cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect Evaluation of Health Intervention on Mercury-exposed Workers in an Illumination Enterprise

Objective To intervene the behaviors and protective measures of mercury-exposed workers and evaluate intervention effects.Methods The awareness rate of health knowledge,health behavior,biological monitoring indicators of the 127 recruited workers as well as mercury concentrations in workplace before and after intervention were correspondingly compared.Results After intervention,the average mercury vapor concentration in workplace reduced to 0.009mg/m3from 0.026 mg/m3,the awareness rate of health knowledge raised to 92.3% from 57.5%,urinary mercury concentrations reduced to 30 nmol/L from 58 nmol/L,urinary β2-MG decreased to 0.08 mg/L from 0.22 mg/L.Conclusion Improving the work process,strengthening health education and improving health behavior are proved to be effective in prevention chronic occupational mercury poisoning.
Percutaneous radiofrequency electrocoagulation in the control of chronic pain.

Pinpoint placement of small electrode tips in the neural pathway of specific trigger regions has often resulted in preservation of most sensory modalities and yet relieved the patient’s serious sensory symptoms. Further work in the area is needed, since results are far from perfect in many types of pain syndromes, and the experiences described are limited to specific chronic disorders.
Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common form of adult localization-related epilepsy. Hippocampal onset accounts for at least 80% of all temporal lobe seizures. The electroencephalogram (EEG) of mesial TLE contains interictal features often associated with anterior temporal epileptiform discharges with a maximal voltage over the basal temporal electrodes. Localized ictal patterns on scalp EEGs characteristically reveal unilateral 5- to 9-Hz rhythmic ictal theta or alpha epileptiform activity maximal in the anterior temporal scalp electrodes. Invasive-scalp EEG comparisons have yielded direct information about mesial temporal sources and their corresponding electrical fields. Refinement of macroscopic spatial and the temporal resolution suggest that a more precise seizure localization may exist beyond 1- to 35-Hz frequencies observed in routine scalp recording. Defining the focal areas of ictogenesis within the medial temporal lobe demonstrates a rich connection to a broad network that goes beyond the medial structures and even the temporal lobe itself. Advanced electrophysiologic application in TLE may further our understanding of ictogenesis to perfect surgical treatment and to elucidate the neurophysiologic corollaries of epileptogensis itself.
The Reversion of Okinawa, 1969, Part 2

At this point it is necessary to reintroduce one of the main architects of the Okinawa agreement; Wakaizumi Kei. Wakaizumi played a crucial role as a behind-the-scenes facilitator and intermediary between Satō and Lyndon Johnson’s White House in the run-up to and during Satō’s meeting with Johnson in November 1967 (see Chapter 2). He undertook a similar function in advance of Satō’s meeting with Nixon in 1969, which culminated in the conclusion of a secret agreement between Satō and Nixon on nuclear weapons and on textile exports. This role was shrouded in secrecy with the full story emerging over time. During the negotiations the Gaimushō knew that Satō was using a clandestine operator but were unaware of the identity of this ‘ninja’, as he became known.1 In his memoir White House Years, Kissinger refers to Wakaizumi by the code name ‘Mr. Yoshida’, which he had adopted so as to leave the White House switchboard operators in the dark.2 Wakaizumi’s own account, published in 1994 (an English translation edited by John Swenson-Wright appeared in 2002), gives an exhaustively detailed account of his activities that is equal parts memoir, confession and self- vindication.3 Wakaizumi was keen that his motives in negotiating the secret agreements would be looked upon as necessary and justified in the context of realising the reversion of Okinawa.4
Schizophrenia and neurosurgery: A dark past with hope of a brighter future

Schizophrenia is a chronic and progressive psychiatric disease that remains difficult to manage in the 21st century. Current medical therapies have been able to give reprieve and decrease incidence of psychotic episodes. However, as the disease progresses, patients can become ever more refractory to current pharmaceutical agents and the polypharmacy that is attempted in treatment. Additionally, many of these drugs have significant adverse effects, leaving the practitioner in a difficult predicament for treating these patients. The history of neurosurgery for schizophrenia, among other psychiatric diseases, has a very dark past. Therefore, this review examines peer-reviewed studies on the history of schizophrenia, its medical and surgical therapies, financial costs, and future directions for disease management. We highlight the historically poor relationship between neurosurgery and psychiatric disease and discuss current research in the understandings of schizophrenia. Guided by a strong code of ethics and new technology, including the use of stereotaxis and deep brain stimulation (DBS), the medical communities treating psychiatric disease are beginning to overcome the horrors of the past. DBS is currently being used with moderate success in the treatment of depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, Tourette's syndrome, and anorexia nervosa. With greater understanding of the neural circuitry of schizophrenia and the evolving role for DBS in psychiatric disease, the authors believe that schizophrenia, like other psychiatric diseases, can be treated with DBS.
Promoting the athlete in every child: physical activity assessment and promotion in healthcare

