cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mining contentions from discussions and debates

Social media has become a major source of information for many applications. Numerous techniques have been proposed to analyze network structures and text contents. In this paper, we focus on fine-grained mining of contentions in discussion/debate forums. Contentions are perhaps the most important feature of forums that discuss social, political and religious issues. Our goal is to discover contention and agreement indicator expressions, and contention points or topics both at the discussion collection level and also at each individual post level. To the best of our knowledge, limited work has been done on such detailed analysis. This paper proposes three models to solve the problem, which not only model both contention/agreement expressions and discussion topics, but also, more importantly, model the intrinsic nature of discussions/debates, i.e., interactions among discussants or debaters and topic sharing among posts through quoting and replying relations. Evaluation results using real-life discussion/debate posts from several domains demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed models.
The English at Nicopolis

THE story of the ill-fated Crusade of Nicopolis has long intrigued students of the late Middle Ages. In the last eighty years alone it has been the chief subject if not the only one of a dozen monographs and articles.' Despite these numerous and independent studies, however, historians are still debating the question of who originated the expedition, the army's route of march, the number of troops involved, and the cause of the Christian defeat. And yet, the majority of writers who examined these points have more or less agreed that, regardless of the campaign's prime architect, some Englishmen helped to promote it; that whatever the road taken to the Danube some Englishmen were on it; that however large or small the number of troops there was among them a generous sprinkling of Englishmen; and, finally, that no matter the cause of the defeat the English shared proportionally in it. That is to say, there has been a general acceptance of the notion that the chivalry of England constituted a force of considerable dimension in Western Europe's last major crusade. It is this prevalent opinion, however, fully as much as the already existing disputes, which has needed, but not received, additional investigation.2 To speak bluntly, the idea is essentially erroneous and overdue for revision. A thorough survey of the sources will establish beyond doubt that the island's contribution to the undertaking has been grossly overestimated by modern authorities. Moreover, they will show that the minimal assistance rendered was in a completely different fashion than has been generally assumed. The list of scholars who have afforded the English some prominence at Nicopolis is long and impressive.3 Professor Atiya, the contemporary authority on the later crusades, is by far the most definite on this point. In his initial study on
Conductivity measurements at the interface between the sintered conductor and dielectric substrate at microwave frequencies

A novel measuring technique of the effective conductivity at microwave frequencies for both the sintered conductor surface and the interface between conductor and dielectric materials was developed. In the measurement, a dielectric rod resonator is placed between two dielectric plates, one side of which is coated with a sintered conductor. For measuring the surface conductivity, the dielectric rod is sandwiched by the conductor side of the plates. On the other hand, for measuring the interface conductivity, the dielectric rod is sandwiched by the dielectric side of the plates. By the configuration, only interface conductivity contributes to the conducting loss of the resonator, thus allowing the measurement of the interface conductivity. Using the new technique, the frequency dependence of both the surface and interface conductivity of a sintered copper, formed on a glass ceramic substrate by the co-firing technique, was investigated in the frequency range from 11 to 34 GHz. It was confirmed that the values of interface conductivity of the sintered copper were smaller than the values of the surface conductivity.
Review of high bandwidth fiber optics radiation sensors

Fiber optics are being effectively utilized in an increasing range of data and information transfer applications. A less mature, but equally challenging, application of fiber optics concerns their use for a host of sensor technologies. Fiber sensors have now been developed for measurement of many physical parameters. These sensor systems frequently exploit several general attributes of fibers, including: cost, an all-dielectric trans-mission medium, freedom from electrical interference, bandwidth, resistance to degradation in severe or adverse environments, light weight, etc. This paper summarizes the use of fiber optics or guided optical systems for radiation sensors. It is limited to passive systems wherein electrical power is not required at the sensor location. However, electrically powered light sources, receivers and/or recorders may still be required for detection and data storage in sensor system operation. This paper emphasizes sensor technologies that permit high bandwidth measurements of transient radiation levels, and will also discuss several low bandwidth applications. In addition to discussion of several specific sensor concepts, an extensive bibliography is included to guide research into these, or other, forms of radiation sensors. The bibliography is subdivided into four major categories. In the bibliography, each paper is listed only once, even though a given paper may include data appropriate to several sections. Furthermore, to avoid long reference lists within the text, only a few of the bibliographical entries are referenced therein. The present conference is not included in the reference list, but includes several related papers. Four other general reviews of related technologies may be of particular benefit.1-4
Fetal Globin Induction—Can It Cure β Thalassemia?

