cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conceptual and Analytical Considerations toward the Use of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Personalized Medicine.

Background Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) can play an important role in personalized medicine. PROs can be viewed as an important fundamental tool to measure the extent of disease and the effect of treatment at the individual level, because they reflect the self-reported health state of the patient directly. However, their effective integration in personalized medicine requires addressing certain conceptual and methodological challenges, including instrument development and analytical issues. Objectives To evaluate methodological issues, such as multiple comparisons, missing data, and modeling approaches, associated with the analysis of data related to PRO and personalized medicine to further our understanding on the role of PRO data in personalized medicine. Discussion There is a growing recognition of the role of PROs in medical research, but their potential use in customizing healthcare is not widely appreciated. Emerging insights into the genetic basis of PROs could potentially lead to new pathways that may improve patient care. Knowledge of the biologic pathways through which the various genetic predispositions propel people toward negative or away from positive health experiences may ultimately transform healthcare. Understanding and addressing the conceptual and methodological issues in PROs and personalized medicine are expected to enhance the emerging area of personalized medicine and to improve patient care. This article addresses relevant concerns that need to be considered for effective integration of PROs in personalized medicine, with particular reference to conceptual and analytical issues that routinely arise with personalized medicine and PRO data. Some of these issues, including multiplicity problems, handling of missing values-and modeling approaches, are common to both areas. It is hoped that this article will help to stimulate further research to advance our understanding of the role of PRO data in personalized medicine. Conclusion A robust conceptual framework to incorporate PROs into personalized medicine can provide fertile opportunity to bring these two areas even closer and to enhance the way a specific treatment is attuned and delivered to address patient care and patient needs.
Improving mobile robot localization: grid-based approach

Autonomous mobile robots have been widely studied not only as advanced facilities for industrial and daily life automation, but also as a testbed in robotics competitions for extending the frontier of current artificial intelligence. In many of such contests, the robot is supposed to navigate on the ground with a grid layout. Based on this observation, we present a localization error correction method by exploring the geometric feature of the tile patterns. On top of the classical inertia-based positioning, our approach employs three fiber-optic sensors that are assembled under the bottom of the robot, presenting an equilateral triangle layout. The sensor apparatus, together with the proposed supporting algorithm, are designed to detect a line's direction (vertical or horizontal) by monitoring the grid crossing events. As a result, the line coordinate information can be fused to rectify the cumulative localization deviation from inertia positioning. The proposed method is analyzed theoretically in terms of its error bound and also has been implemented and tested on a customary developed two-wheel autonomous mobile robot.
A homeostatic model of IκB metabolism to control constitutive NF‐κB activity

Cellular signal transduction pathways are usually studied following administration of an external stimulus. However, disease-associated aberrant activity of the pathway is often due to misregulation of the equilibrium state. The transcription factor NF-jB is typically described as being held inactive in the cytoplasm by binding its inhibitor, IjB, until an external stimulus triggers IjB degradation through an IjB kinase-dependent degradation pathway. Combining genetic, biochemical, and computational tools, we investigate steady-state regulation of the NF-jB signaling module and its impact on stimulus responsiveness. We present newly measured in vivo degradation rate constants for NF-jB-bound and -unbound IjB proteins that are critical for accurate computational predictions of steady-state IjB protein levels and basal NF-jB activity. Simulations reveal a homeostatic NF-jB signaling module in which differential degradation rates of free and bound pools of IjB represent a novel cross-regulation mechanism that imparts functional robustness to the signaling module. Molecular Systems Biology 8 May 2007; doi:10.1038/msb4100148
Regulated Expression of the Escherichia coli dam Gene

Regulated expression of the Escherichia coli dam gene has been achieved with the araBAD promoter lacking a ribosome binding site. Cultures of dam mutants containing plasmid pMQ430 show no detectable methylation in the absence of arabinose and complete methylation in its presence. Dam methyltransferase is a substrate for the Lon protease.
Prohibitin expression is increased in phorbol ester-treated chronic leukemic B-lymphocytes.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by the gradual accumulation of immature B-lymphocytes. CLL B-lymphocytes mature to a plasmacytoid phenotype when treated in vitro with phorbol esters. CLL B-cell apparent maturation is associated with altered expression of specific plasma membrane and mitochondrial proteins including heightened expression of a 30-kDa heat shock protein 60 (hsp60) analog. During our efforts to further characterize this hsp60 analog by mass spectrometry, we detected the mitochondrial protein prohibitin in phorbol-ester-matured CLL B-lymphocytes. Prohibitin modulates cell proliferation and inhibits cell cycle traverse in several systems, although few data are available for lymphocytes. A twofold increase in prohibitin concentration was observed in phorbol-ester-matured compared to resting CLL B-cells as determined by quantitative Western immunoblot analysis. A similar increase in prohibitin was observed in phorbol-ester-treated normal human B-lymphocyte populations. An antisense oligonucleotide complementary to the 5' coding region of the prohibitin gene blunted the increase in prohibitin protein in phorbol-ester-treated CLL B-cells by 42%. These data suggest that increased prohibitin expression is associated with and may facilitate B-cell maturation.
Left ventricular function in mammals of greatly different size.

