cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Generalized herd effects and vaccine evaluation: impact of live influenza vaccine on off-target bacterial colonisation

Interactions between pathogens and commensal microbes are major contributors to health and disease. Infectious diseases however are most often considered independent, viewed within a one-host one-pathogen paradigm and, by extension, the interventions used to treat and prevent them are measured and evaluated within this same paradigm. Vaccines, especially live vaccines, by stimulating immune responses or directly interacting with other microbes can alter the environment in which they act, with effects that span across pathogen species. Live attenuated infl uenza vaccines for example, while safe, increase upper respiratory tract bacterial carriage density of important human commensal pathogens like Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. Further, by altering the ecological niche and dynamics of phylogenetically distinct microbes within the host, vaccines may unintentionally affect transmission of non-vaccine targeted pathogens. Thus, vaccine effects may span across species and across scales, from the individual to the population level. In keeping with traditional vaccine herd-effects that indirectly protect even unvaccinated individuals by reducing population prevalence of vaccine-targeted pathogens, we call these cross-species cross-scale effects "generalized herd-effects". As opposed to traditional herd-effects, "generalized" relaxes the assumption that the effect occurs at the level of the vaccine-target pathogen and "herd effect" implies, as usual, that the effects indirectly impact the population at large, including unvaccinated bystanders. Unlike traditional herd-effects that decrease population prevalence of the vaccine-target, generalized herd-effects may decrease or increase prevalence and disease by the off-target pathogen. LAIV, for example, by increasing pneumococcal density in the upper respiratory tract of vaccine recipients, especially children, may increase pneumococcal transmission and prevalence, leading to excess pneumococcal invasive disease in the population, especially among the elderly and others most susceptible to pneumococcal disease. However, these effects may also be beneficial, for example the large reductions in all-cause mortality noted following measles vaccines. Here we discuss evidence for these novel vaccine effects and suggest that vaccine monitoring and evaluation programs should consider generalized herd effects to appreciate the full impacts of vaccines, beneficial or detrimental, across species and scales that are inevitably hiding in plain sight, affecting human health and disease.
A Theory of the Neoliberal Global State

This chapter proposes a theory of the neoliberal state under global neoliberalism. It opens with an analysis of the theories of the state proposed by Hayek, Friedman, and Becker. This analysis is followed by an illustration of the limits of the neoliberal theory of the state that stresses its realist component, its inability to account for the continuous intervention of the state, and the issues raised by the debate on the role of the state under globalization. This now copious literature is also reviewed. The remaining part of the chapter illustrates the book theory of the state under neoliberalism. It stresses the emergence of supranational and global forms of the state and contends that their existence is problematic not only because of their embryonic status but also because of the discrepancy between the evolution of the global economy and the less developed global polity. In this context, two structural problems assume relevance. First, the global state depends on the nation-state for the acquisition of resources and the appointment of its officialdom. Second, these forms of the state tend to be undemocratic. It is concluded that the consequences associated with this overall situation represent components of the crisis of system integration of global neoliberalism.
Quantifying non-contact tip-sample thermal exchange parameters for accurate scanning thermal microscopy with heated microprobes

Simplified heat-transfer models are widely employed by heated probe scanning thermal microscopy techniques for determining thermal conductivity of test samples. These parameters have generally been assumed to be independent of sample properties; however, there has been little investigation of this assumption in non-contact mode, and the impact calibration procedures have on sample thermal conductivity results has not been explored. However, there has been little investigation of the commonly used assumption that thermal exchange parameters are sample independent in non-contact mode, or of the impact calibration procedures have on sample thermal conductivity results. This article establishes conditions under which quantitative, localized, non-contact measurements using scanning thermal microscopy with heated microprobes may be most accurately performed. The work employs a three-dimensional finite element (3DFE) model validated using experimental results and no fitting parameters, to determine the dependence of a heated microprobe thermal resistance as a function of sample thermal conductivity at several values of probe-to-sample clearance. The two unknown thermal exchange parameters were determined by fitting the 3DFE simulated probe thermal resistance with the predictions of a simplified probe heat transfer model, for two samples with different thermal conductivities. This calibration procedure known in experiments as the intersection method was simulated for sample thermal conductivities in the range of 0.1-50 W m-1 K-1 and clearance values in the 260-1010 nm range. For a typical Wollaston wire microprobe geometry as simulated here, both the thermal exchange radius and thermal contact resistance were found to increase with the sample thermal conductivity in the low thermal conductivity range while they remained approximately constant for thermal conductivities >1 W m-1 K-1, with similar trends reported for all clearance values investigated. It is shown that versatile sets of calibration samples for the intersection method should employ either medium range (1 W m-1 K-1) and (2 W m-1 K-1) thermal conductivities, or wide range (0.5 W m-1 K-1) and (50 W m-1 K-1). The medium range yielded results within 1.5%-20.4% of the expected values of thermal conductivity for specimens with thermal conductivity within 0.1-10 W m-1 K-1, while the wide range yielded values within 0.5%-19.4% in the same range.
Characterization of unilateral conjunctival inoculation with Mycoplasma gallisepticum in house finches

