cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Patient Centricity and Big Data in Rare Neurological Diseases: Reality or Bright Future? (P4.092)

Objective: Implement patient-centered environment, methodology, processes and infrastructure for creating “Big Data” in rare neurological diseases. Background: Large datasets are critical for identifying statistically significant and biologically relevant observations. Heterogeneity of many diseases complicates predictions of disease progression and development of potential therapies, making clinical trials challenging. Proposed approach and platform for patient-centered clinical and research information aggregation, collaboration and sharing allows rare diseases to enter Age of "Big Data". Methods: Patient-centered approach requires unique patient identification across clinical research continuum. Global Unique Identifiers (GUIDs) allow patients’ clinical and research information aggregation, including phenotypical data, biomarkers, patient-reported outcomes, tissues, genetic files and images across clinical visits and research projects over time, regardless where/when data were collected. Such approach enables researchers getting patient information collected elsewhere. Major clinical research stakeholders include clinicians, academic consortia and patient organizations, foundations, industry and patients. Collaboration models for information sharing are essential. Results: Recommendations and technology unifying multiple participants of clinical care and research (physicians, researchers, industry, patients and non-profits) and informational components (clinical data captured at bedside and from health records, research data, disease-specific consortia; patient-reported outcomes, and data from completed clinical trials) into single disease-specific research continuum we developed. Several neurological disease networks, such as ALD Connect and NEALS ALS consortia, successfully implemented this approach. Clinical, medical records and research data are connected to distributed tissue biobanks, GWAS files and images, linked and identified by GUIDs. Patients enter outcomes and priorities through Patient Portal. NeuroBANK™, a patient-centered accelerated clinical research platform, is in the center of this clinical research universe. Conclusions: Extremely powerful concept of Patient Centricity in clinical research paired with modern technology and NeuroBANK™ Accelerated Research Environment platform creates clinical research continuum from bedside to clinical trials and back to research and clinical care. Study Supported by: NCRI, ALSA, ALS Finding-a-Cure Disclosure: Dr. Sherman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Selsov has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sinani has nothing to disclose. Dr. Walker has nothing to disclose. Dr. Vader has nothing to disclose. Dr. Eichler has received research support from Bluebird Bio and Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Cudkowicz has received personal compensation for activities with GlaxoSmithKline, Biogen Idec, Teva Neuroscience, and Cytokinetics.
Mathematical Description of Manufacturing Processes

Mathematical description of a manufacturing process resulting in a mathematical model presents a basis for objective analysis, control, and optimization. Model-based process analysis includes prediction of the process outcome and its particular characteristics, “what if” analysis, and the evaluation of the effects of particular factors on the process. Mathematical models in the form of transfer functions are invaluable for the analysis and synthesis of control systems maintaining the desired operation of the process in spite of various disturbance factors. A mathematical model allows for the formalization of the process optimization problem, and serves as a “guinea pig” during the optimization search. Implemented in a simulation environment, a mathematical model presents an ideal testbed for the validation of the most advanced control and optimization schemes. In order to be usable, a mathematical model must be updated and valid. This section presents practical techniques for the development, validation, and updating of mathematical models utilizing statistical data.
Study of the UHF signals propagation characteristics in medium voltage switchgear based on FDTD methods

PD electromagnetic signal attenuation occurs when electromagnetic waves pass through a switchgear gap and propagate outward. Installing a sensor at the gap is a method of analyzing PD characteristics, as the sensor can receive the electromagnetic signals radiated from the switchgear. In order to study the impact of switchgear gaps on the propagation of UHF signals, we adopted the finite difference time domain method to conduct a modeling analysis of the attenuation characteristics of UHF signals and study the variation characteristics of the time domain parameters of radiation field intensity for UHF signals at the switchgear gap, as well as before and after the UHF signals propagate through the gap. The results show that the components of field intensity in each direction are different when the electromagnetic waves pass through the gap and the amplitude of electromagnetic wave attenuation is significant when the electromagnetic waves pass through the gap and propagate outward.
Framing the State of Nature Through Institutionalist Lenses

The Ostroms’ research program has a dimension that goes beyond the strict boundaries of political science and economics, crossing into the domain of political philosophy. Bloomington scholars created a framework for analyzing how institutions work and develop that helped them specify and examine the relationships between the environmental, social and individual elements. So far, scholars have applied the institutional analysis and development (IAD) framework to the analysis of real life situations. However, reflections on various applications of the framework have led to the idea of “theoretical scenarios”. We show how the IAD framework can be used to assess the use of classical theme in political philosophy and constitutional political economy: the state of nature and state of nature thought experiments. The IAD framework severely limits the claims of experiments conducted from the philosopher’s armchair. For example, Robert Nozick’s argument that the state inevitably emerges from a state of nature is correct only under the material and technological conditions of the 17th century when Hobbes and Locke brought forth the proposition.
LIMS USER ACCEPTANCE TESTING

Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) play a key role in the pharmaceutical industry. Thorough and accurate validation of such systems is critical and is a regulatory requirement. LIMS user acceptance testing is one aspect of this testing and enables the user to make a decision to accept or reject implementation of the system. This paper discusses key elements in facilitating the development and execution of a LIMS User Acceptance Test Plan (UATP).
Social Media Use and Mood Disorders: When Is It Time to Unplug?

