cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dendritic cell type determines the mechanism of bystander suppression by adaptive T regulatory cells specific for the minor antigen HA-1.

One hallmark of acquired tolerance is bystander suppression, a process whereby Ag-specific (adaptive) T regulatory cells (T R ) inhibit the T effector cell response both to specific Ag and to a colocalized third-party Ag. Using peripheral blood T cells from recipients of HLA-identical kidney transplants as responders in the trans vivo-delayed type hypersensitivity assay, we found that dendritic cells (DC), but not monocyte APCs, could mediate bystander suppression of EBV-specific recall response. When HA-1 H peptide was added to mixtures of plasmacytoid DC (pDC) and T cells, bystander suppression of the response to a colocalized recall Ag occurred primarily via indolamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) production. Similarly, addition of HA-1 H peptide to cocultures of T cells and pDC, but not myeloid DC (mDC), induced IDO activity in vitro. When mDC presented HA-1 H peptide to Ag-specific CD8 + T R , cytokine release (TGF-β, IL-10, or both) was the primary mode of bystander suppression. Bystander suppression via mDC was reversed not only by Ab to TGF-β and its receptor on T cells, but also by Ab to thrombospondin-1. EBV addition did not induce IDO or thrombospondin-1 in T-DC cocultures, suggesting that these DC products are not induced by T effector cells, but only by T R cells. These results shed light upon the mechanism of bystander suppression by donor Ag-specific T R in patients with organ transplant tolerance and underscores the distinct and critical roles of mDC and pDCs in this phenomenon.
A five to fifteen year follow-up study of one hundred ninety-two cervical cancers

I N 1926, I reported the five-year end-results in the treatment of 107 cancers of the uterine cervix. The study has been continued since then and another group of cases is now ready for review. Because tho new series is also small, I am combining my entire material instead of presenting separate reports. This paper, therefore, is based on a study of 192 proved cancers of the uterine cervix treated between March, 1916, and March, 1926, in my series in the University of California Hospital. The fiveto fifteen-year end-result is now known in all but 2 patients, each of whom escaped the follow-up after having been seen and examined for more than three years. At the time of the 1926 report, there were 3 cases lost from the follow-up. One of these has been found to be alive and well now ten years after treatment. The efficacy of the followup is further attested by the fact that no case has been lost from ob. servation between March, 1921, and the present time. Ma,tsria’l.-The series is comprised of 159 patients who had had no treatment for their cancers prior to admission to my services and 33 women who had had operations for them elsewhere and had been referred to me later for radiation eit,her as prophylaxis or for treatment of an evident recurrence. I have classified my material as follows: Group I, 1’7 cases; Group II, 26 cases; Group III, 74 cases; Group IV, 42 cases, and Group V, or Recurrent Group, 33 cases. The grouping of cancer cannot be standardized because so much depends upon the individuality of the surgeon. The cancer of a certain patient may appear to one well-trained surgeon as a definite example of one group, whereas another equally competent man may assign it to an entirely different classification. For this reason there will always bz disagreement concerning the proper grouping of any but the very early
Shifting the Load: a Peer Dialogue Agent that Encourages its Human Collaborator to Contribute More to Problem Solving

Despite a growing need for educational tools that support students at the earliest phases of undergraduate Computer Science (CS) curricula, relatively few such tools exist–the majority being Intelligent Tutoring Systems. Since peer interactions more readily give rise to challenges and negotiations, another way in which students can become more interactive during problem solving, we created an artificial peer collaborator to determine its value for aiding CS students. Central to its development was the notion that it should monitor the student’s collaborative behavior and attempt to guide him/her towards more productive behavior. In prior work, we found that initiative shifts correlate with both Knowledge Co-Construction (KCC) and learning and are potentially easier to model as an indicator of productive collaboration in instructional software. In this paper, we describe a unique peer dialogue agent that we created to test the effects of tracking and reacting to initiative shifts. While our study did not find differences in learning gains when comparing agents that do and do not track and react to initiative shifts, we did find that students do learn when interacting with the agent and that attempting to influence initiative taking did make a difference. This suggests that by tracking initiative shifts, the agent was able to detect times when the student had been letting the agent do most of the “deep thinking” and that the agent’s tactics for encouraging the student to begin taking the initiative again were helpful.
Type I Interferons Regulate the Magnitude and Functionality of Mouse Polyomavirus-Specific CD8 T Cells in a Virus Strain-Dependent Manner.