House finches in much of the continental United States experience annual epidemics of mycoplasmal conjunctivitis, caused by the bacterial pathogen Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG). Although evidence suggests that natural infections typically begin unilaterally, experimental inoculations of songbirds with MG to date have all been administered bilaterally. Furthermore, studies of free-living finches find more severe clinical signs of mycoplasmal conjunctivitis in left versus right eyes, but the mechanisms underlying this side bias remain unknown. Here, we characterized unilateral inoculation of house finches with MG, and tested whether differential susceptibility of left versus right conjunctiva explains the side bias in disease severity of free-living finches. We directly inoculated house finches in either the left or right conjunctiva and characterized resulting disease severity and pathogen load throughout the course of infection. As expected, unilateral inoculation resulted in significantly more severe conjunctivitis, as well as higher conjunctival bacterial loads, on whichever side (left or right) birds were directly inoculated. However, in 55% of cases, unilateral inoculations resulted in bilateral disease, and in 85% cases there was evidence of bilateral infection. The overall severity of disease did not differ for birds inoculated in the left versus right conjunctiva, suggesting that physiological differences between the conjunctivae cannot explain the side bias in disease severity of free-living birds. Instead, laterality in exposure, perhaps due to feeding handedness, likely explains the detected field patterns. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS House finches show more severe disease in the directly inoculated conjunctiva. Unilateral inoculations lead to high rates of bilateral infection and disease. Overall disease severity does not differ for the left- or right-inoculated conjunctiva. Laterality in exposure likely explains the left-side bias in natural infections.
Minimally Invasive Approaches for Lateral Epicondylitis

Lateral epicondylitis is a painful condition that affects the lateral aspect of the elbow, usually centered around the epicondyle of the humerus. Historically called tennis elbow, this condition occurs in both men and women, usually in the 35- to 50-year age range, and rarely in tennis players. Patients present with laterally based elbow pain, exacerbated with repetitive stresses to the wrist and finger extensors, specifically the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) and extensor digitorum communis (EDC). A distinct pathoetiology has not been elucidated, and as such most patients have an idiopathic source, although some patients report “work-related” causes. Direct trauma is rarely a source of tennis elbow pain, neither is tennis, as only 5–10% of patients with lateral epicondylitis are tennis players.1 Most patients report an insidious onset with pain associated with gripping, carrying, and holding objects with the forearm in pronation and the elbow in extension.
Dynamic performance analysis of a high-temperature steam electrolysis plant integrated within nuclear-renewable hybrid energy systems

Abstract A high-temperature steam electrolysis (HTSE) plant is proposed as a flexible load resource to be integrated with a light water reactor (LWR) in nuclear-renewable hybrid energy systems (N-R HESs). This integrated energy system is capable of dynamically apportioning electrical and thermal energy on an industrial scale to meet both grid demand and energy needs in the HTSE plant without generating greenhouse gases. A dynamic performance analysis of such a system is carried out to evaluate its technical feasibility and benefits, and safety operating under highly variable conditions requiring flexible output. To support the dynamic analysis, special emphasis is given here to the modeling and control design of the HTSE process, which employs planar solid oxide electrolysis cells, coupled to an LWR. The proposed model includes practical constraints, such as operating limits of equipment, and allows the simulation of transient response of the LWR/HTSE integration case with high penetration of renewable resources. Simulation results involving several case studies show that the HTSE integrated N-R HESs could lead to efficient utilization of clean energy generation sources at levels that maximize profits, i.e., steady-state operation of a nuclear reactor and high penetration of solar or wind energy without curtailment, by providing dispatchable electricity to the grid and producing alternative value-added products (hydrogen and oxygen). The results also indicate that the system can provide various types of ancillary services (i.e., regulation, operating reserves, and load following) to support grid stability while satisfying its operating constraints and control objectives; thus, it is capable of effectively and economically mitigating the increasing levels of dynamic variability and uncertainty introduced by renewables.
Abstract WMP68: Evidence of Cardiac Stress in Acute Cerebral Venous Thrombosis

Background: Plasma cardiac troponin (cTnI) elevation has been associated with death after ischemic stroke and elevation has been theorized to result from an exaggerated sympathetic response. To our knowledge, no investigation into the cardiac effects of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) has been conducted. We hypothesized that acute CVT could result in similar cardiac stress manifesting as electrocardiogram (ECG) changes or cTnI elevation. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study of all consecutive patients admitted to Johns Hopkins Hospital from 2005-2015 with CVT by ICD9/10 code, patient data (sex, race, risk factors, CVT location/number, venous bleed/stroke, cTnI, ECG) were obtained from hospital records. Results: Of 81 patients identified with CVT, 53 (66%) had clot in at least one vein and had available ECG data; this group constituted our study population. Included patients had an average age of 41 years (range 1-80); 71% were white and 66% female. The left transverse sinus was most commonly invol...
Electronic fingerprints of Cr and V dopants in the topological insulator Sb 2 Te 3

