cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mycotic abdominal aortic aneurysm induced by immunotherapy with bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine for malignancy.

Successful surgical treatment of a mycotic abdominal aortic aneurysm infected with Mycobacterium bovis is described. The infecting organism can be traced to an intraneoplastic injection of bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine into a cutaneous malignant melanoma nodule 14 months before aneurysm detection (17 months before operation). Treatment consisted of aneurysm excision, in situ prosthetic graft placement, and antituberculous medications. This patient represents the first reported case of BCG-induced mycotic aortic aneurysm.
Spontaneous histamine release and histamine content in normal subjects and subjects with asthma

Abstract Spontaneous histamine release (SHR) from basophils by simple incubation at 37 °C for 60 minutes and histamine content of basophils were assessed in normal subjects, patients with asthma, and methacholine-sensitive subjects without asthma (NAMS). SHR from basophils of normal subjects did not exceed 10% of the total histamine. A significantly higher SHR was observed in basophils from subjects with asthma than from normal subjects ( p p ++ and Mg ++ ions and appeared to be a slower event than anaphylactic release. The mean histamine content per basophil from normal subjects was 1.48 ± 0.13 pg (mean ± SEM). Basophils from subjects with asthma contained significantly less histamine than basophils from normal subjects ( p
Acetaldehyde inhibition of protein synthesis in isolated rat pancreatic acini

Abstract Exposure of isolated dispersed pancreatic acini to increasing concentrations of ethanol (5 to 500 m m ) or acetaldehyde (0.5 to 100 m m ) produced a progressive inhibition of [ 3 H ] leucine incorporation into both “cellular” (those remaining in the cell) and “secretory” (those released into the medium) proteins. Whereas 500 m m ethanol caused 90–95% inhibition in the synthesis of “cellular” and “secretory” proteins, the concentration of acetaldehyde needed to produce a similar inhibition was found to be 50 m m . All subsequent experiments were performed with 12.5 m m acetaldehyde, a concentration that consistently inhibited acinar protein synthesis by about 50%. The acetaldehyde-mediated inhibition of acinar protein synthesis was partially normalized when this metabolite was removed after 30 min during a 90-min incubation period. In the presence of acetaldehyde, the secretion of 3 H - pulse - labeled proteins , but not amylase, trypsinogen, or chymotrypsinogen, was greatly depressed. Acetaldehyde also caused a marked reduction in [ 3 H ] uridine incorporation into acinar RNA. The entry of [ 3 H ] uridine , [ 3 H ] leucine , and [ 3 H ] aminoisobutyric acid into isolated acini was found to be slightly (15–25%) decreased by acetaldehyde. It is concluded that acetaldehyde exerts a direct toxic effect on isolated dispersed pancreatic acini as evidenced by diminution of both protein and RNA synthesis and decreased secretion of the newly synthesized proteins. This inhibitory effect of acetaldehyde could be partially reversed.
ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF CYSTEINE AND PROTEIN SULFHYDRYLS IN A LINOLEATE EMULSION OXIDIZED BY HEMOGLOBIN

Fifteen amino acids were evaluated for antioxidant activity in a linoleate emulsion oxidized by hemoglobin. Cysteine was the only amino acid with significant antioxidant activity, which was as great as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), or e-tocopherol. Ten proteins containing free or latent sulfhydryl groups were evaluated for antioxidant activity in both native and reduced states. Native proteins, containing few or no measurable sulfhydryl groups, had little or no antioxidant activity. Proteins treated with NaBH4 had greatly increased sulfhydryl groups and antioxidant activity. Treatment of reduced proteins or cysteine with iodoacetic acid (IAA) eliminated both sulfhydryl groups and antioxidant activity. Cysteine and reduced bovine serum albumin had optimum antioxidant activity at pH 8.6.
Seismology: A giant subducting sausage

Earthquake data seem to reveal a huge sausage-shaped slab of material detaching itself from the material subducting as two plates meet beneath the Hindu Kush. This largest-ever 'boudin' could tell us more about what happens when continents collide.
46 EXPOSUBE TO NARCOTICS IN-UTERO: ANALYSES OF SPECIFIC COGNITIVE BEHAVIOR AT 6 AND 12 MONTHS OF AGE

46 EXPOSUBE TO NARCOTICS IN-UTERO: ANALYSES OF SPECIFIC COGNITIVE BEHAVIOR AT 6 AND 12 MONTHS OF AGE
TLR-activated dendritic cells enhance the response of aged naïve CD4 T cells via an IL-6 dependent mechanism

