cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Characterization of the Inflammatory Response in the Tumor Microenvironment

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare cancer arising from mesothelial cells lining the peritoneal surface. Little is known about the tumor microenvironment in regulating MPM oncogenesis. The current study defined the chemokine/cytokine expression profile and inflammatory responses within the MPM microenvironment. Levels of 10 cytokines (Fractalkine, IFNγ, IL-6, IL-8, IP-10, MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, TNFα, VEGF) in matched ascites and sera from 15 MPM patients were measured using Milliplex immunoassays. Sera from six normal control sera were included. Statistical analyses included the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, the Mann–Whitney U test, bivariate analysis, and the R 2 coefficient of correlation. The median levels of IL-6 (3190 vs 3.18 ng/ml; p < 0.001), IL-8 (118 vs 4.93 ng/ml; p < 0.001), IP-10 (3923 vs 384 ng/ml; p < 0.001), and MCP-1 (2886 vs 544 ng/ml; p = 0.005) were significantly higher in the MPM ascites than in the matched MPM serum. In the MPM serum samples, the levels of IL-8 (4.93 vs 1.52 ng/ml; p = 0.002), MIP-1β (53.8 vs 22.3; p = 0.016), TNFα (9.97 vs 4.5 ng/ml; p = 0.013), and VEGF (277 vs 105.4 ng/ml; p = 0.036) were significantly higher than in the control sera. The chemokines/cytokines in the MPM tumor microenvironment are distinct from those associated with inflammatory responses to infection or injury (e.g., IL-1, IL-2, TNFα, IFNγ). These local changes reflect active reciprocal communication between tumor and associated stroma, which the authors predict is integral to MPM oncogenesis. Future studies will test this hypothesis and identify potential serum biomarkers for MPM.
Multi-Channel SQUID-Based Ultra-Low Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Unshielded Environment

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the best method for non-invasive imaging of soft tissue anatomy. A conventional MRI relies on 1.5-3 T fixed strength magnetic fields, with parts-per-million homogeneity, requiring large and expensive magnets. MRI can be done at ultra-low magnetic fields (ULF) with Larmor frequencies of a few kHz with much more modest magnetic system requirements. However the ULF regime requires a very sensitive detection system. A candidate detection system is based on SQUID gradiometers. A conventional SQUID gradiometer based detection system requires effective shielding from all ambient electromagnetic noise. Large shielded structures, such as magnetically shielded or eddy-current rooms, can be used for proof-of-principles experiments but do not lead to practical deployable instruments. Our goal is to develop a technique in which a SQUID-based detector array could be deployed without the limitation imposed by the requirement for a shielded structure. We have tested a 7-channel ULF MRI system located in unshielded environment inside a modern physics laboratory. It was possible to significantly suppress most of the electromagnetic interference by subtracting the signal from a one-channel reference magnetometer located nearby. We believe that the influence of the pre-polarization coil produces kHz-range frequency noise in gradiometer channels that is very well correlated with the signal from the magnetometer.
Development of the University of Idaho Parallel Hybrid FutureTruck

The Advanced Vehicle Concepts Team (AVCT) at the University of Idaho (Ul) modified a 2002 Ford Explorer to meet the objectives of the 2002 FutureTruck competition. The challenge was to improve fuel economy, decrease emissions, perform work safely, provide a high quality education, increase public awareness, and project a positive image. AVCT used a business-oriented, multi-disciplinary approach to address the general objectives. For the performance objectives, the team used a combination of simulations, experiments, and modeling. The resulting configuration is a low voltage, mild parallel hybrid incorporating a 4.0-liter, V6 Ford engine and a direct current, electric motor. The first prototype resulted in a 22% increase in fuel economy and a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions except for hydrocarbons. An engine sensor malfunction was the suspected cause of increased hydrocarbon emissions.
A Multi-agent Based System for Route Planning

Route-planning is a perplexing problem in the field of computer science. Finding computationally viable solutions to route-planning is a challenging task. Various techniques have been devised to solve this problem; however, there is a trade-off in these techniques between computational complexity and accuracy. One paradigm defined in artificial intelligence which can contribute to this problem’s solution is a multi-agent system, in which a group of agents work together to achieve a common goal. These agents require a robust mechanism for coordination and information exchange in order to achieve this goal. When applied to route-planning, these agents interact to compute the optimal path based on distance, speed, and a variety of environmental factors that may impact travelling time. The consideration of these factors allows a solution generated by the system to be applicable to real world sitations. In this work, a hybrid model is proposed which utilizes a multi-agent system to compute travelling time for a given route. This system utilizes a Bayesian network to model interdependencies which exist between environmental factors. In order to illustrate the potential effectiveness of the proposed model, several case studies from the state of Alabama are presented.
Turner syndrome with spinal hemorrhage due to vascular malformation

