cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cytomegalovirus studies of autopsy tissue. I. Virus isolation.

From January through September 1973, 55 virus isolates were recovered from lung and kidney specimens from 44 (8.8%) of 502 unselected autopsy cases. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) was isolated 42 times in 34 cases (36 from lung, four from kidney, and one each from pleural and bronchial tissues). Virus isolation was approximately six times more sensitive than histologic detection of CMV infections. Major causes of death included solid malignant tumors, leukemia, lymphoma, and renal allograft rejection; 13 patients had a variety of other diseases, predominantly cardiopulmonary. CMV was recovered from more males than females. The mean age of the CMV-positive group did not differ significantly from that of the CMV-negative group. CMV-positive cases were not preselected on the basis of specimen processing time. Serologic results indicate that recovery of CMV from an autopsy case was seven times more likely when the complement- fixing antibody titer was 1:16 or more.
The GIGG-EnKF: ensemble Kalman filtering for highly skewed non-negative uncertainty distributions

Observations and predictions of near-zero non-negative variables such as aerosol, water vapour, cloud, precipitation and plankton concentrations have uncertainty distributions that are skewed and better approximated by gamma and inverse-gamma probability distribution functions (pdfs) than Gaussian pdfs. Current Ensemble Kalman Filters (EnKFs) yield suboptimal state estimates for these variables. Here, we introduce a variation on the EnKF that accurately solves Bayes' theorem in univariate cases where the prior forecasts and error-prone observations given truth come in (gamma, inverse-gamma) or (inverse-gamma, gamma) or (Gaussian, Gaussian) distribution pairs. Since its multivariate extension is similar to an EnKF, we refer to it as the GIGG-EnKF or GIGG where GIGG stands for Gamma, Inverse-Gamma and Gaussian. The GIGG-EnKF enables near-zero semi-positive-definite variables with highly skewed uncertainty distributions to be assimilated without the need for observation bias inducing log-normal or Gaussian anamorphosis nonlinear transformations. In the special case that all observations are treated as Gaussian, the GIGG-EnKF gives identical results to the original EnKF. A multi-grid-point and multi-variable idealized system was used to compare and contrast the data assimilation performance of the GIGG with that of both the perturbed observation and deterministic forms of the EnKF. This test system featured variables and observation types whose uncertainty distributions approximate Gaussian, gamma and inverse-gamma distributions. The normalized analysis error variance of the GIGG ensemble mean was found to be significantly smaller than that of the EnKFs. The higher moments of the analysed ensemble distributions were tested by subjecting the ensemble members to nonlinear ‘forecast’ mappings. The normalized mean square error of the mean of the corresponding GIGG forecast ensemble was found to be less than a 3rd of that obtained from either form of the original EnKF.
The High Incidence of Benign Testicular Tumors

AbstractOf 2,800 testicular procedures performed at our institution between 1965 and 1985, 233 inguinal explorations were done for suspicion of cancer. Malignancy was present in 161 patients but in 72 cases (31 per cent) benign lesions were found. Despite the benign nature of the lesion 51 of these patients (70 per cent) underwent radical orchiectomy. The incidence of benign testicular tumors is much higher than previously suspected and awareness of this condition should lead to increased testicular preservation in selected cases.
El tema de la Trinidad en el Libro de la ley de Alfonso de Valladolid

The present article exams how Alfonso de Valladolid defends the concept of the Trinity in his book Libro de la ley . In order to situate this defense in its Medieval Judeo-Christian polemic context the comments on Alfonso's text are preceded by a brief description of how this polemic focused its arguments, on both the Jewish and Christian side, over the Trinity theme. The observations on Alfonso's text deal primarily with the Kabbalistic themes the author used to support his arguments, the accusation Alfonso waged against the Jews of having «covered up» their true belief in the Trinity, and Alfonso's view of the historical trend that leads humanity to the Trinity's revelation.
Immunologic and frog pregnancy tests. Comparative study of sensitivity and accuracy, and consideration of factors influencing immunologic methods.