Studies of left ventricular volume and pressure have been carried out in the control state in four classes of intact anesthetized mammals (horses, cattle, swine, and dogs), body weights of which varied 54-fold. On the basis of these studies of both large and small hearts, extending over a wide range, a pattern of function for the left ventricle of all mammals has been described. Mathematical equations are given describing the interrelationships between left ventricular end-diastolic volume and end-systolic volume, stroke volume, cardiac output, stroke-work, heart rate, and total peripheral resistance.
Neonatal Fc receptors for IgG drive CD8+ T cell-mediated anti-cancer immunosurveillance at tolerogenic mucosal sites

Mucosal boundaries, which are immunologically tolerogenic, and is further enhanced by undergo malignant transformation at high rates. We have identified the expression of neonatal Fc receptor for IgG (FcRn) by dendritic cells as a critical mediator of mucosal anti-cancer immunosurveillance. This discovery extends our understanding of neonatal Fc receptors, defines a role for tumor-reactive IgGs, and identifies an avenue for the development of novel anti-cancer therapeutics.
Effect of Asphalt Film Thickness on Short- and Long-Term Aging of Asphalt Paving Mixtures

It is generally believed that an asphalt paving mixture should have an adequate asphalt film thickness around the aggregate particles to ensure reasonable durability (resistance to aging) of the mixture. The minimum asphalt film thickness generally recommended ranges from 6 to 8 μm. However, no significant background research data are available in the literature to support these recommended minimum asphalt film thicknesses. Some states specify minimum asphalt film thickness for mix designs. This study was undertaken to quantify the relationship between various asphalt film thicknesses and the aging characteristics of the asphalt paving mix so that an optimum film thickness desirable for satisfactory mix durability could be established. Mixes prepared with asphalt binder film thickness ranging from about 4 to 13 μm were subjected to accelerated aging using Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) procedures to simulate both short- and long-term aging. Both the aggregate (RD) and the asphalt cement (AAM-1)...
The Liver Is a Major Organ for Clearing Simian Immunodeficiency Virus in Rhesus Monkeys

Infection with human or simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) is characterized by the rapid turnover of both viral particles and productively infected cells. It has recently been reported that the clearance of SIV in vivo is exceedingly fast, with half-lives on the order of minutes. The underlying mechanism or site responsible for this rapid clearance, however, remains unknown. To investigate this issue, we chose to infuse infectious SIVmac239 grown from autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells that were radioactively labeled by [35S]methionine and [35S]cysteine. This approach eliminates from the viral membrane alloantigens that may have a significant impact on viral clearance. In addition, this approach also permits identification of the sites of viral clearance by measuring the radioactive intensity, even if degradation of SIV RNA occurs in tissues. We now report that the half-life of infused SIV in blood is extremely close to estimates from a previous study, in which unlabeled SIV grown in a heterologous cell line was used. The allogeneic effect due to the presence of human antigens on the surfaces of virions may, therefore, play a minimal role in the high rate of virion clearance. Moreover, close to 30% of infused radioactivity was found in the liver and measureable amounts were detected in the lungs (5.4%), lymph nodes (3.0%), and spleen (0.4%). The detection of a significant proportion of infused virus in the liver suggests that viral clearance from circulation is mediated by a common, nonspecific mechanism, such as the phagocytic functions of the reticuloendothelial system. The rapid clearance and degradation of exogenously infused virions may pose a major obstacle for gene therapy with viral vectors, unless strategies to overcome the rapid in vivo elimination of these particles are developed.
Weighted consensus multi-document summarization

Multi-document summarization is a fundamental tool for document understanding and has received much attention recently. Given a collection of documents, a variety of summarization methods based on different strategies have been proposed to extract the most important sentences from the original documents. However, very few studies have been reported on aggregating different summarization methods to possibly generate better summary results. In this paper, we propose a weighted consensus summarization method to combine the results from single summarization systems. We evaluate and compare our proposed weighted consensus method with various baseline combination methods. Experimental results on DUC2002 and DUC2004 data sets demonstrate the performance improvement by aggregating multiple summarization systems, and our proposed weighted consensus summarization method outperforms other combination methods.
Hydrogen-oxidizing Methane Bacteria II. Electron Microscopy

Comparison of the fine structure of the methanogenic organism from the culture known as Methanobacillus omelianskii with that of Methanobacterium formicicum revealed a great similarity. Both organisms exhibited a large number of intracytoplasmic membranous elements when stained with phosphotungstic acid. In contrast, no such elements were observed in Methanobacterium ruminantium.
USGS releases comprehensive land surface data

