cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ineffectiveness of Laetrile in the Treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Much controversy remains over the use of laetrile in the treatment of leukemia. Public opinion has been responsible for several state legislatures enacting bills allowing the use of laetrile for patients with leukemia and other malignancies. We recently cared for a 3 1/2-year-old child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, who had low initial white blood cell count, limited organomegaly, and absence of T or B cell markers. A good prognosis was anticipated. Conventional therapy was interrupted for long periods of time with laetrile. Laetrile was ineffective in maintaining or inducing remission. Despite favorable prognosis, the child developed several relapses and died with widespread infiltration of leukemia in the central nervous system, bone marrow and viscera.
An Integrated Holistic Method for Teaching Introductory German to Community College Students.

The study reported in this paper investigated the effectiveness of an Integrated Holistic Teaching Method for teaching grammatical structure, cultural norms and behavior, writing and listening to German language students. The study involved a sample of 24 undergraduate students enrolled in an introductory college-level German course at a large urban community college in Texas. The research utilized a pre- and posttest design to study the instructional effectiveness of the Integrated Holistic Teaching Method. The higher posttest mean scores indicated significant improvement in student learning in the 4 major language skills areas as an artifact of involvement in the Integrated Holistic Teaching Method.
Phylogenetic Analysis of the Sigma 2 Protein Gene of Turkey Reoviruses

Abstract The open reading frame of the S3 segment encoding the σ2 protein of four turkey reovirus field isolates was analyzed for sequence heterogeneity. The turkey reoviruses we present here have a 97% amino acid identity to turkey NC 98. The S3 nucleotide and amino acid sequence similarity was ≤61% and 78%–80%, respectively, when compared to the chicken reovirus isolates. Comparison of amino acid sequences from chickens and turkeys with that of a duck isolate revealed a 53% and 55% similarity, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses, based on both nucleotide and amino acid sequence, resulted in three major groups among the avian reoviruses; these groups were clearly separated by species. The results of this study provide further evidence, based on the deduced σ2 sequence, that turkey reoviruses form a distinct, separate group relative to chicken and duck isolates. In addition, as a result of the limited sequence identity with their avian counterparts, turkey reoviruses could potentially be considered a sepa...
Indoor GPS-denied Context Based SLAM Aided Guidance for Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Systems

Autonomous exploration and mapping of environments is an important problem in robotics. Efficient exploration of structured environments requires that the robot utilize region-specific exploration strategies and coordinate with search other agents. This paper details the exploration and guidance system of a multi-quadrotor unmanned aerial system (UAS) capable of exploring cluttered indoor areas without relying on any external aides. Specifically, a graph-based frontier search algorithm which is aided by an onboard Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) system is developed and flight tested. A technique is developed in for segmenting an indoor office-like environment into regions and to utilize the SLAM map to conduct specific activities in these regions. A goal-directed exploration strategy is created building on existing hybrid deliberative-reactive approaches to exploration. An obstacle avoidance and guidance system is implemented to ensure that the vehicle explores maximum indoor area while avoiding obstacles. The environment is explored and regions are segmented by detecting rooms and hallways which expedites the search. The multi-vehicle system is Georgia Tech Aerial Robotic Team's entry for the annual International Aerial Robotics Competition (IARC).
The role of the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP1) in alzheimer’s Aβ generation

The clearance and degradation of extracellular Aβ is critical for regulating β-amyloid deposition, a major hallmark of brains of patients with Aβ in Alzheimer’s Disease. The low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein, LRP1, is a large endocytic receptor that significantly contributes to the balance between degradation and production of Aβ. An extracellular portion of the LRP, known as the cluster II region can bind to the secreted form of APP (sAPP-KPI). We show here that a GST fusion protein containing the cluster II region of LRP can be used as a ‘mini-receptor’ that specifically binds to sAPP-KPI from conditioned cultured medium. The binding between the GST-LRP-cluster II fusion protein and sAPP-KPI can be inhibited with the strong binding ligand of LRP1, called receptor-associated protein (RAP). Furthermore, a cell-based in vitro assay system has been developed to monitor the production of total Aβ and Aβ1–42 in the presence and absence of RAP in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines both deficient in LRP and expressing LRP. A 3-day treatment of the L2 (CHO cells deficient in LRP and overexpressing APP751) and L3 (CHO cells expressing LRP and overexpressing APP751) cell lines with RAP showed a decrease in total Aβ and, interestingly, also a decrease in the ratio of Aβ42/Aβtotal. This cell-based model system and LRP-cluster II mini-receptor will be very useful for screening novel compounds that can reduce Aβ accumulation by inhibiting binding of APP-KPI to LRP1.
Linking pore system characteristics to the compressive behavior of pervious concrete

Abstract Research has been carried out linking matrix strength, total porosity, aggregate size and mean pore size of pervious concrete to its compressive strength. While matrix strength, total porosity and aggregate size are easy accessible parameters, mean pore size is derived from the pore size distribution determined using linear path function. The linear path function is tailored for pervious concrete and validated by an image analysis method. Additionally, based on the statistically extracted pore size distribution the pore size distribution density is calculated and incorporated in a semi-empirical model to predict the compressive stress versus strain behavior of pervious concrete. In this research 27 different pervious concrete series are investigated, varying in their matrix strength (from 29 MPa to 174 MPa), their aggregate to binder ratio (from 2.5 to 3.5) and their aggregate size (from 1.19 mm to 4.75 mm). Based on the coefficient of determination a good correlation between experimental and predicted compressive behavior of the pervious concrete series is achieved.
Hydrocele following internal spermatic vein ligation: a retrospective study and review of the literature.

