cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Speaker-independent vowel classification using hidden Markov models and LVQ2

A set of experiments in which the LVQ2 (learning vector quantization) algorithm of T. Kohonen et al (Proc. 1988 IEE Int. Conf. on Neural Networks, p.I-61-68, 1988) is used to generate vector codebooks for a discrete-observation hidden Markov model (HMM) classifier is described. Input feature vectors consist of single-frame linear predictive coding (LPC)-based cepstra and/or differenced cepstra. Classification accuracies using conventional k-means, class-specific k-means, and LVQ2 codebooks are compared for a 16-way speaker-independent vowel classification task. In contrast to speaker-dependent phonetic classification results previously published, no significant performance advantages are observed with LVQ2. These conflicting results are discussed relative to differences in the recognition tasks and the feature sets used. It is also argued that the single-observation Bayesian decision boundaries approximated by LVQ2 are nonoptimal for HMM-based classification involving multiple observations. >
Electroporation-induced transformation of Escherichia coli: evaluation of a square waveform pulse

Four strains of Escherichia coli were tested for electroporation-induced plasmid transformation using a high voltage pulse in a square waveform. Conditions for optimal transformation were determined for each strain and transformation frequencies found to be comparable to those reported previously for E. coli with a sinusoidal waveform of exponential decaying pulse.
Projection of the point of force application onto a palmar plane of the hand during wheelchair propulsion

The objective of this study was to develop and test a method for projecting the pushrim point of force application (PFA) onto a palmar plane model of the hand. Repetitive wheelchair use often leads to hand and wrist pain or injury. The manner by which the hands grasp the pushrim and how the forces and moments applied to the pushrim are directed may contribute to the high incidence of pain and injury. The projections of the PFA onto the palmar surface model of the hand reside primarily within zone II. These results are in agreement with previous studies which have assumed the PFA to be coincident with one of the metacarpophalangeal (MP) joints. However, the results from three subjects show different PFA patterns within the palmar surface of the hand which can be related to each subject's propulsion pattern, and the PFA is not focused at a single MP joint. Projection of the world coordinates of the four hand marker system onto the palmar plane show the resolution to be within 3 mm, or one half the diameter of the passive reflective markers. The errors in the planar model assumption were greatest for the second and fifth MP markers. This was expected because as the hand grasp changes these markers do not remain coplanar. The results of this study indicate that new knowledge about how forces are applied by the hand onto the pushrim can be obtained using this method. This technical note provides insight into understanding the details within the kinetics of wheelchair propulsion and describes a technique for estimation of the PFA on the palmar surface of the hand. This technical note provides initial results from three different wheelchair users.
Chemokines and the inflammatory response to viral infection in the central nervous system with a focus on lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus

Leukocyte migration to the central nervous system (CNS) is a common process with often devastating consequences that follows infection of this tissue compartment with a variety of viruses. The mechanisms underlying this process are poorly defined but, it is hypothesized that chemokines may be important regulatory signals for the cerebral recruitment and extravasation of leukocytes. Here we discuss this hypothesis in the context of different viral infections of the CNS with emphasis on lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). In general, the pattern of chemokine gene expression in these CNS viral infections is dynamic and complex with often overlapping expression of a number of different subclasses of chemokine genes. In the case of CNS infection with LCMV, cerebral chemokine gene expression was observed in euthymic and to a lesser extent athymic mice and preceded increases in cytokine gene expression and in euthymic mice, CNS leukocyte recruitment. These observations together with the finding that CRG-2/IP-10, a prominently expressed chemokine gene in many different CNS viral infections, was expressed by cells intrinsic to the CNS e.g. astrocytes, suggest that activation of chemokine gene expression may be a direct, early and localized host response to viral infection. These findings are consistent with the proposed involvement of chemokines as key signaling molecules for the migration of leukocytes to the CNS following virus infection.
Prostaglandin E2 and thromboxane B2 release from human monocytes treated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide.

We investigated the capacity of counterflow-isolated human monocytes to independently synthesize thromboxane B2 (TxB2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) when stimulated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Independent metabolism was confirmed by establishing different specific activities (dpm/ng) of TxB2 and PGE2 released from LPS-treated cells. For metabolites released during the initial 2-hr treatment period, the specific activity of PGE2 was approximately threefold higher than that of TxB2 regardless of labeling with (3H)arachidonic acid (AA) or (14C)AA. Cells that were pulse-labeled for 2 hr with (3H)AA demonstrated a decreasing PGE2 specific activity over 24 hr, whereas the TxB2 specific activity remained unchanged. In contrast, cells continuously exposed to (14C)AA demonstrated an increasing TxB2 specific activity that approached the level of PGE2 by 24 hr. These results suggest the presence of at least 2 cyclooxygenase metabolic compartments in counterflow-isolated monocytes. Although freshly isolated monocytes have been reported to contain variable numbers of adherent platelets, additional experiments demonstrated that counterflow-isolated platelets are not capable of releasing elevated levels of TxB2 or PGE2 when treated with LPS. It is proposed from these findings that at least two subsets of monocytes exist in peripheral blood that can be distinguished on the basis of independent conversion of AA tomore » TxB2 and PGE2.« less
The prevalence of posticus ponticus: retrospective analysis of radiographs from a chiropractic health center

