cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interobserver and intraobserver reproducibility in digital and routine microscopic assessment of prostate needle biopsies.

Summary Advances in whole slide digital imaging in the past decade necessitate validation of these tools in each organ system in advance of clinical adoption. We assessed reproducibility in reporting prostate needle biopsy parameters among urologic pathologists using routine and digital microscopy in a consultation/second opinion-like setting. Four urologic pathologists evaluated a single core level from 50 diagnostically challenging needle biopsy specimens by routine microscopy and whole slide digital imaging. Interobserver and intraobserver agreement were calculated for primary and secondary Gleason grades, Gleason score, tumor quantitation (percentage and size in millimeters), and perineural invasion. Interobserver agreement for routine microscopy was excellent for primary Gleason grade ( κ = 0.72) and good for all other parameters ( κ ranging from 0.36 to 0.55). Whole slide digital imaging assessment yielded similar agreement for all parameters. Intraobserver agreement for primary Gleason grade and Gleason score was very good to excellent for all pathologists (all κ ≥ 0.65 and ≥0.73, respectively). Size of tumor in millimeters consistently displayed higher levels of agreement than percentage of tumor across media and pathologists. Digital assessment of routinely reported cancer parameters on prostatic needle biopsy for a given scanned core level is comparable to that of routine microscopy. These findings imply that histologic interpretation using dynamic whole slide images may accurately simulate routine microscopic evaluation in the consultation setting. Implementation of whole slide digital imaging in these scenarios may significantly reduce the workload of large referral centers in the near future and impact the manner in which pathologists seek second opinion consultation on challenging cases.
Disrupted postnatal lung development in heme oxygenase-1 deficient mice

Heme oxygenase (HO) degrades cellular heme to carbon monoxide, iron and biliverdin. The HO-1 isoform is both inducible and cyto-protective during oxidative stress, inflammation and lung injury. However, little is known about its precise role and function in lung development. We hypothesized that HO-1 is required for mouse postnatal lung alveolar development and that vascular expression of HO-1 is essential and protective during postnatal alveolar development. Neonatal lung development in wildtype and HO-1 mutant mice was evaluated by histological and molecular methods. Furthermore, these newborn mice were treated with postnatal dexamethasone (Dex) till postnatal 14 days, and evaluated for lung development. Compared to wildtype littermates, HO-1 mutant mice exhibited disrupted lung alveolar structure including simplification, disorganization and reduced secondary crest formation. These defects in alveolar development were more pronounced when these mice were challenged with Dex treatment. Expression levels of both vascular endothelial and alveolar epithelial markers were also further decreased in HO-1 mutants after Dex treatment. These experiments demonstrate that HO-1 is required in normal lung development and that HO-1 disruption and dexamethasone exposure are additive in the disruption of postnatal lung growth. We speculate that HO-1 is involved in postnatal lung development through modulation of pulmonary vascular development.
The Mad2 partial unfolding model: regulating mitosis through Mad2 conformational switching.

The metamorphic Mad2 protein acts as a molecular switch in the checkpoint mechanism that monitors proper chromosome attachment to spindle microtubules during cell division. The remarkably slow spontaneous rate of Mad2 switching between its checkpoint inactive and active forms is catalyzed onto a physiologically relevant time scale by a self–self interaction between its two forms, culminating in a large pool of active Mad2. Recent structural, biochemical, and cell biological advances suggest that the catalyzed conversion of Mad2 requires a major structural rearrangement that transits through a partially unfolded intermediate.
Reverse link analysis of cellular packet data networks with multiple receive antennas

The reverse link of a wireless packet data system with a varying number of users is considered. A time scale separation approximation is used to justify the analysis of this system based on a processor sharing model, and to compute the tradeoff between the offered load and the throughput seen by a typical user. When multiple receive antennas are available at the base station, it is shown that simple random multiaccess schemes with very little coordination between users can outperform more complex orthogonal schemes.
Comparison of hearing thresholds and morphological changes in the chinchilla after exposure to 4 kHz tones.

Behavioral, anatomical and histochemical effects of acoustic overstimulation produced by a 4 cHz tone were investigated. In each of five monaural chinchillas, high frequency hearing loss was produced which was related to locus and extent of hair cell loss. Masked audiograms were fairly consistent with those obtained in quiet and the anatomical data on presence or absence of hair cells. Histochemical and electron microscope examination of selected portions of the cochlear partition revealed a series of changes in hair cells which may or may not influence their functional properties.ZUSAMMENFASSUNGDie Wirkungen akustischer uberreizung auf anatomische, histochemische und Verhaltens-Parameter wurden an funf einohrigen Chinchillas untersucht. Beschallung erfolgte mit einem Dauerton von 4 kHz. Die an Hand von Audiogrammen festgestellten Horausfalle stimmten ziemlich gut mit der Lokalisation sowie der Ausdehnung des Haarzellen untergangs im Cortischen Organ uberein. An Haarzellen ausserhalb der Hauptzerstorungsh...
Technologies for Coagulation Instruments

