cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Granulocyte transfusions in neonates with presumed sepsis.

Neonatal sepsis is a life-threatening disorder occuring in one to ten patients per 1,000 live births and accounts for almost 10% to 20% of all mortality during the first 28 days of life.1 The outcome of neonatal sepsis is dependent on numerous factors including maternal antenatal complications, maturity and physiologic status of the neonate, and invasive supportive care, such as vascular catheters. Early diagnosis, initiation of appropriate antibiotic therapy, and management of metabolic and respiratory problems can greatly affect the outcome of neonatal sepsis. Numerous humoral deficiencies in the term and premature neonate predispose to bacterial infection. These include decreased maternally derived specific antibodies,2 decreased levels of circulating fibronectin.4
Role of Length Scale on Pressure Increase and Yield of Poly(vinyl butyral)–Barium Titanate–Platinum Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors during Binder Burnout

The binder-burnout kinetics of poly(vinyl) butyral from BaTiO3 multilayer ceramic capacitors with platinum metal electrodes were analyzed by combining thermogravimetric analysis with infrared spectroscopy. The rate of weight loss was accelerated when both BaTiO3 and platinum metal were present, and the presence of both metal and ceramic enhanced the production of CO2. The activation energy and pre-exponential factor were determined by analysis of the weight-loss data with a first-order kinetics model. Then, the decomposition kinetics were incorporated into a coupled heat- and mass-transport model to predict pressure increases as a function of the heating cycle. The heating cycles determined in this manner then were used to evaluate the yield of capacitors 1.3–3.8 cm long and 0.3–1.3 cm high. The optimum yield was realized at an aspect ratio (height:length) of 1:3.
Rapid In Vivo Screening of Experimental Drugs for Tuberculosis Using Gamma Interferon Gene-Disrupted Mice

We have developed a rapid new in vivo method for screening experimental drugs for their activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis by using the gamma interferon gene-disrupted (GKO) C57BL/6 mouse. Due to the rapid growth of the infection, statistical differences indicating positive efficacy of active compounds can be seen after only 8 days of treatment. To validate this model, several fluoroquinolones, including ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and gatifloxacin, were tested in parallel.
Effect of corticosteroids on arginine vasopressin after pediatric cardiac surgery

Abstract Introduction Arginine vasopressin's (AVP) efficacy in the treatment of refractory hypotension is, in part, dependent upon preinfusion endogenous AVP concentration. Corticosteroids, also commonly used to treat refractory hypotension, have been shown to suppress endogenous AVP release. We aimed to determine if corticosteroids affect endogenous AVP concentrations in children recovering from cardiac surgery. Materials and methods We reviewed the records of children who underwent cardiac surgery between January 2008 and January 2009 and had AVP concentrations available as part of a prior prospective study. Doses of hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, and dexamethasone administered within the first 48 hours after cardiopulmonary bypass were quantitated. Multivariable linear regression was performed to determine if corticosteroids had a significant effect on 48-hour plasma AVP concentration. Results Sixty-nine children with plasma AVP concentrations available were reviewed, 34 (49%) of which received corticosteroids within 48 hours after cardiopulmonary bypass. On multivariable regression, greater number of corticosteroid doses but not cumulative corticosteroid dosage was significantly associated with low 48-hour AVP concentration ( β = −4.0; 95% confidence intervals, −6.5 to −1.4). Conclusions Children who receive multiple doses of corticosteroids after cardiac surgery, regardless of potency, are likely to have low endogenous AVP concentrations. Children who remain unstable despite corticosteroids may respond favorably to exogenous AVP therapy.
Improved Procedure for Determination of Serum Lipid-Associated Sialic Acid: Application for Early Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer

We have developed a simple and reliable procedure for determining serum levels of lipid-associated sialic acid (LASA) in crude preparations. This method extracts essentially all gangliosides, excludes glycoprotein-bound sialic acid, and gives LASA values (0.5-1.0 mg/dL) in good agreement with values for isolated serum gangliosides. The procedure was used to determine serum levels of LASA in patients with colorectal cancer, in patients with nonmalignant diseases (pathological control subjects), and in normal control subjects. The results indicated that the percentages of total sialic acid (TSA) comprised by LASA (LASA/TSA X 100) were elevated in patients with the earliest stages of colorectal cancer, compared with percentages in normal control subjects (P less than .001) and pathological control subjects (P less than .01).
The Role of Merchant Wholesalers in Industrial Agglomeration Formation

Abstract This paper explores the importance of merchant wholesalers in the early formation of industrial agglomerations. Merchant wholesalers reduce the size constraint of local markets by extending an entrepreneur's market reach. The merchant wholesale function also facilitates the formation of the division of labor by allowing greater local specialization. Merchant wholesalers are hypothesized to be part of the complex formation process. In the early stage of a complex's development, these intermediaries trade-in from outside as local demand warrants. Over time, local wholesale functions unfold. As a complex grows, these wholesalers specialize, creating a range of wholesale operations. The process of merchant wholesaler formation is thought to be dialectical; prior generations of technology lay the basis of subsequent merchant wholesale specializations. A model of wholesale evolution is presented and tested, based on a case study of firms in Austin, Texas.
Of rulers, rebels, and revenue: State capacity, civil war onset, and primary commodities

