cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low-temperature conducting state in two candidate topological Kondo insulators: SmB 6 and Ce 3 Bi 4 Pt 3

The authors have studied SmB${}_{6}$ and Ce${}_{3}$Bi${}_{4}$Pt${}_{3}$. Both of these Kondo insulators show a saturation of the increasing resistivity at low temperature that suggests an additional conduction channel and is consistent with the theoretical prediction that these systems should host robust surface states due to their nontrivial topology. While previous work has shown that the resistance saturation in SmB${}_{6}$ is due to conducting surface states, this work demonstrates that the origin of the resistance saturation in Ce${}_{3}$Bi${}_{4}$Pt${}_{3}$ is through the bulk of the material and not the surface. The contrasting behavior of the two materials when the surface is disordered with ion-irradiation supports this conclusion, and also demonstrates the sensitivity of the resistance of the surface state in SmB${}_{6}$ to small levels of disorder. Finally, the low-temperature specific heat of SmB${}_{6}$ shows a residual linear term, and the origin of this term has been highly debated recently. Through measurements of single crystals and powders, it is shown that this term dominantly arises from the bulk and not the surface state.
DESIGN AND CONTROL OF A POWER GENERATION SYSTEM FOR A FUEL-CELL POWERED AUTOMOBILE

Abstract In this paper, we consider design and control issues in a fuel-cell powered automobile that utilizes methane as a source of hydrogen. A power generation system is designed based on a steady state model of a PEM fuel cell that is capable of generating 50 kW of power. The transient behavior of the fuel cell is captured via a transfer function model and an appropriate adaptive controller is tuned to follow a time varying power profile that mimics realistic road conditions. Finally, a logic-based controller is designed and tested that switches to a battery backup that provides power to the electric motor when the fuel cell is unable to meet the necessary power demand.
Effect of High-Grade Preoperative Knee Laxity on Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Outcomes

Background:Knee laxity in the setting of suspected anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is frequently assessed through physical examination using the Lachman, pivot-shift, and anterior drawer tests. The degree of laxity noted on these examinations may influence treatment decisions and prognosis.Hypothesis:Increased preoperative knee laxity would be associated with increased risk of subsequent revision ACL reconstruction and worse patient-reported outcomes 2 years postoperatively.Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.Methods:From an ongoing prospective cohort study, 2333 patients who underwent primary isolated ACL reconstruction without collateral or posterior cruciate ligament injury were identified. Patients reported by the operating surgeons as having an International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) grade D for Lachman, anterior drawer, or pivot-shift examination were classified as having high-grade laxity. Multiple logistic regression modeling was used to evaluate whether having high-g...
Incremental deformation subspace reconstruction

Recalculating the subspace basis of a deformable body is a mandatory procedure for subspace simulation, after the body gets modified by interactive applications. However, using linear modal analysis to calculate the basis from scratch is known to be computationally expensive. In the paper, we show that the subspace of a modified body can be efficiently obtained from the subspace of its original version, if mesh changes are small. Our basic idea is to approximate the stiffness matrix by its low-frequency component, so we can calculate new linear deformation modes by solving an incremental eigenvalue decomposition problem. To further handle nonlinear deformations in the subspace, we present a hybrid approach to calculate modal derivatives from both new and original linear modes. Finally, we demonstrate that the cubature samples trained for the original mesh can be reused in fast reduced force and stiffness matrix evaluation, and we explore the use of our techniques in various simulation problems. Our experiment shows that the updated subspace basis still allows a simulator to generate visual plausible deformation effects. The whole system is efficient and it is compatible with other subspace construction approaches.
A survey on reverse engineering of technical diagrams

Reverse Engineering has gained great importance over time and is directed towards many fields. In this paper, a survey of reverse engineering of electronic or digital systems is presented. After providing a classification and a summarization of the research associated with this field, a maturity metric is presented to highlight weaknesses and strength of existing methodologies and systems that are currently available. The evaluation is based on certain features associated with the performance, complexity and originality and is mainly concerned with suggesting potential improvement on the studied papers.
Anomalies of the left atrioventricular valve and related ventricular septal morphology in atrioventricular septal defects.

A characteristic feature of atrioventricular septal defects is a deficiency of the inlet part of the ventricular septum that results in a “scooped out” appearance. The depth of the scoop in relation to the disposition of the atrioventricular valves has been debated. To clarify the relation between the morphology of the ventricular septum and the disposition of the atrioventricular valves, we quantified these anatomic features in 151 hearts at autopsy to determine whether those features identified particular groups within the overall lesion. We found that 137 hearts had left atrioventricular valves with three leaflets. The left valve in the other 14 hearts exhibited a dual orifice, a two-leaflet or one-leaflet arrangement, or was imperforate. These anomalies could be analyzed in terms of a sequence of diminishing formation of the commissures. Also, three-leaflet valves displayed a variability in which the angular size of the mural leaflet correlated negatively with that of the inferior leaflet. In some of the hearts with a common atrioventricular orifice, the bridging leaflets did not meet over the ventricular septum, thus creating a “gap.” The mural leaflet's angular size corresponded to a deficiency of the combined inferior-mural leaflet complex. Hearts with an abnormal disposition of the left atrioventricular valve had the ventricular septum “scooped” to a greater extent than those with a common orifice, although most had separate right and left atrioventricular orifices.
Abstract IA5: Aspirin for precision chemoprevention of colorectal cancer

