cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 5089: Impaired Calf Skeletal Muscle Glucose Uptake in Subjects With Peripheral Artery Disease and Intermittent Claudication

Objectives : Severity of claudication symptoms does not correlate well with ankle brachial index (ABI) in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD), suggesting that non-hemodynamic mechanisms may play an important role. Given the association of PAD with insulin resistance, we hypothesized that local calf muscle glucose uptake is impaired in PAD, and therefore that local insulin resistance may contribute to the pathophysiology of claudication. Methods: We studied 37 subjects with PAD (ABI ≤ 0.9) and stable claudication and 11 healthy controls who underwent dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of the legs with 18-FDG during a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp (insulin @ 2 mU/kg/min). Using fused PET/CT images, regions of interest were drawn in the primary muscle groups of the lower leg. Average glucose uptake was quantified using the graphical Patlak analysis. Whole body insulin sensitivity was assessed as the glucose disposal rate (M) from the insulin clamp. Data are presented as median [interquartile range, IQR] or mean± standard error (SE). Results: Compared to healthy, age-matched controls, PAD subjects were insulin resistant (M = 3.4 mg/kg/min [IQR 2.7– 4.8] vs. 5.0 [3.7– 6.6], p=0.019) even after excluding those with diabetes (24% of PAD subjects), p=0.04. Average calf muscle glucose uptake was significantly lower in PAD subjects (48.6±2.6 mmol/kg/min) compared with healthy controls (62.9±6.5 mmol/kg/min), p=0.009. Similar impairments were observed in the subgroup of PAD subjects without diabetes (49.5±3.1, p=0.04 vs. healthy controls). Whole body insulin sensitivity explained 10% of the variability in local calf muscle glucose uptake (r 2 =0.10, p=0.04). Conclusions: We demonstrate that subjects with claudication are insulin resistant and have reduced calf muscle glucose uptake, independent of coexistent diabetes. The poor correlation between whole body insulin sensitivity and lower extremity glucose uptake suggests unique determinants of leg glucose uptake in PAD. These findings support our underlying hypothesis that impaired calf muscle substrate utilization due to local insulin resistance may be a novel mechanism underlying the pathophysiology of intermittent claudication.
First Report of Cherry leaf roll virus on Sweet Cherry in Oregon

Sweet cherries (Prunus avium) are of economic importance in Oregon, which ranks third in sweet cherry production in the United States after Washington and California. Cherry leaf roll virus (CLRV) causes decline in sweet cherry trees. Cherry leaf roll virus is a species of the genus Nepovirus in the family Secoviridae. In May 2016, decline, rosetting (bunching of leaves due to shortened internodes), and enation symptoms in approximately 7% of trees were observed in adjacent sweet cherry orchards cvs. ‘Royal Anne’ and ‘Bing’ on Mazzard rootstock in The Dalles, Wasco County, Oregon. A symptomatic leaf sample (cv. ‘Royal Anne’) was collected and tested positive via CLRV-specific antisera in a double-antibody sandwich ELISA (DSMZ; Braunschweig, Germany). A second collection of both cultivars was made in September 2016 from the same and neighboring orchard blocks. Of the 16 samples collected, eight symptomatic leaf samples tested positive and eight asymptomatic samples tested negative with the same CLRV-specif...
Experimental study of the third-order nonlinearity of atomic and molecular gases using 10-μm laser pulses

We present measurements of the third-order optical nonlinearity of Kr, Xe, ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}, {\mathrm{O}}_{2}$, and air at a wavelength near 10 \textmu{}m by using four-wave mixing of $\ensuremath{\sim}15\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{GW}/\mathrm{c}{\mathrm{m}}^{2}$, 200-ps (full width at half maximum) $\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ laser pulses. Measurements in molecular gases resulted in an asymmetric four-wave mixing spectrum indicating that the nonlinear response is strongly affected by the delayed, rotational contribution to the effective nonlinear refractive index. Within the uncertainty of our measurements, we have found that the long-wavelength nonlinear refractive indices of these gases are consistent with measurements performed in the near IR.
Model Matching Theory: A Framework for Examining the Alignment between Game Mechanics and Mental Models

The primary aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive review and elaboration of model matching and its theoretical propositions. Model matching explains and predicts individuals’ outcomes related to gameplay by focusing on the interrelationships among games’ systems of mechanics, relevant situations external to the game, and players’ mental models. Formalizing model matching theory in this way provides researchers a unified explanation for game-based learning, game performance, and related gameplay outcomes while also providing a theory-based direction for advancing the study of games more broadly. The propositions explicated in this article are intended to serve as the primary tenets of model matching theory. Considerations for how these propositions may be tested in future games studies research are discussed.
SYNCHRONIZATION ISSUES IN UML MODELS

Information systems have been changing regarding not only technologies but also notations and methodologies till now. As the complexity of the implemented systems is growing steadily, the need for ways of systematically develop applications increase. A multitude of tools appear to help in the development process. Tools are supporting and generating a large number of artefacts but development teams still have a difficult task: how to manage the coherence of that information in a context of highly dynamic changes. We discuss some important questions regarding synchronization, not only traceability, namely how to develop a fully customizable and extensible application in this field, which will instantiate a new class of applications.
AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE TIBIAL COMPONENT OF TOTAL KNEES