This article investigates the relationship between civil war onset and state capacity through a focus on the role of primary commodities. This is accomplished by moving the focus of the civil war l...
Is dispersal neutral

Dispersal is difficult to quantify and often treated as purely stochastic and extrinsically controlled. Consequently, there remains uncertainty about how individual traits mediate dispersal and its ecological effects. Addressing this uncertainty is crucial for distinguishing neutral versus non-neutral drivers of community assembly. Neutral theory assumes that dispersal is stochastic and equivalent among species. This assumption can be rejected on principle, but common research approaches tacitly support the 'neutral dispersal' assumption. Theory and empirical evidence that dispersal traits are under selection should be broadly integrated in community-level research, stimulating greater scrutiny of this assumption. A tighter empirical connection between the ecological and evolutionary forces that shape dispersal will enable richer understanding of this fundamental process and its role in community assembly.
Resonant Raman spectroscopy of individual metallic and semiconducting single-wall carbon nanotubes under uniaxial strain

Uniaxial strain is induced by pushing single-wall carbon nanotubes SWNTs with an atomic force microscope tip. The vibrational and electronic energies of nanotubes are found to be very sensitive to strain. For both metallic and semiconducting SWNTs under strain, the D, G, and G band Raman modes are downshifted by up to 27, 15, and 40 cm �1 , respectively. The relative strain-induced shifts of the D, G, and G bands vary significantly from nanotube to nanotube, implying that there is a strong chirality dependence of the relative shifts. Semiconducting SWNTs remain strongly resonant under these large deformations, while metallic SWNTs appear to move in and out of resonance with strain, indicating a strain-induced shifting of the electronic subbands. Tight-binding calculations of the electronic band structure of semiconducting and metallic nanotubes under uniaxial strain predict significant shifting of the subband energies, leading to strain-induced changes in the Raman intensity. These theoretical predictions are consistent with what we observe experimentally for metallic nanotubes, but not for semiconducting nanotubes.
Composition of cell wall phenolics and polysaccharides of the potential bioenergy crop - Miscanthus.

The composition and concentrations of cell wall polysaccharides and phenolic compounds were analyzed in mature stems of several Miscanthus genotypes, in comparison with switchgrass and reed (Arundo donax), and biomass characteristics were correlated with cell wall saccharification efficiency. The highest cellulose content was found in cell walls of M. sinensis‘Grosse Fontaine’ (55%) and in A. donax (47%) and lowest (about 32%) in M. sinensis‘Adagio’. There was little variation in lignin contents across M. sinensis samples (all about 22–24% of cell wall), however, Miscanthus×giganteus (M × g) cell walls contained about 28% lignin, reed – 23% and switchgrass – 26%. The highest ratios of cellulose/lignin and cellulose/xylan were in M. sinensis‘Grosse Fontaine’ across all samples tested. About the same total content of ester-bound phenolics was found in different Miscanthus genotypes (23–27 μg/mg cell wall), while reed cell walls contained 17 μg/mg cell wall and switchgrass contained a lower amount of ester-bound phenolics, about 15 μg/mg cell wall. Coumaric acid was a major phenolic compound ester-bound to cell walls in plants analyzed and the ratio of coumaric acid/ferulic acid varied from 2.1 to 4.3, with the highest ratio being in M × g samples. Concentration of ether-bound hydroxycinnamic acids varied greatly (about two-three-fold) within Miscanthus genotypes and was also the highest in M × g cell walls, but at a concentration lower than ester-bound hydroxycinnamic acids. We identified four different forms of diferulic acid esters bound to Miscanthus cell walls and their concentration and proportion varied in genotypes analyzed with the 5-5-coupled dimer being the predominant type of diferulate in most samples tested. The contents of lignin and ether-bound phenolics in the cell wall were the major determinants of the biomass degradation caused by enzymatic hydrolysis.
Nanofiber Based Er(III) Metal Pyrochlore Oxides : Synthesis and Characterization

Erbium(III) doped TiO 2 nanofibers (Er 2 Ti 2 O 7 ) have been synthesized by electrospinning mixtures of polymers, metal-containing materials, and erbium acetate. These electrospun nanofibers were subsequently annealed at temperatures of 550, 750, 950, and 1150 oC to remove the organics and leave behind the metal oxides. The crystal structure and optical properties of the nanofiber pyrochlores were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transformation IR (FTIR) spectroscopy. Different crystal structures were formed by controlling the annealing conditions. XRD data are compared with near-IR spectra to better understand the effects of annealing temperature on the Er (III) thermally-excited selective optical emission process.
Epigenetic and Neurodevelopmental Perspectives on Variation in Parenting Behavior

