cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The RhoGAP Domain of CYK-4 Has an Essential Role in RhoA Activation

Summary Cytokinesis in animal cells is mediated by a cortical actomyosin-based contractile ring. The GTPase RhoA is a critical regulator of this process as it activates both nonmuscle myosin and a nucleator of actin filaments [1]. The site at which active RhoA and its effectors accumulate is controlled by the microtubule-based spindle during anaphase [2]. ECT-2, the guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) that activates RhoA during cytokinesis, is regulated by phosphorylation and subcellular localization [3–5]. ECT2 localization depends on interactions with CYK-4/MgcRacGAP, a Rho GTPase-activating protein (GAP) domain containing protein [5, 6]. Here we show that, contrary to expectations, the Rho GTPase-activating protein (GAP) domain of CYK-4 promotes activation of RhoA during cytokinesis. Furthermore, we show that the primary phenotype caused by mutations in the GAP domain of CYK-4 is not caused by ectopic activation of CED-10/Rac1 and ARX-2/Arp2. However, inhibition of CED-10/Rac1 and ARX-2/Arp2 facilitates ingression of weak cleavage furrows. These results demonstrate that a GAP domain can contribute to activation of a small GTPase. Furthermore, cleavage furrow ingression is sensitive to the balance of contractile forces and cortical tension.
Single-Incision Triple Pelvic Osteotomy

The routine use of the triple pelvic osteotomy for the management of acetabular dysplasia in skeletally mature patients has been replaced by the Bernese periacetabular osteotomy described by Ganz. This procedure, however, is not indicated in skeletally immature patients who require acetabular reorientation because of the risk of developing a triradiate cartilage growth arrest following the necessary surgical exposure and osteotomy pattern used in the Bernese technique. The triple pelvic osteotomy, originally described by Le Coeur in 1965, has been modified several times over the past 50 years. The single anterior incision technique is a modification of the triple pelvic osteotomy that enables supraperiosteal periacetabular triradiate–preserving osteotomies performed with the patient in the supine position. This described technique is advantageous because it enables acetabular mobilization with less surgical exposure while facilitating intraoperative radiographic assessment of acetabular reorientation by performing the procedure in the supine position.
Finance for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in the Caribbean (review)

Author(s): Bill Maurer | Abstract: This slim volume presents the results of a survey conducted in ten CARICOM countries on small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) access to finance. Recognizing that SMEs are vital contributors to economic growth in the region, the author and his team of researchers set out to understand the difficulties that SMEs find in securing access to long-term finance (defined according to a 10-year time horizon) and to provide policy makers and lenders with some guidance on how to address those difficulties. As with all cross-national surveys, the results are mixed, and the researchers faced some problems in getting both SMEs and financial institutions to comply with their requests for information. Yet some interesting patterns emerge and the results, presented in tabular and graphical form in a series of comprehensive appendices, make for worthwhile perusal for anyone interested in small business development, enterprise financing, business and tax policy, and related issues in the Commonwealth Caribbean and perhaps other regions where SMEs are an important but struggling part of the economy.
Opportunistic flooding to improve TCP transmit performance in virtualized clouds

Virtualization is a key technology that powers cloud computing platforms such as Amazon EC2. Virtual machine (VM) consolidation, where multiple VMs share a physical host, has seen rapid adoption in practice with increasingly large number of VMs per machine and per CPU core. Our investigations, however, suggest that the increasing degree of VM consolidation has serious negative effects on the VMs' TCP transport performance. As multiple VMs share a given CPU, the scheduling latencies, which can be in the order of tens of milliseconds, substantially increase the typically sub-millisecond round-trip times (RTTs) for TCP connections in a datacenter, causing significant degradation in throughput. In this paper, we propose a light-weight solution called vFlood that (a) allows a TCP sender VM to opportunistically flood the driver domain in the same host, and (b) offloads the VM's TCP congestion control function to the driver domain in order to mask the effects of VM consolidation. Our evaluation of a vFlood prototype on Xen suggests that vFlood substantially improves TCP transmit throughput with minimal per-packet CPU overhead. Further, our application-level evaluation using Apache Olio, a web 2.0 cloud application, indicates a 33% improvement in the number of operations per second.
Real-Time Classification of Multimedia Traffic Using FPGA

