cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Real Time Spectroscopic Ellipsometry of Sputtered CdTe: Effect of Growth Temperature on Structural and Optical Properties

Real time spectroscopic ellipsometry (RTSE) has been applied to characterize process-property relations in polycrystalline CdTe films prepared to 3000 Aring by magnetron sputtering under conditions similar to those yielding 14%-efficient solar cells. In this study, the key process variable is the deposition temperature (T: 188lesTles304 degC), which was calibrated in situ from the CdTe E0 band gap shifts relative to 15 degC. From analyses of the RTSE data, the time evolution of basic structural properties, including the surface roughness and bulk layer thicknesses, instantaneous deposition rate, and near-surface void volume fraction, can all be determined. As a result, depth profiles in the void fraction can be extracted. The ability to detect surface roughness with monolayer sensitivity permits study of the nucleation and growth modes of the film. In addition, analyses of the data collected after cooling the deposited sample provide the 15 degC dielectric functions (epsiv1, epsiv2) for films prepared at the different deposition temperatures. Critical point analyses yield the fundamental and higher band gap energies and associated broadening parameters, and these provide information on film stress, defect density, and grain size
Towards Multipotent Coatings : Chemical Vapor Deposition and Biofunctionalization of Carbonyl-Substituted Copolymers

Future advances in designing bioactive materials, such as antithrombotic coatings for cardiovascular stents, will require widely applicable and robust methods of surface modification. In this paper, we report on the development of multifunctional polymer coatings made by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) copolymerization. Polymer coatings of various [2.2]paracyclophane derivatives were co-deposited in controlled ratios and their chemical composition verified by FT-IR and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Furthermore, preliminary biocompatibility of these coatings was assessed using human umbilical vein endothelial cells and 3T3 murine fibroblasts. The parallel immobilization of two different antithrombotic biomolecules onto a CVD-based copolymer is also demonstrated by orthogonal immobilization strategies.
NEW GENERA AND SPECIES OF AMERICAN TACHINIDAE (DIPTERA)

Five new genera and 27 new species of tachinid flies from North and South America are described as follows: Acemya favilla n. sp., Actinodoria argentata n. sp., Adoryphorophaga luxatura n. sp., A. secutoris n. sp., Aphantorhapha pulla n. sp., Belvosia naccina n. sp., Calolydella summatis n. sp., Catemophrys sororcula n. sp., Chaetona pictilis n. sp., Doliolomyia n. gen. (type-species D. thessa n. sp.), D. alactaga n. sp., Echinopyrrhosia arrogans n. sp., E. pellacis n. sp., Eomeigenielloides n. gen. (type-species E. segestris n. sp.), Euceromasia sobrina n. sp., Euempheremyia melotris n. sp., Eulasiopalpus mirimodis n sp., Eutrapelus n. gen. (type-species E. atlixcoensis n. sp.), Leucostoma fallax n. sp., L. politifrons n. sp., Lindigepalpus bogotensis n. sp, Lindigia oriunda n. sp., Melanepalpus meraculus n. sp., Myioclura n. gen. (type-species M. necopina n. sp.), M. melusina n. sp., Myiophasia harpi n. sp., Technamyia n. gen. (type-species T. cinereola n. sp.), Trichosaundersia callithrix n. sp.
Fiber optic demonstration of MIL-STD-1760 stores interconnect

The authors describe a laser-diode-based, fibre-optic stores management interconnect demonstration system. System test results for MIL-STD-1760 compliance are presented. These tests include bandwidth, latency, step input response, transient (T-pulse) response, and signal to noise ratio. >
The Vaccinia Virus Complement Control Protein Modulates Adaptive Immune Responses during Infection

Complement activation is an important component of the innate immune response against viral infection and also shapes adaptive immune responses. Despite compelling evidence that complement activation enhances T cell and antibody (Ab) responses during viral infection, it is unknown whether inhibition of complement by pathogens alters these responses. Vaccinia virus (VACV) modulates complement activation by encoding a complement regulatory protein called the vaccinia virus complement control protein (VCP). Although VCP has been described as a virulence factor, the mechanisms by which VCP enhances VACV pathogenesis have not been fully defined. Since complement is necessary for optimal adaptive immune responses to several viruses, we hypothesized that VCP contributes to pathogenesis by modulating anti-VACV T cell and Ab responses. In this study, we used an intradermal model of VACV infection to compare pathogenesis of wild-type virus (vv-VCPwt) and a virus lacking VCP (vv-VCPko). vv-VCPko formed smaller lesions in wild-type mice but not in complement-deficient mice. Attenuation of vv-VCPko correlated with increased accumulation of T cells at the site of infection, enhanced neutralizing antibody responses, and reduced viral titers. Importantly, depleting CD8(+) T cells together with CD4(+) T cells, which also eliminated T helper cell-dependent Ab responses, restored vv-VCPko to wild-type levels of virulence. These results suggest that VCP contributes to virulence by dampening both antibody and T cell responses. This work provides insight into how modulation of complement by poxviruses contributes to virulence and demonstrates that a pathogen-encoded complement regulatory protein can modulate adaptive immunity.
PET imaging of bacterial infections with fluorine-18-labeled maltohexaose.

