cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vaccinia virus infection of mature dendritic cells results in activation of virus-specific naïve CD8+ T cells: A potential mechanism for direct presentation

Understanding how vaccinia virus (VV) generates immunity necessitates an appreciation for how this virus interacts with dendritic cells (DC), which are the most potent activators of naive CD8(+) T cells. In order to optimally activate naive CD8(+) T cells, DC must undergo maturation, during which costimulatory molecules are upregulated and cytokines are produced. In this report, we show that VV infection of immature murine bone marrow-derived DC (BMDC) failed to induce maturation. Similar results were obtained when CD8(+) DC were analyzed, a subset shown previously to be important in vivo in the generation of a vaccinia-specific response. The finding that VV infection of DC resulted in APC that were incapable of initiating T-cell activation was surprising given the previously reported role for direct presentation in the generation of anti-VV CD8(+) T-cell responses in mice. To address the potential mechanism responsible for direct presentation, we tested the hypothesis that previously matured DC were susceptible to vaccinia virus infection and could present newly synthesized VV-derived epitopes for CD8(+) T-cell activation. Our results show, that during VV infection of mature DC, threshold levels of viral protein are produced that promote T-cell activation. These results suggest that, even though VV cannot mature DC, previously matured DC exposed to VV can generate a VV-specific CD8(+) T-cell response providing a potential mechanism by which direct infection results in T-cell activation in vivo.
Avoidance of brass powder‐contaminated soil by the earthworm, lumbricus terrestris

Tests of the avoidance of brass powder (70% Cu, 30% Zn) contaminated soils by the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris at concentrations ranging from 0 to 200 μg/g were conducted. Avoidance was significant (p < 0.001) at brass concentrations as low as 38 μg/g. Avoidance was found to be a more sensitive indicator of the impact of brass powder on the worms than sublethal effects measured by weight loss.
Excitonic recombination of degenerate two-dimensional electrons with localized photoexcited holes in a single heterojunction quantum well

We report the observation of the excitonic recombination of degenerate quasi-two-dimensional electrons with localized photoexcited holes. Low-temperature photoluminescence spectra exhibit a sharp Fermi surface and a well resolved 'Mahan' exciton resonance which is sensitive to electron density ns and temperature. We observe a sharp decrease in the exciton linewidth with a concomitant double peak spectrum which is attributed to the formation of biexcitons and a large discontinuity in the exciton groundstate energy at ns approximately equals 1.9 X 1011 cm-2. An abrupt transition from excitonic to free electron-hole recombination occurs at ns approximately equals 2.2 X 1011 cm-2.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The hygiene hypothesis and atopy: bring back the parasites?

A topy has been increasing in prevalence in the industrialized world for at least two decades, but the same increase has not been noted in the developing world. The hygiene hypothesis suggests that lack of exposure to infectious agents during childhood results in a balance of T helper 1 (Th1) and T helper 2 (Th2) type immune responses that favor atopy. Typical Th1 cytokines include IL-12 and interferon (IFN)-g, whereas Th2 cytokines include IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13. Most antimicrobial responses are Th1 responses, whereas atopy is associated with a Th2 pattern of cytokines. The hygiene hypothesis has gained significant credibility, but is not universally accepted. It should be noted that most of the evidence in favor of the hypothesis is in the form of population-based studies of incidence and association, but there is currently no proof of causation. Studies have varied in their methods, with some relying on historic data, and some using skin test positivity rather than clinical disease manifestations as a measured outcome. There are prospective data supporting an inverse relationship between atopic dermatitis and endotoxin exposure, early day care, and animal exposure, but other data suggest a positive association between infections in early life and atopic dermatitis. Infections that have been negatively associated with atopy include geohelminths in warmer climates and hepatitis A, Helicobacter pylori, and toxoplasma in temperate climates. Mycobacteria have been hypothesized to play a role in a range of climates.
Characteristics of extreme cold air masses over the North American sub-Arctic

[1] Past studies have suggested that possible climate change would be most pronounced and perhaps most easily detected in the arctic regions of the globe. Furthermore, since these changes would be amplified during the winter months, it follows that their signature could appear in extreme cold arctic air masses. To explore this likely possibility, we analyzed National Centers for Environmental Prediction reanalysis surface temperature data spanning a 60 year time period over the source regions for the formation of arctic air masses in North America, and we were able to find variability within the coldest arctic air masses on a decadal timescale. Extreme cold arctic air masses have warmed at least in terms of surface temperature since the beginning of the data record. Extreme cold air arctic outbreaks have decreased in frequency and duration over time. In addition, we have identified criteria that could be used to classify cold air masses in terms of depth and strength, such as lowest kilometer temperature change and inversion height. The 850 and 700 mbar results confirm that inversions are deeper with colder surface temperatures, and the strongest depth indicators are the lapse rates at least in the lowest kilometer; the lapse rates are stronger with colder surface temperatures. Differences between air masses with strong and weak lapse rates in the lowest kilometer are visible on the synoptic scale on sea level pressure maps. No significant relationship between the depth of cold air masses and wind shear was discovered. Finally, a cold bias in the reanalysis data over observations was found in the lowest kilometer of the atmosphere.
Measurements of Static and Dynamic Interactions of Molecularly Thin Liquid Films Between Solid Surfaces

