cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
All Other Things Being Equal: Acquisition and Transfer of the Control of Variables Strategy

The ability to design unconfounded experiments and make valid inferences from their outcomes is an essential skill in scientific reasoning. The present study addressed an important issue in scientific reasoning and cognitive development: how children acquire a domain-general processing strategy (Control of Variables Strategy or CVS) and generalize it across various contexts. Seven- to 10-year-olds (N = 87) designed and evaluated experiments and made inferences from the experimental outcomes. When provided with explicit training within domains, combined with probe questions, children were able to learn and transfer the basic strategy for designing unconfounded experiments. Providing probes without direct instruction, however, did not improve children's ability to design unconfounded experiments and make valid inferences. Direct instruction on CVS not only improved the use of CVS, but also facilitated conceptual change in the domain because the application of CVS led to unconfounded, informative tests of domain-specific concepts. With age, children increasingly improved their ability to transfer learned strategies to remote situations. A trial-by-trial assessment of children's strategy use also allowed the examination of the source, rate, path, and breadth of strategy change.
Effects of mindful eating training on delay and probability discounting for food and money in obese and healthy-weight individuals

Obese individuals tend to behave more impulsively than healthy weight individuals across a variety of measures, but it is unclear whether this pattern can be altered. The present study examined the effects of a mindful eating behavioral strategy on impulsive and risky choice patterns for hypothetical food and money. In Experiment 1, 304 participants completed computerized delay and probability discounting tasks for food-related and monetary outcomes. High percent body fat (PBF) predicted more impulsive choice for food, but not small-value money, replicating previous work. In Experiment 2, 102 randomly selected participants from Experiment 1 were assigned to participate in a 50-min workshop on mindful eating or to watch an educational video. They then completed the discounting tasks again. Participants who completed the mindful eating session showed more self-controlled and less risk-averse discounting patterns for food compared to baseline; those in the control condition discounted similarly to baseline rates. There were no changes in discounting for money for either group, suggesting stimulus specificity for food for the mindful eating condition.
Clinically significant changes in acute pain in a pediatric ED using the Color Analog Scale

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study is to quantify, using the Color Analog Scale (CAS), the degree of change in pain severity required to achieve a clinically significant improvement in pain. Methods A prospective descriptive study, using convenience sampling of children aged 5 and 12 years presenting to a pediatric emergency department (ED) with acute pain, was done. Children were asked to mark their pain severity on a previously validated CAS. After a pain intervention, the child was again asked to mark their pain intensity on the CAS and asked to describe the relative change in their pain. The main outcome measure was to quantify the smallest change required for the child to state that their pain was improved. Results One hundred twenty-six children with a mean age of 8.6 years (SD, 2.8 years) were enrolled. Males accounted for 56%. Pain was traumatic in 47.6% and nontraumatic in 52.4%. Of the 126 pain comparisons made, 28 children described their pain as “the same” and had a mean change in score of −0.10 cm (95% confidence interval [CI], −2.27 to 2.07 cm). Pain was judged to be a “little less” in 58 children, and the CAS score changed by a mean of −2.4 cm (95% CI, −3.15 to −1.72 cm). In the 29 children who judged their pain to be “much less,” the CAS score decreased by a mean of −5.4 cm (95% CI, −6.50 to −4.40). Conclusion A decrease on the CAS pain scale of 2.4 cm (95% CI, 2.95–1.92) is a clinically significant change in pain for children aged 5 to 12 years with acute pain. The CAS is a valuable tool in assessing responses to pain interventions.
Integrated metabolomics and genomics analysis provides new insights into the fiber elongation process in Ligon lintless-2 mutant cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.).

The length of cotton fiber is an important agronomic trait characteristic that directly affects the quality of yarn and fabric. The cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fiber mutation, Ligon lintless-2, is controlled by a single dominant gene (Li 2 ) and results in extremely shortened lint fibers on mature seeds with no visible pleiotropic effects on vegetative growth and development. The Li 2 mutant phenotype provides an ideal model system to study fiber elongation. To understand metabolic processes involved in cotton fiber elongation, changes in metabolites and transcripts in the Li 2 mutant fibers were compared to wild-type fibers during development. Principal component analysis of metabolites from GC-MS data separated Li 2 mutant fiber samples from WT fiber samples at the WT elongation stage, indicating that the Li 2 mutation altered the metabolome of the mutant fibers. The observed alterations in the Li 2 metabolome included significant reductions in the levels of detected free sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar acids, and sugar phosphates. Biological processes associated with carbohydrate biosynthesis, cell wall loosening, and cytoskeleton were also down-regulated in Li 2 fibers. Gamma-aminobutyric acid, known as a signaling factor in many organisms, was significantly elevated in mutant fibers. Higher accumulation of 2-ketoglutarate, succinate, and malate suggested higher nitrate assimilation in the Li 2 line. Transcriptional activation of genes involved in nitrogen compound metabolism along with changes in the levels of nitrogen transport amino acids suggested re-direction of carbon flow into nitrogen metabolism in Li 2 mutant fibers. This report provides the first comprehensive analysis of metabolite and transcript changes in response to the Li 2 mutation in elongating fibers. A number of factors associated with cell elongation found in this study will facilitate further research in understanding metabolic processes of cotton fiber elongation.
Electromechanical Properties of a Ceramic d31-Gradient Flextensional Actuator