The beta thalassemias are one of a few medical conditions in which reactivation of a gene product that is expressed during fetal life can functionally replace a deficiency of essential proteins expressed at a later developmental stage. The fetal globin genes are present and normally integrated in hematopoietic stem cells, and at least one fetal gene appears accessible for reactivation, particularly in beta degrees thalassemia. However, rapid cellular apoptosis from alpha globin chain precipitation, and relatively low levels of endogenous erythropoietin (EPO) in some beta(+) thalassemia patients contribute to the anemia in beta thalassemia syndromes. In clinical trials, three classes of therapeutics have demonstrated proof-of-principle of this approach by raising total hemoglobin levels by 1-4 g/dL above baseline in thalassemia patients: EPO preparations, short chain fatty acid derivatives (SCFADs), and chemotherapeutic agents. Although thalassemic erythrocytes survive only for a few days, the magnitude of these responses is similar to those induced by rhu-EPO in anemic conditions of normal erythrocyte survival. New oral therapeutic candidates, which stimulate both fetal globin gene expression and erythropoiesis, and combinations of therapeutics with complementary molecular actions now make this gene-reactivation approach feasible to produce transfusion independence in many patients. Development of the candidate therapeutics is hindered largely by costs of drug development for an orphan patient population.
On the Content Bound for Real Quadratic Field Extensions

Let K be a finite extension of ℚ and let S = {ν} denote the collection of K normalized absolute values on K. Let V K + denote the additive group of adeles over K and let c : V K + → ℝ ≥0 denote the content map defined as c( { a v } ) = ∏ v∈s v( a v ) for { a v }∈ V K + . A classical result of J. W. S. Cassels states that there is a constant c > 0 depending only on the field K with the following property: if { a v }∈ V K + with c( { a v } ) > c , then there exists a non-zero element b ∈ K for which v(b)≤v( a v ), ∀v∈ S . Let cK be the greatest lower bound of the set of all c that satisfy this property. In the case that K is a real quadratic extension there is a known upper bound for cK due to S. Lang. The purpose of this paper is to construct a new upper bound for cK in the case that K has class number one. We compare our new bound with Lang’s bound for various real quadratic extensions and find that our new bound is better than Lang’s in many instances.
A 4 kb Metal-Fuse OTP-ROM Macro Featuring a 2 V Programmable 1.37 $\mu$ m $^{2}$ 1T1R Bit Cell in 32 nm High-k Metal-Gate CMOS

A 4 kb high-density PROM array featuring the first high-volume manufacturable metal-fuse technology in 32 nm high-k metal-gate CMOS is introduced. In contrast to traditional salicided polysilicon based 2-D fuse cells, the metal-fuse technology enables a 3-D cell topology with program device and fuse element stacked on each other, achieving a 1.37 μm2 cell footprint. The 128-row by 32-column array with an asymmetric tunable static sense scheme can operate down to 0.5 V and provides multi-bit programming capability. Programming success using a 2 V-1 μs pulse condition is demonstrated. The technology is scalable and maintains full compatibility with modern high-k metal-gate processes.
Evaluation of Fenestration for Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease in the Caudal Cervical Region of Large Dogs

Seventeen large dogs (15 Doberman pinschers, one Labrador retriever, and one German short-haired pointer) with pain and gait abnormalities resulting from caudal cervical intervertebral disc degeneration were treated by disc fenestration. Four dogs recovered completely, two dogs appeared to have recovered but nerve root compression and pain returned 3 years later, five did not recover completely or did not improve, and six became progressively worse. In the dogs that recovered, preoperative myelograms showed that traction on or flexing the neck relieved the spinal cord compression. Such manipulation did not relieve slight persistent compression in the dogs that did not improve nor did it relieve severe compression by disc herniation or spinal canal stenosis in the dogs that became progressively worse. The return of nerve root compression after 3 years in two dogs was attributed to incomplete removal of dorsal anulus fibrosus. It was concluded that disc fenestration alone provided inadequate treatment of caudal cervical degenerative disc disease in large dogs.
Finding Order in Human Neurological Disorder Using a Tadpole

The Xenopus tadpole has been used for decades to study neural development. Every stage of neural development, from neural induction and neurogenesis to axon guidance and circuit refinement has been described in this particular model. This review discusses the unique experimental attributes of the Xenopus tadpole that make it a powerful model for studying how neural circuits form and function, and highlights the especially innovative ways this model is currently being used to identify and characterize the pathophysiology associated with neurological disorders. Focus is on three key stages of neural development that collectively are known loci for many major neurological disorders: (1) neurogenesis, (2) differentiation, and (3) circuit wiring.
LEAKAGE CURRENT IN DEEP-SUBMICRON CMOS CIRCUITS

The high leakage current in deep submicron regimes is becoming a significant contributor to the power dissipation of CMOS circuits as the threshold voltage, channel length, and gate oxide thickness are reduced. Consequently, the identification and modeling of different leakage components is very important for the estimation and reduction of leakage power, especially in the low power applications. This paper explores the various transistor intrinsic leakage mechanisms including the weak inversion, the drain-induced barrier lowering, the gate-induced drain leakage, and the gate oxide tunneling.
Medication Adherence in Pediatric Asthma: Reasoning, Responsibility, and Behavior