New experimental techniques are described for measuring both the static and dynamic interactions of very thin liquid films between two molecularly smooth surfaces as they are moved normally or laterally relative to each other. Film thickness can be measured and controlled to IA. Results are presented of how the properties of liquid films only one, two, or three molecular layers thick differ from those of bulk liquids. When close together, two molecularly smooth surfaces slide (shear) past each other while separated by a discrete number of liquid layers. The critical shear stress required to initiate motion for simple spherical molecules is “quantized” with the number of layers. Another important characteristic of molecular thin liquid films undergoing shear is the phenomenon of “stick-slip” or “intermit-tent” motion. Both of these phenomena have been studied as a function of driving velocity, area of contact, and number of molecular layers.
Cardiac disease detection from echocardiogram using edge filtered scale-invariant motion features

Echocardiography provides important morphological and functional details of the heart which can be used for the diagnosis of various cardiac diseases. Most of the existing automatic cardiac disease recognition systems that use echocardiograms are either based on unreliable anatomical region detection (e.g. left ventricle) or require extensive manual labeling of training data which renders such systems unscalable. In this paper we present a novel system for automatic cardiac disease detection from echocardiogram videos which overcomes these limitations and exploits cues from both cardiac structure and motion. In our framework, diseases are modeled using a configuration of novel salient features which are located at the scale-invariant points in the edge filtered motion magnitude images and are encoded using local spatial, textural and motion information. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this technique, we present experimental results for automatic cardiac Hypokinesia detection and show that our method outperforms the existing state-of-the-art method for this task.
Cultural and Status Differences in Intergroup Conflict Resolution: A Longitudinal Study of a Middle East Dialogue Group in the United States

Supporters of the contact hypothesis have argued that positive intergroup contact is facilitated when participants have equal status with one another. However, the exact dimensions of equal status are often unclear, having been defined variously as equal occupational status, having close friends of another race, or having equal roles in the contact situation. This paper argues that cultural differences between groups must be taken into account, particularly when intergroup contact occurs in formal conflict resolution exercises. Non-Western participants will be at a disadvantage when attempting to find common ground with Western participants in conflict resolution exercises based on Western cultural practices. Based on a 6-year participant observation study of a Palestinian-Jewish dialogue group, this paper argues that familiarity and expertise in using the culture-based rules of interaction play an important but often subtle role in intergroup conflict resolution. Participants must have some basic equalit...
Determination of viscosity of Newtonian liquids in a capillary flow between horizontal, parallel flat plates

Abstract The viscosities of some Newtonian liquids were measured using a simple apparatus, whose construction is based on the principles of capillarity and flow between two parallel flat plates. The Navier-Stokes equations, with simplifying assumptions, were used to derive a relationship between fluid velocity and its viscosity and surface tension for the given geometry. Viscosity was the “unknown” variable in the experiments reported in this work. Motor oils and other liquids used in the experiments yielded viscosities ranging from 20 cp to 12,000 cp. Deviations from true viscosity, as determined by a Haake Rotovisco instrument, were within 5% for most cases.
Closing the Patient-Oncologist Communication Gap: A Review of Historic and Current Efforts

Effective communication is essential in developing any relationship--this is particularly true between oncologists and their patients. The patient-oncologist relationship is one of the most delicate in medicine, and given the strong emotions associated with cancer, successful communication plays a paramount role in the wellbeing of patients and oncologists. Significant advances to close the communication gap have occurred over the past several decades, largely by addressing deficiencies in the various stages of an oncologist's lengthy training: undergraduate medical education, residency and fellowship, and continuing medical education. Stemming from several milestones achieved by highly motivated groups of individuals, including the creation of consensus statements and guidelines by communication education experts, progress has been made to improve patient-oncologist communication. This progress is marked by the development of evidence-based communication skills training programs, such as Oncotalk and Comskil, in addition to the creation of distant-learning modalities, such as the Studying Communication in Oncologist-Patient Encounters trial. This review article outlines the history of communication education during medical education and training, and brings to light more recent efforts to promote competent, communication-minded physicians necessary for effective cancer care.
Optical networking in smarter data centers: 2015 and beyond

Advantages of optical networking for highly virtualized data centers are discussed, including lower power, improved scalability and port density, and tighter I/O integration with processors. Use cases include enterprise infrastructure underlying software-defined networking, supercomputing, and multi-site backup applications.
Asymmetric Sensorineural Hearing Loss Caused by Vestibular Schwannoma: Characteristic Imaging Features Before and After Treatment With Stereotactic Radiosurgery

We report the case of a 71-year-old man who presented with a 2-year history of progressive left-sided hearing loss caused by a cerebellopontine angle mass lesion with classic imaging characteristics of a vestibular schwannoma. Vestibular schwannomas are typically diagnosed on dedicated MRI of the internal auditory canals obtained for asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss, as in this case. We review the characteristic imaging features of vestibular schwannomas that enable their differentiation from other mass lesions of the cerebellopontine angle cistern, allowing for treatment with stereotactic radiosurgery in this case.
Metabolic activation of N-hydroxy compounds by conjugation.

