cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adaptive predictor for efficient lossless coding of FTS interferograms

Interferograms obtained from Fourier transform spectrometers (FTS) can be used to obtain high resolution optical spectral measurements. Accompanying high resolution spectra is the resulting large data volumes. This paper describes efforts directed at defining a predictor that will result in efficient lossless coding of interferograms. Interferograms generally contain informational redundancies that can be exploited by lossless coders. In addition, many interferograms show regions exhibiting short term periodicity. The short term periodicity is derived by taking the Fourier transform of the points preceding the desired prediction point. Prediction residuals are then losslessly coded with the Rice entropy coder. Compared with interferograms compressed with the Rice coding algorithm, the proposed predictor shows improved compression in most cases.
My Brother’s Keeper? The Association Between Having Siblings in Poor Health and Wealth Accumulation:

When confronted with the economic costs of addressing a serious health problem, many American households do not possess the ability to deal with the crises on their own and may turn to family members for help. Using longitudinal data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, we examine if the level of wealth held by individuals is related to the health problems of their siblings. We find evidence that having a sibling who has experienced a health problem decreases the amount of wealth that some families have. The research has implications for the existing literatures on altruism and kin networks, as it sheds some light on the nature of altruism that prevails in U.S. families and on how kinship networks matter. Because of its focus on the consequences of health problems, the research also has implications for public policy discussions about the health care system and social insurance more generally.
LEVINSON INVERSION OF EARTHQUAKE GEOMETRY SH‐TRANSMISSION SEISMOGRAMS IN THE PRESENCE OF NOISE*

The Kunetz-Claerbout equation for the acoustic transmission problem in a layered medium in its original form establishes the relation between the transmission and the reflec tion response for P-waves in an horizontally layered medium and with vertical incidence. It states that the reflection seismogram due to an impulsive source at the surface, is one side of the autocorrelation of the seismogram due to an impulsive source at depth and a surface receiver. By adapting Claerbout's formulation to the transmission of SH-waves, the Kunetz-Claerbout equation also holds for reflection and transmission coefficients dependent on the incident angle. Thus, earthquake geometry SH-transmission seismograms can be used to caculate corresponding pseudoreflection seismograms which, in turn, can be inverted for the impedance structure using the Levinson algorithm. If the average incidence angle is known, a geometrical correction on the resulting impedance model can improve the resolution of layer thicknesses. In contrast to the inversion of reflection seismograms, the Levinson algorithm is shown to yield stable results for the inversion of transmission seismograms even in the presence of additive noise. This noise stabilization is inherent to the Kunetz-Claerbout equation. Results of inverted SH-wave microearthquake seismograms from the Swabian Jura, SW Germany, seismic zone obtained at recording site Hausen im Tal have been compared with sonic-log data from nearby exploration drilling at Trochtelfingen. The agreement of the main structural elements is fair to a depth of several hundred metres.
Copines: a ubiquitous family of Ca 2+ -dependent phospholipid-binding proteins

The copines are a novel family of ubiquitous Ca2+-dependent, phospholipid-binding proteins. They contain two Ca2+- and phospholipid-binding domains known as 'C2 domains' present in proteins such as protein kinase C, phospholipase C and synaptotagmin. Copines are thought to be involved in membrane-trafficking phenomena because of their phospholipid-binding properties. They may also be involved in protein-protein interactions since they contain a domain similar to the protein-binding 'A domain' of integrins. The biochemistry, gene structure, tissue distribution and possible biological roles of copines are discussed, including recent observations with Arabidopsis that indicate that copines may be involved in cell division and growth.
Maximum-likelihood estimation for the offset normal shape distributions using EM

The offset-normal shape distribution is defined as the induced shape distribution of a Gaussian distributed random configuration in the plane. Such distributions were introduced by Dryden and Mardia (1991) and represent an important parameterized family of shape distributions for shape analysis. This article reports a method for performing maximum likelihood estimation of parameters involved. The method consists of an EM algorithm with simple update rules and is shown to be easily applicable in many practical examples. We also show the necessary adjustments needed for using this algorithm for shape regression, missing landmark data, and mixtures of offset-normal shape distributions.
Realistic cross-platform haptic applications using freely-available libraries

This paper describes the development of a generic framework for implementing realistic cross-platform haptic virtual reality application, using the Sensable's PHANToM haptic device. Here the term cross-platform refers to two of the most popular operating systems: Windows and Linux. Currently available free-for-noncommercial-use software development kits (SDKs) deal with a single haptic interaction point (HIP), i.e. the tip of the haptic probe. However, many applications as path planning, virtual assembly, medical or dental simulations, as well as scientific exploration require object-object interactions, meaning any part of the complex 3D object attached to the probe collides with the other objects in the virtual scene. Collision detections and penetration depths between 3D objects must be quickly computed to generate forces to be displayed by the haptic device. In these circumstances, implementation of haptic applications is very challenging when the numbers, stiffness and/or complexity of objects in the scene are considerable, mainly because of high update rates needed to avoid instabilities of the system. The proposed framework meets this high requirement and provides a high-performance test bed for further research in algorithms for collision detection and generation of haptic forces.
Structure and cytochemistry of the acinar cell in the rat maxillary gland

