cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pregnancy and neurodevelopmental outcomes with in-utero antiepileptic agent exposure. A pilot study.

Abstract Objective To assess pregnancy outcomes on women exposed to monotherapy with antiepileptic agents. Methods Questionnaires were sent to women with epilepsy in our practice who were pregnant between 2006 and 2011. 62/86 patients (72%) who responded were on monotherapy. 24 fetuses (63%) were exposed to lamotrigine, 11 (28%) to levetiracetam, 2 (5.2%) to topiramate, 1 (2.6%) to gabapentin, 17 (27%) to carbamazepine, 5 to phenytoin and 2 to valproate. Results There were 55 (88%) live births and 7 unsuccessful pregnancies (miscarriages/stillbirths). Unsuccessful pregnancies were reported in 2/24 gestations exposed to lamotrigine, 2/11 to levetiracetam and 3/17 to carbamazepine. Delayed motor development or speech delay requiring therapy and special programming was noted in 2/24 children prenatally exposed to lamotrigine, 3/17 exposed to carbamazepine and 1/2 children exposed to valproate. Conclusion Our pilot study of children exposed to antiepileptic drug monotherapy in-utero demonstrated a favorable trend for successful pregnancy outcomes and developmental trajectory.
Ultrastructural cytochemistry: Effect of Sorbinil on arylsulfatases in cataractous lenses

We have demonstrated an increase in activity of arylsulfatase A and B during galactose induced cataract development in rats. Our recent investigation shows that acid phosphatase activity, which increases substantially during galactose cataract development in rats, could be contained to near normal level if Sorbinil, an aldose reductase inhibitor, was fed along with galactose to the rat. We have observed that the activity of other lysosomal enzymes, arylsulfatase A and/or B, also increases during galactose cataractogenesis. In the present report, we provide information with regards to the effect of Sorbinil on the activity of these enzymes during cataractogenesis. A modified Hopsu-Havu and Helminen method (1974) with p-nitrocatecholsulfate as substrate was used for localization of both arylsulfatase A and B; and the method of Hara et al. (1979) was utilized to obtain quantitative data on the level of arylsulfatase A and B activity. Ultrastructural cytochemistry shows that arylsulfatase activity in all lenses was primarily localized in epithelial cells in lysosomes with very little or no activity in cortical fibers. The number of arylsulfatase positive lysosomes and the activity level of these enzymes increased with the progression of cataract development. Galactose induced damage to lens morphology and increase in activity of arylsulfatase A and B was inhibited by inclusion of 50mg/Kg (diet) Sorbinil in the galactose containing cataractogenic diet. However, Sorbinil had no significant effect on the enzyme activity following the establishment of mature cataracts.
Maquiladoras: An Unknown Workforce

This study examines the workforce of a maquiladora in Yucatan, Mexico, using the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ), the Job Characteristics Inventory (JCI), and demographics. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple step-wise regression, correlation coefficients, and t-tests. Level of Overall Satisfaction on the JCI and General Satisfaction on the MSQ were both about 62%. Workers were more satisfied with core dimensions (variety, autonomy, task identity, and feedback) than with interpersonal dimensions (dealing with others and friendship opportunities). Based on the MSQ, workers derived more Intrinsic Satisfaction than Extrinsic Satisfaction from their work. Items with the highest mean scores were not necessarily the ones explaining the greatest account of variance in job satisfaction. The study provides implications for U.S. firms wishing to establish maquiladoras in Mexico.
Teen motherhood in cross-cultural perspective

Teen motherhood is the prevalent childbearing pattern in most traditional populations. Yet early motherhood is associated with negative biological and social outcomes in the developed world. We review the teen pregnancy literature in light of this discrepancy, emphasizing two core debates. The first debate centers on whether teens have poor pregnancy outcomes compared to older women, and whether negative outcomes are biologically based. Second, we consider the debate over the confounding effects of socio-economic conditions associated with being young. When teens are considered as a group, results are inconsistent across studies. When teens are disaggregated by age, the strongest finding across studies is that biological risk is concentrated in only the youngest of mothers. Negative consequences are associated with teen motherhood not because of chronological age per se, but because of relative developmental maturity and the availability of non-maternal support. In most traditional societies as well as in some sectors of developed societies, teen motherhood occurs within the context of extended kin networks and is subsidized through reliable economic and childcare assistance. Child-rearing practices, rather than pregnancy per se, may explain much of the discrepancy in the prevalence, success and attitudes toward teen motherhood in traditional and developed societies.
Feminist friendship: Isabel Hampton Robb, Lavinia Lloyd Dock and Mary Adelaide Nutting

Three nurses who met at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing were the architects of professional nursing education and the founders of the major professional organizations in nursing: Isabel Hampton Robb, Lavinia Lloyd Dock and Mary Adelaide Nutting. Their relationship was an important part of the context in which feminism, social reform and nursing came together at the turn of the century. This paper explores the social context that structured their professional interests as well as their personal relationships.
Concentric Narrow-Band-Elimination Filter

