cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
iTrust: trustworthy information publication, search and retrieval

The iTrust system is a decentralized and distributed information publication, search and retrieval system, whose objective is to prevent censorship and filtering of information accessed over the Internet. In iTrust, metadata describing information are randomly distributed to multiple participating nodes. Similarly, requests containing keywords are randomly distributed to multiple participating nodes. If a participating node receives a request and the keywords in the request match the metadata it holds, the participating node sends the URL for the information to the requesting node. The requesting node then can retrieve the information from the source node. In this paper, we present the iTrust messaging and membership protocols. We establish lower bounds for the probabilities of a match if all of the participating nodes are operational and if a proportion of the participating nodes are non-operational or subverted. We provide probabilistic results for n participating nodes, where the metadata and the requests are distributed to a multiple of the square root of n nodes. These results show that distribution of the metadata and the requests to relatively few nodes suffices to achieve a high probability of a match, even if some of the nodes are non-operational or subverted.
Chinese Law: Knowledge, Practice and Transformation, 1530s to 1950s

Resulting from a workshop in 2012, this edited volume makes timely contributions to the growing literature on Chinese legal history. Twelve essays are grouped in two parts: “Meaning and Practice of...
Using technology summer camp to stimulate the interest of female high school students in technology careers

Increasing the pool of qualified workers in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) areas has become one of the nation's key priorities, as those professions are the backbone of innovation and critical to our country's economic future. The 2015 Females in Technology (FiT) Summer Boot Camp project was a summer residential technology boot camp for low income rising high school junior and senior girls. The objective of the 2015 Summer FiT boot camp was to increase the number of low income female students who pursue degrees in technology disciplines at the collegiate level and who are prepared for a technologically rich workforce. As a recruitment tool, we anticipate increasing the enrollment of female students in the School of Technology. The methodology for the FiT Boot Camp was a short-term intensive hands-on experience which was the first of its kind at NCA&T. The preliminary results have been more than promising. The pre and post-test surveys indicate a positive trend in terms of knowledge gained, interest, and attitude towards technology. Not only did this program stimulate interest in the technology profession, it also introduced female students to new and innovative technology concepts while reinforcing and improving technology and leadership skills.
Thermal Plasma Synthesis of BaFe12O19 (BaM) Films

Barium Ferrite (BaFe12O19) films have been successfully deposited on high silica glass substrates using an inductively coupled plasma source. Precursor of the metals used was a barium acetate and ferric nitrate solution of controlled concentration which was injected into the hot region of the plasma using a nebulizer. Variables studied included molar ratio of precursor liquid, substrate to plasma distance, plasma torch power, and oxygen concentration in plasma and carrier gas. Films were characterized for microstructure, composition and magnetic properties using scanning and transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and vibrating sample magnetrometry. Results indicate that barium ferrite forms under certain conditions of oxygen content in the plasma and substrate temperature above 800°C. Magnetic properties indicate that there is some degree of preferred orientation of the barium ferrite crystals on the substrate, and coercivity and magnetization correspond to that of a hard magnetic material.
Trends in expert system development

Diagnostic expert system applications continue to be the most popular.Synthetic type problem domains (such as design and planning) tend you yield higher impact systems.Rule-based knowledge representations tend you yield higher impact expert system applications.Unstructured interviews are not commonly used now for knowledge acquisition.In the past, structured and unstructured interviews tended to yield systems with equally high impact. Research in Expert Systems (ES) has been one of the longest-running, and most successful areas of ongoing research within the AI field. Since the 1980s, many case studies of ES applications have been published covering a wide range of functional areas and problem domains. These case studies contain an enormous amount of information about how ESs have been developed and how the tools, concepts, and applications have evolved since their inception. This research has painstakingly collected and analysed the content of 311 ES case studies dating from 1984 through 2016. A detailed content analysis was performed on this corpus in order to capture as many details as possible from each case. Further value was added to the study by using an impact scale to try and gauge the impact or success of the resulting application. With such a large sample size, the results are helpful in identifying how ES research has evolved and areas for further research.
Distinct repertoires of microRNAs present in mouse astrocytes compared to astrocyte-secreted exosomes.

