cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Self-Adhesive Microneedles with Interlocking Features for Sustained Ocular Drug Delivery

The interests in sustained ocular drug delivery have grown rapidly in recent years, with hope to replace repeated intravitreal injections. Microneedles (MNs), which are minimally invasive, have been shown to be a feasible vehicle for sustained drug delivery. However, securing an MN patch in the eye remains challenging. In this study, a new design of hydrogel MNs with interlocking features to achieve self-adhesion is proposed. Upon swelling, the swollen interlocking features help secure the MNs in place. A new molding process is developed to fabricate MNs with interlocking features that can cause issues when demolding using the regular micromolding process. MNs with two different interlocking feature designs are used in this study and are made with polyvinyl alcohol. MNs with the interlocking features show an 80% increase in adhesion strength and a small amount of increase in penetration force, in comparison to MNs without any feature. The experiments are performed using both a sclera-mimicking phantom and ex vivo eyes harvested from rabbits and are shown to have comparable results. This study demonstrates the feasibility of incorporating interlocking features to MNs to achieve self-adhesion that can enable sustained drug delivery via MNs.
In situ predatory behavior ofMysis relicta in Lake Michigan

Selectivity coefficients (W′) and predation rates on Lake Michigan zooplankton were determined forMysis relicta during spring through fall using anin situ method. W′ values indicated the following ranked order of prey preference: Cladocera > copepod copepodites and copepod nauplii > adult diaptomids and cyclopoids. With few exceptions, W′ values for different prey categories remained fairly constant despite greatly changing relative abundances of prey. Predation rates and prey selectivity were similar in most cases to those determined in laboratory studies. Ingestion rates (percent dry body weight · day−1) were correlated to total prey biomass (r = 0.38) and to effective prey biomass (r = 0.85), where the weighting factors were overall mean selectivity coefficients for the different prey categories. This result suggested that seasonally varying composition of prey caused much of the variation in ingestion rates among experiments. Feeding trials performed at the same depth with daytime and nighttime assemblages of zooplankton indicated that Cladocera may escape heavyMysis predation at night by migrating from the metalimnetic-hypolimnetic interface into the epilimnion.
Illness Uncertainty in Patients Awaiting Liver Transplant

Illness uncertainty is prevalent in patients awaiting liver transplant. We described high levels of illness uncertainty in these patients and examined relationships between uncertainty and person f...
Identifying contrasting themes that orchestrate personality expression across situations

Abstract Previous research has established the principle that situations can affect the expression of personality, though it is not well-understood what specific patterns characterize this change across situations. We explore the possibility of contrasting situation themes that influence personality expression, implying that there is a change in personality expression initiated by a transition between two distinct types of situations. 474 undergraduate students completed a questionnaire in which 15 personality tendencies were juxtaposed with each of 41 differing situations. Our findings replicated previous research indicating that Honesty/Propriety yields the least variance between situations while Emotional Stability and Extraversion yield the most variance. Principal components analysis was used to examine cross-situational variability with four models already present in psychological literature, each with contrasting poles. We found that our models of threat vs. reward, positive affect vs. negative affect, and agency vs. no agency were clear sources of cross-situational variability. Taken together, these results indicate ways of improving our understanding of patterns of change in personality expression across a variety of commonly occurring situations.
Model-Based Robust Deep Learning: Generalizing to Natural, Out-of-Distribution Data

While deep learning (DL) has resulted in major breakthroughs in many applications, the frameworks commonly used in DL remain fragile to seemingly innocuous changes in the data. In response, adversarial training has emerged as a principled approach for improving the robustness of DL against norm-bounded perturbations. Despite this progress, DL is also known to be fragile to unbounded shifts in the data distribution due to many forms of natural variation, including changes in weather or lighting in images. However, there are remarkably few techniques that can address robustness to natural, out-of-distribution shifts in the data distribution in a general context. To address this gap, we propose a paradigm shift from perturbation-based adversarial robustness to model-based robust deep learning. Critical to our paradigm is to obtain models of natural variation, which vary data over a range of natural conditions. Then by exploiting these models, we develop three novel model-based robust training algorithms that improve the robustness of DL with respect to natural variation. Our extensive experiments show that across a variety of natural conditions in twelve distinct datasets, classifiers trained with our algorithms significantly outperform classifiers trained via ERM, adversarial training, and domain adaptation techniques. Specifically, when training on ImageNet and testing on various subsets of ImageNet-c, our algorithms improve over baseline methods by up to 30 percentage points in top-1 accuracy. Further, we show that our methods provide robustness (1) against natural, out-of-distribution data, (2) against multiple simultaneous distributional shifts, and (3) to domains entirely unseen during training.
Optimum lipid testing for diabetic patients to enhance clinical care

Abstract Background and aims Dyslipidemia is a common problem in diabetic patients that predisposes to premature ASCVD. Dyslipidemia in Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is very common and is characterized by hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) with decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol. Methods Recommendations for lipid testing in diabetics from the Canadian, European and American guidelines will be discussed in this mini-review. Results It is crucial to obtain appropriate lipid testing in patients with TG > 2.3 mmol/L and or LDL-C Conclusion In conclusion, we propose obtaining a non-HDL-C (preferred) or direct –LDL-C or apo B level to manage diabetic patients with dyslipidemia and optimize care. Also in some patients with a strong FH of premature ASCVD and have few or no risk factors, Lp (a) can be assayed to optimize statin therapy.
Pediatric Asthma Attack and Home Paint Exposure.