Turner syndrome (TS) is a relatively common chromosomal disorder and is associated with a range of comorbidities involving the cardiovascular system. Vascular abnormalities, in particular, are a common finding in cases of TS. However, dissection involving the vertebral arteries is rare. Here, we report the case of a 9-year-old girl with TS who had been treated with growth hormone replacement therapy for the past 3 years. She presented with weakness of both lower legs, and was ultimately diagnosed with spinal hemorrhage due to vascular malformation. We treated her with intravenous high dose dexamethasone (0.6 mg/kg) and she could walk without assistance after 6 days of treatment. In conclusion, when a patient with TS shows sudden weakness of the lower limbs, we should consider the possibility of spinal vessel rupture and try to take spine magnetic resonance imaging as soon as possible. We suggest a direction how to make a proper diagnosis and management of sudden vertebral artery hemorrhage in patients with TS.
Papers everyone should read

Are there papers that you think everyone should read? An old favorite or a new result? In each issue of SIGHPC Connect, we present papers suggested by our membership.
Foraging behavior of the red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus) under various lighting conditions.

in salamanders. Misc. Publ. Mus. Zool. Univ. Mich. 169:23-28. PARICHY, D. M., AND R. H. KAPLAN. 1992. Maternal effects on offspring growth and development depend on environmental quality in the frog Bombina orientalis. Oecologia 91:579-586. PATTERSON, K. K. 1978. Life history aspects of paedogenic populations of the mole salamander, Ambystoma talpoideum. Copeia 1978:649-655. ROFF, D. A. 1992. The Evolution of Life Histories: Theory and Analysis. Chapman and Hall, New York.
Influence of debris-rich basal ice on flow of a polar glacier

At Taylor Glacier, a cold-based outlet glacier of the East Antarctic ice sheet, observed surface speeds in the terminus region are 20 times greater than those predicted using Glen’s flow law for cold (–17°C), thin (100 m) ice. Rheological properties of the clean meteoric glacier ice and the underlying deformable debris-rich basal ice can be inferred from surface-velocity and ablation-rate profiles using inverse theory. Here, with limited data, we use a two-layer flowband model to examine two end-member assumptions about the basal-ice properties: (1) uniform softness with spatially variable thickness and (2) uniform thickness with spatially variable softness. We find that the basal ice contributes 85–98% to the observed surface velocity in the terminus region. We also find that the basal-ice layer must be 10–15 m thick and 20–40 times softer than clean Holocene-age glacier ice in order to match the observations. Because significant deformation occurs in the basal ice, our inverse problem is not sensitive to variations in the softness of the meteoric ice. Our results suggest that despite low temperatures, highly deformable basal ice may dominate flow of cold-based glaciers and rheologically distinct layers should be incorporated in models of polar-glacier flow.
Self-administered joint counts and standard joint counts in the assessment of rheumatoid arthritis. MIRA Trial Group. Minocycline in RA.

Objective To determine the comparability of a text to a mannequin format for the assessment of joint counts (JC) among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) participating in a randomized clinical trial (RCT). Methods A subgroup of patients participating in the MIRA (Minocycline in RA) RCT completed self-administered JC and joint scores (JS), which were compared to those of a trained assessor. Results JC and JS data were consistently higher for the patient than for the assessor. Higher correlations were obtained for JC than for JS. Conclusion Our data suggest JC can be used in the context of clinical trials or in the clinical setting, but are not interchangeable with trained assessor JC.
Über die Einwirkung von Diazepam auf überlebend gehaltene Augenlinsen

Am Beispiel inkubierter Kalberlinsen, welche uber 3 Wochen lang klar blieben und an denen sich wahrend dieser Zeit ein oxydativer Stoffwechsel nachweisen lies, wurde erstens die Einlagerung von Diazepam und zweitens sein Einflus auf die Katalaseaktivitat untersucht. Bei der quantitativen Messung gelang erstmals der Nachweis von Diazepam in Linsengewebe mit Hilfe der Hochdruckflussigkeitschromatographie. Es ergab sich, das Diazepam nicht nur in die Augenlinse aufgenommen wird- und zwar hauptsachlich in die Rinde-, sondern wahrscheinlich auch einen Einflus auf den oxydativen Linsenstoffwechsel ausuben kann. Denn bei hoher Dosierung fand sich die Katalaseaktivitat auf etwa ein Drittel reduziert.
Failures of Rotorcraft and Fixed-Wing Aircraft Aerospace Components

This chapter provides a greater understanding of some of the important aspects of failure analysis by presenting a synopsis of four case studies that are related to faulty manufacturing practices. Aerospace component failure investigations of military aircraft will be used for illustrative purposes and comparisons can be made to the service-related failures discussed within the context of this book. Four different aerospace alloys and manufacturing processes were chosen. Each will be discussed in terms of their role in the failure and emphasis will be placed upon the final conclusions and recommended solutions. The author wishes to take this approach to maximize the learning experience and convey the “lessons learned” from a variety of failure investigations. All failure analyses associated with the case studies presented were performed by the US Army Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD.
Drinking to Cope With Depressive Symptoms and Ruminative Thinking: A Multiple Mediation Model Among College Students

