cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vaccines for Pandemic Influenza: Summary of Recent Clinical Trials

The emergence of influenza A/H5N1 viruses in Asia has raised concerns about their potential to cause pandemic disease. Because vaccination is the primary strategy for the prevention of influenza, efforts are in progress to develop safe and immunogenic vaccines against these viruses and other potential pandemic influenza strains. Results of initial studies indicated that subunit influenza A/H5N1virus vaccines were poorly immunogenic, and that high dosages were needed to induce seroresponses in the majority of subjects. Addition of aluminum-containing adjuvants resulted in variable effects on the immunogenicity of H5 vaccines, but in general, clinically meaningful effects have not been observed. Intradermal immunization was not associated with significant enhancement in one study. More recent studies indicate that oil-in-water adjuvants significantly enhance immune responses when compared with nonadjuvanted preparations containing the same dosage of H5 or H9 hemagglutinin. In addition, these formulations elicit higher levels of cross-reactive antibodies vs. different H5N1 clades. Several whole-virus vaccines have been demonstrated to stimulate high frequencies of responses at relatively low dosages; however, direct comparisons with subunit vaccines have not been made. Finally, candidate live attenuated vaccines are under evaluation in clinical trials. The results of these and future trials will help to identify formulations and immunization regimens for various populations, and will better prepare us to address the threat of both pandemic and interpandemic influenza.
Imbedded Markov Chain Models

In the last chapter, we used Markov process models for queueing systems with Poisson arrivals and exponential service times. To model a system as a Markov process, we should be able to give complete distribution characteristics of the process beyond time t, using what we know about the process at t and changes that may occur after t, without referring back to the events before t. When arrivals are Poisson and service times are exponential, because of the memoryless property of the exponential distribution we are able to use the Markov process as a model. If the arrival rate is λ and service rate is μ, at any time point t, time to next arrival has the exponential distribution with rate λ, and if a service is in progress, the remaining service time has the exponential distribution with rate μ. If one or both of the arrival and service distributions are non-exponential, the memoryless property does not hold and a Markov model of the type discussed in the last chapter does not work. In this chapter, we discuss a method by which a Markov model can be constructed, not for all t, but for specific time points on the time axis.
Continental-Scale Distributions of Vegetation Stable Carbon Isotope Ratios

The stable carbon isotope composition (δ13C) of terrestrial vegetation is important for a variety of applications in fields ranging from biogeochemistry to zoology to paleoclimatology. To a large degree, spatial patterns in plant δ13C are imparted by variations in the photosynthetic pathway (C3/C4) composition of vegetation in topical and subtropical regions. Thus, the fractional coverage of each vegetation type must be known in order to predict the spatial distribution of plant δ13C values. Our approach for predicting the C3/C4 composition relies on the strong ecological sorting of C4 plants along temperature gradients, as well as the near-universal restriction of C4 photosynthesis to herbaceous growth forms. We build upon a previous approach to predict C3/C4 vegetation fractions using finer spatial resolution (500 m) MODIS datasets of vegetation growth form (i.e., percent cover of herbaceous, woody, and bare) and crop type coverage, along with precipitation and temperature climatologies. By combining these products, we predict the C3/C4 vegetation fraction at continental-to-global scales. We present a distribution of C3 and C4 vegetation in Africa. The area of land in sub-Saharan Africa covered by C4 vegetation is 6.3 million square kilometre, or approximately 31% of the land surface. The δ13C of vegetation in Africa is estimated from the C3/C4 composition, assuming constant values of −27‰ and −12‰ for C3 and C4 biomass. Strong precipitation gradients in Africa drive the C3/C4 spatial gradients, producing correspondingly strong gradients in vegetation δ13C. These isotopic gradients can be used to infer such information as the migratory connectivity of birds.
The spectrum of neuroimaging abnormalities in solvent abuse and their clinical correlation

The brain magnetic resonance (MR) images and medical records of 6 patients with a history of chronic toluene abuse were reviewed retrospectively. The imaging findings were correlated with clinical impairment. The major findings consisted of atrophy (6 patients), white matter T2 hyperintensity (6 patients), and T2 hypointensity involving the basal ganglia and thalami (5 patients). Also seen was focal enhancement, previously unreported for patients who abused toluene. This study showed a correlation between the degree of neurological impairment and extent of white matter disease. There was no correlation between the severity of white matter changes on MR images and the presence of T2 hypointensity or duration of toluene abuse. There was no definite clinical evidence of damage to the basal ganglia and thalami despite the MR imaging finding of T2 hypointensity. Temporal evidence against the theory that toluene accumulation causes the T2 hypointensity was found.
Teaching software security with threat modeling: conference workshop

Security attacks are changing their target from the network to the application, where an estimated 75% of attacks take place according to Gartner[1]. Increased pressure from customers and government regulations like HIPAA and Sarbanes-Oxley are pushing businesses to address security issues in software development. While all developers do not need to be security experts, they do need a certain level of security awareness. To achieve this goal, students need to be made aware of security issues when developing any large project in class.
Multiphasic Screening—A Survey

