cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
90 ENDOGENOUS MODIFICATIONS OF AURORA B AND AURORA C KINASE EXPRESSION IN MOUSE OOCYTES AND EARLY EMBRYOS

The Aurora (Aur) proteins are a family of serine/threonine kinases that play fundamental roles in controlling M-phase progression. Previous reports have shown that AurB is vital for proper completion of karyokinesis and cytokinesis in somatic cells. The role of AurC in somatic cells has been found to be much less significant, whereas it appears to play an important role in spermatogenesis. The role of these Aur proteins is not well characterized in mouse oocytes and early embryos. The objective of this study was to assess changes of AurB and AurC mRNA and protein expression in mouse oocytes and early embryos as development progresses through the activation of the zygotic genome. Oocytes and embryos were collected from the oviducts of hormone-stimulated CF-1 mice. After culturing for varying amounts of time, cumulus-denuded samples were either fixed for immunofluorescence microscopy studies or lysed for analysis of mRNA levels through the use of reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). Samples were processed for immunofluorescence using markers of spindle morphology (tubulin) and AurB. Analysis of relative levels of AurB and AurC mRNA were assessed by RT-PCR methods. Marked differences were observed in the localization of AurB when unfertilized oocytes or prezygotic genome activation (ZGA) embryos were compared with post-ZGA samples. There was no evidence of AurB protein localized to the mitotic spindle or resultant midbody in oocyte and early embryo samples. Embryos fixed post-ZGA demonstrated AurB localization, as is conventionally found in somatic cells. The AurB protein was found co-localized with DNA in metaphase stage blastomeres and associated with the midbody in blastomeres near completion of cytokinesis. Relative levels of AurB mRNA were not found to be significantly different when pre- and post-ZGA samples were compared. A significant decrease in relative levels of AurC mRNA was observed in fertilized pre-ZGA samples when compared with unfertilized oocyte counterparts. These observations demonstrate significant differences in the status of AurB and AurC mRNA levels and protein localization in mouse oocytes and early embryos when compared with somatic cells. Given earlier reports showing the vital role of AurC in spermatogenesis, the elevated levels of AurC mRNA observed in prefertilization oocytes may be indicative of a similar role of AurC during oogenesis. Elucidating temporal and localization details of Aur expression is vital to gaining further understanding of cell-cycle regulation in oogenesis and early embryogenesis.
Thyroid Eye Disease Presenting After Cosmetic Botulinum Toxin Injections

Abstract: A 53-year-old woman with left periorbital swelling 4 days after botulinum toxin injection in the lateral canthal area presented after noticing left eye prominence. Physical examination demonstrated proptosis and eyelid retraction. Computed tomography of the orbits confirmed extraocular muscle enlargement consistent with thyroid eye disease. In this case, the patient had development of proptosis after receiving botulinum toxin injections. Although the proptosis may represent progression of the patients’ thyroid eye disease, it is worthwhile to consider incitation by botulinum toxin as a possible cause given its widespread use.
Differential regulation of GPR54 transcription by specificity protein-1 and partial estrogen response element in mouse pituitary cells

Precise spatial and temporal expression of the recently identified G-protein coupled receptor GPR54 is critical for proper reproductive function and metastasis suppression. However, regulatory factors that control GPR54 expression remain unknown. Thus, the identification of these cis-acting DNA elements can provide insight into the role of GPR54 in reproduction and cancer. Using luciferase reporter, electrophoretic mobility shift, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we demonstrate that three SP1 sites and a partial estrogen response element modulate mouse GPR54 (mGPR54) promoter activity. Supporting experiments show transcription factor SP1 binds directly to the mGPR54 promoter region and activates gene expression. In conclusion, these novel findings now identify factors that regulate activity of the mGPR54 promoter, and these factors are highly conserved across multiple mammalian species.
Endothelin (ET)-1 Inhibits Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate Oxidase Activity in Human Abdominal Aortic Endothelial Cells: A Novel Function of ETB1 Receptors

Endothelin (ET)-1 stimulates nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidases and increases superoxide production in some cells such as vascular smooth muscle cells. Here, we reported that ET1 inhibited NADPH oxidase activity, superoxide generation, and cell proliferation in human abdominal aortic endothelial cells (HAAECs) via the ETB1-Pyk2-Rac1-Nox1 pathway. Superoxide production was determined by assessing ethidium fluorescence using flow cytometry in HAAECs exposed to ET1 (10–30 nm) at different time intervals. ET1 significantly decreased superoxide production in HAAECs in the presence of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, indicating that ET1 suppressed superoxide generation independent of nitric oxide synthase. ET1 significantly attenuated NADPH oxidase activity and cell proliferation, which could be abolished by silence of Nox1 gene, suggesting that ET1-induced inhibition of NADPH oxidase activity was mediated by Nox1. Furthermore, RNA interference silence of ETB1 receptors significantly ...
A feature-based dynamic process planning and scheduling

