cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Brain choline-containing compounds are elevated in HIV-positive patients before the onset of AIDS dementia complex A proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic study

The CNS is a common target for human immunode-ficiency virus (HIV) infection. [1-3] In pathologic studies conducted before the use of zidovudine (AZT), CNS changes were found to be related to HIV in nearly two-thirds of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients; in more recent studies it is estimated that 20 to 30% of these patients will develop dementia. [1,2,4] This disorder, called the AIDS dementia complex (ADC), is entirely separate from the secondary opportunistic infections and tumors that also occur in the brains of HIV-infected patients. [1,2,5] Pathologic lesions in ADC are predominantly localized to white and deep gray matter structures and typically include pallor of the white matter, gliosis, and perivascular and parenchymal infiltrates of macrophages, lymphocytes, and multinucleated giant cells. [1,2,6,7] By using quantitative morphometry, several groups found a 30 to 50% loss of large neurons in the cortical regions of patients with HIV encephalitis [6,8] and in brains with minimal pathology. [9,10] Confocal laser imaging and golgi impregnation studies also identified abnormalities of the dendritic tree, including a 40% loss of the dendritic area and 40 to 60% loss of spine density compared with controls. [11] The relationship of these findings to the severity of dementia remains poorly understood, however. Although HIV is thought to be the causative agent of ADC, neurons and glial cells are not commonly infected, [12-14] suggesting that brain injury may be related to indirect mechanisms. [15,16] N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), a metabolite exclusively found in neurons [17,18] and commonly used as a neuronal marker, can be detected by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1) H-MRS) noninvasively.1 H-MRS also measures total creatine (as a sum of phosphocreatine and creatine) and choline-containing compounds (i.e., those containing the [CH3]3 Nplus- group). Thus,1 H-MRS provides a noninvasive way to follow changes in …
Convergent effects of elevation on functional leaf traits within and among species

Summary Spatial variation in filters imposed by the abiotic environment causes variation in functional traits within and among plant species. This is abundantly clear for plant species along elevational gradients, where parallel abiotic selection pressures give rise to predictable variation in leaf phenotypes among ecosystems. Understanding the factors responsible for such patterns may provide insight into the current and future drivers of biodiversity, local community structure and ecosystem function. In order to explore patterns in trait variation along elevational gradients, we conducted a meta-analysis of published observational studies that measured three key leaf functional traits that are associated with axes of variation in both resource competition and stress tolerance: leaf mass:area ratio (LMA), leaf nitrogen content per unit mass (Nmass) and N content per unit area (Narea). To examine whether there may be evidence for a genetic basis underlying the trait variation, we conducted a review of published results from common garden experiments that measured the same leaf traits. Within studies, LMA and Narea tended to decrease with mean annual temperature (MAT) along elevational gradients, while Nmass did not vary systematically with MAT. Correlations among pairs of traits varied significantly with MAT: LMA was most strongly correlated with Nmass and Narea at high-elevation sites with relatively lower MAT. The strengths of the relationships were equal or greater within species relative to the relationships among species, suggesting parallel evolutionary dynamics along elevational gradients among disparate biomes. Evidence from common garden studies further suggests that there is an underlying genetic basis to the functional trait variation that we documented along elevational gradients. Taken together, these results indicate that environmental filtering both selects locally adapted genotypes within plant species and constrains species to elevational ranges based on their ranges of potential leaf trait values. If individual phenotypes are filtered from populations in the same way that species are filtered from regional species pools, changing climate may affect both the species and functional trait composition of plant communities.
Design and Evaluation of Hybrid Fault-Detection Systems

As chip densities and clock rates increase, processors are becoming more susceptible to transient faults that can affect program correctness. Up to now, system designers have primarily considered hardware-only and software-only fault-detection mechanisms to identify and mitigate the deleterious effects of transient faults. These two fault-detection systems, however, are extremes in the design space, representing sharp trade-offs between hardware cost, reliability, and performance. In this paper, we identify hybrid hardware/software fault-detection mechanisms as promising alternatives to hardware-only and software-only systems. These hybrid systems offer designers more options to fit their reliability needs within their hardware and performance budgets. We propose and evaluate CRAFT, a suite of three such hybrid techniques, to illustrate the potential of the hybrid approach. For fair, quantitative comparisons among hardware, software, and hybrid systems, we introduce a new metric, Mean Work To Failure, which is able to compare systems for which machine instructions do not represent a constant unit of work. Additionally, we present a new simulation framework which rapidly assesses reliability and does not depend on manual identification of failure modes. Our evaluation illustrates that CRAFT, and hybrid techniques in general, offer attractive options in the fault-detection design space.
Disparities in lung cancer stage, treatment and survival among American Indians and Alaskan Natives

