cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Replication-Limited Recombinant Mycobacterium bovis BCG Vaccine against Tuberculosis Designed for Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Persons Is Safer and More Efficacious than BCG

Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death in AIDS patients, yet the current tuberculosis vaccine, Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), is contraindicated for immunocompromised individuals, including human immunodeficiency virus-positive persons, because it can cause disseminated disease; moreover, its efficacy is suboptimal. To address these problems, we have engineered BCG mutants that grow normally in vitro in the presence of a supplement, are preloadable with supplement to allow limited growth in vivo, and express the highly immunoprotective Mycobacterium tuberculosis 30-kDa major secretory protein. The limited replication in vivo renders these vaccines safer than BCG in SCID mice yet is sufficient to induce potent cell-mediated and protective immunity in the outbred guinea pig model of pulmonary tuberculosis. In the case of one vaccine, rBCG(mbtB)30, protection was superior to that with BCG (0.3-log fewer CFU of M. tuberculosis in the lung [P < 0.04] and 0.6-log fewer CFU in the spleen [P = 0.001] in aerosol-challenged animals [means for three experiments]); hence, rBCG(mbtB)30 is the first live mycobacterial vaccine that is both more attenuated than BCG in the SCID mouse and more potent than BCG in the guinea pig. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of developing safer and more potent vaccines against tuberculosis. The novel approach of engineering a replication-limited vaccine expressing a recombinant immunoprotective antigen and preloading it with a required nutrient, such as iron, that is capable of being stored should be generally applicable to other live vaccine vectors targeting intracellular pathogens.
Teratogenicity of dimethoxyethyl phthalate and its metabolites methoxyethanol and methoxyacetic acid in the rat

It is hypothesized that the known teratogen di(2-methoxyethyl) phthalate (DMEP) acts by in vivo hydrolysis to 2-methoxyethanol (2-ME), also a known teratogen, which in turn is metabolized to methoxyacetic acid (MAA), the proximate teratogen. Teratological studies were conducted with Wistar rats, with the administration of these three agents on day 12 of gestation. On an equimolar dosage basis, DMEP, 2-ME, and MAA were equally potent, which is consistent with the hypothesis. There was a striking similarity in the defects produced by these agents, mainly hydronephrosis, heart defects, and short limbs and tails. In particular all three agents produced unusual heart defects (dilated ductus arteriosus and dilated aortic arch) not seen with other agents, as well as ventral polydactyly, a rarely seen defect, suggesting teratogenic action by a common mechanism or component; 4-methylpyrazole, an alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor, provided significant protection against 2-ME. This combination of effects strongly suggests that following the administration of DMEP, 2-ME, or MAA, MAA is the proximate teratogen.
The Development of New Catastrophe Risk Markets

The large-scale disasters that have occurred since 2001 suggest that we have entered a new era of catastrophes. We are more vulnerable to extreme events as a result of the increasing concentration of population and activities in exposed areas of the country. The question is not whether large-scale catastrophe will occur, but when and how frequently they will strike. One key question is, Who will pay for the economic losses future disasters will inflict? This paper discusses how new catastrophe risk markets can be developed to provide the necessary financial coverage to make our country more resilient. We look specifically at insurance-linked financial instruments to complement traditional insurance and reinsurance. We also propose the development of long-term insurance and long-term loans to overcome behavioral biases such as myopia and misperception of risks. The paper concludes by proposing risk management strategies that apply to other extreme events such as the financial crisis of 2008–2009.
Innate Immune Sensing of Flaviviruses

Emerging mosquito-borne flavivirus infections of humans continue to be a significant problem worldwide. It is becoming increasingly evident that development of effective vaccines, which provide life-long sterilizing immunity to viral infection, requires a proper understanding of how the host innate immune sensing pathways detect viral infection and program protective immunity. Continued studies to understand the flavivirus-host interactions with PRR pathways will provide valuable insights to overcome current challenges that have hindered effective vaccine development and prophylactic treatment strategies to prevent or combat WNV and DENV infection.
Sensitivity of executive pay to accounting performance measures in all‐equity firms

We investigate the relation between chief executive officer compensation and accounting performance measures as a function of the firm’s capital structure. We specifically analyse pay–performance relationships for all-equity firms relative to high-levered firms. We find a significant positive association between return on equity and the level of compensation for all-equity firms. Consistent with optimal contracting theory, we cannot discern any such relationship for high-levered firms. Because of agency costs of debt, managerial compensation in high-levered firms plays the role of a precommitment mechanism in addition to its conventional role of aligning management incentives with shareholder interest.
Masculinity, Competence, and Health: The Influence of Weight and Race on Social Perceptions of Men