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a survey of sixty-seven multiphasic screening centers. Such centers have become an integral part of the health care delivery system. For the population served, they (1) provide a means of access into the health care system, (2) seek to distinguish the healthy person from persons who may be ill, and (3) have developed techniques for referral of persons found to have abnormalities to a health care provider. Multiphasic screening centers collect and process objective data obtained from individuals by means of information-gathering techniques and from anthropometric, physiologic, and clinical laboratory measurements. The technology available for health testing is clearly the factor that limits multiphasic screening in reaching its full potential as a technique in general health screening, early disease detection, and health assessment. These centers also have a great potential in providing health education to the population they serve. In reality, multiphasic screening centers are health testing laboratories.
The Development of Education in Anesthesia in the United States

In 1850, four years after Morton’s demonstration, Surgeon Warren described adequate anesthesia care: Have a dedicated person continuously deliver anesthesia to a fasting supine patient; administer anesthesia sufficient to produce relaxation; beware of obstructing breathing; and don’t set fire to the operating room. Between 1847 and 1858, Snow documented how to safely give and assess ether and chloroform anesthesia. From 1860 to 1900, no formal training programs in anesthesiology existed. Surgeons, interns, medical students, nurses, and orderlies gave anesthetics. In 1916, surgeon Gatch, President of the American Association of Anesthetists, advocated training medical students and interns in anesthesia. In the 1910s–1920s, a few physician anesthetists, such as Botsford and Herb, established teaching programs.
Targeted sequencing and intracranial outcomes of patients with lung adenocarcinoma brain metastases treated with radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND Treatment for advanced lung adenocarcinoma (AC) has become increasingly personalized based on molecular results. However, for patients with AC brain metastases (BMs), intracranial outcomes based on molecular subtype and the frequency of molecular aberrations are less well defined. This study sought to report targeted next-generation sequencing results and investigate molecularly based outcomes for patients with AC-BMs treated with radiotherapy. METHODS The records of 132 patients with AC-BMs treated at Emory University from September 2008 to August 2016 with successful next-generation sequencing were reviewed. Rates of local disease recurrence, distant brain failure (DBF), and salvage whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) were estimated using cumulative incidence with competing risk analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS The most common aberrations included tumor protein 53 (TP53) (60%), KRAS (29%), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) (20.5%), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) loss (15.5%), and MET amplification (13%). The majority of patients (62%) were treated with stereotactic radiosurgery alone. In these patients, KRAS mutation, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement, and having ≥ 6 BMs were associated with an increased risk of salvage WBRT (P < .05). KRAS mutation remained significant for an increased risk of salvage WBRT when compared with EGFR/ALK/KRAS-negative patients (hazard ratio, 5.17; P < .05), despite a similar risk of DBF. PTEN loss was associated with increased risk of DBF (P < .05), whereas EGFR and ALK aberrations were associated with a decreased risk of local disease recurrence (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS The results of the current study quantified the frequency of genetic aberrations in patients with AC-BMs and demonstrated their association with intracranial outcomes. In particular, a cohort of patients with KRAS mutations and ≥6 BMs were identified to be at high risk of requiring salvage WBRT after undergoing upfront stereotactic radiosurgery.
Favorable Effects of a Ketogenic Diet on Physical Function, Perceived Energy, and Food Cravings in Women with Ovarian or Endometrial Cancer: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Ketogenic diets (KDs) are gaining attention as a potential adjuvant therapy for cancer, but data are limited for KDs’ effects on quality of life. We hypothesized that the KD would (1) improve mental and physical function, including energy levels, (2) reduce hunger, and (3) diminish sweet and starchy food cravings in women with ovarian or endometrial cancer. Participants were randomized to a KD (70:25:5 energy from fat, protein, and carbohydrate) or the American Cancer Society diet (ACS: high-fiber, lower-fat). Questionnaires were administered at baseline and after 12 weeks on the assigned diet to assess changes in mental and physical health, perceived energy, appetite, and food cravings. We assessed both between-group differences and within-group changes using ANCOVA and paired t-tests, respectively. After 12 weeks, there was a significant between-group difference in adjusted physical function scores (p < 0.05), and KD participants not receiving chemotherapy reported a significant within-group reduction in fatigue (p < 0.05). There were no significant between-group differences in mental function, hunger, or appetite. There was a significant between-group difference in adjusted cravings for starchy foods and fast food fats at 12 weeks (p < 0.05 for both), with the KD group demonstrating less frequent cravings than the ACS. In conclusion, in women with ovarian or endometrial cancer, a KD does not negatively affect quality of life and in fact may improve physical function, increase energy, and diminish specific food cravings. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT03171506.
Simultaneous design of non-Newtonian lubricant and surface texture using surrogate-based multiobjective optimization