ABSTRACTBackground: Understanding the potential psychosocial mechanisms that explain (i.e., mediate) the associations between depressive symptoms and alcohol-related problems can improve interventions targeting college students. Objectives: The current research examined four distinct facets of rumination (e.g., problem-focused thoughts, counterfactual thinking, repetitive thoughts, and anticipatory thoughts) and drinking to cope motives as potential explanatory mechanisms by which depressive symptoms are associated with increased alcohol-related problems. Method: Participants were undergraduate students from a large, southeastern university in the United States that consumed at least one drink per typical week in the previous month (n = 403). The majority of participants were female (n = 291; 72.2%), identified as being either White, non-Hispanic (n = 210; 52.1%), or African American (n = 110; 27.3%), and reported a mean age of 21.92 (SD = 5.75) years. Results: Structural equation modeling was conducted e...
D-Dimer Variability in the Postpartum Period,

Abstract Abstract 3337 Introduction and Aims: In the United States, venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a leading cause of peripartum morbidity and mortality. The utility of the D-Dimer assay as an aid to the diagnosis of VTE during the postpartum period is unclear. D-Dimer levels are known to increase during pregnancy and no normal ranges have been established. Even less is known about D-Dimer in the postpartum period when most VTEs occur. We examined D-Dimer levels during early and late postpartum periods (one and four weeks respectively) to assess whether D-Dimer levels have a role to play in predicting adverse events postpartum. Methods: Women who gave birth between July 2010 and June 2011 were invited to enroll in the study. In addition to routine demographics, birth data, CBC, ABO blood typing, BMI and social histories, all women answered a 10-item questionnaire. D-Dimer assays were performed at 7–10 days postpartum. Women were encouraged to return for a second D-Dimer test at 4–6 weeks postpartum. Standard reference ranges were used with an upper level cutoff at 0.5μg/ml. Results: 34 women participated in the study and 17 women returned for the late postpartum period. In the immediate postpartum period, 33 of 34 (97%) women had D-Dimer levels higher than the normal nonpregnant range ( Conclusions: D-Dimer levels are elevated and highly variable in the immediate postpartum period. D-Dimer levels decrease subsequently and trend toward normal ( Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Increased Prevalence of Inhibitors in Mexican-Hispanic Patients with Severe Hemophilia A Enrolled in the Universal Data Collection Project.

Abstract Abstract 3488 Poster Board III-425 Neutralizing inhibitor formation occurs in up to 20-30% of patients with severe factor VIII deficiency, leading to significantly increased morbidity in affected individuals. It has been well-established that patients of African descent have a higher prevalence of inhibitor development. [Oldenburg, J et al. Semin Hematol, 2004] The Hispanic population also has been assumed to have an increase in inhibitor development when compared with Caucasians. The study presented here is the first to definitively demonstrate an increased prevalence of inhibitors in the Hispanic population. We compared inhibitor prevalence among various racial and ethnic groups in a cross-sectional analysis of 6198 males with severe hemophilia A that participated in the Universal Data Collection project sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We used logistic regression analysis to control for potential confounding variables including age, insurance type (as a proxy for access to care and socio-economic status), age at first bleed, age at diagnosis and use of prophylaxis. The included table shows those variables that were determined to be independently predictive of inhibitors. We assigned Mexican derivation to participants who labeled themselves as Hispanic and who were born either in Mexico, in states bordering Mexico or in states with large Mexican populations as established by Census data. The prevalence of high titer inhibitors in the Mexican-Hispanic population was 26.3% compared to 16.4% for Caucasian patients [OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1, 1.9], and 26.8% for African-Americans. The underlying cause of increased inhibitor prevalence in these populations is still unknown, though a recent study in African-Americans demonstrated wild-type factors unique from commercially available product. [Viel KR, et al. Inhibitor of Factor VIII in Black Patients with Hemophilia. N Engl J Med, 2009] Further investigation of this phenomenon in the Mexican-Hispanic population, as well as the potential impact of differing immune responses, is warranted. Multivariate analysis of ethnicity and other variables found to be independently predictive of a prevalent inhibitor Characteristic Odds Ratio 95% CI Race/Ethnicity African-American 1.5 1.2 - 1.9 Mexican Hispanic 1.5 1.1 - 1.9 Hispanic 1.2 0.9 - 1.7 Other 1.2 0.9 - 1.6 White Ref Age * (years) 4.2 3.0 - 5.9 2-5 6.4 5.1 - 8.0 6-10 2.8 2.2 - 3.5 11-18 1.7 1.4 – 2.1 >18 Ref Insurance type Medicare 1.8 1.4 - 2.3 Medicaid 1.3 1.1 - 1.5 State program 1.1 0.6 - 1.9 TRICARE 1.0 0.4 - 2.1 Other 0.8 0.6 - 1.2 Uninsured 1.6 1.0 - 2.4 Commercial Ref Prophylaxis Yes 0.6 0.5 - 0.7 No Ref * Age with inhibitor or last UDC visit if no inhibitor The authors wish to acknowledge the contributions of the Hemophilia Treatment Center Network Investigators in the completion of this study. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Turbidity and Cohesive Sediment Dynamics

Abstract This review paper summarizes the most important recent advances on cohesive sediment flocculation, deposition and resuspension and ways of application in turbidity control. Equations for the degree and rates of deposition and resuspension are presented together with a simplified model of cohesive sediment-flow interaction which explains the observed phenomena. Factors affecting deposition and resuspension are also discussed.
Varieties of Integration

