cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Depression and eating pathology: Prospective reciprocal relations in adolescents

The association between disordered eating and depression has been established, but less is known about the temporal relations between these two disturbances. Accordingly, the current study examined the reciprocal relations between depressive and bulimic symptoms over an 8-year period, with longitudinal data from a community sample of 496 female adolescents. Depressive symptoms predicted future increases in bulimic symptoms, and bulimic symptoms likewise predicted increases in depressive symptoms, controlling for earlier levels of symptoms for each outcome. These results provide evidence consistent with the hypothesis that the two disorders contribute reciprocally to each other, and indicate that successful prevention or treatment of one disorder may yield effects for the other. However, the relatively small predictive effect sizes imply that some third variable may contribute to both conditions (e.g., temperamental negative affectivity). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Message: • Depression and bulimia contribute reciprocally to each other. • Successful treatment or prevention of one disorder may yield effects for the other. • Third variable may also contribute to both conditions.
Effect of Leading Edge Break Position on Performance of Double Delta Movable Tip Strakes

An experimental study has been conducted with the objective to evaluate the effect of the leading edge break point, or the leading edge kink, position on the aerodynamic performance of double delta movable wing tip strakes. Previous studies have identified the best performing movable tip strake from a large series of tested configurations as a double delta planform having sweep angles of 80° and 45° for the inboard and outboard section, respectively. This result has been the point of departure for the present study whose intent has been to determine the effects of changing the relative extent of the inboard, highly swept portion of the strake, and the outboard, moderately swept portion by changing the leading edge break location. It has been found that moving the leading edge break point forward benefits the aerodynamic performance of the wing-movable strake configuration by increasing its lift-to-drag ratio. Also, it has been shown that backward movement of the break point reduces aerodynamic efficiency. Thus the direction in which the optimal strake shape should be sought has been established. The reasons for this result and the underlying flow mechanisms have been discussed. Further studies with the objective of finding the optimal double delta strake configuration for a given baseline wing appear warranted.
Atomic Scale Design of Polar Perovskite Oxides without Second-Order Jahn–Teller Ions

Demands for low-power and high-efficiency electronic devices have spurred an increased interest in new ferroelectric oxides, which display spontaneous electric polarizations. There are only a few mechanisms, however, capable of producing ordered dipoles in solid-state materials. Using first-principles density functional calculations, we extend the current repertoire and identify the required rotational patterns conducive to “geometric” ferroelectricity in (A,A′)B2O6 perovskite oxides with A cation order along [001]-, [111]-, and [110]-directions. For the polar oxides, we show that electric polarizations arise through a geometric, “rotation-induced” mechanism and are greater than those induced by spin-driven mechanisms. We also discuss the energetics of each ordered arrangement and explain how competing centrosymmetric phases can lead to potential complications in thin-film growth of these materials. Finally, we generalize these results to a simple set of structural chemistry guidelines, which may be used ...
A levels of processing interpretation of dual-system theories of judgment and decision making:

Recently there has been spirited disagreement about the merits of dual-system theories of higher cognition. I suggest that this dispute is very similar to the 1970s dispute between two-store theories of memory and levels of processing theory. The two-store or “box” theorists stipulated that short-term memory and long-term memory stores were quite dissimilar and therefore represented separate memory stores. Levels of processing theorists disputed the evidence for separate memory stores and asserted that memory was an epiphenomenon of the depth to which a stimulus was processed. I adopt the levels of processing approach to show how it can help clarify the phenomena previously described by dual-system theories. Furthermore, this proposed resolution to the controversy renders moot the serious disagreements about what features might characterize each of the two processes in dual-system theories.
Effect of Polysaccharide Nucleic Acid Fraction of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin and Specific Immunotherapy on Children with Asthma

Objective To explore the effects of polysaccharide nucleic acid fraction of bacillus calmette- guerin(BCG-PNA) and specific immunotherapy(SIT) on pulmonary function,serum immunoglobulin E(IgE) and secretions of cytokines in children with asthma.Methods Before and after treatment with BCG-PNA and SIT on 45 children with asthma,pulmonary function was analyzed and serum IgE and cytokines secreted by peripheral blood mononuclear cells were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results BCG- PNA and SIT improved forced vital capacity,forced expiratory volume in one second,V25 of pulmonary function,decreased serum IgE,enhanced the secretions of IFN-γ,IL-12,but decreased IL-4,IL-13.Combination of these two treatments appeared stronger effect in depressing IL-13 and increasing IFN-γ.Conclusions BCG-PNA and SIT improve pulmonary function and Th1 response,reduce Th2 response,regulate the balance between Th1 and Th2 in children with asthma.Combination of them has stronger effect on changing unbalance of cytokines network.
Epidemiological characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis in Jiahe County of Hunan Province from 2001-2011

