cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Correlation of Cough With Disease Activity and Treatment With Cyclophosphamide in Scleroderma Interstitial Lung Disease: Findings From the Scleroderma Lung Study

Background Cough is a significant symptom in patients with scleroderma interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD), affecting 73% of the 158 patients enrolled in the Scleroderma Lung Study (SLS), a multicenter randomized trial of oral cyclophosphamide (CYC) vs placebo (PLA) in patients with active interstitial lung disease. Methods We examined the correlation of cough frequency and severity and phlegm production at baseline in 156 SLS participants with other baseline variables representing SSc-ILD disease activity and the cough response to 1 year of treatment with CYC vs PLA. Results Patients with cough at baseline had significantly lower diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide, dyspnea, the quality-of-life physical component summary, and the maximal fibrosis score on high-resolution CT imaging compared with those without cough at baseline. Cough severity and frequency correlated with FVC % predicted. After 12 months of treatment, cough frequency decreased in the CYC group compared with the PLA group and was significantly different from the PLA group at 18 months (6 months after discontinuation of CYC). However, the decreases in cough frequency did not correlate with the changes in FVC or diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide observed in the CYC group. Treatment-related improvements in cough frequency, as well as in FVC, were no longer apparent 12 months after discontinuation of CYC. Conclusions Cough is a common symptom in SSc-ILD and correlates with the extent of fibrosis. Cough frequency decreases significantly in response to treatment with CYC but returns to baseline 1 year after withdrawal of treatment. Cough may be a symptom of ongoing fibrosis and an independent variable in assessing therapeutic response to CYC. Trial registry ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT000004563; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov
Impaired Function of Prejunctional Adenosine A1 Receptors Expressed by Perivascular Sympathetic Nerves in DOCA-Salt Hypertensive Rats

Increased sympathetic nervous system activity contributes to deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertension in rats. ATP and norepinephrine (NE) are coreleased from perivascular sympathetic nerves. NE acts at prejunctional α 2 -adrenergic receptors ( α 2 ARs) to inhibit NE release, and α 2 AR function is impaired in DOCA-salt rats. Adenosine, an enzymatic ATP degradation product, acts at prejunctional A 1 adenosine receptors (A 1 Rs) to inhibit NE release. We tested the hypothesis that prejunctional A 1 R function is impaired in sympathetic nerves supplying mesenteric arteries (MAs) and veins (MVs) of DOCA-salt rats. Electrically evoked NE release and constrictions of blood vessels were studied in vitro with use of amperometry to measure NE oxidation currents and video microscopy, respectively. Immunohistochemical methods were used to localize tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and A 1 Rs in perivascular sympathetic nerves. TH and A 1 Rs colocalized to perivascular sympathetic nerves. Adenosine and N 6 -cyclopentyl-adenosine (CPA, A 1 R agonist) constricted MVs but not MAs. Adenosine and CPA (0.001–10 µ M) inhibited neurogenic constrictions and NE release in MAs and MVs. DOCA-salt arteries were resistant to adenosine and CPA-mediated inhibition of NE release and constriction. The A 2A adenosine receptor agonist CGS21680 (C 23 H 29 N 7 O 6 .HCl.xH 2 O) (0.001–0.1 μ M) did not alter NE oxidation currents. We conclude that there are prejunctional A 1 Rs in arteries and both pre- and postjunctional A 1 Rs in veins; thus, adenosine selectively constricts the veins. Prejunctional A 1 R function is impaired in arteries, but not veins, from DOCA-salt rats. Sympathetic autoreceptor dysfunction is not specific to α 2 ARs, but there is a more general disruption of prejunctional mechanisms controlling sympathetic neurotransmitter release in DOCA-salt hypertension.
Matrix protein profiles in calf bone development.

Abstract The major noncollagenous proteins (NCP) of the mineralized extracellular matrix of bovine bone were present from early fetal life through adulthood. The α 2 -HS-glycoprotein was the dominant bone NCP at 2 months in utero and then diminished with advancing fetal age. Osteocalcin levels were quite low in early fetal bone, became elevated near term, reached a maximum shortly after birth, and dropped again in adult bone. Osteonectin levels were relatively constant at all stages of bone development, but somewhat lower values were seen in woven bone than in lamellar bone matrix. For a given fetus, NCP profiles were identical in both flat and long bones. The 24, 000 dalton phosphoprotein was significantly elevated in fetal secondary spongiosa, bony areas known to be undergoing extensive resorption. Adult bone matrix contained greater quantities of lower and intermediate molecular weight NCPs compared to actively forming fetal bone.
THE EFFECT OF HEAT, pH AND ORGANIC SOLVENTS ON THE ELECTRICAL IMPEDANCE AND PERMEABILITY OF EXCISED HUMAN SKIN