Ferromagnetic domain behavior has been recently reported in Cr and V codoped topological insulator (TI) films using magnetic imaging, providing direct evidence for long-range ferromagnetic order. The observed robust ferromagnetism explains the significant increase in the anomalous quantum Hall effect (AQHE) in the codoped magnetic TI thin films. To understand the mechanism of such enhancement, it is imperative to investigate the spatial distribution of magnetic dopants and their defect states. Here, the authors report electronic fingerprints of the magnetic dopants Cr and V in Sb${}_{2}$Te${}_{3}$ single crystals using spectroscopy imaging. These results have been reproduced in thin films synthesized by molecular beam epitaxy, which facilitates follow-up investigation of the mechanisms of robust ferromagnetic order and AQHE in Cr and V codoped TI films.
Curcumin and curcuminoids attenuate RIP3-related cell death in Streptococcus pneumoniae-induced injury via up-regulating SIRT1 expression

Streptococcus pneumoniae (S.pneumoniae) is a world-wide pathogen，the outcomes of pneumococcal infection varies from mild infection to severe invasive pneumococcal diseases, such as necrotizing pneumonia(NP) and destruction of lung tissue bubble. However, antibiotics are only for pathogens. It is also urgent to explore new potential medicines to increase body’s ability to tolerance infections. Aim: To explore the potential effect of Curcumin (Cur) on protecting cells from damaging and the possible mechanism. Methods: A cell model using BEAS-2B cells incubated with S.pneuminiae as an inflammation model of pneumonia was set up. Cur, Y20 and 6B were treated for 6h before S.pneuminiae stimulation. CCK8-tset , PCR, ELISA, Western blot were used in the study. Results: As in vitro S. pneumoniae infection experiment, Cur and Y20, 6B increased cell survival rate challenged with S. pneumoniae while compared with the groups stimulated with S. pneumoniae only(p Conclusion: In conclusion, our results demonstrated that an appropriate dose of Cur and Y20, 6B could effectively reduce inflammation and inhibit RIP3-MLKL-related cell death induced by S. pneumoniae might via up-regulating SIRT1 expression.
Resection of an Intramedullary Glomus-type Arteriovenous Malformation of the Conus Medullaris: Technical Note and Step-by-step Surgical Video.

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the spine include a broad spectrum of lesions that vary from a simple arteriovenous fistulous connection to a more complex net of abnormal vessels involving multiple spinal levels. These entities are poorly studied and understood because of their rarity and are often either managed conservatively with observation if the lesion is complex, or treated surgically or interventionally in the presence of an accessible and distinct fistulous connection. Most surgeons avoid intervening on more intricate lesions until they become symptomatic with progressive neurological decline. We describe the case of a 38-year-old man who presented with severe sharp back pain after an appendectomy procedure. A magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) revealed an arteriovenous malformation of the conus medullaris, with a compact glomus-type nidus and arterial feeders originating from an enlarged artery of Adamkiewicz. The malformation was resected through a posterior midline approach, and the patient was neurologically intact at his discharge on postoperative Day 2. Follow-up angiography showed complete obliteration of the lesion. Our operative video is meant to serve as a step-by-step and systematic guide to the approach and management of conus arteriovenous spinal lesions, which can be difficult to treat. We provide a pre- and postoperative radiological description of the anomaly as well as a technical guide to the resection of a spinal vascular lesion. This video could serve as an operative guide and reference to neurosurgeons—both established and in training—when confronting similar disease processes in the future.
THiMED: Time in Hierarchical Model Extraction and Design

We describe our approach to modeling timing of cell signaling systems in which existing information about the system spans from detailed mechanistic knowledge to much coarser observations about cause and effect. The results for several models emphasize the fact that the selection of timing implementation can have both qualitative and quantitative effects on the model’s transient behavior and its steady state.
Anal cancer and immunotherapy—are we there yet?

Anal cancer is a rare malignancy. An estimated 48,541 new cases were diagnosed in 2018, comprising 0.3% of all worldwide cancer diagnoses (1). The incidence of anal cancer has been increasing over the past 30 years (2). Squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCCA) is associated with HPV infection and is the most common histologic type of anal cancer.
Signs of Extraperitoneal Air

The extraperitoneal space is a potential space. It lies between the transversalis fascia and the parietal peritoneum. Radiologically, the three common signs of extraperitoneal air are a streaky, linear appearance outlining extraperitoneal structures; a mottled, blotchy appearance of the air; and a relatively fixed position of the air (it does not move with changes in patient positioning). Commonly, you can see some extraperitoneal structures outlines in air if it is present. These structures are the psoas muscles, the kidneys, ureters and/or bladder, and the aorta or inferior vena cave. Pneumomediastinum is when free air is present in the mediastinum due to air passing through the diaphragmatic hiatus. Pneumoperitoneum is air in the extraperitoneal space and occurs when air gets through openings in the peritoneum and into the peritoneal cavity.
Toward an Outline of Jewish Name-Theology