A new positron emission tomography (PET) tracer, composed of 18F labeled maltohexaose (MH18F), can image bacteria in vivo with a sensitivity and specificity that is orders of magnitude better than fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG). MH18F can detect early stage infections composed of as few as 105 E.coli colony forming units (CFUs), and can identify drug resistance in bacteria in vivo. MH18F has the potential to improve the diagnosis of bacterial infections given its unique combination of high specificity and sensitivity for bacteria.
Problems with Reporting and Evaluating Mining Industry Community Development Projects: A Case Study from Tanzania

Reporting on contributions to community development is one way gold mining companies communicate the expanse and depth of their commitment to social responsibility. These projects are intended to provide the mine-proximate communities with some of the wealth and other benefits generated by mine development in their locales. We raise questions about reporting and evaluation of community development projects undertaken by AngloGold Ashanti in the two communities of Nyakabale and Nyamalembo, near its Geita mining projects in the Lake Victoria goldfields of Tanzania. We use archival data and data obtained from field research conducted during different periods throughout 2005, 2007 and 2010 to compare what the company reports to have done with what is found on the ground. Our findings revealed that the corporate reporting is misleading, ambiguous, and omissive. Much of the effort labeled "community development" benefited the companies directly via infrastructure development, food supplies to the mine cafeteria, and worker health. We argue that, if Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects are to be the primary way local people directly benefit from mine development, the relationship between the value of those projects and the wealth taken from the location should be considered, community projects should be well defined and differentiated from company-oriented projects, and community representatives should participate in monitoring the success and impact of community development projects.
Immediate early gene and neuropeptide expression following exposure to the predator odor 2,5-dihydro-2,4,5-trimethylthiazoline (TMT).

a b s t r a c t The immediate early gene c-fos and a number of neuropeptides have been widely used to help delineate the neural circuitry of innate fear to predator odors. The present study used in situ hybridization tech- niques to examine the expression of the immediate early gene transcription factors c-fos and egr-1, and the neuropeptides corticotropin-releasing hormone (crh) and enkephalin (enk) following exposure to the predator odor 2,5-dihydro-2,4,5-trimethylthiazoline (TMT). Rats were exposed to water (H2O), TMT, or the irritating odor butyric acid (BA) and freezing was used to measure fear behavior. Changes in gene expression were analyzed in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), and central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA). Animals froze more to TMT than BA and H2O, and more to BA than H2O. Compared to H2O and BA, c-fos and egr-1 were elevated within the BNST, PVN, and CeA in rats exposed to TMT, but not the mPFC. Crh was also elevated in rats exposed to TMT within the CeA and PVN, but not the BNST or mPFC. Enk was elevated within the PVN in TMT and BA exposed rats compared to H2O exposure. These data indicate that exposure to the predator odor TMT induces similar expression patterns for c-fos and egr-1, but different patterns for crh and enk, with partial overlap of the immediate-early genes and neuropeptides within specific brain regions. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Selecting highly optimal architectural feature sets with Filtered Cartesian Flattening

Feature modeling is a common method used to capture the variability in a configurable application. A key challenge developers face when using a feature model is determining how to select a set of features for a variant that simultaneously satisfy a series of resource constraints. This paper presents an approximation technique for selecting highly optimal feature sets while adhering to resource limits. The paper provides the following contributions to configuring application variants from feature models: (1) we provide a polynomial time approximation algorithm for selecting a highly optimal set of features that adheres to a set of resource constraints, (2) we show how this algorithm can incorporate complex configuration constraints; and (3) we present empirical results showing that the approximation algorithm can be used to derive feature sets that are more than 90%+ optimal.
Model-Order Reduction Based on PRONY's Method

A new model-order reduction technique for linear dynamic systems is presented. The idea behind this technique is to transform the dynamic system function from the s-domain into the z-domain via the bilinear transformation, then use Pronyýs [1] least-squares approximation method instead of the commonly employed Pade approximation method, and finally transform the reduced system back into the s-domain using the inverse bilinear transformation. Simulation results for large practical systems show that this technique based on Pronyýs method gives much higher accuracy than the traditional Pade method, and results in lower-order approximations without significant increase in simulation time.
Herbivory delays flowering and reduces fecundity of Liatris ohlingerae (Asteraceae), an endangered, endemic plant of the Florida scrub