SUMMARY.— The permeability of excised human skin to dimethyl sulphoxide and the effects of this solvent on water permeability are described. The results of measurements of the electrical impedance of excised human skin both before and after chemical and heat treatments are also given. Stratum corneum is shown to undergo irreversible structural changes when heated above 65°C. or incubated in aqueous media at pH 9. Simultaneous measurements of water permeability and electrical impedance of skin samples subjected to treatments with dimethyl sulphoxide, detergents and surfactants show that there is a good correlation (coefficient - 0·78) between the two quantities. Some organic solvents including aliphatic acids, bases, and neutral compounds are shown to produce large changes in electrical impedance, and hence, it is inferred, in water permeability. It is suggested that these changes are due to solution of skin components, loosening of the skin structure, and hence swelling and hydration of the skin. The solvent induced changes in water permeability provide an explanation for the accelerating effect of the solvents on the penetration rates of topically applied drugs.
Effective Dielectric Function of Porous Silicon: the Transverse Component

A self-consistent many-body theory is developed to study the effect of temperature and electron density on the interband absorption coefficient and the frequency-dependent refractive index for an array of isolated quantum wires. The peaks in the absorption coefficient correspond to interband transitions resulting in the resonant absorption of light. The oscillations in the derivative spectrum are due to the quantization of the energy levels related to the in-plane confining potential for such reduced dimensional systems. There are appreciable changes in the absorption spectrum when the electron density or temperature is increased. One interband transition peak is suppressed in the high electron density limit and the thermal depopulation effect on the electron subbands can be easily seen when the temperature is high. We also find that the exciton coupling weakens the shoulder features in the absorption spectrum. This study is relevant to optical characterization of the confining potential and the areal density of electrons using photoreflectance. By using incident light with tunable frequencies in the interband excitation regime, contactless photoreflectance measurements may be carried out and the data compared with our calculations. By fitting the numerical results to the peak positions of the photoreflectance spectrum, the number of electrons in each wire may be extracted.
New modular implementation of 2D large-signal code and its application to the modeling of wide class of TWT amplifiers

We report on the extension and further generalization of two different large-signal models suitable for the 2D modeling of TWTs based on different types of slow-wave structures. The initial implementation of the 2D large-signal codes TESLA-CC and TESLA-FW has been generalized in such way to create a single algorithm with modular extensions that can be applied to the modeling of coupled-cavity or serpentine/folded-waveguide types of slow-wave structures. This new modular code is called TESLA-TWT and, in general, it can be extended in the future to support other types of the slow-wave structures. As a next step, TESLA-TWT has been extended for parallel operation, which makes it perfectly applicable to the modeling of “hybrid” multi-stage devices.
Glass Formation in the Pseudobinary Metallic Selenide Systems MmSen‐Ge1.5As0.5Se3

The glass-forming regions were investigated for pseudobinary systems of the composition XMmSen-(1–X)Ge1.5As0.5Se3 (MmSen=PbSe, CdSe, BaSe, ZnSe, or La2Se3). Systems containing PbSe, CdSe, and BaSe contain substantial regions of glass formation, and differential scanning calorimetry, electron microscopy, and water corrosion tests were used to characterize these glasses. The glasses were generally phase-separated, and the available data suggest that for PbSe melts the region of liquid-liquid immiscibility spans almost the entire pseudobinary composition range. A few studies of glass formation were conducted for CdSe-MmSen-Ge1.5As0.5Se3 pseudoternary and MmSen-GeSe2 binary melts.
Multidrug-resistant organisms, wounds and topical antimicrobial protection

Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) are increasingly implicated in both acute and chronic wound infections. The limited therapeutic options are further compromised by the fact that wound bacteria often co-exist within a biofilm community which enhances bacterial tolerance to antibiotics. As a consequence, topical antiseptics may be an important consideration for minimising the opportunity for wound infections involving MDROs. The objective of this research was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of a silver-containing gelling fibre dressing against a variety of MDROs in free-living and biofilm states, using stringent in vitro models designed to simulate a variety of wound conditions. MDROs included Acinetobacter baumannii, community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing bacteria. Clostridium difficile was also included in the study because it carries many of the characteristics seen in MDROs and evidence of multidrug resistance is emerging. Sustained in vitro antimicrobial activity of the silver-containing dressing was shown against 10 MDROs in a simulated wound fluid over 7 days, and inhibitory and bactericidal effects against both free-living and biofilm phenotypes were also consistently shown in simulated colonised wound surface models. The in vitro data support consideration of the silver-containing gelling fibre dressing as part of a protocol of care in the management of wounds colonised or infected with MDROs.
Radionuclide imaging of infection: what the future holds

Nuclear Medicine plays an important role in the evaluation of patients suspected of harboring infection. Gallium imaging is especially useful for opportunistic infections and spinal osteomyelitis. In vitro labeled leukocyte imaging is the current radionuclide gold standard for imaging most infections, in immunocompetent patients, including cardiovascular, postoperative, and musculoskeletal infections (except spinal osteomyelitis). Several in-vivo leukocyte labeling methods have been investigated, but none are widely used. Results obtained with radiolabeled antibiotics have been disappointing. Data on FDG are still emerging, but this agent appears to be especially valuable in fever of unknown origin, spinal osteomyelitis, vasculitis and sarcoidosis. It is conceivable that in the near future, FDG-PET and PET/CT will replace gallium for many indications. Investigators also are studying ways to label leukocytes with positron emitters in order to combine the advantages of PET with those of labeled leukocytes.
Study of transmission line magnetic fields

