cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Systems approaches for pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics

The search for genetic variants that influence medically-relevant phenotypes has been driven by the central dogma of genetics: DNA encodes genes as discrete units of inheritance; genes encoded by DNA are transcribed to RNA; messenger RNA molecules are translated to proteins; one protein has one function; and aberrant proteins encoded by mutant gene variants lead to aberrant biological activity. This paradigm explains many human diseases [1] and has been extended to diseases where two or perhaps three genes contribute [2]. Unfortunately, the paradigm of ‘one gene, one protein, one function’ has failed to reveal the causes of prevalent complex diseases known conclusively from twin studies to have a genetic basis [3,4]. These diseases include arthritis, diabetes and risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Similarly, this paradigm may also fail for traits related to pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Technological advances in genetic analysis now permit whole-genome association, in which the entire genome of an individual is screened for genetic variation at a series of preselected locations, termed markers. In these studies, there are approximately as many markers as individual genes, if not more. SNPs are the default choice for markers, and SNP sets for the human genome now have 100,000–500,000 markers to provide coverage of our 24,000 genes. Testing these markers for association with a phenotype is a challenging signal-to-noise problem: it is difficult to distinguish between the few real causative effects and the statistical flukes that are expected from examining 100,000 markers, whether markers are individual SNPs or correlated local patterns of SNPs termed haplotypes [5]. It is now possible to test hypotheses that phenotypes result from cumulative, subtle regulatory changes, in contrast to the catastrophic failure of a single protein as in classic Mendelian genetics (Figure 1). Rather than linking a phenotype to a single gene, the new paradigm may be linking a trait to a pathway or a biological system. Although linking genetics to pathways is an intriguing idea, the lack of systematic pathway maps beyond basic metabolism has presented an insurmountable obstacle. Consequently, most work in human genetics turned to other avenues; the theoretical framework for pathway-level mapping is an important current avenue of research. Only recently, in part owing to the author’s work [6], have pathway maps become available to the extent that they can be used in genetic analysis.
Fault-tolerant capacity and flow assignment in packet switched networks

The authors consider channel allocation and flow assignment (routing) in a network subject to link failures. Fault-tolerant channel allocation and flow assignments which minimize network cost while maintaining quality-of-service performance requirements are determined. This approach is shown to yield significant network cost reductions compared to previous heuristic methods. >
Calibration of an outdoor active camera system

A parametric camera model and calibration procedures are developed for an outdoor active camera system with pan, tilt and zoom control. Unlike traditional methods, active camera motion plays a key role in the calibration process, and no special laboratory setups are required. Intrinsic parameters are estimated automatically by fitting parametric models to the optic flow induced by rotating and zooming. No knowledge of 3D scene structure is needed. Extrinsic parameters are calculated by actively rotating the camera to sight a sparse set of surveyed landmarks over a virtual hemispherical field of view, yielding a well-conditioned pose estimation problem.
Finding a rectilinear shortest path in R 2 using corridor based staircase structures

The rectilinear shortest path problem can be stated as - given a set of m non-intersecting simple polygonal obstacles in the plane, find a shortest rectilinear (L1) path from a point s to a point t which avoids all the obstacles. The path can touch an obstacle but does not cross it. This paper presents an algorithm with time complexity O(n + m(lg n)3/2), which is close to the known lower bound of Ω(n + m lg m) for finding such a path. Here, n is the number of vertices of all the obstacles together. Our algorithm is of O(n +m(lg m)3/2) space complexity.
The Identity of Early Israel: a Rejoinder To Keith W. Whitelam

This article is a reply, from an archaeological perspective, to Keith W. Whitelam's article, 'The Identity of Early Israel: The Realignment and Transformation of Late Bronze-Iron Age Palestine'. JSOT 63 (1994), pp. 57-87. Here it is argued that the current school of 'revisionist' historians of ancient Israel takes a needlessly 'minimalist' view, underestimating the potential of modern interdisciplinary archaeology for writing a history of a real 'ancient Israel' during the Monarchy, as well as a history of Iron Age Palestine.
Relative Efficiency of Test Procedures to Detect Lymphoid Leukosis Virus Infection

Abstract A total of 2544 comparisons were used to study the relative efficiency of various test procedures currently used to detect lymphoid leukosis virus infection in chickens. Meconium, blood, cloacal swabs, and egg albumen were collected from day-old chicks and adult hens from four breeder flocks. The phenotypic mixing test was used as the biological assay for infectious virus. The complement fixation test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used as direct assays for the group-specific antigen of the avian leukosis-sarcoma viruses. Analysis of test results of biological assays has shown that blood from virus-infected chicks was more frequently positive than meconium. Also, direct assay for group-specific antigen was as efficient as the biological assays for detection of positive albumen samples from freshly laid eggs. The rate of false-positive reactors recognized by direct assays was lower in albumen samples than in cloacal swabs collected from hens that produce endogenous virus or group-specific antigen. Data also showed a relatively high concordance, ranging from 71 to 100%, between various assays with test materials from adult hens. Progress in reducing rates of exogenous lymphoid leukosis virus infection can be significant if dams are selected on the basis of any one of the test procedures examined. For complete eradication however, day-old chicks should be selected on the basis of the biological assay of blood of individual chicks reared in small groups.
Enhancing directed content sharing on the web

