cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HLA serological cross-reactivity: HLA-B15 has two public antigens

On the basis of their serologic cross-reactivity, HLA antigens can be organized into cross-reactive groups or CREG's. We have recently defined immunochemically two public alloantigenic determinants X and Y which can account for the serological cross-reactivity of the B7-CREG and B5-CREG, respectively. One of the smaller of these CREG's consists of HLA-B15 and B17. Using microcytotoxicity testing, a fluoresceinated Protein A binding assay, and chemical immunoprecipitation techniques, we have defined a new public alloantigenic determinant, tentatively designated "Z," which is present on the 44,000 dalton glycoprotein chains of HLA-B15 and HLA-B17, but distinct from the B15 and B17 determinants. Since HLA-B15 is also a member of the B5-CREG, and therefore bears allodeterminant Y, this report constitutes the first immunochemical demonstration of two public determinants, Y and Z, on a single HLA-B molecule, HLA-B15.
Genetic interaction between Wnt7a and Lrp6 during patterning of dorsal and posterior structures of the mouse limb

Wnt7a and the Wnt coreceptor Lrp6 are both required for development of posterior digits and dorsal structures of the limb. We report that Lrp6 null mice lack Lmx1b expression in the distal mesenchyme, as previously described for Wnt7a mutants. The loss of Lmx1b expression in Wnt7a-/-Lrp6+/- double mutants did not differ from that in Wnt7a-/- mice. These data suggest that Wnt7a acts through Lrp6 to regulate Lmx1b expression during dorsal specification. The loss of posterior skeletal elements in the Wnt7a-/-Lrp6+/- double mutant was much more severe than in Wnt7a-/- mice, suggesting that the Wnt7a-/- limb is protected by the action of other Lrp6 ligands. The data are consistent with the view that Wnt7a acts through Lrp6 and the canonical Wnt signaling pathway during dorsal and posterior limb development in the mouse.
The Role of the Insular Cortex in Dysphagia

Recent data indicate that dysphagia may occur following unilateral cortical stroke; however, the elucidation of specific cytoarchitectonic sites that produce deglutition disorders remains unclear. In a previous study of unilateral cortical stroke patients with dysphagia, Daniels et al. [8] proposed that the insula may be important in swallowing as it was the most common lesion site in the patients studied. Therefore, 4 unilateral stroke patients with discrete lesions of the insular cortex were studied to further facilitate understanding of the role of the insula in swallowing. Dysphagia, as confirmed by videofluoroscopy, was evident in 3 of the 4 patients; all had lesions that involved the anterior insula, whereas the only patient without dysphagia had a lesion restricted to the posterior insula. These data suggest that the anterior insula may be an important cortical substrate in swallowing. The anterior insula has connections to the primary and supplementary motor cortices, the ventroposterior medial nucleus of the thalamus, and to the nucleus tractus solitarius, all of which are important regions in the mediation of oropharyngeal swallowing. Therefore, discrete lesions of the anterior insula may disrupt these connections and, thereby, produce dysphagia.
Validation of a Laboratory Method for Evaluating Dynamic Properties of Reconstructed Equine Racetrack Surfaces

Background Racetrack surface is a risk factor for racehorse injuries and fatalities. Current research indicates that race surface mechanical properties may be influenced by material composition, moisture content, temperature, and maintenance. Race surface mechanical testing in a controlled laboratory setting would allow for objective evaluation of dynamic properties of surface and factors that affect surface behavior. Objective To develop a method for reconstruction of race surfaces in the laboratory and validate the method by comparison with racetrack measurements of dynamic surface properties. Methods Track-testing device (TTD) impact tests were conducted to simulate equine hoof impact on dirt and synthetic race surfaces; tests were performed both in situ (racetrack) and using laboratory reconstructions of harvested surface materials. Clegg Hammer in situ measurements were used to guide surface reconstruction in the laboratory. Dynamic surface properties were compared between in situ and laboratory settings. Relationships between racetrack TTD and Clegg Hammer measurements were analyzed using stepwise multiple linear regression. Results Most dynamic surface property setting differences (racetrack-laboratory) were small relative to surface material type differences (dirt-synthetic). Clegg Hammer measurements were more strongly correlated with TTD measurements on the synthetic surface than the dirt surface. On the dirt surface, Clegg Hammer decelerations were negatively correlated with TTD forces. Conclusions Laboratory reconstruction of racetrack surfaces guided by Clegg Hammer measurements yielded TTD impact measurements similar to in situ values. The negative correlation between TTD and Clegg Hammer measurements confirms the importance of instrument mass when drawing conclusions from testing results. Lighter impact devices may be less appropriate for assessing dynamic surface properties compared to testing equipment designed to simulate hoof impact (TTD). Potential Relevance Dynamic impact properties of race surfaces can be evaluated in a laboratory setting, allowing for further study of factors affecting surface behavior under controlled conditions.
Two-dimensional electrophoresis of peptides from human-CHO cell hybrids containing human chromosome 21.

