cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lessons Learned from Recent Earthquakes and their Impact on NCEER research and Implementation Efforts

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews some significant lessons learned from past earthquake experiences and the influence these developments have had on the research and implementation activities of the U.S. National Center for Earthquake Engineering Research (NCEER). Damaging earthquakes provide opportunities to understand problematic effects on built and socioeconomic environments and to assess the validity of the past attempts to address areas of concern. The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) was established by the United States Congress in 1977 to provide a comprehensive, integrated national program to reduce losses of life and property resulting from earthquakes. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) have been charged with carrying out the principal Federal responsibilities outlined within NEHRP for the reduction of losses caused by earthquakes. NSF supports earthquake research through various avenues including individual funded research, through coordinated sponsored programs such as Technical Coordinating Committee on Masonry Research (TCCMAR), Repair and Rehabilitation(R&R), and Precast Seismic Structural Systems (PRESSS), and focused research centers. The National Center for Earthquake Engineering Research (NCEER) was established in 1986 by NSF through its Earthquake Hazard Mitigation Program (EHM) in the Division of Civil and Mechanical Systems to offer NSF an additional, unique mechanism to address earthquake engineering problems by using a systematically-integrated and interdisciplinary approach. The chapter details the mission and management under NCEER and illustrates few earthquake examples to highlight lessons learnt from them. Experiences from past earthquakes emphasize the need for continued research to improve preparedness and mitigation solutions. NCEER uses these experiences to initiate or to redirect research for the development of timely and useful solutions to recurrent and emerging engineering problems.
Persönliche Gestaltung der therapeutischen Beziehung

» »Prinzip A: Gutes tun und nicht schaden. Psychologen streben danach, den Menschen mit denen sie arbeiten, zu nutzen und dafur zu sorgen, dass sie ihnen nicht schaden… Da sich die wissenschaftlichen und professionellen Bewertungen von Psychologen auf das Leben anderer auswirken konnen, sind sie aufmerksam und beugen personlichen, finanziellen, sozialen, organisatorischen und politischen Faktoren vor, welche zu einem Missbrauch ihres Einflusses fuhren konnen. Psychologen streben danach, sich der moglichen Wirkung ihrer eigenen korperlichen und seelischen Gesundheit auf ihre Fahigkeit, anderen zu helfen, bewusst zu werden.« American Psychological Association, Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (2002, p. 3)«
Characterization of the heat shock protein response of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

The heat shock protein (hsp) response of juvenile Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar was investigated in isolated tissues subjected to various degrees of thermal shock. Distinct but overlapping arrays of proteins from the major hsp families (hsps 100, 90, 70, 60 and small hsps) were induced in branchial lamellae, hepatic tissue and erythrocytes. The two most prominent proteins induced by heat shock (MW ≅ 65 and 66 kDa) were found to be antigenic homologues of mammalian hsps72/73. A 2.6 kb transcript upregulated by the same conditions hybridized with cDNA probes to both human and salmon hsp70. Branchial lamellae exhibited the greatest degree of thermotolerance and mounted the most significant heat shock response. Moderate thermal shock induced more species of proteins in branchial lamellae than in hepatic tissue or erythrocytes, with the rate of hsp65/66 synthesis increased by as much as five fold. Thermal shock induced hsp65/66 eight fold in erythrocytes. In contrast, hepatic tissue which was least tolerant of thermal shock, lacked the inducible hsp65 and exhibited minimal induction of hsp66. Persistence of hsps was tested in erythrocytes, where elevated levels remained in the cells for at least 48 h after heat shock. The temporal pattern and magnitude of the hsp response in the stenothermal Atlantic salmon differed from that previously reported for eurythermal species. Also notable was the limited hsp response mounted by salmon tissues exposed to sodium arsenite, a known inducer of hsps. The characteristics of the hsp response to thermal shock support the significance of these proteins in adaptation of Atlantic salmon to environmental insult.
An investigation of the design process for end-user developed systems: an exploratory field study

The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the process by which end users develop computer application systems in order to identify key variables that could predict system success. More specifically, this study addressed the following general research question: Do successful end-user developed systems follow a different development process than the less successful ones? Four basic relationships were examined: (1) The relationship between the use of different system development methods to organize the activities of the end-user development (EUD) process and system success; (2) The relationship between the level of systems development expertise of end-user developers and system success; (3) The relationship between the level of development support provided by the information systems (IS) organization and system success; and (4) The relationship between the level of involvement of other end users in the development process and system success. The target group of end-user developers in the study included End-User Programmers and Functional Support Personnel as defined by the Rockart typology (Rockart and Flannery, 1983), A multi-user application system was the unit of analysis in this study. System success was measured by two surrogate attitudinal constructs: end-users' satisfaction with the developed application system, and end-user developers' satisfaction with its development process. The results of the study indicate that there is a statistically negative significant relationship between the level of development support provided by the formal IS services and system success. The supplemental quantitative analysis undertaken to explore possible explanations for the findings failed to provide a clear answer. Furthermore, no statistically significant relationships were observed between system success and the use of different system development methods to organize the activities of the end-user development process, the level of systems development expertise of end-user developers, and the level of involvement of other end users in the development process. The following three research issues were identified for further investigation: (1) How complex are end-user developed systems in comparison to the traditionally developed systems? (2) How complex is the process of end-user development as practiced? (3) How valuable are end-user developed systems to business organizations? (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
Microsyringe Arrays in Poly(Dimethyle Siloxane)

