cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (MRDTI) and tractography in children with septo-optic dysplasia

Septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) refers to a heterogeneous group of midline brain developmental anomalies, with optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH) being one of the morphologic correlates of the condition. Traditionally, ONH has been diagnosed on fundoscopic exam. Conventional MRI is used in cases of suspected ONH to identify associated brain abnormalities and to compare findings to the fundoscopic exam. Advances in magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (MRDTI) permit in vivo, noninvasive, quantitative characterization of the entire visual pathway at 3.0 T. To investigate the feasibility of MRDTI at 3.0 T in children with SOD to evaluate the entire visual pathway. MRDTI at 3T was performed in two children with SOD and seven age-matched controls. Manual region-of-interest analysis was used to evaluate the tensor metrics of the optic nerves. Deterministic tractography was used to evaluate the tensor metrics of the optic radiations. The SOD patients demonstrated a significant decrease in anisotropy and increase in mean diffusivity of the optic nerves and radiations compared to the control subjects. This study demonstrates the feasibility of MRDTI to evaluate the entire visual pathway in children, and it demonstrates pre- and post-chiasmatic diffusion tensor abnormalities in SOD patients.
Dividend changes and catering incentives

Abstract We extend Baker and Wurgler's [2004a. Journal of Finance 59 1125–1165] catering theory to include decreases and increases in existing dividends. Consistent with our extended model, we find that the decision to change the dividend and the magnitude of the change depend on the premium that the capital market places on dividends. We also find that the stock market reaction to dividend changes depends on the dividend premium. Thus, the capital market rewards managers for considering investor demand for dividends when making decisions about the level of dividends.
Contractile responses in arteries subjected to hypertensive pressure in seven-day organ culture.

Early stage changes in hypertensive arteries have a significant effect on the long-term adaptation of the arteries. Compared to the long-term adaptation, little is known about the early dimensional and functional changes in hypertensive arteries in the first few days of hypertension. To study the early stage changes in hypertensive arteries, porcine common carotid arteries were cultured for seven days in a simplified ex vivo artery organ culture system with pulsatile flow under hypertensive (200±30 mm Hg) or normotensive (100±20 mm Hg) pressure conditions while maintaining a physiological mean wall shear stress of 15 dyn/cm2.Vessel viability was demonstrated by contractile diameter responses to norepinephrine (NE), carbachol (CCh), and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) as well as staining for mitochondrial activity and cell apoptosis/necrosis. The results show that arteries demonstrated strong contractile responses to NE, CCh, and SNP, basal tone, and viable mitochondria in the organ culture system for seven days. Hypertensive arteries demonstrated a stronger contractile response than normotensive arteries (p < 0.05). Diameter enlargement was observed in hypertensive arteries as compared to arteries cultured under normotensive conditions. In conclusion, the pulsatile culture system can maintain arteries viable with active vasomotion tone for up to seven days. Hypertensive pressure causes arterial adaptation by significantly increasing arterial diameter and contractile response within the first seven days. © 2001 Biomedical Engineering Society. PAC01: 8719Uv, 8719Rr, 8780Rb
A distributed artificial intelligence approach to integrated engineering design

This paper reports the development of a computer-based integrated engineering design environment which facilitates design decision-making by providing a medium for increased communication and cooperation amongst product development participants. A refinement and constraint propagation model for product development is used within a distributed artificial intelligence (DAI) architecture to support the cooperative design effort. Within such an environment, product and process designers can integrate the recommendations and expertise of all product development concerns as early as possible within the design-cycle. Our prototype system, ENVIED (Environment for Integrated Engineering Design), provides a domain-independent framework for human designers, artificial intelligence systems, and traditional software systems to cooperatively perform product and process design.
High xylose yields from dilute acid pretreatment of corn stover under process-relevant conditions.

Pretreatment experiments were carried out to demonstrate high xylose yields at high solids loadings in two different batch pretreatment reactors under process-relevant conditions. Corn stover was pretreated with dilute sulfuric acid using a 4-l Steam Digester and a 4-l stirred ZipperClave® reactor. Solids were loaded at 45% dry matter (wt/wt) after sulfuric acid catalyst impregnation using nominal particle sizes of either 6 or 18 mm. Pretreatment was carried out at temperatures between 180 and 200 °C at residence times of either 90 or 105 s. Results demonstrate an ability to achieve high xylose yields (>80%) over a range of pretreatment conditions, with performance showing little dependence on particle size or pretreatment reactor type. The high xylose yields are attributed to effective catalyst impregnation and rapid rates of heat transfer during pretreatment.
Formalism, technique and rigour in Use Case Modelling.

