cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Eimeria meleagrimitis Sporozoites: Effect of Lectins on Invasion of Cultured Cells

Abstract Exposure pf primary turkey kidney cell cultures to 100 μ g/ml wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), a lectin that binds N-acetylglucosamine (NAcGl), significantly inhibited invasion of the cells by Eimeria meleagrimitis sporozoites. However, neither succinyl-WGA, a lectin that retains an affinity for NAcGl but does not bind sialic acid, nor pokeweed mitogen, another lectin that binds NAcGl, similarly inhibited invasion. Collectively, the data suggested that the inhibition of invasion may be caused primarily by binding of WGA to anionic moieties on the host cell surface and not to specific binding to NAcGl. Exposure of cells to concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin, or Ricinus communis lectin, as well as with pokeweed mitogen, failed to inhibit invasion by the sporozoites. Ultraviolet microscopy, using fluorescein-conjugated lectins, showed that the lectins had bound to the surface of the cultured cells. No binding of NAcGl or lectins to the surfaces of the sporozoites was demonstrated by either the clumping of the parasites in different lectin concentrations or the use of fluorescein-conjugated lectins. However, exposure of E. meleagrimitis sporozoites to NAcGl increased invasion of untreated cells by 50%.
Through Wafer Interconnects for 3-D Packaging

Semiconductor technology has reached a point in its evolution where the package now plays an important role in the overall performance of the device. In MEMs devices, the package is often more than 75% of the cost and has a significant impact in the overall size. Through wafer interconnects allow for advanced 3-D packaging schemes. Additional miniaturization, increased interconnection density, and higher performance is possible by stacking die with through wafer interconnects. Key technologies for creating TWIs are the ability to create a via through the silicon wafer, dielectric isolation of the via metal from the substrate, and filling or coating the via with a conducting material. Through wafer interconnects have been demonstrated in silicon wafers. The process to create TWIs has been optimized. The TWI has been tested electrically and proven reliable. TWIs were incorporated into an active device wafer and a two die stack connected through solder bump technology. In current work, specific applications which take advantage of the benefits of TWI’s are being explored including 3-D inductors, unique sensor packages and MEMs applications.
Simple Single-Shot Technique for Measuring the Complete Spatiotemporal Intensity and Phase of a Complex Ultrashort Pulse

Our simple device measures the complete spatiotemporal field of an arbitrary ultrashort pulse complex in both space and time (x,y,t). We also demonstrate a method for displaying the resulting dual plots of complex four-dimensional data.
Acoustic Resonance and Vortex Formation on Propellant Surfaces

Prior research has shown that oscillatory or modulated flows can achieve a significant increase in heat transfer relative to the corresponding steady flow, providing that a critical or threshold amplitude is achieved. The threshold condition is associated with the production of near-surface turbulence by the oscillatory motion. This process is hypothesized as a mechanism of high-amplitude acoustic instability in solid propellant rockets. In the present approach, the linear stability of unsteady simulated solid rocket chamber flows is investigated. For relatively moderate acoustic amplitudes, periodic burst behavior is noted near the surface, with flow disturbances capable of resonance with longitudinal acoustic modes. The acoustically-induced transition process is primarily dependent on the normalized acoustic velocity or pressure amplitude and the oscillatory Reynolds number based on acoustic frequency and mean injection velocity, and secondarily on the Strouhal number based on chamber half-height or radius, and the Reynolds number based on mean axial flow. The most critical modes typically occur within a thickness characterized by the first maximum of axial velocity in the acoustic boundary layer. Under representative conditions, axial mean flow has little affect, though significant axial mean flow in the chamber is found to have a slight stabilizing effect when acoustic amplitudes are relatively large. The near-neutral disturbances show broad spectra with resonances throughout the cycle, as well as negative phase velocities, and thus may allow quasi-standing modes. The wavelengths of the vortical disturbances are qualitatively consistent with the wavelengths of surface ripples observed on extinguished samples of propellant acquired during high-amplitude instability.
Research and Applications of MVC Design Pattern in NMS

Based on the analysis of the principle of MVC design pattern and MVC architecture, this paper discussed the application of MVC design pattern in NMS system development. An example is given to discuss how to use patterns in designing NMS and the structure of framework is illustrated. This design can not only make the logic processing procedure clearer, but also make the later expansion and maintenance easier. It can be applied facilely to the design of other application module of client, and bring better software architecture and reusability of code..
Abstract 3: Treatment Intensification and Medication Adherence Are Factors in Improving Blood Pressure Trajectories Among Newly Diagnosed CAD Patients

