cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Autotransporters but not pAA are critical for rabbit colonization by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O104:H4

The outbreak of diarrhoea and haemolytic uraemic syndrome that occurred in Germany in 2011 was caused by a Shiga toxin-producing enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) strain. The strain was classified as EAEC owing to the presence of a plasmid (pAA) that mediates a characteristic pattern of aggregative adherence on cultured cells, the defining feature of EAEC that has classically been associated with virulence. Here we describe an infant rabbit-based model of intestinal colonization and diarrhoea caused by the outbreak strain, which we use to decipher the factors that mediate the pathogen's virulence. Shiga toxin is the key factor required for diarrhoea. Unexpectedly, we observe that pAA is dispensable for intestinal colonization and development of intestinal pathology. Instead, chromosome-encoded autotransporters are critical for robust colonization and diarrhoeal disease in this model. Our findings suggest that conventional wisdom linking aggregative adherence to EAEC intestinal colonization is false for at least a subset of strains.
Optimal component configuration and component routing

Code mobility and mobile agents have received a lot of attention as a paradigm based on which distributed applications can be built. There has been little work however on the mathematical modeling of component mobility. In this direction, we present and analyze three optimization models for component mobility. We are seeking the optimal allocation of components to network nodes and the optimal component routes that will minimize the network traffic that is incurred in the course of component communication. Optimal solutions are found either through a mixed binary integer programming formulation or by employing max flow computations. Complexity results are also reported.
Accelerating MR parameter mapping using sparsity-promoting regularization in parametric dimension.

MR parameter mapping requires sampling along additional (parametric) dimension, which often limits its clinical appeal due to a several-fold increase in scan times compared to conventional anatomic imaging. Data undersampling combined with parallel imaging is an attractive way to reduce scan time in such applications. However, inherent SNR penalties of parallel MRI due to noise amplification often limit its utility even at moderate acceleration factors, requiring regularization by prior knowledge. In this work, we propose a novel regularization strategy, which uses smoothness of signal evolution in the parametric dimension within compressed sensing framework (p-CS) to provide accurate and precise estimation of parametric maps from undersampled data. The performance of the method was demonstrated with variable flip angle T1 mapping and compared favorably to two representative reconstruction approaches, image space-based total variation regularization and an analytical model-based reconstruction. The proposed p-CS regularization was found to provide efficient suppression of noise amplification and preservation of parameter mapping accuracy without explicit utilization of analytical signal models. The developed method may facilitate acceleration of quantitative MRI techniques that are not suitable to model-based reconstruction because of complex signal models or when signal deviations from the expected analytical model exist. Magn Reson Med 70:1263–1273, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dystroglycan Matrix Receptor Function in Cardiac Myocytes Is Important for Limiting Activity-Induced Myocardial Damage

Rationale: Genetic mutations in a number of putative glycosyltransferases lead to the loss of glycosylation of dystroglycan and loss of its laminin-binding activity in genetic forms of human muscular dystrophy. Human patients and glycosylation defective myd mice develop cardiomyopathy with loss of dystroglycan matrix receptor function in both striated and smooth muscle. Objective: To determine the functional role of dystroglycan in cardiac muscle and smooth muscle in the development of cardiomyopathy in muscular dystrophies. Methods and Results: Using cre/lox–mediated gene targeting, we show here that loss of dystroglycan function in ventricular cardiac myocytes is sufficient to induce a progressive cardiomyopathy in mice characterized by focal cardiac fibrosis, increase in cardiac mass, and dilatation ultimately leading to heart failure. In contrast, disruption of dystroglycan in smooth muscle is not sufficient to induce cardiomyopathy. The specific loss of dystroglycan function in cardiac myocytes causes the accumulation of large, clustered patches of myocytes with membrane damage, which increase in number in response to exercise-induced cardiac stress, whereas exercised mice with normal dystroglycan expression accumulate membrane damage limited to individual myocytes. Conclusions: Our findings suggest dystroglycan function as an extracellular matrix receptor in cardiac myocytes plays a primary role in limiting myocardial damage from spreading to neighboring cardiac myocytes, and loss of dystroglycan matrix receptor function in cardiac muscle cells is likely important in the development of cardiomyopathy in glycosylation-deficient muscular dystrophies.
Olefination of Ketones Using a Gold(III)-Catalyzed Meyer−Schuster Rearrangement

An atom-economical and efficient olefination strategy for ketones is described. Ethoxyacetylide addition followed by a gold-catalyzed Meyer−Schuster rearrangement affords α,β-unsaturated esters, generally in excellent overall yield from the starting ketones. The alkynophilicity of Au3+ promotes an interaction with the electron-rich acetylenes that catalyzes the Meyer−Schuster rearrangement selectively over other conceivable pathways.
Frames of reference for hand orientation

