cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Complexity of effector mechanisms in cyclosporine-induced syngeneic graft-versus-host disease

Administration of the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine after syngeneic or autologous bone marrow transplanta- tion elicits a T-lymphocyte-dependent autoimmune syndrome similar to graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The onset of this autoaggression syndrome, termed syngeneic GVHD, is associated with the development of a highly restricted re p e rt o i re of CD8 + a u t o reactive T cells that recognize a peptide from the invariant chain, termed CLIP, p resented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules. Clonal analysis reveals 2 distinct subsets of a u t o reactive T cells defined by their activation re q u i rement for either the N-terminal or the C-terminal fla n k i n g regions of CLIP and by their cytokine pro file. The studies here reveal that the autoreactive T-cell clones re q u i r i n g the N-terminal flanking region of CLIP produce type 1 cytokines (interf e ron (IFN)-γ , interleukin (IL)-2, and tumor n e c rosis factor-α). In contrast, the autoreactive T-cell clones that re q u i re the C-terminal flanking region of CLIP p roduce type 2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, transforming growth factor-β). As assessed in a local graft-versus-host re a c- tion assay, the N-terminal fla n k i n g - restricted clones mediate changes consistent with acute GVHD, whereas the clones responsive to the C-terminal flanking region do not. More o v e r, the autoreactive T-cell clones restricted by the C - t e rminal flanking region of CLIP ameliorate the pathogenic potential of the cells responsive to the N-term i n a l flanking region of CLIP. The mechanism accounting for this re g u l a t o ry affect appears to be the downregulation of mRNA message for type 1 cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-2). The C-term i n a l - restricted autoreactive T-cell clones, how- e v e r, could manifest disease with dermal changes similar to those seen in chronic syngeneic GVHD, provided that I F N -γ was present. Consistent with these observations was the demonstration that type 1 cytokines are pre f e re n t i a l l y detected during the acute phase of syngeneic GVHD, whereas type 2 cytokines dominate during the chronic phase. The results suggest that acute and chronic syngeneic GVHD is mediated by distinct autoreactive T cells, which are separated by their fine specificity for the CLIP-MHC class II complex and by their cytokine pro fil e s .
Optimal designs for evaluating a series of treatments

Several articles in this journal have studied optimal designs for testing a series of treatments to identify promising ones for further study. These designs formulate testing as an ongoing process until a promising treatment is identified. This formulation is considered to be more realistic but substantially increases the computational complexity. In this article, we show that these new designs, which control the error rates for a series of treatments, can be reformulated as conventional designs that control the error rates for each individual treatment. This reformulation leads to a more meaningful interpretation of the error rates and hence easier specification of the error rates in practice. The reformulation also allows us to use conventional designs from published tables or standard computer programs to design trials for a series of treatments. We illustrate these using a study in soft tissue sarcoma.
Sleep disorders in children with congenital anophthalmia and microphthalmia

Abstract Purpose: The increased incidence of sleep disorders among blind patients has been documented in the sleep medicine literature. Blind patients lack the normal regulatory control of retinal input over their circadian rhythms, which can lead to abnormalities in their sleep-wake cycles. Our study was conducted to determine the incidence of sleep disorders in children with anophthalmia or microphthalmia and to offer therapeutic alternatives. Methods: A 13-question survey was distributed to families of children with anophthalmia, microphthalmia, or both identified through the Anophthalmia/Microphthalmia Registry in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The survey included questions regarding the children's medical and ocular histories and any sleep disorders they may have experienced. Questions regarding daily schedules, family history, and social history were also included. Results: Surveys were returned from 13 children with bilateral anophthalmia or microphthalmia. Ten of 13 (77%) anophthalmic/microphthalmic children were reported to have frequent early-morning waking and extensive daytime sleeping. Specific medical and social problems did not appear to be associated with the development of these sleep disorders. Strict daily schedules were often helpful in entraining the children's sleep-wake cycles. Conclusion: Without the contribution of retinal input to help regulate circadian rhythms, most children with bilateral anophthalmia or microphthalmia will experience sleep disorders. These children may benefit from the introduction of strict daily schedules, medical therapy (melatonin), or both. An attempt should also be made to preserve any existing light perception.
REM sleep signs rostral to chronic transections at the pontomedullary junction

The brainstems of 3 cats were transected at the ponto-medullary junction and the cats maintained in stable condition for periods of from 16 to 31 days. After transection, all of these cats had periods in which forebrain sensorimotor cortex, olfactory bulb, hippocampus, eye movement and lateral geniculate recordings exhibited the pattern of activity seen only in REM sleep in the intact cat. We conclude that medullary regions are not required to generate these signs of REM sleep. The pons is necessary for REM sleep and is sufficient to produce REM sleep signs in rostral as well as caudal brain regions. However, the medulla may contribute to regulation of the duration and periodicity of REM sleep.
Intrachromosomal triplications: molecular cytogenetic and clinical studies.

