cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-Term Remission After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Refractory Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma

Abstract Abstract 2028 Purpose: Current treatment of advanced stage cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) includes a number of chemotherapy agents which provide good response rates, but with often short duration. Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HSCT) has the potential to offer a durable remission due to graft-versus-lymphoma effect. We conducted a retrospective study to report the outcome of HSCT in patients with refractory CTCL. Methods: From Feburary 1997 through May 2012, twenty-one patients (22–65 yo) with advanced, refractory CTCL underwent HSCT from HLA-identical sibling (n=13), unrelated donor (n=5), umbilical cord (n=1), syngeneic (n=1) and autolougous (n=1) sources. There were 7 tumor stage MF, 6 Sezary syndrome, 2 erythrodermic MF, 1 folliculotropic MF, 1 aggressive CD8+ T cell lymphoma (Berti’s type), 2 γ-δ TCL, 1 α-β TCL and 1 CD30-negative large cell peripheral TCL. The intensity of the conditioning regimen was conventional in 10 and reduced in 11. At the time of HSCT, the median disease duration was 5.4 years (1–17 y). Most patients were heavily pretreated, having failed a median number of four (1–9) lines of therapy. The stage of the disease at the time of HSCT was IIB (n=9), III (n=2), IVA (n=9), and IVB (n=1). Results: For the 21 patients evaluated there was a median follow-up of 62 months (3–186 mo). 11 patients had relapse post-transplant: 5 patients had an early relapse ( 100 days). Relapsed disease appeared to be of a lower grade clinically than at pre-transplantation and responded to therapies they had previously failed. 1 early relapse died of disease (SS, auto-SCT) and 1 late relapse died of disease (γ-δ TCL, RIC allo-SCT). Of the nine remaining relapsed patients, 1 has died of a cerebral hemorrhage. (CD30-neg large cell peripheral TCL, alloSCT) and 1 of GVHD (γ-δ TCL, RIC allo-SCT). Of the 7 remaining relapsed patients, 4 went into CR with reduction of immunosuppression. 14 patients developed acute GVHD (fatal in 3), and 10 developed chronic GVHD. Of the surviving patients (n=15) all are in CR. Overall survival was 71%, with a median OS of 27.1 months (range, 0.5–185.9). Progression free survival (PFS) was 43% with a median PFS of 4.1 months (range, 0.5–80). Conclusions: Our results suggest that HSCT can induce durable clinical remissions in patients with refractory CTCL through graft-versus-lymphoma effect. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
The Role of AKT and ERK in Regulating D-Cyclin Translation Inhibition and G1 Arrest in Multiple Myeloma Cells Treated with mTOR Inhibitors: Rationale for Combination Thereapy.

In a previous study, we showed that heightened AKT activity sensitized multiple myeloma (MM) cells to the in vivo anti-tumor effects of CCI-779. To test the mechanism of AKT’s regulatory role, we studied isogenic U266 MM cell lines transfected with an activated AKT allele or empty vector. The AKT-transfected cells were markedly more sensitive to cytostasis induced in vitro by rapamycin or in vivo by CCI-779. In contrast, cells with quiescent AKT were completely resistant. The ability of rapamycin and CCI-779 to inhibit D-cyclin expression was also significantly greater in AKT-transfected MM cells and this was, in part, due to a greater ability to curtail cap-independent translation and internal ribosome entry site (IRES) activity of D-cyclin transcripts. As ERK/p38 activity can facilitate IRES-mediated translation of some transcripts, we investigated ERK/p38 as regulators of rapamycin sensitivity. AKT-transfected cells demonstrated significantly decreased ERK and p38 activity, suggesting their involvement. However, only an ERK inhibitor prevented D-cyclin IRES activity in resistant “low AKT” myeloma cells while a p38 inhibitor had no effect. Furthermore, the combination of rapamycin and the ERK inhibitor successfully sensitized myeloma cells to rapamycin in terms of down regulated D-cyclin protein expression and G1 arrest. These data support a scenario where ERK facilitates D-cyclin IRES function and heightened AKT activity down regulates this ERK-dependent phenomenon. Thus ERK and AKT activity are potential predictors of responsiveness to mTOR inhibitors.
A Generic View of the Special Education Process

From our descriptions of the characteristics and educational needs of students with different exceptionalities, it should be obvious that there are many similarities. These similarities have been discussed for a number of years and have resulted in research that has demonstrated considerable overlap in the instructional needs of students who have different labels. Some of this research has focused on the relative efficacy of the “categorical” versus “noncategorical” model. Also, as noted in chapter 1, alternative noncategorical approaches such as the Adaptive Learning Environment Model have been implemented and evaluated.
Open Secret: Breaking the Silence on Violence Against Women and Children, Open Door Network. Red Hen Publishing, Listowel, Kerry, Ireland (2011), 192 pp.