Abstract Background Disparities in lung cancer care and outcomes have been documented for blacks and Hispanics. Less is known about the care received by the American Indian and Alaskan Native population (AI/AN). We sought to evaluate lung cancer outcomes in this population and to asses if potential disparities in survival are explained by differences in stage of disease at diagnosis and type of treatment received. Methods We identified patients with potentially resectable (stages I–IIIA) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results registry between 1988 and 2006. Kaplan–Meier curves were used to compare survival of AI/AN patients to those of other racial groups. Cox regression analysis was used to identify potential mediators of the association between AI/AN origin and worse survival. Results Five-year lung cancer survival was 47% for AI/AN, 56% for whites, 51% for blacks, 55% for Hispanics and 59% for individuals of other race ( p p p Conclusions AI/AN with potentially resectable NSCLC have survival rates comparable to other minority groups and worse than whites. These survival differences are partly explained by advanced stage at diagnosis, and lower rates of treatment.
Bayesian inference model for step-stress accelerated life testing with type-II censoring

In this paper we present a Bayes inference model for a simple step-stress accelerated life test (SSALT) using type-II censored samples. We assume that the failure times at each stress are exponentially distributed with a mean that is a log-linear function of the natural stress level, and derive a likelihood function for the SSALT model under type-II censoring. We integrate the engineering knowledge into the prior distribution of the parameters in log-linear function, and through a Siegel-gamma distribution conjugation we can derive the posterior distribution for the parameters of interest. Applying Bayes approach to SSALT, the statistical precision of parameter inference is improved and the required number of samples is reduced.
Preparing Students And Teachers For Careers In Business: Rethinking The Teaching Of Business At The High School And Undergraduate Levels

This is a conceptual as well as a research-oriented paper on the need for a strategic rethinking of business education from middle and high school, to the college undergraduate level. Case studies, interviews, discussions with teachers and school administrators and participation in school advisory councils were the evidence used to demonstrate the urgency for research on this topic. Overall, the findings substantiate the importance of aligning the pedagogy with the needs of the marketplace. Resistance from faculty and school administrators as well as state standards and funding criteria are some of the deterrents to change. This work informs policy makers, teachers and school administrators of the need to streamline the middle and high school business curriculum with the college curriculum and to align the study of business with the current needs of the workplace and society.
Tobacco and marijuana co-use among high school students in the US using the YRBSS (2009 & 2011)

Introduction: The most widely used drugs among adolescents in the US are tobacco and marijuana. The purpose of the present study was to determine the predictors of their co-use as no recent studies have been done to demonstrate this. Our aim was to test the hypothesis that there is no differences in pattern of co-use of tobacco and marijuana across levels of age, sex and race/ethnicity. Methods: Data from the 2009 and 2011 waves of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (n=31,385) were analyzed through STATA 11.0. Indexes were self reported and anonymous. The secondary analysis was IRB exempt: IRB14-0346. Results: Among participants, 18% had smoked tobacco in the past one month while 22% had used marijuana, with 11% of smokers reporting co-use of tobacco and marijuana in the past month. A chi-square test for trend showed increasing co-use with increasing age of adolescents (P 15yrs (OR= 1.64 P Conclusion: This study demonstrates that current co-use of tobacco and marijuana is significantly predicted by race/ethnicity. Co-use among adolescents also increased with age and was more common among males. These preliminary findings identify the need to assess through further research the impact of concurrent tobacco and marijuana use on addiction and health outcomes among adolescents.
The Unitary Executive and State Administration of Federal Law

Congress frequently encourages states to become regulatory partners in federal programs, sometimes by threatening to preempt the existing regulations of non-participating states, and other times by rewarding participating states with substantial monetary subsidies. Less frequently, Congress orders rather than invites state officials to regulate in a desired manner, in essence coercively employing states as administrative arms of the federal government. The Supreme Court will revisit this term (in Printz v. U.S.) the question whether and to what extent such congressional "commandeering" of state officials violates principles of federalism. While the debate over commandeering has thus far focused exclusively on federalism principles, commandeering implicates separation of powers principles as well. Several scholars have recently rearticulated the "unitary executive theory" of Article II, arguing that Article II vests the power to execute federal law solely in the President of the United States. Unitarians do not maintain that the President must personally execute all laws; Congress may establish an administrative bureaucracy and identify particular officials to assist the President in carrying out legislatively prescribed tasks. But, unitarians argue, such officials must always remain subject to the President's direction. On the surface, this unitary executive theory appears to be implicated when Congress conscripts or even authorizes state officials to implement federal programs. Unless these state officials are subject to presidential supervision, Congress violates Article II by cutting the President out of the execution loop. Thus, principles of separation of powers, in addition to principles of federalism, govern the validity of state administration of federal law. In this symposium contribution, I assume the validity of the unitary executive theory and explore some of its separation of powers implications for the commandeering debate. I focus on two question. The first concerns remedy: If Article II means that unsupervised state administration of federal law is unconstitutional, what is the proper remedy for statutes, such as the Brady Act, that authorize or even mandate such state activity? Should the statutes be invalidated, or should the President be granted authority to supervise state officers implementing such statutes? The second question concerns scope: What counts as "state administration of federal law" for purposes of the unitary executive theory? Does the unitary executive theory call into question only state administration of federally-defined law (such as the Brady Act), or a wider variety of cooperative federal-state programs such as welfare and Medicare as well?
Plant peroxidase gene expression and function.