A newborn boy had meconium aspiration syndrome, hypospadias, a supernumerary digit on the left hand, hyperbilirubinemia, a fractured right clavicle, osteopenia, liver calcification, and mild pulmonary hyperplasia. Cytogenetic studies showed a chromosome 13 with additional material in 33% of the metaphases. The add(13) was considered to be a probable duplication of 13q12q22. The 13 paint probe hybridized to the add(13) from end to end. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies using retinoblastoma probe (RB)-1 that maps to 13q14 and D13S585 that maps to 13q32-q33 gave one signal for RB and three signals for D13S585. The pattern of the three signals from the 13q32q33 region and the G-banding pattern was best explained as a triplication of 13q22q33, with an inverted middle repeat resulting in tetrasomy for this segment. Mosaicism was confirmed by FISH using a D13S585 probe on a buccal smear. Three triplications detected in our laboratory were compared - 13q22q33, 15q11q13, and 2q11.2q21. FISH was critical in identifying triplications 13q22q33 and 15q11q13. The hybridization pattern also indicated an inverted middle repeat. We conclude that intrachromosomal triplications may be more prevalent than previously assumed and they probably share a common mechanism in their formation. When the G-bands do not correspond exactly to a duplication or to a tandem triplication, an important consideration is that the majority of triplications have an inverted middle repeat. Triplications can be mistaken for duplications. Therefore, in assessing duplications, FISH confirmation is recommended.
Sonification design guidelines to enhance program comprehension

Faced with the challenges of understanding the source code of a program, software developers are assisted by a wealth of software visualization research. This work explores how visualization can be supplemented by sonification as a cognitive tool for code comprehension. By engaging the programmer's auditory senses, sonification can improve the utility of program comprehension tools. This paper reports on our experiences of creating and evaluating a program comprehension prototype tool that employs sonification to assist program understanding by rendering sonic cues. Our empirical evaluation of the efficacy of information sonification indicates that this cognitive aid can effectively complement visualization when trying to understand an unfamiliar code base. Based on our experiences, we then propose a set of guidelines for the design of a new generation of tools that increase their information utility by combining visualization and sonification.
Direct trajectory optimization by a Chebyshev pseudospectral method

A Chebyshev pseudospectral method is presented in this paper for directly solving a generic optimal control problem with state and control constraints. This method employs Nth degree Lagrange polynomial approximations for the state and control variables with the values of these variables at the Chebyshev-Gauss-Lobatto (CGL) points as the expansion coefficients. This process yields a nonlinear programming problem (NLP) with the state and control values at the CGL points as unknown NLP parameters. Numerical examples demonstrate this method yields more accurate results than those obtained from the traditional collocation methods.
Pathogenesis in immune thrombocytopenia: new insights

Idiopathic (immune) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a common autoimmune disorder resulting in isolated thrombocytopenia. ITP can present either alone (primary) or in the setting of other conditions (secondary) such as infections or altered immune states. ITP is associated with a loss of tolerance to platelet antigens and a phenotype of accelerated platelet destruction and impaired platelet production. Although the etiology of ITP remains unknown, complex dysregulation of the immune system is observed in ITP patients. Antiplatelet antibodies mediate accelerated clearance from the circulation in large part via the reticuloendothelial (monocytic phagocytic) system. In addition, cellular immunity is perturbed and T-cell and cytokine profiles are significantly shifted toward a type 1 and Th17 proinflammatory immune response. Further clues into immune dysregulation in ITP may be gleaned from studies of secondary ITP. Some infections can induce antiplatelet Abs by molecular mimicry, and there may be common elements involved in breaking tolerance with other autoimmune disorders. There is also evidence for a genetic predisposition to both ITP and responsiveness to therapy, which may in part lie within immune-related genes. Lastly, treatment with immunomodulatory agents remains the mainstay of ITP therapies.
With Facebook, Blogs, and Fake News, Teens Reject Journalistic “Objectivity”

This article examines the news behaviors and attitudes of teenagers, an understudied demographic in the research on youth and news media. Based on interviews with 61 racially diverse high school st...
Continuous Speech Recognition Using Attention Shift Decoding with Soft Decision

We present an attention shift decoding (ASD) method inspired by human speech recognition. In contrast to the traditional automatic speech recognition (ASR) systems, ASD decodes speech inconsecutively using reliability criteria; the gaps (unreliable speech regions) are decoded with the evidence of islands (reliable speech regions). On the BU Radio News Corpus, ASD provides significant improvement (2.9% absolute) over the baseline ASR results when it is used with oracle island-gap information. At the core of the ASD method is the automatic islandgap detection. Here, we propose a new feature set for automatic island-gap detection which achieves 83.7% accuracy. To cope with the imperfect nature of the island-gap classification, we also propose a new ASD algorithm using soft decision. The ASD with soft decision provides 0.4% absolute (2.2% relative) improvement over the baseline ASR results when it is used with automatically detected islands and gaps. Index Terms: speech recognition, decoding, attention, island.
New Evidence for an Anti-estrogenic Action of Clomiphene Citrate in Women