The authors present a review of magnetic field calculations associated with power frequency 3, 6, and 12-phase transmission lines. A computer program implemented using an IBM PC-XT is described briefly. The interactive program allows the user to calculate the two-dimensional electric and magnetic field parameters at any point near transmission lines. Plotting and mapping features are also available. To facilitate calculations, it is assumed that the transmission line conductors are straight, infinitely long, and parallel to each other and to the ground plane. Variations due to sag and tower effects are ignored. Given these assumptions, the calculation is a two-dimensional analysis, with lateral and vertical variations. Case studies related to magnetic fields are included. >
Glucagon's actions are modified by the combination of epinephrine and gluconeogenic precursor infusion.

It was previously shown that glucagon and epinephrine have additive effects on both gluconeogenic and glycogenolytic flux. However, the changes in gluconeogenic substrates may have been limiting an...
The psychology of folk psychology

Folk psychology, the naive understanding of mental state concepts, requires a model of how people ascribe mental states to themselves. Competent speakers associate a distinctive memory representation (a category representation, CR) with each mentalistic word in their lexicon. A decision to ascribe such a word to oneself depends on matching to the CR an instance representation (IR) of one's current state. As in visual object recognition, evidence about a CR's content includes the IRs that are or are not available to trigger a match. This poses serious problems for functionalism, the theory-of-mind approach to the meaning of mental terms. A simple functionalist model is inadequate because (1) the relational and subjunctive (what would have happened) information it requires concerning target states is not generally available and (2) it could lead to combinatorial explosion. A modified functionalist model can appeal to qualitative (phenomenological) properties, but the earlier problems still reappear. Qualitative properties are important for sensations, propositional attitudes, and their contents, providing a model that need not refer to functional (causal-relational) properties at all. The introspectionist character of the proposed model does not imply that ascribing mental states to oneself is infallible or complete; nor is the model refuted by empirical research on introspective reports. Empirical research on “theory of mind” does not support any strict version of functionalism but only an understanding of mentalistic words that may depend on phenomenological or experiential qualities.
Gene expression patterns that support novel developmental stress buffering in embryos of the annual killifish Austrofundulus limnaeus

Background: The cellular signaling mechanisms and morphogenic movements involved in axis formation and gastrulation are well conserved between vertebrates. In nearly all described fish, gastrulation and the initial patterning of the embryonic axis occur concurrently with epiboly. However, annual killifish may be an exception to this norm. Annual killifish inhabit ephemeral ponds in South America and Africa and permanent populations persist by the production of stress-tolerant eggs. Early development of annual killifish is unique among vertebrates because their embryonic blastomeres disperse randomly across the yolk during epiboly and reaggregate several days later to form the embryo proper. In addition, annual killifish are able to arrest embryonic development in one to three stages, known as diapause I, II, and III. Little is known about how the highly conserved developmental signaling mechanisms associated with early vertebrate development may have shifted in order to promote the annual killifish phenotype. One of the most well-characterized and conserved transcription factors, oct4 (Pou5f1), may have a role in maintaining pluripotency. In contrast, BMP-antagonists such as chordin, noggin, and follistatin, have been previously shown to establish dorsal-ventral asymmetry during axis formation. Transcription factors from the SOXB1 group, such as sox2 and sox3, likely work to induce neural specification. Here, we determine the temporal expression of these developmental factors during embryonic development in the annual killifish Austrofundulus limnaeus using quantitative PCR and compare these patterns to other vertebrates. Results: Partial transcript sequences to oct4, sox2, sox3, chordin, noggin-1, noggin-2 ,a ndfollistatin were cloned, sequenced, and identified in A. limnaeus. We found oct4, sox3, chordin ,a ndnoggin-1 transcripts to likely be maternally inherited. Expression of sox2, follistatin ,a ndnoggin-2 transcripts were highest in stages following a visible embryonic axis. Conclusions: Our data suggest that embryonic cells acquire their germ layer identity following embryonic blastomere reaggregation in A. limnaeus. This process of cellular differentiation and axis formation may involve similar conserved signaling mechanisms to other vertebrates. We propose that the undifferentiated state is prolonged during blastomere dispersal, thus functioning as a developmental stress buffer prior to the establishment of embryonic asymmetry and positional identity among the embryonic cells.
Polymerization of olefins through heterogeneous catalysis. XIV. The influence of temperature in the solution copolymerization of ethylene