The ultrastructural and cytochemical properties of the maxillary gland were investigated in 24 adult Sprague-Dawley rats of both sexes. The relationship between the interstitial cell and/or excitatory cholinergic terminals with the secretory cell was discussed. The secretory material containing primarily neutral lipids, proteins, carbohydrates and mucosubstances appeared electron-opaque following staining with uranyl acetate and lead citrate. Ruthenium red precipitated strongly on zymogenic granules which showed an increasing affinity for phosphotungstic acid, paralleling a rise in pH towards 7.7. The process of fusion of the plasma membrane with the membrane of secretory granules was observed, although some membrane-bound granules were identified in the acinar and ductal lumina. Intracellular membranous structures were best revealed with phosphotungstic acid at pH 1.0–1.5, whereas ruthenium red reacted primarily with lipid inclusions and tonofilaments. Acid phosphatase activity was predominantly limited to secondary lysosomes and, to a lesser degree, to primary lysosomes and Golgi saccules. The morphological and chemical properties of secondary lysosomes in the secretory cell suggested a pronounced hydrolytic activity related to lipid inclusions and endocytotic vesicles.
A subcutaneous nodule with Whipple's disease: key to early diagnosis?

Arthritis usually precedes the other manifestations of Whipple’s disease (WD). During this “lead time,” which may extend as long as 35 years (l), the correct diagnosis may be virtually impossible without recourse to synovial biopsy. There are scattered accounts of subcutaneous nodules with Whipple’s disease, but only a single published report of a nodule biopsy-a brief notation that “the changes were consistent with rheumatoid arthritis” (2). This is a report of a patient with a nodule that followed the onset of oligoarthritis by 3 years and preceded the appearance of diarrhea and weight loss by 12 years. Biopsy of the nodule utilizing electron microscopy disclosed specific diagnostic features of Whipple’s disease.
Fear and Privatization

Supporters of public education fear attempts to privatize schools, while the private sector has always struggled against the monopolistic power of the public schools that educates almost 90% of all K-12 students. This trepidation has recently been intensified by the creation of a “third sector” that includes charter schools, voucher programs, and the increased diversity of private education. This article looks at the dynamics of fear as shaped by increased competition among public, private, and privatized schools. In fact, both public schools and their private school counterparts, fear privatization of education because it draws students and resources away from traditional schools. And recently, the opening of new “religious charter schools” has crossed the lines between church and state, and between private and public education. Thus, the politics of education have become somewhat more confused and unnerving as the distinctions between public and private education are virtually disappearing.
The HCH‐1 model of enzymatic cellulose hydrolysis

Solka Floc BW200 was enzymatically hydrolyzed in a batch reactor using a commercial cellulase preparation. A total of 50 different hydrolysis conditions were run within a 10-fold range in enzyme concentration and a 30-fold range in cellulose concentration. The data were evaluated in three ways using five different models. Previous literature models were not as successful in correlating the data as the HCH-1 Model derived in this work.
Everything Counts in Large Amounts Device-Detected Atrial High-Rate Arrhythmias

Although the risk of stroke associated with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) is comparable to that with persistent (or permanent) AF, the lower representation of patients with paroxysmal AF in clinical trials reduces the confidence of the risk estimate.1 As a group, patients with paroxysmal AF are heterogeneous but typically younger, with less advanced associated cardiovascular disease than those with persistent or permanent AF. Episodes of AF occur daily in some patients but in others are separated by months or even years, and the duration of episodes varies considerably as well. Nevertheless, the threshold burden of paroxysmal AF required to justify chronic anticoagulant therapy has not been clearly defined, and prophylactic therapy is prescribed less consistently for patients with this form of the arrhythmia.2,3 Clinical practice guidelines currently recommend prophylactic antithrombotic therapy based on the axiom that paroxysmal and persistent AF carry similar risks of thromboembolism. The anticoagulation decision is based on clinical features other than the pattern, chronicity, or duration of AF, specifically the presence or absence of associated valvular heart disease, prior thromboembolism, advanced age, hypertension, diabetes, impaired left ventricular function, or heart failure.4 Article see p 474 Even in patients with symptomatic AF, asymptomatic episodes are common.3 In studies of unselected patients based on standard surface ECG recordings, the prevalence of asymptomatic AF ranged from 5% to 20%.5,6 Among the challenges in antithrombotic therapy is identifying patients with asymptomatic paroxysmal AF. Longer-term Holter and event monitoring increases the detection of asymptomatic AF, and in the Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation After Cardioversion (PAFAC) trial, nearly 70% of episodes of paroxysmal AF detected by transtelephonic monitoring were asymptomatic.7 Implanted dual-chamber cardiac arrhythmia devices, including pacemakers, cardioverter-defibrillators, and resynchronization devices (CRTs), are capable of continuously monitoring the rhythm. In a study of patients with paroxysmal …
Psychosocial Responses Associated with Perceived Risk of Cancer in an African-American Community