Remarkably consistent experimental and epidemiologic evidence demonstrates that aspirin is associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer. These studies have been complemented by compelling data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Five placebo-controlled RCTs among individuals with a history of colorectal adenoma or cancer showed that aspirin reduced the risk of recurrent adenomas, the precursors of the vast majority of cancers. Data from long-term follow-up of the CAPP2 trial, a RCT of aspirin among individuals with the Lynch hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome and the Women9s Health Study, a RCT of aspirin among women for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer demonstrated that randomized aspirin treatment was associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer. Finally, secondary analyses of RCTs of aspirin for cardiovascular prevention have shown that aspirin reduces incidence of and mortality from colorectal cancer. As a reflection of the strength of the evidence, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) updated its primary prevention guidelines for aspirin in 2016. The USPSTF now recommends low-dose aspirin (81 mg/day) for chronic disease prophylaxis, including colorectal cancer prevention, among U.S. adults between ages 50-59, and possibly ages 60-69, with a greater than 10% ten-year risk of cardiovascular events. The new USPSTF recommendation represents a significant milestone for the field of preventive medicine. With the exception of tamoxifen for women at high-risk for breast cancer, this is the first medication broadly recommended for cancer prevention by the USPSTF. Despite this advance, wider scale efforts to implement aspirin chemoprevention are limited by concerns about risk-benefit profile in view of the established association of aspirin with gastrointestinal bleeding. In concert with broader efforts to tailor prevention strategies, our group has led several studies into the mechanistic basis of aspirin9s anti-cancer effect that has led to the development of intratumoral, colonic, germline, and circulating molecular correlates of outcomes. Such biomarkers can be exploited for risk stratification to more effectively target aspirin chemoprevention for those with more favorable risk-benefit profiles. In this presentation, we will review the evidence supporting a role for aspirin in the prevention of colorectal cancer, with a focus on novel methods for molecular risk stratification. Such a precision chemoprevention strategy could play a role in global efforts for chronic disease prevention and control. Citation Format: Andrew T. Chan. Aspirin for precision chemoprevention of colorectal cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR International Conference: New Frontiers in Cancer Research; 2017 Jan 18-22; Cape Town, South Africa. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(22 Suppl):Abstract nr IA5.
To Your Health: Health Insurance, Self‐Employment Exit, and Older Entrepreneurs

Drawing on a sample of 5,238 individuals in the Health and Retirement Study, we examined the relationship between having one's own health insurance and exit from self‐employment to employment. Our ...
Modern management of osteoradionecrosis

Purpose of review Despite recent advances in radiotherapy, osteoradionecrosis (ORN) remains a common and difficult complication of radiation therapy in head and neck cancer patients. Available treatment options are complementary to its complex pathophysiology and the currently available theories of ORN development. The efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy has recently been questioned, and therapies targeting the fibroatrophic process have become a focus of ORN treatment. The objective of this review is to evaluate the literature regarding ORN of the mandible, with a focus on available treatment options. Recent findings The recently proposed fibroatrophic theory has challenged the traditional hypovascular-hypoxic-hypocellular theory as the mechanism of ORN. Medical management targeting this fibroatrophic process offers promising results, but has yet to be confirmed with robust clinical trials. The routine use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy is not substantiated in the literature, but may be justified for select patients. Systemic steroids may also have a role, though data are limited. Summary The fibroatrophic process has gained acceptance as a main mechanism of ORN. No gold standard treatment or consensus guidelines exist, though a combination of therapeutic strategies should be considered, taking into account the severity of disease and individual patient characteristics.
Protective Device and Switch Allocation for Reliability Optimization With Distributed Generators

The location of protective devices, such as circuit breakers, reclosers, sectionalizers, and fuses, along with isolating switches in a distribution network is a key factor impacting the reliability performance. Furthermore, automatic restoration from intentional islanding with renewable-based distributed generators (DGs) or from alternate feeders can reduce outage times. In this paper, a mixed-integer linear program (MILP) formulation is proposed for protective device and switch allocation considering intentional islanding with distributed generation in distribution systems. The specific impact of each protective device type and isolating switch is modeled, e.g., momentary interruptions caused by reclosers. Efficient graph search algorithms combined with a directed graph representation of the distribution system allows for preprocessing of the network data and facilitates the formulation of an MILP. The formulation is able to efficiently compute optimal device allocations for multiple scenarios, revealing key insights, e.g., the location and capacity of DGs providing the greatest reliability benefit for a fixed protection budget. Numerical tests on realistic feeders and comparison with prior solutions show improved device allocations and lower objective function values.
Delivery Strategies for Developing siRNA-Based Vaginal Microbicides