In reaching and grasping movements, information about object location and object orientation is used to specify the appropriate proximal arm posture and the appropriate positions for the wrist and fingers. Since object orientation is ideally defined in a frame of reference fixed in space, this study tested whether the neural control of hand orientation is also best described as being in this spatial reference frame. With the proximal arm in various postures, human subjects used a handheld rod to approximate verbally defined spatial orientations. Subjects did quite well at indicating spatial vertical and spatial horizontal but made consistent errors in estimating 45° spatial slants. The errors were related to the proximal arm posture in a way that indicated that oblique hand orientations may be specified as a compromise between a reference frame fixed in space and a reference frame fixed to the arm. In another experiment, where subjects were explicitly requested to use a reference frame fixed to the arm, the performance was consistently biased toward a spatial reference frame. The results suggest that reaching and grasping movements may be implemented as an amalgam of two frames of reference, both neurally and behaviorally.
“Law and Order” at Large: The New York Civilian Review Board Referendum of 1966 and the Crisis of Liberalism

(2002). “Law and Order” at Large: The New York Civilian Review Board Referendum of 1966 and the Crisis of Liberalism. The Historian: Vol. 64, No. 3-4, pp. 643-665.
Outcomes among buprenorphine-naloxone primary care patients after Hurricane Sandy

Background The extent of damage in New York City following Hurricane Sandy in October 2012 was unprecedented. Bellevue Hospital Center (BHC), a tertiary public hospital, was evacuated and temporarily closed as a result of hurricane-related damages. BHC’s large primary care office-based buprenorphine clinic was relocated to an affiliate public hospital for three weeks. The extent of environmental damage and ensuing service disruption effects on rates of illicit drug, tobacco, and alcohol misuse, buprenorphine medication supply disruptions, or direct resource losses among office-based buprenorphine patients is to date unknown.
Anti-Neoliberal Neoliberalism: Post-Socialism and Bulgaria’s “Ataka” Party

The last elections (2014) for European Union deputies once again confirmed the popularity of far-right parties. Despite scholarly attention, racism and xenophobia in the easternmost part of the EU, remain relatively unexplored. This essay focuses on Ataka, the first far-right political party to enter Bulgaria’s parliament after 1989. Specifically, the article focuses on its official media discourse in order to explain its complex position on neoliberalism. While this party engages in criticisms of neoliberalism, its understanding of it is non-economic and ambiguous. A rhetorical analysis of the party’s newspaper reveals that angry attitudes towards neoliberal economics fuel movements such as Ataka. However, Ataka often presents neoliberalism as a cultural project focused on multiculturalism, “Islamization”, and anti-nationalism. The essay explores this strategy to fuse economic demands with issues of identity. As such, this piece calls for a more nuanced understanding not only of the discourse of contemporary far-right movements, but also of neoliberalism itself.
An introduction to transformational grammars

This paper is intended for computer programmers and other scientists who may be interested in linguistics. We assume that the reader has no previous knowledge of linguistics, but some experience with logical or mathematical reasoning. *
Solution structure of calcium-bound rat S100B(betabeta) as determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy,.

The three-dimensional structure of Ca2+-bound rat S100B(ββ) has been determined using data from a series of two-dimensional (2D), three-dimensional (3D), and four-dimensional (4D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments. Each S100β subunit (91 residues) contains four helixes (helix 1, E2−R20; helix 2, K29−N38; helix 3, Q50−D61; and helix 4, F70−A83) and one antiparallel β-sheet (strand 1, K26−K28; and strand 2, E67−D69) which brings the normal and pseudo EF-hands together. As found previously for rat apo-S100B(ββ) [Drohat, A. C., et al. (1996) Biochemistry 35, 11577−11588], helixes 1, 1‘, 4, and 4‘ associate to form an X-type four-helix bundle at the symmetric dimer interface. Additionally, Ca2+ binding does not significantly change the interhelical angle of helixes 1 and 2 in the pseudo EF-hand (apo, Ω1-2 = 132 ± 4°; and Ca2+-bound, Ω1-2 = 137 ± 5°). However, the interhelical angle of helixes 3 and 4 in the normal EF-hand (Ω3-4 = 106 ± 4°) changed significantly upon the addition of Ca2+ (ΔΩ3-4 = 112...
Podocyte biology in 2015: New insights into the mechanisms of podocyte health.

Podocyte biologists can boast of some important advances in 2015. Some of the key developments include defining the transcriptional targets of the Wilms' tumour protein on a genome-wide scale, the identification of new mitochondria-centred pathways for maintaining podocyte homeostasis, and new insights into the regulation and pathogenic activation of TRPC6.
A 1 $ {\mu }\text{m}$ -Pitch Quanta Image Sensor Jot Device With Shared Readout

Characterization of a 1 $\mu \text{m}$ -pitch, four-way shared readout quanta image sensor jot device is reported. The jot device achieved 0.48e– r.m.s. read noise with 230 ${\mu }\text{V}$ /e- conversion gain. Quantum efficiency, dark current, and lag results are discussed. Cross-talk was investigated using TCAD simulation and the results are analyzed.
Predictive molecular markers: Has the time come for routine use in lung cancer?

