cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Examining a Decade of Reading and Mathematics Student Achievement among Primary and Secondary Traditional Public School and Charter School Students: A Meta-Analytic Investigation.

The current investigation will synthesize numerous studies conducted across the nation at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Meta-analytic techniques will assist parents and educators in making evidence-based decisions while adding to the research supporting educational reform and promoting best practices in both educational models. This study was specifically designed to consider a number of variables in charter schools relative to traditional public schools, including socioeconomic status, English language learning, school competition, and eligibility for special education that may impact student mathematics and reading achievement. The findings of the current investigation suggest that students in charter school programs are not performing as well as students in traditional public schools on mathematics and reading achievement examinations.
Political Parties and the Elusive Quest for Ethnic Inclusiveness

Constitutions and powersharing arrangements sometimes include provisions designed to promote ethnic, religious, and regional inclusiveness within political parties. Through analysis of a global data set on powersharing provisions, this paper argues that such inclusiveness provisions are often fruitless or even counter-productive, because they are manipulated by ruling elites for their own purposes. The paper draws on examples from Nigeria, Honduras, and Nepal to support and illustrate this argument.
Sulfate and chloride transport in Caco-2 cells: differential regulation by thyroxine and the possible role of DRA gene.

The current studies were undertaken to establish an in vitro cellular model to study the transport of SO 4 2 − and Cl− and hormonal regulation and to define the possible function of the downregulat...
Anterior Closing Wedge Tibial Osteotomy for Failed Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

The success rate for achieving knee stability in primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is high; however, the results of revision reconstruction are less satisfactory. Sagittal plane malalignment is an uncommon predisposing factor for failure because excessive posterior tibial slope increases stress on the ACL graft. In carefully selected patients, tibial slope correction is an essential adjunctive procedure to achieve a stable knee. We present a case report outlining the surgical technique for correction of sagittal plane imbalance by a slope-decreasing anterior closing wedge tibial osteotomy combined with a second-stage revision ACL reconstruction. At 2 years following surgery, our patient had a stable knee and returned to low-impact athletic activity without symptoms. Further investigation is needed to refine the indications for this procedure in the setting of failed ACL reconstruction.
Cost-Effectiveness Models in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Issues and Challenges

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common ophthalmic condition that can have few symptoms in its early stage but can progress to major visual impairment. While there are no treatments for early-stage AMD, there are multiple modalities of treatment for advanced disease. Given the increasing prevalence of the disease, there are dozens of analyses of cost effectiveness of AMD treatments, but methods and approaches vary broadly. The goal of this review was to identify, characterize, and critique published models in AMD and provide guidance for their interpretation. After a literature review was performed to identify studies, and exclusion criteria applied to limit the review to studies comparing treatments for AMD, we compared methods across the 36 studies meeting the review criteria. To some extent, variation was related to targeting different audiences or acknowledging the most appropriate population for a given treatment. However, the review identified potential areas of uncertainty and difficulty in interpretation, particularly regarding duration of observation periods and the importance of visual acuity as an endpoint or a proxy for patient-reported utilities. We urge thoughtful consideration of these study characteristics when comparing results.
Smart Photolithography

We introduce here an approach for determining the exposure time in photolithography. A script was developed in LabVIEW that (i) measures (via UV sensor) the intensity (or power) of UV light to which a sample is exposed at different times, (ii) calculates the total energy delivered onto the sample, and (iii) switches off the UV lamp as soon as the sample (a photocurable material) has received the targeted total energy of UV light. In comparison to standard approaches to photolithography in which the lamp is switched off after a given amount of time pre-selected by the user, our approach determines experimentally the energy received by the sample and switches the UV lamp off when the sample has received the intended UV energy -- independently of how long it took for the lamp to produce that amount of energy.
A Discrete-Time Integral Sliding Model Predictive Control for Obstacle Avoidance of Ground Vehicles

In this paper, a robust control architecture is proposed for lane-keeping and obstacle avoidance of autonomous ground vehicles. A two-level hierarchical controller is used to separate the planning and tracking problems. At the higher-level, we solve a nonlinear model predictive control (MPC) problem with an oversimplified point-mass model. The desired trajectories are generated and fed into the lower-level controller, where a force-input nonlinear bicycle model is considered to set up the tracking control law. Moreover, at each time step, a linearized bicycle model is derived and implemented to reduce the real-time computational complexity. Based on the above profile, a discrete-time integral sliding MPC (DISMPC) technique is used to improve the system robustness. By introducing an additional sliding control term into the feedback control law, the system trajectories can be maintained within a quasi-sliding band. In this case, it becomes necessary to take into account the system dynamics induced by the sliding control. Namely, the state and the input constraints of the MPC problem at each level need to be tightened. This helps to guarantee the feasibility of the original constrained problem in the presence of disturbances. Simulations have been carried out to verify the effectiveness of the proposed controller. The results show that the controller is able to simultaneously achieve lane-keeping and obstacle avoidance with uncertain friction coefficients.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
A new, open-source, multi-modality digital breast phantom

