cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of a grading system to assess the quality of small-bowel preparation for capsule endoscopy: in search of the Holy Grail.

Background: The diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy is vulnerable to inadequate visualization related to residual bile or chyme remaining in the lumen despite intestinal lavage. It has been challenging to determine the optimal lavage preparation of the bowel and patient diet before capsule endoscopy, as well as the timing of the procedure, because no well-accepted, validated grading system for assessing the quality of intestinal lavage before capsule endoscopy is available. There remains no consensus on the reliability of qualitative, quantitative, or computer-derived assessments of the quality of preparation for capsule endoscopy. This study evaluates intra-observer and interobserver agreement for a previously validated scale. Materials and methods: The digital images of 34 patients who underwent capsule endoscopy were independently reviewed by two blinded physicians according to a previously validated grading scale. One of the physicians reviewed and graded the patients a second time. The quality of the bowel luminal preparation was assessed with a qualitative parameter (fluid transparency) and a more quantitative parameter (mucosal invisibility) for each of three small-intestinal segments, and an overall small-bowel score for each parameter was assigned as well. A weighted kappa coefficient was used to calculate intra-observer (observer 1A and 1B) and interobserver (observer 1A and observer 2) agreement. A kappa value of 0.60 or more suggests strong agreement, 0.40 to 0.60 moderate agreement, and less than 0.40 poor agreement. Results: The intra-observer weighted kappa index for both fluid transparency and mucosal visibility was 0.52, which is consistent with moderate agreement. The interobserver weighted kappa indices for fluid transparency and mucosal invisibility were 0.29 and 0.42, respectively, demonstrating suboptimal interobserver agreement. The individual segment interobserver kappa indices were better for mucosal visibility (0.52, 0.39, and 0.47 for small-bowel segments 1, 2, and 3, respectively) than for fluid transparency (0.18, 0.38, and 0.31). Conclusions: The proposed grading scale for assessing the quality of preparation for capsule endoscopy has inadequate interobserver and intra-observer agreement. Capsule endoscopy preparation grading scales that focus more on quantitative than on qualitative assessment may demonstrate more reliable performance characteristics. Optimizing the quality of preparation and diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy will first require the development of a well-validated grading scale.
Recording dynamic fringe patterns with a Cranz-Schardin camera

The requirements of a high-speed recording system in dynamic photoelastic studies are closely met with a Cranz-Schardin camera. This camera, which operates at framing rates between 32,000 and 815,000 frames/sec, is capable of resolving a dynamic fringe pattern with a fringe gradient of 20 fringes/in. traveling with a velocity of 75,000 ips. Design details of the Cranz-Schardin system are given, and typical results obtained are illustrated.
Research Progress of Long Air Gap Discharges

Researches on long air gap discharge are considered to be the basis of external insulation design for high voltage power systems and lightning-shielding researches.From three aspects,i.e.discharge tests,discharge mechanisms,and simulative discharge models,achievements in existing world-wide researches on long air gap discharge are summarized.Moreover,deficiencies of these researches are also investigated.It is indicated that experimental studies in laboratory could neither exhaustively reproduce all the gap configurations in actual high voltage power systems,nor obtain the characteristic of gap insulation subjected to actual switching overvoltage waveforms.The reported mechanism studies on long air gap discharge lacks deep understandings of space charge distribution in streamers and characteristic parameters of leader channel;besides,some common assumptions in these studies,for instance,the constant steamer shape and environmental electric field,the critical temperature of leader initiating and the characteristics of leader channel,are either short of verification from actual measurements,or the cause of some mechanism's obvious disagreement over reality.As for simulative models,several factors,including different assumptions of streamer shape and electric field distribution in space charge models,the chosen conditions of streamer transforming into leader,and considering leader channel as conductor with certain voltage drop,could all lead to significant errors of the calculation results of models compared with measurement results.In the end,it is suggested that,for future studies,it is of great significance to focus on the fundamental study of long air gap discharges,especially on observation techniques and the characteristics of key parameters,aiming at obtaining important physical parameters,including the distribution of the streamer space charge,the critical temperature of streamer-leader transition,and the inner electrical field and temperature of leader channel.Consequently,long air gap discharge simulation models can be improved to accurately predict the breakdown characteristics of long air gaps,realizing the refined design of external insulation.The results can also provide valuable information for improving present theory and simulative models of lightning shielding.
Complications Associated with RSA

The incidence of complications continues to be a concern for reverse total shoulder arthroplasties (RSAs). Complication rates have been reported in various ranges, but are generally around about 20 % total with a reoperation rate of 12 %. Common complications include infection, dislocation, scapular notching, periprosthetic fracture, baseplate loosening, and hematoma formation. The complications are dependent upon the indication for the surgery whether for rotator cuff arthropathy or unfixable proximal humerus fracture and whether the surgery is a primary surgery or surgery performed in the revision setting. Many of these complications may be at least partially understood by the unique alteration in patient anatomy created after RSAs and implant design. The definition, relative incidence, work-up, treatment, and occasionally prevention recommendations are presented in this chapter.
The complete enzymic hydrolysis of proteins.

