cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Presentation, workup, and management of penetrating transorbital and transnasal injuries: A case report and systematic review.

BackgroundA foreign body (FB) penetrating intracranially after passing transorbitally or transnasally is a rare occurrence. However, otolaryngologists are increasingly being asked to participate in...
Neutrophil Activation of Endothelial Cell-Expressed TRPM2 Mediates Transendothelial Neutrophil Migration and Vascular Injury.

Rationale: TRPM2 (transient receptor potential melastatin-2) expressed in endothelial cells (ECs) is a cation channel mediating Ca 2+ entry in response to intracellular generation of adenosine diphosphoribose—the TRPM2 ligand. Objective: Because polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) interaction with ECs generates reactive oxygen species, we addressed the possible role of TRPM2 expressed in ECs in the mechanism of transendothelial migration of PMNs. Methods and Results: We observed defective PMN transmigration in response to lipopolysaccharide challenge in adult mice in which the EC expressed TRPM2 is conditionally deleted ( Trpm2 iΔEC ). PMN interaction with ECs induced the entry of Ca 2+ in ECs via the EC-expressed TRPM2. Prevention of generation of adenosine diphosphoribose in ECs significantly reduced Ca 2+ entry in response to PMN activation of TRPM2 in ECs. PMNs isolated from gp91phox −/− mice significantly reduced Ca 2+ entry in ECs via TRPM2 as compared with wild-type PMNs and failed to induce PMN transmigration. Overexpression of the adenosine diphosphoribose insensitive TRPM2 mutant channel (C1008→A) in ECs suppressed the Ca 2+ entry response. Further, the forced expression of TRPM2 mutant channel (C1008→A) or silencing of poly ADP-ribose polymerase in ECs of mice prevented PMN transmigration. Conclusions: Thus, endotoxin-induced transmigration of PMNs was secondary to TRPM2-activated Ca 2+ signaling and VE-cadherin phosphorylation resulting in the disassembly of adherens junctions and opening of the paracellular pathways. These results suggest blocking TRPM2 activation in ECs is a potentially important means of therapeutically modifying PMN-mediated vascular inflammation.
Searching outside the box in creative problem solving: The role of creative thinking skills and domain knowledge

Abstract This study provides evidence for how factual (directly relevant for developing creative solutions) vs. range (indirectly relevant) information can be used to provoke idea generation and effective creative outcomes. Data were obtained from 127 staff, faculty, and students at a private Midwest university. The results show that the effect of type of information was moderated by the participant's creative thinking skill and domain knowledge. For individuals high in creative thinking skill, range information improved idea generation originality, which in turn enhanced creative outcome novelty but reduced outcome usefulness. Factual information, under various conditions, both helped and hindered creative outcome usefulness. Overall, presenting information during idea generation can improve creative outcome effectiveness. Managers should be careful to present the appropriate information at the appropriate time, however.
Pluralism in America: Why Judicial Diversity Improves Legal Decisions About Public Morality

Why does the race of judges matter? This Note argues that racial diversity in the judiciary improves legal decisions about political morality. Judges play a substantial role in regulating our political morality; at the same time, race and ethnicity influence public views on such issues. In cases that involve difficult legal questions of political morality, judges should seriously consider all moral conceptions as potential answers. Racial and ethnic diversity is likely to improve the judiciary’s institutional capacity for openness to alternative views—not because judges of any given race will “represent” a monolithic viewpoint, but because of the likelihood that judges of a particular race or ethnicity will be better positioned to understand and take seriously views held within their own racial or ethnic communities. Judicial dialogue, taking place within appellate panels and across courts, serves to diffuse alternative viewpoints more broadly. Greater judicial willingness to consider disparate moral views should ultimately result in better decisions regarding political morality. Specifically, the judiciary may fashion new compromises to resolve political-moral dilemmas, judges and society may better understand the contours of such dilemmas, and the public may even arrive at new conclusions regarding basic questions of political morality.
The Impact of Organizational Change on Employee Morale

Change is often difficult for large companies and individual employees. Experiencing multiple changes in a short time period may impact an employee’s sense of stability and commitment to a company....
Psychological Aspects of the Filling of the Holy Spirit: A Preliminary Model of Post-Redemptive Personality Functioning

A preliminary model is presented describing applications of the filling of the Holy Spirit to psychological aspects of Christian living. Anthropological deficits in secular psychology and evangelic...
What Makes People Watch Online In-Stream Video Advertisements?

