cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulatory issues relating to the use of recombinant vectors in production of human vaccines

Vectored vaccines for human use are biological products and are regulated by The Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER). In terms of regulation, there is nothing unique to vectored vaccines. Adequate regulations are already in place to enable CBER to evaluate vectored vaccines. Vectored vaccines bring together aspects of many other product classes. These vaccines include purified recombinant proteins, those in which the vector is inactivated or live, and > DNA. Regulatory issues common to all these vaccine types as well as those issues specific to each type are discussed.
An Acute Lateral Ankle Sprain Significantly Decreases Physical Activity across the Lifespan

We do not know the impact an ankle sprain has on physical activity levels across the lifespan. With the negative consequences of physical inactivity well established, understanding the effect of an ankle sprain on this outcome is critical. The objective of this study was to measure physical activity across the lifespan after a single ankle sprain in an animal model. Thirty male mice (CBA/J) were randomly placed into one of three groups: the transected calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) group, the transected anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL)/CFL group, and a SHAM group. Three days after surgery, all of the mice were individually housed in a cage containing a solid surface running wheel. Physical activity levels were recorded and averaged every week across the mouse's lifespan. The SHAM mice ran significantly more distance each day compared to the remaining two running groups (post hoc p = 0.011). Daily duration was different between the three running groups (p = 0.048). The SHAM mice ran significantly more minutes each day compared to the remaining two running groups (post hoc p=0.046) while the ATFL/CFL mice ran significantly less minutes each day (post hoc p = 0.028) compared to both the SHAM and CFL only group. The SHAM mice ran at a faster daily speed versus the remaining two groups of mice (post hoc p = 0.019) and the ATFL/CFL mice ran significantly slower each day compared to the SHAM and CFL group (post hoc p = 0.005). The results of this study indicate that a single ankle sprain significantly decreases physical activity across the lifespan in mice. This decrease in physical activity can potentially lead to the development of numerous chronic diseases. An ankle sprain thus has the potential to lead to significant long term health risks if not treated appropriately. Key pointsA single ankle significantly decreased physical activity levels in mice across the lifespan.Decreased physical activity could significantly negatively impact overall health if not modified.Initial treatment and rehabilitation of ankle sprains needs to be studied to determine ways to keep physical activity levels up after injury.
Circuit Theory in Circuit Simulation

This paper stresses the importance of applying circuit theory in circuit simulation. Circuit simulation is a combination of circuit theory and numerical analysis. Both the theoretical basis and the numerical algorithms should be robust and accurate to produce reliable and correct results. This communication focuses on the theoretical and practical aspects of circuit equation formulation in the simulation of circuits containing nanodevices.
Diode-Pumped Solid State Laser Driver for Inertial Fusion Energy Power Plants

The two main types of laser drivers that have been employed to investigate inertial confinement fusion (ICF) are flashlamp-pumped Ndrglass lasers and KrF excimer systems. While Ndrglass has proved highly effective at elucidating key plasma physics issues involved in the ICF process,1 their basic system architecture lacks the efficiency and repetition rate required to serve as an economical driver for inertial fusion energy (IFE) power plants. In addition, significant developments are needed to show that electron beam-pumped KrF systems can attain the target irradiation parameters, as well as the system efficiency, reliability, and cost goals. The result of our recent conceptual studies have revealed that a diode-pumped solid state laser (DPSSL) might be a viable driver for an IFE power plant. In this work, we report on the results from our 4000 line computer code that encompasses the crucial physics and systems details needed to evaluate the resultant cost of electricity (COE). In this effort, we have not specifically addressed issues associated with the balance-of-plant, reactor vessel, and fusion gain curves, but instead employed community-accepted paradigms that account for the critical features of these aspects of the problem. In this way, we focused our attention of the design of the DPSSL, although it was considered in the context of the entire power plant economics and energy flow.
College Students' Intentions to Use Calorie Information on a Restaurant Menu: Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior

Background: Obesity continues to be an epidemic in the United States and is associated with multiple chronic diseases. Greater numbers of people eat in restaurants and select high calorie foods. Labeling laws require calorie information on menus in some restaurants. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the predictors of intention to use calorie labels among college students using constructs of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Methods: College students selected a meal from a menu without calories and from the same menu with calorie information, and completed a survey that addressed TPB constructs. Regression analysis was used to determine predictors of intention to use labels and calorie changes of meals ordered. Results: Students (n = 100) ordered significantly fewer calories with posted calorie information. Intention was significantly correlated with attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Discussion: The TPB may help explain factors involved in the intention to...
Dorsomorphin homologue 1, a highly selective small-molecule bone morphogenetic protein inhibitor, suppresses medial artery calcification.