The strong acids that are required for complete hydrolysis of proteins destroy some amino acids, such as tryptophan, asparagine, and glutamine. Other amino acids are destroyed to a lesser extent or in certain cases are released incompletely from peptide linkage. It is evident that these difficulties, as well as others, could be overcome by employing proteolytic enzymes as the sole agents for hydrolysis. The complete enzymic degradation of proteins was studied by several investigators in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Meissner (2), Kiihne and Chittenden (3, 4), Chittenden and Goodwin (5), and Neumeister (6, 7) demonstrated that pepsin and trypsin hydrolyzed proteins to produce a complex mixture of peptides called proteoses and peptones. These were considered to be the ultimate end products of proteolysis until 1901, when Cohnheim (8) showed that intestinal extracts (erepsin) hydrolyzed peptones to amino acids. Subsequent studies, in particular those of Frankel (9), showed that the combined action of pepsin, trypsin, and erepsin resulted in cleavage of over 90% of the peptide bonds in several purified proteins.1 Although it was evident from these early investigations that proteins could be degraded by enzymes to amino acids, later investigators did not develop a system for complete enzymic hydrolysis. This can be attributed to a variety of causes, but two major problems which only recently have been satisfactorily solved presented the most difficulty. Micromethods for the precise analysis and characterization of amino acids and peptides were not available, and secondly, purified proteolytic enzymes were not characterized sufficiently to be used as hydrolytic agents. With these considerations, we have developed methods that employ proteolytic enzymes for hydrolysis of proteins. Our studies demonstrate that digestion of a protein by papain (12), followed by treatment with the purified kidney peptidases, leucine aminopeptidase (13), and prolidase (14) results in essentially complete hydrolysis of all peptide bonds and gives high yields of tryptophan, glutamine, and asparagine.
Genetics of human sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation

the major human health effects of solar and artificial UV light occur from the UVB and UVC wavelength ranges and involve a variety of short-term and long-term deleterious changes to the skin and eyes. the more important initial damage to cellular macromolecules involves dimerization of adjacent pyrimidines in DNA to produce cyclobutane pyrimidine dimes, (6-4) pyrimidine- pyrimidone, and (6-4) dewar photoproducts. these photoproducts can be repaired by a genetically regulated enzyme system (nucleotide excision repair) which removes oligonucleotides 29-30 nucleotides long that contain the photoproducts, and synthesizes replacement patches. At least a dozen gene products are involved in the process of recognizing photoproducts in DNA, altering local DNA helicity and cleaving the polynucleotide chain at defined positions either side of a photoproduct. Hereditary mutations in many of these genes are recognized in the human genetic disorders xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), Cockayne syndrome (CS), and trichothiodystrophy (TTD). Several of the gene products have other functions involving the regulation of gene transcription which accounts for the complex clinical presentation of repair deficient diseases that involve sensitivity of the skin and eyes to UV light, increased solar carcinogenesis (in XP), demyelination, and ganglial calcification (in CS), hair abnormalities (in TTD), and developmental and neurological abnormalities
NA+-DEPENDENT GLUTAMATE TRANSPORTER IN HUMAN RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIAL CELLS

Purpose. To characterize glutamate uptake in the human retinal pigment epithelial (HRPE) cell line 165 and to determine the feasibility of using this cell line as an experimental model for glutamate transport studies. Methods. Confluent monolayers of the HRPE cells cultured in 35-mm petri dishes were used to study glutamate uptake with regard to its ion dependence, substrate specificity, and kinetics. The radioactivity associated with the cells was measured by a liquid scintillation counter. Results. Glutamate uptake was noticeably stimulated by the presence of Na + in uptake buffer. Acidic amino acids (100 //M; L-glutamate, L-aspartate, D-aspartate, and L-cysteate) and glutamate transporter inhibitors (100 fjM; dihydrokainic acid, DL-threo-/?-hydroxyaspartic acid, and L-trans-pyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxlic acid) interacted with uptake of radiolabeled glutamate. The activity of glutamate uptake depends on Na + concentration. Glutamate uptake in the presence of Na + does not have anion dependence. The uptake of glutamate was enhanced by external acidic environment and inhibited by 0.5 mM DIDS. Glutamate receptor antagonists (100 ^M; [±]-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid and 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione) did not inhibit glutamate uptake. Kinetic analysis shows that this transporter consists of at least two saturable systems. Conclusions. The results of the present study demonstrate that a glutamate transporter is expressed in the HRPE cells. Its characteristics are similar to those of glutamate transporters observed in the RPE of laboratory animals. The human cell line 165 will be a useful tool for characterization of glutamate transport in the RPE. This study also provides clear evidence for the presence of a glutamate transporter in the human RPE. Invest Opthalmol Vis Sci. 1994; 35:3589-3598.
Identidades passadas, presentes e emergentes: requisitos para etnografias sobre a modernidade no final do século XX ao nível mundial