AbstractWe reviewed 82 consecutive infertile men with varicoceles and 1 teenage boy with a painful varicocele, all of whom underwent a total of 111 internal spermatic vein ligations (55 unilateral and 28 bilateral) by the suprainguinal approach (Palomo method). Of these patients 3 who underwent unilateral and 3 bilateral internal spermatic vein ligations subsequently suffered a total of 8 hydroceles after an average postoperative interval of 18.2 months. The protein concentration of the hydrocele fluid in the 2 most recent patients was consistent with lymphatic obstruction.
Treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer: The Southwest Oncology Group experience

Approximately 2,500 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have been treated by the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG). These data, based on various trials and regimens over a 14-year experience, are evaluated, summarized, and compared with results reported by other cooperative groups. Response rates are higher and 1 year survivals are more frequent in patients with good performance status. Presently available chemotherapy for NSCLC is much more effective in limited (stage III) disease than in extensive (stage IV) disease. In extensive disease patients who are fully ambulatory, cisplatin based combinations have been shown to produce responses of up to 30% and probably exert modest beneficial effects on survival. Nonetheless, current therapies are suboptimal; better ways to use cisplatin and other drugs are needed.
A Review of Ferric Pyrophosphate Citrate (Triferic) Use in Hemodialysis Patients.

Abstract Purpose The objective of this short review is to evaluate the efficacy of ferric pyrophosphate citrate and to determine its place in therapy based on the current published literature. Methods A literature search was conducted and pared down to yield 4 placebo controlled Phase II and III clinically relevant trials. Findings Ferric pyrophosphate citrate is a new intradialytic iron supplementation product that has been found to reduce the dose of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents and intravenous iron supplementation and to increase serum ferritin concentrations. Implications This agent may be administered to patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease receiving hemodialysis as a new iron supplementation option to maintain hemoglobin, transferrin saturation, and ferritin concentrations.
34. Lewis’ Rest from Loving and Be Living

(1948). 34. Lewis’ Rest from Loving and Be Living. The Explicator: Vol. 6, No. 5, pp. 61-64.
Prebiotic phosphorylation enabled by microdroplets.

The significant acceleration of reactions in confined environments has recently been reported in the literature (1⇓⇓⇓⇓⇓–7). The reaction environments investigated span a diverse range, including charged microdroplets (1⇓–3), microdiameter emulsions (5), inverted micelles (8), and the surfaces of aerosol particles (9). These experimental results have made the case that the surface of aqueous drops provides a special and unique reaction environment with qualitatively different thermodynamic and kinetic properties from bulk aqueous solutions. In PNAS, Nam et al. (7) report on a compelling application of accelerated reactions in aqueous microdroplets to chemistry that may have occurred prebiotically, in the absence of enzymes. They specifically address the abiotic production of sugar phosphates and uridine ribonucleoside in microdroplets, reactions that do not occur in bulk aqueous solutions. In biology, these reactions are enzyme-catalyzed. Investigations of reactions in confined aqueous environments are especially compelling in prebiotic chemistry, where nonenzymatic pathways must be found to explain the abiotic formation of biopolymers that can be used as building blocks of life (10⇓–12). It has long been appreciated that phosphorus is important in life (13), yet abiotic phosphorylation remains an area of intense recent activity (14). The contribution of Nam et al. (7) provides a possible route for the formation of prebiotically plausible sugar phosphate in aqueous microdrops. The experiments reported in the literature have used laboratory model systems to show different chemistry at aqueous interfaces than in bulk solutions; however, these model systems have counterparts in the natural environment (10, 15). Therefore, the thermodynamic and kinetic arguments emerging from laboratory model studies can be generalized. On the contemporary and early Earth, aqueous microdroplets … [↵][1]1Email: vaida{at}colorado.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Physiological Mitochondrial Fragmentation Is a Normal Cardiac Adaptation to Increased Energy Demand

