cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impaired signaling intrinsic to sinoatrial node pacemaker cells affects heart rate variability during cardiac disease

The normal heart beat intervals are neither strictly stationary nor completely random, and continuously shift from one period to another. Decoding the ECG identifies this “hidden” information that imparts inherent complexity to the heart-beating interval time series. Loss of this complexity in cardiovascular disease is manifested as a reduction in Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and this reduction correlates with an increase in both morbidity and mortality. Because HRV measurements are noninvasive and easy to perform, they have emerged as an important tool in cardiology. However, the identities of specific mechanisms that underline the changes in HRV that occur in cardiovascular diseases remain largely unknown. Changes in HRV have mainly been interpreted on a neural basis, i.e. due to changes in autonomic impulses to the heart: sympathetic activity decreases both the average heart beat interval and HRV, and parasympathetic activity increases both. It has now become clear, however, that the heart rate and HRV are also determined by intrinsic properties of the pacemaker cells that comprise the sinoatrial node, and the responses of these properties to autonomic receptor stimulation. Here we review how changes in the properties of coupled-clock mechanisms intrinsic to pacemaker cells that comprise the sinoatrial node and their impaired response to autonomic receptor stimulation are implicated in the changes of HRV observed in heart diseases.
Intraocular Pressure Elevation Associated with Inhalation and Nasal Corticosteroids

Background: The ocular hypertensive response to Corticosteroids is well established. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) secondary to Corticosteroids by nasal spray or inhalation has rarely been reported. Results: Three patients showed a possible ocular hypertensive response to beclomethasone dipropionate by nasal spray or inhalation. In two patients, the IOP returned to pretreatment levels after discontinuing nasal corticosteroid spray. One patient required medication to control IOP with continued inhaled corticosteroid. One patient later demonstrated an ocular hypertensive response to oral steroids. Conclusion: Corticosteroids by nasal spray or inhalation may cause ocular hypertension in susceptible patients. The authors recommend surveillance of IOP in patients using these medications.
MAKING MAXIMUM USE OF TAX-DEFERRED RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS

Most workers do not contribute the maximum allowable amount to employer-sponsored tax-deferred retirement plans. The share of maximum contributors increased between 1990 and 2003, as did the percentage of participants who contribute the maximum or at least 10 percent of earnings. But virtually all the growth in maximum contributors came from groups with high shares of maximum contributors in 1990. Recent increases in contribution limits can be expected to reduce shares of maximum contributors, but raise relative shares of maximum contributors among high-earning and education groups. Increases in contribution limits do little to increase retirement preparedness among lower-income groups.
P4J-1 Design Parameters for SAW Multi-Tone Frequency Coded Reflectors

The purpose of this work is to study multi-tone frequency coded reflectors which can provide lower loss, higher reflectivity, chip reflector orthogonality and greater code diversity than the previously published orthogonal frequency coded (OFC) SAW devices [1]. Multiple frequencies are used to spread the signal bandwidth, and act as an identification for a given tag or sensor and to provide signal processing gain. These attributes make this approach very useful in a multi-sensor environment allowing for better coding and lower loss SAW tags and sensors. The use of long reflector banks increases reflectivity and decreases the tag insertion loss; however, this also results in a time response that is much longer than the nominal chip grating time length. With the use of longer gratings the inter-symbol interference is increased thus resulting in distortion of adjacent frequency reflector responses. The multi-tone frequencies presented here, reduce the inter-symbol interference for long reflectors by design, such that the nulls of adjacent chip frequencies coincide. The chip lengths can be modulated to adjust for the decreased transition bandwidths thus resulting in pulse width modulation within the bit. In this paper the optimization of tag design parameters, such as number of electrodes in each reflector chip, reflectivity per strip, tag bandwidth, chip orthogonality conditions and correlation properties will be discussed.
Production of lentiviral vectors with enhanced efficiency to target dendritic cells by attenuating mannosidase activity of mammalian cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen-presenting immune cells that interact with T cells and have been widely studied for vaccine applications. To achieve this, DCs can be manipulated by lentiviral vectors (LVs) to express antigens to stimulate the desired antigen-specific T cell response, which gives this approach great potential to fight diseases such as cancers, HIV, and autoimmune diseases. Previously we showed that LVs enveloped with an engineered Sindbis virus glycoprotein (SVGmu) could target DCs through a specific interaction with DC-SIGN, a surface molecule predominantly expressed by DCs. We hypothesized that SVGmu interacts with DC-SIGN in a mannose-dependent manner, and that an increase in high-mannose structures on the glycoprotein surface could result in higher targeting efficiencies of LVs towards DCs. It is known that 1-deoxymannojirimycin (DMJ) can inhibit mannosidase, which is an enzyme that removes high-mannose structures during the glycosylation process. Thus, we investigated the possibility of generating LVs with enhanced capability to modify DCs by supplying DMJ during vector production. Through western blot analysis and binding tests, we were able to infer that binding of SVGmu to DC-SIGN is directly related to amount of high-mannose structures on SVGmu. We also found that the titer for the LV (FUGW/SVGmu) produced with DMJ against 293T.DCSIGN, a human cell line expressing the human DC-SIGN atnibody, was over four times higher than that of vector produced without DMJ. In addition, transduction of a human DC cell line, MUTZ-3, yielded a higher transduction efficiency for the LV produced with DMJ. We conclude that LVs produced under conditions with inhibited mannosidase activity can effectively modify cells displaying the DC-specific marker DC-SIGN. This study offers evidence to support the utilization of DMJ in producing LVs that are enhanced carriers for the development of DC-directed vaccines.
A computational method for parameter optimization problems arising in control