Abstract The paper presents a dynamic featured-based process planning and scheduling system which is currently under development utilizing a commercial CAD system. In this system, the product features are extracted using an AI-based feature extractor according to the shop floor capabilities. Using this system, the products can be dynamically process planned and scheduled.
Poverty, Neighborhood Danger, Social Support, and the Individual Adaptation Among At-Risk Youth in Urban Areas

This article examines the relative contribution of measures of objective and subjective neighborhood danger and measures of social support from neighbors, teachers, parents, and friends on the individual adaptation of at-risk youth in two urban areas in the southeastern United States. In support of earlier research, the findings suggest that the adaptation of these youth is influenced more by the availability of social support, especially from parents, than from their reports and perceptions of neighborhood danger. Results are discussed in the context of a recent national public opinion poll about young adults at risk.
Barriers and Negative Nudges: Exploring Challenges in Food Journaling

Although food journaling is understood to be both important and difficult, little work has empirically documented the specific challenges people experience with food journals. We identify key challenges in a qualitative study combining a survey of 141 current and lapsed food journalers with analysis of 5,526 posts in community forums for three mobile food journals. Analyzing themes in this data, we find and discuss barriers to reliable food entry, negative nudges caused by current techniques, and challenges with social features. Our results motivate research exploring a wider range of approaches to food journal design and technology.
Spectrum of Eye Disease Caused by Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus

Purpose To compare the clinical features and antibiotic susceptibility of ocular methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). Design Cross-sectional study. Methods The Proctor clinical laboratory database was reviewed to identify all ocular isolates of S. aureus collected between July 1, 1998 and July 31, 2006. Results Of 915 S. aureus isolates, there were 88 MRSA isolates in 41 different patients. The proportion MRSA increased from 4.1% in 1998 to 1999 to 16.7% in 2005 to 2006. A total of 78.0% of patients with MRSA had blepharoconjunctivitis, 2.4% had cellulitis, 2.4% had dacryocystitis, 14.6% had keratitis, and 2.4% had endophthalmitis. The diagnoses associated with MSSA were not statistically different. A total of 63.6% of MRSA isolates were sensitive to bacitracin, 100% to vancomycin, 14.8% to ciprofloxacin, 14.8% to erythromycin, 97.7% to sulfisoxazole, and 93.2% to tetracycline. Conclusions MRSA has become a more common ocular pathogen but, as with MSSA, causes mild disease. MRSA should be treated with vancomycin.
Immunohistochemical Evidence of Nerve Growth Factor in Dupuytren’s Diseased Palmar Fascia

Purpose Histologically, the pathognomic feature of Dupuytren's contracture (DC) is the myofibroblast. Its occurrence in this disease has been associated with local production of transforming growth factor (TGF)-B. However, nerve growth factor (NGF) is a recognized growth factor involved in wound healing and has been shown to induce the myofibroblast phenotype in cultured fibroblasts. We hypothesized that NGF would be abundant in this disease entity. Methods Immunohistochemistry was used to examine for the presence of NGF in 25 surgical specimens from patients with DC and in surgical specimens from 5 other, unrelated procedures. Patient demographics showed that nearly all patients were men, with a mean age of 61 years (range 36–77). Serial sections were probed with antibodies, stained, and then digitally photomicrographed. Disease staging was also performed. Image analysis was then used to measure the percentage of area stained. In addition, representative sections were probed for TrkA, the high-affinity receptor for NGF, and alpha–smooth muscle actin, a cytoskeletal marker of the myofibroblast phenotype. These alternate steps were used to infer functional dependence and the association of NGF with myofibroblast populations. Results Histologically, all patients had either stage II or III disease. Biopsy results showed an abundance of NGF—over double that of controls. The highest levels of NGF occurred in hypercellular stage II disease. In addition, we confirmed that NGF is linked to the expression of both TrkA receptors and alpha–smooth muscle actin. Conclusions Tissue levels of NGF are elevated in Dupuytren's disease. This tissue is competent to respond to NGF and manifests an abundance of myofibroblasts in areas of NGF expression. Nerve growth factor is most apparent in the proliferative (hyperplastic) stage of the disease. These data infer that NGF is linked to the pathologic process.
Potential interference by hydroxocobalamin on cooximetry hemoglobin measurements during cyanide and smoke inhalation treatments.

Study objective Concentrated aqueous solutions of hydroxocobalamin (OHCob) are administered intravenously for cyanide poisoning victims, many of whom also have concurrent smoke inhalation. Because of its intense light absorbance in visible wavelengths (absorption peak at 532 nm), we investigate potential interference effects of OHCob on total hemoglobin concentration (tHb), carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), methemoglobin (MetHb), and oxyhemoglobin (Hb-O 2 ) cooximetry measurement values in blood. Methods In vivo cooximetry measurements were conducted with 3 specific pathogen-free white New Zealand rabbits (3.80±0.21 kg) during the intravenous infusion of OHCob (625 mg during a 100-minute period). Resultant changes in tHb, Hb-O 2 , COHb, and MetHb values were measured and correlated with respect to estimated in vivo OHCob concentrations. In vitro measurements were conducted with rabbit blood to confirm in vivo measurements. Results The introduction of OHCob clearly interfered with the cooximetry measurements of each of the hemoglobin component fractions in whole blood and resulted in altered measurement values from the baseline values. The presence of OHCob in blood interferes with cooximetry measurements of COHb, MetHb, and Hb-O 2 . The increase in measured COHb fraction with increasing concentrations of OHCob was most notable. Conclusion The presence of OHCob in blood interferes with cooximetry measurements of COHb, MetHb, and Hb-O 2 . These effects need to be considered during OHCob treatment of cyanide poisoning, particularly in smoke inhalation victims with potential for concurrent carbon monoxide exposure, because it may lead to potentially erroneous reported COHb levels.
Triggers and timing system for the SSRL 3 GeV injector

