cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inhibitors of bacterial protease enzymes for periodontal therapy.

Locally applied therapeutic agents have become established in the treatment of periodontal disease. Inhibition of human metalloproteases by metal-chelating antibiotics contributes to the utility of local therapy. Adding inhibitors of bacterial proteases might extend and improve local therapy. The periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) produces two extracellular cysteine proteases (gingipains Rgp and Kgp) that are virulence factors and contribute to destruction of oral tissues. Our aims were to compare efficacy of protease inhibitors against gingipains and evaluate bactericidal activity of the inhibitors. Protease activity was measured in fluorescent assays with specific Rgp and Kgp substrates. Bacterial viability was measured with BacLight™ (Invitrogen, Inc., Carlsbad, CA) reagents. Pairs of inhibitors of Rgp and Kgp, respectively, were leupeptin and cathepsin B inhibitor II, KYT-1 and KYT-36, and PPACK and Z-FK-ck. The cysteine-protease inhibitor E64 was also tested. Rgp activity was higher than Kgp activity, and activity was higher in Pg 33277 and 49417 cell suspensions than in media. Concentrations required for 50% inhibition of Rgp in cell suspensions were 2 × 10−9, 2 × 10−9, 2 × 10−8, and 5 × 10−5 M for KYT-1, PPACK, leupeptin, and E64, respectively. Concentrations required for 50% Kgp inhibition were 5 × 10−10, 1 × 10−9, and 5 × 10−8 M for Z-FK-ck, KYT-36, and cathepsin B inhibitor II. E64 did not inhibit Kgp. Inhibition of Rgp could be accounted for by competition for binding between the arginine residue of the substrate and the guanidinobutane portion of E64. PPACK was the least selective, with a 10-fold difference in concentrations that inhibited Rgp and Kgp. KYT-1 and Z-FK-ck inhibited both Rgp and Kgp, but inhibitory concentrations differed by 10,000-fold. At up to 1 × 10−4 M, only Z-FK-ck was bactericidal. KYT-1 and KYT-36 were remarkably effective even when used in cell suspensions in which bacterial proteins could bind inhibitors or compete for binding to gingipains. These inhibitors might prove useful as an addition to locally applied therapeutic agents.
General Dentists and Pediatric Dental Patients: The Role of Dental Education

The objective of this study was to investigate whether undergraduate dental education affects general dentists' practice characteristics, attitudes, and professional behavior concerning the treatment of pediatric patients. Data were collected with a self-administered mailed survey from 241 general dentists who were members of the Michigan Dental Association (response rate=48.2 percent). While 40.4 percent of the respondents reported that their dental education had prepared them well to treat child patients, only 33.4 percent indicated that their clinical education had prepared them well. The level of educational preparedness was significantly correlated with a) practice characteristics such as how well the practice was set up to treat children and how knowledgeable and comfortable the staff was concerning providing care for children, b) attitudes concerning the treatment of child patients, and c) professional behavior such as the types of services provided for child patients versus the number of referrals made. The findings strongly suggest that educational experiences concerning the treatment of pediatric dental patients will shape future dental care providers' attitudes and professional behavior. Given the lack of access to dental care for children, it seems crucial to carefully evaluate undergraduate dental curricula to ensure that future dental care providers receive sufficient educational and especially clinical experiences concerning the treatment of child patients.
Aerodynamic separation of parasitised from unparasitised insect host eggs

ABSTRACTAerodynamic sorting of host eggs exposed to Trichogramma egg parasitoids improved the percentage parasitism of retained product. Losses of parasitised eggs declined as percentage parasitism of the unsorted eggs increased. Trichogramma eclosion from parasitised eggs was similar for the unsorted and retained fractions; emergence from the parasitised culls was significantly lower.
MYROSINASE ACTIVITY IN BACTERIA AS DEMONSTRATED BY THE CONVERSION OF PROGOITRIN TO GOITRIN.

SummaryMyrosinase activity could be demonstrated in a variety of bacteria, particularly Paracolobactrum, which commonly inhabit the intestinal tract of man. Intact cells and sonicates were equally active. Ascorbate inhibited rather than potentiated this bacterial myrosinase activity.
Prediction of Water Quality Parameters Using an Artificial Neural Networks Model

Land use and cover (LULC) play crucial roles in driving water quantity and quality processes in watersheds. Often changes in LULC have direct effect on water quality of downstream waters. Therefore, developing relationships between LULC and water quality parameters is essential for the evaluation of surface water resources should the LULC change. In this paper we present a methodology based on Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to predict water quality parameters in ungauged basins; Chlorine (Cl), Sulfate (SO4), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC). The model relies on LULC percentages, temperature, and flow discharge as inputs. The approach is tested on 18 watersheds in west Georgia varying in size from 296 to 2659 ha. Total number of data for each parameter is 801 ranging from 15 to 54 from 18 watersheds. Out of 18 watersheds, 12 were selected for training, 3 for validation and 3 for testing the ANNs model. Each set of validation and testing data consists of 1 forested, 1 pastoral, and 1 urban watershed while training data consist of 7 forested, 3 pastoral, and 2 urban watersheds. The model performance was measured with coefficient of determination (R 2 ), Nash- Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient (E), and bias ratio (RB). The model developed using the training data set has successfully predicted the water quality parameters in the independent testing watersheds. The coefficient of determination (R 2 ) in the test watersheds ranged from 0.64 to 0.99 while E ranged from 0.54 to 0.98. Results from this study indicates that if water quality and LULC data are available from multiple watersheds in an area with relatively similar physiographic properties, then one can successfully predict the impact of LULC changes on water quality in any watershed within the same area.
Technique of Reductive Ureteroplasty in the Management of Megaureter