The high-temperature solution homopolymerization of ethylene and copolymerization with 1-hexane using highly active TiCl[sub 4]/MgCl[sub 2]-supported catalyst was studied. Experiments with pressure variations in the range 100--400 Psig were carried out at 185 C and for 10 min polymerization time. Both peak initial rate of polymerization and the catalyst productivity in homo- and copolymerization were found to increase steadily with increasing reactor pressure. Higher polymerization rates arose in copolymerization compared to homopolymerization, especially above 200 Psig total pressure. In both cases, the reaction order with respect to ethylene concentration was close to two. The number-average molecular weight was found to be almost independent of pressure, whereas in copolymerization, the weight-average molecular weight was observed to decrease from about 200,000 to 120,000 over the range of pressure studied. The polydispersity index in copolymerization was found to decrease steadily from 8 to about 4 with increasing pressure.
The moderating effects of environment and structure on the satisfaction—tension—influence network☆

Abstract Relations among a dependent variable network consisting of satisfaction—tension—influence and the moderating effects of informational and structural characteristics are reported. One hundred forty-four subjects participated in a 3 × 3 × 2 factorial design. Dependent variables were perceptions of satisfaction, tension, and influence. Moderator variables were information load, information specificity, and group structure. The results confirmed the general field-study findings of a negative relation between tension and satisfaction and a positive relation between influence and satisfaction. The tension—satisfaction relation was most strongly moderated by information; less so by structure. The influence—satisfaction and influence—tension relations were only weakly moderated. Possible interpretations are offered in terms of (a) the degree to which dependent variables in organizational behavior are objectively and environmentally anchored and (b) the possibility of methodological artifacts (combining self and other perceptions) influencing the “moderatorability” of dependent variables in organizational behavior. It is concluded that (a) informational and organizational characteristics can influence the dependent variable network and (b) the relations among dependent variables cannot be accurately described with simple statements implying unidimensional measures whose relations are stable across conditions.
Effect of preoperative angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker use on the frequency of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: a cohort study from the atrial fibrillation suppression trials II and III.

Background:Tworecent meta-analyses demonstrated that angiotensin converting enzymeinhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)reducetheriskofdevelopingnew-onsetatrialfibrillation(AF)bynearly50%.However,theabilityofACEIsorARBstopreventpostoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after cardiac surgery has not been adequately evaluated. Objective: To evaluate the impact of preoperative ACEI or ARB use on the incidence of POAF after cardiac surgery. Methods: Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and/or valvular surgery from the (atrial fibrillation suppression trials II and III (AFIST II and III) randomized, controlled trials were evaluated in this cohort evaluation. Dat ai n respect to patientdemographics, surgical characteristics, medication utilization and the incidenceof POAF(defined as AF lasting at least 5 min in duration documented by telemetry) were all uniformly and prospectively collected as part of AFIST II and III. Multivariate logistic regression was utilized to calculate adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Results: A total of 338 patients were evaluated of which 175 (51.8%) received an ACEI or ARB preoperatively and 163 (48.2%) did not. The study population was 65.7 9.1 years of age, 77.8% were male, 11.2% underwent valve surgery, 3.6% had prior AF, 10.1% had heart failure and 84.0 and 37.9% received postoperative beta-blockade and prophylactic amiodarone, respectively. In total, 110 (32.5%) patients developedPOAF. Upon multivariate logistic regression, the preoperative use of an ACEI or ARB was not found to be associated with a statistically significant reduction in POAF (adjusted odds ratio; 0.71, 95% CIs 0.42—1.20). Conclusions: Although preoperative ACEI or ARB use reduced the odds of developing POAF by 29%, this association with not found to be statistically significant.
An Exponential Martingale Equation

We prove an existence of a unique solution of an exponential martingale equation in the class of BMO martingales. The solution is used to characterize optimal martingale measures.
Research article: Computational determination of the orientation of a heat repeat-like domain of DNA-PKcs

DNA dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) is an important regulatory protein in non-homologous end joining a process used to repair DNA double strand breaks. Medium resolution structures both from cryoEM and X-ray crystallography show the general topology of the protein and positions of helices in parts of DNA-PKcs. EM-Fold, an algorithm developed for building protein models into medium resolution density maps has been used to generate models for the heat repeat-like ''Ring structure'' of the molecule. We were able to computationally corroborate placement of the N-terminus of the domain that supports a previously published hypothesis. Targeted experiments are suggested to test the model.
Constraints on dynamical flavor symmetry breaking in quantum chromodynamics—II

We examine the spontaneous breakdown of flavorSU(3) symmetry in a most general form of the theory which admits the maximal breaking patternSU(3)→u3(1)×U8(1). From an investigation of the Dyson-Schwinger equation for the quark propagator in QCD, we conclude that the dynamical breakdown of global flavor symmetry does not occur, thus reiterating an assertion of Vafa and Witten.
Fine root dynamics in two atlantic white-cedar wetlands with contrasting hydroperiods