Abstract1. Conjugation of N-hydroxy-N-arylacetamides results in the metabolic activation of this class of compounds.2. This paper reviews current knowledge of these reactions with emphasis on the involvement of conjugates of N-hydroxy compounds in the mechanism of action of carcinogenic N-arylacetamides.3. The glucuronide and sulphate conjugates of the carcinogen N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene react in vitro with protein, RNA and DNA, leading to the covalent attachment of 2-acetylaminofluorene and 2-aminofluorene residues to these macromolecules.4. The most reactive groups in proteins and nucleic acids are methionine, cysteine, tryptophan, tyrosine and guanine or deoxyguanine.5. There are major differences in the reactions of the glucuronide and the sulphate conjugates of N-hydroxy-N-arylacetamides with tissue nucleophiles, mainly in the rate of reaction and in the kind of products formed.6. The structure of the aryl group in a conjugate of an N-hydroxy-N-arylacetamide also has a marked effect on the nat...
Estimating continental and terrestrial precipitation averages from rain-gauge networks

© 1994 by the Royal Meteorological Society. Available from the publisher's website at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/joc.3370140405
Performance Report on the Post Conversion AGS

The present AGS status and recent performance results are described and details are given regarding the 200-MeV linac injector, multiturn injection, orbit improvements, intensity limitations and longitudinal effects, the bunched fast extraction, the "shaving" mode of fast extraction and the slow external beam switchyard development.
Associations Between Race and Ethnicity and Treatment for Chronic Pain in the VA

Abstract The purpose of this study was to identify racial and ethnic differences in patient-reported rates of treatment for chronic pain and ratings of pain-treatment effectiveness among veterans treated in Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities. This was a cross-sectional analysis of data from 255,522 veterans who participated in the VA Survey of the Healthcare Experiences of Patients (SHEP) in Fiscal Year 2005. Measures included demographics, the Veterans Rand Health Survey-12, a single item inquiring if the patient received treatment for chronic pain in the VA within the prior 12 months, and a single item asking the patient to rate the effectiveness of chronic pain care. In a logistic model adjusting for demographics, pain interference, and mental health status, male and female veterans who were Hispanic (OR 1.39 [95%CI 1.26–1.53] and OR 1.57 [1.02–2.43], respectively) or nonHispanic black (OR 1.43 [1.33–1.54] and OR 1.35 [1.02–1.78], respectively) were more likely to report receiving treatment for chronic pain in the prior 12 months compared to nonHispanic white veterans. Among veterans who reported receiving treatment for chronic pain, nonHispanic black men were less likely to rate pain-treatment effectiveness as very good or excellent, compared to nonHispanic white men (OR .809 [.720–.910]). Perspective In our study, Hispanic and nonHispanic black veterans reported receiving chronic pain treatment more frequently than white veterans. Among veterans reporting pain treatment, nonHispanic black men were somewhat less likely to report receiving highly effective treatment than white men. Further research is needed to understand the reasons for these differences and their potential clinical implications.
Simultaneous Force and Fluorescence Measurements of a Protein That Forms a Bond between a Living Bacterium and a Solid Surface

All microbial biofilms are initiated through direct physical contact between a bacterium and a solid surface, a step that is controlled by inter- and intramolecular forces. Atomic force microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy were used simultaneously to observe the formation of a bond between a fluorescent chimeric protein on the surface of a living Escherichia coli bacterium and a solid substrate in situ. The chimera was composed of a portion of outer membrane protein A (OmpA) fused to the cyan-fluorescent protein AmCyan. Sucrose gradient centrifugation and fluorescent confocal slices through bacteria demonstrated that the chimeric protein was targeted and anchored to the external cell surface. The wormlike chain theory predicted that this protein should exhibit a nonlinear force-extension “signature” consistent with the sequential unraveling of the AmCyan and OmpA domains. Experimentally measured force-extension curves revealed a unique pair of “sawtooth” features that were present when a bond formed between a silicon nitride surface (atomic force microscopy tip) and E. coli cells expressing the OmpA-AmCyan protein. The observed sawtooth pair closely matched the wormlike chain model prediction for the mechanical unfolding of the AmCyan and OmpA substructures in series. These sawteeth disappeared from the measured force-extension curves when cells were treated with proteinase K. Furthermore, these unique sawteeth were absent for a mutant stain of E. coli incapable of expressing the AmCyan protein on its outer surface. Together, these data show that specific proteins exhibit unique force signatures characteristic of the bond that is formed between a living bacterium and another surface.
Stability of Unfalsified Adaptive Control Using Multiple Controllers