This epidemiologic health survey study examined the association between health risk perceptions and psychosocial factors in 145 African Americans in East Montgomery, Alabama. The survey gathered information on demographics, population dynamics, health risk perceptions, and coping behaviors. Psychosocial variables measured were worries, concern, stress, and trauma associated with perceived risk of cancer. Results indicated that women were more concerned about the environmental health risks in their community than men. Compared to men, women were highly concerned about the economic effect of perceived environmental health risk. The findings indicate that an individual's health status and educational level were significant predictors of psychosocial responses.
Origin of ureilite meteorites and implications for planetary accretion

The present analysis of the ureilite meteorites suggests that these are formed by well-understood processes, as indicated by such findings as their being partial melt residues rather than cumulates and their forming in a large chondritic body with heterogeneous O isotopic composition. Slow diffusion of the O in solid and molten silicates ensured that partial melting did not homogenize the O isotopes of the residues. These and other determinations furnish a plausible origin for ureilites as residues from the partial melting of isotopically heterogeneous chondritic material.
Does leptin predict incident hypertension in older adults

Summary Objective Leptin is associated with blood pressure (BP) in experimental and cross-sectional studies, but only one previous prospective study of middle-aged men has reported the association between leptin and incident hypertension. We examined the association of leptin levels with incident hypertension in a population-based study of older men and women. Design Longitudinal cohort study. Population Participants were 602 community-dwelling older adults with normal baseline BP levels who attended a research clinic visit between 1984 and 1987 and again 4·4 years later (mean age was 66·2 ± 11·4; 60·6% were men; mean body mass index (BMI) 24·9 ± 3·4 kg/m2). Measurements Hypertension was defined as systolic BP ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg and/or antihypertensive drug treatment. Leptin was measured by radioimmunoassay. Results After an average 4·4-year follow-up (minimum 2–maximum 7 years), 106 (17·6%) new cases of hypertension were identified. At baseline, participants who developed hypertension were older and had higher systolic BP and higher total cholesterol compared to participants who remained normotensive. Baseline serum leptin levels were higher in participants who developed hypertension compared to persistent normotensives [median (25th–75th range)] [8·8(5–16) vs 7(4–11) ng/ml, P = 0·002]. In logistic regression models, leptin (log-transformed) predicted incident hypertension before and after adjustments for baseline age, BMI, systolic BP, total cholesterol, medications, and previous cardiovascular disease (OR 1·75 95% CI 1·17–2·61, P = 0·006). This association persisted after exclusion of 45 obese participants. Conclusion Higher leptin levels were independently associated with increased odds of incident hypertension in older adults.
Transparent humidity sensor using cross-linked polyelectrolyte membrane

This paper describes the fabrication of a porous cross-linked polyelectrolyte membrane and the characterization of its humidity sensitivity performance. Electrostatic self-assembly, combined with acid treatment, and post-deposition annealing produced the membrane. The fabrication process offers the ability to control the thickness of the membrane, as well as enabling the engineering of the humidity sensitivity properties. A transparent humidity sensor was fabricated by integrating the membrane between two parallel electrodes. In order to improve the moisture absorption and diffusion, both the polyelectrolyte layer and the electrode were made porous. The membrane was cross-linked to enhance the durability in high humid environments. Such a polyelectrolyte membrane showed high sensitivity to relative humidity variation over a range of 25%-99%. The see-through property of the structure adds extra features and benefits to the sensor.
Restoration, Reintroduction, and captive Propagation for at-risk Butterflies: A review of British and American Conservation Efforts

Populations of at-risk butterfly species are declining at an alarming rate. Conservation strategies emphasize a mix of restoration of butterfly habitat, captive propagation, and reintroduction of butterflies to repopulate sites at which populations have gone extinct and to augment declining populations. We review the use of these strategies to conserve butterflies for 25 British species with Species Action Plans and 25 American species listed as Endangered, Threatened, or Candidate under the US Endangered Species Act and found in the continental US. Based on a broad review of published and unpublished literature and 47 interviews with agency staff, we find that the majority of species require active restoration (n = 47 of 50) and that most species receive restoration enhancements (n = 45), but only for a few species are ecological responses to this management monitored (n = 15). In addition, we find that most conservation strategies recommend reintroduction (n = 34) and it has been attempted for 21 Britis...
Curved Plasma Channel Generation Using Ultraintense Airy Beams

Plasma channel generation (or filamentation) using ultraintense laser pulses in dielectric media has a wide spectrum of applications, ranging from remote sensing to terahertz generation to lightning control. So far, laser filamentation has been triggered with the use of ultrafast pulses with axially symmetric spatial beam profiles, thereby generating straight filaments. We report the experimental observation of curved plasma channels generated in air using femtosecond Airy beams. In this unusual propagation regime, the tightly confined main intensity feature of the axially nonsymmetric laser beam propagates along a bent trajectory, leaving a curved plasma channel behind. Secondary channels bifurcate from the primary bent channel at several locations along the beam path. The broadband radiation emanating from different longitudinal sections of the curved filament propagates along angularly resolved trajectories.
Indirect computed tomography venography: a report of vascular opacification.

