cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Euclidean Distances and Singular Value Decomposition: Useful Tools for Geometric Morphometrics in Biology and Paleontology

Although not widely known, euclidean distances between landmarks provide a useful tool for geometric morphometrics in biology and paleontology. The data for each specimen comprise euclidean distances between a set of landmark points. The data matrix may include both size and shape or the distances can be standardized so that only shape is retained. After origin centering, using the average distances, the data are subjected to Singular Value Decomposition (SVD). The distances for selected specimens, representing one or more eigenvectors, can be reconstructed from the SVD and the average distances. Metric multidimensional scaling or principal coordinates provides the coordinates needed to prepare drawings of the specimens modeled. If desired, diagrams of vector displacements of landmarks or transformation grids can be employed to illustrate the changes in shape between pairs of specimens. In shorthand text, this method is termed the Euclidean Distance technique and is indicated by the acronym EDSVD. Case studies on Lower Cambrian trilobites belonging to the genus Bristolia illustrate the output from EDSVD. The results of EDSVD are generally similar to the analysis of Procrustes residuals, Bookstein shape coordinates, or the logarithms of euclidean distances by SVD or principal components but they diverge from the thin plate spline technique of Bookstein.
From clouds to rain: consolidating and simplifying online communication services with easy one communicator

The growth of cloud computing has encouraged an ecosystem where diverse, task-specific web and mobile applications have flourished. However, this fragmentation of tasks across disparate applications has introduced a level of complexity and separation that can be time-consuming and difficult to navigate for individuals who are older, have cognitive disabilities, or are unfamiliar with web and mobile interfaces. Each new application represents an additional interface that must be learned, and not necessarily easily or intuitively. Easy One Communicator is a web application concept that addresses the complexity of online communication tools by consolidating and simplifying the management of online communication. Easy One Communicator provides a simple interface for users to read and send emails, text and video chat, share photos and maintain contact information. The interface is designed to be obvious to use and personalized to each user's changing cognitive abilities and needs.
Different analyses, different validity conclusions? Evidence from the EGMA Spatial Reasoning Subtask

As the global development community shifts its focus from improving access to education to improving learning and instruction, the need for instruments that accurately measure student achievement in mathematics and meet technical standards is increasing. This paper explores the importance of collecting high-quality validity evidence that aligns with an instrument’s intended uses and interpretations by discussing a new subtask developed for the Early Grade Mathematics Assessment (EGMA). The EGMA Spatial Reasoning subtask was developed by RTI International with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). To collect validity evidence to support the assumption that the EGMA Spatial Reasoning subtask could be used to determine overall student proficiency in spatial reasoning, the items developed for the subtask were pilot tested with 1,426 students in Jordan. Pilot test data was initially analyzed using Item Response Theory. However, Item Response Theory assumptions were not met, thus, supplemental analyses were conducted using Classical Test Theory. There were differences in the findings using the two different methods, which impacts the interpretations made using this instrument. This paper illustrates the importance of choosing analytic techniques that align with an instrument’s intended use in order to make valid interpretations from the data to inform policy and practice.
The Magical Hour of Midnight: The Annual Commemorations of Rhodesia’s and Transkei’s Independence Days

Brownell’s chapter explores the symbolism and the multiple political meanings behind the official celebrations and commemorations of the Rhodesian and Transkeian regimes’ Independence Days. Unlike the growing literature on the important role of national day commemorations in the creation and reinforcement of national identity in established states, little has been written on the role of national days in performing sovereignty in unrecognized states. Brownell argues that these regimes’ aesthetic choices about how their Independence Days looked and sounded were used as opportunities to communicate to various audiences the natures of these aspirant states, what kinds of states they wanted to be associated with and distinguished from, and how these regimes thought their states would fit into postcolonial Africa and the wider world community.
The effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors on clinical outcomes in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and midrange ejection fraction: a post hoc subgroup analysis from the PEACE trial.

Background:There have been significant advances in the treatment of patients with cardiomyopathy with reduced ejection fraction (EF < 40%). However, there is a dearth of information in the treatmen...
Halfway there: the transition from 1968 to 2068 in tourism and hospitality.