Mother-infant interactions in rodents can be used to explore the biological basis of postnatal parental effects. There is emerging evidence from laboratory studies that variation in early life experiences can induce molecular changes in the developing brain which lead to activation or silencing of genes. These epigenetic effects may account for the stability of the effects of parenting on offspring development and the transmission of parenting from one generation to the next. In this article, we highlight evidence supporting a role for epigenetic mechanisms in the consequences, transmission, and variability in parenting. Although primarily drawn from laboratory studies in rodents, this evidence may also provide some insights into key questions within the study and practice of human parenting. We discuss these questions, highlighting both the challenges and benefits of using translational approaches.
Investors' Susceptibility to Scale Compatibility Effects when Using Nonfinancial Measures

Investors and analysts share a desire for companies to publicly disclose forward-looking information. Nonfinancial measures (e.g., customer satisfaction) represent one form of forward-looking information that many companies voluntarily disclose (SEC 2001). In this paper, I examine judgment problems that investors encounter when they attempt to use nonfinancial measures. Using a taxonomy of "scale-types" to describe different presentations of nonfinancial measure disclosures (e.g., nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio), I propose that investors are susceptible to scale compatibility effects. Such effects imply that an investor may rely more on a nonfinancial measure when its scale matches the scale the investor uses for his judgment, at the expense of an equally relevant measure whose scale does not match his judgment scale. I hypothesize that this judgment problem can be reduced when investors evaluate several values for the set of nonfinancial measures simultaneously. Results from my experiment support my hypothesis. This study represents an important step to derive guidance for externally reporting nonfinancial measures.
Mechanical dyssynchrony is additive to ECG criteria and independently associated with reverse remodelling and clinical response to cardiac resynchronisation therapy in patients with advanced heart failure.

Background QRS duration and morphology are known established predictors of cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) response, whereas mechanical dyssynchrony is not. Our aim was to determine if mechanical dyssynchrony provides independent prognostic information on CRT response. Methods We studied 369 consecutive patients with heart failure (HF) with low ejection fraction (EF) and widened QRS receiving CRT. Radial dyssynchrony (septal-posterior radial peak strain delay ≥130 ms by speckle tracking) assessment was possible in 318 patients (86%). Associations with left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) changes were examined using linear regression, and clinical outcomes analysed using Cox regression adjusted for multiple established outcome correlates. Results Patients with radial dyssynchrony before CRT (64%) had greater improvements in EF (8.8±9.4 vs 6.1±9.7 units, p=0.04) and LVESV (−30±41 vs −10±30 mL, p<0.01). Radial dyssynchrony was independently associated with reduction in LVESV (regression coefficient −10.5 mL, 95% CI −20.5 to −0.5, p=0.040) as was left bundle-branch block (−17.7 mL, −27.6 to −7.7, p=0.001). Patients with radial dyssynchrony had a 46% lower incidence of death, transplant or implantation of a left ventricular assist device (adjusted HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.92, p=0.02) and a 39% lower incidence of death or HF hospitalisation (0.61, 0.40 to 0.93, p=0.02) over 2 years. Conclusions Radial dyssynchrony was associated with significant improvements in LVESV and clinical outcomes following CRT and is independent of QRS duration or morphology, and additive to current ECG selection criteria to predict response to CRT.
Revisiting the relationship between jet position, forced response, and annular mode variability in the southern midlatitudes

Climate models exhibit a wide range in latitudinal position of the Southern Hemisphere westerly jet. Previous work has demonstrated, in the annual mean, that models with lower latitude jets, exhibit greater poleward jet shifts under climate forcings. It has been argued that this behavior is due to stronger eddy/mean flow feedbacks in models with lower latitude jets, as inferred from the timescale of the Southern Annular Mode (SAM). Here we revisit this question with a focus on seasonality. Using a larger set of models and forcing scenarios from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project, phase 5, we find that the jet position/jet shift relationship is strong in winter but insignificant in summer, whereas the model spread in SAM timescales arises primarily in summer, with winter timescales similar across models. The results, therefore, question previous interpretations and motivate an improved understanding of the spread in model behavior.
A Micromechanical Approach to Imperfect Interface Analysis of Heterogeneous Materials

The objective of this paper is to extend the capability of the Variational Asymptotic Method for Unit Cell Homogenization (VAMUCH) to predict the elastic effective properties and the failure strength of heterogeneous materials with imperfect interface. The imperfect interface is modeled using linear elastic traction displacement model obeying small infinitesimal displacement jump across the interfaces. A cohesive zone model with zero thickness is introduced at the interface to simulate the imperfect interface for predictions of elastic effective properties. These predictions are performed using several representative examples of heterogeneous materials such as binary composite, continuous fiber reinforced composite, particle reinforced composite, discontinuous fiber reinforced composite, and woven composite. The predictions reveal that VAMUCH and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) agree well with exact solutions for binary composite except that FEA has difficulty to predict the axial shear modulus. The two approaches show excellent agreements for all the other aforementioned example heterogeneous materials except that FEA cannot predict the axial shear modulus for continuous fiber reinforced composite. The predictions of VAMUCH are also observed to be within the upper and lower bounds of imperfect interface effective properties proposed in the literature. The interfacial stiffness is also observed to significantly reduce the static failure strength of the material, however, the static failure may not necessarily initiate at the interface.
The Mystery of Conscience and the Turn to Language