The importance of habitual physical activity (PA) on health starts even before a child is born as meeting recommended levels of PA during pregnancy is associated with lower rates of maternal conditions that adversely affect the developing fetus including excessive gestational weight gain, gestational diabetes and pregnancy-induced hypertension.1 Women who are physically active during pregnancy, are also more likely to continue activity postpartum2 and the children of active mothers are more likely to be active themselves;3 thereby elevating the importance of PA promotion during pregnancy and postpartum. Regular PA is important in each stage of a child's life. Infants and toddlers should be allowed and encouraged to engage in activities that develop essential motor skills.4 Preschool-aged children should participate in activities that begin the process of motor skill development such as kicking and throwing a ball. School-age children spend the majority of their waking hours in school and school-related activities. Active transportation to and from school, recess, quality physical education, sport and after school activities provide numerous opportunities for children and adolescents to achieve the recommended 60 min/day of moderate to vigorous PA.5 ,6 Despite these opportunities, only 27.1% of US high school students surveyed participate in at least 60 min/day of PA on 7 days of the week, and only 29% attend daily physical education.7 By age 15, only 17% of US girls, compared to 33% of boys, report at least 1 hour of moderate-to-vigorous PA daily.8 Multiple sectors of society (eg, school, public health, …
Uncertainty quantification in breast cancer risk prediction models using self-reported family health history.

Introduction. Family health history (FHx) is an important factor in breast and ovarian cancer risk assessment. As such, multiple risk prediction models rely strongly on FHx data when identifying a patient’s risk. These models were developed using verified information and when translated into a clinical setting assume that a patient’s FHx is accurate and complete. However, FHx information collected in a typical clinical setting is known to be imprecise and it is not well understood how this uncertainty may affect predictions in clinical settings. Methods. Using Monte Carlo simulations and existing measurements of uncertainty of self-reported FHx, we show how uncertainty in FHx information can alter risk classification when used in typical clinical settings. Results. We found that various models ranged from 52% to 64% for correct tier-level classification of pedigrees under a set of contrived uncertain conditions, but that significant misclassification are not negligible. Conclusions. Our work implies that (i) uncertainty quantification needs to be considered when transferring tools from a controlled research environment to a more uncertain environment (i.e, a health clinic) and (ii) better FHx collection methods are needed to reduce uncertainty in breast cancer risk prediction in clinical settings.
ECG-Based Driver Distraction Identification Using Wavelet Packet Transform and Discriminative Kernel-Based Features

Driver Distraction is one of the main reasons behind the increasing number of fatalities on the road. In order to minimize the potential road disasters, it is essential to monitor and track the pre-requisites of driver distraction. While driving, the driver might get distracted in variety of ways such as talking on the cell phone, texting, or having a conversation with a passenger. In the recent years, extensive investigations are directed towards the problem of characterizing the impact of secondary tasks while driving, predominantly using camera-based systems. However, camera-based systems incur major challenges such as privacy or latency in detection. Using physiological signals to identify distraction such as Electroencephalography (EEG) has been shown to accomplish more reliable detection. However, EEG- based detection systems necessitate intrusive implementation and complex signal processing. On the other hand, Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a reliable signal which can characterize the physiological changes consistently, with minimal intrusiveness, and at low cost. In this paper, we focus on ECG signal processing aspect with the aim of predicting driver distraction. Eight subjects aged 24 ± 45, actively participated in the naturalistic driving experiment where distraction was induced by: 1) phone conversation and 2) engaging an active conversation between the driver and the passenger. We present an effective frequency subBand analysis using Wavelet Packet Transform (WPT) to localize the impact of distracting elements. Due to high dimensionality of the WPT generated space, we then applied Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) for feature space dimensionality reduction; preserving discriminative capability of the predictive model. In order to further enhance the prediction ability of the system, we used kernel transformation in order to take into account non-linear interactions of the input feature space. Based on our results, WPT transform in combination with Linear Discriminant dimensionality reduction demonstrated high potentials to detect normal vs. distracted driving scenarios. Using kernel transformation further increased feature space discrimination compared to the baseline features and let to an increase from 44.10% to 88.45% average prediction accuracy over all subjects.
Transforming Growth Factor β/NR4A1-Inducible Breast Cancer Cell Migration and Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Is p38α (Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 14) Dependent

Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)-induced migration of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells is dependent on nuclear export of the orphan receptor NR4A1, which plays a role in proteasome-dependent degradation of SMAD7. In this study, we show that TGF-β induces p38α (mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 [MAPK14]), which in turn phosphorylates NR4A1, resulting in nuclear export of the receptor. TGF-β/p38α and NR4A1 also play essential roles in the induction of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and induction of β-catenin in TNBC cells, and these TGF-β-induced responses and nuclear export of NR4A1 are blocked by NR4A1 antagonists, the p38 inhibitor SB202190, and kinase-dead [p38(KD)] and dominant-negative [p38(DN)] forms of p38α. Inhibition of NR4A1 nuclear export results in nuclear export of TGF-β-induced β-catenin, which then undergoes proteasome-dependent degradation. TGF-β-induced β-catenin also regulates NR4A1 expression through formation of the β-catenin-TCF-3/TCF-4/LEF-1 complex on the NR4A1 promoter. Thus, TGF-β-induced nuclear export of NR4A1 in TNBC cells plays an essential role in cell migration, SMAD7 degradation, EMT, and induction of β-catenin, and all of these pathways are inhibited by bis-indole-derived NR4A1 antagonists that inhibit nuclear export of the receptor and thereby block TGF-β-induced migration and EMT.
Problems with mast transit

Mast cell inhibition prevents heterotopic ossification in a model of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.
Retinoic Acid-Signaling Regulates the Proliferative and Neurogenic Capacity of Müller Glia-Derived Progenitor Cells in the Avian Retina.