For years laboratory tests for the detection of pregnancy have depended upon the demonstration of the biologic effects of chorionic gonadotropin in a variety of animals. Animal housing, seasonal and individual variation in animal sensitivity to gonadotropin necessitating urine concentration, and inspection of animal organs have made biologic tests cumbersome and time-consuming. The antigenic property of chorionic gonadotropin has made possible rapid immunologic methods which eliminate the problems inherent in biologic methods for its detection. Agglutination inhibition tests utilizing red blood cells or latex particles as the antigen (human chorionic gonadotropin, H.C.G.) carrier have been introduced and are supplied with the antigonadotropin by the manufacturer. When the particles are added to a mixture of antibody and urine containing gonadotropin, agglutination inhibition of the antigentagged particles constitutes a positive test. Selection of an immunologic test is based upon the same principles as those used for choosing a biologic method: i.e., sensitivity, specificity, and ease of performance and interpretation. Studies have previously been limited to only one method or a comparison of immunologic and biologic tests.'---The effectiveness of two immunologic methods used on the same specimen has been investigated infrequently.' • I 0 This report is a comparative stud}' of the sensitivity and specificity of two immunologic methods and a biologic method for detecting chorionic gonadotropin and factors which may influence the immunologic methods.
Employment Outcomes of Vocational Rehabilitation Clients With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Research has consistently documented poor employment outcomes for young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Vocational rehabilitation (VR) services provide substantial federal and state com...
Disability Self-Categorization in Emerging Adults Relationship With Self-Esteem, Perceived Esteem, Mindfulness, and Markers of Adulthood

This study examines whether self-esteem, perceived esteem, and attainment of markers of adulthood differ based on disability self-identification and mindfulness in emerging adults with disability. ...
The Contrast Study on the Effect of Shenyuandan Capsule and Tongxinluo Capsule in Treating Unstable Angina,the Syndrome of Blood Stasis in TCM

Objective: To investigate the security and curative effect of Shenyuandan Capsule(SYD,参元丹胶囊) in treating patients with unstable anglna(UA).Methods: 66 patients were divided into 2 groups.Those in the treatment group received SYD,while in the controlled group received Tongxibluo Capsule(通心络胶囊). 4 weeks was the course of treatment.Results:Assessed effeetive rate according to the amellorate of angina,electrocardiogram and symptom synthetlcly,the total effective rate in of the treatment group was 90.32% and of the controlled group was 89.66%. There was no diffierence between the two groups.Conclusion:SYD had a good clinilcal effect for UA,the type of Deficiency of Qi and Blood Stasis in TCM, score of the TCM symptom in the treatment group was preferable to that of the controlled group.The curative effect correspond to the centrolled group.
Feminist Perspectives on Prenatal and Preimplantation Diagnosis

This chapter explores the role of two different but complementary reproductive interventions: prenatal and preimplantation diagnosis. Feminist scholarship examining prenatal screening and diagnosis began in earnest in the 1960s and gained momentum in subsequent years. Utilizing bioethical concepts of patient autonomy and informed consent within flexible definitions of risk, this chapter reflects on some of the historical feminist concerns regarding prenatal diagnosis, and offers insights on the ways in which disease is currently defined, identified, and treated. Against a backdrop of bioethical understanding and feminist perspectives on prenatal diagnosis, this chapter explores how one of the newest technologies, preimplantation diagnosis (PGD), may force its designers, users, and communities to (re)think how one should reproduce and make babies. By offering insights into the role of PGD in passing genetic deafness from one generation to the next, and in family balancing, the chapter concludes with a vision of a future in which more regulation of reproductive technologies will be needed despite shifting definitions of normalcy and acceptability.
Improving undergraduates' approaches to understanding tree thinking

Evolutionary biologists see biology through the perspective of phylogeny, or evolutionary history. However, it is clear that most students do not interpret trees in the same manner as evolutionary biologists (Baum et al., 2005; Gregory, 2008; Halverson, Abell, Friedrichsen, & Pires, 2009; Halverson et al., 2008). The alternative types of reasoning students use can cause them to generate a variety of responses when interpreting and using phylogenetic trees (Halverson, 2008). Yet, few studies have focused on why students misinterpret trees or how students can overcome these misconceptions to develop internalized tree thinking skill. The purpose of this study was to examine how undergraduates developed and used phylogenetic trees during a plant systematics course as well as identify/design scaffolds to facilitate improvements in core skill development.
Transcription Factor Bcl11b Controls Effector and Memory CD8 T cell Fate Decision and Function during Poxvirus Infection.

CD8+ T cells play an important role in host resistance to many viral infections, but the underlying transcriptional mechanisms governing their differentiation and functionality remain poorly defined. By using a highly virulent systemic and respiratory poxvirus infection in mice, we show that the transcription factor Bcl11b provides a dual trigger that sustains the clonal expansion of virus-specific effector CD8+ T cells, while simultaneously suppressing the expression of surface markers associated with short-lived effector cell (SLEC) differentiation. Additionally, we demonstrate that Bcl11b supports the acquisition of memory precursor effector cell (MPEC) phenotype, and thus its absence causes near complete loss of lymphoid and lung-resident memory cells. Interestingly, despite having normal levels of T-bet and Eomesodermin, Bcl11b-deficient CD8+ T cells failed to execute effector differentiation needed for anti-viral cytokine production and degranulation, suggesting a non-redundant role of Bcl11b in regulation of this program. Thus, Bcl11b is a critical player in fate decision of SLECs and MPECs, as well as effector function and memory formation.
Iron: Basic Nutritional Aspects

