cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The expression of IgG allotypes on platelets and immunization to IgG allotypes in multitransfused thrombocytopenic patients

We investigated whether the platelet-membrane surface carries IgG allotypic antigens and whether these determinants may be important in platelet transfusion therapy. Using a hemagglutination inhibition assay, we showed that the G1m IgG allotypes (a, x, f) and K1m and K3m light-chain allotypes are expressed on the surface of platelets, whereas G3m allotype antigenic determinants were not detectable. In 146 multitransfused thrombocytopenic patients, 35 (24%) patients were found to have antiallotypic antibodies. To study the effect of antiallotypic antibodies on platelet transfusion outcome, patients received platelet transfusions from donors, either positive or negative for the IgG allotype to which patients were immunized. Of the 19 antigen-positive and 19 antigen-negative platelet transfusions given, respectively, the mean platelet count increments at 1 hour were 8,402 +/- 6,402 +/- 6,721 (1 SD) and 9,799 +/- 5,559 (1 SD) P less than .2. Transfusion reactions were not more common when antigen-positive platelet transfusions were given. Despite the presence of IgG allotypic determinants on platelets, allotypic antibodies do not decrease platelet transfusion recovery. Furthermore, passive administration of plasma containing IgG allotypes to patients with antiallotypic antibodies does not lead to innocent bystander-mediated platelet destruction.
STATE RESOURCE ALLOCATION AND BUDGET FORMATS: TOWARDS A HYBRID MODEL

This article evaluates quantitatively the impact of four common budget approaches on disaggregated United States state spending data in the 1990s. Pooled time series cross sectional data of the 50 states is used to test the impact of incremental, program, zero-based, and performance-based budgeting on the dependent variables state total and functional expenditures. The results demonstrated that there was support for all of these approaches in terms of their impact on state budget outputs. These findings imply that budget decision-making should focus more on a system-wide approach, which takes into account many of the characteristics of these rival models, rather than exclusively focusing on each one singly. A possible suggestion is a hybrid form of budgeting, which is a combination of incremental and rational approaches.
Perceptions of Snus Among US Adult Smokers Given Free Product.

Introduction Snus uptake is nominal among US smokers. This longitudinal study examines (1) perceptions of snus among US smokers given free snus for 6 weeks and (2) a method for assessment of an alternative tobacco product at the population level. Methods Adult smokers (n = 543; 69.2% female; Mage = 49.3 years), uninterested in quitting, received free snus for ad libitum use. Based on their snus use during a 6-week sampling period, participants included: (1) never users (18.4%, n = 100); (2) experimenters; that is, used ≥ once, but not during the last week of sampling (33.1%; n = 180); and (3) persistent users; that is, used ≥ once during the final week, and ≥ once during any other week of the sampling period. (48.4%; n = 263). Results Following the sampling period, those who became persistent users were more likely than experimenters to report that switching to alternative tobacco products would lower their risk for health problems (66.5% vs. 50.0%; p = .006). Persistent users also reported greater negative affect relief and craving reduction (ps < .001) than experimenters. Finally, persistent users were more likely than experimenters to describe snus in favorable terms with respect to ease of use, satisfaction, and liking (ps < .05). Conclusions Subjective experiences with snus, rather than nicotine dependence, explained experimentation versus persistent use. Even among smokers who became persistent snus users, snus was perceived as a poor substitute for cigarettes. This study design (randomized, yet naturalistic) could be extended to other novel tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to help understand the role new products may have in the tobacco landscape. Implications This is the first large scale, US-based naturalistic assessment of smokers' reactions to snus during an extended sampling period. This study is directly in line with FDA goals to better understand predictors of initiation, uptake, and use of other tobacco products such as snus, and serves as model for assessment methods of alternative tobacco products at the population level. Most smokers tried the provided sample of snus (approximately 82%). Subjective experiences with snus, rather than nicotine dependence, explained experimentation versus persistent use. Even among smokers who became persistent snus users, snus was perceived as a poor substitute for cigarettes.
“Mutation-negative” familial hypercholesterolemia—When negative is positive

• Often, a clinical diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is established in the absence of a known mutation.
Exercise therapy for treatment of supraspinatus tears does not alter glenohumeral kinematics during internal/external rotation with the arm at the side

