cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Physical State of K+ and Na+ in Living Cells

The experimental studies of A. V. Hill and Kupalov (1930; Hill, 1930) on frog muscle led them to the conclusion that virtually all water and K+ exist in the free state in living cells. The persuasiveness of their arguments played a major role in the abandonment of the colloidal approach to cell physiology and led to the dominance of the membrane theory (Section 2.7). This trend was greatly enhanced by measurements of the high mobility and thermodynamic activity coefficient of K+ in living cells as well as by other evidence described in Section 5.1. In this chapter I present the results of the most recent studies on the subject, usually carried out with the aid of sophisticated techniques not available in the past. These results lead to conclusions that are dramatically different from what was once widely believed. Indeed, there now remains little doubt that virtually all the K+ in resting living cells exists in an adsorbed state. Before presenting the details of these new findings, and following up in depth on old ones, I want to remind the reader of the recent successful demonstration of ion binding on isolated proteins briefly mentioned in Section 6.2.5: When salt linkages are prevented from forming, all proteins studied adsorb K+, Na+, or other alkali metal ions in a selective manner and at a high enough level to match those seen in living cells (Section 11.2.2.2). Failure in the past to demonstrate the same played a major role in the acceptance of the pump theory (see Section 4.4.1).
Factors affecting the statistical parameters and patterns of distribution of residual moistures in arrays of samples following lyophilization.

Numerous studies were undertaken to examine in depth the statistical parameters (mean. standard deviation, standard error of the mean, etc.) and the distributions of residual moistures of 3 mL samples of 2% albumin arranged in a 22 × 10 grid of samples (the array)and dried by sublimation of ice in vacuo. Because of the relatively large numbers of selected samples used for the determination of the patterns of distribution of residual moistures, it was necessary to develop a modified gravimetric method for measuring residual moistures. In the majority of circumstances, with the vials containing the samples positioned on a base defined by cartesian coordinates (x, y) and the contents of residual moistures measured on an axis perpendicular to the base (z), the distributions of contents of residual waters were described best by the equation for a 2-nd order polynomial. It was found that the contents of residual moistures of individual vials were “position oriented” and not “vial associated.” It was also found that the statistical parameters and patterns of distributions of residual moistures were dependent on: (1) the orientation of openings in the split stoppers used for freeze-drying, (2) the shelf of the freeze-drying apparatus (top, middle, bottom) upon which the vials were placed, and (3) alterations in elapsed times and shelf temperatures.
Apremilast Use for Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis in Pediatric Patients

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, pruritic skin disease often complicated by bacterial superinfection affecting 10.7% of American children. The pathogenesis involves a skin barrier breakdown in addition to dysfunctional innate and adaptive immune response, including an unbalanced increase in T-helper 2 cells and hyperimmunoglobulinemia E. The increased numbers of T-helper 2 cells are involved in stimulating the production of immunoglobulin E and eosinophilia by releasing interleukin-4, -5, and -13 as well as in decreasing protection against bacterial superinfection by releasing interleukin-10. The current Food and Drug Administration-approved symptomatic treatment for AD includes topical ointments, topical and systemic corticosteroids, topical immunomodulant therapy, antibiotics, and phototherapy, but there are not approved targeted therapies or cures. By presenting a case of an 8-year-old African-American boy, this case report supports novel therapy of moderate-to-severe AD with apremilast, a phosphodiesterase type 4 inhibitor. Apremilast has recently completed the phase 2 clinical trial (NCT02087943) for treatment of AD in adults. This case report illustrates the potential for apremilast as a treatment for AD in children, where there is a great need for safe and effective medications.
Unusual nautiloid occurrence in the upper Eocene La Meseta Formation, Seymour Island, Antarctica

The presence of large numbers of phragmocones of Eutrephoceras and Aturia in an upper Eocene beach deposit of the La Meseta Formation on Seymour Island is the first known occurrence of beach-drifted accumulations of nautilid shells in the fossil record and may also represent the first documentation of a mass stranding of nautilids in the Cenozoic.
Racial Disparities in Colorectal Carcinoma Incidence, Severity and Survival Times Over 10 Years: A Retrospective Single Center Study.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Although studies have been performed on malignancy behavior in African Americans and Caucasians, scant data are present on other minority racial groups. Methods: A retrospective single center study was performed where 1,860 patient charts with a diagnosis of CRC from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2014 were reviewed. Data collected on each patient included age, gender, ethnicity, primary site and histological stage at the time of diagnosis. Survival time over the course of 5 years was documented for patients from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2009. Comparisons were made amongst different racial groups for the above mentioned factors. Results: Study population consisted of 27.09% African Americans, 65.61% Caucasians, 3.86% Hispanics, 0.54% South Asians, 1.03% Arabs, 0.54% Asians and 0.22% American Indians. Mean age of CRC presentation was found to be significantly different (P < 0.05) between the three largest racial groups: 71 years for Caucasians, 69 years for African Americans, and 61 years for Hispanics. African Americans (27.09%) and Hispanics (28.79%) presented predominantly at stage IV in comparison to other racial groups. Caucasians presented predominantly at stage III (24.84%). The rectum was the most common site of CRC across all racial groups with the exception of Asians, where sigmoid colon was the predominant site (30%). Adenocarcinoma remained the predominant cancer type in all groups. Hispanics had relatively higher incidence rate of carcinoid tumor (12.68%). Survival time analysis showed that Caucasians tend to have better survival probability over 5 years after initial diagnosis as compared to African Americans and Hispanic (P < 0.05). Conclusion: There is lack of studies performed on minority racial groups in North America. Our study highlighted some important clinical differences of CRC presentation in different racial groups which are not well studied and can be used to formulate future multi-center studies to assess disease behavior. J Clin Med Res. 2016;8(11):777-786 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jocmr2696w
Protocols to support autonomy and control for NFV in software defined networks

