cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficient delivery of genome-editing proteins using bioreducible lipid nanoparticles

A central challenge to the development of protein-based therapeutics is the inefficiency of delivery of protein cargo across the mammalian cell membrane, including escape from endosomes. Here we report that combining bioreducible lipid nanoparticles with negatively supercharged Cre recombinase or anionic Cas9:single-guide (sg)RNA complexes drives the electrostatic assembly of nanoparticles that mediate potent protein delivery and genome editing. These bioreducible lipids efficiently deliver protein cargo into cells, facilitate the escape of protein from endosomes in response to the reductive intracellular environment, and direct protein to its intracellular target sites. The delivery of supercharged Cre protein and Cas9:sgRNA complexed with bioreducible lipids into cultured human cells enables gene recombination and genome editing with efficiencies greater than 70%. In addition, we demonstrate that these lipids are effective for functional protein delivery into mouse brain for gene recombination in vivo. Therefore, the integration of this bioreducible lipid platform with protein engineering has the potential to advance the therapeutic relevance of protein-based genome editing.
Emergency department patients with acute severe hypertension: a comparison of those admitted versus discharged in studying the treatment of acute hypertension registry.

Objectives:To compare the characteristics, treatments, and outcomes for emergency department (ED) patients with severe hypertension by disposition (admitted versus discharged home).Methods:Studying the Treatment of Acute hyperTension (STAT) is a multicenter registry of 1566 patients with blood press
Comparison of Sugarline Sampling and Pheromone Trapping for Monitoring Adult Populations of Corn Earworm and Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Sweet Corn

Adult populations of corn earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie), and fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), were monitored concurrently with pheromone traps and sugarline sampling in sweet corn during 1982–84 in southern Georgia. Numbers of corn earworm and fall armyworm males captured in pheromone traps were usually significantly correlated to numbers of females recorded in sugarline samples. At shorter (daily) sampling intervals, this relationship was stronger. The association between pheromone trap catches of males with the males recorded in sugarline was significant only when the sampling interval was daily.
Thermal Stability of the Structural and Electronic Properties of Strain Symmetrized Sim Gen Superlattices and Ungraded, Nearly Relaxed Si1−x Gex

In this study, photoreflectance (PR) spectroscopy and x-ray rocking curves measurements were used to study the variation in strain configuration, defect propagation, structural properties and direct electronic transition energies in Sim Gen superlattices (SL) and nearly relaxed Si1−x Gex buffer layers grown on Si as a function of annealing temperature. The in-plane (a∥) and perpendicular (a⊥) lattice constants of the alloy buffer layers are found to vary only slightly with anneal temperature, TA, up to a temperature To. For TA > To, the in-plane strain changed from roughly zero a∥ ≈ a⊥ (relaxed) or a⊥ > a∥ (compressive) to a⊥ < a∥ (tensile). This change in strain configuration is believed to be caused by the difference in thermal expansion coefficients between the epilayer and the Si substrate. The anneal temperature T0 is also correlated with the disappearance of higher order x-ray harmonics from the SL. This point was also correlated with a large energy shift and broadening of the PR spectra from the SL. The shift in energy of the PR spectra is explained in terms of the interdiffusion of Si and Ge at SL heterointerfaces, and to a lesser degree, the strain induced by the above mentioned difference in thermal expansion coefficients. The PR spectra of the alloy E0 transitions are also observed to shift to higher energy with increasing TA.
Analysis of measures to eliminate harmful intestinal nematodes in Dongtai and the effectiveness of those measures

Objective To ascertain intestinal nematode infection in areas with high rates of infection and ascertain the effectiveness of countermeasures.Methods Active efforts have been made to combat intestinal nematodiasis through population-based medical care combined with health education,latrine improvement,and other comprehensive measures.Targets of medical care continue to be revised based on results of surveillance.On the local level,these efforts are joined by urban redevelopment,construction of village centers,improved latrines to control schistosomiasis,and active promotion of sanitary latrines.On the national level,these efforts are joined by the national implementation of basic public health services and the enhancement of public awareness and education about intestinal nematodiasis control.Results The first national study of human parasites in 1989 indicated that Dongtai had a rate of human intestinal nematode infection as high as 79.97 %.Control efforts began in 1994,and the rate of human intestinal nematode infection had dropped to less than 10% in 1999.In 2005,the rate had dropped to less than 1% and after 2007 no individuals had tested positive for the infection.Conclusion The measures to control human intestinal nematodiasis that Dongtai has implemented are scientific and have had a marked effect.
Sinological Shadowboxing: Myers and Metzger on The State of Modern China Studies in America

(1983). Sinological Shadowboxing: Myers and Metzger on The State of Modern China Studies in America. Republican China: Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 5-10.
Inferring annotations for device drivers from verification histories