Background Astrocytes are the most abundant cell type in the central nervous system (CNS) and secrete various factors that regulate neuron development, function and connectivity. microRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory RNAs involved in posttranslational gene regulation. Recent findings showed that miRNAs are exchanged between cells via nanovesicles called exosomes. In this study, we sought to define which miRNAs are contained within exosomes secreted by astrocytes. We also explored whether astroglial miRNA secretion via exosomes is perturbed in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease where astrocytes play a crucial role in driving disease progression. Methodology/Principal findings By isolating and profiling the expression of miRNAs from primary mouse astrocytes and from the exosomes that astrocytes secrete, we compared miRNA expression in the cells and secreted vesicles. We established that miRNA expression profiles of astrocytes and their exosomes are vastly different. In addition, we determined that exosomal miRNA expression in astrocytes is not significantly perturbed in a mouse model of ALS. Conclusions Astrocytes secrete numerous miRNAs via exosomes and miRNA species contained in exosomes are considerably different from miRNAs detectable in astrocytes, suggesting the existence of a mechanism to select certain miRNAs for inclusion or exclusion from exosomes. The exosomal miRNA profiling dataset we have generated will provide a resource to aid in the investigation of this selection mechanism. Finally, the miRNA expression profile in astrocyte-secreted exosomes is not perturbed by expression of mutant SOD1-G93A.
Comparison of 3 mm versus 4 mm rigid endoscope in diagnostic nasal endoscopy.

Abstract Objective Compare nasal endoscopy with 3 mm versus conventional 4 mm rigid 30° endoscopes for visualization, patient comfort, and examiner ease. Methods Ten adults with no previous sinus surgery underwent bilateral nasal endoscopy with both 4 mm and 3 mm endoscopes (resulting in 20 paired nasal endoscopies). Visualization, patient discomfort and examiner's difficulty were assessed with every endoscopy. Sino-nasal structures were checked on a list if visualized satisfactorily. Patients rated discomfort on a standardized numerical pain scale (0–10). Examiners rated difficulty of examination on a scale of 1–5 (1 = easiest). Results Visualization with 3 mm endoscope was superior for the sphenoid ostium ( P = 0.002), superior turbinate ( P = 0.007), spheno-ethmoid recess ( P = 0.006), uncinate process ( P = 0.002), cribriform area ( P = 0.007), and Valve of Hasner ( P = 0.002). Patient discomfort was not significantly different for 3 mm vs. 4 mm endoscopes but correlated with the examiners' assessment of difficulty ( r = 0.73). The examiner rated endoscopy with 4 mm endoscopes more difficult ( P = 0.027). Conclusions The 3 mm endoscope was superior in visualizing the sphenoid ostium, superior turbinate, spheno-ethmoid recess, uncinate process, cribriform plate, and valve of Hasner. It therefore may be useful in assessment of spheno-ethmoid recess, nasolacrimal duct, and cribriform area pathologies. Overall, patients tolerated nasal endoscopy well. Though patient discomfort was not significantly different between the endoscopes, most discomfort with 3 mm endoscopes was noted while examining structures difficult to visualize with the 4 mm endoscope. Patients' discomfort correlated with the examiner's assessment of difficulty.
Phylogenetic factorization of mammalian viruses complements trait-based analyses and guides surveillance efforts

Predicting which novel microorganisms may spill over from animals to humans has become a major priority in infectious disease biology. However, there are few tools to help assess the zoonotic potential of the enormous number of potential pathogens, the majority of which are undiscovered or unclassified and may be unlikely to infect or cause disease in humans. We adapt a new biological machine learning technique - phylofactorization - to partition viruses into clades based on their non-human host range and whether or not there exist evidence they have infected humans. Our cladistic analyses identify clades of viruses with common within-clade patterns - unusually high or low propensity for spillover. Phylofactorization by spillover yields many clades of viruses containing few to no representatives that have spilled over to humans, including the families Papillomaviridae and Herpesviridae, and the genus Parvovirus. Removal of these non-zoonotic clades from previous trait-based analyses changed the relative significance of traits determining spillover due to strong associations of traits with non-zoonotic clades. Phylofactorization by host breadth yielded clades with unusually high host breadth, including the family Togaviridae. We identify putative life-history traits differentiating clades' host breadth and propensities for zoonosis, and discuss how these results can prioritize sequencing-based surveillance of emerging infectious diseases.
Recursive random fields

A formula in first-order logic can be viewed as a tree, with a logical connective at each node, and a knowledge base can be viewed as a tree whose root is a conjunction. Markov logic [Richardson and Domingos, 2006] makes this conjunction probabilistic, as well as the universal quantifiers directly under it, but the rest of the tree remains purely logical. This causes an asymmetry in the treatment of conjunctions and disjunctions, and of universal and existential quantifiers. We propose to overcome this by allowing the features of Markov logic networks (MLNs) to be nested MLNs. We call this representation recursive random fields (RRFs). RRFs can represent many first-order distributions exponentially more compactly than MLNs. We perform inference in RRFs using MCMC and ICM, and weight learning using a form of backpropagation. Weight learning in RRFs is more powerful than structure learning in MLNs. Applied to first-order knowledge bases, it provides a very flexible form of theory revision. We evaluate RRFs on the problem of probabilistic integrity constraints in databases, and obtain promising results.
Androgens and the Androgen Receptor in Male Sex Development and Fertility