Background: Blood pressure (BP) control among coronary artery disease (CAD) patients is sub-optimal in clinical practice and may be due to gaps in treatment intensification and medication adherence. However, longitudinal studies evaluating these relationships are limited. Methods: We assessed BP trajectories among managed care patients with hypertension and incident CAD. Patients were stratified by target BP goal (<140/90 or <130/80 among those with diabetes or renal disease) and BP trajectories were modeled over the year following CAD diagnosis. Treatment intensification (increase in BP therapies in the setting of an elevated BP) and medication adherence (percentage of days covered with BP therapies) were evaluated in multivariable models adjusting for patient variables. Results: 2763 patients had a <140/90 BP goal and 9890 had a <130/80 BP goal. Within each BP goal group, four trajectories were identified - persistently uncontrolled (Group 1), uncontrolled to controlled (Group 2), controlled to uncontrolled (Group 3), and persistently controlled (Group 4). In multivariable models comparing Group 2 to Group 1, treatment intensification was associated with improved BP control over the year for both groups (OR for <140/90 BP goal 0.75, 95% CI 0.66, 0.84; OR for <130/80 BP goal 0.93, 95% CI 0.89, 0.98). Medication adherence was associated with improved BP control among the 130/80 target BP group only (OR for <140/90 BP goal 0.79, 95% CI 0.38, 1.69; OR for <130/80 BP goal 0.66, 95% CI 0.49, 0.9). Conclusions: In this managed care patient population, treatment intensification and medication adherence significantly affect BP trajectories in the year following CAD diagnosis. ![Graphic][1] [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif
The Use of Knowledge in Economics

In this essay, we survey the use of knowledge in economics and argue that knowledge should be treated one way rather than another. In other words, we see our purpose as both positive and normative. First, we want to show how some economists have treated knowledge in their analytical depictions of the economy. Second, we argue that some efforts by economists are more successful than others at capturing the role that knowledge plays in the economy. We especially emphasize F.A. Hayek's work and his challenge to the economics profession in mid-20th century. It is in accessing how well different economists have addressed Hayek's challenge, or failed to address it, that is our primary concern.
Pro Sports League Antitrust ‘Beliefs’: Applied Theory and the Rule of Reason

In antitrust rule of reason cases, courts weigh anticompetitive harm against consumer welfare offsets. In sports cases, the courts appear to accept claims that fans prefer more competitive balance to less, so that a potential welfare offset is any added enhanced competitive balance attributable to the anticompetitive activity. In addition, courts often decide that less intrusive alternatives may be available to accomplish the same competitive balance gain. From the applied theory perspective, this is troublesome. Theoretically, whether fans prefer more balance is a hypothesis about preferences that needs to be examined in detail for any particular case. Applied theory also is of aid in assessing whether a particular device under scrutiny, including so-called less intrusive alternatives, should even be predicted to enhance balance. Wading through the foregoing produces food for thought for the courts. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improved Therapeutic Benefits by Combining Physical Cooling With Pharmacological Hypothermia After Severe Stroke in Rats

Background and Purpose—Therapeutic hypothermia is a promising strategy for treatment of acute stroke. Clinical translation of therapeutic hypothermia, however, has been hindered because of the lack of efficiency and adverse effects. We sought to enhance the clinical potential of therapeutic hypothermia by combining physical cooling (PC) with pharmacologically induced hypothermia after ischemic stroke. Methods—Wistar rats were subjected to 90-minute middle cerebral artery occlusion by insertion of an intraluminal filament. Mild-to-moderate hypothermia was induced 120 minutes after the onset of stroke by PC alone, a neurotensin receptor 1 (NTR1) agonist HPI-201 (formally ABS-201) alone or the combination of both. The outcomes of stroke were evaluated at 3 and 21 days after stroke. Results—PC or HPI-201 each showed hypothermic effect and neuroprotection in stroke rats. The combination of PC and HPI-201 exhibited synergistic effects in cooling process, reduced infarct formation, cell death, and blood-brain ba...
Sample preparation for proteomic analysis using a GeLC-MS/MS strategy.

In-gel digestion coupled with mass spectrometric analysis (GeLC-MS/MS) is a cornerstone for protein identification and characterization. Here I review this versatile approach which combines classical and modern biochemistry strategies and allows for targeted and proteome-wide analyses. Starting with any protein sample, reduced and alkylated proteins are precipitated prior to fractionation by SDS-PAGE. Proteins are in-gel digested and the resulting peptides are extracted and desalted for downstream LC-MS/MS analysis. GeLC-MS/MS leverages the advantages of both traditional SDS-PAGE visualization and protein fractionation with the robust protein and post-translational modification identification and quantitation capabilities of state-of-the-art mass spectrometry-based technology. As such, this strategy allows for the visible assessment of protein amount and quality, prior to analysis via virtually any mass spectrometry platform. Moreover, gel extracted peptides may be derived from any sample type—e.g., from cell culture, tissue, body fluid, or recombinantly-expressed protein—and are fully compatible with isobaric tagging. GeLC-MS/MS is an invaluable technique for proteomic analyses.
"Long sentences and floating commas": Mexican students' rhetorical practices and the sociocultural context

This chapter reports on a study that takes a problem-drive approach to answer the question “What do Mexican Spanish university writers ‘do’ when they write in Spanish, their L1, and in English, their L2?” This ethnographic study examines learners’ writing practices in their educational environment. Data collection includes learner and participant observation accounts, classroom observations, and textbook analyses. In Part I, the sociocultural context of the Mexican university is described, followed by a functional discourse analysis of one representative example from a multilingual student’s essay. Part II discusses the educational setting, literacy training, and writing instruction from both teachers’ and learners’ perspectives. This chapter informs teachers and other language education professionals about multilingual writers in EFL contexts.
Polyphosphate Shortens the Clotting Time of Hemophilic and Anticoagulated Plasma.

