cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Suppressor cells induced by total lymphoid irradiation affect proliferation and lymphokine production of murine T helper cell clones

Abstract A key response to antigen is the activation of helper T cells to release lymphokines which stimulate and effect the immune reaction. This T cell population can secrete many different factors with diverse, often multifunctional roles, such as amplifying T or B cell antigen responses or being effectors of cell mediated delayed type hypersensitivity. Among these lymphokines are gamma-interferon (γ-IFN), interleukin-2 (IL-2), or T cell growth factor, and lymphotoxin (LT) which has cytotoxic activity against a variety of cells. Immune suppression in mice following total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) has been correlated with the presence in lympho-reticular tissues of an antigen non-specific, null suppressor cell. This study examined what effects radiation induced suppressor cells had upon the in vitro activation and lymphokine responses of the ovalbumin (OVA) specific T helper cell clone, 153E6, following antigen presentation. Splenocytes from TLI treated mice obtained early in the post-irradiation period exerted a pan-inhibitory effect upon OVA induced 153E6 proliferation and its concomitant release of γ-IFN, LT, and IL-2. As the interval from irradiation increased, splenocytes from TLI treated mice showed persistent suppression of 153E6 proliferation and γ-IFN release, but had rapidly diminishing effects on the T cell's capacity to produce LT and IL-2. These findings suggest that suppressor cells induced by TLI have a marked inhibitory effect in vivo upon T helper cell proliferative responses to antigen and the production of various T helper cell lymphokines necessary to mediate the immune response. Such processes could contribute to the immunosuppressive effects of extensive nodal irradiation.
THE INTERACTION OF IRON DEFICIENCY AND LEAD POISONING IN NORMAL CHILDREN. AN EPIDMIOLGICAL STUDY

In children the levels of erythrocyte porphyrins (EP) increase exponentially with the blood lead (BPb) above a threshold of 18 μg/dl (P.N.A.S. 79: 3335, 1982). The EP levels are also elevated by iron deficiency. This study was directed to assess the response of normal and Fe deficient children to low levels of Pb. In addition to BPb and EP, serum ferritin (SF) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were measured in 3459 children age 1 to 6 years. The normal range for SF and MCV were first established for each year of age. Children with SF 1 σ below the mean were considered certainly Fe sufficient. Children who did not fulfill any of these criteria were left unclassified and excluded from the analysis. The threshold BPb for EP elevation was established by the segmented line technique. The threshold BPb for the entire group of 3459 children was 18 μg/dl; for the 331 Fe deficient children it was 12.5 μg/dl and for the 2314 Fe sufficient children it was 20.3 μg/dl; all slopes of elevation were parallel. Because of the lower threshold BPb, Fe deficient children have a greater increase in EP in response to Pb than Fe sufficient children. These findings demonstrate the greater sensitivity of Fe deficient children to the effect of Pb, probably mediated by the competitive inhibition between Pb and Fe at the ferrochelatase step (Blood 66: 47a, 1985). Fe deficiency increases the sensitivity of children to Pb; Fe supplementation may protect them from the adverse effects of Pb on heme synthesis.
Root Decay and Fire Affect Soil Pipe Formation and Morphology in Forested Hillslopes with Restrictive Horizons

Soil pipes or large horizontal macropores are hillslope–hydrologic features affecting critical processes such as subsurface drainage, streamflow, erosion, hillslope stability, and discharge response to rain fall and snow melt. However, information on soil pipe formation, morphology, and distribution on forested hillslopes is very limited, impeding the incorporation of these important preferential flow pathways into mechanistic hydrologic models. The objectives of this study were to (i) quantify the spatial distribution and physical characteristics of soil pipes, (ii) investigate soil pipe origin, and (iii) examine the role of fire in pipe formation. We excavated three 6.12- by 6.12-m plots down to a water-restricting horizon within a 2-ha portion of a steep forest hillslope in northern Idaho. Excavation followed consecutive timber harvest and prescribed burning operations. Detailed documentation of soil pipe diameter, direction, gradient, and connectivity from these excavated soil profiles were used to derive morphologic attributes and distribution of soil pipes. The majority of soil pipes were attributed to decayed tree roots with a median depth of 0.32 m corresponding to the beginning of the restrictive soil horizon. Median path length for branched and nonbranched soil pipes was 2.21 m and 0.89 m, respectively with a median tortuosity of 1.23. Our findings indicate that soil pipe formation and distribution within this hillslope was influenced by tree root growth, decay, slope gradient, and root limiting soil horizons. Fire and the combustion of roots and tree stumps was the primary mechanism that connected soil pipes to the surface. The large frequency and extent of soil pipes documented in this study suggests that estimations of water transport without consideration for these macropores, while useful, are likely underestimated.
America and China: lessons from the past

American Science and Modern China 1876-1936. By Peter Buck. Pp.283. ISBN 0-521-22744-5, (Cambridge University Press: 1980.) £15, $24.95.
Whole abdominal irradiation in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. I. Tolerance and outcome.