Although some evidence exists to support the use of clinical factors such as performance status and weight loss to predict response and toxicity to therapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, researchers have shown little prospective data on the use of molecular markers to facilitate selection of specific chemotherapy or new molecularly targeted agents in this patient population. Breast cancer exemplifies the growing role that molecular markers are playing, not only as prognostic factors, but also in predicting response to targeted treatments such as hormonal therapy, and more recently, trastuzumab (Herceptin). Although several studies have examined molecular markers in lung cancer and have shown promising potential value, these studies were retrospective and require prospective validation. To identify molecular markers that reliably predict response and to be able to individualize cytotoxic and targeted therapy for NSCLC patients are the ultimate goals of future trials. This article focuses on a selected number of promising markers under study in lung cancer, including those thought to play roles in response to DNA damaging chemotherapy (excision repair cross-complementing [ERCC1], xeroderma pigmentosum group D [XPD]), taxane resistance (beta-tubulin III), antimetabolite therapy (RRM1), irinotecan metabolism (UGT1A1) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway inhibition. To date, none of these markers can be recommended for routine use in clinical practice.
The Status of the Genus Haplopyxis (Uredinales)

(1962). The Status of the Genus Haplopyxis (Uredinales) Mycologia: Vol. 54, No. 4, pp. 437-439.
Invasive Mechanical Ventilation and Mortality in Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Multicenter Study

Objective To establish the current respiratory practice patterns in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients and investigate their associations with mortality across multiple centers. Design Retrospective cohort between 2009 and 2014. Setting Twelve children's hospitals in the United States. Patients Two hundred twenty-two pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients with acute respiratory failure using invasive mechanical ventilation. Interventions None. Measurements and main results PICU mortality of our cohort was 60.4%. Mortality at 180 days post PICU discharge was 74%. Length of PICU stay prior to initiation of invasive mechanical ventilation was significantly lower in survivors, and the odds of mortality increased for longer length of PICU stay prior to intubation. A total of 91 patients (41%) received noninvasive ventilation at some point during their PICU stay prior to intubation. Noninvasive ventilation use preintubation was associated with increased mortality (odds ratio, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2-3.6; p = 0.010). Patients ventilated longer than 15 days had higher odds of death (odds ratio, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.3-4.2; p = 0.004). Almost 40% of patients (n = 85) were placed on high-frequency oscillatory ventilation with a mortality of 76.5% (odds ratio, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.7-6.5; p = 0.0004). Of the 20 patients who survived high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, 18 were placed on high-frequency oscillatory ventilation no later than the third day of invasive mechanical ventilation. In this subset of 85 patients, transition to high-frequency oscillatory ventilation within 2 days of the start of invasive mechanical ventilation resulted in a 76% decrease in the odds of death compared with those who transitioned to high-frequency oscillatory ventilation later in the invasive mechanical ventilation course. Conclusions This study suggests that perhaps earlier more aggressive critical care interventions in the pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant patient with respiratory failure requiring invasive mechanical ventilation may offer an opportunity to improve outcomes.
Abstract 129: miR-345 is a novel tumor suppressor microRNA in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a highly lethal malignancy due to late diagnosis, rapid progression and lack of effective therapies for treatment. In majority of cases, the disease is diagnosed at a stage when it is locally advanced or has already metastasized to distant organs. In that scenario, chemotherapy is considered as an option, but the effects are usually modest due to chemo-resistance. Hence, there is an urgent need to identify novel diagnostic/therapeutic targets for effective management of this malignancy. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have received significant attention as a new class of non-coding-RNAs engaged in the regulation of gene expression. It is now evident that miRNAs exhibit differential expression in cancer and play important roles in the disease processes. According to recently published studies, a number of miRNAs are differentially expressed in pancreatic cancer, including miR-345, which is among the top aberrantly-expressed genes exhibiting significant downregulation. miR-345 has remained an understudied miRNA with no report on its functional role in pancreatic cancer. Here, we show that miR-345 is differentially-expressed in pancreatic cancer cell lines with relatively more downregulated expression in poorly-differentiated cancer cells. Ectopic overexpression of miR-345 in two poorly-differentiated pancreatic cancer cell lines, Panc1 and MiaPaCa, diminished their growth, clonogenicity, motility and invasion, and enhanced cell-cell interaction. miR-345-overexpressing cells had distinguishable morphological differences and an increased expression of epithelial (E-cadherin) and loss of mesenchymal markers (N-cadherin, vimentin, twist, slug and snail) as compared to the control cells. Furthermore, our data showed that miR-345-overexpressing pancreatic cancer cells were more sensitive to gemcitabine-cytotoxicity as compared to the control cells. Altogether, our findings demonstrate novel tumor suppressive roles of miR-345 in pancreatic cancer and indicate that miR-345 downregulation may be one of the mechanisms underlying the chemo-resistance of pancreatic cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 129. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-129
CONNECTING VORTEX REGENERATION WITH NEAR-WALL STRESS TRANSPORT