ABSTRACT Loosening of the tibial component of total knee arthroplasties has been a problem. Loosening rates from 10% to 76% have been reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate the fixation of tibial components of total knees. Testing was done with tibial components with either large central post or two smaller peripheral posts. Matched preserved cadaver tibias were utilized. Prostheses were implanted in the tibias and then loaded in a static fashion. Fracture loads were determined for each specimen. The tibias with the central posts withstood greater loads than those with peripheral posts. Eccentric loading of the prostheses decreased the amount of load withstood prior to fracture. The forces used to create these fractures (450-1300 Ks) exceeded physiologic loading.
Efficient Race Detection for Reducer Hyperobjects

A multithreaded Cilk program that is ostensibly deterministic may nevertheless behave nondeterministically due to programming errors in the code. For a Cilk program that uses reducers—a general reduction mechanism supported in various Cilk dialects—such programming errors are especially challenging to debug, because the errors can expose the nondeterminism in how the Cilk runtime system manages reducers.We identify two unique types of races that arise from incorrect use of reducers in a Cilk program, and we present two algorithms to catch these races. The first algorithm, called the Peer-Set algorithm, detects view-read races, which occur when the program attempts to retrieve a value out of a reducer when the read may result in a nondeterministic value, such as before all previously spawned subcomputations that might update the reducer have necessarily returned. The second algorithm, called the SP+ algorithm, detects determinacy races—instances where a write to a memory location occurs logically in parallel with another access to that location—even when the raced-on memory locations relate to reducers. Both algorithms are provably correct, asymptotically efficient, and can be implemented efficiently in practice. We have implemented both algorithms in our prototype race detector, Rader. When running Peer-Set, Rader incurs a geometric-mean multiplicative overhead of 2.56 over running the benchmark without instrumentation. When running SP+, Rader incurs a geometric-mean multiplicative overhead of 16.94.
Social Norms, Social Connections, and Sex Differences in Adolescent Mental and Behavioral Health

This study examined whether sex-related health disparities that emerge during adolescence are linked to social norms and social connections within three primary social contexts: families, friendships, and schools. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (N = 18,921), we assessed links between social norms and social connections with parents, friends, and schools and depressive symptoms and substance use separately for males and females. In addition, we considered parents, friends, and schools as both combined and sex-specific contexts. Results suggested that links between social norms and adolescent health were stable across the sex of the recipient but varied by sex of the provider, whereas links between social connections and adolescent health varied across the sex of both provider and recipient. Social norms from mothers and female schoolmates (but not from fathers or male schoolmates) were associated with both male and female substance use. In contrast, connectedness with fathers served as a protective factor for male depressive symptoms, whereas connectedness with female friends was a risk factor for female depressive symptoms. These findings extend the literature investigating sex disparities in adolescent mental and behavioral health by locating significant influences from multiple social contexts, revealing sex-specific social norms and social connections within these contexts as playing a salient role, and identifying several areas for preventative efforts, specifically (a) maternal and female schoolmate social norms in reducing substance use, (b) paternal connectedness in reducing male depressive symptoms, and (c) connectedness within female friendships as a risk for female adolescents’ mental health.
Comparisons of Whole Body Vibration, Muscle Activity and Non-driving Task Performance between Different Seat Suspensions in an Autonomous Passenger Car Application:

This study compared whole body vibration (WBV), muscle activity and non-driving task performance between different seat suspension settings in a simulated autonomous passenger car environment. To s...
Corporate Finance and Sustainability: the Case of the Electric Utility Industry

The electric utility industry is in transition but needs to move even faster if the country is to meet its emissions goals. The industry has historically moved cautiously, but policies and regulatory approaches must avoid unintentionally reinforcing the status quo. Incentiveâ€ oriented policies and redesigned regulations must balance environmental sustainability with economic sustainability. The authors draw on wellâ€ established corporate finance principles to guide more effective policies. Shareholderâ€ focused utility executives must make investments conditioned by three elements: (1) the return on equity the utility can expect to make on each project; (2) the investors' required return on equity capital for each project; and (3) the size of the investment. The wellâ€ established economic value added (EVA) model can assist policy analysis: V=(râ€ k)I; where V is the shareholder value created, r is the return on equity, k is the return investors require if they are to invest in the stock, and I is the scale of the project. Any new incremental V translates into higher stock prices. All three elements of their model (i.e., risk, return, and scale) require attention by regulators and policymakers to create value for shareholders. The authors show how the right state policies could create powerful incentives for shareholder focused utility executives to support such transitions.
A Thorium Metal-Organic Framework with Outstanding Thermal and Chemical Stability