This book presents a compilation of writings of the Open Door Network, a non-governmental organization in Kerry, Ireland, that is committed to the issue of violence against women and children. The ...
Semiconducting Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Solar Energy Harvesting

Semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (s-SWCNTs) represent a tunable model one-dimensional system with exceptional optical and electronic properties. High-throughput separation and purification strategies have enabled the integration of s-SWCNTs into a number of optoelectronic applications, including photovoltaics (PVs). In this Perspective, we discuss the fundamental underpinnings of two model PV interfaces involving s-SWCNTs. We first discuss s-SWCNT–fullerene heterojunctions where exciton dissociation at the donor–acceptor interface drives solar energy conversion. Next, we discuss charge extraction at the interface between s-SWCNTs and a photoexcited perovskite active layer. In each case, the use of highly enriched semiconducting SWCNT samples enables fundamental insights into the thermodynamic and kinetic mechanisms that drive the efficient conversion of solar photons into long-lived separated charges. These model systems help to establish design rules for next-generation PV devices containing...
Afro-modern Entrepreneurs and (Pan) African Business Leaders: Tony Elumelu and Reuel Khoza as Exemplars

This chapter examines the biographies of the founder of Afri-capitalism (Nigeria’s Tony Elumelu) and a foremost Ubuntu business leader (South Africa’s Reuel Khoza). They are presented as business leaders and African agents of a new Pan African leadership derived from the awakening of a burgeoning transnational capitalist class, a new middle class, and transformative business sectors in Africa that are driving “Pan Africa Rising”. The chapter presents Elumelu and Khoza as purveyors of Afro-modern entrepreneurship, a new genre of African leadership that combats Africa’s marginalization in the international political economy using negotiated dirigisme as a tactic to achieve more fulsome economic benefits for Africans. The chapter presents both leaders as exemplars of a bourgeoning African business class that is strategically cultivating discourses of Afri-consciousness to engage national, regional, and international public–private sector dialogues about African political economies. The chapter demonstrates that Elumelu and Khoza’s leadership reveals a paradox showing how economic practices of both business leaders seem to be at once pro-neoliberal in that they uncritically leverage and thus enable neoliberal Africa Rising narratives. Yet, at the same time, we will see how the business leaderships of Afri-capitalism and Ubuntu business are as well significantly and increasingly Afri-centric, nationalistic, and Pan Africanist. To this end, they present alternative approaches to international political economy that offer distinctive alterity for understanding African economic struggles in a global era.
HC2091 Kills Mycobacterium tuberculosis by Targeting the MmpL3 Mycolic Acid Transporter

Tuberculosis, caused by the intracellular pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a deadly disease that requires a long course of treatment. The emergence of drug-resistant strains has driven efforts to discover new small molecules that can kill the bacterium. Here, we report characterizations of the compound HC2091, which kills M. tuberculosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner in vitro and inhibits M. tuberculosis growth in macrophages. Whole-genome sequencing of spontaneous HC2091-resistant mutants identified single-nucleotide variants in the mmpL3 mycolic acid transporter gene. HC2091-resistant mutants do not exhibit cross-resistance with the well-characterized Mycobacterium membrane protein large 3 (MmpL3) inhibitor SQ109, suggesting a distinct mechanism of interaction with MmpL3. Additionally, HC2091 does not modulate bacterial membrane potential or kill nonreplicating M. tuberculosis, thus acting differently from other known MmpL3 inhibitors. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) transcriptional profiling and lipid profiling of M. tuberculosis treated with HC2091 or SQ109 show that the two compounds target a similar pathway. HC2091 has a chemical structure dissimilar to those of previously described MmpL3 inhibitors, supporting the notion that HC2091 is a new class of MmpL3 inhibitor.
Diabetes and the Brain – An Epidemiologic Perspective

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cognitive impairment are two of the most common chronic conditions found in persons 60 years and older. After that age, studies suggest approximately 18%–20% of older persons have diabetes (Harris et al. 1988), about 19% are mildly cognitively impaired (MCI) in multiple domains (Lopez et al. 2003), and about 6% of community dwelling individuals have some dementia (Lobo et al. 2000). The prevalence of MCI and dementia increases with age as does the prevalence of diabetes; there is also an alarming trend towards a younger age of diabetes onset (Chaturvedi 2007). Several lines of investigation suggest a link between diabetes and disorders of cognitive function. Thus, the age-related trends in diabetes and cognitive disorders indicate there may be an even greater increase in the number of persons with MCI and dementia, in excess of the increase that is expected based on the age structure of the population.
RADIATION CHARACTERISTICS OF CLOUDS IN THE SOLAR SPECTRUM

The radiative properties of water clouds with classical, uniform, monomodal microphysical properties have been discussed widely in the literature. However, many real clouds do not fit such a precise microphysical and geometric description. In this paper basic shortwave characteristics of “ideal” clouds will be reviewed. Following this review the impacts of multimodal droplet distributions will be explored. Next the impact of finite geometric shapes will be assessed; the effects of vertical and horizontal variability of microphysical properties upon the radiative characteristics of clouds will also be examined.
Characterization of silica-based octyl phases of different bonding density. Part II. Studies of surface properties and chromatographic selectivity

The goal of the current work was to evaluate changes in the surface composition of the stationary phase as a function of the bonded ligand density. To fulfill this purpose several octyl phases of different surface coverage were synthesized from the same support silica. For each chromatographic system the methylene selectivity measurements were used to estimate the equilibrium sorption constant and surface excess of acetonitrile in the stationary phase. The differences in the stationary phase composition were correlated with the surface properties of the corresponding chromatographic packings, which were characterized by nitrogen adsorption, thermogravimetry and solid-state NMR.
Alternate fuels from coal

