cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Formal basis for commonsense abstraction of dynamic systems

Abstraction is an essential technique in reasoning about complex systems involving a large number of variables and interconnections. Aggregation of dynamic systems is an abstraction technique whose application is easily observable in everyday life. The basic intuition behind aggregation of variables may be summarized as follows: if variables in a large dynamic system can be partitioned into subsets such that variables in each subset are more strongly connected to each other than to variables in other subsets, one can describe the short-run behavior of each subsystem independently of other subsystems. Furthermore, one can describe the long-run behavior of the entire system in terms of these subsets instead of individual variables, treating each subset as a black box. This paper provides a formal justification for commonsense abstraction based on aggregation of a dynamic system and presents a procedure for doing so.
Electrotonic processing of information by brain cells

In contrast to well-studied through-protection neurons that propagate information from one region to another in the central nervous system, short-axon or axonless neurons form local circuits, transmitting signals through synapses and electrical junctions between their dendrites. Interaction in this dendritic network proceeds without spike action potentials. Interaction is mediated by graded electrotonic changes of potential and is transmitted through high sensitivity (submillivolt threshold) synapses rather than by lower sensitivity (20 to 100-mv threshold) synapses typical of projection neurons. A crucial feature of local circuits is their high degree of interaction both through specialized junctional structures and through the extracellular fields generated by local and more distant brain regions. The anatomical evidence for the nature and distribution of neuronal local circuits in the nervous system is surveyed. Bioelectric mechanisms are discussed in relation to the special properties of local circuits, including dendrodendritic synapses, synaptic sensitivity, electrotonic coupling, and field effects. Intraneuronal and interneuronal transport of various types of substances suggests that the biochemical and the bioelectrical parameters are functionally interwoven. Through such interactions neuronal local circuits, with their distinctive properties, may play an essential role in higher brain function.
Computing image texture features in parallel computers

The problem of computing image texture features in parallel computers is addressed. It is shown that R. Haralick's texture measures (1973) are amenable to efficient implementation in certain fine-grained architectures. The main operation used to compute these features is the SEND, also called Random Access Write, command. This command is efficiently implemented in a number of computers, such as binary n-cubes, mesh-arrays, and some shared-memory systems. It is shown that the computation of gray-level dependency matrices requires random global communication patterns. This feature and the need for other standard local processing make the classification measures proposed by Haralick and his associates good candidates as benchmarks for parallel computer vision architectures. >
Evaluation of Student Performance: Clinical and Professional Performance

In 1999, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) endorsed six general competencies for residents as part of an ongoing attempt to emphasize educational outcomes as part of residency program assessment and accreditation. Although the focus of these reforms has been on postgraduate training, the competencies are applicable to medical students who aspire to become excellent clinicians and can help guide the development of assessment tools to measure clinical and professional performance of students in the emergency department. This article reviews the definitions of clinical competence and briefly addresses the issues of evaluation tool validity, reliability, and feasibility as they relate to the assessment of medical students. Several assessment tools are outlined, with an eye to the ACGME competencies and the ACGME Toolbox of Assessment Methods. The pros and cons of global rating scales, direct observation, simulations, and oral examinations are reviewed. Multiple assessment tools are often necessary to provide a true evaluation of a student's clinical and professional skills. Their application in the setting of an emergency medicine rotation is described and discussed.
Ecological genomics of sand fly salivary gland genes: An overview

Sand fly saliva contains an array of bioactive molecules that facilitate blood feeding and also function as modulators of the vertebrate immune response. Such a complex of biologically active molecules was shown to be both conserved and divergent among sand fly species. It is likely that expression of sand fly salivary molecules could be modulated by environmental factors, both biotic and abiotic, that ultimately dictate the quality, and possibly quantity, of the secreted saliva. Carbohydrates are an integral part of the sand fly diet, and sugar-sources found in natural habitats are potentially involved in defining the profile of sand fly saliva, and may influence vectorial capacity. Saliva can drive the outcome of Leishmania infection in animal models, and salivary molecules are potential targets for development of vaccines to control Leishmania infection. Thus, identifying what environmental factors effectively modulate sand fly saliva in the field is a critical step towards the development of meaningful protection strategies against leishmaniasis that are based on salivary compounds from sand fly vectors.
On the regulation of glycogen metabolism in Tetrahymena.

