cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of protein I of Neisseria gonorrhoeae on neutrophil activation: generation of diacylglycerol from phosphatidylcholine via a specific phospholipase C is associated with exocytosis.

Upon engagement of chemoattractant receptors, neutrophils generate inositol trisphosphate and diacylglycerol (DG) by means of a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) which is regulated by a GTP-binding protein(s). We have previously reported (Reibman, J., H. M. Korchak, L. B. Vosshall, K. A. Haines, A. M. Rich, and G. Weissmann. 1988. J. Biol. Chem. 263:6322-6328) a biphasic rise in DG after exposure of neutrophils to the chemoattractant FMLP: a rapid (less than or equal to 15 s) phase ("triggering") and a slow (greater than or equal to 30 s) phase ("activation"). These derive from distinct intracellular lipid pools. To study the source of rapid and slow DG, we have used a unique probe, protein I, a porin that is the major outer membrane protein of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Treatment of neutrophils with protein I inhibits exocytosis and homotypic cell adhesion provoked by FMLP without inhibiting assembly of the NADPH oxidase responsible for O2-. generation. DG turnover in PMN labeled with [3H]arachidonate and [14C]glycerol was profoundly altered by protein I. Whereas the rapid peak of DG was only modestly diminished (FMLP vs. FMLP plus protein I = DG labeled with [3H]arachidonic acid (3H-a.a.-DG): 142 +/- 14% SEM vs. 125 +/- 22%; DG labeled with the glycerol backbone with [14C]glycerol (D-14C-G): 125 +/- 10% SEM vs. 107 +/- 8.5% SEM), the slow rise in both 3H-a.a.-DG and D-14C-G was essentially abolished. Moreover, treatment of neutrophils with 4-4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS), which, like protein I, inhibits exocytosis without affecting O2-. generation also inhibited slow DG. However, protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation (47phox, 66phox) were unaffected in the absence of slow DG. To determine the source of the slow DG, we have analyzed radiolabeled phospholipid (PL) turnover after FMLP +/- protein I (P.I.). Treatment of PMN with FMLP (0.1 microM) resulted in breakdown of phosphatidylcholine (PC), beginning at 30 s, and reaching a nadir at 60 s (3H-PC = 59 +/- 10.2% SEM of resting, 14C-PC = 57 +/- 6.4%). Protein I (0.25 microM) significantly inhibited PC turnover after FMLP ([3H]PC = 95 +/- 5.6% and [14C]PC = 86 +/- 8.4% of resting at 60 s), but failed to alter the metabolism of 3H- or 14C-phosphatidylinositol after FMLP (91 +/- 19.6 and 88 +/- 16.5% vs. 92 +/- 9.2 and 91 +/- 16% at 60 s).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Impact of primary surgery on outcome in 300 patients with pathologic tumor-node-metastasis stage III papillary thyroid carcinoma treated at one institution from 1940 through 1989 ☆

Abstract Background: The pathologic tumor-node-metastasis (pTNM) system is universally used to define the extent of disease in human malignancies. This study evaluated the impact of initial therapy on cause-specific mortality (CSM) rates and recurrence rates in pTNM stage III papillary thyroid carcinoma. Methods: Three hundred patients (median age, 58 years) were followed on average for 14 postoperative years. Of these, 246 patients (82%) had complete primary tumor resection; 208 patients (69%) had nodal metastases; 161 (54%) had locally invasive primary tumors; 45 patients (15%) underwent initial unilateral lobectomy (UL). Bilateral lobar resection (BLR) accounted for 242 patients (near-total, 54%; total thyroidectomy, 23%). Results: The 30-year rates for CSM, distant metastases, nodal metastases, and local recurrence (LR) were 29%, 22%, 19%, and 16%, respectively. The 20-year rates for CSM were significantly higher (50% vs 14%) when primary tumor was incompletely resected ( P = .0001). After complete resection, 20-year rates for CSM and LR after BLR were 12% and 10%, respectively, which were significantly lower ( P P > .4). The 20-year LR rate after total thyroidectomy (13%) was not different ( P = .5) from the 11% seen after near-total thyroidectomy. Conclusions: In this nonrandomized evaluation of patients with pTNM stage III papillary thyroid carcinoma, the extent of primary thyroid resection appeared to significantly impact CSM and LR but did not apparently influence regional or distant metastasis. (Surgery 1999:126:1173-82.)
Reorganization of escape reflexes during asexual fission in an aquatic oligochaete, Dero digitata