The most effective immunological adjuvants contain microbial products, such as TLR agonists, which bind to conserved pathogen recognition receptors. These activate dendritic cells (DCs) to become highly effective APCs. We assessed whether TLR ligand-treated DCs can enhance the otherwise defective response of aged naive CD4 T cells. In vivo administration of CpG, polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid, and Pam(3)CSK(4) in combination with Ag resulted in the increased expression of costimulatory molecules and MHC class II by DCs, increased serum levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and RANTES, and increased cognate CD4 T cell responses in young and aged mice. We show that, in vitro, preactivation of DCs by TLR ligands makes them more efficient APCs for aged naive CD4 T cells. After T-DC interaction, there are enhanced production of inflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-6, and greater expansion of the aged T cells, resulting from increased proliferation and greater effector survival with increased levels of Bcl-2. TLR preactivation of both bone marrow-derived and ex vivo DCs improved responses. IL-6 produced by the activated DCs during cognate T cell interaction was necessary for enhanced aged CD4 T cell expansion and survival. These studies suggest that some age-associated immune defects may be overcome by targeted activation of APCs by TLR ligands.
Motivating Complex Dependence Structures in Data Mining: A Case Study with Anomaly Detection in Climate

While data mining aims to identify hidden knowledge from massive and high dimensional datasets, the importance of dependence structure among time, space, and between different variables is less emphasized. Analogous to the use of probability density functions in modeling individual variables, it is now possible to characterize the complete dependence space mathematically through the application of copulas. By adopting copulas, the multivariate joint probability distribution can be constructed without constraint to specific types of marginal distributions. Some common assumptions, like normality and independence between variables, can also be relieved. This study provides fundamental introduction and illustration of dependence structure, aimed at the potential applicability of copulas in general data mining. The case study in hydro-climatic anomaly detection shows that the frequency of multivariate anomalies is affected by the dependence level between variables. The appropriate multivariate thresholds can be determined through a copula-based approach.
New African Writing and the Question of Audience

Postcolonial novels that tend to become popularly acclaimed in Western Europe and North America share a number of features: they are predomi- nantly written by women; they are presented from the perspectives of culturally innocent or marginal protagonists; they thematize the emotional consequences of familial or public upheavals; and they are not too long but, if they are, they compensate by being thematically, formally, or linguisti- cally unadventurous. This is the primary context of reception of much con- temporary African writing, and it is not surprising that new works of fiction by African writers feed into this typology. The novel remains about the most inclusive of literary forms, but a certain kind of novel has become so dominant today as to be viewed as the gold standard, especially when this is measured by popular or critical success. This paper discusses these fea- tures in relation to three issues: the structure of the prose form, especially the novel; the external factors of economics and symbolic capital; and the politics of postcolonial stories. The paper argues that the process of cultural politics through which symbolic capital is reproduced in postcolonial sto- ries is a function of what writers perceive to be the market of their works. By reading against the grain of Allah Is Not Obliged (Ahmadou Kourouma) and Purple Hibiscus (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie), the paper suggests that con- temporary African writing remains fraught with a paradox, the productive foreignness of a sensibility that is estranged from its own interests.
The functional equivalence of demineralized bone and tooth matrices in ectopic bone induction.

The objective of this study was to determine whether demineralized rat incisor matrices were a more potent inducer of ectopic endochondral bone formation than demineralized diaphyseal bone matrices derived from the same donors. Twenty-five-milligram disks of demineralized bone or tooth matrix obtained from adolescent Long-Evans rats were implanted in a standardized ectopic site. Biochemical and histometric measurements of bone formation revealed that the two matrices were functionally equivalent inducers of endochondral bone formation. The induced pellicle of bone reached a maturation point 18 days after implantation. Dentin matrix implants generated a significantly greater amount of mineralized tissue than did bone matrix implants. This difference could be explained on the basis of remineralization of the dentin particles to a greater degree than the bone matrix particles. Initial observations suggesting a more robust osteoinductive activity in demineralized incisor matrix can be attributed to the decreasing activity of bone matrix from older donors when compared to younger donors. The extent of osteoinduction by the two substrata was equivalent when the matrices were matched for age. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Leading-edge receptivity to free-stream disturbance waves for hypersonic flow over a parabola

The receptivity of hypersonic boundary layers to free-stream disturbances, which is the process of environmental disturbances initially entering the boundary layers and generating disturbance waves, is altered considerably by the presence of bow shocks in hypersonic flow fields. This paper presents a numerical simulation study of the generation of boundary layer disturbance waves due to free-stream waves, for a two-dimensional Mach 15 viscous flow over a parabola. Both steady and unsteady flow solutions of the receptivity problem are obtained by computing the full Navier–Stokes equations using a high-order-accurate shock-fitting finite difference scheme. The effects of bow-shock/free-stream-sound interactions on the receptivity process are accurately taken into account by treating the shock as a discontinuity surface, governed by the Rankine-Hugoniot relations. The results show that the disturbance waves generated and developed in the hypersonic boundary layer contain both first-, second-, and third-mode waves. A parametric study is carried out on the receptivity characteristics for different free-stream waves, frequencies, nose bluntness characterized by Strouhal numbers, Reynolds numbers, Mach numbers, and wall cooling. In this paper, the hypersonic boundary-layer receptivity is characterized by a receptivity parameter defined as the ratio of the maximum induced wave amplitude in the first-mode-dominated region to the amplitude of the free-stream forcing wave. It is found that the receptivity parameter decreases when the forcing frequency or nose bluntness increase. The results also show that the generation of boundary layer waves is mainly due to the interaction of the boundary layer with the acoustic wave field behind the bow shock, rather than interactions with the entropy and vorticity wave fields.
Exact equations for radiative transfer of energy and momentum in free electromagnetic fields

