cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Esophageal atresia: prognostic classification revisited.

Background Although the Spitz classification is the most widely used prognostic classification for esophageal atresia and/or tracheoesophageal fistula (EA), its discrimination ability remains unclear. We sought to develop a more accurate prognostic classification for EA. Methods The records of 121 consecutive infants with EA (1980–2005) were reviewed. The independent variables included 6 clinical characteristics, and the dependent variables were survival and mortality. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to construct models predicting mortality and create a revised prognostic classification. The discrimination abilities of the revised classification and the Spitz classification were compared using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results Birth weight and the presence of major cardiac anomalies were significant prognostic factors for mortality, and major cardiac anomalies affected mortality more than birth weight. The ROC curve for birth weight suggested that 2,000 g was an appropriate cutoff point. The Spitz classification was revised as follows: the revised class I (low-risk group) consisted of patients without major cardiac anomalies and birth weight >2,000 g; class II (moderate-risk group) consisted of patients without major cardiac abnormalities and birth weight 2,000 g; and class IV (high-risk group) consisted of patients with major cardiac anomalies and birth weight Conclusion This revised classification can improve the stratification of EA patients and be a useful predictor of survival.
Value of computed tomography in interstitial 125I brachytherapy of prostatic carcinoma

Computed tomography (CT) was performed in 20 patients with localized prostatic carcinoma before and after interstitial implantation of 125I seeds. Scans were analyzed to determine prostate volume, seed location, tumor response, and periprostatic tumor spread. CT volumes were an average of 25-30% greater than clinical estimates. In addition, CT demonstrated errors in implantation, including inhomogeneous distribution and extraprostatic seeds, in 17 patients (85%). Serial post-implantation scans showed no change in prostate volume in 12 patients (60%), a decrease in 7 (35%), and an increase in 1 (5%), concurring with clinical assessment of response to therapy. In 2 patients, clinically unsuspected tumor spread was identified on the CT scan.
The Economic Basis of Indian Life

This paper focuses on trends in the economic position of the American Indian and discusses programs to spur Indian development. The rapid growth in Indian income and occupational status in comparison to blacks and whites is indicated. However, these gains have been made primarily by urban, as opposed to reservation, Indians. Despite economic progress, 50 percent of reservation Indians and 20 percent of urban Indians obtained incomes below the poverty level. The biggest economic problem on Indian reservations is unemployment which has averaged 40 percent of the labor force for the past 20 years. Manpower and industrial de velopment programs, while bringing benefits to a few, have done little to make the reservations economically viable. Moreover, the manpower programs operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Department of Labor overlap and should be coordinated to prevent duplication of effort. Agricultural development has lagged partly due to inadequate technical assistance and financial aid and the f...
On the Social Psychology of the Safety Factor: A Case Study in the Sociology of Engineering Science

Selected aspects of a heuristic programming study of the design behavior of a practicing mechanical engineer are described. The study documents the tremendous influence that personality and social variables exert on the technical practice of engineering design. The study bears testimony to Churchman's inseparability thesis [Churchman, C. W. 1968. Challenge to Reason. McGraw-Hill, New York.], i.e., that without our developing some sophisticated notion of what the “system” as a whole is like, the components or subsystems of a system can only be identified and studied with difficulty. The conclusion of the study is that, contrary to most theories of the engineering design process, the behavioral and technical aspects of design are highly inseparable. In certain instances, the influence of behavioral factors on design outweighs the technical factors.
Age based scheduling for asymmetric multiprocessors

Asymmetric (or Heterogeneous) Multiprocessors are becoming popular in the current era of multi-cores due to their power efficiency and potential performance and energy efficiency. However, scheduling of multithreaded applications in Asymmetric Multiprocessors is still a challenging problem. Scheduling algorithms for Asymmetric Multiprocessors must not only be aware of asymmetry in processor performance, but have to consider the characteristics of application threads also.In this paper, we propose a new scheduling policy, Age based scheduling, that assigns a thread with a larger remaining execution time to a fast core. Age based scheduling predicts the remaining execution time of threads based on their age, i.e., when the threads were created. These predictions are based on the insight that most threads that are created together tend to have similar execution durations. Using Age based scheduling, we improve the overall performance of several important multithreaded applications including Parsec and asymmetric benchmarks from Splash-II and Omp-SCR. Our evaluations show that Age based scheduling improves performance up to 37% compared to the state-of-the-art Asymmetric Multiprocessor scheduling policy and on average by 10.4% for the Parsec benchmarks. Our results also show that the Age based scheduling policy with profiling improves the average performance by 13.2% for the Parsec benchmarks.
Estimating area errors for fine-scale feature-based ecological mapping

