cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epidermal Growth Factor Binding to Human Amnion, Chorion, Decidua, and Placenta from Mid- and Term Pregnancy: Quantitative Light Microscopic Autoradiographic Studies

All of the cell types, but not noncellular elements, found in amnion, chorion, decidua, and placenta of mid- and term pregnancy contained numerous silver grains after incubation with 1 nM [125I]epidermal growth factor ([125I]EGF). These grains completely disappeared when excess unlabeled EGF, but not unlabeled insulin, was added with [125I]EGF, suggesting the presence of specific EGF receptors. Light cells of amnion contained more EGF receptors than dark cells of amnion, and the number of light cells decreased from mid- to term pregnancy. Numerous syncytiotrophoblasts containing a greater number of receptors than darkly stained cells in connective tissue were found in chorion from midpregnancy. The chorionic syncytiotrophoblasts were considerably reduced at term. Dark cells of decidua contained more receptors than light cells of decidua, and these cell numbers did not change during pregnancy. Placental syncytiotrophoblasts contained the EGF receptors. At mid- and term pregnancy, placenta contained the highest number of EGF receptors, followed by chorion greater than decidua greater than amnion. The receptor number in all tissues was higher at mid-compared to term pregnancy. A decrease in number of cells as well as a decrease or fewer receptors per cell during pregnancy may explain the tissue and mid- vs. term pregnancy differences. The higher number of EGF receptors in amnion, chorion, decidua, and placenta at midpregnancy, at a time when the maternal and fetal blood EGF levels are at their peak, suggests that EGF may exert maximal biological effects on the feto-placental unit at midpregnancy.
Myocardial infarction and intramyocardial injection models in swine

Sustainable and reproducible large animal models that closely replicate the clinical sequelae of myocardial infarction (MI) are important for the translation of basic science research into bedside medicine. Swine are well accepted by the scientific community for cardiovascular research, and they represent an established animal model for preclinical trials for US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of novel therapies. Here we present a protocol for using porcine models of MI created with a closed-chest coronary artery occlusion-reperfusion technique. This creates a model of MI encompassing the anteroapical, lateral and septal walls of the left ventricle. This model infarction can be easily adapted to suit individual study design and enables the investigation of a variety of possible interventions. This model is therefore a useful tool for translational research into the pathophysiology of ventricular remodeling and is an ideal testing platform for novel biological approaches targeting regenerative medicine. This model can be created in approximately 8-10 h.
Symmetric versus asymmetric discretization of the integral equations in polarizable continuum solvation models

Discretization of the integral equations that define widely-used ‘polarizable continuum’ solvation models fails to preserve certain properties of the integral operators. Consequently, the appropriate form of the finite-dimensional matrix equations is ambiguous, with two different asymmetric versions and also a symmetrized version as obvious possibilities. We demonstrate cases where solvation energies differ by as much as 24 kcal/mol amongst these variants. These differences are sometimes exacerbated by new discretization procedures that guarantee smooth potential energy surfaces. Formal and numerical arguments favor one particular formulation of the matrix equations.
The Health Belief Model Applied to Understanding Diabetes Regimen Compliance

Inadequate adherence to prescribed treatment plans is perhaps the most serious obstacle to achieving success ful therapeutic outcomes, and non compliance by diabetic patients is no exception. This is partly based on pa tients' realization that compliance does not necessarily result in lack of illness. A psychosocial framework for under standing patient compliance is the Health Belief Model, which is based upon the value an individual places on the identified goal and the likelihood that compliance will achieve that goal. This Model has been useful to explain noncompliance, to make an "educa tional diagnosis," and for designing compliance-enhancing interventions.
Managing the evolution of Web-based applications with WebSCM

In traditional software, engineering tools, software configuration management (SCM) is the dominant approach to manage the evolution of a software system. However, the evolution of Web-based applications presents special challenges that have not been well addressed by existing SCM systems. They often treat hyperlinked Web documents as a set of text files in a file .system and disregard crucial structures in a Web-based application such as internal structure, navigational structure, logical structure, and compositional structure among Web objects. Key limitations include their inadequacy to represent Web object semantics and their inability to manage changes to those important structures among objects making up a Web application. This paper presents a novel SCM-centered development environment for Web-based applications, named WebSCM. With WebSCM, Web developers can manage fine-grained, structural evolution of Web objects and important structures among them at different levels of abstraction (e.g. conceptual, navigational, presentation, and implementation levels). This paper also describes the motivation for this environment as well as its user interfaces, features, and implementation.
IPSec-based delegation protocol and its application

In this paper, we present a key-management protocol for delegated trust between the user and a set of entities. The protocol is based on IPSec architecture. We draw a mapping from SPI in IPSec architecture to users requesting a service spread across multiple hosts potentially in different administrative domains. We also outline the application and implementation of the protocol.
Twenty-two-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test in a control population: a cross-sectional study and systematic review.