This study explored the factors that may influence the viewership of online in-stream video advertising on YouTube, based on viewing context, viewing device, advertising appeals, video characterist...
The response of ZrB2 to simulated plasma-facing material conditions of He irradiation at high temperature

Abstract Zirconium diboride (ZrB2) has many potentially beneficial properties for fusion plasma-facing component application, but almost no data exist on the response of ZrB2 to ion irradiation. In this work, ZrB2 samples were irradiated with 30 keV He+ to fluences of 8.4 × 1021 and 5.0 × 1022 He/m2 at temperatures of 920, 1020, and 1120 K in the Materials Irradiation Experiment (MITE-E) at the University of Wisconsin Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (UW-IEC) Laboratory to simulate some of the conditions of plasma-facing components in fusion reactors. The samples irradiated to the higher fluence developed surface morphology changes in the ion irradiated zone including rough, porous, and ripple structures. The ZrB2 had similar mass loss as W irradiated to similar conditions. Additionally, the ZrB2 samples did not exhibit flaking as did the SiC samples previously irradiated to similar conditions. This first look at ZrB2 behavior under ion irradiation is promising and justifies further testing of this emerging ultra-high temperature ceramic material for fusion applications.
Proving paternity--human leukocyte antigen test.

The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) blood test is based on antigens (a substance that will stimulate the production of antibodies) found on the white blood cells. Because antigens are produced by genes, any HLA found in a child must be present in either parent. Thus, the HLA system of the blood of the child, mother, and putative father are tested and the probability of paternity is calculated. The HLA polymorphic genetic system is extremely powerful in determining the probability of paternity.
G-Protein-Evoked Signaling Mechanisms in Asthma and Allergic Disease

Asthma, which is characterized by chronic and reversible airways obstruction, leads to shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, and occasionally death, due to respiratory failure [1]. Asthma is extremely common, affecting 5–8% of the U.S. population [2]. This disease accounts for substantial morbidity and mortality, and over $18 billion in direct (e.g., hospitalizations) and indirect (loss of income or productivity due to illness) health care dollars each year in the United States [3]. Despite the recognition, over the last twenty years, that asthma is often accompanied by chronic inflammation and an accordant shift in treatment strategies to include the use of anti-inflammatory agents [4], the incidence of asthma and of mortality due to asthma continue to rise [2–3].
Application of Neutron Tomography to Non-Destructive Texture Gradient Analysis

Most engineering materials are polycrystalline and very often the single crystals that constitute the polycrystalline solid are not randomly oriented. This preferred orientation, or texture, is described quantitatively by the Crystallite Orientation Distribution Function (CODF), which gives the volume fraction of crystals oriented in a specific orientation with respect to the macroscopic coordinate system. Typically, the CODF is expressed as an infinite series of spherical harmonics(1). It has been found that the magnetic(2), thermal(3), and mechanical(4) properties of a polycrystalline solid are all related to its texture. Thus, texture can be an important factor in the performance of material in various applications.
Optimal trajectories for Earth-to-Mars flight

This paper deals with the optimal transfer of a spacecraft from a low Earth orbit (LEO) to a low Mars orbit (LMO). The transfer problem is formulated via a restricted four-body model in that the spacecraft is considered subject to the gravitational fields of Earth, Mars, and Sun along the entire trajectory. This is done to achieve increased accuracy with respect to the method of patched conics. The optimal transfer problem is solved via the sequential gradient-restoration algorithm employed in conjunction with a variable-stepsize integration technique to overcome numerical difficulties due to large changes in the gravitational field near Earth and near Mars. The optimization criterion is the total characteristic velocity, namely, the sum of the velocity impulses at LEO and LMO. The major parameters are four: velocity impulse at launch, spacecraft vs. Earth phase angle at launch, planetary Mars/Earth phase angle difference at launch, and transfer time. These parameters must be determined so that ΔV is minimized subject to tangential departure from circular velocity at LEO and tangential arrival to circular velocity at LMO. For given LEO and LMO radii, a departure window can be generated by changing the planetary Mars/Earth phase angle difference at launch, hence changing the departure date, and then reoptimizing the transfer. This results in a one-parameter family of suboptimal transfers, characterized by large variations of the spacecraft vs. Earth phase angle at launch, but relatively small variations in transfer time and total characteristic velocity. For given LEO radius, an arrival window can be generated by changing the LMO radius and then recomputing the optimal transfer. This leads to a one-parameter family of optimal transfers, characterized by small variations of launch conditions, transfer time, and total characteristic velocity, a result which has important guidance implications. Among the members of the above one-parameter family, there is an optimum–optimorum trajectory with the smallest characteristic velocity. This occurs when the radius of the Mars orbit is such that the associated period is slightly less than one-half Mars day.
Abstract 422: Protease-Activated Receptor 2 is Critical for the Formation and Progression of Atherosclerosis