Cell wall-associated phenolics One of the important functions of anionic peroxidases is to catalyse cross-linking and polymerization of cell wall-associated phenolic polymers [4]. 1,ignin deposited in the walls and concentrated in the middle lamella, is a well-known polymer composed of aromatic monomers IS ] . Deposition of phenolics on cell walls occur in many other contexts regulated by developmental and environmental factors [6]. For example, under conditions that require reinforcement of cell walls, phenolics somewhat similar to lignin are deposited on the plasma membrane side of the cell wall. To this phenolic matrix a polyester domain composed of w-hydroxy fatty acids, the corresponding dicarboxylic acids, and some epoxy, di-, and trihydroxy acids, are attached to generate the hydrophobic polymer, suberin [7]. Soluble waxes are deposited with suberin to make the cell wall an effective barrier to diffusion. Solid-state n.m.r. helps us to understand the nature of this extremely complex cell wall-attached polymer [X I , which cannot be separated from the wall (Fig. 1). Recent n.m.r. studies showed that 50% of the suberized potato periderm was composed of carbohydrates [O], confirming similar conclusions previously reached by
Redoop infrastructure for recurring big data queries

This demonstration presents the Redoop infrastructure, the first full-fledged MapReduce framework with native support for recurring big data queries. Recurring queries, repeatedly being executed for long periods of time over evolving high-volume data, have become a bedrock component in most large-scale data analytic applications. Redoop is a comprehensive extension to Hadoop that pushes the support and optimization of recurring queries into Hadoop's core functionality. While backward compatible with regular MapReduce jobs, Redoop achieves an order of magnitude better performance than Hadoop for recurring workloads. Redoop employs innovative window-aware optimization techniques for such recurring workloads including adaptive window-aware data partitioning, cache-aware task scheduling, and inter-window caching mechanisms. We will demonstrate Redoop's capabilities on a compute cluster against real life workloads including click-stream and sensor data analysis.
Regulating the National Pastime: Baseball and Antitrust. By Jerold J. Duquette. Westport, CT: Praeger, 1999. 154p. $59.95.

Major league baseball, unlike other professional sports in the United States, has been exempt from antitrust laws for nearly a century. The reason lies with early state and federal court decisions, of which the most frequently cited is the Supreme Court's Federal Baseball Club of Baltimore v. National League opinion, authored by Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes in 1922. Baseball's legal status has been the subject of numerous law review articles and commentaries, historical narratives, and scholarly analyses. Nevertheless, Jerold Duquette claims that there has been no integrated and comprehensive examination of "baseball's unregulated monopoly."
A Simple Hedge for Longevity Risk and Reimbursement Risk Using Research-Backed Obligations

Longevity risk is the risk that the promised recipient of lifetime cashflows ends up living much longer than originally anticipated, thus causing a shortfall in funding. A related risk, reimbursement risk is the risk that providers of health insurance face when new and expensive drugs are introduced and the insurer must cover their costs. Longevity and reimbursement risks are particularly acute in domains in which scientific breakthroughs can increase the speed of new drug development. An emerging asset class, research-backed obligations or RBOs (cf., Fernandez et al., 2012), provides a natural mechanism for hedging these risks: RBO equity tranches gain value as new life- extending therapies are developed and do so in proportion to the number of successful therapies introduced. We use the stylized case of annuity underwriting to show how RBO equity could be used to hedge some forms longevity risk on a retirement portfolio. Using the same framework, we then show how RBO securities may be used to hedge a much broader class of reimbursement risks faced by health insurance firms. We demonstrate how to compute hedge ratios to neutralize specific exposures. Although our analytic results are stylized, our simulation results suggest substantial potential for this asset class to reduce financial uncertainty for those institutions exposed to either longevity or reimbursement risks. For example, our simulation results indicate that the correlation between the return on RBO equity and the reimbursement shortfall for a health insurer is about 0.66 under reasonable assumptions. Even under extremely conservative assumptions, this correlation is still 0.34, suggesting that RBO equity offers substantial hedging benefits, producing more favorable outcomes in about 87% of scenarios.
Two-Photon Fluorescence Anisotropy Microscopy for Imaging and Direct Measurement of Intracellular Drug Target Engagement

Small molecule therapeutic drugs must reach their intended cellular targets (pharmacokinetics) and engage them to modulate therapeutic effects (pharmacodynamics). These processes are often difficult to measure in vivo due to their complexities and occurrence within single cells. It has been particularly difficult to directly measure cellular drug target binding. Fluorescence polarization is commonly used in pharmacological screening assays to measure drug–protein or protein–protein interactions. We hypothesized that fluorescence polarization imaging could be adapted and used with fluorescently labeled drugs to measure drug target engagement in vivo . Here, we summarize recent results using two photon fluorescence anisotropy microscopy. Our imaging technique offers quantitative pharmacological binding information of diverse molecular interactions at the microscopic level, differentiating between bound, and unbound states. Used in combination with other recent advances in the development of novel fluorescently labeled drugs, we expect that the described imaging modality will provide a window into the distribution and efficacy of drugs in real time and in vivo at the cellular and subcellular level.
Methemoglobin generation by 8-aminoquinolines: effect of substitution at 5-position of primaquine.