The summary revisits key findings pertaining to each of the interpretations and conceptual systems discussed throughout the work, with an emphasis on their implications on YHWH’s status as a proper name for the divine. It offers a broader comparative overview of the evolution of meanings attributed to the Name and suggests that from the biblical interpretation of the Name, which integrates both a descriptive and an indicative sense, two hermeneutical traditions emerge. Most importantly, the book concludes that out of the integration of these two hermeneutical traditions, a tendency particular to the Jewish tradition is revealed, indicating that Jews ask less what or who God is, and more how can He be spoken to.
Parametric behavior maps: A method for evaluating the energy performance of climate-adaptive building envelopes

Abstract This research presents a new method for evaluating the energy performance of climate-adaptive building envelopes (CABEs) called parametric behavior maps (PBMs). There are three main challenges when evaluating a CABE for energy performance that are not overcome by the currently accepted process: (1) representing complex three-dimensional dynamic geometry; (2) generating various candidate CABE control scenarios by integrating environmental factors and their thresholds; and (3) representing a CABE's time-varying behavior within a single building energy model (BEM). To overcome these challenges, the PBM method was developed. This method makes two key contributions to the field of performance-driven building design. First, it is capable of generating hourly CABE operation scenarios to evaluate CABE performance using a single BEM, regardless of dynamic operation and any geometric complexity. Second, the PBM method is superior at handling the effects of thermal energy storage with dynamic operations than is the currently accepted process. The reliability of the PBM method was validated by comparing indoor temperature profiles obtained from a PBM and the existing method. The new method enables designers to integrate the energy performance of a CABE system with multiple control scenarios, ultimately improving the building design process.
Joint Coding and Modulation in the Ultra-Short Blocklength Regime for Bernoulli-Gaussian Impulsive Noise Channels Using Autoencoders

This paper develops a joint coding and modulation scheme for end-to-end communication system design using an autoencoder architecture in the ultra-short blocklength regime. Unlike the classical approach of separately designing error correction codes and modulation schemes for a given channel, the approach here is to learn an optimal mapping directly from messages to channel inputs while simultaneously learning an optimal mapping directly from channel outputs to estimated messages. The block error rate (BLER) of this approach is compared against classical short blocklength linear block codes with binary phase shift keying (BPSK) modulation in additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) and Bernoulli-Gaussian impulsive noise (BGIN) channels. For AWGN channels, numerical results show that the autoencoder can achieve better BLER performance than BPSK modulated Hamming codes with maximum likelihood decoding. For BGIN channels, numerical results show the autoencoder achieves uniformly better BLER performance than conventional block codes with BPSK modulation, even with impulsive noise mitigation techniques such as blanking and clipping. The proposed architecture is general and can be modified for comparison against other block coding schemes and higher-order modulations.
Amphiphilic Block Copolymer-Catalyzed Cell Membrane Sealing Is Linked to Decreased Membrane Tension

The cell plasma membrane suffers structural disruptions from both daily environmental stresses and trauma. Rapid loss of cell viability occurs if membrane integrity is not rapidly restored. Physiological membrane sealing involves alteration of local intermolecular thermodynamics that is manifested by changes in membrane tension which precede reassembly of the membrane planar bilayer structure. Certain block copolymer surfactants, including poloxamer 188 (P188), have been proven to seal-disrupted cell membranes. However, the specific molecular mechanics of poloxamer-mediated membrane sealing remains a target of investigation. A decrease in membrane tension precedes membrane sealing by natural intrinsic cell sealing processes. The effect of P188 on the quasistatic membrane tension of Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) and Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts cells under normal and saponin-permeabilized conditions was measured using laser optical tweezer (LOT)-extracted membrane tethers. The tether trap length of saponin-permeabilized MDCK cell membranes decreased from an uninjured control of 11.28 ± 1.1 μm to 6.43 ± 0.67 μm. Treatment with P188 (0.2 mM) significantly increased the tether trap length to 9.69 ± 1.0 μm (p < 0.05) while the control polymer, polyethylene glycol (0.2 mM) resulted in tether trap length of 7.02 ± 0.73 μm that was not significantly different. Similar observations were made in the saponin-permeabilized fibroblasts. Corresponding fluorescence cell viability assays revealed that P188-treated cells had a higher survival rate. Thus, surfactant copolymer membrane sealing restores the membrane integrity by decreasing the membrane tension. Cells quickly become non-viable when plasma membrane integrity is lost. Restoring or healing the cell membrane requires alteration in the forces that stabilize the membrane structure. The membrane defect healing processes are preceded by a decrease in membrane interfacial tension. This study demonstrated that amphiphilic block copolymer surfactants, such as poloxamer 188 (P188), reduce membrane tension and promote cell survival. Using laser optical tweezers, this work quantified the effect of surfactant copolymer-catalyzed sealing. Our work utilized laser optical tweezers to demonstrate that copolymer-catalyzed membrane sealing corresponds with a decrease in membrane tension, much like the physiologic response to membrane injury.
Epidemiological characteristics and diagnosis of imported malaria cases in Zhejiang Province from 2017 to 2020