Varieties of Integration explores the critical contributions by Riemann, Darboux, Lebesgue, Henstock, Kurzweil, and Stieltjes to the theory of integration and provides a glimpse of more recent variations of the integral such as those involving operator-valued measures. By the first year of graduate school, a young mathematician will have encountered at least three separate definitions of the integral. The associated integrals are typically studied in isolation with little attention paid to the relationships between them or to the historical issues that motivated their definitions. Varieties of Integration redresses this situation by introducing the Riemann, Darboux, Lebesgue, and gauge integrals in a single volume using a common set of examples. This approach allows the reader to see how the definitions influence proof techniques and computational strategies. Then the properties of the integrals are compared in three major areas: the class of integrable functions, the convergence properties of the integral, and the best form of the Fundamental Theorems of Calculus.
Assessing the colonic microbiome, hydrogenogenic and hydrogenotrophic genes, transit and breath methane in constipation.

Background Differences in the gut microbiota and breath methane production have been observed in chronic constipation, but the relationship between colonic microbiota, transit, and breath tests remains unclear. Methods In 25 healthy and 25 constipated females we evaluated the sigmoid colonic mucosal and fecal microbiota using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, abundance of hydrogenogenic FeFe (FeFe-hydA) and hydrogenotrophic (methyl coenzyme M reductase A [mrcA] and dissimilatory sulfite reductase A [dsrA]) genes with real-time qPCR assays, breath hydrogen and methane levels after oral lactulose, and colonic transit with scintigraphy. Key Results Breath hydrogen and methane were not correlated with constipation, slow colon transit, or with abundance of corresponding genes. After adjusting for colonic transit, the abundance of FeFehydA, dsrA, and mcrA were greater (P<.005) in colonic mucosa, but not stool, of constipated patients. The abundance of the selected functional gene targets also correlated with that of selected taxa. The colonic mucosal abundance of FeFe-hydA, but not mcrA, correlated positively (P<.05) with breath methane production, slow colonic transit, and overall microbiome composition. In the colonic mucosa and feces, the abundance of hydrogenogenic and hydrogenotrophic genes were positively correlated (P<.05). Breath methane production was not associated with constipation or colonic transit. Conclusions & Inferences Corroborating our earlier findings with 16S rRNA genes, colonic mucosal but not fecal hydrogenogenic and hydrogenotrophic genes were more abundant in constipated vs. healthy subjects independent of colonic transit. Breath gases do not directly reflect the abundance of target genes contributing to their production.
Duodenal and Ampullary Carcinoid Tumors: Size Predicts Necessity for Lymphadenectomy.

Unlike other neuroendocrine tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, management of duodenal and periampullary carcinoids remains controversial. We aimed to determine the metastatic potential and optimal choice of therapy for these neoplasms. A retrospective review of all patients treated at the Johns Hopkins Hospital between 1996 and 2012 was conducted. Clinicopathologic factors associated with lymph nodal involvement and clinical outcomes were evaluated. A total of 101 patients were identified. Eighty (79.2%) tumors arose from the duodenum and 21 (20.8%) from the periampullary area. Thirty-five (34.7%) patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), 12 (11.9%) local resection, 38 (37.6%) endoscopic excision, and 16 (15.8%) patients harbored incidental tumors identified in the specimen after PD for another indication. Lymph node (LN) pathologic evaluation was done in 56 patients, among which 27 (48%) had positive LN. Specifically, LN positivity (LN+) for tumors 2 cm 81% (13/16). Tumor size was the only factor associated with LN+ (p = 0.029). Lymph nodal involvement is common for duodenal and periampullary carcinoid tumors, particularly among those >1 cm in size; therefore, resection with lymphadenectomyfor these larger tumors is recommended.
Mechanism of Ska Recruitment by Ndc80 Complexes to Kinetochores

Yeast use the ring-shaped Dam1 complex to slide down depolymerizing microtubules to move chromosomes, but current models suggest that other eukaryotes do not have a sliding ring. We visualized Ndc80 and Ska complexes on microtubules by electron microscopic tomography to identify the structure of the human kinetochore-microtubule attachment. Ndc80 recruits the Ska complex so that the V shape of the Ska dimer interacts along protofilaments. We identify a mutant of the Ndc80 tail that is deficient in Ska recruitment to kinetochores and in orienting Ska along protofilaments in vitro. This mutant Ndc80 binds microtubules with normal affinity but is deficient in clustering along protofilaments. We propose that Ska is recruited to kinetochores by clusters of Ndc80 proteins and that our structure of Ndc80 and Ska complexes on microtubules suggests a mechanism for metazoan kinetochores to couple the depolymerization of microtubules to power the movement of chromosomes.
Use of an Articulating Hinge to Facilitate Cervicothoracic Deformity Correction During Vertebral Column Resection.

