Search

Autonomous spacecraft control via Shielded Deep Reinforcement Learning (SDRL) has become a rapidly growing research area. However, the construction of shields and the definition of tasking remains informal, resulting in policies with no guarantees on safety and ambiguous goals for the RL agent. In this paper, we first explore the use of formal languages, namely Linear Temporal Logic (LTL), to formalize spacecraft tasks and safety requirements. We then define a manner in which to construct a reward function from a co-safe LTL specification automatically for effective training in SDRL framework. We also investigate methods for constructing a shield from a safe LTL specification for spacecraft applications and propose three designs that provide probabilistic guarantees. We show how these shields interact with different policies and the flexibility of the reward structure through several experiments., Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures, 2 tables, ACC 2024

Deep Kernel Learning (DKL) combines the representational power of neural networks with the uncertainty quantification of Gaussian Processes. Hence, it is potentially a promising tool to learn and control complex dynamical systems. In this work, we develop a scalable abstraction-based framework that enables the use of DKL for control synthesis of stochastic dynamical systems against complex specifications. Specifically, we consider temporal logic specifications and create an end-to-end framework that uses DKL to learn an unknown system from data and formally abstracts the DKL model into an Interval Markov Decision Process (IMDP) to perform control synthesis with correctness guarantees. Furthermore, we identify a deep architecture that enables accurate learning and efficient abstraction computation. The effectiveness of our approach is illustrated on various benchmarks, including a 5-D nonlinear stochastic system, showing how control synthesis with DKL can substantially outperform state-of-the-art competitive methods., Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, 3 tables

Common genetic variants explain less variation in complex phenotypes than inferred from family-based studies, and there is a debate on the source of this 'missing heritability'. We investigated the contribution of rare genetic variants to tobacco use with whole-genome sequences from up to 26,257 unrelated individuals of European ancestries and 11,743 individuals of African ancestries. Across four smoking traits, single-nucleotide-polymorphism-based heritability ([Formula: see text]) was estimated from 0.13 to 0.28 (s.e., 0.10-0.13) in European ancestries, with 35-74% of it attributable to rare variants with minor allele frequencies between 0.01% and 1%. These heritability estimates are 1.5-4 times higher than past estimates based on common variants alone and accounted for 60% to 100% of our pedigree-based estimates of narrow-sense heritability ([Formula: see text], 0.18-0.34). In the African ancestry samples, [Formula: see text] was estimated from 0.03 to 0.33 (s.e., 0.09-0.14) across the four smoking traits. These results suggest that rare variants are important contributors to the heritability of smoking.

Our knowledge of the conservation status of reptiles, the most diverse class of terrestrial vertebrates, has improved dramatically over the past decade, but still lags behind that of the other tetrapod groups. Here, we conduct the first comprehensive evaluation (similar to 92% of the world's similar to 1714 described species) of the conservation status of skinks (Scincidae), a speciose reptile family with a worldwide distribution. Using International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria, we report that similar to 20% of species are threatened with extinction, and nine species are Extinct or Extinct in the Wild. The highest levels of threat are evident in Madagascar and the Neotropics, and in the subfamilies Mabuyinae, Eugongylinae and Scincinae. The vast majority of threatened skink species were listed based primarily on their small geographic ranges (Criterion B, 83%; Criterion D2, 13%). Although the population trend of 42% of species was stable, 14% have declining populations. The key threats to skinks are habitat loss due to agriculture, invasive species, and biological resource use (e.g., hunting, timber harvesting). The distributions of 61% of species do not overlap with protected areas. Despite our improved knowledge of the conservation status of the world's skinks, 8% of species remain to be assessed, and 14% are listed as Data Deficient. The conservation status of almost a quarter of the world's skink species thus remains unknown. We use our updated knowledge of the conservation status of the group to develop and outline the priorities for the conservation assessment and management of the world's skink species.

BackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an age-related condition that has been associated with early telomere attrition; the clinical implications of telomere shortening in COPD are not well known. In this study we aimed to determine the relationship of the epigenetic regulation of telomeric length in peripheral blood with the risk of exacerbations and hospitalization in patients with COPD.MethodsBlood DNA methylation profiles were obtained from 292 patients with COPD enrolled in the placebo arm of the Macrolide Azithromycin to Prevent Rapid Worsening of Symptoms Associated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (MACRO) Study and who were followed for 1-year. We calculated telomere length based on DNA methylation markers (DNAmTL) and related this biomarker to the risk of exacerbation and hospitalization and health status (St. George Respiratory Questionnaire [SGRQ]) score over time using a Cox proportional hazards model. We also used linear models to investigate the associations of DNAmTL with the rates of exacerbation and hospitalization (adjusted for chronological age, lung function, race, sex, smoking, body mass index and cell composition).ResultsParticipants with short DNAmTL demonstrated increased risk of exacerbation (P = 0.02) and hospitalization (P = 0.03) compared to those with longer DNAmTL. DNAmTL age acceleration was associated with higher rates of exacerbation (P = 1.35 × 10-04) and hospitalization (P = 5.21 × 10-03) and poor health status (lower SGRQ scores) independent of chronological age (P = 0.03).ConclusionTelomeric age based on blood DNA methylation is associated with COPD exacerbation and hospitalization and thus a promising biomarker for poor outcomes in COPD.

The painted lady butterfly, Vanessa cardui, has the longest migration routes, the widest hostplant diversity, and one of the most complex wing patterns of any insect. Due to minimal culturing requirements, easily characterized wing pattern elements, and technical feasibility of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, V. cardui is emerging as a functional genomics model for diverse research programs. Here, we report a high-quality, annotated genome assembly of the V. cardui genome, generated using 84× coverage of PacBio long-read data, which we assembled into 205 contigs with a total length of 425.4 Mb (N50 = 10.3 Mb). The genome was very complete (single-copy complete Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs [BUSCO] 97%), with contigs assembled into presumptive chromosomes using synteny analyses. Our annotation used embryonic, larval, and pupal transcriptomes, and 20 transcriptomes across five different wing developmental stages. Gene annotations showed a high level of accuracy and completeness, with 14,437 predicted protein-coding genes. This annotated genome assembly constitutes an important resource for diverse functional genomic studies ranging from the developmental genetic basis of butterfly color pattern, to coevolution with diverse hostplants.