Thirty patients, over a 16-year period, treated with whole abdominal irradiation for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were reviewed. Therapy tolerance, acute toxicity, and long-term outcome were determined. When adequate protection of vital intraabdominal organs was instituted properly, patient tolerance required only conservative medical management. Peripheral hematologic values exhibited mild depressions to nadir values near completion (3500-4000 rad) of treatment. Blood count recovery and general functional normalization occurred within the first post-treatment month. Average total weight loss was only 3.5 pounds with a similar pattern of recovery following therapy completion. Sixteen patients with average follow-up of 6 years still survive. Comparative studies involving total abdominal irradiation for human malignancies are also discussed.
An ILP Based ATPG Technique for Multiple Aggressor Crosstalk Faults Considering the Effects of Gate Delays

Crosstalk faults have emerged as a significant mechanism for circuit failure. Long signal nets are of particular concern because they tend to have a higher coupling capacitance to overall capacitance ratio. A typical long net also has multiple aggressors. In generating patterns to create maximal crosstalk noise on a net, it may not be possible to activate all aggressors logically or simultaneously. Therefore, pattern generation must focus on activating a maximal subset of aggressors switching on or about the same time the victim net switches, while propagating the fault effect to a primary output. This is a well-known problem. In this paper, we present a solution which uses 0-1 Integer Linear Programming (ILP) in conjunction with circuit transformation to model gate delays. A major contribution of this paper is modeling multi-path fault propagation as a linear programming problem. The proposed technique was applied to ISCAS 85 benchmark circuits. Results indicate that percentage of total capacitance that can be switched varies from 20-80%. Patterns generated by this technique are useful for both manufacturing test application as well as signal integrity verification.
From spiderling to senescence: ontogeny of color in the jumping spider, Habronattus pyrrithrix

The diverse colors of animals serve a variety of purposes, from acquiring mates to avoiding predators. Often, color patterns are not static throughout life, but change drastically during development, maturity, and senescence. While recent work has focused on the signaling value of vibrant colors in jumping spiders (Salticidae), we know very little about how colors change as spiders age; such information can provide a context for understanding the functions of and constraints on colorful traits. Focusing on Habronattus pyrrithrix Chamberlin 1924, our goals were to examine (1) the microscopic morphology of the colored body regions that males display to females during courtship (i.e., males' red faces, green legs, and white pedipalps), (2) how the colors of these regions as well as dorsal color patterns change during development prior to sexual maturity, and (3) how male condition-dependent red facial and green leg coloration changes as males age beyond sexual maturity. Although the bright white pedipalps and green legs of males appeared only upon sexual maturity, the sexes began to differentiate in facial coloration and dorsal patterning, with males developing red faces and conspicuous black and white dorsal patterning as young juveniles (ca. 2.5 mm in body length, or ca. 45% of their total mature adult body size). Even after maturity, color was not static; a male's green legs (but not red face) faded with age. Results are discussed in the context of potential functions of and constraints on color in salticids, and how they may change throughout an individual's lifetime.
The Relation of Property and Dominion to the Law of Nature

IN an interesting study' of two analyses of the English Constitution one by Sir John Fortescue in the fifteenth century, the other by Sir Thomas Smith in the sixteenth century the statement was made that for Fortescue property 'originated in the natural law' and 'was an integral part of that very law.' This requires some explanation, if not qualification. Fortescue makes a distinction which, though it may seem supersubtle to the modern mind, had a curious significance for earlier writers. At the time of original sin man's nature suffered a sea-change into something strange, but privately richer. In the prelapsarian state all things were held in common. Divinely condemned to earn his bread because of his inordinate appetite for knowledge, man had the satisfaction of knowing that the products of his labors would accrue to him in accordance with the law of nature. But here is the vital distinction:
Accuracy of decrease in blood flow in predicting hemodialysis graft thrombosis

We recently showed that a single low graft blood-flow measurement (Qa) does not accurately predict graft thrombosis. In this study, we prospectively determined whether percentage of decrease in Qa (DeltaQa) or adjustment of Qa for mean arterial pressure (Qa/MAP; Delta(Qa/MAP)) provides greater predictive accuracy than a single Qa. We monitored 83 grafts from 80 patients for thrombosis over periods up to 12 months. Qa (by ultrasound dilution) and MAP were measured monthly during the study. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to determine whether Qa, DeltaQa, Qa/MAP, or Delta(Qa/MAP) provided the combination of high sensitivity (>80%) and low false-positive rate (FPR; <20%) needed for clinical use. This level of predictive accuracy requires an area under the curve (AUC) of approximately 0.90. We analyzed the four predictors by a number of criteria and found that all AUCs were less than 0.90 and adjustment for MAP reduced the AUC. In predicting thrombosis within 1 month, for example, AUCs for Qa and net DeltaQa (over 3 months) were 0.84 and 0.82, respectively, whereas AUCs for Qa/MAP and net Delta(Qa/MAP) were 0.78 and 0.75, respectively. At a sensitivity of 80%, FPRs for all predictors were at least 30%. Thus, a high sensitivity always required a high FPR. These results show that DeltaQa and adjustment for MAP are not more accurate than a single low Qa in predicting thrombosis. None of these predictors provide enough predictive accuracy to be the sole criterion for clinical decision making. A successful monitoring and intervention program will likely require the inclusion of other predictors that, together with Qa, may provide the needed accuracy.
A wireless batteryless in vivo EKG and body temperature sensing microsystem with adaptive RF powering for genetically engineered mice monitoring