OBJECTIVE To analyze the epidemiological features and diagnosis of imported malaria cases in Zhejiang Province from 2017 to 2020, so as to provide the scientific evidence for the management of imported malaria in the province. METHODS The data of malaria cases reported in Zhejiang Province were captured from the Information Management System for Parasitic Disease Control of China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention from 2017 to 2020, and the temporal, spatial and human distribution, and initial and definitive diagnosis of imported malaria cases were descriptively analyzed. RESULTS A total of 593 malaria cases were reported in Zhejiang Province from 2017 to 2020, and all were overseas imported cases, including 532 men and 61 women, with a mean age of 41 years. There were 93.93% of the malaria cases from African countries, and the malaria parasites infecting these cases included Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae and mixed infections, with P. falciparum as the predominant species (76.73%, 455/593). All malaria cases received totally correct initial diagnoses in county- and city-level centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) and entry-exit inspection and quarantine sectors, and the proportion of malaria cases with confirmation at the day of initial diagnosis was 41.48% (207/499) in medical institutions and 66.18% (45/68) in CDC (χ2 = 14.779, P < 0.001). In addition, the median interval [M (QR)] of malaria cases was 1 (2) d from onset to initial diagnosis and 1 (2) d from initial diagnosis to confirmation in Zhejiang Province from 2017 to 2020, and the median interval [M (QR)] of severe malaria cases was significantly longer than that of non-severe cases [2 (3) d vs. 1 (2) d; Z = -3.002, P < 0.05]. CONCLUSIONS Zhejiang Province faces great challenges of malaria control, and post-elimination surveillance of malaria still requires to be reinforced. Meanwhile, the awareness of seeking medical services requires to be improved among returners from malaria-endemic regions and the diagnostic capability of malaria requires to be improved among medical professionals.
The proactive approach to mother-infant dyads at 22-24 weeks of gestation: Perspectives from a Swedish center

Abstract The care of infants born at the lowest extreme of gestation requires dedication, skill, and experience. Most centers apply a selective approach where intensive care at these gestational ages is being offered to a varying proportion of infants depending on the views and experiences of the medical community, the individual physician, and the parents. Consequently, the outcomes differ dramatically with survival rates at 22-23 weeks ranging from 0 to greater than 50%. This paper presents the approach in a center with a long tradition of providing a comprehensive and uniformly active care to all mother-infant dyads from 22+0 weeks of gestation. Important features outlined include prenatal maternal referral and transfer, delivery room management, and initial intensive care.
Tacrolimus initial steady state level in post-transplant cyclophosphamide-based GvHD prophylaxis regimens.

Post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) combined with tacrolimus (TAC) as graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) prophylaxis post-hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is safe and effective. Optimal serum levels of TAC in this combination remain undetermined. We hypothesized that TAC at initial steady state (TISS) of <10 ng/mL could promote optimal transplant outcomes and prevent TAC-associated toxicities. We retrospectively analyzed a consecutive case series of 210 patients who received PTCy/TAC-based prophylaxis post-HCT from 1/2013-6/2018. Patients received HCT from haploidentical (n = 172) or mismatched donors (n = 38), and flat dose (FD) or weight-based dose (WBD) TAC. Twenty-four-month overall survival (OS), disease free survival (DFS), and relapse rate (RR) were 61%, 56%, and 22%, respectively, in TISS < 10 ng/mL cohort (n = 176), and 50%, 43%, and 35%, respectively, in TISS ≥ 10 ng/mL cohort (n = 34) (OS, P = 0.71; DFS, P = 0.097; RR, P = 0.031). OS, DFS, RR, non-relapse mortality, acute GvHD grade II-IV, grade III-IV or chronic GvHD by TISS were similar in multivariable analysis. TISS ≥ 10 ng/mL conferred increased risk of viral infection (P = 0.003). More patients receiving FD vs. WBD had TISS < 10 ng/mL (P = 0.001). Overall, TISS < 10 ng/mL early post HCT conferred similar survival outcomes and lowered risk of viral infection and toxicities compared to TISS ≥ 10 ng/mL.
Bacterial Induction of TNF-α Converting Enzyme Expression and IL-6 Receptor α Shedding Regulates Airway Inflammatory Signaling

Airway epithelial cells have a major role in initiating inflammation in response to bacterial pathogens. Through the immediate induction of CXCL8 and cytokine expression, polymorphonuclear cells are mobilized and activated to eradicate the infecting organisms. However, the influx of polymorphonuclear cells and the effects of their toxic exoproducts impede respiratory function. We postulated that respiratory epithelial cells must also participate in the regulation of their own proinflammatory signaling. Both Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were found to potently activate IL-6 expression immediately upon contact with epithelial cells, and by 1 h induced TNF-α converting enzyme (TACE) transcription. By 4 h of bacterial exposure, TACE colocalized with IL-6Rα on the apical surface of airway cells, and by 24 h, soluble IL-6Rα accumulated in the cell culture supernatant. Epithelial IL-6 and soluble IL-6Rα were shown to participate in trans-signaling, interacting with membrane-associated gp130 to activate CCL-2 expression and inhibit additional CXCL8 production. Thus, bacteria are physiological activators of TACE expression, which provides a mechanism to regulate inflammatory signaling that is initiated by airway epithelial cells.
Pain and Nociception