The electron beam for the SSRL 3-GeV injector facility is produced in an RF gun. It is chopped by a stripline deflector to form a 1-ns-long beam bunch, injected into and extracted from a single 358-MHz RF bucket in a 10-Hz booster synchrotron, and injected into a preselected 358-MHz bucket in the SPEAR (Stanford Positron-Electron Asymmetric Ring) storage ring. The systems that generate 10-Hz triggers for the linac, beam chopper, and the pulsed and cycling magnets are described. >
Crowding Effects of Membrane Proteins

In cell membranes, membrane proteins occupy ∼30% of the total surface area. Crowding effects similar to those in the solution phase are thus to be expected. In addition, there are crowding effects unique to proteins bound to the two-dimensional membranes, such as those exerted on the equilibration of a protein between two membrane orientations and on the redistribution of proteins between different locations in a cell membrane. This article aims to present a theoretical framework for understanding the various crowding effects within membranes. For illustration, the theory is used to analyze previously published experimental and simulation data. It is hoped that the article will encourage quantitative analyses in future experiments and spur systematic investigation of membrane crowding effects.
Intra-fraction dose delivery timing during stereotactic radiotherapy can influence the radiobiological effect

The sequence of incremental dose delivery during a radiotherapy fraction can potentially influence the radiobiological effect. This would be most noticeable during the long fractions characteristic of hypo-fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy and radiosurgery. We demonstrate here the spatio-temporal variation of dose delivery by the CyberKnife to a lung tumor and propose strategies to reduce and/or correct for any resultant dose-time cytotoxic effects.
A multistage technique for current transformers with current ratios of less than unity

An overview of the development and performance of a current transformer with current ratios of less than unity at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) is described. A prototype current transformer with a current ratio of 0.025A/1A that can be operated at up to at least ten times the rated current (secondary current up to ges 10 A), with ratio errors of less than 20times10-6 in both magnitude and phase with burdens up to 0.1 Omega and at frequencies up to 1000 Hz has been developed.
Alignment-free injection-molded plastic modules for free-space optical interconnection

We propose a solution to this packaging and alignment problem by using low-cost, injection-molded plastic optical multichip modules (OMCM). This OMCM is a complete hybrid integration of optical, optomechanical, optoelectronic, and electronic components in a self-aligned single platform. The module integrates microlenses, beam-splitting surfaces, and module-to-module connectors and spacers and has room for integrating the optoelectronics devices directly on it.
Ionic Basis for Serotonin-Induced Bistable Membrane Properties in Guinea Pig Trigeminal Motoneurons

Hsiao, Chie-Fang, Christopher A. Del Negro, Peggy R. Trueblood, and Scott H. Chandler. Ionic basis for serotonin-induced bistable membrane properties in guinea pig trigeminal motoneurons. J. Neurop...
Nucleation and Growth of Heteroepitaxial Diamond Films on Silicon

The introduction of the bias pretreatment process for in-situ nucleation of oriented diamond crystallites on silicon was an important step towards heteroepitaxial deposition of single crystalline diamond films. However, the quality of these films is still limited mainly due to a significant orientational spread of the epitaxial grains around the perfect heteroepitaxial orientation. A further improvement of these films requires an extensive description of the film texture immediately after the nucleation, of its development with increasing film thickness, and an improved insight into the mechanism responsible for the nucleation process. In this report our recent and new results on the heteroepitaxial deposition of diamond on Si(001) and Si(111) and the subsequent textural characterization by X-ray pole figure measurements are reviewed. The possibilities and limits for improving the film quality by an appropriate textured growth step are discussed. Furthermore, optical measurements inside the plasma during the biasing step and nucleation experiments using patterned substrates indicate that the high field strength above the surface and the resulting acceleration of ions play a dominant role in the formation of diamond nuclei. Die Einfuhrung der in-situ-Bekeimung zur Erzeugung orientierter Diamantkristallite auf Silizium durch Anlegen einer zusatzlichen Gleichspannung zum Mikrowellenplasma stellte einen wichtigen Schritt dar in Richtung heteroepitaktische Abscheidung von einkristallinen Diamantschichten. Die Qualitat dieser Filme bleibt allerdings weiterhin begrenzt durch eine deutliche Streuung der orientierten Kristallite um die perfekte Orientierung. Grundlage fur eine weitere Verbesserung dieser Filme ist eine umfassende Beschreibung der Filmtextur nach der Bekeimung, ihrer Veranderung mit wachsender Schichtdicke sowie ein tieferes Verstandnis der Mechanismen, die dem Bekeimungsprozes zugrunde liegen. Im folgenden Bericht werden bisherige und aktuelle Ergebnisse unserer Arbeit zur heteroepitaktischen Abscheidung von Diamant auf Si(001) und Si(111) und zur nachfolgenden Texturcharakterisierung mit Rontgenpolfiguren zusammengefast. Montglichkeiten und Grenzen der Schichtoptimierung durch einen entsprechenden texturierten Wachstumsprozes werden aufgezeigt. Zusatzliche optische Messungen im Plasma sowie Abscheidungsexperimente auf strukturierten Substraten belegen den entscheidenden Einflus der hohen Feldstarke im Plasma uber dem Substrat und der daraus resultierenden beschleunigten Teilchen fur den Bekeimungsvorgang.
INFERENTIALISM AND TACIT KNOWLEDGE

