cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Normative apparent diffusion coefficient values in the developing fetal brain.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Previous studies of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in fetuses are limited. Because of the need for normative data for comparison with young fetuses and preterm neonates with suspected brain abnormalities, we studied apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in a population of singleton, nonsedated, healthy fetuses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DWI was performed in 28 singleton nonsedated fetuses with normal or questionably abnormal results on sonography and normal fetal MR imaging results; 10 fetuses also had a second fetal MR imaging, which included DWI. ADC values in the periatrial white matter (WM), frontal WM, thalamus, basal ganglia, cerebellum, and pons were plotted against gestational age and analyzed with linear regression. We compared mean ADC in different regions using the Tukey Honestly Significant Difference test. We also compared rates of decline in ADC with increasing gestational age across different areas by using the t test with multiple comparisons correction. Neurodevelopmental outcome was assessed. RESULTS: Median gestational age was 24.28 weeks (range, 21–33.43 weeks). Results of all fetal MR imaging examinations were normal, including 1 fetus with a normal variant of a cavum velum interpositum. ADC values were highest in the frontal and periatrial WM and lowest in the thalamus and pons. ADC declined with increasing gestational age in periatrial WM ( P = .0003), thalamus ( P P = .0035), cerebellum ( P P = .024). Frontal WM ADC did not significantly change with gestational age. ADC declined fastest in the cerebellum, followed by the thalamus. CONCLUSIONS: Regional differences in nonsedated fetal ADC values and their evolution with gestational age likely reflect differences in brain maturation and are similar to published data in premature neonates.
Premenopausal overweight women do not lose bone during moderate weight loss with adequate or higher calcium intake

BACKGROUND Weight loss is associated with bone loss, but this has not been examined in overweight premenopausal women. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess whether overweight premenopausal women lose bone with moderate weight loss at recommended or higher than recommended calcium intakes. DESIGN Overweight premenopausal women [n = 44; x (+/-SD) age: 38 +/- 6.4 y; body mass index (BMI): 27.7 +/- 2.1 kg/m(2)] were randomly assigned to either a normal (1 g/d) or high (1.8 g/d) calcium intake during 6 mo of energy restriction [weight loss (WL) groups] or were recruited for weight maintenance at 1 g Ca/d intake. Regional bone mineral density and content were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and markers of bone turnover were measured before and after weight loss. True fractional calcium absorption (TFCA) was measured at baseline and during caloric restriction by using a dual-stable calcium isotope method. RESULTS The WL groups lost 7.2 +/- 3.3% of initial body weight. No significant decrease in BMD or rise in bone turnover was observed with weight loss at normal or high calcium intake. The group that consumed high calcium showed a strong relation (r = 0.71) between increased femoral neck bone mineral density and increased serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D. No significant effect of weight loss on TFCA was observed, and the total calcium absorbed was adequate at 238 +/- 81 and 310 +/- 91 mg/d for the normal- and high-calcium WL groups, respectively. CONCLUSION Overweight premenopausal women do not lose bone during weight loss at the recommended calcium intake, which may be explained by sufficient amounts of absorbed calcium.
Cigarette smoking is an independent predictor of nonadherence in HIV-infected individuals receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy

Current treatment guidelines for the management of HIV-infected individuals emphasize the importance of excellent adherence to antiretroviral medications. We conducted a prospective 24-week study of adherence to lopinavir/ritonavir in a group of 64 subjects using the Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS). A range of demographic and clinical information, including cigarette smoking status, was collected from each participant. The overall mean adherence rate of the study cohort was 72.8% (SD = 22.2%). Current smokers took 63.5% (SD = 22.1) of prescribed doses, compared with 84.8% (SD = 15.8%) in nonsmokers (p<.001). We found no difference in adherence rates between ex-smokers and subjects who had never smoked. In a multiple linear regression model, factors independently associated with lower adherence rates included current smoking (p = .001), lower CD4+ lymphocyte count at enrollment (p = .04), and lower educational attainment (p = .04). Depression and history of illicit substance use were not associated with nonadherence. In our study cohort, current cigarette smoking was an important and significant marker of inferior adherence to antiretroviral medication.
MIX: a test generation system for synchronous sequential circuits

We describe a test generation system for synchronous sequential circuits described at the gate level. The test generation system, called MIX, combines several test generation approaches to derive test sequences exhibiting very high fault coverages at relatively low CPU times. It is known that different faults in a synchronous sequential circuit may be more amenable to different test generation approaches. The strength of MIX stems from the fact that a large number of different approaches is used to attack faults with different characteristics. Several new techniques are incorporated into MIX, including a new definition of an XD-frontier, storing a partial state transition graph to help in the derivation of justification sequences, utilization of sequences generated for aborted faults, consideration of multiple time frames simultaneously during state justification, and dynamic computation of dependencies among flip-flops. A simplified form of test generation under the restricted multiple observation times test strategy is also employed, based on state expansion. Restricted multiple observation times fault simulation is used in MIX to identify detected faults beyond those detected by conventional fault simulation.
Closed-loop class E transcutaneous power and data link for MicroImplants