Like other visible characteristics such as skin color, gender, or age, body size is a diffuse status characteristic that impacts perceptions, interactions, and social outcomes. Studies demonstrate ...
Good Enough: A Primer on the Analysis and Interpretation of Noninferiority Trials

Active-control noninferiority trials are being performed with increasing frequency when standard placebo-controlled trials are considered unethical. Three attributes are optimally required to establish noninferiority: 1) The treatment under consideration exhibits therapeutic noninferiority to the active control; 2) the treatment would exhibit therapeutic efficacy in a placebo-controlled trial if such a trial were to be performed; and 3) the treatment offers ancillary advantages in safety, tolerability, cost, or convenience. Trials designed to show noninferiority require an appropriate reference population, a proven active control and dose, a high level of adherence to treatment, and adequate statistical power. However, the formal analysis of such trials is founded on several assumptions that cannot be validated explicitly. These assumptions are evaluated in the context of 8 recently published noninferiority trials. The analyses in this paper confirm the establishment of noninferiority in only 4 of the 8 trials. The authors conclude that if noninferiority trials are to be applied to clinical and regulatory decisions about the marketing and use of new treatments, these assumptions must be made explicit and their influence on the resultant conclusions assessed rigorously.
Association between serum carboxymethyl-lysine, a dominant advanced glycation end product, and anemia in adults: the Baltimore longitudinal study of aging.

To the Editor: The pathophysiology of anemia in older adults is incompletely understood, and a substantial proportion of anemia in this population remains unexplained.1 The factors that play a role in anemia in adults are incompletely identified. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are a heterogeneous group of bioactive molecules formed by the nonenzymatic glycation of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.2 AGEs have been widely implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and renal disease, and diabetes.2,3
Future performance challenges in nanometer design

We highlight several fundamental challenges to designing high-performance integrated circuits in nanometer-scale technologies (i.e. drawn feature sizes <100 nm). Dynamic power scaling trends lead to major packaging problems. To alleviate these concerns, thermal monitoring and feedback mechanisms can limit worst-case dissipation and reduce costs. Furthermore, a flexible multi-V/sub dd/+multi-V/sub th/+re-sizing approach is advocated to leverage the inherent properties of ultrasmall MOSFETs and limit both dynamic and static power. Alternative global signaling strategies such as differential and low-swing drivers are recommended in order to curb the power requirements of cross-chip communication. Finally, potential power delivery challenges are addressed with respect to ITRS packaging predictions.
Relationship of Time and Learning Retention

This study explores the degree to which students’ understanding, or knowledge, may deteriorate over time. Our specific focus was examining the importance of course sequencing in a curriculum. We measured student performance in quantitative business courses and found that, over time, the correlation between students’ performance in those courses declined significantly. We further found that that decline was not linear.
Uncertainty quantification in simulations of power systems: Multi-element polynomial chaos methods

While probabilistic methods have been used extensively in simulating stationary power systems, there has not been a systematic effort in developing suitable algorithms for stochastic simulations of time-dependent and reconfiguring power systems. Here, we present several versions of polynomial chaos that lead to a very efficient approach especially in low dimensions. We consider both Galerkin and Collocation projections, and demonstrate how the multi-element decomposition of random space leads to effective resolution of stochastic discontinuous solutions. A comprehensive comparison is presented for prototype differential equations and for two electromechanical systems used in an electric ship.
Drug evaluation review: dupilumab in atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by type 2 helper T (Th2) cell-driven inflammation. Dupilumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody directed against the IL-4 receptor α subunit that blocks the signaling of IL-4 and IL-13, both key cytokines in Th2-mediated pathways. In Phase I and II studies of adults with moderate-to-severe AD, dupilumab administered as monotherapy or with topical corticosteroids resulted in rapid, significant improvements in clinical efficacy, patient-reported outcomes, and Th2-related serum and tissue biomarkers, and shifted the RNA expression profile of lesional skin to a more nonlesional signature. In all clinical studies to date, dupilumab has shown a favorable safety profile with no dose-limiting toxicity. The robust effects of dupilumab on skin inflammation and pruritus confirm the pathogenic role of IL-4 and IL-13 signaling in adult AD, and further support the application of Th2 cytokine antagonists in the treatment of this disease.
Structural Evolution of Nanocrystalline Germanium Thin Films with Film Thickness and Substrate Temperature

The structure of germanium thin films prepared on glass by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition was characterized by Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Crystallinity, surface roughness, and grain size were measured as functions of film thickness and deposition temperature. Grain nucleation was apparent for films as thin as 10 nm. Over the thickness range studied, grain size increased with film thickness, whereas average surface roughness started to increase with film thickness, but then remained fairly constant at approximately 1 nm for a film thickness greater than 25 nm.
Postoperative elevation of amylase/creatinine clearance ratio in patients without pancreatitis.