Abstract The glycogen phosphorylase and glycogen synthetase activities of Tetrahymena pyriformis were assayed after growth of cells under various conditions. Cells exposed to low concentrations of theophylline or to low oxygen tension during growth in proteose-peptone medium had increased synthetase and phosphorylase activities. Supplementing the medium with glucose increased the synthetase activity. Growth in the presence of both glucose and theophylline markedly increased the synthetase activity and decreased the phosphorylase activity. Neither reserpine nor dichloroisoproterenol affected the synthetase activity, but either or both drugs increased the phosphorylase activity. Triiodothyronine did not affect the phosphorylase activity but inhibited the synthetase activity. It was also found that Tetrahymena had 3′,5′-cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity and that caffeine and theophylline inhibited this activity. The effects of glucose supplementation, low oxygen tension, and of the drugs mentioned above were correlated with their effects on cell glycogen content, and the implications of these findings with respect to the control of glycogen metabolism are discussed.
LAPIS: smart editing with text structure

INTRODUCTION Text editing is full of small repetitive tasks. Users have a basket of tools for automating such tasks, including search-andreplace, keyboard macros, and text-processing languages like Perl or awk. Among the drawbacks of existing tools are too little power, too little domain specificity, and too-steep learning curves. Automated text editing can also be dangerous; witness the reckless applications of global search-andreplace featured in comp.risks, among them “eLabourated” in a news report about the British government and “arjpgicial turf” on a web site that evidently switched from TIFF to JPEG. Existing automation tools do nothing to help the user catch these kinds of errors.
Recovery kinetics of winter stressed conifers: The effects of growth light environment, extent of the season, and species.

Evergreens undergo a dramatic reduction in their maximal photochemical efficiency (measured as Fv/Fm) during winter, which is largely due to increases in a sustained form of thermal energy dissipation. Upon removing winter-stressed leaves to room temperature and low light, Fv/Fm recovers over several days and can include both a rapid phase (reversing in minutes) and a slow phase (reversing over days). Both phases are associated with reversal of sustained energy dissipation. Preliminary examination of recovery of evergreens monitored in January in Minnesota showed an absence of the rapid component to recovery. Our goal was to monitor recovery kinetics of sun and shade evergreens in Minnesota throughout winter in order to assess whether the rapid phase of recovery exists early in the winter and converts to the slowly reversible form as winter progresses. Four species of conifers (sun and shade needles) were monitored during the winter of 2007/08: eastern white pine (_Pinus strobus_ L.), balsam fir [Abies balsamea (L.) P. Mill], Taxus cuspidata (L.) and blue spruce (Picea pungens Engelm.). Fv/Fm was measured on dark acclimated needles in the field, twigs were collected, brought indoors and maintained at room temperature and low light where Fv/Fm was monitored for six days.The results demonstrated that all species, and both sun and shade needles, showed a rapidly reversible component to recovery in early winter (November). In the sun needles this component was rarely present later in the season, while in the shade needles it was present (although only a small fraction of the total sustained energy dissipation) on most days monitored during winter. The slowly reversible component to sustained energy dissipation was present in both sun and shade needles of all species beginning in November. In all cases, shade needles recovered significantly faster than sun needles. There was a significant slowing of recovery (the slowly reversible component) as winter progressed in both sun and shade needles, and significant differences between species in their recovery response. The results indicate a relatively small contribution of the rapidly reversible component of sustained energy dissipation compared with earlier studies on evergreens growing in the milder winter conditions of Colorado. The results also provide evidence that the rapid component to recovery diminishes as the season progresses, particularly in needles growing in full sun where the slowly reversible component of sustained energy dissipation accounts for most or all of the observed sustained energy dissipation.
Pericarditis, thymic hyperplasia, and Graves' thyrotoxicosis: case report and review of the literature.

ABSTRACTGraves' thyrotoxicosis with thymic hyperplasia and pericarditis has never been described in the literature. In this case report, we present the clinical, laboratory, and radiographic findings of a 24-year-old active duty male who was admitted for management of nonexertional, positional, pleuritic chest pain. Electrocardiography confirmed pericarditis as the presenting diagnosis. Laboratory findings revealed an undetectable serum thyrotropin level and further evaluation with a contrast chest computed tomography confirmed the presence of a goiter and an anterior mediastinal mass. The patient's pericarditis and thymic hyperplasia resolved with treatment of his Graves' disease.
Hemoglobin S polymerization and gelation under shear II. The joint concentration and shear dependence of kinetics

The kinetics of hemoglobin S gelation are critical in sickle disease because microvascular obstruction can be avoided if red blood cells pass these vessels during the delay time, before polymerization and gelation occur in sufficient degree to rigidify the cells. Kinetics, including the delay time and the closely related exponential progress rate, are highly sensitive to hemoglobin concentration and degree of deoxygenation. Kinetics are also greatly accelerated by shear, an effect that may contribute to pathogenesis, since red blood cells deform and can undergo shear in vivo. Here we examine the joint dependence of kinetics on shear and hemoglobin concentration. As shear rate increases, the concentration dependence of the exponential progress rate decreases. The large decrease in concentration dependence supports the conclusion that acceleration of gelation by shear is due to breakage and not to enhancement of heterogeneous nucleation. Under shear, new fibers are created by breakage of existing ones, as well as by heterogeneous nucleation. At high shear, the rate of new fiber creation by breakage is very great and dominates that by heterogeneous nucleation. Therefore, if breakage depended only on shear rate and were independent of the concentration of hemoglobin in solution, the concentration dependence of kinetics should vanish. Although it decreases, it does not disappear. The concentration dependence that remains at high shear arises from (1) the direct contribution of fiber growth rate to the exponential progress rate, (2) the dependence of breakage rate on fiber growth rate, and (3) the dependence of solution viscosity on hemoglobin concentration.
Twelve Guidelines for Biological Sampling in Environmental Licensing Studies