Este trabalho analisa os dilemas que a etnografia precisa enfrentar para compreender a modernidade. A etnografia contemporânea se ve obrigada a abandonar uma perspectiva de analise, que parte unicamente da experiencia vivenciada em nivel local, e procurar atendimento de um ponto de vista global. Esse deslocamento coloca sob o foco da reflexao antropologica o modo como as identidades coletivas e individuais sao negociadas nos lugares onde o antropologo faz suas pesquisas de campo.
Elite Bargaining and Elections in the Developing World

After Guyana's president Cheddi Jagan died in 1997, his wife Janet assumed the office for the People's Progressive Party (PPP) and won reelection to the presidency in December of that same year. The opposition People's National Congress (PNC) began protest demonstrations on December 19, the day she was sworn into office, and those protests continued into January. In addition to near-daily street demonstrations, four separate bombing incidents were reported during this time. In two cases the bomb attacks targeted public buildings – a hotel in the capital city of Georgetown and a TV station – and it was unclear who was responsible, though the president blamed opposition supporters in at least one case. The other two incidents clearly targeted incumbent and opposition political actors. One homemade bomb was detonated outside of the home of an influential opposition supporter, and other bombs were found and defused outside of the home of President Jagan. In mid-January, amid continuing demonstrations, a delegation from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) arrived to broker a resolution to the month-long political tension. This intervention resulted in a negotiated agreement between the opposition PNC and incumbent PPP to establish a constitutional commission that would make recommendations to reduce political conflict in the country. As part of the agreement, new elections would be held within a year and a half, thereby allowing time to implement the commission's recommended reforms. In the meantime, both parties agreed to an audit process for the previous election, to address opposition concerns about manipulation.
Recurrent loss of STING Signaling in Melanoma Correlates with Susceptibility to Viral Oncolysis.

The innate immunoregulator STING stimulates cytokine production in response to the presence of cytosolic DNA, which can arise following DNA damage. Extrinsic STING signaling is also needed for antigen-presenting cells to stimulate antitumor T-cell immunity. Here, we show that STING signaling is recurrently suppressed in melanoma cells, where this event may enable immune escape after DNA damage. Mechanistically, STING signaling was suppressed most frequently by epigenetic silencing of either STING or the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase, which generates STING-activating cyclic dinucleotides after binding cytosolic DNA species. Loss of STING function rendered melanoma cells unable to produce type I IFN and other immune cytokines after exposure to cytosolic DNA species. Consequently, such cells were highly susceptible to infection with DNA viruses including HSV1, a variant of which is being developed presently as a therapeutic oncolytic virus [talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC)]. Our findings provide insight into the basis for susceptibility to viral oncolysis by agents such as HSV1. Cancer Res; 76(22); 6747-59. ©2016 AACR.
Benign Biliary Strictures

Bile is a substance made by the liver and gallbladder that aids in digestion, primarily of fats. The function of the biliary tree is to facilitate the drainage of bile from the liver and the gallbladder into the small intestine via multiple ducts. Benign (noncancerous) disease of the biliary tree includes strictures, leaks, or stones, which occur alone or in combination. Benign biliary strictures (BBS) account for about 15 % of strictures seen in the Western world.
Native Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Oligomerization States of Fluorescence Recovery Protein and Orange Carotenoid Protein: Two Proteins Involved in the Cyanobacterial Photoprotection Cycle.

The orange carotenoid protein (OCP) and fluorescence recovery protein (FRP) are present in many cyanobacteria and regulate an essential photoprotection cycle in an antagonistic manner as a function of light intensity. We characterized the oligomerization states of OCP and FRP by using native mass spectrometry, a technique that has the capability of studying native proteins under a wide range of protein concentrations and molecular masses. We found that dimeric FRP is the predominant state at protein concentrations ranging from 3 to 180 μM and that higher-order oligomers gradually form at protein concentrations above this range. The OCP, however, demonstrates significantly different oligomerization behavior. Monomeric OCP (mOCP) dominates at low protein concentrations, with an observable population of dimeric OCP (dOCP). The ratio of dOCP to mOCP, however, increases proportionally with protein concentration. Higher-order OCP oligomers form at protein concentrations beyond 10 μM. Additionally, native mass s...
Quadrotor Actuator Fault Diagnosis and Accommodation Using Nonlinear Adaptive Estimators

This brief presents the systematic design and real-time experimental results of a fault detection, isolation, and accommodation algorithm for quadrotor actuator faults using nonlinear adaptive estimation techniques. The fault diagnosis architecture consists of a nonlinear fault detection estimator and a bank of nonlinear adaptive fault isolation estimators designed based on the functional structures of the faults under consideration. Adaptive thresholds for fault detection and isolation are systematically designed to enhance the robustness and fault sensitivity of the diagnostic algorithm. After fault isolation, the fault parameter estimate generated by the matched isolation estimator is used for accommodating the fault effect. Using an indoor quadrotor test environment, real-time experimental results are shown to illustrate the effectiveness of the algorithms.
Disrupting Equilibrium: Working for Equity and Social Justice in Education for English Learners

