cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of carbon dioxide bands near 2.2 μm

The absolute intensities, positions, rotational constants, and halfwidths of the lines of three overlapping bands of CO2 near 4640 cm−1 have been determined by nonlinear least-squares fitting procedures. The intensities of (0002)I ← 0000 and (0112I) ← (0110), of 16O12C18O are in good agreement with the estimates in the AFGL listing. An improved value has been obtained for the intensity of (3110)III ← 0000 of 16O12C16O.
Investigation of a Segmented Electrode Hall Thruster

Thrust, thrust efficiency, and plume divergence half-angle were measured for a 9 cm laboratory model Hall thruster modified to allow insertion of cylindrical segmented electrodes in the discharge channel. Several geometries with graphite non-emissive electrodes and one with a dispenser tungsten emissive electrode were tested and compared to a baseline configuration with all boron nitride segments. To within measurement uncertainty, thrust was unaffected by insertion of electrodes while efficiency was reduced in cases in which the discharge current was increased by the presence of the electrodes. Maximum plume half-angle reductions of 4° were obtained with emissive and non-emissive electrodes.
Usefulness of the triglyceride-high-density lipoprotein versus the cholesterol-high-density lipoprotein ratio for predicting insulin resistance and cardiometabolic risk (from the Framingham Offspring Cohort).

Increased triglycerides (TG) and decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol are key metabolic abnormalities in patients with insulin resistance (IR) states, including diabetes mellitus. The TG/HDL cholesterol ratio was advocated as a simple clinical indicator of IR, but studies yielded inconsistent results. The total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio was widely used to assess lipid atherogenesis, but its utility for assessing IR or its associated coronary heart disease (CHD) risk was unknown. TG/HDL cholesterol and total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratios were related to IR (top quartile of the homeostasis model assessment-IR) in 3,014 patients (mean age 54 years; 55% women). Logistic regression was used to construct receiver-operator characteristic curves for predicting IR, with lipid ratios as predictors. Multivariable Cox regression was used to evaluate whether adjusting for lipid ratios attenuated the association of IR with CHD. Cross sectionally, age- and gender-adjusted correlations of IR were 0.46 with TG/HDL cholesterol ratio and 0.38 with total/HDL cholesterol ratio. IR prevalence increased across tertiles of lipid ratios (p
Multiscale modeling of droplet interface bilayer membrane networks

Droplet interface bilayer (DIB) networks are considered for the development of stimuli-responsive membrane-based materials inspired by cellular mechanics. These DIB networks are often modeled as combinations of electrical circuit analogues, creating complex networks of capacitors and resistors that mimic the biomolecular structures. These empirical models are capable of replicating data from electrophysiology experiments, but these models do not accurately capture the underlying physical phenomena and consequently do not allow for simulations of material functionalities beyond the voltage-clamp or current-clamp conditions. The work presented here provides a more robust description of DIB network behavior through the development of a hierarchical multiscale model, recognizing that the macroscopic network properties are functions of their underlying molecular structure. The result of this research is a modeling methodology based on controlled exchanges across the interfaces of neighboring droplets. This methodology is validated against experimental data, and an extension case is provided to demonstrate possible future applications of droplet interface bilayer networks.
Brillouin gain suppression in photonic crystal fibers with random acoustically microstructured cores.

Finite-element calculations of the Brillouin gain spectrum in photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) with cores incorporating random arrangements of regions with discrete acoustic velocities are presented. The peak Brillouin gain coefficient for PCFs with cores with an acoustic domain size of ~0.26 μm2 and an acoustic velocity variation of 3% was calculated to be 3.3×10−12 m/W with a Brillouin gain spectrum FWHM of 280 MHz. This corresponds to a decrease in the peak Brillouin gain coefficient of 7.4 dB relative to a PCF with an acoustically homogeneous core.
Spatial sampling design under the infill asymptotic framework

We study optimal sample designs for prediction with estimated parameters. Recent advances in the infill asymptotic theory provide a deeper understanding of the finite sample behavior of prediction and estimation. By incorporating these known asymptotic results, we modify some existing design criteria for estimation of covariance function and best linear unbiased prediction. These modified criteria could significantly reduce the computation time necessary for finding an optimal design. We illustrate our approach through both a real experiment in agriculture and simulation. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New solutions to pressuring, shearing, torsion and extension of a cylindrically anisotropic elastic circular tube or bar

The problem of a cylindrically anisotropic elastic circular tube or bar subjected to a uniform pressure, shearing, torsion or extension has been studied by Ting. The Stroh formalism for twodimensio...
A Review of the Power as Knowing Participation in Change Literature

In the 15 years since the introduction of Barrett's theory of power as knowing participation in change and its accompanying measurement instrument, a rapidly growing number of research studies have been conducted using the theory and instrument. This article presents a critical review of this literature, as well as recommendations for further research.
Clergy Role Stress and Satisfaction: Role Ambiguity Isn’t Always Bad