The sections in this article are: 1 Concepts and Theories 2 Pain as A Physiological Reaction 3 Aberrant Pain 3.1 Inflammation and Hyperalgesia 3.2 Referred Pain 3.3 Pain Associated With Pathology of Nervous System 4 Primary Afferent Neurons 4.1 Afferent Fiber Size and Quality of Pain 4.2 Identity of Receptive Units 4.3 Noxious Stimulation of Low-Threshold Sense Organs 4.4 Relationship of Nociceptor Activity to Pain 4.5 Chemical Mediators 4.6 Central Terminations of Primary Afferent Fibers 5 Ascending Sensory Pathways 5.1 Defining Pathways for Pain Sensation 5.2 Selectively Nociceptive Neurons of Spinal Cord and Trigeminal Nuclei 5.3 Nonselectively Nociceptive Excitation 5.4 Origins of Spinothalamic and Related Systems 5.5 Functional Attributes of Neurons Projecting Over Ventral Quadrant Tracts 5.6 Projection Pathways for the Face 5.7 Other Ascending Pathways 5.8 Brain Stem, Hypothalamic, and Thalamic Components 5.9 Cerebral Cortex 6 Modulation of Nociceptive Neurons 6.1 Afferent Modulation 6.2 Descending Effects 6.3 Opiate Receptors, Opioids, and Endorphins 6.4 Cellular Mechanisms of Modulation 6.5 Higher Level Interactions 6.6 Functional Significance of Modulatory Mechanisms 7 Recapitulation
“All Life is an Experiment”: Research Tool Patents, Epistemological Monopolies, and the First Amendment

Patents on research tools — technological inputs to basic scientific research — have attracted significant scholarly attention. Most of the existing literature focuses on the potential for such patents to inhibit basic scientific research and downstream commercial development through creating tragedies of the anticommons. While some empirical work has cast doubt on the anticommons theory, the potential for research tools to inhibit basic research persists. Building upon these economic accounts of research tool patents, this Article examines the First Amendment implications of exclusive rights on foundational research technologies. Examining several prevailing theories of the First Amendment, it argues that exclusive rights on research tools may seriously jeopardize traditional First Amendment interests in facilitating a robust marketplace of ideas, ensuring individual self-realization, promoting democratic discourse, and checking central political authority.
Improving QoS of the Internet during congestion through auction

There have been numerous suggestions for improving the quality of service (QoS) of the Internet amid network congestion. However, due to the nature of the Internet service - best-effort delivery and distributed - it has been difficult to achieve. One dominant idea of solving the congestion problem is to have varying price for Internet access. The concept of smart market, proposed by MacKie-Mason et al. (1994), can help build an efficient Internet pricing structure that can be used to provide QoS when the network is congested. Efficient pricing structure can improve QoS of the Internet service by discouraging unnecessary usage of the Internet while giving access to the user who has "need-to-use" of the Internet through the pricing mechanism. In this paper, we propose a conceptual model for the pricing structure that utilizes auction market model as an implementation of the smart market. As a proof of concept, we have implemented a network sorting algorithm in CLIPS that implements auction part of the model.
Neural network modeling of the resistance of metallized vias formed by laser ablation in polymer dielectrics

Laser ablation, a material removal process that uses localized thermal energy caused by stimulated radiation, has become an important process in the fabrication of microelectronic packaging substrates, particularly in the fabrication of vias. During laser ablation, debris in the form of carbon residue is generated as a by-product. In this paper, resistance measurements on metal deposited in ablated vias are conducted to characterize the degree to which debris remaining inside the vias affects their quality. Vias with diameters of 10-50 /spl mu/m are ablated in DuPont Kapton/spl reg/ E polyimide using an Anvik HexScan/spl trade/ 2150 SXE excimer laser. A statistical experiment using a 2/sup 5-1/ fractional factorial design is conducted to characterize five process conditions, namely: laser energy, shot frequency, number of pulses, and the vertical and horizontal positions of the debris removal system in the laser tool. Measurements indicate that 10, 20, and 30 /spl mu/m vias are not opened by any combination of the five process conditions. As for the 40 and 50 /spl mu/m vias, both number of pulses and the horizontal position of the debris removal system, as well as their two-term interaction, are found to be statistically significant (p-value<0.05). Following the collection of the experimental data, neural networks are trained and subsequently tested to model the measured resistance through the metallized 40 and 50 /spl mu/m vias. Results indicate that the prediction error of these models is less than 15%.
Query processing for temporal databases