An anthropomorphic digital breast phantom has been developed with the goal of generating random voxelized breast models that capture the anatomic variability observed in vivo. This is a new phantom and is not based on existing digital breast phantoms or segmentation of patient images. It has been designed at the outset to be modality agnostic (i.e., suitable for use in modeling x-ray based imaging systems, magnetic resonance imaging, and potentially other imaging systems) and open source so that users may freely modify the phantom to suit a particular study. In this work we describe the modeling techniques that have been developed, the capabilities and novel features of this phantom, and study simulated images produced from it. Starting from a base quadric, a series of deformations are performed to create a breast with a particular volume and shape. Initial glandular compartments are generated using a Voronoi technique and a ductal tree structure with terminal duct lobular units is grown from the nipple into each compartment. An additional step involving the creation of fat and glandular lobules using a Perlin noise function is performed to create more realistic glandular/fat tissue interfaces and generate a Cooper’s ligament network. A vascular tree is grown from the chest muscle into the breast tissue. Breast compression is performed using a neo-Hookean elasticity model. We show simulated mammographic and T1-weighted MRI images and study properties of these images.
Developmental and Reproductive Biologies of the Parasitic Wasp, Biosteres Longicaudatus, Reared on Hosts Treated with a Chitin Synthesis Inhibitor

Larvae of the Caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspenso Loew (Diptera: Tephritidae) parasitized by the wasp, Biosteres longicaudatus Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), were topically treated with diflubenzuron (Dimilin®), a chitin synthesis inhibitor, at 100, 500 and 1000 ppm. Each dosage was initiated during the parasite’s egg stage, each of four larval stages and the pupal stage (pharate pupa + pharate adult). Adults emerging from all immature stages treated with the two higher dosages were significantly (P < 0.05) fewer than the controls. Developmental stages, in decreasing order of susceptibility to diflubenzuron were: egg, first instar, pharate adult, pharate pupa and larval stages two to four. Abnormally developed ovipositors occurred in some adults which emerged from eggs, pharate pupa and pharate adults that were treated with the two higher concentrations. Such females were unable to successfully locate and parasitize hosts. Females with normal ovipositors which emerged from treated eggs and pharate adults were able to find and attack hosts but had significantly fewer eggs in their ovaries and oviposited less than the controls. The F1 eggs laid by these females developed normally and survived to adulthood with no apparent abnormalities.
Comparative Research on World-System Characteristics

This article is a discussion of the methodological problems of testing causal propositions relating variables that are characteristics of the world-system as a whole. A short summary of the world-system perspective on international relations suggests a number of hypotheses regarding processes that operate at the level of the whole system. The feasibility of testing these propositions with the time-series method of analysis of a single case is discussed, and problems arising from the use of this research design are considered. There are eight anticipated problems regarding operationalization and measurement: (1) bounding and mapping the system and its constituent zones; (2) validity and reliability of measures over time; (3) limitations of aggregating data on nation-states to create contextual world-system variables; (4) transformation of nation-state data to make it more suitable for world-system research; (5) combining data from different sources in the same indicator; (6) noncontinuous data series; (7) the width of a time point and measurement error in time; and (8) the small number of instances of long-run processes over the 500-year history of the world-system. It is suggested that, although this approach to research is fraught with difficulties, it holds promise for helping to take the world-system perspective beyond its present status as a fruitful paradigm for interpreting history toward a causal understanding of the developmental logic of the system.
Philosophical Aesthetics: A Naturalist Perspective

Can a Naturalist Definition of art replace the historical and institutional positions argued for by philosophical aesthetics? This article considers Denis Dutton’s work in evolutionary psychology a...
Marking progress toward service integration: learning to use evaluation to overcome barriers.

Abstract While federal statutes defining categorical programs and funding streams are most often cited as barriers to service integration efforts, there is evidence that service integration efforts are also being stymied by factors at the state and local levels as well. This case study examines five types of barriers to service integration that have been evident in Georgia's Family Connection and describes how an evaluation instrument and process was developed to assess progress toward service integration at the local level. The findings of a pilot study of the use of this instrument suggest that it can help to: (a) define starting points for service integration efforts; (b) identify specific service integration activities that are feasible in the context of a unique community; (c) specify the time needed to be allocated to service integration efforts; (d) identify the local costs and benefits of engaging in service integration; and (e) provide specifications for conducting a self-assessment of progress a...
Mechanistic Study of the Oligomerization of Olefins