A wireless, batteryless, and implantable EKG and core body temperature sensing microsystem with adaptive RF powering for untethered genetically engineered mice real-time monitoring is designed, implemented, and in vivo characterized. A packaged microsystem, exhibiting a total size of 9 mm x 7 mm x 3 mm with a weight of 400 mg including a pair of stainless steel EKG electrodes, is implanted in a mouse abdomen for real-time monitoring. A low power 2 mm x 2 mm ASIC, consisting of an EKG amplifier, a PTAT temperature sensor, an RF power sensing circuit, an RF-DC power converter, an 8-bit ADC, digital control circuitry, and a 433 MHz FSK transmitter, is powered by an adaptively controlled external RF energy source at 4 MHz to ensure a stable 2V supply with 156μA current driving capability for the overall microsystem.
Tofacitinib citrate for ulcerative keratitis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.

Purpose. To report a case of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with tofacitinib citrate. Methods. Observational case report. Results. A 59-year-old patient, with a history of rheumatoid arthritis, on methotrexate 10 mg PO qwk and IV abatacept 750 mg/month, presented with photosensitivity, foreign body sensation, pain, redness, and blurry vision of her right eye (RE). Visual acuity of the RE was 20/200 and 20/20 of the left eye (LE). The slit lamp examination of the RE revealed dryness, 2+ injection of the conjunctiva, and pericentral ulceration of the cornea with 20–30% stromal thinning, pannus, and diffuse punctate epithelial erosions. The anterior chamber appeared normal. Laboratory values revealed elevated levels of rheumatoid factor, anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies, and C-reactive protein. The patient was switched to tofacitinib citrate 5 mg PO b.i.d, underwent corneal gluing, and was given prednisone acetate 1% gt TID, polytrim gt TID, neomycin-polymyxin-dexameth gt QD, FreshKote lubricant 1.8% gt QID, moxifloxacin 0.5% gt QID, and preservative free artificial tears Q1H. Within one week, laboratory values normalized, symptoms diminished, and the cornea reepithelialized. Conclusion. RA can present with ulcerative keratitis. Tofacitinib citrate, steroids, and corneal gluing were found to halt the progression of keratolysis and promote reepithelialization.
Recast directive on European works councils: cosmetic surgery or substantial progress?

Overdue by nine years, contested by employers and awaited by trade unions, a review of the European works council Directive 94/45/EC finally became reality in 2009. This article presents background information about the positions of the European social partners and other institutional EU actors in order to understand the outcome of the events of 2008–09. Focus is directed towards providing a general overview of the new elements in the recast directive on European works councils (EWCs). Keeping the different views on EWCs of the social partners in perspective, the article argues that the recast directive, despite its shortcomings, represents progress rather than superficial cosmetic surgery.
The Triarchic Theory of Intelligence and Computer-based Inquiry Learning

Sternberg's (1985) triarchic theory of human intelligence distinguished among three types of intellectual abilities: analytic, creative, and practical. Our study explored the relationships between student abilities and the cognitive and attitudinal outcomes that resulted from student immersion in a computer-based inquiry environment. In particular, we examined outcome variables related to content understanding, problem solving, and science-related attitudes. Results indicated that more practical abilities predicted greater content understanding and transfer of problem-solving skills. High analytic abilities were predictive of content understanding but not transfer of problem-solving skills. High creative abilities predicted problem solving, but were not predictive of performance on content understanding. In terms of science-related attitudes, students who were dominant in practical abilities had significantly more positive posttest attitudes than those dominant in analytic abilities. The results from this study were used to make recommendations regarding design principles used in the subsequent development of computer-based inquiry environments.
Quasi-static effective permittivity of periodic composites containing complex shaped dielectric particles

A methodology is described for computing the quasi-static effective permittivity of a two-dimensional (2-D) or three-dimensional (3-D) lattice of dielectric particles. The particles in this composite material may have complicated shapes. This methodology uses a moment method based technique to determine the electric dipole moments of the particles immersed in a uniform electric field. The effective permittivity is then obtained using an appropriate macroscopic model. With this methodology, the mutual interaction between particles can be accounted for accurately. The computed effective permittivity for round cylinders and spheres suspended in a host are compared with our previous T-matrix method results as well as the Maxwell Garnett (MG) formula predictions. Three additional examples involving square (2-D), rounded square (2-D), and spherical (3-D) dielectric inclusions are also given, illustrating the shape effects on the computation of the quasi-static effective permittivity. While the square- and cubic-shaped particles can possess great mutual interaction, surprisingly their effective permittivity is well predicted for all volume fractions by the simple MG formula in both 2-D and 3-D problems.
Swallowing disturbances in the corticobasal syndrome.

