cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A 3D-3C Micro-PIV Method

The authors present an experimental method to construct a three-dimensional (3D) three-component (3C) velocity distribution with micron spatial resolution. The micron resolution particle image velocimetry (micro-PIV) technique and the concept of continuity are used to estimate the out-of-plane component of velocity. The micro-PIV technique is used to resolve a number of 2D-2C (x,y,u,v) velocity-vector field layers spaced a known distance in the out-of-plane direction. The method requires some a priori knowledge such as a wall condition or plane of symmetry, and the method can be used to investigate steady or phase referenced flows. To demonstrate the capabilities of the method we determined the velocity distribution around an individual living human red blood cell adhered within a glass microchannel. The relatively small cell demonstrated the spatial resolution of the method. A number of velocity vector fields were resolved with the out-of-plane velocity estimated. A numerical simulation was constructed to show agreement with the experimental results. The spatial resolution of the experimental results where order 3 mum for the in-plane components and order 2 mum in the out-of-plane direction. The uncertainty of the out-of-plane velocity is calculated and estimated at each layer.
Characterization of Zona Pellucida Glycoprotein 3 (ZP3) and ZP2 Binding Sites on Acrosome-Intact Mouse Sperm

There is considerable evidence that mouse fertilization requires the binding of sperm to two of the three glycoproteins that form the zona pellucida (ZP), ZP3 and ZP2. Despite the biologic importance of this binding, no one has demonstrated that sperm express separate, saturable, and specific binding sites for ZP3 and for ZP2. Such a demonstration is a prerequisite for defining the distribution, numbers, affinities, and regulation of function of ZP3 and ZP2 binding sites on sperm. The experiments reported herein used fluorochrome-labeled ZP3 and ZP2 and quantitative image analysis to characterize the saturable binding of ZP3 and ZP2 to distinct sites on living, capacitated, acrosome-intact mouse sperm. Approximately 20% of the ZP3 binding sites were found over the acrosomal cap, and the remaining sites were located over the postacrosomal region of the head. In contrast, ZP2 binding sites were detected only over the postacrosomal region. Saturation analysis estimated numbers and affinities of the binding sites for ZP3 (B(max) approximately 185 000 sites per sperm; K(d) approximately 67 nM) and ZP2 (B(max) approximately 500 000 sites per sperm; K(d) approximately 200 nM). Use of unlabeled ZP3, ZP2, and ZP1 as competitive inhibitors of the binding of fluorochrome-labeled ZP3 and ZP2 demonstrated that ZP3 and ZP2 bound specifically to their respective sites on sperm. Finally, we demonstrate that extracellular calcium as well as capacitation and maturation of sperm are required for these sites to bind their respective ligands.
Faceted metadata for image search and browsing

There are currently two dominant interface types for searching and browsing large image collections: keyword-based search, and searching by overall similarity to sample images. We present an alternative based on enabling users to navigate along conceptual dimensions that describe the images. The interface makes use of hierarchical faceted metadata and dynamically generated query previews. A usability study, in which 32 art history students explored a collection of 35,000 fine arts images, compares this approach to a standard image search interface. Despite the unfamiliarity and power of the interface (attributes that often lead to rejection of new search interfaces), the study results show that 90% of the participants preferred the metadata approach overall, 97% said that it helped them learn more about the collection, 75% found it more flexible, and 72% found it easier to use than a standard baseline system. These results indicate that a category-based approach is a successful way to provide access to image collections.
Assessment of liver function during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the non-heart beating donor swine

Abstract Introduction Although the use of non–heart beating donors (NHBD) could bridge the widening gap between organ demand and supply, its application to liver transplantation is limited due to warm ischemia (WI), biliary tree injury, and inadequate organ assessment. Warm blood reperfusion using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can be a suitable option to reduce WI in organs from NHBD, allowing one to determine hepatic flow characteristics and bile production and facilitating assessment of organ viability. Methods This work evaluates the use of warm blood veno-arterial ECMO reperfusion in NHBD swine. Systemic and hepatic hemodynamics, bile, urine, and mixed venous blood were measured. After baseline data collection, 10 kU heparin was given intravenously followed by 1 g KCl to elicit cardiac arrest (CA). ECMO was started after 30 or 60 minutes of CA and kept running for 120 minutes. Results One-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey test analysis was used within a group. Two-way ANOVA was used between groups. ECMO can restore venous SO 2 and pH in both groups; the values were close to baseline in the 30-minute CA group. Also, in this group, bile production was >65% from baseline early during reperfusion and its value was lower in the longer CA group P P Conclusion In this preheparinized NHBD swine model, ECMO support restores liver perfusion, oxygenation, and bile production after 60 minutes of CA. Quantification and analysis of bile production could be a determinant of liver function during ECMO resuscitation, and it may be a predictor of graft viability before transplantation.
Five-year results of a randomized, prospective, clinical trial of diode vs argon laser trabeculoplasty for open-angle glaucoma

