cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pegylated Interferon-alfa-2a (PEG-IFN-α-2A; PEGASYS™) for Essential Thrombocythemia (ET) and Polycythemia Vera (PV): An Update of an Ongoing Phase II Study.

Abstract Therapy for patients with high-risk Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs) involves the use of cytoreductive agents such as recombinant human interferon-alpha (IFN-α), hydroxyurea (HU), and anagrelide (AG). Despite the significant activity of IFN-α in MPDs, therapy with this agent is frequently hindered by poor tolerance and inconvenient dosing schedules. PEG-IFN-α is formulated by covalently attaching polymers of ethylene glycol to the native IFN-α molecule, which results in decreased renal excretion and increased serum half-life that allows for weekly administration with acceptable toxicity. Based on the superior pharmacokinetic profile of PEG-IFN-α-2a relative to conventional IFN-α, we designed a phase II study of subcutaneous PEG-IFN-α-2a (Pegasys) for patients with ET or PV. A total of 50 patients have been enrolled and treated thus far (22 ET, 28 PV). Median age is 53 years (range, 23–77) and time from diagnosis to PEG-IFN-α-2a 64 months (range, 1–348). Prior therapies (median 2; range 0–6) included HU (n=33), AN (n=22), phlebotomy (n=27), IFN-α (n=8: 5 oral and 3 sc), other (n=10). PEG-IFN-α-2a was the initial therapy in 4 patients. The JAK2 V617F mutation was detected in 11 (50%) of 22 ET and in 26 (93%) of 28 PV patients. Six (12%) patients had abnormal cytogenetics. Initial starting dose of PEG-IFN-α-2a was 450 mcg/week, but that was modified to the current starting dose of 90 mcg/week. Dose modifications are allowed according to response or toxicity. Patients are currently receiving 450 mcg (n=1), 360 mcg (n=1), 270 mcg (n=5), 180 mcg (n=11), 135 mcg (n=8), 90 mcg (n=9), and 45 mcg (n=5). After a median follow-up of 11 months (range, 2–28), 47 (94%) patients have responded. Complete response (CR) was achieved by 46 (92%) patients (for ET: platelets 10% reduction in JAK2 V617F expression, including 2 (7%) in whom the mutant allele became undetectable. In addition, 4 (13%) patients had a 5%–10% reduction. JAK2 V617F quantitation has not been repeated yet in 9 patients. PEG-IFN-α-2a was well tolerated in most patients. Twenty-two episodes of grade 3–4 toxicity were reported, including neutropenia (n=11), elevated transaminases (n=4), and anemia, thrombocytopenia, depression, fatigue, infection, cardiac, and pain in 1 case each. Ten patients were taken off study, including 6 (12%) due to therapy-related toxicities: grade 3 neutropenia (n=1), fatigue (n=1), depression (n=1), ischemic retinopathy (n=1), dyspnea (n=1),and diarrhea (n=1). In summary, therapy with PEG-IFN-α-2a results in remarkable clinical activity and acceptable toxicity profile in patients with ET or PV. Significant reduction of JAK2 V617F allele burden occurred in a proportion of responders, suggesting selective targeting of the malignant clone.
Simulating Discrete Twin Evolution in Magnesium Using a Novel Crystal Plasticity Finite Element Model

An advanced, image-based crystal plasticity FE model is developed for predicting discrete twin formation and associated heterogeneous deformation in the single and polycrystalline microstructure of Magnesium. Twin formation is sensitive to the underlying microstructure and is responsible for the premature failure of Mg. The physics of nucleation, propagation, and growth of deformation-twins are considered in the CPFE formulation. The twin nucleation model is based on dissociation of sessile dislocations into stable twin loops, while propagation is assumed by layer-by-layer atoms shearing on twin planes and shuffling to reduce the energy barrier. A non-local FE-based computational framework is developed to implement the twin nucleation and propagation laws, which governs the explicit formation of each individual twin. The simulation matches satisfactorily with the experiments in the stress-strain-response and predicts heterogeneous twin formation with strain localization.
Growing student intercultural effectiveness: Are we helping or hurting?

Business schools have a responsibility to prepare students for the challenges of a complex business environment. Students should graduate with the capability to effectively work in other cultures a...
Modeling the response of small myelinated axons in a compound nerve to kilohertz frequency signals

