cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Airway management in cervical spine injured patients

Cervical spine injury (CSI) creates a special problem in airway management. The cervical spine is comprised of seven vertebrae that are uniquely configured and house the spinal cord at the center. The configuration of the cervical spine allows specific movements of the head and neck in a limited fashion. Cervical instability is a serious concern and occurs when movement in the spine is greater than normal, possibly placing the spinal cord at risk. Spinal cord injury is the primary concern when considering CSI, and can occur in a number of scenarios and pathologies, the most worrisome of which are direct injury and spinal cord compression. Evaluation and initial management of CSI should include radiographic assessment in patients at particular risk, early cervical immobilization, and potentially elective intubation. Recognition of CSI in association with other traumatic injuries is critical. When approaching the airway of a CSI patient, recognition of injury and timely intubation are critical. Direct laryngoscopy with manual in-line stabilization (MILS) is the most commonly practiced technique and is considered safe; other options for intubation include flexible fiberoptic intubation, video laryngoscopy, laryngeal mask airway (LMA) use, and nasal intubation. Regardless of the modality used, airway management must be conducted with regard for securing the airway as quickly and safely as possible while maintaining cervical immobilization.
Instructional Design in Mathematics for Students with Learning Disabilities

The low achievement level of students with learning disabilities has multiple causes. One is the mismatch between the students' learning characteristics and the design of instructional materials and practices. Design principles better suited to the characteristics of students with learning disabilities are described and illustrated for five areas: (a) big ideas; (b) conspicuous strategies; (c) efficient use of time; (d) clear, explicit instruction on strategies; and (e) appropriate practice and review. Wider application of these design principles, in instructional material and in actual teaching, could contribute to far higher achievement levels in mathematics for students with learning disabilities.
Detection and classification of subsurface objects in a marine environment by the use of a lidar system

The current problem of detecting objects located within a body of water is overcome by the use of a gated lidar system. Due to variation of suspended particulate matter within a body of water, normal visible video reconnaissance has proven to be highly unreliable. By using nanosecond short pulsed, low repetition rate blue-green laser signals that are exclusively tuned for specific water conditions, lidar systems are capable of reproducing clear images from oceanic surface to significant depths. One of the major advantages of gated lidar is that back scatter from layers above and below the region to be searched is basically reduced to zero. This discrimination in layer searching greatly increase the signal to noise ratio of the system, substantially increasing the likelihood of target recognition. Lidar systems have been successfully used for numerous military applications, studying of marine life forms, and oil spill detection and classification. Lidar systems are light weight with low power consumption and can be operated by personnel with minimal instruction.
Letter to the Editor: Vitamin E Limits AAA

To the Editor: We read with interest the report of Gavrila and associates describing the effectiveness of Vitamin E in reducing AAA progression in the ApoE−/− Ang II model.1 The data presented clearly support the growing consensus that oxidative stress plays an integral role in AAA disease in human and animal models. In their discussion …
Cardiomyocyte sulfonylurea receptor 2-KATP channel mediates cardioprotection and ST segment elevation

Sulfonylurea receptor-containing ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels have been implicated in cardioprotection, but the cell type and constitution of channels responsible for this protection hav...
Cold Storage and Tempering of Shelled Peanut1

Abstract The fiberboard box (121×102×124 cm) used to transport and store shelled stock peanuts was compared with an unvented and vented plastic box (121×121×124 cm) for potential condensation during cooling in cold storage (2.5 C and 72% RH) and tempering (20 ± 5 C and 72 ± 20% RH) after removal from cold storage. The boxes held 1000 kg of shelled runner peanuts at about 6.3% w.b. moisture content. In cold storage, the time required for the temperature to change 50% (t50) was 87 and 63% for unvented and vented plastic boxes of the t50 of the fiberboard box, respectively. In the tempering phase, the center peanut temperature began to change after 50 hr in the fiberboard box compared to 19 hr in the vented plastic box. During tempering, the t50 for the unvented and vented plastic boxes were 63 and 36% compared to the fiberboard box. The temperatures in the vented plastic box responded faster to the surrounding conditions and the time for potential condensation to occur in the peanuts was less. These results...
Presolar spinel grains from the Murray and Murchison carbonaceous chondrites

With a new type of ion microprobe, the NanoSIMS, we determined the oxygen isotopic compo- sitions of small (1m) oxide grains in chemical separates from two CM2 carbonaceous meteorites, Murray and Murchison. Among 628 grains from Murray separate CF (mean diameter 0.15 m) we discovered 15 presolar spinel and 3 presolar corundum grains, among 753 grains from Murray separate CG (mean diameter 0.45 m) 9 presolar spinel grains, and among 473 grains from Murchison separate KIE (mean diameter 0.5 m) 2 presolar spinel and 4 presolar corundum grains. The abundance of presolar spinel is highest (2.4%) in the smallest size fraction. The total abundance in the whole meteorite is at least 1 ppm, which makes spinel the third-most abundant presolar grain species after nanodiamonds (if indeed a significant fraction of them are presolar) and silicon carbide. The O-isotopic distribution of the spinel grains is very similar to that of presolar corundum, the only statistically significant difference being that there is a larger fraction of corundum grains with large 17 O excesses ( 17 O/ 16 O 1.5 10 3 ), which indicates parent stars with masses between 1.8 and 4.5 MJ. Copyright © 2003 Elsevier Ltd
“That's Not Fair” Similarities and Differences in Distributive Justice Reasoning Between American and Filipino Children