Americans spend more time on Facebook, the world's largest online social network, than any other website. On the surface, social media networks provide an “invaluable resource for fulfilling the basic human need for social connection.” However, rather than enhancing well-being by fulfilling communication needs that are deeply human, current research suggests that these online platforms may actually undermine it.
Quantification of Total Vitamin-D-Binding Protein and the Glycosylated Isoforms by Liquid Chromatography–Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry

Vitamin-D-binding protein (VDBP), a transporter of 25-hydroxyvitamin D metabolites, has three common isoforms. The relationship of the isoforms and their glycosylation state with various diseases has been under recent examination. In this work, liquid chromatography coupled to isotope dilution mass spectrometry was evaluated for quantification of VDBP, the three common isoforms, and total glycosylation. Protocols using guanidine, urea, RapiGest, trifluoroethanol, or tris buffer were also evaluated for optimal tryptic digestion. Differences in peptide release were detected between purified and plasma VDBP; however, for both protein sources, ELPEHTVK, TSALSAK, and VLEPTLK concentrations were reproducible between most protocols tested. The isoform-specific peptides, LPDATPK, LPDATPTELAK, and LPEATPTELAK, were optimally released when TFE was added to plasma. The total VDBP concentration calculated from the three shared peptides resulted in 97.6% accuracy compared with the concentration from amino acid analysi...
How can we use the ‘science of stories’ to produce persuasive scientific stories?

The core goal of the science communicator is to convey accurate scientific information—to help people update existing understandings of the world and to change those understandings when necessary. However, science communicators, with their often extensive scientific training and educations, are often socialized into educating with information derived from scientific works in a way that mirrors the values of science itself. They do this by primarily relying on an approach termed the Knowledge Deficit Model, a model of communicating that emphasizes the repetition of emotionless objectively sterile information to increase understanding. The problem with this approach is that people do not actually make decisions or process information based on only objective scientific evidence. Their personal beliefs and emotional understandings of the world also play a powerful role. In this article we argue that to better connect with audiences communicators would do well to recognize themselves as storytellers–not to distort the truth, but to help people to connect with problems and issues on a more human level in terms of what matters to them. We reference extant narrative persuasion scholarship in public policy and elsewhere to offer a step-by-step guide to narrating scientific evidence. We argue that through understanding the structure of a narrative, science communicators can engage in the policy process, remaining true to the tenets of science and maintaining the integrity of the evidence, but doing so in a way that is compelling and thus also effective in helping solve problems.
Phase 2 Study of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy and Stereotactic Body Proton Therapy for High-Risk, Medically Inoperable, Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Purpose To report the feasibility of conducting a randomized study to compare the toxicity and efficacy of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) versus stereotactic body proton therapy (SBPT) for high-risk, medically inoperable, early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients and Methods Patients with medically inoperable NSCLC with high-risk features (centrally located or Results The study closed early owing to poor accrual, largely because of insurance coverage and lack of volumetric imaging in the SBPT group. Ultimately, 21 patients were enrolled, and 19 patients who received 50 Gy in 4 fractions were included for analysis (9 SBRT, 10 SBPT). At a median follow-up time of 32 months, median overall survival time was 28 months in the SBRT group and not reached in the SBPT group. Three-year overall survival was 27.8% and 90%, 3-year local control was 87.5% (8 of 9) and 90.0% (9 of 10), and 3-year regional control was 47.6% (5 of 9) and 90% (9 of 10) in the SBRT and SBPT groups, respectively. One patient in the SBPT group developed grade 3 skin fibrosis. No patients experienced grade 4/5 toxicity. Conclusion Poor accrual, due to lack of volumetric imaging and insurance coverage for proton therapy, led to early closure of the trial and precluded accurate assessment of efficacy and toxicity. Comparable maturity of 2 radiation therapy modalities, particularly on-board imaging, and better insurance coverage for SBPT should be considered for future studies.
Flicker: Rapid Prototyping for the Batteryless Internet-of-Things

