cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Laparoscopic incisional hernia repair in obese patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Laparoscopic incisional hernia repair is coming to the forefront as a preferred method of repair due to the advantages offered by minimally invasive techniques. To evaluate safety and feasibility of this approach in obese patients when performed by a general surgeon trained in basic laparoscopy with no prior experience in this technique, we reviewed our early experience in the first 18 patients. METHODS All patients with incisional hernias presenting to a single surgeon from 2000 to 2002 were offered laparoscopic repair. Patients were informed about the limited experience of the surgeon in this particular field. Those who consented were repaired laparoscopically using a standard 4-port technique, one 12-mm port and three 5-mm ports. All patients with body mass index > or =30 were included in this review. A retrospective review of the data included demographics, operative time, blood loss, hospital stay, postoperative complications, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS Nineteen laparoscopic repairs were completed in 18 patients. No conversions to open repair were necessary. All patients were females except for 2. All hernia sacs were left in place, some of which were empty while others required extensive lysis of adhesions to release sac contents. Mean fascial defect was 102.5 cm2. One defect was closed primarily without mesh, while the rest were closed using Composix mesh in 1 and Dual Plus Gore-Tex mesh in the rest. Three patients were discharged from the recovery room. Mean follow-up was 24 months. No wound or mesh infections occurred. Eight patients had no complications. Eight patients had asymptomatic seromas. Two patients had hematomas; none of them required drainage. One patient had nonspecific dizziness. One patient presented with bowel obstruction secondary to early recurrence (within a week). The repair was salvaged laparoscopically. Upon evaluation by telephone calls, all patients indicated extreme satisfaction with the results. CONCLUSIONS A general surgeon with training in basic laparoscopy can safely perform laparoscopic incisional hernia repair on obese patients with minimal complications. The procedure requires a short leaning curve of no more than 3 cases and few extra materials to be feasible at any hospital in the US. Patient satisfaction with this technique is certainly gratifying.
Trademarks and the Lexicographer in the Digital Age

Trademarks in English dictionaries have been treated inconsistently and inadequately since the introduction of legislation for the protection of trademarks in the nineteenth century. In the twentieth century, publishers showed increasing deference to the wishes and occasional demands of trademark owners, often to the detriment of dictionary users. The digital revolution of the twenty-first century has resulted in an ever-decreasing role for the place of dictionaries in providing dependable information about trademark status to dictionary users.
Endothelium-derived relaxing factor inhibits thrombin-induced platelet aggregation by inhibiting platelet phospholipase C

Endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) inhibits platelet function, but the mechanism underlying this inhibitory effect is not known. To examine this, cultured acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)-treated endothelial cells (EC) from bovine aorta (BAEC) or from human umbilical vein (HUVEC) were incubated with washed, ASA-treated human platelets. Incubation of platelets with either BAEC or HUVEC resulted in inhibition of thrombin-induced platelet aggregation that was dependent on the number of EC added. This effect was potentiated by superoxide dismutase and reversed by treating EC with NG-nitro-L-arginine or by treating platelets with methylene blue, indicating that the inhibition of platelet aggregation was due to the release of EDRF by EC. EC significantly blocked the thrombin stimulated breakdown of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) and the production of phosphatidic acid in [32P]orthophosphate-labeled platelets and of inositol trisphosphate in [3H]myoinositol-labeled platelets. In addition, the thrombin-mediated activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and phosphorylation of myosin light chain were inhibited in the presence of EC. Finally, thrombin stimulated an increase in cytosolic ionized calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in fura2-loaded platelets that was abolished by concentrations of EC which also blocked thrombin-induced aggregation. These data indicate that EDRF blocks thrombin-induced platelet aggregation by inhibiting the activation of PIP2-specific phospholipase C and thereby suppressing the consequent activation of PKC and the mobilization of [Ca2+]i.
Spectral analysis of heart rate variability and pulmonary responses to topical applications of a 2% aminophylline-based thigh cream

Spectral analysis of heart rate variability and pulmonary responses to topical applications of a 2% aminophylline-based thigh cream
Granulomatous hepatitis in cat-scratch disease. Ultrasound and CT observations.

A male two year old was admitted to the hospital with a one month history of fever. The physical examination was unrevealing. Abdominal ultrasound revealed multiple, circumscribed regions of low attenuation in the liver and a parapancreatic mass. Laparotomy and biopsy revealed multiple nodules in the liver. The histopathologic findings indicated the child had catscratch disease, which resolved with administration of gentamycin sulfate.
NEURAL-NETWORK-BASED SPACECRAFT ATTITUDE CONTROL