Background Medial artery calcification develops in diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and as part of the aging process. It is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in vascular patients. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) have previously been implicated in the initiation and progression of vascular calcification. We thus evaluated whether dorsomorphin homologue 1 (DMH1), a highly selective BMP inhibitor, could attenuate vascular calcification in vitro and in an organ culture model of medial calcification. Methods Confluent human aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were cultured in calcification medium containing 3.0 mM inorganic phosphate (Pi) for 7 days with or without DMH1. Medial calcification was assessed using an aortic organ culture model. Calcification was visualized by alizarin red S staining, and calcium concentration was assessed by an o -cresolphthalein complexone calcium assay. Osteogenic cell and vascular SMC markers were determined by Western blot, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemical staining. Results DMH1 reduced Pi-induced calcium deposition in human SMCs. It also antagonized human recombinant BMP2-induced calcium accumulation. Western blot further revealed that DMH1 was able to block Pi-mediated upregulation of the osteoblast markers osterix and alkaline phosphatase and downregulation of the SMC markers smooth muscle myosin heavy chain and SM22α as well as p-Smad1/5/8, suggesting that DMH1 may regulate SMC osteogenic differentiation through the BMP/Smad1/5/8 signaling pathway. Finally, using an ex vivo aortic ring organ culture model, we observed that DMH1 reduces Pi-induced aortic medial calcification. Conclusions The selective BMP inhibitor DMH1 can inhibit calcium accumulation in vascular SMCs and arterial segments exposed to elevated phosphate levels. Such small molecules may have clinical utility in reducing medial artery calcification in our population of vascular patients.
High-throughput lattice reduction for large-scale MIMO systems based on Seysen's algorithm

Lattice reduction aided multiple-input and multiple output (MIMO) detection has attracted significant attention recently due to its low complexity and excellent error rate performance. The most popular lattice reduction algorithms are the Lenstra-Lenstra-Lovasz algorithm and Seysen's algorithm, although the former has received much more attention than the latter. In this work, we present a simplification to Seysen's lattice reduction algorithm, which reduces the periteration computational complexity from quadratic to linear with a small degradation in the quality of the resulting reduced lattice. Moreover, we present an efficient VLSI architecture which demonstrates the advantages of the proposed algorithm and can achieve a throughput of up to 91 Mmatrices/s at an operating frequency of 1 GHz.
How I Teach 1200 Students out of a 150 Seat Classroom: Pro’s and Con’s

Ten years ago we developed a hybrid online/traditional introductory Marketing course to replace the ‘mega’ section formerly taught in a local movie theater. Using an approach we now call “student-managed learning,” there are several complementary ways for students to master the content. Each student chooses the mix of options that best meets his/her personal goals. Students can choose from a variety of in-person and online options including live-lectures at a scheduled time, online lecture archives available 24/7, podcasts, study guides, a traditional textbook, and online quizzes as ways to access the material. No single channel covers all of the content in the class encouraging students to take a multi-modal approach. While the vast majority of students choose the online options, there is enough interest in the live sessions to allow for a healthy give and take.
Rejection of narrow-band interferences in PN spread spectrum systems using an eigenanalysis approach

A new adaptive technique is suggested for rejecting narrow-band interferences in spread spectrum communications. When data is coded using a pseudo-noise code, the received signal consists of a wide-band signal with an almost white spectrum, and correlated narrow-band interference. The conventional approach to the interference suppression has been to exploit this correlation property to minimize the mean square error between predicted values of the signal and actual observations. The optimal solution is given by the Wiener filter. A different approach is suggested by the eigen-analysis of the data across the filter taps. While the energy of the spread spectrum signal is distributed across all the eigenvalues of the data correlation matrix, the energy of the interference is concentrated in a few large eigenvalues. The corresponding eigenvectors span the same signal subspace as the interference. The proposed method derives an error prediction filter with the additional constraint of orthogonality to these eigenvectors. The eigen-analysis based interference cancellation is sub-optimal for known correlation matrix, but is superior to the Wiener filter when the correlation matrix is estimated from a limited amount of data. >
Biological evaluation of compounds for their physical dependence potential and abuse liability. XIV. Animal Testing Committee of the Committee on Problems of Drug Dependence, Inc. (1990).

