cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A COMPARISON OF PERFORMANCE FEEDBACK PROCEDURES ON TEACHERS' TREATMENT IMPLEMENTATION INTEGRITY AND STUDENTS’ INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR IN SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSROOMS

This study examined the extent to which treatment integrity of 4 special education teachers was affected by goal setting, performance feedback regarding student or teacher performance, and a meeting cancellation contingency. Teachers were trained to implement function-based treatment packages to address student problem behavior. In one condition, teachers set a goal for student behavior and received daily written feedback about student performance. In a second condition, teachers received daily written feedback about student performance as well as their own accuracy in implementing the intervention and would be able to avoid meeting with a consultant to practice missed steps by implementing the intervention with 100% integrity. This latter package increased treatment integrity the most above baseline levels. Higher levels of treatment integrity were significantly correlated with lower levels of student problem behavior for 3 of the 4 teacher-student dyads. Three of the 4 teachers also rated both feedback procedures as highly acceptable. Implications for increasing and maintaining treatment integrity by teachers via a consultation model are discussed.
Developing a Restorable Wetland Index for Rainwater Basin Wetlands in South-Central Nebraska: A Multi-Criteria Spatial Analysis

It is always challenging for decision makers to prioritize wetland conservation programs at the landscape scale. This study employed a GIS-based multi-criteria spatial decision support tool that identified locations with the highest restoration potential for wetland conservation programs in the Rainwater Basin in south-central Nebraska. Five indicators were considered to assess wetland restoration potential: (1) Vegetation characteristics; (2) Soil characteristics; (3) Water volume released from hydrological modification of agricultural irrigation pits; (4) Topographical depression status; and (5) Habitat condition. The results suggested 192 (1.6 % of the total) hydric soil footprints as the highest prioritized locations for future wetland restoration programs. The results also identified 901 footprints (7.7 % of the total) with medium-high restoration potential, 1,792 (15.2 % of the total) footprints with medium-low restorable potential and 8,875 (75.5 % of the total) footprints with low restorable potential. The methodology and statistical results contribute directly to the state’s Rainwater Basin Wetland Program Plan and are potentially applicable to the management of other wetlands across the region and globally.
Direct DNA and PNA probe binding to telomeric regions without classical in situ hybridization

Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (FISH) utilizes peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes to identify specific DNA sequences. Traditional techniques have required the heat denaturing of the DNA in formamide followed by multiple hours at moderated temperatures to allow the probe to hybridize to its specific target. Over the past 30 years, advancements in both protocols and probes have made FISH a more reliable technique for both biological research and medical diagnostics, additionally the protocol has been shortened to several minutes. These PNA probes were designed to target and hybridize to both DNA and RNA, and PNA-protein interactions still remain unclear. In this study we have shown that a telomeric single stranded specific PNA probe is able to bind to its target without heat denaturing of the DNA and without formamide. We have also identified a centromere specific probe, which was found to bind its target with only incubation with formamide. Certain PNA probes are able to hybridize with their targets with minimal to no denaturing of the DNA itself. This limited denaturing preserves the chromosome structure and may lead to more effective and specific staining.
High-Resolution Particle Size Analysis of Naturally Occurring Very Fine-Grained Sediment Through Laser Diffractometry

ABSTRACT In this paper, we present results from a large number of experiments aimed at quantifying method and instrument uncertainty associated with laser diffraction analysis. We analyzed the size distribution of fine-grained sediment ( 24 hours prior to analysis and using 60 seconds of ultrasonication during analysis. (2) Obscuration--a measure of the concentration of the suspension during analysis--produced the most reproducible results at about 20%. (3) Variations in refractive-index settings can significantly alter estimated grain-size distributions. (4) Assumed values for absorption (the degree to which sediment grains absorb the light) can have a profound effect on grain-size results. Absorption settings near 0 resulted in unexpected bimodal grain size distributions for sediments in the < 10 µm size fraction and significantly skewed the fine-grained tail of coarser samples, probably because of sub-optimal diffraction by particles with a diameter similar in size to the laser wavelength. Absorption settings closer to 1 produced very reproducible results and unimodal grain-size distributions over a wide range of refractive indexes. Our study has shown that laser diffraction can measure very fine-grained sediments (< 10 µm) quickly, with high precision ( 5% at 2 standard deviations), and without the need for extensive mineralogical determinations. These results make possible a new generation of studies in which high-resolution time-series data sets of sediment grain size can be used to infer subtle changes in paleohydrology.
Beyond cost tools: Spacecraft net present value and the hosted payload paradigm