This paper studies and optimizes automated program verification. Detailed reasoning about software behavior is often facilitated by program invariants that hold across all program executions. Finding program invariants is in fact an essential step in automated program verification. Automatic discovery of precise invariants, however, can be very difficult in practice. The problem can be simplified if one has access to a candidate set of assertions (or annotations) and the search for invariants is limited over the space defined by these annotations. Then, the main challenge is to automatically generate quality program annotations. We present an approach that infers program annotations automatically by leveraging the history of verifying related programs. Our algorithm extracts high-quality annotations from previous verification attempts, and then applies them for verifying new programs. We present a case study where we applied our algorithm to Microsoft’s Static Driver Verifier (SDV). SDV is an industrial-strength tool for verification of Windows device drivers that uses manually-tuned heuristics for obtaining a set of annotations. Our technique inferred program annotations comparable in performance to the existing annotations used in SDV that were devised manually by human experts over years. Additionally, the inferred annotations together with the existing ones improved the performance of SDV overall, proving correct 47% of drivers more while running 22% faster in our experiments.
A General Framework for Dynamic Economic Systems

In the following discussion, a general framework that encompasses a large class of economic models will be formulated. The term “adaptive” is used to accentuate the characteristic dynamic aspect of these models — the continual reaction of an economic agent (or set of agents) to the changing information received from the environment, and the consequent adaptation of behavior to the state of the environment as it is perceived. Behavior may be a solution to a mathematical program, or it may be the result of some behavioral policy or “rule of thumb”. Thus temporary equilibrium, sequential search, learning, and even behavioral ist models of economic behavior may be structured in the form about to be given [9].
Independent blade pitch controller design for a three-bladed turbine using disturbance accommodating control

Two independent pitch controllers (IPCs) based on the disturbance accommodating control (DAC) algorithm are designed for the three-bladed Controls Advanced Research Turbine to regulate rotor speed and to mitigate blade root flapwise bending loads in above-rated wind speed. One of the DAC-based IPCs is designed based on a transformed symmetrical-asymmetrical (TSA) turbine model, with wind disturbances being modeled as a collective horizontal component and an asymmetrical linear shear component. Another DAC-based IPC is designed based on a multiblade coordinate (MBC) transformed turbine model, with a horizontal component and a vertical shear component being modeled as step waveform disturbance. Both of the DAC-based IPCs are found via a regulation equation solved by Kronecker product. Actuator dynamics are considered in the design processes to compensate for actuator phase delay. The simulation study shows the effectiveness of the proposed DAC-based IPCs compared to a proportional-integral (PI) collective pitch controller (CPC). Improvement on rotor speed regulation and once-per-revolution and twice-per-revolution load reductions has been observed in the proposed IPC designs.
Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter: Medical Management

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFL) are common cardiac arrhythmias in older adults. Medical management focuses on rate and rhythm control of AF and AFL to promote symptomatic relief and avoid tachycardia-mediated cardiomyopathy. Pharmacologic treatment of AF and AFL is especially challenging in the elderly because of the presence of comorbidities that may affect drug kinetics, and polypharmacy, which may lead to drug interactions. The potential for complications from medications and procedures required to achieve and maintain sinus rhythm must be carefully balanced against the benefits of therapy. This article reviews medical management of AF and AFL specifically relating to rate and rhythm control. The controversy of rate versus rhythm control is also discussed.
Recommended Practice for Use of Electrostatic Analyzers in Electric Propulsion Testing

Electrostatic analyzers are used in electric propulsion to measure the energy per unit charge E/q distribution of ion and electron beams: in the downstream region of thrusters, for example. This paper serves to give an overview of the most fundamental, yet most widely used, types of electrostatic analyzer designs. Analyzers are grouped into two classifications: 1) mirror-type analyzers, and 2) deflector-type analyzers. Common mirror-type analyzers are the parallel-plate mirror analyzer and the cylindrical mirror analyzer. For deflector-type analyzers, a generalized toroidal type is first described and the commonly used cylindrical deflector and spherical deflector analyzers are discussed as special cases. The procedure for energy resolution calculations of electrostatic analyzers is described, which is a common way of comparing analyzers. Ion energy distributions from a spherical deflector analyzer are presented, comparing variations in 1) particle energy, 2) particle angle, 3) the entrance and exit geome...
On Principles of Educational Change and Principled Action in Psychotherapy Supervision

Change strategies/principles, a well-recognized and accepted component of therapeutic practice, have yet to be comparably considered in psychotherapy supervision. Can there be educational change strategies/principles for psychotherapy supervision? I take up that question subsequently. I contend that supervision is forever a principle-driven activity, that supervisors practice in a principle-driven manner, and that a common core of guiding supervision strategies/principles can be identified. Reasoning by analogy from the seminal works of Goldfried (Am Psychol 35:991–999, 1980; How people change: inside and outside therapy, Springer, New York, 1991; Clin Psychol Rev 33, 862–869, 2013) and Castonguay and Beutler (Principles of therapeutic change that work, Oxford University Press, New York, 2006a; J Clin Psychol 62:631–638, 2006b; Principles of therapeutic change that work, Oxford University Press, New York, 2006c), I propose one such common core: 20 educational strategies/principles that cut across any and all forms of supervision. What follows is foremost a stimulus paper, a starting point, designed to provoke further dialogue about this crucial but unconsidered aspect of supervision practice.
Multitasking Among College Students: Are Freshmen More Distracted?