To find interesting, personally relevant web content, people rely on friends and colleagues to pass links along as they encounter them. In this paper, we study and augment link-sharing via e-mail, the most popular means of sharing web content today. Armed with survey data indicating that active sharers of novel web content are often those that actively seek it out, we developed FeedMe, a plug-in for Google Reader that makes directed sharing of content a more salient part of the user experience. FeedMe recommends friends who may be interested in seeing content that the user is viewing, provides information on what the recipient has seen and how many emails they have received recently, and gives recipients the opportunity to provide lightweight feedback when they appreciate shared content. FeedMe introduces a novel design space within mixed-initiative social recommenders: friends who know the user voluntarily vet the material on the user's behalf. We performed a two-week field experiment (N=60) and found that FeedMe made it easier and more enjoyable to share content that recipients appreciated and would not have found otherwise.
The biology of aging: 1985–2010 and beyond

In this contribution to the series of reflective essays celebrating the 25th anniversary of The FASEB Journal, our task is to assess the growth of research on the biology of aging during this period and to suggest where we might be heading during the next 25 yr. A review of the literature suggests a healthy acceleration of progress during the past decade, perhaps largely due to progress on the genetics of longevity of model organisms. Progress on the genetics of health span in these model organisms has lagged, however. Research on the genetic basis of the remarkable interspecific variations in life span has only recently begun to be seriously addressed. The spectacular advances in genomics should greatly accelerate progress. Research on environmental effects on life span and health span needs to be accelerated. Stochastic variations in gene expression in aging have only recently been addressed. These can lead to random departures from homeostasis during aging.-Martin, G. M. The biology of aging: 1985-2010 and beyond.
A Francisella tularensis Live Vaccine Strain (LVS) Mutant with a Deletion in capB, Encoding a Putative Capsular Biosynthesis Protein, Is Significantly More Attenuated than LVS yet Induces Potent Protective Immunity in Mice against F. tularensis Challenge

Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia, is in the top category (category A) of potential agents of bioterrorism. The F. tularensis live vaccine strain (LVS) is the only vaccine currently available to protect against tularemia; however, this unlicensed vaccine is relatively toxic and provides incomplete protection against aerosolized F. tularensis, the most dangerous mode of transmission. Hence, a safer and more potent vaccine is needed. As a first step toward addressing this need, we have constructed and characterized an attenuated version of LVS, LVS ΔcapB, both as a safer vaccine and as a vector for the expression of recombinant F. tularensis proteins. LVS ΔcapB, with a targeted deletion in a putative capsule synthesis gene (capB), is antibiotic resistance marker free. LVS ΔcapB retains the immunoprotective O antigen, is serum resistant, and is outgrown by parental LVS in human macrophage-like THP-1 cells in a competition assay. LVS ΔcapB is significantly attenuated in mice; the 50% lethal dose (LD(50)) intranasally (i.n.) is >10,000-fold that of LVS. Providing CapB in trans to LVS ΔcapB partially restores its virulence in mice. Mice immunized with LVS ΔcapB i.n. or intradermally (i.d.) developed humoral and cellular immune responses comparable to those of mice immunized with LVS, and when challenged 4 or 8 weeks later with a lethal dose of LVS i.n., they were 100% protected from illness and death and had significantly lower levels (3 to 5 logs) of LVS in the lung, liver, and spleen than sham-immunized mice. Most importantly, mice immunized with LVS ΔcapB i.n. or i.d. and then challenged 6 weeks later by aerosol with 10× the LD(50) of the highly virulent type A F. tularensis strain SchuS4 were significantly protected (100% survival after i.n. immunization). These results show that LVS ΔcapB is significantly safer than LVS and yet provides potent protective immunity against virulent F. tularensis SchuS4 challenge.
Explicit equations for the polarizing angles of a high-reflectance substrate coated by a transparent thin film

Simple explicit equations are derived that determine the angles of incidence at which the parallel and perpendicular polarization components of light are extinguished on reflection from a transparent film coating a high-reflectance (metallic) substrate. The polarizing angles obtained from our approximate expressions are in excellent agreement with those determined by iterative numerical solution of the exact nonlinear equations that govern such angles. For the approximation to be valid, the intensity reflectance of the film–substrate interface, evaluated at the critical angle of the film–ambient interface, must exceed 0.5.
EUS-guided treatment of gastric fundal varices with combined injection of coils and cyanoacrylate glue: a large U.S. experience over 6 years (with video)