Mouse polyomavirus (MPyV) is a ubiquitous persistent natural mouse pathogen. A glutamic acid (E)-to-glycine (G) difference at position 91 of the VP1 capsid protein shifts the profile of tumors induced by MPyV from an epithelial to a mesenchymal cell origin. Here we asked if this tropism difference affects the MPyV-specific CD8 T cell response, which controls MPyV infection and tumorigenesis. Infection by the laboratory MPyV strain RA (VP1-91G) or a strain A2 mutant with an E-to-G substitution at VP1 residue 91 [A2(91G)] generated a markedly smaller virus-specific CD8 T cell response than that induced by A2(VP1-91E) infection. Mutant A2(91G)-infected mice showed a higher frequency of memory precursor (CD127(hi) KLRG1(lo)) CD8 T cells and a higher recall response than those of A2-infected mice. Using T cell receptor (TCR)-transgenic CD8 T cells and immunization with peptide-pulsed dendritic cells, we found that early bystander inflammation associated with A2 infection contributed to recruitment of the larger MPyV-specific CD8 T cell response. Beta interferon (IFN-β) transcripts were induced early during A2 or A2(91G) infections. IFN-β inhibited replication of A2 and A2(91G) in vitro Using mice lacking IFN-αβ receptors (IFNAR(-/-)), we showed that type I IFNs played a role in controlling MPyV replication in vivo but differentially affected the magnitude and functionality of virus-specific CD8 T cells recruited by A2 and A2(91G) viral infections. These data indicate that type I IFNs are involved in protection against MPyV infection and that their effect on the antiviral CD8 T cell response depends on capsid-mediated tropism properties of the MPyV strain. Importance Isolates of the human polyomavirus JC virus from patients with the frequently fatal demyelinating brain disease progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) carry single amino acid substitutions in the domain of the VP1 capsid protein that binds the sialic acid moiety of glycoprotein/glycolipid receptors on host cells. These VP1 mutations may alter neural cell tropism or enable escape from neutralizing antibodies. Changes in host cell tropism can affect recruitment of virus-specific CD8 T cells. Using mouse polyomavirus, we demonstrate that a single amino acid difference in VP1 known to shift viral tropism profoundly affects the quantity and quality of the anti-polyomavirus CD8 T cell response and its differentiation into memory cells. These findings raise the possibility that CD8 T cell responses to infections by human polyomaviruses may be influenced by VP1 mutations involving domains that engage host cell receptors.
Calculations of Bulk and Surface Magnetic Polaritons in Modulated Antiferromagnetic / Non-Magnetic Superlattices

Recent advances in molecular beam epitaxy have renewed research on the physics of artificially structured magnetic superlattices. In particular, there has been much theoretical research on the propagation of magnetic spin waves or magnetic polaritons in magnetic superlattices. 1 In this work, we have studied the effect of modulating both the period of an antiferromagnetic/non-Magnetic semi-infinite superlattice and the relative thickness of its individual layers to see how the dispersion relationships co (k) for bulk and surface magnetic polaritons are effected. We have also calculated the effect of an external magnetic field on (u (k) and our calculation goes beyond the magnetostatic approximation by taking retardation effects into account.
Carboxylamidase Activity in the Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Other Lepidoptera, Orthoptera, and Dictyoptera

Carboxylamidase activity in larvae of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), was studied using p -nitroacetanilide as a model substrate. Enzyme activity was found in all tissues examined, with the midgut exhibiting the highest specific activity. Of the midgut subcellular fractions, the microsomal fraction contained the highest specific activity. The apparent Km value for the enzyme was 0.67 mM and the pH optimum was 8.0. The enzyme was quite stable, losing <10% of its original activity after 10 wk at -20°C. Activity was inhibited in vitro by the hydrolase inhibitors paraoxon, triphenyl phosphate, eserine, and phenylmethyl-sulfonyl fluoride, showing I50 values of 2.8 μM, 0.19 mM, 24 μM, and 0.13 mM, respectively. Activity was also inhibited by several organophosphorus insecticides at 0.1 mM; profenofos inhibited the enzyme 93%, dichlorvos 94%, and tetrachlorvinphos 75%. Carboxylamidase activity was expressed in all postembryonic stages. It was widely distributed in different insect species from the orders Lepidoptera, Orthoptera, and Dictyoptera. In the cockroach species studied, activity appeared to be family dependent. Activity was highest among the Blattellidae, intermediate among the Blaberidae, and not detectable in the Blattidae. Carboxylamidase activity toward other aromatic amides such as acetanilide and phenacetin was also detected in fall armyworm larvae.
ANCA-associated Vasculitis: A Prothrombotic State Even in Remission?

It is well established that active antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) — granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener’s; GPA) or microscopic polyangiitis — is associated with a very high risk of venous thromboembolic events (VTE): about 7 per 100 person-years1,2,3,4, compared to 0.15–0.31 in the general population5,6,7. Risk probably remains elevated, although to a much lower degree, during remission. Such risk has been calculated (1.0 per 100 person-years) in only 1 study4 and was not formally compared to the published data on healthy persons available at the time5; but dissection of data from the other studies of VTE in AAV1,2,3 and addition of data from new and very large cohorts of healthy persons support the statement that the relative risk of VTE during quiescent AAV is elevated, probably to about the same degree as in rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease6,7,8. The increased risk of VTE in AAV, regardless of disease activity, cannot be attributed to the known risk factors for VTE2,4,9. It is on this background that Hilhorst, et al looked for evidence of hypercoagulability in patients with quiescent AAV10. At first glance, it might appear that investigating active AAV would be more fruitful, but since abnormalities related to … Address correspondence to Dr. Monach. E-mail: pmonach{at}bu.edu
Primary amyloidosis of the bladder.