Objective. There is growing interest in electrical neuromodulation of peripheral nerves, particularly autonomic nerves, to treat various diseases. Electrical signals in the kilohertz frequency (KHF) range can produce different responses, including conduction block. For example, EnteroMedics' vBloc® therapy for obesity delivers 5 kHz stimulation to block the abdominal vagus nerves, but the mechanisms of action are unclear. Approach. We developed a two-part computational model, coupling a 3D finite element model of a cuff electrode around the human abdominal vagus nerve with biophysically-realistic electrical circuit equivalent (cable) model axons (1, 2, and 5.7 µm in diameter). We developed an automated algorithm to classify conduction responses as subthreshold (transmission), KHF-evoked activity (excitation), or block. We quantified neural responses across kilohertz frequencies (5–20 kHz), amplitudes (1–8 mA), and electrode designs. Main results. We found heterogeneous conduction responses across the modeled nerve trunk, both for a given parameter set and across parameter sets, although most suprathreshold responses were excitation, rather than block. The firing patterns were irregular near transmission and block boundaries, but otherwise regular, and mean firing rates varied with electrode-fibre distance. Further, we identified excitation responses at amplitudes above block threshold, termed 're-excitation', arising from action potentials initiated at virtual cathodes. Excitation and block thresholds decreased with smaller electrode-fibre distances, larger fibre diameters, and lower kilohertz frequencies. A point source model predicted a larger fraction of blocked fibres and greater change of threshold with distance as compared to the realistic cuff and nerve model. Significance. Our findings of widespread asynchronous KHF-evoked activity suggest that conduction block in the abdominal vagus nerves is unlikely with current clinical parameters. Our results indicate that compound neural or downstream muscle force recordings may be unreliable as quantitative measures of neural activity for in vivo studies or as biomarkers in closed-loop clinical devices.
The Effect of Data Contamination in Sliced Inverse Regression and Finite Sample Breakdown Point

Dimension reduction procedures have received increasing consideration over the past decades. Despite this attention, the effect of data contamination or outlying data points in dimension reduction is, however, not well understood, and is compounded by the issue that outliers can be difficult to classify in the presence of many variables. This paper formally investigates the influence of data contamination for sliced inverse regression (SIR), which is a prototypical dimension reduction procedure that targets a lower-dimensional subspace of a set of regressors needed to explain a response variable. We establish a general theory for how estimated reduction subspaces can be distorted through both the number and direction of outlying data points. The results depend critically on the regressor covariance structure and the most harmful types of data contamination are shown to differ in cases where this covariance structure is known or unknown. For example, if the covariance structure is estimated, data contamination is proven to produce an estimated subspace that is automatically orthogonal to the directions of outlying data points, constituting a potentially serious loss of information. Our main results demonstrate the degree to which data contamination indeed causes incorrect dimension reduction, depending on the amount, magnitude, and direction of contamination. Further, by metricizing distances between dimension reduction subspaces, worst case results for data contamination can be formulated to define a finite sample breakdown point for SIR as a measure of global robustness. Our theoretical findings are illustrated through simulation.
Transfer of bacteriophage MS2 and fluorescein from N95 filtering facepiece respirators to hands: Measuring fomite potential

ABSTRACTContact transmission of pathogens from personal protective equipment is a concern within the healthcare industry. During public health emergency outbreaks, resources become constrained and the reuse of personal protective equipment, such as N95 filtering facepiece respirators, may be needed. This study was designed to characterize the transfer of bacteriophage MS2 and fluorescein between filtering facepiece respirators and the wearer's hands during three simulated use scenarios. Filtering facepiece respirators were contaminated with MS2 and fluorescein in droplets or droplet nuclei. Thirteen test subjects performed filtering facepiece respirator use scenarios including improper doffing, proper doffing and reuse, and improper doffing and reuse. Fluorescein and MS2 contamination transfer were quantified. The average MS2 transfer from filtering facepiece respirators to the subjects' hands ranged from 7.6–15.4% and 2.2–2.7% for droplet and droplet nuclei derived contamination, respectively. Handling f...
Leakage Current Analysis of Bushing with Water-cut Sheds in Heavy Rain Test

In this article, heavy rain tests under two rainfall intensities are introduced. Three kinds of bushings with different water-cut-sheds were used in these tests. Then leakage currents monitored during tests are analysed and contrasted to obtain characteristics and tendency. The results show that maximum value of leakage current is affected by voltage applied, profile of water-cut sheds, and the rainfall intensity. Higher AC voltage applied on bushing leads to higher peak of leakage current. More and larger water-cut sheds makes bushing able to withstand higher leakage current. Heavier rain may cause leakage current rise totally. These results may be helpful in online monitoring of insulation.
Summer Habitat Selection of the Lower Colorado River Valley Population of Greater Sandhill Cranes

Abstract Identifying habitat selection and use is important to understand in wildlife management because it informs habitat manipulations, conservation efforts, and species distribution. Habitat selection by sandhill cranes (Antigone canadensis) has been studied primarily on overwintering areas and a few summering locations. Summer habitat selection by the Lower Colorado River Valley Population of greater sandhill cranes (A. c. tabida) in the Intermountain West is not widely known, but has been identified as an information need by many wildlife management agencies. We captured and attached satellite platform transmitter terminals to 21 adult sandhill cranes on Cibola and Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuges in Arizona and California, and private lands in California and Idaho. Home ranges of all marked cranes (50% core area: x = 525.4 ha, SE = 155.6; 99% isopleth: x = 6,476.5 ha, SE = 1,637.5) were similar to other studies on summering grounds. Resource analysis indicated that marked sandhill ...
Abstract 2288: Effects of tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption on risks of CYP1B1 polymorphisms for prostate cancer

Cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) converts xenobiotics to carcinogens and polymorphic variants have been shown to increase activity levels. Lifestyle choices such as tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption are known to enhance the carcinogenesis process and in this study, how these factors may interact with CYP1B1 polymorphisms and affect prostate cancer risk was assessed. Blood genomic DNA from a Caucasian population consisting of 405 healthy men and 400 prostate cancer patients were obtained. Of these, 507 were current or former smokers and 407 were alcohol drinkers. Eight polymorphic sites of the promoter region of CYP1B1 (rs2551188 G to A, rs2567206 G to A, rs2567207 A to G, rs162556 A to G, rs10175368 C to T, rs163090 T to A, rs162330 T to G, and rs162331 A to G) were analyzed in samples using Taqman genotyping assays and real-time PCR. Lifestyle factors and its influence on CYP1B1 polymorphisms toward cancer risks were also evaluated. Overall, both alcohol (P=0.006) and smoker (P=0.069) status were associated with prostate cancer. CYP1B1 variants were also risks for cancer at rs2551188 (P=0.043), rs2567206 (P=0.008), and rs10175368 (P=0.001). Evaluation of linkage disequilibrium show rs2551188, rs2567206, rs2567207, and rs10175368 to be linked and interestingly, the G-G-A-C haplotype (wildtype at respective sites) was significantly reduced in cancer (P=0.0282). When classified by lifestyle factors, no associations for CYP1B1 variants were found for cancer among non-smokers with rs10175368 (P=0.051) being a risk among non-drinkers. On the other hand, variants at both rs2567206 and rs10175368 showed increased cancer risk among smokers (P=0.032 and 0.002, respectively) as well as drinkers (P=0.044 and 0.019, respectively). No genotyping differences were observed when analyzing cancers by pathological grades. These results demonstrate smoker and alcoholic drinker status to modify the risks of CYP1B1 polymorphisms for prostate cancer and this is of importance in understanding their role in the pathogenesis of this disease. Citation Format: Taku Kato, Yutaka Hashimoto, Shigekatsu Maekawa, Marisa Shiina, Mitsuho Imai-Sumida, Pritha Dasgupta, Priyanka Kulkarni, Soichiro Yamamura, Shahana Majid, Sharanjot Saini, Varahram Sharryari, Guoren Deng, Rajvir Dahiya, Yuichiro Tanaka. Effects of tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption on risks of CYP1B1 polymorphisms for prostate cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2288. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-2288
Atomic Force Microscopy-Infrared Spectroscopy of Individual Atmospheric Aerosol Particles: Subdiffraction Limit Vibrational Spectroscopy and Morphological Analysis

Chemical analysis of atmospheric aerosols is an analytical challenge, as aerosol particles are complex chemical mixtures that can contain hundreds to thousands of species in attoliter volumes at the most abundant sizes in the atmosphere (∼100 nm). These particles have global impacts on climate and health, but there are few methods available that combine imaging and the detailed molecular information from vibrational spectroscopy for individual particles <500 nm. Herein, we show the first application of atomic force microscopy with infrared spectroscopy (AFM-IR) to detect trace organic and inorganic species and probe intraparticle chemical variation in individual particles down to 150 nm. By detecting photothermal expansion at frequencies where particle species absorb IR photons from a tunable laser, AFM-IR can study particles smaller than the optical diffraction limit. Combining strengths of AFM (ambient pressure, height, morphology, and phase measurements) with photothermal IR spectroscopy, the potential...
Extremity Trauma Hemorrhage: More than Just a Tourniquet

Initial management of extremity hemorrhage begins with direct pressure or a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. A baseline vascular and neurologic exam follows with rapid transfer to the operating room for exploration and repair. Numerous operative strategies can be utilized to fix the damaged vessel, including primary repair, resection and primary anastomosis, interposition graft with vein or polytetrafluoroethylene, shunts when the patient is unstable, and ligation. The preferred method of repair depends on the location of the injured vessel, whether it’s an artery or vein, and the overall condition of the patient at the time of operation. Specific upper and lower extremity exposures are described, as well as best practices for individual injuries.
Auctioning resources in Grids: model and protocols: Research Articles

In this paper, we propose and study an auction model for resource management in Grids. We propose and investigate by simulation three types of auction-based resource-allocation protocols: (i) first-price auction protocol; (ii) Vickrey auction protocol; and (iii) double auction protocol. The goal is to find which of these is best suited to the Grid environment from the users' perspective as well as from the resources' perspective. The results showed that when we consider a mix of risk-averse and risk-neutral users, the first-price auction protocol favors resources while the Vickrey auction protocol favors users. On the other hand, the double auction protocol favors both users and resources. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Three dimensional discrete element method simulations of interface shear