[Objective]To understand the epidemiological characteristics of tuberculosis(TB) in Jiahe County from 2001-2011,and provide a scientific basis for tuberculosis effective prevention and control.[Methods]Descriptive epidemiology was adopted to statistically analyze the registration data of TB in Jiahe County from 2001 to 2011.[Results] The number of registered active TB was 2 251 from 2001-2011 and the average registration rate was 55.60/10 0000 annually.The ratio of male to female was 2.98∶1 with significance on prevalence rate.Most of the patients aged 35-54 years,accounting for 38.96% of the total cases;and 80.90% of the patients were farmers.The highest annual prevalence rate was 95.62/100000 in Chengguan Town;there was statistically difference about prevalence rate between towns.The seasonal distribution of TB was similar.[Conclusion]The prevalence of tuberculosis in Jiahe Conty is still serious.Therefore,the prevention and control on the middle-aged male population should be strengthened to reduce the prevalence rate of TB.
Epidemiological analysis of emergent public health events in schools in Henan Province during 2009-2013

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of public health emergencies in schools from 2009 to 2013 so as to provide a scientific basis for preventing and controlling the occurrence and development of public healthemergencies effectively. Methods The data of the public health emergencies in schools in Henan province from 2009 to 2013 were collected from public health emergency reporting system and analyzed by descriptive epidemiology methods. Results Atotal of 229 events of public health emergencies in schools(70.46%)in Henan province during 2009- 2013 were reportedincluding 5 212 cases and 1 death. Most of events were infectious diseases(93.39%),among which respiratory infectiousdiseases such as H1N1 influenza, mumps and chickenpox took the lead. Public health emergencies mainly occurred duringMarch to June and September to December. Emergencies mainly occurred in primary schools in rural areas. Conclusion The incidence of public health emergencies in school showed decreasing trends in Henan province. Respiratory diseases werethe leading cause. Outbreaks of infectious diseases are key points of school health work,especially in rural schools.
Conformational heterogeneity in closed and open states of the KcsA potassium channel in lipid bicelles.

The process of ion channel gating—opening and closing—involves local and global structural changes in the channel in response to external stimuli. Conformational changes depend on the energetic landscape that underlies the transition between closed and open states, which plays a key role in ion channel gating. For the prokaryotic, pH-gated potassium channel KcsA, closed and open states have been extensively studied using structural and functional methods, but the dynamics within each of these functional states as well as the transition between them is not as well understood. In this study, we used solution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to investigate the conformational transitions within specific functional states of KcsA. We incorporated KcsA channels into lipid bicelles and stabilized them into a closed state by using either phosphatidylcholine lipids, known to favor the closed channel, or mutations designed to trap the channel shut by disulfide cross-linking. A distinct state, consistent with an open channel, was uncovered by the addition of cardiolipin lipids. Using selective amino acid labeling at locations within the channel that are known to move during gating, we observed at least two different slowly interconverting conformational states for both closed and open channels. The pH dependence of these conformations and the predictable disruptions to this dependence observed in mutant channels with altered pH sensing highlight the importance of conformational heterogeneity for KcsA gating.
Assessment of organizational climate in the restaurant industry

ABSTRACTThe objectives of this study were to assess organizational climate in restaurants and to examine the impact of the individual-level characteristics of employees on organizational climate based on the well-known 17-dimension-framework. Survey questionnaires were distributed to more than 380 foodservice establishments in the United States. For the data analysis, 418 responses from managers and frontline employees were used. Principal component analysis, factor analysis, and analysis of variance were employed. This study indicated that age, education, work experience, title, and employee status impacted the organizational climate in restaurants. These results will be useful in developing managerial strategies to improve organizational performance in restaurants.
Improving conceptual and procedural knowledge: The impact of instructional content within a mathematics lesson.

Background Students, parents, teachers, and theorists often advocate for direct instruction on both concepts and procedures, but some theorists suggest that including instruction on procedures in combination with concepts may limit learning opportunities and student understanding. Aims This study evaluated the effect of instruction on a math concept and procedure within the same lesson relative to a comparable amount of instruction on the concept alone. Direct instruction was provided before or after solving problems to evaluate whether the type of instruction interacted with the timing of instruction within a lesson. Sample We worked with 180 second-grade children in the United States. Methods In a randomized experiment, children received a classroom lesson on mathematical equivalence in one of four conditions that varied in instruction type (conceptual or combined conceptual and procedural) and in instruction order (instruction before or after solving problems). Results Children who received two iterations of conceptual instruction had better retention of conceptual and procedural knowledge than children who received both conceptual and procedural instruction in the same lesson. Order of instruction did not impact outcomes. Conclusions Findings suggest that within a single lesson, spending more time on conceptual instruction may be more beneficial than time spent teaching a procedure when the goal is to promote more robust understanding of target concepts and procedures.
The Implications of Endemic Corruption for State Legitimacy in Developing Nations: an Empirical Exploration of the Nigerian Case