High spatial resolution feature‐based approaches are especially useful for ecological mapping in densely populated landscapes. This paper evaluates errors in estimating ecological map class areas from fine‐scale current (∼2002) and historical (∼1945) feature‐based ecological mapping by a set of trained interpreters across densely populated rural sites in China based on field‐validated interpretation of high spatial resolution (1 m) imagery. Median overall map accuracy, corrected for chance, was greater than 85% for mapping by trained interpreters, with greater accuracy for current versus historical mapping. An error model based on feature perimeter proved as reliable in predicting 90% confidence intervals for map class areas as did models derived from the conventional error matrix. A conservative error model combining these approaches was developed and tested for statistical reliability in predicting confidence intervals for ecological map class areas from fine‐scale feature‐based mapping by a set of tra...
Design space exploration for application specific FPGAS in system-on-a-chip designs

The inclusion of field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) within a system-on-a-chip (SOC) design offers programmability, flexibility, and reconfigurability not possible with application specific integrated circuits (ASIC) or full-custom implementations. However, these benefits come at the expense of significant area, performance, and power consumption overheads compared to ASIC or full-custom circuits. As a typical SOC design will require fabrication of the final integrated circuit, rather than rely on a generic FPGA architecture, an FPGA integrated within an SOC design can be optimized for the specific intended application. In this paper, we present an initial design space exploration framework for generating an application specific FPGA (ASFPGA) by tailoring several FPGA architectural features for a specific hardware circuit to improve the area, delay, or energy consumption compared to traditional FPGA designs and reduce the overheads of utilizing an FPGA compared to ASIC and full custom implementations.
Democratic Hierarchies in the Workplace: Structural Dilemmas and Organizational Action:

Case data from an ethnographic study of six experimental firms illustrate characteristic dilemmas and patterns of action in organizational groups espousing participatory democracy. The article explores what the author calls 'democratic hierarchies' through vignettes from each case that highlight a particular dilemma or pattern of behavior. Three problematic aspects of democratic hierarchies discussed include hierarchy and accountability; hierarchy and authority; and hierarchy and ownership. Three recurrent behaviors include holding democratic values and business decisions in tension; participating in multiple forums, including attention to group process; and developing democratic repertoires and rituals.
Multipole and S-Parameter Antenna and Propagation Model

Antenna models relating voltage excitations to radiated fields are an important part of any electromagnetic measurement, with applications ranging from two-way communication systems to full-wave inverse scattering. Here, we derive a two-antenna model relating the multipole expansion of the fields radiated and received by antennas to S-parameter measurements between them. We also show how to determine the antenna model parameters from numerical simulation and how to include single-path scattering of near-by objects from their T-matrices. Finally, we validate the model experimentally using two rectangular waveguide apertures. This model is based on the source-scattering matrix used in near-field single-antenna measurements, where we have developed it for direct S-parameter measurements.
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering from metal films containing dielectric cavities

The electromagnetic field mechanism is applied to Raman scattering by molecules embedded in small cavities within metal films. Very strong enhancements, due to excitation of dipolar surface plasmons, may be obtained for appropriately oriented oblate spheroidal cavities, as has been suggested in connection with experiments with coldly deposited Ag films.
When love is not a journey: What metaphors mean

Abstract Lakoff (1987, 1993) has argued that the comprehension of metaphorical language is mediated by metaphoric correspondences that structure our understanding of abstract concepts. We take issue with the assumptions of this argument and discuss the lack of empirical support for several predictions that follow from it. As an alternative, we propose a ‘minimalist’ account of metaphor in which comprehension is conceived as a search for an ‘attributive category’ that is exemplified by the metaphor vehicle.
RFID-Guided Robots for Pervasive Automation

Passive UHF RFID tags are well matched to robots' needs. Unlike lowfrequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) RFID tags, passive UHF RFID tags are readable from across a room, enabling a mobile robot to efficiently discover and locate them. Using tags' unique IDs, a semantic database, and RF perception via actuated antennas, this paper shows how a robot can reliably interact with people and manipulate labeled objects.
Replacement of the Cardioesophageal Sphincter with the Ileocecal Valve

1. The function of the transplanted ileocecal valve in the region of the cardioesophageal sphincter was evaluated in experimental animals. 2. The ileocecal valve at this location appeared to be fully as effective in preventing regurgitation of gastric contents as was the normal cardioesophageal sphincter. 3. Whether the observed findings were the result solely of the valvular function of the transplanted ileocecal segment or of the valvular and the sphincteric action cannot be defined from presently available data.
NK cell activation and protection occur independently of natural killer T cells during Trypanosoma cruzi infection