Author(s): Carter, Korey P; Ridenour, J August; Kalaj, Mark; Cahill, Christopher L | Abstract: A new thorium metal-organic framework (MOF), Th(OBA)2 , where OBA is 4,4'-oxybis(benzoic) acid, has been synthesized hydrothermally in the presence of a range of nitrogen-donor coordination modulators. This Th-MOF, described herein as GWMOF-13, has been characterized by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, as well as through a range of techniques including gas sorption, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), solid-state UV/Vis and luminescence spectroscopy. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of GWMOF-13 reveals an interesting, high symmetry (cubic Ia 3 ‾ d) structure, which yields a novel srs-a topology. Most notably, TGA analysis of GWMOF-13 reveals framework stability to 525 °C, matching the thermal stability benchmarks of the UiO-66 series MOFs and zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), and setting a new standard for thermal stability in f-block based MOFs.
Modeling and simulation of turbulent nuclear flames in Type Ia supernovae

Abstract A review is conducted of the state of progress in physical modeling and computational simulations of turbulent flames as pertaining to Type Ia supernovae. The fundamental governing equations are provided, along with various assumptions made for their simplifications; and the numerical means of their discretizations. A case is made for a more systematic inclusion of turbulence, including turbulence-reaction interactions, for future investigations.
Carbon nanotube thin film patch antennas for wireless communications

Early work on carbon nanotube (CNT) antennas indicated that their performance could not match that of metals such as copper. However, recent improvements in fluid phase CNT processing have yielded macroscopic CNT materials with better alignment and conductivity. There is currently a gap in the literature on CNT antennas for direct experimental measurements of radiation efficiency. In this study, we conducted radiation efficiency measurements of microstrip patch antennas made of shear-aligned CNT films. We measured a radiation efficiency of 94% at 10 GHz and 14 GHz, matching equivalent copper antennas. Furthermore, the minimum CNT film thickness required to match the performance of copper drops with increasing frequency due to reduced losses from the skin effect. These findings pave the way for applications of aligned CNT patch antennas in the aerospace industry, where low weight, mechanical durability, and temperature-independent performance are critically important.
Coordinated regulation of scaffold opening and enzymatic activity during CARD11 signaling

The activation of key signaling pathways downstream of antigen receptor engagement is critically required for normal lymphocyte activation during the adaptive immune response. CARD11 is a multidomain signaling scaffold protein required for antigen receptor signaling to NF-κB, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and mTOR. Germline mutations in the CARD11 gene result in at least four types of primary immunodeficiency, and somatic CARD11 gain-of-function mutations drive constitutive NF-κB activity in diffuse large B cell lymphoma and other lymphoid cancers. In response to antigen receptor triggering, CARD11 transitions from a closed, inactive state to an open, active scaffold that recruits multiple signaling partners into a complex to relay downstream signaling. However, how this signal-induced CARD11 conversion occurs remains poorly understood. Here we investigate the role of Inducible Element 1 (IE1), a short regulatory element in the CARD11 Inhibitory Domain, in the CARD11 signaling cycle. We find that IE1 controls the signal-dependent Opening Step that makes CARD11 accessible to the binding of cofactors, including Bcl10, MALT1, and the HOIP catalytic subunit of the linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex. Surprisingly, we find that IE1 is also required at an independent step for the maximal activation of HOIP and MALT1 enzymatic activity after cofactor recruitment to CARD11. This role of IE1 reveals that there is an Enzymatic Activation Step in the CARD11 signaling cycle that is distinct from the Cofactor Association Step. Our results indicate that CARD11 has evolved to actively coordinate scaffold opening and the induction of enzymatic activity among recruited cofactors during antigen receptor signaling.
Near-Infrared-to-Visible Photon Upconversion Enabled by Conjugated Porphyrinic Sensitizers under Low-Power Noncoherent Illumination

We report four supermolecular chromophores based on (porphinato)zinc(II) (PZn) and (polypyridyl)metal units bridged via ethyne connectivity (Pyr1RuPZn2, Pyr1RuPZnRuPyr1, Pyr1RuPZn2RuPyr1, and OsPZn2Os) that fulfill critical sensitizer requirements for NIR-to-vis triplet–triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA-UC) photochemistry. These NIR sensitizers feature: (i) broad, high oscillator strength NIR absorptivity (700 nm < λmax(NIR) < 770 nm; 6 × 104 M–1 cm–1 < extinction coefficient (λmax(NIR)) < 1.6 × 105 M–1 cm–1; 820 cm–1 < fwhm < 1700 cm–1); (ii) substantial intersystem crossing quantum yields; (iii) long, microsecond time scale T1 state lifetimes; and (iv) triplet states that are energetically poised for exergonic energy transfer to the molecular annihilator (rubrene). Using low-power noncoherent illumination at power densities (1–10 mW cm–2) similar to that of terrestrial solar photon illumination conditions, we demonstrate that Pyr1RuPZn2, Pyr1RuPZn2RuPyr1, and Pyr1RuPZnRuPyr1 sensitizers can be used...
Reducing the Effect of Imperfect Microphone and Speaker in Audio Feedback Systems

An audio feedback system that iteratively uses a room as a sound filter can be an artistic medium generating fascinating sounds. In this system, the room is not the only component acting as a filte...
VoiceThread as a Tool in Online BSW Education.