We examined the static axial displacement of a ceramic d31-gradient flextensional transducer both experimentally and theoretically. Two lead zirconate titanate systems, (PZT)/PZT and PZT/ZnO, were studied. The PZT/PZT transducers consisted of two PZT layers of different d31 coefficients. The PZT/ZnO transducers consisted of a PZT and a ZnO layer. The PZT/PZT transducers were of an inner-type dome structure. The PZT/ZnO transducers were either flat, or had an inner- or outer-type dome structure by varying the thickness ratio between the two layers or the Sb2O3 content in the ZnO layer. An inner (outer)-type transducer has the large-d31 layer on the inside (outside) of the dome structure. For the PZT/PZT transducers, the axial displacement varied with the thickness ratio and reached a maximum when the two layers had similar thickness, in agreement with the calculations. With a conductive nonpiezoelectric layer, the PZT/ZnO transducers had higher axial displacements, which varied with the thickness ratio and the Sb2O3 content, than the PZT/PZT transducers. With 6 wt% Sb2O3, the transducers were flat and the measured displacements at various thickness ratios were similar to the calculated values. With 4 wt% Sb2O3, the transducers were of an outer type. The measured axial displacements were about twice the calculated values, suggesting an enhanced d31 value because of the tensile bending stress in the PZT layer. The scaled axial displacements of the PZT/ZnO transducers with 4 wt% Sb2O3 were comparable to that of the Rainbow transducers. With 8 wt% Sb2O3, the displacements of transducers with thin PZT layers (<0.3 mm) were lower than the calculated values because of increased conductivity in the PZT layer.
Yoga Meditation Practitioners Exhibit Greater Gray Matter Volume and Fewer Reported Cognitive Failures: Results of a Preliminary Voxel-Based Morphometric Analysis

Hatha yoga techniques, including physical postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), and meditation, involve the practice of mindfulness. In turn, yoga meditation practices may induce the state of mindfulness, which, when evoked recurrently through repeated practice, may accrue into trait or dispositional mindfulness. Putatively, these changes may be mediated by experience-dependent neuroplastic changes. Though prior studies have identified differences in gray matter volume (GMV) between long-term mindfulness practitioners and controls, no studies to date have reported on whether yoga meditation is associated with GMV differences. The present study investigated GMV differences between yoga meditation practitioners (YMP) and a matched control group (CG). The YMP group exhibited greater GM volume in frontal, limbic, temporal, occipital, and cerebellar regions; whereas the CG had no greater regional greater GMV. In addition, the YMP group reported significantly fewer cognitive failures on the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ), the magnitude of which was positively correlated with GMV in numerous regions identified in the primary analysis. Lastly, GMV was positively correlated with the duration of yoga practice. Results from this preliminary study suggest that hatha yoga practice may be associated with the promotion of neuroplastic changes in executive brain systems, which may confer therapeutic benefits that accrue with repeated practice.
Performance Impact of Employee Stock Options

In a sample of 200 large Nasdaq firms we examine the determinants of stock option grants and study whether options are associated with superior firm performance. We find that firms grant options in the face of financial constraints, to give incentives to increase firm value, and to hire and retain employees. We further find that grant of options to retain key employees and to relax financial constraints increases firm value and results in positive abnormal returns. However, there is little evidence that option grants to align employee incentives in high growth firms results in superior performance. There also exists some evidence that difficulty in the estimation of the true cost of stock options results in over estimation of firm value and abnormal returns, though this effect is confined only to the case when Fama-French size and book-to-market portfolios are used as reference portfolios.
Mission critical: mobilization of essential animal models for Ebola, Nipah, and Machupo virus infections

The reports for Ebola virus Zaire (EBOV), Nipah virus, and Machupo virus (MACV) pathogenesis, in this issue of Veterinary Pathology, are timely considering recent events, both nationally and internationally. EBOV, Nipah virus, and MACV cause highly lethal infections for which no Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licensed vaccines or therapies exist. Not only are there concerns that these agents could be used by those with malicious intent, but shifts in ecological distribution of viral reservoirs due to climate change or globalization could lead to more frequent infections within remote regions than previously seen as well as outbreaks in more populous areas. The current EBOV epidemic shows no sign of abating across 3 West African nations (as of October 2014), including densely populated areas, far outpacing infection rates of previous outbreaks. A limited number of cases have also arisen in the United States and Europe. With few treatment options for these deadly viruses, development of animal models reflective of human disease is paramount to combat these diseases. As an example of this potential, a new treatment compound, ZMapp, that had demonstrated efficacy against EBOV infection in nonhuman primates (NHPs) received an emergency compassionate use exception from the FDA for the treatment of 2 American medical workers infected with EBOV, and they are currently virus free and recovering.
The effects of inositol trisphosphates and inositol tetrakisphosphate on Ca2+ release and Cl− current pattern in the Xenopus laevis oocyte