Abstract Objective The potential clinical significance of posticus ponticus is controversial because the majority of patients with this finding are asymptomatic. This study sought to estimate the prevalence of posticus ponticus in a chiropractic college clinic patient population. Methods From the archived records in the College Health Center, 304 lateral cervical spine radiographs were randomly selected and assessed by 2 independent examiners for the presence of posticus ponticus in any of its forms. The number of radiographs showing posticus ponticus, as well as analysis of agreement between examiners, was obtained. Results There were 60 radiographs where the examiners disagreed as to the presence or absence of posticus ponticus. These 60 were not counted for prevalence of posticus ponticus but were included in the κ analysis. Among the remaining 246 radiographs, 112 (46%) showed some type of posticus ponticus, whereas 132 (54%) did not show any posticus ponticus finding. Examiners A and B showed a κ score agreement of 0.72, and examiners C and D showed a κ score agreement of 0.51. Discussion The κ scores for both sets of examiners show acceptable agreement. Within this population, the finding of 45.9% prevalence of some type of posticus ponticus was determined. Compared with other studies, the prevalence of posticus ponticus was found to range between 9% and 72%. Conclusion Within this sample, 45.9% of radiographs showed some type of posticus ponticus.
Using Hierarchical Multivariate Analysis to Examine Interactions Between Alternative Appraisals of Cancer and Virtual Health Support Among Middle-Aged and Older Internet Users: Predicting Positive Self-Reappraisal After Cancer

The advent of online communication is transforming how older adults find social support with a community of peers who cope with similar health issues. This article explores whether participation in virtual health support groups demonstrates a significant interaction with users’ appraisal of their illness experience and predicts self-reappraisal among adults 50 years of age and older (N = 157). Hierarchical multiple regressions demonstrate the significance of the combined effect of virtual health support and its interaction with illness appraisal measures to predict the outcome variable of self-reappraisal. The results indicate that even though appraisal of cancer as a traumatic experience reduces positive self-reappraisal, those who appraised their illness to have been a traumatic experience perceived virtual support to be more influential on their sense of positive change after cancer. In contrast, perceived benefit of virtual support on positive self-appraisal is reduced if illness is appraised as an op...
TRACHEAL CYLINDROMA: ANAESTHETIC MANAGEMENT

A tracheal cylindroma in a lady aged 56 yr was excised. The problems of tracheal and carinal resection, and an anaesthetic technique which obviates the use of cardiopulmonary bypass are described.
The Effect of the Electrode Potential on the Release of Mercury from Dental Amalgam

The effect of the electrode potential on the rate of mercury dissolution from the matrix phase (γ1) of dental amalgam was investigated. Specimens of the Ag-Hg phase, with and without dissolved tin, were exposed to synthetic saliva and maintained at various potentials by means of a potentiostat. The amount of dissolved mercury was determined after 24 h by cold-vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Anodic polarization curves for the γ1 specimens and pure silver and mercury were also recorded.The results for the Ag-Hg phase showed a potential-independent dissolution rate between -0.6 and -0.1 V (SCE), followed by a sharp increase. Mercury dissolution from the Ag-Hg-Sn phase was much slower than from the tin-free γ 1 phase, and potential-independent to +0.05 V (SCE); a sharp increase in mercury dissolution was observed at +0.1 V (SCE). The anodic polarization curves for the Ag-Hg-Sn phase indicated passivity between -0.67 V and +0.1 V (SCE), but no clear passivation for the Ag-Hg specimen, silver, or mer...
Modeling influences on winter distribution of caribou in northwestern Alaska through use of satellite telemetry

I hypothesize that the distribution of barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) is affected by multiple, interrelated factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, terrain and snow characteristics as well as predation pressure and habitat. To test this hypothesis, I attributed caribou locations derived from satellite telemetry over a 6 year period with terrain (elevation, slope, aspect, and ruggedness), habitat characteristics, and moose density - potentially an index of wolf predation pressure. These locations were compared to random locations, attributed using the same data layers, using logistic regression techniques to develop resource selection functions (RSFs). I found that caribou moved significantly less during mid-winter than early- or late-winter and that cows moved significantly more in April than bulls due to their earlier departure on their spring migration. Distribution was different between cows and bulls. Terrain variables were important factors but were scale-dependent. Cows avoided forested areas, highlighting the importance of tundra habitats, and selected for dwarf shrub, with relatively high lichen cover, and sedge habitat types. Bulls selected for dryas, coniferous forest and dwarf shrub habitats but against lowland sedge, upland shrub and burned tundra. Cow distribution was negatively correlated with moose density at the scale of the Seward Peninsula. My results support the hypothesis that caribou distribution during winter in northwest Alaska is affected by multiple, interrelated factors. These results may be useful for researchers to track and/or model changes in future patterns of range use over winter.
Electronic sputtering of solid O2