Abstract Objectives To determine the characteristics of swallowing and speech disturbances in patients with corticobasal syndrome (CBS) compared to healthy controls, and whether a subjective swallowing questionnaire, the NIH-Speech Pathology swallowing questionnaire (NIH-SQ), can predict swallowing impairment. Methods Twenty-four consecutive CBS patients underwent a swallowing assessment comprised of the NIH-SQ, ultrasound swallow study (US) and modified barium swallow (MBS) study. Healthy controls (n = 28) completed the NIH-SQ and the US. Results Ninety-six percent of the patients with CBS reported at least one complaint in the NIH-SQ, 59% had abnormal dry swallow duration and 10% abnormal wet swallow duration. Twenty-three patients with CBS had some abnormality on the MBS. The MBS category “piecemeal deglutition” (excessive lingual gestures causing multiple swallows required to clear a single bolus) was characteristic of CBS patients. No aspiration was detected. No NIH-SQ cutoff score or combination of subjective complaints predicted an abnormal MBS. Fifty-two percent of the patients had speech apraxia. Conclusions Swallowing and speech disturbances are common in patients with CBS and differ from those previously reported in patients with PSP syndrome. Piecemeal deglutition and speech apraxia are characteristic features of our CBS patients. Although the NIH-SQ cannot predict the results of the more objective MBS in this population, it characterizes the patients' major subjective swallowing complaints.
What form of memory underlies novelty preferences

Novelty preferences (longer fixations on new stimuli than on previously presented stimuli) are widely used to assess memory in nonverbal populations, such as human infants and experimental animals, yet important questions remain about the nature of the processes that underlie them. We used a classical conditioning paradigm to test whether novelty preferences reflect (1) a stimulus-driven bias toward novelty in visual selective attention or (2) explicit memory for old stimuli. Results indicated that conditioning affected adults’ looking behavior in the visual paired comparison, but not their recognition memory judgments. Furthermore, the typically observed novelty preference occurred only when a bias toward novelty had no competition from a bias toward salience due to conditioning. These results suggest that novelty preferences may reflect attentional processes and implicit memory to a greater degree than explicit memory, a finding with important implications for understanding memory in nonverbal populations and the development of memory in humans.
Overexpression of Des(1–3) Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 in the Mammary Glands of Transgenic Mice Delays the Loss of Milk Production with Prolonged Lactation

During prolonged lactation, the mammary gland gradually loses the capacity to produce milk. In agricultural species, this decline can be slowed by administration of exogenous growth hormone (GH), which is believed to act through insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1). Our previous work demonstrated delayed natural mammary gland involution in des(1–3)IGF1-overexpressing transgenic mice (Tg[Wap-desf1–3gIGF1]8266 Jmr), hereafter referred to as WAP-DES mice. The present study tested the hypothesis that overexpressed des(1–3)IGF1 would delay the loss of milk production during prolonged lactation. Accordingly, we examined lactational performance in WAP-DES mice by artificially prolonging lactation with continual litter cross-fostering. Over time, lactational capacity and mammary development declined in both WAP-DES and control mice. However, the rate of decline was 40% slower in WAP-DES mice. Mammary cell apoptosis increased by 3-fold in both groups during prolonged lactation but was not different between genotypes. Plasma concentrations of murine IGF1 were decreased in WAP-DES mice, while those of the transgenic human IGF1 were elevated during prolonged lactation. Phosphorylation of the mammary IGF1 receptor was increased in the WAP-DES mice, but only during prolonged lactation. Plasma prolactin decreased with prolonged lactation in nontransgenic mice but remained high in WAP-DES mice. The WAP-DES mice maintained a higher body mass and a greater lean body mass during prolonged lactation. These data support the conclusion that overexpressed des(1– 3)IGF1 enhanced milk synthesis and mammary development during prolonged lactation through localized and direct activation of the mammary gland IGF1 receptor and through systemic effects on prolactin secretion and possibly nutrient balance.
Dynamic Spectrum Management for Upstream Mixtures of Vectored & Non-Vectored DSL

As field trials and initial deployments of Vectored DSL systems materialize in the next few years, Vectored DSL systems will often co-exist with non-vectored DSL systems sharing the same cable. For such mixed-binder scenarios with vectored and non-vectored lines, this paper presents an optimal Dynamic Spectrum Management (DSM) technique referred to as Mixed-binder Optimum Spectrum Balancing (MixOSB) to find the optimal transmit PSD spectra. When the mixed-binders have short vectored lines and long non-vectored lines, simulations show that MixOSB has substantial performance gains over applying existing DSM techniques independently to the vectored DSL systems and non-vectored DSL systems because it reduces the interference induced by the vectored lines on the nonvectored lines. The high computational complexity of MixOSB prohibits its practical implementation. So, a low-complexity practically-implementable mixed-binder multi-level water-filling (MixMLWF) algorithm is proposed and simulations show its performance is close to the solution given by MixOSB.
The Role of Staging Bronchoscopy in the Preoperative Assessment of a Solitary Pulmonary Nodule