A central tenet of cognitivism is that knowing how is to be explained in terms of tacitly knowing that a theory is true. By critically examining canonical anti-behaviorist arguments and contemporary appeals to tacit knowledge, I have devised a more explicit characterization in which tacitly known theories must act as justifiers for claims that the tacit knower is capable of explicitly endorsing. In this manner the new account is specifically tied to verbal behavior. In addition, if the analysis is correct then it follows that the scope and nature of cognitivist appeals to tacit knowledge are largely mistaken.
Characterizing the differences between pre- and post- release versions of software

Many software producers utilize beta programs to predict post-release quality and to ensure that their products meet quality expectations of users. Prior work indicates that software producers need to adjust predictions to account for usage environments and usage scenarios differences between beta populations and post-release populations. However, little is known about how usage characteristics relate to field quality and how usage characteristics differ between beta and post-release. In this study, we examine application crash, application hang, system crash, and usage information from millions of Windows® users to 1) examine the effects of usage characteristics differences on field quality (e.g. which usage characteristics impact quality), 2) examine usage characteristics differences between beta and post-release (e.g. do impactful usage characteristics differ), and 3) report experiences adjusting field quality predictions for Windows. Among the 18 usage characteristics that we examined, the five most important were: the number of application executed, whether the machines was pre-installed by the original equipment manufacturer, two sub-populations (two language/geographic locales), and whether Windows was 64-bit (not 32-bit). We found each of these usage characteristics to differ between beta and post-release, and by adjusting for the differences, accuracy of field quality predictions for Windows improved by ~59%.
A mingled yarn.

The behavior of nonliving and living systems is generally viewed as being qualitatively different. The key difference is often summarized by saying that whereas living systems are complex, nonliving ones are simple. This distinction is often the basis for claiming essential differences in conceptual stances, methods, and theories between scientific fields. I argue first that nonliving systems can display the unpredictable, irreducible, irreversible, and emergent—in sum, complex—properties of living systems. Then I discuss an emerging field called complexity theory, the principles of which offer the promise of bringing quantitative unity to an enormous range of phenomena, living or dead.
Genetics of Stiff Child Syndrome

A Chinese boy with a DYT1 gene mutation presented with muscle stiffness, painful muscle spasms, myoclonus, and dystonia, compatible with stiff child syndrome, and is reported from Queen Mary Hospital, the University of Hong Kong.
Identification of ciguatoxins in Hawaiian monk seals Monachus schauinslandi from the Northwestern and Main Hawaiian Islands.

Ciguatoxins are potent algal neurotoxins that concentrate in fish preyed upon by the critically endangered Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi). The only report for Hawaiian monk seal exposu...
Pathfinder radar development at Sandia National Laboratories

Since the invention of Synthetic Aperture Radar imaging in the 1950’s, users or potential users have sought to exploit SAR imagery for a variety of applications including the earth sciences and defense. At Sandia Laboratories, SAR Research and Development and associated defense applications grew out of the nuclear weapons program in the 1980’s and over the years has become a highly viable ISR sensor for a variety of tactical applications. Sandia SAR systems excel where real-­‐time, high-­‐resolution, all-­‐weather, day or night surveillance is required for developing situational awareness. This presentation will discuss the various aspects of Sandia’s airborne ISR capability with respect to issues related to current operational success as well as the future direction of the capability as Sandia seeks to improve the SAR capability it delivers into multiple mission scenarios. Issues discussed include fundamental radar capabilities, advanced exploitation techniques and human-­‐computer interface (HMI) challenges that are part of the advances required to maintain Sandia’s ability to continue to support ever changing and demanding mission challenges.
Search-based Evaluation from Truth Transcripts for Voice Search Applications

Voice search applications are typically evaluated by comparing the predicted query to a reference human transcript, regardless of the search results returned by the query. While we find that an exact transcript match is highly indicative of user satisfaction, a transcript which does not match the reference still produces satisfactory search results a significant fraction of the time. This paper therefore proposes an evaluation method that compares the search results of the speech recognition hypotheses with the search results produced by a human transcript. Compared with a strict sentence match, a human evaluation shows that search result overlap is a better predictor of (a) user satisfaction and (b) search result click-through. Finally, we propose a model predicting the Expected Search Satisfaction Rate (ESSR), conditioned on search overlap outcomes. On a held out set of 1036 voice search queries, our model predicted an ESSR within 0.9% (relative) of the ground truth satisfaction averaged over 3 human judges.
Congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) with initial presentation in an adult: a rare presentation of a rare disease

Congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) is a rare congenital abnormality with unknown exact aetiology or clear genetic association. It is characterised by a failure of bronchial development and localised glandular overgrowth. Typically, it is diagnosed on prenatal ultrasound, only infrequently in children, and even less commonly in adults. We present a case of a 25-year-old man, with no previous lung diseases who presented with right-sided chest pain, fever and cough suggestive of pulmonary infection. Chest imaging, including CT scan, showed a large focal cystic mass within the right lower lobe along with ground glass opacities suggestive of CPAM. He was started on intravenous antibiotics. Bronchoscopy showed a large amount of pus in the right lung and bronchoalveolar lavage confirmed the microbiological diagnosis of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. He improved with antibiotic treatment. He was discharged with 6-week course of antibiotics and follow-up afterward.
Modification of Conventional Methods for Recovery of Injured Coliforms and Salmonellae1

This is a review that concentrates primarily on recent developments in the modification of conventional methods for recovery of injured coliforms and salmonellae; 43 of the 58 references were published in 1975 or later. The review encompasses four areas of activity: (a) most probable numbers procedures, (b) membrane filter procedures, (c) direct plating methods, and (d) the influence of other variables.
Long-Term Breastfeeding in African American Mothers.

Background:According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 39.1% of African American infants are breastfed at 6 months. However, few studies have explored the breastfeeding experiences...
A phase 3 trial of IV immunoglobulin for Alzheimer disease.

Objective: We tested biweekly infusions of IV immunoglobulin (IVIg) as a possible treatment for mild to moderate Alzheimer disease (AD) dementia. Methods: In a phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we randomly assigned 390 participants with mild to moderate AD to receive placebo (low-dose albumin) or IVIg (Gammagard Liquid; Baxalta, Bannockburn, IL) administered IV at doses of 0.2 or 0.4 g/kg every 2 weeks for 18 months. The primary cognitive outcome was change from baseline to 18 months on the 11-item cognitive subscale of the Alzheimer9s Disease Assessment Scale; the primary functional outcome was 18-month change on the Alzheimer9s Disease Cooperative Study–Activities of Daily Living Inventory. Safety and tolerability data, as well as serial MRIs and plasma samples, were collected throughout the study from all enrolled participants. Results: No beneficial effects were observed in the dual primary outcome measures for the 2 IVIg doses tested. Significant decreases in plasma Aβ42 (but not Aβ40) levels were observed in IVIg-treated participants. Analysis of safety data showed no difference between IVIg and placebo in terms of the rate of occurrence of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (brain edema or microhemorrhage). IVIg-treated participants had more systemic reactions (chills, rashes) but fewer respiratory infections than participants receiving placebo. Conclusions: Participants with mild to moderate AD showed good tolerability of treatment with low-dose human IVIg for 18 months but did not show beneficial effects on cognition or function relative to participants who received placebo. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00818662. Classification of evidence: This study provides Class II evidence that IVIg infusions performed every 2 weeks do not improve cognition or function at 18 months in patients with mild to moderate AD.
Blackstone, Expositor and Censor of Law Both Made and Found

Jeremy Bentham famously insisted on the separation of law as it is and law as it should be, and criticized his contemporary William Blackstone for mixing up the two. According to Bentham, Blackstone costumes judicial invention as discovery, obscuring the way judges make new law while pretending to uncover preexisting legal meaning. Bentham’s critique of judicial phoniness persists to this day in claims that judges are “politicians in robes” who pick the outcome they desire and rationalize it with doctrinal sophistry. Such skeptical attacks are usually met with attempts to defend doctrinal interpretation as a partial or occasional limit on judicial policy making. But this essay takes a different approach. I view the judicial performance of legal interpretation described in Blackstone’s Commentaries as a kind of ritual in which Blackstone participates. This response might seem to prove Bentham’s point. In the mainstream modern view, ritual is quintessentially false and irrational - an empty ceremony that distracts us from reality. But there is another way to think of ritual. On this account, ritual’s fictional performance is neither deceptive nor delusional. Rather, ritual practitioners act as if their ritual world is real, while recognizing the gap between ritual order and a chaotic, messy world. In my reading, Blackstone’s Commentaries describes an ambiguous ritual of judicial discovery, in which judges act as if they are finding objectively determined outcomes, while they - and we - understand and acknowledge that subjective creativity is involved in producing those results. Ritual is often associated with maintaining traditional social structures, and in the U S today Blackstone continues to be claimed by conservative “originalists” who treat the Commentaries as an authoritative guide to American law at the time of the country’s founding. But, while ritual cannot finally resolve real social conflicts, it need not always preserve a static social reality. The essay closes with an analysis of the judicial technique in Hively v. Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, a recent U.S. federal appeals court decision that deployed the ritual of judicial discovery to expand protection for the rights of LGBT Americans.
Chapter 4 Lipid Raft-Mediated Entry of Bacteria into Host Cells