In this paper I distil some of my experience in requirements engineering and use case modelling, then list some of the issues (both those I see and those that have been presented by others), together with some suggested resolutions and ways forward. This is not an academic paper it contains few references, and there is no quest for novelty. My interest is in capturing and formulating good practice, and stimulating discussion, in order to assist practitioners. This does not preclude theory; quite the contrary “There is nothing so useful as a good theory.” (Lewin 1951). Note that although we talk of requirements, a use case model is in fact a specification at some level of detail and accuracy. And although we talk of analysis, in fact synthesis is the key co-creating a specification that satisfies the client's requirements. My detailed experience is generally of rather conservative projects iterative and incremental, but somehow subject to a pull (often from the client) to somewhat waterfall and artefact-heavy processes. This is permitted, but not forced, by my proposals in the paper. I'd like to be clearer on the distinction between technique and formalism, though I'm not sure there is a clean border there. In this paper I present my approach rather definitely, but of course I will discuss and improve any of the points I give.
Foodservice Forecasting: Differences in Selection of Simple Mathematical Models Based on Short- Term and Long-Term Data Sets

This study developed and evaluated mathematical (time-series) forecasting models to predict restaurant covers. The purpose of the study was to determine if model selection would differ for short-te...
High-power operation of III-N MOSHFET RF switches

We describe a large-signal performance of novel high-power radio frequency (RF) switches based on III-nitride insulated gate metal-oxide semiconductor heterostructure field-effect transistors (MOSHFETs). The maximum switching powers for a single MOSHFET with only 1-mm gate width exceed 50W at 10GHz, more than an order of magnitude higher than those achievable using GaAs transistors. In the ON state, the highest powers are determined by the device peak drain currents, 1-2A/mm for the state-of-the art III-N MOSHFETs; in the OFF state their maximum powers are limited by the breakdown voltage, normally well above 100V. Our experimental data are in close agreement with large-signal simulations and the proposed simple analytical model. We also show that the insulating gate design allows for broader bandwidth and higher switching powers and better stability as compared to conventional Schottky gate transistors.
"Form of Government Still Matters: Fostering Innovation in U.S. Municipal Governments"

Using data on the adoption of e-government, reinventing government, and strategic practices, and the Nelson and Svara (2010) typology of municipal government form, the authors investigate the characteristics of municipal governments that are related to the implementation of innovative practices. The authors find that higher innovation rates are associated with council-manager governments—both with and without an elected mayor, higher population, greater growth, lower unemployment, sunbelt location, and higher population density. Controlling for all other variables, form of government (and variations within form) account for the greatest explanation of the adoption of innovative practices in municipalities. The authors conclude that form of government remains an important variable to consider when investigating local government management and performance.
Reporting a Mitigation Assessment

The results of a mitigation assessment may be presented in various ways depending on the nature of the assessment. It is suggested that the results be presented separately for the energy and non-energy sectors. If an integration of energy and non-energy analyses has been conducted, these results should also be presented and discussed. Finally, a summary should present the main findings from each sector as well as from integrated analyses.
A New Kernel Method for RNA Classification

Support vector machines (SVMs) are a state-of-the-art machine learning tool widely used in speech recognition, image processing and biological sequence analysis. An essential step in SVMs is to devise a kernel function to compute the similarity between two data points in Euclidean space. In this paper we present a new kernel that takes advantage of both global and local structural information in RNAs and uses the information together to classify RNAs with support vector machines. Experimental results demonstrate the good performance of the new kernel and show that it outperforms existing kernels when applied to classifying non-coding RNA sequences.
Fertility and race perception predict voter preference for Barack Obama

Research shows that women more positively evaluate targets evincing cues of high male genetic quality as a function of fertility across the menstrual cycle. Recently, a link between fertility and anti-black race bias has also been documented, an effect that is argued to serve a sexual coercion avoidance function. Here we demonstrate that both effects can be operative toward the same male target depending on interindividual differences in race perception of the target. Across two studies, we found that the intention to vote for Barack Obama in the months preceding the 2008 election increased as a function of conception risk across the menstrual cycle. In the second study, we found that the effect is greatest among women who perceived him as more white than black, whereas the opposite was true among women who perceived him as mostly black. Our findings tie together separate conceptual research threads on positive and negative evaluations of men by women across the menstrual cycle — integrating them to shed light on women's voting preferences.
Combined use of A-scan ultrasound, plain roentgenograms, and computerized axial tomography in the evaluation of a pseudo-intraocular foreign body

Chez un malade explore pour laceration oculaire, la tomodensitometrie rectifie le diagnostic de l'echographie A: il s'agit d'une bulle d'air dans le segment anterieur
Hyperinteractive Evolutionary Computation

We propose hyperinteractive evolutionary computation (HIEC), a class of IEC in which the user actively chooses when and how each evolutionary operator is applied. To evaluate the benefits of HIEC, we conducted three human-subject experiments. The first two experiments showed that HIEC is associated with a more positive user experience and produced higher quality designs. The third experiment demonstrates the potential of HIEC as a research tool with which one can record the evolutionary actions taken by human users. Implications, limitations, and future directions of research are discussed.
Fuzzy Automatic Guitar Tuner

An automatic guitar tuner was successfully designed and developed using a fuzzy logic controller. The guitar tuner was implemented using Simulink and XPC real time kernel. The system acquires the signal from an electrical guitar and inputs the signal into a target PC running XPC. Using fast Fourier transforms (FFT), the system calculates the fundamental and harmonics of the played notes and compares it with the desired pattern. The frequency difference is used as an input to a fuzzy logic controller that automatically adjusts the tension of the desired string.
Effect of reduction of bowel flora on experimental staphylococcal infection in mice.