Abstract One of the most abundant elements on earth is iron. Iron is an essential micronutrient but is toxic at high levels. Both iron deficiency and overload affect human health, and iron homeostasis is highly regulated to avoid disease. Oxygen delivery and energy metabolism represent iron’s primary physiological functions. As a transition metal, both ferrous (Fe2+) and ferric (Fe3+) forms of iron function in many oxidation/reduction reactions in human metabolism. Dietary heme provides a more bioavailable source of iron, while intestinal absorption of nonheme iron is tightly controlled by the iron-regulatory hormone hepcidin. Absorption of iron is promoted by ascorbic acid (vitamin C) but can be inhibited by a number of different dietary factors, including polyphenol-containing compounds (tea) and high calcium (milk). As molecular information rapidly emerges about the transport and metabolic disposition of iron after dietary absorption, important advances in our understanding of iron nutrition are being established.
Determining thermal stratification in rooms with high supply momentum

Abstract Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations of a typical occupied office were performed to study the effects of ventilation parameters (supply momentum and heat gain intensity) and inlet geometry (height and area of the supply) on the temperature profile of the air in the space. A knowledge of this profile is critical to ensure that the occupants are comfortable according to commonly used standards. Different room configurations were characterized in terms of their Archimedes number, which compares the effects of buoyancy and supply momentum, and dimensionless geometric variables. A high Archimedes space was found to be divided into a warm region of uniform temperature above the occupants and a zone where the temperature increases approximately linearly with height. In a low Archimedes space the air is mixed by the supply jet in the lower part of the room, especially near the outlet, resulting in this area having uniform temperature. However, the supply jet was found to be less efficient at mixing the air near the ceiling, resulting in higher temperatures in this zone than with higher Archimedes numbers. For a given Archimedes number, as the supply area increased, the air temperature was found to decrease in the lower part of the room but to increase near the ceiling. A high inlet increased the vertical mixing in the room. Correlations were proposed to establish the temperature profile within 5% of the temperature rise of the room. The inputs of the correlations are readily available in multi-zone software, facilitating their integration in this kind of software. The proposed correlations will allow the user of the multi-zone software to evaluate comfort conditions more accurately, while maintaining the high speed, simplicity and design flexibility of the multi-zone models.
235. Anticancer Effectiveness of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Transfected With Thymidine Phosphorylase for Colorectal Cancer Cells

Gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT) consists of targeted delivery to tumor cells with a suicide gene responsible for in situ conversion of a prodrug into cytotoxic metabolites. One of the major bottlenecks of GDEPT is to have the therapeutic gene specifically target on cancer cells prior to the administration of prodrug. Among various gene delivery methods, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as potential cellular vehicles for gene delivery. They exhibit remarkable tumor-tropic and low immunogenic capacities. In this study, MSCs was engineered to express thymidine phosphorylase (TP) which has the capability of converting prodrug 5’-deoxy-5-fluorouridine into toxic 5-fluorouracil. TP expression in the MSCs post-transfection of TP cDNA was confirmed by immunoblotting analysis and its activity was determined by spectrophotometric assay. Our results showed the anticancer effectiveness of human HT29 colorectal cells co-cultured with TP-expressing MSCs was enhanced with the addition of various dosages of 5’-deoxy-5-fluorouridine.
Optical billiards break new ground in quantum chaos

Physicists are fond of billiards, both in the lab and in the pool hall. From a physics viewpoint, billiards is a game played within a hard-wall enclosure in which particles can bounce elastically. Billiards is also the embodiment of model problems in classical and quantum mechanics.
The Influence of Tai Chi Exercise on Proprioception in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: Results from a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose Previous long-term observational studies found that Tai Chi practitioners had better knee-joint proprioceptive acuity versus controls in an older population. We evaluated the effects of Tai Chi for knee-joint proprioception in knee osteoarthritis (OA) in a randomized controlled trial. Methods We randomized 40 eligible individuals (age > 55, BMI ≤ 40 kg/m2 with knee pain on most days of the previous month and tibiofemoral OA (K/L grade ≥2) to Tai Chi (10 modified forms from classical Yang style) or to an attention control (stretching and wellness education). The 60 minute intervention sessions occurred twice-weekly for 12 weeks. The knee joint proprioception was measured using a Biometrics™ electrogoniometer with an ADU301 angle display unit during each assessment visit. Three test angles (30, 45 and 60 degrees) were evaluated with each subject in a sitting position taken as neutral (0 degrees). The mean error (absolute angle error) between the actual and replicated angles was calculated for each of the three test angles. The Tai Chi and control groups were compared by intention-to-treat using t-tests. Results The participants had a mean age of 65 y (SD 7.8), a mean disease duration of 10 y (SD 7.6), a mean BMI of 30.0 kg/m2 (SD 4.8), and median K/L grade 4; 75% were female, 70% were white. The participants in the Tai Chi intervention exhibited significantly improved proprioception at 30 degrees, but not at 45 or 60 degrees, at 12 weeks. Patients who continued Tai Chi practice after 12 weeks also reported no significant improvements in knee proprioception at 24 and 48 weeks. Conclusion Tai Chi appears to be beneficial for knee proprioception in people with severe knee OA at a 30 degree test angle immediately following 12 weeks of practice. However, we were unable to demonstrate that Tai Chi has any long-term effects on knee proprioception, nor were we able to find any effects on proprioception at larger test angles (45 and 60 degrees). Standardized and reproducible measures for knee proprioception should be explored in future research.
Poster: Reliability enhancement in V2V networks through vehicle-assisted relaying