Although asthma mortality has been declining for the past several decades, asthma morbidity is on the rise, largely due to deteriorating indoor air quality and comorbidities, such as allergies. Consumer products and building materials including paints emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as propylene glycol (PG), which is shown to dehydrate respiratory tracts and can contributor to airway remodeling. We hypothesize that paint exposure increases the risk of asthma attacks among children because high levels of VOCs persist indoors for many weeks after painting. Children 1–15 years old visiting two of the University of Miami general pediatric clinics were screened for their history of asthma and paint exposure by interviewing their parents and/or guardians accompanying them to the clinic. They were also asked questions about asthma diagnosis, severity of asthma and allergies and their sociodemographics. The risk of asthma attack among asthmatic children was modeled with respect to paint exposure adjusting for potential confounders using multivariate logistic regressions. Of 163 children, 36 (22%) reported physician-diagnosed asthma and of these, 13 (33%) had an asthma attack during the last one year. Paint exposure was marginally significant in the univariate analysis (OR = 4.04; 95% CI = 0.90–18.87; p < 0.1). However, exposed asthmatic children were 10 times more likely to experience an asthma attack than unexposed asthmatic children (OR = 10.49; CI = 1.16–94.85, p < 0.05) when adjusted for other risk factors. Given paint is one of the sources of indoor VOCs, multiple strategies are warranted to manage the health effects of VOC exposure from paint, including the use of zero-VOC water-based paint, exposure avoidance and clinical interventions.
Where Is Richard Kearney Coming From? Hospitality, Anatheism, and Ana-deconstruction:

After reviewing the recent publications of Richard Kearney, appearing between 2017 and 2021, including an anthology of his essential writings over his career, and covering topics such as hospitalit...
Determining the Dominant Cognitive Attitude toward the Environment among the Employees and Their Intention to Adopt Ecological Behaviour

The study intended to find out the level of cognitive attitude toward the environment such as anthropocentric and eco-centric attitude toward the environment and ecological behaviour of employees and find out its correlation between attitude toward the environment and ecological behaviour of employees. To deepen and establish the theory of study, related literature was reviewed and carry out the study, the questionnaires were used to gather the data. The population of the study was all employees of the two colleges in the Ilocos region. The study used descriptive correlational research design and the Pearson r correlation was used to determine the correlation. The study found that the anthropocentric attitude is higher than the eco-centric attitude. Therefore the dominant attitude of employees toward the environment is an anthropocentric attitude. It is also found that there is a correlation between attitude toward the environment and ecological behaviour. Both environmental attitudes affects the ecological behaviour of the employees. Therefore, the hypothesis is accepted.
Biomechanical Comparison of 3 Thumb Ulnar Collateral Ligament Repair Methods.

Purpose Differences in range of motion, pinch strength, biomechanical strength, or joint angulation have previously been investigated for various means of treatment of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears. We sought to address a gap in the literature by comparing thumb metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint angle measurements and biomechanical strength before complete, acute UCL tear and after repair with suture anchors (SA), suture tape (ST) anchor augmentation, or reconstruction with palmaris longus graft (PL). Methods Thumbs and, if present, the PL tendon were harvested from 15 fresh-frozen cadavers. Each thumb specimen was secured into a servohydraulic biomechanical testing frame to evaluate native radiographic MCP joint angles at 0° flexion when loaded with 0, 5, and 13 N of radial force. Subsequently, a single hand surgeon (S.M.K.) performed complete transection and UCL repair via 1 of 3 methods: SA (n = 5), ST (n = 5), or reconstruction with PL (n = 5). Following repair, MCP joint angles were radiographically evaluated. Specimens that did not fail during joint angle testing were transferred to a separate testing frame for load-to-failure testing. Angle measurements and mean load-to-failure were compared between the groups, and angulation was also compared with each group’s native control. Results Both ST and SA groups demonstrated comparable stiffness to their native controls, whereas the PL group was significantly more lax. The ST repair was significantly stiffer than the other constructs. ST also required higher forces to reach failure compared to both SA and PL. No difference was found between SA and PL groups. Conclusions Although both ST and SA constructs recapitulate native joint stiffness , repair with ST demonstrated the greatest biomechanical strength in stiffness and load-to-failure. Clinical relevance For complete, acute tears of the thumb UCL , ST may be superior for maintaining MCP joint stability and strength over SA and PL.
Some Problems in Information Policy

