cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TRANSVENOUS COIL EMBOLIZATION OF PORTOSYSTEMIC SHUNT IN DOGS

This paper describes transvenous coil embolization of portosystemic shunt in 10 dogs. Clinical signs resolved in 4 dogs with extrahepatic shunt, and in 3 dogs with intrahepatic shunt. Two dogs of less than 3 kg died because of migration of coils to the level of the main pulmonary artery. One dog was euthanized when acute portal hypertension developed following transvenous coil embolization. Trans–venous coil embolization seems to be a less invasive alternative to surgical ligation in dogs with a single intrahepatic portosystemic shunt.
A Peierls perspective on mechanisms of atomicfriction

Abstract Stick–slip behavior observed from nanoscale asperity friction experiments are often modeled by the one-degree-of-freedom Tomlinson model, which is unable to explain the effects of lattice structure and interface defects, or by molecular simulations which suffer temporal limitations in modeling the velocity- and temperature-dependent frictional behavior. A Peierls-type model developed in this work views the atomic frictional process as the initiation and gliding passage of dislocations with diffused cores on the interface. As a consequence of loss-of-ellipticity instability, the occurrence of stick–slip behavior relies on the interaction among interface slip field, contact stress fields, and existing defects. The friction stress for commensurate interface under large contact area can be approximated from the Rice model of screw-dislocation nucleation from a planar crack tip. The spatially inhomogeneous nature of rate-limiting processes and the coupling effects between contact size and interface incommensurability are successfully determined, which cannot otherwise be tackled in the Tomlinsonmodel.
Foot force direction in an isometric pushing task: prediction by kinematic and musculoskeletal models.

The abilities of a kinematic model and a muscle model of the human lower limb to predict the stereotyped direction of the muscular component of foot force produced by seated subjects in a static task were tested and compared. Human subjects (n=11) performed a quasi-static, lower-limb pushing task against an instrumented bicycle pedal, free to rotate about its own axis, but with the crank fixed. Each pushing trial consisted of applying a force from the resting level to a force magnitude target with the right foot. Ten force target magnitudes were used (200, 250, …, 650 N) along with 12 pedal positions. For each pushing effort, the muscular contribution to the measured foot force was determined from push onset to peak attained force. This segment was well characterized by a straight line across subjects, pedal positions, and force target magnitudes. The linear nature of the muscular component allowed a characteristic direction to be determined for each trial. A three-joint (hip, knee, and ankle) and a two-joint (hip and knee) net joint torque optimization was applied to a sagittal-plane kinematic model to predict the characteristic force direction. A musculoskeletal model was also used to create a feasible force space (FFS) for the lower limb. This FFS represents the range of possible forces the lower limb could theoretically produce. From this FFS, the direction of the maximum feasible foot force was determined and compared with the characteristic direction of subject performance. The muscle model proved to be the most effective in predicting subject force direction, followed by the three-joint and two-joint net joint torques optimizations. Similarities between the predictions of the kinematic and muscle model were also found.
Influence of Root Exudates on Orobanche Seed Germination

Broomrape (Orobanche ramosa L.) is a common root parasite of solanaceous, leguminous and other crops grown in the semi-arid regions of the world. The seeds germinate when root exudates from host plants are released in their immediate vicinity (Lindley, 1853; Koch, 1887; Chabrolin, 1934). Brown et al. (1951a) reported that non-host plants, such as flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) may stimulate Orobanche seed germination without being parasitized. The stimulating properties of flax exudate were studied by Brown et al. (1951b). They reported that the stimulant was unstable in alkaline solutions, but moderately stable in weakly acidic media, which may indicate the presence of an acidic (lactone) grouping. Nash & Wilhelm (1960) reported that gibberellic acid in agar media stimulated O. ramosa seed germination. Abu- Shakra, Miah & Saghir (1970) found that pre-treatment of 0. ramosa seeds with 100 ppm of gibberellic acid followed by incubation on a flax-root diffusate agar medium gave a high (81·7%) germination. The purpose of this study was to collect root exudates from three species of plants cultured under three experimental systems, namely (a) germ-free, (b) glasshouse (non-sterile), and (c) growth chamber (hydroponic, initially aseptic), and to evaluate their biological activity as germination stimulants for O. ramosa seeds. The plants used were tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), sorghum (Sorghum vulgare Pers.) and flax. Exudate from marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) also was collected from germ-free culture.
A new class of iterative Steiner tree heuristics with good performance

A fast approach to the minimum rectilinear Steiner tree (MRST) problem is presented. The method yields results that reduce wire length by up to 2% to 3% over the previous methods, and is the first heuristic which has been shown to have a performance ratio less than 3/2; in fact, the performance ratio is less than or equal to 4/3 on the entire class of instances where the ratio c(MST)/c(MRST) is exactly equal to 3/2. The algorithm has practical asymptotic complexity owing to an elegant implementation which uses methods from computation geometry and which parallelizes readily. A randomized variation of the algorithm, along with a batched variant, has also proved successful. >
Distributed detection of generalized deadlocks