RNA interference (RNAi) is a mechanism of posttranscriptional gene silencing, initially described in plants and worms and more recently in mammals. The specificity of siRNAs makes them an attractive modality for therapeutic use, and they are being evaluated in various clinical trials. Studies have shown effective uptake of siRNAs across mucosal surfaces including the lung, rectum, and vagina. Targeting genes in the rectum and vagina could be useful for preventing sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV-1 and HSV-2. However, the main barrier for use of siRNAs in the clinic is delivery. Topically applied siRNAs need to traverse the mucosal layer present in the vagina and resist degradation in the acidic environment. Subsequent uptake of siRNAs by appropriate cells must result in access to the cytosolic compartment where the RNA-induced silencing complex resides. Effective RNAi-mediated gene-specific silencing must be accomplished while minimizing toxic bystander effects. In this chapter we will present the strategies that are being used to achieve these goals.
The Functional Anatomy of Speech Processing: From Auditory Cortex to Speech Recognition and Speech Production

Lesion-based research has been successful in providing a broad outline of the neuroanatomy of speech/language processes (Dronkers et al. 2000; Hillis 2007), and continues to play a crucial role in the development of functional anatomic models of cognitive processes (Fellows et al. 2005). However, lesion studies lack the spatial resolution to assess more detailed functional anatomical hypotheses. Functional imaging methods such as fMRI, when appropriately, guided and constrained by lesion and other methods, can provide much needed information.
Kinetic simulations of laser-induced plume expansion into a background gas under conditions of spatial confinement

Abstract Expansion of vapor plume induced by short-pulse laser irradiation of a bottom of a cylindrical cavity or planar trench in a copper target into helium, argon, and xenon background gases at pressure varying from zero to 1 bar is studied numerically. The simulations are performed based on a hybrid computational model that includes an unsteady heat conduction equation, Hertz-Knudsen model of evaporation, and a kinetic model of two-component gas flow implemented in the form of the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo method. It is found that increasing background pressure results in the formation of a complex structure of shock waves, which drastically changes the flow compared to the case of expansion into a vacuum. The moving shocks strongly affect the deposition of the ablated material inside the cavity. In particular, they induce the formation of a near-surface layer with a reduced fraction of vapor, which protects the cavity wall from vapor redeposition. The overall effect of the increasing background gas pressure on the flow structure and redeposition of vapor inside the cavity can be described as a trade-off between the confinement effect, i.e. a reduction in the propagation speed of the primary shock and overall rate of the plume expansion, and the focusing effect of moving shock waves that induce the radial flow towards the cavity axis, increase vapor density around the axis of symmetry, and reduce vapor density at the cavity wall. The efficiency of vapor removal out of the cavity can increase or decrease with increasing molar mass of the background gas depending on whether the flow is dominated by the focusing or confinement effect. These findings suggest that tuning the background gas parameters and geometrical parameters of spatial confinement can be used to effectively control the laser-induced plume expansion process in applications of laser ablation.
William Hazlitt, Classical Rhetoric, and The Spirit of the Age

Nineteenth-century essayist William Hazlitt’s attention to the complex interplay of aesthetics and politics in his criticism deepens our understanding of “romantic” rhetoric as reflexive and politi...
Biliary Atresia: New Developments

This chapter is based upon an invited lecture for the Symposium of Neonatal Surgery on 24th–25th October 2016 in Bologna, Italy. Biliary atresia is a “congenital” disorder of the biliary tree characterized by progressive fibrosing obstruction and presenting as conjugated jaundice and pale stools in the first weeks of life. The true aetiology is largely unknown, although embryological and infective hypotheses have been suggested. Treatment is entirely surgical being an attempt to restore bile flow and salvage of the native liver in the first instance (Kasai portoenterostomy) reserving liver transplantation for those where this approach is unsuccessful.
The Influence of Channel, Flooding, and Repair on Effective Couple Conflict Communication

This study examines the influence of face-to-face (FtF) communication and mediated communication on effective conflict communication among married and dating couples, and whether flooding or repair were mechanisms for effective conflict communication. A national sample of couples who primarily used mediated communication or FtF communication in a recent conflict discussion participated. Individuals who reported primarily using FtF communication experienced a negative relationship between flooding and effective conflict communication. This relationship was not significant for individuals who primarily used mediated communication, suggesting that mediated communication might buffer the negative effect of flooding on effective conflict communication. Repair also mediated the indirect effect of channel on effective conflict communication for individuals with low and high levels of relational satisfaction, suggesting mediated communication facilitates repair among dissatisfied couples, and FtF communication facilitates repair among satisfied couples. This study emphasizes the importance of channel, reduced flooding, repair, and relational satisfaction for effective conflict communication.
Soft-Tissue Reconstruction after Composite Vertebrectomy and Chest Wall Resection for Spinal Tumors.