Asexual reproduction in the aquatic oligochaete Dero digitata involves 1) formation of a mid-body fission zone and transverse fission plane separating the worm into anterior and posterior zooids; 2) development of four new head segments in the posterior zooid, just behind the fission plane; and 3) development of new tail segments in the anterior zooid, just anterior to the fission plane. Electrophysiological recordings from normal (i.e., non-fissioning) and prefission worms indicate similar proportioning of giant nerve fiber sensory fields; the medial (MGF) and lateral (LGF) giant fiber fields encompass the anterior-most 30% and posterior-most 70%, respectively, of the worm's length. Throughout prefission stages both MGF and LGF spikes were reliably through-conducted, though at reduced velocity, across the fission zone. This agrees with anatomical results showing continuity and reduced diameter of MGF and LGF in the fission zone. Within seconds after fissioning, sensory fields in the rostral segments of posterior zooids (= 18% of zooid length) switch from LGF to MGF sensitivity. Further changes in giant fiber sensory fields and conduction velocities in the posterior zooid, during the next 7 days, lead to a functional organization of escape reflex pathways comparable to that in normal worms. Our results suggest that an escape reflex switching mechanism, along with strong modulatory influences, ensures appropriate and adaptively significant escape reflex functioning in posterior zooids both before and after fissioning.
Bayesian estimation for autonomous object manipulation based on tactile sensors

We consider the problem of autonomously estimating position and orientation of an object from tactile data. When initial uncertainty is high, estimation of all six parameters precisely is computationally expensive. We propose an efficient Bayesian approach that is able to estimate all six parameters in both unimodal and multimodal scenarios. The approach is termed scaling series sampling as it estimates the solution region by samples. It performs the search using a series of successive refinements, gradually scaling the precision from low to high. Our approach can be applied to a wide range of manipulation tasks. We demonstrate its portability on two applications: (1) manipulating a box and (2) grasping a door handle
An energy function-based design method for discrete hopfield associative memory with attractive fixed points

An energy function-based autoassociative memory design method to store a given set of unipolar binary memory vectors as attractive fixed points of an asynchronous discrete Hopfield network (DHN) is presented. The discrete quadratic energy function whose local minima correspond to the attractive fixed points of the network is constructed via solving a system of linear inequalities derived from the strict local minimality conditions. The weights and the thresholds are then calculated using this energy function. If the inequality system is infeasible, we conclude that no such asynchronous DHN exists, and extend the method to design a discrete piecewise quadratic energy function, which can be minimized by a generalized version of the conventional DHN, also proposed herein. In spite of its computational complexity, computer simulations indicate that the original method performs better than the conventional design methods in the sense that the memory can store, and provide the attractiveness for almost all memory sets whose cardinality is less than or equal to the dimension of its elements. The overall method, together with its extension, guarantees the storage of an arbitrary collection of memory vectors, which are mutually at least two Hamming distances away from each other, in the resulting network.
Confidence and Eyewitness Identifications: The Cross-Race Effect, Decision Time and Accuracy

Summary Participants encountered same-race and cross-race faces at encoding, completed a series of line-up identification tests and provided confidence ratings by using one of nine different confidence scales. Confidence was less well calibrated with identification accuracy when participants selected a cross-race than a same-race face because of overconfidence. By contrast, there was no cross-race effect on confidence–accuracy calibration when participants responded ‘not present’. Whereas confidence was a very strong predictor of accuracy for fast identifications of a line-up face, this was much less the case for slower decisions. Highly confident identifications showed a dramatic drop in accuracy from faster decisions to slower decisions, whereas there was little change in accuracy between faster and slower decisions for moderately confident or weakly confident identifications. Finally, we observed little influence of the format of the nine different confidence scales: numerical and verbal scales produced comparable calibration scores, as did scales with few or many points. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design and manufacturing of aerospace composite structures, state-of-the-art assessment

The results ofan assessment ofthe state of theartin the design and manufacturing of largecompositestructures are described. The focus of the assessment is on the use of polymeric matrix composite materials for large airframe structural components, such as thosein commercial and military aircraft and spacetransportation vehicles. Applications of composite materials for large commercial transport aircraft, general aviation aircraft, rotorcraft, military aircraft, and uninhabited rocket launch vehicles are reviewed. The results of the assessment of the state of the art include a summary of lessons learned, examples of current practice, and an assessment of advanced technologies under development. The results of the assessment conclude with an evaluation of the future technology challenges and advancements associated with applications of composite materials to the primary structures of commercial transport aircraft and advanced space transportation vehicles. These future technologies include breakthroughs in materials and process methods, next generation design tools, and nondestructive examination methods. I. Introduction A N assessment of the design and manufacturing practices for large composite structures has been conducted to determine the current state of the art for these technologies. The background that motivated the assessment was a series of unexpected manufacturing and design problems with the composite structures of several NASA experimental vehicles currently under development. The focus of the assessment is on the use of polymeric matrix composite materials for large airframe structural components such as those in commercial and military aircraft and space transportation vehicles. The baseline for the assessment is the historical evolution of the use of composite materials in actual aerospace vehicles. The assessment emphasizes the application of composite structures in moderately to heavily loaded aerospace vehicles. Applications of composite materials are reviewed for large commercial transport aircraft,generalaviation aircraft,rotorcraft, military e ghteraircraft, and military transport aircraft. The baseline also includes the application of composite materials for uninhabited rockets and space transportation vehicles. The assessment of the state of the art includes a summary of lessons learned, examples of current practice, and an assessment of advanced technologies under development. The assessment concludes with an evaluation of the future technology challenges associated with applications of composite materials to the primary structure of commercial aircraft and advanced space transportation vehicles. As a preamble to assessing the state of the art in the design and manufacturing of composite structures, the design requirements for aerospace vehicles are briee y reviewed. Because of the universal design requirement to minimize the gross takeoff weight of all aerospace vehicles, aerospace structural components are designed at or near zero margin of safety. Whereas the margin of safety is not
Mathematics, Secondary Students With Disabilities, and Web 2.0 Technologies:

The Internet and Web 2.0 technologies [i.e., (micro-)blogs, wikis, social networking sites, Voicethreads, etc.] allows today’s students to access mathematics and other general education curricula l...
Similarity in flight activity rhythms in coexisting species of Aleyrodidae, Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes abutilonea

Experiments were conducted in Arizona, USA to examine the diel patterns of flight activity of two coexisting species of whiteflies, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) and Trialeurodes abutilonea (Haldeman) (Aleyrodidae). Aerial populations were monitored during parts of two growing seasons using sticky traps. It was found that on most days when more than 100 whiteflies were captured, the flight activity rhythms of the two species were remarkably similar. During 13 of 14 weeks if aerial populations of one species were used to predict populations of the other, coefficients of determination were highly significant. This is in part a function of the two species having parallel patterns of pupal eclosion and teneral periods of approximately the same duration. The two species both experience 90% eclosion within 1 h of the onset of photophase and both have a teneral period slightly in excess of 4 h at 27°C. As a result populations of the two whiteflies emerge together, become flight ready, and fly at the same time. Arizona populations of these two introduced species appear to have developed certain very similar behavioral and physiological processes under conditions of a rigorous desert climate. Zusamenfassung In Arizona (USA) wurden Experimente durchgefuhrt, um die Muster der taglichen Flugaktivitat von zwei co-existierenden Aleurodidenarten, Bemisia tabaci und Trialeurodes abutilonea zu untersuchen. Mit Hilfe von Klebefallen wurden die Adult-Populationen wahrend zweier Wachstumperioden beobachtet. Die Rhythmen der Flugaktivitat wahrend der meisten Tage, an denen mehr als 100 Weisse Fliegen gefangen wurden, waren bemerkenswert ahnlich. Die Bestimmungskoeffizienten waren deutlich signifikant in 13 von 14 Wochen, wenn die Populationen der einen Art benutzt wurde, um die Population der anderen Spezies vorherzusagen. Dies ruhrt zum Teil daher, dass sich beide Arten in ahnlicher Weise entwicklen. Beide schlupfen zu 90% innerhalb von 3 Stunden nach Beginn der Photophase und beginnen bei 27 °C im Mittel nach 4 Stunden und 12 Minuten zu fliegen. Daraus folgt, dass Populationen beider Arten zur selben Zeit schlupfen, flugbereit werden und zu fliegen beginnen. Es scheint, dass die in Arizona vorhandenen Populationen dieser beiden eingefuhrten Arten unter dem Einfluss eines rauhen Wustenklimas einige sehr ahnliche Verhaltensweisen und physiologische Prozesse entwickelt haben.
Analytical results to account for delay measurement errors of high-speed VLSI devices

The transmission line effect in modern automatic test equipment (ATE) has been a major concern in measuring the timing of VLSI chips. The new version of test head has tried to terminate the transmission lines in matched loads at the comparator ends of the lines. This has eliminated the ringing effect. However, the new loading conditions for measurements are not likely to be according to specifications. Analytical results have been developed to correct the measurement errors incurred by different loading conditions. Chip-to-chip process variations have been incorporated. >
Suicide prevention in depressed women.

This paper focuses on risk factors and clinical states associated with suicide in depressed women and the necessity for thorough clinical evaluation of family and personal histories of suicidal, impulsive, and violent behaviors. Treatment issues addressed include the importance and content of detailed communication to patients and their families, medication noncompliance, the risks associated with the recovery and other high-risk periods, and problems associated with the adjunctive use of alcohol and other drugs. Language: en
Republican Influences on the French and American Revolutions

When George Washington gave his inaugural speech as the first President of the United States under the new federal Constitution, he asserted that “the destiny of the republican model of government” was “deeply, perhaps … finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American People”.1 A new “Senate” would meet on the “Capitol” hill, overlooking the “Tiber” (formerly “Goose Creek”) river, as in Rome,2 to restore “the sacred fire of liberty” to the western world.3 The vocabulary of eighteenth-century revolution reverberated with purposeful echoes of republican Rome, as political activists self-consciously assumed the Roman mantle. James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, the primary authors and advocates of the United States Constitution, wrote together pseudonymously as “Publius” to defend their creation,4 associating themselves with Publius Valerius Poplicola, founder and first consul of the Roman republic.5 Camille Desmoulins attributed the French Revolution to Cicero’s ideal of Roman politics, imbibed by children in the schools.6 At every opportunity, American and French revolutionaries proclaimed their desire to re-establish the “stupendous fabrics” of republican government that had fostered liberty at Rome.7
The Emerging Importance of Law Review Rankings for Law School Rankings, 2003-07