In order to assess the role of a staging fiberoptic bronchoscopy in the preoperative assessment of an indeterminate solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN), we reviewed our experience in 33 SPNs identified among 1,269 bronchoscopies performed at the Albert Einstein Medical Center between 1985 and 1989. All lesions were less than 4 cm in greatest diameter and were not associated with symptoms of weight loss, chest pain, hemoptysis, localized wheezing, or hoarseness. A tissue diagnosis was established in 25 patients, 23 of whom had a malignant SPN. This study failed to detect a single case in which a fiberoptic bronchoscopic examination of the airway discovered a lesion that would preclude surgery and potentially curative resection. We recommend the abandonment of a staging bronchoscopy in the evaluation of a patient with an indeterminant SPN in whom history, physical examination, laboratory, and imaging studies fail to document contraindications to surgery. No additional useful information is derived and a substantial cost savings to the patient can be realized if the procedure is eliminated. (Chest 1993; 104:94–97)
Atomic Hydrogen Assisted Growth of Si-Ge Heterostructures on (001) Si

A study of the interface chemical and physical abruptness of Si-Ge heterostructures grown on (001) Si by molecular beam epitaxy under atomic hydrogen exposure is reported. Atomic hydrogen (AH) was produced by the dissociation of molecular hydrogen interacting with a hot tungsten filament. Secondary-ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) of structures made of alternating Ge (0.5 nm)/Si (40 nm) layers demonstrated that AH can effectively suppress Ge surface segregation. The segregation length was reduced from 1.5 nm to about 0.5 nm in films grown at a hydrogen partial pressure of −5 × 10-3 Pa and cell temperature of 2140 °C with an estimated cracking efficiency of ~5%. However, the high hydrogen background pressure had detrimental effects on the physical sharpness of the interfaces. This was evidenced by comparing the interface quality of Si/Ge atomic layer superlattices grown with and without AH exposure. X-ray reflectivity and Raman spectroscopy revealed a significant increase of the interface roughness, although the periodic character and the good crystallinity of the structures were preserved.
State aggregation in Markov decision processes

We study state aggregation for Markov decision processes (MDPs) with long-run average-cost optimality criterion in this paper. The aggregation is based on a definition of an (/spl epsiv//sub p/, /spl epsiv//sub f/)-lumpable partition of the state space, where the difference between the control effect of any control action on any two states belonging to the same subset in the partition is bounded by /spl epsiv//sub p/ for the state-transition effect and /spl epsiv//sub f/ for the cost effect. The states in the same partition subset are treated into one meta-state to obtain an aggregated Markov chain. We then construct an aggregated MDP with average cost on the aggregated Markov chain. We develop an algorithm to find the solution to this aggregated MDP problem and show its performance is within some o(/spl epsiv//sub p/, /spl epsiv//sub f/) neighborhood of the optimal solution to the original MDP problem. In real applications, the (/spl epsiv//sub p/, /spl epsiv//sub f/)-lumpable partition is usually obtained empirically. However, we also study the problem of looking for the coarsest (/spl epsiv//sub p/, /spl epsiv//sub f/)-lumpable partition, i.e., the partition with minimum number of subsets, given /spl epsiv//sub p/ and /spl epsiv//sub f/. We prove that this partitioning problem is in the time complexity class of P-hard, which is not easier than the original MDP problem in the class of P-complete.
Making Sense of Methods and Measurement: Validity Assessment, Part 2

In the last edition of ‘‘Making Sense of Methods and Measurement,’’ we discussed the meaning, specificity, and purpose of validity assessment as it relates to simulation evaluation. Recall that in simulation evaluation, validity is a reflection of how well the interpretation and uses of evaluation data are supported by evidence and theory (American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, & National Council on Measurement in Education, 1999). Using Goodwin’s (2002) framework, we will now describe strategies for validity assessment by means of the five sources for validity evidence proposed by the American Educational Research Association et al. (1999).
Multi-agent bidding and contracting for non-storable goods

We study electronic bidding and contracting for nonstorable goods such as electric power using multi-GA agents and game theoretical approaches. In this framework there is a long-term contract market as well as a back-stop spot market. Seller agents bid into an electronic bulletin board their contract offers in terms of price or capacity, while buyer agents decide how much to contract with sellers and how much to shop from the spot market. The problem is modeled as a von-Stackelberg game with seller agents as leaders. We investigate if artificial agents will be able to discover equilibrium strategies if such an equilibrium exists; and if the agents can discover good and effective strategies when playing repeated nonlinear games where there does not exist any equilibrium. This study is a companion of our earlier theoretical characterizations on optimal bidding and contracting strategies for nonstorable goods, now adopting an agent-based approach.
Antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis B viral infection in adults: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Chronic hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection remains a significant global health problem. Evidence-based guidelines are needed to help providers determine when treatment should be initiated, which medication is most appropriate, and when treatment can safely be stopped. The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases HBV guideline methodology and writing committees developed a protocol a priori for this systematic review. We searched multiple databases for randomized controlled trials and controlled observational studies that enrolled adults ≥18 years old diagnosed with chronic HBV infection who received antiviral therapy. Data extraction was done by pairs of independent reviewers. We included 73 studies, of which 59 (15 randomized controlled trials and 44 observational studies) reported clinical outcomes. Moderate-quality evidence supported the effectiveness of antiviral therapy in patients with immune active chronic HBV infection in reducing the risk of cirrhosis, decompensated liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma. In immune tolerant patients, moderate-quality evidence supports improved intermediate outcomes with antiviral therapy. Only very low-quality evidence informed the questions about discontinuing versus continuing antiviral therapy in hepatitis B e antigen-positive patients who seroconverted from hepatitis B e antigen to hepatitis B e antibody and about the safety of entecavir versus tenofovir. Noncomparative and indirect evidence was available for questions about stopping versus continuing antiviral therapy in hepatitis B e antigen-negative patients, monotherapy versus adding a second agent in patients with persistent viremia during treatment, and the effectiveness of antivirals in compensated cirrhosis with low-level viremia. Conclusion: Most of the current literature focuses on the immune active phases of chronic HBV infection; decision-making in other commonly encountered and challenging clinical settings depends on indirect evidence. (Hepatology 2016;63:284–306)
The Chick as a Model for Retina Development and Regeneration