The estimates of the remaining lifetimes of petroleum and natural gas suggest that these resources may be depleted well before society has made a major change to non-fossil energy sources as solar, geothermal, or nuclear energy. Some source of hydrocarbon fuels will be necessary as a “bridge” between the petroleum and gas based energy economy of the second half of the twentieth century and a new energy economy for the twenty-first century, based on renewable energy sources. That “bridge” is most likely to be coal. This chapter discusses strategies for manufacturing gaseous and liquid fuels from coal. The conversion of coal to an alternative solid fuel form, coke, is also discussed.
Chronic immune sensorimotor polyradiculopathy: Report of a case series.

Introduction Chronic immune sensorimotor polyradiculopathy (CISMP) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) variant affecting both sensory and motor nerve roots without evidence of peripheral nerve demyelination. Methods We report a case series of 9 patients with CISMP, identified from 2 tertiary centers. Clinical, electrodiagnostic, and neuroradiologic features, and treatment responses, were retrospectively reviewed. Results Patients presented with sensorimotor deficits and hypo-/areflexia, predominantly involving lower extremities. Three had cranial nerve involvement. Electrodiagnostic findings in all patients localized to roots proximal to dorsal root ganglia, without evidence of peripheral nerve demyelination. Cerebrospinal fluid examination revealed an albuminocytologic association. Eight patients exhibited gadolinium enhancement and thickening of multiple spinal nerve roots and/or cranial nerves. All patients demonstrated good responses to immunotherapies. Discussion CISMP is similar to CIDP in many aspects, but lacks typical electrodiagnostic findings of peripheral nerve demyelination. It is important to recognize this unusual and treatable entity. Muscle Nerve 59:658-664, 2019.
A higher-order Lagrangian discontinuous Galerkin hydrodynamic method for solid dynamics

Abstract We present a new multidimensional high-order Lagrangian discontinuous Galerkin (DG) hydrodynamic method that supports hypoelastic and hyperelastic strength models for simulating solid dynamics with higher-order elements. We also present new one-dimensional test problems that have an analytic solution corresponding to a hyperelastic–plastic wave. A modal DG approach is used to evolve fields relevant to conservation laws. These fields are approximated high-order Taylor series polynomials. The stress fields are represented using nodal quantities. The constitutive models used to calculate the deviatoric stress are either a hypoelastic–plastic, infinitesimal strain hyperelastic–plastic, or finite strain hyperelastic–plastic model. These constitutive models require new methods for calculating high-order polynomials for the velocity gradient and deformation gradient in an element. The plasticity associated with the strength model is determined using a radial return method with a J 2 yield criterion and perfect plasticity. The temporal evolution of the governing equations is achieved with the total variation diminishing Runge–Kutta (TVD RK) time integration method. A diverse suite of 1D and 2D test problems are calculated. The new 1D piston test problems, which have analytic solutions for each elastic–plastic model, are presented and calculated to demonstrate the stability and formal accuracy of the various models with the new Lagrangian DG method. 2D test problems are calculated to demonstrate the stability and robustness of the new Lagrangian DG method on multidimensional problems with high-order elements, which have faces that can bend.
Isolated limb perfusion and infusion in the treatment of melanoma and soft tissue sarcoma in the era of modern systemic therapies

Background and objectives Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) and infusion (ILI) are treatment modalities for unresectable melanoma in-transit metastases and extremity soft tissue sarcomas (STS). We sought to characterize the national trend in their utilization in the context of novel melanoma therapies introduced in 2011. Methods Using the National Inpatient Sample (2005-2014), patients with a primary diagnosis of limb melanoma or STS who underwent ILP/ILI were identified by diagnosis and procedure codes. Annual percent change (APC) in ILP/ILI procedures was determined. Results From 2005 through 2014, 670 and 130 ILP/ILI procedures were performed for melanoma and STS, respectively. Mean age was 64 (SD 15) years for melanoma and 59 (SD 18) years for STS. Over time, procedures for melanoma decreased with an APC of -17 (P = .019). Comparing 2005-2010 and 2011-2014, the mean number of procedures for melanoma decreased from 91 to 32 per year (P = .007). In contrast, there was no change for STS (APC 6.5, P = .39; mean 11 and 16 per year in 2005-2010 and 2011-2014, respectively, P = .46). Conclusions ILI/ILP utilization has decreased for melanoma, but not for STS. Whether trends for ILP and ILI differed could not be determined. ILP/ILI remains an important option to consider for regional disease control.
Superwarfarin Exposure: An Important Uncommon Cause of Painless Bleeding