Currently, the only clinically approved antimalarial drug to treat relapsing malaria is primaquine (PQ), yet PQ administration can cause life-threatening hemolytic anemia in some patients. In our e...
Fatigue damage diagnosis and prognosis using bayesian updating

In this paper, a methodology integrating a Lamb wave-based damage detection technique and a Bayesian updating method for remaining useful life (RUL) prediction is proposed. First, a piezoelectric sensor network is used to detect the fatigue crack size near the rivet holes in fuselage lap joints. Advanced signal processing and feature fusion is then used to quantitatively estimate the crack size. Second, a small time scale model is used as the physics model to predict the crack propagation for a given future loading and an estimate of initial crack length. Next, a Bayesian updating algorithm is implemented incorporating the damage diagnostic result and the small time scale model for RUL prediction. Probability distributions of model parameters are updated considering various uncertainties in the damage prognosis process. Finally, the proposed methodology is demonstrated using data from fatigue testing of realistic fuselage lap joints and the model predictions are validated using prognostics metrics.
Asphalt-Derived High Surface Area Activated Porous Carbons for Carbon Dioxide Capture

Research activity toward the development of new sorbents for carbon dioxide (CO2) capture have been increasing quickly. Despite the variety of existing materials with high surface areas and high CO2 uptake performances, the cost of the materials remains a dominant factor in slowing their industrial applications. Here we report preparation and CO2 uptake performance of microporous carbon materials synthesized from asphalt, a very inexpensive carbon source. Carbonization of asphalt with potassium hydroxide (KOH) at high temperatures (>600 °C) yields porous carbon materials (A-PC) with high surface areas of up to 2780 m2 g–1 and high CO2 uptake performance of 21 mmol g–1 or 93 wt % at 30 bar and 25 °C. Furthermore, nitrogen doping and reduction with hydrogen yields active N-doped materials (A-NPC and A-rNPC) containing up to 9.3% nitrogen, making them nucleophilic porous carbons with further increase in the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface areas up to 2860 m2 g–1 for A-NPC and CO2 uptake to 26 mmol g–1 o...
Flow through Horizontal Tubes Submerged in Water in the Absence of a Pressure Gradient: Mechanistic Considerations

Self-driven flow was observed in Nafion and other hydrophilic tubes immersed in water. The intratubular flow was generated when water came in contact with the tube's hydrophilic surfaces. Flow characteristics were studied in tubes of varying size, exposed to light of different intensities and wavelengths. The results lead to the hypothesis that the flow is driven by a high concentration of protons accumulating inside the tube, creating an axial proton gradient between the inside and outside of the tube. We also demonstrate a faster flow under incident light, particularly at UV wavelengths, implying that proton generation may be driven by light.
SERUM PROTEINS OF SALAMANDERS OF THE AMBYSTOMA JEFFERSONIANUM COMPLEX, AND THE ORIGIN OF THE TRIPLOID SPECIES OF THIS GROUP.

The Ambystoma jeffersonianum complex includes four species, two of them diploid and bisexual (A. jeffersonianum, A. laterale), the remaining two (A. platineum, A. tremblayi) triploid and essentially all female (Uzzell, 1963, 1964; Macgregor and Uzzell, 1964). In their morphological features the two triploid species are intermediate between the two diploid species. The triploid species occur where the ranges of the two diploid species overlap or approach each other. This morphological and geographical intermediacy suggests that the triploids arose as a result of hybridization of the two diploid species. We have investigated the serum proteins of several populations of each of the four species and
Building a unified Chinese national park system:Historical lessons learned from the United States

The authors present a comparative historical analysis of the development and evolution of the national park systems in United States and China. The analysis is based on 10 years of research focusing on national park system development in both countries, along with data collected during a recent Fulbright collaborative research project. The analysis begins with a comprehensive historical review of the U.S. national park system development from the 1870 s to the present. The authors describe how over time a cohesive national system emerged that unifies 401 diverse park units. By comparison, the authors then describe the process by which over the past four decades of increasing openness to the outside world, the Chinese government constructed and implemented a decentralized and heterogeneous national park system distributed across multiple government agencies. Still early in its development, the system is characterized by disparate policy and nomenclature frameworks reflecting the varying goals and priorities of the agencies. The authors conclude with three points. First, the global national park movement has been shaped by mutual learning between nations, resulting in a unique form of land use that combines environment protection with sustainable development for human benefit. Second, as an early adopter and innovator, the experience and management information accumulated about the U.S. national park system serves as a useful example for the rest of the world. Third, as a late adopter, the national park system in China has evolved in a decentralized fashion across government departments and agents, leading to inefficiencies, lack of cohesion, and limited effectiveness. The authors conclude by calling for government policy- makers and academics to engage in a multi-partner dialogue aimed at normalizing the national park management regime,building support for thoughtful policy development by the top- levels of government, and suspension of national park pilot projects until a more unified and cohesive vision for the Chinese national park system is agreed upon.
Determination of Endosulfan pesticide residues in fish by solid-phase extraction and capillary gas chromatography