Peptide expression influenced by human chromosome 21 was examined by comparing two-dimensional electrophoretograms of a human-hamster hybrid cell containing human chromosome 21 with its parent hamster cell and a revenant of the hybrid which had segregated the chromosome 21 genes for SOD-1, GARS, and a cytotoxic cell-surface antigen. Certain peptides were found in the hybrid but not in the hamster cell. Some, but not all, of these peptides segregated with markers for chromosome 21. Hamster peptides were also found which apparently were suppressed in the hybrid. Finally, one peptide was identified which was unique to the revertant cell. These findings may be of potential relevance to Down's syndrome.
Clinical equivalence of generic clozapine.

Objective: To determine if mental health service utilization increases when patients are converted to generic clozapine. Method: About 125 patients taking clozapine in a community mental health clinic were switched from Novartis Clozaril to generic clozapine (Mylan Pharmaceuticals). Serum clozapine levels were obtained 2 weeks before, and 2 weeks after, the switch to generic clozapine. The number of outpatient visits, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations in the year prior to the switch were compared to those in the year following the switch, to determine service utilization. Results: Psychiatric emergency room visits decreased, but clozapine serum levels, inpatient hospital days, partial hospital admissions, and outpatient psychiatrist visits did not change after the switch to generic clozapine. Conclusions: There were no significant increases in mental health service utilization after the conversion to Mylan generic clozapine. The switch to Mylan generic clozapine was cost effective, as the reduction in pharmacy costs was not offset by increased utilization costs.
Galvanic vestibular tests in the assessment of coma and brain death

Galvanic stimulation over the mastoid process elicits oculovestibular responses that provide a measure of brainstem function. The equipment is simple and is available in most neurodiagnostic laboratories. This type of test provides an advantage over caloric testing in the presence of external and middle ear disease and basal skull fracture and can be a useful adjunct in the evaluation of coma and brain death.
Interaction effects between the constituents of carbon artefacts during graphitisation

A crystallographic study, using X-ray diffraction techniques, has been made of the interaction effects between the constituents of coke-binder artefacts when heat-treated to graphitising temperatures. It is shown that petroleum and pitch cokes graphitise to a greater extent separately than when combined in petroleum coke/pitch binder artefacts, but for artefacts based entirely on either petroleum or pitch, this effect of the binder in retarding graphitisation of the grist coke is very much less.
Binge eating disorder: a symptom-level investigation of genetic and environmental influences on liability.

BackgroundRecent behavioral genetic studies have emphasized the importance of investigating eating disorders at the level of individual symptoms, rather than as overall diagnoses. We examined the heritability of binge eating disorder (BED) using an item-factor analytic approach, which estimates contributions of additive genetic (A), common environmental (C), and unique environmental (E) influences on liability to BED as well as individual symptoms.MethodParticipants were 614 monozygotic and 410 dizygotic same-sex female twins from the Mid-Atlantic Twin Registry who completed a self-report measure of BED symptoms based upon DSM-IV criteria. Genetic and environmental contributions to BED liability were assessed at the diagnostic and symptom levels, using an item-factor approach.ResultsLiability to BED was moderately heritable; 45% of the variance was due to A, with smaller proportions due to C (13%), and E (42%). Additive genetic effects accounted for 29–43% of the variance in individual items, while only 8–14% was due to C.ConclusionsResults highlight the relevance of examining eating disorders at the symptom level, rather than focusing on aggregate diagnoses.
The Medicaid medically improved group: losing disability status and growing earnings.

OBJECTIVES Under the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act (PL 106-170), states may extend Medicaid Buy-In coverage to a medically improved group. Improved group coverage allows adults with disabilities to retain Medicaid coverage even once they lose disability status due to medical improvement, as long as they retain the original medical impairment. The goal of this paper is to describe who participated, the patterns of their participation, and employment outcomes. METHODS The study population consists of all individuals (n = 315) who participated in medically improved group coverage 2002-2009 in the seven states with coverage by 2009 (Arizona, Connecticut, Kansas, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia). Linked data from state Medicaid Buy-In finder files and Social Security Administration Ticket Research and Master Earnings Files were used to describe improved group participants and their patterns of enrollment. RESULTS Although enrollment has been limited, with 255 participants in 2009, it has doubled annually on average with little churning and drop-out. Participants' earnings grew nearly 200 dollars per month after two years, likely reflecting increased work hours and/or higher pay rates. CONCLUSIONS Improved group participants represent an unusually successful group of individuals with disabilities, many of whom have recently moved off Social Security cash benefit rolls or who were diverted from them. Specifics of insurance eligibility and coverage for improved group participants are uncertain under the Affordable Care Act. The challenge remains to provide a pathway for adults with disabilities to increase work and assets without loss of adequate health insurance.
FDA perspective on clinical trial design for femoropopliteal stent correction of peripheral vascular insufficiency cardiovascular devices