The use of a multifrequency transmitter coil driver based on the class E topology is described. The development of a high-Q approximation, which simplifies the design procedure is presented. A closed-loop controller to compensate for transmitter and receiver variations, and a method of data modulation using synchronous frequency shifting are described. The closed-loop class E circuit shows great promise, especially for circuits with unusually low coefficients of coupling. Currents of several amperes, at radio frequencies, can easily and efficiently be obtained. >
Two‐phase flows in karstic geometry

Multiphase flow phenomena are ubiquitous. Common examples include coupled atmosphere and ocean system (air and water), oil reservoir (water, oil, and gas), and cloud and fog (water vapor, water, and air). Multiphase flows also play an important role in many engineering and environmental science applications. In some applications such as flows in unconfined karst aquifers, karst oil reservoir, proton membrane exchange fuel cell, multiphase flows in conduits, and in porous media must be considered together. Geometric configurations that contain both conduit (or vug) and porous media are termed karstic geometry. Despite the importance of the subject, little work has been performed on multiphase flows in karstic geometry. In this paper, we present a family of phase–field (diffusive interface) models for two-phase flow in karstic geometry. These models together with the associated interface boundary conditions are derived utilizing Onsager's extremum principle. The models derived enjoy physically important energy laws. A uniquely solvable numerical scheme that preserves the associated energy law is presented as well. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Does French Islam Have Borders? Dilemmas of Domestication in a Global Religious Field

Although many accounts of transnational religious movements emphasize mobility and communication, equally important are efforts by both political actors and religious leaders to carve out distinctive national forms of religion. In this article I examine dilemmas faced by Muslims in France who seek both to remain part of the global Muslimcommunity and to satisfy French demands for conformity to political and cultural norms. I consider the history of immigration and the importance of French notions of laicite but emphasize the structural problem of articulating a global religious field onto a self-consciously bounded French nation-state. I then draw on recent fieldwork in Paris to analyze two recent public events in which attempts by Muslim public intellectuals to develop an “Islam of France” are frustrated by internal, structural tensions concerning religious authority and political legitimacy, and not simply by a conflict between “Muslims” and “France.”
A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY: THE USE OF EXPENSE/REVENUE RATIOS TO MEASURE RATIOS TO MEASURE BANK EFFICIENCY

First Interstate Bancorp, in announcing the next phase of its ongoing strategic plan, said its goal is to move its 1995 expense/revenue ratio to 58% from 65·7% in 1993. The expense/revenue ratio is considered to be a key measure of a bank's operating efficiency.
Approaches to Quantum Transport in Semiconductor Nanostructures

Our view of electronic transport in nanostructures is based on semiconductor technology and aims at the development of numerical methods that are applicable in virtually arbitrary geometrical structures. By semiconductor technology we refer to existing technology as it has been presented in this summer school but also to future technological possibilities that appear on the horizon. The conventional methods of pattern fabrication appear to be able to produce systems that show mesoscopic effects only at very low temperatures. However, it is conceivable that structures can be fabricated, even on silicon, that will exhibit waveguide-like properties at 77 K and maybe even at room temperature. Pattern generation by tunneling microscopy techniques has been demonstrated on silicon surfaces with feature sizes of around 100 A and below (Loenen et al., 1989). Patterns of these sizes promise not only the information of the library of congress on square inch dimensions but also the smallness which is necessary to produce electron waveguides or general quantum interference phenomena at high temperatures. In fact, recent estimates show that silicon-silicon dioxide structures written with tunneling microscopy methods will enable us to investigate a wide range of quantum effects far above the temperatures where they are observed now (Lyding et al., 1990).
Complications of Intervertebral Epidural Anesthesia in Children

当院において1980年9月から1995年3月に行なった16歳未満の硬膜外麻酔(仙骨麻酔を除く)1,287例を対象とした.年齢5ヵ月から15歳9ヵ月,身長63～175cm,体重6.51～89.5kgであった.合併症は硬膜穿刺17例,出血5例,局麻薬中毒疑い4例,硬膜外膿瘍1例であった.硬膜穿刺は17例中10例が20G Tuohy針にて発生しており,不慣れな小児用の細い硬麻針を用いることが原因の一っと考えた.また,硬膜外膿瘍の1例は帯状疱疹の症例で,痛みのため穿刺前の入浴,清拭が十分ではなかったことが疑われた.この症例は椎弓切除•病巣掻爬を行ない,後遺症を残さず退院した.小児の椎間硬膜外麻酔は近年急速に増加しており,より安全な穿刺を心がけたい.
Simple and Rapid Quantification of Thrombocytes in Zebrafish Larvae