Abstract We report that Ins(1,3,4,5)P 4 releases calcium from intracellular stores of intact Xenopus laevis oocytes, as indicated by two different techniques, Ca 2+ -sensitive microelectrodes and a fura-2 imaging system. Ins(1,3,4,5)P 4 releases only 20% as much Ca 2+ as the same amount of Ins(1,4,5)P 4 . This effect is not due to the conversion of the injected Ins(1,3,4,5)P 4 to Ins(1,4,5)P 3 , which is known to release Ca 2+ , because the amount of [ 3 H]Ins(1,3,4,5)P 4 that is converted to Ins(1,4,5)P 3 is extremely small, as determined using HPLC. Examination of the different current patterns induced by Ins(1,4,5)P 3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P 4 , when injected into voltage-clamped oocytes, provided further evidence that the Ins(1,3,4,5)P 4 was not being converted back to Ins(1,4,5)P 3 . We investigated the effects of four compounds, three inositol trisphosphates (Ins(1,4,5)P 3 , Ins(2,4,5)P 3 , and Ins(1,3,4)P 3 ), and Ins(1,3,4,5)P 4 , on Cl − current conductance in order to examine (1) the possible role of Ins(1,3,4,5)P 4 in cell activation and (2) the relationships between intracellular Ca 2+ and the activation of Cl − currents. Immature stage VI Xenopus laevis oocytes were voltage-clamped and injected with Ins(1,4,5)P 3 , Ins(2,4,5)P 3 , and Ins(1,3,4)P 3 . Ins(1,4,5)P 3 and Ins(2,4,5)P 3 triggered Ca 2+ -dependent Cl − currents, but Ins(1,3,4)P 3 did not trigger currents nor did it release intracellular Ca 2+ . Ins(2,4,5)P 3 was fourfold less effective at inducing the immediate Cl − current pulse than Ins(1,4,5)P 3 . The Cl − current pattern was quite dependent on the amount of Ins(1,4,5)P 3 injected into the oocyte. Low amounts of Ins(1,4,5)P 3 triggered only an immediate single Cl − current pulse, whereas large amounts triggered the immediate single pulse, followed by a quiescent period, followed by oscillating Cl − currents. In contrast to the response of Ins (1,4,5)P 3 , injection of Ins(1,3,4,5)P 4 triggered only oscillating Cl − currents whose magnitude, but not pattern, was dependent on the amount injected into the cell. The currents generated by Ins(1,3,4,5)P 3 resemble the oscillating Cl − currents triggered by large amounts of Ins(1,4,5)P 3 and Ins(2,4,5)P 3 . Ins(1,3,4,5)P 4 , unlike Ins(1,4,5)P 3 and Ins(2,4,5)P 3 , rarely caused an immediate Cl − current pulse, but caused an immediate release of calcium. Therefore, we suggest that the oscillating currents are only indirectly dependent on calcium. These [Ca 2+ ] i and conductance measurements suggest that both Ins(1,4,5)P 3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P 4 have roles in intracellular Ca 2+ regulation.
Multiattribute utility analysis in design management

A methodology is presented by which engineering design managers can consider technical aspects of a design concurrently with economic aspects of the manufacturing system in selecting among alternatives and directing the design effort. The concept of design flexibility as an attribute which captures both technical and economic considerations in one quantifiable performance measure is developed and incorporated into deterministic multiattribute utility analysis. The alternative of greatest overall utility to the decision-maker is identified, and sensitivity analysis is performed to identify and quantify desirable trade-offs between attributes. The problem of materials selection and design in the automotive industry is presented as a case study. The methodology was applied to five automotive companies in the United States and Europe, and results from two companies are used to illustrate the insights gained. >
Quantitative Literacy on the Web of Science, 2 – Mining the Health Numeracy Literature for Assessment Items

A topic search of the Web of Science (WoS) database using the term “numeracy” produced a bibliography of 293 articles, reviews and editorial commentaries (Oct 2008). The citation graph of the bibliography clearly identifies five benchmark papers (1995-2001), four of which developed numeracy assessment instruments. Starting with the 80 papers that cite these benchmarks, we identified a set of 25 papers (1995-2008) in which the medical research community reports the development and/or application of health-numeracy assessments. In all we found 10 assessment instruments from which we have compiled a total of 48 assessment items. There are both general and context-specific tests, with the wide range in the latter illustrated by names such as the Diabetes Numeracy Test and the Asthma Numeracy Questionnaire. There is also a Medical Data Interpretation Test and a Subjective Numeracy Scale. Much of this literature discusses the validity and reliability of the test, and many papers include item-by-item results of the tests from when they were applied in the research reported in the papers. The research that used the tests was directed at exploring such subjects as the patients’ ability to evaluate risks and benefits in order to make informed decisions; to understand and carry out instructions in order to self-manage their medical conditions; and, in research settings, to understand what the researchers were asking in their assessments (e.g., quantified quality of life) that require comparison of numerical information. We present the collection of items as a potential resource for educators interested in numeracy assessments in context.
Stacking Sequence Design of Laminated Composite Plates for Maximum Flutter Velocity and Buckling Capacity with Stability Constraint