Background and Aims Conventional endoscopic treatment of gastric fundal varices (GFV) with cyanoacrylate (CYA) glue may be complicated by embolization and rebleeding. We evaluated the long-term outcomes of EUS-guided injection of coils and CYA glue for therapy of GFV. Methods A retrospective chart review of patients treated for GFV was performed. The main outcomes measured were hemostasis, obliteration on surveillance EUS, post-treatment bleeding rate, and adverse events. Results From March 2009 to 2015, 152 patients with GFV were treated. Seven (5%) had active hemorrhage, 105 (69%) had recent bleeding, and 40 (26%) were treated for primary prophylaxis. Treatment was technically successful in 151 patients (>99%). Mean number of coils was 1.4 (range, 1-4 coils), and mean volume of CYA was 2 mL (range, 0.5-6). Follow-up was available for 125 patients with treated GFV (mean, 436 days; range, 30-2043). Among 100 patients with follow-up EUS examinations, complete obliteration (on Doppler study) of GFV was confirmed in 93 (93%). Post-treatment bleeding from obliterated GFV occurred in 3 of 93 patients (3%). Twenty-five patients who had clinical and/or EGD follow-up had 3 post-treatment bleeding episodes after a median follow-up of 324 days (range, 41-486). Among the 40 patients treated for primary prophylaxis, 28 underwent follow-up EUS and 27 (96%) had confirmed obliteration. Mild postprocedure abdominal pain occurred in 4 of 125 patients (3%), and clinical signs of pulmonary embolization were seen in 1 patient (1%). Another 4 of 125 patients (3%) presented with minor delayed upper GI bleeding from coil/glue extrusion. Conclusions EUS-guided combined coil and CYA glue injection of high-risk GFV appears to be highly effective for hemostasis in active bleeding and primary and secondary bleeding prophylaxis. Once obliteration was achieved, post-treatment bleeding from GFV occurred in only 3% during long-term follow-up. Combination therapy appears safe and may reduce the risk of CYA embolization.
Abdominal obesity and hip fracture: results from the Nurses' Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study.

Abdominal obesity might increase fracture risk. We studied the prospective associations between waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and hip fracture. The indicators of abdominal obesity were associated with increased hip fracture risk in women, but not in men. The increased risk was restricted to women with low physical activity. Low weight is an established risk factor for osteoporosis and hip fracture. However, the association between fat tissue, muscle, and bone is complex, and abdominal obesity might increase fracture risk. We studied the prospective associations between indicators of abdominal obesity and hip fracture in two large US cohorts. At baseline in 1986 and through biennial follow-up, information on hip fracture and potential risk factors was collected in 61,677 postmenopausal women and 35,488 men above age 50. Waist and hip circumferences were reported at baseline and updated twice. During follow-up, 1168 women and 483 men sustained a hip fracture. After controlling for known risk factors, there was a significant association in women between increasing waist circumference and hip fracture (RR per 10-cm increase 1.13 (95 % CI 1.04–1.23) and between increasing waist-to-hip ratio and hip fracture (RR per 0.1 unit increase 1.14 (95 % CI 1.04–1.23), but these associations were not seen in men. In women, both measures interacted with physical activity. Those in the highest (≥0.90) versus lowest (<0.75) category of waist-to-hip ratio had increased risk of hip fracture if their activity was less than the population median (RR = 1.61, 95 % CI 1.18–2.19) but not if their activity was higher (RR = 1.00, 95 % CI 0.72–1.40). A similar pattern was found for waist circumference. Indicators of abdominal obesity were associated with increased hip fracture risk after controlling for BMI in women. The increased risk was restricted to women with low physical activity. In men, no significant associations were found.
The Political Economy of Local Democracy: Revenue Effects on Service Delivery in Four Mozambican Municipalities

Governments in weak states routinely fail to deliver services they promised to provide their citizens. In theory, decentralization is supposed to promote accountability at the local level and hence, improve municipal performance by encouraging public participation, building government capacity, and increasing political competition. Decentralization should improve performance because it gives civil society, voters, and fee payers an opportunity to hold local officials accountable to providing high municipal service by incentivizing them with political and revenue pressures. Even cases in which decentralization has occurred, local municipalities vary in the extent to which they are effective suppliers of services The literature on decentralization and performance suggests that participation, resources and voting are three accountability mechanisms that affect municipal performance (Crook and Manor 1998; Cheema and Rondinelli 2007). Mozambique, a post-conflict, low-income new democracy that implemented a major decentralization effort in 1998, provides a natural laboratory in which to investigate how these factors cause variation in municipal performance. I found that municipal performance for four case studies is largely reliant on resources provided by donors and the central government. Across these cases, public participation was low and donor-dependent, municipalities relied on central government transfers and donor funding, and a single party dominated state resources, which limited political competition and accountability. However, whereas theory predicted that these conditions do not foster accountability and incubate municipal performance, I found that donors, unearned income, mayoral leadership and political competition improved municipal performance in three cases. First, donors provided resources that capacitated public participation and funded services, which improved municipal performance. This paper, part of a larger research project, presents these findings. Second, decentralization provided authorities with incentives for municipalities to double revenue collections in the face of high aid and central government transfers. Third, mayoral leadership was critical in using resources and authorities to improve performance. Lastly, decentralization provided the political opening in a de facto one-party state for opposition mayors who performed well to have a greater chance of winning re-election. These findings extend beyond international relations to the fields of development studies, public administration and political science. Even in the context of weak institutions and serious constraints, local governments are able to build revenue capacity and sustainable political independence in dominant-party states through decentralization reforms.
Bilateral Traumatic Basal Ganglia Hemorrhage Associated with Diffuse Axonal Injury: A Report on Two New Cases and Review of Existing Literature

