cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
BEYOND THE ECOLOGICAL: BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS ALTER NATURAL SELECTION ON A NATIVE PLANT SPECIES

Biological invasions can have strong ecological effects on native communities by altering ecosystem functions, species interactions, and community composition. Even though these ecological effects frequently impact the population dynamics and fitness of native species, the evolutionary consequences of biological invasions have received relatively little attention. Here, I show that invasions impose novel selective pressures on a native plant species. By experimentally manipulating community composition, I found that the exotic plant Medicago polymorpha and the exotic herbivore Hypera brunneipennis alter the strength and, in some instances, the direction of natural selection on the competitive ability and anti-herbivore defenses of the native plant Lotus wrangelianus. Furthermore, the community composition of exotics influenced which traits were favored. For example, high densities of the exotic herbivore Hypera selected for increased resistance to herbivores in the native Lotus; however, when Medicago also was present, selection on this defense was eliminated. In contrast, selection on tolerance, another plant defense trait, was highest when both Hypera and Medicago were present at high densities. Thus, multiple exotic species may interact to influence the evolutionary trajectories of native plant populations, and patterns of selection may change as additional exotic species invade the community.
Genetic Variation and Evolution of Human Parainfluenza Virus Type 1 Hemagglutinin Neuraminidase: Analysis of 12 Clinical Isolates

The extent of genetic variation and evolution in a population of human parainfluenza virus type 1 was investigated. The hemagglutinin neuraminidase genes of 13 isolates collected over a 26-year period were sequenced and compared. All isolates except the 1957 type strain were from a single geographic location and demonstrated significant consistent genetic change from the type strain (47/7 [nucleotide/amino acid] substitutions). Antigenic subgroup A isolates demonstrated minor intragroup differences (9/1 substitutions). However, 18/7 unique substitutions separated subgroup A from B regardless of geographic location or year of isolation. Multiple strains of both subgroups appeared and reappeared over decades with only minor variation. There may be significant genetic differences between clinical isolates based on geographic location, and progressive mutational change may occur. Previously defined antigenic and now genetic subgroups were stable and at least regional in distribution over the period studied. The biologic implications and extent of this variation need further evaluation.
Response of Brown Treesnakes to Reduction of Their Rodent Prey

Abstract Trapping brown treesnakes (Boiga irregularis; BTS) with live-mouse (Mus domesticus) lures is the principal control technique for this invasive species on Guam. Lure-based trapping is also used on other islands as a precaution against undetected arrivals and in response to verified BTS sightings. However, the effectiveness of lure-based trapping on other islands is questionable, as it has yielded no BTS despite other evidence of their presence. Some evidence suggests that high rodent numbers may interfere with BTS control. To test the relationship between rodent abundance and snake trappability, we conducted a controlled, replicated field experiment incorporating a rodenticide treatment during a BTS mark–recapture study. Using open population modeling in Program MARK, we estimated BTS apparent survival and recapture probabilities. Rodent reduction increased BTS recapture probabilities by 52–65% in 2002 and 22–36% in 2003, and it decreased apparent survival by <1% both years. This appears to be the...
Adaptive Attenuating Spatial Light Modulator

An optically addressed, optical relaying device placed between crossed polarizers utilizes an array of pixels made up of photodetectors, circuitry, and modulating pads, and an analog liquid crystal to modulate the intensity of an optical signal on a pixel by pixel basis. The photodetector generates a current proportional to the light detected. Once the current exceeds a certain level, the circuitry stores a charge on the modulating pad proportional to the photo-induced current. This stored charge rotates the molecules of the liquid crystal thereby rotating the polarization of the light signal. The output polarizer then attenuates the light beam according to the change in polarization.
Nonlinear behavior of the adaptive LMS algorithm

This brief demonstrates that the adaptive LMS filter does not necessarily converge in the mean to the Wiener solution through the investigation of the harmonic content of signals in the filter for the case of narrowband signals. A 1 tap filter is examined in detail, and the structure of the estimated and error signals for the filter is investigated for an N tap filter. Simulation results are provided which collaborate and amplify the theoretical findings, showing that the harmonic content of the filter output can be predicted. >
1: Progress in heart transplantation: Riskier patients yet better outcomes: A 15-year multi-institutional study

PROGRESS IN HEART TRANSPLANTATION: RISKIER PATIENTS YET BETTER OUTCOMES: A 15-YEAR MULTI-INSTITUTIONAL STUDY D.O. Taylor, R.N. Brown, M.L. Jessup, R.C. Starling, K.D. Aaronson, B.K. Rayburn, J. Czerr, D.C. Naftel, J.K. Kirklin, the Cardiac Transplant Research Database, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH; Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL; Univ. of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Dynamic Panoramic Surround Map: Motivation and Omni Video Based Approach