A stream processing approach for temporal query processing and optimization is discussed. Given properly sorted data, the implementation of temporal joins and semijoins as stream processors can be very effective. Also discussed are the tradeoffs among sort orders, the amount of local workspace, and multiple scans over input streams; in particular, the authors are interested in the effect of sort ordering on the local workspace. They present stream processing algorithms for various temporal joins and semijoins, and their workspace requirements for various data sort orderings. Finally, it is shown how semantic query optimization can play an important and natural role in optimization of temporal queries. >
NASIG at 30: New Initiatives, New Directions

Steve Kelley, president of NASIG, outlined recent initiatives and directions of this professional organization, which is devoted to bringing together librarians, publishers, and vendors to discuss the management of serials, electronic resources, and scholarly communications. As NASIG approached its 30th anniversary, the organization undertook numerous projects, including the revision of the mission and vision statement, a new organization name, management of the SERIALST listserv for the community, and the establishment of a code of conduct for the organization.
Interpreting Southwesterly Diversity: Underlying Principles and Overarching Patterns

Interpreting Southwesterly Diversity: Underlying Principles and Overarching Patterns. Paul R. Fish and J. Jefferson Reid. eds. Anthropological Research Papers, 48. Tucson: Arizona State University Press, 1996. 320 pp.
Special Topics III: Bias

Researchers, manuscript reviewers, and journal readers should be aware of the many potential sources of bias in radiologic studies. This article is a review of the common biases that occur in selecting patient and reader samples, choosing and applying a reference standard, performing and interpreting diagnostic examinations, and analyzing diagnostic test results. Potential implications of various biases are discussed, and practical approaches to eliminating or minimizing them are presented.
One Protein, Two Enzymes

Two enzymes, designated, E-2 and E-2′, catalyze different oxidation reactions of an aci-reductone intermediate in the methionine salvage pathway. E-2 and E-2′, overproduced inEscherichia coli from the same gene, have the same protein component. E-2 and E-2′ are separable on an anion exchange column or a hydrophobic column. Their distinct catalytic and chromatographic properties result from binding different metals. The apo-enzyme, obtained after metal is removed from either enzyme, is catalytically inactive. Addition of Ni2+ or Co2+ to the apo-protein yields E-2 activity. E-2′ activity is obtained when Fe2+ is added. Production in intact E. coli of E-2 and E-2′ depends on the availability of the corresponding metals. These observations suggest that the metal component dictates reaction specificity.
Painting as Agency, Style as Structure: Innovations in Mimbres Pottery Designs From Southwest New Mexico

The act of painting a design is a form of agency, and the overall style of that design in part can be conceptualized as a kind of structure. This perspective is used as a basis for analyzing chronological changes in designs on Mimbres Black-on-white pottery (ca. AD 750–1150) from Southwest New Mexico. Specific focus is on a methodology that can be used to detect innovations, that is, the introduction of novel designs that are incorporated into the design corpus and thus transform the structure. The conceptualization of a particular tradition (in this instance, pottery painting) as a form of structure analogous to general structure in Giddens' sense thus provides important insights into the recursive relationship between agency and structure.
Anomalies in the X-ray diffuse scattering from Cr-doped V2O3 at the high temperature metal—insulator transition☆

Abstract Several anomalies in the X-ray diffuse scattering of Cr-doped V2O3 have been observed in proximity of the high temperature metal—insulator transition. It is speculated that charge density waves might be involved. The original interpretation in terms of a Mott transition is brought up again for discussion.
Carboxypeptidase N concentration during cardiopulmonary bypass in humans.

Carboxypeptidase N (CPN) is an inactivator of anaphylatoxins and kinins, peptides implicated in the pathogenesis of complications in extracorporeal circulation. To investigate whether the level of CPN is altered during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) we studied 15 patients undergoing cardiac surgery utilizing CPB. The concentration of CPN decreased to about 48% of the initial value upon initiation of CPB and remained low throughout the procedure. A similar decrease was observed in the level of alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme that was measured to assess the degree of haemodilution. When the data were normalized for dilution, no difference in the concentration of CPN was observed during CPB. Moreover, no changes in the concentration of CPN were observed when protamine was given to neutralize heparin and none of the 15 patients experienced any side-effects of protamine administration. We conclude that the decrease in CPN during CPB was due primarily to dilution and not to changes in CPN synthesis or catabolism. Protamine administration is not associated with significant changes in the level of CPN in patients who have an asymptomatic reversal of heparin anti-coagulation.
High-valent nonheme iron-oxo complexes: Synthesis, structure, and spectroscopy

Abstract High-valent iron-oxo intermediates have often been implicated, and in some cases identified, as the active oxidant in oxygen activating nonheme iron enzymes. Recent synthetic efforts have yielded pivotal insights into the generation of oxoiron(IV and V) complexes, and allowed thorough investigation of their spectroscopic, structural, and electronic properties. Furthermore, insight into the mechanisms by which nonheme iron sites activate dioxygen to yield high valent iron-oxo intermediates has been obtained. This review covers the great successes in iron-oxo chemistry over the past decade, detailing various efforts to obtain iron-oxo complexes in high yield, and to delve into their diverse structural and spectroscopic properties.
Neurologists for patient safety Where we stand, time to deliver