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has released the latest edition of its National Land Cover Database (NLCD 2011), the nation's most comprehensive look at land surface conditions. The database divides the lower 48 states into 9 billion geographic cells, providing consistent information about land conditions on regional and nationwide scales.
The Reinvestigation of Vinyl Acetate Emulsion Polymerization (II) - The Induced Decomposition of Initiator

In Chapter 6, a model was presented and the kinetic equations developed for vinyl acetate emulsion polymerization. The polymerization rate was found to be dependent on initiator concentration to the 0.6 power. In the model, 0.1 power of the dependence was due to the induced decomposition of the initiator by monomer radical In this work, the initiation concentration as a function of time was followed as a function of various parameters.
Assessing the energy and financial viability of heated pavement systems for airports

Ice and snow impacts on transportation infrastructure systems add significant costs to the American economy in the form of snow removal, damaged pavement and lost productivity due to travel delays. Due to environmental and logistics concerns associated with traditional pavement deicing strategies, the use of heated pavement systems (HPS) at airports are continually gaining attention as a desirable alternative. The main objective of this research was to examine the financial viability of installing HPS at aprons and ramps for different categories of airports. The apron is the busiest part of the airport where vehicles and airplanes share the same space. Snow removal operations are challenging and time consuming for the ground staff involved as they are exposed to rough weather. In addition, due to immense activity and asymmetric (skewed) geometric designs, small sized snow removal equipment (SRE) is used in aprons. These factors together contribute to delays. In order to study the feasibility of HPS, two economic analysis techniques, the Net Present Value (NPV) and Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) were employed. The required data for economic analysis were collected through airport site visits, email surveys, government websites (Bureau of Transportation Statistics and Bureau of Labor Statistics), reports, etc. The costs incurred due to melting snow by hydronic heated pavements and its potential benefits were calculated and compared with the operating costs of conventional snow removal methods under specific case scenarios. Due to the inherent uncertain nature of weather-related delays, an in-depth sensitivity analysis (SA) was carried out to represent contrasting scenarios. It was found that HPS, despite the high installation costs, may be economically viable at commercial airports. The feasibility depends on the size of the airport in terms of operations and area of installation. As the heated pavement technology continues to evolve with time,
A Reasoning-Process Model for Federal Habeas Corpus

The standard of review in federal habeas cases has long been a matter of considerable debate. This article concludes that traditional controversy over the breadth of review is irresolvable. In the current era of relatively stable federal constitutional criminal procedure doctrine, societal interests would be better served by abandoning more or less vigorous lower federal court review of the merits of state court decisions, and replacing it with careful review of the state courts' reasoning process. This approach would, first, eliminate the need for the incoherent objective-reasonableness standard currently applied by the federal courts. That inappropriate standard has been held to require deference to state court opinions that wholly fail to analyze federal law and thus trivialize Article VI's mandate that state judges treat federal law as supreme. Second, under reasoning-process review, a federal court would - as the habeas statute requires - defer to state court opinions that reasonably apply federal law. Those that fail to cite and thoroughly analyze the applicable federal law, however, would be returned to the state so that its judges can satisfy their constitutional obligation.By compelling state courts to cite and thoroughly analyze all applicable federal law, but deferring to their reasoned decisions on the merits when they do, this approach would provide both the incentives that Article VI requires for state courts to live up to their constitutional oath and the deference that the habeas statute mandates.
The Effect of the Intravenous Injection of Leucogenenol on the Blood Cells of the Bone Marrow

Rice (1956) recently reported the isolation from cultures of Penicillium gilmanii of a metabolic product, leucogenenol, that when injected intravenously into rabbits induced a leucocytosis without a concurrent febrile response. A typical example of the changes found in the peripheral blood cells is given in table 1. The intravenous injection of up to 200 /xg per kilo (the largest quantity investigated) caused no toxic reaction in rabbits, dogs, or monkeys. The results on monkeys were obtained under contract with Bionetics Research Laboratories, Inc., Kensington, Maryland. The finding that repeated injections of leucogenenol had a cumulative effect and that there was
Effect of ethylenediaminetetraacetate on lipide peroxide formation and succinoxidase inactivation by ultraviolet light.

Summary1. EDTA inhibits lipide peroxide formation in rat liver homogenates and in rat liver mitochondria exposed to ultraviolet irradiation. 2. Ultraviolet light inhibits succinoxidase in mitochond...
High Temperature Phases of Nanostructured Tungsten Oxide for Gas Sensing Applications

WO3 layers have been synthesized by thermal evaporation at high temperature in order to induce the crystallization of stable films. Phase stability has been proved by annealing treatments carried out at different temperatures. Annealing effects on gas sensing performances have been explained in terms of crystallinity degree and grain coarsening phenomena.
Carbon Nanotube-Induced Changes of Crystal Growth In Polymer Films