This article is at the intersection of and integrates two broad considerations in the space industry, namely, the emergence of the hosted payload paradigm and the increased emphasis for the acquisition of space systems to be value driven. Spacecraft, and hosted payloads, are value delivery artifacts; their value derives from the flow of service they provide to different stakeholders. Their design and acquisition should be value centric or at a minimum value informed. In this article, we first provide a value model and analysis for a spacecraft, which includes its life cycle cost, as well as its revenue model. The revenue model accounts for the services provided by the primary payload and their lease price, the loading dynamics, and provisions for its obsolescence. When integrated, these two models allow us to calculate the spacecraft net present value (NPV) and its return on investment. A sensitivity analysis helps us to identify the effectiveness of the different value levers of a spacecraft. Second, after a brief review of the hosted payload paradigm and developing a baseline spacecraft NPV model, we integrate considerations of the hosted payload into the value analysis, and in the process, we develop a pricing standard (and model) for hosted payloads. For the hosted payload business model to be sustainable, both main stakeholders in the transaction, the owner of the spacecraft (host) and that of the hosted payload (guest) have to see a net value in the hosting arrangement.We propose that the pricing of the hosted payload should be at a minimum ΔNPV neutral. This condition helps us calculate the lower bound for an upfront payment from the guest, an annuity or rentlike payment, or a combination of both.We developed the analytics for this condition and the three payment options, and we extended it beyond the ΔNPV neutral baseline to include an X% incremental return on the hosted payload.We conclude with a general reflection on value considerations in space systems and a series of analytical questions raised in this article and left as fruitful venues for future work.
Melting/freezing points of high concentrations of AlCl3 in a saturated chloroaluminate ionic liquid

Melting/freezing points of AlCl3 in saturated chloroaluminate ionic liquids [molar ratio 2:1 AlCl3:1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride (EMIC)] are measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A critical range of temperature data (50–130 °C) for AlCl3 dissolution and precipitation from saturated chloroaluminate ionic liquids is obtained. This range of temperature data is of significance to control phase transition of AlCl3 in saturated chloroaluminate ionic liquids. By applying the chloroaluminate ionic liquids to electrolytes for energy storage usage, solid AlCl3 can be partially dissolved and precipitated out during the charging/discharging cycle of energy storage equipment. Therefore, the energy density of the electrolytes is expected to be greatly improved.
On the Relationship between Inertial Instability, Poleward Momentum Surges, and Jet Intensifications near Midlatitude Cyclones

AbstractThis study explores the role of inertial instability in poleward momentum surges and “flare ups” of the subpolar jet near midlatitude cyclones. Two cases are simulated with the University of Wisconsin Nonhydrostatic Modeling System to investigate the mechanisms involved in jet accelerations downstream of quasi-stationary “digging troughs.” Deep convection along the cold front leads to regions of inertial instability in the upper troposphere, which are intimately linked to jet accelerations. Terms in the zonal and meridional wind equations following the motion are evaluated for a selected air parcel within the inertially unstable region. A two-stage synoptic evolution is diagnosed, which is a characteristic signature of inertial instability. First, meridional flow accelerates following the motion, because of the subgeostrophic zonal flow and strong northward pressure gradient force (a statement of inertial instability). Second, supergeostrophic poleward flow leads to zonal acceleration and a jet fl...
The Pivotal Role of RhoA GTPase in the Molecular Signaling of Axon Growth Inhibition after CNS Injury and Targeted Therapeutic Strategies

The dogma that the adult central nervous system (CNS) is nonpermissive to axonal regeneration is beginning to fall in the face of increased understanding of the molecular and cellular biology of axon outgrowth. It is now appreciated that axon growth is regulated by a combination of extracellular factors related to the milieu of the developing or adult CNS and the presence of injury, and intracellular factors related to the "growth state" of the developing or regenerating neuron. Several critical points of convergence within the developing or regenerating neuron for mediating intracellular cell signaling effects on the growth cone cytoskeleton have been identified, and their modulation has produced marked increases in axon outgrowth within the "nonpermissive" milieu of the adult injured CNS. One such critical convergence point is the small GTPase RhoA, which integrates signaling events produced by both myelin-associated inhibitors (e.g., NogoA) and astroglial-derived inhibitors (chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans) and regulates the activity of downstream effectors that modulate cytoskeletal dynamics within the growth cone mediating axon outgrowth or retraction. Inhibition of RhoA has been associated with increased outgrowth on nonpermissive substrates in vitro and increased axon regeneration in vivo. We are developing lentiviral vectors that modulate RhoA activity, allowing more long-term expression than is possible with current approaches. These vectors may be useful in regenerative strategies for spinal cord injury, brain injury, and neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and Huntington's disease.
Abstract 4964: Mutations of cysteine residues in Bcl-2 suppress hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis of human lung cancer cells through ERK1/2 interaction