Why Schelling, why should he enter into the forefront of Heidegger’s creative exchange with the philosophical tradition? It is incumbent for us to ask this question in the course of the present chapter. On the surface, the easiest response is that Heidegger acknowledges Schelling as an important counter thrust to the tradition through his emphasis on being over thinking.1 Indeed, Schelling describes the opposite tendency to “give priority to thought over being” as the “general affliction” of modern philosophy.2 There are two elements of Schelling’s philosophy which typify this critical orientation: 1) his appeal to nature as including a nascent tendency toward order, as we have already noted and 2) his emphasis on myth as an adjacent matrix of concern and meaning which lends further depth to philosophical inquiry. As Otto Poggeler indicates, Schelling is the philosopher of myth par excellence.3 For Heidegger, myth will prove significant by offering the space into which thought can enter in order to be struck by what otherwise withdraws from the philosophical tradition, the grandeur of being’s mystery. If we imagine that diverse ways are hidden within the tradition, then these can unfold only by taking a detour around the rough edges of our concepts, a detour supplied by myth. As the counter pole to the logos, myth preserves the trace of heterogeneity, the differentiation of patterns, which interjects novelty into the genesis of new meaning(s).
SU-F-R-43: Recursive K-Means Filter for Preserving Signals of Interest

Purpose: To use recursive cluster analysis to filter noises and artifacts out of useful signals. The method was applied to CT or CBCT for preserving interested low Hounsfield Unit (HU) signals such as lung tissues while the HU of lung tissues is often overlapped with CT (or CBCT) artifacts. Methods: Cluster analysis is to search for the similarity among data points, which could employ multi-dimensional techniques. For our purpose, we searched for a robust, fast, and automatic process for sorting interested low HU object in CT, Therefore, 1-D cluster analysis is suitable for the purpose. However, the 1-D cluster analysis might not be able to sensitively separate the groups with overlap in values, for example, lung tissue and low-HU CT artifacts. We found the recursive k-mean (initialized by k-mean++ over Euclidean distance) with division of small size groups can efficiently strip the low noises out and reveal the interested group by a repetitive fashion. Results: The algorithm of repetitively regrouping and filtering with a size of small division can effectively remove the low-HU values of artifacts. Because artifacts are usually scattered separate groups, the lung tissues buried in the low-HU groups can be revealed with an appropriate recursive steps. Conclusion: The filtering technique is efficient, robust and can be applied to many different applications as long as the distribution of interested signals can be considered as a cluster in value.
Improving Abnormality Detection on Chest Radiography Using Game-Like Reinforcement Mechanics.

Rationale and Objectives Despite their increasing prevalence, online textbooks, question banks, and digital references focus primarily on explicit knowledge. Implicit skills such as abnormality detection require repeated practice on clinical service and have few digital substitutes. Using mechanics traditionally deployed in video games such as clearly defined goals, rapid-fire levels, and narrow time constraints may be an effective way to teach implicit skills. Materials and Methods We created a freely available, online module to evaluate the ability of individuals to differentiate between normal and abnormal chest radiographs by implementing mechanics, including instantaneous feedback, rapid-fire cases, and 15-second timers. Volunteer subjects completed the modules and were separated based on formal experience with chest radiography. Performance between training and testing sets were measured for each group, and a survey was administered after each session. Results The module contained 74 cases and took approximately 20 minutes to complete. Thirty-two cases were normal radiographs and 56 cases were abnormal. Of the 60 volunteers recruited, 25 were “never trained” and 35 were “previously trained.” “Never trained” users scored 21.9 out of 37 during training and 24.0 out of 37 during testing (59.1% vs 64.9%, P value P value = .56). Survey results showed that 87% of all subjects agreed the module is an efficient way of learning, and 83% agreed the rapid-fire module is valuable for medical students. Conclusions A gamified online module may improve the abnormality detection rates of novice interpreters of chest radiography, although experienced interpreters are less likely to derive similar benefits. Users reviewed the educational module favorably.
Totally Percutaneous Fenestration via the “Cheese-Wire” Technique to Facilitate Endovascular Aneurysm Repair in Chronic Aortic Dissection:

