cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiple Poisonings with Sodium Azide at a Local Restaurant

Abstract Background Sodium azide is a chemical with a mechanism similar to cyanide. There is concern that it could be used as a chemical warfare agent. Objectives We report a cluster of poisonings that occurred at a public restaurant and the subsequent investigation that identified iced tea contaminated with sodium azide (NaN 3 ) and hydrazoic acid, as the foodborne vehicle and agents, respectively. Case Report Five patients became ill within minutes of drinking iced tea at a restaurant. They all presented to the same Emergency Department with similar symptoms, and improved with fluids, antiemetics, and supportive care. A joint investigation by the Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services, the Texas State Health Department, the Dallas County Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences, and the medical toxicologists at the University of Texas Southwestern School of Medicine identified iced tea, contaminated with sodium azide (NaN 3 ) and hydrazoic acid, as the foodborne vehicle and agents, respectively. Conclusion The recurrence, and seriousness, of these events suggests a need for continued education of emergency providers. Emergency physicians should consider exposures to toxic chemicals in their differential when a cluster of patients presents with similar symptoms over a short period of time.
Slope activity in Gale crater, Mars

Abstract High-resolution repeat imaging of Aeolis Mons, the central mound in Gale crater, reveals active slope processes within tens of kilometers of the Curiosity rover. At one location near the base of northeastern Aeolis Mons, dozens of transient narrow lineae were observed, resembling features (Recurring Slope Lineae) that are potentially due to liquid water. However, the lineae faded and have not recurred in subsequent Mars years. Other small-scale slope activity is common, but has different spatial and temporal characteristics. We have not identified confirmed RSL, which Rummel et al. (Rummel, J.D. et al. [2014]. Astrobiology 14, 887–968) recommended be treated as potential special regions for planetary protection. Repeat images acquired as Curiosity approaches the base of Aeolis Mons could detect changes due to active slope processes, which could enable the rover to examine recently exposed material.
A Linear Programming Approach to the Cutting-Stock Problem

The cutting-stock problem is the problem of filling an order at minimum cost for specified numbers of lengths of material to be cut from given stock lengths of given cost. When expressed as an integer programming problem the large number of variables involved generally makes computation infeasible. This same difficulty persists when only an approximate solution is being sought by linear programming. In this paper, a technique is described for overcoming the difficulty in the linear programming formulation of the problem. The technique enables one to compute always with a matrix which has no more columns than it has rows.
HIERARCHICAL LANGUAGE MODELS FOR EXPERT FINDING IN ENTERPRISE CORPORA

Enterprise corpora contain evidence of what employees work on and therefore can be used to automatically find experts on a given topic. We present a general approach for representing the knowledge of a potential expert as a mixture of language models from associated documents. First we retrieve documents given the expert's name using a generative probabilistic technique and weight the retrieved documents according to expert-specific posterior distribution. Then we model the expert indirectly through the set of associated documents, which allows us to exploit their underlying structure and complex language features. Experiments show that our method has excellent performance on the expert search task of the TREC Enterprise track and that it effectively collects and combines evidence for expertise in a heterogeneous collection.
Reflections on Recruiting, Supporting, Retaining, Graduating, and Obtaining Employment for Doctoral Students From Diverse Backgrounds

In this article, the authors provide a summary of the current techniques being used to recruit, retain, and support a diverse range of scholars, including students with disabilities, in a doctoral program. The manuscript provides a summary of the current need for leadership personnel who are scholars with knowledge in special education, general education content, research, and advanced technologies, while staying true to the mission of our field to serve students with disabilities and their families. This article provides the current success of this doctoral program in preparing scholars for higher education, the techniques used to build and support a very diverse population of scholars, and case-based examples. In addition, lessons learned over a decade are provided to inform the field of special education about recruiting, retaining, preparing, and employing doctoral-level scholars in special education who are ready to enter the profession with a balance related to innovation and preparation of highly q...
Computational modeling of pedunculopontine nucleus deep brain stimulation.

Objective. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) near the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) has been posited to improve medication-intractable gait and balance problems in patients with Parkinson’s disease. However, clinical studies evaluating this DBS target have not demonstrated consistent therapeutic effects, with several studies reporting the emergence of paresthesia and oculomotor side effects. The spatial and pathway-specific extent to which brainstem regions are modulated during PPN-DBS is not well understood. Approach. Here, we describe two computational models that estimate the direct effects of DBS in the PPN region for human and translational non-human primate (NHP) studies. The three-dimensional models were constructed from segmented histological images from each species, multi-compartment neuron models and inhomogeneous finite element models of the voltage distribution in the brainstem during DBS. Main Results. The computational models predicted that: (1) the majority of PPN neurons are activated with −3 V monopolar cathodic stimulation; (2) surgical targeting errors of as little as 1 mm in both species decrement activation selectivity; (3) specifically, monopolar stimulation in caudal, medial, or anterior PPN activates a significant proportion of the superior cerebellar peduncle (up to 60% in the human model and 90% in the NHP model at −3 V); (4) monopolar stimulation in rostral, lateral or anterior PPN activates a large percentage of medial lemniscus fibers (up to 33% in the human model and 40% in the NHP model at −3 V) and (5) the current clinical cylindrical electrode design is suboptimal for isolating the modulatory effects to PPN neurons. Significance. We show that a DBS lead design with radially-segmented electrodes may yield improved functional outcome for PPN-DBS. (Some figures may appear in colour only in the online journal)
Characteristics of a genetic polymorphism for reproductive photoresponsiveness in the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus).