Enhanced communication reliability in vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) networks is crucial in enabling safe, smooth, and economical traffic in intelligent transport systems (ITS) and is a precursor to a fully autonomous driving system. One particular scenario of interest is when the communication link is between two vehicles located across a corner at an intersection in an urban setting. In this scenario, the direct communication link is obstructed by an obstacle/building and is expected to be of low quality. We propose agile vehicle-assisted relaying in which the transmitting vehicle exploits the help of a nearby vehicle, often inside the intersection and can see both the transmitting and receiving vehicles, to convey its message to the receiving vehicle. We use simulation to study reliability performance of the proposed communication scheme and compare it to the traditional direct transmission communication. We show that the proposed vehicle-assisted scheme substantially improves reliability for communication between the considered transmitting and receiving vehicles compared to direct transmission.
Abstract IS02: BCAM-AKT2 FUSION GENE LEADS TO A CONSTITUTIVELY ACTIVATED AKT2 FUSION KINASE IN HGSC

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) is among the most lethal forms of cancer in women. Excessive genomic rearrangements, which are expected to create fusion oncogenes, are the hallmark of this cancer. Using high-throughput RNAseq, we identify a cancer-specific gene fusion between BCAM, a membrane adhesion molecule, and AKT2, a key kinase in the PI3K signaling pathway. This fusion is present in 7% of patient cancers tested, a significant frequency considering the highly heterogeneous nature of this malignancy. We provide direct evidence that BCAM-AKT2 is translated into an in-frame fusion protein in the patient9s tumor. The resulting AKT2 fusion kinase is membrane-associated, constitutively phosphorylated, and activated as a functional kinase in cells, suggesting a new mechanism of AKT2 kinase activation in HGSC. This recurrent genomic alteration is a potential therapeutic target and marker of a clinically relevant subtype for tailored therapy of HGSC. Citation Format: Laising Yen. BCAM-AKT2 FUSION GENE LEADS TO A CONSTITUTIVELY ACTIVATED AKT2 FUSION KINASE IN HGSC [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 11th Biennial Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium; Sep 12-13, 2016; Seattle, WA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2017;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr IS02.
How AP computer science principles and AP computer science a fit with our schools: panel discussion

In the spring of 2017 there will be a new AP exam in computer science called "AP Computer Science Principles". The National Science Foundation, in work with the College Board, have developed this new exam based upon 7 "big ideas" in computer science (see http://apcsprinciples.org/). Over 100 colleges and universities have stated they plan to award credit for satisfactory exam scores. Some of us have worked with training high school teachers to teach this course and some have offered a CSP at the college/university level. This panel and discussion is focused on how such AP credit and/or course might fit within our own schools. Also related to this effort is the new CS for All initiative (https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2016/01/30/computer-science-all). There is significant effort behind trying to integrate more CS in K-12. How might this impact our CS programs? Will this help to address the gender and diversity inequity in our programs?
Modeling Strategies for Enhancing Educational Quality.

With the strengthening of the global economy, contemporary societies have come to view the educational achievements of their young people as a major component of national competiveness. But there a...
Does “What We Do” Make Us “Who We Are”? Organizational Design and Identity Change at the FBI

A good match between an organization’s design (“what we do”) and its identity (“who we are”) is often seen as a key to strong performance. But maintaining a tight fit between design and identity is...
Entry Radiative Transfer

During superorbital re-entry of lunar and planetary probes, radiation from the shock-heated gas ahead of the vehicle becomes an important and even predominant part of the heat load to be withstood by the ablative surface. Kivel1 compared convective and radiative heat loads for an ICBM entering at about 20,000 ft/sec and for a Mars probe entering at about 40,000 ft/sec. Figures 5-1 and 5-2 are sketched from Kivel’s paper:
Terraria haydenii (Thelypodieae, Brassicaceae), a new mustard genus and species from the West Desert region of North America’s Great Basin