Management of megaureter may be conservative or surgical. Most operative procedures are multistaged and directed toward segmental ureteral repair. We have treated succesfully a number of patients with the total linear ureteral reduction technique.
Study of Ion Distribution in Nd(III) Doped β′′-Alumina through Atomistic Simulation

β′′-aluminas doped with Nd3+, in bothstoichiometric (Na2MgAl10O17) andnon-stoichiometric(Na1.66Mg0.66Al10.33O17) forms, have been studied through atomistic computer simulation. Theoptimum distribution of Mg2+ in the spinel blocks,Na+ as well as Nd3+ in the conduction planeshave been calculated and discussed in comparison with the structure modelsderived experimentally. Mg3+ ions prefer to occupy thetetrahedral Al(2) sites in the spinel blocks, and show strong tendency toform two- or three-membered clusters. Due to the presence ofMg2+, oxygen ions in or adjacent to the conduction plane,O(5), O(4) and O(3), are displaced from their ideal sites, leading to theremoval of the local symmetry at the mO site in parentβ′′-alumina. Doped Nd3+ ions are calculatedto be preferentially located in the vicinity of the mO sites (9d) and theirdisplacement from the ideal mO site is strongly affected by the distributionof Mg2+ and nearby Na+ vacancy. The bridgingoxygen in the conduction plane, O(5), relaxes off its original positiontowards the Nd3+ ions by ∼0.39AA, which is inexcellent agreement with previous X-ray diffraction and EXAFS studies. Theoxygen ions in the spinel block, O(3) and (4), are attracted towardsNd3+ non-uniformly, whereas the nearest Al(6c) ions aredisplaced in the opposite direction. The picture for the local structureclearly shows that the inversion symmetry at the Nd3+ positionis absent, due to the non-uniform displacement of surrounding oxygen atomsfrom their ideal positions.
What triggers prosocial effort? A positive feedback loop between positive activities, kindness, and well-being

AbstractAcross two studies, we found evidence supporting a positive feedback loop between positive activities, kindness and well-being. In Study 1, participants were randomly assigned to one of four distinct positive activities (versus a neutral writing activity) before spending three weeks engaging in kind acts. We found that the positive activities served as triggers – that is, they predicted greater prosocial effort, which in turn predicted greater well-being immediately following the intervention and at a two-week follow-up. In Study 2, we explored the specific effects of a gratitude trigger, and extended the intervention period to six weeks. Although, we did not replicate the direct effect of the gratitude trigger on prosocial effort, people who wrote gratitude letters (versus writing about their week) reported relatively greater elevation, which predicted greater prosocial effort during the six weeks. In turn, replicating Study 1, greater effort predicted higher well-being immediately following the ...
Using femtosecond technology to control molecular dynamics in strong laser fields

Summary form only given. The desire to control the dynamics of quantum systems is both a driving force and a unifying theme in many areas of modern laser-matter interaction physics. For example, optical manipulation of cold atoms (atom optics) focuses on controlling the translational degrees of freedom of an atom, while various coherent control techniques attempt to use laser fields to manipulate the internal dynamics of atomic and molecular systems. I will describe approaches in strong-field molecular optics. Molecular optics shares with atom optics the aim of controlling position, velocity and acceleration. It also aims to control intrinsically molecular properties such as rotations, from alignment to angular acceleration.
Life-span development of the theory of oneself: implications for child development.

Publisher Summary This chapter analyzes the theory of self and comments on few aspects of the special perspective on the self. Self theory, like other knowledge, is dependent on the theories in one's culture about human nature and about the social, biological, and physical world. Put briefly, theories about selves depend on what is available in the culture. The culture provides most of the answers. At any given time the theories available to a person are likely to hold much that is false, just as early medicine, and medicine today, misleads many people about the relationship of their actions to their own health. Although new evidence clearly shows the opposite, there is still a widespread scientific “theory” that intellectual functions uniformly decline through the life-span after physical maturity is reached, thus misguiding a person's theory about what he or she might be able to achieve in middle and later life. Moreover, studies in the sociology of knowledge show how the unequal distribution of amount and quality of knowledge in society, to various privileged and less privileged social groups, must produce group differences in theories of man in relation to others and to the universe.
Relaxation Processes in Supramolecular Metallogels Based on Histidine–Nickel Coordination Bonds