Abstract Granular-continuum interfaces are widely present in geotechnical applications, including deep foundations, retaining structures, and anchoring applications. Interface mechanical properties are a function of the characteristics of the contacting soil and the opposing interface. Therefore, a robust understanding of granular-continuum interface behavior is essential to geotechnical practice. In this work, we did the following: (1) summarized the recent research on the effects of interface roughness, soil density, particle shape, and friction coefficient on interface behavior and strength; (2) simulated granular-continuum interface shear using the three-dimensional discrete element method (DEM); (3) compared the trends in DEM results to previously published physical experiments; and (4) investigated the microscale responses of the interface simulations. The DEM simulations were generally in good agreement with previously reported experimental results for similar interface roughness. DEM simulations give a bilinear strength-displacement trend consistent with that previously reported from physical experiments. The microscale investigations showed that, in the case of rougher interfaces, contact reorientation was the interface failure mechanism, and in the case of smoother interfaces, it was contact sliding. The mobilization of rougher interfaces tends to alter the force distribution in the surrounding soil.
Safe Placement of Ommaya Reservoirs in Thrombocytopenic Patients: One Institutions Experience

Objective The purpose of this study was to assess the risk of hemorrhagic complications in thrombocytopenic patients after Ommaya reservoir placement. Methods Between 2009 and 2017, 192 patients were identified on the National Neoplastic Meningitis Registry and had undergone Ommaya reservoir placement for intrathecal chemotherapy. A retrospective chart review was performed to collect the preoperative and postoperative platelet levels, whether or not the patient received any transfusion of platelets, neurological exams, and whether a postoperative head CT was obtained. Using generally accepted recommendations, a platelet level less than 100,000/μL was considered clinically significant and used as our threshold for thrombocytopenia. Results Seven patients (3.6%) were identified as thrombocytopenic in our patient population with platelet counts ranging from 54,000 to 99,000/μL. Primary diagnoses for the seven patients included leukemia, prostate cancer, primary brain cancer (four patients), and lung cancer (non-small-cell lung carcinoma). One patient received platelet transfusions preoperatively. Three patients had a routine head CT obtained postoperatively with no abnormal findings noted. There were no changes in the neurological exam noted in all of the patients included in this study. No clinically significant hemorrhages were identified in our patients. Conclusions From our single institutional experience, we found that thrombocytopenia is fairly uncommon, found in only 3.6% of our patients undergoing placement of Ommaya reservoirs. We did not encounter any increased risks of postoperative hemorrhage in studied thrombocytopenic patients.
Association of Intensive Lifestyle Intervention, Fitness, and Body Mass Index With Risk of Heart Failure in Overweight or Obese Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: An Analysis From the Look AHEAD Trial.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with a higher risk for heart failure (HF). The impact of a lifestyle intervention and changes in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and body m...
Chapter 3 – Energy Resources

Publisher Summary This chapter explores the various sources of energy for aquatic food webs—how it is produced, and the different ways it becomes available to consumer organisms. All organisms unable to synthesize energy from inorganic matter, obtain energy by consuming the organic matter formed by primary producers. These are heterotrophs or consumers, which includes animals, bacteria, fungi, and protozoans. When consumer organisms grow and reproduce adding biomass to their populations, it is called secondary production. Virtually all life on earth derives its energy from the sun via primary production. Autotrophs and heterotrophs use the energy to perform metabolic work, and in the process, convert the energy contained in organic carbon compounds back into inorganic matter. The terms autotrophic and heterotrophic are also used by stream ecologists to describe the energy base of a stream as a whole. Ecologists use the production of oxygen by photosynthesis within a stream reach as an indicator of the amount of organic matter produced and the loss of oxygen by respiration as an indicator of the consumption of primary production by animals and microbes.
Sacral protuberance with cleft lip and palate: Prenatal presentation of 3MC syndrome

3MC syndromes are rare heterogeneous autosomal recessive conditions previously designated as Mingarelli, Malpuech, Michels, and Carnevale syndromes, characterized by dysmorphic facial features, facial clefts, growth restriction, and intellectual disability. 3MC is secondary to mutations in the MASP1, MASP3, COLEC11, and COLEC10 genes. The number of patients with 3MC syndrome with known mutations in the COLEC11 or MASP1 is, to date, less than 50. At the time this case presented (2015), the only gene identified in Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man to be associated with 3MC syndrome was MASP1. We present, to the best of our knowledge, the first prenatal report of 3MC syndrome, secondary to a homozygous variant in MASP1. Fetal findings included bilateral cleft lip and palate, abnormality of the sacral spine, a right echogenic pelvic kidney, and brachycephaly. 3MC syndrome should be considered as part of the differential diagnosis when fetal ultrasound detects facial clefts and spinal defects, as the risk of recurrence is significant and a molecularly confirmed diagnosis allows for alternate reproductive options.
Perioperative cannabis use: a longitudinal study of associated clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes

Background Despite increases in cannabis use generally and for pain management, data regarding cannabis use in patients undergoing surgery are lacking. This study examined the prevalence of cannabis use among patients undergoing elective surgery and explored differences in clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes between cannabis users and non-cannabis users. Methods This prospective study included 1335 adults undergoing elective surgery. Participants completed self-report questionnaires preoperative and at 3-month and 6-month postsurgery to assess clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes. Results Overall, 5.9% (n=79) of patients reported cannabis use (53.2% medical, 19.0% recreational and 25.3% medical and recreational). On the day of surgery, cannabis users reported worse pain, more centralized pain symptoms, greater functional impairment, higher fatigue, greater sleep disturbances and more symptoms of anxiety and depression versus non-cannabis users (all p Conclusions Cannabis use is relatively low in this surgical population, yet cannabis users have higher clinical pain, poorer scores on quality of life indicators, and higher opioid use before and after surgery. Cannabis users reported similar surgical outcomes, suggesting that cannabis use did not impede recovery.
Application of optical fiber digital transmission technology in ship monitoring system

According to the characteristics of the ship itself, this paper firstly analyzes the system composition of the ship monitoring system and finds the main influence on its performance. The reason is the data acquisition and processing. Secondly, based on the fiber transmission technology, a data set and processing method is proposed, which are respectively from three parties. The sensor part, data acquisition and transmission, and data processing part describe the method in detail, which is the data acquisition of the ship monitoring system. Set and process to provide some new ideas.
Digital Entrepreneurship in Africa: How a Continent is Escaping Silicon Valley’s Long Shadow: by Nicolas Friederici, Michel Wahome, and Mark Graham, Cambridge, MA, The MIT Press, 2020, 336 pp., $40.00 (paperback), ISBN 978-0-262-5381-3 / Free (Open Access), ISBN 978-0-262-3628-49

Often when you read a book with ‘Africa’ in the title, you can expect the authors to be studying at most four African countries. These countries will often entail some combination of Kenya, South A...
Correction to: Becoming an Area Expert During the Cold War: Americanism and Lusotropicalismo in the Transnational Career of Anthropologist Charles Wagley, 1939–1971

This chapter examines how US anthropologist Charles Wagley became an area expert during the Cold War. It tracks key moments from his fieldwork in Brazil during the 1940s and his involvement with the institutionalization of area studies programs in the US during the 1950s, which benefitted from the expanded funding for area studies research from US philanthropies and government agencies. Wagley also developed ambitious hemispheric analyses that moved beyond Brazil and considered the Americas more broadly. Yet Wagley’s Cold War career cannot be reduced to US geopolitical interests alone. By following Wagley through pivotal moments in his career, this chapter shows how Cold War area studies expertise emerged from pre-existing intellectual networks and engagement with viewpoints rooted in contexts beyond the US. In particular, Wagley relied on close links to the transnational field of Americanist anthropology. He also embraced the Lusotropicalist discourse of Brazilian intellectuals and elites.
Striatal indirect pathway mediates exploration via collicular competition.

The ability to suppress actions that lead to a negative outcome and explore alternative actions is necessary for optimal decision making. Although the basal ganglia have been implicated in these processes1–5, the circuit mechanisms underlying action selection and exploration remain unclear. Here, using a simple lateralized licking task, we show that indirect striatal projection neurons (iSPN) in the basal ganglia contribute to these processes through modulation of the superior colliculus (SC). Optogenetic activation of iSPNs suppresses contraversive licking and promotes ipsiversive licking. Activity in lateral superior colliculus (lSC), a region downstream of the basal ganglia, is necessary for task performance and predicts lick direction. Furthermore, iSPN activation suppresses ipsilateral lSC, but surprisingly excites contralateral lSC, explaining the emergence of ipsiversive licking. Optogenetic inactivation reveals inter-collicular competition whereby each hemisphere of the superior colliculus inhibits the other, thus allowing the indirect pathway to disinhibit the contralateral lSC and trigger licking. Finally, inactivating iSPNs impairs suppression of devalued but previously rewarded licking and reduces exploratory licking. Our results reveal that iSPNs engage the competitive interaction between lSC hemispheres to trigger a motor action and suggest a general circuit mechanism for exploration during action selection. Indirect striatal projection neurons in the basal ganglia modulate activity in the superior colliculus, thereby controlling selection and exploration of actions in response to a reward omission.
Carbohydrate Accumulation and Metabolism in Escherichia coli: the Close Linkage and Chromosomal Location of ctr Mutations

Six pleiotropic ctr mutations of Escherichia coli, affecting the ability to utilize 10 carbohydrates, were found to be closely linked to one another and to the mutation of strain MM6 causing lack of enzyme 1 of the phosphotransferase system. These mutations are located at 46 to 47 min on the E. coli map. Preliminary biochemical evidence indicates that the ctr mutants also lack enzyme 1, although they have a different phenotype from MM6.
Effects of Saturation Diving on Respiratory Systems

Physiological limitations encountered during saturation diving are usually multifactorial. Respiratory problems, which represent only one facet of the difficulties encountered, have received wide attention in the last few years, since various ventilatory limitations have been observed during work at depth.
Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS)