Traumatic basal ganglia hemorrhage (TBGH) refers to development of intraparenchymal bleed with in the basal ganglia, internal capsule, or thalamus. Though the reported incidence of TBGH is approximately 3% of all closed-head injuries, bilateral TBGH is much rarer, with only 13 cases reported to date. We present two additional cases of bilateral TBGH posttrauma, along with a review of the existing literature.
HWIL Simulation Testbed for Space Superiority Applications

The Air Force Space Superiority mission, especially Space Situational Awareness, presents significant technical challenges with respect to the spacecraft payload and its associated control algorithms. This challenge drives the development, testing and integration of advanced sensor and component technologies for space platforms. Such development programs can often be costly and involve significant programmatic risks, particularly when it comes to assessing the military utility of new sensor concepts. Simulation based analysis can provide a minimal cost, low risk alternative for early assessment and operational evaluation of new sensor concepts, as well as the algorithms that drive these sensors. Simulation can also be advantageous in establishing relevant performance metrics and exploring concepts of operation for emerging sensor technologies and spacecraft capabilities. Such a simulation capability would be further bolstered by incorporating the capacity for hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) testing. This would facilitate configuring and testing the flight electronics required to support the sensor concept, as well as actual prototypes of the sensors in certain cases. SAIC has invested internal research & development (IR&D) funds to create this type of HWIL simulation capability. The SAIC HWIL simulation testbed is built upon the Matlab/Simulink based Simulation Package for Autonomous Rendezvous Test and Analysis (SPARTAN) software developed for the Autonomous Rendezvous and Docking program of the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). The SAIC IR&D effort has expanded SPARTAN for the consideration of more general proximity operations, as well as integrating it into an HWIL capability, including flight-like processor hardware for GN&C functions and optical sensor-in-the-loop capability. This paper will describe SPARTAN-X and the SAIC HWIL Simulation Testbed and discuss their significant potential for analyzing and evaluating Space Superiority system concepts.
Effect of Xiyanping on herpangina in children

Objective:To observe the effects of Xiyanping injection on the immune function in children with herpangina.Methods:Randomly divided 389 eligible children with herpangina into two groups treated with Xiyanping and ribavirin,respectively.Observed the disappearance time of ever and herpes of the two groups.Besides,evaluated immune function indicators including CD4+,CD8+,CD4+/CD8+,IFN-γ,IL-10 before and after the treatment.Results:For those patients,CD4+,CD4+/CD8+ and IL-10 significantly decreased,while CD8+ and IFN-γ increased noticeably(P0.01).After treatment of Xiyanping,CD4+,CD4+/CD8+ were significantly raised,while CD8+ was decreased(both P 0.01).However,patients treated with ribavirin didn't show significant improvement of CD4+ or CD4+/CD8+(P0.05).The disappearance time of fever and herpes in patients treated with Xiyanping were significant shorter,and total effective rate(87.18% vs 77.32%)was higher than that of patients treated with ribavirin(all P 0.01).Coclusions:Xiyanping injection can improve immune function for children with herpangina.It shows better therapeutic effect than that of ribavirin and is worth for application in large scale.
Development of Double-channel Medical Signal Generator with High Precision and Digital Control

Objective: To develop a double-channel medical signal generator which is based on a single-chip microcomputer and highly integrated device. Methods: Some integrated chips (IC), including digital-controlled highly frequency and phase IC(AD9833) and D/A IC (AD9855), are controlled by a single-chip microcomputer. Furthermore, the relative parameters are showed by LCD. Results: This medical signal generator may output not only double channels accurate sine, square and triangle waveforms with digital -controlled frequency and phase at the same time, but also many kinds of physiological signal. Therefore, it is convenient to measure and teach about hearing, research and study on frequency characteristic of human ear and impedance characteristic of human body in medical science. Using double channels sine signal to show synthesis of two simple harmonic vibration under different frequency, phase difference and direction, such as beat frequency and Lissajous chart, is very easy for experiment of medical physics. Conclusions: This instrument is convenient for experiment teaching, clinic examining, maintaining of medical instrument.
Day length affects immune cell numbers in deer mice: interactions with age, sex, and prenatal photoperiod

