cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Progressive Visual Loss from Giant Cell Arteritis Despite High-dose Intravenous Methylprednisolone

Abstract Background: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) often presents with devastating visual loss in the elderly, yet the ideal treatment is unknown. The disease most often has been treated with oral prednisone, although recently the use of high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone (IVIVIP) has been reported to enhance visual recovery. Methods: The authors reviewed patient charts from two university-based neuroophthalmology services and reviewed all previously reported cases of GCA treated with IVIVIP. Results: Four patients with GCA exhibited severe, progressive visual loss after at least 48 hours of high-dose IVIVIP. A fifth patient had further visual loss in one eye and improvement in the other eye after 24 hours of IVIVIP. In previous reports of IVIVIP treatment in GCA, four patients lost vision and 14 patients recovered vision. The authors review the details of these reports. Conclusions: The results of IVIVIP treatment of patients with visual loss from GCA are similar to the results of treatment with oral corticosteroids, with IVIVIP treatment being more costly and having a small risk of sudden death. The optimal dosage and route of corticosteroid treatment for GCA with visual loss remain elusive and warrant a treatment trial. Ophthalmology 1997;104:854-858
STABILITIES OF NUCLEAR AND MESSENGER RNA MOLECULES IN SEA URCHIN EMBRYOS

The kinetics of accumulation of radioactive adenosine in adenosine triphosphate and in RNA of nuclear, cytoplasmic, and polysomal fractions of sea urchin embryos have been analyzed. 85% of the RNA synthesized decays in the nucleus with an apparently uniform half-life of about 7 min. The remaining 15% goes to the cytoplasm, mostly entering polysomes, and decays with a quite uniform half-life of about 75 min. The nuclear RNA accounts for one-third and the cytoplasmic RNA accounts for two-thirds of the total unstable RNA which accumulates at steady state in the embryo. The size distribution of short-labeled nuclear RNA is very similar to that of long-labeled messenger RNA, when both are extracted directly from the cells without a previous cell fractionation.
QoS-Based Dynamic Web Service Composition with Ant Colony Optimization

Service-oriented architecture (SOA) provides a scalable and flexible framework for service composition. Service composition algorithms play an important role in selecting services from different providers to reach desirable QoS levels according to the performance requirements of composite services, and improve customer satisfaction. This paper proposes a novel QoS-based dynamic service composition technique for web services with Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) in an optimization approach. The novelty of this work lies with our multi-objective optimal-path selection modeling for QoS-based dynamic web service composition and a new version of ACO algorithm that is proposed to solve this multi-objective optimization problem. The experiments show that the new version of ACO algorithm is very efficient in solving such a problem.
Lactobacilli at the front line of defense against vaginally acquired infections

Probiotics are microorganisms that provide a health benefit to the host and are promoted as alternatives for the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases and other conditions. One of the most rapidly developing areas of probiotic research is in the management of vaginally acquired infections. Several Lactobacillus species produce compounds that kill or inhibit the growth of vaginally acquired pathogens. Other lactobacilli reduce the adherence of pathogens to urogenital epithelial cells in culture. This article discusses the mechanisms by which vaginal lactobacilli prevent pathogen colonization of the urogenital tract, and potential mechanisms that warrant investigation. Animal models and clinical studies, while limited, are discussed with the idea that these are the next critical steps to advance the study of probiotics for the treatment and prevention of vaginally acquired infections.
A System Approach to Determining the Feasibility of Forced Molting Commercial Layers

Abstract The economical and practical considerations in determining the feasibility of molting a commercial layer flock are based on several production and economical factors. This paper describes a computerized model used to predict: 1) the economic feasibility of molting when layers are in various production periods; 2) the net profit resulting from different molting procedures; and 3) the effect of increased feed cost on net profit. On the basis of the application example and parameters in this study, forced laying hen molt resulted in higher net profit for two different molt regimens than for the no-molt alternative. However, based on the fixed inputs, the molt procedure employed resulted in different net revenues. The situation and assumed conditions evaluated represented several alternatives to commercial producers. The model is designed to generally evaluate the feasibility of molting at various ages. The reliability of using a computer model to predict molt or no-molt alternatives is dependent on accurate data inputs.
Nutrient and Hormonal Regulation of the Threshold of Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion in Isolated Rat Pancreases*

This study demonstrates that the threshold of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion can be regulated in vivo by long term hormonal and nutrient modifications. The sensitivity of the pancreatic B-cell to glucose stimulation was determined by examining the pattern of insulin release from pancreases perfused with linear glucose gradients. Male rats infused with ovine PRL for 4 days and rats receiving five hourly injections of glucose had a lower threshold and enhanced rates of insulin release at all stimulatory glucose concentrations. Infusion of bGH for 4 days was without effect on glucose gradient-stimulated insulin release. Fasting the rats for 48 h resulted in an elevation of the threshold and a substantial reduction in the extent of insulin release. To determine possible processes involved in these long term modifications of the threshold of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, the in vitro effect of potentiators of insulin release was examined. Forskolin, glucagon, cholecystokinin, and carbamylcholine ...
L1-norm and L2-norm neuroimaging methods in reconstructing extended cortical sources from EEG