Isotactic Polypropylene (iPP) nanocomposites with low concentrations of multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) 0-1% were studied, using differential scanning calorimetry and Avrami analysis. The nanocomposites were isothermally crystallized at 135°C, in order to measure the effect of nanotubes on the kinetics of crystallization. In our study there is a great effect of the CNTs on the iPP crystallization kinetics. The Avrami analysis shows increase in the crystallization rate constant and constancy the Avrami exponent with increase of the CNTs concentration. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the heat flow exotherm and the peak time for crystallization (tp) change dramatically. For iPP, the carbon nanotubes serve as nucleation agents to speed up the crystallization process.
Are We Helping All the Children That We Are Supposed to Be Helping

We reply to three critiques regarding our reporting that White, English-speaking children are much more likely than otherwise similar racial, ethnic, and language minority children to receive special education services in the United States. We show how each critique is unsound. We present further evidence of the robustness of our findings.
Inheriting the Learner's View: A Google Glass-Based Wearable Computing Platform for Improving Surgical Trainee Performance.

Background It is speculated that, in operative environments, real-time visualization of the trainee’s viewpoint by the instructor may improve performance and teaching efficacy. We hypothesized that introduction of a wearable surgical visualization system allowing the instructor to visualize otherwise “blind” areas in the operative field could improve trainee performance in a simulated operative setting. Methods A total of 11 surgery residents (4 in general surgery training and 7 in an integrated 6-year cardiothoracic surgery program) participated in the study. Google (Mountain View, CA) Glass hardware running proprietary software from CrowdOptic (San Francisco, CA) was utilized for creation of the wearable surgical visualization system. Both the learner and trainer wore the system, and video was streamed from the learner’s system in real time to the trainer, who directed the learner to place needles in a simulated operative field. Subjects placed a total of 5 needles in each of 4 quadrants. A composite error score was calculated based on the accuracy of needle placement in relation to the intended needle trajectories as described by the trainer. Time to task completion (TTC) was also measured and participants completed an exit questionnaire. Results All residents completed the protocol tasks and the survey. Introduction of the wearable surgical visualization system did not affect mean time to task completion (278 ± 50 vs. 282 ± 69 seconds, p = NS). However, mean composite error score fell significantly once the wearable system was deployed (18 ± 5 vs. 15 ± 4, p Conclusions This study suggests that wearable surgical visualization systems allowing for adoption of the learner’s perspective may be a useful educational adjunct in the training of surgeons. Further evaluations of the efficacy of wearable technology in the operating room environment are warranted.
Leptospirosis Surveillence in Jiangyou City From 2002 to 2006

Objective To survey the dynamic situation of leptospirosis infection in Jiangyou from 2002 to 2006, and to detect serum antibody of the healthy people for making countermeasures of prevention and cure.Method The density of rat, the germ-carrying rate of rat and the serum antibody of the healthy people in monitoring sites were surveyed accoording to the national surveillance scheme for leptospirosis.Results The average density of rat was 5.10%,of which the highest was 9.55%.The average germ-carrying rate of rat was 0.73%. The germ-carrying rate of Sewer rat (Rattus novegicus) was the highest(2.50%).The highest positive rate of serum antibody group was group of Australia,which was 37.88%.Conclusion The density of rat and the germ-carrying rate of rat in Jiangyou were low. Apodemus agraius is the principal infection source of rice field pattern leptospirosis in Jiangyou.It should be paid attention to germ-carrying of Sewer rat.The simmune level of people in the epidemic area is becoming low.The surveillance on leptospirosis should be strengthened.
Using Engineered Nucleases to Create HIV-Resistant Cells

HIV-1/AIDS is often considered a priority disease in the development of genetic and cell based therapies because of the high burden imposed by current treatments, which require life-long adherence to antiretroviral drug regimens. Engineered nucleases have the capability to either disrupt a specific gene, or to promote precise gene edits or additions at the targeted gene. As one application for the gene disruption capabilities of the nucleases, HIV-1 infection provides an exceptional target in the CCR5 gene. This is the most commonly used entry co-receptor through which the virus enters into CD4+ T cells. Importantly, the loss of CCR5 is expected to be well-tolerated, since a relatively high percentage of individuals are naturally homozygous for a defective CCR5 allele. As a result, CCR5 disruption by zinc finger nuclease treatment of autologous T cells was the first-in-man use of engineered nucleases. Future applications to refine this therapy may include disrupting CCR5 in precursor hematopoietic stem cells, the additional disruption of the alternate HIV-1 co-receptor, CXCR4, in T cells, and the addition of other anti-HIV genes at a disrupted CCR5 locus to provide a combinatorial therapy. Finally, the gene disrupting actions of engineered nucleases could also be harnessed to inactivate the integrated HIV-1 genomes that persist in patients’ cells despite drug therapy, and which thereby prevent the complete eradication of the virus by drug treatments.
Abstract 1047: Effect of 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D in regulating glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase 1 (GOT1) and redox balance during breast cancer progression