Many states in the western United States have seen an increase in the immigrant population. One state, in particular, has seen its foreign-born population increase 64.7% from 2000 to 2013. This increase in cultural and linguistic diversity foregrounds the 2013 passage of a specific Senate bill that “enacts provisions providing English language learning for students” in this state. The Senate bill also calls for the creation of a council to make recommendations to the appropriate governing boards on how best to meet the instructional needs of English Learners (ELs) in the state. LeChatelier’s principle of equilibrium and Bell’s interest convergence are used to analyze the recommendations. In addition, I use autoethnography and Latino critical race theory to interrogate the complexity of my dual membership, as an EL and an academic, in a cultural, political, and educational context.
Integralna rola metod obrazowania układu sercowo-naczyniowego opartych na rezonansie magnetycznym w diagnostyce klinicznego podejrzenia kardiomiopatii takotsubo: unikanie błędnych rozpoznań

Kardiomiopatia takotsubo, określana rowniez mianem kardiomiopatii stresowej, jest coraz cześciej rozpoznawanym, ostrym, ale odwracalnym miopatycznym procesem uszkadzającym komore mieśnia sercowego. Mimo ze opublikowano specyficzne kryteria diagnostyczne dla tej jednostki chorobowej, tradycyjnie wciąz wykonuje sie badanie koronarograficzne naczyn wiencowych w celu wykluczenia choroby wiencowej. W niniejszej pracy zaprezentowano przypadek pacjenta ze wstepnym podejrzeniem kardiomiopatii takotsubo. Powyzszą diagnoze postawiono na podstawie danych klinicznych i angiograficznych. Jednak po wykonaniu badan obrazowych ukladu sercowo-naczyniowego za pomocą rezonansu magnetycznego z opoźnionym wzmocnieniem gadolinem wykryto ukrytą we wcześniejszych badaniach chorobe wiencową i wykluczono postawioną początkowo diagnoze kardiomiopatii takotsubo. Obrazowanie ukladu sercowo-naczyniowego metodą rezonansu magnetycznego powinno stanowic integralną cześc procesu diagnostycznego w przypadku podejrzenia kardiomiopatii takotsubo. (Folia Cardiologica Excerpta 2008; 3: 93-96)
Glucose consumption in carbohydrate mixtures by phosphotransferase-system mutants of Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli lacking the glucose phosphotransferase system (PTS), mannose PTS and glucokinase are supposedly unable to grow on glucose as the sole carbon source (Curtis SJ, Epstein W. J Bacteriol 1975;122:1189–1199). We report that W ptsG manZ glk (ALS1406) grows slowly on glucose in media containing glucose with a second carbon source: ALS1406 metabolizes glucose after that other carbon source, including arabinose, fructose, glycerol, succinate or xylose, is exhausted. Galactose is an exception to this rule, as ALS1406 simultaneously consumes both galactose and glucose. The ability of ALS1406 to metabolize glucose in a xylose–glucose mixture was unchanged by an additional knockout in any single gene involved in carbohydrate transport and utilization, including agp (periplasmic glucose-1-phosphatase), galP (galactose permease), xylA (xylose isomerase), alsK (allose kinase), crr (glucose PTS enzyme IIA), galK (galactose kinase), mak (mannokinase), malE (maltose transporter), malX (maltose PTS enzyme IIBC), mglB (methyl-galactose transporter subunit), nagE (N-acetyl glucosamine PTS enzyme IICBA), nanK (N-acetyl mannosamine kinase) or pgm (phosphoglucose mutase). Glucose metabolism was only blocked by the deletion of two metabolic genes, pgi (phosphoglucose isomerase) and zwf (glucose-6-phosphate 1-dehydrogenase), which prevents the entry of glucose-6-phosphate into the pentose phosphate and Embden–Meyerhof–Parnas pathways. Carbon-limited steady-state studies demonstrated that xylose must be sub-saturating for glucose to be metabolized, while nitrogen-limited studies showed that xylose is partly converted to glucose when xylose is in excess. Under transient conditions, ALS1406 converts almost 25 % (mass) xylose into glucose as a result of reversible transketolase and transaldolase and the re-entry of carbon into the pentose phosphate pathway via glucose-6-phosphate 1-dehydrogenase.
Validation of QTL mapping and transcriptome profiling for identification of candidate genes associated with nitrogen stress tolerance in sorghum.

Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) detected in one mapping population may not be detected in other mapping populations at all the time. Therefore, before being used for marker assisted breeding, QTLs need to be validated in different environments and/or genetic backgrounds to rule out statistical anomalies. In this regard, we mapped the QTLs controlling various agronomic traits in a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population in response to Nitrogen (N) stress and validated these with the reported QTLs in our earlier study to find the stable and consistent QTLs across populations. Also, with Illumina RNA-sequencing we checked the differential expression of gene (DEG) transcripts between parents and pools of RILs with high and low nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and overlaid these DEGs on to the common validated QTLs to find candidate genes associated with N-stress tolerance in sorghum. An F7 RIL population derived from a cross between CK60 (N-stress sensitive) and San Chi San (N-stress tolerant) inbred sorghum lines was used to map QTLs for 11 agronomic traits tested under different N-levels. Composite interval mapping analysis detected a total of 32 QTLs for 11 agronomic traits. Validation of these QTLs revealed that of the detected, nine QTLs from this population were consistent with the reported QTLs in earlier study using CK60/China17 RIL population. The validated QTLs were located on chromosomes 1, 6, 7, 8, and 9. In addition, root transcriptomic profiling detected 55 and 20 differentially expressed gene (DEG) transcripts between parents and pools of RILs with high and low NUE respectively. Also, overlay of these DEG transcripts on to the validated QTLs found candidate genes transcripts for NUE and also showed the expected differential expression. For example, DEG transcripts encoding Lysine histidine transporter 1 (LHT1) had abundant expression in San Chi San and the tolerant RIL pool, whereas DEG transcripts encoding seed storage albumin, transcription factor IIIC (TFIIIC) and dwarfing gene (DW2) encoding multidrug resistance-associated protein-9 homolog showed abundant expression in CK60 parent, similar to earlier study. The validated QTLs among different mapping populations would be the most reliable and stable QTLs across germplasm. The DEG transcripts found in the validated QTL regions will serve as future candidate genes for enhancing NUE in sorghum using molecular approaches.
Clostridium septicum α-toxin

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the α-toxin of Clostridium septicum. Studies of C. septicum exoproteins suggest that the organism produces at lease five extracellular proteins that include hemolysin(s), deoxyribonuclease, hyaluronidase, and a fibrinolysin. A rat, treated solely with α-toxin, demonstrates many of the same physiological conditions as patients with atraumatic gas-gangrene. These data suggest a significant role for α-toxin in the overall disease process. The α-toxin encoding gene has been cloned in Escherichia coli and its genetic sequence has been determined. The recombinant protein is expressed in E. coli and appears to be functionally the same as the wild-type protein. The α-toxin is activated to its cytolytic form by the proteolytic removal of a 4 kDa carboxy-terminus peptide. Protelolytic activation could potentially occur prior to or following cell binding; however, the most likely scenario is that activation occurs at the cell surface. Following activation, α-toxin aggregates into a high molecular-weight complex and forms anionic selective channels in the target membrane.
Are So-Called Normative Statements Practically the Same as Suitably Formulated So-Called Positive Statements? Evidence from a Survey of Economics Professors

In this paper, we investigate whether a statement like “the reform ought to be favored” is practically the same as “the reform would yield positive net consequences.” The first statement, featuring “ought,” is one that many economists would deem “normative,” the second, “positive.” But if the two statements are practically the same, where does that leave the positive-normative distinction? We advance the idea that any statement that is apt to be deemed “normative” can be recast as a statement that is practically the same but apt to be deemed “positive.” We generated empirical evidence on the idea by creating a set of surveys, fielded to economics professors. We sent out 3000 and received 574 completed surveys (19.1 percent). The key aspect of the surveys was that most of them contained both a “normative” formulation and a “positive” formulation, enabling investigation and assessment of practical sameness between the two formulations. When we sum all of the intra-individual-respondent differences between his or her “positive” answer and his or her “normative” answer—over all forms of the “positive” formulations, “for humankind (worldwide, present and future)”—we arrive at a sum of differences remarkably close to zero, a result consistent with the contention that so-called normative questions are practically the same as suitably formulated so-called positive questions. An online webpage contains numerous appendixes, allowing full replicability and including a kappa analysis and other ways of viewing our results.
Lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) and macrophage antigen-1 (Mac-1): Cooperative partners in leukocyte emigration and function

Lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1; [1]) and macrophage antigen-1 (Mac-1; [2]) are some of the best-characterized integrins. Like other integrins, their diverse relationships and functions have lead to complex nomenclature. Integrins are heterodimeric receptors, consisting of type-I transmembrane glycoprotein α and β subunits. The a subunits of LFA-1 and Mac-1 were first named as αL and αM, respectively, in 1983 [3, 4, 5] . The Third International Workshop on Human Leukocyte Differentiation Antigens assigned αL subunit as CD11a and αM subunit as CD11b, and the common β2 subunit as CD18 [6] The common β2 subunit of LFA-1 (αLβ2) and Mac-1 (αMβ2), forms a family with αxβ2 (p150,95, CD11c/CD18), and αDβ2 (CD11d/CD18). All four are expressed predominately on leukocytes [1, 7]. Another name of Mac-1 is complement receptor type-3 (CR3; [8]). Mac-1 had been called Mo-1 and OKM-1 early on until the antibodies were shown to recognize the same proteins [3, 6, 7, 9].
American Educators' Confrontation with Fascism.

This historical study explores how educators in the United States responded to the rise of fascism between the World Wars. By considering and then ultimately rejecting the fascist approach to educa...
Using Evidence-Based Dentistry in the Clinical Management of Combined Periodontal Conditions.

