cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detection of Inosine in Messenger RNA by Inosine-Specific Cleavage †

Double-stranded RNA adenosine deaminases catalyze the conversion of adenosine to inosine within double-stranded RNA. A few candidate biological substrates for these enzymes have been discovered by noticing discrepancies between genomic and cDNA sequences. Toward the goal of finding a systematic approach to identify new deaminase substrates, we developed a method to cleave RNA specifically after inosine and an amplification strategy to identify the cleavage sites. We tested our method on a candidate substrate, the messenger RNA for glutamate receptor subunit B (GluR-B). We detected cleavage of the endogenous GluR-B message from rat brain at two known RNA editing sites, thus providing the first direct evidence for the presence of inosine at these sites. The described method will facilitate the mapping of inosines within RNA and, most importantly, will provide a way to identify new deaminase substrates.
Systemic Reactions to Subcutaneous Allergen Immunotherapy

Subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy (SCIT) has been practiced for 100 years. Many trials have established the efficacy of SCIT in reducing symptoms of both seasonal allergic rhinitis and asthma due to aeroallergens. However, clinical benefits of SCIT are tempered by risks of injection-related systemic reactions and life-threatening anaphylaxis. This article reviews data derived from retrospective surveys conducted to define the incidence, prevalence, and factors contributing to injection-related fatal anaphylactic and near-fatal systemic reactions, as well as recently initiated longitudinal surveillance studies of SCIT reactions.
Tissue-engineered cartilage with inducible and tunable immunomodulatory properties

The pathogenesis of osteoarthritis is mediated in part by inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-1 (IL-1), which promote degradation of articular cartilage and prevent human mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) chondrogenesis. In this study, we combined gene therapy and functional tissue engineering to develop engineered cartilage with immunomodulatory properties that allow chondrogenesis in the presence of pathologic levels of IL-1 by inducing overexpression of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) in MSCs via scaffold-mediated lentiviral gene delivery. A doxycycline-inducible vector was used to transduce MSCs in monolayer or within 3D woven PCL scaffolds to enable tunable IL-1Ra production. In the presence of IL-1, IL-1Ra-expressing engineered cartilage produced cartilage-specific extracellular matrix, while resisting IL-1-induced upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases and maintaining mechanical properties similar to native articular cartilage. The ability of functional engineered cartilage to deliver tunable anti-inflammatory cytokines to the joint may enhance the long-term success of therapies for cartilage injuries or osteoarthritis.
Nature's Nature: ideas of nature in curricula for environmental education

Summary Two contrasting sets of ideas about nature in environmental education are described. An analytical framework is developed from inter‐disciplinary histories of ideas and used in evaluating a specific curriculum. In conclusion, some general implications are suggested for curricula in environmental education.
Evidence-based Materia Medica for Cancer Chemoprevention

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world, and current therapeutic outcomes are still not satisfactory. Cancer chemoprevention is an important strategy to reduce cancer morbidity by using non- or low-toxic natural or synthetic commodities to prevent and/or reverse the processes of neoplastic initiation and subsequent cancer development. Substantial evidence from human, animal and cell line studies has demonstrated that many herbal products used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda medicine or traditional Indian medicine (TIM) can exert cancer chemopreventive effects. The underlying theories or philosophies for TCM and TIM to prevent cancer are very similar. The common central theme is to bring the patient back to a healthy state by modifying multiple abnormalities in the patient’s body in a holistic manner. Since carcinogenesis involves multiple abnormal gene expressions and signal transduction pathways, using TCM and TIM in cancer chemoprevention may not only be possible, but can be superior to agents aiming at single molecular target. However, before TCM and TIM can be accepted widely as complementary and alternative medicines for cancer prevention, it is crucial to evaluate their clinical efficacy and understand the molecular basis of their effects based on scientific evidence. This chapter highlights major molecular mechanisms in chemoprevention and summarizes the research on ten promising cancer preventive herbal products, including nine from TCM (Danshen, Danggui, Qianghuo, Huangqin, Zicao, Dasuan, Lingzhi, Yunzhi, and Xianggu) and five from TIM (Triphala, Turmeric, Neem, Guggulu, and Sapthaparna). The challenges in developing high quality TCM and TIM cancer preventive products are discussed and an integrated strategy is proposed to facilitate the process.
Fifty Years Before Brady

In marking the fiftieth anniversary of Brady v. Maryland, a fitting way to appreciate the historic significance of Justice Douglas’ opinion for the Court is to turn back the pages another fifty years. Brady’s profound contribution to our criminal justice system becomes apparent by considering the impoverished state of the Supreme Court’s due process doctrine as it stood a century ago. In the fifty years that led up to Brady, the Court confronted a series of racially and politically charged cases that forced constitutional soul searching about due process in the face of rank injustice. The story of the Court’s fractious opinions in these dramatic cases – Frank v. Magnum, Moore v. Dempsey, and Mooney v. Holohan – is thus the story of what made Brady’s soaring vision of justice and fairness both possible and necessary. This Essay tells that story.
Effect of oral contraceptives on drug metabolism.