In 1983, Graham R V Hughes, MD published a 2-page article in the British Medical Journal entitled “Thrombosis, abortion, cerebral disease, and the lupus anticoagulant” [1]. This is generally acknowledged as the first report associating the antibodies subsequently named the antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) with multiple clinical occurrences, now known as the Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (or Hughes Syndrome). The aPL reflect a heterogeneous collection of antibodies which cause/contribute to the pathologic manifestations, as well as the “false positive Veneral Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL)” test and the misnomer “lupus anticoagulant”. Since that initial publication, many groups have expounded upon Dr. Hughes’ observation leading to 14 International Congresses on aPL. During these meetings, clinical and research observations were presented and discussed and diagnostic criteria were proposed and refined. The most recent congress occurred in 2013 in Rio de Janeiro and the 15 is planned for 2016 in Istanbul.
Neighborhoods and Social Interaction

This chapter examines the relationship of the neighborhood built environment to social interactions, and, ultimately, wellbeing. Beginning with Jane Jacobs's (1961/1992) observations on what she believed were the essential elements of urban neighborhoods, we then review subsequent research on social interactions and health. This is followed by a highlight of research-validated neighborhood characteristics originally identified by Jacobs that, over the last two decades, have been found to be significant to social interaction. A brief conclusion suggests areas of potential follow up through local observation, and guidelines for designers and planners seeking to support positive social interactions through neighborhood design.
Nanoporous block copolymer films using highly selective solvents and non-solvent extraction

Nanoporous block copolymer thin films are fabricated by selective solvent swelling of the majority phase and subsequent rapid extraction with a miscible non-solvent (water). Selection of the initial solvent provides a facile route to tune the porosity of the films. Poly(butylnorbornene)-block-poly(hydroxyhexafluoroisopropyl norbornene) (BuHFA) is used to generate these porous thin films due to its high Tg (>300 °C) and the selectivity of primary alcohols towards poly(hydroxyhexafluoroisopropyl norbornene) (pHFANB) to enable a relatively environmentally benign process. As the solvent quality for the HFA increases from ethanol to isopropanol to n-butanol, the porosity of the film developed by water extraction increases up to 69%. Aqueous mixtures of ethanol provide an addition handle to tune the porosity between 10 and 54%. These nanoporous films are robust with the porosity nearly unchanged after extended heating at 160 °C. Their elastic moduli are investigated using surface wrinkling and the modulus, E, scales with the film density, ρ, as E ∼ ρ2.2, which is similar to cellular solids. The nanopores are templated by the self-assembled structure of the block copolymer, so these coatings are transparent despite the high porosity. These thin films act as anti-reflective coatings for glass slides. Spin coating provides a coating on both sides and processing to generate 55% porosity leads to an increase in transmittance from approximately 92% to 99.1% (average for the full range of visible light). A maximum transmittance of 99.8% is found at 523 nm. This methodology is simple and highly tunable; extension to other block copolymer systems is likely possible if sufficient solubility contrast between segments exists.
Fragmented Authoritarianism and Protest Channels: A Case Study of Resistance to Privatizing a Hospital

Can citizens in an authoritarian country like China influence policy implementation? Two types of scholarship indicate ways that they can: The first proposes that policy implementation is carried out through a fragmented authoritarian system that requires consultation and cooperation among various government units, and this system is amenable to pressure from outside groups. The second examines institutional channels designed to handle grievances and bridge communication between citizens and the authorities. In this paper, I emphasize a link between these two bodies of scholarship, showing how protest channels are connected to the fragmented authoritarian system and how the imperative to maintain social stability leads higher-level authorities to resolve depart-mental conflicts in favour of protesters. I do this by examining a struggle against the privatization of a hospital in North China, a case that illustrates how protesters successfully employed both the petition system and the opportunities offered by the fragmented authoritarian system to develop powerful alliances, to peacefully pressure top local authorities to intervene and to overcome opposition in the local government, leading to finalizing the municipalization of the hospital.
High-radix SRT division with speculation of quotient digits

The complexity of quotient-digit selection process can be reduced significantly by using a look-up table, referred to as quotient-digit selection table (QST). However, the huge table size limits such approach for small-radix implementation. This paper presents an alternative quotient decision process to reduce the table size. Instead of finding the exact quotient digit, a speculated quotient digit is estimated. The speculated quotient digit is used to update the possible partial remainders while the speculated quotient digit is corrected. The process includes two steps: determination of speculated quotient digit and quotient-digit correction. Thus instead of using a huge QST table, two smaller tables are employed. Result shows that the proposed approach significantly reduces the size of the original QST.
Single-board digital processing system design approach for the NEAR laser rangefinder instrument

The near earth asteroid rendezvous (NEAR) mission includes a laser ranging instrument which will be used to aid in the measurement of the physical properties of the asteroid Eros. The NEAR laser rangefinder (NLR) is comprised of a laser transmitter, receiver optics and electronics, and a digital control subsystem. The digital component is implemented in a single-board radiation-hardened architecture containing a microprocessor, a custom time-of-flight device, a 16-channel data acquisition system, and a MIL-STD-1553 command and telemetry interface to the spacecraft. This paper covers the digital subsystem design, and discusses approaches taken to maximize the integration of the digital elements, to compress the desired functions onto a single printed circuit board.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
0.25% chlorhexidine gluconate gel. A protective topical microbicide