Abstract Platelets are a critical component of hemostasis, with disorders of number or function resulting in coagulation disturbances. Insights into these processes have primarily been realized through studies using mammalian models or tissues. Increasingly, zebrafish embryos and larvae have been used to study the protein and cellular components of hemostasis and thrombosis, including the thrombocyte, a nucleated platelet analog. However, investigations of thrombocytes have been somewhat limited due to lack of a robust and simple methodology for quantitation, an important component of platelet studies in mammals. Using video capture, we have devised an assay that produces a rapid, reproducible, and precise measurement of thrombocyte number in zebrafish larvae by counting fluorescently tagged cells. Averaging 1000 frames, we were able to subtract background fluorescence, thus limiting assessment to circulating thrombocytes. This method facilitated rapid assessment of relative thrombocyte counts in a popula...
"Requestioning" AIDS: An Ethical Reflection From 1993 to Today. Reflections on Claude Vandevyer's "Homosexuals and AIDS: A New Approach to the Illness" from Journal of Homosexuality 25(3).

This article serves as one of the supplementary pieces of this special issue on “Mapping Queer Bioethics,” in which we take a solipsistic turn to “map” the Journal of Homosexuality itself. Here, th...
Lecture 21: Exercise, Part 1

Passive exercises prevent development of contractures or correct them. Treatment consists of range of motion and stretching exercises. The therapist or operator performs the exercises without assistance or resistance from the patient.
Replication Research and Special Education

Replicating previously reported empirical research is a necessary aspect of an evidence-based field of special education, but little formal investigation into the prevalence of replication research in the special education research literature has been conducted. Various factors may explain the lack of attention to replication of special education intervention research, including emphasis on quantity of publications, esteem for novel findings, and barriers to publishing high-quality studies with null or negative effects. This article introduces the special issue on replication of special education intervention research by first providing an overview of concepts and issues related to replication. Specific attention is then given to replication as it relates to group design and single case experimental design research, two prominent albeit philosophically different empirical methodologies. We then briefly describe how replications using these research designs can be conducted in complementary ways to better ...
Chorioallantoic Membrane Microtumor Model to Study the Mechanisms of Tumor Angiogenesis, Vascular Permeability, and Tumor Cell Intravasation

The mechanisms governing the development of angiogenic blood vessels, which not only deliver the nutrients to growing tumors but also provide the conduits for tumor cell dissemination, are still not fully resolved. The model systems based on the grafting of human tumor cells onto the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of the chick embryo offer several advantages to study complex processes underlying tumor angiogenesis and tumor cell dissemination. In particular, the CAM model described here allows for investigation of multiple microtumors as independent entities, thereby greatly facilitating quantification and statistical analyses of tumor neovascularization and cancer spreading. This CAM microtumor system was designed specifically to measure the level of tumor cell intravasation in combination with quantitative analyses of the microarchitecture and permeability of the intratumoral angiogenic blood vessels. By using this newly established microtumor model we have demonstrated the functional involvement of tumor matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in regulating the development of a distinct angiogenic vasculature capable of sustaining tumor cell intravasation and metastasis.
Sympathetic Block Injections

Ever since the diagnosis of causalgia and reflex sympathetic dystrophy, it has been postulated that pain may be sympathetically mediated. Sympathetic blocks are used to treat this sympathetically mediated pain as well as painful neuropathic and visceral pain syndromes.
Towards autonomous motion control in minimally invasive robotic surgery

ABSTRACTIntroduction: While autonomous surgical robotic systems exist primarily at the research level, recently these systems have made a strong push into clinical settings. The autonomous or semi-autonomous control of surgical robotic platforms may offer significant improvements to a diverse field of surgical procedures, allowing for high precision, intelligent manipulation of these systems and opening the door to advanced minimally invasive surgical procedures not currently possible.Areas covered: This review highlights those experimental systems currently under development with a focus on in vivo modeling and control strategies designed specifically for the complex and dynamic surgical environment.Expert review: Novel methods for state estimation, system modeling and disturbance rejection, as applied to these devices, continues to improve the performance of these important surgical tools. Procedures such as Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery and Laparo-Endoscopic Single Site surgery, as we...
“The Stations of the Cross” in London: An Interview with Aaron Rosen

For the Lenten season of 2016, Aaron Rosen and Terry Duffy co-curated a unique exhibition that explored the traditional Christian “Stations of the Cross.” Fourteen works of art were situated across...
Optimizing Alcohol Ethoxylate Surfactant Activity at Low Doses