Natural killer T (NKT) cells regulate aspects of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses and contribute to the control of infections and chronic inflammatory diseases. During Trypanosoma cruzi infection both NKT cells and NK cells are critical to the protective response. How NKT cells interact and possibly regulate NK cells during infections remains uncertain. In vivo studies have demonstrated that specific activation of NKT cells with a-galactosylceramide (a-GalCer) leads to NK cell activation. These results suggest that during some infections activated NKT cells might regulate NK cell activation and functions. Therefore, using gene-deficient mice that lack NKT cells and antibody-treated mice that lack NK cells, we investigated the interactions of NKT cells and NK cells during experimental T. cruzi infection. We report here that during acute T. cruzi infection spleen and liver NK cell activation and cytolytic activity occur independently of NKT cells. Moreover, NK cell protection occurs independently of NKT cells. In contrast to these results that fail to demonstrate an interdependence, at day 4 of infection the number of liver NK cells is controlled by NKT cells. Thus, during T. cruzi infection, regulation of the number of liver NK cells requires NKT cells, but the activation of NK cells and protection by NK cells does not. The data presented here argue that during infections NK cell activation and protection occur independently of NKT cells.
A Head Start or a Step Behind? Understanding How Dispositional and Motivational Resources Influence Emotional Exhaustion:

This 10-day diary study examined emotional exhaustion throughout the workday using conservation of resources and self-determination theories in the context of service work (nursing). Results revealed that the impact of prework emotional exhaustion on postwork emotional exhaustion was moderated by both personality and motivation. Neurotic individuals had high levels of postwork exhaustion regardless of their level of prework exhaustion. Extrinsically motivated individuals were especially likely to be exhausted after work if they were also exhausted before work. Finally, although intrinsically motivated individuals were less likely to be exhausted in general, the salutary effects of intrinsic motivation were reduced when prework exhaustion was high. These findings are consistent with the idea that neuroticism reflects a state of chronically worrying about resource loss, extrinsic motivation is a drain on personal resources, and intrinsic motivation is a resource that is less accessible as prework exhaustion...
Transportation Ecoefficiency: Quantitative Measurement of Urban Transportation Systems with Readily Available Data:

In this study, the concept of transportation ecoefficiency (TE) is described, and it is argued that this concept offers coherence to theoretical discussions of the environmental impact of transportation. A TE measure using readily available data is proposed, with four components: (1) percentage of commuters driving to work; (2) percentage of commuters taking public transit; (3) percentage of commuters walking or riding a bicycle; and (4) population density. A confirmatory factor analysis suggests that these components are useful for measuring TE and consistent in their relationships over time. This TE index is used to analyze TE in metropolitan areas in the United States (1980–2008) and in the United Kingdom (1981–2001): TE is decreasing in both countries despite very different starting points, with worrisome implications for climate change and other transportation-related environmental impacts. The paper concludes with a discussion of some uses for the TE metric in empirical research and planning practic...
Diet of Larval Red Salamanders (Pseudotriton Ruber) Examined Using a Nonlethal Technique

Stream salamanders may play important roles as predators within streams, but we know little about actual predation by stream salamanders on other organisms. Because larval stream salamanders are more abundant within streams than adults, feed and forage throughout the year, and may spend multiple years in streams before transformation, larvae may play a more important role than adults in trophic interactions within streams. We conducted a study using larval Red Salamanders (Pseudotriton ruber )t o determine (1) the prey composition of larval salamanders, (2) whether feeding rates are affected by stream water temperature, (3) whether larval size affects the diversity of prey items, and (4) whether nonlethal stomach flushing is an effective technique for examining the diet of larval salamanders. We found that larvae consumed a wide diversity of prey items including individuals of the families Chironomidae (36.52% of prey items) and Sphaeriidae (15.17%) as well as terrestrial prey (7.87%) and other salamanders (2.25%). We also found that feeding rates were negatively correlated with stream water temperature, and larger larvae consumed a wider diversity of prey items than smaller individuals. Our results also suggest that nonlethal stomach flushing did not affect survivorship. These findings suggest that larval Red Salamanders are generalist predators that can play important trophic roles in stream ecosystems.
Positive Correlation of Fitness with Group Size in Two Biotypes of Russian Wheat Aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae)

Changes in Þtness parameters as a function of colony size (one versus 10 aphids) were measured in two biotypes (RWA1 and RWA2) of the Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Mord- vilko) (Homoptera: Aphididae), feeding on three cultivars of wheat, Triticum aestivum L., at two temperatures. OTregoO is a cultivar with no speciÞc resistance to D. noxia, whereas, OStantonO and OHaltO expressDny andDn4 resistance sources, respectively. Feeding in a group accelerated the development of RWA1 on Trego and Stanton at 20C, but not at 24C, whereas grouped RWA2 developed faster than solitary RWA2 on all three cultivars at 24C, but not at 20C. Survival (Þrst instarÐadult) of RWA2 also was improved by grouping on Stanton and Halt at 24C, but solitary RWA2 survived better at 20C on all three cultivars. The reproductive rate of RWA1 was improved by grouping on Trego and Stanton at both temperatures, but only on Halt at 24C. Lifetime fecundity of RWA1 also was increased by grouping in all cases except for Trego at 20C. Grouped development increased the reproductive rate of RWA2 on all three cultivars at 24C, but had no effect at 20C. Grouped RWA2 developed and reproduced faster than grouped RWA1 on all three cultivars at 24C. Thus, the Þtness of D. noxia was positively correlated with group size during colony establishment, but the effects were sensitive to temperature, being more pronounced at 20C for RWA1 and at 24C for RWA2.
Promoting Environmental Writing in Undergraduate Soil Science Programs

