cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Automated analysis of zebrafish images for screening toxicants

An important factor facilitating the application of zebrafish in biomedical research is high throughput screening of vertebrate animal models. For example, being able to model the growth of blood vessel in the vasculature system is interesting for understanding both the circulatory system in humans, and for facilitating large scale screening of the influence of various chemicals on vascular development. Compared to other models, the zebrafish embryo is an attractive alternative for environmental risk assessment of chemicals since it offers the possibility to perform high-throughput analyses in vivo. However the lack of an automated image analysis framework restricts high throughput screening. In this paper, we provide a method for quantitative measurements of zebrafish blood vessel morphology since it is difficult to assess changes in vessel structure by visual inspection. The method presented is generalized, i.e. it is not restricted to any specific chemically treated zebrafish, and can be used with wide variety of chemicals.
Thermal performance models and drift loss predictions for a spray cooling system

The relation between the Spray Energy Release (SER) and the spray nozzle efficiency (eta) is considered with the view toward increasing the utility of previous spray thermal performance information. Through the approximate analysis of an assumed counter-flow process, the relevant parameters that eta depends upon have been identified as the total heat transfer factor c'/c/sub w/, the sensible heat factor phi, and the SER. In general eta cannot be correlated with wind speed alone. Similarities and differences between the NTU and SER methods are also considered. Values of SER are established from data obtained from a prototype spray system and a laboratory scale single column spray system. A simplified drift loss prediction model which is in good agreement with experimental data is proposed for an open atmosphere spray system.
Yakus and the Administrative State

In Yakus v. United States (1944), the U.S. Supreme Court sustained the conviction of a Boston meat dealer accused of violations of the Emergency Price Control Act and of price regulations issued by the federal Office of Price Administration (OPA) — without affording the accused an opportunity to challenge the validity of the rules under which he was convicted. The case is now mostly forgotten; in Supreme Court opinions and scholarly treatises, it appears (if at all) as a wartime embarrassment or a marginal case about the exhaustion of administrative procedures. At the time, though, Yakus was viewed by combatants on all sides as a case that would define the contours of constitutional government and of the emerging administrative state. Prominent textbooks of the post-War era afford prominent status to Yakus as a foundational case for Administrative Law.This article tells the story of Yakus v. United States. Close examination of the litigation and its context, we argue, shows that Yakus was not an awkward wartime case that is easily cabined in technical exhaustion doctrines: it is in fact foundational to the modern administrative state. The Yakus lessons that we have forgotten are the ones that we want to forget.
Prion-like propagation of mutant SOD1 misfolding and motor neuron disease spread along neuroanatomical pathways

A hallmark feature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is that symptoms appear to spread along neuroanatomical pathways to engulf the motor nervous system, suggesting a propagative toxic entity could be involved in disease pathogenesis. Evidence for such a propagative entity emerged recently in studies using mice that express G85R-SOD1 mutant protein fused to YFP (G85R-SOD1:YFP). Heterozygous G85R-SOD1:YFP transgenic mice do not develop ALS symptoms out to 20 months of age. However, when newborns are injected with spinal homogenates from paralyzed mutant SOD1 mice, the G85R-SOD1:YFP mice develop paralysis as early as 6 months of age. We now demonstrate that injecting spinal homogenates from paralyzed mutant SOD1 mice into the sciatic nerves of adult G85R-SOD1:YFP mice produces a spreading motor neuron disease within 3.0 ± 0.2 months of injection. The formation of G85R-SOD1:YFP inclusion pathology spreads slowly in this model system; first appearing in the ipsilateral DRG, then lumbar spinal cord, before spreading rostrally up to the cervical cord by the time mice develop paralysis. Reactive astrogliosis mirrors the spread of inclusion pathology and motor neuron loss is most severe in lumbar cord. G85R-SOD1:YFP inclusion pathology quickly spreads to discrete neurons in the brainstem and midbrain that are synaptically connected to spinal neurons, suggesting a trans-synaptic propagation of misfolded protein. Taken together, the data presented here describe the first animal model that recapitulates the spreading phenotype observed in patients with ALS, and implicates the propagation of misfolded protein as a potential mechanism for the spreading of motor neuron disease.
Fundamentos contingentes: o feminismo e a questão do “pós-modernismo"

Resumo Este artigo analisa a relacao entre teoria social e politica feminista. A autora aborda temas como: pos-modernismo, pos-estruturalismo, a nova politica da nocao de sujeito, as controversias colocadas ao feminismo a partir da critica da politica identitaria e o fundamentalismo como politica de exclusao. O texto finaliza com uma discussao sobre a materialidade ontologica ficticia do corpo e do sexo. Rejeitando criticas simplistas, a autora analisa essas categorias – corpo e sexo – como “lugares de poder”. Abstract Analyzing the relationship between social theory and feminist politics this article focuses on diverse issues: postmodernism, poststructuralism and a new politics of the subject, political controversies posed on feminism by a critic of identity politics and fundamentalism as an exclusion politics. The article ends discussing the fictive ontological materiality of body and sex. Rejecting simplistic criticisms the author analyzes these categories as “sites of power”.
Magnetic resonance angiography at 3.0 Tesla: initial clinical experience.