The release of the 2007 US News rankings of law schools has set off another round of speculation on the meanings of the rankings and what, if anything, schools can do to improve the quality of the education they provide, as well as their rankings. Drawing upon earlier evidence that there is a close connection between the citation rankings of law reviews and the ranking of their law schools, this paper looks to changes in both the US News rankings and law journal rankings over the past few years. Moreover, there is a connection, though relatively weak, between law reviews that are improving and law schools that are improving. This paper tests and finds some support for a hypothesis that as law schools improve (or decline), there is a corresponding improvement in the quality of their main law journals (as measured by citations in other journals). Thus, if you want to know where a law school is heading, in addition to the glossy material that the school sends out - to announce new hires, student successes, faculty publications, and talks sponsored by the school - one should spend some time studying the scholarship their law review publishes. A final table ranks the main law journals of 178 ABA accredited law schools, according to journal citations.
Using the Explicit Goals of a Message to Help Select an Effective Typeface

Graphic designers, marketers, and writers in general use a variety of typefaces in an attempt to convey their message. Studies have found repeating a message makes it more persuasive, and that different typefaces prime different associations. Other studies have demonstrated that people find statements more memorable when written in harder-to-read typefaces; yet more believable when the typefaces are easier-to-read (this derives from the concept known as cognitive fluency). In the present article, the results of several research studies from different academic areas such as technical writing and psychology are organized so that writers can find the most appropriate typeface for their goals. When writers determine first what is their major priority with the message they are promoting, the most appropriate typeface for their message should become more apparent.
Simulation of the effects of moderate stimulation/inhibition of the β1-adrenergic signaling system and its components in mouse ventricular myocytes

The β1-adrenergic signaling system is one of the most important protein signaling systems in cardiac cells. It regulates cardiac action potential duration, intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) transients, and contraction force. In this paper, a comprehensive experimentally based mathematical model of the β1-adrenergic signaling system for mouse ventricular myocytes is explored to simulate the effects of moderate stimulations of β1-adrenergic receptors (β1-ARs) on the action potential, Ca(2+) and Na(+) dynamics, as well as the effects of inhibition of protein kinase A (PKA) and phosphodiesterase of type 4 (PDE4). Simulation results show that the action potential prolongations reach saturating values at relatively small concentrations of isoproterenol (∼0.01 μM), while the [Ca(2+)]i transient amplitude saturates at significantly larger concentrations (∼0.1-1.0 μM). The differences in the response of Ca(2+) and Na(+) fluxes to moderate stimulation of β1-ARs are also observed. Sensitivity analysis of the mathematical model is performed and the model limitations are discussed. The investigated model reproduces most of the experimentally observed effects of moderate stimulation of β1-ARs, PKA, and PDE4 inhibition on the L-type Ca(2+) current, [Ca(2+)]i transients, and the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) load and makes testable predictions for the action potential duration and [Ca(2+)]i transients as functions of isoproterenol concentration.
SCN2A Mutations and Benign Familial Neonatal-Infantile Seizures

SCN2A sodium channel gene was analyzed in 2 families with probable benign familial neonatal-infantile seizures (BFNISs), 9 with possible BFNIS, 10 with benign familial infantile seizures, and in 93 additional families with various early childhood epilepsies, in a study at the University of Melbourne, Australia, and other international centers.
Power Efficient Hardware Transactional Memory: Dynamic Issue of Transactions

Transactional Memory (TM) is no longer just an academic interest as industry has started to adopt the idea in its commercial products. In this paper, we propose Dynamic Transaction Issue (DTI), a new scheme that can be easily implemented on top of existing Hardware TM (HTM) systems, provided additional messages. Instead of wasting power and energy in transaction aborts, Dynamic Transaction Issue puts a processor core into a low-power state when there is a reasonable suspicion that the current transaction running on it will be aborted soon in the future. We have implemented Dynamic Transaction Issue on a cycle-accurate simulator of a multicore processor system with out-of-order superscalar cores, augmented with a power package and a TM package which add accurate dynamic power estimates and a TM framework to the simulator. Our simulation results show that Dynamic Transaction Issue can achieve energy savings up to 37p from the energy consumption of a base machine with no mechanism to suppress useless aborts. We also compare Dynamic Transaction Issue with various alternative hardware TM mechanisms.
The Catholic Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism

The article reviews the book “The Catholic Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism,” by Michael Novak.
MQSA (Mammography Quality Standards Act) update--focusing on quality assurance.