There is an extensive literature on the ramifications of corruption for economic growth, as well as for democracy. Largely unexplored, however, is how corruption works to lessen government legitimacy and empower violent anti-state movements. In this article, the perception of corruption in Nigeria is considered. Noting that Nigeria must suppress the violent extremist group Boko Haram in order to continue to govern the nation, the connections between Nigerian perceptions of corruption and support for the movement are treated. Until this research, however, there existed no empirical evaluation of this relationship. Using analysis of a survey of over 10,000 Nigerians accomplished in 2012 and 2013, we show that issues of state illegitimacy and endemic corruption have contributed to Nigeria’s present security crisis by fomenting support for non-state violent actors.
2,3-Di­bromo-3-phenyl­propanoic acid: a monoclinic polymorph

Bromination of trans-cinnamic acid resulted in the formation of 2,3-di­bromo-3-phenyl­propanoic acid, C9H8Br2O2. Crystallization from ethanol–water (1:1) gave crystals of different shapes. One is in the form of rods, that crystallized as the ortho­rhom­bic polymorph (Pnma), and whose structure has been described [Thong et al. (2008). Acta Cryst. E64, o1946]. The other are thin plate-like crystals which are the monoclinic polymorph (P21/n). The structure of this monoclinic polymorph is similar to that of the ortho­rhom­bic polymorph; here the aliphatic C atoms are disordered over three sets of sites (occupancy ratio 0.5:0.25:0.25). In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by pairs of O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers with an R22(8) ring motif. The dimers are linked by weak C—H⋯Br hydrogen bonds, forming chains propagating along the a-axis direction.
Optical Nanoscopy of High Tc Cuprate Nanoconstriction Devices Patterned by Helium Ion Beams

Helium ion beams (HIB) focused to subnanometer scales have emerged as powerful tools for high-resolution imaging as well as nanoscale lithography, ion milling, or deposition. Quantifying irradiation effects is an essential step toward reliable device fabrication, but most of the depth profiling information is provided by computer simulations rather than the experiment. Here, we demonstrate the use of atomic force microscopy (AFM) combined with scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) to provide three-dimensional (3D) dielectric characterization of high-temperature superconductor devices fabricated by HIB. By imaging the infrared dielectric response obtained from light demodulation at multiple harmonics of the AFM tapping frequency, we find that amorphization caused by the nominally 0.5 nm HIB extends throughout the entire 26.5 nm thickness of the cuprate film and by ∼500 nm laterally. This unexpectedly widespread damage in morphology and electronic structure can be attributed to a helium depth distri...
Investigating the Antecedents of Affiliate Control System: An Abstract

The boom of internet and network technology has fostered the emergence of a new type of advertising model: affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing spend has reached to four billion dollar in the USA in 2015. Surprisingly, however, affiliate marketing is still considered as one of the least understood components of the online marketing mix. Also in academic research, affiliate marketing has received little attention. Affiliate marketing has been described as performance-based marketing, and the primary compensation models employed in affiliate marketing industry are performance-based and outcome-driven (e.g., pay-per-sale, pay-per-click, and pay-per-action). Those performance-based compensation methods compensate only on results rather than input, focus solely on direct performance (e.g., revenue) and ignore indirect performance (e.g., quality of customers), and fail to take affiliate’s risk attitude into account, and thus they have been proved to be insufficient and ineffective under certain circumstances. It calls for a better compensation system, which will go beyond the purely performance-based mechanism.
8.3 A 553F 2 2-transistor amplifier-based Physically Unclonable Function (PUF) with 1.67% native instability

Physically Unclonable Functions (PUFs) are among the most promising security primitives for low cost solutions of key storage, chip authentication, and supply chain protection. Two types of PUFs exist in literature [1–6], a “strong” PUF with a large challenge-response space [6] and a “weak” PUF providing a limited length key (chip ID) [1–5]. While the former provides better security theoretically, existing implementations are prone to modeling attacks. So-called “weak” PUFs typically have an array of identically designed PUF cells that leverage device mismatch in fabrication as static entropy source, and serve as a low-cost and more secure alternative to non-volatile-memory-based key storage. Output stability across PVT variations and area are two critical metrics directly related to security and cost of a PUF. Recent works have presented custom PUFs based on NAND gates [1], current mirrors [2], PTAT [3], and cross-coupled inverters [4–5]. These outperform conventional SRAM-based PUFs, but sacrifice other metrics, e.g., [2, 4] are large, [3, 5] has lower native stability and energy efficiency, while [1] is sensitive to supply voltage and may experience large short circuit current. Finally, IoT and wireless sensor nodes tend to use older technologies for lower cost and standby power, which is challenging for PUF design because of smaller process variations.
Requirement paramerisation of flap actuation system: Product life-cycle management processes & tools