The Animal Testing Committee of the Committee on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD) is a subcommittee of the Drug Evaluation Committee (Dr. T. Cicero, Chairman). It is concerned with two programs: 1) the evaluation of analgesics, at both the Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University (MCV Drs. M. Aceto, E. Bowman, L. Harris, and E. May) and the University of Michigan Medical School (UM Drs. C. France, F. Medzihradsky, C. Smith, G. Winger, and J. Woods), and 2) the evaluation of stimulants and depressants, at the Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University (MCV Drs. G. Patrick and L. Harris), the University of Chicago (UC Drs. M. Nader, W. Woolverton), and the University of Michigan Medical School (UM Dr. G. Winger). These programs are functioning well. The results which were obtained by the testing groups were discussed at a meeting of the Drug Evaluation Committee in May, 1991, in Richmond, VA.
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and Its Mimickers: A Review of Disease and MRI Findings

The purpose of this article is to discuss the clinical and imaging findings of primary sclerosing cholangitis and its cholestatic mimickers, with a focus on MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) utilization and other characteristic MRI imaging findings. Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a rare idiopathic disease of the liver associated with inflammatory bowel disease which results in damage to the bile ducts and liver parenchyma. Although the etiology of primary sclerosing cholangitis is not completely understood, the disorder is thought to be a result of multiple environmental factors. Genetic factors are likewise important given that multiple genes have been linked to primary sclerosing cholangitis. While primary sclerosing cholangitis shares many clinical and imaging characteristics with other cholestatic diseases, the disorder demonstrates unique and distinguishing features. Discriminating between the similarities and differences on MRI with MRCP allows accurate clinical and radiologic diagnosis, facilitating appropriate management with improved patient outcomes.
Character strengths and clinical presentation

AbstractThree models are described that attempt to integrate clinical diagnosis with the strengths-based model introduced by Peterson and Seligman (2004). The strengths as syndrome model proposes conceptualizing clinical diagnoses in terms of excesses and deficiencies in strengths. The strengths as symptoms model suggests conceptualizing clinical symptoms as excesses or deficiencies in strengths. After reviewing these two models, we introduce a third. The strengths as moderators model suggests that signature or deficient strengths can serve moderators of clinical presentation within traditional diagnostic categories. This differs from the prior models primarily in offering a complement rather than alternative to traditional diagnostic formulation. A clinical case is provided highlighting the differences. The three approaches are not incompatible with each other, and in combination may provide practitioners a variety of perspectives for employing strength-based concepts in clinical interactions.
Urban shrapnel: spatial distribution of non-productive space

AbstractUrbanisation is characterised by cycles of activation and obsolescence leaving in their wake an abundance of non-productive space (NPS). Expanding cities report more vacant land than do fixed cities, which report higher structural abandonment. If left untreated, existing NPS can spread to surrounding properties. Using Fort Worth, TX, USA as a case site, this research explores the spatial distribution of NPS using Geographical Information Systems spatial analyses. Directional distributions, time series analyses, spatial assessments using 5-mile buffer increments and weighted suitability models were combined to determine if urban core fragmentation is occurring, despite population and economic growth. Findings indicate that peripheral NPS area decreased but these spaces were redistributed into the urban core. Parcel size and regeneration potential in the city centre also decreased. This has resulted in a fragmented urban core characterised by disconnected and small/irregularly shaped parcels of NPS ...
Direct and Simultaneous Extraction of Mixed-Mode Traction-Separation Relations

Traction-separation relations can be used to represent the interactions between two surfaces during separation. In the past, characterizing these interactions, particularly under mixed-mode conditions has been tedious. In this work, a direct method is proposed to simultaneously determine the normal and shear components of traction-separation relations at any mode-mix, based solely on measurements of the initial crack length, load and load-line displacement and rotation of each adherend in a laminated beam configuration.
The Need to Separate Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Neuropathology from Clinical Features

There is tremendous recent interest in chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in former collision sport athletes, civilians, and military veterans. This critical review places important recent research results into a historical context. In 2015, preliminary consensus criteria were developed for defining the neuropathology of CTE, which substantially narrowed the pathology previously reported to be characteristic. There are no agreed upon clinical criteria for diagnosis, although sets of criteria have been proposed for research purposes. A prevailing theory is that CTE is an inexorably progressive neurodegenerative disease within the molecular classification of the tauopathies. However, historical and recent evidence suggests that CTE, as it is presented in the literature, might not be pathologically or clinically progressive in a substantial percentage of people. At present, it is not known whether the emergence, course, or severity of clinical symptoms can be predicted by specific combinations of neuropathologies, thresholds for accumulation of pathology, or regional distributions of pathologies. More research is needed to determine the extent to which the neuropathology ascribed to long-term effects of neurotrauma is static, progressive, or both. Disambiguating the pathology from the broad array of clinical features that have been reported in recent studies might facilitate and accelerate research- and improve understanding of CTE.
The effects of text length on reading abilities in accelerated reading tasks

