cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conjunction of Evidence and Multivalent Logic

Classical logic and its attendant probability theory produce in law the troublesome conjunction paradox. They tell us that the conjoined likelihood of independent factual elements equals the product of each element’s likelihood. Meanwhile, the law requires only that each element of a cause of action meet the standard of proof. The seeming paradox is that if the cause entails more than one element, no assurance exists that the conjunction of the elements’ likelihoods will meet the standard of proof.Multivalent logic, however, resolves this conjunction paradox. It maintains that the partial truth produced by factfinding fundamentally differs from the estimated probability of a fact becoming absolutely true as in a lottery. For elements found as partial truths, the elements’ conjoined likelihood logically equals the least likely element’s likelihood. So if each element meets the standard of proof, the conjunction of the cause of action’s elements does too.The law very clearly tells its factfinders to apply the standard of proof element-by-element and not to apply the product rule. That is, the law follows multivalent logic and not classical logic. That much is unarguable reality. The further assertion herein is that law is wise to do so, as multivalent logic allows the law to perform its factfinding accurately.
Extracellular localization of lysozyme in rachitic rat cartilage.

SummaryEpiphyseal cartilage from rachitic rats was found to contain approximately 0.1 μg of lysozyme/mg of wet tissue. This lysozyme is not associated with the membrane-bounded, enzymatically active matrix vesicles which appear to be the locus for initial apatite crystal formation in calcifying cartilage. Lysozyme and alkaline phosphatase activity were found in different fractions of a preparation of digested cartilage subjected to differential centrifugation. Lysozyme, but not alkaline phosphatase, could be extracted from cartilage in appreciable amounts with 1 M NaCl. The possible role of lysozyme in calcification may relate to interaction with proteoglycans.
Greetings from Spitsbergen: Tourists at the Eternal Ice 1827–1914

The most surreal experience in my few field seasons in Spitsbergen was an encounter with a tourist ship. My companions and I were lost in the fog in a zodiac boat. After some tense moments, we disc...
The Creative Individual

Observers of the American management scene have pointed to the recent interest in creativity as one of the more significant developments of our time. Behavioral scientists have also noted an upsurg...
Chemical applications of group theory and topology

The following procedure is described for investigating the qualitative dynamics of simple chemical systems: 1) A so-called influence diagram is generated representing the relationships between the reference reactants (phase-determining intermediates); 2) This influence diagram is used to generate a “truth table” indicating possible transitions between state vectors representing the signs of the time derivatives of of the reference reactant concentrations; 3) The truth table is used to determine a state transition diagram representing the flow topology around unstable equilibrium points; 4) The characteristic equation of the adjacency matrix of the influence diagram is solved in order to determine the presence of such unstable equilibrium points. The two types of qualitative dynamics possible for chemical systems containing two reference reactants and one feedback circuit are bifurcation between two attracting regions (bistability) and limit cycle oscillation. However, in two reference reactant systems oscillation requires an additional self-activating loop to generate the unstable equilibrium point required for its realization. Bistability and limit cycle oscillation are also two of the possible types of qualitative dynamics for chemical systems containing three reference reactants. However, chemical systems with three reference reactants and two or more feedback circuits can also contain interlocking limit cycles, which can lead to toroidal oscillations or chaos. The influence diagrams are given for the systems exhibiting these various types of dynamic behavior along with a summary of the important properties of all 729 possible influences for simple chemical systems containing three reference reactants.
Two new species of intranasal chiggers from Papua New Guinea (Acari: Trombiculidae).

Two new species of intranasal chiggers, Ascoschoengastia maculata and Ascoschoengastia sepikensis , are described from marsupials taken in Papua New Guinea.
Turning the Tide on Poverty: Perceptions of leaders and leadership in economically distressed communities

The Turning the Tide on Poverty project (Tide) was a civic engagement effort launched in 14 economically distressed southern rural communities in the US. The impetus of Tide was to foster community...
Human Factors: Just as Important as Knowledge Factors in Collaborative Experiences

Collaboration within the educational system is a multidimensional process. It is clear that system issues, logistical parameters, and the complexity of specific cases influence the success of the c...
Epidemic Features of Bacillary Dysentery in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture during 2004-2010