Rationale: Mitochondria play a dual role in the heart, responsible for meeting energetic demands and regulating cell death. Paradigms have held that mitochondrial fission and fragmentation are the result of pathologic stresses such as ischemia, are an indicator of poor mitochondrial health, and lead to mitophagy and cell death. However, recent studies demonstrate that inhibiting fission also results in decreased mitochondrial function and cardiac impairment, suggesting that fission is important for maintaining cardiac and mitochondrial bioenergetic homeostasis. Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine whether mitochondrial fission and fragmentation can be an adaptive mechanism used by the heart to augment mitochondrial and cardiac function during a normal physiologic stress such as exercise. Methods and Results: We demonstrate a novel role for cardiac mitochondrial fission as a normal adaptation to increased energetic demand. During submaximal exercise, "physiologic" mitochondrial fragmentation results in enhanced, rather than impaired mitochondrial function, and is mediated in-part by β1-adrenergic receptor signaling. Similar to pathologic fragmentation, physiologic fragmentation is induced by activation of Drp1; however, unlike pathologic fragmentation, membrane potential is maintained and regulators of mitophagy are downregulated. Inhibition of fission with P110, Mdivi-1 or in mice with cardiac specific Drp1 ablation, significantly Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the requirement for physiological mitochondrial fragmentation to meet the energetic demands of exercise as well as providing additional support for the evolving conceptual framework, where mitochondrial fission and fragmentation play a role in the balance between mitochondrial maintenance of normal physiology and response to disease.
On the freezing time of supercooled drops in developing convective clouds over tropical ocean

Abstract Ice generation and evolution in tropical maritime convective clouds are still poorly understood and challenging to model. Aircraft measurements during the Ice in Clouds-Tropical (ICE-T) project suggest that the observed ice particles in intense convective clouds are primarily small at relatively warm temperature (between −7 °C and −10 °C), and large frozen drops are detected at a temperature colder than −10 °C. However, the ice particle size distributions (PSDs) between −7 °C and −10 °C modelled using a parcel model with spectral bin microphysics scheme are much broader than the observation. To interpret the difference in the temperature-dependent ice PSD evolution between the model simulations and the observations, the freezing times and temperatures of supercooled drops are modelled and analyzed. The results indicate that the freezing time (from the initial nucleation to fully frozen) must be considered; it is not instantaneous, and is longer for large drops than for small drops. In strong updrafts, such as that sampled by the Learjet during ICE-T, large freezing drops may be carried upwards to a temperature lower than their nucleation temperature before they are fully frozen. This offers a feasible explanation for the temperature-dependent ice particle size evolution in strong updrafts observed during ICE-T. In models, drop freezing is normally assumed to be instantaneous, which is not realistic; the models yields broader ice PSDs between −7 °C and −10 °C than is observed. The results highlight the importance to consider the freezing time of supercooled drops in interpreting the observed and modelled ice PSDs in growing turrets and in modelling ice generation in cloud resolving models. To better understand the time-dependent drop freezing and its impact on the microphysics and dynamics of convective clouds, more field measurements and laboratory experiments, as well as modelling studies are needed.
Institutional Researcher Reflexivity: How IR Professionals Can Utilize Researcher Reflexivity in Qualitative Studies of Community College Students.

In this paper, I argue that researcher reflexivity, a common qualitative practice, is a specific tool that institutional research professionals endeavoring to conduct qualitative research studies i...
Cancer Risk Awareness among Uninsured Primary Care Patients.

Objectives Underserved populations are at risk of low cancer risk awareness. The purpose of this study was to examine cancer risk awareness and lifestyle issues among uninsured primary care patients in the United States. Methods Data were collected using a self-administered survey from May to July 2017 of adult free clinic patients (N = 506) who spoke English or Spanish. Results The following factors were associated with higher levels of cancer risk awareness: higher educational attainment, better self-perceived health, and having a family history of cancer. More than 40% of free clinic patients reported a family history of cancer. Contradictory findings existed between perceived diet quality and perceived weight. Conclusions The intersection of cancer risk awareness and lifestyle issues among underserved populations is a vital topic to improve cancer prevention and promote screening uptake. Continued research is needed to understand which types of cancer underserved populations are cognizant of developing. In addition, because community-level interventions are effective in increasing cancer risk awareness, 3 research is needed to determine ways in which health education programs focused at cancer risk awareness directed to underserved populations can be effectively implemented and evaluated.
Chronic Pediatric Pain Management: a Review of Multidisciplinary Care and Emerging Topics

Chronic pain is a prevalent, disabling, and expensive pediatric condition. Specific treatment options have limited evidence and are often extrapolated from adult care. This review evaluates pain outcome measures, psychological treatment, pharmacologic management, multidisciplinary treatment models, and emerging topics in pediatric pain medicine. Multimodal cognitive behavioral therapy and intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment have the strongest evidence for improving pain and function while decreasing healthcare utilization. There is emerging evidence that parental involvement in care is an important factor in pediatric outcomes. While there is increased interest in emerging topics such as use of marijuana-derived products, acupuncture, and virtual reality, the evidence behind such interventions remains limited. Pediatric chronic pain treatment centers on the biopsychosocial model of pain and multidisciplinary treatment. Recent research shows that intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment can improve pain, function, and healthcare utilization. Long-term benefits and risks of emerging treatments in pediatric chronic pain remain poorly understood.
Clinical significance of incidental findings on coronary CT angiography: Insights from a randomized controlled trial.