Objective:To establish solid-phase extraction and capillary gas chromatography for the determining Endosulfan in fish.Methods:The Endosulfan pesticide residues were extracted from samples with solvents by ultrasonic and cleaned up by Florisil solidphase extraction column.Then,the extract was separated by capillary column and detected by electron capture detector.Results:There was good 1iner relationover the range of0.005 μg/L～0.100 μg/L.The average recoveries and RSD were in the range of 79.3%～90.5%and 1.4%～3.9% at three spiked mixed organOch1orine pesticides levels,respectively.The limits of detection were 0.5 μg/kg.Conclusion: This method is effective,fast,accurate,repeatable and suitable for analysis on Endosulfan residuesin tradition medicines materials.
Morphometric Sex Determination of After-hatch-year Bald Eagles in Louisiana

Determinacion Morfometrica Del Sexo de Pollos Del Primer Ano de Haliaeetus leucocephalus En Luisiana Haliaeetus leucocephalus es una especie con plumaje monomorfico pero sexualmente dimorfica en cuanto al tamano, siendo las hembras tipicamente de mayor tamano que los machos. Debido a esto, el sexo juega un papel importante al considerar las variaciones en los movimientos, las areas de campeo y el uso del habitat. Bortolloti (1984, Journal of Wildlife Management 48:72–81) desarrollo una formula morfometrica para la determinacion del sexo de los pollos del primer ano de H. leucocephalus. Sin embargo, esta formula fue desarrollada en aves nortenas, las cuales son relativamente mas grandes que los individuos surenos de H. leucocephalus. Por ello, evaluamos la precision de la formula de Bortolloti en 28 pollos del primer ano de H. leucocephalus provenientes de Luisiana y, tras documentar numerosas clasificaciones erroneas (21.4%), utilizamos un analisis discriminante para desarrollar una nueva formula aplicabl...
Drug Resistance to HIV-1 Protease Inhibitors: Molecular Mechanisms and Substrate Coevolution

HIV-1 protease inhibitors (PIs) are competitive active-site inhibitors that mimic the transition state of the enzyme’s substrate, and are the most potent antiretroviral drugs against HIV infection. HIV-1 protease processes the viral polyproteins at specific cleavage sites and allows infectious mature virions and hence spread of the virus. Unfortunately rapid viral evolution combined with selective pressure of therapy causes selection of many drug-resistant variants that are no longer efficiently inhibited by the PIs. HIV-1 protease can tolerate extensive mutations, with close to half of the 99-residues making up each of the chains in the homodimeric protease and residues at substrate cleavage sites mutating to escape PI pressure. Structural and biophysical studies of many drug-resistant HIV-1 protease variants revealed insights into how mutations at and outside of the protease active site are able to confer PI resistance while still allowing recognition and processing of substrates, and why substrate mutations coevolve with primary protease mutations. We summarize the main molecular mechanisms underlying PI resistance due to primary, secondary, and substrate coevolved mutations and how this knowledge may guide the design of robust inhibitors to avoid resistance.
Microvillus Inclusion Disease Variant in an Infant with Intractable Diarrhea

Microvillus inclusion disease (MVID) is a rare autosomal recessive congenital enteropathy characterized by intractable secretory diarrhea. We report a case of MVID variant with a homozygous gene mutation in syntaxin 3 (STX3). The patient is a male Saudi infant who presented shortly after birth with severe vomiting, metabolic acidosis, and mild diarrhea. Electron microscopy study for small intestinal biopsy was consistent with MVID. MYO5B gene mutation was excluded; subsequently, whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed, which revealed homozygous gene mutation in STX3. Using WES in clinical environment can be a useful tool for diagnosing difficult and rare inherited congenital enteropathies.
Collagen biomarkers and subclinical interstitial lung disease: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Abstract Background Lung fibrosis is attributed to derangements in extracellular matrix remodeling, a process driven by collagen turnover. We examined the association of two collagen biomarkers, carboxy-terminal telopeptide of collagen type I (ICTP) and amino-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP), with subclinical interstitial lung disease (ILD) in adults. Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 3244 participants age 45–84 years in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Serum ICTP and PIIINP levels were measured at baseline by radioimmunoassay. Subclinical ILD was defined as high attenuation areas (HAA) in the lung fields on baseline cardiac CT scans. Interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA) were measured in 1082 full-lung CT scans at 9.5 years median follow-up. We used generalized linear models to examine the associations of collagen biomarkers with HAA and ILA. Results Median (IQR) for ICTP was 3.2 μg/L (2.6–3.9 μg/L) and for PIIINP was 5.3 μg/L (4.5–6.2 μg/L). In fully adjusted models, each SD increment in ICTP was associated with a 1.3% increment in HAA (95% CI 0.2–2.4%, p = 0.02) and each SD increment in PIIINP was associated with a 0.96% increment in HAA (95% CI 0.06–1.9%, p = 0.04). There was no association between ICTP or PIIINP and ILA. There was no evidence of effect modification by gender, race, smoking status or eGFR. Conclusions Higher levels of collagen biomarkers are associated with greater HAA independent of gender, race and smoking status. This suggests that extracellular matrix remodeling may accompany subclinical ILD prior to the onset of clinically evident disease.
Neuroimaging of Infectious, Inflammatory, and Autoimmune Skin and Subcutaneous Lesions