Awareness of what surrounds a vehicle directly affects the safe driving and maneuvering of an automobile. Surround information or maps can help in ethnographic studies of driver behavior as well as provide a critical input in the development of effective driver assistance system. In this paper, we introduce the concept of Dynamic Panoramic Surround (DPS) map that shows the nearby surroundings of the vehicle, and detects the objects of importance on the road. Omnidirectional cameras which give a panoramic view of the surroundings can be useful for visualizing and analyzing the nearby surroundings of the vehicle. A novel approach for synthesizing the DPS using stereo and motion analysis of video images from a pair of omni-directional cameras on the vehicle is developed. Successful generation of DPS in experimental runs on an instrumented vehicle testbed is demonstrated. These experiments prove the basic feasibility and show promise of omni video based DPS capture algorithm to provide useful semantic descriptors of the state of moving vehicles and obstacles in the vicinity of a vehicle.
Induction of RelB Participates in Endotoxin Tolerance

Using a THP-1 human promonocyte model of endotoxin tolerance that simulates the sepsis leukocyte phenotype, we previously showed that tolerant cells remain responsive to LPS endotoxin with degradation of IκB in the cytosol and nuclear translocation and accumulation of p50 and p65 NF-κB transcription factors. Despite this, endotoxin-inducible NF-κB-dependent innate immunity genes, like IL-1β, remained transcriptionally unresponsive in the tolerant phenotype, similar to the endotoxin tolerance observed in sepsis patients. In this study, we examined this paradox and found that RelB, another member of the NF-κB family, is induced during the establishment of tolerance. RelB expression correlated with IL-1β repression, and sepsis patients showed increased RelB when compared with normal controls. Transient expression of RelB inhibited IL-1β in endotoxin-responsive cells. In the inverse experiment, small inhibitory RNAs decreased RelB expression in tolerant cells and restored endotoxin induction of IL-1β. When we examined tolerant cell extracts, we found transcriptionally inactive NF-κB p65/RelB heterodimers. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that RelB can repress proinflammatory gene expression, and suggest that RelB expression in sepsis patient blood leukocytes may play a role in the endotoxin-tolerant phenotype.
Family Structure and Mediators of Adolescent Drug Use

This study investigates how family structure is associated with adolescent drug use and how parenting, peer use, religiosity, and neighborhood problems may mediate the relationship. The authors use structural equation modeling to examine the relationship between family structure and drug use across race, and examine potential mediators. Using data from a nationally representative sample of adolescents, the authors find that family structure has little impact on adolescent drug use once potential mediators are accounted for. Though there is minimal direct effect of family structure on adolescent drug use, family structure is significantly correlated with the four mediators. Although there is some variation in the impact of these mediators on adolescent drug use across race/ethnicity, comparison of structural models suggests these variations are not statistically significant. Possible limitations of the findings are discussed.
The use of incentives to reinforce medication adherence

Objective Poor medication adherence is a longstanding problem, and is especially pertinent for individuals with chronic conditions or diseases. Adherence to medications can improve patient outcomes and greatly reduce the cost of care. The purpose of the present review is to describe the literature on the use of incentives as applied to the problem of medication adherence.
Spectral efficiency and energy consumption tradeoffs for reconfigurable devices in heterogeneous wireless systems

The proliferation of wireless broadband usage over the last decade has led to the development and deployment of multiple broadband wireless radio access technologies (RATs) such as EVDO, WiMAX, HSPA and LTE. To support the ever-increasing wireless traffic demand, researchers have worked on the concept of an integrated heterogeneous wireless environment that encompasses several of these RATs which makes the resource allocation process more efficient by assigning each user in the system to the best RAT/RATs. In this paper, for such an integrated heterogeneous wireless system, we show the possible gains in spectral efficiency at the cost of increased energy consumption for an unbalanced heterogeneous wireless network deployment scenario. In prior work, based on the assumption that all cellular operators under study were equally well-provisioned, we showed an increase in spectral efficiency of up to 75%. In the research presented in this paper, we assume the coverage of each operator might differ significantly in a given area. With this ‘unbalanced’ scenario, we show that an ideal, centralized allocation strategy provides an almost linear tradeoff between gain in spectral efficiency (554%) and worst-case increase in energy consumption (615%) for users supporting elastic traffic.
A 10-stage reconnection demonstration launcher

A small-scale, 10-stage cylindrical reconnection launcher has been designed, fabricated, and tested. Ten-gram projectiles are accelerated from rest to 317 m/s through the 0.44-m launcher assembly with a projectile kinetic energy to capacitor stored energy efficiency of 9%. Comparison of test results and computer code predictions are presented. Results of these studies have substantiated launcher scaling at small size and have provided a useful test bed for launcher components and diagnostics. >
The influence of transactive memory systems and psychological safety on effectiveness of service management teams in a restaurant setting.

The authors of this study examined the influence of transactive memory systems (TMSs) on team performance and team cohesion, as mediated by team psychological safety. Using a sample of 178 undergraduate students representing 27 service-management teams in a real-life restaurant setting with real-world consequences, TMS exhibited significant positive relationship with team performance and team cohesion. Team psychological safety was found to mediate the relationship between TMS and team outcomes. Based on the findings, theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
How mental systems believe.