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the US. The active form of vitamin D, 1α,25 dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH) 2 D), is proposed to inhibit cellular processes that may prevent breast cancer. Possible pro-oxidative effects of 1,25(OH) 2 D in breast cancer cells which may selectively promote cell death have been proposed. Glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase 1 (GOT1) is an essential transaminase in glutamine metabolism. GOT1 converts aspartate into oxaloacetate in the cytoplasm, which is then subsequently converted to malate and pyruvate. NADPH is produced during the last step of this process and increased NADPH/NADP+ ratio has the potential to maintain cellular redox balance. Therefore, it is of interest to study 1,25(OH) 2 D regulation of GOT1 during cancer progression to understand the role of vitamin D in regulating oxidative stress as a mechanism to prevent breast cancer. We employed untransformed MCF10A human breast epithelial cells (MCF10A), as well as Harvey ras-oncogene or ErbB2 (HER-2/neu) oncogene transformed cells (MCF10A-ras and MCF10A-ErbB2) as cell models for early cancer progression. Results showed that 1,25(OH) 2 D significantly decreased GOT1 mRNA expression at 48 hours in MCF10A-ras cells and MCF10A-ErbB2 cells by 35 ± 8.8% and 49 ± 10%, respectively, and GOT1 protein expression at 72 hours by 51 ± 4.9% and 51 ± 16%, respectively. The susceptibility of MCF10A-ras cells to hydrogen peroxide induced cell death was significantly increased by 1,25(OH) 2 D, as determined by measuring viable cell number using MTT assay. We further showed that 96-hour 1,25(OH) 2 D treatment significantly reduced cellular NADPH/NADP+ ratio by 30 ± 2.8% and GSH/GSSG ratio by 34 ± 2.7% in MCF10A-ras cells. Collectively, these results support that 1,25(OH) 2 D inhibits GOT1 expression and has pro-oxidative effects in oncogene transformed MCF10A cell lines, which may contribute to its role in preventing breast cancer development. Citation Format: Xuanzhu Zhou, Tomasz Wilmanski, Dorothy Teegarden. Effect of 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D in regulating glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase 1 (GOT1) and redox balance during breast cancer progression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 1047.
Luminescent Carbon Dot Mimics Assembled on DNA.

Nanometer-sized fragments of carbon in the form of multilayer graphene (“carbon dots”) have been under highly active study for applications in imaging. While offering advantages of low toxicity and photostability, such nanomaterials are inhomogeneous and have limited wavelengths of emission. Here we address these issues by assembling luminescent aromatic C16–C38 hydrocarbons together on a DNA scaffold in homogeneous, soluble molecular compounds. Monomer deoxyribosides of five different aromatic hydrocarbons were synthesized and assembled into a library of 1296 different tetramer compounds on PEG-polystyrene beads. These were screened for photostability and a range of emission colors using 365 nm excitation, observing visible light (>400 nm) emission. We identified a set of six oligomers (DNA-carbon assemblies, DNA-CAs) with exceptional photostability that emit from 400 to 680 nm in water, with Stokes shifts of up to 110 nm, quantum yields ranging from 0.01 to 0.29, and fluorescence lifetimes from 3 to 42 ...
Response to Loco-Regional Therapy Predicts Outcomes After Liver Transplantation for Combined Hepatocellular-Cholangiocarcinoma.

Abstract Introduction and aim. Combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (HCC-CCA) is a rare liver malignancy distinct from either hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or cholangiocarcinoma. Liver transplantation (LT) is not recommended for HCC-CCA because of suboptimal outcomes. Non-invasive diagnosis of HCC-CCA is extremely challenging; thus, some HCC-CCAs are presumed as HCC on imaging and listed for LT with the correct diagnosis ultimately made on explant pathology. We compared HCC-CCA with HCC to determine the utility of response to pre-transplant loco-regional therapy (LRT) in predicting outcomes for HCC-CCA after LT as a potential means of identifying appropriate HCC-CCA patients for LT. Material and methods. Retrospective review of 19 patients with pathologically confirmed HCC-CCA were individually matched to 38 HCC patients (1:2) based on age, sex, and Milan criteria at listing was performed. The modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors was used to categorize patients as responders or non-responders to pre-transplant LRT based on imaging performed before and after LRT. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were examined. Results. OS at 3 years post-transplant was 74% for HCC-CCA and 87% for HCC. RFS at 3 years was 74% for HCC-CCA, and 87% for HCC. Among responders to LRT, the 3-year OS was 92% for HCC-CCA and 88% for HCC; among non-responders, 3-year OS was 43% for HCC-CCA and 83% for HCC. Higher 3-year OS was observed among HCC-CCA responders (77%) compared with HCC-CCA non-responders (23%). Conclusions. OS was similarly high among responders to pre-transplant LRT irrespective of tumor type. Radiologic response to LRT could potentially be used to select appropriate HCC-CCA patients for LT if the findings are validated in independent studies.
Editor’s Note: Spontaneous S U 2 ( C ) symmetry breaking in the ground states of quantum spin chain [J. Math. Phys. 59, 111701 (2018)]

