cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the Fractal Dimension of Isosurfaces

A (3D) scalar grid is a regular n1 × n2 × n3 grid of vertices where each vertex v is associated with some scalar value sv. Applying trilinear interpolation, the scalar grid determines a scalar function g where g(v) = sv for each grid vertex v. An isosurface with isovalue σ is a triangular mesh which approximates the level set g-1 (σ). The fractal dimension of an isosurface represents the growth in the isosurface as the number of grid cubes increases. We define and discuss the fractal isosurface dimension. Plotting the fractal dimension as a function of the isovalues in a data set provides information about the isosurfaces determined by the data set. We present statistics on the average fractal dimension of 60 publicly available benchmark data sets. We also show the fractal dimension is highly correlated with topological noise in the benchmark data sets, measuring the topological noise by the number of connected components in the isosurface. Lastly, we present a formula predicting the fractal dimension as a function of noise and validate the formula with experimental results.
Asynchronous distributed optimization with minimal communication and connectivity preservation

We consider problems where multiple agents cooperate to control their individual state so as to optimize a common objective while communicating with each other to exchange state information. Since communication costs can be significant, we seek conditions under which communication of state information among nodes can be minimized while still ensuring that the optimization process converges. In prior work, an asynchronous (event-driven) optimization scheme was proposed that limits communication to instants when some state estimation error function at a node exceeds a threshold. It was shown that convergence is guaranteed under no communication delays. In this paper, we first prove that convergence is still guaranteed under bounded communication delays. Next, we propose a decentralized mechanism which provably preserves network connectivity by using each node's routing information. We apply the optimization scheme to a sensor network coverage control problem where the objective is to maximize the probability of detecting events occurring in a region and show that the proposed asynchronous approach significantly reduces communication costs, hence also prolonging the system's lifetime, without any performance degradation.
Evaluation of cytophotometric DNA content abnormalities in premalignant and preinvasive breast lesions

Progression of breast neoplasia is characterized by a variety of causal and nonspecific molecular, karyotypic, and cellular level genetic alterations. These include allelic losses, chromosomal rearrangements, and aneusomies, as well as widely divergent clonal DNA content aberrations. Establishment of the sequence and the pathologic significance of individual changes has been challenging owing to disease heterogeneity, protracted natural history, and difficulties in sampling and localizing precursor lesions. These limitations have driven attempts at cytophotometric evaluation of premalignant/preinvasive proliferations using histologic (i.e., in situ) microdissection of intact paraffin-embedded tissue sections. Using image cytophotometric measurements in preserved sections, clonal DNA content abnormalities are identified in up to three-fourths of preinvasive breast carcinomas. The incidence of DNA aneuploidy is grade-dependent and similar in degree to invasive lesions. Comparison of ploidy determinations between preinvasive and corresponding invading populations, however, suggests host tissue permeation is accompanied by measurable DNA content shifts in many cases. Image cytophotometric DNA content abnormalities are also detectable in florid/atypical proliferative lesions, albeit less frequently (∼25% of cases) and to a lesser extent (i.e., near diploid) than cytologically malignant lesions. Although the sensitivity of cytophotometric ploidy assessments in tissue sections is limited by nuclear sectioning, the presence of genomic instability in premalignant lesions is supported by evidence of individual chromosome aneuploidy, demonstrated by interphase cytogenetics with fluorescent centromere-specific probes. These data suggest cytophotometrically detectable DNA content anomalies may precede unequivocal morphologic transformation in breast neoplasia. Further, clonal DNA content heterogeneity in breast carcinoma may accompany biologically critical steps in neoplastic progression of breast tumors.
Predictors of survival among older adults with ependymoma

The biological process of aging encompasses a multitude of complex physiological and lifestyle changes that may alter the way typical prognostic factors affect survival among older ependymoma patients. Because very little is known about the clinical significance of traditional prognostic factors and the magnitude of their effects among older individuals, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the associations between survival and demographic and tumor characteristics among patients with ependymoma who were 60 years of age or older. Using the 1973–2007 dataset from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program, we evaluated the impact of several factors on both overall and ependymoma-specific survival, utilizing multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression. We identified 367 ependymoma cases who were 60 years of age or older at diagnosis and had complete data from SEER. Of these, 19 (5.2%) had anaplastic tumors; all others were low-grade tumors. Age, tumor site, extent of surgery, and tumor histology were found to be significant predictors of ependymoma prognosis. The strongest predictor of poor outcome was supratentorial tumor location (adjusted HR: 6.94, 95% CI: 3.19–15.08, compared to spinal cord tumors). Our study suggests that tumor location, tumor histology, and surgical margin may be key predictors of survival among older ependymoma patients. We believe our study is one of the first to assess the prognostic value of these factors for ependymoma survival exclusively in an older patient population.
Male reproductive effects of solvent and fuel exposure during aircraft maintenance.