Background The 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) is a commonly utilized outcome measure for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). However, what constitutes a normal score remains poorly defined. The goal of this study was to evaluate SNOT-22 scores in a control population without CRS and perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of “normal” values. Methods Ninety-nine subjects without CRS were enrolled, with 95 fully completing the SNOT-22 questionnaire. Multivariable linear regression was used to determine whether demographic factors or medical comorbidities influence SNOT-22 scores in a population without CRS. A systematic literature search was performed, identifying studies that evaluated the SNOT-22 in a non-CRS population and estimates for SNOT-22 values were pooled. Results Thirty-six males and 59 females were included in the primary analysis with a mean age of 53.4 ± 17.3 years (range, 18–88 years). The mean SNOT-22 score was 16.4 ± 15.2. Asthma (p = 0.003) and depression (p = 0.002) were found to be independent predictors of higher SNOT-22 scores. Thirteen articles were identified in the literature search and 1 was provided via author correspondence, with 10 reporting sufficient data to be included in the meta-analysis. Weighted mean SNOT-22 score was 11 ± 9.4 (n = 1517). Our data differed significantly from published data (mean difference = 5.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.4 to 7.5; p < 0.0001) likely owing to differences in comorbidities. Conclusion SNOT-22 scores vary in non-CRS populations depending upon the group queried. Asthma and depression are associated with higher SNOT-22 scores and should be considered when determining what constitutes a normal value.
Stiff Systems and Multiple Scales

Most physical or engineering dynamic systems exhibit a mixture of fast and slow variations. Such systems are known as multiple scale systems or stiff systems. Some examples have already been considered. It is relatively rare that the dynamics of a physical system evolve on a single time scale. In general, an understanding of the behavior of these systems is facilitated by a separation of the rapid and slow aspects of the phenomenon. The method of multiple scales is designed to achieve such a systematic separation.
Interface-Induced Disassembly of a Self-Assembled Two-Component Nanoparticle System

We present a study of static and dynamic interfacial properties of self-assembled polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles (size 110–120 nm) containing entrapped surfactant molecules at a fluid/fluid interface. Surface tension vs time measurements of an aqueous solution of these polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles (PCNs) show a concentration-dependent biphasic adsorption to the air/water interface while interfacial microrheology data show a concentration-dependent initial increase in the surface viscosity (up to 10–7 N·m/s), followed by a sharp decrease (10–9 N·m/s). Direct visualization of the air/water interface shows disappearance of particles from the interface over time. On the basis of these observations, we propose that the PCNs at fluid/fluid interfaces exist in two states: initial accumulation of PCNs at the air/water interface as nanoparticles, followed by interface induced disassembly of the accumulated PCNs into their components. The lack of change in particle size, charge, and viscosity of the...
Statistical Assessment of the Cost Effectiveness of Highway Pavement Warranty Contracts

AbstractThe evaluation of warranty contracts is of great interest to highway agencies that seek innovative ways to manage their assets in the most cost-effective way. This paper demonstrates a statistical approach for evaluating the long-term performance and cost effectiveness of pavement warranties via comparison with similar traditional contracts. This is in contrast to past studies that used descriptive statistics and one-to-one comparisons to evaluate the performance of these two contracting approaches. In this study, random-parameter regression models that account for unobserved heterogeneity were developed to evaluate the performance of warranty and traditional contracts for similar projects on the basis of resulting pavement service life. The projects studied involved structural hot-mix asphalt overlay of crack-and-seat rigid pavements. The warranty projects in the study data sample were found to be 10% more effective in terms of average service life compared with traditional contract projects. Add...
Alimentary tract ganglioneuromatosis-lipomatosis, adrenal myelolipomas, pancreatic telangiectasias, and multinodular thyroid goiter. A possible neuroendocrine syndrome.

Diffuse, alimentary tract ganglioneuromatosis-lipomatosis, bilateral adrenal myelolipomas, pancreatic telangiectasias, and a multinodular thyroid goiter were found at autopsy in a 56-year-old, white male with a history of insulin-dependent diabetes, hypertension, peptic ulcer, and remote cerebral infarction. The degree of atherosclerosis, arterionephrosclerosis, and cardiac disease found at autopsy did not correlate with the patient’s history or his sudden death. The typical features of the multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome, type II-B, were not identified. The findings in this patient may represent a variant of the multiple endocrine neoplasia complex, or a separate, previously unrecognized syndrome.
Theoretical Contribution and Realistic Significance of Military Science of Sun Bin

Military Science of Sun Bin marks a milestone in Chinese military history.It,as well as Military Science of Sun Tzu,is regarded as the great one in military theory.It is the first work to systematically summarize battle theory and practice in ancient China,which leads the reform direction of strategy and tactics in the cold weapon age.The theoretical contributions of Military Science of Sun Tzu mainly lie in the military guidance theory of using schemes to exchange the space,the battle theory system with the core of creating a favorable situation,the army governing theory with the purpose of boosting morale,and the military construction theory of paying equal attention to cherishing the people and strengthening the army.These have important referential significance for today's information war and military construction.
Review of Relationship Between VEGF and Atherosclerotic Plaque

