cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ethanol increases GABAergic transmission and excitability in cerebellar molecular layer interneurons from GAD67-GFP knock-in mice.

Aims This study assessed the acute effect of ethanol on GABAergic transmission at molecular layer interneurons (MLIs; i.e. basket and stellate cells) in the cerebellar cortex. The actions of ethanol on spontaneous firing of these pacemaker neurons were also measured. Methods Transgenic mice (glutamic acid-decarboxylase 67-green fluorescent protein knock-in mice) that express green fluorescence protein in GABAergic interneurons were used to aid in the identification of MLIs. Parasagittal cerebellar slices were prepared and whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiological techniques were used to measure GABAA receptor-mediated spontaneous and miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs and mIPSCs). Loose-seal cell-attached recordings were used to measure spontaneous action potential firing. Results Stellate cells received spontaneous GABAergic input in the form of a mixture of action potential-dependent events (sIPSCs) and quantal events (mIPSCs); ethanol increased sIPSC frequency to a greater extent than mIPSC frequency. Ethanol increased spontaneous action potential firing of MLIs, which could explain the increase in sIPSC frequency in stellate cells. Basket cells received GABAergic input in the form of quantal events only. Ethanol significantly increased the frequency of these events, which may be mediated by a different type of interneuron (perhaps, the Lugaro cell) or Purkinje cell collaterals. Conclusions Ethanol exposure differentially increases GABA release at stellate cell vs. basket cell-to-Purkinje cell synapses. This effect may contribute to the abnormalities in cerebellar function associated with alcohol intoxication.
Application of target-mediated drug disposition model to small molecule heat shock protein 90 inhibitors.

Replacement of hydrogen with fluorine within three pairs of structurally similar small molecule inhibitors of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) resulted in differences in inhibition constants (Ki) in vitro as well as marked differences in rat intravenous pharmacokinetic profiles. The difference in pharmacokinetic profiles between lower and higher affinity inhibitors (LAIs and HAIs, respectively) was characterized by remarkably different estimates for steady-state volumes of distribution (Vss: 1.8–2.0 versus 10–13 l/kg) with comparable clearance estimates (3.2–3.5 l/h per kilogram). When the observed Vss estimates were compared with the values predicted with the tissue-composition-based model, the observed Vss estimates for HAIs were 4- to 8-fold larger than the predicted values, whereas the Vss values for LAIs were comparable. Accordingly, a negative relationship between in vitro HSP90 Ki versus in vivo Vss estimates was observed among these inhibitors. We therefore hypothesized that pharmacokinetic profiles of these inhibitors could be characterized by a target-mediated drug disposition (TMDD) model. In vivo equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) estimates for HAIs due to target binding by TMDD model with rapid binding approximation were 1–6 nM (equivalent to 0.3–2 nM free drug), which appeared comparable to the in vitro Ki estimates (2–3 nM). In vivo KD values of LAIs were not accurately determined by the TMDD model, likely due to nonspecific binding-dependent tissue distribution obscuring TMDD profiles. Overall, these results suggest that the observed large Vss estimates for potent HSP90 inhibitors are likely due to pharmacological target binding.
Development of the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire - Korean Version (SAQ-K) and its Novel Analysis Methods for Safety Managers

Patient safety has emerged as the key quality indicator of health care, and safety culture among health care workers (HCWs) is also highlighted as it serves a foundational role in safety improvement endeavors. This study developed and validated the Korean version of the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ-K) and administered it to HCWs in a large hospital. Analysis results showed a satisfactory level of internal consistency for all six domains of SAQ-K and a good fit based on confirmatory factor analysis. We have also provided novel analysis methods that can be applied to analyze SAQ data even from a large hospital with multiple clinical areas. First, variance components models were developed to examine whether SAQ-K scores differed by clinical area. Likelihood-ratio tests were conducted, and a statistically significant difference was observed for each of the six domains. Then, we applied the empirical Bayes (EB) method to obtain more accurate estimates of SAQ scores for clinical areas with too much variance. Confidence intervals were significantly reduced for those areas, offering improved accuracy, in return for EB means shrinking toward the overall mean. In sum, the current study provides a valuable instrument with which to measure safety culture in Korea, as well as solid methodologies that can be readily applied in health care organizations not only in Korea but also in other countries.
The relationship of neonate mass and incubation temperature to embryonic development time in a range of animal taxa

Embryonic development time has been of long-standing interest to physiologists and ecologists because of its importance in understanding the behaviour and ecology of reproduction, and the evolution of reproductive strategies in animals. Yet, the relationship of embryonic development time to both neonate mass and incubation temperature remains poorly understood for most taxonomic groups. Here we define the relationship of embryonic development time to neonate mass (embryo mass at birth) and incubation temperature for a broad range of animals, ectothermic and endothermic, invertebrate and vertebrate, microscopic and gigantic. We begin by establishing the relationship of embryonic development time to neonate mass for a broad array of zooplankton, fishes and amphibians for temperatures from 5 to 20°C. Next, we compare the relationships of embryonic development time to neonate mass in these aquatic ectotherms to those for terrestrial ectotherms (reptiles) and endotherms (birds and mammals) in terms of degree-days. The similar nature of these relationships allows us to define embryonic development time as a function of neonate mass for many of the species considered here with a single equation in terms of degree­ days for incubation temperatures ranging from 5 to 38 °e. This relationship establishes a basis by which to compare differences in embryonic development time among species.
InhomogeneousU3,1-invariant extension of vacuum expectation values