This will be a condensation of the talk given at the Conference in Crete, The main purpose of the talk was to convince members of the Conference that the main limitations on the usefulness of information technology to people and organizations are no longer due mainly to shortcomings of the technology, itself, but are due to interactions between the technology and the society within which it is developing. The main purpose was to convince them of that and to argue that such interactions, which lie in the province of social or national purposes, policies, and plans, rather than the province of information science or engineering, per se, should be studied just as vigorously as are the problems that arise within the technologies of computers, communications, and information.
Atomic scale heating in energetic plasma deposition

Energetic deposition using filtered cathodic arc plasma is known to lead to well adherent and dense films. Interface mixing, subplantation depth, texture, and stress of the growing film are often studied as a function of the kinetic energy of condensing ions. Ions have also potential energy contributing to atomic scale heating, secondary electron emission and potential sputtering, thereby affecting all film properties. A table is presented showing kinetic and potential energies of ions in cathodic arc plasmas. These energies are greater than the binding energy, surface binding energy, and activation energy of surface diffusion. The role of potential energy on film growth is not limited to the cathodic arc plasma deposition process.
Constraint‐based modeling of metabolomic systems

Constraint-based analysis of large-scale metabolic systems is the computational exploration of metabolic fluxes and concentrations constrained by the physical chemical laws of mass conservation and thermodynamics. This chapter reviews the mathematical formulation of the constraints on reaction fluxes and reactant concentrations that arise as a consequence of the stoichiometry of a specified network of biochemical reactions. Linear algebraic constraints arising from steady state mass balance form the basis of the related computational technologies metabolic flux analysis (MFA) and flux-balance analysis (FBA). Thermodynamic laws, while introducing inherent nonlinearities into the mathematical description of the feasible space, facilitate the introduction of reactant concentrations to the constraint-based framework. Together, the mass-balance and thermodynamic constraints form the basis of an approach to modeling and analysis of biochemical systems that is alternate and complementary to detailed chemical kinetics. Keywords: metabolic networks; constraint-based modeling; network thermodynamics; computational modeling
Pulmonary effects of inhaled ultrafine particles.

Introduction and Objectives: Recent epidemiological studies have shown an association between increased particulate urban air pollution and adverse health effects on susceptible parts of the population, in particular the elderly with pre-existing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Urban particles consist of three modes: ultrafine particles, accumulation mode particles (which together form the fine particle mode) and coarse mode particles. Ultrafine particles (those of <0.1 μm diameter) contribute very little to the overall mass, but are very high in number, which in episodic events can reach several hundred thousand/cm3 in the urban air. The hypothesis that ultrafine particles are causally involved in adverse responses seen in sensitive humans is based on several studies summarized in this brief review. Methods and Results: Studies on rodents demonstrate that ultrafine particles administered to the lung cause a greater inflammatory response than do larger particles, per given mass. Surface properties (surface chemistry) appear to play an important role in ultrafine particle toxicity. Contributing to the effects of ultrafine particles is their very high size-specific deposition when inhaled as singlet ultrafine particles rather than as aggregated particles. It appears also that ultrafine particles, after deposition in the lung, largely escape alveolar macrophage surveillance and gain access to the pulmonary interstitium. Inhaled low doses of carbonaceous ultrafine particles can cause mild pulmonary inflammation in rodents after exposure for 6 h. Old age and a compromised/sensitized respiratory tract in rodents can increase their susceptibility to the inflammatory effects of ultrafine particles significantly, and it appears that the aged organism is at a higher risk of oxidative stress induced lung injury from these particles, compared with the young organism. Results also show that ultrafine particle effects can be significantly enhanced by a gaseous co-pollutant such as ozone. Conclusions: The studies performed so far support the ultrafine particle hypothesis. Additional studies are necessary to evaluate mechanistic pathways of responses.
Mantle flow in subduction systems: The mantle wedge flow field and implications for wedge processes

[1] The mantle wedge above subducting slabs is associated with many important processes, including the transport of melt and volatiles. Our understanding of mantle wedge dynamics is incomplete, as the mantle flow field above subducting slabs remains poorly understood. Because seismic anisotropy is a consequence of deformation, measurements of shear wave splitting can constrain the geometry of mantle flow. In order to identify processes that make first-order contributions to the pattern of wedge flow, we have compiled a data set of local S splitting measurements from mantle wedges worldwide. There is a large amount of variability in splitting parameters, with average delay times ranging from ~0.1 to 0.3 s up to ~1.0–1.5 s and large variations in fast directions. We tested for relationships between splitting parameters and a variety of parameters related to subduction processes. We also explicitly tested the predictions made by 10 different models that have been proposed to explain splitting patterns in the mantle wedge. We find that no simple model can explain all of the trends observed in the global data set. Mantle wedge flow is likely controlled by a combination of downdip motion of the slab, trench migration, ambient mantle flow, small-scale convection, proximity to slab edges, and slab morphology, with the relative contributions of these in any given subduction system controlled by the subduction kinematics and mantle rheology. There is also a likely contribution from B-type olivine and/or serpentinite fabric in many subduction zones, governed by the local thermal structure and volatile distribution.
An Overview of Invariant Imbedding Algorithms and Two-Point Boundary - Value Problems