[Objective]To analyze epidemic levels and characteristics of bacterial dysentery in Liangshan Prefecture and in recent years,and provide scientific basis for developing control measures.[Methods]The descriptive epidemiology was adopted to analyze the report data of bacillary dysentery in Liangshan Prefecture during 2004-2010. [Results]The average annual report incidence was 124.16/100 000 in Liangshan Prefecture during 2004-2010,the incidence between years was significant(P0.01).The top 5 incidence appeared in Ganluo,Mianning,Ningnan,Dechang and Xichang;the cases distributed all the year,64.38% appeared in April to August,33.28% in May to June,with obviously seasonal peak.The average report incidence of male was 133.82/100 000 and that of female was 113.81/100 000,the difference was significant(P0.01),the ratio of male to female was 1.18∶1;37.21% were children between 0~4 years,with typical characteristics of high incidence among infants.36.99%,36.81% and 10.94% were children,peasants and students. [Conclusion]It is necessary to strengthen health promotion and health education,to increase public awareness of self-health care,to form good personal hygiene habit;to strengthen the supervision and management of food security and water sanitation;to improve the decontamination of human excreta and fly control;to strengthen epidemic surveillance in summer and autumn,and to effectively reduce the incidence of bacillary dysentery.
Epidemiological status of Hypertension among young adults aged 15-55 years in Gaomi City

[Objective]To explore the epidemiological status of hypertension among young adults aged 15-55 years in Gaomi City,and provide evidences for its control in future.[Methods]With accidental sampling method,questionnaire survey and physical examination were conducted among young adults of aged 15-55 years in Gaomi City.[Results]A total of 450 subjects were surveyed,58 were hypertension and the crude prevalence rate of hypertension was 12.89%,11.81% of male and 14.08% of female,without significant difference(P 0.05).The female and male prevalence increased with age.The prevalence of hypertension among the married was 15.05%,2.63% among unmarried,with significant difference(χ2 = 8.791,P 0.05).47.06% had family history of hypertension,11.55% had no family history,with significant difference(χ2 = 18.373,P 0.01);the prevalence of drinker was 17.71%,9.82% of nondrinkers,with significant difference(χ2 = 5.939,P 0.05).The prevalence of hypertension was increased with increasing of BMI.People with primary school or lower education level had the peak prevalence(27.27%).The prevalence of hypertension was decreased with the higher educational levels(P 0.05).[Conclusion]The prevalence of hypertension is high among young adults in Gaomi City.It relates with many risk factors such as BMI,drinking,family history of hypertension etc.The comprehensive prevention and control for hypertension should be further strengthened.
Acute toxicity and mutagenicity test of Chia seed

OBJECTIVE: To explore the toxicological safety of Chia seed. METHODS:Acute toxicity tests and mutagenicity tests(Ames test,micronucleus test of bone marrow cell in mice and sperm shape abnormality test in mice) were used. The dose of 22.5 g/kg was chosen for the acute toxicity tests. The amounts of Chia seed of 22.5 g/kg were fed to mice through mouth,and the mice were observed for 14 days. The doses of 0.008,0.04,0.20,1.0 and 5.0 mg/plate were chosen for the Ames test. The treated plates were cultured at 37 ℃ for 48 h,the number of bacterial colony was counted. The doses of 1.875,3.750 and 7.500 g/kg were used for the micronucleus test. The number of micronucleus of bone marrow cell was counted,the types and numbers of sperm shape abnormality were assessed. RESULTS:Maximum tolerated dose was higher than 22.5 g/kg,indicating that Chia seed was non-toxic,and no significant difference was found between all test groups and the control group in mutagenicity tests. CONCLUSION: Chia seed showed no damage to the genetic material of prokaryotic and mammal cells.
High-latitude ionospheric conductivity variability in three dimensions

We perform the first ever global-scale, altitude-dependent analysis of polar ionospheric conductivity variability using spectrally resolved in situ satellite particle measurements. With an empirical orthogonal function analysis we identify three primary modes of three-dimensional variability related to ionospheric footprints of the quiet and disturbed geospace environment: (1) perturbation of the quasi-permanent auroral oval, (2) differing projections of electron precipitation during southward and northward interplanetary magnetic field, and (3) a likely imprint of variation in Alfvenic Poynting flux deposition. Together, these modes account for >50% of the total conductivity variability throughout the E region ionosphere. Our results show that height-integrated conductance and height-dependent conductivities are distinctly different, underscoring the importance of studying the ionosphere in three dimensions. We provide the framework for future three-dimensional global analysis of ionosphere-magnetosphere coupling.
Periodic stabilization of switched linear systems revisited

The goal of this paper is to study the switching stabilization of discrete-time autonomous switched linear systems (SLSs) based on the periodic Lyapunov functions. In recent papers, a convex switching stabilizability condition was presented. We investigate properties of the condition. In particular, it is proved that the condition is only a sufficient condition, and also provide a class of stabilizable SLSs which cannot be identified as stabilizable by the condition. In addition, for two-dimensional SLSs, another sufficient and necessary stabilizability condition is proposed by using the S-procedure and considering sufficiently fine partitions of the state space. Examples are given to show the validity of the proposed approaches.
Cold field emission from a low-dimensional paraboloidal tip