Wild populations of Peromyscus are often composed of individuals that vary greatly in their reproductive response to photoperiod. A population of white-footed mice (P. leucopus) from Michigan (43 degrees N) was subjected to mass selection in the laboratory both for and against reproductive photoresponsiveness for four generations. The first generation of selection yielded one line of mice in which about 80% of the individuals were classified as reproductively photoresponsive (i.e., with undeveloped reproductive tracts when reared in short days, 8L: 16D) and another in which only about 20% were reproductively photoresponsive. Some and perhaps most of this difference was accounted for by changes in degree of responsiveness to photoperiod rather than by alterations in the proportion of discrete responsive vs. unresponsive phenotypes. Alteration of critical day length was not a factor. Three more generations of selection failed to change the proportions noted above significantly. Although the genetic control of reproductive photoresponsiveness is undoubtedly complex, a single variable locus may be responsible for much of the heritable variation present in this population. These results also suggest that natural populations contain genetically determined phenotypes that are intermediate between absolutely photoresponsive and absolutely unresponsive. The factors that might promote maintenance of heterogeneity of reproductive photoresponsiveness in a wild population of rodents are considered.
Classic or new monopsony? Searching for evidence in nursing labor markets.

The market for registered nurses (RNs) is often offered as an example of “classic” monopsony, while a “new” monopsony literature emphasizes that firm labor supply is upward sloping independent of market structure. Using data from multiple sources, we explore the relationship between nursing wages in hospitals and measures of classic and new monopsony. Wage level analysis fails to provide support for classic monopsony, the relative wages of RNs in 240 U.S. labor markets being largely uncorrelated with hospital system concentration. Longitudinal analysis shows nursing wages declining with increases in hospital concentration. We interpret these results as providing support for classic monopsony effects in the short run, but question whether wage effects are sustained in the long run. No relationship is found between nursing wages and a new monopsony measure of mobility, but support for new monopsony is found for women elsewhere in the labor market. RNs display greater interemployer mobility than do women (or men) in general. Two conclusions follow. First, upward sloping labor supply need not imply monopsonistic outcomes. Second, absent more compelling evidence, nursing should not be held up as a prototypical example of monopsony—classic or new.
White matter predictors of cognitive functioning in older adults

Few studies have applied multiple imaging modalities to examine cognitive correlates of white matter. We examined the utility of T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) -derived white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and diffusion tensor imaging-derived fractional anisotropy (FA) to predict cognitive functioning among older adults. Quantitative MRI and neuropsychological evaluations were performed in 112 older participants from an ongoing study of the genetics of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in African Americans. Regional WMH volumes and FA were measured in multiple regions of interest. We examined the association of regional WMH and an FA summary score with cognitive test performance. Differences in WMH and FA were compared across diagnostic groups (i.e., normal controls, mild cognitive impairment, and probable AD). Increased WMH volume in frontal lobes was associated with poorer delayed memory performance. FA did not emerge as a significant predictor of cognition. White matter hyperintensity volume in the frontal and parietal lobes was increased in MCI participants and more so in AD patients relative to controls. These results highlight the importance of regionally distributed small vessel cerebrovascular disease in memory performance and AD among African American older adults. White matter microstructural changes, quantified with diffusion tensor imaging, appear to play a lesser role in our sample.
Bone reconstruction in revision total knee arthroplasty

There are approximately 20,000-revision total knee arthroplasties (TKA) performed in North America annually. With a growing number of TKAs being performed and the trend toward a longer life expectancy, failure of the primary TKA is inevitable, thus, revision TKAs are going to be performed at an increasing rate for years to come. A major issue in revision TKA is the degree of bone loss that has occurred. In this article the authors discuss the different classification schemes regarding bone loss and their impact on subsequent treatment modalities. A discussion on assessment of bone loss and the multiple techniques, along with indications for each, that can be employed intraoperatively to account for the bone loss will enable the surgeon to undergo the challenge of bone reconstruction in a stepwise fashion. The article provides advantages and disadvantages to each technique as well as a review of the current literature. Bone deficiency from component removal, osteolysis, or gap balancing can prove to be a significant problem in revision TKA. With careful planning, appropriate judgment, and good surgical technique, good results can be achieved.
Duodenal variceal bleeding successfully treated with endoscopic banding (with video)