The androgen receptor (AR) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily and acts as a transcription factor to modulate expression of target genes ((Chang et al., 1988a; Chang et al., 1988b; Lubahn et al., 1988a; Lubahn et al., 1988b; Tilley et al., 1989; Trapman et al., 1988). As a classical steroid hormone receptor, AR requires the binding of a ligand for activation of its function as a transcriptional modulator. The classical ligands known to activate AR include testosterone (T) and its metabolites, such as 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Once a ligand is bound, AR undergoes a change in conformation and phosphorylation status, allowing the receptor to bind to target gene DNA response elements. Recruitment of specific coregulators alters the regulatory effect AR has on target gene expression (see Chapter 4 of this volume by Heinlein et al.). However, it has been proposed that androgens act independently of AR to produce non-genomic effects (Rommerts, 1998) (see Chapter 5 of this volume by Heinlein and Chang), and that AR may function without binding to DNA (Slagsvold et al., 2001). AR is expressed nearly ubiquitously in mammalian tissues (Kimura et al., 1993; Sar et al., 1990; Tilley et al., 1990), and is known to play various biological roles in areas including development, sexual and reproductive function, immune function, and homeostasis (Quigley, 1998).
Single-Particle Cryo-Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM): Progress, Challenges, and Perspectives for Further Improvement

Abstract Electron microscopy (EM) of biological macromolecules has experienced a significant increase in its capabilities with the introduction of a new generation of camera technology. Near-atomic resolution now has been achieved without the need for ordered assemblies such as two-dimensional (2-D) crystals, helical structures, or icosahedral particles. Not only has the resolution achieved in single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) improved markedly, but at the same time, the number of particles needed has been reduced by a factor of 10 or more. However, not all single-particle analyses may reach atomic resolution easily, and the reasons for this are diverse. Here, we address some of the factors that could result in lower-than-expected values of resolution, and we suggest strategies to identify and fix the possible problems.
Queueing Behavior of Hashing Methods Used to Build URL Routing Tables

This study pioneers a new way to study the performance of hashing algorithms by evaluating their queueing behavior. We examine hashing as applied to URL routing used in Content Distribution Networks (CDNs). URL routing tables can be built as self-adjusting hash tables to reduce network bandwidth consumption in CDNs and at the same time take advantage of the high temporal locality of Web document requests. We show through a trace-driven simulation that the existing Aggressive hashing (based on move-to-front rule) improves upon H1 hashing (based on the transposition rule). Surprising results were found: even though the expected improvement in look-up time over H1 hashing is modest, the improvement from a queueing perspective appears to be very significant. The long range dependence in look-up time of H1 hashing contributes to its extreme queueing delay. This shows that using queueing delay as a means of evaluating hashing algorithms can be very insightful. Fig. 1 URL router forwarding or redirecting a request
Predictors of quality of life and depression among Korean-American cancer patients and their family caregivers.

OBJECTIVE This study examined social, cultural, and appraisal factors associated with Korean-American cancer patients' and their family caregivers' quality of life (QOL) and depression. METHODS Data were from Korean-American cancer patients and their family caregivers (N = 60 dyads) living in the United States. Study aims were examined using descriptive statistics and multiple regression. RESULTS For patients, higher social support and lower negative appraisal of illness predicted higher patient QOL; negative appraisal of illness also predicted higher patient depression. For caregivers, older age, having fewer traditional Korean values, and more modern (individualistic) values predicted higher caregiver QOL. Caregivers who held more modern values also had less depression. CONCLUSIONS Higher support and less negative appraisal predicted better QOL in patients. For caregivers however, the type of cultural values they held (tradition or modern) was a key factor that predicted level of QOL and depression. Assessment of support and appraisal as well as attention to cultural values may enhance their QOL and reduce depression.
Contingency, cost, and a fracking ban: Extending sociological research with the contingent valuation method:

Documenting patterns of environmental concerns has been a core effort of environmental sociology since the founding of the sub-discipline. Environmental economists, on the other hand, are pre-occup...
An Android Based Human Computer Interactive System with Motion Recognition and Voice Command Activation

Human machine interface (HMI), referred to as a correlated system of human activities and operation of a specific device, ratifies control mechanism of a targeted machine by execution of certain physical actions. This paper presents an effective design of an Android-based human computer interactive (HCI) system with voice command activation and gesture recognition to control a computer. With a continuous data acquisition from a 3-D accelerometer sensor embedded into the smart phone, the proposed system substantiates remote computing through processing of the orientation readings of physical movement of the phone and compilation of inputted audio texts. With Wi-Fi connectivity, the smart phone is attached to the wrist of a human body. The motion parameters are utilized to control the cursor movement of the host computer and the voice commands are used for ultimate execution of an instruction. Such a wireless system provides reliable and effective control operations of the computing domains, electronic devices and robotic structures. Physically challenged people get benefitted by such systems through easy and faster computing operations. The developed work has been tested under certain conditions and the performance analysis affirms its sustainability.
WEATHERING THE STORM: FLECAINIDE INDUCED VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA

Flecainide is a class 1C antiarrhythmic agent blocking sodium channels with use dependent prolongation of phase 0 in the fast response cardiac myocyte, a favorable property when managing supraventricular tachycardias (SVT) including atrial fibrillation (afib). While thought to be safe in a patient
Influence of Diet on Growth Rate and Carcass Composition of Steers Differing in Frame Size and Muscle Thickness

One hundred seventy-three steer calves, selected at weaning to represent USDA classifications for frame size (Large, L; Medium, M; Small, S) and muscle thickness (No. 1, No. 2, No. 3), were assigned to three finishing diets (grain, 3.03 Mcal ME/kg DM; silage, 2.46 Mcal ME/kg DM; forage, 2.06 Mcal ME/kg DM), forming a 3  3  3 factorial with unequal subclass numbers. The steers were slaughtered at constant weights corresponding to their respective frame size classifications (L = 590 kg, M = 499 kg; S = 408 kg). Individual live weights were recorded every 28 d during finishing and, following slaughter, one side of each carcass was dissected into muscle, bone and fat. Diet interacted with frame size to affect growth rate. Frame-related differences in growth rate were very pronounced among grain-fed steers (L > M > S) but became smaller in magnitude as feeding intensity was reduced. Diet also had a significant effect on percentage separable carcass fat, despite the fact that the steers were slaughtered at a similar percentage (approximately 60%) of their estimated potential mature weights. Carcasses produced by grain-finished steers were fattest, and those produced by forage-finished cattle were leanest. The comparative fatness of steers finished on silage was dependent on frame size. Within the L class, carcasses produced by silagefinished steers were comparatively lean and were similar in fatness to carcasses produced by forage-finished cattle. Conversely, S steers finished on silage produced carcasses that were comparable in fatness to carcasses from grain-finished cattle. Frame-related differences in percentage carcass fat were significant only within the silage treatment group (S > L). Differences in carcass muscle-to-bone ratio were directionally consistent with visually discernible differences in feeder cattle muscling (No. 1 > No. 2 > No. 3)- The effects of muscle thickness on muscle-to-bone ratio were most pronounced within the L class. Diet was a significant source of variation in carcass muscle-to-bone ratio (grain > silage = forage) but did not alter the relationship between muscle thickness classification and muscle-to-bone ratio.
Exploring the Links Between Receiving Special Education Services and Adulthood Outcomes

A majority of the research on students receiving special education services have focused on school-aged outcomes, such as academic performance. Comparatively less is known about how these students fare in adulthood. By utilizing a one-to-one propensity score matching technique, individuals who received special education services were compared with those who did not on multiple adulthood outcomes that span educational attainment, economic self-sufficiency, social engagement and health. Results suggest that Hispanic students in our sample who participate in special education fared better compared to their White counterparts on some outcomes. Moreover, the contextual factors that increase the likelihood of receiving services (e.g., maternal education) predicted several more outcomes. These results point to the potential importance of the contextual factors that surround special education, suggest the need to provide context-specific services at the local level, and highlight the use of propensity score analyses to reduce concerns of selection bias in educational research.
Investigational drugs in early-stage clinical trials for autism spectrum disorder.

Introduction: Pharmacologic interventions in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have historically focused on symptom-based approaches. However, a treatment for the core social deficits has remained uni...
Law and Corporate Malfeasance in Neoliberal India

Critical sociolegal scholars highlight how the law favors powerful actors in handling the socioenvironmental devastation affecting marginalized populations. What receives scant attention is how the...
Development of a Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutic for the Prevention and Treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection

Fig. 1. A, Comparison of the conformation of the PAK receptor binding domain (128-144) as part of the pilin protein (dark chain) [2] and as a peptide analog (light chain) [3]. B and C, Crystal structure of PAK monomeric pilin (29-144) showing the receptor binding domain as a stick model and the remainder of the protein as a molecular surface. White patches on the surface represent contacts between the receptor binding domain and other regions of the protein. Development of a Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutic for the Prevention and Treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection
Methods reporting that supports reader confidence for systematic reviews in psychology: assessing the reproducibility of electronic searches and first-level screening decisions