Understanding the quantitative relationship between the dynamic mechanical properties of associating polymer networks and the dynamics of sticker bonds represents an important problem in polymer science because materials mechanics is affected by not only the sticker bond chemistry but also the sticker position, the polymer structure, and the physical environment of the associating polymers such as concentration and solvent quality. In this study, associating networks formed by structurally well-defined linear poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) polymers with histidine side groups in complexation with Ni2+ ions are chosen as a model system. “Sticker diffusion and dissociation spectrometry” is developed as a new method to quantify the dissociation dynamics of stickers within the network environment where the stickers are covalently attached to polymers above their overlap concentration. The estimated time constants for junction dissociation in gels are shown to be substantially different than the ones measured by ...
Symptoms of the Sublime: Longinus and the Hippocratic Method of Criticism

Longinus’ medical diagnosis of literature, built on the Plato’s Hippocratic approach ( Phaedrus ), distinguishes Longinus’ scientific assessment from the contemporary trope of decline.
Targeting XIAP overcomes apoptosis resistance of pancreatic carcinoma cells in vitro and suppresses tumor growth and invasion in vivo

4863 Pancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death due to its resistance towards conventional therapies. To improve cancer therapy, it is therefore crucial to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying apoptosis resistance of pancreatic cancer. Here, we identify X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) as a key determinant of apoptosis resistance of pancreatic carcinoma cells. XIAP was expressed at high levels in the majority of pancreatic carcinoma cell lines. Stable downregulation of XIAP by RNA interference significantly reduced viability and enhanced TRAIL-induced apoptosis in pancreatic carcinoma cells. Importantly, knockdown of XIAP also strongly inhibited clonogenicity of pancreatic cancer cells treated with TRAIL indicating that XIAP promotes clonogenic survival. Also, downregulation of XIAP significantly increased CD95- or γ-irradiation-induced apoptosis, whereas it had no effect on 5-fluorouracil, etoposide or gemcitabine-induced apoptosis. Analysis of apoptosis signaling pathways revealed that knockdown of XIAP resulted in enhanced cleavage and enzymatic activity of caspase-3, -9, -2 and -8. Interestingly, downregulation of XIAP also led to enhanced drop of mitochondrial membrane potential and increased cytochrome c release after stimulation with TRAIL, indicating that XIAP functions upstream of mitochondria in TRAIL-induced apoptosis. In support of this notion, inhibition of caspase-3 completely prevented drop of mitochondrial membrane potential in TRAIL-treated pancreatic carcinoma cells, in which XIAP was knocked down. Most importantly, knockdown of XIAP profoundly inhibited tumor growth and invasion of pancreatic carcinoma cells in vivo. Similarly, inhibition of XIAP by small molecule antagonists sensitized pancreatic cancer cells to TRAIL-, CD95- or γ-irradiation-induced apoptosis. By demonstrating that targeting IAPs significantly enhanced death receptor or γ-irradiation-induced apoptosis and suppressed tumor growth and invasion of pancreatic carcinoma cells in vivo, our findings indicate that targeting IAPs represents a novel, promising strategy to overcome apoptosis resistance of pancreatic cancer, which has important clinical implications.
Role of Early Pulmonary Hypertension as a Risk Factor for Late Pulmonary Hypertension in Extremely Preterm Infants.

Objective The evidence on the role of early pulmonary vascular disease (PVD) in the development of late pulmonary hypertension (PH) in the extremely preterm infants is limited. Objectives were to determine the incidence of early and late PH in extreme preterm infants and to evaluate the role of early PH as a risk factor for development of clinically detected late PH. Methods It was a retrospective analysis of early echocardiograms (day of life 5–14) in preterm infants, 22 to 27 weeks' gestation, admitted to the University of Iowa NICU between July 01, 2012 to June 30, 2015. Late echocardiograms performed for clinical suspicion of PH were also analyzed. Results A total of 154 infants were included in the study. Early PH was diagnosed in 31 (20%) infants. Twenty-four (16%) infants were evaluated for clinically suspected PH. Eight (5%) infants were diagnosed with late PH. Infants with early PH had echocardiograms performed earlier than infants without the evidence of early PH. Early PH was not associated with the development of late PH (p = 0.99). Conclusion Early PH is common among extremely preterm infants (20%). Five percent of infants had clinically detected late PH. Infants with early PH had echocardiograms performed earlier than infants without the evidence of early PH. Early PH was not associated with the development of clinically detected late PH.
Affect-Focused Short-Term Dynamic Therapy

The field of psychotherapy research is in the process of solving a great puzzle. To date, differing therapies have often demonstrated similar effectiveness, and no factors have been identified that consistently capture a large portion of the variance in improvement [1, 2]. Therapeutic alliance accounts for about 22% of the variance in outcomes [2] and patient characteristics at admission an additional 20–25% [1], leaving more than half of the variance somewhat of a mystery.
Tragedy, Irony, and Human Assistance

