cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The generalized Backus-Gilbert inversion method for signal recovery in multiresolution spaces

The Backus-Gilbert (BG) method provides a signal recovery algorithm based on the moment information of a signal. In this work, we focus on a class of signals that can be well approximated with a multiresolution model, and propose a generalized BG method for signal recovery. A numerical experiment is given to demonstrate the performance of the generalized BG method. >
Detectable Changes in Physical Performance Measures in Elderly African Americans

Background African American older adults have higher rates of self-reported disability and lower physical performance scores compared with white older adults. Measures of physical performance are used to predict future morbidity and to determine the effect of exercise. Characteristics of performance measures are not known for African American older adults. Objective The purpose of this study was to estimate the standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimal detectable change (MDC) for the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Timed “Up & Go” Test (TUG) time, free gait speed, fast gait speed, and Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) distance in frail African American adults. Design This observational measurement study used a test-retest design. Methods Individuals were tested 2 times over a 1-week period. Demographic data collected included height, weight, number of medications, assistive device use, and Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) scores. Participants then completed the 5 physical performance tests. Results Fifty-two participants (mean age=78 years) completed the study. The average MMSE score was 25 points, and the average body mass index was 29.4 kg/m2. On average, participants took 7 medications, and the majority used assistive devices. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC [2,1]) were greater than .90, except for the SPPB score (ICC=.81). The SEMs were 1.2 points for the SPPB, 1.7 seconds for the TUG, 0.08 m/s for free gait speed, 0.09 m/s for fast gait speed, and 28 m for 6MWT distance. The MDC values were 2.9 points for the SPPB, 4 seconds for the TUG, 0.19 m/s for free gait speed, 0.21 m/s for fast gait speed, and 65 m for 6MWT distance. Limitations The entire sample was from an urban area. Conclusions The SEMs were similar to previously reported values and can be used when working with African American and white older adults. Estimates of MDC were calculated to assist in clinical interpretation.
Characterization of Silicon Micro-Optic Structures with a Near-Infrared Near-Field Scanning Optical Microscope

We report the instrumentation of a near-infrared near-field scanning optical microscope (NSOM). This NSOM is applied for the characterization of a simple yet novel silicon micro-optic device.
Suramin Inhibits Spinal Cord Microglia Activation and Long-Term Hyperalgesia Induced by Formalin Injection

Abstract Previous studies in our laboratory have shown that long-term (a period of weeks) increases in pain-related behavior were correlated with the activation of spinal microglia after subcutaneous injection of formalin into the dorsal surface of 1 hind paw. The present study examined whether intrathecal delivery of suramin (a P2 receptor antagonist) blocks microglia activation and long-term hyperalgesia induced by formalin injection. Suramin was administered by using an osmotic pump attached to an intrathecal catheter. Suramin delivery (1.25 μg/kg/h) began 1 day before the formalin injection and lasted for 4 days. Rats were observed by using a modified hot plate test before and at different times after formalin injection. The spinal cord was surveyed for changes in microglia labeling as shown by OX-42 staining at different times after formalin injection. Suramin decreased both the hyperalgesic sensitivity to the thermal stimuli and microglial activation induced by formalin injection as compared to the saline-treated group. This suggests that adenosine triphosphate is one potential mediator that activates spinal cord microglia and enhances pain-related behavior in the formalin model. Perspective This report suggests that blocking specific spinal P2 receptors might decrease the central enhancement of pain caused by peripheral injury and inflammation. One mechanism might be by blocking the activation of spinal microglia. Thus, P2 antagonists might have therapeutic usefulness in certain pain conditions.
Arginine-Deficient Diets Alter Plasma and Tissue Amino Acids in Young and Aged Rats

Blood and urine metabolites were measured in two experiments for young (2-mo-old) and aged (20-mo-old) male Sprague-Dawley rats fed arginine-devoid diets made isonitrogenous to a control 1.12% arginine diet by adding alanine or glycine. Diet, fed for 7 or 13 d, had little effect on urinary or plasma ammonia and urea. Urinary orotate excretion was more than 40-fold higher in rats fed the arginine-deficient diets (P less than 0.01) in both experiments. Source of nonessential N (alanine or glycine) in the arginine-deficient diets did not alter orotic acid excretion or plasma or urine ammonia or urea. Changes in plasma arginine, alanine and glycine concentrations reflected the levels of these amino acids in the diet. Tissue ornithine levels reflected dietary arginine level, but tissue citrulline was unaffected by dietary arginine. Glutamate and glutamine were greater in the plasma and liver of rats fed arginine-deficient diets. Plasma concentrations of glutamate and glutamine were positively correlated with urinary orotic acid excretion (P less than 0.05) and ornithine and arginine were negatively correlated with orotic acid excretion (P less than 0.01). Increased tissue glutamine may be related to the greater orotate excretion in rats fed arginine-devoid diets. The metabolic responses to dietary arginine deficiency were similar in young and aged rats. In general, concentrations of amino acids in plasma, liver and spleen were higher in aged rats.
Molybdenum Intake Influences Molybdenum Kinetics in Men