Many infections, inflammatory conditions, and immune disorders can involve the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Diagnostic imaging often plays an important role in evaluating these conditions, including both local and distant manifestations. The clinicopathologic and neuroimaging features of the following topics are reviewed in this chapter: bacterial, viral, and fungal infections, histiocytic disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren syndrome, scleroderma, immunoglobin G4-related disease, Kimura disease, benign osteoma cutis, and Parry Romberg syndrome.
ZFYVE21 is a Novel Complement-Induced Rab5 Effector Protein Mediating Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy

Purpose Complement promotes vascular inflammation in transplant organ rejection, a process leading to cardiac allograft vasculopathy. In this study, we identify a new Rab5 effector protein, ZFYVE21, that mediates this process. We elucidate a ZFYVE21-SMURF2-pAkt signaling axis which activates non-canonical NF-kB, and we define the clinical relevance of this sequence. Methods We developed FACS-assisted protocols enabling proteomic analysis of MAC+Rab5+ endosomes and semi-quantitative analyses of the phosphoinositide content of these structures. A humanized mouse model incorporating human coronary artery segments and human lymphoid cells was employed to define a role for ZFYVE21-associated signaling in cardiac allograft vasculopathy. Software-assisted analyses of human transplant biopsies analyzing ZFYVE21 colocalization was performed using a computer algorithm we helped to developed in-house. Results In response to deposition of membrane attack complexes (MAC) on endothelial cells (EC), ZFYVE21 is post-translationally stabilized via recruitment to MAC+Rab5+ endosomes in a Rab5- and PI(3)P-dependent manner. ZFYVE21 promotes SMURF2-mediated polyubiquitinylation and proteasome-dependent degradation of endosome-associated PTEN to induce vesicular enrichment of PI(3,4,5)P3 and sequential recruitment of activated Akt and NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK). Pharmacologic alteration of the phosphoinositide content of MAC+Rab5+ endosomes with miltefosine reduces ZFYVE21 induction, EC activation, and MAC-induced allograft vasculopathy in a humanized mouse model. ZFYVE21 induction distinctly occurs in response to MAC- but not ligand-induced non-canonical NF-κB and is a biomarker for complement-mediated endothelial signaling in transplant biopsies with antibody-mediated rejection. Conclusion Our data identifies ZFYVE21 as a novel Rab5 effector, defines a Rab5-ZFYVE21-SMURF2-pAkt axis by which it mediates EC activation, and demonstrates a role for this pathway as a drug target and biomarker for allograft vasculopathy.
Fast mappers, slow learners: Word learning without hippocampus is slow and sparse irrespective of methodology.

Rapid word learning without the hippocampus is an alluring prospect – it holds the promise of remediating a common learning deficit associated with aging (healthy or pathological) and certain neuro...
Reacting to the scope of a data breach: The differential role of fear and anger

Abstract We investigate how fearful and angry consumers react to the scope (number of customers affected) of a data breach. In two laboratory studies, we show that whereas fear makes consumers scope sensitive such that their intentions not to purchase from the affected retailer increases with scope, anger makes consumers scope insensitive and their repurchase intentions scope invariant. Process tests show that whereas scope indirectly affects the repurchase intentions of fearful consumers by making the mental image of the breach more vivid to them, scope does not affect how angry consumers imagine the breach nor their repurchase intentions. We find similar results in a field study, analyzing approximately 12,000 news stories of data breaches, showing that scope affects stock market reactions when the stories stress fear over anger but not when they stress anger over fear.
Predictions of Slat Noise from the 30P30N at High Angles of Attack Using Zonal Hybrid RANS-LES