Background: Accelerating the rate at which text is presented has been associated with immediate improvements in reading accuracy and comprehension although the long‐term effects remain inconclusive...
Southey, Spain, and Romantic Apostasy

William Wordsworth’s interest in Spanish affairs arose with the news of the Spanish Bourbon abdications at Bayonne in May 1808. Those events quite negatively affected his feelings for Spain. He was on the point of completing his reproachful poem ‘Pelayo’ when the much more promising news of the Madrid ‘Dos de Mayo’ uprisings reached him. Sincerely concerned with the new state of affairs in the Iberian Peninsula, he then set aside ‘Pelayo’. Later, he began compiling his tract Concerning the Convention of Cintra. a work whose complex engagement with Spain has yet to be definitively explored. The third and last token of the writer’s interest in the country was his series of sonnets created between 1808 and 1811 and inspired by contemporary Spanish events and characters. By analysing ‘Pelayo’, Cintra and his Spanish sonnets as a unified corpus, this chapter shows how Wordsworth’s initial anger with Spanish matters soon evolved into fascination and eventually ended up in oblivion.
Prevalence of Obesity, Prediabetes, and Diabetes in Sexual Minority Men: Results From the 2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence and related odds ratios for obesity, prediabetes, and diabetes in sexual minority men (SMM) in relation to straight men.MethodsA seconda...
Profiling Tumor Infiltrating Immune Cells with CIBERSORT

Tumor infiltrating leukocytes (TILs) are an integral component of the tumor microenvironment and have been found to correlate with prognosis and response to therapy. Methods to enumerate immune subsets such as immunohistochemistry or flow cytometry suffer from limitations in phenotypic markers and can be challenging to practically implement and standardize. An alternative approach is to acquire aggregative high dimensional data from cellular mixtures and to subsequently infer the cellular components computationally. We recently described CIBERSORT, a versatile computational method for quantifying cell fractions from bulk tissue gene expression profiles (GEPs). Combining support vector regression with prior knowledge of expression profiles from purified leukocyte subsets, CIBERSORT can accurately estimate the immune composition of a tumor biopsy. In this chapter, we provide a primer on the CIBERSORT method and illustrate its use for characterizing TILs in tumor samples profiled by microarray or RNA-Seq.
Assessment of woodland grazing in southwest wisconsin

Abstract Grazing of farm woodlots in the upper Midwest is generally thought to degrade timber value and damage soil health. Nonetheless, Wisconsin property tax law creates an incentive for this practice. Therefore, this project sought to determine the effects of cattle grazing on vegetation and soil conditions in woodlands under different grazing management. We compared eleven grazed woodlots under various livestock management regimes with five woodlots that have not been grazed for at least 30 years in the Kickapoo Watershed in Crawford County, WI. We conducted vegetation surveys in all the woodlands and measured soil properties in a subset. We talked to farmers about their cattle management practices and beliefs about farm woodlots. Grazed woodlands had higher frequencies of introduced shrubs, less litter depth, fewer seedlings and saplings, more grass cover, and higher soil bulk density compared with un-grazed woodlands. Grazing negatively impacted regeneration and condition of seedlings, saplings, and saplings of commercial value. In grazed woods, we noted a relation between the cattle stocking rate and edaphic variables including amount of bare soil, litter depth, and canopy cover, and a difference between dairy and beef cattle in shrub density. We validated a set of simple indicators and metrics for on-going comparison of grazed and un-grazed farm woodlots in this area. Introduced shrub species was the clearest indicator of change, followed by litter depth, regeneration status of trees, and soil bulk density. The study points to potential opportunities for silvopasture techniques that could mitigate vegetation and soil degradation such as careful management of livestock stocking rate and timing of grazing.
History dependence of the EMG-torque relationship.

Abstract The influence of active lengthening (residual force enhancement: RFE) and shortening (force depression: FD) on the electromyography (EMG)-torque relationship was investigated by matching torque and activation at 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Sixteen males performed lengthening and shortening contractions of the dorsiflexors over 25° into an isometric steady-state. There was 5% greater torque, with no change in agonist EMG during the RFE condition as compared to the isometric condition. Sub-maximally, in the force enhanced state, there was less agonist EMG during the torque clamp at all intensities relative to isometric, and greater torque during the activation clamps relative to isometric was observed across all intensities except 20% MVC. During the FD state compared to isometric, there was less torque produced during MVC (∼15%) with no change in agonist EMG. Sub-maximally, in the FD state, there was greater agonist EMG during the torque clamp and less torque during the activation clamp relative to the isometric condition across all intensities. The EMG-torque relationship was bilinear for all contraction types but was shifted to the left and right for FD and RFE, respectively as compared with isometric, indicating altered neuromuscular activation strategies in the history-dependent states of RFE and FD.
Single-Event Burnout Mechanisms in SiC Power MOSFETs