The bombardment of low temperature condensed gas solids by MeV light ions produces electronic excitations that can decay non-radiatively, transferring kinetic energy to the lattice and causing ejection (sputtering) of atoms. The experimental data for the sputtering yield Y of solid O 2 and N 2 over a range of dE/dx are proportional to (dE/dx)2, where dE/dx is the energy deposited per unit path length. Parametrizing an analytical thermal spike model with constant track radius gave satisfactory agreement with the data [Johnson et al., Phys. Rev. B 44, (1991) 14]. However, molecular dynamics calculations for solid O 2 indicate that Y is proportional to dE/dx at high dE/dx for constant track radius and that the energy transport processes diVer from those assumed in spike models. Here we propose that the quadratic dependence in the experimental data is due to a track radius that increases with dE/dx, opposite to the dependence predicted by the Bohr adiabatic radius. This radius is determined by fast energy transport processes prior to the principal energy release due to lattice motion: e.g. by hole repulsion and diVusion, by cooling electrons, or by excitation transport. Energy transport for a vibrationally excited track was examined, and it was found that sputtering was ineYcient for vibrational excitation of solid O 2 . © 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Pennsylvanian-Lower Permian Shelf Margin Facies in Southwestern United States of America

Coal measures of the Appalachians and cyclothemic deposits of the midcontinent Pennsylvanian are well known, but equally characteristic are several types of carbonate buildups produced in the clear and shallow seas around the southern extension of the North American craton. The sections containing these buildups remain lithologically varied because this was a time of general tectonic instability and considerable terrigenous sedimentation. Many of the carbonate-producing organisms which formed these offshore banks, shelf-margin buildups and shelf-interior mounds are unique to the Late Paleozoic. They appear in the Pennsylvanian and evolve continuously in the early Permian and even to the Triassic. They principally include types of algae and foraminifera, with several algal-like forms and certain sponges and stromatoporoids. Very few large frame-building organisms occur.
Size Versus Slenderness: Two Competing Parameters in the Seismic Stability of Free‐Standing Rocking Columns

Abstract When a free‐standing column with a given base becomes taller and taller, there is a competition between the increase in its size (more stable) and the increase in its slenderness (less stable). This article investigates how these two competing phenomena affect the stability of tall, slender, free‐standing columns when subjected to horizontal and vertical ground shaking. The main conclusion of the article is that the outcome of this competition is sensitive to local details of the ground shaking and the dominant frequency of a possible coherent, distinguishable pulse. The often‐observed increase in stability due to increase in height (despite the increase in slenderness) may be further enhanced due to a sudden transition from the lower mode of overturning with impact to the higher mode of overturning without impact. The article proceeds by offering a simple mathematical explanation why the vertical ground acceleration has a marginal effect on the stability of a slender, free‐standing column and concludes that the level of ground shaking that is needed to overturn a tall free‐standing column of any size and any slenderness is a decreasing function of the length scale of the dominant coherent acceleration pulse normalized to the base width of the column.
Alisporivir, a cyclosporin derivative that selectively inhibits cyclophilin, for the treatment of HCV infection.

HCV infection is the primary cause of chronic liver disease. Host cell cyclophilins (Cyps) are essential for efficient HCV replication in hepatocytes, and thus Cyps are regarded as a new target for anti-HCV therapy. Alisporivir (Debio-025), a non-immunosuppressive cyclosporine A derivative that selectively inhibits Cyps, is being developed by Debiopharm SA for the potential oral treatment of HCV infection. In the HCV subgenomic replicon system, alisporivir suppressed viral replication more potently than cyclosporine A. A phase II clinical trial demonstrated that treatment with alisporivir alone or combined with PEGylated IFNalpha2a reduced the viral load in patients with chronic HCV infection. The drug was also generally well tolerated. In contrast, a phase I trial of alisporivir monotherapy in patients with HIV-1 infection suggested that the drug has a limited effect on HIV-1 viral load. Alisporivir was also investigated in animal models of muscular dystrophy, acute myocardial infarction and brain disorders. At the time of publication, two phase II trials, evaluating alisporivir alone and in combination with PEGylated IFNalpha2a or with PEGylated IFNalpha2a and ribavirin, were ongoing in treatment-naive patients with HCV-1 infection and in patients with chronic HCV-1 infection who were prior non-responders to PEGylated IFNalpha or ribavirin.
Moral Exemplars in Theory and Practice.