The clinical utility of indirect computed tomography venography (CTV) of the legs, performed after computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA), to evaluate for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) remains a subject of ongoing debate. Visualization of DVT on CTV requires adequate opacification of venous blood. The objective of this study is to measure the Hounsfield unit (HU) clot-to-blood gradient on CTV and CTPA. Secondary analysis of computed tomography images from a prospective clinical trial was performed. All images were interpreted independently by a radiologist. Using the “region of interest” tool feature of the picture archiving and communication system, observers measured the HU of blood and thrombus on CTPA and CTV, using a structured anatomic approach. Interobserver coefficient of variability (CV%) was examined in all disease-positive cases and in a random sample of 25 disease-negative cases. One hundred seventy-nine patients were enrolled; and 23 had pulmonary embolus (PE) without DVT (13%), one had DVT without PE (0.6%), and 18 had both (10%), leaving 137 (77%) who had no venous thromboembolism (VTE). For the 137 patients with no VTE, the mean (±standard deviation) HU values measured for contrast-containing blood with no thrombus were as follows: left and right main pulmonary arteries (MPA), 291 ± 73 and 291 ± 76; left and right common femoral vein (CFV), 92 ± 17 and 88 ± 19; and left and right popliteal vein (PV), 87 ± 20 and 84 ± 20. On CTPA, the HU measured from the filling defects interpreted as acute PE was 51 ± 20, suggesting a between-group HU gradient of 250 or 471% for MPA (PE-to-blood). On CTV, the HU for DVT was 63, suggesting a gradient of 27 HU or 43% for CFV (DVT-to-blood) and 23 HU or 37% for PV (DVT-to-blood). Interobserver CV% were: left and right MPA, 5 ± 4.0% and 7 ± 5.4%; left and right CFV, 7 ± 6.8% and 7 ± 7.3%; left and right PV, 7 ± 8.4%, 6 ± 8.2%, and 32 ± 27.1% for PE thrombus, and 20 ± 30.5% for DVT thrombus. CTV imaging produces a very small HU gradient between clot and blood in leg veins. These findings highlight the importance of ancillary radiological findings in assessing presence of DVT on CTV.
Q: Is iron therapy for anemia harmful in the setting of infection?

The harmful effects are more theoretical than observed. On the other hand, there are also no convincing data to support the benefit of this therapy.
An algorithm to reduce combinatorial search in design of invisible dopants

Abstract Electronic cloaking has been recently suggested to design invisible dopants with electronic scattering cross sections smaller than 1% of the physical cross section ( πa 2 ). Cloaking layers could be designed to coat nanoparticle dopants to minimally scatter conduction electrons and to enhance the electronic mobility. In some cases, such enhancements would result in larger thermoelectric power factors. The main difficulty is the fact that the created potential upon coating is not tunable and is determined by the band alignment of the chosen materials for the core, the shell and the host as well as the charge distribution in these layers. To find proper combinations of materials, one needs to probe a large class of materials combinations and layer sizes. This approach is time-consuming and impractical. Here we introduce a mapping method to identify possible combinations by comparing the dimensionless parameters of the chosen materials with the provided maps and without any transport calculations. Using this “dimensionless mapping” approach, we have identified several combinations of core, shell and host materials for which electronic cloaking is achievable. We have optimized the size and doping level of some of these materials combinations to maximize their thermoelectric power factor. Compared to traditional impurity-doped samples, up to 14.50 times improvement in the thermoelectric power factor was observed at T = 77 K.
Short Sale Restrictions, Differences of Opinion, and Closed-End Fund Discount

The purpose of this paper is to study the closed-end fund discount in Miller’s (1977) framework. Miller’s theory states that in the simultaneous presence of (1) short sale restrictions and (2) dispersion of investors’ opinions, securities become overvalued. We show that discounts of single-country closed-end funds are related to overpricing of the securities in the foreign market due to Miller’s two conditions. Consistent with theoretical predictions, we find that either dispersion of investor opinions or short sale restrictions alone are not positively related to the discount. However, when both conditions exist simultaneously, the observed fund discounts are significantly larger.
Abstract 227: The Protective Effect of Kidney-Specific ACE Inhibition Against Chronic Angiotensin II Infusions is Associated with Blunted Intrarenal Renin-Angiotensin System Activation