Fast and efficient detection of deadlocks remains an important problem in distributed operating systems. We present a distributed algorithm to detect generalized deadlocks in distributed systems. The algorithm performs reduction of a distributed wait-for-graph (WFG) to determine a deadlock. If sufficient information to decide the reducibility of a node is not available at that node, the algorithm attempts reduction later in a lazy manner. We prove the correctness of the algorithm. The algorithm has a message complexity of 2e messages and a worst case time complexity of 2d hops, where e is the number of edges and d is the diameter of the WFG. The algorithm is shown to perform better in both time and message complexity than the best known distributed algorithms to detect distributed generalized deadlocks. We conjecture that the algorithm is optimal in the number of messages and time delay, among distributed algorithms to detect generalized deadlocks.
Growth, Smoltification, and Smolt-to-Adult Return of Spring Chinook Salmon from Hatcheries on the Deschutes River, Oregon

Abstract The relationship between smoltification and smolt-to-adult return (SAR) of spring chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha from the Deschutes River, Oregon, was examined for four release groups in each of three successive years. Fish were reared, marked with coded wire tags, and released from Round Butte Hatchery, Pelton Ladder rearing facility, and Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery. Smolt releases occurred in nearly the same place at similar times, allowing a direct comparison of SAR to several characters representing smolt quality. Return rates varied significantly among facilities, varying over an order of magnitude each year. The highest average SAR was from Pelton Ladder, the lowest was from Warm Springs. Each of the characters used as metrics of smoltification—fish size, spring growth rate (February–April), condition factor, plasma hormone concentration (thyroxine, cortisol, and insulin-like growth factor-I [IGF-I]), stress challenge, gill Na+, K+-ATPase activity, and liver glycogen concen...
Theory, design, and performance of extended tuning range semiconductor lasers with sampled gratings

The authors have recently demonstrated 57 nm of tuning in a monolithic semiconductor laser using conventional distributed-Bragg-reflector (DBR) technology with grating elements removed in a periodic fashion. They describe the theory and design of these so-called sampled-grating tunable lasers. They calculate sample-grating reflectivity, and present normalized design curves which quantify tradeoffs involved in a sampled-grating DBR laser with two mismatched sampled-grating mirrors. These results are applied to a design example in the InP-InGaAsP system. The design provides 70-nm tuning while maintaining >30-dB mode suppression ratio (MSR), with fractional index change Delta mu / mu >
Terrestrial Laser Scanning of Anthropogenic Beach Berm Erosion and Overtopping

ABSTRACT Schubert, J.E.; Gallien, T.W.; Majd, M.S., and Sanders, B.F., 2015. Terrestrial laser scanning of anthropogenic beach berm erosion and overtopping. Anthropogenic berms are widely deployed to manage coastal flooding. The dynamic erosion of scraped berms exposed to waves and a rising tide in southern California was monitored with a terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) on three occasions in February and March of 2012. An improved characterization of initial berm geometry and the dynamics of berm erosion was pursued to accurately predict the onset and impact of coastal flooding associated with berm erosion and overtopping. TLS is shown to yield a digital terrain model (DTM) with a vertical accuracy of ca. 3 cm, indicating it is an excellent source of data for initializing mechanistic and/or empirical models that could be used to predict the onset and rate of wave overtopping. Minimum scan point spacings required to achieve this level of accuracy are investigated and reported. Additionally, a dimensionless...
The Client Satisfaction Inventory: Results of an Initial Validation Study

ObjectiveTo obtain initial results with regard to the reliability and validity of the Client Satisfaction Inventory (CSI), a 25-item scale for measuring general satisfaction with services among cli...
CELLULAR AND HUMORAL FACTORS INVOLVEMENT IN THE ENHANCED NBT REDUCTION BY NEUTROPHIL LEUCOCYTES OF NEWBORN INFANTS

. The histochemical NBT test was performed on blood samples from ten healthy newborn infants. High spontaneous NBT reduction has been confirmed for neutrophils and assessed for monocytes. The stimulation of both neutrophils and monocytes with Escherichia coli endotoxin induces a statistically significant increase of NBT positive cells. The reason for the false positive test results in neonates was investigated by incubating neutrophils from adult donors and for different time periods in either neonatal or adult plasma before the addition of NBT. NBT reduction by adult neutrophils was increased after incubation in neonatal plasma, and this increase was related to the concentration of the plasma used. Maximum NBT reduction was observed after 90 min of incubation, at which time the NBT scores of adult cells incubated in neonatal plasma were similar to the results of tests performed on whole neonatal blood. It is concluded that neonatal leucocytes demonstrate efficient spontaneous and stimulated phagocytosis, and that there are, in the plasma of neonates, humoral factors which stimulate phagocytosis by neutrophils and are thus responsible for the false positive NBT test results observed in these subjects.
The PSYCHLAB programming system: A tool for developing experimental control programs