A control system to perform spacecraft attitude maneuvers in the presence of mass parameter uncertainties and disturbances is proposed. The control law consisting of a neural network and linear control logic is designed for the spacecraft to follow a pre-specified reference trajectory. Lyapunov stability theory is used to obtain closed-loop stability conditions. These stability conditions serve as constraints imposed on the on-line tuning of the network adjustable weights in the neural network. Simulation results demonstrate the good tracking characteristics of the proposed control law during spacecraft inertia changes and in presence of disturbances. In addition to the good robustness characteristics, simulation results demonstrate the learning capability of the proposed neural network controller by showing rapid convergence of the network weights.
Hydrogen Peroxide Generation in Low Power Pulsed Water Spray Plasma Reactors

The energy yield for hydrogen peroxide formation from pure water sprayed into a low power, pulsed, gliding arc plasma reactor under various experimental conditions was determined. The water flow rate, carrier gas flow rate, electrode shape, and pulse frequency were varied, all of which affect the overall power of the discharge. Results show that the energy yield for hydrogen peroxide formation increased as the mean discharge power decreased, and the trend was independent of the variables that affected the power when a pulsed power supply was utilized to generate the discharge.
The question of cost: reimbursement and remuneration

Dentists and the dental team have been encouraged to become an important part of the effort to curb tobacco use. Many health insurance policies, however, do not cover tobacco cessation programs, especially by dentists. The generosity of insurance for tobacco cessation has been found to influence the use of these programs. The dental profession can help by: 1) training more dental students, dental hygienists, and dental practitioners to provide tobacco cessation counseling; 2) increasing the number of practices routinely monitoring tobacco use and providing tobacco cessation programs; 3) increasing the utilization of the available procedure codes for tobacco cessation, whether it is a covered service or not; and 4) stimulating demand for more tobacco cessation coverage by employees.
The dynamic process of social capital during recovery from Tropical Storm Irene in Vermont

In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene, recovery groups emerged throughout Vermont to assist victims with needs remaining after personal savings, insurance payments, and government assistance were depleted. This research links the concepts of ‘the strange attractor’ and ‘butterfly effect’ from chaos theory with theories of social capital to examine how initial conditions influence the emergence of recovery groups and subsequent recovery processes. In many communities, recovery group formation was driven by informal community efforts via bonding and bridging social capital. In areas with less social capital, governmental actors from within the state and federal disaster framework facilitated the formation of recovery groups via linking social capital. Formation pathways had cascading impacts on recovery group ability to acquire resources for group administration and victim recovery. Recovery groups driven by informal community actors experienced proliferating social capital and access to high-value resources. However, linking social capital with the state and federal disaster framework ensured all recovery groups had adequate resources for victim recovery and equalized growing inequalities across them. All recovery groups were closing their remaining victim cases within 2 years after the disaster. Vermont’s success points to how the state and federal disaster framework can coordinate with informal community efforts to create an adaptive recovery process that leverages their complementary strengths.
Power, Order and Biogeography

Wan examines the theories of power and international order, the relationship between global finance and sovereign states and a broader scientific field of biogeography. The AIIB is a power move by a rising great power vis-a-vis the status quo superpower. Wan provides an alternative but unified framework to analyze power. Logically and empirically, power can be both goal and means. He follows a biogeographical approach that emphasizes evolving processes rather than simply action and reaction in a mechanical fashion. Evolution exerts pressure on the content and intensity of power. He also argues that power is both intrinsic and observer-relative. Power is partially a social construction. We should focus on what seems to come ‘natural’ for the players in international relations.
An Examination of the Effects of Slope Wash on Primary Deposits of Chipping Debris: A Reply to Baumler

AbstractAnalysis of the Death Valley site of DEVA 84E-1 demonstrates the ability of sheet wash erosion to selectively remove small size chipping debris from primary deposits, while leaving the larger flakes behind. Such erosive post-depositional alteration of a surface site located in an area of sparse vegetation and subject to high volume, high velocity flash flooding should not be surprising. Baumler's concern that similar postdepositional alteration of archaeological deposits is widespread is not justified. When sites are protected by vegetative cover, significant debris loss is not encountered.
Radiotheranostics in Prostate Cancer: Introduction and Overview

This special supplemental issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine focuses on the current state of affairs and outlook for the use of molecular imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy in prostate cancer. The recent strides in understanding the complex biology of prostate cancer and advances in the
Adenovirus and “Culture-Negative Sepsis” in a Preterm Neonate

Background Respiratory viral infections remain an underrecognized cause of morbidity and mortality among preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Case Report An eight day old, 650 gram birth weight, 23 weeks' gestational age female developed “culture-negative” sepsis manifested by respiratory deterioration, hypoxia, leukocytosis, and thrombocytopenia. She was diagnosed with pneumonia and hepatitis due to adenovirus HAdV-D (H29F9) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, but died at the age of 18 days despite treatment with cidofovir and immune globulin intravenous. Conclusion As the ability to diagnosis respiratory viral infections in the NICU has improved greatly with the use of PCR testing, the impact and contribution of these viruses to neonatal disease is now being recognized and the notion of “culture-negative” sepsis needs reassessment. The diagnosis of these infections in high risk infants is important not only for etiologic and epidemiologic reasons but ultimately for informing antimicrobial stewardship efforts.
Strong Security Approach with Compromised Nodes Detection in Cognitive Radio Sensor Networks