Introduction: The responses to chronic angiotensin (Ang) II infusions of gene-targeted mice lacking kidney angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), in terms of intrarenal Ang II accumulation, hypertension, sodium and water retention are all blunted or absent. The objective of this study was to determine if these reduced responses were associated with changes in the intrarenal renin-angiotensin system (RAS). METHODS: Mice lacking intrarenal ACE (ACE10/10) were generated by targeted homologous recombination placing the expression of ACE only in macrophages. As a result, these mice have normal circulating ACE levels, but no kidney ACE. Wild-type (WT) mice of the same background (C57Bl/J) served as controls. Mice were subjected to sham-operation or subcutaneous infusion of Ang II for two weeks (n=6-10, 400 ng/kg/min via osmotic minipump). Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was followed by telemetry. At the end of the experiment, the kidneys were collected for analysis. Ang II content was measured by RIA. Renal abundance of ACE, angiotensinogen (AGT) and Ang II receptor type 1 (AT1R) were determined by Western Blot in total kidney homogenates. Results: At baseline, the MAP of WT and ACE 10/10 mice was similar 110 ± 4 mmHg vs. 109 ± 3 mmHg respectively (p>0.05). However, when subjected to chronic Ang II infusions, the hypertensive response was blunted in ACE 10/10 mice (129 ± 6 mmHg) vs. WT (146 ± 5 mmHg; P 0.05). Conclusion: The blunted hypertension and Ang II accumulation of mice devoid of kidney ACE in response to Ang II infusions is associated with a failed induction of renal AGT and the AT1R.
Integration of Six Sigma to traditional quality management theory: an empirical study on organisational performance

This paper integrates Six Sigma (SS) practices into traditional quality management (QM) theory by investigating its relation to traditional QM practices as well as its direct effect on organisational performance. This research used Path Analysis, a special case of SEM, through which the research hypotheses were evaluated. The paper uses survey data collected from US textile and apparel industry members. As an important contribution to previous literature, the results suggest that overall performance appears to be favourably and directly influenced by successful implementation of both SS and Customer Relationship Management (CRM). Therefore, SS practices are concluded to directly impact organisational performance rather than being complementary to traditional QM practices. Considering the social and technical (soft and hard) dimensions of QM, our study has found a significant path to SS from process management (PM), but not from other soft aspects. This showed that textile and apparel companies’ SS applica...
Fire Safety Technology Development for Exploration Spacecraft and Habitats

Terrestrial fire safety technology has been developed from the careful study of the phenomena involved in the fire sciences. These include the ignitability of materials and fire behavior in relevant environments and scales, quantification of fire signatures required for early fire detection, development of instruments to measure those signatures, requirements for responding to and extinguishing a fire, and finally, identification of any special requirements for cleanup of the fire scene. This same overall approach is being applied to the development of spacecraft fire safety technologies through NASA’s Fire Prevention, Detection, and Suppression project and the requirements for infusion of these technologies into various space vehicles. In spite of the experience gained in terrestrial applications, we are limited by a general lack of specific information regarding the progress of fire development in relevant spacecraft environments. In this paper, we discuss the process that is being implemented to obtain the data to develop a coherent spacecraft fire safety strategy. This includes a material flammability strategy in low- and partial-gravity in elevated oxygen, low-pressure environments and the development of fire detection technologies. Fire suppression, response, and cleanup are presented as a single contingency response system that must work seamlessly with the rest of the spacecraft environmental control and life support system. Throughout the discussion, technology gaps and research needs for the continued development of fire safety technologies for NASA’s exploration missions are identified.
Model-Less Hybrid Position/Force Control: A Minimalist Approach for Continuum Manipulators in Unknown, Constrained Environments

Continuum manipulators are designed to operate in constrained environments that are often unknown or unsensed, relying on body compliance to conform to obstacles. The interaction mechanics between the compliant body and unknown environment present significant challenges for traditional robot control techniques based on modeling these interactions exactly. In this letter, we describe a hybrid position/force control method that uses a model-less approach. Model-less control is a recently-described approach to control that learns the continuum manipulator Jacobian and adapts to constraints in the environment in a safe manner. When interacting with the environment using the end-effector, these tip-constraints can affect the manipulator Jacobian estimates to become ill-conditioned. This letter addresses this issue by defining a hybrid control approach for simultaneously controlling end-effector position and forces while still maintaining the minimalist approach of model-less control. Under this method, continuum manipulators can safely and effectively interact with the environment, even when these interactions are arbitrary and unknown constraints.
Developments in Photonic Crystal Theory: Nonlinearity, Strong Correlation, and Non-Maxwellian Meta-Materials

We show that photonic crystals can be used to control self-focusing and to induce strong-photon interaction. We also propose 3D meta-materials that support non-Maxwellian effective fields.
Enhancing the accuracy of the Fowler method for monitoring non-constant work functions.

The Fowler method is a prominent non-invasive technique to determine the absolute work function of a surface based on the photoelectric effect. The evaluation procedure relies on the correlation of the photocurrent with the incident photon energy hν which is mainly dependent on the surface work function χ. Applying Fowler’s theory of the photocurrent, the measurements can be fitted by the theoretical curve near the threshold hν⪆χ yielding the work function χ and a parameter A. The straightforward experimental implementation of the Fowler method is to use several particular photon energies, e.g. via interference filters. However, with a realization like that the restriction hν ≈ χ can easily be violated, especially when the work function of the material is decreasing during the measurements as, for instance, with coating or adsorption processes. This can lead to an overestimation of the evaluated work function value of typically some 0.1 eV, reaching up to more than 0.5 eV in an unfavorable case. A detaile...
Diagnostic morphology of four larval ascaridoid nematodes that may cause visceral larva migrans: Toxascaris leonina, Baylisascaris procyonis, Lagochilascaris sprenti, and Hexametra leidyi.