Abstract In a recent paper a new theory of radiative energy transfer in free electromagnetic fields was formulated. The basic quantities in this theory are the so-called angular components of the average electromagnetic energy density and of the average Poynting vector. In the present paper it is shown that these angular components obey differential equations that may be considered to be rigorous equations for the radiative transfer of energy and of momentum in free electromagnetic fields.
Isotretinoin and oral contraceptive use in female acne patients varies by physician specialty: analysis of data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey.

Abstract Objective: To determine whether oral contraceptives (OCPs) are underutilized in the treatment of acne in women of reproductive age, how use of OCPs compares with use of isotretinoin and whether adequate use and documentation of OCPs is occurring with isotretinoin. Material and methods: The National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) was analyzed over the years 1993–2008 for isotretinoin and OCP use in females aged 12–55 with acne. Results: Isotretinoin was prescribed more often than OCPs at both first visits (4.7% vs. 3.3%) and overall visits (13% vs. 2.6%) for acne. Documentation of OCP or other contraceptive use occurred only 4.1% of the time overall in patients treated with isotretinoin. Specialties varied in both OCP use for acne and contraceptive use with isotretinoin, with ob/gyn specialists most likely to prescribe OCPs and isotretinoin and to report contraceptive use in patients using isotretinoin, and dermatologists least likely to prescribe OCPs. Conclusions: The findings of the cur...
220: Quality of Life in Adult Survivors Greater Than 10 Years Post Pediatric Heart Transplantation: A Pilot Study

primary cardiac diagnosis were all unrelated to social circumstances. There was no evidence for increased rejection episodes in ‘high risk’ families: N 36, follow up time 112 patient-years, incidence rate 0.09 (CI 0.04-0.17) episodes per patient per year. In the low risk group: N 42, follow up time 125 patient-years, the incidence rate was 0.17 (CI 0.19-0.28). There was also no increased risk of late rejection: incidence rate high-risk group 0.06 (CI 0.03-0.14) and low risk group 0.02 (CI 0.01-0.08). Conclusions: In an NHS context, adverse family social circumstances noted at the time of cardiac transplant may be mitigated by family, psychosocial and medical interventions. Therefore these were not associated with rejection episodes. This included patients who were assessed for transplant under pressure during mechanical circulatory support.
Comment on “Controlling long-term signaling: Receptor dynamics determine attenuation and refractory behavior of the TGF-β pathway”—Smad2/3 activity does not predict the dynamics of transcription

The transforming growth factor–β (TGF-β) pathway plays a fundamental role in development and disease. Despite its importance, the dynamics of signaling activity downstream of ligand stimulation have remained largely unexplored. The recent study by Vizan et al . demonstrates that loss of signaling-capable receptors from the cell surface leads to a refractory period during which cells are incapable of responding to additional signals. In this letter and in our previous work, we show that although receptor dynamics determine Smad2/3 activity, signaling activity at the level of transcription terminates far earlier in a receptor- and Smad2/3-independent manner. Thus, Smad2/3 activity does not reveal the dynamics of transcription, and downstream measures must be examined directly.
Interferometric adaptive optics for high-power laser pointing and wavefront control and phasing

Implementing the capability to perform fast ignition experiments, as well as, radiography experiments on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) places stringent requirements on the control of each of the beam's pointing and overall wavefront quality. One quad of the NIF beams, four beam pairs, will be utilized for these experiments and hydrodynamic and particle-in-cell simulations indicate that for the fast ignition experiments, these beams will be required to deliver 50% (4.0 kJ) of their total energy (7.96 kJ) within a 40-µm-diam spot at the end of a fast ignition cone target. This requirement implies a stringent pointing and overall phase conjugation error budget on the adaptive optics system used to correct these beam lines. The overall encircled energy requirement is more readily met by phasing of the beams in pairs but still requires high Strehl ratios and root-mean-square tip/tilt errors of approximately 1 µrad. To accomplish this task we have designed an interferometric adaptive optics system capable of beam pointing, high Strehl ratio, and beam phasing with a single pixilated microelectromechanical systems deformable mirror and interferometric wavefront sensor. We present the design of a testbed used to evaluate the performance of this wavefront sensor along with simulations of its expected performance level.
Weed species shifts in glyphosate-resistant crops