AbstractA lesion of the bladder that looks like carcinoma is most likely carcinoma but benign conditions, such as amyloidosis, should be borne in mind in the differential diagnosis. Transurethral resection was adequate treatment for our patient as well as those reported previously. We agree with others that followup is mandatory.
Extracranial neurogenic tumors of the head and neck.

The vast majority of head and neck nerve tumors are benign. Proper management involves accurate preoperative evaluation and a high degree of suspicion. Ideal treatment involves complete resection but debulking procedures have a definite role. Chemotherapy is reserved for unre-sectable or metastatic disease.
Specificity of the in vitro destruction of adrenal and hepatic microsomal steroid hydroxylases by thiosteroids.

Studies are presented to show that thiosteroids such as deacetylspironolactone or 7α-thiotestosterone may be used as biochemical probes to correlate the amount of cytochrome P-450 associated with specific steroid hydroxylases. The ability of the thiosteroids to destroy cytochrome P-450 differed markedly among microsomes prepared from liver, adrenal and testicular tissues, and seemed proportional to the magnitude of the spectral interactions of the thiosteroids with cytochrome P-450. At low concentrations (1.0 µM), 7α-thiotestosterone caused a NADPH-dependent destruction of hepatic cytochrome P-450 which was associated with a preferential decrease in the activity of testosterone 7α-hydroxylase. At 4.5 µM, it also caused a NADPH-dependent decrease in 2β, 6β, and 16α-testosterone hydroxylase, but no NADPH-dependent decrease in benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylation. The destruction of adrenal cytochrome P-450 by deacetylspironolactone in guinea pig microsornes was concurrent with a decrease in the activity of progesterone 17α-hydroxylase, but not of progesterone 21-hydroxylase. Studies with radiolabeled deacetylspironolactone suggest that during the loss of cytochrome P-450 by thiosteroids the sulfur atom of the thio group after activation by cytochrome P-450 is eliminated from the steroid moiety and binds covalently to the cytochrome P-450-apoenzymes, thereby resulting in the concomitant loss of the activity and the heme of the cytochrome P-450-dependent steroid hydroxylase.
A summary of the influence of exogenous estrogen administration across the lifespan on the GH/IGF-1 axis and implications for bone health

Bone growth, development, and remodeling are modulated by numerous circulating hormones. Throughout the lifespan, the extent to which each of the hormones impacts bone differs. Understanding the independent and combined impact of these hormones on controlling bone remodeling allows for the development of more informed decision making regarding pharmacology, specifically the use of hormonal medication, at all ages. Endocrine control of bone health in women is largely dictated by the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) axis and the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis. Growth hormone, secreted from the pituitary gland, stimulates cells in almost every tissue to secrete IGF-1, although the majority of circulating IGF-1 is produced hepatically. Indeed, systemic IGF-1 concentrations have been found to be correlated with bone mineral density (BMD) in both pre- and post-menopausal women and is often used as a marker of bone formation. Sex steroids produced by the ovaries, namely estradiol, mediate bone resorption through binding to estrogen receptors on osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Specifically, by increasing osteoclast apoptosis and decreasing osteoblast apoptosis, adequate estrogen levels prevent excessive bone resorption, which helps to explain the rapid decline in bone mass that occurs with the menopausal decrease in estrogen production. Though there are documented correlations between endogenous estrogen concentrations and GH/IGF-1 dynamics, this relationship changes across the lifespan as sex-steroid dynamics fluctuate and, possibly, as tissue responsiveness to GH stimulation decreases. Aside from the known role of endogenous sex steroids on bone health, the impact of exogenous estrogen administration is of interest, as exogenous formulations further modulate GH and IGF-1 production. However, the effect and extent of GH and IGF-1 modulation seems to be largely dependent on age at administration and route of administration. Specifically, premenopausal women using combined oral contraceptive therapy (COC), post-menopausal women taking oral hormone therapy (HT), and both pre- and post-menopausal women using a transdermal form of estrogen therapy (COC or HT) demonstrate disparate GH/IGF-1 responses to exogenous estrogen. This review serves to summarize what is currently known regarding the influence of exogenous estrogen administration across the lifespan on the GH/IGF-1 axis and implications for bone health.
Complete reionization constraints from Planck 2015 polarization

