cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear Kalman Filtering Based Sensorless Direct Torque Control of Surface-Mounted Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors

The demand for sensorless control of surface-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor drives has grown rapidly. Among various sensorless control methods developed, Matsui's current model-based approach and the extended Kalman filter approach have gained much attention. However, the performance of these control methods can be severely worsened or may even become unstable under strong disturbances or sensing failures. This paper presents a comarative study of the extended Kalman filter, the resilient extended Kalman filter, and the unscented Kalman filter based sensorless direct torque and flux control approaches for the surface-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor drives. Computer simulation studies and hardware implementation results have shown the efficiency and superior performance of the resilient extended Kalman filter and the unscented Kalman filter over the traditional extended Kalman filter for sensorless direct torque control applications.
Real-Time Identification of Cyber-Physical Attacks on Water Distribution Systems via Machine Learning–Based Anomaly Detection Techniques

AbstractSmart water infrastructures are prone to cyber-physical attacks that can disrupt their operations or damage their assets. An algorithm was developed to identify suspicious behaviors in the ...
Implementation of a Pilot Pharmacist Testosterone Therapy Management Service.

Background:Recent literature findings suggest that opportunities exist to optimize testosterone replacement therapy management.Objective:To evaluate the impact of a pilot clinical pharmacist testos...
You Can Stop the Cuts: Practical Lessons on Becoming a Politician.

Despite the damage caused by the federal budget cuts of 1981, the worst is yet to come—unless blind people and the professionals who work with them can fight back effectively. To influence legislat...
Needle aspiration as primary surgical treatment of pediatric deep neck space abscesses

Abstract Objective Examination of the outcomes of needle aspiration (NA) under sedation as the primary surgical treatment for pediatric deep neck space abscesses (DNSA) to determine its adequacy, safety, and cost. Study design Retrospective chart review. Methods 10 consecutive pediatric patients (age 4–48 months) that were diagnosed with DNSA starting from August 2008 through October 2015 were included in our review. All patients were on antibiotics and were treated with NA as the primary surgical treatment modality. Procedures were all performed in our pediatric sedation suite. We have examined our outcomes including need to convert to open incision and drainage (I&D), number of aspirations required, hospital stay, if purulence obtained, culture results, and imaging modality used. We also compared our results with previous studies using incision and drainage as the primary treatment modality focusing on the duration of their hospital stay. Results None of our 10 patients required an open I&D. Two of 10 (20%) did require repeat aspiration once with no patient requiring more than two aspirations. Median hospital stay was 4 days (range 3–8). Conclusion In our small study group NA performed under sedation was an effective treatment modality with duration of hospital stay comparable to other studies that included treatment with I&D under general anesthesia.
Delays in Therapy Do Not Impact Survival in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Report from the Learn Consortium

Background: In general, modern clinical trials for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have intensified therapy compared with therapy in prior decades. While survival rates now approach 90%, increased treatment intensity has heightened the risk of complications such as serious infections or organ toxicities, which may in turn lead to dose modifications and/or treatment delays. There is a paucity of data on the prognostic impact of cumulative delays during the intensive phases of ALL therapy. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients between the ages of 1-21 years with newly diagnosed ALL who were treated at two large academic pediatric hospitals that are part of the Leukemia Electronic Abstraction of Records Network (LEARN). Eligible patients were those diagnosed with B- or T-lineage ALL who received chemotherapy treatment at least through the start of maintenance therapy. Exclusion criteria included disease relapse prior to start of maintenance, Down syndrome, or clinical features requiring highly intensified frontline therapy. The primary study objective was to determine the impact of treatment delays on relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). A secondary objective was to investigate associations between delays and patient clinical characteristics. Results: A total of 537 patients were eligible for analysis. Of these 537, 32 were analyzed separately as an “extreme toxicity” subgroup, due to excessive treatment-related morbidities prior to the start of maintenance requiring significant therapy modification. The remaining 505 were divided into quartiles based on their duration of delay, with the highest quartile experiencing >64 days of delay to start of maintenance. Most patients experienced some delay (median 40 days, range 0-154 days). Patients in the highest quartile were characterized by an older mean age at diagnosis (7.8 versus 6.7 years, p=0.0254), treatment on a more intensified regimen (p Conclusions: Due to the intensity of modern ALL therapy, treatment delays are common. Our data suggest that prolonged delays in treatment prior to the start of maintenance therapy do not impact survival, but that extreme toxicities requiring significant alterations in therapy are associated with significantly poorer RFS and OS. Download : Download high-res image (51KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
The effects of a competitive antagonist on GABA-evoked currents in the presence of sedative-hypnotic agents.