The effect of incidental findings from coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) on management has not been rigorously investigated. This study uses a control group to explore this relationship. Analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial of acute chest pain patients admitted to telemetry was performed. Patients were randomized to undergo either CCTA (n = 200) or radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) (n = 200). Incidental findings were determined from imaging reports. Records were reviewed to determine subsequent management and imaging during and after hospitalization. Comparisons were performed using Fischer’s exact tests. 386 incidental findings were found among 187 CCTA studies. No extra-cardiac incidental findings were noted in the MPI arm, which served as an effective control group. There were significantly more non-coronary medical workups during admission in the CCTA group compared to the MPI group [20% (39) vs. 12% (23), P = 0.038]. CCTA patients underwent significantly more resting echocardiography during the inpatient workup compared to the MPI group [38% (75) vs. 18% (55), P = 0.042]. CCTA patients underwent significantly more non-contrast chest CT exams in the year following admission compared to MPI patients [14% (27) vs. 7% (13) P = 0.029]. Incidental findings on inpatient CCTAs performed for chest pain have a significant impact on treatment and imaging during and following hospital admission.
Teller’s Campaign for Openness

Since 1945 Edward Teller has been conducting a very courageous campaign to reduce U.S. secrecy in science and technology. Without support from the scientific establishment he has maintained that reduction in secrecy would strengthen the U.S. in its military rivalry with the Soviet Union. He has stressed the advantages of openness in making more rapid advance possible. He contrasts our lead in computers which are unclassified with the lag he reports in nuclear weapons which he maintains suffer from overclassification. He has repeatedly said that if the U.S. released more information on the Soviet military buildup the American people would unite more strongly behind increased defense efforts and the American scientific community would be more attracted to defense work. I have have been persuaded of the validity and the importance of Edward’s campaign for some years and this paper records my paraphrasing of his ideas together with some extensions.
Synthesis of the AB spiroketal subunit of spongistatin 1 (altohyrtin A): The Pyrone approach

Abstract The synthesis of the AB spiroketal fragment of spongistatin 1 (altohyrtin A) has been accomplished utilizing the addition of a metalated pyrone to an aldehyde followed by acid catalyzed spirocyclization. A stereoselective copper ( I ) promoted conjugate addition of vinylmagnesium bromide was used to establish the C11 stereogenic center.
World Corneal Blindness

Corneal blindness is the fourth leading cause of global blindness according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Infectious etiologies like trachoma and onchocerciasis continue to be principal causes of corneal blindness, in addition to infectious keratitis and traumatic injuries. Major barriers to addressing corneal blindness include lack of prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. Global programs aimed at prevention, targeting trachoma, vitamin A deficiency, and vaccination have largely been successful. However, access to health resources such as the paucity of corneal tissue for corneal transplantation and trained corneal surgeons, the main therapy for treating corneal blindness, is still being addressed as are other public health eye care programs.
[Screening of benzo- and thienodiazepines in urine with Emit ST and thin-layer chromatography within the scope of substance abuse].

Alle 24 zur Zeit in der BRD auf dem Markt befindlichen Benzo- und Thienodiazepine (abgek. Diazepine) wurden in verschiedenen Konzentrationen einem medikamentenfreien Urin zugesetzt und sowohl mit dem Emit ST als auch mittels Dunnschichtchromatografie (DC) untersucht. Dunnschichtchromatografisch wurden zusatzlich die sauren Hydrolyseprodukte analysiert. Eine modifizierte Extraktionsmethode wird vorgestellt, welche einen erheblichen Zeitgewinn mit sich bringt. Die Nachweisgrenzen fur Emit und DC wurden ermittelt, und es wird die Eignung beider Methoden im Rahmen eines breitgefacherten Drogensuchprogramms diskutiert.
Synthesis of mono- and dimethoxylated polychlorinated biphenyl derivatives starting from fluoroarene derivatives

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are environmental pollutants implicated in a variety of adverse health effects, including cancer and noncancer diseases in animals and humans. PCBs are metabolized to hydroxylated compounds, and some of these PCB metabolites are more toxic than the parent PCBs. Unfortunately, most PCB metabolites needed for toxicological studies are not available from commercial sources. Moreover, it is challenging to synthesize PCB metabolites because starting materials with suitable substitution patterns are not readily available. Here, we report the novel synthesis of a variety of mono- and dimethoxyarene derivatives from commercially available fluoroarenes via nucleophilic aromatic substitution with sodium methoxide. This reaction provided good to excellent yields of the desired methoxylated products. Suzuki coupling of selected mono- and dimethoxy haloarenes with chlorinated phenylboronic acids yielded methoxylated derivatives of PCB 11, 12, 25, 35, and 36 in low to good yields. Crystal structures of 3,3′-dichloro-2,5-dimethoxy-1,1′-biphenyl and 3′,5-dichloro-2,3-dimethoxy-1,1′-biphenyl confirmed the substitution pattern of both compounds. This synthesis strategy provides straightforward access to a range of mono- and dimethoxylated PCB derivatives that were not readily accessible previously.
Helioseismic Center-to-Limb Effect and Measured Travel-Time Asymmetries Around Sunspots