The adoption of glyphosate-based crop production systems has been one of the most important revolutions in the history of agriculture. Changes in weed communities owing to species that do not respond to current glyphosate-based management tactics are rapidly increasing. Clearly, glyphosate-resistant crops (GRCs) do not influence weeds any more than non-transgenic crops. For most crops, the trait itself is essentially benign in the environment. Rather, the weed control tactics imposed by growers create the ecological selection pressure that ultimately changes the weed communities. This is seen in the adoption of conservation tillage and weed management programs that focus on one herbicide mode of action and have hastened several important weed population shifts. Tillage (disturbance) is one of the primary factors that affect changes in weed communities. The intense selection pressure from herbicide use will result in the evolution of herbicide-resistant weed biotypes or shifts in the relative prominence of one weed species in the weed community. Changes in weed communities are inevitable and an intrinsic consequence of growing crops over time. The glyphosate-based weed management tactics used in GRCs impose the selection pressure that supports weed population shifts. Examples of weed population shifts in GRCs include common waterhemp [Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq ex DC) JD Sauer], horseweed (Conyza canadensis L), giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida L) and other relatively new weed problems. Growers have handled these weed population shifts with varying success depending on the crop.
ELECTRIC IMPEDANCE OF ASTERIAS EGGS

The alternating current resistance and capacity of suspensions of unfertilized eggs of Asterias forbesi have been measured at frequencies from one thousand to sixteen million cycles per second. The plasma membrane of the egg has a static capacity of 1.10microf/cm.(2) which is practically independent of frequency. The suspensions show a capacity dependent on frequency at low frequencies which may be attributable to surface conductance. The specific resistance of the cytoplasm is between 136 and 225 ohm cm. (4 to 7 times sea water), indicating a relatively high concentration of non-electrolytes. At frequencies above one million cycles there is definite evidence of another element of which the nucleus is presumably a part.
Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry: a Fundamental Shift in the Routine Practice of Clinical Microbiology

SUMMARY Within the past decade, clinical microbiology laboratories experienced revolutionary changes in the way in which microorganisms are identified, moving away from slow, traditional microbial identification algorithms toward rapid molecular methods and mass spectrometry (MS). Historically, MS was clinically utilized as a high-complexity method adapted for protein-centered analysis of samples in chemistry and hematology laboratories. Today, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight (MALDI-TOF) MS is adapted for use in microbiology laboratories, where it serves as a paradigm-shifting, rapid, and robust method for accurate microbial identification. Multiple instrument platforms, marketed by well-established manufacturers, are beginning to displace automated phenotypic identification instruments and in some cases genetic sequence-based identification practices. This review summarizes the current position of MALDI-TOF MS in clinical research and in diagnostic clinical microbiology laboratories and serves as a primer to examine the “nuts and bolts” of MALDI-TOF MS, highlighting research associated with sample preparation, spectral analysis, and accuracy. Currently available MALDI-TOF MS hardware and software platforms that support the use of MALDI-TOF with direct and precultured specimens and integration of the technology into the laboratory workflow are also discussed. Finally, this review closes with a prospective view of the future of MALDI-TOF MS in the clinical microbiology laboratory to accelerate diagnosis and microbial identification to improve patient care.
Texture and distribution of pectic substances of mango as affected by infusion of pectinmethylesterase and calcium

Fresh cut mangos were infused with pectinesterase (PME) and calcium chloride, and the effect on textural properties, distribution of pectic substance and degree of esterification was determined. Temperature gradient infusion with PME and/or calcium chloride increased gumminess and chewiness, but had no impact on hardness and adhesiveness. The distribution of pectic substances, as protopectin or alkaline soluble pectin, was approximately twice that of water- or chelator-soluble pectin. The degree of esterification of water- and chelator-soluble pectic substances was near 50-60%, and less than 10%, respectively. Heat-sensitive PME inhibitor in mango was detected. The initial hardness of Kent mango was variable, and differences in distribution of pectic substances were observed. Texture of Kent mango is most likely moderated by changes in the solubility of insoluble pectin or by non-pectin components in the cell wall.  2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Serum estradiol in women ingesting combination oral contraceptive steroids

Abstract The effect of combination oral steroid contraceptives upon serum estradiol levels was studied in 3 groups of women. Daily blood samples were obtained from 3 women for one control and 2 treatment cycles. Follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and progesterone were also measured in these samples. In addition, estradiol levels alone were obtained daily and randomly in women who had been receiving long-term hormonal contraceptive therapy. In nearly all women receiving steroid contraceptives, endogenous estradiol levels were low, usually in the 20 to 80 pg. per milliliter range, similar to levels found in the early follicular phase of ovulatory cycles and greater than levels in postmenopausal women. The exogenous estrogen component of the hormonal contraceptives together with this level of endogenous estradiol production should be sufficient to prevent any deleterious effects associated with estrogen deficiency. The finding that estradiol levels remain low in the first cycle of therapy is consistent with previous studies which indicate that one of the mechanisms of action of hormonal contraceptives is a direct effect upon the ovary.
A high energy density lithium/sulfur–oxygen hybrid battery