A type of wave filter employing a concentric transmission line is described. Filters of this type are especially applicable to ultra-high-frequency operation where their physical size becomes reasonable and where the conventional lumped-constant filters become practically unrealizable. It is shown that the addition of a simple lumped-reactance element will result in a sharp cutoff characteristic analogous to that exhibited by a conventional m-derived lumped-constant filter but over a limited frequency band. This latter filter has allowed simultaneous transmission and reception using the same antenna, in the 30- to 42-megacycle band, transmitter pouer 150 watts, receiver sensitivity 5 microvolts, with a frequency difference of only 0.9 megacycle. It is shown that a 14 per cent increase in driving-point impedance of the filter can be obtained if the filter line is shortened 0.065 wavelength and tuned to resonance with a shunt capacitance. This result is applicable directly to the use of transmission lines as tank circuits when very high driving point impedance is required.
Evolution of immunoglobulin VH pseudogenes in chickens.

In chickens, there is a single functional gene (Vu 1) coding for the heavy chain variable region of immunoglobulins, and immunoglobulin diversity is generated by gene conversion of the Vn 1 gene by many variable region pseudogenes (YVn’s) that exist on the 5’ side of the Vu 1 gene. To understand the evolution of this unique genetic system, we conducted statistical analyses of Vu 1 and YVH genes together with functional Vn genes from other higher vertebrate species. The results indicate, first, that chicken VH genes are all closely related to one another and were derived relatively recently from an ancestral gene belonging to one of the three major groups of VH genes in higher vertebrates. Second, the rate of nonsynonymous substitution is slightly higher than that of synonymous substitution in the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs), which suggests that diversity-enhancing selection has operated in the CDRs even for pseudogenes. However, both the rates of synonymous and nonsynonymous substitution are higher in the CDRs than in the framework regions ( FRs), apparently because of an interaction between positive selection and meiotic gene conversion in the CDRs. Third, a dot matrix analysis of the YVn genes and genomic diversity (D) genes has indicated that the 3’ end of YVu genes is attached by D-gene-like sequences, and this region of YVu genes has high similarity with D gene sequences. This suggests that V and D genes were fused at some point of evolutionary time and this fused element multiplied by gene duplication. Finally, two alternative hypotheses of explaining the evolution of the chicken Vu gene system are presented.
Performance of the IBM synchrotron X-ray source for lithography

The compact superconducting synchrotron X-ray source at the IBM Advanced Lithography Facility in East Fishkill, New York has been in service to customers since the start of 1992. Its availability during scheduled time is greater than 90%, with recent months frequently surpassing 95%. Data on the long-term behavior of the X-ray source properties and subsystem performance are now available. The full system continues to meet all specifications and even to surpass them in key areas. Measured electron beam properties such as beam size, short- and long-term positional stability, and beam lifetime are presented. Lifetimes greater than 20 hours for typical stored beams have significantly simplified operations and increased availability compared to projections. This paper also describes some unique features of this X-ray source and goes beyond a discussion of downtime to describe the efforts behind the scenes to maintain and operate it.
Attachment processes in the supervisory relationship: An exploratory investigation.

How do relational characteristics of clinical trainees and supervisors influence the supervisory relationship? Following suggestions that attachment theory might shed light on this question, the authors asked doctoral-level psychology interns (N 87) to complete an online survey about attachment processes and supervision experiences. Findings indicated that perceived supervisor attachment style was significantly associated with supervision task and bond. Regardless of their own attachment style, participants reporting secure supervisors rated the supervisory bond higher than participants reporting insecure supervisors. Results of path analyses suggested that parental indifference, compulsive self-reliance, and perceived supervisor attachment style may be particularly important in shaping the supervisory alliance. Implications for training and supervision are discussed.
IMPASS: Intelligent Mobility Platform with Active Spoke System

IMPASS (Intelligent Mobility Platform with Active Spoke System) is a novel mobile robot driven by two rimless spoke wheels. Each of the spokes can be individually actuated with intelligent motion planning to walk over uneven terrain with high mobility. This form of novel locomotion has the potential to combine the efficiency of a wheeled robot and the mobility of a legged robot. A highly mobile robot such as IMPASS could prove very valuable in applications where the terrain is complex and dangerous, such as search and rescue, reconnaissance, or anti-terror response. This video presents an overview of the system concept with examples and demonstrations of its unique mobility. Beginning with an overview of the system concept and hardware, the video then demonstrates the different mobility advantages. These include rough terrain locomotion, dynamic surface locomotion, and large step climbing.
The Relationship Between Underage Alcohol Possession and Future Criminal Behavior: An Empirical Analysis Using Age–Period Cohort Characteristics Models

This study examines the relationship between underage alcohol possession and criminal behavior through a cohort, age, and period analysis. Utilizing the Age–Period Cohort Characteristic (APCC) models method and national arrest data, while controlling for age and period effects, this study examined single-year age cohorts and determines that strict enforcement of PULA (Possession Under Legal Age) laws decreases the likelihood of strongly correlated vandalism and assaults as young adults. The analysis indicates an increase in assaults and vandalism as cohort size increases, but little effect from single parent, resource deprivation.
Distribution of TmDOTP5− in rat tissues: TmDOTP5− vs. CoEDTA− as markers of extracellular tissue space