Many sedative-hypnotic agents are thought to act by positively modulating γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors. However, for many agents, the location(s) of the binding site(s) responsible for such receptor modulation is uncertain. We previously developed a low efficacy ligand (naphthalene-etomidate) that binds within a homologous set of hydrophobic cavities located at GABAA receptor subunit interfaces in the transmembrane domain, and thus acts as a competitive antagonist for higher efficacy sedative-hypnotics that also bind to these sites. In this report, we describe studies using this compound as a pharmacological screening tool to test whether sedative-hypnotics representing a range of chemical classes can modulate GABAA receptors by binding within these receptor cavities. The impact of naphthalene-etomidate on GABA-evoked currents that were mediated by oocyte-expressed α1β3γ2L GABAA receptors and potentiated by muscimol, alphaxalone, 2,2,2-trichloroethanol, isoflurane, AA29504, loreclezole, or diazepam was quantified using electrophysiological techniques. Naphthalene-etomidate (300 µM) significantly reduced GABAA receptor currents potentiated by alphaxalone (by 22 ± 11%), 2,2,2-trichloroethanol (by 23 ± 6%), isoflurane (by 32 ± 10%), AA29504 (by 41 ± 6%), loreclezole (by 43 ± 9%), but significantly increased those potentiated by muscimol (by 26 ± 11%). Naphthalene-etomidate significantly increased currents potentiated by a low (1 µM) diazepam concentration (by 56 ± 14%) while reducing those potentiated by a high (100 µM) diazepam concentration (by 11 ± 7%). Our results suggest that many (but not all) sedative-hypnotics are capable of positively modulating the GABAA receptor by binding within a common set of hydrophobic cavities.
Innovative Built-In Self-Test Schemes for On-Chip Diagnosis, Compliant with the IEEE 1149.4 Mixed-Signal Test Bus Standard

This paper presents a testing scheme for analog and mixed-signal circuitry compatible with the IEEE 1149.4 mixed-signal test bus standard. A high-speed dynamic current sensor is described, as well as an innovative self-diagnostic method called VDDQ. The former is used to measure signature supply currents and to compare them with the footprint of a defect-free circuit. The latter senses the quiescent nodal voltages on several nodes of the circuit under test and compares them to their nominal values. A flag is raised if significant deviations are found. Simulation results are provided for the high-speed dynamic current sensor. Through simulations the VDDQ method has performed at one node test every half millisecond and has potential for much higher speed. It is faster than currently used methods in industry, which average to 5000 nodes per minute. This will potentially allow a defect-free IC to enter the market in significantly less time than with conventional testing methods.
Electronic health records and burnout: Time spent on the electronic health record after hours and message volume associated with exhaustion but not with cynicism among primary care clinicians

Objectives The study sought to determine whether objective measures of electronic health record (EHR) use-related to time, volume of work, and proficiency-are associated with either or both components of clinician burnout: exhaustion and cynicism. Materials and methods We combined Maslach Burnout Inventory survey measures (94% response rate; 122 of 130 clinicians) with objective, vendor-defined EHR use measures from log files (time after hours on clinic days; time on nonclinic days; message volume; composite measures of efficiency and proficiency). Data were collected in early 2018 from all primary care clinics of a large, urban, academic medical center. Multivariate regression models measured the association between each burnout component and each EHR use measure. Results One-third (34%) of clinicians had high cynicism and 51% had high emotional exhaustion. Clinicians in the top 2 quartiles of EHR time after hours on scheduled clinic days (those above the sample median of 68 minutes per clinical full-time equivalent per week) had 4.78 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-20.1; P = .04) and 12.52 (95% CI, 2.6-61; P = .002) greater odds of high exhaustion. Clinicians in the top quartile of message volume (>307 messages per clinical full-time equivalent per week) had 6.17 greater odds of high exhaustion (95% CI, 1.1-41; P = .04). No measures were associated with high cynicism. Discussion EHRs have been cited as a contributor to clinician burnout, and self-reported data suggest a relationship between EHR use and burnout. As organizations increasingly rely on objective, vendor-defined EHR measures to design and evaluate interventions to reduce burnout, our findings point to the measures that should be targeted. Conclusions Two specific EHR use measures were associated with exhaustion.
Ambidexterity in the age of asset sharing: Development of dynamic capabilities in open source ecosystems

Abstract Evidence suggests the growing importance of interorganizational relationships in developing intrapreneurial capabilities. In this paper, we argue that exploitation- and exploration-oriented network ties strengthen intrapreneurial capabilities in dynamic environments. To do so, we integrate the underlying assumptions of asset positions in the dynamic capabilities perspective with the open innovation perspective to highlight the implications of interorganizational ties for value capturing and value creating. The resulting model is discussed using the open source ecosystem as a context that exemplifies the complexities of the symbiotic relationships among network actors in the software industry. This study makes several contributions. First, we contribute to research on intrapreneurial capabilities by explicating the role of different types of network ties in recognizing and leveraging opportunities. Second, we extend the scope of the dynamic capabilities literature by integrating a network perspective to reconceptualize asset positioning in the context of value co-creation and co-capture. Third, we address the complexities associated with intellectual property rights in sharing assets through different forms of network ties. Lastly, we link the dynamic capabilities literature with ambidexterity research by offering insights on how asset sharing can facilitate the simultaneous development of capabilities related to both exploration and exploitation in dynamic environments.
Selected characteristics and injury patterns by age group among pedestrians treated in North Carolina emergency departments

The objective of this study was to describe pedestrian demographic characteristics, crash characteristics, selected health outcomes, and injury patterns by age using linked North Carolina (NC) cras...
Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Awareness and Prescribing Behaviors Among Primary Care Providers: DocStyles Survey, 2016-2020, United States.