A parameter optimization procedure is presented for large-scale problems arising in linear control system design that include equality and inequality constraints. The procedure is based on a novel min—max algorithm for locating a constrained relative minimum without the use of penalty functions or slack variables. This algorithm is constructed from an auxiliary minimization problem with equality constraints. Inequality constraints then are introduced using the notion of an effective constraint. Typical problem formulations are discussed, and an extensive design example is presented.
Neural Prosthesis for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Electrical stimulation of the hypoglossal (XII) nerve has been demonstrated as an effective approach to treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The physiological effects of conventional modes of stimulation (i.e., genioglossus activation or whole XII nerve stimulation), however, have yielded inconsistent and only partial alleviations of hypoapneic or apneic events. While selective stimulation of the multi-fasciculated XII nerve offers many stimulus options, it is not clear how they will functionally affect the upper airway (UAW). To study these effects, animal experiments in four beagles were performed to investigate changes in critical pressure (Pcrit), during inspiration. For simulated inspiration, only whole XII nerve stimulation (-0.9 plusmn 0.4 cmH2O) and co-activation of the GG + HG/SG muscles (-1.18 plusmn 0.6 cmH2O) produced significant (p < 0.05) improvements in UAW stability (i.e., lowered Pcrit), compared to baseline (-0.52 plusmn 0.32 cmH2 O). The results of this study suggest that a multi-contact nerve electrode can achieve both UAW dilation and patency, comparable to that obtained with non-selective stimulation by selectively activating the various branches of the XII nerve
A High-Resolution Numerical Simulation of the Wind Flow in the Ross Island Region, Antarctica

Abstract A detailed description of the characteristics of the three-dimensional wind flow for the Ross Island region of Antarctica is presented. This region of Antarctica has complex topographic features, and the wind flow is dependent on the topography and the local meteorological conditions. High-resolution nonhydrostatic numerical simulations are conducted over a high-resolution domain in the Ross Island region. Two simulations are performed corresponding to the two dominant wind flow patterns in the Ross Island region. The first simulation is a light wind case with a stable lower atmosphere and the second is a high wind speed event. Froude number calculations, along with a study of the equation of motion, are included for a more complete understanding of the dynamics of the wind flow. The results of the simulations show a favorable correlation to past research results and observations, and provide a more complete understanding of the three-dimensional wind flow in the region. In addition to a more tho...
Stress fields in a composite material by means of a non-classical approach

Abstract For a two dimensional, bimaterial composite body under elastic deformation, a method is developed to determine separate stress field expressions for each material in the body. Far-field strain components, measured or calculated by classical methods, are considered as known inputs. By considering the long-range effects, caused by the inhomogeneity on a micro-structural scale, the interactions between the point of consideration and the other material regions are expressed. Combining the local stresses and the stresses caused by the long-range interactions, separate expressions for the stresses in the different materials of the body are obtained. Two solutions for a plane strain, bimaterial, laminated composite are obtained through the methods of classical elasticity for the purposes of comparison with the present method.
Dynamic establishment of restorable connections using p-cycle protection in WDM networks

Dynamic establishment of restorable connections in WDM networks is an important problem that has received much study. We propose a dynamic restorable connection establishment scheme that uses p-cycles to protect a connection's working lightpath. For a given connection request, our scheme first computes a working lightpath and then computes a set of p-cycles to protect the links on the working lightpath so that the connection can survive any single link failure. The key advantage of the proposed scheme is that it enables fast failure recovery while requiring very simple online computation at connection establishment time. Our scheme consists of three components for connection establishment: offline computation of primary cycles, online computation of the working lightpath, and online computation of p-cycles for working lightpath protection. Our scheme also includes a connection teardown procedure that computes and releases all p-cycles that are no longer needed. Simulation study shows that our scheme significantly outperforms an existing p-cycle-based dynamic restorable connection establishment scheme.
General molecular weight-lowering side reaction in the thermal condensation of aromatic methyl esters with aromatic amines and hydrazides

The direct thermal condensation of aromatic methyl esters with aromatic amines and hydrazides was studied. Using model compounds, it was learned that N-methylation of amines (both aromatic and aliphatic) and hydrazides is inherent at temperatures required for condensation polymerization. This side reaction prevents attainment of high molecular weight polyamides, polyhydrazides, or polyoxadiazoles from the corresponding difunctional aromatic monomers by heat alone. Reported catalysts for the condensation reaction do not prevent the side reaction.
Exploiting Behavioral Disparities Among Predators and Prey to Selectively Remove Pests: Maximizing the Ratio of Bark Beetles to Predators Removed During Semiochemically Based Trap-Out

