cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ideas for Yellow Growth Strategies

Publisher Summary Like a growth strategy of any other color, a yellow growth strategy is designed to ultimately improve the effectiveness of the organization in reaching customers old, new, and improving its value creation. But perhaps unlike the other growth strategies, it is all about getting people to achieve their highest potential. It is difficult for many organizations to sustain a higher performance culture—in part because nobody has the time to focus on it. But there are specific tools to achieve this. The abundance approach is one such tool. It is a part of what has been called positive leadership. It is an approach being increasingly used by many high-performance organizations. A yellow growth strategy attends to the long-term growth of the organization. It is about sustainability. Whereas blue and red growth strategies focus on short-term results, yellow keeps an eye on the long term results. And the long term involves using the power of engagement, integration, and teamwork to create a growth strategy that draws its energy from within the organization. For a company with a yellow-focused strategy, investing in employees is a business necessity. The investment develops confidence in employees and builds team spirit.
37-THz Bandwidth Free-Space Electro-Optic Sampling

Our recent experimental results of free-space electro-optic detection of THz beams demonstrate an oscillation period of a mid-infrared THz beam as short as 31 fs. The upper-limit of frequency bandwidth reaches to 37 THz (8 µm).
Traffic Aware Virtual Machine Packing in Cloud Data Centers

This paper investigates the virtual machine packing problem in cloud data centers. A cloud tenant expresses computation requirement for each virtual machine (VM) and bandwidth requirement for each pair of VMs. A cloud provider places the VMs and routes the traffic among the VMs in a way that minimizes the total number of servers used while providing both computation and bandwidth guarantees. We formulate a special Multi-Capacity Bin Packing problem that consolidates VMs into the smallest number of servers. A server is represented by a bin with multiple capacities corresponding to the computation resource (CPU, memory, and storage) and communication bandwidth resource available. Unlike bin packing, in the traffic-aware VM packing, the cumulative bandwidth requirement of all VMs hosted in a server can be smaller than the sum of bandwidth demand of all VMs due to the co-location. Our experimental results show the proposed solutions significantly reduce the number of servers needed as well as the total inter-server traffic, and will have great potential for reducing energy consumption in data centers.
Experimental Considerations for Nuclear γ-Ray Astronomy

In this chapter considerations pertinent to the design of experiments will be discussed. Instrument backgrounds present a basic limitation to the flux sensitivity for any detector scheme; however, the a priori determination of the background for a nuclear γ-ray line experiment is an extremely foreboding task. Therefore we present some of the important basic limitations affecting the background in an experiment, as well as some important results obtained in actual practice by various groups. Improvements can only be made with a knowledge of these basic limitations. A short discussion is also given of the flux sensitivity and energy and spatial resolution requirements for the field. Finally, the most significant detection methods that are in use now, or are being developed for forthcoming experiments, will be reviewed. A recent review by Peterson (1975) gives a discussion of some experimental techniques used in X-ray astronomy and complements some of the discussion here.
Effect of mitomycin c and 5‐flurouracil adjuvant therapy on the outcomes of Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation

Background To examine the effect of mitomycin c (MMC) and 5-flurouracil (5-FU) on treatment outcomes following Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation. Design Retrospective consecutive case series. Participants Fifty patients who received AGV implantation from 1999–2013 in the San Francisco VA hospital. Methods The + INJECTION group received intraoperative MMC followed by postoperative injections of MMC and/or 5-FU whereas the -INJECTION group did not. Main Outcome Measures Primary outcome was treatment success at one year post-implantation. Intraocular pressure (IOP), the presence of a hypertensive phase (HP), and the number of glaucoma medications were examined at time points up to one year. Results Twenty-six patients/eyes in the + INJECTION group and 24 patients/eyes in the -INJECTION group were included. Treatment success was higher in the + INJECTION compared to the -INJECTION group (86% versus 58%; p = 0.04). IOP was lower in the + INJECTION compared to the -INJECTION group at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months (p < <0.00001, p = 0.00003, 0.0008, and 0.024, respectively). HP occurred less often in the + INJECTION group compared to the -INJECTION group (3.8% versus 54%; p = 0.021). The + INJECTION group required fewer medications compared to the -INJECTION group (p = 0.02, 0.002, 0.003, and 0.008 at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively). Complication rates were comparable between the two groups (46.2% and 54.2%, respectively; p = 0.63). Conclusion Adjuvant treatment with antifibrotics following AGV implantation decreased the HP and improved surgical outcomes without impacting complication rates at one year. This study postulates a role for antifibrotics in the postoperative management of AGV implantation.
An Introduction to Macroeconomic Theory