The Minkowski spaceM3,1 is represented in terms of the irreducible symmetric homogeneous spaceP0/L0, whereP0 andL0 are the identity components of the Poincare groupP =L x)T and of the Lorentz groupL, respectively. A theorem is proved stating that all the irreducible symmetric complex extensionsM3,1 ofM3,1 are as follows: 1) a complex extension of orthogonal typeM3,1(1) whose group of all isometries is the groupP(1) =L(1) x)T, whereL(1) andT are the complex extensions of the Lorentz groupL and of the translational groupT; 2) a complex extension of Hermitian typeM3,1(2) whose group of all isometries is the groupP(2) =L(2) x)T =U3,1 x)T965-1015. The implications of the above theorem for physical quantities depending on points of the Minkowski space are investigated for the case of theL↑-invariant (parity-conserving) vacuum expectation values of products of field operators,Wn(x1, …,xn) =wn(ξ1, …,ξn−1) = 〈ϕ1(x1) …ϕn(xn)〉0,ξk =xk −xk+1,k=1, 2, …,n − 1, satisfying the Wightman axioms. A theorem is proved which states that all the extensionswn(ξ1,η1; …;ξn−1,ηn−1) =w′n(z1, …,zn−1) of then-point functionswn to complex 4-vectorszk =ξk −iηk,k=1, 2, …,n, which i) are (real) analytic in all the real and imaginary componentsξ’s andη’s of thez’s; ii) admit the physicaln-point functions in the limit when all theη’s go to zero, iii) possess simple groups of complex transformations as global invariance groups; are as follows: 1) the extensionwn(1)(ξ1,η1; …;ξn−1,ηn−1) of the Bargman-Hall-Wightman theorem which is invariant under the connected componentP+(1) of the groupP(1); 2) a new extensionwn(2)(ξ1,η1; …;ξn−1,ηn−1) which is invariant under the full inhomogeneousU3,1 groupP(2). The above results are extended to distributions in order to constructP(2) invariant analytic extensions of theL↑-invariant vacuum expectation values in the proper sense. Thewn(2) extension of parity-violating vacuum expectation values is considered too, and in this case the global invariance group results to be the inhomogeneous unimodularSU3,1 group. The proposed procedure could also be applied to include tensorial fields satisfying the Wightman axioms, but the inclusion of spinorial fields requires specific supplementary investigations starting, possibly, from the classification of all the complex extensions of the covering of the Minkowski space. Finally, some features of thewn(2) extension, which might be suitable for possible physical applications, are pointed out.
Limnebius acupunctus , a new species of water beetle from Australia and Papua New Guinea (Coleoptera: Hydraenidae)

Limnebius acupunctus, new species, is described, based on a study of 2,013 specimens. This is the first species of the genus to be described from Australia and Papua New Guinea. The wide geographical distribution of the species is mapped, together with illustrations of aedeagal variation. High resolution digital images of the holotype are presented.
Genetic and Environmental Predictors of Alcohol Use in Asian American Young Adults.

Objective:Among Asian American young adults, variations in alcohol-metabolizing genes (i.e., aldehyde dehydrogenase [ALDH2] and alcohol dehydrogenase [ADH1B]) are protective, whereas Korean ethnicity, family history of alcohol problems (FH), and acculturation represent risk factors for alcohol misuse. This study aims to integrate these genetic and environmental factors in a sample of Asian Americans expressing a wide range of alcohol use behaviors and problems.Method:Participants were 97 Asian American young adults (42% female) recruited as heavy and light drinkers (n = 49 and 48, respectively). Participants completed the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, Timeline Followback, Vancouver Acculturation Index, and Family Tree Questionnaire. All participants provided buccal cell samples for DNA analysis.Results:Family history–positive (FH+) subjects reported greater alcohol use than family history–negative (FH–) subjects. A FH × ALDH2 interaction was observed such that FH– subjects demonstrated no ALD...
Oxidative mechanisms utilized by human neutrophils to destroy Escherichia coli