Summary: Magnetic resonance (MR) angiography has undergone significant development over the past decade. It has gone from being a novelty application of MR with limited clinical use to replacing catheter angiography in some clinical applications. One of the principal limitations inherent to all MR angiographic techniques is that they remain signal limited when pushed to the limits of higher resolution and short acquisition time. Developments in magnetic gradient hardware, coil design, and pulse sequences now are well optimized for MR angiography obtained at 1.5-T main magnetic field (B-field) strength, with acquisition times and imaging matrix size near their optimal limits, respectively. Recently, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved use of clinical magnetic resonance imaging with main magnetic field strengths of up to 4 T. Before FDA approval, use of MR with magnetic field strengths much greater than 1.5 T was essentially reserved for investigational or research applications. The main advantage of high B-field imaging is a significant improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), which increases in an approximately linear fashion with field strength in the range of 1.5 to 3.0 T. This increased SNR is directly available when performing MR angiographic acquisitions at higher magnetic field strengths, allowing for better resolution and conspicuity of vessels with similar acquisition times. Little has been reported on the benefits of performing MR angiography at magnetic field strengths >1.5 T. The purpose of this article is to summarize our current experience with intracranial and cervical MR angiographic techniques at 3.0 T.
FOURTEENTH-CENTURY ENGLISH BALINGERS: WHENCE THE NAME?

(2007). FOURTEENTH-CENTURY ENGLISH BALINGERS: WHENCE THE NAME? The Mariner's Mirror: Vol. 93, No. 1, pp. 4-15.
Analysis on affecting factors of vibration in milling

In order to find the main factors affecting milling vibration,a 2-DOF dynamics model of milling has been established in this study.The cutting force has been calculated using a cutting depth analysis method.By solving a dynamic equation,the four cutting parameters-spindle speed(S),feed speed(F),axial cutting thickness(ap) and radial cutting thickness(ac) have been identified to be the main factors that affect the cutting vibration.In addition,using Orthogonal cutting test,these factors have been weighted,and the spindle speed has been found to be the most important factor affecting the cutting vibration.The parameter has also been determined for vibration control through variable-parameter cutting.This study provides a foundation for future research on cutting stability in milling.
Female pseudohermaphroditism in a neonate born to a mother with polycystic ovarian disease.

AbstractA newborn with female pseudohermaphroditism (profound masculinization of the external genitalia and preservation of the internal female genitalia) is presented. During pregnancy progressive hirsutism was noted in the mother, and polycystic ovaries were found at cesarean section. The serum testosterone level in the cord blood was elevated markedly (1,232ng./dl.). After birth the serum testosterone levels of the mother and newborn decreased dramatically. Over-all it appears that the polycystic ovaries were the source of the excessive androgen secretion that caused maternal and fetal masculinization during the pregnancy.
Rapid in vivo footprinting method for the detection of DNA-protein interactions in isolated nuclei

Here we report a simple method of in vivo footprinting for the detection of DNA-protein interactions in the liver of a small teleost fish, Fundulus heteroclitus. This method allows the determination of these interactions in nuclei isolated from intact liver, obviating the need for cell culture. Cells in culture often do not respond to environmental cues in the same way as do tissues within the intact organism and therefore may be inappropriate for the study of certain adaptive responses. Furthermore, cell lines are available for only a small number of marine organisms. This technique may therefore be of general utility for the study of gene regulation in a wide variety of marine organisms.
Hybrid phase-conjugator/moduiator using photorefractive media

There has been much Interest recently in the use of photorefractive materials as suitable nonlinear media for a variety of optical information processing applications, including phase conjugation, edge enhancement, spatial convolutlon/correlation, image transmission through optical fibers, laser fiber gyroscopes, and associative memories.1’2 Early on it was recognized that, by temporally encoding the pump waves to a four-wave mixer, a modulated phase-conjugate wave can be realized. Conjugators using this technique have been demonstrated in several areas, including retrophase modulators,3 as well as O-swItched4 and mode-locked5 phase-conjugate resonators. In all these schemes, the modulation was provided via optical means, that is, external to the conjugator medium.
“She Was Here”: Research as Resistance to the Loss of “Culturally Uncomfortable” Identities:

This essay traces a co-exploration into understanding aging, memory, and purpose through the analysis of elders stories told during varying stages of memory loss. Responding to the prompt, “What are the memories you don’t want to forget?” participants told stories of “culturally uncomfortable” identities they worried no one else prioritized remembering. As the researchers, we were faced with the struggle to continue human connection beyond vulnerable, inescapably mortal bodies. We analyze our reactions within our analysis of their stories to offer a dynamic means to make sense of data, ourselves, and shared cultural responsibility through telling and listening to personal narratives.
Determining proximal geolocation of IoT edge devices via covert channel