1. Desilets DJ, Dy RM, Ku PM, et al. Endoscopic management of tumors of the major duodenal papilla: refined techniques to improve outcome and avoid complications. Gastrointest Endosc 2001;54:202-8. 2. Rumalla A, Baron TH, Wang KK, et al. Endoscopic application of photodynamic therapy for cholangiocarcinoma. Gastrointest Endosc 2001;53: 500-4. 3. Eswaran SL, Sanders M, Bernadino KP, et al. Success and complications of endoscopic removal of giant duodenal and ampullary polyps: a comparative series. Gastrointest Endosc 2006;64925-32. d
2,3-Diphenyl-1,4-Naphthoquinone: A Potential Chemotherapeutic Agent Against Trypanosoma cruzi

Abstract Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is a widespread infection in Latin America. Currently, only 2 partially effective and highly toxic drugs, i.e., benznidazole and nifurtimox, are available for the treatment of this disease, and several efforts are underway in the search for better chemotherapeutic agents. Here, we have determined the trypanocidal activity of 2,3-diphenyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (DPNQ), a novel quinone derivative. In vitro, DPNQ was highly cytotoxic at a low, micromolar concentration (LD50 = 2.5 μM) against epimastigote, cell-derived trypomastigote, and intracellular amastigote forms of T. cruzi, but not against mammalian cells (LD50 = 130 μM). In vivo studies on the murine model of Chagas disease revealed that DPNQ-treated animals (3 doses of 10 mg/kg/day) showed a significant delay in parasitemia peak and higher (up to 60%) survival rate 70 days post-infection, when compared with the control group (infected, untreated). We also observed a 2-fold decrease in parasitemia bet...
Airway Disease in Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency

Although less well appreciated than pulmonary emphysema, inflammation of the airways is an early and important finding in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD). The spectrum of clinical presentations of airways disease includes cough and wheezing that is frequently diagnosed as asthma. Study of the airways inflammation in sputum or the proximal airways usually reveals neutrophilic inflammation. Although there is significant phenotypic variation, tubular airways dilation consistent with bronchiectasis is a common finding in areas of panlobular emphysema in severely deficient AATD. Other phenotypes of varicose and saccular bronchiectasis have been described. Since AAT may impact the course of bacterial, mycobacterial and viral clearance, future studies of the airway microbiota will inform whether airway pathogens are responsible for some pulmonary AATD phenotypes. Whether airways disease improves with AAT augmentation therapy remains unknown.
Human Development and Foreign Direct Investment in Developing Countries: The Influence of FDI Policy and Corruption

Summary While policymakers place great importance on foreign direct investment (FDI) in advancing development in developing countries, the links between FDI, economic development, and human development remain tenuous. We attempt to better understand these relationships by looking at the influence of FDI policy and corruption on these relationships. We find that FDI inflows are more strongly positively related to improvement in human development when FDI policy restricts foreign investors from entering some economic sectors and when it discriminates against foreign investors relative to domestic investors. The relationship between FDI and improvement in human development is also more strongly positive when corruption is low.
The Role of Water Vapor Feedback in Unperturbed Climate Variability and Global Warming

To understand the role of water vapor feedback in unperturbed surface temperature variability, a version of the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory coupled ocean‐atmosphere model is integrated for 1000 yr in two configurations, one with water vapor feedback and one without. For all spatial scales, the model with water vapor feedback has more low-frequency (timescale $ 2 yr) surface temperature variability than the one without. Thus water vapor feedback is positive in the context of the model’s unperturbed variability. In addition, water vapor feedback is more effective the longer the timescale of the surface temperature anomaly and the larger its spatial scale. To understand the role of water vapor feedback in global warming, two 500-yr integrations were also performed in which CO2 was doubled in both model configurations. The final surface global warming in the model with water vapor feedback is 3.388C, while in the one without it is only 1.058C. However, the model’s water vapor feedback has a larger impact on surface warming in response to a doubling of CO2 than it does on internally generated, low-frequency, global-mean surface temperature anomalies. Water vapor feedback’s strength therefore depends on the type of temperature anomaly it affects. The authors found that the degree to which a surface temperature anomaly penetrates into the troposphere is a critical factor in determining the effectiveness of its associated water vapor feedback. The more the anomaly penetrates, the stronger the feedback. It is also shown that the apparent impact of water vapor feedback is altered by other feedback mechanisms, such as albedo and cloud feedback. The sensitivity of the results to this fact is examined. Finally, the authors compare the local and global-mean surface temperature time series from both unperturbed variability experiments to the observed record. The experiment without water vapor feedback does not have enough global-scale variability to reproduce the magnitude of the variability in the observed global-mean record, whether or not one removes the warming trend observed over the past century. In contrast, the amount of variability in the experiment with water vapor feedback is comparable to that of the global-mean record, provided the observed warming trend is removed. Thus, the authors are unable to simulate the observed levels of variability without water vapor feedback.
Beta-receptor-adenylate cyclase coupling in hypoxic neonatal rat ventricular myocytes.