Background Surgical treatment of severe cervicothoracic kyphotic deformity may require the use of 3-column osteotomies such as the pedicle subtraction osteotomy and vertebral column resection (VCR), or VCR with anterior longitudinal ligament resection. Such procedures are extensive and are associated with high intra- and perioperative morbidity, in part, due to the need for risky reduction maneuvers. Objective To describe a novel technique utilizing a laterally placed articulating hinge to facilitate kyphotic deformity correction of the cervicothoracic spine. Methods A patient with severe chin-on-chest deformity of the cervicothoracic spine presented for evaluation and a 2-stage VCR with anterior longitudinal ligament resection was planned. To reduce the risk of intraoperative neurological injury and for increased control during reduction maneuvers, lateral instrumentation was placed through the chest wall resection above and below the level of VCR, which was adjoined with an articulating hinge rod apparatus. Results Satisfactory reduction of the kyphosis was achieved utilizing the hinge rod apparatus for controlled deformity correction. The patient remained neurologically intact following this procedure with improvement in their spinal alignment. Conclusion We present a novel technique utilizing a lateral hinge rod apparatus for efficient, controlled correction of severe kyphotic deformity.
A case of Wohlfahrtiimonas chitiniclastica bacteremia in continental United States

Introduction. Wohlfahrtiimonas chitiniclastica has been associated with open wound infections, cellulitis, osteomyelitis, and bacteremia. Case presentation. We report the case of a 41 year old woman with history of congenital myelomeningocele, paraplegia and extensive decubitus ulcers that developed W. chitiniclastica bacteremia secondary to an infected ulcer. Conclusion. W. chitiniclastica is an emerging human pathogen that can be readily identified by MALDI-TOF or sequencing.
Empirically comparing the finite-time performance of simulation-optimization algorithms

We empirically evaluate the finite-time performance of several simulation-optimization algorithms on a testbed of problems with the goal of motivating further development of algorithms with strong finite-time performance. We investigate if the observed performance of the algorithms can be explained by properties of the problems, e.g., the number of decision variables, the topology of the objective function, or the magnitude of the simulation error.
The Political Mobility of China's Central State-Owned Enterprise Leaders

Extensive research on the political mobility of Chinese officials at central, provincial, municipal and county levels has yet to fully consider an important group of elites – the leaders of China's core central state-owned enterprises (SOEs). This paper presents the first systematic analysis of their political mobility between 2003 and 2012 using an original biographical dataset with 864 leader-year observations. Under the Hu Jintao administration, these leaders emerged as a distinctive group within China's top political elite: increasingly well-educated but lacking experience beyond state-owned industry, with both lengthening leadership tenures and years of previous work in their companies. Instead of a “revolving door” through which these individuals rotate routinely between state-owned business and the Party-state to positions of successively higher rank, a top executive posting was most often a “one-way exit” to retirement. Of those who advanced politically, virtually all were transferred laterally along three career pathways with little overlap: to other core central SOEs; provinces; and the centre. This paper underscores the theoretical importance of disaggregating types of lateral transfer to research on Chinese officials’ political mobility and the cadre management system.
Finding Needles in an Encyclopedic Haystack: Detecting Classes Among Wikipedia Articles

A lightweight method distinguishes articles within Wikipedia that are classes (Novel, Book) from other articles (Three Men in a Boat, Diary of a Pilgrimage). It exploits clues available within the article text and within categories associated with articles in Wikipedia, while not requiring any linguistic preprocessing tools such as part of speech taggers, named entity recognizers or syntactic parsers. Experimental results show that classes can be identified among Wikipedia articles in multiple languages, at aggregate precision and recall generally above 0.9 and 0.6 respectively.
Studies on the reaction of nitric acid and sugar

The design of vessels and off-gas systems for denitrating acidic radioactive process solutions by reacting nitric acid with sugar requires a fairly accurate determination of the rate of the control...
Accident Progression for a Loss-of-Heat-Sink with Scram in a Liquid-Metal Fast Breeder Reactor

An analysis of a slow core meltdown in a liquid-metal fast breeder reactor was performed for the conditions of loss-of-heat-sink following neutronic shutdown. Simple models were developed for the prediction of phase changes and/or relocation of the core materials, including fuel, coolant, cladding ducts, control rod absorber material (B/sub 4/C), and plenum gases. The sequence of events was accounted for, and the accident progression was described up to the point of recriticality. The neutronic behavior of the disrupted core was analyzed in r-z geomertry with a static transport they code (TWOTRAN). For most scenarios assessed, the reactor is expected to become recritical, although large ramp rates are not anticipated.
Juxtaposition of Ideology and Structure in Criminal Justice

This paper reviews the structure of the criminal justice system in relation to the system's underlying ideology and examines the nature of the conflict presented thereby. The primary focus is a condensed comparative–historical analysis of the federal grand jury system and comparative legal systems.
Some Basic Ideas of Smoothing

In its broadest sense, smoothing is the very essence of statistics. To smooth is to sand away the rough edges from a set of data. More precisely, the aim of smoothing is to remove data variability that has no assignable cause and to thereby make systematic features of the data more apparent. In recent years the term smoothing has taken on a somewhat more specialized meaning in the statistical literature. Smoothing has become synonomous with a variety of nonparametric methods used in the estimation of functions, and it is in this sense that we shall use the term. Of course, a primary aim of smoothing in this latter sense is still to reveal interesting data features. Some major accounts of smoothing methods in various contexts may be found in Priestley (1981), Devroye and Gyorfi (1985), Silverman (1986), Eubank (1988), Hardle (1990), Wahba (1990), Scott (1992), Tarter and Lock (1993), Green and Silverman (1994), Wand and Jones (1995) and Fan and Gijbels (1996).
Small mass measurements for tuning fork-based atomic force microscope cantilever spring constant calibration