In this article I outline an original form of ethical theory that I call exemplarist virtue theory. The theory is intended to serve the philosophical purposes of a comprehensive moral theory, but i...
Las rutas de una planta: ayahuasca y las redes globales de Santo Daime

AbstractThis paper examines the Santo Daime religion, the Amazonian town of Ceu do Mapia which is one of its primary spiritual centres, and Ayahuasca, a key sacrament of the Santo Daime religion. The small village in the Amazon demonstrates the active outreach by a place which functions as a nexus of international and intercontinental flows of substances, bodies and meanings. The power of place is entwined with the story of religious belief and practice, which in turn depends on a tropical vine, Banisteriopsis caapi. In this networking process, we find a confluence of human agency with more-than-human agency, as well as the modalities of religious experience, crossing and dwelling. It is demonstrated that religious networking can be understood in terms of three forms of crossing (terrestrial, corporeal and cosmic) held together by the power of place (Mapia and other subsidiary spiritual centres). In addition, three aspects of the ‘ayahuasca network’ are treated in depth: religious diffusion and adaptation...
Primary tubulointerstitial nephritis caused by antibodies to proximal tubular antigens

Acute oliguric renal failure requiring hemodialysis developed in a 59-year-old man who had myasthenia gravis. A renal biopsy on day 21 was diagnostic of tubulointerstitial nephritis. Despite regular hemodialysis, the patient died of complications 17 weeks after the onset of oliguria. At post-mortem examination, a thymoma was found, and renal histopathology indicated tubulointerstitial nephritis and concomitant generalized epimembranous and intramembranous electron-dense deposits of glomerular capillary walls. By direct immunofluorescence, immunoglobulins and C'3 were visualized in peritubular granular deposits around proximal tubules, but not on glomeruli. The renal acid-eluate contained immunoglobulins that bound to proximal tubule brush border, intracellular cytoplasmic granules, and a granular antigen probably associated with basement membrane of proximal tubule cells of normal human kidney and the patient's kidney, whereas the patient's serum apparently contained antibodies only to proximal tubule brush border. The renal eluate did not bind to normal or the patient's glomeruli, and partial elution of the patient's kidney did not expose new binding sites for the eluate. The data indicate a unique instance of tubulointerstitial nephritis caused by antibodies to multiple proximal tubule antigens apparently forming immune complexes in situ.
Abstract LB-78: A New Paradigm: the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation BioBank

The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation is a non-profit 501(c) (3) incorporated in 1994, whose mission is to assist scientists and researchers in indentifying the definitive causes of inflammatory breast cancer, and in finding more effective treatments for this highly aggressive form of breast cancer. The organization aims to support research in order to reach an unambiguous definition of inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) and assure that all cases of IBC will be correctly diagnosed, possible sub-types more easily identified, and better treatment outcomes as a result. Research has been hampered by the lack of an easily accessible, well-documented IBC cohort, and IBC cell lines are limited. However, the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation has established a BioBank and Clinical Database. The BioBank contains non-tumor DNA, blocks and slides from diagnostic pathology, and medical records describing clinical and pathologic findings at diagnosis providing an invaluable resource. A unique characteristic of this BioBank is the inclusion of specimens and records from deceased patients who had rapid disease progression and resistance to treatment. This data provides valuable comparison for future study. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-78. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-LB-78
Reduced‐bias Moment Approximations in Original Units When Using Multivariate Box–Cox Transformations

Motivated by A-10 single engine aircraft climb experiments, we demonstrate use of the multivariate Box–Cox power transformations in fitting normal-theory linear models to a q-variate response vector Y. As predictions in the original units of the response are often desired, a retransformation of the fitted model back to the original units can be performed. Unfortunately, Jensen's inequality suggests that for a nonlinear transformation, such an approach can induce significant bias into the retransformed values. Further, although the retransformation offers a direct estimate of E(Y), it offers no direct estimates for the variances and covariances of Y. An estimate for the variance–covariance matrix can be useful when constructing approximate joint prediction regions on Y. To address these concerns, we consider the class of multivariate Box–Cox transformations and derive a closed-form approximation to (ki,kj∈[0,1,...]; i,j = 1,…,q), which can then be used to provide reduced-bias estimates of elements of the mean vector and covariance matrix of the original response Y, given parameter estimates obtained from fitting the model in the transformed domain. Using our approximation, we then construct an approximate 100(1 − α)% joint prediction ellipsoid on Y. Unlike the prediction ellipsoid offered by ordinary least squares analysis, the proposed prediction ellipsoid can change in both size and orientation, depending on the levels of the experimental factors. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Effect of Latency Reversal Agents on Primary CD8+ T Cells: Implications for Shock and Kill Strategies for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Eradication.

Abstract Shock and kill strategies involving the use of small molecules to induce viral transcription in resting CD4+ T cells (shock) followed by immune mediated clearance of the reactivated cells (kill), have been proposed as a method of eliminating latently infected CD4+ T cells. The combination of the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor romidepsin and protein kinase C (PKC) agonist bryostatin-1 is very effective at reversing latency in vitro. However, we found that primary HIV-1 specific CD8+ T cells were not able to eliminate autologous resting CD4+ T cells that had been reactivated with these drugs. We tested the hypothesis that the drugs affected primary CD8+ T cell function and found that both agents had inhibitory effects on the suppressive capacity of HIV-specific CD8+ T cells from patients who control viral replication without antiretroviral therapy (elite suppressors/controllers). The inhibitory effect was additive and multi-factorial in nature. These inhibitory effects were not seen with prostratin, another PKC agonist, either alone or in combination with JQ1, a bromodomain-containing protein 4 inhibitor. Our results suggest that because of their adverse effects on primary CD8+ T cells, some LRAs may cause immune-suppression and therefore should be used with caution in shock and kill strategies.
Divide and conquer: An incremental sparsity promoting compressive sampling approach for polynomial chaos expansions