Abstract Herbivores may negatively impact plants by reducing biomass and decreasing fecundity. Rare or endangered plants may be particularly vulnerable to herbivore damage. However, plants may compensate for herbivory by increased growth or reproductive output. We investigated compensatory growth and reproductive effort in Liatris ohlingerae (S.F.Blake) B.L.Robe, a federally-listed herb narrowly endemic to pyrogenic Florida scrub on the Lake Wales Ridge, by conducting biweekly surveys of observed herbivory and an herbivore exclusion experiment. In the field surveys, we assessed the effects of vertebrate herbivory (“topping”) and invertebrate leaf herbivory on plant size and fecundity and compared observed levels of herbivory across sites with different disturbance histories (scrub vs. roadside; scrub sites with differing time-since-fire). In the herbivore exclusion experiment, we compared the effects on plant size and fecundity of excluding vertebrate herbivores (toppers) only vs. excluding both vertebrat...
Vegetative and Psychological Symptoms Associated with Depressed Mood over the First Two Years after Stroke

Introduction:In patients with acute physical illness, symptoms used in the diagnosis of major depression such as sleep or appetite disturbance may be nonspecific for depression. This study was undertaken to examine the association of depressed mood with other depressive symptoms to determine which symptoms were most useful in the accurate diagnosis of major depression after stroke.Methods:Using a structured mental status examination, 142 patients with acute stroke were followed at three, six, twelve, and twenty-four months.Results:The median number of vegetative and psychological symptoms among patients with depressed mood was more than three times the respective rates among nondepressed patients at all time points over two years. Autonomic anxiety, morning depression, subjective anergia, worrying, brooding, loss of interest, hopelessness, and lack of self-confidence were significantly more frequent among depressed patients than nondepressed patients throughout the entire two-year period. Some symptoms su...
The Conceptual Coupling Metrics for Object-Oriented Systems

Coupling in software has been linked with maintainability and existing metrics are used as predictors of external software quality attributes such as fault-proneness, impact analysis, ripple effects of changes, changeability, etc. Many coupling measures for object-oriented (OO) software have been proposed, each of them capturing specific dimensions of coupling. This paper presents a new set of coupling measures for OO systems - named conceptual coupling, based on the semantic information obtained from the source code, encoded in identifiers and comments. A case study on open source software systems is performed to compare the new measures with existing structural coupling measures. The case study shows that the conceptual coupling captures new dimensions of coupling, which are not captured by existing coupling measures; hence it can be used to complement the existing metrics.
Forgiveness, the Holocaust and the evil

En este articulo, el autor analiza el concepto de 'perdon', segun su interpretacion desde distintas culturas y religiones, y como las sociedades actuales justifican su aplicacion para volver a la normalidad tras periodos de atrocidades, comunmente denominados 'holocaustos', como el Holocausto Nazi o la mas recientes masacres en Ruanda. Se analizan asimismo los mecanismos por los cuales, a traves del 'perdon' se huye del 'mal' que representa el concepto de holocausto a costa de eliminar la memoria historica. El autor propone formas de prevenir futuras tragedias analizando precisamente episodios de aquellos recientes holocaustos.
THE CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES IN CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE: Traditional Cardiac Risk Factors in Individuals with Chronic Kidney Disease

Individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at increased risk for the development and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The increased risk is due to a higher prevalence of both traditional risk factors as well as nontraditional risk factors. In this review we focus on individuals at all stages of CKD and discuss modifiable traditional risk factors, namely hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and poor glycemic control, smoking, and physical inactivity. The prevalence of each risk factor and its relationship with CVD is described. Treatment recommendations are provided using evidence available from populations with CKD or evidence extrapolated from the general population when there are insufficient data on individuals with CKD.
An integration algorithm for the temperature solution of the four-layer infinite plate structure

An algorithm is presented for the effective and accurate integration of the temperature solution of a four-layer plate structure with infinite lateral boundaries. By using the method of images, the effect of the finite lateral boundaries of a rectangular structure can be taken into account, and the solution of the infinite plate structure can be utilized to represent exactly the solution of a rectangular structure. The solution for the rectangular structure is in the form of an infinite double Fourier cosine series. A large number of terms has to be summed for accurate temperature calculation, resulting in prohibitively long CPU time for structures with small heat sources. The solution of the infinite plate structure is an inverse double Fourier cosine integration whose integrand decreases very rapidly with the spatial frequencies alpha and beta . However, it is highly oscillatory, so that general-purpose integration routines require long CPU time and produce uncertain results. By using the integration algorithm developed, the authors were able to reduce the CPU time by a factor of 10 and at the same time obtain more accurate results. For the rectangular structure, the CPU time is reduced by a factor of 100 to 1000. >
Patterns of Alternative Tobacco Product Use: Emergence of Hookah and E-cigarettes as Preferred Products Amongst Youth