We have previously reported a new sparse neuroimaging method (i.e. VB-SCCD) using the L1-norm optimization technology to solve EEG inverse problems. The new method distinguishes itself from other reported L1-norm methods since it explores the sparseness in a transform domain rather than in the original source domain. In the present study, we conducted a Monte Carlo simulation study to compare the performance of VB-SCCD and other two popular L2-norm neuroimaging methods (i.e. wMNE and cLORETA) in reconstructing extended cortical neural electrical activations. Our simulation data suggests that the VB-SCCD method is able to reconstruct extended cortical sources with the overall high accuracy. It has significantly higher accuracy, less number of false alarms and less number of missing sources when studying complex brain activations (up to 5 simultaneous sources). This new sparse neuroimaging method is thus promising to have many valuable applications in neuroscience and neurology problems. It is also applicable to MEG neuroimaging.
Using Similarity to Implement Distributed Ubiquitous Software Services

This paper presents both theoretical and experimental results enabling the distributed implementation of ubiquitous software services.
Oxidation-Reduction Properties of Short-Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase: Effects of Substrate Analogs

Abstract Redox potentials of short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase from the anaerobe, Megasphaera elsdenii, have been determined by means of uv-visible spectroelectro-chemistry in the presence of substrate analogs. During redox titrations in the presence of 2-azabutyryl-CoA, up to 85% anionic FAD semiquinone was stabilized with a molar absorbance at 387 nm of 19 mM−1 cm−1. Despite a slow reduction of short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase by 2-azabutyryl-CoA (
The Effect of Similarity and Interest on Attitudes Toward Foreign Countries

The authors test the hypothesis that the American public's attitudes toward foreign nations will be determined by the similarity of those nations to their own country and by the interest which the United States derives from these nations. The analysis is based on regression techniques and the results confirm the original proposi- tion.
Soviet Arms Exports in the 1920s

In the 1920s, the Soviet Union employed arms exports as a means of attempting to exert influence on its less-developed Asian neighbors, either by intervening in internal struggles or encouraging pr...
Milton, Hobbes, and Rhetorical Freedom

In this article, I argue that for John Milton in Paradise Lost and Areopagitica freedom was a rhetorical quality of action: an ethical capacity to address a situation by means of language. I contrast Milton’s approach to that of Thomas Hobbes, for whom freedom was only a state. These reflections suggest that Milton’s rhetorical freedom, a capacity to act amid oppositions by virtue of the wisdom and power of discourse, offers the outlines of an alternate modernity.
Off-resonance saturation magnetic resonance imaging of superparamagnetic polymeric micelles

An off-resonance saturation (ORS) method was used for magnetic resonance imaging of superparamagnetic polymeric micelles (SPPM). SPPM was produced by encapsulating a cluster of magnetite nanoparticles (9.9±0.4 nm in diameter) in poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(D, L-lactide) (PEG-PLA) copolymer micelles (micelle diameter: 60±9 nm). In ORS MRI, a selective radiofrequency (RF) pulse was applied at an off-resonance position (0-50 ppm) from the bulk water signal, and the SPPM particles were visualized by the contrast on a division image constructed from two images acquired with and without pre-saturation. Here, the effects of saturation offset frequencies, saturation durations, and RF powers on ORS contrasts were investigated as these parameters are critical for optimization of ORS MRI for in vivo imaging applications. The ability to turn “ON” and “OFF” ORS contrast of SPPM solutions permits for an accurate image subtraction and a contrast enhancement to visualize SPPM probes for in vivo imaging of cancer.
A template query language for non-first normal form databases

An application of techniques in extended relational databases and models, expert systems, and fuzzy set theory to the problem of data retrieval from a relational database is discussed. A novel approach that permits the retrieval of database information based on a template retrieval language is described. It differs from previous approaches in that retrieval is permitted over a set of tuples that as a group, and not individually, satisfy the query. The retrieval of analogous multituples is complicated by the necessity that the data model and the query language support and use inexact matching techniques. The solution investigated is the use of non-first normal form data models (NFRs). The use of NFRs have several advantages. It is a more natural representation of the underlying data and permits the clustering of similar data. The very nature of the NFR model lends itself to retrieval of analogous multituples. The use of semantic relationships that exist among the attributes is examined, and proper design of NFR relations depending on the above relationships is found to aid in retrieval of analogous multituples. >
Clinical Relevance Commentary on: Hand therapy versus corticosteroid injections in the treatment of de Quervain's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This paper intended to answer two questions. The first was a comparison of effectiveness between corticosteroid injection and hand therapy interventions for patients with de Quervain’s tenosynovitis. The difficulty in answering this question lies both in the paucity of the studies found as well as the limited number of interventions published to date. Upon review of over a thousand papers, three studies were found that compared corticosteroid injection to an orthosis. One additional study analyzed the use of acupuncture. Unfortunately, the evidence provided in these four papers was not sufficient to answer the question of which treatment choice is more effective for patients with de Quervain’s. The second question pursued by these authors was whether a combination of corticosteroid injection with hand therapy interventionwas more effective than either pursued in isolation. Articles offering this comparison were also extremely limited; the data from two articles were compiled to identify statistically significant differences in treatment success and decreased pain that favored the combined groups. While strength of the evidence is limited, this paper supports the combined use of corticosteroid injection and hand therapy intervention to decrease pain and symptomology as measured through provocative testing in patients with de Quervain’s.
Propensity-score analysis in thoracic surgery: When, why, and an introduction to how