Flap actuation systems (FAS) have numerous operational states, modes and environmental constraints, which translate to thousands of requirements associated with them. FAS must be analyzed and tested to determine compliance with requirements in any operating conditions. In this paper, examples of parametrized requirements for centrally driven FAS are presented and the advantages brought by a requirement parametrization process in the systems engineering life- cycle discussed, from requirements elicitation to requirements validation and verification. The challenges of robust re-use and customization of components within legacy systems to drive cost reduction is significant as often legacy products were not developed within a model base framework. The requirements prioritization process provides a low cost, high impact example of alternative to ensure integrity and full traceability of requirements without the need to implement complex simulation platforms.
Negotiating Roles: Controversies and the End of an Era

This chapter describes other conflicts between Hock and the member banks over what role the central organization should play. I argue that this role had to be “worked out” as the system grew and evolved. Most of the members assumed that the central organization existed solely to coordinate their credit card programs, but several events caused them to question whether Visa was now acting more like their competitor than their coordinator. Topics covered include the Visa travelers cheque program, the direct signing of the national retailer JC Penny by Visa USA, and other signs that the membership interpreted as empire building. As Hock and the members continued to struggle over their respective roles, tensions increased, Hock’s power of persuasion began to fade, and he was ultimately forced out of the organization in 1984.
Evaluation of Cognitive Behavioral Interventions and Psychoeducation Implemented by Rehabilitation Specialists to Treat Fear-Avoidance Beliefs in Patients With Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review

Abstract Objectives To systematically locate, critically appraise, and synthesize the available evidence regarding the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapies (CBTs) and psychoeducation that can be implemented by rehabilitation specialists to treat fear-avoidance beliefs in patients with acute, subacute, and chronic low back pain (LBP). Data Sources Electronic databases (CINAHL, PubMed, Psychology and Behavior Sciences Collection, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO) were searched from inception to September 2017. Study Selection Assessment of methodological quality was completed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. The Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy was used to evaluate the quality of evidence. Data Extraction Study sample, subject demographics, CBT and/or psychoeducation intervention details, data collection time points, outcome assessments, statistical analysis, results, and conclusions were extracted from each study. In addition, effect sizes were calculated. Data Synthesis Five high-quality studies (PEDro ≥6) were included. All included studies evaluated fear-avoidance beliefs. CBTs and psychoeducation strategies designed to target patient-specific fears demonstrated clinically meaningful results, while psychoeducation methodologies were not as effective. Conclusions There is inconsistent, patient-oriented evidence (grade B) to support the use of CBTs and/or psychoeducation strategies by rehabilitation specialists to treat fear-avoidance beliefs. Patient-centered and personalized CBTs were most effective to treat these psychosocial factors in patients with LBP when compared with a control treatment.
Analytic Morphomics Predict Outcomes After Lung Transplantation

Background The purpose of this study was to identify morphomic factors on standard, pretransplantation computed tomography (CT) scans associated with outcomes after lung transplantation. Methods A retrospective review of 200 patients undergoing lung transplantation at a single institution from 2003 to 2014 was performed. CT scans obtained within 1 year before transplantation underwent morphomic analysis. Morphomic characteristics included lung, dorsal muscle group, bone, and subcutaneous and visceral fat area and density. Patient data were gathered from institutional and United Network for Organ Sharing databases. Outcomes, including initial ventilator support greater than 48 hours, length of stay, and survival, were evaluated using univariate and multivariable analyses. Results On multivariable Cox regression, subcutaneous fat/total body area (hazard ratio [HR] 0.60, p = 0.001), lung density 3 volume (HR 0.67, p = 0.013), and creatinine (HR 4.37, p = 0.010) were independent predictors of survival. Initial ventilator support more than 48 hours was associated with decreased vertebral body to linea alba distance (odds ratio [OR] 0.49, p = 0.002) and Zubrod score 4 (OR 14.0, p p p p p = 0.002), cardiopulmonary bypass ( p p p = 0.040) were associated with increased length of stay. Conclusions Morphomic factors associated with lower metabolic reserve and frailty, including decreased subcutaneous fat, bone density, and body dimensions were independent predictors of survival, prolonged ventilation, and increased length of stay. Analytic morphomics using pretransplantation CT scans may improve recipient selection and risk stratification.
The effects of leadership change on team escalation of commitment

Abstract Although teams benefit from developing plans and processes that boost efficiency and reduce uncertainty, they may become too attached to these plans and escalate commitment when an alternative response is needed. Drawing on theories of team leadership, team processes and escalation of commitment, we propose that a change in leadership can help the team reduce commitment to outdated plans and avoid further escalation over time. Across two studies, we tested and found support for our hypotheses and provide evidence that leadership change can break the cycle of escalation by enhancing leader-driven team reflection and refocusing the team on error correction instead of additional investment. We discuss how the results of these studies extend existing theory and add to our understanding of the important role leaders play in enhancing team adaptation and preventing team escalation.
Liquid biopsy for Hodgkin: a game changer?