Here, we describe a totally percutaneous technique for longitudinal fenestration of a chronic dissection flap in the setting of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), where the septum would otherwise preclude proper endograft sealing. This technique is demonstrated in a 65-year-old man with a history of open surgical repair of a Stanford type A aortic dissection, with a type B component that was managed nonoperatively. The patient developed aneurysmal degeneration of the infrarenal aorta during follow-up, and his anatomy was well suited for EVAR with the exception of a chronic dissection flap dividing the proximal seal zone. Using bilateral percutaneous access, a wire was passed through an existing fenestration in the septum from true to false lumen and snared from the contralateral side. Downward traction on this through-wire was then used as a "cheese-wire" to divide the septum longitudinally and clear it from the proximal fixation site. Removal of the septum provided an adequate proximal seal zone for the endograft, and standard infrarenal EVAR was then performed with a good technical result. Longitudinal fenestration using this technique is a useful adjunctive maneuver to facilitate EVAR in the setting of chronic aortic dissection and is safely achievable via a totally percutaneous approach.
Oxygen Layers on Different Materials and Inhibition of Fuel Oxidations

The concept of the oxygen layer on platinum metals, binary alloys of platinum metals, and nickel was already mentioned in several sections of chapter VI and VII. The word “oxygen layer” is used in a general sense here to denote chemisorbed layers of OHad and Oad as well as hydroxide layers and oxide layers. The potential region in which the oxygen layers are formed and reduced on platinum metals was called “oxygen region”. Details about the formation, reduction and composition have yet not been described. Since the oxygen layers are important for our understanding of the mechanism of the anodic oxidation of fuels and of the oxygen electrode, a discussion is included for those metals that are of main interest in the technology of the low-temperature fuel cell.
Effect of Hepatitis C Treatment on Renal Function in Liver Transplant Patients.

Background and Aims: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is uniformly recurrent after liver transplant (LT) and recurrence is associated with an increased risk of mortality. Immunosuppressive medications increase the risk of chronic kidney disease, and the presence of chronic kidney disease presents a challenge for HCV treatment in LT recipients. The aim of this study was to assess changes in glomerular filtration rates (GFRs) of LT recipients receiving HCV treatment. Methods: This is a retrospective study of LT patients who received HCV treatment between 2015 and 2016 (n = 60). The outcomes of interest were differences in serum creatinine levels and in GFR, measured at treatment initiation and at 24 weeks after treatment. The average age of the patients was 59 years-old, and 17% were cirrhotic and 67% were treatment-experienced. All patients received sofosbuvir/ledipasvir without ribavirin. Results: All patients achieved sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after treatment (SVR12). At baseline, 55% of patients had GFR 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2. Among those patients, GFR did not change in 81%, and 19% had worsened GFR. In the entire cohort, 65% of patients had improved or stable GFR and 35% had worsened GFR. The average change in serum creatinine between baseline and 24 weeks was 0.10 (p = 0.18). Conclusions: This study showed improved or unchanged GFR in 65% and worsened GFR in 35% of LT recipients who achieved SVR12. Worsening of GFR was more frequently encountered in those with impaired renal function at baseline. Caution should be used when treating HCV in LT recipients, especially those with baseline status of renal impairment.
Prostate Cancer in Men less than 45 Years Old: Influence of Stage, Grade and Therapy

We analyzed patients with histologically proved adenocarcinoma of the prostate to determine the natural history of prostatic cancer in men less than 45 years old. The mean age of the patients was 41 years (range 36 to 44 years). At presentation 5 patients were asymptomatic, 5 had voiding symptoms, 3 had bone pain, 3 had hematuria and 1 had testicular pain. Followup in these patients ranged from 19 to 270 months, with a mean of 111 months. Six patients with clinical stage B disease at diagnosis underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy. These patients enjoy projected 10 and 15-year survival rates of 100 and 82 per cent, respectively. Four patients with stage C disease died of prostatic cancer, although 1 survived for 204 months. Of 4 patients with stage D disease 3 died within 13 months, while 1 still is alive at 48 months. No patient with a Gleason tumor score of 8 to 10 survived more than 13 months. Patient age at presentation appears to be less important than clinical stage, histological grade or treatment modality in the prediction of the course of prostatic cancer. Young men with localized disease at presentation should be treated aggressively and they should have survival rates comparable to actuarial expectancy.
Bladder Filling and Storage: “(Coarse) Sensation”

Adequate bladder sensation is important for normal bladder function. Normal bladder function is evaluated at three points during fill cystometry: (1) First sensation of filling, (2) First desire to void, (3) Strong desire to void. Studies in normal subjects show that volumes at which each sensation occurs at a fairly constant percentage of total bladder volume. First sensation of bladder filling occurs at an average of 40 % of maximal cystometric capacity while strong desire to void occurs at an average 70 % of maximal cystometric capacity. However, due to the variability in the way clinicians elicit information regarding bladder sensation and how patients interpret these questions, results can be difficult to reproduce across laboratories and among patients. Classic examples of sensory disorders include increased sensation with bladder pain syndrome and decreased sensation with neurogenic bladder disorders associated with peripheral neuropathies. Idiopathic overactive bladder represents a complex heterogeneous population in terms of disorders of bladder sensation.
The effects of hypolimnetic anoxia on the diel vertical migration of freshwater crustacean zooplankton