In this paper we discuss the development of integrated microsyringe arrays, fabricated using a rapid low-cost process that is easily adapted for many microfluidics systems. A key innovation to the development of the microsyringes is a process for producing microchannels in poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) with perfectly round cross-sections. The flexible PDMS conforms to an oversized spherical metal piston inserted into the channel, forming a leak-proof seal. This is the reverse of conventional syringes, which use a rigid vessel and compliant plunger.
Astroblastoma: Does histology predict biologic behavior?

Astroblastoma is a rare and controversial tumor about which little is known. We have made the diagnosis in seven patients since 1990 at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Four patients had astroblastomas with anaplastic features, whereas three patients had tumors which were well-differentiated. All three patients with low grade lesions are alive and recurrence free after surgery alone (mean follow-up 29 months). All four patients with anaplastic astroblastoma were treated with surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. One died of infection during induction chemotherapy. Two others died of tumor progression at 28 and 42 months. Radiographic response to chemotherapy was seen in one patient. The results of our series and other reports suggest that anaplastic histology is a prognostic factor in the setting of astroblastoma. More aggressive treatment is necessary for patients with anaplastic astroblastoma although the precise role of irradiation and chemotherapy cannot be defined at this time.
Excess glucose induce trophoblast inflammation and limit cell migration through HMGB1 activation of Toll‐Like receptor 4

Problem Hyperglycemia increases the risk of preeclampsia. Hyperglycemia induces a placental trophoblast inflammatory (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8), antiangiogenic (sFlt-1, sEndoglin), and anti-migratory profile. The IL-1β response is mediated via inflammasome activation by the damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP), uric acid. The objective of this study was to determine the role of high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1), a DAMP that activates Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), in human first trimester trophoblast responses to hyperglycemia. The trophoblast response to excess glucose under different oxygen tensions was also investigated. Method of study The human first trimester trophoblast cell line (Sw.71) was exposed to glucose mimicking normoglycemia (5 mmol/L) and hyperglycemia (10 mmol/L), either alone or with the TLR4 antagonist, LPS-RS; or the HMGB1 inhibitor, glycyrrhizin. Cells were also treated with glucose under hyperoxic (21% O2 ), normoxic (8% O2 ), and hypoxic (2% O2 ) conditions. Cell-free supernatants were assayed by ELISA and bioassays for inflammatory: IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8; inflammasome-associated: uric acid and caspase-1; angiogenic: sEndoglin, sFlt-1, and PlGF; and the DAMP, HMGB1. Cell migration was measured using a two-chamber colormetric assay. Results Excess glucose triggered a trophoblast sterile inflammatory IL-8 and antimigratory response through HMGB1 activation of TLR4. The IL-1β and sFlt-1/PlGF response was TLR4-mediated, but HMGB1-independent, suggesting another DAMP may be involved. Hyperoxia rather than normoxia or hypoxia was a major driver of trophoblast dysfunction in response to excess glucose. Conclusion The findings from this study indicate a novel mechanism by which hyperglycemia may impact trophoblast function, early placentation, and ultimately, pregnancy outcome.
Daily Heart Rate Variability before and after Concussion in an American College Football Player.

This case report demonstrates the effects of sport-related concussion (SRC) on heart rate variability (HRV) in an American college football player. Daily measures of resting, ultra-short natural logarithm of the root mean square of successive differences (LnRMSSD), subjective wellbeing, and Player Load were obtained each training day throughout a 4-week spring camp and 4 weeks of preseason training. SRC occurred within the first 2 weeks of the preseason. During spring camp and preseason pre-SRC, the athlete demonstrated minimal day-to-day fluctuations in LnRMSSD, which increased post-SRC (LnRMSSD coefficient of variation pre-SRC ≤ 3.1%, post-SRC = 5.8%). Moderate decrements in daily-averaged LnRMSSD were observed post-SRC relative to pre-SRC (Effect Size ± 90% Confidence Interval = −1.12 ± 0.80), and the 7-day rolling average fell below the smallest worthwhile change for the remainder of the preseason. LnRMSSD responses to SRC appeared similar to trends associated with stress and training fatigue. Therefore, performance and sports medicine staff should maintain regular communication regarding player injury and fatigue status so that HRV can be interpreted in the appropriate context. Detection and monitoring of autonomic dysregulation post-SRC may require near-daily assessment, as LnRMSSD showed greater daily fluctuations rather than chronic suppression following the head injury.
Synthesis and structural characterization of quaternary thorium selenophosphates: A2ThP3Se9 (A = K, Rb) and Cs4Th2P5Se17.