In this issue of Blood , Spina et al evaluate the role of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in newly diagnosed and relapsed patients undergoing treatment of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). 1
Resolution of UV-Induced DNA Damage in Xiphophorus Fishes

The genus Xiphophorus is an important model for investigating the etiology and genetics of sunlight-induced melanoma as well as other cancers. We investigated the role DNA damage plays in tumorigenesis in Xiphophorus using a variety of immunological techniques to examine the induction, distribution, and repair of the major photoproducts in DNA after exposure to solar (ultraviolet-B) radiation. We found that cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) were induced at 5- to 10-fold greater frequency than the (6-4) photoproduct ((6-4)PD) in Xiphophorus signum, and the efficiency of photoproduct formation was tissue-dependent, with the scales providing considerable photoprotection against both types of damage. Both of these lesions are efficiently repaired in the presence of visible light by photoenzymatic repair with CPDs repaired at about twice the rate of (6-4)PDs. Photoenzymatic repair of cyclobutane dimers is inducible by prior exposure to low levels of visible light and can be extremely rapid, with most of the lesions removed within 30 minutes. In the absence of light, dimers are removed by nucleotide excision repair with somewhat greater efficiency for the (6-4)PD compared with the CPD in most species. The relative efficiencies of nucleotide excision repair and photoenzymatic repair are tissue-specific and species-specific. The diverse photochemical and photobiological responses observed in Xiphophorus fishes suggest that heritable traits governing the induction and repair of DNA damage may be involved in the susceptibility of Xiphophorus hybrids to melanomagenesis.
Problem Solving Heuristics, Affect, and Discrete Mathematics: A Representational Discussion

It has been suggested that activities in discrete mathematics allow a kind of new beginning for students and teachers. Students who have been “turned off” by traditional school mathematics, and teachers who have long ago routinized their instruction, can find in the domain of discrete mathematics opportunities for mathematical discovery and interesting, nonroutine problem solving. Sometimes formerly low-achieving students demonstrate mathematical abilities their teachers did not know they had. To take maximum advantage of these possibilities, it is important to know what kinds of thinking during problem solving can be naturally evoked by discrete mathematical situations—so that in developing a curriculum, the objectives can include pathways to desired mathematical reasoning processes. This article discusses some of these ways of thinking, with special attention to the idea of “modeling the general on the particular.” Some comments are also offered about students’ possible affective pathways and structures.
Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions with Socially Phobic Children

Social anxiety is a universal phenomenon that any individual can recall having experienced at repeated times during his or her life. If asked, most individuals can easily remember their most embarrassing moment, along with more minor social faux pas occurring more often than not. For many persons the physical and emotional discomfort experienced during such events are transitory and soon forgotten or later recalled with sidesplitting laughter. Unfortunately, a significant proportion of children and adolescents tend to experience social anxiety at extreme levels, on a continuous basis, with or without having any objective experience with an embarrassing event. For such individuals, everyday experiences such as attending school and interacting with peers are approached with painful anticipation of rejection, humiliation, embarrassment, and failure.
Clinical results and immunologic effects of a mixed bacterial vaccine in cancer patients

A biological response modifier, mixed bacterial vaccine (MBV), derived from Streptococcus pyogenes and Serratia marcescens was used as a single agent in the treatment of 11 patients with refractory malignancies. MBV's effect on interleukin-2 (IL-2) production, plasma interferon (IFN) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels was monitored. Most patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells continued to produce baseline to elevated levels of IL-2, in spite of age and disease status. Several patients maintained moderate to high IFN levels. In general there was little correlation between IL-2 and IFN levels or with the response to therapy. One of 11 patients had minor response, 1 of 11 had partial response, 4 of 11 had temporary stabilization of disease, and 5 of 11 had progressive disease. A patient with AIDS and Kaposi's sarcoma experienced a dramatic improvement in performance status and disease stabilization. In all patients side effects occurred only following i.v. and not i.m. administration and included fever and chills. No adverse hepatic, renal or hematologic effects were observed. MBV is a well-tolerated biological response modifier with modest activity in advanced human tumors.
Possible Linkage of Myasthenia Gravis Susceptibility in R111 S/J Mice to a Genomic Deletion of T Cell Receptor Vβ Genes