Although different technologies are available for coagulation testing, the most frequently used are based on traditional functional methods. Many semiautomated and automated instruments can process and analyze both test and quality control data. This article reviews the principles of various methods for measuring coagulation (prothrombin time [PT] and activated partial thromboplastin time [aPTT]) and issues associated with quality control and quality assurance.
Leaf respiration in Piper species native to a Mexican rainforest

We measured leaf respiration with a Clark-type oxygen-electrode in 6 species of the genus Piper (Piperaceae) growing naturally in wet evergreen rainforest, in microsites characterized by a broad range of light availabilities. Species normally found in large gaps and clearings (Piper auritum and P. umbellatum) had approximately twice the dark respiration per unit of leaf area or dry mass as species found predominantly in shaded understory sites (P. aequale, P. lapathifolium and P. amalago). within a species, dark respiration was lower in the individuals growing in low-light sites than in the individuals growing in high-light sites. Over all species, leaf respiration was positively correlated with the average daily photosynthetically active photon flux density (PFD) at each site, and negatively correlated with mean leaf longevity. Respiration was insensitive to leaf age in a shade species. (P. lapathifolium) and in a generalist (P. hispidum) but decreased with increasing leaf age in a gap specialist (P. aurtium). In experiments on greenhouse-grown plants, we titrated respiration with potassium cyanide (KCN) and/or salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM) to determine the cytochrome and alternative pathway components to respiration in 4 Piper species. All 4 species, representing gap, generalist and shade species, exhibited alternative pathway respiration. Engagement of the cytochrome pathway (ϱcyt) varied from 0.69 in P. auritum to 1.04 in P. lapathifolium and engagement of the alternative pathway (ϱalt varied from 0.41 to 1.02. Although the shade species had lower respiration rates than the gap species, the capacities for cytochrome and alternative pathway respiration made up similar or greater fractions of total respiration in shade species.
Living the high life: social status influences real estate decision making

Social status is associated with the vertical spatial dimension, with people conceptualizing higher social status with higher vertical positions. Two experiments tested whether this association influences relatively real-world decisions about others by asking participants to act as real estate agents, aiding in the relocation of clients who explicitly or implicitly varied in social status. Across experiments, higher status clients were placed into higher elevation housing options. This influence of social status persisted when strategy-aware participants were removed from analysis, and was not influenced by individual differences in social dominance or locus of control. Abstract concepts of social status are understood through associations with vertical space, and these mapping of abstract concepts to concrete percepts prove influential in guiding daily decisions.
Chaff Seeding Effects in a Dynamical-Electrical Cloud Model

Abstract A two-dimensional, slab-symmetric, time-dependent cloud model has been devised to simulate deep convection in the atmosphere. The dynamics and thermodynamics of deep convection are prescribed and the microphysics of the liquid phase is parameterized. Within this framework, the electrical nature of the atmosphere has been added. Small positive and negative ions as well as the charge associated with rain and cloud particles are included. The electrical properties are allowed full interaction with the hydrodynamic properties of the model. Charge is transported by conduction, convection and turbulent diffusion, and free ions interact with hydrometeors through conduction, diffusion and evaporation. A separation probability is specified for cloud and raindrops colliding in the electric field allowing for charge transfer by the polarization mechanism. Similarly, the charge on cloud droplets is transferred to raindrops during coalescence. The formulation for the simulation of the chaff seeding process is...
Influence of inhibitors of protein synthesis on zinc metabolism.

SummaryThe drugs actinomycin D, chloramphenicol, cordycepin, and cyclohex-imide were evaluated for their relative effectiveness in blocking zinc binding by liver and mucosa following parenteral zinc. All the drugs, except chloramphenicol, were effective. The majority of the additional zinc bound following parenteral zinc was accounted for as metallothionein (MT) zinc. The inhibition of zinc binding by the drugs used was restricted to that associated with MT. The results collectively indicate that zinc uptake in liver and intestinal cells involves nonmitochondrial transcription and translation of poly(A)-containing RNA. Some of this RNA appears to code for MT.
Access without excess.

KIE: Morreim introduces six articles that evaluate, criticize, and project future developments in the United States health care system. The articles, are (1) "Unhealthy health care costs," by Jack K. Shelton and Julia Mann Janosi; (2) "Universal health care coverage -- pitfalls and promise of an employment-based approach," by Peter Budetti; (3) "Equity, autonomy, and efficiency: what health care system should we have?," by Paul T. Menzel; (4) "Dying in 559 beds: efficiency, 'best buy', and the ethics of standardization in national health care," by Margaret P. Battin; (5) "An ethical framework for rationing health care," by Nancy S. Jecker and Robert A. Pearlman; and (6) "Justice and the moral acceptability of rationing medical care: the Oregon experiment," by Robert M. Nelson and Theresa Drought.
Probabilistic load flow of power system with WFs,PVs and PEVs