Using a time-diary, the authors asked 935 undergraduate college students to report on their multi-tasking habits while engaged in four main activities: reading for fun, watching TV, reading for school purposes, and using the Internet. The authors examined student data to find out a whether their multi-tasking habits vary significantly by college classification and b whether they felt the time spent multitasking in one activity interfered with or displaced time spent on other activities. It was found that first year college freshmen multitasked significantly more than upper class students. However, students' perceptions relative to whether they felt the time spent multitasking in one activity interfered with or displaced time spent on other activities did not significantly differ by college classification. These findings have important implications for understanding the multitasking habits among college students.
Premedication Use in Preventing Acute Infliximab Infusion Reactions in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Single Center Cohort Study.

Background Infliximab (IFX) is commonly used in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. One common side effect of IFX is an acute infusion reaction. Despite the lack of evidence supporting their use, clinicians use various premedications to prevent acute reactions. We evaluated the effectiveness of premedications in the prevention of acute IFX infusion reactions. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed identifying patients with a diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease who received IFX at our institution. Information about each IFX infusion was recorded, including the dose, infusion rate, use of premedications, and any reactions. Infusions were stratified into low and high risk. In the high- and low-risk groups, the relative risk was calculated for each premedication combination used in our institution. Results Seven hundred seventy-three patients were identified; 578 patients (7090 infusions) met inclusion criteria and were included for analysis. Nine hundred eighty-six high-risk infusions were isolated; 620 (62.8%) of these infusions were administered with premedications (diphenhydramine and/or hydrocortisone) and 53 (5.4%) reactions occurred. Six thousand one hundred four low-risk infusions were identified; 2253 (36.9%) of these infusions had premedications and 61 (1.0%) reactions occurred. In both groups, none of the premedications used resulted in a significantly lower reaction rate compared with no premedication use. Conclusions In both the high- and low-risk cohorts in this study, premedication use was not effective in reducing the rate of acute IFX reactions. Given this, routine premedication use is not recommended without future randomized control trials to demonstrate efficacy.
Thermogelling, ABC Triblock Copolymer Platform for Resorbable Hydrogels with Tunable, Degradation-Mediated Drug Release.

Clinical application of injectable, thermoresponsive hydrogels is hindered by lack of degradability and controlled drug release. To overcome these challenges, a family of thermoresponsive, ABC triblock polymer-based hydrogels has been engineered to degrade and release drug cargo through either oxidative or hydrolytic/enzymatic mechanisms dictated by the "A" block composition. Three ABC triblock copolymers are synthesized with varying "A" blocks, including oxidation-sensitive poly(propylene sulfide), slow hydrolytically/enzymatically degradable poly(e-caprolactone), and fast hydrolytically/enzymatically degradable poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide), forming the respective formulations PPS135-b-PDMA152-b-PNIPAAM225 (PDN), PCL85-b-PDMA150-b-PNIPAAM150 (CDN), and PLGA60-b-PDMA148-b-PNIPAAM152 (LGDN). For all three polymers, hydrophilic poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) and thermally responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) comprise the "B" and "C" blocks, respectively. These copolymers form micelles in aqueous solutions at ambient temperature that can be preloaded with small molecule drugs. These solutions quickly transition into hydrogels upon heating to 37 °C, forming a supra-assembly of physically crosslinked, drug-loaded micelles. PDN hydrogels are selectively degraded under oxidative conditions while CDN and LGDN hydrogels are inert to oxidation but show differential rates of hydrolytic/enzymatic decomposition. All three hydrogels are cytocompatible in vitro and in vivo, and drug-loaded hydrogels demonstrate differential release kinetics in vivo corresponding with their specific degradation mechanism. These collective data highlight the potential cell and drug delivery use of this tunable class of ABC triblock polymer thermogels.
Adult Intussusception in the Last 25 Years of Modern Imaging: Is Surgery Still Indicated?