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease characterized by muscle weakness and fatigue. The defective neuromuscular transmission in MG is due to a functional loss of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) in the postsynaptic membrane, which is the result of the effects of anti-AChR antibodies and complement (Lindstrom et al, 1988). Many caucasian MG patients possess HLA-B8, and those having a subtype of the DR3 haplotype polymorphic at the DQβ locus, run the greatest risk of developing MG (Bell, et al, 1986). Moreover, HLA-DR3-restricted, AChR-specific T cell lines were generated from a patient with MG (Bell, et al, 1986). Experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) susceptibility has also been linked to MHC genes (Christadoss, 1989; Christadoss and Shenoy, 1992). A gene conversion event between the immune response genes Eβb and Aβb in the B6.CH-2bml2 (bml2) strain, which altered three amino acids (Ile-67 to Phe; Arg-70 to Gln; Thr-71 to Lys) of the Aβ chain, suppressed EAMG development (Christadoss et al, 1985), and thus, the Aβ chain was implicated in the pathogenesis. Further, the immune response to AChR could be suppressed by in vivo administration of anti-IA antibodies (Waldor et al, 1983). EAMG in mice can either be prevented, or clinical remission induced, by in vivo administration of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to CD4 (Christadoss and Dauphinee, 1986), suggesting a requirement for CD4+ helper T cells in the production of pathogenic anti-AChR antibodies by B cells.
Utility of cerebrospinal fluid lactate in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Background An external ventricular drain (EVD) treats hydrocephalus in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). This study examines the utility of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lactate collected from an EVD as a proposed biomarker to predict patient outcome and vasospasm/delayed cerebral ischemia. Methods Consecutive adults admitted to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center from 2010 to 2015 with aSAH were identified through the electronic medical record, and clinical variables were collected and analyzed for correlation with incidence of vasospasm and discharge outcome. Results In all, 51 patients with aSAH and an EVD had CSF lactate measured which ranged from 1.9 to 6.2 mmol/L, with a median value of 3.2 mmol/L. Vasospasm based on transcranial Doppler assessment occurred in 29 patients (57%), of which 20 (45%) were clinically symptomatic. Good outcome (discharge to home/acute rehab) occurred in 35 patients (69%). Sixteen patients (31%) had an unfavorable outcome (died/discharged to nursing homes/long-term acute care facility). In multivariate regression analysis, unfavorable outcome at discharge (P = 0.02), elevated CSF protein (P = 0.04), and admission Hunt and Hess score 3-5 (P = 0.05) were significantly associated with higher CSF lactate. The risk of symptomatic vasospasm increased with lactate in univariate analysis, but did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.077). Conclusion The measurement of the CSF biochemical markers using an EVD is feasible and safe. We found that elevated CSF lactate correlates with patient outcome. Larger prospective studies are needed to test the validity of this finding and for understanding the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms.
Multiplexed characterization of complex gas-phase mixtures combining chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy and VUV photoionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

We report details of the design and operation of a single apparatus that combines Chirped-Pulse Fourier Transform Microwave (CP-FTMW) spectroscopy with vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photoionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (TOFMS). The supersonic expansion used for cooling samples is interrogated first by passing through the region between two microwave horns capable of broadband excitation and detection in the 2-18 GHz frequency region of the microwave. After passing through this region, the expansion is skimmed to form a molecular beam, before being probed with 118 nm (10.5 eV) single-photon VUV photoionization in a linear time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The two detection schemes are powerfully complementary to one another. CP-FTMW detects all components with significant permanent dipole moments. Rotational transitions provide high-resolution structural data. VUV TOFMS provides a gentle and general method for ionizing all components of a gas phase mixture with ionization thresholds below 10.5 eV, providing their molecular formulae. The advantages, complementarity, and limitations of the combined methods are illustrated through results on two gas-phase mixtures made up of (i) three furanic compounds, two of which are structural isomers of one another, and (ii) the effluent from a flash pyrolysis source with o-guaiacol as the precursor.We report details of the design and operation of a single apparatus that combines Chirped-Pulse Fourier Transform Microwave (CP-FTMW) spectroscopy with vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photoionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (TOFMS). The supersonic expansion used for cooling samples is interrogated first by passing through the region between two microwave horns capable of broadband excitation and detection in the 2-18 GHz frequency region of the microwave. After passing through this region, the expansion is skimmed to form a molecular beam, before being probed with 118 nm (10.5 eV) single-photon VUV photoionization in a linear time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The two detection schemes are powerfully complementary to one another. CP-FTMW detects all components with significant permanent dipole moments. Rotational transitions provide high-resolution structural data. VUV TOFMS provides a gentle and general method for ionizing all components of a gas phase mixture with ionization thresholds below 10.5 eV, p...
Inherent robustness of discontinuous MPC: Even (u, u3) is robust

Abstract In order to be useful in applications, model predictive control (MPC) must be robust to small disturbances. Continuity of the regulator’s optimal value function would ensure a measure of robustness, but, in general, there is no guarantee that this function is continuous. Here we present an inherent robustness result for a broad class of systems that have a (not necessarily robust) positive invariant set that is disjoint from the set of discontinuities of the optimal value function. If this set attracts every set in the domain of robustness in a single control move, the system is robustly stable. We demonstrate this result with the notorious (u, u3) example, which has an optimal value function that is discontinuous on every neighborhood of its target, and establish that MPC is still robust.
Volume-controlled cavity expansion for probing of local elastic properties in soft materials