Certain linear alcohol ethoxylate surfactants with large hydrophobes enhanced nicosulfuron activity on giant foxtail (Setaria faberi) more effectively at low doses than surfactants with small hydrophobes and commercial standards. The most effective surfactants had a C,,,8 hydrophobe and 12 to 30 moles of ethoxylation or a C24 hydrophobe with 13 moles of ethoxylation. Response curve analysis showed these linear alcohol ethoxylate surfactants were five- to 20-fold more active on a dose basis than currently used commercial surfactants. Nomenclature: Nicosulfuron, 2-(((((4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)amino)carbonyl)amino)sulfonyl)-
Plant Genetic Modification Technologies

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the materials and techniques available for plant genetic manipulation to both the plant breeder and biotechnologist. Farmers have been doing genetic manipulation for thousands of years, however, these manipulations are limited by sexual compatibility, that is, the transfer of genes can only take place between plants that can pollinate one another. Due to the environmental variation usually found in the field, pathogen inoculations are often carried out under more controlled conditions in the greenhouse or growth chamber. Plant tissue cultures are widely used for commercial plant propagation, germplasm storage, experimentation, plant regeneration, and compound production. Since plants can often be regenerated from the cells, the cultures can be used to select mutants or for inserting genes to then produce plants with altered characteristics. Another technique that plant breeders can use with certain crops is called anther culture, in which the anthers containing the developing pollen grains are removed from the plant and are placed in culture. Biotechnological methods for producing genetically modified organism (GMO) involve the insertion of foreign DNA or genes into the genome of the recipient. While there are a number of techniques available for inserting genes into plants, most of the GMOs being made today use two methods. The first of these methods, called ‘biolistics,’ involves shooting about 1 μm diameter gold or tungsten particles coated with the DNA at high speed into the plant cells. The other method utilizes the natural genetic engineer, a bacterium, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, which can transfer a defined piece of its own DNA into plant cells at wound sites.
The effects of oral and silent reading on reading comprehension

This study examined the effects of reading mode (oral and silent) and text genre (narrative and expository) on fourth graders’ reading comprehension. While controlling for prior reading ability of 48 participants, we measured comprehension. Using a repeated measured design, data were analyzed using analysis of covariance, paired t-tests, and correlational statistics. Results revealed that silent reading was stronger for narrative passages in retell measures, but there was no difference for comprehension questions. The expository passages revealed no difference between the reading modes. Comprehension of narrative texts was consistently stronger than expository texts in both silent and oral reading.
SSR alleviation via analog and digital PID controller

Power plants are generally far away from the distributing center. Transmission line is employed to transfer energy to a city. Transmission line is a complex system, so the transmission line's overload is always a challenging problem for utilities protection engineers. As a result, a series compensating capacitor (SCC) is placed along the transmission line to make the power factor correction, and increase the load capability. However, adding the SCC to the transmission line increases the potential risk of subsynchronous resonance (SSR) at a low frequency oscillation, which may lead to a possible torsional interaction and damages the turbine generator shaft when the mechanical frequency falls below the electrical frequency of the grid. To studies the SSR phenomenon, the mathematical model of the IEEE second benchmark (SBM) is utilized and computed at the system operating point, and then compensated with an analog proportional integral and derivative (PID) controller to the linearized and controllable transformed model of the system. The extended discrete PID controller is developed from an analog PID controller via bilinear transformation, which yields similar result. This extended discrete PID controller is a preferred method in preventing the SSR in the power system for its flexibility updating parameters of the nonlinear system to tolerate variation in different operational conditions.
Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy in the Oncology and Palliative Care Settings

Among the advanced cancer population, existential concerns are major issues which promote significant distress. For those patients who are in fact facing death, meaning and the preservation of meaning are not only clinically and existentially important but are central concepts to a therapeutic intervention. Nearly 15 years ago, our research group at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center began to understand that a meaning-centered approach to psychosocial care was imperative to alleviate existential distress among advanced cancer patients. Based on Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy and the principles of existential psychology and philosophy, we developed “meaning-centered psychotherapy” (MCP) to help patients with advanced cancer sustain or enhance a sense of meaning, peace, and purpose in their lives even as they approach the end of life. This chapter provides the reader with an overview of our work in developing, testing, and adapting meaning-centered psychotherapy (MCP). We offer an overview of the session content in the MCP intervention, including didactics, experiential exercises, and illustrative excerpts from noteworthy sessions. We provide findings from our clinical trials, which support the efficacy of MCP as an intervention to increase a sense of meaning, spiritual well-being, and hope, while decreasing end-of-life despair. Furthermore, we present current adaptations of MCP aimed to serve distressed populations, including bereaved parents, cancer caregivers, and survivors.
Correlates of the positive psychological byproducts of cancer: Role of family caregivers and informational support.