The extent to which day length affects immune function was examined in the present study. Three goals were pursued: 1) to confirm and extend the observation that the immune systems of adult deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) are responsive to changes in photoperiod, 2) to examine the development of the photoperiod-associated changes in immune function, and 3) to discover whether photoperiodic information transmitted to the young during gestation influences immune function. In experiment 1, adult mice housed in short days had higher white blood cell and lymphocyte numbers than their long-day cohorts. Red blood cell and differential cell counts did not differ between long- and short-day animals. No sex differences were observed in the pattern of immune responses to photoperiod. The effect of photoperiod on immune cells in prepubertal animals was examined in experiment 2; a similar pattern of results was obtained as that for experiment 1, suggesting that the photoperiodic effect on the immune system is not mediated by sex steroid hormones. Prenatal and postnatal photoperiodic effects on immune cells were examined in experiment 3; pups gestated in one day length were cross-fostered to mothers in the same day length conditions or to mothers maintained in the alternative day length. The results of experiment 3 suggested that photoperiodic information transmitted from the mother to the young in utero subsequently affected immune systems of the pups. Animals gestated in short day lengths displayed higher immune status throughout life than mice gestated in long days. These results are discussed from an adaptive functional perspective.
The Function of DNA Methylation Marks in Social Insects

The social arthropods are characterized by a caste-based division of labor that may be influenced by epigenetic effects. One of the most important and widely studied epigenetic mechanisms is DNA methylation. Advances in understanding of social insect genomes, including epigenetic marks, make it possible to assess the role of DNA methylation in social caste development and social behavior. In this mini review, I summarize and interpret recent findings regarding DNA methylation and discuss how DNA methylation might influence evolution of sociality. In particular, I focus on enzymes associated with DNA methylation, the functions of DNA methylation in caste determination, behavioral gene regulation, and the effects of DNA methylation on learning and memory. Finally, I highlight current challenges and predict future breakthroughs in the field of socioepigenomics.
mHealth for Tuberculosis Treatment Adherence: A Framework to Guide Ethical Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation

Promising mHealth approaches for TB treatment adherence include: · Video observation ·Patient- or device-facilitated indirect monitoring·Direct monitoring through embedded sensors or metabolite testing To mitigate ethical concerns our framework considers accuracy of monitoring technologies stigmatization and intrusiveness of the technologies use of incentives and the balance of individual and public good.
What Is the Value of Clinical Laboratory Testing

The most common answer to the title question in laboratory medicine circles is, “laboratory tests are the basis of 70% of medical decisions.” Although this is a nice soundbite, it is an unsubstantiated claim and has little scientific basis. However, the 70% number has been propagated because it is both compelling and easy to remember. Ngo et al. (1) in their article in this issue, “Frequency that laboratory tests influence medical decisions,” show that the truth is far more complicated and depends on the clinical setting. They found that the average percentage of encounters that had at least 1 associated laboratory test was 35%, with 98% in inpatients and 29% in outpatients. Other settings, such as the …
Modeling and Commutation of a Self-Bearing Switched Reluctance Motor

Abstract In this paper, the control-oriented modeling and commutation strategy development of a self-bearing switched reluctance (SBSR) motor is considered. In the SBSR motor, the rotor is suspended inside the stator by electromagnetic forces - removing the need for conventional mechanical bearings. Unlike a regular switched reluctance motor the winding on each stator pole of the SBSR motor is excited independently, to facilitate simultaneous active magnetic bearing operation and motoring operation from a common construction. The work in this paper lays the foundation for the development of the SBSR motor using nonlinear control. Realization of the prototype will rely on a DSP-based data acquisition and control system.
Decision Making in Orthopaedic Trauma

The first edition of Decision Making in Orthopaedic Trauma, is a uniquely formatted textbook intended to guide medical students, resident physicians-in-training, and practicing clinicians in the acute management of a comprehensive range of orthopedic emergencies. The authors of the individual algorithms are members of the faculty at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) / Zuckerberg San Francisco General (ZSFG) Orthopaedic Trauma Institute. Relying on their extensive professional experience and relevant evidence based publications, they created an easy to access format that provides a quick, simple to use reference for the critical decision points for a variety of traumatic orthopedic conditions. Using an algorithm-based approach, clinicians are guided through critical decision trees to assist decision making in the evaluation and treatment of a wide variety of orthopedic emergencies, from simple fractures through complex life and limb threatening conditions. The text includes 80 chapters, each composed of a 1-page, beautifully styled and easy to follow flow diagram for decision making, followed by a page listing relevant evidence-based references. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Photochemical Transformation of Four Ionic Liquid Cation Structures in Aqueous Solution