Invasive species can exert rapid depletion of resources after introduction and, in turn, affect their own population density. Additionally, management actions can have direct and indirect effects on demography. Physiological variables can predict demographic change but are often restricted to snapshots-in-time and delayed confirmation of changes in population density reduces their utility. To evaluate the relationships between physiology and demography, we assessed metrics of individual and demographic stress (baseline and 1-h corticosterone (CORT), body condition and bacterial killing ability) in the invasive snake Boiga irregularis on Guam collected in intervals of 10-15 years. We also assessed potential discrepancies between different methods of measuring hormones [radioimmunoassay (RIA) versus enzyme immunoassay (EIA)]. The magnitude of difference between RIA and EIA was negligible and did not change gross interpretation of our results. We found that body condition was higher in recent samples (2003 and 2018) versus older (1992-93) samples. We found corresponding differences in baseline CORT, with higher baseline CORT in older, poorer body condition samples. Hormonal response to acute stress was higher in 2018 relative to 2003. We also found a weak relationship between circulating CORT and bacterial killing ability among 2018 samples, but the biological significance of the relationship is not clear. In an effort to develop hypotheses for future investigation of the links between physiology and demography in this and other systems, we discuss how the changes in CORT and body condition may reflect changes in population dynamics, resource availability or management pressure. Ultimately, we advocate for the synchronization of physiology and management studies to advance the field of applied conservation physiology.

BackgroundTotal serum IgE (tIgE) is an important intermediate phenotype of allergic disease. Whole genome genetic association studies across ancestries may identify important determinants of IgE.ObjectiveWe aimed to increase understanding of genetic variants affecting tIgE production across the ancestry and allergic disease spectrum by leveraging data from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine program; the Consortium on Asthma among African-ancestry Populations in the Americas (CAAPA); and the Atopic Dermatitis Research Network (N = 21,901).MethodsWe performed genome-wide association within strata of study, disease, and ancestry groups, and we combined results via a meta-regression approach that models heterogeneity attributable to ancestry. We also tested for association between HLA alleles called from whole genome sequence data and tIgE, assessing replication of associations in HLA alleles called from genotype array data.ResultsWe identified 6 loci at genome-wide significance (P < 5 × 10-9), including 4 loci previously reported as genome-wide significant for tIgE, as well as new regions in chr11q13.5 and chr15q22.2, which were also identified in prior genome-wide association studies of atopic dermatitis and asthma. In the HLA allele association study, HLA-A∗02:01 was associated with decreased tIgE level (Pdiscovery = 2 × 10-4; Preplication = 5 × 10-4; Pdiscovery+replication = 4 × 10-7), and HLA-DQB1∗03:02 was strongly associated with decreased tIgE level in Hispanic/Latino ancestry populations (PHispanic/Latino discovery+replication = 8 × 10-8).ConclusionWe performed the largest genome-wide association study and HLA association study of tIgE focused on ancestrally diverse populations and found several known tIgE and allergic disease loci that are relevant in non-European ancestry populations.

Invasive species can exert rapid depletion of resources after introduction and, in turn, affect their own population density. Additionally, management actions can have direct and indirect effects on demography. Physiological variables can predict demographic change but are often restricted to snapshots-in-time and delayed confirmation of changes in population density reduces their utility. To evaluate the relationships between physiology and demography, we assessed metrics of individual and demographic stress (baseline and 1-h corticosterone (CORT), body condition and bacterial killing ability) in the invasive snake Boiga irregularis on Guam collected in intervals of 10-15 years. We also assessed potential discrepancies between different methods of measuring hormones [radioimmunoassay (RIA) versus enzyme immunoassay (EIA)]. The magnitude of difference between RIA and EIA was negligible and did not change gross interpretation of our results. We found that body condition was higher in recent samples (2003 and 2018) versus older (1992-93) samples. We found corresponding differences in baseline CORT, with higher baseline CORT in older, poorer body condition samples. Hormonal response to acute stress was higher in 2018 relative to 2003. We also found a weak relationship between circulating CORT and bacterial killing ability among 2018 samples, but the biological significance of the relationship is not clear. In an effort to develop hypotheses for future investigation of the links between physiology and demography in this and other systems, we discuss how the changes in CORT and body condition may reflect changes in population dynamics, resource availability or management pressure. Ultimately, we advocate for the synchronization of physiology and management studies to advance the field of applied conservation physiology.

Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) has been associated with endothelial dysfunction, an early marker of cardiovascular risk. Our aim was to extend this research to a genetically homogenous, geographically stable rural population using location-specific moving-average air pollution exposure estimates indexed to the date of endothelial function measurement. We measured endothelial function using brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in 615 community-dwelling healthy Amish participants. Exposures to PM < 2.5 μm (PM2.5) and PM < 10 μm (PM10) were estimated at participants’ residential addresses using previously developed geographic information system-based spatio-temporal models and normalized. Associations between PM exposures and FMD were evaluated using linear mixed-effects regression models, and polynomial distributed lag (PDL) models followed by Bayesian model averaging (BMA) were used to assess response to delayed effects occurring across multiple months. Exposure to PM10 was consistently inversely associated with FMD, with the strongest (most negative) association for a 12-month moving average (− 0.09; 95% CI: − 0.15, − 0.03). Associations with PM2.5 were also strongest for a 12-month moving average but were weaker than for PM10 (− 0.07; 95% CI: − 0.13, − 0.09). Associations of PM2.5 and PM10 with FMD were somewhat stronger in men than in women, particularly for PM10. Using location-specific moving-average air pollution exposure estimates, we have shown that 12-month moving-average estimates of PM2.5 and PM10 exposure are associated with impaired endothelial function in a rural population.