A mechanistic study on the oligomerization of olefins of isomeric octenes using a Lewis-acidic ionic liquid as the catalyst is reported herein. This study was aimed at understanding the effects of the position and geometry of the double bond on the probable pathway of the reaction and the properties of the final product. This effort will help in understanding which feed or mixture of feeds can be used as starting materials for oligomerization and also in understanding and estimating the final product properties after oligomerization. We observed an interesting reactivity pattern in the oligomerization of a mixture of olefins, in which there is selectivity for the cis isomer over the trans isomer. In addition, we found that the final oligomer obtained starting from a mixture of olefin isomers displayed better properties, such as a higher viscosity index and a lower side-chain branching percentage, than that obtained starting from exclusively the α-olefin. Kinetic studies were carried out with individual is...
The item-order distinction and the generation effect: the importance of order information in long-term memory.

The item-order distinction has been useful in explaining memory dissociations in short-term retention tasks. It generally has been assumed that serial order information is beneficial to long-term retention as well, although the distinction has received little empirical attention. Recently, it was shown that generating items at input, rather than simply reading them, hinders processing of serial order information. This reduction in order processing has been implicated in the lack of generation effects in between-list designs. Experiment 1, using typical generation effect procedures, showed that generation inhibited order reconstruction performance. Experiment 2 showed that order reconstruction was hindered even when when categorically related lists were used. Experiment 3 demonstrated that generation inhibited order reconstruction in an inciden-tal learning procedure. The results suggest that order processing is relatively automatic and that generation constantly inhibits it. The results support the view that the item-oider distinction may be a powerful explanatory tool in longterm memory research.
Juror Preference for Curative Alternative Verdicts for Veterans With PTSD

Two studies examined mock juror verdicts for veterans with PTSD in the criminal justice system. Mock jurors demonstrated a leniency toward treatment bias for veterans with PTSD who committed a viol...
Postoperative complications in patients undergoing minimally invasive sacroiliac fusion

Abstract Background Context Minimally invasive sacroiliac (SI) joint fusion has become increasingly relevant in recent years as a treatment for SI joint pathology. Previous studies have found minimally invasive SI fusion to be an effective and safe treatment option for chronic SI joint pain. However, these studies have been primarily single-center, case-based, or manufacturer-sponsored investigations, and as such their findings are limited to their sample populations. Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the safety of minimally invasive SI fusion using a large nationwide sample group to more accurately identify complication rates of this increasingly popular procedure. Study Design/Setting This is a retrospective database study. Patient Sample The sample includes patients within the orthopedic subset of Humana database who underwent minimally invasive SI fusion between 2007 and 2014. Outcome Measures Complications and novel lumbar and nerve pathology were the outcome measures. Methods Patients undergoing minimally invasive SI fusion from 2007 to 2014 were identified using the Pearl Diver patient record database (Pearl Diver Technologies, West Conshohocken, PA, USA) from the nationwide private insurance provider Humana Inc. This approach provided access to records of over 18 million patients in every major geographic region of the country. Using the ICD-9 diagnosis codes (International Classification of Diseases 9th edition), data from patient records were analyzed to reveal incidence of postoperative infection, pain, osteomyelitis, joint derangement, urinary tract infection, and novel lumbar and nervous system pathology. Results Four hundred sixty-nine patients (305 female; 164 male) within the Humana insurance database received minimally invasive SI fusion between 2007 and 2014. Data from these patients showed a substantial increase in the use of the procedure over this 7-year period. Among these patients, an overall complication rate of 13.2% (n=62) was seen at 90 days postoperatively and 16.4% (n=77) at 6 months. The number of patients receiving a first time diagnosis of lumbar pathology following minimally invasive SI fusion in the sample population was also analyzed. The incidence of novel lumbar pathology in this population was 3.6% (n=17) at 90 days postoperatively and 5.3% (n=25) at 6 months. Men experienced diagnoses of novel lumbar pathology at higher rates than women within both 90 days (men=6.7%; women≤3.3%) and 6 months (men=9.1%; women≤3.3%) of the procedure (p Conclusions The results of this study show that minimally invasive SI joint fusion could possibly carry higher risks of complications than previously stated. These findings are useful for physicians and patients when considering treatment for chronic SI joint pain.
The State Ratifying Conventions