The distribution of TmDOTP5− in rat tissue was compared with CoEDTA−, an anionic complex previously used as a marker of extracellular space. Heart, liver, muscle, blood, and urine were collected fr...
Rapid, efficient phase pure synthesis of Ca2AlNO3 layered double hydroxide

Phase pure Ca2AlNO3-LDH nanoplatelets have been successfully synthesised by rapid mixing and precipitation from water in air using a colloidal mill. The as prepared nanoplatelets have an average particle size of 250 nm (by TEM) compared to 2.4 μm via conventional coprecipitation. The Ca2AlNO3-LDH nanoplatelet suspensions are not stable, and age post synthesis. TEM data showed that the particles increase in size from 250 to 705 nm after 4 weeks at 8 °C. TEM data also revealed that storage at lower temperatures (−20 °C) significantly slows platelet growth. Aqueous suspensions of Ca2AlNO3-LDH nanoplates slowly decompose at room temperature.
Generations Analysis and International Relations: Cultural Zones, Intergenerational Value Change, and Cross-National Comparison

Using findings from the World Values Survey, I argue for a consideration of generational difference as an overlooked component of social value systems, change, and cultural conflict in the international system. To the extent that such value systems underlie oft-unspoken shared understandings, and even formalized agreements replete with value-based assumptions, understanding this unstated dynamic is important in reconciling what otherwise appear to be insurmountable ‘civilizational divides’. To this end, I discuss generation, alongside civilization, as productive levels of analysis (or analytic variables) in international relations.The growing data from the World Values Survey indicates that intergenerational value change is quite real and measurable, and works in conjunction with socio-cultural, or civilizational, differences in to shape group attitudes. This provides cross-national, time-series, data-driven leverage for several research agendas within a constructivist IR approach. Among these are implications for understanding the value-laden side of democratization and democratic consolidation, the normative element of the democratic peace dynamic, formation and evolution of international regimes, civilizational divisions related to conflict, and intra-national value changes in leadership cohorts. People are shaped by their formative experiences; the World Values Survey provides a more nuanced means of measuring these processes and their outcomes. Accordingly, applying a generational distinction to IR theorizing allows us to understand the shift in international politics away from a survival-oriented state-power political environment toward a more socially-constituted understanding of international relations.
Kinetic evaluation of human cloned coproporphyrinogen oxidase using a ring isomer of the natural substrate.

BACKGROUND: The enzyme coproporphyrinogen oxidase (copro'gen oxidase) converts coproporphyrinogen-III (GIII) to protoporphyrinogen-IX via an intermediary monovinyl porphyrinogen. The A ring isomer coproporphyrinogen-IV (C-IV) has previously been shown to be a substrate for copro'gen oxidase derived from avian erythrocytes. In contrast to the authentic substrate (C-III) where only a small amount of the monovinyl intermediate is detected, C-IV gives rise to a monovinyl intermediate that accumulates before being converted to an isomer of protoporphyrinogen-IX. No kinetic studies have been carried out using the purified human copro'gen oxidase to evaluate its ability to process both the authentic substrate as well as analogs. MATERIALS/METHODS: Therefore, purified, cloned human copro'gen oxidase was incubated with C-III or C-IV at 37 degrees C with various substrate concentrations (from 0.005 pM to 3.5 pM). The Km (an indication of molecular recognition) and Kcat (turnover number) values were determined. RESULTS: The Km value for total product formation was about the same with either C-III or C-IV indicating the same molecular recognition. However, the catalytic efficiency (Kcat/Km) of the enzyme for total product formation was not more than two fold higher using C-III relative to C-IV. CONCLUSIONS: Since the Km values are about the same for either substrate and the total Kcat/Km values are within two fold of each other, this could correlate with the increase of severity of porphyrias with monovinyl accumulation. The ability of the increased levels of C-IV to compete with the authentic substrate has important implications for clinical porphyrias.
How Emotional, Economic and Material Dependency May Produce Poverty for Women

Dependencies, mainly for women, represent a factor that studies from ‘70s on have detected as originating a greater risk of social exclusion and vulnerability and, ultimately, of poverty. Main dimensions of dependency emerged from literature regard following aspects: 1) economic (income sources); 2) material (non-economic help in the management of the household from family of origin and friends); 3) emotional (need of an external emotional support). This contribution originates from a 2012 research on poverty and social exclusion, conducted in Italy by National Research Council, involving almost 1000 subjects. Three indexes have been built, referring to different dependencies detected by literature: Economic Dependency Index (EDI), Material Dependency Index (MDI) and Emotional Dependency Index (EDI). These indexes, together with other indicators, have been used with the aim of comparing female versus male respondents. Furthermore, women’ profiles have been drawn out that are potentially vulnerable to poverty and social exclusion (elderly women, women with precarious jobs and divorcees) more than others.
Uncovering News-Twitter Reciprocity via Interaction Patterns