Many IoT devices are part of fixed critical infrastructure, where the mere act of moving an IoT device may constitute an attack. Moving pressure, chemical and radiation sensors in a factory can have devastating consequences. Relocating roadside speed sensors, or smart meters without knowledge of command and control center can similarly wreck havoc. Consequently, authenticating geolocation of IoT devices is an important problem. Unfortunately, an IoT device itself may be compromised by an adversary. Hence, location information from the IoT device cannot be trusted. Thus, we have to rely on infrastructure to obtain a proximal location. Infrastructure routers may similarly be compromised. Therefore, there must be a way to authenticate trusted routers remotely. Unfortunately, IP packets may be blocked, hijacked or forged by an adversary. Therefore IP packets are not trustworthy either. Thus, we resort to covert channels for authenticating Internet packet routers as an intermediate step towards proximal geolocation of IoT devices. Several techniques have been proposed in the literature to obtain the geolocation of an edge device, but it has been shown that a knowledgeable adversary can circumvent these techniques. In this paper, we survey the state-of-the-art geolocation techniques and corresponding adversarial countermeasures to evade geolocation to justify the use of covert channels on networks. We propose a technique for determining proximal geolocation using covert channel. Challenges and directions for future work are also explored.
ER Stress in Drug-Induced Liver Injury

The liver is the most important organ involved in the metabolism of virtually all drugs and xenobiotics introduced into the body. Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a major health problem. The hepatotoxicity associated with some drugs can be severe and life-threatening. DILI has been identified as the most frequent single incidence leading to the withdrawal or restricted use of marketed drugs or termination of clinical trials of investigational drugs during development. The pathogenesis of DILI is very complex. In addition to genetic and environmental factors, drug-induced hepatocyte injury plays a central role in the pathogenesis of DILI. During the last several decades, extensive research has been done to identify the molecular mechanisms underlying DILI. Emerging evidence indicates that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is an important contributor to the pathogenesis of DILI by disrupting hepatic metabolism, inducing inflammation and cell apoptosis. In this chapter, we summarize the current understanding of ER stress in DILI with a focus on HIV protease inhibitor-induced hepatic injury.
Directions for Female Entrepreneurship: Thinking About Educational Programs

This chapter offers suggestions for the ways in which informal learning and networking could be used in the resource center setting, which is one of the national initiatives found in every country’s five-year development plan. It also suggests ways that both informal learning and networking can be added to existing entrepreneurship educational programs.
The Didaktik/Curriculum Dialogue: What Did We Learn?

In the late 1990s, scholars from the Anglo-American curriculum community began a conversation with scholars in the German didaktik tradition (see Westbury I, Hopmann S, Riquarts K, Teaching as a reflective practice: the German Didaktik Tradition. Erlbaum, Mahwah, 2000). One major difference between these traditions is the perspective on content. In the US tradition, content is often seen as (a) a given that does not need to be analyzed and (b) inert, i.e., unchanging as it passes from curricular documents through classrooms to pupils (and even to standardized tests). Within this frame, school leadership need not be centrally concerned with the content of curriculum. In didaktik, content is fundamental and regulation is ideally normative and intellectual, i.e., it provides tools for teachers to come to pedagogical terms with the contents they teach. What didaktik thinking potentially brought to life for US curriculum thought was a more fruitful understanding of content processes as (a) formation for community and society and (b) transformation to rich pedagogical potential. This chapter elaborates more fully the lines of similarity and difference between the didaktik and curriculum traditions and explores the reasons why didaktik has had only a modest impact on turning the Anglo-American curriculum tradition toward a more fully developed sense of content and content enactment.
Pomegranate Extract Alters Breast Cancer Stem Cell Properties in Association with Inhibition of Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have become an important target population in cancer therapy and prevention due to their ability to self-renew, initiate tumors, and resist therapy. We examined whether pomegranate extract (PE) alters characteristics of breast CSCs. Ability to grow as mammospheres is a hallmark of breast CSCs. PE inhibited mammosphere formation in two different cell lines, neoplastic mammary epithelial HMLER and breast cancer Hs578T. In addition, mammosphere-derived cells from PE treatment groups showed reduced mammosphere formation for at least two serial passages. These data indicate that PE inhibits CSC's ability to self-renew. In addition, incubation of mammospheres with PE reversed them into adherent cultures, indicating promotion of CSC differentiation. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key program in generating CSCs and maintaining their characteristics. Thus, we examined the effect of PE on EMT. PE reduced cell migration, a major feature of the EMT phenotype. In addition, PE downregulated genes involved in EMT, including the EMT-inducing transcription factor Twist family basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor 1 (TWIST1). This suggests that PE suppresses CSC characteristics in part due to inhibition of EMT. The ability of PE to suppress CSCs can be exploited in the prevention of breast cancer.
An Organismal Model for Gene Regulatory Networks in the Gut-Associated Immune Response