Propensity score matching is a valuable tool for dealing with observational data and nonrandom treatment assignment, which often results in groups that differ systematically in numerous measured and unmeasured variables. When these systematically different variables are associated with both group assignment and the outcome(s) of interest, bias is introduced. Propensity score matching assigns a propensity for group assignment, which is then used to create 2 groups that are balanced across all possible variables that might influence exposure assignment. When used in the proper conditions, these analytics allow for more accurate and precise estimates of risk for a variety of outcomes.
Effect of Slurry Hydraulic Pressure in Slip Casting

Effect of the slurry depth on slurry hydraulic pressure and cake growth rate during slip casting was examined for zirconia aqueous slurry of 50-75mass% solid. Buoyancy, which acted on three sorts of stainless steel sinkers in the zirconia slurries, was measured. Buoyancy in slurry increased linearly with the slurry density and the volume of the sinker. Buoyancy is generated by the slurry hydraulic pressure distribution. It is found that slurry hydraulic pressure increases proportionally to the slurry depth. The cake growth rate became higher at a higher head of the slurry.
Fundamental Study on Adhesion of Epoxy Underfill Materials with Passivation Layer in Flip-chip Packaging

The influence of aging in an environment with a high temperature and a high humidity on the adhesion performance of underfill material (epoxy cured with acid anhydride) to the passivation layer in flip chip packaging is discussed. Adhesion of underfill to different passivation materials degrades after aging in a high temperature and high humidity environment. The extent of this degradation is dependent on the hydrophilicity of the passivation material. Hydrophilic passivation such as silicon oxide (SiO2) and silicon nitride (Si3N4) shows much more severe adhesion degradation than hydrophobic passivation such as benzocyclobutene (BCB) and polyimide (PI). The mobility of absorbed water and of polymer chains is studied with solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Higher mobility of absorbed water and of polymer chains in rubbery state polymers contributes to faster adhesion degradation during high temperature and high humidity aging. The adhesion stability of hydrophilic passivation can be successfully improved by use of a silane coupling agent that introduces stable chemical bond at interface. A flow micro-calorimeter was used to study the absorption of silane coupling agent onto glass surface. The difference in adhesion retention improvement between aminosilane and epoxysilane is discussed.
How to Define Emotions Scientifically

The central contention of this article is that the classificatory scheme of contemporary affective science, with its traditional categories of emotion, anger, fear, and so on, is no longer suitable...
Jacob, Monod, the Lac Operon, and the pajama experiment-gene expression circuitry changing the face of cancer research

Visit the Cancer Research 75th Anniversary [timeline][1]. See related article by Pitot and Heidelberger, [Cancer Res 1963;23:1694–700][2] . It is a virtually universal rule in science that if we step back to reflect upon a field currently viewed as extremely dynamic and novel, we find ourselves
Versatile Manufacturing of Split-Block Microwave Devices Using Rapid Prototyping and Electroplating

We present a novel method of rapid prototyping waveguide and antenna using plating on plastic technique. The part is created by high-precision three-dimensional printing and plated with copper using both electroless plating and electroplating. The performance is comparable to industry-made waveguides and antennas, but the time and cost for creating these parts are largely reduced.
Testing Method of Opening and Closing Time for Circuit Breaker with Two- terminal Grounding

According to the requirement for field measurement of circuit breakers,a testing method of opening and closing time under two-terminal grounding condition is proposed. The testing requirements for opening and closing time of a circuit breaker under two-terminal grounding condition are analyzed, the measurement method and technical solutions of switching signal criterion are obtained, and the testing method and field test scheme of circuit breaker and GIS under two-terminal grounding condition are provided. Comparison with the conventional testing method indicates that the proposed testing method of opening and closing time of circuit breaker with twoterminal grounding completely meets the requirement for field maintenance.
Protein anabolic resistance in cancer: does it really exist?