The PSYCHLAB system is designed to facilitate the task of writing experimental control programs. The system consists of two major components: (1) a collection of procedures and functions to facilitate presenting stimuli, collecting responses, and measuring response times and (2) a high-level language (LAB-TALK) designed to organize and sequence events in experiments. The PSYCHLAB system is formally an interpreter that will interpret programs written in LAB-TALK. The interpreter is customized to perform the detailed functions of each trial in an experiment. The occurrence of these trials is controlled by the LAB-TALK program. Thus, once a particular experimental paradigm has been represented in a customized version of the interpreter, many different experiments in that paradigm can be programmed by variations in the LAB-TALK program.
How Content Acquisition Method Affects Word of Mouth

People often share word of mouth with others, and such social sharing is an integral part of everyday life. But the content (e.g., stories, news, information) that people transmit can be acquired in different ways. Sometimes people find content themselves, and other times people receive content from others (e.g., via email or conversation). Might these different acquisition methods impact subsequent sharing, and if so, how? Six studies demonstrate that acquisition method can impact transmission through changing how content is processed. Compared to received content, people are more likely to associate found content with themselves, which decreases processing. Reduced processing, in turn, lowers sensitivity to diagnostic content characteristics (e.g., whether content is interesting or well written), which reduces these characteristics’ impact on sharing. Thus while receivers are more likely to share interesting (than boring) content, the difference is attenuated (and in some cases, disappeared) among finders. These findings deepen insights into the psychological drivers of word of mouth and shed light on how contextual factors, content characteristics, and the self interact to drive social transmission.
Rice Production in Zhejiang Province:Production Capacity,Restrictive Factors and Countermeasures

Rice is the most important ration in Zhejiang Province,so promoting the steady development of rice production is one of the essential actions to maintaining the food security.Based on analysis of the realistic rice productivity in Zhejiang Province,we calculated the potential productivity and put forward corresponding measures depending on restrict factors of rice production in Zhejiang Province.The results showed that the new production capacity could reach 336×104 ton according to recovering double-cropping paddy and 60×104 ton according to improving yield.If both of the conditions above were reached,the new production capacity in Zhejiang Province could reach 1249×104 ton,582×104 ton higher than realistic productivity.To further improve the rice production capacity and promote balanced increase of national rice production,we must optimize policies supporting agriculture,strengthen the amelioration of medium and low yield fields,enhance the technique popularization,promote the large-scale operation,and strengthen agricultural technology extension.
Mechanical and optical characterization of a tissue surrogate polymer gel

Abstract The mechanical and optical characteristics of a transparent tissue surrogate ballistic polymer gel were measured at different loading rates. This included measurement of tension and shear responses of the gel. Due to the compliant nature of the material, special strategies had to be developed for sample preparation, specimen gripping and deformation measurement. The digital speckle correlation method was used for measuring 2D strains in uniaxial tension tests. Subsequently, the Mooney-Rivlin description was used to extract the material characteristics from measured stress-strain data. Using a newly introduced optical method called Digital Gradient Sensing (DGS), the elasto-optical constants for the material were evaluated at different loading rates.
High-dose ara-C in older adults with acute leukemia.

The concept of high-dose ara-C (HIDAC) was introduced 15 years ago. Phase I studies established a maximum tolerated dose of 3 g/m 2 , given every 12 hours for 12 doses. Because dermatologic, gastrointestinal, and central nervous system toxicities were dose-limiting in patients over age 50, a reduction from the maximal dose was suggested. Initial studies with refractory or resistant acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), with or without anthracyclines, demonstrated a significant antileukemic effect of HIDAC, with about 60 percent of patients achieving a complete response. Studies by our group and others have established that older patients can be successfully treated with HIDAC, probably with some added benefit in combining dose-intensive regimens.
Underwater mine detection using symbolic pattern analysis of sidescan sonar images

This paper presents symbolic pattern analysis of sidescan sonar images for detection of mines and mine-like objects in the underwater environment. For robust feature extraction, sonar images are symbolized by partitioning the data sets based on the information generated from the ground truth. A binary classifier is constructed for identification of detected objects into mine-like and non-mine-like categories. The pattern analysis algorithm has been tested on sonar data sets in the form of images, which were provided by the Naval Surface Warfare Center. The algorithm is designed for real-time execution on limited-memory commercial-of-the-shelf platforms, and is capable of detecting seabed-bottom objects and vehicle-induced image artifacts.
Chitinases and Plant Protection

Recent studies suggest that the production of enzymes capable of degrading the cell walls of invading phytopathogenic fungi is an important component of the defense response of plants. In this chapter, we will summarize recent studies on the isolation and characterization of chitinolytic enzymes from plants and their role in plant protection. Special emphasis will be placed on experiments designed to modify chitinase gene expression in transgenic plants. The production of transgenic plants with enhanced resistance to attack by the fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani will also be described.
Using Case Studies to Test and Refine Regressions