SummarySurvival and microbial population studies in mice with their intestinal flora reduced by neomycin indicate that these animals are much more susceptible to intravenous staphylococcal infections than their littermate controls.
Virtual high-resolution for sensor networks

The resolution at which a sensor network collects data is a crucial parameter of performance since it governs the range of applications that are feasible to be developed using that network. A higher resolution, in most situations, enables more applications and improves the reliability of existing ones. In this paper we discuss a system architecture that uses controlled motion to provide virtual high-resolution in a network of cameras. Several orders of magnitude advantage in resolution may be achieved, depending on tolerable tradeoffs. We discuss several system design choices in the context of our prototype camera network implementation that realizes the proposed architecture. We also mention how some of our techniques may apply to sensors other than cameras. Real world data is collected using our prototype system and used for the evaluation of our proposed methods.
Packets seen by an arriving packet versus packets waited for in multiuser polling systems

An argument is provided to establish the equality in ergodic polling systems between the average number of packets seen by an arriving packet and the average number of packets an arriving packet must wait for before its service.
PARALLEL SUBSPACE ITERATION METHOD FOR THE SPARSE SYMMETRIC EIGENVALUE PROBLEM

A new parallel iterative algorithm for the diagonalization of real sparse symmetric matrices is introduced, which uses a modified subspace iteration method. A novel feature is the preprocessing of the matrix prior to iteration, which allows for a natural parallelization resulting in a great speedup and scalability of the method with respect to the number of compute nodes. The method is applied to Hamiltonian matrices of model systems up to six degrees of freedom, represented in a truncated Weyl–Heisenberg wavelet (or "weylet") basis developed by one of the authors (Poirier). It is shown to accurately determine many thousands of eigenvalues for sparse matrices of the order N ≈ 106, though much larger matrices may also be considered.
Controlled Rosuvastatin Multinational Trial In Heart Failure (the positive negative trial).

C t s b i a m e l The recently published Controlled Rosuvastatin Multinaional Trial in Heart Failure (CORONA) was a phase 3, ranomized, double-blind, parallel-group, multinational clinical tudy. The trial assessed the efficacy and safety of rosuvstatin (10 mg/day) compared with placebo in patients with ompensated systolic heart failure (HF). Patients (n ,011) aged 60 years with New York Heart Association lass II to IV ischemic HF were randomized to receive osuvastatin (n 2,514) or matching placebo (n 2,497) or a median follow-up period of 32.8 months. The primary nd point was the time of the first event of cardiovascular eath, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke and ccurred in 11.4% of patients treated with rosuvastatin and 2.3% of patients randomized to placebo per year. This light difference favoring the statin was attributed to the ecrease in nonfatal MIs (115 of 141) and ischemic stroke 89 of 104). Moreover, patients treated with rosuvastatin xperienced fewer numerical deaths from any cause (728 of 59), including sudden death (316 of 327) and fatal infecions (54 of 68); reductions in coronary events (554 of 588) nd pulmonary embolism (2 of 8); and absence of aortic neurism (0 of 5). Importantly, the safety profile of rosuvstatin was superior to placebo with regard to drug disconinuation (490 of 546), the frequency of adverse events (241 f 302), and gastrointestinal fatal bleeding (1 of 9). The pectrum of adverse events was mixed, with serious adverse uscle events favoring rosuvastatin (3 of 11), but nonserius events were less common in the placebo group (144 of 67). The prespecified second analysis revealed a highly ignificant reduction in the hospitalization rate for cardioascular causes in the rosuvastatin group (2,193 of 2,564, 0.001). The CORONA investigators correctly assumed hat there would be no benefit of rosuvastatin during the first 0 months after randomization, followed by a 22% reducion in events thereafter, resulting in an 8% overall benefit. he study concluded that rosuvastatin was safe and reduced ospitalization rates, but it did not meet the primary end oint or diminish fatalities in patients with compensated ystolic HF. With regard to the practical assessment of CORONA’s esults, a few issues are worth mentioning. First, considerng the targeted highest risk HF population, the low dose of osuvastatin, and the very ambitious prespecified primary fficacy end point, the trial was most likely doomed to roduce negative results. This is especially true for the nticipated mortality reduction, which has historically been xtremely difficult to achieve in HF trials and in real-life
Effects of oral temazepam on slow waves during non-rapid eye movement sleep in healthy young adults: A high-density EEG investigation