The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America claims to speak for ‘the People’ of the United States, who ‘ordain and establish’ a new frame of government to ‘establish Justice’ and ‘secure the Blessings of Liberty’ to ‘ourselves and our posterity’.1 The basis for this assertion lies in the ratification provisions of the Constitution’s Seventh Article, according to which the ‘Ratification of the Conventions of nine states shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.’2 This gives particular authority to the arguments advanced in the state conventions, where the representatives of the people made the public arguments and eventual votes that would determine the fate of the new frame of government. Unfortunately, the surviving records are incomplete, particularly for the smaller states (where actual deliberations may have been somewhat perfunctory anyway). Discussion concentrated on controversial provisions of the Constitution, rather than those which both sides could accept. To a large extent the agenda at the state conventions was set by the constitution’s opponents, who had to be refuted, rather than a detailed exposition of the Federalists’ own ideology.3
Human Brain Imaging of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract Autism spectrum disorders include a heterogeneous collection of conditions characterized by the syndrome of autism, namely, marked impairments in social interaction and communication and a markedly restricted and peculiar range of interests and activities. Neuroscience research on autism spectrum disorders is hindered by various different definitions utilized by contributors over the past century. Currently, the criteria for autism spectrum disorders are in flux; new diagnostic requirements for autism spectrum disorders have just been promulgated. Autism spectrum disorders include autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome, Heller syndrome, Rett syndrome, fragile X syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorders. The Rett syndrome is associated with mutations in the X-linked methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 located at the Xq28 region. Fragile X syndrome is associated with abnormalities in the X chromosome. With the exception of the Rett syndrome and the fragile X syndrome, there are likely multiple etiologies for the other autism spectrum disorders. Thus, autism spectrum disorders likely include conditions with disparate biological causes. Human brain imaging includes a spectrum of tools to identify both the structure and the function of the human nervous system utilizing a variety of energy sources and detection modalities. Anomalies in the physiology of the frontal and temporal lobes characterize subgroups of people with autism spectrum disorders. Dysfunction of the frontal and temporal lobes likely provides a pathophysiological basis for the social and language deficits characteristic of the disorders. Dysfunction of the serotonergic and cholinergic systems has been identified in subgroups of people with autism spectrum disorders to support the hypotheses that these systems play a role in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorders. Conflicting and contradictory results from reports on human brain imaging of autism spectrum disorders likely stem from the differences in the diagnostic tools, imaging procedures, participant populations, and other characteristics of individual investigations. Additionally, the small sample sizes employed in many imaging studies lack the power to establish a statistical significance. Future research to investigate the brain imaging of humans with autism spectrum disorders can be facilitated by the utilization of accurate diagnostic criteria and rating instruments. Additionally, the identification of demographic, educational, psychiatric, psychological, and neurological characteristics may help to classify people with autism spectrum disorders according to useful clinical groups. Investigation of genetic markers for particular neurotransmitters likely altered in autism spectrum disorders may lead to the discovery of genetic mutations characteristic of subgroups. Careful research including the spectrum of investigative tools will likely result in the identification of biological markers to identify distinct groups such as the Rett syndrome and fragile X syndrome.
Abstract P338: Adverse Outcomes Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Insulin Dependent and Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

Background: ACC guidelines suggests late outcomes in diabetic patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are similar to non-diabetics if the hgbA1C can be maintained less than 7.0%. To achieve this level of glycemic control many patients require the addition of insulin. The differences in outcomes amongst insulin dependent (IDDM) and non-insulin dependent (NIDDM) patients are not well known. We wish to analyze the cardiovascular (CV) outcomes and glycemic control of diabetic patients 6 months post PCI stratified by insulin usage. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study investigating the impact of DM on clinical outcomes in patients who underwent a PCI at a Veterans Health Institution from September 2004 to March 2009. Adverse cardiovascular outcomes (death, myocardial infarct, revascularization, cardiac hospitalization, and combined outcomes) six months post-PCI were recorded and compared in IDDM and NIDDM patients. Data pertaining to glucose levels, HgbA1C, lipids, and blood pressure were also collected. Results: Of the 771 unique patients in our analysis, 302 had DM of which, 132(44%) were on insulin and 169(56%) were on oral medications. Although not statistically significant, in IDDM patients there was an increased rate of death, MI, cardiac hospitalization, and combined outcomes. HgbA1C and glucose values in IDDM were significantly higher pre and post-PCI. Conclusion: Our study suggested that both IDDM and NIDDM groups had poor glycemic control, however, IDDM patients were less controlled. Although lack of power in our study may have led to our inability to detect statistically significant differences in adverse CV outcomes we can see a trend toward worse outcomes in the IDDM group. Increased attention to promote tighter glycemic control particularly among IDDM veterans is warranted. We can conclude that more attention needs to be paid to diabetics patients, especially IDDM patients, to maintain a tighter glycemic control and hence reduce adverse cardiovascular outcomes post PCI.
Preempting autoimmune disease with induced antigen tolerance

Transfusion of red blood cells with antigenic peptides added to surface proteins is being explored as a tolerance-inducing intervention for autoimmune disease.
Exploiting Analysis of Heterogeneity to Increase the Information Content Extracted from Fluorescence Micrographs of Transgenic Zebrafish Embryos