Bcl-2 is an essential antiapoptotic protein of the mitochondrial death pathway whose expression is highly associated with apoptosis resistance in cancer cells. Hydrogen peroxide is a signaling molecule mediating apoptosis to various stimuli, e.g. cisplatin and lipoic acid, in lung cancer cells. Direct treatment of the cells with hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress and a concomitant increase in apoptosis of human lung cancer H460 cells. Cysteine residues are likely targets of oxidative modifications of proteins; however, their effects on apoptosis and mechanisms of regulation are not known. To determine the role of cysteine residues, we constructed Bcl-2 mutant plasmids replacing the two cysteine residues Cys158 and Cys229 with alanines (Bcl-2-DM). Overexpression of Bcl-2-DM strongly suppressed the apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide in H460 cells as compared to that in control cells overexpressing wild-type Bcl-2. We further found that Bcl-2 directly interacts with MAP kinase ERK1/2 and that hydrogen peroxide disrupts such interaction. However, hydrogen peroxide treatment had a minimal effect on Bcl-2 and ERK1/2 interaction in Bcl-2-DM overexpressing cells, suggesting that Cys158 and Cys229 are required for the oxidative signaling. These findings identified a novel mechanism of oxidative regulation of apoptosis via cysteine modifications of Bcl-2. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4964. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4964
Studies of the Clinical Manifestations and Transmissibility of Infectious Coryza of Chickens

Abstract IN 1933 a report (1933) was made of the occurrence on certain poultry farms in California of a severe type of respiratory infection which was looked upon as one not previously differentiated and described. The disease has been observed subsequently on numerous other farms and in the course of an investigation of it, it has developed that it probably is not new but, in the past, has been included with the commonly occurring respiratory troubles known as roup, colds, contagious catarrh, oculo-nasal roup, etc. Since the disease has been shown to be infectious and to consist primarily of an inflammation of the nasal passages the name “Infectious Coryza” has been adopted for it. In studies of the etiology of the disease, which are presented elsewhere (1934 (1936), a hemophilic bacillus was found to be the primary etiological factor. The same or a very closely related organism has also been incriminated . . .
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin: The Protein

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT), alternately referred to as alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor or alpha-1 protease inhibitor, is a member of the serine protease inhibitor (serpin) superfamily comprised of alpha-1 antichymotrypsin, C1 inhibitor, antithrombin, neuroserpin, and others (Stoller and Aboussouan, Am J Respir Crit Care Med 185:246–259, 2012; Ekeowa et al., Clin Sci (Lond) 116:837–850, 2009). AAT is considered the major anti-elastase of the lower respiratory tract based on its unsurpassed ability to inhibit the serine protease, neutrophil elastase (Perlmutter and Pierce, Am J Physiol 257:L147–62, 1989; Gadek et al., J Clin Investig 68:889–898, 1981). In addition to its antiprotease activity, AAT has likewise been shown to have other biological effects, including the ability to modulate both inflammation and apoptosis (Petrache et al., Am J Pathol 169:1155–1166, 2006; Janciauskiene et al., Respir Med 105:1129–1139, 2011). Mutant forms of AAT play a well-documented role in disease pathogenesis: misfolding of AAT protein, accumulation of misfolded protein polymers, and an associated decrease in secreted, functional monomers are known to cause clinical dysfunction and disease through both gain-of-function and loss-of-function mechanisms and are collectively known as “AAT deficiency.” In this section, we review the protein’s history, structural composition, regulation, and functional characteristics.
Hidden in the mist no more: physical force in cell biology.

To drive its migration through a fibrillar matrix—and thus to spread, invade or metastasize—a cancer cell must exert physical forces. The first visualization of these forces in three dimensions reveals surprising migration dynamics.
The Multisensory Temporal Binding Window: Perceptual Fusion, Training, and Autism

The process of integrating information across sensory modalities is highly dependent upon the temporal coincidence of the inputs. Audiovisual information is integrated within a range of temporal offsets, known as the temporal binding window (TBW), which varies between individuals. Three particular findings relating to TBW have led us to a novel approach to address sensory integration impairments in children with autism. The first is that autistic children have an atypically wide TBW, as measured through manipulations of audiovisual illusions. Second, an individual's TBW is related to their ability to perceptually fuse audiovisual inputs, particularly as seen in the McGurk effect; the narrower the right TBW, the stronger the McGurk effect. The third finding is that the TBW is plastic. Through perceptual feedback training, our lab showed that individuals' right TBW can be narrowed. These three findings, which we will present, lead to a study of perceptual feedback training in autistic children, who may have...
Nonepithelial Malignancies of the Breast