Single crystals of A2ThP3Se9 (A = K (I), Rb (II)) and Cs4Th2PsSe17 (III) form from the reaction of Th and P in a molten A2Se3/Se (A = K, Rb, Cs) flux at 750 °C for 100 h. Compound I crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 (No. 2) with unit cell parameters a = 10.4582(5) A, b = 16.5384(8) A, c = 10.2245(5) A, α = 107.637(1); β = 91.652(1); γ = 90.343(1)°, and Z = 2. Compound II crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 (No. 2) with the unit cell parameters a = 10.5369(5) A, b = 16.6914(8) A, c = 10.2864(5) A, α = 107.614(1)°, β = 92.059(1)°, γ = 90.409(1)°, and Z = 2. These structures consist of infinite chains of corner-sharing [Th2Se14] units linked by (P2Se6)4- anions in two directions to form a ribbonlike structure along the [100] direction. Compounds I and II are isostructural with the previously reported K2UP3Se9. Compound III crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2l/c (No. 14) with unit cell parameters a = 10.238(1) A, b = 32.182(2) A, c = 10.749(1) A; β = 95.832(1)°, and Z = 4. Cs4T...
Nonparametric Regressive Point Processes Based on Conditional Gaussian Processes

Real-world event sequences consist of complex mixtures of different types of events occurring in time. An event may depend on past events of the same type, as well as, the other types. Point processes define a general class of models for event sequences. ``Regressive point processes'' refer to point processes that directly model the dependency between an event and any past event, an example of which is a Hawkes process. In this work, we propose and develop a new nonparametric regressive point process model based on Gaussian processes. We show that our model can represent better many commonly observed real-world event sequences and capture the dependencies between events that are difficult to model using existing nonparametric Hawkes process variants. We demonstrate the improved predictive performance of our model against state-of-the-art baselines on multiple synthetic and real-world datasets.
High-speed LiDAR by multi-order laser beam steering with digital micromirror device (Conference Presentation)

Laser beam steering technology is essential for modern consumer and scientific optical devices including displays, microscopy, and Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) systems. Along with mechanical and completely non-mechanical beam steering approaches, Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) are emerging beam steering devices that are especially suitable for LIDAR systems due to their fast scan rate and large scan angle. A class of MEMS-based devices, the Digital Micromirror Device (DMD), has been demonstrated for beam steering too by synchronizing its mirror movement to laser pulse. The tilt movement of micromirrors synchronizes with multiple pulses from multiple laser sources that sequentially redirect the pulses to multiple diffraction orders within μs. Based on the beam steering principle, multi-beam and multi-pulse beam steering in single-chip DMD LIDAR architecture provides a pathway to fast distance range finding having over 1M samples/s scan rate by leveraging a commercially available DMD, laser diodes and drivers. As a proof of concept, 3.34kHz and 15 points of range finding is demonstrated by using three pulsed laser diodes operating at 905nm. Additionally, multi-pulse beam steering for 5 points with an increased scanning rate of 6.63kHz demonstrates further enhancement of the scanning speed. The approach opens up a pathway to achieve a LIDAR system with a scanning rate over 1M samples/s while leveraging a state of the art DMD and a moderate number of laser sources.
Does an undersized modified Blalock–Taussig shunt according to weight do better in Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia?

Introduction The Blalock–Taussig shunt (BTS) is regarded as a safe and effective means of increasing pulmonary blood flow for cyanotic heart conditions. The evaluation of shunt size for postoperative hemodynamics and until second stage remains difficult. Our objective was to determine the outcome of an undersized M-BTS according to weight on immediate and after 12 months of follow-up in patients who had Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia as a first step for total correction of biventricular repair. Patients and methods A total of 28 patients were recruited from January 2013 to December 2016. Clinical variables, such as age, sex, and weight, and perioperative variables, such as the diameter of the graft and branch pulmonary artery size, were reviewed. The mortality, morbidity, and O2saturation have been chosen as the outcome variables in immediate and 12-month follow-up results. Results A total of 28 M-BTSs were done with no mortality. All patients were done with right lateral thoracotomy. The mean age was 34 ± 31.9 months and weight was 12.2 ± 8.7 kg. There were 10 male and 18 female cases. The mean size of the shunt is 4.1 ± 0.9 mm. We used 5-mm shunts in eight cases, 4-mm shunts in 10 cases, 3.5-mm shunt in six cases, and 3-mm shunts in four cases. The mean size of the main pulmonary artery was 5.6 ± 1.5 mm, left pulmonary artery was 4.5 ± 1.6 mm, and right pulmonary artery was 6.5 ± 5.6 mm. Two patients had postoperative bleeding. Conclusion Undersized M-BTSs according weight reflect better immediate and short-term results in patients with Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia.
Interphases in Composites