It is somewhat difficult to draw conclusions on invariant imbedding algorithms, particularly with regard to numerical accuracy and efficiency of an algorithm. The only conclusion that this writer has reached in his work with II algorithms is that no particular algorithm is ideally suited for all two-point boundary-value problems. There has not been an in-depth study of all of the algorithms such as has been carried out by Enright, Hull and Lindberg [1975] on stiff system of equations. Recent developments may modify the conclusion reached from such a study if it were carried out at this time.
Corrigendum to “Characterization of Zebrafish von Willebrand Factor Reveals Conservation of Domain Structure, Multimerization, and Intracellular Storage”

In the paper by Ghosh et al. titled “Characterization of Zebrafish von Willebrand Factor Reveals Conservation of Domain Structure, Multimerization, and Intracellular Storage” [1] a correction should be noted. It was originally stated that “The propeptide cleavage site, Arg-Ser, is highly conserved across all species examined except for medaka, and is a part of the extended RX(R/K)R motif (Figure 1(b))…. There was one cysteine present solely in medaka, four residues N-terminal to the propeptide cleavage site, but its absence in other species makes its significance unclear.” After further review, we note that the medaka sequence was from an older draft of the genome. Examination of the most recent medaka sequence shows conservation of the extended RX(R/K)R motif and that there is not a cysteine present four residues N-terminal to the propeptide cleavage site. A corrected Figure 1(b) is provided below. Other than the statements above, this does not alter the conclusions or interpretations presented in the paper. The authors would like to acknowledge Evan Sadler (Washington University) for calling their attention to this discrepancy. Figure 1
CLIP: A CLP(Intervals) Dialect for Metalevel Constraint Solving

CLIP is an implementation of CLP (Intervals) built on top of Prolog. It has been developed using the simplest model of constraint solving in which constraints are decomposed into sets of primitive constraints and a simple constraint queue is used to repeatedly apply primitive constraint contractions until some termination condition applies (e.g. no significant change occurs, or a preset limit on the number of contractions is reached). The simple semantics and implementation make it relatively straightforward to prove that the system is sound. In this paper we show how to implement more complex constraint solvers in CLIP. In particular, we demonstrate that several of the box-narrowing algorithms from the Newton and Numerica systems can be easily implemented in CLIP. The principal advantages of this approach are (1) the resulting solvers are relatively easy to prove correct, (2) new solvers can be rapidly prototyped since the code is more concise and declarative than for imperative languages, and (3) contractors can be implemented directly from mathematical formulae without having to first prove results about interval arithmetic operators.
Abstract 113: Dodecafluoropentane Emulsion Delays and Reduces MRI Markers of Infarction in a Rat Stroke Model

Introduction: Dodecafluoropentane emulsion (DDFPe), a perfluorocarbon suspension, transports oxygen to ischemic regions of the brain, making it an ideal neuroprotectant for patients with acute stroke. Although DDFPe has been shown through analysis of excised tissue to reduce infarct volume, relatively little is known about the mechanism of DDFPe in vivo. We assess the effect of intravenous (IV) DDFPe on MRI findings in stroke evolution in the early hours after vascular occlusion in a rat stroke model. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that DDFPe will delay the development of MRI markers of acute ischemic stroke and/or reduce infarct volume compared to controls. Methods: With IACUC approval rats were assigned to control (n=4) and treatment (n=10) groups. All rats underwent permanent, unilateral surgical occlusion of the middle cerebral and common carotid arteries. The treatment group received 1 IV dose of 2% w/v DDFPe at 0.6 mL/kg at 1 hour post-occlusion while the control group received none. Diffusion Weighted (DWI) and Inversion Recovery (IR) MRI sequences were obtained over 4 hours after occlusion. Scans were reviewed and scored by consensus of two board certified and blinded radiologists, and the number of abnormal MRI slices per sequence was tallied for each group and time point. Student’s T-test was applied. Results: The mean ±SE numbers of abnormal slices were decreased in the DDFPe group vs. control over total time points for IR at 5.43 ±0.40 vs. 7.38 SE ±0.58 (P=0.01) and DWI at 9.14 ±1.11 vs. 13.88 ±1.79 (P=0.03). Development of abnormal DWI and IR signal was delayed by DDFPe (see Graph) with significance for IR at 2 hours at 5.5 ±0.97 vs. 8.25 ±0.63 (P=0.04) and 3 hours at 5.14 ±0.83 vs. 7.75 ±0.48 (P=0.02). Conclusions: DDFPe delays and reduces MRI markers of acute ischemic stroke in the early hours following vascular occlusion in a rat stroke model. Further study is warranted.
Overview of glucagon-like peptide-1 analogs and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors for type 2 diabetes.

