative-sequence current during a fault. A 21-level MMC-HVDC transmission system model is developed in PSCAD / EMTDC to verify the effectiveness of the designed hybrid controller and the simulative results demonstrate its excellent control performance.
Comparison of Three Commercial Kits for Determination of Triiodothyronine (T3) by Radioassay

Three T3 radioassay kits were evaluated from the standpoint of accuracy, specificity, precision, reproducibility, sensitivity, technical performance factors, and cost. Whereas each has advantages and disadvantages in regard to each of these factors, all three kits provided acceptable results and were deemed satisfactory for use in the clinical nuclear medicine laboratory.
Senescence Increases Choroidal Endothelial Stiffness and Susceptibility to Complement Injury: Implications for Choriocapillaris Loss in AMD.

Author(s): Cabrera, Andrea P; Bhaskaran, Arun; Xu, Jun; Yang, Xiao; Scott, Harry A; Mohideen, Umar; Ghosh, Kaustabh | Abstract: PurposeAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) commonly causes blindness in the elderly. Yet, it is untreatable in the large fraction of all AMD patients that develop the early dry form. Dry AMD is marked by the deposition of membrane attack complex (MAC) on choriocapillaris (CC), which is implicated in CC degeneration and subsequent atrophy of overlying retinal pigment epithelium. Since MAC is also found on the CC of young eyes, here we investigated whether and how aging increases choroidal endothelial susceptibility to MAC injury.MethodsMonkey chorioretinal endothelial cells (ECs, RF/6A) were cultured to high passages (gP60) to achieve replicative senescence. We treated ECs with complement-competent human serum to promote MAC deposition and injury, which were assessed by flow cytometry and trypan blue exclusion assay, respectively. Stiffness of EC was measured by atomic force microscopy indentation while Rho GTPase activity was quantified by Rho G-LISA assay.ResultsOur findings reveal that senescent ECs are significantly stiffer than their normal counterparts, which correlates with higher cytoskeletal Rho activity in these cells and their greater susceptibility to complement (MAC) injury. Importantly, inhibition of Rho activity in senescent ECs significantly reduced cell stiffness and MAC-induced lysis.ConclusionsBy revealing an important role of senescence-associated choroidal EC stiffening in complement injury, these findings implicate CC stiffening as an important determinant of age-related CC atrophy seen in dry AMD. Future studies are needed to validate these findings in appropriate animal models so new therapeutic targets can be identified for treatment of dry AMD.
A low-cost miniaturized laser heterodyne radiometer (mini-LHR) for near-IR measurements of CO 2 and CH 4 in the atmospheric column

The miniaturized laser heterodyne radiometer (mini-LHR) is a ground-based passive variation of a laser heterodyne radiometer that uses sunlight to measure absorption of CO 2 and CH 4 in the infrared. Sunlight is collected using collimation optics mounted to an AERONET sun tracker, modulated with a fiber switch and mixed with infrared laser light in a fast photoreciever. The amplitude of the resultant RF (radio frequency) beat signal correlates with the concentration of the gas in the atmospheric column.
Racism and the Boston Schools Crisis

(1975). Racism and the Boston Schools Crisis. The Black Scholar: Vol. 6, The Black Woman 1975, pp. 37-41.
Growth hormone deficiency and replacement effect on adult bone mass: A clinical update

Abstract Patients with growth hormone (GH) deficiency have decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and higher risk of fractures. Younger age, severe GHD, longer period of interruption of GH treatment before achievement of peak bone mass, un-replaced sex steroids or over replacement of glucocorticoid or thyroid deficiencies may contribute to lower BMD in GHD patients. Positive BMD change has been noted in prospective trials after at least a year of GH replacement and may persist for up to 10–15 years with continued treatment. Males and patients with more severe bone loss often respond with better increases in BMD. Growth hormone replacement may decrease risk of fractures, especially in non-osteoporotic adults; however, randomized controlled trials are needed to rigorously assess fracture benefit.
Cutting and Blending Trees of Life (African Cultural Context and the Bible): A Decolonial Engagement with Akoto-Abutiate’s Hermeneutic of Grafting