Firearms are often used in lethal control of invasive vertebrates, but safety and regulatory aspects limit the circumstances under which they can be used. During August 2016 at the Brown Treesnake Project laboratory on Guam, we evaluated hobby‐grade Airsoft Electric Guns (AEGs; a lower powered, less‐hazardous, and less‐regulated alternative to firearms) for capture and control of small animals, with specific emphasis on invasive brown treesnakes (Boiga irregularis). Tests of AEGs differing in power with ammunition (plastic pellets) masses ranging from 0.20 to 0.39 g, fired at gelatin blocks from distances of 4, 8, and 12 m, showed that heavy ammunition is of overriding importance for maximizing lethality: 0.39‐g pellets penetrated more deeply at 12 m than did 0.20‐g pellets at 4 m. Inspection of tissue damage in brown treesnake carcasses subjected to fire with the 0.39‐g ammunition from the same distances suggested that injuries sustained by a direct hit from 12 m would often be lethal, and snakes would be unlikely to survive multiple hits from automatic fire discharged at approximately 17/s. Limited trials with live snakes helped us to understand behavioral responses in a snake hit by ≥1 pellets, including distance traveled over time. Based on these factors, we assessed the risk that a snake injured by pellet fire might evade subsequent capture by rapid responders in the proximity. We also discuss ethical considerations and regulatory advantages of using AEGs.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diagnosed by reduced lung function, is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. We performed whole genome sequence (WGS) analysis of lung function and COPD in a multi-ethnic sample of 11,497 participants from population- and family-based studies, and 8499 individuals from COPD-enriched studies in the NHLBI Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) Program. We identify at genome-wide significance 10 known GWAS loci and 22 distinct, previously unreported loci, including two common variant signals from stratified analysis of African Americans. Four novel common variants within the regions of PIAS1, RGN (two variants) and FTO show evidence of replication in the UK Biobank (European ancestry n ~ 320,000), while colocalization analyses leveraging multi-omic data from GTEx and TOPMed identify potential molecular mechanisms underlying four of the 22 novel loci. Our study demonstrates the value of performing WGS analyses and multi-omic follow-up in cohorts of diverse ancestry.

The single-event-transient response of InGaAs FinFETs with different fin widths is examined using pulsed-laser and heavy-ion irradiation. Devices with wider fins collect more charge in both environments. Quantum-well structures confine charge collection in the channel, and determine the sensitive volume. Simulations show that the charge density produced by irradiation is similar for devices with different fin widths, but more charge is collected by wider fin devices due to the larger channel volume. Charge accumulated in the buffer and substrate layers modulates the body potential, altering the degree of back-gate control, leading to additional effects associated with charge accumulation in wider fin devices. Optical simulations for a model system suggest that optical phenomena in the fins should be considered for laser testing. These include optical interference, plasmonic enhancement at the metal-dielectric interfaces, and enhanced electron-hole pair recombination due to multiple reflections in multigate devices with nanoscale dimensions.

We used 20 de novo genome assemblies to probe the speciation history and architecture of gene flow in rapidly radiating Heliconius butterflies. Our tests to distinguish incomplete lineage sorting from introgression indicate that gene flow has obscured several ancient phylogenetic relationships in this group over large swathes of the genome. Introgressed loci are underrepresented in low-recombination and gene-rich regions, consistent with the purging of foreign alleles more tightly linked to incompatibility loci. Here, we identify a hitherto unknown inversion that traps a color pattern switch locus. We infer that this inversion was transferred between lineages by introgression and is convergent with a similar rearrangement in another part of the genus. These multiple de novo genome sequences enable improved understanding of the importance of introgression and selective processes in adaptive radiation.

BackgroundObservational studies suggest that beta-blockers may reduce the risk of exacerbations and death in patients with moderate or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but these findings have not been confirmed in randomized trials.MethodsIn this prospective, randomized trial, we assigned patients between the ages of 40 and 85 years who had COPD to receive either a beta-blocker (extended-release metoprolol) or placebo. All the patients had a clinical history of COPD, along with moderate airflow limitation and an increased risk of exacerbations, as evidenced by a history of exacerbations during the previous year or the prescribed use of supplemental oxygen. We excluded patients who were already taking a beta-blocker or who had an established indication for the use of such drugs. The primary end point was the time until the first exacerbation of COPD during the treatment period, which ranged from 336 to 350 days, depending on the adjusted dose of metoprolol.ResultsA total of 532 patients underwent randomization. The mean (±SD) age of the patients was 65.0±7.8 years; the mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was 41.1±16.3% of the predicted value. The trial was stopped early because of futility with respect to the primary end point and safety concerns. There was no significant between-group difference in the median time until the first exacerbation, which was 202 days in the metoprolol group and 222 days in the placebo group (hazard ratio for metoprolol vs. placebo, 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84 to 1.32; P = 0.66). Metoprolol was associated with a higher risk of exacerbation leading to hospitalization (hazard ratio, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.29 to 2.83). The frequency of side effects that were possibly related to metoprolol was similar in the two groups, as was the overall rate of nonrespiratory serious adverse events. During the treatment period, there were 11 deaths in the metoprolol group and 5 in the placebo group.ConclusionsAmong pat

Conventional treatments to combat the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic are falling short, thus encouraging the search for novel antitubercular drugs acting on unexplored molecular targets. Several whole-cell phenotypic screenings have delivered bioactive compounds with potent antitubercular activity. However, their cellular target and mechanism of action remain largely unknown. Further evaluation of these compounds may include their screening in search for known antitubercular drug targets hits. Here, a collection of nearly 1400 mycobactericidal compounds was screened against Mycobacterium tuberculosis NaMN adenylyltransferase ( MtNadD), a key enzyme in the biogenesis of NAD cofactor that was recently validated as a new drug target for dormant and active tuberculosis. We found three chemotypes that efficiently inhibit MtNadD in the low micromolar range in vitro. SAR and cheminformatics studies of commercially available analogues point to a series of benzimidazolium derivatives, here named N2, with bactericidal activity on different mycobacteria, including M. abscessus, multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis, and dormant M. smegmatis. The on-target activity was supported by the increased resistance of an M. smegmatis strain overexpressing the target and by a rapid decline in NAD(H) levels. A cocrystal structure of MtNadD with N2-8 inhibitor reveals that the binding of the inhibitor induced the formation of a new quaternary structure, a dimer-of-dimers where two copies of the inhibitor occupy symmetrical positions in the dimer interface, thus paving the way for the development of a new generation of selective MtNadD bioactive inhibitors. All these results strongly suggest that pharmacological inhibition of MtNadD is an effective strategy to combat dormant and resistant Mtb strains.