Abstract To have uniform national standards, Congress passed the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) in 1992. Screening and diagnostic facilities must now meet minimum quality standards for personnel, equipment and recordkeeping, and be certified by the FDA, the federal agency designated to implement MQSA. The FDA is responsible for developing final standards, approving accrediting bodies, certifying all mammography facilities in the U.S., evaluating the effectiveness of the program, and implementing sanctions for noncompliant facilities. Congress recognized the urgent need for national mammography standards, but realized that 10,000 mammography facilities could not be certified to meet the regulations before October 1, 1994. President Clinton signed legislation granting the FDA Interim Rule authority and allowing the FDA to adopt existing standards from the ACR, HCFA and state regulations. The Final Rules have significant changes in the Quality Assurance (QA) Sections (900.12 d and e) and indicate where staff must now conduct, document and evaluate the results of QA tests, taking responsibility for establishing and maintaining a QA program that ensures safety, reliability, clarity and accuracy of the mammography services they perform. The Rules also specify the roles of interpreting physicians, medical physicists and quality control technologists. Data indicates that such regulation has improved mammography in the U.S. By January 1997, the Government Accounting Office reported that 1,500 facilities had undergone two rounds of MQSA inspections. During the first year of MQSA, 26 percent had significant violations, while only 10 percent did on the second round.
Inhibition of dopamine-β-hydroxylase by cytokinins

The activity of cell-free preparations of dopamine-β-hydroxylase from a mammalian source was inhibited by a number of N6-substituted adenine derivatives that are hormonally active as cytokinins in plant systems. The synthetic cytokinin N6-cyclohexylmethyladenine exhibited inhibitory activity equivalent to that of 1-phenyl-3-(2-thiazolyl)-2-thiourea (PTTU), a compound known to be a potent inhibitor of dopamine-β-hydroxylase activity. PTTU itself was found to exhibit cytokinin activity in the tobacco callus bioassay and to inhibit the activity of the plant enzyme, cytokinin oxidase. The possible significance of these observations is discussed in relation to known effects of cytokinins on phenethylamine metabolism.
Risperidone Added to Psychostimulant in Children with Severe Aggression and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Lack of Effect on Attention and Short-Term Memory

Abstract Objective: Professionals have periodically expressed concern that atypical antipsychotics may cause cognitive blunting in treated patients. In this study, we report data from a double-blind, randomized, controlled study of stimulant plus placebo versus combined stimulant and risperidone to evaluate the effects of the atypical antipsychotic on attention and short-term memory. Methods: A total of 165 (n = 83 combined treatment; n = 82 stimulant plus placebo) children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and severe physical aggression, aged 6–12 years, were evaluated with Conners' Continuous Performance Test (CPT-II) and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III (WISC) Digit Span subscale at baseline, after 3 weeks of stimulant-only treatment, and after six additional weeks of randomized treatment (stimulant+placebo vs. stimulant+risperidone). Results: At 3 weeks, improvement on CPT-II performance (Commissions and Reaction Time Standard Error; p < 0.001) and on Digit Span memory perf...
Individual Listening Values Moderate the Impact of Verbal Person Centeredness on Helper Evaluations: A Test of the Dual-Process Theory of Supportive Message Outcomes

This study is part of a larger program of research concerned with how people evaluate supportive behavior. Past work conducted in our lab found that helper evaluations of supportive listening vary as a function of specific listener behaviors, but the effects of these behaviors were small in magnitude. In this article, we explore one explanation for these small effects, namely, that the impact of listening behaviors on helper evaluations varies as a function of individual communication values. We draw from the dual-process theory of supportive message outcomes to propose that communication values operate to influence individual processing of supportive behavior. Using data from 383 participants asked to watch and evaluate a five-minute recorded comforting conversation, results provide support for the theory. People who place more value on listening as well as theoretically connected communication skills appear more responsive to the presence (or absence) of person-centered behavior.
Clinically significant intratumoral hemorrhage in patients with vestibular schwannoma.

Objectives The frequency of intratumoral hemorrhage (ITH) in vestibular schwannoma (VS) remains undefined. Methods Retrospective case series of all patients diagnosed with hemorrhagic VS between 2003 and 2015 at a single tertiary academic skull base center. Results Five patients with ITH were evaluated, representing 0.4% of all newly diagnosed VS evaluated at the authors' center during this time. The median age at time of diagnosis was 66 years (range 39–83), four of five cases occurred in men, and all had sporadic unilateral tumors. The frequency of ITH among patients receiving anticoagulation was 5.6% (2 of 36), compared to only 0.2% (3 of 1356) in non-anticoagulated patients (P = 0.006), representing a 25-fold increase. At time of hemorrhage, all patients had acute onset of headache, disequilibrium, and progression of hearing loss; three reported trigeminal symptoms, and two exhibited acute moderate facial paresis. The median tumor size at diagnosis of hemorrhage was 3.1 cm (range 2.4–4.2 cm), and three patients had radiological evidence of hydrocephalus. All patients underwent microsurgical resection. There were no perioperative deaths. At a median follow-up of 25 months (3–70 months), no patient has experienced tumor recurrence. Conclusion Tumor-associated hemorrhage in VS occurs in 0.4% of cases and commonly presents with acute neurological change. The risk of clinically significant hemorrhage is greater in patients receiving anticoagulation compared to the general VS population. Prompt microsurgical resection should be pursued when possible since tumor removal may improve neurological symptoms, relieve brainstem compression, and reduce the risk of repeat hemorrhage. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 2016
Modal content-based damage indicators for disbonds in adhesively bonded composite structures:

Adhesive bonding is a promising joining method for composite materials. This article focuses on the use of modal content-based damage indicators to improve the sensitivity of guided waves to disbonds in the adhesive. Wave-defect interaction is modeled using frequency-domain finite element analysis in order to identify modes sensitive to adhesive degradation in joints between carbon fiber–reinforced polymer laminates. Phased array transducers and multielement array sensors designed for structural health monitoring are employed to enable preferential mode excitation and modal content extraction, respectively. The domains in dispersion curve space predicted to have good, intermediate, and no sensitivity to disbond were experimentally found to have good, intermediate, and limited sensitivity using a feature of the received signals associated with the modal amplitude or a modal amplitude ratio. Furthermore, the modal amplitude was found to decrease monotonically with increasing disbond size, demonstrating that...
A soft wearable sleeve for joint stiffness modulation

In this paper, we present the design and analysis of a soft wearable sleeve capable of modulating the stiffness of a joint. The sleeve uses a novel fabric-like architecture of miniaturized soft fluidic actuators known as Fiber Reinforced Elastomeric Enclosures (FREEs). By selective actuation of FREEs in this architecture, we demonstrate joint stiffening in either one or both directions. The paper presents an analytical formulation to capture this stiffness modulation by (a) predicting stroke and forces generated by individual FREEs, and (b) applying them in the context of the architecture geometry to predict joint stiffness. We further verify the stiffness model with experimental bench top testing. The sleeve is soft, lightweight and discreet — worn under standard clothing — and can be configured for any joint and size.
“Idealities of Nature”: Jan Patočka on Reflection and the Three Movements of Human Life

Like Levinas, Marion, Merleau-Ponty, and Fink – among many others – Jan Patocka was concerned to develop phenomenology beyond the restrictions imposed on it by its founder, Edmund Husserl, and only incompletely addressed by Husserl’s successor, Martin Heidegger. But unlike the other thinkers mentioned, Patocka sees himself as remaining in the tradition of transcendental phenomenology, identifying his own position as “a formal transcendentalism of appearing as such.” In this paper I explore some of the tensions that emerge in Patocka’s attempt to bring “cosmological” notions – of the “whole,” the “infinite,” “nature,” and so on – within the orbit of phenomenology while still adhering to the critical principle of “demonstration” characteristic of transcendental phenomenology. Specifically, I examine Patocka’s attempt to criticize Husserl’s concept of “reflection” – the locus of Husserl’s transcendental method – without abandoning its critical potential. This leads to an examination of his phenomenology of “appearing as such,” and to the question of how the laws or structures of such appearing are to be grasped in a methodological way. Given that such laws and structures are not causal operations but structures of meaning, a tension emerges between the goal of an “asubjective” phenomenology and the very idea of normatively structured laws of meaning. This, finally, provides a context for assessing the extent to which Patocka’s late theory of the three “movements of life” can provide a philosophically compelling transcendental account of our access to the “interval” of meaning that Patocka calls the “world.”
Designing of a single gene encoding four functional proteins

In the genomes of some organisms such as bacteriophages and bacteria, a DNA sequence is able to encode two different proteins, indicating that genetic information is compacted in DNA twice denser than in usual DNA. In theory, a DNA sequence has a maximal capacity to produce six different mRNAs, however, it is an intriguing question how many of these mRNAs are able to synthesize functional proteins. Here, we design a DNA sequence encoding four collagen-like proteins, two, (Gly-Arg-Pro)n and (Gly-Ala-Pro)n, from a sense mRNA and the other two, also (Gly-Arg-Pro)n and (Gly-Ala-Pro)n from its antisense mRNA, all of which are expected to form triple-helical structures unique to collagens. Other designs such as the combination of (Gly-Arg-Pro)n, (Gly-Val-Pro)n, (Gly-Thr-Pro)n and (Gly-Arg-Pro)n are also possible. The proposed DNA sequence is considered to contain the most compact genetic information ever created.
The Practice of Archiving Model Code of Agent-Based Models

To evaluate the concern over the reproducibility of computational science, we reviewed 2367 journal articles on agent-based models published between 1990 and 2014 and documented the public availability of source code. The percentage of publications that make the model code available is about 10%. The percentages are similar for publications that are reportedly dependent on public funding. There are big differences among journals in the public availability of model code and software used. This suggests that the varying social norms and practical convenience around sharing code may explain some of the differences among different sectors of the scientific community.
Defensive hostility and cardiovascular disease: Theoretical and empirical bases for an interpersonal approach-avoidance conflict perspective