This paper is a critical engagement with Dorothy Bea Akoto-Abutiate’s book Proverbs and the African Tree of Life: Grafting Biblical Proverbs onto Ghanaian Eve Folk Proverbs (Leiden: Brill 2014). In the book, Akoto-Abutiate grafts together the African Ghanaian folk proverbs and the proverbial sayings in Proverbs 25:1-29:27 in order to appropriate the Biblical message in the Ghanaian context. For Akoto-Abutiate the Biblical book of Proverbs or the Bible in general is a ‘tree of life’ and so is/are the African cultural context(s). She, therefore, suggests the ‘hermeneutic of grafting’ as the most appropriate model through which engagement between African cultural context(s) and the Biblical text can productively happen without undermining the former. The African cultural context in this model is regarded as the dominant and pre-existing tree of life onto which the Biblical shoot(s) are grafted. This paper engages ‘hermeneutic of grafting’ from a decolonial perspective thereby highlighting the pros and cons of Akoto-Abutiate’s approach.
Three-dimensional imaging of KNDy neurons in the mammalian brain using optical tissue clearing and multiple-label immunocytochemistry

Kisspeptin/Neurokinin B/Dynorphin (KNDy) neurons of the arcuate nucleus (ARC) play a key role in the regulation of fertility. The ability to detect features of KNDy neurons that are essential for fertility may require three-dimensional (3D) imaging of the complete population. Recently developed protocols for optical tissue clearing permits 3D imaging of neuronal populations in un-sectioned brains. However, these techniques have largely been described in the mouse brain. We report 3D imaging of the KNDy cell population in the whole rat brain and sheep hypothalamus using immunolabelling and modification of a solvent-based clearing protocol, iDISCO. This study expands the use of optical tissue clearing for multiple mammalian models and provides versatile analysis of KNDy neurons across species. Additionally, we detected a small population of previously unreported kisspeptin neurons in the lateral region of the ovine mediobasal hypothalamus, demonstrating the ability of this technique to detect novel features of the kisspeptin system.
Effects of chlorine and ozone on algal cell properties and removal of algae by coagulation

The effects of ozone and chlorine on algae were examined with respect to cell surface characteristics, lysis and coagulation ability. Two algae were studied: a green alga ( Scenedesmus quadricauda ) and a diatom ( Cyclotella sp.). Cell properties were characterized using scanning electron micrographs, particle size distributions and electrophoretic mobility measurements. Jar tests were used to evaluate the coagulation of the algal suspensions with a polyaluminium chloride (PACl). The results showed that changes in the characteristics of the algal cells from ozone or chlorine yielded an improvement in removal of Scenedesmus through a combination of lysis and improved coagulation ability with PACl. Cyclotella removal was not enhanced by preoxidation. Additionally, preoxidation increased the organic carbon concentration of the settled water, which could lead to increased tastes and odours and production of disinfection by-products.
On-Line Analytical Processing at Washtenaw Mortgage

In an ever-changing, competitive marketplace, executive information systems (EIS) promise the ability to simultaneously assess factors in both the internal and external environment, enabling a timely competitive response. EIS are enjoying a renaissance due to the recent emergence of on-line analytical processing (OLAP) capabilities. OLAPs power, flexibility and ease of use supports mental model (knowledge) creation better than traditional executive information systems. This case study allows you to examine the usefulness and ease of use of OLAP technology for strategic market analysis at Washtenaw Mortgage Company, a firm in the mortgage wholesale industry. The key to improving competitive performance is not the technology, but rather, how the technology is utilized to focus managements analysis. Gaining strategic insights requires three ingredients people, process, and technology. A three-stage process used for implementing an OLAP strategic market analysis application is presented. OLAP technology marks an evolutionary improvement in EIS software. The potential of this technology, however, is not likely to be realized without a better understanding of the process for achieving management focus.
Confirming Insurance Coverage in a Telephone Survey: Evidence form the National Survey of America?s Families