Includes biographical information about the guest artist.; Includes a list of upcoming School of Music events (for October 2019)., Series LXXIV, Number 027., This archival material has been provided for educational purposes. Ball State University Libraries recognizes that some historic items may include offensive content. Our statement regarding objectionable content is available at: https://dmr.bsu.edu/digital/about

BackgroundThe literature is scarce regarding the prevalence and clinical impact of IgG subclass deficiency in COPD. We investigated the prevalence of IgG subclass deficiencies and their association with exacerbations and hospitalizations using subjects from two COPD cohorts.MethodsWe measured IgG subclass levels using immunonephelometry in serum samples from participants enrolled in two previous COPD trials: Macrolide Azithromycin for Prevention of Exacerbations of COPD (MACRO; n = 976) and Simvastatin for the Prevention of Exacerbations in Moderate-to-Severe COPD (STATCOPE; n = 653). All samples were collected from clinically stable participants upon entry into both studies. IgG subclass deficiency was diagnosed when IgG subclass levels were below their respective lower limit of normal: IgG1 < 2.8 g/L; IgG2 < 1.15 g/L; IgG3 < 0.24 g/L; and IgG4 < 0.052 g/L. To investigate the impact of IgG subclass levels on time to first exacerbation or hospitalization, we log-transformed IgG levels and performed Cox regression models, with adjustments for confounders.ResultsOne or more IgG subclass deficiencies were found in 173 (17.7%) and 133 (20.4%) participants in MACRO and STATCOPE, respectively. Lower IgG1 or IgG2 levels resulted in increased risk of exacerbations with adjusted hazard ratios (HR) of 1.30 (95% CI, 1.10-1.54, p < 0.01) and 1.19 (95% CI, 1.05-1.35, p < 0.01), respectively in the MACRO study, with STATCOPE yielding similar results. Reduced IgG1 or IgG2 levels were also associated with increased risk of hospitalizations: the adjusted HR for IgG1 and IgG2 was 1.52 (95% CI: 1.15-2.02, p < 0.01) and 1.33 (95% CI, 1.08-1.64, p < 0.01), respectively for the MACRO study; in STATCOPE, only IgG2 was an independent predictor of hospitalization. In our multivariate Cox models, IgG3 and IgG4 levels did not result in significant associations for both outcomes in either MACRO or STATCOPE cohorts.ConclusionsApproximately 1 in 5 COPD

Military training information is not available from a single, well-structured electronic source. It typically exists in multiple formats created by multiple software products, usually incompatible. The training analyst thus has the job of collecting that which is available and converting it to a format that can be processed by existing software. Further complicating the job is language ambiguity. The use of different terms or phrases when referring to the same topic is an inevitable outcome of many authors working on many files. Methods for converting information on training tasks stored in multiple incompatible records into a common form--American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII)--and for working through the language ambiguities are presented. An example of the procedure is provided, and possible future applications of the procedure are described. (GL)

BackgroundBeta-blockers are commonly prescribed for patients with cardiovascular disease. Providers have been wary of treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with beta-blockers due to concern for bronchospasm, but retrospective studies have shown that cardio-selective beta-blockers are safe in COPD and possibly beneficial. However, these benefits may reflect symptom improvements due to the cardiac effects of the medication. The purpose of this study is to evaluate associations between beta-blocker use and both exacerbation rates and longitudinal measures of lung function in two well-characterized COPD cohorts.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 1219 participants with over 180 days of follow up from the STATCOPE trial, which excluded most cardiac comorbidities, and from the placebo arm of the MACRO trial. Primary endpoints were exacerbation rates per person-year and change in spirometry over time in association with beta blocker use.ResultsOverall 13.9% (170/1219) of participants reported taking beta-blockers at enrollment. We found no statistically significant differences in exacerbation rates with respect to beta-blocker use regardless of the prevalence of cardiac comorbidities. In the MACRO cohort, patients taking beta-blockers had an exacerbation rate of 1.72/person-year versus a rate of 1.71/person-year in patients not taking beta-blockers. In the STATCOPE cohort, patients taking beta-blockers had an exacerbation rate of 1.14/person-year. Patients without beta-blockers had an exacerbation rate of 1.34/person-year. We found no detrimental effect of beta blockers with respect to change in lung function over time.ConclusionWe found no evidence that beta-blocker use was unsafe or associated with worse pulmonary outcomes in study participants with moderate to severe COPD.

BackgroundHelicobacter pylori (HP) infection is associated with reduced lung function and systemic inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Azithromycin (AZ) is active against HP and reduces the risk of COPD exacerbation. We determined whether HP infection status modifies the effects of AZ in COPD patients.MethodsPlasma samples from 1018 subjects with COPD who participated in the Macrolide Azithromycin (MACRO) in COPD Study were used to determine the HP infection status at baseline and 12 months of follow-up using a serologic assay. Based on HP infection status and randomization to either AZ or placebo (PL), the subjects were divided into 4 groups: HP+/AZ, HP-/AZ, HP+/PL, and HP-/PL. Time to first exacerbation was compared across the 4 groups using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and a Cox proportional hazards model. The rates of exacerbation were compared using both the Kruskal-Wallis test and negative binomial analysis. Blood biomarkers at enrolment and at follow-up visits 3, 12, and 13 (1 month after treatment was stopped) months were measured.ResultsOne hundred eighty one (17.8%) patients were seropositive to HP. Non-Caucasian participants were nearly three times more likely to be HP seropositive than Caucasian participants (37.4% vs 13.6%; p < 0.001). The median time to first exacerbation was significantly different across the four groups (p = 0.001) with the longest time in the HP+/AZ group (11.2 months, 95% CI; 8.4-12.5+) followed by the HP-/AZ group (8.0 months, 95% CI; 6.7-9.7). Hazard ratio (HR) for exacerbations was lowest in the HP+/AZ group after adjustment for age, sex, smoking status, ethnicity, history of peptic ulcer, dyspnea, previous hospital admission, GOLD grade of severity, and forced vital capacity (HR, 0.612; 95% CI, 0.442-0.846 vs HR, 0.789; 95% CI, 0.663-0.938 in the HP-/AZ group). Circulating levels of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-75 were reduced only in the HP+/AZ group after 3 months of AZ treatm

AimTo systematically review reports on deceased-donor-lobar lung transplantation (ddLLTx) and uniformly describe size matching using the donor-to-recipient predicted-total lung-capacity (pTLC) ratio.MethodsWe set out to systematically review reports on ddLLTx and uniformly describe size matching using the donor-to-recipient pTLC ratio and to summarize reported one-year survival data of ddLLTx and conventional-LTx. We searched in PubMed, CINAHL via EBSCO, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews via Wiley (CDSR), Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects via Wiley (DARE), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials via Wiley (CENTRAL), Scopus (which includes EMBASE abstracts), and Web of Science for original reports on ddLLTx.ResultsNine observational cohort studies reporting on 301 ddLLTx met our inclusion criteria for systematic review of size matching, and eight for describing one-year-survival. The ddLLTx-group was often characterized by high acuity; however there was heterogeneity in transplant indications and pre-operative characteristics between studies. Data to calculate the pTLC ratio was available for 242 ddLLTx (80%). The mean pTLCratio before lobar resection was 1.25 ± 0.3 and the transplanted pTLCratio after lobar resection was 0.76 ± 0.2. One-year survival in the ddLLTx-group ranged from 50%-100%, compared to 72%-88% in the conventional-LTx group. In the largest study ddLLTx (n = 138) was associated with a lower one-year-survival compared to conventional-LTx (n = 539) (65.1% vs 84.1%, P < 0.001).ConclusionFurther investigations of optimal donor-to-recipient size matching parameters for ddLLTx could improve outcomes of this important surgical option.