The intention of this paper is to discuss the changes that have taken place in the past fifty years and the changes that we expect in the next fifty years. We will look into the political and economic changes in the global economy and see what some of the trends that are predictable will lead to (population decreases in developed countries and difficulties funding pension schemes in developed countries…). We will also investigate some of the major issues with which humanity will have to deal with in the next fifty years for which the end is less predictable (energy depletion, resource depletion, economic integration…). We will discuss the changes that have gone on and the changes that we can expect, explaining how the tourism and hospitality industries have responded and will have to respond to the major and impactful changes that will come.
Gait speed, grip strength, and clinical outcomes in older patients with hematologic malignancies

This study aimed to evaluate whether gait speed and grip strength predicted clinical outcomes among older adults with blood cancers. We prospectively recruited 448 patients aged 75 years and older presenting for initial consultation at the myelodysplastic syndrome/leukemia, myeloma, or lymphoma clinic of a large tertiary hospital, who agreed to assessment of gait and grip. A subset of 314 patients followed for ≥6 months at local institutions was evaluated for unplanned hospital or emergency department (ED) use. We used Cox proportional hazard models calculated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for survival, and logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (ORs) for hospital or ED use. Mean age was 79.7 (± 4.0 standard deviation) years. After adjustment for age, sex, Charlson comorbidity index, cognition, treatment intensity, and cancer aggressiveness/type, every 0.1-m/s decrease in gait speed was associated with higher mortality (HR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.12-1.29), odds of unplanned hospitalizations (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.16-1.51), and ED visits (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.17-1.53). Associations held among patients with good Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (0 or 1). Every 5-kg decrease in grip strength was associated with worse survival (adjusted HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.07-1.43) but not hospital or ED use. A model with gait speed and all covariates had comparable predictive power to comprehensive validated frailty indexes (phenotype and cumulative deficit) and all covariates. In summary, gait speed is an easily obtained "vital sign" that accurately identifies frailty and predicts outcomes independent of performance status among older patients with blood cancers.
A global Tb Theorem for compactness and boundedness of Calderón-Zygmund operators

Abstract We prove a Tb Theorem that characterizes all Calderon-Zygmund operators that extend compactly on L p ( R n ) , 1 p ∞ . The result, whose proof does not require the property of accretivity, can be used to prove compactness of the Double Layer Potential operator on a wide class of domains. The study also provides conditions for boundedness of singular integral operators by means of non-accretive testing functions.
Theatre that Enthrals, Engages and Educates: An Artistic Pedagogical Tool:

Theatre in education is a student-centred pedagogical tool. It provides learning opportunities, which are powerful emotionally and cognitively. This case study portrays the manner in which Dr Benni...
Evaluation of antihypertensive drugs in combination with enzyme replacement therapy in mice with Pompe disease

Abstract Pompe disease is caused by the deficiency of lysosomal acid α-glucosidase (GAA) leading to progressive myopathy. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with recombinant human (rh) GAA has limitations, including inefficient uptake of rhGAA in skeletal muscle linked to low cation-independent mannose-6-phosphate receptor (CI-MPR) expression. Purpose To test the hypothesis that antihypertensive agents causing muscle hypertrophy by increasing insulin-like growth factor 1 expression can increase CI-MPR-mediated uptake of recombinant enzyme with therapeutic effects in skeletal muscle. Methods Three such agents were evaluated in mice with Pompe disease (carvedilol, losartan, and propranolol), either with or without concurrent ERT. Results Carvedilol, a selective β-blocker, increased muscle strength but reduced biochemical correction from ERT. Administration of drugs alone had minimal effect, with the exception of losartan that increased glycogen storage and mortality either by itself or in combination with ERT. Conclusion The β-blocker carvedilol had beneficial effects during ERT in mice with Pompe disease, in comparison with propranolol or losartan. Caution is warranted when prescribing antihypertensive drugs in Pompe disease.
Arctic acoustic transmission loss variability due to ice cover during the year 2016–2017

Over the course of one year, underwater acoustic transmissions were made in the deep-water of the Beaufort Sea as part of the Canada Basin Acoustic Propagation Experiment (CANAPE). The transmissions were monitored at a variety of ranges (100–300 km)and the low-frequency signals (200–300 Hz) showed a strong sensitivity to the evolving ice cover. As the ice cover grew from absent in the mid-September, to its thickest and roughest in late April, the transmission loss grew also. The experimental setup included the ability to beamform so that the arrival pattern could be easily resolved into early individual ray-paths and late near-surface arrivals. This capability was used to estimate the TL variation with the angle of interaction with the ice and with the number of ice reflections. The thickness of the ice cover and roughness was monitored at 6 mooring sites. This allows one to compare the measured losses to the expected loss from the ice-free state. The amount of excess loss can then be estimated via the method of small perturbations for example.
Effects of delaying measurements of concentration using neutron activation analysis on explosive taggants.