Abstract In this paper we introduce a lithium/sulfur–oxygen (Li/S–O 2 ) hybrid cell that is able to operate either in an air or in an environment without air. In the cell, the cathode is a sulfur–carbon composite electrode containing appropriate amount of sulfur. In the air, the cathode first functions as an air electrode that catalyzes the reduction of oxygen into lithium peroxide (Li 2 O 2 ). Upon the end of oxygen reduction, sulfur starts to discharge like a normal Li/S cell. In the absence of oxygen or air, sulfur alone serves as the active cathode material. That is, sulfur is first reduced to form a soluble polysulfide (Li 2 S x , x ≥ 4) that subsequently discharges into Li 2 S through a series of disproportionations and reductions. In general, the Li/S–O 2 hybrid cell presents two distinct discharge voltage plateaus, i.e., one at ∼2.7 V attributing to the reduction of oxygen and the other one at ∼2.3 V attributing to the reduction of sulfur. Since the final discharge products of oxygen and sulfur are insoluble in the organic electrolyte, it is shown that the overall specific capacity of Li/S–O 2 hybrid cell is determined by the carbon composite electrode, and that the specific capacity varies with the discharge current rate and electrode composition. In this work, we show that a composite electrode composed by weight of 70% M-30 activated carbon, 22% sulfur and 8% polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) has a specific capacity of 857 mAh g −1 vs. M-30 activated carbon at 0.2 mA cm −2 in comparison with 650 mAh g −1 of the control electrode consisting of 92% M-30 and 8% PTFE. In addition, the self-discharge of the Li/S–O 2 hybrid cell is expected to be substantially lower when compared with the Li/S cell since oxygen can easily oxidize the soluble polysulfide into insoluble sulfur.
The role of multiple modeling perspectives in students' learning of exponential growth.

The exponential is among the most important family functions in mathematics; the foundation for the solution of linear differential equations, linear difference equations, and stochastic processes. However there is little research and superficial agreement on how the concepts of exponential growth are learned and/or should be taught initially. In order to investigate these issues, I preformed a teaching experiment with two high school students, which focused on building understandings of exponential growth leading up to the (nonlinear) logistic differential equation model. In this paper, I highlight some of the ways of thinking used by participants in this teaching experiment. From these results I discuss how mathematicians using exponential growth routinely make use of multiple --- sometimes contradictory --- ways of thinking, as well as the danger that these multiple ways of thinking are not being made distinct to students.
Landfill Gas: A Fuel for IC Engine Applications

Landfill gases and biogases are low Btu gases which were, until recently, underutilized. However interest on the utilization of these gases for energy production has been increasing due to environment concerns and global warming caused by burning fossil fuels, energy security concerns and renewable nature of these gases. The main portion of landfill gas or biogas is comprised of methane and carbon dioxide with some other gases in small proportions. Release of methane directly to the atmosphere causes about 21 times global warming effects than carbon dioxide. Thus landfill gas is flared often, where the energy recovery is not economically viable in practice. Using landfill gas to generate energy encourages more efficient collection reducing emissions into the atmosphere and generates revenues for the operators. However the use of landfill gases for electricity generation is not perceived as an attractive option because of some disadvantages. Thus it becomes necessary to address disadvantages involved by studying the landfill gases in a technological perspective and motivate the utilization of the landfill gas for the future energy needs. This paper discussed landfill gas as a fuel for a spark ignition engine to produce power in an effective way and effects of additions of a small quantity of hydrogen in the fuel mixtures. The effect of the composition changes in landfill gases on the performance of the engine is also presented.© 2007 ASME
Effect on Flat Surface Postural Stability following Extended Durations on a Pitched Roof Setting

A total of 8, 786 fatal work injuries were reported in 2001, one half of these fatal fall incidents were a result of falls from a pitched roof setting, as indicated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated nearly 4,000 serious injuries were associated with industry related falls from roofs in 2001. Previous roofing construction related research has focused on the changes on postural sway velocity as a result of decrements in one or more of the three major systems associated with balance (somatosensory, vestibular, and visual). Purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of exposure to a pitched roof setting on postural stability. All subjects who volunteered as participants (n=20; males,) were tested under three conditions: ten, twenty and thirty minute duration on a 12 × 15' pitched roof segment to determine if there was a difference in sway velocity following various exposure durations. Data were collected over four, ten-second trials, under eyes open and eyes ...
Secondary school English education in Asia: from policy to practice

Secondary School English Education in Asia describes Asian countries’ efforts in upgrading their English educational policies in curricula, materials development, teacher education, technological d...
Control factors to increase cementing quality of challenging wells.