Cooperative MIMO communication is a promising technology which enables realistic solution for improving communication performance with MIMO technique in wireless networks that are composed of size and cost constrained devices. However, the security problems inherent to cooperative communication also arise. Cryptography can ensure the confidentiality in the communication and routing between authorized participants, but it usually cannot prevent the attacks from compromised nodes which may corrupt communications by sending garbled signals. In this paper, we propose a cross-layered approach to enhance the security in query-based cooperative MIMO sensor networks. The approach combines efficient cryptographic technique implemented in upper layer with a novel information theory based compromised nodes detection algorithm in physical layer. In the detection algorithm, a cluster of $K$ cooperative nodes are used to identify up to $K -1$ active compromised nodes. When the compromised nodes are detected, the key revocation is performed to isolate the compromised nodes and reconfigure the cooperative MIMO sensor network. During this process, beamforming is used to avoid the information leaking. The proposed security scheme can be easily modified and applied to cognitive radio networks. In such cognitive radio network, if we assume that in cooperative transmission the unlicensed users use one licensed user's frequency, a cluster of $K$ cooperative nodes can identify up to $K - 2$ active compromised nodes. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm for compromised nodes detection is effective and efficient, and the accuracy of received information is significantly improved.
Ambitious Teachers’ Design and Use of Classrooms as a Place of Science

This multicase study examines how three teachers enacting ambitious instruction purposefully designed and used their classroom as a “place of science” in which students participated in disciplinary practices. A place of science is a location that shapes the norms, values, and history of disciplinary practices. Each participant's classroom promoted unique forms of science, yet the participants’ enactment of ambitious instruction produced a common use of classrooms—science became a public practice in which an anchoring phenomenon was puzzled over, modeled, and explained over time. The results of this study have two implications for science educators. First, a teacher's pedagogical preparation and science background shape how they design classrooms as a place of science. Second, though each teacher enacted ambitious instruction, they used classrooms to promote different forms of science.
Designing Multiprocessor Scheduling Algorithms Using a Distributed Genetic Algorithm System

Processor scheduling algorithms for parallel computing systems are often designed using analytical modeling, simulations, and/or trial-and-error experiments. These approaches are usually quite time-consuming and produce only satisfactory solutions. To automate this process, we utilize current techniques in distributed computing, multithreading, and parallel processing to develop a distributed genetic algorithm system that designs new processor scheduling algorithms. A simple genetic algorithm running on a local workstation is used to generate possible scheduling algorithms. The performance of these algorithms is then evaluated in real-time on two shared-memory multiprocessor systems. The resulting performance data are returned to the local workstation for incorporation into the genetic algorithm. Using this approach, we are able to automatically generate new scheduling algorithms in a relatively short period of time that produce good performance when subsequently executing similar types of parallel application programs on a shared-memory multiprocessor system.
Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgeons Dissatisfied in On-Call Practices Despite Improving Call Conditions. The 2015 POSNA Membership Survey Regarding Trauma Care

Background To examine the current trends in trauma call coverage of pediatric orthopaedic surgeons in North America and to identify predictors of surgeon on-call satisfaction. Methods In 2015, ∼1200 active members of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) were surveyed regarding emergency room on-call practices. In total, 410 members completed the survey with a response rate of 35%. Information collected included call frequency, practice setting and satisfaction with call. This information was analyzed and compared with the 2006 and 2010 trauma call surveys of Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America membership using 2 sample difference in proportion, χ tests for trend and the Fisher exact tests. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors of call satisfaction among pediatric orthopaedic surgeons. Results In total, 47% of pediatric orthopaedic surgeons had access to a designated trauma operating room in 2015, up from 39% in 2010 and 24% in 2006. In total, 43% of pediatric orthopaedic surgeons currently receive a stipend for taking call, up from 35% in 2010 and 28% in 2006. Although 83% of pediatric orthopaedic surgeons believe that trauma call is an integral part of their practice, only 53% are satisfied with their call experience. Controlling for covariates, believing that call is integral to one's practice doubles odds of call satisfaction. Having resident or fellow support and being financially compensated for orthopaedic trauma call also increases one's odds of satisfaction. The odds of being satisfied with call decrease by 7% for each year of increase in age of the surgeon. Conclusions Access to a designated trauma operating room and financial compensation for call coverage have steadily increased over the past decade. A sizable majority of respondents continue to believe that trauma care is an integral part of being a pediatric orthopedist. Despite this, 47% of respondents remain dissatisfied with their trauma call arrangements. The age and attitude of the individual surgeon and extent of hospital support predict satisfaction of surgeons providing trauma coverage. Level of evidence Level V-economic and decision analysis.
FVD: a high-performance virtual machine image format for cloud