Abstract PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of laser trabeculoplasty (LTP) with a semiconductor diode laser (810 nm, [DLT]) vs an argon blue-green laser (488 to 514 nm, [ALT]). METHODS: In a prospective, randomized clinical trial, 50 eyes of 46 patients with uncontrolled open-angle glaucoma on maximally tolerated medical therapy were treated and followed at regular intervals for 5 years. Fifty laser spots were applied over 180 degrees using either maximal laser power or sufficient power to produce blanching or a small bubble (570 to 850 mW, DLT; 400 to 1,100 mW, ALT). We performed DLT using a 100-μm spot size, a 0.5-second exposure, and a Ritch lens; we conducted ALT with a 50-μm spot, a 0.1-second exposure, and a Goldmann lens. Patients in the study were followed until trabeculectomy was required. RESULTS: The mean follow-up times ± SD for all eyes were 38.6 ± 5.4 months, DLT (n = 22; range, 1 to 68 months) and 35.5 ± 4.8 months, ALT (n = 28; range, 1 to 66 months). Those in the diode laser group (n = 16) who had more than 1 year of follow-up were tracked for 49.4 months, and those in the argon laser group (n = 21) were tracked for 45.8 months. There were no significant differences in the mean pretreatment intraocular pressures (IOPs): 21.2 mm Hg, DLT (n = 22) and 21.5, ALT 21.5 mm Hg (n = 28); P = .81] or in mean final IOPs (15.7 mm Hg, DLT and 17.1 mm Hg, ALT; P = .19). Time to surgical failure showed no significant differences, with 50% of the DLT eyes and 58% of the ALT eyes surviving at 5 years ( P = .59). CONCLUSION: In eyes with open-angle glaucoma and unsatisfactory IOP control on maximally tolerated medical therapy, DLT and ALT are equally effective in lowering IOP over a 5-year period.
Derivation of gauge invariance from high-energy unitarity bounds on the S matrix

A systematic search is made for all renormalizable theories of heavy vector bosons. It is argued that in any renormalizable Lagrangian theory high-energy unitarity bounds should not be violated in perturbation theory (apart from logarithmic factors in the energy). This leads to the specific requirement of “tree unitarity„; the N -particle S -matrix elements in the tree approximation must grow no more rapidly than E 4- N in the limit of high energy ( E ) at fixed, nonzero angles (i.e., at angles such that all invariants P i − P j i≠j , grow like E 2 ). We have imposed this tree-unitarity criterion on the most general scalar, spinor, and vector Lagrangian with terms of mass dimension less than or equal to four; a certain class of nonpolynomial Lagrangians is also considered. It is proved that any such theory is tree-unitary if and only if it is equivalent under a point transformation to a spontaneously broken gauge theory, possibly modified by the addition of mass terms for vectors associated with invariant Abelian subgroups. Our result suggests that gauge theories are the only renormalizable theories of massive vector particles and that the existence of Lie groups of internal symmetries in particle physics can be traced to the requirement of renormalizability.
Biophotonics: resonant cavity-based biosensors

Optical microcavities have numerous applications, spanning engineering and science disciplines from designing high-performance optical buffers to studying quantum effects. Recently, these devices have begun to probe biological phenomena, behaving as sensitive and specific chemical and biological sensors. The sensitivity is derived from the long photon lifetime inside the cavity, and therefore, devices with higher quality factors (Q) are more sensitive. Specificity is achieved through surface functionalization. Previously, ultra-high-Q (Q>100 million) devices demonstrated label-free, single molecule detection of biologically relevant proteins based on resonant wavelength shift. This work and more recent results using a monoclonal antibody-based surface functionalization will be presented.
Bengalis in Pakistan

Eyes turned toward India can see a new pattern emerging. Whatever other political readjustments may result from future negotiations, it appears certain that at least two main political units are to replace the area formerly known as British India. Hindustan will cover those areas predominantly Hindu; Pakistan will include those areas with Muslim majority. The differences of opinion concerning the desirability of effecting this division are now part of history, since both of the major political parties have agreed to the principle of division. Only the boundaries of the split remain to be worked out.
Retrospective Statistical Power: Fallacies and Recommendations

The calculation of statistical power after a study has been concluded is a highly controversial practice in quantitative research. Retrospective power in association with statistical nonsignificance presents special challenge to applied researchers in interpreting their statistical outcomes. The purposes of the present study are to review the current debate on retrospective power analysis, to examine the evidential basis of some myths associated with it, and to recommend some practical guidelines for quantitative researchers. I first briefly explain the theoretical concepts of prospective and retrospective power. I then describe three fallacies in misusing and abusing retrospective power. I conclude by providing some recommendations for improving the statistical practice associated with statistically nonsignificant findings.
Netrin UNC-6 and the Regulation of Branching and Extension of Motoneuron Axons from the Ventral Nerve Cord of Caenorhabditis elegans