In the retina, Muller glia have the potential to become progenitor cells with the ability to proliferate and regenerate neurons. However, the ability of Muller glia-derived progenitor cells (MGPCs) to proliferate and produce neurons is limited in higher vertebrates. Using the chick model system, we investigate how retinoic acid (RA)-signaling influences the proliferation and the formation of MGPCs. We observed an upregulation of cellular RA binding proteins (CRABP) in the Muller glia of damaged retinas where the formation of MGPCs is known to occur. Activation of RA-signaling was stimulated, whereas inhibition suppressed the proliferation of MGPCs in damaged retinas and in fibroblast growth factor 2-treated undamaged retinas. Furthermore, inhibition of RA-degradation stimulated the proliferation of MGPCs. Levels of Pax6, Klf4, and cFos were upregulated in MGPCs by RA agonists and downregulated in MGPCs by RA antagonists. Activation of RA-signaling following MGPC proliferation increased the percentage of progeny that differentiated as neurons. Similarly, the combination of RA and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) significantly increased neurogenesis from retinal progenitors in the circumferential marginal zone (CMZ). In summary, RA-signaling stimulates the formation of proliferating MGPCs and enhances the neurogenic potential of MGPCs and stem cells in the CMZ. Stem Cells 2018;36:392-405.
Effects of luteolin on chemical induced colon carcinogenesis in high fat diet-fed obese mouse

본 연구는 LUT이 고지방식이로 비만이 유도된 C57BL/6 마우스의 대장암 발생에 미치는 영향을 분석하기 위해 실험동물을 각 10마리씩 정상식이 (ND)군, 고지방식이(HFD)군, HFD + 0.0025% LUT 보충 (HFD LL)군, 그리고 HFD + 0.005% LUT 보충 (HFD HL)군의 4군으로 분류하였다. 각 실험군은 AOM을 1회 복강 주사하고 AOM 투여 1주일 후 총 3 cycle의 1 ~ 2% 농도의 DSS를 음용수로 공급하여 대장암을 유발하였다. 실험식이는 AOM 발암시점 부터 총 11주간 급여하였다. 연구결과, 군간 식이섭취량의 차이는 없었으나 HFD 급여군에서 체중과 식이효율의 유의적인 증가가 나타났으며 HFD군과 비교했을 때 LUT 보충에 따른 체중의 변화는 없었다. 그러나 LUT 보충은 ND군에 비해 HFD군에서 나타난 대장 무게/길이 비, 대장종양 수, 혈장 TNF-α 농도, 대장 iNOS와 COX-2 발현을 유의적으로 감소시켰으며 그 효과는 HFD HL군이 HFD LL군보다 높았다. 이러한 결과는 체중조절과는 별개로 LUT이 고지방식이에 의한 대장의 염증반응 억제를 통하여 비만과 연관된 대장암 발생을 억제할 수 있음을 제시하며 향후 비만에 의한 인슐린 저항성 및 adipokine 분비, 그리고 장내 균총 변화에 따른 대장 점막세포 증식과 대장암 발생에 LUT이 어떤 영향을 미치는지에 대한 연구를 더 깊이 있게 수행한다면 비만으로 인한 대장암 발생에 LUT이 효과적인 화학적 예방 (chemoprevention)제로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 기대한다.
Correlation gating quantifies optical properties of dynamic media in transmission mode

We apply correlation gating with interferometric near-infrared spectroscopy (iNIRS) to separate ballistic and scattered light transmitted through thick samples. By analyzing each component, we determine optical properties of a dynamic medium from one measurement set.
Chromoendoscopy for dysplasia surveillance in inflammatory bowel disease

Long-standing ulcerative colitis (UC) and extensive Crohn's colitis confer increased risk for development of colorectal cancer. Screening and surveillance colonoscopy programs aim to identify, resect, or detect dysplasia or colorectal cancer. Dysplastic lesions can be removed by endoscopic resection and patients with unresectable lesions can be referred for colectomy at an earlier stage, with the goal of reducing overall morbidity and mortality from colorectal cancer. Surveillance colonoscopy for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is endorsed by multiple specialty societies. High-definition endoscopy systems provide improved image resolution, and application of dilute indigo carmine or methylene blue for chromoendoscopy can provide increased contrast. International specialty society guidelines differ in their recommendations regarding use of chromoendoscopy for dysplasia surveillance, with some guidelines advocating a risk-stratified surveillance strategy. In this review, we discuss chromoendoscopy technique, training, implementation, yield as compared with standard-definition and high-definition white light colonoscopy, and positioning of this technique in clinical practice.
Application of Multivariate Strategies to Problems of Measuring and Structuring Long-Term Change