The last chapter talked about the contributions regression can make to causal inference, as well as about the fact that too much is sometimes expected from regressions. Regression analysis cannot by itself resolve key issues of causal inference. Instead, causal inferences that use regression always depend centrally on additional information that comes from some other source. Such information may involve knowledge that the treatment was experimentally designed, evidence that a credible natural experiment took place, insights that specify a complete and causally justified set of control variables, and so forth. Regardless of the specific form of additional information used to justify using a regression for causal inference, the central point remains: regression can never be a stand-alone basis for causal inference. Instead, it is an incredibly useful tool for summarizing data – and by extension a powerful way of simplifying and quantifying the results of causal inferences that derive their justifications from some other source. This reframing of the role of regression in justifying causal inference resets the parameters of the debate over the role that qualitative analysis can play in multi-method research. Because regression analysis cannot itself settle causal questions, there is no point in asking whether there is any meaningful role left for case-study work in the wake of a regression. Instead, the question we must face is this: can qualitative research bridge the gap between the descriptive statistical summaries provided by regression and the complex counterfactual knowledge necessary for causal inference? On rare occasions, it may be true that qualitative research can provide the bolstering information necessary to clinch a causal argument, in conjunction with regression analysis. Usually, however, case-study analysis will fall short; causal inference can simply require too much knowledge that is difficult to acquire in an observational context. Nonetheless, qualitative research when skillfully combined with regression analysis can identify the next step forward toward successful causal inference. In this chapter, I characterize four essential contributions that qualitative research can make to causal inferences that depend centrally on regression analysis. First, I discuss the value of case studies that are fortunate enough to turn up evidence, usually involving interrupted time series, that helps bound or identify the causal counterfactual for one or a few cases.
The design of a platform for mobile data communication

Rapidly emerging new technologies in mobile radio and satellite communications are quickly reshaping applications in many sectors of the economy. However, the benefit of mobile communications technology in today's systems is often limited by the use of proprietary communication protocols and a tack of separation between the application and communication aspects. This paper describes an approach of how to overcome lacking portability and missing application independence by the design and implementation of an open systems platform for mobile communications. This is achieved by the utilization of widely accepted industry and/or international standards, in particular the Internet (TCP/IP) suite of protocols. Technical issues in the implementation of the platform on an existing packet radio network. >
Analysis of Zinc-Exporters Expression in Prostate Cancer.

Maintaining optimal intracellular zinc (Zn) concentration is crucial for critical cellular functions. Depleted Zn has been associated with prostate cancer (PCa) progression. Solute carrier family 30 (SLC30A) proteins maintain cytoplasmic Zn balance by exporting Zn out to the extracellular space or by sequestering cytoplasmic Zn into intracellular compartments. In this study, we determined the involvement of Zn-exporters, SLC30A 1–10 in PCa, in the context of racial health disparity in human PCa samples obtained from European-American (EA) and African-American (AA) populations. We also analyzed the levels of Zn-exporters in a panel of PCa cells derived from EA and AA populations. We further explored the expression profile of Zn-exporters in PCa using Oncomine database. Zn-exporters were found to be differentially expressed at the mRNA level, with a significant upregulation of SLC30A1, SLC30A9 and SLC30A10, and downregulation of SLC30A5 and SLC30A6 in PCa, compared to benign prostate. Moreover, Ingenuity Pathway analysis revealed several interactions of Zn-exporters with certain tumor suppressor and promoter proteins known to be modulated in PCa. Our study provides an insight regarding Zn-exporters in PCa, which may open new avenues for future studies aimed at enhancing the levels of Zn by modulating Zn-transporters via pharmacological means.
Advanced biliary tract cancer: clinical outcomes with ABC-02 regimen and analysis of prognostic factors in a tertiary care center in the United States