Background Oncologic resections involving both the spine and chest wall commonly require immediate soft tissue reconstruction to eliminate dead space and protect spinal instrumentation and vital neurovascular structures. We hypothesized that reconstructions of composite resections involving both the thoracic spine and chest wall would have a higher complication rate than reconstructions for resections limited to the thoracic spine alone. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients who underwent a thoracic vertebrectomy and soft tissue reconstruction from 2002 to 2017. Patients were divided into two groups: those whose defect was limited to the thoracic spine (TS) and those who also required chest wall resection (TS+CW). Results One hundred patients were included (TS: n=53 vs TS+CW: n=47). TS+CW patients had larger resections, as indicated by a greater incidences of multi-level vertebrectomies (70.2% vs. 17%; p=0.001) and instrumentation of more than 6 vertebral levels (76.6% vs. 26.4%; p=0.001). TS patients were older (58.2 α 10.4 vs 48.6 α 13.9 years; p 1 comorbidity (96.2% vs. 74.5%; p=0.002), and had a greater incidence of metastatic disease (88.7% versus 38.3%; p=0.001). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated that composite resections were not significantly associated with a higher rate of surgical, medical, or overall complications. Multivariate logistic regression analysis of the TS+CW subgroup demonstrated that flap separation of the spinal cord from the intrapleural space was protective against complications (odds ratio [OR]=0.22, 95% CI 0.05-0.81; p=0.03). Conclusions Despite the large defect size in TS+CW patients, there was no increase in complications compared to TS patients. In TS+CW patients, separating the exposed spinal cord from the intrapleural space with well-vascularized soft tissue was protective against complications.
Professional Development: Disciplinary Literacy Instruction

Despite the longstanding consensus among college faculty that academic literacy and critical thinking are essential to student success, the development of students’ disciplinary literacy has not been established across the curriculum. Very often, content area instructors consider literacy instruction as relevant only in English courses, and they perceive that student success in STEM and professional studies depends highly on quantitative reasoning and other professional skills. As a result, many of them tend to prioritize delivering content knowledge and skills over cultivating students’ capacity to think, read, and communicate in ways that are consistent with those practiced in the disciplines. Therefore, the initial focus of professional development in the Reading Effectively Across the Disciplines (READ) program is on redirecting content faculty’s teaching conceptions to afford a pedagogical space for teaching disciplinary literacy. In addition to the conceptual and theoretical underpinnings of professional development in a disciplinary literacy context, this chapter covers practical issues that include identifying courses in the disciplines that require instructional interventions, faculty recruitment, the training cycle, general and specific strategies, the design of professional development activities, and assessment of their effectiveness.
Associations Among Health Literacy, End-of-Life Care Expenditures, and Rurality.

Purpose To examine differential associations between health literacy (HL) and end‐of‐life (EOL) care expenditures by rurality. Methods This cross‐sectional study included all urban and rural counties in the United States. County‐level HL data were estimated using 2010 US Census and 2011 American Community Surveys data; EOL expenditures in 2010 were derived from the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care database. Hierarchical generalized linear regressions were used to assess associations between HL and EOL care, controlling for county‐level characteristics and focusing on rurality (with areas classified as urban, rural micropolitan, or rural noncore). Findings Of 3,137 US counties, 100 (3.2%) counties where 7.6 million Americans live had low HL (LHL). Counties with LHL had significantly higher average expenditures in the last 6 months of life and during terminal hospitalization than counties with high HL (HHL) (both P < .001). There was a statistically significant interaction between HL and rurality (P < .001). EOL expenditures were significantly higher in LHL counties than HHL counties in urban areas, while no such relationship appeared in rural areas. Average estimated EOL expenditures among LHL counties decreased by rurality ($16,953, $14,939, and $12,671 for urban, rural micropolitan, and rural noncore areas, respectively), while average estimated expenditures in HHL counties were around $14,000 in each of these areas. Conclusions HL and EOL expenditures were inversely associated with urban America but unrelated to rural areas. Counties with HHL had constant expenditures regardless of rurality. Interventions targeting HL may help reduce EOL expenditures and rural‐urban disparities in EOL care.
Neurophysiological Correlates of Dynamic Beat Tracking in Individuals With Williams Syndrome.