In the Caenorhabditis elegans embryo, some ventral midline motoneurons extend a process circumferentially to the dorsal midline and a process longitudinally along ventral nerve cord interneurons. Circumferential migrations are guided by netrin UNC-6, which repels motoneuron axons dorsally. Although the motoneuron cell bodies and the longitudinal axons are positioned along UNC-6-expressing interneurons in the ventral nerve cord, the circumferential processes extend only from the motoneuron cell bodies and from defined locations along some longitudinal axons. This implies a mechanism regulates motoneuron branching of UNC-6-responsive processes. We show that expression of unc-6 ΔC, which encodes UNC-6 without domain C, partially rescues circumferential migration defects in unc-6 null animals. This activity depends on the netrin receptors UNC-5 and UNC-40. These results indicate that UNC-6ΔC can provide the circumferential guidance functions of UNC-6. Furthermore, we show that expression of unc-6 ΔC causes motoneuron branching and the extension of processes from abnormal positions along the ventral nerve cord. This activity is also UNC-5- and UNC-40-dependent. We propose that local interactions mediated by domain C regulate motoneuron branching and responsiveness to the UNC-6 cue.
Signaling pathways required for macrophage scavenger receptor-mediated phagocytosis: analysis by scanning cytometry

Background: Scavenger receptors are important components of the innate immune system in the lung, allowing alveolar macrophages to bind and phagocytose numerous unopsonized targets. Mice with genetic deletions of scavenger receptors, such as SR-A and MARCO, are susceptible to infection or inflammation from inhaled pathogens or dusts. However, the signaling pathways required for scavenger receptor-mediated phagocytosis of unopsonized particles have not been characterized. Methods: We developed a scanning cytometry-based high-throughput assay of macrophage phagocytosis that quantitates bound and internalized unopsonized latex beads. This assay allowed the testing of a panel of signaling inhibitors which have previously been shown to target opsonindependent phagocytosis for their effect on unopsonized bead uptake by human in vitro-derived alveolar macrophage-like cells. The non-selective scavenger receptor inhibitor poly(I) and the actin destabilizer cytochalasin D were used to validate the assay and caused near complete abrogation of bead binding and internalization, respectively. Results: Microtubule destabilization using nocodazole dramatically inhibited bead internalization. Internalization was also significantly reduced by inhibitors of tyrosine kinases (genistein and herbimycin A), protein kinase C (staurosporine, chelerythrine chloride and Go 6976), phosphoinositide-3 kinase (LY294002 and wortmannin), and the JNK and ERK pathways. In contrast, inhibition of phospholipase C by U-73122 had no effect. Conclusion: These data indicate the utility of scanning cytometry for the analysis of phagocytosis and that phagocytosis of unopsonized particles has both shared and distinct features when compared to opsonin-mediated phagocytosis.
If Worlds Were Stories

The metaphysics of possible worlds proposed by the analytic philosopher David K. Lewis offers an account of fictional discourse according to which possible worlds described in fiction are just as real as the actual world. In an inspired reversal of the analysis of literary fictions by such philosophical means, the French poet Jacques Roubaud makes direct reference to Lewis’ controversial ontological picture in two cycles of elegies composed between 1986 and 1990. Roubaud’s poems take up the idea of possible worlds as real entities, and at the same time they challenge the notion that philosophy could offer an account of fiction in which the puzzling collision of the possible with the impossible that fundamentally characterizes the phenomenon of fictionality would be seamlessly unravelled. For Roubaud the lyrical genre of the elegy and its thematic concern with love and death stands as a prime indicator of the quandary that results from our inability to solve paradoxes of modality such as those raised by Lewis in strictly theoretical terms.
Security in Cognitive Radio Networks: The Required Evolution in Approaches to Wireless Network Security

This paper discusses the topic of wireless security in cognitive radio networks, delineating the key challenges in this area. With the ever-increasing scarcity of spectrum, cognitive radios are expected to become an increasingly important part of the overall wireless networking landscape. However, there is an important technical area that has received little attention to date in the cognitive radio paradigm: wireless security. The cognitive radio paradigm introduces entirely new classes of security threats and challenges, and providing strong security may prove to be the most difficult aspect of making cognitive radio a long-term commercially-viable concept. This paper delineates the key challenges in providing security in cognitive networks, discusses the current security posture of the emerging IEEE 802.22 cognitive radio standard, and identifies potential vulnerabilities along with potential mitigation approaches.
Local similarity and geographic differences in a contact call of the Galah (Cacatua roseicapilla assimilis) in Western Australia

I made tape-recordings of the chet call of the Galah at four locations near Perth, Western Australia. The recordings were targeted on a specific small set of birds at each location to examine the hypothesis that mated pairs and small flocks of this social species share acoustic properties of their calls, and that similar small groups at more distant locations would differ. This hypothesis was derived from published field studies, which suggest that the chet call functions in individual identity, contact, coordination, and cohesion during pair and flock activities. Analysis of the acoustic properties of the chet call found it to be distinct between geographically separate groups but similar among individuals within a group. Several interpretations concerning possible individual recognition, group contact and cohesion are discussed.
Medicaid Policy Changes and its Detrimental Effects on Neonatal Reimbursement and Care