Real-time classification of Internet traffic according to application types is vital for network management and surveillance. Identifying emerging applications based on well-known port numbers is no longer reliable. While deep packet inspection (DPI) solutions can be accurate, they require constant updates of signatures and become infeasible for encrypted payload especially in multimedia applications (e.g. Skype). Statistical approaches based on machine learning have thus been considered more promising and robust to encryption, privacy, protocol obfuscation, etc. However, the computation complexity of traffic classification using those statistical solutions is high, which prevents them being deployed in systems that need to manage Internet traffic in real time. This paper proposes a FPGA-based parallel architecture to accelerate the statistical identification of multimedia applications while maintaining high classification accuracy. Specifically, we base our design on the k-Nearest Neighbors (k-NN) algorithm which has been shown to be one of the most accurate machine learning algorithms for Internet traffic classification. To enable high-rate data streaming for real-time classification, we adopt the locality sensitive hashing (LSH) for approximate k-NN. The LSH scheme is carefully designed to achieve high accuracy while being efficient for implementation on FPGA. Processing components in the architecture are optimized to realize high throughput. Extensive experiments and FPGA implementation results show that our design can achieve high accuracy above 99% for classifying three main categories of multimedia applications from Internet traffic while sustaining 80 Gbps throughput for minimum size (40 bytes) packets.
For most large underdetermined systems of equations, the minimal 1-norm near-solution approximates the sparsest near-solution

We consider inexact linear equations y ≈ Φx where y is a given vector in R n , Φ is a given n x m matrix, and we wish to find x 0,∈ as sparse as possible while obeying ∥y - Φx 0,∈ ∥ 2 ≤ ∈. In general, this requires combinatorial optimization and so is considered intractable. On the other hand, the l 1 -minimization problem min ∥x∥ 1 subject to ∥y - Φx∥ 2 ≤ e is convex and is considered tractable. We show that for most Φ, if the optimally sparse approximation x 0,∈ is sufficiently sparse, then the solution x 1,∈ of the l 1 -minimization problem is a good approximation to x 0,∈ . We suppose that the columns of Φ are normalized to the unit l 2 -norm, and we place uniform measure on such Φ. We study the underdetermined case where m ∼ τn and τ > 1, and prove the existence of p = p(r) > 0 and C = C(p, τ) so that for large n and for all Φ's except a negligible fraction, the following approximate sparse solution property of Φ holds: for every y having an approximation ∥y - Φx 0 ∥ 2 ≤ ∈ by a coefficient vector x 0 e R m with fewer than ρ · n nonzeros, ∥x 1,∈ - x 0 ∥ 2 ≤ C ≤ ∈. This has two implications. First, for most Φ, whenever the combinatorial optimization result x 0,∈ would be very sparse, x 1,∈ is a good approximation to x 0,∈ . Second, suppose we are given noisy data obeying y = Φx 0 + z where the unknown x 0 is known to be sparse and the noise ∥z∥ 2 ≤ ∈. For most Φ, noise-tolerant l 1 -minimization will stably recover x 0 from y in the presence of noise z. We also study the barely determined case m = n and reach parallel conclusions by slightly different arguments. Proof techniques include the use of almost-spherical sections in Banach space theory and concentration of measure for eigenvalues of random matrices.
Clustered distribution and variability in kinetics of transient K channels in molluscan neuron cell bodies

The spatial distribution of transient K current, IA, was studied using a combination of patch-clamp and whole-cell voltage-clamp techniques. The average IA current density in somatic patches is 0.64 times the current density in the entire axotomized cell body, a finding which suggests that the axon hillock or initial segment of the axon has a higher concentration of IA channels than much of soma. The highest density of active channels during the peak IA is 1/micron2 at a membrane voltage of -20 mV. There is no evidence for a gradient in the distribution of IA channels in the cell body, but the channels are not evenly distributed. The variability in the number of channels per patch for multiple patches on the same neuron is much higher than expected for a random distribution. Statistical analysis of the data yields a coefficient of dispersion of 8.1, a value indicating a high degree of clustering. The utility of this statistic for evaluating channel distributions is discussed. Several lines of evidence suggest that the upper limit for the area of IA channel clusters is approximately 250 micron2. Single-channel currents attributed to IA were recorded in the cell-attached configuration. The voltage dependence of channel opening and inactivation are the same as measured in whole-cell voltage-clamp experiments. The single-channel conductance is about 9 pS in normal saline. Patches 9–30 micron2 in areas that contain IA channels are often devoid of other K channel types, suggesting that IA channels can occur in isochannel clusters. IA inactivation follows an exponential time course in all of the neurons examined, but the time constant of inactivation ranges from 25 to 560 msec in different cells. The voltage dependence of activation and inactivation and the reversal potential of the current are approximately the same in all cells. When multiple patches on the same neuron are studied, it is found that IA inactivates exponentially with approximately the same time constant in each patch, regardless of patch area. The data suggest that each neuron expresses predominantly, and perhaps exclusively, a single type of IA channel with distinct kinetic properties. The wide range of IA inactivation time constants observed in different cell suggests that a large number of channel types are available for expression. Possible mechanisms for generating diversity in channel types are discussed.
Adaptive Control of Partially Known Systems

We present schemes for both continuous and discrete time adaptive control of linear time invariant systems. which are partially known, along with analysis of their convergence properties.
Recent Advances in the Chemistry of N5+, N5− and High-Oxygen Compounds