The article by Rocha-Singh et al. [1]. on behalf of the VIVA Physicians Incorporate (VPI) in this issue of the Catheterization and Cardiac Interventions addresses the challenge to designing clinical trials for devices intended to correct femoropopliteal arterial insufficiency. As discussed in this article, the polymorphic pathology of this disease process accounts for a broad spectrum of clinical presentations that confounds the ability to design and execute a conventional controlled clinical trial. The authors suggest that this problem may be addressed by devising performance goals based on historical data that will allow study of a particular technological advance, use of mechanical stenting in treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), by means of logistically feasible observational studies. This editorial reviews aspects of this proposal from the perspective of the authors in terms of their understanding of the statutory obligations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate the marketing of cardiovascular implants based on valid scientific evidence.
American Society of Nephrology Quiz and Questionnaire 2014: Glomerular Diseases

The Nephrology Quiz and Questionnaire remains an extremely popular session for attendees of the Annual Kidney Week Meeting of the American Society of Nephrology. Once again, the conference hall was overflowing with audience members and eager quiz participants. Topics covered by the expert discussants included electrolyte and acid-base disorders, glomerular disease, ESRD/dialysis, and transplantation. Complex cases representing each of these categories along with single best answer questions were prepared and submitted by the panel of experts. Before the meeting, program directors of United States nephrology training programs and nephrology fellows answered the questions through an internet-based questionnaire. During the live session, members of the audience tested their knowledge and judgment on a series of case-oriented questions that were prepared and discussed by the experts. They compared their answers in real time using audience response devices with the answers of the nephrology fellows and training program directors. The correct and incorrect answers were then discussed after the audience responses, and the results of the questionnaire were displayed. As always, the audience, lecturers, and moderators enjoyed this educational session. This article recapitulates the session and reproduces its educational value for the readers of CJASN. Enjoy the clinical cases and expert discussions.
Airtankers and wildfire management in the US Forest Service: examining data availability and exploring usage and cost trends

Evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft is a crucial component of strategic wildfire management and planning. In this manuscript, we focus on the economics of fire and aviation management within the US Forest Service. Substantial uncertainties challenge comprehensive analysis of airtanker use, prompting calls from federal oversight agencies for improved aerial firefighting data collection and analysis. Here, we explore the availability and sufficiency of agency aviation data to track airtanker use and cost trends, and to categorise airtankerusebymissiontypeandfiresizeclass.Althoughtheprimaryintendeduseoftheairtankerfleetisforinitialattack ofwildfires,ourresultsindicatethattheuseoftheseaircrafttendstooccurforextendedattackorlarge-firesupport,witha significant number of flights associated with very large fires greater than 4047ha (10000 acres). Our results highlight apparent trends in airtanker use that challenge our ability to evaluate cost-effectiveness of airtankers. Data quality and availability issues limited our analysis, leading to a recommendation for improved data collection on flight objective and drop location. We conclude by offering suggested avenues of future research that may help address informational and analytical shortcomings.
Changes in cytokine production after measles virus vaccination: predominant production of IL-4 suggests induction of a Th2 response

Immunization with live measles virus vaccine produces transient depression of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin test responses and mitogen-induced lymphoproliferation irrespective of the serostatus of the recipient of the vaccine. To investigate this immune suppression further we studied peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from adults before (N = 17) and at various times after (N = 34) immunization with measles virus vaccine. PHA-induced lymphoproliferation was decreased after vaccine and this was partly reversed by supplementation with rIL-2. There was no change in the proportion of PBMC that were CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, NK cells, or B cells as analyzed by flow cytometry. Supernatant fluids were collected from PBMC after 72 hr in culture. Analysis for cytokines after vaccination showed spontaneous production of high levels of IL-4 (vaccinees 99 +/- 23; controls 5.6 +/- 5.6 ng/ml, P = 0.031) and TNF alpha (vaccinees 140 +/- 45; controls 42 +/- 14 pg/ml, P = 0.072) accompanied by low levels of IFN-gamma (vaccinees 1.3 +/- 0.6; controls 14.3 +/- 10.1 U/ml), IL-1 alpha (vaccinees 111 +/- 22; controls 442 +/- 107 pg/ml, P = 0.0001), and PGE2 (vaccinees 75 +/- 39; controls 300 +/- 72 pg/ml, P = 0.048). Increased amounts of IL-4 were also produced after stimulation with PHA (vaccinees 140 +/- 25; controls 40 +/- 40 ng/ml, P = 0.013) while levels of IFN-gamma and soluble IL-2 receptor were similar to controls and levels of IL-1 alpha (vaccinees 443 +/- 67; controls 792 +/- 118 pg/ml, P = 0.026) remained low. Addition of rIL-2 had little effect on these cytokine levels. These data suggest that Th2 cells producing IL-4 are preferentially activated by measures vaccine and may contribute to the immunologic abnormalities associated with immunization for measles and possibly other viral infections.
Imaging radar observations of Farley Buneman waves during the JOULE II experiment