Objective: Protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2)-dependent signaling results in augmented inflammation and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune conditions. While PAR-2 protein is present in coronary atherosclerotic lesions, the relevance of this finding has not been investigated in experimental models. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of PAR-2 on the development of atherosclerosis. Methods and Results: Relative expression of PAR-2 is increased in human coronary artery (21 fold) and mouse aortic arch (16 fold) atheromas versus control coronary and aortic arch arteries, respectively (P = 0.001). To determine the effect of PAR-2 deficiency on atherosclerosis, male low density lipoprotein receptor deficient ( Ldlr -/- ) mice (8-12 weeks old) that were Par-2 +/+ or Par-2 -/- were fed a fat and cholesterol-enriched diet for 12 (n = 10 each group) or 24 weeks (n = 5 each group). PAR-2 deficiency attenuated atherosclerosis in the aortic sinus and aortic root with no effects on total plasma cholesterol concentrations or lipoprotein distributions after 12 (P = 0.000433) and 24 (P = 0.037) weeks. These reductions were attributable to both hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic-derived PAR-2 from analysis of bone marrow experiments (n = 15 for each of 4 chimeric groups; P Conclusion: Our results indicate PAR-2 deficiency significantly attenuates the initiation (12 weeks) and reduces the progression (24 weeks) of atherosclerosis potentially via regulation of both lipid efflux from macrophages and the phenotypic modulation of VSMCs.
Using spatial data analytics to identify associations between home healthcare services’ accessibility and socioeconomic factors

Home healthcare can improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. However, realizing its benefits is only possible if the service is accessible for patients who need it. Thus, evaluating and...
Is Benign Hereditary Chorea Really Benign? Brain-Lung-Thyroid Syndrome Caused by NKX2-1 Mutations.

Background Since its localization to the NKX2-1 gene in 2002, the phenotype of the disorder historically called "benign hereditary chorea" has been expanding beyond chorea. Methods The phenomenology of movement disorders and other symptomatology associated with mutations in NKX2-1 were characterized after a detailed evaluation of consecutive patients evaluated in our clinic over the past 3 years. Results We studied 5 patients (3 females), ages 2 to 31 years, with confirmed pathogenic variants in NKX2-1. All patients exhibited chorea, gross motor delay, and gait impairment. Other symptoms included neonatal respiratory failure (n = 4), cognitive deficits (n = 3), hypothyroidism (n = 4), joint laxity (n = 2), myoclonus (n = 1), hypotonia (n = 3), and seizures (n = 1). Chorea often proved refractory to medical therapies. Conclusions The phenotype associated with pathogenic variants in NKX2-1 frequently includes disabling and often medically refractory neurological and non-neurological abnormalities. We therefore suggest that the term benign hereditary chorea be abandoned in favor of its genetic designation as NKX2-1-related disorder.
Use of daily Internet search query data improves real-time projections of influenza epidemics

Seasonal influenza causes millions of illnesses and tens of thousands of deaths per year in the USA alone. While the morbidity and mortality associated with influenza is substantial each year, the timing and magnitude of epidemics are highly variable which complicates efforts to anticipate demands on the healthcare system. Better methods to forecast influenza activity would help policymakers anticipate such stressors. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recognized the importance of improving influenza forecasting and hosts an annual challenge for predicting influenza-like illness (ILI) activity in the USA. The CDC data serve as the reference for ILI in the USA, but this information is aggregated by epidemiological week and reported after a one-week delay (and may be subject to correction even after this reporting lag). Therefore, there has been substantial interest in whether real-time Internet search data, such as Google, Twitter or Wikipedia could be used to improve influenza forecasting. In this study, we combine a previously developed calibration and prediction framework with an established humidity-based transmission dynamic model to forecast influenza. We then compare predictions based on only CDC ILI data with predictions that leverage the earlier availability and finer temporal resolution of Wikipedia search data. We find that both the earlier availability and the finer temporal resolution are important for increasing forecasting performance. Using daily Wikipedia search data leads to a marked improvement in prediction performance compared to weekly data especially for a three- to four-week forecasting horizon.
The impact of early-life sub-therapeutic antibiotic treatment (STAT) on excessive weight is robust despite transfer of intestinal microbes.

The high-fat, high-calorie diets of westernized cultures contribute to the global obesity epidemic, and early life exposure to antibiotics may potentiate those dietary effects. Previous experiments with mice had shown that sub-therapeutic antibiotic treatment (STAT)—even restricted to early life—affected the gut microbiota, altered host metabolism, and increased adiposity throughout the lifetime of the animals. Here we carried out a large-scale cohousing experiment to investigate whether cohousing STAT and untreated (Control) mice would transfer the STAT-perturbed microbiota and transmit its impact on weight. We exposed pregnant dams and their young offspring to either low-dose penicillin (STAT) or water (Control) until weaning, and then followed the offspring as they grew and endured a switch from normal to high-fat diet at week 17 of life. Cohousing, which started at week 4, rapidly approximated the microbiota within cages, lowering the weight of STAT mice relative to non-cohoused mice. The effect, however, varied between cages, and was restricted to the first 16 weeks when diet consisted of normal chow. Once mice switched to high-fat diet, the microbiota α- and β-diversity expanded and the effect of cohousing faded: STAT mice, again, were heavier than control mice independently of cohousing. Metabolomics revealed serum metabolites associated with STAT exposure, but no significant differences were detected in glucose or insulin tolerance. Our results show that cohousing can partly ameliorate the impact of STAT on the gut microbiota but not prevent increased weight with high-fat diet. These observations have implications for microbiota therapies aimed to resolve the collateral damage of antibiotics and their load on human obesity.
Non-invasive Cognitive Enhancement in Epilepsy