This paper presents pilot study results with 59 students enrolled in online Bachelor of Social Work courses that used VoiceThread (VT), an asynchronous communication platform. This study explored b...
Effects of the indazolylpyrimidine GW786034 on angiogenesis and MM cell growth: Therapeutic implications.

Abstract Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors play an important role in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma (MM). Specifically, VEGF, which is present in the MM bone marrow (BM) microenvironment, induces neovascularization; triggers tumor cell growth, survival, and migration; inhibits dendritic cell maturation; and induces osteoclastogenesis. Therefore, the VEGF receptor provides a potential novel therapeutic target in MM. Previous studies showed that GW654652, a pan VEGFR inhibitor, inhibits growth and migration of MM tumor cells (Podar et al. Blood . 2004; 103:3473–3479.). Here we describe the effects of GW786034, a derivative of GW654652, on MM cells to support its potential clinical evaluation in MM patients. GW786034 inhibits VEGF- triggered Flt-1 phosphorylation and activation of downstream signaling molecules, induces concentration-dependent MM cell and HUVEC apoptosis, and inhibits VEGF- triggered MM cell migration. Specifically, GW786034 induces cleavage of caspase-8 and PARP, but not caspase-9, and induces downregulation of the pro-apoptotic molecules survivin, cIAP1, 2, and Mcl-1. Furthermore, GW786034 decreases proliferation of MM cells induced by their adhesion to BMSCs, and inhibits VEGF-induced upregulation of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, thereby abrogating their adhesion to HUVECs. Consistent with these results, GW786034 inhibited both tubuli formation and accumulation of tumor cells at vascular branching points in a Matrigel tube forming assay. Finally, GW786034 sensitizes both MM cells alone and tumor cells bound to BMSCs or HUVECs to melphalan and bortezomib. Taken together, these studies support clinical evaluations of GW786034 either alone or in combination with other agents in MM patients.
Intraexperimental development of priming and event related potentials effects with abstract geometrical stimuli.

Abstract In the current study we assessed the possibility of developing intraexperimentally behavioral priming and Event Related Potentials (ERP) effects that are often studied with stimuli to which participants typically have a very extensive pre-experimental history, like words. To do so we used abstract geometrical figures in a baseline Lexical Decision Task (LDT), followed by a conditional discrimination-training phase. We then repeated the LDT task to assess the effectiveness of training compared to baseline. We found that participants’ reaction time data in the post training LDT session changed, compared to the pre-training LDT session, according to the specific conditional discriminations taught in the training session. Similarly, neural results suggest the presence of an effect due to training that is absent in the baseline neural measures. Moreover, similar effects were also obtained using words. Results point to the possibility that conditional discrimination learning may be sufficient to establish effects that are often considered to be language specific.
Differential behavioral and neural profiles in youth with conduct problems during risky decision-making

Neuroimaging work has examined neural processes underlying risk taking in adolescence, yet predominantly in low-risk youth. To determine whether we can extrapolate from current neurobiological models, this functional magnetic resonance imaging study investigated risk taking and peer effects in youth with conduct problems (CP; N = 19) and typically developing youth (TD; N = 25). Results revealed higher real-life risk taking, lower risky decisions, and no peer effects on a risk-taking task in CP youth. CP youth showed greater ventral striatum (VS) activity during safe than risky decisions, whereas TD youth showed greater VS activation during risky decisions. Differential VS activity explained higher real-life risk taking in CP youth. Findings provide preliminary evidence that risk-taking behavior in youth with CD problems is characterized by differential neural patterns.
A Unifying Framework for Imputing Summary Statistics in Genome-Wide Association Studies.

Methods to impute missing data are routinely used to increase power in genome-wide association studies. There are two broad classes of imputation methods. The first class imputes genotypes at the u...
Pathways to Reading Competence: Emotional Self-regulation, Literacy Contexts, and Embodied Learning Processes

Reading competence is one of the main gateways to learning and serves as the foundation for nearly all academic subjects, but reading is not a natural skill. For beginning and struggling readers, t...
Derecho de Asilo y Refugio en los Estados Unidos (Asylum and Refugee Law in the United States)

Spanish Abstract: Discute los requisitos substantivos para obtener asilo en los Estados Unidos. English Abstract: Discusses the substantive requisites necessary to obtain asylum in the United States.
Adolescent reproductive attitudes and knowledge effects on early adult unintended and nonmarital fertility across gender

Abstract Theory and evidence suggest strong short-term effects of attitudes toward, and knowledge about, reproduction on women’s fertility. Adolescent attitudes and knowledge may also have longer-term implications about the contexts women perceive as appropriate for childbearing and their capacity to manage their preferences. Although previous research on men’s fertility is limited, theory would suggest the links between adolescent attitudes and knowledge and subsequent fertility would also exist for men (though perhaps in different ways given the gendered meanings of sex, contraception, and reproduction). We analyze the relationship between reproductive attitudes and knowledge in adolescence and unintended and nonmarital first and second births in early adulthood, using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N = 9,431). Adolescent reproductive attitudes, especially life course consequences of early childbearing, predict the intendedness and marital status of first and second births. Adolescent reproductive knowledge is more often linked to the context of second births than first births. These associations vary by gender, but the overall results suggest that fertility schemas developed during adolescence predict behavior into early adulthood.
New method for detecting fast neutrino flavor conversions in core-collapse supernova models with two-moment neutrino transport