Few studies have assessed providers’ intent of prescribing PrEP in the future. We analyzed cross-sectional web-based surveys to estimate trends from 2016 to 2020 in PrEP awareness and prescribing behaviors in the United States among primary care providers. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate prevalence of PrEP awareness, prescribing behaviors, and likelihood of prescribing PrEP in the next 12 months. The adjusted prevalence for PrEP awareness was significantly higher in 2019 (93.7%, 95% CI 91.9%, 95.2%) compared to 2018 (88.1%, 95% CI 85.5%, 90.3%). The adjusted prevalence for prescribing PrEP was significantly higher in 2019 (16.4%, 95% CI 13.6%, 19.6%) and 2020 (15.6%, 95% CI 13.0%, 18.7%) compared to 2018 (12.2%, 95% CI 10.0%, 14.7%). Practicing in the West and regularly screening for HIV were associated with higher PrEP awareness and provision. Studies should examine factors associated with PrEP provision for groups with increased risk for HIV.
Causation and gravitation in George Cheyne's Newtonian natural philosophy.

Abstract This paper analyzes the metaphysical system developed in Cheyne’s Philosophical Principles of Religion. Cheyne was an early proponent of Newtonianism and tackled several philosophical questions raised by Newton’s work. The most pressing of these concerned the causal origin of gravitational attraction. Cheyne rejected the occasionalist explanations offered by several of his contemporaries in favor of a model on which God delegated special causal powers to bodies. Additionally, he developed an innovative approach to divine conservation. This allowed him to argue that Newton’s findings provided evidence for God’s existence and providence without the need for continuous divine intervention in the universe.
Using Ultrasound and Inflammation to Improve Prediction of Ischemic Stroke: A Secondary Analysis of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Introduction Current ischemic stroke risk prediction is primarily based on clinical factors, rather than imaging or laboratory markers. We examined the relationship between baseline ultrasound and inflammation measurements and subsequent primary ischemic stroke risk. Methods In this secondary analysis of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), the primary outcome is the incident ischemic stroke during follow-up. The predictor variables are 9 carotid ultrasound-derived measurements and 6 serum inflammation measurements from the baseline study visit. We fit Cox regression models to the outcome of ischemic stroke. The baseline model included patient age, hypertension, diabetes, total cholesterol, smoking, and systolic blood pressure. Goodness-of-fit statistics were assessed to compare the baseline model to a model with ultrasound and inflammation predictor variables that remained significant when added to the baseline model. Results We included 5,918 participants. The primary outcome of ischemic stroke was seen in 105 patients with a mean follow-up time of 7.7 years. In the Cox models, we found that carotid distensibility (CD), carotid stenosis (CS), and serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) were associated with incident stroke. Adding tertiles of CD, IL-6, and categories of CS to a baseline model that included traditional clinical vascular risk factors resulted in a better model fit than traditional risk factors alone as indicated by goodness-of-fit statistics. Conclusions In a multiethnic cohort of patients without cerebrovascular disease at baseline, we found that CD, CS, and IL-6 helped predict the occurrence of primary ischemic stroke. Future research could evaluate if these basic ultrasound and serum measurements have implications for primary prevention efforts or clinical trial inclusion criteria.
Prevalence of EHEC-7 on hides of market beef cattle at slaughter

Cattle hides at slaughter are an important source of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) carcass contamination. The objective of this study was to estimate the probability for hide contamination with EHEC-7 among US market beef cows at slaughter, as well as test the effects of season and geographic region.
Dissipative Particle Dynamics Approaches to Modeling the Self-Assembly and Morphology of Neutral and Ionic Block Copolymers in Solution

Block copolymer assemblies have demonstrated enormous potentials in a wide variety of applications. Yet, further advances in the theory and computational modeling of block copolymer-based assemblies are needed to boost the development and the application of these materials. This review is intended to present key micellization theory, approaches and recent advances in prediction and modeling self-assembly of block copolymers in solution. Specifically, we examine the current progress in the modeling and simulation of block copolymer-based assemblies utilizing the mesoscale modeling technique Dissipative Particle Dynamics (DPD). We also discuss advantages and limitations of the different approaches in modeling the structural and dynamical properties of neutral and ionic block copolymers using DPD.
High Dose IFN-β Activates GAF to Enhance Expression of ISGF3 Target Genes in MLE12 Epithelial Cells