Abstract Introduction: Inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) is a negatively charged polymer of phosphate units linked by high energy phosphoanhydride bonds. Dense granules of human platelets contain abundant polyP which is released in response to thrombin stimulation. We recently reported that polyphosphate is a potent hemostatic regulator, accelerating blood clotting by activating the contact pathway, promoting factor V activation, and abrogating tissue factor pathway inhibitor function. We now report that polyP shortens the clot time of hemophilic plasmas and plasmas containing a variety of anticoagulant drugs. Methods: Citrated plasmas were obtained from normal donors, patients receiving coumadin, and individuals with severe hemophilia A or B. In some experiments, clinically relevant concentrations of unfractionated heparin, enoxaparin, or argatroban were added to normal plasma. In other experiments, therapeutic concentrations of FIX, FVIII, or FVIIa were added to hemophilic plasma. Clotting was initiated by dilute thromboplastin. Results: Adding 33 uM polyP to normal plasma shortened clot times at all doses of heparin (by 37–55%), enoxaparin (by 35–57%), and argatroban (by 28–59%; see Figure). PolyP shortened clot times of plasmas from coumadin patients (by 29–39%) with INR values ranging from 1.7 to 4.8. PolyP also shortened the clot times of plasma from patients with hemophilia A (by 54–75%) and B (by 51–79%). PolyP alone shortened clot times of hemophilia A or B plasma equivalent to adding 6 to 15 nM recombinant FVIIa, and the polyP effect was additive to that of FVIIa, FVIII or FIX. Conclusions: PolyP shortened the in vitro clot time for all plasmas tested and was additive with replacement of missing clotting factors or recombinant FVIIa for hemophilic plasmas. These results suggest that treatment with polyP may be useful for reversal of anticoagulation in patients treated for thrombophilia, or for treatment of bleeding episodes in patients with hemophilia. Furthermore, polyP could potentially reduce the dose of replacement clotting factors or recombinant FVIIa needed to treat bleeding episodes in hemophilia. Download : Download high-res image (80KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure
Geomorphic Impacts of Resort Evolution along the Gulf of Mexico Coast: Applicability of Resort Cycle Models

Conceptual models of resort evolution have been used to document pat-terns of tourist flows, social and economic impacts, and changes in resort morphology. Tourism/environment relationships are often perceived as being linear, with greater levels of tourism development correlated to greater negative environmental impacts. Documentation of Gulf of Mexico coastal resort evolution by application of a resort cycle model reveals a more complex human-environment relationship. Minimal geomorphic disturbance characterises initial tourism ‘exploration’, although a subsequent ‘rapid development’ stage is usually accompanied by the greatest negative impacts upon the dunes and shore zone. During more advanced stages of the resort cycle, accurate perceptions of environmental degradation lead to increasing efforts at environmental preservation, e.g. shoreline armouring, beach nourishment, dune stabilisation, etc. However, because of prevailing adverse physical parameters as well as previous human- induced environmental degradation, these efforts are usually costly and rarely successful. Resort cycle analyses are useful in understanding both the evolution of Gulf of Mexico resorts and also the corollary geomorphic and related environmental impacts. Such analyses for forecasting evolutionary trends and geomorphic impacts are greatest at sites of ‘spontaneous’ unregulated tourism development, such as in the lesser developed countries.
Induction of hepatic metallothioneins determined at isoprotein and messenger RNA levels in glucocorticoid-treated rats.

Induction of metallothionein-I (MT-I) and metallothionein-II (MT-II) by glucocorticoids was determined by h.p.l.c. analysis of proteins and Northern-blot analysis of MT mRNAs. Rats were injected with dexamethasone (0.03-10 mumol/kg) and hepatic concentrations of MTs were determined 24 h later. In control rats, only MT-II was detected (9.4 +/- 2.5 micrograms/g of liver), whereas the hepatic concentration of MT-I was below the detection limit (5 micrograms of MT/g). Dexamethasone did not increase MT-I above the detection limit at any dosage tested, but MT-II increased to 2.5 times control values at dosages of 0.30 mumol/kg and higher. Time-course experiments indicated that MT-II reached a maximum at 24 h after a single dosage of dexamethasone and returned to control values by 48 h. To determine whether dexamethasone increased MT-I in liver, samples were saturated with 109Cd, after which the amount of 109Cd in MT-I and MT-II was determined. Results indicated that, by this approach, MT-I and MT-II could be detected in control rats, and there was approx. 1.8 times more 109Cd in MT-II than in MT-I. At 24 h after administration of dexamethasone (1 mumol/kg), there was a small increase in the amount of 109Cd bound to MT-I, whereas the amount of 109Cd bound to MT-II increased to more than 2 times control values. Northern-blot hybridization with mouse cRNA probes indicated that MT-I and MT-II mRNAs increased co-ordinately after administration of dexamethasone. Thus, although glucocorticoids increase both MT-I and MT-II mRNAs, MT-II preferentially accumulates after administration of dexamethasone.
The rising tide lifts all boats: the advancement of science in cyber security (invited talk)