The gut epithelium is an ancient site of complex communication between the animal immune system and the microbial world. While elements of self-non-self receptors and effector mechanisms differ greatly among animal phyla, some aspects of recognition, regulation, and response are broadly conserved. A gene regulatory network (GRN) approach provides a means to investigate the nature of this conservation and divergence even as more peripheral functional details remain incompletely understood. The sea urchin embryo is an unparalleled experimental model for detangling the GRNs that govern embryonic development. By applying this theoretical framework to the free swimming, feeding larval stage of the purple sea urchin, it is possible to delineate the conserved regulatory circuitry that regulates the gut-associated immune response. This model provides a morphologically simple system in which to efficiently unravel regulatory connections that are phylogenetically relevant to immunity in vertebrates. Here, we review the organism-wide cellular and transcriptional immune response of the sea urchin larva. A large set of transcription factors and signal systems, including epithelial expression of interleukin 17 (IL17), are important mediators in the activation of the early gut-associated response. Many of these have homologs that are active in vertebrate immunity, while others are ancient in animals but absent in vertebrates or specific to echinoderms. This larval model provides a means to experimentally characterize immune function encoded in the sea urchin genome and the regulatory interconnections that control immune response and resolution across the tissues of the organism.
Airfield Incursion Modeling of United States Hub Airports

The current Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) safety risk management (SRM) process in the United States involves mainly the use of qualitative risk measures. The development of accurate quant...
Assurance of Myeloid Growth Factor Administration in an Infusion Center: Pilot Quality Improvement Initiative

Purpose:Four incident reports involving missed doses of myeloid growth factors (MGFs) triggered the need for an outcome-driven initiative. From March 1, 2015, to February 29, 2016, at University of California Irvine Health Chao Infusion Center, 116 of 3,300 MGF doses were missed (3.52%), including pegfilgrastim, filgrastim, and sargramostim. We hypothesized that with the application of Lean Six Sigma methodology, we would achieve our primary objective of reducing the number of missed MGF doses to < 0.5%.Methods:This quality improvement initiative was conducted at Chao Infusion Center as part of a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification Program. Therefore, Lean Six Sigma principles and tools were used throughout each phase of the project. Retrospective and prospective medical record reviews and data analyses were performed to evaluate the extent of the identified problem and impact of the process changes. Improvements included systems applications, practice changes, process modifications, and safety-net pr...
An Examination of the Influence of Decreases in State Appropriations on Online Enrollment at Public Universities

State support for public higher education has been a primary concern for decades. Online education has been identified previously as an alternative revenue source that can offer financial relief to colleges and universities. This study uses IPEDS data and a fixed effects regression approach to examine whether public universities increase their reliance on online education in response to decreases in state appropriations. Consistent with resource dependence theory, we found a negative relationship between state appropriations and online enrollment at public 4-year institutions. Our findings indicate that public universities, particularly public doctoral institutions, appear to be responding to declines in state appropriations by engaging in revenue diversification and increasing their commitment to online education.
A part of the team: The changing role of palliative care in congenital heart disease

Abstract Palliative care teams have historically not been involved in the treatment of children with congenital heart disease. When palliative care is involved, most consults occur too late during "crisis" situations when patients are already critically ill, and most had no prenatal involvement of the palliative care team. Early involvement of palliative care teams can reduce patient and family stress as well as allow palliative care to participate in longitudinal care planning and decision making. Palliative care teams should be introduced as part of the larger heart center team to avoid misperceptions that families may have involvement of palliative care is making a judgement on the prognosis of their child. Consideration should be given to developing "triggers" for palliative care consultation to ensure that all patients have access to early palliative care as standard practice, and to help reassure families that a palliative care referral is not synonymous with giving up on their child.
Assessment of the LD-DSMC hybrid method for hypersonic rarefied flow

Abstract Hypersonic aerothermodynamics for a probe entering a planetary atmosphere is an important issue in space exploration. The probe experiences various Knudsen number regimes, ranging from rarefied to continuum, due to density variation in the planet’s atmosphere. To simulate such multiscale flows, a novel hybrid particle scheme is employed in the present work. The hybrid particle scheme employs the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method in rarefied flow regions and the low diffusion (LD) particle method in continuum flow regions. Numerical procedures in the low diffusion particle method are implemented within an existing DSMC algorithm. The hybrid scheme is assessed using two hypersonic, blunt body flow problems: Mach 10 nitrogen flow over a sphere, and Mach 40 carbon dioxide flow over the Mars Path Finder each with a global Knudsen number of 0.002. Standard DSMC and CFD results are compared with the LD-DSMC hybrid simulation results. The hybrid scheme results show good overall agreement with results from standard DSMC computation, while CFD is inaccurate especially in the wake where a highly rarefied region exists. The LD-DSMC hybrid solution is able to increase computational efficiency upto 50% in run time in comparison to DSMC. And sensitivity to numerical parameters of the LD-DSMC method is also studied.
Broken rainbows: the partisan politics of marriage equality in Europe