Interferon β (IFN-β) signaling activates the transcription factor complex ISGF3 to induce gene expression programs critical for antiviral defense and host immune responses. It has also been observed that IFN-β activates a second transcription factor complex, γ-activated factor (GAF), but the significance of this coordinated activation is unclear. We report that in murine lung epithelial cells (MLE12) high doses of IFN-β indeed activate both ISGF3 and GAF, which bind to distinct genomic locations defined by their respective DNA sequence motifs. In contrast, low doses of IFN-β preferentially activate ISGF3 but not GAF. Surprisingly, in MLE12 cells GAF binding does not induce nearby gene expression even when strongly bound to the promoter. Yet expression of interferon stimulated genes is enhanced when GAF and ISGF3 are both active compared to ISGF3 alone. We propose that GAF may function as a dose-sensitive amplifier of ISG expression to enhance antiviral immunity and establish pro-inflammatory states.
Abstract 17060: Machine Learning and Video Recognition for Automated Detection of Fluid Status in Heart Failure Patients

Introduction: There is a need for innovative solutions to better screen and diagnose the 7 million patients with chronic heart failure. A key component of assessing these patients is monitoring flu...
HIV Infection - Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment.

Key Clinical Points HIV Infection — Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Despite extensive knowledge about human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the number of cases of incident HIV infection decreased...
Comment on “Theoretical and Experimental Study of Creep Damage on Alloy 800 at High Temperature (MSA 140953)”

Abstract The creep rate and life behaviors of different batches of Alloy 800 as reported in the reference paper are re-analyzed with the Deformation Mechanism based True Stress (DMTS) creep model. The delineation of deformation mechanisms leads to the conclusion that the Ti + Al content mostly affects intragranular dislocation glide (IDG). While IDG is responsible for necking instability, grain boundary sliding (GBS) leads to intergranular fracture naturally. This analysis clears the ambiguity in representing the creep rate by a single Norton law.
Ten-year experience with staged management of pectus carinatum: Results and lessons learned.

Abstract Introduction : We report pectus carinatum management over a 10+year period. Methods : Staged management, with initial bracing and operation for failure or special circumstances, was employed. A newer brace and a minimally invasive operation for PC (the Abramson procedure) were introduced during the study period. Results : Of 695 consenting patients from 2008 to 2018, 265 (38%) were observed. Of 430 treated, 339 (79%) had bracing only; 65 (15%) underwent surgery without a trial of bracing, while 26(5%) underwent surgery after a failed attempt at bracing. Of 364 bracing patients, 144 (40%) were successful, 77 (21%) are ongoing, 25 (7%) failed, and 118 (32%) dropped out. Recurrence was noted in 17 (5%), an average 5.4 months later. Two (0.4%) overcorrected to pectus excavatum (PE). Successful patients experienced a 50% decrease in pressure of correction (POC) beginning one month after starting treatment. Brace failure patients did not. Reported compliance with brace utilization (hours/day) was similar. Surgery was required in 91 patients. Open operations were performed in 61 (67%), Abramson operations in 23 (25%), and Nuss procedure in 7 (8%) who developed excavatum over correction following bracing or who had mixed deformity, with excavatum one side of the sternum and carinatum on the other. Twenty-four (36%) of the surgeries for PC occurred after an attempt at bracing. All obtained good initial results by operation. No recurrence was noted after open operation and 3 (13%) after Abramson. Open complications included 1 (2%) infection. Abramson's operation required 11 (48%) revisions, 6 (26%) early bar removals, and had 3 (13%) infections. Conclusion : Brace treatment for PC can be guided by pressure of correction, which fell by more than half in successfully treated patients. POC did not fall in patients who failed. If POC does not fall, surgery should be considered. Open repair of Pectus Carinatum is generally successful, while the Abramson operation has a significant rate of complications with the implants currently available in the U.S. Levels of Evidence : Level III – Retrospective comparative study.
Density Altitude Variations and Runway Lengths

The necessity of accurate knowledge of changing meteorological conditions, particularly air temperature and pressure altitude, at departure airports was recognized prior to the introduction of Jumbo-jet aircraft into service. Previous studies on the effect of variations in these two variables were made and, because the effects of pressure altitude variations were smaller than the effects of temperature variations, pressure accoutability was not made a part of the U.S. regulations. A different form of presentation of computed runway lengths, with and without pressure accountability utilizing a probability plot, results in a much broader picture of the effects and permits an analysis both from the point of view of the aircraft operator and the airport designer. The results of the study indicate that payloads can be effected from 1.5$ to 13%, or the required runway length can vary from 1% to 4%, or both.
Quality of Yogurt

Abstract Yogurt consumption in the United States has increased spectacularly during the last decade. Product quality and satisfaction of consumer expectation are discussed since they are essential for the continued successful growth of the yogurt market. Much emphasis is placed on yogurt flavor, body, and texture. The coming identity crisis for yogurt is dealt with since "yogurt without bacteria" has now made its appearance. The results of a brief microbiological evaluation of yogurt and of a consumer preference survey are presented also.
Heterogeneity of hydrologic response in urban watersheds.