The body of written material styled “macroeconomics” has expanded rapidly since 1960, inspired by technological breakthroughs, the ceaseless controversy between what essentially seem to be “conservative” and “liberal” points of view, and the obvious urgency of the problems of inflation, unemployment, and the rate of growth (in most countries). While the literature has grown – exploded really – there has been a tendency toward fragmentation and, regrettably, a tendency to forget all but the most recent and most striking results. There is, consequently, a continuing need to assess the state of the art in macroeconomics – both in its theory and in its policy – and in this spirit what is contained here is a synthesis across the major parts of the subject and a retroactive but selective survey going back some twenty or so years. What is hoped is that this will provide density to the mainstream of macro-material, insight into the current literature, and some hints as to where it all might be going.
Hermann Kunisch, ed. Handbuch der deutschen Gegenwartsliteratur. Zweite, verbesserte und erweiterte Auflage. Redaktion Herbert Wiesner in Zusammenarbeit mit Helge Kähler, Christoph Stoll und Irene Živsa: München: Nymphenburger Verlagshandlung. 1969–70. 3 vols. Pp. 411,478, 160

(1972). Hermann Kunisch, ed. Handbuch der deutschen Gegenwartsliteratur. Zweite, verbesserte und erweiterte Auflage. Redaktion Herbert Wiesner in Zusammenarbeit mit Helge Kahler, Christoph Stoll und Irene Živsa. The Germanic Review: Literature, Culture, Theory: Vol. 47, No. 3, pp. 220-227.
Identifying off-target effects of etomoxir reveals that carnitine palmitoyltransferase I is essential for cancer cell proliferation independent of β-oxidation

It has been suggested that some cancer cells rely upon fatty acid oxidation (FAO) for energy. Here we show that when FAO was reduced approximately 90% by pharmacological inhibition of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT1) with low concentrations of etomoxir, the proliferation rate of various cancer cells was unaffected. Efforts to pharmacologically inhibit FAO more than 90% revealed that high concentrations of etomoxir (200 μM) have an off-target effect of inhibiting complex I of the electron transport chain. Surprisingly, however, when FAO was reduced further by genetic knockdown of CPT1, the proliferation rate of these same cells decreased nearly 2-fold and could not be restored by acetate or octanoic acid supplementation. Moreover, CPT1 knockdowns had altered mitochondrial morphology and impaired mitochondrial coupling, whereas cells in which CPT1 had been approximately 90% inhibited by etomoxir did not. Lipidomic profiling of mitochondria isolated from CPT1 knockdowns showed depleted concentrations of complex structural and signaling lipids. Additionally, expression of a catalytically dead CPT1 in CPT1 knockdowns did not restore mitochondrial coupling. Taken together, these results suggest that transport of at least some long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria by CPT1 may be required for anabolic processes that support healthy mitochondrial function and cancer cell proliferation independent of FAO.
AB0538 Increased body mass index may not be a risk factor for the development of lupus nephritis

Background Studies have indicated that elevated body mass index (BMI) increases risk of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Obesity is a low grade inflammatory state which leads to CKD by glomerulosclerosis. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is associated with high leptin levels and dyslipidemia. We hypothesised that obese SLE patients may be at increased risk of nephritis. Objectives We studied BMI as possible predictor for development of lupus nephritis (LN) in SLE. Methods We performed a retrospective cross sectional study on a longitudinal lupus cohort. Patients were enrolled from year 1987 to 2015. We compared demographics, clinical information, labs between patients with and without LN (table 1) and between patients with SLE with and without obesity. Mean and standard deviations were reported for continuous variables. Number and percentages were shown for categorical variables and chi-square test was utilised for comparison. T- test was used to compare patients between the groups. Results Total of 1362 patients with SLE fulfilling revised ACR criteria were included; 60.9% were Caucasian and 32.8% African American. 596 had biopsy-proven LN however 524 patients were excluded because they had proteinuria before or at cohort entry. Only first available BMI were analysed: 32.7% were obese (BMI >30 kg/m 2 ), 27.2% overweight (BMI: 25–29.9 kg/m 2 ), 37.5% normal (BMI: 18.5–24.9 kg/m 2 ) and 2.6% underweight (BMI 2 ). 39.4% (537) patients were on steroids at first BMI measurement. Results are described in table 1. BMI measured as continuous (p=0.51) and categorical variables (overweight p=0.64, obese p=0.67) were not associated with LN after adjusting for age, sex and ethnicity. SLE patients with obesity were found to have lower disease activity (SLEDAI), proteinuria, dsDNA titers and higher complement levels. Conclusions Obesity was not associated with the development of lupus nephritis. Obese patients with SLE had lower disease activity as measured by SLEDAI, dsDNA titers and complement levels. Disclosure of Interest None declared
Intermittent subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation induces risk-aversive behavior in human subjects