Abstract Zebrafish embryos are a near-ideal animal model for drug discovery because of their high genetic and physiological similarity to mammals, small size, high fecundity, and optical transparen...
MARAS: Signaling Multi-Drug Adverse Reactions

There is a growing need for computing-supported methods that facilitate the automated signaling of Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) otherwise left undiscovered from the exploding amount of ADR reports filed by patients, medical professionals and drug manufacturers. In this research, we design a Multi-Drug Adverse Reaction Analytics Strategy, called MARAS, to signal severe unknown ADRs triggered by the usage of a combination of drugs, also known as Multi-Drug Adverse Reactions (MDAR). First, MARAS features an efficient signal generation algorithm based on association rule learning that extracts non-spurious MDAR associations. Second, MARAS incorporates contextual information to detect drug combinations that are strongly associated with a set of ADRs. It groups related associations into Contextual Association Clusters (CACs) that then avail contextual information to evaluate the significance of the discovered MDAR Associations. Lastly, we use this contextual significance to rank discoveries by their notion of interestingness to signal the most compelling MDARs. To demonstrate the utility of MARAS, it is compared with state-of-the-art techniques and evaluated via case studies on datasets collected by U.S. Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
A Substance Metaphysics Primer

This chapter provides a summary of the similarities between Aristotelian and neo-Aristotelian accounts of the category SUBSTANCE and substances . I assume that Lowe’s account is the best candidate for a comprehensive neo-Aristotelian account. I clarify Lowe’s theory of SUBSTANCE in the context of his four-category ontology to better understand the plausibility of developing a successful substance metaphysics.
Undergraduates’ Development of Citizenship at Public Research Universities: A Data-Driven Imperative for Social Justice

The purpose of this chapter is to present data related to development of students’ capacities for citizenship and engagement in social justice advocacy efforts at research universities. The authors utilized two sources of data in their analysis: (1) a current survey administered by several large, public research universities; and (2) a longitudinal series of surveys administered to ten cohorts of students across their four years or enrollment at public research universities. The data illustrate that the calls for action to develop citizenship and social justice commitments among college students are warranted given that significant numbers of college students graduate without gaining critical multicultural competencies and interpersonal skills, are not concerned with keeping abreast of social and community issues, and do not fully possess a strong commitment to community.
Proceedings of the 10th ACM SIGSOFT symposium on Foundations of software engineering

This volume contains 17 research papers and one invited keynote presentation paper, presented at the 2002 ACM SIGSOFT Tenth International Symposium on the Foundations of Software Engineering (FSE-10). The symposium was held on November 20-22, 2002, in Charleston, South Carolina. The research papers were selected by the program committee from 128 full-length submissions. All the keynoters were invited to provide a paper to accompany their talks. Gerard Holzmann, recipient of this year's ACM SIGSOFT Distinguished Research Award, accepted our invitation.The International Symposium on the Foundations of Software Engineering brings together researchers and professionals from academia and industry to discuss new research results and ideas that address challenges in the construction of software systems. Submissions to the Symposium were reviewed by the program committee on the basis of significance, relevance, correctness, and clarity. Each paper received at least three reviews. A one-day program committee meeting was held in Orlando, Florida, at which all papers were considered and a consensus was reached on the final selection of papers to be presented. Comments from reviewers were returned to the authors of all submissions.
Safety and neutralizing rabies antibody in healthy subjects given a single dose of rabies immune globulin caprylate/chromatography purified.

Background Rabies immune globulin (RIG) and vaccination series are necessary for postexposure prophylaxis. A new formulation of RIG (human) purified by caprylate/chromatography (RIG-C) was evaluated. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02139657. Materials and methods This open-label, single-arm study in healthy subjects evaluated neutralizing rabies antibody concentrations produced from a single 20 IU/kg intramuscular (IM) dose of RIG-C as measured by rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (50% neutralization endpoint) 1-hour postdose and on days 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 18, and 21. Results Twelve subjects were enrolled into the study. No discontinuations, serious adverse events (AEs), or treatment-emergent clinically significant changes in laboratory parameters were observed. All AEs resolved and were mild except 1 moderate AE of oropharyngeal pain. Injection site pain (4 subjects) was most commonly reported. RIG-C produced a rapid increase in neutralizing rabies antibody: mean value 0.113 IU/mL at 24 hours after IM injection, peak on day 4 (0.132 IU/mL), persisting through day 21 (0.116 IU/mL). The mean reciprocal titer was 11.5 by day 2; the peak value of 12.1 was achieved on day 4; and a mean value ≥10.6 was maintained through day 21. Conclusion RIG-C was well tolerated and provided neutralizing rabies antibodies, which combined with vaccine series after rabies exposure, should result in effective prophylaxis per World Health Organization/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
Evolvable Hardware 2005