Author(s): Nachtergaele, B | Abstract: The reviewers contacted by the editors to evaluate this work have been unable to confirm that the main results are correct. Flaws that were identified by the reviewers in earlier versions of the paper have been addressed by the author. Although it is possible that future research will uncover a significant mistake in this paper or show that the conclusions are in error, I believe that publishing it may benefit the readership of the Journal and stimulate further work in mathematical physics on an important topic.
Collaboration and Resistance of Minority Elite: Huang Xianfan’s Struggle

This chapter focuses on the counter-narrative of Guilin-based Zhuang scholar Huang Xianfan. Trained in Peking Normal University in the 1920s under leading historians and linguists, Huang was the first college graduate of the Zhuang nationality. Huang was a strong critic of the Nationalist government’s assimilationist policy and an advocate for the subjectivity of the Zhuang nationality and its equal recognition under the PRC government. In his research on his own people, he advocated the use of a combination of archeology, written archival materials, as well as ethnography. As an ethnographer, Huang emphasized linguistic ability and criticized non-Zhuang scholars, for failing to communicate with local people in their own languages. Huang was also a staunch advocate of the theory that there was no slave society as a social mode in the history of the Zhuang. Huang’s experience of being purged under both the National and Communist governments demonstrates the dilemma of an independent-thinking non-Han scholar.
From Socrates to Smith: The Moral and Cultural Foundations of Economics

Outlines the moral and cultural nature of historical paradigms for studying economics—the Nature paradigm of classical Greece and Rome, the God paradigm of medieval and early modern Christians, and the Reason paradigm of the Enlightenment—as well as reasons these paradigms passed away. For 2300 years the economy was rooted in imperatives that were seen as a permanent part of human nature. This is a point on which ancients, medievals and moderns largely agreed, and in each age predominant thinkers defended it using similar arguments. This is the integration of empirical, moral, and cultural observation in our understanding of economics lost its grip among leading economists in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and was replaced by the new vision: the Keynesian Revolution.
FiberWire: Embedding Electronic Function into 3D Printed Mechanically Strong, Lightweight Carbon Fiber Composite Objects

3D printing offers significant potential in creating highly customized interactive and functional objects. However, at present ability to manufacture functional objects is limited by available materials (e.g., various polymers) and their process properties. For instance, many functional objects need stronger materials which may be satisfied with metal printers. However, to create wholly interactive devices, we need both conductors and insulators to create wiring, and electronic components to complete circuits. Unfortunately, the single material nature of metal printing, and its inherent high temperatures, preclude this. Thus, in 3D printed devices, we have had a choice of strong materials, or embedded interactivity, but not both. In this paper, we introduce a set of techniques we call FiberWire, which leverages a new commercially available capability to 3D print carbon fiber composite objects. These objects are light weight and mechanically strong, and our techniques demonstrate a means to embed circuitry for interactive devices within them. With FiberWire, we describe a fabrication pipeline takes advantage of laser etching and fiber printing between layers of carbon-fiber composite to form low resistance conductors, thereby enabling the fabrication of electronics directly embedded into mechanically strong objects. Utilizing the fabrication pipeline, we show a range of sensor designs, their performance characterization on these new materials and finally three fully printed example object that are both interactive and mechanically strong -- a bicycle handle bar with interactive controls, a swing and impact sensing golf club and an interactive game controller (Figure 1).
Review of “The Murderous History of Bible Translations: Power, Conflict and the Quest for Meaning”

Many casual and even devout and scholarly readers of the Bible may take for granted that its available to them, even in their native language. That the Bible has been translated more than any other...
Trifluoromethyl-functionalized poly(lactic acid): a fluoropolyester designed for blood contact applications

Fluorinated polymers are strong candidates for development of new cardiovascular medical devices, due to their lower thrombogenicity as compared to other polymers used for cardiovascular implants. Few studies have reported the development of fluorinated polyesters and their potential in blood contact applications has never been examined. In this study, we developed a versatile method for preparing trifluoromethyl-functionalized poly(lactic acid) that can be potentially extended to prepare a new class of polyesters with various halogen or halocarbon substitutions. The resulting fluorinated polymer was hydrophobic relative to poly(lactic acid) and extracts from this polymer showed no in vitro cytotoxicity to NIH-3T3 mouse fibroblast cells. A preliminary consideration of the blood interactions of the CF3-functionalized polyester was evaluated by measuring the amount of the adsorbed albumin and fibrinogen from human blood plasma. The fluorinated polyester adsorbed and retained higher amounts of albumin and fibrinogen with a higher albumin/fibrinogen ratio as compared to poly(lactic acid), suggesting enhanced hemocompatibility. Plasma protein adsorption is the first event that occurs seconds after device implantation and controlling the adsorbed proteins will dictate the performance of medical implants.
Mapping Zazie’s Paris in Louis Malle’s Zazie dans le métro (1960)