A probabilistic load flow model is developed for the power system containing WFs(Wind Farms),PVs(PhotoVoltaic Generations) and PEVs(Plug-in Electric Vehicles).The wind speeds and solar radiations are simulated based on the historical meteorological data for different season and weather conditions and the uncertainties of WF,PV,PEV and load are considered,based on which,3PEM(3-Point Estimation Method) is adopted to calculate the probabilistic load flow of power system for different daily periods and different seasons.Its statistical characteristics are thus obtained.The simulative results of a 140-bus distribution system show the correctness of the proposed model and method.
Immunologic aspects of blood transfusion

For 20 years, clinical reports and laboratory observations have suggested that allogeneic blood transfusion effects important changes in the recipient's immune response. The seminal clinical studies involved dose-dependent improvement in renal allograft survival in patients transfused with allogeneic whole blood, red blood cells, and buffy coat preparations. Subsequently, a burgeoning, but unclear literature proposed that allogeneic blood transfusion decreases survival or tumor-free survival of patients who undergo operations for a variety of different malignancies. Similar studies suggest that the risk of postoperative infection increases when patients receive allogeneic blood. Transfusion reportedly improves some patients with Crohn's disease. In summary, these findings have been interpreted as evidence for an immunosuppressive effect of allogeneic blood transfusion. A small prospective study showed that paternal buffy coat infusion decreases the rate of fetal loss in a subset of women with recurrent abortion. These data suggest induction of "tolerance." Laboratory studies confirm changes in lymphocyte subsets, lymphocyte activation, natural killer cell activity, antigen-presenting function, and phagocytic cell function in patients and animals that receive allogeneic blood. The clinical relevance of these observations remains controversial. Allogeneic leukocytes induce expression of latent cell-associated viruses (human immunodeficiency virus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus), suggesting further immune-mediated adverse effects of transfusion. The mechanisms and clinical importance of these observations have become areas of intense interest and investigation for transfusion medicine.
Norms, Adjoints, and Singular Value Decomposition

Norms for measuring vectors and matrices, adjoints, and the singular value decomposition (SVD) are all areas where traditional methods are basis-dependent and/or dimensionally inhomogeneous. The methods presented in this chapter correct these problems.
Plasma alkaline phosphatase as a criterion for determining biological availability of phosphorus for swine.

One hundred thirty-nine pigs, with an average initial weight of 15.9 kg, were used in three trials to evaluate plasma alkaline phosphatase (AP) as a criterion for estimating available P in feedstuffs for swine. The first two trials were designed to determine the effect of adding graded levels of P (as KH2PO4) to a basal diet on the AP response pattern and degree of linear fit with time. Plasma AP increased (P less than .05) with time and, when regressed on the concentration of total P (.26 to .50%), provided the best linear fit by d 14 (r = -.996). This high degree of fit was maintained through d 21 (r = -.983). The poor correlation observed at 7 d (r = -.828) indicated that the AP pattern was not fully established, whereas departure from the close association by 28 d (r = -.913) may be related to a decline in the magnitude of P deficiency with increasing weight. In a third trial, available P was determined in high moisture corn (HMC, 24.6% moisture) using both AP and bone breaking strength (BKS) as response criteria. A standard curve was established by supplementing the basal diet (.26% P, .65% Ca) with graded levels of KH2PO4. High moisture corn was substituted for dextrose on an equal dry matter basis. Blood samples were acquired on d 14 and 21 for AP analysis and pigs were killed on d 28 for determination of metatarsal BKS. Phosphorus from HMC was determined (slope-ratio technique) to be 41.3% available using BKS as the criterion (KH2PO4, r = .961; HMC, r = .994) and 43.8% when AP at 14 d was used (KH2PO4, r = -.988; HMC, r = -.999). The data indicate that AP is a sensitive index potentially useful in P availability studies.
Parallel Algorithms for Constructing Range and Nearest-Neighbor Searching Data Structures

With the massive amounts of data available today, it is common to store and process data using multiple machines. Parallel programming platforms such as MapReduce and its variants are popular frameworks for handling such large data. We present the first provably efficient algorithms to compute, store, and query data structures for range queries and approximate nearest neighbor queries in a popular parallel computing abstraction that captures the salient features of MapReduce and other massively parallel communication (MPC) models. In particular, we describe algorithms for $kd$-trees, range trees, and BBD-trees that only require O(1) rounds of communication for both preprocessing and querying while staying competitive in terms of running time and workload to their classical counterparts. Our algorithms are randomized, but they can be made deterministic at some increase in their running time and workload while keeping the number of rounds of communication to be constant.
Microbial Flora of Pond-Reared Tilapia ( Tilapia aurea ) Held on Ice.