OBJECTIVE To assess child adherence to preventive asthma medications; to investigate relations between knowledge, reasoning about asthma, and responsibility for management and adherence; and to determine the association between adherence and morbidity. METHODS Participants were 106 children with asthma and their parents. Medication adherence was electronically monitored for 1 month. Participants completed self-report measures. Children were interviewed to assess reasoning about asthma. RESULTS Children's adherence was approximately 48% of prescribed doses. Adherence was negatively related to age (r = -.21, p <.05); minority status, F(1, 98) = 7.55, p <.01; and morbidity (r = -.26, p <.01). Age was associated with increased child knowledge (r =.47, p <.001), reasoning about asthma (tau =.23, p <.01), and responsibility for asthma management (r =.44, p <.01). These variables were not associated with adherence. CONCLUSIONS Although older children know more about asthma and assume more responsibility for disease management, their adherence is lower than that of younger children. No association was found between adherence and child knowledge, reasoning about asthma, or responsibility for asthma management.
Pharmacokinetically and clinician-determined adherence to an antidepressant regimen and clinical outcome in the TORDIA Trial

Objective Nonadherence to antidepressant treatment may contribute to poor outcome and to suicidal adverse events in adolescent depression. We examine the relationship between adherence and both clinical response and suicidal events in participants in the Treatment of Resistant Depression in Adolescents (TORDIA) study. Method The relationship between adherence to medication and clinical outcome was assessed in 190 treatment-resistant depressed adolescents who were randomized to one of four cells: switch to another selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), switch to venlafaxine, or either of these two medication switches plus cognitive behavioral therapy. Plasma levels of antidepressant drug and metabolites were determined after 6 and 12 weeks of treatment. A twofold or greater variation in the dose-adjusted concentration of drug plus metabolites (level/dose ratio [LDR]) was defined as nonadherence. Nonadherence was also determined by clinician pill counts (CPC) of the proportion of prescribed pills that were unused and was defined as having greater than 30% of the prescribed pills remaining. Results LDR and CPC showed low concordance. LDR was unrelated to clinical response. CPC adherence was related to a higher response rate overall (adherent, 63.0% versus nonadherent, 47.2%, p = .03). Approximately half (50.8%) of the sample surveyed showed evidence of nonadherence by CPC. Neither measure of adherence was related to the occurrence of suicidal events or to the pace of decline in suicidal ideation. Conclusions Clinician pill counts may be a relevant measure of adherence that is related to outcome under formal clinical trial conditions in depressed adolescents. Nonadherence appears to be a common and significant source of treatment nonresponse. Clinical Trial Registration Information—Treatment of SSRI-Resistant Depression in Adolescents (TORDIA); http://www.clinicaltrials.gov; NCT00018902.
Comparative Evaluation of BATS2, BATS, and SiB2 with Amazon Data

Over the last decade, improved understanding of plant physiological processes has generated a significant change in the way stomatal functioning is described in advanced land surface schemes. New versions of two advanced and widely used land surface schemes, the Biosphere‐Atmosphere Transfer Scheme (BATS) and the Simple Biosphere Model (SiB), reflect this change in understanding, although these two models make different assumptions regarding the response of stomata to atmospheric humidity deficit. The goal of this study was to evaluate the new, second version of BATS, here called BATS2, using Amazon field data from the Anglo‐ Brazilian Amazonian Climate Observational Study (ABRACOS) project, with an emphasis on comparison with the original version of BATS and the new, second version of SiB (SiB2). Evaluation of SiB2 using a 3-yr time series of ABRACOS data revealed that there is an unrealistic simulation of the yearly cycle in soil moisture status, with a resulting poor simulation of evaporation. Improved long-term simulation by SiB2 requires specification of a deeper rooting depth, and this requirement is general for all three models. In general, the original version of BATS with a revised root distribution and rooting depth gave good agreement with observations of the surface energy balance but occasionally showed excessive sensitivity to large atmospheric vapor pressure deficit. Evaluation of BATS2 revealed that changes are required in the parameters that determine stomatal behavior in the model for realistic simulation of transpiration, time-averaged respiration, and net carbon dioxide (CO 2) uptake. When initiated with default values for carbon stores, BATS2 takes several hundred years to reach an equilibrium carbon balance. Aspects of the model’s representation of instantaneous carbon allocation and respiration processes indicate that BATS2 cannot be expected to provide a realistic simulation of hourly variations in CO2 exchanges. In general, all three models have weaknesses when describing the field data with default values of model parameters. If a few model parameters are modified in a plausible way, however, all three models can be made to give a good time-averaged simulation of measured exchanges. There is little evidence of sensitivity to the different forms assumed for the stomatal response to atmospheric humidity deficit, although this study suggests that assuming that leaf stress is related linearly to relative humidity is marginally preferred.
Left lateral and left middle liver lobe torsion in a Saint Bernard puppy

A 5-month-old, male Saint Bernard was presented for acute collapse and abdominal discomfort. Significant findings were a cranial abdominal mass, hemorrhagic abdominal effusion, anemia, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. An exploratory surgery revealed torsion of both the left lateral and middle liver lobes, a condition that has not been previously described in the veterinary literature. Torsion of one or more hepatic lobes is a rare condition but should be considered as a differential diagnosis for acute abdomen syndrome in both young and mature dogs. Early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention may be curative.
Lack of improvement in survival rates for women under 50 with endometrial cancer, 2000–2011