Although a growing number of European governments have legalized same-sex civil unions (SSU) and same-sex marriage (SSM) in the past two decades, others have moved in the opposite direction by stal...
The Root-Ely Modified Test of Rectus Femoris Spasticity Has Reliability in Individuals with Cerebral Palsy

Stiff-knee gait is a common gait deviation in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) due to rectus femoris (RF) muscle spasticity. The Duncan-Ely test is a velocity-dependent measurement of spasticity that is recorded as positive or negative. At our institution, we use a modification of the Duncan-Ely test, a 5-point ordinal rating scale, which delineates where the catch occurs within the rapid arc of knee flexion. It has been named the Root-Ely test. We sought to determine the intra- and inter-rater reliability of the Duncan-Ely and Root-Ely tests in pediatric patients with CP. A convenience sample of 20 ambulatory subjects was recruited; mean age was 10.5 ± 4.5 years, and the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels were I–III. Five clinicians measured each individual’s RF spasticity using the Root-Ely protocol during a single visit. Simple κ statistics with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were utilized for intra-rater reliability and weighted κ statistics with 95% CI for inter-rater reliability. The Root-Ely scale intra-rater reliability was 0.77 to 0.90 and inter-rater reliability was 0.32 to 0.87. Inter-rater reliability was good to excellent among experienced clinicians and fair to moderate in new clinicians. The Root-Ely 5-point scale has acceptable intra- and inter-rater reliability in pediatric individuals with CP among experienced clinicians. The Root-Ely test allows experienced clinicians to reliably quantify severity of RF spasticity and may give orthopaedic surgeons a clinical tool to better predict ideal candidates for RF transfers in individuals with CP in order to improve stiff-knee gait.
Home Literacy of Dual-Language Learners in Kindergarten From Low-SES Backgrounds:

This study aimed to describe home literacy (HL) activities of Spanish-/English-speaking children of low–socioeconomic status backgrounds and examine the relationship between HL and performance on s...
Pressure and particle velocity measurements from a broad band source at ranges 1–10 km

The IVAR system (Intensity Vector Autonomous Recorder) is a bottom deployed system developed for first-use in the Sediment Characterization Experiment (SCE17), conducted on the New England Mud Patch [40°28’ N, 70°35’ W] in spring 2017. IVAR continuously and coherently records four channels of acoustic data, three from a tri-axial accelerometer embedded in a neutrally buoyant sphere (diameter 10 cm) and one from an omnidirectional hydrophone positioned 10 cm above the centroid of the sphere positioned 1.2 m above the seafloor. The connection of these measurements to understanding seabed properties as part of SCE17 has been discussed previously. Here, emphasis is placed on documenting pressure and particle velocity signals as these quantities evolve with range from a broad band explosive source (Mk64 SUS charge). We explore the phase relation between pressure and components of particle velocity through study of active (in phase) and reactive (out of phase) intensity, as well as corresponding non-dimensional indices of the acoustic vector field, and discuss how these are influenced by propagation conditions. The work has relevance to both the ongoing geoacoustic studies from SCE17 as well as to studies on the sensitivity of fish to acoustic particle velocity generated by explosions.The IVAR system (Intensity Vector Autonomous Recorder) is a bottom deployed system developed for first-use in the Sediment Characterization Experiment (SCE17), conducted on the New England Mud Patch [40°28’ N, 70°35’ W] in spring 2017. IVAR continuously and coherently records four channels of acoustic data, three from a tri-axial accelerometer embedded in a neutrally buoyant sphere (diameter 10 cm) and one from an omnidirectional hydrophone positioned 10 cm above the centroid of the sphere positioned 1.2 m above the seafloor. The connection of these measurements to understanding seabed properties as part of SCE17 has been discussed previously. Here, emphasis is placed on documenting pressure and particle velocity signals as these quantities evolve with range from a broad band explosive source (Mk64 SUS charge). We explore the phase relation between pressure and components of particle velocity through study of active (in phase) and reactive (out of phase) intensity, as well as corresponding non-dimensional...
Adolescent Victims Emerging From Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is a pervasive public health issue, affecting 10% to 50% of adolescents and resulting in significant negative health outcomes. Due to the relative newness of cyberbullying, there are many elements of the phenomenon that are not understood. Fifteen adolescents and young adults who had experienced cyberbullying as adolescents, participated in one-on-one, semi-structured interviews. A grounded theory and model, Emerging From Cyberbullying, was constructed to describe the process of being a victim of cyberbullying. The process began by Being Targeted and a cycle of Being Cyberbullied, Losing Oneself, and Attempting to Cope followed. Once out of the cycle, victims could begin the process of Resolving and Finding Oneself. This theory can be used to inform cyberbullying prevention efforts and adolescent providers can utilize this theory to understand the process of being a victim of cyberbullying, promote open discussions with adolescents about cyberbullying, and offer suggestions for effective methods to cope.
Patients, diagnoses, and procedures in a military internal medicine clinic: comparison with civilian practices.