Objective: Experiencing a life-threatening illness such as cancer can elicit both negative (e.g., distress) and positive (e.g., growth) psychological responses. The present study sought to determine the correlates of four positive psychological byproducts in cancer survivors: becoming a stronger person, coping better with life's challenges, making positive changes in life, and adopting healthier habits. Method: Data for this cross-sectional study were taken from the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey (MEPS) Experiences with Cancer Survivorship Supplement (Yabroff et al., 2012). Cancer survivors (N = 785) reported their sociodemographic and cancer-related characteristics. Descriptive statistics were utilized to summarize cancer survivor characteristics, including demographic factors, cancer factors, and stressors and resources related to cancer. Multivariable logistic regressions were employed to assess the independent association of the stressors and resources with each psychological response, controlling for covariates. All analyses were weighted to account for the complex sampling design of the MEPS. Results: In multivariable analyses, those with a family caregiver were 50% more likely to report better coping with challenges, and around 70% were more likely to report making positive changes in life or adopting healthier habits because of their cancer. Receiving informational support from healthcare providers was also consistently associated with positive byproducts (odds ratios ranging from 1.6 to 2.0). Few of the stressors were associated with positive byproducts: having insurance problems due to cancer was positively associated with becoming a stronger person, and work limitations were associated with making positive changes in life; those who reported high perceived chances of recurrence were less likely to report becoming a stronger person. Significance of Results: Having a family caregiver and receiving detailed informational support from healthcare providers were associated with reporting positive experiences with cancer. The hypotheses and future research stimulated by these findings may improve our understanding of the process by which positive byproducts develop and may ultimately help improve psychological well-being among cancer survivors.
Lignin-enzyme interaction: Mechanism, mitigation approach, modeling, and research prospects

The adverse environmental impacts of the fossil fuel and the concerns of energy security necessitate the development of alternative clean energy sources from renewable feedstocks. Lignocellulosic biomass is a 2nd generation feedstock used in the production of biofuels and bio-based products that are conventionally derived from fossil resources. The biochemical conversion, which entails biomass pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation, is one major platform used to transform lignocelluloses into biofuels. However, lignin presents many challenges to enzymatic hydrolysis leading to the need of high enzyme dose, low hydrolysis yield, low level of recyclability, high cost of enzymatic hydrolysis (because of the high cost of enzymes), and so on. Therefore, enzymatic hydrolysis, which is not cost effective, becomes one of major cost contributors. To mitigate the negative effects of lignin, extensive research has been conducted to explore the fundamental mechanisms of lignin-enzyme interactions to develop technologies to overcome the negative effects of lignin on enzymatic hydrolysis. Non-productive adsorption, which is characterized by hydrophobic, electrostatic and/or hydrogen bonding interactions, is widely known as the primary mechanism governing lignin-enzyme interactions. In addition, lignin-enzyme interaction is also influenced by steric hindrance (i.e., the physical blocking of enzyme access to carbohydrates by lignin). However, the mechanisms underlying the lignin-enzyme interactions remain unclear. This article aims to present a comprehensive review on the lignin-enzyme interactions (i.e. the mechanism, governing driving forces, modeling, and technologies for mitigating the negative effect of lignin). The current challenges inherent in this process and possible avenues of research in cellulosic biorefinery conclude this article.
Dynamic fatigue measurement of human erythrocytes using dielectrophoresis.

Abstract Erythrocytes must undergo severe deformation to pass through narrow capillaries and submicronic splenic slits for several hundred thousand times in their normal lifespan. Studies of erythrocyte biomechanics have been mainly focused on cell deformability and rheology measured from a single application of stress and mostly under a static or quasi-static state using classical biomechanical techniques, such as optical tweezers and micropipette aspiration. Dynamic behavior of erythrocytes in response to cyclic stresses that contributes to the membrane failure in blood circulation is not fully understood. This paper presents a new experimental method for dynamic fatigue analysis of erythrocytes, using amplitude modulated electrokinetic force field in a microfluidic platform. We demonstrate the capability of this new technique using a low cycle fatigue analysis of normal human erythrocytes and ATP-depleted erythrocytes. Cyclic tensile stresses are generated to induce repeated uniaxial stretching and extensional recovery of single erythrocytes. Results of morphological and biomechanical parameters of individually tracked erythrocytes show strong correlations with the number of the loading cycles. Under a same strength of electric field, after 180 stress cycles, for normal erythrocytes, maximum stretch ratio decreases from 3.80 to 2.86, characteristic time of cellular extensional recovery increases from 0.16 s to 0.37 s, membrane shear viscosity increases from 1.0 (µN/m) s to 1.6 (µN/m) s. Membrane deformation in a small number of erythrocytes becomes irreversible after large deformation for about 200 cyclic loads. ATP-depleted cells show similar trends in decreased deformation and increased characteristic time with the loading cycles. These results show proof of concept of the new microfluidics technique for dynamic fatigue analysis of human erythrocytes. Statement of significance Red blood cells (RBCs) experience a tremendous number of deformation in blood circulation before losing their mechanical deformability and eventually being degraded in the reticuloendothelial system. Prior efforts in RBC biomechanics have mostly focused on a single-application of stress, or quasi-static loading through physical contact to deform cell membranes, thus with limited capabilities in probing cellular dynamic responses to cyclic stresses. We present a unique electrokinetic microfluidic system for the study of dynamic fatigue behavior of RBCs subjected to cyclic loads. Our work shows quantitatively how the cyclic stretching loads cause membrane mechanical degradation and irreversibly deformed cells. This new technique can be useful to identify biomechanical markers for prediction of the mechanical stability and residual lifespan of circulating RBCs.
Scientific Unity and Spiritistic Disunity