I would feel like a cad to be too critical of Messer and Winokur’s chapter. It is, in so many respects, reasonable, fair minded, accurate—and it seems to move considerably away from the antiintegrationist position of their earlier paper and toward a cautious appreciation of the value of an integrative approach. Even their first paper, to be sure, was no one-sided anti- integrative tract but was more in the nature of a caution to whoever might rush too unheedfully into the thicket of problems that integration presents. Their present chapter also is such a caution, but I suspect that readers familiar with both will be struck by the more positive attitude toward integration that these two thoughtful writers express upon further reflection.
Analysis of Intensity Modulated Pulse Train Length for Laser Ultrasonic NDT

The use of modulated laser pulses to generate ultrasonic tonebursts has been demonstrated in recent years for improving the signal to noise ratio of laser generated ultrasound waves [1]. Q-switched laser pulses generate broadband signals that can be difficult to measure because statistically, white noise is also broadband. If narrowband ultrasound can be generated then bandpass filters can be used to narrow the bandwidth of the ultrasonic reception system, the signal to noise ratio is inversely proportional to bandwidth, so signal enhancement can be achieved by using modulation. This is the primary motivation for modulating laser pulses in ultrasonic nondestructive testing.
Coordination of the uranyl ion through reaction with aqueous solutions containing polyacrylic acid and polysodium acrylate structural considerations

Our dependence on uranium as a fuel is increasing and will increase for at least the next decade. Most industrial and governmental procedures for removal, isolation and/or concentration of uranium from its ores call for formation of the uranyl ion, UO 2 +2 . Further, the naturally occurring water soluble uranium-containing moiety is the uranyl ion. This work is part of a continuing effort aimed at the control and recovery of the uranyl ion.
Meiotic silencing in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Abstract In many animals and some fungi, mechanisms have been described that target unpaired chromosomes and chromosomal regions for silencing during meiotic prophase. These phenomena, collectively called “meiotic silencing,” target sex chromosomes in the heterogametic sex, for example, the X chromosome in male nematodes and the XY-body in male mice, and also target any other chromosomes that fail to synapse due to mutation or chromosomal rearrangement. Meiotic silencing phenomena are hypothesized to maintain genome integrity and perhaps function in setting up epigenetic control of embryogenesis. This review focuses on meiotic silencing in the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, including its mechanism and function(s), and its relationship to other gene silencing processes in the germ line. One hallmark of meiotic silencing in C. elegans is that unpaired/unsynapsed chromosomes and chromosomal regions become enriched for a repressive histone modification, dimethylation of histone H3 on lysine 9 (H3K9me2). Accumulation and proper targeting of H3K9me2 rely on activity of an siRNA pathway, suggesting that histone methyltransferase activity may be targeted/regulated by a small RNA-based transcriptional silencing mechanism.
IgG4-Related Skin Disease Presenting as a Pseudolymphoma in a White Adolescent Girl

Immunoglobulin gamma (Ig) type 4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a chronic immunologic systemic disorder that has gained worldwide recognition in the past decade. This entity can affect almost every organ system, and its characteristic lesions have been found in a variety of organs such as lacrimal and salivary glands, pancreas, liver, bile ducts, lungs, kidneys, retroperitoneum, breast, aorta, thyroid, and prostate. This case reports a very rare case of IgG4-RD presenting with a cutaneous lesion in a young female patient mimicking a lymphoproliferative disorder. IgG4-RD affecting the skin is a rare entity and has mostly been reported in Japanese men of middle to older age. IgG4-RD with cutaneous involvement should be in the differential of non-neoplastic, lymphomas, autoimmune, and infectious disorders of the skin.
Fisher Information for Distributed Estimation under a Blackboard Communication Protocol

We consider the problem of learning high-dimensional discrete distributions and structured (e.g. Gaussian) distributions in distributed networks, where each node in the network observes an independent sample from the underlying distribution and can use k bits to communicate its sample to a central processor. We consider a blackboard communication model, where nodes can share information interactively through a public blackboard but each node is restricted to write at most k bits on the final transcript. We characterize the impact of the communication constraint k on the minimax risk of estimating the underlying distribution under l2 loss, and develop minimax lower bounds that apply in a unified way to many common statistical models. This is achieved by explicitly characterizing the Fisher information from the blackboard transcript.
Comparison of preoperative versus postoperative transversus abdominis plane and rectus sheath block in patients undergoing minimally invasive colorectal surgery