Microbiological and chemical characteristics for tilapia reared in 0.25-acre artificial ponds were investigated. At time of harvest, average bacterial count of the pond-reared fish was 7.3 × 102 per cm2 while pond water contained 2.2 × 104 organisms per ml. Moraxella - Acinetobacter and Micrococcus were initially the dominant organisms present on the fish. The total bacterial count of the tilapia decreased during the first 3 d of storage on ice and then remained stable for the next 6 d after which there was a sharp increase. Pseudomonas became the dominant organism during the later stages of ice-storage. Total volatile nitrogen and pH increased with increasing aerobic plate counts.
Identifying and selecting for genetic diversity in Papua New Guinea sweetpotato Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. germplasm collected as botanical seed

A total of 141 Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. accessionsderived from botanical seed originally collected from 26 sites in 4 Provinces inPapua New Guinea, a secondary center of genetic diversity for sweetpotato, weregenetically analyzed. Two hundred Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP)markers were identified and utilized in the analysis. Relatedness amongaccessions was estimated by analyzing the AFLP data using the Dice coefficientof similarity and UPGMA methods. The molecular analysis revealed relativelylimited genetic diversity within and between sites. Genotypes collected in agiven region often displayed molecular marker variability similar to thatobserved over the entire sampled area. However, a subset of 14 genotypes derivedfrom seed collected from New Ireland island differed from genotypes collected onNew Guinea island. Estimates of genetic diversity-based similarity valuescalculated from the AFLP data indicated a moderate level of diversity (0.767mean coefficient of similarity) across all plant materials analyzed. Threemethods of selection were evaluated for their efficacy in capturing themolecular marker diversity within the plant materials in the form of a subset.They were random, stratified-random (geographic based), and marker-assistedselection (MAS). MAS was the most efficient. A Maximally Diverse Subset (MDS) of12 genotypes capturing 92% of the molecular marker diversity was identified.
Abstract P3-07-05: CDK8 inhibition improves the efficacy of ER- and HER2-targeted drugs in breast cancer

Over 70% of breast cancer patients are estrogen receptor (ER) positive and 25% of patients over-express HER2 making these patients susceptible to therapeutic intervention with ER- and HER2-targeted therapies, respectively. However, intrinsic and acquired resistance to targeted therapies is a significant clinical issue and new therapeutic approaches aimed to preventing and overcoming resistance are urgently needed. We have previously shown that high expression of CDK8, a transcription regulating kinase, is associated with shorter relapse free survival in both ER and HER2 positive breast cancer. We have found that CDK8 inhibition by a selective small molecule inhibitor (Senexin B), by shRNA knockdown or by CRISPR/CAS9 knockout, strongly inhibits estrogen signaling in ER-positive breast cancer cells. Senexin B produces a synergistic growth inhibitory effect with an antiestrogen fulvestrant in all the tested ER-positive breast cancer cell lines in vitro and in MCF7 xenograft model in vivo . Senexin B treatment also inhibited invasive growth of MCF7 xenografts. CDK8 inhibition suppressed the emergence of estrogen independence upon long-term estrogen deprivation. A highly synergistic growth inhibitory effect occurred when Senexin B was combined with an anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody (a biosimilar of trastuzumab) or with the HER2/EGFR small molecule inhibitor lapatinib. These synergistic effects were observed in all HER2 positive breast cancer cell lines tested including those that exhibit innate and acquired resistance to HER2 targeting therapy. Furthermore, combining lapatinib with Senexin B completely abrogated the emergence of acquired lapatinib resistance. Taken together these results suggest that CDK8 inhibition, when combined with either ER- or HER2-targeted therapies, offers a rational approach to improving the efficacy of targeted drugs in breast cancer. Citation Format: McDermott MS, Chumanevich A, Liang J, Chen M, Altilia S, Hennes C, Roninson IB, Broude EV. CDK8 inhibition improves the efficacy of ER- and HER2-targeted drugs in breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-07-05.
Mobile Robotic Systems for Use in Unstructured Terrain

Autonomous and teleoperated mobile platforms which have, so far, been constructed for use in unstructured terrain are of two types. One of these is a platform with wheels or tracks having a passive suspension. The other is a fully terrain adaptive legged locomotion system. However, the use of active coordination of multiple joints makes other configurations feasible, and attractive. A simple example is a wheeled system with an active suspension.
Synaptic Activity at Dendritic Locations: Theory and Experiment

Circumstances have prevented me from preparing a full report of the extemporaneous talks I gave at the summer school in Ravello. This is a brief statement and discussion of the theoretical and experimental material that was presented. Further details can be found in the several references listed.
Capacitor voltage balancing in a neutral-point clamped multilevel dc-dc dual active bridge converter

Neutral point clamped (NPC) multilevel inverter is being used for medium and high power applications since it can synthesize more voltage levels with smaller output voltage steps compared to two level full-bridge inverters. An NPC based multi-level dual-active bridge (ML-DAB) dc-dc converter has been proposed where the low voltage side consists a full-bridge producing a two-level voltage and the high voltage side has two three-level neutral point diode clamped (NPC) switching poles which produce a five-level voltage waveform across the high frequency transformer. Capacitor voltage unbalance has been an important concern for NPC topology. A neutral-point current control scheme has been proposed to control the imbalance between the capacitor voltages in the NPC side. Experimental results for steady-state operation and the capacitor voltage balancing control have been shown in simulation.
Preclinical motor manifestations of Huntington disease.