Abstract Few studies have addressed the effects of mixed, low-level exposures to complex mixtures on a man’s reproductive potential. In this prospective study, each subject was evaluated before first exposure and at 15 and 30 weeks after exposures had begun. A total of 50 men working on aircraft maintenance at an Air Force installation were included in the study. In addition, eight unexposed men were concurrently sampled. Industrial hygiene (IH) sampling and expired breath samples were collected for jet fuel as measured by total napthas, benzene—a component of jet fuel, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, methyl ethyl ketone, xylenes, toluene, and methylene chloride. Sperm production, structure, and function (sperm concentration, sperm motion, viability, morphology, morphometrics, and stability of sperm chromatin) were evaluated. Exposures were low. All mean IH measures were below 6 ppm, which is less than 10% of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration standard for all chemicals except benzene. Sheet metal workers had the highest mean breath levels for both total solvents (24 ppb) and fuels (28.3 ppb). For most sperm measures, mean values remained in the normal range throughout the 30 weeks of exposure. When jobs were analyzed by exposure groups, some adverse changes were observed. The paint shop group had a significant decline in motility of 19.5% at 30 weeks. Internal dose measures, however, did not show a significant association with spermatogenic changes.
Cell types obtained from the epidural space of patients with low back pain/radiculopathy.

Background: We investigated if correlations exist between medical history, tissue abnormalities, and cell types retrieved from the epidural space of patients with chronic low back pain (LBP) and chronic radicular pain (RP). Methods: Approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects to study 191 patients undergoing epiduroscopy. Visual inspection was performed and abnormal areas were identified. A specimen obtained from the area using a cytology brush was processed by the Thin Prep technique. Patients were divided into four groups based on the presence or absence and intensity of LBP and RP. The gender and age of the patients were recorded, as was any history of prior back surgery. Areas of tissue abnormalities were rated according to changes in vascularity and amount of fat, fibrosis, and inflammation. Stenosis was assessed from magnetic resonance imaging or computerized tomography scan images. Cytologic assessments included notations of the presence or absence of erythrocytes, leukocytes, cell groups, lipocytes, spindled cells, and large round cells. Results: There was a significant difference in the number of patients from whom big round cells were obtained who had a high degree of LBP compared with the number of patients who had a high degree of both LBP and RP. Conclusions: The findings provide a foundation for future studies of cells obtained from similar patients with the goal of furthering the understanding of the pathogenesis of LBP/RP.
Transient electrocardiographic changes of elective coronary angioplasty compared with evolutionary changes of subsequent acute myocardial infarction observed with continuous three-lead monitoring.

Abstract The current use of continuous multilead monitoring with high-resolution digital systems 1 during clinically unstable situations has greatly augmented the versatility of the electrocardiogram. A recent study 2 of patients undergoing elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) reported multilead patterns of peak ST-segment elevation and depression that were reproduced by later reocclusion of the same coronary site. In related work, 3,4 detailed quantitative analyses of dynamic changes in the QRS complex and ST segment during PTCA-induced ischemia were presented in the most active lead of each patient. Occasionally an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) develops spontaneously in the hours after an elective PTCA. Use of continuous electrocardiographic monitoring would facilitate comparisons between the dynamic changes of the “controlled” ischemic period during the PTCA and the spontaneous ischemic period of the AMI by using each patient as his own baseline. Such information may provide a more complete understanding of the evolution of the acute ischemic process. Using continuous 3-lead monitoring in 4 carefully selected patients with elective PTCA who subsequently developed AMI, this study quantitates and compares dynamic characteristics of the ST segment occurring during both ischemic events.
LABOR MARKET OPENNESS, H-1B VISA POLICY, AND THE SCALE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ENROLLMENT IN THE UNITED STATES

International students have long comprised an important part of U.S. higher education. However, little is known regarding the factors that encourage students from across the world to enroll in U.S. colleges and universities each year. This paper examines the relationship between international enrollment and the openness of the United States' skilled labor market, currently regulated by the H-1B program. Gravity regressions reveal that H-1B visa issuances to a country are positively and significantly related to the number of international students from that country. Causal estimates of the impact of labor market openness are achieved by exploiting a dramatic fall in the H-1B visa cap in October 2003. Triple difference estimates show that the fall in the cap lowered foreign enrollment by 10%. (JEL F22, I21, J11)
Molecular Pathogenesis of Ewing Sarcoma: New Therapeutic and Transcriptional Targets