Revision of soil science curricula to include opportunities for student environmental writing may help to overcome declining enrollments in soil science by attracting undergraduate students interested in environmental issues to learn about soil science. Experience in environmental writing also may help prepare future soil science and natural resource professionals to communicate with diverse audiences in a variety of formats and media. Starting in 2000, the University of Missouri (MU) Soil Science Program and the MU Campus Writing Program initiated a research and teaching effort to: (i) assess the need for science and nonscience majors to improve their writing skills; (ii) develop a writing-intensive soil science course as part of the writing across the curriculum (WAC) program that would improve writing skills and encourage students to learn more about soil science and its role in addressing environmental issues; and (iii) evaluate the success of this approach. A survey of former MU science and nonscience majors indicated that both groups ranked writing skills as important in their current jobs. Most undergraduate students currently enrolled in soil science courses experienced limited opportunities to write in both their secondary and undergraduate science classes. An undergraduate writing-intensive soil science course entitled Soils and the Environment was initiated to emphasize the role of soil science in environmental issues and provide writing exercises for realistic target audiences. Student writing from the course was published with the assistance of MU journalism and graphic design students. Student evaluations indicated that the course improved their writing skills and stimulated their enthusiasm for the subjects discussed in the course. The results of this experiment to include environmental writing opportunities in a soil science curriculum suggest that writing may be an important active-learning tool to promote undergraduate student interest and motivation to study soil science.
A Classification Algorithm for High-dimensional Data☆

Abstract With the advent of high-dimensional stored big data and streaming data, suddenly machine learning on a very large scale has become a critical need. Such machine learning should be extremely fast, should scale up easily with volume and dimension, should be able to learn from streaming data, should automatically perform dimension reduction for high-dimensional data, and should be deployable on hardware. Neural networks are well positioned to address these challenges of large scale machine learning. In this paper, we present a method that can effectively handle large scale, high-dimensional data. It is an online method that can be used for both streaming and large volumes of stored big data. It primarily uses Kohonen nets, although only a few selected neurons (nodes) from multiple Kohonen nets are actually retained in the end; we discard all Kohonen nets after training. We use Kohonen nets both for dimensionality reduction through feature selection and for building an ensemble of classifiers using single Kohonen neurons. The method is meant to exploit massive parallelism and should be easily deployable on hardware that implements Kohonen nets. Some initial computational results are presented.
Classification of Skin Abnormalities Using Oblique-Incidence Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy

This paper presents a technique for classifying skin abnormalities using oblique- incidence diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The objective is to provide a non-invasive computer- assisted tool to dermatologists for lowering the number of unnecessary biopsies.
Effect of chronic alterations in sodium intake on prostaglandin release from isolated perfused rabbit kidney.

AbstractBioassayable PGE2 like material released from isolated perfused rabbit kidneys was assayed in superfusion cascade, and the response to bradykinin and angiotensin II quantitated in a dose-dependent manner. Chronic high-sodium intakes produced qualitatively and quantitatively similar responses compared to normal diets when kidneys were stimulated with BK or A11. Low Na+ diets increased sensitivity to BK or A11 with a shift of the dose —response curves (DRC) to the left with the same maximum response. No difference in in vitro metabolism of [14C]arachidonic acid by microsomal preparations of cortex and medulla from Na′-loaded and Na+-depleted rabbits could be detected. These results suggest that the shift of the DRC to the left for angiotensin II and BK may be related to increased sensitivity for arachidonic acid release in response to the peptides and may be responsible for the observed increase in PGE2 urinary excretion observed in chronic salt depletion in rabbits.
Numerical Analysis of Aerodynamic Characteristics of a Flat Plate in Gusting Low Reynolds Number Flow

au = Amplitude of freestream oscillation, m/s aL = Amplitude of lift, N, defined as the difference between the maximum and time averaged lift AoA = Angle of attack c = Chord length CL = Coefficient of lift f = Frequency of freestream oscillation, Hz L = Lift L0 = Steady lift from non oscillating portion of freestream velocity k = dimensionless frequency, = πfc/U p = Pressure Re = Reynolds Number t = time, seconds T = Gust oscillation period U = Freestream velocity ρ = Density 28th AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Conference 28 June 1 July 2010, Chicago, Illinois AIAA 2010-4564
Multiple body missile launcher simulation