Batteryless, energy-harvesting sensing systems are critical to the Internet-of-Things (IoT) vision and sustainable, long-lived, untethered systems. Unfortunately, developing new batteryless applications is challenging. Energy resources are scarce and highly variable, power failures are frequent, and successful applications typically require custom hardware and special expertise. In this paper, we present Flicker, a platform for quickly prototyping batteryless embedded sensors. Flicker is an extensible, modular, "plug and play" architecture that supports RFID, solar, and kinetic energy harvesting; passive and active wireless communication; and a wide range of sensors through common peripheral and harvester interconnects. Flicker supports recent advances in failure-tolerant timekeeping, testing, and debugging, while providing dynamic federated energy storage where peripheral priorities and user tasks can be adjusted without hardware changes. Flicker's software tools automatically detect new hardware configurations, and simplify software changes. We have evaluated the overhead and performance of our Flicker prototype and conducted a case study. We also evaluated the usability of Flicker in a user study with 19 participants, and found it had above average or excellent usability according to the well known System Usability Survey.
His and Her Retirement: Effects of Gender and Familial Caregiving Profiles on Retirement Timing.

ObjectivesRetirement timing has been linked to a host of outcomes for individuals, families, and societies. The present study predicted retirement timing using profiles of preretirement family care...
Acute adrenal insufficiency may affect outcome in the trauma patient

Acute adrenal insufficiency in the trauma patient is underrecognized and the impact poorly understood. Our hypothesis was that the identification and treatment of acute adrenal insufficiency reduces mortality in trauma patients. Institutional Review Board approval for the retrospective review of a prospective database from a Level 1 trauma center for 2002 to 2004 was obtained. The study population included patients receiving a cosyntropin stimulation test (250 microg) and/or random cortisol level based on our practice management guideline and an intensive care unit stay longer than 24 hours. Demographic, acuity, and outcome data were collected. The nonresponders had baseline cortisol levels less than 20 microg/dL or poststimulation rise less than 9 microg/dL. Independent t tests and chi2 statistics were used. One hundred thirty-seven patients had cosyntropin stimulation tests performed. Eighty-two (60%) patients were nonresponders of which 66 were treated with hydrocortisone and 16 went untreated as a result of the discretion of the attending physician. The 55 (40%) responders showed no statistical differences in outcome variables whether or not they received hydrocortisone. The untreated adrenal-insufficient patients had significantly higher mortality, longer hospital length of stay, intensive care unit days, and ventilator-free days. Conclusions were: (1) treatment of acute adrenal insufficiency reduces mortality by almost 50 per cent in the trauma patient; and (2) acute adrenal insufficiency recognized by low random cortisol levels or nonresponse to a stimulation tests should be considered for treatment.
Family Treatment of Drug Abusers

To properly address the family treatment of the early adolescent versus that of the late adolescent/young adult drug abuser, a brief excursion into the developmental issues of these two stages becomes necessary. Although these two periods are separated by a small number of years, they are separated by important and pivotal developmental milestones. Of primary importance is the “second individuation process” (Blos, 1967) wherein the adolescent reworks earlier developmental individuation/separation issues. At this point, the adolescent is struggling with broad fluctuations in dependency needs and counter-dependency needs in relation to parents and is getting used to the concept of variable states of emotional dependence on a significant other. Needless to say, if parents cannot tolerate the side of the coin that involves counterdependence, real individuation and separation is hampered. If the parents’ needs are pathological, the adolescent can remain faithful and loyal under the guise of separation by developing a real drug problem, which will endlessly repeat the dependence-counterdependence cycle, a process well described by Stanton (1978).
SOF4 PRODUCTION IN SPARK BREAKDOWN OF SF6/O2 MIXTURES

ABSTRACT Data are reported on the production of thionyl-tetrafluoride (SOF4) after spark discharges in SF6/O2 mixtures for added oxygen contents of 0, 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20%. All measurements were made for fixed total pressure, P = 133 kPa (1,000 Torr) and for spark energy of 8.7 J per spark. The SOF4 by-product increases with increasing O2 content and becomes the most abundant oxyfluoride decomposition product when [O2] > 11%. The net yields for SOF4 formation range from 0.18×10-9 mol · J-1 at 1% O2 content to 10.45×10-9 mol · J-1 at 20% 02 content. The mechanism for SOF4 production appears to involve the reaction of SF4, an important initial product of SF6 discharges, with atomic oxygen. A simple model which includes a fluorine depletion reaction resulting from oxygen addition gives good agreement with the SOF4 yield dependence on oxygen content. Comparison of the SOF4 spark yield with other discharges (arc and corona) is also made.
Reinventing a digital design course: migrating electronics instruction from physics to CS and using problem-based learning