A study undertaken to evaluate the effects of chronic steroidal oral contraceptive (SOC) therapy on human drug metabolism is described. To clarify the conflicting situation in animals studies were also carried out on the effects of low intermediate and high doses of norethynodrel-mestranol combinations administered in vivo for 10 days 4 weeks and 6 weeks on the capacity of rat liver preparations to metabolize ethylmorphine in vitro. The effects of the addition of norethynodrel or mestranol acutely to similar rat liver preparations on ethylmorphine metabolism were also studied. The effects of chronic steroid contraceptive use on drug-metabolizing activity were studied by using plasma antipyrine (ap) and phenylbutazone (pbz) half-lives in 8 women. After 3 months of oral steroid therapy (norethynodrel plus mestranol) the antipyrine half-life was increased in 5 of the 8 subjects (as compared with their previous half-lives) whereas the pbz half-life was not consistently altered. After chronic injections of norethynodrel-mestranol (200 mcg per rat per day plus 4 mcg per rat per day respectively) for 10 days or 6 weeks ethylmorphine demethylation by rat livers was significantly increased. A higher dose of norethynodrel-mestranol but not a lower dose also stimulated ethylmorphine demethylation activity. The acute addition of norethynodrel or mestranol in vitro competitively inhibited ethylmorphine demethylation. Under the conditions of the observations therefore the rat cannot be used as a model for the effects of the chronic use of oral steroid contraceptives in women.
Comparison of latex body paint with wetted gauze wipes for sampling the chemical warfare agents VX and sulfur mustard from common indoor surfaces

Comparison of solvent-wetted gauze with body paint, a peelable surface sampling media, for the sampling of the chemical warfare agents VX and sulfur mustard from nine surfaces was performed. The nine surfaces sampled are those typical of interior public venues and include smooth, rough, porous, and non-porous surfaces. Overall, solvent-wetted gauze (wipes) performed better for the recovery of VX from non-porous surfaces while body paint (BP) performed better for the porous surfaces. The average percent VX recoveries using wipes and BP, respectively, are: finished wood flooring, 86.2%, 71.4%; escalator handrail, 47.3%, 26.7%; stainless steel, 80.5%, 56.1%; glazed ceramic tile, 81.8%, 44.9%; ceiling tile, 1.77%, 13.1%; painted drywall 7.83%, 21.1%; smooth cement, 0.64%, 10.3%; upholstery fabric, 24.6%, 23.1%; unfinished wood flooring, 9.37%, 13.1%. Solvent-wetted gauze performed better for the recovery of sulfur mustard from three of the relatively non-porous surfaces while body paint performed better for the more porous surfaces. The average percent sulfur mustard recoveries using wipes and BP, respectively, are: finished wood flooring, 30.2%, 2.97%; escalator handrail, 4.40%, 4.09%; stainless steel, 21.2%, 3.30%; glazed ceramic tile, 49.7%, 16.7%; ceiling tile, 0.33%, 11.1%; painted drywall 2.05%, 10.6%; smooth cement, 1.20%, 35.2%; upholstery fabric, 7.63%, 6.03%; unfinished wood flooring, 0.90%, 1.74%.
The effects of neurotransmitter receptor antagonists on ether-induced prolactin release in ovariectomized, estrogen-treated rats.

SummaryThe role of various neurotransmitter receptor antagonists in the ether-induced release of prolactin in estrogen-treated ovariectomized rats was investigated. Serial blood samples were obtain...
The Effect of Vitamin B12 and Methionine on Folic Acid Uptake by Rat Liver

SummaryThe liver uptake of intravenously administered 3H folic acid in rats fed a vitamin B12-methionine diet was only 55% of that found in normal rats. Supplementation of the deficient diet for 30 hr with 100 μg of B12/kg did not alter folate uptake significantly, but if vitamin B12 was fed together with 0.7% methionine, the rate of uptake was rapidly increased to control values. When uptake was stimulated in this way it was observed that plasma folate levels decreased from 72 to 45 ng/ml and liver folate concentrations increased from 5 to 8 μg/g—an increment of 48 μg of folate/liver in 30 hr. Intraperitoneal injection of 2.5 μg of B12 and 40 mg of methionine together in deficient animals, demonstrated that the depressed rate of folate uptake could be restored to control values even within 10 hr. Injection of 225 mg of methionine stimulated 3H folic acid uptake in the absence of any additional vitamin B12. It is suggested that vitamin B12 and or methionine can influence folate metabolism in rat liver by ...
It only hurts when I don't laugh.