CONTEXT Impairment of incretin activity is now recognized as integral to the metabolic derangement underlying type 2 diabetes. Glucoregulatory agents that target the incretin system have recently been developed, and the place of these drugs in the treatment of type 2 diabetes can be assessed based on a growing body of clinical data. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION A PubMed search was conducted to identify clinical studies of incretin therapies in type 2 diabetes. Article reference lists were also searched for relevant information, and supplemental material such as conference abstracts, drug prescribing information, and treatment guidelines were included as appropriate. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS Two classes of therapies target the incretin system. The first, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists (exemplified by exenatide and liraglutide), have demonstrated considerable efficacy in clinical trials, reducing hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) by up to 1.3%, decreasing fasting and postprandial glucose concentrations, reducing weight by approximately 3.0 kg, and improving cardiovascular risk factors. The second class, the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (such as sitagliptin and vildagliptin) rely on production of endogenous GLP-1 and act by reducing its turnover. The dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors produce modest reductions in HbA1c (< 1%) compared with GLP-1 agonists and are generally weight-neutral. Neither GLP-1 agonists nor DPP-4 inhibitors cause hypoglycemia unless used with other agents known to increase risk. CONCLUSIONS GLP-1 agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors provide a valuable new treatment option for patients with type 2 diabetes and may be associated with a wider range of therapeutic benefits than older drugs.
Representations Based on Zero-Crossings in Scale-Space

Abstract Using the Heat Equation to formulate the notion of scale-space filtering, we show that the evolution property of level-crossings in scale-space is equivalent to the maximum principle. We briefly discuss filtering over bounded domains. We then consider the completeness of the representation of data by zero-crossings, and observe that for polynomial data, the issue is solved by standard results in algebraic geometry. For more general data, we argue that gradient information along the zero-crossings is needed, and that although such information more than suffices, the representation is still not stable. We give a simple linear procedure for reconstruction of data from zero-crossings and gradient data along zero-crossings in both continuous and discrete scale-space domains.
Axioms of Relationship Management

Abstract Public relations scholars who have adopted a relationship management perspective have reported that the relationship that exists between an organization and key public members influences key public member perceptions, attitudes, evaluations, and behaviors. Scholars argue that in the relationship management perspective, the role of the public relations practitioner is to support and manage organization-public relationships, not simply transfer information. However, the practice of public relations more typically employs traditional mass communication models rather than true relationship principles. The current investigation extends the axioms of interpersonal communication to an organization-public context, finding that many of the concepts, when adapted slightly, are applicable to an organization-public relationship. Understanding the axioms of organization-public relationship communication should help practitioners develop a clearer conceptualization of the role that communication and relationsh...
Gastrointestinal and systemic toxicity of fecal extracts from hamsters with clindmycin-induced colitis

Abstract The production of toxic substances by intestinal bacteria is one pathogenic mechanism proposed for antibiotic-associated colitis. We demonstrated the presence of a toxic substance(s) in the feces of hamsters developing clindamycin-induced enterocolitis. Suspensions derived from cecal contents of clindamycin-treated animals induced a hemorrhagic ileocecitis and death within 2 to 4 days after being given orogastrically to hamsters. Intraperitoneal injection of sterile filtrates of these suspensions produced an exudative peritonitis, intraabdominal hemorrhages, and death of 80 to 100% of hamsters within 1 day. These effects were not seen with intraperitoneal injection of clindamycin or endotoxin, only small amounts of which were present in the filtrate. Incubation of the filtrate in vitro with polyvalent clostridial antitoxin neutralized its toxicity. In vitro incubation of the filtrate with normal equine serum did not reduce its in vivo toxicity. The toxic substance(s) contained in the filtrate was heat-labile and produced morphological changes in Y-1 adrenal cell cultures characteristic of heat-labile enterotoxins. Cecal filtrates obtained from saline-treated animals produced none of these effects. These preliminary studies suggest that enterotoxin-like substances, possibly produced by clostridia, may play an important role in the pathogenesis of clindamycin-induced colitis in the hamster.
Brain Circuits Encoding Reward from Pain Relief

Relief from pain in humans is rewarding and pleasurable. Primary rewards, or reward-predictive cues, are encoded in brain reward/motivational circuits. While considerable advances have been made in our understanding of reward circuits underlying positive reinforcement, less is known about the circuits underlying the hedonic and reinforcing actions of pain relief. We review findings from electrophysiological, neuroimaging, and behavioral studies supporting the concept that the rewarding effect of pain relief requires opioid signaling in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), activation of midbrain dopamine neurons, and the release of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Understanding of circuits that govern the reward of pain relief may allow the discovery of more effective and satisfying therapies for patients with acute or chronic pain.
Forecasting peak loads with neural networks