This paper presents results on stability of adap- tive control systems designed using unfalsified control meth- ods. It is proved that stability can be guaranteed whenever the adaptive stabilization problem is feasible, i.e., whenever there is a stabilizing controller in its finite set of candidate controllers. Simulation results demonstrate the efficacy of the method. Index Terms—Unfalsified adaptive control, Adaptive con- trol, Safe adaptive control, Switching control, Unfalsification, Stability
A Reassortment-Incompetent Live Attenuated Influenza Virus Vaccine for Protection against Pandemic Virus Strains

Although live-attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIV) are safe for use in protection against seasonal influenza strains, concerns regarding their potential to reassort with wild-type virus strains have been voiced. LAIVs have been demonstrated to induce enhanced mucosal and cell-mediated immunity better than inactivated vaccines while also requiring a smaller dose to achieve a protective immune response. To address the need for a reassortment-incompetent live influenza A virus vaccine, we have designed a chimeric virus that takes advantage of the fact that influenza A and B viruses do not reassort. Our novel vaccine prototype uses an attenuated influenza B virus that has been manipulated to express the ectodomain of the influenza A hemagglutinin protein, the major target for eliciting neutralizing antibodies. The hemagglutinin RNA segment is modified such that it contains influenza B packaging signals, and therefore it cannot be incorporated into a wild-type influenza A virus. We have applied our strategy to different influenza A virus subtypes and generated chimeric B/PR8 HA (H1), HK68 (H3), and VN (H5) viruses. All recombinant viruses were attenuated both in vitro and in vivo, and immunization with these recombinant viruses protected mice against lethal influenza A virus infection. Overall, our data indicate that the chimeric live-attenuated influenza B viruses expressing the modified influenza A hemagglutinin are effective LAIVs.
On the singular points in the laminar two-dimensional near wake flow field

It is shown that useful information concerning the flow in the neighbourhood of the various separation and stagnation points in the laminar near wake of a blunt-based two-dimensional wedge can be learned from the locally valid Stokes type series solutions to the incompressible Navier-Stokes vorticity equation derived previously by Dean & Montagnon (1949) and Moffatt (1964). This theory, which is in qualitative agreement with the experiments of Hama (1967) and Donaldson (1967), shows that the flow separates from the base of a blunt-based body and not from its trailing edge. The series solution for the two-dimensional stagnation point is treated in detail and compared with Howarth's (1934) numerical solution in order to study the convergence and conditions for completeness of the Stokes type series solution. Finally, the wake rear stagnation point is examined to provide insight into the problem of wake closure.
Treatment of early-stage follicular lymphoma: do as I say, not as I do

this study, diverse treatment approaches were similarly observed, despite existing consensus guidelines recommending radiation therapy for patients with localized disease. Approximately one ‑ third of patients were expectantly monitored, and another third received a rituximab ‑ containing regimen (as either monotherapy or chemoimmunotherapy), but only approximately 25% of patients received standard radiotherapy. In a recent second ana lysis of the LymphoCare data to evaluate the outcomes of these early ‑ stage patients, we found there were surprisingly no differences in overall survival (OS) between treatment groups, despite these varied treatment approaches. In fact, median OS was excellent, exceeding 80% at 5 years [4]. Recent data demonstrate that the OS of patients with FL is significantly longer than it was in previous years [5–7]. The LymphoCare study supports this, and suggests that for at least the small proportion of patients with localized FL, a hope for a prolonged disease remission can be sustained, and, most importantly, achieved through several means. The current literature guiding the management
Graduated QoS by Decomposing Bursts: Don't Let the Tail Wag Your Server

The growing popularity of hosted storage services and shared storage infrastructure in data centers is driving the recent interest in resource management and QoS in storage systems. The bursty nature of storage workloads raises significant performance and provisioning challenges, leading to increased infrastructure, management, and energy costs. We present a novel dynamic workload shaping framework to handle bursty workloads, where the arrival stream is dynamically decomposed to isolate its bursts, and then rescheduled to exploit available slack. We show how decomposition reduces the server capacity requirements dramatically while affecting QoS guarantees minimally. We present an optimal decomposition algorithm RTT and a recombination algorithm Miser, and show the benefits of the approach by performance evaluation using several storage traces.
Construct validity of stages of change for exercise behavior.