An overview of our work in the areas of polynitrogen and high-nitrogen and high-oxygen chemistry is given. Areas of interest include the synthesis and characterization of novel polynitrogen ions, such as N5+ and N5−. Efforts are discussed to combine the N5+ cation with energetic counter-ions, such as N3−, NO3−, ClO4−, B(N3)4− and P(N3)6−. In the area of high-oxygen carriers, complex nitrato anions were successfully combined with tetrazolium cations to yield CO/H2O balanced ionic liquids of interest for liquid monopropellants.
A silicon micromachined scanning thermal profiler with integrated elements for sensing and actuation

The thermal profiler is a scanning probe microscope with a miniature thermocouple (TC) at its tip which provides topographic and thermographic information by sensing heat conducted across a small air gap. The silicon micromachined thermal profilers (SMTPs) described in this paper are structurally comprised of a probe that can be longitudinally actuated by an integrated electrostatically driven suspension. A polysilicon-gold TC is located near the probe tip, which overhangs a glass substrate; a resistive heater is integrated with the base. An IC-compatible, 8-mask fabrication process has been developed and SMTPs with various types of frames and probes have been designed, fabricated, and thermally characterized. The maximum thermoelectric signal available from a 7-TC thermopile probe has been measured at 824 mV/W of input power to the heater, whereas from a simpler design it was 48 mV/W. Simple dithered and nondithered scans are presented to demonstrate the basic functionality of fabricated devices. The noise due to our test setup has been measured at /spl ap/20 mK. For a 1 /spl mu/m/spl times/0.5 /spl mu/m tip and a 0.1 /spl mu/m long air gap the spatial resolution and the device NETD have been theoretically estimated as /spl ap/3.33 nm and /spl ap/0.1 mK//spl radic/Hz, respectively.
The FMR2 gene, FRAXE and non-specific X-linked mental retardation: clinical and molecular aspects.

FRAXE fragile site associated mental retardation remains unique among X-linked mental retardation phenotypes due to its very mild to borderline nature (50 75) large families with non-specific X-linked mental retardation (MRX) have been determined so far. Recently the molecular basis for some of them has been unravelled by identification of the responsible genes, which participate in complex common signalling pathways. This review summarises the new data on FRAXE associated mental retardation and the FMR2 gene in the light of the recent discoveries of new genes responsible for other forms of non-specific X-linked mental retardation.
Drag, Drafting, and Mechanical Interactions in Canopies of the Red Alga Chondrus crispus

Dense algal canopies, which are common in the lower intertidal and shallow subtidal along rocky coastlines, can alter flow-induced forces in their vicinity. Alteration of flow-induced forces on algal thalli may ameliorate risk of dislodgement and will affect important physiological pro- cesses, such as rates of photosynthesis. This study found that the force experienced by a thallus of the red alga Chondrus crispus(Stackhouse) at a given flow speed within a flow tank depended upon (1) the density of the canopy surrounding the thallus, (2) the position of the thallus within the canopy, and (3) the length of the stipe of the thallus relative to the height of the canopy. At all flow speeds, a solitary thallus experienced higher forces than a thallus with neighbors. A greater than 65% reduction in force occurred when the thallus drafted in the region of slower velocities that occurs in the wake region of even a single upstream neighbor, similar to the way racing bicyclists draft one behind the other. Mechanical interactions between thalli were important to forces experienced within canopies. A thallus on the upstream edge of a canopy experienced 6% less force than it did when solitary, because the canopy physically supported it. A thallus in the middle of a canopy experienced up to 83% less force than a solitary thallus, and forces decreased with increasing canopy density. Thus, a bushy morphology that increases drag on a solitary thallus may function to decrease forces experienced by that thallus when it is surrounded by a canopy, because that morphology increases physical support provided by neighbors.
PROGNOSTIC MARKER ANALYSIS IN PEDIATRIC POSTERIOR FOSSA EPENDYMOMAS

BACKGROUND: NELL2 expression has been shown to identify patients with posterior fossa ependymomas (PFEp) that exhibit prolonged survivals. We analyzed expression NELL2; KI-67; Tenascin C; CD34; VEGF; and CA IX as well as vascular density against post-operative survival (Progression Free and Overall Survival; PFS, OS) in 31 patients under the age of 22 years. METHODS: PFEp from patients aged 22 years or less were studied. HE KI-67; Tenascin C; CD34; VEGF; and CA IX status. RESULTS: 3 WHO Grade I, 19 Grade II and 9 Grade III PFEp were studied. Median follow-up time was 9.0 years; median survival was 6.1 years. NELL2 status correlated with PFS (Log Rank P-Value: 0.0220) and exhibited a strong trend towards prolonged OS (Log rank p = 0.0555). Peri-necrotic CAIX localization correlated with PFS (Log rank = 0.0041) and OS (Log rank p = 0.0010) All patients with a CA IX ≤ 5% total area localization were alive at last follow-up. Perinecrotic CAIX staining was also associated with CD34 density (p = .0057) though not with VEGF expression score. MIB-1 labeling index (LI) correlated with OS (p = 0.0185) and PFS (p = 0.0049). MIB-1 LI and perinecrotic CA IX individually correlated with PFS. The effect of perinecrotic CA IX remained when grade was added to a Cox model predicting PFS. There was a significant difference in the distributions of perinecrotic CA IX as stratified by NELL2 expression (Wilcoxon p = 0.0225) with NELL2 negative tumors exhibiting much stronger CA IX expression. CONCLUSIONS: Immunodetection of NELL2 expression was confirmed as a predictive biomarker for PFS in these tumors. This effect is related to the absence of necrosis, low vascular proliferation, low MIB-1 proliferation index, and the absence of CA IX expression. SECONDARY CATEGORY: Pediatrics.
Subsurface cisterns in mouse hepatocytes