This study examined relationships between role conflict and role ambiguity and clergy satisfaction with their church appointment. Questionnaire data obtained from 293 United Methodist clergy suggested that role conflict and role ambiguity each have a negative relationship with appointment satisfaction. However, when considered together, they displayed a more complex relationship with appointment satisfaction. Contrary to conventional wisdom, results indicated that although these stressors operate together to influence appointment satisfaction, their combined effect is not simply cumulative. That is, when role conflict is low, clergy report the most satisfaction when role ambiguity is high. However, when role conflict and role ambiguity are both high, appointment satisfaction is low. These findings are interpreted in light of clergy influence strategies. And, recommendations for remedying clergy role stress are offered. Furthermore, it is suggested that interactive models of role stressors could lead to more in-depth understanding of organizational stress as well as advances in role stress theory.
Detection of rotor eccentricity faults in closed-loop drive-connected induction motors using an artificial neural network

This paper focuses on the detection of mixed air gap eccentricity in a closed-loop drive-connected induction motor. It analyzes the distribution of fault signatures, and proposes a diagnostic scheme that monitors both the stator voltage and current space vectors. Since these space vectors are readily available control variables, this detection method does not add any extra cost to the existing instrumentation system of the motor drive. For a drive-connected induction motor, its speed varies widely. The amplitudes of eccentricity related components change non-monotonically with the operating conditions. An artificial neural network (ANN) is used to learn the complicated relationship and estimate corresponding signature amplitudes over a wide range of operating conditions. Experimental results from a three-phase induction motor driven by a commercial vector-controlled drive validate the feasibility of this diagnostic scheme.
Antiapoptotic Role for Lifeguard in T Cell Mediated Immune Response

Anti-apoptotic protein Lifeguard (LFG) is upregulated on T cells upon in vitro activation. To investigate its role in T cell immunity we infected wild type and LFG knockout bone marrow chimaeras mice with LCMV. We observed a decreased number of LFG KO activated CD8 and CD4 T cells throughout the infection and a marked decrease in LFG KO LCMV specific memory T cells. WT and KO T cells proliferated at the same rate, however, LFG KO CD44hi T cells showed increased cell death during the initial phase of the immune response. LFG KO and WT T cells were equally sensitive to the FAS antibody Jo-2 in ex vivo cultures, and blocking extrinsic pathways of cell death in vivo with Fas L or caspase 8 inhibitors did not rescue the increased apoptosis in LFG KO T cells. Our data suggest that LFG plays a role in T cell survival during the initial phase of anti-viral immune response by protecting pre-existing memory T cells and possibly newly activated T cells resulting in a diminished immune response and a decreased number of LCMV specific memory T cells.
Polymerase chain reaction for detection of avian leukosis virus subgroup J in feather pulp.

SUMMARY. Feather pulp from experimentally infected chickens was used as a source of DNA for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) proviral DNA. A primer set that produces a large amplicon (∼2125) was used to detect ALV-J proviral DNA. This primer set was used in lieu of previously published primers because it allows for sequencing of the entire envelope gene and because it was able to detect diagnostically a number of North American ALV-J isolates that could not be detected with previously published primers and PCR conditions. ALV-J proviral DNA was detected in feather pulp at 7 days of age in more than 90% of birds infected as embryos and 7 days postinoculation in over 50% of chickens infected at 3 days of age. The results obtained with PCR on feather pulp were compared with those of virus isolation. In the embryo-inoculated birds, the percentages of agreement between PCR and virus isolation were 92.5% at 7 days of age and 100% at 28, 42, 49, and 56 days...
Parcellation of Infant Surface Atlas Using Developmental Trajectories of Multidimensional Cortical Attributes

Cortical surface atlases, equipped with anatomically and functionally defined parcellations, are of fundamental importance in neuroimaging studies. Typically, parcellations of surface atlases are derived based on the sulcal-gyral landmarks, which are extremely variable across individuals and poorly matched with microstructural and functional boundaries. Cortical developmental trajectories in infants reflect underlying changes of microstructures, which essentially determines the molecular organization and functional principles of the cortex, thus allowing better definition of developmentally, microstructurally, and functionally distinct regions, compared to conventional sulcal-gyral landmarks. Accordingly, a parcellation of infant cortical surface atlas was proposed, based on the developmental trajectories of cortical thickness in infants, revealing regional patterning of cortical growth. However, cortical anatomy is jointly characterized by biologically-distinct, multidimensional cortical attributes, i.e., cortical thickness, surface area, and local gyrification, each with its distinct genetic underpinning, cellular mechanism, and developmental trajectories. To date, the parcellations based on the development of surface area and local gyrification is still missing. To bridge this critical gap, for the first time, we parcellate an infant cortical surface atlas into distinct regions based solely on developmental trajectories of surface area and local gyrification, respectively. For each cortical attribute, we first nonlinearly fusethe subject-specific similarity matrices of vertices’ developmental trajectories of all subjects into a single matrix, which helps better capture common and complementary information of the population than the conventional method of simple averaging of all subjects’ matrices. Then, we perform spectral clustering based on this fused matrix. We have applied our method to parcellate an infant surface atlas using the developmental trajectories of surface area and local gyrification from 35 healthy infants, each with up to 7 time points in the first two postnatal years, revealing biologically more meaningful growth patterning than the conventional method.
Statistical and Algorithm Aspects of Optimal Portfolios