The objectives of this study were to determine physiologic adaptations that occur when humans are exposed to a wide range of molybdenum intake levels and to identify the pathways that are influenced by dietary intake. Four males consumed each of 5 daily molybdenum intakes of 22, 72, 121, 467, and 1490 microg/d (0.23, 0.75, 1.3, 4.9, and 15.5 micromol/d) for 24 d each. During each treatment period, oral and intravenous doses of (100)Mo and (97)Mo were administered. Serial plasma, urine, and fecal samples were analyzed for labeled and unlabeled molybdenum. Compartmental modeling was used to determine rates of distribution and elimination at each dietary intake level. Three pathways were sensitive to daily molybdenum intake. With increasing intake, absorption and urinary molybdenum excretion increased, whereas the fraction deposited in tissues decreased. Kinetic analysis suggested a daily intake of 115-120 microg/d (1.20-1.25 micromol/d) would maintain initial plasma molybdenum levels at their prestudy values and that their prestudy dietary intake was well above the Recommended Dietary Allowance of 45 microg/d. The physiological adaptations to changing intake that the model demonstrated may help prevent molybdenum deficiency and toxicity.
Linking Engineering and Medicine: Fostering Collaboration Skills in Interdisciplinary Teams

Biomedical engineering embodies the spirit of combining disciplines. The engineer's pragmatic approach to-and appetite for-solving problems is matched by a bounty of technical challenges generated in medical domains. From nanoscale diagnostics to the redesign of systems of health-care delivery, engineers have been connecting advances in basic and applied science with applications that have helped to improve medical care and outcomes. Increasingly, however, integrating these areas of knowledge and application is less individualistic and more of a team sport. Success increasingly relies on a direct focus on practicing and developing collaboration skills in interdisciplinary teams. Such an approach does not fit easily into individual-focused, discipline-based programs. Biomedical engineering has done its fair share of silo busting, but new approaches are needed to inspire interdisciplinary teams to form around challenges in particular areas. Health care offers a wide variety of complex challenges across an array of delivery settings that can call for new interdisciplinary approaches. This was recognized by the deans of the University of Southern California's (USC's) Medical and Engineering Schools when they began the planning process, leading to the creation of the Health, Technology, and Engineering (HTE@USC or HTE for short) program. “Health care and technology are changing rapidly, and future physicians and engineers need intellectual tools to stay ahead of this change,” says Carmen A. Puliafito, dean of the Keck School of Medicine. His goal is to train national leaders in the quest for devices and processes to improve health care.
Sprint performance of phrynosomatid lizards, measured on a high‐speed treadmill, correlates with hindlimb length

We measured sprint performance of phrynosomatid lizards and selected outgroups (n = 27 species). Maximal sprint running speeds were obtained with a new measurement technique, a high-speed treadmill (H.S.T.). Animals were measured at their approximate field-active body temperatures once on both of 2 consecutive days. Within species, individual variation in speed measurements was consistent between trial days and repeatabilities were similar to values reported previously for photocell-timed racetrack measurements. Multiple regression with phylogenetically independent contrasts indicates that interspecific variation in maximal speed is positively correlated with hindlimb span, but not significantly related to either body mass or body temperature. Among the three phrynosomatid subclades, sand lizards (Uma, Callisaurus, Cophosaurus, Holbrookia) have the highest sprint speeds and longest hindlimbs, horned lizards (Phrynosoma) exhibit the lowest speeds and shortest limbs, and the Sceloporus group (including Uta and Urosaurus) is intermediate in both speed and hindlimb span.
The Impact of Missing Data on Sample Reliability Estimates: Implications for Reliability Reporting Practices

A method for incorporating maximum likelihood (ML) estimation into reliability analyses with item-level missing data is outlined. An ML estimate of the covariance matrix is first obtained using the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm, and coefficient alpha is subsequently computed using standard formulae. A simulation study demonstrated that the EMapproach yields (a) less bias in reliability estimates, (b) dramatically reduces cross-sample fluctuation of estimates, and (c) yields more accurate confidence intervals. Implications for reliability reporting practices are discussed, and the EM procedure is demonstrated using a heuristic data set.
Mutations in the 5′ Trailer Region of a Respiratory Syncytial Virus Minigenome Which Limit RNA Replication to One Step