Extensive subsurface cisterns were commonly found beneath the apposed plasmalemmas of adjoining hepatocytes in young and adult mice. The cisterns were of two types: (1) flat cisterns, often with ribosomes on their deep surface, and (2) flattened, highly fenestrated smooth surfaced saccules, some of which were in continuity with smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Despite their frequent occurrence, the subsurface cisterns were always absent from the regions of gap or tight junctions, as well as from the periphery of bile canaliculi and cell surfaces bordering the space of Disse. The function of these cisterns remains undetermined.
The Cryptophthalmos-Syndactyly Syndrome Description, Manner of Inheritance, and Notes on the Eye Lesions

The cryptophthalmos-syndactyly syndrome is a rare disorder of which approximately 55 cases have been reported in the world literature. A few have been described in the American literature. It is the purpose of this paper to report another case and to stress the importance of early identification and of genetic counseling of the parents.
High speed equalizer architectures based on floating point number representation

For high speed digital communications VLSI signal processors such as those used in VDSL and ATM LAN applications, the logic associated with the feed-forward equalizer taps accounts for much of the silicon area and power dissipation. The paper presents a novel arithmetic unit, which allows one to reduce the size of the multipliers. One of the multiplicands, the data, is stored in fixed point format, while the other, the error (coefficient) is converted in floating point format with a reduced mantissa width. In the case of the error, the coefficient update multiplier can be replaced with a shift and add structure. For the equalizer FIR section, the coefficients are split in sets and the coefficient mantissa width is optimized for each set. This procedure allows one to minimize the quantization noise for a given total coefficient length.
A Token Economy for Exercise Adherence in Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis: A Single-Subject Analysis

Objective In cystic fibrosis (CF), adherence to airway clearance techniques (e.g., chest physiotherapy and exercise) is poor. Exercise is important because pulmonary difficulties are associated with the highest mortality rate. Despite this, very little research has focused on exercise adherence in CF. This study examined a token economy for increasing exercise in children with CF. Methods An ABAB single-subject design evaluated a token economy for increasing and maintaining exercise in three children with CF. Patient report, parent report, and physiological measures were used to assess treatment integrity, medical stability, and changes in exercise. Results Measures suggested that treatment integrity was strong. Results indicated strong treatment effects for all participants without negative medical side effects. Follow-up of 1 and 3 months supported continued exercise for all participants. Conclusions A token economy effectively increased exercise in children with CF, and the single-subject design highlighted some of the intricacies of individualized treatment of adherence. Implications and recommendations for further research are discussed.
GIS and Disease

Geographic information systems (GIS) and related technologies like remote sensing are increasingly used to analyze the geography of disease, specifically the relationships between pathological factors (causative agents, vectors and hosts, people) and their geographical environments. GIS applications in the United States have described the sources and geographical distributions of disease agents, identified regions in time and space where people may be exposed to environmental and biological agents, and mapped and analyzed spatial and temporal patterns in health outcomes. Although GIS show great promise in the study of disease, their full potential will not be realized until environmental and disease surveillance systems are developed that distribute data on the geography of environmental conditions, disease agents, and health outcomes over time based on user-defined queries for user-selected geographical areas.
Low carbon plot: climate change skepticism with Chinese characteristics

Current sociological literature on climate change skepticism almost exclusively focuses on the discourses in the Western World. This paper seeks to broaden the scholarship by examining the Chinese case, and to bridge this body of literature with nationalism. Through critical discourse analysis of Chinese publications, I demonstrate the existence of an undercurrent of climate change skepticism in China. The main discursive patterns follow a conspiracy theory that sees climate change as a western plot to constrain China’s development space and to create a new site for financial accumulation. The result suggests that Chinese climate change skepticism stems from identity politics and mistrust towards Western countries. In China’s climate skepticism discourse, science also becomes a subject of national identity politics. This paper calls for a sociology of climate change ‘knowledge’ to move forward the study of climate change skepticism and denialism.
Characterizing differences in Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (stec) attachment to pre-rigor and chilled beef carcass surfaces

National Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Grant No. 2012-68003-30155 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Prevention, Detection and Control of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) from Pre-Harvest Through Consumption of Beef Products Program – A4101
Uric Acid-Induced Inflammation Is Mediated by the Parathyroid Hormone:25-Hydroxyvitamin D Ratio in Obese Adolescents.