Surface textures decrease friction in lubricated sliding with Newtonian fluids. Viscoelastic non-Newtonian lubricants can enhance frictional performance, but the optimal rheological material properties and their coupling to the texture design are non-obvious. In this study, we present a simultaneous design of both surface texture shape and non-Newtonian properties, which can be achieved by fluid additives that introduce viscoelasticity, shear thinning, and normal stress differences. Two models with different fidelity and computational cost are used to model laminar non-Newtonian fluid flow between a rotating flat plate and a textured disk. At lower fidelity, we use the Criminale-Ericksen-Filbey (CEF) constitutive model and a thin-film approximation for conservation of momentum (Reynolds equation). At higher fidelity, we use a fully nonlinear constitutive model typically applicable to polymer solutions (multimode Giesekus model) and the full 3-D momentum equations. Fluid additive design is parameterized by two relaxation modes each having a timescale, added viscosity, and a nonlinear anisotropic drag parameter. To manage the computational complexity and constraints between design variables, we use our previously developed multiobjective adaptive surrogate modeling-based optimization (MO-ASMO) method. A new data-driven extension of MO-ASMO is introduced that constructs general boundaries to prevent attempts to evaluate designs that would lead to simulation failure. We demonstrate the efficiency of our MO-ASMO method and provide insights into co-designing the lubricant and textured surface. The Pareto-optimal solutions include fluid designs with both high and low viscoelastic additive loading. We rationalize this trade-off and discuss how the optimal design targets can be physically realized.
A computational efficient fuzzy clustering algorithm for big incomplete longitudinal trial data

Our previous research has shown that the enhanced Fuzzy C-Means algorithm (eFCM) can improve the clustering quality in the big cross-sectional "synthetic data" [1] where a substantive number of clusters are identified with different degrees of overlap, with enhanced computational efficiency. Here, we provide additional evidence to showcase that our novel initialization method built in MIFuzzy [2--9] [10--12] can improve the computational efficiency in big longitudinal intervention data with missing values. Our numerical analyses further show this improvement in identifying clusters from simulated big incomplete longitudinal data generated using the parameters of our real longitudinal intervention data with missing values. Our findings imply the applicability of this algorithm to similar studies.
Ensuring the Future of the Affordable Care Act on the Health Insurance Marketplaces

Context A decade after passage, a majority of Americans now support the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and Republican efforts to repeal it outright have failed. This article investigates whether the policy itself, through its beneficiaries, changed public opinion and sowed the seeds of its defense. Methods This study used an individual-level panel design to estimate the causal effect of implementation on opinion and electoral outcomes for ACA beneficiaries during the first year of open enrollment. Findings Individuals who enrolled in plans on the health insurance marketplaces had significantly more positive opinions of the ACA after implementation. Previously uninsured Medicaid enrollees also reported improved opinions, though results were not statistically significant. In contrast, uninsured individuals residing in states that did not expand Medicaid became significantly less supportive of the law. Changes in opinion persisted up to the 2014 midterm elections, and there is evidence that individuals with marketplace insurance became more supportive of Democratic candidates, although not more likely to vote for them. Conclusions Public support for the ACA was enhanced when its beneficiaries became more positive toward it during implementation. Recent changes to key ACA provisions have the potential to undermine the law's effectiveness, potentially leading to political action as benefits slowly begin to disappear.
Time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy: Non-adiabatic dynamics in polyatomic molecules

Femtosecond time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy is emerging as an important technique for investigating photodynamics in polyatomic molecules. Photoelectron spectroscopy is sensitive to both electronic configurations and vibrational dynamics and is therefore well suited to the study of ultrafast non-adiabatic processes. We emphasize the conceptual interpretation of wavepacket dynamics experiments, particularly stressing the critical role of the final state. We discuss the advantages of the molecular ionization continuum as the final state in polyatomic wavepacket experiments and show how the electronic structure of the continuum can be used to help to disentangle electronic from vibrational dynamics. We illustrate these methods with examples from internal conversion in polyenes and polyaromatic hydrocarbons, electronic relaxation in substituted benzenes, excited state intramolecular proton transfer, azobenzene photoiosomerization dynamics and non-adiabatic photodissociation dynamics.
Modification of proteins using olefin metathesis

Olefin metathesis has revolutionized synthetic approaches to carbon–carbon bond formation. With a rich history beginning in industrial settings through its advancement in academic laboratories leading to new and highly active metathesis catalysts, olefin metathesis has found use in the generation of complex natural products, the cyclization of bioactive materials, and in the polymerization of new and unique polymer architectures. Throughout this review, we will trace the deployment of olefin metathesis-based strategies for the modification of proteins, a process which has been facilitated by the extensive development of stable, isolable, and highly active transition-metal-based metathesis catalysts. We first begin by summarizing early works which detail peptide modification strategies that played a vital role in identifying stable metathesis catalysts. We then delve into protein modification using cross metathesis and finish with recent work on the generation of protein–polymer conjugates through ring-opening metathesis polymerization.
SCAPULAR MUSCLE ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC ACTIVITY DURING ABDUCTION EXERCISES IN THE SCAPULAR PLANE IN THREE POSITIONS.