This study investigated the influence of hypoxia on alterations in the beta-adrenergic receptor-adenylate cyclase system. Cultured neonatal rat ventricular myocytes were subjected to normoxia (incubator PO2 135-145 mmHg) or hypoxia (incubator PO2 0-14 mmHg) and, in crude membrane preparations, beta-receptor binding properties were measured with [125I]iodocyanopindolol and adenylate cyclase activity by radioimmunoassay. Hypoxia of 30 min in duration caused no alteration in beta-receptor density (Bmax 75 +/- 11 vs. 71 +/- 12 fmol/mg protein) but increased adenylate cyclase activity under basal conditions and during stimulation with l-isoproterenol, 5'-guanylimidotriphosphate [Gpp(NH)p] 5 X 10(-5) M, NaF 10(-4) M, and forskolin 10(-4) M. For example, isoproterenol 10(-5) M + guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP) 5 X 10(-5) M gave 221 +/- 34 vs. 143 +/- 11 pmol.min-1.mg protein-1, P less than 0.05 hypoxia vs. normoxia. After 60 min of hypoxia, adenylate cyclase activity was no longer increased. Hypoxia of 120-150 min duration increased Bmax by 64% (73 +/- 8 to 120 +/- 11 fmol/mg protein, P less than 0.05 vs. normoxia) but decreased adenylate cyclase activity during stimulation with isoproterenol, NaF 10(-4) M, and forskolin 10(-4) M. For example, isoproterenol 10(-5) M + GTP 5 X 10(-5) M gave 107 +/- 12 vs. 148 +/- 11 pmol.min-1.mg protein-1, P less than 0.05 hypoxia vs. normoxia. Reoxygenation for 15 min following 120-150 min of hypoxia reversed the increased beta-receptor numbers and decreased adenylate cyclase activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Sustainable chemistry: Putting carbon dioxide to work

Carbon dioxide is an abundant resource, but difficult for industry to use effectively. A simple reaction might allow it to be used to make commercial products more sustainably than with current processes. See Letter p.215 The idea that the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide might be used as a source of feedstock chemicals is attractive but usually impractical — although it reacts readily with carbon-centred nucleophiles, generating the nucleophiles requires a high energy input. But now, inspired by the RuBisCO enzyme which catalyses carbon fixation in plants, Aanindeeta Banerjee et al. demonstrate that molten salts containing alkali metals at intermediate temperatures enable efficient carbonate-promoted carboxylation of very weakly acidic C–H bonds. The potential of this chemistry was illustrated by converting 2-furoic acid (readily made from inedible biomass) into the useful bio-based feedstock furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid.
A Neural Basis for Control of Cichlid Female Reproductive Behavior by Prostaglandin F2α

In most species, females time reproduction to coincide with fertility. Thus, identifying factors that signal fertility to the brain can provide access to neural circuits that control sexual behaviors. In vertebrates, levels of key signaling molecules rise at the time of fertility to prime the brain for reproductive behavior [1-11], but how and where they regulate neural circuits is not known [12, 13]. Specifically, 17α,20β-dihydroxyprogesterone (DHP) and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) levels rise in teleost fish around the time of ovulation [10, 14, 15]. In an African cichlid fish, Astatotilapia burtoni, fertile females select a mate and perform a stereotyped spawning routine, offering quantifiable behavioral outputs of neural circuits. We show that, within minutes, PGF2α injection activates a naturalistic pattern of sexual behavior in female A. burtoni. We also identify cells in the brain that transduce the prostaglandin signal to mate and show that the gonadal steroid DHP modulates mRNA levels of the putative receptor for PGF2α (Ptgfr). We use CRISPR/Cas9 to generate the first targeted gene mutation in A. burtoni and show that Ptgfr is necessary for the initiation of sexual behavior, uncoupling sexual behavior from reproductive status. Our findings are consistent with a model in which PGF2α communicates fertility status via Ptgfr to circuits in the brain that drive female sexual behavior. Our targeted genome modification in a cichlid fish shows that dissection of gene function can reveal basic control mechanisms for behaviors in this large family of species with diverse and fascinating social systems [16, 17].
Occurrence of Precipitation Zones in Mixtures of Serum and Sodium Desoxycholate; Significance in Pneumococcolysis.