For thousands of years and across different cultural contexts, social, psychological, and physical well-being has been associated with the balance versus imbalance of natural forces within the person [1],[2].As suggested by such ancient physicians as Hippocrates, a linkage between physical health and personality/emotional factors has been evident [3]. During the late nineteenth century, a defense against unconscious, psychological conflict was seen as a cause of the psychosomatic disorder of conversion hysteria (e.g., limb paralysis in the absence of a discernible organic cause; [3]). With respect to the cardiovascular system, William Harvey, in 1628, noted that a “mental disturbance” that induces either pleasant or painful affective states influences activity of the heart, and Sir William Osler, in 1910, characterized cardiac patients as ambitious men who constantly pushed the machinery of the body to its limits [4]. Alexander [5] posited the theory that high blood pressure of unknown origins (essential or primary hypertension) was prevalent among persons oriented to social status and the defensive inhibition of the cognitive and emotive aspects of anger in an effort to avoid interpersonal conflict. With theoretical and methodological advances in physiology, psychology, medicine and sociology, pre-scientific and 19–20th century speculations evolved to a rigorous examination of the scientific basis for the role of the experience, management and expression of emotion in the etiology and pathophysiology of disease. Although inconsistent findings have been reported, a substantial body of evidence shows a link between stressors and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Infection of Sorghum bicolor, selected grass species and Zea mays by Gloeocercospora sorghi, causal pathogen of zonate leaf spot

Zonate leaf spot (Gloeocercospora sorghi) is a common disease in Sorghum bicolor producing areas of the U.S., but little is known about its biology, virulence and severity on S. bicolor, Zea mays, and related crop grassweeds. Greenhouse studies were conducted to determine and compare the virulence and severity of G. sorghi on 10 commercially available sorghum hybrids, four Z. mays hybrids and selected grassweed species including Sorghum bicolor (grain sorghum and shattercane biotypes) and Sorghum halepense (Johnsongrass), two of the most problematic arable weeds. Plants from the respective species were inoculated with a local G. sorghi isolate and maintained in a dew-chamber at 24 °C for 24 h and then incubated under greenhouse conditions for 4 weeks. Plants were observed for lesion expression and rated using a modified Horsfall-Barrett scale (0–10). The first symptoms of infection were visible within 24 h following inoculation on shattercane and S. bicolor hybrids. Symptoms consisted of small, non-diagnostic purple lesions on the leaves. Results showed that S. bicolor, S. halepense and shattercane were susceptible to G. sorghi. All other species tested in this study were not infected. More particularly, disease severity, increased from a rating of 3 to 10 on sorghum and from 2 to 7 on S. halepense between 2 and 23 days after inoculation, respectively. However, disease severity on shattercane increased rapidly from 3.5 to 10 between 2 and 8 days after inoculation, respectively. Among the sorghum hybrids tested, FFR-322 appeared to be the most resistant to G. sorghi while Pioneer 83G66 appeared to be the most susceptible. Z. mays hybrids were not infected by the fungus used in this study. G. sorghi could be used effectively to manage shattercane and S. halepense infestations occurring in Z. mays and S. bicolor fields consisting of specific G. sorghi-resistant hybrids.
Multiplier–Accelerator Interaction in the Presence of an Underground Economy and Taxation

This article introduces the underground economy into a standard multiplier-accelerator model with linear progressive income taxation. The main results are that this introduction increases the insta...
The relationship of pulsatile cerebrospinal fluid flow to cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure: a new theoretical model

An electrical-equivalent circuit model of the cerebrovascular system is proposed, components of which directly relate to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) compartment compliance and the determination of intracranial pressure (ICP). The model is based on three premises: 1) Under normal, physiologic conditions, the conversion of pulsatile arterial to nonpulsatile venous flow occurs primarily as a result of arterial compliance. Nonpulsatile venous flow is advantageous because less energy is required to maintain constant flow through the venous system, which comprises 75–80% of total blood volume. 2) Dynamic CSF movement across the foramen magnum is the primary facilitator by which intracranial arterial expansion occurs. Interference of the displacement of CSF during systole results in pulsatile venous flow and increased venous flow impedance. 3) Tissue hydrostatic pressure (here defined as ICP) is a dependent variable which is a function of capillary hydrostatic pressure and the osmotic/oncotic pressure gradient created by the blood-brain-barrier (BBB).
Acoustic Emission Monitoring of Thick Composite Laminates under Compressive Loads

Fiber reinforced polymer composites have become quite popular in recent years and have been used for a wide variety of applications ranging from sports equipment to advanced aircraft components. There has recently been considerable interest in the behavior of thick composite laminates under compressive loadsl. This interest stems from the development of novel materials for applications in submersed vessels. A submersible vessel hull is one of the few structures in which the material would experience nearly pure compressive loads. For a structure which is designed to be brought to the depths normally encountered by submarines, a skin of material several inches thick is required. In order to utilize composites for this purpose research into the compressive strength and fatigue life of these materials is needed. In addition, in service inspection techniques must be developed to assess the integrity of such a structure.
Systems-savvy selling, interpersonal identification with customers, and the sales manager’s motivational paradox: a constructivist grounded theory approach

This article combines a constructivist grounded theory approach with a focus on structuration theory to propose a new mental model for understanding motivation in the context of solving complex pro...
Trisomy silencing by XIST normalizes Down syndrome cell pathogenesis demonstrated for hematopoietic defects in vitro.