Cutting edge mass sensors are capable of discriminating mass changes as small as several dozens of atoms, however the smallest mass commercially available from NIST with a calibration traceable to the International System of Units (SI) is 0.5 mg. To bridge this gap, new metrological techniques are being developed. A mass change from the electrochemical dissolution of tungsten wire has been measured using a commercial microbalance, and applied to a dynamic calibration of the spring constant of a tuning fork oscillator designed for use in frequency modulated atomic force microscopy (FMAFM). The spring constant measured using the dynamic method agreed within experimental uncertainty with that determined using an instrumented indenter, however an improved model for the indenter’s contact mechanics will be necessary to validate the assumptions used in the dynamic method to less than 10 %.
Condensation of malonanilic acid with aromatic aldehydes

1. Malonanilic acid has been condensed with several aromatic aldehydes and a comparative study is made of the yields obtained by (i) the method of using pyridine in large excess together with a trace of piperidine and (ii) the method of using only a trace ofeither of the two. 2. The yields obtained by applying method (i) as Ahluwalia, Haq and Ray have done, are increased further by some modifications adopted in his paper. But even the highest yields so obtained, are lower than those obtained by the application of methods (ii). 3. Incidentally, therefore, the utility of method (ii), observed in condensations of aldehydes with malonic acid, is thus extended further.
MMP14 Regulates Cranial Neural Crest Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Migration.

BACKGROUND Neural crest is a vertebrate specific cell population. Induced at lateral borders of the neural plate, neural crest cells (NCCs) subsequently undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) to detach from the neuroepithelium before migrating into various locations in the embryo. Despite the wealth of knowledge of transcription factors involved in this process, little is known about the effectors that directly regulate neural crest EMT and migration. RESULTS Here, we examined the activity of matrix metalloproteinase MMP14 in NCCs and found that MMP14 is expressed in both premigratory and migrating NCCs. Overexpression of MMP14 led to premature migration of NCCs, while down-regulation of MMP14 resulted in reduced neural crest migration. Transplantation experiment further showed that MMP14 is required in NCCs, whereas MMP2, which can be activated by MMP14, is required in the surrounding mesenchyme. in vitro explant culture showed that MMP14 is required for neural crest EMT but not for spreading. This is possibly mediated by the changes in cadherin levels, as decreasing MMP14 level led to increased cadherin expression and increasing MMP14 level led to reduced cadherin expression. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrate that MMP14 is critical for neural crest EMT and migration, partially through regulating the levels of cadherins. Developmental Dynamics 247:1083-1092, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Thanks to all those who reviewed for Biological Procedures Online in 2015

Ergul Belge Kurutas Turkey Shantanu Bhatt USA Xiaolei Chen USA Wim D'Haeze USA Sofia Duarte Portugal Christine Ebel France David Gewirtz USA Eduardo Gilglioni Brazil Brenda Gonzalez-Hernandez Mexico S Kavimani Kavimani India Sandro Keller Germany Yan Luo USA George McNamara USA Sang Meixiang USA Meral Miraloglu Turkey Tapan Mohanta Korea, Republic of Craig Nunemaker USA Toshifumi Ozaki Japan Satyabrata Pany USA M D Shahjahan Bangladesh Robert Silverman USA James Sturgis France Masatoshi Tagawa Japan Roger Y Tsien USA Liyang Wang China Wei Xiawei China Xuehong Xu China Shaomian Yao USA Swee Keong Yeap Malaysia Ying Yu China
Publishing Graduate Students’ Research About Community Colleges

ABSTRACTUnlike many graduate education disciplines such as science and engineering, graduate education programs specializing in the study of community colleges have not focused their efforts on pre...
Translocation of Orally Inoculated Salmonella Following Mild Immunosuppression in Dairy Calves