Rotator cuff tears are a significant clinical problem, with exercise therapy being a common treatment option for patients. Failure rates of exercise therapy may be due to the failure to improve glenohumeral kinematics. Tears involving the supraspinatus may result in altered glenohumeral kinematics and joint instability for internal/external rotation with the arm at the side because not all muscles used to stabilize the glenohumeral joint are functioning normally. The objective of the study is to assess in vivo glenohumeral kinematic changes for internal/external rotation motions with the arm at the side of patients with a symptomatic full-thickness supraspinatus tear before and after a 12-week exercise therapy programme. Five patients underwent dynamic stereoradiography analysis before and after a 12-week exercise therapy protocol to measure changes in glenohumeral kinematics during transverse plane internal/external rotation with the arm at the side. Patient-reported outcomes and shoulder strength were also evaluated. No patient sought surgery immediately following exercise therapy. Significant improvements in isometric shoulder strength and patient-reported outcomes were observed (p < 0.05). No significant changes in glenohumeral kinematics following physical therapy were found. Isolated supraspinatus tears resulted in increased joint translations compared to healthy controls from the previous literature for internal/external rotation with the arm at the side. Despite satisfactory clinical outcomes following exercise therapy, glenohumeral kinematics did not change. The lack of changes may be due to the motion studied or the focus of current exercise therapy protocols being increasing shoulder strength and restoring range of motion. Current exercise therapy protocols should be adapted to also focus on restoring glenohumeral kinematics to improve joint stability since exercise therapy may have different effects depending on the motions of daily living. Prognostic study, Level II.
Design and Large-Signal Modeling of a $W$ -Band Dielectric TWT

The performance capabilities of a dielectric traveling-wave tube (TWT), designed for operation near 94 GHz near the 100-W power level, are investigated using large-signal simulations. Key design elements include a dielectric liner with a moderately high dielectric constant of 13.5, consistent with magnesium orthotitanate ceramic, and the use of a solid round electron beam with properties (26-kV, 100-mA, and 0.185-mm beam radius) that are comparable to those employed in $W$ -band coupled-cavity TWTs. The optimal simulated performance, computed assuming a 5-cm beam-wave interaction length, is 115 W of output power at 94 GHz, with 6-GHz half-power bandwidth, 10.3-dB large-signal gain, and 4.4% electronic efficiency. Technical issues, including the existence of a higher linearity Crestatron regime, the mitigation of beam charging, and thermal management, are discussed.
A Necessary Addiction: Student Conceptualizations of Technology and Its Impact on Teaching and Learning

The near constant use of technology today has led to widespread changes in the way literacy is imagined, used, and theorized. Since college students spend a significant amount of time using and bei...
Strong O 2p-Fe 3d Hybridization Observed in Solution-Grown Hematite Films by Soft X-ray Spectroscopies.

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting holds the potential as a direct route for solar energy conversation and storage. The performance of a PEC device is strongly influenced by the electronic properties of the photonanode surface. It has been shown that the synthesis methods can have profound impact on the electronic properties and PEC performance of various photo-electrode materials such as hematite. In this work, soft X-ray spectroscopic techniques, including O K-edge XAS, and Fe L-edge XAS/XES, have been employed to investigate how the synthesis methods impact the electronic structure of resulting hematite materials. It is found that the hematite samples via solution regrowth methods show dramatically increased 3d-4sp band ratios in O K-edge XAS spectra and decreased relative elastic peak intensities in Fe L-edge RIXS spectra compared to samples synthesized via ALD or solution grown. The difference observed in O-K and Fe-L spectra indicated that solution regrowth strategy alters the O 2p-Fe 3d hyb...
Does Customer Co-Creation Really Produce Value? An Abstract

The traditional marketing perspective focuses on the understanding of providers’ activities by showing how they can achieve maximum production efficiency and generate high profits. Consistent with this thought, prior research focuses attention on the purchase decision made by customers rather than the active role customers play during both purchase and consumption processes. In contrast to this view, more and more research suggests that customers and firms, both together and separately, play important roles in creating gratifying experiences (Babin & James, 2010). Thus, through the lens of service, marketing recognizes the role of customers as potential co-creators of value (Ranjan & Reed, 2016; Vargo & Lusch, 2004, 2008).
Cross-Participant EEG-Based Assessment of Cognitive Workload Using Multi-Path Convolutional Recurrent Neural Networks