We conduct an analysis of the Planck 2015 data that is complete in reionization observables from the large angle polarization $E$-mode spectrum in the redshift range $6lzl30$. Based on 5 principal components, all of which are constrained by the data, this single analysis can be used to infer constraints on any model for reionization in the same range; we develop an effective likelihood approach for applying these constraints to models. By allowing for an arbitrary ionization history, this technique tests the robustness of inferences on the total optical depth from the usual steplike transition assumption, which is important for the interpretation of many other cosmological parameters such as the dark energy and neutrino mass. The Planck 2015 data not only allow a high redshift $zg15$ component to the optical depth but prefer it at the $2\ensuremath{\sigma}$ level. This preference is associated with excess power in the multipole range $10\ensuremath{\lesssim}\ensuremath{\ell}\ensuremath{\lesssim}20$ and may indicate high redshift ionization sources or unaccounted for systematics and foregrounds in the 2015 data.
An Ecophenomenological Approach to Hunting, Animal Studies, and Food Justice

A phenomenological description of hunting and eating animals provides insight into many timely questions about environmental justice, the ethical relationships of human and non-human animals, the politics of food production and consumption, and the even larger questions of alienation, authenticity, and mindfulness in our modern capitalist lifeworld. Despite this nexus of discourse, hunting has rarely been treated seriously as a site for food justice or ecological ethics. Informed by Iris Marion Young’s concept of social justice and Val Plumwood’s ecofeminist perspectives on predation, this essay proposes an ecophenomenological description of hunting whitetail deer in the Midwestern United States and other entanglements in the wild places of the Pacific Northwest where we ourselves may become prey. In particular, I offer examples from the decade-long public policy debate over ‘canned hunting’ in Indiana to show how our relationships with traditional game animals have ontological consequences that reverberate throughout broader environmental and food justice realities. Inspired by William Faulkner’s phenomenological critique of private property in his novel Go Down, Moses and by my own evolution as an eater, I claim that our understandings of the arbitrary division of culture and nature play a key role in our ethical comportment towards nonhuman lifeworlds.
Utilizing Secondary Agricultural Education Programs to Deliver Evidence-Based Grain Safety Training for Young and Beginning Workers.

Purdue University's Agricultural Safety and Health Program (PUASHP) has collaborated with secondary agricultural education programs, including FFA Chapters, for over 70 years to deliver and promote agricultural safety and health programming. With support from a U.S. Department of Labor Susan Harwood Program grant, PUASHP utilized a Developing a Curriculum (DACUM) process to develop, implement, and evaluate an evidence-based curriculum for use with young and beginning workers, ages 16-20, exposed to hazards associated with grain storage and handling. The primary audience was students enrolled in secondary agricultural education programs. A review of the literature identified a gap in educational resources that specifically addresses this target population. The curriculum developed was based on fatality and injury incident data mined from Purdue's Agricultural Confined Space Incident Database and input from a panel of experts. The process identified 27 learning outcomes and finalized a pool of test questions, supported by empirical evidence and confirmed by a panel of experts. An alignment process was then completed with the current national standards for secondary agricultural education programs. Seventy-two youth, ages 16-20, enrolled in secondary-school agricultural education programs, and a smaller group of post-secondary students under the age of 21 interested in working in the grain industry pilot tested the curriculum. Based on student and instructor feedback, the curriculum was refined and submitted to OSHA for approval as part of OSHA's online training resources. The curriculum was delivered to 3,665 students, ages 16-20. A total of 346 pre- and post-tests were analyzed, and the results used to confirm content validity and assess knowledge gain. Findings led to additional modifications to curriculum content, affirmed knowledge gain, and confirmed appropriateness for use with secondary agricultural education programs. The curriculum has been promoted nationally and made available for free download from www.agconfinedspaces.org . Findings further confirmed the value of delivering safety programming through established programs such as secondary agricultural education programs and FFA Chapters serving youth.
Extent of localized tree mortality influences soil biogeochemical response in a beetle-infested coniferous forest

Abstract Recent increases in the magnitude and occurrence of insect-induced tree mortality are disrupting evergreen forests globally. To resolve potentially conflicting ecosystem responses, we investigated whether surrounding trees exert compensatory effects on biogeochemical signatures following beetle infestation. To this end, plots were surveyed within a Colorado Rocky Mountain watershed that experienced beetle infestation almost a decade prior and contained a range of surrounding tree mortality (from 9 to 91% of standing trees). Near-surface soil horizons under plot-centered live (green) and beetle-killed (grey) lodgepole pines were sampled over two consecutive summers with variable moisture conditions. Results revealed that soil respiration was 18–28% lower beneath beetle-infested trees and correlated to elevated dissolved organic carbon aromaticity. While certain edaphic parameters including pH and water content were elevated below grey compared to green trees regardless of the mortality extent within plots, other biogeochemical responses required a higher severity of surrounding mortality to overcome compensatory effects of neighboring live trees. For instance, C:N ratios under grey trees declined with increased severity of surrounding tree mortality, and the proportion of ammonium displayed a threshold effect with pronounced increases after surrounding tree mortality exceeded ∼40%. Overall, the biogeochemical response to tree death was most prominent in the mineral soil horizon where tree mortality had the largest affect on carbon recalcitrance and the enrichment of nitrogen species. These results can aid in determining when and where nutrient cycles and biogeochemical feedbacks to the atmosphere and hydrosphere will be observed in association with this type of ecological disturbance.
The relationship between genetics and environment in the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases.