Using minirhizotrons, fine root dynamics were compared in two Atlantic white-cedar swamps with contrasting hydroperiods (intermittently and persistently flooded) in order to evaluate the effects of flooding regime on fine root depth, abundance, production, and longevity. Despite the higher mean watertable depth in the persistently flooded, site, no differences in rooting depth were observed. Root length density, root abundance, and root longevity were generally greater in the persistently flooded site throughout the 439-day study period, although root length production was similar between the two sites. These results suggest that prolonged inundation in Atlantic white-cedar swamps decreases root elongation rates, but due to greater observed root densities, stand-level belowground production remains similar to that of intermittently flooded stands. Significant increases in root mortality were observed in the intermittently flooded side during a period of water-table drawdown, suggesting less than optimal hydrologic conditions at this site.
Confidence Intervals from Normalized Data: A correction to Cousineau (2005)

Presenting confidence intervals around means is a common method of expressing uncertainty in data. Loftus and Masson (1994) describe confidence intervals for means in within‐subjects designs. These confidence intervals are based on the ANOVA mean squared error. Cousineau (2005) presents an alternative to the Loftus and Masson method, but his method produces confidence intervals that are smaller than those of Loftus and Masson. I show why this is the case and offer a simple correction that makes the expected size of Cousineau confidence intervals the same as that of Loftus and Masson confidence intervals.
A historical perspective on the engineering ideologies of sustainability: the case of SLCA

The 1990s produced two distinct engineering ideologies of sustainability—one emphasizing engineering innovation and the other emphasizing socio-cultural change. The technological change ideology of sustainability refers to engineering reform controlled and directed by engineers themselves—in other words, technological practices can be improved through the application of expertise. The technopolitics’ ideology of sustainability is about engineering challenge; it places more emphasis on the devolution of expertise from the existing model of engineering and society, and it questions the dominant values of engineering practice. In this article, I present a historico-philosophical perspective on the development of social life cycle assessment (SLCA) to highlight how the dialectic between sustainability and engineering has been defined largely by the ideology of technological change. I provide original historical evidence regarding the roles of key actors and institutions in fitting the life cycle perspective and corporate social responsibility (CSR) into sustainable development. Primary data for this chapter is based on archival materials as well as on 30, in depth, semi-structured interviews with North American and European LCA and SLCA experts. Other primary data were collected from participant observation in SLCA webinars and workshops. Technology is at the heart of SLCA—it is a shared faith in technology as the solution. At the same time, there is growing appreciation amongst SLCA proponents that such technology must be construed more critically. Although it remains a subaltern current within LCA, SLCA is evidence of how technological change and technopolitics are starting to converge and influence each other—a probe toward a more reflective form of engineering discourse and toward the formation of a new hybrid sustainability ideology. SLCA, I argue in this article, is an ideological hybrid where there are many spots of dissent and disagreement but also some surprising fundamental alignments between those who see engineering as techniques and those who believe that engineering needs to be socially and politically contextualized. Yet, even as the concepts of sustainable development, CSR, and LCA provide the intellectual and institutional mold within which SLCA becomes conceivable, these concepts may also obscure the historicity of sustainability engineering.
Transnational Civil Society and Local Representation

At this point in the discussion it is necessary to consider in more detail the impact of TCS on the role and influence of state governments in Bank policymaking. There are several reasons for this. As noted in the previous chapter, the data demonstrate that states continue to play an important role in Bank policymaking. Also, the preceding chapters indicate that TCS as a whole is not a democratic representative of many of its stakeholders due to the unequal distribution of authority among TCSOs. Lastly, many TCSOs are unaccountable to their claimed stakeholders and likely to pursue agendas defined by their own preexisting mission and interests.
Adjunct Strategies for Tuberculosis Vaccines: Modulating Key Immune Cell Regulatory Mechanisms to Potentiate Vaccination.

Tuberculosis remains a global health threat of alarming proportions, resulting in 1.5 million deaths worldwide. The only available licensed vaccine, BCG, does not confer lifelong protection against active TB. To date, development of an effective vaccine against TB has proven to be elusive, and devising newer approaches for improved vaccination outcomes is an essential goal. Insights gained over the last several years have revealed multiple mechanisms of immune manipulation by Mtb in infected macrophages and dendritic cells that support disease progression and block development of protective immunity. This review provides an assessment of the known immunoregulatory mechanisms altered by Mtb, and how new interventions may reverse these effects. Examples include blocking of inhibitory immune cell co-receptor checkpoints (e.g. PD-1). Conversely, immune mechanisms that strengthen immune cell effector functions may be enhanced by interventions, including stimulatory immune cell co-receptors (e.g., OX40). Modification of the activity of key cell “immunometabolism” signaling pathway molecules, including mTOR, GSK3β, wnt/β-catenin, AMPK and sirtuins, related epigenetic changes, and preventing induction of immune regulatory cells (e.g., Tregs, MDSCs) are powerful new approaches to improve vaccine responses. Interventions to favorably modulate these components have been studied primarily in oncology to induce efficient anti-tumor immune responses, often by potentiation of cancer vaccines. These agents include antibodies and a rapidly increasing number of small molecule drug classes that have contributed to the dramatic immune-based advances in treatment of cancer and other diseases. Because immune responses to malignancies and to Mtb share many similar mechanisms, studies to improve TB vaccine responses using interventions based on “immuno-oncology” are needed to guide possible repurposing. Understanding regulation of immune cell functions appropriated by Mtb to promote the imbalance between protective and pathogenic immune responses may guide development of innovative drug-based adjunct approaches to substantially enhance the clinical efficacy of TB vaccines.
Extramedullary relapse of myeloma with extensive Central Nervous System involvement