Is there a difference between believing and merely understanding an idea?Descartes thought so. He considered the acceptance and rejection of an idea to be alternative outcomes of an effortful assessment process that occurs subsequent to the automatic comprehension of that idea. This article examined Spinoza's alternative suggestion that (a) the acceptance of an idea is part of the automatic comprehension of that idea and (b) the rejection of an idea occurs subsequent to, and more effortfully than, its acceptance. In this view, the mental representation of abstract ideas is quite similar to the mental representation of physical objects: People believe in the ideas they comprehend, as quickly and automatically as they believe in the objects they see. Research in social and cognitive psychology suggests that Spinoza's model may be a more accurate account of human belief than is that of Descartes.
Distribution of Graupel and Hail With Size

Abstract Observations have been made on the size and concentration of graupel and hail occurring in untreated convective cloud systems over the High Plains of the United States. From these data, an average graupel and hail distribution has been generated. The comparison of this .,ize spectrum with data from other studies, along with the implications to hail detection and hail suppression, is also discussed.
Effect of Phenylpropanolamine and Pseudoephedrine on the Urethral Pressure Profile and Continence Scores of Incontinent Female Dogs

Background: Traditionally, treatment of urinary incontinence in spayed female dogs has been to increase urethral sphincter tone with estrogen compounds or α-agonists. Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) is the most frequently used α-agonist for this condition, but increased cost and decreased availability of PPA as an over-the-counter medication have prompted interest in alternative therapies that may provide the same degree of efficacy. Pseudoephedrine (PD), an α-agonist and stereoisomer of ephedrine, is more cost-effective and available without a prescription. Hypothesis: PD will not differ from PPA in its effects on urodynamic variables and owner-reported continence scores or in observed adverse effects. Animals: Nine spayed female dogs with a history of urinary incontinence drawn from the clinical patient population at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at The Ohio State University. Methods: A randomized, double-blind crossover study evaluating changes in urodynamic variables, owner-reported continence score, and adverse effects in dogs treated with 1.5 mg/kg PO q8h PPA or PD. Results: Changes in maximum urethral closure pressure and functional area after PPA therapy were significantly higher than after PD therapy. There was no change in the functional profile length after either treatment. There was a significant increase in the continence score after PPA therapy, but not after PD therapy. More adverse effects were observed in dogs treated with PD than with PPA. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Although some dogs clinically improved, lack of statistically significant changes in urodynamic variables and owner perception of continence as well as the increased incidence of adverse effects make PD a less satisfactory alternative to PPA for the treatment of urinary incontinence in female dogs.
The Long-Term Effects of Early and Recent Maternal Employment on a Child’s Academic Achievement

More children today are being raised in households with mothers who work for pay compared to a generation ago, when most mothers did not engage in marketplace work. This demographic change is important because it could affect children. In this article, the effects of early and recent maternal employment on a child’s academic development are identified as measured by high school grades. Results suggest that whereas early maternal employment does not have an effect, recent maternal employment (during a child’s adolescent years) significantly decreases grades. Results also show that the effects of maternal employment do not differ for boys and girls.
Effects of the competitive nmda antagonist cpp on performance of a place and cue radial maze task

Using a within-subjects design, rats were trained to run on a radial maze with a procedure that involved two types of learning (pi ace and eue) and two memory functions (working and reference memory). After performance had stabilized, injections of saline, 4, 8, and 16 mg/kg of the competitive NMDA antagonist CPP (±)-3-(2-carboxypiperazine-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic acid were administered in a Latin-square design. Choiee accuraey on both the place task and the cue task was significantly impaired by 8 and 16 mg/kg ofCPP, whereas running times were signifieantly slowed only with 16 mg/kg. This pattern of results is different from the selective impairment on the place task found following disruptive lesions of and kindling within the hippocampus. These findings suggest that care should be taken in attributing ehanges in behavior following injeetions of NMDA antagonists to selective effects on the hippocampus.
Geoengineering Coastlines? From Accidental to Intentional

On developed coastlines, humans react to physical processes in coastal environments by stabilizing shorelines against chronic erosion and by taking measures to prevent destruction of coastal infrastructure during storms. While we are beginning to understand how physical processes affect human behavior, causality runs in the other direction as well. Over decades or longer, even localized anthropogenic shoreline manipulations influence large-scale patterns of coastline change as much as physical, climate-related forcing does. The long-range spatial and temporal spillovers of localized human actions in coastal environments, combined with widespread localized shoreline-stabilization and storm protection efforts, amount to unintentional geoengineering of our coastlines. In essence, investments in coastal engineering fail to consider tradeoffs that can unfold over long temporal or large spatial scales. A more purposeful geoengineering of coastlines requires a richer understanding of the two-way couplings between physical and human coastline dynamics, including efforts to reduce uncertainties in forecasting future scenarios for the coupled system. Steering toward preferred outcomes for our coastlines and coastal economies will involve coordination across local, state, and federal jurisdictions to mitigate spatial externalities that extend beyond local communities.
Challenges in Enforcing Home Smoking Rules in a Low-Income Population: Implications for Measurement and Intervention Design