Epilepsy patients frequently experience cognitive difficulties, particularly in the domains of memory, attention, and executive function. Despite the frequency of these difficulties among epilepsy patients, current strategies to treat cognitive dysfunction are limited. We performed a systematic review of controlled trials of non-invasive cognitive enhancement in epilepsy. We identified studies examining the efficacy of pharmacological agents, namely the acetylcholinesterase inhibitors donepezil and galantamine, the NMDA non-competitive antagonist memantine, and the stimulant methylphenidate, as well as non-invasive non-pharmacological transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). We highlight the data currently available and the limitations of the current literature.
Citizens’ Perceptions of Government Policy Success: A Cross-National Study

What explains citizens’ perceptions of government policy success? To answer this question, we use multilevel modelling strategies to examine data gathered across 21 national samples from the 2006 International Social Survey Programme’s (ISSP) Role of Government IV module. Our dependent variable is an index of perceived governmental policy success in six areas. Our analysis reveals that citizens’ evaluations of the success of public policies vary within countries as well as between countries. Our multilevel models indicate that variation in perceptions within countries is largely a function of individual sociodemographic attributes and political attitudes. In contrast, across country variation in perceptions is mainly a function of the quality of public institutions within a country and, to a lesser extent, prevailing economic conditions. These results suggest that citizens’ perceptions of government are not merely influenced by objective outcomes of public policy, they are also influenced by the degree of procedural fairness, professionalism, and integrity within public institutions.
Examining the association between body trust and body mass index with quantile regression.

Schachter’s externality theory posits a connection between the inability to eat according to internal cues and higher body mass index (BMI); however, related work has not investigated associations between body trust and the wide range of BMIs found in general samples. This study examined the association between body trust and BMI across levels of BMI to determine whether this relationship differed as a function of BMI level. Participants were 534 adults (55.4% female), mean age 36 years, BMIs 15.13–67.90 (M = 27.89, SD = 7.25), recruited via MTurk. They completed self-report assessments of body trust, height, and weight. Quantile regression was utilized to estimate effects of body trust on BMI at five equidistant quantiles of BMI. Overall linear regression analyses indicated that body trust was significantly negatively associated with BMI. Quantile regression revealed a significant negative relationship at each quantile of BMI, and Wald tests indicated the association was significantly stronger at the 0.7 and 0.9 quantiles than at the 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 quantiles, which did not differ. Quantile regression identified a stronger relationship between body trust and BMI at 0.7 and 0.9 quantiles than at 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 quantiles of BMI. Results align with the externality hypothesis, which suggests those at higher weights experience difficulty using internal cues to guide eating. A weaker-than-expected association between body trust and low BMI may be due to restricted range (few low-BMI participants). Replication in eating disorder samples is merited. Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.
Epigallocatechin gallate inhibits leukotoxin release by Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans by promoting association with the bacterial membrane

The oral pathogen, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, produces a number of virulence factors, including a leukotoxin (LtxA), which specifically kills human white blood cells, to provide a colonization advantage to the bacterium. Strains of A. actinomycetemcomitans that produce more LtxA have been more closely linked to disease, indicating that this toxin plays a key role in pathogenesis of the bacterium. Disruption of the activity of LtxA thus represents a promising approach to reducing the pathogenicity of the bacterium. Catechins are polyphenolic molecules derived from plants, which have shown potent antibacterial and antitoxin activities. We have previously shown that galloylated catechins are able to prevent LtxA delivery to host cells by altering the toxin's secondary structure and preventing binding to cholesterol on the host cell membrane. Here, we have investigated how one particular galloylated catechin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), affects A. actinomycetemcomitans growth and toxin secretion. Our results demonstrate that EGCg, at micromolar concentrations, inhibits A. actinomycetemcomitans growth, as has been reported for other bacterial species. At subinhibitory concentrations, EGCg promotes LtxA production, but the toxicity of the bacterial supernatant against human immune cells is reduced. The results of our biophysical studies indicate that this seemingly contradictory result is caused by an EGCg-mediated enhancement of LtxA affinity for the bacterial cell surface. Together, these results demonstrate the potential of EGCg in the treatment of virulent A. actinomycetemcomitans infections.
Effect of microstructure uncertainty and testing frequency on storage and loss moduli of injection molded MWCNT reinforced polyamide 66 nanocomposites

Abstract The viscoelastic behavior of multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) reinforced polyamide 66 (PA 66) was evaluated to investigate the effect of CNT content and loading frequency on dynamic moduli (i.e. storage modulus E′ and loss modulus E″) and damping factor tan δ . PA 66/CNT disk samples with five different CNT contents ranging from 3 wt % to 15 wt % were manufactured by injection molding. Testing was performed over the frequency range of 0.1–100 Hz at room temperature. Dynamic mechanical analysis results show that the mechanical properties are highly functions of tested frequency and the improvement on loss and storage modulus of nanocomposites with the addition of CNT is highly dependent on tested frequencies. The variability in loss modulus is significantly higher than the variability in the storage modulus indicating the correlation of loss modulus with uncertainties present in nanocomposite microstructure while storage modulus is essentially independent of microstructure for a given reinforcement content.
Simulation and Fault Diagnosis in Post-Manufacturing Mixed Signal Circuits