ABSTRACT Developmental psychology, as a scientific discipline, has not paid sufficient attention to methodological techniques that permit the examination of change in a multivariate setting. Multivariate analysis techniques and procedures are discussed which are relevant to the investigation of qualitative (structural) and quantitative change–two crucial aspects of the study of long-term change in a life-span developmental context. More specifically, the strategy of comparative factor analysis attempts to disentangle qualitative and quantitative changes as distinct sources of variability evidenced by the empirically determined characteristics of factor loading patterns and factor scores. Suggestions are discussed for assessing the degree of structural invariance in a set of measures, a necessary prerequisite for the examination of quantitative change. Implications of Cattell's “covariation chart,” which defines six covariation techniques ( R, Q, P, O, S, T ), for the study of developmental change are discussed. It is suggested that the typical, cross-sectional, factor analysis procedure ( R technique) may not be the most useful for studying developmental phenomena. Attention is drawn to alternative covariation techniques and some discussion is given of their application to particular developmental issues.
Catalytic Mechanism of a Bioinspired Mn-oxo Olgomer/Tungston Oxide System in Water Splitting and Its Relevance to PS II Water Oxidation

Solar energy is the most promising energy source as example to utilize solar energy on the large scale via natural and artificial photosynthesis. The decomposition of a synthetic Mn-oxo mix-valence dimeric complex, [OH2(terpy)Mn(O)2Mn(terpy)OH2](NO3)3·6H2O, generated a highly active catalytic material, Mn-oxo oligomer. In this work we fabricated a Mn-oxo oligomer/WO3 system to mimick the PS II water oxidation. The bioinspired Mn-oxo nanocatalysts described here take advantage of catalytic activity of PS II and exceedingly efficient holes production by n-type semiconductor such as WO3. Based on experimental results, the hypothesis of our working cell is that the n-type semiconductor cooperates with Mn-oxo complex to efficiently split water by light driven. This unique Mn-oxo oligomer/WO3 herterostructure was able to generate oxygen by photolysis of water, judged by capillary GC and GCMS analysis. Our design will not only produce new materials for efficient water splitting, but also establish new material design methodologies that can be extended to a wide range of combinations.
Predictors of Underreporting of Male Violence by Batterer Program Participants and Their Partners

Self-reports on domestic violence inventories remain the basis of court and clinical decision-making and program outcome evaluations, but previous research questions their reliability and validity. Accurate prediction of underreporting would help practitioners and researchers adjust batterer and victim self-reports. We develop prediction equations of underreporting on the Conflict Tactics Scale, using a multi-site database of men admitted to batterer programs and their female partners (n = 840). First we use variables measured at program intake to predict female and male underreporting of male violence at program intake. Second, we use variables measured at program intake, as well as measures of program participation, to predict male-female disagreement (male underreporting) at 12-month follow-up. Several variables were predictive of underreporting, both at intake and follow-up, but overall prediction was marginally better than chance. The findings suggest that men and women underreport based on situational factors (such as relationship characteristics) and rational reasons, rather than based on personality traits or social desirability. However, the ability to predict underreporting is too weak for adjustment of self-reports by clinicians and program evaluators.
Finding a Simple Solution to the Problem of Student Evaluations: An Index of Traditional Evaluation Questions

The literature commonly finds that student evaluations of economics instruction do not assess true teaching effectiveness. In fact, many of the techniques that we know develop the best learning outcomes result in lower student evaluations because they require students to work harder. At the same time, we continue to use these student evaluations to rate teaching quality and determine hiring and promotion outcomes. The simple reason that undergraduate education has not turned to better methods is the time and expense needed to track the true success of the achievement of learning outcomes. To test how students can recall and use key concepts months and years after the course is cumbersome and resource intensive. Instead of using the traditional scores from the “How well did the instructor do in this course” question which is either unrelated or gives results contrary to how students retained information, we construct a model of student responses that indicate likeability of the instructor and difficulty of the instruction. We test the predictive power of these indicators using teaching evaluations of intermediate microeconomics instructors over five years alongside data on student grades in future courses that depend on intermediate microeconomics. The ability to use these simple questions to construct a more meaningful evaluation of how well the intermediate microeconomic instructors prepare students to recall and use important concepts in the future improves our ability to evaluate instructor effectiveness.
Corpus and Computational Methods for Usage-Based Chinese Language Learning: Toward a Professional Multilingualism