Coherent vortex formation and the largest gradients of the Reynolds stresses occur in the near-wall region (sub- and buffer layers) of turbulent boundary layers. The vorticity forms of the equations describing the Reynolds stress gradients provide a basis for exploring possible connections between these two phenomena. In particular, it is hypothesized that the instantaneous momentum inhomogeneities associated with stress transport (largely resultant from coherent vortical motion dynamics) underlie the formation (and reformation) of new coherent motions. Analysis of the equations in the context of existing data indicates that buffer layer motions bearing strong wall normal vorticity and/or positive spanwise vorticity have the greatest direct significance. Motions bearing streamwise vorticity are believed important in that they either evolve into, or facilitate the generation of, the spanwise and wall normal vorticity motions. Numerous comparisons and connections are made between the present results and those of researchers. Plausible effects of Reynolds number on the both the self-sustaining near-wall dynamics and the structure of the logarithmic and wake regions are briefly discussed.
Double-chambered left ventricle due to fibroelastotic membrane: An unusual case

We describe a rare case of a double-chambered left ventricle caused by a fibroelastotic membrane that was clearly delineated using echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging, which resulted in successful surgical correction.
Tribute to the Honorable Rex E. Lee Solicitor General of the United States 1981-85

Rex Lee was a talented pupil and obvious choice to be the first dean for the new Brigham Young Law School. Lee maintained a balanced life and devotion to his faith all through his life.
Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: Special Considerations

The keys to a better outcome in the management of ruptured aneurysm are early diagnosis, aggressive resuscitation, and early operation, with prompt achievement of proximal control. Having achieved these goals, there is a tendency to let down one's guard and relax; indeed, the principles of aneurysm repair beyond this point are similar to those of elective surgery. However, it should be remembered that nearly every complication is more likely in emergency than in elective operations. Therefore, even more care needs to be taken with the technical details at this point to avoid the complications discussed in the following article. The perioperative management must continue at the same heightened level to combat acidosis, hypothermia, coagulation disorders, cardiac dysfunction, fluid overload with pulmonary edema, renal failure, and other common sequelae of this challenging undertaking.
Complications Of Endoscopic Polypectomy

Colonoscopic polypectomy has revolutionized the treatment of benign colonic neoplasia. It is performed widely by gastroenterologists and surgeons and is a safe procedure. The two major complications of colonoscopic polypectomy include hemorrhage which has a reported incidence of 0.2% to 3% and perforation which has a reported incidence of 0.5% to 3%. Factors that increase the risk of these complications and management strategies are discussed in this review.
A rules based algorithm to generate problem lists using emergency department medication reconciliation.

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a problem list automatically generated from the emergency department (ED) medication reconciliation. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted via the ED who also had a prior inpatient admission within the past year of an academic tertiary hospital. Our algorithm used the First Databank ontology to group medications into therapeutic classes, and applied a set of clinically derived rules to them to predict obstructive lung disease, hypertension, diabetes, congestive heart failure (CHF), and thromboembolism (TE) risk. This prediction was compared to problem lists in the last discharge summary in the electronic health record (EHR) as well as the emergency attending note. Results A total of 603 patients were enrolled from 03/29/2013–04/30/2013. The algorithm had superior sensitivity for all five conditions versus the attending problem list at the 99% confidence level (Obstructive Lung Disease 0.93 vs 0.47, Hypertension 0.93 vs 0.56, Diabetes 0.97 vs 0.73, TE Risk 0.82 vs 0.36, CHF 0.85 vs 0.38), while the attending problem list had superior specificity for both hypertension (0.76 vs 0.94) and CHF (0.87 vs 0.98). The algorithm had superior sensitivity for all conditions versus the EHR problem list (Obstructive Lung Disease 0.93 vs 0.34, Hypertension 0.93 vs 0.30, Diabetes 0.97 vs 0.67, TE Risk 0.82 vs 0.23, CHF 0.85 vs 0.32), while the EHR problem list also had superior specificity for detecting hypertension (0.76 vs 0.95) and CHF (0.87 vs 0.99). Conclusion The algorithm was more sensitive than clinicians for all conditions, but less specific for conditions that are not treated with a specific class of medications. This suggests similar algorithms may help identify critical conditions, and facilitate thorough documentation, but further investigation, potentially adding alternate sources of information, may be needed to reliably detect more complex conditions.
A Capacitance-Minimized, Doubly Grounded Transformer less Photovoltaic Inverter With Inherent Active-Power Decoupling