Fast Virtual Disk (FVD) is a new virtual machine (VM) image format and the corresponding block device driver developed for QEMU. QEMU does I/O emulation for multiple hypervisors, including KVM, Xen-HVM, and VirtualBox. FVD is a holistic solution for both Cloud and non-Cloud environments. Its feature set includes flexible configurability, storage thin provisioning without a host file system, compact image, internal snapshot, encryption, copy-on-write, copy-on-read, and adaptive prefetching. The last two features enable instant VM creation and instant VM migration, even if the VM image is stored on direct-attached storage. As its name indicates, FVD is fast. Experiments show that the throughput of FVD is 249% higher than that of QCOW2 when using the Post-Mark benchmark to create files.
Shi-type estimates and finite time singularities of flows of G2 structures

In this paper, we extend Lotay-Wei's Shi-type estimate from Laplacian flow to more general flows of G$_2$ structures including the modified Laplacian co-flow. Then we prove a version of $\kappa$-non-collapsing theorem. We will use both of them to study finite time singularities of general flows of G$_2$ structures.
TEMPORARY REMOVAL: Combine and Conquer: A Paean to Methodological Pluralism

The publisher regrets that this article has been temporarily removed. The replacement article will be available as soon as possible. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal .
Microvascular Brainstem Ischemia After Vestibular Schwannoma Surgery: A Clinical and Microanatomic Study.

Objective To identify a potential microvascular etiology in patients who underwent vestibular schwannoma surgery (VSS) complicated by postoperative microvascular brainstem ischemia. Methods Charts were retrospectively reviewed of all patients who had an MRI within 14 days of VSS in years 2005–2016. Patient characteristics, preoperative and postoperative imaging features, clinical course and potential predictors of brainstem ischemia were recorded. Cadaveric dissections of 4 cerebellopontine angle (CPA) cisterns with focus on the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) microvascular were also performed to identify candidate vessels and potential etiology. Results Fifty-four of 258 patients had an MRI within 14 days of VSS. Retrosigmoid approach was used in 61.1% of patients, translabyrinthine approach in 25.9%, and middle fossa approach in 13.0%. Four patients (7.4%) had acute microvascular ischemia involving the middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP) adjacent to the cranial nerve (CN) VII–VIII complex demonstrated on postoperative MRI. A statistically significant association was found between the translabyrinthine approach and acute brainstem ischemia (odds ratio, 10.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.004–112.7). Dissection of CPAs revealed 10–20 perforating arteries per specimen originating from the lateral pontine and the flocculopeduncular segments of the AICA. Most microvessels travelled in retrograde fashion along the anteroinferior surface of the CN VII–VIII complex to perforate the cisternal surface of the MCP. No patient had residual or delayed neurologic deficits related to brainstem ischemia at final follow-up. Conclusions While effort should be made to preserve perforating vessels, microvascular brainstem ischemia is often asymptomatic and did not lead to permanent neurologic deficits in our series.
A strategically managed rechargeable battery system with a neutral methyl viologen anolyte and an acidic air-cathode enabled by a mediator-ion solid electrolyte

Redox flow batteries with organic electrode materials are attracting much attention. Previous research efforts have been focusing on liquid-phase electrodes on both the anode and cathode sides. Since batteries based on air cathodes can provide immense advantages, coupling a liquid organic electrode with a gaseous air cathode could offer multiple benefits in terms of cost, safety, and energy density. Herein we present a liquid–gaseous battery system with an aqueous methyl viologen (MV) anode and an air cathode. However, under the traditional battery operation principle with the same electrolyte at the anode and cathode, the resulting MV–air battery will not be able to provide a reasonable voltage for practical applications. In this study, the cell voltage of the MV–air chemistry is strategically manipulated by using an acidic cathode electrolyte (catholyte) and a neutral anode electrolyte (anolyte). To operate a battery with different electrolytes at the anode and cathode, a sodium-ion (Na+-ion) conductive solid-state electrolyte (Na-SSE) membrane is employed to physically and electrically separate the two electrodes. The shuttling of sodium ions via the Na-SSE balances the ionic charge transfer between the two electrodes and sustains the redox reactions at the air cathode and the MV anode.
Mutation Analysis in Cancer

Testing for the presence of genetic mutations yields useful diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic information and has become the standard of care for a variety of hematologic and solid tumors. The majority of molecular tests use a polymerase chain reaction–based approach. The choice of test methodology depends on many factors, such as the type and frequency of mutation, anticipated test volume, tumor type, sample type and volume, cost of technology, and preexisting instruments.
A Chimeric Lloviu Virus Minigenome System Reveals that the Bat-Derived Filovirus Replicates More Similarly to Ebolaviruses than Marburgviruses