BACKGROUND: In 2008, North Carolina Medicaid changed the way it classified neonatal care by adopting the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Medicare Severity Diagnosis Related Group (MS-DRG) classification system. By changing the classification system, NC Medicaid merged two very different neonatal populations into one reimbursement class with implications both on hospital reimbursements and the regionalization of neonatal care in the state. METHOD: We analyzed North Carolina Medicaid data to determine DRG weights and associated lengths of stay. RESULTS: Following the adoption of the MS-DRG classification system, NC Medicaid reduced its reimbursement for extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants but increased its reimbursement for infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). CONCLUSIONS: Large tertiary care NICUs in North Carolina are being poorly reimbursed for the costliest ELBW infants for which they shoulder the greatest responsibility. Meanwhile community special care nurseries are potentially being over compensated for less sick infants. This has led to not only the financial instability of large safety net NICUs which provide care for the sickest and costliest infants, but may also have promoted the decrease in the quality of care for sick neonates. By reducing financial support for the State’s sickest infants and most vulnerable citizens, Medicaid may have inadvertently widened the disparity of care as safety net hospitals re-examine their abilities to renovate, let alone expand, neonatal services.
Treatment of Sjögren's syndrome-associated dry eye an evidence-based review.

Background Outcomes-based review of reported treatment options for patients with dry eye secondary to Sjogren's syndrome (SS). Clinical Relevance Dry eye affects many individuals worldwide. Significant proportion of patients with dry eye has underlying SS, a progressive autoimmune condition. The few suggested guidelines for the treatment of dry eye are mostly based on severity of symptoms and/or clinical findings rather than on outcomes analysis, and do not differentiate SS from other causes of dry eye. Methods and Literature Review A search strategy was developed to identify prospective, interventional studies of treatments for SS-associated dry eye from electronic databases. Eligible references were restricted to English-language articles published after 1975. These sources were augmented by hand searches of reference lists from accessed articles. Study selection, data extraction, and grading of evidence were completed independently by ≥4 review authors. Results The searches identified 3559 references as of August 10, 2010. After duplicate review of the titles and abstracts, 245 full-text papers were assessed, 62 of which were relevant for inclusion in the review. Conclusions In the current literature on SS-associated dry eye, there is a paucity of rigorous clinical trials to support therapy recommendations. Nonetheless, the recommended treatments include topical lubricants, topical anti-inflammatory therapy, and tear-conserving strategies. The efficacy of oral secretagogues seems greater in the treatment of oral dryness than ocular dryness. Although oral hydroxychloroquine is commonly prescribed to patients with SS to alleviate fatigue and arthralgias, the literature lacks strong evidence for the efficacy of this treatment for dry eye. Financial Disclosure(s) Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.
Automated Cytochemical Analysis of Neutrophils from Patients with Chediak-Higashi Syndrome

Legend. The myeloperoxidase oscilloscope channel of an automated cytochemical analyzer (Hemalog Do; Technicon Instruments Corp., Tarrytown, N.Y.) applied to blood specimens that were (bottom) obtained from two patients with Chediak-Higashi syndrome and (top) compared with a blood specimen from a control subject. Monocytes, basophils, and large unstained cells are shown in area A; neutrophils, in area B; eosinophils, in area D; and red cell debris and platelets, in area E. Neutrophils are identified by their pattern of light scatter (which is primarily dependent on cell volume) and light absorption (which is dependent on the intensity of peroxidase staining [1]). The neutrophil clusters in the two patients with Chediak-Higashi syndrome (area B) are shifted to an area suggestive of decreased cell volume as compared with cells in the control blood specimen.
Mild Reduction Route to a Redox-Active Silicon Complex: Structure and Properties of (IP2–)2Si and (IP–)2Mg(THF) (IP = α-Iminopyridine)

Use of SiCl4 as an organometallic reagent can be complicated by access to Si3+, Si2+, and unwanted sigmatropic rearrangements. Herein we report a mild reduction route, using (IP–)2Mg(THF) (1) and M...
Chemical Annealing of Zinc Tetraphenylporphyrin Films: Effects on Film Morphology and Organic Photovoltaic Performance

We present a chemical annealing process for organic thin films. In this process, a thin film of a molecular material, such as zinc tetraphenylporphyrin (ZnTPP), is exposed to a vapor of nitrogen-based ligand (e.g., pyrazine, pz, and triazine, tz), forming a film composed of the metal–ligand complex. Fast and quantitative formation of the complex leads to marked changes in the morphology and optical properties of the film. X-ray diffraction studies show that the chemical annealing process converts amorphous ZnTPP films to crystalline ZnTPP·ligand films, whose porphryin planes lie nearly parallel to the substrate (average deviation is 8° for the ZnTPP·pz film). Organic solar cells were prepared with ZnTPP donor and C60 acceptor layers. Devices were prepared with and without chemical annealing of the ZnTPP layer with a pyrazine ligand. The devices with chemically annealed ZnTPP donor layer show an increase in short-circuit current (JSC) and fill factor (FF) relative to analogous unannealed devices, presumabl...
The total carbonate content of the arterial and venous plasma in patients with chronic heart disease