Approximately one-third of sarcomas contain specific translocations. Ewing sarcoma is the prototypical member of this group of sarcomas; it was the first to be recognized pathologically as a singular entity and to have its signature translocation defined cytogenetically, which led to the identification of its key driver alteration, the EWS-FLI1 gene fusion that encodes this aberrant, chimeric transcription factor. We review recent progress in selected areas of Ewing sarcoma research, including the application of genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses, to provide a comprehensive view of the EWS-FLI1 target gene repertoire, the identification of EWS-FLI1 target genes that may also point to therapeutically targetable pathways, and data from model systems as they relate to the elusive cell of origin of Ewing sarcoma and its possible similarities to mesenchymal stem cells.
Decreased intrahepatic response to α1-adrenergic agonists in lipopolysaccharide-treated rats is located in the sinusoidal area and depends on Kupffer cell function

Background and Aim: Livers from lipopolysaccharide-treated rats have a decreased vascular response to α1-adrenergic agonists due to an increased production of nitric oxide. Kupffer cells play a central role in the development of intrahepatic microvascular abnormalities during endotoxemia. We investigated the role of Kupffer cells in the intrahepatic vascular tone control in normal and endotoxemic rats. Method: Twenty-four hours after pretreatment with gadolinium chloride (to eliminate/inactivate Kupffer cells) or saline, rats were treated with lipopolysaccharide or a second dose of saline. Six hours later, rats (under deep anesthesia) were submitted to liver perfusion with Krebs-Henseleit solution using a system that allowed the measurement of both perfusion and sinusoidal pressures. Dose–response curves to methoxamine (α1-adrenergic agonist) were obtained in the absence or the presence of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N-monomethyl-L-arginine. Results: Pretreatment with gadolinium did not change the intrahepatic vascular response to methoxamine in normal livers. Livers from lipopolysaccharide-treated rats showed a decreased sinusoidal vascular response to methoxamine and a 10-fold increase in nitric oxide production during liver perfusion. Either pretreatment with gadolinium or the presence of N-monomethyl-L-arginine in the perfusate restored the response to methoxamine and decreased the nitric oxide overproduction by more than 50%. Conclusions: Kupffer cells neither mediate nor modulate the intrahepatic vascular response to α1-adrenergic agonists in normal livers. Reduction in intrahepatic vascular response to α1-adrenergic agonists in livers from lipopolysaccharide-treated rats is located in the sinusoidal area and depends on Kupffer cell function.
Antipsychotic polypharmacy or monotherapy

The concurrent use of more than one drug to treat syndromes and diseases is common in medicine as well as in psychiatry. Despite strong recommendation by experts to employ monotherapy whenever possible, the prevalence of antipsychotic polypharmacy (APP) has greatly increased, particularly since the advent of the Second Generation Antipsychotics (SGA). The literature which consists of three RCTs, several naturalistic cohort studies and numerous case reports does not show convincing evidence of APP efficacy. The best results were seen in studies of augmentation of clozapine response by a second antipsychotic. Studies which examined the side effect burden showed higher rates of anticholinergic and extrapyramidal side effects of APP compared to monotherapy, but these differences tended to disappear when total dosage was controlled for. The relative cost of APP may be higher than monotherapy, but very little data are available. Experts recommend APP in a few special clinical situations: (a) for augmentation when a patient fails to respond to adequate antipsychotic trials, especially with clozapine; (b) in some instances of failed cross-taper of antipsychotics; (c) adding a FGA to a SGA for agitation during acute treatment of psychosis. Indiscriminate condemnation of APP is misdirected, the real culprit being incompetent pharmacotherapy. Improved education and advances in the science of psychopharmacology will lead to more specific antipsychotic therapies and ultimately to less need for APP.
Duct tape for the treatment of common warts in adults: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of duct tape occlusion therapy for the treatment of common warts in adults. Design Double-blind controlled clinical intervention trial. Setting Veterans Affairs medical center. Participants A total of 90 immunocompetent adult volunteers with at least 1 wart measuring 2 to 15 mm were enrolled between October 1, 2004, and July 31, 2005. Eighty patients completed the study. Intervention Patients were randomized by a computer-generated code to receive pads consisting of either moleskin with transparent duct tape (treatment group) or moleskin alone (control group). Patients were instructed to wear the pads for 7 consecutive days and leave the pad off on the seventh evening. This process was repeated for 2 months or until the wart resolved, whichever occurred first. Follow-up visits occurred at 1 and 2 months. Main Outcome Measure Complete resolution of the target wart. Secondary outcomes included change in size of the target wart and recurrence rates at 6 months for warts with complete resolution. Results There were no statistically significant differences in the proportions of patients with resolution of the target wart (8 [21%] of 39 patients in the treatment group vs 9 [22%] of 41 in the control group). Of patients with complete resolution, 6 (75%) in the treatment group and 3 (33%) in the control group had recurrence of the target wart by the sixth month. Conclusion We found no statistically significant difference between duct tape and moleskin for the treatment of warts in an adult population. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT00328991
Ethical Dimensions in Genetic Screening: A Look Into the Future