For this nurse, hospitalization was a study in the therapeutic power of humor. Laugh--and learn--along with her.
Identifying earliest Israel

There has been much discussion in the past decade regarding identifying Israel in the archaeological remains in ancient Palestine. The Iron I period (ca. 1200-1000 B. C.), in particular, poses grea...
Specific Environmental Drivers of Eating

Plate shapes and package sizes, lighting and layout, color and convenience: These are a few of hidden persuaders that can contribute to how much food a person eats. This review posits that these environmental factors influence eating because they increase consumption norms and decrease consumption monitoring. Second, it is suggests that simply increasing awareness and offering nutrition education will have be disappointingly ineffective in changing mindless eating. Third, promising pilot results from the National Mindless Eating Challenge provide insights into helping move from mindless eating to mindlessly eating better.
Nuclear charge distribution in fission: Fractional independent yield of 140La from thermal-neutron induced fission of 249Cf

Abstract The fractional independent yield of 140La from the thermal-neutron induced fission of 249Cf has been measured by two methods. In one method, the change in activity as a function of time of the 1596·2-keV gamma ray from 140La was measured with a Ge(Li) detector in the presence of the gross fission products. In the other method, 140La was chemically separated from 140Ba at known times after fission and its gamma activity was measured. The weighted mean of the yields from the two methods was 0·035±0·001. This yield is consistent with other yields from 249Cf and 252Cf fission which show there may be less redistribution of charge during fission of 249Cf and 252Cf than during fission of 233U and 235U. The most probable charge, Zp, for A = 134, 136, 138, and 140 appears to be 0·3 to 0·4 charge units closer to unchanged charge distribution for fission of 249Cf and 252Cf than for fission of 233U and 235U.
Making Cognitive Neuroscience Educationally Relevant: Creating Bidirectional Collaborations Between Educational Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience

Not only should educational psychologists keep abreast of developments in the rapidly evolving field of brain science, but also they should contribute their knowledge of higher cognitive functioning and instructional interventions to this field. Linking imaging studies with instructional studies may shed light on causal mechanisms in brain function. The importance and challenges of studying the brain at different levels of analysis are discussed and illustrated with examples from the reading literature and the deafness literature.
Nosocomial Infection in Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit:A Clinical Investigation

OBJECTIVE To study pathogens distribution and their drug-resistance characteristics of the bacterial infection in NICU so as to offer a reference for prevention and control of nosocomial infection.METHODS A retrospective analysis of clinical data was performed on 325 patients with infection who stayed in NICU from Jan 2006 to Dec 2007.RESULTS Totally 325 strains of nosocomial pathogens have been identified,of which,46.8% were Gram-negative bacteria, 43.1% were Gram-positive bacteria,and 10.2% were fungi.Pseudomonas aeruginosa occupied the highest percentage among Gram-negative bacteria, accounted for 17.2%.Most of Gram-positive bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus(20.0%).Most of fungi were Candida albicans(5.5%).About 194(59.7%) pathogens strains were isolated from samples of the respiratory tract.73(22.5%) Seventy thres strains were detected from CSF.Approximately 9.2% of S.aureus showed drug-resistance to sulfamethoxaxole/trimethoprim(Bactrim).However,more than 50.0% of S.aureus presented strong drug-resistance to most of antibiotics.CONCLUSIONS S.aureus and P.aerugionosa are the main pathogens to cause nosocomial infection in neurosurgical intensive care unit showing multi-drug-resistance.To emphasize on the recognition of the nosocomial infections and the drug-resistance of NICU,it is important to be taken certain preventive measures.
The elastic and plastic finite element analysis of double points corrosive pipe

The point corrosion of pipe is a familiar fault of corrosion in the servicing pipe,it includes single point corrosion,double(many) points corrosion and so on.By now,there is not a uniform standard on the calculation and prediction of the residual intensity and life of the corrosive pipe in our country.The US’s B31G is conservative.With the object of the north main of gas net of Sichuan province,author analyzed the double points-corrosive pipe under the situation of the different residual wall thickness,pressure,and distance between the corrosive points,using ADINA System8.0,gained some referential conclusion.
Diet of adult female rats and relation to kidney lesions in choline deficient offspring.

SummaryThe incidence of hemorrhagic kidneys in young rats after seven days on a diet containing 18% casein, 0.3% added cystine and low in choline is markedly reduced if 0.06 gamma vit. B12/g of food is incorporated in the diet of the mother during the period from birth to weaning. Choline when added at 1 mg/g of food affords very little protection in young males when compared to that shown by 0.06 gamma of vit. B12. This level of added choline (1 mg/g of food) has a greater protective effect in the females.
A Framework for Real-Time Multi-Contact Multi-Body Dynamic Simulation

In this paper we propose a unified framework for the real-time dynamic simulation and contact resolution of rigid articulated bodies. This work builds on previous developments in the field of dynamic simulation, collision detection, contact resolution, and operational space control. However, the key to efficiency and real-time performance is a new parallel implementation of our collision detection and contact resolution algorithm which decomposes the problem into tasks that can be concurrently executed. Finally, the results and accuracy of our simulation models are compared for the first time against recorded motions of real articulated bodies colliding on a frictionless air floating table.
Symbiosis as an evolutionary innovation in the radiation of Paleocene planktic foraminifera