Abstract Background Williams syndrome (WS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by hypersociability, heightened auditory sensitivities, attention deficits, and strong musical interests despite differences in musical skills. Behavioral studies have reported that individuals with WS exhibit variable beat and rhythm perception skills. Methods We sought to investigate the neural basis of beat tracking in individuals with WS using electroencephalography. Twenty-seven adults with WS and 16 age-matched, typically developing control subjects passively listened to musical rhythms with accents on either the first or second tone of the repeating pattern, leading to distinct beat percepts. Results Consistent with the role of beta and gamma oscillations in rhythm processing, individuals with WS and typically developing control subjects showed strong evoked neural activity in both the beta (13–30 Hz) and gamma (31–55 Hz) frequency bands in response to beat onsets. This neural response was somewhat more distributed across the scalp for individuals with WS. Compared with typically developing control subjects, individuals with WS exhibited significantly greater amplitude of auditory evoked potentials (P1-N1-P2 complex) and modulations in evoked alpha (8–12 Hz) activity, reflective of sensory and attentional processes. Individuals with WS also exhibited markedly stable neural responses over the course of the experiment, and these responses were significantly more stable than those of control subjects. Conclusions These results provide neurophysiological evidence for dynamic beat tracking in WS and coincide with the atypical auditory phenotype and attentional difficulties seen in this population.
High speed electric motors

Abstract In this paper, two new types of electric motors are discussed which are capable of rotating 100,000 r.p.m. A synchronous motor is described but the emphasis is placed upon the new design of the induction motor. This motor is mounted upon a single bearing and for high speeds must be run in a vacuum. The high frequency current (3,000 r.p.s.) is produced from a two phase Alexanderson alternator, which is described. The circuit of this alternator must be tuned to resonance. The velocity of the rotating motor is measured with a new type of stroboscope which has a wide range of values and is easily calibrated. Aluminum alloys for the disks and commercial bearings have been tested and found suitable with speeds up to 75,000 r.p.m.
Monsoon Rains, Great Rivers and the Development of Farming Civilisations in Asia

The Asian monsoon and associated river systems supply the water that sustains a large portion of humanity, and has enabled Asia to become home to some of the oldest and most productive farming systems on Earth. This book uses climate data and environmental models to provide a detailed review of variations in the Asian monsoon since the mid-Holocene, and its impacts on farming systems and human settlement. Future changes to the monsoon due to anthropogenically-driven global warming are also discussed. Faced with greater rainfall and more cyclones in South Asia, as well as drying in North China and regional rising sea levels, understanding how humans have developed resilient strategies in the past to climate variations is critical. Containing important implications for the large populations and booming economies in the Indo-Pacific region, this book is an important resource for researchers and graduate students studying the climate, environmental history, agronomy and archaeology of Asia.
Investment Experience, Financial Literacy, and Investment‐Related Judgments

This research examines how investment experience and financial literacy impact investment‐related judgments. Financial literacy refers to a person's knowledge of fundamental financial concepts. I begin by documenting investors' demographic characteristics and financial literacy using a relatively large sample of participants (n > 2,000) recruited from Amazon's Mechanical Turk under different categories of investment experience, which I benchmark against national samples of financial capability skills in the United States. I then replicate a sample of three accounting research experiments, varying the type and depth of the underlying accounting issue. Across the three experiments, the data show two main results: First, investment experience strengthens the influence of financial accounting disclosures on participants' investment‐related judgments. Second, financial literacy further strengthens the influence of financial accounting disclosures on investors' (but not noninvestors') judgments. Collectively, these findings suggest that investment experience and financial literacy can help to identify individuals who are more likely to be able and willing to study financial reporting information with reasonable diligence as they form their investment‐related judgments. Experience en placement, litteratie financiere et jugements en matiere de placements L'auteure etudie l'incidence de l'experience en placement et de la litteratie financiere sur les jugements en matiere de placements. La litteratie financiere s'entend de la connaissance que possede une personne des notions financieres elementaires. L'auteure documente d'abord les caracteristiques demographiques des investisseurs et leur litteratie financiere a partir d'un echantillon relativement important de participants (n > 2 000), recrutes au moyen du Turc mecanique d'Amazon selon les categories d'experience en placement dans lesquelles ils se classent, et compare ensuite ces donnees a celles d’echantillons nationaux de competences financieres aux Etats‐Unis. Elle reproduit ensuite trois experiences de recherche en comptabilite, en variant la nature et la profondeur de la problematique comptable sous‐jacente. Dans les trois cas, elle obtient deux resultats principaux : premierement, l'experience en placement renforce l'incidence de la communication d'informations financieres sur les jugements des participants en matiere de placements ; deuxiemement, la litteratie financiere renforce davantage l'incidence de la communication d'informations financieres sur les jugements des investisseurs (mais non sur les jugements des non‐investisseurs). Dans l'ensemble, ces observations semblent indiquer que l'experience en placement et la litteratie financiere permettent de mieux distinguer les personnes qui sont davantage susceptibles d’etre en mesure d’etudier et de souhaiter analyser les informations financieres qui leur sont communiquees avec une diligence raisonnable dans l’elaboration de leurs jugements en matiere de placements.
Heightened COVID-19 Vaccine Response Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Background: Current recommendations in the United States are that subjects with a previous history of COVID-19 disease receive the full 2 dose mRNA vaccine regimen. We tested the hypothesis that humoral immune responses and reactogenicity to a SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine (BNT-162b2) differ qualitatively and quantitatively in subjects with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection versus infection-naive subjects. Methods: Health care workers (n=61) from a single academic institution with and without prior COVID-19 received two 30 μg doses of BNT162b2 vaccine 3 weeks apart. The COVID group (n=30) received vaccine approximately 7 months post infection. IgG antibody against the Spike receptor-binding domain (RBD), serum neutralizing activity and vaccine adverse reactions were assessed every 2 weeks for 56 days after the 1st injection. A longitudinal design and long study duration allowed the onset, maximum response and initial decay rate of Spike IgG antibody to be assessed in each subject. In addition, Spike IgG antibody levels are expressed as μg / mL to provide normal values for clinical decision-making. Findings: Spike IgG responses were highly variable in both groups. However, the COVID group manifested rapid increases in Spike IgG antibody and serum neutralizing activity post 1st vaccine dose but little or no increase in Spike IgG or serum neutralizing activity after the 2nd dose. In fact, Spike IgG was maximum prior to the 2nd dose in 36% of the COVID group and 0% of controls. Peak IgG antibody was lower but appeared to fall more slowly in the COVID than in the control group. Finally, adverse systemic reactions e.g., fever, headache and malaise, after both the 1st and 2nd injection were more frequent and lasted longer in the COVID group than in the control group. Conclusions: Health care workers with prior COVID-19 demonstrate a robust, accelerated humoral immune response to the 1st dose of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine but attenuated response to the 2nd dose. They also experience greater reactogenicity than controls. Accordingly, subjects with prior COVID-19 may require only a single dose of vaccine.
Familial chilblain lupus in a child with heterozygous mutation in SAMHD1 and normal interferon signature