The use of Network Function Virtualization to run network services in software enables Software Defined Networks to create a largely software-based network. We envision a dynamic and flexible network that can support a smarter data plane than just simple switches that forward packets. This network architecture needs to support complex stateful routing of flows where processing by network functions (NFs) can dynamically modify the path taken by flows, without unduly burdening or depending on the centralized SDN controller. To this end, we specify a protocol across the different components of an SDN-NFV environment to support the creation of NFs required by a service graph specification, using an orchestrator speaking to an NF Manager running on each host. We take advantage of, and extend, the concept of the SDN controller-to-node protocol (OpenFlow being the most popular) and tagging flows to support complex stateful routing. Output generated by NFs processing packets may be returned to the NF Manager to influence dynamic route changes based on a priori rules defined through a service graph specification provided by network administrators. We envisage the SDN controller setting up these rules based on the output from NFs, the flow specification as well as global tags. By not treating tags as an independent component for routing, we show that we can dramatically reduce the number of tags required across the entire network. Further, by providing the right autonomy in decision making at the NF Manager and the individual NFs in our hierarchical control framework, we significantly reduce the load on the SDN controller.
Developmental changes in consistency of autobiographical memories: adolescents’ and young adults’ repeated recall of recent and distance events

Autobiographical memories contribute continuity and stability to one's self yet they also are subject to change: they can be forgotten or be inconsistently remembered and reported. In the present research, we compared the consistency of two reports of recent and distant personal events in adolescents (12- to 14-year-olds) and young adults (18- to 23-year-olds). In line with expectations of greater mnemonic consistency among young adults relative to adolescents, adolescents reported the same events 80% of the time compared with 90% consistency among young adults; the significant difference disappeared after taking into consideration narrative characteristics of individual memories. Neither age group showed high levels of content consistency (30% vs. 36%); young adults were more consistent than adolescents even after controlling for other potential predictors of content consistency. Adolescents and young adults did not differ in consistency of estimating when their past experiences occurred. Multilevel modelling indicated that the level of thematic coherence of the initial memory report and ratings of event valence significantly predicted memory consistency at the level of the event. Thematic coherence was a significant negative predictor of content consistency. The findings suggest a developmental progression in the robustness and stability of personal memories between adolescence and young adulthood.
Forecasting of biosensor technologies for emerging point of care and medical IoT applications using bibliometrics and patent analysis

Healthcare is beginning to embrace point of care (POC) diagnostics and medical applications that are based on the internet of things (IoT) and the ubiquitous smart phone. Advanced medical diagnostics will utilize biosensors for biological data acquisition. This paper introduces the forecasting of biosensors that have the potential to be used in POC and IoT applications. For this research three types of biosensors were selected. These are biosensors for testing of blood, saliva, and breath. Bibliometrics and patent analysis of these biosensors are used to develop technology maturity rates based on the Fisher-Pry model. The Science Citation Index (SCI) is used for bibliometrics and patent analysis is derived from global patent databases. The Fisher-Pry projections or S-curves enable insights into the maturity levels of the emerging biosensor technologies under consideration and forecasting their growth. Patent analysis based on cumulative annual patent count indicated that blood biosensors reached their technology maturity midpoint in 2009 with the midpoints of saliva and breath biosensors lagging by 8 and 14 years respectively. Bibliometrics with annual publication count did not appear to provide much value in forecasting the maturity growth of the three biosensors.
CpG Island Hypermethylation Mediated by DNMT3A Is a Consequence of AML Progression