Center-to-limb effect, an asymmetry in the measured travel times for waves propagating away from and toward the solar disk center, was previously reported in time–distance helioseismic measurements. Meanwhile, another travel-time asymmetry between waves traveling away from and into sunspots is well known. It is possible that both of the travel-time asymmetries are partially, albeit not entirely, due to different atmospheric heights where oscillatory signals are taken for computing the acoustic travel times. Here, we take simultaneous observations of two atmospheric heights in a quiet-Sun region, and measure acoustic travel times between the lower and higher atmosphere. The results demonstrate that the measured travel-time asymmetries resemble those measured in the center-to-limb effect and in sunspot regions.
On the Problem of Characterizing Derivatives

We observe how a slight and even natural change in the Kurzweil-Henstock integral leads to a characterization of derivatives. We will also argue that the only way to characterize derivatives is by using some object or procedure which is at least as complicated as an integral.
Vico and Arendt on Imagination and Representative Thinking

Hannah Arendt argues that political thinking has a representative nature, namely, it requires having present in mind as many of other people’s standpoints as possible while considering a given issue. Such manner of thinking requires imagination and common sense. However, since for Arendt, (political) thinking and speaking belong together, political judgment has a rhetorical and a poetic component. I argue in my paper, that such a manner of framing the issue of political thinking by Arendt, suggests that to think representatively requires both free and creative imagination (to create new images, new ways to see reality) and relying on a (socio-culturally constructed) sense of community. Drawing on Vico’s philosophy, I further develop Arendt’s line of reasoning, by contending that political thinking is a form of poetic practical wisdom, which aims to form the social nature of mankind, in ways that enhance both individual imagination and a commonality that is not self-enclosed, but open to the dialogue with strangers. While the free and creative imagination of the poet dwells on the common mental vocabulary of a society, such common mental vocabulary is continuously reinvented and expanded by the acts of speaking and communication of active and creative individuals. Moreover, such mental vocabulary or social imaginary of a society comes into being through a dialogue with strangers and foreigners, while, being at the same time characterized by principles that are common to mankind. Hence, it is not a self-enclosed universe of meanings and images, but one that can be both contested and creatively expanded. At its best, the social imaginary reenacts for its members the origins of human creativity, thus avoiding the transformation of individuals into passive and uncritical consumers of images. I argue that, in a democratic polity where individuals are not passive consumers of images, but active and creative, representative thinking is a form of poetic and rhetorical performance. Through such performance the individual (or the group) is both inside and outside, in the liminal or on the threshold space, where not only that mentality is enlarged, but it is also transformed in ways that create new possibilities of meaning and of seeing the world. This suggests that one crucial feature of representative thinking is its creative and transformative potential. It is the fact that by engaging in the act of thinking politically or representatively, the individual or the group unavoidably alters its identity as this is formed by the civil metaphors that frame the social imaginary or the manner in which a society defines reality and humanity.
Coverings, Heat Kernels and Spanning Trees

We consider a graph $G$ and a covering $\tilde{G}$ of $G$ and we study the relations of their eigenvalues and heat kernels. We evaluate the heat kernel for an infinite $k$-regular tree and we examine the heat kernels for general $k$-regular graphs. In particular, we show that a $k$-regular graph on $n$ vertices has at most $$ (1+o(1)) {{2\log n}\over {kn \log k}} \left( {{ (k-1)^{k-1}}\over {(k^2-2k)^{k/2-1}}}\right)^n $$ spanning trees, which is best possible within a constant factor.
Multisensory computer vision

Publisher Summary The integration of multiple sensors or multiple sensing modalities is an effective method of minimizing the ambiguities inherent in interpreting perceived scenes. The multisensory approach is useful for a variety of tasks, including pose determination, surface reconstruction, object recognition, and motion computation among others. Several problems that were previously difficult or even impossible to solve because of the ill-posed nature of the formulations are converted to well-posed problems with the adoption of a multisensory approach. The chapter discusses modeling and the advantages of multisensory approaches to computer vision. The integration of multiple sensors or multiple sensing modalities is an effective method of minimizing the ambiguities inherent in interpreting perceived scenes. The chapter classified existing multisensory systems into three broadly defined groups: those that combine the output of multiple processing techniques applied to a single image of the scene, those that combine information extracted from multiple views of the same scene by using the same imaging modality, and those that combine different modalities of imaging, different processing techniques, or multiple views of the scene. The choice of a computational framework for a multisensory vision system depends on the application task. Several computational paradigms have been employed in different recent multisensory vision systems. The paradigms can be categorized as statistical, variational, artificial intelligence, and phenomenological approaches. The chapter also highlights issues pertaining to the hierarchical processing of multisensory imagery and levels of sensory information fusion.
Influence of age on wound healing and fibrosis