Language is a complex functional adaptive system (Beckner et al. in Lang Learn 59:1–26, 2009; Ellis in Usage-based perspectives on second language learning, De Gruyter, Berlin/Boston, pp 49–73, 2015). Language learning is learning to use a complex system Larsen-Freeman (Alternative approaches to second language acquisition, Routledge, London, pp 47–72, 2011). It is a multidimensional task involving social cognitive processes that interact both in time and space MacWhinney (Usage based perspectives on second language learning, De Gruyter, Berlin, pp 19–48, 2015). Language learning in the twenty-first century is “enmeshed in globalization, technologization, and mobility” and hence “emergent, dynamic, unpredictable, open ended, and intersubjectively negotiated” (The Douglas Fir Group in Mod Lang J 100:19–47, 2016: 19). Accordingly, the field of language teaching is more interdisciplinary than ever. It requires not only knowledge of language as a functional system and knowledge of language learning as a human socio-cognitive endeavor but also expanded communication across domains traditionally separated by differences in the methodology of knowledge construction. This chapter focuses on the usage-based model of language and language learning within a broader cognitive theory of linguistic knowledge and its development. The goal is to establish a theoretical relevancy and methodological necessity of corpus and computational methods to the knowledge base for language pedagogy as a practical field. In doing so, this chapter serves to ground the application of such methods as part of a professional multilingualism that informs the learning, teaching, and assessment of Chinese as a second language.
Did I Offend You or Did It? Agency Assignment in Interpersonal Apology

When apologizing to victims of transgressions, people may assign the agency for harm to themselves (“I’m sorry I offended you”), to the act (“I’m sorry it offended you”), or omit agency altogether ...
Recent advances in polysulfide mediation of lithium-sulfur batteries via facile cathode and electrolyte modification

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries have garnered immense interest due to their potential to surpass the energy densities of state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries. However, severe technical problems of polysulfide dissolution and shuttle effect still prohibit the commercialization of Li–S batteries. This review focuses on the recent advances of polysulfide mediation in conventional Li–S batteries with liquid electrolytes. Simple yet effective solutions to control polysulfide dissolution and shuttling via facile modification of the cathode and the electrolyte are highlighted. The rational design of cathode composition, the use of polysulfide barrier layers, and the selection of electrolyte components are discussed. These strategies offer significant promise to address the challenges and increase the viability of the large-scale application of Li–S batteries.
Should Varicoceles Be Managed Surgically or Radiographically? (Surgery)

Varicocele treatment has existed for over a century, and numerous surgical and radiographic treatment options exist. All available treatments provide reasonable improvements in clinical outcomes for the infertile male, although certain treatment choices may be preferred in unique patient populations or specific clinical situations. However, a clear difference exists among treatment methods regarding complication and recurrence rates, with microsurgical inguinal or subinguinal varicocelectomy using intraoperative Doppler assistance providing superior outcomes. Yet, recurrent varicoceles may be preferentially treated with a radiographic approach in certain situations. In the end, surgical treatment may provide a more overall cost-effective approach than radiographic embolization in the treatment of varicocele-related male infertility.
Street-Level Bureaucrats and Ethical Conflicts in Service Provision to Sex Workers

ABSTRACTSocial workers and other service providers are the agents that often have initial contact with sex workers, a highly stigmatised population that has a fraught history with the social work p...
Madrid, March–May 1937

Hemingway had to wait in Paris for ten days in early March while trying to get a visa for Sidney Franklin from the US State Department.1 Prior to their arrival, the left-wing coalition of Leon Blum had closed the border with Spain and announced a strict enforcement of the non-intervention agreement.2 Moreover, the French government adopted a bill giving Blum power to prevent recruiting or aiding volunteers for Spain. Heavily influenced by a conservative English government, France had made a calculated decision to place itself on the margins of the Spanish Civil War.
Intelligent Modules and Advanced Displays to Support Pilot Airplane System State Awareness

The loss of pilot airplane state awareness (ASA) has been implicated as a factor in a number of aviation accidents identified by the Commercial Aviation Safety Team (CAST). These accidents were investigated to identify precursors to the loss of ASA and develop technologies to address the loss of ASA. Based on a gap analysis, two technologies were prototyped and assessed in a formative pilot-in-the-loop evaluation. The technologies address: 1) data source anomaly detection in realtime, and 2) intelligent monitoring aids to provide nominal and predictive awareness of situations to be monitored and a mission timeline to visualize events of interest. The evaluation results indicated favorable impressions of both technologies for mitigating the loss of ASA in terms of workload, acceptability, complexity, and usability.
Outcome reporting patterns in total knee arthroplasty: A systematic review.

Abstract Background Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the most effective ways to treat end-stage painful conditions of the knee. However, non-standardized reporting patterns can make quantitative analysis of patient outcomes difficult. Methods A systematic review of the literature was performed using keywords “total knee arthroplasty” and “total knee replacement.” Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) meeting the inclusion criteria were sorted and reviewed. Type of study, outcome measures used to report their results, and the actual results were recorded. Quantitative analysis was performed. Results A total of 233 RCTs were included. There was significant variability in the reporting of short term and long term outcomes in total knee arthroplasty. The most common treatment domains in order of decreasing frequency were objective knee function, subjective knee function, perioperative complications, and pain. Range of motion was the most common outcome metric reported in all the RCTs and also was the most common metric used to assess objective knee function. The most common patient reported outcome measure used to assess postoperative function was the Knee Society Score followed by Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. The Visual Analog Scale was the most common measurement tool used to assess postoperative pain. Most studies assessed patient outcomes in three treatment domains. None reported outcomes in all seven domains. Conclusion There is significant variability in outcome reporting patterns in TKA literature. Most studies do not track outcomes comprehensively, with a significant minority of the RCTs tracking outcomes in only one treatment domain.
"Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of Floscopa scandens Lour"