Deep brain stimulation, or DBS for short, is used to treat movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease in patients who are responding inadequately to medications. It requires implanting an electrode into the brain and using electrical stimulation aimed at a specific cluster of brain cells to reduce unwanted symptoms. DBS helps to normalize abnormal brain activity similar to a pacemaker resetting an abnormal heart rhythm. Scientists are currently studying whether DBS might also help people with obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, Alzheimer’s disease or other disorders that affect thinking. To alter human behavior and treat disorders that affect thinking, DBS will have to be delivered at precise time points as the brain processes information. One potential target is for DBS in both movement and thinking disorders is the subthalamic nucleus. This is a small almond-shaped cluster of brain cells that helps people stop movements. Recent studies suggest it also may play a role in processing emotions, controlling inappropriate responses, and psychiatric illnesses. Now, Patel et al. show that the subthalamic nucleus helps people decide what to do in the face of uncertainty and that targeting this brain structure with DBS can shift a person’s decision-making. In the experiments, patients with Parkinson’s disease who were awake and undergoing surgery to implant the DBS electrodes also played a computerized gambling game. Patel et al. recorded the electrical activity in the brain cells of the patient’s subthalamic nucleus during the game. The experiments showed that when patients were faced with a decision with 50/50 odds, the pattern of electrical activity in the cells of their subthalamic nucleus reveals their choice about 500 milliseconds before they act on it. After their surgeries, patients engaged in the same gambling game. This time, Patel et al. specifically targeted the decision-related activity in their subthalamic nucleus with DBS. This caused the patients to make fewer risky decisions in the game. The experiments show DBS can change decision-making behavior in humans. Newer DBS technology may be even more effective at treating brain disorders and cause fewer side effects. Further study into how the brain processes information will also help scientists to better target DBS and possibly treat a broader range of diseases.
Draft Genome Sequence of Strain LSUCC0057, a Member of the SAR92 Clade of Gammaproteobacteria.

ABSTRACT We present the draft genome sequence of strain LSUCC0057, a member of the SAR92 clade of Gammaproteobacteria, isolated from coastal waters near Buras, LA. The genome contains proteorhodopsin and indicates the potential for aerobic heterotrophy, assimilatory sulfate reduction, and carotenoid biosynthesis.
Macroplastique for women with stress urinary incontinence secondary to intrinsic sphincter deficiency.

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the subjective and objective outcomes of Macroplastique® (MPQ) in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) secondary to intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD). Materials and Methods Following Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, charts of non-neurogenic women with SUI secondary to ISD who underwent MPQ injection and had 6 months minimum follow-up were reviewed from a prospectively maintained database. Patients were divided into 3 groups: Naive (Group I), Prior Anti-Incontinence Surgery (Group II), and combined Prior Bulking Agent and Anti-Incontinence Surgery (Group III). Data collected included SUI self-report, Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) Question 3, and VAS Quality of Life (QoL) Questionnaire scores at baseline and in follow-up. Three-dimensional ultrasound (3DUS) evaluated volume/configuration of MPQ. Success was defined after the last MPQ injection as a UDI-6 Question 3 score of 0 (dry) or 1, and no reoperation for SUI. Results From 2011-2017, 106 of 142 women met study criteria. At a median follow-up of 20 months (mean=26 months; range: 6-71), success rate was 41% for Group I, 40% for Group II, and 65% for Group III (p = 0.22). QoL scores were significantly improved over baseline in all groups. There was no significant difference in clinical outcome between the asymmetrical and symmetrical group on 3DUS. The completely dry rate was highest in Group III at 29%, compared to 4% for Group I and 15% for Group II (p = 0.05). Conclusion Macroplastique® improved subjective and objective outcome measures for SUI secondary to ISD as both a primary and secondary treatment option in women.
Return-to-Play and Rehabilitation Protocols following Cartilage Restoration Procedures of the Knee: A Systematic Review.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to systematically review the literature and to evaluate the reported rehabilitation protocols, return-to-play guidelines, and subsequent rates of return to pla...
Applying Coupled Inductor to Voltage and Current Balanced Between Paralleled SiC MOSFETs for a Resonant Pulsed Power Converter

Paralleling the silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETs is a cost-effective solution for increasing the pulse current rating. However, the device mismatch and asymmetrical circuit layout would lead to an imbalance voltage and current of the paralleled SiC MOSFETs. In this paper, a passive approach that an inversely coupled inductor was implemented for a resonant pulsed power converter. The coupled inductor enables even imbalanced voltage and current suppression of the parallel SiC MOSFETs, and also helps with the pulse width adjustment. The operating principle, analysis of the voltage and current balance mechanism, and the coupled inductor design are fully presented and discussed. Finally, a 200~300 VDC input, -8 kV output prototype was built to validate the analysis and effectiveness of the proposed concept.
Eliminating Barriers: Building Stronger Relationships with Teen Library Patrons

Young adult librarianship is a rewarding yet challenging occupation. While trying to provide the highest-level services and programming possible for this segment of the population, teen librarians ...
High-Density Lipoproteins and Serum Amyloid A (SAA).