Abstract An elevated CAmCCr ratio has been used as evidence for the frequent occurrence of acute pancreatitis in the postoperative period. We measured CAmCCr preand postoperatively in 28 patients undergoing extraperitoneal surgical procedures. None of the patients had clinical evidence of pancreatitis, although 2 of the 28 patients had elevated CAmCCr ratios preoperatively. Mean CAmCCr rose from a preoperative level of 2.3 ± 0.3% (1 SE) to 3.2 ± 0.3% on the first postoperative day ( P
Risk and protective factors associated with being bullied on school property compared with cyberbullied

We identified bullying victimization (bullied on school property versus cyberbullied) by selected demographic, personal characteristic, and behavior variables.
Serum, bile and liver total cholesterol of laboratory animals, toads and frogs.

Summary1. Serum, bile, and liver total cholesterol levels of 9 species of laboratory animals and 4 species of amphibians are reported. 2. Dogs, monkeys, hamsters, and mice have relatively higher serum total cholesterol concentration than cats, rats, rabbits, and guinea pigs. 3. Total cholesterol concentration in liver varies only slightly among these species. 4. Gall-bladder bile of monkeys contains large amounts of total cholesterol. Guinea pigs excrete very small amounts of total cholesterol in bile. 5. Serum and liver total cholesterol concentrations of the pigeon are very high. 6. Total cholesterol concentration in liver varies slightly among the 4 species of amphibians used. Frogs excrete significant amounts of cholesterol in bile. 7. Serum total cholesterol concentrations of both species of toads are higher than those of both species of frogs.
Determinants of State Innovations in American Sentencing and Corrections Policy: A Systematic Review

Recently, government officials, policy makers, and practitioners are taking a closer look at present day sentencing and corrections approaches. State policy decisions have in large part determined ...
Stellar astrophysics: Supernovae in the neighbourhood

Detailed measurements of radioisotopes in deep-sea deposits, plus modelling of how they reached Earth, indicate that many supernovae have occurred near enough to have potentially influenced evolution. See Letters p.69 & p.73 Twenty years ago it was suggested that nearby supernova explosions could leave their mark here on Earth in the shape of geological isotope anomalies caused by direct deposition of debris or through cosmic-ray spallation in the atmosphere. So it proved, with the emergence of iron-60, found in deep-sea ferromanganese crusts, as a supernova indicator. Two papers in this issue add further detail to the picture, and suggest there have been multiple supernovae within a few hundred light years, over the past few million years. Anton Wallner et al. report that the deep-sea 60Fe signal is global, extended in time and of interstellar origin from multiple events. Their results reveal 60Fe interstellar influxes onto Earth 1.7–3.2 and 6.5–8.7 million years ago. Dieter Breitschwerdt et al. report calculations of the most probable trajectories and masses of the supernova progenitors, and hence their explosion times and sites. The 60Fe signal arises from two supernovae at distances between 90 and 100 parsecs. The closest occurred 2.3 million years ago, and the second about 1.5 million years ago at 9.2 and 8.8 solar masses, respectively.
Threats to parents' roles during the process of their child dying in the paediatric intensive care unit.

Commentary on: Butler AE, Hall H, Willetts G, et al. Family experience and PICU death: a meta-synthesis. Pediatrics 2015;136:e961–73[OpenUrl][1][Abstract/FREE Full Text][2]. Beyond the newborn period, the death of a hospitalised child is most likely to occur in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). While intensive care environments typically provide highly technical care aimed at sustaining life, growing awareness and acceptance of palliative … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DPediatrics%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1542%252Fpeds.2015-1068%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F26371203%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/ijlink?linkType=ABST&journalCode=pediatrics&resid=136/4/e961&atom=%2Febnurs%2F19%2F4%2F118.atom
Disrupted regulatory T cell homeostasis in inflammatory bowel diseases

In the gut, where billions of non-self-antigens from the food and the microbiota are present, the immune response must be tightly regulated to ensure both host protection against pathogenic microorganisms and the absence of immune-related pathologies. It has been well documented that regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a pivotal role in this context. Indeed, Tregs are able to prevent excessive inflammation, which can lead to the rupture of intestinal homeostasis observed in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Both the worldwide incidence and prevalence of such diseases have increased throughout the latter part of the 20(th) century. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how Tregs suppress the colitogenic immune cells to establish new treatments for patients suffering from IBDs. In this review, we will first summarize the results obtained in animal model studies that highlight the importance of Tregs in maintaining intestinal homeostasis and describe the specific suppressive mechanisms involved. Next, our current knowledge about Tregs contribution to human IBDs will be reviewed, as well as the current therapeutic perspective on using Tregs for clinical IBD treatment and the challenges that remain to be resolved to ensure both the safety and effectiveness of these therapies in targeting this critical immune-regulatory cell population.
PP-021 Quality study of intravenous mixtures after the implementation of double check