Aim Ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane and rectus sheath block (TAPRSB) decreases pain scores and narcotic use postoperatively after colorectal surgery (CRS). It is unclear if the effectiveness of TAPRSB varies according to whether it is performed preoperatively or postoperatively. Our aim was to investigate this. Method We compared patients who underwent preoperative TAPRSB or postoperative TAPRSB during minimally invasive CRS. Primary end-points were pain scores and oral morphine milligram equivalent (MME) use postoperatively. Secondary end-points included perioperative factors affecting pain scores and postoperative MME. Summary statistics and univariate analysis by nonparametric tests were utilized. The mixed-effect model was applied to model the repeatedly measured pain score. Results From April 2015 until May 2018 168 patients received TAPRSB before (115) or after (53) minimally invasive CRS. The cohort included 79 (47.0%) women, and had an average age of 59.11 (±12.32) years and mean body mass index of 28.32 (±5.82) kg/m2 . Indication for surgery was cancer in 66 (39.3%), polyp in 43 (25.6%) and diverticulitis in 43 (25.6%). Right colectomy was performed in 61 (36.3%), low anterior resection in 46 (27.4%) and sigmoid colectomy in 40 (23.8%) patients. The demographics of the groups were similar. Postoperative TAPRSB was only associated with lower pain scores at 12 h postoperatively. As secondary outcomes, average pain scores and MME were lower in patients who were older, had right colectomy or intracorporeal anastomosis. Conclusions Postoperative TAPRSB resulted in lower pain scores than preoperative TAPRSB 12 h after minimally invasive CRS, but otherwise no differences were seen in pain scores or MME use.
Photoswitchable Sol-Gel Transitions and Catalysis Mediated by Polymer Networks with Coumarin-Decorated Cu 24 L 24 Metal-Organic Cages as Junctions.

Photoresponsive materials that change in response to light have been studied for a range of applications. These materials are often metastable during irradiation, returning to their pre-irradiated state after removal of the light source. Herein, we report a polymer gel comprising poly(ethylene glycol) star polymers linked by Cu24 L24 metal-organic cages/polyhedra (MOCs) with coumarin ligands. In the presence of UV light, a photosensitizer, and a hydrogen donor, this "polyMOC" material can be reversibly switched between CuII , CuI , and Cu0 . The instability of the MOC junctions in the CuI and Cu0 states leads to network disassembly, forming CuI /Cu0 solutions, respectively, that are stable until re-oxidation to CuII and supramolecular gelation. This reversible disassembly of the polyMOC network can occur in the presence of a fixed covalent second network generated in situ by copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC), providing interpenetrating supramolecular and covalent networks.
Impedance matching study of surface dielectric barrier discharge plasma generator

Abstract The plasma produced by Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) has a very important application in the field of aerodynamics. The plasma generator needs high-voltage and high-frequency power supply. Due to the existence of internal resistance of the power supply, the impedance characteristics of the generator do not match the power supply. The voltage at both ends of the generator is extremely low. Besides, due to the existence of reactive power, most of the energy transported by the power source is reflected, resulting in extremely low energy conversion efficiency of the power source. In the paper, the mechanism of DBD plasma generator is analysed and on the equivalent circuit is received. And then different frequency impedance characteristics of generator and impedance matching circuit by using LR and the LCR respectively is studied. The results show that the equivalent resistance of plasma generator on frequency change is not obvious. The generator is capacitive and tends to 0 with increasing frequency. When LR is matched, resistance increases with the frequency change is not big, and reactance increases gradually, but its value is small, in the range of n Ω . in general the plasma generator impedance is virtually pure resistive. When LCR is matched, the impedance characteristic gradually changes from the inductive to capacitive with the increase of frequency.
Replacement of Fascia Iliaca Catheters with Continuous Erector Spinae Plane Blocks Within a Clinical Pathway Facilitates Early Ambulation After Total Hip Arthroplasty

Objective The optimal continuous peripheral nerve block (CPNB) technique for total hip arthroplasty (THA) that maximizes both analgesia and mobility is unknown. Continuous erector spinae plane (ESP) blocks were implemented at our institution as a replacement for fascia iliaca (FI) catheters to improve our THA clinical pathway. We designed this study to test the hypothesis that this change will increase early postoperative ambulation for elective primary THA patients. Methods We identified all consecutive primary unilateral THA cases six months before and six months after the clinical pathway change to ESP catheters. All other aspects of the THA clinical pathway and multimodal analgesic regimen including perineural infusion protocol did not change. The primary outcome was total ambulation distance (meters) on postoperative day 1. Other outcomes included total ambulation on postoperative day 2, combined two-day ambulation distance, pain scores, opioid consumption, inpatient length of stay, and minor and major adverse events. Results Eighty-eight patients comprised the final sample (43 FI and 45 ESP). Postoperative day 1 total ambulation distance was greater for the ESP group compared with the FI group (median [10th-90th percentiles] = 24.4 [0.0-54.9] vs 9.1 [0.7-45.7] meters, respectively, P = 0.036), and two-day ambulation distance was greater for the ESP group compared with the FI group (median [10th-90th percentiles] = 68.6 [9.0-128.0] vs 46.6 [3.7-104.2] meters, respectively, P = 0.038). There were no differences in pain scores, opioid use, or other outcomes. Conclusions Replacing FI catheters with continuous ESP blocks within a clinical pathway results in increased early ambulation by elective primary THA patients.
High Quality Real-Time Structured Debate Generation.