The competing effects of a reduced electron supply due to quantum confinement and increased transmission probability due to electrostatic field enhancement in nanoscale emitters are studied in the context of cold field emission from a nanoscale paraboloidal emitter tip. Results show that despite increasing local electric fields at the tip apex as the emitter radius decreases, the emitted current density (ECD) decreases.
The Basics: Timing, Dual Injection, Studying the Lesion, Access, Anticoagulation, Guide Support, Trapping

Knowledge and application of seven basic principles and techniques are critical for safely and successfully performing chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). First, CTO PCIs should be planned and not ad hoc procedures. Second, dual (ipsilateral and contralateral) injections should be performed in nearly all cases. Third, the CTO should be carefully studied over a long period of time to formulate a detailed procedural plan. Fourth, bilateral femoral arterial access with large bore sheaths is recommended in most cases for optimal support. Fifth, unfractionated heparin is recommended for anticoagulation. Sixth, techniques to enhance the guide catheter support are often needed, including use of anchor techniques and guide catheter extensions. Seventh, the trapping technique allows for equipment exchanges while securing distal guidewire position.
Adapting Rabin's theorem for differential fields

Harrington extended the first half of Rabin's Theorem to differential fields, proving that every computable differential field can be viewed as a computably enumerable subfield of a computable presentation of its differential closure. For fields F, the second half of Rabin's Theorem says that this subfield is Turing-equivalent to the set of irreducible polynomials in F[X]. We investigate possible extensions of this second half, asking both about the degree of the differential field K within its differential closure and about the degree of the set of constraints for K, which forms the closest analogue to the set of irreducible polynomials.
Nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 activation inhibits house dust mite-induced sinonasal epithelial cell barrier dysfunction.

BACKGROUND Dysregulated sinonasal epithelial cell (SNEC) barrier function has been proposed to contribute to the pathogenesis of sinonasal inflammatory conditions such as allergic rhinitis (AR) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Allergens such as house dust mite (HDM) have been reported to disrupt SNEC barrier integrity. We have recently identified nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation via sulforaphane (SFN) stimulation to stabilize SNEC barrier function. The purpose of this study was to explore whether Nrf2 activation could ameliorate HDM-induced SNEC barrier dysfunction. METHODS Human SNECs (HSNECs) were grown from patients at the air-liquid interface (ALI). HSNECs were stimulated with HDM with or without pharmacologic activation of Nrf2 with SFN. HSNECs were then stained for the epithelial cell junction protein zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and cell surface localization was evaluated by confocal microscopy. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and paracellular fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran permeability was measured in response to stimulation with HDM and SFN. RESULTS HDM stimulation caused a global disruption of the protein ZO-1 along with an associated decrease in TER (p < 0.001) and increased FITC-dextran paracellular permeability (p < 0.0001). Enhancing Nrf2 activation through treatment with SFN prior to stimulation with HDM was associated with increased localization of ZO-1 at the cell surface and statistically significant increases in TER (p < 0.05) and decrease in paracellular FITC-dextran permeability (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION This is the first study to demonstrate that HDM-induced SNEC barrier dysfunction may be preventable by Nrf2 activation. The Nrf2 antioxidant pathway may represent a potential therapeutic target for allergen-induced sinonasal inflammation.
Designing and Regulating Wisely: Removing Barriers to Joy in Practice.

The editorialist discusses the negative consequences of excessive administrative tasks and views these recommendations as a timely call for greater evidence-based regulation and a shared responsibi...
Gd 5 Si 4 Micro- and Nano-Particles for Self-Regulated Magnetic Hyperthermia

Gd5Si4 is a promising candidate for magnetic hyperthermia because its $T_{C}$ is near the therapeutic range and is tuneable, opening the door for self-regulated hyperthermia, which is limited from overheating by $T_{C}$ . In addition, Gd5Si4 has a high saturation magnetization and is potentially biocompatible. In this paper, Gd5Si4 particles were fabricated by a scalable top–down approach of arc-melting and ball-milling. The particles have an average size of 900 nm and a wide size range. Magnetization measurements show that the magnetic transition is broadened and the transition temperature $T_{C}$ is somewhat reduced from the bulk value of 63 °C to 50 °C, which is very close to the maximum desired hyperthermia temperature range of 43 °C–45 °C. Hyperthermia measurements were performed in an alternating magnetic field. Specific loss power was calculated from the slope of the heating curve; the maximum value was 18 W/g at 0.064 T and 213 kHz. Self-regulated heating behavior was demonstrated, with maximum temperatures approaching 47 °C for the largest fields, close to the measured magnetic transition temperature $T_{C}$ .
Polyp detection at colonoscopy: Endoscopist and technical factors