Background: Gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GC) is currently the standard regimen for advanced biliary tract cancers (BTC) based on the outcomes in ABC-02 trial. Multiple factors can affect outcomes in these patients. This retrospective review evaluates the University of Cincinnati experience with GC in advanced intrahepatic (IHC)/extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (EHC) and gall bladder carcinoma (GBC). Methods: In this study approved by University of Cincinnati IRB, retrospective analysis of advanced BTC patients seen between 01/2008 and 01/2015 was done. Kaplan Meyer method was used to calculate progression free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Cox model was used to test the association between baseline variables and OS/PFS, adjusting for gender and age at diagnosis. Patients were identified using ICD code for BT tumors, 26 patients met inclusion criteria: histologically proven advanced BTC that received GC as their initial chemotherapy. GC was given as per ABC-02 protocol with appropriate modifications until disease progression or unacceptable toxicities. Results: Median age at diagnosis was 62 years (range, 31–81 years). Eighteen (69%) were IHC, 5 EHC, 3 GBC, 61% male, 73% whites. Performance status (PS): 0–1: 69%, PS 2: 31%. Baseline CA19-9 data was available for 21 patients, (range 1 to 69,543), and abnormal CA19-9 was seen in 14 patients (54%). PFS was 4.5 months (95% CI: 3.1–8.9 months) and OS was 10.5 months (95 % CI: 7.9–18.8 months). OS at 6 and 12 months was 69% (18/26) and 42% (11/26). Thirty-eight percent (10/26) received 2nd line chemotherapy, of these 9/10 received 5FU based chemotherapy. Eleven percent (3/26) received 3rd line chemotherapy. Increase in baseline carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin was associated with increased risk of death while increase in baseline CEA and ALP was associated with increased risk of progression (P valve 3, and stage IVb), the median survival was 2.9 months (95% CI: 2.6–9.3 months), which was significantly worse compared to rest of the population [median 18 months (95% CI: 5.4–19.5 months), P Conclusions: Our data supports the use of GC as a first line regimen for advance BTC in a non-clinical trial setting. Results are comparable to those reported in ABC-02 trial, despite inclusion of PS 2 patients whom constituted 31% of our population. In the patient population studied, baseline CEA and liver function test appeared able to predict response to GC in advanced BTC. Patients with all three high risk factors (PS ≥2, CEA >3, and stage IVb) did poorly and may need careful selection prior to initiating chemotherapy.
Computational science education focused on future domain scientists

The majority of university courses which educate students in high performance, parallel, and distributed computing are located within computer science departments. This can potentially be a hurdle to students from other disciplines who need to acquire these critical skills.We discuss a sequence of application-driven courses designed to educate undergraduate and graduate students who do not necessarily have a computer science background on developing scientific research software, with an emphasis on using high performance, parallel, and distributed computational systems.
Electromechanical coupling effects in tapered piezoelectric bimorphs for vibration energy harvesting

Energy harvesting from vibrations utilizing the d31 mode of operation via cantilevered bimorphs has been the subject of significant research over the past decade. The concept of tapering cantilevered rectangular bimorphs into triangular shapes to evenly distribute the axial strain along the surface of the cantilevered bimorphs has previously been presented in literature. However, an extensive experimental characterization of tapered and comparable rectangular bimorphs, with varying sizes, with and without the presence of a tip mass from an electronic standpoint has been elusive. In this embodiment, rectangular and triangular bimorphs of various sizes, designed with matching resonance frequencies have been investigated. It is shown that the resonance frequencies of triangular devices, with and without a proof mass match that of a rectangle when the length (i.e. altitude for isosceles triangles) to clamping widths aspect ratios match. Moreover, triangular devices with matching resonance frequencies and volumes when compared with rectangular counterparts provide enhanced electromechanical coupling coefficients, which translate into lower optimal load resistances at the resonance (also the short-circuit resonance) frequency, and a higher optimal load resistances at the anti-resonance (also the open-circuit resonance) frequency. With increasing bimorph sizes, and constant tip masses, resulting in lower maximum strains, the k2Q values improve, which shift the overall device impedance values to lower values, a desired effect for circuitry applications.
Genome-resolved metaproteomic characterization of preterm infant gut microbiota development reveals species-specific metabolic shifts and variabilities during early life.

Establishment of the human gut microbiota begins at birth. This early-life microbiota development can impact host physiology during infancy and even across an entire life span. However, the functional stability and population structure of the gut microbiota during initial colonization remain poorly understood. Metaproteomics is an emerging technology for the large-scale characterization of metabolic functions in complex microbial communities (gut microbiota). We applied a metagenome-informed metaproteomic approach to study the temporal and inter-individual differences of metabolic functions during microbial colonization of preterm human infants’ gut. By analyzing 30 individual fecal samples, we identified up to 12,568 protein groups for each of four infants, including both human and microbial proteins. With genome-resolved matched metagenomics, proteins were confidently identified at the species/strain level. The maximum percentage of the proteome detected for the abundant organisms was ~45%. A time-dependent increase in the relative abundance of microbial versus human proteins suggested increasing microbial colonization during the first few weeks of early life. We observed remarkable variations and temporal shifts in the relative protein abundances of each organism in these preterm gut communities. Given the dissimilarity of the communities, only 81 microbial EggNOG orthologous groups and 57 human proteins were observed across all samples. These conserved microbial proteins were involved in carbohydrate, energy, amino acid and nucleotide metabolism while conserved human proteins were related to immune response and mucosal maturation. We identified seven proteome clusters for the communities and showed infant gut proteome profiles were unstable across time and not individual-specific. Applying a gut-specific metabolic module (GMM) analysis, we found that gut communities varied primarily in the contribution of nutrient (carbohydrates, lipids, and amino acids) utilization and short-chain fatty acid production. Overall, this study reports species-specific proteome profiles and metabolic functions of human gut microbiota during early colonization. In particular, our work contributes to reveal microbiota-associated shifts and variations in the metabolism of three major nutrient sources and short-chain fatty acid during colonization of preterm infant gut.
Observation of Exciton Spin Transport