Background Because most adult intussusceptions are reportedly due to malignancy, operative treatment is recommended. With current availability of computed tomography, we questioned the role of mandatory operative exploration for all adult intussusceptions.
CKD Prevalence and Risk Are Higher in Adults with Type 2 vs. Type 1 Diabetes-An Assessment of 1.5 Million Patients Recently Evaluated in U.S. Clinical Practices

Background: NHANES data (2009-2014) suggests that 25% of U.S. adults with diabetes have CKD (eGFR Methods: We utilized a clinical laboratory database maintained by LabCorp® to assess CKD prevalence and classified risk (low, moderate, high or very high) based on KDIGO criteria. The population included 48,036 adults with T1D and 1,461,915 with T2D who had both an ACR and a CKD-EPI eGFR between August 2014 and August 2017. Rates of eGFR decline were calculated for patients with ≥ 3 eGFR results over at least a 1 year period. Results: CKD prevalence was 40% higher in T2D than T1D (44.3% vs. 31.6%, p 300, was uncommon (T1D: 7.8%, T2D: 8.3%); the majority with MA had an eGFR ≥ 60 (T1D: 60%, T2D: 53%). Median eGFR decline (ml/min/year) was low in the entire population (T1D: -0.6, T2D: -0.8), and in patients with ACR Conclusions: These findings suggest that CKD prevalence and risk are higher in T2D than T1D among adult patients recently evaluated in U.S. clinical practices. Although MA is uncommon and most frequently observed in patients with normal or only mildly reduced eGFR, it was a potent predictor of eGFR decline in both T1D and T2D. Availability of a large clinical laboratory database may add value when eligibility criteria, enrichment strategies, study endpoints or feasibility are assessed in clinical trials of patients with diabetes and CKD. Disclosure M. Cressman: Employee; Self; Covance Inc. J.L. Ennis: Employee; Self; LabCorp. Stock/Shareholder; Self; LabCorp. B.J. Goldstein: Employee; Self; Covance Inc.. L. Gourgiotis: None. D. Luo: None. M. Puri: Employee; Self; Covance Inc.. B. Gillespie: None.
Theophylline-controlled release preparations and fatty food: an in vitro study using the rotating dialysis cell method.

The in vitro dissolution behavior of four controlled-release theophylline products was investigated utililzing the rotating dialysis cell method. The effects of pH, oil, and enzymes on the dissolution profiles were studied. The wide range of pH values and the content of oil and enzymes in the dissolution media in the dialysis cell, which functioned as an in vitro model, were simulated to mimic physiological changes due to food along the entire gastrointestinal tract. Treatment with oil affected the dissolution behavior of Uniphyl and especially Theo-Dur Sprinkle but had little or no effect on the dissolution profiles of Theo-Dur tablets and Theo-24 capsules. The in vitro observations of the oil effect were related to the food effect obtained from published in vivo studies. The rotating dialysis cell can be a useful tool in studying factors which may be responsible for dissolution-related food effects on the absorption of controlled-release products.
Review of Diesel Particulate Matter Control Methods in Underground Mines

Diesel-powered equipment is widely used in the mining industry due to its superb performance, cost-effectiveness, efficiency as well as durability. However, there is a potential for miners in underground mines to be overexposed to high concentrations of diesel particulate matter (DPM) with the increasing use of diesel engines. In 2012, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified DPM as a carcinogen to humans (group 1) based on sufficient evidence from animal and epidemiological studies. Regulations and control methods have been developed to minimize DPM health hazard in underground mines. This paper firstly reviewed the health effects of DPM on humans based on related animal and epidemiological studies. Findings indicated that both short- and long-term exposure to high concentrations of DPM have adverse impacts (acute irritation, asthma, cough, light-headedness, lung cancer, etc.) on humans, and a recommended limit of DPM concentration (0.1 mg/m3, measured as element carbon) should be established to help reduce miners’ risk of lung cancer. The effects of DPM control methods were also evaluated, which include source controls and exposure controls. Finally, an optimum DPM controlling strategy was obtained to lower DPM concentrations and provide a safe and healthy working environment for miners.
Changes in waist circumference in HIV-infected individuals initiating a raltegravir or protease inhibitor regimen: Effects of sex and race

Background This study investigates the association of clinical and demographic predictors with abdominal fat gain, measured using waist circumference (WC) and self-reported abdominal size. Methods We analyzed data from ACTG A5257, a clinical trial that randomized treatment-naive HIV-infected participants to 1 of 3 antiretroviral regimens: raltegravir (RAL) or the protease inhibitors (PIs) atazanavir/ritonavir (ATV/r) or darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r), each in combination with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine. Associations of treatment and baseline/demographic characteristics with 96-week WC change were assessed using repeated-measures models. Ordinal logistic regression was used to examine the associations of predictors with week 96 self-reported abdominal changes. Results The study population (n = 1809) was 76.0% male and predominantly black non-Hispanic (41.9%) and white non-Hispanic (34.1%). Mean baseline WC was 90.6 cm, with an average 96-week increase of 3.4 cm. WC increases were higher in the RAL arm compared with DRV/r (P = .0130). Females experienced greater increases in WC on RAL vs ATV/r than males (P = .0065). Similarly, a larger difference in WC change was found for RAL vs DRV/r for black vs nonblack individuals (P = .0043). A separate multivariable model found that in addition to the treatment regimen, higher baseline viral load and lower CD4+ were also associated with WC increases. Conclusions With antiretroviral therapy initiation, higher WC increases in the RAL arm compared with PIs were more pronounced in female and black participants, and a more advanced baseline HIV disease state was a strong predictor of larger abdominal increases. Understanding factors predisposing individuals to abdominal fat gain could inform health management after therapy initiation.
Side-by-side laboratory comparison of radiant and all-air cooling: How natural ventilation cooling and heat gain characteristics impact space heat extraction rates and daily thermal energy use