Background Avoiding errors related to drug development, which can compromise the patient’s life, is essential in our profession. Purpose To describe the quality of sterile intravenous mixtures (IVM) after implantation of a double check and to evaluate the effectiveness of the measures adopted since its implementation. Material and methods Retrospective observational study in which double check record sheets were revised for 3 periods of 15 days, made over a year. The aspects evaluated were: name and concentration of the drug used, prepared dose and mL of drug used, number of new vials started, checking calculations of used and surplus mL, expiration of vials used, labelling, physicochemical characteristics of IVM, packaging, and sheets duly signed and filled out by the pharmacist and nurse. In addition it was confirmed that preparation labels contained lot and caducity of the vials used to ensure traceability of the IVM. The double check was by nursing staff on the ward; this nurse was different from the nurse who made the IVM and after the pharmacist checked correct completion of the form. Results 712 IVM were developed during the 3 study periods (169, 219 and 324, respectively). They were revised 98.2%, 99% and 100% of the IVM and non-conformity with the double check was 20.7%, 20.5% and 12.6%. The most common errors produced were incomplete double checks in 62.8%, 33.3% and 82.1%, errors in calculations in 17.4% 22.2% and 7.1%, and no annotation of the lot and expiration in 14.2%, 28.8% and 3.6%, respectively. IVM with the record sheet but with a blank checklist were 1.8%, 3.2% and 1.2%. The measures introduced were: reinforcing the training of nurses to insist on the importance of the correct performance of the double check for the prevention of medication errors, to underline the importance of being able to perform the traceability of IVM, to check with automatic methods the calculations made and to visualise the correct volume of the mixture with higher optical precision. Conclusion Double check provides greater security in the prevention and correction of problems related to drugs. Implementation of specific measures continuously has gradually reduced the number of errors. References and/or Acknowledgements Best practice guidelines for preparation of drugs in the pharmacy services No conflict of interest.
Aerial vehicle trajectory design for spatio-temporal task aggregation

An optimal design method for generating a flight path passing through specified waypoints while satisfying the task points sent by the ground operators is proposed in this paper. Each specified waypoint is reached exactly at the specified location and time while intermediate waypoints are generated in such a way that they satisfy the task points, with highest benefit measure, i.e., satisfying tasks with higher task priority and QoS desired. Generated waypoints are points from where imagery data associated with the tasks are collected, and these task points are aggregated by the TABUM (Task Aggregation Based on Utility Metric) approach by considering the factors such as task points' priorities, image sensors capabilities and the deviation required from the shortest path from the waypoint. We generate a flight trajectory, which is a collection of predefined waypoints and generated waypoints by taking the velocities and maneuverability of the aerial vehicle into consideration while ensuring that the vehicle avoids the no-fly zones. We finally frame the problem of trajectory generation in a constrained environment as an optimization problem and solve it by increasing the benefit measure and decreasing the cost measure (i.e., deviation). We performed simulation based experiments to show the effect of the utility metric threshold value and compared the performance of the vehicles' trajectory with fixed-wing flight maneuverability and quad-copter maneuverability capabilities.
Criminal Defense in China: The Politics of Lawyers at Work

Criminal Defense in China studies empirically the everyday work and political mobilization of defense lawyers in China. It builds upon 329 interviews across China, and other social science methods, to investigate and analyze the interweaving of politics and practice in five segments of the practicing criminal defense bar in China from 2005 to 2015. This book is the first to examine everyday criminal defense work in China as a political project. The authors engage extensive scholarship on lawyers and political liberalism across the world, from seventeenth-century Europe to late twentieth-century Korea and Taiwan, drawing on theoretical propositions from this body of theory to examine the strategies and constraints of lawyer mobilization in China. The book brings a fresh perspective through its focus on everyday work and ordinary lawyering in an authoritarian context and raises searching questions about law and lawyers, politics and society, in China's uncertain future.
Localizing external contact using proprioceptive sensors: The Contact Particle Filter

In order for robots to interact safely and intelligently with their environment they must be able to reliably estimate and localize external contacts. This paper introduces CPF, the Contact Particle Filter, which is a general algorithm for detecting and localizing external contacts on rigid body robots without the need for external sensing. CPF finds external contact points that best explain the observed external joint torque, and returns sensible estimates even when the external torque measurement is corrupted with noise. We demonstrate the capability of the CPF to track multiple external contacts on a simulated Atlas robot, and compare our work to existing approaches.
Molecular analysis of the interaction of p56lck with the CD4 and CD8 antigens.