Applying deep learning methods to electroencephalograph (EEG) data for cognitive state assessment has yielded improvements over previous modeling methods. However, research focused on cross-participant cognitive workload modeling using these techniques is underrepresented. We study the problem of cross-participant state estimation in a non-stimulus-locked task environment, where a trained model is used to make workload estimates on a new participant who is not represented in the training set. Using experimental data from the Multi-Attribute Task Battery (MATB) environment, a variety of deep neural network models are evaluated in the trade-space of computational efficiency, model accuracy, variance and temporal specificity yielding three important contributions: (1) The performance of ensembles of individually-trained models is statistically indistinguishable from group-trained methods at most sequence lengths. These ensembles can be trained for a fraction of the computational cost compared to group-trained methods and enable simpler model updates. (2) While increasing temporal sequence length improves mean accuracy, it is not sufficient to overcome distributional dissimilarities between individuals’ EEG data, as it results in statistically significant increases in cross-participant variance. (3) Compared to all other networks evaluated, a novel convolutional-recurrent model using multi-path subnetworks and bi-directional, residual recurrent layers resulted in statistically significant increases in predictive accuracy and decreases in cross-participant variance.
Cell Motility and Structural Harmonics in Prostate Cancer

Cancer cells exhibit a wide variation in function (pleiotropism) that is accompanied by large variations in structure (pleiomorphism). This variation of structure may be a driving force in the development of genetic instability (1) as well as in the alteration of timing mechanisms within tumor cells. A wide variety of harmonic and periodic events occur within cells. The vibrational or oscillatory properties of these events or elements within the cell may have potential regulatory importance and may be related to biologic clocks or timing mechanisms. Cell events such as signal transduction and motility occur within spatial and temporal constraints and have complex harmonics that can be identified and analyzed (2-4). A cell matrix system has recently been identified which extends throughout the cell from the cytoskeleton, to the nuclear matrix and finally to DNA. The cell matrix has dynamic and structural properties and could provide a direct mechanical mechanism for linking cell signals. Therefore, the dynamic cell matrix system is an important part of an integrated cellular information transfer system which couples oscillating elements within the cell both spatially and temporally. The cell matrix system allows a cell to sense, process, and act on information and signals from the peripheral environment. These coupled interactions are accomplished through harmonics transmitted directly through a chemomechanical model of tensegrity that will be described in more detail in this article.
Physical Studies of α-βγ Subunit Interactions of the Rod Outer Segment G Protein, Gt: Effects of Monoclonal Antibody Binding

A guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein, called transducin or G t couples light-activated rhodopsin with the cGMP phosphodiesterase (Hurley, 1980). Like all G proteins, transducin is a heterotrimer composed of two distinct subunits: αt (39 kDa) and βγt (βt: 36 kDa, γt: 8 kDa). The αt subunit binds GDP and GTP (Fung and Stryer, 1980), and in its GTP-bound form activates the cGMP phosphodiesterase (Fung et al., 1981). The activation is terminated when the bound GTP is hydrolyzed to GDP by an intrinsic GTPase activity (Wheeler and Bitensky, 1977, Fung et al., 1981). Although the βγt subunit does not directly participate in either GTP hydrolysis or phosphodiesterase activation, its presence is important for effective binding of αt to photolyzed rhodopsin and GTP-GDP exchange (Fung, 1983). Transducin binds tightly to photolyzed rhodopsin in intact rod outer segment membranes (Kuhn, 1980). It also binds selectively to unphotolyzed rhodopsin in rod outer segment membranes (Hamm et al., 1987) and in reconstituted phospholipid vesicles (Fung, 1983).
Phase Tranformation During Precipitation of Calcium Salts