In recent years, the amount of information shared (both implicit and explicit) between traditional news media and social media sources like Twitter has grown at a prolific rate. Traditional news media is dependent on social media to help identify emerging developments; social media is dependent on news media to supply information in certain categories. In this paper, we present a principled framework for understanding their symbiotic relationship, with the goal of (1) understanding the type of information flow between news articles and the Twitterverse by classifying it into four states; (2) chaining similar news articles together to form story chains and extracting interaction patterns for each story chain in terms of interaction states of news articles in the story chain, and (3) identifying major interaction patterns by clustering story chains and understanding their differences by identifying main topics of interest within such clusters.
G460(P) A Characterisation Of Care Needs for Complex PICU Patients

Aim To better understand the care needs of complex children in the PICU environment. Background The epidemiology of the patients on PICU has changed towards an increase in those with chronic disease and increased morbidity. There are few studies on the specific care needs of these complex children. Method This was a single centre retrospective observational cohort study with Caldicott approval. Inclusion criteria were: children (0–18 years) admitted to PICU with 2 or more congenital anomalies or long term support in 2 systems (>6 months prior to admission) and a PICU stay of 7 or more days. Data was collected from 08/11/10–08/11/11 sourced from the PICU admission database, medical notes, PICANET and the pharmacy database. Length of stay and mortality was compared to the non-complex group admitted in the same time period (Mann Whitney U and χ2 tests respectively). Results 593 admissions involved 492 children. 23 Children fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Underlying diagnoses of the complex group varied greatly with congenital anomalies of the GI tract being the most frequent. The complex group accounted for 5.6% of total admissions (33/593). Median length of stay was 14 days (range 4–182) and total bed days was 903. This compared to 2 (range 1–37) and 2074 days respectively in the non-complex group, (p There was a trend towards higher hospital mortality–17.4% (4/23) compared with 5.5% (26/469) in the non-complex group-odds ratio 3.59 (95% confidence interval 1.1 to 11.3) (p = 0.02) Conclusion Complex patients made up 5.6% of PICU admissions but reflected 30% of bed days/year. They required high levels of intervention and sub-speciality involvement. A regular pro-active discussion forum might optimise care and effectively address the specific care needs of this group.
Conflict and Channel Efficiency: Some Conceptual Models for the Decision Maker:

The author presents some simple conceptual models which illustrate possible relationships of conflict to channel efficiency. These models should provide the decision maker with a useful framework f...
O4-S2.03 An anti-adhesive approach to prevention of C trachomatis infection

Background We have reported that the major outer membrane of C trachomatis is glycosylated and the glycan is a high mannose oligosaccharide. Cumulative studies have demonstrated that the glycan is important in attachment and infectivity through binding to the mannose receptor (MR). Glycan removal decreases infectivity in vitro and in vivo and simultaneous administration of mannan, a ligand of the MR, abrogates C trachomatis infection in a mouse model of pneumonitis. Thus, we are investigating the feasibility of an anti-adhesive therapy to prevent C trachomatis infection by identifying oligosaccharides that are effective in inhibiting infection in vitro and testing their efficacy in a mouse model of genital tract infection. Methods HeLa 229 cell monolayers were pretreated with serial concentrations of oligosaccharides prior to infection with C trachomatis. Neutralisation of infectivity was scored as >50% inhibition. For animal experiments, 8-week-old Swiss Webster female mice were primed with subcutaneous injections of Depo-Provera 1 week prior to challenge. Subsequently, mice were inoculated intravaginally with carbohydrates or PBS (n=5 mice per group) 30 min prior to infection with C trachomatis. Vaginal swab samples were obtained at 24, 48, and 72 h. post-infection, at peak times of shedding. Statistical significance was determined by the Student9s t test. Results Carbohydrates have been tested in vitro in hapten inhibition experiments against three serovars (D, E, F) most frequently isolated from genital tract infection. At the highest concentration tested, 4-nitrophenyl-α-D-mannopyranoside inhibited infectivity by 91%–92%; α-D-mannose-PAA from 77 to 93%; hen ovalbumin by 85%–89%; mannan by 77%–83%; and the high mannose fraction prepared from ovalbumin by 59%–98%. To determine efficacy in vivo, Swiss Webster mice were inoculated with different concentrations of inhibitors. Of those tested thus far, shedding of organism was significantly decreased (p Conclusions These preliminary studies suggest the potential feasibility for developing an “anti-adhesive therapy” as an alternate topical microbicide approach to prevent C trachomatis genital tract infection.
Kinetics of Distribution of Inulin Between Two Body Water Compartments.