This paper describes the experience of migrating a course in Digital Electronics taught by the Physics department to a Digital Design course taught by the Computer Science department. The electronics course was taken for many years by computer science (CS) majors to fulfill a science requirement, and it has been recently re-designed and re-structured to become a core course in the CS curriculum. Further, it serves as a successor to Computer Organization in a two-course sequence covering both hardware and low-level software topics. The new course puts emphasis on hands-on assignments and projects consistent with problem-based learning (PBL). In addition to teaching hardware-related knowledge and skills, this course provides a context for students to acquire skills not already integrated in our current curriculum. One such skill is the design of computer systems involving both hardware and software. The final project gives students an introduction to embedded systems and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Study of Anti-Malarials in Incomplete Lupus Erythematosus (SMILE): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Onset of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is preceded by a preclinical phase characterized by expression of autoantibodies and nonspecific clinical symptoms. Hydroxychloroquine is a treatment for lupus that is widely used based on longstanding experience and a very good safety profile. Existing data suggest that treatment with hydroxychloroquine may postpone the onset of disease. However, prospective studies that prove and quantify the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine in the preclinical phase of lupus have not been done. This study will test the hypothesis that early hydroxychloroquine use can prevent accumulation of clinical abnormalities and modify immune responses that define SLE. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of hydroxychloroquine vs placebo will be conducted. Participants will have incomplete lupus erythematosus as defined by the presence of antinuclear antibody (ANA) positivity at a titer of 1:80 or greater, as well as one or two additional criteria from the 2012 Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) classification criteria. The age range will be 15–45 years and the treatment phase will be 96 weeks. The primary endpoint will be the increase in the number of features of SLE defined by the 2012 SLICC classification schema. Secondary outcomes will include the proportion of participants who transition to a classification of SLE as defined by SLICC criteria. A major challenge for improving therapies in patients with SLE is early detection of disease. The ANA test that is widely used to screen for SLE has low specificity and interpretation of its significance is challenging. The Study of Anti-Malarials in Incomplete Lupus Erythematosus (SMILE) trial will provide insights into the appropriate target population for intervention, and will assess whether hydroxychloroquine can slow progression as measured by the accumulation of criteria. Ophthalmologic safety in this population will be assessed. The study will investigate candidate biomarkers that will guide treatment decisions and will accumulate a specimen biobank that will be available to the lupus research community for further in-depth mechanistic studies. This trial is a first step toward testing the feasibility of disease prevention strategies in SLE. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT 03030118 . Registered on 24 January 2017.
Leg Design to Enable Dynamic Running and Climbing on BOBCAT

The design process for leg morphology has taken much of its inspiration from the manipulator community, including the concept of maximizing the workspace of a design. In this paper, we define the concept of Effective Dynamic Workspace, which examines the subset of the overall workspace capable of achieving the desired template dynamics. With this new design tool, the leg configuration of a new multi-modal platform BOBCAT is examined and refined. With the refined design, BOBCAT is able to achieve speeds of 2m/s while running and 0.17m/s while climbing a vertical wall.
9 Design for Maintainability

Maintenance has been long recognized as necessary to increase a system's reliability, availability, and safety. Maintainability and reliability considerations are playing vital roles in virtually all engineering disciplines. This chapter introduces the probability theory and probability distributions. It gives an introduction into system reliability functions, its measurement parameters, and how system maintenance is related to system reliability. Density or mass functions that are often used to describe random variables that typically occur in a manufacturing setting are discussed. These distributions can be categorized into discrete and continuous. The discrete distributions include binomial, negative binomial, geometric, hypergeometric, and Poisson distributions, while the continuous distributions that are examined include normal, exponential, and Weibull distributions. The chapter also delves into maintenance, definitions and maintenance classifications, and system maintenance modeling. Finally, system availability is discussed as a way to measure the integrity of any maintenance policy of a repairable system. Keywords: availability analysis; maintainability; probability distributions; probability theory; random variables; repairable systems; system availability; system maintenance; system reliability
Modeling of the transient ignition of a nonmetal/oxygen system by heterogeneous reaction - Effects of oxygen pressure

A theoretical model of the transient ignition of a nonmetallic polymer in a pure oxygen environment was developed and used to assess the safety of an oxygen system under elevated pressure. Results demonstrated that, for a general oxygen system, the ignition temperautre is sensitive to the external heating rate as well as such system parameters as the minimum ignition heat flux and the corresponding minimum ignition temperature. As the oxygen pressure increases, the minimum ignition temperature decreases, until, at a sufficiently high oxygen pressure, spontaneous ignition occurs. Numerical results generated by the model were correlated with the reported ignition data for polyethylene, Teflon, and nylon.
Accessory function of interleukin-1 and interleukin-6: preferential costimulation of T4 positive lymphocytes