Symbioses are often regarded as an important means for the creation of evolutionary novelty as well as a trigger for the abrupt appearance of higher taxa. The fossil record of foraminifer-algal symbiosis suggests that the appearance of this ecological association contributed to the radiation of Paleogene planktic foraminifera. Isotopic evidence shows that photosymbiosis evolved in synchrony with a major diversification of trochospiral planktic foraminifera about 3.5 m.y. after the end-Cretaceous extinction. In modern planktic foraminifera, photosymbiotic species tend to have more cosmopolitan distributions than asymbiotic foraminifera and a greater ability to withstand periods of nutrient stress. The simultaneous taxonomic radiation and acquisition of photosymbiosis are evidence that the ecological strategy permitted Paleocene foraminifera to expand their niche in pelagic environments by diversifying into low-nutrient surface waters.A comparison of the species longevities of Neogene and Paleogene symbiotic clades suggests that photosymbiosis does not regulate the characteristic rate of taxonomic turnover in clades after they appear. Species longevities are much shorter in Paleocene and Eocene photosymbiotic morphospecies than they are among photosymbiotic Neogene clades; apparently photosymbiosis does not exert a significant control over long-term evolutionary rates. In addition, the absence of a characteristic morphology associated with photosymbiosis in Cenozoic planktic foraminifera suggests that morphology, as with rate of evolutionary turnover, is linked to symbiosis only because of common inheritance instead of a functional relationship. Although the coincidence between the acquisition of photosymbiosis and generic diversification does suggest a linkage between this ecology and the appearance of foraminiferal higher taxa, there is little indication at the present that symbioses control long-term morphological or ecological patterns within these groups after their appearance. Photosymbiosis, and other evolutionary innovations, may be more a catalyst for the differentiation of major groups than a predictable governor on evolutionary rates.
Measurement of Traces of Regional Culture: A Cross-Generational Approach

An area of increasing interest to marketers concerns how regional culture impacts consumer behavior (e.g. see Boote 1981; Clever 1982; Dardis, Derrick, Lehfeld, and Wolfe 1981; Hawkins, Roupe, and Coney 1980; Henry 1976; Schaninger, Bourgeios, and Buss 1985; Schiffraan and Kenuk 1978; Vinson, Scott, and Laraont 1977; Wallendorf and Reilly 1983;). An ancilliary issue is how cultural assimilation impacts product and service preferences (Hawkins, Roupe, & Coney 1980; Wallendorf and Reilly 1983; and Kahle 1986). For example, Garreau (1981) suggests a “nine nations" view of regional culture and points out important ramifications for consumer behavior. However, significant research in this area is complicated by the complexity of regional culture. Measurement of this construct requires an understanding of its genesis. In the United States regional culture has its origins as described below:
Integration: Medicine, Health, and Empowerment

Hanser explores how treatments, formerly known as alternative and complementary medicine, set the stage for the evolving field of integrative health and medicine. The philosophies and tenets behind integrative health hail from ancient healing traditions and contemplative wisdom around the world. Yet advances in technology and psychoneuroimmunology are also informing the healthcare community that mind and body are intimately connected and that an eclectic network of treatments can guide the process of becoming well. The knowledge that stress has a major impact on health and wellness, as well as the course of disease, supports this attention to the mind-body connection. Music therapy provides effective tools for management of stress, and music therapists are becoming part of integrative medical teams throughout the world.
RARE-21GLIOBLASTOMA WITH LEPTOMENINGEAL AND INTRAMEDULLARY METASTASES AT TIME OF INITIAL DIAGNOSIS IN AN ELDERLY PATIENT: A CASE REPORT

Unfortunately, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) continues to be an incurable, highly aggressive central nervous system malignancy. Extracranial dissemination of GBM is exceedingly rare, with most case reports indicating dissemination either as a post-surgical result or at time of disease progression. Here we present a case of an 85 year old woman who initially presented with confusion, falls, and episodic aphasia. MRI of the brain demonstrated a 2.2cm enhancing mass in the left occipital lobe. Patient was subsequently found to have leptomeningeal and intramedullary metastases at the time of initial diagnosis. Biopsy of the occipital mass was consistent with MGMT methylated GBM. Given patient's age and performance status, along with recent data supporting the efficacy of temozolomide monotherapy in elderly patient with MGMT methylated glioblastoma, patient elected to withhold brain radiation, proceeding with temozolomide monotherapy with palliative radiation therapy to her spinal deposits. She unfortunately experienced a rapid decline, with an overall survival of 6 weeks. This case presents a patient where MGMT monotherapy did not stabilize her disseminated disease. Further, the lack of radiographic evidence of direct tumor extension into the cerebrospinal fluid suggests a more invasive tumor phenotype allowing for the early dissemination. Further tumor biology research is required in this subset of patients regarding the mechanism for extracranial disease dissemination.
A standardized comparison of peri-operative complications after minimally invasive esophagectomy: Ivor Lewis versus McKeown