Introduction Smoke-free homes reduce exposure to secondhand smoke, contribute to lower levels of consumption, and help smokers to quit. Even when home smoking rules are established however, they may not be consistently enforced. Methods This study uses data from a randomized controlled trial of a brief intervention to create smoke-free homes among callers to the United Way of Greater Atlanta 2-1-1. Participants with partial or full home smoking bans at 6-month follow-up were asked about enforcement challenges, rooms where smoking occurred, and exceptions to the rules. Air nicotine monitors were placed in a subset of homes. Results Participants (n = 286) were mostly female (84.6%) and African American (84.9%). Most were smokers (79.0%) and reported at least half of their friends and relatives smoked (63.3%). Among those with a full ban, 4.3% reported their rules were broken very often whereas 52.6% stated they were never broken. Bad weather and parties were the most common exceptions to rules. Among nonsmokers with full bans, 16% reported exposure to secondhand smoke in the home 1-3 days in the past week. In multivariate analyses, having a partial ban, being a nonsmoker, and living with three or more smokers predicted higher levels of enforcement challenges. Conclusions Findings suggest the majority of households with newly adopted smoke-free rules had no or rare enforcement challenges, but about one-fifth reported their rules were broken sometimes or very often. Interventions to create smoke-free homes should address enforcement challenges as newly adopted rules may be fragile in some households. Implications Interventions that promote smoke-free homes should address enforcement challenges.
Conditioning regimen-dependent disposition of cyclophosphamide and hydroxycyclophosphamide in human marrow transplantation patients.

PURPOSEThe pharmacokinetics of cyclophosphamide (CY) and 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide (HCY) were studied in 14 patients being prepared for bone marrow transplantation with either busulfan (BU)/CY (n = 7) or CY/total-body irradiation (TBI) (n = 7) to determine whether exposure to CY and its proximate toxic metabolite HCY is modulated by other agents used in the preparative regimen.PATIENTS AND METHODSHCY was assayed by a new method that stabilized the metabolite at bedside. In BU/CY patients (who also received phenytoin), CY clearance was 112% greater (P = .0014), half-life 54% less (P = .0027), peak HCY concentration in plasma/CY dose 113% greater (P = .0006), and the ratio of area under the plasma concentration-time curves (AUCs) of HCY to CY 166% greater (P = .0116) than in CY/TBI patients. The ratio of the AUC of HCY/CY dose was 48% greater in BU/CY patients than in CY/TBI patients when one CY/TBI patient with an apparent impaired ability to eliminate HCY was excluded from analysis. In CY/TBI patients, th...
Therapeutic Strategies for the Treatment of Alcoholic Hepatitis

Acute alcoholic hepatitis is a unique clinical syndrome among patients with chronic and active heavy alcohol use. Presenting with acute or chronic liver failure, a severe episode has a potential for 30 to 40% mortality at 1 month from presentation, if not recognized and left untreated. Alcoholic hepatitis patients need supportive therapy for abstinence and nutritional supplementation for those patients with markedly reduced caloric intake. Results of the recently published STOPAH (Steroids or Pentoxifylline for Alcoholic Hepatitis) Study showed only a benefit of corticosteroids on short-term mortality without any benefit of pentoxifylline. Neither of these two drugs impacts medium- and long-term mortality, which is mainly driven by abstinence from alcohol. With the emerging data on the benefits of liver transplantation, liver transplantation could be an important salvage option for a very highly select group of AH patients. More data are needed on the use of liver transplantation in AH as the basis for deriving protocols for selecting cases and for posttransplant management. Currently, many clinical trials are examining the efficacy and safety of new or repurposed compounds in severe AH. These drugs are targeted at various pathways in the pathogenesis of AH: the gut-liver axis, the inflammatory cascade, and liver injury. With increasing interest of researchers and clinicians, supported by funding from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the future seems promising for the development of effective and safe pharmacological interventions for severe AH.
Theory and Inference in the Study of Bureaucracy: Micro- and Neoinstitutionalist Foundations of Choice

Prepared for delivery at the annual meeting of the American Political Science Association, Washington, D.C., August 30-September 3, 2000. Copyright by the American Political Science Association. J-PART 11(2000):1:3-27 Tiis article focuses on the role of scientific inference in the study of bureaucracy. Its focus, in particular, is on the microand neoinstitutional foundations of choice. The context for scientific inference is that offered by King, Keohane, and Verba (KKV) in their book, Designing Social Inquiry. The article notes that KKV essentially stipulates an idea of normal scientific inquiry to allow for the evaluation of competing empirical claims. Two fundamental research programs, those of bounded rationality and rational choice, are assessed for their theoretical and scientific contributions to the study of bureaucracy. The latest turns in the bounded rationality program for organizational behavior have moved to some degree from that program's roots in cognitive psychology to a form of cultural anthropology, while rational choice models have become more sensitized to information costs. Thus, some work originating in the rational choice mode has come to borrow significantly from ideas within the bounded rationality paradigm. Rational choice models also tend to emphasize principal-agent relationships, the most interesting aspects of which, however, are mainly rooted in the peculiarities of American political institutions. Although neoinstitutionalist rational choice theories of bureaucracy have developed a clear and compelling normal science program allowing disputes to be taken out of the realm of theology and into the realms of specification, measurement, and other issues associated with empirical claims, evidence also persists to suggest limits to economic theories of organization and a role for leadership and
LEARNING TO DISCRIMINATE BETWEEN ALCOHOL AND NONDRUG CONDITION