This chapter presents the observation of the spin transport of spatially indirect excitons in GaAs coupled quantum wells (CQW). The spin relaxation time of indirect excitons is orders of magnitude longer than the spin relaxation time of direct excitons. In combination with a long lifetime of indirect excitons, this makes possible spin transport of indirect excitons over substantial distances. This chapter covers in detail the theoretical considerations that motivated this experiment.
Targeting Suppressive Oligonucleotide to Lymph Nodes Inhibits Toll-like Receptor-9-Mediated Activation of Adaptive Immunity

This paper aims to investigate the immunoinhibitory properties of a lymph nodes-targeting suppressive oligonucleotide (ODN) for the potential treatment of autoimmune diseases or chronic inflammation. Synthetic suppressive ODN engineered with an albumin-binding diacyl lipid at the 5′-terminal (lipo-ODN) was synthesized. In vitro and in vivo experiments were designed to compare the immune suppressive properties of lipo-ODN and unmodified ODN. Cellular uptake and distribution, inhibition of Toll-like receptor (TLR) activation, lymph nodes (LN) draining, and the suppression of antigen-specific immune responses in an ovalbumin protein model was investigated. Compared to unmodified ODN, lipid functionalized suppressive ODN demonstrated enhanced cellular uptake and TLR-9 specific immune suppression in TLR reporter cells. Additionally, injection of a low dose of lipid-modified suppressive ODN, but not the unconjugated ODN, accumulated in the draining LNs and exhibited potent inhibition of antigen-specific CD8+ T cell and B cell responses in vivo. Targeting suppressive ODN to antigen presenting cells (APCs) in the local LNs is an effective approach to amplify the immune modulation mediated by ODN containing repetitive TTAGGG motif. This approach might be broadly applicable to target molecular adjuvants to the key immune cells in the LNs draining from disease site, providing a simple strategy to improve the efficacy of many molecular immune modulators.
Effective Computation of Operators Defined by Line Integrals

We extend the recent results obtained for the calculation of line integrals over smooth curves, for which an explicit parametrization is not known. The original parametrization of the curve is replaced by another one, interpolating to the curve at a set of given knots. We then investigate the use of Gaussian quadrature formulae specifically devised for this problem.
HIV–AIDS: The Neurologic and Cognitive Consequences of HIV-1 Infection

Relatively speaking, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a recent epidemic and was only first identified in the mid 1980s. Since this time, it has become clear that HIV is an efficient negative moderator of host immune function with deadly consequences. In fact, it is estimated that nearly 60 million people have died from the consequences of the virus since the mid 1980s. Despite our current efforts at education and prevention, we continue to see increases in the number of new infections (2.5 million) each year with an estimated 33 million people throughout the world currently infected. Sub-Saharan Africa bears the brunt of the pandemic with more than half the world’s infections occurring within the region (~25 million). With infections occurring across the globe, HIV truly is a global pandemic with significant economic, political, and social ramifications.
Matching breast masses depicted on different views a comparison of three methods.

Rationale and Objectives Computerized determination of optimal search areas on mammograms for matching breast mass regions depicted on two ipsilateral views remains a challenge for developing multiview-based computer-aided detection (CAD) schemes. The purpose of this study was to compare three methods aimed at matching CAD-cued mass regions depicted on two views and the associated impact on CAD performance. Materials and Methods The three search methods used (1) an annular (fan-shaped) band, (2) a straight strip perpendicular to the estimated centerline, and (3) a mixed search area bound on the chest wall side by a straight line and an annular arc on the nipple side, respectively. An image database of 200 examinations with positive results depicting the masses on two views and 200 examinations with negative results was used for testing. Two performance assessment experiments were conducted. The first investigated the maximum matching sensitivity as a function of the search area size, and the second assessed the change in CAD performance using these three search methods. Results To include all 200 paired mass regions within the search areas, maximum widths were 28 and 68 mm for the use of the straight strip and the annular band search methods, respectively. When applying a single-image-based CAD scheme to this image database, 172 masses (86% sensitivity) and 523 false-positive (FP) regions (0.33 per image) were detected and cued. Among the positive findings, 92 were cued by the CAD system on both views, and 80 were cued on only one view. In an attempt to match as many of the 172 CAD-cued masses (true-positive [TP] regions) on two views by incrementally reducing the CAD threshold inside the different search areas, the CAD scheme generated 158 TP-TP paired matches with 14 TP-FP paired matches, 142 TP-TP paired matches with 30 TP-FP paired matches, and 146 TP-TP paired matches with 26 TP-FP paired matches, using the methods involving the straight strip, the annular band, and the mixed search areas, respectively. Using the straight strip search method, the CAD also eliminated 25% of FP regions initially cued by the single-image-based CAD scheme and generated the lowest case-based FP detection rate, namely, 15% less than that generated by the annular band method. Conclusions This study showed that among these three search methods, the straight strip method required a smaller search area and achieved the highest level of CAD performance.
KETOGENIC DIET | Dietary Management of Epilepsy: Role of Glucose and Ketone Bodies