In this paper, we formulate the stacking sequence design (fiber orientation angle of the layers) of a simply supported laminated composite plate for maximum flutter speed and maximum buckling capacity subject to stability constraint at flutter speed. A parametric study is done to investigate the tradeoff between two objective functions. For the purpose of comparison, we consider both linear and nonlinear panel flutter analysis. The design variable is the stacking sequence of the laminate with discrete orientation angles chosen from 0, ± 45, and 90 degrees. A standard genetic algorithm (GA) is used as a design optimization platform because of its efficiency in handling discrete design variables. The ⎧ ⎨ ⎪
Designing 1-V op amps using standard digital CMOS technology

This paper addresses the difficulty of designing 1-V capable analog circuits in standard digital complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology, Design techniques for facilitating 1-V operation are discussed and 1-V analog building block circuits are presented. Most of these circuits use the bulk-driving technique to circumvent the metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor turn-on (threshold) voltage requirement. Finally, techniques are combined within a 1-V CMOS operational amplifier with rail-to-rail input and output ranges. While consuming 300 /spl mu/W, the 1-V rail-to-rail CMOS op amp achieves 1.3-MHz unity-gain frequency and 57/spl deg/ phase margin for a 22-pF load capacitance.
Fluctuations of DNA‐dependent RNA polymerase and synthesis of macromolecules during the growth cycle of Novikoff rat hepatoma cells in suspension culture

The transition of suspension cultures of Novikoff rat hepatoma cells from the exponential to the stationary phase is accompanied by decreases of over 90% in the rates of synthesis of RNA, DNA and protein, a 90% loss of the apparent DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity of the cells, and a disaggregation of the polyribosomes with a concomitant accumulation of 80 S and 110 S ribosomal structures. The cells also attain a minimum content of DNA, RNA and protein and a minimum size. Upon dilution of stationary phase cultures with fresh medium, the rate of protein synthesis begins to increase immediately and this correlates with a rapid reformation of the polyribosomes. The initial re-formation of polyribosomes is little affected by the presence of actinomycin D. RNA polymerase activity also begins to increase immediately after dilution and an increase in rate of RNA synthesis becomes apparent shortly thereafter. The increase in polymerase activity is inhibited by treating the cells with puromycin or actidione. Cell division commences only 9–13 hours after dilution and the rate of DNA synthesis begins to increase about midway through the lag period. During the lag period the average cellular content of protein increases about 80% and that of RNA and DNA about 30%. These increases are accompanied by a marked increase in the average size of the cells. Upon continued incubation of stationary phase cultures, the cells become irreversibly damaged physiologically before gross morphological damage becomes apparent. The irreversible physiological damage is recognized by the fact that the cells fail to recover when suspended in fresh medium.
Realistic Bond Strength of FRP Rebars in NSC from Beam Specimens

The bond strength of reinforcing bars in concrete is a prerequisite for the evaluation of the development length in reinforced concrete structures. This study concerns these phenomena for fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) rebars in normal strength concrete (NSC). Three different types of rebars were tested using the beam specimen: Carbon, glass, and steel. This involved a total of 26 beam specimens containing 10, 16, and 19 mm rebars. The test embedment lengths were 10, 15, and 20 times the rebar diameter ( db ) . For each rebar tested, the results concern load deflection curves, bond stress-slip responses, and the mode of failure. The results showed that the bond strength of a FRP rebar is, generally, lower than that of steel rebar. Based on this and previous research, proposals for the average bond strength and for the development length of straight FRP rebars under tension in NSC are made.
Direct Ex Vivo Analysis of Activated, Fas-sensitive Autoreactive T Cells in Human Autoimmune Disease

The frequency of clonally expanded and persistent T cells recognizing the immunodominant autoantigenic peptide of myelin basic protein (MBP)p85-99 was directly measured ex vivo in subjects with typical relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). T cells expressing mRNA transcripts encoding T cell receptor (TCR)-α and -β chains found in T cell clones previously isolated from these subjects recognizing the MBPp85-99 epitope were examined. In contrast to frequencies of 1 in 105–106 as measured by limiting dilution analysis, estimates of the T cell frequencies expressing MBPp85-99–associated TCR chain transcripts were as high as 1 in 300. These high frequencies were confirmed by performing PCR on single T cells isolated by flow cytometry. MBPp85-99 TCR transcripts were present in IL-2 receptor α–positive T cells which were induced to undergo Fas-mediated cell death upon antigen stimulation. These data demonstrate that at least a subpopulation of patients with MS can have a very high frequency of activated autoreactive T cells.
The Cytoplasmic Factor in Plant Speciation