Abstract Major developments have taken place to further our understanding of the relationship between genetics and the environment in the pathogenesis of rheumatic disorders. The association between HLA markers and human disease is becoming clearer. For instance, HLA-DRW4 frequently occurs in patients with rheumatoid disease, and penicillamine and gold toxicity are seen most often in patients with HLA-DRW2 or DRW3. Antisera to B alloantigens help define the genetic differences between systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. As yet, the most dramatic link is that between HLA-B27 and primary ankylosing spondylitis. This same antigen is related, to varying degrees, with other members of the seronegative spondylarthritides and there is strong evidence that this association is related to HLA-B27, itself, rather than an associated disease gene. Nevertheless, some data refute a single gene theory. We are just beginning to learn more about interactions between different genes on the sixth chromosome and genes on other chromosomes. The sex ratio of the spondylarthritides is now better defined. Sacroiliitis may have a comparable sex distribution although females have more peripheral joint disease and males have greater spinal involvement. Unfortunately, the explanation for these differences remains elusive. The specific infective agents related to the development of rheumatic disorders are becoming clarified. Chlamydia, Salmonella, Yersinia and Shigella flexneri types 1b and 2a are arthritogenic, while Shigella sonnei appears not to cause disease. Although the Reiter syndrome is now considered a chronic disease, the reason for remissions and relapses remains unclear.
Use of mobile tablet devices and reduction in time to perioperative transesophageal echocardiography reporting: a historical cohort study

Timely communication of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) findings to the postoperative care team is critical to optimizing patient care. We compared the use of a personal computer (PC) system with the use of a mobile tablet device (MTD) system for point-of-care TEE data entry and hypothesized that the MTD-based system would reduce the time to preliminary TEE reporting and decrease the incidence of delinquent reporting by 50%. In this historical cohort study, we reviewed 508 perioperative TEE reports entered by cardiothoracic anesthesia fellows. Reports were grouped based on whether data were entered on a PC (PC group) or a MTD (MTD group). Time to TEE reporting was defined as the time from the patient leaving the operating room to the time the TEE report was generated. Delinquent reports were defined as those generated >24 hr after the initial exam. Time to TEE reporting and incidence of delinquent reports were compared between the two groups. Mean (SD) time to TEE reporting was significantly improved with MTD data entry vs PC data entry [233 (676) min vs 1,103 (3,830) min, respectively; mean difference 870 min; 95% confidence interval (CI) 293 to 1,448; P = 0.003], and median (IQR) time was also significantly improved [46 (163) min vs 126 (1,000) min, respectively; median difference 80 min; P = 0.0002]. The incidence of report delinquency with MTD data entry vs PC data entry was also significantly reduced [2.1% vs 6.8%, respectively; mean difference 2.2%; 95% CI 0.5 to 9.0; P = 0.02]. Implementation of a MTD system for data entry leads to improved TEE reporting time and reduces TEE reporting delinquency. Further studies are required to determine whether this strategy enhances quality of reporting, optimizes communication between care teams, and improves outcomes without increasing costs.
Regulators of the morphogenetic furrow.

Unlike other imaginal discs, the Drosophila eye disc has a progressive pattern of differentiation. Photoreceptor clusters begin to form at the posterior margin of the eye disc in the third larval instar, and more anterior rows of clusters then differentiate in succession (Ready et al. 1976). Just prior to their differentiation, cells undergo an apical constriction and apical-basal contraction that produces an indentation in the disc known as the morphogenetic furrow (MF; Ready et al. 1976). Cells anterior to the MF divide actively and appear unpatterned. Just posterior to the MF, cells assemble into evenly spaced rosettes; slightly more posteriorly these transform into arcs, and the arcs then close to produce five-cell preclusters (Wolff and Ready 1991). Concurrently, these cells initiate a program of gene expression resulting in the appearance of neuralspecific markers in a defined sequence in the cells of each cluster (Tomlinson and Ready 1987). Cells in the MF are arrested in the G1 phase of the cell cycle (Thomas et al. 1994); posterior to the MF, cells excluded from the preclusters undergo one more round of division, the second mitotic wave, to generate the remaining cells of each ommatidium (Ready et al. 1976; Wolff and Ready 1991). This orderly and sequential pattern of differentiation, proliferation, and morphogenesis is organized by a set of signaling molecules that also direct many other developmental processes. The expression patterns and interactions of these molecules in the developing eye disc are shown in Fig. 1.
Climatic Constraints and Issues of Scale Controlling Regional Biomes