Serum-opsonized bacteria are efficiently ingested and killed by neutrophils within the phagocytic vacuole, where they are exposed to an array of reactive oxygen metabolites and toxic lysosomal components. Although bacteria may be destroyed by oxygen-independent mechanisms alone, many types of bacteria are not killed effectively unless they are attacked by oxygen metabolites. However, the apparent inability of extracellular scavengers, or inhibitors, of oxygen metabolites to gain access to the phagocytic vacuole makes this system difficult to evaluate. Therefore, we investigated the ability of neutrophils triggered with phorbol myristate acetate to destroy unopsonized E. coli in a serum-free model system. Neutrophils incubated with phorbol myristate acetate at a cell-to-bacteria ratio of 1:4 caused a greater than 95% reduction in colony-forming units (CFU) of E. coli in 60 min at 37 degrees C. Destruction of E. coli by the stimulated neutrophils was dependent on neutrophil number, stimuli concentration, and the incubation period. The neutrophil-mediated bactericidal effect was stimulated by superoxide dismutase, but was inhibited by catalase, azide, or compounds known to scavenge hypochlorous acid. Although stimulated neutrophils can generate long-lived endogenous N- chloroamines , these compounds did not play a direct role in destruction of E. coli in our model system. However, in the presence of exogenous iodide, endogenous N- chloroamines exerted a powerful bactericidal effect. Finally, neutrophils triggered with opsonized zymosan could also mediate E. coli destruction by a qualitatively similar process. Thus, we have demonstrated that neutrophils have the potential to utilize the myeloperoxidase system to generate bactericidal quantities of a species with characteristics similar to, if not identical with, hypochlorous acid.
Robust Policies via Meshing for Metastable Rough Terrain Walking

In this paper, we present and verify methods for developing robust, high-level policies for metastable (i.e., rarely falling) rough-terrain robot walking. We focus on simultaneously addressing the important, real-world challenges of (1) use of a tractable mesh, to avoid the curse of dimensionality and (2) maintaining near-optimal performance that is robust to uncertainties. Toward our first goal, we present an improved meshing technique, which captures the step-to-step dynamics of robot walking as a discrete-time Markov chain with a small number of points. We keep our methods and analysis generic, and illustrate robustness by quantifying the stability of resulting control policies derived through our methods. To demonstrate our approach, we focus on the challenge of optimally switching among a finite set of low-level controllers for underactuated, rough-terrain walking. Via appropriate meshing techniques, we see that even terrain-blind switching between multiple controllers increases the stability of the robot, while lookahead (terrain information) makes this improvement dramatic. We deal with both noise on the lookahead information and on the state of the robot. These two robustness requirements are essential for our methods to be applicable to real high-DOF robots, which is the primary motivation of the authors.
Self-Selected and Maximal Walking Speeds Provide Greater Insight Into Fall Status Than Walking Speed Reserve Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the degree to which self-selected walking speed (SSWS), maximal walking speed (MWS), and walking speed reserve (WSR) are associated with fall status among community-dwelling older adults. DESIGN: WS and 1-year falls history data were collected on 217 community-dwelling older adults (median age = 82, range 65-93 years) at a local outpatient PT clinic and local retirement communities and senior centers. WSR was calculated as a difference (WSRdiff = MWS - SSWS) and ratio (WSRratio = MWS/SSWS). RESULTS: SSWS (P CONCLUSIONS: SSWS and MWS seem to be equally informative measures for assessing fall status in community-dwelling older adults. Older adults with SSWSs less than 0.76 m/s and those with MWSs less than 1.13 m/s may benefit from further fall risk assessment. Combining SSWS and MWS to calculate an individual's WSR does not provide additional insight into fall status in this population. Language: en
Spatial Distribution of Combustion Noise Sources

The acoustic radiation characteristic of turbulent flames, such as their power spectra, spatial coherence, and directivity, is controlled by the amplitude and spatial distribution of heat release fluctuations. Hence, an understanding of the unsteady heat release distribution is critical in understanding the characteristics of noise radiation from turbulent flames. This paper continues our prior studies on acoustic emissions from a turbulent premixed jet flame and describes combined analysis of high speed images of the line-of-sight integrated flame chemiluminescence and two point microphone measurements. Analysis of these images shows that the heat release fluctuations convect axially along the flame, likely due to instability shear waves that disturb the flame, and are correlated over some spatial region that decreases in size with increases in frequency. The dominant noise source location can be directly correlated to the region of largest light intensity fluctuations, as would be expected. However, the finite correlation size of these heat release fluctuations cause the flame noise to be spatially correlated only over the frequency range where the flame is acoustically compact; i.e., the acoustic measurements at 45 and 90 degrees have a coherence near unity for low frequencies but falls rapidly for frequencies whose wavelengths are shorter than the flame source region. Considering the spectra of fluctuations, if the heat release fluctuations have constant power in the frequency domain and are perfectly correlated in space, then the noise spectra should scale as f . Measurements indicate this to be nearly the case at low frequencies, but also show that the sound power peaks at a frequency fpeak and then rolls off as f -α at higher frequencies. Our results suggest that this peak frequency and roll off exponent, α, are controlled by two factors: the decreasing correlation length of the heat release fluctuations with increases in frequency, and the convective character of the heat release fluctuations.
Evidence of the role of the cheliceral digits in the perception of genital sex pheromones during mating in the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae).