The function of vasa vasorum is both to deliver nutrients and oxygen to arterial and venous walls and to remove "waste" products,either produced by cells in the wall or introduced by diffusional transport through the endothelium of the artery or vein.Although the relationship between changes in vasa vasorum characteristics and the development of atheromatous plaques is well documented,the role of vasa vasorum,especially in terms of their appearance and disappearance in disease processes such as atherosclerosis,are still not clearly understood in terms of their being causative or merely reactive.However,even if their proliferation is merely reactive,these new microvessels may be a source of disease progression by virtue of endothelial impairment and as a pathway for monocytic cells to migrate to sites of early disease.As both these features are aspects of the vasa vasorum function,this review focuses on the relationship between vasa vasorum or VEGF and the formation of atherosclerotic plaque.
Assessment of risk factors for bone disease in renal transplant recipients

Background: Renal allograft recipients are at increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures because of their multiple risk factors for reduced bone mineral density (BMD). Objective: To retrospectively assess the risk factors that may predispose renal transplant recipients to reduced BMD. Methods: Thirty-one consecutive renal allograft recipients who had their hip and spine BMD measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry were evaluated. Individual patient medical records were reviewed for risk factors including demographics, laboratory parameters, glucocorticoid use, medical history, physical activity, and gonadal status. Fisher's exact test and Kruskal-Wallis chi-square approximations were used to compare BMD groups (p < 0.05). Analysis of variance with a Bonferroni adjustment was used to compare differences between BMD groups (p = 0.01) Linear regression analysis was used to correlate BMD with clinical parameters. Results: A trend for younger patients (mean 43 y) to have osteoporosis and older patients (mean 54 y) to be osteopenic (p = 0.056) was seen. Higher body weight (p = 0.003) and higher creatinine clearance (p = 0.008) were associated with normal BMD results. Linear regression analysis showed a strong correlation between hip and spine BMD and creatinine clearance. Our data failed to show a statistical relationship between cumulative glucocorticoid dose or daily doses of greater than 7.5 mg and lower BMD. Neither male gender nor premenopausal status seemed to provide protection from reduced BMD. Conclusions: These results suggest that all renal allograft recipients, regardless of age, gender, or hormonal status, may be at risk for the development of osteoporosis.
Heredity, Genes, and Environment

Before our various toughening activities build mental and psychological toughness, those activities foster physiological toughness. Those physiological changes depend upon our genes being activated and deactivated in response to the toughening activities. Thus understanding toughening requires some appreciation of genetic processes.
Poor safety climate, long work hours, and musculoskeletal discomfort among Latino horse farm workers

This study investigated the prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) and work-related factors associated with elevated MSD among Latino thoroughbred farm workers. Participants (N = 225) were recruited using a community-based purposive sampling approach to participate in in-person interviews. Of these workers, 85% experienced MSD. MSD was divided into tertiles; the upper tertile was defined as elevated. Multivariable Poisson regression revealed associations between any elevated MSD and longer tenure on horse farms, longer work hours, and poor safety climate. Elevated neck/back MSD was associated with longer tenure, longer work hours, and poor safety climate. Elevated upper extremity MSD was associated with age and poor safety climate. Elevated lower extremity MSD was associated with longer tenure, longer work hours, and being female. Musculoskeletal discomfort is common among these workers. Improving safety climate and minimizing long work hours is recommended.
Academic Motivation, Learning Strategies, and Sports Anxiety of First-Year Student–Athletes

Academic motivation, learning strategies, and sports anxiety are important to assess when considering the well-being of a Division III student–athlete. The purpose of this study was to identify the learning and motivational academic strategies of Rowan University first-year student–athletes enrolled in Rowan 101 course by utilizing the Motivational Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ). Another goal was to examine if a correlation existed among trait sports anxiety and academic motivation and learning. The final goal was to provide student–athletes with classroom strategies. Results were based off of the MSLQ and the Sport Anxiety Scale-2. The results of this study proved test anxiety was significantly correlated with SAS-2 variables, worry, and concentration disruption; MSLQ variables Elaboration and Organization were significantly correlated along with Elaboration and Self-Regulation and Self-Regulation and Self-Efficacy for Learning and Performance; and a statistical significance between GPA and...
Half-flat vs. atomically flat: Alkyl monolayers on morphologically controlled Si(100) and Si(111) have very similar structure, density, and chemical stability.