Publisher Summary The chick provides an excellent system to explore cell and molecular events during retina development and regeneration. Chick embryos are wonderful to work with in a variety of aspects. The retina can regenerate during early development. The embryonic chick can regenerate its retina via two modes. One requires the activation of stem/progenitor cells present in the ciliary margin, while the other involves the use of the classic process of transdifferentiation. One of the great advantages of working with the embryonic chick eye is that the retina can be repaired or replaced if damaged or removed. The accessibility of the embryo for microsurgery combined with the availability of molecular tools in the chick has made this a great system to study and dissect the early molecular events that take place during retina regeneration. The chick genome was also recently sequenced, and this provides a vast range of possibilities to study the early stages of retina regeneration, including the use of gene array technology to identify critical genes regulated during chick retina regeneration.
Tangible, Temporal and Conceptual: Contemporary Art's Discursive Spaces in Maputo

"Art in Mozambique needs to assert itself as an essential tool and intervener in society. It is urgent to expand the number of viewers interested in the art, open new horizons in relation to new forms of artistic practice and extend this effort beyond the capital city" Manifesto MUVART – 2003.Conceptual boundary crossings inscribed within the tenets of MUVART construct palpable realities in the cultural landscape of Mozambique. Ironically, MUVART (Contemporary Art Movement of Mozambique), creates a broad foundation for the intellectual development and advancement of contemporary art in Mozambique, yet occupies no permanent physical spaces of its own. Despite its intangibility, MUVART’s potent theoretical presence has profoundly shifted the paradigm of art making and its discourse within Mozambique. Using MUVART as a point of departure, this paper explores significant tangible, temporal and conceptual spaces of contemporary art in Mozambique. An examination of more recent developments of contemporary artistic platforms in addition to historical arts organizations facilitates viewing varied artistic networks through their individual organizational, curatorial and exhibition strategies in Maputo, Mozambique’s capital city. Visual arts spaces included within this investigation include MUVART, Associacao Nucleo de Arte, Associacao Kulungwana and the TDM Bienal.
Cobaltocene-Induced Low-Temperature Radical Coupling Reactions in a Cobalt–Alkyne Series

A novel method for the low-temperature generation of Co2(CO)6-complexed propargyl radicals is developed. It consists of an in situ preparation of the respective cationic species (−50 to −10 °C) and their rapid reduction with cobaltocene, Cp2Co, at −50 °C. The optimized experimental protocol is applied to both inter- and intramolecular reactions, affording topologically diverse α-aryl and α-napthyl, d,l- and meso-1,5-hexadiynes and 1,5-cyclodecadiynes. The d,l configuration is the most preferable steric arrangement in intermolecular radical C–C bond-forming reactions (d,l 69–92%), while a reversal of stereoselectivity is observed in intramolecular cyclizations (meso 79%). Under oxidizing conditions (Ce4+), decomplexation affords d,l-3,4-diaryl- and d,l-3,4-(1-/2-naphthyl)-1,5-hexadiynes in good to excellent yields (47–98%). An enhanced functional tolerance is showcased by introducing peripheral acid-sensitive functionalities, such as benzyloxy and methylenedioxy groups, and carrying out a five-step convers...
A new species of the genus Aprostocetus Westwood, 1833 (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae) collected by E.S. Sugonyaev in galls on saxauls in Uzbekistan

Aprostocetus (Aprostocetus) essugonjaevi sp.n. (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae, Tetrastichinae) is described and illustrated. Specimens of the type series were collected by E.S. Sugonyaev in 1965 in the Kyzyl Kum Desert in Uzbekistan in galls of the psyllids Caillardia spp. (Hemiptera, Aphalaridae) on white and black saxauls Haloxylon persicum and H. ammodendron (Amaranthaceae), where its larvae were predators of the thrips Haplothrips sp. (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripidae).
GC-detection of 9 Organophosphorous Pesticide Residues in Vegetables

To establish a method for detection of 9 organophosphorous pesticide residues in vegetables by capillary column gas chromatography.After homogenization of vegetables,organophosphorous pesticides were extracted by aceto-nitrile,cleaned by CARB/NH2,solubilized by acetone and made up to volume,detected by DB-1701 capillary column and flame photometric detector.Nine organophosphorous pesticide residues in vegetables could be detected in the same time.The recovery was 80.2%-102.2% with relative standard deviation between the 2.15% and 5.32%.The detection limit was 0.0042-0.027 mg/kg.The method is simple,rapid,sensitive and accurate.The technical specifications are suitable for the detection of 9 organophosphorous pesticide residues in vegetables.
Making the Business Case for Patient Safety