Abstract A nuclear barcode has been proposed to identify taggants added to explosives, which encodes identifying information by adding a unique combination of taggant elements at different concentration levels. Testing was conducted on two single element solutions at three concentrations to determine minimum detection concentration levels. The effect of delaying the time to obtain measurements and its effect on uncertainty over approximately four half-lives (5 days) was tested on five 1 part per million holmium solutions.
One vowel’s life (and death?) across languages: the moribundity and prestige of /Λ/

Some vowels are universally more favored than others. Among the rarest vowels is /Λ/. Data analysed for three varieties of English reveal great variation in /Λ/. Results for Received Pronunciation, Modified Northern and West Coast American English indicate that /Λ/ is not consistently robust as a contrastive sound. Influential variables include geographical latitude, social prestige and speaker sex. /Λ/ is examined in other varieties and languages, and shown to be absent, collapsed with another vowel, or as having disappeared. Acoustic analyses, phonological inventories and historical patterns are explored for explanations relating to /Λ/ and language change. Auditory theory enables hypotheses to be made concerning the psychoacoustic distinctiveness of /Λ/. A sociophonetic influence also needs to be accounted for. The discussion provides input into theories of vowel symmetry and dispersion; universal theories of phonetic preference and viability are also called into question with inferences made from the psychoacoustic standpoint.
The effect of timing of initiation of renal replacement therapy on mortality: A retrospective case–control study:

PurposeTo determine if earlier initiation of renal replacement therapy (RRT) is associated with improved survival in patients with severe acute kidney injury.MethodsWe performed a retrospective cas...
Global Health Security Innovation

Heyman et al. (Global health security: the wider lessons from the west African Ebola virus disease epidemic, vol 385. May 9, 2015 www.thelancet.com, 2015:1888) argues that, “the world is ill-prepared” to handle any “sustained and threatening public-health emergency”. Disease outbreaks such as Ebola SARS, and H1N1 challenged national and global response mechanisms. The emergence of these disease outbreaks and their influence globally has sparked a renewed attention to global health security. In the Chatham House report ‘Preparing for High Impact, Low Probability Events’, Lee et al. (Preparing for high-impact, low-probability events: lessons from Eyjafjallajokull. Chatham House Report, January 2012:vii) ‘…found that governments and businesses remain unprepared for such events … the frequency of ‘high-impact, low-probability’ (HILP) events in the last decade signals the emergence of a new ‘normal’. This calls for innovation on an unprecedented level to manage such global health threats as they represent a global health security challenge.
Patterns and predictors of antihyperglycemic intensification at hospital discharge for type 2 diabetic patients not on home insulin.

Abstract Background Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent condition among hospitalized patients and the inpatient setting presents an opportunity for providers to review and adjust antihyperglycemic medications. We sought to describe practice patterns and predictors of antihyperglycemic intensification (AHI) at hospital discharge for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients not on home insulin. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of adult patients with T2DM receiving either non-insulin antihyperglycemic (NIA) or no antihyperglycemic medications prior to admission who were hospitalized within two hospitals in the Johns Hopkins Health System from December 2015 to September 2016. Mean hospital glucose values and observed vs. individualized target hemoglobin A1C values (based on risk of mortality score) were used to define an indication for AHI. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of AHI. Results A total of 554 discharges of 475 unique patients were included. An indication for AHI was present in 104 (18.8%) of discharges, and AHI occurred in 30 (28.8%) of these discharges. Higher mean admission BG values and A1C, fewer pre-admission antihyperglycemic agents, involvement of the diabetes service, and admitting service were associated with AHI, while no association was observed with age, sex, race, risk of mortality and severity of illness scores, or length of stay. AHI was not associated with 30-day readmission. Conclusion An indication for AHI occurs relatively infrequently among hospitalized patients, but when present, AHI occurs in approximately 1 in 3 discharges. AHI appears to be related largely to the degree of hyperglycemia, and diabetes service involvement. Further studies are needed to understand the implications of AHI at hospital discharge on short and long-term outcomes in this population.
TRENDS AND PREDICTORS OF NOAC VERSUS WARFARIN USE FOR STROKE PREVENTION IN PATIENTS WITH NON-VALVULAR ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are now the mainstay of stroke prevention for non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). This study aims to identify the trends in anticoagulant (AC) prescribing and patient demographics and comorbid conditions that may influence these practices. We performed a
Proactive Police Response in Property Crime Micro-time Hot Spots: Results from a Partially-Blocked Blind Random Controlled Trial

To evaluate the impact of proactive police response on residential burglary and theft from vehicle in micro-time hot spots as well as whether spatial displacement occurs. Over 2 years, 114 treatment and 103 control micro-time hot spots were assigned to groups using “trickle-flow” randomization. Responses were implemented as part of the police department’s established practices, and micro-time hot spots were blocked based on their temporal proximity—sprees or ongoing. The study was blinded and tested proactive patrol versus a no-dosage control condition. The department responded to each micro-time hot spot with, on average, five 20-min responses per day for 19 days. Eighty percent of the response time involved conducting directed patrol without encountering suspicious activity. Results show that treatment micro-time hot spots had significantly fewer crimes after 15 days (79%) and 30 days (74%). Treatment effects were greatest in the first 15 days (1.15) followed by days 16–30 (.83). The study examines a real-world strategy institutionalized into the day-today operations of a police department. The largest impact on crime was seen during response. In addition, crime reductions that occurred while micro-time hot spots received response held for 2 months after the responses end with no evidence of spatial displacement. Our findings reveal larger effect sizes than most hot spots policing studies which may be due to how the unit of analysis was defined, the systematic nature of the response implementation, and the use of a no-dosage, blind control condition.
Abstract 328: Heart Failure Quality Improvement at the Las Vegas VA