The type I interferonopathies comprise a growing group of genetically determined disorders that result in an abnormal upregulation of type I interferon (IFN).1 Familial chilblain lupus is a type I interferonopathy that is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. It manifests early in childhood and is characterized by dusky purple patches, papules, and plaques that are exacerbated by cold exposure. Here we present a child with familial chilblain lupus, found to have a heterozygous SAMHD1 mutation with a unique interferon signature.
Group Differences in Fall Risk Assessment among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

This study aims to examine group differences in performance and self-report measures distinguishing non-, single, and recurrent fallers.Fifty-seven community-dwelling older adults completed cogniti...
Evaluation of the Cellular Immune Response in Transplantation

Mixed leukocyte culture (MLC) is perhaps the most widely used of cellular assays. MLC has been used clinically for donor selection, predominantly for bone marrow transplantation. In contrast to MLC, which measures a bulk response, limiting dilution assay (LDA) is a quantitative tool. Mycoplasma contains the thymine kinase enzyme, which interferes with nucleic and amino acid metabolism and subsequently with DNA replication in the contaminated cell culture. In solid-organ transplantation, the histological analysis of allograft biopsies remains the "gold standard" for diagnosing rejection. Since the ultimate goal is the early detection of activated cells infiltrating the allograft and not in vitro priming, it also deals with methods that minimize the possibility of priming against the donor antigens in vitro. Several of the assays outlined in this chapter are being implemented in the clinical laboratory. Researchers compared helper and cytotoxic antirecipient T-cell frequencies in recipients who had received unrelated-donor bone marrow. They found that the helper T lymphocytes (HTLp) and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLp) assays provided similar predictive information for outcome. The HTLp method is more rapid and less labor-intensive and, thus, may be more useful for donor selection in unrelated-donor bone marrow transplantation. A recent multicenter study evaluated the Cylex ImmuKnow assay for the measurement of immune response in immunosuppressed transplant recipients. The long-term goals of using the cellular assays described in this chapter are to assess accurately the changing immuno-logical statuses of transplant recipients, predict long-term graft outcome, and provide the immune response information needed to individualize immunosuppression therapy.
Accelerating the Rate of Disassembly of Karyopherin·Cargo Complexes