The 3′ termini of the genomic and antigenomic RNAs of human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are identical at 10 of the first 11 nucleotide positions and 21 of the first 26 positions. These conserved 3′-terminal sequences are thought to contain the genomic and antigenomic promoters. Furthermore, the complement of each conserved sequence (i.e., the 5′ end of the RNA it encodes) might contain an encapsidation signal. Using an RSV minigenome system, we individually mutated each of the last seven nucleotides in the 5′ trailer region of the genome. We analyzed effects of these mutations on encapsidation of the T7 polymerase-transcribed negative-sense genome, its ability to function as a template for RSV-driven synthesis of positive-sense antigenome and mRNA, and the ability of this antigenome to be encapsidated and to function as template for the synthesis of more genome. As a technical complication, mutations in the last five nucleotides of the trailer region were found to affect the efficiency of the adjoining T7 promoter over more than a 10-fold range, even though three nonviral G residues had been included between the core promoter and the trailer to maximize the efficiency of promoter activity. This was controlled in all experiments by monitoring the levels of total and encapsidated genome. The efficiency of encapsidation of the T7 polymerase-transcribed genome was not affected by any of the trailer mutations. Furthermore, neither the efficiency of positive-sense RNA synthesis from the genome nor the efficiency of encapsidation of the encoded antigenome was affected by the mutations. However, nucleotide substitution at positions 2, 3, 6, or 7 relative to the 5′ end of the trailer blocked the production of progeny genome, whereas substitution at positions 1 and 5 allowed a low level of genome production and substitutions at position 4 were tolerated. Position 4 is the only one of the seven positions examined that is not conserved between the 3′ ends of genomic and antigenomic RNA. The mutations that blocked the synthesis of progeny genome thus limited RNA replication to one step, namely, the synthesis and encapsidation of antigenome. Restoration of terminal complementarity for one of the trailer mutants by making a compensatory mutation in the leader region did not restore synthesis of genomic RNA, confirming that its loss was not due to reduced terminal complementarity. Interestingly, this leader mutation appeared to prevent antigenome synthesis with only a slight effect on mRNA synthesis, apparently providing a dissociation between these two synthetic activities. Genomes in which the terminal 24 or 325 nucleotides of the trailer have been deleted were competent for encapsidation and the synthesis of mRNA and antigenomic RNA, further confirming that terminal complementarity was not required for these functions.
Structural, compositional, and biomechanical alterations of the lumbar spine in rats with mucopolysaccharidosis type VI (Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome).

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) VI is an inherited lysosomal storage disorder resulting from deficiency of N-acetylgalactos- amine-4-sulfatase activity and subsequent accumulation of incompletely degraded dermatan sulfate (DS) containing glycosaminogly- cans (GAGs). Painful spinal deformities are commonly found in MPS VI patients. We characterized lumbar spine structure, composition, and biomechanics in a naturally occurring rat MPS VI model and evaluated the role of MMP-13, ADAMTS-5 and TNF-a in modulating the observed changes. MPS VI rats had discs with large vacuolated cells and sizable nuclear defects. MPS spine seg- ments also had structural and functional changes suggestive of spinal instability, including decreased nuclear pressurization, increased joint laxity and increased disc height index. These functional changes were at least partly associated with elevated ADAMTS-5, MMP- 13, and TNF-a. Vertebral and endplate biomechanics were also affected by MPS VI with decreased failure load and stiffness. The discal and vertebral dysfunctions observed in MPS VI rats are likely to be associated with pathological spinal conditions, similar to those that afflict MPS patients. Our findings also suggest more broadly that abnormal accumulation of GAGs and the associated chronic pro- inflammatory and catabolic cascade may also be a source of spinal dysfunction. 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res
Child Development Research in Home Economics: State of the Art.

In this paper, the contributions of child development research in home eco nomics during the past two decades to the understanding and prediction of children's behavior are assessed. The uniqueness of this contribution to the macro child development field is elucidated through attention to aims of the profession, problems selected for study, and methodologies employed. Sub stantive achievement in the areas of parent-child relationships, personality de velopment, and daycare/preschool education are summarized. Much of the re search contributes to knowledge of the socialization process with some begin ning efforts in the area of cognition. Physical-motor development needs increased attention to fulfill the “whole child” philosophy of the field. Preschool- age children have received the most attention of any age group while infancy has been largely ignored. The future is bright with potential. Researchers are encouraged to characterize future research by working as teams on problem areas of mutual interest, to move from descriptive, normative studies to more causal explanations of behavior, to address the complex array of biogenetic, social, contextual and temporal factors impacting on behavior, and to give attention to the polyadic nature of this array.
Vaginal microbicides and the prevention of HIV transmission

Summary Worldwide, nearly half of all individuals living with HIV are now women, who acquire the virus largely by heterosexual exposure. With an HIV vaccine likely to be years away, topical microbicide formulations applied vaginally or rectally are being investigated as another strategy for HIV prevention. A review of preclinical and clinical research on the development of microbicides formulated to prevent vaginal HIV transmission yielded 118 studies: 73 preclinical and 45 clinical. Preclinical research included in-vitro assays and cervical explant models, as well as animal models. Clinical research included phase I and II/IIb safety studies, and phase III efficacy studies. Whereas most phase I and phase II clinical trials have found microbicide compounds to be safe and well tolerated, phase III trials completed to date have not demonstrated efficacy in preventing HIV transmission. Topical microbicides are grouped into five classes of agents, based on where they disrupt the pathway of sexual transmission of HIV. These classes include surfactants/membrane disruptors, vaginal milieu protectors, viral entry inhibitors, reverse transcriptase inhibitors, and a fifth group whose mechanism is unknown. The trajectory of microbicide development has been toward agents that block more specific virus–host cell interactions. Microbicide clinical trials face scientifically and ethically complex issues, such as the choice of placebo gel, the potential for viral resistance, and the inclusion of HIV-infected participants. Assessment of combination agents will most likely advance this field of research.
Vascular thromboembolic events in patients (pts) with advanced urothelial cancer (UC) treated with carboplatin/gemcitabine alone or in combination with bevacizumab