Environmental licensing is a decision-making process that requires scientific information and has far-reaching political and economic consequences. Sound science leads to informed decisions; unfocused science leaves an information void that is easily filled by power struggles. In the last few years, Brazil has seen a lively debate between two alternative approaches to the science behind environmental licensing: one centers on detailed methodological prescription with broadly defined goals; the other builds on the precise definition of questions that focus the scientific work and allows case-by-case flexibility in methodological choices. This essay offers twelve guidelines for pursuing the second approach, formulated around the key questions of why, what, and how to sample. These guidelines illustrate how it is possible to set scientific standards of operation without tying the hands of practitioners to omnibus protocols that may serve the purpose of accumulating data but won’t necessarily produce knowledge to inform rational licensing decisions. The guidelines are formulated in the context of Brazilian environmental licensing, but they should apply wherever a regulatory agency needs to elicit scientific answers to urgent environmental questions.
Repair Mechanisms in Oxidant-Driven Chronic Inflammatory Disease

The interplay that governs chronic diseases through pathways specifically associated with chronic inflammation remains undefined. Many metabolic events have been identified during the injury and repair process. Nonetheless, the cellular events that control the pathogenesis of inflammation-induced disease have not been fully characterized. We and others reason that chronic inflammatory diseases associated with a cascade of complex network mediators, such as nitric oxide, arachidonic acid metabolites, cytokines, and reactive oxygen species, play a significant role in the governance of alterations in homeostasis, oxidative stress, and thromboatherosclerosis. In this context, we discuss lipid mediators associated with the maintenance of health, including the specialized proresolving mediators that help drive cellular repair. Emphasis is placed on the pathophysiology of chronic metabolic insults involving both the airways and the cardiovascular system during oxidant-driven inflammatory disease. In this review, we highlight new pathways of inquiry that show promise for the identification of those metabolic targets that can improve therapy for chronic inflammation.
bFGF in tissues on the surface of cavernosa of ventral curved penis with hypospadias

Objective To evaluate the pathological characteristics tissues on the surface of cavernosa of ventral penis and to investigate the etiology of congenital ventral curved hypospadias.Methods Tissues on the surface of cavernosa of ventral penis of 23 hypospadiacs with penile curvature were serially sectioned and compared to 3 concealed penis and 3 scar tissues.The selected sections were stained with HE.and Sirius Red.Immunohistochemical staining were with basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF).Results(1)The hypospadic tissues had amount of relatively organized fibers;scar tissues had deranged and degenerated collagen;concealed penis mainly constructed with loose connective tissue.Compared with concealed penis,the proportion ofⅠ/Ⅲ collagen had increased in the hypospadic and scar specimens(P0.05).There were no statistically significant among different degrees of curvatures.(2)The expression of bFGF in hypospadic ventral areas were markedly higher than those in concealed penis and scar(P0.05).Conclusion Fibrous tissues were possibly present in the hypospadic specimens analysed which possibly contributed to penile curvature of hypospadias.
Physicians who do not follow screening guidelines.

This scenario asks two basic questions: (1) Why would a physician perform screening tests more often than recommended? and (2) What should a physician do if he or she has a colleague who does not follow current practice recommendations?
Representation of Sources in a 3-D Eulerian-Lagrangian Mass Transport Model

This research introduces an accurate and cost-efficient method for the simulation of outfalls in stratified coastal waters. The representation of sources form a severe limitation for concentration models because they can not resolve concentration fields whose spatial extent is small compared to that of the discretization, whereas sources can easily be simulated in a particle tracking model by simply introducing particles in the domain. In order to avoid the large cost associated with particle tracking models the following approach is used in this research. Sources are simulated by the introduction of particles. Each particle advects and diffuses independently and when the particles have dispersed enough they are mapped onto the numerical grid by identifying the particle density (concentration) associated with each node.
Continuous Symmetry: From Euclid to Klein

Foundations of geometry in the plane Isometries in the plane: Products of reflections Isometries in the plane: Classification and structure Similarities in the plane Conjugacy and geometric equivalence Applications to plane geometry Symmetric figures in the plane Frieze and wallpaper groups Area, volume, and scaling References Index.
A Demographic Analysis of Healthcare Satisfaction and Utilization Among Children from Same-Sex Households

According to a report by the Williams Institute, an estimated 3 million LGBT Americans have had a child and as many as 6 million American children and adults have an LGBT parent (Gates 2013). These children and their parents face various obstacles in obtaining adequate healthcare due to federal and state family policies that dictate what types of families are legally recognized. The purpose of this study is to analyze secondary national data from the 2011 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component (MEPS HC) on the reported health care satisfaction and utilization in order to examine whether there are differences between heterosexual and same-sex households. The results reflect minimal differences in the rating of healthcare among same-sex and heterosexual households, with same-sex households reporting higher rates of satisfaction. There appeared a notable difference in the ease of obtaining medical care and the frequency of dental visits among same-sex and heterosexual households. Although further research is needed, this study addresses the lacking data of same-sex family healthcare disparities and needs.
The physics of data