The ethical dimensions of four areas of genetic screening, prenatal screening and diagnosis, newborn screening, carrier detection, and presymptomatic genetic testing, are discussed. Ethical analysis of genetic technologies focuses on the goals, values, and professional obligations that underlie the development and use of these technologies. We live in a complex, diverse society, in which there are multiple, often contradictory, values and belief systems that influence public and personal views about the morality of genetic technologies. Some of these prevailing views are presented to highlight the ethical issues nurses may encounter in reproductive health care, an area in which genetic information and services are increasingly important aspects of care.
Cj0011c, a Periplasmic Single- and Double-Stranded DNA-Binding Protein, Contributes to Natural Transformation in Campylobacter jejuni

Campylobacter jejuni is an important bacterial pathogen causing gastroenteritis in humans. C. jejuni is capable of natural transformation, which is considered a major mechanism mediating horizontal gene transfer and generating genetic diversity. Despite recent efforts to elucidate the transformation mechanisms of C. jejuni, the process of DNA binding and uptake in this organism is still not well understood. In this study, we report a previously unrecognized DNA-binding protein (Cj0011c) in C. jejuni that contributes to natural transformation. Cj0011c is a small protein (79 amino acids) with a partial sequence homology to the C-terminal region of ComEA in Bacillus subtilis. Cj0011c bound to both single- and double-stranded DNA. The DNA-binding activity of Cj0011c was demonstrated with a variety of DNAs prepared from C. jejuni or Escherichia coli, suggesting that the DNA binding of Cj0011c is not sequence dependent. Deletion of the cj0011c gene from C. jejuni resulted in 10- to 50-fold reductions in the natural transformation frequency. Different from the B. subtilis ComEA, which is an integral membrane protein, Cj0011c is localized in the periplasmic space of C. jejuni. These results indicate that Cj0011c functions as a periplasmic DNA receptor contributing to the natural transformation of C. jejuni.
Node delay assignment strategies to support end-to-end delay requirements in heterogeneous networks

In a complex, heterogeneous network environment, such as the Internet, packets traversing different networks may be subjected to different treatments and may face different traffic loads across the routing path. This paper addresses the key issue of how to assign delay budgets to each network node along the routing path so that the end-to-end delay requirements of the supported applications are met. First, we describe a methodology to compute for a given flow a set of feasible per-node delays for the class of delay-based servers. We then formalize an optimal per-node delay assignment problem which takes into consideration the workload across the routing path. The solution, for homogeneous and heterogeneous networks, is provided. The resulting solution is optimal, but its implementation overhead is relatively high. To overcome this shortcoming, we propose two heuristics, EPH() and LBH(), to approximate the optimal strategy. EPH() uses the equi-partition concept to compute initial delay values and adjust these delay values to meet the end-to-end delay requirements. LBH() uses a relaxation factor to distribute the load proportionally across all nodes on the routing path. A simulation-based comparative analysis shows that the heuristics perform closely to the optimal schemes.
Evolution, growth, and status of managed care in the United States.

While under attack in the United States, managed care/competition is being viewed by a number of European and other countries as a remedy in their struggle to control rising health care costs. While many fundamentals of American managed care have their roots in the British health system, significant differences exist between the two systems. While managed care, which can be loosely defined as any system of delivering health services in which care is delivered by a specified network of providers who agree to comply with the care approaches established through a case management process, has had a 100-year history in the United States, it wasn't until the mid-1970's that it began to gain national recognition. All health maintenance organizations (HMOs) are managed care organizations (MCOs) but not all MCOs are HMOs. The two other categories of MCOs are, preferred provider organizations (PPOs) and point of service plans (POS). Currently, three-quarters of Americans with health insurance are enrolled in managed care plans and there are 160 million Americans enrolled in such plans. A major on-going debate occurring in the United States is in regard to the comparative quality of care provided by MCOs and traditional fee-for-service plans. The study results to date have been equivocal. Another controversial managed care issue is the use of gag clauses in contracts between the MCOs and their providers. These clauses limit providers from being totally open and honest with patients about, for example, alternative treatment possibilities or the details of provider reimbursement. Since the failure of U.S. health care reform in 1994, there has been a more focused turn to the marketplace to provide the impetus for reducing costs. As a result, health care plans and providers have become more like traditional businesses which must focus on the bottom line to survive. In a marketplace where purchasers of care look for low bidders, it should be remembered that the level and quality of care a society receives is usually commensurate with the level of resources that it is willing to expend.
The extrinsic proteins of photosystem II: update