This paper presents geological characteristics of challenging wells and their cementing failure types. Subjective and objective factors affecting cementing quality of challenging wells were summarized from system engineering viewpoint, and potential influence of drilling fluid and deficiencies produced by conventional slurry design are analyzed also. Based on above studies and according to requirements such as system constitution of cementing job, subsystem software and hardware of quality control, and obligation, supervise and technique integration of cementing engineering system, control factors to increase cementing quality of challenging wells are discussed in full scale. Basic requirements of scientific cementing for challenging wells are proposed, and the key problems should be studied in the future are put forward also.
A Clinical Scoring System for Distinguishing Patients With Coincident Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Among Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Background: Coincident carpal and cubital tunnel syndromes present a diagnostic challenge, exacerbated by the limitations of nerve conduction study (NCS) for confirming cubital tunnel syndrome. This study develops a diagnostic scoring system, the Koh-Benhaim (KB) score, to identify patients with coincident compression neuropathies. Methods: A retrospective review of 515 patients was performed from patients surgically treated for carpal and/or cubital tunnel release. These patients were divided as patients with isolated carpal tunnel syndrome (n = 337) or coincident carpal and cubital tunnel syndromes (n = 178), then characterized according to demographics, medical history, physical examination, and NCS results. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression identified predictors of coincident neuropathy. A clinical score was constructed by integerizing regression coefficients of predictive factors. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated for each iteration of the score. Sensitivities, specificities, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated to identify the best cutoff value. Results: Decreased intrinsic muscle strength, decreased ulnar sensation, positive elbow flexion test, positive cubital tunnel Tinel's sign, and abnormal NCS result were selected. The cutoff value for high risk of coincident compression was 3 points: positive predictive value, 82.9% and specificity, 93.4%. Model performance was very good-ROC area under the curve of 0.917. Conclusions: A KB score of 3 or greater represents high risk of coincident cubital tunnel compression. The variables involved are routinely used to assess the cubital tunnel, and all component factors of the KB score were of equivalent clinical weight in assessing patients with potential coincident compression neuropathy.
AIDS is the Past: Rumors of a New STI in the Age of AIDS Normalization

In 2008 rumors of a new sexually transmitted disease called mphutsi emerged and quickly died away in Malawi. Though short-lived, stories of mphutsi shed light on evolving attitudes about AIDS in a time when drug treatment is more widely available than ever. In contrast to HIV, which is hidden by a prolonged incubation period and then obscured with medicine, mphutsi provokes both a sense of terror and relief. The ability to easily diagnosis the disease and identify categories of diseased or at risk groups is a rarity in a society where one of the most deadly diseases is generalized and obscured from view. The chapter also confirms the notion put forth by some that HIV/AIDS has been established as a fact of life, a new norm to which societies have adjusted. Furthermore, mphutsi rumors reflect a continuing uneasiness about changes in womens mobility and sexuality as impacted by modernity and outside forces. On one level mphutsi tales function as indictments of mobile women who are seen as voracious sexual aggressors spreading a disease that literally eats a man to death. At the same time, they indicate womens vulnerability.
Illuminant effect on the coverage error of a gingiva-colored composite resin shade guide

Abstract Statement of problem Dental clinicians face challenges when selecting the proper gingiva-colored composite resin. Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the coverage error (CE) of a gingiva-colored dental composite resin shade guide with regard to the optical characteristics of the attached gingiva of a selected population under 2 different illuminants: Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) illuminants A and D65. Material and methods The spectral reflectance (SR) values of 12 shade tabs of a gingiva-colored composite resin (Amaris gingiva) were measured at 3 different locations without a backing by using a spectroradiometer and an external light source at wavelengths of 380 to 780 nm at 2-nm intervals. All SR measurements were made using 0-degree observer and 45-degree illumination, with target size 1.1 mm in diameter. The attached gingiva (AG) of 120 participants was measured with the same protocol. CIELab values were calculated from the spectral reflectance values. CEs of the attached gingiva for each of the 120 participants for each of the shade tabs and the 2 illuminants and their combination were determined and averaged. The CIEDE2000 color differences were analyzed by a repeated measures ANOVA (using the maximum likelihood estimation method and the Satterthwaite degrees of freedom method) (α=.001). Results The CIEDE2000 color difference for each person's gingiva to the closest match in color to the shade guide was determined separately for CIE illuminants A and D65. CE was calculated as the averages of these color differences and was found to be 4.0 for CIE illuminant D65 and 5.8 for CIE illuminant A. Conclusions The tested gingiva-colored shade guide had different CEs under illuminant D65 than under illuminant A and exhibited metamerism. ΔE for both illuminants was greater than the clinically acceptable range reported in the literature.
Assessment of Positive and Negative Affect as a Result of Thoughts and Real-life Experiences

Cognitive behaviour therapists have argued that certain types of maladaptive thoughts cause affective distress and psychological problems faced by the individuals. The paper reports on a scale which assesses the degree to which peoples' thoughts and real-life experiences cause negative affect and positive affect (the THARL Scale). The Scale has been found to be a reliable and valid instrument.
Effect of customer demand in a self-paced mass customization assembly line on worker posture and recovery time: An observation study

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate worker posture, hand activity level (HAL), and recovery time on workers of a hospital kitchen with an asynchronous indexing assembly line during periods of differ...
Membrane patches as ion channel probes for scanning ion conductance microscopy