Purpose To assess how first course of treatment affects cancer-specific survival in women diagnosed with endometrial cancer younger than 50 years old.
Chitosan: The Preliminary Research and the Host/Parasite System that Led to the Discovery of its Antifungal and Gene Inducing Properties

Being in the terminal phase of my scientific career I am grabbing the literary license to tell a story of the discovery of two biological properties of chitosan, namely, its gene activating potential [1] and its anti-microbial properties [2]. The geneticist, Gregor Mendel, selected peas as a genetic tool and I garnered a pea pod system from an Australian pathologist, I.A.M. Cruickshank, as a biological tool [3]. When the immature pea pod is split, the epidermal cell layer surface, the endocarp is temporarily exposed without a cuticle layer. Thus these naked, undamaged cells rapidly respond to foreign cell, macromolecules, UV radiation, fungal spores of plant pathogens, to initiate (or not initate) the synthesis of an antifungal isoflavonoid called pisatin. The accumulation of this easily quantitated product is associated with many of the plant immune responses such as the activation of genes coding for enzymes in a secondary pathway and pea defense genes termed DRR genes and later were called pathogenesis-related or PR genes.
Parity Bowl IX: Barrier Breakers V. Common Sense Makers - The Serpentine Struggle for Gender Diversity in Collegiate Athletics

This article reviews the most recent legal maneuvers impacting gender parity in collegiate athletics. Section I examines the origins of female participation in sports that allegedly support the current sexually discriminatory system. This article also analyzes the notion that the motivating factor in the development of Title IX was the need for overall systematic change, noting specifically that the origins of the Act had nothing to do with sports activities. Although the Act was an outgrowth of amendments to certain human rights legislation, the sports focus of Title IX is arguably an inappropriate analogy to the civil rights struggle in this country. Section II discusses the vast breadth of the most recent judicial and legislative responses to the disputes over the scope of Title IX. Section III argues that the current interpretations, when taken to their logical extremes, spell certain doom for big-time college athletics as Americans know it. By removing the facade of amateurism and professionalizing big-time college sports, Title IX can be affirmatively administered in a manner that is more equitable than its present application.
A crust and upper mantle model for Novaya Zemlya from Rayleigh-wave dispersion data

We derive a shear-wave crust and upper mantle structure for the southern part of Novaya Zemlya by an application of the two-event, single-station method of Rayleigh-wave phase-velocity dispersion analysis. This method provides a means of isolating the surface-wave dispersion characteristics of a remote source region using only teleseismic recordings. The observed phase-velocity data are then systematically inverted to obtain a best-fitting model. Our preferred model has a 45-km thick crust with no shear-wave low-velocity zone in the upper mantle. It is similar to published structures for the southern Ural mountains and is therefore compatible with the premise that Novaya Zemlya is a nothern extension of the Urals.
Investigation of Huygens wavelets in optical imaging

One of the most basic principles of optical wave propagation, Huygens’ principle, was applied to optical imaging of extended objects. Capitalizing on this basic principle, Scalar Diffraction Theory can be applied without the need for any paraxial approximations to describe the propagation of optical fields through an imaging system. In that framework the optical system is considered linear and locally shift-invariant, Furthermore, the object is considered as sum of point sources and the image is obtained as superimposition of the contributions of each point source through the optical system. Most of the current commercially available optical system analysis software is based on approximated models, such as Gaussian beam decomposition, finite-element field propagation, etc. that does not allow for analysis of the most general cases.
Effects of Rearing Alone and in Groups on the Growth of the Milkweed Bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae)

In nature and in the laboratory the large milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus (Dallas), has been observed to cluster in groups both when feeding and when not engaged in any apparent activity. In time-lapse photography studies of feeding behavior in the milkweed bug, Beck et al. (1958) found that only one bug could be used satisfactorily in a chamber, because when a number of bugs were present they clustered around one diet and obscured the feeding pattern under study. The present experiment was undertaken to determine whether this gregarious feeding behavior was necessary for maximum development and at what point crowding would become deleterious to development.
Effect of low molecule weight heparin on the high coagulation of Kawa saki disease

Objcetive: To study the effect of low molecule weight heparin (LMWH) on the high coagulation of Kawasaki disease (KD). Methods: The levels of platele t (PL), D-2-dimer (D-D) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) of chil dren with KD were respectively measured before and after therapy in LMWH treatme nt group and control group. Results: PL, D-D and APTT were not significantly dif ferent in two groups before therapy and after therapy the first two items were a pperently lower, the late was significantly higher in treatment group than those in control group. The side-effect of bleeding was not found in the period of LM WH therapy. Conclusion: LMWH can improve the coagulation of KD.
Peridotite from the Pre-pilot Hole (PP1) of the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Project and Its Bearing on Depleted and Metasomatic Upper Mantle