The gross and histological morphology of the larvae of 4 ascaridoid nematodes, Toxascaris leonina, Baylisascaris procyonis, Lagochilascaris sprenti, and Hexametra leidyi, are described. The larvae of T. leonina, B. procyonis, and L. sprenti were recovered from experimentally infected mice at 32, 14, and 75 days of infection, respectively. Hexametra leidyi larvae used for morphological study were collected on day 159 postinfection from a rhesus monkey, Macaca mulatta, while H. leidyi larvae used for histological study were collected from mice when they had reached the same size as those found in the monkey, i.e., at 23 days postinfection. Larvae for morphological study were collected by pepsin digestion, fixed in glacial acetic acid, and cleared in glycerin. Tissues for histological study were fixed in 10% formalin or Bouin's fixative. All sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The differences in the morphology of the larvae of these 4 species were found to be length of the body, shape of the anterior end, and shape of the tail. The major differences in the histological anatomy of these larvae were found to be the body diameter, form of lateral alae when present, presence or absence of internal cuticular bars, shape and internal patterns of the excretory columns, and size and number of intestinal cells. These 4 larvae are differentiated from other described species of ascaridoid larvae that may cause visceral larva migrans, and keys have been devised to aid in the making of a diagnosis.
Pressure dependent kinetics of magnesium oxide carbothermal reduction

Abstract The rate of MgO carbothermal reduction was studied at temperatures from 1350 to 1650 °C and pressures from 0.1–100 kPa based on product gas analysis at near isothermal conditions. For all temperatures the initial rate of carbothermal reduction increased inversely with pressure, and between conversions of 20–35% a transition occurred after which the reaction rate was maximum at 10 kPa. Analysis of reacted pellets showed that the reaction stoichiometry, the ratio of C to MgO reacted, was less than unity and decreased with pressure indicating CO 2 generation was more prevalent at elevated pressures. SEM imaging revealed the dissolution of C and MgO contact with conversion, and isoconversional analysis points to a change in the rate determining step between 1 and 10 kPa. The given experimental observations argue the importance of mass transfer and gaseous intermediates. A kinetic model is formulated based on a macroscopic species balance with CO 2 as the reaction intermediate.
Mind-body therapy via videoconferencing in patients with neurofibromatosis: An RCT

Objective: To test, within a single-blind randomized controlled trial, the feasibility, acceptability, efficacy, and durability of a mind–body program (the Relaxation Response Resiliency Program for neurofibromatosis [3RP-NF]) vs an attention placebo control (Health Enhancement Program for NF [HEP-NF]), both delivered via group videoconferencing. Methods: Sixty-three patients completed baseline assessments and were randomized. Primary outcomes were physical health and psychological quality of life (QoL), measured by the WHOQOL-BREF (World Health Organization QoL abbreviated instrument). Secondary outcomes were social relations and environment QoL, depression, anxiety, pain intensity, and pain interference. Results: Sixty-three participants completed the intervention (100%) and 52 the 6-month follow-up (82.5%). Acceptability was 4.1 (5-point scale). Patients in the 3RP-NF showed greater improvement in physical health QoL (7.69; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.29–15.10; p = 0.040), psychological QoL (5.57; 95% CI: 0.17–11.34; p = 0.056), social relations QoL (10.95; 95% CI: 1.57–20.31; p = 0.021), environment QoL (8.02; 95% CI: 2.57–13.48; p = 0.005), and anxiety (−2.32; 95% CI: −3.96 to 0.69; p = 0.006) compared to those in HEP-NF, and gains were maintained at follow-up. Patients in the 3RP-NF did not improve more than those in HEP-NF on depression, with both groups showing improvement. Patients in the 3RP-NF with baseline pain ≥5 of 10 showed improvement in pain intensity from baseline to posttest (1.30; 95% CI: −2.26 to −0.34; p = 0.009) with effects maintained at follow-up; this improvement was not greater than that in HEP-NF. There were more treatment responders in the 3RP-NF group ( p Conclusions: The 3RP-NF delivered via videoconferencing was highly feasible and accepted by patients, and resulted in sustained improvement in QoL. Classification of evidence: This study provides Class II evidence that for patients with NF, a mind–body program is superior to an attention placebo control in improving QoL.
Re-situating organizational knowledge: Violence, intersectionality and the privilege of partial perspective

Scholars have called repeatedly for more nuanced understandings of power and organizational knowledge, but researchers have yet to integrate available critical frameworks that could link these concepts. Moreover, existing analyses of power in organizational knowledge tend to focus on role differences but do not yet consider how social differences – including gender, race and sexuality – shape knowledge. Working from a practice-based approach, I draw upon standpoint theory and intersectionality to show how whiteness, masculinity and heteronormativity are embedded in organizational knowledge. I construct this argument using a case study at a US university known for having some of the best systems for building organizational knowledge about sexual violence on campus. I argue that the university’s practices – specifically those related to interpretation and definition – mask heterogeneity in knowledge across the university. I also show how practices give the university’s knowledge the appearance of neutrality...
Chronic parotitis with multiple calcifications: Clinical and sialendoscopic findings.