The adenoma detection rate (ADR) has emerged as the most important quality measure in colonoscopy, as it predicts the risk of interval cancer after colonoscopy. Measuring and improving ADR is the central focus of the current quality movement in colonoscopy. High ADRs can be achieved by a colonoscopist with a thorough understanding of the wide range of endoscopic appearances of precancerous lesions in the colorectum, effective bowel preparation, and meticulous technique using high definition colonoscopes. The knowledgeable and effective examiner needs no adjunctive devices or techniques to achieve master level ADRs. However, measurement reveals that many colonoscopists have ADRs that are below recommended minimum thresholds or below master levels. These colonoscopists, and even master level performers, can choose from a variety of adjunctive tools to improve ADR. This review describes these tools according to whether they are non-device methods (e.g. double right colon examination, patient position change, water exchange), mucosal exposure devices (wide angle colonoscopy, fold flattening devices), and lesion highlighting techniques (e.g. chromoendoscopy, electronic chromoendoscopy).
Immunohistochemical Procedures for Characterizing the Retinal Expression Patterns of Cre Driver Mouse Lines

The retina is a thin neural tissue sitting on the backside of the eye, composed of light-sensing cells, interneurons, and output ganglion neurons. The latter send electrical signals to higher visual centers in the brain. Transgenic mouse lines are becoming one of the most valuable mammalian animal models for the study of visual signal processing within the retina. Especially, the generation of Cre recombinase transgenic mouse lines provides a powerful tool for genetic manipulation. A key step for the utilization of transgenic lines is the characterization of their transgene expression patterns in the retina. Here we describe a standard protocol for characterizing the expression pattern of the Cre recombinase or fluorescent proteins in the retina with an immunohistochemical approach.
Serial transplantation of bone marrow to test self-renewal capacity of hematopoietic stem cells in vivo

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have the ability to self-renew and replenish the blood and immune system for the life span of an individual. An age-associated decline in HSC function is responsible for the decreased immune function and increased incidence of myeloid diseases and anemia in the elderly. The changes in HSC function are thought to occur as the result of an intrinsic defect in the self-renewal potential of HSCs as they age. In this chapter, we describe a bone marrow serial transplantation protocol designed to test the self-renewal capacity of HSCs in vivo.
George A. Lundberg

Even if I should admit that social scientists are today merely chipping flint in the Stone Age of their science, I do not see that we have any choice but to follow the rough road that other sciences have traveled.
An Overview of Government Regulation of the Use of Computed Tomography through 1978

Since its introduction to the health care system of the United States about five years ago, computed tomography (CT) has become widely adopted. The rapidity with which clinical experience has accumulated and the diagnostic usefulness recognized at major research centers is analogous to the experience with x-ray following Roentgen’s discovery in the 19th century. However, because of the high initial capital cost of CT and its introduction at a time when health care costs are under close scrutiny, government agencies have worked to ensure appropriate utilization and distribution of the technology. Figure 1 summarizes the factors that have influenced this process.
Towards Integrated Process Supervision: Current Status and Future Directions

Abstract Process supervision deals with tasks that are executed to operate a process plant safely and economically. These tasks can be classified as data acquisition. regulatory control, monitoring. data reconciliation, fault diagnosis, supervisory control, scheduling and planning. Whi1c these operational tasks may be intrinsically different from each other, they are, however, c1osely related and can not be treated in isolation. Hence, there exists a clear need for an integrated framework so that the operational decision-making can be made more comprehensively and effectively. While such an integrated approach is very compelling and desirable, achieving it is no simple task as there are many challenges in realizing integration. In this paper, we review these challenges and indentify the underlying issues which need to be addressed for achieving an integrated approach to process supervision. We discuss the role of artificial intelligence in this context and how it provides a problem-solving platform for integration. We also survey the current status of automated approaches to operations and conclude with some thoughts on future directions.
Changes in the Epidemiology of Cytomegalovirus

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is highly species-specific, and humans are believed to be its only reservoir (1). Seroepidemiologic surveys have found CMV infection in every population that has been tested, including remote Indian tribes in the Amazon basin that lacked evidence of past measles or influenza infections (2, 3). CMV infection is endemic and without seasonal variation. Climate does not affect the prevalence of infection, and there are no known vectors in the natural transmission cycle. The prevalence of CMV infection increases with age, but according to geographic, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, the patterns of acquisition of this infection vary widely among populations (4). As illustrated in figure 1, in general, CMV is acquired earlier in life in developing countries and among the lower socioeconomic strata of developed countries. Differences between populations can be particularly striking during childhood, with rates of seropositivity of 4–6-yr-olds varying from less than 10% in Great Britain and certain populations in the United States to nearly 100% in Africa and the South Pacific. Presumably, these significant differences are the reflection of factors that account for increased exposure to CMV, such as crowding, breast-feeding, sexual practices, and certain rearing practices. Transmission occurs by direct or indirect person-to-person contact. Sources of the virus include urine, oropharyngeal secretions, cervical and vaginal secretions, semen, milk, tears, and blood (5, 6). CMV is not very contagious, and the spread of infection requires close or intimate contact with infected secretions. Restriction-enzyme analyses of CMV DNA have been used to demonstrate person-to-person spread of the virus in situations where close contact occurs, such as breast-feeding, sexual activity, day care, and interaction between parents or care takers and infected toddlers. Under special circumstances fomites may also play a role, since CMV has been shown to retain infectivity for hours on plastic surfaces and has been isolated from randomly selected toys and surfaces in day-care centers (7, 8).
Natural Language Processing for Biosurveillance