Two major challenges in the transformerless photovoltaic (PV) inverters are the presence of common-mode leakage currents, and as in most single-phase converters the need for reliable and compact double-line-frequency power decoupling. In the proposed doubly grounded inverter topology with innovative active-power-decoupling approach, both of these issues are simultaneously addressed. The topology allows the PV negative terminal to be directly connected to the neutral, thereby eliminating the capacitive-coupled common-mode ground currents. The decoupling capacitance requirement is minimized by a dynamically variable dc-link with large voltage swing, allowing an all-film-capacitor implementation. Furthermore, the use of wide bandgap devices enables the converter operation at higher switching frequency, resulting in smaller magnetic components. The topology uses only four switches and potentially enables a high power density solution. The operating principles, design and optimization, and control methods are explained in detail, and compared with other transformer-less, active-decoupling topologies. A 3 kVA, 100/75 kHz single-phase hardware prototype at 400 V dc nominal input and 240 V ac output with a wide range of power factor has been developed using SiC MOSFETs with only 45 μF/1100 V dc-link capacitance. Extensive experimental results from the prototype are presented to validate the concept, design, and superior performance of the proposed topology.
Litigation risk, auditor tenure, and auditor specialisation and their effect on reporting quality

Prior research on the effect of client importance on audit quality or financial reporting quality provides mixed evidence, whether before or after the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002. I test whether the association between client importance and financial reporting quality is affected by other related constructs that mitigate the association between these two variables. Using data over the period 2000-2014, I first test the effect of client importance on financial reporting quality measured by the absolute value of performance-adjusted discretionary accruals; secondly, I test whether litigation risk, auditor tenure, and auditor specialisation mitigate this effect. The results show that there is a negative effect of client importance on financial reporting quality. However, the three variables tested do not seem to mitigate the effect of client importance on financial reporting quality.
Non-native introductions influence fish body size distributions within a dryland river

A contemporary challenge in ecology is assessing the ecosystem effects of multispecies introductions. Quantifying shifts in body sizes, a common trait with which many per capita rates of ecosystems functioning scales, provide an important way forward. Evidence suggests that freshwater fish introductions have altered species-level body size distributions globally, but it is difficult to interpret their functional consequences because animals contribute to ecosystem functioning at the individual level at smaller spatial scales. In this study, we determine whether these macroecological patterns hold for individual size distributions (ISDs) at local scales. We use a comprehensive dataset of fish communities in a highly invaded dryland river to (1) compare the statistical moments of ISDs between native and non-native pools and (2) relate biological and environmental covariates to the univariate moments of local ISDs and the multivariate community structure of local fish assemblages. We found that ISDs of native and non-native pools were significantly different when data were pooled across sites. Non-natives had smaller mean body size than natives across all guilds and within invertivore and omnivore guilds, but were significantly larger within the invertivore–piscivore guild. Moreover, differences in the variance of size distributions were often relatively greater than differences in the mean. By modeling ISDs at the site level as a function of biological and environmental covariates, we found that non-native dominance within sites had similar effects on ISDs as expected from differences between species pools. However, neither biological nor environmental predictors explained significant community-level variation when size and trophic structure were considered simultaneously. Shifts in size distributions can have multiple ecological consequences, and our results provide a baseline for generating size-based predictions of non-native species’ roles in ecosystem functioning. However, these size-based predictions should be considered alongside other important trait distributions such as trophic structure, which had no consistent relationship with non-native dominance in this study.
Self-driving cars have a bicycle problem [News]

Robotic cars are great at monitoring other cars, and they're getting better at noticing pedestrians, squirrels, and birds. The main challenge, though, is posed by the lightest, quietest, swerviest vehicles on the road. "Bicycles are probably the most difficult detection problem that autonomous vehicle systems face," says Steven Shladover, a research engineer at the University of California, Berkeley.
Curcumin improves intestinal barrier function: modulation of intracellular signaling, and organization of tight junctions

Association between circulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and metabolic diseases (such as type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis) has shifted the focus from high-fat high-cholesterol containing Western-type diet (WD)-induced changes in gut microbiota per se to release of gut bacteria-derived products (e.g., LPS) into circulation due to intestinal barrier dysfunction as the possible mechanism for the chronic inflammatory state underlying the development of these diseases. We demonstrated earlier that oral supplementation with curcumin attenuates WD-induced development of type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis. Poor bioavailability of curcumin has precluded the establishment of a causal relationship between oral supplementation and it is in vivo effects. We hypothesized that curcumin attenuates WD-induced chronic inflammation and associated metabolic diseases by modulating the function of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and the intestinal barrier function. The objective of the present study was to delineate the underlying mechanisms. The human IEC lines Caco-2 and HT-29 were used for these studies and modulation of direct as well as indirect effects of LPS on intracellular signaling as well as tight junctions were examined. Pretreatment with curcumin significantly attenuated LPS-induced secretion of master cytokine IL-1β from IECs and macrophages. Furthermore, curcumin also reduced IL-1β-induced activation of p38 MAPK in IECs and subsequent increase in expression of myosin light chain kinase involved in the phosphorylation of tight junction proteins and ensuing disruption of their normal arrangement. The major site of action of curcumin is, therefore, likely the IECs and the intestinal barrier, and by reducing intestinal barrier dysfunction, curcumin modulates chronic inflammatory diseases despite poor bioavailability.
A Case of Neurosarcoidosis Masquerading as Subacute Inflammatory Demylelinating Polyneuropathy (P3.371)