This paper presents a new approach to power load forecasting using artificial neural networks (ANN). Based on weather conditions and past history of load consumption, a load forecast is made by the utility companies to deliver the appropriate load to its customers. Power systems operation and planning functions such as unit commitment, security analysis, state estimation, etc. are benefited with an accurate load forecast. Improving the accuracy of the load forecast can save a significant amount of money. Artificial neural networks permit adaptability to climate changes compared to other forecasting methods in use. The results obtained by using ANN have been found to give better results than other conventional techniques. >
Diabetic muscle infarction: a systematic review

Context Diabetic muscle infarction (DMI) is a rare complication associated with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. Less than 200 cases have been reported in the literature since it was first described over 45 years ago. There is no clear ‘standard of care’ for managing these patients. Evidence acquisition PubMed searches were conducted for ‘diabetic muscle infarction’ and ‘diabetic myonecrosis’ from database inception through July 2014. All articles identified by these searches were reviewed in detail if the article text was available in English. Evidence synthesis The current literature exists as case reports or small case series, with no prospective or higher-order treatment studies available. Thus, an evidence-based approach to data synthesis was difficult. The available literature is presented objectively with an attempt to describe clinically relevant trends and findings in the diagnosis and management of DMI. Conclusions Early recognition of DMI is key, so appropriate treatment can be initiated. MRI is the radiological study of choice. A combination of bed rest, glycemic control, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy appears to yield the shortest time to symptom resolution and the lowest risk of recurrence.
Dynamic Genomes of Eukaryotes and the Maintenance of Genomic Integrity Eukaryotes specify a genome to be inherited stably, enabling dynamic rearrangements and amplifications of other genomic elements

Many biologists assume that eukaryotic genomes are transmitted stably between generations with only minor variations. Yet, this presumed constancy is at odds with data indicating that eukaryotic genomes are dynamic, varying extensively in content among many different lineages. Thus, rather than being constant, genomes vary considerably within individuals during their lifetimes.
Environmental quantification of Pasteuria penetrans endospores using in situ antigen extraction and immunodetection with a monoclonal antibody

Pasteuria penetrans is an obligate parasite of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) that has attracted significant attention as a promising biocontrol agent. The inability to culture P. penetrans has invoked the need for a quantitative detection capability to facilitate biocontrol studies. A chemical extraction method using urea, dithiothreitol and CHES buffer (UDC) is shown to release soluble endospore envelope antigen from endospores present in complex matrices, generating an extract that can be used to determine the levels of spores when compared to a standard in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a specific monoclonal antibody, MAb 2A41D10. Extractions can be performed in less than 1 h. Linear regression analysis routinely produced line fits with r2>0.90. Antigen extraction efficiency was not influenced by soil type. Three ELISA formats were analyzed for quantitative detection of P. penetrans endospores. A tertiary ELISA immunodetection system provided the lowest level of detection at ∼300 spores per gram of soil. Sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis Western blots of soil extracts containing P. penetrans endospore antigen produced signature peptides bearing a common epitope characteristic of endospores of Pasteuria spp. MAb 2A41D10 was specific for Pasteuria spp. and did not react with extracts of Pasteuria-free soil or with spore extracts of native Gram-positive endospore-forming bacteria. Immunofluorescent microscopy revealed that MAb 2A41D10 recognizes an epitope uniformly distributed on the endospore surface. The development of a rapid extraction method and analysis of solubilized antigen by immunodetection has the potential for broad application in food and environmental microbiology.
Transfer from serial to paired-associate learning: A reappraisal

Tests of the hypothesis of serial chaining have evaluated transfer from a serial list to the double-function paired-associate list derived from it. The limited transfer effects so far reported may have resulted from the inherent difficulty of the transfer task under conventional methods of testing. In the present experiments two conditions were employed to reduce the difficulty of the test list, and in particular interference from backward associations during paired-associate learning: (a) Ss were fully informed about the structure of the transfer list; (b) a 3-sec rather than 2-sec anticipation interval was used. Experiment I also evaluates the effect of word frequency upon transfer; Experiment II evaluates the effect of stimulus pronunciation during paired-associate learning. In both experiments there was highly significant transfer from serial to paired-associate learning, both on the first trial and as measured by trials to criterion. Neither word frequency nor stimulus pronunciation had significant effects. Most serial positions contributed to the transfer effects. The magnitude of the present transfer effects is interpreted as strong support for the hypothesis.
Trypsin inhibitors from Ascaris lumbricoides var. Suis