Abstract Mass-trapping using semiochemical lures is a potentially useful control measure against bark beetle pests. A serious problem, however, is the inadvertent removal of predators that respond to these baits as kairomones. Ips pini (Say) infests hard pines in the western, Great Lakes, and eastern forests of North America. In Wisconsin, I. pini responds primarily to 50(+)/50(−) and 75(+)/25(−) blends of ipsdienol, its principal pheromone component. Its response is increased by a synergist, lanierone. Its most abundant predators in Wisconsin include Thanasimus dubius (F.), which responds to similar blends of ipsdienol, and Platysoma cylindrica (Paykull) and P. parallelum (Say), which respond to primarily (−) enantiomers of ipsdienol. These predators do not show increased response when lanierone is released in addition to ipsdienol. We conducted a no-choice assay using rotating blends of ipsdienol and lanierone to simulate a trap-out treatment. Lures that contain enantiomers of ipsdienol most preferred b...
Pathogens, Nutritional Deficiency, and Climate Influences on a Declining Moose Population

Abstract Several potential proximate causes may be implicated in a recent (post-1984) decline in moose (Alces alces andersoni) numbers at their southern range periphery in northwest Minnesota, USA. These causes include deleterious effects of infectious pathogens, some of which are associated with white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), negative effects of climate change, increased food competition with deer or moose, legal or illegal hunting, and increased predation by gray wolves (Canis lupus) and black bears (Ursus americanus). Long-standing factors that may have contributed to the moose decline include those typically associated with marginal habitat such as nutritional deficiencies. We examined survival and productivity among radiocollared (n = 152) adult female and juvenile moose in northwest Minnesota during 1995–2000, and assessed cause of death and pathology through carcass necropsy of radiocollared and non-radiocollared animals. Aerial moose surveys suggested that hunting was an unlikely sour...
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Slaughter-House Cases: An Essay in Constitutional-Historical Revisionism

This essay discusses, in a somewhat wry vein, the author's research and development of the article, "The Lost Compromise: Reassessing the Early Understanding in Court and Congress on Incorporation of the Bill of Rights in the Fourteenth Amendment," 61 Ohio St. L.J. 1051 (2000) (available at http://ssrn.com/abstract=229228). The latter article, and this essay, challenge the conventional, orthodox view that the Supreme Court in the Slaughter-House Cases (1873) intentionally rejected the theory that the Fourteenth Amendment "incorporates" and applies the Bill of Rights to the states.This essay argues that Slaughter-House's bad reputation is largely unjustified. The decision is widely viewed as a travesty in which the Court judicially repealed the Fourteenth Amendment Privileges and Immunities Clause. But, in fact, it was a tragedy of failed promise. Slaughter-House reflected a moderately progressive compromise view of the Amendment. It allowed ample leeway for appropriate governmental regulation of economic, social, and health matters, while leaving the door open to (and arguably endorsing) the application of the Bill of Rights to the states. But the progressive potential of Slaughter-House was betrayed by later Supreme Court cases that disincorporated the Bill of Rights, and - as in Lochner v. New York (1905) - perverted the Amendment into a weapon to strike down progressive economic and social legislation.Additional articles by Professor Wildenthal relating to the Fourteenth Amendment and the Bill of Rights include: "The Road to Twining: Reassessing the Disincorporation of the Bill of Rights," 61 Ohio St. L.J. 1457 (2000) (available at http://ssrn.com/abstract=229443); "Nationalizing the Bill of Rights: Revisiting the Original Understanding of the Fourteenth Amendment in 1866-67," 68 Ohio St. L.J. 1509 (2007) (available at http://ssrn.com/abstract=963487); and "Nationalizing the Bill of Rights: Scholarship and Commentary on the Fourteenth Amendment in 1867-1873," 18 J. Contemp. Legal Issues 153 (2009) (available at http://ssrn.com/abstract=1354404).
Quantum information: Violation of Bell's inequality in Si.

An entangled state of two spin qubits in silicon has been prepared and measured, yielding a violation of Bell's inequality that is the largest achieved in the solid state so far.
"Only Time will Tell: The Dynamics of LMX, Job Performance, and Justice"

Although it has been argued that LMX is a dynamic construct, the existing LMX literature is largely cross-sectional in nature. Yet, there is a great need for unraveling the developmental aspects of...
Fluid Dynamic Analysis of Upper Airway of an Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patient Pre and Post Surgery

The present study compares flow parameters (pressure drop, velocity, and shear stress) in the upper airway between pre- and post-bariatric surgery obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. CT images of the upper airway were obtained prior to and six months post bariatric surgery in patients with a comorbid OSA. In-house software was used to reconstruct 3D geometric models of the upper airway, and fluid flow simulations were conducted using commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software. Results show that pressure drop in the upper airway and velocity at the throat decrease post-surgery. Shear stress on the airway walls also decreased markedly. These trends were expected, however more patients must be analyzed and correlations must be drawn between these fluid dynamic parameters and the pathophysiology of the upper airway in OSA.© 2012 ASME
Role of endothelin and endothelin A-type receptor in adaptation of the carotid body to chronic hypoxia.