Ionic liquids (ILs) are a new class of solvents expected to be used increasingly by the chemical industry in the coming years. Given their slow biodegradation and limited sorption affinities, IL cations have a high potential to reach aquatic environments. We investigated the fate of ILs in sunlit surface water by determining direct and indirect photochemical transformation rates of imidazolium, pyridinium, pyrrolidinium, and piperidinium cations. The photodegradation of all investigated IL cations was faster in solutions containing dissolved organic matter (DOM) than in ultrapure water, illustrating the importance of indirect photochemical processes. Experiments with model sensitizers and DOM isolates revealed that reactions with hydroxyl radicals dominated the transformation of tested IL cations. Bimolecular reaction rate constants with hydroxyl radicals ranged from (2.04 ± 0.37) × 109 to (8.47 ± 0.97) × 109 M–1 s–1 and showed an increase in rate constants with increasing carbon side-chain length. Conseq...
How to Approach a Hodgkin Lymphoma Patient With Relapse After Autologous SCT: Allogeneic SCT

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is a highly curable B-cell lymphoma, and ∼90% of patients who present with early-stage (stage I-II) disease and 70% of patients who present with late-stage disease will be cured with standard frontline treatment. For patients with relapsed or refractory (r/r) disease after initial therapy, the standard of care is salvage chemotherapy, followed by autologous transplantation (autoSCT). Although this approach will cure a significant proportion of patients, upto 50% of patients will experience disease progression after autoSCT, and this population has historically had a very poor prognosis. In the past, further salvage chemotherapy, followed by allogeneic transplantation (alloSCT), has been the only option associated with a significant probability of long-term survival, owing to a graft-versus-lymphoma effect. However, this approach has been complicated by high rates of treatment-related morbidity and mortality and a high risk of disease relapse. Furthermore, many patients have been unable to proceed to alloSCT because of disease refractoriness, poor performance status, or the lack of a donor. However, significant therapeutic advances in recent years have greatly expanded the options for patients with post-autoSCT r/r HL. These include the anti-CD30 antibody-drug conjugate brentuximab vedotin and the checkpoint inhibitors nivolumab and pembrolizumab, as well as increasing experience with alternative donor alloSCT, especially from haploidentical donors. In the present review, we discuss the current role of alloSCT in the treatment of HL after autoSCT relapse.
Application of audible sound signals for tool wear monitoring using machine learning techniques in end milling

Due to the demands of Computer-Integrated Manufacturing (CIM), the Tool Condition Monitoring (TCM) system, as a major component of CIM, is essential to improve the production quality, optimize the labor and maintenance costs, and minimize the manufacturing loses with the increase in productivity. To look for a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective solution, various monitoring systems employing different types of sensing techniques have been developed to detect the tool conditions as well as to monitor the abnormal cutting states. This paper explores the use of audible sound signals as sensing approach to detect the cutting tool wear and failure during end milling operation by using the Support Vector Machine (SVM) learning model as a decision-making algorithm. In this study, sound signals collected during the machining process are analyzed through frequency domain to extract signal features that correlate actual cutting phenomenon. The SVM method seeks to provide a linguistic model for tool wear estimation from the knowledge embedded in this machine learning approach. The performance evaluation results of the proposed algorithm have shown accurate predictions in detecting tool wear under various cutting conditions with rapid response rate, which provides the good solution for in-process TCM. In addition, the proposed monitoring system trained with sufficient signals collected from different positions has been proved to be position independent to monitor the tool wear conditions.
Neutrophils license antifungal monocyte responses via carbonic anhydrase 4 modulation

Neutropenia is a significant risk factor for life threatening invasive fungal infections (IFI). Neutrophils are well known as important innate cells that promote the direct eradication of fungal pathogens but whether they mediate antifungal defense beyond their role as effectors is unclear. Here we demonstrate that a pulmonary infection with the clinically relevant fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus induces the diversification of specialized antifungal neutrophils that are required for antifungal CCR2 + monocyte-derived dendritic cell (mo-DC) function. Selective depletion of neutrophils resulted in global transcriptional alterations of the antifungal CCR2 + monocyte response, limited mo-DC differentiation, and diminished conidiacidal activity. Impaired mo-DC antifungal activity in neutropenic mice was accompanied by significant upregulation of carbonic anhydrase 4 (Car4) expression in CCR2 + monocyte precursors. Pharmacological inhibition of Car4 with the FDA-approved drug methazolamide (MZ) rescued the antifungal response of mo-DC and protected neutropenic mice from invasive apergillosis. Thus, beyond their role as effectors, antifungal neutrophils facilitate antifungal mo-DC functions by regulating Car4 activity. Moreover, our data provide proof-of-principle evidence for the importance of carbonic anhydrases in shaping innate cell differentiation as well as for the off-label therapeutic benefit of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors to boost antifungal immunity in susceptible patient populations.
AGING, HORMONES AND MENTAL FUNCTIONING