Heavy ion-induced single-event burnout (SEB) is investigated in high-voltage silicon carbide power MOSFETs. Experimental data for 1200-V SiC power MOSFETs show a significant decrease in SEB onset voltage for particle linear energy transfers greater than 10 MeV/cm2/mg, above which the SEB threshold voltage is nearly constant at half of the rated maximum operating voltage for these devices. TCAD simulations show a parasitic bipolar junction transistor turn-on mechanism, which drives the avalanching of carriers and leads to runaway drain current, resulting in SEB.
CVD in Optical Applications

This chapter discusses the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) in optical applications. Optics is rapidly advancing with the development of the laser and optical storage. Evaporation is the original coating process and is low cost and simple to apply. However, evaporative coatings show a pronounced columnar structure, which causes much light scattering, a high wavelength shift with temperature and time, and a high stress. Thus, evaporation is replaced by other thin-film processes, which are primarily standard and ion-beam sputtering. CVD techniques, such as plasma CVD and metallo-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) are also useful, especially in high-quality applications or where surfaces of three-dimensional objects are to be coated. Some of the optical applications of CVD include antireflection coatings, reflective coatings, heat and light separation coatings, electrically conductive transparent coatings, and architectural-glass coating. The function of an antireflection (AR) coating is to reduce the surface reflection of optical elements and increase the amount of light transmitted. The glare and ghost images from secondary reflections are minimized. The AR coatings are used in numerous applications such as lasers, lenses for cameras and binoculars, instrument panels, microscopes, and telescopes.
Role of Tumour Microenvironment in Chemoresistance

Preclinical and clinical findings indicate multiple tumour micro-environmental factors, including growth factors, cytokines, cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion molecules and hypoxia, protect solid tumours from therapeutic interventions. Experimental evidence have defined some of the resistance mechanisms, which have led to the development of innovative approaches aiming at specific targets. While some of these newer approaches have yielded therapeutic benefits in selected tumour types, considerable challenges remain in the management of the majority of patients with solid tumours. This chapter reviews the various tumour microenvironmental factors that contribute to drug resistance. These factors exert their effects through direct promoting resistance effectors and/or indirectly modulating other environmental factors. Furthermore, cooperative regulation, cross-talk and redundancy at different levels of signaling cascades affect the tumour progression and drug resistance, and can diminish the effectiveness of the single target therapeutic approach. A better understanding of the intersecting resistance pathways has the potential of leading to new therapeutic paradigms aiming at multiple targets, in order to overcome the microenvironment-conferred survival advantage to tumour cells.
Induction of Physical Dependence upon Alcohol in Nonhuman Primates

Ethanol-induced physical dependence is generally viewed as a concept which is empirically anchored to observations of alcohol intake for a period of time followed by a set of behavioral responses which are reliably associated with the cessation of alcohol intake. As such, it has the logical status of an intervening variable which must be carefully defined in terms of the operations used to measure the antecedent and consequent events which are presumed to be causally related to physical dependence. It is now generally agreed that exposure of an organism to ethanol for a period of time is both a necessary and sufficient antecedent event for the development of physical dependence. Although the underlying biological basis for this condition is not known, it is generally assumed that the presence of ethanol in nervous tissue results in the gradual development of adaptive changes in the functional state of the central nervous system. When ethanol is withdrawn, the functional balance of the system is disturbed, thus producing what is termed the withdrawal reaction. The set of behaviors which are generally observed following ethanol withdrawal constitute the consequent empirical events that must be carefully measured along with the antecedent conditions if the concept of physical dependence is to be meaningfully established. This operational specification of the concept of physical dependence is important because it provides a sound scientific framework within which previous experiments can be evaluated and new research projects planned. Since the measurement process involved in quantifying both antecedent events and consequent behaviors must also be specified, discrepancies in results from different experiments should be more readily understood, thus encouraging more standardization between laboratories in the techniques and procedures used.
The pathologic distinction of primary and metastatic mucinous tumors involving the ovary: A re-evaluation of algorithms based on gross features.