We previously demonstrated that an integrated XIST transgene can broadly repress one chromosome 21 in Down syndrome (DS) pluripotent cells. Here we address whether trisomy-silencing can normalize cell function and development sufficiently to correct cell pathogenesis, tested in an in vitro model of human fetal hematopoiesis, for which DS cellular phenotypes are best known. XIST induction in four transgenic clones reproducibly corrected over-production of megakaryocytes and erythrocytes, key to DS myeloproliferative disorder and leukemia. A contrasting increase in neural stem and iPS cells shows cell-type specificity, supporting this approach successfully rebalances the hematopoietic developmental program. Given this, we next used this system to extend knowledge of hematopoietic pathogenesis on multiple points. Results demonstrate trisomy 21 expression promotes over-production of CD43+ but not earlier CD34+/CD43−progenitors and indicates this is associated with increased IGF signaling. This study demonstrates proof-of-principle for this epigenetic-based strategy to investigate, and potentially mitigate, DS developmental pathologies. Individuals with Down Syndrome have hematopoietic abnormalities including high risk of leukaemia. Here the authors show that transcriptional silencing of one chromosome 21 by XIST effectively corrects cell function and development to prevent excessive production of megakaryocytes and erythroids, shown during hematopoietic differentiation of human iPSCs in culture.
Tumor genomic alterations in severe-combined immunodeficiency bare-lymphocyte syndrome genes are associated with high mutational burden and disproportional neo-antigen rates

The progression of cancer requires mutational adaptation to permit unrestrained proliferation. A fraction of cancer mutations are oncogenic drivers, while others are putative ‘passengers’ that do not contribute to oncogenesis. However, altered peptides arising from passenger mutations may bind MHCs and activate non-self immunologic signals (i.e. neoantigens), thus requiring immunoediting for cancer persistence. Disruption of antigen processing machinery in tumor cells may diminish this requirement. Here, we show that rare mutations in antigen processing machinery are associated with high mutational burden and increased predicted neoantigen load, providing insights into the mechanisms of high mutation burden in some patients.
Gig Platforms, Tensions, Alliances and Ecosystems: An Actor-Network Perspective

The algorithm-based management exercised by digital gig platforms contributes to information and power asymmetries that are pervasive in the gig economy. Although the design of these platforms may foster unbalanced relationships, in this paper, we outline how freelancers and clients on the gig platform Upwork can leverage a network of alliances with external digital platforms to repossess their displaced agency within the gig economy. Building on 39 interviews with Upwork freelancers and clients, we found a dynamic ecosystem of digital platforms that facilitate gig work through and around the Upwork platform. We use actor-network theory to: 1) delineate Upwork's strategy to establish a comprehensive and isolated platform within the gig economy, 2) track human and nonhuman alliances that run counter to Upwork's system design and control mechanisms, and 3) capture the existence of a larger ecosystem of external digital platforms that undergird online freelancing. This work explicates the tensions that Upwork users face, and also illustrates the multiplicity of actors that create alliances to work with, through, around, and against the platform's algorithmic management.
A Deep Learning Approach to Predict Neonatal Encephalopathy from Electronic Health Records

Neonatal encephalopathy (NE) is the clinical manifestation of disordered neonatal brain function. As a leading cause of neonatal mortality and lifetime neurological disability, NE affects 2 to 6 infants per 1000 live births worldwide. It has been recognized that early intervention can potentially prevent NE or reduce the severity of negative consequences (e.g., cerebral palsy and epilepsy) caused by NE. However, most studies focus on predicting NE several hours before the NE event occurs (e.g., right after childbirth), which does not provide sufficient time to institute effective interventions. A prior study leveraged regularized logistic regression models along with electronic health records (EHRs) to predict NE before childbirth. The models were trained and tested on balanced data (equal number of cases and controls) and achieved a good performance. However, the predictive performance of these models was poor on imbalanced dataset with a prevalence of 0.2% to 0.6%. We hypothesize that deep learning along with word embedding can capture temporal patterns existing in EHRs, which can significantly improve the prediction of NE on imbalanced data. In this paper, we introduce a framework that incorporates deep learning, word embedding, and EHR data to predict NE before childbirth. The framework is evaluated with 104 NE and 31,054 non-NE newborns in a large academic medical center. We design 12 predictive models and the best model achieve an AUC of 0.93.