During the cure of thermosetting polymer–matrix composites, the presence of reinforcing fibers significantly alters the resin composition in the vicinity of the fiber surface via several microscale processes, forming an interphase region with different chemical and physical properties from the bulk resin. The interphase composition is an important parameter that determines the composite micromechanical properties and the durability of the products in service. Historically, the description of the interphase has been rather empirical and because of the complexities of the molecular level mechanisms near the fiber surface, few studies have been carried out on the prediction of the interphase evolution as function of the process parameters. This chapter provides an overview of the existing thermodynamic and kinetics-based models for describing the interphase in composites and related experimental studies. The models are used to develop the processing–interphase and interphase–property linkages, which form the basis for guiding the process design for tailored composite properties and performance.
Medical student burnout: Impact of the gap year in burnout prevention.

Objective Burnout is a common response to stress and is pervasive among medical students. An increasing proportion of students are taking "gap years" following undergraduate education and before matriculation to medical school. This study evaluates rates of and risk factors for burnout, with a particular focus on students who took gap years. Methods Burnout was measured utilizing the abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory. The primary independent variable was whether a student took one or more gap years prior to medical school matriculation. Other variables included age, gender, year in medical school, choice in specialty, and status in a combined baccalaureate-M.D. Program Bivariate and multivariate regression was performed to elucidate relationships between student-level variables and burnout. Results A total of 31.4% of respondents were found to be experiencing high levels of burnout. In multivariate analysis, gap years were independently associated with lower levels of burnout (p = 0.041). Further, burnout decreased in a stepwise fashion with students who took 0 (p = 0.350), 1 (p = 0.192), and 2+ (p = 0.048) gap years. Conclusions Students taking gap years exhibited significantly lower levels of burnout than those who did not. Efforts should be made in pre-medical and medical school curricula to better support students in their paths to medical school.
Impact of Implementing Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasound for Antegrade Nephrostogram After Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

OBJECTIVES To report results from a quality improvement (QI) project evaluating diagnostic performance, hospital resource use, and patient response data for postoperative contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) antegrade nephrostogram after percutaneous nephrolithotomy. METHODS For this Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant, Institutional Review Board-approved study, QI data were deidentified and analyzed. On the first postoperative day after percutaneous nephrolithotomy, patients underwent both CEUS and fluoroscopic antegrade nephrostogram. For CEUS, 1.0 mL of Lumason (sulfur hexafluoride lipid type A microspheres; Bracco Diagnostics, Inc, Monroe Township, NJ) was injected via an indwelling nephrostomy tube, with ureteral patency confirmed by identifying intravesical ultrasound (US) contrast. Diagnostic performance for ureteral patency and contrast extravasation was calculated (with fluoroscopy as the reference standard). The examination time, room time, physician time, hospital costs, and patient response data were compared. The mean, standard deviation, 95% confidence interval, differences in mean, and 95% confidence interval of differences were calculated. RESULTS Eighty-one examinations were performed in 73 patients during the QI period. The sensitivity and specificity of CEUS for ureteral patency were 96% and 57%, respectively. There was no significant difference in time metrics between modalities, and the cost analysis showed lower direct and indirect costs for CEUS. Patient responses revealed lower levels of comfort for CEUS relative to fluoroscopy, without significant differences in reported pain or effort levels. CONCLUSIONS Contrast-enhanced US showed very high sensitivity for ureteral patency; the relatively low specificity may have resulted from false-negative results in fluoroscopy. The hospital costs and resource use of CEUS compared favorably to fluoroscopy. Contrast-enhanced US also offers inherent advantages, including portability and lack of ionizing radiation.
Sponges, apples or almonds in the isthmus of the throat.

Abstract Removal of the tonsils is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in children. The purpose of this historical note is to analyse the first description of this surgery, understand the first terms used to name the tonsil, and describe the first instruments used to perform this surgery.
Person-centered maternity care and postnatal health: associations with maternal and newborn health outcomes.