A number of minerals of biological importance can precipitate as different phases and polymorphs under conditions typical of those in vivo. The calcium phosphates which form in solution are markedly dependent on pH, supersaturation, ionic strength, temperature, and the nature of the solid phases already present. Although thermodynamic considerations yield the driving force for precipitation, the course of the reaction may be mediated much more by kinetic factors. Metastable phases may persist for considerable periods of time in the supersaturated solutions. The same factors are important in the mineralization of the calcium oxalate hydrates. The thermodynamically most stable monohydrate may be formed from the di- and tri-hydrates by nucleation and growth processes, the rates of which are sensitive to temperature, solution composition, and the presence of growth inhibitors typical of those in vivo.
Interaction Networks: An Introduction

In the proceeding chapters I have presented introductory models of infectious disease. So, far the important variables we have studied include the transmission rate, the recovery rate, and the per period number of contacts of individuals in the population. As a social scientist, there is little that I can say about the first of these two items. A transmission rate or a recovery rate are going to be influenced by the biological and medical advancements of society, not by the workings of an economist! The third item however, falls directly into the realm of social science—individual contacts. In the social sciences there have been great advancements in our understanding of social networks over the past two decades. We better understand how people interact and how various social network structures impact everything from the diffusion of new products to rates of learning, to the propagation of a financial crises, and of course, to our topic of interest, the spread of infectious disease.
Rheological Control of 3D Printable Cement Paste and Mortars

Recent advances in concrete construction such as three-dimensional concrete printing (3DCP) have given rise to new requirements on the control of both the hydration and rheology of cementitious materials. To meet these new demands, and to move toward adoption of 3DCP on a commercial scale, in-operando control of hydration and rheology will be required. In this study, two cement paste mixtures containing limestone powder of two different median particle sizes are used to create 3D printed structures with a cement paste printer. Hydration control in the form of acceleration is achieved with the addition of the limestone powder to the cement and rheology control is achieved by using limestone with different median particle sizes. Rheology measurements conducted concurrently with printed structures indicate that yield stress and a measure of thixotropy of the cement paste provide an indicator as to whether a material will produce a multi-filament free-standing structure for a given 3DCP system. Simulations of particles flowing in a pipe are used to study the rheological behavior of paste and mortar. For the case of a mortar, the flow rate of suspended particles (sand) follows the same functional form with driving force as the matrix fluid (cement paste). Shear-induced particle migration increases the density of particles toward the center of the pipe, a result that implies that the aggregates may not be uniformly distributed.
Induction Motor’s Bearing Fault Diagnosis Using an Improved Short Time Fourier Transform

Induction motor diagnosis using the Power Spectral Density estimation or PSD, based on the Fourier Transform calculation, is not recommended for the processing of non stationary signals (case of variable speed applications). In fact, under these conditions, the analysis with this approach is no more reliable. To resolve this, we use in this paper, the Short Time Fourier Transform (STFT), to obtain information on changes of the frequencies over time. Furthermore, we propose the use of a new approach called Maxima’s Location Algorithm (MLA) which will be associated to the STFT analysis to show only harmonics with useful information on existing faults. This approach will be used in the diagnosis of bearing faults of a PWM inverter-fed induction motor operating at variable speed. Experimental results show the merits of the proposed approach on the reliability of the bearing fault detection.
Radiation-Induced Colitis in a Pancreatic Cancer Patient With a Germline BRCA2 Mutation: A Case Report.

Abstract Borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC) is increasingly treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and chemoradiation (CRT). Gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities are a main concern when designing radiation treatment plans for BRPC. BRCA1 and 2 deleterious mutations result in increased risks of several cancers including pancreatic cancer. There is also concern whether patients with germline BRCA1/2 mutations are at increased risk for normal tissue toxicities following radiation, due to defects in DNA repair. We present a case report of a patient with a deleterious germline BRCA2 mutation who developed BRPC. He was initiated on neoadjuvant CRT and developed acute colitis during his radiation course. His radiation ultimately had to be discontinued due to worsening GI symptoms, reduced performance status, and prolonged hospitalization. The toxicity he experienced required an unusual discontinuation of therapy which we don’t normally do for these patients. We will present the background of the case and review the literature of BRCA1/2 mutations and correlations with radiation-induced side effects.
Microstructure-Based Random Finite Element Method Simulation of Frost Heave: Theory and Implementation:

Frost heave can cause serious damage to civil infrastructure. For example, interactions of soil and water pipes under frozen conditions have been found to significantly accelerate pipe fracture. Fr...
Vending machines in commercial sex venues to increase HIV self-testing among men who have sex with men

Background: Commercial sex venues (CSV), bathhouses and sex clubs, have a long history of serving a high-risk population. In those facilities, patrons engage in multiple sexual encounters and often in high-risk sexual behaviors. Designing prevention interventions specifically for CSVs could be an effective way to increase testing and control HIV transmission. Methods: In collaboration with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), our team distributed free HIV self-test kits using vending machines located at two CSVs in Los Angeles, California. Test kit dispensing rate was monitored remotely. Patrons receiving a test kit were surveyed regarding their testing experience, test result and follow up. Linkage to care was offered to participants. Results: During 18 months, 1,398 kits were dispensed. The survey was completed by 110 patrons (response rate =7.9%). Among those who reported that they used the test kit (n=96), 17 (17.7%) participants reported a first-time reactive HIV result. At the time of the survey, six participants with reactive results reported seeking confirmatory testing and linkage to care and four had initiated treatment. Two participants requested linkage-to-care assistance. Participants reported valuing the privacy and convenience of the vending machine but were skeptical on the accuracy of their result. The startup cost, including the purchase of two vending machines, was $10,000 and the recurring cost (monitoring, test kits, personnel) was $33.81 per kit vended. Conclusions: While survey response was low, our results demonstrate that an intervention using vending machines and HIV self-test kits in CSVs was acceptable, feasible, used by the CSV patrons and can help identify new HIV cases.
Newcomer Central American Immigrants' Access to Legal Services

Increased Central American child and family migration is impacting local communities across the U.S. Between late 2013 and mid 2018, over 193,000 unaccompanied children (UACs) and 300,000 adults and children traveling as family units from Central America were apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border. As their cases overburden the immigration courts, federal engagement in the provision of immigration legal services remains virtually non-existent. Local governments and community-based organizations (CBOs) have been forced to improvise how best to provide legal services for this growing newcomer population as they navigate the immigration process. Varying levels of capacity and response across diverse community contexts, however, are contributing to disparities in newcomers’ ability to secure an attorney. Without legal representation, many newcomers face nearly certain deportation regardless of whether they may qualify for immigration relief. To better understand local variations in the provision of legal assistance and barriers faced by Central American migrants in accessing existing services, researchers from the Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS) at American University and the Graduate College of Social Work at the University of Houston conducted interviews with service providers, local government officials, and other stakeholders across three major immigrant receiving communities: the Washington, DC and Houston metropolitan areas, and North and South Carolina. Drawing on project interviews and publicly available data, this report documents legal service gaps, catalogues the principal challenges confronting community-based legal service providers, and highlights strategies for enhancing service provider capacity and overcoming access barriers. While both public and private partners across a number of U.S communities are engaged in innovative, scaled-up approaches to providing legal services, demand continues to outstrip available resources. The need is particularly acute in localities outside of the major metropolitan areas that are home to large Central American immigrant communities. Significant barriers to access remain and—in the current context of immigration enforcement policy—are accumulating. The forecast of continued strain on an already over-taxed ecology of service providers and on the immigration adjudication system threatens the well-being of tens of thousands of newcomers whose futures hinge on improved capabilities.
Does Money Buy Congressional Love? Individual Donors and Legislative Voting

AbstractDespite the popular belief that campaign contributions affect policymaking, study after study has suggested that legislative voting is unaffected. We reexamine this question by focusing on ...
Context-Sensitive Solutions: Training Experience

Context-sensitive solutions (CSS) is a comprehensive approach to transportation decision making that embraces the philosophy that transportation programs and projects should address the transportation need, be an asset to the community, and be compatible with the human and natural environment. The CSS movement is rooted in years of controversy stemming from the dissatisfaction of concerned citizens, environmentalists, historic preservationists, multimodal advocates, and others in the transportation decision-making process. In 2002 the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) signed an Environmental Stewardship Policy that proclaimed, “Our goal is to provide a safe and well-maintained transportation system that meets the needs of customers and supports the development of sustainable, vibrant communities.” NCDOT viewed the CSS approach as a critical element in institutionalizing its stewardship policy and developed the CSS course to encompass the goals of the stewardship policy. To date, more than 1,000 transportation professionals in North Carolina have been trained in CSS. This paper provides insight into the course development process, including course content, participants’ experiences, and recommendations for agencies interested in developing an effective CSS course.
Investigating the Factors That Contribute to African Easterly Wave Intensity Forecast Uncertainty in the ECMWF Ensemble Prediction System