Physicists are accustomed to dealing with large datasets, yet they are fortunate in that the quality of their experimental data is very good. The onset of big data has led to an explosion of datasets with a far more complex structure — a development that requires new tools and a different mindset.
Treatment of glioblastoma

Glioblastoma is the most common and most aggressive form of primary brain tumor in adults and contributes to high social and medical burden as a result of its incurable nature and significant neurologic morbidity. Despite ongoing research, there has not been improvement in survival in glioblastoma. This review discusses recent advances in clinically significant molecular profiling, including IDH mutation status and O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase ( MGMT) promoter methylation. We review updates in management of newly diagnosed and recurrent glioblastoma, as well as common difficulties in management, such as pseudoprogression and pseudoresponse. Ongoing translational research in targeted therapy and immunotherapy is briefly discussed.
Neutron activation analysis capabilities and applications at the Penn State Radiation Science and Engineering Center

Abstract The Penn State Breazeale Reactor has a long history of neutron activation analysis research and development, including applications for forensic applications. Our current experimental capabilities, including a 1 MW TRIGA reactor with a movable core and multiple irradiation locations, a pneumatic sample transfer system, multiple HPGe detectors, and a Compton suppression system, have enabled the development of an active NAA program investigating trace-element concentrations in environmental samples, archaeological samples, and industrial materials. Three NAA projects concerning tree-ring trace element analysis for correlation with large volcanic eruptions, ancient Italian tile element analysis to investigate Roman-era construction materials, and the implementation of k0-standardization method, are highlighted to demonstrate how our facilities and our current NAA research experience make the Penn State RSEC readily available for high-precision trace element analysis for forensics applications.
Automating and scaling personalized safety training using eye-tracking data

Abstract Research has shown that a large proportion of hazards remain unrecognized, which expose construction workers to unanticipated safety risks. Recent studies have also found that a strong correlation exists between viewing patterns of workers, captured using eye-tracking devices, and their hazard recognition performance. Therefore, it is important to analyze the viewing patterns of workers to gain a better understanding of their hazard recognition performance. From the training standpoint, scan paths and attention maps, generated using eye-tracking technology, can be used effectively to provide personalized and focused feedback to workers. Such feedback is used to communicate the search process deficiency to workers in order to trigger self-reflection and subsequently improve their hazard recognition performance. This paper proposes a computer vision-based method that tracks workers on a construction site and automatically locates their fixation points, collected using a wearable eye-tracker, on a 3D point cloud. This data is then used to analyze their viewing behavior and compute their attention distribution. The presented case studies validate the proposed method.
Aspartic protease inhibitors from the parasitic nematode Ascaris.

Ascaris suum and Ascaris hominis are intestinal endoparasitic nematodes. They live in hostile proteolytic environments and infect pigs and humans, respectively. Over one-quarter of the world’s human population (Muller, 1979) and masses of pigs are infected by these parasites. The resulting medical, agricultural and economic effects are significant (Levine, 1980; Mahmoud, 1989).
Effects of Radiation on Animal Tumor Models

Irradiation of a malignant tumor in a patient or in an experimental animal produces a variety of changes in the physiology, growth, and behavior of the neoplasm. Many of these changes are of significance in the therapy of human cancer, because they alter the sensitivity of the tumor to subsequent treatments with radiation or with other therapeutic modalities. A better understanding of the effects of radiation on tumors is therefore necessary in order that improved regimens may be developed in which therapy with radiation or radiation combined with other agents is delivered in a more optimum fashion. However, it is difficult to examine a subject of this complexity in the clinic, because severe technical problems and ethical considerations limit the observations that can be made and the phenomena that can be studied quantitatively. As a result, most of the available data defining the effects of radiation on tumors have been obtained from experiments with tumors in experimental animals or with experimental tumor models in vitro.
Novel Smartphone-Based Measures of Cell Phone Use While Driving in a Sample of Newly Licensed Adolescent Drivers.

Background. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of adolescent death. Cell phone use while driving is a contributor to adolescent motor vehicle crash risk. Objective and directly observable ...
Dietary Supplement Use Differs by Socioeconomic and Health-Related Characteristics among U.S. Adults, NHANES 2011⁻2014.