In this study we consider an effective model by introducing two hypothetical real scalars, H and chi - a dark matter candidate, where the masses of these scalars are 2m(h) < m(H) < 2m(t) and m(chi) approximate to m(h)/2 with m(h) and m(t) being the Standard Model Higgs boson and top quark masses, respectively. A distortion in the transverse momentum distributions of h in the intermediate region of the spectrum through the processes pp -> H -> h(chi chi) could be observed in this model. An additional scalar, S, has been postulated to explain large H -> h(chi chi) branching ratios, assuming m(h) less than or similar to m(s) less than or similar to mH - m(h) and m(s) > 2m(chi). Furthermore, a scenario of a two Higgs doublet model (2HDM) is introduced and a detailed proposal at the present energies of the Large Hadron Collider to study the extra CP-even (h, H), CP-odd (A) and charged (H-+/-) scalars has been pursued. With possible phenomenological implications, production and decay modes for these scalars are discussed. Based on the mass spectrum of H, A and H-+/-, the production of multi-leptons and Z+jets+missing-energy events are predicted. A specific, Type-II 2HDM model is discussed in detail.

Butterfly wing patterns provide a rich comparative framework to study how morphological complexity develops and evolves. Here we used CRISPR/Cas9 somatic mutagenesis to test a patterning role for WntA, a signaling ligand gene previously identified as a hotspot of shape-tuning alleles involved in wing mimicry. We show that WntA loss-of-function causes multiple modifications of pattern elements in seven nymphalid butterfly species. In three butterflies with a conserved wing-pattern arrangement, WntA is necessary for the induction of stripe-like patterns known as symmetry systems and acquired a novel eyespot activator role specific to Vanessa forewings. In two Heliconius species, WntA specifies the boundaries between melanic fields and the light-color patterns that they contour. In the passionvine butterfly Agraulis, WntA removal shows opposite effects on adjacent pattern elements, revealing a dual role across the wing field. Finally, WntA acquired a divergent role in the patterning of interveinous patterns in the monarch, a basal nymphalid butterfly that lacks stripe-like symmetry systems. These results identify WntA as an instructive signal for the prepatterning of a biological system of exuberant diversity and illustrate how shifts in the deployment and effects of a single developmental gene underlie morphological change.

The potential of micro and nano electromechanical systems (M and NEMS) has expanded due to advances in materials and fabrication processes. A wide variety of materials are now being pursued and deployed for M and NEMS including silicon carbide (SiC), III–V materials, thin-film piezoelectric and ferroelectric, electro-optical and 2D atomic crystals such as graphene, hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), and molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂). The miniaturization, functionality and low-power operation offered by these types of devices are attractive for many application areas including physical sciences, medical, space and military uses, where exposure to radiation is a reliability consideration. Understanding the impact of radiation on these materials and devices is necessary for applications in radiation environments., Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) (Grant HDTRA1-15-1-0027), Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) (Grant HDTRA1-15-1-0035), Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) (Grant HDTRA1-15-1-0036), Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) (Grant HDTRA1-15-1-0039), Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) (Grant HDTRA1-15-1-0060)

We investigate the search prospects for new scalars beyond the standard model at the large hadron collider (LHC). In these studies two real scalars S and x have been introduced in a two Higgs-doublet model (2HDM), where S is a portal to darkmatter (DM) through its interaction with., a DM candidate and a possible source of missing transverse energy (E-T(miss)). Previous studies focussed on a heavy scalar H decay mode H. h.., which was studied using an effective theory in order to explain a distortion in the Higgs boson (h) transverse momentum spectrum (von Buddenbrock et al. in arXiv:1506.00612[hep-ph], 2015). In this work, the effective decay is understood more deeply by including a mediator S, and the focus is changed to H -> hS, SS with S -> xx. Phenomenological signatures of all the new scalars in the proposed 2HDM are discussed in the energy regime of the LHC, and theirmass bounds have been set accordingly. Additionally, we have performed several analyses with final states including leptons and Emiss T, with H -> 4W, t (t) H -> 6W and A -> ZH channels, in order to understand the impact these scalars have on current searches.

The confirmation of the Higgs boson in Run I data at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and the excesses in recent Run II data suggest scenarios beyond the Standard Model (SM). We pursue a study in a minimal model which is an extension of a scalar doublet in the SM known as two-Higgs doublet model (THDM). Following earlier suggestions two real scalars $\chi$ and $S$ have been introduced in the THDM where $\chi$ is treated as a candidate for dark matter. $\chi$ does not receive any vacuum expectation value ($vev$) in the model whereas the Higgs-like scalar $S$ acquires $vev$. This allows small mixing between the $CP$-even scalars of the THDM, $h$, $H$ and $S$. In this study the mass spectrum of new scalars is taken to be $2 m_h < m_H < 2 m_t$, $m_\chi < m_h/2$, $m_h \lesssim m_S \lesssim m_H - m_h$, $m_A > 2 m_t$ and $m_H^\pm < m_A$, where $m_h$ and $m_t$ is masses of the SM Higgs and top-quark respectively, $m_H, m_A$ and $m_{H^\pm}$ are the masses of the heavy $CP$-even scalar $H$, $CP$-odd scalar $A$, and charged Higgs $H^\pm$, respectively. A partial list of potential search channels at the LHC has been provided with possible phenomenological consequences. The expected phenomenology and constraints on parameters are also discussed in a model-independent approach ., Comment: 5 pages, 2 tables, submitted to SAIP 2016, South Africa proceedings