The North American Great Basin is a region known for its unique geology and harsh climate. Several plant species are endemic to the Basin, including three that were under consideration for endangered species listing by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. During a 2012 inventory for these species, an undescribed Brassicaceae monospecific genus, Terraria, was discovered. Our study presents results from morphological and evolutionary investigations, as well as preliminary ecological observations, of the novelty. Sequence data from rbcL firmly placed the discovery in the tribe Thelypodieae The relationships and distinguishing characters of Terraria haydenii are presented.
Monopole Degrees of Freedom in the Odd-Mass Neighbours of Even-Even Nuclei with Low-Lying 0 + Levels

We show that when an even-even nucleus in a region has a low-lying excited 0+ level, one often observes a sizeable EO contribution to several of the Iπ → Iπ transitions in the odd-mass neighbours. Based on our work in neutron deficient, odd-mass nuclei near Z = 80 and N = 104, we propose that this EO enhancement is associated with transitions between nuclei with very different mean-square radii and that these bands arise from particle/hole couplings to the corresponding shape coexisting structures in the even-even neighbours. Under this assumption, the EO enhancement of transitions in the odd-mass neighbours of even-even nuclei may serve as indicators of shape coexistence. The application of these ideas to the Zr region, where some of the lowest lying excited 0+ states are observed, is discussed.
Teaching Reading Comprehension to Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Discrepancies between Teacher and Research-Recommended Practices.

Students with autism spectrum disorder have been found to experience difficulty with reading comprehension despite intact decoding and word recognition. This identified need for targeted reading comprehension remediation results in a need for teachers to utilize research-based practices and to individualize instruction for students with autism spectrum disorder; however, teachers report a lack of access to such practices. This study utilized survey methodology to gather perceptions and experiences of teachers and to compare teacher preparedness to use effective instructional practices emerging from the extant research to teacher-reported effective practices in the classroom. Study findings, based on 112 participants, reveal a discrepancy between teacher-reported effective practices, and the practices identified as effective through research, indicating a research to practice gap. Implications for practice include professional development recommendations, and the need for increased communication between researchers and teachers.
Robotic-Assisted Lobectomies in the National Cancer Database.

Background Robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RobATS) lobectomy is becoming more common for the treatment of lung cancer. As with any relatively new technology, there is the assumption that greater experience leads to greater proficiency. The objective of this study was to analyze outcomes of patients undergoing RobATS lobectomy as hospitals gain experience, and to describe outcomes after conversion to open procedures. Study Design The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was used to analyze robotic lobectomies for lung cancer from 2010 to 2014. Individual hospitals were categorized by the year they began reporting robotic lobectomies to the NCDB. Primary outcomes were perioperative morbidity and mortality and rate of conversion to open lobectomy. Results There were 7,645 robotic lobectomies identified from 465 hospitals. The overall conversion rate was 9.2% (n = 702). A propensity-matched analysis showed no significant difference between experienced and inexperienced hospitals with respect to 30-day mortality (1.07% vs 2.03%, p = 0.092) or 90-day mortality (2.35% vs 3.63%, p = 0.104). Conversion to open was a predictor of 30-day mortality (odds ratio [OR] 2.54, CI 1.56 to 4.14) and 90-day mortality (OR 2.68, CI 1.83 to 3.91). Patients who underwent conversion had higher 90-day mortality compared with patients not undergoing conversion, in years of experience: 2 (p = 0.043), 3 (p = 0.002), and 4 (p = 0.003). Conclusions Mortality after RobATS lobectomy at experienced hospitals is not significantly different than at inexperienced hospitals. Though conversion rates decrease with experience, patients who undergo conversion have higher mortality than those who do not, particularly in hospitals with more experience. This suggests that a deliberate effort to increase experience with and improve patient selection for RobATS lobectomies may ameliorate the conversions and their attendant sequelae.
Testing Pattern Hypotheses with MDS

Discuss how to conduct confirmatory MDS analysis of profile similarities in the context of configuration comparison. Model fit between hypothesized and observed profiles can be assessed with respect to local fit index rather than global fit index. Local fit can be assessed using correlation r, t-test or ANOVA, and F-test. An example is provided to demonstrate the idea.
Do Actions Speak Louder than Words? Predicting Influence in Twitter Using Language and Action Features