Meierdiercks, Katherine L., James A. Smith, Mary Lynn Baeck, and Andrew J. Miller, 2010. Heterogeneity of Hydrologic Response in Urban Watersheds. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 46(6):1221–1237. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2010.00487.x Abstract: The changing patterns of streamflow associated with urbanization are examined through analyses of discharge and rainfall records for the study watersheds of the Baltimore Ecosystem Study (BES). Analyses utilize a decade (1999-2008) of observations from a dense U.S. Geological Survey stream gaging network and Hydro-NEXRAD radar rainfall fields. The principal study watershed of the BES is Gwynns Falls (171 km2). Focus is given to two Gwynns Falls basins with contrasting patterns and histories of development, Dead Run and Upper Gwynns Falls. The sharp contrasts in streamflow properties between the basins reflect the differences in urban development prior to implementation of stormwater management regulations (much of Dead Run) and development for which stormwater management is an integral part of the hydrologic system (Upper Gwynns Falls). The mean annual runoff in Dead Run (558 mm) is 35% larger than that of Upper Gwynns Falls; larger contrasts in runoff properties typify the “warm season” and are linked to storm event hydrologic response. Spatial heterogeneities in storm event response are reflected in seasonal and diurnal properties of streamflow. Analyses of storm event response are presented for June 2006, during which monthly rainfall over the BES region ranged from less than 150 to more than 500 mm. Baisman Run, the BES forest reference watershed, and Moores Run, a highly urbanized watershed in Baltimore City, provide “end-member” representations of urban impacts on streamflow.
BioLog: a browser based collaboration and resource navigation assistant for biomedical researchers

We often realize that communicating with other colleagues who are studying similar topics helps to identify information relevant to our area of study, which otherwise may not have been found. We wish to accelerate acquisition of collective knowledge in a defined area by identifying specific spheres of inquiry. Such spheres correspond to groups of people who are experts in a field. In this paper we provide a systematic way to gain knowledge from their online search activity, and enable them to organize and share their search findings for further analysis. We have built a prototype system, BioLog, to help biomedical researchers share this implicit knowledge among their peers and store their access patterns into a central system for reuse. BioLog has been deployed it in two labs within TGen as a pilot study. The data has been gathered and analyzed by preliminary text-mining and collaborative filtering methods.
Inequity In Equity: The Tragedy of Tenancy in Common for Heirs' Property Onwers Facing Partition in Equity

This article considers the impact of the default intestacy estate of tenancy in common on African-American heirs' property. This piece considers the evolution of the heirs' property conundrum in the Lowcountry of South Carolina - the birthplace of the dream of African-American land ownership - and explores the implications of this form of property ownership in tenants in common facing partition in courts of equity, particularly in developing Sunbelt communities. Comprehensive property law reform is crtically needed. I propose a new legal framework to better regulate the externalities that plague the commons of heirs' property and achieve more equitable results in actions to partition heirs' property. Specifically, courts of equity should take affirmative steps to better manage the economics of partition actions so that external costs are appropriately assessed and valuations accurately compensate partitioning co-tenants who hold fractionated interests. These steps would ameliorate the distorted economics that make partition actions so attractive to developers who benefit from the exploitation of heirs' property. In addition, I consider a recent line of state supreme court cases that utilized alternative partition remedies to preserve sentimental and historic family homesteads. These cases offer a sound legal theory that can stand and should be applied in the heirs' property context. Finally, I offer concrete legislative reform proposals that will enable legislators and judges to provide more equitable consideration of partition actions, thereby preserving the historic land legacy of African-Americans.
Effects of Activated Macrophages on Nocardia asteroides

The mechanism(s) of host resistance against Nocardia asteroides has not been well defined. Since disease due to N. asteroides frequently occurs in patients with impaired cell-mediated immunity, we studied the interaction of N. asteroides with activated and control mouse peritoneal macrophages. Activated macrophages were from mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii or injected with Corynebacterium parvum. N. asteroides in the early stationary phase (>99% in the coccobacillary form) was used for challenge of macrophage monolayers. Growth of two strains of N. asteroides was markedly inhibited in activated macrophages, whereas N. asteroides grew well in control macrophages. Quantitation of macrophage-associated N. asteroides indicated that activated macrophages killed 40 to 50% of N. asteroides within 6 h (P < 0.002). In control macrophage preparations, it appeared as if Nocardia filaments extended from within macrophages to the outside, and many of these filaments appeared to have extended to and then grown through neighboring macrophages. In activated macrophage preparations, Nocardia remained in the coccobacillary form in most macrophages. Control macrophage monolayers were almost completely overgrown with and destroyed by Nocardia 20 h after challenge, whereas activated macrophage monolayers remained intact. Nocardia that grew in control macrophages were not acid-alcohol fast or only weakly so, whereas the few Nocardia that grew in activated macrophages were strongly acid-alcohol fast. Our results indicate that activated macrophages may be important in host defense against N. asteroides.
Are middle school physical education teachers receiving effective professional development

Professional development is key to effective teaching in any subject and can be achieved through opportunities such as preservice and inservice days, national and regional conference attendance, and involvement in professional organizations. Sears, Edgington, and Hynes (2014) sought to identify how middle school physical educators access and use professional development opportunities and how these experiences affect their teaching practice.
Human Autoreactive CD4+ T Cells from Naive CD45RA+ and Memory CD45RO+ Subsets Differ with Respect to Epitope Specificity and Functional Antigen Avidity