Serum amyloid A (SAA) is a highly sensitive acute phase reactant that has been linked to a number of chronic inflammatory diseases. During a systemic inflammatory response, liver-derived SAA is primarily found on high-density lipoprotein (HDL). The purpose of this review is to discuss recent literature addressing the pathophysiological functions of SAA and the significance of its association with HDL. Studies in gene-targeted mice establish that SAA contributes to atherosclerosis and some metastatic cancers. Accumulating evidence indicates that the lipidation state of SAA profoundly affects its bioactivities, with lipid-poor, but not HDL-associated, SAA capable of inducing inflammatory responses in vitro and in vivo. Factors that modulate the equilibrium between lipid-free and HDL-associated SAA have been identified. HDL may serve to limit SAA’s bioactivities in vivo. Understanding the factors leading to the release of systemic SAA from HDL may provide insights into chronic disease mechanisms.
Outcomes of Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Immunotherapy in Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients With Brain Metastases.

OBJECTIVE The impact of immunotherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in treatment of brain metastases (BM) from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has not been well investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-eight patients with 372 RCC BM were treated with SRS and divided into those ever treated with immunotherapy versus those who never received immunotherapy. Survival and local control (LC) outcomes were studied. χ2 and Mann-Whitney U tests compared categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to estimate survival and log-rank test was used to compare survival between groups. RESULTS Immunotherapy and nonimmunotherapy groups contained 29 and 19 patients, respectively. Median follow-up was 23.1 months (range, 6 to 93.8 mo). Demographic and treatment variables were similar except median prescribed margin dose was significantly lower in immunotherapy group (20 vs. 22 Gy, P<0.0001). Median overall survival (OS) was 27.2 months (immunotherapy) and 14.9 months (nonimmunotherapy), P=0.14. Furthermore, patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) had even better median OS compared with those who never received ICI (33 vs. 16.7 mo, P=0.03). Factors associated with improved LC were use of ICI (P=0.002) and lesion size <1000 mm3 (P=0.046). There was no difference in incidence of radiation necrosis between the 2 groups (P=0.67). CONCLUSIONS Patients with RCC BM undergoing SRS can experience prolonged survival when treated with ICI. Equally effective LC of BM was achieved when treated with immunotherapy using a 2 Gy decrease in SRS dose without increasing the risk of central nervous system toxicity.
Community-Based Multi-Sensory Structural Health Monitoring System: A Smartphone Accelerometer and Camera Fusion Approach

Assessing the structural integrity of buildings after an earthquake is necessary for citizens to be able to use these facilities safely after the event. The currently available structural health monitoring (SHM) systems use a dense network of sensors installed in buildings to monitor their behavior during earthquakes. Such a network is impractical with respect to cost and deployment time for the vast majority of buildings; therefore, most structures remain uninstrumented. However, a massive network of citizen-owned smart devices, such as tablets and smartphones that contain cameras and vibration sensors, has already been deployed. This paper develops a framework that can crowdsource readings from distributed citizen-owned smart devices and convert these readings into actionable information. Although prior community-based seismic research focused on using smartphones to provide early disaster warnings, the proposed system focuses specifically on using video captured on a smartphone to directly assess the structural health of buildings post-earthquake, thus providing citizens and emergency personnel with immediate relevant information regarding the health state of buildings. This paper presents a novel self-calibration technique for a smartphone camera using its internal accelerometer readings. Shake table experiments show that the proposed technique can achieve sub-millimeter accuracy, demonstrating its suitability for SHM applications.
A study of fetal acceleration tests

The fetal acceleration test (FAT) is a means of assessing uteroplacental integrity by observing fetal heart patterns while being stressed by fetal movement. Of 584 tests performed on high-risk obstetric patients, 176 were done within 1 week prior to delivery. Favorable antepartum FAT results correlated with unremarkable initial intrapartum fetal monitor tracings in 128 (97.7 per cent) of 131 cases and also favorable 5 minute Apgar scores (7 to 10) in 128 (97.7 per cent) of 131 cases. An inconclusive FAT correlated with an abnormal OCT or intrapartum monitor tracing in nine of 10 tracings. Two infants with previously abnormal or suspicious FAT, OCT, and intrapartum fetal heart tracings were stillborn. The FAT was also less time-consuming and had fewer complications. These results show the FAT to be an effective clinical test for managing high-risk pregnancies with possible placental insufficiency.
Improving access to health care in Latino communities.

Abstract Public debate about health care reform often focuses on the need for health insurance coverage, but in Latino communities many other barriers also inhibit access to medical care. In addition, basic public health services often go underfunded or ignored. Thus, health care reform efforts, nationally and in each State, must embrace a broader view of the issues if the needs of Latino communities are to be served. This report reviews and summarizes information about the mounting problems Latino communities face in gaining access to medical care. Access to appropriate medical care is reduced by numerous financial, structural, and institutional barriers. Financial barriers include the lack of health insurance coverage and low family incomes common in Latino communities. More than 7 million Latinos (39 percent) go without health insurance coverage. Latinos without health insurance receive about half as much medical care as those who are insured. Structurally, the delivery system organization rarely reflects the cultural or social concerns of the communities where they are located. Therefore, providers and patients fail to communicate their concerns adequately. These communication problems are exacerbated by the extreme shortage of Latino health care professionals and other resources available. Institutional barriers often reflect the failure to consider what it means to provide good service as well as high-quality medical care. Reducing these barriers to medical care requires modifying governmental and institutional policies, expanding the supply of competent providers, restructuring delivery system incentives to ensure primary care and public health services, and enhancing service and satisfaction with care.
Marfan Syndrome and Intracranial Aneurysms