Abstract The role of nucleocytoplasmic interactions in the genesis of post-zygotic isolation has been given little attention by plant evolutionists. I present evidence from reciprocal crosses, cytoplasmic substitution lines, and cell fusion lines that hybrid weakness and sterility often arise from interactions between the nuclear genome and the chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes. These interactions are much more important in the origin and isolation of species than we appreciate. The strength of the post-zygotic barriers tends to be a function of cytoplasmic divergence. I also review evidence indicating that the properties and evolutionary potential of allopolyploids and diploid hybrid derivatives may be influenced by cytoplasmic factors. Communicating Editor: John V. Freudenstein
Levinson and Schur algorithms for Toeplitz matrices with singular minors

A simple general method for overcoming singularities in the Levinson (and Schur) recursions for Toeplitz systems is presented. It is based on a generalization of the conventional three-term recursion for polynomials orthogonal on the unit circle: the scalar coefficients of the conventional three-term recursion are replaced by polynomial coefficients whose degree is determined by the depth of singularity. The depth of the singularity is related to the number of additional zero elements that occur in the Schur recursion. The authors' method also makes it possible to recursively determine the inertia of a Hermitian Toeplitz matrix. >
Prediction of Licensing Examination Scores in Physical Therapy Graduates

The primary purpose of this study was to determine which information available on applicants to the University of New Mexico physical therapy program would best predict performance on the licensing examination. The secondary purpose was to provide documentation of a procedure for selection that could be useful to other programs in other settings. American College Testing (ACT) scores, prerequisite and nonprerequisite grade point averages (GPAs), and interview and recommendation scores were used to predict licensing examination scores for the classes graduating from 1980 to 1984. Six of the regression analyses were significant, but three had similar correlations that were much higher than the rest. The variables in those three regression analyses were ACT composite score and both GPAs; ACT composite score, both GPAs, and interview score; and ACT composite score, prerequisite GPA, and interview score. The results of this study suggest that selection committees use standardized ability tests as admission criteria because the ACT scores accounted for the most variance in licensing examination scores. Other professional schools might also benefit by applying the procedures used in this study to their own data to develop prediction equations.
Self-consistent improvement of the finite-temperature effective potential.

We present a self-consistent calculation of the finite-temperature effective potential for $\ensuremath{\lambda}{\ensuremath{\varphi}}^{4}$ theory, using the composite operator effective potential in which an infinite series of the leading diagrams is summed up. Our calculation establishes the proper form of the leading correction to the perturbative one-loop effective potential.
Endovascular management of cerebral vasospasm following aneurysm rupture: Outcomes and predictors in 116 patients

Abstract Objective To retrospectively assess the safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment of cerebral vasospasm with different modalities and assess predictors of outcome. Methods Endovascular treatment was indicated in the event of neurological deterioration refractory to medical therapy. Data were collected for 116 patients treated at our institution. Results Vasospasm was treated with balloon angioplasty in 52.6%, intra-arterial nicardipine infusion in 19.8%, or both in 27.6%. Angiographic vasospasm was reversed in all but 4 (96.6%) patients. The complication rate was 0.9%. Twenty patients (17.2%) had incipient pre-procedure hypodensities; 3 (15%) hypodensities were reversed and neurological improvement occurred in 60% of these patients. Retreatment was required in 22 (19%) patients. Higher Hunt and Hess grades and treatment with nicardipine alone predicted retreatment. Neurological improvement was noted in 82%. Male gender, pre-procedure hypodensities, and posterior communicating artery aneurysm location negatively predicted neurological recovery. Favorable outcomes were noted in 73%. Higher Hunt and Hess grades, pre-procedure hypodensities, posterior circulation aneurysms, and no neurological recovery predicted poor outcome. Conclusion Endovascular therapy for vasospasm has an excellent safety-efficacy profile. Balloon angioplasty and nicardipine are equally effective but effects of nicardipine are less durable. Patients with incipient pre-procedure hypodensities benefit from endovascular intervention and should probably not be excluded from treatment.
Is There a Meridional Overturning Cell in the Pacific and Indian Oceans

Abstract The diagnostic quasi-island model of Nof addressing the exchange between the South Atlantic and the Southern Ocean is extended to the exchange between the Pacific–Indian Ocean system and the Southern Ocean. The new calculations suggest that, in a similar fashion to the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian and Pacific Oceans have a meridional overturning cell with a transport of 18 ± 5 Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1). In contrast to the Atlantic in which there is deep water formation resulting in a cell that extends all the way from the surface to the bottom, however, the Indian and Pacific circulation cell is shallow in the sense that it does not occupy the entire water column. As in the Atlantic case, the cell is driven by both winds and thermohaline processes, but the calculation does not require solving the complete wind–thermohaline problem. The computational method takes Africa, Asia, and Europe to compose a “pseudo island”; that is, the combined continent is entirely surrounded by water but has no net circula...
Karzinome des Rektums und Anus