5074 Background: Vascular thromboembolic events (VTE) occur in 13% of UC pts treated with cisplatin-based therapy ( J Urol 160:2021, 1998). Carboplatin-based therapy is used in UC pts intolerant of cisplatin but the frequency of VTE is unknown. Bevacizumab added to chemotherapy increases VTE in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC; 5% vs 3%) (Oncologist 12:713, 2007), breast cancer (7.4% vs 5.5%) and colorectal cancer (19% vs 16%) (JAMA. 2008;300:2288). This study evaluated VTE in UC pts treated with carboplatin/gemcitabine alone or with bevacizumab. Methods: Pts with advanced UC treated on a Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center protocol from June 2006 to September 2008 were analyzed prospectively. Therapy included > 3 cycles of bevacizumab (15 mg/kg on day 1) plus carboplatin (AUC 5 or 4.5 on day 1) and gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2 on days 1,8) every 21 days. Evaluation for VTE on a contemporary UC control group of pts receiving carboplatin plus gemcitabine alone during the exact same time period was conducted...
Time Traveling to Strangle Strangi (and Kill the Monster Again), Part 3

The author completes a three-part article by proposing the unification of the estate tax. In the first part of the article (Tax Notes, Aug. 13, 2007, p. 563, Doc 2007-16741, or 2007 TNT 157-32), the author criticized Strangi and other recent decisions including certain partnership interests in the deceased owner's estate using section 2036. Part 2 (Tax Notes, Aug. 20, 2007, p. 657, Doc 2007-16792, or 2007 TNT 162-29) proposed that Congress repeal section 2036 and the other estate tax strings sections and replace estate inclusion with an easy to complete gift rule that would be fairer and generate tax revenue. Part 3 spends some of that revenue by proposing that the computation of the federal estate tax be changed so that it is computed net of all death taxes.The author advocates this change for three reasons: (1) the change would cut effective estate tax rates without changing the current 45 percent rate, (2) it would eliminate the unfairness of double death taxation, and (3) it would unify the transfer tax, meaning that the gift and estate taxes would be imposed in the same way. The author takes on common misunderstandings to justify this change, including explaining why in more than half the states, the federal estate tax rate has not been cut but it actually increased by 6 percent. He also argues that fairness should be the primary objective of an estate tax compromise and that any proposed estate tax change needs to be considered in light of its revenue cost.The author concludes that increasing the estate exemption or providing multiple estate tax rates both fail this fairness-cost analysis. Instead of increasing the estate tax exemption for everyone, the author proposes benefits targeted to small business owners, farmers, and ranchers.
Spindle cell reaction to nontuberculous mycobacteriosis in AIDS mimicking a spindle cell neoplasm - Evidence for dual histiocytic and fibroblast-like characteristics of spindle cells

We report 5 patients with AIDS who had an unusual spindle cell proliferation in the lymph nodes and skin caused by nontuberculous mycobacteriosis. The spindle cell proliferation in these tissues may mimic a spindle cell neoplasm and pose a diagnostic problem if an infectious aetiology is not suspected. The fibroblast-like spindle cells contained numerous acid fast bacilli. They were strongly positive for antibody markers of monocyte/macrophage and leukocyte derivation: Leu M3, Mo-9, T-200, and HLA-DR, and variably positive for alpha-1 anti-chymotrypsin and lysozyme. Ultrastructurally these spindle cells were predominantly fibroblast-like with poorly developed features of macrophages. These results reveal the dual macrophage and fibroblastic character of the spindle cells and probably imply a functional differentiation rather than a histogenetic one.
Emerging economies and institutional quality: Assessing the differential effects of institutional distances on ownership strategy

The current study contributes to the institution-based view of internationalization that is contingent upon the home country development. We examine the differential effects of formal and informal institutions on emerging market multinational corporations’ (EMNCs) ownership strategies. Facing a large informal institutional distance that represents diverse cultural beliefs, EMNCs opt for a low ownership position that alleviates legitimacy threat, whereas a large formal institutional distance leads EMNCs to establish dominant ownership control. EMNC home market conditions, including market size and regulatory institutional quality, further explain the differential effects of institutional distances.
A Comparison of the Visual Attention Patterns of People With Aphasia and Adults Without Neurological Conditions for Camera-Engaged and Task-Engaged Visual Scenes

Purpose The purpose of the study was to compare the visual attention patterns of adults with aphasia and adults without neurological conditions when viewing visual scenes with 2 types of engagement. Method Eye-tracking technology was used to measure the visual attention patterns of 10 adults with aphasia and 10 adults without neurological conditions. Participants viewed camera-engaged (i.e., human figure facing camera) and task-engaged (i.e., human figure looking at and touching an object) visual scenes. Results Participants with aphasia responded to engagement cues by focusing on objects of interest more for task-engaged scenes than camera-engaged scenes; however, the difference in their responses to these scenes were not as pronounced as those observed in adults without neurological conditions. In addition, people with aphasia spent more time looking at background areas of interest and less time looking at person areas of interest for camera-engaged scenes than did control participants. Conclusions Resu...
Metaphors for Learning and MOOC Pedagogies