Breast sarcomas are rare clinical entities. The symptoms are similar to other breast malignancies, and diagnosis depends on conventional triple assessment. However, their biology and prognosis are closer to those of soft tissue sarcomas than to invasive breast cancers. Surgical excision with clear margins is the primary treatment for localized tumors. Lymph node sampling and dissection is not recommended. Adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy should be considered for high-risk patients. Postoperative radiotherapy shows a small survival advantage, and response rates for systemic therapies are poor. Angiosarcomas are the most common sarcomas of the breast. They can be associated with lymphedema or irradiation. Surgery is the primary treatment, and wide negative margins are essential for a long-term cure. The potential for local recurrence and distant metastasis are high. Leiomyosarcoma, liposarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and fibrosarcoma are the other rare sarcoma subtypes in the breast. Primary breast lymphoma is a rare entity that arises from the periductal and perilobular lymphatic tissue and intramammary lymph nodes. The breast is the first major site of manifestations without any evidence of concurrent systemic disease. A painless, mobile, rapidly enlarging mass is a common clinical presentation. Primary breast lymphomas are sensitive to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Surgery is limited to biopsy. The clinical stage and histological subtype are the main prognostic factors. Metastatic involvement of the breast most often originates from the contralateral site. The most common malignancy of the body that metastasizes to the breast is malignant melanoma. Hematological malignancies such as leukemia and lymphoma also frequently occur. Comprehensive screening is necessary to identify the origin of the primary tumor.
Author's Response: RE: Overall Postneonatal Mortality and Rates of SIDS.

In reply to Mage and Donner, there are indeed limitations to the operational 1-year cutoff for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and, in fact, our group has brought forth research challenging age conventions. However, the general Pediatrics readership understands definitions as they are conventionally used, and we did not believe our analysis was compromised by using terms as they are generally understood. Regarding the diagnoses included in the analytic composites, there is room for debate about … E-mail: richard_goldstein{at}dfci.harvard.edu
Longitudinal Linearized Equations and Derivatives

This chapter presents the aerodynamic forces and moment as Taylor series in the variables V , α, and θ. In these series expansions, there are terms for every variable and its time derivatives, except ones that are known to be zero and that can be omitted right from the start for simplicity. The second- and higher-order terms are all negligible for small perturbation motions. The chapter also discusses drag equation coefficients. The parasite drag coefficient can be estimated by wetted-area or drag breakdown methods. The chapter also describes the concept of the induced drag and the span efficiency factor. The rate-of-change of thrust with airspeed depends on the kind of power plant, and the way the throttle is manipulated. Dynamic stability analysis is usually made for constant throttle position, which may mean constant power or constant thrust, depending on the power plant. The derivative is negative for propeller aircraft, representing a decrease of thrust with the increase of speed. It is usually substantially zero for turbojet aircraft, and it may be positive for ramjets.
1 sFlt1 production in human endometrial stromal cells is reversibly regulated during hormone stimulation and withdrawal: Placenta and decidua

Introduction Preeclampsia is a major complication of pregnancy in which the placenta is known to have shallow implantation into the decidua. Studies have implicated sFlt1, a soluble vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor protein, in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia through its ability to bind with VEGF and thereby neutralize its angiogenic functions. The presence of sFlt1 and its action in the endometrium is yet to be determined. We hypothesize that endometrial cells at the maternal–fetal interface may play a role in sFlt1 regulation during pregnancy. In this study, we are seeking to understand the dynamic regulation of sFlt1 production in human endometrial stromal cells (HESC) during reversible decidualization as a result of hormone stimulation and withdrawal. Aim To investigate the regulation of sFlt1 production in primary HESC during in an in vitro model of reversible decidualization that mimics the biphasic differentiation changes that occur during the ovulatory cycle. Methods Primary HESC were isolated and cultured according to published reports. Decidualization of HESC was induced either by adding a cocktail of estrogen, progesterone and cAMP (EPC) or cAMP alone for 4, 8 and 12 days. sFlt levels were assessed by Western blot or ELISA in the culture supernatant. sFlt1 mRNA expression was quantified by real-time RT-PCR. After decidualization, a subset of HESC were exposed to cocktail-free (no EPC) or cAMP free medium for 4, 8, and 12 days to study reversal of decidualization on sFlt1 expression. Results sFlt1 was detected in the culture supernatant of HESC. sFlt1 production decreased in a time-dependent manner during decidualization induced by the EPC cocktail and was totally abrogated after 12 days of treatment. This effect coincided with an increased production of VEGF and prolactin, and cellular morphologic changes characteristic of HESC decidualization. Upon hormonal and cAMP withdrawal, sFlt1 production began to increase in a time-dependent manner in concert with a reversal of decidualization as indicated by morphologic and biochemical criteria (e.g. prolactin and VEGF production). Although estrogen and progesterone are critical players during decidualization, our results indicated that cAMP is the dominant factor which regulates sFlt production. Conclusion HESC synthesize and secrete measurable quantities of sFlt1 that is downregulated during decidualization as a result of increased intracellular cAMP levels. With hormonal and cAMP withdrawal, sFlt1 production was regained, reflecting the plasticity of HESC. These findings may have important implications in diseases such as preeclampsia that involve abnormal decidualization and angiogenesis at the maternal-fetal interface. Studies are underway to understand the precise mechanisms of sFlt1 reduction by cAMP in the endometrium.
The effect of close postoperative follow-up on co-morbidity improvement after bariatric surgery