Purpose of review Preventing unintentional weight and muscle loss is of crucial importance to maintain the condition and well-being of patients with cancer, improve treatment response and tolerance, and prolong survival. Anabolic resistance might explain why some cancer patients do not respond to nutritional intervention, but does recent evidence actually support this? We will discuss recent literature that casts doubt on attenuated anabolic potential in cancer. Recent findings Although anabolic resistance was observed in the past, more recent studies have shown that advanced cancer patients have an anabolic potential after intake of high-quality proteins. Furthermore, a consistent linear relationship is observed in cancer between (essential) amino acid availability from the diet and net protein gain. The studied cancer patients, however, were often characterized by a normal or obese body weight, following the trend in the general population, and mild systemic inflammation. Factors like recent chemotherapy, surgery, or cachexia do not seem to attenuate the anabolic potential to feeding. Summary Cancer patients have a normal anabolic potential which relates to the amount of essential amino acids in the meal. It remains to be determined if this is also the case in weak cancer patients with a short life expectancy and high systemic inflammation.
Advertising Decisions: A Matter of Confidence

A previously published communications model can be extended to show how buyer confidence can be utilized in making better advertising decisions. The extended model indicates how relationships between persuasibility and self-esteem, communication discrepancy, or source credibility may be altered in association with different buyer attitudes toward advertising content. It is proposed that buyers’ confidence in their own ability to evaluate message content could be used as a guide to media and target market selection, plus the development of better content and format parameters.
Valproate-Induced Malformations

Two children born with birth defects after intrauterine exposure to valproic acid are reported from the Dept Pediatrics Hopital Sainte-Justine, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Quantity and unit extraction for scientific and technical intelligence analysis

Scientific and Technical (S and T) intelligence analysts consume huge amounts of data to understand how scientific progress and engineering efforts affect current and future military capabilities. One of the most important types of information S and T analysts exploit is the quantities discussed in their source material. Frequencies, ranges, size, weight, power, and numerous other properties and measurements describing the performance characteristics of systems and the engineering constraints that define them must be culled from source documents before quantified analysis can begin. Automating the process of finding and extracting the relevant quantities from a wide range of S and T documents is difficult because information about quantities and their units is often contained in unstructured text with ad hoc conventions used to convey their meaning. Currently, even simple tasks, such as searching for documents discussing RF frequencies in a band of interest, is a labor intensive and error prone process. This research addresses the challenges facing development of a document processing capability that extracts quantities and units from S and T data, and how Natural Language Processing algorithms can be used to overcome these challenges.
CARACTERIZAÇÃO AGRONÔMICA DE UMA LAVOURA DE CAFÉ CONILON DA VARIEDADE CLONAL VITÓRIA INCAPER 8142

O o b j et iv o d e ss e tra b a l ho foi a valiar as c ara c te r i s t i c as a g r o n o m i c as de uma lavoura da variedade clonal Vi t oria Inca p er 8142. Foram avaliados as alturas das plantas, numero de hastes e os diâmetros de caules dos treze clones da variedade clonal. Foi realizado tambem, o georreferenciamento das plantas avaliadas visando a elaboracao do croqui do experimento. Em media, a altura das plantas foi de 1, 86 m, com diâmetro medio de caule de 2,63 cm, considerando 3,26 como sendo o numero medio de hastes por planta. O clone que apresentou maior altura foi o clone 8 com 2,8 cm e o que apresentou menor altura foi o clone 9 com 1,2 cm. Em relacao ao diâmetro de caule, o clone 8 foi o que apresentou maior diâmetro, com 4,3 cm em um dos caules. Os clones 4 e 5, foram os que apresentaram menor diâmetro em um dos caules, com 1,4 cm.
The Dilemma of Aging Parents: Increased Risk of Genetically Abnormal Offspring

The increased risk faced by the older parent of having a genetically abnormal child is of great clinical, biological, and sociological importance.
Buffering of Ocean Export Production by Flexible Elemental Stoichiometry of Particulate Organic Matter

One of the most important factors that determine the ocean-atmosphere carbon partitioning is the sinking of particulate organic matter (POM) from the surface ocean to the deep ocean. The amount of carbon (C) removed from the surface ocean by this POM export production depends critically on the elemental ratio in POM of C to nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), two essential elements that limit productivity. Recent observations indicate that P:N:C in marine POM varies both spatially and temporally due to chemical, physical, and ecological dynamics. In a new approach to predicting a flexible P:C ratio, we developed a power law model with a stoichiometry sensitivity factor, which is able to relate P:C of POM to ambient phosphate concentration. The new factor is robust, measurable, and biogeochemically meaningful. Using the new stoichiometry sensitivity factor, we present a first-order estimate that P:C plasticity could buffer against a generally expected future reduction in global carbon export production by up to 5% under a future warming scenario compared to a fixed, Redfield P:C. Further, we demonstrate that our new stoichiometry model can be implemented successfully and easily in a global model to reproduce the large-scale P:N:C variability in the ocean.
Tools for Trigger Rate Monitoring at CMS

In 2017, the LHC delivered an instantaneous luminosity of roughly 2.0 × 1034cm−2s−1 to the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment, with about 60 simultaneous proton-proton collisions ( ) per event. In these challenging conditions, it is important to be able to intelligently monitor the rate at which data are being collected (the trigger rate). It is not enough to simply look at the trigger rate; it is equally important to compare the trigger rate with expectations. We present a set of software tools that have been developed to accomplish this. The tools include a real-time component - a script that monitors the rates of individual triggers during data-taking, and activates an alarm if rates deviate significantly from expectation. Fits are made to previously collected data and extrapolated to higher . The behavior of triggers as a function of is then monitored as data are collected - plots are automatically produced on an hourly basis and uploaded to a web area for inspection. This same set of tools can also be used offline in data certification, as well as in more complex offline analysis of trigger behavior.
Personalized Intervention Program: Tobacco Treatment for Patients at Risk for Lung Cancer.