While replying to an attack Dixon made upon rational philosophy and scientific psychology, the writer exposes the legerdemain irrationalists use to preserve animism in science and in psychology.
Identification of broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus

Despite the serious public health impact of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), the efficacy of antivirals targeting the causative agent, CCHF virus (CCHFV), remains debatable. Neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) targeting the CCHFV glycoprotein Gc have been reported to protect mice against challenge with the prototype CCHFV strain, IbAr10200. However, due to extensive sequence diversity of CCHFV glycoproteins, it is unknown whether these MAbs neutralize other CCHFV strains. We initially used a CCHF virus-like particle (VLP) system to generate 11 VLP moieties, each possessing a glycoprotein from a genetically diverse CCHFV strain isolated in either Africa, Asia, the Middle East, or southeastern Europe. We used these VLPs in biosafety level 2 conditions to efficiently screen MAb cross-neutralization potency. Of the 16 MAbs tested, 3 (8A1, 11E7, and 30F7) demonstrated cross-neutralization activity with most CCHF VLPs, with 8A1 neutralizing all VLPs tested. Although binding studies suggest that none of the MAbs compete for the same epitope, combining 11E7, 30F7, or both 11E7 and 30F7 with 8A1 had no additive effect on increasing neutralization in this system. To confirm our findings from the VLP system, the 3 MAbs capable of strain cross-neutralization were confirmed to effectively neutralize 5 diverse CCHFV strains in vitro. Passaging CCHFV strains in the presence of sub-neutralizing concentrations of MAbs did not generate escape mutants resistant to subsequent neutralization. This study demonstrates the utility of the VLP system for screening neutralizing MAbs against multiple CCHFV strains, and provides the first evidence that a single MAb can effectively neutralize a number of diverse CCHFV strains in vitro, which may lead to development of future CCHF therapeutics.
The production of the war criminal cult: Radovan Karadžić and Vojislav Šešelj at The Hague

This article examines how defendants on trial at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) appropriate the tribunal as a platform for national myth and group making. Specifically, the article analyzes Radovan Karadžic and Vojislav Seselj’s “performances” at The Hague in order to highlight the particular ways in which the defendants craft and mobilize the nationalist narrative. The article introduces the phenomenon of “the war criminal cult” and traces three stages of its production, including the defendants’ collectivization of guilt, epitomization of The Hague as the ultimate enemy of the nation, and construction of “Serbs” as the biggest victims of international justice and of themselves as martyrs befallen with the task of defending the dignity of the nation. The “war criminal cult” is thus “made” in conversation with the “imperial West” in a collective narrative that contests the legitimacy and the intention of The Hague while disguising individual responsibility.
Personal comfort models: Predicting individuals' thermal preference using occupant heating and cooling behavior and machine learning

A personal comfort model is a new approach to thermal comfort modeling that predicts individuals’ thermal comfort responses, instead of the average response of a large population. However, securing consistent occupant feedback for model development is challenging as the current methods of data collection rely on individuals’ survey participation. We explored the use of a new type of feedback, occupants’ heating and cooling behavior with a personal comfort system (PCS) for the development of personal comfort models to predict individuals’ thermal preference. The model development draws from field data including PCS control behavior, environmental conditions and mechanical system settings collected from 38 occupants in an office building, and employs six machine learning algorithms. The results showed that (1) personal comfort models based on all field data produced the median accuracy of 0.73 among all subjects and improved predictive accuracy compared to conventional models (PMV, adaptive) which produced a median accuracy of of 0.51; (2) the PMV and adaptive models produced individual comfort predictions only slightly better than random guessing under the relatively mild indoor environment observed in the field study; and (3) the models based on PCS control behavior produced the best prediction accuracy when individually assessing all categories of field data acquired in the study. We conclude that personal comfort models based on occupants’ heating and cooling behavior can effectively predict individuals’ thermal preference and can therefore be used in everyday comfort management to improve occupant satisfaction and energy use in buildings.
Use of medical care biases associations between Parkinson disease and other medical conditions