Background Hyperactivity of the anterior deltoid (AD) has been shown to produce adverse effects on subacromial space width as a result of humeral head superior translation during rehabilitation exercises used with overhead athletes. Also, the importance of the ratio of upper trapezius (UT) to lower trapezius (LT) muscle activity has been examined during rehabilitation exercises particularly for those who develop scapular dyskinesis. Hypothesis/purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of LT and SA muscle activity during scapular plane elevation (scaption) in three positions while maintaining a moderate level of AD muscle activity. A secondary purpose was to identify the ratio of UT to LT muscle activity during the varied scaption exercises. The authors hypothesized that the activation of these two important muscles and the UT/LT ratio would vary with exercise position and throughout the range of scapular plane elevation. Methods Fourteen active young subjects performed scaption exercises in three different positions: standing (STAN), quadruped (QUAD), and prone (PRON) with three different weight loads: 0 kg, 1.8 kg, and 4.1 kg. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to record muscular activity. Tested muscles included the UT, LT, SA, AD, and posterior deltoid muscles on the dominant side. Results QUAD scaption exercises with a load of 1.8 kg at 4 sec after the initial movement activated the LT muscle up to 49% of maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) while maintaining a moderate level of AD muscle activity (30% MVIC). STAN scaption exercises with the weight load of 1.8 kg at 3 sec after the initial movement activated 43% MVIC of the SA muscle while maintaining a moderate level of AD muscle activity (39% MVIC). The PRON condition generated significantly less SA muscle activity with both 1.8 and 4.1 kg weight loads than during the QUAD condition. The ratios of UT to LT muscle activity were significantly less in QUAD than those of STAN up to 4 sec after the initial movement. No significant difference was observed in the UT/LT ratio between QUAD and PRON conditions. Conclusion QUAD scaption exercise effectively activated both LT and SA muscles without over activating the AD and produced favorable ratios of UT to LT muscle activity. Level of evidence Descriptive Cohort Study, Level 4.
Using Bifactor Models to Examine the Predictive Validity of Hierarchical Constructs: Pros, Cons, and Solutions:

The use of bifactor models has increased substantially in the past decade. However, bifactor models are prone to a nonidentification problem in the context of prediction that is not well recognized...
Structure and solvation of confined water and water-ethanol clusters within microporous Brønsted acids and their effects on ethanol dehydration catalysis.

Aqueous-phase reactions within microporous Bronsted acids occur at active centers comprised of water-reactant-clustered hydronium ions, solvated within extended hydrogen-bonded water networks that tend to stabilize reactive intermediates and transition states differently. The effects of these diverse clustered and networked structures were disentangled here by measuring turnover rates of gas-phase ethanol dehydration to diethyl ether (DEE) on H-form zeolites as water pressure was increased to the point of intrapore condensation, causing protons to become solvated in larger clusters that subsequently become solvated by extended hydrogen-bonded water networks, according to in situ IR spectra. Measured first-order rate constants in ethanol quantify the stability of SN2 transition states that eliminate DEE relative to (C2H5OH)(H+)(H2O)n clusters of increasing molecularity, whose structures were respectively determined using metadynamics and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. At low water pressures (2–10 kPa H2O), rate inhibition by water (−1 reaction order) reflects the need to displace one water by ethanol in the cluster en route to the DEE-formation transition state, which resides at the periphery of water–ethanol clusters. At higher water pressures (10–75 kPa H2O), water–ethanol clusters reach their maximum stable size ((C2H5OH)(H+)(H2O)4–5), and water begins to form extended hydrogen-bonded networks; concomitantly, rate inhibition by water (up to −3 reaction order) becomes stronger than expected from the molecularity of the reaction, reflecting the more extensive disruption of hydrogen bonds at DEE-formation transition states that contain an additional solvated non-polar ethyl group compared to the relevant reactant cluster, as described by non-ideal thermodynamic formalisms of reaction rates. Microporous voids of different hydrophilic binding site density (Beta; varying H+ and Si–OH density) and different size and shape (Beta, MFI, TON, CHA, AEI, FAU), influence the relative extents to which intermediates and transition states disrupt their confined water networks, which manifest as different kinetic orders of inhibition at high water pressures. The confinement of water within sub-nanometer spaces influences the structures and dynamics of the complexes and extended networks formed, and in turn their ability to accommodate the evolution in polarity and hydrogen-bonding capacity as reactive intermediates become transition states in Bronsted acid-catalyzed reactions.
Sialendoscopy in Chronic Obstructive Sialadenitis Without Sialolithiasis: A Prospective Cohort Study.