Experimental evidence demonstrated that the male cheliceral digits of Dermacentor variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae) are essential for spermatophore formation and transfer to sexually active females. Copulating males use the chelicerae to probe the gonopore of their female partners before forming and depositing the spermatophores. Perception of the female genital pheromones is probably accomplished by chemosensory receptors on the cheliceral digits. The fine structure of the sensilla on these appendages is described. The inner cheliceral digit bears 3 sensilla; a distal pit innervated by 11 neurones and a more proximal shallow depression innervated by 1 neurone are probably chemoreceptor and thermoreceptor sensilla, respectively. A cone-shaped cavity (not perforated) innervated by 2 neurones serves as a mechanoreceptor. Thirteen neurones occur in the outer cheliceral digit, but the specific surface specialization innervated is unknown. A large placoid sensillum innervated by 2 mechanoreceptor neurones occurs near the junction of the digits. The presence of chemosensory and mechanosensory sensilla on the appendages used in copulation and feeding suggests a capability for detecting stimulatory molecules, e.g., sex pheromones.
Challenges and Opportunities for Cost-Competitive Concentrating Solar Power

Concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies use mirrors to focus sun’s rays onto an absorber, where the photons are converted to heat that’s ultimately transferred to the working fluid of a turbine to generate electricity. The ability of CSP to incorporate simple and efficient thermal energy storage is a principal advantage of the technology. Widespread adoption of this technology calls for steep cost reductions, which is a primary challenge being addressed through several world-wide efforts. The talk will focus on the technical challenges and opportunities for innovation and cost reduction, for achieving cost-competitive concentrating solar power.
On the identification problem for thermorheologically simple materials

In this paper, an identification problem in the theory of thermorheologically simple materials is discussed. An optimization procedure for estimation of the shift function and characteristic master curve is developed using ideas of differential approximation and quasilinearization. The nature and number of experimental stress and strain history pairs used for identification purposes is not restricted, but the procedure is limited to isothermal tests, a condition generally met in practice. Two methods, depending on the nature of available data, applicability of the shift postulate, and other considerations are presented. In both instances the characteristic master curve is finally given as the solution of a suitable differential equation subject to initial conditions, a convenient functional parameterization if a digital computer is to be used in subsequent stress analysis. Finally, a numerical example is presented to illustrate the feasibility and accuracy of the method.
An Assessment of OFDM Carrier Frequency Offset Synchronization Security for 4G Systems

Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) is becoming widely deployed in fourth generation (4G) wireless communications systems. Synchronization between a transmitter and receiver is required for coherent demodulation of OFDM symbols, but this process is extremely fragile and susceptible to attacks from malicious third parties. Carrier frequency offset estimation and correction in particular is both prerequisite to demodulation and extremely sensitive to errors. In this work, we address security concerns and assess the performance of the popular maximum likelihood (ML) estimation algorithm developed in [1] in the presence of adversarial communications systems. We present performance metrics for OFDM frequency synchronization versus various physical attacks and assess key security improvements.
On the E-optimality of blocked main effects plans in blocks of different sizes

ABSTRACTIn this article, we consider experimental situations in which m 2-level factors are to be studied using a main effects plan where n runs are to be partitioned into b blocks having both even and odd sizes. For these cases, we give some simple methods for constructing E-optimal designs.
Simultaneous Area Search and Task Assignment for a Team of Cooperative Agents

Many strategies exist for the coordinated search and exploration of an unknown region, however many multi-agent applications must do more than search a space: they must act upon objects that are found in the search. There can be a strong coupling between these two problems, and this paper explores the simultaneous search of an unknown region and assignment of tasks to agents. Specifically, we cast the search and task assignment decision into a unified optimization framework, and we propose a coordination strategy that generates a sequence of way-points to simultaneously accomplish area search and task assignment. Computational complexity is mitigated by a two-stage algorithm based on the satisficing approach, and a method of preventing cooperative instability (churn) is addressed.
Oral health during pregnancy and early childhood: barriers to care and how to address them.

Abstract This brief supplements recommendations developed by the California Dental Association Foundation and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists that recommended practice guidelines during the perinatal period. This brief addresses the importance and safety of oral health care during pregnancy and outlines some of the multiple system-level barriers that make it difficult for many women to access oral health services, as well as offers specific strategies for mitigating these barriers.
Biomechanical analysis of the FlatWire Figure 8 sternal fixation device.