Slow waves are characteristic waveforms that occur during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep that play an integral role in sleep quality and brain plasticity. Benzodiazepines are commonly used medications that alter slow waves, however, their effects may depend on the time of night and measure used to characterize slow waves. Prior investigations have utilized minimal scalp derivations to evaluate the effects of benzodiazepines on slow waves, and thus the topography of changes to slow waves induced by benzodiazepines has yet to be fully elucidated. This study used high-density electroencephalography (hdEEG) to evaluate the effects of oral temazepam on slow wave activity, incidence, and morphology during NREM sleep in 18 healthy adults relative to placebo. Temazepam was associated with significant decreases in slow wave activity and incidence, which were most prominent in the latter portions of the sleep period. However, temazepam was also associated with a decrease in the magnitude of high-amplitude slow waves and their slopes in the first NREM sleep episode, which was most prominent in frontal derivations. These findings suggest that benzodiazepines produce changes in slow waves throughout the night that vary depending on cortical topography and measures used to characterize slow waves. Further research that explores the relationships between benzodiazepine-induced changes to slow waves and the functional effects of these waveforms is indicated.
Atrazine-Mediated Disruption of Steroidogenesis in BLTK1 Murine Leydig Cells.

Atrazine (ATR) is a broad-spectrum triazine herbicide that disrupts steroidogenesis resulting in reproductive and developmental toxicity at high doses. Mouse BLTK1 Leydig cells were used as a steroidogenic model to investigate the effects of ATR on testosterone (T) biosynthesis. Induction of steroidogenesis by 3 ng/ml recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin (rhCG) induced intracellular 3',5' cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) approximately 20-fold and T approximately 3-fold at 4 h. Co-treatment with 300 μM ATR super-induced cAMP levels 100-fold yet antagonized rhCG-mediated induction of T approximately 20% at 4 h. ATR inhibited cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase (cPDE) with an IC50 of ≥98 μM, suggesting cPDE inhibition contributes to the super-induction of cAMP. However, concentrations of up to 3 mM db-cAMP did not antagonize rhCG induction of T levels, suggesting cAMP super-induction alone does not decrease T biosynthesis. Western analysis of cAMP-activated protein kinase A (PKA) target proteins identified ATR-mediated concentration-dependent alterations in phosphorylation including phospho-CREB. These results suggest the cPDE inhibition by ATR and super-induction of cAMP are independent of effects on T levels, and that altered phosphorylation of key steroidogenic regulatory proteins may underlie ATR-mediated disruption of steroidogenesis.
Assessing the Environment for Support of Youth Physical Activity in Rural Communities

Assess environmental support of physical activity (PA) in rural areas and determine whether there is a correlation between the measured environment for PA and participant perceptions of the environment for PA.The PA environment was assessed using the Active Neighborhood Checklist (ANC) and the Physical Activity Resource Assessment (PARA). Youth behavior and perceptions related to PA and the local environment were assessed using 5 questions from previously validated tools.Four rural low-income communities in South Dakota and Kansas.Sixth- through eighth-grade youth.Physical Activity Resource Assessment, ANC, behavior, and perception.The authors used ANOVA to determine whether there were differences in ANC, PARA, and Perception of the Environment scores among communities. Pearson correlations were used to assess associations between ANC and student perception of the environment and PARA and student perception of the environment.There were no differences in total ANC or total PARA among communities. Perception was weakly correlated with total ANC (multivariate coefficient, 0.016; P = .026; n = 308) but not total PARA.Perception of PA in rural communities may not match objective measures. Future research should work toward refining and improving existing environmental audit tools and developing new, comprehensive, location-specific tools.
The Necessity of Property Rights (Chapter 6)

Over the past fifty years most governments have assumed a greater role in the economic affairs of their nations. There has been more emphasis on macroeconomic planning and management; public sector budgets have grown in absolute terms and in relation to private sector activity. This growth has been the result of rapid increases in welfare programs, military expenditures, and the range and scale of public infrastructure and services. Many countries have increased the scope of government by embracing the concept of an entrepreneurial state: A state that is allegedly the engine of growth and development, and one that attempts to achieve growth by either operating nationalized industries or intervening heavily in the operation of private firms. Finally, some countries have adopted socialist and communist economic systems - usually involuntarily - for ideological reasons.
Consideration of Early Stopping and Other Challenges in Monitoring the Heart and Estrogen/Progestin Replacement Study