The Zhimafang peridotite from the pre-pilot hole of the CCSDP (Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Project) is composed of lerzolite, harzbergite, wehrlite and dunite with or without garnet. These rocks show the layering but without rhythmic character. The contact between the layers is transitional. Major, trace (including REE) and isotope analyses have been do on the samples from the hole. A12O3 and CaO decrease with decrease of MgO showing very good correlativity. From garnet peridotite to garnert-free peridotite, these rocks become even more refractory and all of them are more refractory than pyrolite in major composition. REE show enriched LREE. In Spider diagram, the highly incompatible and moderate incompatible elements also show enriched characters. There is no correlation between refractory degree and enrichment of trace elements,which indicates decoupling between major and trace elements were caused by two different deep processes; these two processes might be previous partial melting in the upper mantle and subsequent matsomatism by mantle fluid rich in incompatible elements. Sr and Nd isotope compositions also have the enriched characteristics and variation ranges are large; the more refractory the rocks, the more enriched isotope compositions. Mineral O isotope has the typical mantle compositional character ranging from between +4‰ to +6‰, which indicates the source of metasomatic fluid was in the mantle itself. The inverse correlation between (Ce/Yb)N and eNd and positive correlation between Rb abundance and Sr isotope composition indicate that the sources of fluids enriched in Sr, Nd isotopes and highly incompatible elements were the same.
A winding path to satisfaction

When I speak with my students about their future careers, it is clear that many feel there is only one path to success and that any deviations will be catastrophic. My own academic path might seem to support this belief. On the surface, it appears quite linear: undergrad, grad student, postdoc,
Empowering teachers to implement innovative content in physical education through continuous professional development

The purpose of this study was to examine teacher perceptions regarding their experiences in a research-informed continuous professional development (CPD) initiative and its influence on their professional readiness to implement innovative content in physical education (PE). Participants included four PE teachers who engaged in a series of hands-on workshops and collaborative activities related to the design and implementation of a mountain biking unit in two middle schools. Qualitative data were collected through post-workshop surveys, semi-structured interviews, and a focus group. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis, and results revealed four themes: (a) igniting change, (b) transferring to the classroom, (c) student response, and (d) sustaining beyond a single unit. Findings from this study reinforce the need for research-informed CPD efforts in PE and highlight its role in generating a sense of teacher empowerment and promoting systemic change within school-based PE.
Characterization of the effects of different tempers and aging temperatures on the precipitation behavior of Al-Mg (5.25 at.%)-Mn alloys

Abstract The effects of different tempers (H131 and H116) and different aging temperatures (50 and 70 °C) on the precipitation behavior of Al-Mg (5.25 at.%)-Mn (Al 5083) alloys aged for a long time (41 and 30 months) were investigated using electron backscatter diffraction(EBSD), scanning transmission electron microscopy(STEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDS), atom probe tomography (APT), and small angle neutron scattering (SANS). GP zones and β ″ phases were found in Al 5083 H116 aged at 50 °C for 24 months using APT. EDS and SANS results revealed that a phase transformation process from GP zones to β ′/ β phases occurred for precipitates formed in both Al 5083 H131 and H116 aged at 70 °C. The effective diffusion coefficient of Mg in Al 5083 H131 is 1.8 times of that in Al 5083 H116 aged at 70 °C. The precipitation process in Al 5083 H116 aged at 50 °C is much slower than that in the sample aged at 70 °C. The coarsening process was identified in Al 5083 H131 and H116 aged at 70 °C for > 9 months.
(Un)Expected Scholars: Counter-Narratives from Two (Boys) Men of Color Across the Educational Pipeline

ABSTRACTThere has been an upsurge of attention on the achievements and struggles of boys and men of color in the U.S. The recent flood of attention to police-involved shootings of African Americans and other people of color only exacerbate the need for a focus on this particular population. The White House announcement of My Brother's Keeper in 2014 aims to recognize and respond to the crisis facing boys and men of color. In addition, the work of various scholars has continued not only to acknowledge the crisis, but also advocate, push, and enact policies and practices relevant to boys and men of color. Empirical research has made clear the disparities in academic engagement and achievement, disciplinary practices, and the overall student experience. Less common, however, are the voices of students who once attended those schools, grew up in challenging environments, yet went on to become academically accomplished. The purpose of this article is to provide counter-narratives—those of the two authors—in an...
A boosting skin vaccination with dissolving microneedle patch encapsulating M2e vaccine broadens the protective efficacy of conventional influenza vaccines.