The prospect of climatic change threatens to cause large changes in regional biomes. These effects could be in the form of qualitative changes within biomes, as well as spatial changes in the boundaries of biomes. The boundaries, or ecotones, between biomes have been suggested as potentially sensitive areas to climatic change and therefore useful for monitoring change. Regional gradients of vegetation habitat size and variability are explored for their utility in detecting ecotone location and movement as driven by climatic change. Maximal habitat variability, as indicated by differential survivorship of plants, occurs at the ecotones or transitions between biomes. The principles developed for the analysis of abrupt changes in spatial habitat patterns (ecotones) will also be considered for the analysis and detection of potentially abrupt physiognomic changes through time (thresholds) over large regions. Extensive regional changes in habitat variability could occur rapidly, indicating an impending ‘ecotone’ in time (threshold) over much of the region. Rapid, regional changes could produce significant negative impacts on biological diversity. The two types of change, boundary shifts of regions and physiognomic shifts within regions, are potentially independent and may require different monitoring strategies to detect impending change.
Endothelin: the "prime suspect" in cerebral vasospasm.

Endothelin (ET)-l has demonstrated a wide variety of effects throughout the body. Studies have shown effects on bronchial constriction, on the kidneys, even as a potential neurotransmitter [20, 27, 40, 44]. Its effects on the vasculature have been widely studied [8, 32, 45]. Specifically, ET-1 has been studied with respect to its role in the development of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)-induced vasospasm. Following is a summary of ET-1 and its role in SAH-induced vasospasm.
CISPLATIN AND CARBOPLATIN IN TESTIS AND OVARIAN CANCER: PRO CISPLATIN

The availability of the analogs cisplatin and carboplatin has sparked considerable controversy as to the relative merits of the two agents. A number of randomized clinical trials have been done that address this issue. As expected, most of these trials have been done in the tumor types that are the most responsive to these agents, ovarian and testis cancer.
Redesigning LSMs for nonvolatile memory with NoveLSM

We present NoveLSM, a persistent LSM-based keyvalue storage system designed to exploit non-volatile memories and deliver low latency and high throughput to applications. We utilize three key techniques - a byte-addressable skip list, direct mutability of persistent state, and opportunistic read parallelism - to deliver high performance across a range of workload scenarios. Our analysis with popular benchmarks and real-world workload reveal up to a 3.8x and 2x reduction in write and read access latency compared to LevelDB. Storing all the data in a persistent skip list and avoiding block I/O provides more than 5x and 1.9x higher write throughput over LevelDB and RocksDB. Recovery time improves substantially with NoveLSM's persistent skip list.
John Conrad Hansen (1869–1952) and his scientific illustrations

Over the course of his 14-year career at Chicago's Field Museum of Natural History, artist and engraver John Conrad Hansen rendered hundreds of beautiful and accurate scientific illustrations of an...
NADiA: Neural Network Driven Virtual Human Conversation Agents

Advances in artificial intelligence and in particular machine learning and neural networks have given rise to a new generation of virtual assistants and chatbots. Within this work, we present NADiA - Neurally Animated Dialog Agent - that leverages both the user's verbal input as well as their facial expressions to respond in a meaningful way. NADiA combines a neural language model that generates appropriate responses to user prompts, a convolutional neural network for facial expression analysis, and virtual human technology that is deployed on a mobile phone. Here, we evaluate NADiA's anthropomorphic characteristics and its ability to understand the human interlocutor using both subjective as well as objective measures. We find that NADiA significantly outperforms state of the art chatbot technology and produces comparable behavior to human generated reference outputs.
A Case Report of a Breast Implant-Associated Plasmacytoma and Literature Review of Non-ALCL Breast Implant-Associated Neoplasms.

Lymphomas associated with breast implants are rare, with the most common being anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). Non-ALCL breast implant-associated lymphomas are even more rare, with only a small handful of such neoplasms reported to date. Given the need to better understand these pathologies as well as the increasing clinical and media attention being paid to these diseases, we review the available literature of hematolymphoid neoplasms other than ALCL associated with breast implants and describe the first case of a patient diagnosed with a primary breast implant-associated plasmacytoma. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5
Fast Activation Function Approach for Deep Learning Based Online Anomaly Intrusion Detection

The piecewise-linear activation functions such as ReLU become the catalyst that revolutionizes the training of the deep neural networks. Common nonlinear activation functions used in neural networks such as the tanh and the sigmoid activation functions su?er from saturation during training. The saturation behavior causes the problem of vanishing stochastic gradient decent. We propose a fast activation function, namely the Adaptive Linear Function (ALF) to increase the convergence speed and accuracy of the deep leaning structure for real-time applications. The ALF reduces the saturation effects caused by the soft activation functions and the vanishing gradient caused by the negative values of the ReLU. We evaluate the training method for an online anomaly intrusion detection system using Deep Belief Network (DBN) and simulating four bench mark datasets. The activation function increases the convergence speed of the DBN, with the entire training time reduced 80% compared to the sigmoid, ReLU, and tanh activation functions. The method achieves an accuracy rate of 98.59% on the total 10% KDDCUP'99 test dataset, 96.2% on the NSL-KDD dataset, 98.4% on the Kyoto dataset, and 96.57% on the CSIC HTTP dataset. The proposed activation function outperformed the results obtained when any of the three activation functions—sigmoid, ReLu, or tanh— was used on the test stream of the four datasets. Furthermore, the DBN structure outperforms state-of-the-art networks such as the Stacked Sparse AutoEncoder Based Extreme Learning Machine (SSAELM) in both accuracy and convergence speed
Mercury speciation and retention in a salt marsh undergoing long-term fertilization