The Heart and Estrogen-progestin Replacement Study (HERS) was the first major randomized blinded trial to test the widespread belief that hormone therapy would prevent fatal and non-fatal coronary heart disease (CHD). The main findings—CHD events were not prevented and thromboembolic events were increased—illustrates in a powerful way the evidence-based medicine principle that well-designed and executed randomized blinded trials are a necessary basis for drug treatments. The HERS Data and Safety Monitoring Board played an important role in a number of difficult decisions that led to more definitive conclusions, notably the decisions not to stop the trial early in the face of adverse experience in both primary and secondary disease outcomes. HERS, with its complex and unexpected findings, illustrates the value of designing flexible interim monitoring guidelines that allow for decisions based on the judgment of a diverse group of experts as to benefits and harms, ethical implications for participants, and the social obligation to have an optimal impact on policy and practice guidelines.
Evaluation of two raw diets vs a commercial cooked diet on feline growth

Objectives The objective of this study was to determine if two raw feline diets were nutritionally adequate for kittens. Methods Twenty-four 9-week-old kittens underwent an Association of American Feed Control Officials' (AAFCO) 10 week growth feeding trial with two raw diet groups and one cooked diet group (eight kittens in each). Morphometric measurements (weight, height and length), complete blood counts, serum chemistry, whole blood taurine and fecal cultures were evaluated. Results Overall, the growth parameters were similar for all diet groups, indicating the two raw diets used in this study supported feline growth, within the limitations of an AAFCO growth feeding trial. Kittens fed the raw diets had lower albumin ( P = 0.010) and higher globulin ( P = 0.04) levels than the kittens fed the cooked diet. These lower albumin levels were not clinically significant, as all groups were still within normal age reference intervals. A red cell microcytosis ( P = 0.001) was noted in the combination raw diet group. Increases in fecal Clostridium perfringens were noted in all groups, along with positive fecal Salmonella serovar Heidelberg and Clostridium difficile toxin in the combination raw diet group. Conclusions and relevance The majority of the parameters for feline growth were similar among all groups, indicating the two raw diets studied passed an AAFCO growth trial. In theory, it is possible to pass an AAFCO growth trial but still have nutrient deficiencies in the long term due to liver and fat storage depots. Some of the raw feeders had elevated globulin and microcytosis, likely associated with known enteropathogenic exposure. Disease risks to both pets and owners are obvious. Additional research in this area is needed to investigate the impact of raw diets on the health of domestic cats.
Long noncoding RNAs as regulators of Toll-like receptor signaling and innate immunity.

Abstract Sensing of microbial pathogens and endogenous "alarmins" by macrophages and dendritic cells is reliant on pattern recognition receptors, including membrane-associated TLRs, cytosolic nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain leucine-rich repeat-containing receptors, retinoic acid-inducible gene I-like receptors, and absent in melanoma 2-like receptors. Engagement of TLRs elicits signaling pathways that activate inflammatory genes whose expression is regulated by chromatin-modifying complexes and transcription factors. Long noncoding RNAs have emerged as new regulators of inflammatory mediators in the immune system. They are expressed in macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, NK cells, and T- and B-lymphocytes and are involved in immune cell differentiation and activation. Long noncoding RNAs act via repression or activation of transcription factors, modulation of stability of mRNA and microRNA, regulation of ribosome entry and translation of mRNAs, and controlling components of the epigenetic machinery. In this review, we focus on recent advances in deciphering the mechanisms by which long noncoding RNAs regulate TLR-driven responses in macrophages and dendritic cells and discuss the involvement of long noncoding RNAs in endotoxin tolerance, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases. The dissection of the role of long noncoding RNAs will improve our understanding of the mechanisms of regulation of inflammation and may provide new targets for therapeutic intervention.
"Family Firms, Inter-Generational Management, and Sustainability Strategies"

Within the family firm segment, attention to social issues and outcomes varies widely. While some variation can be explained by firm size, industrial sector, and visibility, less is known about the...
Numerical and Experimental Study of Pin-Fin Array Heat Exchangers

The performance characteristics of a staggered short pin-fin array heat exchanger (Figure 3) were analyzed numerically and experimentally. The numerical simulation formed the primary thrust of the study and a three-dimensional finite element model based on the commercial FEA package ANSYS was used. The simulation was validated against historical empirical data in the literature, as well as against data obtained from a modular experimental rig that was designed to allow different configurations to be easily swapped and studied. Compared to the experimental data, the numerical model provided very accurate heat transfer predictions (Figure 2), but overestimated the pressure drop values for some configurations. The discrepancy was greatest for cases where the pin-fins made up a large fraction of the total heat exchanger array volume.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Characterization of the Effects of Cetane Number Improvers on Diesel Fuel Volatility by Use of the Advanced Distillation Curve Method