Objective To examine how use of medical care biases the well-established associations between Parkinson disease (PD) and smoking, smoking-related cancers, and selected positively associated comorbidities. Methods We conducted a population-based, case-control study of 89,790 incident PD cases and 118,095 randomly selected controls, all Medicare beneficiaries aged 66 to 90 years. We ascertained PD and other medical conditions using ICD-9-CM codes from comprehensive claims data for the 5 years before PD diagnosis/reference. We used logistic regression to estimate age-, sex-, and race-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) between PD and each other medical condition of interest. We then examined the effect of also adjusting for selected geographic- or individual-level indicators of use of care. Results Models without adjustment for use of care and those that adjusted for geographic-level indicators produced similar ORs. However, adjustment for individual-level indicators consistently decreased ORs: Relative to ORs without adjustment for use of care, all ORs were between 8% and 58% lower, depending on the medical condition and the individual-level indicator of use of care added to the model. ORs decreased regardless of whether the established association is known to be positive or inverse. Most notably, smoking and smoking-related cancers were positively associated with PD without adjustment for use of care, but appropriately became inversely associated with PD with adjustment for use of care. Conclusion Use of care should be considered when evaluating associations between PD and other medical conditions to ensure that positive associations are not attributable to bias and that inverse associations are not masked.
Asymmetric Chromosomal Distribution of Endogenous Retrovirus Loci in Chickens and Mice

Retrovirus-like sequences have been found in the genomes of a large number of species (Coffin 1982). These sequences are inherited in a Mendelian fashion, appear to be stable loci, and can be considered an integral part of an individual’s genetic makeup. However, analysis of related species (Frisby etal. 1979) and some related sublines (Rowe and Kozak 1980) has revealed that these sequences are probably due to rare integration events following infections of gamete or embryonic tissue. The genetic loci resulting from this unique occurrence in animal virology provide an excellent opportunity to observe the interactions of exogenously introduced DNA with a vertebrate genome in a multitude of cell types and at different stages of differentiation
Cigarette Habituation in Nonhuman Primates

Using operant conditioning techniques to establish and control the behavior, baboons can be trained to actively puff on cigarettes in a human-like manner. A pilot experiment was conducted to determine if baboons would become habituated to cigarette smoke.
Abstract WMP107: Cerebrospinal Fluid Leukocyte Subtypes After Intraventricular Hemorrhage: An Analysis of the CLEAR-III Trial

Background: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) results in significant mortality and morbidity and initiates a cascade of inflammatory cell activation. Leukocyte subtypes have different effects, with mo...
Perspectives on the use of a telehealth service-delivery model as a component of school-based occupational therapy practice: Designing a user-experience.

Background Telehealth is an accepted service-delivery model in a variety of health professions, including occupational therapy. Telehealth holds potential for school-based occupational therapy evaluation, intervention, consultation, monitoring, and supervision. As the use of telehealth becomes prevalent, it will be important to describe the benefits and barriers to potential types of occupational therapy evaluation, intervention, consultation, monitoring, and supervision delivered via a telehealth service-delivery model. Querying stakeholder perceptions of telehealth may help guide additional precipitating factors that have not yet been explored. Objective This study gathers information regarding perceptions, perceived barriers, and benefits of the use of telehealth in school-based occupational therapy practice. Methods School-based occupational therapy practitioners (OTP), district administrators, and related technology staff were invited to complete a survey intended to explore attitudes about the use of telehealth. Results 28.57% of respondents stated that their districts were likely to adopt the use of telehealth. Participants noted perceived barriers and benefits to the use of telehealth. Conclusions This study provides preliminary feedback regarding school-based OTP and administrator perceptions of telehealth as a component of school-based OT practice.
Combined effects of the light touch and cognitive task affect the components of postural sway.

Abstract The light touch (LT) of the fingertip on a rigid surface and the performance of a cognitive task (CT) affect the postural control. The current study examined the mechanisms involved in the control of postural sway (i.e., Rambling and Trembling components of the center of pressure) with the LT and CT performed individually or simultaneously. Thirteen adults stood on a force plate for 70 s while performed the LT, CT (visual searching of specific letters) or both tasks simultaneously. COP, Rambling, and Trembling mean amplitude and speed were computed. COP and Rambling trajectories were highly and Trembling moderately reduced with LT. The CT affected mainly the Rambling component, supporting the role of supraspinal control of postural sway. These findings suggested that while LT influences both supraspinal and peripheral control mechanisms, CT influences mostly the supraspinal mechanisms involved in postural sway. The combined effects of LT and CT improve the postural control with no negative consequences on CT performance.
Influence of a climatic gradient on genetic exchange between two oak species.