Abstract Huntington disease (HD) is an autosomal-dominant, progressive neurodegenerative condition characterized by multiple movement disorders, psychiatric disturbances, and cognitive decline. As an insidious, progressive disorder, clinical phenoconversion in HD can be quite subtle and difficult to pinpoint. In light of this ambiguity, substantial interest has developed in HD research for biomarker identification, with the intent of establishing specific changes or “stages” of disease progression. Presumably, earlier stages of dysfunction offer greater chance for intervention or modification of disease mechanisms. As such, identifying disease processes as early as possible, in a prediagnostic period if possible, has been of paramount interest. Emerging evidence suggests motor dysfunction in HD long precedes clinical diagnosis, raising questions about the initiation of HD pathology and in turn our understanding of disease progression. This chapter summarizes advances in characterizing and understanding preclinical motor manifestations in HD, including changes in eye movements, gait, and fine motor performance. Development of the most sensitive and specific outcome measures for trial design is a rapidly evolving field in HD experimental therapeutics, with exciting implications for the study and treatment of this challenging disorder.
Bi-phasic Metabolic Responses During Macrophage Activation

The role of cell metabolism is an emerging element regulating macrophage-inflammatory response. Inflammatory macro-phages with highly glycolytic phenotype are also known to elevate their glycolytic activity upon pathogenic stimulation, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection, through toll-like receptors (TRLs). The dynamic changes in macrophage metabolism were traced in a real-time manner by measuring extracellular acidification (as proton efflux rates, PER) and oxygen consumption rates (OCR) after injection of LPS using Seahorse XFe96 analyzer. The PER of human peripheral blood monocytes (PBMC) derived M1 macrophages increases within an hour after stimulation, corresponding with the release of key cytokines as tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β). In contrast to PBMC-derived M1 macrophages, full activation of murine macrophage cell lines RAW264.7 and J774.A1 required co-stimulation with interferon gamma (IFNγ). Interestingly, LPS and IFNγ co-stimulation modulates glycolytic rates in a bi-phasic manner which was identified only in long-term (> 6 hr) monitoring. A series of long-term real-time XF analysis after activation revealed that the immediate early glycolytic response totally relies on LPS stimulation while the secondary elevation in PER depends on IFNγ stimulus and is abolished in the presence of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitors. These results strongly support the role of iNOS-derived nitric oxide in stimulating late glycolytic activation through inhibition of mitochondrial respiration. The data presented imply a temporal orchestration mechanism of TLR and IFNγ-receptor signaling in the metabolic regulation and activation of inflammatory macrophages.
When not to comment: questions and tradeoffs with API documentation for C++ projects

Without usable and accurate documentation of how to use an API, developers can find themselves deterred from reusing relevant code. In C++, one place developers can find documentation is in a header file. When information is missing, they may look at the corresponding implementation code. To understand what's missing from C++ API documentation and the factors influencing whether it will be fixed, we conducted a mixed-methods study involving two experience sampling surveys with hundreds of developers at the moment they visited implementation code, interviews with 18 of those developers, and interviews with 8 API maintainers. In many cases, updating documentation may provide only limited value for developers, while requiring effort maintainers don't want to invest. We identify a set of questions maintainers and tool developers should consider when improving API-level documentation.
A Workable Problem: Constructing a 3-D Puzzle With Young Children With Disabilities

Math is increasingly recognized as a critical part of what young children are exposed to and learn in early childhood programs. Geometry is one of three focal areas emphasized for early childhood, ...
Exercise and Somatic Dysfunction

This article discusses the specificity of exercise based on biomechanic and neurophysiologic principles. The causes of muscle imbalance, including somatic dysfunction, are presented. Muscles respond to abnormal afferent information in a characteristic fashion, with certain muscle groups becoming facilitated and tight and other muscle groups becoming inhibited and pseudoparetic. Muscle imbalances in the upper and lower quarter are included. The clinical application of treatment principles is discussed in a patient presenting with a forward head posture.
Unusual high-grade and low-grade glioma in an infant with PPP1CB-ALK gene fusion

A previously healthy 3-month-old former 30-week premature girl presented with sudden onset altered mental status and cardiopulmonary arrest.[1][1] CT scan showed a 10.2 cm hyperdense lesion in the right hemisphere with areas of acute haemorrhage causing subfalcine, uncal and inferior cerebellar
Human tissue transplantation.