Objective To explore the total phenolic and flavonoid content, enzymatic, non-enzymatic antioxidant properties, anti-inflammation and anticancer activities of hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Floscopa scandens (F. scandens). Methods Non-enzymatic antioxidant activity was examined by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay, nitric oxide scavenging assay, hydroxyl radical scavenging assay, reducing power assay, hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay, superoxide scavenging assay and metal chelating assay. Enzymatic antioxidant ability was screened for the antioxidant enzymes such as ascorbate oxidase, peroxidase, catalase and polyphenol oxidase. The anti-inflammatory property was proved with the inhibition of protein denaturation and protease inhibitory assays. In vitro anticancer activity was assessed by cell viability assay. Results Methanol extract contained high amount of phenols (198.41 mg catechol equivalent/gram extract) and flavonoids (101.70 mg quercetin equivalent/gram extract) showed higher activity than hexane and ethyl acetate extracts in all experiments. Fresh plant showed considerable enzymatic antioxidant activity. Conclusion The results revealed that the methanol extracts of F. scandens could be used as a potential source of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer bioactive compounds.
Smartphone speech privacy concerns from side-channel attacks on facial biomechanics

Abstract Speech is a complex orchestration of physical movements which involves the lungs, vocal cords, face, jaw, and mouth. As we speak on the phone, we inadvertently impart energy on the mobile device at our ear, causing it to move as our face shapes words and sounds. We theorize that different phonetics from the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), which act as the building blocks of speech, may have their own fingerprint on motion sensor data during a phone conversation. When phonetics are combined into words, the relationship between phonetics and motion sensor data could cause words to also be identifiable. Based on an initial investigation into the relationship between phonetics and motion sensor data, we develop attacks to evaluate the risk that this could pose to user privacy. We evaluate attacks for classifying digits, differentiating between digit and non-digit speech, identifying the gender of the user, and user identification. The results of these experiments in various configurations demonstrate that the attacks can be highly effective. Our research adds to the body of work making the case for additional measures to control and protect data produced by users and their devices. Without action on the part of technology producers, users will remain vulnerable to attacks which leverage APIs that leave the user without any ability to control the data that their devices generate.
Occupational respiratory and skin diseases among workers exposed to metalworking fluids.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW To examine respiratory and skin diseases that occur among workers exposed to metalworking fluids (MWFs) used during machining processes. RECENT FINDINGS Five cases of a severe and previously unrecognized lung disease characterized by B-cell bronchiolitis and alveolar ductitis with emphysema (BADE) were identified among workers at a machining facility that used MWFs, although MWF exposure could not be confirmed as the etiology. In the United Kingdom, MWF is now the predominant cause of occupational hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). Under continuous conditions associated with respiratory disease outbreaks, over a working lifetime of 45 years, workers exposed to MWF at 0.1 mg/m3 are estimated to have a 45.3% risk of acquiring HP or occupational asthma under outbreak conditions and a 3.0% risk assuming outbreak conditions exist in 5% of MWF environments. In addition to respiratory outcomes, skin diseases such as allergic and irritant contact dermatitis persist as frequent causes of occupational disease following MWF exposure. SUMMARY Healthcare providers need to consider MWF exposure as a potential cause for work-related respiratory and skin diseases. Additional work is necessary to more definitively characterize any potential association between MWF exposures and BADE. Medical surveillance should be implemented for workers regularly exposed to MWF.
Determining Target Reliability Index of Structures Based on Cost Optimization and Acceptance Criteria for Fatality Risk

AbstractThe target reliability index is pivotal to the design, assessment, inspection, and maintenance of structures. It is commonly determined by cost optimization. However, depending on the metho...
Complexity from simplicity: Confinement directs morphogenesis and motility in nematic polymers

Abstract Liquid crystalline polymers (LCP) that actuate under confinement adopt shapes with complexity that is upconverted beyond that encoded by their nascent patterning. Twisted nematic LCP thermally transform into simple spiral structures, when unconstrained. Confining them into rings or rigidly fixtured rectangular elasticas induces their self-assembly into supercoils, prismatic folded trusses, twisted and bent tape spring geometries. No additional material patterning, localized stimulation or training is required. Along its way, the actuation unlocks mechanical instabilities that can power impulsive responses. The self-assembled structures also sustain dynamic responses. These include motility via crawling and kinematic manipulation in a crank-rocker mechanism from an otherwise unstructured thermal stimulus. Interacting assemblages of the individually confined LCP build functionally relevant structures, including airframes and gripper-arm mimicking geometries. Thus, confinement is shown to free shape selection from a one-to-one correspondence to the blueprinted microstructure in active polymers.
Transforming Fire: Imagining Christian Teaching

A standard academic book review does injustice to theologian Mark D. Jordan’s Transforming Fire: Imagining Christian Teaching. The book is an alluring invitation from a master teacher and writer to...
Metastatic Breast Cancer Presenting as Progressive Ophthalmoplegia 30 Years After Initial Cancer Diagnosis.