Chemists have long preferred the Si(111) surface for chemical functionalization, as a simple aqueous etch can be used to produce ideal, atomically flat H/Si(111) surfaces for subsequent reactions. In contrast, industry-standard etches produce rough H/Si(100) surfaces terminated by nanohillocks. The recent discovery of an aqueous etch that produces morphologically controlled H/Si(100) surfaces with a near atomically flat or “half-flat” morphology challenges the assumption that Si(111) is an inherently preferable starting point for chemical functionalization. This study shows that alkyl functionalization of morphologically controlled, “half-flat” Si(100) surfaces by terminal alkenes produces dense, tightly packed monolayers that are essentially identical to those on atomically flat Si(111). The striking similarity between the infrared spectra on these two surfaces — in terms of absolute absorbance, line shape and position, and polarization dependence — strongly suggests that alkyl monolayers on morphologically controlled Si(111) and Si(100) have essentially identical structures. The principle difference between the two surfaces is the amount of residual H at the Si/organic interface, a difference that is dictated by the structure of the Si(100) surface. Alkyl monolayers on morphologically controlled Si(111) and Si(100) surfaces were shown to be equally resistant to harsh oxidants. As a result, there appears to be no chemical reason to prefer one surface over the other, at least for functionalization with terminal alkenes.
Compact Lasing with Bound States in the Continuum

We have designed a high quality factor cavity that is based on a bound state in the continuum and harnessed its properties to demonstrate a novel type of surface emitting laser in the c-band (~1550nm). We have experimentally demonstrated lasing action in this compact nanophotonic laser at room temperature with a very low threshold power.
Therapeutic Issues with Transgender Elders

Research demonstrates that transgender and nonconforming (TGNC) elders face social isolation and discrimination in policies and practices in mental and health care settings. The purpose of this article is to provide clinicians with practical input about therapeutic issues and interventions for use with TGNC elders. A case vignette describes the challenges and rewards of therapy with an elder trans woman. Her story illustrates the complex interplay between age, life phase, and sociocultural and historical contexts. Recommendations regarding research, practice, and advocacy are offered.
Well-posedness of two-dimensional hydroelastic waves with mass

Abstract We study hydroelastic waves in interfacial flow of two-dimensional irrotational fluids. Each of the fluids is taken to be of infinite extent in one vertical direction, and bounded by a free surface in the other vertical direction. Elastic effects are considered at the free surface; this can describe physical settings such as the ocean bounded above by a layer of ice. A previous study proved well-posedness without considering the mass of the elastic surface; we now consider the effect of this mass. Under the assumption that a certain integral equation is solvable, we prove well-posedness of the initial value problem for the system. We are able to demonstrate that in some cases, such as the case of small mass parameter, the integral equation is indeed solvable. The proof uses geometric dependent variables, a normalized arclength parameterization, and a small-scale decomposition in the evolution equations.
How NOT to build an infinite lottery machine.

An infinite lottery machine is used as a foil for testing the reach of inductive inference, since inferences concerning it require novel extensions of probability. Its use is defensible if there is some sense in which the lottery is physically possible, even if exotic physics is needed. I argue that exotic physics is needed and describe several proposals that fail and at least one that succeeds well enough.
Co-constructed failure narratives in mathematics tutoring

The ideas students have about what causes math failure are known to impact motivation. This paper throws light on how attributions of failure are negotiated during math tutoring, between 4th/5th graders and volunteer tutors, at a non-profit STEM-based after-school program. The study employs methods of interaction analysis on a small number of cases to qualitatively document how tutor–student dyads co-construct stories about failure. I argue that responses to failure involve constructing obstacles, blaming causes of obstacles, and intervening to resolve obstacles, which take place as part of public practice. By understanding the interactional mechanics of failure, the study can inform discourse-level interventions in the future.
Globally Optimal Matching Networks With Lossy Passives and Efficiency Bounds

Impedance transformation is one of the central concepts in high-frequency circuits and systems and is used ubiquitously for optimal power matching, noise matching, and high-efficiency power delivery to the antenna by power amplifiers. The matching network can be generally expressed as a path on the Smith chart and given the load and source impedances, there are theoretically infinite ways to achieve the transformation. When losses are included, each path will encounter a different loss, and currently, no comprehensive theory exist for finding the most optimal matching network. Furthermore, the networks will also provide different bandwidths of operation. Due to the matching network losses, it is often not optimal to force conjugate matching for maximizing end-to-end power transfer efficiency. In this paper, we provide a method toward finding 1) the globally most efficient path between two arbitrary impedances with lossy passives; 2) given the source and the load impedances, the optimal (typically non-conjugate) impedance to match and the highest efficiency path to reach the impedance; and 3) upper bounds on achievable efficiencies under the various scenarios. This paper also proposes ways to combine this method with nonlinear load-pull simulations for optimal combiner and matching network for integrated power amplifiers. This analysis creates interesting ways to maximize efficiency and bandwidths simultaneously and the paper also discusses this joint optimization. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive analysis of globally optimal impedance transformation networks between arbitrary impedances with lossy passives.
Causes of skill in seasonal predictions of the Arctic Oscillation