Background: Recently there has been a push to prevent patients admitted with acute decompensated heart failure from being readmitted to the hospital within 30 days. At the VA Southern Nevada Health...
Integration of multiple biological contexts reveals principles of synthetic lethality that affect reproducibility

Synthetic lethal screens have the potential to identify new vulnerabilities incurred by specific cancer mutations but have been hindered by lack of agreement between studies. In the case of KRAS, we identify that published synthetic lethal screen hits significantly overlap at the pathway rather than gene level. Analysis of pathways encoded as protein networks could identify synthetic lethal candidates that are more reproducible than those previously reported. Lack of overlap likely stems from biological rather than technical limitations as most synthetic lethal phenotypes are strongly modulated by changes in cellular conditions or genetic context, the latter determined using a pairwise genetic interaction map that identifies numerous interactions that suppress synthetic lethal effects. Accounting for pathway, cellular and genetic context nominates a DNA repair dependency in KRAS-mutant cells, mediated by a network containing BRCA1. We provide evidence for why most reported synthetic lethals are not reproducible which is addressable using a multi-faceted testing framework. Defining robust, penetrant synthetic lethal targets for cancer therapeutics is a challenge. Here, the authors demonstrate how pathway, genetic and cellular context dictates dependence on cancer targets.
Analysis of dietary intake and nutrition in 400 pregnant women

Objective To understand the dietary intake of pregnant women, and try to give a reasonable sug-gestion to promote fetal development. Methods 400 pregnant women in Fushan city were enrolled in this study and their dietary intake were investigated, then the software of Analysis of pregnancy nutrition guidance system was used to make nutrition analysis. Results The ratio of the energy in each pregnancy provided by dietary protein, carbohy-drate and fat were relatively appropriate. But the intake of dietary calcium, ferrum, zinc, vitamin B1 and vitamin B2 in early pregnancy were very low, the intake were respectively 764.51 mg, 26.94 mg, 15.71 mg, 1.12 g, 1.13 g. Each pregnancy the ratio of high-quallty protein in total protein intake were more than 50%, an average protein RNI% was 48.50%. Conclusion The dietary style of pregnant women is relatively reasonable. But they should strengthened nutritional guide to intake more calciuro,ferrum, zinc,vitamin B1 and vitamin B2. Key words: Pregnancy; Nutrition; reference nutrients intake
Socratic Epistemology: Explorations of Knowledge-Seeking by Questioning

Introduction 1. Epistemology without knowledge and without belief 2. Abduction: inference, conjecture, or an answer to a question? 3. Second-generation epistemic logic and its general significance 4. Presuppositions and other limitations of inquiry 5. The place of the a priori in epistemology 6. Systems of visual identification and neuroscience: lessons from epistemic logic with John Symons 7. Logical explanations 8. Who has kidnapped the notion of information? 9. A fallacious fallacy? 10. Omitting data: ethical or strategic problem?
Iron-based magnetic nanoparticles for multimodal hyperthermia heating

Abstract Localized heat generation using nanoparticles is a promising supplementary technique to the well-established cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Here, we demonstrate that iron carbide (Fe5C2) nanoparticles with a thin carbon shell have the collective magnetothermal and photothermal effects based on the ferromagnetic and photonic properties. When the Fe5C2 nanoparticle suspension is irradiated with a NIR laser (808 nm), it yields unprecedented heating effects. Further, owing to the observed high magnetization and coercivity, the Fe5C2 nanoparticle suspension on exposure to an alternating magnetic field (ACMF) exhibits an enhanced specific absorption rate (SAR) as compared to Fe3O4 nanoparticles of the same size. This significant improvement in the SAR arises from the cooperative contribution from the hysteresis and susceptibility losses. This work also gives quantitative information about the ACMF effects on heating ability as well as provides some guidelines for obtaining enhanced heating activity in nanoparticle suspensions of a given magnetic material.
Machine Learning and Surgical Outcomes Prediction: A Systematic Review.