Fast-pairwise neutrino oscillations potentially affect many aspects of core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe): the explosion mechanism, neutrino signals, and nucleosynthesis in the ejecta. This particular mode of collective neutrino oscillations has a deep connection to the angular structure of neutrinos in momentum space; for instance, the appearance of electron-neutrino lepton number (ELN) angular crossings in momentum space is a good indicator of the occurrence of flavor conversions. However, many multidimensional CCSN simulations are carried out with approximate neutrino transport (such as two-moment methods), which limits access to the angular distributions of neutrinos, i.e., inhibits ELN-crossing searches. In this paper, we develop a new method of searching for ELN crossing in these CCSN simulations. The required data is the zeroth and first angular moments of neutrinos and the matter profile, all of which are available in CCSN models with the two-moment method. One of the novelties of our new method is the use of a ray-tracing neutrino transport to determine ELNs in the direction of the stellar center. It is designed to compensate for shortcomings of the crossing searches with only two angular moments. We assess the capability of the method by carrying out a detailed comparison with results of full Boltzmann neutrino transport in 1D and 2D CCSN models. We find that the ray-tracing neutrino transport improves the accuracy of crossing searches; indeed, the appearance/disappearance of the crossings is accurately detected even in the region of forward-peaked angular distributions. The new method is computationally cheap and has the benefit of efficient parallelization; hence, it will be useful for ELN-crossing searches in any CCSN models that employ two-moment neutrino transport.
Safety from in-the-loop reachability for cyber-physical systems

We demonstrate a methodology for achieving safe autonomy that relies on computing reachable sets at runtime. Given a system subject to disturbances controlled by an unverified and potentially faulty controller, this methodology computes at each time the reachable set of the system under a backup control law to ensure the system is within reach of a known a priori safe region. Control barrier functions are then used in conjunction with the reachable set to adjust potentially unsafe control actions that would otherwise move the system beyond reach of this safe set. This approach faces several computational challenges: reachable sets for the dynamics must be computed at runtime; sensitivity of the reachable set to initial conditions is required for the control barrier optimization formulation; and the presence of disturbances introduces a large number of constraints in the resulting optimization. The proposed methodology leverages the theory of mixed monotone systems to address these challenges, and the main contribution of this paper is an application of this methodology to a ten dimensional dual planar multirotor system that is implemented on embedded hardware with a controller update rate up to 100Hz.
The Effects of Ability Grouping on Student Math Achievement and Resource Allocation in Secondary Schools

Using different comparison groups than in earlier work, we find that ability tracking in math classes has little effect on growth in student math achievement. Previous articles use dummy variables to compare students from classes of high, middle and low ability to the average heterogeneously grouped student. This paper furthers the research by controlling for ability groups at each type of school and establishes that tracking schools differ little from non-tracking schools in terms of student achievement growth. The paper also shows that the allocation of students and resources among classes is remarkably similar between the two types of schools.
RibosePreferenceAnalysis: Analyzing the preference of rNMPs embedded in genomic DNA

Abstract Ribonucleotide triphosphate (rNTP) incorporation in DNA is a general phenomenon in many species. The rNTPs are misincorporated by DNA polymerases and become embedded ribonucleotide monophosphates (rNMPs) in DNA. Revealing patterns and preferences of embedded rNMPs is an important topic in the field of genome stability and DNA biology. Hence, we developed the RibosePreferenceAnalysis software to identify rNTP incorporation preferences and study the genomic contexts of the embedded rNMPs. This software is an easy-to-use tool for researchers who are interested in embedded rNMP data and provides useful results to study rNTP incorporation, embedded rNMP removal, and rNMP functionality.
Effect of corticosteroid dosing on outcomes in high-grade immune checkpoint inhibitor hepatitis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Consensus guidelines recommend high-dose corticosteroids (1-2 mg/kg/day methylprednisolone equivalents) for treating grade ≥3 immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) hepatitis. We examined the effect of corticosteroid dosing on time to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization, need for additional immunosuppression, and steroid-related complications. APPROACH AND RESULTS We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 215 ICI-treated patients from 2010-2020 who developed grade ≥3 (ALT>200 U/L) ICI hepatitis. Patients were grouped by initial corticosteroid dose (≥1.5 mg/kg or <1.5 mg/kg methylprednisolone equivalents). Propensity scores were calculated predicting the risk of receiving the higher steroid dose and used in inverse probability of treatment weighted (IPTW) logistic or Cox regression. The 87 patients in the ≥1.5 mg/kg group received higher initial (2.0 vs 0.8 mg/kg/day, p<0.001) and maximum (2.0 vs 1.0 mg/kg/day, p<0.001) steroid doses than the 128 patients in the <1.5 mg/kg group. There was no difference between the higher vs lower-dose groups in development of steroid-refractory hepatitis (OR 1.22, 95% CI 0.79-1.89, p=0.365) on IPTW-logistic regression. In patients with steroid-responsive disease, there was no difference between the two groups in time to ALT normalization using either standard Cox regression (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.72-1.45, p=0.903) or IPTW-Cox regression (HR 1.09, 95% CI 0.78-1.51, p=0.610). The ≥1.5 mg/kg group had longer exposure to corticosteroids (median 60 vs 44 days, p=0.005) and higher incidences of infection (18.4% vs 7.0%, RR 2.6, 95% CI 1.2-5.6, p=0.011) and hyperglycemia requiring treatment (23.3% vs 7.8%, RR 3.0, 95% CI 1.5-6.0, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS In patients with high-grade ICI hepatitis, initial treatment with 1 mg/kg/day methylprednisolone equivalents provides similar hepatitis outcomes with reduced risk of steroid-related complications when compared with higher dose regimens.
Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Luminescent Properties of Heteroleptic Bismuth-Organic Compounds