Distributive justice pertains to choices that individuals make in allocating resources to themselves and others. The present study, based on data obtained from Filipino and American fifth graders, investigated the similarities and differences in resource distribution in the context of two hypothetical scenarios. The scenarios made salient the norms of merit and need. It was found that although both the Filipino and U.S. children generally preferred to divide the resource equally, they offered quite different explanations for their choices. U.S. children focused on the equal performance of the characters in the scenarios, whereas the Filipino children tended to be more concerned with the interpersonal and emotional consequences of an unequal distribution. Furthermore, U.S. children favored merit-based distributions as their second choice, whereas Filipino children showed a preference for need-based distributions in their second choices. Whereas concern for harmony in interpersonal relationships guided equa...
Studies on the yeast α‐mating factor: A model for mammalian peptide hormones

Small peptides initiate sexual conjugation in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and this phenomenon is an ideal paradigm for studying the mode of action of mammalian peptide hormones. 1H-nmr spectroscopy was used to examine the conformation of linear and cyclic analogues of the alpha-factor (WHWLQLKPGQPMY) in aqueous solution. In all cases peptides that exhibit nmr parameters expected for a type II beta-turn have higher biological activities than those that do not appear to assume this conformation. Based on a simple model for the interaction of the pheromone with its receptor, we prepared fragments of the alpha-factor. Several of these fragments either antagonize or potentiate the activity of the alpha-factor. The latter represent the first example of peptide fragments that synergize the activity of the parent pheromone.
Increasing influenza immunization among high-risk patients: Education or financial incentive?

Purpose To determine whether an educational brochure or a lottery-type incentive increases influenza immunization rates. Patients and methods In a prospective, single-blind factorial design randomized trial at an urban community health center, all high-risk patients (n = 797) seen in the preceding 18 months were randomly assigned to one of four groups: a control group; a group mailed a large print, illustrated educational brochure emphasizing factors important to patients in making a decision about influenza immunization; a group mailed a lottery-type incentive announcing that all patients receiving influenza immunization would be eligible for grocery gift certificates; and a group mailed both educational brochure and incentive. Immunization was free, available without an appointment, and recorded by a computerized tracking system. Results The group mailed the brochure was more likely to be immunized than control (odds ratio [OR] = 2.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.45 to 3.61), as was the group mailed the incentive (OR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.68), but there was no difference between the group mailed both interventions and the control group. The effectiveness of the brochure was more striking for individuals who had not accepted immunization in the prior year (OR = 4.21, 95% CI 2.48 to 7.14), suggesting a true educational effect rather than simply a reminder. Conclusion In this community health center setting, an illustrated educational brochure increased influenza immunization among high-risk patients, a lottery-type incentive was much less effective, and both together was not effective.
Quantitative Computer-Assisted Image Analysis of Suction Biopsy in Pediatric Gastroesophageal Reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux is a disorder with well-characterized histopathological features in the adult, but the incidence and pathogenesis of epithelial injury in children are poorly understood. Esophageal suction biopsies from 80 infants exhibiting symptoms of reflux were studied by computer-assisted image analysis and the results compared to routine histological scoring. The histological features evaluated were the number of intraepithelial lymphocytes and eosinophils, papillary height, interpapillary basal cell height, and a novel measure "integrated basal cell height." We quantitatively evaluated these histological criteria by computer-assisted image analysis and compared these results to four subjective grades of esophagitis: low, mild, moderate and high. In this report we now describe this quantitative histopathologic method for the evaluation of pediatric esophageal biopsies. Utilizing this method we demonstrate that both inter- and intra-observer variability were sufficiently low to stratify the mucosal changes reliably into at least four categories. The reliability of this objective analytic technique will permit studies into the disease progression and regression in pediatric reflux esophagitis.
LZTFL1 Upregulated by All-trans Retinoic Acid during CD4+ T Cell Activation Enhances IL-5 Production

Retinoic acids, which are metabolites of vitamin A, have been shown to be involved in multiple T cell effector responses through their binding to the retinoic acid receptor, a ligand-activated transcription factor. Because the molecular mechanism of regulation by retinoic acid is still not fully uncovered, we investigated the gene expression profile of all- trans retinoic acid (ATRA)–treated human CD4 + T cells. Leucine zipper transcription factor-like 1 (LZTFL1) was upregulated by ATRA in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The expression of LZTFL1 depended on both ATRA and TCR signaling. LZTFL1 accumulated in the plasma membrane compartment of human CD4 + T cells, and, during immunological synapse formation, it transiently redistributed to the T cell and APC contact zone, indicating its role in T cell activation. Live-cell imaging demonstrates that at the initial stage of immunological synapse formation, LZTFL1 is concentrated at the APC contact site, and, during later stages, it relocates to the distal pole. Knockdown of LZTFL1 reduced the basal- and ATRA-induced levels of IL-5 in CD4 + T cells, and overexpression of LZTFL1 enhanced the TCR-mediated NFAT signaling, suggesting that LZTFL1 is an important regulator of ATRA-induced T cell response. Together, these data indicate that LZTFL1 modulates T cell activation and IL-5 levels.
Plasma heparin: a unique, practical, submicrogram-sensitive assay.