Stolen passwords, compromised medical records, taking the internet out through video cameras– cybersecurity breaches are in the news every day. Despite all this, the practice of cybersecurity today is generally reactive rather than proactive. That is, rather than improving their defenses in advance, organizations react to attacks once they have occurred by patching the individual vulnerabilities that led to those attacks. Researchers engineer solutions to the latest form of attack. What we need, instead, are scientifically founded design principles for building in security mechanisms from the beginning, giving protection against broad classes of attacks. Through scientific measurement, we can improve our ability to make decisions that are evidence-based, proactive, and long-sighted. Recognizing these needs, the US National Security Agency (NSA) devised a new framework for collaborative research, the “Lablet” structure, with the intent to more aggressively advance the science of cybersecurity. A key motivation was to catalyze a shift in relevant areas towards a more organized and cohesive scientific community. The NSA named Carnegie Mellon University, North Carolina State University, and the University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign its initial Lablets in 2011, and added the University of Maryland in 2014. This talk will reflect on the structure of the collaborative research efforts of the Lablets, lessons learned in the transition to more scientific concepts to cybersecurity, research results in solving five hard security problems, and methods that are being used for the measurement of scientific progress of the Lablet research.
Trump’s populism: lessons from Latin America

ABSTRACTThis paper compares left-wing Latin American populism with Donald Trump. Despite their different social bases and economic policies, they use a similar logic to construct politics as an antagonistic struggle between two camps. Left-wing and right-wing populists aim to rupture existing political institutions to give power to the people, yet they differ in how they construct this category. Whereas Trump used ethnic criteria to differentiate the people from three out groups – Mexicans, Muslims, and African-American militant organisations – left-wing Latin American populists used political and socio-economic criteria. Despite their democratising promises, Latin American populists like Hugo Chavez in Venezuela and Rafael Correa in Ecuador undermined democracy from within. Even though stronger institutions might protect American democracy, Trump has disfigured democracy.
An NSF View of Multimedia Privacy and Security: Extended Abstract

Multimedia introduces whole new worlds of opportunities and challenges for security and privacy. The NSF Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace (SaTC) program funds a wide range of research in the area, and welcomes proposals for additional areas. This extended abstract identifies some of the topic areas that have been funded in the past and are of interest for the future.
Multi-factor product authentication using integrated Quick Response (QR) code pixelated antenna

Abstract A Quick Response (QR) Code style antenna is presented. Such an antenna can provide two-level authentication, both optically through the current QR technology, plus a radio frequency (RF) signature from microstrip patch antenna designed from the QR signature using copper patterning. The antenna is designed through the pixilation of a patch antenna where conductor is present in the dark regions of the optical QR code. The QR based antenna design has a unique frequency and radiation signature and can be used for RF authentication of products. The design process for the pixilation is presented as well as fabrication and measured results of a QR code antenna design. The possibility of using a Genetic Algorithm to create a “library” of acceptable antenna results in accordance with the QR data it represents is also discussed.
Decolonising the imagined geographies of ‘witchcraft’

Turning my frame of inquiry toward academia, I analyse academic presentations on topics of ‘witchcraft’ conveyed to majority-geographer, majority-white and majority-Northern audiences. I argue that (a) the imagined geographies of ‘witchcraft’ have been central to colonial Othering; (b) ‘witchcraft’ is often relegated to the academic periphery; (c) ‘witchcraft’ ontologies are plural, fluid and ambiguous and (d) ‘witchcraft’ is often defiant of academicisations. Given this milieu, scholars risk reproducing a ‘witchcraft’ that is Othering, even when/if the scholarship has an anti-colonial orientation. I call for greater attention to the broadening of academic conference exchanges to allow space for pluriform knowledges.
Security issues with certificate authorities

The current state of the internet relies heavily on SSL/TLS and the certificate authority model. This model has systematic problems, both in its design as well as its implementation. There are problems with certificate revocation, certificate authority governance, breaches, poor security practices, single points of failure and with root stores. This paper begins with a general introduction to SSL/TLS and a description of the role of certificates, certificate authorities and root stores in the current model. This paper will then explore problems with the current model and describe work being done to help mitigate these problems.
Merging mechanical and electromechanical bandgaps in locally resonant metamaterials and metastructures