The consequences of sternal separation, cut-through or dehiscence can be profound, with a mortality rate of 10% to 40% (1). The risk of complications increases in complex comorbid patients and in the elderly (2,3). These complications include dehiscence, osteomyelitis, mediastinitis, sternal nonunion and chronic sternal pain, with sternal instability playing a major role. The physiological forces exerted, even with heavy coughing (400 N to 1200 N), have been to shown destabilize sternal closure and result in bone cut through or displacement (4). Addressing this issue can ultimately reduce mortality, morbidity, hospital stay, overall costs and the psychological distress involved. The most important factor in the prevention of sternal events is a stable sternal approximation following sternotomy (5,6). There have been many attempts to improve the standard method of steel wire cerclage; however, these systems have failed to gain widespread adoption. The FlatWire Figure 8 sternal fixation device (Penn United, USA) was developed to provide a sternal closure method that is superior to standard steel wire cerclage, while avoiding the flaws of current alternatives. The purpose of the present study was to examine the mechanical properties of FlatWires and standard steel wire sternal cerclage by comparing pull-to-failure, Hertzian contact and cut-through. FlatWires demonstrate superior mechanical properties and reduced cut-through while maintaining the simplicity and low cost of steel wires. They are made from 316L stainless steel, and are applied either trans- or parasternally, making sure not to bend the device. Once applied, the free end of the device is fed through the central hub. Once all devices are in position, the simple tensioning tool is used to tighten the device to the desired tension (Figure 1). Once all devices have been tightened, the tool is used to twist the free end of the device 120°; it is then cut and folded down flatly. Closure can be constructed both simple transverse and figure 8 formations, providing excellent multi-axis stability. Emergent re-entry can be achieved quickly by using standard wire cutters. Cost is minimally higher than steel wire and significantly less than all current alternatives. These features enable FlatWires to be used in all primary sternotomy closures without requiring risk stratification. Figure 1) FlatWire Figure 8 (Penn United, USA) tensioning device. The Figure 8 device is placed in the tool, and the applicator is ratcheted using one hand until the desired tension is achieved
Force Spectroscopy of a Bacterial Adhesin with an Internal Thioester Bond

Thioester bonds are ubiquitous in biology, often serving as reactive intermediates, for example in proteolysis and fatty acid synthesis. In addition, stable thioester bonds between Cys and Gln side chains are found internally within immune complement proteins and anti-proteases, which utilize these bonds as potent substrates for covalent attachment to ligand. In these instances, exposure of the bond is said to be ‘cryptic’, requiring a proteolytic cleavage to unmask the buried thioester. Recently, thioester bonds have been discovered in adhesin domains of Gram-positive bacteria. These adhesins mediate the covalent attachment of bacteria to hosts, microbial biofilms, and surfaces, and consequently must sustain high levels of mechanical stress. Here we report the first mechanical characterization of a thioester-containing protein from studying the Streptococcus pyogenes Spy0125 adhesin. We constructed a fusion protein of the three C-terminal domains of Spy0125 with an N-terminal HaloTag for bioorthogonal covalent anchoring, and further introduced two isopeptide knockout mutations into Spy0125 to provide an unambiguous fingerprint from mechanical polyprotein unfolding. Using AFM-based single-molecule force spectroscopy, we observe unfolding extensions of 15 nm within the adhesin's thioester domain (TED), consistent with a single thioester bond delimiting extension. This thioester domain is inserted within a separate “host” domain in the crystal structure. Uniquely, unfolding follows a reverse mechanical hierarchy as the more mechanically stable host domain unfolds first, at a force of 288 ± 25 pN, followed by the weaker TED, at a force of 121 ± 14 pN, thereby protecting the TED and thioester bond. Both domains are observed to refold on timescales of under 1 second. We propose that reactivity of the thioester bond may be mechanically ‘cryptic’, sequestered within the TED and unmasked for covalent attachment only when the host domain is under force.
Valvular heart disease in older adults: seeking an ounce of prevention.

This editorial refers to ‘Large-scale community echocardiographic screening reveals a major burden of undiagnosed valvular heart disease in older people: the Oxvalve population cohort study’, by J. D’Arcy et al. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehw229. In 1848, Dr A. Whyte Barclay presented the results of his survey of the prevalence of valvular heart disease (VHD) from 419 autopsies occurring over a 2-year period at the St George’s Hospital in the UK.1 VHD was noted in 19%, with rheumatic disease and associated infectious endocarditis frequently noted, particularly among the younger patients. However, he also noted evidence of ‘atheromatous disease either on the valves themselves or in their immediate vicinity’ in 27%, with a markedly higher prevalence among older patients. Today, degenerative disease accounts for the majority of haemodynamically significant VHD in industrialized countries.2 In the USA, older adults ≥65 years of age are projected to account for 20% of the population by 2030.3 Moderate or severe VHD affects ∼2.5% of the US population, with a prevalence that increases steeply with age, affecting up to 12% of persons ≥75 years old.4 Significant VHD remains linked to worse prognosis, and is associated with a 35–75% higher risk of death compared with those without …
Outcome of Revascularization Procedure: A Retrospective Case Series.