The cetane number (CN) is a measure of the ignition quality of a fuel for compression-ignition engines according to the self-ignition delay. If the CN of a fuel is too low, chemical compounds known as CN improvers may be added to increase both the CN and performance of the fuel. The addition of CN improvers is dependent upon the detailed properties of the particular fuel. While many fuel properties are important for design, the vapor–liquid equilibrium, as described by volatility, is very sensitive to composition. In this work, we measured blends of diesel fuel with the following CN improvers: amyl nitrate, isoamyl nitrate, isoamyl nitrite, 2-ethylhexyl nitrate, and the multi-component CN improver PM-1, in diesel fuel by use of the advanced distillation curve (ADC) method to determine the amount of CN improver in the various distillate volume fractions. Tracking the CN improver throughout the volatility profile of diesel fuels provides valuable information for determining structural property relationships...
Invariance of measures to understand decision-making for pursuing living donor kidney transplant

Living donor kidney transplant is the ideal treatment option for end-stage renal disease; however, the decision to pursue living donor kidney transplant is complex and challenging. Measurement invariance of living donor kidney transplant Decisional Balance and Self-Efficacy across gender (male/female), race (Black/White), and education level (no college/college or higher) were examined using a sequential approach. Full strict invariance was found for Decisional Balance and Self-Efficacy for gender and partial strict invariance was found for Decisional Balance and Self-Efficacy across race and education level. This information will inform tailored feedback based on these constructs in future intervention studies targeting behavior change among specific demographic subgroups.
Electron microscopy of body fluids

Transmission electron microscopy anci scanning electron microscopy are complementary techniques; the former is useful for examining the fine internal structural detail of tissue and cell surfaces and the latter is useful for studying three-dimensional configurations. The methods and findings of transmission and scanning electron microscopic study of effusions are summarized, and their practical application in routine clinical work is assessed.
Rules Changes and the 2016 Presidential Nominations

The Democratic and Republican parties often fight the last battle with regard to establishing the rules that governor their presidential nominations. Fixing the perceived problems of the previous cycle can lead to unitended consequences during the subsequent cycle. This paper will examine the rules-making process for the 2016, the extent to which they operated as intended and the influence the changes had on the progression and ultimate nomination of candidates.
Mississippian monumentality in the Yazoo Basin: recent investigations at the Carson site (22CO505), northwestern Mississippi

ABSTRACTInvestigations at the Carson site (22CO505), located in Coahoma County, Mississippi, have uncovered data on the development of a large Mississippian mound center dating to the period from A.D. 1200 through European contact. Recent sediment coring, excavation, artifact analyses, and radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating shed light on earthworks and household structures at Carson, and on Mississippian culture in the Yazoo Basin more generally. Sediment coring demonstrates a laterally transgressing Mississippi River system deposited coarse sandy ridges and clay-filled swales underneath a surface horizon comprised of variously coarse to medium-fine sediment originating from generalized overbank flooding. In some instances, flood-borne sediments were found on mound flanks, indicating that at times river-based flooding may have interrupted mound construction. Sediment coring and trench excavation also demonstrate that Carson’s Mound D was built in four stages, with Stages II and...
Outcomes after Donor Lymphocyte Infusion for Insufficient Donor Chimerism Following Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Non-Malignant Disorders

Background: Little is reported of the utility of donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) following HCT for non-malignant disorders (NMD). We describe outcomes after DLI for insufficient donor chimerism after HCT in a large NMD cohort. Patients/Methods: We queried the Institutional BMT Database for patients with NMD receiving DLI for insufficient post-HCT donor chimerism. HLA typing, graft selection and conditioning were per institutional guidelines. The use, timing and dosing of DLI was at the discretion of the treating physician. Donor chimerism values on the myeloid fraction of peripheral blood at pre-DLI and most-recent time-points were reviewed. Patients were considered best DLI responders if donor chimerism improved (pre-DLI to most-recent) and most recent chimerism was ³ 80%. Results: Twenty-three patients (43% female) were identified. Table 1 shows patient, disease, transplant and DLI characteristics. The median zenith chimerism post-HCT (but pre-DLI) was 84% (IQR, 39 - 99%), observed at a median 28 days post-HCT. The median chimerism just prior to first DLI was 40%. The median time to first DLI was 90 days. Patients underwent a median 2 cycles (IQR, 2 - 3; maximum, 5) of DLI; the median cumulative per-patient CD3+ dose was 11.5 x 106/kg. Post DLI, two patients developed aGvHD and 2 patients developed cGvHD. Five patients (22%) were best DLI responders. At a mean 3.6 years post-HCT, they retained mean chimerism of 94% (mean increase from pre-DLI of 37%). Of the 18 non-best responders (78%), median chimerism at last follow-up was 10% (IQR, 2 - 25%). Seven patients underwent repeat HCT. Best response to DLI did not depend on HCT total nucleated cell dose, donor relatedness, serotherapy agent of HCT regimen, chimerism prior to DLI, or total DLI CD3+ dose. Best responders tended to have undergone myeloablative conditioning, be HLA-matched to the donor and receive first DLI later post-HCT (median 102 days, versus 83 days). Conclusions: In a large NMD cohort undergoing DLI after HCT, sustained high donor chimerism response was observed in 22%. Ongoing analyses aim to assess those with intermediate response (many of whom also enjoy improved or stable NMD), as well as the impact of peri-DLI immune suppression on outcomes. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Structure-activity relationship study and discovery of indazole 3-carboxamides as calcium-release activated calcium channel blockers.