ABSTRACT Nineteen regularly menstruating women were given either 0.1 mg of ethinyl estradiol alone or in combination with 200 mg of clomiphene citrate for 8 consecutive days starting with the onset of menses. Ethinyl estradiol decreased plasma FSH concentrations and abolished the normal progressive follicular rise of LH. Five to 9 days after discontinuing ethinyl estradiol, 7 of 10 subjects had withdrawal bleeding. When clomiphene was given with ethinyl estradiol, gonadotropin levels were normal throughout the cycle and there was no withdrawal bleeding. Plasma 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels in the latter treatment group were higher than those in the ethinyl estradiol group, although in neither group were 17-hydroxyprogesterone or progesterone levels consistent with normal corpus luteum function. Short luteal phases were encountered in both groups. When subjects, irrespective of treatment, were categorized according to duration of luteal phase, then those women with luteal phases of 10 days or less had lowe...
Patients' Perspectives of Factors Affecting Modality Selection: A National Kidney Foundation Patient Survey

The National Kidney Foundation undertook a survey of individuals with chronic renal failure to assess factors that may have influenced their treatment selection. Areas examined included demographic data, patient education, movement between modalities, patient satisfaction with treatment, and sense of well-being. The results point to a need for additional patient education and assurance that every ESRD patient is informed about all treatment options that are not medically contraindicated. There is an additional need for enhanced treatment decision making that involves both the patient and the nephrologist. Respondents were highly satisfied with their current treatment modality although 17% had previously changed treatment owing to personal dissatisfaction. Center hemodialysis patients identified staff performance of treatment and dialyzing only 3 times weekly as the main advantages of that modality. Those on peritoneal dialysis identified its flexibility that allows control over one's personal schedule as important. Transplant recipients stressed the importance of living a more normal life than that afforded by dialysis. Most respondents expressed a positive sense of well-being. While transplant patients expressed a higher sense of well-being than individuals on dialysis, it is important to note that approximately 70% of those on dialysis reported a positive sense of well-being.
Compressed-domain video watermarking for H.264

This paper presents a novel, low complexity watermarking algorithm for H.264 that exploits the specific features of this new standard. The security of the algorithm is based on the randomness of the watermark location. The coefficient with the embedded watermark within the macroblock is determined by a public key extracted from the macroblock and a secret key possessed by the copyright owner. It is proposed to use the relative change of the DC coefficients of the 4/spl times/4 blocks in a macroblock to generate the public key. The watermark is embedded in the quantized AC coefficients of I frames, and the compressed video bit rate is only increased 0.5% on average. Watermark detection can be done without the original video signal, and the algorithm is appropriate for real-time applications. Simulation results show that watermark embedding preserves the perceptual quality of the video. However, the degradation induced by an adversary's attempt to remove the watermark creates visible artifacts.
Evolution equations for continuous-scale morphology

Several nonlinear partial differential equations that model the scale evolution associated with continuous-space multiscale morphological erosions, dilations, openings, and closings are discussed. These systems relate the infinitesimal evolution of the multiscale signal ensemble in scale space to a nonlinear operator acting on the space of signals. The type of this nonlinear operator is determined by the shape and dimensionality of the structuring element used by the morphological operators, generally taking the form of nonlinear algebraic functions of certain differential operators. >
Low-temperature N2 binding to two-coordinate L2Fe(0) enables reductive trapping of L2FeN2(-) and NH3 generation.

The two-coordinate [(CAAC)_2Fe] complex [CAAC=cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene] binds dinitrogen at low temperature (T<−80 °C). The resulting putative three-coordinate N_2 complex, [(CAAC)_2Fe(N_2)], was trapped by one-electron reduction to its corresponding anion [(CAAC)_2FeN_2]^− at low temperature. This complex was structurally characterized and features an activated dinitrogen unit which can be silylated at the β-nitrogen atom. The redox-linked complexes [(CAAC)_2Fe^I][BAr^F_4], [(CAAC)_2Fe^0], and [(CAAC)_2Fe^(−I)N_2]^− were all found to be active for the reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia upon treatment with KC_8 and HBAr^F_4⋅2 Et_2O at −95 °C [up to (3.4±1.0) equivalents of ammonia per Fe center]. The N_2 reduction activity is highly temperature dependent, with significant N_2 reduction to NH_3 only occurring below −78 °C. This reactivity profile tracks with the low temperatures needed for N_2 binding and an otherwise unavailable electron-transfer step to generate reactive [(CAAC)_2FeN_2]^−.
Breastfeeding of Very Low Birth Weight Infants