Information described in electronic clinical reports can be useful for both detection and characterization of outbreaks. However, the information is in unstructured, free-text format and is not available to computerized applications. Natural Language processing methods structure free-text information by classifying, extracting, and encoding details from the text. We provide a brief description of the types of natural Language processing techniques that have been applied to the domain of outbreak detection and characterization. We group textual data generated by a healthcare visit into four classes: chief complaints, emergency care notes, hospitalization notes, and discharge reports. For each class of data, we illustrate uses of the data for outbreak detection and characterization with examples from real applications that extract information from text. We conclude that a modest but solid foundation has been laid for natural Language processing of clinical text for the purpose of biosurveillance, with the main focus being on chief complaints. To provide more accurate detection and to assist in investigating and characterizing outbreaks that have already been detected, future research should focus on tools for extracting detailed clinical and epidemiological variables from clinical reports. Areas of challenge include identifying contextual modifiers of clinical conditions, identifying useful temporal information, and integrating information across reports for a more complete view of a patient’s clinical state.
Guan Yu: The Religious Afterlife of a Failed Hero

A critical study of the rich religious tradition surrounding Guan Yu 關羽 (also known as Guandi 關帝, Guangong 關公, or Lord Guan) was long overdue. Barend ter Haar’s recent book rises up to the task wit...
Antireflux surgery by the thoracic approach

Ideas get fixed in names. For much of this century surgeons treated a hiatus hernia as a muscle to be repaired, a rim to be snugged or an organ to be tethered. In 1951 Allison1 put an end to this preoccupation with bulging stomach and showed that the symptoms of an ordinary sliding hernia derive from gastro-oesophageal reflux rather than the supposedly throttled stomach implicit in the name of the condition. Although Allison’s thesis proved to be correct his repair failed the test of the follow-up clinic; it remained for Belsey and Nissen, more or less simultaneously, to develop useful and more durable operations to curb reflux. Nissen’s fundoplication was a serendipitous discovery. Belsey’s Mark IV operation2, on the other hand, was the culmination of operative trials and years of observations in the endoscopy suite and follow-up clinic of Frenchay Hospital. Both operations may be performed through the chest; the Belsey operation must be done via that route.
The Healthcare Simulation Technology Specialist and Simulation

This chapter will assist the healthcare simulation technology specialist (HSTS) with developing the skills to operate, set up, and maintain simulation equipment and plan and implement scenarios with educational faculty. There are two parts to this chapter: “Simulation Equipment” and “Scenario Development and Case Operation.” Part one helps to highlight the significant functional differences of the equipment commonly available for use in simulation training and serves as a guide for its implementation into simulation activities. Becoming familiar with the tools, both hardware and software, which are used to mimic the healthcare environment will aid in creating a realistic and engaging training environment. Part one will also serve as a guide for the HSTS to understand what to expect during the acquisition of equipment, maintenance of the equipment, and eventual repair or replacement that must be expected as part of the equipment life cycle. Part two of the chapter describes how the simulation operations team can work with educators on planning, designing, and preparing for an immersive simulation scenario, including the run-through, orientation, execution, debriefing, and review stages of the simulation.
Learning and Uncertainty-Exploited Directional Antenna Control for Robust Aerial Networking

Aerial communication using directional antennas (ACDA) is a promising solution to enable long-distance and broad-band unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-to-UAV communication. The automatic alignment of directional antennas allows transmission energy to focus in certain direction and hence significantly extends communication range and rejects interference. In this paper, we develop reinforcement learning (RL)-based on-line directional antennas control solutions for the ACDA system. The novel stochastic optimal control algorithm integrates RL, an effective uncertainty evaluation method called multivariate probabilistic collocation method (MPCM), and unscented Kalman Filter (UKF) for the nonlinear random switching dynamics. Simulation studies are conducted to illustrate and validate the proposed solutions.
Photon energy and polarization-dependent electronic structure of Cr-doped Bi 2 Se 3

In this article, we report a comparative study of the electronic structure of Cr-doped and pristine ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}{\mathrm{Se}}_{3}$. Circular dichroism and photon-energy-dependent angle-resolved photoemission experiments were performed. Even though the surface states seen on the Cr-doped samples are gapped, they exhibit strong circular dichroism, for which we provide its origin in accordance with the nontrivial band structure of the bulk. The surface electronic structure measurements with linear and circular polarized light show signatures that the orbital composition of the surface states is changed with Cr doping. Our observations not only provide further spectroscopic information about topological materials, but also promotes an alternative experimental tool to control their spin-orbital texture.
Cognitive and academic profiles in children with cerebral palsy: A narrative review.