Recent investigations have provided important new insights into the structures and functions of the extrinsic proteins of Photosystem II. This review is an update of the last major review on the extrinsic proteins of Photosystem II (Bricker et al., Biochemistry 31:4623-4628 2012). In this report, we will examine advances in our understanding of the structure and function of these components. These proteins include PsbO, which is uniformly present in all oxygenic organisms, the PsbU, PsbV, CyanoQ, and CyanoP proteins, found in the cyanobacteria, and the PsbP, PsbQ and PsbR proteins, found in the green plant lineage. These proteins serve to stabilize the Mn4CaO5 cluster and optimize oxygen evolution at physiological calcium and chloride concentrations. The mechanisms used to perform these functions, however, remain poorly understood. Recently, important new findings have significantly advanced our understanding of the structures, locations and functions of these important subunits. We will discuss the biochemical, structural and genetic studies that have been used to elucidate the roles played by these proteins within the photosystem and their locations within the photosynthetic complex. Additionally, we will examine open questions needing to be addressed to provide a coherent picture of the role of these components within the photosystem.
Tailoring Material Properties of Cardiac Matrix Hydrogels To Induce Endothelial Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Cardiac matrix hydrogel has shown great promise as an injectable biomaterial due to the possession of cardiac-specific extracellular matrix composition. A cardiac matrix hydrogel facilitating neovascularization will further improve its therapeutic outcomes in cardiac repair. In this study, we explored the feasibility of tailoring material properties of cardiac matrix hydrogels using a natural compound, genipin, to promote endothelial differentiation of stem cells. Our results demonstrated that the genipin cross-linking could increase the mechanical properties of the cardiac matrix hydrogel to a stiffness range promoting endothelial differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). It also decreased the swelling ratio and prolonged degradation without altering gelation time. Human mesenchymal stem cells cultured on the genipin cross-linked cardiac matrix hydrogels showed great viability. After 1 day culture, hMSCs demonstrated down-regulation of early endothelial marker expression and up-regulation of mature endothelial marker expression. Especially for 1 mM genipin cross-linked cardiac matrix hydrogels, hMSCs showed particularly significant expression of mature endothelial cell marker vWF. These attractive results indicate the potential of using genipin cross-linked cardiac matrix hydrogels to promote rapid vascularization for cardiac infarction treatment through minimally invasive therapy.
Performance Practice in Computer Music

My interest in electronic music was first inspired by Mario Davidovsky's Synchronisms no. 6 for piano and tape. Since then, I have been including electronic music in my musical activities, along with my classical violin repertoire. Electroacoustic music has only recently become part of the contemporary repertoire; consequently, the teaching and discussion of performance practice by actual performers has been scarce. I hope to contribute to the evolving performance practice of electroacoustic music for classical performers. It is important that musicians today learn how to perform electroacoustic music, and address the potential of this new media. A working knowledge of electroacoustic music performance practice should be part of a contemporary repertoire. I also hope to make musicians and electronic-music composers aware of the particular difficulties of performing with electronics. Ideally, this article will stimulate more study in electronic-music performance, and provoke a greater sense of responsibility for aural effects and sound production in live-performance situations.
Wet-Chemical Synthesis of ZnTe Quantum Dots

ZnTe quantum dots (QDs) have been very attractive because of their potential applications in optoelectronic devices operating in the blue-green region of the spectrum. This paper describes a convenient one-step synthesis of high-quality ZnTe QDs in high-temperature organic solution with high yield. Anhydrous zinc chloride was dissolved in phenyl ether under argon protection and oleic amine was used as coordinating agent. Complex solution of metal tellurium in trioctylphosphine (TOP) was injected into the hot reaction mixture as a source of tellurium. The reaction was complete in several minutes and the resulting QDs were isolated by centrifugation and re-dispersed in hexane. The produced spherical ZnTe QDs are monodispersed and their sizes could be controlled simply by varying the growth temperature. The morphology and phase structure were investigated using TEM and XRD. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra were also studied and quantum size effects were observed as well.
Comparison of the cephalin-cholesterol flocculation with the thymol turbidity test.

ConclusionsThe thymol turbidity test tends to parallel the cephalin flocculation test in most liver disorders and other disease, but notable discrepancies are frequent. Fundamental differences in the mechanisms of the two tests have been pointed out. Notable among these are, (1) the effect of salt on the 2 reactions, (2) the importance of lipids, (3) the role of electrophoretically derived albumin fractions and gamma globulins, and (4) the comparative reactions of serum fractions obtained by ultracentrifligation. It is recommended that both tests be employed for clinical purposes since different disturbances in the serum complex are detected by each.
Questioning as Facilitating Strategies in Online Discussion

Facilitation of online discussions presents a challenge to online learning instructors. Unlike in face-to-face courses, students in online learning do not have physical contacts with instructors. T...
Early recognition of serious infections in obstetrics and gynecology