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses lipid raft-mediated entry of bacteria into host cells. Many bacterial pathogens are known to enter into host cells, either as a means of avoiding the host immune system or as an integral part of their replicative cycle. One major hurdle intracellular pathogens must overcome is degradation in the classical endosomal/lysosomal fusion pathway. Some pathogens avoid this by escaping from their phagosomes before lysosomal fusion occurs, others actively modify their compartment to prevent lysosomal fusion, while still others have evolved defenses that allow them to survive in the harsh lysosomal environment. As the protein caveolin is not found in all microdomains with the biochemical properties of caveolae, and not all domains with these properties have the distinctive shape of caveolae, the chapter defines caveolae as pleomorphic lateral assemblies containing the protein caveolin-1 that are enriched in cholesterol, glycosphingolipids, and glycosylphosphatidylinosotol (GPI)-anchored molecules and that have the distinct morphological appearance of cave-like invaginations by electron microscopy (EM).
Hereditary Myoclonus Dystonia: A Novel SGCE Variant and Phenotype Including Intellectual Disability.

Background: Hereditary myoclonus dystonia is often due to changes in the SGCE gene. Dystonia (DYT)- SGCE has a variable phenotype that can involve focal or generalized myoclonus and various forms of task-specific, segmental, or generalized dystonia. Psychiatric comorbidities are common. Case Report: We report a case of a young woman with generalized myoclonus, dystonia, and intellectual disability. She was found to have a novel SGCE splice site variant. Discussion: This novel variant is very likely pathogenic by in silico analysis and has not been previously reported. Additionally, her intellectual disability may constitute a novel phenotype for patients with SGCE variants.
A Formalization of Set Theory without Variables. By Alfred Tarski and Steven Givant

(1990). A Formalization of Set Theory without Variables. By Alfred Tarski and Steven Givant. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 97, No. 3, pp. 258-262.
Ablation of the CD9 Receptor in Human Lung Cancer Cells Using CRISPR/Cas Alters Migration to Chemoattractants Including IL-16

Abstract CD9, a member of the tetraspanin superfamily, has been implicated in regulating various physiological processes, including cell motility, adhesion, apoptosis and metastasis. Recently, interleukin-16 (IL-16), a pro-inflammatory cytokine released by normal airway and alveolar epithelial cells, has been implicated as a possible ligand for CD9 as an alternative receptor. In this study, using A549 cells as a model of human alveolar epithelium, CD9 expression was ablated using CRISPR/Cas technology. Decreased expression of CD9 mRNA and protein levels was confirmed through RT-qPCR and flow cytometry, respectively. Individual clones were generated that expressed high levels of CD9 (wild-type, WT) or significantly less CD9 (knockdown, KD). Both wild-type and knockdown A549 cell migration was quantified using a FluoroBloc transwell chemotaxis assay. Our results indicate that wild-type A549 cells migrated towards chemoattractants. Moreover, CD9 expression was required in this process since the CD9 knockdown cells had a significantly reduced migration towards growth serum and IL-16. These results support the migratory properties for CD9 in human lung cells and support the hypothesis that CD9 serves as an alternative receptor for IL-16.
A pooled time-series analysis of abortion demand.

This study estimates the demand for abortion in the United States using state data pooled over years 1992 and 1982. The empirical results showed that the price elasticity of abortion demand ranged from -0.70 to -0.99 and an income elasticity between 0.27 and 0.35. The demand for abortion was found (1) not to be statistically related to a woman's educational level; (2) to be higher the greater a state's taste for abortion; (3) coincident with the business cycle; and (4) not to be related to the level of a state's welfare payment.
RHINOSINUSITIS: Current Concepts in Evaluation and Management

Sinusitis is one of the most common health complaints leading to a physician office visit in the United States. The National Hospital Discharge Survey documented 16,000 discharges for acute sinusitis and 29,000 for chronic sinusitis during 1993. 13 It is also one of the leading causes for antibiotic prescriptions, and in 1992, there were approximately 73 million restricted activity days in patients with sinusitis and total direct medical costs of almost $2.4 billion (not including surgery or radiographic imaging), establishing sinusitis as one of the more costly disorders in the US population. 13,15 In the 1993 National Health Interview Survey, 14.7% of respondents reported having sinusitis the preceding year, with rates relatively higher in the Midwest and South and among women than men. 4 Children less than 15 years of age and adults between 25 and 64 years of age are most frequently affected. In addition to the discomfort from the underlying disease, the cost of medications, and the lack of productivity during acute symptoms, those who develop chronic sinus disease experience health-related quality-of-life decrements in the domains of general health perception, vitality, and social functioning comparable to serious diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and angina pectoris. 2,10,15 In 1996, the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery standardized the terminology for paranasal infections. 2 The term rhinosinusitis was deemed more appropriate than sinusitis because the mucous membranes of the nose and paranasal sinuses are embryologically and anatomically contiguous and respond similarly to medical and surgical therapy; purulent sinus disease without similar rhinitis is rare. Rhinosinusitis is divided among four classifications, based on the temporal course and the signs and symptoms of the disease (Tables 1 and 2). 12,16 Succinctly, acute rhinosinusitis is of sudden onset and lasts less than 4 weeks, with complete resolution of symptoms; subacute rhinosinusitis is a continuum of acute rhinosinusitis beyond 4 weeks but less than 12 weeks; recurrent acute rhinosinusitis denotes four or more episodes of acute rhinosinusitis, lasting at least 7 days each, in any 1-year period; and chronic rhinosinusitis means signs or symptoms persist 12 weeks or longer. Chronic rhinosinusitis may be punctuated by acute infectious episodes. Salient aspects in diagnosing the signs and symptoms associated with rhinosinusitis have been grouped into major factors (facial pain or pressure, facial congestion or fullness, nasal obstruction, nasal or postnasal purulence, hyposmia, fever) and minor factors (headache, halitosis, fatigue, dental pain, cough, otalgia), which achieve diagnostic significance only in tandem with one or more major factors.
Hereditary aspects of respiratory control in health and disease in humans