SummaryComparison of the rate of disappearance of inulin from the plasma after a single injection and after prolonged constant infusion yields data which, on mathematical analysis, conform with the assumption that in the latter circumstance, inulin is uniformly distributed throughout some fixed volume of body fluid, presumably the extracellular fluid.
Oviposition Behavior of the Salt Marsh Greenhead, Tabanus simulans (Diptera: Tabanidae)

Of the 63 egg masses observed being deposited by Tabanus simulans Walker, 81% were laid on the short form of Spartina alterniflora Loisel in the low marsh, whereas 19% were deposited on the tall form. No females oviposited in the field on Spartina patens (Ait.) Muhl. or on any other high-marsh vegetation. Given a choice in the laboratory of S. alterniflora, S. patens, or Distichlis spicata (L.), 98% of the females selected S. alterniflora. When those grasses were presented individually, 98% of the females laid eggs on S. alterniflora; the others oviposited on the wooden frame of the cage. In the two cages containing either S. patens or D. spicata, 2% of the egg masses were found on each of the two plant species, whereas 98% of the egg masses were found on the wooden frame of the cage. Oviposition behavior was observed from 6 June to 2 August (1979 and 1980); eggs were deposited between 0900 and 1700 h, with peak activity from 1200 to 1300 h; of the 59 females, 70% laid their eggs between 1100 and 1400 h.
It's Not Funny: A Case Study.

This case study may be used with personnel supervision, school law, and other school leadership courses. It describes the behavior and actions of one teacher toward another. Student discussions can focus on supervision, workplace mobbing, workplace bullying, as well as sexual harassment. Students should focus on a school leader’s role in such situations. The case can be used to examine appropriate supervision, personnel policy and laws, and/or school leadership and its influence on organizational culture. Students decide what the principal should do next to address the situation and what a long-term plan should include for preventing similar scenarios in the future.
Advocacy Coalition Resources and Strategies in Colorado Hydraulic Fracturing Politics

ABSTRACTThis article examines how members of competing coalitions seek to influence public policy. Past research examined coalitions and policy change, but offered limited understanding about the relationships between coalitions’ resources, strategies, and policy change. The case study focuses on the establishment of various regulations related to hydraulic fracturing in Colorado. Data were collected using interviews (n = 14) and a survey (n = 137) of policy actors asking about their beliefs, resources, and strategies in April 2013. This study found that members of the coalition proposing stricter regulations were successful. This winning coalition more frequently engaged in a wider range of strategies and had greater public support compared to their opponents. The study also found that among the winning coalition members, leadership and information technology resources were associated with the majority of their strategies, but financial resources did not have a significant relationship with any strategy.
Asthma and asthmatoid dyspnea.

In the treatment of patients with wheezing dyspnea it is essential to know whether true asthma is the cause. The underlying mechanisms of asthma and the principles of diagnosis and treatment are discussed.
Exploring the Dimensions of Quality and Future Directions

Echocardiography as with other imaging techniques has many outcomes measures that are related to structure and process. True outcome measures, that is, how an echocardiogram result directly affects a patient outcome, are very difficult to develop at the present. Many efforts are underway to develop outcome measures for imaging and those will be explored as well as future directions for quality initiatives in echocardiography and the societies and boards involved in quality assessment.
An Introduction to Bayesian Inference in Spatial Econometrics

This tutorial is designed to introduce readers to Bayesian variants of the standard SAR and SEM models that are the most widely used and applied models in spatial econometrics. Particular attention is paid to the mathematical derivations required to obtain the full conditional distributions required for Gibbs sampling. The models are derived using diffuse as well as natural conjugate priors for the parameters.
Association of non-native Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii, Caprifoliaceae) with other invasive plant species in eastern deciduous forests in southwestern Ohio

Although many invasive plant species negatively impact native plants in natural communities, their relationships with other nonnative plants remain relatively unexplored. In some cases, invasive plant species may be capable of facilitating the invasion of other nonnative species into natural areas, thereby exacerbating their invasive ecosystem effects. We examined whether Lonicera maackii (Rupr.) Herder (Amur honeysuckle), a woody shrub from Asia that is rapidly spreading throughout the midwestern USA, is associated with other invasive plant species, compared to locations where L. maackii is not yet present. Lonicera maackii is known to detrimentally impact native plant communities and to alter soil nutrients and light levels in invaded areas, indicating that it has the potential to act as an invasion facilitator. Using plots with and without L. maackii in four study sites across southwestern Ohio, we quantified species richness (S), relative abundance (RA), proportion of total species (PR), and diversity (H) of invasive species, compared to native and nonnative species that were not invasive. The presence of L. maackii was significantly associated with an increased number, proportion, and diversity of other invasive plant species, but the relative abundance of invasive individuals did not differ between plots with and without L. maackii. Presence of L. maackii and also distance to roads were explanatory variables that predicted S, PR, RA, and H for invasive species. Overall, the association of L. maackii with other invasive plant species in natural areas indicates the need for continued investigation into the potential role of L. maackii as an invasion facilitator in eastern deciduous forests in the midwestern USA.
P130 Melon™GEL IGG spin purification KIT: A robust and rapid method to remove all interfering factors from serum