ObjectivesTo evaluate long-term chronic sialadenitis symptoms in patients without sialolithiasis following sialendoscopy-assisted salivary duct surgery (SASDS) compared to a control group managed c...
A comparison of microvasculature changes in the fetal brain and maternal extremities due to prenatal alcohol exposure using optical coherence angiography

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) causes a spectrum of abnormalities, collectively termed as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). The severity of the defect depends on the amount of alcohol consumed and the period of gestation during which alcohol was consumed. PAE during the second trimester is known to affect fetal brain development as this period of gestation marks the peak period for fetal neurogenesis and angiogenesis. Our previous study evaluated acute changes in fetal brain vasculature after PAE. However, not much has been done to assess concurrent changes on both the fetal and maternal side. This study uses correlation mapping optical coherence angiography (cm-OCA) to evaluate changes in vasculature in the fetal brain and the maternal hindlimb after maternal exposure to alcohol. Results showed drastic vasoconstriction in the fetal brain while vasodilation was seen in the mother, unlike results from the sham group, where there was no significant change in both the fetus and the mother. Changes seen in the fetal brain was similar to our previously published results.
ME-VAE: Multi-Encoder Variational AutoEncoder for Controlling Multiple Transformational Features in Single Cell Image Analysis

Abstract Image-based cell phenotyping relies on quantitative measurements as encoded representations of cells; however, defining suitable representations that capture complex imaging features is challenged by the lack of robust methods to segment cells, identify subcellular compartments, and extract relevant features. Variational autoencoder (VAE) approaches produce encouraging results by mapping an image to a representative descriptor, and outperform classical hand-crafted features for morphology, intensity, and texture at differentiating data. Although VAEs show promising results for capturing morphological and organizational features in tissue, single cell image analyses based on VAEs often fail to identify biologically informative features due to uninformative technical variation. Herein, we propose a multi-encoder VAE (ME-VAE) in single cell image analysis using transformed images as a self-supervised signal to extract transform-invariant biologically meaningful features, including emergent features not obvious from prior knowledge. We show that the proposed architecture improves analysis by making distinct cell populations more separable compared to traditional VAEs and intensity measurements by enhancing phenotypic differences between cells and by improving correlations to other analytic modalities.
The Effect of Fluctuating Incubation Temperatures on West Nile Virus Infection in Culex Mosquitoes

Temperature plays a significant role in the vector competence, extrinsic incubation period, and intensity of infection of arboviruses within mosquito vectors. Most laboratory infection studies use static incubation temperatures that may not accurately reflect daily temperature ranges (DTR) to which mosquitoes are exposed. This could potentially compromise the application of results to real world scenarios. We evaluated the effect of fluctuating DTR versus static temperature treatments on the infection, dissemination, and transmission rates and viral titers of Culex tarsalis and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes for West Nile virus. Two DTR regimens were tested including an 11 and 15 °C range, both fluctuating around an average temperature of 28 °C. Overall, no significant differences were found between DTR and static treatments for infection, dissemination, or transmission rates for either species. However, significant treatment differences were identified for both Cx. tarsalis and Cx. quinquefasciatus viral titers. These effects were species-specific and most prominent later in the infection. These results indicate that future studies on WNV infections in Culex mosquitoes should consider employing realistic DTRs to reflect interactions most accurately between the virus, vector, and environment.
OCT particle tracking velocimetry of biofluids in a microparallel plate strain induction chamber.

Significance Imaging biofluid flow under physiologic conditions aids in understanding disease processes and health complications. We present a method employing a microparallel plate strain induction chamber (MPPSIC) amenable to optical coherence tomography to track depth-resolved lateral displacement in fluids in real time while under constant and sinusoidal shear. Aim Our objective is to track biofluid motion under shearing conditions found in the respiratory epithelium, first validating methods in Newtonian fluids and subsequently assessing the capability of motion-tracking in bronchial mucus. Approach The motion of polystyrene microspheres in aqueous glycerol is tracked under constant and sinusoidal applied shear rates in the MPPSIC and is compared with theory. Then 1.5 wt. % bronchial mucus samples considered to be in a normal hydrated state are studied under sinusoidal shear rates of amplitudes 0.7 to 3.2 s - 1. Results Newtonian fluids under low Reynolds conditions (Re ∼ 10 - 4) exhibit velocity decreases directly proportional to the distance from the plate driven at both constant and oscillating velocities, consistent with Navier-Stokes's first and second problems at finite depths. A 1.5 wt. % mucus sample also exhibits a uniform shear strain profile. Conclusions The MPPSIC provides a new capability for studying biofluids, such as mucus, to assess potentially non-linear or strain-rate-dependent properties in a regime that is relevant to the mucus layer in the lung epithelium.
Analysis of Clinical Manifestations, Imaging Features, and Gene Mutation Characteristics of 6 Children with Cystic Fibrosis in China.