The authors explain why there appears to be a business case for health care organizations to make investments to enhance patient safety.
Moral Responsibility: Radical Reversals and Original Designs

This article identifies and assesses a way of thinking that might help to explain why some compatibilists are attracted to what is variously called an internalist, structuralist, or anti-historicist view of moral responsibility—a view about the bearing of agents’ histories on their moral responsibility. Scenarios of two different kinds are considered. Several scenarios feature heavy-duty manipulation that radically changes an agent’s mature moral personality from admirable to despicable or vice versa. These “radical reversal” scenarios are contrasted with a scenario featuring “original design”: a supernatural designer determines exactly how an agent’s life will go before the agent comes into existence. It is explained why scenarios of these two different kinds generate very different challenges to compatibilism. Partly in light of that explanation, it is argued that the way of thinking at issue is misguided.
Hemi-hamate Arthroplasty

Hemi-hamate arthroplasty offers a unique reconstructive option for dorsal fracture-dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint. The distal articular surface of the hamate has a central ridge that is shaped similarly to that of the proximal articular surface of the middle phalanx making it an ideal osteochondral donor site. Hemi-hamate arthroplasty is indicated in both acute and chronic injuries that are not amenable to primary fracture fixation. Use of this osteochondral autograft requires an intact dorsal cortex with dorsal articular surface for fixation. The hamate graft is inset to recreate the volar buttress of the middle phalanx to prevent recurrent dorsal subluxation at the proximal interphalangeal joint. Although the outcomes after hemi-hamate arthroplasty are mostly reported in small case series, the outcomes of hemi-hamate arthroplasty are often very satisfactory. Reasonably good motion is to be expected, with flexion at the affected proximal interphalangeal joint approaching 90°, although a mild loss of terminal extension is common.
Coordination Chemistry and f-Element Complexation by Diethylenetriamine-N,N″-bis(acetylglycine)-N,N',N″-triacetic Acid.

Potentiometric and spectroscopic techniques were used to evaluate the coordination behavior and thermodynamic features of trivalent f-element complexation by diethylenetriamine-N,N″-bis(acetylglycine)-N,N′,N″-triacetic acid (DTTA-DAG) and its di(acetylglycine ethyl ester) analogue [diethylenetriamine-N,N″-bis(acetylglycine ethyl ester)-N,N′,N″-triacetic acid (DTTA-DAGEE)]. Protonation constants and stability constants of trivalent lanthanide complexes (except Pm3+) were determined by potentiometry. Six protonation sites and three metal–ligand complexes [ML2–, MHL–, and MH2L(aq)] were quantified for DTTA-DAG. Four protonation sites and one metal–ligand complex [ML(aq)] were observed for DTTA-DAGEE, consistent with the presence of two ester groups. Absorption spectroscopy was utilized to measure the stability constants for complexation of trivalent neodymium and americium by DTTA-DAG and trivalent neodymium by DTTA-DAGEE. The coordination environment of trivalent europium in the presence of DTTA-DAG was inv...
Clinical value of quantitative ventilation-perfusion lung scans in the surgical management of bronchogenic carcinoma.

Quantitative xenon 133 ventilation and technetium 99m macroaggregated albumin (MAA) perfusion scans were performed in 85 patients with lung cancer who had resection of their tumor. The contribution of the lung to be resected to the overall pulmonary function and, therefore, the expected reduction in postoperative pulmonary function was calculated by combining the results of spirometry with the quantitative measurement of differential perfusion and/or ventilation according to several equations. This was done in an effort to determine the best method of predicting postoperative pulmonary function. The predicted postoperative forced expiratory volumes in the first second (FEV1) from each of these calculations were compared to the observed postoperative FEV1 in 37 patients, 23 of whom had a pneumonectomy and 14, a lobectomy. FEV1 after pneumonectomy was predicted as accurately from the perfusion scan (mean percent error = 11% ± 10) as from the ventilation scan (mean percent error = 14% ± 11%). FEV1 after lobectomy could be predicted with a mean percent error of less than 10%. Because of these findings, all patients requiring lung resection had their postoperative FEV1 predicted from the perfusion scan. Patients with a calculated postoperative FEV1 of less than 1.0 L were considered medically inoperable. There were three deaths, one of which was related to pulmonary insufficiency, among 45 patients who underwent pneumonectomy with a predicted postoperative FEV1 of greater than 1.0 L. Twenty-two of these patients had a preoperative FEV1 of less than 2.0 L and would have not been considered candidates for pneumonectomy if preoperative function of each lung had been assumed to be equal. There were no surgically related deaths or cases of postoperative respiratory insufficiency among these patients. Forty patients, seven of them with a preoperative FEV1 of less than 1.5 L, underwent lobectomy, with no deaths or cases of postoperative respiratory insufficiency.
Internalized stigma as an independent risk factor for substance use problems among primary care patients: Rationale and preliminary support