ABSTRACTThis article analyses the on-screen interaction between the gamine Zazie and the city of Paris in Louis Malle’s Zazie dans le metro, an overlooked aspect of the film whose critical receptio...
Investigating Consumers’ Online Clothing Buying Behavior Through the Lens of Extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and the Use of Technology

To better understand why consumers are choosing to purchase their apparel online, this study employed a relatively new theoretical model, the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2). An online survey consisting of 32 Likert scale questions adopted from Venkatesh et al., (2012), and 6 open ended questions with essay length response capability were used to investigate the intention to buy apparel online. Exploratory Factor Analysis was used to test the scale. Participants were recruited from a pool of marketing students at a research university in the southern US. Data was collected over a two month period of time. Quantitative data were analyzed using the software ‘Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) 25.0’ version. Open ended responses were analyzed and coded using ‘NVivo 11 Pro’ software version, guided by constant comparison method (Strauss & Corbin, 1998). Rotated Factor Matrix of Principal Axis Factoring results indicated that 81% of behavioral intent to purchase online was explained by the five factors of: perceived usefulness, perceived risk, social influence, habit, and price value. The factor of “perceived usefulness” was found to explain more than 37 % of the total variance. The remaining variance was explained by perceived risk (19%), social influence (11%), habit (8%) and price value (7%).
When to Limit Market Entry under Mandatory Purchase.

We study a problem inspired by regulated health insurance markets, such as those created by the government in the Affordable Care Act Exchanges or by employers when they contract with private insurers to provide plans for their employees. The market regulator can choose to do nothing, running a Free Market, or can exercise her regulatory power by limiting the entry of providers (decreasing consumer welfare by limiting options, but also decreasing revenue via enhanced competition). We investigate whether limiting entry increases or decreases the utility (welfare minus revenue) of the consumers who purchase from the providers, specifically in settings where the outside option of "purchasing nothing" is prohibitively undesirable. We focus primarily on the case where providers are symmetric. We propose a sufficient condition on the distribution of consumer values for (a) a unique symmetric equilibrium to exist in both markets and (b) utility to be higher with limited entry. (We also establish that these conclusions do not necessarily hold for all distributions, and therefore some condition is necessary.) Our techniques are primarily based on tools from revenue maximization, and in particular Myerson's virtual value theory. We also consider extensions to settings where providers have identical costs for providing plans, and to two providers with an asymmetric distribution.
[Identification of two novel SLC19A3 variants in a Chinese patient with Biotin-thiamine responsive basal ganglia disease].

Objective To explore the genetic basis for a neonate featuring global developmental delay. Methods Clinical and laboratory tests were carried out for the patient. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from the neonate and his parents for the extraction of DNA. Potential variant was detected by using targeted capture and next generation sequencing for a panel of genes associated with nervous system diseases. Suspected variant was validated by Sanger sequencing. Results The nine-month-old boy manifested global developmental delay and was unstable to sit alone and distinguish strangers from acquaintance. Genetic testing revealed two novel variants of the SLC19A3 gene in him, namely c. 448G>A and c. 169C>T. The amino acids encoded by the two codons are highly conservative, and both variants were predicted to be pathogenic by bioinformatic analysis. Conclusion The compound heterozygous c. 448G>A and c. 169C>T variants probably underlay the onset of disease in the patient. Above finding also enriched the variant spectrum of SLC19A3 gene underlying Biotin-thiamine responsive basal ganglia disease. Key words: Biotin-thiamine responsive basal ganglia disease; Developmental delay; SLC19A3 gene
Randomized Trial Evaluating Clinical Impact of RAPid IDentification and Susceptibility Testing for Gram-negative Bacteremia: RAPIDS-GN

BACKGROUND Rapid blood culture diagnostics are of unclear benefit for patients with gram-negative bacilli (GNB) bloodstream infections (BSIs). We conducted a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial comparing outcomes of patients with GNB BSIs who had blood culture testing with standard-of-care (SOC) culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) vs rapid organism identification (ID) and phenotypic AST using the Accelerate Pheno System (RAPID). METHODS Patients with positive blood cultures with Gram stains showing GNB were randomized to SOC testing with antimicrobial stewardship (AS) review or RAPID with AS. The primary outcome was time to first antibiotic modification within 72 hours of randomization. RESULTS Of 500 randomized patients, 448 were included (226 SOC, 222 RAPID). Mean (standard deviation) time to results was faster for RAPID than SOC for organism ID (2.7 [1.2] vs 11.7 [10.5] hours; P < .001) and AST (13.5 [56] vs 44.9 [12.1] hours; P < .001). Median (interquartile range [IQR]) time to first antibiotic modification was faster in the RAPID arm vs the SOC arm for overall antibiotics (8.6 [2.6-27.6] vs 14.9 [3.3-41.1] hours; P = .02) and gram-negative antibiotics (17.3 [4.9-72] vs 42.1 [10.1-72] hours; P < .001). Median (IQR) time to antibiotic escalation was faster in the RAPID arm vs the SOC arm for antimicrobial-resistant BSIs (18.4 [5.8-72] vs 61.7 [30.4-72] hours; P = .01). There were no differences between the arms in patient outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Rapid organism ID and phenotypic AST led to faster changes in antibiotic therapy for gram-negative BSIs. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NCT03218397.
The Politics and Economics of the US-China Trade War