Automatically generating debates is a challenging task that requires an understanding of arguments and how to negate or support them. In this work we define debate trees and paths for generating debates while enforcing a high level structure and grammar. We leverage a large corpus of tree-structured debates that have metadata associated with each argument. We develop a framework for generating plausible debates which is agnostic to the sentence embedding model. Our results demonstrate the ability to generate debates in real-time on complex topics at a quality that is close to humans, as evaluated by the style, content, and strategy metrics used for judging competitive human debates. In the spirit of reproducible research we make our data, models, and code publicly available.
Association between symptoms of psychological distress and cognitive functioning among adults with coronary artery disease

Greater psychological distress is associated with cognitive impairment in healthy adults. Whether such associations also exist in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is uncertain. We assessed cognitive function in 496 individuals with CAD using the verbal and visual memory subtests of the Wechsler Memory Scale and executive functioning measured by the Trail Making Test Parts A and B. We used a composite score of psychological distress derived through summation of Z-transformed psychological distress symptom scales (depression, posttraumatic stress, anxiety, anger, hostility and perceived stress) and scores for each individual psychological scale. Multivariable linear regression models were used to determine the association between memory scores (as outcomes) and the psychological distress scores (both composite score and individual scales). After adjusting for demographic and cardiovascular risk factors, a higher psychological distress score was independently associated with worse memory and executive functioning. Each standard deviation increase in psychological distress score was associated with 3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1%-5%) to 5% (95% CI, 3-7%) worse cognitive performance (higher Trail A and Trail B, and lower verbal and visual memory scores). Among individuals with CAD, a higher level of psychological distress is independently associated with worse cognitive performance. These findings suggest that psychological risk factors play a role in cognitive trajectories of persons with CAD.
Characteristics and mechanisms of hydrogen-induced quasi-cleavage fracture of lath martensitic steel

Abstract This study presents an in-depth characterization of the microstructures, crystallographic orientations, and dislocation characteristics beneath hydrogen-induced quasi-cleavage fracture features of an as-quenched, lath martensitic (α') 22MnB5 steel. The fracture surfaces of gaseous hydrogen-embrittled martensitic specimens were analyzed by a combination of multiple analytical tools: scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and transmission Kikuchi diffraction (TKD). The dominant fracture mode in the hydrogen-affected zones was quasi-cleavage fracture, which involved significant plasticity, evidenced by plastic zones near tear ridges and a high density of dislocations beneath the quasi-cleavage facets. The martensite constituent sizes, variant orientations, and boundaries influenced the quasi-cleavage surface morphologies. Fractography revealed the occurrence of {100}α'-type cleavage across martensitic laths, developing relatively “flat” quasi-cleavage surfaces, in addition to {110}α'-type cracking likely along lath and block boundaries, and fracture along non-cleavage planes. The likelihood of the formation of the relatively “flat” quasi-cleavage surfaces increased with increasing martensitic constituent sizes. Substantial dislocation bands formed on intersecting {112}α' slip planes within a martensite block below the hydrogen-induced cleavage fractures on {100}α' planes. River markings on the quasi-cleavage surfaces were found to originate from the complex, hierarchical lath martensitic microstructure. Steps and ridges on the quasi-cleavage facets generally linked with the various martensitic boundaries, suggesting that they were produced as a result of crack deviations at those boundaries. The fracture paths and martensite quasi-cleavage mechanisms are discussed in the context of the role of hydrogen and Cottrell cleavage model.
Abstract P412: Klotho-vS Heterozygosity is Associated With Lower Risk of Non-Traumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Introduction: Klotho is a transmembrane protein that modulates insulin sensitivity and suppresses oxidative stress and inflammation. Two missense variants in the Klotho gene (KL) form the functiona...
A Mu-Calculus

The logical framework presented in the previous chapter is an axiomatization of the entailment on assertions using terms, types, and meta-predicates. These assertions were interpreted as compact open sets of the domains associated with the types. The expressive power of the logic is, therefore, not as strong as one sometimes would like. There is no assertion, for example, of the type of natural numbers to express ‘the set of even numbers’. To make the logic more expressive some extra structure on assertions is needed. One of the possible ways to get a richer assertion language is to introduce fixed-point operators.
Acute (toxic) epidermal necrolysis: Report of a case

Abstract A case of acute (toxic) epidermal necrolysis is reported in the dental literature for the first time. This severe, life-threatening mucocutaneous syndrome resembles severely scalded skin. Sloughing vesiculobullous oral lesions are a frequent component. Staphylococcus aureus and drug reactions may cause separate entities presenting clinically as acute epidermal necrolysis. This case of drug-induced epidermal necrolysis in a child was successfully treated with methicillin and hydrocortisone.
Recreation Specialization in the Social World of Contract Bridge

Using data from a yearlong qualitative investigation, this paper investigated the nature of recreation specialization in the social world of contract bridge. Specialization was examined in terms of...
ILC2 contribute to ozone-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in obese mice (HYP6P.266)