Chronic exposure in a low-Po 2 environment (i.e., chronic hypoxia, CH) elicits an elevated hypoxic ventilatory response and increased hypoxic chemosensitivity in arterial chemoreceptors in the caro...
Role of Statistical and Machine Learning Methods in Special Protection Scheme Logic Design and Failure Assessment

AbstractWith tremendous growth in variable renewable generation and uncertainties in power system operations, there has been lot of installations of special protection schemes in many parts of the world. A special protection scheme, also termed a remedial action scheme, is the high-end last line of defense mechanism to relieve the system from catastrophic consequences under highly stressed conditions. This article delineates the special protection scheme logic design process and, with the help of a Nordic grid case study, proposes a new paradigm of special protection scheme failure assessment and logic design process, namely the “system-view” framework. In this context, the article also demonstrates the application of decision tree-based methods to derive special protection scheme operational logic and provides a pathway to use efficient statistical sampling techniques for implementing the system-view special protection scheme failure assessment method, thereby advancing the logic redesign process.
Trust Management Framework for Internet of Things

Internet of Things (IoT) can connect a large numberof things (or agents) through communication networks for varioustypes of applications. Like in many other applications, it isvery important for all the agents in IoT systems to collaboratewith each other following predefined protocols. In this paper, we proposed a general trust management framework aiming tohelp agents to evaluate their partners' trustworthiness. We run asimulation for a food nutrition analysis example. It shows that byusing trust, the analysis error can be reduced. Also, we illustratetwo possible types of attacks, and show how to use different trustfactors or environments together to alleviate the damage.
Continent Urinary Diversion in Childhood

AbstractWe review 24 children and young adults who underwent continent urinary diversion. The indications for an operation included bladder exstrophy in 11 patients, myelomeningocele in 8, sacral agenesis in 3, cloacal anomaly in 1, and traumatic disruption of the bladder neck and urethra in 1. The operations performed included an Indiana pouch in 19 patients, including 12 whose stoma was brought to a perineal position and 7 whose stoma was placed in the anterior abdominal wall. A Kock pouch was used in 2 patients and the Mitrofanoff principle was used in 3. The particular indications for the different procedures are discussed at length. Postoperative daytime continence as defined by at least 4 hours of dryness is present in all 24 patients to date, while 4 have nocturnal incontinence. Renal function is stable in all patients to date. In 18 patients postoperative urine cultures were positive during followup. All patients are on clean intermittent catheterization and reoperation has been required in 2 rela...
Inherited renal neoplasms

The application of positional cloning to the study of families with inherited renal neoplasms has allowed the identification of genes which are also important in the pathogenesis of sporadic tumors and has advanced the understanding of the mechanisms underlying renal carcinogenesis. This review provides a discussion of these mechanisms as well as the diagnosis and management of the inherited renal neoplasms.
Detecting Unapproved Abbreviations in the Electronic Medical Record

Article-at-a-Glance Background At an emergency department (ED) in a tertiary care children's hospital with a level 1 pediatric trauma designation, unapproved abbreviations (UAAs) within electronic medical records (EMRs) were identified, and feedback was provided to providers regarding their types and use rates. Methods Existing EMRs, including the ED physicians' patient notes were used as templates to develop a UAA list and an abbreviation detector. The detector was validated against human-screened samples of electronic ED notes from 2003 and then applied to all existing data to generate baseline rates of UAA, before intervention/implementation. Next, the validated abbreviation detector was applied prospectively in screening all EMRs monthly during a six-month period. Results In validation, the abbreviation detector had a sensitivity of 89%, a specificity of 99.9%, and a positive predictive value of 89%. Some 475,613 EMRs were screened, with UAAs identified at a rate of 26.4 ± 4 per 1,000 EMRs. The most common nonmedication UAA was "qd" [11.8/1,000 EMRs], and the most common medication UAA was "PCN" [4.2/1,000 EMRs]. A total of 27,282 patient notes from 74 physicians were screened between January 1, 2007, and June 30, 2007, and 392 monthly reports were generated. Aggregate UAA use decreased by 8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6%–14%) per month—from 19.3 to > 12.1/100 charts, for a 37.3% decrease in UAA use in the six-month period. The estimated monthly decrease per physician was 0.9/100 (95% CI: 0.86–0.94, p Conclusions Use of the abbreviation detector for surveillance of newly created EMRs, followed by consistent education and feedback, led to a significant decrease in UAA use in the study period.
HIV-l infection diagnosis and management

This article discusses the epidemiology, diagnostic methods, prevention of complications, and medical management of HIV-1 infection. Many different therapeutic strategies for HIV-1 infection are being evaluated, but until the immune suppression is eradicated, presumably through more effective antiviral therapy, complications of AIDS and HIV-1 infection will continue to be encountered.
Creatinine filtration, secretion and excretion during progressive renal disease