The dynamics of missile launcher systems are studied via digital simulations based on systems of flexible and rigid bodies. A digital computer program developed specifically to study the dynamic behavior of launchers containing several missiles is described. Particular attention is devoted to the handling of constraints between the bodies. Examples are presented that show some of the significant differences in the motions of missiles when the system is modeled as flexible as opposed to rigid.
Potential impacts of federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions on Wyoming's energy-derived tax revenue

The implementation of federal climate change legislation would alter the relative price advantages of fossil fuels produced in Wyoming and resultant tax revenue. Our policy model demonstrates changes in the prices and quantities produced of coal, natural gas, oil, and wind energy—including electrical generation and multiplier effects—resulting from federal action. With carbon dioxide equivalent (CO 2 -e) prices ranging from $0–$70/ton, Wyoming tax revenue would increase due to tremendous growth in price and production of natural gas, which substitutes for declines in coal revenue. Wind energy contributions to tax revenue would remain limited due to a low effective tax rate relative to fossil fuels.
Expression of Major Vault Protein in Rats' Brain after Status Epilepticus Induced by LiCl-Pilocarpine

Objective To explore the expression of drug transporters major vault protein(MVP)and the relationship with seizure.Me-thods Twenty-four adult and 24 young male SD rats were respectively divided into 4 groups:the first,third,7th d after status epilepticus(SE)induced by LiCl-pilocarpine and control group.The SE were ended by chloral hydrate after 90 minutes.All of rats were sacrificed and brains were processed by immunohistochemistry for MVP.SPSS 13.0 software was applied to deal with data.Results All experimental group rats were induced SE successfully.The first day after SE,the expressions of MVP in dentate gyrus,CA1 and CA3 sectors of the hippocampus were found in adult and young rats,but there were no statistic significances between experiment and control group(Pa0.05).The third day after SE,the expressions of MVP in CA1 and CA3 in adult rats experiment group increased,and in CA3,the value reached up to(4.0±1.41)in adult experiment group,which had significant differences compared with control groups(P0.05,0.01).The 7th day after SE,the expressions of MVP in the dentate gyrus,CA1 and CA3 were reached peak.CA3 sectors of the hippocampus significantly expressed.The tendency of MVP expression of the young rats group was the same as the adult,the third day and the 7th day the intensity was weaker(Pa0.05)in CA1 and CA3.Conclusions MVP expression is upregulated in epileptic rats and may contribute to pharmacoresistsance.The expression in the immature brain is weaker than the adult rats.The possible explaination is neuron procedure death and gliocyte proliferation in the immature brain is to less extent than the mature.
SU-F-T-597: Modeling and Evaluation of RapidPlan for Simultaneous Integrated Boost NPC Cases

Purpose: The evaluation of using RapidPlan to generate the model of simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) VMAT plans for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: In this study, the training models were established for SIB NPC cases in RadpidPlan system. The knowledge database was created from 46 VMAT plans for NPC with two dose level targets. CTV212 received 69.96 Gy in 33 fractions at 2.12 Gy per fraction. PTV164 received 54.12 Gy at 1.64 Gy per fraction. To validate the models, we generated plans with model-estimated objectives on four new NPC cases that were not included in the model-training database. Among these four cases, there were two cases with advanced stage NPC, which the targets invaded into eye level region. A comparison of results between the models and the clinical treatment plans were analyzed. Results: For typical cases, the model plans resulted in slightly superior V95% of targets than the clinical treatment plans by up to 2%. Conformity indices for targets were 1.05 and 1.22 for clinical and model plans, respectively. Homogeneity indices for targets were 1.25 and 1.21 for clinical and model plans, respectively. For advanced stage cases, the results of clinical treatment plans had better V95% coverage of targets than that of model plans by approximately 3%. Conformity indices for targets were 1.19 and 1.21, for clinical and model plans, respectively. Homogeneity indices for targets were 1.36 and 1.15 for clinical plans and model plans, respectively. In general, there was no significant difference between model and clinical plans observed. Conclusion: RapidPlan models are powerful dynamic tools to meet the clinical needs. It is user-friendly and allows for standardization of planning process. This approach has the potential to improve the efficiency of the treatment planning process while ensuring that good quality plans are developed.
Stability of supply function equilibrium in electricity markets under piecewise linear function perturbations