Recent discussions and research in psychology show a significant emphasis on reproducibility. Concerns for reproducibility pertain to methods as well as results. We evaluated the reporting of the electronic search methods used for systematic reviews (SR) published in psychology. Such reports are key for determining the reproducibility of electronic searches. The use of SR has been increasing in psychology, and we report on the status of reporting of electronic searches in recent SR in psychology. We used 12 checklist items to evaluate reporting for basic electronic strategies. Kappa results for those items developed from evidence-based recommendations ranged from fair to almost perfect. Additionally, using a set of those items to represent a “PRISMA” type of recommended reporting showed that only one of the 25 randomly selected psychology SR from 2009-2012 reported recommended information for all items in the set, and none of the 25 psychology SR from 2014-2016 did so. Using a second less stringent set of items found that only 36% of the psychology SR reported basic information that supports confidence in the reproducibility of electronic searches. Similar results were found for a set of psychology SR published in 2017. An area for improvements in SR in psychology involves fuller and clearer reporting of the steps used for electronic searches in SR. Such improvements will provide a strong basis for confidence in the reproducibility of searches. That confidence, in turn, can strengthen reader confidence more generally in the results and conclusions reached in SR in psychology.
Simultaneous Inhibition of SIRT2 Deacetylase and Defatty-Acylase Activities via a PROTAC Strategy

As a member of the sirtuin family of enzymes, SIRT2 promotes tumor growth and regulates various biological pathways through lysine deacetylation and defatty-acylation. In the past few years, many SIRT2-selective small molecule inhibitors have been developed, but none have demonstrated simultaneous inhibition of both SIRT2 activities in cells. To further scrutinize the physiological importance and significance of SIRT2 deacetylase and defatty-acylase activities, small molecules that can selectively inhibit both activities of SIRT2 in living cells are needed. Here, we have applied the Proteolysis Targeting Chimera (PROTAC) strategy and synthesized a new SIRT2 inhibitor (TM-P4-Thal) to degrade SIRT2 selectively, which led to simultaneous inhibition of its deacetylase and defatty-acylase activities in living cells. Additionally, this compound exemplifies the advantage of the PROTAC strategy that allows complete eradication of an enzyme and its activity in biological settings.
Offshore Sales Networks and Stock Return Predictability

Based on 10-K textual analysis, we assemble firm-level offshore sales networks (OSN) and find strong return predictability among industry participants that have overlapping offshore sales activities. This intra-industry return predictability based on offshore sales networks is distinct from that along several previously documented economic linkages (e.g., industry momentum, technological links, and standalone vs conglomerate firms. Moreover, we find that the effect is stronger for firms that receive low investor attention, issue hard-to-read 10-Ks, and pose high arbitrage costs. Our results highlight important asset pricing implications of the commonality of corporate offshore activities, and are broadly consistent with sluggish price adjustment caused by investors’ inattention to offshore networks.
Renormalization group approach to spontaneous stochasticity

This work proposes a renormalization group theory of spontaneous stochasticity, via analogy with zero-temperature phase transitions in equilibrium systems with non-unique ground states.
Confirmatory Factor Structure and Predictive Validity of the Early Identification System-Student Report in a Community Sample of High School Students.

The purpose of this paper is to confirm the factor structure, examine the invariance, and investigate the predictive validity using disciplinary data for 5262 high school students who completed the Early Identification System—Student Response (EIS-SR). The development and theory of the EIS-SR is discussed along with prior work. Building off of prior factor analytic work with a separate sample, it was hypothesized the items of the EIS-SR would coalesce into seven factors representing Externalizing Behavior, Internalizing Behavior, Peer Relationship Problems, School Disengagement, Emotional Dysregulation, Attention and Academic Issues, and Relational Aggression. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that EIS-SR scores would be invariant with regard to gender and grade level. Lastly, it was hypothesized that students with high EIS-SR subscale scores would be predictive of school discipline events. Our analyses indicated the EIS-SR did fit the previously observed factor structure with the items loading on seven distinct scales. Tests for measurement invariance indicated support that the EIS-SR measured the seven factors equally well regardless of both gender and grade level. Lastly, EIS-SR subscale scores predicted spring office disciplinary referrals, both in and out of school suspensions, and attendance.
Transcriptional and signalling regulation of skin epithelial stem cells in homeostasis, wounds and cancer

The epidermis and skin appendages are maintained by their resident epithelial stem cells, which undergo long-term self-renewal and multilineage differentiation. Upon injury, stem cells are activated to mediate re-epithelialization and restore tissue function. During this process, they often mount lineage plasticity and expand their fates in response to damage signals. Stem cell function is tightly controlled by transcription machineries and signalling transductions, many of which derail in degenerative, inflammatory and malignant dermatologic diseases. Here, by describing both well-characterized and newly emerged pathways, we discuss the transcriptional and signalling mechanisms governing skin epithelial homeostasis, wound repair and squamous cancer. Throughout, we highlight common themes underscoring epithelial stem cell plasticity and tissue-level crosstalk in the context of skin physiology and pathology.
For You, or For"You"?: Everyday LGBTQ+ Encounters with TikTok