Abstract Objective This report proposes a framework to integrate evidence-based dentistry (EBD) in a systematic approach in the clinical management of a patient diagnosed with drug-induced gingival hyperplasia combined with generalized aggressive periodontitis.This report illustrates the case of a 37-year-old female who presented to the Department of Periodontology at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine with enlarged, tender, bleeding gums, and loose teeth combined with a history of uncontrolled hypertension treated with calcium channel blockers. Methods Incorporating the EBD process, a new 5-step framework is proposed: ask the clinical question, acquire and appraise the evidence, apply it in the clinical setting, and assess the subjective and objective outcomes. Articles on aggressive periodontitis and/or gingival enlargement were sought using the assistance of an expert librarian. The search was conducted on the PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases. Results Initial literature search identified 34 publications. Articles were reviewed by 2 clinicians, and 31 relevant articles were selected. Twenty-six of the references matched the levels of evidence initially agreed upon. Based on the scientific evidence, patient's chief complaint, and clinical expertise, a decision tree highlighting treatment options was compiled. The outcomes of the clinical management revealed that combined conditions can be successfully treated with nonsurgical therapy before proceeding with surgical therapy. Conclusion Within the limitations of this study, integrating EBD concepts was a reliable method to treat an atypical case, where 2 severe periodontal conditions were combined: drug-induced gingival enlargement and generalized aggressive periodontitis.
Prolapse of the Rectum

Although there is no standard terminology for the various lesions that are grouped together under this heading, most surgeons loosely define the term “prolapse” as the protrusion of either mucous membrane or the entire muscular wall of the rectum outside the anus. To be more specific, one should use the term “mucosal prolapse” or “procidentia,” which is defined as the extrusion of the entire rectum including the muscular wall.
Some factors controlling step-wise variation of organelle number in Euglena gracilis

Abstract Both nuclear and plastid ploidy double during the first 2–3 cell generations during the phosphate-induced shift from half ploidy to full ploidy in mixotrophic Euglena . Growth conditions can affect nuclear and plastid ploidy differently; plastid ploidy is more labile than nuclear ploidy during heterotrophic growth of both wild type and mutant cells, while nuclear ploidy is more labile during photoautotrophic growth.
Ultrafiltration/Hemofiltration Overview: Where Does CAVH Fit?

Hemofiltration was initiated as a test strategy to evaluate the pathophysiologic significance of “middle molecules” for the uremic patient (1,2). As such, the system was devised for use in the patient with stable end stage renal failure. As originally applied it was recognized to be at a disadvantage in the removal of low molecular weight solutes (< 350 daltons) when compared with hemodialysis. Many changes in how convective mass transport is applied have occurred since then. Postdilution versus predilution (3), hemodiafiltration (4–6) combining the best of both diffusion and convection, and continuous low efficiency hemofiltration for the treatment of acute renal failure (7) are some of the creative applications to which this ultrafiltration methodology has been put. In placing this spectrum of techniques into the perspective of “where does CAVH fit,” I would wish to take a brief backward look in order to extrapolate the future.
Sonochemically Synthesized Ultrastable High Internal Phase Emulsions via a Permanent Interfacial Layer

In this work, we demonstrate sonochemically synthesized high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs), which feature high stability due to a permanent layer at the oil–water interface that nearly any material can form as long as it can be cross-linked during acoustic cavitation. Compared to conventional HIPEs prepared by homogenization emulsification, these ultrasonically prepared HIPEs exhibit excellent performance, including high tolerance to environmental shock (e.g., pH and surfactant) and excellent processability, as well as the capacity to structure liquid oil and provide controlled delivery for bioactive compounds. By changing the acoustic intensity, we can also easily tune the morphology, rheological properties, porosity, and closed-/open-cell structure of the porous materials. Furthermore, this unique type of HIPE is potentially sustainable because it can be stabilized solely by natural materials, such as proteins and polysaccharides, even at 0.5 wt %, without introducing any additional surfactants or sy...
Banding‐free balanced SSFP cardiac cine using frequency modulation and phase cycle redundancy

Purpose To develop a method for banding-free balanced SSFP cardiac cine imaging in a single breath-hold. Methods A frequency modulation scheme was designed for cardiac applications to eliminate the time normally required for steady-state stabilization between multiple phase-cycled acquisitions. Highly undersampled acquisitions were reconstructed using a model-based reconstruction that exploits redundancy both over time and between phase cycles. Performance of the methods was evaluated using both retrospective and prospective undersampling in scans with and without frequency modulation from four subjects. Results The proposed methods enabled balanced SSFP cardiac cine with three effective phase cycles in only 10 heartbeats. Images acquired with frequency modulation and with standard phase cycling were of similar quality. The combination of temporal and inter-acquisition similarity constraints reduced errors by approximately 45% compared to enforcing similarity constraints over time alone. Conclusions In off-resonance conditions that preclude the acquisition of single-acquisition balanced SSFP, phase cycling can eliminate the dark bands in balanced SSFP cine cardiac imaging at the expense of some SNR efficiency. The proposed techniques permit these types of acquisitions in a single breath-hold.
Liberatory Practices of Teaching in Difference and Repetition

Progressive educators must find ways of addressing the unconscious investments of desire that subvert free actions if they want to inspire just practices. This essay takes up that challenge, descri...
Untangling Nonerosive Reflux Disease From Functional Heartburn