The supply function equilibrium model has been used widely to study strategic behavior and market power in electricity markets. However, theoretically there exists a continuum of supply function equilibria, which limits the predictive value of this model. We refine the supply function equilibria by a stability analysis. The local behavior of supply function equilibrium under small perturbations in the form of piecewise linear functions is analyzed. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this method through a symmetric example, and find out that the stable supply function equilibria set that survive piecewise linear function perturbations is significantly smaller than the set of all theoretical SFEs. On the other hand, since practically any form of perturbation function can be reasonably approximated by some piecewise linear perturbation function, if some of the supply functions do not behave chaotically under piecewise linear function perturbations, it suggests that they are likely to be sustainable in reality. This stability analysis method is not limited to symmetric models, and is applicable to asymmetric supply function equilibrium models as well.
Autologous Non-Myeloablative Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (NST) for Severe Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Unlike leukemia in which the goal of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is myeloablation and immune suppression is an unwanted side effect, for autoimmune diseases the goal of autologous HSCT is immune ablation and myeloablation is an unwanted side effect. We, therefore, have performed autologous non-myeloablative hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (NST) in treatment refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) using an intense immune suppressive (“ablative”) regimen followed by autologous stem cell support to shorten the post NST cytopenic interval. Autologous NST has been performed in 45 patients with severe SLE treated over the last 7 years at Northwestern University (Chicago). Candidates were less than 60 years old with either renal (WHO class III or IV nephritis), CNS (cerebritis, transverse myelitis), or pulmonary (alveolar hemorrhage, interstitial pneumonitis, shrinking lung syndrome) involvement or vasculitis despite pulse cyclophosphamide, autoimmune transfusion dependent cytopenias despite steroids, danazol, and alkylating agents, or anti-phospholipid syndrome defined by Sapporo criteria with recurrent thrombi despite anti-coagulation. Peripheral blood stem cells were mobilized with 2.0 g.m 2 cyclophosphamide and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and CD34 + enriched (Isolex, Baxter). The immune ablative conditioning regimen consisted of 200mg/kg cyclophosphamide, and 90mg/kg equine antithymocyte globulin. One patient died from mucormycosis after HSC mobilization (treatment-related mortality-TRM). Four patients died of causes unrelated to NST at 11, 15, 18, and 30 months after NST. Three died of relapsed SLE, one patient with a history of Libman-Sacks died of MRSA endocarditis at 18 months after NST while in remission. Complete remission defined as a prednisone ≤ 10 mg/day with no evidence of active disease and no other immune suppressive drugs except hydroxychloroquine was achieved in 66% of patients. In these 45 patients, autologous NST for SLE had a 2% TRM and 66% long term disease free remission. If patients maintain remission for 2 years, relapse is unlikely.
Interleukin-13 conjugated quantum dots for identification of glioma initiating cells and their extracellular vesicles

Abstract Cadmium selenide (CdSe) based quantum dots modified with polyethylene glycol and chemically linked to interleukin-13 (IL13) were prepared with the aim of identifying the high affinity receptor (IL13Rα2) which is expressed in glioma stem cells and exosomes secreted by these cancer stem cells. IL13 conjugated quantum dots (IL13QD) were thoroughly characterized for their physicochemical properties including particle size and surface morphology. Furthermore, the specific binding of the IL13QD to glioma cells and to glioma stem cells (GSC) was verified using a competitive binding study. The exosomes were isolated from the GSC conditioned medium and the expression of IL13Rα2 in the GSC and exosomes was verified. The binding property of IL13QD to the tumor associated exosomes was initially confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The force of attraction between the quantum dots and U251 glioma cells and the exosomes was investigated by atomic force microscopy, which indicated a higher force of binding interaction between the IL13QD and IL13Rα2 expressing glioma cells and exosomes secreted by glioma stem cells. Flow cytometry of the IL13QD and exosomes from the culture media and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with glioma tumors indicated a distinctly populated complex pattern different from that of non-targeted quantum dots and bovine serum albumin (BSA) conjugated quantum dots confirming specific binding potential of the IL13QD to the tumor associated exosomes. The results of this study demonstrate that IL13QD can serve as an ex vivo marker for glioma stem cells and exosomes that can inform diagnosis and prognosis of patients harboring malignant disease. Statement of Significance Functionalized quantum dots are flexible semiconductor nanomaterials which have an immense application in biomedical research. In particular, when they are functionalized with biomolecules like proteins or antibodies, they have the specialized ability to detect the expression of receptors and antigens in cells and tissues. In this study we designed a cytokine (interleukin-13) functionalized quantum dot to detect a cancer associated receptor expressed in cancer stem cells and the extracellular vesicles (exosomes) secreted by the cancer cells themselves. The binding pattern of these cytokine modified quantum dots to the cancer stem cells and exosomes alters the physical properties of the complex in the fixed and suspended form. This altered binding pattern can be monitored by a variety of techniques, including transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and flow cytometry, and subsequent characterization of this quantum dot binding profile provides useful data that can be utilized as a fingerprint to detect cancer disease progression. This type of functionalized quantum dot fingerprint is especially useful for invasive cancers including brain and other metastatic cancers and may allow for earlier detection of disease progression or recurrence, thus saving the lives of patients suffering from this devastating disease.
The Dialectics of Parenting: Changes in the Interplay of Maternal Behaviors during Early and Middle Childhood