OBJECTIVE: The objective is to differentiate sarcoid polyneuropathy from subacute or chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (SIDP or CIDP) through diagnostic testing when working up a patient presenting with ascending numbness and weakness. BACKGROUND: Sarcoidosis is a disease of granulomatous inflammation of unknown etiology that can affect virtually any organ. Peripheral neuropathy is a rare manifestation of this systemic disease, making the diagnosis challenging. DESIGN/ METHODS: We report one case of sarcoid peripheral neuropathy that was initially misdiagnosed as SIDP. RESULTS: In this case, a 27 year-old African American female presented with a 6-week history of ascending numbness and weakness initially attributed to SIDP. An MRI brain and spine with and without gadolinium showed diffuse STIR hyperintensity and enhancement involving the cauda equina, lumbar nerve roots, and the intradural and extradural lumbar spinal nerves. Biopsy of a portacaval lymph node demonstrated liver parenchyma with granulomatous inflammation consistent with sarcoidosis. Electrophysiologic testing revealed a severe length-dependent, asymmetric, subacute sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy, with active denervation. Given the results of the biopsy and electrophysiologic testing, the diagnosis of SIDP was changed in favor of neurosarcoidosis presenting as peripheral neuropathy. CONCLUSIONS: Although SIDP and sarcoid peripheral neuropathy are clinically indistinguishable, they can be differentiated by further testing. We found that electrophysiologic testing and biopsy suggesting systemic sarcoidosis were the best tools in differentiating between polyradiculoneuropathy caused by neurosarcoidosis and the spectrum of inflammatory demyelinating polyneurpathies, including Guillain-Barre syndrome, SIDP, and CIDP. Clinicians should consider a diagnosis of neurosarcoidosis if the clinical presentation is appropriate, even if the patient has no known history of systemic sarcoidosis. Study Sponsored by: N/A Disclosure: Dr. Rizk has nothing to disclose. Dr. Savitt has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jain has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kass has received personal compensation for activities as an expert witness in litigation. Dr. Kass has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for the American Academy of Neurology.
Computer-aided design of broadband non-uniform fin-line couplers for millimetre-wave applications

Analysis and design of a broadband fin-line coupler using non-uniform slot spacing is described. Results, both analytical and experimental, show the viability of this type of coupler at millimetre-wave frequencies.
Circumvention of Biologic Diversity of Cancer Metastasis

The major challenge facing the oncologist is how to treat cancer that has disseminated to and is growing in multiple organs throughout the body. Despite major advances in general patient care, surgical techniques, and adjuvant therapies, most deaths from cancer are caused by the growth of metastases that are resistant to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. A major factor which prevents treatment of metastases is the fact that cancer cells populating both primary and secondary neoplasms are biologically heterogeneous (1, 2). By the time of diagnosis, and certainly in clinically advanced lesions, malignant neoplasms contain multiple cell populations exhibiting a wide range of biological characteristics such as cell surface structures, growth rate, sensitivity to various cytotoxic drugs, and the ability to further invade and metastasize. The implication of the heterogeneous responses of tumor cells to conventional anticancer drugs is that the successful therapy of disseminated metastases must circumvent the problems of biologic heterogeneity and be a treatment modality to which resistance is unlikely to develop.
Idiopathic condylar resorption: The current understanding in diagnosis and treatment

Idiopathic condylar resorption (ICR) is a condition with no known cause, which manifests as progressive malocclusion, esthetic changes, and often pain. Cone-beam computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are the most valuable imaging methods for diagnosis and tracking, compared to the less complete and more distorted images provided by panoramic radiographs, and the higher radiation of 99mtechnetium-methylene diphosphonate. ICR has findings that overlap with osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, physiologic resorption/remodeling, congenital disorders affecting the mandible, requiring thorough image analysis, physical examination, and history-taking. Correct diagnosis and determination of whether the ICR is active or inactive are essential when orthodontic or prosthodontic treatment is anticipated as active ICR can undo those treatments. Several treatments for ICR have been reported with the goals of either halting the progression of ICR or correcting the deformities that it caused. These treatments have varying degrees of success and adverse effects, but the rarity of the condition prevents any evidence-based recommendations.
Changes in T-Cell Homeostasis in Multiple Sclerosis