Many obese asthmatics have non atopic asthma, but the mechanistic basis is poorly understood. Ozone (O3), a common air pollutant, is an asthma trigger that causes airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and neutrophilic inflammation. O3-induced AHR and neutrophilia are augmented in obese vs lean mice. Innate lymphoid cells type 2 (ILC2) may be driving these responses. To address this hypothesis, lean WT and obese db/db mice were exposed to room air or O3 (2 ppm) for 3 h. 24 h later, we measured AHR and performed bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). BAL IL-5, IL-13 and IL-33 were increased by O3 in obese but not lean mice. IL-5 and IL-13 can drive AHR and are secreted by ILC2. IL-33 signaling through ST2 drives activation of ILC2. Therefore, we pretreated db/db mice with ST2 blocking antibody (provided by Dirk Smith, Amgen) prior to O3 exposure. Blocking ST2 decreased O3-induced AHR, baseline lung mechanics, neutrophilia and BAL IL-5 in db/db mice. Anti-IL-13 also decreases BAL neutrophils and lung mechanics in obese mice after O3. IL-23, IL-7, IL-22, and IL-17A were also increased by O3 in obese mice, suggesting the possible involvement of ILC3, a cell activated by IL-7 and IL-23 that secretes IL-17A and IL-22. Blocking IL-17A in a separate cohort also decreased O3 induced AHR and neutrophilia in obese mice. Taken together, our data indicate that obese mice exposed to O3 have increased activation of ILC2 and ILC3 and that these cells are driving the asthma phenotype in these mice.
Immunological detection of ECTO‐atpase in chicken and rat tissues: Characterization, distribution, and a cautionary note

We have generated a polyclonal antibody (CKG2) against native chicken gizzard ecto-ATPase for immunolocalization and immunoprecipitation. Active ecto-ATPase is immunoprecipitated from solubilized chicken and rat membranes and shown to be localized to the plasma membrane of the chicken smooth muscle cells. This antibody is specific for the ecto-ATPases, since the more abundant chicken stomach ecto-apyrase is not recognized in immunoprecipitation, western blot or immunolocalization analyses. The CKG2 antibody cross-reacts with mammalian (rat) ecto-ATPase in western blots, with testis being the most abundant source. Interestingly, when the same rat membranes are analyzed by western blot under non-reducing conditions, the 66 kDa ecto-ATPase is not recognized, instead a 200 kDa protein is detected, previously postulated to be an oligomer of ecto-ATPase. However, this 200 kDa cross-reacting protein is not related to the ecto-ATPases, but is instead an immunoglobulin binding protein, comprised of 50 kDa subunits.
Long-term clinical experience with helical tomotherapy for head and neck cancer

Objective The objective of this study is to review a long-term single-institutional experience with helical tomotherapy (HT) for the radiotherapeutic management of head and neck cancer.
EFFECT OF VITAMIN A DEFICIENCY ON THE CELLULAR IMMUNE RESPONSE

To study the effect of Vit A deficiency on the cellular immune response, we placed twelve 21 day old Sprague-Dawley male weanling rats on a Vit A deficient diet (DEF). Pair-fed (PF) and ad libitum (AL) fed controls receiving 500 μg of retinyl acetate P.O. per wk. were simultaneously studied. Animals were considered Vit A deficient and were sacrificed when they had ceased to gain wt. Isolated splenic lymphocytes cultured for 3 days with Concanavallin A (Con A) over a range of 1 to 7 μg/ml were pulsed with tritiated thymidine ([3H]-T) 18 hrs. before harvest. DEF animals and PF controls weighed significantly less (P<.01), had significantly smaller livers (P<.005), spleens (P<.005) had fewer splenic lymphocytes (P<.025) than AL controls, Splenic lymphocytes from the DEF animals were significantly less responsive (P<.005) to all doses of Con A than those of the PF and AL fed controls in whom the response was similar. The deficit in lymphocyte transformation was reversed within 3 days of Vit A being added to the diet. These studies demonstrate an effect of Vit A deficiency on the cellular immune response which can be differentiated from the effect of the often associated protein calorie deficit.
Solution errors in finite element analysis

Abstract The development of the finite element method so far indicates that it is a discretization technique especially suited for positive definite, self-adjoint, elliptic systems, or systems with such components. The application of the method leads to the discretized equations in the form of u = f(u) , where u lists the response of the discretized system at n preselected points called nodes. Instead of explicit expressions, vector function f and its Jacobian f,u are available only numerically for a numerically given u. The solution of u = f(u) is usually a digital computer. Due to finiteness of the computer wordlength, the numerical solution u c is in general different from u. Let u ( x , t) denote the actual response of the system in continuum at points corresponding to those of u. In the literature. u ( x , t)- u is called the discretization errors, u - u c the round-off errors, and the s is. u ( x , t)- u c is called the solution errors. In this paper, a state-of-the-art survey is given on the identification, growth, relative magnitudes, estimation, and control of the components of the solution errors.
A general mass consistency algorithm for hybrid particle/finite-volume PDF methods

An algorithm is devised to maintain a correct spatial distribution of computational particles in hybrid particle/finite-volume (FV) probability density function (PDF) methods for chemically reacting turbulent flows. The approach is, by design, compatible with existing FV computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes that are used to model practical engineering flows in complex geometric configurations. The algorithm is suitable for general three-dimensional incompressible or compressible, steady or time-dependent flows using structured or unstructured, stationary or deforming computational meshes. It is compatible with a variety of element shapes commonly used in research and engineering CFD codes including hexahedra, prisms and tetrahedra. Robustness, accuracy and efficiency of the approach are demonstrated via computations for several two- and three-dimensional steady and unsteady flow configurations using computational meshes that vary in element type and in mesh quality. Both composition PDF and velocity PDF methods are employed. This work broadens the accessibility of PDF methods for practical turbulent combustion systems.
Paced mating behavior is affected by clitoral-vaginocervical lidocaine application in combination with sexual experience.