Abstract Background Little is known about internalized stigma among primary care patients, and whether the presence of internalized stigma is related to the severity of substance use problems independent of substance use-related variables. We sought to examine the relationship between internalized stigma and substance use problems among primary care patients with opioid or alcohol use disorders (OAUDs). Methods We present baseline data from 393 primary care patients who were enrolled in a study of collaborative care for OAUDs. Regression analyses examined the relationship between internalized stigma and substance use problems, controlling for demographics, psychiatric comorbidity, and quantity/frequency of use. Results The majority of participants reported thinking, at least sometimes, that they “have permanently screwed up” their lives (60%), and felt “ashamed” (60%), and “out of place in the world” (51%) as a result of their opioid or alcohol use. Higher internalized stigma was significantly related to more substance use problems (β = 2.68, p 0.01), even after the effects of covariates were accounted for. Stigma added 22%, out of 51% total variance explained, leading to a significant improvement in prediction of substance use problems. Conclusions Among this group of primary care patients with OAUDs, rates of internalized stigma were comparable to those reported in specialty substance use treatment settings. Consistent with extant specialty care literature, our results suggest that internalized stigma may be a unique contributor that is associated with treatment outcomes, such as substance use problems, among primary care patients with OAUDs.
Strategic Ambiguity in Situations of Enduring Institutional Complexity

Existing literature suggests that organizations reduce institutional complexity by ridding themselves of competing demands or by creating new hybrid identities that integrate competing elements. Ho...
MEMBRANE THEORY FOR A HEMISPHERICAL DOME SUBJECTED TO A WIND LOAD

ABSTRACT Although investigators have been interested in the stress resultants in thin shells resulting from wind loads for years, for the most part the wind load has been represented with a rather simplified approximation, and very little has been published for an arbitrarily distributed wind load, such as might truly exist on actual structures or might be experimentally determined by wind tunnel tests. In this paper, stress resultants and displacements are presented for a hemisphere resting on an unyielding foundation and subject to such a load, which is developed in a series of surface spherical harmonics.
Isolated Execution Environments

An execution environment that is isolated from the device operating system (Sect. 3.1) is perhaps the most critical security feature described in (Sect. 3). Such an environment can be used to run secure services that multiplex hardware-backed security features, such as secure storage (sect. 3.2), amongst the various stake-holders, including third party application developers.
The present status of cesarean section with particular reference to its employment in eclampsia

Abstract In this series, eclampsia and allied toxic state represent over 60 per cent of the causes for which cesarean section was done, with practically no operative mortality, as the 2 fatal cases in this series in reality were not postoperative deaths. It is hard to understand why the mortality of cesarean sections done for the relief of eclampsia should give a mortality of 42 per cent, set forth in one recent survey, as these presented here, for the greater part were referred ones coming into the hospital from 20 to 100 miles away after the onset of the convulsions. Some were infected, some had attempts at forceps delivery, and all of them had been examined by either a physician or midwife many hours before admission to the hospital, and were neither early nor favorable cases. It is significant that so small a number in this group had pelvic deformities, which speaks well for the absence of rickets in the rural South. A decade ending in 1905 in my experience with eclampsia, treated nonsurgically, according to the then prevalent methods of elimination, morphine and veratrum, podalic version, high forceps delivery, gave a mortality rate of approximately 10 per cent. Under medical or surgical treatment, relatively equal or competent, the surgical results will greatly surpass the medical. The average maternal mortality from all obstetric causes during 1925 in six southern states was approximately ½ of 1 per cent (0.478).
Gene therapy for C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency in a Murine Model of Hereditary angioedema

Background Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a life-threatening, autosomal dominant disorder characterized by unpredictable, episodic swelling of the face, upper airway, oropharynx, extremities, genitalia, and gastrointestinal tract. Almost all cases of HAE are caused by mutations in the SERPING1 gene resulting in a deficiency in functional plasma C1 esterase inhibitor (C1EI), a serine protease inhibitor that normally inhibits proteases in the contact, complement, and fibrinolytic systems. Current treatment of HAE includes long-term prophylaxis with attenuated androgens or human plasma-derived C1EI and management of acute attacks with human plasma-derived or recombinant C1EI, bradykinin, and kallikrein inhibitors, each of which requires repeated administration. As an approach to effectively treat HAE with a single treatment, we hypothesized that a one-time intravenous administration of an adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene transfer vector expressing the genetic sequence of the normal human C1 esterase inhibitor (AAVrh.10hC1EI) would provide sustained circulating C1EI levels sufficient to prevent angioedema episodes. Methods To study the efficacy of AAVrh.10hC1EI, we used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to create a heterozygote C1EI-deficient mouse model (S63±) that shares characteristics associated with HAE in humans including decreased plasma C1EI and C4 levels. Phenotypically, these mice have increased vascular permeability of skin and internal organs. Results Systemic administration of AAVrh.10hC1EI to the S63± mice resulted in sustained human C1EI activity levels above the predicted therapeutic levels and correction of the vascular leak in skin and internal organs. Conclusion A single treatment with AAVrh.10hC1EI has the potential to provide long-term protection from angioedema attacks in affected individuals.