Heartburn is a common symptom in clinical practice, but as many as 70% of patients have normal findings from upper endoscopy. Most of these patients have nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) or functional esophageal disorders. NERD is the most common phenotype of gastroesophageal reflux disease, and functional heartburn is the most common cause for refractory heartburn. In patients with NERD, symptoms arise from gastroesophageal reflux and esophageal hypersensitivity, whereas in patients with functional heartburn, symptoms result from esophageal hypersensitivity. A diagnosis of NERD requires endoscopy and reflux testing, whereas a diagnosis of functional heartburn also requires esophageal manometry. NERD is treated most commonly with medical, endoscopic, and surgical antireflux approaches, whereas functional heartburn as well as NERD can be treated with neuromodulators, psychological intervention, and complementary medicine options.
DECAY OF 284-DAY $sup 144$Ce, 17.3-MIN $sup 144$Pr, AND A NEW ISOMER, 7.2- MIN /sup 144m/Pr.

The half-life of the 59.03-keV ${3}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ level of $^{144}\mathrm{Pr}$ was measured to be 7.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3 min. The decay schemes of $^{144}\mathrm{Ce}$ and the isomers of $^{144}\mathrm{Pr}$ have been investigated using Ge(Li) detectors. From the results of the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray studies, we propose a (0.05\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03)% $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay branch from $^{144m}\mathrm{Pr}$ to the ${3}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ level at 1510 keV in $^{144}\mathrm{Nd}$. The $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray spectra and decay scheme of $^{144}\mathrm{Ce}$ are in accord with the electron-conversion work of Geiger, Graham, and Ewan.
Clinical prediction rule for SARS-CoV-2 infection from 116 U.S. emergency departments

Abstract Objectives Accurate and reliable criteria to rapidly estimate the probability of infection with the novel coronavirus-2 that causes the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) and associated disease (COVID-19) remain an urgent unmet need, especially in emergency care. The objective was to derive and validate a clinical prediction rule for SARS-CoV-2 infection that uses simple criteria widely available at the point of care. Methods Data came from the Registry data from the national REgistry of suspected COVID-19 in EmeRgency care (RECOVER network) comprising 116 hospitals from 25 states in the US. Clinical predictors and 30-day outcomes were abstracted from medical records of 19,850 emergency department (ED) patients tested for SARS-CoV-2. The criterion standard for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 required a positive molecular test from a swabbed sample or positive antibody testing within 30 days. The prediction rule was derived from a 50% random sample (n=9,925) using unadjusted analysis of 107 candidate variables as a screening step, followed by stepwise forward logistic regression on 72 variables. Results Multivariable regression yielded a 13-variable score, which was simplified to 13-point rule: +1 point each for age>50 years, measured temperature>37.5°C, oxygen saturation 75% probability with +5 or more points). Conclusion Criteria that are available at the point of care can accurately predict the probability of SARS-CoV-2 infection. These criteria could assist with decision about isolation and testing at high throughput checkpoints. Key points Question Can clinical criteria, derived solely from interview and vital signs accurately estimate the probability of infection from the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19? Findings From derivation sample (n=9,925), we derived a set of 13 clinical criteria that produced an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.80 (0.79-0.81) in a validation sample (n=9,925). At a score of zero, the simplified version of the criteria produced sensitivity of 95.6% (94.8 to 96.3%), and specificity of 20.0% (19.0 to 21.0%). Meaning Clinical criteria can estimate the probability of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
From Delaware to Israel: Evaluating Israel's Quasi Experiment of a Specialized Corporate Court

The Delaware Court of Chancery’s success has made the court a role model for both specialized economic courts in the United States and worldwide. Specialized economic courts are perceived by international organizations such as the World Bank and the OECD as an important element in the creation of a capable and effective judiciary, typically a perquisite for economic growth. In December 2010, Israel's legislature established a specialized division in Tel Aviv District Court to adjudicate corporate and securities law violations. This study is the first to examine the reform’s results and to provide an empirical account of securities civil litigation in Israel since the specialized division’s implementation. We employed a quasi-experimental research design to evaluate whether this structural change in the court affected civil enforcement through class and derivative actions in terms of litigation rates, forum selection, and court performance. In addition, a network analysis method was used to evaluate the new tribunal’s contribution to the formulation of a new body of law in the financial field.By manually curating 242 class and derivative actions adjudicated by both the specialized division and general district courts from 2006 to 2014, we found that although the new tribunal did not lead to the initiation of a greater number of procedures, it did cause a major shift in forum selection and thus became the center of securities litigation in Israel. Moreover, specialization has led to greater efficiency in the Tel Aviv District Court and therefore has made this court equivalent to other district courts even though this court handles the more complex cases that are typical of the economic capital of Israel. More importantly, the new tribunal set numerous precedents that help clarify the legal constraints on actors in the financial market and promote deterrence. Finally, the specialized judges rely on each other’s decisions and, as such, operate as a united bench to develop coherent and consistent case law.We conclude that in the Israeli context, specialization has proven an effective means to empower the judiciary and to promote investor protection. As such, with one foot in the civil procedure realm and the other in the corporate governance realm, this study reveals the connections between specialization, civil enforcement, and the creation of new norms by the judiciary in the financial field.
Point-To-Point Communication Using Migrating Ports