DNMT3A mutations occur in ∼25% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. The most common mutation, DNMT3AR882H, has dominant negative activity that reduces DNA methylation activity by ∼80% in vitro. To understand the contribution of DNMT3A-dependent methylation to leukemogenesis, we performed whole-genome bisulfite sequencing of primary leukemic and non-leukemic cells in patients with or without DNMT3AR882 mutations. Non-leukemic hematopoietic cells with DNMT3AR882H displayed focal methylation loss, suggesting that hypomethylation antedates AML. Although virtually all AMLs with wild-type DNMT3A displayed CpG island hypermethylation, this change was not associated with gene silencing and was essentially absent in AMLs with DNMT3AR882 mutations. Primary hematopoietic stem cells expanded with cytokines were hypermethylated in a DNMT3A-dependent manner, suggesting that hypermethylation may be a response to, rather than a cause of, cellular proliferation. Our findings suggest that hypomethylation is an initiating phenotype in AMLs with DNMT3AR882, while DNMT3A-dependent CpG island hypermethylation is a consequence of AML progression.
‘Tu es déjà rentré?’ Trauma, narcissism and melancholy in François Ozon’s Sous le sable (2000)

This article on Francois Ozon’s Sous le sable (2000) examines how the disappearance of the main character’s husband results in her fascination with his image (a ghostly returning figure) fixating h...
The Louse and the Vaccine

Several events in my life that I will recount below have combined to make me feel connected to the rickettsiae. Consequently, I was drawn to a recent book somewhat bombastically entitled The Fantastic Laboratory of Dr. Weigl by Arthur Allen. It centers on an astonishing microbiological story that took place before and during World War II, centered around the making of an effective typhus vaccine. This vaccine became an instrument of war, and its production involved intrigue, deception, and, in great measure, heroism and high class science.
Co-constructing food access issues: Older adults in a rural food environment in West Virginia develop a photonarrative

AbstractIntroduction: This photovoice study examined the hypothesis that photos and narratives produced by older adults would facilitate the co-construction of a shared narrative about the food acc...
MapReduce Implementation of Strassen's Algorithm for Matrix Multiplication

Consider the multiplication of two n×n matrices. A straight-forward sequential algorithm for computing the product takes Θ(n3) time. Strassen [20] presented an algorithm that takes Θ(n1g 7) time; lg denotes logarithm to the base 2; lg 7 is about 2.81.Now, consider the implementation of these two algorithms (straight-forward and Strassen) in the mapReduce framework. Several papers have studied mapReduce implementations of the straight-forward algorithm; this algorithm can be implemented using a constant number (typically, one or two) of mapReduce passes. In this paper, we study the mapReduce implementation of Strassen's algorithm.If we unwind the recursion, Strassen's algorithm consists of three parts, Parts I-III. Direct mapReduce implementations of the three parts take lg n, 1 and lg n passes, respectively; total number of passes is 2 lg n+1. We show that Part I can be implemented in 2 passes, with total work Θ(n1g 7), and reducer size and reducer workload o(n). We believe that Part III can also be implemented, with small reducer size and workload, in a constant number of passes; this is future work.
Intersectionality and Credibility in Child Sexual Assault Trials

Children remain largely absent from sociolegal scholarship on sexual violence. Taking an intersectional approach to the analysis of attorneys’ strategies during child sexual assault trials, this ar...
Phosphide and Carbide Inclusions in Iron Meteorites

The morphologies and mechanical properties of phosphides (schreibersite and rhabdites) and carbides (cohenite) are described. The distinguishing features of the two phases are emphasized, and it is pointed out that the difference in mechanical properties can serve as a means of identification. Measurements of phosphide size distributions are presented. The relation between metallographic observations and the size distribution data is assessed in order to attempt to estimate phosphide nucleation temperatures in octahedrites.
Deep learning for wind vector determination

Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) is a process of using numerical simulation to track and predict weather patterns over time. NWP is presented with a number of challenges in that it aims for precision in a situation that is by its nature uncertain and influenced by factors that are very difficult to enumerate. As an alternative, Empirical Weather Prediction (EWP) attempts to use observational data to construct models of weather phenomena. We evaluate a deep learning method applied to EWP to make wind vector determinations from radiometric data using data collected from Hurricane Sandy. Our approach uses unsupervised pre-training of stacked autoencoders to construct multilayer perceptrons. We then discuss the role of our approach as an important step in positioning EWP as a viable alternative to NWP.
Endocrine Therapy-Induced Alopecia in Patients With Breast Cancer.