Until recently, most surveys of insurance coverage have classified people as uninsured if they have not been assigned some coverage in response to one of a series of questions about specific types of insurance. This ?residual? approach to measuring uninsurance rates has not required respondents to either verify their insurance status or confirm that they are uninsured. Using the 1997 National Survey of America?s Families, this paper examines the impact of a question confirming whether or not individuals for whom no insurance coverage is reported are, in fact, uninsured. The results of our analysis suggest that a confirmation question as part of a telephone-based survey works to lower estimates of the uninsured. Staring in March 2000 and following the findings of this study, the Current Population Survey introduced a confirmation question in its health insurance sequence. (Inquiry 2000 Fall; 37(3):317-327)
Nephrotoxicity of amphotericin B in dogs: a comparison of two methods of administration.

Abstract Two methods of administration of amphotericin B were compared for their ability to produce nephrotoxicity in 12 dogs. Six dogs received six alternate day doses of amphotericin B: 1 mg/kg administered as a rapid bolus in 25 mL 5% dextrose in water. Another six dogs received alternate day treatments of the same dose of amphotericin B in 1 L 5% dextrose in water over 5 h. Both treatment groups experienced significant reductions in glomerular filtration rate, as measured by inulin clearance, 24 h endogenous creatinine clearance, serum creatinine and serum urea. This reduction in glomerular filtration rate was most marked in the group receiving the drug as a rapid bolus. The inulin clearances decreased from 3.54 +/- 0.30 mL/min/kg (means +/- SEM) on day 0 to 1.15 +/- 0.25 mL/min/kg on day 12 in the slow infusion group and from 3.24 +/- 0.25 mL/min/kg on day 0 to 0.46 +/- 0.11 mL/min/kg on day 12 in the rapid bolus group. Renal lesions characteristic of amphotericin B administration were observed in all dogs tested. The dogs which received amphotericin B as a rapid bolus had a significantly greater number of tubular lesions than the slow infusion group. Systemic side effects, such as vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss, were observed in both treatment groups but were most severe in the rapid bolus group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Thorstein Veblen: Science, Revolution and the Persistence of Atavistic Continuities

Those familiar with Marc Tool recognize both how important an influence Thorstein Veblen (1857–1929) is on his life work and Veblen’s significance in the formation of Tool’s own optimistic social value theory. It must be recognized, however, that the political and economic radicalism of Veblen should be counterbalanced against his cultural and institutional pessimism; he certainly viewed science and its handmaiden technology as massive determinators and indicators of progressive change, yet he remained cognizant of the retardant and even atavistic effects of politics, culture and society. It is arguable, in fact, both that, on the one hand, he did some of the most advanced theorizing in left and progressive circles as did Tool at a later date, but that, on the other, he also falls in certain respects into the camp of the cultural pessimists and the conservative futilitarians who believe humanity is trapped by “imbecile institutions.” Nevertheless, Veblen’s (1) view of scientific progress is (2) linked with his political theory which, in turn, is related to (3) his analysis of the possibilities of change, of both a progressive and atavistic nature. His view of science is a modest one; its capacity as a form of predictive inquiry is unassuming, its claims tentative and provisional at best. Yet there is no superior alternative to science as a social change process for politics, the main alternative at hand, is mostly an expression of the values and power of business enterprise and commercial civilization, while the likelihood of political revolt against capitalist culture and institutions is indeterminant in what Veblen calls the “calculable future.”
The Art of the Social Movement Corrective: On Redeeming the Human Rights Narrative in También la lluvia and Our Brand Is Crisis

This chapter presents a new way of understanding how filmmakers are approaching human rights advocacy while still working within the reality of neoliberal, global production structures. It juxtaposes the production processes and narrative forms of two contemporaneous films about the Bolivian Water Wars in early 2000: Tambien la lluvia/Even the Rain (IciarBollain, 2010) and Our Brand Is Crisis (David Gordon Green, 2015). The chapter examines how both films metafictionally depict this social movement as a course-correction for cinema’s approaches to human rights storytelling. The analysis suggests that while protest’s role in these films provides a fictional redemption for human rights filmmaking, it also offers a means through which cinema can acknowledge its limitations and shortcomings in ethically crafting narratives about human rights.
Exceptional pathologic complete response achieved with androgen deprivation and docetaxel therapy in Gleason 10 prostate cancer.