This research examines the rate of breastfeeding among mothers of very low birth weight infants (VLBW, <1500 grams), and the correlates of breast milk pumping and transition to nursing at the breast. Eighty-two mothers and their 69 singleton and 21 twin VLBW infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (January 1-June 30, 1995) of an urban tertiary care hospital. Maternal demographic, infant birth, and neonatal data were compared according to breast or bottle feeding, and a telephone interview was administered retrospectively to mothers pumping breast milk at the time of the infant's discharge home. Of 39 mothers who chose to pump breast milk, 19 were still pumping at the time of the infant's discharge home. Only 8 made a successful transition to nursing at the breast. Mothers who continued pumping tended to be white, married, and older, and their infants had fewer neonatal complications. The rates of prolonged breast milk pumping and of nursing are very low. Specific interventions and better supp...
Vortex-enhanced propulsion

It has been previously suggested that the generation of coherent vortical structures in the near-wake of a self-propelled vehicle can improve its propulsive efficiency by manipulating the local pressure field and entrainment kinematics. This paper investigates these unsteady mechanisms analytically and in experiments. A self-propelled underwater vehicle is designed with the capability to operate using either steady-jet propulsion or a pulsed-jet mode that features the roll-up of large-scale vortex rings in the near-wake. The flow field is characterized by using a combination of planar laser-induced fluorescence, laser Doppler velocimetry and digital particle-image velocimetry. These tools enable measurement of vortex dynamics and entrainment during propulsion. The concept of vortex added-mass is used to deduce the local pressure field at the jet exit as a function of the shape and motion of the forming vortex rings. The propulsive efficiency of the vehicle is computed with the aid of towing experiments to quantify hydrodynamic drag. Finally, the overall vehicle efficiency is determined by monitoring the electrical power consumed by the vehicle in steady and unsteady propulsion modes. This measurement identifies conditions under which the power required to create flow unsteadiness is offset by the improved vehicle efficiency. The experiments demonstrate that substantial increases in propulsive efficiency, over 50 % greater than the performance of the steady-jet mode, can be achieved by using vortex formation to manipulate the near-wake properties. At higher vehicle speeds, the enhanced performance is sufficient to offset the energy cost of generating flow unsteadiness. An analytical model explains this enhanced performance in terms of the vortex added-mass and entrainment. The results suggest a potential mechanism to further enhance the performance of existing engineered propulsion systems. In addition, the analytical methods described here can be extended to examine more complex propulsion systems such as those of swimming and flying animals, for whom vortex formation is inevitable.
Double dribble: illusionism, mixed reality, and the sports fan experience

Fans of spectator sports are changing the ways they access sports media faster than major sports leagues and media are changing their delivery approaches. The result is a situation that fails both the marketing and communication needs of the teams/leagues and the fan experience needs of the fans. In this project, we conceptualize a mixed reality platform that connects globally distributed fans to each other and live NBA games in real-time. We ask whether the design direction is even plausible and devise a low-cost experience prototype with which to experiment. We present the findings from two rounds of experimentation. We also see this study as an expansion on the notion of "transformation" in mixed reality including not merely actual changes of states across realities, but also illusory ones, which may contribute to uses of mixed reality in entertainment contexts.
CD34-Selected Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplants Conditioned with Myeloablative Regimens and Antithymocyte Globulin for Advanced Myelodysplastic Syndrome: Limited Graft-versus-Host Disease without Increased Relapse.

Abstract Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is the only curative therapy for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Donor T cells are critical for the graft-versus-tumor effect but carry the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). CD34 selection with immunomagnetic beads has been an effective method of depleting alloreactive donor T cells from the peripheral blood graft and has been shown to result in significant reduction in acute and chronic GVHD. We analyzed the outcomes of 102 adults (median age, 57.6 years) with advanced MDS who received a CD34-selected allo-HSCT between January 1997 and April 2012 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The cumulative incidences of grades II to IV acute GVHD were 9.8% at day 100 (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.0% to 16.5%) and 15.7% at day 180 (95% CI, 9.4% to 23.4%). The cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD at 1 year was 3.9% (95% CI, 1.3% to 9.0%). The cumulative incidences of relapse were 11.8% at 1 year (95% CI, 6.4% to 18.9%) and 15.7% at 2 years (95% CI, 9.4% to 23.4%). Forty-eight patients were alive with a median follow-up of 71.7 months. Rates of overall survival (OS) were 56.9% at 2 years (95% CI, 48% to 67.3%) and 49.3% at 5 years (95% CI, 40.4% to 60.2%). Rates of relapse-free survival (RFS) were 52.0% at 2 years (95% CI, 41.9% to 61.1%) and 47.6% at 5 years (95% CI, 37.5% to 56.9%). The cumulative incidences of nonrelapse mortality were 7.8% at day 100 (95% CI, 3.7% to 14.1%), 22.5% at 1 year (95% CI, 15.0% to 31.1%), and 33.4% at 5 years (95% CI, 24.2% to 42.6%) post-transplant. The incidence of chronic GVHD/RFS overlapped with RFS. These findings demonstrate that ex vivo T cell–depleted allo-HSCT by CD34 selection offers long-term OS and RFS with low incidences of acute and chronic GVHD and without an increased risk of relapse.
Modern, active sonar AGC design considerations