An early step toward discovery of heritable influences on ventilatory control was the finding of differences in the strength of ventilatory responses among human subjects. Here we review observations that these responses tended to be similar among family members and identical twins suggesting a role for heredity and that these effects were most evident for the ventilatory response to hypoxia than to hypercapnia. Findings in humans and animals suggest that the effect is largely on the strength of peripheral chemoreception.
Atomistic Simulations on Reliability

Discrete impurity effects in terms of their statistical variations in number and position in the inversion and depletion region of a MOSFET, as the gate length is aggressively scaled, have recently been researched as a major cause of reliability degradation observed in intra-die and die-to-die threshold voltage variation on the same chip resulting in significant variation in saturation drive (on) current and transconductance degradation—two key metrics for benchmark performance of digital and analog integrated circuits. In the following chapter, the authors have highlighted the random dopant fluctuation (RDF) based Ensemble Monte Carlo (EMC) device simulation study conducted by the Computational Electronics (COMPUTEL) research group of Arizona State University. In addition to RDF, random number and position of interface traps lying close to Si:SiO2 interface engender additional concerns leading to enhanced experimentally observed fluctuations in drain current and threshold voltage. In this context, the authors of this chapter present novel EMC based simulation studies on trap induced random telegraph noise (RTN) responsible for statistical fluctuation pattern observed in threshold voltage, its standard deviation and drive current in saturation for 45 nm gate length MOSFET device. From the observed simulation results and their analysis, it can be cogently projected that with continued scaling in gate length and width, RTN effect will eventually supersede as a major reliability bottleneck over the typical RDF phenomenon. The fluctuation patterns observed by EMC simulation outcomes for both drain current and threshold voltage have been analyzed and explained from analytical device physics perspectives.
Constructions of Generalized Differentiation

This chapter is devoted to the exposition of basic tools of first-order generalized differentiation in variational analysis.
A Corrective Learning Approach for Text-Independent Speaker Verification

We present a conceptually plausible approach for text-independent speaker verification (TISV) which treats speech recordings as a collection of segments providing incremental evidence. This approach, called corrective learning, gradually improves an initial prediction of speaker identity based on incoming speech and the latest prediction. Specifically, we propose deep corrective learning networks (CLNets) that explicitly learn a mapping from a new speech segment and the current predictions, to a correction. Intuitively, the predictions eventually converge to the ground truth after several corrections. Trained on NIST SRE datasets, CLNets outperform current CNN and the i-vector baselines. Moreover, CLNets and i-vectors are complementary, and their fusion leads to significant performance improvements compared to what can be achieved by each of them individually.
Fluctuation-theorem method of measuring a particle's mass without knowing its shape or density

Abstract Tracking the Brownian motion of aerosol particles as they settle in air allows a mass measurement. The particle typically falls downward at its terminal settling velocity; however, the particle occasionally will be displaced upwards due to Brownian fluctuations. The number of occurrences of upward and downward fluctuations is compared, using the formula for the work fluctuation theorem, to yield the mass. This method can be applied to either a single particle or a collection of particles. The advantages of this method include no required information about the size, shape, or density of the particle. Details of the analysis method are presented and illustrated with experimental data.
Effects of Exercise Training With and Without Ranolazine on Peak Oxygen Consumption, Daily Physical Activity, and Quality of Life in Patients With Chronic Stable Angina Pectoris.