Abstract A unique quantitative assay for heparin is described. It can detect as little as 0.01 unit (10 −1 μg) heparin per milliliter plasma. The assay is based on the original observation of the accelerating effect of trace amounts of heparin on the neutralization of activated factor X by its plasma inhibitor and has both a specificity and a sensitivity greater than those of the whole blood clotting time or the activated partial thromboplastin time. The reagents employed are easily prepared, the entire test can be completed in less than 5 minutes on plasma samples, and can be performed either manually or with the use of automatic clot timers. The assay can be used to measure plasma heparin during and following cardiopulmonary bypass, during therapeutic heparin administration in large and small doses intravenously and subcutaneously, and to document the antithrombotic response to minidose heparin prophylaxis of venous thrombosis
Effect of abstinence on sperm acrosin, hypoosmotic swelling, and other semen variables *

Objective To compare the variability of sperm acrosin and hypoosmotic swelling to the more standard semen variables in relationship to controlled periods of sexual abstinence using a defined group of men. Design Ten men abstained sequentially for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10 days and produced an ejaculate after each time period. The ejaculate variables measured at each time point were sperm acrosin, hypoosmotic swelling, volume, sperm number, sperm concentration, sperm motility, sperm morphology, pH, and white blood cells (WBCs). Comparisons were performed between the values obtained at each abstinence period. Results The percentage of hypoosmotically reactive spermatozoa did not vary significantly with the abstinence period. Sperm acrosin remained similar up to 5 days of abstinence but decreased almost twofold after 10 days of abstinence. The sperm volume and concentration increased gradually with the length of abstinence, being approximately twofold higher after 10 days of abstinence than after 1 day of abstinence. The total sperm number increased about fourfold from 1 day of abstinence to 10 days of abstinence. The percent normal sperm forms tended to increase until 5 days of abstinence but decreased after 10 days of abstinence. The WBC count showed only a small increase with longer abstinence periods. The pH remained essentially the same. Conclusions The length of abstinence affects the various semen variables differently. An abstinence period of up to 10 days does not alter the hypoosmotic swelling test results. However, the sperm acrosin values decrease after prolonged abstinence so that the abstinence period needs to be taken into consideration when performing this assay.
Security tests and attack experimentations of ProtoGENI

Tests and experiments to investigate selected security issues through ProtoGENI are conducted throughout this paper. The ProtoGENI is through its Spiral 1 time period, which primarily focuses on developing control and aggregating functions, up to the beginning of Spiral 4 time period now. Spiral 4 focuses on the transition from a rapid-prototyping effort to a 'real GENI' that supports network research experimentation. Owing to the lack of security related functions in the ProtoGENI's initial status, there is a necessity to explore the security vulnerabilities of ProtoGENI. Throughout the past several Spiral time periods, we designed four major sets of security tests and experiments, to examine certain types of its security vulnerabilities. All of the above tests and experiments showed that it is very possible that ProtoGENI nodes may render vulnerabilities to these attacks.
Revolutionize Learning and Development; An e-Learning Manifesto for All of Us

Clark Quinn's new book, "Revolutionize Learning and Development," offers many insights and suggestions for the changes that are needed for learning and performance in organizations going forward. From the need for data to how we conceive of a "course," the text outlines next steps that organizations can take to optimize performance.
The Security Expertise Assessment Measure (SEAM)

Hackers pose a continuous and unrelenting threat. Industry and academic researchers alike can benefit from a greater understanding of how hackers engage in criminal behavior. A limiting factor of hacker research is the inability to verify that self-proclaimed hackers participating in research actually possess their purported knowledge and skills. This paper develops and validates a conceptual-expertise-based tool that we call SEAM that can be used to discriminate between novice and expert hackers. This tool has the potential to provide information systems researchers with the following two key capabilities: (1) maximizing the generalizability of hacking research by verifying the legitimacy of hackers involved in data collections, and (2) segmenting samples of hackers into different groups based on skill thereby allowing more granular analyses and insights. This paper reports on samples from four different groups: security experts, students, security workers, and Amazon Mechanical Turk hackers. SEAM was able to differentiate between security expertise in different populations (e.g., experts and student novices). We also provide norm development by measuring security workers and Amazon Mechanical Turk hackers.
Computationally derived rules for persistence of C60 nanowires on recumbent pentacene bilayers.