Abstract Background Patients undergoing gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery require follow-up for efficacy assessment, early detection of postoperative complications, and also for management of co-morbid conditions. Recent literature shows support for improved long-term weight loss with close patient follow-up. However, attrition rates after RYGB have been reported as high as 50%. Objective The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between complete follow-up and improvement or remission of co-morbid conditions at 12 months after surgery. Setting University Hospital, United States. Methods Using the Bariatric Outcomes Longitudinal Database (BOLD) data set, patients with 12-month follow-up after RYGB were identified. Patients with complete follow-up were compared with patients who had missed either or both of their 3- and 6-month visits. Improvement and remission of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were evaluated at 12-month postoperatively. Results 46,381 patients (30.6% of all RYGB patients) were identified that had follow-up with minimum 12-month data. Complete follow-up was recorded for 75.6% of this group with 12-month data. Of the 18,629 patients with type 2 diabetes at baseline, 13,498 (72.4%) and 11,287 (60.6%) had improvement and remission, respectively, at 12 months. Improvement in hypertension and dyslipidemia was noted in 17,808 (62.8%) and 11,602 (55.2%) of patients, while 13,024 (45.9%) and 9119 (43.4%) had hypertension and dyslipidemia remission, respectively. After adjusting for baseline characteristics, complete follow-up in the first year after RYGB was independently associated with a higher rate of improvement or remission of co-morbid conditions. Conclusion Complete postoperative follow-up resulted in a higher rate of co-morbidity improvement and remission compared with incomplete postoperative care. Patients and practices should strive to achieve complete and long-term follow-up after RYGB surgery.
Evolution and Middle Range Theories

To date, organizational theorizing and behavioral science practice have developed largely as two distinct disciplines, with more communication within disciplines than between. This is a problem that has been recognized by a number of theorists and practitioners (e.g., Friedlander and Brown, 1974; Kahn, 1974; Walter-Busch, 1975; Burke, 1976), but none have proposed specific remedies by which the gap between the two disciplines could be bridged.
Role of Hypoxia Induced Factor (HIF-1 alpha) in Pulmonary Hypertension in Sickle Cell Disease

Background. Pulmonary hypertension is a leading cause of mortality in sickle cell disease (SCD), however, the mechanisms leading to the development of pulmonary hypertension remain poorly understood. The pathogenesis of SCD revolves around chronic hypoxia and hypoxic events that are mediated through the upregulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha), a transcriptional factor, that is involved in regulation of several redox sensitive genes including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) and ApoE. The objective of this study was to examine the role of HIF-1 and its target genes in SCD-associated pulmonary lung disease. Methods. In this study, 3 groups of age-matched homo and hemizygous sickle and control C57/Bl6 mice (Jackson Labs) were sacrificed and organs harvested for RNA isolation in Trizol. Using quantitative RT-PCR we assessed the RNA expression of HIF-1 and its target genes, VEGF and PDGF-B from the lungs of homozygous sickle mice and compared these with the C57/BL6 and the hemizygous sickle controls. HPRT was used as the housekeeping gene control. Results. Homozygous sickle mice demonstrated an upregulation of HIF-1 alpha RNA (almost 2.3 fold) compared with the hemizygous sickle and the C57/Bl6 controls. VEGF RNA expression was elevated ~8.3 to 10.9 fold in sickle mice compared to the two control groups. Interestingly there was a down regulation of PDGF-B expression (0.3 fold) in the sickle mice group compared to the control groups. In contrast, expression of all the HIF-related genes tested was down-regulated in the spleens and brains of sickle mice compared with the respective control tissues. Discussion. These findings support the possibility that complex molecular pathways, including dysregulation of HIF pathway, may contribute to the development of pulmonary hypertension in sickle cell disease and underscore role of oxidative stress pathways in the onset of disease pathogenesis.
Asynchronous fate decisions by single cells collectively ensure consistent lineage composition in the mouse blastocyst

Intercellular communication is essential to coordinate the behaviour of individual cells during organismal development. The preimplantation mammalian embryo is a paradigm of tissue self-organization and regulative development; however, the cellular basis of these regulative abilities has not been established. Here we use a quantitative image analysis pipeline to undertake a high-resolution, single-cell level analysis of lineage specification in the inner cell mass (ICM) of the mouse blastocyst. We show that a consistent ratio of epiblast and primitive endoderm lineages is achieved through incremental allocation of cells from a common progenitor pool, and that the lineage composition of the ICM is conserved regardless of its size. Furthermore, timed modulation of the FGF-MAPK pathway shows that individual progenitors commit to either fate asynchronously during blastocyst development. These data indicate that such incremental lineage allocation provides the basis for a tissue size control mechanism that ensures the generation of lineages of appropriate size.
Immunodiagnosis and Laboratory Assessment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