Ranolazine reduces angina frequency and increases exercise capacity. We hypothesized that exercise training with ranolazine would allow subjects to train at greater intensities, resulting in greater improvements in exercise capacity, physical activity, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). In a pilot study, subjects with chronic stable angina pectoris were randomized to ranolazine (n = 13) or placebo (n = 16). After a 2-week drug titration period, subjects participated in a 12-week exercise program. Peak VO2, physical activity (via accelerometer), and HRQOL were assessed before and after training. After exercise training, peak VO2increased twice as much with ranolazine (2.1 ± 3.4 ml/kg/min) as with placebo (0.9 ± 1.5) (both p
Machine learning the magnetocaloric effect in manganites from compositions and structural parameters

Solid-state refrigeration techniques have drawn increasing attention due to their potential for improving the energy efficiency of refrigeration and temperature-control systems without using harmful gas as in conventional gas compression techniques. Research on magnetocaloric lanthanum manganites with near-room-temperature Curie temperature shows promising results for development of magnetic refrigeration devices. Chemical substitutions are one of the most effective methods to tune the magnetocaloric effect, represented by the maximum magnetic entropy change (MMEC), through the incorporation of various lanthanides, rare-earth elements, alkali metals, alkaline-earth metals, transition metals, and other elements. Some theories based on lattice distortions and double-exchange interactions show that ionic radii of the dopants and final compositions correlate with the MMEC, but the correlations are generally limited to A-site substitutions and become less applicable to multi-doped manganites than single-doped ones. In this work, the Gaussian process regression model is developed as a machine learning tool to find statistical correlations between the MMEC and structural parameters among lanthanum manganites. More than 70 lattices, cubic, pseudocubic, orthorhombic, and rhombohedral, with the MMEC ranging from 0.65 J kg−1 K−1 to 8.00 J kg−1 K−1 under a field change of 5 T are explored for this purpose. Structural parameters utilized as descriptors include ionic radii at both A- and B-sites, ⟨Mn–O⟩ bond length, ⟨Mn–O–Mn⟩ bond angle, and compositions consisting of up to six elements. The modeling approach demonstrates a high degree of accuracy and stability, contributing to efficient and low-cost estimations of the magnetocaloric effect.
Plasma volume variation across the menstrual cycle among healthy women of reproductive age: A prospective cohort study.

Increases in reproductive hormones like estrogen, play an important role in the remarkable increases in plasma volume observed in pregnancy. Accurate estimates of plasma volume expansion during pregnancy depend on correctly timing and measuring plasma volume in nonpregnant women. However, to date, there is no consensus on the pattern of plasma volume across the menstrual cycle. We prospectively measured plasma volume in 45 women across a single menstrual cycle. A urine-based fertility monitor was used to time three clinic visits to distinct points in the menstrual cycle: the early follicular phase (~day 2), periovulation (~day 12), and the mid-point of the luteal phase (~day 21)-based on a 28-day cycle length. Healthy women aged 18-41 years with regular menstrual cycles and a healthy body weight were enrolled in the study. At each visit, blood samples were collected before and after injection of 0.25 mg/kg body weight of indocyanine green dye (ICG). Pre- and post-ICG injection plasma samples were used to measure plasma volume. Preinjection samples were used to measure ovarian hormones and plasma osmolality. Mean plasma volume was highest during the early follicular phase (2,276 ± 478 ml); it declined to 2,232 ± 509 ml by the late follicular phase and to 2,228 ± 502 ml by the midluteal phase. This study found that overall variations in plasma volume are small across the menstrual cycle. Therefore, in clinical practice and research, the menstrual cycle phase may not be an important consideration when evaluating plasma volume among women of reproductive age.
Mitochondria, Aging, and Cellular Senescence: Implications for Scleroderma

The etiology of systemic sclerosis (SSc), which is a rare immune-mediated inflammatory disease characterized by vascular damage and fibrosis, is still unknown. However, different intrinsic (genetics) and extrinsic (environmental) factors play a part in the progression of the disease. This review focuses on the role of aging, mitochondrial dysfunction, and senescence in SSc. Mitochondrial dysfunction and senescence have been linked to the age-related susceptibility to other interstitial lung diseases (ILD) such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). SSc is not regarded as an age-related disease but does show a higher incidence of cardiac events, fibrosis, and mortality at older age. We provide an overview of the current status of the role of aging, mitochondrial dysfunction, and senescence in SSc. Further work is needed to validate some of these pathways in SSc and may allow for new therapeutic interventions focused on restoring mitochondrial homeostasis and the targeted removal of chronic-senescent cells.
A Review of Inkjet Printed Graphene and Carbon Nanotubes Based Gas Sensors

Graphene and carbon nanotube (CNT)-based gas/vapor sensors have gained much traction for numerous applications over the last decade due to their excellent sensing performance at ambient conditions. Inkjet printing various forms of graphene (reduced graphene oxide or modified graphene) and CNT (single-wall nanotubes (SWNTs) or multiwall nanotubes (MWNTs)) nanomaterials allows fabrication onto flexible substrates which enable gas sensing applications in flexible electronics. This review focuses on their recent developments and provides an overview of the state-of-the-art in inkjet printing of graphene and CNT based sensors targeting gases, such as NO2, Cl2, CO2, NH3, and organic vapors. Moreover, this review presents the current enhancements and challenges of printing CNT and graphene-based gas/vapor sensors, the role of defects, and advanced printing techniques using these nanomaterials, while highlighting challenges in reliability and reproducibility. The future potential and outlook of this rapidly growing research are analyzed as well.
Adapting Strategically to Changing Times in Health Professions Education: A Generational Workshop for Educators

Introduction Health professions classrooms are filled with a new generation of students: iGen/generation Z. Much is known about millennials' educational needs, but they no longer comprise the major...