Twenty-eight determinations of the total carbon dioxide content of the arterial and venous plasma have been made on ten individuals with chronic heart disease. All patients in this group have been carefully selected because they were suffering primarily from a failure of the heart to maintain an adequate circulation. They have been free as far as could be determined from any vascular or renal disease. For the most part they were young patients with chronic rheumatic myocarditis and valvulitis.In some a normal cardiac mechanism was present, as determined by the electrocardiograph. In others auricular fibrillation usually associated with mitral stenosis was found. Moribund patients and patients with a marked degree of venous stasis and edema have not been included.Samples of the arterial and venous blood were obtained at the same operation; immediately centrifuged, and the total CO2 content of the separated plasma determined directly. In all cases the blood was obtained while the patient was at rest in bed....
Airway manifestations of pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis: a clinical and histopathologic report of an emerging association.

Objectives:Pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) typically presents with dysphagia, vomiting, dyspepsia, or food impaction. The purpose of this study was to highlight the emerging association of pediatric EE and airway disease. An additional goal of this study was to describe the unique histopathologic findings found in EE and specifically explore the potential role of the cytotoxic protein called eosinophil major basic protein (MBP) in the pathophysiology of the disease.Methods:A retrospective review of 3 children with EE and airway symptoms included symptom presentation, aerodigestive tract endoscopic findings, ambulatory 24-hour dual pH-metry, allergy tests, treatment modalities, and treatment response. Esophageal tissue obtained from biopsies of each patient was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin to determine the number of eosinophils per high-power field, by immunofluorescent anti-MBP staining to determine the presence of MBP, and by standard light and transmission electron microscopy to evaluate e...
LONG-TERM OUTCOMES OF AN FFRCT DIAGNOSTIC STRATEGY VERSUS USUAL CARE IN SUSPECTED CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE: RESULTS FROM THE PLATFORM (PROSPECTIVE LONGITUDINAL TRIAL OF FFRCT: OUTCOME AND RESOURCE IMPACTS) STUDY

PLATFORM showed that use of fractional flow reserve derived from CT angiography (FFRCT) instead of planned invasive coronary angiography (ICA) dramatically reduces the rate of ICA showing no obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD; 12% vs 73%; core lab determined), with similar adverse events and
Research on Distribution of Diffusing Current and Reducing Resistance Measures of Tower Grounding Electrodes in Impulse Current Condition

To research reducing resistance measures of tower grounding electrodes, current distribution on horizontal ray conductors are achieved by small-scale tests in this paper including longitudinal conduction current and transverse diffusing current of every section conductors in different resistivity soil. The testing results show that the distribution of transverse diffusing current presents distribution features of 'Large current of two ends and small current of middle' and notable end effect.Based on the distribution law, the120° three branches structure modification program is put forward according to horizontal ray conductors. Test results show that the impulse grounding resistance of square grounding electrode reduces by 22% after adopting this program, and pronounced reducing resistance effect is acquired. The research results could offer guidance for optimum design of tower grounding electrodes in high resistivity area.
interThermalPhaseChangeFoam—A framework for two-phase flow simulations with thermally driven phase change

Abstract The volume-of-fluid (VOF) approach is a mature technique for simulating two-phase flows. However, VOF simulation of phase-change heat transfer is still in its infancy. Multiple closure formulations have been proposed in the literature, each suited to different applications. While these have enabled significant research advances, few implementations are publicly available, actively maintained, or inter-operable. Here, a VOF solver is presented (interThermalPhaseChangeFoam), which incorporates an extensible framework for phase-change heat transfer modeling, enabling simulation of diverse phenomena in a single environment. The solver employs object oriented OpenFOAM library features, including Run-Time-Type-Identification to enable rapid implementation and run-time selection of phase change and surface tension force models. The solver is packaged with multiple phase change and surface tension closure models, adapted and refined from earlier studies. This code has previously been applied to study wavy film condensation, Taylor flow evaporation, nucleate boiling, and dropwise condensation. Tutorial cases are provided for simulation of horizontal film condensation, smooth and wavy falling film condensation, nucleate boiling, and bubble condensation. Validation and grid sensitivity studies, interfacial transport models, effects of spurious currents from surface tension models, effects of artificial heat transfer due to numerical factors, and parallel scaling performance are described in detail in the Supplemental Material (see Appendix A ). By incorporating the framework and demonstration cases into a single environment, users can rapidly apply the solver to study phase-change processes of interest.
Folic Acid Supplementation for the Prevention of Neural Tube Defects: An Updated Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.