Presentation slides for proposed high frequency optimal portfolio construction, optimization and execution framework.
Endothelial function and myogenic reactivity in small mesenteric arteries of hyperlipidemic pregnant rats

Supraphysiological increases in serum triglycerides and cholesterol often occur during pregnancy, but their effects on vascular function are poorly understood. Intraperitoneal injection of the nont...
Perturbed Mucosal Immunity and Dysbiosis Accompany Clinical Disease in a Rat Model of Spondyloarthritis.

Objective The HLA–B27/β2-microglobulin (β2m)–transgenic (Tg) rat is a leading model of B27-associated spondyloarthritis (SpA), and the disease is dependent on the presence of intestinal bacteria. Previous studies have shown that adult HLA–B27/β2m–Tg rats have an altered intestinal microbiota. This study sought to better define the age-dependent changes to both mucosal immune function and dysbiosis in this rat model of SpA. Methods Intestinal contents were collected from wild-type and HLA–B27/β2m–Tg rats postweaning (ages 3 and 6 weeks), at disease onset (age 10 weeks), and after the establishment of disease (ages ≥16 weeks). The microbial community structure was determined by 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing and quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Mucosal and systemic Th1, Th17, and Treg cell responses were analyzed by flow cytometry, as was the frequency of IgA-coated intestinal bacteria. Intestinal expression of inflammatory cytokines and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) was determined by qRT-PCR. Results An inflammatory cytokine signature and elevated AMP expression during the postweaning period preceded the development of clinical bowel inflammation and dysbiosis in HLA–B27/β2m–Tg rats. An early and sustained expansion of the Th17 cell pool was specifically observed in the cecal and colonic mucosa of HLA–B27/β2m–Tg rats. Strongly elevated intestinal colonization of Akkermansia muciniphila and an increased frequency of IgA-coated fecal bacteria were significantly associated with expression of HLA–B27 and arthritis development. Conclusion HLA–B27/β2m expression in this rat model renders the host hyperresponsive to microbial antigens from infancy. Early activation of innate immunity and expansion of a mucosal Th17 signature are soon followed by dysbiosis in HLA–B27/β2m–Tg animals. The pathologic processes of perturbed mucosal immunity and dysbiosis strongly merit further study in both prediseased and diseased populations of patients with SpA.
Stable Carbon- and Nitrogen-Isotope Ratios of Bone Collagen Used to Study Coral-Reef and Terrestrial Components of Prehistoric Bahamian Diet

Previous studies have demonstrated that stable carbon- and nitrogen-isotope ratios of bone collagen can be used to distinguish marine and terrestrial components of prehistoric human diet. However, when this method was first applied to prehistoric Bahamians, their bone-collagen nitrogen-isotope ratios were found to be outside the ranges observed for other coastal populations that ate substantial quantities of marine foods. This study examines in detail the distributions of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in Bahamian food chains. Our results indicate that the unique isotopic signature in bone collagen of prehistoric Bahamians reflects the enrichment of 13C and the depletion of 15N in seagrass and coral-reef communities relative to other oceanic environments. The results also demonstrate that bone-collagen 13C/12C ratios can be used to distinguish marine from terrestrial contributions in the prehistoric Lucayan Taino diet, and that 15N/14N ratios serve to identify the use of certain marine food groups. This approach should prove useful for the study of consumption practices in other tropical coral-reef environments and as a method for evaluating theoretically predicted optimal diets.
Analysis of the Development Trend of Advanced Combat Pistol

In view of the domestic existing combat pistol shooting accuracy, low rate of fire, and with the advent of small caliber gun and of the modern battlefield weapons fire assault requirements increase, the traditional Tactical Pistol role and status greatly weakened, the pistol is now generally as officers personal defense weapon(War) and powerful symbol(usually) the current situation, put forward to improve the firing precision and speed of existing combat pistol, so as to improve the effect of combat pistol in modern battlefield, provides the reference for the next development direction.
An epidemiological study on an outbreak of hand,foot and mouth disease at a kindergarten,Beijing

Objective To investigate and analyze an outbreak of hand,foot and mouth disease(HFMD) at a kindergarten,Beijing to provide scientific evidence for formulating its prevention and control strategies.Methods Field investigation was carried out on an outbreak of HFMD at a kindergarten in Xicheng district of Beijing,and data were described and analyzed with epidemiological methods.Results The outbreak was caused by Coxsackie virus A16 and lasted for seven days.Fourteen cases of HFMD were reported at the Baby Class 2,with an attack rate of 63.6 percent.Conclusion Comprehensive measures should be adopted to prevent and control HFMD at the kindergarten.
EPID-13CONCOMITANT GLIOBLASTOMA MULTIFORME IN PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: A REPORT OF TWO CASES