The following identifies key elements of the AGC design problem for active sonars. Because the character of the background noise and of the echo are highly dependent on a sonar environment that varies from place to place and from hour to hour, the signal statistics are unknown. Researchers have left the area of AGC design to practitioners; such designs are guided usually by heuristics. This paper follows that tradition. It postulates a microprocessor-controlled gain controller that adapts its parameters to the sonar environment. Since the sonar for which this AGC was designed is still in development, the performance of the AGC is evaluated with the aid of a simulation.
What if your dentist looked like Tom Cruise? Applying the match‐up hypothesis to a service encounter

Research in advertising suggests the positive effects of spokesperson attractiveness only enhance consumers' attitudes if the attractiveness of the spokesperson matches up with the image of the product (Kahle & Homer, 1985; Kamins, 1990; Parekh & Kanekar, 1994). This study examines the effects of service provider physical attractiveness and tests the application of the match-up hypothesis to the service encounter. Provider physical attractiveness (high, moderate, low) and service type (related or unrelated to attractiveness) were varied in a 3 × 2 factorial design. The experimental results suggest that when service-provider attractiveness is congruent with the image of the service, consumers' ratings of service quality and their attitudes toward the service provider will be maximized. The results are explained with the use of a schema-based information-processing paradigm. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Small-signal measurement techniques in switching power supplies

As the power supply dynamic specifications become tighter, the control bandwidth has to be increased which interferes with the stability. Therefore, the feedback design becomes critical and should be optimized. In many practical cases, the accuracy of the power stage small-signal model is not enough for the adequate design of the loop gain. The optimal feedback design requires measurement of the plant transfer function and of the loop gain. The limitations of the conventional closed-loop measurement setup are shown and a measurement procedure, which is free of those limitations, is proposed. The plant identification in several common types of power supplies is non-trivial and is discussed in detail. An example of the small-signal measurement in the multiple-loop computer power supply is presented. Finally, the loop gain measurement of unstable power supplies is considered.
EVALUATION OF PROCESSING TOMATOES FROM TWO CONSECUTIVE GROWING SEASONS: QUALITY ATTRIBUTES, PEELABILITY AND YIELD

Peelability is an important quality parameter in the selection of tomato cultivars (cvs.) for whole peeled and dice processing. Six processing tomato cvs. were evaluated in two consecutive years to examine the effects of cv., maturity and physical attributes on peelability and yield. Physical attributes of the raw tomatoes (size, weight, pericarp wall thickness, color) and processed paste quality (pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, Bostwick consistency, serum viscosity, color) were determined. Large variations in physical attributes and paste quality were observed in selected tomato cvs. and maturities. In general, most of the attributes indicative of paste quality were more desirable at the less mature (e.g., pink) stage and declined with maturity. Statistical analysis suggests that there were significant differences in percentage of peeled tomatoes, peel index, and yields of whole peeled and diced tomatoes between two consecutive growing years.
Do New Digs Mean more Wins?: The Relationship between a New Venue and a Professional Sports Team's Competitive Success

Team owners often argue that a new venue will lead to more wins for the team. This premise is examined here by modeling teams as multiproduct, profit-maximizing firms. Teams' competitive quality and playing venues are two inputs in the production of outputs (e.g., game tickets sold, media programming, etc.). The degree of input complementarity or substitutability between competitive quality and venue quality plays a critical role. The authors empirically test the effect of new venues on winning percentage for Major League Baseball (MLB), National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), and National Hockey League (NHL) teams, finding no significant effect except in the case of MLB teams.
Therapy in the Face of Climate Change

Abstract Climate change represents one of the greatest challenges of our time. To meet this challenge requires a profound reorientation of our relationship with the Earth and with all who share our planetary home. This shift requires a transformation of consciousness from seeing the world as an object to be exploited or a resource to be plundered to knowing and living a profound interconnection with all that is. It requires us to fully experience our “totemic selves”—that part of us that recognizes our kinship with the more-than-human world and our dependence on it. What role can psychology play in this paradigm shift? More specifically, what is the role of the therapist during this challenging time? How do we address these hard issues in the lives of our clients, and how do we utilize our skills as healers in our communities? This essay explores how the practices and methods of ecotherapy and the concepts of rewilding and a Nature Language might be useful in the clinician's work as we approach this perva...
Health Disparities in Pediatric Asthma: Comprehensive Tertiary Care Center Experience.