T cells with specificity for self-Ags are normally present in the peripheral blood, and, upon activation, may target tissue Ags and become involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune processes. In multiple sclerosis, a demyelinating disease of the CNS, it is postulated that inflammatory damage is initiated by CD4 + T cells reactive to myelin Ags. To investigate the potential naive vs memory origin of circulating myelin-reactive cells, we have generated myelin basic protein (MBP)- and tetanus toxoid-specific T cell clones from CD45RA + /RO − and CD45RO + /RA − CD4 + T cell subsets from the peripheral blood of multiple sclerosis patients and controls. Our results show that 1) the response to MBP, different from that to TT, predominantly emerges from the CD45RA + subset; 2) the reactivity to immunodominant MBP epitopes mostly resides in the CD45RA + subset; 3) in each individual, the recognition of single MBP epitopes is skewed to either subset, with no overlap in the Ag fine specificity; and 4) in spite of a lower expression of costimulatory and adhesion molecules, CD45RA + subset-derived clones recognize epitopes with higher functional Ag avidity. These findings point to a central role of the naive CD45RA + T cell subset as the source for immunodominant, potentially pathogenic effector CD4 + T cell responses in humans.
From Memorial Site To Text: Villa Grimaldi, El palacio de la risa, Villa and the Dynamics of Space

The former concentration camp Villa Grimaldi is one of dozens of memorial sites in Chile that stand as highly visible reminders of the brutal Pinochet years when kidnapping and torture were commonplace techniques that the state employed to intimidate the nation and subdue resistance. As one of Chile's oldest memorial sites that recall the Pinochet era, the Parque por la Paz Villa Grimaldi powerfully reminds visitors of the importance to preserve historical memory of an era fraught with terror and elemental struggle (Gomez-Barris 32). Perhaps more than almost any other memorial site in Chile today, with the possible exception of Santiago's General Cemetery, Villa Grimaldi has captured the imagination of the general population, as Macarena Gomez-Barris has shown through her recent (and ongoing) work on “witness citizenship” (29). Villa Grimaldi has also provided subject matter to Chilean artists and writers, as well as to committed social and political activists, as one of the most emblematic of all Chilean historical memory sites that bear witness to how communities recall such atrocities in order to honor the victims and resist future instances of state-sanctioned violence. Two Chilean writers whose works focus on Villa Grimaldi are German Marin (El palacio de la risa, 1995) and Guillermo Calderon (Villa, 2012). Both authors explore the historical and psychological impact that this site has had on Chilean consciousness, though in different ways and through distinct genres.
In vivo molybdate inhibition of sulfate transfer to porphyridium capsular polysaccharide.

Active transport of exogenous sulfate into log phase cells of Porphyridium aerueineum followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics, and the apparent Km for sulfate transport is approximately 2.5 × 10−6m. Molybdate, also a group VI anion, is a competitive inhibitor of sulfate transport, and the inhibition is freely reversible. Once in the cell, molybdate depresses the rate of sulfate pool utilization by blocking sulfate transfer to polysaccharides destined for secretion to the cell surface. Specifically, molybdate inhibits the formation of adenosine 5′-phosphosulfate and in turn the formation of adenosine 3′-phosphate 5′-phosphosulfate, the activated donor for sulfate transfer reactions. Combined with the previous identification of adenosine 3′-phosphate 5′-phosphosulfate, this is taken as evidence that the adenosine 5′-phosphosulfate/adenosine 3′-phosphate 5′-phosphosulfate enzymatic sequence for sulfate activation and sulfate donor reactions is operating in Porphyridium. Thiosulfate is utilized as effectively as sulfate as both a sulfur source for growth and polysaccharide synthesis.
A Molecular Mechanics and Database Analysis of the Structural Preorganization and Activation of the Chromophore-Containing Hexapeptide Fragment in Green Fluorescent Protein

We propose that heterologous posttranslational chromophore formation in green fluorescent protein (GFP) occurs because the chromophore-forming amino acid residues 65SYG67 are preorganized and activ...
Global and local processing by 3- and 4-month-old infants.

In two experiments with 3- and 4-month-old infants, we used a familiarization/novelty preference procedure to assess the ability of infants to acquire information about the global and local information in a complex visual pattern. The initial experiment established that individual infants were able to acquire and remember information about both the global forms and the local forms from which the global patterns were constructed. In addition, we found that the global and local forms were of nearly equal discriminability. Using these patterns and a Stroop-like interference paradigm, in the second experiment we obtained evidence for a global precedence effect that could not, we argue, be attributed solely to a difference in discriminability favoring the global stimuli.
Cardiovascular and Psychological Reactivity and Recovery from Harassment in a Biracial Sample of High and Low Hostile Men and Women