Abstract Experimental plots in Great Sippewissett Marsh (Falmouth, MA USA) have been undergoing long-term (>48 years) fertilization through the application of commercial sewage sludge-based fertilizer. The experimental treatment focuses on the effect of added nitrogen on the salt marsh plots, but also supplies mercury (Hg) and other metals. This experiment provides a unique opportunity to test hypotheses regarding the Hg-related response of coastal marine ecosystems to eutrophication as well as assess the efficacy of salt marshes as sinks for increased loadings of Hg to the coastal zone. Hg inventories in sediments of control plots were similar to loadings from atmospheric deposition and inventories in the fertilized plots closely reflected the estimated loadings of Hg contained in the added fertilizer. In both the control and fertilized plots, distribution of Hg appeared somewhat different than the history of loadings, implying some level of Hg mobility. The relative abundance of monomethylmercury (CH3Hg+) within the plots varied with the amount of fertilizer applied with the highest percentage of Hg as CH3Hg+ found in the control plots, and the lowest percentages of CH3Hg+ and S were measured in plots fertilized at the highest dose. The results from this marsh suggest that eutrophication indirectly lowers CH3Hg+ production in this particular ecosystem, but perhaps not as a result of the sequestration of Hg(II) with S.
Contribution of Wildland-Fire Smoke to US PM2.5 and Its Influence on Recent Trends

Seasonal-mean concentrations of particulate matter with diameters smaller than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) have been decreasing across the United States (US) for several decades, with large reductions in spring and summer in the eastern US. In contrast, summertime-mean PM2.5 in the western US has not significantly decreased. Wildfires, a large source of summertime PM2.5 in the western US, have been increasing in frequency and burned area in recent decades. Increases in extreme PM2.5 events attributable to wildland fires have been observed in wildfire-prone regions, but it is unclear how these increases impact trends in seasonal-mean PM2.5. Using two distinct methods, (1) interpolated surface observations combined with satellite-based smoke plume estimates and (2) the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model (CTM), we identify recent trends (2006-2016) in summer smoke, nonsmoke, and total PM2.5 across the US. We observe significant decreases in nonsmoke influenced PM2.5 in the western US and find increases in summer-mean smoke PM2.5 in fire-prone regions, although these are not statistically significant due to large interannual variability in the abundance of smoke. These results indicate that without the influence of wildland fires, we would expect to have observed improvements in summer fine particle pollution in the western US but likely weaker improvements than those observed in the eastern US.
Vaccine safety in HIV-infected adults within the Vaccine Safety Datalink Project.

Abstract Objectives We evaluate safety of routine vaccination among adults infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in five healthcare organizations in the United States. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of HIV-infected adults who received inactivated influenza vaccines, hepatitis B vaccines, pneumococcal vaccines, or tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccines between 2002 and 2013. We conducted self-controlled case series analysis to estimate the relative risk (RR) for 11 pre-specified adverse events (AEs) requiring medical attention. Results Among 20,417 HIV-infected adults (90.2% male), a total of 137,674 vaccine doses were administered. Based on ICD-9 codes, we detected an increased risk of cellulitis and infection (RR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.03–1.35) among all patients, and an increased risk of stroke/cerebrovascular diseases among patients with an HIV viral load >10,000 copies/ml (adjusted RR: 3.94, 95% CI: 1.32–11.72). Further analyses on chart confirmed cases of stroke/cerebrovascular diseases indicated no statistically significant increased risk (adjusted RR: 1.72, 95% CI: 0.41–7.24). There was no evidence of increased risk for other AEs following routine vaccination in HIV-infected adults. Conclusions Routinely administered vaccines are generally safe for HIV-infected adults.
Ensuring Data Integrity in Fog Computing Based Health-Care Systems

The advancement of information technology in coming years will bring significant changes to the way healthcare data is processed. Technologies such as cloud computing, fog computing, and the Internet of things (IoT) will offer healthcare providers and consumers opportunities to obtain effective and efficient services via real-time data exchange. However, as with any computer system, these services are not without risks. There is the possibility that systems might be infiltrated by malicious users and, as a result, data could be corrupted, which is a cause for concern. Once an attacker damages a set of data items, the damage can spread through the database. When valid transactions read corrupted data, they can update other data items based on the value read. Given the sensitive nature of healthcare data and the critical need to provide real-time access for decision-making, it is vital that any damage done by a malicious transaction and spread by valid transactions must be corrected immediately and accurately. Here, we present two models for using fog computing in healthcare: an architecture using fog modules with heterogeneous data, and another using fog modules with homogeneous data. We propose a unique approach for each module to assess the damage caused by malicious transactions, so that original data may be recovered and affected transactions may be identified for future investigations.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of predictors of recurrence in patients with Solid Pseudopapillary Tumors of the Pancreas.