Abstract Background: Elevated serum uric acid (SUA) level is strongly associated with prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS), elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] insufficiency in adults. We examined the relationship among SUA, [25(OH)D], PTH, and inflammation in obese adolescents, in obese adolescents with and without MS. Methods: Body mass index, body composition, 25(OH)D, PTH, fasting lipids, glucose, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), SUA, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), insulin, and the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were evaluated in 152 obese adolescents. Results: Hyperuricemia [SUA ≥6.0 mg/dL (357 μM)] was present in 54.6% of entire cohort without significant ethnic/racial differences. While SUA was negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and 25(OH)D (P < 0.01), it was positively correlated with fat mass (FM), PTH, PTH:25(OH)D, and hs-CRP (P < 0.01). Vitamin D deficiency [25(OH)D <50 nM] was pre...
Enhancing tectonic and provenance information from detrital zircon studies: assessing terrane-scale sampling and grain-scale characterization

Abstract: Determining detrital zircon U–Pb ages has become the method of choice for single- mineral-based provenance studies focused on the identification of potential source regions of siliciclastic sediments. Advances in microanalytical methods have significantly accelerated the acquisition rate of U–Pb ages, thus allowing for more statistically significant zircon age datasets to be acquired than previously. However, several studies have demonstrated limitations of relying solely on detrital zircon as a provenance proxy. To further assess the utility of this provenance indicator we measured U–Pb ages of detrital zircon derived from modern sediment collected from the French Broad River and its tributaries that drain portions of the Appalachian Orogen in southeastern USA. The results demonstrate that significant detrital zircon age variations occur along the length of the river. The age variations suggest that characterization of entire sedimentary formations by analysis of single samples may be misleading and that a multiple-sample approach is required. In addition, by incorporating high-magnification cathodoluminescence images with Th/U for each detrital grain, a more robust interpretation can be made regarding zircon source. Supplementary material: Global positioning system coordinates for each sampling location and complete zircon data are available at http:/www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18445.
Using NURBs-Based Metamodels as Surrogate Spine Models for More Efficient Probabilistic Analysis

Probabilistic simulation methods have allowed for many advancements in the field of biomechanics, especially for the human spine. To accurately model a complex system such as the spine, the model must account for the differences that occur from one specimen to the next. These differences in material properties and anatomical shapes are described probabilistically. Accurately modeling the effects of these differences is important in biomechanics as no two people are exactly alike, yet building individual models of every person is impractical. Several authors have conducted research into more accurate ways to model biomechanical systems such as the spine, however the computational expense of performing analysis and optimization with these probabilistic simulation models still remains an issue, particularly with respect to the underlying Monte Carlo simulations. The research described in this paper investigates the use of Non-Uniform Rational B-splines (NURBs) based metamodels to reduce the cost of expensive probabilistic simulation models of the spine for analysis and optimization. Metamodels are simply mathematical approximations of a model or in other words, a model of models. Metamodels are widely used to represent the behavior of complex systems based on limited data from the original system model. Metamodels are often more computationally efficient to store and analyze than the original system models which they approximate. Using a Functional Spinal Unit (FSU) Finite Element Model, two different probabilistic NURBs-based metamodeling methods were developed and tested. Through the use of metamodels, a promising approach for reducing the computational time of running a Monte Carlo simulation was discovered.© 2011 ASME
Friction in modern total hip arthroplasty bearings: Effect of material, design, and test methodology:

The purpose of this study was to characterize the effect of a group of variables on frictional torque generated by acetabular components as well as to understand the influence of test model. Three separate test models, which had been previously used in the literature, were used to understand the effect of polyethylene material, bearing design, head size, and material combinations. Each test model differed by the way it simulated rotation of the head, the type of frictional torque value it reported (static vs. dynamic), and the type of motion simulated (oscillating motion vs. continuous motion). It was determined that not only test model may impact product ranking of fictional torque generated but also static frictional torque may be significantly larger than a dynamic frictional torque. In addition to test model differences, it was discovered that the frictional torque values for conventional and highly cross-linked polyethylenes were not statistically significantly different in the more physiologically relevant test models. With respect to bearing design, the frictional torque values for mobile bearing designs were similar to the 28-mm diameter inner bearing rather than the large diameter outer liner. Testing with a more physiologically relevant rotation showed that frictional torque increased with bearing diameter for the metal on polyethylene and ceramic on polyethylene bearings but remained constant for ceramic on ceramic bearings. Finally, ceramic on ceramic bearings produced smaller frictional torque values when compared to metal on polyethylene and ceramic on polyethylene groups.
Observation of Topical Application with 5% Imiquimod Cream on Condyloma Acuminata Relapse Prevention