PREMISE In plant groups with limited intrinsic barriers to gene flow, it is thought that environmental conditions can modulate interspecific genetic exchange. Oaks are known for limited barriers to gene flow among closely related species. Here, we use Quercus as a living laboratory in which to pursue a fundamental question in plant evolution: Do environmental gradients restrict or promote genetic exchange between species? METHODS We focused on two North American oaks, the rare Quercus dumosa and the widespread Q. berberidifolia. We sampled intensively along a contact zone in California, USA. We sequenced restriction site-associated DNA markers and measured vegetative phenotype. We tested for genetic exchange, the association with climate, and the effect on phenotype. RESULTS There is evidence for genetic exchange between the species. Admixed plants are found in areas of intermediate climate, while less admixed plants are found at the extremes of the climatic gradient. Genetic and phenotypic patterns are out of phase in the contact zone; some plants display the phenotype of one species but are genetically associated with another. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the hypothesis that a strong climatic gradient can promote genetic exchange between species. The overall weak correlation between genotype and phenotype in the contact zone between the species suggests that genetic exchange can lead to the breakdown of trait combinations used to define species. This incongruency predicts ongoing problems for conservation of Q. dumosa, with implications for conservation of other oaks.
TMEM88 Inhibits Wnt Signaling by Promoting Wnt Signalosome Localization to Multivesicular Bodies

Wnt/β-catenin signaling is regulated in a bimodal fashion during cardiogenesis. Signaling is initially required to promote generation of precardiac mesoderm, but subsequently must be repressed for cardiac progenitor specification. TMEM88 was discovered recently as a negative regulator during the later phase of cardiac progenitor specification, but how TMEM88 functions was unknown. Based on a C-terminal PDZ-binding motif, TMEM88 was proposed to act by targeting the PDZ domain of Dishevelled, the positive Wnt signaling mediator. However, we discovered that TMEM88 acts downstream of the β-catenin destruction complex and can inhibit Wnt signaling independent of Dishevelled. TMEM88 requires the PDZ-binding motif for trafficking from Golgi to the plasma membrane and is also found in the multivesicular body (MVB) associated with the endocytosed Wnt signalosome. Expression of Tmem88 promotes association of the Wnt signalosome including β-catenin to the MVB, leading to reduced accumulation of nuclear β-catenin and repression of Wnt signaling.
Introduction and Basic Definitions

A graph \(G = (V, E)\) is a collection of vertices \(V = V(G)\) and a collection of (unordered) pairs of vertices called edges \(E = E(G)\). Since each edge \(e = uv\) is a pair of vertices, we call each vertex u or v in e an end of the edge e. The two vertices at either end of an edge are adjacent. A graph is called simple if every pair of vertices is contained in at most one edge. A graph is called finite if it has a finite number of vertices and so, for a simple graph, also a finite number of edges. In this work, we consider only finite simple graphs so we simply use the term graph to mean a finite simple graph. The number of vertices in G, called the order of G, is commonly denoted by \(n = |G| = |V(G)|\), and the number of edges, called the size of G, is commonly denoted by \(m = |E(G)|\).
Nixon and Watergate

The early 1970s scandal that came to be known as Watergate is explored in this chapter as a power scandal involving President Nixon’s abuse of the prerogatives of the presidency and the public’s trust. The precursors of Watergate include related events such as Nixon-directed break-ins to discredit political foes. Lesser known incidents, such as a scandal involving a communications company and the Republican Party, helped to foretell Nixon’s strategy when confronted with Watergate. Nixon pondered the use of a backfire to extinguish Watergate, but ultimately relied on stonewalling. The presence of a taping system in the White House provided a vivid account of Nixon’s involvement in the scandal that largely reflected his belief in his own personal capabilities to overcome all political crises, including scandals.
Mitigating alemtuzumab-associated autoimmunity in MS: A “whack-a-mole” B-cell depletion strategy

Objective To determine whether the punctuated administration of low-dose rituximab, temporally linked to B-cell hyperrepopulation (defined when the return of CD19+ B cells approximates 40%–50% of baseline levels as measured before alemtuzumab treatment inception), can mitigate alemtuzumab-associated secondary autoimmunity. Methods In this hypothesis-driven pilot study, 10 patients received low-dose rituximab (50–150 mg/m2), a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, after either their first or second cycles of alemtuzumab. These patients were then routinely assessed for the development of autoimmune disorders and safety signals related to the use of dual monoclonal antibody therapy. Results Five patients received at least 1 IV infusion of low-dose rituximab, following alemtuzumab therapy, with a mean follow-up of 41 months. None of the 5 patients developed secondary autoimmune disorders. An additional 5 patients with follow-up over less than 24 months received at least 1 infusion of low-dose rituximab treatment following alemtuzumab treatment. No secondary autoimmune diseases were observed. Conclusions An anti-CD20 “whack-a-mole” B-cell depletion strategy may serve to mitigate alemtuzumab-associated secondary autoimmunity in MS by reducing the imbalance in B- and T-cell regulatory networks during immune reconstitution. We believe that these observations warrant further investigation. Classification of evidence This study provides Class IV evidence that for people with MS, low-dose rituximab following alemtuzumab treatment decreases the risk of alemtuzumab-associated secondary autoimmune diseases.