Abstract Locally resonant metamaterials are characterized by bandgaps at wavelengths much larger than the lattice size. Such locally resonant bandgaps can be formed using mechanical or electromechanical resonators. However, the nature of bandgap formation in mechanical and electromechanical (particularly piezoelectric) metamaterials is fundamentally different since the former is associated with a dynamic modal mass, while the latter is due to a dynamic modal stiffness. Next-generation metamaterials and resulting metastructures (i.e. finite configurations with specified boundary conditions) hosting mechanical resonators as well as piezoelectric interfaces connected to resonating circuits can enable the formation of two bandgaps, right above and below the design frequency of the mechanical and electrical resonators, respectively, yielding a wider bandgap and enhanced design flexibility as compared to using a purely mechanical, or a purely electromechanical configuration. In this work, we establish a fully coupled framework for hybrid mechanical-electromechanical metamaterials and finite metastructures. Combined bandgap size is approximated in closed form as a function of the added mass ratio of the resonators and the system-level electromechanical coupling for the infinite resonators approximation. Case studies are presented for a hybrid metamaterial cantilever under bending vibration to understand the interaction of these two locally resonant metamaterial domains in bandgap formation. Specifically, it is shown that the mechanical and electromechanical bandgaps do not fully merge for a finite number of resonators in an undamped setting. However, the presence of even light damping in the resonators suppresses the intermediate resonances emerging within the combined bandgap, enabling seamless merging of the two bandgaps in real-world structures that have damping. The overall concept of combining mechanical and electromechanical bandgaps in the same single metastructure can be leveraged in more complex topologies of piezoelectric metamaterial-based solids and structures.
Design and optimisation of a distributive model-based sensor fault detection method for automated in-network execution in a wireless sensor network

In this paper, a distributed model-based sensor fault detection method is presented for detecting and identifying spike faults without the requirement of the existence of reference sensors. This method partitions the sensor network into sensor pairs and carries out fault diagnosis within these sensor pairs based on autoregressive with exogenous input time series analysis. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated by implementing the algorithm in a 16-node wireless sensor network deployed to monitor the traffic induced accelerations of the Grove Street Bridge (Ypsilanti, Michigan). Spike faults are generated on-site and superimposed on the acceleration measurement before being acquired by some of the monitoring system wireless sensors. In addition to accuracy evaluation, this study focuses on the relationship between the detection accuracy and three different network partition methods. Based on this relationship, a communication energy saving partition method is presented. The proposed algorithm achieved a detection rate of over 85% yet reduced communication energy by more than 54% when compared to a centralised fault detection method implemented in the monitoring system base station.
Development and Optimization of Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing Methods for Cerebrospinal Fluid Diagnostics

The purpose of this study was to develop and optimize different processing, extraction, amplification, and sequencing methods for metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens. We applied mNGS to 10 CSF samples with known standard-of-care testing (SoC) results (8 positive and 2 negative). Each sample was subjected to nine different methods by varying the sample processing protocols (supernatant, pellet, neat CSF), sample pretreatment (with or without bead beating), and the requirement of nucleic acid amplification steps using DNA sequencing (DNASeq) (with or without whole-genome amplification [WGA]) and RNA sequencing (RNASeq) methods. Negative extraction controls (NECs) were used for each method variation (4/CSF sample). Host depletion (HD) was performed on a subset of samples. We correctly determined the pathogen in 7 of 8 positive samples by mNGS compared to SoC. The two negative samples were correctly interpreted as negative. The processing protocol applied to neat CSF specimens was found to be the most successful technique for all pathogen types. While bead beating introduced bias, we found it increased the detection yield of certain organism groups. WGA prior to DNASeq was beneficial for defining pathogens at the positive threshold, and a combined DNA and RNA approach yielded results with a higher confidence when detected by both methods. HD was required for detection of a low-level-positive enterovirus sample. We demonstrate that NECs are required for interpretation of these complex results and that it is important to understand the common contaminants introduced during mNGS. Optimizing mNGS requires the use of a combination of techniques to achieve the most sensitive, agnostic approach that nonetheless may be less sensitive than SoC tools.
On early infantile psychosis. The symbiotic and autistic syndromes.

In private practice here and abroad and as a consultant to the Children's Service of the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, I was brought face to face with the problem of children's cases that could not be fitted into the well-established nosological categories of primary behavior disorders, neurotic or conduct disorders, psychopathic character deviations or impulse disturbances; neither would they fit into the "wastebasket" categories of the organic, or braindamaged group of amentia cases (Mahler, 1947). At that time (in the late 1930s and even in the 1940s) Lauretta Bender's (1942, 1947) pioneering work in childhood schizophrenia was by no means accepted in the child psychiatric field, Bradley's (1945), Potter's (1933), and Despert's (1941) work notwithstanding. It was in the early '40s that Kanner's concept of "early infantile autism" (1943, 1944) rendered the idea of severe psychotic derangement in young children somewhat more acceptable to workers in the
T-Cell subset distributions in spleen, thymus and mesenteric lymph nodes from immunodeficient wasted mice