Abstract Transport of macromolecules across the nuclear pore complex (NPC) occurs in seconds and involves assembly of a karyopherin·cargo complex and docking to the NPC, translocation of the complex across the NPC via interaction with nucleoporins (Nups), and dissociation of the complex in the nucleoplasm. To identify rate-limiting steps in the Kap95p·Kap60p-mediated nuclear import pathway of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we reconstituted key intermediate complexes and measured their rates of dissociation and affinities of interaction. We found that a nuclear localization signal-containing protein (NLS-cargo) dissociates slowly from Kap60p monomers and Kap60p·Kap95p heterodimers with half-lives (t ) of 7 and 73 min, respectively; that Kap60p and Kap60p·NLS-cargo complexes dissociate slowly from Kap95p (t = 36 and 73 min, respectively); and that Kap95p·Kap60p·NLS-cargo complexes and Kap95p·Kap60p heterodimers dissociate rapidly from the nucleoporin Nup1p (t ≤ 21 s) and other Nups. A search for factors that accelerate disassembly of the long-lived intermediates revealed that Nup1p and Nup2p accelerate 16- and 19-fold the rate of dissociation of NLS-cargo from Kap60p·Kap95p heterodimers; that Gsp1p-GTP accelerates ≥ 447-fold the rate of dissociation of Kap60p·NLS-cargo from Kap95p; and that Nup2p and the Cse1p·Gsp1p-GTP complex independently accelerate ≥ 22- and ≥ 39-fold the rate of dissociation of NLS-cargo from Kap60p. We suggest that Nup1p, Nup2p, Cse1p, and Gsp1p accelerate disassembly of Kap95p·Kap60p·NLS-cargo complexes by triggering allosteric mechanisms within Kaps that cause rapid release of binding partners. In that way, Nup1p, Nup2p, Cse1p, and Gsp1p may function askaryopherin release factors (or KaRFs) in the nuclear basket structure of the S. cerevisiaeNPC.
Human interleukin 2: Quantitation by a sensitive radioimmunoassay☆

Using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to human recombinant IL-2 (rIL-2), we developed a sensitive radioimmunoassay (RIA) for quantitation of human IL-2. In this assay, microtitration plates pre-coated with an anti-rIL-2 monoclonal antibody (35H10), recognizing residues 59-72 of human IL-2, are incubated with serial dilutions of test samples. Captured IL-2 is quantitated by adding an affinity-purified rabbit anti-rIL-2 antibody followed by an 125I-labeled goat anti-rabbit IgG. Antibodies to chemically synthesized IL-2 peptides could replace the polyspecific rabbit anti-rIL-2 antibody as the second specific reagent in the assay. This configuration was more sensitive than others tested, approaching the level of detection of the conventional IL-2 bioassay, thus allowing detection of as little as 100-200 pg IL-2. Serum or plasma fluids, however, inhibited the assay, reducing its sensitivity by approximately 5-fold. This RIA correlated well with the conventional bioassay in measuring IL-2 levels in sera from IL-2-treated patients. This, and similar, RIAs may serve as a useful adjunct or alternative to the conventional IL-2 bioassay in detecting and quantitating human IL-2 in culture supernatants and clinical samples.
Age and attentional capacity

Accident and fatality rates begin to increase after age 55. Previous research indicated only weak relationships between crash involvement and poor acuity. The other factor that may influence driving performance is impaired attentional function. Green and Bavelier (2003) showed that action-video-game players have greater attention capacity than non-video-game players. More important, non-video-game players can be trained to enhance the capacity of visual attention and its spatial distribution. In that study, all participants were young adults (aged from 18 to 23). It is not clear whether the reduced driving capability of older adults is due to a decreased attention capacity. In this paper, attention capacity of young and older drivers was examined using a flanker task paradigm. Participants were asked to respond to two shapes (diamond/square) in one of six circles arranged in a ring. At the same time, a distractor (a square/a diamond) was displayed on the left or the right of the ring. The workload of the task was manipulated by presenting different shapes in all the other circles or only one shape was present in the ring. The influence of the irrelevant shape on the performance (flanker effect) under different load conditions was compared between older and younger drivers. Consistent with previous research, the reaction time under the high-load condition was longer than in the low-load condition and older drivers’ reaction time was slower than younger drivers’. However, for both age groups, flanker effect only existed for the low-load condition and tends to disappear in the high-load condition.
Transient state isoelectric focusing. Measurement of minimal focusing time.

Abstract Kinetic methods are described for the measurement of the minimal focusing time (tMF) of amphoteric molecules subjected to isoelectric focusing. The parameter tMF is defined as the time required for a particular compound to migrate to its isoelectric point (pI) position — under specified experimental conditions — after the electric field is applied. This is accomplished by recording one of the following parameters: (a) peak position ( x ); (b) peak position difference Δ( x ) ; or (c) peak velocity d x d t until the conditions ƒ x (t) = constant ; ƒΔ x (t) = 0 ; or ƒ d x d t(t) = 0 are met, respectively. Depending on the mode of sample loading (i.e. uniform, gradient, or pulse) one or two discernible peaks of the compound migrate away from the electrodes toward the pI position. Their migration as a function of time is automatically recorded by continuous electro-optical scanning of the field with an instrumental assembly featuring on-line digital acquisition and processing of data. An example of the effect of “per cent Ampholine concentration” on the tMF of a model compound l -histidyl- l tyrosine focused in the pH 3–10 range in polyacrylamide gels (4.15% T; 3.60% C) is presented.
Conifold transitions and aspects of duality