Importance Endocrine therapy-induced alopecia (EIA) has been anecdotally reported but not systematically described. Objective To characterize EIA in patients with breast cancer. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective cohort study of 112 patients with breast cancer, diagnosed with EIA from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2016, the patients were examined at the dermatology service in a large tertiary care hospital and comprehensive cancer center. Main Outcomes and Measures The clinical features, alopecia-related quality of life (QoL), and response to minoxidil of EIA in patients with breast cancer were assessed. Data from the Hairdex Questionnaire was used to assess the impact of the alopecia on patients QoL. Higher score indicates lower QoL (0-100 score). Efficacy of minoxidil was measured at 3 or 6 months by a single-blinded investigator through standardized clinical photographs of the scalp. Results A total of 112 female patients with breast cancer were included (median [range] age, 60 [34-90] years). A total of 104 patients (93%) had standardized clinical photographs; of these, 59 patients (53%) had trichoscopy images available at baseline, and 46 patients (41%) were assessed for response to minoxidil. Alopecia was attributed to aromatase inhibitors in 75 patients (67%) and tamoxifen in 37 (33%). Severity was grade 1 in 96 of 104 patients (92%), and the pattern was similar to androgenetic alopecia. The predominant trichoscopic feature at baseline was the presence of vellus hairs and intermediate- and thick-diameter terminal hair shafts. A negative impact on QoL was reported, with a higher effect in the emotion domain according to the Hairdex score (mean [SD], 41.8 [21.3];P Conclusions and Relevance Endocrine therapies are associated with a pattern alopecia similar to androgenetic-type, consistent with the mechanism of action of causal agents. A significant negative impact on QoL was reported by patients, despite mostly mild alopecia severity.
Tracking the Influence of Autistic Traits on Competencies Among School Aged Children with Subthreshold Autistic Traits: A Longitudinal Study

This study aims to further explore the implications of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms for children who do not meet full diagnostic criteria. More specific characterization of how challenges present relative to traits of ASD such as social responsiveness is vital to developing an understanding of what competency and mental health difficulties these impairments are related to, and if they persist over time. Assessments of autistic traits, clinical symptomotology, and competency were used to quantify the relation of these domains cross-sectionally and across time. Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) scores significantly contributed to a teacher-report Happy scale from the Teacher's Report Form and a parent-report Social scale from the Child Behavior Checklist. No significant longitudinal models emerged. Splitting the SRS scores into three severity classes revealed that impaired social responsiveness is significantly related to competency, unlike average or below average deficits. Implications of subthreshold ASD traits on competency outcomes are discussed.
Use phase assessment of photocatalytic cool pavements

Abstract Pavement Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) can be used to evaluate the environmental benefits of photocatalytic, cool concrete overlays. The use phase assessment of concrete overlays made of gray and white cement incorporating titanium dioxide (TiO2) was investigated to quantify their environmental impact on vehicular pollutant removal, Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, and building energy consumption. Pollutant removal was estimated, with a higher decrease in NOx removal for white cement than gray cement. The UHI effect was quantified through a microscale thermal model with white cement concrete overlays resulting in five times less Global Warming Potential (GWP) than gray cement. Building energy consumption was evaluated using air temperature obtained from the ENVI-met model and empirically-derived relationships. White cement significantly decreased the cooling load in summer but increased the heating load in winter as compared to gray cement, with a net decrease in energy consumption of 9.5 kWh per capita per year. These impacts were then converted into ten Normalized Environmental Impact Parameters (NEIPs) and a single-score Net Environmental Impact (NEI) for comparison. As compared to gray cement without TiO2, the application of white cement with TiO2 led to a decrease in all NEIPs and NEIs. The largest reduction in NEI was for white cement with TiO2 at − 1.16 × 10 − 2 and the least reduction in NEI was for gray cement with TiO2 at − 5.35 × 10 − 4 .
The Enduring Mental Health Effects of Post-9/11 Discrimination in the Context of the Great Recession: Race/Ethnic Variation:

While prior study has linked discrimination experienced as a result of 9/11 with economic insecurity within the context of the Great Recession, the mental health effects of this linkage are unexami...
Effects of smelting parameters on the slag/metal separation behaviors of Hongge vanadium-bearing titanomagnetite metallized pellets obtained from the gas-based direct reduction process

Smelting separations of Hongge vanadium-bearing titanomagnetite metallized pellets (HVTMP) prepared by gas-based direct reduction were investigated, and the effects of smelting parameters on the slag/metal separation behaviors were analyzed. Relevant mechanisms were elucidated using X-ray diffraction analysis, FACTSAGE 7.0 calculations, and scanning electron microscopy observations. The results show that, when the smelting temperature, time, and C/O ratio are increased, the recoveries of V and Cr of HVTMP in pig iron are improved, the recovery of Fe initially increases and subsequently decreases, and the recovery of TiO2 in slag decreases. When the smelting CaO/SiO2 ratio is increased, the recoveries of Fe, V, and Cr in pig iron increase and the recovery of TiO2 in slag initially increases and subsequently decreases. The appropriate smelting separation parameters for HVTMP are as follows: smelting temperature of 1873 K; smelting time of 30–50 min; C/O ratio of 1.25; and CaO/SiO2 ratio of 0.50. With these optimized parameters (smelting time: 30 min), the recoveries of Fe, V, Cr, and TiO2 are 99.5%, 91.24%, 92.41%, and 94.86%, respectively.
Terahertz Spectroscopy of Liquids and Biomolecules