Investigators at University Hospital, Heidelberg, and other centers in Germany, studied the composition of the peripheral T-cell compartment and regulatory T cell (Treg) function in 30 pediatric MS patients by multicolor flow cytometry and proliferation assays.
Calcic and Petrocalcic Horizons

The calcic horizon has significant accumulation of secondary calcium or other carbonates. If these carbonates are cemented or indurated, it becomes a petrocalcic horizon. Soils with such horizons are found in many parts of the world, though mainly in the arid regions. The study of soils with calcic and petrocalcic horizons is highly relevant because they (1) contain high concentrations of inorganic C (Schlesinger 1982; Hirmas et al. 2010), (2) can be used to reconstruct paleo-environments (Monger et al. 1991; Dhir et al. 2004; Durand et al. 2007; Shankar and Achyuthan 2007; Achyuthan et al. 2012), (3) have enabled an understanding of aeolian inputs on pedogenesis (Reheis 1990, 2006; Reheis et al. 1992; Reheis and Kihl 1995; Gustavson and Holliday 1999; Amiotti et al. 2001), (4) contribute to our knowledge of polygenesis (Kleber 2000; Brock and Buck 2009), (5) allow for relative dating and determination of rates of soil formation (Gile et al. 1966; Machette 1985; McFadden and Tinsley 1985; McFadden 1988; McFadden et al. 1989; Reheis et al. 1989; Harden et al. 1991; Khokhlova and Kouznetsova 2004; Calero et al. 2008; Badia et al. 2009; Zielhofer et al. 2009), and (vi) can be used to study the impacts of desertification (Hirmas and Allen 2007; Sierra et al. 2009).
Abstract P316: Multiple Vulnerabilities to Health Disparities and Incident Coronary Heart Disease in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study

Social determinants contribute to disparities in incident CHD but it is not known if they have an additive effect. We hypothesized that having more socially determined vulnerabilities to health disparities is associated with increased risk of incident CHD in the REGARDS study, a large biracial prospective cohort with physiological and survey measures. Experts adjudicated incident fatal and nonfatal CHD over 10 years of follow-up. Vulnerabilities included black race, low education, low income, and Southeastern US residence. The risks for CHD outcomes associated with 1, 2, and 3+ vs 0 vulnerabilities were calculated with Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for medical conditions, functional status, health behaviors, and physiologic variables. Of the 19,645 participants free of CHD at baseline (mean age 64 years, 57% women), 16% had 0 vulnerabilities, 36% had 1, 29% had 2, and 18% had 3+. Increasing numbers of vulnerabilities were associated with higher incidence (Figure) and risk of CHD that attenuated somewhat after multivariable adjustment (Table). These findings may provide a method of risk stratification useful for population health management.
Treatment Modalities for Achalasia

Esophageal achalasia is an uncommon motility disorder of the esophagus characterized by failure of relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and absence of progressive peristalsis in the distal esophagus. Prior to treatment, it is imperative that other processes that may mimic achalasia are ruled out. Diagnosis is established by way of esophageal manometry in conjunction with an esophagram and esophagogastroduodenoscopy. A variety of treatment options are available to relieve outflow obstruction and improve symptoms with per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) emerging as a novel and effective endoscopic approach in the management of the disease. This chapter will review treatment modalities for achalasia.
Behavioral treatment of insomnia in cancer survivors: Early results of a stepped-care trial.

140Background: Insomnia is a burdensome late-effect for up to 30% of long-term survivors. Behavioral insomnia treatments are highly effective, but are not available to most affected survivors. Trea...
Complications in Children Managed with Immobilization in a Halo Vest

Thirty-seven patients who were three to sixteen years old were managed with immobilization in a halo vest between 1987 and 1993. Twenty-four patients (65 per cent) had the halo vest applied in conjunction with operative arthrodesis of the cervical spine; the remaining thirteen patients (35 per cent) had the halo vest applied to immobilize the cervical spine after trauma. Complications occurred in twenty-five patients (68 per cent). Pin-site infections were the most common complications, developing in twenty-two patients. Grade-II infections (purulent drainage) developed more frequently in children who were eleven years old or more: they were identified in five of fourteen such patients, compared with two of twenty-three patients who were ten years old or less. There was a tendency toward more grade-I infections (non-purulent drainage, with or without erythema) and loosening of the pins in the children who were ten years old or less: eleven of twenty-three such patients had each of those complications, compared with four of fourteen children who were eleven years old or more. Both loosening and infection occurred more frequently at the anterior pin sites. Other complications included one dural penetration, one transient injury of the supraorbital nerve, and three pin-site scars that were considered by the family to be objectionable. There were no complications related to the vest part of the halo vest. Younger patients who had a halo construct with more than four pins (multiple-pin constructs) had a similar rate of complications compared with patients who were managed with a standard four-pin halo construct.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A Logical Reading of the Nonexistence of Proper Homomorphisms between Affine Spaces