Abstract Recent work by Greene, Morrison and Strominger has lead to a consistent physical interpretation of certain types of transitions between different string vacua. These transitions, discovered several years ago, involve singular conifold configurations which connect distinct Calabi-You manifolds. In this paper we generalize the splitting conifold transition to weighted manifolds and describe a class of connections between the webs of ordinary and weighted projective Calabi-You spaces. Combining these two constructions we find evidence for a dual analog of conifold transitions in heterotic N = 2 compactifications on K3×T 2 and describe the first conifold transition of a Calabi-Yau manifold whose heterotic dual has been identified by Kachru and Vafa. We furthermore present a special type of conifold transition which, when applied to certain classes of Calabi-Yau K3 fibrations, preserves the fiber structure. Along the way we describe a new phenomenon which occurs when hypersurface singularities ‘collide’ with orbifold singularities. Finally we point out the importance of weighted conifold transitions which are not of splitting type. Such non-splitting conifold transitions turn out to connect the known web of Calabi-Yau spaces to new regions of the collective moduli space.
Standardization of the Differential Chemical Shift for Fe57

The various host lattices available for Co57 and the many recipes used for source preparation have made it difficult to compare data from various laboratories for chemical interpretations. Since the chemical applications of Mossbauer spectroscopy show great promise, the need for uniform presentation of data becomes even greater.
Möbius Transformation and Einstein Velocity Addition in the Hyperbolic Geometry of Bolyai and Lobachevsky

In this chapter, dedicated to the 60th Anniversary of Themistocles M. Rassias, Mobius transformation and Einstein velocity addition meet in the hyperbolic geometry of Bolyai and Lobachevsky. It turns out that Mobius addition that is extracted from Mobius transformation of the complex disc and Einstein addition from his special theory of relativity enable the introduction of Cartesian coordinates and vector algebra as novel tools in the study of hyperbolic geometry.
Practicing Safe Text: the Impact of Texting on Walking Behavior

Summary Sending and receiving text messages on cell phones is increasingly common. Texting while walking or driving, however, increases the likelihood of accidents. One possible cause is that distracted individuals are unable to detect safe opportunities for action. To investigate this, we asked participants to walk through doorways of differing widths while holding or texting on their phone. We measured walking speed, doorway-to-shoulder-width ratio, and the number of bumps into the doorframes. Our results revealed that texters were more cautious than non-texters; they walked slower and rotated their body through doorways they could have safely walked straight through. There were no significant differences, however, in the number of bumps into the doorframes. If texters in the real world behave like those in our laboratory, then the number of texting-related accidents reported in other studies might suggest that being overcautious while texting does not actually decrease the likelihood of accidents. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prolonged neuromuscular blockade with atracurium.

During general anaesthesia with oxygen, nitrous oxide and enflurane, a 29-year-old woman received a total of 105 mg (1.78mg.kg-1) of atracurium over a 2.5 hour period. The neuromuscular blockade could not be completely reversed with neostigmine and mechanical venti-latory support was necessary for three hours postopera-tively. The patient received succinylcholine without unusual sequelae before and after this episode. This is the first report of a patient who exhibited prolonged weakness after receiving atracurium.
Racial Group Membership and Juvenile Delinquency

Sixty Negro and forty white delinquent boys, interviewed while they were residents of a state training school, provided materials for a comparative analysis of relationships between racial membership and delinquency. The Negro boys tended to derive from lower-status families more than the white, and they were also more likely to have been sent to training school for having committed more serious offenses. Among the whites racial attitudes were associated with types of offenses, with more serious offenders showing more antipathy toward Negroes. Negro boys' racial attitudes varied less by offense category, but there was a strong tendency for those who committed less serious offenses to show more self-hatred than those whose offenses were more serious. These findings are interpreted in terms of social-structural theories of delinquency, notably those of Cohen and of Cloward and Ohlin.
Let the People Decide: Black Freedom and White Resistance Movements in Sunflower County, Mississippi, 1945-1986

In the middle of the Mississippi Delta lies rural, black-majority Sunflower County. J. Todd Moye examines the social histories of civil rights and white resistance movements in Sunflower, tracing the development of organizing strategies in separate racial communities over four decades. Sunflower County was home to both James Eastland, one of the most powerful reactionaries in the U.S. Senate in the twentieth century, and Fannie Lou Hamer, the freedom-fighting sharecropper who rose to national prominence as head of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. Sunflower was the birthplace of the Citizen's Council, the white South's pre-eminent anti-civil rights organization, but it was also a hotbed of SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) organizing and a fountainhead of freedom culture. Using extensive oral history interviews and archival research, Moye situates the struggle for democracy in Sunflower County within the context of national developments in the civil rights movement. Arguing that the civil rights movement cannot be understood as a national monolith, Moye reframes it as the accumulation of thousands of local movements, each with specific goals and strategies. By continuing the analysis into the 1980s, Let the People Decide pushes the boundaries of conventional periodization, recognizing the full extent of the civil rights movement.