Multiple sclerosis (MS) and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are two neuropathologies at the opposite ends of the immune spectrum. The incidence of MS with concomitant GBM is rare and only a number of case reports have been described in the literature. MS is an immune-mediated disease characterized by inflammation, demyelination, gliosis and neuronal loss while GBM is a primary malignant brain neoplasm that arises either from cancer stem cells or dysregulated astrocytes that result in uncontrolled tumor growth that escaped immune surveillance. We describe two cases that illustrate the challenges of timely diagnosis and management of GBM in patients with pre-existing MS. The first case is a 59-year-old female with an 18-year history of MS, who is JC virus positive and previously received Rebif and Tysabri. She presented to the emergency department with headache and altered mental status; MRI revealed a hemorrhagic left temporal lesion. She underwent hematoma evacuation and a second craniotomy for tumor debulking and received a diagnosis of anaplastic oligodendroglioma. She received standard of care Temozolomide and radiation therapy. Six months later, the patient had tumor recurrence which required a third resection, pathology was read as GBM. Second-line therapy with Bevacizumab and Irinotecan were added due to temozolomide intolerance and clinical progression. The second case is a 48-year-old female with a 24-year history of mild MS on Copaxone, who presented with improving left sided numbness and tingling of 2 months duration. She was treated with oral steroids and an MRI of the brain was done to evaluate disease activity and showed a large, acute ring-enhancing lesion atypical for MS. She underwent a biopsy that was consistent with GBM and proceeded with oncologic treatment at another facility. Although rare, these two cases illustrate the diagnostic and treatment challenges of primary brain tumors in patients with pre-existing neurological disease.
On the Space Group of BaV3O8

Abstract The crystal structure of BaV 3 O 8 , recently described in space group P 2 1 , is better described in P 2 1 / m . Refinement in P 2 1 / m leads to small but highly significant changes in bond lengths and angles; the general description of the structure is unchanged.
Distributing and Understanding Drugs

In the analysis of why and how adolescents use drugs it is clear that they rely on an elaborate belief system about the immediate and long-term effects of different types of drugs and that drug-taking implies social rituals for predicting and modifying such effects. In this chapter we will review adolescents’ knowledge and beliefs about drug use. First, however, we will describe how they obtain the drugs they use. In reviewing the extensive discussions of drug-related behaviour which the subjects provided we found not only rich descriptions of their folk pharmacology but also a surprising omission: there were very few references to the difficulty of obtaining drugs or to fear of arrest when purchasing drugs. The process of obtaining drugs was taken for granted as a routine transaction which involved, for almost all purchasers, contact only with people they knew well, at least by reputation.
Adjunctive Local Approaches to Thyroid Nodules and Metastatic Thyroid Cancer

The overwhelming majority of differentiated thyroid cancers are curable, and this optimistic outlook applies particularly to stage I, II, and most stage III tumors. Stage IV tumors are typically and clearly in a different category, as the prognosis is significantly worse once distant metastases are present. In the author’s view, a worse prognosis is not a justification for therapeutic nihilism but instead demands more aggressive therapy, with the hopeful expectation of improving outcome and prognosis. Not infrequently, some stage I and II patients have local disease that is resistant to ablation by conventional surgery and radioiodine.
Improving the In Silico Assessment of Proarrhythmia Risk by Combining hERG (Human Ether-à-go-go-Related Gene) Channel-Drug Binding Kinetics and Multichannel Pharmacology

Background—The current proarrhythmia safety testing paradigm, although highly efficient in preventing new torsadogenic drugs from entering the market, has important limitations that can restrict th...
Development of [ 18 F]DASA-23 for Imaging Tumor Glycolysis Through Noninvasive Measurement of Pyruvate Kinase M2.

A hallmark of cancer is metabolic reprogramming, which is exploited by cancer cells to ensure rapid growth and survival. Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) catalyzes the final step in glycolysis, a key step in tumor metabolism and growth. Recently, we reported the radiosynthesis of the first positron emission tomography tracer for visualizing PKM2 in vivo—i.e., [11C]DASA-23. Due to the highly promising imaging results obtained with [11C]DASA-23 in rodent model glioblastoma, we set out to generate an F-18-labeled version of this tracer, with the end goal of clinical translation in mind. Herein, we report the radiosynthesis of 1-((2-fluoro-6-[18F]fluorophenyl)sulfonyl)-4-((4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl)piperazine ([18F]DASA-23) and our initial investigation of its binding properties in cancer cells. We synthesized [18F]DASA-23 via fluorination of 1-((2-fluoro-6-nitrophenyl)sulfonyl)-4-((4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl)piperazine (10) with K[18F]F/K2.2.2 in N,N-dimethylformamide at 110 °C for 20 min. Subsequently, we evaluated uptake of [18F]DASA-23 in HeLa cervical adenocarcinoma cells and in vitro stability in human and mouse serum. We successfully prepared [18F]DASA-23 in 2.61 ± 1.54 % radiochemical yield (n = 10, non-decay corrected at end of synthesis) with a specific activity of 2.59 ± 0.44 Ci/μmol. Preliminary cell uptake experiments revealed high uptake in HeLa cells, which was effectively blocked by pretreating cells with the structurally distinct PKM2 activator, TEPP-46. [18F]DASA-23 remained intact in human and mouse serum up to 120 min. Herein, we have identified a F-18-labeled PKM2 specific radiotracer which shows potential for in vivo imaging. The promising cell uptake results reported herein warrant the further evaluation of [18F]DASA-23 for its ability to detect and monitor cancer noninvasively.
Transforming Growth Factors Produced by Viral-Transformed and Human Tumor Cells