In the present experiment, food was located in one arm of a T-maze on days when hungry rats had been given alcohol and in the other arm on placebo days. Prior techniques for demonstrating discrimination between drug and placebo conditions (Conger, 1951; Overton, 1964) required use of painful electric shock. Method.-Ss were 8 adult, female, albino rats, fed 12 gm. Purina chow daily. Shortly before feeding, they were given 4 trials, at intervals of 2 min., in a T-maze with a 24-in. stem, 12-in. arms, and 4-in. width of the passageways. Five minutes before the first daily trial they were injected intraperitoneally wirh ethyl alcohol ( 1200 mg/kg in a 10% solution) or with placebo (isotonic saline, 15 ml/kg). Two successive days under one condition were followed by 2 days under the other condition, and this double alternation continued for 48 days. The correct choice (one arm on alcohol days, the other on placebo days) was rewarded by 4 food pellets (45 mg. each). Rerultf and concla~ions.-In 4 blocks of 12 days, percentages of correct choices on the first trial of the day were successively 58%, 6096, 7993, and 8896, averaging together scores for the 4 Ss which learned to discriminate between the alcohol and placebo conditions. During the last 24 days each of these Ss significantly preferred the correct arm (sign test, $J < .01) on the first daily trial (22, 20, 19, and 19 out of 24); on Trials 2 to 4 they averaged 92% correct choice. On alcohol days the food was in the right-hand arm for 2 Ss and in the left-hand arm for the other 2 Ss. When under alcohol, Ss showed less hesitation and thus shorter running times than on placebo days, but there was little difference in percentage of correct choices. One of the remaining 4 Ss died during training. The ocher 3 Ss showed persistent position preferences, so that their performance did not differ significantly from 50% correct choice on the first daily trial. When the preferred arm was incorrect, all 4 trials of the day were often unrewarded; therefore, additional trials under this condition, early in training, might have induced these 3 Ss to select the non-preferred arm and learn the discrimination.
Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter in a Neonate

A 2-week-old, 24 weeks gestational age female infant has a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) inserted in her right leg for management of ongoing medical issues, including necrotizing enterocolitis. Amidst the other tubes and lines, the PICC appears to be located in the inferior vena cava. Among the infant’s ongoing medical problems are sepsis and pleural effusions, which are chylous. At 4 weeks of age, the original PICC is still in place. Do you see the final ending point of the PICC? Contrast is infused through the PICC to clarify placement. ### Aberrant PICC Placement into the Vertebral Vein The endpoint of the lower extremity PICC was a vertebral vein, as evidenced by the contrast filling the spinal canal. Although the first radiograph showed the PICC ending at what was believed to be an appropriate position, in retrospect, it did not proceed toward the right side, as would be expected if the PICC …
The cross section study of influenza A H1N1 vaccine immune response

Objective:To understand different people′s specific antibody level of immunization,the differences and the adverse reactions one year after the inoculation of influenza A H1N1 vaccine.Methods:People who have been inoculated one year ago in different ages and sexes were selected as the objects of study,and their blood samples were collected to measure the specific antibody titer of influenza A H1N1 by hemagglutination-inhibition test.Results:The positive rate of antibody of those people who have been inoculated one year ago is 76.78%.Among them,the positive rates of antibody of two age groups who are from 10 to 17 and from 22 to 55 are 61.84% and 89.80% respectively.The positive rates of antibody of different sexes are 78.95%(male) and 75.00%(female) respectively.The adverse effects incidence is 4.17%.Conclusion:The adverse effects incidence is quite low and there is no serious adverse reaction;and the sheltering effect of the vaccine to those people who have been inoculated one year ago does not decline obviously.
To analyze the correlation between CD_3+CD_4+T lymphocyte count of 23 healthy persons and the relative time