Abstract Purpose There is a growing public health concern related to the rapid increase in the use of multiple tobacco products among adolescents. This study examined patterns of adolescent use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars/cigarillo, hookah/waterpipe, and smokeless/dip/chewing tobacco in a population of southern California adolescents. Methods Data from 2,097 11th- and 12th-grade participants in the Southern California Children's Health Study were collected via self-report in 2014. Study participants were asked about lifetime and current (past 30 days) use of cigarettes, cigars/cigarillos/little cigars, e-cigarettes, hookah/waterpipe, and smokeless/dip/chewing tobacco. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify patterns of tobacco use. Results Hookah/waterpipe tobacco use had the highest current prevalence (10.7%) followed by e-cigarettes (9.6%). The prevalence of use of smokeless/dip/chewing tobacco was lowest, with 2.2% of adolescents reporting current use. The LCA suggested four distinct classes, comprising nonusers (72.3% of the sample), polytobacco experimenters (13.9%), e-cigarette/hookah users (8.2%), and polytobacco users (5.6%). Multinomial logistic regression based on these four classes found that males had double the odds to be polytobacco users relative to nonusers compared to females (odds ratio, 2.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.26–4.25). Conclusions By identifying naturally occurring configurations of tobacco product use in teens, these findings may be useful to practitioners and policymakers to identify the need for tobacco control interventions that address specific tobacco products and particular combinations of polytobacco use. LCA can be used to identify segments of the population overrepresented among certain tobacco use classes (e.g., boys) that may benefit most from targeted polyproduct intervention approaches.
Cyberbullying Internationally Increasing: New Challenges in the Technology Generation

Cyberbullying is a growing phenomenon among adolescents, teens, and young adults who either perpetrate and/or are the recipients of harassing and threatening behaviors through the use of technologies such as emails, Internet communities and social networking Web sites, chat rooms, and cell phones. The incidences of cyberbullying have increased predominantly among students who are residents of technologically advanced countries throughout North America, Europe, and Asia (Anderson & Sturm, 2007; Li, 2006). Several studies have shown that as many as 57% of school age students in the U.S. have experienced some types of cyber harassment (Cook, Williams, Guera & Tuthill, 2007; Hinduja & Patchin, 2005; Lenhart, 2007; Li, 2004). However, many schools and teachers may not fully be aware of the increase of cyberbullying and the psycho-emotional and physical problems that arise from both the perpetuation and the receipt of cyberbullying. The purpose of this chapter is to present the characteristics and theoretical frameworks that define and contextualize cyberbullying including the international prevalence and related statistics, backgrounds and profiles of perpetrators, and adults’ roles (Campbell, 2005; Cook, et al., 2007; Kennedy, 2005; Lenhart, 2007; Willard, 2005). This chapter will also provide educators and parents with prevention and intervention strategies to address cyberbullying among youth. Useful Web resources and additional readings are listed as well.
Phase I/II study of docetaxel and 153Sm for castrate metastatic prostate cancer (CMPC): Summary of dose-escalation cohorts and first report on the expansion cohort

5057 Background: We previously reported (ASCO 2008) that full doses of docetaxel (Tax) and Sm can be repetitively delivered safely using a schedule of q 3 week (wk) Tax and q 6–9 wk Sm. Here we summarize the dose-escalation cohorts and safety/efficacy data from the expansion cohort of 24 pts. Methods: Cohorts of 3–6 pts with CPMC were defined by: 65, 70, 75, 75, 75 mg/m2 of Tax and Sam 0.5, 0.5, 0.5, 0.75, 1 mCi/kg. Each cycle was 6 wks. The expansion cohort used 75 mg/m2 Tax (q 3 wk) and 1 mCi/kg Sm (q 9 wk). Pts with an ANC of grade 0–1 and platelet count of > 100,000/mm3 at the end of cycle 1 received additional cycles until progression or toxicity. Results: 52 pts have been treated. 28 pts were taxane naive, 11 received previous taxanes but were not refractory, and 13 were taxane refractory. As anticipated, side effects were primarily hematologic. However, the leading cause for treatment termination was disease progression, involving 16/52 (31%) pts, rather than toxicity. 12/52 (23%) pts came off for ...
Active Flow Control Applied to High-Lift Airfoils Utilizing Simple Flaps

An extensive series of small-scale wind tunnel tests was conducted at the Illinois Institute of Technology as part of the Boeing/DARPA/AFRL/NASA-sponsored ADVINT program. In these tests, Zero Mass Flux (ZMF) Active Flow Control (AFC) was applied to a high-lift airfoil with a highly-deflected simple flap. Three different leading edge geometries were evaluated, and the simple flap performance was compared to the performance of various slotted flap configurations. The wind tunnel model was tested in both 2-D and 3-D configurations. It was found that on this airfoil, flow separation near the leading edge occurred at low angles of attack with droop and cruise leading edges. This resulted in flow conditions upstream of the AFC location at the flap shoulder that were not amenable to effective control. The addition of a slat leading edge improved the upstream flow conditions and resulted in significant performance enhancement with AFC. The AFC applied at the flap shoulder effectively increased the circulation around the airfoil without fully reattaching the flap. The improvement in lift with AFC was found to be proportional to the ratio of peak ZMF jet velocity to the free stream velocity. It was determined that values of this ratio ≥ 2 were sufficient to meet the performance goals of the ADVINT program. It was also found that replacing the simple flap with a slotted flap provided even greater performance. Finally, it was found that 3-D effects did not diminish the effectiveness of the AFC, and near the tip, the AFC effects were even enhanced.
Study on the Mechanism of Class IIIa Semiconductor Laser Medical Devices