Objectives/Hypothesis To characterize clinical, imaging, and sialendoscopy findings in patients with chronic parotitis and multiple parotid calcifications. Study Design Retrospective review. Methods Clinical history, radiographic images and reports, lab tests, and operative reports were reviewed for adult patients with chronic parotitis and multiple parotid calcifications who underwent parotid sialendoscopy. Results Thirteen of 133 (10%) patients undergoing parotid sialendoscopy for chronic sialadenitis had more than one calcification in the region of the parotid gland. Seven patients (54%) were diagnosed with immune-mediated disease from autoimmune parotitis (positive Sjogren's antibodies or antinuclear antibodies) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease. The six patients (46%) who did not have an immune-mediated disorder had most calcifications located anterior or along the masseter muscle. Eight of 13 patients (61%) had at least one calculus found in the parotid duct on sialendoscopy. Four patients (38%) had multiple punctate calcifications within the parotid gland, all of whom had either autoimmune parotitis or HIV. None of the proximal or punctate parotid calcifications posterior to the masseter were visualized on sialendoscopy. Conclusions Chronic parotitis in conjunction with multiple parotid calcifications is uncommon and was identified in 10% of our cohort. We contrast two classifications of parotid calcifications: 1) intraductal stones that cause recurrent duct obstruction and are often located within the main parotid duct along or anterior to the masseter and 2) punctate intraparenchymal parotid gland calcifications that are not visualized on sialendoscopy and may represent underlying inflammatory disease. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 127:1565–1570, 2017
25(OH) Vitamin D3 Affects Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cell Proliferation

We recently demonstrated that acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with insufficient serum 25(OH) vitamin D3 levels had a worse outcome following intensive induction therapy. However, the mechanisms by which 25(OH) vitamin D3 and its metabolites exert these effects are poorly understood. We utilized in vitro systems with orthogonal genomic and computational approaches to delineate leukemia-specific vitamin D molecular targets that may contribute to its activities. To achieve this goal, we systematically investigated vitamin D anti-proliferative effects using a genomically-annotated panel of human leukemia cell lines, including lines with genetic alterations that are commonly observed in patients. Since the genetic diversity of these cell lines reflects many of the alterations found in AML patients, we hypothesized that they collectively represent a model system to replicate candidate anti-leukemia drug effects. Specifically, we cultured 40 leukemia cell lines with and without 25(OH) vitamin D3 in a dose- and time-dependent manner for 72 hours and used high-throughput (HT) cell-based assays to simultaneously measure multiple modalities/ parameters related to cell proliferation and cytotoxicity (i.e. combining several HT assay chemistries to simultaneously assess cell number, viability, cytotoxicity and caspase activation events). Six AML cell lines (THP-1, MV4;11, MOLM-6, MOLM-13, EOL-1, JK-1) that responded to 25(OH) vitamin D3 treatment were identified and selected for multi-parametric RNA-Seq studies (NB 200nM Vitamin D treatment or vehicle control for 24 hours). Total RNA was extracted and analyzed by the Illumina HiSeq 2500 sequencing platform and mRNA, microRNA and ncRNAs were unambiguously quantitated. Utilizing gene expression profiles and in silico computational modeling of canonical or putative vitamin D receptor elements (VDRE) transcription factor promoter binding sites, we (1) identified a conserved/core gene transcriptional signature and (2) subsequently developed a vitamin D – genetic inference model. Gene enrichment analysis of the inferred network model identified genes involved in abnormal hematopoiesis, proliferation and differentiation, interleukin secretion, leukocyte migration, and bone marrow cell morphology and/or development. Notably, our data identified several 25(OH) vitamin D3 transcriptional regulatory cascades that converge on ETS2, JUND, NCOA4, RXR4, WT1, and ZFP30 transcription factors. Furthermore, we also demonstrate temporal and spatial regulation of protein kinases CAMK1 and FGFR, cytokine and growth factors (cAMP, CCL2, IL-8 and TNF), and cell differentiation markers (CD14, CD97, FCGR2A, IL3RG, IL7R, ITGAM, THBD). In summary, these data suggest that 25(OH) vitamin D3 exerts both direct anti-proliferative effects on leukemia cells and direct/indirect leukemia inhibitory microenvironment reprograming activities and better clarify the complex molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic activity of 25(OH) vitamin D3 in AML. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Advances and practical use of monoclonal antibodies in multiple myeloma therapy