Objective To explore the clinical manifestations, imaging features, and gene mutation characteristics of 6 children with cystic fibrosis (CF) so as to improve the understanding and diagnosis awareness of CF in children and reduce the missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis. Methods The clinical manifestations, imaging, and gene mutation data of six children with CF were collected and retrospectively analyzed. Results Among the 6 cases of CF, there were 4 males and 2 females. Among the 6 children with CF, 5 cases presented with recurrent respiratory tract infection. Etiology suggested 3 cases of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 2 cases of Staphylococcus aureus. 3 cases had pancreatic exocrine dysfunction, manifested as diarrhea and aliphatic diarrhea, of which 1 case had high lipase in blood examination, and pancreatic ultrasound showed rough and enhanced pancreatic echo, considering pancreatic cystic fibrosis. 2 cases of CF combined with pseudo-Bartter syndrome (PBS); 1 case involved only the biliary tract and started with cholestasis without other systemic involvement. In 2 cases of sweat test, sweat chloride ions were all >60 mmol/L. 3 cases underwent fiberoptic bronchoscopy, and a large number of sticky secretions were visible under the bronchoscopy. CT of the chest revealed thickening of the bronchial wall (3 cases), bronchiectasis (1 case), atelectasis (1 case), and thin bronchial lumen (2 cases). 1 patient was found to have small airway lesions and mosaic perfusion during follow-up. All 6 children with CF underwent genetic testing. A total of 12 CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene mutations were found, of which 4 mutations were not reported in the literature. Conclusion CF is a disease caused by CFTR mutation. The incidence of this disease in China is low, and the clinical manifestations have great differences. The main symptoms are respiratory symptoms. Some children have gastrointestinal symptoms and/or PBS, and some children only show a single systemic lesion.
Quantitative assessment of kernel set and risk of out-crossing in maize based on flowering dynamics

Pollination in maize can occur only if airborne pollen shed by the staminate flowers on the tassel is captured by the stigmas of the pistillate flowers borne on the ear. Since maize domestication, and especially with the introduction of hybrid seed production, many attempts have been made to control pollination to ensure maximum kernel set and high levels of genetic purity. The central hypothesis of this dissertation is that pollen shed and silk emergence are predictable processes, which can be simply quantified and used to characterize the capacity of the male inbreds to produce pollen and the ability of the females to extrude silks. This information, coupled with an assessment of pollen viability, could be used to model kernel set under varying conditions and to predict pollen drift and the risk of genetic contamination from one field to another. Chapter 2 presents a novel method to quantify the timing and intensity of pollen shed using passive pollen traps and capitalizing on the capacity of pollen to fluoresce. Chapter 3 provides another novel method of relating genetic differences in pollen production to the morphological characteristics of plant tassels. Chapter 4 describes a mathematical model developed to simulate potential kernel set from seasonal dynamics of pollen shed and silk exsertion. Chapter 5 successfully applies the model to hybrid seed production fields and demonstrates its utility to define management strategies that would optimize seed production. Chapter 6 presents an indirect approach to assess loss of pollen viability during its transport in air. Quantitative relations between environmental conditions during pollen dispersal (i.e. temperature, relative humidity) and pollen desiccation that can be used to assess pollen viability are shown. Finally, chapter 7 presents a quantitative approach to assess out-crossing and selfpollination risks based exclusively on the flowering characteristics of a given field.
Ecological Importance of Temporal Variations

In this technical note, the importance of temporal variations is conceptually demonstrated through the use of a simple mathematical model involving the competition of two species for a single food. Though lacking detail, the model does permit a quantitative examination of general concepts.
Timothy pollen fractions in treatment of hay fever. I. Clinical and immunological response to small and higher molecular weight fractions.

Abstract Forty-two timothy-sensitive patients have been treated with timothy pollen fractions in alginate during the 1967 and 1968 pollen seasons. The results of these studies indicate that patients treated with a low molecular weight fraction (antigen D) showed better clinical protection than patients treated with the crude pollen extract (WST). The observed clinical protection in antigen D-treated patients was correlated with a significant drop in reagin titer rather than an increase in blocking antibody. Eighty per cent (1215) of patients treated with antigen D showed a tenfold or greater decrease in reagin titer during the first year of treatment. The observed decrease in reagin titer suggested that the mechanism of hyposensitization may involve either in vivo neutralization of reagin or the induction of partial immune tolerance.
Disruptions of Desire: From Androgynes to Genderqueer

Much recent work on desire examines the ambiguities of identity and activity, demonstrating that desire is a complex phenomenon that uneasily negotiates norms, causes disruptions, and produces unforeseeable complications. This essay returns to an earlier text that traces the vacillation between desire for the familiar and desire for new possibilities in order to show not only that the new moves in theory around desire and sexuality return to old themes, but that older texts can help examine new forms of identity, community, and association that maintain tensions between belonging and innovation. This is a particularly important task given the common assumption that desire and sexuality are selfish aims. As I hope will be clear from this discussion of the Symposium, there is much to be gained if desire is considered the founding move in ethics and social organization, a reconceptualization that points desire away from solely selfish, individual concerns and toward just, collective possibility.
Finding the Brain Cortex Using Fuzzy Segmentation, Isosurfaces, and Deformable Surface Models