The isolation of retroviruses with acute transforming function has occurred with increasing frequency over the past few years. Such viruses represent genetic recombinants between host cellular sequences (oncogenes) and non-transforming type C virus structural genes (Fischinger, 1980; Klein, 1982). Viruses of this nature transform cells in culture and induce neoplasms of a variety of histological classes in vivo. Although the number of independent retrovirus isolates is high, the total number of unique “oncogenes” so far represented in such viruses is only 13 or 14 (Coffin et al., 1981). Several of these are represented as multiple virus isolates of the same oncogene, and in several instances have originated in different species (Weinberg, 1982). By comparison to transforming sequences identified within the DNA of in-vitro-propagated human tumor cells, one oncogene, c-has, has been implicated in the induction of human bladder carcinomas (Der et al., 1982; Parada et al., 1982; Santos et al., 1982), whereas a second gene, c-kis, appears to be associated with carcinomas of the lung (Der et al., 1982). Other cellular homologues of viral oncogenes including c-myc (Dalla-Favera et al., 1982), c-fes (Dalla-Favera et al., 1982; Heisterkamp et al., 1982), c-sis (Swan et al.,1982), and c-abl (Heisterkamp et al., 1982) have been mapped on chromosomes involved in translocations frequently associated with human lymphoid neoplasms.
Producing drama: a comparison of film tax incentives to alternative uses

Incentive packages are popular tools for economic development. However, development projects are often considered in isolation without an analysis of opportunity costs. In this study, we use an int...
A novel method to measure the external auditory canal: Normative data and practical implications.

Abstract Purpose To accurately measure external auditory canal (EAC) dimensions by high resolution computed tomography (CT), and compare results with a traditional method of EAC measurement. Methods Using an advanced multidimensional open source digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) analysis program (OsiriX, Pixmeo, Geneva, Switzerland) 91 adult EACs were analyzed on a previously obtained temporal bone CT scan. Tympanometric data were also recorded for each ear. The methods were compared using a linear mixed effect model. Results EAC volume was compared between tympanometrically calculated volumes and CT measured volumes. It was found that CT measured volumes are, on average, smaller (1.12 cm3, SE = 0.04) than tympanometry volumes (1.27 cm3, SE = 0.04 cm3). There was a significant difference in CT measured volume between genders (p = 0.0125), with males having larger measured volumes (1.23 cm3, SD = 0.28 cm3) than females (1.06 cm3, SD = 0.20 cm3). There was a significant difference in average circumference between ear laterality (p = 0.0071), with the right ear having a slightly larger average circumference (2.49 cm, SD = 0.23 cm) than the left ear (2.44 cm, SD = 0.50 cm).There was also a significant difference in minimum circumference between age groups (p = 0.0448), with patients younger than 60 years having larger minimum circumferences (1.89 cm, SD = 0.21 cm) than older patients (1.78 cm, SD = 0.25 cm). Conclusions This study demonstrates that CT analysis can provide more information about EAC dimensions than traditional techniques. Moreover, slight but statistically significant differences are associated with age, gender and laterality. Accurate estimation of EAC dimensions is important for the development of hearing aids and personal protective equipment and can also be helpful for surgical planning, specifically otoendoscopy. Future research will focus on simplifying computation, developing cross-cultural cohort comparisons, and application to otoendoscopic procedures.
„Gerechter Frieden“ – mehr als ein weißer Schimmel?

In der neueren theologisch-friedensethischen Diskussion gilt es weithin als ausgemacht, dass die klassische Lehre vom gerechten Krieg obsolet geworden sei und durch eine Lehre vom gerechten Frieden ersetzt werden musse. Der Ausdruck gerechter Frieden wird dabei als inhaltlich gefullter, operationalisierbarer, das heist handlungsleitender ethischer Begriff verstanden; zugleich wird haufig ein Bezug hergestellt zum biblischen Verstandnis von Frieden als Schalom und damit eine explizit theologische Dimension geltend gemacht. Das Verhaltnis der theologischen Hintergrundannahme zur ethischen Pragnanz des Begriffs ist freilich klarungsbedurftig.
The Platonic Question