Myeloma with Central Nervous System(CNS) involvement is a rare condition. It usually has a very aggressive course and poor prognosis. Here we presented a case of a patient with a history of myeloma who was heavily treated in the past now presented with headache, diplopia and numbness of the chin, Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI) scan showed soft tissue mass in the cavernous sinus and diffuse leptomeningeal enhancement in keeping with myeloma relapse with CNS involvement. This case illustrates the extensiveness of extramedullary myeloma relapse in the era of novel agents. Clinicians should be aware of patients with history of myeloma presented with abnormal neurological signs and accordingly, appropriate investigations including MRI imaging should be carried out in order to make the diagnosis.
Acute Complications of Antireflux Surgery

Laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS) is considered the gold standard for the surgical management of severe gastroesophageal reflux disease. While underutilized for fear of occasional long-term side effects, it remains a safe operation with a very low complication rate. The prevention of acute and chronic complications begins with appropriate patient selection, surgical plan, and surgeon experience. Additionally, there are several potential error traps that are encountered during LARS that can contribute to acute intraoperative or early postoperative complications. This chapter will serve as a step-by-step review of the acute complications that can occur in the perioperative period of LARS.
Aβ-Related Angiitis Presenting as Encephalopathy and Anterior Uveitis (P07.228)

OBJECTIVE: To illustrate a previously unrecognized presentation of Aβ-related angiitis (ABRA). BACKGROUND: Aβ-related angiitis is a recently recognized subset of central nervous system vasculitis. ABRA has a similar presentation to primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS) but differs pathologically by the presence of abundant Aβ within blood vessels. Previously reported cases of ABRA have described a disease confined to the central nervous system. DESIGN/METHODS: Case Report at a Tertiary Care Center. RESULTS: A 59-year-old gentleman presented to an outside facility with headaches, fevers, chills and night sweats. His initial evaluation revealed diffuse lymphadenopathy, pulmonary ground-glass opacities, normal spinal fluid exam and lymph node biopsy. He was initially treated empirically for pneumonia, although no organism was isolated. He subsequently developed bilateral uveitis followed by the subacute onset of encephalopathy. He was referred to our institution 10 weeks after symptom onset with progressively worsening cognition. His neurological examination revealed encephalopathy, papilledema and mild ataxia. Extensive laboratory work-up was negative. Subsequent analysis of cerebrospinal fluid now revealed a lymphocytic pleocytosis and markedly elevated protein. MRI demonstrated diffuse leptomeningeal enhancement. MR angiography was unremarkable. He subsequently underwent brain biopsy that was diagnostic for Aβ-related angiitis. He was initiated on high-dose prednisone and a plan to initiate mycophenolate mofetil after allowing time for recovery from the biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: A Beta-related angiitis is an uncommon cause of central nervous system vasculitis, and may have variable clinical presentations making the diagnosis difficult. We demonstrate a case of Aβ-related angiitis accompanied by systemic symptoms, raising the possibility of induction of ABRA due to systemic inflammation or infection. Possible characterization of an undescribed uveomeningeal syndrome secondary to ABRA is another consideration. Disclosure: Dr. Braksick has nothing to disclose. Dr. Child has nothing to disclose. Dr. Flanagan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kantarci has nothing to disclose.
Psoriasis pathogenesis and the development of novel targeted immune therapies

Psoriasis is caused by a complex interplay between the immune system, psoriasis-associated susceptibility loci, autoantigens, and multiple environmental factors. Over the last 2 decades, research has unequivocally shown that psoriasis represents a bona fide T cell–mediated disease primarily driven by pathogenic T cells that produce high levels of IL-17 in response to IL-23. The discovery of the central role for the IL-23/type 17 T-cell axis in the development of psoriasis has led to a major paradigm shift in the pathogenic model for this condition. The activation and upregulation of IL-17 in prepsoriatic skin produces a "feed forward" inflammatory response in keratinocytes that is self-amplifying and drives the development of mature psoriatic plaques by inducing epidermal hyperplasia, epidermal cell proliferation, and recruitment of leukocyte subsets into the skin. Clinical trial data for mAbs against IL-17 signaling (secukinumab, ixekizumab, and brodalumab) and newer IL-23p19 antagonists (tildrakizumab, guselkumab, and risankizumab) underscore the central role of these cytokines as predominant drivers of psoriatic disease. Currently, we are witnessing a translational revolution in the treatment and management of psoriasis. Emerging bispecific antibodies offer the potential for even better disease control, whereas small-molecule drugs offer future alternatives to the use of biologics and less costly long-term disease management.
Teaching Community Living Skills to People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