The 2005 NASA/DoD Conference on Evolvable Hardware Jason Lohn, David Gwaltney, Gregory Hornby, Ricardo Zebulum, Didier Keymeulen, Adrian Stoica, eds., Washington DC, USA. IEEE Computer Society Press, 2005, ISBN 0-7695-2399-4, pp 316. The 2005 annual NASA/DoD Conference on Evolvable Hardware (EH-2005) took place on June 29 July 1, 2005, in Washington DC, USA. The full list of sponsors, as well as most of the PowerPoint and PDF presentations of the conference can be found at http://ic.arc.nasa.gov/projects/eh2005/
Applications of Bacteriocins in Food Systems

Renewed interest in the use of bactericidal proteins (bacteriocins) as food protection and preservation agents is due in part to new food safety challenges, the affirmation of the bacteriocin Nisin as a GRAS additive in certain foods, the potential of using molecular biology to manipulate bacteriocin production, and a growing interest in so-called “natural” food preservatives. Bacteriocins may be introduced into foods by different mechanisms: 1) In lactic fermented foods the bacteriocins may be present as a result of the growth of bacteriocinogenic lactic acid bacteria. 2) Bacteriocins may be introduced as a constitutent of lactic food fermentation by-products (such as whey) into other foods. 3) Bacteriocins may be purified, concentrated and added directly as an additive. The activity of bacteriocins in foods will be highly dependent on physical and chemical factors such as pH, ionic strength, solubility and temperature. Bacteriocins as proteins may also be susceptible to enzymatic degradation and non-specific binding. The narrow spectrum of activity of certain bacteriocins is also a limiting factor in food applications. An effective bacteriocin for use as a food preservative should meet minimum requirements such as: 1) Non-toxic. 2) Stable and highly active. 3) Possessing a broad spectrum of activity. 4) No effect on sensory attributes of food. 5) Inexpensive and simple to use. The bacteriocin Nisin has shown the most promise as an effective food preservative, however, other bacteriocins produced by lactic acid bacteria are now being investigated for potential application in foods.
Censorship and Secrecy: Legal Perspectives

Secrecy and censorship involve norms about the control of information. Censorship of communication in the modern sense is associated with large, complex urban societies with a degree of centralized control and technical means of effectively reaching a mass audience. It involves a determination of what can, and can not, (or in the case of nongovernmental efforts should and should not) be expressed in light of given political, religious, cultural, and artistic standards. The appearance of new communications (e.g., the printing press or the Internet) technologies invariably create demands from conflicting groups for greater openness and freedom of communication and demands for greater control. Authorities try (often in vain) to control new techniques of mass communication. Three major means of direct censorship (prepublication review, licensing and registration, and government monopolization) are preventive in nature. Among democracies there is considerable variation in censorship by content, media of communication, place, time period and across societies. There are degrees of censorship and individual interests are balanced against those of the community, however hard the latter is to define. More common than outright prohibition, is the segmentation of material involving time, place and person restrictions. Direct government means of censorship must be considered separately from the availability of resources to create and distribute information, the activities of private groups and from informal censorship, including exclusion from sources of information and self-censorship. In a democratic society secrecy and openness exist in a continual dynamic tension.
Random Variables and Probabilities

The previous treatment deals with trials, outcomes, and events. The basic space is the set ft of all possible outcomes. An event is determined by a set of properties or attributes of the outcomes; it consists of those outcomes that have the prescribed properties or attributes. Probability is assigned to events and to logical combinations of events. In order to ensure that such combinations are also events, the class of events is assumed to have the closure properties of a sigma algebra. That is, complements, countable unions, and countable intersections of events are themselves events.
Targeted gene approach with biochemical assay confirms ABCD1 mutation of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy in a 62-year-old man with gait imbalance.

Abstract X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy is a peroxisomal disorder caused by a mutation in ABCD1 gene. The three main phenotypes of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy include cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy, adrenomyeloneuropathy, and isolated primary adrenal insufficiency. More than 750 non-recurrent mutations exist throughout the coding region of the ABCD1 gene. We report a 62-year-old man with a 17-year history of progressive gait imbalance and numb feet. He had noted difficulty rising from a chair for 3 years. Examination revealed proximal lower limb weakness and length-dependent sensory loss with preservation of reflexes and unilateral Babinski sign. Electrodiagnostic evaluation confirmed a length-dependent sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy and proximal myopathy. Family history was remarkable for similar symptoms in 6 siblings. A targeted gene approach for 102 known peripheral neuropathy genes led to discovery of ABCD1 mutation confirmed by kindred evaluation and biochemical assay. This case highlights the importance of combining targeted gene approaches with functional assay confirmation especially for atypical clinical presentations.
Government Health Spending in India: Who Will Fund the Target of 2.5 Per Cent of GDP?:

AbstractIndia has set an ambitious goal of raising public health spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2025. This is hardly comforting, given India’s track record of consistently missing the goals set...
Inflammatory bowel disease and risk of prostate cancer: A matched-cohort analysis.