Online communities provide spaces for people who are vulnerable and underserved to seek support and build community, such as LGBTQ+ people. Today, some online community spaces are mediated by algorithms. Scholarship has found that algorithms have become deeply embedded in the systems that mediate our routine engagements with the world. Yet, little is known about how these systems impact those who are most vulnerable in society. In this paper, we focus on people's everyday experiences with one algorithmic system, the short video sharing application TikTok. TikTok recently received press that it was suppressing and oppressing the identities of its growing LGBTQ+ user population through algorithmic and human moderation of LGBTQ+ creators and content related to LGBTQ+ identity. Through an interview study with 16 LGBTQ+ TikTok users, we explore people's everyday engagements and encounters with the platform. We find that TikTok's For You Page algorithm constructs contradictory identity spaces that at once support LGBTQ+ identity work and reaffirm LGBTQ+ identity, while also transgressing and violating the identities of individual users. We also find that people are developing self-organized practices in response to these transgressions and violations. We discuss the implications of algorithmic systems on people's identity work, and introduce the concept of algorithmic exclusion, and explore how people are building resilience following moments of algorithmic exclusion.
Catheter ablation via the left atrium for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia: A narrative review

Background Since 1996, it has been recognized that catheter ablation for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) may require an approach through the left atrium. Objective The purposes are to present a case report and to provide a comprehensive narrative review on this topic. Methods A literature review of all articles that provided detailed information on patients who underwent catheter ablation via the left atrium for AVNRT was performed. The primary search queried PubMed using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms "atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia" and "left." The secondary search was performed by manual review of reference lists and Google Scholar citations of manuscripts retrieved by the primary search. The review was limited to the English language. Results The searches yielded 30 articles that described 79 patients. A case report was added. Therefore, the final review consisted of 80 patients. The prevalence of left atrial ablation for patients with AVNRT undergoing catheter ablation at tertiary care centers was approximately 1%. Failed right atrial ablation, with or without coronary sinus ablation, was the most common indication for left atrial ablation. Pooled data from 3 cohort studies estimated the acute success rate for radiofrequency ablation of the slow pathway at the septal or inferoparaseptal segments of the mitral valve annulus after failed right-sided ablation to be 90%. There were no reports of atrioventricular block requiring permanent pacemaker implantation. Conclusion Catheter ablation of the slow pathway via the left atrium is an important technique for AVNRT cases that are refractory to conventional ablation.
Methods for Association Studies

Association studies are a key approach to evaluating the relationship between genetic factors and phenotypes or traits. This chapter presents general methods for genetic association studies in unrelated humans. Topics covered include types of association studies, study design considerations, measurement of genetic information, and analytical techniques. This material provides readers with background for interpreting results from association studies and for undertaking their own studies.
Prolonged mechanical ventilation increases diaphragm arteriole circumferential stretch without changes in stress/stretch: Implications for the pathogenesis of ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction

INTRODUCTION Prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV; ≥6 h) results in large, time-dependent reductions in diaphragmatic blood flow and shear stress. We tested the hypothesis that MV would impair the structural and material properties (ie, increased stress/stretch relation and/or circumferential stretch) of first-order arterioles (1A) from the medial costal diaphragm. METHODS Shear stress was estimated from isolated arterioles and prior blood flow data from the diaphragm during spontaneous breathing (SB) and prolonged MV (6 h MV). Thereafter, female Sprague-Dawley rats (~5 months) were randomly divided into two groups, SB (n = 6) and 6 h MV (n = 6). Following SB and 6 h MV, 1A medial costal diaphragm arterioles were isolated, cannulated, and subjected to stepwise (0-140 cmH2 O) increases in intraluminal pressure in calcium-free Ringer's solution. Inner diameter and wall thickness were measured at each pressure step and used to calculate wall:lumen ratio, Cauchy-stress, and circumferential stretch. RESULTS Compared to SB, there was a ~90% reduction in arteriolar shear stress with prolonged MV (9 ± 2 vs 78 ± 20 dynes/cm2 ; p ≤ .05). In the unloaded condition (0 cmH2 O), the arteriolar intraluminal diameter was reduced (37 ± 8 vs 79 ± 13 μm) and wall:lumen ratio was increased (120 ± 18 vs 46 ± 10%) compared to SB (p ≤ .05). There were no differences in the passive diameter responses or the circumferential stress/stretch relationship between groups (p > .05), but at each pressure step, circumferential stretch was increased with 6 h MV vs SB (p ≤ .05). CONCLUSION During prolonged MV, medial costal diaphragm arteriolar shear stress is severely diminished. Despite no change in the material behavior (stress/stretch), prolonged MV resulted in altered structural and mechanical properties (ie, elevated circumferential stretch) of medial costal diaphragm arterioles. This provides important novel mechanistic insights into the impaired diaphragm blood flow capacity and vascular dysfunction following prolonged MV.
Aeroallergens and Climate Change in Tulsa, Oklahoma: Long-Term Trends in the South Central United States