Objective:To determine the relationship between CD3 + CD4 + T lymphocyte count of 23 healthy persons and the relative time.Methods: Mark the collected whole blood specimens of 23 healthy persons by FITC-CD4/CD8/CD3 antibody.Then take count of CD3 + CD4 + T lymphocyte by flow cytometry,respectively after blood sampled 0 hours,24 hours,48 hours,72 hours,96 hours.Analysis the test datum by the repeated measurement data analysis of variance through statistical software SPSS 13.0.Then test the variance between the 1st and other four times by the GLM procedure to assess the best time for the detection of CD3 + CD4 + T lymphocyte count.Results: It results from Mauchly′s Sphericity Tests that correlation exists in repeated measurement datum(P0.05).There is statistically significant between the1st and all the other four times,which depends on the results of the GLM procedure adjusted by Greenhouse-Geisser(P0.05).The droop rate between the posterior four times and the 1st are respectively 1.0%、1.8%、21.5%、31.9%.Conclusion: It is more reliable that the result comes from the flow cytometry which completed in 48 hours for CD3+CD4+T lymphocyte counts.
Outbreaks of listeriosis - Listeria-contaminated foods

Outbreaks of food-borne listeriosis in recent years have caused governmental regulatory and health agencies and the food industry to focus on the problem of food contamination by Listeria monocytogenes. A review is presented of the association of L. monocytogenes with human illness and its occurrence in foods and the environment.
SU-F-I-36: In-Utero Dose Measurements Within Postmortem Subjects for Estimating Fetal Doses in Pregnant Patients Examined with Pulmonary Embolism, Trauma, and Appendicitis CT

Purpose: The imaging of pregnant patients is medically necessary in certain clinical situations. The purpose of this work was to directly measure uterine doses in a cadaver scanned with CT protocols commonly performed on pregnant patients in order to estimate fetal dose and assess potential risk. Method: One postmortem subject was scanned on a 320-slice CT scanner with standard pulmonary embolism, trauma, and appendicitis protocols. All protocols were performed with the scan parameters and ranges currently used in clinical practice. Exams were performed both with and without iterative reconstruction to highlight the dose savings potential. Optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters (OSLDs) were inserted into the uterus in order to approximate fetal doses. Results: In the pulmonary embolism CT protocol, the uterus is outside of the primary beam, and the dose to the uterus was under 1 mGy. In the trauma and appendicitis protocols, the uterus is in the primary beam, the fetal dose estimates were 30.5 mGy for the trauma protocol, and 20.6 mGy for the appendicitis protocol. Iterative reconstruction reduced fetal doses by 30%, with uterine doses at 21.3 for the trauma and 14.3 mGy for the appendicitis protocol. Conclusion: Fetal doses were under 1 mGy when exposed to scatter radiation, and under 50 mGy when exposed to primary radiation with the trauma and appendicitis protocols. Consistent with the National Council on Radiation Protection & Measurements (NCRP) and the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), these doses exhibit a negligible risk to the fetus, with only a small increased risk of cancer. Still, CT scans are not recommended during pregnancy unless the benefits of the exam clearly outweigh the potential risk. Furthermore, when possible, pregnant patients should be examined on CT scanners equipped with iterative reconstruction in order to keep patient doses as low as reasonable achievable.
Context-Limited Simulators Theory (CLST)

In Chapter 6 I summarized the basic elements of Barsalou’s (1999a) theory of perceptual simulators, and showed how it can be extended to incorporate simulations of the extended context of social interactions, including relationships and culture. In this chapter, I will lay out the details of a theory of metaphor use and interpretation based on the idea that language-driven perceptual simulators are limited by the cognitive context, the previously-activated frames and schemas. I will then compare the result, Context-Limited Simulators (CLS) Theory, to other current metaphor theories.
Estrogen-Induced Growth of Uterine Cells

A general hypothesis has been developed in recent years to describe the mechanism of action of steriod hormones. Circulating steroid, having dissociated from serum carrier proteins, is considered to diffuse passively into most tissue cells (Peck et al., 1973; Gorski and Gannon, 1976). The hormones are retained and accumulated only in responsive cells by interactions with extranuclear macromolecules that possess high affinity and specificity for hormone (Jensen and Jacobson, 1962; Talwar et al., 1964; Gorski et al., 1968; Jensen et al., 1974; King and Mainwaring, 1974). In the chick, labeled hormone is detected bound to its receptor in the oviduct within 1-2 min following injection (O’Malley et al., 1970). Once bound to hormone, the receptor is transformed or activated (Jensen et al., 1968; Puca et al., 1972) and thereby rendered capable, within 2-4 min after injection (O’Malley et al., 1970), of transport to the nucleus. Within the nucleus, the steroid—receptor complex interacts with unspecified “acceptor sites” in the chromosomal material and thereby elicits the synthesis of specific RNA species that are believed to underlie expression of the phenotypic effects (Hamilton, 1968; Gorski and Gannon, 1976; Buller and O’Malley, 1976; Thrall et al., 1978).
Abstract 84: Serum Amyloid A Does Not Modulate the Inverse Association of HDL with Coronary Artery Calcification in Type 2 Diabetes