Recently, traces of zoonotic viruses have been discovered in bats and other species around the world, but despite repeated attempts, full viral genomes have not been rescued. The absence of critical genetic sequences from these viruses and the difficulties to isolate infectious virus from specimens prevent research on their pathogenic potential for humans. One example of these zoonotic pathogens is Lloviu virus (LLOV), a filovirus that is closely related to Ebola virus. Here, we established LLOV minigenome systems based on sequence complementation from other filoviruses. Our results show that the LLOV replication and transcription mechanisms are, in general, more similar to ebolaviruses than to marburgviruses. We also show that a single nucleotide at the 3' genome end determines species specificity of the LLOV polymerase. The data obtained here will be instrumental for the rescue of infectious LLOV clones for pathogenesis studies.
Mozart on Ice: Expedition to the End of the World

In the Danish environmental documentary Ekspeditionen til verdens ende (Expedition to the End of the World, 2013), music from Mozart’s Requiem sounds several times as Greenland’s melting ice and swelling ocean fill the screen. This recording is not mere ambience. The performance captured in a Copenhagen church sounds surprisingly provisional and fragile. Unlike the rhapsodic-atmospheric use of music in Werner Herzog’s environmental films, recent climate-science documentaries like Chasing Ice and Ice and the Sky, the Mozart fragments in Dencik’s film sound as contingent material artifacts of human presence in a rapidly dissolving visual landscape. In their brittle interruptions, they resemble the speech that makes song missed in Persephone in the Late Anthropocene. Closed-caption-style paratext throughout the film further amplifies this critical distance.
The Dosimetric and Temporal Effects of Respiratory-Gated, High-Dose-Rate Radiation Therapy in Patients With Lung Cancer.

Purpose To evaluate the dosimetric and temporal effects of high-dose-rate respiratory-gated radiation therapy in patients with lung cancer. Methods Treatment plans from 5 patients with lung cancer (3 nongated and 2 gated at 80EX-80IN) were retrospectively evaluated. Prescription dose for these patients varied from 8 to 18 Gy/fraction with 3 to 5 treatment fractions. Using the same treatment planning criteria, 4 new treatment plans, corresponding to 4 gating windows (20EX-20IN, 40EX-40IN, 60EX-60IN, and 80EX-80IN), were generated for each patient. Mean tumor dose, mean lung dose, and lung V20 were used to assess the dosimetric effects. A MATLAB algorithm was developed to compute treatment time. Results Mean lung dose and lung V20 were on average reduced between -16.1% to -6.0% and -20.0% to -7.2%, respectively, for gated plans when compared to the corresponding nongated plans, and between -5.8% to -4.2% and -7.0% to -5.4%, respectively, for plans with smaller gating windows when compared to the corresponding plans gated at 80EX-80IN. Treatment delivery times of gated plans using high-dose rate were reduced on average between -19.7% (-0.10 min/100 MU) and -27.2% (-0.13 min/100 MU) for original nongated plans and -15.6% (-0.15 min/100 MU) and -20.3% (-0.19 min/100 MU) for original 80EX-80IN-gated plans. Conclusion Respiratory-gated radiation therapy in patients with lung cancer can reduce lung dose while maintaining tumor dose. Because treatment delivery during gated therapy is discontinuous, total treatment time may be prolonged. However, this increase in treatment time can be offset by increasing the dose delivery rate. Estimation of treatment time may be helpful in selecting patients for respiratory gating and choosing appropriate gating windows.
Improving corrosion resistance of additively manufactured nickel–titanium biomedical devices by micro-arc oxidation process

Nickel–titanium (NiTi) alloys have recently attracted considerable attention due to their unique properties, i.e., shape memory effect and superelasticity. In addition, these promising alloys demonstrate unique biocompatibility, represented in their high stability and corrosion resistance in aqueous environments, qualifying them to be used inside the human body. In recent years, additive manufacturing (AM) processes have been envisioned as an enabling method for the efficient production of NiTi components with complex geometries as patient-specific implants. In spite of its great capabilities, AM as a novel fabrication process may reduce the corrosion resistance of NiTi parts leading to the excess release of the harmful Ni ions as the main corrosion byproducts. The main goal of this study is to create and evaluate a micro-arc oxidation (MAO) coating in order to enhance the corrosion resistance of additively manufacture NiTi medical devices. To this end, the process voltage and electrolyte used to produce MAO coating have been investigated and optimized. The corrosion characteristics of the MAO-coated specimens revealed that the proposed coating methodology significantly improves the corrosion resistance of NiTi parts produced using AM process.
Hyperspectral chemical imaging enabled by spatial light modulators

Hyperspectral chemical imaging (HCI) refers to the acquisition of both spatial and spectral information in a single acquisition time frame. HCI is a parallel scheme that allows the collection of spatially-resolved chemical/compositional data at much higher rate compared to traditional chemical imaging which is serial in nature. Recent advances in spatial light modulators (SLM) have enabled many novel HCI imaging schemes. We have implemented several HCI systems using reflective and diffractive SLMs. Their design and performance characterization will be discussed in this talk.
Update on ERbeta