Aim High levels of IgM immunoglobulins and complement have been shown to interfere in bead based antibody assays. Hypotonic Dialysis (HD) has proven to effectively remove interfering factors from serum in highly sensitized patients; however, this method requires lengthy serum treatments prior to testing. Laboratories have experimented and found some success in removing IgM by DTT treatment, serum dilutions, and removal of complement by addition of EDTA and heat inactivation. We have tried all of these approaches and continue to find HD to be most effective at removing all interference from patient sera. Recently we have experimented with Melon Columns which have shown promise as a quick and effective alternative to HD. Methods Sera from sensitized patients were tested untreated, titrated and following treatment with DTT and EDTA, Melon Column (MC) and HD prior to testing by OneLambda Single Antigen Beads (SAB). Efficacy of treatment, time and cost (labor and reagent) were factors used to determine the usefulness of each method. Results Removal of interference as measured by MFI intensity was observed in the following order: MC>HD>DTT>EDTA>no treatment. MC treated serum is ready for use in ∼ 20 min; however, processing large numbers increases hands on time. HD requires minimal hands on time, but has lengthy dialysis steps. DTT treated serum removes IgM, but can also degrade IgG. EDTA treated serum removes only complement interference and neither DTT or EDTA are as effective as HD for high CPRA sera. Titrations of untreated serum can be effective but are costly and may not be needed for all sera. Conclusions Sera treated with MC is superior to DTT or EDTA treatment, yields comparable results to HD and is more cost effective than serum titrations. Identification of sera requiring treatment prior to testing is the most effective strategy that a laboratory can take to reduce costs and insure accuracy of HLA antibody testing.
The Pharyngostomy Tube: Indications, Technique, Efficacy, and Safety in Modern Surgical Practice

Background Long-term nasogastric tubes are uncomfortable and associated with complications such as impairment with speech and swallowing, septum trauma, epistaxis, alar necrosis, and intubation of the trachea among others. Pharyngostomy tubes (PTs) are an alternative for prolonged enteral feeding, transluminal drainage of collections, and gastric decompression in patients with an intestinal obstruction and an inoperable abdomen. Patients and Methods This is a retrospective analysis of patients who had a PT placed at our institution from May 2005 to March 2015. The primary end point of the study was to establish the type and rate of complications and aspiration events related to PT use. Results During the specified period, a total of 84 PTs were placed. The most common indication for PT placement was enteric decompression in 65 (77.4%), followed by transluminal collection drainage in 12 (14.3%), and enteral access for nutrition in 7 (8.3%) patients. The mean time to tube removal was 17.8 days ± 17.1 (range, 2–119). We encountered 10 (11.2%) complications related to PT placement, including 7 cases of cellulitis, 2 superficial abscesses, and 1 patient with pharyngeal hemorrhage. Conclusion PTs are a relatively simple, safe, and straightforward approach to achieve long-term enteral decompression, access for feeding or transluminal drainage, avoiding the complications associated with prolonged nasogastric tube placement. The complication rate is low and patient satisfaction and compliance appear to be higher than with nasogastric tubes. Modern surgeons should be familiar with the procedure and technique. PTs should be part of every surgeon's armamentarium.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Entylia carinata (Hemiptera: Membracidae)

The complete mitochondrial genome of the treehopper species, Entylia carinata, was sequenced using the next-generation sequencing method. The completely assembled mitochondrial genome is 15,483 bp long. The genome follows the typical invertebrate mitochondrial gene arrangement, and includes 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes and one A + T-rich region. Two tandem repeats were also identified within the A + T-rich region.
Taxonomy of Pathways to Dangerous Artificial Intelligence

In order to properly handle a dangerous Artificially Intelligent (AI) system it is important to understand how the system came to be in such a state. In popular culture (science fiction movies/books) AIs/Robots became self-aware and as a result rebel against humanity and decide to destroy it. While it is one possible scenario, it is probably the least likely path to appearance of dangerous AI. In this work, we survey, classify and analyze a number of circumstances, which might lead to arrival of malicious AI. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt to systematically classify types of pathways leading to malevolent AI. Previous relevant work either surveyed specific goals/meta-rules which might lead to malevolent behavior in AIs (Ozkural 2014) or reviewed specific undesirable behaviors AGIs can exhibit at different stages of its development (Turchin July 10 2015a, Turchin July 10, 2015b).
Modulation of mTOR signaling as a strategy for the treatment of Pompe disease

Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) coordinates biosynthetic and catabolic processes in response to multiple extracellular and intracellular signals including growth factors and nutrients. This serine/threonine kinase has long been known as a critical regulator of muscle mass. The recent finding that the decision regarding its activation/inactivation takes place at the lysosome undeniably brings mTOR into the field of lysosomal storage diseases. In this study, we have examined the involvement of the mTOR pathway in the pathophysiology of a severe muscle wasting condition, Pompe disease, caused by excessive accumulation of lysosomal glycogen. Here, we report the dysregulation of mTOR signaling in the diseased muscle cells, and we focus on potential sites for therapeutic intervention. Reactivation of mTOR in the whole muscle of Pompe mice by TSC knockdown resulted in the reversal of atrophy and a striking removal of autophagic buildup. Of particular interest, we found that the aberrant mTOR signaling can be reversed by arginine. This finding can be translated into the clinic and may become a paradigm for targeted therapy in lysosomal, metabolic, and neuromuscular diseases.
Charge Separation Mechanisms in Ordered Films of Self-Assembled Donor–Acceptor Dyad Ribbons