In this study we consider an effective model by introducing two hypothetical real scalars, $H$ and $\chi$ - a dark matter candidate, where the masses of these scalars are $2 m_h < m_H < 2 m_t$ and $m_\chi \approx m_h/2$ with $m_h$ and $m_t$ being the Standard Model Higgs boson and top quark masses respectively. A distortion in the transverse momentum distributions of $h$ in the intermediate region of the spectrum through the processes $p p \to H \to h\chi\chi$ could be observed in this model. An additional scalar, $S$, has been postulated to explain large $H \to h\chi\chi$ branching ratios, assuming $m_h \lesssim m_S \lesssim m_H-m_h$ and $m_S > 2 m_\chi$. Furthermore, a scenario of a two Higgs doublet model (2HDM) is introduced and a detailed proposal at the present energies of the Large Hadron Collider to study the extra CP-even ($h, H$), CP-odd ($A$) and charged ($H^\pm$) scalars has been pursued. With possible phenomenological implications, all possible spectra and decay modes for these scalars are discussed. Based on the mass spectrum of $H, A$ and $H^\pm$, the production of multi-leptons and $Z$+jets+missing-energy events are predicted. A specific, Type-II 2HDM model is discussed in detail., Comment: Submitted to the book of proceedings of the High Energy Particle Physics workshop, February 8th-10th 2016, iThemba LABS, South Africa

Visual signals represent one of the most common forms of communication in animals, and they play an important role in predator and mate recognition in many species. Visual signals can be expressed in terms of color, brightness, context, magnitude, ultraviolet (UV) reflectance, as well as fluorescence, and often times animal visual systems are specialized to discriminate between particular visual features that are more biologically relevant. My dissertation work examines these aspects using Heliconius butterflies. First I tested whether Heliconius erato communal roosting behavior confers a selective benefit in terms of predator avoidance through collective warning signaling, and explored how roost size influences predator behavior (Chapter 1). I found that magnitude, by means of roost size, plays a role in the effectiveness of roosts as anti-predator signals. Following roosting studies, I identified the relative importance of color versus pattern signals for both predator avoidance and mate attraction by these butterflies (Chapter 2). My results showed that color appears to be a more effective repel signal than pattern, and the same signals selected for by predators are most preferred by mates. For my next project I investigated the adaptive function of UV and fluorescent signals in H. erato (Chapter 3). I found that both signals are important for intraspecific signaling in Heliconius and are likely maintained through sexual selection, but under cloudy weather conditions, UV signals become ineffective whereas fluorescence persists as a reliable signal. Finally, I used behavioral tests to determine whether Heliconius have true color vision in the UV range as a consequence of UV opsin duplication (Chapter 4). I found that butterflies were capable of discriminating between more than one UV wavelength under varying light intensities, supporting that they have true UV color vision, which may aid in the detection of their genus-specific UV and fluorescent wing pigment. Thi

The first run of the LHC was successful in that it saw the discovery of the elusive Higgs boson, a particle that is consistent with the SM hypothesis. There are a number of excesses in Run 1 ATLAS and CMS results which can be interpreted as being due to the existence of another heavier scalar particle. This particle has decay modes which we have studied using LHC Run 1 data. Using a minimalistic model, we can predict the kinematics of these final states and compare the prediction against data directly. A statistical combination of these results shows that a best fit point is found for a heavy scalar having a mass of 272$^{+12}_{-9}$\,GeV. This result has been quantified as a three sigma effect, based on analyses which are not necessarily optimized for the search of a heavy scalar. The smoking guns for the discovery of this new heavy scalar and the prospects for Run 2 are discussed., Comment: When first manuscript was submitted a number of experimental Run I results were not avaiable. In this new version of the manuscript a complete set of Run I experimental results has been analyzed in a global fit. More attention has been paid to the gauge invariance of the Lagrangian, leading to a discussion on an intermediate real particle. The list of smoking gun final states has been expanded

Estudiamos los efectos de la tasa de cambio de la masa monetaria dentro de un modelo de crecimiento neoclásico con efectos de riqueza. Debido a que el stock de capital es el único componente de la riqueza que contribuye a la utilidad del individuo, el modelo debe de interpretarse como uno de producción de vivienda y riqueza proveniente de la misma, pues el stock de capital afecta la utilidad. De manera consistente con la evidencia empírica que trata sobre la relación entre la inversión residencial y PIB entre países, en nuestro modelo existen no-inealidades significativas entre la actividad en el mercado de vivienda y el ingreso agregado.

The purpose of the researcher was to investigate Attitudes Toward Alcohol and Use of Alcohol of students in three southwest Kansas high schools. The following independent variables were investigated: Perceived Peer Attitude Toward Alcohol, Perceived Parental Attitude Toward Alcohol, gender, Knowledge of Alcohol, grade placement, community, and self-esteem. The dependent variables were scores from the Attitude Toward Alcohol and Use of Alcohol subscales of an alcohol questionnaire. Six composite null hypotheses and one null hypothesis were tested at the .05 level of significance. The sample consisted of 286 students grades nine and eleven. For the six composite null hypotheses, a status survey factorial design was employed using a three-way analysis of variance (general linear model), and the null hypothesis was tested employing a t-test for a correlation coefficient. A total of 47 comparisons were made, plus 38 reoccurring. Of the 47 comparisons 13 were for main effects and 34 for interactions. Of the 13 main effects 5 were statistically significant at the .05 level. Of the 34 interactions 2 were statistically significant at the .05 level. The results of the present study appeared to support the following generalizations: 1. male students have a more positive Attitude Toward Alcohol than female students; 2. residence (community) is associated with Attitude Toward Alcohol; 3. grade placement and community should be interpreted concurrently for Use of Alcohol; and 4. self-esteem, grade placement, and community should be interpreted concurrently for Use of Alcohol.

Visual signaling in animals can serve many uses, including predator deterrence and mate attraction. In many cases, signals used to advertise unprofitability to predators are also used for intraspecific communication. Although aposematism and mate choice are significant forces driving the evolution of many animal phenotypes, the interplay between relevant visual signals remains little explored. Here, we address this question in the aposematic passion-vine butterfly Heliconius erato by using color- and pattern-manipulated models to test the contributions of different visual features to both mate choice and warning coloration. We found that the relative effectiveness of a model at escaping predation was correlated with its effectiveness at inducing mating behavior, and in both cases wing color was more predictive of presumptive fitness benefits than wing pattern. Overall, however, a combination of the natural (local) color and pattern was most successful for both predator deterrence and mate attraction. By exploring the relative contributions of color versus pattern composition in predation and mate preference studies, we have shown how both natural and sexual selection may work in parallel to drive the evolution of specific animal color patterns.