The terahertz regime has particular value for liquid and biomolecular spectroscopy. In the case of liquids, terahertz is sensitive to relaxational and collective motions in liquids [1–13]. Applications include determination of sugar, alcohol, and water content. While there are no narrow band identification features for liquids in the terahertz range, the ability of THz to transmit through packaging materials and high sensitivity of relative water content is considered highly appealing for its use as a method to rapidly verify labeled contents. The determination of the water, sucrose, alcohol, liquid fuel, and petroleum content using terahertz have been demonstrated [1, 10]. The fundamental findings from terahertz measurements of liquids include the hydration number associated with solutes [14, 15], the extent of the perturbation of the liquid structure by the solute [16, 17], and the role of interactions in binary liquids [13, 18] . New collective mode vibrations have been identified for alcohols [19, 20], and the changes in the relaxational dynamics due to mixing, and the role of collective vibrations in ionic liquids [21–24]. In order to achieve these many findings, sensitive measurement techniques and data analysis have been developed. In parallel, great strides in modeling have been made to effectively model the picosecond dielectric response for these highly complex systems.
Evaluating a Slope-Stability Model for Shallow Rain-Induced Landslides Using Gage and Satellite Data

Improving prediction of landslide early warning systems requires accurate estimation of the conditions that trigger slope failures. This study tested a slope-stability model for shallow rainfall-induced landslides by utilizing rainfall information from gauge and satellite records. We used the TRIGRS model (Transient Rainfall Infiltration and Grid-based Regional Slope-stability analysis) for simulating the evolution of the factor of safety due to rainfall infiltration. Using a spatial subset of a well-characterized digital landscape from an earlier study, we considered shallow failure on a slope adjoining an urban transportation roadway near the Seattle area in Washington, USA.
The dissolution behavior of metals from silver/copper alloys in ammoniacal solutions

The dissolution behavior of silver and copper from silver/copper alloys in ammoniacal solutions was investigated using a rotating disc. Oxygen was used as an oxidant. The effects of the alloy composition, concentration of lixiviants, stirring speed and temperature on the overall dissolution kinetics were studied. Three silver/copper alloys (containing 76.7, 46.9 and 24.1% silver) were used in this study. The rates of dissolution for these alloys were compared to that of pure silver and copper under the same testing conditions. Emphasis was given to the galvanic effect on the overall dissolution rates.
Wrap-Around Wearable Coils for Seamless Monitoring of Joint Flexion

Objective: We introduce and validate a new class of wearable coils that seamlessly monitor joint flexion in the individual's natural environment while overcoming shortcomings in state-of-the-art. Methods: Our approach relies on Faraday's law of induction and employs wrap-around transmit and receive coils that get angularly misaligned as the joint flexes. Results: Simulation and in vitro measurement results for both copper and e-thread coils are in excellent agreement. As a proof-of-concept, a cylindrical arm model is considered and feasibility of monitoring the 0°–130° range of motion is confirmed. The operation frequency of 34 MHz is identified as optimal, bringing forward reduced power requirements, enhanced angular resolution, and extreme robustness to tissue dielectric property variations. Performance benchmarking versus state-of-the-art inertial measurement units shows equivalent or superior performance, particularly for flexion angles greater than 20°. Design guidelines and safety considerations are also explored. Conclusion: Contrary to “gold-standard” camera-based motion capture, the reported approach is not restricted to contrived environments. Concurrently, it does not suffer from integration drift (unlike inertial measurement units), it does not require line-of-sight (unlike time-of-flight sensors), and it does not restrict natural joint movement (unlike bending sensors). Significance: The reported approach is envisioned to be seamlessly integrated into garments and, eventually, redefine the way joint flexion is monitored at present. This promises unprecedented opportunities for rehabilitation, sports, gestural interaction, and more.
Plastidic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenases are regulated to maintain activity in the light

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) can initiate the glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) shunt around the Calvin-Benson cycle. To understand the regulation of flux through this pathway, we have characterized the biochemical parameters and redox regulation of the three functional plastidic isoforms of Arabidopsis G6PDH. When purified, recombinant proteins were measured, all three exhibited significant substrate inhibition by G6P but not NADP+, making the determination of enzyme kinetic parameters complex. We found that the half-saturation concentration of G6PDH isoform 1 is increased under reducing conditions. The other two isoforms exhibit less redox regulation, however, isoform 2 is strongly inhibited by NADPH. Redox regulation of G6PDH1 can be partially reversed by hydrogen peroxide or protected against by the presence of its substrate, G6P. Overall, our results support the conclusion that G6PDH can have significant activity throughout the day and can be dynamically regulated to allow or prevent flux through the glucose-6-phosphate shunt.
Trends and outcomes of severe sepsis in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.