Die kombinierte abdominoperineale Resektion ist das Standardverfahren in der operativen Behandlung des rektal tastbaren Karzinoms oder wenn das Karzinom kurabel erscheint, jedoch so nahe am Beckenboden sitzt, das darunter kein Sicherheitsabstand von 5 cm erhalten ist [7, 13, 15, 18, 21, 24]. Das Verfahren wird auch bei sehr grosen villosen Adenomen, selbst wenn sie gutartig sind, oder als Teil der Proktokolektomie wegen einer Colitis ulcerosa oder familiaren Polyposis durchgefuhrt. Die Klassifizierung und Prognose des Rektumkarzinoms wurde in Kap. 6 besprochen [1, 8, 9].
Effect of the combination of retinoic acid and rapamycin on cerebellar granule cell and medulloblastoma proliferation

2077 Background: Cerebellar granule cell precursors (CGCPs) are neuroblasts that proliferate in early postnatal life and may become transformed, giving rise to medulloblastoma. The proliferation of...
Coulomb Soup of Bioenergetics: Electron Transfer in a Bacterial bc1 Complex

We report atomistic molecular dynamics simulations (200 ns) of the first, rate-limiting electron transfer in the electron transport chain in a bacterial bc1 complex. The dynamics of the energy gap between the donor and acceptor states include slow components, on the time-scale of tens of nanoseconds. These slow time-scales are related to large-scale elastic motions of the membrane-bound protein complex, which modulate both electrostatic and induction interactions of the electron with the protein–water–lipid thermal bath. The combined effect of these interactions is a high, ∼ 5 eV, reorganization energy of electron transfer as calculated from their variance. The reorganization energy does not reach equilibrium on the length of simulations and the system is nonergodic on this time-scale. To account for nonergodicity, two reorganization energies are required to describe the activation barrier, and their ratio is tuned by the relative time-scales of nuclear reorganization and of the reaction.
Optimization–Based Coupling of Nonlocal and Local Diffusion Models

In this work we introduce an optimization–based method for the coupling of nonlocal and local diffusion problems. Our approach is formulated as a control problem where the states are the solutions of the nonlocal and local equations, the controls are the nonlocal volume constraint and the local boundary condition, and the objective of the optimization is a matching functional for the state variables in the intersection of the nonlocal and local domains. For finite element discretizations we present numerical results in a one–dimensional setting; though preliminary, our tests show the consistency and efficacy of the method, and provide the basis for realistic simulations.
A rare case of Rapunzel syndrome with multiple small bowel intussusceptions and bowel obstruction

Abstract Rapunzel syndrome is a rare condition that is characterized by a gastric trichobezoar with a long tail extending from the stomach to the small bowel. Patients can be asymptomatic for a long period, and symptoms develop later when the bezoar enlarges in size. The most common presentations include chronic abdominal pain, malabsorption, gastrointestinal tract obstruction, gastrointestinal bleeding, and intussusceptions. We report a case of a 5-year-old girl with Rapunzel syndrome causing multiple small bowel intussusceptions. We were unable to identify the main cause of this condition during laparoscopic reduction. Definite diagnosis was made after the development of gastrointestinal tract obstruction. Surgeons should consider the possibility of Rapunzel syndrome when diagnosing the main cause of intussusceptions.
Cell Adhesion to Ion Implanted Titanium

This preliminary investigation evaluates the influence of ion implantation on tissue adhesion by measuring the tendency of fibroblasts to attach to the surface of ion implanted Ti. For this work, polished specimens of commercially pure Ti were implanted with ions of Ti, Ca, C, or N to produce a surface concentration of the implanted element up to about 25 at. %. Unimplanted and ASTM treated Ti, and tissue culture plate specimens were prepared as controls. Specimens were sterilized, then exposed for 15 min. to a culture medium containing about 100,000 fibroblasts. The solution and loose fibroblasts were rinsed away and the fibroblasts counted to determine those left attached. The influence of the different implantation protocols on fibroblast adhesion to Ti will be described. Analysis of the structure and composition of the ion implanted surfaces was obtained by scanning electron microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and elastic backscattering spectrometry of energetic He ions.
Misonidazole neurotoxicity in rats: Part II. Effect of pre- and intermittent treatment with pentobarbital on misonidazole neurotoxicity in the rat.