We describe and evaluate an implementation of a port-based communication model for task-parallel programs. This model permits tasks to communicate without explicit knowledge of the location or identity of their communication partners, which facilitates modular programming and the development of programs that consist of multiple communicating tasks per processing node. We present the protocols used for point-to-point communication and port migration, expressed in terms of portable abstractions for naming, threading, and asynchronous communication provided by the Nexus runtime system. Experimental results on an IBM SP allow us to quantify the performance costs of the functionality associated with port-based communication. We conclude that task-to-task communication via ports can be achieved efficiently even using standard system software, but that improvements in the integration of threading and communication mechanisms would improve performance significantly.
Coupled metabolic and photolytic pathway for degradation of pyridinedicarboxylic acids, especially dipicolinic Acid.

Three isomers of pyridinedicarboxylic acid (PDCA) (2,3-, 2,5-, and 2,6-PDCA) were partially oxidized by marine bacteria when grown aerobically on the corresponding phthalate analogs. The metabolites, unlike the parent PDCAs, absorbed light in the solar actinic range (wavelengths greater than 300 nm) and were readily degraded in sunlight. The principal product from 2,6-PDCA (dipicolinic acid) metabolism was extracted from a culture fluid, purified by column chromatography, and analyzed by UV-visible, infrared, and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The compound was identified as 2,3-dihydroxypicolinic acid (2,3-DHPA). 2,3-DHPA was photolyzed in aqueous solution (pH 8.0) with a half-life of 100 min. Eight photoproducts, three of which were photolabile, were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography. Ammonia was also photoproduced from 2,3-DHPA. Analysis of the photoproducts by UV-visible spectroscopy and by high-performance liquid chromatography of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones indicated that the products were conjugated carbonyls and carboxylic acids. Six of the photoproducts were readily consumed by bacterial strain CC9M. In illuminated aquatic environments, coupled bio- and photodegradative mechanisms probably contribute to the degradation of PDCAs.
Reexamination of ultra-thin nipple shield use, infant growth and maternal satisfaction.

Aims and objectives. The primary objective of the multi-site, international study was to examine trends in weight gain for term infants breastfed with and without ultra-thin silicone nipple shields to determine the effect of nipple shield use on infant weight gain over two months. Additionally, the study examined maternal satisfaction with nipple shield use using a structured survey. Background. The nipple shield may facilitate successful breastfeeding outcomes when indicated. There has been question regarding infant weight gain with nipple shield use. A published pilot study using within-subject design indicated no significant difference in infant test weights and maternal prolactin levels when breastfeeding with and without nipple shields. The current study builds and expands upon the pilot study. Design. Prospective, multi-site, non-randomised, between-subject study. Method. Maternal-infant dyads (n = 54) who used a nipple shield for breastfeeding were studied. Results. Results demonstrate no statistically significant difference in infant weight gain at two weeks, one month and two months between infants who breastfed with and infants who breastfed without a nipple shield. A majority (89·8%) of the women reported a positive experience with nipple shield use and 67·3% of the women reported that the nipple shield helped prevent breastfeeding termination. Conclusion. Infant weight gain was similar in maternal-infant dyads using nipple shields for two months compared to those not using the shields. Maternal positive report of nipple shield use lends to the clinical importance of nipple shield use when appropriately indicated. Relevance to clinical practice. Nipple shield use may facilitate breastfeeding when clinically indicated in maternal-infant dyads without risk of decreased infant weight gain.
The role of domain-specific knowledge in promoting generative reasoning in genetics

Promoting the ability to reason generatively about novel phenomena and problems students may encounter in their everyday lives is a major goal of science education. This goal proves to be a formidable challenge in domains, such as molecular genetics, for which the accumulated scientific understandings are daunting in both amount and complexity. To develop effective instruction that fosters generative reasoning we need to have a sound understanding of the types of knowledge in the domain that are critical for such reasoning. In this study I examined the ensemble of knowledge undergraduate students employed in explaining genetic phenomena and solving problems about them. I characterized two key knowledge types: domain-specific heuristics and domain-specific explanatory schemas that are crucial for understanding the dynamics and entities central to molecular genetics phenomena. I then developed a cognitive model that highlights the role of these powerful conceptual understandings in promoting generative reasoning in genetics.
Magnetic flux annihilation in a large Josephson junction

Abstract : Recent developments in the theory of the sine-Gordon equation are used to analyze the appearance of a displaced linear branch in the voltampere characteristic of a large Josephson junction. Internally the junction is divided into a flux annihilation domain near the center and flux flow domains near the edges. The displaced linear branch is experimental evidence for the existence of flux flow domains. In the flux annihilation domain, an ac voltage component is induced by the continuous formation and decay of sine-Gordon breathers. Whitham's nonlinear WKB method is used to analyze the flux flow domains while the inverse scattering transform method is used as a qualitative guide to the study of breather formation in the flux annihilation domain. (Author)