Mice bearing the autosomal mutation “wasted” (wst) develop neurologic abnormalities and immunodeficiency at secretory sites by 21 days of age. Initial experiments showed that spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes from wasted mice have normal distributions of cells bearing the surface markers Lyt2, L3T4, and Lyt2 L3T4 relative to littermate and B6C3 controls. Studies of thymocytes, however, revealed that Lyt2+ cells were predominantly L3T4- in wasted mice, while in controls most Lyt2+ cells also expressed surface L3T4. Cell volume experiments revealed different volume distribution patterns for T-cells subpopulation in wasted mice relative to controls for all tissues studied.
Correlates of laboratory-confirmed measles in Japan, 2011-2015.

Abstract Background With the progressive decline in the incidence of measles in Japan, its diagnosis has become challenging, with fewer physicians having experience in examining measles patients. We aimed to determine the correlates of laboratory-confirmed measles to help physicians improve their measles diagnosis. Methods This study was conducted using the National Epidemiological Surveillance of Infectious Disease (NESID) system data during 2011–2015. Among clinically suspected measles patients reported to NESID, measles virus (MV)-positive patients were compared with MV-negative patients. The odds ratios (OR) and associated 95% confidence intervals (CI) were determined using logistic regression. Results A total of 4168 laboratory-tested patients were notified to NESID. We analysed 618 MV-positive patients (median age, 17 years; interquartile range [IQR], 4–30 years) and 600 MV-negative (median age, 10 years; IQR, 1–29 years) patients after excluding those that met the exclusion criteria or were reported during the rubella epidemic period (the 18th epidemiological week of 2012 to the 46th week of 2013). Having an epidemiological link with a measles patient within 14 days of onset (OR, 14.9; 95% CI, 10.0–23.3), a history of recent international travel (OR, 11.7; 95% CI, 6.9–19.9), and unvaccinated/unknown vaccination status for measles-containing vaccine (MCV; OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 2.3–5.7) were significantly associated with MV-positive status. International travel (adjusted OR, 10.2; 95% CI, 5.9–17.7) and unvaccinated/unknown MCV vaccination status (adjusted OR, 5.8; 95% CI, 3.5–9.8) remained significantly associated with MV-positive status after adjusting for age, sex, and each other. Conclusion In low-incidence Japan, having an epidemiological link, international travel, and lack of MCV vaccination were correlates of laboratory-confirmed measles. The findings of this study could potentially improve the clinical diagnosis of measles, which can lead to more efficient testing and earlier laboratory confirmation.
A mathematical model of tumor-endothelial interactions in a 3D co-culture

Intravasation and extravasation of cancer cells through blood/lymph vessel endothelium are essential steps during metastasis. Successful invasion requires coordinated tumor-endothelial crosstalk, utilizing mechanochemical signaling to direct cytoskeletal rearrangement for transmigration of cancer cells. However, mechanisms underlying physical interactions are difficult to observe due to the lack of experimental models easily combined with theoretical models that better elucidate these pathways. We have previously demonstrated that an engineered 3D in vitro endothelial-epithelial co-culture system can be used to isolate both molecular and physical tumor-endothelial interactions in a platform that is easily modeled, quantified, and probed for experimental investigation. Using this platform with mathematical modeling, we show that breast metastatic cells display unique behavior with the endothelium, exhibiting a 3.2-fold increase in interaction with the endothelium and a 61-fold increase in elongation compared to normal breast epithelial cells. Our mathematical model suggests energetic favorability for cellular deformation prior to breeching endothelial junctions, expending less energy as compared to undeformed cells, which is consistent with the observed phenotype. Finally, we show experimentally that pharmacological inhibition of the cytoskeleton can disrupt the elongatation and alignment of metastatic cells with endothelial tubes, reverting to a less invasive phenotype.
Inferior Mid-term Durability with Comparable Survival for Younger Patients Undergoing Elective Endovascular Infrarenal versus Open Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

Background The durability of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) when compared to open surgical repair (OSR) in younger patients for elective, infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) remains unclear due to limited follow-up. Methods We identified all patients Results We identified 253 patients: 204 underwent EVAR (80.6%) and 49 OSR (19.4%). Baseline demographics and comorbidities were similar across groups. There were no deaths in the immediate perioperative period. The rate of new arrhythmia (EVAR: 1.0%, OSR: 10.2%; P = 0.004), median hospital length of stay (EVAR: 1 day, OSR: 5 days; P Conclusions Our retrospective review of younger patients undergoing elective AAA repair demonstrated no significant differences in perioperative mortality or survival over time between EVAR and OSR. EVAR required more total reinterventions and endovascular reintervention when compared to OSR.
Impact of blue light filtering glasses on computer vision syndrome in radiology residents: a pilot study