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on primarily renal transplantation in man. In the process of transplanting livers, kidneys, and skin in the human the development of new syndromes was found. The behavior of man to the allografting of tissues and organs is similar to that of lower mammals, it is not identical. It is possible in man to transplant skin, to inject peripheral leukocytes and platelets, and to transplant kidneys. The rejection of an allograft in man is due to an immune response in the recipient against an antigen present on the tissues in the donor and absent in the host. Small-vessel thrombosis occurs with rapidity, no lymphocytes are seen at the site of the rejected graft, and the polymorphonuclear leukocytes that appear seem to be a response to necrosis rather than to an immune reaction. Rejection characterized by acute vasculitis and minimal cellular response is also seen when kidneys are transplanted into previously immunized dogs, and this counterpart has been seen in man immunized by leukocytes or platelets in previously administered blood transfusions. The first successful kidney allograft was accomplished in 1959 when a kidney was transplanted from a healthy nonidentical twin to his sibling. In adult mice, thymectomy combined with total-body irradiation can result in homograft tolerance.
Lifelong consequences of brain injuries during development: From risk to resilience.

Abstract Traumatic brain injuries in children represent a major public health issue and even relatively mild injuries can have lifelong consequences. However, the outcomes from these injuries are highly heterogeneous, with most individuals recovering fully, but a substantial subset experiencing prolonged or permanent disabilities across a number of domains. Moreover, brain injuries predispose individuals to other kinds of neuropsychiatric and somatic illnesses. Critically, the severity of the injury only partially predicts subsequent outcomes, thus other factors must be involved. In this review, we discuss the psychological, social, neuroendocrine, and autonomic processes that are disrupted following traumatic brain injury during development, and consider the mechanisms the mediate risk or resilience after traumatic brain injury in this vulnerable population.
Tobacco smoking is associated with the immune suppressive microenvironment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)

Abstract Background Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients with a significant tobacco smoking history have a poor prognosis compared to never smokers. We hypothesize the poor prognosis in tobacco smokers with HNSCC is, at least in part, due to ongoing suppression of immune response and that understanding of deregulated signals in each step may provide insights to improve clinical outcomes of HNSCC patients. Methods We characterized the tumor immune microenvironment (TIM) of HNSCC in a retrospective cohort of 177 current, former, and never smokers. Tumors were subjected to analysis of CD3, CD8, FOXP3, PD-1, PD-L1, and pan-cytokeratin by multiplex immunofluorescence, whole exome sequencing, and RNA sequencing. The immune markers were measured in the tumor core (TC), tumor margin (TM), and stroma (S). Results Our data indicate that current smokers have significantly lower numbers of CD8+ cytotoxic T-cells and PD-L1+ cells compared to never- and former-smokers. While tumor mutation burden and mutant-allele tumor heterogeneity score do not associate with smoking status, gene-set enrichment analyses reveal significant suppression of IFN-α and IFN-γ response pathways in current smokers. Gene expression of canonical IFN-response chemokines of the CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11/CXCR3 axis are lower in current smokers than in former smokers suggesting decreased immune cell migration to the tumor site. Conclusions These results indicate that active tobacco use in HNSCC has an immunosuppressive effect through inhibition of tumor infiltration of cytotoxic T-cells likely as a result of suppression of IFN response pathways. Our study highlights the importance of understanding the interaction between smoking and TIM in light of emerging immune modulators for cancer management and the importance of smoking cessation during treatment with immunotherapy. Legal entity responsible for the study The authors. Funding The James and Esther King Biomedical Research Grant. Disclosure C.H. Chung: Honoraria (self): bristol myers squibb; Honoraria (self): astrazeneca; Honoraria (self): Lilly; Honoraria (self): CUE Biopharma. J. Conejo-Garcia: Honoraria (self): Compass Therapeutics; Honoraria (self): Anixa Biosciences. R. Slebos: Spouse / Financial dependant: Bristol Myers Squibb; Spouse / Financial dependant: AstraZeneca ; Spouse / Financial dependant: CUE Biopharma; Spouse / Financial dependant: Lilly Oncology. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Automated Activity Identification for Construction Equipment Using Motion Data From Articulated Members

Real-time monitoring and assessment of construction resources have always been a challenge due to the unique, dynamic, and complex nature of each construction site and operation. The ability to automatically classify activities performed by various equipment in real time can aid in making timely tactical operational decisions that can lead to increased fleet productivity, reduced time and cost of operations, and minimized idle times. Such endeavors have traditionally been performed manually through human observation, making it extremely labor and time-intensive. Meanwhile, the development of low-cost micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) with rapidly evolving computing, networking, and storage capabilities, along with the advances in computational techniques such as machine learning present new opportunities in the real-time activity identification domain. Even though previous studies have shown promising results for equipment activity identification at limited levels of detail, they have a fundamental limitation in their reliance on the equipment vibration. Equipment vibration is highly dependent on factors that are extrinsic to the performance of an activity itself such as ground conditions, age and condition of equipment, and operator skill. This aspect of current methods necessitates the collection of training data from the specific equipment of interest and requires manual labeling of training data, thereby limiting its application across different types of equipment and operating conditions. This paper investigates the use of activity-specific equipment motions instead of vibration for activity identification. This approach is the first step towards the larger goal of generating training data automatically from virtual kinematic models of equipment in the future. This paper also provides an array of sensitivity analyses in order to determine the most appropriate parameters for implementing machine learning algorithms for equipment activity identification. A case study was performed using an excavator working on an earthmoving site that demonstrated a significant improvement in equipment activity identification results by utilizing IMU data of different articulated elements over previous efforts. The results of this paper indicate that more accurate results for activity identification can be obtained by using articulated equipment motion over vibration, which paves the way for the automatic generation of labeled training data in the future.
The Effect of Carcass Sorting Specifications on Boxed Beef Subprimal and Retail Cut Variation