Abstract For radiant cooling to maintain equivalent comfort conditions as all-air cooling it must remove more heat from a space, the peak space heat extraction rate must be larger, and the peak must occur earlier. In this article, we assess how the magnitudes of these differences are influenced by heat gain characteristics and by the use of natural ventilation night precooling. We present measurements from a series of multi-day side-by-side comparisons of radiant cooling and all-air cooling in a pair of experimental testbed buildings, with equal heat gains, and maintained at equivalent comfort conditions. In a five-day experiment with mixed internal heat gains, solar gains, and natural ventilation night precooling, radiant cooling had to remove 35% more heat than the all-air system in equivalent circumstances; and the peak heat extraction rate was 20% larger (median difference on multiple days). In a similar experiment with highly convective internal gains the differences were smaller (26% more thermal energy, 12% larger peak), while in an experiment with highly radiant gains the differences were larger (40% more thermal energy, and 21% larger peak). The differences were much smaller in an experiment without natural ventilation night precooling (7% more thermal energy, 5% larger peak). These findings have consequences for the choice, design, and control of mechanical cooling systems, especially in buildings that also use passive cooling strategies such as natural ventilation night precooling.
Abstract P070: Dyslipidemic Adolescent and Adult African Americans Have Similar Cardio-Metabolic Risk

Background: African Americans (AA) are at increased risk for developing diabetes mellitus. However, they are known to have lower triglycerides (TG) and higher high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) than other ethnic groups. Among AA, it is thought that adolescents are at lower cardiovascular risk and have lower levels of metabolic co-variants than adults, but there are no studies directly comparing adolescents and adults. Objective: To compare AA adolescents to adults with regard to the relationships of adiposity-related lipid risk markers (TG/HDL ratio and non HDL-C) with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), homeostasis model of insulin resistance (HOMA), and serum high sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP). Methods: Healthy AAs (283 adolescents, 484 adults) were recruited from the same urban community. To create TG/HDL strata, adult tertiles were established. Non HDL-C strata were based on ATP III/NHLBI expert guidelines. Adolescents and adults in the low, middle and high strata were compared with regard to BMI, WC, HOMA, and hsCRP. Results: As both TG/HDL ratio and non HDL-C strata increased, BMI, WC, HOMA, and hsCRP increased in both adolescents and adults (Tables). Among 16% (44/283) of adolescents and 33% (161/484) of adults having a TG/HDL ratio above 2.028 (High group), BMI, WC, and hsCRP were similar in both age groups (Table 1). In 8% (22/283) of adolescents and 12% (60/484) of adults having an elevated non HDL-C (HIgh group), BMI, WC, and hsCRP were also similar (Table 2). HOMA was higher in adolescents, but after accounting for this age difference, was significantly associated with the high TG/HDL ratio and non HDL-C strata. Slopes of these relationships were steeper in adolescents than adults, therefore adolescents in the lower lipid strata had lower BMI, WC, HOMA, and hsCRP. Conclusions: Elevated TG/HDL ratio and non HDL-C are associated with similar levels of metabolic risk in adolescent and adult AAs. The relationship between HOMA and dyslipidemia is stronger in adolescent versus adult AAs.
Fishing in the desert: Unravelling the Soviet Bloc's economic activities and intelligence gathering in Ethiopia in the 1960s, with particular reference to Bulgaria

This paper seeks to provide fresh insight into East-South interactions during the Cold War. It does so by making use of a range of archival evidence to probe the relationship between intelligence g...
Localization in Inconsistent WiFi Environments

As WiFi becomes more and more popular, indoor environments are often covered with access points (APs) many of which are temporarily generated by mobile devices. On the other hand, more and more infrastructural APs are equipped with beamforming capabilities which adjust radiation patterns according to client locations. These APs have large variations of signal fields. The inconsistent WiFi environments present a challenge for localization tasks when the client cannot communicate with APs. Here we report a new algorithm targeted at handling inconsistent APs. We develop a windowed majority voting and statistical hypothesis testing-based approach to remove APs with large displacements between reference and query data sets. We then refine the localization by applying maximum likelihood estimation method to the closed-form posterior location distribution over the filtered signal strength and AP sets in the time window. We determine the time window length by minimizing Shannon entropy of the posterior location distribution. We have implemented our algorithm and our method outperforms its counterparts in physical experiments. Our method achieves a mean localization error of less than 3.7 meters even when \(70\%\) of APs are inconsistent.
Ethics in Genetic and Genomic Research