7127 Background: Sepsis is common in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients due to deficient immune system in the early part of the transplant and in patients with graft versus host dis...
Sex Estimation from Postcranial Measurements in Filipino Mortuary Remains

Filipino populations are under-studied in the field of forensic anthropology. The development of population-specific analyses for those of Filipino descent is critical in an increasingly globalized world with a growing diaspora of Filipino individuals. The objectives of this study are to broaden our knowledge of sexual dimorphism and to contribute to standard forensic methods.The sample consisted of 39 adult individuals (25 males and 14 females) of Filipino ancestry from the Manila North Cemetery in Manila, Philippines. Using this sample, discriminant function models for sex estimation that generated the highest separation power were generated. These models were cross-validated using a .632+ bootstrap method with 1,000 iterations. Humeral head diameter and anterior-posterior diameter of the radius produced the highest accuracy (>99%) for sex discrimination. Multivariate models were shown to be more powerful than univariate models. The results are discussed in the context of inter-population differences in sexual dimorphism.
Urban Parents' Perceptions About the Role of Organized Religion and Spiritual Beliefs in Their Family Life

Parents with children with cognitive disabilities may rely on organized religion and/or spiritual beliefs as coping strategies in their lives. Fifteen parents of adolescents with cognitive disabilities were administered the Support From Religious Organizational and Personal Beliefs Scale—Revised to test this hypothesis. The results indicated that 50% of the participants did not (a) become more active in organized religion activities when their child with cognitive disabilities was born, (b) seek out assistance from the church when they experienced problems, or (c) perceive the church as being more supportive of them when compared with other agencies. In addition, 56% of the participants perceived that (a) they were satisfied with their personal beliefs, (b) they sought comfort through prayer, and (c) their personal beliefs continued to be a source of comfort in nurturing their child.
Colonic Stents as a Bridge to Surgery Compared with Immediate Resection in Patients with Malignant Large Bowel Obstruction in a NY State Database.

There is controversy surrounding the efficacy and safety of colonic stents as a bridge to surgery compared with immediate resection in patients presenting with an acute malignant large bowel obstruction. Retrospective longitudinal cohort study using the NYS SPARCS Database. Patients with acute malignant large bowel obstruction who either had stent followed by elective surgery within 3 weeks (bridge to surgery) or underwent immediate resection between October 2009 and June 2016 in the state of New York were included. The primary outcome was rate of stoma creation at index resection. Secondary outcomes were 90-day readmission, reoperation, procedural complications, and discharge disposition. A total of 3059 patients were included, n = 2917 (95.4%) underwent an immediate resection and n = 142 (4.6%) underwent bridge to surgery. We analyzed 139 patients in propensity score-matched groups. Patients in the bridge to surgery group were less likely than those in the immediate resection group to get a stoma at the time of surgery (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.18–0.60). They were also less likely to be discharged to a rehabilitation facility or require a home health aide upon discharge (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.22–0.61). There were no differences in rates of 90-day readmission, reoperation, or procedural complications between groups. Colonic stenting as a bridge to surgery leads to less stoma creation, a significant quality of life advantage, compared with immediate resection. Patients should be counseled regarding these potential benefits when the technology is available.
Nanoscale self-assembly using ion and electron beam techniques: A Rapid Review

Nanoscale self-assembly, as a technique to transform two-dimensional (2D) planar patterns into three-dimensional (3D) nanoscale architectures, has achieved tremendous success in the past decade. However, an assembly process at nanoscale is easily affected by small unavoidable variations in sample conditions and reaction environment, resulting in a low yield. Recently, in-situ monitored self-assembly based on ion and electron irradiation has stood out as a promising candidate to overcome this limitation. The usage of ion and electron beam allows stress generation and real-time observation simultaneously, which significantly enhances the controllability of self-assembly. This enables the realization of various complex 3D nanostructures with a high yield. The additional dimension of the self-assembled 3D nanostructures opens the possibility to explore novel properties that cannot be demonstrated in 2D planar patterns. Here, we present a rapid review on the recent achievements and challenges in nanoscale self-assembly using electron and ion beam techniques, followed by a discussion of the novel optical properties achieved in the self-assembled 3D nanostructures.
Assessing sector representation of non-state actors within the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) has accomplished much in advancing tobacco control. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were critical to the development of the Conventi...
BFTS - Engineering geologists' field station to study reservoir landslides

Abstract Accurate characterization and assessment of complex landslide behaviors represent a major challenge. The engineering geologist usually relies on analytical solutions, numerical simulation, and model testing for such evaluations. In recent years, in-situ experimental and monitoring platforms have become increasingly popular for studying landslide behaviors; they provide more reliable data and complement traditional evaluation methods. The impoundment of the 660 km long reservoir behind the Three Gorges Dam has initiated or reactivated thousands of landslides in the greater reservoir region. To study the long-term landslide behaviors during the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) operation, a field test station, known as the Badong Field Test Site (BFTS), was constructed at the site of the Huangtupo landslide that reactivated in the TGR Area (TGRA). BFTS is an engineering geologist's field station to study landslides, especially those in the TGRA. This article introduces BFTS from multiple perspectives, including its primary purposes, the facilities and research activities at BFTS, the role of BFTS in the prevention and mitigation of landslides in the TGRA, and the educational functions of BFTS.
Imaging of nonatheromatous carotid artery disease