Climate change is having a significant effect on many allergenic plants resulting in increased pollen production and shifts in plant phenology. Although these effects have been well studied in some areas of the world, few studies have focused on long-term changes in allergenic pollen in the South Central United States. This study examined airborne pollen and temperature in Tulsa, Oklahoma over 25 to 34 years. Pollen was monitored with a Hirst-type spore trap on the roof of a building at the University of Tulsa and meteorology data were obtained from the National Weather Service. Changes in total pollen intensity were examined along with detailed analyses of the eight most abundant pollen types in the Tulsa atmosphere. In addition to pollen intensity, changes in pollen season start date, end date, peak date and season duration were also analyzed. Results show a trend to increasing temperatures with a significant increase in annual maximum temperature. There was a non-significant trend toward increasing total pollen and a significant increase in tree pollen over time. Several individual taxa showed significant increases in pollen intensity over the study period including spring Cupressaceae and Quercus pollen, while Ambrosia pollen showed a significant decrease. Data from the current study also indicated that the pollen season started earlier for spring pollinating trees and Poaceae. Significant correlations with preseason temperature may explain the earlier pollen season start dates along with a trend toward increasing March temperatures. More research is needed to understand the global impact of climate change on allergenic species, especially from other regions that have not been studied.
Estrogen Selectively Mobilizes Neural Stem Cells in the Third Ventricle Stem Cell Niche of Postnatal Day 21 Rats

The neuroprotective properties of stem cells have been described for various pathophysiological states. Here, we determined the effects of exogenous perinatal estrogen treatment on endogenous neural stem cell activity in the third ventricle stem cell niche (3VSCN) and the caudal third ventricle (C3V). Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were gavaged with ethinyl estradiol (EE2, 10 μg/kg/day) or vehicle on gestational days 6-21, and their offspring were similarly treated from birth to weaning on postnatal day 21. At weaning, neural stem cell activity was investigated using the stem cell markers nestin, Ki-67, phosphohistone H3 (PHH3), and doublecortin (DCX). The 3VSCN was characterized by nestin labeling, but little DCX labeling, while both the subventricular (SVZ) and subgranular zones (SGZ) displayed robust DCX expression. Ki-67 cell counts in the 3VSCN were 2.2 to 6.4 times those of the C3V. In the 3VSCN, EE2 treatment significantly increased Ki-67, PHH3, and co-labeled cell counts by 135-207 %, effects which appeared stronger in females. EE2 treatment had only marginally significant effects in the C3V, mildly increasing PHH3 and co-labeled cell counts. Perinatal estrogen treatment selectively increased and mobilized proliferative cells in the 3VSCN at weaning, potentially providing increased neuroprotection. Because PHH3 cells are thought to be in the mitotic phase of the cell cycle and Ki-67 cells can be found in most phases of the cycle, the effect of estrogen treatment on 3VSCN cells appears to involve enhancement of mitosis.
5 – Patterning, Regionalization, and Cell Differentiation in the Forebrain

This chapter discusses patterning, regionalization, and cell differentiation in the forebrain. The chapter focuses on the developmental strategies that are used to generate anatomically and functionally unique regions within the forebrain. The forebrain comprises a complex set of structures that derive from the most anterior region of the neural tube, the prosencephalon. Soon after the closure of the neural tube, the primary prosencephalon subdivides into two major components, the caudal diencephalon and the secondary prosencephalon. The core of the secondary prosencephalon is the conventional rostral diencephalon/hypothalamus. The secondary prosencephalon also includes the telencephalic and optic vesicles, which evaginate from the dorsal aspect of the rostral diencephalon. The prosencephalon is also subdivided into longitudinal domains that are related to the longitudinal subdivisions of more caudal regions of the neural tube.
The Effect of Local Party Activity on Registration, Turnout and Vote Share

Despite the emergence of candidate-centered campaigns in the US, local party organizations have continued to mature structurally and to expand their engagement in campaign-related activities. Very little research, however, has considered whether local party activity has any meaningful effect on the electoral process. Do local parties matter? This paper draws on data from a survey of 1187 local party chairs in 48 states in 2010. The surveys included questions about campaign-related activities undertaken by local parties in the 2008 election. Using these indicators as independent variables in a multilevel model, we consider whether local party activity had any impact on several components of the local electoral setting: partisan voter registration; partisan voter turnout; and vote shares in US House and presidential races. In addition, we explore whether certain kinds of activities - grassroots mobilization efforts, mass media advertising, etc. - had varying levels of influence on the electoral variables. We find activity does have an impact on election outcomes, particularly for Democrats, and the effects are most prominent for local presidential vote share. However, there is evidence that the effect of activity on local electoral variables is most pronounced where the statewide political context is not overly favorable for that party. In states where local parties are dominant, activity is not associated with electoral outcomes.
Verification and Validation of AI Systems that Control Deep-Space Spacecraft