Objective: This article aim to study the mechanism of class IIIa semiconductor laser medical devices,thus clarify the intended uses of such products.Methods: Based on FDA regulation and literature research,an analysis is carried out on the principle,mechanism and clinical application of class IIIa semiconductor laser medical devices.Conclusions: Baesd on clinical studies and mechanism research,the intended uses of class IIIa semiconductor laser medical devices should be extravascular irradiation therapeutics and pain-alleviating.Specific regulation methods should be adopted to reduce risks,such as enhanced clinical study evaluation,quality management system and post-market surveillance.
Analysis of legal principle for establishing autonomous regulations and harmonious development of Ningxia

Lying in the hinterland of northwest China,Ningxia is a unique autonomous region of Hui nationality of China.The social development is unbalanced here and the gap between different areas is very big.Without guarantee of perfect system and influenced by rules of market economy and factors of local masses' development,it is inevitable that the economy and society will develop disharmoniously.So Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region should focus on stipulating autonomous regulations and building legal mechanism for harmonious development and overall social progress,thereby fundamentally solving the disharmonious problems existed in the social development.
Molecular Docking to Flexible Targets

It is widely accepted that protein receptors exist as an ensemble of conformations in solution. How best to incorporate receptor flexibility into virtual screening protocols used for drug discovery remains a significant challenge. Here, stepwise methodologies are described to generate and select relevant protein conformations for virtual screening in the context of the relaxed complex scheme (RCS), to design small molecule libraries for docking, and to perform statistical analyses on the virtual screening results. Methods include equidistant spacing, RMSD-based clustering, and QR factorization protocols for ensemble generation and ROC analysis for ensemble selection.
The elderly eyewitness in court, edited by Michael P. Toglia, David F. Ross, Joanna Pozzulo, and Emily Pica

While much developmental research has been conducted on children as eyewitnesses, fewer studies have focused on older-adult eyewitnesses. The elderly eyewitness in court, a book edited by Toglia, R...
Pupil diameter changes reflect difficulty and diagnostic accuracy during medical image interpretation.

Background No automated methods exist to objectively monitor and evaluate the diagnostic process while physicians review computerized medical images. The present study tested whether using eye tracking to monitor tonic and phasic pupil dynamics may prove valuable in tracking interpretive difficulty and predicting diagnostic accuracy.
Regeneration after stroke: Stem cell transplantation and trophic factors

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. However, there is only one Food and Drug Administration-approved drug for the treatment of ischemic stroke, i.e., tissue plasminogen activator, and its therapeutic window is limited to within 4.5 h after stroke. Since clinical trials for neuroprotection have failed to demonstrate efficacy, multipotent and pluripotent stem cell transplantations are viable candidates for stroke treatment by providing trophic factor support and/or cell replacement following injury. The goal of this review is to highlight the promise of stem cell transplantation as vehicles for trophic factor delivery. The beneficial effects of different stem cell types as transplants as well as ways to upregulate trophic factors in stem cells are described in this review. Stem cell transplantation has consistently shown beneficial effects in the ischemic stroke model, in part due to the beneficial factors that stem cells release around the stroke injury area, resulting in smaller infarct volumes and regeneration and functional recovery. Upregulation of beneficial factors in stem cells and neural progenitors before transplantation has been shown to be even more effective in treating the stroke injury than stem cells without upregulated factors. However, for both stem cells and genetic engineering, there remain many unanswered questions and potential for improvement. These include modifiable parameters such as the different stem cell types and different factors, as well as the various readouts for investigation, such as various in vivo effects, such as immune system modulation and enhancement of endogenous neurogenesis and angiogenesis.
Associations between ambient wood smoke and other particulate pollutants and biomarkers of systemic inflammation, coagulation and thrombosis in cardiac patients.