A major problem in circuit board remanufacturing is the identification of parametric faults from age or stress to the individual passive components. We propose a deep machine learning system for simulating and identifying such faults. A simulated dataset is generated for the most common faults in a circuit. This dataset is used to train deep machine learning classification algorithms to identify and classify the faults. The accuracy of system is measured by comparing with real circuit boards in operation.
Cardiac complications of CDK4/6 inhibitors for breast cancer.

e13038Background: Cardiac toxicity has largely been underestimated toxicity of CDK4/6 inhibitors. We did a retrospective analysis of data made available to public by the FDA regarding the cardiac a...
Comparison of patient satisfaction measures between in-person and telemedicine postoperative appointments following third molar surgery

The goal of this study was to compare key aspects of patient satisfaction in patients who underwent in-person and telemedicine postoperative appointments following third molar surgery. A total of 69 patients undergoing the removal of third molars were randomized to receive their postoperative care either in person or via telemedicine appointments. Following the postoperative visit, patients were asked to complete a survey that assessed elements of patient satisfaction using a visual analog scale. Forty-seven patients (37 female, 10 male) completed the study (in-person n=24, telemedicine n=23). The mean total patient satisfaction score (maximum 50) was 46.46 for the in-person group and 48.78 for the telemedicine group; the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.11). There were no statistically significant differences in patient satisfaction scores between the two groups with regards to the ease of scheduling the appointment, ease of attending the appointment, perceived usefulness of the appointment, or the quality of patient education received at the appointment. However, the perceived cost-effectiveness was higher for patients in the telemedicine group (P=0.01). The results of this study suggest that for third molar extraction surgery, telemedicine and in-office postoperative visits produce similar patient satisfaction experiences, but patient perceived cost-effectiveness was greater for telemedicine visits.
Harnessing Biomaterials and the Lymphatic System for Immunomodulation

The lymphatic system plays an integral part in regulating immune cells trafficking and the transport of macromolecules. However, its influence on disease progression and drug uptake is understood less than the vascular system. To bridge the knowledge gap, biomaterials can be used to investigate the lymphatic system and to provide novel understanding into complex disease states, including cancer metastasis and inflammatory diseases. Insight gained from these mechanistic studies, can be further used to design innovative biomaterials to modulate the immune system, improve drug delivery, and promote tissue regeneration. This review article focuses on recent progresses in (i) biomaterials used for lymphatic vessel formation, (ii) lymphatic models for studying lymphatic-immune cells interactions, (iii) pharmaceuticals and their interactions with the lymphatic system, (iv) drug screening, and (v) disease prediction. Finally, a number of challenges in adopting biomaterials for immunomodulation and future perspectives are discussed.
A Psychologist’s Perspective for Coordinating Interdisciplinary Courses

Developing a student evaluation for interdisciplinary teaching revealed a clearer goal for interdisciplinary course assessment. This chapter summarizes how interdisciplinary course assessment is a cooperative and reflexive process. Using professional judgment and a working group of peers, interdisciplinary courses maintain their integrity through regular reviews. A reflection on experiences with team-teaching, guest lecturing, and learning-communities is also included. Best practices for interdisciplinary course maintenance and concepts of validity are applied to the debate between evaluation and assessment methods. By fostering transparency, accountability, and peer-led critiques, interdisciplinary learning objectives within courses are sustained each semester. Recognizing concerns regarding evaluation, flexible approaches to assessment are driven by data and remain distinct from professional benchmarking.
Mechanistic and data-driven models of cell signaling: Tools for fundamental discovery and rational design of therapy

Abstract A full understanding of cell signaling processes requires knowledge of protein structure–function relationships, protein–protein interactions, and the abilities of pathways to control phenotypes. Computational models offer a valuable framework for integrating that knowledge to predict the effects of system perturbations and interventions in health and disease. However, mechanistic models are well suited for understanding the biophysical basis for signal transduction and principles of therapeutic design; data-driven models are particularly suited to distill complex signaling relationships among samples and between multivariate signaling changes and phenotypes. Both approaches have limitations and provide incomplete representations of signaling biology, but their careful implementation and integration can provide new understanding for how manipulating system variables impacts cellular decisions.
MEK/ERK MAP kinase limits poly I:C-induced antiviral gene expression in RAW264.7 macrophages by reducing interferon-beta expression

Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) recognizes viral double-stranded RNA (or the synthetic dsRNA analog poly I:C) and induces a signal transduction pathway that results in activation of transcription factors that induce expression of antiviral genes including type I interferon (IFN-I). Secreted IFN-I positively feeds back to amplify antiviral gene expression. In this report, we study the role of MEK/ERK MAP kinase in modulating antiviral gene expression downstream of TLR3. We find MEK/ERK is a negative regulator of antiviral gene expression by limiting expression of IFN-β. However, MEK/ERK does not limit antiviral responses downstream of the type I interferon receptor. These findings provide insights into regulatory mechanisms of antiviral gene expression and reveal potential targets for modulating antiviral immunity.
The number of four-wave mixing (FWM) waves in WDM systems and its applications

Explicit formulas are derived for the number of four-wave mixing (FWM) waves that fall onto each signal channel in wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) systems. These formulas indicate that the maximum number of FWM products on one channel in a WDM system has quadratic dependence on the number of channels. FWM crosstalk in WDM systems can be estimated by using these formulas in combining with other system parameters. They also provide a fast way to perform conversions on number of channels (or capacity) among different bit rates, such as 2.5, 10 and 40 Gbit/s, for given optical bandwidths of optical amplifiers.
Abstract T P288: Improvement of Door to Groin Time for Endovascular Therapy in Acute Ischemic Stroke Using Quality Improvement Methods

Objective: Time has been identified as a key variable to the success endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke. This project was designed to reduce the time from patient arrival to groin puncture for these treatments at a single academic hospital. Methods: Using Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) quality improvement methodology, a multidisciplinary team was created to identify ways to reduce time from patient presentation to groin puncture. A comparison of pre-intervention and post-intervention times was performed. Pre-intervention patients were retrospectively identified using existing databases and post-intervention patients were prospectively identified. Process maps were created to identify areas of delay. Debriefs helped to indentify future process improvements. Four PDSA cycles have been completed. Stroke neurologists instituted an early notification of IR physicians and a unified imaging protocol. Other interventions included a group paging system, standardized order sets, education within each discipl...
The Determinants of Foreclosures for Single-Family Homes in the United States

What are the key determinants causing the current record number of foreclosures? To answer this, the study will use the most recent national foreclosure data and attempt to find a model with results that can be interpreted to suggest potential policy implications. This article is available in The Park Place Economist: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/parkplace/vol16/iss1/12 Tucker, Joan S., Howard S. Friedman, Joseph E. Schwartz and Michael H. Criqui. “Parental Divorce: Effects on Individual Behavior and Longevity.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1997, 73 (2), pp. 381-391. The Park Place Economist, Volume XVI 45 The Determinants of Foreclosures for Single-Family Homes in the United States Bryan Duling
DEATH ANXIETY AND RELIGIOUS BELIEF: A RESEARCH NOTE

This study assessed the contribution of religious beliefs in moderating the effect of death anxiety on forty five (45) subjects who were diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease {ALS). Subjects were administered the Templer Death Anxiety Scale and the Shepherd Christianity Questionnaire. Results indicate an inverse relationship between religious beliefs and death anxiety. The age and gender of each respondent was also examined to see if there was a correlation with death anxiety. Neither of these variables produced statistically significant effects on death anxiety.
A decimation filter architecture for GHz delta-sigma modulators

A means for implementing decimators for high-speed delta-sigma analog-to-digital converters is presented. The architecture exploits the single-bit nature of the output of the modulator and the symmetry present in the impulse response of a linear-phase FIR filter. Several hardware techniques, including table-lookup, pipelining and Wallace-tree adders, are needed to realize decimators capable of processing modulator data at GHz rates. A design example is given to demonstrate the hardware reduction possible with this architecture and to verify its speed.
Komplizierter Fieberkrampf bei eineiigem Zwilling

Bei einem eineiigen Zwilling mit prolongiertem Fieberkrampf im Alter von 8 Monaten begann eine linksseitige mesiale Temporallappenepilepsie im Alter von 2 Jahren, im MRT mit Darstellung einer linksseitigen mesialen temporalen Sklerose. Der zweite Zwilling hatte zunachst haufige einfache Fieberkrampfe, im Alter von 4 Jahren im Rahmen einer Meningitis nach kurzen Fieberkrampfen eine langere Bewusstlosigkeit ohne folgende Epilepsie und mit normalem Befund im MRT, einschlieslich T2-Relaxometrie. Entsprechend auch weiterer Literatur zeigt diese Falldarstellung einen genetischen Faktor fur Fieberkrampfe und spricht fur das Risiko der Entwicklung einer mesialen Temporallappenepilepsie nach prolongiertem Fieberkrampf bei Kindern, die junger als 4 Jahre sind.
High-Current Al-TiNb Composite Conductor for Large Energy Storage Magnets