NASA is developing technology for the next generation of deep-space robotic spacecraft, with the aim of enabling new types of missions and radically reducing costs. One technology under development is Autonomy: highly capable spacecraft that perform significant scientific missions with little or no commanding and monitoring from Earth. Artificial Intelligence provides a basis for autonomy technology, but raises issues of verification and validation outside the scope of empirical testing technology for conventionally commanded spacecraft. This paper describes research towards extending formal methods verification techniques for the mathematical verification of AI systems controlling deep-space spacecraft. This paper first overviews a planned space mission called DS-1 which includes an AI-based autonomy experiment. It then describes part of this AI system called the executive, which includes an ‘intelligent’ operating system based on goal-oriented constructs. The paper then describes focused research on applying and extending model-checking technology for verifying both the core services of the executive and the concurrent task programs run by the executive.
Blackboard Jungle: Delinquency, Desegregation, and the Cultural Politics of Brown

In 1955, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer released a controversial film about juvenile delinquency entitled Blackboard Jungle. Georgia Governor Ernest Vandiver subsequently used the film as a metaphor for what would happen to southern schools were Brown v. Board of Education enforced, marking the beginnings of a much larger campaign to re-articulate southern resistance to integration in popular terms. Taking the intersection between discourses of delinquency and desegregation at mid-century as a starting point, this article advances three claims. One, the NAACP’s reliance on sociological evidence in Brown was a strategic attempt to align black interests with concerns over child development popular at the time. Two, the NAACP’s emphasis on child development sparked a pitched battle between civil rights activists and segregationists over the framing of youth and rights in the realm of popular culture, a contest that has so far gone undocumented. Three, Brown did not simply trigger an extremist backlash, but pushed southern moderates to expand the scope and reach of southern criminal justice, a move that increased youth services even as it opened the door for aggressive prosecutions of teenage demonstrators as delinquents in the 1960s.
The combination of Paclitaxel and Gefitinib inhibits endometrial cancer cells by inducing mitotic catastrophe: proof of principle for dual therapy in endometrial cancer

Serous uterine endometrial cancer is a lethal disease for which new therapeutic regimens are urgently needed. Combinations of chemotherapeutic agents and small molecule growth factor inhibitors have demonstrated activity in cancers from other sites. Our objective was to determine whether such a combination using Paclitaxel and Gefitinib could be active in serous endometrial cancer cells.
Molecular Mechanism of the Induction of Metalloproteinases 1 and 3 in Human Fibroblasts by Basic Calcium Phosphate Crystals ROLE OF CALCIUM-DEPENDENT PROTEIN KINASE Cα

Synovial fluid basic calcium phosphate (BCP) crystals are common in osteoarthritis and are often associated with destructive arthropathies involving cartilage degeneration. These crystals are mitogenic and induce oncogene expression and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) synthesis and secretion in human fibroblasts. To date, BCP crystal-elicited signal transduction pathways have not been completely studied. Because protein kinase C (PKC) is known to play an important role in signal transduction, we investigated the participation of this pathway in the BCP crystal induction of MMP-1 and MMP-3 mRNA and protein expressions in human fibroblasts. Using reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Northern and Western blotting techniques, we show here that BCP crystal stimulation of MMP-1 and MMP-3 mRNA and protein expressions in human fibroblasts is dependent upon the calcium-dependent PKC signal transduction pathway and that the PKCα isozyme is specifically involved in the pathway. We have previously shown that BCP crystal induction of MMP-1 and MMP-3 is also dependent on the p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p44/42 MAPK) signal transduction pathway. We now show that these two pathways operate independently and seem to complement each other. This leads to our hypothesis that the two pathways initially function independently, ultimately leading to an increase in mitogenesis and MMP synthesis, and may converge downstream of PKC and p44/42 MAPK to mediate BCP crystal-induced cellular responses.
The Internal Structure of Guinier-Preston Zones in Alloys

Publisher Summary The chapter presents a discussion on the internal structure of Guinier–Preston zones in alloys. “Age hardening” of alloys is because of the formation of clusters of impurity atoms during annealing. The structure of these clusters and its evolution during annealing has long been a central problem in physical metallurgy. Special attention is given to the distinctions between the earlier proposed stages of the clustering. In many alloy systems, strength and electrical properties can be altered by quenching from the solid solution range, across a solvus line, and “aging” or “age hardening” near room temperature (or at some modest temperature) in the two-phase region. This chapter presents a figure on heat treatment, which is a topic ideally suited for transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The chapter discusses metastable stages in alloy decomposition, imaging and scattering methods, the elastic diffuse scattering, and so on. The chapter also includes results for specific alloys, such as the Ai-Ag system, the Al-Zn system, and the Ai-Cu system.