Background Our goal was to compare the demographic features, diagnoses, and procedures in civilian and military ambulatory internal medicine clinics. Methods One year (September 1996 to August 1997) of data from the Ambulatory Data System of the Adult Primary Care Clinic at Madigan Army Medical Center was extracted and compared with the most recent (1995) National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. Results A total of 41,374 Madigan patient encounters were compared with civilian data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. The age distribution was similar, with military patients averaging 53.5 years of age and civilian patients averaging 54.5 years. Military patients were more likely to be female (71 vs. 60%) and were more ethnically diverse (military: 68% white, 17% African American, 7% Hispanic, 7% Asian American, and 1% Native American; civilian: 78% white, 10% African American, 6% Hispanic, 5.9% Asian American, and 0.3% Native American). There were similar rank orderings of the top 189 diagnostic groups seen in each setting (Spearman's rho = 0.87). There were also no differences in the type or rank order of procedures performed between military and civilian internists (p = 0.53). Conclusion The practice content of military and civilian practices appears to be more similar than different.
A method to optimize mobile crane and crew interactions to minimize construction cost and time

Abstract Cranes often play a central role in transporting materials on building construction sites and are therefore critical to project cost and schedule. This paper presents a new model to simulate the interactions between mobile cranes and associated work crews onsite. The model considers crane type and position, the sequence of components transported, and the number and size of crews at the demand point. A novel hybrid multi-objective Genetic Algorithm (MOGA) is utilized to identify optimal crane and crew configurations that minimize construction cost and duration. The proposed method is demonstrated on an example problem involving the installation of curtain wall panels for a mid-rise office building. The results indicate that considering crane and crew decisions in parallel reduces installation cost by 19.5% and duration by 1.7% compared to considering these decisions sequentially. Furthermore, the number of crews used and the number of crane stops had the most significant impact on project cost and schedule, respectively.
Update on Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy for Heart Failure

Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) is well accepted therapy for the treatment of symptomatic systolic heart failure in defined patient subgroups. Large clinical trials over the past 20 years have shown that patients with a left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction and interventricular conduction delay benefit from this therapy. Recent advances in this field include the expansion indications for CRT to patients with mild heart failure and to those with a mildly depressed ejection fraction that require frequent right ventricular pacing. In addition, although CRT guidelines have included indications in atrial fibrillation, it is now clear that this is most effective when pacing is utilised nearly 100 % of the time, often requiring atrioventricular (AV) junction ablation. Strategies for optimising LV lead placement based on identifying late mechanical contraction or electrical delay are promising for maximising CRT response. Finally, the role of routine AV delay optimisation is no longer recommended based on the results of multicentre trials.
Quantitative and qualitative analysis of effect of potential drug target knockdown on soft agar colony formation utilizing Qcount™ automated analysis system.

2088 The use of complimentary and alternative medicine (CAM) among cancer patients has been increasing which may be due to the limitations of the conventional modalities of treatment for cancer. The therapeutic modalities which originated from India, viz ., Ayurveda and Siddha, have phytotherapy as the fundamental basis and, therefore, produce little side effects. They are among the most ancient medicinal systems and are still being practiced in India and elsewhere to cure, among other diseases, cancer. Many Siddha practitioners in the southern parts of India prescribe Rasagenthi Lehyam (RGL) as a drug for cancer. RGL, as a formulation, contains 38 different botanicals, many of which have been shown to possess therapeutic efficacy, and 8 inorganic compounds purified and refined in the methods prescribed, all prepared into a paste in palm sugar and hen’s egg base. A preliminary epidemiological survey by the present investigating team revealed that RGL does at least palliate solid tumors. In order to scientifically validate the anticancer activity of RGL on prostate cancer, serial extraction of the methanolic fraction of RGL was done and the various extracts were tested for clonogenic inhibition and induction of apoptosis in prostate cancer cell PC-3. N -hexane, ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts of RGL showed effective killing effect on PC-3 cells. The IC 50 values of n -hexane, ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts were 3.84μg/ml, 3.68μg/ml and 75ng/ml, respectively. All the three extracts induced apoptosis in PC-3 cells. Further, all the three extracts of RGL, when combined with radiation, caused enhanced effect on killing of PC-3 cells. Among the three extracts chloroform extract showed the most significant radiation sensitizing effect. Therefore, RGL, either in the original formulation prepared under strict quality control or its chloroform extract, can be a potential CAM for prostate cancer, and also a potential sensitizing agent in the context of radiation therapy for prostate cancer. A more directed study can lead to identification of the active principle(s) in the chloroform extract of RGL for scientifically validated application in prostate cancer therapy
Male courtship behaviors and female choice reduced during experimental starvation stress