Abstract Background Increased particulate air pollution has been associated with both an increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and adverse changes in cardiac biomarkers. Up to 30% of ambient wintertime fine particles (PM 2.5 ) in Rochester, NY are from wood burning. Our study examined associations between ambient levels of a marker of wood smoke (Delta-C) and other particulate air pollutants and biomarkers of inflammation, coagulation and thrombosis. Methods We measured blood concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), D -dimer, fibrinogen, P-selectin, platelet factor 4 (PF-4), von Willebrand factor (vWF), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) of 135 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization during the winters of 2011–2013. We coupled these data with hourly ambient concentrations of Delta-C, black carbon (BC; marker of traffic pollution), and ultrafine (10–100 nm; UFP), accumulation mode (100–500 nm; AMP), and fine particles ( 2.5 ). Using linear regression models, we estimated the change in each biomarker associated with increased pollutant concentrations at intervals between 1 and 96 h preceding blood collection. Results Each 0.13 µg/m 3 increase in Delta-C concentration in the prior 12 h was associated with a 0.91% increase in fibrinogen levels (95% CI=0.23%, 1.59%), but unexpectedly in the prior 48 h, each 0.17 µg/m 3 increase in Delta-C concentration was associated with a 2.75% decrease in MPO levels (95% CI=−5.13%,−0.37%). We did not see associations between Delta-C concentrations and any other biomarkers. Interquartile range (IQR) increases in PM 2.5, BC, UFP, and AMP concentrations were generally associated with increased CRP and fibrinogen, but not PF4, D -dimer, vWF, or P-selectin. Conclusions In a population of cardiac patients, we noted adverse changes in fibrinogen associated with increased concentrations of a marker of wood smoke. Increases in PM 2.5 , BC, AMP, and UFP concentrations in the previous 96 h were also associated with adverse changes in markers of systemic inflammation and coagulation, but not with markers of endothelial cell dysfunction or platelet activation.
Abstract 128: Role of Hypoxia-dependent Autophagy in the Trophoblast of BPH/5, a Mouse Model of Pre-eclampsia (PE)

Autophagy, a mechanism of cell survival, plays an important role in normal placentation and protects the fetus during stress. Previously, we showed that autophagy was increased in fetoplacental uni...
Advancing Social Narrative Intervention Tools for Students with Autism: The Role of Educational Technology

Formal contributions from the instructional design and technology field have the potential to yield more effective, next-generation social narrative interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Social narrative interventions are a category of behavioral interventions characterized by their use of short, story-like vignettes. This chapter explores an array of advanced technology tools that might be leveraged to facilitate the design, delivery, and monitoring of social narrative interventions. Research literature on learning analytics and human-computer interaction (e.g., eye tracking, galvanic skin response, etc.) as well as authoring tools that allow individuals to create their own social narratives are explored. This examination ends with a description of a conceptual next-generation social narrative intervention and discussion of implications.
The use of endoanal ultrasonography in identifying fistula-in-ano

The aim of our study was to determine the accuracy of endoanal ultrasonography (EUS) in identifying fistula anatomy. Thirty-five patients with a diagnosis of fistula-in-ano underwent EUS. Internal openings, fistulas and associated pathology were documented. Image enhancement with hydrogen peroxide injection via the external opening was used in those patients whose fistulas or internal openings were not clearly seen on initial EUS. Twenty-eight of these patients underwent surgical intervention. Intra-operative findings were correlated with those from the EUS. Seven patients that did not undergo surgery following EUS were excluded from analysis. Three patients had negative examinations by ultrasound and subsequently underwent examination under anesthesia with confirmation of the absence of a fistula. Of the 25 patients with confirmed fistula-in-ano, tracts were identified in 22 patients and the internal opening was identified in 19 patients (associated pathology identified included 1 external anal sphincter defect and 10 abscesses [2 ischiorectal, 4 postanal and 4 perianal]). Without the aid of hydrogen peroxide injection 16 fistula tracts and 12 internal openings were identified. In the 9 patients whose tracts were not clearly seen, 8 were injected with hydrogen peroxide (1 was too tender for injection) and an additional 6 tracts were documented. Of the 13 patients whose internal openings were not clearly documented, 1 had an active abscess and was too tender for injection. Hydrogen peroxide helped to identify an additional 7 internal openings in the remaining patients. Of the 28 patients who underwent surgery, EUS accurately identified the presence or absence as well as the correct location of the tract in 24 patients (86%) and the internal opening in 24 patients (86%). The fistula tract was misinterpreted by EUS in 4 patients and the internal opening in 4 patients overall. Endoanal ultrasonography had a sensitivity of 95% and 92% for identification of the tract and internal opening, respectively, and a positive predictive value of 88% and 92% for the tract and internal opening, respectively. In conclusion EUS with hydrogen peroxide image enhancement is an excellent modality for elucidating the anatomy of fistula-in-ano with a high positive predictive value and sensivity.
A Review on the Kinds of Potentially-Byssinogenic Gram-Negative Bacteria that Occur on Raw Cotton Fiber

Byssinosis is a pulmonary problem experienced by some workers in areas of textile mills where cotton, flax, or other fibers are being mechanically processed prior to spinning. It has long been associated with dust in the air of the mill. As it occurs in U.S. cotton mills, byssinosis has been attributed at least in part to a gram-negative endotoxin-bearing bacterial component of the dust dispersed from fiber into air (Jacobs and Wakelyn, 1988). Bacteria, including gram-negatives, have been shown to grow on the fiber in open bolls before harvest; such growth occurs especially during rainy weather (Simpson and Marsh, 1986; Simpson et al., 1987b). Bacterial growth on fiber is minimal in the San Joaquin Valley of California, where the weather is exceptionally dry in the period between boll opening and harvest (Simpson and Marsh, 1985). Until recently, the gram-negative bacteria on commercial cotton fiber have been only incompletely identified. We briefly review here the identification of such bacteria and discuss practical implications of these findings in relation to the byssinosis problem.
Progression in teratocarcinomas.