Location Study conducted at Nemours /Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE 19803 Background Although the treatment and management of asthma hasimproved over time, incidence and prevalence among children continues to rise in the United States. Asthma prevalence, health services utilization, and mortality rate demonstrate remarkable disparities. The underlying causes of these disparities are not fully understood. We aimed to examine racial/ethnic variances in pediatric asthma prevalence/admission. Patients and Methods We retrospectively reviewed data on 1070 patients and applied a cross-sectional design to assess asthma admission between 2010 and 2011. Information was available on race/ethnicity, sex, insurance status, severity of illness (SOI), and length of stay/hospitalization (LOS).Chi-square statistic was used for the association between race and other variables in an attempt to explain the racial/ethnic variance. Results The proportionate morbidity of asthma was highest amongCaucasians (40.92%) and African Americans (40.54%), intermediate among others (16.57%), and lowest among Asian (0.56%), American Indian/Alaska Native (0.28%), and Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander (0.28%). Overall there were disparities by sex, with more boys (61.80%) diagnosed with asthma than girls (38.20%), χ2 (7 ) = 20.1, p = 0.005. Insurance status, and SOI varied by race/ethnicity, but not LOS. Caucasian children were more likely to have private insurance, while African Americans and Hispanics were more likely to have public insurance (p 14 ) = 154.6, p Conclusion Racial/ethnic disparities in asthma admission exist among children in the Delaware Valley. There were racial/ethnic disparities in insurance status, asthma severity, and sex differed by race/ethnicity, but not in length of hospitalization.
Regulation of Hypothalamic Somatostatin Secretion

The secretion of somatostatin (SS) from nerve terminals of hypothalamic neurons can be measured in several different experimental models. Direct measurement of peptide release by radioimmunoassay is generally held to be the most reliable method.
The Verification Cockpit – Creating the Dream Playground for Data Analytics over the Verification Process

The Verification Cockpit (VC) is a consolidated platform for planning, tracking, analysis, and optimization of large scale verification projects. Its prime role is to provide decision support from planning to on-going operations of the verification process. The heart of the VC is a holistic centralized data model for the arsenal of verification tools used in modern verification processes. This enables connection of the verification tools and provides rich reporting capabilities as well as hooks to advanced data analytics engines. This paper describes the concept of the Verification Cockpit, its architecture, and implementation. We also include examples of its use in the verification of a high-end processor, while highlighting the capabilities of the platform and the benefits of its use.
On the Origin of the Ideas

The purpose of the present inquiry is to develop a General Economic Theory of Motion, inspired on the one hand by the economic theory of motion developed by RAMSEY, FISHER, VON NEUMANN and SAMUELSON, and on the other hand by the beautiful and powerful methods of analytical mechanics introduced by EULER, LAGRANGE and HAMILTON. One part of the theory has its origin in the well-developed science of mathematical physics; the other part has its origin in the emerging science of mathematical economics. Consider first the origin of the ideas in mathematical physics.
Trace Metals in Open Water Disposal of Dredged Material

Upon addition of sediment/seawater mixture to the seawater column, most trace metals were found to display a pattern of immediate release. These released metals were subsequently removed. The removal is gradually under reducing environments and almost immediately under oxidizing environments. The degree of release was significant for Fe, Mn, and Ni. The Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn were moderately released. The release of Ag, Cd, and Hg was negligible. After resedimentation, the migration of trace metals between the sediment/seawater interface were found to be influenced by the redox conditions of the overlying water. In general, three patterns of metal behavior were observed: (1)The release amount increases as the redox conditions become more reducing (Fe and Mn); (2)the release amount increases as the environment becomes more oxidizing (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn); and (3)no significant release (Cr and Hg). The soluble metal concentrations during and after open water disposal of dredged materials were found to be in the range of sub-ppb to ppb with the exception of Fe, under reducing condition.
Optimal Vitamin D Status is Associated with Healthier Immune Indices in Untrained, but not Trained Females

The anti-inflammatory effects of chronic exercise are well established; less is known about immune changes associated with vitamin D. This study explored the relationship between inflammatory indic...
Temperature and Humidity Effects on Uredospore Viability

The longevity of fungal spores has received considerable attention, particularly regarding the effects of temperature and humidity of the ambient atmosphere. Perusal of the literature, particularly the summaries in Cochrane's treatise (2), result in the conclusion that longevity increases as temperature decreases to 0 C. The effect of humidity is not as clearly defined. Uredospores of rust fungi are reported (1, 3, 5) to have greatest longevity at moderate relative humidities, i.e., at about 50% RH. This conclusion is difficult to understand and interpret. The vapor pressure of water and thus, the capacity of space to hold moisture, in? creases with temperature. Fifty per cent RH at different temperatures denotes different absolute humidities of the atmosphere and different magnitudes of the vapor pressure deficit (for water). Evaporation depends on the gradient of the latter. Careful reading of the papers from which the conclusion was drawn justify a careful restudy of this phe? nomenon using uredospores of the bean rust fungus, Uromyces phaseoli (Reb.) Wint. var. typica Arthur.
Atkinsonella Hypoxylon and Balansia Cyperi, Epiphytic Members of the Balansiae