Dans une population de 96 patients insuffisant renaux suivis pendant 14 mois, le taux de filtration glomerulaire et l'index 1/creatininemie s'abaissent. Ces diminutions sont faiblement correlees. La filtration, la secretion et l'excretion renale totale de la creatinine sont tres variables selon le temps et les individus. Ceci explique la grande variabilite de 1/creatinine, qui ne doit pas etre consideree comme un index fiable de l'abaissement du taux de filtration glomerulaire. Ceci explique en outre la faible correlation entre 1/creatininemie et taux de filtration glomerulaire
Discussion of Segment Disclosure Quantity and Quality under IFRS 8: Determinants and the Effect of Financial Analysts' Earnings Forecast Errors

Abstract Andre, Filip, and Modovan (2016) explores the characteristics—quality and quantity—of segment disclosures under IFRS 8 and their usefulness to financial analysts in accurately estimating earnings per share (EPS). The authors measure quantity of disclosures as the number of segment-level line items disclosed in financial statements and quality as the cross-segment variation in profitability. The results provide evidence that managers solve the issue of proprietary costs by decreasing either the quantity of disclosure below the level of standards' guidance or the quality of disclosures on operating segments, thus reducing the overall information included in disclosures. Results also show that it is difficult even for a sophisticated group of financial statement users such as financial analysts to fully understand the quality of segment disclosures and that too much disclosure quantity might create a “foggy” environment, where even sophisticated investors can have troubles using disclosed information to forecast earnings.
Microfabricated Device for Impedance-Based Detection of Bacterial Metabolism

We present the use of a microfabricated device for impedance-based detection of a few live bacterial cells. Impedance-based detection relies on measuring changes in the AC impedance of two electrodes immersed in a liquid were the bacteria are cultured, caused by the release of ionic species by metabolizing bacterial cells. Rapid detection of a few cells (1 to 10) is possible if the cells are confined into a volume on the order of nanoliters. A microfluidic biochip prototype has been fabricated to test this miniaturized assay. The conductance of the bacterial suspensions is extracted from measuring their complex impedance in a 5.27 nl chamber in the biochip, at several frequencies between 100 Hz and 1 MHz. Measurements on suspensions of the bacteria Listeria innocua, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli in a low conductivity buffer demonstrate that, under the current experimental conditions, the minimum detection level is between 50 and 200 live cells, after two hours of off-chip incubation. Work is in progress to develop techniques for selective capture of bacteria inside the chip, and to minimize background changes in impedance during on-chip incubation.
Decision Making and Cognition

The last five years has seen a remarkable growth of interest in cognitive psychology, a topic that includes all those approaches to psychology that postulate internal, mental processes on the basis of observed behavior. Although cognition has always been a respectable area of psychology in Europe and Great Britain, the influence of behaviorism in the United States has been so strong that, until recently, the term “cognition” was considered by many to be inappropriate for use in the scientific study of behavior. In recent years this attitude has changed; there are now few psychologists who would deny the legitimacy of cognitive phenomena as a topic for psychological study. This growth of interest in cognition has led to the development of novel approaches to theory and research methodology that have had an effect on all areas of psychology.
Role of Phosphodiesterases on the Function of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor-Interacting Protein (AIP) in the Pituitary Gland and on the Evaluation of AIP Gene Variants.

Familial isolated pituitary adenoma (FIPA) is caused in about 20% of cases by loss-of-function germline mutations in the AIP gene. Patients harboring AIP mutations usually present with somatotropinomas resulting either in gigantism or young-onset acromegaly. AIP encodes for a co-chaperone protein endowed with tumor suppressor properties in somatotroph cells. Among other mechanisms proposed to explain this function, a regulatory effect over the 3′,5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway seems to play a prominent role. In this setting, the well-known interaction between AIP and 2 different isoforms of phosphodiesterases (PDEs), PDE2A3 and PDE4A5, is of particular interest. While the interaction with over-expressed AIP does not seem to affect PDE2A3 function, the reported effect on PDE4A5 is, in contrast, reduced enzymatic activity. In this review, we explore the possible implications of these molecular interactions for the function of somatotroph cells. In particular, we discuss how both PDEs and AIP could act as negative regulators of the cAMP pathway in the pituitary, probably both by shared and independent mechanisms. Moreover, we describe how the evaluation of the AIP-PDE4A5 interaction has proven to be a useful tool for testing AIP mutations, complementing other in silico, in vitro, and in vivo analyses. Improved assessment of the pathogenicity of AIP mutations is indeed paramount to provide adequate guidance for genetic counseling and clinical screening in AIP mutation carriers, which can lead to prospective diagnosis of pituitary adenomas.
Viruses and Viral Diseases of the Honey Bee, Apis mellifera

Viruses pose a serious threat to the health and well-being of honey bees, Apis mellifera, the most economically valuable pollinators of agricultural and horticultural crops worldwide. Recently, honey bee viruses have gotten a lot of international attention due to the significant disease status that viruses cause in honey bees and the recent observation of the tight correlation between Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) in the U.S. and Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus. Over the past decades, considerable progress has been made in our understanding of virus infections in honey bees. This review chapter summarizes previous findings and recent progress in the understanding of the morphology, genome organization, taxonomy, transmission, and pathogenesis of honey bee viruses. The prospects of future research and challenges associated with the study of honey bee viruses are also discussed in detail.
Opinion and Special Articles: Creation of a diversity and inclusion certificate program for neurology residents.