The introduction of next-generation sequencing, including genome and exome sequencing (GS/ES), has moved us closer to the practice of precision medicine in oncology. It is estimated that by 2025 oncology will dominate the global next-generation sequencing market, with nearly US$13.6 billion spent on companion diagnostics [95]. These advances in clinical oncology, however, must be built on a solid foundation of research to better understand the molecular profile of different cancers and how they respond to available therapeutics. Several large-scale genomic research studies are ongoing in pediatric oncology. These studies not only generate new insights to improve patient care but they also raise ethical considerations that must be studied and responsibly managed. In this chapter, we will highlight some of the large-scale genomic research studies in pediatric oncology and discuss several ethical issues that they raise: informed consent, return of results, data sharing, privacy and genetic discrimination.
Chemotherapy-sparing treatment of haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis with intravenous immunoglobulins and corticosteroids

Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) can be a rapidly fatal disease. Current treatment in adults is extrapolated from the HLH-2004 protocol that specifies a regimen of etoposide, dexamethasone and cyclosporine. However, HLH presents as a spectrum of disease severity. A therapeutic challenge arises for milder cases where the harms of potent chemotherapy such as etoposide may outweigh its benefit. We present a case of an adult with HLH who developed significant pancytopenia but was otherwise not critically ill and who responded to treatment with a chemotherapy-sparing approach consisting of intravenous immunoglobulins and corticosteroids alone. The case illustrates that tailored therapy may allow effective treatment of the disorder while minimising therapy-related toxicities.
‘I will lay waste your cities, and you will become a desolation’. Insurgency and counter-insurgency in Judaea

This article examines the two major and prolonged insurgencies that the Roman empire faced in Judaea in the first and second centuries C.E. It seeks to explain the historical contexts for these con...
Social justice education and the pitfalls of community and inclusion

In this essay we consider the purposes of social justice education (SJE) and its central commitments to inclusion. Central to this discussion is the nature of community as a Structural concept, and...
Strain Effects on the Growth of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO)-NiO Nanocomposite Thin Films via Substrate Control.

Oxide-oxide-based vertically aligned nanocomposites (VANs) have demonstrated a new material platform for enhanced and/or combined functionalities because of their unique vertical geometry and strai...
Use of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs for COVID-19 Infection: Adjunct Therapy?

Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of the current coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a tremendous cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although there are numerous trials underway, there is currently no medication known to cure the infection. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are inexpensive, widely available medications with antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, and may have utility as an adjunct therapy to improve outcomes in patients with severe COVID-19 infection. A thorough PubMed literature review on the therapeutic use of NSAID was conducted to provide a comprehensive perspective of the role of NSAIDs in treating COVID-19. NSAIDs may be a useful adjunct therapy for patients with severe COVID-19 infection, but further investigation and clinical trials are necessary to ensure their safety and efficacy.
Biologically inspired model of associative memory storage with noisy neurons and synapses

ABSTRACT Neural networks in the brain function reliably despite various sources of errors and noise present at every step of signal transmission. Here, we examine the effects of such fluctuations during associative memory storage on properties of biologically constrained McCulloch and Pitts networks. Our results show that networks, loaded with associative memories to capacity, display many structural and dynamical features observed in local cortical circuits. We predict that noisy inhibitory and excitatory connections in the cortex are depressed or completely eliminated during learning, and that neuron classes that operate with low firing rates have low connection probabilities and strengths.
Scalable Low-Rank Semidefinite Programming for Certifiably Correct Machine Perception

Semidefinite relaxation has recently emerged as a powerful technique for machine perception, in many cases enabling the recovery of certifiably globally optimal solutions of generally-intractable nonconvex estimation problems. However, the high computational cost of standard interior-point methods for semidefinite optimization prevents these algorithms from scaling effectively to the high-dimensional problems frequently encountered in machine perception tasks. To address this challenge, in this paper we present an efficient algorithm for solving the large-scale but low-rank semidefinite relaxations that underpin current certifiably correct machine perception methods. Our algorithm preserves the scalability of current state-of-the-art low-rank semidefinite optimizers that are custom-built for the geometry of specific machine perception problems, but generalizes to a broad class of convex programs over spectrahedral sets without the need for detailed manual analysis or design. The result is an easy-to-use, general-purpose computational tool capable of supporting the development and deployment of a broad class of novel certifiably correct machine perception methods.
Optical Inspection and Attacks