Abstract Background The recurrence rates and predictors of recurrence in patients with Solid Pseudopapillary tumors (SPT) are unclear, which makes it challenging to determine the duration of follow-up. The aim of the current study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the recurrence rates and pathologic factors associated with recurrence in patients with SPT. Methods A PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science search was conducted to identify studies of SPT published during the last 15 years: (09/2002–09/2017). Studies reporting on patients with SPT and follow-up of >5 years were included. The search strategy was conducted per 2009 PRISMA guidelines. Results A total of 103 studies reporting on 2599 non-metastatic SPT patients were identified. Sixty-nine patients (2.6%) developed recurrence during follow-up. Pooled estimates from studies with a sample size >20 (N = 33) noted an overall recurrence rate of 2% (95% CI 1–2%). Male gender (OR 1.960), positive lymph nodes (OR 11.9), R1 margins (OR 11.1), and LVI (OR 5.5), were associated with a significantly (all p Conclusion Current meta-analysis suggests that only 2% of patients with SPT experience recurrence after resection. These data will guide the treating physicians and patients regarding recurrence rates and help identify patients at increased risk of recurrence during follow-up.
Onset of the action of intravesical lidocaine after spinal cord injury.

AIMS To obtain objective evidence for the time to onset of action for intravesical lidocaine utilizing exaggerated sympathetic blood-pressure responsiveness in patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI). METHODS This prospective observational cohort study analyzed blood pressure responses in individuals with SCI at or above T6 who did (lidocaine-instillation group) or did not (control group) receive 10 ml of 2% lidocaine gel instilled through their catheters before routine suprapubic catheter change. Care was taken to minimize any potentially confounding position change or catheter manipulation. Given the potential for C-fiber mediated systolic blood pressure (SBP) increases after SCI, the time to lidocaine's onset of action for blocking these C-fibers (as seen by the decrease in SBP more than and equal to 10 mm Hg) was assessed with serial blood pressures for 4 to 6 minutes. RESULTS Blood pressures were evaluated in 32 individuals with SCI (lidocaine-instillation group n = 22, control group n = 10). In the lidocaine-instillation group, 45% individuals demonstrated a sustained decrease in SBP more than and equal to 10 mm Hg, which occurred at a mean of 98.1 seconds (SD 59 seconds) after lidocaine instillation. Despite up to 6 minutes of serial monitoring, the remainder of the lidocaine-instillation group and the entire control group had SBP fluctuations less than 10 mm Hg. The serial mean SBPs of those who responded to lidocaine were significantly less than the remaining groups (P < .001 for both comparisons). CONCLUSION Utilizing lidocaine's properties to decrease sympathetic-inducing afferents after SCI, the time to onset of action for intravesical lidocaine was found to be approximately 90 seconds. This relatively rapid initial onset on action is especially pertinent when managing autonomic dysreflexia.
Management of Patients with Pelvic Recurrence Following Radical Cystectomy

Although muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder is notorious for early distant spread, there is a subset of patients in whom the first site of failure after radical cystectomy is local, within the pelvis. In the last 20 years, improved diagnostic and surgical techniques have contributed to improvement of local control rates, which has been reflected in better overall survival (Skinner and Lieskovsky 1984; Schoenberg et al. 1996). This impact on survival has generated interest in further optimizing local control since it is conceivable that a limited number of patients can benefit from more aggressive local treatment. Accordingly, Pollack et al. (1995) specifically examined the relationship between local failure and distant metastases and survival in 240 cystectomy patients. In multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazard models with 15 different factors and local failure, the authors found only local failure to be independently predictive of distant metastases (Pollack et al. 1995). Based on these findings, both more extensive surgery and the addition of radiotherapy to surgery have been explored.
Beyond Autism: Advocacy for Neurodevelopmental Differences.

In “Ethical Advocacy Across the Autism Spectrum: Beyond Partial Representation,” McCoy et al. analyze several ethical and political issues related to autism advocacy and the diverging needs of vari...
Education Library 2.0: The Establishment of a Dynamic Multi-Site Liaison Program.

Using a combination of marketing, Web 2.0 tools, videoconferencing, face-to-face instruction and site visits, a library presence including systematic information literacy instruction is embedded into multiple programs at sixteen sites in a growing college of education with nearly 6000 students and over 115 full-time faculty members. As the needs of the students and faculty evolve, the library program responds. This article describes the education library liaison program for Arizona State University’s College of Teacher Education and Leadership, including both successes and challenges, within the context of university, college, and library change.