Neurologists must provide excellent care to an increasingly diverse patient population. According to census projections, the United States will become a majority–minority nation by 2060, with no single ethnic or racial group making up a majority of the population.1 Diversity of gender, sex, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, ability, and religion must be acknowledged and understood in order to provide equitable patient care. The authors thank the Partners Neurology Residency Program Director Dr. Tracey Cho and Associate Program Director Dr. Sashank Prasad for their support of the Diversity and Inclusion certificate program.
PERIVASCULAR GRANULOMATA IN THE RETINA DEMONSTRATED BY EN FACE OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY IN A PATIENT WITH BLAU SYNDROME.

PURPOSE To describe the multimodal retinal imaging findings of a case of Blau syndrome. METHODS Case report. The multimodal retinal imaging findings, including widefield angiography, cross-sectional and en face spectral domain optical coherence tomography, and optical coherence tomography angiography, of a case of Blau syndrome are described. RESULTS A 12-year-old Hispanic girl with polyarticular arthritis, skin rash, and panuveitis was diagnosed with a rare condition referred to as Blau syndrome. Genetic testing identified an NOD2 mutation. Cross-sectional and en face optical coherence tomography illustrated presumed perivascular granulomata in the middle retina. Optical coherence tomography angiography failed to display flow within these lesions. CONCLUSION This report illustrates the presence of a remarkable distribution of perivascular, presumably granulomatous, retinal lesions in the middle retina. Similar perivascular granulomata have been noted in the histopathological analysis of ocular sarcoidosis.
Ex Vivo Resection and Autotransplantation for Pancreatic Neoplasms.

There are several low-grade pancreatic tumors whose biology permits the use of aggressive surgery to achieve a curative resection. Tumors that are deemed unresectable by conventional techniques due to mesenteric vessel involvement may benefit from ex vivo tumor resection and autotransplantation to allow complete resection while minimizing ischemic organ injury. Despite the excellent oncologic outcomes when used for these neoplasms, the procedure carries substantial morbidity and a high complication rate. But for patients who were otherwise offered total enterectomy and allotransplantation or told that their tumor was unresectable, ex vivo resection may offer them a hope for cure.
Bone marrow edema associated with everolimus.

Purpose The case of a patient who experienced bone marrow edema and pain in both feet and a compression fracture of one heel bone after several months of everolimus use is reported. Summary A 62-year-old woman with a grade 1 metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET) developed bilateral lower extremity edema and pain approximately 4 months after initiation of treatment with everolimus, an inhibitor of mammalian (or mechanistic) target of rapamycin (mTOR). The patient was referred for orthopedic evaluation, which resulted in diagnosis of bone marrow edema and a compression fracture of the calcaneus on the basis of magnetic resonance imaging results. The case was discussed with a clinical pharmacist, and after an in-depth analysis to rule out potential alternative causes for the patient’s edema and pain, everolimus was discontinued. The patient had a full recovery from the presenting symptoms within 10 days of discontinuation of everolimus. Analysis of this case using the adverse drug reaction probability scale of Naranjo et al. yielded a score of 6, indicating a probable adverse reaction to everolimus. A hypothesized mechanism for everolimus-induced bone pain includes marrow edema and hyperemia from reduced intraosseous perfusion, which have been previously reported in association with mTOR inhibitor use. Conclusion Bone marrow edema developed and a fracture occurred in a patient taking everolimus for a metastatic pNET, with complete resolution of lower extremity swelling and pain within 2 weeks of everolimus discontinuation.
Evaluation of the iron regulatory protein-1 interactome

The interactions of iron regulatory proteins (IRPs) with mRNAs containing an iron-responsive element (IRE) is a major means through which intracellular iron homeostasis is maintained and integrated with cellular function. Although IRE-IRP interactions have been proposed to modulate the expression of a diverse number of mRNAs, a transcriptome analysis of the interactions that form within the native mRNA structure and cellular environment has not previously been described. An RNA-CLIP study is described here that identified IRP-1 interactions occurring within a primary cell line expressing physiologically relevant amounts of mRNA and protein. The study suggests that only a small subset of the previously proposed IREs interact with IRP-1 in situ. Identifying authentic IRP interactions is not only important to a greater understanding of iron homeostasis and its integration with cell biology but also to the development of novel therapeutics that can compensate for iron imbalances.
Histoplasma Tenosynovitis Revealed by Fungal Culture in a Patient Treated with Infliximab