This paper introduces an efficient sparse recovery approach for Polynomial Chaos (PC) expansions, which promotes the sparsity by breaking the dimensionality of the problem. The proposed algorithm incrementally explores sub-dimensional expansions for a sparser recovery, and shows success when removal of uninfluential parameters that results in a lower coherence for measurement matrix, allows for a higher order and/or sparser expansion to be recovered. The incremental algorithm effectively searches for the sparsest PC approximation, and not only can it decrease the prediction error, but it can also reduce the dimensionality of PCE model. Four numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the validity of the proposed approach. The results from these examples show that the incremental algorithm substantially outperforms conventional compressive sampling approaches for PCE, in terms of both solution sparsity and prediction error.
New Approach to Antibodies Directed at High Frequency Kell and Cartwright Antigens Using DTT-Modified RBCs

Red cells treated with 200 mM dithiothreitol (DTT) can be useful in the identification of antibodies directed at certain high frequency red cell antigens. DTT denatures antigens of the Cartwright and Kell blood group systems. Whenever an antibody directed at a high frequency antigen fails to react with DTT-modified RBCs, antibodies such as anti-Yta, anti-Jsb, anti-Kpb, and anti-Ku should be considered. A patient whose serum contained anti-Yta is described. The antibody identification was greatly aided by the use of DTT-modified red cells.
Strategic Management of Technological Learning

How do companies such as BMW, Airbus Industrie, and Bayer leverage technology and learn to thrive where others fail? This book provides a one-stop resource on technology, innovation, and knowledge management. It gives you a tool for gaining short-term, case-specific insight and long-term, industry-wide understanding of the best technology management and learning policies and practices. The Strategic Management of Technological Learning explores a portfolio of case studies on technology-driven-but not exclusively high-tech-companies that have an overall long-term record of success and prosperity.Through in-depth interviews with industry practitioners, the author empirically identifies the presence of Strategic or Active Incrementalism. The following chart shows the studied firms, which operate at high risk and uncertainty, very dynamic, and technologically intensive business environments:
Attempted Suicide by Massive Warfarin Ingestion Conservatively Managed Using Phytonadione.

Treatment strategies for acute toxicity following massive ingestion of warfarin are not well described in the literature. Warfarin is the primary oral anticoagulation agent used in the treatment of thromboembolic disease, and patients with acute toxicity are at risk for life-threatening hemorrhages. Treatment options include phytonadione (vitamin K1), fresh frozen plasma (FFP), and prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs) used alone or in combination. FFP and PCC can be associated with volume complications, undesirable thromboembolic events, and increased costs. We describe the case of a 63-year-old female with acute warfarin toxicity following a massive ingestion of warfarin (420 mg–450 mg) in an attempt to commit suicide. Upon arrival to the emergency department, serial INR checks were initiated to help guide dosing strategy and later adjusted based on INR response to treatment using only phytonadione.
Use of Fluorescein Isothiocyanate-Inulin as a Marker for Intestinal Ischemic Injury

Background Intestinal ischemia is observed in conditions such as mesenteric ischemia, or during traumatic events such as intestinal transplantation. Intestinal ischemia leads to pathophysiologic disruptions that present as increased fluid secretion into the intestinal lumen. We propose a novel method to detect real-time ischemic injury that is used in an in vitro model applicable to intestinal transplantation. Study Design Small intestine segments from rats were procured. The segments were attached to customized perfusion chambers. Both intestines were perfused on the vascular side with a Ringer buffer solution. The experimental buffer solution was bubbled with 100% nitrogen to mimic ischemia. Both lumens were perfused with 3 mL HEPES-Ringer solution containing 50 μM fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-inulin. Intraluminal samples were collected at 15-minute intervals to measure FITC-inulin concentration using a nanofluorospectrophotometer. Intestinal tissue samples were processed and evaluated by a blinded pathologist using the Park/Chiu scoring system for grading intestinal ischemia. Results Samples collected from the ischemic intestine showed a significant decrease in FITC-inulin fluorescence compared with the control intestine, indicating enhanced fluid secretion. Histopathologic samples from the experimental arm exhibited higher scores of ischemic injury in comparison with the control arm, confirming the FITC-inulin as a correlation to ischemia. Conclusions Fluorescein isothiocyanate-inulin can be used as a real-time volume marker to monitor the ischemic state of intestinal tissue. A positive correlation between the degree of fluid shift and presence of ischemic injury. The changes in fluorescence signal provide a potential selective method to measure real-time fluid changes inside an intestinal graft to evaluate viability.
Pathology of Power Morcellation: A 12-Year Retrospective Analysis

Abstract Objective: The goal of this research was to evaluate the risk associated with dissemination in laparoscopic procedures with power morcellation for benign gynecologic indications. Materials...
Streamlined, PCR-based testing for pfhrp2- and pfhrp3-negative Plasmodium falciparum.

Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) that detect histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP2) are used throughout Africa for the diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. However, recent reports indicate that parasites lacking the pfhrp2 and/or histidine-rich protein 3 (pfhrp3) genes, which produce antigens detected by these RDTs, are common in select regions of South America, Asia, and Africa. Proving the absence of a gene is challenging, and multiple PCR assays targeting these genes have been described. A detailed characterization and comparison of published assays is needed to facilitate robust and streamlined testing approaches. Among six pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 PCR assays tested, the lower limit of detection ranged from 0.01 pg/µL to 0.1 ng/µL of P. falciparum 3D7 strain DNA, or approximately 0.4–4000 parasite genomes/µL. By lowering the elongation temperature to 60 °C, a tenfold improvement in the limit of detection and/or darker bands for all exon 1 targets and for the first-round reaction of a single exon 2 target was achieved. Additionally, assays targeting exon 1 of either gene yielded spurious amplification of the paralogous gene. Using these data, an optimized testing algorithm for the detection of pfhrp2- and pfhrp3-negative P. falciparum is proposed. Surveillance of pfhrp2- and pfhrp3-negative P. falciparum requires careful laboratory workflows. PCR-based testing methods coupled with microscopy and/or antigen testing serve as useful tools to support policy development. Standardized approaches to the detection of pfhrp2- and pfhrp3-negative P. falciparum should inform efforts to define the impact of these parasites.
Matrilysin/MMP-7 Cleavage of Perlecan/HSPG2 Complexed with Semaphorin 3A Supports FAK-Mediated Stromal Invasion by Prostate Cancer Cells

Interrupting the interplay between cancer cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) is a strategy to halt tumor progression and stromal invasion. Perlecan/heparan sulfate proteoglycan 2 (HSPG2) is an extracellular proteoglycan that orchestrates tumor angiogenesis, proliferation, differentiation and invasion. Metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) cells degrade perlecan-rich tissue borders to reach bone, including the basement membrane, vasculature, reactive stromal matrix and bone marrow. Domain IV-3, perlecan’s last 7 immunoglobulin repeats, mimics native proteoglycan by promoting tumoroid formation. This is reversed by matrilysin/matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) cleavage to favor cell dispersion and tumoroid dyscohesion. Both perlecan and Domain IV-3 induced a strong focal adhesion kinase (FAK) dephosphorylation/deactivation. MMP-7 cleavage of perlecan reversed this, with FAK in dispersed tumoroids becoming phosphorylated/activated with metastatic phenotype. We demonstrated Domain IV-3 interacts with the axon guidance protein semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) on PCa cells to deactivate pro-metastatic FAK. Sema3A antibody mimicked the Domain IV-3 clustering activity. Direct binding experiments showed Domain IV-3 binds Sema3A. Knockdown of Sema3A prevented Domain IV-3-induced tumoroid formation and Sema3A was sensitive to MMP-7 proteolysis. The perlecan-Sema3A complex abrogates FAK activity and stabilizes PCa cell interactions. MMP-7 expressing cells destroy the complex to initiate metastasis, destroy perlecan-rich borders, and favor invasion and progression to lethal bone disease.
Determination of the Stability Constant of the Calcium Dioxalate Complex

The problem of calcium oxalate (CaOx) urinary calculi is often best understood in terms of the supersaturation of calcium oxalate in urine. Relative supersaturation can be determined by incubation of urine with solid CaOx. An alternative involves measuring various species concentrations and then calculating relative supersaturation with a computer equilibrium program. Minor discrepancies exist between these two methods at low concentrations of calcium and oxalate1. At high oxalate concentrations, however, there is a large discrepancy between the two methods: incubation yields a lower relative supersaturation. Such a difference can be accounted for, at least in part, by assuming the existence of a CaOx species not included in the current computational scheme. Studies done with divalent cations, such as magnesium, cadmium, and cobalt, have demonstrated the existence of dioxalate species at high oxalate concentrations 2. On this basis, a calcium dioxalate species, Ca(C2O4) 2 2- could be anticipated at high oxalate concentration.
Subtree Isomorphism in O(n5/2)

The problem of determining if the tree S (unrooted) on n , vertices is isomorphic to any subtree of the tree T on n , t ≥ n s vertices is shown to be solvable in O( n t 3/2 n s ) steps. The method involves the solution of an ( n t ,-1) by 2( n t ,-1) array of maximum bipartite matching problems where some of these subproblems are solved in groups. Recognition of isomorphic subproblems yields a compacted data structure reducing practical storage requirements with no increase in the order of time complexity.
Multi-robot task allocation for performing cooperative foraging tasks in an initially unknown environment