ObjectivesSalmonella (SAL) is a foodborne pathogen of increasing concern in the U.S. as foodborne infection rates remain high and legislative action against foods containing this pathogen is being crafted. Salmonella in beef may be harbored within peripheral tissues that are not reached by topical pathogen interventions; however, the mechanisms by which enteric SAL translocate to atypical locations are not well understood. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine if immunosuppression via daily dexamethasone (DEX) infusion altered SAL translocation from the GI tract.Materials and MethodsWeaned Holstein steer calves (n = 20; BW = 102 ± 2.7 kg) received DEX (n = 10; 0.5mg/kg BW) or saline (CON; n = 10; 0.5mg/kg BW) for 4 d (from d –1 to d 2) via a jugular catheter prior to oral inoculation of a naldixic acid resistant Salmonella Typhimurium (3.4 × 106 CFU/animal) via milk replacer on d 0. Fecal swabs for SAL shedding were obtained daily. Upon harvest (d 5), the ileum, cecal content, lymph nodes (ileocecal, mandibular, popliteal and prescapular), and synovial (stifle, coxofemoral and shoulder) swabs were collected for the isolation and quantification of the inoculated strain of SAL.ResultsFollowing the inoculation, 100% of DEX calves shed the experimental strain of SAL for 5 d, 90% of CON calves shed from d 1 to 3, and 100% of CON calves shed from d 4 to 5. A treatment by tissue interaction (P = 0.0016) was observed when evaluating SAL concentrations in tissues collected at harvest. Greater concentrations of SAL were quantified from the cecum of DEX calves (3.86 ± 0.37 log10 CFU) when compared to CON cecum (1.37 ± 0.37 log10 CFU; P < 0.001). However, there was no difference in SAL concentrations between DEX and CON calves when evaluating Ileal tissue (P = 0.067), nor among ileocecal (P = 0.569), mandibular (P = 0.122), popliteal (P = 0.992), or prescapular (P = 0.834) lymph nodes. Salmonella was isolated from the stifle joint of one calf in the CON group; however, SAL was not isolated from any other joint fluids sampled (i.e., coxofemoral or shoulder). This is important to note as it was 3.3% of joint fluid swabs collected from the CON group and there is a high likelihood of the stifle joint fluid to come in contact with meat during hind quarter fabrication. While there were numerical increases in SAL concentrations in DEX calves, it does not appear that daily dexamethasone administration drastically altered SAL colonization or translocation in mildly immunosuppressed calves.ConclusionWhile more research is needed to elucidate the interactions of immunosuppression and pathogen migration patterns, these data confirm that orally inoculated SAL can translocate from the G.I. and be harbored in peripheral lymph nodes and synovial fluid which represents a food safety risk.
Slow adoption of rapid testing: Beach monitoring and notification using qPCR

Abstract In 2012 the US Environmental Protection Agency published new Recreational Water Quality Criteria, which for the first time, included criteria values and beach action values for quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) measurements or estimates of enterococci. The qPCR method makes it possible to generate indicator bacterial test results within several hours, and notify the public immediately, rather than the following day, which would be the case if culture methods were used. The BEach ACtion and Closing Online Notification (BEACON) data demonstrates that less than 1% of microbial beach water results for the years 2014–2018 were generated using qPCR. In order to assist jurisdictions considering the implementation of same-day beach water monitoring and notification, we describe a qPCR-based beach monitoring program in which a central laboratory tests water samples from up to 20 beaches per day, seven days per week, and reports the results to the public by noon. The transition from a culture-based monitoring program to a qPCR program, staffing, management, communications needs, fixed costs, and variable costs of the program are described. USEPA funding to support state and local governments implementing qPCR programs may be needed if the benefits of same-day notification regarding elevated health risks are to be realized.
Early evidence of pulmonary dysfunction in survivors of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma.

Survivors of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) are at risk for pulmonary late effects, but whether survivors also experience pulmonary dysfunction early off therapy is not well understood. We determi...
Probiotic triangle of success; strain production, clinical studies and product development

The successful development of probiotic foods and dietary supplements rests on three pillars; each with their specific challenges and opportunities. First, strain production; this depends on selecting the right strain with promising technological properties and safety profile. Further the manufacturing of the strain in a stable format at sufficiently high yield, following regulatory and customer requirements on culture media ingredients and other processing aids. The second pillar are the preclinical and clinical studies to document that the strain is a probiotic and exerts a health benefit on the host, the consumer. Especially when aiming for a regulator approved health claim, clinical studies need to be thoroughly performed; following appropriate ethical, scientific and regulatory guidelines. Finally, the probiotic will need to be incorporated in a product that can be brought to the consumer; a dietary supplement or a functional food. Because of the live nature of probiotics, specific challenges may need to be dealt with. Although experience from other strains is helpful in the process, the development is strain specific. Commercialisation and marketing of probiotics are strictly but differently regulated in most jurisdictions; defining what can and cannot be claimed.
Diagnostic Yield of Lateral Decubitus Digital Subtraction Myelogram Stratified by Brain MRI Findings.

Objective To assess the diagnostic yield of lateral decubitus digital subtraction myelography (LDDSM) and stratify LDDSM diagnostic yield by the Bern spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) score of preprocedure brain MRI. Methods This retrospective diagnostic study included consecutive adult patients investigated for SIH who underwent LDDSM. Patients without preprocedure brain and spine MRI and patients with extradural fluid collection on spine MRI (type 1 leak) were excluded. LDDSM images and brain MRIs were assessed by 2 independent blinded readers; a third reader adjudicated any discrepancies. Diagnostic yield of LDDSM was assessed, both overall and stratified by Bern SIH scoring. Results Of the 62 patients included in this study, 33 (53.2%) had a CSF leak identified on LDDSM. Right-sided leaks were more common (70.6%), and the most commonly identified levels of leaks were at T6, T7, and T10. No leak was found in any of the 9 patients with Bern SIH score of 2 or less. Of the 11 patients with Bern SIH score of 3–4, 5 (45.5%) had a CSF leak identified; of the 42 patients with Bern SIH score of 5 or higher, 28 (66.7%) had a CSF leak identified. Conclusions LDDSM has a high diagnostic yield for finding the exact location of spinal CSF leak, and the diagnostic yield increases with higher Bern SIH score. No leaks were found in patients with Bern SIH score of 2 or less, suggesting that foregoing invasive testing such as LDDSM in these patients may be appropriate unless accompanied by high clinical suspicion. Classification of Evidence This study provides Class II evidence that for patients with suspected SIH, higher Bern SIH scores are associated with a greater likelihood of LDDSM-identified CSF leaks.
Design and rationale of the randomized trial of comprehensive lifestyle modification, optimal pharmacological treatment and utilizing PET imaging for quantifying and managing stable coronary artery disease (the CENTURY study).