Aeroacoustic predictions of slat noise from the 30P30N three-element high-lift system at high angles of attack are presented using a zonal hybrid RANS-LES method. The simulations are part of the 5th AIAA Benchmark problems for Airframe Noise Computations (BANC-V) Workshop. An economical approach utilizing structured overset grids with spatially varying span-wise grid resolution and a high-order accurate finite difference method is described. The method is utilized for near-field predictions at three angles of attack: α = 5.5, 9.5, and 14.0 degrees. Far-field noise is obtained by propagating the near-field solution using a permeable surface Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings (FWH) method. Good agreement is obtained with both near-field and far-field Power Spectral Density (PSD) data from an experimental study of the 30P30N in the 2m x 2m Kevlar-wall wind tunnel at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Specifically, the reduction in narrow band peaks and overall broadband noise levels with increasing angle of attack is captured well using the zonal hybrid RANS-LES method.
Labour force ageing and productivity growth

This paper reassesses the empirical relationship between ageing and total factor productivity (TFP) growth at the country level. We contribute to the literature by (i) extending the sample coverage...
A minimally invasive, low-stress method for serial blood collection in aging mice.

Hematologic analysis is an efficient and valuable tool for real-time health monitoring and immune analysis in mouse aging studies. However, many frequently used blood sampling techniques in mice are incompatible with continuous monitoring with increasing age, as they may involve anesthesia, cause severe stress, or require a high volume of blood. This technical report describes a convenient relatively noninvasive procedure for counting white blood cells in C57Bl/6 mice by an optimized tail blood collection method followed by Wright-Giemsa and Turk staining. This technique can be performed on unanesthetized mice in less than 1 min with minimal stress using only a few microliters of blood. White blood cell analysis can include but is not limited to total and differential white blood cell count and cell morphology. The low blood volume collected is ideal for aging mice in longer-term experiments requiring regular and continuous monitoring.
New-Onset Vitiligo Following Etanercept for Ankylosing Spondylitis

Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-a) inhibitors, are used widely to treat a variety of chronic inflammatory conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis. Recently, there has been an increase in the number of reports of immune-mediated skin diseases, such as lichen planus, psoriasis, granuloma annulare, following the initiation of TNF-a inhibitors. We present a patient with ankylosing spondylitis previously treated with adalimumab who developed vitiligo shortly after switching to etanercept to achieve better control of his joint disease.
Reduced Non Relapse Mortality (NRM) and Survivable Acute Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD) in the Current Era of Myeloablative Ex Vivo T-Cell Depleted (TCD) Transplantation

Abstract Introduction: Little is known about the lethality of acute GVHD (aGVHD) in T -cell depleted (TCD) allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We examined the incidence of aGVHD and its relative contribution to non relapse mortality (NRM) in a cohort of consecutive TCD HSCT at a single institute. Methods: We report 132 consecutive subjects who had undergone TCD HLA-identical sibling HSCT between 2006 and 2016 for hematologic malignancies. All subjects received conditioning with Fludarabine 125mg/m2, Cytoxan 120 mg/kg and 1200 cGy total body irradiation (TBI) ( Thirty-six subjects were over the age of 55 years, 66 were females and 66 were males. Transplant indications were acute leukemia (92), myelodysplastic / myeloproliferative syndromes (26), lymphoid malignancies (7) and chronic myelogenous or myelomonocytic leukemia (7). Fifty-three percent of subjects were at a high risk of relapse. The median follow-up post HSCT was 4.3 years. Results: The incidence of Grade 1-2 and 3-4 aGVHD were 51.6% and 19%, respectively. Of these, 15% of aGVHD was steroid refractory and was treated with infliximab/basiliximab or with mesenchymal stromal cells. Extensive or limited chronic GvHD was observed in 30% and 24% of subjects. 74% of those at risk developed cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation. The Kaplan-Meier (KM) estimate for overall survival (OS), NRM and cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) for the entire cohort was 71%, 14.6% and 24% respectively at one year, and 52%, 32.5% and 39% at 5 years. We considered the impact of CMV reactivation, slow donor lymphoid chimerism and steroid refractory aGVHD on NRM. However there was no significant impact from CMV reactivation or slow (> 31 days) achievement of complete donor lymphoid chimerism. Significantly improved outcomes were noted for those transplanted beyond 2012: OS, NRM and CIR being 82%,6.2% and 20% at one year, and 68%, 6.2% and 41% at 3 years. Cox proportionate hazard modeling identified steroid refractory aGVHD (HR 4.0, P=0.007) and transplant prior to 2012 (HR 6.7, P=0.001) as significant factors impacting NRM. Conclusions: T cell addback after ex vivo TCD HSCT was associated with a significant burden of aGVHD. Steroid refractory aGVHD impacted NRM, but slow lymphoid engraftment, disease risk, CMV reactivation and age did not. Significant improvements in NRM in the current era suggest greatly improved salvage of steroid refractory aGVHD. Download : Download high-res image (91KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
A Case Report of Extensive Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis as a Presenting Sign of Relapsing Nephrotic Syndrome