Abstract The body walls of Ascaris lumbricoides contain two trypsin inhibiting fractions which differ with respect to Ki. The Ki values are 90 nM for Peak I and 13 nM for Peak II inhibitors. In the presence of 10 mM p- toluenesulfonyl- l -arginine methyl ester, the complex formed between Peak I inhibitor and pork trypsin is dissociated to the extent of 65–75%; the complex with the Peak II inhibitor dissociates to the extent of 19–22%. Peak I inhibitor was obtained in a highly purified form. It chromatographs as a symmetrical peak on an Amberlite IRC-50 column with constant specific activity across the peak. It is homogeneous in the ultracentrifuge with an s20, w value of 1.00 S. It has a molecular weight of 5520, and is composed of 50 amino acids. Leucine, histidine, methionine and tyrosine are absent. Spectral analysis confirms the presence of one equivalent of tryptophan, two of phenylalanine and four of cystine.
The metamict state: Implications for radiation damage in crystalline waste forms☆☆☆

Abstract The long term effect of radiation damage on waste disposal mediums, either crystalline or glass, is a factor in the evaluation of the “integrity” of the waste disposal mediums. Metamict minerals are a special class of amorphous materials which were initially crystalline. Although the mechanism for the loss of crystallinity in these minerals (mostly actinide containing oxides and silicates) is not clearly understood, damage caused by alpha particles and recoil nuclei is certainly critical to the metamictization process. Comparison of metamict and non-metamict polymorphs, such as thorite and huttonite (ThSiO4), provides a basis for the evaluation of the susceptibility of different structure types to radiation damage. Short term radiation damage experiments of these phases can be validated by comparing the results to long term radiation damage observed in minerals, such as huttonite, thorite and zircon. This paper summarizes the pertinent literature on metamictization and proposes experiments to elucidate structural controls on radiation damage in crystalline phases.
A brain-computer interface for long-term independent home use

Our objective was to develop and validate a new brain-computer interface (BCI) system suitable for long-term independent home use by people with severe motor disabilities. The BCI was used by a 51-year-old male with ALS who could no longer use conventional assistive devices. Caregivers learned to place the electrode cap, add electrode gel, and turn on the BCI. After calibration, the system allowed the user to communicate via EEG. Re-calibration was performed remotely (via the internet), and BCI accuracy assessed in periodic tests. Reports of BCI usefulness by the user and the family were also recorded. Results showed that BCI accuracy remained at 83% (r = -.07, n.s.) for over 2.5 years (1.4% expected by chance). The BCI user and his family state that the BCI had restored his independence in social interactions and at work. He uses the BCI to run his NIH-funded research laboratory and to communicate via e-mail with family, friends, and colleagues. In addition to this first user, several other similarly disabled people are now using the BCI in their daily lives. In conclusion, long-term independent home use of this BCI system is practical for severely disabled people, and can contribute significantly to quality of life and productivity.
Limits to On-Chip Power Conversion With Thin Film Inductors

Successful implementation of on-chip power conversion using ferromagnetic inductors requires both high power efficiency and high power density. The theoretical limits to power density and efficiency possible with thin film ferromagnetic inductors in a buck converter topology with and without coupling are explored. Power density can be related to energy density of the inductor, while efficiency can be related to Q and the DC resistance loss of the inductor. To achieve 100 A/cm2 for a 100 MHz 2:1 V converter with a 90% inductor efficiency, a peak Q of more than 8 is required with an energy storage of more than 5 nJ/mm2. Using coupling, the power density can be further increased, but is ultimately limited by DC resistance loss in the coils. Figures of merit (FOM) for comparing inductors of various designs are also discussed.
Optical interconnects for board level applications

Optical link technology will play an increasingly important role for board-level interconnects in servers and supercomputers as a means to keep pace with the increasing intra-system bandwidth requirements. Low-cost and high density optical packaging concepts are required. We describe the development of board-level interconnects based on polymer waveguide technology. In this paper, we focus on flexible optical waveguide sheets and the passive alignment of optical connectors.
A compactification of the algebra of terms

Let o-:S--->to be a similarity type, i.e., S is a set of funct ion symbols, to ={0, 1 ,2 . . . . } and for every FeS , o-(F) is the rank of F. Let us assume for a while that o'(F) = 0 for some F e S (such F are called constant symbols*). Let Q~ denote the set of all constant terms, i.e., the smallest set such that { F e S: o(F)= 0}_ Q~ and F-r~ 9 9 9 ~'~<~)e Q~, for every F e S and r 1 . . . . . Ttr(F)~ Q~. We put
Hillary and Barack: Will Atypical Candidates Lead to Atypical Coverage?