Painless bleeding in a patient presenting from the community with elevated coagulation studies rarely makes the physicians suspect superwarfarin or rodenticide poisoning. Although a significant number of superwarfarin exposure cases are diagnosed every year, we believe there appears to be delay in diagnosis and confusion in determining what is the ideal way to treat and monitor these patients during the management. This is the first thorough literature review of all the reported cases of superwarfarin poisoning which also studied the clinical presentation, management and follow-up patterns. We present a 70-year-old man who presented to the emergency room with epistaxis, melena, cola-colored urine with elevated prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and international normalized ratio (INR). Mixing studies showed complete correction of coagulopathy indicative of factor deficiency. Additional history revealed that the patient had arguments with family member at home and made us suspect superwarfarin exposure. Qualitative brodifacoum testing was positive and was managed with fresh frozen plasma and high doses of vitamin K1 (phytomenadione) with serial monitoring of INR and clinical symptoms. Superwarfarin poisoning should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a patient who presents with above clinical and laboratory profile especially in the absence of any history of coagulopathy or anticoagulant use. We want to raise public and especially physician awareness that history taking, early diagnosis and managing in right clinical setting play a significant role in survival of these patients.
Keeping older individuals cool in hot and moderately humid conditions: wetted clothing with and without an electric fan.

In older individuals exposed to hot and moderately humid environments, electric fan use coupled with a water-soaked t-shirt exacerbates sweat losses without mitigating heat strain compared with a d...
Hospital Discharge Data Underascertain Enteric Bacterial Infections Among Children.

Many enteric pathogens disproportionately infect children. Hospital discharge data can provide information on severe infections, including cost. However, the diagnosis must be recorded on the disch...
Impact of iStent Micro-Bypass Shunt on Medicare Part B Glaucoma Surgical Expenditure.

Purpose To examine the impact of the iStent (Glaukos) on the recent glaucoma surgical expenditure for Medicare Part B beneficiaries. Design Retrospective, observational, population-based analysis. Participants All applicable cases in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Part B Summary Data Files. Methods The Part B National Summary Data Files from 2007 to 2017 were obtained through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Glaucoma surgical procedures, including trabeculectomy, glaucoma drainage implants (GDIs), and select minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS) including the iStent, were queried from the database using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. We used Chow’s test to confirm significant changes in expenditure trajectories. We built a mixed-effects regression model to examine the effect of demographic factors on each state’s iStent adoption speed. Main Outcome Measures Proportion of iStent in total glaucoma surgical spending for individual states for each year. Results Total Medicare part B payment for the selected glaucoma procedures increased from $52.0 million in 2007 to $179.9 million in 2017. The percentage for trabeculectomy and GDIs decreased from 92.3% to 21.2%. Conversely, the iStent, approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2012, increased to represent 57.9% of total payment by 2017. There were significant changes in the slope of glaucoma surgical Medicare payment (P Conclusions Increasing payment for the iStent represents the majority of the increase in glaucoma surgical spending in the recent decade. Male gender and age significantly affect the state-wise speed of adoption for the iStent. The impact of the iStent on the comprehensive glaucoma Medicare expenditure in the same time period warrants further study.
Dynamic tuning of dielectric permittivity in BaTiO3 via electrical biasing

Dynamic tuning of optical properties is technologically important for the development of future integrated electronic and photonic devices. Here, we demonstrate the electrically tunable permittivit...
Unregulated Sphingolipid Biosynthesis in Gene-Edited Arabidopsis ORM Mutants Results in Nonviable Seeds with Strongly Reduced Oil Content.

Orosomucoid-like proteins (ORMs) interact with serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) to negatively regulate sphingolipid biosynthesis, a reversible process critical for balancing the intracellular sphingolipid levels needed for growth and programmed cell death. Here, we show that ORM1 and ORM2 are essential for life cycle completion in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Seeds from orm1 -/- orm2 -/- mutants, generated by crossing CRISPR/Cas9 knockout mutants for each gene, accumulated high levels of ceramide, indicative of unregulated sphingolipid biosynthesis. orm1 -/- orm2 -/- seeds were nonviable, displayed aberrant embryo development, and had >80% reduced oil content versus wild-type seeds. This phenotype was mimicked in Arabidopsis seeds expressing the SPT subunit LCB1 lacking its first transmembrane domain, which is critical for ORM-mediated regulation of SPT. We identified a mutant for ORM1 lacking one amino acid (Met-51) near its second transmembrane domain that retained its membrane topology. Expressing this allele in the orm2 background yielded plants that did not advance beyond the seedling stage, hyperaccumulated ceramides, and showed altered organellar structures and increased senescence- and pathogenesis-related gene expression. These seedlings also showed upregulated expression of genes for sphingolipid catabolic enzymes, pointing to additional mechanisms for maintaining sphingolipid homeostasis. ORM1 lacking Met-51 had strongly impaired interactions with LCB1 in a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) model, providing structural clues about regulatory interactions between ORM and SPT.
TSP-1 (Thrombospondin-1) Deficiency Protects ApoE−/− Mice Against Leptin-Induced Atherosclerosis

Objective: Hyperleptinemia, hallmark of obesity, is a putative pathophysiologic trigger for atherosclerosis. We previously reported a stimulatory effect of leptin on TSP-1 (thrombospondin-1) expres...
A Risk Appraisal Framework for Injury Etiology.

Unintentional injury is a significant worldwide health concern. Researchers have called on several occasions for conceptual frameworks to guide work on unintentional injury. Using conceptual approa...
Safety and imaging performance of two-channel RF shimming for fetal MRI at 3T.