While our institutional approach to esophageal resection for cancer has traditionally favored a minimally invasive (MI) 3-hole, McKeown esophagectomy (MIE 3-hole) during the last five years several factors has determined a shift in our practice with an increasing number of minimally invasive Ivor Lewis (MIE IL) resections being performed. We compared peri-operative outcomes of the two procedures, hypothesizing that MIE IL would be less morbid in the peri-operative setting compared to MIE 3-hole. Our institution’s IRB-approved esophageal database was queried to identify all patients who underwent totally MI esophagectomy (MIE IL vs. MIE 3-hole) from June 2011 to May 2016. Patient demographics, preoperative and peri-operative data, as well as post-operative complications were compared between the two groups. Post-operative complications were analyzed using the Clavien-Dindo classification system. There were 110 patients who underwent totally MI esophagectomy (MIE IL n = 49 [45%], MIE 3-hole n = 61 [55%]). The majority of patients were men (n = 91, 83%) with a median age of 62.5 (range 31–83). Preoperative risk stratifiers such as ECOG score, ASA, and Charlson Comorbidity Index were not significantly different between groups. Anastomotic leak rate was 2.0% in the MIE IL group compared to 6.6% in the MIE 3-hole group (p = 0.379). The rate of serious (Clavien-Dindo 3, 4, or 5) post-operative complications was significantly less in the MIE IL group (34.7 vs. 59.0%, p = 0.013). Serious pulmonary complications were not significantly different (16.3 vs. 26.2%, p = 0.251) between the two groups. In this cohort, totally MIE IL showed significantly less severe peri-operative morbidity than MIE 3-hole, but similar rates of serious pulmonary complications and anastomotic leaks. These findings confirm the safety of minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomies for esophageal cancer when oncologically and clinically appropriate. Minimally invasive McKeown esophagectomy remains a satisfactory and appropriate option when clinically indicated.
Response: Making "perfect" the enemy of good.

Response We appreciate the interest of Ulirsch et al[1][1] in our recent publication describing distinctive transcriptional profiles observed in ex vivo–differentiated CD34+ cells from Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) patients.[2][2] Ulirsch et al highlight potential problems encountered when
Bingo at IJCNLP-2017 Task 4: Augmenting Data using Machine Translation for Cross-linguistic Customer Feedback Classification

The ability to automatically and accurately process customer feedback is a necessity in the private sector. Unfortunately, customer feedback can be one of the most difficult types of data to work with due to the sheer volume and variety of services, products, languages, and cultures that comprise the customer experience. In order to address this issue, our team built a suite of classifiers trained on a four-language, multi-label corpus released as part of the shared task on “Customer Feedback Analysis” at IJCNLP 2017. In addition to standard text preprocessing, we translated each dataset into each other language to increase the size of the training datasets. Additionally, we also used word embeddings in our feature engineering step. Ultimately, we trained classifiers using Logistic Regression, Random Forest, and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) Recurrent Neural Networks. Overall, we achieved a Macro-Average F-score between 48.7% and 56.0% for the four languages and ranked 3/12 for English, 3/7 for Spanish, 1/8 for French, and 2/7 for Japanese.
Abstract 11917: Muscarinic Stimulation Facilitates SR Ca+2 Release by Increasing PKG Phosphorylation of RyR2 at Ser-2808 and Decreasing CaMKII Phosphorylation at Ser-2814

Autonomic regulation of SR Ca +2 release is critical for modulating cardiac performance to match physiologic demand. During heart failure (HF), autonomic balanced shifts to a dominant sympathetic state to increase fractional SR Ca +2 release. Although intended to be compensatory, this increase in sympathetic input causes increases in the frequency of proarrhythmic spontaneous SR Ca +2 release events. Interestingly, parasympathetic augmentation was recently shown to alleviate HF phenotypes by shifting autonomic balance away from sympathetic dominance. While the effects of sympathetic stimulation and mechanism behind their action on cardiomyocyte Ca +2 handling are relatively well established in health and disease, the modes of action and mechanisms of parasympathetic modulation of SR Ca +2 release are poorly defined. To address this question, we investigated the effects of the cholinergic agonist, carbachol (CCH), on Ca +2 handling (Fluo-4 FF AM) and protein phosphorylation levels in cardiomyocytes using a combination of pharmacological approaches and genetic mouse models. In settings of reduced SR Ca +2 load, exposure to the parasympathetic agonist CCH increased fractional Ca +2 release without affecting Ca +2 spark frequency in cardiomyocytes. Immunoblot measurements showed that this “efficient” mode of excitation-contraction (EC) coupling involves reciprocal changes in the phosphorylation state of RyR2. Specifically, CCH treatment of cardiomyocytes increased Ser-2808 phosphorylation, mediated by muscarinic receptor subtype 2 and activation of PKG. Conversely, CCH treatment was associated with dephosphorylation at Ser-2814 through activation of muscarinic receptor subtype 3 and decreased ROS-dependent activation of CaMKII. We further demonstrate that parasympathetic stimulation improved Ca +2 cycling efficiency in cardiomyocytes isolated from failing hearts by restoring altered RyR2 phosphorylation balance. These results suggest that parasympathetic stimulation initiates a novel mode of EC coupling in cardiomyocytes that enhances the efficiency of cardiac SR Ca +2 store mobilization during systolic Ca +2 release, while inhibiting pathologic diastolic Ca +2 leak.
Effective and Efficient Detection of Moving Targets From a UAV’s Camera