The research reported in this paper used a researcher developed tool to categorize the pedagogical approaches used in MOOCs. The Assessing MOOC Pedagogies (AMP) tool characterized MOOC pedagogical approaches on ten dimensions. Preliminary testing on 20 different MOOCs demonstrated >= 80% inter-reliability and the facility of the measure to distinguish differing pedagogical patterns. The patterns distinguished crossed content areas and seemed to be related to what Sfard (1998) identified as metaphors for learning; acquisition and participation approaches seemed to distinguish the pedagogies of differing MOOCs. A third, arguably important, pattern related to self-direction was also distinguished.
Reviews and Resources:Life's Engines: How Microbes Made Earth Habitable: BOOKS

This short book, less than 200 pages of text, is a delight. It's not clear for whom it is written. Falkowsky says it's an outreach beyond that of a textbook. I doubt if most of its contents aren't familiar in broad outline to most professional microbiologists, but I'm sure all of them would be rewarded by reading it. I was. It's sprinkled with intriguing historical vignettes: when he was 22, Darwin collected fossils with Adam Sedgwick in north Wales; Darwin took a copy of Charles Lyell's Principles of Geology along with the King James Bible on the HMS Beagle; Robert Hooke learned Dutch to read Van Leeuwenhoek, and wonderful sentences like, “In 1859, the same year that Big Ben chimed for the first time and the London publisher John Murray and Sons sent the first edition of The Origin of Species to press, on the other side of the Atlantic an American train conductor, Edwin Drake, drilled the first major oil well near Titusville, Pennsylvania.”
Tissue specificity of S14 and fatty acid synthase invitro transcription

Abstract Hepatic nuclear extracts support in vitro transcription from S14 and fatty acid synthase (FAS) promoters. Renal nuclear extracts support in vitro transcription from S14 promoter constructs at rates comparable to hepatic nuclear extracts, but lack the apparent positive and negative control observed with liver. In contrast, renal nuclear extracts do not support in vitro transcription from the FAS promoter. NF-1 or a related protein in both hepatic and renal extracts contributes to in vitro transcriptional activity from the S14 promoter, but not the FAS promoter. These studies indicate that different mechanisms regulate tissue-specific expression of S14 and FAS.
Begotten of Corruption? Bioarchaeology and “othering” of leprosy in South Asia

Leprosy is strongly stigmatized in South Asia, being regarded as a manifestation of extreme levels of spiritual pollution going back through one or more incarnations of the self. Stigma has significant social consequences, including surveillance, exclusion, discipline, control, and punishment; biologically speaking, internalized stigma also compounds the disfigurement and disability resulting from this disease. Stigma results from an othering process whereby difference is recognized, meaning is constituted, and eventually, sufferers may be negatively signified and marked for exclusion. This paper traces the history of leprosy’s stigmatization in South Asia, using archaeology and an exegesis of Vedic texts to examine the meaning of this disease from its apparent zero-point—when it first appears but before it was differentiated and signified—in the mature Indus Age. Results suggest that early in the second millennium BCE, leprosy was perceived as treatable and efforts were apparently made to mitigate its impact on the journey to the afterworld. Ignominy to the point of exclusion does not emerge until the first millennium BCE. This paper uses archaeology to create an effective history of stigma for leprosy, destabilizing what is true about this disease and its sufferers in South Asia today.
Clothing woven with titanium dioxide-infused yarn: potential to increase exercise capacity in a hot, humid environment?

AbstractExercise and physical labor in hot, humid environments carries the risk of heat-related injury and reduced exercise capacity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of wearing a shirt woven from a titanium dioxide (TiO2)-infused yarn on the physiological response to exercise in a hot, humid environment. Volunteers (N = 14) were recruited to participate in two exercise trials (45 min of interval treadmill exercise at 35 °C, 55% RH): control (Nylon 66) and a TiO2-shirt (Nylon 66 with 3% TiO2). Rating of perceived exertion (RPE), perceived thermal comfort (TC), and exercise capacity at specific physiological strain index (PSI) cut-points (5.0, 7.5, and 9.0) were measured. Significantly lower RPE/TC and improved exercise capacity at PSI 7.5 and 9.0 were observed when wearing TiO2 (p < 0.05). On a preliminary basis, these results demonstrate, the potential of TiO2-infused clothing to improve perceptions of exertion/environment and exercise capacity.
IL-21 and CpG ODN Are Synergistic in Their Ability To Induce Apoptosis of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Cells and Benign B1 Cells.