Importance Neural tube defects are among the most common congenital anomalies in the United States. Periconceptional folic acid supplementation is a primary care–relevant preventive intervention. Objective To review the evidence on folic acid supplementation for preventing neural tube defects to inform the US Preventive Services Task Force for an updated Recommendation Statement. Data Sources MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and trial registries through January 28, 2016, with ongoing surveillance through November 11, 2016; references; experts. Study Selection English-language studies of folic acid supplementation in women. Excluded were poor-quality studies; studies of prepubertal girls, men, women without the potential for childbearing, and neural tube defect recurrence; and studies conducted in developing countries. Data Extraction and Synthesis Two investigators independently reviewed abstracts, full-text articles, and risk of bias of included studies. One investigator extracted data and a second checked accuracy. Because of heterogeneity, data were not pooled. Main Outcomes and Measures Neural tube defects, harms of treatment (twinning, respiratory outcomes). Results A total of 24 studies (N > 58 860) were included. In 1 randomized clinical trial from Hungary initiated in 1984, incidence of neural tube defects for folic acid supplementation compared with trace element supplementation was 0% vs 0.25% (Peto odds ratio [OR], 0.13 [95% CI, 0.03-0.65]; n = 4862). Odds ratios from cohort studies recruiting participants between 1984 and 1996 demonstrated beneficial associations and ranged from 0.11 to 0.27 (n = 19 982). Three of 4 case-control studies with data from 1976 through 1998 reported ORs ranging from 0.6 to 0.7 (n > 7121). Evidence of benefit led to food fortification in the United States beginning in 1998, after which no new prospective studies have been conducted. More recent case-control studies drawing from data collected after 1998 have not demonstrated a protective association consistently with folic acid supplementation, with ORs ranging from 0.93 to 1.4 and confidence intervals spanning the null (n > 13 990). Regarding harms, 1 trial (OR, 1.40 [95% CI, 0.89-2.21]; n = 4767) and 1 cohort study (OR, 1.04 [95% CI, 0.91-1.18]; n = 2620) found no statistically significant increased risk of twinning. Three systematic reviews found no consistent evidence of increased risk of asthma (OR, 1.06 [95% CI, 0.99-1.14]; n = 14 438), wheezing, or allergy. Conclusions and Relevance In studies conducted before the initiation of food fortification in the United States in 1998, folic acid supplementation provided protection against neural tube defects. Newer postfortification studies have not demonstrated a protective association but have the potential for misclassification and recall bias, which can attenuate the measured association of folic acid supplementation with neural tube defects.
Collaborative Maker Activities in the Classroom: Case Studies of High School Student Pairs' Interactions in Designing Electronic Textiles

The majority of electronic textile (e-textile) activities for beginners focus on making and coding individual projects rather than collaborative designs, which often excludes potentially fruitful collaborations. In this paper, we report on findings from an e-textile workshop in which high school youth (16-17 years old) worked in pairs to design interactive display pieces using LilyPad Arduino, LEDs, sensors, conductive thread and fabric. Drawing on artifacts, fieldnotes, and interviews, we report on the range of work approaches that students took toward collaborative e-crafting. Specifically, we examine key aspects of this collaboration: pairs' role negotiations and communication strategies. Finally, we discuss the challenges and opportunities of adopting collaborative e-crafting when introducing coding and making activities in classrooms.
Osmolality/salinity-responsive enhancers (OSREs) control induction of osmoprotective genes in euryhaline fish

Abstract Fish respond to salinity stress by transcriptional induction of many genes, but the mechanism of their osmotic regulation is unknown. We developed a reporter assay using cells derived from the brain of the tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus (OmB cells) to identify osmolality/salinity-responsive enhancers (OSREs) in the genes of O. mossambicus. Genomic DNA comprising the regulatory regions of two strongly salinity-induced genes, inositol monophosphatase 1 (IMPA1.1) and myo-inositol phosphate synthase (MIPS), was isolated and analyzed with dual luciferase enhancer trap reporter assays. We identified five sequences (two in IMPA1.1 and three in MIPS) that share a common consensus element (DDKGGAAWWDWWYDNRB), which we named “OSRE1.” Additional OSREs that were less effective in conferring salinity-induced trans-activation and do not match the OSRE1 consensus also were identified in both MIPS and IMPA1.1. Although OSRE1 shares homology with the mammalian osmotic-response element/tonicity-responsive enhancer (ORE/TonE) enhancer, the latter is insufficient to confer osmotic induction in fish. Like other enhancers, OSRE1 trans-activates genes independent of orientation. We conclude that OSRE1 is a cis-regulatory element (CRE) that enhances the hyperosmotic induction of osmoregulated genes in fish. Our study also shows that tailored reporter assays developed for OmB cells facilitate the identification of CREs in fish genomes. Knowledge of the OSRE1 motif allows affinity-purification of the corresponding transcription factor and computational approaches for enhancer screening of fish genomes. Moreover, our study enables targeted inactivation of OSRE1 enhancers, a method superior to gene knockout for functional characterization because it confines impairment of gene function to a specific context (salinity stress) and eliminates pitfalls of constitutive gene knockouts (embryonic lethality, developmental compensation).
Construction of Allosteric Protein Switches by Alternate Frame Folding and Intermolecular Fragment Exchange.