Lakes and reservoirs worldwide are increasingly experiencing depletion of dissolved oxygen (anoxia) in their bottom waters (the hypolimnion) because of climate change and eutrophication, which is altering the dynamics of many freshwater ecological communities. Hypolimnetic anoxia may substantially alter the daily migration and distribution of zooplankton, the dominant grazers of phytoplankton in aquatic food webs. In waterbodies with oxic hypolimnia, zooplankton exhibit diel vertical migration (DVM), in which they migrate to the dark hypolimnion during the day to escape fish predation or ultraviolet (UV) radiation damage in the well‐lit surface waters (the epilimnion). However, due to the physiologically stressful conditions of anoxic hypolimnia, we hypothesized that zooplankton may be forced to remain in the epilimnion during daylight, trading oxic stress for increased predation risk or UV radiation damage. To examine how anoxia impacts zooplankton vertical migration, distribution, biomass, and community composition over day–night periods, we conducted multiple diel sampling campaigns on reservoirs that spanned oxic, hypoxic, and anoxic hypolimnetic conditions. In addition, we sampled the same reservoirs fortnightly during the daytime to examine the vertical position of zooplankton throughout the summer stratified season. Under anoxic conditions, most zooplankton taxa were predominantly found in the epilimnion during the day and night, did not exhibit DVM, and had lower seasonal biomass than in reservoirs with oxic hypolimnia. Only the phantom midge larva, Chaoborus spp., was consistently anoxia‐tolerant. Consequently, our results suggest that hypolimnetic anoxia may alter zooplankton migration, biomass, and behavior, which may in turn exacerbate water quality degradation due to the critical role zooplankton play in freshwater ecosystems.
Abstract 5252: Prospective cohort study of physical activity and lung cancer risk in the Black Women's Health Study

Background: Lung cancer is the second most common site of cancer among Black women. Black women have higher incidence rates of lung cancer despite having a lower smoking prevalence than their White counterparts. These differences are not well understood but may be due to differences in smoking behavior and other potential lung cancer risk factors (e.g., physical activity). Lower reported physical activity levels among Black women compared to White women could contribute to observed lung cancer disparities. Previous studies have shown a 20-50% lower risk of lung cancer among those who are physically active but overall, findings are equivocal. To our knowledge, no previous studies have examined the relationship between physical activity and lung cancer risk in Black women and few studies have examined the associations of physical activity with lung cancer risk stratified by smoking status. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between physical activity over time and lung cancer incidence in the Black Women9s Health Study, and determine if tobacco use modifies this association. Methods: In this ongoing prospective cohort of Black women (analytic cohort n=46217), 291 cases of lung cancer were diagnosed between 1995 (baseline) and 2013. Questionnaire data, collected at baseline and updated every other year thereafter, were used to calculate recreational physical activity (walking for exercise, vigorous physical activity) and smoking history. The Anderson-Gill method was used as a time-varying analysis tool to continuously update exposures and covariates over time. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: At baseline, 65.5% of women were never smokers and 44% reported Citation Format: Marsha Samson, Sarah Nomura, Chiranjeev Dash, Traci Bethea, Lynn Rosenberg, Lucile Adams-Campbell. Prospective cohort study of physical activity and lung cancer risk in the Black Women9s Health Study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5252.
Rapid large-volume concentration for increased detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes in lettuce wash water generated at commercial facilities.

Abstract In pilot-scale testing, dead-end ultrafiltration concentration (DEUF-C) sampling increased detection of pathogens in lettuce wash water. This study investigated DEUF-C performance when scaled up to commercial processing levels. Two sets of experiments were done to: 1) compare pathogen detection probability in lettuce wash water generated from commercial pilot-scale processing using DEUF-C versus standard grab sampling, and 2) evaluate DEUF-C to concentrate pathogens inoculated into commercially-generated flume and centrifuge lettuce wash water. In pilot-scale runs, one lettuce head inoculated to contain 2–8 × 104 CFU of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and 3–10 × 105 CFU of Listeria monocytogenes was processed along with 907 kg of uninoculated lettuce using sanitizer-free tap water. Two to four 40-L volumes of the wash water were concentrated to 400 mL by DEUF-C, and pathogen detection probability in these samples was compared to standard grab samples after 24 h–48 h of enrichment using qPCR. In the second set of trials, chlorine in flume and centrifuge water from a local commercial processing facility was neutralized with sodium thiosulfate (100 mg/L), spiked with both E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes at 102 CFU/mL, and processed by DEUF-C. Total filterable volume was determined for DEUF-C samples, and detection (qPCR) probabilities in unenriched DEUF-C and grab samples were determined. E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes were detected in 100% of the DEUF-C samples from pilot-scale water samples. Comparable grab samples yielded 6.7% detection for E. coli O157:H7, and 20 and 60% for 24 h- and 48 h-enriched L. monocytogenes samples, respectively. The total filterable volume in commercially-generated waters was significantly higher for flume than for centrifuge water. All unenriched DEUF-C samples yielded E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes compared to 11.1 and 22.2%, respectively, for the unenriched grab samples. These findings indicate DEUF-C can improve the probability of detecting E. coli and Listeria in commercial wash water. However, filtration of commercial lettuce wash water remains challenging, with more work needed to ensure DEUF-C is feasible for commercial use.
Venous Thromboembolism and Bleeding Adverse Events in Lower Leg, Ankle, and Foot Orthopaedic Surgery with and without Anticoagulants.