This chapter deals with immunological tests that are useful in the diagnosis and monitoring of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We review the detection and quantification of antibodies against self-antigens (autoantibodies), measurement of complement levels, and the interferon gene expression signature.
AB1135 Allopurinol and the risk of incident peripheral arterial disease in the elderly americans: a u.s. medicare claims data study

Background Recently we found that use of allopurinol, the most commonly used urate-lowering therapy (ULT), was associated with a reduction of the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke, acute manifestations of CAD. Given that both PAD and CAD are manifestations of atherosclerosis and a similarity of disease pathophysiology between them, an obvious question was whether allopurinol use would reduce PAD. To our knowledge, no previous studies have examined whether allopurinol use reduces the risk of PAD. Objectives To examine whether new allopurinol use is independently associated with a reduction of the risk of incident peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in the U.S. elderly. Methods We used the 5% random Medicare sample from 2006–2012 to examine the association of allopurinol use and its duration with risk/hazard of incident PAD, in a retrospective cohort study. Multivariable Cox regression models adjusted for demographics, comorbidity, cardiac medications and cardiac conditions. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Results We identified 26,985 episodes of incident allopurinol use in 25,282 beneficiaries, of which 3,167 allopurinol use episodes (12%) ended in incident PAD. In multivariable-adjusted analyses, allopurinol use was associated with HR of 0.88 (95% CI, 0.81, 0.95) for incident PAD, as was female gender, 0.84 (95% CI, 0.78, 0.90). In a separate multivariable-adjusted model, compared no allopurinol use, longer durations of allopurinol use were associated with lower HR of PAD: 181 days to 2 years, 0.88 (95% CI, 0.79, 0.97) and >2 years, 0.75 (95% CI, 0.63, 0.89). Other factors significantly associated with a higher hazard of PAD were age 75- Conclusions New allopurinol use was independently associated with a lower risk of PAD in the elderly. Longer allopurinol use durations seemed more protective. Mechanisms of protective effect need to be studied in future studies. Disclosure of Interest J. Singh Grant/research support from: Takeda and Savient, Consultant for: Savient, Takeda, Regeneron, Merz, Iroko, Bioiberica, Crealta and Allergan pharmaceuticals, WebMD, UBM LLC and the American College of Rheumatology, J. Cleveland: None declared
Structure of India’s Textile and Apparel Sector

The Indian textile and apparel sector is the second largest employer after agriculture, with more than 33 million persons engaged in it. It contributes 1% to the gross domestic product (GDP), 15% to the total exports and 8% to the total manufacturing output of India, in 2004–2005 (based on calculations from Annual Survey of Industries and Directorate General of Foreign Trade, India). By virtue of being among the earliest established industries in the country and being a major sector responsible for rapid growth of the newly industrialized countries, in addition to the facts and figures listed above, textile industry is very significant for the Indian economy. This industry has a rich history in India, in addition to its dimensions in culture and heritage, so much so that any study on Indian history would be incomplete without a detailed treatment of textile history in India. Textile production has been an integral part of the lives of millions of poor people, including farmers in India, for centuries. In addition, textile production has backward linkages with agriculture and allied activities, at least in the case of natural fibers.
Cherenkov imaging for Total Skin Electron Therapy (TSET)

Total Skin Electron Therapy (TSET) utilizes high-energy electrons to treat cancers on the entire body surface. The otherwise invisible radiation beam can be observed via the optical Cherenkov photons emitted from interaction between the high-energy electron beam and tissue. Using a specialized camera-system, the Cherenkov emission can thus be used to evaluate the dose uniformity on the surface of the patient in real-time. Each patient was also monitored during TSET via in-vivo detectors (IVD) in nine locations. Patients undergoing TSET in various conditions (whole body and half body) were imaged and analyzed, and the viability of the system to provide clinical feedback was established.
The Relationship of Allergens to Sanitation

Allergens are substances that cause the immune system to trigger an act against itself. Normally, this condition occurs when foreign bodies enter the human body. Those involved with sanitation should be aware of how to protect foods against allergens. Allergen infestation frequently occurs through product cross-contamination of an allergen-containing product during manufacture.
Left Main Coronary Artery Diverticulum: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Coronary artery disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, and while most commonly is atherosclerotic, it can present with variable manifestations, both congenital and acquired. One such manifestation is coronary aneurysm, which is a localized dilatation of a coronary artery wall segment to greater than 1.5 times the adjacent normal segments. While a dilated outpouching of a coronary artery has been commonly classified as a coronary aneurysm, a non-dilated outpouching is rare and is referred to as a diverticulum, with only one previous case report in the literature. It is conceivable that other cases of coronary artery diverticulum may have been previously reported as an aneurysm, given the overlapping angiographic appearance. We present a case of a 72-year-old female patient with an incidental finding of left main coronary artery diverticulum on diagnostic coronary angiogram done for preoperative liver transplantation evaluation.
The Hot Winds of Novae

We discuss the physical effects that are important for the formation of the late wind spectra of novae. Nova atmospheres are optically thick, rapidly expanding shells with almost flat density profiles, leading to geometrically very extended atmospheres. We show how the properties of nova spectra can be interpreted in terms of this basic model and discuss some important effects that influence the structure and the emitted spectrum of nova atmospheres, e.g., line blanketing, NLTE effects, and the velocity field. Most of the radiation from hot nova winds is emitted in the spectral range of the EUVE satellite. Therefore, we present predicted EUVE spectra for the later stages of nova outbursts. Observations of novae with EUVE could be used to test our models for the nova outburst.
Prostatic heat treatments.