Introduction Although high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is inversely correlated with cardiovascular risk, HDL loses its protective role in pathologic inflammatory states like type 2 diabetes (T2DM). HDL dysfunction contributes to accelerated atherosclerosis in T2DM, but the mechanism is incompletely defined. The acute phase reactant serum amyloid A (SAA) displaces apolipoprotein A-I and may impair HDL-mediated reverse cholesterol efflux. We hypothesized that SAA alters the inverse association between HDL and coronary artery calcium (CAC) in the Penn Diabetes Heart Study, a cross-sectional study of T2DM patients free of overt cardiovascular or renal disease. Methods We measured SAA in serum samples by immunonephelometry (N=975; mean age 58 ± 9 years; 63% male, 57% Caucasian; mean BMI 33 ± 6 kg/m2). HDL was measured enzymatically in lipoprotein fractions after ultracentrifugation. Agatston CAC scores were quantified from electron beam tomography at the same visit. Spearman correlation and logistic regression were used to test associations of SAA with clinical factors and metabolic syndrome. We used Tobit regression to analyze associations between CAC and HDL, both overall and stratified by 3 categories of SAA: undetectable, lower half detectable, and upper half detectable. Results Spearman correlations revealed moderate association of SAA with C-reactive protein (r=0.52) and weak associations of SAA with BMI (r=0.25) and HDL (r=0.17; all p<0.001). In logistic regression, the group with highest SAA levels had increased odds of metabolic syndrome compared to those with undetectable levels (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.38, p=0.036). In adjusted Tobit regression, HDL was inversely associated with CAC (Tobit coefficient for 1-SD increase in HDL: -0.30; 95% CI -0.54 to -0.06; p=0.013). Across the categories of SAA, however, there was no difference in the association of HDL with CAC (Tobit coefficient for 1-SD increase in HDL: -0.17 [95% CI -0.49 to 0.16] for undetectable vs. -0.31 [95% CI -0.79 to 0.17] for lower half detectable vs. -0.49 [95% CI -1.01 to 0.03] for upper half detectable). Conclusions Despite the association of SAA with metabolic syndrome, these data suggest that elevated SAA may not change the inverse relationship of HDL with CAC in T2DM.
Sofosbuvir and velpatasvir for the treatment of hepatitis C.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Direct acting antivirals are revolutionizing the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Specifically, the combination therapy sofosbuvir and velpatasvir offers a pangenotypic regimen with high sustained viral response (SVR).Areas covered: Reviewed here are the clinical trials that led to the FDA approval of sofosbuvir and velpatasvir combination therapy, the adverse events during registration trials, and drug-drug interactions. Sofosbuvir and velpatasvir is a fixed dose regimen that is both interferon- and ribavirin-free. It is administered for 12 weeks as a once-a-day pill, covers all genotypes of hepatitis C, and achieves SVR >95% in non-cirrhotic patients and patients with compensated cirrhosis. Addition of ribavirin is recommended for patients with decompensated cirrhosis (CTP B or C). Baseline resistance-associated substitutions do not appear to impair ability to achieve SVR with an initial course of treatment.Expert commentary: Availability of this highly efficacious, well tolerated...
The ghost of the machine: The relevance of material systems for psychology:

Contemporary psychology theorizes and researches social oppression in terms of culturally and linguistically mediated phenomena (e.g., stereotypes, identities, norms, attitudes). Although social constructionist and embodied cognition perspectives correct certain deficits of mainstream approaches, they still consider embodiment only in terms of linguistic or cognitive mediation. As a result, the role played by human embodiment in material systems is largely overlooked in psychological analyses of capitalist oppression. Roberto Esposito and Maurizio Lazzarato propose that similarities (rather than differences) between humans and non-human entities, especially machines, should be the starting place for a critique of capitalism. Esposito traces the longstanding history of cultural divisions between persons and things, which contributes to our current blindness to embodiment. Lazzarato details how signs and diagrams—once thought to belong to the abstract province of symbols—now play a direct, vital role in mat...
SP0186 Cognitive fog: subjective and objective understandings of the symptom of dyscognition

Dyscognition refers to the complaint that a person9s ability to perform thinking tasks is impaired. This complaint is colloquially known as “brain fog”. It is a major symptom of a variety of disorders and associated with considerable work and social disability for those experiencing it. However, attempts to demonstrate objective cognitive impairment in persons reporting “brain fog” have not been straightforward. In this lecture, the symptom of cognitive dysfunction will be described from the patient9s point of view, using fibromyalgia as a disease model. The cognitive tests used to determine objective alterations in cognitive ability will be reviewed, the amount of objective impairment demonstrated in fibromyalgia will be placed into clinical context, and the “disconnect” between what the experience of dyscognition is and the cognitive content measured by modern testing will be discussed. The poor relationship between the magnitude of subjective dyscognition and objective cognitive performance will be examined, including evidence gleaned from neurological imaging studies. In conclusion, the experience of cognitive fog is not well captured by current testing paradigms. Subjective complaint is a poor predictor of objective cognitive performance. The neuronal mechanisms responsible for the experience of cognitive fog may be separate from those required to perform cognitive tasks. Disclosure of Interest None declared
CO 2 /bicarbonate modulates cone photoreceptor ROS-GC1 and restores its CORD6-linked catalytic activity.