Computer vision syndrome (CVS) is an umbrella term for a pattern of symptoms associated with prolonged digital screen exposure, such as eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, and dry eyes. Commercially available blue light filtering lenses (BLFL) are advertised as improving CVS. Our pilot study evaluates the effectiveness of BLFL on reducing CVS symptoms and fatigue in a cohort of radiologists. A prospective crossover study was conducted with ten radiology residents randomized into two cohorts: one wearing BLFL first then a sham pair (non-BLFL), and the other wearing a sham pair first then BLFL, over two weeks during normal clinical work. Participants filled out a questionnaire using the validated computer vision syndrome questionnaire (CVS-Q) and the Swedish Occupational Fatigue Inventory (SOFI). The majority of symptoms [11/16 (68.8%) and 13/16 (81.3%) symptoms on the CVS-Q and SOFI, respectively] were reduced (i.e., symptoms less severe) with the BLFL compared to the sham glasses. Females rated symptoms of sleepiness and physical discomfort in the SOFI, and overall CVS-Q, as more severe. Postgraduate year (PGY)-2 residents rated all symptoms as more severe than PGY-3/4s. BLFL may ameliorate CVS symptoms. Future studies with larger sample sizes and participants of different ages are required to verify the potential of BLFL.
Fish Modeling and Bayesian Learning for the Lakshadweep Islands

In fish modeling, a significant amount of uncertainty exists in the parameter values, parameterizations, functional form of model equations, and even the state variables themselves. This is due to the complexity and lack of understanding of the processes involved, as well as the measurement sparsity. These challenges motivate the present proof-of-concept study to simultaneously learn and estimate the state variables, parameters, and model equations from sparse observations. We employ a novel dynamics-based Bayesian learning framework for high-dimensional, coupled fish-biogeochemical-physical partial-differential equations (PDEs) models, allowing the simultaneous inference of the augmented state variables and parameters. After reviewing the status of ecosystem modeling in the coastal oceans, we first complete a series of PDE-based learning experiments that showcase capabilities for fish-biogeochemical-physical model equations and parameters, using nonhydrostatic Boussinesq flows past a seamount. We then showcase realistic ocean primitive-equation simulations and analyses, using fish catch data for the Lakshadweep islands in India. These modeling and learning efforts could improve fisheries management from a standpoint of sustainability and efficiency.
Dynamics of Population Density and Virulence Phenotype of the Soybean Cyst Nematode as Influenced by Resistance Source Sequence and Tillage.

The soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines, is the most damaging pathogen of soybean. Use of resistant cultivars is an effective strategy to manage SCN, but it also selects for virulent p...
Mapping Cortical Integration of Sensory and Affective Pain Pathways.

Summary Pain is an integrated sensory and affective experience. Cortical mechanisms of sensory and affective integration, however, remain poorly defined. Here, we investigate the projection from the primary somatosensory cortex (S1), which encodes the sensory pain information, to the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a key area for processing pain affect, in freely behaving rats. By using a combination of optogenetics, in vivo electrophysiology, and machine learning analysis, we find that a subset of neurons in the ACC receives S1 inputs, and activation of the S1 axon terminals increases the response to noxious stimuli in ACC neurons. Chronic pain enhances this cortico-cortical connection, as manifested by an increased number of ACC neurons that respond to S1 inputs and the magnified contribution of these neurons to the nociceptive response in the ACC. Furthermore, modulation of this S1→ACC projection regulates aversive responses to pain. Our results thus define a cortical circuit that plays a potentially important role in integrating sensory and affective pain signals.
Analysis of risk factors for early and late outcomes in heart transplantation patients: experience in heart transplantation from a single centre

Objective To summarize risk factors for clinical outcomes in heart transplantation patients, evaluate the characters of Chinese patients by comparing with international data, and introduce new clinical strategies. Methods We performed 200 heart transplantations from Jun. 2004 to May 2010. The clinical information was recorded and all patients were followed up. By analyzing 160 patients with a follow-up period of more than one year, we summarized clinical outcomes and risk factors of early and late results of heart transplant patients. Results Of 160 patients, 8. 1 % received postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support and 10% continuous renal replacement therapy. In 550 cases/times of endomyocardial biopsies, the incidence of rejection with grades more than Ⅱ (concluding grade Ⅱ ) was 14. 9%. In-hospital mortality was 3. 8%. Smoking,preoperative diastolic pulmonary arterial pressure, PAWP, total serum protein level and albumin level were risk factors of peri-operative mortality, and preoperative diastolic pulmonary arterial pressure,primary heart diseases, pulmonary hypertension and implantations of ICD, MCS and ECMO were risk factors of late mortality. Postoperatively, 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rate was 94. 4%, 91.9% and 88. 8%, respectively. Compared with UNOS data, the rate of primary heart diseases, pulmonary hypertension, and implantation of ICD, MCS and ECMO were different, and the long-term survival rate of 160 patients was higher than that reported by ISHLT. Conclusion The risk factors of mortality of Chinese heart transplant patients are different with their counterparts from western countries. Our corresponding peri-operative treatments and clinical strategies have produced satisfactory clinical outcomes. Key words: Heart transplantation; Mortality; Risk factors; Postoperative complications
An analysis of research quality underlying IDSA clinical practice guidelines: a cross-sectional study