ERbeta (ERβ) celebrated its 20th birthday in 2016 and although the overwhelming data in the literature indicate a role for this receptor in the control of epithelial proliferation, neurodegeneration and immune function, no ERβ agonists have yet made it to the clinics. This is the situation, despite the fact that very good safe ERβ agonists have been synthesized and at least one has been donated to the NIH for distribution to researchers, who want to study its possible clinical use. Clinical trials are ongoing for the use of ERβ agonists in prostate cancer and schizophrenia but even today reviewers of our grants still make comments like "The grant is excellent except that the focus of the grant is ERβ". There are multiple reasons for the non-acceptance of the value of ERβ and in this paper we will discuss issues raised by labs which do not support a role for ERβ in physiology or pathology.
Analysis of host cell binding specificity mediated by the Tp0136 adhesin of the syphilis agent Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum.

Background Syphilis affects approximately 11 million people each year globally, and is the third most prevalent sexually transmitted bacterial infection in the United States. Inability to independently culture and genetically manipulate Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum, the causative agent of this disease, has hindered our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of syphilis pathogenesis. Here, we used the non-infectious and poorly adherent B314 strain of the Lyme disease-causing spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, to express two variants of a known fibronectin-binding adhesin, Tp0136, from T. pallidum SS14 and Nichols strains. Using this surrogate system, we investigated the ability of Tp0136 in facilitating differential binding to mammalian cell lines offering insight into the possible role of this virulence factor in colonization of specific tissues by T. pallidum during infection. Principal findings Expression of Tp0136 could be detected on the surface of B. burgdorferi by indirect immunofluorescence assay using sera from a secondary syphilis patient that does not react with intact B314 spirochetes transformed with the empty vector. Increase in Tp0136-mediated adherence of B314 strain to human epithelial HEK293 cells was observed with comparable levels of binding exhibited by both Tp0136 alleles. Adherence of Tp0136-expressing B314 was highest to epithelial HEK293 and C6 glioma cells. Gain in binding of B314 strain expressing Tp0136 to purified fibronectin and poor binding of these spirochetes to the fibronectin-deficient cell line (HEp-2) indicated that Tp0136 interaction with this host receptor plays an important role in spirochetal attachment to mammalian cells. Furthermore, preincubation of these cell lines with fibronectin-binding peptide from Staphylococcus aureus FnbA-2 protein significantly inhibited binding of B314 expressing Tp0136. Conclusions Our results show that Tp0136 facilitates differential level of binding to cell lines representing various host tissues, which highlights the importance of this protein in colonization of human organs by T. pallidum and resulting syphilis pathogenesis.
Fractional Right Local General M-Derivative

Here is introduced and studied the left fractional local general M-derivative of various orders. All basic properties of an ordinary derivative are established here. We also define the corresponding left fractional M-integrals. Important theorems are established such as: the inversion theorem, the fundamental theorem of fractional calculus, the mean value theorem, the extended mean value theorem, the Taylor’s formula with integral remainder, the integration by parts. Our left fractional derivative generalizes the alternative fractional derivative and the local M-fractional derivative. See also [3].
Donaldson Polynomials of Elliptic Surfaces

Up to this point, we have not made any actual computations of Donaldson invariants. Instead we have relied on their general properties as well as on certain nonvanishing hypotheses to obtain information about algebraic surfaces and other 4-manifolds. In this chapter, given a simply connected elliptic surface S, we shall evaluate γ c (S) on an appropriate collection of homology classes for every sufficiently large integer c. This will not in general determine γ c (S), unless S is a K3 surface, but we will be able to calculate the leading coefficient of γ c (S), viewed as a polynomial in qS and [K S ]. This calculation in turn will give a partial smooth classification of simply connected elliptic surfaces. Using this classification, we shall complete the proofs of Theorem S.6 and S.3 in the “Statement of Results” section and thereby show that for algebraic surfaces deformation equivalence and diffeomorphism differ by at most a finite amount.
Pure and impure gestes: the generation of history in Jean d’Outremeuse's Myreur des histors

Scholars have long debated the place in medieval historiography of Jean d’Outremeuse's Myreur des histors, a universal history in celebration of Liege written in French around 1399. The abundance o...
Factors influencing side air curtain deployment in rollover motor vehicle accidents

Objective: Recent changes in FMVSS have led to the utilization of side air curtains to provide occupant retention during rollover events. However, the safety advantage provided by the air curtains ...
Garcinol Is an HDAC11 Inhibitor