One of the joys of preparing this paper was the necessity of rereviewing the elegant work of Leslie Foulds (1969), Harry Greene (1951), and Jacob Furth (1953), and of recalling many pleasant and stimulating discussions with each of them. Foulds studied solid tumors, primarily adenocarcinomas of the breast, and his definition of progression as the independent and irreversible gain or loss of unit characters with time leading to the autonomous state has served oncologists well. Similarly, Greene’s study of adenocarcinoma of the endometrium and breast which demonstrated increased malignancy with time are classics, and Furth’s demonstration of conditioned and dependent tumors and loss of dependency as a manifestation of progression has markedly influenced endocrine therapy of cancer. The mechanism of progression appears to involve the selection of cells best able to survive under the conditions. Thus, the irreversible gains and losses of attributes by a tumor with time are the result of extermination of subpopulations of cells with consequent loss of their phenotypic traits, leaving a tumor composed of more rapidly growing subpopulations expressing their particular traits. Thus, the phenotype and behavior of tumors change irreversibly with time.
Theodore Dreiser: The Supernaturalism of a Naturalist

This paper examines a lesser-reviewed work of Theodore Dreiser and examines his views of “spirit” or “sub-conscious” in his “Plays of the Natural and Supernatural”. The paper provides a unique, but well-documented perspective on Dreiser’s perceptions of a kind of “spirit world” that appears to be parallel to the material world in which, as a naturalist, he normally restricts himself. This paper examines a view of Dreiser that is too often overlooked or discounted because it doesn’t fit the “normal” narrative of Dreiser. This paper does not make the claim that Dreiser was not a naturalist in his writing — only that his doctrine of the material and the spiritual, and his understanding of the complexity of the human mind, is both complicated and rewarding to study.
Intraoperative ketamine may increase risk of post-operative delirium after complex spinal fusion for adult deformity correction.

Background: For complex surgery, intraoperative ketamine administration is readily used to reduce post-operative pain. However, there have been a few studies suggesting that intraoperative ketamine may have deleterious effects and impact post-operative delirium. Therefore, we sought to identify the impact that intraoperative ketamine has on post-operative outcomes after complex spinal surgery involving ≥5 level fusions. Methods: The medical records of 138 adult (≥18 years old) spine deformity patients undergoing elective, primary complex spinal fusion (≥5 level) for deformity correction at a major academic institution from 2010 to 2015 were reviewed. We identified 98 (71.0%) who had intraoperative ketamine administration and 40 (29%) who did not (Ketamine-Use: n=98; No-Ketamine: n=40). Patient demographics, comorbidities, intra- and post-operative complication rates were collected for each patient. The primary outcome investigated in this study was the rate of post-operative delirium. A multivariate nominal-logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent association between intraoperative ketamine and post-operative delirium. Results: Patient demographics and comorbidities were similar between both cohorts, including age, gender, and BMI. The median number of fusion levels operated, length of surgery, estimated blood loss, and proportion of patients requiring blood transfusions were similar between both cohorts. Postoperative complication profile was similar between the cohorts, except for the Ketamine-Use cohort having significantly higher proportion of patients experiencing delirium (Ketamine-Use: 14.3% vs . No-Ketamine: 2.6%, P=0.047). In a multivariate nominal-logistic regression analysis, intraoperative Ketamine-Use was independently associated with post-operative delirium (OR: 9.475, 95% CI: 1.026–87.508, P=0.047). Conclusions: Our study suggests that the intraoperative use of ketamine may increase the risk of post-operative delirium. Further studies are necessary to understand the physiological effect intraoperative ketamine has on patients undergoing complex spinal fusions in order to better overall patient care and reduce healthcare resources.
Sequential public signaling in routing games with feedback information

It is known that in traffic systems, less information can lead to better social welfare. This paper studies how to sequentially reveal traffic information to drivers to minimize social cost. We model this game as a multi-stage Stackelberg game between a designer, who sends public messages about traffic situation to drivers, and drivers, who can help improve the designer's observations. This paper studies the belief systems and the optimal strategies of both players, shows that drivers have a stationary optimal strategy, and provides a recursive formula to compute the designer's optimal strategy. Our simulation results indicate that feedback information from drivers help reduce total social cost and refine their own belief. In some cases, the designer broadcasts confusing information such that more drivers choose the congested path, which leads to more accurate future observation of the designer. In this way, the designer gains better future social welfare by sacrificing a little current social welfare.
Renal stone composed of ritonavir.