Abstract Background Machine learning (ML) has garnered increasing attention as a means to quantitatively analyze the growing and complex medical data to improve individualized patient care. We herein aim to critically examine the current state of ML in predicting surgical outcomes, evaluate the quality of currently available research, and propose areas of improvement for future uses of ML in surgery. Methods A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) checklist. PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase databases were reviewed under search syntax “machine learning” and “surgery” for papers published between 2015 and 2020. Results Of the initial 2677 studies, 45 papers met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Fourteen different subspecialties were represented with neurosurgery being most common. The most frequently used ML algorithms were random forest (n = 19), artificial neural network (n = 17), and logistic regression (n = 17). Common outcomes included postoperative mortality, complications, patient reported quality of life and pain improvement. All studies which compared ML algorithms to conventional studies which used area under the curve (AUC) to measure accuracy found improved outcome prediction with ML models. Conclusions While still in its early stages, ML models offer surgeons an opportunity to capitalize on the myriad of clinical data available and improve individualized patient care. Limitations included heterogeneous outcome and imperfect quality of some of the papers. We therefore urge future research to agree upon methods of outcome reporting and require basic quality standards.
Some Recent Developments in Airfoil Theory

Several recent developments in airfoil and wing theory have as thjeir goals the extension of classical methods to account for characteristically viscous phenomena. Airfoil theory has always recognized the existence of such phenomena as explanations of the presence of circulation and vortex wakes; these new investigations are attempts to include detailed descriptions in theoretical models or to extend classical models into areas of strong viscous effects, such as separation and stalling. Some of these studies follow directly from suggestions made by von Karman, and others are reminiscent of his earlier research. This review is concerned with investigations in four categories: (1) the theory of profiles with boundary layers in steady flow, (2) the theory of profiles with boundary layers in unsteady flow, including extensions of unsteady airfoil theory, (3) the theory of wings with leading-edge separation, and (4) Prandtl wing theory applied to partially stalled wings.
The Impact of Converting to a Consumption Tax When Saving Propensities Vary: An Empirical Analysis

It has been recognized that conversion of an income tax to a consumption tax can increase aggregate saving even if each household maintains a constant propensity to save. The reason is heterogeneity: the variation in the propensity to save among households. How much of an increase in saving is an empirical question. Using the best available (but not wholly adequate) U.S. data, we estimate that the increase may be as much as 10% of saving. New data stratified by age would be necessary to obtain a more reliable estimate.
Optimal Rhode Island Hold'em poker

Rhode Island Hold'em is a poker card game that has been proposed as a testbed for AI research. This game, with a tree size larger than 3.1 billion nodes, features many characteristics present in full-scale poker (e.g., Texas Hold'em). Our research advances in equilibrium computation have enabled us to solve for the optimal (equilibrium) strategies for this game. Some features of the equilibrium include poker techniques such as bluffing, slow-playing, check-raising, and semi-bluffing. In this demonstration, participants will compete with our optimal opponent and will experience these strategies firsthand.
Keep it Clean? How Negative Campaigns Affect Voter Turnout

This study examines the effects of negative political campaigns on voter turnout over the last 10 years. Voter turnout in the United States is extremely low in comparison to other advanced industrialized nations, and the negativity that surrounds our elections may be the key to understanding why. The study is also a response to recent scholarship with conflicting conclusions on how the tone of campaigns affects the electorate. The independent variable in this study is the degree of campaign negativity, as perceived by voters. It is measured by state exit poll responses over the past 10 years, and its effect on voter turnout is analyzed using multiple regression. The analysis reveals that when neither candidate is perceived to be “going negative,” voter turnout goes up; however, when the Republican candidate is perceived to be negative in a campaign, voter turnout also goes up. The implications of these findings are discussed. This article is available in Res Publica Journal of Undergraduate Research: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/respublica/vol17/iss1/6
MODELING AND ANALYSIS OF LONGITUDINAL TIRE DYNAMICS BASED ON THE LUGRE FRICTION MODEL

Abstract A brush representation of the longitudinal tire dynamics model is discussed in thepaper. It is shown that the dynamic tire model can be derived from any dynamic friction model in a straightforward way. Modification of the recently published tire model based on the LuGre friction model is proposed, resulting in a consistent lumped form of the tire modeL Based on the Iinearized lumped tire model, an analysis of the influence of tire dynamics on overall vehicle dynamics behavior is carried out.
Serotonin mechanisms in heart valve disease I: Serotonin-induced up-regulation of transforming growth factor-β1 via G-protein signal transduction in aortic valve interstitial cells