This chapter describes behavioral approaches to teaching community living skills to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Community living skills are essential for promoting independence and autonomy. After identifying relevant skills for the individual, the next step is to conduct a task analysis that identifies the sequence of component behaviors of the skills to be taught. A variety of approaches can be used to teach community living skills including, prompting strategies, computer simulation, behavioral skills training (BST), simulated environments, video modeling, video prompting, and picture prompting strategies. Each of these approaches is described and research evaluating each of these approaches is presented. The chapter concludes with step-by-step guidelines for teaching community living skills to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Limited evidence of declining growth among moisture-limited black and white spruce in interior Alaska

Boreal forests play critical roles in global carbon, water and energy cycles. Recent studies suggest drought is causing a decline in boreal spruce growth, leading to predictions of widespread mortality and a shift in dominant vegetation type in interior Alaska. We took advantage of a large set of tree cores collected from random locations across a vast area of interior Alaska to examine long-term trends in carbon isotope discrimination and growth of black and white spruce. Our results confirm that growth of both species is sensitive to moisture availability, yet show limited evidence of declining growth in recent decades. These findings contrast with many earlier tree-ring studies, but agree with dynamic global vegetation model projections. We hypothesize that rising atmospheric [CO2] and/or changes in biomass allocation may have compensated for increasing evaporative demand, leaving recent radial growth near the long-term mean. Our results highlight the need for more detailed studies of tree physiological and growth responses to changing climate and atmospheric [CO2] in the boreal forest.
Defining the ascending ramus: A search.

Abstract Statement of problem Lack of an accepted definition for the ascending ramus of the mandible means no common reference point is available for clinical or research dialogue. Purpose The purpose of this review was to determine whether the ascending ramus has been defined, by using a search of published studies. Material and methods PubMed was searched, using terms "ascending ramus" and "mandible." Results The search found no acceptable definition of the ascending ramus of the mandible. Conclusions An acceptable definition for the ascending ramus of the mandible is lacking, and one is proposed here.
Causal Ordering and Identifiability

In careful discussions of scientific methodology, particularly those carried on within a positivist or operationalist framework, it is now customary to avoid any use of the notion of causation and to speak instead of ‘functional relations’ and ‘interdependence’ among variables. This avoidance is derived, no doubt, from the role that the concept of causality has played in the history of philosophy since Aristotle, and particularly from the objectionable ontological and epistemological overtones that have attached themselves to the causal concept over the course of that history.
Proton Aurora Substorm

Vegard (1939) and Gartlein (1950) were among the first to identify the Balmer lines, Hα, Hβ, and Hγ in auroral spectra. The discoveries of the Doppler broadening of the Hα line by Gartlein (1950) and of the Doppler shift of the Hα line by Meinel (1951) marked important epochs in the development of auroral physics; their findings had been taken to be direct evidence to show that solar corpuscles produced auroras after entering the geomagnetic field. For this reason, a considerable effort was made to study the excitation of auroral luminosity by incoming protons. However, Omholt (1959) and others concluded that protons cannot be responsible for producing auroral arcs (Chamberlain, 1961, Chapter 7). Indeed, rocket observations have demonstrated that auroras with an arc or band structure are not produced by protons, but by electrons (cf. McIlwain, 1960; Evans, 1968; Pfister, 1967). Only very recently, however, Romick and Belon (1967a, b), Murcray (1967) and Mozer and Bruston (1967) have presented evidence which suggests that the λ 5577 line may be produced by other processes than a simple excitation of oxygen atoms by secondary electrons.
Medical school hotline: first and lasting impressions of the John A. Burns school of medicine.

On May 15th, I had the distinct honor of addressing the graduating class of 2011 as well as their family, friends, and loved ones. In my five years as president of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), I relish few invitations as much as those to speak at graduation ceremonies. And in my 13 years as a medical school dean, commencement always stood out for me as one of the most significant and important milestones in the life of a physician. Such wonderful feelings are bound up in commencement—pride in accomplishments, anticipation of what comes next, and a shared sense of joy and celebration. It is for these reasons that I felt so privileged to have shared in this special day at the John A. Burns School of Medicine. Since returning from the beautiful JABSOM oceanfront campus, I have had time to reflect on my first visit to Hawai‘i's only medical school, what makes it unique, and the hopes I have for the class of 2011 and all future physicians.
The spin diffusion coefficient of3He in3He-4He solutions