Rats pretreated for 5 days with 50 mg/ kg of pentobarbital tolerated statistically significant higher doses of misonidazole before the onset of misonidazole-induced neurotoxicity than rats treated intermittently with the same dose of pentobarbital. Presumably in pretreated rats, pentobarbital induced an increase in the activities of hepatic microsomal enzymes that led to a more rapid metabolism of misonidazole than in rats treated only intermittently.
Preparation and Antibacterial Activities of N-Trimethylammonium Salts of Chitosan

Three kinds of N-trimethylammonium salts of chitosan were prepared in order to study the antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli, ATCC 25922, (E. coli) and Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 149909, (St. epidermidis). N-Trimethylammonium iodide of chitosan (TMC-I) was prepared by the reaction of chitosan with methyl iodide. N-Trimethylammonium chloride of chitosan (TMC-C1) was prepared from TMC-I by exchanging on resin (Amberlite IRA-400 (C1-)) subsequently. N-Trimethylammonium hydroxide of chitosan (TMC-OH) was prepared from TMC-I by treating with aqueous NaOH solution and dialyzing. TMC-I and TMC-C1 became water soluble. TMC-OH was insoluble in water. The wide-angle X-ray diffraction patterns showed that TMC-I and TMC-C1 were amorphous and that TMC-OH was crystalline. TMC-I, TMC-CI and TMC-OH showed antibacterial activities against E. coli and St. epidermidis.
"Qin Opera": New Change of Jia Ping′ao

It is a creative trial of the Jia Ping′ao′s novel titled "Qin Opera" that the music of Qin opera is written into a novel with numbered musical notations and classics of gong and drum; time art is fused into symbol art in order to reveal the character, secretly transmit sentiments, construct atmosphere and condense life battle cry and cultural soul and pulse of the Qin people in Shaanxi. Through the depiction of everyday life, "Qin Opera" displays the dislocation of modern village on coordinates of history and morality, and those of economy and humanities and expresses complicated relationships of interaction of the social power system and clan relation system. It describes the original status of the current village life explaining the situation of the times as different viewpoints in the family and neighborhood and permeates a great amount of clever elements in the description. This might as well be called clever and awakening realism.
On the Sufficiency of Using Degree Sequence of the Vertices to Generate Random Networks Corresponding to Real-World Networks

The focus of research in this paper is to investigate whether a random network whose degree sequence of the vertices is the same as the degree sequence of the vertices in a real-world network would exhibit values for other analysis metrics similar to those of the real-world network. We use the well-known Configuration Model to generate a random network on the basis of the degree sequence of the vertices in a real-world network wherein the degree sequence need not be Poisson-style. The extent of similarity between the vertices of the random network and real-world network with respect to a particular metric is evaluated in the form of the correlation coefficient of the values of the vertices for the metric. We involve a total of 24 real-world networks in this study, with the spectral radius ratio for node degree (measure of variation in node degree) ranging from 1.04 to 3.0 (i.e., from random networks to scale-free networks). We consider a suite of seven node-level metrics and three networklevel metrics for our analysis and identify the metrics for which the degree sequence would be just sufficient to generate random networks that have a very strong correlation (correlation coefficient of 0.8 or above) with that of the vertices in the corresponding real-world networks
Polarization Factors for 57Fe Mössbauer Diffractions from Polycrystals

The intensities of Mossbauer diffractions are calculated for polycrystalline samples in the kinematical limit, including interference with X-ray electronic scattering. The orientation distribution of hyperfine magnetic fields is expanded in spherical harmonics, providing a general expression for the polarization factor for magnetic dipole radiation. A comparison is made to experimental data reported recently.
Primary sclerosing cholangitis.

In spite of an improved understanding of the etiology of primary sclerosing cholangitis that would support the use of immunosuppressive therapy with steroids and azathioprine, these pharmacologic manipulations have not altered the ultimate outcome of the disease. Drainage remains the most accepted mode of therapy when possible. Simple drainage of the biliary tree provides symptomatic relief in some; unfortunately, most patients eventually -succumb to progressive biliary cirrhosis or sepsis in spite of all treatment.
Book Review: Gift & Giver: the Holy Spirit for Today

Dr. Craig Keener has established himself as a highly respected New Testament scholar. Over the years he has written a number of very significant commentaries including works on the gospels of Matthew and John, and the book of Acts. His highly acclaimed IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament is one of his best known works. In addition, he has produced books devoted to specific biblical topics such as miracles, women in marriage and ministry, and divorce and remarriage. He is not one to shy away from controversial subjects. In this present volume Keener writes about the Holy Spirit including the sometimes controversial charismatic aspects of His ministry. Gift & Giver was first published in theUnited States in 2001. More recently it has been translated into Indonesian and published inIndonesia.
End-to-End Passwords

Passwords continue to be an important means for users to authenticate themselves to applications, websites, and backend services. However, password theft continues to be a significant issue, due in large part to the significant attack surface for passwords, including the operating system (e.g., key loggers), application (e.g., phishing websites in browsers), during transmission (e.g., TLS man-in-the-middle proxies), and at password verification services (e.g., theft of passwords stored at a server). Relatedly, even though there is a large body of research on improving passwords, the massive number of application verification services that use passwords stymie the diffusion of improvements---i.e., it does not scale for each improvement to require an update to every application and verification service.To address these problems, we propose a new end-to-end password paradigm that transfers password functionality to two end-points, the operating system (entry, management, storage, and verification) and the password verification service (verification, and verification token storage). In this paradigm, passwords are never shared with applications or transmitted over the network, but are instead verified using zero-knowledge protocols. There are five key benefits of this approach that are not possible with the current password paradigm: (a) a minimal attack surface, (b) protection from password phishing, (c) protection from malware, (d) consistent password policies, and (e) the ability to more rapidly diffuse improvements from password research.
Gender Differences in Mathematics and Science Achievement Across the Distribution: What International Variation Can Tell Us About the Role of Biology and Society