Background The literature reports no randomized trial in chronic coronary artery disease (CAD) of a comprehensive management strategy integrating intense lifestyle management, maximal medical treatment to specific goals and high precision quantitative cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) for identifying high mortality risk patients needing essential invasive procedures. We hypothesize that this comprehensive strategy achieves greater risk factor reduction, lower major adverse cardiovascular events and fewer invasive procedures than standard practice. Methods The CENTURY Study (NCT00756379) is a randomized-controlled-trial study in patients with stable or at high risk for CAD. Patients are randomized to standard of care (Standard group) or intense comprehensive lifestyle-medical treatment to targets and PET guided interventions (Comprehensive group). Comprehensive Group patients are regularly consulted by the CENTURY team implementing diet/lifestyle/exercise program and medical treatment to target risk modification. Cardiac PET at baseline, 24-, and 60-months quantify the physiologic severity of CAD and guide interventions in the Comprehensive group while patients and referring physicians of the Standard group are blinded to PET results. The primary end-point is the CENTURY risk score reduction during 5 years follow-up. The secondary endpoint is a composite of death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, stroke, and coronary revascularization. Conclusions The CENTURY Study is the first study in stable CAD to test the incremental benefit of a comprehensive strategy integrating intense lifestyle modification, medical treatment to specific goals, and high-precision quantitative myocardial perfusion imaging to guide revascularization. A total of 1028 patients have been randomized, and the 5 years follow-up will conclude in 2022.
Writing under the Same Banner?: Three Ottoman Wartime Memoirs and their Motivations

This article explores the motivations behind the creation and preservation of ego-doc- uments written by late Ottoman participants in World War I. Focusing on three distinct but linked narratives found among the papers of Kuscubasi Esref, it investigates the authors’ impulse to write “ego-documents” in this volatile period and among this par- ticular group of individuals. The discussion focuses on three texts: first, the diary writ- ten by Suleyman Askeri, Esref’s close friend and colleague, during the Italian-Ottoman War in Tripolitania (Trablusgarb) of 1911–12, which was later hand-copied by Esref; secondly, fragments from Esref’s own massive but ultimately lost memoir; and thirdly, Esref’s wife Pervin Hanim’s own memoir. In assessing these three interrelated but dis- tinct pieces of writing, the contribution sheds light on the different contexts in which memoirs from the war years were conceived and written as well as the factors contrib- uting to their preservation or loss. It also considers the different personalities involved and the motivations, stated or unstated, that informed the task of putting pen to paper.
The Invasion Story and Its Critics

This working paper offers a survey of what might be termed "anti-invasion literature" — fiction taking a critical attitude of the thinking underlying the invasion literature genre, and sometimes directly targeting the genre itself — in late nineteenth and early twentieth century British and American fiction.
Geothermal evolution of an intruded dike in the rift zone of Kilauea volcano, Hawaii from VLF and self-potential measurements

Abstract Self-potential (SP) and VLF measurements were made in 1973, 1975, 1995, 1997 and 2012 across a basaltic dike that intruded into the Koae fault zone of Kilauea volcano, Hawaii in May 1973. The SP anomaly remained strong throughout. In 2012 it was at about 60% of the strength it had in 1973. In contrast, the VLF anomaly, though diminished, was still observable in 1995/1997, but by 2012 it had disappeared. A hydrothermal dike model, with parameters calibrated by modeling the solidification of Kilauea Iki lava lake, is used to calculate temperatures and conductivity variation. Following Jaeger's (1957) method, we find that the time in years for a dike of width W (m) to solidify is 0.0075W2. Thus, a 1 m dike solidifies within the first few days, and after 39 years is only tens of degrees above ambient. Given the orders of magnitude difference between the conductivities of wet and dry basalt, we infer, that after solidification, the VLF anomalies were caused by induction in a localized veil of wet, hot basalt enveloping the dike, that was generated initially by condensation of steam, and subsequently by condensation of evaporated water as temperatures reduced. The conductivity anomaly persisted until the mid-nineties. By 2012, temperatures and condensation were too small for a VLF signal. The persistent SP anomaly is attributed to localized fluid disruption, with evaporation mainly at the water table and in the vadose zone. Streaming potentials are associated with evaporative circulation in the vadose zone. Next to the dike a positive potential is generated by upward flow of moisture-laden air, with a smaller negative potential on its flanks from downward infiltrating rainwater. The analysis indicates that the combination of SP and VLF measurements can characterize the evolving geothermal regime of intrusions above the water table.