Clinical disorders associated with increased serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] levels, such as carcinoid syndrome, and the use of serotonin agonists, such as fenfluoramine have been associated with a valvulopathy characterized by hyperplastic valvular and endocardial lesions with increased extracellular matrix. Furthermore, 5-HT has been demonstrated to up-regulate transforming growth factor (TGF)-β in mesangial cells via G-protein signal transduction. We investigated the hypothesis that increased exposure of heart valve interstitial cells to 5-HT may result in increased TGF-β1 expression and activity because of serotonin receptor-mediated signal transduction with activation of Gαq, and subsequently up-regulation of phospholipase C. Thus, in the present study we performed a clinical-pathological investigation of retrieved carcinoid and normal valve cusps using immunohistochemical techniques to detect the presence of TGF-β1 and other proteins associated with TGF-β expression, including TGF-β receptors I and II, latent TGF-β-associated peptide (LAP), and α-smooth muscle actin. Carcinoid valve cusps demonstrated the unusual finding of widespread smooth muscle actin involving the interstitial cells in the periphery of carcinoid nodules; these same cells were also positive for LAP. Normal valve cusps were only focally positive for smooth muscle actin and LAP. In sheep aortic valve interstitial cell cultures 5-HT induced TGF-β1 mRNA production and increased TGF-β1 activity. 5-HT also increased collagen biosynthesis at the dosages studied. Furthermore, TGF-β1 added to SAVIC cultures increased the production of sulfated glycan and hyaluronic acid. In addition, overexpression of Gαq using an adenoviral expression vector for a constitutively active Gαq mutant (Q209L-Gαq) resulted in increased phospholipase C activity as well as up-regulation of TGF-β expression and activity. These results strongly support the view that G-protein-related signal transduction is involved in 5-HT up-regulation of TGF-β1. In conclusion, 5-HT-associated valve disease may be, in part, because of TGF-β1 mechanisms.
World Federation for Mental Health perspectives on advancing person- and people-centered care

The World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) has always shown considerable adherence to a holistic approach in the care of the mentally ill, as reflected in its mission statement. Lately, the WFMH has primarily concentrated on the Great Push for Mental Health and its alliance with the Global Movement for Mental Health. The WFMH has already embarked on an international consensus to demonstrate the unity which exists through advocacy and shared goals and to improve visibility by gathering support through campaigns such as The World Mental Health Day to effect change at a worldwide and governmental level. Importantly, the WFMH has a clear recovery focus through utilization of proper assessment tools and treatments. An innovative global mental health assessment tool (GMHAT), which can enable the diagnosis and proper treatment of mental health conditions using evidence-based computer technology, may be included in the Person-centered Integrated Diagnosis (PID) model. An alliance/memorandum of understanding between the WFMH and the International College for Person Centered Medicine (ICPCM) is expected to be formalized.
Developing MOOCs to Narrow the College Readiness Gap:Challenges and Recommendations for a Writing Course

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have demonstrated the potential to deliver quality and cost effective course materials to large numbers of students. Approximately 60% of first-year students at community colleges are underprepared for college-level coursework. One reason for low graduation rates is the lack of the overall college readiness. MOOCs offering "remedial" writing have the potential to better prepare high school graduates for college, thereby increasing their chances of completing a degree and reducing the cost of education for students, families, institutions, and taxpayers. However, MOOCs are typically more suitable for motivated and prepared students. Designing a MOOC on writing for a diverse group of students who lack basic academic writing skills requires thoughtful modifications. In this article, we examine the needs of basic writers and the challenges involved in providing personalized feedback on the content of student writings via a MOOC platform. We recommend some MOOC variations that would be suitable for college readiness writing courses: Limited MOOC (lMOOC), Hybrid MOOC (hMOOC), Flipped MOOC (fMOOC), Mini MOOC (mMOOC), MOOC Workshops (MOOCw).
Treatment of enterococcal peritonitis with intraperitoneal daptomycin in a vancomycin-allergic patient and a review of the literature.

BackgroundIntraperitoneal (IP) administration of antibiotics is a mainstay of therapy in the treatment of peritoneal dialysis–related peritonitis. The therapeutic options against gram-positive orga...
The submitochondrial localization adenylate kinase: An enzymatic marker for the inner surface of the outer membrane of lung mitochondria in guinea pig

Abstract Guinea pig lung mitochondrial adenylate kinase activity was measured under isotonic and hypotonic conditions. The activity differed in sensitivity to trypsin. Under isotonic conditions, the enzyme resisted the action of trypsin, where as the enzyme was destroyed substantially by trypsin under hypotonic conditions.
Learning-to-Learn Verbal-Discrimination Lists.

Subjects learned 7 successive 24-pair verbal-discrimination (VD) lists over 3 days. Group 1 had typical VD lists (Type 1). Group 2 had lists in which each wrong word was used twice in the list (Type 2). Group 1-2 learned 4 Type-1 lists followed by 3 Type-2 lists, and Group 2-1 had the reverse schedule. Learning-to-learn was greater for Type-2 than for Type-1 lists. A decrement in performance on the first list of Days 2 and 3 was tentatively identified as being due to lack of warmup which influenced rehearsal efforts. The ability to discriminate frequency differences correlated substantially with the ability to learn VD lists.
Infection of lepidoptera with a pseudotyped retroviral vector