Abstract Pathologic complete response is an exceptionally rare occurrence in prostate cancer, especially in the setting of poorly differentiated cancer, with high risk and poor prognostic features. Patient reviewed and signed an informed consent. The case details were collected. Patient had PSA of 52.6 ng/dl and Gleason score 5 + 5 = 10 prostate adenocarcinoma with focal signet ring cell pattern. Genomic testing revealed pathogenic p53 and SPOP mutations. The patient received androgen deprivation therapy and six cycles of docetaxel. His PSA declined to undetectable, and radical prostatectomy (RP) showed no evidence of malignancy. The patient has discontinued all therapy and continues in remission 12 months after surgery.
Reinforcing spirals of political discussion and affective polarization

ABSTRACTUsing the theoretical framework of the Reinforcing Spirals Model, we examine over-time relationships between partisan political discussion and affective political polarization using two thr...
Environmental degradation as a cause of migration: cautionary tales from Brazil

Through the rest of our lifetimes we will see increasing numbers of people who feel compelled to leave their homes because of environmental degradation. Estimates of migration directly caused by climate change alone range from fifty to two hundred million people by the year 2050. The numbers could well go much higher. Independently of climate change, many other forms of environmental change are likely to force migrations. These include desertification; competition for fresh water supplies; soil compaction, salinization, and erosion; and the collapse of fisheries. When these are entwined with climate change, as they almost certainly will be, the numbers who must migrate to survive will go higher than if any single factor were operating alone. Given present social structures and starting from existing geographical distribution of populations the negative effects of these changes are expected to fall most heavily on the poor and powerless. Those who are compelled to migrate will usually do so towards regions that for them are likely to be physically and socially difficult and often profoundly hostile.
Obesogenic diet and targeted deletion of potassium channel Kv1.3 have differing effects on voluntary exercise in mice.

Voluntary exercise is frequently employed as an intervention for obesity. The voltage-gated potassium Kv1.3 is also receiving attention as a therapeutic target for obesity, in addition to potential therapeutic capabilities for neuroinflammatory diseases. To investigate combinatorial effects of these two therapies, we have compared the metabolic status and voluntary exercise behavior of both wildtype mice and a transgenic line of mice that are genetic knockouts for Kv1.3 when provided with a running wheel and maintained on diets of differing fat content and caloric density. We tracked metabolic parameters and wheel running behavior while maintaining the mice on their assigned treatment for 6 months. Wildtype mice maintained on the fatty diet gain a significant amount of bodyweight and adipose tissue and display significantly impaired glucose tolerance, though all these effects were partially reduced with provision of a running wheel. Similarly to previous studies, the Kv1.3-null mice were resistant to obesity, increased adiposity, and impaired glucose tolerance. Both wildtype and Kv1.3-null mice maintained on the fatty diet displayed increased wheel running activity compared to CF-fed mice which was caused primarily by a significant increase in amount of time spent running as opposed to an increase in running velocity. Interestingly, the patterns of running behavior differ between wildtype and Kv1.3-null mice, especially in how their resting periods are distributed through the dark phase. These studies indicate that voluntary exercise combats metabolic maladies and running behavior is modified by both consumption of an obesogenic diet and deletion of the Kv1.3 channel.nnNEW and NOTEWORTHYO_LIKv1.3-null mice exhibit different running and resting patterns compared to wildtype micenC_LIO_LIMice maintained on an obesogenic diet (32% kcal from fat) exhibit increased running distance and increased time spent running compared to mice fed normal rodent chow.nC_LI
Exploring ideas in social studies education

Daniel Krutka, Annie Whitlock, and Mark Helmsing, the editors and creative force behind Keywords in the Social Studies: Concepts & Conversations, organize their book around the National Council for...