We previously reported the TLR9 ligand CpG ODN can induce apoptosis of CLL cells. Interleukin 21 (IL-21), a recently discovered cytokine with structural homology to IL-2, IL-4 and IL-15, has pleiotropic effects on lymphocyte populations including NK, T and B cells. IL-21 is known to co-stimulate normal human B cell proliferation induced by CD40 ligation, and to inhibit B cell proliferation induced by anti-IgM antibodies and IL-4. We explored the impact of these two agents on CLL because of the overlapping nature of their signaling pathways. Gene chip array studies demonstrated CLL cells express the receptor for IL-21, and expression of this receptor is upregulated by CpG ODN. IL-21 as a single agent induced apoptosis of CLL cells in most samples studied. The combination of IL-21 and CpG ODN induced a greater degree of apoptosis than either agent alone. Dosing studies demonstrated synergy between these two agents in their ability to induce apoptosis of CLL cells. The effect of IL-21 and CpG ODN was also evaluated in peripheral blood from normal donors, and in umbilical cord blood. In both types of samples, therapy preferentially eliminated CD5(+) B-cells. Monoclonal antibody against CD5, but not control antibody, was able to inhibit the pro-apoptotic effect of IL-21. Our results suggest treatment with IL-21 and CpG ODN preferentially eliminates CD5(+) B cells in both malignant and benign samples, and may be a useful combination for the treatment of CLL or autoimmune disorders dependent elevated B1 cell levels. Ongoing studies are exploring the underlying signaling pathways which might be responsible for these effects.
Understanding the Role of Natural Killer T Cells in Hematologic Malignancies: Progress and Challenges

Natural Killer T (NKT) cells have emerged as important effector cells in tumor immunity. Hematologic malignancies are particularly attractive targets of NKT mediated anti-tumor effects as most hematologic tumors express CD1d. Patients with several hematologic malignancies have been reported to carry quantitative or qualitative defects in NKT cells. Preliminary clinical studies suggest the capacity of alpha-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) loaded dendritic cells to stimulate NKT cells in vivo. However harnessing the effects of NKT cells in the clinic will also require attention to reversing the defects in NKT function in vivo. Improved understanding of the cross-talk between type I and II NKT cells, as well as the nature of naturally occurring CD1d binding ligands in these patients is needed to optimally target NKT cells in patients with hematologic malignancies.
Dual-Frequency Piezoelectric Endoscopic Transducer for Imaging Vascular Invasion in Pancreatic Cancer

Cancers of the pancreas have the poorest prognosis among all cancers, as many tumors are not detected until surgery is no longer a viable option. Surgical viability is typically determined via endoscopic ultrasound imaging. However, many patients who may be eligible for resection are not offered surgery due to diagnostic challenges in determining vascular or lymphatic invasion. In this paper, we describe the development of a dual-frequency piezoelectric transducer for rotational endoscopic imaging designed to transmit at 4 MHz and receive at 20 MHz in order to image microbubble-specific superharmonic signals. Imaging performance is assessed in a tissue-mimicking phantom at depths from 1 cm [contrast-to-tissue ratio (CTR) = 21.6 dB] to 2.5 cm (CTR = 11.4 dB), in ex vivo porcine vessels, and in vivo in a rodent. The prototyped 1.1-mm aperture transducer demonstrates contrast-specific imaging of microbubbles in a 200- $\mu \text{m}$ -diameter tube through the wall of a 1-cm-diameter porcine artery, suggesting such a device may enable direct visualization of small vessels from within the lumen of larger vessels such as the portal vein or superior mesenteric vein.
Ways of working: A synopsis of contributions to psychoanalytic technique.

(2017). Ways of working: A synopsis of contributions to psychoanalytic technique. The International Journal of Psychoanalysis: Vol. 98, No. 6, pp. 1813-1816.
Genomic Analysis of Leukocyte mRNA Suggests Immune Predisposition to Hemorrhagic Transformation in Ischemic Stroke (S42.006)

OBJECTIVE: Determine whether ischemic strokes that develop hemorrhagic transformation have differences in leukocyte RNA expression prior to treatment with thrombolytic therapy. BACKGROUND: Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is a major complication of ischemic stroke that worsens outcomes and increases mortality. Disruption of the blood brain barrier is a central feature to HT pathogenesis, and leukocytes may contribute to this process. We sought to. DESIGN/METHODS: Stroke patient blood samples were obtained prior to treatment with thrombolysis, and leukocyte RNA assessed by microarray analysis. Strokes that developed HT (n=11) were compared to strokes without HT (n=33) and controls (n=14). Genes were identified (corrected p-value |1.2|) and functional analysis performed. RNA prediction of HT in stroke was evaluated using cross-validation, and in a second stroke cohort (n=23). RESULTS: Ischemic strokes that developed HT had differential expression of 29 genes in circulating leukocytes prior to treatment with thrombolytic. A panel of 6 genes could predict strokes that later developed HT with 86.4% accuracy. Key pathways involved in HT of human stroke are described, including amphiregulin, a growth factor that regulates matrix metalloproteinase-9; a shift in transforming growth factor-beta signaling involving SMAD4, INPP5D and IRAK3; and a disruption of coagulation factors V and VIII. CONCLUSIONS: Identified genes correspond to differences in inflammation and coagulation that may predispose to HT in ischemic stroke. Given the adverse impact of HT on stroke outcomes, further evaluation of identified genes and pathways is warranted to determine their potential as therapeutic targets to reduce HT and as markers of HT risk. Supported by: NINDS (NS056302, NS075035), the American Heart Association. Disclosure: Dr. Jickling has nothing to disclose. Dr. Stamova has nothing to disclose. Dr. Zhan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ander has nothing to disclose. Dr. Liu has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rothstein has nothing to disclose. Dr. Verro has received personal compensation for activities with Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. Khoury has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jauch has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pancioli has nothing to disclose. Dr. Broderick has received personal compensation for activities as a speaker. Dr. Broderick has received research support from EKOS Corporation, Concentric Inc., and Genentech, Inc. Dr. Sharp has nothing to disclose.
An off-the-(nar)whal stress response