Abstract The present study tested the effects of lidocaine anesthetic ointment applied to the vaginocervical (Experiment 1) or clitoral-vaginocervical (Experiment 2) areas on the display of paced mating behavior over the course of five weekly tests in ovariectomized, hormone-primed, Long-Evans rats. Experiment 3 tested whether rats that acquired sexual experience without ointment application would exhibit altered paced mating behavior on a fifth test under clitoral-vaginocervical lidocaine or vehicle application. Although rats in Experiment 1 and Experiment 2 exhibited shorter contact–return latencies after intromission and reduced likelihood of leaving the male compartment following mounts and intromissions after gaining sexual experience, only rats that received clitoral-vaginocervical lidocaine exhibited altered paced mating behavior relative to vehicle. Specifically, clitoral-vaginocervical lidocaine resulted in shorter contact–return latency to ejaculation and greater percentage of time with the male. Paced mating behavior of sexually experienced rats in Experiment 3 was not disrupted when tested after clitoral-vaginocervical lidocaine treatment. Together, these studies suggest that the sensory input during repeated mating encounters affects the pattern of paced mating behavior that develops with sexual experience.
Failure to develop multiple sclerosis in patients with neurologic symptoms without objective evidence

BackgroundMany patients referred to multiple sclerosis (MS) centers with symptoms suggestive of MS are found to have normal neurologic examinations, normal or non-specific brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan findings, and normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Persistent symptoms often lead to multiple consultations and repeated diagnostic investigations. We performed a study to evaluate the diagnostic utility of repeated evaluations in patients with normal initial assessments and persistent neurologic symptoms.Methods143 patients were evaluated initially and 109 returned for a second evaluation after a mean interval of 4.4 years.ResultsAll 143 patients had normal initial examinations, brain MRI scans, screening blood tests, and CSF studies. Spinal cord imaging was normal in all patients tested (cervical cord, n = 126; 88.1%; thoracic cord, n = 58; 40.6%). Evoked potential studies were abnormal in a small percentage of patients: visual evoked potentials, VEP (8.1%), somatosensory evoked potentials, SSE...
Pattern asymmetries in phase-edge imaging

Strong phase-shift methods such as alternating aperture and chromeless edge are resolution-enhancement techniques that promise to extend optical lithography to the 100-nm regime and possibly below.
Purification and properties of cytochrome P-450 (11β- and 18-hydroxylase) from bovine adrenocortical mitochondria

Abstract We describe an improved procedure for the preparation of a cytochrome P-450 from bovine adrenocortical mitochondria which catalyzes 11β- and 18-hydroxylation of steroids. The preparation is based upon chromatography on DEAE cellulose which separates the enzyme from the side-chain cleavage P-450 , which can also be prepared in highly purified form from the same tissue extracts. The enzyme behaves as a single compound in glycerol density gradients. The enzyme aggregates at protein concentrations greater than 1 mg/ml to a series of forms of various molecular weights. On Sepharose 4B the enzyme shows a molecular weight of 185 000, while on glycerol density gradients a molecular weight of 1·106 is observed. The subunit molecular weight determined by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels with sodium dodecyl sulfate is 47 500 and the protein appears as a single band. The ratio of 11β/-18- hydroxylase activities does not change signficantly during purification and is constant through the protein peak on glycerol density gradients. Since there appears to be only one subunit species, it seems likely that the two hydroxylase activities are catalyzed by one protein.
Defect in small millipore filters disclosed by new technique for isolating oral treponemes.

Three Millipore filters (100, 50, and 10 mµ) can effectively and easily be used to isolate oral spirochetes from a mixed oral inoculum. The spirochetes appear pure in the underlying agar, owing to their ability to grow through the filter. Their passage through the 10-mµ filters may be attributed to the instability of this pore size on storage.
Homework and Students with Learning Disabilities and Behavior Disorders: A Practical, Parent-Based Approach

This article provides a limited review of the effects of homework on students with disabilities, the essentials of effective homework programs, and variables that affect home-school partnerships. The emphasis is on students with learning disabilities and behavior disorders who are at risk for academic failure and poor school adjustment. The authors introduce the University of Utah Homework Partners series, which highlights three homework packages: a cooperative learning teams-based approach for classrooms, a package to train parents to be positive academic tutors for their children, and a systematic program to train parents in effective homework practices. The latter package is the major focus of this article because it emphasizes home-school partnerships for students with disabilities. Sanity Savers for Parents: Tips for Tackling Homework is a training program that teaches parents how to assess, design, and troubleshoot an effective in-home homework program for their child. The overall emphasis of this program is on practical interventions that are positive and motivating and include a home-to-school link to maximize the generalization of effects for students with learning and behavior disabilities.