Cavity expansion can be used to measure the local nonlinear elastic properties in soft materials, regardless of the specific damage or instability mechanism that it may ultimately induce. To that end, we introduce a volume-controlled cavity expansion procedure and an accompanying method that builds on the Cavitation Rheology technique [J. A. Zimberlin et al., Soft Matter, 2007, 3, 763–767], but without relying on the maximum recorded pressure. This is achieved by determining an effective radius of the cavity that is based on the volume measurements, and is further supported by numerical simulations. Applying this method to PDMS samples, we show that it consistently collapses the experimental curves to the theoretical prediction of cavity expansion prior to the occurrence of fracture or cavitation, thus resulting in high precision measurement with less than 5% of scatter and good agreement with results obtained via conventional techniques. Moreover, since it does not require visual tracking of the cavity, this technique can be applied to measure the nonlinear elastic response in opaque samples.
Color and Temporal Frequency Sensitive Eye Growth in Chick.

Purpose Longitudinal chromatic aberration can provide luminance and chromatic signals for emmetropization. A previous experiment examined the role of temporal sensitivity to luminance flicker in the emmetropization response. In the current experiment, we investigate the role of temporal sensitivity to color flicker. Methods Five-day-old chicks were exposed to sinusoidal color modulation of blue/yellow (N = 73) or red/green LEDs (N = 84) at 80% contrast for 3 days. The modulation frequencies used were as follows: 0, 0.2, 1, 2, 5, and 10 Hz. There were 5 to 16 chicks per condition. Mean illumination was 680 lux. Changes in ocular components were measured using Lenstar, and refraction was measured with a Hartinger refractometer. Results Eyes grew less when exposed to high temporal frequencies and more at low temporal frequencies. With blue/yellow modulation, the temporal variation was small; eyes grew 268 ± 15 μm at 0 Hz and 224 ± 12 μm at 10 Hz, representing a 16.4% growth reduction. With red/green modulation, eyes grew 336 ± 31 μm at 0 Hz and 218 ± 20 μm at 10 Hz, representing a 35% growth reduction. Choroidal and anterior chamber changes compensated for eye growth, reducing refractive effects; blue/yellow refraction changes ranged from -0.63 to 1.04 diopters. Conclusions At high temporal frequencies, color is not a factor, but at low temporal frequencies, red/green modulation produced maximal growth. The pattern of changes observed in each ocular component with changes in the temporal frequency and/or the color of the stimulus was consistent with the idea that the natural sunlight spectrum may be optimal for emmetropization.
Spectrum of Field-Ionized Triplet Gerade Rydberg States of H2 and Comparison to Multichannel Quantum-Defect Theory.

A spectrum of field-ionized triplet Rydberg states of gerade symmetry H2 has been measured, excited from the υ″ = 0, N″ = 1-3 rovibrational levels of the metastable c3Πu-2pπ state in a 6 keV fast molecular beam. The field-ionized spectrum is kinetic energy labeled in order to separate it from the well-studied υ+ ≥ 1 autoionization spectrum. The spectrum consists of both ns and nd Rydberg series with n between 10 and 28 converging to the υ+ = 0, N+ = 1-3 levels of the X+ 2Σg+ ground state of H2+. Transitions with changes in vibration and/or rotation are also identified. The spectral positions of 59 transitions in the field ionization spectrum are identified and assigned quantum numbers using the predictions of multichannel quantum-defect theory (MQDT). The transition energies and subsequent effective quantum defects are compared between the experiment and theory. Most of the observed transitions, within the experimental uncertainty of 0.2 cm-1, agree with the energies predicted by MQDT.
Cannabinoids for the treatment of chronic refractory pruritus.

SirThe use and acceptance of medicinal marijuana has expanded, with a growing number of states passing legislature in favor of comprehensive cannabis programs (1). The benefits of cannabinoid treat...
Impact of Board Placement on Thermal Performance of Handheld Devices (tablets)

Thermal performance of handheld devices, like tablets, depend on placement of the board in the device in the plan-view. A comprehensive study of thermal performance of tablets, based on board location, is presented. CFD models of tablet devices have been developed for this study. Long, rectangular, single sided pcb, with BGA SOC, and copper shield can, have been used. For a given platform power distribution, display and case temperatures have been monitored, to determine the comparative merits of different thermal architectures. It has been found that a board placed near the middle of the device in the plan-view (mid-board configuration) performs thermally better than a board placed near the edge of the device (side board configuration), for the exact same vertical stackup.
Clonal haematopoiesis: connecting ageing and inflammation in cardiovascular disease