To the Editor: Two brain autopsy series of patients with Marfan syndrome have now been published1 2 and, in contrast to the conclusions drawn by Conway and colleagues,2 they strongly suggest that patients with Marfan syndrome are at an increased risk of harboring an intracranial aneurysm. Combining the 2 autopsy series, incidental intracranial aneurysms were found in 2 (6.5%) of 31 patients with Marfan syndrome.1 2 This could be compared with the 0.8% to 1.3% prevalence of incidental intracranial aneurysms in the general autopsy populations at the 2 institutions.1 2 However, the mean ages of the patients in the series with Marfan syndrome at autopsy were only 281 and 392 years, respectively, and intracranial aneurysms are now well recognized to be acquired lesions. The expected prevalence of incidental intracranial aneurysms in the third and fourth decades of life would be much lower. For example, in the Johns Hopkins autopsy study used by Conway and colleagues as representative of the general autopsy population, the prevalence of incidental …
Mobilizing for Human Rights: Equality for Women: Education, Work, and Reproductive Rights

Recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world. UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights CEDAW is an international agreement that will change the relationship between labor and employers and women and men in Japan. If we do not have the agreement, Japanese society will not move toward change. Editorial, Yomiuri Shimbun , 27 July 1984 The legal regime for international human rights has always been conceived as universal – that is, as applying to every human being. As time passed, however, it became clear to specific groups of activists how it would help their cause were these rights to be institutionalized for specific vulnerable groups. Racial minorities, women, and children were to be protected by waves of obligations that not only formalized earlier treaties, such as the ICCPR and ICESCR, but also addressed concerns specific to these groups. This chapter asks whether and how the CEDAW has improved the rights chances of women around the world. In the previous chapter, the ICCPR was shown to be associated with improvements in the delivery of civil and political rights, though these findings were hardly uniform. The strongest effects were found not in the stable autocracies or the stable democracies, but rather in those countries in which only moderate levels of democracy exist or that experienced a transition (whether liberal or illiberal).
Low frequency spectral lines from the cold ISM

The lines of interest are radio recombination lines. These lines have been observed at centimeter and millimeter wavelengths for twenty-five years, as discussed at a recent retrospective (IAU Colloquium No. 125) held in Pushchino, USSR. Decametric observations of recombination lines were first reported by Konovalenko and Sodin (1980), although the correct identification was made subsequently by Blake, Crutcher, and Watson (1980). The lines were seen in absorption, whereas all higher frequency lines had been seen in emission. Subsequent observations at intermediate frequencies have traced the transition between absorption and emission in at least one line of sight (Payne, Anantharamaiah, and Erickson 1989, hereafter PAE).
Site-directed mutagenesis of the -10 region of the lacUV5 promoter. Introduction of dA4.dT4 tract suppresses open complex formation.

Homopolymeric dAn.dTn sequences, where n is 4 or greater, have special properties leading to increased duplex stability and DNA bending. The lacUV5 promoter was used to examine the functional consequences of changing the -10 TATAAT consensus sequence to the sequence TAAAAT. The transversion mutation at the underlined site was accomplished with site-directed mutagenesis using translation termination as the selection procedure. For free DNA, structural differences at the 5' and 3' junction regions of the dA4.dT4 tract can be readily detected by DNase I digestion. However, site binding by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase appeared unaltered by the TAAAAT sequence since identical DNase I footprints were obtained for the lacUV5 and mutant promoters. Binding competition studies under different ionic strengths revealed a significant reduction in mutant promoter open complex formation relative to the lacUV5 promoter. Mutant promoter open complexes also dissociated faster and to a greater extent than the corresponding lacUV5 promoter open complexes when challenged with heparin or a combination of heparin and increased KCl concentration. Consequently, mutant promoter open complexes appear less stable than lacUV5 promoter open complexes.
Measurement and modeling of auroral absorption of HF radio waves using a single receiver

[1] We develop a new method of measuring auroral absorption using only a single passive HF receiver detecting a large number of existing HF transmissions. Although the locations, strengths, and timetables of these sources are not known, their large number allows them to be treated statistically. Modeling the distribution of the sources and using the Foppiano and Bradley [1983] model for the propagation of the waves leads to a simulated pattern of received signals at the receiver as a function of time of day which agrees well with the observed pattern.
Constraints on the Venusian crustal thickness variations in the isostatic stagnant lid approximation