A review of the literature on the relationships between aging and hormones and their effects on mental functioning in humans yielded but few consistent findings and emphasized the need for further rigorously controlled, preferably longitudinal, studies employing the sophisticated techniques now available for research in neuroendocrinology. To date, no definitive studies have been reported demonstrating the effectiveness of any hormone in reversing age associated changes in human mental functioning. Nonetheless, results from animal studies as well as preliminary findings in humans suggest that certain peptides may hold promise in terms of enhancing memory and improving attention in a variety of individuals.
Psychiatric and behavioral side effects of antiepileptic drugs in adults with epilepsy (S34.007)

Objective: The objective of the study was to compare the PBSE profiles in a large specialty practice-based sample of patients taking both older and newer AEDs. Background: Psychiatric and behavior side effects (PBSEs) are common, undesirable effects associated with AED use. Design/Methods: As part of the Columbia and Yale AED Database Project, we reviewed patient records including demographics, medical history, AED use, and side effects for 2667 adult patients (age≥18 years) newly started on an AED monotherapy regimen. PBSEs were determined by patient or physician report in the medical record, which included depressive mood, psychosis, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, irritability, aggression, and tantrum. Significant non-AED predictors of PBSE rate were first determined from 83 variables using logistic regression. Predictors were then controlled for in the comparison analysis of the rate of PBSEs and intolerable PBSEs (PBSEs that led to dosage reduction or discontinuation) between 18 AEDs. Results: PBSEs occurred in 7.6% of patients and led to intolerability in 5.3% of patients. History of psychiatric condition(s) and intractable epilepsy were associated with increased incidence of PBSE. Levetiracetam (LEV) had the greatest PBSE rate (19.2%). This was statistically significant when compared to the aggregate of the other AEDs (P Conclusions: PBSEs occur more frequently in patients taking LEV than any other AED, and led to higher rates of intolerability. The opposite effects were seen in patients taking CBZ. Our findings may help facilitate the AED selection process. Study Supported by: The Columbia and Yale AED Database has been supported by Elan, GlaxoSmithKline, Ortho-McNeil, Pfizer, Lundbeck, Esai, and UCB Pharma. Dr. Detyniecki has received research support for investigator-initiated studies from Acorda Therapeutics. Mr. Chen has no relevant disclosures. Disclosure: Dr. Chen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Detyniecki has nothing to disclose.
Spermatogenesis: Fertile Ground for Contributing to Recurrent Implantation Failure?

Despite a thorough work-up, the underlying cause remains unknown in a large proportion of cases with recurrent implantation failure. Sperm plays an incontrovertible role in initiating and maintaining a successful pregnancy. Thus, male factor evaluation could provide insight into the etiology of unexplained implantation failure. Sperm genetics and epigenetics are burgeoning areas in infertility research, providing new insights into the diagnosis and management of recurrent implantation failure. This chapter reviews the current evidence on sperm chromosomal aneuploidy and sperm DNA damage, with a focus on recurrent pregnancy loss and implantation failure. Potential causes of sperm DNA damage, including oxidative stress, and different diagnostic methods for detection of sperm DNA fragmentation are summarized. Roles of modifiable risk factors such as alcohol, smoking, varicocele, testicular heat stress, medications, and environmental toxins are discussed, and recommendations are made regarding potential therapeutic options and interventions. Finally, alternative and newer methods for sperm retrieval and selection for assisted reproductive technology are discussed, and opportunities for future assessment and treatment of male factors in recurrent implantation failure are covered.
Experiences in educating rice farmers to understand biological control