ABSTRACT A 60 year-old woman presented with painless progressive ophthalmoplegia of the right eye. She had a history of left-sided breast carcinoma 30 years ago that was managed with mastectomy only, with appropriate serial follow-up investigations. On examination, her visual acuity was 20/400 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left. She had a right relative afferent pupillary defect. Ocular examination was significant for 2 mm of ptosis, complete ophthalmoplegia, and 2+ chemosis in the right eye. The left eye was normal. MRI of the brain and orbits showed bilateral retrobulbar infiltrative disease in the right eye greater than that in the left eye. Right orbitotomy and biopsy confirmed an infiltrative signet ring cell/histiocytoid carcinoma consistent with metastatic lobular breast carcinoma. Given that recurrence of breast cancer is most common during the second year after the initial disease and rarely reported beyond 20 years after the initial diagnosis, our patient's delayed recurrence 30 years after the treatment of initial disease is unusual and rare. However, it highlights the importance of including metastatic cancer in the differential diagnosis for ophthalmoplegia.
Dose accumulation of daily adaptive plans to decide optimal plan adaptation strategy for head-and-neck patients treated with MR-Linac.

Abstract Advances in magnetic resonance linear accelerators (MR-Linacs) allow for superior visualization of soft tissue to guide online adaptive replanning for precise radiotherapy delivery. Elekta Unity MR-Linacs (Elekta AB, Stockholm, Sweden) provides 2 plan adaptation approaches, adapt-to-position (ATP), plan reoptimization based on the reference CT with the iso-shift measured from daily MR scans, and adapt-to-shape (ATS), full plan reoptimization based on the re-contoured daily MR scans. Our study aims to close the gap in knowledge regarding the use of the ATP technique in the treatment of head and neck (HN) cancers through the analysis of accumulated dose of daily ATP plans to organs at risk (OARs). Daily accumulated doses of 8 HN patients using deformable registration were analyzed to estimate the actual delivered dose versus the planned dose to evaluate the impact from daily anatomical changes and setup uncertainties. This process was completed through the collection of doses to OARs which were chosen based on the rigidity and size of the organ and the substantial dose it received. Results showed that the actual dose delivered to some OARs was significantly higher than the originally planned dose and was more pronounced in structures that were within the high-dose gradient for some subdisease sites. These findings suggest that the ATS approach should be used for plan adaptation in some specific HN diseases where OARs receive substantial dose with anatomy changes that could not be accounted for by the ATP approach. We also investigated the possibility of predicting the actual delivered dose at an early stage of the treatment course, with the intention of exploring a possibly more optimal alternative for planning through the combination of ATP and ATS approaches throughout treatment.
Forrest W. Nutter, Jr.: a career in phytopathometry

Forrest W. Nutter, Jr., had a distinguished career in plant disease epidemiology and crop loss assessment, starting as a graduate student at the University of New Hampshire and North Dakota State University, and then as a faculty member at the University of Georgia and Iowa State University. This article reviews his pioneering contributions in phytopathometry over a nearly 40-year period, in which he developed and evaluated the tenets of disease assessment, and explored ways of improving assessment using visual, photographic, and electronic means. He initiated research on the measurement of disease and other crop traits using multispectral radiometers in 1983, and continued this work for decades, providing early evidence of the wavelengths often associated with disease severity, and demonstrating multiple applications for radiometric measurements. This work led to research on the reliability and accuracy of electronic and visual methods for assessing disease intensity and the relationships between different types of assessments; evaluations of the underlying principles of visual disease estimation; and the development of computerized training programs for disease assessment (e.g., Disease.Pro and Severity.Pro), which have been used in more than 25 countries and 100 universities. Among other things, his research provided substantial evidence to refute the Horsfall-Barratt scale for accurate or reliable visual disease assessment. His contributions have given a strong foundation for all researchers who wish to improve measurements of disease, or use measurements to evaluate controls or understand disease progress and crop losses.
Interpretable Exploratory Projection Pursuit

I propose a modification of exploratory projection pursuit which trades accuracy for interpretability in the resulting description. Interpretability, a generalization of parsimony, is based on the ideas of rotation in factor analysis and of entropy. It is defined as the simplicity of the coefficients which specify the description’s projections. A weighted optimization approach similar to roughness penalty curve-fitting is used to search for a more understandable description, with interpretability replacing smoothness. A real data example is presented. The method retains the nonlinear versatility of projection pursuit but has more intuitive appeal.
COPD management. Part II. Relevance for resource-poor settings.