[1] The isostatic stagnant lid (ISL) approximation is applied to the long-wavelength Venusian topography and geoid to place constraints on the thickness of the crust and lithosphere. Previous studies showed that a purely thermal isostasy model of the lithosphere (the “stagnant lid”) accounts for a significant portion of the topography and geoid anomalies. Here we assume that the remaining discrepancy between the observed and model geoid is due to crustal thickness variations and that the crust, the lithosphere and the mantle are in a state of double isostatic equilibrium: the lithosphere is isostatically floating on top of the mantle and the crust is isostatically floating on top of the lithosphere. The addition of another variable, the crustal thickness, allows an exact fit to the observed topography and geoid. This also makes the solution non-unique: an exact fit to topography and geoid can be achieved in a broad range of average lithospheric and crustal thicknesses. Additional constraints such as the gabbro-eclogite phase transition and the existence of relatively young volcanism limit this range to some extent. The inferred variations in the crustal thickness are less sensitive to model assumptions and generally agree with the results obtained in previous studies.
Changing Smokeless Tobacco Products. New Tobacco-Delivery Systems

Smokeless or noncombusted oral tobacco use as a substitute for cigarette smoking has been gaining greater interest and attention by the public health community and the tobacco industry. In order for the product to appeal to smokers, tobacco companies have been manufacturing new noncombusted oral tobacco (i.e., moist snuff) that is lower in moisture content and nitrosamine levels, packaged in small sachets and "spitless." While the primary motives of the major tobacco companies are to maintain or increase tobacco use, some members of the public health community perceive the use of noncombusted oral tobacco products as a harm reduction tool. Because cigarette smoking is associated with greater toxicant exposure compared to noncombusted oral tobacco, reduced mortality and morbidity are hypothesized to ensue, if cigarette smokers switched completely to these products. However, variability exists in levels of nicotine and toxicants and potential health consequences from use within and across countries. Therefore, promulgating noncombusted oral tobacco products as a safer alternative to smoking or as a substitute for smoking may engender more rather than less harm. To date, limited research is available on the effects of marketing noncombusted oral tobacco products to smokers, to support the use of these products as a harm reduction tool, and to determine the effects of varying levels of tobacco toxicants including nicotine on health. The need exists for manufacturing standards to lower toxicant levels of all noncombusted oral tobacco products, for the formulation of appropriate tobacco-product regulations and for the development of a strategic plan by the public health community to address this controversial topic.
Host response to Helicobacter pylori infection before initiation of the adaptive immune response

Helicobacter pylori persistently colonizes the human stomach. In this study, immune responses to H. pylori that occur in the early stages of infection were investigated. Within the first 2 days after orogastric infection of mice with H. pylori, there was a transient infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils into the glandular stomach. By day 10 postinfection, the numbers of macrophages and neutrophils decreased to baseline levels. By 3 weeks postinfection, an adaptive immune response was detected, marked by gastric infiltration of T lymphocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils, as well as increased numbers of H. pylori-specific T cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells in paragastric lymph nodes. Neutrophil-attracting and macrophage-attracting chemokines were expressed at higher levels in the stomachs of H. pylori-infected mice than in the stomachs of uninfected mice. Increased expression of TNFalpha and IFNgamma (Th1-type inflammatory cytokines) and IL-17 (a Th17-type cytokine) was detected in the stomachs of H. pylori-infected mice, but increased expression of IL-4 (a Th2-type cytokine) was not detected. These data indicate that a transient gastric inflammatory response to H. pylori occurs within the first few days after infection, before the priming of T cells and initiation of an adaptive immune response. It is speculated that inappropriate waning of the innate immune response during early stages of infection may be a factor that contributes to H. pylori persistence.
Real-time Video Microscopy to Assess Pathologic Leukocyte-Endothelial Cell Interactions at the Human Blood-Nerve Barrier In Vitro: A Tool to Guide Specific Drug Therapy for Peripheral Neuropathies (P3.013)

OBJECTIVE: Real-time video microscopy was utilized to assess pathogenic leukocyte trafficking at the human blood-nerve barrier (BNB) in vitro to identify potential targets for therapeutic intervention in inflammatory neuropathies. BACKGROUND: Leukocyte trafficking into peripheral nerve endoneurium is a hallmark of inflammatory neuropathies such as the AIDP variant of GBS, and CIDP. Aberrant leukocyte trafficking may contribute to HIV-associated neuropathy and chronic pain pathogenesis. There are currently no tools to investigate peripheral nerve inflammation in vivo in real-time. Targeted molecular inhibition of pathogenic leukocyte trafficking at the human BNB could guide novel drug discovery for peripheral neuropathies. DESIGN/METHODS: Primary human endoneurial endothelial cells (pHEndECs), isolated from decedent sciatic nerves, were expanded in culture. pHEndECs were grown to confluence for 5-6 days on collagen coated CELLBIND ® 35 mm Petri dishes and treated with 10 U/mL TNF-α + 20 U/mL IFN-γ for 24 hours. Peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes (PBMLs: 500,000/mL) derived from 6 consecutive untreated AIDP patients were used in separate experiments. A Glycotech ® flow chamber was firmly placed in Petri dishes mounted on a phase contrast microscope. PBMLs were infused at a rate of 1 mm/s for 30 minutes, with merged digital photo-micrographs acquired every second used to form trafficking videos. Function neutralizing mouse anti-human monoclonal antibodies against ICAM-1, α L integrin (CD11a) and α M integrin (CD11b), as well as human IVIg, were included in assays to determine their effects on AIDP PBML adhesion and transmigration. RESULTS: Function neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against human CD11b and ICAM-1 reduced untreated GBS patient mononuclear leukocyte trafficking at the BNB to basal levels, with anti-CD11a and IVIg demonstrating partial efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the novel use of video microscopy to study leukocyte trafficking at the human BNB in vitro in real-time. CD11b and ICAM-1 provide specific molecular therapeutic targets for further study in GBS using in vivo models. Study Supported by: NIH/NINDS Grant R21NS078226 Disclosure: Dr. Ubogu has nothing to disclose.
Symmetry of paraspinal muscle denervation in clinical lumbar spinal stenosis: support for a hypothesis of posterior primary ramus stretching?