Traditionally, rice farmers in Asia were thought to be unable to comprehend biological control because it was too esoteric. This perception was exacerbated by vested interest that prefers to maintain monopoly of information. Hence, between 1950 to 1990, the preferred method of extending technical information to farmers was to package them in “simplistic” messages. For example, prophylactic chemical control was a common approach of many extension systems in Asian economies during that period despite evidence from ecological studies to the contrary. In fact, the dogma that chemical control is equal to modern agriculture persists to this day in some countries. Such an approach often exaggerated yield loss figures to scare and justify use of chemical insecticides which eventually resulted in further yield losses. There has been increasing evidence that in tropical Asia, natural enemies are ubiquitous in rice fields and are responsible for keeping populations of rice herbivores in check. The rise of the brown planthopper as a serious pest was linked to regular use of insecticides. Outbreaks of this delphacid in tropical rice resulted from destruction of effective predators. With the help of biological control scientists, the FAO Intercountry Programme for Integrated Pest Control in South and Southeast Asia (ICP) presented evidence to the President of Indonesia in 1986 and secured a ban of 57 types of insecticides from rice fields. Promulgating legislative actions was a start and to sustain it an education programme to help farmers understand the importance of biological control was developed. This programme recognised that a traditional top-down process of instructing farmers would not help farmers and a non-formal education process of learning by experimenting and discovery was formulated. This approach emphasised the need for farmers to understand the rice ecosystem. Hence, rice fields became classrooms for farmers participating in the Farmer Field Schools. Farmers learned that not ail arthropods in the field are pests and to their surprise, most of the arthropods are “friendly“ insects. They discovered that these friendly insects eat herbivores. Using insecticide check and exclusion cage experiments, farmers learned of the adverse impact of insecticides and the impact of predators in keeping herbivore populations in check. The curriculum includes crop physiology, agronomy, health risks to insecticides and group dynamics. The principles of IPM emphasised in the Farmer Field Schools are: 1) Grow a healthy crop; 2) Visit fields regularly, preferably once a week to monitor field situation; 3) Understand and conserve natural enemies; 4) Farmers become experts in pest management. Adoption of this approach has led to a 60% drop in use of insecticides resulting in 13% increase in yield. Similar results were achieved in Vietnam and the Philippines. Facilitating farmers to understand biological control through field investigations is the key to successful implementation of Integrated Pest Management
Predicting U.S. College Students’ Interest in Studying in China: Social Influence, Personal Experiences, Country Reputation, and Media Coverage

An online survey of 374 US college students was conducted in April 2015 to examine whether and how subjective norm, direct and indirect experiences related to China, their perceptions of China (China’s country reputation), and media coverage of China influence their interests of studying in China. Statistical results show that their subjective norm, China’s reputation, and media coverage of China positively predicted their attitudes toward studying in China (R2= 51.5), whereas their intent to study in China (R2= 35.2) was determined by their attitudes, subjective norm, and China experiences. The study indicates that social influence or normative pressure is a much more important factor to shape their attitudes toward studying in China than their overall perceptions of China and media coverage of China. Social influence is also the second most significant predictor of their intent to study in China. The important theoretical and practical implications were discussed.
Filial cannibalism by largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides): a three-decade natural history record from a small northern temperate lake

We observed cannibalism by juvenile and adult largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) on their young-of-year (YOY) over nearly three decades (1984–2012) in a small temperate lake located in the Upp...
Spinal Cord Stimulation and Oncologic Pain Management

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has long been used in the treatment of chronic pain. With the evolving knowledge of pain management, practitioners have been able to combat many forms of pain with SCS. Oncologic pain has been an increasing area of study with many patients benefiting from early implantation of SCS. However, due to the many concerns that arise with oncologic diagnoses, practitioners may be hesitant toward implantation in this population. The goal of this section is to highlight the many benefits of SCS use in patients with cancer and address common concerns that are present in oncologic population.
Effect of void sizes on effective material properties of unidirectional composite materials

In this study, the effect of different void sizes with different void contents are investigated on all coefficients of constitutive coefficients for unidirectional composites. The unidirectional composite can be assumed as a periodic structure. To fulfill this requirement, unit cells with different void contents and different void sizes are simulated. To capture the real effect of void sizes, the unit cells are modeled with different uniform void sizes with a fixed percentage of void content. To quantify all coefficients of material properties in presence of voids, the periodic boundary conditions are applied to the unit cells. The average stresses and strains are obtained using ANSYS interface. The results showed that in the fixed percentage of void content, constitutive coefficients degraded more with the smaller void sizes.
The road from “vocation”: Weber and Veblen on the purposelessness of scholarship:

“Science as a Vocation” describes an ideal of scholarship for a vanished world. Images of the past university still color our idea of the university. Weber dispelled illusions about the university ...
Discovery of modules involved in the biosynthesis and regulation of maize phenolic compounds

Phenolic compounds are among the most diverse and widespread of specialized plant compounds and underly many important agronomic traits. Our comprehensive analysis of the maize genome unraveled new aspects of the genes involved in phenylpropanoid, monolignol, and flavonoid production in this important crop. Remarkably, just 19 genes accounted for 70 % of the overall mRNA accumulation of these genes across 95 tissues, indicating that these are the main contributors to the flux of phenolic metabolites. Eighty genes with intermediate to low expression play minor and more specialized roles. Remaining genes are likely undergoing loss of function or are expressed in limited cell types. Phylogenetic and expression analyses revealed which members of gene families governing metabolic entry and branch points exhibit duplication, subfunctionalization, or loss of function. Co-expression analysis applied to genes in sequential biosynthetic steps revealed that certain isoforms are highly co-expressed and are candidates for metabolic complexes that ensure metabolite delivery to correct cellular compartments. Co-expression of biosynthesis genes with transcription factors discovered connections that provided candidate components for regulatory modules governing this pathway. Our study provides a comprehensive analysis of maize phenylpropanoid related genes, identifies major pathway contributors, and novel candidate enzymatic and regulatory modules of the metabolic network.