This work explores the connection between language, personality, and influence in a social media network. It clusters users based on two types of features: account activity features and stream content (word) features and compares the usefulness of these different types of features in categorizing users according to their influence and leadership potential in the network. Results of clustering using different sets of features are examined to answer questions about distribution of Twitter users from the influence perspective. These results are compared against distributions of personality traits obtained from previous research on personality types and established assessment tools that measure leadership aptitude and style. Experiments with different clustering algorithms are described and their performance and cluster outputs are reported.
Chapter 13 - Numerical Methods: The Arakawa Approach, Horizontal Grid, Global, and Limited-Area Modeling

This chapter focuses on some of the issues of the Arakawa approach in numerical methods, as an illustration of the variety of considerations that are made and opportunities that present themselves. Some of the recent ideas and results in addressing the horizontal grid problems are also reviewed. Propagation of gravity waves forced at individual grid points on a semi-staggered B/E grid is explained in the chapter. A synopsis of the results of the Eta model, viewed in comparison with other models of NMC is considered. Some of the recent Eta model results offer guidance regarding a number of central issues of the limited-area modeling strategy. The Eta model is a limited-area model with the numerical formulation designed following the Arakawa principles. There are specific features of the Eta numerics or setup that could be identified as making a notable contribution to its advantage. The prospects of constructing well-behaved global finite-difference models using the expanded cube approach are also explained in the chapter.
A practical guide to compact infinite dimensional parameter spaces

Compactness is a widely used assumption in econometrics. In this article, we gather and review general compactness results for many commonly used parameter spaces in nonparametric estimation, and w...
Abstract P155: Smoking, Its Cessation, and Future Risk of Heart Failure: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

Introduction: Smoking is considered as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including heart failure (HF). Few studies have evaluated the prospective association of detailed smoking param...
Black Women: Perceptions and Enactments of Leadership:

This critical in-depth interview study examined four Black women principals’ perceptions, descriptions, and enactments of school leadership as it relates to their intersectional identities as being...
Enhanced recovery outcomes following per-oral pyloromyotomy (POP): a comparison of safety and cost with same-day discharge versus inpatient recovery

While per-oral pyloromyotomy (POP) has shown promise as a novel endoscopic procedure to treat medically refractory gastroparesis, standardized care pathways are not well-defined. We aimed to compare the safety and cost of same-day discharge (SDD) after POP with inpatient stay overnight or longer. All patients with SDD after POP between January 2016 and May 2018 were retrospectively identified from a prospectively maintained registry. Propensity scores considering gender, age, gastroparesis etiology, and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class were used to match a comparison group which stayed overnight or longer. Statistical tests included two-sample t tests for continuous variables, Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables, and paired sample t tests for within-group comparisons with repeated measures. Fifty-four patients who underwent POP with SDD during the study period were propensity-matched with 54 patients with inpatient recovery. The SDD cohort was 85.2% female with a mean age of 44.8 years and median ASA class 3. The etiology of gastroparesis was idiopathic in 53.7% (n = 29), diabetic in 29.6% (n = 16), and post-surgical in 11.1% (n = 6). Operative time was shorter in the SDD cohort (25.4 vs. 31.3 min, p = 0.02). The mean post-procedure recovery time was 4 h in patients with SDD and 29.3 h in the inpatient cohort (p < 0.001). There was a trend towards less readmissions with SDD (7.4% vs. 18.5%, p = 0.08). There was no increased risk of complications with SDD (1.9% vs. 3.7%, p = 0.57). Compared to inpatient recovery, the average total cost for the procedure, recovery, and all subsequent care within 30 days was 26.0% less with SDD (p < 0.001). Following POP, patients can be safely discharged the same day with low risk of both complications and readmission. Total costs in the complete perioperative period are significantly less with SDD compared to inpatient recovery.
California Oak Savannas and Grasslands

Abstract California's oak savannas and associated grasslands occupy roughly 3 million ha. They are defined by the presence of scattered oak trees, in monospecific or mixed stands, with an herbaceous ground cover, composed predominantly of annual grasses and forbs. Supporting natural communities rich with native flora and fauna, oak savannas and grasslands contribute significantly to the designation of the California Floristic Province as a “biodiversity hotspot”. These systems also provide numerous benefits to humans: in the past sustaining indigenous cultures who depended on oak acorns for food, and in the more recent past and present as a source of wood, timber, livestock grazing, and recreation. Climate in California's oak savannas is Mediterranean, with cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Both climate and soil type exert broad control on the distribution of grasslands and co-occurring woody vegetation in California. At a finer scale, plant and animal interactions strongly influence community structure and dynamics, as do human impacts such as livestock grazing and the use of fire. Two of the most significant threats to the longterm sustainability of California's oak savannas and grasslands are land-use conversion to agriculture and residential development, compounded by low rates of natural regeneration in extant stands of oaks.
Interventions to Increase Referrals to a New Pediatric Palliative Care Service: A QI project