Accurate and fast detection of the moving targets from a moving camera are an important yet challenging problem, especially when the computational resources are limited. In this paper, we propose an effective, efficient, and robust method to accurately detect and segment multiple independently moving foreground targets from a video sequence taken by a monocular moving camera [e.g., onboard an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)]. Our proposed method advances the existing methods in a number of ways, where: 1) camera motion is estimated through tracking background keypoints using pyramidal Lucas–Kanade at every detection interval, for efficiency; 2) foreground segmentation is applied by integrating a local motion history function with spatio-temporal differencing over a sliding window for detecting multiple moving targets, while the perspective homography is used at image registration for effectiveness; and 3) the detection interval is adjusted dynamically based on a rule-of-thumb technique and considering camera setup parameters for robustness. The proposed method has been tested on a variety of scenarios using a UAV camera, as well as publically available data sets. Based on the reported results and through comparison with the existing methods, the accuracy of the proposed method in detecting multiple moving targets as well as its capability for real-time implementation has been successfully demonstrated. Our method is also robustly applicable to ground-level cameras for the ITS applications, as confirmed by the experimental results. More specifically, the proposed method shows promising performance compared with the literature in terms of quantitative metrics, while the run-time measures are significantly improved for real-time implementation.
Mental health services for maternal depression: A need for system-level change

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Women who are impacted by poverty are at heightened risk for depression, yet are unlikely to engage in mental health services due to to practical and perceptual barriers about treatment, including transportation and childcare difficulties, and misperceptions about mental health providers and treatment. The mental health service system has also been shown to limit access due to a lack of providers, extensive wait lists for services, and language barriers. The purpose of this study was to examine agency-level barriers to treatment among a poverty-impacted sample of women with depressive symptoms, as well as any supports that agencies have implemented to engage consumers into services.Method: This study conducted an environmental scan of mental health agencies and practitioners within three districts comprising nine zip codes representing the most socioeconomically disadvantaged areas in Harlem, New York. Following a standardized script, 46 private practitioners (n=27) and agencies (n=1...
The Evolution of Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

The 2 basic principles of laser therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), based on the final tissue effect, are laser vaporization and laser coagulation. In laser vaporization techniques, higher-density laser thermal energy is used; effects range from complete tissue vaporization to incision, resection, or enucleation of the obstructing prostatic tissue. Interstitial laser coagulation (ILC) requires lower therapeutic temperatures. The urethral preservation and lack of tissue evaporation/resection with ILC make this treatment different from conventional transurethral free-beam laser prostatectomy. The Indigo(R) Optima Laser treatment system is the most widely used ILC system. Unlike other BPH laser therapies, Indigo ILC can be satisfactorily performed using pure local anesthesia in an office or outpatient setting. Favorable treatment outcomes are seen in a large percentage of patients, with minimal adverse events. Such favorable results depend on proper surgical technique and operator experience.
Introduction to Dimension Theory

As with Chapter 1, the material presented in this chapter is rather advanced compared to the rest of this book. If you have never studied dimension theory before, you may find it difficult to understand the material in detail. I suggest that you browse through Chapter 8 without worrying about the details during the first reading; I hope that it will tell you something of what is significant in the theory. In Chapter 9 I have begun the subject again, with a self-contained and more elementary account. None of the actual results and definitions in Chapter 8 will be required for understanding the rest of the book.
The Economic Evaluation of Emerging Nuclear Energy Systems

Most emerging nuclear energy systems are in the early phases of the research, development, design, and deployment life cycle and/or represent pioneer or first-of-a-kind projects; hence, the uncerta...
The Reversed Field Pinch: Understanding and Improving Confinement

The reversed field pinch (RFP) is a toroidal, high beta plasma confinement configuration with great potential as an attractive, compact, high power density fusion reactor core. Relatively poor confinement has been a main obstacle in establishing the viability of the RFP. Recent progress in understanding magnetic-fluctuation-induced transport in the RFP has spawned the idea of current profile control to reduce fluctuations and transport. With the addition of inductive poloidal current drive in the Madison Symmetric Torus (MST) device, the energy confinement time is increased five-fold from 1.2 ms to 6 ms. The lowest magnetic fluctuation level and highest electron temperature observed in MST are also obtained with inductive current profile control. These results strongly encourage the development of improved and steady-state current profile control. 17 refs., 4 figs., 1 tab.
Optimal Adaptive Linearizations of the AC Power Flow Equations

The power flow equations are at the heart of many optimization and control problems relevant to power systems. The non-linearity of these equations leads to computational challenges in solving power flow and optimal power flow problems (non-convergence, local optima, etc.), Accordingly, various linearization techniques, such as the DC power flow, are often used to approximate the power flow equations. In contrast to a wide variety of general linearization techniques in the power systems literature, this paper computes a linear approximation that is specific to a given power system and operating range of interest. An “adaptive linearization” developed using this approach minimizes the worst-case error between the output of the approximation and the actual non-linear power flow equations over the operating range of interest. To compute an adaptive linearization, this paper proposes a constraint generation algorithm that iterates between 1) using an optimization algorithm to identify a point that maximizes the error of the linearization at that iteration and 2) updating the linearization to minimize the worst-case error among all points identified thus far. This approach is tested on several IEEE test cases, with the results demonstrating up to a factor of four improvement in approximation error over linearizations based on a first-order Taylor approximation.
Placental Changes in Amniotic Band Sequence, Extra-Amniotic and Extramembranous Pregnancy