Orthogonal attachment of polar and nonpolar side-chains to a zinc porphyrin-perylenediimide dyad (ZnP-PDI, 1a) is shown to result in self-assembly of ordered supramolecular ribbons in which the ZnP and PDI molecules form segregated π-stacked columns. Following photoexcitation of the ordered ribbons, ZnP+•-PDI–• radical ion pairs form in <200 fs and subsequently produce a 30 ± 3% yield of free charge carriers that live for about 100 μs. Elongating the side chains on ZnP and PDI in 1b enhances the order of the films, but does not result in an increase in free charge carrier yield. In addition, this yield is independent of temperature, free energy of reaction, and the ZnP-PDI distance in the covalent dyad. These results suggest that the free charge carrier yield in this system is not limited by a bound charge transfer (CT) state or promoted by a vibronically hot CT state. Instead, it is likely that π-stacking of the segregated donors and acceptors within the ribbons results in delocalization of the charges f...
Oxytocin and Its Relationship to Body Composition, Bone Mineral Density, and Hip Geometry Across the Weight Spectrum.

Context Oxytocin (OXT), an anorexigenic hypothalamic hormone anabolic to bone, may reflect energy availability. Basal serum OXT levels are lower in anorexia nervosa (AN, state of energy deficit) than healthy controls (HC) and negatively associated with spine bone mineral density (BMD). Reports are conflicting regarding OXT levels in overweight/obesity (OB, state of energy excess). Relationships between OXT and BMD in OB and hip geometry across the weight spectrum are unknown. Objective To determine whether overnight serum OXT levels are (1) elevated in OB and (2) associated with body composition, BMD, and hip geometry across the weight spectrum. Design Cross-sectional. Setting Clinical research center. Participants Fifty-nine women, ages 18 to 45 years: amenorrheic AN (N = 16), eumenorrheic HC (N = 24), eumenorrheic OB (N = 19). Main Outcome Measures Serum sampled every 20 minutes from 8 pm to 8 am and pooled for integrated overnight OXT levels. Body composition, BMD, and hip structural analysis measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry. Results OXT levels were lowest in AN, higher in HC, and highest in OB (P ≤ 0.02). There were positive associations between OXT and (1) body mass index (P = 0.0004); (2) total, visceral, and subcutaneous fat (P ≤ 0.0002); (3) spine and hip BMD Z-scores (P ≤ 0.01); and (4) favorable hip geometry, namely buckling ratio (P ≤ 0.05). In a subset analysis of HC and OB, relationships between OXT and body composition, but not bone parameters, remained significant. Conclusions These data suggest OXT is a marker of energy availability and may be a mediator of bone density, structure, and strength. OXT pathways may provide targets for obesity and osteoporosis treatment.
Abstract 15940: Laminar Shear Stress Induces a Vangl2 Vimentin Association in HUVEC

Introduction: Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) are strongly influenced by flow. Disturbed flow patterns trigger vascular pathology including atherosclerosis, neointimal hyperplasia, and faulty tone...
Relativistic Dynamical Theory of Particle Decay and Application to K-Mesons

The theoretical description of particle decay by a single particle theory requires the use of a probability density in time that is not present in conventional theories. The problem of single particle decay is consistently described here within the context of a single particle, relativistic dynamical theory. We derive experimentally testable differences between the standard model and Relativistic Dynamics for a two-state system: the neutral K-meson (K 0) system. We show that the estimate of mass difference between the two states is theory dependent.
A micromechanical constitutive model for rigid particles embedded in an elastic matrix

Abstract In this paper, a recently proposed micromechanical theory for the two-dimensional inelastic behavior of a two phase composite material consisting of an aggregate and a binding agent is reviewed. The microstructural properties are characterized by planes of various orientations, with each plane representing a class of contact at the interface between binder and aggregate. Each class is further broken down into cracked and bonded interface contacts. Cracked contacts allow slip along the planes of contact. Bonded contacts, however, allow no slip at the interface to take place. It is assumed that the binding agent or matrix behaves as an elastic material. The evolution of the number of contacts and the orientation of the contact planes, as well as the ratio of the cracked and bonded contacts in a class are examined. Using a Taylor-averaging method, incremental macroscopic constitutive equations are formulated. Finally, results of a computational simulation of uniaxial compression are presented.
Great Recession and Income Inequality: a State-level Analysis