We consider the problem of multi-robot task allocation (MRTA) by a set of robots that are deployed in an initially unknown environment to perform foraging tasks. The location of each task has to be discovered by each robot through searching in the environment. Each task also requires multiple robots to share the task’s execution to complete the task. We discuss an emergent, distributed MRTA algorithm and describe a set of heuristics that can be used by the MRTA algorithm to select the order of the tasks so that the tasks are performed in an efficient manner. The heuristics are evaluated using simulated robots on the Webots simulator to analyze their relative performance.
Reimagining the Humble but Mighty Pen: Quality Measurement and Naturalistic Decision Making:

Much of the health system’s avoidable spending may be driven by doctors’ decision making. Past studies demonstrated potentially consequential and costly inconsistencies between the actual decisions...
Implication of Paradigm Conflicts on Theory Development in Strategic Management

The strength of strategic management largely results from its ability to integrate diverse ideas and theories from different fields of study and apply them to real-world organizational issues. However, strategy researchers generally lack an understanding of the potential issues surrounding the paradigm conflicts that are often involved in interdisciplinary research. In response, this paper emphasizes the importance of epistemological paradigms in scientific research and discusses implications of paradigm conflicts on theory progression in strategic management. Suggestions to reduce such paradigm conflicts in interdisciplinary fertilization are also provided.
Pharyngitis and Pharyngeal Space Infections

A 17-year-old female is seen in the emergency department with a 2-day history of fevers to 103 °F and a sore throat. Today, she describes her pain to be severe and mostly on the right side. She complains of difficulty opening her mouth and pain with swallowing. On examination, she appears anxious and uncomfortable, speaking softly with a muffled voice. Her oropharyngeal exam, although difficult to perform because of moderate trismus, reveals pharyngeal erythema, right pharyngeal wall swelling with deviation of her uvula to the left. Right neck swelling is also appreciated. A contrast-enhanced CT scan shows a peritonsillar abscess. Intravenous administration of ampicillin-sulbactam is initiated. An otolaryngology consult is obtained, and incision and drainage of the abscess is performed at the bedside. She is discharged home with oral amoxicillin-clavulanic acid for a total of 14 days. Bacterial cultures of the purulent material obtained grow Streptococcus anginosus, Prevotella sp., and non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae.
Genomic characterization of pulmonary-metastatic prostate cancer: A unique molecular subtype.

210Background: Metastatic prostate cancer (mPC) rarely spreads to the lungs and lung-only metastatic disease has not been clearly defined. This study investigated the clinical and molecular feature...
Enhanced ethanol dehydration on γ-Al2O3 supported cobalt catalyst

Abstract Ethanol catalytic dehydration was studied on a γ-Al2O3 and Co-Al2O3 catalyst prepared by the strong electrostatic adsorption (SEA) method. Specific surface area characterization indicated that the Co-Al2O3 catalyst possessed higher surface area because of opening of γ-Al2O3 occluded pores. Acidity and basicity measurements of the catalysts by temperature programmed desorption (TPD) as followed by infrared and mass spectrometry (TPD-FTIR-MS) of adsorbed pyridine and CO 2, respectively, indicated that the Co-Al2O3 catalyst possessed about half the Lewis acidity (accessible to pyridine) and moderately higher basicity than the parent γ-Al2O3. However, similar acidity measurements by NH3-TPD suggested the presence of occluded micropore acidity inaccessible to pyridine. XRD and IR measurements indicated that the support in the Co-Al2O3 catalyst underwent partial nitridation forming aluminum nitride and nitrogen containing Co species due to the SEA synthesis conditions. It was found that the Co-Al 2O3 catalyst, under identical reaction conditions, could achieve similar ethanol conversion and ethylene selectivity to ethylene at lower temperatures than the original γ-Al2O3 support. Analysis of apparent activation energies contributions and water co-feeding tests indicated that the Co-Al2O3 was less inhibited by water and that water dimers and trimers were required to explain the experimental data. Furthermore, in situ modulation excitation-phase sensitive detection-diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (ME-PSD-DRIFTS) during ethanol dehydration at reaction conditions confirmed the enhanced hydrophobic properties of the Co-Al2O3, making this catalyst less propense to water inhibition at low to moderate temperatures. The enhanced surface hydrophobicity in combination with new micropore acidity allowed more active sites for reaction not accessible in the parent γ-Al2O3. Additionally, evidence is also presented from in situ ME-PSD-DRIFTS for the participation of adsorbed ethanol and ethoxide species as well as terminal and bridging hydroxyls bonded to octahedral and tetrahedral Al on Al2O3 (1 0 0) and (1 1 0) facets as likely reaction intermediates in the conversion of ethanol to diethyl ether and ethylene.
Partially Occluded Hands

Recognizing the pose of hands matters most when hands are interacting with other objects. To understand how well both machines and humans perform on single-image 2D hand-pose reconstruction from RGB images, we collected a challenging dataset of hands interacting with 148 objects. We used a novel methodology that provides the same hand in the same pose both with the object being present and occluding the hand and without the object occluding the hand. Additionally, we collected a wide range of grasps for each object designing the data collection methodology to ensure this diversity. Using this dataset we measured the performance of two state-of-the-art hand-pose recognition methods showing that both are extremely brittle when faced with even light occlusion from an object. This is not evident in previous datasets because they often avoid hand-object occlusions and because they are collected from videos where hands are often between objects and mostly unoccluded. We annotated a subset of the dataset and used that to show that humans are robust with respect to occlusion, and also to characterize human hand perception, the space of grasps that seem to be considered, and the accuracy of reconstructing occluded portions of hands. We expect that such data will be of interest to both the vision community for developing more robust hand-pose algorithms and to the robotic grasp planning community for learning such grasps. The dataset is available at occludedhands.com.
Identity and the Ethics of Eating Interventions.