Objective To observe the preventive effect of topical application with 5% imiquimod cream (brand name:Aldara,England 3M Company) on condyloma acuminata (CA) relapse.Methods Eighty-one patients with CA were randomly divided into treatment group(43) and control group(38),respectively.All wart bodies were evaporated with carbon dioxide laser in two groups and were followed-up for 3 months.In treatment group,additional 5% imiquimod cream were topically used in the treated sites and surrounding 0.5cm skin every other day for one month after a week since laser treatment.Results The relapse rate of the treatment group (6.97%,3 /43) was significantly lower than the control (42.10%,16/38) (P0.01).Conclusion The 5% imiquimod cream for topical usage can significantly reduce the recurrence rate of CA.
Study on the treatment of oil-field wastewater by flocculation combined with nano-TiO_2 potocatalytic oxidation

The best doping rate and heat treatment temperature were obtained.Oil-field wastewater was treated by flocculation combined with nano-TiO2 photocatalytic oxidation,and process of the treatment was studied.The results of experiment showed that at the best conditions:the ratio of PFS and TiO2 is 1∶0.1;dosage to 0.8 g/L;pH in the range of 7 to 9;the reaction time of 40 minutes.The removal efficiency of oil content and suspended solids were 94.1% and 96.4% respectively.Under the best treatment process,the treated wastewater reached re-injection standards.
Network Traffic Assignment

In this chapter we are concerned with two schemes for allocating traffic to the arcs of congested road networks: system optimal traffic assignment and user equilibrium traffic assignment. We begin with some cautionary remarks concerning terminology. Techniques for determining Nash equilibria of road networks are frequently collectively referred to by transportation engineers as traffic assignment . In some ways this choice of terminology is unfortunate since other branches of engineering tend to reserve the word “assignment” for normative , value-laden judgments informed by some measure of performance or social welfare. However, to transportation engineers, traffic assignment is the behavior-based allocation of origin-destination specific, forecasted travel demands to the arcs of a real physical road network. As such, traffic assignment involves foresight and is intrinsically a descriptive or positive modeling exercise. Furthermore, because traffic assignment allocates origin-destination specific travel demands to paths of the network of interest in order to determine arc flows, traffic assignment is fundamentally a problem of route selection .
J. Quay and J. Seaman, John Dewey and education outdoors: making sense of the ‘educational situation’ through more than a century of progressive reforms

There are two books that have been reviewed in this journal which deserve a second look. The first of these is Beyond Learning by Doing (2012) by Jay Roberts. The second is John Dewey and Education...
Maxillofacial injuries among National Collegiate Athletic Association athletes: 2004-2014.

OBJECTIVE: Participation in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) sports increases annually, yet the risk of maxillofacial injuries among these athletes is unknown. We report the incidence and trends in maxillofacial injuries among NCAA athletes. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of the NCAA Injury Surveillance System (ISS) representing athletes from seven men's and eight women's sports across Divisions 1, 2, and 3. Incidence of maxillofacial injuries by sport, gender, anatomic location, and injuries requiring surgery were measured. METHODS: Athlete exposure data from 2004 to 2005 through 2013 to 2014 were analyzed, along with maxillofacial injuries recorded in the NCAA-ISS. RESULTS: There were 2,017 injuries recorded, which projects to 41,204 injuries from 202,087,229 athlete events, or 2.04 injuries per 10,000 athlete events (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.68 to 2.40). Women had higher injury rates, 2.06 versus 2.03 (P = 0.016 [95% CI 0.22 to 2.09]). Highest rates were noted in men's wrestling 7.02 (95% CI, 2.84 to 11.19) and men's basketball 4.80 (95% CI, 3.57 to 6.02), and were lowest in women's ice hockey 0.61 (95% CI, 0.17 to 1.06) and women's volleyball 0.43 (95% CI, 0.20 to 0.66). No gender differences in fractures or need for surgery, but men sustained more operative fractures, 27.85% versus 17.04% (P = 0.035 [95% CI, 0.79 to 20.82]). Men's American football, women's ice hockey, women's volleyball, and women's gymnastics had consistently low fracture rates. CONCLUSION: Maxillofacial injuries represent approximately 3.4% of all injuries sustained by NCAA athletes. Women had a higher injury rate, whereas men had a higher rate of operative facial fractures. Awareness and improved facial protection, especially among noncontact sports, will be crucial in reducing the incidence of these injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 2016.© 2016 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc. Language: en
Exercise improves femoral whole-bone and tissue-level biomechanical properties in hyperphagic OLETF rats