The CD4 and CD8 antigens on the surface of T cells appear to bind to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II and I antigens, respectively. These antigens also synergize with the Ti(TcR)/CD3 complex in the potentiation of T-cell proliferation. Our earlier work demonstrated that the CD4 and CD8 receptors are coupled to a protein-tyrosine kinase termed p56lck from normal and transformed T lymphocytes. The p56lck protein is a member of the src family and its homology with receptor-kinases such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) make it an important candidate in signal transduction. In this paper, we show in transfectants that p56lck interacts with the cytoplasmic tail of the CD4 antigen. Murine p56lck can interact across species with the human CD4 receptor. Furthermore, peptide competition studies showed that a specific sequence within the cytoplasmic tail of CD4 interacts with the kinase. Cysteine residues also appear to play key roles in this interaction. Lastly, we show biochemically that the CD4:p56lck complex can physically associate with the e chain of the CD3 complex on HPB-ALL transformed T cells. This interaction may provide a bridge by which events related to ligand binding to Ti(TcR)/CD3 may trigger T cells via the CD4/ CD8:p56lck complex.
Abstract 279: Vitamin D3 Attenuates ADAM-12--Mediated Shedding of EGFR in Carotid Artery Smooth Muscle Cells of Hypercholesterolemic Swine

Deficiency of Vitamin D is linked to an increased risk of hypertension, peripheral artery disease, and myocardial infarction and is a major risk factor for the development of human atherosclerosis. Atheromatous cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-6 and IFN-γ, and EGF receptor family growth factors are released at the site of atherosclerosis and act on proteolytic enzymes, MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases), ADAMs (a disintegrin and metalloproteinases), and ADAMTS (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs). ADAM-12 activates EGFR resulting in increased migration and proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs). The aim of this study was to examine the effect of vitamin D on IL-6-induced ADAM-12 expression and SMC migration and proliferation. Micro-swine were fed with either vitamin D-deficient high cholesterol diet or high cholesterol diet containing 900 IU of vitamin D for 6 months. After six months when serum cholesterol levels ranged from 500-600 mg/dL, vitamin D-deficient group continued on the same deficient diet, whereas the other group received supplementation of vitamin D (1,000 IU/d) for 6 months. The mRNA expression of ADAM-12 and EGFR in whole carotid artery and in IL-6-treated SMCs was quantified by qPCR. The proliferation was assayed by CyQuant NF cell proliferation assay. The mRNA transcripts of ADAM-12 and EGFR were significantly increased in carotid arteries from Vitamin D-deficient than in vitamin D- supplemented swine. Treatment of SMCs with IL-6 also increased the mRNA transcripts of ADAM-12 and EGFR in vitamin D-deficient swine SMCs compared to vitamin D-supplemented swine SMCs. The cell proliferation was higher in SMCs isolated from Vitamin D-deficient swine carotid artery compared to vitamin D- supplemented swine carotid artery. Together, these results suggest that Vitamin D regulates ADAM-12-mediated activation of EGFR and vitamin D deficiency further enhances proliferation of SMCs, which is potentiated by atheromatous cytokines.
KRIEG IM MITTELALTER UND SEINE KRITIK IN LITERARISCHEN WERKEN DES DEUTSCHSPRACHIGEN RAUMES

War has always been a horrible experience and proved to be highly destructive. Whereas the peace movement has gained considerable momentum in modern times, it seems as if the Middle Ages did not reflect a clear interest in peace. This paper argues for the opposite as many religious and philosophical texts can be identified in which strong criticism of war, military aggression, and violence comes to the fore. Previous scholarly investigations have pointed out that medieval German political poetry (»Sangspruchdichtung«) and religious literature strongly advocated peace. The present investigation focuses on the Old High German Hildebrandslied, the thirteenth-century Klage, on the thirteenth-century Wigamur, Fuetrer’s fifteenth-century Lannzilet and Wittenwiler’s Ring as remarkable literary examples of anti-war poetry. Although the poets mostly refrained from specific accusations, the loudly voiced lament, the critical tone of the narrative, the drastic images of destruction and death resulting from war unequivocally indicate that these literary documents were composed as literary manifestoes against war, violence, and military aggression.
Understanding differences between caregivers and non-caregivers in completer rates of Chronic Disease Self-Management Program