The transport properties of3He in3He-4He solutions with molar concentrations of 5, 9, 14, and 24% have been studied for 0.9 K≤T≤2.5 K. The spin diffusion coefficientDs and the longitudinal relaxation timeT1 were measured by the spin-echo method for temperatures both above and below the solution lambda temperatureTλ. The spin-echo method measures the diffusion coefficient for magnetizationDs, which differs from the usual diffusion coefficient for particlesD belowTλ.Ds depends on the3He-3He scattering cross sectionσFF and the3He-roton/phonon cross sectionσFB, whileD depends only onσFB. The distinction betweenDs andD is elaborated in terms of a simple mutual-friction model for diffusion. The two scattering mechanisms are clearly evident in the behavior ofDs as a function of concentrationx and temperature. The contribution due to the3He-3He scattering is inversely proportional tox, indicating that the3He can be treated in first approximation as a classical gas (the Pomeranchuk model). The predictions of various theoretical models are compared with the results, where possible, but most of the previous theoretical work is not applicable to the concentration range and temperatures of these measurements.
Covariates missing at random under signed-rank inference

Abstract A robust regression analysis in the presence of missing covariates is considered. The signed-rank estimator of the regression coefficients is studied, where the missing covariates are imputed under the assumption that they are missing at random. The consistency and asymptotic normality of the proposed estimator are established under mild conditions. Monte Carlo simulation experiments are carried out. They demonstrate that the signed-rank estimator is more efficient than the least squares and the least absolute deviations estimators whenever the error distribution is heavy tailed or contaminated. Under the standard normal model error distribution with well specified conditional distribution of the missing covariates, the least-squares and signed-rank methods provide similar results while the least absolute deviations method is inefficient. Finally, the use of the proposed methodology is illustrated using the economic and political data on nine developing countries in Asia from 1980 to 1999.
Nongenitourinary complications associated with robot-assisted laparoscopic and radical retropubic prostatectomy: A single institution assessment of 1,100 patients over 11 years.

Abstract Objectives Robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) and radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) provide similar outcomes in terms of biochemical recurrence, postoperative continence, and erectile function. Little is known about other complications of these procedures. To further address this, we examined patient outcomes at our institution over an 11-year period. Methods A retrospective review of 1,113 prostatectomies (646 RALP and 467 RRP) performed over 11 years by 9 different urologists at a single U.S. academic center was undertaken. Preoperative data collected included age, body mass index (BMI), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), biopsy Gleason score, and tumor (T) stage. Postoperative data included pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND), intensive care unit (ICU) admission rate, length of stay (LOS), ileus, wound infection rate, umbilical hernia occurrence, inguinal hernia occurrence, ophthalmic complications, upper and lower extremity complications, postoperative neuropathy, residual cancer, and cancer recurrence. Results Significant differences between RRP and RALP included performance of PLND (54.1% vs. 35.9%, P Conclusions RRP patients were more likely to have lower extremity complications and inguinal herniae, whereas RALP patients had an increased umbilical hernia rate and a trend toward more corneal abrasions.
Subtle Linguistic Cues Increase Girls’ Engagement in Science:

The roots of gender disparities in science achievement take hold in early childhood. The present studies aimed to identify a modifiable feature of young children’s environments that could be targeted to reduce gender differences in science behavior among young children. Four experimental studies with children (N = 501) revealed that describing science in terms of actions (“Let’s do science! Doing science means exploring the world!”) instead of identities (“Let’s be scientists! Scientists explore the world!”) increased girls’ subsequent persistence in new science games designed to illustrate the scientific method. These studies thus identified subtle but powerful linguistic cues that could be targeted to help reduce gender disparities in science engagement in early childhood.
Design for Test

The Design-for-Test or DFT techniques are increasingly gaining momentum among ASIC designers. These techniques provide measures to comprehensively test the manufactured device for quality and coverage.
The Effect of Gamma Radiation Exposure on Active Silicon Photonic Device Performance Metrics

In this paper, we test Si vertical-junction disk modulators and waveguide-integrated Ge p-i-n photodiodes (PDs) to see how the key performance metrics are affected by 60Co gamma radiation (total ionizing dose), a common proxy for simulating a mix of high-energy ion particle flux. It is found that reverse bias dark current increases significantly for both devices after 1-Mrad(Si) exposure. As the bandwidth of the Si disk modulator decreases by 6.5% after 1-Mrad(Si) dose, the bandwidth of the Ge p-i-n PD appears to be unaffected. The increased sensitivity of the Si disk modulator bandwidth to gamma radiation is hypothesized to be caused by a decrease in the carrier concentration of the junction with a resulting increase in the p-n junction RC time constant. The Ge p-i-n PD is relatively insensitive to the surface effects, because the absorption happens away from the SiO2–Ge interface and the gamma radiation has a minimal effect on carrier mobility.
Situation-Aware Access Control in Federated Data-as-a-Service for Maritime Search and Rescue

Maritime Search and Rescue missions involve complex operations in which multiple entities, playing different roles in dynamic situations, benefit from sharing mission-dependent data. We propose an approach to support situation-aware access control in a federated Data-as-a-Service architecture. We develop an ontology and rules to represent access control policies and a distributed reasoning framework to enforce these policies. We implement our proposed solution in a proof-of-concept system.