We provide definitions of ≠ and of noncollinearity by positive statements in terms of the ternary predicate of collinearity which are valid in affine n-dimensional geometry. This provides the intrinsic reason for the validity of V. Corbas's theorem stating that surjective maps between affine planes that preserve collinearity are isomorphisms, and of P. Maroscia's higher-dimensional generalization thereof.
Ideomotor Apraxia: Gestural Discrimination, Comprehension And Memory

We have proposed that the visuokinesthetic engrams responsible for programming skilled motor movements are stored in the left parietal lobe. Both gestural discrimination and comprehension studies showed that two forms of ideomotor apraxia could be identified. Unlike patients with anterior lesions, those with parietal lesions could not discriminate or comprehend gestures. Apractic patients with parietal lesions could process gestural information in primary memory in much the same manner as normal subjects and nonapractic aphasics. Secondary memory or long-term retention (consolidation), however, was impaired in these patients. These observations provide support for the hypothesis that visuokinesthetic motor engrams are stored in the left parietal lobe and that destruction of these engrams may induce discrimination, comprehension, and memory disorders for gestures.
An Insider's View on Stoicism

Stoics believed that anything that is not within your control, you should be indifferent to it; otherwise, you become its slave. Happiness is not only what makes one feel good; but it is a state of being locked in our attitude towards adversity. In hedonism pleasure is seen as self-gratification and self-aggrandizing, whereas, stoics look beyond self or circumstances. Epictetus was born to a slave and because of his heritage was enslaved within the Roman Empire. However, once he obtained his freedom, he taught the best of the best, the elite warriors and the rich and famous how to overcome adversity through self-actualization. Looking beyond the realm of the natural into a higher plane where your value system changed from just doing what was best for you (hedonism and egoism), to doing what was in the best interest of others as well. It was because of his enslavement, that he was experienced enough to teach kings and others how not to be a slave to self.
Significantly Lower Rates of Kidney Transplantation among Candidates Listed with the Veterans Administration: A National and Local Comparison.

Background The process for evaluating kidney transplant candidates and applicable centers is distinct for patients with Veterans Administration (VA) coverage. We compared transplant rates between candidates on the kidney waiting list with VA coverage and those with other primary insurance. Methods Using the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients database, we obtained data for all adult patients in the United States listed for a primary solitary kidney transplant between January 2004 and August 2016. Of 302,457 patients analyzed, 3663 had VA primary insurance coverage. Results VA patients had a much greater median distance to their transplant center than those with other insurance had (282 versus 22 miles). In an adjusted Cox model, compared with private pay and Medicare patients, VA patients had a hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for time to transplant of 0.72 (0.68 to 0.76) and 0.85 (0.81 to 0.90), respectively, and lower rates for living and deceased donor transplants. In a model comparing VA transplant rates with rates from four local non-VA competing centers in the same donor service areas, lower transplant rates for VA patients than for privately insured patients persisted (hazard ratio, 0.72; 95% confidence interval, 0.65 to 0.79) despite similar adjusted mortality rates. Transplant rates for VA patients were similar to those of Medicare patients locally, although Medicare patients were more likely to die or be delisted after waitlist placement. Conclusions After successful listing, VA kidney transplant candidates appear to have persistent barriers to transplant. Further contemporary analyses are needed to account for variables that contribute to such differential transplant rates.
Dessiner avec l’ordinateur dans les années soixante: le design et ses pratiques à l’aube de l’ère numérique

Les toutes premieres explorations de l’utilisation de l’ordinateur dans le domaine du design ont eu lieu au cours des annees 1960. A cette epoque, l’ordinateur est considere comme une technologie pouvant modifier l’ensemble du processus de conception, remettant en question les standards etablis en matiere de formulation des idees et de representations graphiques en raison du passage des instruments traditionnels marquant le papier aux systemes d’interface. Des experiences menees a l’initiative de certaines corporations et compagnies privees – Itek, General Motors – et a celle de laboratoires de recherche plus institutionnels – Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – conduisent au developpement et a l’utilisation d’interfaces graphiques interactives et de peripheriques d’entree tels que les crayons optiques et les tablettes. Dans la foulee, l’Architecture Machine Group au MIT importe cette technologie et la developpe specifiquement pour la conception architecturale. A des degres divers, chacun de ces systemes informatiques sera destine a imiter, augmenter, ou changer les types d’interactions entre les concepteurs et leurs productions. Cette confrontation entre l’analogique et le numerique aura des repercussions significatives sur les conventions graphiques du dessin, entrainant le reexamen de ses types, de ses formes et du processus de conception qui en resulte. Cet article explore l’histoire des debuts de la conception assistee par ordinateur, a une periode ou celle-ci a bouleverse sous differents aspects la pratique du dessin en design et en architecture.