Four heteroleptic bismuth-organic phases bearing 2,2′;6′,2′′-terpyridine (terpy) and 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTA) of the general formula [BiXy(TTA)3−y(terpy)], where X = NO3 (2), Cl (3), Br (4), Br2 (5), were synthesized at room temperature. A minor phase, [Bi2(terpy)2(MeO)2(NO3)4] (1), formed in the same reaction as 2, and was manually separated to afford a phase pure sample of 2. The structures were determined through single crystal X-ray diffraction, and further characterized via powder X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The structures of 2–5 are built from discrete monomeric units, whereas 1 contains dimeric complexes. Significant π–π stacking and halide–π interactions are observed in the solid-state structures. Europium-doped phases of 2–5 were synthesized through addition of an aliquot of a europium nitrate or europium chloride solution to the initial reaction solution. For comparison, [EuNO3(TTA)2(terpy)]·0.3MeOH (6), which is isostructural to 2, was synthesized. Photophysical measurements were carried out for each of the lanthanide containing phases, and quantum yield and lifetime values were determined for the visible-light emitters. The synthesis, structural chemistry, and spectroscopic properties of the phases are presented.
Longitudinal analysis of regional brain changes in anti-NMDAR encephalitis: a case report

Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis is an immune-mediated disorder characterized by antibodies against the GluN1 subunit of the NMDA receptor that is increasingly recognized as a treatable cause of childhood epileptic encephalopathy. In adults, the disorder has been associated with reversible changes in brain volume over the course of treatment and recovery, but in children, little is known about its time course and associated imaging manifestations. A previously healthy 20-month-old boy presented with first-time unprovoked seizures, dysautonomia, and dyskinesia. Paraneoplastic workup was negative, but CSF was positive for anti-NMDAR antibodies. The patient’s clinical condition waxed and waned over a 14-month course of treatment with first- and second-line immunotherapies (including steroids, IVIG, rituximab, and cyclophosphamide). Serial brain MRIs scans obtained at 5 time points spanning this same period showed no abnormal signal or enhancement but were remarkable for cycles of reversible regional cortical volume loss. All scans included identical 1-mm resolution 3D T1-weighted sequences obtained on the same 3 T scanner. Using a novel longitudinal processing stream in FreeSurfer6 (Reuter M, et. al, Neuroimage 61:1402–18, 2012) we quantified the rate of change in cortical volume at each vertex (% volume change per month) between consecutive scans and correlated these changes with the time course of the patient’s treatment and clinical response. We found regionally specific changes in cortical volume (up to 7% per month) that preferentially affected the frontal and occipital lobes and paralleled the patient’s clinical course, with clinical decline associated with volume loss and clinical improvement associated with volume gain. Our results suggest that reversible cortical volume loss in anti-NMDA encephalitis has a regional specificity that mirrors many of the clinical symptoms associated with the disorder and tracks the dynamics of disease severity over time. This case illustrates how quantitative morphometric techniques can be applied to clinical imaging data to reveal patterns of brain change that may provide insight into disease pathophysiology. More widespread application of this approach might reveal regional and temporal patterns specific to different types of autoimmune encephalitis, providing a tool for diagnosis and a surrogate marker for monitoring treatment response.
The Social Context of Parental Behavior

From birth, the nonhuman primate infant is an active participant in its social world. Although certain patterns of social behavior show ontogenetic changes indicative of the increasing social complexity of the infant, even the newborn is equipped with physical and behavioral capacities that initiate and influence social interactions. Generally, the first social partner the infant encounters is the mother, yet other members of the social group also contribute to the socialization of the infant. In the present chapter we will attempt to characterize and examine the social influences acting on the developing primate infant, starting with the infant itself and working outward to the mother and other immediate social companions. At each juncture we will attempt to specify some of the variables influencing the quantity and quality of social interactions provided to the infant and their influence on the infant’s behavior. The focus will primarily be on parental behavior, broadly defined as infant-directed behavior, and its influence on the socialization of the nonhuman primate infant.
Necessary and sufficient conditions for the continuity of permanental processes associated with transient Lévy processes