Nephrolithiasis is a well-known side effect of many HIV protease inhibitors. However, there have not been reports of stones associated with ritonavir use. Here, we report the case of a 33-year-old woman with HIV on antiretroviral therapy who presented with sharp left flank pain and passed a stone that was later found to contain only ritonavir. Of note, the patient’s treatment regimen had not included ritonavir for 2 years prior to this incidence. This case is notable both for the novel finding of a renal calculus composed entirely of ritonavir and the development of nephrolithiasis years after cessation of the aggravating drug. This finding suggests that patients on ritonavir should be more closely monitored and for longer periods of time for potential lithiasis formation.
Discussion: A review of some sampling and aggregation strategies for basic statistical process monitoring (I. M. Zwetsloot and W. H. Woodall)

I would like to congratulate Drs. Zwetsloot and Woodall (2019) for writing this comprehensive and timely review. The issue of sampling and aggregation is becoming increasingly important in conjunct...
Autoimmunity in primary immunodeficiency disorders

Abstract There are more than 300 distinct primary immunodeficiencies, the majority being defined by single-gene defects. With an increased identification of primary immunodeficiencies through genomic sequencing, it is clear that many primary immunodeficiencies are characterized not only by susceptibility to infection but also by dysregulation of the immune response manifesting as autoimmunity. With improved prevention of infectious complications, even well-characterized “classic” primary immunodeficiencies such as T and B-cell deficiencies are recognized to have immune dysregulation. The clinical findings together with delineation of the genetic basis for many of these “experiments of nature” have led to an expanded understanding of various pathways involved in immune homeostasis and the maintenance of self-tolerance. In this chapter the major primary immunodeficiency disorders associated with immune dysregulation and autoimmunity are presented, paying particular attention to the mechanisms by which defects in different arms of the immune system cause autoimmunity.
When user-centered design meets implementation science: integrating provider perspectives in the development of an intimate partner violence intervention for women treated in the United States' largest integrated healthcare system.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is a global health problem that is a substantial source of human suffering. Within the United States (US), women veterans are at high risk for experiencing IPV. There is an urgent need for feasible, acceptable, and patient-centered IPV counseling interventions for the growing number of women treated in the US’s largest integrated healthcare system, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Implementation science and user-centered-design (UCD) can play an important role in accelerating the research-to-practice pipeline. Recovering from IPV through Strengths and Empowerment (RISE) is a flexible, patient-centered, modular-based program that holds promise as a brief counseling intervention for women veterans treated in VHA. We utilized a UCD approach to develop and refine RISE (prior to formal effectiveness evaluations) by soliciting early feedback from the providers where the intervention will ultimately be implemented. The current study reports on the feedback from VHA providers that was used to tailor and refine RISE. We conducted and analyzed semi-structured, key-informant interviews with VHA providers working in clinics relevant to the delivery of IPV interventions (n = 23) at two large medical centers in the US. Participants’ mean age was 42.6 years (SD = 11.6), they were predominately female (91.3%) and from a variety of relevant disciplines (39.1% psychologists, 21.7% social workers, 17.4% physicians, 8.7% registered nurses, 4.3% psychiatrists, 4.3% licensed marriage and family therapists, 4.3% peer specialists). We conducted rapid content analysis using a hybrid inductive-deductive approach. Providers perceived RISE as highly acceptable and feasible, noting strengths including RISE’s structure, patient-centered agenda, and facilitation of provider comfort in addressing IPV. Researchers identified themes related to content and context modifications, including requests for additional safety check-ins, structure for goal-setting, and suggestions for how to develop and implement RISE-specific trainings. These findings have guided refinements to RISE prior to formal effectiveness testing in VHA. We discuss implications for the use of UCD in intervention development and refinement for interventions addressing IPV and other trauma in health care settings globally. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03261700; Date of registration: 8/25/2017, date of enrollment of first participant in trial: 10/22/2018. Unique Protocol ID: IIR 16–062.
A Named Data Networking Architecture Implementation to Internet of Underwater Things

The Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT) advances our ability in exploring oceans, lakes and rivers through multiple communication technologies that connect stationary and mobile nodes underwater, at the surface and in the sky. However, characteristics such as low data rate, long propagation delay, energy-constraint, mobility and sparsity of underwater communications remain as major challenges to the potential benefits that IoUT can bring to data availability and data sciences. This paper aims to further explore how the Named Data Networking (NDN), a future Internet architecture, addresses the challenges of IoUT and can be adapted to potentially provide a more secure, simplified, and efficient implementation of IoUT. The IoUT network and application semantics are aligned with the data-centric communication model of NDN, which enables operators to deploy and configure networks more easily, and developers to focus more on "things" and data. The paper starts from introducing new challenges in IoUT and then illustrating in detail with simple examples to show how to employ NDN architecture to IoUT and how to enable additional functionalities required by IoUT.