ObjectivesInconsistencies within the boxed beef supply have led to increased cost and variability for consumers. Our goal was to quantify adherence to Institutional Meat Purchase Specifications (IMPS) guidelines and differences in quality and yield parameters including marbling score (MARB), retail yield (RY, %), and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF, kg).Materials and MethodsFive boxes each of USDA Choice (CH), custom sorted (CS), and Certified Angus Beef (CAB) subprimals (SUB) were utilized: IMPS 112A Lip-On Ribeye Roll, 120 Deckle-Off Brisket, 180 Strip Loin, and 184 Top Sirloin Butt. Six days’ of USDA video image analysis data was collected 1 wk prior to CS carcass selection and used to calculate selection criteria ranges for hot carcass weight, calculated yield grade, MARB, ribeye area, and backfat thickness of 790 to 887 lbs., 2.31 to 3.22, 316.60 to 437.73, and 11.24 to 14.85 in2, respectively. Each SUB was cut into 2.54-cm thick steaks, weighed, assessed for adherence to IMPS, trimmed to spec if needed, and reweighed post trimming to calculate RY.ResultsMeans of ribeye box weight (BW), SUB weight (SUBW), MARB and WBSF differed across groups (P ≤ 0.01), with RY being similar (P = 0.24). Differences in BW and SUBW indicated CH and CAB were heavier than CS (P 0.15). Differences in BW and SUBW indicated CH and CS were heavier than CAB (P < 0.02), with all groups being different for total RY. Means of gluteus medius MARB indicated CH was improved compared to CS (P = 0.02) with a tendency for improvement compared to CAB (P = 0.07). Biceps femoris MARB for CH and CAB was greater than CS (P < 0.01). Number of retail cuts and specifications for non-square cuts at the cranial or caudal ends, gluteus medius exposure, SFT and presence of scoring were different across groups (P < 0.01).ConclusionThese results indicate a potential for carcasses to be sorted into more homogenous groups to improve uniformity and adherence to IMPS.
The platelet to high density lipoprotein -cholesterol ratio is a valid biomarker of nascent metabolic syndrome.

AIMS The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major global problem, and inflammation and insulin resistance appear to be key underpinnings in this cardio-metabolic cluster. MetS predisposes to an increased risk of diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). It has a procoagulant diathesis which included increased platelet activity and impaired fibrinolysis. High density lipoprotein (HDL) appears to be anti-thrombotic. Accordingly, we examined the ratios between platelets to HDL-cholesterol(C) and adiponectin (Adipo) in patients with nascent MetS without the confounding of diabetes, ASCVD and smoking to determine their validity as biomarkers of MetS. METHODS Patients with nascent MetS (n = 58) and matched controls (n = 44) were recruited. Fasting blood samples were obtained for complete blood counts, basic metabolic panel, lipids, insulin, and Adipo. Ratios of platelets to HDL-C and Adipo were calculated. RESULTS Following adjustment for adiposity, only the platelet: HDL ratio was significantly increased in MetS and increased with severity of MetS. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the platelet: HDL-C area under the curve (AUC) significantly added to both platelets and platelet lymphocyte ratio AUCs. Also the platelet: HDL-C ratio correlated with all cardio-metabolic features of MetS, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, insulin resistance chemerin, and leptin. CONCLUSIONS The ratio of platelets: HDL-C is significantly increased in patients with nascent MetS and appear to be a valid biomarker of MetS. It could also emerge as a biomarker for athero-thrombotic risk. However, these preliminary findings need confirmation in large prospective studies.
Are There Predictors of Success for Students With Disabilities Pursuing Postsecondary Education

Students with disabilities are entering college in increasing numbers. Despite the increase, college persistence and completion remains a troublesome hurdle. Evidence-based practices and predictors...
Visual and motor neglect: Clinical and neurocognitive aspects.