Pelvic infections commonly occur in pregnant and postoperative women. Most of these infections are readily diagnosed because of their typical clinical manifestations and prompt antimicrobial therapy that leads to the resolution of disease. However, uncommon cases may escape detection and the severity of the process may also go unrecognized without a careful assessment of clues available through physical examination and laboratory testing. In some cases a particularly virulent pathogen can lead to severe infection, septic shock and its consequences, even death, despite clinicians acting appropriately.
Observations on the Aquatic Fungi of Cold Spring Harbor

In this paper forty species of aquatic Phycomycetes are described from the vicinity of Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island, New York.Of these fungi, fifteen appear to be reported for the first time in ...
Functions of Communist Youth League Organizations in Cultivating University Students' Innovation Ability of Science and Technology

University students' scientific and technological innovation activities are the important supplement and an effective extension to the "inner classroom education" in universities.As the most important youth organizations in universities,Chinese Communist Youth League is one of the subjects who carry out the scientific and technological innovation activities of university students.This paper introduces the significant meaning of scientific and technological innovation activities,illustrates the status and functions of Chinese Communist Youth League in cultivating university students' innovative ability.Combining with the practice of scientific and technological innovation activities carried out by the National Biologic Science Base in Beijing Forestry University for university students,the paper puts forward some specific methods,for example,Chinese Communist Youth League should focus on cultivating university students by innovation activities,use education for all-around development to guide the work in universities.
The Inpalt of FDI on Chinese Three Action Mechanisms Concerning Economic Security

With the increased amount of FDI, economic security has caused many concerns. In some degree they have affected the three related action mechanisms.By analyzing the negative influences of FDI, the paper presents the corresponding measures for national economic security.This can effectively reinforce the three action mechanisms and improve the contribution of FDI to national economic growth.
Polylogarithmic-Time Leader Election in Population Protocols

Population protocols are networks of finite-state agents, interacting randomly, and updating their states using simple rules. Despite their extreme simplicity, these systems have been shown to cooperatively perform complex computational tasks, such as simulating register machines to compute standard arithmetic functions. The election of a unique leader agent is a key requirement in such computational constructions. Yet, the fastest currently known population protocol for electing a leader only has linear convergence time, and it has recently been shown that no population protocol using a constant number of states per node may overcome this linear bound. In this paper, we give the first population protocol for leader election with polylogarithmic convergence time, using polylogarithmic memory states per node. The protocol structure is quite simple: each node has an associated value, and is either a leader still in contention or a minion following some leader. A leader keeps incrementing its value and "defeats" other leaders in one-to-one interactions, and will drop from contention and become a minion if it meets a leader with higher value. Importantly, a leader also drops out if it meets a minion with higher absolute value. While these rules are quite simple, the proof that this algorithm achieves polylogarithmic convergence time is non-trivial. In particular, the argument combines careful use of concentration inequalities with anti-concentration bounds, showing that the leaders' values become spread apart as the execution progresses, which in turn implies that straggling leaders get quickly eliminated. We complement our analysis with empirical results, showing that our protocol converges extremely fast, even for large network sizes.
Inherited disorders of lipid transport

The number of well-described discrete disorders of lipid transport is increasing, and the classification of the disorders also is changing, from one based on altered concentrations of classes of lipoproteins, to one based on improved understanding of the genetics of the disorders and of lipoprotein biochemistry and physiology. Many disorders are now traceable to structural defects in or the absence of key proteins such as apolipoproteins, enzymes, lipid transfer proteins, and cellular receptors.
Mode-evolution-based polarization rotation and coupling between silicon and hybrid plasmonic waveguides

Hybrid plasmonic (HP) modes allow strong optical field confinement and simultaneously low propagation loss, offering a potentially compact and efficient platform for on-chip photonic applications. However, their implementation is hampered by the low coupling efficiency between dielectric guided modes and HP modes, caused by mode mismatch and polarization difference. In this work, we present a mode-evolution-based polarization rotation and coupling structure that adiabatically rotates the TE mode in a silicon waveguide and couples it to the HP mode in a strip silicon-dielectric-metal waveguide. Simulation shows that high coupling factors of 92%, 78%, 75%, and 73% are achievable using Ag, Au, Al, and Cu as the metal cap, respectively, at a conversion length of about 5 μm. For an extremely broad wavelength range of 1300-1800 nm, the coupling factor is >64% with a Ag metal cap, and the total back-reflection power, including all the mode reflections and backscattering, is below -40 dB, due to the adiabatic mode transition. Our device does not require high-resolution lithography and is tolerant to fabrication variations and imperfections. These attributes together make our device suitable for optical transport systems spanning all telecommunication bands.
How many Lorentz surfaces are there