The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of use and types of dietary supplements (DS) used by U.S. adults (≥19 years) by sociodemographic characteristics: family income-to-poverty ratio (PIR), food security status, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation using NHANES 2011–2014 data (n = 11,024). DS use was ascertained via a home inventory and a retrospective 30-day questionnaire. Demographic and socioeconomic differences related to DS use were evaluated using a univariate t statistic. Half of U.S. adults (52%) took at least one DS during a 30-day period; multivitamin-mineral (MVM) products were the most commonly used (31%). DS and MVM use was significantly higher among those with a household income of ≥ 350% of the poverty level, those who were food secure, and SNAP income-ineligible nonparticipants across all sex, age, and race/ethnic groups. Among women, prevalence of use significantly differed between SNAP participants (39%) and SNAP income-eligible nonparticipants (54%). Older adults (71+ years) remained the highest consumers of DS, specifically among the highest income group (82%), while younger adults (19–30 years), predominantly in the lowest income group (28%), were the lowest consumers. Among U.S. adults, DS use and the types of products consumed varied with income, food security, and SNAP participation.
Quantification and Stability Determination of Surface Amine Groups on Silica Nanoparticles Using Solution NMR.

Surface chemistry is a critical factor for determining the behavior of a nanomaterial after incorporation in composites, devices, and biomedical products, and is also important for nanotoxicology studies. We have developed an optimized protocol for dissolution of aminated silicas and determination of functional-group contents by quantitative 1H NMR (qNMR) analysis of the released amines. A number of variables were optimized for the dissolution protocol, including the base concentration, mass of silica, time, temperature, and method of sample agitation, in order to achieve adequate NMR signals for quantification. The protocol was tested using nanoparticles from a single commercial supplier with sizes ranging from 20 to 120 nm that were functionalized with 3-aminopropyl groups. Interestingly the batch-to-batch variability for some sizes of these aminated silicas was as high as 50%. Amine contents measured by a ninhydrin colorimetric assay were typically ∼20% lower than those measured by qNMR, consistent wit...
Assessing the Six-Factor Model of Organizational Justice in the Context of Workplace Mediation:

Applying the six-factor model of organizational justice, this study examines the relationship between disputants’ (i.e., grievants and respondents) perceptions of organizational justice and satisfa...
Sylvan Memories of People, Place, and Trees in Nangodi, Northeastern Ghana

People's relationships with trees reflect the landscape histories associated with distinctive forms of political and religious authority and the moral imaginings of people in Nangodi and its environs in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Their memories of particular trees serve as historical evidence of overlapping yet specific forms of political authority exercised by chiefs, earth priests, past colonial officers, and present-day Ghanaian government officials. In Nangodi, individual family ancestral tree shrines, clan tree cemeteries, and sacred groves associated with earth priests and chiefs coexist with the Red Volta West Forest Reserve and with a succession of tree-related development initiatives. While these relationships are often considered as separate claims to political authority, spiritual power, or scientific knowledge, this paper argues that these relationships of people and of trees are better conceptualized as historical accumulations that represent intersecting and contested forms of authority and political rule continuing into the present. Indigenous tree species such as ebony are associated with sacred groves controlled by chiefs, silk-cotton trees with earth priests’ cemeteries, and baobab trees with particular families coexist with foreign teak trees associated with colonial forestry. This situation suggests how institutions of governance as well as the actions of individuals have environmental consequences. A consideration of historical memories of people and trees in places such as Nangodi enables a rethinking of political and environmental dichotomies, and complicates the social dynamics of` the preservation and destruction of trees and forests around the world.
Moving Target Defense for Avionic Systems

In this paper, we address the security of new aircraft avionic systems that utilize the Internet Protocol (IP). We discuss the security issues of these systems and describe our method to improve the security of the communication between the aircraft and the ground station. The secure communication plays a critical role in being able to move forward with the next-generation flight control systems to prevent tragic events such as the 9/11 attack. Our approach uses a novel Mobile IPv6 based Moving Target Defense strategy to prevent any potential cyber-attacks from their reconnaissance stage.
LITHUANIAN RESOURCES AT SELECTED LIBRARIES, ARCHIVES, AND MUSEUMS IN THE UNITED STATES

Sudan American Foundation for Education, Inc. 414 N. Henderson Road, Suite 1205 Arlington VA 22202 USA E-mail: lee.burchinal@verizon.com Straipsnyje nagrinėjamas internetinio žinyno Directory of Lithuanian Resources at Selected Libraries, Archives, and Museums in the United States (Lituanikos saltinių kai kuriose bibliotekose, archyvuose ir muziejuose žinynas; prieiga per: www.lithuanian-american.org) kūrimas. Is įvairių leidinių, apžvalgų ir organizacijų tinklo svetainių buvo surinkta informacija apie 86 potencialius saltinius – apie moksline ir nemoksline spausdintą medžiagą, archyvų kolekcijas, muziejų eksponatus, vaizdo ir garso dokumentus. Du is sių saltinių buvo isbraukti is sąraso, nes archyvai buvo perkelti į naujas nežinomas vietas JAV. Likusios 84 organizacijos apibūdintos remiantis turima informacija ir jų kolekcijų aprasais. Apibūdinimai buvo persiųsti patikrinti ir pataisyti. Į sį prasymą atsiliepė 82 organizacijos (arba 98 proc.) ir medžiaga apie jas buvo įtraukta į žinyną. Sios organizacijos saugo daug įvairios medžiagos: didžiules knygų, testinių leidinių, laikrascių bei kitos medžiagos kolekcijas lietuvių kalba, reiksmingus universitetinių ir viesųjų bibliotekų fondus, susijusius su Lietuva, simtus archyvinės medžiagos vienetų apie asmenis, seimas ar grupes, specialias lietuviskų monetų, kariskų daiktų, liaudies meno kūrinių, suvenyrų kolekcijas, žodinių istorijų įrasus ir filmus apie lietuvių emigrantų likimus. Tarp sių 82 aprasų – dvi JAV bibliotekos, kurios netrukus bus perkeltos į Lietuvą.
Intracameral Air and Fibrin Glue for the Management of Late Bleb Leak following Glaucoma Surgery