Optical inspection techniques, such as photon emission, electro-optical techniques, and laser stimulation, allow run-time monitoring of silicon implementation. Therefore, the methods mentioned above are widely used for failure analysis (FA) and defect localization in modern embedded devices and system-on-chips (SoCs). However, an adversary can use optical attacks to expose the security assets protected by modern security implementation and cryptographic algorithms, thus compromising the confidentiality and integrity of the hardware. In this chapter, we discuss the taxonomy, attack model, security threat, and countermeasures of semi-invasive optical attacks.
Financial development, income and income inequality

The aim of this paper is twofold. Firstly, we present a model in which both income and income inequality are jointly determined in a counter-cyclical manner via self-fulfilling expectation. We argue that multiple equilibria can arise in the presence of inelastic labor demand, a minimum investment requirement, and imperfections in the credit market. In one equilibrium, the market wage and labor income are both low. Young agents who become entrepreneurs work harder and save more than young agents who become depositors. As a result, the equilibrium is characterized by low-income and high-income inequality. In another equilibrium, the market wage and labor income are both high. Young agents supply the same amount of labor and save the same. As a result, the equilibrium is characterized by high-income and low-income inequality. Secondly, we present different dynamic scenarios predicted by the model and analyze the role of self-fulfilling expectations. The paper ends by providing some policy recommendations on how the coordination of agents’ expectations about labor market conditions and how improvements in financial development may affect the long-run income and income inequality.
Evidence for Charge Delocalization in Diazafluorene Ligands Supporting Low-Valent [Cp*Rh] Complexes

Ligands based upon the 4,5-diazafluorene core are an important class of emerging ligands in organometallic chemistry, but the structure and electronic properties of these ligands have received less attention than they deserve. Here, we show that 9,9′-dimethyl-4,5-diazafluorene (Me2daf) can stabilize low-valent complexes through charge delocalization into its conjugated π-system. Using a new platform of [Cp*Rh] complexes with three accessible formal oxidation states (+III, +II, and +I), we show that the methylation in Me2daf is protective, blocking Bronsted acid-base chemistry commonly encountered with other daf-based ligands. Electronic absorption spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of a family of eleven new compounds, including the unusual Cp*Rh(Me2daf), reveal features consistent with charge delocalization driven by π-backbonding into the LUMO of Me2daf, reminiscent of behavior displayed by the workhorse 2,2′-bipyridyl ligand. Taken together with spectrochemical data demonstrating clean conversion between oxidation states, our findings show that 9,9′-dialkylated daf-type ligands are promising building blocks for applications in reductive chemistry and catalysis.
The population genetics of ecological specialization in evolving Escherichia coli populations

When organisms adapt genetically to one environment, they may lose fitness in other environments. Two distinct population genetic processes can produce ecological specialization-mutation accumulation and antagonistic pleiotropy. In mutation accumulation, mutations become fixed by genetic drift in genes that are not maintained by selection; adaptation to one environment and loss of adaptation to another are caused by different mutations. Antagonistic pleiotropy arises from trade-offs, such that the same mutations that are beneficial in one environment are detrimental in another. In general, it is difficult to distinguish between these processes. We analysed the decay of unused catabolic functions in 12 lines of Escherichia coli propagated on glucose for 20,000 generations. During that time, several lines evolved high mutation rates. If mutation accumulation is important, their unused functions should decay more than the other lines, but no significant difference was observed. Moreover, most catabolic losses occurred early in the experiment when beneficial mutations were being rapidly fixed, a pattern predicted by antagonistic pleiotropy. Thus, antagonistic pleiotropy appears more important than mutation accumulation for the decay of unused catabolic functions in these populations.
Accuracy limitations of laser-based ranging techniques in robotic applications

Some general performance aspects of continuous wave (CW)-tone modulated and frequency-modulated-continuous wave (FM-CW) coherent laser radar systems are given. An analysis of each of these techniques that includes the effects of laser phase and amplitude noise on the ability of the systems to perform their ranging function is given. It is shown that the performance of these techniques is affected in different ways by inherent laser characteristics, and previously published comparisons of the two techniques should be modified to reflect this more realistic analysis. An overall survey of laser ranging is given to place the CW and FM-CW techniques into perspective. >
Modeling Spatial Dynamics of Predator–Prey Interactions in a Changing Environment

In the previous chapter we have modeled the spatial dynamics of species that move across the landscape to take advantage of differences in habitat characteristics. We model here the case of spatial predator–prey interactions in a changing environment. The migration rate of predators depends on the availability of prey in the cell and the carrying capacity of prey varies through time.
Binaural processing in the synthesis of auditory spatial receptive fields