Two monocyte-derived cytokines, interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), have been reported to costimulate monocyte-depleted T cell populations in the presence of mitogen, and this effect has been attributed to an accessory function of these molecules. We have now examined further the accessory function potential of IL-1 plus IL-6, and examined how these cytokines promote T cell growth with mitogen. Together, IL-1 and IL-6 additively and, to a small degree, synergistically promote the proliferation of highly purified human peripheral blood T cells with phytohemagglutinin (PHA). However, maximum costimulation by IL-1 plus IL-6 over a wide range of concentrations is significantly smaller than that induced by optimal numbers of monocytes. Also, in contrast to monocytes that costimulate equally effectively T4 positive and T8 positive cells, IL-1 plus IL-6 costimulate T4 positive lymphocytes in marked preference to T8 positive cells. IL-1 plus IL-6 induces IL-2 secretion in T cell cultures costimulated with PHA, and an antibody to the IL-2 receptor, anti-Tac, markedly inhibits PHA-activated T cells costimulated by IL-1 plus IL-6. In addition, IL-1 plus IL-6 enhances the expression of surface IL-2 receptors. Because the costimulatory effect of IL-1 plus IL-6 is quantitatively smaller than that of monocytes, and it is preferentially directed toward T4 positive as opposed to T8 positive T cells, IL-1 plus IL-6, together, appear to represent a selective set of monocyte- derived accessory signals.
Not One More! Feminicidio On the Border

The plight of women and girls fleeing violence, sexual assault, and murder in their home countries and crossing the U.S./Mexico border has caught the attention of political leaders and ordinary peo...
Nowcasting Net Asset Values: The Case of Private Equity

We apply advances in analysis of mixed frequency and sparse data methods to estimate ``unsmoothed'' private equity (PE) Net Asset Values (NAVs) at the weekly frequency for individual funds. Using simulations and a large sample of buyout and venture funds, we show that our method yields superior estimates of NAVs relative to a simple approach based on comparable public asset and as-reported NAVs. The market beta of an average buyout [venture] fund, around 1.05 [1.20], is notably lower than previous studies suggest. The overall risk of a median buyout [venture] fund is 34% [40%] per year if measured in terms of the standard deviation of total returns, an increase of 10 [13] percentage points relative to the series based on as-reported NAVs. However, we find significant variation in systematic and idiosyncratic risk within and across vintages, and the risk-return profile based on the samples from the 1990s is not representative of currently operating funds. Our method easily accommodates additional data, such as individual holdings details, and related M&A activity. As an example application, we show how the cross-section of appraisal biases and nowcast errors evolved around the 2008 Financial crisis.
Selective breeding for high alcohol preference is associated with increased sensitivity to cannabinoid reward within the nucleus accumbens shell.

Abstract Rationale The rate of cannabinoid intake by those with alcohol use disorder (AUD) exceeds that of the general public. The high prevalence of co-abuse of alcohol and cannabis has been postulated to be predicated upon both a common predisposing genetic factor and the interaction of the drugs within the organism. The current experiments examined the effects of cannabinoids in an animal model of AUD. Objectives The present study assessed the reinforcing properties of a cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) agonist self-administered directly into the nucleus accumbens shell (AcbSh) in female Wistar and alcohol-preferring (P) rats. Methods Following guide cannulae surgery aimed at AcbSh, subjects were placed in an operant box equipped with an ‘active lever’ (fixed ratio 1; FR1) that caused the delivery of the infusate and an ‘inactive lever’ that did not. Subjects were arbitrarily assigned to one of seven groups that self-administered either artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF), or 3.125, 6.25, 12.5, or 25 pmol/100 nl of O-1057, a water-soluble CB1 agonist, dissolved in aCSF. The first four sessions of acquisition are followed by aCSF only infusates in sessions 5 and 6 during extinction, and finally the acquisition dose of infusate during session 7 as reinstatement. Results The CB1 agonist was self-administered directly into the AcbSh. P rats self-administered the CB1 agonist at lower concentrations and at higher rates compared to Wistar rats. Conclusions Overall, the data indicate selective breeding for high alcohol preference has produced rats divergent in response to cannabinoids within the brain reward pathway. The data support the hypothesis that there can be common genetic factors influencing drug addiction.
Exploration of factors associated with secondary traumatic stress in foster parents

Abstract The role of caring for traumatized individuals has been widely recognized as having inherent risks for secondary exposure to trauma and associated distress. Child welfare work in particular has been found to be an occupation where indirect exposure to trauma is especially prevalent as are related experiences of secondary traumatic stress (STS) and burnout ( Bride, Jones, & Macmaster, 2007 ; Nelson-Gardell & Harris, 2003). Given that rates of trauma exposure for children in foster care range from 80 to 93 percent and repeated or chronic exposures are common, it is assumed that foster parents are also at significant risk for STS ( Lipschitz, Winegar, Hartnick, Foote, & Southwick, 1999 ; Stein et al., 2001 ; U.S. Department for Health and Human Services, 2013 ). As child welfare and foster care systems move toward implementation of trauma informed care, the potential for secondary traumatic stress (STS) in foster parents should be examined yet there has been minimal research in this area to date. This study analyzes the STS experiences of foster parents from one state’s child welfare system (N = 1213). Descriptive analysis of their experiences as well as an examination of factors associated with the development of STS was conducted and confirmed the significance of STS this sample of foster parents. Hierarchical regression analyses of risk and beneficial factor models accounted for 23.2 and 46.5 percent of the variance in STS symptoms respectively. Implications and strategies for foster care systems regarding points of prevention and intervention based on this research are provided.
The Role of School Psychologists in the Implementation of Trauma-Informed Multi-Tiered Systems of Support in Schools