Purpose. Previous research examining the transtheoretical model of behavior change within the exercise domain has been limited by use of self-report measures exclusively and inconsistent practices with regard to stage of exercise assessment. The present study was designed to partially circumvent these limitations and extend the current literature by determining the degree of association among stage of exercise and body mass index, cardiorespiratory fitness, exercise behavior, relapse, barriers, and self-efficacy, after controlling for several potential confounders. Design. A descriptive, cross-sectional study. Subjects. Two hundred thirty-five adults (M age = 34.7 years) volunteered to participate. Measures. Participants were classified by stage of exercise and compared on two behavioral, two biometrical, and three psychological variables while statistically controlling for social desirability and demographic differences. Results. Significant between-stage differences were found for the overall set of dep...
Do Organisational Culture and Climate Really Matter for Employee Turnover in Child Welfare Agencies

Public child welfare agencies experience high turnover rates, resulting in staff shortage, high case loads, discontinuity in service delivery, and poor outcomes for vulnerable children and families. This paper primarily focuses on the effects of organizational culture and climate on employees' turnover. To do so, it employs a two-sample t test and a regression method. Organizational culture is classified into three components: (1) achievement/innovation/competence (AIC), cooperation/supportiveness/responsiveness (CSR), and emphasis on rewards (ER). Organizational climate is classified into four components: role clarity (RC), personal accomplishment (PA), emotional exhaustion (EE), and workloads (WL). According to the two-sample t test results, low turnover counties have more positive or constructive organizational culture and climate than high turnover counties. In particular, among organizational culture and climate components, emphasis on rewards (ER) and reduction in workloads (WL) show significant differences between two groups of counties. According to the multivariate regression results, only emphasis on rewards (ER) has a significant and negative effect on employees' turnover rates.
The Protein Structure of Chick Lens Fiber Cell Membranes and Intracellular Matrix

Electrophoretic analysis of the water soluble fraction of chick lens fiber cells, the urea-soluble fraction, and the urea-insoluble plasma membrane fraction was performed in 5.13% polyacrylamide gels containing 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Five polypeptides were identified for the water soluble fraction. One polypeptide of molecular weight 22,500 daltons corresponded to subunits of α-crystallin, three polypeptides of molecular weights 25,000 daltons, 27,500 daltons, and 37,000 daltons corresponded to subunits of β-crystallins, and one polypeptide of 43,000 daltons corresponded to subunits of δ-crystallin. The water insoluble fraction contained twelve additional polypeptides with molecular weights ranging from 41,000 to 200,000 daltons. The 8 M urea soluble fraction (albuminoid) contained the 5 crystallin polypeptides as well as 8 additional bands. The major component of albuminoid consisted of a polypeptide of 41,000 daltons not found in the water soluble fraction of the lens. The urea-insoluble fraction (cell membranes) consisted of only 8 bands, one of which corresponded in molecular size with subunits of δ-crystallin and 2 with subunits of β-crystallin. However, the presence of lipid in the major membrane component (54.0%; with a mobility of a β-crystallin subunit) suggests that this component ist not a β-crystallin polypeptide.
Short-Through-Line Bandstop Filters Using Dual-Coupled Resonators

A new approach using dual-coupled-resonator bandstop sections to realize microwave bandstop filters with arbitrarily short through-line length is proposed. In contrast to our recent work in 2015, this approach does not require the resonator-to-through-line couplings to be comprised of both electric and magnetic coupling, i.e., mixed coupling. An exact transformation from a conventional inline bandstop filter topology to a dual-coupled-resonator bandstop filter topology is presented. A design procedure is given for both all-dual-coupled-resonator designs and mixed (single-coupled and dual-coupled-resonator) designs. A fifth-order elliptic dual-coupled-resonator microstrip prototype is presented with a center frequency of 500 MHz and a through-line length of 6.35 cm, 17% the length of a conventional design. A fifth-order elliptic mixed-resonator microstrip prototype is presented with a center frequency of 500 MHz and a through-line length of 5.01 cm, 13.7% the length of a conventional design.
Direct Manipulation of Web Browsing History

Working with Web browsing history provided by current browsers is a daunting task for Web users and a major source of user frustration. Users interact with Web browsing history using the Forward and Back navigation buttons and the bookmarks pull-down menus. This research presents an appropriate model for representation of Web browsing history with its related intuitive user interactions. Web browsing history is organized in a grid of thumbnail images including a set of manipulative control buttons with feedback. Through intuitive organization and direct manipulation of thumbnail images, users can achieve an enjoyable and productive Web browsing experience. As compared to using browser history through pull-down menus, Web users can rapidly switch their attention and move fluidly between different pages in the browsing history set without getting distracted and frustrated.
Technique for Measuring Gas Transport Resistance in Application-Scale Aged Fuel Cell Gas Diffusion Media

A technique for measuring the gas transport resistance of fuel cells is described that enables this analysis to be performed on application-scale parts including those that have been aged in full scale stacks. The general procedure is to measure the limiting current of a portion of the active area using a current distribution tool at several different values of RH (relative humidity) and oxygen concentrations. Probing just a small portion of the cell's active area enables one to achieve highly differential flow conditions locally, thereby ensuring uniform conditions. This method is applied to a set of new and aged soft goods to illustrate the efficacy of the technique. By comparing the transport resistance of the new and aged parts at different operating conditions, it is shown that the ability of the soft goods to reject liquid water diminished, while the purely gas phase transport resistance is unchanged.
Analyses of influenza surveillance data in Ma'anshan City from 2006 to 2013