SummaryTurbidity and flocculation developed in 2% horse serum broth containing concentrations of sodium desoxycholate between 1.2 and 2.4 mg per ml at a pH of 7.3 and cleared on the addition of an excess of sodium desoxycholate. Apparent failures of lysis of serum broth cultures of pneumococci were due to the occurrence of such turbidity because no bacteria were found in these mixtures.
Synopsis of Forest Management Plans of North America

Abstract In this book, we have collected 48 case studies of forest plans from throughout North America. We believe this is the most comprehensive set of forest planning case studies gathered using a common template. We are very grateful for the effort that many people (authors, editors, and support staff) put into preparing these chapters describing their approach to forest planning, especially since they were constrained by our timeline and our common template for all of the examples. The landowners were selected through outreach to professional organizations, calls to management organizations and to forestry consultants, and contacts within our personal networks. While perhaps not a representative sample of all potential management plans, we believe that these describe the range of management plans being created in the North American region. In other words, we employed a case study approach rather than a particular statistical design to sample these examples from the larger population of all forest management organizations in the region. Therefore, it is important for one to avoid making strong and significant inferences about the larger population of all forest plans in North America. As a result, this synthesis is limited to the case studies included in the text. The properties described in this book have a tremendous range of size, from 58 acres (ac) to 17 million ac (23 hectares (ha) to 6.8 million ha). They represent a variety of ownership types such as family forests, municipal forests, city and county forests, state forests, public and private university research forests, urban forests, federally managed forests, tribal forests, and large publicly traded corporate forests. Vertically integrated companies were once very numerous in the United States, but now they are a rare organizational structure, mainly due to changes in the U.S. tax codes over the last two decades. The two examples of this organizational structure included are the Pike Lumber Company ( Chapter 4 ) and the Green Diamond Resource Company ( Chapter 35 ).
Extractable collagen in the fracture callus of normal and aminoacetonitrile-treated rats.

SummaryA great increase in amount of extractable collagen was observed in the fracture callus of AAN-treated mature rats in relation to a control group of animals. Also, some increase of extractabl...
The impact of nipple reconstruction on patient satisfaction in breast reconstruction.

BACKGROUND Nipple reconstruction is an integral part of the breast reconstruction process, as patients associate this stage with closure while providing a sense of completeness. This study evaluates the effect of nipple reconstruction on patient satisfaction with breast reconstruction. METHODS All patients at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center undergoing breast reconstruction between 1999 and 2006 were identified. Patient demographics and complications were collected retrospectively while aesthetic and general satisfaction was evaluated by an administered survey. Patients with nipple reconstruction at the time of survey were compared to patients without nipple reconstruction. RESULTS Nine hundred two breast reconstructions were performed in 696 patients; 490 patients underwent nipple reconstruction and 206 did not. Autologous reconstruction predominated in patients with and without nipple reconstruction (61.8% and 54.8%, respectively). There were no significant differences in individual and overall total complications between groups. Patients with nipple reconstruction had significantly higher general (72.2% vs 52.8%, P<0.0001) and aesthetic (70.5% vs 46.5%, P<0.0001) satisfaction scores compared to patients without nipple reconstruction. These results were seen in unilateral and bilateral breast reconstruction. Across reconstructive techniques, patients with nipple reconstruction had higher aesthetic satisfaction. Patient satisfaction scores in all individual survey questions were statistically higher in patients with nipple reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS Patients with breast reconstruction who undergo nipple reconstruction have higher general and aesthetic satisfaction compared to breast reconstruction alone. These differences were observed in both unilateral and bilateral reconstruction. Patients should be fully counseled about potential benefits nipple reconstruction can provide to all forms of breast reconstruction.
Heredity of Rh Blood Types.∗ V. Improved Nomenclature; Additional Family Studies with Special Reference to Hr

SummaryNew additions to and further simplifications of the designations of Rh blood types, subtypes and genes are proposed in order to encourage the more general use of the Rh and Hr tests by medical men and geneticists.Investigations on the hereditary transmission of the 8 Rh blood types in 300 families with 620 children yielded results in conformity with the theory of 6 major allelic genes.Studies on the Hr factor; in 81 families with 126 children and on a random series of 645 Caucasians in New York City fully support the theory that factors Rh′ and Hr′ are related to each other genetically and serologically like the agglutinogens M and N.
Glucoside Type of Cerebroside in the Spleen in Gaucher's Disease

ConclusionsThe isolated cerebroside was not the customary kerasin; it contained d-glucose in place of the usual d-galactose component, as proven by fermentation, optical rotation and reducing equiv...
cGMP stimulates sodium and chloride currents in rat tracheal airway epithelia.