Abstract Objectives The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) was developed to advance participants' self-care of chronic illness and may be offered to both individuals with chronic conditions and their caregivers. Previous studies of CDSMP have identified multiple resulting health benefits for participants as well as factors associated with participants' completion rates. This study investigated differences on these issues between caregiving and non-caregiving participants. Study design Secondary analysis using regression analysis to predict the outcome. Methods Baseline data were collected directly from adult (over 18 years) participants of CDSMP workshops in New York State from 2012 to 2015 ( n = 2685). Multi-level logistic regression analysis was used to compare the difference on completion of workshops (attended four or more of sessions) and contributing factors with the independent variable of whether participants provided care/assistance to a family member or friends with long-term illness or disability. Additional individual-level variables controlled for in the model were age, gender, race/ethnicity, living arrangement, education, the number of chronic conditions and disabilities; as were workshop-level characteristics of class size, language used, workshop leader experience, location urbanity and delivery site type. Results Participants who provided care to family or friends were 28% more likely to complete the workshop compared with those who did not (odds ratio = 1.279, P Conclusions People who provide care to others appeared to have stronger motivation to complete the workshops with greater benefits. Agencies offering CDSMP should encourage caregivers to attend.
Marijuana, Youth and Society

Modernity in PNG has impoverished Murik society. The Murik have come to see themselves and their contemporary economy as exacting and challenging. Why? Modernity has deprived the Murik of control over a crucial link in the means of production. Karl Marx understood such a loss to result in a loss moral agency, a loss that is audible in ambivalent attitudes held by Murik men. The drug is viewed as a kind of good that is both part, yet not part, of the traditional Murik overseas trade network. At the same time as it imported, it is viewed as having exchange value, being bought and sold. But rather than authorized by the state, its exchange value is illegitimate. While marijuana use is condemned by middle-aged and senior men as a cause of domestic abuse, as well as mistrust of the state, Murik youth find its effects pleasurable. In marijuana dialogue, the alienation of Murik men from modernity and Murik culture is audible.
The Formation of Nucleobases from the Ultraviolet Photoirradiation of Purine in Simple Astrophysical Ice Analogues

Nucleobases are the informational subunits of RNA and DNA and are essential to all known forms of life. The nucleobases can be divided into two groups of molecules: the pyrimidine-based compounds that include uracil, cytosine, and thymine, and the purine-based compounds that include adenine and guanine. Previous work in our laboratory has demonstrated that uracil, cytosine, thymine, and other nonbiological, less common nucleobases can form abiotically from the UV photoirradiation of pyrimidine in simple astrophysical ice analogues containing combinations of H2O, NH3, and CH4. In this work, we focused on the UV photoirradiation of purine mixed with combinations of H2O and NH3 ices to determine whether or not the full complement of biological nucleobases can be formed abiotically under astrophysical conditions. Room-temperature analyses of the resulting photoproducts resulted in the detection of adenine, guanine, and numerous other functionalized purine derivatives. Key Words: Pyrimidine-Nucleobases-Interstellar; Ices-Cometary; Ices-Molecular processes-Prebiotic chemistry. Astrobiology 17, 761-770.
Foreign Accent Syndrome Secondary to Medication Withdrawal: A Case Report

Objective: The purpose of this case report is to demonstrate a possible alternative etiology related to dopamine may exist for foreign accent syndrome (FAS). Methods: A 79-year-old, 205 pound, Caucasian woman originally presented to the department of Neurology for treatment and subsequently to the pharmacist pharmacotherapy service for evaluation of bilateral upper extremity tremor of high amplitude but was found to also exhibit FAS. Discussion: This case report contributes to the limited literature regarding foreign accent syndrome and adds to the few case reports of psychogenic origin, as opposed to the majority, which are of neurogenic origin. This also represents the first case that seems related to withdrawal of medication rather than psychotic exacerbation and ranks a six on the Naranjo algorithm. Conclusion: FAS is a rare disorder and little is understood about it. This case presentation also suggests that chronic use of high-dose dopamine and/or anticholinergic agents may alter pathways in the brain, which in this case, may have potentially contributed to the development of FAS. There remain many unanswered questions regarding FAS, but hopefully more clarity may be found as more cases are discovered and published. Conflict of Interest I declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests that the authors or members of their immediate families have in any product or service discussed in the manuscript, including grants (pending or received), employment, gifts, stock holdings or options, honoraria, consultancies, expert testimony, patents and royalties. Type: Case Study
RNase HII Saves rnhA Mutant Escherichia coli from R-Loop-Associated Chromosomal Fragmentation