Abstract The problems associated with the pathologic distinction of primary ovarian mucinous tumors from their metastatic counterparts are well-recognized. Herein, we systematically evaluate a variety of gross parameters to determine the combination of features that most optimally separate primary from secondary mucinous ovarian tumors, and to address the tumor types that are most frequently associated with exceptions. 129 consecutive mucinous tumors involving the ovary formed the study set, including 61 primary mucinous tumors (16 carcinomas, 45 borderline tumors), and 68 metastatic carcinomas (21 colon; 28 appendix; 5 breast; 3 lung; 3 pancreas; 3 cervix; 1 bladder; 4 stomach). Consistent with prior studies, we found that as compared with metastases, primary ovarian mucinous tumors tend to be larger, more frequently unilateral and were more likely to be predominantly cystic and devoid of surface nodules. 41 of the 68 cases in the metastatic group showed intraperitoneal disease, as compared with only 3 of the 61 cases in the primary group (p
Extending Architecture to Real-Time Domains

In this chapter, we apply the MBSAP methodology to the special system category where on-time execution is the primary criterion of success or failure. We defined the Real-Time (RT) category in the architecture taxonomy in Chap. 1, and in the following chapters, we have seen how layered architectures are adapted to the unique demands of real-time performance. We now focus on the practical aspects of architecting RT systems. To begin, we expand on the introduction to RT systems from Chap. 1, followed by discussion of fundamental aspects of system timing and RT execution. We use the RT behaviors of the E-X example to illustrate these concepts. We also address the complex issue of developing good requirements for RT systems. The current standard for RT architecture modeling is the Modeling and Analysis of Real-Time and Embedded (MARTE) Profile of UML, which is summarized here and presented in more detail in Appendix D. The key to correct RT system design is assured schedulability, which we discuss and illustrate using the E-X radar. We complete the discussion with multiple practical aspects of implementing RT systems, including selecting of RT components and dealing with safety and security concerns. Chapter Objective: the reader will be able to apply the MBSAP methodology to RT systems, accounting for their unique requirements and constraints.
Non-Invasive System for Detecting Malaria Parasites

In Sudan and in the other side of the world, malaria diagnosis still relies primarily on invasive methods that require taking sample of blood from a patient. However, these methods require highexperience and trained technicians to correctly determine the disease, and this diagnosis is errorprone due to human tiredness. The low number of technicians in Sudan will reduce the attempt to control malaria. Thus, this project aims to find another method to diagnosis malaria noninvasively without taking a sample of blood using infrared (IR) laser source for detecting hemozoin particles in the blood under the effect of magnetic field up to 0.6 Tesla. This study was validated by preliminary experiments across seventeen patients, the obtained results showed that the developed method has accuracy of (93.75%). Less pain, small duration, prevent the spread of infectious diseases and more comfortable malaria test will be presented by this study.
Biodegradable and flexible arterial-pulse sensor for the wireless monitoring of blood flow

The ability to monitor blood flow is critical to patient recovery and patient outcomes after complex reconstructive surgeries. Clinically available wired implantable monitoring technology requires careful fixation for accurate detection and needs to be removed after use. Here, we report the design of a pressure sensor, made entirely of biodegradable materials and based on fringe-field capacitor technology, for measuring arterial blood flow in both contact and non-contact modes. The sensor is operated wirelessly through inductive coupling, has minimal hysteresis, fast response times, excellent cycling stability, is highly robust, allows for easy mounting and eliminates the need for removal, thus reducing the risk of vessel trauma. We demonstrate the operation of the sensor with a custom-made artificial artery model and in vivo in rats. This technology may be advantageous in real-time post-operative monitoring of blood flow after reconstructive surgery.
Aerosolized surfactant in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome: Phase I study

Abstract Background Treating respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) with intratracheal surfactant requires endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation, (MV) with their attendant risks. Use of non-invasive respiratory support in the delivery room averts the need for MV but delays surfactant administration. Objective We hypothesized that aerosolized surfactant is feasible and safe in infants 240/7–366/7 weeks gestational age (GA) with RDS, receiving non-invasive respiratory support. Design/methods In an unblinded Phase I study, sequentially enrolled infants with RDS stratified by GA received increasing doses (100 or 200 mg/kg of phospholipid) and dilutions (12.5 or 8.3 mg/ml) of surfactant using a jet nebulizer. Infants were monitored clinically and with cerebral oximetry. Results Seventeen infants were enrolled. Age at start of first dose and dose duration were 4.9 (3.4–10.1) and 2.1 (1.0–2.8) hours respectively. Two infants in the lowest GA stratum (240/7–286/7) required intubation within 2 h after the first dose. Fifteen infants completed the study; 13 received two doses. Infants tolerated the aerosol treatment well. No other significant adverse events were identified. Parental permission for cerebral oximetry was obtained in 16 infants. In the two infants who later exited the study, values prior to start of aerosolized surfactant were lower compared to 14 infants who completed the study (p = 0.0835), increased after start of study intervention (p = 0.0105) and decreased after intubation (p = 0.0003). Conclusions We have demonstrated the feasibility and safety of aerosolized surfactant in preterm infants receiving non-invasive respiratory support. The treatment was well tolerated by infants and clinical caregivers.
SREBP1-dependent de novo fatty acid synthesis gene expression is elevated in malignant melanoma and represents a cellular survival trait