Based on an analysis of hindcasts from a seasonal forecast system, complemented by the analysis of a large ensemble of AMIP simulations, possible causes for skillful prediction of the winter Arctic Oscillation (AO) on a seasonal time-scale are analyzed. The possibility that the recent increase in AO skill could be due to model improvements, or due to changes in the persistence characteristics of the AO, is first discounted. The analysis then focuses on exploring the possibility that the recent increase in prediction skill in AO may be due to sampling variations or could have physical causes. Temporal variations in AO skill due entirely to sampling alone cannot be discounted as this is a fundamental constraint on verifications over a short time-series. This notion is supported from theoretical considerations, and from the analysis of the temporal variations in the perfect model skill where substantial variations in skill due to sampling alone are documented. As for the physical causes, the analysis indicates possible links in the prediction skill of AO with the SST forcing from the tropics, particularly related to the SST variations associated with the Trans-Nino Index (TNI). Interannual and low frequency variations in the TNI could have contributed to similar temporal variations in AO skill. For example, a dominance of central Pacific El Nino events after 2000 (a reflection of low-frequency variations in TNI) coincided with an increase in the prediction skill of AO. The analysis approach and results provide an avenue for further investigations; for example, model simulations forced with the SST pattern associated with the TNI, to establish or reaffirm causes for AO skill.
An overview of autonomous vehicles safety

The new world of autonomous vehicles is posing many challenges to automotive safety. This paper at first describes the status of the ISO 26262 functional safety standard, with specific focus on its application to semiconductors. Then the paper proposes a way to analyze the reliability of a functional safety component, taking into account its safety goal. After that, the paper describes why functional safety and reliability are necessary but not sufficient for AVs: they need to be combined with security, with safety of intended functionality and ultimately with a “responsibility sensitive safety”, in order to provide the overall level of trust that the community is expecting from autonomous vehicles.
Coping with the Dynamic Process of Technostress, Appraisal and Adaptation

Despite its importance, the process of technostress remains significantly unstudied in MIS research. Here we review the relevant literature on technostress and synthesize the coping model of user adaptation (Beaudry and Pinsonneault, 2005) with transaction based models of technostress to align these theories with referent models of stress, appraisal and adaptation. We posit that technostress should be studied as a dynamic, unfolding process, not as an assumed, static black box. We present a dynamic process model of technostress as it was intended by Caro and Sethi (1985), which reconciles technostress with more than 60 years of stress research.
An Algebraic Solution for Discrete Tomography

Discrete tomography is the problem of reconstructing a binary image defined on a discrete lattice of points from its projections at only a few angles. It has applications in X-ray crystallography, in which the projections are the number of atoms in the crystal along a given line,and nondestructive testing. The 2D version of this problem is fairly well understood, and several algorithms for solving it are known, most of which involve discrete mathematics or network theory. However, the 3D problem is much harder to solve. This chapter shows how the problem can be recast in a purely algebraic form. This results in: (1) new insight into the number of projection angles needed for an almost surely unique solution; (2) non-obvious dependencies in projection data; and (3) new algorithms for solving it. We then present an explicit formula for reconstructing a finite-support object from a finite number of its discrete projections over a limited range of angles, again making extensive use of the discrete Fourier transform in doing so. We compute the object directly as a linear combination of the projections. The well-known ill-posedness of the limited-angle tomography problem manifests itself in some very large coefficients in these linear combinations; these coefficients,which are computed off-line,provide a direct sensitivity measure of the reconstruction samples to the projections samples. The discrete nature of the problem implies that the projections must also take on integer values; this means noise can be rejected. This makes the formula practical.
Dual Interlocking Tracheostoma Vents

This article describes a technique for fabricating interlocking custom tracheostoma vents for use in patients with bidirectional tracheostomas or tracheostoma fistulas secondary to tracheostenosis. The interlocking nature of the tracheostoma vents allows easy placement and removal from a tracheostoma or tracheostoma fistulas that would not be possible with a single tracheostoma vent. A 5 x 10-mm opening in the inferior portion of the prosthesis allows the patient with intact vocal cords to phonate by occluding the opening of the prosthesis and forcing air through the prosthesis into the subglottal area. The rigid acrylic resin of the prosthesis maintains the patency of the tracheostoma or tracheostoma fistula while a resilient material in the peristomal area reduces the pressure and potential irritation. The steps involved in the fabrication of the dual interlocking custom tracheostoma vents are easy and require no elaborate laboratory equipment.
Xe monolayer adsorption on Ag(111): II. Lateral structure and Xe-Xe interactions☆

Abstract Effects contributing to an observed expansion in the lattice constant of a Xe monolayer on Ag(111) relative to bulk Xe are calculated or estimated. The major effects are the differences in geometry for the lattice sums of the pair and triple-dipole potentials and the lateral interactions of monolayer adatoms through the substrate, which is treated as a continuum. The effects included account for approximately two-thirds of the observed expansion. Presumably the remaining one-third arises from forces depending on details of the electronic structure of the adatom-metal complex.
Creating simple solutions for safe naloxone use.