Very little is accepted by all sides in the philosophical study of Plato. In setting out a minimal set of propositions that I take to require no argument,I mean to establish the boundaries of my own approach, beyond which I must argue when possible and acknowledge my assumptions when not; but I also limit my commitment to other approaches that often assume a great deal without argument. Here is what all can be confident about: (1) Socrates participated in philosophical conversations, but did not write philosophy.2 (2) Plato, like some of his contemporaries, wrote Socratic logoi, but never speaks in his own voice in the dialogues. (3) Plato established the Academy, wherein philosophy was pursued and advanced. (4) Of the thirty-five dialogues and thirteen letters extant in Plato’s name, at least a dozen were genuinely authored by Plato, and the order in which they were composed is unrecorded. (5) Plato’s works have sparked a wide variety of controversial interpretations.
240 – Carboxypeptidase A

Publisher Summary This chapter covers the structural chemistry and the biological aspects of carboxypeptidase A (CPD A). Carboxypeptidase A gets its name from the fact that it prefers peptide and protein substrates with an aromatic or branched-chained C-terminal amino acid. Carboxypeptidase A cleaves the C-terminal peptide or ester bond of peptides or depsipeptides that have a free C-terminal carboxyl group. Acylated -amino and -hydroxy carboxylic acids are also substrates. The amino acid sequences of members of the carboxypeptidase A family (M14) are between about 60 and 80% conserved. The putative His and Glu ligands to the zinc, Cys residues that should form disulfides and other amino acids proposed to be important to specificity and catalysis in the CPD A family, for example, Glu270, Arg145, Arg127, Tyr248 and Tyr198, are all conserved. Zinc-containing exopeptidases such as carboxypeptidase A and B are important in the degradation of food proteins leading to the formation of amino acids. The protein macromolecules must first be broken down to smaller polypeptides by the action of endoproteases before the exopeptidases can act.
Refractive index patterning of infrared glass ceramics through laser-induced vitrification [Invited]

Refractive index modification in glass or crystalline materials typically involves conversion of state (amorphous to crystalline or crystalline to amorphous) through a homogeneous, external stimulus such as laser- or current-induced heating, melting, or localized (resonant) bond modification. With the exception of traditional phase change materials that exploit reversibility, usually at high speeds and over multiple cycles, localized patterning of the refractive index is most frequently employed to induce a complete change of phase to enable the creation of embedded or surface optical structures. The present effort employs a novel, laser-induced vitrification (LIV) process developed to spatially modify the refractive index in a fully homogeneous glass ceramic material. Such processing leads to a local re-vitrification of the pre-existing nanocrystalline microstructure within the material to realize spatially-defined, refractive index profiles. Post-processing refractive index modification on the order of ∆n ~-0.062 was realized in a partially crystallized, multi-component chalcogenide glass ceramic nanocomposite, subjected to bandgap laser exposure. Spatially-varied phase modification in the lateral and axial directions within a bulk glass ceramic is quantified and the optical function of the resulting structure is demonstrated in the formation of an infrared grating. The underlying mechanism associated with the resulting local refractive index modification is explained through quantification of the multi-phase material attributes including parent glass properties, crystal phase identity and phase fraction as determined through micro-XRD and electron microscopic analysis. This correlation validates the proposed mechanism associated with the modification. A threshold power density for LIV in the starting glass ceramic has been determined based on exposure conditions and material attributes.
Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Clonal Selection

Immunological thinking in the last ten or fifteen years has been profoundly altered by two major developments: elaboration of the theory of clonal selection (Jerne, 1955; Burnet, 1959) and analysis of the structure of antibodies (Cairns, 1967; Killander, 1967; Edelman and Gall, 1969). The clonal selection theory has provided a general framework for understanding immunological phenomena. The analysis of antibody structure has allied immunology with molecular biology (Edelman, 1971) and has provided the major means for understanding the evolution, genetics and function of antibodies.
Mid-Term Valve-Related Outcomes After Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve-in-Valve or Valve-in-Ring Replacement

AbstractBackground: Transcatheter aortic and pulmonary valves have been used to treat stenosis or regurgitation after prior surgical tricuspid valve (TV) replacement or repair. Little is known abou...
A prospective study of migraine history and venous thromboembolism in older adults.

Background Limited evidence suggests that migraine might be a risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE). We conducted an epidemiologic study to assess whether migraine history is associated prospectively with VTE or cross sectionally with hemostatic risk markers for VTE. Methods In a population-based US cohort, 11 985 participants free of VTE reported headache symptoms in 1993-1995. We classified participants as having either migraines with or without aura, severe nonmigraine headaches, or no severe headaches. We followed them through 2015 for incident VTE verified by medical records. Results Participants' mean age at baseline was 60 years (SD: 6). Eleven percent were classified as having a migraine history (932 without aura and 396 with aura). Over a mean of 18 years and 211 913 person-years at risk, 688 participants developed VTE. Participants with a migraine history had no greater risk of VTE compared with those free of severe headache (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.82-1.36). Those with migraine history with aura had an HR of 1.25 (95% CI: 0.85-1.85). Self-reported physician diagnosis of migraine carried an HR of 1.22 (0.96-1.55). At baseline, those with a history of migraine, furthermore, did not have a higher frequency of elevated hemostatic risk factors or a higher genetic risk score for VTE. Conclusion This study does not support the hypothesis that migraine history is an important risk factor for VTE in older adults.
Magnesium Status in Infancy