Nephrotic syndrome is defined by three characteristic features including proteinuria of >3 g in 24 hours, hypoalbuminemia of less than 3 g/dL, and peripheral edema. Multiple nephropathies can result in nephrotic syndrome. Most commonly, minimal change disease is seen in children under the age of 10, while adults are more commonly found to have membranous nephropathy. Hypercoagulability and thrombotic sequela can be seen in nephrotic syndrome, regardless of underlying etiology, and thrombosis is most commonly seen in deep veins of the lower extremities and renal veins. Our case identifies an adult with previously diagnosed and treated for minimal change disease who presented with weight gain, peripheral edema, foamy urine, headache but no neurologic deficits. The patient was found to have near to complete occlusion of the entire superior sagittal sinus, near complete occlusion of the left transverse and sigmoid sinuses, and nonocclusive thrombus in the right sigmoid sinus. She was treated with heparin and IV steroids then transitioned to warfarin and PO steroids, respectively, with resolution of symptoms. This case report emphasizes on the importance of recognizing CVST as a potential complication of nephrotic syndrome at both initial presentation and relapse.
Lessons learned from a pilot randomized controlled trial of dyadic interpersonal psychotherapy for perinatal depression in a low-income population.

Abstract Background Perinatal depression is a public health burden impacting mothers and their offspring. This study extended brief-Interpersonal Psychotherapy delivered during pregnancy by incorporating a postpartum attachment based dyadic-component to maintain mother's treatment gains and enhance the mother-infant relationship (called IPT-Dyad). The current report presents data from a pilot randomized controlled trial comparing IPT-Dyad to Enhanced Treatment as Usual (ETAU). Methods Women, ages 18 and older, between 12–30 weeks gestation meeting criteria for a depressive disorder were eligible. Participants were randomized to either IPT-Dyad (n = 21) or ETAU (n = 21). Maternal and infant outcomes were assessed through one-year postpartum. Results Participants were primarily African American (77%), single (80%), with low-incomes. Attrition was high in both groups (IPT-Dyad 30%; ETAU 40%). Depression scores improved from baseline in both groups and remained improved over the 12 month follow-up. There were no between group differences on measures of parenting stress, mother-infant interactions, and infant socioemotional functioning. Limitations The small sample size of this study was further reduced by attrition, despite efforts to maintain engagement. Reliance on self-report outcome measures is also a limitation. Conclusions IPT-Dyad may be a promising intervention for perinatal depression with potential benefit for mothers and babies. Treatment engagement and management of psychosocial needs were persistent challenges throughout the postpartum period. Further refinement of intervention content and schedule to better meet the needs and values of under-resourced mothers is needed. Earlier screening; better integration of care within OB settings; and delivering care in conjunction with social service resources may also improve outcomes.
Access fistulotomy: technical tips for success

Abstract Background and Aims Biliary cannulation, although critical to procedural success in ERCP, can be difficult and, if unsuccessful, can lead to longer hospital stays, repeat procedures, and increased costs. Expertise in adjunct techniques, including access fistulotomy, can increase success rates and potentially avoid these issues. The aim of this case series is to describe the technique of access fistulotomy and illustrate key points that are important for successful biliary access. Methods Three cases are reviewed in which access fistulotomy was used to achieve biliary access. The steps for the procedure are reviewed, and key technical tips and anatomic landmarks are illustrated in the video. Results Successful biliary access is obtained using fistulotomy in 3 cases. In each case, the anatomic landmarks of the papilla and intraduodenal biliary segment are reviewed. The first case illustrates a large papilla in which initial incision followed by careful exposure reveals a clear “onion ring” structure corresponding to the bile duct. The second case requires stepwise incision, each guided by anatomic landmarks before the biliary adventitia is identified, leading to biliary cannulation. In the third case, the utility of fistulotomy in a duodenal diverticulum is illustrated. Recognition of the distorted anatomy allowed precise, careful incision leading to biliary access. Conclusions Access fistulotomy is an invaluable technique to aid in biliary access. Knowledge of key landmarks and careful evaluation of the incision are critical to successful biliary access when performing fistulotomy.
Associations of coping strategies with quality of life (QOL) and mood in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

e19012Background: Patients with AML who receive intensive chemotherapy experience immense physical and psychological symptoms, which can result in a substantial deterioration of QOL. As data on the...
Party Proliferation and Political Contestation in Africa: Senegal in Comparative Perspective

In Party Proliferation and Political Contestation in Africa: Senegal in Comparative Perspective, Catherine Lena Kelly addresses the dramatic rise in the number of political parties in many African ...
Documentary Photography in American Social Welfare History: 1897-1943

This is a study of documentary photography in American social welfare history. The study examines the emergence of photography as a tool of social policy, and in particular, key practitioners who shaped the perception of American social welfare. Within the social welfare literature, this topic is largely unexamined yet invaluable to an understanding of American social welfare. Photography performed a highly instrumental role by providing visual evidence as an innovative way of seeing and analyzing social problems. This image-based approach to social welfare analysis influenced how society viewed itself and the social environment. The goal of this study is to understand this influence by exploring the emergence of documentary photography and the practice of documentary photography as a tool of social welfare policy.