Background and objectives To report a case of delayed-onset bleb-associated endophthalmitis (BAE) with bleb leak successfully managed with pars plana vitrectomy, intravitreal antibiotics, intracameral air, and fibrin glue. Patient and methods A 66-year-old pseudophakic female presented with BAE and bleb leak. A 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy, cultures, and intravitreal antibiotics and steroid injections were performed. The infusion was switched to air filling the anterior chamber and bleb with air. Fibrin glue (Tisseel®) was applied over the leaking bleb. Results BAE and bleb leak resolved with return of visual acuity to 20/25 and a functioning bleb with no recurrence of bleb leak after 1 year of follow-up. Conclusion The combination of intracameral air and fibrin glue may have a role in the management of bleb leaks.
Wax-based sustained release matrix pellets prepared by a novel freeze pelletization technique I. Formulation and process variables affecting pellet characteristics.

Abstract A novel freeze pelletization technique was evaluated for the preparation of wax-based matrix pellets. Pellets containing either theophylline or diltiazem HCl were prepared using various waxes. In this technique, molten waxes along with a dispersed active ingredient were introduced as droplets into an inert and immiscible column of liquid to form pellets. An 80% (w/w) aqueous glycerol solution was found to be the most suitable column liquid for preparing spherical wax pellets. The physical stability of the molten wax suspensions was substantially improved by the addition of a 5% (w/w) colloidal silica gel. Pellet size obtained was directly proportional to the cubic root of the outer radius of the needle tip used to form pellets. Pellet size increased as the ratio of interfacial tension (γLL) to the density difference (Δρ) between the molten matrix and the column liquid increased. Moreover, an increase in the drug load of theophylline increased the pellet size. However, an addition of a surfactant to the matrix slightly decreased the pellet size. Microscopic studies indicated that theophylline was homogenously dispersed throughout the matrix and existed in a crystalline state at higher drug loads. The percent drug recoveries ranged from 90.7 to 102.3% with acceptable drug loads up to 20% (w/w). Therefore, wax pellets containing drugs of varying aqueous solubility were successfully prepared using this technique.
Application of gas lasers to high-resolution magnetospectroscopy.

The study of oscillatory interband magnetoreflection spectra has yielded much information on the energy band structure of semiconductors and semimetals. The oscillations in reflectivity, normally measured as a function of magnetic field at constant photon energies in the infrared, are associated with direct transitions from Landau levels in the valence band to Landau levels in the conduction band. In the limit of very small electronic losses both the top of valence Landau levels and the bottom of conduction Landau levels have singularly high densities of states, and the interband transition has a sharp cutoff at a critical magnetic field at which the minimum separation between the paired levels equals the photon energy. The cutoff causes a discontinuity in the reflectivity, thus making the so-called oscillatory spectra a series of reflectivity breaks occurring at each critical field for different pairs of states (1). Indeed, one observes such spectra on recently available high-purity single crystals of bismuth at liquid helium temperature. The spectroscopic measurements of this resonant phenomenon will require, in addition to homogeneous magnetic fields, a high degree of monochro-maticity in the infrared, which may exceed the conventional capacity of dispersive spectrometers.
Sectional rank and cohomology