This analysis compares how the press covered the campaigns of then-senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton to determine if—when not compared to a White male candidate—the press still focused on a Black candidate's skin color, a female candidate's gender and appearance, and if it continued to portray both candidates unfavorably. As the first national election with an African American male and White female frontrunners, this is perhaps the first study that directly examines the effect the novelty of race and gender have on press coverage. It found the press still made gender a salient aspect of Clinton's campaign. Also, despite his reticence to focus on race, the press still more frequently portrayed Obama as the “Black” candidate. However, in contrast to previous studies, neither candidate received more coverage for their appearance (i.e., attractiveness, attire, or smile), nor did either receive more favorable coverage than the other. These findings suggest that to some extent, these atypical candidates...
Effects of β-bungarotoxin and taipoxin on contractions of canine airways caused by nerve stimulation

Abstract β-Bungarotoxin and taipoxin are snake venoms that have been reported to induce neuromuscular blockade exclusively in somatic motor neurons by a presynaptic mechanism. Taipoxin (1 μg/ml), but not β-bungarotoxin (1 μg/ml), depressed the contractile response of canine airway smooth muscle to electrical stimulation. Taipoxin (1 μg/ml) also slightly depressed the contractile activity of canine airways to two concentrations (5 × 10−6M and 10−5M) of exogenously administered acetylcholine. We conclude that taipoxin, but not β-bungarotoxin, induces a weak neuromuscular blockade in the parasympathetic fibers innervating canine airways. The sites of this inhibition are believed to be both presynaptic and postsynaptic.
FADD, a novel death domain-containing protein, interacts with the death domain of fas and initiates apoptosis

Using the cytoplasmic domain of Fas in the yeast two-hybrid system, we have identified a novel interacting protein, FADD, which binds Fas and Fas-FD5, a mutant of Fas possessing enhanced killing activity, but not the functionally inactive mutants Fas-LPR and Fas-FD8. FADD contains a death domain homologous to the death domains of Fas and TNFR-1. A point mutation in FADD, analogous to the lpr mutation of Fas, abolishes its ability to bind Fas, suggesting a death domain to death domain interaction. Overexpression of FADD in MCF7 and BJAB cells induces apoptosis, which, like Fas-induced apoptosis, is blocked by CrmA, a specific inhibitor of the interleukin-1 beta-converting enzyme. These findings suggest that FADD may play an important role in the proximal signal transduction of Fas.
Harmonic composition of synchrotron white-beam X-ray topographic back-reflection images of basal-cut silicon carbide single-crystal wafers

Superscrew dislocations are visible in back-reflection synchrotron white-beam X-ray topographs of basal-cut SiC wafers in striking contrast as black rings surrounding white circles, even though such topographs suffer from extensive harmonic contamination. The contributions to the synchrotron white-beam topograph of each member of its series of harmonic reflections, {\bf g}=(0006n), where n=3 to 16, were calculated. Through intensity considerations and comparison with a {\bf g}=00018 topograph taken with Cu Kα1 radiation, the {\bf g}=00024 harmonic was determined to be the most important contributor. The contrast of features lying deep beneath the crystal's surface was attributed to higher harmonics with larger penetration depths.
The effects of ovariectomy, estrogen replacement, and neuraminidase treatment on the properties of the adenohypophysial glycoprotein hormones of the Rhesus monkey.

A comparison of pituitary extracts from intact and ovariectomized monkeys revealed that, like FSH, LH from ovariectomized animals is larger in average apparent molecular size and disappears from the circulation of test rats less rapidly than does LH from intact females. In contrast, ovariectomy had no effect on the apparent molecular size of TSH nor on its disappearance rate following injection into test rats. Reversal of the effect of ovariectomy on the molecular size of both LH and FSH was achieved by the chronic administration of estradiol. The differences in apparent molecular size of gonadotropins from intact and ovariectomized monkeys were either reduced or abolished by digestion with the enzyme neuraminidase. These findings suggest that the qualitative changes in the gonadotropins consequent to ovariectomy represent a specific response to the removal of estrogen and are consonant with the view that this phenomenon involves changes in the sialic acid content of the gonadotropins. (Endocrinology 98: ...
Shape in morphometrics: Comparative analyses

Comparative morphology has long been vexed by conflicting considerations of size and shape (relative size); a subsidiary consideration has been the effect of allometry (shape change with size) on results and interpretations. A review of history and opinion indicates the lack of universal acceptance of the following points: the inherent relatedness and/or separability of size and shape; the greater importance (anatomically, functionally, and/or taxonomically) of shape than size; the existence of residual size effects (allometry) after canceling the gross linear size factor from morphometric data; the failure of covariance matrix inversion to negate size always; the dimensionless quality of shape variables; the effect of logarithmic transformation; and the inadvisability of simple ratios. Two morphometric data sets (primate postcranial proportions, hominoid maxillary premolar odontometrics) encompassing significant size and taxonomic diversity in primates enable illustration and examination of these points. Although determination of optimum procedures is problematic, accuracy of classification and partition of variance among known morphogroups are criteria that can be applied. Intergroup distances generated after inversion of the covariance matrix show little improvement over raw size distances, unlike the shape distances expressed by shape vector (ratio), double-centered, Penrose, common part removed, and Q-mode correlation methods; very slight further improvement is accomplished using pooled within-group adjustment to remove residual size (allometric) effects. No improvement emanates solely from log transformation of measurements. Significant problems are indicated by the results obtained with interspecific regression residuals: particularly, large and small forms in the analysis become unrealistically similar. Also, regression-corrected distances still correlate with size even though the univariate residual values, by definition, do not.