Abstract Aberrant activation of mast cells contributes to the development of numerous diseases including cancer, autoimmune disorders, as well as diabetes and its complications. The influx of extracellular calcium via the highly calcium selective calcium-release activated calcium (CRAC) channel controls mast cell functions. Intracellular calcium homeostasis in mast cells can be maintained via the modulation of the CRAC channel, representing a critical point for therapeutic interventions. We describe the structure-activity relationship study (SAR) of indazole-3-carboxamides as potent CRAC channel blockers and their ability to stabilize mast cells. Our SAR results show that the unique regiochemistry of the amide linker is critical for the inhibition of calcium influx, the release of the pro-inflammatory mediators β-hexosaminidase and tumor necrosis factor α by activated mast cells. Thus, the indazole-3-carboxamide 12d actively inhibits calcium influx and stabilizes mast cells with sub-μM IC 50 . In contrast, its reverse amide isomer 9c is inactive in the calcium influx assay even at 100 μM concentration. This requirement of the specific 3-carboxamide regiochemistry in indazoles is unprecedented in known CRAC channel blockers. The new structural scaffolds described in this report expand the structural diversity of the CRAC channel blockers and may lead to the discovery of novel immune modulators for the treatment of human diseases.
Impact of low-weight severity and menstrual status on bone in adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa.

Clinicians currently use different low-weight cut-offs both to diagnose anorexia nervosa (AN) and to determine AN severity in adolescent girls. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical utility of existing cut-offs and severity criteria by determining which are most strongly associated with risk for low bone mineral density (BMD). Height adjusted BMD Z scores were calculated for 352 females: 262 with AN and 90 healthy controls (controls) (12–20.5 years), using data from the BMD in Childhood Study, for the lumbar spine, whole body less head, and total hip. For most cut-offs used to define low weight (5th or 10th BMI percentile, BMI of 17.5 or 18.5, and 85 or 90% of median BMI), AN had lower BMD Z scores than controls. AN at >85 or >90% expected body weight for height (EBW-Ht) did not differ in BMD Z scores from controls, but differed significantly from AN at ≤85 or ≤90% EBW-Ht. Among AN, any amenorrhea was associated with lower BMD. AN had lower BMD than controls across DSM-5 and The Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM) severity categories. The SAHM moderate severity classification was differentiated from the mildly malnourished classification by lower BMD at hip and spine sites. Amenorrhea and %EBW-Ht ≤ 85 or ≤ 90% are markers of severity of bone loss within AN. Among severity categories, BMI Z scores (SAHM) may have the greatest utility in assessing the degree of malnutrition in adolescent girls that corresponds to lower BMD.
Influence of sediment chemistry and sediment toxicity on macroinvertebrate communities across 99 wadable streams of the Midwestern USA

Simultaneous assessment of sediment chemistry, sediment toxicity, and macroinvertebrate communities can provide multiple lines of evidence when investigating relations between sediment contaminants and ecological degradation. These three measures were evaluated at 99 wadable stream sites across 11 states in the Midwestern United States during the summer of 2013 to assess sediment pollution across a large agricultural landscape. This evaluation considers an extensive suite of sediment chemistry totaling 274 analytes (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, organochlorine compounds, polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, trace elements, and current-use pesticides) and a mixture assessment based on the ratios of detected compounds to available effects-based benchmarks. The sediments were tested for toxicity with the amphipod Hyalella azteca (28-d exposure), the midge Chironomus dilutus (10-d), and, at a few sites, with the freshwater mussel Lampsilis siliquoidea (28-d). Sediment concentrations, normalized to organic carbon content, infrequently exceeded benchmarks for aquatic health, which was generally consistent with low rates of observed toxicity. However, the benchmark-based mixture score and the pyrethroid insecticide bifenthrin were significantly related to observed sediment toxicity. The sediment mixture score and bifenthrin were also significant predictors of the upper limits of several univariate measures of the macroinvertebrate community (EPT percent, MMI (Macroinvertebrate Multimetric Index) Score, Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera richness) using quantile regression. Multivariate pattern matching (Mantel-like tests) of macroinvertebrate species per site to identified contaminant metrics and sediment toxicity also indicate that the sediment mixture score and bifenthrin have weak, albeit significant, influence on the observed invertebrate community composition. Together, these three lines of evidence (toxicity tests, univariate metrics, and multivariate community analysis) suggest that elevated contaminant concentrations in sediments, in particular bifenthrin, is limiting macroinvertebrate communities in several of these Midwest streams.
Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: Improving Prevention and Survivorship.