A method for finding the cortical surface of the brain from magnetic resonance images using a combination of fuzzy segmentation, isosurface extraction, and a deformable surface is presented. After MR images are acquired and preprocessed to remove extracranial tissue, fuzzy membership functions for gray matter, white matter, and cerebrospinal fluid are computed. An iterative procedure using isosurfaces of filtered white matter membership functions is then used to obtain a topologically correct estimate of the cortical surface. This estimate forms the initialization of a deformable surface, which is then allowed to converge to peaks of the gray matter membership function. We demonstrate the results of each step and show the final parameterized map of the medial layer of the cortex.
Immunization of children with sickle cell disease with Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccharide vaccine.

There are limited data concerning safety and immunogenicity of Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccharide vaccine in children with sickle cell disease. Ninety-eight patients with sickle cell disease (65 with SS phenotype, 23 with SC phenotype, and 10 with Sβ-thalassemia) 1.5 to 20 years of age were given 25 µg of vaccine subcutaneously. The vaccine was well tolerated; mild side effects were observed in 6 of 98 (6.1%) children. In addition, one patient with a recent vasoocclusive crisis was hospitalized because of fever and vasoocclusive crisis 8 hours after vaccination. Prevaccination anticapsular antibody concentrations (by radioimmunoassay) were 1 µg/mL of antibody was present in the 2 children 6 to 20 years of age with inadequate response but not in the 7 children 2 to 5 years of age with inadequate response. In the 2- to 5-year group, there was a significant correlation of log postvaccination antibody level with prevaccination antibody level but not with age, sex, disease type, disease severity, serum IgG, IgM, or IgA, or presence or absence of Howell-Jolly bodies on blood smear. In contrast to the response of patients with sickle cell disease older than 5 years of age and of 2- to 5-year-old children without disease, H influenzae type b polysaccharide vaccine is not reliably immunogenic in children younger than 6 years of age with sickle cell disease and cannot be relied upon for protection of this age group from H influenzae type b disease.
Progress and Prospects in Soft X-Ray Holographic Microscopy

The majority of x-ray imaging experiments currently use the contact technique or x-ray analogues of the optical microscope, either in direct imaging or scanning mode, as described in Chapters 4−6. It is also possible, however, to obtain sample information by exploitation of the diffracted field, as is done in crystallography. To do this a method for determining and using the phases of the diffracted wave is needed. In the soft x-ray region, holography is one way to provide such a method. Other ways have been proposed by Sayre.1
Reporting point and interval estimates of effect-size for planned contrasts: fixed within effect analyses of variance

The purpose of this tutorial is threefold: (a) review the state of statistical science regarding effect-sizes, (b) illustrate the importance of effect-sizes for interpreting findings in all forms of research and particularly for results of clinical-outcome research, and (c) demonstrate just how easily a criterion on reporting effect-sizes in research manuscripts can be accomplished. The presentation centers on within-effect analyses of variance including the one-way design for testing pre-post hypotheses and the two-way parallel-groups design for making direct comparisons of competing treatment protocols (e.g., experimental treatment versus control). The presentation is supported with worked examples and a web site containing templates for software applications.
900 CHEMOTACTIC RESPONSES OF VARIOUS DIFFERENTIATIONAL STAGES OF NEUTROPHILS FROM CORD AND ADULT BLOOD

The chemotactic response (CTR) of cord blood neutrophils (CN) was compared to adult blood neutrophils (AN) in an agarose plate assay using various concentrations of zymosan activated serum (ZAS) as chemoattractant. The total numbers of cells responding (mean ± SEM) are: The CTR for AN > CN at all % ZAS. A method was developed to measure mean migrating distances (MMD) of each differentiational stage of CN and AN. The MMD (± SEM) in mm for band (B); bi-lobed (BL); multi-lobed (ML) neutrophils were 0.58 ± 0.07, 0.71 ± 0.06, 0.64 ± 0.04 for AN vs 0.41 ± 0.02, 0.43 ± 0.05, 0.40 ± 0.04 for CN at 100% ZAS. The MMD decreased with 50%, 25% ZAS but all MMD of AN > CN. The ratio of the MMD of PMN (BL +ML)to bands from AN was 1.2 ± 0.08 indicating an increase in CTR with neutrophil differentiation. This could contribute to the differences in CTR of CN vs AN since 31% of CN are bands vs only 8% of AN. Random migration and adherence assays showed no differences in CN vs AN. These results show that the CTR of neutrophils increase with the age of the host as well as maturation of the responding cells. NIH Grant 1P50AI-15321-03.
Long-term follow-up of pediatric cardiac patients requiring mechanical circulatory support.