Purpose This study investigates whether two-channel radiofrequency (RF) shimming can improve imaging without increasing specific absorption rate (SAR) for fetal MRI at 3T. Methods Transmit field ( B 1 + ) average and variation in the fetus was simulated in seven numerical pregnant body models. Safety was quantified by maternal and fetal peak local SAR and fetal average SAR. The shim parameter space was divided into improved B 1 + (magnitude and homogeneity) and improved SAR regions, and an overlap where RF shimming improved both classes of metrics compared with birdcage mode was assessed. Additionally, the effect of fetal position, tissue detail, and dielectric properties on transmit field and SAR was studied. Results A region of subject-specific RF shim parameter space improving both B 1 + and SAR metrics was found for five of the seven models. Optimizing only B 1 + metrics improved B 1 + efficiency across models by 15% on average and 28% for the best-case model. B 1 + variation improved by 26% on average and 49% for the best case. However, for these shim settings, fetal SAR increased by up to 106%. The overlap region, where both B 1 + and SAR metrics improve, showed an average B 1 + efficiency improvement of 6% on average across models and 19% for the best-case model. B 1 + variation improved by 13% on average and 40% for the best case. RFS could also decrease maternal/fetal SAR by up to 49%/58%. Conclusion RF shimming can improve imaging compared with birdcage mode without increasing fetal and maternal SAR when a patient-specific SAR model is incorporated into the shimming procedure.
The Resilience Manifesto: Integrating ESG and Risk Management, in Investment Portfolios and Organizations

Nowadays, two major pressures that investors must face are: 1) the need to account for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in their investment processes; and 2) the need to manage risk at multiple timescales (e.g., short, medium, and long terms simultaneously). Integrating ESG and risk management is one way for investment organizations to address both of those pressures. Yet a cohesive framework for doing so has so far been absent. In this manifesto, we introduce Portfolio Resilience as a paradigm by which investors might jointly manage ESG and risk, both in their portfolios and own organizations. We provide a framework (the DARLing decomposition) for examining Resilience in a principled manner. We also supply a template for exploring how useful a given dataset might be for revealing the Resilience of assets and organizations. To demonstrate the utility of the Resilience paradigm, we present a case study of a major investment organization that has successfully aligned its risk and ESG operations by using Resilience concepts.
Six new transformation pathways connecting simple crystal structures and common intermetallic crystal structures

Abstract Continuous pathways that connect different crystal structures can play a crucial role in determining the mechanisms with which structural phase transformations occur. The number of known pathways connecting metallic phases, such as the Bain path and the Burgers path, are limited. Here we discover six new pathways that connect the BCC, FCC, HCP and ω crystal structures to more complex intermetallic compound crystal structures. High throughput first-principles calculations of over 600 metallic binary A n B m compounds having compositions n : m of 1:1, 2:1 and 3:1 show that the newly discovered pathways can be initiated as a result of dynamical instabilities in the precursor phase. The pathways are initiated by specific precursor orderings of A and B atoms over the sites of the simpler parent crystal structures. We find that a large difference in the atomic radii between the constituents of the alloy is a common trigger of these instabilities. The results of this study have important implications for solid-state nucleation mechanisms of intermetallic compounds and suggest systematic approaches with which new intermetallic crystal structures can be discovered, especially in high dimensional composition spaces.
Prefrontal Physiomarkers of Anxiety and Depression in Parkinson’s Disease

Objective: Anxiety and depression are prominent non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD), but their pathophysiology remains unclear. We sought to understand their neurophysiological correlates from chronic invasive recordings of the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Methods: We studied four patients undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS) for their motor signs, who had comorbid mild to moderate anxiety and/or depressive symptoms. In addition to their basal ganglia leads, we placed a permanent prefrontal subdural 4-contact lead. These electrodes were attached to an investigational pulse generator with the capability to sense and store field potential signals, as well as deliver therapeutic neurostimulation. At regular intervals over 3-5 months, participants paired brief invasive neural recordings with self-ratings of symptoms related to depression and anxiety. Results: Mean age was 61 ± 7 years, mean disease duration was 11 ± 8 years and a mean Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, with part III (UPDRS-III) off medication score of 37 ± 13. Mean Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score was 14 ± 5 and Beck Anxiety Index was 16.5 ± 5. Prefrontal cortex spectral power in the beta band correlated with patient self-ratings of symptoms of depression and anxiety, with r-values between 0.31 and 0.48. Mood scores showed negative correlation with beta spectral power in lateral locations, and positive correlation with beta spectral power in a mesial recording location, consistent with the dichotomous organization of reward networks in PFC. Interpretation: These findings suggest a physiological basis for anxiety and depression in PD, which may be useful in the development of neurostimulation paradigms for these non-motor disease features.
Tumor-like Conditions

Many nonneoplastic conditions of bone may form mass lesions that clinically and/or radiologically mimic tumors. In this chapter, selective conditions commonly encountered in clinical practice are discussed.
Pharmacokinetic modeling of doxorubicin pharmacokinetics in dogs deficient in ABCB1 drug transporters.