An often-overlooked comorbidity of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is increased fracture risk. Since traditional T2D therapies focus solely on glucose homeostasis, there is an increased need for effective treatment strategies that improve both metabolic and bone health. The current study evaluated if previously reported protective effects of exercise (EX) on cortical bone geometry and biomechanical properties are due to the prevention of obesity compared with obese Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats or the unique skeletal effects of exercise. Four-week-old male OLETF rats were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups, each fed a standard rodent chow diet until 40 weeks of age: ad libitum-fed sedentary (O-SED), ad libitum-fed EX (O-EX), or a control group body-weight-matched to the O-EX group by caloric restriction (O-CR). Ad libitum-fed sedentary Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (L-SED) rats were used as a lean control. EX or CR prevented the excess body mass accumulation and elevated HbA1c observed in O-SED. Total-body bone mineral density was greater in O-EX than O-CR, but similar to L-SED and O-SED. O-EX and O-CR had lower osteocalcin and TRAP5b than O-SED and L-SED. EX or CR prevented the ∼3-fold increase in CTx in O-SED versus L-SED. EX increased femoral cortical mass accumulation and expansion at the mid-diaphysis compared with O-CR. EX or CR significantly increased tissue-level stiffness and strength compared with O-SED and L-SED, but O-EX had greater whole-bone stiffness than all other groups. In summary, EX has distinct advantages over CR for improving bone biomechanical properties in hyperphagic OLETF rats.
Observations of microscale internal gravity waves over an orchard canopy

Scanning atmospheric lidar and in situ observations of internal gravity waves with wavelengths ranging from 30 m to 100 m in the atmospheric roughness sublayer over a forest canopy will be presented.
CHM-1, a novel synthetic quinolone with potent and selective antitumor activity against human hepatocellular carcinoma

A37 Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is highly chemoresistant to currently available chemotherapeutic agents. In the present study, CHM-1, a synthetic 29-fluoro-6,7- methylenedioxy-2-phenyl-4-quinolone, was identified as a potent and selective antitumor agent in human HCC. CHM-1 induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in HA22T, Hep3B, and HepG2 cells, but did not obviously impair the viability of normal cells at the IC 50 for liver cancer cells. CHM-1 interacted with tubulin at the colchicine-binding site, markedly inhibited tubulin polymerization both in vitro and in vivo . CHM-1 caused cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase by activating Cdc2/cyclin B1 complex activity. CHM-1-induced cell death, activation of Cdc2 kinase, and elevation of MPM2 phosphoepitopes were profoundly attenuated by roscovitine. CHM-1 did not modulate the caspase cascade, and the pan-caspase-inhibitor z-VAD-fmk did not abolish CHM-1-induced cell death. However, CHM-1 induced the translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) from mitochondria to the nucleus. Small interfering RNA targeting of AIF effectively protected HA22T and Hep3B cells against CHM-1-induced cell death. Importantly, CHM-1 inhibited tumor growth and prolonged the life span in mice inoculated with HA22T cells. Taken together, we conclude that CHM-1 exhibits a novel antimitotic antitumor activity against human HCC cells both in vitro and in vivo via a caspase-independent pathway. Thus, CHM-1 is a promising chemotherapeutic agent worthy of further development into a clinical trial candidate for treating cancer, especially HCC.
Preoperative predictors of conversion as indicators of local inflammation in acute cholecystitis: strategies for future studies to develop quantitative predictors.

Background Observational studies have identified risk factors for conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the reliability of these predictors and to identify sources of heterogeneity in the studies. Methods OVID was searched for papers published from 1995 to 2016. Studies with more than 100 patients were included. Risk factors for conversion were abstracted and categorized by statistical significance. Results Eleven studies were evaluated. Inflammation with difficulty in anatomic identification was the most common reason of conversion. Because of heterogeneity among studies a quantitative approach was not possible. Therefore, qualitative analysis using a heat map was performed along with investigation into sources of heterogeneity with the aim of creating a framework for future quantitative studies. Age, maleness, and white blood cell count were most commonly identified predictors of conversion. Sources of heterogeneity were criteria for diagnosis of acute cholecystitis, selection of patients for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, selection of variables and variations in their thresholds. Conclusions In acute cholecystitis, inflammation is the most common reason for conversion. Age, maleness and white blood cell count are common predictors of conversion. Large scale prospective studies with minimal heterogeneity are needed to establish validity of these and other predictors.
Play fairway analysis of geothermal resources across the state of Hawaii: 3. Use of development viability criterion to prioritize future exploration targets

Abstract A recent Play Fairway Analysis of geothermal prospects in Hawaii identified and compiled data relevant to subsurface heat, fluid, and permeability, and developed and applied a statistical method to integrate the compiled data to produce a map of resource probability across the state. As a final screening of prospective geothermal resources, we considered the viability of development in areas showing an elevated resource probability. This screening was intended to prioritize prospects that have a greater likelihood of proceeding through regulatory review to production in a timely and cost-effective manner. Development viability was determined to be high, medium, or low based on four factors: i) grid accessibility, ii) vulnerability to natural hazards, iii) current and probable future land uses; and iv) community sentiment and acceptance. Development viability was assessed in >10 areas of interest that were selected based on the results of the probability and confidence mapping, and was a guiding criterion used to develop a prioritized roadmap for the next phase of exploration activity in Hawaii. Planned activities include a groundwater sampling and analysis campaign in ∼10 broad areas, and the collection of magnetotelluric and gravity data in 2–5 locations statewide.
Efficient estimation of the error distribution in a varying coefficient regression model

It is shown that the weighted residual-based estimator of Schick, Zhu, and Du (2017) is efficient in some special cases and can be made to be efficient by adding a stochastic correction term. The efficiency is shown by deriving the efficient influence function and establishing a uniform stochastic expansion with this influence function. The correction term relies on estimators of the score function for the errors and other characteristics of the model.
Successful Treatment of Multifactorial Chronic Daily Headaches at an Interdisciplinary Chronic Pain Program: A Case Study.