Objective To explore the epidemiological pattern of influenza by analyzing influenza surveillance data in Maanshan city between 2006 and 2013,and to provide evidence for the government decision. Methods Surveillance data of influenza-like illness( ILI)( including clinical data and virological surveillance data) in Maanshan from 2006 to2013 were analyzed. Results ILI cases accounted for 6. 72% of the total cases in sentinel hospitals in Maanshan. A 2-peaked epidemiological pattern( in winter-spring and summer) was found influenza-like illness in outpatients. Most of the ILI cases had the ages less than 15 years. The average positive rate of the influenza virus isolated from patients was 8. 13%,and the types of strains were type A( H1N1) and type B which appeared alternately before July 2009. The average positive rate of the virus nucleic acid was 18. 40% after August 2009,and the types of strains were type new A( H1N1),type A( H3N2),and type B that appeared alternately. Conclusions Prevalence of influenza in Maanshan remained stable between 2006 and 2013. However,influenza surveillance should still be performed carefully. Surveillance and prevention of type B influenza should be strengthened.
The biologic activity and pharmacology effect of polydatin

Polydatin is one of the effective ingredients extracted from Poligonum Cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc. It can be used to protect myocardium, enhance microcirculation and inhibit the aggregation of platelets. It also can prevent indotoxin shock, lower lipid, resist superoxidation of lipid, and control cough, asthma and pathogen. It may be a very valuable drug in clinical application.
The Effect of Exhalation Breathing Exercise on Respiratory Synergist Muscle Activity and Pulmonary Functions in Patients with Forward Head Posture

Purpose: The aim of this study is to suggest an intervention method for clinical use in the future by analyzing the effect of breathing exercise on activity of sternocleidomastoid muscle and scalenus anterior muscle, which are respiratory synergist muscles, and pulmonary functions in patients with forward head posture. Methods: Prior to the experiment, 12 patients (experimental group) performed feedback exhalation exercise along with conventional deep neck exercise, and 11 subjects (control group) performed feedback deep neck exercise along with conventional deep neck exercise. The intervention programs were performed for 40 minutes once a day (three times a week for four weeks). Results: Before intervention, %RMS was measured for surface electromyography (sEMG), and FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC were measured using a spirometer. After four weeks, these items were re-measured under the same condition and analyzed. In within-group comparison of the experimental group, activity of sternocleidomastoid muscle and scalenus anterior muscle showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) (p<0.001), and forced vital capacity (FVC) showed a significant increase (p<0.05). In within-group comparison of the control group, activity of sternocleidomastoid muscle and scalenus anterior muscle showed a significant decrease (p<0.05), and in between-group comparison, there were significant differences in activity of sternocleidomastoid muscle and FVC (p<0.05). Conclusion: Long-term forward head posture restrains exercise performance of the neck and leads to exercise avoidance of the neck during daily activities, thus restraint factors might be created even while breathing. To cut off this link, a constant effort is required and diversified research on the correlation between neck functions and breathing should be conducted.
Balance and its Clinical Assessment in Older Adults – A Review

Background Human beings rely on multiple systems to maintain their balance as they perform their activities of daily living. These systems may be undermined functionally by both disease and the normal aging process. Balance impairment is associated with increased fall risk.
SU-F-P-58: Squamous Cell and Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Skin Treated with a Freiburg Flap Applicator

Purpose: To treat squamous cell and basal cell carcinoma of the skin with the Freiburg flap applicator using a high dose rate modality of an Elekta Flexitron or MicroSelectron for radiation delivery by compensating the dose deviation resulting from the incomplete scatter environment. Methods: Patients were selected to have lesions greater than or equal to 2cm. A mask might be needed depending on special locations. The lesions on the eyelid and face presented in this research were, however, treated without a mask. Cutting the flap into a shape conformal to the target and attaching it to the mask were used in order to make the treatment reproducible. Patients were scanned with a Philips Big Bore Brilliant CT. A 1cm margin was added to the lesion. An Elekta Oncentra Brachy treatment planning system ver. 4.3 was used for treatment planning. 40 Gy in 10 or 8 fractions was prescribed to the 1cm depth. The Freiburg flap was aligned and verified by CT scanning prior to treatment. Results: Three patients with squamous cell and basal cell carcinoma of the skin were treated with the Freiburg flap applicator. Lesion sizes ranged from 2cm to 6 cm in a maximum dimension. With treatment planning, we made a dose correction for compensating the dose deviation resulting from the incomplete scatter environment of the flap applicators exposed to air. The flap was also covered by a 4cm bolus in order to obtain more back scattered radiation during treatment. Six month follow up showed a very good cosmetic result. Conclusion: The Freiburg flap brachytherapy offers a non-invasive skin cancer treatment with a high skin dose delivered to the tumor while a low dose sparing the surrounding health tissue. It is a promising alternative to skin cancer surgery or external beam radiation therapy.
Animal Models of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative condition that begins in Bruch’s membrane and progresses to involve the retinal pigment epithelium and ultimately, overlying photoreceptors. The only required etiologic factor is age, and AMD is regarded as the leading cause of blindness in individuals over 65 years. AMD results from variable contributions of age, environment, and genetic predisposition. Many loci are linked to AMD—in the vast majority of cases, the disease is associated with polymorphisms within these genes, rather than mutations that ablate gene function. The etiologic complexity of AMD is reflected by the paucity of animal models that entirely replicate the human disease. In this review, we compare the salient anatomy of the primate and rodent retina, particularly in the light of AMD pathology. Next, prevailing hypotheses explaining how AMD may develop are discussed. These include the role of complement activation and macrophage chemotaxis in AMD, molecular mechanisms of choroidal neovascularization, and the roles of oxidative damage and lipid metabolism. An overview of spontaneous and induced non-human primate models is given, and relevant mouse models are described in the context of each pathogenetic mechanism.
Contribution of extrafibrillar matrix to the mechanical behavior of bone using a novel cohesive finite element model