Alternate frame folding (AFF) and protein/fragment exchange (FREX) are related technologies for engineering allosteric conformational changes into proteins that have no pre-existing allosteric properties. One of their chief purposes is to turn an ordinary protein into a biomolecular switch capable of transforming an input event into an optical or functional readout. Here, we present a guide for converting an arbitrary binding protein into a fluorescent biosensor with Forster resonance energy transfer output. Because the AFF and FREX mechanisms are founded on general principles of protein structure and stability rather than a property that is idiosyncratic to the target protein, the basic design steps-choice of permutation/cleavage sites, molecular biology, and construct optimization-remain the same for any target protein. We highlight effective strategies as well as common pitfalls based on our experience with multiple AFF and FREX constructs.
The surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation. IV, Surgical technique

The operative technique for the current surgical procedure of creating an electrical maze for the treatment of atrial fibrillation is described in a sequential fashion. The accompanying diagrams of the procedure are drawn from the view of the operating surgeon.
Trace-based Analysis of Memory Corruption Malware Attacks

Understanding malware behavior is critical for cybersecurity. This is still largely done through expert manual analysis of the malware code/binary. In this work, we introduce a fully automated method for malware analysis that utilizes memory traces of program execution. Given both benign and malicious execution traces of a program, the method identifies memory segments specific to the malware attack, and then uses them to localize the attack in the source code. We evaluated our method on the RIPE benchmark for memory corruption malware attacks and demonstrated its ability to: (i) perform diagnosis by identifying the program location of both code corruption (e.g. buffer overflow location) and attack execution (e.g. control flow to payload), (ii) recognize the characteristics of different attacks.
A Pilot Test of a Motivational Interviewing Social Network Intervention to Reduce Substance Use among Housing First Residents

This article presents findings of a pilot test of a Motivational Interviewing social network intervention (MI-SNI) to enhance motivation to reduce high risk alcohol and other drug (AOD) use among formerly homeless individuals transitioning to housing. Delivered in-person by a facilitator trained in MI, this four-session computer-assisted intervention provides personalized social network visualization feedback to help participants understand the people in their network who trigger their alcohol and other drug (AOD) use and those who support abstinence. If ready, participants are encouraged to make changes to their social network to help reduce their own high-risk behavior. Participants were 41 individuals (33 male, 7 female, 1 other; 23 African-American, 5 non-Latino White, 6 Latino, 7 other, mean age 48) who were transitioning from homelessness to permanent supportive housing. They were randomly assigned to either the MI-SNI condition or usual care. Readiness to change AOD use, AOD abstinence self-efficacy, and AOD use were assessed at baseline and shortly after the final intervention session for the MI-SNI arm and around 3-months after baseline for the control arm. Acceptability of the intervention was also evaluated. MI-SNI participants reported increased readiness to change AOD use compared to control participants. We also conducted a subsample analysis for participants at one housing program and found a significant intervention effect on readiness to change AOD use, AOD abstinence self-efficacy, and alcohol use compared to control participants. Participants rated the intervention as highly acceptable. We conclude that a brief computer-assisted Motivational Interviewing social network intervention has potential to efficaciously impact readiness to change AOD use, AOD abstinence self-efficacy, and AOD use among formerly homeless individuals transitioning to permanent supportive housing, and warrants future study in larger clinical trials.
The Modern State, the Question of Genocide, and Holocaust Scholarship

This review article asks: what defines mass violence in the twentieth century as particularly modern and how does the Holocaust figure in this history? The article compares the work of two path-bre...
Improving Safety Training Through Gamification: An Analysis of Gaming Attributes and Design Prototypes

New approaches are needed to improve outcomes for safety training in hazardous industries. We use an evidence-driven approach to identify the key attributes of serious games that have the potential to improve safety training. Following a detailed needs assessment, we identified four major themes of usability problems which may be addressed through gamification: Limited accessibility, lack of context, lack of consequence, and absence of practicum. Based on our analysis, a series of application prototypes was developed to improve safety training in the mining industry. In particular, we discuss Harry’s Hard Choices, a game for mining emergency response training. Pilot tests indicate high levels of user satisfaction and engagement and anecdotal evidence of training transfer.
Advances in Gene Therapy for Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer continues to be a lethal disease despite advances in surgical, chemotherapy and radiotherapy techniques. As the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of bladder cancer development, progression, and metastases increases, new opportunities for therapeutic advances arise. The advances in vector development and production also provide additional opportunities for therapeutic advances for all diseases including cancer. This chapter reviews the past, present and future gene therapy approaches and will serve as a valuable resource for anyone who wishes to understand the role of gene therapy in the future management of bladder cancer. In particular the molecular alterations, cytoreductive, corrective and immunomodulation approaches are reviewed.
Demography and disease patterns in a protohistoric plains group: a study of the mobridge site (39WW1).