BACKGROUND Limited evidence exists on how women's experiences of care, specifically person-centered maternity care during childbirth, influence maternal and newborn health outcomes. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine the associations between person-centered maternity care and maternal and newborn health outcomes. STUDY DESIGN Longitudinal data were collected with 1014 women who completed baseline at a health facility and followed up at 2 weeks and 10 weeks after birth. A validated 30-item person-centered maternity care scale was administered to postpartum women within 48 hours after childbirth. The person-centered maternity care scale has 3 subscales: dignity and respect, communication and autonomy, and supportive care. Bivariate and multivariable log Poisson regressions were used to examine the relationship between person-centered maternity care and reported maternal complications, newborn complications, postpartum depression, postpartum family planning uptake, exclusive breastfeeding, and newborn immunizations. RESULTS Controlling for demographic characteristics, women with high total person-centered maternity care score at baseline had significantly lower risk of reporting maternal complications (adjusted relative risk, 0.63; 95% confidence interval, 0.42–0.95), screening positive for depression (adjusted relative risk, 0.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.38–0.81), and reporting newborn complications (adjusted relative risk, 0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.56–0.97), respectively, than women with low total person-centered maternity care scores. Women with high scores on the supportive care subscale had significantly lower risk of reporting maternal and newborn complications than women with low scores on these subscales (adjusted relative risk, 0.52 [95% confidence interval, 0.42–0.65] and 0.74 [95% confidence interval, 0.60–0.91], respectively). Significant associations were found between all 3 subscale scores and screening positive for depression. Women with high total person-centered maternity care scores were also more likely to adopt a family planning method than those with low scores (adjusted relative risk, 1.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–1.52). In particular, women with high scores on the communication and autonomy subscale had significantly higher odds of adopting a family planning method than women with low scores (risk ratio, 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.08–1.23). CONCLUSION Improving person-centered maternity care may improve maternal and newborn health outcomes. Specifically, improving supportive care may decrease the risk of maternal and newborn complications, whereas improving communication and autonomy may increase postpartum family planning uptake.
The Arabian Nights in Contemporary World Cultures: Global Commodification, Translation, and the Culture Industry

The stories in the Thousand and One Nights, or the Arabian Nights, are familiar to many of us: from the tales of Aladdin, Sinbad the Sailor, Ali Baba and his forty thieves, to the framing story of Scheherazade telling these stories to her homicidal husband, Shahrayar. This book offers a rich and wide-ranging analysis of the power of this collection of tales that penetrates so many cultures and appeals to such a variety of predilections and tastes. It also explores areas that were left untouched, like the decolonization of the Arabian Nights, and its archaeologies. Unique in its excavation into inroads of perception and reception, Muhsin J. al-Musawi's book unearths means of connection with common publics and learned societies. Al-Musawi shows, as never before, how the Arabian Nights has been translated, appropriated, and authenticated or abused over time, and how its reach is so expansive as to draw the attention of poets, painters, illustrators, translators, editors, musicians, political scientists like Leo Strauss, and novelists like Michel Butor, James Joyce and Marcel Proust amongst others. Making use of documentaries, films, paintings, novels and novellas, poetry, digital forums and political jargon, this book offers nuanced understanding of the perennial charm and power of this collection.
A systematic review of patient-reported outcome measures used to assess sleep in postpartum women using Consensus Based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) guidelines.

Study objectives We performed a systematic review to identify the best patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) of postpartum sleep in women. Methods We searched four databases for validated PROMs used to assess postpartum sleep. Studies were considered if they evaluated at least one psychometric measurement property of a PROM. An overall performance rating was assigned for each psychometric measurement property of each PROM based upon COSMIN criteria. A modified GRADE approach was used to assess the level of evidence and recommendations were then made for each PROM. Results We identified 15 validation studies of eight PROMs, in 9,070 postpartum women. An adequate number of sleep domains was assessed by five PROMs: Bergen Insomnia Scale (BIS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), General Sleep Disturbance Scale (GSDS), Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and the Sleep Symptom Checklist (SSC). BIS and GSDS were the only PROMs to demonstrate adequate content validity and at least a low level of evidence of sufficient internal consistency, resulting in Class A recommendations. The BIS was the only PROM, which is easily accessible and free to use for noncommercial research, that achieved a Class A recommendation. Conclusion The BIS is the best currently available PROM of postpartum sleep. However, this PROM fails to assess several important domains such as sleep duration (and efficiency), chronotype, sleep-disordered breathing and medication usage. Future studies should focus on evaluating the psychometric measurement properties of BIS in the North American setting and in different cultural groups, or to develop a more specific PROM of postpartum sleep.
Intranasal delivery of allergen in a nanoemulsion adjuvant inhibits allergen-specific reactions in mouse models of allergic airway disease