Neurologists have a professional opportunity, an ethical responsibility, and sound clinical and economic reasons for engaging in efforts to improve patient safety. Better communication with patients and other providers, closer follow-up of consultation cases, and more focused supervision of trainees will help to reduce current patterns of error and misunderstanding. Patient education with attention to health literacy should improve adherence to management plans and help to bridge transitions of care across providers and sites. Through teaching and by example, neurologists can profoundly influence successive generations of clinicians to adopt safer practices, a culture of openness, and enhanced professionalism. The federal Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005, once implemented, should increase the evidence basis for safer care through voluntary, legally protected reporting of errors and adverse events within the framework of patient safety organizations.
EFFECT OF RHYTHMIC AND NON-RHYTHMIC CADENCE ON SYNCHRONIZATION OF RESPONSES OF SEVERAL SUBJECTS

Over the years a number of investigations have considered the effectiveness of the football starting cadence and have concluded that rhythmic types are superior to nonrhythmic ones (Drowatsky, 1975) . These studies have utilized reaction time and movement time as dependent variables and tested subjects individually. However, this methodological approach and accordingly the results must be considered questionable because the intent and function of the starting cadence is not to have individuals react quickly but rather to have the entire offensive team respond simultaneously. Since defensive units are taught to react to any movement, the speed with which the offensive players react individually is really immaterial. In an attempt to correcr these theoretical and methodological errors this study investigated the effectiveness of rhyrhmic and nonrhyrhmic cadences o n the synchronization of the responses of several subjects to a single stimulus. Subjects were 8 4 college students who were tested in 12 groups of seven, six groups being male and six female. T o minimize distraction subjects were tested in seven individual but adjacent carrels. Subjects were required to lift the middle finger off a pressure switch to coincide with an auditory stimulus or starting count presented via a tape recorder. Subjects were instructed that they should adjust their responses to approximate the designated criterion which was the subject seated in the fourth carrel and labeled "Center." Knowledge of results was provided after every trial to each subject and was the difference in .O1 sec. between the subject's performance and that of the Center. The srarting count and the cadence order for the rhythmic and non-rhythmic cadences were exactly the same with only the rhythm varied. Individual response times were recorded on seven .Ol-sec. digital timers which were activated or automatically reset whenever an auditory sound was received. Thus, on the last utterance of the cadence all seven timers were at .00. Instructions were presented by tape recording and were identical with the exception of references made to a specific cadence. After instructions, subjects' questions and three practice attempts, 25 performance trials were administered to each group. Results were grouped into blocks of 5 trials for statistical analysis. Data, deviations from the arbitrary criterion unique to each session, were analyzed employing constanr and variable errors as suggested by Schutz and Roy ( 1 9 7 3 ) . Means and standard deviations for sex, cadence, and blocks are presented as Table 1. Inspection of the mean constanr errors indicated that subjects tended to respond early in relation to the Center. Two 2 X 2 X 5 analyses of variance with repeated measures o n the last faaor were used to investigate the effect of sex X cadence over blocks for constant and variable errors. The analysis of constant error indicated that males' performance was more accurate than females' (F,.e;? = 4.39, f l < .O5). Variable errors showed that
A reanalysis of the influence of a “friendly visitor” program

A paper in the American Journal of Community Psychology (AJCP), by Reinke, Holmes, and myself, reported the results of a study of the influence of a friendly visitor program on the cognitive functioning and morale of elderly individuals. The program was reported to have had a significant multivariate effect on a combination of cognitive and morale measures and significant univariate effects on memory, self-perceived health, and activity director's ratings. Being intrigued by the memory finding, I conducted a follow-up study to further investigate the effect of a visitation program on cognitive functioning. In this second study the dependent measures included all of the cognitive variables included in the original study as well as some additional memory variables. The visitation program in the follow-up study had no effect on any of these measures. As a result of my failure to obtain a significant memory effect such as that reported in Reinke et al. (1981), I reanalyzed the data from the original study. In my reanalysis, the only significant effect was a borderline univariate effect for self-perceived health; the multivariate effect did not approach significance. On the basis of my inability to produce the results reported in Reinke et al. when I reanalyzed the original data, I must conclude that the friendly visitor program did not have the effects attributed to it in the original report.
Effect of internal brownian particles on phase transition of order-disorder crystalst

The behavior of the low frequency dielectric constants of NaNO2 as a function of frequency and temperature is explained by assuming a correct balance between the Lyddane-Sachs-Teller and Mason-Debye relaxation contributions to the dielectric constant. This new approach shows that in general whenever a sublattice of brownian particles exists in a crystal, the behavior of the activation energy ΔU as a function of temperature plays even a much more important role than has been considered up to now and that the fact that ΔU ≠ 0 at the transition temperature implies a hard core frequency contrary to the soft mode theory. Further implications of these ideas to dielectric and phase transition mechanisms are discussed.