Lorentz surfaces are the indefinite metric analogs of Riemann surfaces. While there are just three distinct simply connected Riemann surfaces (the round sphere, the Euclidean plane and the Euclidean disc), there are infinitely many distinct simply connected Lorentz surfaces. This was first noted in a landmark paper [2] by Kulkarni which inspired the systematic study of Lorentz surfaces. Though the full complexity of simply connected Lorentz surfaces is best understood by working with the conformal boundary introduced in [2] (see [7] and [10]), this paper will use a series of elementary examples to give some feeling for the great variety of structures involved.
Oral and intramuscular phenytoin

Twelve epileptic patients, after 1 wk on their previously established oral dose of phenytoin, were given a 50% larger dose intramuscularly for 1 wk after which they were put on an oral phenytoin regimen for 1 wk on a dose one-half the original oral dose. Plasma phenytoin levels did not show a sharp decrease in the intramuscular (im) nor a dangerous increase in the second oral phase. Those receiving drug once a day maintained remarkably stable levels. By the end of the im phase, patients receiving drug in multiple daily doses had some increase in plasma levels proportional to the dose increase. Seizure control was maintained equally well throughout all phases of the study. Except for local irritation at the site of injection, there were no adverse experiences. The data indicate that the dosage regimen described is suitable for patients on oral phenytoin who have to be transferred to im drug for short periods.
Plasmonic Metamaterial Absorbers from Dense Gold Nanoparticle Stacks

Gold nanoparticle solutions were used to make highly absorbing, dense nanoparticle stacks (DNpS) using a simple and inexpensive solution cast method. UV-Vis spectroscopy and reflection measurements were used to characterize absorption. The critical nanoparticle number necessary to obtain maximal absorption was determined for each sample. DNpS metamaterials made from 18- and 44-nm-diameter particles exhibited broadband absorbances above 80 %, with the highest absorption of 95 % at 532 nm. The experimental absorption results agree well with finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) modeling.
From 2D Design of Underactuated Bipedal Gaits to 3D Implementation: Walking With Speed Tracking

Analysis and controller design methods abound in the literature for planar (also known as 2-D) bipedal models. This paper takes one of them developed for underactuated bipeds and documents the process of designing a family of controllers on the basis of a planar model and achieving stable walking on a physical 3-D robot, both indoors and outdoors, with walking speed varying smoothly from 0 to 0.8 m/s. The longest walk in a single experiment is 260 m over terrain with ±7° of slope variation. Advantages and disadvantages of the design approach are discussed.
C-Terminal Binding Protein is Involved in Promoting to the Carcinogenesis of Human Glioma

C-terminal binding protein (CtBP) is responsible for regulating the pathogenesis of a lot of cancer types. However, whether CtBP1/2 is involved in regulating the growth and development of human glioma is still obscure. In the present study presented here, our results firstly reveal that CtBP1/2 deficiency, induced by siRNA interference, disrupts the functional integrity of the MRN complex that is responsible for DNA repair in human glioma cells. The dysfunction of the MRN complex further contributes to the up-regulation of ATM and Rad3-related kinase (ATR) and Chk1 signaling pathway, which inhibits cell cycle progression mediated by CDK2, preparing for the initiation of DNA repair. Under the condition of hypoxia, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) can be directly regulated by CDK2 on protein level, playing coordinately regulatory role in the carcinogenesis of human glioma cells. Overall, our findings reveal that CtBP1/2 is essential to promote to human glioma cell growth through maintaining the DNA stability regulated by the MRN/ATR/Chk1/CDK2/HIF-1α signaling pathway.
A weighted Harrell–Davis distance test with applications to censored data

ABSTRACTConsider the standard treatment-control model with a time-to-event endpoint. We propose a novel interpretable test statistic from a quantile function point of view. The large sample consistency of our estimator is proven for fixed bandwidth values theoretically and validated empirically. A Monte Carlo simulation study also shows that given small sample sizes, utilization of a tuning parameter through the application of a smooth quantile function estimator shows an improvement in efficiency in terms of the MSE when compared to direct application of classic Kaplan–Meier survival function estimator. The procedure is finally illustrated via an application to epithelial ovarian cancer data.
A Low Dose of Dietary Quercetin Fails to Protect against the Development of an Obese Phenotype in Mice

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a 40% high-fat diet (HFD) supplemented with a dietary attainable level of quercetin (0.02%) on body composition, adipose tissue (AT) inflammation, Non-Alcoholic Fatty-Liver Disease (NAFLD), and metabolic outcomes. Diets were administered for 16 weeks to C57BL/6J mice (n = 10/group) beginning at 4 weeks of age. Body composition and fasting blood glucose, insulin, and total cholesterol concentrations were examined intermittently. AT and liver mRNA expression (RT-PCR) of inflammatory mediators (F4/80, CD206 (AT only), CD11c (AT only) TLR-2 (AT only), TLR-4 (AT only), MCP-1, TNF-α, IL-6 (AT only), and IL-10 (AT only)) were measured along with activation of NFκB-p65, and JNK (western blot). Hepatic lipid accumulation, gene expression (RT-PCR) of hepatic metabolic markers (ACAC1, SREBP-1, PPAR-γ), protein content of Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Stress markers (BiP, phosphorylated and total EIF2α, phosphorylated and total IRE1α, CHOP), and hepatic oxidative capacity were assessed (western blot). Quercetin administration had no effect at mitigating increases in visceral AT, AT inflammation, hepatic steatosis, ER Stress, decrements in hepatic oxidative capacity, or the development of insulin resistance and hypercholesterolemia. In conclusion, 0.02% quercetin supplementation is not an effective therapy for attenuating HFD-induced obesity development. It is likely that a higher dose of quercetin supplementation is needed to elicit favorable outcomes in obesity.
Care of the frail elderly