To test the hypothesis that guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) regulates ion transport in airway epithelial cells, we measured short-circuit current (I(sc)) and (22)Na+ fluxes in primary c...
Affect Arithmetic Accuracy Problem Investigation and Discussion in C Language

Using the C language programming to be in progress when secretly scheming against often may produce problem because of not paying attention to a type change,when using the division arithmetic magic figure" especially,change,lead to thereby arithmetic result block of wood rightness or insufficient problems of accuracy often because of not paying attention to the arithmetic data type.The problem "affecting arithmetic accuracy's hereinafter right away in C language" makes simple investigation and discussion,hopes that aiding in the beginner is that the horizontal people of Cheng uses C language much better even have one to delimit organizational structure.
CD47 Plays a Role as a Negative Regulator in Inducing Protective Immune Responses to Vaccination against Influenza Virus

ABSTRACT An integrin-associated protein CD47, which is a ligand for the inhibitory receptor signal regulatory protein α, is expressed on B and T cells, as well as on most innate immune cells. However, the roles of CD47 in the immune responses to viral infection or vaccination remain unknown. We investigated the role of CD47 in inducing humoral immune responses after intranasal infection with virus or immunization with influenza virus-like particles (VLPs). Virus infection or vaccination with VLPs containing hemagglutinin from A/PR8/34 influenza virus induced higher levels of antigen-specific IgG2c isotype dominant antibodies in CD47-deficient (CD47KO) mice than in wild-type (WT) mice. CD47KO mice with vaccination showed greater protective efficacy against lethal challenge, as evidenced by no loss in body weight and reduced lung viral titers compared to WT mice. In addition, inflammatory responses which include cytokine production, leukocyte infiltrates, and gamma interferon-producing CD4 + T cells, as well as an anti-inflammatory cytokine (interleukin-10), were reduced in the lungs of vaccinated CD47KO mice after challenge with influenza virus. Analysis of lymphocytes indicated that GL7 + germinal center B cells were induced at higher levels in the draining lymph nodes of CD47KO mice compared to those in WT mice. Notably, CD47KO mice exhibited significant increases in the numbers of antigen-specific memory B cells in spleens and plasma cells in bone marrow despite their lower levels of background IgG antibodies. These results suggest that CD47 plays a role as a negative regulator in inducing protective immune responses to influenza vaccination. IMPORTANCE Molecular mechanisms that control B cell activation to produce protective antibodies upon viral vaccination remain poorly understood. The CD47 molecule is known to be a ligand for the inhibitory receptor signal regulatory protein α and expressed on the surfaces of most immune cell types. CD47 was previously demonstrated to play an important role in modulating the migration of monocytes, neutrophils, polymorphonuclear neutrophils, and dendritic cells into the inflamed tissues. The results of this study demonstrate new roles of CD47 in negatively regulating the induction of protective IgG antibodies, germinal center B cells, and plasma cells secreting antigen-specific antibodies, as well as macrophages, upon influenza vaccination and challenge. As a consequence, vaccinated CD47-deficient mice demonstrated better control of influenza viral infection and enhanced protection. This study provides insights into understanding the regulatory functions of CD47 in inducing adaptive immunity to vaccination.
Cytochrome Oxidase of Photosynthetically Grown Rhodopseudomonas Sphaeroides

Sasaki et al. (1) concluded that the oxidase of anaerobically grown Rps. sphaeroides was of type “o” based on the carbon monoxide difference spectrum of dithionite reduced membranes and on similarities to the oxidase of Rps. palustris. However, no evidence for carbon monoxide sensitivity of the oxidase activity or action spectra for photo-relief of CO inhibition were presented. We find that the major CO-sensitive cytochrome has a midpoint potential too low to be an oxidase, and that cytochrome oxidase activity is insensitive to or only slightly inhibited by CO.
Propositional Attitude Ascription: Philosophical Aspects

Philosophers are concerned to formulate a semantic analysis of propositional attitude ascriptions primarily because such sentences provide at least apparent counterexamples to an otherwise well-supported principle of semantic compositionality. Philosophers have proposed conservative and radical strategies of response to these apparent counterexamples. Conservative strategies, which are further divided into semantic and pragmatic responses, attempt to preserve semantic compositionality by explaining away the counterexamples. In contrast, radical strategies accept the counterexamples, and reject semantic compositionality.
RESULTS ON RICHTMYER – MESHKOV INSTABILITIES IN CONDENSED FLUIDS (1)

We report experimental and theoretical results on the motion of a shock-accelerated, perturbed interface between liquids of different densities. The growth of the impulsively-driven perturbations, known as a Richtmyer-Meshkov instability, is observed in our calculation using the hydrodynamics code PETRA. Our experiments examine the evolution of a shock wave as it passes from a high-density fluid, through a rippled interface, into a lower-density fluid. We observe that the shock front remains planar but the flow in the shock-compressed, lower-density fluid is complex. The complex flow is dominated by coherent structures having the same spatial period as the rippled interface. In a related experiment, we produced a rippled shock front in the higher-density fluid and observed that the interface remains specular after the passage of the rippled shock.
Abstract 1406: Analysis of immune responses as a consequence of androgen deprivation therapy in patients with biochemical progression of prostate cancer