Parent and child relationships continuously evolve, part of an ongoing dialectic that derives from developmental changes in both parent and child. The focus of this study is on changes in the strength of association among four types of parenting behaviors considered important for children’s development: supportive presence, respect for autonomy, stimulation, and hostility. Mother–child interaction was observed for 1229 parent–child dyads at 36 months, 54 months, 1st grade, 3rd grade, and 5th grade using similar observational paradigms. The association between respect for autonomy and supportive presence was strong at age three and continued to be strong over time. The association between respect for autonomy and stimulation was modest but also showed little change from age three to 5th grade. Respect for autonomy was negatively associated with maternal hostility, but the relation was complex. It was stronger at 54 months than 36 months but then became weaker through time. Supportive presence showed a moderate relation with stimulation at age 3 but the association became weaker over time. Supportive presence showed an expected negative association with hostility, a relation that changed little over time. The relation between hostility and stimulation also became weaker over time. In effect, there appears to be a shifting pattern of relations between maternal behaviors during early and middle childhood, one that reflects an evolving dialectic in the mother–child relationship.
Exploratory biomarkers: Analytical approaches and their implications

Abstract While biomarker discovery is receiving increased attention in both drug and chemical safety assessment, a critical step is transitioning a biomarker from an experimental observation to a useful assay is that of analytical validation. This is particularly relevant as one moves from biomarker discovery using an omics platform to exploratory use as implemented in a more focused platform. Large scale discovery platforms for transcriptomics, such as microarrays, have unique analytical considerations, different from that of more focused platforms, such as qRT-PCR. Likewise, mass spectrometry based screens of the proteome have different analytical challenges as compared to focused ELISA assays. Metabolomics experiments also require attention to analytical validation, with different considerations for quantitative or semi-quantitative assays. And while guidelines for analytical validation are still evolving, general principles certainly apply, with a solid body of literature that should be consulted by the biomarker scientist before deeming an assay as worthy of more widespread use.
A Trigold(I) Ketenylidene Cation

An (N-heterocyclic carbene)gold(I) acetate reacts with acetic anhydride and triethylamine to form a ketenylidene-bridged trigold(I) cation as its dihydrogen triacetate salt. Ion exchange with tetrafluoroborate affords a more stable compound. The cation reacts with borohydride to form (NHC)gold hydride and with benzenethiol to form (NHC)gold benzenethiolate and S-phenyl thioacetate.
An institutional analysis of local strategies for enhancing pro-poor tourism outcomes in Cuzco, Peru

ABSTRACTPro-poor tourism studies often highlight the need for altering institutional restraints and creating policies that enhance freedoms for the poor. However, few studies have evaluated local-level strategies by which the poor seek to alter such restraints to improve their lives within evolving tourism arrangements. This study applies Jessop's strategic-relational approach to analyze the cases of two tourism associations in Peru's Valle Sagrado (Sacred Valley), qualitatively assessing local-level strategies for addressing specific institutional concerns. Sen's capability approach is subsequently applied to assess the potential for these strategies to improve individual and collective functioning for associations and their members. Findings draw attention to a kind of institutional poverty alleviation that may occur when identifiable institutional limitations are strategically altered by local people, contributing to enhanced functioning. This study suggests that pro-poor tourism studies may benefit fr...
Detection of Breast Tumors by Absorption and Fluorescence of Photon Diffusive Waves

It is a privilege to be able to give an introductory lecture to this workshop, and it is an honor to pay a tribute to those who have been my colleagues over the years, Elli and Cahide Kohen, for their remarkable development of the NADH fluorescence technology. The initiation of my work on NADH fluorescence was a result of a chance experiment at Stockholm with Herrick Baltscheffsky where Hugo Theorell’s sensitive fluorometer was available and Herrick was glad to prepare a suspension of mitochondria (1). We found not only a marked fluorescence signal of mitochondrial matrix NADH, but what turned out to be more important, a variation of its intensity with metabolic state as reproduced in Fig. 1 in which the intensity is inversely related to the metabolic intensity and the biochemical nature of the metabolic states, labeled 5, 4, 3, 2. These metabolic states have enabled the interpretation of the nature of the metabolic state in a variety of tissues, including brain, liver, heart, kidney and skeletal muscle (2,3,4).
Global Survey of Clinical Oncology Workforce.