Garcinol is a natural product from the Garcinia Indica fruit and is well-known as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer agent. However, the understanding of its mechanism of action is still incomplete. It has been reported to be a histone acetyltransferase (HAT) inhibitor. Here, we surprisingly found that garcinol is a potent histone deacetylase 11 (HDAC11) inhibitor (IC50 ∼ 5 μM in vitro with the HPLC assay and IC50 ∼ 10 μM in the cellular SHMT2 fatty acylation assay), which is comparable to previously reported HDAC11 inhibitors. Additionally, among all the HDACs tested, garcinol specifically inhibits HDAC11 over other HDACs. HDAC11 is the only class IV HDAC, and there are very few inhibitors available for it. Therefore, this study provides a new HDAC11 inhibitor lead from natural products and may help explain the various biological activities of garcinol.
A Prospective Randomized Trial of Ahmed Glaucoma Drainage Device Implantation with or without Ologen Collagen Matrix

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Ologen collagen matrix (OCM; Aeon Astron Corporation) in the prevention of the postoperative hypertensive phase and on long-term intraocular pressure (IOP) control after Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV; New World Medical) implantation. Design This is a prospective, randomized, controlled study of 26 patients treated at a tertiary care center, with 13 eyes assigned to each treatment arm. Participants Consecutive patients with refractory glaucoma requiring AGV implantation were enrolled. Refractory glaucoma was defined as IOP >21 mmHg on maximum tolerated glaucoma medications or progressive visual field and optic nerve head changes despite maximal tolerated medical therapy. Methods In Ologen eyes, a round 12 × 1-mm OCM segment was placed flush over the AGV-FP7 plate immediately before conjunctival closure. Control eyes received conventional AGV surgery without OCM implantation. Main Outcome Measures The primary outcomes were postoperative IOP and requirement of pressure-lowering medications. On the basis of these measures, the rates of complete and qualified success over the course of follow-up were calculated. Complete success was defined as IOP ≤21 mmHg without antihypertensive medications. Qualified success was defined as IOP ≤21 mmHg with or without medications. Frequency of hypertensive phase was also determined. Results Patients receiving Ologen-augmented AGV surgery exhibited significantly lower IOPs compared with control subjects at the 1-, 2-, and 3-month time points (P Conclusions Ologen collagen matrix–augmented AGV surgery may provide better IOP control in the intermediate postoperative period and blunt the hypertensive phase compared with AGV implantation alone.
Visitor spending at wine festivals: perspectives on stakeholder benefits

Economic benefit is a motivator for communities and wineries to participate in events (Byrd et al., 2016; Kim et al., 2008). Two primary stakeholders have a vested interest in the success of wine f...
Recurrence of Symptoms After Surgical Therapies

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common problem in the outpatient setting affecting 18.1–27.8% of patients in North America. Although medical management is often the primary and mainstay for treatment, invasive techniques with surgical Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication or endoscopic Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF) are being utilized with increasing frequency. Studies have shown excellent short-term results for surgical management with Laparoscopic Fundoplication but with varying outcomes for long-term efficacy. One study found that recurrence of symptoms was not uncommon, and between 3% and 6% of patients will undergo a second procedure. TIF has become increasingly popular in helping to bridge the gap between medical therapy and surgical intervention. However, given the novelty of this procedure, long-term efficacy is unknown.
A new agamid lizard in mid-Cretaceous amber from northern Myanmar

Abstract The first amber-embedded fossil representing the lizard family Agamidae, Protodraco monocoli gen. et sp. nov., is described in burmite of the lowermost Cenomanian (ca. 99 Ma; mid-Cretaceous) from northern Myanmar. It is among both the oldest known amber lizards and the oldest fossils of the family. The fossil is a well preserved left hind foot with shank, morphologically similar to basal taxa of modern Southeast Asian agamids. Because of the sparse Cretaceous fossil record it could provide a calibration point for divergence-time analyses and contradicts views that agamids colonized SE Asia during the Paleogene.
Energy Policy: No Place for Zero-Sum Thinking

In game theory, "zero-sum" means that a person may gain only at the expense of another person losing. Two-person games, such as chess and checkers, exemplify this win/loss dichotomy. Transported to economics, the idea of zero-sum similarly means that one party must lose for the other to win. But in broad, multi-faceted policy contexts, such as the evolution of the energy industry in the United States, this winner/loser paradigm is particularly unhelpful and can lead to short-sighted and dangerous consequences. This article, adapted from Chapter 3 of Beyond Zero-Sum Environmentalism (ELI Press 2019), recommends moving away from the zero-sum analogy to advance energy policies that benefit people across geographic, socioeconomic, and cultural divides, and offers concrete suggestions to ground policy development in a broader, more holistic manner.
A historical geography of rare earth elements: From discovery to the atomic age

Abstract This article presents a historical geography of rare earth elements from their discovery to the atomic age with a focus on the period between 1880 and 1960 in order to lend greater depth to the growing body of scholarship on the relationship between rare earth elements and global political change. Drawing on archival and field research undertaken in the United States, China, Brazil, and Germany between 2011 and 2014, this article advances the following argument. Rare earth elements, and the production of geological knowledge about them, have entangled with contentious politics since their first industrial applications in the late 19th century. The historical geography of rare earth exploration and extraction is defined by a fundamental tension between the military-industrial necessity of these elements and the hazards associated with their production. This tension played a definitive role in international colonial, Cold War, and atomic politics.
CLF-based nonlinear control with polytopic input constraints