Background Currently, there is insufficient knowledge about the benefits of anticoagulant use for primary prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and its inherent risk of bleeding adverse events in patients undergoing surgery distal to the knee. Methods The study included patients who had undergone an orthopaedic procedure distal to the tibial articular surface when they were 18 years of age or older. Using retrospective information from a tertiary care referral center, we compared patient demographics, clinical findings, diagnostic reports, procedures performed, and the rate of symptomatic VTE and bleeding adverse events between patients who had and those who had not received anticoagulant prophylaxis. Propensity score matching was used to minimize selection bias due to prophylactic treatment allocation. Results A total of 5,286 patients who had received anticoagulant prophylaxis for below-the-knee surgery were successfully matched with 5,286 patients who had not received anticoagulant prophylaxis for such surgery. After propensity score matching, the standardized difference between the groups was Conclusions Anticoagulant prophylaxis reduced the risk of VTE after surgery distal to the tibial articular surface by 3-fold but resulted in a concomitant 2-fold increase in the risk of a bleeding adverse event. Large-scale, prospective studies are necessary to better understand the true incidence of such events, associated patient-specific risk factors, efficacy of various thromboprophylactic regimens, and patient-reported implications of such events. Level of evidence Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Lower Jaw of Spathites (Ammonoidea: Acanthoceratoidea) from the Upper Cretaceous (Turonian) of New Mexico

A lower jaw was recently discovered in a limestone concretion in association with the Late Cretaceous (Turonian) ammonite Spathites puercoensis (Herrick and Johnson, 1900) from the Carlile Member of the Mancos Shale in Sandoval County, New Mexico. It is nearly complete and comprises the aptychus with a hinge along the midline. The better-preserved plate, the left (according to its position in life), is roughly triangular in shape with a broadly rounded lateral margin, a narrowly rounded posterior margin, and a weakly concave anterior margin. It is 26.2 mm wide and 33.0 mm long. Together, the left and right plates form an escutcheonlike shape that projects slightly forward at the apex. The ratio of jaw width to length (26.2 mm × 2 / 33.0 mm) equals 1.59. The aptychus consists of yellow-orange calcite and is covered with comarginal ribs that parallel the lateral and posterior margins and become more prominent toward the posterior end. It is likely that this jaw belongs to the associated ammonite and would have comfortably fit inside the body chamber, based on a comparison of the length of the jaw and the whorl height, suggesting that it functioned as a jaw, rather than as an operculum. It is the first report of an ammonite jaw in the genus Spathites and the first reported occurrence of an ammonite jaw from New Mexico.
Feasibility of Performing Transvascular Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration.

Abstract Background Thoracic vascular structures often preclude transbronchial access to central lung parenchymal lesions and lymph nodes, thereby necessitating either a surgical or transvascular needle aspiration (TVNA) approach for diagnostic sampling. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) TVNA in the diagnosis and staging of mediastinal tumors. Patients and Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of 35 cases of EBUS-TVNA. Cases were reviewed in the Cerner electronic medical records between March 2013 and October 2018. Records were reviewed for patient comorbidities, smoking status, anticoagulation intake, procedural details, sample results, and postprocedural complications. Results Thirty-five EBUS-TVNA procedures were reviewed. Twenty-nine of them were performed by traversing the main pulmonary artery or its branches. Three involved transvascular access through the azygous vein, 2 via the brachiocephalic artery and 1 through the superior vena cava. Only 4 patients (11.4%) experienced postprocedural complications, which included mild hemoptysis, moderate hemoptysis requiring epinephrine and saline infusion, acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and a rapid ventricular rate on top of preexisting atrial fibrillation. The yield of TVNA for malignancy was 22 (95.6%) of 23 patients. Overall yield was 31 (88.6%) of 35, with a need for additional intervention in 4 (11.4%) of 35 patients. Mutational analysis was adequate when ordered. Conclusion In our single-center experience, the EBUS-TVNA procedure had a high diagnostic yield and was associated with low rates of postprocedural complications. Further trials are needed to assess its efficacy compared to more invasive procedures.
The Ethics of Treating Online Gaming Forums as Research Data

Online discussion forums have fundamentally changed gaming in myriad ways. Gaming communities are among the most prolific writing sites on the Internet as members review, theorycraft, interpret, and troll. These self-sponsored, player-generated paratexts present a problem for researchers because it is unclear whether such paratexts should be treated as texts or participants. The ethical problems associated with using this community engaged data for research include whether such data is considered public or private and subject to additional rules where it is found. Besides these ethical dilemmas are the practicality of collecting such engagement data responsibly. This chapter looks at the ethical and practical implications of researching video game forums, arguing that an ethical pragmatism is the best approach.
Ambient Air Pollution and Mortality among Older Patients Initiating Maintenance Dialysis.