Let $u^{\beta}(x,y)$ be the $\beta$-potential density of a transient Levy process $\overline Y$ and $ X_{\alpha}=\{ X_{\alpha,x}, x\in R \}$ be the $\alpha$-permanental process determined by $u^{\beta}(x,y)$. Let $\overline L=\{\overline L_{t}^{x}, (t,x),\in R_{+}\times R \}$ be the local time process of $\overline Y$ and let $ G=\{ G_{x}, x\in R \}$ be the stationary mean zero Gaussian process with covariance $u^{\beta}(x,y)+ u^{\beta}(y,x)$. Then the processes $X_{\alpha}$, $\overline L$ and $G$ are either all continuous almost surely or all unbounded almost surely. Therefore, the well known necessary and sufficient condition for the continuity of $\overline L$ and $G$ is also a necessary and sufficient condition for the continuity of $X_{\alpha}$.
Effect of cyclosporine on anterior chamber-associated immune deviation with retinal transplantation.

Purpose. To determine whether immunosuppression using cyclosporine interferes with anterior chamber associated immune deviation (ACAID) and can promote survival of retinal allografts in the anterior chamber. Methods. Neonatal neural retinas of C57BL/6 mice or ovalbumin were injected into the anterior chamber of BALB/c adult mice. In the test group recipients were injected with cyclosporine (10 mg/kg per day) from day 0 to 11 or from day 11 to 34 after implantation. At 12 and 35 days after transplantation, lymphocytes from the test group were injected into naive BALB/c mice to assay for the presence of suppressor T cells (adoptive transfer). The fate of the retinal grafts was determined by histologic examination at day 12 and 35. To evaluate the potential neurotoxic effects of cyclosporine in the absence of immune rejection mechanisms, cyclosporine was given to SCID mice during days 11 to 34 after syngeneic neonatal neural retinal grafts were placed in the anterior chamber. Results. At 12 days after transplantation, spleens of bodi cyclosporine-treated and control mice contained suppressor cells against donor alloantigens. The retinal grafts in the anterior chamber of both groups of mice were fully developed and well differentiated. The same duration of administration of cyclosporine did not interfere with the production of efferent suppressor cells after inoculation of ovalbumin into the anterior chamber. At 35 days after transplantation, only spleen cells from the cyclosporine-treated group showed the capacity to suppress donor-specific delayed hypersensitivity. However, allografts in the cyclosporine group had deteriorated by 35 days in a fashion similar to the control group. Syngeneic grafts in SCID mice showed differentiated retinal layers 35 days after transplantation. Conclusions. Cyclosporine treatment does not interfere with the ability of allogeneic neonatal retinal grafts to induce anterior chamber associated immune deviation when placed in the anterior chamber, nor does prolonged treatment with this drug interfere with the persistence of allospecific suppressor cells for 35 days after the graft. Because 35-day grafts of cyclosporinetreated mice display histologic evidence of graft failure similar to grafts placed in the anterior chamber of untreated mice, graft destruction is either the result of immune effector mechanisms not inhibited by cyclosporine, or the consequence of nonimmunologic factors. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1997; 38:2152-2160. ivetinal transplantation is a potential therapeutic strategy for treating certain retinal diseases. Because allogeneic retinal grafts will most likely be used, preventing graft rejection caused by alloimmunity is crucial for achieving successful retinal transplantation.
Containing HIV after infection.

Investigation into the ability of anti-retroviral therapy and therapeutic immunization in primary simian immunodeficiency virus infection of macaques demonstrates the importance of anti-retroviral treatment in early infection. The findings also indicate that it may be possible to boost the virus-specific immune response through immunization (pages 1140–1146 ).
Hereditary Lindelöf Degree

We begin with some equivalent definitions. For one of them we need the following notion: a sequence (x ξ : ξ < κ) of distinct elements of a topological space X is right-separated provided that for every ξ < κ the set {x η : η < ξ} is open in {x ξ : ξ < κ}.
The Centennial of the Laymen's Week-End Retreat League of Philadelphia, 1912–2012

Those looking for vitality and creative energy within the Catholic Church have pointed to the emergence and growth of a diverse array of lay ecclesial movements that have arisen in recent decades to address the spiritual needs of both their members and their wider communities. Groups like Focolare and Communion and Liberation have received praise for their efforts cultivating lay leadership and encouraging men and women to participate more fully in the ministerial work of the church. This year marks the centennial of the Laymen's Week-End Retreat League of Philadelphia, an organization that can be seen as a precursor to these later movements. In many ways, the league pioneered the work of lay ecclesial ministry before the term was ever conceived. As we mark this anniversary, the history of the league offers an opportunity to reflect on the growth of lay ministry in the United States context and explore how movements coalesce, articulate their mission, and create a self-sustaining culture.
Reform movements, sexual