Background: Lung cancer screening and tobacco treatment for patients at high-risk for lung cancer may greatly reduce mortality from smoking, and there is an urgent need to improve smoking cessation therapies for this population. Aims: The purpose of this study is to test the efficacy of two separate, sequential interventions to promote tobacco cessation/reduction compared to standard care in smokers considered high-risk for lung cancer. Methods: The study will recruit 276 current smokers attending a lung cancer screening clinic or considered high-risk for lung cancer based on age and smoking history across two sites. Patients first will be randomized to either standard tobacco treatment (8 weeks of nicotine patch and five individual counselling sessions) or standard tobacco treatment plus personalized gain-framed messaging. At the 8-week visit, all patients will be re-randomized to receive biomarker feedback or no biomarker feedback. Repeated assessments during treatment will be used to evaluate changes in novel biomarkers: skin carotenoids, lung function, and plasma bilirubin that will be used for biomarker feedback. We hypothesize that personalized gain-framed messages and receiving biomarker feedback related to tobacco cessation/reduction will improve quit rates and prevent relapse compared to standard care. Primary outcomes include 7-day point-prevalence abstinence verified with expired carbon monoxide at 8 weeks and mean cigarettes per day in the past week at 6 months. Conclusions: Study findings will inform the development of novel interventions for patients at risk for lung cancer to improve smoking cessation rates.
Masculinity, Political Culture, and the Rise of Nazism

The relationship between masculinity and political power in the Weimar Republic has not yet been adequately explored by historians. This chapter registers its analytical potential to explain the political ascent of National Socialism. It traces the emergence of a radical critique of republican culture as emasculated and un-German, weakened by female suffrage and bloodless leadership. The Nazis ultimately commandeered the critique in a remasculinizing proposition to the electorate. Yet the Nazi movement’s gendered claims and aspirations were always contested and enmeshed in a wider struggle between competing ideals of political masculinity. The chapter deconstructs the ambiguous gendering of National Socialism in public life before 1933 and concludes by tracing the violent suppression of rival conceptions of political manhood during the seizure of power.
Use of rotational atherectomy for reducing significant dissection in treating de novo femoropopliteal steno-occlusive disease after balloon angioplasty.

Background Development of arterial dissection is thought to be an important key factor for bailout stenting in femoropopliteal disease. We aimed to evaluate the difference in dissection rate and outcomes between the treatment group with rotational atherectomy and without it. Methods From January 2011 to October 2016, we compared the angiography after balloon angioplasty (BA) of de-novo, femoropopliteal, steno-occlusive lesions whether they were treated by rotational atherectomy prior to the BA or not. Fifty-nine lesions (8 occlusions; 3 involving popliteal segment; lesion length: 86.3 ± 66.8 mm) in 44 patients (29 males; mean age 66.9 ± 9.7 years) were enrolled for this review. Results Forty-two lesions were treated using rotational atherectomy, prior to BA while 17 were recanalized firstly by BA. Clinical and lesion characteristics were not different between the groups. However, the rate of significant arterial dissection (type C to F) was lower in the atherectomy group (88.2% vs. 42.9%; P = 0.001). In multivariate analysis, use of the atherectomy device was the only risk factor for prevention of development of significant dissection (P = 0.013; OR = 0.12; 95% CI: 0.025-0.642). Patients were treated either by the angioplasty alone, drug coated balloon or stent insertion. There was lower trend in target vessel revascularization and primary patency toward the atherectomy group (low rank P = 0.108 and 0.166), however secondary patency was significantly better (low rank P = 0.001). Conclusions Rotational atherectomy before BA reduced the rate of significant dissection and therefore, might be a valuable option for minimizing need of bailout stenting.
Abstract 12095: Altered Brain Functional Connectivity During Valsalva Maneuver in Heart Failure