This study examines international data on mathematics and science achievement to illuminate the ways in which macrostructural factors influence gender differences in mathematics, particularly among high achievers. Examining the importance of macrostructural factors for gender differences not only helps us better understand the role that larger contexts play in contributing to these differences, but international variation also provides a unique opportunity to present simple and powerful arguments for the continued importance of social factors vis-a-vis biological considerations. We show that there is considerable international variation in gender differences, and that gender differences among high achievers in both mathematics and science literacy are related to gender inequality in the labor market and differences in the overall status of men and women. We conclude by discussing the implications of our findings for mathematics education and suggesting fruitful avenues for future research.
Sexual history and examination in men and women

Abstract Taking a sexual history and undertaking a genital examination are not skills regularly used in general medicine. While the structure and process of history-taking and clinical examination follow that seen in other medical specialties, aspects unique to taking a history that covers intimate subject matter require additional empathy, sensitivity and non-verbal skills, to enable clinicians to obtain the information needed to undertake an appropriately thorough assessment. This article aims to simplify sexual history-taking and examination, providing tips on how to do it well.
Measurements of fireball onset

Laser-based measurements of the characteristic features of fireball onset and stabilization in response to a stepped voltage applied to an anode immersed in a low pressure (100 mTorr) helium afterglow are reported. These include spatial and temporal evolution of metastable species, electron density, and electric field magnitude as measured by planar laser induced fluorescence, laser-collision induced fluorescence, and laser-induced fluorescence-dip spectroscopy, respectively. These measurements are found to be in qualitative agreement with recent particle-in-cell simulations and theoretical models [Scheiner et al., Phys. Plasmas 24, 113520 (2017)]. The measurements validate the simulations and models in which fireball onset was predicted to follow from the trapping of electrons born from electron impact ionization within a potential well created by a buildup of ions in the sheath. The experimental measurements also demonstrate transient features following the onset that were not present in previous simula...
Abstract B029: Deletion of mesothelin impairs intraperitoneal growth of pancreatic cancer

The mesothelin (MSLN) protein is expressed in at least 85% of pancreatic adenocarcinomas but not on cells of the healthy pancreas nor in the parenchyma of other vital organs. Due to this differential expression, MSLN has been used as a target for various antibody-based treatments and cancer vaccines. The physiologic role of MSLN is unknown. The MSLN gene encodes for a precursor protein, which is cleaved to produce the mature MSLN protein. Previous reports have suggested that overexpression of MSLN precursor protein may increase tumorigenicity and metastatic potential of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Here, we have used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to delete MSLN from the KLM-1 pancreatic cancer cell line (ΔMSLN) and have examined the growth of these cells compared to mock deleted cells (Mock). The ΔMSLN and Mock cells grew at the same rate both in cell culture and as subcutaneous tumors in nude mice, but had significantly impaired growth when inoculated into the mouse intraperitoneal cavity. Lentivirus transduction was used to restore expression of MSLN in ΔMSLN cells. Transduction of full-length WT MSLN, but not a Y318A mutant, restored intraperitoneal growth. Interestingly, reintroduction of mature MSLN instead of the precursor protein did not restore growth even though it was appropriately expressed on the cell surface. In summary, we have demonstrated that MSLN enhances the growth of pancreatic cancer within the peritoneal cavity and defined key regions of MSLN important for this activity. Citation Format: Christine Campo Alewine, Michael Rudloff, Danielle Arons, Salma El-Behaedi, Xianyu Zhang, Leela Avula. Deletion of mesothelin impairs intraperitoneal growth of pancreatic cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2017 Oct 26-30; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2018;17(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B029.
Privacy violations and mobile streaming video: examining organizational social media policies and Antonio Brown’s Facebook live stream

Mobile streaming video technology via social media has given anyone the ability to become a broadcaster. However, the platform’s simultaneous recording and distributing of video make privacy violat...
Acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: who to treat, how to treat.

Acute exacerbations of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (AE-IPF) are the most frequent cause of death among patients with IPF. Here, we review the revised definition and diagnostic criteria for AE-IPF and discuss management strategies including mechanistically targeted investigational therapies for this complex syndrome. Novel therapies targeting various pathways including inflammation, autoimmunity, and coagulation cascade involved in AE-IPF have recently been reported. Although most of these reports are small and uncontrolled, they have provided evidence to design larger randomized, controlled, multicenter studies to improve outcomes among patients with AE-IPF. AE-IPF has a dismal prognosis and current treatment consists mainly of supportive care and symptom palliation. There is a lack of consensus on current therapies for AE-IPF, including corticosteroids, but current randomized control studies for newer therapeutic strategies may hold promise.