Sexual reform movements are group actions that seek to change the laws, attitudes, and institutions that govern sexual life. They reflect the distinctly modern belief that sex is a social and political “problem” requiring public attention and intervention. Beginning in the nineteenth century, prostitution, the spread of venereal disease, birth control, and homosexuality were all issues that catalyzed the formation of groups primarily concerned with sexual reform. Activism around these issues has assumed both national and international dimensions. Over time, sexual reform movements have experienced periods of expansion and retrenchment in response to broader sociopolitical phenomena. Although sexual reform movements made significant gains over the past two hundred years, their achievements remain fragile and contested even among activists themselves. Keywords: birth control; homosexuality; prostitution; sexual reform movements; venereal disease
On the use of joint estimation in particle filters for object tracking in video

Object tracking is an important problem, whose effective solution is crucial to lot of applications. Though several methods have been proposed in the literature, they fail when the object of interest does not conform to a specific process model. Also, current methods have to be tuned for different videos and objects (say, for example, using training data). One solution for such a problem is to estimate the parameters of the process model while estimating the state. In this paper, we propose such joint estimation of particle filters for object tracking and show that for the same model for state estimation, particle filtering with joint estimation performs better (in terms of the tracking error) than conventional particle filtering.
Trazodone and omeprazole interaction causing frequent second-degree Mobitz type 1 atrioventricular (AV) block (Wenckebach phenomenon) and syncope: a case report and literature review.

Patient: Male, 54 Final Diagnosis: Trazodone and omeprazole interaction causing second-degree Mobitz type 1 AV block and syncope Symptoms: Syncope Medication: — Clinical Procedure: Trazodone and omeprazole withheld Specialty: Cardiology Objective: Unexpected drug reaction
The interaction of bile salts with pathogenic and nonpathogenic intestinal bacteria.

This chapter provides an overview of bile composition and conjugation mediated by the normal flora and its aforementioned antimicrobial effects. It discusses known molecular mechanisms behind bile resistance and the role bile has in altering the virulence of enteric pathogens. Fasting and malnourishment have been shown to decrease the amount of bile in the intestine and, consequently, leave individuals vulnerable to bacterial pathogens. Similar to commensal enteric bacteria, pathogenic Listeria monocytogenes contains bile salt hydrolases (BSH) genes thought to confer bile resistance and successful colonization and disease manifestation. Probiotics researchers suggest that subsequent limitations to enterohepatic circulation in the presence of unconjugated bile acids cause enhanced fecal loss of bile salts. The chapter talks about the effect of bile on pathogenic bacteria. Adaptability to the harsh effects of bile acids is a critical component of survival for gastrointestinal pathogens. Both conjugated and unconjugated bile salts increased expression of the CmeABC efflux pump, while other antimicrobials, including chloramphenicol, ethidium bromide, and erythromycin, did not affect transcription of cmeABC. Surface plasmon resonance provided evidence that bile salts were capable of inhibiting binding of CmeR to the cmeABC promoter, leading to increased pump expression and elevated bile resistance. Interestingly, the presence of bile salts in culture media enhanced the resistance of Campylobacter to multiple antibiotics, including cefotaxime, novobiocin, and fusidic acid. As long as the integrity of the normal microbial flora is maintained, compounds that are mentioned in the chapter could be manufactured to target known factors contributing to bile resistance.
Surveillance for Arthropodborne Diseases

Surveillance is the act of watching over something. A survey is a general study or inspection. Applied to infectious diseases, surveillance and surveys both involve the systematic collection of data relating to the occurrence or likely occurrence of disease cases. Surveillance programs continue indefinitely, whereas surveys are of limited duration. Surveillance may involve detecting cases within human and animal populations, monitoring infectious agents in natural vectors or reservoir animals, seroconversions in sentinel animals, estimating vectors or reservoir host population abimdance, and assessing weather patterns.
Hanford Site Sorption Studies for the Control of Radioactive Wastes: a Review

Past sorption studies evolved with time from generic, to waste specific, to empirical waste-specific/site-specific studies are presented. This paper discusses current sorption studies, which are site specific and based on a radionuclide transport soil properties model (PERCOL). Radionuclide sorption is treated in the model PERCOL by the use of laboratory developed empirical/statistical equations that predict sorption as a function of groundwater chemistry. 24 refs.
Spiritual Awareness, Personal Perspective on Death, and Psychosocial Distress Among Cancer Patients

This study examined the relationship between transpersonal development and psychosocial distress of cancer patients. The study was based on a theoretical model of transpersonal development conceptualized as a relationship between one's personal perspective on death and one's level of spiritual awareness. A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data during a single interview. A random sample of 116 men and women with cancer who were being seen in the oncology outpatient department of a regional cancer center participated in the study. Data was collected with the following: a brief questionnaire concerning demographic and oncologic information, the Transpersonal Development Inventory (developed by the first author), and the Death Attitude Profile and the Brief Symptom Inventory, which have established validity and reliability. A significant negative correlation between level of transpersonal development and level of psychosocial distress supported the major hypothesis. Twenty-four percent of the...