A lack of well-trained clinical oncologists can result in significant cancer health disparities. The magnitude of this problem around the world is poorly described in the literature. A comprehensive global survey of the clinical oncology workforce was conducted. Data on the number of clinical oncologists in 93 countries were obtained from 30 references. The mortality-to-incidence ratio was estimated by using data on incidence and mortality rates from the GLOBOCAN 2012 database; the ratio was > 70% in 26 countries (28%), which included 21 countries in Africa (66%) and five countries in Asia (26%). Eight countries had no clinical oncologist available to provide care for patients with cancer. In 22 countries (24%), a clinical oncologist would provide care for 500 patients with cancer. In 27 countries (29%), a clinical oncologist would provide care for > 1,000 incident cancers, of which 25 were in Africa, two were in Asia, and none were in Europe or the Americas. The economic and social development status of a country correlates closely with the burden of cancer and the shortage of human resources. Addressing the shortage of clinical oncologists in regions with a critical need will help these countries meet the sustainable development goals for noncommunicable diseases by 2030.
Prescribing Naloxone for Opioid Overdose Intervention

To provide an update on prescription of naloxone as a harm-reduction strategy, PubMed was searched to identify publications relevant to naloxone prescribing for reversal of opioid overdose. Opportunities now exist to expand naloxone use, although evidence suggests these are often missed or underexploited. The US FDA has approved an intranasal naloxone spray and an autoinjector naloxone formulation for community use. Effective use of naloxone in community settings requires screening to identify patients at risk of opioid overdose, discussing naloxone use with patients and their relatives, and providing appropriate training. The tools exist to expand the use of naloxone more widely into the community, thereby creating an opportunity to reduce opioid overdose fatalities.
Increased sleep time and reduced energy expenditure contribute to obesity after ovariectomy and a high fat diet.

In this study we examined if sleep time, caloric intake and energy expenditure are important contributors to development of ovariectomy-induced obesity in mice fed control or high fat diet (HFD). Twelve female mice at 6 weeks of age were divided into 2 groups: Sham (n = 5) and ovariectomized (OVX, n = 7). Mice were fed control diet for 9 weeks and shifted to HFD for additional 9 weeks. Food intake and body weight were measured daily and body composition was measured weekly by EchoMRI. Energy expenditure (EE), oxygen consumption (VO2), motor activity (MA) and sleep time were monitored at week 9 during control diet and HFD. OVX did not alter caloric intake, body weight or body composition, MA, sleep time or fasting blood glucose, but slightly reduced EE compared to Sham mice on control diet. After HFD feeding, OXV mice had similar caloric intake, lean mass, MA, and blood glucose levels but had significantly greater weight gain (8.2 ± 1.0 vs. 4.8 ± 1.2 g, p < 0.05), increased fat mass and sleep time, and reduced EE (3.3 ± 0.4 vs. 5.5 ± 0.2 kcal/h) and VO2 (1.12 ± 0.01 vs. 1.83 ± 0.05 ml/min) compared to Sham group. Daytime blood pressure was higher while nighttime heart rate was lower in OVX group. These results suggest that OVX may not substantially alter body weight or body composition in mice fed a normal diet, but when combined with HFD it increases sleep time and reduces EE, leading to greater weight gain and adiposity without altering food intake.
Quantifying high-resolution spatial variations and local source impacts of urban ultrafine particle concentrations.

Abstract To quantify the fine-scale spatial variations and local source impacts of urban ultrafine particle (UFP) concentrations, we conducted 3–6 weeks of continuous measurements of particle number (a proxy for UFP) and other air pollutant (CO, NO2, and PM2.5) concentrations at 32 sites in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the winters of 2017 and 2018. Sites were selected to span a range of urban land use attributes, including urban background, near local and arterial roads, traffic intersections, urban street canyon, near-highway, near large industrial source, and restaurant density. The spatial variations in urban particle number concentrations varied by about a factor of three. Particle number concentrations are 2–3 times more spatially heterogeneous than PM2.5 mass. The observed order of spatial heterogeneity is UFP > NO2 > CO > PM2.5. On average, particle number concentrations near local roads with a cluster of restaurants and near arterial roads are roughly two times higher than the urban background. Particle number concentrations in the urban street canyon, downwind of a major highway, and near large industrial sources are 2–4 times higher than background concentrations. While traffic is known as an important contributor to particle number concentrations, restaurants and industrial emissions also contribute significantly to spatial variations in Pittsburgh. Particle size distribution measurements using a mobile laboratory show that the local spatial variations in particle number concentrations are dictated by concentrations of particles smaller than 50 nm. A large fraction of urban residents (e.g., ~50%) in Pittsburgh live near local sources and are therefore exposed to 50%–300% higher particle number concentrations than urban background location. These locally emitted particles may have greater health effects than background particles.