e18185Background: Naloxone is sometimes required to reverse acute intoxication from opioid pain medications. Although clinical guidelines exist, naloxone dosing is variable in practice. Higher dose...
Subjunctive conditionals’ local contexts

Philippe Schlenker gives a method of deriving local contexts from an expression’s classical semantics. In this paper I show that this method, when applied to the traditional variably strict semantics for subjunctive conditionals of Robert Stalnaker, David Lewis, and Angelika Kratzer, delivers an empirically incorrect prediction. The prediction is that the antecedent of a conditional should have the whole domain of possible worlds as its local context and therefore should be allowed to have only necessary presuppositions. In the later part of the paper, I suggest the outlines of a solution to the problem. The solution involves adding a shifting contextual restriction on the domain of possible worlds.
Incidence and Ocular Features of Pediatric Myasthenias.

PURPOSE To report the incidence, demographics, and ocular findings of children with myasthenia. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. METHODS The medical records of all children (<19 years) examined at Mayo Clinic with any form of myasthenia from January 1 1966, through December 31, 2015, were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS A total of 364 children were evaluated during the study period, of which 6 children were residents of the Olmsted County at the time of their diagnosis, yielding an annual age- and sex-adjusted incidence of 0.35 per 100 000 <19 years, or 1 in 285 714 <19 years. The incidence of juvenile myasthenia gravis (JMG) and congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) was 0.12 and 0.23 per 100 000, respectively. Of the 364 study children, 217 (59.6%) had JMG, 141 (38.7%) had CMS, and 6 (1.7%) had Lambert-Eaton syndrome, diagnosed at a median age of 13.5, 5.1, and 12.6 years, respectively. A majority of the JMG and CMS patients had ocular involvement (90.3% and 85.1%, respectively), including ptosis and ocular movement deficits. Among children with at least 1 year of follow-up (JMG; median, 7.1 years, CMS; median, 7.0 years), improvement was seen in 88.8% of JMG patients (complete remission in 31.3%) and in 58.3% of CMS patients. CONCLUSION Although relatively rare, myasthenia gravis in children has 2 predominant forms, CMS and JMG, both of which commonly have ocular involvement. Improvement is more likely in children with the juvenile form.
Mitoquinone ameliorates pressure overload-induced cardiac fibrosis and left ventricular dysfunction in mice.

Abstract Increasing evidence indicates that mitochondrial-associated redox signaling contributes to the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF). The mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant, mitoquinone (MitoQ), is capable of modifying mitochondrial signaling and has shown beneficial effects on HF-dependent mitochondrial dysfunction. However, the potential therapeutic impact of MitoQ-based mitochondrial therapies for HF in response to pressure overload is reliant upon demonstration of improved cardiac contractile function and suppression of deleterious cardiac remodeling. Using a new (patho)physiologically relevant model of pressure overload-induced HF we tested the hypothesis that MitoQ is capable of ameliorating cardiac contractile dysfunction and suppressing fibrosis. To test this C57BL/6J mice were subjected to left ventricular (LV) pressure overload by ascending aortic constriction (AAC) followed by MitoQ treatment (2 µmol) for 7 consecutive days. Doppler echocardiography showed that AAC caused severe LV dysfunction and hypertrophic remodeling. MitoQ attenuated pressure overload-induced apoptosis, hypertrophic remodeling, fibrosis and LV dysfunction. Profibrogenic transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4, a major modulator of fibrosis related redox signaling) expression increased markedly after AAC. MitoQ blunted TGF-β1 and NOX4 upregulation and the downstream ACC-dependent fibrotic gene expressions. In addition, MitoQ prevented Nrf2 downregulation and activation of TGF-β1-mediated profibrogenic signaling in cardiac fibroblasts (CF). Finally, MitoQ ameliorated the dysregulation of cardiac remodeling-associated long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in AAC myocardium, phenylephrine-treated cardiomyocytes, and TGF-β1-treated CF. The present study demonstrates for the first time that MitoQ improves cardiac hypertrophic remodeling, fibrosis, LV dysfunction and dysregulation of lncRNAs in pressure overload hearts, by inhibiting the interplay between TGF-β1 and mitochondrial associated redox signaling.
Quarkonium Production and Polarization in an Improved Color Evaporation Model