The design of a circular, cryogenically stable high-current Al—TiNb composite conductort is presented (see Figs. 1 and 2), such that the extremely soft but highly desirable high-purity aluminum is tightly and completely confined inside thin shells of high-strength aluminum. The conductor is also reinforced with high strength webs, which provide axial, circumferential, and flexural strength. The conductor is torsionally stiff and structurally self-supporting; it accommodates discrete, instead of continuous, supports, allowing for cooling along its entire length. Such open surface cooling provides for high current density in the aluminum stabilizer. Criteria are given for the separation between adjacent windings in a magnet which would allow for adequate cooling.
Review of Surfactant Enhanced Oil Recovery in Carbonate Reservoirs

About half of proven conventional oil reserves are in carbonate reservoirs. Due to complex structures, formation heterogeneities and oil-wet/mixed wet conditions, etc., the oil recovery factor in carbonate reservoirs is very low. There is increasing interest in improve oil recovery using surfactants, as the surfactant EOR has the potential after other EOR methods have been tried. This paper reviews the models of wettability alteration using surfactants and upscaling models related to oil recovery in carbonate reservoirs. Chemicals used in carbonate reservoirs are reviewed. The field cases where surfactants were used to stimulate oil recovery are analyzed. Key words: Enhanced oil recovery; Carbonate reservoirs; Wettability alteration; Chemical EOR
In vivo studies of ultrafast near-infrared laser tissue bonding and wound healing

Femtosecond (fs) pulse lasers in the near-infrared (NIR) range exhibit very distinct properties upon their interaction with biomolecules compared to the corresponding continuous wave (CW) lasers. Ultrafast NIR laser tissue bonding (LTB) was used to fuse edges of two opposing animal tissue segments in vivo using fs laser photoexcitation of the native vibrations of chomophores. The fusion of the incised tissues was achieved in vivo at the molecular level as the result of the energy–matter interactions of NIR laser radiation with water and the structural proteins like collagen in the target tissues. Nonthermal vibrational excitation from the fs laser absorption by water and collagen induced the formation of cross-links between tissue proteins on either sides of the weld line resulting in tissue bonding. No extrinsic agents were used to facilitate tissue bonding in the fs LTB. These studies were pursued for the understanding and evaluation of the role of ultrafast NIR fs laser radiation in the LTB and consequent wound healing. The fs LTB can be used for difficult to suture structures such as blood vessels, nerves, gallbladder, liver, intestines, and other viscera. Ultrafast NIR LTB yields promising outcomes and benefits in terms of wound closure and wound healing under optimal conditions.
Adherence to a Mediterranean diet, genetic susceptibility, and progression to advanced macular degeneration: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Adherence to a Mediterranean-type diet is linked to a lower risk of mortality and chronic disease, but the association with the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and genetic susceptibility is unknown. Objective: We examined the association of adherence to the Mediterranean diet and genetic susceptibility with progression to advanced AMD. Design: Among 2525 subjects in the AREDS (Age-Related Eye Disease Study), 1028 eyes progressed to advanced AMD over 13 y. Baseline data for demographic and behavioral covariates were collected by using questionnaires. Dietary data were collected from food-frequency questionnaires. The alternate Mediterranean diet (aMeDi) score (range: 0–9) was constructed from individual intakes of vegetables, fruit, legumes, whole grains, nuts, fish, red and processed meats, alcohol, and the ratio of monounsaturated to saturated fats. Ten genetic loci in 7 genes [complement factor H (CFH), age-related maculopathy susceptibility 2/high-temperature requirement A serine peptidase 1 (ARMS2/HTRA1), complement component 2 (C2), complement factor B (CFB), complement component 3 (C3), collagen type VIII α 1 (COL8A1), and RAD51 paralog B (RAD51B)] were examined. Survival analysis was used to assess individual eyes for associations between incident AMD and aMeDi score, as well as interaction effects between aMeDi score and genetic variation on risk of AMD. Results: A high aMeDi score (score of 6–9) was significantly associated with a reduced risk of progression to advanced AMD after adjustment for demographic, behavioral, ocular, and genetic covariates (HR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.61, 0.91; P-trend = 0.007). The aMeDi score was significantly associated with a lower risk of incident advanced AMD among subjects carrying the CFH Y402H nonrisk (T) allele (P-trend = 0.0004, P-interaction = 0.04). The aMeDi score was not associated with AMD among subjects who were homozygous for the risk (C) allele. Conclusion: Higher adherence to a Mediterranean diet was associated with reduced risk of progression to advanced AMD, which may be modified by genetic susceptibility. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00594672.
The Porometer Method for the Continuous Estimation of Dimensions of Stomates.