![Graphic][1] The thing about unicorns is, they're hard to find. Legend has it that merely glimpsing the elusive equine requires distant travel to faraway lands, and even then you need luck on your side. Slightly easier would be to locate a narwhal, the toothed whale whose left canine has
Sequential Auctions of Identical Items with Budget-Constrained Bidders

In this paper, we study sequential auctions with two budget constrained bidders and any number of identical items. All prior results on such auctions consider only two items. We construct a canonical outcome of the auction that is the only natural equilibrium and is unique under a refinement of subgame perfect equilibria. We show certain interesting properties of this equilibrium; for instance, we show that the prices decrease as the auction progresses. This phenomenon has been observed in many experiments and previous theoretic work attributed it to features such as uncertainty in the supply or risk averse bidders. We show that such features are not needed for this phenomenon and that it arises purely from the most essential features: budget constraints and the sequential nature of the auction. A little surprisingly we also show that in this equilibrium one agent wins all his items in the beginning and then the other agent wins the rest. The major difficulty in analyzing such sequential auctions has been in understanding how the selling prices of the first few rounds affect the utilities of the agents in the later rounds. We tackle this difficulty by identifying certain key properties of the auction and the proof is via a joint induction on all of them.
Biochemical changes in the artery wall during genesis and regression of atheromatous lesions.

It is generally accepted that the formation of atheromatous lesions represents an interaction between plasma lipids (lipoproteins) and the arterial wall. In most species, including man, qualitative or quantitative changes in plasma lipids result in an accelerated rate of development of atherosclerosis. A growing body of evidence, however, also suggests that the arterial wall itself plays more than a passive role in this process.
Heterochrony in Gastropods

All members of monophyletic taxa share a common ancestor whose development pathway has been modified to produce descendant morphologies. One important class of development modifications consists in changes in the timing of the development of existing characters; this process is called heterochrony (Gould, 1977, p. 4). The morphological expression of heterochronic changes at the developmental level is limited, and the forms of expression have been described qualitatively and quantitatively by de Beer (1951), Gould (1977, p. 209), Alberch et al. (1979), Alberch (1980), Bonner (1982), Fink (1982), McNamara (1982, 1986), McKinney (1986), and references in these works. In summary, heterochrony produces two forms of morphological expression: paedomorphosis, the retention of ancestral juvenile characters by later ontogenetic stages of descendants (Gould, 1977, p. 484), and peramorphosis, new descendant characters produced by additions to the ancestral ontogeny (Alberch et al., 1979). McNamara (1986) has defined three processes for each form of expression as follows. The paedomorphic processes are (1) progenesis, precocious sexual maturation, (2) neoteny, reduced rate of morphological development, and (3) postdisplacement, delayed onset of growth. The peramorphic processes are (1) hypermorphosis, delayed sexual maturation, (2) acceleration, increased rate of morphological development, and (3) predisplacement, earlier onset of growth (see also McKinney, this volume).
Judging Expertise Through Communication Styles in Intercultural Collaboration

Recent research on expertise management calls for more attention to the role of communication in expertise recognition. Cultural differences in communication styles can complicate communication of ...
Clinical Presentation, Management, and Outcomes of Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device Infections Due to Gram-Negative Versus Gram-Positive Bacteria

Abstract Objective To describe and compare the clinical presentation, management, and outcomes of cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) infections due to gram-negative bacteria (GNB) and CIED infections due to gram-positive bacteria (GPB). Patients and Methods We retrospectively reviewed all CIED infection cases at Mayo Clinic from January 1, 1992, through December 31, 2015. Cases were classified based on positive microbiology data from extracted devices or blood cultures. Results Of the 623 CIED infections during the study period, 31 (5.0%) were caused by GNB and 323 (51.8%) by GPB. Patients in the GNB group were more likely to present with local inflammatory findings at the pocket site (90.3% vs 72.4%; P=.03). All patients with bacteremia due to GNB had concomitant pocket infection compared with those with GPB (100% vs 33.9%; P=.002). After extraction, 41.9% of patients in the GNB group were managed with oral antibiotics vs 2.4% in the GPB group (P Conclusion Compared with CIED infections caused by GPB, those due to GNB are more likely to present with pocket infection. Device-related GNB bacteremia almost always originates from the generator pocket. After extraction, oral antibiotic drug therapy may be a reasonable option in select cases of pocket infections due to GNB. No difference in outcomes was observed between the 2 groups.
Discussion on “The Game Insight Group: A model for academic-industry partnerships for sports statistics innovation”