Three entities, characterized by rupture of the amnion, are described. Amniotic band sequence is a group of congenital abnormalities with a variable spectrum of abnormalities characterized by formation of fibrous bands or sheets from the placenta attaching to fetal structures. The placenta often shows an intact, somewhat thickened chorion and a globular portion of disrupted amnion at the base of the umbilical cord with small tethers to the cord. Extra-amniotic and extramembranous pregnancy are rare events in which the fetus develops partially or completely outside intact membranes. Extra-amniotic pregnancy occurs with complete amnion rupture sufficiently early, or late, in gestation with no fetal sequelae of amniotic band formation. It results in a small, thick remnant of amnion remaining attached to the proximal umbilical cord within an intact chorionic membrane. Disruption of both amnion and chorion in early to mid-gestation results in extramembranous pregnancy associated with placental circumvallation and high fetal morbidity. Residual membranes are short and thick comprising a restrictive sac insufficient to contain the developing fetus.
The Right to be Forgotten and Internet Governance: Challenges and Opportunities*

This paper offers thoughts on the evolving nature and scope of Internet governance in the context of the development of the right to be forgotten. It summarises traditional frameworks for: (a) defi...
Health Information Management System for a Rural Medical Clinic in Nicaragua

Medical Staff at the rural medical clinic on the island of El Bluff, Nicaragua currently waste countless hours using a manual, paper-and-pen filing system to store medical and health information about the inhabitants on the island. In addition, using paper to store important records poses many threats such as destruction from unanticipated fires or floods. The hospital's method of tracing pharmaceutical records is nearly as inefficient, with only one trained technician to hand record each individual pill which is distributed. To eliminate risks and disorganization surrounding the hospital's current processes, the proposed design offers a multi-faceted solution: a database to more effectively store patient data and keep track of pharmaceutical inventory records and an application allowing the doctors to communicate with the database. Successful implementation of the proposed design should enable the doctors in the hospital to fetch, edit, and store the records of any patient in minimal time via an Android application they access on the tablet system. Using the app, the doctor will be able to fill out forms and other documents previously maintained physically. From a pharmaceutical standpoint, the app will keep track of gains and losses of the hospital's inventory and record patient prescriptions. By creating one system which improves a large number of the medical center's problems, including the reduction of mistakes in data recording and analysis, and will help the health center to be as productive as possible.
Leadership in the Hospitality Curriculum

Although some universities have introduced leadership courses in their curricula, schools of hotel and restaurant management are not following suit. As the industry's rate of growth and complexity outpaces that of its human resources, the formation of hospitality leaders becomes indispensable.
A New Technique to Solve the Instant Insanity Problem with 5 Cubes

Instant Insanity consists of four cubes, each of whose six faces are colored with one of the four colors: red, blue, white, and green. The object is to stack the cubes in such a way that each of the four colors appears on each side of the resulting column. Traditionally, this could be solved using graph theory. We solved this problem without using graph theory [1]. However, in this article, we introduce a new technique to solve the problem without using graph theory by adding another cuberesulting in a puzzle with five cubes instead of four cubes.
Role of Colonization Factor Antigen in Immunoprotection Against Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli Diarrhea

Colonization factor antigens CFA/I and CFA/II of human-associated enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) are good candidates as immunoprotective antigens because of their primary role as ETEC virulence factors which involves specific interaction with the intestinal epithelium. We used the temporary intestinal ligation technique with adult rabbits to investigate the local and systemic immune responses to purified CFA/I and to CFA/I+ ETEC (strain H-10407; 078:H11:CFA/I; ST+ LT+). Local immune responses were determined by quantitating the number of IgG—, IgM—, —IgA and anti-CFA/I—producing cells in the lamina propria of the test animals; immunoprotection was determined by challenging the antigen-primed animals or rechallenging rabbits which were allowed to survive an initial challenge with the same dose of strain H-10407 (1 × 108 CFU per animal) given 5 to 6 weeks previously (1).
Irrational beliefs and phobic anxiety:: A controlled clinical replication and a cautionary note

Abstract A correlational investigation was undertaken examining the relationships between irrational beliefs, as measured by the Rational Behavior Inventory, and phobic anxiety, as measured by the Mobility Inventory for Agoraphobia. Two samples of subjects were studied, a clinically anxious group ( N =47) and a non- anxious group ( N =73). Modest and statistically significant correlations were found between irrational thinking and anxiety, but these relationships were strongest among the analog sample of subjects, not the clinical sample. These results call for caution in generalizing results obtained from analog samples to clinical ones, and highlight the necessity for cognitive research to develop investigatory strategies designed to isolate the causal relationships between maladaptive thinking patterns and the anxiety disorders.
B cell subpopulations alteration in pathogenic and nonpathogenic SIV infections (VIR7P.1061)