The rnhAB mutant Escherichia coli, deficient in two RNase H enzymes that remove both R-loops and incorporated ribonucleotides (rNs) from DNA, grow slowly, suggesting accumulation of rN-containing DNA lesions (R-lesions). We report that the rnhAB mutants have reduced viability, form filaments with abnormal nucleoids, induce SOS, and fragment their chromosome, revealing replication and/or segregation stress. R-loops are known to interfere with replication forks, and sensitivity of the double rnhAB mutants to translation inhibition points to R-loops as precursors for R-lesions. However, the strict specificity of bacterial RNase HII for RNA-DNA junctions indicates that R-lesions have rNs integrated into DNA. Indeed, instead of relieving problems of rnhAB mutants, transient inhibition of replication from oriC kills them, suggesting that oriC-initiated replication removes R-loops instead of compounding them to R-lesions. Yet, replication from an R-loop-initiating plasmid origin kills the double rnhAB mutant, revealing generation of R-lesions by R-loop-primed DNA synthesis. These R-lesions could be R-tracts, contiguous runs of ≥4 RNA nucleotides within DNA strand and the only common substrate between the two bacterial RNase H enzymes. However, a plasmid relaxation test failed to detect R-tracts in DNA of the rnhAB mutants, although it readily detected R-patches (runs of 1-3 rNs). Instead, we detected R-gaps, single-strand gaps containing rNs, in the chromosomal DNA of the rnhAB mutant. Therefore, we propose that RNase H-deficient mutants convert some R-loops into R-tracts, which progress into R-gaps and then to double-strand breaks-explaining why R-tracts do not accumulate in RNase H-deficient cells, while double-strand breaks do.
Prophylactic Inferior Vena Cava Filter Utilization and Risk Factors for Nonretrieval.

PURPOSE Inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) are often placed for prophylactic indications. We sought to better define the range of practice indications for placement of prophylactic IVCFs, as well as the specific retrieval rate and risk factors for nonretrieval. METHODS A retrospective, single-institution review of patients undergoing IVCF placement over a 2-year period was performed. Patients undergoing prophylactic IVCF placement were selected from a prospectively collected database. Risk factors for nonretrieval were identified using a multivariate logistic regression model. RESULTS Of 615 IVCFs placed, 256 were retrievable filters placed for prophylactic indications and comprised the study cohort. The most common indications were a history of venous thromboembolic disease (43.7%), malignancy (35.1%), bleeding risk precluding anticoagulation (33.9%), and trauma (22.6%). One hundred sixty-three (63.6%) were placed preoperatively. Placement was performed in 70.3% by interventional radiology, 21.4% by vascular surgery, and 8.2% by cardiology. The most common requesting services were orthopedics (67%), general surgery (11%), neurosurgery (9%), and bariatric surgery (7%). Of all, 67.6% were placed in the inpatient setting and 32.4% in outpatients. Seventy-one (27.7%) of the 256 prophylactic filters were retrieved, with a mean indwelling time of 92 ± 74 days. Inpatients were significantly less likely to have their IVCF removed (32.4% vs 57.8%; P < .001), as were preoperative patients. CONCLUSIONS This study helps define current practice trends for the placement of prophylactic IVCFs. Importantly, the specific retrieval rate for prophylactic filters is low. This suggests that prophylactic IVCF usage is suboptimal and efforts should be taken to increase retrieval, especially among inpatients and perioperative patients.
U.S. Grade 4-6 Students' Rational-Number Substitutions for Odd-Sum Unknown Addend Tasks.

ABSTRACTResearch findings have established common student misconceptions for literal symbolic representations of variables but lack corresponding findings of when or how these misconceptions arise....
Essential Genes for Development of Dictyostelium

A long-term dream of many molecular developmental biologists is to recognize the temporal sequence of gene expression that directs the morphogenetic stages of embryogenesis. In a few species that are amenable to high resolution genetics the pieces are beginning to fall into place. Specific molecular differentiations can now be seen to define the outlines of the physiological changes that direct development. For instance, the combination of classical and molecular genetics in the fruitfuly Drosophila has lead to a dramatic increase in understanding the role of well-defined genes in establishing the segmental pattern of embryos and larva. A few dozen maternal genes control the temporal and spatial patterns of expression of another few dozen zygotically expressed genes (Ingham 1988). Structures specific to each segment are then made in the appropriate segments. Exactly how these decisions are made is still poorly understood, but it is a satisfying advance just to be able to name the genes and know their nucleotide sequences. Connecting this primary sequence data to three dimensional differentiations requires other approaches that are hampered in Drosophila by the complexity of the embryos. It is difficult to analyze the interaction of gene products that are functioning differently in different compartments, and are present in different ratios at different times. The goal of understanding all of the genes that play major roles in fly embryogenesis will require continued brilliance and stamina for many years to come.
Abstract 16918: Activation Mapping of Idiopathic Ventricular Ectopy- Characterization of a Threshold Value Predicting Successful Catheter Ablation