Epilepsy is a prevalent neurological disorder that afflicts about 1% of the US population. Despite intensive research and development, antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are largely unable to manage seizures in many patients with epilepsy. As an alternative to AEDs, diet therapies can be effective in controlling seizure susceptibility in humans. Our research illustrates that both the ketogenic diet and caloric restriction reduce seizure susceptibility in young and adult EL mice, a model for idiopathic generalized epilepsy. A concurrent reduction in circulating glucose levels and elevation in circulating ketone body levels associate with therapeutic efficacy.
A Comparative Analysis of Clinical Outcomes in Noninsertional Versus Insertional Tendinopathy Using PROMIS.

Background. Achilles tendinopathy is a common clinical disorder. Utilizing the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System, we aim to determine clinical response to nonoperative achill...
Influenza-induced immune suppression to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is mediated by TLR9

Bacterial lung infections, particularly with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), increase mortality following influenza infection, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Here we show that expression of TLR9, a microbial DNA sensor, is increased in murine lung macrophages, dendritic cells, CD8+ T cells and epithelial cells post-influenza infection. TLR9-/- mice did not show differences in handling influenza nor MRSA infection alone. However, TLR9-/- mice have improved survival and bacterial clearance in the lung post-influenza and MRSA dual infection, with no difference in viral load during dual infection. We demonstrate that TLR9 is upregulated on macrophages even when they are not themselves infected, suggesting that TLR9 upregulation is related to soluble mediators. We rule out a role for elevations in interferon-γ (IFNγ) in mediating the beneficial MRSA clearance in TLR9-/- mice. While macrophages from WT and TLR9-/- mice show similar phagocytosis and bacterial killing to MRSA alone, following influenza infection, there is a marked upregulation of scavenger receptor A and MRSA phagocytosis as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase (Inos) and improved bacterial killing that is specific to TLR9-deficient cells. Bone marrow transplant chimera experiments and in vitro experiments using TLR9 antagonists suggest TLR9 expression on non-hematopoietic cells, rather than the macrophages themselves, is important for regulating myeloid cell function. Interestingly, improved bacterial clearance post-dual infection was restricted to MRSA, as there was no difference in the clearance of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Taken together these data show a surprising inhibitory role for TLR9 signaling in mediating clearance of MRSA that manifests following influenza infection.
Leveraging Data Analytics for Behavioral Research

Behavioral research in information systems employing quantitative methods has traditionally relied on mainly survey-based approaches to gather subjective user data. With new advances in technology such as mobile computing, wearable devices, and social media, along with computational capabilities, organizations are in a position to leverage objective data in addressing IT issues typically addressed in behavioral research. In this paper, we propose a framework for envisioning how data analytics may be leveraged in conducting behavioral research. Particularly, the framework is explained using examples from extant research along two broad avenues, namely ‘data analytics for data generation’ and ‘data analytics for model generation.’ The article also serves as an introduction to the special issue of the Information Systems Frontiers (ISF) journal on the topic of ‘Data Analytics in Behavioral Research.’
Bragg Resonance of Gravity Waves and Ocean Renewable Energy

Here we study Bragg resonance of surface and interfacial waves. Specifically, we show one triad resonance between two surface waves and one seabed component in a homogeneous fluid, and another triad between a surface wave, an interfacial wave and a bottom component in a two-layer density stratified fluid. Via the Bragg resonance between two surface waves in a homogeneous fluid we can transfer the energy of one wave to another wave with the same frequency that moves in a different direction. We use this type of Bragg resonance to design lenses and curved mirrors for gravity waves. These lenses and mirrors are merely small changes to the seabed topography (e.g. by placing obstacles) and hence are surface non-invasive. By a concave mirror or a convex lens of gravity waves, we can focus gravity waves at a specific location. This may be of interest to the ocean wave energy, as instead of putting a multitude of wave energy harvesting devices over a large area, one large wave energy absorber can be placed at the focal point. This will reduce the cost, increase the efficiency and is clearly more environmentally friendly. We also show that Bragg resonance of surface and interfacial waves can be used to transfer energy from surface waves to interfacial waves, and from interfacial waves to the surface waves. Therefore in a two-layer density stratified fluid a proper architecture of the topography can be used to create a buffer zone which is protected from surface waves. This idea, known as cloaking, can protect floating offshore wind towers from the momentum of oceanic waves.
Successful Implementation of the Eat Sleep Console Model of Care for Infants With NAS in a Community Hospital