We evaluated the immune responses in 28 patients enrolled in a phase II trial at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The aim was to investigate the effects of 3 months of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with goserelin on the immune responses in patients with biochemical progression of prostate cancer following local definitive therapy. PBMC and sera were collected before treatment and after 3 months. We performed flow cytometry to evaluate the frequencies of subsets of CD4 + and CD8 + T-cells, regulatory T-cells (CD4 + CD25 hi CD127 − FoxP3 + ), MDSCs and CD4 and CD8 recent thymic emigrants. CD4 T-cell proliferation and NK-cell lytic activity were evaluated. Serum samples were analyzed for cytokines, sCD27 and sCD40L. The baseline characteristics were: median age 64 years, testosterone 361 ng/dl, PSA 2.2 ng/ml, PSA-doubling time 7.0 months, and Gleason score 7. After 3 months of ADT we found no significant changes in NK-cell function or frequencies of NK subsets. CD4 + T-cell proliferation decreased slightly. The number of CD4 + effector memory T-cells decreased, but other CD4 subsets were unchanged. The frequencies of CD4 and CD8 recent thymic emigrants did not change. Regulatory T-cells (including the CTLA4 + subset), and the effector:Treg ratio did not change. In contrast, the frequency of granulocytic MDSC decreased (P In conclusion, three months of ADT with goserelin did not alter the immune response in a way that would decrease the likelihood of successful immunotherapy after this treatment. The decreased MDSC and the increased sCD27:sCD40L ratio could indicate a more favorable immune environment. Citation Format: Caroline Jochems, Ravi A. Madan, Romaine I. Fernando, James L. Gulley, Kwong Y. Tsang, Jeffrey Schlom. Analysis of immune responses as a consequence of androgen deprivation therapy in patients with biochemical progression of prostate cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 1406.
The Universe of Protein Folds

When I was applying for graduate school, a crystallographer lent me her copy of Jane Richardson’s 1971 article, “Protein Anatomy.” And thus began, as it has for many scientists, an ongoing fascination with the ways that protein chains fold. Her article is a perfect combination of art and science, bringing to life a complex but endlessly intriguing subject. The paper marks a cornerstone moment in the study of protein structure—the time when enough structures of different proteins had been solved to start developing an understanding of the general principles that are involved in folding a random, tangled chain into a beautifully ordered, functional protein.
Novel Total Synthesis of Anserinone A and B

ABSTRACTAnserinones A and B are natural products that have been shown to have potential anticancer, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. This work entails the novel synthesis of these natural products.
The efficiency of ministries in transposing EU directives: Evidence from Ireland:

Studies on how the European Union’s (EU) directives are transposed by national governments have consistently concluded that bureaucratic efficiency of member-states is a crucial determinant of timely transposition. These studies usually focus on the bureaucracy as a whole and utilize static aggregate measures of efficiency. They do not examine how differences in management performance among ministries impact transposition outcomes. This study advances our insight by disaggregating the features of the bureaucracy and examining whether differences in ministries’ decentralization, leadership, past experience with timely transposition, and budgetary allocations explain how bureaucratic processes impacts effective transposition. An original dataset focusing on transposition of EU directives by Ireland is constructed and applied to the problem. Quantitative analysis, informed by original field research, reveals that significant differences in performance can exist among a member state’s ministries. Ministerial ...
New Stochastic Geometry-Based Analysis of Uplink Massive MIMO in Asymptotic Antenna Regime

In this work, we analyze the uplink performance of a massive multiple input multiple output network with asymptotically large number of antennas at the base stations. Following the usual approach, we first derive the characteristic function of interference and use the classical Gil-Palaez inversion theorem to obtain the coverage probability expression. However, since the resulting expression does not assume an efficient computational form, we propose our alternate approach that is based on approximate statistical characterization of interference by capturing the exact interference contribution from the dominant interferer and mean of the interference power from the rest of the interferers. Using this approximate but fairly accurate interference distribution, we derive the expressions for coverage probability and user spectral efficiency. These expressions are not only simpler to evaluate compared to other existing methods in literature, but also provide more accurate results in this line of work, which is validated through Monte Carlo simulations. One of the main outcomes of our analysis is that complete channel inversion based power control is not beneficial in terms of both ergodic spectral efficiency and outage spectral efficiency of a typical user.
Adapting to challenge: Examining older adult transportation in rural communities

Abstract Rural and small communities in the United States are home to a higher proportion of older adults (those aged 65 and older) than urban or suburban areas. This proportion is expected to grow over the next decade. Public transportation can play an important role in meeting the mobility needs of older adults, but transportation providers face significant challenges serving older adults in these settings. Using a set of case studies, the authors explore strategies that providers use to try to address these challenges and increase older adult transit use. These strategies include the use of flexible services, partnerships, and individualized outreach. Local context is important to service provision in small communities. Providers report generally positive results, yet most assessment rests on anecdotal evidence. There is a need for better data to determine whether older adult mobility needs are being effectively served.
Phytochemicals reduce aflatoxin-induced toxicity in chicken embryos.