55Background: There are few data on the risk of prostate cancer (PCa) in men with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and there are no data comparing serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values betwe...
Initial clinical application of tissue pH neutralization after esophageal button battery removal in children.

Objectives/hypothesis Pediatric esophageal button battery (BB) injuries can progress even after removal and continue to be a significant source of morbidity and mortality. The objective in this case series is to present initial safety data for the human application of intraoperative tissue pH neutralization using 0.25% acetic acid irrigation after BB removal. Study design Retrospective case series. Methods Pediatric patients who underwent rigid esophagoscopy for BB removal between October 2016 and December 2017 and who had the injury site irrigated with 120 to 150 mL sterile 0.25% acetic acid (pH = 3) were included in the study. Outcome measures included visual tissue appearance after irrigation, immediate or delayed esophageal perforation, and evidence of eventual esophageal stricture formation. Results Six pediatric patients (aged 19 months-10 years) had a 3 V lithium BB lodged in the esophagus for 2 to 18 hours and had irrigation of the esophageal injury site with sterile 0.25% acetic acid in the operating room after BB removal. None of the patients showed any evidence of thermal tissue injury. By surgeon assessment, all cases had improved visual esophageal tissue appearance. Neither immediate post-operative or delayed onset esophageal perforation nor eventual stricture development were seen. Conclusions Esophageal irrigation in the operating room with sterile 0.25% acetic acid after BB removal, to neutralize the highly alkaline tissue microenvironment (pH 10-13) was safe and resulted in improved visual mucosal appearance. This immediate tissue pH neutralization may help halt the progression of liquefactive necrosis by immediately bringing tissue pH to physiologic range. This post-removal irrigation technique is recommended by current National Capital Poison Center BB guidelines. Level of evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 129:1772-1776, 2019.
Patient-derived organoid (PDO), a new personalized therapy selection tool for prompt clinical decision making in metastatic gastrointestinal (mGI) cancer patients.

3101Background: PDO is a promising translational tool that recapitulates the biology and drug response of donor cancer patient. However, an unmet need is to have PDO drug-screening data available f...
The Reduction of Computer Anxiety

AbstractThis study examined computer anxiety and its relationship to four areas: previous computer coursework, relaxation exercises, achievement in a computer course, and need for cognition, which is a personality variable. Subjects were college students in a semester-long introductory computer course that was part of a teacher preparation program. Computer anxiety was measured three times during the course using the Computer Anxiety Index. The relaxation treatment was a published muscle relaxation technique. Achievement was assessed using final lab and lecture grades assigned in the class. Need for cognition was measured using the Need for Cognition Scale, which was administered during the second week of the class. The course was effective in reducing computer anxiety in the last half of the semester. The relaxation treatment was not found to be effective in reducing computer anxiety. It was found that course grades were more strongly related to postcourse computer anxiety than to precourse computer anxi...
The Ghosts of Rüdin and Kallmann

This chapter sums up what we have learned. After noting the paucity of evidence for the supposed genetic basis of schizophrenia and other “mental illnesses,” two other arguments that have been advanced in favor of telling people that these conditions are genetically based are examined critically: that such explanations make patients more likely to take psychotropic medication, and that such explanations reduce stigma. I conclude that neither of these arguments hold water.
Influence of coccidiosis vaccination on nutrient utilization of corn, soybean meal, and distillers dried grains with solubles in broilers.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the impact of coccidiosis vaccination on the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of nutrients and ileal digestible energy (IDE) in commonly used feed ingredients in broilers. Eight experimental treatments based on a factorial arrangement of coccidiosis vaccination (control with in-feed diclazuril [CTL] or vaccinated [VAC]) and 4 different diets were administered to male Cobb 500 broilers in floor pens containing 12 birds per pen. For the vaccinated group, a 3× dose of a live coccidiosis vaccine was given via oral gavage on the day of hatch. Experimental diets consisted of a basal diet and 3 test diets in which 30% of the basal diet was replaced with either corn, soybean meal (SBM), or distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) to allow for calculation of nutrient digestibility of individual ingredients by difference. Broilers were fed a common diet from 0 to 7 D and experimental diets from 7 to 12 D. On day 12, blood and ileal digesta were collected to measure plasma carotenoids and determine AID of nitrogen, ether extract, IDE (experiments 1 and 2), and amino acids (AA) (experiment 2). Vaccination increased (P 0.05) in IDE were observed between VAC and CTL birds in either experiment, whereas vaccination decreased (P < 0.05) AID of ether extract independently of diet. Interactive effects (P < 0.05) were observed for AA digestibility, whereby digestibility of all AA was reduced by VAC in corn diets but generally increased AA digestibility of DDGS diets, with minimal impact on SBM diets. In conclusion, the impact of coccidiosis vaccination on nutrient and energy digestibility varied among ingredients; however, digestibility was minimally impacted or improved with DDGS.
Spelling their pictures: the role of visual scaffolds in an authoring app for young children's literacy and creativity