Abstract Background Considerable effort has recently been made to improve the accurate diagnosis of cerebral palsy (CP) in childhood and to establish early intervention aiming to improve functional outcome. Besides the visible motor impairments, cognitive abilities are frequently affected but might remain unrecognised in children with mild forms. On the other hand, some severely disabled children with presumed intellectual disabilities might demonstrate normal-range reasoning capacities. Most studies on this topic have emphasized a variety of cognitive profiles (cognitive level) related to the type of cerebral palsy and the underlying brain lesions (biological level). However, little is known at the behavioural level, namely learning skills and educational achievement. Objective This narrative review aimed to discuss cognitive and scholastic skills typically affected in children with CP. Methods Online literature research for studies of cerebral palsy, cognition and academic achievement, extracting all relevant articles regardless of article type. Results In children with CP, intellectual disability is frequent and correlated with the degree of motor impairment and early epilepsy. Speech and language problems are prevalent in all forms of CP and might hamper everyday participation on varying levels depending on the degree of motor disability. Most children with CP have neuropsychological deficits affecting predominantly visuospatial functions, attention, and/or executive functions. These problems relate to academic performance and social participation. Discussion An adequate interdisciplinary follow-up of children with CP requires a sensitization of clinicians to the complex topic of cognitive and academic problems in this population and a better synergy between the medical and educational worlds.
Storing and analyzing a genome on a blockchain

Abstract The genomic characterization of individuals promises to be immensely useful for biomedical research and healthcare. However, a critical barrier to expanding personal genome sequencing is achieving secure, high-integrity storage of raw data. While cloud storage offers solutions to access such data from any place and device, the vulnerabilities of centralized storage in relation to security, data integrity, and robustness, such as single points of failure, have not yet been addressed. Blockchain is a potential alternative to these storage modes. However, storing large-scale data on blockchain can be challenging due to slow transaction speeds, the potential for chains to reach large sizes, and limitations on querying data stored on-chain. Currently, several genomic storage applications incorporate blockchain, but likely because of these challenges, many use blockchain only to facilitate and log data-access transactions, rather than to store raw genomic data on-chain. While this secures the process of data access, it does not secure the data itself, which is often stored off-chain (i.e. in a cloud or file-hosting services). Here, we developed a novel method of storing reference-aligned reads on-chain in a private blockchain network. We also developed tools for accessing and analyzing the on-chain data. We addressed the challenges of on-chain data storage by minimizing the data inserted to the chain using reference-based data compression techniques and by binning the on-chain data by genomic location to reduce retrieval times. Our tools provide open-source blockchain-based storage and access for advanced genomic analyses such as variant calling.
Chapter 9 – Reproductive Biology

Publisher Summary Although the overall number of nonhuman primate species used in reproductive research has declined since the early 1970s, large numbers are still utilized for this purpose. Among the nonhuman primate species that are still used for reproductive research are several prosimians (lemurs and bushbabies), New World species (squirrel monkeys, marmosets, tamarins), Old World species (rhesus, cynomolgus, pig-tailed macaques, baboons, African green monkey), and apes (chimpanzees). The rhesus monkey has been, by far, the most commonly used species for research in reproductive biology until recently, as they have been replaced to a large extent by the cynomolgus or the long-tailed macaque. This shift in choice of species was brought about largely by the exportation ban of the rhesus by the Indian government and the ready availability of the long-tailed macaque from Indonesia and the Philippine Islands. This chapter primarily utilized the data available for the more commonly used species, and the present information from the lesser used species.
Growth options and acquisition likelihood in high tech

Abstract With high tech firms now representing the majority of acquisitions among all pubic, non-regulated firms, we attempt to determine how a tech firm’s growth options influence its likelihood of being acquired. In particular, we develop a new growth options proxy called Gamma (Γ) to represent the return relative to investment in research and development. We find that Γ is inversely related to the likelihood of being acquired. Robustness tests show that this relationship holds regardless of the subperiod assessed, the size category assessed, whether tech firms are engaged in friendly or hostile acquisitions, the method used to identify tech firms, and whether the R&D definition includes capital expenditures. The relationship is even more pronounced when tech targets have a relatively low valuation (based on the market-book ratio). Furthermore, we find that tech firms with a high Γ are less likely to acquire targets. In general, tech firms with a high Γ appear to prefer organic growth rather than expansion by combinations with other tech firms.
Steroid sulfatase stimulates intracrine androgen synthesis and is a therapeutic target for advanced prostate cancer