Vector electric fields and associated E × B drifts measured by a sounding rocket in the auroral zone during the NASA JOULE II experiment in January 2007, are compared with coherent scatter spectra measured by a 30 MHz radar imager in a common volume. Radar imaging permits precise collocation of the spectra with the background electric field. The Doppler shifts and spectral widths appear to be governed by the cosine and sine of the convection flow angle, respectively, and also proportional to the presumptive ion acoustic speed. The neutral wind also contributes to the Doppler shifts. These findings are consistent with those from the JOULE I experiment and also with recent numerical simulations of Farley Buneman waves and instabilities carried out by Oppenheim et al. (2008). Simple linear analysis of the waves offers some insights into the spectral moments. A formula relating the spectral width to the flow angle, ion acoustic speed, and other ionospheric parameters is derived.
The α1S N-terminus is not essential for bi-directional coupling with RyR1

Abstract The dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR) α1S II–III loop has been shown to be critical for excitation–contraction (EC) coupling in skeletal muscle, but the importance of other cytoplasmic regions, especially the N-terminus (residues 1–51), remains unclear. In this study, we found that deletion of α1S residues 2–37 (weakly conserved with N-termini of other L-type Ca2+ channels) had little effect on the ability of α1S to serve as a Ca2+ channel or voltage sensor for EC coupling. Strikingly, deletion of 10 additional residues, which are conserved in L-type channels, resulted in ablation of DHPR function. Specifically, confocal microscopy and measurement of charge movement showed that removal of residues 2–47 resulted in a failure of sarcolemmal insertion. Our results indicate that the weakly conserved, distal α1S N-terminus is not critical for EC coupling or function as a Ca2+ channel. However, integrity of the proximal α1S N-terminus is necessary for sarcolemmal expression of the DHPR.
JESS international fisheries: conclusion

The six papers presented here all point out the grave difficulties associated with the management of international fisheries. Each also provides some perspective on the potential for change in the system. Webster recommends that proponents of ecosystem-based management need to propose specific measures that may appeal to powerful fishing countries rather than broad goals that are difficult to implement. Kalfagianni and Pattberg propose that the Marine Stewardship Council could substantially improve its impact on global fisheries management by paying attention to structural effects, particularly trade barriers that may exacerbate the North–South divide. Sakaguchi similarly sees NGO involvement in fisheries regulation as a double-edged sword and warns about the potential for alienation of societies that resist the forceful imposition of new norms. In contrast, both Schiffman and Tiller show how domestic interests can shape new and future regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs) into more effective regimes. Finally, Barkin and DeSombre propose that a new, global RFMO could reduce fishing capacity around the world, thereby bursting the balloon problem.
Constancy and diversity in the flavivirus fusion peptide

Flaviviruses include the mosquito-borne dengue, Japanese encephalitis, yellow fever and West Nile and the tick-borne encephalitis viruses. They are responsible for considerable world-wide morbidity and mortality. Viral entry is mediated by a conserved fusion peptide containing 16 amino acids located in domain II of the envelope protein E. Highly orchestrated conformational changes initiated by exposure to acidic pH accompany the fusion process and are important factors limiting amino acid changes in the fusion peptide that still permit fusion with host cell membranes in both arthropod and vertebrate hosts. The cell-fusing related agents, growing only in mosquitoes or insect cell lines, possess a different homologous peptide. Analysis of 46 named flaviviruses deposited in the Entrez Nucleotides database extended the constancy in the canonical fusion peptide sequences of mosquito-borne, tick-borne and viruses with no known vector to include more recently-sequenced viruses. The mosquito-borne signature amino acid, G104, was also found in flaviviruses with no known vector and with the cell-fusion related viruses. Despite the constancy in the canonical sequences in pathogenic flaviviruses, mutations were surprisingly frequent with a 27% prevalence of nonsynonymous mutations in yellow fever virus fusion peptide sequences, and 0 to 7.4% prevalence in the others. Six of seven yellow fever patients whose virus had fusion peptide mutations died. In the cell-fusing related agents, not enough sequences have been deposited to estimate reliably the prevalence of fusion peptide mutations. However, the canonical sequences homologous to the fusion peptide and the pattern of disulfide linkages in protein E differed significantly from the other flaviviruses. The constancy of the canonical fusion peptide sequences in the arthropod-borne flaviviruses contrasts with the high prevalence of mutations in most individual viruses. The discrepancy may be the result of a survival advantage accompanying sequence diversity (quasispecies) involving the fusion peptide. Limited clinical data with yellow fever virus suggest that the presence of fusion peptide mutants is not associated with a decreased case fatality rate. The cell-fusing related agents may have substantial differences from other flaviviruses in their mechanism of viral entry into the host cell.
Systemic administration of the NF-κB inhibitor curcumin stimulates muscle regeneration after traumatic injury