Abstract An improved version of the color evaporation model (ICEM) has been introduced to describe heavy quarkonium production. In contrast to the traditional color evaporation model, the constraint was imposed that the invariant mass of the intermediate heavy quark-antiquark pair must be larger than the mass of produced quarkonium. A momentum shift between heavy quark-antiquark pair and the quarkonium was also introduced. Calculations show that the model can describe the charmonium yields as well as ratio of ψ ′ over J / ψ better than the traditional color evaporation model. The ICEM has been extended to calculate the polarization of prompt J / ψ and ϒ ( 1 S ) production for the first time in the color evaporation approach. The first calculations were made at leading order. The polarization parameter λ ϑ was calculated as a function of center of mass energy and rapidity in p + p collisions. The x F dependence of the polarization was also calculated and compred to experimental results in p+Cu and π+W collisions. The next step of calculating the p T dependence of the polarization has been taken, with a calculation in the k T -factorization approach. We compare the unpolarized p T distributions for the J / ψ and ψ ′ , as well as the ψ ′ to J / ψ ratio, in p + p collisions at RHIC and the LHC for several energies. We also present the polarization results and make comparison to polarization data.
Riemekasten Regulatorische T-Zellen – ein mögliches Ziel zur Behandlung von systemischen Autoimmunerkrankungen

Regulatorischen T-Zellen kommt eine Schlusselrolle bei der Aufrechterhaltung der Immuntoleranz zu und ihr Einsatz konnte eine entscheidende Rolle in unserem therapeutischen Repertoire einnehmen. Die vorliegende Arbeit soll einen Uberblick uber den aktuellen Stand der Forschung uber regulatorische T-Zellen geben. Ein Teil dieser Zellen entsteht im Rahmen der normalen T-Zellreifung im Thymus, andere Subtypen konnen in der Peripherie induziert werden. Regulatorische T-Zellen zeichnen sich durch folgende Besonderheiten aus: Sie proliferieren kaum, hemmen die Aktivierung anderer T-Zellen und sind protektiv gegen Autoimmunerkrankungen. Die zugrundeliegenden Wirkungsmechanismen sind noch nicht vollstandig aufgeklart, wahrscheinlich spielen Zell-Zell-Kontakt-abhangige Mechanismen und Zytokine wie IL-10 und TGFβ eine Rolle. Zur Identifizierung von regulatorischen T-Zellen sind neben CD25 noch andere Oberflachenmarker bekannt, allerdings ist bisher kein Markermolekul bekannt, das ausschlieslich bei regulatorischen T-Zellen nachweisbar ist. Abschliesend wird ein Ausblick uber mogliche therapeutische Anwendung dieser Zellen gegeben.
Cold-formed steel ledger-framed construction floor-to-wall connection behavior and strength

Abstract The objective of this paper is to investigate the moment-rotation behavior of floor-to-wall connections used in ledger-framed cold-formed steel building construction with full-scale experiments. Recently completed research employing full-scale shake table tests on a two-story ledger-framed cold-formed steel framed building utilizing oriented strand board (OSB) sheathed shear walls and floors exhibited beneficial lateral system response that exceeded predictions. One hypothesis is that the stiffness of the floor-to-wall connections, and the repetitive nature of this connection, provided beneficial semi-rigid frame response that augmented the designed shear walls. Monotonic and cyclic full-scale connections were tested and reported here to examine the connection strength and stiffness, so that this hypothesis may be explored further in the future. The test matrix is designed to evaluate the presence of OSB floor sheathing, applied moment/shear ratio of the joist, joist-to-ledger clip angle location (inside or outside of the joist section), presence of top and bottom screws connecting the joist and ledger flanges, and location of the joist relative to the studs. The results indicate how the connection details and loading conditions drive the moment-rotation response; in addition, several limit states not checked in current design were also observed. Current design for this connection assumes a pure shear condition governed by screw shear capacity. However, ledger-to-stud screw pull-out, ledger flange buckling, and stud web crippling limit states are all observed in the testing. Design methods to support strength predictions consistent with the observed limit states are developed and assessed. The testing provides needed characterization of cold-formed steel floor-to-wall performance and is augmented by improved design methods for this detail.
Effect of Wearable Digital Intervention for Improving Socialization in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance Autism behavioral therapy is effective but expensive and difficult to access. While mobile technology-based therapy can alleviate wait-lists and scale for increasing demand, few clinical trials exist to support its use for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) care. Objective To evaluate the efficacy of Superpower Glass, an artificial intelligence-driven wearable behavioral intervention for improving social outcomes of children with ASD. Design, setting, and participants A randomized clinical trial in which participants received the Superpower Glass intervention plus standard of care applied behavioral analysis therapy and control participants received only applied behavioral analysis therapy. Assessments were completed at the Stanford University Medical School, and enrolled participants used the Superpower Glass intervention in their homes. Children aged 6 to 12 years with a formal ASD diagnosis who were currently receiving applied behavioral analysis therapy were included. Families were recruited between June 2016 and December 2017. The first participant was enrolled on November 1, 2016, and the last appointment was completed on April 11, 2018. Data analysis was conducted between April and October 2018. Interventions The Superpower Glass intervention, deployed via Google Glass (worn by the child) and a smartphone app, promotes facial engagement and emotion recognition by detecting facial expressions and providing reinforcing social cues. Families were asked to conduct 20-minute sessions at home 4 times per week for 6 weeks. Main outcomes and measures Four socialization measures were assessed using an intention-to-treat analysis with a Bonferroni test correction. Results Overall, 71 children (63 boys [89%]; mean [SD] age, 8.38 [2.46] years) diagnosed with ASD were enrolled (40 [56.3%] were randomized to treatment, and 31 (43.7%) were randomized to control). Children receiving the intervention showed significant improvements on the Vineland Adaptive Behaviors Scale socialization subscale compared with treatment as usual controls (mean [SD] treatment impact, 4.58 [1.62]; P = .005). Positive mean treatment effects were also found for the other 3 primary measures but not to a significance threshold of P = .0125. Conclusions and relevance The observed 4.58-point average gain on the Vineland Adaptive Behaviors Scale socialization subscale is comparable with gains observed with standard of care therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first randomized clinical trial to demonstrate efficacy of a wearable digital intervention to improve social behavior of children with ASD. The intervention reinforces facial engagement and emotion recognition, suggesting either or both could be a mechanism of action driving the observed improvement. This study underscores the potential of digital home therapy to augment the standard of care. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03569176.
Acid and Iron Experimental Evolution of Halobacterium sp. NRC-1