The tendency for C60 nanowires to persist on two monolayers of recumbent pentacene is studied using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. A review of existing experimental literature for the tilt an...
Epidemiological Analysis of Pneumonoconiosis in Lianyungang City during 2003-2008

[Objective]To understand the incidence and epidemiologic features of pneumonoconiosis in Lianyungang City,and prevent the occurrence of pneumonoconiosis.[Methods]Epidemiologic method was adopted to conduct statistical analysis on newly diagnosed pneumoconiosis cases in Lianyungang City during 2003-2008.[Results]A total of 138 cases of pneumonoconiosis were diagnosed,and distributed in 10 industries,108 ( 78. 26% ) cases at stageⅠ,28( 20. 29% ) at stage Ⅱ and 2( 1. 45% ) at stage Ⅲ. The average service length of pneumoconiosis patients diagnosed in 2003 were obviously longer than that of patients diagnosed in 2007 and 2008,the difference was significant ( P 0. 01) . 35 patients'exposure lengths were less than or equal to 5 years,among which 17 were at stageⅠ,17 at stage II,and 1 at stage III. The most cases of stage Ⅱand stage Ⅲ belonged private enterprises and were diagnosed during 2007-2008.[Conclusion]In recent years,dust hazards are serious in some private enterprises. Exposure time of pneumonoconiosis cases to the dust gradually become shorter and its symptoms gradually become more serious. Therefore,it is necessary to strengthen the prevention of pneumonoconiosis.
Song Overproduction, Song Matching and Selective Attrition during Development

The bewildering diversity among bird species in the number of songs that males sing and in the degree of geographic variation in song structure have long intrigued biologists (Krebs and Kroodsma 1980). This diversity in part is a consequence of song learning. At some time in their lives, male birds memorise adult song models that serve to guide the young male’s own song efforts (Thorpe 1958; Konishi 1965; Marier 1970).
Appliances on the Web: A New Tool to Inform Consumers

In June 1973, the State of California published a report entitled Energy Dilemma - California’ s 20-Year Power Plant Siting Plan. The main conclusion of that report was that: The installed electrical generating capacity in California will need to be increased from 33,000 megawatts to about 105,000 megawatts during the 20-year planning period from 1972 to 1991. About 70,000 megawatts of new generating capacity, including out-of-state coal capacity, will have to be built to meet the projected needs of Californians through the end of 1991.
Evolution and Distribution of C7–Cyclitol Synthases in Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes

2-Epi-5-epi-valiolone synthase (EEVS), a C7-sugar phosphate cyclase (SPC) homologous to 3-dehydroquinate synthase (DHQS), was discovered during studies of the biosynthesis of the C7N-aminocyclitol family of natural products. EEVS was originally thought to be present only in certain actinomycetes, but analyses of genome sequences showed that it is broadly distributed in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, including vertebrates. Another SPC, desmethyl-4-deoxygadusol synthase (DDGS), was later discovered as being involved in the biosynthesis of mycosporine-like amino acid sunscreen compounds. Current database annotations are quite unreliable, with many EEVSs reported as DHQS, and most DDGSs reported as EEVS, DHQS, or simply hypothetical proteins. Here, we identify sequence features useful for distinguishing these enzymes, report a crystal structure of a representative DDGS showing the high similarity of the EEVS and DDGS enzymes, identify notable active site differences, and demonstrate the importance of two of...
Reconstitution of the tubular endoplasmic reticulum network with purified components.

In the presence of GTP, a tubular endoplasmic reticulum network can be reconstituted with only two purified membrane proteins. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has several distinct structural domains, including a dynamic network of interconnected membrane tubules. Tom Rapoport and colleagues study the membrane proteins that mediate the formation of the ER network. Here they show that in the presence of the energy molecule GTP, two ER proteins are sufficient to reconstitute a dynamic tubular membrane network, which then disassembles after GTP hydrolysis. One of these proteins must be a membrane-fusing GTPase enzyme, such as the yeast protein Sey1p, and the other must have a curvature-stabilizing effect, like Yop1p. Organelles display characteristic morphologies that are intimately tied to their cellular function, but how organelles are shaped is poorly understood. The endoplasmic reticulum is particularly intriguing, as it comprises morphologically distinct domains, including a dynamic network of interconnected membrane tubules. Several membrane proteins have been implicated in network formation1,2,3,4,5, but how exactly they mediate network formation and whether they are all required are unclear. Here we reconstitute a dynamic tubular membrane network with purified endoplasmic reticulum proteins. Proteoliposomes containing the membrane-fusing GTPase Sey1p (refs 6, 7) and the curvature-stabilizing protein Yop1p (refs 8, 9) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae form a tubular network upon addition of GTP. The tubules rapidly fragment when GTP hydrolysis of Sey1p is inhibited, indicating that network maintenance requires continuous membrane fusion and that Yop1p favours the generation of highly curved membrane structures. Sey1p also forms networks with other curvature-stabilizing proteins, including reticulon8 and receptor expression-enhancing proteins (REEPs)10 from different species. Atlastin, the vertebrate orthologue of Sey1p6,11, forms a GTP-hydrolysis-dependent network on its own, serving as both a fusion and curvature-stabilizing protein. Our results show that organelle shape can be generated by a surprisingly small set of proteins and represents an energy-dependent steady state between formation and disassembly.
Perceived relative standing and the big-fish-little-pond effect in 59 countries and regions: Analysis of TIMSS 2011 data