Background and objectives An estimated 4 million new cases of chlamydial infection occur each year. This experiment assessed the effects of a vaginally applied gel formulation of 0.25% chlorhexidine gluconate on chlamydial infection and on the vaginal ecosystem. Study design Twelve monkeys were treated with a single application of 0.25% chlorhexidine gluconate. These animals were assessed for changes in vaginal flora before and at 30 minutes, 1 day, and 2 days postapplication by microbiologic analysis. Cervical and vaginal tissues were assessed by colposcopy at each time point. Five monkeys received a single application of 0.25% chlorhexidine gluconate gel followed (30 minutes) by a cervical inoculation with Chlamydia trachomatis. Four monkeys were inoculated with Chlamydia only. Cervicovaginal tissues were assessed via modified colposcopy, vaginal swabs were collected for assessment of vaginal flora, and cervical swabs were collected for detection of Chlamydia (culture/ligase chain reaction) at baseline and days 1, 2, and 7 postinoculation. Results Changes in vaginal flora were minimal in all monkeys. Application of 0.25% chlorhexidine gluconate did not affect adversely vaginal colonization by lactobacilli. All chlamydial infection control monkeys were infected, whereas none of the five monkeys pretreated with chlorhexidine gluconate were positive for C. trachomatis by culture or ligase chain reaction. Colposcopic observations remained largely unchanged in all groups. Conclusions A 0.25% chlorhexidine gluconate gel was protective against chlamydial infection in all animals tested, had no adverse effect on the vaginal flora, and had minimal effect on cervicovaginal tissues after a single application.
Congenital cystic disease of lung in infancy: Report of a case with necropsy findings

Summary Cystic disease of left lung, in an infant dying at 6 weeks of age, resultedin deformity of the sternum and displacement of the mediastinum, heart and left lung to the right. Necropsy revealed an associated primary atypical pneumonia of undetermined origin.
Series Elasticity in Heart Muscle Its Relation To Contractile Element Velocity And Proposed Muscle Models

The series elasticity (SE) of cat papillary muscle was measured in 6 muscles by the isotonic quick-release method, with careful correction for the compliance of the equipment. The resultant SE curve was exponential in form with an extension of 4% to 5% of initial muscle length for a preload of 0.5 g and a developed tension of 10 g; this demonstrates a stiffer SE for cardiac muscle than has previously been reported. The quick-release SE extension curve was unaffected by inotropic interventions or changing the time of quick release, and was less compliant than the SE curves calculated by two different isotonic methods. These differences arise from the fact that contractile element velocity has a secondary rise during the transition from the isometric to isotonic phase of any afterloaded contraction. With increasing preload (and initial muscle length) the SE became stiffer, suggesting that a substantial part of it is in series with both the contractile and parallel elastic elements.
Ergonomic Evaluation of California Winegrape Trellis Systems

The winegrape industry suffers from high incidence rates of work related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Pruning of dormant vines requires long periods of highly repetitive and physically demanding work that increases risk for MSDs. The purpose of this study is to quantify risk factors associated with the development of musculoskeletal injuries to the wrist and lower back while pruning five commonly used winegrape trellis systems. Eleven subjects (10 male, 1 female) participated in this study. Subjects performed a simulated pruning task as wrist and trunk postures and psychophysical data were gathered. The results showed significant differences among the trellis systems. Compared to the other systems, the vertical shoot positioned (VSP) was determined to be most optimal in terms of decreasing relative MSD risk. These results will assist vineyards in selecting suitable trellis systems that may improve worker health.
Epidermal growth factor induces the differential release of GP2 and amylase from AR4-2J cells

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulates secretion of glycoprotein 2 (GP2) in a time-and concentration-dependent manner from the AR4-2J pancreatoma cell line. Cell differentiation induced by dexamethasone treatment for 3 d, however, did not significantly alter either basal or EGF-stimulated GP2 release. Basal and EGF-stimulated GP2 release were similarly unaffected by caerulein, which promotes amylase secretion by a regulated route. A brief exposure to cycloheximide profoundly blocked EGF-evoked GP2 secretion. Furthermore, EGF-stimulated GP2 release was not accompanied by significant alterations in intracellular ionic calcium levels, in contrast to the stimulatory actions of caerulein. We conclude that EGF-stimulated release of GP2 occurs via a novel secretory pathway that is neither regulated nor constitutive as currently defined.
An examination of the moderation effects of NPD resource allocation and product innovativeness on the NPD stage process proficiency–new product market success relationship

This study examines the relationships between new product success and the proficiency with which three major New Product Development (NPD) stages are executed, and the moderation of these relationships by product innovativeness and the allocation of NPD resources. This research demonstrates that NPD stage process proficiencies are significantly related to new product success, that the proficiency with which the commercialisation stage is performed is more important to new product success than the proficiency with which other stages are performed, and that NPD resource allocation moderates the NPD process proficiency–new product success relationship. Study implications for managers and scholars are offered.
Observation of the surface stress induced in microcantilevers by electrochemical redox processes.