The magnesium levels at birth (indicated by cord levels) reflect the fetal response to maternal conditions during gestation: systemic and placental, and the ease or difficulty of delivery with resultant normal or hypoxic state of the newborn infant. Conditions that lead to neonatal hypermagnesemia might mask an underlying magnesium deficiency. Hypermagnesemia might result from administration of pharmacologic doses of magnesium to the mother shortly before delivery for management of toxemia of pregnancy, or from egress of magnesium from the tissues of infants subjected to anoxia, acidosis, or surgery. Exchange transfusions with citrated blood profoundly affect magnesium as well as calcium homeostasis. Levels during the first week of life reflect the infant’s adjustment to independent life in the absence of immediate maternal blood-borne factors, and are affected by the nature of milk and supplements provided. The nature of feeding also influences levels later in infancy. Metabolic abnormalities that interfere with magnesium absorption or retention, although not common, have produced severe mineral imbalances that have focused pediatricians’ attention on magnesium. More common conditions, such as severe diarrhea and intestinal malabsorption syndromes, which also cause hypo-magnesemia, have further stimulated the pediatrician to be alert to magnesium loss. This section calls attention to the conditions and mechanisms that make infants susceptible to magnesium deficiency and presents speculations as to possible late, as well as overt, immediate sequellae.
OmicsX: a web server for integrated OMICS analysis

High-throughput omic data sets like genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, glycomics, lipitomics, metabolomics, and modified forms of the biological molecules have been generated to investigate biological mechanisms. Accordingly, bioinformatic methods and tools have been developed and applied to analyze the omics data for different purposes. However, a lack of comparison and integration tools impedes the deep exploration of multi-omics data. InterOmics is a user-friendly web server for integration and comparison of different omic datasets with optional sample annotation information. The tool includes modules for gene-wise correlation, sample-wise correlation, subtype clustering, and differential expression. InterOmics provides researchers the analysis results with visualization, searching, and data downloading, and help to suggest the biological indications from the comparison of different omic data. Availability and implementation: http://bioinfo.wilmer.jhu.edu/In2Omics/index.jsp
The Effectiveness and Safety of Percutaneous Platelet-Rich Plasma and Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate for the Treatment of Suspected Discogenic Low Back Pain: a Comprehensive Review

Comprehensively review the effectiveness and safety of percutaneous, fluoroscopically guided, intradiscal injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) for the treatment of suspected discogenic low back pain. Publications in PubMed up to February 2019 were independently assessed. The literature search yielded three intradiscal PRP studies: one randomized controlled trial and two prospective cohort studies. Five intradiscal BMAC studies were identified. Four of the five prospective cohort studies were completed by the same primary author and results pertained to the same treatment group at different follow-up time points. A single case series of treatment with intradiscal BMAC was identified. The evidence for use of percutaneous, fluoroscopy-guided, intradiscal PRP or BMAC for the treatment of suspected discogenic low back pain appears safe, potentially positive, but is limited due to low-quality studies, natural history of discogenic pain, and variable reporting characteristics. Further quality research is needed.
Cold plasma treatment of dairy proteins in relation to functionality enhancement

Abstract Background The increasing demands from consumers for fresh-like 'minimally' processed foods have led to unprecedented research into novel non-thermal food processing technologies. This trend has drawn interest in the use of cold plasma systems in the past decade. The nonthermal technologies have been defined as preservation treatments effective at ambient or sublethal temperatures, that minimize undesirable thermal effects on nutritional and quality parameters of foods. Scope and approach Examination of the unconventional food processing technologies generally tends to be from the standpoint of microbiology, often subordinating their impact on the chemistry of foods. However, cold plasma has been shown to affect chemical components of foods, thereby affecting quality. This review selectively focuses on dairy proteins and their interaction with cold plasma. It briefly describes the nature of cold plasma and their effects on structural configurations of proteins. Furthermore, the review combines this information with the chemistry of dairy proteins to expound upon how functional properties of milk proteins can be modified using cold plasma processing. Finally, the review draws inference from, the analysis of effective enhancement of some functional properties of wheat flour, zein films, pea protein isolate and whey protein isolate mentioned in literature. Key findings and conclusions Further studies focused on optimization of treatment parameters are required to completely elucidate the effects of cold plasma species on structures and properties of dairy proteins. An understanding of the reactive species of plasma and protein interactions will be a guide for manipulation of functional properties of the dairy proteins.
Management of Pediatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Focus on Belimumab

Belimumab (Benlysta®) is a fully humanized monoclonal antibody that inhibits B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS, also known as B cell-activating factor of the tumor necrosis factor family) and was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Evaluation Agency for the treatment of autoantibody-positive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in adults with moderate disease activity. Belimumab was recently FDA approved for use in children with SLE between 5 and 17 years of age. This review discusses the key findings of the belimumab phase III trials in adult SLE (via intravenous and subcutaneous administrations), phase II trial in pediatric SLE (intravenous administration), and post hoc analyses. It also evaluates the current clinical trials of belimumab in specific SLE disease states and highlights the safety profile of belimumab. It discusses the clinical post-marketing use of belimumab in adults and children with SLE and concludes with our recommendations for the use of belimumab to treat pediatric SLE, including a look to the future with increased real-world use in children with SLE.
Accuracy of blood-tests and synovial fluid-tests in the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infections.