We present here what may be the first reported case of Histoplasma tenosynovitis in a patient treated with a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker. A 50-year-old woman with a history of Takayasu arteritis (since age 33) and ulcerative colitis (age 47) presented with 4 weeks of pain and swelling of the palmar aspect of the right hand and wrist (Figure 1A). Six weeks earlier, she had received a glucocorticoid injection into the right carpal tunnel in response to tingling of the fingers. Immunosuppressive medications included a stable regimen of infliximab, methotrexate, …
Implementation of control system into continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing pilot plant (powder to tablet)

Abstract Real-time process control is highly desired for efficient quality by design (QbD)-based pharmaceutical manufacturing. A control system ensures the predefined end-product quality, satisfies the high regulatory constraints, facilitates real-time release of the product, and optimizes the resources. In this book chapter, the implementation of the control system into continuous pharmaceutical tablet manufacturing process has been reviewed. A systematic framework for the control system implementation has been described. The framework has been applied to implement the control system into direct compaction continuous pharmaceutical tablet manufacturing pilot plant situated at Rutgers University. The implementation of the control system through spectroscopic as well as nonspectroscopic sensors has been reviewed. Integration of control hardware and software is different in case of both types of sensors, and therefore both cases require a slightly different approach for control system implementation. In spectroscopic cause, an NIR (Near-Infrared) sensor, an online prediction tool, a PAT (Process Analytical Technology) data management tool, and a control platform are needed to close the control loop, while in nonspectroscopic case, only a sensor and a control platform are needed. Advanced model predictive control (MPC) system as well as classical PID controller have been implemented. The closed-loop process performance has been practically demonstrated through experiments.
Abstract 5047: Exosomes derived from HIV-1-infected T cells activate ERK 1/2 through EGFR and TLR3 in cancer cells

Exosomes secreted from HIV-1-infected T cells play important roles in coordinating the immune responses and disease processes in HIV-infected people who are treated with antiretroviral therapy. We hypothesize that exosomes from HIV-infected T cells can promote growth and progression of non-AIDS-defining cancer cells. Activation of the MAPK ERK 1/2 is important for cancer cell survival, proliferation and invasion. We investigated the ability of exosomes from HIV-1-infected T cells to activate ERK 1/2 in head neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and lung cancer cells for cancer cell proliferation and progression. Exosomes were isolated from Jurkat and J1.1, a latently HIV-1-infected Jurkat cells, using differential ultracentrifugation and quantified by acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity. HNSCC cell line HSC3 and lung cancer cell lines NCI-H1299 and NCI-H1437 cells were treated with exosomes. To test the involvement of EGFR and TLR3 in ERK 1/2 activation by exosomes, EGFR neutralizing antibody Cetuximab or the TLR3/dsRNA inhibitor complex was added to cancer cells 30 min prior to adding exosomes. To test the entry of exosomes into cells, HEK293 cells were transiently transfected with EGFR-GFP, and seeded into glass bottom 35 mm dishes, time lapse Z-stacking imaging was performed and deconvolution was used to remove out of focus signals. By using Western blotting, we found that exosomes from J1.1 cells (HIV-1-infected), but not those from HIV-negative Jurkat cells, constantly induced ERK 1/2 phosphorylation in HNSCC and lung cancer cells. Cetuximab dramatically decreased ERK activation by exosomes from J1.1 cells, suggesting an EGFR-dependent ERK activation. While EGF induced a whole series of EGFR phosphorylation, exosomes from J1.1 cells failed to do so, suggesting that exosomes from J1.1 cells trigger ERK activation through a non-canonical EGFR pathway. Furthermore, ERK activation was significantly reduced in TLR3/dsRNA inhibitor pretreated cancer cells in response to exosomes from J1.1 cells, indicating exosomes triggered ERK activation is also TLR3 dependent. Time lapse imaging showed that exosomes quickly entered into cells within two minutes; however, Cetuximab greatly delayed exosome entry. To conclude, we found that exosomes from HIV-infected T cells can induce ERK activation in HNSCC and lung cancer cells through interaction with EGFR and TLR3. Citation Format: Zhimin Feng, Lechuang Chen, Hong Yue, Bingcheng Wang, Ge Jin. Exosomes derived from HIV-1-infected T cells activate ERK 1/2 through EGFR and TLR3 in cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5047.
Applications of wavelets to Speech processing: A case study of a celp coder

Wavelets are a new family of orthogonal basis functions for representing finite energy signals. In this chapter, we provide a brief review of wavelets and their properties. We cite a number of applications of wavelets to speech processing that have been proposed recently. As a detailed case study in wavelet applications, we present our work on a wavelet-transform-based CELP coder design for high-quality speech coding at about 4.8 kbits/s. The coder quantizes the second residual using a wavelet transform approach instead of the stochastic-codebook-based vector quantization normally used in CELP coders, including the U.S. Federal Standard FS 1016 coder at 4.8 kbits/s. The wavelet coder improves the computational efficiency for encoding the second residual by requiring only 1.2 MIPS instead of 8.3 MIPS required by FS 1016. Subjective speech quality tests involving pairwise comparisons show that the wavelet coder was preferred 61% of the time over FS 1016.
Uncertainty reasoning for linked data