Although “you are what you eat” is a well-worn cliche, personal identity does not figure prominently in many debates about the ethics of eating interventions. This paper contributes to a growing philosophical literature theorizing the connection between eating and identity and exploring its implications for eating interventions. I explore how “identity-policing,” a key mechanism for the social constitution and maintenance of identity, applies to eating and trace its ethical implications for eating interventions. I argue that identity policing can be harmful and that eating interventions can subject people to these harms by invoking identity policing qua intervention strategy or by encouraging people to eat in ways that subject them to policing from others. While these harms may be outweighed by the benefits of the intervention being promoted, they should nonetheless be acknowledged and accounted for. To aid in these evaluations, I consider factors that modulate the presence and severity of identity-policing and discuss strategies for developing less harmful eating interventions. I conclude by considering the relationship between identity-policing and identity loss caused by long-term diet change. This paper contributes to the centering of identity in food ethics and to a more comprehensive picture of identity’s ethical importance for eating interventions.
Structural basis for GPCR-independent activation of heterotrimeric Gi proteins.

Heterotrimeric G proteins are key molecular switches that control cell behavior. The canonical activation of G proteins by agonist-occupied G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) has recently been elucidated from the structural perspective. In contrast, the structural basis for GPCR-independent G protein activation by a novel family of guanine-nucleotide exchange modulators (GEMs) remains unknown. Here, we present a 2.0-A crystal structure of Gαi in complex with the GEM motif of GIV/Girdin. Nucleotide exchange assays, molecular dynamics simulations, and hydrogen-deuterium exchange experiments demonstrate that GEM binding to the conformational switch II causes structural changes that allosterically propagate to the hydrophobic core of the Gαi GTPase domain. Rearrangement of the hydrophobic core appears to be a common mechanism by which GPCRs and GEMs activate G proteins, although with different efficiency. Atomic-level insights presented here will aid structure-based efforts to selectively target the noncanonical G protein activation.
Pedbothome: Robotically-Assisted Ankle Rehabilitation System For Children With Cerebral Palsy*

Our research team has developed two versions of an ankle robot for children with cerebral palsy. Both devices provide three degrees of freedom and are connected to an airplane video game. The child uses his/her foot as the controller for the plane and attempts to fly through a series of hoops arranged to manipulate the foot across the ankle joint. The first device is for lab-based therapy and four children have completed 20 sessions each with the device. The second device is for home-based therapy and two children have completed a 28-day trial using the device at home. Both studies were done under Institutional Review Board approval and all participants improved ankle range of motion. Further studies are ongoing to gather more data and validate the results.
Peptides of major basic protein and eosinophil cationic protein activate human mast cells.

Abstract The eosinophil granule proteins, major basic protein (MBP) and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), activate mast cells during inflammation; however the mechanism responsible for this activity is poorly understood. We found that some theoretical tryptase-digested fragments of MBP and ECP induced degranulation of human cord blood-derived mast cells (HCMCs). The spectrum of activities of these peptides in HCMCs coincided with intracellular Ca2+ mobilization activities in Mas-related G-protein coupled receptor family member X2 (MRGPRX2)-expressing HEK293 cells. Two peptides corresponding to MBP residues 99–110 (MBP (99–110)) and ECP residues 29–45 (ECP (29–45)), respectively, induced degranulation of HCMCs and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in MRGPRX2-expressing HEK293 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Stimulation with MBP (99–110) or ECP (29–45) induced the production of prostaglandin D2 by HCMCs. The activities of MBP (99–110) and ECP (29–45) in both HCMCs and MRGPRX2-expressing HEK293 cells were inhibited by MRGPRX2-specific antagonists. In conclusion, these results indicated that MBP and ECP fragments activate HCMCs, and it may occur via MRGPRX2. Our findings suggest that tryptase-digested fragments of eosinophil cationic proteins acting via the MRGPRX2 pathway may further our understanding of mast cell/eosinophil communication.
LONG-TERM OUTCOMES OF TRANSCATHETER MITRAL VALVE REPLACEMENT USING A BALLOON EXPANDABLE VALVE

Transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) using commercially available balloon expandable valves via a percutaneous, transseptal access has previously been reported but only short-term outcomes have been discussed. Long-term outcomes of this percutaneous strategy should be elucidated. From 1/
Growing Orbs / Mingled Metabolism

Many solid tumors exhibit a striking range of diverse subtypes of cancer cells that help the tumor survive harsh circumstances such as the limited availability of nutrients, an attacking immune system or chemotherapy treatment.