The use of proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory agents in the treatment of myeloma have resulted in significant improvements in patient outcomes over the last decade. Although these agents now form the backbone of current myeloma treatment regimens both in the frontline and in a relapsed setting, drug resistance remains an inevitable challenge that most patients will encounter during their disease course. Hence, new treatment strategies continue to be explored, and the recent regulatory approvals of the monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) daratumumab (DARA) and elotuzumab (ELO), which target the plasma cell surface proteins CD38 and signaling lymphocytic activation molecule F7 (SLAMF7), respectively, have heralded the long-awaited era of antibody-based approaches in the treatment of myeloma. Hoping to build on these advances, a number of other mAbs are in various stages of clinical development, including those targeting myeloma cell surface antigens, the bone marrow microenvironment, and immune effector T cells such as anti-programmed cell death protein 1 antibodies. In this review, the current landscape and practical use of mAb-based therapy in myeloma will be discussed.
Comparison between adenotonsillectomy and adenoidectomy in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in children

Rationale: Adenotonsillectomy (AT) is the first line treatment of OSAS in children. AT is associated with morbidity resulting mainly from the tonsillectomy part. The purpose of this study was to compare AT to adenoidectomy (A). Methods: 659 children with moderate-to-severe OSAS were reevaluated 18-73 months (median=41) after diagnosis for residual OSAS using a validated questionnaire (Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire, PSQ). Children who underwent AT were compared to children who underwent A or no treatment (NT). The decision of treatment was made by parents and ENT physicians. Treatment failure was defined as a positive mean PSQ score of >0.33. Contribution of tonsils size and OSAS severity at baseline to failure was studied. Results: Study groups comprised: 404 AT (61.3%), 134 A (23.3%) and 121 NT (18.4%) children. Compared to AT, the risk of failure was higher in the NT group (odds ratio [OR]: 2.02 [95% CI: 1.26-3.51]), p=0.012). The risk for failure for the A group was not significantly increased compared to AT (OR: 1.4 [95% CI: 0.8-2.46]), p=0.23). For children with tonsils size >3, failure rate for AT was significantly lower compared to NT (OR: 2.52 [95% CI: 1.15-5.53]), p=0.021). No difference was observed between AT and A. NT individuals with AHI Conclusions: The success rate of A is high and may not be significantly inferior to AT in many children with OSAS, especially in the subgroup of children with large tonsils size and AHI=5-15. Future prospective randomized studies are warranted in order to delineate those children in whom A replace AT.
O-033 Jugular Vein Flow Patterns in Patients with Pulsatile Tinnitus Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

Introduction/purpose Aberrations of venous anatomy can cause pulsatile tinnitus (PT). However, venous anatomy variation in patients without pulsatile tinnitus (PT) is extremely variable. Conventional imaging modalities, including cerebral angiography, provide little insight into the complex flow patterns in the cerebral veins. The aim of this study was to use subject-specific contrast-enhanced MRA (CE-MRA) determined anatomy, and MRV-based inlet flow conditions to develop computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models of flow in subjects with suspected venous pulsatile tinnitus and subjects without pulsatile tinnitus to investigate how the geometry of the jugular vein affects flow. Materials and methods 7 jugular veins (4 normal, 3 with pulsatile tinnitus) were imaged with CE-MRA. 2 D phase contrast MRV was also acquired transverse to the sigmoid sinus to determine inlet flow conditions. Surfaces were segmented using VMTK (Orobix, Bergamo, Italy) and Geomagic Design X (Geomagic, Rock Hill, USA). Tetrahedral meshing was also performed in VMTK, using a target edge-length of 0.6 mm. CFD simulations were performed in FLUENT (ANSYS, Canonsburg, USA), using flow values obtained from the literature and in vivo measurements.Flow patterns in the jugular vein were characterized by their vortex core-lines, which were extracted from simulation data using Ensight (CEI, Apex, USA). Additional flow-parameters were calculated in MATLAB (Mathworks, Natick, USA) and pathlines visualized using Paraview (Kitware, New York, USA). Results Patients with suspected venous PT had flow distinct patterns from those in normal subjects. Non-PT flow was characterized by organized redirection of flow from the sigmoid sinus along the curvature of the bulb into the jugular vein (A) with vortex cores in the jugular bulb (C). PT flow was characterized by larger helical flow structures throughout the proximal jugular vein created by flow directed perpendicular to the sigmoid sinus flow (B) and vortex cores that were more diffusely organized (D). High flow rates, and even turbulence, were noted in the proximal jugular vein – near the level of the carotid bifurcation – where there was often pronounced narrowing of the jugular. Conclusion The geometry of the jugular vein significantly affects the position, size, and length of the vortex cores. Our results suggest a link between geometry, flow, and PT. Disclosures E. Kao: None. S. Kefayati: None. K. Meisel: None. M. Ballweber: None. F. Faraji: None. V. Halbach: None. D. Saloner: None. M. Amans: None.
Most Newly Insured People In 2014 Were Long-Term Uninsured

In 2014—after the implementation of most of the Affordable Care Act provisions, including Medicaid expansions in some states and subsidies to purchase Marketplace coverage in all states—adults who had been uninsured for more than three years represented a larger share of the newly insured, compared to adults who had been insured for shorter periods of time.