The owl's auditory system computes interaural time (ITD) and interaural level (ILD) differences to create a two-dimensional map of auditory space. Space-specific neurons are selective for combinations of ITD and ILD, which define, respectively, the horizontal and vertical dimensions of their receptive fields. ITD curves for postsynaptic potentials indicate that ICx neurons integrate the results of binaural cross correlation in different frequency bands. However, the difference between the main and side peaks is slight. ICx neurons further enhance this difference in the process of converting membrane potentials to impulse rates. Comparison of subthreshold postsynaptic potentials (PSPs) and spike output for the same neurons showed that receptive fields measured in PSPs were much larger than those measured in spikes in both ITD and ILD dimensions. A multiplication of separate postsynaptic potentials tuned to ITD and ILD can account for the combination sensitivity of these neurons to ITD---ILD pairs.
On the Relationship between Aptitude and Intelligence in Second Language Acquisition

Better understanding of the varied factors that account for successful second language acquisition is a goal that is of obvious interest to anyone within the field of language study. Before the influence of these factors can be adequately understood, of course, they must be defined and utilized in an accurate and consistent way. This paper endeavors to explore and clarify the ambiguity surrounding usage of the terms intelligence and aptitude in second language acquisition in effort to understand the more central issue of how the qualities designated by these terms relate to second language acquisition. This should enable a clearer picture to emerge about the relative importance of intelligence and aptitude among the constellation of factors associated with second language acquisition.
A comparison of iEMG activity between the medial and lateral heads of the gastrocnemius muscle during partial weight bearing plantarflexion contractions at varying loads

The purpose of this study was to determine the differences between iEMG activity of the medial head (MH) and lateral head (LH) of the gastrocnemius of normal right legs during partial weight bearing isometric plantarflexion contractions under varying percentages of body weight (BW) and maximal contractions. Fifty-three healthy volunteers ranging in age from 18 to 35, with no history of right lower extremity injury or disease volunteered for this study. Each subject’s age, height, weight, and medical history were recorded. A chronaximeter was used to identify the motor points of the MH and LH. After performing a 5-minute warm-up, surface electrodes were placed just distal to the motor point, and subjects were positioned on the sliding board of the Total Gym Therapy System. The percentage of BW used as resistance was determined by the angle of inclination of the slide board. The subjects were then directed to plantarflex to 20 degrees, with 8 second iEMG recordings, with a proprioceptive cue, under four conditions: 30%, 50% and 70% of BW (3 trials each) and maximal isometric (1 trial). Paired t-tests concluded the MH consistently demonstrated a larger percent of total iEMG activity than the LH in the 30, 50, and 70% bodyweight trials ( p< 0.0001). The percent of total difference between iEMG activity of the MH and LH during the maximum isometric trial was not statistically significant (p = 0.2958). A repeated measures ANOVA and post-hoc analysis demonstrated the percent of total iEMG differences to be
Receptor-mediated endocytosis of immunoglobulin light chains by renal proximal tubule cells

We examined the binding, endocytosis, and degradation of immunoglobulin light chains by primary cultures from rat renal kidneys and immortalized human proximal tubule cells. Both the association and dissociation of light chain were rapid and plateaued within 30 min at 4 degrees C. Up to 10(-3) M bovine serum albumin did not inhibit light chain binding to cells. Internalization studies with 125I-labeled kappa- and lambda-light chains by cells using the acid wash technique showed that up to 80% of total cell-associated binding at equilibrium (30 min) is rapidly internalized at 22 degrees C. Comparison of binding and internalization of light chains with transferrin, a ligand known to undergo receptor-mediated endocytosis, showed that both ligands displayed saturable kinetics. In contrast, endocytosis of sucrose, a marker for fluid-phase endocytosis, was unsaturable and nearly 200-fold less efficient than light chain internalization. Scatchard analysis of binding experiments done at 4 degrees C with trace 125I-labeled lambda-light chain in presence of 0 to 3.0 x 10(-3) M cold light chain revealed a single class of binding sites with a dissociation constant of 5.0 +/- 0.8 x 10(-5) and a maximal binding capacity of 1.6 +/- 0.3 x 10(-9) mol/mg cell protein. Hypertonic medium, a maneuver which interferes with the formation of the clathrin lattice, reduced endocytosis of light chain significantly but did not affect endocytosis of sucrose. Chloroquine and bafilomycin A, agents that interfere with vesicular acidification, also significantly suppressed light chain endocytosis. Using acid precipitation method, we observed that endocytosis of 125I-labeled lambda-light chain results in degradation by the rat renal proximal tubule cells. Degradation was maximum at 37 degrees C, significantly reduced at 22 degrees C, and absent at 4 degrees C. Excess light chain inhibited degradation of radiolabel, whereas excess albumin had no effect. These studies document the presence of binding sites for light chains on proximal tubule cells that mediate endocytosis of light chains by proximal tubule cells. The present data suggest that receptor-mediated endocytosis of light chains leads to delivery of this ligand to degradative sites through acidified vesicles.