The incidence and severity of fibrotic lung diseases increase with age, but very little is known about how age-related changes affect the mechanisms that underlie disease emergence and progression. Normal ageing includes accumulation of DNA mutations, oxidative and cell stresses, mitochondria dysfunction, increased susceptibility to apoptosis, telomere length dysfunction and differential gene expression as a consequence of epigenetic changes and miR regulation. These inevitable ageing-related phenomena may cause dysfunction and impaired repair capacity of lung epithelial cells, fibroblasts and MSCs. As a consequence, the composition of the extracellular matrix changes and the dynamic interaction between cells and their environment is damaged, resulting ultimately in predisposition for several diseases. This review summarizes what is known about age-related molecular changes that are implicated in the pathobiology of lung fibrosis in lung tissue.
Microscopic observations of the development of the human placenta.

Abstract The placenta in the first trimester of pregnancy is composed of separate and independent trunks and branching villi resembling a miniature thicket of trees. Later, and pronounced in the last half of pregnancy, newly formed placental tissue results from the organization of fibrin masses, the remains of multiple fetal hemorrhages from villi and trunks into regional intervillous sinuses. Many of the villi and trunks in the last half of pregnancy, consequently, are firmly adherent to one another and the organ resembles a sponge.
Using feedforward networks to distinguish multivariate populations

It is shown how feedforward neural networks can be used to construct convenient and informative tests for nonspecific differences between populations with multivariate attributes. The key to the power of these tests is of independent interest: under mild conditions, feedforward neural networks have the universal approximation property when parameterized by weights in arbitrarily small neighborhoods. >
Developing cross language metrics for reading fluency measurement: Some issues and options

Since 2005, over 70 oral reading fluency tests have been given in many languages and scripts, either as part of the Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA) or as individual one-minute tests. Particularly in multilingual countries, reading speed and comprehension measures have been taken in multiple languages and also in multiple scripts. The development of language has a significant genetic component, which tends to create common grammatical structures. Then languages must conform to information processing limitations, notably to working memory capacity. On the basis of such features, it may be possible to develop common standards for performance improvement compare findings cross linguistically. Languages are most comparable when large chunks are used rather than single words. To arrive at some comparisons, several methods may be tried. These include: a) counting actual words in connected texts or in lists, using some conventions if needed; b) using computational solutions to arrive at coefficients of certain languages vis a vis others, such as 1 Swahili word being equivalent roughly to 1.3 English words; c) using in multiple languages lists of words of a defined length, e.g. 4 letters; d) measuring phonemes or syllables per minute, possibly dividing by average word length; and e) rapid serial visual presentation, potentially also measuring perception at the letter feature level. Overall, reading rate as words per minute seems to be a valid and reliable indicator of achievement, with 45-60 words being a range that is usable as a benchmark.
Preventing alcohol-exposed pregnancy among American-Indian youth

AbstractResearch has determined that the prevention of alcohol-exposed pregnancies (AEP) must occur preconceptually, either by reducing alcohol intake in women planning pregnancy or at risk for becoming pregnant, or by preventing pregnancy in women drinking at risky levels. One such AEP prevention programme with non-pregnant American-Indian (AI) women is the Oglala Sioux Tribe (OST) Changing High-risk alcohOl use and Increasing Contraception Effectiveness Study (CHOICES) Programme, which shows promise in reducing AEP risk in AI women aged 18 or older. A community needs assessment was conducted with key informant interviews and focus groups with an emphasis on how to expand OST CHOICES. To identify relevant inter-related themes, a content analysis was conducted on qualitative feedback from the focus groups and interviews. Altogether, key informant interviews were completed with 25 health and social service professionals. Eight focus groups were held with 58 AI participants, including adult women of child-b...
An on-line cursive word recognition system

This paper presents a system for large vocabulary recognition of on-line handwritten cursive words. The system first uses a filtering module, based on simple letter features, to quickly reduce a large reference dictionary to a smaller number of candidates; the reduced lexicon along with the original input is subsequently fed to a recognition module. In order to exploit the sequential nature of the temporal data, we employ a TDNN-style network architecture which has been successfully used in the speech recognition domain. Explicit segmentation of the input words into characters is avoided by using a sliding window concept where the input word representation (a set of frames) is presented to the neural network-based recognizer sequentially. The outputs of the recognition module are collected and converted into a string of characters that can be matched with the candidate words. A description of the complete system and its components is given. >
Tail states below the Thouless gap in superconductor-normal-metal-superconductor junctions : Classical fluctuations

We study the tails of the density of states (DOS) in a diffusive superconductor--normal-metal--superconductor junction below the Thouless gap. We show that long-wave fluctuations of the concentration of impurities in the normal layer lead to the formation of subgap quasiparticle states, and calculate the associated subgap DOS in all effective dimensionalities. We compare the resulting tails with those arising from mesoscopic gap fluctuations, and determine the dimensionless parameters controlling which contribution dominates the subgap DOS. We observe that the two contributions are formally related to each other by a dimensional reduction.
Availability and readability of emergency preparedness materials for deaf and hard-of-hearing and older adult populations: issues and assessments.