Four species in the tribe Balansiae (Clavicipitaceae) infecting grasses and sedges were studied to determine their growth habit as endophytes or epiphytes. The genus Myriogenospora previously has b...
Realpolitik and the Road to War: An Analysis of Attributes and Behavior

The authors address the question of why some militarized interstate disputes evolve into wars, while others do not. They note from previous investigations that the probability of such disputes ending in war is associated with the types of bargaining behavior adopted by disputants. Particularly important are the degrees of escalation and reciprocity that characterize that behavior. This leads them to ask two questions: first, why do statesmen involved in militarized interstate disputes adopt the bargaining behavior they do?; second, what accounts for variations in outcomes for those disputes in which similar patterns of bargaining behavior are observed? Based upon an analysis of 30 militarized interstate disputes, the authors conclude that (1) escalation in interstate bargaining is strongly associated with the nature of the issues in contention and the types of threat of force initially employed in dispute bargaining, that (2) there exists an association between the relative capabilities of disputants and the degree of reciprocity in bargaining exchanges, and that (3) variations in the outcomes of disputes largely can be accounted for in terms of the interests at stake and the diplomacy of the great powers. These findings prove to be consistent with the basic tenets of political realism, and suggest that the behavior of decision makers engaged in militarized interstate disputes is generally rational in that they respond to cost-benefit considerations. This study combines quantitative methods with a traditional realpolitik perspective in order to investigate the factors that lead to war-or its avoidance-in militarized interstate disputes. In undertaking this investigation we work from two basic assumptions.
Optical reflectivity of molten Se x Te 1 − x alloys

Normal reflectance of a series of molten ${\mathrm{Se}}_{x}{\mathrm{Te}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}$ alloys behind a sapphire window were obtained. The measurements were made for 11 alloy compositions and three temperatures, over the (0.7-5.5)-eV range. The optical data support the existence of three regimes. One is metallic, and two are semiconducting with different band gaps. Transitions between the different regimes can be achieved by changes in alloy concentration and temperature. The model presented is consistent with previously reported dc transport measurements.
Monitoring and analysis of food-borne pathogens in food of Baotou city from 2010 to 2012

Objective To learn the contamination status of food-borne pathogens in various foods of Baotou city and to find the high-risk foods,so as to provide scientific basis for effective prevention of the food-borne diseases. Methods Pursuant to the national manual for food-borne pathogen detection in food,twelve categories of food-borne pathogens,including Salmonella,Staphylococcus aureus,Waxy bacillus,Listeria monocytogenes,Escherichia coli O157: H7,Vibrio parahaemolyticus and others,were separated and identified from 877 food samples in 16 kinds from 2010 to 2012. Results A total of 35 strains of pathogenic bacteria were found in 877 food samples,the overall positive rate was 3. 99%. They were 17 Waxy bacillus strains( 1. 94%),8 Staphylococcus strains( 0. 91%),4 Salmonella strains( 0. 46%) and 6 Listeria monocytogenes strains( 0. 68%).Conclusion Waxy bacillus,Staphylococcus aureus,Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella were widely found in food of Baotou. The pollution of cooked rice and flour products,raw livestock meat and done meat products were particularly serious,need more attention.
Adjacent Segment Disease: Natural History of Lumbar Degeneration or Consequence of Fusion?

Adjacent segment disease is a concern following surgical intervention in the lumbar spine. This chapter provides an overview of adjacent segment degeneration and disease and reviews the current literature regarding its etiology. There is considerable debate as to whether adjacent segment disease is a result of natural history of degeneration of the lumbar spine or secondary to changes induced by surgical intervention. Based upon the best available evidence, it is hypothesized that adjacent segment disease is a multifactorial process. Underlying genetic predisposition and environmental factors play an important role. It is also likely that changes in lumbar motion and kinematics following fusion procedures also increase risk of its development. Advances in motion-sparing technologies for the lumbar spine may decrease incidence of adjacent segment disease, but further research is imperative.
Medical Therapy in the Preoperative and Postoperative Period