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has applied a trauma-informed (TI) lens to a multi-tiered systems of support framework, referred to as TI-MTSS. The NCTSN presents 10 Core Area guideline...
Xenotransplantation 1.0 to 2.0

Xenotransplantation, mostly from pig donors, represents a major untapped source to mitigate the shortage of organs suitable for transplantation. This chapter outlines the major historic events that shaped the field of xenotransplantation, from the advent of cyclosporine A, to genetic manipulations to overcome hyperacute rejection (HAR) through knockdown of α1,3-Galactosyl transferase and overexpression of human complement regulatory proteins (CRP), challenges posed by the discovery of porcine endogenous retroviruses, and the recent breakthrough of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. Beyond HAR, this chapter reviews the remaining immunologic barriers to successful xenotransplantation from acute vascular rejection/delayed xenograft rejection (AVR/DXR), to T-cell mediated acute rejection and chronic rejection. A special emphasis is placed on the pivotal role that activation of the xenograft endothelium plays in fueling AVR/DXR and its associated thrombotic microangiopathy, and on the identity of a handful of genes—chief amongst them A20—that can mitigate the pro-inflammatory and pro-coagulant crisis by allowing the endothelium to “accommodate” to the host immune and inflammatory attack. Revolutionary technologies that are enabling progress such as targeted gene disruption and transgenesis, CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, cloning, and ex vivo machine perfusion systems are described. The chapter also proposes a wish list for engineering the best possible pig for xenotransplantation. A minimalistic, yet optimal, recipe supported by both in vitro and in vivo evidence calls for a pig that will be a triple knockout for the enzymes synthesizing xenogeneic carbohydrates, knockout for class I swine leukocyte antigen, and overexpressing human CRPs (CD46, CD55, or CD59) as well as regulators of coagulation (thrombomodulin, TFPI CD39), A20, HO-1, and immunoregulatory molecules such as human CD47. Finally, persistent challenges in xenotransplantation are acknowledged, including molecular incompatibilities between pigs and humans affecting immune regulation, coagulation and even organ function or animal viability, as well as ethical considerations and cost of engineering these organs.
A Bayesian Multidimensional Scaling Procedure for the Spatial Analysis of Revealed Choice Data

We present a new Bayesian formulation of a vector multidimensional scaling procedure for the spatial analysis of binary choice data. The Gibbs sampler is gainfully employed to estimate the posterior distribution of the specified scalar products, bilinear model parameters. The computational procedure allows for the explicit estimation of a covariance matrix which can accommodate violations of IIA due to context effects. In addition, posterior standard errors can be estimated which reflect differential degrees of consumer choice uncertainty and/or brand position instability. A marketing application concerning the analysis of consumers' consideration sets for luxury automobiles is provided to illustrate the use of the proposed methodology.
Time Dependent Volume and Enthalpy Responses in Polymers

Most users of polymeric materials have a good sense that the glass transition event is kinetic in nature, i.e., it depends on cooling or heating rate in conventional experiments, and that the glassy state is a non-equilibrium state. However, it is often not appreciated that the structural recovery which occurs as a glass attempts to reach equilibrium is non-linear (e.g., the rate of volume recovery depends on the instantaneous volume). The non-linear viscoelastic nature of structural recovery can lead to surprising behaviors in certain kinds of measurements. It results in, for example, the asymmetry of approach in up and down-temperature jumps. The features of enthalpy and volume recovery, including the sub-T g peaks and excess enthalpy overshoots in differential scanning calorimetry, are well-described by models of structural recovery developed in the 1970's. The purpose of the present work is to describe structural recovery and physical aging and their impacts on material performance and measurement of material properties. In addition, we present new results from calculations using the structural recovery models in which we demonstrate that new analytical tools, such as Temperature Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TMDSC), need to be used with caution when glass-forming systems are studied because of the nonlinear viscoelastic nature of structural recovery.
Circulatory dynamics of pregnancy

The ability of pregnant and nonpregnant animals to handle a standard infusion of physiologic saline was determined. Infused fluid leaves the circulatory system of pregnant animals and enters the extravascular space at a relatively slower rate. This becomes apparent when pregnant animals are subjected to nephrectomy prior to infusion and their response compared to that of the nonpregnant animals which had nephrectomy prior to infusion. An analogue model of the system suggests that this may be due to a lesser degree of dilution of the pregnant animal’s plasma proteins following saline infusion.
The development of a quantitative RIA for basic fibroblast growth factor using polyclonal antibodies against the 157 amino acid form of human bFGF. The identification of bFGF in adherent elicited murine peritoneal macrophages.