Ageing and inflammation strongly drive the risk of cardiovascular disease. Work over the past decade has uncovered a common condition characterized by the positive selection of certain somatic mutations in haematopoietic stem cells in ageing humans. This phenomenon, known as clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), occurs most commonly as a result of mutations in the transcriptional regulators DNMT3A, TET2 and ASXL1. CHIP is associated with a variety of adverse outcomes, including haematological cancer and death. Surprisingly, CHIP is also associated with a doubling of the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Studies in mice support the causality of this relationship. Mutations in TET2, which are among the most commonly found mutations in CHIP, lead to increased expression of inflammatory genes in innate immune cells, potentially explaining the link between mutations and increased cardiovascular risk. Therapies targeting the mutant clones or the increased inflammatory mediators might be useful for ameliorating the risk of cardiovascular disease. We propose that the mutations leading to clonal haematopoiesis contribute to the increased inflammation seen in ageing and thereby explain some of the age-related risk of cardiovascular disease.
Revenue Source and Electoral Accountability: Experimental Evidence from Local US Policymakers

Existing research suggests that tax-reliant governments are more accountable to citizens. This pattern is consistent with micro-level evidence that citizens who are taxed are more willing and able to make demands on leaders. However, there is no evidence on whether elected officials themselves view citizen pressures to spend tax and non-earned incomes differently. Using survey experiments conducted on elected municipal officials in the US, we find that officials report that taxes are less likely to be misused, relative to outside grants, and more likely to be spent on citizens’ preferences. This is driven by the perception that electoral penalties are higher when tax funds are misused. Officials believe citizens feel stronger ownership over local tax funds and seek more information about how they are used.
Japanese manga in translation and American graphic novels: A re-examination of the collections in 36 academic libraries ten years later

Abstract Ten years ago, this journal published an article comparing the collection rates of Japanese manga in English translation and American graphic novels (“American” defined as graphic novels published in North America and originally written in English) in 44 American academic libraries in 2007 and 2008 ( Masuchika & Boldt, 2010 ). The results showed that American graphic novels were being added to American academic libraries at a faster pace than translated Japanese manga. With the growing popularity of both manga and graphic novels, it was time to revisit this phenomenon and see if any changes had occurred in collection rates within the last ten years. This study revealed that while graphic novels were being added at a significantly faster pace, manga showed no increase in the rates they were being added ten years ago.
Natalizumab wearing-off effect: The hunt for the elusive pharmacodynamic biomarker.

Natalizumab is a highly efficacious humanized recombinant antibody against α4-integrin that is approved for relapsing forms of MS.1 Regular natalizumab dosing is 300 mg IV every 4 weeks. Roughly one-third of the patients report a wearing-off effect of natalizumab, generally in the last week of their infusion cycle. Wearing-off is predominantly manifest by fatigue and neurogenic pain. Changes in the neurologic examination are infrequent, and a correlation with MRI worsening has not been reported.
The medical transition of young adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D): a retrospective chart review identifies areas in need of improvement

The transition process from pediatric to adult care in individuals with T1D has long-term ramifications on health outcomes. Recognition of differences in care delivery and changes made in management during this time may improve the process. We hypothesized that pediatric providers would be less likely to address T1D-related comorbidities than their adult counterparts, highlighting opportunities to strengthen care. A retrospective chart review of patients aged 16–21 years diagnosed with T1D before age 18 was performed. Data on diagnosis, screening, and management of hypertension, dyslipidemia, microalbuminuria, retinopathy, and neuropathy were collected for 1 year before and 1 year after transition to adult care. The ‘ADA Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes’ were used to determine adherence to the above parameters. Data before and after transition was compared by Fischer’s Exact and Exact McNemar tests. Complete medical records for 54 subjects were reviewed before and after transition from pediatric to adult care providers within a single academic medical system (52% male; 78% Caucasian). Transition to adult care occurred at a mean age of 18 years. Mean length of transition was 7.8 months with no significant change in an individual’s HbA1c over that time. Over the transition period, there was no difference in diagnoses of hypertension or the use of anti-hypertensive. Adherence to lipid and retinopathy screening was similar across the transition period; however, adherence to microalbuminuria screening was higher after the transition to adult providers (p = 0.01). Neuropathy screening adherence was overall poor but also improved after transition (p < 0.001). Overall, there were no significant changes in the diagnosis or management of several T1D-related comorbidities during the transition period in a small cohort of young adults with T1D. The transition length was longer than the recommended 3-months, highlighting an opportunity to improve the process. There was no deterioration of glycemic control over this time, although HbA1c values were above target. Adult providers had significantly higher rates of adherence to screening for microalbuminuria and neuropathy than their pediatric counterparts, but adherence for neuropathy was quite poor overall, indicating a need for practice improvement.