Context As a result of new developments in medicine, the need for evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPG) is of utmost importance. However, studies have shown that many medical societies are using low quality research to develop CPGs. Objectives To evaluate the quality of research underlying the CPGs issued by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). Methods We examined 29 CPGs issued between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2019 and classified each by research quality according to levels reported by the CPG authors and previously specified by the IDSA: Levels I through III, corresponding to high, moderate, and low quality of evidence, respectively. Each ranking was cross-checked with a second researcher to improve inter-rater reliability. To analyze evolution of research quality over time, three updated CPGs were randomly selected and compared to their original versions. Chi-square analysis was then performed to determine statistical significance. Results We evaluated the quality of research for 2,920 recommendations within the 29 CPGs that met our criteria and found that 418 (14%) were developed using high-quality (Level I) research from randomized, controlled trials. Of the remaining recommendations, 928 (32%) were based on moderate quality research (observational studies) and 1574 (54%) on low quality research (expert opinion). A Pearson chi-squared analysis indicated no-statistically significant difference between original guidelines or their subsequent updates for Clostridium difficile (χ2=0.323; n=85; degrees of freedom [df]=2; p=0.851), candidiasis (χ2=4.133; n=195; df=2; p=0.127), or coccidiomycosis (χ2=0.531; n=95; df=1; p=0.466). Conclusions The proportion of high-quality research underlying guideline recommendations is remarkably low, indicating that moderate and low quality evidence is still influencing infectious disease guidelines despite IDSA standards. Moreover, the quality of research has not significantly changed over time. IDSA CPGs are a formidable source of information for clinicians, but an increased number of quality studies should be utilized to further guide CPG development.
Vassiliev measures of complexity for open and closed curves in 3-space.

In this manuscript we define Vassiliev measures of complexity for open curves in 3-space. These are related to the coefficients of the enhanced Jones polynomial of open curves in 3-space. These Vassiliev measures are continuous functions of the curve coordinates and as the ends of the curve tend to coincide, they converge to the corresponding Vassiliev invariants of the resulting knot. We focus on the second Vassiliev measure from the enhanced Jones polynomial for closed and open curves in 3-space. For closed curves, this second Vassiliev measure can be computed by a Gauss code diagram and it has an integral formulation, the double alternating self-linking integral. The double alternating self-linking integral is a topological invariant for closed curves and a continuous function of the curve coordinates for open curves in 3-space. For polygonal curves, the double alternating self-linking integral obtains a simpler expression in terms of geometric probabilities. For a polygonal curve with 4 edges, the double alternating self-linking integral coincides with the signed geometric probability of obtaining the knotoid k2.1 in a random projection direction.
An online intervention for increasing physical activity in individuals with mood disorders at risk for cardiovascular disease: Design considerations

Abstract Background Physical activity can mitigate the risk of cardiovascular diseases, but the presence of mood disorders makes it challenging to follow or develop a regular exercise habit. We conducted an online comparative effectiveness study (Healthy Hearts Healthy Minds) to evaluate whether an online psychosocial intervention adjunctive to an activity monitor (Fitbit) can improve adherence to physical activity among individuals with mood disorders who have or are at-risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods In this paper, we explore design considerations (including both procedural challenges and achievements) of relevance to our study. Results Challenges of this study included navigating a complex IRB review process, integrating two study platforms, automating study procedures, and optimizing participant engagement. Achievements of this study included building trust with collaborators, leveraging existing online communities, generating daily data reports, and conducting patient-centered research. Limitations These design considerations are based on a single online comparative effectiveness study, and other online intervention studies may be presented with other unique challenges that are specific to their study format or aims. Consistent with some of the generalizability challenges facing other online studies, participants in this study were overall highly educated (most had at least a college degree). Conclusions We successfully conducted a large-scale virtual online intervention to increase physical activity of participants with comorbid mood and cardiovascular disorders by overcoming substantial operational and technical challenges. We hope that this exploration of design considerations in the context of our online study can inform upcoming online intervention studies.
Deep learning artificial neural networks for non-destructive archaeological site dating

Abstract This article introduces artificial neural networks as a computational tool to utilize legacy archaeological data for precisely and accurately estimating dates of residential site occupation. The implementation of this deep learning algorithm can provide high-resolution demographic reconstructions of a study area from non-collection, non-invasive, and non-destructive data collection methods that only record frequencies of artifact types on the contemporary ground surface. The utility of this deep learning algorithm is presented through an example from the central Mesa Verde region in the northern US Southwest. Results show a properly trained artificial neural network predicts annual residential occupation with an average 92.8% accuracy from AD 450–1300. An annual demographic reconstruction of the central Mesa Verde region using occupation predictions from the artificial neural network is also presented.