Abstract The biodegradable microneedle patch (MNP) is a novel technology for vaccine delivery that could improve the immunogenicity of vaccines. To broaden the protective efficiency of conventional influenza vaccines, a new 4M2e-tFliC fusion protein construct containing M2e sequences from different subtypes was generated. Purified fusion protein was encapsulate into MNPs with a biocompatible polymer for use as a boosting vaccine. The results demonstrated that mice receiving a conventional inactivated vaccine followed by a skin-applied dissolving 4M2e-tFliC MNP boost could better maintain the humoral antibody response than that by the conventional vaccine-prime alone. Compared with an intramuscular injection boost, mice receiving the MNP boost showed significantly enhanced cellular immune responses, hemagglutination-inhibition (HAI) titers, and neutralization titers. Increased frequency of antigen-specific plasma cells and long-lived bone marrow plasma cells was detected in the MNP boosted group as well, indicating that skin vaccination with 4M2e-tFliC facilitated a long-term antibody-mediated immunity. The 4M2e-tFliC MNP-boosted group also possessed enhanced protection against high lethal dose challenges against homologous A/PR/8/34 and A/Aichi/2/68 viruses and protection for a majority of immunized mice against a heterologous A/California/07/2009 H1N1 virus. High levels of M2e specific immune responses were observed in the 4M2e-tFliC MNP-boosted group as well. These results demonstrate that a skin-applied 4M2e-tFliC MNP boosting immunization to seasonal vaccine recipients may be a rapid approach for increasing the protective efficacy of seasonal vaccines in response to a significant drift seen in circulating viruses. The results also provide a new perspective for future exploration of universal influenza vaccines.
Infrared-triggered Silicon Controlled Switch

Abstract A silicon controlled switch (thyristor) is triggered by the radiation emitted from a GaAs light emitting diode, and thus accomplishes isolation between control and power circuits. This isolation offers greater circuit design flexibility and fewer parts. The device structure is a micro-circuit of the hybrid type, housed in a TO-12 package. At 25°C ambient the switch can handle 150 ma continuous from a supply of 65 v peak, a-c. The maximum switching frequency is about 35kc. The GaAs diode requires current pulses of . 1 to . 5 amps amplitude and pulse durations of 1-10 μs. Leakage current between the control and power section is only 10 na at a potential difference of 300 v.
Copyright and the Uruguay Round Agreements: A New Era of Protection or an Illusory Promise?

This article explores the negotiation history of the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) in order to clarify the changes, opportunities and potential road-blocks that this recent multinational instrument poses for copyright protection internationally. The greatest threats to the potential new era of protection promised by TRIPS lies in the compliance waiver (grace period) granted to developing and least developed countries and the concomitant technology transfer requirements imposed on developed countries. At a minimum, these features delay the implementation of promised stronger enforcement under TRIPS. At their worst, they impose an obligation on developed countries to encourage a transfer of technology when the owners of such technology have little assurance that their rights will be protected. Ambiguities contained in the agreement, including the absence of standards for critical issues such as “abuse” of process and “adequate compensation”; the failure to resolve the problems of inconsistent national treatment; and the acceptance of exceptions to TRIPS protection for purposes of promoting “socio-economic and technological development” similarly undermine the promise of greater copyright protection under TRIPS. It is too early to predict the extent to which the compromises and ambiguities in TRIPS have turned its promise of stronger international copyright protection into an illusion. Given the lack of certainty regarding the actual impact TRIPS may have on the immediate problem of international copyright infringement, copyright owners should be prepared for disappointment. TRIPS is not the solution to their problems. ITRIPS has too many flaws and compromises to usher in any anticipated “new era of protection.” But its imperfect promise of such protection is not wholly illusory. Instead it represents a useful first step.
Exosomes from Patients with Sickle Cell Disease and History of Acute Chest Syndrome Alter Endothelial Integrity In Vitro

Introduction: Acute Chest Syndrome (ACS) is the leading cause of death among children with sickle cell disease (SCD). While the phenotypic variability of ACS is incompletely understood, aberrant cell-cell interactions involving the endothelium are central to the pathophysiology. Recent studies suggest that circulating cell-derived extracellular vesicles, termed exosomes, can regulate endothelial integrity. We and others recently demonstrated that exosomes from SCD patients differentially affect endothelial integrity in vitro, but the relationship to specific complications of SCD, such as ACS, are unknown. Given the critical role of the endothelium in ACS, we hypothesized that exosomes from patients with a history of ACS induce increased endothelial damage compared to those without a previous ACS episodes. Methods: Plasma was isolated from 33 patients with SCD. Patients were >4 weeks since transfusion and had no new health-related complaints. Control plasma samples were from children without SCD or known medical problems, who had a BMI Results/Discussion: Flow cytometry demonstrated that the absolute exosome number was greatly increased in patients with SCD compared with controls. In contrast, no significant differences in total exosome numbers emerged between SCD patients based on ACS history. The origin of theexosomes was mainly erythroid (controls:9,661 ± 3,195 /100 uL vs. SCD: 31,338 ± 5,323 /100 uL, p Conclusions: The results confirm and expand on our prior observations that circulating exosomes are increased in patients with SCD and contribute to the maintenance of endothelial integrity. Exosomes from ACS(+) patients disrupt the endothelial monolayer in vitro (unlike exosomes from SCD patients who never experienced ACS). We speculate that the increased exosomes contribute to the vascular pathology in all SCD patients. However, some SCD patients are protected by specific exosome cargoes, as in the ACS(-) patients whose exosomes induced eNOS expression by the cultured endothelial cells in vitro, which plays a critical role in endothelial health. Together, the current findings suggest that exosomes are differentially generated based on ACS history, and that their function/cargo (as opposed to their number), modulates endothelial function. Thus, SCD exosomes that induce endothelial dysfunction likely contribute to the pathophysiology of ACS, and may serve as risk-related biomarkers. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Precision RENORM Tensor-Pomeron Cross Sections