We describe dual-barrel ion channel probes (ICPs), which consist of an open barrel and a barrel with a membrane patch directly excised from a donor cell. When incorporated with scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM), the open barrel (SICM barrel) serves to measure the distance-dependent ion current for non-invasive imaging and positioning of the probe in the same fashion of traditional SICM. The second barrel with the membrane patch supports ion channels of interest and was used to investigate ion channel activities. To demonstrate robust probe control with the dual-barrel ICP-SICM probe and verify that the two barrels are independently addressable, current–distance characteristics (approach curves) were obtained with the SICM barrel and simultaneous, current–time (I–T) traces were recorded with the ICP barrel. To study the influence that the distance between ligand-gated ion channels (i.e., large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels/BK channels) and the ligand source (i.e., Ca2+ source) has on channel activations, ion channel activities were recorded at two fixed probe–substrate distances (Dps) with the ICP barrel. The two fixed positions were determined from approach curves acquired with the SICM barrel. One position was defined as the “In-control” position, where the probe was in close proximity to the ligand source; the second position was defined as the “Far” position, where the probe was retracted far away from the ligand source. Our results confirm that channel activities increased dramatically with respect to both open channel probability and single channel current when the probe was near the ligand source, as opposed to when the probe was far away from the ligand source.
Process induced alignment of gold nano-rods (GNRs) in thermoplastic polymer composites with tailored optical properties

Abstract Manipulation of the electronic and optical properties of plasmonic nanomaterials offers unique and exciting opportunities for several fields including opto-electronics, bio-medical engineering and photovoltaics. In particular, gold nanorods (GNR) represent a class of plasmonic nanomaterials that provide tunable optical properties from the visible to the near infrared regime. Herein, we have developed a highly effective method to prepare polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) doped with GNR additives utilizing extrusion and injection molding. A key outcome is that the process is amenable to scalable manufacturing and can produce highly reproducible PNCs with excellent optical properties. The resultant PNCs display good particle dispersion, minimal aggregation and a high retention of the optical properties as confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The nano-additives are incorporated into different thermoplastics to demonstrate the versatility of this method for different matrices and to demonstrate stability over the extrusion processing temperature range (235–335 °C). Furthermore, the tractability of this method is demonstrated by incorporating GNRs with different morphologies (aspect ratio, stabilizing layer, etc.). Finally, partial flow-induced alignment is demonstrated, the degree of which is modulated by the length and monodispersity of the GNR nano-additive. Ultimately, we report an optimized methodology to produce high quality GNR-PNCs with tailorable optical properties that can be adapted for scalable manufacturing.
Pause-dependent polymorphic ventricular tachycardia during long-term treatment with dofetilide: A placebo-controlled, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator-based evaluation

OBJECTIVES To compare the incidence of pause-dependent polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PVT) in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) randomly assigned to the QT-prolonging antiarrhythmic dofetilide or placebo. BACKGROUND Drug-related torsade de pointes (TdP) is usually recognized within days of initiating therapy, but its incidence during long-term therapy is unknown. METHODS We assessed the frequency of TdP and ICD electrograms compatible with TdP in a multicenter study that randomized ICD patients to placebo (n = 87) or dofetilide (n = 87). As reported elsewhere, the number of patients with a primary trial end point (ICD intervention for VT or ventricular fibrillation) was similar in the two groups. For this analysis, a qualifying event was TdP (on electrocardiogram) or an intracardiac electrogram showing pause-dependent PVT. RESULTS A total of 620 electrograms obtained in 131 patients were analyzed blindly by prospectively defined criteria for episodes of pause-dependent polymorphic VT. These were identified in 15/87 (17%) patients receiving dofetilide and 5/87 (6%) patients on placebo (p < 0.05). Five of these episodes were early (<3 days), all of which were TdP on dofetilide. There were 15 late events, 10 on dofetilide and five on placebo (p = 0.29). The median time to a late event was 22 days (range 6 to 107 days) for dofetilide and 99 days (range 34 to 207 days) for placebo. CONCLUSIONS Pause-dependent PVT was more common among patients receiving dofetilide, although total VT incidence was similar in the two groups. These data suggest that in ICD patients either long-term dofetilide therapy is associated with an increased risk of TdP or the drug alters VT morphology.
A Year of Bad Choices

Teen dating violence (TDV) is a significant social justice issue. The prevention of TDV requires interventions across ecological systems levels including the macro-level. The media has been implica...
Synthetic IR scene validation for smart hardware-in-the-loop simulations

This paper discusses several practical considerations regarding the fidelity validation of synthetically generated and displayed infrared scenery used for smart hardware-in-the-loop (SHWIL) and man-in-the-loop simulations. Ongoing work of this type at an Orlando based aerospace company has raised technical issues which may contribute to the broader DIS "fidelity validation" program. Issues concerning the documentation of existing FLIR imagery, and their utility for fidelity comparisons to synthetic imagery are discussed. Outlined is a generic, necessarily incomplete (or open ended) scheme for IR image validation, with respect to both human and smart machine participants. Discussed are both model based, and statistically based analysis methods— with an eye on maintaining flexibility in evolving stronger fidelity validation tools over the lifetime of the project. The paper closes with recommendations on a management perspective for ongoing man-machine-in-the-loop imagery validation drawing on a dialectically motivated fact/value/practice perspective.
Abstract 5709: Variation in Merlin expression and its prognostic significance in malignant pleural mesothelioma