Polyclonal antibodies which have the capacity to neutralize the biological activity of basic fibriblast growth factor (bFGF) in vitro, have been raised in rabbits against the 157 amino acid form of bFGF purified from human placenta. In a dot blot assay the anti-bFGF antibodies do not recognize the acidic form of FGF (aFGF) with which the basic form shares significant amino acid sequence homology. As determined by immunoblotting, bFGF antibodies recognized only bFGF in a mixture of placentally derived heparin-binding proteins, demonstrating the specificity of these antibodies. Using the anti-human bFGF antibodies, we have developed a solid-phase competitive radioimmunoassay sensitive to 7.8 ng/ml (0.4 pmol/ml) for bFGF. aFGF does not compete with bFGF for binding to the antibodies in the radioimmunoassay even at 2.04 μg/ml. The specificity of the assay was further demonstrated by a lack of competition of cytochrome C, myoglobin, epidermal growth factor or bovine serum albumin with bFGF for binding to the antibodies. We have identified bFGF in extracts of adherent thioglycollate-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages by immunological criteria including the ability of the extract to compete with 125I-bFGF for binding to affinity-purified anti-human bFGF antibodies in the RIA and the ability of these antibodies in inhibit the bFGF-like biological activity of the macrophage extract.
PTSD severity and cognitive reactions to trauma among a college sample : An exploratory study

Two hundred twenty-one undergraduate education students were assessed to determine trauma history and cognitive responses to traumatic events. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Cognitive Distortions Scale, and the PTSD Symptom Scale (for those reporting a trauma history). The most common types of traumatic events were domestic violence, natural disasters, and severe transportation accidents. Differences in cognitive distortions of individuals with and without a trauma history also were assessed. Individuals with a trauma history were significantly higher on Preoccupation with Danger and Self-Blame subscales. Number of previous traumatic events and the subscale of Preoccupation of Danger significantly predicted PTSD severity.
Comparative Diaspora Politics in Asia: Non-Resident Indians and the Overseas Chinese

Diaspora politics are usually studied in the context of developed Western democracies. This paper compares and contrasts diaspora politics in China and India, two key contemporary rising powers. China and India have large diaspora populations, the overseas Chinese and the non-resident Indians, respectively. Their diaspora members live in many countries in the West, in Southeast Asia, and elsewhere. The overseas Chinese have played a key role in the economic development of China, and India is increasingly turning to its own diaspora as a source of investment and expertise. The paper employs in-depth comparative case studies as the testing method. Comparisons across China and India allow us to isolate causal effects of democracy, as these countries are similar in terms of size, the level of economic development, and recent rates of economic growth, while they differ sharply in their regime type. Furthermore, the overseas Chinese and non-resident Indians live in significant numbers in a number of different countries. This allows us to approximate natural experiments in addressing the question of why diaspora communities are better integrated in some countries of residence than in others.
Personal computer symbolic analysis program for undergraduate engineering courses

The use of symbolic analysis programs in undergraduate engineering education is discussed. Examples of a wide range of applications, such as illustrations of network theorems, determination of sensitivity, parameter variation studies, effect of gain bandwidth, etc., are given. Symbolic analysis programs currently available for the personal computer are discussed. >
Morgan Receives 2013 Paul G. Silver Award for Outstanding Scientific Service: Response

Thank you, Kelin, for your kind words and nomination, and thanks to the Tectonophysics, Seismology, and Geodesy sections for extending this honor. I also want to recognize the efforts of so many others who really drove the GeoPRISMS program; my job was primarily as a facilitator, channeling the great ideas of the community into distinctive scientific opportunities benefiting a large number of researchers, and what a creative, energetic, and generous community it is. It has been particularly satisfying to watch GeoPRISMS grow during my term as chair, especially with the enthusiastic involvement of the students and early-career researchers who are the future of the program.
Fish'n'Steps: encouraging physical activity with an interactive computer game

A sedentary lifestyle is a contributing factor to chronic diseases, and it is often correlated with obesity. To promote an increase in physical activity, we created a social computer game, Fish'n'Steps, which links a player's daily foot step count to the growth and activity of an animated virtual character, a fish in a fish tank. As further encouragement, some of the players' fish tanks included other players' fish, thereby creating an environment of both cooperation and competition. In a fourteen-week study with nineteen participants, the game served as a catalyst for promoting exercise and for improving game players' attitudes towards physical activity. Furthermore, although most player's enthusiasm in the game decreased after the game's first two weeks, analyzing the results using Prochaska's Transtheoretical Model of Behavioral Change suggests that individuals had, by that time, established new routines that led to healthier patterns of physical activity in their daily lives. Lessons learned from this study underscore the value of such games to encourage rather than provide negative reinforcement, especially when individuals are not meeting their own expectations, to foster long-term behavioral change.
The Duran Duran project: the augmented reality toolkit in live performance

A variety of real time visual effects were developed for the band Duran Duran's December 2000 "Pop Trash", live concert tour. The ARtoolkit was utilized extensively to prototype and demonstrate many of these effect sequences.
Selective antagonism of GluR5 kainate-receptor-mediated synaptic currents by topiramate in rat basolateral amygdala neurons.