One of the new treatment regimes available for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) involves heating the prostate. This rapidly evolving technique aims to provide relief to obstructed patients in an outpatient setting with minimal anesthesia. The term “hyperthermia” has become associated with the current trend for heat treatment of the prostate, but it has its origin in the treatment of malignant tissue. Indeed, the initial experience with transrectal microwave probes was gained in treating prostatic cancer. An applicator containing a microwave antenna was developed which could be placed into the rectum and aimed at the prostate. This energy delivery system allowed controlled heating of the prostate to specific temperatures within a confined space. The treatments for prostatic cancer were based on the observation that malignant tissue, but not normal tissue, was susceptible to temperatures of 42°–43.5°C. This temperature range has been adopted by some of the current devices to treat BPH, and the use of the term “hyperthermia” is thus restricted to define those treatments which developed directly from cancer therapy and which heat to <44°C. Hyperthermia treatments for BPH are delivered by microwave antennae placed in the rectum and do not cause tissue necrosis.
Distributed Technology for Global Control

A flexible, ubiquitous, and universal solution for management of distributed dynamic systems will be presented. It allows us to grasp complex systems on a higher than usual, semantic level, penetrating their infrastructures, also creating and modifying them, while establishing local and global dominance over the system organizations and coordinating their behavior in the way needed. The approach may allow the systems to maintain high runtime integrity and automatically recover from indiscriminate damages, preserving global goal orientation and situation awareness in unpredictable and hostile environments.
DECIMAL NUMERALS, INTRODUCTION: REAL NUMBERS

This chapter discusses decimal numerals and real numbers, and describes the construction of a number system that is more extensive than the system of rational numbers. The set of fractional numbers that can be named with terminating decimals is a subset of the set of fractional numbers. The number of decimal places in the decimal numeral of the product of two numbers is the sum of the number of decimal places in the decimal numerals for the two factors. The sum, difference, and product of two numbers, named by terminating decimals, is also a number that has a terminating decimal name. To every fractional number, there corresponds a unique repeating decimal. There is a one-to-one correspondence between the set of fractional numbers and a set of repeating decimal numerals. The set of irrational numbers can be characterized as the set of numbers that can be named by nonrepeating decimals.
Chapter 3 – Chemical Composition and Reactivity

Oceans are the largest reservoirs of reactive organic carbon on the Earth. Most (97%) of the organic carbon in seawater resides in the operationally defined dissolved phase. The separation of the particulate and dissolved phases is most commonly accomplished by the passage of water samples through filters with pore sizes in the range 0.2–1.0 μm. During the past decade, it has become increasingly common to avoid the filtration of open ocean water samples for the separation of the particulate and dissolved phases. Filtration is often omitted because particulate organic carbon (POC) is a small fraction of the total organic carbon and the extra handling and processing of water samples during filtration aboard ship can lead to contamination. Concentrations of organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in unfiltered water samples are referred to as total organic concentrations (TOC, TON, and TOP respectively). Relatively small volumes (milliliters) of seawater are analyzed for these measurements and larger particles are not represented in these samples. Thus, the term “total” is somewhat of a misnomer for these analyses. In this chapter the data gathered on the concentrations and chemical composition of marine DOM includes some samples that were not filtered prior to the analysis. These samples come from the open ocean and the contribution of particulate organic matter (POM) to the reported data is considered to be minimal. In some cases, data for both filtered and unfiltered samples were available and the differences among these samples were often within the error of the measurement.
Effects of Bilirubin Interference in the Roche Kinetic Alkaline Picrate Creatinine Assay.