The mechanical behavior of bone is determined at all hierarchical levels, including lamellae (the basic building block of bone) that are comprised of mineralized collagen fibrils and extrafibrillar matrix. The mechanical behavior of mineralized collagen fibrils has been investigated intensively using both experimental and computational approaches. Yet, the contribution of the extrafibrillar matrix to bone mechanical properties is poorly documented. In this study, we intended to address this issue using a novel cohesive finite element (FE) model, in conjunction with the experimental observations reported in the literature. In the FE model, the extrafibrillar matrix was considered as a nanocomposite of hydroxyapatite (HA) crystals bounded through a thin organic interface modeled as a cohesive interfacial zone. The parameters required by the cohesive FE model were defined based on the experimental data reported in the literature. This hybrid nanocomposite model was tested in two loading modes (i.e. tension and compression) and under two hydration conditions (i.e. wet and dry). The simulation results indicated that (1) the failure modes of the extrafibrillar matrix predicted using the cohesive FE model were closely coincided with those experimentally observed in tension and compression tests; (2) the pre-yield deformation (i.e. internal strain) of HA crystals with respect to the applied strain was consistent with that obtained from the synchrotron X-ray scattering measurements irrespective of the loading modes and hydration status; and (3) the mechanical behavior of the extrafibrillar matrix was dictated by the properties of the organic interface between the HA crystals. Taken together, we postulate that the extrafibrillar matrix plays a major role in the pre-yield deformation and the failure mode of bone, thus, giving rise to important insights in the ultrastructural origins of bone fragility.
Determining the Cost-Savings Threshold and Alignment Accuracy of Patient-Specific Instrumentation in Total Ankle Replacements

Background:Traditional intraoperative referencing for total ankle replacements (TARs) involves multiple steps and fluoroscopic guidance to determine mechanical alignment. Recent adoption of patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) allows for referencing to be determined preoperatively, resulting in less steps and potentially decreased operative time. We hypothesized that usage of PSI would result in decreased operating room time that would offset the additional cost of PSI compared with standard referencing (SR). In addition, we aimed to compare postoperative radiographic alignment between PSI and SR.Methods:Between August 2014 and September 2015, 87 patients undergoing TAR were enrolled in a prospectively collected TAR database. Patients were divided into cohorts based on PSI vs SR, and operative times were reviewed. Radiographic alignment parameters were retrospectively measured at 6 weeks postoperatively. Time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) was used to derive direct costs. Cost vs operative time-s...
The effect of intramuscular interferon beta-1a on spinal cord volume in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Spinal cord atrophy occurs early in multiple sclerosis (MS) and impacts disability. The therapeutic effect of interferon beta-1a (IFNβ-1a) on spinal cord atrophy in patients with relapsing-remitting (RR) MS has not been explored. We retrospectively identified 16 consecutive patients receiving weekly intramuscular IFNβ-1a for 2 years [baseline age (mean ± SD) 47.7 ± 7.5 years, Expanded Disability Status Scale score median (range) 1.5 (0–2.5), timed 25-foot walk 4.6 ± 0.7 seconds; time on treatment 68.3 ± 59.9 months] and 11 sex- and age-matched normal controls (NC). The spinal cord was imaged at baseline, 1 and 2 years later with 3T MRI. C1-C5 spinal cord volume was measured by an active surface method, from which normalized spinal cord area (SCA) was calculated. SCA showed no change in the MS or NC group over 2 years [mean annualized difference (95 % CI) MS: −0.604 mm2 (−1.352, 0.144), p = 0.106; NC: −0.360 mm2 (−1.576, 0.855), p = 0.524]. Between group analysis indicated no differences in on-study SCA change [MS vs. NC; year 1 vs. baseline, mean annualized difference (95 % CI) 0.400 mm2 (−3.350, 2.549), p = 0.780; year 2 vs. year 1: −1.196 mm2 (−0.875, 3.266), p = 0.245; year 2 vs. baseline −0.243 mm2 (−1.120, 1.607), p = 0.712]. Established IFNβ-1a therapy was not associated with ongoing spinal cord atrophy or any difference in the rate of spinal cord volume change in RRMS compared to NC over 2 years. These results may reflect a treatment effect. However, due to sample size and study design, these results should be considered preliminary and await confirmation.
Summary of Findings and Conclusions