Skeletal muscle is often the site of tissue injury due to trauma, disease, developmental defects or surgery. Yet, to date, no effective treatment is available to stimulate the repair of skeletal mu...
Assessing Quality of User-Submitted Need Statements From Large-Scale Needfinding: Effects of Expertise and Group Size

Collecting data on user needs often results in a surfeit of candidate need statements. Additional analysis is necessary to prioritize a small subset for further consideration. Previous analytic methods have been used for small quantities (often fewer than 75 statements). This study presents a simplified quality metric and online interface appropriate to initially screen and prioritize lists exceeding 500 statements for a single topic or product area. Over 20,000 ratings for 1697 need statements across three common product areas were collected in 6 days. A series of hypotheses were tested: (1) Increasing the quantity of participants submitting needs increases the number of high-quality needs as judged by users; (2) increasing the quantity of needs contributed per person increases the number of high-quality needs as judged by users; and (3) increasing levels of self-rated user expertise will not significantly increase the number of high-quality needs per person. The results provided important quantitative evidence of fundamental relationships between the quantity and quality of need statements. Higher quantities of total needs submitted correlated to higher quantities of high-quality need statements both due to increasing group size and due to increasing counts per person using novel content-rich methods to help users articulate needs. Based on a multivariate analysis, a user's topic-specific expertise (self-rated) and experience level (self-rated hours per week) were not significantly associated with increasing quantities of high-quality needs.
Superoxide anion is an endothelium-derived contracting factor

The calcium ionophore A23187 causes endothelium-dependent contractions in canine basilar arteries. Removal of the endothelium, or treatment with indomethacin or superoxide dismutase (SOD), prevented the endothelium-dependent excitatory effect of the calcium ionophore. Catalase and deferoxamine were without effect. Superoxide anion generated by xanthine plus xanthine oxidase in the presence of catalase caused contractions of the vascular smooth muscle, which were abolished by SOD or heat inactivation of xanthine oxidase. The A23187-induced production of prostaglandins F2 alpha and E2 and thromboxane B2 was abolished by the removal of endothelium and by treatment with indomethacin but was not affected by the presence of SOD plus catalase. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that superoxide anion, rather than prostaglandins generated by hydroperoxidase activity of cyclooxygenase, is an endothelium-derived contracting factor in canine cerebral arteries.
The role of organic solvent radical cations in separations ligand degradation

The dodecane radical cation reaction rate constant with CMPO was measured using ps electron pulse radiolysis/absorption spectroscopy as k = (1.30 ± 0.11) × 1010 M−1s−1 in dodecane/0.10 M CH2Cl2 solution. No reactivity increase occurred when these solutions were pre-contacted with nitric acid, similar to the behavior observed for TODGA. To corroborate these kinetic data with steady-state radiolysis measurements, where acid pre-contacted CMPO showed significantly less degradation, it is proposed that the dodecane radical cation always reacts directly with TODGA, but for CMPO the charge-transfer occurs with the CMPO·HNO3 complex formed in the acid contacted solvent.
Ferry Wave Measurements in Deep Water

Data are presented for ship waves generated and measured in deep water. Results show the variation of maximum vessel waves with both vessel speed and distance from the vessel sailing line. Three automobile ferries of different configurations were tested. Field test procedures, limitations, and problems are described.
Glycol methacrylate embedding of renal biopsy specimens for light microscopy

Thirty-five consecutive renal biopsy specimens were evaluated by light histology using paraffin and glycol methacrylate embedding. The clarity of the renal structures was found to be much better, and the renal lesions better defined, using glycol methyacrylate embedding.
Endocrine neoplasms in familial syndromes of hyperparathyroidism

Familial syndromes of hyperparathyroidism, including multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A), and the hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor (HPT-JT), comprise 2-5% of primary hyperparathyroidism cases. Familial syndromes of hyperparathyroidism are also associated with a range of endocrine and nonendocrine tumors, including potential malignancies. Complications of the associated neoplasms are the major causes of morbidities and mortalities in these familial syndromes, e.g., parathyroid carcinoma in HPT-JT syndrome; thymic, bronchial, and enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in MEN1; and medullary thyroid cancer and pheochromocytoma in MEN2A. Because of the different underlying mechanisms of neoplasia, these familial tumors may have different characteristics compared with their sporadic counterparts. Large-scale clinical trials are frequently lacking due to the rarity of these diseases. With technological advances and the development of new medications, the natural history, diagnosis, and management of these syndromes are also evolving. In this article, we summarize the recent knowledge on endocrine neoplasms in three familial hyperparathyroidism syndromes, with an emphasis on disease characteristics, molecular pathogenesis, recent developments in biochemical and radiological evaluation, and expert opinions on surgical and medical therapies. Because these familial hyperparathyroidism syndromes are associated with a wide variety of tumors in different organs, this review is focused on those endocrine neoplasms with malignant potential.
Effect of warble-tone frequency deviation on threshold measurement in cases with sloping audiometric configurations