Abstract Introduction The purpose of this retrospective case series was to investigate the outcome of the revascularization procedure in necrotic immature teeth. Methods The residents and faculty members at the University of Pennsylvania endodontic department were invited to submit consecutive revascularization cases treated by them, irrespective of the outcome, during the time period of 2009 to 2012. Twenty-eight of 35 submitted necrotic immature teeth met the inclusion criteria. The treatment protocol included minimal instrumentation and irrigation with 3% sodium hypochlorite and 17% EDTA. Triple antibiotic paste was placed for a minimum of 21 days. After blood clot induction, either EndoSequence Bioceramic Putty (Brasseler, Savannah, GA) or mineral trioxide aggregate was placed below the cementoenamel junction, and composite was used as a final restoration. The follow-up period ranged from 7 to 72 months. The outcome was assessed as complete healing (the absence of clinical signs and symptoms, complete resolution of periradicular radiolucency, increase in the root dentin thickness/length, and apical closure), incomplete healing (the absence of clinical signs and symptoms, the periapical lesion completely healed without any signs of root maturation or thickening, the periapical lesion either reduced in size or unchanged with/without radiographic signs of increasing root dentin thickness/length, or apical closure), and failure (persistent clinical signs and symptoms and/or increased size of the periradicular lesion). Results Twenty-one of 28 cases (75%) healed completely, 3 cases (10.7%) failed during the observation period and needed further treatment, and 4 cases (14%) presented with incomplete healing. Conclusions Within the limitation of this study, the outcome of revascularization, wherein healing of periapical periodontitis and maturation of roots occurs, is fairly high, making it a viable treatment option in comparison with apexification.
Skin-inspired organic electronic materials and devices

Future electronics will be conformal, bendable, and wearable. Taking inspiration from the characteristics of human skin, we are developing a new generation of electronic materials to enable devices that are flexible, stretchable, biodegradable, and self-healable. We have developed various sensors and circuits, all of which are based on organic materials, polymers, and carbon nanomaterials. These materials will provide us with a long-term path toward adding various skin-inspired functions.
High voltage isolation silicon node wafer saw

Texas Instruments' high voltage isolation semiconductor devices enable safe transmission of data and power between high voltage and low voltage circuits in modern electrical systems. The silicon technology for isolation contains higher metallization content in the wafer saw street and therefore, requires the assembly dicing process window to be well characterized to enable robust manufacturing and quality. This paper provides an overview of mechanisms that induce top side and flipside silicon chipping, analyzes the impact of metal density in wafer saw street on chipping severity, and discusses the attributes in mechanical saw process that can be characterized to prevent chipping defects in high volume manufacturing.
Computer Attitudes and Computer Knowledge of Students and Educators

AbstractA computer survey was used to assess the attitudes and knowledge of 2302 students from grade 7 through university level, 537 teachers, 81 administrators, and 95 library/media specialists. In general, there were significant differences in computer attitudes between students and educators. Attitudes were found to relate to age and computer knowledge, and computer knowledge was found to relate to the age and sex of the respondent. The survey contained several specific questions for each of the respondent groups. The results obtained from these items are discussed.
High-resolution profiling of NMD targets in yeast reveals translational fidelity as a basis for substrate selection

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) plays an important role in eukaryotic gene expression, yet the scope and the defining features of NMD-targeted transcripts remain elusive. To address these issues, we reevaluated the genome-wide expression of annotated transcripts in yeast cells harboring deletions of the UPF1, UPF2, or UPF3 genes. Our new RNA-seq analyses confirm previous results of microarray studies, but also uncover hundreds of new NMD-regulated transcripts that had escaped previous detection, including many intron-containing pre-mRNAs and several noncoding RNAs. The vast majority of NMD-regulated transcripts are normal-looking protein-coding mRNAs. Our bioinformatics analyses reveal that this set of NMD-regulated transcripts generally have lower translational efficiency and higher ratios of out-of-frame translation. NMD-regulated transcripts also have lower average codon optimality scores and higher transition probability to nonoptimal codons. Collectively, our results generate a comprehensive catalog of yeast NMD substrates and yield new insights into the mechanisms by which these transcripts are targeted by NMD.
A National Strategy for the Elimination of Viral Hepatitis Emphasizes Prevention, Screening, and Universal Treatment of Hepatitis C

This commentary describes the consensus report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine that proposes an innovative strategy to eliminate hepatitis B and C as public healt...
Internet activism transforming street politics: South Korea’s 2008 ‘Mad Cow’ protests and new democratic sensibilities:

This article examines South Korea’s Internet-born ‘candlelight festivals’ of 2008, with a focus on online movement transforming protesters’ communicative patterns and sensibilities in the street. W...
The changing utilization of neoadjuvant chemotherapy among different racial groups and its effect on mastectomy rates.