Background: Fine particulate matter (particulate matter with diameter <2.5 µm [PM2.5]) is associated with CKD progression and may impact the health of patients living with kidney failure. While older (aged ≥65 years) adults are most vulnerable to the impact of PM2.5, it is unclear whether older patients on dialysis are at elevated risk of mortality when exposed to fine particulate matter. Methods: Older adults initiating dialysis (2010–2016) were identified from US Renal Data System (USRDS). PM2.5 concentrations were obtained from NASA’s Socioeconomic Data and Application Center (SEDAC) Global Annual PM2.5 Grids. We investigated the association between PM2.5 and all-cause mortality using Cox proportional hazard models with linear splines [knot at the current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Ambient Air Quality Standard for PM2.5 of 12 μg/m3] and robust variance. Results: For older dialysis patients who resided in areas with high PM2.5, a 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 was associated with 1.16-fold (95% CI: 1.08–1.25) increased risk of mortality; furthermore, those who were female (aHR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.13–1.42), Black (aHR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.09–1.59), or had diabetes as a primary cause of kidney failure (aHR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.13–1.38) were most vulnerable to high PM2.5. While the mortality risk associated with PM2.5 was stronger at higher levels (aHR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.08–1.32), at lower levels (≤12 μg/m3), PM2.5 was significantly associated with mortality risk (aHR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.00–1.07) among patients aged ≥75 years (Pslope difference = 0.006). Conclusions: Older adults initiating dialysis who resided in ZIP codes with PM2.5 levels >12 μg/m3 are at increased risk of mortality. Those aged >75 were at elevated risk even at levels below the EPA Standard for PM2.5.
Paul Klee’s gastrointestinal maladies: A series of historical and clinical vignettes, part IV:

Paul Klee (1879–1940), the 20th century Swiss-German artist, suffered and died from complications of systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma). In a series of clinical and historical vignettes the vari...
Cutaneous manifestations of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy: An introduction for dermatologists.

Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy is an emerging immunotherapy with promising efficacy for the treatment of previously refractory or relapsed malignancies. As a personalized medicine approach, T cells are genetically engineered to express a receptor designed to bind a specific tumor antigen, leading to selective immune-mediated destruction of tumor cells. Due to the novelty of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, the safety profile continues to evolve with limited information currently available on cutaneous adverse events. Improved understanding of the spectrum of cutaneous adverse events may facilitate earlier recognition and appropriate management of these toxicities. To explore this knowledge gap, we discuss the available case reports and clinical trial results of cutaneous reactions associated with chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy.
College Students’ Perceptions of Social Interactions in College Physical Activity Classes

Physical activity (PA) has been found to benefit a person in many ways. One benefit of being physically active is the social component. This deals with interacting with someone before, during, or after the activity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of social interactions on college-aged students during their PA class. Participants for this study included 408 college-aged students (272 males, 136 females) who were surveyed regarding their interactions during their PA class. The survey contained Likert scale questions and open-ended questions, which required the students to respond with written answers. In short, these students thought that their interactions during their PA were important and that the interactions were enjoyable. These results, along with other results from this study, highlight the positive benefits that come from being involved in PA. Subscribe to TPE
National COVID-19 Regulations: Impacts on Livestock Vaccinations, Veterinary Services, and Research Activities In Nepal, Senegal, and Uganda

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to utilize data collected from Advancing women’s participation in livestock vaccine value chains in Nepal, Senegal and Uganda (Advance) during 2020-2021 to assess the impacts of COVID-19 safety measures on animal health, including livestock vaccinations, veterinary services, and livestock-related research activities in these countries. Methods: Country coordinators from each of three countries provided weekly reports to Principal Investigators on national COVID-19 regulations, beginning in May 2020. Interviews with country coordinators were conducted during spring 2021 via Zoom to provide additional contextual information regarding the impact of COVID-19 in each country. Information collected during interviews and through weekly reports was analyzed qualitatively to document a historic timeline of COVID-19 policy changes and associated impact on both human and animal health. Results: The main themes that were analyzed in weekly country reports and country coordinator interviews were compliance, politics, access to care, and agriculture. All three countries experienced similar trajectories, with small differences in reporting and spikes for COVID-19 cases and a COVID-19 vaccine rollout starting in the spring of 2021. Conclusions: Fluctuations in lockdown policies, employment, and travel restrictions created additional barriers to access of livestock vaccines, animal supplies, and veterinary services in all three countries. Livestock vaccine services were completely halted in some countries because of travel restrictions and disruptions in the supply chain created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Veterinary services were also limited as a result of travel restraints and market closures. Given the global dependence of rural livelihoods on livestock, additional research is needed to examine the near- and long-term impacts of COVID-19 on livestock populations, especially women, and services including livelihoods, gender norms, veterinary services, and livestock-related research activities globally.