A 2.1-kc/s pure-tone (p-t) mask at 80 db SPL created for 7 normal-hearing young adults a hearing threshold configuration which sloped sharply in the 2-kc/s frequency region. Conventional masked audiometry at 1, 1.5, and 2 kc/s was performed with pure tones and with tones sinusoidally modulated at 20 c/s by +/- 5, 10, and 20%. In frequency regions where the masked audiogram was relatively flat, p-t and warble-tone (w-t) HTLs were equivalent. However, at 2 kc/s, w-t HTLs were substantially better (as much as 32 db) than p-t HTLs. The w-t vs p-t discrepancy increased with frequency deviation from 5-20%, attributable to the spread of modulated signal energy into frequency regions where hearing sensitivity was better than at the nominal test frequency. Clinicians should be alert to the possibility that testing with warbled tones may underestimate the amount of hearing loss for pure tones in those with sloping audiometric configurations.
Disseminated Peritoneal Mantle Cell Lymphoma Mimicking Peritonitis

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive subtype of B-cell lymphoma that represents 7% of non-Hodgkin cases, composed of CD5-positive naive B-cell of mantle zone surrounding germinal center follicles. MCL is clinically challenging to manage, with an ominous prognosis. MCL involves lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, and gastrointestinal tract organs. MCL involvement of peritoneal …
Charge modulation and structural transformation in TaTe2 studied by scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy

We show that the (3 × 1) stripe structure observed in TaTe2 at room temperature arises from the formation of Ta4+–Ta4+ dimer chains along with a separate chain of Ta3+. More importantly, we reveal an intriguing lattice distortion and charge modulation at low temperature, which suggests an interplay and competition between the triple-axis (3 × 3) charge density wave-like modulation and the single-axis (3 × 1) stripe configuration. This work highlights the importance of TaTe2 as an alternative platform with rich structural and electrical phases to explore charge-lattice coupling.
Energy Transfer Directly to Bilayer Interfaces to Improve Exciton Collection in Organic Photovoltaics

Ternary blends and energy cascades are gaining popularity as ways to engineer absorption as well as exciton and charge collection in organic solar cells. Here, we use kinetic Monte Carlo simulations to investigate energy cascade designs for improving exciton collection in bilayer solar cells via a Forster energy transfer mechanism. We determine that an interfacial monolayer (C) between the donor and acceptor with a D → A → C energy cascade will lead to good exciton collection, allowing for >90% collection, even for energy donor layers up to 75 nm thick. We further examine how roughening the interface, increasing the exciton diffusion length, and using other energy cascade designs affect the enhancement from the energy transfer. We also propose using the inherent charge transfer states at the interfaces as energy acceptors and estimate that the Forster radius could be as large as 3.4 nm, leading to nearly 70% improvement in exciton collection, without the need for a third material.
Densified mango residues as biofuel from low-resource agricultural processing

Producing biofuels, bio-power, or other bio-products depends on supply systems that can ensure high-volume, reliable, environmentally sustainable, and on-spec availability of source feedstocks. Implementing these recycling and repurposing systems can lead to more ecologically and financially sustainable supply chains and business, but this endeavor is particularly complicated for small businesses in underdeveloped areas. This article examines the role of biomass and biofuel in the potential scalability of small businesses in underserved regions. It includes a discussion of potential benefits and applications, with emphasis on densified biowaste and Organic Rankine Cycle turbo-generators. The article's case study occurs in Sierra Leone, which has an abundance of potential biomass resources — specifically mango — but where local facilities that do not widely utilize biowaste. This case study assessed the waste stream of a local Sierra Leonean fruit processing facility as a potential densified biofuel feedstock source. Using only low-resource and low-capital materials, freshly processed refuse was sampled and densified for industry-standard fuel properties. The results of this study indicate that the low-resource formulation of mixed feedstocks from niche high-production crops can still meet industry standards as an Organic Rankine Cycle biomass heat source for electrical energy production.
Development of a screening tool to assess prostate cancer health literacy.

127Background: Poor comprehension of prostate cancer (PCa) related terms can create barriers to informed discussions on screening, treatment, and measuring outcomes, and contribute to disparities i...
Discrete-Time Adaptive Control of Plants with Output Piecewise-Linear Nonlinearities

Abstract In this paper, adaptive controllers are developed for discrete-time plants with unknown piecewiss-linear nonlinearities at output. Two CDntrol problems are considered: (i) only the nonlinearity is unknown and (ii) the whole plant is unknown. The proposed adaptive controllers ensure linearly parametrized error models favorable for parameter adaptation. Simulation results show that our adaptive control approach improves system performance significantly.
Immunotherapy in Colorectal Cancer: Where Are We Now?