Precision predictions of soft and hard diffraction, elastic, and total protonproton cross sections, based on a Regge-theory inspired tensor-Pomeron implementation of the RENORM model, are compared to TOTEM, ATLAS, and CMS results at the LHC.
The role of travel distance and price promotions in tobacco product purchase quantity

Abstract Introduction Rural Americans are particularly vulnerable to tobacco price reducing promotions are known to be directed to and used by vulnerable populations. Tobacco purchasing decisions, such as unit quantity purchased, may vary by rurality, by price promotion use, and possibly by the interaction between the two. Purchase decisions are likely to affect tobacco use behavior. Therefore, explanation of variation in tobacco purchase quantity by factors associated with rural vulnerability and factors that fall under the regulatory scope of the Tobacco Control Act (TCA) of 2009 could be of value to regulatory proposals intended to equitably benefit public health. Methods Our sample included 54 combustible tobacco users (298 purchase events) and 27 smokeless tobacco users (112 purchase events), who were asked to report all tobacco purchases on a smartphone application. We used an ecological momentary assessment methodology to collect data about tobacco users’ purchasing patterns, including products, quantity purchased, and use of price promotions. A parent cohort study provided relevant data for home-outlet distance calculation and covariates. Our analysis examined associations between our outcome—purchase quantity per purchase event—and distance from participant's home to the nearest outlet, whether a price reducing promotion was used, and the interaction of these two factors. Results Combustible users showed an increased cigarette pack purchase quantity if they lived further from an outlet and used a price promotion (i.e., an interaction effect; RR = 1.70, 95% CI [1.11, 2.62]). Smokeless users purchased more units of snuff when they used price promotions (RR = 1.81, 95% CI [1.02, 3.20]). Conclusions Regulatory action that imposes restrictions on the availability or use of price promotions could alter the purchasing behavior of rural Americans in such a way that makes it easier to reduce tobacco use or quit. Such action would also restrict flexibility in the price of tobacco products, which is known as a powerful tobacco control lever.
A Strange (?) Quantum World

My aim here is to develop a coherent philosophical stance on what is known as “the measurement problem” in quantum mechanics. My stance will not please everyone, but I suggest that this emotional reaction may result from insufficient appreciation of the destructive impact this problem has had for some traditional, and by now hopeless, intellectual goals and standards. I will return to this theme at the end of the chapter.
Leviathan and the Swallowing of Scripture: The Politics behind Thomas Hobbes' Early Modern Biblical Criticism:

The early modern political philosopher Thomas Hobbes played a foundational role in the emergence of modern biblical criticism. An examination of his work on the Bible in his Leviathan shows how his...
The influence of vitamin E quinone on platelet structure, function, and biochemistry

Although the effects of vitamin E on platelet function have been investigated in vivo and in vitro, vitamin E quinone, a natural metabolite of vitamin E, has been virtually overlooked. This oxidized form of vitamin E inhibits platelet aggregation and secretion induced by various aggregating agents more effectively than vitamin E by a magnitude of 5-10-fold. Vitamin E and vitamin E quinone do not alter platelet ultrastructure or cellular concentrations of serotonin and adenine nucleotides, including cAMP. Inhibition of aggregation by vitamin E quinone occurs in the absence of detectable reduction of vitamin E quinone or oxidation of vitamin E and is readily reversed by washing the platelet. Only vitamin E quinone prevents arachidonic acid release and slightly inhibits cyclooxygenase, whereas both agents partially prevent calcium release from a platelet subcellular organelle. Vitamin E quinone also inhibited synthesis of prostacyclin by endothelial cells with basal synthesis in the presence of external arachidonic acid being less affected than thrombin-stimulated PGI2 production. The greater potency of vitamin E quinone in suppressing platelet function compared to vitamin E suggests that this quinone metabolite may be the better antithrombotic agent and possibly responsible for in vivo effects previously attributed to vitamin E.
Adoption of Evidence-Based Medicine in Clinical Laboratory Science: A Survey of the Prevalence of Systematic and Narrative Reviews.