A major public health challenge is to communicate effectively with vulnerable populations about preparing for disasters and other health emergencies. People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (Deaf/HH) and older adults are particularly vulnerable during health emergencies and require communications that are accessible and understandable. Although health literacy studies indicate that the readability of health communication materials often exceeds people’s literacy levels, we could find no research about the readability of emergency preparedness materials (EPM) intended for Deaf/HH and older adult populations. The objective of this study was to explore issues related to EPM for Deaf/HH and older adult populations, to assess the availability and readability of materials for these populations, and to recommend improvements. In two California counties, we interviewed staff at 14 community-based organizations (CBOs) serving Deaf/HH clients and 20 CBOs serving older adults selected from a stratified, random sample of 227 CBOs. We collected 40 EPM from 10 CBOs and 2 public health departments and 40 EPM from 14 local and national websites with EPM for the public. We used computerized assessments to test the U.S. grade reading levels of the 16 eligible CBO and health department EPM, and the 18 eligible website materials. Results showed that less than half of CBOs had EPM for their clients. All EPM intended for clients of Deaf/HH-serving CBOs tested above the recommended 4th grade reading level, and 91% of the materials intended for clients of older adult-serving CBOs scored above the recommended 6th grade level. EPM for these populations should be widely available through CBOs and public health departments, adhere to health literacy principles, and be accessible in alternative formats including American Sign Language. Developers should engage the intended users of EPM as co-designers and testers. This study adds to the limited literature about EPM for these populations.
Comparison of debulking followed by stenting versus stenting alone for saphenous vein graft aortoostial lesions: immediate and one-year clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVES We compared in-hospital and one-year clinical outcomes in patients undergoing debulking followed by stent implantation versus stenting alone for saphenous vein graft (SVG) aortoostial lesions. BACKGROUND Stent implantation in SVG aortoostial lesions may improve procedural and late clinical outcomes. However, the impact of debulking before stenting in this complex lesion subset is unknown. METHODS We studied 320 consecutive patients (340 SVG aortoostial lesions) treated with Palmaz-Schatz stents. Debulking with excimer laser or atherectomy was performed in 133 patients (139 lesions) before stenting (group I), while 187 patients (201 lesions) underwent stent implantation without debulking (group II). Procedural success and late clinical outcomes were compared between the groups. RESULTS Overall procedural success (97.6%) was similar between the groups. Procedural complications were also similar (2.2% for group I and 2.6% for group II). At one-year follow-up, target lesion revascularization (TLR) was 19.4% for group I and 18.2% for group II (p = 0.47). There was no difference in cumulative death or Q wave myocardial infarction between the groups. Overall cardiac event-free survival was similar (69% for group I and 68% for group II). By Cox regression analysis, the independent predictors of late cardiac events were final lumen cross-sectional area (CSA) by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) (p = 0.001) and restenotic lesions (p = 0.01). Similarly, final IVUS lumen CSA (p = 0.0001) and restenotic lesions (p = 0.006) were found to predict TLR at one year. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that, in most patients with SVG aortoostial lesions, debulking before stent implantation may not be necessary.
Microbiological and sensory characteristics of beef loin steaks: Role of intramuscular fat

Abstract Beef loin steaks of different grades (Prime, Choice and Good) were packaged and stored in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film for 0–6 days and in high-oxygen barrier (HOB) film for 0–28 days. Grade had no significant effect (P > 0·05) on the aerobic plate count and did not result in major differences in the distribution of types in the microflora of steaks. Of the sensory characteristics examined, mean surface discoloration and mean overall appearance scores of Prime and Choice steaks packaged and stored in HOB film often were higher (P
CSF neurofilament light chain is elevated in OMS (decreasing with immunotherapy) and other pediatric neuroinflammatory disorders

Abstract Using a panel of seven brain cell-specific biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), pediatric opsoclonus–myoclonus syndrome (OMS) (n = 234) was compared to pediatric non-inflammatory neurological controls (n = 84) and other inflammatory neurological disorders (OIND) (n = 44). Only CSF NFL was elevated in untreated OMS versus controls (+ 83%). It was 87% higher in OIND than in OMS. On combination treatment with front-loaded ACTH, IVIg, rituximab, median CSF NFL decreased by 60% to control levels. These biochemical data suggest neuronal/axonal injury in some children with OMS without indicators of astrogliosis, and reduction on sufficient immunotherapy.
A flexible database architecture for mining DICOM objects: the DICOM data warehouse.

Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) has brought a very high level of standardization to medical images, allowing interoperability in many cases. However, there are still challenges facing the informaticist attempting to data mine DICOM objects. Images (and other objects) from different vintage equipment will encompass different levels of the standard, and there are also proprietary “shadow” tags to be aware of. The database architecture described herein “flattens” such differences by compiling a knowledge base of specific DICOM implementations and mapping variable data elements to a common lexicon for subsequent queries. The project is open sourced, built on open infrastructure, and is available at GitHub.
Influence of interplanetary trajectory selection on Mars atmospheric entry velocity

Many current manned Mars mission studies are using low lift-to-drag ratio (L/D) vehicles to aerobrake at both Mars and Earth. The use of these low L/D vehicles could limit the allowable velocity at the atmospheric interface. This paper will demonstrate that if entry velocity constraints are incorporated into the interplanetary analysis of aerobraking Mars missions, many opportunities can be achieved for a small increase in initial mass in low-Earth orbit (IMLEO). These opportunities result from varying the initial launch date and the encounter dates and possibly using a powered Venus swingby on either the inbound or outbound transfer. This paper demonstrates this technique by using three atmospheric entry velocity ranges at Mars arrival (6.0-8.5, 6.4-8.1, and 7.2-7.3 km/s), unconstrained Mars entry velocities, and an Earth return entry velocity below 14 km/s. The results indicate that, by carefully selecting the interplanetary trajectory, an optimum IMLEO mission can be found for even highly restrictive entry velocity missions in practically all of the 15 yr studied.
A mouse model of in utero transplantation.

The transplantation of stem cells and viruses in utero has tremendous potential for treating congenital disorders in the human fetus. For example, in utero transplantation (IUT) of hematopoietic stem cells has been used to successfully treat patients with severe combined immunodeficiency.1,2 In several other conditions, however, IUT has been attempted without success.3 Given these mixed results, the availability of an efficient non-human model to study the biological sequelae of stem cell transplantation and gene therapy is critical to advance this field. We and others have used the mouse model of IUT to study factors affecting successful engraftment of in utero transplanted hematopoietic stem cells in both wild-type mice4-7 and those with genetic diseases.8,9 The fetal environment also offers considerable advantages for the success of in utero gene therapy. For example, the delivery of adenoviral10, adeno-associated viral10, retroviral11, and lentiviral vectors12,13 into the fetus has resulted in the transduction of multiple organs distant from the site of injection with long-term gene expression. in utero gene therapy may therefore be considered as a possible treatment strategy for single gene disorders such as muscular dystrophy or cystic fibrosis. Another potential advantage of IUT is the ability to induce immune tolerance to a specific antigen. As seen in mice with hemophilia, the introduction of Factor IX early in development results in tolerance to this protein.14 In addition to its use in investigating potential human therapies, the mouse model of IUT can be a powerful tool to study basic questions in developmental and stem cell biology. For example, one can deliver various small molecules to induce or inhibit specific gene expression at defined gestational stages and manipulate developmental pathways. The impact of these alterations can be assessed at various timepoints after the initial transplantation. Furthermore, one can transplant pluripotent or lineage specific progenitor cells into the fetal environment to study stem cell differentiation in a non-irradiated and unperturbed host environment. The mouse model of IUT has already provided numerous insights within the fields of immunology, and developmental and stem cell biology. In this video-based protocol, we describe a step-by-step approach to performing IUT in mouse fetuses and outline the critical steps and potential pitfalls of this technique.
Heterogeneity of colony stimulating factor-1 gene expression in the skeleton of four osteopetrotic mutations in rats and mice

Congenital osteopetrosis in mammals is an inherited bone disease caused by aberrations in osteoclast development and/or function. Colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) promotes formation of osteoclasts and is produced by osteoblasts. Recently, two osteopetrotic mutations (op mouse and tl rat) have been shown to have reductions in CSF-1 activity, and CSF-1 injections improve the skeletal manifestations in each. Several different CSF-1 transcripts have been described in mouse and human soft tissues, and differential expression of CSF-1 transcripts has been documented. Thus, we compared gene expression for CSF-1 as reflected by mRNA levels in the bones of tl rats and op mice, and also two other osteopetrotic rat mutations (ia and op). In op mouse calvaria the 4.6 kb transcript was reduced while the 2.3 kb transcript was absent. However, no differences were detected in the levels of these transcripts in mutant and normal calvaria of tl stock. In contrast, CSF-1 transcript levels were elevated in op rat mutants and variable in ia mutants compared to normal littermates. Osteoblast cultures derived from neonatal animals of tl and op rat stock showed the same differences seen in calvarial bone in vivo. The mRNA expression of another growth factor, TGF-beta 1, paralleled that of CSF-1 in vivo and in vitro in the rat mutations. These data demonstrate the emerging molecular heterogeneity among osteopetrotic mutations and underscore the need to evaluate the contributions of these and other cytokines to osteoclast differentiation and function in each mutation.