This review examines the current state of colorectal cancer (CRC) immunotherapy across multiple treatment modalities and discusses some of the most promising approaches. CRC immunotherapy involving viral vector and dendritic cell vaccines, checkpoint blockade, and adoptive cell therapy has been explored from preclinical to clinical studies. Despite successes in other malignancies, including melanoma, leukemia, lung, and renal cancers, immunotherapies have been FDA approved for only a small subset of CRCs. Recent studies leveraging greater understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying colorectal tumorigenesis and immunotherapeutic mechanism of action may be exploited in upcoming trials. While immune infiltration of CRC has been an established indicator of patient outcomes, immunotherapeutic strategies to date have not exploited its potential immunogenicity to benefit patients. New vaccine, checkpoint inhibitor, and CAR-T cell therapy paradigms promise to change that. With continued research, we could see a rapid increase in the number of FDA-approved immunotherapies for CRC in the coming years.
Covariation between the physiological and behavioral components of pathogen transmission: host heterogeneity determines epidemic outcomes

Although heterogeneity in contact rate, physiology, and behavioral response to infection have all been empirically demonstrated in host–pathogen systems, little is known about how interactions between individual variation in behavior and physiology scale‐up to affect pathogen transmission at a population level. The objective of this study is to evaluate how covariation between the behavioral and physiological components of transmission might affect epidemic outcomes in host populations. We tested the consequences of contact rate covarying with susceptibility, infectiousness, and infection status using an individual‐based, dynamic network model where individuals initiate and terminate contacts with conspecifics based on their behavioral predispositions and their infection status. Our results suggest that both heterogeneity in physiology and subsequent covariation of physiology with contact rate could powerfully influence epidemic dynamics. Overall, we found that 1) individual variability in susceptibility and infectiousness can reduce the expected maximum prevalence and increase epidemic variability; 2) when contact rate and susceptibility or infectiousness negatively covary, it takes substantially longer for epidemics to spread throughout the population, and rates of epidemic spread remained suppressed even for highly transmissible pathogens; and 3) reductions in contact rate resulting from infection‐induced behavioral changes can prevent the pathogen from reaching most of the population. These effects were strongest for theoretical pathogens with lower transmissibility and for populations where the observed variation in contact rate was higher, suggesting that such heterogeneity may be most important for less infectious, more chronic diseases in wildlife. Understanding when and how variability in pathogen transmission should be modelled is a crucial next step for disease ecology.
Assessment of Aversion of Acute Pain Stimulus through Conditioned Place Aversion

Pain is a complex experience. The aversive component of pain has been assessed through conditioned place aversion in rodents. However, this behavioral test does not allow the evaluation of the aversion of an acute pain stimulus. In Zhang et al. (2017), we provide an updated version of a Conditioned Place Aversion paradigm to address this challenge. In this protocol, a detailed version of this method is described.
Protection by and maintenance of CD4 effector memory and effector T cell subsets in persistent malaria infection

Protection at the peak of Plasmodium chabaudi blood-stage malaria infection is provided by CD4 T cells. We have shown that an increase in Th1 cells also correlates with protection during the persistent phase of malaria; however, it is unclear how these T cells are maintained. Persistent malaria infection promotes protection and generates both effector T cells (Teff), and effector memory T cells (Tem). We have previously defined new CD4 Teff (IL-7Rα-) subsets from Early (TeffEarly, CD62LhiCD27+) to Late (TeffLate, CD62LloCD27-) activation states. Here, we tested these effector and memory T cell subsets for their ability to survive and protect in vivo. We found that both polyclonal and P. chabaudi Merozoite Surface Protein-1 (MSP-1)-specific B5 TCR transgenic Tem survive better than Teff. Surprisingly, as Tem are associated with antigen persistence, Tem survive well even after clearance of infection. As previously shown during T cell contraction, TeffEarly, which can generate Tem, also survive better than other Teff subsets in uninfected recipients. Two other Tem survival mechanisms identified here are that low-level chronic infection promotes Tem both by driving their proliferation, and by programming production of Tem from Tcm. Protective CD4 T cell phenotypes have not been precisely determined in malaria, or other persistent infections. Therefore, we tested purified memory (Tmem) and Teff subsets in protection from peak pathology and parasitemia in immunocompromised recipient mice. Strikingly, among Tmem (IL-7Rαhi) subsets, only TemLate (CD62LloCD27-) reduced peak parasitemia (19%), though the dominant memory subset is TemEarly, which is not protective. In contrast, all Teff subsets reduced peak parasitemia by more than half, and mature Teff can generate Tem, though less. In summary, we have elucidated four mechanisms of Tem maintenance, and identified two long-lived T cell subsets (TemLate, TeffEarly) that may represent correlates of protection or a target for longer-lived vaccine-induced protection against malaria blood-stages.
Bloch mode selection in silicon photonic crystal microring resonators

A novel method of selecting a subset of Bloch modes in silicon-based photonic crystal microring resonators (PhCR)s is demonstrated. Bloch modes in the PhCR are calculated, and their intensity beating patterns are analyzed. Based on the different spatial intensity distribution for each resonance, a subset of resonances is out-coupled using an output coupler waveguide (CWG) which is positioned at an angle θ=90° with respect to the input CWG. As shown in theory and experiment, resonances with an even mode number are selected, while resonances with an odd mode number are rejected. The highest contrast between mode selection and mode rejection is ∼9 dB in the experiments. This approach opens another design freedom for ring resonator-based devices and could potentially reduce the footprint of microring resonator-based multiplexers and add-drop filters.
Patientem Fortuna Adiuvat: The Delayed Treatment of Surgical Acute Subdural Hematomas-A Case Series.