Abstract Attention allows us to prioritize the processing of external information according to our goals, but also to cope with sudden, unforeseen events. Attention processes rely on the coordinated activity of large-scale brain networks. At the cortical level, these systems are mainly organized in fronto-parietal networks, with functional and anatomical asymmetries in favor of the right hemisphere . Dysfunction of these right-lateralized networks often produce severe deficit of spatial attention, such as visual neglect . Other brain-damaged patients avoid moving the limbs contralateral to their brain lesion , even in the absence of sensorimotor deficits (motor neglect). This paper first summarizes past and current evidence on brain networks of attention; then, it presents clinical and experimental findings on visual and motor neglect, and on the possible mechanisms of clinical recovery.
Generalized acoustic Helmholtz equation and its boundary conditions in a quasi 1-D duct with arbitrary mean properties and mean flow

Abstract We derive the generalized Helmholtz equation governing the acoustic pressure field in a quasi one-dimensional duct with axially varying cross-section and arbitrary (axially inhomogeneous) mean properties such as the velocity, temperature, density and pressure. To express the Helmholtz equation exclusively in terms of the fluctuating pressure field p ˆ , we developed an expression relating density and pressure fluctuations, which is a differential equation for the generalized case of a duct with arbitrary mean properties. The “classical” algebraic expression for the density fluctuation field, ρ ˆ = p ˆ / c 2 , is strictly valid for a constant cross-section duct with uniform mean properties and uniform or zero mean flow ( c is the mean sound speed). We show that using the classical ρ ˆ – p ˆ relation in deriving the Helmholtz equation may lead to significant errors in both the phase and amplitude of the acoustic field p ˆ . These errors arise because the Helmholtz equation thus obtained fails to account for the boundary condition on density fluctuations at the duct inlet. Furthermore, a linearly-exact derivative boundary condition to the Helmholtz equation of the form d p ˆ d x = f ( p ˆ , u ˆ , ρ ˆ ; ω ) is developed, where u ˆ is the velocity fluctuation field and ω is the angular frequency. The p ˆ field obtained by solving the generalized Helmholtz equation in conjunction with the derivative boundary condition shows excellent agreement with that obtained through the solution of the linearized Euler equations.
Compression and Shear Tests of Vacuum-Impregnated Composites at Cryogenic Temperatures

To evaluate filament-reinforced, vacuum-impregnated, epoxy-resin systems at cryogenic temperatures, new compression-shear tests have been developed for stainless-composite-stainless sandwiches. Results at 76 K are reported and analyzed for a series of weaves and surface finishes.
MCDM Trends in Natural Resources and Environmental Management

Recent events and future trends in natural resources and environmental management suggest that multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) will play an ever-more important and central role in these sectors. The emergence of ecosystem management and sustainable development, the first signs of movement away from "command and control" approaches for environmental protection, more emphasis on risk-benefit analysis, and the trend toward decentralized, consensus-based decision making form the basis for the increased need for MCDM approaches. I discuss each of these elements in turn after first defining some terms.
Highly Nonthermal Intramolecular Energy Distribution in Isolated Infrared Multiphoton Excited CF2Cl2 Molecules

When a polyatomic molecule with a strong vibrational absorption band is irradiated with an intense resonant infrared laser pulse it can absorb many (10 to 40) infrared photons.1 If some initial energy deposition is ‘localized’—preferably in one vibrational mode or in a subset of modes—it may become possible to induce ‘mode-selective’ reactions by infrared multiphoton excitation. The intramolecular dynamics of infrared multiphoton excited molecules has been studied by a variety of spectroscopic techniques.2 One of these techniques is spontaneous Raman spectroscopy. In the past five years this technique has been successfully applied to monitor the vibrational energy in infrared multiphoton excited molecules.3,4
Memoria en lozanía

De esta vida nuestra. Joaquin Mattos Omar. Cooperativa Editorial Magisterio/Ulrika Editores, Bogota, 1998, 60 pags.
Changing indications for vaginal hysterectomy

The recent history of vaginal hysterectomy in America is summarized to bring current trends into focus. A series of 252 vaginal hysterectomies is analyzed. The discussion deals with factors contributing to morbidity, the relative advantages of various techniques, and the recognition and management of complications.
How to guard the guards themselves

The first 20 years of modern cryptography dealt with various cryptosystems, their modeling and their security, while assuming the availability of secure keys. Theses keys were the guards of security and based on their unavailability to the adversary, security was proved. In the last decade or so, however, as cryptography has been employed in practice, the realization that keys (the guards of security) needs to be guarded as well was realized and cryptosystems and algorithms have to be designed to take this into consideration. I will review some major directions in this research area.
Material compatibility of HVAC&R system materials with low global warming potential refrigerants

This article summarizes material compatibility evaluations of unsaturated hydrofluorocarbon (known as hydrofluoroolefin) refrigerants, and hydrofluoroolefin refrigerants blended with R-32, that were performed to characterize equipment reliability risks associated with the use of next-generation low global warming potential fluorinated refrigerant candidates. Material compatibility exposures were conducted with R-1234yf, R-1234ze(E), and a three-refrigerant composite blend of R-1234yf, R-1234ze(E), and R-32, with nine different elastomers, three gaskets, five polymers, and ten motor materials. Exposures were carried out in 100% refrigerant, 50% refrigerant:50% lubricant, and 100% lubricant to encompass the range of refrigerant and lubricant compositions that materials may encounter in different areas of operating systems. Two different lubricants, a polyol ester and a polyvinyl ether, were evaluated in this study, resulting in a total of 12 different exposure conditions for each of the 27 materials. A summ...