Purpose: Most patients with prostate cancer receiving enzalutamide or abiraterone develop resistance. Clinical evidence indicates that serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and biologically active DHEA remain in the high range despite antiandrogen treatment. The conversion of DHEAS into DHEA by steroid sulfatase (STS) may contribute to sustained intracrine androgen synthesis. Here, we determine the contribution of STS to treatment resistance and explore the potential of targeting STS to overcome resistance in prostate cancer. Experimental Design: STS expression was examined in patients and cell lines. In vitro, STS activity and expression were modulated using STS-specific siRNA or novel STS inhibitors (STSi). Cell growth, colony formation, androgen production, and gene expression were examined. RNA-sequencing analysis was conducted on VCaP cells treated with STSi. Mice were treated with STSis with or without enzalutamide to determine their effects in vivo. Results: STS is overexpressed in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and resistant cells. STS overexpression increases intracrine androgen synthesis, cell proliferation, and confers resistance to enzalutamide and abiraterone. Inhibition of STS using siRNA suppresses prostate cancer cell growth. Targeting STS activity using STSi inhibits STS activity, suppresses androgen receptor transcriptional activity, and reduces the growth of resistant C4-2B and VCaP prostate cancer cells. STSis significantly suppress resistant VCaP tumor growth, decrease serum PSA levels, and enhance enzalutamide treatment in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions: These studies suggest that STS drives intracrine androgen synthesis and prostate cancer proliferation. Targeting STS represents a therapeutic strategy to treat CRPC and improve second-generation antiandrogen therapy.
Deep learning toolbox for automated enhancement, segmentation, and graphing of cortical optical coherence tomography microangiograms

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is becoming increasingly popular for neuroscientific study, but it remains challenging to objectively quantify angioarchitectural properties from 3D OCTA images. This is mainly due to projection artifacts or “tails” underneath vessels caused by multiple-scattering, as well as the relatively low signal-to-noise ratio compared to fluorescence-based imaging modalities. Here, we propose a set of deep learning approaches based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to automated enhancement, segmentation and gap-correction of OCTA images, especially of those obtained from the rodent cortex. Additionally, we present a strategy for skeletonizing the segmented OCTA and extracting the underlying vascular graph, which enables the quantitative assessment of various angioarchitectural properties, including individual vessel lengths and tortuosity. These tools, including the trained CNNs, are made publicly available as a user-friendly toolbox for researchers to input their OCTA images and subsequently receive the underlying vascular network graph with the associated angioarchitectural properties.
Surface water connectivity affects lake and stream fish species richness and composition

Stream and lake fishes are important economic and recreational resources that respond to alterations in their surrounding watersheds and serve as indicators of ecological stressors on aquatic ecosy...
Methodological and analytical issues of progressive ratio schedules: Definition and scaling of breakpoint

Abstract Background The break point (BP) of the progressive ratio (PR) schedule of drug delivery is a well-recognized parameter in self-administration studies. Nonetheless, two problems remain unresolved: there is no rationally justified criterion for the last response at BP; the both commonly used definitions of BP as the number of deliveries or the last complete progressive ratio requirement are not the best assuming that BP is a measure of motivation. New Method A criterion for the last lever press is proposed in this study using intravenous cocaine self-administration in rats. The rationale is based on the finding that long inter-press intervals have initially very low probability to occur during the self-administration phase of the session under the PR schedule. But this probability dramatically increases when inter-injection intervals increase due to high ratio requirements. Results For cocaine these critical inter-press intervals were 7.5 min and longer. This novel criterion was applied to measure BP according to all four theoretically plausible definitions of BP including the new one: the higher of the two numbers of presses before or after the last delivery of the reinforcer. Comparison with Existing Method The conventionally defined BP is significantly lower (by 12 %) than BP defined according to the new proposed definition. The new definition of BP provides not only a more accurate value of BP but now the variance of BP at different cocaine doses is homogeneous as required by many statistical tests. Conclusion These new definitions of the last press and BP provide more accurate and statistically homogenous measure of BP.
SOD1 Mediates Lysosome-to-Mitochondria Communication and its Dysregulation by Amyloid-β Oligomers

Altered mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) occurs in neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimers disease (AD); how mtDNA synthesis is linked to neurodegeneration is poorly understood. We discovered Nutrient-induced Mitochondrial Activity (NiMA), an inter-organelle signaling pathway where nutrient-stimulated lysosomal mTORC1 activity regulates mtDNA replication in neurons by a mechanism sensitive to amyloid-{beta} oligomers (A{beta}Os), a primary factor in AD pathogenesis. Using 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation into mtDNA of cultured neurons, along with photoacoustic and mitochondrial metabolic imaging of cultured neurons and mouse brains, we show these effects being mediated by mTORC1-catalyzed T40 phosphorylation of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1). Mechanistically, tau, another key factor in AD pathogenesis and other tauopathies, reduced the lysosomal content of the tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), thereby increasing NiMA and suppressing SOD1 activity and mtDNA synthesis. A{beta}Os inhibited these actions. Dysregulation of mtDNA synthesis was observed in fibroblasts derived from TS patients, who lack functional TSC and elevated SOD1 activity was also observed in human AD brain. Together, these findings imply that tau and SOD1 couple nutrient availability to mtDNA replication, linking mitochondrial dysfunction to AD.
Removal of Congo red dyes from aqueous solutions by porous γ-alumina nanoshells.