The interference of bilirubin in kinetic alkaline picrate creatinine assays (Jaffe) has been widely known and described in the literature (1). Many publications describe a negative interference of bilirubin in Jaffe creatinine assays (2, 3). Falsely decreased creatinine results can have far-reaching implications on the treatment of patients. Patients receiving treatment with aminoglycosides or patients subject to imaging procedures are very dependent on accurate creatinine measurements. Measurements of creatinine clearance and estimation of the glomerular filtration rate are also highly dependent on an accurate creatinine measurement. In this study, we observed a trend of falsely increased creatinine values in the presence of increased bilirubin levels, demonstrated by increasing icterus (I) indices. At our institution, we are using the Roche COBAS 6000, creatinine …
Hematopoietic reconstitution of neonatal immunocompetent mice to study conditions with a perinatal window of susceptibility

Efficient hematopoietic reconstitution of wild type mice requires preconditioning. Established experimental protocols exist to transplant hematopoietic stem cells into lethally irradiated or chemically myeloablated adult mice or unirradiated immunodeficient mice. We sought to develop a protocol to reconstitute immuno-replete neonatal mice. We describe irradiation and injection procedures for two-day old mice that lead to efficient long-term reconstitution of primary and secondary lymphoid organs. We demonstrate that the frequencies of lymphoid and myeloid cells in primary and secondary lymphoid organs are indistinguishable from unirradiated uninjected sex- and age-matched control animals by 5 weeks post-reconstitution. Thus, this system will facilitate studies aimed at understanding the developmental and environmental mechanisms that contribute to conditions that have a window of susceptibility during the perinatal period.
Simulation Elective: A Novel Approach to Using Simulation for Learning

Abstract Simulation has been shown to be an effective learning method. However, most undergraduate nursing programs substitute simulation for only 10%-25% of clinical experiences. In an attempt to increase the use of simulation in the undergraduate program, faculty designed an elective course that uses simulation as the primary learning method. This article outlines the faculty struggles, triumphs, and lessons learned as the course evolved over the last eight years.
Abnormal Liver Tests

The burden of chronic liver disease continues to increase in the United States. While there have been major achievements in the treatment of certain chronic liver diseases including chronic viral hepatitis, practicing clinicians routinely encounter patients with elevated liver tests. It is important for clinicians to be able to recognize liver tests that are outside the normal range and proceed with a focused evaluation that is tailored to the clinical presentation.
Nitrogen–phosphorous interactions in young northern hardwoods indicate P limitation: foliar concentrations and resorption in a factorial N by P addition experiment

Resorption, the process of withdrawing foliar nutrients prior to leaf abscission, is one of the most important nutrient conservation mechanisms in trees. Along with foliar nutrient concentrations, foliar resorption can be used to infer nutrient limitation. We collected green and senesced leaves of five species in early successional stands in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. In unmanipulated controls, foliar N:P ratios ranged from 20 to 31 and litter N:P ratios ranged from 19 to 36. These values suggest P limitation, although this forest type has been assumed to be N-limited. Additionally, N:P resorption ratios in control plots were < 1, reflecting proportionately more conservation of P through resorption than N. Four years into a full-factorial N × P fertilization experiment, N and P additions had increased N and P concentrations in leaves; more importantly, P addition reduced N concentration, possibly indicating alleviation of growth limitation by P. Resorption of P was less proficient (indicated by the concentration of an element in leaf litter) with P addition, as expected. Resorption proficiency and efficiency (the proportion of leaf nutrients resorbed) of N increased with P addition, suggesting increased demand for N with alleviation of P limitation. Resorption of P was more proficient and efficient with N addition, consistent with exacerbated P limitation. Temperate forests on glaciated soils are generally thought to be N-limited, but long-term N × P manipulations in this biome are lacking. Our results suggest that decades of anthropogenic N deposition may have tipped the balance to P limitation in these forests.
Pip’s Nightmare and Orlick’s Dream

Great Expectations is notable when compared to Dickens’s other late-period novels—especially Little Dorrit and Our Mutual Friend—for how immaterial and non-elemental the London environment appears. The dirt, mud, smoke, and waste that are such salient, memorable aspects of the city in those texts are here ignored, muted, or only glancingly described, as if Pip’s program of self-fashioning depends upon a kind of willed forgetting of the nature of the place in which it is to happen. In this and other ways, Pip attempts to maintain an untenable divide between the London of his expectations and the elemental swamplands of his origins, which he fears define him both as a social being and as an embodied self. In this essay, I discuss the character of Dolge Orlick as Pip’s ecological nightmare. Orlick stands as a kind of return of the ecological repressed, forcing upon Pip’s awareness, through his strange status as both a separate being and another version of himself, the monsters we create when we attempt to deny our own porous and necessary relationship to the living environment. Orlick represents for Pip the terrifying prospect of what the eco-theorist Stacy Aliamo has termed “transcorporeality”—the idea that the individual person is an open, porous system in an ongoing exchange with the material world that surrounds it. Orlick, I argue, both represents in his person the swamp-like elemental condition Pip struggles to deny and threatens him with the prospect of becoming nothing more than those very elements, an undifferentiated part of that landscape.
Abstract 18772: Impact of Hematoma After Pacemaker Implantation: An Analysis of a Nationwide Database of 77,074 Patients

Introduction: Pocket hematoma is one of the most common complications associated with pacemaker implantation. We sought to identify the incidence of pocket hematoma after a de novo pacemaker implan...