In studies concerning the movement of gases and vapors into and out of the leaf, it is frequently necessary that the dimensions of the stomates be determined. Such information may be more useful if it consists of a continuous record of the stomatal aperture rather than a series of periodic measurements. Two methods are generally used for the procurement of such continuous data; direct microscopic measurement and the porometer. Direct microscopic measurement of the dimensions of the stomates has been considered the most accurate method by many workers. There are, however, several difficulties which make accurate measurements by the microscope difficult. For certain leaves, under some conditions, accurate measurements can be made only with extreme difficulty. For other leaves, the microscope cannot be used at all. The method is not well adapted for continuous observation, because of the strain imposed upon the worker and because of undesired changes induced through mechanical manipulation and the use of light. Also, since only a few stomates can be measured at one time, the question arises as to whether they constitute a representative sample or reflect correctly the average stomatal aperture. However, when employed for the determination of the dimensions of the stomates at a particular instant, a high degree of accuracy may be achieved. The porometer is a device used to measure changes in the rate of flow of air through the leaf. A cup or tube is attached to the leaf and the pressure of the air within the cup is either raised or lowered with respect to normal air pressure. It is assumed that the changes in the rate of air flow are directly proportional to the changes in the dimensions of the stomates. The porometer was first proposed by Dutrochet in 1832, according to Darwin and Pertz (3). In 1876, M?ller constructed an apparatus employing this principle which proved too complicated and cumbersome for general use and acceptance. The modern design for the porometer was developed by Darwin and Pertz (3). Improvements were made on this type of porometer by Knight (7), and by Laidlaw and Knight (9) who devised a constant flow aspirator and made the process self-recording. Other porometers were devised by Balls (2), and by Jones (?). A porometer which measures changes in the rate of flow of air through the leaves in terms of pressure was devised by Gregory and Pearse (4). This method uses small rates of air flow and low pressures. It will be described in detail in another section.
Development of inverted metamorphic isograds in the western metamorphic belt, Juneau, Alaska

An inverted metamorphic gradient is preserved in the western metamorphic belt near Juneau, Alaska. The western metamorphic belt is part of the Coast plutonic–metamorphic complex of western Canada and southeastern Alaska that developed as a result of tectonic overlap and/or compressional thickening of crustal rocks during collision of the Alexander and Stikine terranes. Detailed mapping of pelitic single-mineral isograds, systematic changes in mineral assemblages, and silicate geothermometry indicate that thermal peak metamorphic conditions increase structurally upward over a distance of about 8 km. Peak temperatures of metamorphism increase progressively from about 530 °C for the garnet zone to about 705 °C for the upper kyanite–biotite zone. Silicate geobarometry suggests that the thermal peak metamorphism occurred under pressures of 9–11 kbar. The metamorphic isograds are in general parallel to the tonalite sill that is regionally continuous along the east side of the western metamorphic belt, although truncation of the isograds north of Juneau indicates that the sill intrusion continued after the isograds were established. Our preferred interpretation of the cause of the inverted gradient is that it formed during compression of a thickened wedge of relatively wet and cool rocks in response to heat flow associated with the formation and emplacement of the tonalite sill magma. Garnet rim compositions and widespread growth of chlorite suggest partial re-equilibration of the schists under pressures of 5–6 kbar during uplift in response to final emplacement and crystallization of the tonalite sill. The combined results of this study with previous studies elsewhere in the western metamorphic belt indicate that high-T/high-P metamorphism associated with the collision of the Alexander and Stikine terranes was a long-lived event, extending from about 98 Ma to about 67 Ma.
Recruitment of Donor T Cells to the Eyes During Ocular GVHD in Recipients of MHC-Matched Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplants

Purpose. The primary objective of the present study was to identify the kinetics and origin of ocular infiltrating T cells in a preclinical model of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) that induces eye tissue damage.
Axial segregation in bubbling gas-fluidized beds with Gaussian and lognormal distributions of Geldart Group B particles

Bubbling, gas-fluidized bed experiments involving Geldart Group B particles with continuous-size distributions have been carried out. Sand of various widths of Gaussian or lognormal distributions were completely fluidized, then axial concentration profiles were obtained from frozen-bed sectioning. Similar to previous works on binary systems, results show that mean particle diameter decreases with increasing bed height, and that wider Gaussian distributions show increased segregation extents. Surprisingly, however, lognormal distributions exhibit a nonmonotonic segregation trend with respect to distribution widths. In addition, the shape of the local-size distribution is largely preserved with respect to that of the overall distribution. These findings on the nature of local-size distribution provide experimental confirmation of previous results for granular and gas-solid simulations. Lastly, an interesting observation is that although monodisperse Geldart Group D particles cannot be completely fluidized, their presence in lognormal distributions investigated still results in complete fluidization of all particles. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
Signals in inferotemporal and perirhinal cortex suggest an untangling of visual target information

Finding sought visual targets requires our brains to flexibly combine working memory information about what we are looking for with visual information about what we are looking at. To investigate the neural computations involved in finding visual targets, we recorded neural responses in inferotemporal (IT) and perirhinal (PRH) cortex as macaque monkeys performed a task that required them to find targets within sequences of distractors. We found similar amounts of total task-specific information in both areas, however, information about whether a target was in view was more accessible using a linear read-out (i.e. was more “untangled”) in PRH. Consistent with the flow of information from IT to PRH, we also found that task-relevant information arrived earlier in IT. PRH responses were well-described by a functional model in which “untangling” computations in PRH reformat input from IT by combining neurons with asymmetric tuning correlations for target matches and distractors.