Abstract This study used data from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study 2011 to examine the big-fish-little-pond effect (BFLPE) in eighth grade mathematics in 59 countries/regions. The BFLPE refers to the negative contrast effect of achievement on academic self-concept resulting from students comparing their ability to the average ability in their immediate context; students in higher-achieving contexts have lower average self-concept than similarly able students in lower-achieving contexts. Earlier research showed that controlling for students' perceived relative standing (how competent they perceive themselves compared to classmates) eliminates or reduces the BFLPE. However, little research has demonstrated the generalizability of this effect. Using the multilevel latent variable approach and large-scale assessment data, this study applied three statistical models. In the first model, measurement invariance of mathematics self-concept was assessed across countries/regions and across student and classroom levels within each country/region. In the second model, the BFLPE model was tested. The BFLPE was found in 58 countries/regions, with the Syrian Arab Republic being the only exception. In the third model, a perceived relative standing measure was added as a predictor at the within level to test whether perceived relative standing would eliminate or reduce the BFLPE. Results showed that the BFLPE was eliminated in six countries/regions and reduced in 49 countries/regions.
Childhood Antecedents of Drug Abuse and Antisocial Behavior

Childhood is a time of rich biopsychosocial growth beginning at birth and stretching to the onset of puberty. In this chapter we situate our understanding of childhood within a life-course perspective, highlighting the importance of social and historical context as well as the ways in which early experiences can influence life trajectories related to both drug abuse and antisocial behavior. Next, we look in depth at the nature and prevalence of child problem behavior during infancy, toddlerhood, preschool, and middle childhood. In particular, we discuss the challenge of distinguishing between normative—albeit disconcerting—behavior problems and problem behavior that is more troublesome and portents of serious and persistent behavior problems. We conclude by examining biologically based (i.e., temperament) and environmental (i.e., parenting and family stress) factors that have been shown to be critical in the etiology of child problem behavior and that of adolescent and adult persistent drug abuse and antisociality. In doing so, we were especially mindful of studies pointing to the ways in which biological and social/contextual factors interact to influence drug abuse and antisocial behavior across the life course.
Exploring the dynamics of search advertiser fraud

Most search engines generate significant revenue through search advertising, wherein advertisements are served alongside traditional search results. These advertisements are attractive to advertisers because ads can be targeted and prominently presented to users at the exact moment that the user is searching for relevant topics. Deceptive advertising is harmful to all legitimate actors in the search ad ecosystem: Users are less likely to find what they are looking for and may lose trust in ads or the search engine, advertisers lose potential revenue and face unfair competition from advertisers who are not playing by the rules, and the search engine's ecosystem suffers when both users and advertisers are unhappy. This paper explores search advertiser fraud on Microsoft's Bing search engine platform. We characterize three areas: the scale of search advertiser fraud, the targeting and bidding behavior of fraudulent advertisers, and how fraudulent advertisers impact other advertisers in the ecosystem.
Different allergenicity profile of egg white protein extract vs. purified ovalbumin in an adjuvant-free mouse model (HYP7P.267)

Food allergies are the leading cause of life-threatening allergic reactions with incompletely understood mechanisms. Here we initially evaluated the allergenicity of egg white protein extract (EWPE) in a novel transdermal sensitization model without adjuvants such as alum/cholera toxin/super-antigen that are commonly used in mouse models of egg allergy. Groups of mice received transdermal exposure (TDE) to EWPE (1 mg/exposure/week) for four weeks. Sensitization was measured by specific IgE antibody (SIgE Ab) levels in plasma using ELISA. Systemic anaphylaxis was assessed upon oral challenge (OC) with EWPE using clinical scoring method, and hypothermia reactions. Four TDEs were sufficient to elicit robust SIgE Ab responses. Upon OC (15 mg/mouse), EWPE elicited near-fatal clinical signs of anaphylaxis associated with rapid hypothermia reactions. We then evaluated allergenicity of purified ovalbumin (OVA) using this model. Groups of mice received TDE to OVA at 4 different doses. Robust OVA SpIgE responses were observed upon TDE. Surprisingly, sensitized mice did not exhibit significant clinical symptoms or hypothermia reactions upon OC with a wide dose range. Nevertheless, robust anaphylaxis was evident upon i.p., injection with OVA. These data suggest that mechanisms of oral egg protein-induced reactions in adjuvant-free model likely depends on whether protein extracts or pure protein from the same food source (egg) is used in model development.
Correlated Molecular Structural Motions for Photoprotection after Deep-UV Irradiation