Background Atopic diseases are an increasing problem that involve both immediate hypersensitivity reactions mediated by IgE and unique cellular inflammation. Many forms of specific immunotherapy involve the administration of allergen to suppress allergic immune responses but are focused on IgE-mediated reactions. In contrast, the effect of allergen-specific immunotherapy on allergic inflammation is complex, not entirely consistent and not well understood. We have previously demonstrated the ability of allergen administered in a nanoemulsion (NE) mucosal adjuvant to suppress IgE-mediated allergic responses and protect from allergen challenge in murine food allergy models. This activity was associated with decreases in allergen-specific IL-10 and reductions in allergic cytokines and increases in regulatory T cells. Objective Here, we extend these studies to using 2 distinct models, the ovalbumin (OVA) and cockroach (CRA) models of allergic airway disease, which are based predominantly on allergic inflammation. Methods Acute or chronic allergic airway disease was induced in mice using ovalbumin and cockroach allergen models. Mice received three therapeutic immunizations with allergen in NE, and reactivity to airway challenge was determined. Results Therapeutic immunization with cockroach or OVA allergen in NE markedly reduced pathology after airway challenge. The 2 models demonstrated protection from allergen challenge-induced pathology that was associated with suppression of Th2-polarized immune responses in the lung. In addition, the reduction in ILC2 numbers in the lungs of allergic mice along with reduction in epithelial cell alarmins, IL-25 and IL-33, suggests an overall change in the lung immune environment induced by the NE immunization protocol. Conclusions and clinical relevance These results demonstrate that suppression of allergic airway inflammation and bronchial hyper-reactivity can be achieved using allergen-specific immunotherapy without significant reductions in allergen-specific IgE and suggest that ILC2 cells may be critical targets for this activity.
The use of non- invasive ventilation in asthma exacerbation - a two year retrospective analysis of outcomes.

Background: The use of Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) in acute asthma exacerbation remains controversial. Comparative data on patient characteristics that benefit from NIV in asthma exacerbation to those patients that fail NIV remains limited. Our study compares some of these patient characteristics and examines if NIV is safe and effective in carefully selected patients. Methods: Following institutional review board approval, we extracted from the electronic medical record and conducted a retrospective chart-based review of those patients who received NIV in the emergency room for a diagnosis of asthma exacerbation from January 2017 to December 2018. Results and Conclusion: The rate of failure of NIV overall was low, at 9.17%, with younger patients more likely to fail NIV (P = 0.03) and need invasive mechanical ventilation. Surprisingly, baseline asthma severity did not impact NIV failure rate, and neither did body mass index, smoking history, and a host of clinical characteristics. Understandably, the length of stay was significantly longer in the group of patients that failed NIV. There were no adverse events, such as an increased rate of barotrauma events in either group. In conclusion, this study contributes to the growing body of evidence that NIV is a safe and effective adjunct to routine care in the management of patients with asthma exacerbation.
To © or Not to ©? Copyright and Innovation in the Digital Typeface Industry

Intellectual property rights are often justified by utilitarian theory. However, recent scholarship suggests that creativity thrives in some industries in the absence of intellectual property protection. These industries might be called IP's negative spaces. One such industry that has received little scholarly attention is the typeface industry. This industry has recently digitized. Its adoption of digital processes has altered its market structure in ways that necessitate reconsideration of its IP negative status, with particular emphasis on copyright. This article considers the historical denial of copyright protection for typefaces in the United States, and examines arguments both for and against extending copyright protection to digital typefaces. It compares copyright law with alternative methods of protection for digital typefaces. It also suggests that the digital typeface industry may be a useful lens through which to consider broader claims about the application of intellectual property law to IP's negative spaces in the digital age.
Representation in Architectural Design Tools

This paper will outline the software development tools of the Emergent Design Group at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The tools are based on the principles of artificial life and evolutionary algorithms. In view of our experiences we discuss a central issue of ALife and EA-based tools: representation of a design.
Sonographic demonstration, including color Doppler imaging, of recurrent sperm granuloma.

Sperm granulomas are extratesticular, inflammatory lesions, usually located adjacent to the testis or seminal vesicle, which are associated with a history of infection, trauma, or prior surgery.1 These lesions are thought to represent a chronic inflammatory response to extravasated sperm resulting from damaged tubules or an obstructed vas deferens.2 Our case report demonstrates the sonographic appearance of recurrent sperm granuloma including color Doppler imaging.
Melt Flow and Mass Transfer in Hybrid Laser-GMA Welding of 304 Stainless Steels

In recent years, hybrid laser-arc welding has been developed and applied in many applications because of its advantages over laser welding and arc welding alone, which is mainly due to the synergic effect of laser and arc. Although some progress has been made in the development of hybrid laser-arc welding technique, lack of understanding of some fundamental principles in this emerging joining technique has hindered its further development and advancement. For example, in hybrid laser welding, one way to prevent/eliminate cracking is to add filler metal with anti-cracking element and diffuse them well into the weld pool in welding. Thus, the mass loss can be compensated and compositional and mechanical properties of the welds can be improved. Understanding the mass transfer in molten pool is vital to achieve these desired objectives. In this paper, melt flow and mass transfer in hybrid laser-GMA keyhole welding will be investigated. Mathematical models will be developed to investigate melt flow, energy transport, and mass transfer in hybrid laser-GMA keyhole welding. The effects of welding parameters like feed wire diameter and welding current on melt flow and mass transfer in weld pool will be discussed.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
INELASTIC CROSS-SECTIONS FOR FISSION-SPECTRUM NEUTRONS. III

Abstract The general problem of determining inelastic cross-sections from sphere transmission measurements is considered. Experimental problems encountered in this type of investigation are discussed. Analytical methods of correcting for multiple scattering and other important effects in spherical shells are presented. These methods are applied to the determination of average inelastic cross-sections of many materials for fission spectrum neutrons. Experimental work with U238, Np237 and Al27(n, p)Mg27 threshold detectors is evaluated.
Contrasting actions of pressor agents in severe autonomic failure.