1040Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has been utilized to downstage disease and to allow breast conservation. There is limited data on the patterns of utilization of NAC among different r...
Network configuration synthesis with abstract topologies

We develop Propane/AT, a system to synthesize provably-correct BGP (border gateway protocol) configurations for large, evolving networks from high-level specifications of topology, routing policy, and fault-tolerance requirements. Propane/AT is based on new abstractions for capturing parameterized network topologies and their evolution, and algorithms to analyze the impact of topology and routing policy on fault tolerance. Our algorithms operate entirely on abstract topologies. We prove that the properties established by our analyses hold for every concrete instantiation of the given abstract topology. Propane/AT also guarantees that only incremental changes to existing device configurations are required when the network evolves to add or remove devices and links. Our experiments with real-world topologies and policies show that our abstractions and algorithms are effective, and that, for large networks, Propane/AT synthesizes configurations two orders of magnitude faster than systems that operate on concrete topologies.
Dodd-Frank: Quack Federal Corporate Governance Round Ii

In 2005, Roberta Romano famously described the Sarbanes-Oxley Act as “quack corporate governance.” In this article, Professor Stephen Bainbridge argues that the corporate governance provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010 also qualify for that sobriquet. The article identifies 8 attributes of quack corporate governance regulation: (1) The new law is a bubble act, enacted in response to a major negative economic event. (2) It is enacted in a crisis environment. (3) It is a response to a populist backlash against corporations and/or markets. (4) It is adopted at the federal rather than state level. (5) It transfers power from the states to the federal government. (6) Interest groups that are strong at the federal level but weak at the Delaware level support it. (7) Typically, it is not a novel proposal, but rather a longstanding agenda item of some powerful interest group. (8) The empirical evidence cited in support of the proposal is, at best, mixed and often shows the proposal to be unwise. All of Dodd-Frank meets the first three criteria. It was enacted in the wake of a massive populist backlash motivated by one of the worst economic crises in modern history. As the article explains in detail, the corporate governance provisions each satisfy all or substantially all of the remaining criteria.
Consolidative Radiotherapy for Limited Metastatic Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Phase 2 Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance Patterns-of-failure studies suggest that in metastatic non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) sites of gross disease at presentation are the first to progress when treated with chemotherapy. This knowledge has led to increased adoption of local ablative radiation therapy in patients with stage IV NSCLC, though prospective randomized evidence is limited. Objective To determine if intervening with noninvasive stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SAbR) prior to maintenance chemotherapy in patients with non–progressive limited metastatic NSCLC after induction therapy led to significant improvements in progression-free survival (PFS). Design, Setting, and Participants This is a single-institution randomized phase 2 study of maintenance chemotherapy alone vs SAbR followed by maintenance chemotherapy for patients with limited metastatic NSCLC (primary plus up to 5 metastatic sites) whose tumors did not possessEGFR-targetable orALK-targetable mutations but did achieve a partial response or stable disease after induction chemotherapy. Interventions Maintenance chemotherapy or SAbR to all sites of gross disease (including SAbR or hypofractionated radiation to the primary) followed by maintenance chemotherapy. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary end point was PFS; secondary end points included toxic effects, local and distant tumor control, patterns of failure, and overall survival. Results A total of 29 patients (9 women and 20 men) were enrolled; 14 patients (median [range] age, 63.5 [51.0-78.0] years) were allocated to the SAbR-plus-maintenance chemotherapy arm, and 15 patients (median [range] age, 70.0 [51.0-79.0] years) were allocated to the maintenance chemotherapy–alone arm. The trial was stopped to accrual early after an interim analysis found a significant improvement in PFS in the SAbR-plus-maintenance chemotherapy arm of 9.7 months vs 3.5 months in the maintenance chemotherapy–alone arm (P = .01). Toxic effects were similar in both arms. There were no in-field failures with fewer overall recurrences in the SAbR arm while those patients receiving maintenance therapy alone had progression at existing sites of disease and distantly. Conclusions and Relevance Consolidative SAbR prior to maintenance chemotherapy appeared beneficial, nearly tripling PFS in patients with limited metastatic NSCLC compared with maintenance chemotherapy alone, with no difference in toxic effects. The irradiation prevented local failures in original disease, the most likely sites of first recurrence. Furthermore, PFS for patients with limited metastatic disease appeared similar to those patients with a greater metastatic burden, further arguing for the potential benefits of local therapy in limited metastatic settings. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT02045446
The Strategy of Shimmering in Moscow Conceptualism

Abstract This paper argues that “shimmering”, in the discourse of the Moscow Conceptual group, distinguishing them from their Noncoformist peers, represents a strategic counter-ideology of principled tergiversation designed to prevent the consolidation of the authoritative voice within the artwork. Skeptical whether the avant-garde could offer an escape from Soviet official culture, the Moscow Conceptualists undermine the authoritative voice in avant-garde and Soviet discourses by complicating the binary oppositions between them, reflexively examining Nonconformist artwork in continuity with Soviet daily life. I describe the development of shimmering in paintings, installations, and performances by several Moscow Conceptualists as a vital critical intervention into Russian Nonconformist art.
Lattice Methods For The Valuation of Options with Regime Switching

LATTICE METHODS FOR THE VALUATION OF OPTIONS WITH REGIME SWITCHING by Atul Sancheti Hongtao Yang, Examination Committee Chair Associate Professor of Mathematical Science University of Nevada, Las Vegas In this thesis, we have developed two numerical methods for evaluating option prices under the regime switching model of stock price processes: the Finite Di↵erence lattice method and the Monte Carlo lattice method. The Finite Di↵erence lattice method is based on the explicit finite di↵erence scheme for parabolic problems. The Monte Carlo lattice method is based on the simulation of the Markov chain. The advantage of these methods is their flexibility to compute the option prices for any given stock price at any given time. Numerical examples are presented to examine these methods. It has been shown that the proposed methods provides fast and accurate approximations of option prices. Hence they should be helpful for practitioners working in this field.
An Event-Based Approach to Distributed Diagnosis of Continuous Systems