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) patients have abnormal autonomic (ANS) activity, which is linked to damage in specific gray matter brain regions (such as the insulae). Abnormal ANS activity in HF may be due to changes in both structural injury and functional connectivity (FC; temporal correlations between neural structures which indicate connection status and sequence of activation). While insular/brain structural injury has been reported in HF, FC has not been explored. Hypothesis: FC between brain regions during an autonomic challenge will be less in HF in comparison to controls. Methods: We collected functional MRI data with Valsalva maneuver block design task in 12 HF (age 55.6±8.1 years; Females 3; BMI 25.2±3.8 kg/m2; LVEF, 26.7±11.5%) and 33 controls (51.6±5.5 years; Females 13; BMI 25.7±3.2 kg/m2), using a 3.0 Tesla MRI scanner. Group independent component analysis was applied to identify individual task-related FC maps, which were compared between HF and controls (ANCOVA; covariates, age and gend...
Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is defined as a functional impairment of urine flow from the renal pelvis to the ureter. Whatever the cause, UPJO warrants prompt attention to alleviate symptoms and to prevent deterioration of renal function, development of stones, urinary tract infection, and, albeit rarely, hypertension. When intervention is indicated, open dismembered pyeloplasty has historically been the gold standard. However, with the advancements in endourological instrumentation, the direction has shifted toward minimally invasive procedures such as endopyelotomy (antegrade and retrograde), laparoscopic pyeloplasty, and robotic pyeloplasty. Adherence to strict endourological principles and direct visualization make retrograde ureteroscopic endopyelotomy a safe and effective treatment option for patients with UPJO. The ureteroscopic approach has a short learning curve, and can be performed in almost all general hospitals where ureteroscopy is performed. As ureteroscopic instruments are evolving, the trend will continue to favor minimally invasive techniques, and retrograde ureteroscopic endopyelotomy will remain a significant treatment option in the management of well-selected patients with UPJO.
Effects of Xenia on Aspergillus flavus Infection and Aflatoxin Accumulation in Maize Inbreds

Aspergillus flavus Link:Fries infection and aflatoxin contamination pose an economic threat to maize (Zea mays L.) producers of the United States. Efforts to identify germplasm resistant to A. flavus infection and aflatoxin accumulation have raised questions regarding the role of xenia, the pollen effect on the embryo and endosperm, in resistance of maize grain to the pathogen. The objective of this study was to evaluate the importance of xenia on A. flavus infection and aflatoxin accumulation in seed of eight inbred lines with different levels of resistance to A. flavus infection and aflatoxin contamination. Resistant and susceptible maize lines were hand-pollinated following a diallel mating design to produce seed for trials. The ears were inoculated 14 d after pollination with A. flavus spores. Grain was plated on agar to determine the extent of A. flavus infection and analyzed to measure aflatoxin content. Significant differences were detected among seed parents for both aflatoxin accumulation and A. flavus infection in both 2003 and 2004. The effects of pollen source were not significant on aflatoxin contamination or A. flavus infection in either 2003 or 2004. These results are consistent with xenia having little or no effect on A. flavus infection or aflatoxin accumulation. The results further suggest that reliable evaluation of A. flavus infection and aflatoxin contamination can be gained from open-pollinated field experiments.
Automated Enumeration and Classification of Bacteria in Fluorescent Microscopy Imagery

We present a system of techniques for automatic segmentation, quantification, and morphotype classification of vaginal bacteria from multi-band fluorescent microscopic imagery. Individual bacteria segmentation is accomplished via data pre-processing, blobness enhancement, thresholding, and multi-scale morphological decomposition. A new spotness feature is devised and extracted to effectively quantify bacterial morphotypes. A supervised classifier is trained on microscopic scans containing thousands of bacteria. Our approach is able to predict and segment bacteria with a high accuracy. The average classification error in terms of bacteria composition ratio is 6% relative to the ground-truth.
Effect of Hydrophylic Polymer Amendment on Growth of Container Grown Landscape Plants

Abstract Four experiments were conducted over 3 years to determine the influence of a water-absorbing polymer (hydrogel), Mizuace4, on the growth of container grown landscape plants. Amending the 100% pine bark growth medium with 0,0.9, 1.8, 2.7, or 3.6 kg/m3 (0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0 lb/yd3) hydrogel did not affect irrigation frequency. Foliar and growth medium nutrient levels were minimally affected, and shoot and root growth were reduced or not affected by increasing rates of hydrogel.
Neuron-like neural probes

Neural probes that mimic the subcellular structural features and mechanical properties of neurons assimilate across several structures of the brain to provide chronically stable neural recordings in a mouse model.
Processing of Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC)

Engineered Cementitious Composites have unique tensile ductility and autogenous crack width control, characteristics attractive to a variety of construction applications. For different construction approaches, such as on-site casting, off-site precasting, shotcreting, or structural member extrusion, the fresh property requirements can be distinctively different. For example, while self-consolidation behavior is desirable for casting, this behavior does not satisfy the requirements for shotcreting. Hence, it is necessary that the fresh properties of ECC be designed to suit the specific application methodology. Control of fresh properties, however, must not interfere with the hardened properties of ECC. In particular, the high tensile ductility must be properly maintained.
The case for radiosurgery for brainstem metastases