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light could cause photodamage to biomolecular systems and degrade optoelectronic devices. To mitigate such detrimental effects from the bottom up, we strategically select a photosensitive molecule pyranine and implement femtosecond electronic and Raman spectroscopies to elucidate its ultrafast photoprotection mechanisms in solution. Our results show that pyranine undergoes excited-state proton transfer in water, while this process is blocked in methanol regardless of excitation wavelengths (267, 400 nm). After 267 nm irradiation, the molecule relaxes from a higher lying electronic state into a lower lying singlet state with a <300 fs time constant, followed by solvation events. Transient Raman marker bands exhibit different patterns of intensity dynamics and frequency shift that elucidate the real-time interplay among conformational motions, photochemical reaction, and vibrational cooling after excitation. More energetic photons are revealed to selectively enhance certain rela...
The Paleontological Record

There has been a great deal of speculation in the last few decades about the possible spontaneous origin of life either on this planet or elsewhere in space. We shall therefore begin our examination of the past by reviewing what we know about extraterrestrial lipids and other compounds. Early in the present century spectroscopic examination of light reaching our planet revealed that about 99% of the matter of the universe is in the nuclear form corresponding to hydrogen and helium. In the remaining tiny fraction are found all the other elements, including those from which life is constructed (Table 5). After hydrogen and helium, due to the nature of the “big bang,” the next most abundant atoms are the next simplest ones, i.e., those of the first row of the periodic table, including the biochemically important carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen.
Language Education Policies in Southeast Asia

Language education policies in Southeast Asia advance two goals simultaneously. First, governments typically choose a small number of indigenous languages for education in attempts to forge postcolonial or contemporary identities at the national level; these language policies integrate with other policy initiatives intended to engender social cohesion in the multiethnic and multilingual nation-states. Second, all 11 nations in the region have created a place for English in education, usually as a foreign language, to facilitate participation in various global or international venues or networks that use English as the medium of communication.
A review: “In-Home Healthcare” projects in the USA

In 1995 the National Science Foundation opened the Internet (the World Wide Web) to public use and thereby released a technology that, arguably, in less than a decade, is impacting healthcare delivery much as Roentgen’s discovery of the X-ray in 1895 advanced medical diagnosis and Fleming’s discovery of penicillin in 1928 revolutionized the treatment of bacterial diseases. Contemporaneously with the opening of the Internet came the availability of broadband communications and computer networks, GHz desktop computers, high definition monitors, and massive computer memory — all at relatively low costs. Those technologies introduced the potential for the development of affordable devices and systems to enable consumers to access a wide range of healthcare services from the home, and to do so interactively with healthcare providers. Such devices and telemedicine systems have been described in a number of forums. The aging of the “baby boomers” and the increased longevity of the population have introduced the dimension of prevention in the design of In-Home Healthcare systems. No individual nor organization coordinates telemedicine/telehealth activities in the USA but several private sector and government programs support considerable research directed to the development of the necessary technologies for patient and provider acceptance of In-Home Healthcare systems.
Causation and Bacterial Diseases

While the first postulates of causation are generally attributed to Robert Koch, his contributions, like most advances in science, rest on the work of others who preceded him, especially that of his teacher, Jakob Henle, and another great German bacteriologist, Edwin Klebs. The work of these three men will be reviewed in this chapter, and the applicability of the Koch postulates to several bacterial diseases will be discussed, including the pathogens of Legionnaire’s disease and Lyme disease.
Einzelzellaktivität im Mittelhirn von wachen Affen während vertikaler Augenbewegungen

Extrazellulare Einzelzellableitungen von Neuronen der akzessorischen okulomotorischen Kerne und Formatio reticularis mesencephali von trainierten, wachen Affen haben gezeigt, das die Entladungen dieser Neurone mit vertikalen Augenbewegungen korreliert sind. Eine Klasse von Neuronen entlud wahrend spontanen Augenbewegungen mit einer Kombination von hochfrequenten Impulsen und einer tonischen Entladungsrate, die mit jeweiligen Augenpositionen korreliert war (burst-tonic Neurone). Dieses Entladungsmuster der burst-tonic Neurone gleicht dem von motorischen Neuronen der Augenmuskelkerne, und man kann annehmen, das die burst-tonic Neurone die Motoneurone innervieren. Die Entladungsfrequenz der zweiten Klasse von Neuronen (irregular-tonic Neurone) sind nicht mit spontanen Augenbewegungen korreliert. Allerdings gibt es eine strikte Korrelation zwischen der Aktivitat dieser Zellen und vertikalen Augenpositionen und der Geschwindigkeit der Augenbewegungen, sobald der Affe ein Ziel fixiert. Die Zerstorung dieser beiden Neuronengruppen und ihrer Axone kann die vertikale Blickparese erklaren, die oft im Zusammenhang mit Lasionen der posterioren Kommissur und des Pratektums auftreten.
A protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial to assess the feasibility and effect of a cognitive behavioral intervention on quality of life for patients on hemodialysis.