Linked open data offers a set of design patterns and conventions for sharing data across the semantic web. In this position paper we enumerate some key uncertainty representation issues which apply to linked data and suggest approaches to tackling them. We suggest the need for vocabularies to enable representation of link certainty, to handle ambiguous or imprecise values and to express sets of assumptions based on named graph combinators.
Orbital Signs of Parasellar Syndromes

Retro-orbital pathology involving the parasellar region can cause signs and symptoms that can be mistaken for orbital disease. Patients can present with a combination of proptosis, eyelid edema and erythema, chemosis, vision loss, numbness, and ophthalmoplegia with or without pain. A retro-orbital process should be considered when ophthalmoplegia is more consistent with a cranial neuropathy affecting the oculomotor nerve (CN 3), trochlear nerve (CN 4), or abducens nerve (CN 6) rather than extraocular muscle limitation. They have been divided anatomically into the superior orbital fissure syndrome (SOFS), orbital apex syndrome (OAS), or cavernous sinus syndrome (CSS).
Nonconvergence and Divergence in Bilingual Phonological and Phonetic Systems: Low Back Vowels in Moundridge Schweitzer German and English

This study explores the bilingual phonology of two heritage speakers of Moundridge Schweitzer German ( MSG ) from Moundridge, Kansas. The speakers are descendants of Mennonite speakers of German who settled in the area around Moundridge, Kansas, in the 1870s. The production of Moundridge Schweitzer German /a/ and /ɔ/ and American English /a/ and /ɔ/ were compared and no evidence of phonological or phonetic convergence was found. For one speaker, there was evidence that phonetic realizations of /a/ and /ɔ/ in the two languages were diverging with a merger or a near merger of the two vowels in the heritage variety of German but not in English.
Methods for Direct Solution of the Boltzmann Equation for Gas Discharges

Single-collision Monte-Carlo coupled with an electromagnetic particle-in-cell (PIC) code is being used to solve the Maxwell-Boltzmann equations for many applications including gas switches, electrical discharges, and modeling gas breakdown from an intense electron beam. In these and other applications, collisions with a weakly-ionized gas are handled on a collision-by-collision basis. To be accurate, the cross-section set must have a complete set of inelastic cross sections in addition to cross sections for elastic scattering and ionization. To avoid numerical plasma heating either the plasma Debye length must also be resolved or an energy-conserving particle push must be employed. Some way of also limiting an exponentially growing number of PIC particles must be implemented. Accurate representation of the ionization process requires a sufficient number of PIC particles in the tail of the electron-energy distribution function (eedf). This makes it necessary to have hundreds to thousands of PIC particles per cell which makes detailed modeling of complex 3D geometries computationally intensive.
Adolescent perceptions of being known in the mathematics classroom

Abstract This study expands prior research on mathematics classrooms by investigating students’ (N = 373, 59% self-identified as a student of color) perceptions of their interactions with their current mathematics teacher, and appraisals of value, expectancy, and cost of participation and experiences with race and mathematics. Our analyses revealed students’ perceptions of how well their teacher knew them were related to all four of those variables—and that relations to self-reported value of mathematics and experiences with race and mathematics were stronger for students of color than for white students. Results suggest assessing adolescents’ perceptions of being known in studies of mathematical learning may explain variability in making meaning of experience, particularly for students of color.
Gonioscopy-assisted Transluminal Trabeculotomy (GATT) is An Effective Procedure for Steroid-induced Glaucoma.

Precis Gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) is a novel technique that lowers intraocular pressure (IOP) by fracturing the trabecular meshwork. In this retrospective chart review, GATT was found to be effective at lowering the intraocular pressure for steroid-induced glaucoma (SIG). Purpose GATT is a novel microinvasive glaucoma surgery that builds on traditional trabeculotomy techniques to decrease the proximal resistance of conventional outflow, and it is proposed to be an effective surgical treatment for SIG. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of GATT for lowering the IOP in SIG. Methods and patients A retrospective chart review was performed of all GATT procedures performed on patients with a predominant diagnosis of steroid-induced glaucoma between March 1, 2016 and March 30,2018 at the University of Michigan. Primary outcome measures include IOP, the number of IOP-lowering medications prescribed, and the topical steroid dosing over the duration of follow-up. Results A total of 13 patients with steroid-induced glaucoma underwent the GATT procedure. There was a significant reduction in the mean IOP at all postoperative visits. The average IOP decreased by 16.4 (55%) to 19.5 mm Hg (63%) between 3 and 24 months postoperatively. By 24 months, all patients had a reduction in IOP of >20%. The number of glaucoma medications also decreased significantly from an average of 3.1 medications preoperatively to an average of 0.8 medications at last follow-up. The majority of patients (>67%) required continued use of steroids at all postoperative visits. The most common postoperative complication was a transient hyphema (38%). No patients required a repeat glaucoma surgery or anterior chamber washout. Conclusions This small case series suggests that GATT is an effective and safe surgical technique to decrease IOP and decrease medication burden in patients with predominantly steroid-induced glaucoma. To our knowledge, this is the first study looking specifically at the efficacy of GATT for predominantly SIG.