Two-page handwritten letter on Barred Plymouth Rocks letterhead from Robert B. Reed to E. F. Ladd., Stationery, 28 x 21 cm., Title supplied by staff. Second page is glued on top of first page., The Chemistry Building at the North Dakota Agricultural College burned on Dec. 24, 1909. After the fire, numerous businesses and individuals send donations to help Dr. E.F. Ladd replace his personal library that was lost.

http://archive.org/details/aninvestigationo1094526598, U.S. Navy (U.S.N.) authors.

This thesis document was issued under the authority of another institution, not NPS. At the time it was written, a copy was added to the NPS Library collection for reasons not now known. It has been included in the digital archive for its historical value to NPS. Not believed to be a CIVINS (Civilian Institutions) title., Historically, peristalsis, the rhythmic, traveling wave like pumping of bodily organs such as the ureter, has been mechanically simulated by the extended longitudinal motion of rollers squeezing fluid along a flow channel. Blood pumps are an example. The experimental work associated with this thesis has developed a peristaltic pump wherein pumping is produced by the limited transverse motion of electromechanical transducers. The transducers are arranged in a line and excitation is time phased so that their sequential transverse motions produce a traveling deflection wave along the pump flow tube., http://archive.org/details/electromechanica1094514983, Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy

Wing pattern evolution in Heliconius butterflies provides some of the most striking examples of adaptation by natural selection. The genes controlling pattern variation are classic examples of Mendelian loci of large effect, where allelic variation causes large and discrete phenotypic changes and is responsible for both convergent and highly divergent wing pattern evolution across the genus. We characterize nucleotide variation, genotype-by-phenotype associations, linkage disequilibrium (LD), and candidate gene expression patterns across two unlinked genomic intervals that control yellow and red wing pattern variation among mimetic forms of Heliconius erato. Despite very strong natural selection on color pattern, we see neither a strong reduction in genetic diversity nor evidence for extended LD across either patterning interval. This observation highlights the extent that recombination can erase the signature of selection in natural populations and is consistent with the hypothesis that either the adaptive radiation or the alleles controlling it are quite old. However, across both patterning intervals we identified SNPs clustered in several coding regions that were strongly associated with color pattern phenotype. Interestingly, coding regions with associated SNPs were widely separated, suggesting that color pattern alleles may be composed of multiple functional sites, conforming to previous descriptions of these loci as "supergenes." Examination of gene expression levels of genes flanking these regions in both H. erato and its co-mimic, H. melpomene, implicate a gene with high sequence similarity to a kinesin as playing a key role in modulating pattern and provides convincing evidence for parallel changes in gene regulation across co-mimetic lineages. The complex genetic architecture at these color pattern loci stands in marked contrast to the single casual mutations often identified in genetic studies of adaptation, but may be more indicative of the type of genet

Factors that affect single-event transient pulse widths, such as drift, diffusion, and parasitic bipolar transistor parameters, are also strong functions of operating temperature. In this paper, SET pulse-width measurements are performed over a wide temperature range in both bulk and fully-depleted SOI (silicon on insulator) technologies. The average pulse-width increases with temperature for the bulk process, but not for the FDSOI process., NAVSEC (Organization : U.S.). Crane Division, United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, United States. Defense Threat Reduction Agency

The butterfly Heliconius erato can see from the UV to the red part of the light spectrum with color vision proven from 440 to 640 nm. Its eye is known to contain three visual pigments, rhodopsins, produced by an 11-cis-3-hydroxyretinal chromophore together with long wavelength (LWRh), blue (BRh) and UV (UVRh1) opsins. We now find that H. erato has a second UV opsin mRNA (UVRh2)-a previously undescribed duplication of this gene among Lepidoptera. To investigate its evolutionary origin, we screened eye cDNAs from 14 butterfly species in the subfamily Heliconiinae and found both copies only among Heliconius. Phylogeny-based tests of selection indicate positive selection of UVRh2 following duplication, and some of the positively selected sites correspond to vertebrate visual pigment spectral tuning residues. Epi-microspectrophotometry reveals two UV-absorbing rhodopsins in the H. erato eye with lambda(max) = 355 nm and 398 nm. Along with the additional UV opsin, Heliconius have also evolved 3-hydroxy-DL-kynurenine (3-OHK)-based yellow wing pigments not found in close relatives. Visual models of how butterflies perceive wing color variation indicate this has resulted in an expansion of the number of distinguishable yellow colors on Heliconius wings. Functional diversification of the UV-sensitive visual pigments may help explain why the yellow wing pigments of Heliconius are so colorful in the UV range compared to the yellow pigments of close relatives lacking the UV opsin duplicate.

This study explores adverse events severe enough to warrant hospitalization that may have been associated with receiving the smallpox vaccine in conjunction with military service. Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to identify the risk of hospitalization among US active-duty military personnel during a 1-year period following receipt of the smallpox vaccine. The reference group consisted of active-duty military personnel who also received the smallpox vaccine after the conclusion of their health care observation period, allowing for comparison to a temporally and demographically similar population. The risk of hospitalization was slightly elevated among the post-vaccine group for any-cause hospitalization and for hospitalization in several broad diagnostic categories. Hospitalizations for asthma, autoimmune diseases, and myopericarditis, were more likely in the postvaccine group. The increased risk of hospitalization for varied outcomes does not necessarily imply a cause and effect relationship, but it does offer areas for more focused study, using longitudinal data to explore the long-term impact of smallpox vaccination on the health of young adults., Published in the Journal Vaccine v26 n32 p4048-4056, 2008. The original document contains color images.

Results obtained from self-reported health data may be biased if those being surveyed respond differently based on health status. This study was conducted to investigate if health, as measured by health care use preceding invitation, influenced response to invitation to a 21-year prospective study, the Millennium Cohort Study. Inpatient and outpatient diagnoses were identified among more than 68,000 people during a one-year period prior to invitation to enroll. Multivariable logistic regression defined how diagnoses were associated with response. Days spent hospitalized or in outpatient care were also compared between responders and nonresponders. Adjusted odds of response to the questionnaire were similar over a diverse range of inpatient and outpatient diagnostic categories during the year prior to enrollment. The number of days hospitalized or accessing outpatient care was very similar between responders and nonresponders. Study findings demonstrate that, although there are some small differences between responders and nonresponders, prior health care use did not affect response to the Millennium Cohort Study, and it is unlikely that future study findings will be biased by differential response due to health status prior to enrollment invitation., Published in European Journal of Epidemiology, v23 n2 p79-87, 2008. Sponsored in part by Navy Medical Support Command. The original document contains color images.