Background: Pediatric palliative care is still a young, but rapidly growing field worldwide. There have been an increasing number of children’s hospitals creating palliative care services over the past two decades. Data has shown the beneficial effects of inpatient palliative care services, not only on assisting control of physical symptoms like pain but also to ameliorate suffering and maintain dignity that is appropriate for the culture, religion and upbringing of the family. The service has shown to improve patient satisfaction and decrease length of stay and costs. Various studies have projected …
Closure and Alternatives

This remark considers the interaction of Alternative Semantics (AS) with various binding operations—centrally, Predicate Abstraction (PA) and ∃-closure; less centrally, intensionalization. Contra Griffiths’s (2019) theory of ellipsis, I argue that it is technically problematic to appeal to the inherent incompatibility of PA and AS, while assuming the compatibility of ∃-closure and AS. I show that the formal pressures that characterize the interaction of PA and alternatives apply equally to ∃-closure and alternatives, and that it is accordingly impossible to define a true ∃-closure operation within what might be termed “standard” AS. A well-behaved AS reflex of ∃-closure can only be defined in compositional settings where a well-behaved AS reflex of PA is definable too. I consider various technical and empirical consequences of these points for Griffiths’s theory of ellipsis, and for linguistic theory more generally.
Diagnosing tarsal coalition in medieval Exeter.

Abstract Objective The objective of this study is to estimate the frequency and types of tarsal coalition represented in medieval remains from Exeter, England. Materials 183 individuals from the Cathedral Green site in Exeter, England. Methods Gross macroscopic analysis combined with radiographic examination and comparison with clinical and archaeological literature. Results Eight coalitions of various forms were ultimately identified; these include five calcaneonavicular, one talocalcaneal, one calcaneocuboid, and one lateral cuneiform-third metatarsal coalition. Conclusions These frequencies are quite high for clinical imaging estimations, but consistent with other reported archaeological frequencies. Significance This study contributes to known frequencies of tarsal coalition in the past. It also provides descriptive diagnostic criteria for identifying tarsal coalition in archaeological populations. Limitations Poor preservation of some of the individuals in this sample means that the true frequencies of tarsal coalition may be underrepresented. Suggestions for further research This study should be expanded to include more archaeological sites, especially medieval British sites, to determine overall prevalence rates. Additionally, the diagnostic criteria should be compared with other examples of known tarsal coalition to further our understanding of this rare pathology.
A prospective, randomized comparison of ultrasonographic visualization of proximal intercostal block vs paravertebral block.

Thoracic paravertebral blockade is an accepted anesthetic and analgesic technique for breast surgery. However, real-time ultrasound visualization of landmarks in the paravertebral space remains challenging. We aimed to compare ultrasound-image quality, performance times, and clinical outcomes between the traditional parasagittal ultrasound-guided paravertebral block and a modified approach, the ultrasound-guided proximal intercostal block. Women with breast cancer undergoing mastectomy (n = 20) were randomized to receive either paravertebral (n = 26) or proximal intercostal blocks (n = 32) under ultrasound-guidance with 2.5 mg/kg ropivacaine prior to surgery. Block ultrasound images before and after needle placement, and anesthetic injection videoclips were saved, and these images and vidoes independently rated by separate novice and expert reviewers for quality of visualization of bony elements, pleura, relevant ligament/membrane, needle, and injectate spread. Block performance times, postoperative pain scores, and opioid consumption were also recorded. Composite visualization scores were superior for proximal intercostal compared to paravertebral nerve block, as rated by both expert (p = 0.008) and novice (p = 0.01) reviewers. Notably, both expert and novice rated pleural visualization superior for proximal intercostal nerve block, and expert additionally rated bony landmark and injectate spread visualization as superior for proximal intercostal block. Block performance times, needle depth, opioid consumption and postoperative pain scores were similar between groups. Proximal intercostal block yielded superior visualization of key anatomical landmarks, possibly offering technical advantages over traditional paravertebral nerve block. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02911168. Registred on the 22nd of September 2016.
CHAPTER 11 – Not So Perfect Graphs

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the equivalence and characterization of the stack sorting graphs, the circle graphs, and the overlap graphs. There are a number of open problems concerning this class of graphs: (1) find an algorithm that recognizes circle graphs and constructs a representation for the graph as intersecting chords of a circle, (2) are the coloring and clique-cover problems NP-complete for circle graphs, And (3) is the strong perfect graph conjecture true for circle graphs. The stable set problem and the clique problem are tractable when restricted to the not-so-perfect graphs. In the context of open problem (1), it is essential that one be given, a priori, a representation of the graph as overlapping intervals, intersecting chords, or a permutation to be sorted. The chapter discusses the use of the overlap graph model.
Managing Complexity: Time Pacing of Product Innovation in the Mobile App Industry