BACKGROUND: Orthostatic hypotension is the most disabling symptom of autonomic failure. The choice of a pressor agent is largely empiric, and it would be of great value to define predictors of a response. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 35 patients with severe orthostatic hypotension due to multiple system atrophy or pure autonomic failure, we determined the effect on seated systolic blood pressure (SBP) of placebo, phenylpropanolamine (12.5 mg and 25 mg), yohimbine (5.4 mg), indomethacin (50 mg), ibuprofen (600 mg), caffeine (250 mg), and methylphenidate (5 mg). In a subgroup of patients, we compared the pressor effect of midodrine (5 mg) with the effect of phenylpropanolamine (12.5 mg). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the pressor responses between patients with multiple system atrophy or pure autonomic failure. When compared with placebo, the pressor response was significant for phenylpropanolamine, yohimbine, and indomethacin. In a subgroup of patients, we confirmed that this pressor effect of phenylpropanolamine, yohimbine, and indomethacin corresponded to a significant increase in standing SBP. The pressor responses to ibuprofen, caffeine, and methylphenidate were not significantly different from placebo. Phenylpropanolamine and midodrine elicited similar pressor responses. There were no significant associations between drug response and autonomic function testing, postprandial hypotension, or plasma catecholamine levels. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that significant increases in systolic blood pressure can be obtained in patients with orthostatic hypotension due to primary autonomic failure with phenylpropanolamine in low doses or yohimbine or indomethacin in moderate doses. The response to a pressor agent cannot be predicted by autonomic function testing or plasma catecholamines. Therefore, empiric testing with a sequence of medications, based on the risk of side effects in the individual patient and the probability of a response, is a useful approach.
Uncertainty charts for RF and microwave measurements

The scope of the calibration services for electrical quantities in the range of frequency from 0 to 100 GHz that are available from the National Bureau of Standards is discussed briefly in a historical context. Some plans for improved services that will be available in the near future are noted. Charts showing the variation of uncertainty with magnitude over the full range of the respective calibration services are presented.
Space molecular sink simulator facility design.

Space molecular sink design to create vacuum environment, emphasizing pumping and test chamber instrumentation
Some comments on bias/Misalignment effects in the magnitude squared coherence estimate

This correspondence presents a simple functional model for obtaining the magnitude squared coherence (MSC) estimate. The decrease in the approximated mean of the estimate with signal misalignment is shown to be a function of the signal spectrum and misalignment time, τ. The mean of the estimate in the absence of a signal common to both channels is shown to be a product of the bandwidth of the noise W and the averaging time T. An alternate process employing clipping for normalization is shown to provide a similar result and provides inherent constant false alarm rate (CFAR) properties.
Calculation of Magnetic and Electric Hyperfine Fields in Metals

This article is divided into two parts. The first part deals with the theory of the origin of hyperfine fields in ferromagnetic iron and cobalt, while the second part deals with the theory of nuclear quadrupole interaction in pure non-cubic metals. In the first part, dealing with hyperfine fields in ferromagnets, the various mechanisms that can produce the hyperfine field are reviewed and their contributions, as obtained from calculated band wave-functions are analysed. Comparison is made with experiment and the possible improvements needed in the electric theory are discussed. In the second part of the article, the electronic field-gradients in a number of hcp metals are discussed. The ionic and electron contributions are analysed and comparison is made with experimental data with respect to both magnitude and sign of the quadrupole coupling constants where available. The nature of the accuracy to be expected from the use of wave-functions obtained by actual potentials and pseudo-potentials is discussed. The implications of theoretical results in the pure metals for nuclear quadrupole interaction in alloys is discussed. In the alloys, a substantial amount of experimental data is available currently by the perturbed angular correlation and other techniques.
The Cornell Psychiatric Screen: A Brief Psychiatric Scale for Hospitalized Medical Patients