Background: The identification of dogs defective in ATP-binding cassette transporter B1 (ABCB1, MDR1) activity has prompted questions regarding pharmacokinetics (PK), efficacy and toxicity of ABCB1 substrates in these dogs. Hypothesis/Objectives: Dogs defective in ABCB1 activity (ABCB1null) have doxorubicin (DOX) PK different from that of normal dogs (ABCB1wt). Utilization of a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model allows computer simulation to study this polymorphism's impact on DOX PK. Animals: None. Methods: A virtual ABCB1wt dog population was generated and DOX distribution, elimination, and metabolism simulated by PBPK modeling. An in silico population of virtual dogs was generated by Monte Carlo simulation, with variability in physiologic and biochemical parameters consistent with the dog population. This population was used in the PBPK model. The ABCB1 components of the model were inactivated to generate an ABCB1null population and simulations repeated at multiple doses. Resulting DOX levels were used to generate PK parameters. Results: DOX exposures in the ABCB1null population were increased in all simulated tissues including serum (24%) and gut (174%). Estimated dosages in the ABCB1null population to approximate exposure in the ABCB1wt population at a dose of 30 mg/m2 were 24.8 ± 3.5 mg/m2 for serum and 10.7 ± 5.9 mg/m2 for gut. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: These results suggest that serum DOX concentrations are not indicative of tissue exposure, especially those with appreciable ABCB1 activity, and that gastrointestinal (GI) toxicosis would be dose limiting in ABCB1null populations. Dosage reductions necessary to prevent GI toxicosis likely result in subtherapeutic concentrations, thereby reducing DOXs efficacy in ABCB1null dogs.
UltraFlow: Elastic, flexible and dual-mode long-reach optical access network

In this paper, we develop the UltraFlow access network simulation platform to perform numerical simulations on its network performance. We further propose, analyze and simulate flexible grid and elastic spectrum allocation on the reconfigurable long-reach (R-LR) UltraFlow access network, which results in at most 3 times reduction in Flow request waiting time and 20% increase of network throughput. It can also reduce the required feeder fiber to simultaneously support 1024 users from 13 to 3. In addition, the advantages of utilizing dual-mode network comparing to Flow only network are analyzed and simulated in terms of cost, latency, and network throughput. Specifically, numerical simulations show that service time (average file transfer time) can be reduced by a factor of 25 for traffic with large variance. The feasibility of Flow resource sharing scheme with local and external Flow channels is experimentally demonstrated, which can significantly reduce the cost of network equipment, energy consumption, etc.
SO(3) and Sp(1)

We have seen that Sp(1), which is all quaternions of unit length, is just the unit 3-sphere in R4 ( = ℍ). Also we have seen that dim \( {\text{SO(3) = }}\frac{{3\; \cdot \;2}}{2}\; = \;3\;. \) So dimension won’t distinguish S3 from SO(3), and, for all we know now, they might be isomorphic. In this section we define and study an “almost isomorphism” between them.
Adaptive Replacement Policies for a System of Parallel Machines

Consider n machines or components operating in parallel. Fixed, replacement and downtime costs are associated with the system. This paper considers the case where n equals 2 or 3 and the machines have i.i.d. exponential failure times. However, unlike much of the literature, the parameter of the failure time distribution is unknown. Adaptive policies that incorporate both the cost structure and the statistical information gained while operating the machines are analysed.
Inter-subjective and Transnational Racial Effects: The Role of the United States in the Formation and Evolution of the Collective Perception and Racial Relations in Cuba, 1898-1902

OF THE DISSERTATION INTER-SUBJECTIVE AND TRANSNATIONAL RACIAL EFFECTS: THE ROLE OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE FORMATION AND EVOLUTION OF THE COLLECTIVE PERCEPTION AND RACIAL RELATIONS IN CUBA, 1898-1902 by Tiffany Yolanda Jimmece Bryant Florida International University, 2010 Miami, Florida Professor Felix E. Martin, Major Professor Since the arrival of the first African slaves to Cuba in 1524, the issue of race has had a long-lived presence in the Cuban national discourse. However, despite Cuba’s colonial history, it has often been maintained by some historians that race relations in Cuba were congenial with racism and racial discrimination never existing as deep or widespread in Cuba as in the United States (Cannon, 1983, p. 113). In fact, it has been argued that institutionalized racism was introduced into Cuban society with the first U.S. occupation, during 1898–1902 (Cannon, 1983, p. 113). This study of Cuba investigates the influence of the United States on the development of race relations and racial perceptions in post-independent Cuba, specifically from 1898-1902. These years comprise the time period immediately following the final fight for Cuban Independence, culminating with the Cuban-SpanishAmerican War and the first U.S. occupation of Cuba. By this time, the Cuban population comprised Africans as well as descendants of Africans, White Spanish people,
Radiation doses in volume-of-interest breast computed tomography--A Monte Carlo simulation study.