Studies requiring the introduction and expression of manipulated gene constructs have been technically difficult in non-drosophilid insects. Retroviruses can be engineered to be replication defective and to serve as vectors for gene constructs of interest. In this study, pseudotyped MoMLV(VSV-G) retroviral vectors are shown to successfully infect lepidopteran cells in vitro and in vivo. In Spodoptera frugiperda cells in vitro and in Manduca sexta in vivo, infection and conversion to proviral DNA were confirmed by PCR amplification and Southern blot hybridization of vector-specific sequences. Gene expression and integration of proviral DNA were also documented in vitro. This is the first report of retroviral infection in lepidoptera and suggests that pseudotyped retroviral vectors could be powerful tools in gene manipulation studies of non-drosophilid insects.
The dynamics of the daily round of the harvester ant colony (Pogonomyrmex barbatus)

Abstract Colonies of the red harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex barbatus, do various tasks outside the nest. There is a daily temporal pattern in the numbers of ants engaged in each of five activities: foraging, nest maintenance, patrolling, midden work and covening. Perturbations were carried out in the field to investigate how the daily round changes in respose to environmental events and colony needs. Intefering with nest maintenance, foraging or both caused changes in the temporal patterns in all five of the observed activities. Temoving nest maintenance workers, foragers or both caused the numbers involved in all five activities to decrease, and there were temporal patterns in the effect of removals. The results of both interference and removal experiments show that the extent to which a worker group does one activity affects the behaviour of other groups. When nest maintenance or foraging is impeded experimentally, these two activities are of reciprocal priority. When both are impeded, foraging is of higher priority than nest maintenance.
Maternal Hypoxemia in Rat Induces Fetal Growth Retardation But Does Not Effect Tissue Glucose Uptake or Placental Glucose Transporters. † 1424

The effects of mild hypoxemia on fetal growth and maternal glucose kinetics& uptake and placental glucose transporters (GLUT 1 & 3) were examined in chronically catheterized pregnant rats. The animals were placed in 17% FIO2 from day 17 to 20 of gestation. The rate of glucose turnover was measured using [3-3H]glucose tracer infusion. Gluconeogenesis was estimated using deuterated water method. Glucose uptake by various maternal tissues was quantified using [U-14C] 2-deoxyglucose according to the method of Sokoloff. Placental GLUT 1 & 3 mRNA were determined in 4 hypoxemic and 5 control litters. Mild hypoxemia for 3 days resulted in a significant reduction in fetal weight [3.58±0.12 gm (n=12 litters) vs. 4.02±0.11 gm (n=9), mean+SEM, p<0.02] and a significant increase in maternal to fetal glucose gradient [2.6±0.24 (n=4) vs 1.48±0.11(n=5), p<0.05]. There was no change in the rate of glucose production or gluconeogenesis. In addition, there was no significant effect of hypoxia on placental GLUT 1 mRNA [0.89±0.1 (n=4) vs. 1.0±0.03 (n=5)] or GLUT 3 mRNA [1.22±0.15 (n=4) vs. 1.0±0.06 (n=5)].Table
Policy Management as a Service: An Approach to Manage Policy Heterogeneity in Cloud Computing Environment

Security issues are delaying fast adoption of cloud computing and security mechanisms to ensure its secure adoption has become a crucial immediate need. On the other hand, cloud computing can help enable security controls to be delivered in new ways by service providers. To this end, we need frameworks for efficient delivery of cloud-based security services and for provisioning desirable solutions to customers based on their requirements. In this paper, we focus on policy management systems in cloud environments. Currently, users must use diverse access control solutions available for each cloud service provider to secure data. Access control policies may be composed in incompatible ways because of diverse policy languages that are maintained separately at every cloud provider. Heterogeneity and distribution of these policies pose problems in managing access policy rules for a cloud environment. In this paper, we introduce Policy Management as a Service (PMaaS), a cloud based policy management framework that is designed to give users a unified control point for managing access policies to control access to his resources no matter where they are stored. We present the framework and describe its components and protocols needed for various components to communicate.
Semiautomated and rapid quantification of nucleic acid footprinting and structure mapping experiments

We have developed protocols for rapidly quantifying the band intensities from nucleic acid chemical mapping gels at single-nucleotide resolution. These protocols are implemented in the software SAFA (semi-automated footprinting analysis) that can be downloaded without charge from http://safa.stanford.edu. The protocols implemented in SAFA have five steps: (i) lane identification, (ii) gel rectification, (iii) band assignment, (iv) model fitting and (v) band-intensity normalization. SAFA enables the rapid quantitation of gel images containing thousands of discrete bands, thereby eliminating a bottleneck to the analysis of chemical mapping experiments. An experienced user of the software can quantify a gel image in approximately 20 min. Although SAFA was developed to analyze hydroxyl radical (*OH) footprints, it effectively quantifies the gel images obtained with other types of chemical mapping probes. We also present a series of tutorial movies that illustrate the best practices and different steps in the SAFA analysis as a supplement to this protocol.
Sol−Gel Poly(ethylene glycol) Stationary Phase for High-Resolution Capillary Gas Chromatography