This paper analyzes the impact of the Great Recession on the income inequalities of racial and ethnic groups, namely whites, blacks, Hispanics, and Asians, in the USA. As the US economy fell into a deep recession during the late 2000s, the unemployment rate skyrocketed, the stock markets crashed, and incomes significantly declined. Using the American Community Survey from 2005 to 2016, this paper presents novel results that suggest the Great Recession not only increased the overall income inequality in the USA but also within- and between-group income inequalities among racial and ethnic groups. Furthermore, the impact of the recession on inequality is not uniform across these racial and ethnic groups. More specifically, during the Great Recession, inequality among blacks, Hispanics, and Asians has significantly increased, while whites experienced only a moderate increase in income inequality. The findings of this work are both timely and relevant, especially in terms of public policy. Policymakers cognizant of problems associated with within- and between-group inequalities might concentrate on policies alleviating the impact of the recession, especially those geared toward racial and ethnic minorities.
Improving apparent diffusion coefficient accuracy on a compact 3T MRI scanner using gradient nonlinearity correction

Background Gradient nonlinearity (GNL) leads to biased apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) in diffusion-weighted imaging. A gradient nonlinearity correction (GNLC) method has been developed for whole body systems, but is yet to be tested for the new compact 3T (C3T) scanner, which exhibits more complex GNL due to its asymmetrical design. Purpose To assess the improvement of ADC quantification with GNLC for the C3T scanner. Study type Phantom measurements and retrospective analysis of patient data. Phantom/subjects A diffusion quality control phantom with vials containing 0-30% polyvinylpyrrolidone in water was used. For in vivo data, 12 patient exams were analyzed (median age, 33). Field strength/sequence Imaging was performed on the C3T and two commercial 3T scanners. A clinical DWI (repetition time [TR] = 10,000 msec, echo time [TE] = minimum, b = 1000 s/mm2 ) sequence was used for phantom imaging and 10 patient cases and a clinical DTI (TR = 6000-10,000 msec, TE = minimum, b = 1000 s/mm2 ) sequence was used for two patient cases. Assessment The 0% vial was measured along three orthogonal axes, and at two different temperatures. The ADC for each concentration was compared between the C3T and two whole-body scanners. Cerebrospinal fluid and white matter ADCs were quantified for each patient and compared to values in literature. Statistical tests Paired t-test and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results For all PVP concentrations, the corrected ADC was within 2.5% of the reference ADC. On average, the ADC of cerebrospinal fluid and white matter post-GNLC were within 1% and 6%, respectively, of values reported in the literature and were significantly different from the uncorrected data (P Data conclusion This study demonstrated that GNL effects were more severe for the C3T due to the asymmetric gradient design, but our implementation of a GNLC compensated for these effects, resulting in ADC values that are in good agreement with values from the literature. Level of evidence 4 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:1498-1507.
Contributions to Nearctic Stupkaiella Vaillant (Diptera: Psychodidae)

The diagnosis of genus Stupkaiella Vaillant (Diptera: Psychodidae) is revised. Three new eastern Nearctic species, Stupkaiella capricornuata sp. nov., S. lasiostyla sp . nov., and S. robinsoni sp. nov., and the 4 th or final instar larva of S. bipunctata Kincaid are described and a key to adult males of the eastern Nearctic species of Stupkaiella is provided.
Protective Behavioral Strategies Moderate the Association between Narcissistic Traits and Alcohol Pathology in College Student Drinkers.

Background: Personality traits found in Cluster B personality disorders have garnered considerable empirical attention and have been linked to a litany of issues, such as alcohol-related problems. ...
Constitutive reduction in the checkpoint inhibitor, CTLA-4, does not accelerate SLE in NZM 2328 mice.

Background/objective Treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in oncology patients is increasing. Although ICIs trigger rheumatic immune-related adverse events, development of SLE features has been rare. Whether long-term treatment with ICIs would promote SLE features remains unknown. To begin to address this, we generated SLE-prone NZM 2328 mice with lifelong reduction in CTLA-4 expression. Methods Since CTLA-4-deficient (Ctla4−/−) NZM mice developed a lethal lymphoproliferative disorder by 3–6 weeks of age, development of SLE in these mice could not be studied. Ctla4 haploinsufficient NZM.Ctla4+/− mice were assessed in parallel with littermate female NZM.Ctla4+/+ mice. Evaluations included CTLA-4 expression and lymphocyte profiles, assessed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting; serological profiles, assessed by ELISA; renal immunopathology, assessed by histology and immunofluorescence; and clinical courses, assessed by mortality. Results CTLA-4 expression was lower in NZM.Ctla4+/− mice than in NZM.Ctla4+/+ mice. Spleen mononuclear cells, B cells, plasma cells, CD4+ cells, recently activated CD4+ cells and CD4+ T regulatory (Treg) cells were increased in NZM.Ctla4+/− mice (p≤0.042). The serological profile, degree of renal immunopathology and mortality in NZM.Ctla4+/− mice remained unaffected. Conclusion Lifelong reduction in CTLA-4 expression in NZM mice neither accelerated nor aggravated SLE. Expansion in Treg cells may have played a protective role. Our observations raise the hope that long-term treatment of patients with SLE with an anti-CTLA-4 agent, should the need arise, would not adversely affect SLE disease activity.