Introduction: Denervation of the paraspinal muscles in spinal disorders is frequently attributed to radiculop- athy. Therefore, patients with lumbar spinal stenosis causing asymmetrical symptoms should have asymmetrical paraspinal denervation. Methods: Seventy-three patients with clinical lum- bar spinal stenosis, aged 55-85 years, completed a pain draw- ing and underwent masked electrodiagnostic testing, including bilateral paraspinal mapping and testing of 6 muscles on the most symptomatic (or randomly chosen) limb. Results: With the exception of 10 subjects with unilateral thigh pain (P 5 0.043), there was no relationship between side of pain and par- aspinal mapping score for any subgroups (symmetrical pain, pain into 1 calf only). Among those with positive limb EMG (tested on 1 side), no relationship between side of pain and paraspinal EMG score was found. Conclusion: Evidence sug- gests that paraspinal denervation in spinal stenosis may not be due to radiculopathy, but rather due to stretch or damage to the posterior primary ramus. Muscle Nerve 48: 198-203, 2013 Lumbar spinal stenosis is the most common rea- son older persons undergo spine surgery, 1 and its prevalence is expected to rise as the population ages. The disorder has been a diagnostic dilemma, with arbitrary or unproven radiological criteria widely espoused and cited, even in major trials. 2-5 Recently, electrodiagnostic testing (EDx), espe- cially the quantified paraspinal mapping needle electromyographic protocol for examination of the paraspinal muscles, has been shown to be highly specific and moderately to highly sensitive (depending apparently on severity) in the clinical diagnosis. 6,7 Although studies have shown denerva- tion of paraspinal and limb muscles in clinically apparent stenosis, these did not always occur to- gether. In 1 study of 51 persons with mostly mild to moderate clinical stenosis who underwent para- spinal mapping and examination of 6 limb muscles, 11 had limb fibrillation potentials, 12 had
Human tau filaments induce microtubule and synapse loss in an in vivo model of neurofibrillary degenerative disease

The intracellular accumulation of tau protein and its aggregation into filamentous deposits is the intracellular hallmark of neurofibrillary degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease and familial tauopathies in which tau is now thought to play a critical pathogenic role. Until very recently, the lack of a cellular model in which human tau filaments can be experimentally generated has prevented direct investigation of the causes and consequences of tau filament formation in vivo. In this study, we show that human tau filaments formed in lamprey central neurons (ABCs) that chronically overexpress human tau resemble the 'straight filaments' seen in Alzheimer's Disease and other neurofibrillary conditions, and are distinguishable from neurofilaments by their ultrastructure, distribution and intracellular behavior. We also show that tau filament formation in ABCs is associated with a distinctive pattern of dendritic degeneration that closely resembles the cytopathology of human neurofibrillary degenerative disease. This pattern includes localized cytoskeletal disruption and aggregation of membranous organelles, distal dendritic beading, and the progressive loss of dendritic microtubules and synapses. These results suggest that tau filament formation may be responsible for many key cytopathological features of neurofibrillary degeneration, possibly via the loss of microtubule based intracellular transport.
Automated detection of parameter tampering opportunities and vulnerabilities in web applications

Parameter tampering attacks are dangerous to a web application whose server fails to replicate the validation of user-supplied data that is performed by the client in web forms. Malicious users who circumvent the client can capitalize on the missing server validation. In this paper, we provide a formal description of parameter tampering vulnerabilities and a high level approach for their detection. We specialize this high level approach to develop complementary detection solutions in two interesting settings: blackbox only analyze client-side code in web forms and whitebox also analyze server-side code that processes submitted web forms. This paper presents interesting challenges encountered in realizing the high level approach for each setting and novel technical contributions that address these challenges. We also contrast utility, difficulties and effectiveness issues in both settings and provide a quantitative comparison of results. Our experiments with real world and open source applications demonstrate that parameter tampering vulnerabilities are prolific total 47 in 9 applications, and their exploitation can have serious consequences including unauthorized transactions, account hijacking and financial losses. We conclude this paper with a discussion on countermeasures for parameter tampering attacks and present a detailed survey of existing defenses and their suitability.
Combined electron diffraction, conformational energy and vibrational investigations of cis-1,4-ditertiary butyl-cyclohexane