The US declared trade war after substantial defections from the internationalist (in geo-strategy and economics) lobby in US politics to a new coalition between conflict-is-inevitable proponents and anti-globalization activists. Many internationalist businesses changed sides after experiencing disappointments on economic fronts including China's non-compliance with some of its WTO obligations; China's acquisition of foreign technology at lower-than-expected prices; and the serious inadequacies in the WTO's governance of global trade. Many of the disillusioned internationalists have given too much weight to the contribution of globalization to negative developments in the US labor market, and too little weight to the role of powerful capital-biased technological changes and to the inadequacies of state-provided programs for social insurance and human capital formation. Resolution of the trade war and prevention of its frequent occurrence will become more likely when (a) China adopts much greater reciprocity in its economic engagement with the advanced countries despite its status as a developing country under WTO rules; and (b) US stops equating geostrategic competition with economic competition; recognizes that economic dynamism and economic resilience comes from strengthening indigenous innovation capability rather than from holding China back technologically; and institutes social programs to significantly reduce the trauma that is created by frequent job changes. Deep reform of WTO is urgently needed but is unlikely to happen in the medium run. For the medium-run, the US should mobilize country cooperation in regional settings (like the TPP) to introduce policy innovations to serve as templates for a re-designed WTO architecture, and to harness collective market power to be used in future negotiations on WTO reform.
The Impact of the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction on Student Self-Determination in Inclusive, Secondary Classrooms:

Previous research reported differences in student self-determination based on disability status. Specifically, students without disabilities consistently self-report higher self-determination compa...
Intraoperative Complications and Early Return to the Operating Room in Total Hip Arthroplasty Performed Through the Direct Anterior and Posterior Approaches. An Institutional Experience of Surgeons After Their Learning Curve.

Abstract Background Proponents of the direct anterior approach (DAA) for total hip arthroplasty (THA) claim a faster recovery, whereas critics claim an increased risk of early femoral complications. This study analyzed intraoperative and postoperative complications requiring reoperation within one year after THA through the DAA and posterior approach (PA). Methods A total of 2348 elective, unilateral DAA THAs in patients with osteoarthritis performed between 2016 and 2019 were matched 1:1 for age (±5 years), gender, body mass index (±5), and femoral fixation with 2348 patients who underwent PA THA during the same period. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used. Odds ratios were reported for the occurrence of intraoperative femoral fracture, postoperative femoral fracture, infection, dislocation, and other etiologies requiring reoperation within one year. Results Intraoperative femoral fracture occurred in 12 DAA (0.5%) and 14 PA (0.6%) patients. Twenty-five patients (1.06%) in the DAA and 28 (1.19%) in the PA group underwent reoperation within the first year. Reoperations were due to periprosthetic fracture (40%), infection (28%), dislocation (23%), and other (9%). Regression analysis revealed no difference in intraoperative femoral fracture (odds ratio (OR): 0.86, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.40-1.86, P = .69), postoperative femoral fracture (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 0.47-2.60, P = .83), infection (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 0.53-5.23, P = .44), or reoperation within one year for other reasons (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 0.25-9.00, P = .65). DAA had fewer dislocations requiring reoperation (OR: 0.20, 95% CI: 0.04-0.91, P = .02). Conclusion This comparative study did not find differences in intraoperative or postoperative fracture or infection between DAA and PA. DAA was associated with a lower likelihood of reoperation for dislocation within one year of surgery.
Making U.S. Maternal and Child Health policy: from "early discharge" to "drive through deliveries" to a national law.

Objectives: To examine the national policymaking process in maternal and child health through a case study of the passage of a national law aimed at extending postpartum hospital stays. Methods: The study is based on a review of official and unofficial documents associated with the bill's legislative progress as well as an examination of scholarly research on early discharge and media coverage of the issue. Interviews were also conducted with legislative and interest group staff. Results: The passage of early discharge legislation occurred in an unusually short time frame and was aided by its minimal public costs, the willingness of its supporters to compromise on key elements, and its perceived appeal to female voters in an election year. Clinical and public health research had little influence on the process. Conclusions: Maternal and child health advocates, while facing a problem with a politically weak constituency base, can benefit from their important symbolic role in policymakers' minds. They must respect the importance of compromise to legislative institutions and be alert to opportunities to frame their issues in a politically popular way.
Controlling UEP Method: Computations

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Computational Challenges Constrained Nonlinear Equations for Equilibrium Points Numerical Techniques for Computing Equilibrium Points Convergence Regions of Equilibrium Points Conceptual Methods for Computing the Controlling UEP Numerical Studies Concluding Remarks ]]>