Purpose: Cone beam breast computed tomography (breast CT) with true three-dimensional, nearly isotropic spatial resolution has been developed and investigated over the past decade to overcome the problem of lesions overlapping with breast anatomical structures on two-dimensional mammographic images. However, the ability of breast CT to detect small objects, such as tissue structure edges and small calcifications, is limited. To resolve this problem, the authors proposed and developed a volume-of-interest (VOI) breast CT technique to image a small VOI using a higher radiation dose to improve that region’s visibility. In this study, the authors performed Monte Carlo simulations to estimate average breast dose and average glandular dose (AGD) for the VOI breast CT technique. Methods: Electron–Gamma-Shower system code-based Monte Carlo codes were used to simulate breast CT. The Monte Carlo codes estimated were validated using physical measurements of air kerma ratios and point doses in phantoms with an ion chamber and optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters. The validated full cone x-ray source was then collimated to simulate half cone beam x-rays to image digital pendant-geometry, hemi-ellipsoidal, homogeneous breast phantoms and to estimate breast doses with full field scans. 13-cm in diameter, 10-cm long hemi-ellipsoidal homogeneous phantoms were used to simulate median breasts. Breast compositions of 25% and 50% volumetric glandular fractions (VGFs) were used to investigate the influence on breast dose. The simulated half cone beam x-rays were then collimated to a narrow x-ray beam with an area of 2.5 × 2.5 cm2 field of view at the isocenter plane and to perform VOI field scans. The Monte Carlo results for the full field scans and the VOI field scans were then used to estimate the AGD for the VOI breast CT technique. Results: The ratios of air kerma ratios and dose measurement results from the Monte Carlo simulation to those from the physical measurements were 0.97 ± 0.03 and 1.10 ± 0.13, respectively, indicating that the accuracy of the Monte Carlo simulation was adequate. The normalized AGD with VOI field scans was substantially reduced by a factor of about 2 over the VOI region and by a factor of 18 over the entire breast for both 25% and 50% VGF simulated breasts compared with the normalized AGD with full field scans. The normalized AGD for the VOI breast CT technique can be kept the same as or lower than that for a full field scan with the exposure level for the VOI field scan increased by a factor of as much as 12. Conclusions: The authors’ Monte Carlo estimates of normalized AGDs for the VOI breast CT technique show that this technique can be used to markedly increase the dose to the breast and thus the visibility of the VOI region without increasing the dose to the breast. The results of this investigation should be helpful for those interested in using VOI breast CT technique to image small calcifications with dose concern.
Geologically current motion of 56 plates relative to the no-net-rotation reference frame

NNR-MORVEL56, which is a set of angular velocities of 56 plates relative to the unique reference frame in which there is no net rotation of the lithosphere, is determined. The relative angular velocities of 25 plates constitute the MORVEL set of geologically current relative plate angular velocities; the relative angular velocities of the other 31 plates are adapted from Bird (2003). NNR-MORVEL, a set of angular velocities of the 25 MORVEL plates relative to the no-net rotation reference frame, is also determined. Incorporating the 31 plates from Bird (2003), which constitute 2.8% of Earth's surface, changes the angular velocities of the MORVEL plates in the no-net-rotation frame only insignificantly, but provides a more complete description of globally distributed deformation and strain rate. NNR-MORVEL56 differs significantly from, and improves upon, NNR-NUVEL1A, our prior set of angular velocities of the plates relative to the no-net-rotation reference frame, partly due to differences in angular velocity at two essential links of the MORVEL plate circuit, Antarctica-Pacific and Nubia-Antarctica, and partly due to differences in the angular velocities of the Philippine Sea, Nazca, and Cocos plates relative to the Pacific plate. For example, the NNR-MORVEL56 Pacific angular velocity differs from the NNR-NUVEL1A angular velocity by a vector of length 0.039 ± 0.011° a−1 (95% confidence limits), resulting in a root-mean-square difference in velocity of 2.8 mm a−1. All 56 plates in NNR-MORVEL56 move significantly relative to the no-net-rotation reference frame with rotation rates ranging from 0.107° a−1 to 51.569° a−1.
Effect of Vehicle Front End Profiles Leading to Pedestrian Secondary Head Impact to Ground

Most studies of pedestrian injuries focus on reducing traumatic injuries due to the primary impact between the vehicle and the pedestrian. However, based on the Pedestrian Crash Data Study (PCDS), some researchers concluded that one of the leading causes of head injury for pedestrian crashes can be attributed to the secondary impact, defined as the impact of the pedestrian with the ground after the primary impact of the pedestrian with the vehicle. The purpose of this study is to understand if different vehicle front-end profiles can affect the risk of pedestrian secondary head impact with the ground and thus help in reducing the risk of head injury during secondary head impact with ground. Pedestrian responses were studied using several front-end profiles based off a mid-size vehicle and a SUV that have been validated previously along with several MADYMO pedestrian models. Mesh morphing is used to explore changes to the bumper height, bonnet leading-edge height, and bonnet rear reference-line height. Simulations leading up to pedestrian secondary impact with ground are conducted at impact speeds of 40 and 30 km/h. In addition, three pedestrian sizes (50th, 5th and 6yr old child) are used to enable us to search for a front-end profile that performs well for multiple sizes of pedestrians, not just one particular size. In most of the simulations, secondary ground impact with pedestrian head/neck/shoulder region occurred. However, there were some front-end profiles that promoted secondary ground impact with pedestrian lower extremities, thus avoiding pedestrian secondary head impact with ground. Previous pedestrian safety research work has suggested the use of active safety methods, such as 'pop up hood', to reduce pedestrian head injury during primary impact. Accordingly, we also conducted simulations using a model with the hood raised to capture the effect of a pop-up hood. These simulations indicated that even though pop-up hood helped reducing the head injury criterion during primary impact, it changed the overall pedestrian kinematics in some cases. The specific design with pop up hood evaluated in this study did not prevent pedestrian head secondary impact with the ground or actually led to more severe pedestrian secondary head impact with the ground.
Thermography for estimating near-surface soil moisture under developing crop canopies