Stress in animals can have extensive repercussions on other life history traits. Male Drosophila melanogaster under long-term selection for starvation-resistance (starvation stress) had reduced wing-waving courtship behavior in comparison to control males. However, only control females required longer courtship time from this reduced courtship effort; starvation-selected females mated equally with starvation-selected and control males. This suggests that there are behavioral trade-offs with starvation stress including reduced courtship behavior in males and relaxation of female choosiness.
Clear Cell Sarcoma of the Kidney

Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney is the second most common primary renal malignancy in childhood. It is histologically diverse, making accurate diagnosis challenging in some cases. Recent molecular studies have uncovered BCOR exon 15 internal tandem duplications in most cases, and YWHAE-NUTM2 fusion in a few cases, with the remaining cases having other genetic mutations, including BCOR-CCNB3 fusion and EGFR mutations. Although clear cell sarcoma of the kidney has no specific immunophenotype, several markers including cyclin D1, nerve growth factor receptor, and BCOR (BCL6 corepressor) have emerged as potential diagnostic aides. This review provides a concise account of recent advances in our understanding of clear cell sarcoma of the kidney to serve as a practical update for the practicing pathologist.
Unraveling the role of structural water in bilayer V2O5 during Zn2+-intercalation: insights from DFT calculations

Bilayer structured V2O5·nH2O has recently been studied as a promising cathode material for aqueous Zn2+-batteries (ZIBs) due to its ion-intercalatable layer structure and high theoretical capacity. An interesting observation in this system is the beneficial effect of structural water (nH2O) on the electrochemical performance, but a fundamental understanding of the underlying reason is still lacking. Herein, we report a systematic density functional theory investigation into why and how structural water in the bilayer V2O5·nH2O affects the structure, voltage, migration barrier and capacity during the Zn2+-intercalation process. The results suggest that the structural water acts as extra host sites to accept electrons from Zn, resulting in stronger ionization of Zn2+ than that on dry V2O5 and thus a higher open-circuit voltage (OCV). It is also found that structural water creates a smoother electrostatic environment between V2O5 sheets for easy Zn2+ diffusion. Benefitting from the combined “charge shielding” and “O in H2O interaction with Zn2+” effect, V2O5·H2O and V2O5·1.75H2O exhibit lower Zn2+-diffusion barriers and higher OCVs than non-hydrated V2O5. Overall, this DFT study provides mechanistic insights into the importance of structural water in promoting the Zn2+-intercalation process in bilayer V2O5.
Specialized dendritic cells induce tumor-promoting IL-10 + IL-17 + FoxP3 neg regulatory CD4 + T cells in pancreatic carcinoma

The drivers and the specification of CD4+ T cell differentiation in the tumor microenvironment and their contributions to tumor immunity or tolerance are incompletely understood. Using models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA), we show that a distinct subset of tumor-infiltrating dendritic cells (DC) promotes PDA growth by directing a unique TH-program. Specifically, CD11b+CD103− DC predominate in PDA, express high IL-23 and TGF-β, and induce FoxP3neg tumor-promoting IL-10+IL-17+IFNγ+ regulatory CD4+ T cells. The balance between this distinctive TH program and canonical FoxP3+ TREGS is unaffected by pattern recognition receptor ligation and is modulated by DC expression of retinoic acid. This TH-signature is mimicked in human PDA where it is associated with immune-tolerance and diminished patient survival. Our data suggest that CD11b+CD103− DC promote CD4+ T cell tolerance in PDA which may underscore its resistance to immunotherapy. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is characterized by a highly immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment. Here, the authors show that specialized subsets of tumour-infiltrating dendritic cells induce distinct CD4+ T cell programs and specifically identify a CD103–CD11b+ subset which induces tumor-promoting FoxP3– Type-1 regulatory T cells.
Chemical transformations of captured CO2 into cyclic and polymeric carbonates

Abstract Alkylcarbonate ionic liquids are shown to be chemically active species for trans-carboxylating cyclohexene oxide to produce polycarbonates. Catalytic equivalents of alkylcarbonate ionic liquids can be added to co-polymerizations of cyclohexene oxide/CO2 to increase the yield and selectivity of the polymer. On the other hand, in the case of propylene oxide, polymerization is suppressed, and propylene oxide is converted to propylene carbonate. The suppression of polymerization is due to the high activity of the alkylcarbonate ionic liquids towards carboxylation of epoxides for cyclic carbonate formation. The reactivity of alkylcarbonate ionic liquids with propylene oxide is sufficient enough that propylene carbonate is produced in the absence of catalyst at pressures as low as 1 atm at 60 °C.
Segmentation of Color-Coded Underground Utility Markings

We present results of using Unet to segment underground utility markings. These markings are painted on the ground to indicate the locations of buried gas, sewage, and power lines before construction. Segmenting the markings is a first important step in updating or creating digital maps of underground assets, which will help manage legal liability, future planning and construction needs. The proposed approach demonstrates quality results even with markings on complex materials, in semitransparent ink, and on surface such as grass and gravel. Even with a limited size dataset we are able to achieve a mean recall of \(F_1\)-measure of \(72\%\) with visually plausible results.
Reference Frames, Body Motion and Notation