Optimal medical management of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is predicated on suspected or proven contributors. Historically, reported medical treatment options have included oral, topical, and intravenous anti-infective agents, oral and topical anti-inflammatories, treatment of comorbid allergic disease, and perioperative debridement. This chapter is a summary of selected medical treatment regimen with a presentation of available evidence. The use of oral antibiotics not exceeding three weeks has been shown to be beneficial in CRS exacerbations. Macrolides and doxycycline have been reported to have anti-inflammatory properties in addition to their antibacterial properties. Although widely practiced among sinus surgeons, original research on postoperative antibiotics produced mixed results and depends on surgeon preference. There is no proven role for intravenous antibiotics, topical antifungals, and oral antifungals in any phase of noninvasive CRS management. Topical steroids are beneficial as mainstay medical treatment in preoperative and postoperative care. There is some evidence supporting short perioperative course of oral steroids, but there is no strong evidence available to suggest doses higher than 30 mg 5–7 days preoperatively. Patients with allergic contributors may benefit from a wide variety of agents including oral and topical antihistamines and postoperative immunotherapy. In addition, patients with aspirin-exacerbated airway disease (AERD) who receive postoperative aspirin desensitization have better outcomes than cohorts who do not receive aspirin desensitization. There is great promise in the use of anti-IgE antibody omalizumab in the treatment of CRS patients with nasal polyposis and asthma. This should be considered in the treatment of applicable patients if available.
Evaluation of sex- and gender-based medicine training in post-graduate medical education: a cross-sectional survey study.

Background Addressing healthcare disparities is a national priority for initiatives in precision and individualized medicine. An essential component of precision medicine is the understanding that sex and gender influence health and disease. Whether these issues are addressed in post-graduate medical education curricula is unknown.
Enhancing Transparency at the US Food and Drug Administration: Moving Beyond the 21st Century Cures Act.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has primary responsibility for oversight of every drug, biologic, and medical device sold in the United States. Yet the FDA is far more than a regulator. It is also an agency dedicated to public health, with the expertise of thousands of scientists and access to enormous amounts of information from clinical trials and other studies. Greater transparency can allow FDA not only to better meet its many obligations but also to advance the scientific enterprise needed to develop safe and effective medical products.
Chapter 13 – Chemical Reactions

Publisher Summary This chapter presents some projects employing calculus to study chemical reactions. The stability of a tank reaction project models a chemical reaction where cold chemicals pour into a tank and react. The reaction in the tank heats the chemicals and they pour out the other side of the tank at new concentrations. Some of the input chemical flows out the other side, but at a reduced concentration. The reaction produces heat, but the cold chemical flowing in can absorb some heat. If it absorbs too much, the reaction stops. If it absorbs too little, things overheat. The purpose of the project is obtaining conditions where the reaction continues at a stable temperature. The project concerning the study of enzyme reactions utilizes beer, Coke, and Vitamin C as case studies to exemplify the application of the Michaelis–Menten equation in such studies.
Investigation of the Influence of Protein-Losing Enteropathy on Monoclonal Antibody Pharmacokinetics in Mice

Protein losing enteropathy (PLE), which is characterized by substantial loss of plasma proteins into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, is a complication of a variety of GI diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease. Clinical studies have found that the clearance of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) is often increased in subjects with diseases known to cause PLE; however, direct relationships between PLE and mAb pharmacokinetics have not been demonstrated. This study employed a murine model of colitis to examine the influence of PLE on mAb pharmacokinetics. Mice were given dextran sodium sulfate (DSS, 2% w/v) supplemented tap water as drinking source for 6 days to induce colitis and PLE. Mice were then intravenously injected with 8C2, a murine IgG1 mAb. 8C2 plasma concentrations were measured up to 14 days post injection. Fecal alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT) clearance was measured as biomarker for PLE. DSS-treated mice developed PLE of clinically relevant severity. They also showed a transient increase in 8C2 plasma clearance and a decrease in 8C2 plasma exposure. The area under the 8C2 plasma concentration-time curve for the length of the study (AUC0-14d) reduced from 1368 ± 255 to 594 ± 224 day μg/ml following DSS treatment (p = 0.001). A quantitative relationship between A1AT clearance and 8C2 clearance was obtained via population pharmacokinetic modeling. DSS treatment substantially increased 8C2 clearance and reduced 8C2 exposure. Increased mAb plasma clearance was highly correlated with A1AT fecal clearance, suggesting the possible utility of A1AT fecal clearance as a mechanistic biomarker to predict the pharmacokinetics of therapeutic antibodies.
Studies on immunity and immunopathogenesis of parrot bornaviral disease in cockatiels.

Abstract We have demonstrated that vaccination of cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) with killed parrot bornavirus (PaBV) plus recombinant PaBV-4 nucleoprotein (N) in alum was protective against disease in birds challenged with a virulent bornavirus isolate (PaBV-2). Unvaccinated birds, as well as birds vaccinated after challenge, developed gross and histologic lesions typical of proventricular dilatation disease (PDD). There was no evidence that vaccination either before or after challenge made the infection more severe. Birds vaccinated prior to challenge largely remained free of disease, despite the persistence of the virus in many organs. Similar results were obtained when recombinant N, in alum, was used for vaccination. In some rodent models, Borna disease is immune mediated thus we did an additional study whereby cyclosporine A was administered to unvaccinated birds starting 1 day prior to challenge. This treatment also conferred complete protection from disease, but not infection.