This paper presents a practical method for generating high-performance control laws which are guaranteed to be stabilizing in the presence of known input constraints. We address the class of smooth non-linear systems which are affine in the control with non-smooth (rectangular or polytopic) actuator constraints and a known control Lyapunov function. We present a result which uses a complete state-dependent description of the stabilizing control value set to generate, point-wise, the set of input values which contains all the (Lyapunov) stabilizing control values that simultaneously obey the input constraints. The vertex enumeration algorithm is then used to derive a complete parameterization of this set, and a nonlinear program is employed to select a high-performance control from this feasible and stabilizing control set for an illustrative example.
Application of the multi-level parallelism (MLP) software to a finite element groundwater program using iterative solvers with comparison to MPI

The purpose of this paper is to give the results of the performance evaluation of the Multi-Level Parallelism (MLP) software versus MPI using the groundwater program FEMWATER on a remediation of a military site where iterative solvers are employed to solve the system of nonlinear equations. A one-to-one correspondence in functionality between MPI and MLP was maintained for all parallel operations so the performance comparisons would be consistent. An unstructured mesh application is one of the most difficult parallel applications, so this represents a good test. In this study, MLP did better in general on 64 PEs or less, but MPI proved more scalable as it did as good or better when using 128 PEs.
Fast-formed liquid surfaces for inertial confinement fusion target shells

Advanced ICF targets will have an inner layer of solid or liquid fuel. Their inner surfaces must be smooth and contamination free. All of the current means to produce such a surface have problems: Liquid surfaces sag, solid surfaces tend to facet, and polymer-foam-stabilized surfaces are contaminated by carbon from the foam. An alternative may be to generate a liquid surface immediately before a shot by rapid thermal expansion of a fuel-saturated foam-walled capsule. This approach makes use of the large coefficient of expansion of liquid hydrogen relative to its foam matrix. The shell is filled by exposure to hydrogen vapor during cooling; liquid in the foam has a lower vapor pressure than free liquid, so the shell will fill to exactly 100%. It will stay at that fill fraction as the shell cools and the density of the liquid it contains increases. The shell may be frozen and cooled to 4 K so that it can be stored and handled in vacuum. When the shell is warmed, the liquid expands; the elastic modulus of the foam will force some liquid out of the surface. A simple analysis suggests that a 1 /spl mu/m thick liquid film might be generated in 1 /spl mu/s; that depends on the compressibility of the foam and the flow resistance of its cell structure. Surface tension would smooth this surface layer very rapidly. It would not begin to sag for 1000 /spl mu/s, so there would be sufficient time during which the layer would be satisfactory. An analysis will be presented showing the feasibility of this approach, and the constraints it puts on shell wall structure and insertion-and-shot procedures.
Channel Design to Minimize Lining Material Costs

A direct algebraic technique is developed to determine open channel cross-sectional designs which minimize lining material costs when base and side wall unit costs are different. Solution graphs, which indicate both the optimal parameter combination and the costs of deviating from the optimal design, are presented. The graphs or analytical technique are also effective in designing any trapezoidal channels. Use of the technique shows that moderate deviations from optimal designs are not costly.
A Proposed Conceptual Framework and Investigation of Upward Feedback Receptivity in Medical Education

WGEA 2015 CONFERENCE ABSTRACT (EDITED)Faculty Perceptions of Receiving Feedback From Third-Year Clerkship StudentsAmanda Kost, Heidi Combs, Sherilyn Smith, Eileen Klein, Patricia Kritek, and Lynne RobinsPhenomenon: In addition to giving feedback to 3rd-year clerkship students, some clerkship instructors receive feedback, requested or spontaneous, from students prior to the clerkship's end. The concept of bidirectional feedback is appealing as a means of fostering a culture of respectful communication and improvement. However, little is known about how teachers perceive this feedback in practice or how it impacts the learning environment. Approach: We performed 24 semistructured 30-minute interviews with 3 to 7 attending physician faculty members each in Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Surgery, Psychiatry, and Obstetrics and Gynecology who taught in 3rd-year required clerkships during the 2012–2013 academic year. Questions probed teachers' experience with and attitudes toward receiving stud...
Teachers Assistant: a Web-based application using Java Server Pages and Java database connectivity

The paper discusses a Web-based application that serves as a leading resource for linking educators to the community. This Web site provides individual teachers and school organizations a simple and effective means to communicate school/course-related information to the education community and also provides a means for interested parties to interact with the classroom and give feedback to the instructor online. The paper shows the feasibility of developing Web-based applications using several new application tools from the Java 2 Enterprise Edition and demonstrates some of the features of this new technology.