de novo fatty acid biosynthesis (DNFA) is a hallmark adaptation of many cancers that supports survival, proliferation, and metastasis. Here we elucidate previously unexplored aspects of transcription regulation and clinical relevance of DNFA in cancers. We show that elevated expression of DNFA genes is characteristic of many tumor types and correlates with poor prognosis, especially in melanomas. Elevated DNFA gene expression depends on the SREBP1 transcription factor in multiple melanoma cell lines. SREBP1 predominantly binds to the transcription start sites of DNFA genes, regulating their expression by recruiting RNA polymerase II to promoters for productive transcription elongation. We find that SREBP1-regulated DNFA represents a survival trait in melanoma cells, regardless of proliferative state and oncogenic mutation status. Indeed, malignant melanoma cells exhibit elevated DNFA gene expression after the BRAF/MEK signaling pathway is blocked (e.g. by BRAF inhibitors), and DNFA expression remains higher in melanoma cells resistant to vemurafenib treatment than in untreated cells. Accordingly, DNFA pathway inhibition, whether by direct targeting of SREBP1 with antisense oligonucleotides, or through combinatorial effects of multiple DNFA enzyme inhibitors, exerts potent cytotoxic effects on both BRAFi-sensitive and -resistant melanoma cells. Altogether, these results implicate SREBP1 and DNFA enzymes as enticing therapeutic targets in melanomas.
Double Standards: South Africa, British Rugby, and the Moscow Olympics

AbstractThe year 1980 proved to be a time of diplomatic crisis for the British government and the Commonwealth due to the confluence of two events: a British Lions tour of South Africa and the Mosc...
2944 Transgluteal Pudendal Neurolysis

Video Objective To describe the surgical technique of pudendal neurolysis via a transgluteal route as performed at St Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Setting 68 year old woman with right-sided pudendal neuralgia persistent despite non-surgical treatment. Interventions Right-sided transgluteal surgery for pudendal nerve entrapment. Conclusion Several modifications to the procedure originally described by Dr. Robert Roger may improve post-operative pain and function, and reduce risk of surgical complication.
Hybrid approximations for fractional calculus

In this paper, a numerical method for solving the fractional differential equations is presented. The method is based upon hybrid functions approximation. The properties of hybrid functions consisting ofblock-pulse functions and Taylor polynomials are presented. The Riemann-Liouville fractional integral operator for hybrid functions is given. This operator is then utilized to reduce the solution of the initial value problems for fractional differential equations to a system of algebraic equations. Illustrative examples are included to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the technique.
Evaluation of Biodistribution, Toxicology, and Toxicologic Pathology of Nanomaterials Used to Deliver Nucleic Acids

The evaluation of the biodistribution and toxicology, including toxicologic pathology, of any therapeutic candidate is performed as an essential part of its development and, ultimately, its translation into the clinic. The research-based optimization and preclinical development of therapeutics delivered with nanoparticles (NPS) have been the subject of immense effort generating large numbers of publications but leading to relatively few actual applications. The principal reason for this is that this particular bench to bedside translation is fraught with numerous and variable scientific challenges. While in vitro screening may play a significant role in early development of many types of pharmaceuticals in the case of NPS, much of the burden falls on understanding the linkage between biodistribution, toxicology, and toxicologic pathology by emphasizing in vivo evaluation. Hence, the goal of this review is to better understand the current issues facing the early to late preclinical evaluation of various NPS by focusing on those being developed as nucleic acid carriers with the intent of eventually translating them into the clinic. While the emphasis will be on evaluation of NPS designated for delivery of nucleic acids, the basic principles can apply to NPS being developed for other medical uses.
Quantifying microbially mediated fitness differences reveals the tendency for plant-soil feedbacks to drive species exclusion among California annual plants

Abstract Soil microorganisms influence a variety of processes in plant communities. Many the-oretical and empirical studies have shown that dynamic feedbacks between plants and soil microbes can stabilize plant coexistence by generating negative frequency-dependent plant population dynamics. However, inferring the net effects of soil microbes on plant coexistence requires also quantifying the degree to which they provide one species an average fitness advantage, an effect that has received little empirical attention. We conducted a greenhouse study to quantify microbially mediated stabilization and fitness differences among fifteen pairs of annual plants that co-occur in southern California grasslands. We found that although soil microbes frequently generate negative frequency-dependent dynamics that stabilize plant interactions, they simultaneously mediate large average fitness differences between species. The net result is that if the plant species are otherwise competitively equivalent, the impact of plant-soil feedbacks is often to favor species exclusion over coexistence, a result that only becomes evident by quantifying the microbially mediated fitness difference. Our work highlights that comparing the stabilizing effects of plant-soil feedbacks to the fitness difference they generate is essential for understanding the influence of soil microbes on plant diversity.
Bias correction of climate model outputs influences watershed model nutrient load predictions.