SIV/HIV infection is associated with B cell dysfunction, the significance of which is not known. We compared the B cell dynamics in blood, lymph nodes (LNs) and gut during SIVsab pathogenic infection of pigtailed macaques (PTMs) and nonprogressive SIVsab infection of African green monkeys (AGMs) by monitoring the B cell subsets, B regulatory cells (Bregs), CD4+ T follicular helper (Tfh) cells, B cell immune activation, apoptosis, exhaustion and homing to the intestine. Binding anti-gp41 and neutralizing antibodies (Nabs) were also measured. Acute SIV infection induced a transient but significant loss of total circulating B cells in PTMs only. In AGMs, total B cell from LNs increased during chronic infection. B cells transiently increased in the gut and naive subset decreased in all three compartments in both species. Memory B cell subsets showed a different dynamic for both species. Bregs increased in PTM, correlated with IL-10 expression. B cell proliferation occurred in both species. PTMs expressed high baseline levels of α4β7, high degree of B cell activation and apoptosis and high frequency of Tfh. The dynamics of Ab response was similar in both species, but rapid progressor PTMs lacked the ability to mount anti-gp41. Our data show that B cell dysfunction only occurs in pathogenic SIV infection. While B cell changes were not correlated with production of Nabs, rapid disease progression associated a severe incapacity to mount an anti-SIV Ab response.
Effect of Age on Gastric Acid Secretion and Serum Gastrin Concentrations in Healthy Men and Women

The effects of age on basal, meal-stimulated, and human gastrin-17-stimulated gastric acid secretion rates and serum pepsinogen concentrations were evaluated in 41 healthy men and women. Older subjects (ages 44-71 years; mean, 57 years) had higher mean basal, meal-stimulated, and gastrin-17-stimulated acid secretory rates and basal serum pepsinogen I and II concentrations than younger subjects (ages 23-42 years; mean, 33 years). Age-related differences in acid secretion were especially prominent in men, and age-related differences in serum pepsinogen I and II concentrations were more prominent in women. Higher gastric acid secretion rates in older subjects could not be explained by body size (height, weight, body surface area, or fat-free body mass) or by the higher incidence of infection with Helicobacter pylori. Using a multivariate linear regression model, age had an independent positive effect on acid secretion, and H. pylori infection had an independent negative effect. It was concluded that aging is associated with an increase in gastric acid secretion in humans, especially in men, while infection with H. pylori is associated with lower acid secretion rates.
Why Tax Revenues Must Rise

This PowerPoint presentation reviews the fiscal picture of the United States in light of the resolution of the "fiscal cliff" controversy. The presentation argues that, while long-term trends in mandatory spending (entitlements programs) must be addressed directly, any meaningful modifications of these programs of necessity will be phased in very slowly, and in the meantime the large deficits that the United States will incur must be financed. The presentation demonstrates that over a 10-year horizon (the standard Congressional budget window), further government spending cuts are unrealistic, and tax revenues must rise to finance government operations. If one rules out new taxes (VAT, carbon tax), then the most efficient sources of additional tax revenues are tax expenditures — in particular, personal itemized deductions.
Adaptive Fuzzy Systems and Control: Design and Stability Analysis

Description and analysis of fuzzy logic systems training of fuzzy logic systems using back-propagation training of fuzzy logic systems using orthogonal least squares training of fuzzy logic systems using a table-lookup scheme training of fuzzy logic systems using nearest neighbourhood clustering comparison of adaptive fuzzy systems with artificial neural networks stable indirect adaptive fuzzy control of nonlinear systems stable direct adaptive fuzzy control of nonlinear systems design of adaptive fuzzy controllers using input-output linearization concepts design and stability analysis of fuzzy identifiers of nonlinear dynamic systems fuzzy adaptive filters.
Breaking out of Narrative's Prison: Improper Story in Storytelling Organization

Abstract When story is released from the prison of narrative, we learn that the complexity of story is astounding. Narrativists confine story to a chronology with linear plot, a cohesive telling with beginning, middle, and end. If we release story from narrative's prison, then especially in organizations, there is complex storytelling systemicity that I call storytelling organization. This essay explores the ways story in storytelling organizations can leave reductionist narrative shackles behind. I do this by reviewing storytelling organization research on “Goldco,” an office supply company, Disney, Nike, Enron, and McDonald's. The contribution is a theory of story that works well with strategy, leadership, and complex ways of telling and retelling stories in organizations.
Research to Practice Redefined

This chapter is dedicated to the proposition that the gap between research in child development and its application to relevant practical settings can be attributed to inadequate assimilation of and accommodation to new research findings. Findings may not be applied to practice due to diversity of conceptualization and language use, problems addressed, and/or the worldview, or Root Metaphor of both researchers and practitioners. A proximity index is proposed as a tool for assessing the compatibility of research to the needs of the practitioner. An increase of conceptual compatibility is considered necessary to reduce the gap between research and practice. Relevant issues are discussed. Keywords: collaboration; dissemination of research findings; practice; practitioner needs; proximity index; research; research methods; research questions; Root Metaphores; theory-research-practice
BaBar: direct CPV searches

Some recent BaBar measurements of CP-violation charge asymmetries in B meson decays to charmless hadronic final states are presented.