This study tested 228 sophisticated economic models of consumption, investment and the GDP. Almost all the test results indicated that the crowd out effects of deficit-financed government stimulus programs more than fully offset the stimulus effects of these deficits. Both stimulus and crowd out effects were separately measured in the econometric tests.
Hebbian Covariance Learning

Respiration is a vital autonomic function that is characterized by an almost unwavering ability to maintain homeostatic blood gas and pH levels in the face of profound physiological and environmental challenges. This remarkable behavior has led many researchers to assume that respiratory control is a reflexogenic process whose sole purpose is simply to maintain nominal body gas and pH tones. While this model has born some insight into certain aspects of the respiratory system, it fails to account for more complex behaviors of the system that have been increasingly recognized.
ERAAs for menopause treatment: Welcome the 'designer estrogens'

Estrogen receptor agonist-antagonists (ERAAs) selectively inhibit or stimulate estrogen-like action in targeted tissues. This review summarizes how ERAAs can be used in combination with an estrogen or alone to treat menopausal symptoms (vasomotor symptoms, genitourinary syndrome of menopause), breast cancer or the risk of breast cancer, osteopenia, osteoporosis, and other female midlife concerns.
Genomic Identification of Significant Targets in Brain Cancer

Recent advances in technology have empowered the cancer community to collect an almost unlimited amount of molecular data points from even small, routinely collected primary human tumor samples. It is still unclear, however, how to best extract biologically relevant information from such datasets for subsequent validation studies and biomarker development. The need for robust computational tools is particularly pressing in the systematic analysis of the cancer genome which is hampered by the lack of a statistical framework to distinguish between “driver” mutations and “passenger” mutations. In this chapter, we review a new bioinformatic method, called genomic identification of significant targets in cancer (GISTIC), designed for analyzing chromosomal aberrations in cancer under specific consideration for such random events. This chapter describes the original development of this method on primary glioma tumor samples, its subsequent application to other cancer types, and further modifications of algorithm.
Methylseleninic acid potentiates apoptosis induced by chemotherapeutic drugs in prostate cancer cells through enhancing caspase activation

4933 The chemotherapy of advanced hormone refractory prostate cancer is severely compromised by drug resistance and dose limiting toxicity. Here we tested whether selenium could enhance the apoptosis potency of selected chemotherapeutic drugs in DU145 and PC3 human androgen-independent prostate cancer cells. Exponentially growing cells were exposed to low doses of selenium and/or the topoisomerase I poison 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN38), the topoisomerase II inhibitor etoposide or the microtubule drug paclitaxel/taxol. Apoptosis was measured by ELISA for histone-associated DNA fragments, by flow cytometric analysis of sub-G1 fraction, and by immunobloting the caspase cleaved poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase. Our results show that the methylselenol precursor methylseleninic acid (MSeA) increased the apoptosis potency of SN38, etoposide or paclitaxel by several folds higher than the expected sum of the apoptosis induced by MSeA and each drug alone in both cell lines. Mechanistically, the combination treatment did not further enhance the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)1/2 that was induced by each drug in DU145 cells. The JNK inhibitor SP600125 substantially decreased the activation of caspases and apoptosis induced by MSeA combination with the drugs. The caspase-8 inhibitor zIETDfmk completely abolished apoptosis and caspase-9 and caspase-3 cleavage, whereas the caspase-9 inhibitor zLEHDfmk significantly decreased caspase-3 cleavage and apoptosis but had no effect on caspase-8 cleavage. None of these caspase inhibitors abolished JNK1/2 phosphorylation. In contrast to MSeA, selenite did not show any enhancing effect on the apoptosis induced by these drugs. In conclusion, MSeA enhanced apoptosis induced by cancer therapeutic drugs in DU145 cells primarily through interactions between MSeA and JNK-dependent targets to amplify what appeared to be a caspase-8-initiated activation cascade. The results suggest, to our knowledge, for the first time a novel use of methyl selenium for improving the chemotherapy of prostate cancer. Grant supports: CA92231 and CA95642 from NCI and DAMD17-02-1-0007 from DOD.
What’s in a Name? Unfolding the Consequences of a Mistaken Identity

This chapter argues that the tension between statist and non-statist readings of Vastey’s writings, or propagandistic versus humanist understandings of his works, are catalyzed in conflicting ideas about his personal history. The author contends that the ambiguities and contradictions in attempts to understand Vastey’s life and who he was as a person, have much to tell us about how his contributions to the political and philosophical ideas of freedom and equality exalted in the modern world system became silenced. Beginning with what we think we know about Vastey’s early life, this chapter works through problems concerning his name, his age, his education, and his social and legal status in French Saint-Domingue, suggesting that these cases of mistaken identity are directly related to later assessments of Vastey’s character as “mercenary,” in turning leading directly to judgments of Vastey’s writing as propaganda.