Abstract Chronic daily headaches (CDHs) are common, disabling, and difficult to treat. We report a case of a patient with a complex medical history experiencing multifactorial CDH referred for and eventually enrolled in an interdisciplinary chronic pain program. Focusing on enhancing the patient's function while minimizing the use of medications and invasive procedures, this comprehensive rehabilitation intervention consists of diverse treatment approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, physical and occupational therapy, and medical interventions. Despite the patient's challenges with implementation of strategies learned in the program, positive results were seen, including decreased symptomatology, decreased opioid use, and attainment of employment. Although time-intensive, interdisciplinary chronic pain programs may result in a greater likelihood for sustained functional improvements and prevention of disability for patients with CDH, even in the most complex. Level of Evidence IV
Dysregulated connexin 43 in HER2-positive drug resistant breast cancer cells enhances proliferation and migration

// Elizabeth S. Yeh 1 , Christina J. Williams 1 , Carly Bess Williams 1 , Ingrid V. Bonilla, Nancy Klauber-DeMore 2 and Stephanie L. Phillips 3 1 Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA 2 Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA 3 Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA Correspondence to: Elizabeth S. Yeh, email: yeh@musc.edu Keywords: connexin 43; gap junctions; HER2+ breast cancer; cell migration; resistance Received: May 17, 2017 Accepted: November 01, 2017 Published: November 25, 2017 ABSTRACT Connexin 43 (Cx43) is a gap junction protein whose function in the development of breast cancer and in breast cancer progression remains unclear. Evidence suggests that Cx43 ( GJA1 ) mRNA and protein expression is altered in breast tumors. However, reports indicate both increased and decreased Cx43 levels in human breast cancer samples. Studies also suggest that loss of Cx43 regulated gap junction intercellular communication is a common feature of breast malignancies that potentially correlates with histological stage. Further evidence suggests that Cx43 ( GJA1 ) mRNA expression is negatively correlated with HER2 positivity but a relationship between Cx43 and HER2 in breast cancer is not well defined. Therefore, in this study, we sought to evaluate the relationship between Cx43 activity, HER2, and drug resistance. Using HER2+ breast cancer cell lines that are sensitive or resistant to HER2 inhibitor, we evaluated Cx43 gap junction function. We found that Cx43 gap junction activity is completely lost in drug resistant HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer cells, whereas Cx43 gap junction activity can be restored by Cx43 overexpression in drug sensitive HER2+ cells. Moreover, the dysregulation of Cx43 resulted in increased tumorigenic and migratory capacity of the HER2+ drug resistant breast cancer cells.
Initial Development and Validation of a Family Medicine Attitudes Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Although many curricular and policy interventions are designed to influence students' attitudes toward family medicine, assessment of these interventions is limited by lack of a comprehensive, validated measure of students' attitudes. We sought to develop and validate a questionnaire that effectively assesses medical student attitudes toward family medicine. METHODS A 31-item questionnaire was assessed for internal, external, and content validity. The questionnaire was offered to fourth-year students at two Midwestern medical schools. Internal validity was assessed using data reduction and iterative factor analyses. External validity was assessed by correlating scores with intention to match in family medicine. Content validity was assessed by directly observing students as they completed the questionnaire and qualitatively evaluating student comments. RESULTS Of 858 students invited, 426 (49.7%) provided usable questionnaire data. After removal of questions with lower interitem correlations and simplification of subscales, the modified questionnaire achieved acceptable subscale internal consistency and a Cronbach alpha of 0.798. The overall instrument summative score correlated with family medicine career choice (P<0.001). Most subscales and individual items also correlated with family medicine choice. Ten students were directly observed, using an iterative process, and modifications were made based on student understanding. CONCLUSIONS Development of a validated questionnaire assessing medical student attitudes toward family medicine is feasible. With further refinement, the Family Medicine Attitudes Questionnaire may be useful in evaluating the impact of curricular interventions on students' perceptions of family medicine, contributing to an evidence-based approach to recruitment of students to the specialty.
Organization of the Globus Pallidus

This chapter describes the anatomical and physiological organization of the external and internal segments of the globus pallidus (GPe and GPi, respectively). A large section is devoted to descriptions of the GPe, including the morphological and chemical subtypes of neurons, their physiological properties, and physiological characteristics of inputs from the striatum and the subthalamic nucleus. The descriptions also include known characteristics of recently identified chemical subtypes of GPe neurons. A smaller section describes the anatomical and physiological organization of the GPi. The section on functional considerations discusses neuronal activity of globus pallidus neurons and their possible role in normal and pathophysiological conditions.