Background Current guidelines prescribe emergent decompression of acute subdural hematomas (aSDHs) with width 10 mm or larger or midline shift 5 mm or larger. A subset of patients who meet these criteria, including those with high Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores and coagulopathy because of medication or multiple medical comorbidities, may be treated conservatively until the hematoma can be removed by burr hole drainage. We present a series of conservatively managed surgical patients with aSDH, examining their hospital course and outcomes. Methods Patients were included who met guidelines for surgery on admission but who had decompression delayed until it could be accomplished by burr hole drainage. Charts were reviewed for presentation, computed tomography scan findings, and outcomes. Patients were classified according to outcome and whether their eventual surgery was scheduled or emergent. Results Eighteen patients were included with a mean age of 70.2 years. Average GCS score at presentation was 14.6 ± 0.6. Most patients were using some form of blood-thinning medication at presentation (72.2%). Admission CT scan revealed aSDH with a mean width of 13.6 mm and midline shift of 6.6 mm. Average total length of stay was 28.4 ± 17.0 days, of which 14.2 ± 9.2 days were spent in the intensive care unit. Outcomes were generally acceptable, with an average Glasgow Outcome Scale score at discharge of 3.8 ± 1.4. There were only 2 deaths, neither of which was related to the initial trauma or a neurologic process. Conclusions Delayed treatment of aSDH by burr hole drainage is an effective option in certain patients who are suboptimal craniotomy candidates. Acceptable outcomes may be achievable with this conservative approach, when applied in appropriate patients.
Aging and sexuality

Recent research suggesting that a high proportion of men and women remain sexually active well into later life refutes the prevailing myth that aging and sexual dysfunction are inexorably linked. Age-related physiological changes do not render a meaningful sexual relationship impossible or even necessarily difficult. In men, greater physical stimulation is required to attain and maintain erections, and orgasms are less intense. In women, menopause terminates fertility and produces changes stemming from estrogen deficiency. The extent to which aging affects sexual function depends largely on psychological, pharmacological, and illness-related factors. In this article I review the physiological sex-related changes that occur as part of the normal aging process in men and women. I also summarize the effects on sexual function of age-related psychological issues, illness factors, and medication use. An understanding of the sexual changes that accompany normal aging may help physicians give patients realistic and encouraging advice on sexuality. Although it is important that older men and women not fall into the psychosocial trap of expecting (or worse, trying to force) the kind and degree of sexual response characteristic of their youth, it is equally as important that they not fall prey to the negative folklore according to which decreased physical intimacy is an inevitable consequence of the passage of time.
The Association between Objectively Measured Physical Activity and the Gut Microbiome among Older Community Dwelling Men

To determine the relationship between objectively measured physical activity (PA) and the gut microbiome among community-dwelling older men. Cross-sectional study. Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) cohort participants at Visit 4 (2014-16). Eligible men (n=373, mean age 84 y) included participants with 5-day activity assessment with at least 90% wear time and analyzed stool samples. PA was measured with the SenseWear Pro3 Armband and stool samples analyzed for 16S v4 rRNA marker genes using Illumina MiSeq technology. Armband data together with sex, height, and weight were used to estimate total steps, total energy expenditure, and level of activity. 16S data was analyzed using standard UPARSE workflow. Shannon and Inverse Simpson indices were measures of (within-participant) α-diversity. Weighted and unweighted Unifrac were measures of (between-participant) β-diversity. We used linear regression analysis, principal coordinate analysis, zero-inflated Gaussian models to assess association between PA and α-diversity, β-diversity, and specific taxa, respectively, with adjustments for age, race, BMI, clinical center, library size, and number of chronic conditions. PA was not associated with α-diversity. There was a slight association between PA and β-diversity (in particular the second principal coordinate). Compared to those who were less active, those who had higher step counts had higher relative abundance of Cetobacterium and lower relative abundance of taxa from the genera Coprobacillus, Adlercreutzia, Erysipelotrichaceae CC-115 after multivariable adjustment including age, BMI, and chronic conditions. There was no consistent pattern by phylum. There was a modest association between levels of PA and specific gut microbes among community-dwelling older men. The observed associations are consistent with the hypothesis that underlying health status and composition of the host microbiome are related.
Transcendental Functions and Initial Value Problems: A Different Approach to Calculus II.

Byungchul Cha (cha@muhlenberg.edu) teaches at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, after working for three years at Hendrix College. He received his B.S. from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, and his Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University. His area of specialization is number theory. When he is not teaching calculus, he enjoys engaging his young son in doing other mathematics, such as counting from 1 to 10 and drawing octagons.