Abstract The potential-induced surface stress of a solid electrode was investigated in an electrochemical cell. Gold-coated atomic force microscopy microcantilevers were used as working electrodes to measure the current–potential response (by cyclic voltammetry) and simultaneous bending characteristics in solutions of NaNO 3 and K 3 Fe(CN) 6 /NaNO 3 . The observed changes of differential surface stress at a microcantilever electrode were attributed to electrochemical-potential-induced changes in surface charge density, ion adsorption/desorption, and electron transfer across the electrode surface. The potential dependent change in stress shows promise for the study of microscopic properties at the solid–electrolyte interface.
Dissociation of mossy fiber sprouting and electrically-induced seizure sensitivity: rapid kindling versus adaptation

Abstract It has been shown that massed stimulation (MS) of the amygdala or hippocampus does not result in seizure progression but in the `phenomenon of adaptation', whereas alternate day rapid kindling (ADRK) produces reliable kindling (Lothman, E.W., Williamson, J.M., 1994. Brain Res. 649, 71–84). The goal of the present experiment was to determine if the two different effects are due to differences in mossy fiber sprouting and/or different seizure and postictal spike propagation patterns. Nine rats underwent MS (66–70 stimulations separated by 5-min interstimulus interval), six were exposed to ADRK (12 stimulations/day, every 30 min, with 4 stimulus days, each separated by 1 stimulus-free day), five rats served as control. All rats had electrodes implanted bilaterally in dorsal and ventral hippocampi (VH) and 14 of them had additional electrodes in the piriform cortex. Animals were stimulated in the left VH at afterdischarge threshold. There was no potentiation in seizure response 4–7 weeks after MS. In contrast, ADRK produced not only kindling but also ongoing epileptogenesis resulting 4–7 weeks later in spontaneous seizures and development of a prolonged convulsive state in response to the initially subconvulsive stimulus. Epileptiform activity during MS was mostly restricted to VH, whereas during ADRK it spread widely among studied structures including piriform cortex. Afterdischarges during MS were elicited frequently but seizures did not progress beyond stage 2–3. During ADRK, afterdischarges were evoked less frequently but seizures reached stage 4–7 by the end of the 3rd and 4th stimulus days. The fully kindled state was not reached at this time, but epileptogenic changes continued to progress. Seven weeks after the initial stimulation, both groups demonstrated mossy fiber sprouting of similar intensity in VH. We suggest, (1) frequent but predominantly local hippocampal afterdischarges induce mossy fiber sprouting, but this is not sufficient to produce significant enhancement in seizure susceptibility, and (2) the involvement of extra-hippocampal structures, possibly piriform cortex, and formation of an aberrant hippocampal–para-hippocampal circuit is required to result in a condition of progressive epileptogenesis.
Mild Hyperthyroidism Maintains Egg Production with Advancing Age

Abstract IN FOWLS, the pullet egg production is highest, followed by a decline ranging from 12 to 20 percent per year (Brody et al. 1923; Hall and Marble, 1931; and Clark, 1940). The decline in yearly egg production has been suggested by Brody (1945) as a measure of senescence or of the aging process. Crew (1925) reported that a group of 5 to 8 year old fowls underwent rejuvenation in feathering and increased in egg production during a period of thyroid hormone feeding. With the development of chemical methods of producing a synthetic thyroprotein in this laboratory, it became of interest to determine the long-time effect of mild hyperthyroidism upon the egg production of chickens and upon their life span since it has been a rather common idea that this treatment would overstimulate the vital organs and thereby shorten the animal’s life. In 1942, groups of two-year-old White Leghorn hens were . . .
Studies on the etiology of acute acalculous cholecystitis: The effect of lipopolysaccharide on human gallbladder mucosal cells

Previous studies in animals have shown that lipopolysaccharide produces experimental cholecystitis possibly through a platelet-activating factor-prostanoid mediated process. In this study it was intended to evaluate the effect of LPS on primary cultures of human gallbladder mucosal cells. Gallbladder mucosal cells were isolated from gallbladders removed during routine cholecystectomies or other operations. The cells were cultured for 24 h before treatment. Unstimulated cells produced low levels of prostanoids and significant basal levels of PAF. LPS produced stimulation of eicosanoid and PAF secretion. The increased prostanoid formation was not enhanced when LPS and PAF were administered together. Prostanoid synthesis was inhibited by the administration of a cyclooxygenase inhibitor while administration of a PAF receptor antagonist significantly increased prostanoid formation, suggesting that increased PAF levels function as a negative control mechanism to decrease prostanoid synthesis. The results suggest that endotoxemia may produce a cascade of inflammatory processes in human gallbladder mucosal cells resulting in the development of acute acalculous cholecystitis.