In this chapter, we establish some notation and conventions to be followed throughout the book regarding a body and its motion. We rely on three different types of notation to describe concepts and solve problems in this book: vector notation, generally useful in both two- and three-dimensional contexts; complex notation, for problems in the plane; and a less familiar notation called Plucker notation that facilitates our analyses of rigid bodies. These are described, and related to each other, in the following sections. First, we discuss the reference frames we will utilize in the book.
MIDAS-VT-Pre: Software to generate 2D finite element model of particle/fiber embedded composites with cohesive zones

Abstract Studying the behavior of particle/fiber embedded composites has been a common and challenging problem in mechanics of materials area. Analysis of these materials can be effectively conducted by computational simulations such as finite element (FE) analyses. Creating a model that represents the actual microstructure of the composite is crucial to obtain a trustable result, but is often labor-intensive. Microstructure Inelastic Damage Analysis Software (MIDAS) Virtual Tester Preprocessor (MIDAS-VT-Pre) was developed to facilitate construction of two-dimensional microstructure FE models of particle/fiber embedded composites. MIDAS-VT-Pre is able to insert automatically cohesive zone interface elements in the mesh structure in order to simulate crack initiation and propagation. This program is tailored to generate the FE model of standard mechanical test configurations that are frequently used in laboratory settings. The output of this program includes mesh structure and boundary conditions. This information can be used to run FE simulation (i.e. virtual testing) using common FE software such as ABAQUS.
Remarks on the Rényi Entropy of a Sum of IID Random Variables

In this note we study a conjecture of Madiman and Wang which predicted that the generalized Gaussian distribution minimizes the Renyi entropy of the sum of independent random variables. Through a variational analysis, we show that the generalized Gaussian fails to be a minimizer for the problem.
Aetiological analysis on an infectious diarrhea epidemic outbreak caused by Shigella sonnei

Objective To clarify the pathogen of an infectious diarrhea epidemic outbreak.Methods A total of 66 samples were collected,including feces,water samples,remaining food,extracellular environment,physical properties,the anal swab and application fluid of finger from employees.Several major pathogenic microorganisms including Salmonella,Vibrio cholerae,Vibrio parahaemolyticus,Escherichia coli,norovirus,rotavirus and enteric adenovirus were detected by PCR and bacteriological method.The isolates were analyzed by serological detection,biochemical test,drug sensitive test and PFGE.Results A total of 4 strains of Shigella sonnei were isolated from the fecal samples of children (Ct:28.4-32.7).The result in colony morphology,serotype,biochemical tests and drug susceptibility test of these strains were the same.PFGE showed that there were no differences among 3 isolates.The last one was different from the other three strains in 3 strips,but also showed high similarity.Conclusions The aggregation infectious diarrhea epidemic is induced by Shigella sonnei. Key words: Shigella sonnei; Infectious diarrhea; Aetiological analysis
Macrophage-derived thrombospondin 1 promotes obesity-associated non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background & Aims Thrombospondin 1 (TSP1) is a multifunctional matricellular protein. We previously showed that TSP1 has an important role in obesity-associated metabolic complications, including inflammation, insulin resistance, cardiovascular, and renal disease. However, its contribution to obesity-associated non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NAFLD or NASH) remains largely unknown; thus, we aimed to determine its role. Methods High-fat diet or AMLN (amylin liver NASH) diet-induced obese and insulin-resistant NAFLD/NASH mouse models were utilised, in addition to tissue-specific Tsp1-knockout mice, to determine the contribution of different cellular sources of obesity-induced TSP1 to NAFLD/NASH development. Results Liver TSP1 levels were increased in experimental obese and insulin-resistant NAFLD/NASH mouse models as well as in obese patients with NASH. Moreover, TSP1 deletion in adipocytes did not protect mice from diet-induced NAFLD/NASH. However, myeloid/macrophage-specific TSP1 deletion protected mice against obesity-associated liver injury, accompanied by reduced liver inflammation and fibrosis. Importantly, this protection was independent of the levels of obesity and hepatic steatosis. Mechanistically, through an autocrine effect, macrophage-derived TSP1 suppressed Smpdl3b expression in liver, which amplified liver proinflammatory signalling (Toll-like receptor 4 signal pathway) and promoted NAFLD progression. Conclusions Macrophage-derived TSP1 is a significant contributor to obesity-associated NAFLD/NASH development and progression and could serve as a therapeutic target for this disease. Lay summary Obesity-associated non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a most common chronic liver disease in the Western world and can progress to liver cirrhosis and cancer. No treatment is currently available for this disease. The present study reveals an important factor (macrophage-derived TSP1) that drives macrophage activation and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease development and progression and that could serve as a therapeutic target for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/steatohepatitis.
Critical Unresolved and Understudied Issues in Clinical Teacher Education

Throughout the history of formal teacher education in the United States, clinical experience has been identified as the key component in a teacher education program upon which all other aspects of ...