Introduction: Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive cancer with overall survival (OS) of about 8 months. Prognostic biomarkers allowing for biology-driven individualized therapies are lacking in MPM. Alterations in a tumor suppressor gene NF-2 are seen in 20-40% of MPM. NF-2 encodes for Merlin, which suppresses tumorigenesis by regulating pathways like mTOR and Hippo. Merlin status had been proposed as a predictive biomarker for treatment with the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) inhibitor. The purpose of our study is to examine differences in Merlin expression among histologic subtypes of MPM and its prognostic impact on clinical outcome. Materials and Method: 48 cases of MPM from 1993-2013 with available archival tissues were identified. H/E stained sections were reviewed by a pathologist and categorized into 3 histologic subtypes, namely epithelioid (E), sarcomatoid (S) and biphasic (B). Immunohisochemistry-based Merlin expression score from 0 to 3 were given to the samples, accounting for both intensity and frequency of staining. Chart review was performed to obtain clinical data. Kruskal-Wallis Test was used to compare mean Merlin scores, and Logrank test was used to compare OS between low Merlin (LM, Results: Mean age of patients was 66.75 years (HM 64.58, LM 68.92). Other demographic profile (HM%, LM%) included male sex 89.5% (51, 49), current or past smokers 66.6% (47, 53), current or past Asbestos exposure 71% (35, 65), resectable disease 89% (51, 49), stages 3 or 4 disease 64% (56, 44), and 85% (56, 44) received surgery. Mean Merlin scores among 3 histologic types were different (Mean, Std. Dev: B 2.25, 0.48; E 2.74, 0.54; S 2.56, 0.53; p= 0.0037). Mean Merlin score of E component was significantly higher than that of S component within B MPM (E 2.75, 0.45; S 1.75, 0.68; p Conclusion: Merlin expression level is different among E, S and B MPMs. Moreover, it is significantly lower in S component of B MPM than S. Its prognostic ability appears to be confounded by the association with age in our cohort. A larger study is needed to further explore the prognostic impact of this biomarker. Citation Format: Ajay Dhakal, Saraswati Pokharel, Katy Wang, Todd Demmy, Chukwumere E. Nwogu, Sai S. Yendamuri, Grace Dy. Variation in Merlin expression and its prognostic significance in malignant pleural mesothelioma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5709. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-5709
Ectopy on a Single 12-Lead ECG, Incident Cardiac Myopathy, and Death in the Community

Background Atrial fibrillation and heart failure are 2 of the most common diseases, yet ready means to identify individuals at risk are lacking. The 12‐lead ECG is one of the most accessible tests in medicine. Our objective was to determine whether a premature atrial contraction observed on a standard 12‐lead ECG would predict atrial fibrillation and mortality and whether a premature ventricular contraction would predict heart failure and mortality. Methods and Results We utilized the CHS (Cardiovascular Health) Study, which followed 5577 participants for a median of 12 years, as the primary cohort. The ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study), the replication cohort, captured data from 15 792 participants over a median of 22 years. In the CHS, multivariable analyses revealed that a baseline 12‐lead ECG premature atrial contraction predicted a 60% increased risk of atrial fibrillation (hazard ratio, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.3–2.0; P P =0.021). In the negative control analyses, neither predicted incident myocardial infarction. A premature atrial contraction was associated with a 30% increased risk of death (hazard ratio, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1–1.5; P =0.008) and a premature ventricular contraction was associated with a 20% increased risk of death (hazard ratio, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.0–1.3; P =0.044). Similarly statistically significant results for each analysis were also observed in ARIC. Conclusions Based on a single standard ECG, a premature atrial contraction predicted incident atrial fibrillation and death and a premature ventricular contraction predicted incident heart failure and death, suggesting that this commonly used test may predict future disease.
Deriving and measuring DNS-based fingerprints

Abstract In this paper, we study a new privacy risk, namely DNS-based Fingerprints, introduced by passively collected DNS traffic. We intend to derive behavioral fingerprints from DNS traces, where each behavioral fingerprint targets at uniquely identifying its corresponding user and being immune to the change of time. The derived fingerprints have strong privacy implications such as de-anonymizing the DNS traces and tracking users’ locations across different networks. We have proposed a set of new patterns, which collectively form behavioral fingerprints by characterizing a user’s DNS activities through three different perspectives including the domain name, the inter-domain relationship, and domains’ temporal behavior. We have performed extensive evaluation based on a large volume of DNS queries collected from a large campus network across three weeks. The experimental results have demonstrated that the proposed DNS-based fingerprints can accomplish high accuracy on revealing network users’ presence in a new DNS stream based on their fingerprint patterns derived from a historical DNS stream. We also experimentally explored the correlation between users’ general network activities and their DNS-based fingerprints.