This study emphasizes the importance of studying the emotional, motivational, and cognitive characteristics accompanying and the potential hemodynamic mechanisms underlying cardiovascular reactivity to and recovery from interpersonal conflict. The relation of dispositional hostility to cardiovascular reactivity during a frustrating anagram task and post-task recovery was investigated. The sample was composed of 99 healthy participants (age, 18–30 years; 53% women; 51% Caucasian; 49% African American)—half randomly assigned to a harassment condition. High and low hostility groups were created by a median split specific to sex and race subgroup score distributions on the Cook–Medley Hostility Scale. It was hypothesized that hostility would interact with harassment such that harassed, high hostile individuals would display the greatest cardiovascular and emotional reactivity and slowest recovery of the four groups. Participants completed a 10-min baseline, a 6-min anagram task, and a 5-min recovery period with blood pressure, heart rate, pre-ejection period, stroke index, cardiac index, and total peripheral resistance index measured. Harassed participants displayed significantly greater cardiovascular responses and lower positive affect to the task and slower systolic blood pressure (SBP) recovery than did nonharassed participants. The high hostile group, irrespective of harassment, showed blunted cardiovascular responses during the task and delayed SBP recovery than the low hostile group. Although the predicted interaction between hostility and harassment was not supported in the context of cardiovascular responses, such an interaction was observed in the context of blame attributions, whereby harassed hostile participants were found to blame others for their task performance than the other subgroups.
Intrascrotal Epidermoid Cyst With Extension into the Pelvis

An 8-year-old boy presented with an asymptomatic extratesticular, scrotal epidermoid cyst with extension across the urogenital diaphragm into the pelvis. While routine contrast studies and ultrasound were performed, magnetic resonance imaging was most useful in depicting the anatomical boundaries of the lesion, including the intrapelvic extension. Complete excision was performed transcrotally. The lesion is histologically indistinguishable from epidermoid cysts found elsewhere in the external genitalia, that is the penis, scrotum or testis. The etiology is unknown but it may represent a monolayer teratoma of germ cell origin or abnormal embryological closure of the median raphe.
A new method for the automated alignment of dental radiographs for digital subtraction radiography.

OBJECTIVES To provide a robust and convenient method by which radiographic images can be spatially aligned for digital radiographic subtraction without the use of manually selected reference points. METHODS An automated method for image alignment is described which begins with the extraction of a large number of edge features (1500 or more pixels) from each of two radiographic images taken of the same anatomical region of a given patient. The features in the first radiograph are paired, pixel by pixel, with those in the second radiograph using a nearest neighbor criterion. The edge features in the first radiograph are aligned with those in the second radiograph by performing an affine transformation that is consistent with the projection geometry for a plantar parallel X-ray beam. Transformation parameters are determined which provide the smallest spatial alignment error between the two sets of equivalent features. These parameters are found by a closed-form analytic solution, thus enabling a computationa...
Regional glucose and β-Hydroxybutyrate use by developing rat brain

Rates of glucose andd-β-hydroxybutyrate use were determined in five brain regions of 20-day-old rats. The regions studied were cerebral cortex, thalamus, striatum, cerebellum, and brain stem. The tracers for determining rates of substrate use were [3H]fluorodeoxyglucose and [3-14C]-d-β-hydroxybutyrate. Two or five minutes after isotope administration the animals were sacrificed in a 6-kW, 2450-MHz focused microwave device. Ten minutes prior to isotope administration the animals were injected intraperitoneally with normal saline or DL-β-hydroxybutyrate (10mmol/kg). Bloodd-β-hydroxybutyrate levels averaged 0.21 μmol/ml in saline-injected and 3.13 μmol/ml in hyperketonemic rats. Rates of glucose utilization were significantly heterogeneous between regions in both groups: thalamus > cerebral cortex ⩾ striatum > brain stem > cerebellum. These rates were 20–35% lower in hyperketonemic rats. Rates ofd-β-hydroxybutyrate use varied significantly between regions only in the saline group, with the brain stem rate being significantly lower than that in cortex or cerebellum. Regional rates ofd-β-hydroxybutyrate use did not correlate significantly with regional rates of glucose use in either the saline or the hyperketonemic groups. Regional rates of glucose use were strongly and positively correlated between conditions, as were regional rates ofd-β-hydroxybutyrate use. Thus, in 20-day-old rats, the regional heterogeneity of brain glucose use is similar to that in adult rats.d-β-Hydroxybutyrate use is much less regionally heterogeneous. When brain regional rates ofd-β-hydroxybutyrate use are increased seven- to ninefold in acute hyperketonemia, there are compensatory decreases in regional rates of glucose use sufficient to keep regional rates of energy production unchanged.
Generalized social welfare functionals: Welfarism, morality and liberty

The concept of a generalized social welfare functional (GSWFL) is introduced to permit the integration of appealing moral principles into the traditional Pareto-inclusive welfarist framework of utilitarianism and welfare economics. Attention is focused on a so-called “liberal utilitarian” GSWFL which incorporates libertarian rights within the utilitarian calculus in a fashion reminiscent of J. S. Mill's philosophy. It is suggested that welfarist social choice theory may be a far more powerful and flexible tool of political and economic analysis than is commonly thought.
Salvage therapy for prostate cancer recurrence after radiation therapy