Abstract Introduction Poor health-related quality of life (HrQOL) is highly prevalent in patients on hemodialysis (HD), and is associated with increased hospitalizations and mortality. Cognitive behavioral (CB) techniques have improved HrQOL in HD patients but have not been routinely translated into clinical practice. The investigators present the rationale, study design and protocol of a randomized controlled trial to pilot the feasibility and effect of a translatable, behavioral-education intervention using CB techniques to improve poor HrQOL and self-management in hemodialysis patients. Methods Forty-eight HD patients will be randomly assigned to either the study intervention which includes 8–12 behavioral-education sessions with incorporated CB techniques delivered over 12 weeks or a control group of dialysis education without incorporated CB techniques. Subjects will be followed for 16 weeks and the primary outcome, change in kidney disease quality of life (KDQOL)-36 scores, will be measured at 0, 8, and 16 weeks. The study will have 85% power to detect an 8-point change in KDQOL-36 scores. At the end of the study, qualitative data will be gathered through end-of-study focus groups, and semi-structured interviews. These data will be used to refine the intervention and help translate it into clinical practice. Discussion There is promising evidence in support of CB-based interventions to improve HrQOL for patients on HD. Despite this, these interventions have not been routinely incorporated into clinical practice. The proposed intervention has the potential to improve both HrQOL and self-management, while also being easily translatable to other HD units.
Zika virus diagnosis: challenges and solutions.

Abstract Background Since its sudden appearance and link to microcephaly in 2015, the number of PubMed references for Zika virus (ZIKV) has risen from 181 to 5163, at time of writing, with a vast proportion focused on the consequences of ZIKV infection during pregnancy. This level of attention underlies increased demand for sensitive and specific diagnostic tools able to assess risk to an unborn child, as well as to understand the dynamics and consequences of viral persistence. Aim Review the expanding knowledge on ZIKV persistence and diagnostic challenges and summarize current advancements in detection. Sources Peer-reviewed articles based on the search terms ‘Zika’ and ‘ZIKV’ combined with the terms ‘diagnostics’ ‘point-of-care diagnostics’ ‘viral load’ ‘persistence’ ‘detection’ ‘treatment’ ‘nucleic acid amplification testing’ ‘microsphere’ ‘PVRT’ ‘RVNT’ ‘RT-LAMP’ ‘NASBA’ SIBA’ ‘RPA’ ‘SHERLOCK’ ‘ELISA’, and ‘TMA’ as well as laboratory experience of the authors. Content Topics covered include the emergence of the ZIKV epidemic, pathogenesis of ZIKV infection, the nature of ZIKV persistence, complications in serological diagnosis, tried and novel diagnostic laboratory techniques, and a recent accounting of point-of-care testing (POCT) methods. Implications Surveillance and research in the case of ZIKV has shifted into a more rapid and coordinated worldwide directive than has occurred with most viral epidemics to date. The particular concentration of outbreaks in resource-limited settings increases the need for simple assays capable of reliable, inexpensive, high-throughput ZIKV diagnosis. This review serves to both catalogue current diagnostic options and consider their suitability at point-of-care.
Inhibitory interneurons in hippocampus.

In the hippocampus and DG, a small number of morphologically and physiologically diverse interneurons controls the neuronal activity of large numbers of the principal excitatory output cells. The inhibitory interneurons are themselves regulated by glutamatergic and GABA-ergic intrinsic hippocampus afferents, as well as by extrinsic afferents, including cholinergic and serotonergic projections from the basal forebrain and the brainstem, respectively. In addition to the slow modulatory effects of the neurotransmitters released from these extrinsic pathways (11), recent evidence has revealed rapid effects of ACh and 5-HT mediated by ligand-gated ion channel receptors for these neurotransmitters. The direct, rapid excitatory action of ACh and 5-HT on hippocampus interneurons can explain many of the effects of these neurotransmitters on neuronal activity in the hippocampus circuit. Because the hippocampus receives both serotonergic and cholinergic innervation, there is strong potential for fast cholinergic and serotonergic synaptic transmission between these fibers and hippocampus interneurons, such as has been reported in other brain regions (e.g., visual cortex) (36). Moreover, these receptors may play important roles in the cognitive functions of the hippocampus, and show impaired function in certain neurological disorders, such as neurodegeneration.
Least-cost operation of a battery swapping station with random customer requests

Abstract The Battery Swapping Station (BSS) is emerging as a viable means for fast energy refill of Electric Vehicles (EVs), in addition to many potential benefits in providing energy and ancillary services to the distribution grid. This paper focuses on developing a mathematical model for uncertainty-constrained BSS optimal operation that not only covers the random customer demands of fully charged batteries, but also leverages the available batteries to reduce its operation cost through demand shifting and energy sellback. The battery degradation is further modeled and formulated to ensure a practical solution. Numerical simulations on a test BSS demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model and show its viability in achieving the predefined objectives as discussed in this paper.
Religion as Speech: The Growing Role of Free Speech Jurisprudence in Protecting Religious Liberty