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is one of the most complex complications following total joint arthroplasty. Despite significant progress in recent years, the use of blood and synovial biomark...
Horizontal Collectivism Moderates the Relationship Between in-the-Moment Social Connections and Well-Being Among Latino/a College Students

Sleep problems and poorer well-being may be particularly salient for Latino/a college students as they tend to experience sociocultural adjustments during this transitory time. Social connections, a correlate of health, change moment-to-moment for college students and may be experienced differently for people who more strongly endorse horizontal collectivist cultural values. We used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to examine how in-the-moment social connections influence in-the-moment health, and how horizontal collectivism moderates the moment-to-moment associations. Self-identified Latino/a college students (n = 221) completed a demographic information and cultural values questionnaire and then responded to EMA measures on their social connections, affective and subjective well-being, and sleep for 14 consecutive days. Better in-the-moment social connections associated with better health. Horizontal collectivism moderated some, but not all associations between social connections and health. Social connections are multidimensional and differently predict in-the-moment health among Latino/a college students who more strongly endorse horizontal collectivistic values. We discuss implications for identifying vulnerable well-being moments among this understudied population.
Trouble reports as an indicator of service quality: the influence of competition, technology, and regulation

Network trouble reports provide a proxy measure of service quality and network reliability. This paper analyzes the in#uence of local competition, state-level regulation, new technologies, automation, and mergers on RBOC reports of network trouble. Service quality discrimination between residential and business customers is also analyzed. Results indicate that (1) service quality discrimination between business and residential customers in response to competition may be occurring, (2) alternative regulation plans have not led to systematic increases in network trouble, and (3) merger and technology have a consistent impact on repeat trouble. ( 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Small Round Cell Tumors of Soft Tissue and Bone.

Context.— Small round cell tumors of soft tissue and bone constitute a divergent group of neoplasms. These lesions often demonstrate overlapping clinical and radiologic characteristics and share histomorphologic and sometimes immunophenotypic similarities, but they typically have diverse prognostic outcomes, thus warranting different clinical management. Recent advances in molecular and cytogenetic techniques have identified a number of novel molecular alterations contributing to the diversity of these lesions. This state-of-the-art knowledge has enhanced our understanding of these diseases. Objective.— To provide an overview of the current concepts in the classification and diagnosis of small round cell tumors of soft tissue and bone, focusing on salient histologic features, key immunophenotypic characteristics, and recent molecular genetic advancements. Data sources.— Data were obtained from pertinent peer-reviewed English-language literature and firsthand experience from the authors as practicing bone and soft tissue pathologists. Conclusions.— Immunohistochemistry plays a vital role in rendering a specific diagnosis or narrowing the differential diagnosis in small round cell tumors of soft tissue and bone. Molecular genetic studies are often needed, especially for those lesions with unusual histologic features, an uncommon immunoprofile, and/or unusual clinical presentation. Accurate diagnosis of these tumors necessitates recognition of salient histologic features, judicious and astute use of ancillary studies, and correlation with the clinical and radiologic characteristics to guide clinical decision-making.
Thermal inactivation of Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes and Enterococcus faecium NRRL B-2354 in desiccated shredded coconut

Abstract Desiccated shredded coconut (DSC) products have been implicated in multiple Salmonella outbreaks and Listeria monocytogenes recalls. The objective of this study was to evaluate the thermal resistance of Salmonella and L. monocytogenes in DSC as impacted by water activity (aw), and the suitability of Enterococcus faecium NRRL B-2354 as a surrogate for these foodborne pathogens during thermal processing of DSC. The inactivation kinetics of each strain in DSC fitted the log-linear model well; their thermal tolerances were inversely related to aw. The D80°C-, D85°C-, and D90°C-values of Salmonella were 38.7, 15.5, and 6.0 min at aw 0.45 compared to 53.2, 28.0, and 12.5 min at aw 0.25 under respective temperatures. For aw 0.25 and 0.45 DSC, D-values of E. faecium ranged from 49.6 to 6.5 min and 85.5 to 24.2 min at 80–90 °C, which were 1.4–1.9 and 1.1–1.3 times of those of Salmonella at the tested temperatures, indicating E. faecium is an appropriate surrogate of Salmonella during thermal processing of DSC. Compared to Salmonella, L. monocytogenes exhibited less thermal resistance in DSC. This study provides useful information for the food industry to develop thermal inactivation strategies to control Salmonella and L. monocytogenes during the post-drying process of DSC.