To challenge the prevalent pessimism regarding the outcome of patients with metastases in the brainstem resulting in the use of whole brain radiation for palliation rather than stereotactic radiosurgery for definitive control and preservation of quality of life. We present our single institution review of the efficacy and safety of treating brainstem metastases aggressively with GKRS. Forty-one patients with 45 total lesions treated with GKRS were included. Mean age was 58.7 years, ranging from 22 to 82. Tumor volumes were objectively calculated, treatment effects assessed on imaging and clinical data collected and correlated to the radiosurgical response. Mean survival after diagnosis of BSM was 11.6 months, ranging from 1.4 to 58.8 months. Margin dose ranged from 12 to 20 Gy. At first follow up, 11 (27%) patients had complete resolution of the treated lesion. At the second follow up 15 (37%) and third follow up 19 (46%) patients had a complete response. On average, there was a 64% decrease in tumor size at first follow up after treatment. 25 (61%) patients received WBRT in addition to radiosurgery; 16 (39%) received radiosurgery alone. There was no difference in overall survival between the two groups (p = 0.1324). ARE was seen in one patient who received 16 Gy to the margin of a 2.06 cm3 pontine tumor, but without correlative symptoms. One patient was treated with Bevacizumab® for progressive, but asymptomatic, edema following treatment that was not controlled by corticosteroids. Location in brainstem should not be a deterrent to the use of radiosurgery for these patients. The addition or exclusion of WBRT should be based on the clinical progression of the patient and within the limits of this study does not seem to impact overall survival. With improved survival as a result of better systemic therapy, these patients can benefit from better preservation of cognitive function by this strategy.
Historical changes in fish communities in urban streams of the south‐eastern United States and the relative importance of water‐quality stressors

A total of 71 stream sites representing a gradient of urban land use were sampled across the Piedmont of the south‐eastern United States in 2014. Fish data collected (observed) at each site were compared to an expected community based on georeferenced historical (~1950 ‐ ~1990) species occurrence records for stream segments (1:100,000 scale) containing the sampled stream sites. Loss of expected fish species (per cent of fish species expected to occur but not observed) and homogenization (difference in Jaccard's similarity of the fish community among sites observed and expected) were determined. On average, there was a 13.2% increase in the similarity of fish communities across sites, demonstrating evidence of community homogenization. Occurrence of Redbreast Sunfish (Lepomis auritus), Green Sunfish (L. cyanellus) and Bluegill (L. macrochirus) increased more than 50% over time (between observed and expected). Species loss increased significantly with urbanization, whereas homogenization was not related to urbanization. Random forest analysis indicated that herbicides, insecticides and centrarchid species richness were significant predictors of species loss. Of these, generalized additive model regression indicated that herbicides represented the most parsimonious model based on a single predictor. Stream base flow, elevation and total nitrogen were significant predictors of homogenization. Generalized additive model regression indicated that decreased stream base flow was the single most important factor associated with increased homogenization. Chemical contaminants and associated ecosystem alteration and changes in streamflow may represent important regional influences on changes in fish communities in urban streams in the south‐eastern United States.
p38delta genetic ablation protects female mice from anthracycline cardiotoxicity

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of an anthracycline antibiotic doxorubicin (DOX) as a chemotherapeutic agent is limited by dose-dependent cardiotoxicity. DOX is associated with activation of intracellular stress signaling pathways including p38 MAPKs. While previous studies have implicated p38 MAPK signaling in DOX-induced cardiac injury, the roles of the individual p38 isoforms, specifically, of the alternative isoforms p38gamma and p38delta, remain uncharacterized. OBJECTIVES: To determine the potential cardioprotective effects of p38gamma and p38delta genetic deletion in mice subjected to acute DOX treatment. METHODS: Male and female wild-type (WT), p38gamma-/-, p38delta-/- and p38gamma-/-delta-/- mice were injected with 30 mg/kg DOX and their survival was tracked for ten days. During this period cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography and electrocardiography and fibrosis by PicroSirius Red staining. Immunoblotting was performed to assess the expression of signaling proteins and markers linked to autophagy. RESULTS: Significantly improved survival was observed in p38delta-/- female mice post-DOX relative to WT females, but not in p38gamma-/- or p38gamma-/-delta-/- male or female mice. The improved survival in DOX-treated p38delta-/- females was associated with decreased fibrosis, increased cardiac output and LV diameter relative to DOX-treated WT females, and similar to saline-treated controls. Structural and echocardiographic parameters were either unchanged or worsened in all other groups. Increased autophagy, as evidenced by increased LC3-II level, and decreased mTOR activation was also observed in DOX-treated p38delta-/- females. CONCLUSIONS: p38delta plays a crucial role in promoting DOX-induced cardiotoxicity in female mice by inhibiting autophagy. Therefore, p38delta targeting could be a potential cardioprotective strategy in anthracycline chemotherapy.
In situ monitoring of GaSb1 − xBix growth using desorption mass spectrometry