Psychiatric comorbidity among medicine inpatients is prevalent, yet no reliable screen for identifying need for psychiatric referrals exists. The Cornell Psychiatric Screen was developed as a brief, reliable, and valid screening tool. The items on the Cornell Psychiatric Screen assess a range of psychiatric conditions, including cognition and behavior, depressive symptoms, anxiety, drug and alcohol history, and the patient's desire to see a psychiatrist. Of the patients whose Cornell Psychiatric Screen results indicated possible psychopathology, 89% had documented psychiatric comorbidity according to DSM-IV criteria. On the basis of preliminary validation, the Cornell Psychiatric Screen appears to be a useful tool for identifying patients who require a psychiatric evaluation.
Abstract 2420: The association between severe treatment-related lymphopenia and progression free survival in patients with newly diagnosed squamous cell head and neck cancer.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Background: Severe treatment-related lymphopenia (TRL) occurs in 50% of glioblastoma and pancreatic cancer patients and is associated with early death from tumor progression. We sought to determine if similar findings were seen in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Patients and Methods: Eligible patients for this retrospective study had: 1) HNSCC cancer diagnosed in 2007-2009, 2) good performance status, 3) platinum-based chemoradiation, and 4) follow-up at Johns Hopkins. Serial total lymphocyte counts (TLC), overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed accounting for known prognostic factors. Results: Fifty-six adults met eligibility criteria: median age: 57 years, female: 21%, HPV+: 61%, surgery prior to chemoradiation: 16%, stage IVA-IVB: 77%, T stage 3-4: 40% and N stage 2b-3: 56%. Changes in TLC are shown below: | | Median TLC:Baseline | Median TLC: 2 months post-Rx | % with TLC <500: 2 months post-Rx | |:------------- | ------------------- | ---------------------------- | --------------------------------- | | Overall | 1660 | 448 | 61% | | HPV- (n = 22) | 1770 | 550 | 36% | | HPV+ (n = 34) | 1610 | 320 | 76% | 14/56 patients (25%) had tumor recurrence and 9 (16%) died of their tumor. HPV+ patients had longer PFS (p=0.01) and OS (p=0.006) than HPV- patients. 10/22 HPV- patients had disease progression and 7 died. HPV- patients who developed grade III-IV TRL two months after beginning chemoradiation had a strikingly higher hazard rate for disease progression than those whose TLC remained higher (multivariate analysis HR 6.2, 95%CI: 1.1-35.2; p=0.039). Too few events occurred in the HPV+ cohort for analysis. Conclusion: TLCs were normal before chemoradiation. However, two months after chemoradiation ∼60% of patients had severe TLC regardless of HPV status. HPV- patients with severe TRL were much more likely to have disease progression than those without TRL. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings which are similar to those reported in other cancers. Preservation of the immune system during chemoradiation may be important to improving PFS and OS. Citation Format: Jian L. Campian, Guneet Sarai, Xiaobu Ye, Shanthi Marur, Stuart A. Grossman. The association between severe treatment-related lymphopenia and progression free survival in patients with newly diagnosed squamous cell head and neck cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2420. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-2420 Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2013 because the presenter was unable to attend.
The significance of quantitative results of C. difficile cultures and toxin assays in patients with diarrhea.

The clinical courses of 114 patients with positiveClostridium difficile cultures or toxin assays performed between 1981 and 1984 were reviewed to determine the relationship between outcome of treatment and quantitative bacteriologic test results.C. difficile culture was positive in 60 of 91 patients while toxin assay was positive in 99 of 114. One third of the patients received supportive therapy only, and 30 percent of these failed to resolve their symptoms. Ninety-one percent of the patients treated with vancomycin resolved, although 11 percent of these suffered relapse. Patients with high toxin titers receiving supportive treatment alone showed a lower response rate than patients with lower toxin titers. This effect was not seen in patients treated with specific therapy nor with different culture quantities.C. difficile colitis has a range of clinical and microbiologic manifestations. Endoscopy is not always diagnostic, both culture and toxin assays are needed for diagnosis, and toxin titer may help in planning treatment. Patients with low toxin titers may be treated supportively, but high toxin titers are an indication for specific therapy. Quantitative culture results have little diagnostic or therapeutic value.
Patterns in Residential Urban Forest Structure Along a Synthetic Urbanization Gradient

The environmental sciences increasingly need to understand the ecological effects of urbanization. This is especially true for the urban forest, a major component of the urban environment that is relied on to provide ecosystem services such as air pollution removal and storm water interception. The urbanization gradient is a popular organizing concept for assessing ecological response to varying urbanization intensity, and recent methodological improvements have moved beyond simple distance-based gradients to more sophisticated synthetic gradients based on urbanization indicators such as population density and impervious surface intensity. Although these synthetic gradients provide a more complete picture of urbanization than any one indicator alone can provide, it is unclear how synthetic gradients relate to ecological structure. In this study, we collected field data on urban forest structure from 150 residential properties over a 40-km transect in Minnesota's Twin Cities metropolitan area. We then appl...
Enol esters XIII: Synthesis of isopropenyl esters by addition of carboxylic acids to propyne

The addition of long chain carboxylic acids to propyne under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure takes place in the presence of the zinc salt of the corresponding acid as indicated by the following equation. Open image in new window The reactor apparatus is described and the properties of a series of enol esters are listed. this series shows examples with chain length variations of the carboxylic acid moiety of the ester from 8 to 22 carbon atoms.