ABSTRACT Aflatoxins (AF) are toxic metabolites produced by molds, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, which frequently contaminate poultry feed ingredients. Ingestion of AF-contaminated feed by chickens leads to deleterious effects, including decreased bird performance and reduced egg production. Moreover, AF residues in fertilized eggs result in huge economic losses by decreasing embryo viability and hatchability. This study investigated the efficacy of 2 generally recognized as safe phytochemicals, namely carvacrol (CR) and trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC), in protecting chicken embryos from AF-induced toxicity. Day-old embryonated eggs were injected with 50 ng or 75 ng AF with or without 0.1% CR or TC, followed by incubation in an incubator for 18 d. Relative embryo weight, yolk sac weight, tibia weight, tibia length, and mortality were recorded on d 18 of incubation. The effect of phytochemicals and methanol (diluent) on embryo viability was also determined. Each experiment had ten treatments with 15 eggs/treatment (n = 150 eggs/experiment) and each experiment was replicated 3 times. Both phytochemicals significantly decreased AF-induced toxicity in chicken embryos. At 75 ng of AF/egg, CR and TC increased the survival of chicken embryo by ∼55%. Moreover, CR and TC increased relative embryo weight by ∼3.3% and 17% when compared to eggs injected with 50 ng or 75 ng AF, respectively. The growth of embryos (tibia length and weight) was improved in phytochemical-treated embryos compared to those injected with AF alone (P 0.05). Results from this study demonstrate that CR and TC could reduce AF-induced toxicity in chicken embryos; however, additional studies are warranted to delineate the mechanistic basis behind this effect.
The Media Commons: Globalization and Environmental Discourses, by Patrick D. Murphy

There is hardly a topic that is more important and yet underresearched than the ways in which media—as their own agenda setters and, at least as often, the agenda setters on behalf of powerful self...
Classical and Quantum Probability and Set Theory

I have been trying to make quantum logical models of the physical world in the way McCulloch and Pitts [1] and von Neumann [2] made classical logical models of nervous systems. As a result my ideas about quantum logic and about the physical world have undergone a process of mutual adaptation.
A 150V novel high-voltage LDMOS in a 0.18um BCD plug-in process

The feature of this BCD180 process is flexible to plug-in varied high voltage devices based on fundamental 1.8V/5V BCD process, and we present the plug-in LDMOS reach to 150V operation voltage in this paper.
Severe Psychiatric Disorder in Dialysis—Transplant Patients

Chronic hemodialysis and renal transplantation have become increasingly common modes of treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This increase has led to many reports about the psychological impact of these highly stressful treatment modalities. Abram and Buchanan1 reviewed seven studies of transplantation patients, and found a wide range and a varying incidence of psychiatric syndromes. Penn and co-workers2 reported that 32% of their 292 renal transplant patients had “significant psychopathology.” Anxiety, depression, and delirium were the more common diagnoses in their population, of whom seven attempted suicide (2.3%). In a more recent study, Blazer et al.3 found a 4.2% incidence of affective psychoses in 215 transplant patients, but did not report on any other psychiatric syndromes.
Uncovering New Opportunities from Frequency Regulation Markets with Dynamic Optimization and Pyomo.DAE

Abstract Real-time energy pricing has caused a paradigm shift for process operations with flexibility becoming a critical driver of economics. As such, incorporating real-time pricing into planning and scheduling optimization formulations has received much attention over the past two decades (Zhang and Grossman, 2016). These formulations, however, focus on 1-hour or longer time discretizations and neglect process dynamics. Recent analysis of historical price data from the California electricity market (CAISO) reveals that a majority of economic opportunities come from fast market layers, i.e., real-time energy market and ancillary services (Dowling et al., 2017). We present a dynamic optimization framework to quantify the revenue opportunities of chemical manufacturing systems providing frequency regulation (FR). Recent analysis of first order systems finds that slow process dynamics naturally dampen high frequency harmonics in FR signals (Dowling and Zavala, 2017). As a consequence, traditional chemical processes with long time constants may be able to provide fast flexibility without disrupting product quality, performance of downstream unit operations, etc. This study quantifies the ability of a distillation system to provide sufficient dynamic flexibility to adjust energy demands every 4 seconds in response to market signals. Using a detailed differential algebraic equation (DAE) model (Hahn and Edgar, 2002) and historic data from the Texas electricity market (ECROT), we estimate revenue opportunities for different column designs. We implement our model using the algebraic modeling language Pyomo (Hart et al., 2011) and its dynamic optimization extension Pyomo.DAE (Nicholson et al., 2017). These software packages enable rapid development of complex optimization models using high-level modelling constructs and provide flexible tools for initializing and discretizing DAE models.
Limits Superior and Inferior of a Sequence

A sequence (an) is said to tend to positive infinity if for any real m there exists a natural N such that if n ≥ N, then an > m.