Previous investigations of thermal infrared techniques using remote sensors (thermography) for estimating soil water content have been limited primarily to bare soil. Ground-based and aircraft investigations were conducted to evaluate the potential for extending the thermography approach to developing crop canopies. A significant exponential relationship was found between the volumetric soil water content in the 0-4 cm soil layer and the diurnal difference between surface soil temperature measured at 0230 and 1330 LST (satellite overpass times of NASA's Heat Capacity Mapping Mission - HCMM). Surface soil temperatures were estimated using minimum air temperature, percent cover of the canopy and remote measurements of canopy temperature. Results of the investigation demonstrated that thermography can potentially be used to estimate soil temperature and soil moisture throughout a complete growing season for a number of different crops and soils.
Tachyon mediated non-Gaussianity

We describe a general scenario where primordial non-Gaussian curvature perturbations are generated in models with extra scalar fields. The extra scalars communicate to the inflaton sector mainly through the tachyonic (waterfall) field condensing at the end of hybrid inflation. These models can yield significant non-Gaussianity of the local shape, and both signs of the bispectrum can be obtained. These models have cosmic strings and a nearly flat power spectrum, which together have been recently shown to be a good fit to WMAP data. We illustrate with a model of inflation inspired from intersecting brane models.
Upper limits on the extragalactic background light from the very high energy gamma-ray spectra of blazars

The direct measurement of the extragalactic background light (EBL) is difficult at optical to infrared wavelengths because of the strong foreground radiation originating in the solar system. Very high energy (VHE; E > 100 GeV) gamma rays interact with EBL photons of these wavelengths through pair production. In this work, the available VHE spectra from six blazars are used to place upper limits on the EBL. These blazars have been detected over a range of redshifts, and a steepening of the spectral index is observed with increasing source distance. This can be interpreted as absorption by the EBL. In general, knowledge of the intrinsic source spectrum is necessary to determine the density of the intervening EBL. Motivated by the observed spectral steepening with redshift, upper limits on the EBL are derived by assuming that the intrinsic spectra of the six blazars are E-1.8. Upper limits are then placed on the EBL flux at discrete energies without assuming a specific spectral shape for the EBL. This is an advantage over other methods since the EBL spectrum is uncertain.
PTCH mutations in squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.

Ultraviolet light exposure is the major risk factor for the development of squamous cell carcinoma in Caucasians. Mutations in the tumor suppressor gene p53 have been identified in both squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas. The human homolog of the Drosophila patched gene, has been shown to be mutated in sporadic basal cell carcinomas; however, mutations in the patched gene have not been found in squamous cell carcinoma. In this study, we screened a total of 20 squamous cell carcinoma samples for mutations in the patched gene. Using polymerase chain reaction–single strand conformation polymorphism as an initial screening method, we identified one non-sense mutation, two mis-sense mutations and three silent mutations in five squamous cell carcinoma samples. In one squamous cell carcinoma sample, we identified a tandem GG→AA transitional change at nucleotide 3152 in exon 18 of the patched gene that resulted in a premature stop codon at codon 1051. The three squamous cell carcinoma samples containing non-sense and mis-sense mutations were isolated from individuals with histories of multiple basal cell carcinoma. Sequence analysis of the p53 gene in these five squamous cell carcinoma samples identified one CC→TT and three C→T ultraviolet-specific nucleotide changes. Our study provides evidence that the patched gene is mutated in squamous cell carcinoma from individuals with a history of multiple basal cell carcinoma. The identification of ultraviolet-specific nucleotide changes in both tumor suppressor genes supports the notion that ultraviolet exposure plays an important part in the development of squamous cell carcinoma.
Nucleoside analog studies indicate mechanistic differences between RNA-editing adenosine deaminases

Adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADAR1 and ADAR2) are human RNA-editing adenosine deaminases responsible for the conversion of adenosine to inosine at specific locations in cellular RNAs. Since inosine is recognized during translation as guanosine, this often results in the expression of protein sequences different from those encoded in the genome. While our knowledge of the ADAR2 structure and catalytic mechanism has grown over the years, our knowledge of ADAR1 has lagged. This is due, at least in part, to the lack of well defined, small RNA substrates useful for mechanistic studies of ADAR1. Here, we describe an ADAR1 substrate RNA that can be prepared by a combination of chemical synthesis and enzymatic ligation. Incorporation of adenosine analogs into this RNA and analysis of the rate of ADAR1 catalyzed deamination revealed similarities and differences in the way the ADARs recognize the edited nucleotide. Importantly, ADAR1 is more dependent than ADAR2 on the presence of N7 in the edited base. This difference between ADAR1 and ADAR2 appears to be dependent on the identity of a single amino acid residue near the active site. Thus, this work provides an important starting point in defining mechanistic differences between two functionally distinct human RNA editing ADARs.