Topiramate is a widely used antiepileptic agent whose mechanism of action is poorly understood. The drug has been reported to interact with various ion channel types, including AMPA/kainate receptors. In whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings from principal neurons of the rat basolateral amygdala, topiramate at low concentrations (IC 50 , ∼0.5 μm) selectively inhibited pharmacologically isolated excitatory synaptic currents mediated by kainate receptors containing the GluR5 subunit. Topiramate also partially depressed predominantly AMPA-receptor-mediated EPSCs, but with lower efficacy. Topiramate did not alter the degree of facilitation in paired-pulse experiments, and it reduced the amplitude of miniature EPSCs without affecting their frequency, demonstrating that the block of synaptic responses occurs postsynaptically. Inhibition of GluR5 kainate receptors could represent a key mechanism underlying the anticonvulsant activity of topiramate. Moreover, these results support the concept that GluR5 kainate receptors represent a novel target for antiepileptic drug development.
Selective Conditions Are Required for the Induction of Invariant NKT Cell Hyporesponsiveness by Antigenic Stimulation

Activation of invariant (i)NKT cells with the model Ag α-galactosylceramide induces rapid production of multiple cytokines, impacting a wide variety of different immune reactions. In contrast, following secondary activation with α-galactosylceramide, the behavior of iNKT cells is altered for months, with the production of most cytokines being strongly reduced. The requirements for the induction of this hyporesponsive state, however, remain poorly defined. In this study, we show that Th1-biasing iNKT cell Ags could induce iNKT cell hyporesponsiveness, as long as a minimum antigenic affinity was reached. In contrast, the Th2-biasing Ag OCH did not induce a hyporesponsive state, nor did cytokine-driven iNKT cell activation by LPS or infections. Furthermore, although dendritic cells and B cells have been reported to be essential for iNKT cell stimulation, neither dendritic cells nor B cells were required to induce iNKT cell hyporesponsiveness. Therefore, our data indicate that whereas some bone marrow-derived cells could induce iNKT cell hyporesponsiveness, selective conditions, dependent on the structure and potency of the Ag, were required to induce hyporesponsiveness.
Originating Difference in Rhetorical Theory: Lord Monboddo's Obsession with Language Origins Theory

Historians of rhetoric have largely neglected eighteenth-century Language Origins Theory (LOT). Yet, as a theory that interconnects language, human nature, and human difference, LOT is an important and central inquiry to modern formations of rhetoric, particularly in how they engage with ethics of difference. Examining how the Scottish rhetorician and Enlightenment intellectual, Lord Monboddo, bases his rhetoric on an ethically problematic version of LOT, this article urges historians and students of rhetoric to be wary of the traces of LOT in canonical rhetorical histories as well as in contemporary theories and pedagogical practices.
Mortality Statistics for Life Insurance Underwriting

Abstract The paper deals chiefly with those mortality statistics, compiled from the experience of insured persons, that have been used as a guide in life insurance underwriting. Properly interpreted, these statistics shed considerable light on the factors influencing human longevity. The use made of other mortality statistics in the underwriting of life insurance risks is also indicated. * A paper presented at the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Statistical Association, New York City, December 30, 1947.
Thermal history of solid H 4 e under oscillation

We have studied the thermal history of the resonant frequency of a torsional oscillator containing solid $^{4}\text{H}\text{e}$. We find that the magnitude of the frequency shift that occurs below $\ensuremath{\sim}100\text{ }\text{mK}$ is multivalued in the low-temperature limit, depending strongly on how the state is prepared. This result can be qualitatively explained in terms of the motion and pinning of quantized vortices within the sample. Several aspects of the data are also consistent with the response of dislocation lines to oscillating stress fields imposed on the solid. However, studies of solid helium in porous media, several control experiments, and the magnitude of the frequency shift found in this and other experiments all indicate that the most appropriate interpretation of the torsional oscillator results is the existence of a supersolid $^{4}\text{H}\text{e}$ phase.
Catastrophic neurologic signs due to drug interaction: Tegretol and darvon

Eight cases of carbamazepine toxicity from interaction with propoxyphene are reported. Serum concentrations of carbamazepine increased up to sixfold. All patients were symptomatic and two were hospitalized. Practitioners prescribing propoxyphene acutely for pain should be aware of this significant interaction.