Frailty in the aged is a state of physiological vulnerability, resulting from impaired homeostatic reserve and a decline in ability to respond to stressors. Although no clear consensus definition gives precise guidelines for assessment of frailty, clinicians often recognize these individuals and describe them as frail or failing to thrive. The purpose of this article is to increase awareness of frailty in older adults. Emphasis is placed on a team approach to care for older adults in order to ensure continued vigilance for the hallmarks of frailty. Definitions of frailty and failure to thrive are explored. A case study is presented to illustrate the elements of the phenotype of frailty and the cyclic aspect of the phenomenon. Several models of care are offered to improve assessment for frailty or the amelioration of the outcomes of frailty. Implications for the multidisciplinary team who work with these patients are suggested.
The Jesuit Reading of Confucius: The First Complete Translation of the Lunyu (1687) Published in the West

Eager to be accepted by the elites of Late Imperial China, Jesuit missionaries in the Late Ming learned classical Chinese and Mandarin, instead of the local dialects that their mendicant brethren i...
Cognitive dysfunction in major depression and Alzheimer’s disease is associated with hippocampal–prefrontal cortex dysconnectivity

Cognitive dysfunction is prevalent in psychiatric disorders. Deficits are observed in multiple domains, including working memory, executive function, attention, and information processing. Disability caused by cognitive dysfunction is frequently as debilitating as the prominent emotional disturbances. Interactions between the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex are increasingly appreciated as an important link between cognition and emotion. Recent developments in optogenetics, imaging, and connectomics can enable the investigation of this circuit in a manner that is relevant to disease pathophysiology. The goal of this review is to shed light on the contributions of this circuit to cognitive dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disorders, focusing on Alzheimer’s disease and depression.
Evaluating Decision-Making Modalities and Risk Acceptance Behavior after a Major Mishap: The Case of NASA and the Space Shuttle Columbia Accident

ABSTRACTThe February 2003 loss of the space shuttle Columbia on mission STS-107 was a mishap that stunned both NASA and the world. This research examines the pre-NASA and post-NASA decision-making ...
Visual Hemi-Inattention and Oculomotor Impersistence

The ability to maintain steady fixation for short periods of time was found to decrease as the severity of visual hemi-inattention increased in right-hemisphere stroke patients and matched normal control subjects. Performance was best in the central area of the visual-spatial field and worst in peripheral areas. It is suggested that the paradigm employed reveals the manifestation of a “general” inattention phenomenon that shares the same underlying mechanism as hemi-inattention.
Collaboration challenges in systematic reviews: a survey of health sciences librarians

Objective: While many librarians have been asked to participate in systematic reviews with researchers, often these researchers are not familiar with the systematic review process or the appropriate role for librarians. The purpose of this study was to identify the challenges and barriers that librarians face when collaborating on systematic reviews. To take a wider view of the whole process of collaborating on systematic reviews, the authors deliberately focused on interpersonal and methodological issues other than searching itself. Methods: To characterize the biggest challenges that librarians face while collaborating on systematic review projects, we used a web-based survey. The thirteen-item survey included seventeen challenges grouped into two categories: methodological and interpersonal. Participants were required to indicate the frequency and difficulty of the challenges listed. Open-ended questions allowed survey participants to describe challenges not listed in the survey and to describe strategies used to overcome challenges. Results: Of the 17 challenges listed in the survey, 8 were reported as common by over 40% of respondents. These included methodological issues around having too broad or narrow research questions, lacking eligibility criteria, having unclear research questions, and not following established methods. The remaining challenges were interpersonal, including issues around student-led projects and the size of the research team. Of the top 8 most frequent challenges, 5 were also ranked as most difficult to handle. Open-ended responses underscored many of the challenges included in the survey and revealed several additional challenges. Conclusions: These results suggest that the most frequent and challenging issues relate to development of the research question and general communication with team members. Clear protocols for collaboration on systematic reviews, as well as a culture of mentorship, can help librarians prevent and address these challenges. This article has been approved for the Medical Library Association’s Independent Reading Program .