Imaging diagnosis of nonatheromatous carotid artery disease is challenging due to its low prevalence in contrast to that of atheromatous disease. Congenital anomalies are frequently discovered inci...
Do Associations Between Vascular Risk and Mild Cognitive Impairment Vary by Race

Objectives: Given prevalence differences of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among Black and white older adults, this study aimed to examine whether overall vascular risk factor (VRF) burden and individual VRF associations with amnestic (aMCI) and nonamnestic (naMCI) MCI status varied by Black/white race. Methods: Participants included 2755 older adults without dementia from the ACTIVE study. Comprehensive neuropsychological criteria were used to classify cognitively normal, aMCI, and naMCI. VRFs were primarily defined using subjective report and medication data. Multinomial logistic regression was run predicting MCI subtype. Results: Greater overall VRF burden, high cholesterol, and obesity evinced greater odds of naMCI in Black participants than whites. Across participants, diabetes and hypertension were associated with increased odds of aMCI and naMCI, respectively. Discussion: Results may reflect known systemic inequities on dimensions of social determinants of health for Black older adults. Continued efforts toward examining underlying mechanisms contributing to these findings are critical.
The Role of Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 in Regulating IFN-β–Mediated IL-10 Production

The ability of IFN-β to induce IL-10 production from innate immune cells is important for its anti-inflammatory properties and is believed to contribute to its therapeutic value in treating multiple sclerosis patients. In this study, we identified that IFN-β stimulates IL-10 production by activating the JAK1- and PI3K-signaling pathways. JAK1 activity was required for IFN-β to activate PI3K and Akt1 that resulted in repression of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3)-β activity. IFN-β–mediated suppression of GSK3-β promoted IL-10, because IL-10 production by IFN-β–stimulated dendritic cells (DC) expressing an active GSK3-β knockin was severely reduced, whereas pharmacological or genetic inhibition of GSK3-β augmented IL-10 production. IFN-β increased the phosphorylated levels of CREB and STAT3 but only CREB levels were affected by PI3K. Also, a knockdown in CREB, but not STAT3, affected the capacity of IFN-β to induce IL-10 from DC. IL-10 production by IFN-β–stimulated DC was shown to suppress IFN-γ and IL-17 production by myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-specific CD4+ T cells, and this IL-10–dependent anti-inflammatory effect was enhanced by directly targeting GSK3 in DC. These findings highlight how IFN-β induces IL-10 production and the importance that IL-10 plays in its anti-inflammatory properties, as well as identify a therapeutic target that could be used to increase the IL-10–dependent anti-inflammatory properties of IFN-β.
Reflexivity and the Sociology of Practice

Reflexive theories offer an alternative perspective on sociological intervention and an interpretation of current social conditions that open up new possibilities for the theoretical, professional, and societal recentering of sociological practice as what I will call the “sociology of practice.” From a reflexive perspective, sociological knowledge and everyday knowledge are related through a process of mutual transformation in ways that foster a convergence of theoretical and applied issues, redraw the boundaries between sociological and the extrasociological activities, and require new forms of lay–expert engagement in which lay knowledge plays a substantive role. Discursive models of engagement are typically advocated, but I argue that an interventive model of lay–expert engagement organized as the sociology of practice optimizes the possibility that engagement will meet reflexive criteria. The sociology of practice is recentered as a substantive body of knowledge relevant to the work of all sociologists and essential for ameliorating social problems.
Matrix-isolation study of the vacuum-ultraviolet photolysis of NF3: The electronic spectrum of the NF2 free radical

Abstract The vacuum-ultraviolet photolysis of NF 3 in an argon or a carbon monoxide matrix at 14°K leads to the production of NF 2 , identified by its infrared absorption. F-atom photodetachment also leads to the appearance of FCO in the carbon monoxide matrix studies. The photodissociation of NF 2 by 2537 A radiation has been confirmed. The appearance of a band system near 2600 A with position and band spacings close to those previously reported for NF 2 in the gas phase demonstrates that the lower state of the gas-phase transition is the ground state of the molecule and confirms the assignment of the observed structure to a progression in the upper-state bending vibration.
Competitiveness in males and in females

Male and female undergraduates performed a task at which they either succeeded or failed in competition with either a male or female partner who subsequently either accepted or rejected them. Subjects who were rejected by a male partner following success or accepted following failure performed less well on a subsequent anagram task than did those who were accepted following success or rejected following failure. These results suggest the importance of situational factors as determinants of “fear of success” behavior.
Calculation of coefficients in a power-series expansion of the nome q = exp[-π K(k')K(k)]