Time pacing is an important, yet understudied, area of inquiry for strategy scholars interested in fast-changing settings. To date, we know little about the conditions under which time pacing is us...
The age of reaction: Retrenchment populism in India and Brazil:

Two of the largest democracies in the global south – India and Brazil – have witnessed a dramatic turn to right-wing populism. Careful historical comparison reveals that the form of reaction is mar...
Future Girls of STEM Summer Camp Pilot: Teaching Girls about Engineering and Leadership Through Hands-On activities and Mentorship

“Future Girls of STEM” is a university-sponsored, summer camp outreach program that was designed and implemented by an all-female faculty group to increase young girls’ interest in pursuing future careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This paper discusses the logistics and results of the pilot Future Girls of STEM camp, which was held in the summer of 2019 for seven to twelve-year-old girls. The four-day summer camp featured female engineers from local industry, who shared personal stories of their careers and helped campers work through engineering and leadership activities. Researchers assessed whether completing the activities increased participants’ understanding of, interest in, and self-efficacy in engineering topics, majors, and careers. Results showed an increased interest and self-reported understanding of engineering topics after participants completed the camp, as well as high self-efficacy throughout the camp experience. The Future Girls of STEM program, and its hands-on, interactive activities, can be transferred to other locations or universities with varying resources available.
COVID-19 and the neurological disease therapeutic pipeline.

From the interruption of clinical trials by shelter-in-place orders to the challenges involved in safely collecting biofluid samples, drug development for neurological disease was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic this year. However, the field has responded with innovative solutions, and 2021 could see the therapeutic pipeline flowing again.
GM-CSF Availability Determines LPS-Mediated Functions in Allergic Inflammation

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can either promote or prevent T helper-2 (Th2) cell-allergic responses. However, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. We show here that monocytes play an essential role in mediating LPS-induced protection from allergic inflammation. Sensitization of mice with house-dust-mite (HDM) in the presence of low-dose lipopolysaccharide (LPS) triggered activation and cytokine production by monocytic cells, which in turn activated CD11b+migratory dendritic cells (mDC2s) for interleukin-12 (IL-12) production and prevention of Th2 cell development. The ability of monocytes to respond to low-dose LPS depended upon GM-CSF priming, and so inert allergens such as OVA, that did not elicit GM-CSF production, failed to activate monocytes after OVA + low-dose LPS sensitization. Consequently, Th2 cell responses normally developed even in the presence of LPS. Thus, the availability of GM-CSF dictates the ability of LPS to either promote or suppress allergic-Th2 cell responses. This knowledge may offer new strategies to control allergic airway disease.
Protein structure-based gene expression signatures

Gene expression signatures (GES) connect phenotypes to differential messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of genes, providing a powerful approach to define cellular identity, function, and the effects of perturbations. The use of GES has suffered from vague assessment criteria and limited reproducibility. Because the structure of proteins defines the functional capability of genes, we hypothesized that enrichment of structural features could be a generalizable representation of gene sets. We derive structural gene expression signatures (sGES) using features from multiple levels of protein structure (e.g., domain and fold) encoded by the mRNAs in GES. Comprehensive analyses of data from the Genotype-Tissue Expression Project (GTEx), the all RNA-seq and ChIP-seq sample and signature search (ARCHS4) database, and mRNA expression of drug effects on cardiomyocytes show that sGES are useful for characterizing biological phenomena. sGES enable phenotypic characterization across experimental platforms, facilitates interoperability of expression datasets, and describe drug action on cells.
Differences in Abortion Rates between Asian Populations by Country of Origin and Nativity Status in New York City, 2011-2015.

Despite the size of the Asian population in New York City (NYC) and the city’s robust abortion surveillance system, abortion-related estimates for this population have not been calculated previously. This study examined the use of abortion services among specific Asian groups in NYC from 2011–2015. Using NYC surveillance data, we estimated abortion rates for Asians, disaggregated by five country of origin groups and nativity status, and for other major racial/ethnic groups. We compared rates between groups and over time. From 2014–2015, the abortion rate for Asian women in NYC was 12.6 abortions per 1000 women aged 15–44 years, lower than the rates for other major racial/ethnic groups. Among country of origin groups, Indian women had the highest rate (30.5 abortions per 1000 women), followed by Japanese women (17.0), Vietnamese women (13.0), Chinese women (8.8), and Korean women (5.1). Rates were higher for U.S.-born Asian groups compared to foreign-born groups, although the differential varied by country of origin. The abortion rate declined or remained steady for nearly all Asian groups from 2011–2015. These findings reinforce the importance of disaggregating data on this population at multiple levels and begin to provide much-needed evidence on the use of abortion services among Asian groups.