Background Systematic reviews (SRs) play a critical role in evidence-based medicine. Objective To determine the publication trends of SRs in clinical laboratory science (CLS). Methods We searched Scopus to identify all reviews published in the top 20 CLS journals during the past 10 years (2008-2017). We determined year of publication, review type (systematic vs narrative), citations, and whether the review was accompanied by a meta-analysis (MA). Results We identified 2934 reviews. Of these, 2833 (96.6%) were narrative reviews, and 98 (3.3%) were SRs. A total of 67 (66.3%) of the SRs were accompanied by a MA. Three journals accounted for 68 of 98 (69.4%) SRs. The percentage of SRs (relative to all reviews) has increased during the past decade (P = .01). SRs were more frequently published in high-impact journals (P Conclusion The publication rate of SRs in CLS journals has increased during the past decade.
On Metric Learning for Complex Data Analysis

Comparing and measuring similarities or distances between pairs of instances is a basic but important step toward successes of many data mining and machine learning approaches. In this talk, I will discuss how both linear and nonlinear metric learning can be approached to capture various important relationships for complex data sets and how the learned metrics can be used for complex data analysis.
BROAD-SPECTRUM PROTEOME EDITING WITH AN ENGINEERED BACTERIAL UBIQUITIN LIGASE MIMIC

Manipulation of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway to achieve targeted silencing of cellular proteins has emerged as a reliable and customizable strategy for remodeling the mammalian proteome. One such approach involves engineering bifunctional proteins called ubiquibodies that are comprised of a synthetic binding protein fused to an E3 ubiquitin ligase, thus enabling post-translational ubiquitination and degradation of a target protein independent of its function. Here, we have designed a panel of new ubiquibodies based on E3 ubiquitin ligase mimics from bacterial pathogens that are capable of effectively interfacing with the mammalian proteasomal degradation machinery for selective removal of proteins of interest. One of these, the Shigella flexneri effector protein IpaH9.8 fused to a fibronectin type III (FN3) monobody that specifically recognizes green fluorescent protein (GFP), was observed to potently eliminate GFP and its spectral derivatives as well as 15 different FP-tagged mammalian proteins that varied in size (27-179 kDa) and subcellular localization (cytoplasm, nucleus, membrane-associated, and transmembrane). To demonstrate therapeutically relevant delivery of ubiquibodies, we leveraged a bioinspired molecular assembly method whereby synthetic mRNA encoding the GFP-specific ubiquibody was coassembled with poly A binding proteins and packaged into nanosized complexes using biocompatible, structurally defined polypolypeptides bearing cationic amine side groups. The resulting nanoplexes delivered ubiquibody mRNA in a manner that caused efficient target depletion in cultured mammalian cells stably expressing GFP as well as in transgenic mice expressing GFP ubiquitously. Overall, our results suggest that IpaH9.8-based ubiquibodies are a highly modular proteome editing technology with the potential for pharmacologically modulating disease-causing proteins.
Posterior lumbar fusions at physician-owned hospitals - is it time to reconsider the restrictions of the Affordable Care Act?

Abstract Background Context Caused by perceptions regarding unnecessary healthcare resource utilization, high costs of care, and financial incentives towards “cherry-picking” cases in physician owned hospitals, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 imposed restrictions on existing physician-owned hospitals from expanding. Despite an increasing number of individuals requiring access to spine surgical care, no study has evaluated the surgical safety and costs of elective posterior lumbar fusions (PLFs) being performed in physician-owned vs. non-physician-owned hospitals. Purpose We assessed differences in 90-day costs and outcomes between patients undergoing elective 1- to 3-level PLFs at physician-owned hospitals vs. nonphysician-owned hospitals. Study Design Retrospective cohort study of 2007 to 2014 100% Medicare claims database. Patient Sample The 2007 to 2014 Medicare 100% Standard Analytical Files (SAF100) was queried using International Classification of Diseases 9th Edition (ICD-9) procedure code for patients undergoing elective 1- to 3-level PLFs (81.07, 81.08, and 81.62). The Medicare Hospital Compare database was used to identify provider codes for physician-owned hospitals. These provider codes were cross-referenced to identify records of patients receiving elective PLFs at these hospitals from the SAF100 database. Outcome Measures Ninety day complications, readmissions, emergency department (ED) visits, charges, and costs. Methods Multivariate logistic and linear regression analyses were used to assess significant differences in 90-day complications, readmissions, charges and costs between the two groups. Results A total of 6,679 (2.9%) patients received an elective PLF at a physician-owned hospital (N=39; 2.2%) whereas 225,090 (97.1%) received surgery at nonphysician-owned hospital (N=1,774; 97.8%). After controlling for age, gender, region, hospital factors (socio-economic status area, urban vs. rural location and volume) and Elixhauser co-morbidity index, undergoing surgery at physician-owned hospital was associated with lower odds of thromboembolic complications (OR 0.66 [95% CI 0.53–0.82]; p Conclusion Our results suggest that patients undergoing elective 1- to 3-level PLFs at physician-owned hospitals do not experience a greater number of complications and/or readmissions while having lower risk-adjusted charges and costs over the 90-day episode of care. The findings call on the need for revaluation/reconsideration of the ACAs restriction on the expansion of these physician-owned hospitals.
A facile route for the synthesis of limonidilactone analogues from andrographolide

Abstract Labdane diterpenes are an important class of natural products with a wide variety of biological properties. (−)-Limonidilactone is a labdane diterpene with a novel skeleton isolated from Vitex limonifolia. A new semi-synthetic route from andrographolide, the major constituent of Andrographis paniculata, has been described towards the synthesis of novel labdanes having a limonidilactone type skeleton.