BACKGROUND: Opioid use across the United States is increasing. The concomitant rise in the incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) has made care of infants with this disease process a top priority for pediatric centers across the country. There is growing evidence that the Eat Sleep Console (ESC) model of care is superior to the established Finnegan Neonatal Abstinence Scoring System model. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to improve the care of infants with NAS by transitioning from the Finnegan Neonatal Abstinence Scoring System model to the ESC model of care. Our goal was to decrease the average length of stay from 11.77 to 5.94 days without having an increase in readmissions. METHODS: A multidisciplinary team was created. Education about NAS and ESC was created and distributed. Patients were admitted to the inpatient unit, and outcomes were observed. Standard quality improvement methodology was used for this intervention. RESULTS: After implementation of the ESC care model, average length of stay decreased to 5.94 days, with 0 patients readmitted or transferred for NAS-related complications. We saw a 48% reduction in average variable cost per patient. In addition to these reductions and savings, total per patient morphine exposure was reduced from 2.25 to 0.45 mg/kg, a 79% reduction in use. CONCLUSIONS: The ESC model of care was successfully implemented at our institution with resultant cost savings, decreased length of stay, and decreased medication use. Our work further supports the adoption of this new model of care for infants with NAS.
Minimally Invasive Management of Duodenal and Jejunal Atresia

Duodenal atresia occurs due to a failure of the lumen to recanalize during the 11th week of gestation. Over half of patients have an associated congenital anomaly with congenital heart disease, trisomy 21, malrotation, annular pancreas, and tracheoesophageal fistula among the most common. The classic presentation is a newborn with early bilious emesis. This finding is dependent on a post-ampullary obstruction, and a small percentage of cases may present with non-bilious emesis due to a pre-ampullary lesion [1]. Prenatal ultrasound often suggests obstruction due to dilated proximal small bowel and polyhydramnios. After birth, the classic imaging finding is the “double bubble” of stomach and duodenal bulb with an absence of distal gas; however, the presence of distal gas does not exclude atresia [2]. Gray and Skandalakis classified the types of duodenal atresia in 1972. Type I defects are the most common and contain a thin membranous separation between the two portions of bowel. In type II, an atretic, fibrous cord connects the two halves, and in type III the segments are entirely separated, and there is an adjacent mesenteric defect [3].
Examining the Correlation between American Students’ Cultural Intelligence, Political Affiliations, and Their Social Distances from Their International Peers

Guided by the theories of cultural intelligence and social distance, the purpose of this quantitative non-experimental study was to determine whether first-year American-born college students’ political party affiliations and cultural intelligence (CQ) relate to their self-reported social distances (SDs) from international students. One hundred and twenty-one first-year college students at a 4-year Midwestern university participated in this study. Regression analysis showed that political party affiliation (β = .194, t = 3.074, p = .003), metacognitive CQ (β = −.239, t = −.2.885, p = .005), motivational CQ (β = −.363, t = −4.225, p = .001), and behavioral CQ (β = −.215, t = −3.078, p = .003) of American-born college students were statistically significant predictors of their social distances from international peers. However, cognitive CQ (β = .009, t = .112, p = .911) was not a statistically significant predictor of social distance between these two groups of students.
Virtual Excited State Reference for the Discovery of Electronic Materials Database: An Open-Access Resource for Ground and Excited State Properties of Organic Molecules.

This letter announces the Virtual Excited State Reference for the Discovery of Electronic Materials Database (VERDE materials DB), the first database to include downloadable excited-state structure...
Differential implications of persistent, remitted, and late-onset ADHD symptoms for substance abuse in women and men: A twin study from ages 11 to 24.

Abstract Background Persistence and emergence of ADHD in adulthood are associated with substance problems. We investigate differential implications of ADHD course for tobacco, alcohol, or marijuana problems by sex, then whether substance misuse results from ADHD or contributes to it, through a twin differences design. Methods A population-based cohort of 998 twins (61 % monozygotic; 52 % female), born in Minnesota from 1988 to 1994, was prospectively assessed from ages 11–24. Childhood ADHD was oversampled. At age 24, 255 had a history of childhood-onset ADHD (160 persistent, 95 remitted); 93 had late-onset ADHD symptoms identified in late-adolescence/adulthood. Persistent, remitted, and late-onset groups were compared to those without ADHD (N = 459) on childhood characteristics and age-24 substance problems. Results Persistent and late-onset groups differed in childhood; twin concordances suggested greater genetic etiology for persistent ADHD. As adolescents, however, both groups were high in conduct problems; by adulthood, they were comparably high in substance problems. In particular, women whose ADHD persisted were 5 times more likely to develop tobacco use disorder than women without ADHD. Remitted ADHD was associated with less-increased risk, except for alcohol problems among women. Consistent with possible causality, monozygotic female twins with more age-17 ADHD symptoms than co-twins had more age-24 tobacco symptoms; a similar association was found for alcohol. Conclusions Presence or emergence of ADHD in early adulthood increases substance problems to a greater degree for women than men. While effects of substances on later ADHD were not statistically significant, detection was limited by the relative rarity of late-adolescent substance symptoms.