Abstract Donovan's conjecture implies a bound on the dimensions of cohomology groups in terms of the size of a Sylow p-subgroup and we give a proof of a stronger bound (in terms of sectional p-rank) for dim ⁡ H 1 ( G , V ) . We also prove a reduction theorem for higher cohomology.
Marked Therapeutic Efficacy of a Novel Polyethyleneglycol-SN38 Conjugate, EZN-2208, in Xenograft Models of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Background: The clinical utility of SN38 (10-hydroxy-7-ethyl-camptothecin), the active moiety of CPT-11 (Camptosar®), has been severely compromised due to its poor solubility. EZN-2208 is a novel, water-soluble, polyethyleneglycol (PEG)-SN38 conjugate generated by linking SN38 with a multi-arm high molecular weight PEG, 40k 4-arm-PEG, via a glycine linker. Here, we compare the efficacy of EZN-2208 and CPT-11 in the treatment of animals bearing non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. Methods: The in vitro cytotoxicity of EZN-2208 and CPT-11 were tested in human lymphoma (Raji, Daudi, DoHH2) cancer cell lines using the tetrazolium assay. The pharmacokinetics and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of EZN-2208 and CPT-11 were evaluated in tumor-free severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice and the therapeutic efficacy was evaluated in xenograft models of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (Raji and Daudi). Results: In vitro, the IC50 of EZN-2208 ranged from 2–20nM and the in vitro potency of EZN-2208 was 30 to 50-fold more than CPT-11. The MTDs of EZN-2208 and CPT-11 in SCID mice were 30 and 60 mg/kg, respectively, when injected as a single dose. When administered in a multiple dose regimen (q2d x 5), the MTDs of EZN-2208 and CPT-11 were 10- and 40 mg/kg respectively. The pharmacokinetic profile of EZN-2208 was biphasic showing a rapid distribution phase (t1/2a =0.6h) and a slow elimination phase (t1/2b =19.3h for conjugate and 14.2h for SN38). In the Raji xenograft model, treatment with a single MTD of EZN-2208 resulted in a 500% improvement in life span (ILS) and 50% cures of animals compared with 19% ILS observed for mice treated with a single MTD of CPT-11. Multiple dose treatment of EZN-2208 resulted in 90% cures of animals compared with 63% ILS and no cures observed for the CPT-11 group. In the Daudi xenograft model, a single injection of EZN-2208 given as early treatment resulted in cures of 100% of animals in contrast to 66% ILS and no cures observed for CPT-11 group. When treatment was delayed, a single MTD of EZN-2208 caused 90% cures of animals, whereas CPT-11 treatment was completely ineffective. Conclusions: EZN-2208 demonstrated excellent efficacy in preclinical models of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Ongoing Phase I studies will determine the optimal dose and schedule of EZN-2208.
SecureCvisual: Visualization and Analysis for C Code Security

In many undergraduate programs, students primarily write code in Java or other scripting languages. Yet C and C++ are widely used when performance is important. Poor understanding of a C program's layout in memory and its execution leads to the introduction of security vulnerabilities. We present the SecureCvisual system, which is designed to help students learn to develop more secure and robust C programs. The system takes input from dynamic analysis using Pintool. The analysis produces a sequence of events that are processed by the visualizations. A student or instructor can step forward or backwards through an execution. Source code is displayed, and events are linked to a line of source code. A program address space visualization depicts the values of registers and the program address space. Buffer overflows and other memory errors are easily seen. An integer representation window identifies integer coercions that take place within an equation. The result of a conversion between integer types is also shown. A sensitive data visualization teaches students how to protect data so that it does not appear unencrypted on secondary storage. The tool is convenient for lecture. Multiple levels of detail and different perspectives on an execution make the tool useful in a variety of courses. This work has been supported by the National Science Foundation under grants DUE-1245310, DGE-1522883 and DGE-1523017.
Lipidomics and environmental toxicology: Recent trends

Abstract The versatility of lipidomic applications has been increasingly recognized in environmental toxicology in recent years. The unmatched diversity and ubiquitous nature of lipids makes them exceptional candidates in the discovery of sensitive biomarkers for various diseases in animals and humans. In this short review, we highlight recent studies (since 2017) that implement lipidomics as a tool to examine the effects of environmental stress (e.g., exposure) using in vitro and in vivo models. Specifically, this includes lipidomic examinations of exposure to organic pollutants, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and bisphenols, and heavy metals, such as arsenic and mercury, among others, in cell culture, animal and human studies. Innovative developments in analyte separation technologies, mass spectrometry instrumentation, and advanced data acquisition strategies will continue to drive new developments in systems biology. Thus, it is important to recognize the importance of adopting lipidomics into multiple -omic investigations in this burgeoning field (environmental lipidomics).
A computational investigation of cytosine and 5-methyl cytosine reactivity by means of ionization potentials and one specific methylation pathway

Abstract Results from DFT/ωB97X-D/6-311+G**/C-PCM calculations show that the aqueous vertical IP of 5-methylcytosine is lower than that of cytosine by 0.25 eV. Using the HSAB concept, the HOMO-LUMO gap for 5-methylcytosine is smaller than that of cytosine, making it soft and opt to form covalent bonds and more reactive. Carcinogenic methane diazonium ion can methylate cytosine at the N3 site and mutate it via an SN2 mechanism and the activation energy is approximately 5.05 kcal/mol in water.
Is the PROSEVA Trial Prone Positioning Protocol Followed in a Group of Adult Patients With ARDS Admitted to the ICU