A sol−gel chemistry-based method was developed for the preparation of highly stable capillary gas chromatography (GC) columns with surface-bonded poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) stationary phase. Through a single-step procedure, it concurrently provided column deactivation, stationary-phase coating, and chemical immobilization of the coated film. Sol−gel reactions were carried out within fused-silica capillaries that were filled with properly designed sol solutions containing two sol−gel precursors, two different triethoxysilyl-derivatized poly(ethylene glycol)s, two sol−gel catalysts, and a deactivation reagent. Hydrolytic polycondensation reactions led to the formation of a sol−gel coating chemically bonded to the inner walls of the capillary. A number of sol−gel coated fused-silica capillary columns were prepared using sol−gel-active PEG derivatives. These columns demonstrated many inherent advantages, the main being the strong anchoring of the coating to the capillary wall resulting from chemical bonding ...
The intergenerational transmission of running away: Childhood experiences of the parents of runaways

Research into the etiology of running away has long provided evidence for the influence of family factors such as abuse, parent-child conflict, and child stress on an adolescent's decision to leave home. This paper offers evidence for the possibility that running away may be deeply entrenched in patterns of family interaction that extend across generations. Using data from the National Incidence Study of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Throwaway Children (NISMART), the influence of parents' own childhood experiences with running away on the behaviors of their children is illustrated. The importance of examining the influence of such intergenerational transmission factors, separate and in addition to more traditional predictors of running away, is demonstrated.
Deep sedation in natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES): a comparative study with dogs

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) has been mostly performed with the animal under general and inhalational anesthesia (IA-NOTES). To date, NOTES using propofol sedation (PS-NOTES) has not been investigated. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and safety of PS-NOTES for transgastric oophorectomy with carbon dioxide insufflation and to compare its success rates with those of conventional IA-NOTES. In this prospective randomized study, NOTES oophorectomy was performed for 19 female dogs randomized to two conditions: PS (study group) and IA (control group). Sedation success rates (ability to visualize and resect ovaries without converting to IA), operative success rates (ability to resect and retrieve both ovaries in full using only NOTES), and vital parameters including hemodynamic and respiratory changes were documented. In the PS-NOTES group (n = 9), the sedation success rate was 100 %. The operative success rate was 67 % (6 of 9 animals) compared with 80 % (8 of 10 animals) in the IA-NOTES group. No purposeful movement occurred during surgical manipulation and no respiratory or cardiovascular complications in occured the PS group. Heart rate (HR) and end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) were significantly higher in the PS group than in the IA group. Blood pressure (BP) was significantly higher in the PS group only during the middle part of the procedure. Only mild respiratory depression was noted in the PS group, as indicated by elevated but acceptable ETCO2. Elevations in BP and HR are thought to be related to elevated CO2 but did not appear to have an adverse impact on the course of the procedure. Recovery was uneventful for all the animals. The use of PS-NOTES appears to be feasible, resulting in outcomes comparable with those for IA in dogs. Further studies are needed to determine the applicability of this concept in human NOTES.
Reply: Toxin-Producing Staphylococcus aureus and Kawasaki Disease

Author's Reply: Drs. Rowley and Shulman call attention to the important controversy over whether Kawasaki syndrome (KS) can be caused by superantigen-producing bacteria, and more specifically toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1)-producing S. aureus. While the association between KS and infection by superantigen-producing bacteria is not yet accepted by all investigators, there is growing evidence to support this theory. The issues surrounding this controversy have been carefully reviewed inreference 1, and we appreciate the opportunity to offer the following comments.
Children's play: The dynamic and spontaneous expression of the interface of emotion and cognition

Play must be valued in its own right, as a rich tapestry of childhood expression. Through children's play, we can explore the interface of their cognitions and their emotions. Borrowing the “lens” of Piaget, Freud, Erikson, White, and contemporary scholars allows us to better understand the interface of cognition and emotion in children's play. This understanding can add precision to developmental theory and effectiveness to curriculum and intervention.
Assessing the effects of diurnal variation on the composition of human parotid saliva: quantitative analysis of native peptides using iTRAQ reagents.

Changes in salivary composition correlate with disease susceptibility, disease state, or both. However, use of saliva for diagnostic purposes is complicated by the gland-specific effects of circadian rhythm or diurnal variation. We recently characterized a suite of peptides in the ≤10-kDa fraction of human parotid saliva that included many novel species. In this study, we used novel iTRAQ labeling chemistry to investigate possible diurnal effects on peptide generation. We collected samples produced by gustatory stimulation as the ductal secretions at four time points under conditions that minimized proteolysis, pooled them according to collection time, and isolated the LMW fractions. Samples collected at each collection time were derivatized with a different isobaric iTRAQ reagent. The labeled samples were combined, separated by reversed-phase HPLC, co-spotted with matrix on MALDI targets, and analyzed by MALDI TOF/TOF mass spectrometry. With this approach, we achieved relative quantification of the parot...