Distributed fault diagnosis solutions are becoming necessary due to the complexity of modern engineering systems, and the advent of smart sensors and computing elements. This paper presents a novel event-based approach for distributed diagnosis of abrupt parametric faults in continuous systems, based on a qualitative abstraction of measurement deviations from the nominal behavior. We systematically derive dynamic fault signatures expressed as event-based fault models. We develop a distributed diagnoser design algorithm that uses these models for designing local event-based diagnosers based on global diagnosability analysis. The local diagnosers each generate globally correct diagnosis results locally, without a centralized coordinator, and by communicating a minimal number of measurements between themselves. The proposed approach is applied to a multi-tank system, and results demonstrate a marked improvement in scalability compared to a centralized approach.
Scientific Reasoning and Discovery, Cognitive Psychology of

The cognitive mechanisms underlying scientific thinking and discovery have been investigated using approaches from cognitive psychology, cognitive science, and artificial intelligence. In this article, six overlapping approaches are discussed. First, historical analyses and interviews have provided important information on the types of thinking involved in particular discoveries or used by individual scientists. Second, scientific reasoning has been thought of as a form of inductive thinking, and as a form of problem solving. Researchers using this approach have delineated some of the problem solving and inductive reasoning strategies used in science. Third, much research on errors in scientific reasoning, particularly on the topic of ‘confirmation bias’ has revealed some of the circumstances under which science can go awry. Fourth, many researchers have investigated how children's thinking is similar to, or different from, that of scientists. A fifth approach has been to investigate scientists reasoning live or ‘in vivo’ in their own labs. This work has shown how processes such as analogy, distributed cognition, and specific types of inductive and deductive reasoning strategies are used together by scientists. Finally, the incorporation of cognitive mechanisms into computer programs that make discoveries is seen as an important development in the cognitive psychology of scientific thinking.
Accidental Privacy Spills

The realm of privacy law has more crimes than criminals, more wrongs than wrongdoers. Some invasions of privacy are neither intentional nor negligent; it's easy to recognize the harm, but hard to pin the blame. Laurie Garrett attended the World Economic Forum as a journalist and wrote a private email to a few close friends, only to see that email end up on a widely-read weblog.This essay tells the story of that inevitable accident: an "accident" in that it needn't have happened, but "inevitable" in that there's no principled way to prevent similar misunderstandings from recurring, again and again and again. The essay considers social, technical, and legal responses, but concludes that none of them can prevent the informal forwarding behavior that led to the leak of Garrett's email without cutting off many overwhelmingly beneficial uses of email. The consequences for privacy and democracy may be unfortunate.
Observing Plumes and Overturning Cells with a New Coastal Bottom Drifter

AbstractA new platform, the Coastal Bottom Drifter, was designed and built to observe near-bottom environments in coastal regions. It is capable of observing properties by drifting near the bottom ...
Isolation of yeast artificial chromosomes containing the entire transcriptional unit of the human FGF1 gene : A 720-kb contig spanning human chromosome 5q31.3→q32

The q31-q33 region of chromosome 5 includes a number of genes encoding growth factors, growth factor receptors, and hormone/neurotransmitter receptors. The human fibroblast growth factor 1 locus (FGF1) resides in this region of chromosome 5, which is frequently lost in myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia patients. Other disease loci, including the loci for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy and an autosomal dominant deafness, have been mapped on this region, but their genes have not been isolated. It was shown that the critical region lost in two patients with the 5q- syndrome resides between FGF1 and IL12B. We previously reported the construction of a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) contig spanning 330 kb around the FGF1 gene. Here we report the isolation of additional YAC clones that extend 290 kb from the previous contig. Sequence-tagged sites developed from the outermost YAC ends were utilized in the contig cloning of two P1 clones P1Y2 and P1Y8. Together, these YAC and P1 clones span 720 kb around the FGF1 locus. With the use of fluorescence in situ hybridization, a physical map has been constructed of these P1 and GRL (glucocorticoid receptor locus) probes on metaphase and interphase chromosomes. On the basis of our work and the known orientation of GRL transcription, the determined order of these loci on chromosome 5q31.3-q32 is centromere-P1Y8-3'[FGF1]5'-P1Y2-5'[GRL]3'-telome re. Knowing the transcriptional orientation of the FGF1 gene relative to the centromere will now facilitate the directional cloning of clinically important genes that may reside in this region.
Ethnic Condominium and Illiberalism in Macedonia

Over the course of the past ten years the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization–Democratic Party for national Unity (VMRO-DPMNE) has progressively extended its control over Macedonian poli...