Abstract The structure of cis-1,4-ditertiarybutylcyclohexane(DTBC) was investigated by combined electron diffraction, conformational and vibrational analyses in order to obtain results which are more conclusive than those previously obtained by electron diffraction alone. In this study, first the minimum energy conformations for DTBC were calculated by the Westheimer-Hendrickson procedure using various force fields described in the literature; the same fields and the minimum energy conformations were used in subsequent vibrational analyses to calculate the mean amplitudes of vibration for each minimum energy conformation of DTBC; these mean amplitudes and the corresponding internuclear distances were then used to calculate the theoretical electron diffraction radial distribution curves which were compared to the experimental curves. The results indicate that the conformational energies of all the minimum energy chair and non-chair forms of DTBC are very similar. In excellent agreement with this, the theoretical radial distribution curves of all minimum energy forms have to be mixed for a best fit to the experimental radial distribution curve. A least squares analysis of the mixture under the described conditions yields for 110 °C a composition of approximately one third chair and two thirds non-chair forms. The quality of the empirical conformational force fields has a definite influence on the reliability of these results.
1,3-Oxazino[4,5-b]indole-2,4-(1H,9H)-diones and 5,6-dimethylpyrrolo-[2,3-d]-1,3-oxazin-2,4-(1H,7H)-diones as serine protease inhibitors

Abstract 9-Substituted-1,3-oxazino[4,5-b]indole-2,4-(1H,9H)-diones and 7-substituted-5,6-dimethylpyrrolo[2,3-d]-1,3-oxazin-2,4-(1H,7H)-diones are synthesized from indolo- or pyrrolo-β-enamino t-butyl esters in moderate yield. Certain compounds are found to inhibit human leukocyte elastase (HLE) and chymotrypsin selectively.
Gene Expression and Adiposity Are Modified by Soy Protein in Male Zucker Diabetic Fatty Rats

It has earlier been demonstrated that soy protein diets ameliorate the diabetic phenotype in obese Zucker rats. In this study, we further investigated physiological changes related to adiposity in male Zucker diabetic fatty rats consuming soy-based diets and compared these diets with the insulin-sensitizing drug, rosiglitazone. Transcript abundance of known genes was assessed in the livers to identify potential molecular connections between soy diets and adiposity. Male Zucker diabetic fatty rats were assigned to casein (C) protein, low-isoflavone soy (LIS) protein, high-isoflavone soy (HIS) protein, or C + rosiglitazone (CR) diets. Compared with the C diet, the LIS diet decreased plasma lipids and increased body weight, but did not change liver weight or carcass adiposity. HIS decreased plasma lipids, liver weight, and body weight. CR decreased plasma lipids and increased carcass adiposity and body weight with no effect on liver weight. In LIS livers, 15 genes involved in signaling and lipid metabolism were up-regulated 2-fold or higher. In HIS livers, seven genes had a 2-fold or higher change in abundance. However, in CR livers, none of the genes was significantly changed compared with the C diet. There appears to be a distinct change in gene expression associated with soy diets as compared with C-based diets and rosiglitazone treatment.
Visual–Spatial Ability: Important in STEM, Ignored in Gifted Education

Visual–spatial ability is a multifaceted component of intelligence that has predictive validity for future achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) occupations. Although identification and development of STEM talent is a national priority, visual–spatial ability is rarely measured and relatively neglected in gifted education. Quantitative and verbal reasoning abilities are favored over nonverbal abilities in talent searches and gifted programs, which causes some high-spatial, gifted students to be overlooked. Creative production in STEM requires visual–spatial ability, and this ability must be developed in gifted education. Theories of intelligence and testing have advanced to provide methods for identification of specific cognitive abilities, such as visual–spatial ability. However, for these students to be successful in gifted programs, gifted-education services must be modified to accommodate gifted spatial learners and develop spatial talents.
Predictors of employment among sheltered homeless women

The effect of homelessness on the psychological and physical health of women is damaging and long lasting. Understanding of the personal factors that enable homeless women to secure employment and re-enter mainstream society is of utmost importance. A sample of homeless women residing in a US Midwestern nonprofit treatment and transitional living shelter for homeless women and their children were surveyed regarding the extent to which life satisfaction, social self-efficacy, and hopeful thinking predicted women's expected capabilities to obtain employment above and beyond social support provisions, while controlling for participants' age, ethnicity, and education level. Findings failed to reveal that social psychological (i.e., life satisfaction and social self-efficacy) and intrapersonal (i.e., hope) variables predicted homeless women's job procurement self-efficacy above and beyond perceived social support. The social support provision of social integration and younger age significantly predicted women'...