Radiotherapy has been successful in treating localized prostate cancer; however, a subset of patients will experience disease recurrence. Determination of the recurrence location must be made using pretreatment and posttreatment clinical variables, imaging, and postradiotherapy biopsy. Patients presumed to have local-only recurrence, optimal clinical risk factors, and an extended life expectancy may be considered for salvage local treatment. Current options include salvage surgery, cryoablation, and brachytherapy. Although they are associated with higher morbidity than primary therapy, salvage treatments can be effective and can still provide patients with a good oncologic and functional outcome. As these modalities continue to improve and patient selection is optimized, better results will evolve.
Exercise effect with the wheelchair aerobic fitness trainer on conditioning and metabolic function in disabled persons: A pilot study

Abstract Objective: To determine the effect of exercise with the wheelchair aerobic fitness trainer (WAFT) on anthropometric indices, conditioning, and endocrine and metabolic parameters in persons with lower extremity disability. Design: Exercise sessions with the WAFT lasted 20 to 30 minutes for two to three sessions. Setting: Tertiary-care Veterans Administration medical center. Participants: Twelve subjects (3 with quadriplegia, 7 with paraplegia, 1 with cerebrovascular accident, 1 with bilateral above-knee amputation). Main Outcome Measures: Anthropometric indices (heart rate, blood pressure, weight, oxygen utilization, body mass index, upper arm and abdominal circumference, arm power) and endocrine and metabolic parameters (fasting serum glucose, lipids, and thyroid function) were determined before and after 10 weeks of exercise with the WAFT. Results: All patients noted improved feelings of well-being after training. Mean resting heart rate, upper arm fat area, and fasting serum cholesterol level decreased significantly. Peak oxygen consumption, midarm circumference, and free thyroxine index increased significantly with training. Conclusions: WAFT improves quality of life, conditioning, and endocrine-metabolic parameters in disabled persons.
Treatment of hyperlipidemia in heart transplant recipients with gemfibrozil ± lovastatin

Abstract Improvements in the diagnosis and therapy of early rejection and infection have resulted in >80% 1-year survival for heart transplant recipients. 1 However, accelerated coronary vasculopathy is a frequent long-term complication and is the cause of death in up to 20% of patients followed >1 year, 1–3 with some degree of vasculopathy noted in all autopsy examinations. 4,5 Hypercholesterolemia, a frequent complication of heart transplantation, appears to be associated with accelerated coronary disease. 3,6–8 Several recent studies have demonstrated that reducing plasma cholesterol can decrease the development and the progression of atherosclerosis in both native coronary arteries and bypass grafts. 9–11 Based on these factors, there have been several reports on the use of hypolipidemic drugs in heart transplant recipients. 12,13 These studies usually involved only a small number of patients and only 1 drug. We therefore retrospectively examined changes in lipid values in 71 heart transplant recipients who received drug therapy for hyperlipidemia that was primarily guided by a step-care approach involving gemfibrozil in 2 doses, followed by lovastatin for more resistant cases.
Understanding Biomarkers of Neurodegeneration: Novel approaches to detecting tau pathology

Tau pathology is commonly analyzed by positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. However, recently developed cell-based techniques for analyzing tau pathogenicity may also be used to measure an early biomarker in tauopathies.
Prostaglandiins And Chemotaxis: Enhancement Of Polymorhonuclear Leukocyte Chemotaxis By Prostaglandin F2α

Prostaglandins E 1 , E 2 , F 1α , and F 2α , did not demonstrate direct in vitro chemotactic properties either to rabbit peritoneal polymorphonuclear leukocytes or to rabbit or human polymorphonuclear leukocytes isolated from blood. Prostaglandin F 2α , however, enhanced the chemotactic responsiveness of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes to the chemotactic agent casein.
Comparison of self-administration behavior and responsiveness to drug-paired cues in rats running an alley for intravenous heroin and cocaine

Rationale Evidence suggests that responsiveness to a drug-paired cue is predicted by the reinforcing magnitude of the drug during prior self-administration. It remains unclear, however, if this principle holds true when comparisons are made across drug reinforcers.
Area-splitting centroids

Abstract A technique is presented for transforming certain functional differential equations into differential-difference equations. As an application, an area-splitting problem involving the centroid of a planar region is investigated. This problem leads to the equation a′(a(x)) = (a(x) − a(a(x))) (x − a(x)) , which is dealt with by transforming it into the linear differential-difference equation ψ′(x) + ψ(x) = ψ(x + c).
Overview of multinomial models for ordinal data

The purpose of this paper is to relate a number of multinomial models currently in use for ordinal response data in a unified manner. By studying generalized logit models, proportional generalized odds ratio models and proportional generalized hazard models under different parameterizations, we conclude that there are only four different models and they can be specified genericaUy in a uniform way. These four models all possess the same stochastic ordering property and we compare them graphically in a simple case. Data from the NHLBI TYPE II study (Brensike et al (1984)) is used to illustrate these models. We show that the BMDP programs LE and PR can be employed in computing maximum likelihood estimators for these four models.