Children as authors and creators need to be supported at all stages of literacy development. This paper presents Picture-Blocks (PB) - a constructionist mobile app that allows children (ages 5-9) to create personally meaningful digital pictures while exploring spelling and vocabulary concepts in an open-ended manner. In PB, children can spell any number of picture objects (sprites) into existence, that they can use to make a picture composition and share with friends. PB also suggests semantically similar sprites, allowing children to explore related objects and discover new words. We evaluated the app by running an exploratory pilot with 14 children over a two weeks in-the-wild deployment. Qualitative and quantitative examples suggest that our design of the visual scaffolding interactions facilitated (i) high engagement and a sense of authorship via created pictures, (ii) instances of spelling corrections and vocabulary explorations (iii) digitally mediated social interaction and remixing. We present our findings of children's interactions and creations, while discussing implications for designers and developers of literacy technologies.
Combined Antegrade and Retrograde Endoscopic Approach for Management of a Forgotten Stent in a Pediatric Patient

Abstract Background: Forgotten stents with significant encrustation remain a unique surgical challenge. Adult studies suggest a mean of 1.5 operative interventions to achieve stone-free status and ...
Activistes féministes: Francophone Women Writers and International Human Rights

Several prominent contemporary Francophone women writers have embraced activism in compelling forms. In her written creations, Maissa Bey from Algeria has continually called attention to the lack o...
Advances in the Comprehensive Management of Postoperative Crohn’s Disease

Patients with postoperative Crohn’s disease are difficult to manage because of their risk of experiencing a more severe course, multiple symptom confounders, and poor sensitivity of symptomatic remission to rule out intestinal inflammation. In this group, data are lacking on biologic therapeutic efficacy, and recommendations are lacking for those with multiple medication failures. Novel noninvasive testing can simultaneously exclude alternate causes of symptoms (serum C4, fecal fat, small intestinal bowel overgrowth breath testing) and assess intestinal inflammation (fecal calprotectin, endoscopic healing index). In addition, endoscopy-based disease activity assessment and management are required. Endoscopy should be performed within 6 months of surgery, and aggressive disease activity monitoring can be considered with colonoscopy every 1–2 years subsequently to ensure late recurrence is detected. Patients with multiple resections should be screened for short bowel syndrome. Predictive biomarkers are needed to guide medication selection in this high-risk population. Postoperative prophylactic biologic therapy is prudent for patients with preoperative biologic failure. However, there are no high-quality data to guide which agent should be selected. Selecting biologics with an alternative mechanism of action in those who had failed a biologic with adequate drug concentrations and selection of different agents in those with previous intolerance are reasonable. Significantly more study is required to assess the efficacy of therapies in this setting.
Mild hydrothermal synthesis of potassium uranyl phosphates with layered and framework structures

Abstract Two new potassium uranyl phosphates, K2(UO2)2(HPO4)3·2H2O and K4(UO2)6(H2O)2(PO4)2(HPO4)5·3H2O were synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions. K2(UO2)2(HPO4)3·2H2O crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca with lattice parameters a ​= ​20.5125(5) A, b ​= ​15.0951(4) A, and c ​= ​11.0103(3) A and K4(UO2)6(H2O)2(PO4)2(HPO4)5·3H2O crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbcm with lattice parameters a ​= ​10.9228(4) A, b ​= ​26.8147(10) A, and c ​= ​13.5379(5) A. Both form in new structure types with the prior having a layered structure and the latter a framework structure. Both compounds exhibit intense fluorescence typical of uranyl compounds. Thermal analysis of each compound indicated two weight loss events up to 700 ​°C, one associated with dehydration of the structure and one that is likely the result of condensation of the HPO4 units. Exfoliation of the layers in K2(UO2)2(HPO4)3·2H2O is achieved using TMAH as an exfoliating agent.
Quantum Oscillations between weakly coupled Bose-Einstein Condensates: Evolution in a Non-degenerate Double Well.

We discuss coherent atomic oscillations between two weakly coupled Bose-Einstein condensates that are energetically different. The weak link is notionally provided by a laser barrier in a (possibly asymmetric) multi-well trap or by Raman coupling between condensates in different hyperfine levels. The resultant boson Josephson junction dynamics is described by a double-well nonlinear Gross-Pitaevskii equation. On the basis of a new set of Jacobian elliptic function solutions, we describe the period of the oscillations as well as associated quantities and predict novel observable consequences of the interplay of the energy difference and initial phase difference between the two condensate populations.