Pancreatic cancer is a growing problem in oncology, given slowly rising incidence and continued suboptimal outcomes. A concerted effort to reverse this tide will require prevention, early diagnosis, and improved systemic therapy for curable disease. We focus on these aspects in detail in this study. Hereditary pancreatic cancer is an underappreciated area. With the growing use of genomics (both somatic and germline) in cancer care, there is increasing recognition of hereditary pancreatic cancer cases: around 10% of all pancreatic cancer may be related to familial syndromes, such as familial atypical multiple mole and melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome, hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, Lynch syndrome, and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. Screening and surveillance guidelines by various expert groups are discussed. Management of resectable pancreatic cancer is evolving; the use of multiagent systemic therapies, in the adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings, is discussed. Current and emerging data, along with ongoing clinical...
Evidence of the immunomodulatory role of dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors in transplantation: an experimental study in mice

The PI3K/mTOR signaling cascade is fundamental in T-cell activation and fate decisions. We showed the distinct regulation of PI3K/mTOR in regulatory and effector T-cells and proposed the potential therapeutic benefit of targeting this pathway to control the balance between effector and regulatory T-cell activities. Substantial adverse effects in long-term clinical usage of Rapamycin suggest the use of alternative treatments in restraining effector T-cell function in transplant patients. We hypothesize that dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors may represent an immunosuppressant alternative. Here we show that dual PI3K/mTOR PI-103 and PKI-587 inhibitors interfered IL-2-dependent responses in T-cells. However, in contrast to the inhibitory effects in non-Treg T-cell proliferation and effector functions, dual inhibitors increased the differentiation, preferential expansion and suppressor activity of iTregs. Rapamycin, PI-103 and PKI-587 targeted different signaling events and induced different metabolic patterns in primary T-cells. Similar to Rapamycin, in vivo administration of PI-103 and PKI-587 controlled effectively the immunological response against allogenic skin graft. These results characterize specific regulatory mechanisms of dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors in T-cells and support their potential as a novel therapeutic option in transplantation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Natriuretic Peptides as Biomarkers for Congestive States: The Cardiorenal Divergence

Congestion represents the primary reason for hospitalization of patients with heart failure and is associated with adverse outcomes. Fluid overload has been shown to be inadequately addressed in a significant subset of these patients in part due to lack of robust, reliable, and readily available biomarkers for objective assessment and monitoring of therapy. Natriuretic peptides have long been used in this setting, often in conjunction with other assessment tools such as imaging studies. Patients presenting with concomitant cardiac and renal dysfunction represent a unique population with regard to congestion in that the interactions between the heart and the kidney can affect the utility and performance of biomarkers of fluid overload. Herein, we provide an overview of the currently available evidence on the utility of natriuretic peptides in these patients and discuss the clinical conundrum associated with their use in the setting of renal dysfunction. We highlight the potential divergence in the role of natriuretic peptides for assessment of volume status in a subset of patients with renal dysfunction who receive renal replacement therapy and call for future research to elucidate the utility of the biomarkers in this setting.
Chinese Views on the Ethics of Tax Evasion

This paper examines Chinese views on the ethics of tax evasion. Data used was gathered from the latest (Wave 6) World Values Survey. The sample size was more than 1800 and covered 23 regions of China. The study found that there was strong opposition to tax evasion, although the current opposition is less now than it was when the first surveys were conducted in the 1990s. The difference between male and female mean scores was not significant, which confirms the findings of some other studies, but differs from the results of another group of studies. Although older people tended to be more opposed to tax evasion than younger people, the difference was significant only at the 10 percent level. Regional differences in mean scores were highly significant. Comparisons of the Chinese mean score were made with selected countries on other continents. It was found that the people in the China sample were less opposed to tax evasion than were the people who participated in most of the surveys in the other selected countries.
New and incremental FDA black box warnings from 2008 to 2015

ABSTRACTBackground: The boxed warning (also known as ‘black box warning [BBW]’) is one of the strongest drug safety actions that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) can implement, and often warns of serious risks. The objective of this study was to comprehensively characterize BBWs issued for drugs after FDA approval.Methods: We identified all post-marketing BBWs from January 2008 through June 2015 listed on FDA’s MedWatch and Drug Safety Communications websites. We used each drug’s prescribing information to classify its BBW as new, major update to a preexisting BBW, or minor update. We then characterized these BBWs with respect to pre-specified BBW-specific and drug-specific features.Results: There were 111 BBWs issued to drugs on the US market, of which 29% (n = 32) were new BBWs, 32% (n = 35) were major updates, and 40% (n = 44) were minor updates. New BBWs and major updates were most commonly issued for death (51%) and cardiovascular risk (27%). The new BBWs and major updates impacted 200 drug ...