Background: ARDS is characterized by a refractory hypoxemia associated with a mortality rate as high as 40%. Ventilation in the prone position has been suggested to improve lung mechanics, gas exchange, and mortality rates in ARDS. Proning promotes a better distribution of perfusion and ventilation that often results in significant improvement of oxygenation. Although the PROSEVA trial has suggested that the prone position should be maintained for a minimum of 16 hours, clinical observations reveal variations from the recommended protocol. The primary goal of this study was to determine if the prone positioning protocol recommended at the PROSEVA trial was followed in a group of adult patients with ARDS admitted to the ICU. Institutional IRB was obtained. Methods: Retrospective chart review at a university affiliated hospital at a large metropolitan city in San Antonio, TX. Patients included in the study were intubated and mechanically ventilated (>18 and 8 but
High energy spectrum of internal positrons from radiative muon capture on nuclei

The Mu2e and COMET collaborations will search for nucleus-catalyzed muon conversion to positrons (${\ensuremath{\mu}}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{e}^{+}$) as a signal of lepton number violation. A key background for this search is radiative muon capture where either (1) a real photon converts to an ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ pair ``externally'' in surrounding material, or (2) a virtual photon mediates the production of an ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ pair ``internally.'' If the ${e}^{+}$ has an energy approaching the signal region then it can serve as an irreducible background. In this work we describe how the near end point internal positron spectrum can be related to the real photon spectrum from the same nucleus, which encodes all nontrivial nuclear physics.
The Symbolic Value of Food in Moche Iconography

Moche art is well known for its apparent pictorial veracity in ceramic and architectural imagery. Yet, the visual record is not definitive about which images, if any, depict food. The importance of food is expressed through an assortment of indexical references to conceptions of deity and assertions of religious practice. Specific kinds of agricultural produce, particular fruit, and certain animals appear often, but whether they were selected for representation because of their nutritional values or symbolic qualities is unknown. Moche imagery rarely shows images connected with sumptuous feasting. The images on ceramic vessels do not contain images of bacchanalian events, no images of tables piled with platters of food at feasts or festivals. Rather than eating food, humans, zoomorphic and supernatural beings are shown handling an array of cups and vessels in various events and rituals. Such conflations seem to signal the specific kinds of associations central to the purpose of the ceramic assemblages in which they appear and the ideological foundations on which they were based. The questions raised by these disjunctions are the subject of the present research.
Nonindustrial private forest landowner willingness to pay for prescribed burning to lower wildfire hazards

Abstract Despite the crucial role nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowners play in reducing hazardous fuels across large landscapes, there is lack of information concerning their support and valuation of fuel reduction treatments. This study determined NIPF landowners willingness to pay (WTP) for implementing prescribed burning on their forestland to lower wildfire hazards using a contingent valuation method (CVM). Of 2,000 questionnaires sent, a total of 531 landowners responded to the CV question. Of which, 26% of landowners were willing to pay the given payment amount to reduce wildfire hazard on their land using prescribed burning. The mean WTP was $41.39 per acre with a 95% confidence interval of $14.70 to $66.86 per acre. Landowner tolerance for smoke from prescribed burning, consideration of liability, concern about property damages due to wildfires, and education level were positively related with WTP. Since WTP for implementing prescribed burning was higher than its cost, available budgets can be more efficiently utilized by prioritizing more resources towards technical and educational programs on prescribed burn planning, implementing, and monitoring.
Dual Biologic or Small Molecule Therapy for Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background and Aims We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize emerging data on the safety and effectiveness of dual biologic therapy in combination or with tofacitinib in patients with refractory inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods Through a systematic search of multiple electronic databases through November 9, 2020, we identified cohort studies or case series (>10 patients) reporting the safety and effectiveness of simultaneous use of biologic agents in combination or with tofacitinib in patients with IBD. Rates of adverse events, clinical remission, and endoscopic remission were synthesized using pooled data, and we identified factors associated with successful dual therapy. Results We identified 30 studies reporting 288 trials of dual biologic or small molecule therapy in 279 patients (76% Crohn’s disease; median duration of treatment 24 weeks (IQR25-IQR75 1332)). The main indications for dual therapy included medically refractory IBD (81%) and concurrent extra-intestinal manifestations or rheumatologic disease (12%). The most common combinations of dual therapy included tumor necrosis factor-α antagonists & anti-integrins (48%), ustekinumab & anti-integrins (19%); 61% of patients had previously failed at least one of the two therapies used in combination. Over a median follow-up of 32 weeks (IQR25-IQR75 24-52), pooled rates of adverse and serious adverse events were 31% (95% CI, 13%-54%) and 6.5% (95% CI, 2.1%-13.1%); pooled rates of clinical and endoscopic remission were 59% (95% CI, 42%-74%), and 34% (95% CI, 23%-46%), respectively. 12% (95% CI, 4%-24%) of patients required surgery. Rates of success were higher in patients on dual therapy due to EIM. Heterogeneity was not significant for endoscopic response (P = .88, I2 = 0%), endoscopic remission (P = .44, I2 = 0%), and malignancy (P = .87, I2 = 0%). However, significant heterogeneity existed for other outcomes. Conclusions Dual biologic or small molecule therapy may be a possible option in highly selected, refractory IBD patients at specialized centers. Higher quality combination of therapies with a significant improvement in the quality of data is required prior to more widespread use.