Abstract A recurrence relation is derived for expansion coefficients in a power series of the nome q = exp [ -π K(k') K(k) ]=⩞a m λ 4m+1 , where K(k) is the complete elliptic integral of the first kind, k'=(1-k 2 ) 1 2 , and λ= 1 2 (1-k' 1 2 ) /(1+k' 1 2 ) . A simple numerical method based on the recurrence relation is developed for calculation of the coefficients am. Analysis of errors arising from truncation of the power series for q suggests that numerical evaluation of q from this series is more useful than other known methods, except when k is very close to unity.
Geometry, robustness, and emerging unitarity in dissipation-projected dynamics

Quantum information can be encoded in the set of steady states (SSS) of a driven-dissipative system. Nonsteady states are separated by a large dissipative gap that adiabatically decouples them while the dynamics inside the SSS is governed by an effective, dissipation-projected, Hamiltonian. The latter results from the interplay between a weak driving and the fast relaxation process that continuously projects the system back to the SSS. This amounts to a different type of environment-induced quantum Zeno effect. We prove that the dissipation-projected dynamics is of geometric nature and that it is robust against different types of Hamiltonian and dissipative perturbations. Remarkably, in some cases an effective unitary dynamics can emerge out of purely dissipative interactions.
Vestibular influences on spinal mechanisms.

Abstract Vestibular descending influences were analyzed in decerebrate cats by stimulating the peripheral branches of the vestibular nerve and recording within the bulb, and from motor outflows at both cervical and lumbosacral levels of the spinal cord bilaterally. The state of the motor centers of the lumbosacral region, as affected by vestibular stimulation, was tested by dorsal roct and other sensory input interventions. Contralateral vestibular evoked motoneuron discharges are ensured by an abundance of functional crossings in the cervical and thoracic levels. Descending vestibular influences affect segmental spinal reflexes by an initial enhancement followed by a sharp depression and a subsequent period of re-enhancement. The re-enhancement disappears after cerebellectomy. The early facilitatory influences appear to be bilaterally reciprocally organized; the inhibitory influences appear to be bilaterally symmetrical. Both cervical and lumbosacral outflows yield two successive wave responses to vestibular stimulation. These are influenced bilaterally symetrically in parallel fashion in both cervical and lumbosacral outflows. Projections responsible for a large spikelike wave in the radial nerve are more direct and imperious and not so extensively distributed as are those for the two wave responses. Ventral root responses to single shock vestibular stimulation reveal the firing of small motor units; more rapid vestibular stimulation recruits large motor units. Descending vestibular influences induce activity in lumbosacral motor units earlier (even though the descending path is longer), and have a more prolonged effect on segmental activity, than do propriospinal influences studied by Lloyd in the spinal cat by means of brachial plexus stimulation.
Novel organotypic in vitro slice culture model for intraventricular hemorrhage of premature infants

Mechanisms of brain injury in intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) of premature infants are elusive, and no therapeutic strategy exists to prevent brain damage in these infants. Therefore, we developed an in vitro organotypic forebrain slice culture model to advance mechanistic studies and therapeutic developments for this disorder. We cultured forebrain slices from E29 rabbit pups and treated the cultured slices (CS) with moderate (50 μl) or large (100 μl) amounts of autologous blood to mimic moderate and severe IVH. Blood-induced damage to CS was evaluated by propidium iodide staining, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, microglial density, neuronal degeneration, myelination, and gliosis over 2 weeks after the initiation of culture. CS were viable for at least 14 days in vitro (DIV). The application of blood induced significant neural cell degeneration. Degenerating cells were more abundant and LDH levels were elevated in a dose-dependent manner in CS treated with 50 versus 100 μl of blood compared with untreated controls. Microglial density was higher in blood-treated CS compared with controls at both 7 and 14 days posttreatment, and myelination was reduced and gliosis enhanced. Selective application of blood fractions revealed that CS treated with plasma displayed more hypomyelination and gliosis compared with erythrocyte-treated slices. This study develops and characterizes a novel rabbit forebrain slice culture model of IVH that exhibits neuropatholgical changes similar to those in human infants with IVH. Importantly, plasma appears to induce greater white matter damage than erythrocytes in IVH,indicating plasma as a source of neurotoxic components.
Two-dimensional gel analysis of polypeptide appearance in forming thylakoid membranes.

Abstract For the first time, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis is used to analyse the polypeptide composition of thylakoid membranes during chloroplast development. The number of polypeptide spots resolved on the two-dimensional gels is 3–4 times the number of bands previously resolved on one-dimensional gels. The pattern of polypeptide synthesis and insertion into the forming thylakoid membranes of dark-grown Euglena exposed to light conforms with previous biochemical measurements on the assembly of the electron transport chain located in these membranes.