I would like to thank Dr. Kovalchick for an outstanding presentation and paper. Her insight into tennis analytics is unrivaled.Most of the research done on sports statistics, or sports analytics as...
Performance evaluation of key management schemes for wireless legacy smart grid environments: poster

With the increasing digitization of different components of Smart Grid, there is an ongoing effort to design secure protocols and deploy them for different applications. A major need along with these efforts is to deal with key management for a large number of devices. While key management can be easily addressed by transferring the existing protocols to Smart Grid domain, this is not an easy task as one needs to deal with the limitations of the current communication infrastructures and resource-constrained devices. As the utilities rightly requests to build the new systems on top of the legacy systems with limited investment, the research community needs to re-think the adaptation of the existing security approaches to such non-traditional environments. This poster aims to tackle one of these problems, namely, symmetric key management in a severely constrained wireless communication environment. Assuming a legacy radio communication infrastructure with bandwidths in the order of kilobits, the objective is to evaluate the feasibility and performance of the existing sophisticated key management protocols. We developed a realistic ns-3 environment and analyze the delay overhead via simulations.
Clinical implications of cytogenetic heterogeneity in Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) adult B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia following tyrosine kinase inhibitors and chemotherapy regimens.

Abstract We retrospectively studied a cohort of 144 adults with Philadelphia chromosome/BCR-ABL1 positive B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph + B-ALL) to assess the clinical implications of cytogenetic heterogeneity in this disease. The study group included 85 men and 59 women that were sorted into 6 subgroups based on karyotypic findings in the stemline as follows: 32 patients with t(9;22) as a sole aberration, 23 with t(9;22) plus 1 additional chromosomal abnormality (ACA), 26 with t(9;22) as part of a complex karyotype, 18 showing a variant-/complex- t(9;22), 30 with t(9;22) as the stemline with ACAs in the sideline(s), and 15 patients who had the t(9;22) and hyperdiploidy. In 89 patients 1 clone was identified; 41 had 2 clones and 14 had ≥ 3 clone(s). The median overall survival (OS) was 25.6 months and the median relapse-free survival (RFS) was 20.6 months. Patients with variant-/complex- t(9;22) had poorer OS and RFS when compared with all other subgroups combined (P = 0.0018 and P = 0.0049, respectively). In addition, patients with ≥ 2 clones had worse OS and RFS than patients with 1 clone (P = 0.0179 and P = 0.0429, respectively). Multivariate analysis confirmed that variant-/complex-t(9;22) and clone number are independent risk factors. We suggest that conventional chromosomal analysis is of clinical importance for risk stratification of B-ALL patients.
Who Is Exposed to E-Cigarette Advertising and Where? Differences between Adolescents, Young Adults and Older Adults.

Little is known about differences between adolescents’ and adults’ exposure to e-cigarette advertising in various media channels, such as retail establishments, print, television, radio, and digital marketing. We examined the exposure to e-cigarette advertising in these channels amongst adolescents (13–17), young adults (18–25), and older adults (26+). Adolescents (N = 1124), young adults (N = 809), and adults (N = 4186) were recruited through two nationally representative phone surveys from 2014–2015. Lifetime e-cigarette advertising exposure was prevalent (84.5%). Overall, older adult males and older adult cigarette smokers reported the highest exposure to e-cigarette advertising (p < 0.001). Television was the largest source of exposure for all age groups. Adolescents and young adults had higher odds than older adults of exposure through television and digital marketing. However, adolescents had lower odds than young adults and older adults of exposure through retailers and print media. Although e-cigarette advertising appears to be reaching the intended audience of adult smokers, vulnerable populations are being exposed at high rates via television and digital marketing. Regulations aimed at curbing exposure through these media channels are needed, as are counter advertising and prevention campaigns.
Liver Tumors: Metastases

Secondary liver tumors are more common than primary liver tumors. Embolization in these cases is performed as an elective procedure.
Differences in Haptic and Visual Perception of Expressive 1DoF Motion

Humans can perceive motion through a variety of different modalities. Vision is a well explored modality; however haptics can greatly increase the richness of information provided to the user. The detailed differences in perception of motion between these two modalities are not well studied and can provide an additional avenue for communication between humans and haptic devices or robots. We analyze these differences in the context of users interactions with a non-anthropomorphic haptic device. In this study, participants experienced different levels and combinations of stiffness, jitter, and acceleration curves via a one degree of freedom linear motion display. These conditions were presented with and without the opportunity for users to touch the setup. Participants rated the experiences within the contexts of emotion, anthropomorphism, likeability, and safety using the SAM scale, HRI metrics, as well as with qualitative feedback. A positive correlation between stiffness and dominance, specifically due to the haptic condition, was found; additionally, with the introduction of jitter, decreases in perceived arousal and likeability were recorded. Trends relating acceleration curves to perceived dominance as well as stiffness and jitter to valence, arousal, dominance, likeability, and safety were also found. These results suggest the importance of considering which sensory modalities are more actively engaged during interactions and, concomitantly, which behaviors designers should employ in the creation of non-anthropomorphic interactive haptic devices to achieve a particular interpreted affective state.