This study with recombinant reconstituted system mimicking the cellular conditions of the native cones documents that photoreceptor ROS-GC1 is modulated by gaseous CO2. Mechanistically, CO2 is sensed by carbonic anhydrase (CAII), generates bicarbonate that, in turn, directly targets the core catalytic domain of ROS-GC1, and activates it to increased synthesis of cyclic GMP. This, then, functions as a second messenger for the cone phototransduction. The study demonstrates that, in contrast to the Ca2+-modulated phototransduction, the CO2 pathway is Ca2+-independent, yet is linked with it and synergizes it. It, through R787C mutation in the third heptad of the signal helix domain of ROS-GC1, affects cone-rod dystrophy, CORD6. CORD6 is caused firstly by lowered basal and GCAP1-dependent ROS-GC1 activity and secondly, by a shift in Ca2+ sensitivity of the ROS-GC1/GCAP1 complex that remains active in darkness. Remarkably, the first but not the second defect disappears with bicarbonate thus explaining the basis for CORD6 pathological severity. Because cones, but not rods, express CAII, the excessive synthesis of cyclic GMP would be most acute in cones.
A Method to Evaluate Isotopic and Energy Turnover Rates in Larval Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) Using Stable Isotope Labeled Compounds

The goal of this study was to evaluate the use of stable isotope labeled compounds to better understand factors influencing energy turnover in larval Culex quinquefasciatus (Say; Diptera: Culicidae). Three isotope labeled compounds were evaluated in this study, including 15N-labeled potassium nitrate, 13C-labeled glucose, and 13C-labeled leucine. Conditions were first optimized in the laboratory to determine the most appropriate concentration of isotope, as well as the half-life of enrichment. Once optimum conditions were established we used standard equations to predict and determine temperature and density-dependent energy turnover rates. Our results showed that higher concentrations of isotope had an impact on mosquito survivability, overall enrichment, and adult wing length. We predicted the half-life of to be around 0.614 to 0.971 d, and our observed half-lives were determined to be 0.72 to 1.44 d depending on temperature, larval density, and isotope compound. Both density and temperature had a strong influence on isotopic turnover rates in all isotopes evaluated. Our results suggest that stable isotopes can provide a useful tool in understanding how different stress factors influence energy turnover in larval Cx. quinquefasciatus. These data can also help lay a foundation on ways to improve larvicide efficacy under different biotic and abiotic conditions.
Three-Dimensional Printing of Cytocompatible, Thermally Conductive Hexagonal Boron Nitride Nanocomposites.

Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is a thermally conductive yet electrically insulating two-dimensional layered nanomaterial that has attracted significant attention as a dielectric for high-performance electronics in addition to playing a central role in thermal management applications. Here, we report a high-content hBN-polymer nanocomposite ink, which can be 3D printed to form mechanically robust, self-supporting constructs. In particular, hBN is dispersed in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and 3D printed at room temperature through an extrusion process to form complex architectures. These constructs can be 3D printed with a composition of up to 60% vol hBN (solids content) while maintaining high mechanical flexibility and stretchability. The presence of hBN within the matrix results in enhanced thermal conductivity (up to 2.1 W K–1 m–1) directly after 3D printing with minimal postprocessing steps, suggesting utility in thermal management applications. Furthermore, the constructs show high levels of cytocomp...
Mobile health intervention for youth with sickle cell disease: Impact on adherence, disease knowledge, and quality of life.

BACKGROUND Adherence to illness self-management among youth with sickle cell disease (SCD) positively impacts health outcomes and decreases overall healthcare costs. Despite this, children with SCD face several barriers to adherence, with adherence rates that remain moderate to low. The current feasibility study examined the Intensive Training Program (ITP), a mobile health (mHealth) intervention for youth with SCD designed to promote disease knowledge, adherence, and patient-provider communication. PROCEDURE Youth with SCD prescribed hydroxyurea between ages 7-18 completed baseline disease knowledge and psychosocial assessments and then were provided with the ITP app. Youth participated in the 90-day ITP, during which they completed three education modules, tracked adherence through daily self-recorded videos on the app, and received video messages from providers. Participants completed poststudy knowledge, psychosocial, and feasibility questionnaires. Medication possession ratio (MPR) was obtained via pharmacy-refill rates. RESULTS Thirty-two youths (mean age = 13.0 years) participated, with an average adherence tracking rate of 0.6 (standard deviation = 0.34). All participants demonstrated increased MPR (0.57-0.74, P < 0.001, d = 0.75) and disease knowledge (59.6-88.6%, P < 0.001). There was variable engagement in the ITP; completers demonstrated significantly better SCD-related functioning (P < 0.05), higher parent-reported treatment functioning (P < 0.05), and lower pain impact than noncompleters of the ITP (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Results support the ITP can feasibly be implemented to promote adherence among youth with SCD. All participants demonstrated increased adherence and disease knowledge. However, there was variable engagement and only intervention completers showed improvements in psychosocial outcomes. Further research is needed to evaluate long-term outcomes and ways to promote engagement in mHealth interventions among the youth.