Abstract Background . The present study examines the long-term outcome of pediatric patients with cardiac disease who required mechanical circulatory support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or ventricular assist devices. Methods . Telephone interviews and questionnaires were administered to parents and physicians of pediatric cardiac patients who were in-hospital survivors after requiring mechanical circulatory support, with either extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or ventricular assist devices. Data was collected regarding these patients' general health, cardiac status, and neurologic outcome, and compared between the two modes of support. Results . Follow-up was available for 26 patients supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (25 survivors, 96%) and 11 patients supported with ventricular assist devices (10 survivors, 91%); median follow-up 42 months, 11 to 92 months). More than 80% of survivors were in New York Heart Association class I or II. Of 31 patients for whom neurologic assessment data was available, moderate to severe neurologic impairment was more common for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation supported patients [13 of 21, 59%) than for ventricular assist device supported patients (2 of 10, 20% p = 0.03). Neurologic impairment was associated with small patient size and the use of circulatory arrest during cardiac surgical repair, but was not associated with in-hospital neurologic complications, carotid cannulation, or presupport cardiac arrest. Conclusions . The long-term survival and cardiac functional status of pediatric cardiac patients requiring mechanical circulatory support is favorable. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation supported patients demonstrate higher rates of neurologic impairment than patients supported with ventricular assist devices. Poor neurologic outcomes are associated with institution of support in younger patients with more complex congenital heart disease.
Issues in Conducting an Institutional Salary-Equity Study.

This chapter investigates the effects of several different specifications of a salary model on findings of gender differences in salary and on their corrections.
Conditional expression of Wnt4 during chondrogenesis leads to dwarfism in mice.

Wnts are expressed in the forming long bones, suggesting roles in skeletogenesis. To examine the action of Wnts in skeleton formation, we developed a genetic system to conditionally express Wnt4 in chondrogenic tissues of the mouse. A mouse Wnt4 cDNA was introduced into the ubiquitously expressed Rosa26 (R26) locus by gene targeting in embryonic stem (ES) cells. The expression of Wnt4 from the R26 locus was blocked by a neomycin selection cassette flanked by loxP sites (floxneo) that was positioned between the Rosa26 promoter and the Wnt4 cDNA, creating the allele designated R26floxneoWnt4. Wnt4 expression was activated during chondrogenesis using Col2a1-Cre transgenic mice that express Cre recombinase in differentiating chondrocytes. R26floxneoWnt4; Col2a1-Cre double heterozygous mice exhibited a growth deficiency, beginning approximately 7 to 10 days after birth, that resulted in dwarfism. In addition, they also had craniofacial abnormalities, and delayed ossification of the lumbar vertebrae and pelvic bones. Histological analysis revealed a disruption in the organization of the growth plates and a delay in the onset of the primary and secondary ossification centers. Molecular studies showed that Wnt4 overexpression caused decreased proliferation and altered maturation of chondrocytes. In addition, R26floxneoWnt4; Col2a1-Cre mice had decreased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). These studies demonstrate that Wnt4 overexpression leads to dwarfism in mice. The data indicate that Wnt4 levels must be regulated in chondrocytes for normal growth plate development and skeletogenesis. Decreased VEGF expression suggests that defects in vascularization may contribute to the dwarf phenotype.
Bi-state control of a duffing microresonator on the falling edge of the instability

This work is the first investigation of a bi-state control technique capable of servoing on the falling edge of the microelectromechanical Duffing resonant bifurcation setpoint. The Duffing microresonator, fabricated in an SOI-MEMS process, features a sharp jump in oscillation amplitude at the bifurcation and is, therefore, ideal for ultrasensitive detection of mass or stress shifts that modify the resonance frequency and hence the jump frequency. The resonator “instability tongue” is characterized to identify the bifurcation points as a function of drive gain. The control system states are set through the AC drive gain while operating at a fixed drive frequency such that one of the system states is within this instability tongue whereas the second state resides outside of this tongue. The amplitude servo point is chosen at the maximum “on” amplitude prior to the jump event. The states are driven by 300 kHz pulse width modulation that is set much faster than the amplitude response dynamics and inhibits the system from latching off as would happen in static operation.
Being in tune with life: complementary therapy use and well-being in residential hospice residents.

Complementary therapies are commonly used by the public. Increasingly, complementary therapies are being used in hospices for symptom management; however, little research is available on their effect on patient well-being. Purpose: This study explores experiences of 15 hospice residents who received complementary therapies and describes the hospice cultural patterns where complementary therapies were delivered. Method: Ethnography was used to guide data collection. Data were collected by participant observations, formal and informal interviews, and complementary therapy charts in a residential hospice during 9 months. Findings: Three themes of experiencing complementary therapies, reconnecting to life through caring, and presence in relationship were uncovered during data analysis. Implications: Study results suggest that presence may be more important to the patient’s well-being than the physical responses of complementary therapies. Also, a caring culture may influence staff job satisfaction and retention.