ABSTRACT Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 (NRC-1) is an extremely halophilic archaeon that is well adapted to multiple stressors such as UV, ionizing radiation, and arsenic exposure. We conducted experimental evolution of NRC-1 under acid and iron stress to expand the stressors. NRC-1 was serially cultured in CM+ medium modified by four stress conditions, with four evolving populations per condition. At 500 generations the conditions were: optimal pH (pH 7.5), acid stress (pH 6.3), iron stress (600 μM ferrous sulfate, pH 7.5), and acid plus iron stress (600 μM ferrous sulfate, pH 6.3). 16 clones from the 500th generation were isolated and characterized for phenotypic changes, and the genomes of the evolved clones were sequenced. Genotypic analysis of all 16 clones revealed 378 mutations, with patterns of high variability arising from movement of insertion sequences (ISH elements) and large deletions. One minichromosome (megaplasmid) pNRC100 had increased copy number. The 500-generation clones had frequent loss of gas vesicles and arsenic resistance. An acid-evolved clone had increased fitness compared to the ancestral stock, when cultured at low pH. Seven of eight acid-evolved clones had a mutation in or upstream of nhaC3, encoding a sodium-proton antiporter that exports sodium and takes in protons; no non-acid adapted strains had nhaC3 mutations. Two acid-adapted strains shared a common mutation in bop, encoding the bacteriorhodopsin light-driven proton pump. Mutations also affected the arcR regulator of arginine catabolism, which can mediate proton transport. Thus, in the haloarchaeon NRC-1, as in bacteria, pH adaptation was associated with genes affecting proton transport. IMPORTANCE Thus far, few studies of experimental evolution have been conducted in archaea. Haloarchaea are polyextremophiles capable of growth under environmental conditions such as concentrated NaCl, high doses of ionizing and UV irradiation, and desiccation. Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 (NRC-1) is considered a model organism for the feasibility of microbial life on Mars. Our experimental evolution of NRC-1 adaptation to iron and acid stress may yield clues as to how microbes could adapt to the ancient Martian conditions of iron-rich, acidic brine. Interesting parallels were found between the molecular basis of pH adaptation in NRC-1 and in bacteria.
CAROTID ARTERY CALCIFICATIONS DETECTED BY CBCT IN PATIENTS WITH A HISTORY OF HYPERTENSION

Background One of the most common sites for the formation of vascular calcifications is in the branches of the common carotid artery. More frequently, these are formed by the calcification of existing plaques along the vascular wall. Numerous studies utilizing other modalities have revealed a positive correlation between vascular calcifications and hypertension; however, there is a need for investigation of the incidence of these pathologies using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) technology and for exploring the factors that influence their presence or detection. Objective(s) The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of patients who have a positive history of hypertension and a positive finding of carotid artery calcification (CAC) and to determine if there are factors that predispose certain groups of patients to carotid artery calcifications, including patient age, gender, and history of antihypertensive medication use. Study Design This retrospective study focused on 608 randomly selected patients who received dental CBCT imaging studies at Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine. Relevant patient demographic characteristics and medical history were extrapolated from the patients’ electronic health records. The data were analyzed for statistical significance using Pearson's correlation and logistic regression. Results A total of 608 patient records (mean age = 62.6 years) with equal gender distribution were screened. Of these, 108 (17.76%) cases showed an incidence of CAC. 240 records indicated a positive history of hypertension (HTN), and 87 patient records (36.25%) showed a positive history of HTN and presence of carotid calcification. A strong male predilection (2:1) was observed for the concurrent positive history of HTN and presence of CAC. The mean age for the presence of a CAC in patients with and without HTN were 71.5 and 71.8, respectively. Discussion/Conclusions Our findings suggest a significant correlation between history of hypertension and the presence of CAC, with a strong predilection for men. No significant correlation was observed between antihypertensive medications and CAC.