Abstract Waterbodies around the world experience problems associated with elevated phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) loads. While vital for ecosystem functioning, when present in excess amounts these nutrients can impair water quality and create symptoms of eutrophication, including harmful algal blooms. Under a changing climate, nutrient loads are likely to change. While climate models can serve as inputs to watershed models, the climate models often do not adequately represent the distribution of observed data, generating uncertainties that can be addressed to some degree with bias correction. However, the impacts of bias correction on nutrient models are not well understood. This study compares 4 univariate and 3 multivariate bias correction methods, which correct precipitation and temperature variables from 4 climate models in the historical (1980–1999) and mid-century future (2046–2065) time periods. These variables served as inputs to a calibrated Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model of Lake Erie's Maumee River watershed. We compared the performance of SWAT outputs driven with climate model outputs that were bias-corrected (BC) and not bias-corrected (no-BC) for dissolved reactive P, total P, and total N. Results based on graphical comparisons and goodness of fit metrics showed that the choice of BC method impacts both the direction of change and magnitude of nutrient loads and hydrological processes. While the Delta method performed best, it should be used with caution since it considers historical variable relationships as the basis for predictions, which may not hold true under future climate. Quantile Delta Mapping (QDM) and Multivariate Bias Correction N-dimensional probability density function transform (MBCn) BC methods also performed well and work well for non-stationary climate scenarios. Furthermore, results suggest that February–July cumulative load in the Maumee basin is likely to decrease in the mid-century as runoff and snowfall decrease, and evapotranspiration increases with warming temperatures.
The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs after sleeve gastrectomy

Abstract Background The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is discouraged after bariatric surgery. The effect of NSAIDs on patients who have undergone sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is not well studied. Moreover, the rate of NSAID use after SG is unknown. Objectives To determine the rate of NSAID use after SG, and its associated complications. Setting A single institution, multi-surgeon, academic, tertiary care hospital. Methods We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent SG between January 1, 2014, and November 1, 2017. A phone interview was conducted with identified patients. The inclusion criteria were any patient who had undergone SG during the study period, and there were no exclusion criteria. Results We identified 421 SG patients for inclusion. There were 231 phone surveys completed, with 64.5% of respondents reporting some NSAID use after SG. Of the respondents who used NSAIDs, 40.3% reported that they used the drugs often (>once/wk), 28.2% reported occasional use (>once/mo but Conclusion NSAID use in our bariatric surgery population is high despite an institutional policy to prohibit their use across all bariatric patients. Despite the high incidence of NSAID use in our patient population, we could not identify a single case of an NSAID-induced gastrointestinal complication in our retrospective review. NSAID use after SG may be a safe and viable pain management strategy that needs further evaluation.
A Smart City Internet for Autonomous Systems

A smart city involves critical infrastructure systems that have been digitally enabled. Increasingly, many smart city cyber-physical systems are becoming automated. The extent of automation ranges from basic logic gates to sophisticated, artificial intelligence (AI) that enables fully autonomous systems. Because of modern society's reliance on autonomous systems in smart cities, it is crucial for them to operate in a safe manner; otherwise, it is feasible for these systems to cause considerable physical harm or even death. Because smart cities could involve thousands of autonomous systems operating in concert in densely populated areas, safety assurances are required. Challenges abound to consistently manage the safety of such autonomous systems due to their disparate developers, manufacturers, operators and users. A novel network and a sample of associated network functions for autonomous systems is proposed that aims to provide a baseline of safety for autonomous systems in a smart city ecosystem. A proposed network called the Assured Autonomous Cyber-Physical Ecosystem (AACE) would be separate from the Internet, and enforces certain functions that enable safety through active networking. Each smart city could dictate the functions for their own AACE, providing a means for enforcing safety policies across disparate autonomous systems operating in the city's jurisdiction. Such a network design sits at the margins of the end-to-end principle, which is warranted considering the safety of autonomous systems is at stake as is argued in this paper. Without a scalable safety strategy for autonomous systems as proposed, assured autonomy in smart cities will remain elusive.