In the same way that neutrality guaranteed religion full access to America's public life and societal debates, an access strongly supported by the underlying values of free speech, so too did neutrality require that as a co-participant religion not be constitutionally released from the obligations and burdens that being a co-participant in America's public life brings. ... On the other hand, to treat a religious group neutrally, giving it the same access as other student groups to a speech forum, mitigated any Establishment Clause concerns that might exist when religious speech occurs on public property. ... The Rehnquist Court, Neutrality, and Religious Speech The previous section showed that by the 1981 decisions in Heffron and Widmar, content-neutrality had become a central focus in analyzing free speech rights, including religious speech, and played a significant, though not dispositive role in Establishment Clause analysis. ... Even under this narrow understanding of the school exclusion policy, the Court said the church's speech rights had been violated, since denying access to the church constituted not just subject-matter discrimination, but also viewpoint discrimination, fatal to restrictions in a limited public forum and generally considered the most egregious type of speech restriction. ... What This Might Mean Let me conclude by briefly commenting on possible implications of the Court's increasing reliance on free speech to protect religious liberty, examining the issue from two perspectives: (1) what these cases say about how the Court views the role of religion in American life; and (2) how the Court's increasing focus on free speech, rather than free exercise, fits with the challenges that both America as a nation and religion face in the twenty-first century. ... How the Court Views Religion The Rehnquist Court's emphasis on neutrality, which emerges in its free speech, free exercise, and Establishment Clause jurisprudence, has resulted in an increased focus on free speech principles to protect religious liberty.
Mogamulizumab versus investigator choice in relapsed/refractory adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma: all four one or none for all?

The human T-cell lymphotropic (or leukemia) virus type-1 (HTLV-1) was isolated by Poiesz et al . in 1980 from the T-cell line Hut-102, established from a patient thought to have cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.[1][1] HTLV-1 causes adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL), HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical
Dissolution, Stability, and Morphological Properties of Conventional and Multiphase Poly(DL-Lactic-Co-Glycolic Acid) Microspheres Containing Water-Soluble Compounds

Multiphase microspheres of poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) containing water-soluble compounds were prepared by a multiple-emulsion solvent evaporation technique. These compounds were dissolved in the aqueous phase of a W/O emulsion with soybean oil as the oil phase. This emulsion was dispersed throughout the matrix of the microsphere. The morphological properties of the multiphase microspheres during in vitro dissolution studies were compared to those of conventional microspheres prepared from the same polymer. Drug release from the multiphase microspheres was characterized by an initial uniform release for the first 20 days followed by a more rapid phase of drug release. Chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) and brilliant blue (BB) were the soluble model compounds investigated. The release rates of these agents from the multiphase microspheres were independent of the drug content in the microspheres. The release profiles from the conventional microspheres showed a lag time of 10 and 16 days for the CPM and BB, respectively. The dissolution rate of the model soluble compounds from the conventional microspheres increased as the loading in the microspheres increased. No differences in the degradation rate of the PLGA from the multiphase and the conventional microspheres were seen during the dissolution studies.
A Systematic Review of Contouring Guidelines in Radiation Oncology: Analysis of Frequency, Methodology, and Delivery of Consensus Recommendations.

Purpose Clinical trials have described variation in radiation therapy plan quality, of which contour delineation is a key component, and linked this to inferior patient outcomes. In response, consensus guidelines have been developed to standardize contour delineation. This investigation assesses trends in contouring guidelines and examines the methodologies used to generate and deliver recommendations. Methods and Materials We conducted a literature search for contouring guidelines published after 1995. Of 11,124 citations, 332 were identified for full-text review to determine inclusion. We abstracted articles for the intent of the consensus process, key elements of the methodology, and mode of information delivery. A Fisher exact test was used to identify elements that differed among the guidelines generated for clinical trials and routine care. Results Overall, 142 guidelines were included, of which 16 (11%) were developed for a clinical trial. There was an increase in guideline publication over time (0 from 1995-1999 vs 65 from 2015- 2019; P = .03), particularly among recommendations for stereotactic radiation and brachytherapy. The most common disease sites were head and neck (24%), gastrointestinal (12%), and gynecologic (12%). Methods used to develop recommendations included literature review (50%) and image-based methods (45%). Panels included a median of 10 physicians (interquartile range, 7-16); 70% of panels represented multidisciplinary expertise. Guidelines developed for a clinical trial were more likely to include an image-based approach, with quantitative analysis of contours submitted by the panel members and to publish a full set of image-based recommendations (P Conclusions This review highlights an increase in consensus contouring recommendations over time. Guidelines focus on disease sites, such as head and neck, with evidence supporting a correlation between treatment planning and patient outcomes, although variation exists in the approach to the consensus process. Elements that may improve guideline acceptance (ie, image-based consensus contour analysis) and usability (ie, inclusion of a full image set) are more common in guidelines developed for clinical trials.