Epidemic disease has often been cited as the major factor causing historic depopulation of Native American groups. Because a range of infectious diseases introduced by Europeans struck different tribes at different times, the effects of these diseases or the outbreak of epidemics were not uniform for all groups. The Arikara of the American Plains were among the last North American Indian groups to experience direct contact with Europeans. However, indirect contact with introduced infectious diseases may have reduced these Plains protohistoric groups prior to established relations with Europeans. Historic depopulation of the Arikara and a demographic study of the skeletal remains from the Mobridge site (39WW1) are the focus of this case study of the protohistoric population dynamics of a Native American group. Disease patterns are used in the demographic analysis to aid in the interpretation of observed mortality patterns. Evaluation of the skeletal remains from the Mobridge Site includes life table reconstruction and differential diagnosis of skeletal pathology complexes. Results of these analyses show that certain underlying disease processes evident skeletally correspond to deviations in the age distribution. Thus, the protohistoric mortality patterns of Mobridge appear to reflect the early stages of impact from introduced diseases.
California administrative law

It is essential to cover California administrative law in an administrative law course in California. First, the clients of California lawyers are much more likely to have disputes with California state and local agencies than with federal agencies. Second, California administrative law is very different from federal law. In virtually every instance, these differences lie in the direction of protecting private business and individual interests rather than favoring the agencies. California Administrative Law is designed as a supplement to be used in the basic administrative law course. It could also be used as the text for an advanced course or seminar in California administrative law.
Microstructural White Matter Abnormalities in the Dorsal Cingulum of Adolescents with IBS

Alterations in fractional anisotropy (FA) have been considered to reflect microstructural white matter (WM) changes in disease conditions; however, no study to date has examined WM changes using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in adolescents with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The objective of the present study was two-fold: (1) to determine whether differences in FA, and other non-FA metrics, were present in adolescents with IBS compared to healthy controls using whole-brain, region of interest (ROI)-restricted tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) and canonical ROI DTI analyses for the cingulum bundle, and (2) to determine whether these metrics were related to clinical measures of disease duration and pain intensity in the IBS group. A total of 16 adolescents with a Rome III diagnosis of IBS (females = 12; mean age = 16.29, age range: 11.96-18.5 years) and 16 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (females = 12; mean age = 16.24; age range: 11.71-20.32 years) participated in this study. Diffusion-weighted images were acquired using a Siemens 3-T Trio Tim Syngo MRI scanner with a 32-channel head coil. The ROI-restricted TBSS and canonical ROI-based DTI analyses revealed that adolescents with IBS showed decreased FA in the right dorsal cingulum bundle compared to controls. No relationship between FA and disease severity measures was found. Microstructural WM alterations in the right dorsal cingulum bundle in adolescents with IBS may reflect a premorbid brain state or the emergence of a disease-driven process that results from complex changes in pain- and affect-related processing via spinothalamic and corticolimbic pathways.
Perfluoroalkyl substances in diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) in coastal South Carolina.

Abstract This study focused on an estuarine wildlife species exhibiting high site fidelity and ubiquitous distribution in coastal environments along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States to monitor per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). A total of 75 diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) plasma samples were collected from five creeks associated with Kiawah (Oyster Creek, Fiddler Creek, Sandy Creek, Gnat Creek) and Edisto (Townsend Creek) islands in Charleston County, South Carolina and investigated for 15 legacy PFAS. Of those, PFHxS was the only PFAS found in all terrapin plasma samples. Four additional PFAS were routinely detected (greater than 90% of the samples) and were included in statistical analyses: PFOS, PFNA, PFDA, and PFUnA. Sex-differences were observed for two creeks with male plasma containing higher PFAS than female plasma (PFHxS at Townsend Creek, PFOS at Oyster Creek). Sex-specific site differences in PFAS concentrations were observed primarily for males, suggesting male terrapins may be more sensitive indicators of localized contaminant profiles than females. Three PFAS were observed to have negative correlations with body mass: PFOS in males (p = 0.045, tau = −0.220), PFNA in males (p = 0.016, tau = −0.269), and PFHxS in both males (p = 0.007, tau = −0.302) and females (p = 0.001, tau = −0.379). No relationships for body mass and PFDA and PFUnA were observed.
Crime Action Blockbusters: Performing Shaken, Not Stirred

Smith-Rowsey asserts a radical defense of blockbuster performances by admitting that Meryl Streep-class-acting does not drive many blockbusters whilst arguing that many blockbusters would not have cast Streep-level performers even if they could have. In the blockbuster sub-genre of crime action, where criminals and crime-fighters represent alienation and disillusionment, Smith-Rowsey claims that lonely aggression does not require, and may even find problematic, unpredictable acting. Smith-Rowsey takes close looks at the “mugging,” near-bulletproof style of early James Bond films and of Bruce Willis as John McClane in Die Hard (1988). The author contrasts the devil-may-care performative style of Sean Connery as 007 to the more sober and intense Daniel Craig in the same role. Smith-Rowsey also shines a light on the taciturn style of Vin Diesel as Dom and “ordinary man” style of Paul Walker (and a team of effects artists) as Brian in Furious7 (2015).