Incorporation of bismuth into GaSb is of interest because the alloy bandgap can be substantially reduced while avoiding strain relaxation. Thus, the GaSb1 − xBix alloy is potentially useful in extending the wavelength in optoelectronic devices. However, the epitaxial growth of this alloy via molecular beam epitaxy is challenging because the parameter space is relatively small. Additionally, a precise relationship between Bi incorporation and growth parameters is not well understood. In this study, the authors have utilized the in situ desorption mass spectrometry (DMS) technique to make relative measurements of Sb and Bi desorption during GaSb1 − xBix growth. Employed in this material system for the first time, the authors were able to identify critical growth parameters and correlate these parameters with Bi incorporation as well as accumulation at the growth surface. Specifically, the authors used the ability of DMS to precisely adjust the Sb/Ga flux ratio in order to determine the sensitivity of Bi incorporation to this flux ratio, in particular, as it approaches unity. Additionally, the authors used DMS to provide information on the surface accumulation of Bi and how this population can be purged from the surface using an incident Sb flux. The authors found that DMS can be very useful in rapidly locating the appropriate growth parameter window for this alloy as well as identifying relationships between Bi incorporation and other parameters such as substrate temperature and incident fluxes within that window.
The Grace of Conflict

This article identifies the grace of conflict with acts of resistance and with the reclamation of the giftedness of precarious communities. This argument is defended drawing on the work of Michel d...
Protecting financial transactions through networks and point of sales

Purchasing items on the Internet with a credit card can be extremely risky. To mitigate this risk, we propose a new Multi-Layer Defense (MLD) scheme which uses two-factor authentication by institut...
Reproducibility and discriminant validity of the Posterior Shoulder Endurance Test in healthy and painful populations.

Abstract Objective This investigation measured the reproducibility and discriminant validity of the Posterior Shoulder Endurance Test (PSET) on painful and non-painful populations. Design Reliability and validity study. Setting Laboratory setting. Participants Thirty subjects (male = 11; female = 19). Main outcome measures Time to failure (TTF) was the primary outcome measure to determine reliability of the PSET. Discriminant validity identified with receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves utilized TTF separately in men and women since they used different loads. Results There were 25/30 subjects (painful = 12; non-painful = 13) tested a second time. ICC, SEM, and MDC90 ranged respectively from 0.77, 13.1 s, 30.6 s in the painful group to 0.85, 7.3 s, 17 s in the non-painful group. The male ROC curve AUC was 0.833 with 47 s resulting in the best combination of sensitivity = 0.833, and specificity = 0.80. The female ROC curve AUC was 0.633 with 46 s resulting in the best combination of sensitivity = 0.600 and specificity = 0.889 at 46 s. Conclusion The PSET is a reliable way to measure shoulder girdle muscular endurance. These data suggest that the PSET discriminates painful and non-painful individuals better in men compared to women.
Property Tests, Due Process Tests and Regulatory Takings Jurisprudence

The United States Supreme Court recently clarified in Lingle v. Chevron U.S.A., Inc. that its often-expressed substantially advance formulation sounds in due process, and thus should be rejected as an appropriate takings test. The Court also explained that due process provides an independent and legitimate basis for attacking government deprivations of private property. Paradoxically, Lingle also reaffirmed as the Court's principal takings test the ad hoc, multifactor formulation in Penn Central Transportation Co. v. City of New York. The Article asserts that Penn Central itself is a due process test. Building upon Lingle, as the Court did not, the Article outlines separate and independent takings and due property tests. The proffered due process test is based on the need for meaningful scrutiny. The suggested takings test applies property law concepts in determining whether government arrogated private property to itself, and thus must compensate. Most particularly, the Article advocates the commercial unit as a necessarily objective measure of what constitutes a relevant interest for takings analysis.
Dynamics of the Newton maps of rational functions

Newton’s method is a well-known iterative method to find roots of a function. The related Newton maps have primarily been studied for polynomials, but recently extended to rational and transcendental functions. We describe how a rational function r influences the degree and fixed points of its Newton map R. We then analyze the Julia sets of the Newton maps of Mobius transformations. In doing so, we verify a conjecture of Corte and expand on that result. We also consider Newton maps of rational functions of the form $$\displaystyle \frac{(z-r_1)(z-r_2)}{z-p}$$ . We prove that these Newton maps are all conjugate to $$z^2$$ , allowing us to completely describe their Julia sets.
The First Year Acculturation: A Longitudinal Study on Acculturative Stress and Adjustment among the First Year International College Students

We analyzed 192 first-year international college students in the Mid-Atlantic region to examine the change in international students’ acculturative stress, adjustment, and collegiate experiences during their first year of enrollment in U.S. higher education. We found that male students, students from low socioeconomic status backgrounds, and students majoring in the humanities showed higher rates of acculturative stress and lower rates of satisfaction with college experiences compared with their counterparts. International students reported decreased acculturative stress and homesickness and increased English proficiency, social connectedness, and satisfaction with college experiences during the last week of the first year compared to the first week of their first semester. Satisfaction with college experiences, English proficiency, social connectedness, and self-esteem were significant predictors of acculturative stress. Lastly, acculturative stress at the beginning of the first year and satisfaction with college experiences at the end of the first year affected each other reciprocally over 1 year.