The DoD Birth and Infant Registry provides systematic surveillance of DoD beneficiary births evaluates reproductive outcomes and conducts research to identify military-or deployment-specific risk factors that might significantly effect infant health. The Registry monitors the 45 major birth defects diagnoses outlined in the National Birth Defects Prevention Network. In 2001 the Registry recorded 92,707 births to US military families around the world. The overall birth defect rate for 2001 was 4.80%, which is consistent with what is seen in the general US non-military population. The DoD Birth and Infant Health Registry is one of the largest and most comprehensive birth defects surveillance systems in the United States. It monitors outcomes and identifies potential risk factors or exposures of concern to military families and makes an important contribution to the national surveillance data., The original document contains color images. Work Unit no. 60504. Prepared in cooperation with Navy Medicine Support Command, Jacksonville, FL.

BackgroundWith over 20 parapatric races differing in their warningly colored wing patterns, the butterfly Heliconius erato provides a fascinating example of an adaptive radiation. Together with matching races of its co-mimic Heliconius melpomene, H. erato also represents a textbook case of Müllerian mimicry, a phenomenon where common warning signals are shared amongst noxious organisms. It is of great interest to identify the specific genes that control the mimetic wing patterns of H. erato and H. melpomene. To this end we have undertaken comparative mapping and targeted genomic sequencing in both species. This paper reports on a comparative analysis of genomic sequences linked to color pattern mimicry genes in Heliconius.ResultsScoring AFLP polymorphisms in H. erato broods allowed us to survey loci at approximately 362 kb intervals across the genome. With this strategy we were able to identify markers tightly linked to two color pattern genes: D and Cr, which were then used to screen H. erato BAC libraries in order to identify clones for sequencing. Gene density across 600 kb of BAC sequences appeared relatively low, although the number of predicted open reading frames was typical for an insect. We focused analyses on the D- and Cr-linked H. erato BAC sequences and on the Yb-linked H. melpomene BAC sequence. A comparative analysis between homologous regions of H. erato (Cr-linked BAC) and H. melpomene (Yb-linked BAC) revealed high levels of sequence conservation and microsynteny between the two species. We found that repeated elements constitute 26% and 20% of BAC sequences from H. erato and H. melpomene respectively. The majority of these repetitive sequences appear to be novel, as they showed no significant similarity to any other available insect sequences. We also observed signs of fine scale conservation of gene order between Heliconius and the moth Bombyx mori, suggesting that lepidopteran genome architecture may be conserved over very long evolutionary time

Background: Recently, numerous studies have revealed an increase in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in US civilian populations. In contrast, few studies have examined CAM use within military populations, which have ready access to conventional medicine. Currently, the prevalence and impact of CAM use in US military populations remains unknown. Methods: To investigate CAM use in US Navy and Marine Corps personnel, the authors surveyed a stratified random sample of 5,000 active duty and Reserve/National Guard members between December 2000 and July 2002. Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression were used to assess univariate associations and adjusted odds of CAM use in this population. Results and discussion: Of 3,683 service members contacted, 1,446 (39.3%) returned a questionnaire and 1,305 gave complete demographic and survey data suitable for study. Among respondents, more than 37% reported using at least one CAM therapy during the past year. Herbal therapies were among the most commonly reported (15.9%). Most respondents (69.8%) reported their health as being very good or excellent. Modeling revealed that CAM use was most common among personnel who were women, white, and officers. Higher levels of recent physical pain and lower levels of satisfaction with conventional medical care were significantly associated with increased odds of reporting CAM use. Conclusion: These data suggest that CAM use is prevalent in the US military and consistent with patterns in other US civilian populations. Because there is much to be learned about CAM use along with allopathic therapy, US military medical professionals should record CAM therapies when collecting medical history data., The original document contains color images. Published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, v7 n16 p1-9, 2007.

In December 2002, the Department of Defense re-instituted smallpox vaccination for US military forces following growing concerns that smallpox might be employed as a bioterrorist weapon. More than one million service members have been given the smallpox vaccine since 2002, although there have been concerns about the safety of the vaccine. Using Millennium Cohort study data, this prospective analysis investigated a wide variety of self-reported health outcomes and possible association with smallpox vaccination. After confirming vaccination history with electronic vaccine data, 40,472 individuals were included in the analyses, 8,793 of whom received the smallpox vaccine and 31,679 who did not. No significant adverse associations between smallpox vaccination and self-reported health outcomes, including mental and physical functioning, cardiovascular diseases, and autoimmune disorders, were found. These findings complement studies that utilize other data sources, such as electronic hospitalization records, and may be reassuring to health care providers and those who receive the smallpox vaccination., The original document contains color images. Pub. in Human Vaccines, v4 n2, p127-133, 2007. Sponsored in part by Navy Medicine Support Command, Jacksonville, FL.

Between September 2005 and February 2006 self-reported anthrax vaccination was compared to electronic records for 67,018 participants enrolled in the Millennium Cohort Study between 2001 and 2003 using kappa statistics. Multivariable modeling investigated vaccination concordance as it pertains to subjective health (functional status) and objective health (hospitalization) metrics. Results: Greater than substantial agreement (kappa 0.80) was found between self-report and electronic recording of anthrax vaccination. Of all participants with electronic documentation of anthrax vaccination, 98% self-reported being vaccinated; and of all participants with no electronic record of vaccination, 90% self-reported not receiving a vaccination. There were no differences between vaccinated and unvaccinated participants in overall measures of health. Only the subset of participants who self-reported anthrax vaccination, but had no electronic confirmation, differed from others in the cohort, with consistently lower measures of health as indicated by Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey for Veterans (SF-36V) scores. These results indicate that military members accurately recall their anthrax vaccinations. Results also suggest that anthrax vaccination among Millennium Cohort participants is not associated with self-reported health problems or broad measures of health problems severe enough to require hospitalization. Service members who self-report vaccination with no electronic documentation of vaccination, however, report lower measures of physical and mental health and deserve further research., Published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine v32, n4, p347-353, 2007.