Abstract Porous alumina has been shown to be an excellent adsorbent for Congo Red (CR) dye. In this work, highly porous g-Al2O3 nanoshells were synthesized from alumina coated carbon black (CB) obtained from a new deposition technique and used for removal of CR dye from aqueous solutions. Adsorption experiments were conducted in a batch mode and a series of parameters were investigated, including contact time, initial dye concentrations, ionic strength and pH of the solutions. It was found that equilibrium for CR adsorption can be reached within 30 min, much faster than reported by other studies in the literature on similar adsorbents. It was also found that the adsorption capacity of Al2O3 nanoshells is 44.8 % higher than that of alumina/CB. The adsorption capacity of Al2O3 nanoshells was more favorable at lower pH, and the optimal adsorption ability was achieved at pH 4.0 with a removal efficiency at 98.6 %. The Al2O3 nanoshells have a maximum adsorption capacity of 370.4 mg g−1 (25 °C; pH 7; no salt added), better than or comparable to those reported in the literature. A pseudo-second-order kinetics model can best fit the kinetics of CR adsorption, which follows the Langmuir isotherm. The high adsorption capacity is attributed to the strong hydrogen-bonding interactions between the anionic dye and Al2O3 nanoshells surface as well as to the electrostatic interactions between CR dye and the Al2O3 nanoshells.
Pulmonary Nodules or Masses

A pulmonary nodule is a well-circumscribed opacity measuring up to or equal to 3 cm in diameter. A mass is a lesion more than 3 cm in diameter. The principles of evaluation are the same for nodules and masses, and for the rest of this chapter, the term nodule is used.
Acute induction of conserved synaptic signaling pathways in Drosophila melanogaster.

Analyses of early molecular and cellular events associated with long-term plasticity remain hampered in Drosophila by the lack of an acute procedure to activate signal transduction pathways, gene expression patterns, and other early cellular events associated with long-term synaptic change. Here we describe the development and first use of such a technique. Bursts of neural activity induced in Drosophila comatose ts and CaP60A Kumts mutants, with conditional defects in N -ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion factor 1 and sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca 2 + ATPase, respectively, result in persistent (>4 hr) activation of neuronal extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). ERK activation at the larval neuromuscular junction coincides with rapid reduction of synaptic Fasciclin II; in soma, nuclear translocation of activated ERK occurs together with increased transcription of the immediate-early genes Fos and c/EBP (CCAAT element binding protein). The effect of “seizure-stimulation” on ERK activation requires neural activity and is mediated through activation of MEK (MAPK/erk kinase), the MAPKK (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase) that functions upstream of ERK. Our results (1) provide direct proof for the conservation of synaptic signaling pathways in arthropods, (2) demonstrate the utility of a new genetic tool for analysis of synaptic plasticity in Drosophila , and (3) potentially enable new proteomic and genomic analyses of activity-regulated molecules in an important model organism.
Degradation of Phenolic Compounds and Ring Cleavage of Catechol by Phanerochaete chrysosporium

POL-88, a mutant of the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium, was selected for diminished phenol-oxidizing enzyme activity. A wide variety of phenolic compounds were degraded by ligninolytic cultures of this mutant. With several o-diphenolic substrates, degradation intermediates were produced that had UV spectra consistent with muconic acids. Extensive spectrophotometric and polarographic assays failed to detect classical ring-cleaving dioxygenases in cell homogenates or in extracts from ligninolytic cultures. Even so, a sensitive carrier-trapping assay showed that intact cultures degraded [U-14C]catechol to [14C]muconic acid, establishing the presence of a system capable of 1,2-intradiol fission. Significant accumulation of [14C]muconic acid into carrier occurred only when evolution of 14CO2 from [14C]catechol was inhibited by treating cultures with excess nutrient nitrogen (e.g., l-glutamic acid) or with cycloheximide. l-Glutamic acid is known from past work to repress the ligninolytic system in P. chrysosporium and to mimic the effect of cycloheximide. The results here indicate, therefore, that the enzyme system responsible for degrading ring-cleavage products to CO2 turns over faster than does the system responsible for ring cleavage.