Background: Catheter ablation of ventricular ectopy is performed with increasing frequency. Activation mapping to locate the earliest presystolic electrogram (EGM) is the most accurate method to identify the optimal ablation site. Despite this, activation mapping of ventricular ectopy has not been systematically reviewed in a large series, and the optimal activation time predicting successful ablation has not previously been determined. The goal of this study is to determine the local presystolic activation time most predictive of successful ablation. Methods and Results: We retrospectively reviewed 100 consecutive successful endocardial PVC ablations for idiopathic ventricular ectopy and analyzed the local activation time at each successful and unsuccessful ablation site. A total of 560 ablation lesions were reviewed. Activation time was calculated as the difference between the earliest peak of the local bipolar EGM and onset of the reference surface QRS complex. Acute success was defined as complete elimination of the target PVC during the procedure with no recurrence at 30 days by ECG and follow-up Holter. A local activation time 30 ms presystolic best predicted success with a sensitivity of 80%, specificity 80%, and an area under the ROC curve of 0.906 (p 45 ms presystolic was 100% specific for successful ablation. Conclusion: In our experience, a local presystolic activation time of 30 ms is the threshold value most predictive of successful PVC ablation. Our review is the first to systematically characterize an activation time predicting success with idiopathic PVC ablation in a large cohort.
Self Field of a Relativistic Beam

The electromagnetic field generated by a high-current, relativistic beam of charged particles plays an important role in beam dynamics. On the one hand, the force exerted on the beam by this field can lead to beam instabilities and a deterioration of its properties in the process of beam generation, acceleration and transport. On the other hand, this field induces currents and charges in the beam environment that can be used for diagnostic purposes. Hence calculation of this field and the forces associated with it constitutes an essential part of beam physics for accelerators.
A Second Look at Detecting Third-Party Addresses in Traceroute Traces with the IP Timestamp Option

Artifacts in traceroute measurement output can lead to false inferences of AS-level links and paths when used to deduce AS topology. One traceroute artifact is caused by routers that respond to traceroute probes with a source address not in the path towards the destination, i.e. an off-path address. The most well-known traceroute artifact, the third-party address, is caused by off-path addresses that map to ASes not in the corresponding BGP path. In PAM 2013, Marchetta et al. proposed a technique to detect off-path addresses in traceroute paths [14]. Their technique assumed that a router IP address reported in a traceroute path towards a destination was off-path if, in a subsequent probe towards the same destination, the router did not insert a timestamp into a pre-specified timestamp option in the probe's IP header. However, no standard precisely defines how routers should handle the pre-specified timestamp option, and implementations are inconsistent. Marchetta et al. claimed that most IP addresses in a traceroute path are off-path, and that consecutive off-path addresses are common. They reported no validation of their results. We cross-validate their approach with a first-principles approach, rooted in the assumption that subnets between connected routers are often /30 or /31 because routers are often connected with point-to-point links. We infer if an address in a traceroute path corresponds to the interface on a router that received the packet (the in-bound interface) by attempting to infer if its /30 or /31 subnet mate is an alias of the previous hop. We traceroute from 8 Ark monitors to 80K randomly chosen destinations, and find that most observed addresses are configured on the in-bound interface on a point-to-point link connecting two routers, i.e. are on-path. Because the technique from [14] reports 70.9%74.9% of these addresses as being off-path, we conclude it is not reliable at inferring which addresses are off-path or third-party.
An expert system for chorale harmonization

We have designed an expert system called CHORAL, for harmonizing four-part chorales in the style of J.S. Bach. The system contains over 270 rules, expressed in a form of first order predicate calculus, for representing the knowledge required for harmonizing a given melody. The rules observe the chorale from multiple viewpoints, such as the chord skeleton, individual melodic lines of each voice, and the Schenkerian voice leading within the descant and bass. The program harmonizes chorales using a generate-and-test method with intelligent backtracking. A substantial number of heuristics are used for biasing the search toward musical solutions. Examples of program output are given in the paper. BSL, a new and efficient logic programming language which is fundamentally different from Prolog, was designed to implement the CHORAL system.
Effects of Instructor Training on Language Outcomes of Students With ASD

This study evaluated the effects of a training package on the implementation of incidental teaching by instructors and on targeted initiations of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Four ...
The Mediterranean Diet: Lost in Translation

Despite substantive evidence documenting the efficacy of the Mediterranean diet to reduce cardiovascular events, underutilization is common. An overview of the data set supporting the role of the Mediterranean diet as confirmed in both observational and interventional trials should stimulate greater clinician interest in the diet. Additionally, the availability of patient-friendly tools that enable prompt and easy adoption of the Mediterranean diet, that are able to be used by clinicians who claim no special expertise in diet knowledge, should simplify the path to successful dietary change. A large recently published (2018) prospective study of the Mediterranean diet for primary prevention of cardiovascular events confirmed that compared to control, Mediterranean diet is associated with reduced risk for cardiovascular events in high risk patients. Of the tools available to clinicians that might reduce cardiovascular risk, dietary intervention is the one least utilized. The evidence supports the value of dietary intervention with the Mediterranean diet, and methods to effectively employ it within the confines of typical office practice are readily at hand.