La bronchopneumopathie chronique obstructive (BPCO) est une maladie evitable et sa prevalence, deja elevee dans les pays a revenu faible ou intermediaire, augmentera dans la prochaine decennie. Les initiatives mondiales, y compris celles contre l'industrie du tabac pour mettre fin a l'epidemie de tabagisme, sont fondamentales pour diminuer la morbidite et la mortalite attendues liees aux BPCO. Les depenses de sante nationales sont generalement faibles dans la majorite des pays en developpement. Les ressources financieres et humaines limitees sont principalement consacrees en priorite aux maladies infectieuses. Pour faire face a ces defis, il est essentiel de renforcer l'engagement politique des gouvernements pour allouer des ressources afin de decourager en priorite l'usage du tabac et de mettre en oeuvre aussi une prise en charge standardisee efficiente des BPCO. La prise en charge standardisee des malades atteints de BPCO peut etre plus accessible aux pays aux ressources limitees en raison de la disponibilite actuelle de spirometres moins couteux, et grâce a l'utilisation des medicaments essentiels disponibles en generique. L'organisation au sein des services cliniques de la prise an charge integree des maladies respiratoires, dont la tuberculose, recommandee par l'OMS (Practical Approach to Lung Health) et par L'Union (Comprehensive Approach to Lung Health) devrait permettre d'ameliorer les systemes de sante et les competences du personnel de sante, de diminuer les couts de sante et d'ameliorer la qualite de soins aux patients atteints de maladies respiratoires chroniques.
Deoxyribonucleoside toxicity in adenosine deaminase and purine nucleoside phosphorylase deficiency: implications for the development of new immunosuppressive agents

The immunodeficient state associated with adenosine deaminase (ADA) and purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) deficiency may result from the selective phosphorylation by thymus-derived lymphocytes of the ADA substrate deoxyadenosine and the PNP substrate deoxyguanosine, leading to the intracellular trapping of toxic deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates. Agents such as deoxycytidine might be able to favourably modify the immunodeficient state by inhibiting deoxyribonucleoside phosphorylation. Deficiencies of other nucleotide catabolic enzymes, if selectively expressed by lymphocytes, might also lead to immunodeficiency via nucleoside trapping in lymphoid tissues. Purine deoxyribonucleoside analogues, either alone or in combination with ADA inhibitors, may have value as lymphospecific antimetabolites.
Determination of Absorption and Fluorescence Excitation Spectra for Phytoplankton

Investigations of photosynthetic processes in both aquatic ecosys tems and in the laboratory have sought to couple measurements of the rates of production with quantitative assessment of the ambient light field and the absorption capacity of the cells. Kiefer etal. (1979) and Bricaud etal. (1983) have described techniques for determination of ab sorption coefficients for cultures. For field studies, however, where the cell concentration is very dilute, direct measurement of absorption is not possible. Most field studies have assumed a constant absorption per chlorophyll, and have estimated the amount of absorbed light from measurements of the chlorophyll concentration and the available light for photosynthesis (Rhode,1965; Tyler,1975; Dubinsky and Berman,1976; Morel, 1978). We present here a technique for measuring the absorption coeffi cient (ap) for cultures or field samples. Yentsch (1957) first applied the technique of direct measurement of absorption on filters for algal cultures, and for qualitative analysis of suspended marine particulates (1962). Faust and Norris (1982) have used derivative absorption spectros copy of cultured phytoplankton on glass fiber filters in order to assess pigment concentration.
Homology of pCS1 plasmid sequences with chromosomal DNA in Clavibacter michiganense subsp. sepedonicum: evidence for the presence of a repeated sequence and plasmid integration

Restriction fragments of pCS1, a 50.6-kilobase (kb) plasmid present in many strains of Clavibacter michiganense subsp. sepedonicum ("Corynebacterium sepedonicum"), have been cloned in an M13mp11 phage vector. Radiolabeled forms of these cloned fragments have been used as Southern hybridization probes for the presence of plasmid sequences in chromosomal DNA of this organism. These studies have shown that all tested strains lacking the covalently closed circular form of pCS1 contain the plasmid in integrated form. In each case the site of integration exists on a single plasmid restriction fragment with a size of 5.1 kb. Southern hybridizations with these probes have also revealed the existence of a major repeated sequence in C. michiganense subsp. sepedonicum. Hybridizations of chromosomal DNA with deletion subclones of a 2.9-kb plasmid fragment containing the repeated sequence indicate that the size of the repeated sequence is approximately 1.3 kb. One of the copies of the repeated sequence is on the plasmid fragment containing the site of integration.
Central circulatory adaptations to physical training.

Abstract The bradycardia effect of a 10-week jogging program was studied in 13 previously sedentary middle-aged subjects (seven women and six men). This response during standardized submaximal treadmill walking and leg cycling was related to changes in cardiac output ([Qdot]), stroke volume (SV), and arteriovenous oxygen differences (a-vO2 diff). Heart rate (HR) response was also studied during load carrying and arm cycling tasks, and a [Vdot]O2 max test was administered. All tests were repeated posttraining. The posttraining increases in [Vdot]O2 max (ml/kg × min-1) were 19.7% and 14.8% for the men and women respectively. Training also produced significant reductions in submaximal HR and Q during treadmill and leg cycling exercise. A-vO2 diff rose, while there were no changes in [Vdot]O2 during the submaximal work tasks, suggesting either altered blood flow or a greater capacity to utilize O2 by the working muscle. Both men and women showed significant reductions in HR during the arm cycling and load car...