AbstractAlthough there have been numerous studies documenting the processes/environments that lead to the intensification of African easterly waves (AEWs), only a few of these studies investigated ...
Development of Web-based Automated System for Cyber Analytic Applications

In recent years we have seen a drastic increase in cyber attacks which has led to a rise in sensitive information being compromised. The security measures taken by the organization are being circumvented by the attackers. Data analysis of the past attacks can help us in understanding the patterns and trends in cybersecurity breaches. This way, organizations can come up with more flexible and cost-effective security measures. However, the analysis of past security breaches is challenging as there are no proper repositories that contain the information required for concluding or predicting trends of attacks. Also, the cyber attacks have become very common and a new attack is reported on a daily basis. Hence, dynamic analysis of data will yield better results than the conventional way of data analysis. In this paper, we present the prototype of a tool that can extract and structure information using the public data available on the Internet containing information regarding the cyber attacks that have taken place all around the world. Using this collected data we can analyze and predict trends in the cyber breaches. We envision that the obtained results from the analysis can help organizations in deriving new proactive and effective security measures. This way, organizations can enhance their cybersecurity risk management programs and as a result, avoid similar attacks.
Biochar and kinetics studies on the reduction of sodium bromate by a cobaloxime in an aqueous media: How we can remove a toxic substance from our environment

Abstract The reduction of sodium bromate (NaBrO3) by [Co(dmgBF2)2(OH2)2] (where dmgBF2 = difluoroboryldimethylglyoximato) was investigated in hydrochloric and nitric acids. Analytical studies were carried out via gravimetric analysis and UV–visible spectrophotometry. Gravimetric analysis proved that sodium bromate was reduced to from quantitative amounts of sodium bromide in the presence of hydrochloric acid. Biochar was used to sequester the complex from the reaction mixture and to neutralize the acidic media. The UV–visible data confirmed the sequestration of the complex from the reaction mixture after exposure to the biochar. The collected pH data proved a direct relationship between pH and the amount of biochar used in the form of a titration curve. Kinetic studies were also carried out to ascertain the mechanism of the oxidation of [Co(dmgBF2)2(OH2)2] by NaBrO3. The oxidation of [Co(dmgBF2)2(OH2)2] by NaBrO3 was carried out by stopped-flow spectrophotometry at 450 nm by varying temperature and over the range of 1.00 mM ≤ [HCl] ≤ 11.00 mM, at a constant ionic strength of 0.60 M (NaCl). From the data, a mechanism for the reaction was proposed. From the mechanism the following rate expression was derived, k obs = k 2 K a \; + \;k \; 1 H + BrO 3 - T [ H + ] \; + \; K a , where k1 was calculated to be 4.2 × 104 M−1 s−1 at 25 °C, and the activation parameters (ΔH‡ and ΔS‡) were calculated as 57 ± 1 kJ mol−1 and 34 ± 4 J mol−1 K−1, respectively.
Logic Obfuscation Through Enhanced Threshold Voltage Defined Logic Family

Reverse engineering reveals the physical structure as well as the functionality of an intellectual property (IP) and integrated circuit (IC). This opens the door for IP/IC piracy, counterfeiting, and malicious attacks such as Trojan insertions. Camouflaged logic gates that have the same schematic architecture with identical layout is used to operate for different types of Boolean functions to prevent the de-layering of the chip. An enhanced threshold voltage (E-TVD) defined logic family is proposed in this brief that prevents the internal functionality from being revealed. Compared to previous TVD logic family, the total number of transistors and the cascaded transistors from supply to ground is reduced to enhance the overall performance. A 65nm process is used to compare the conventional TVD logic family and the proposed E-TVD logic family. Post layout simulation results show that the proposed E-TVD logic family for a 3-input logic gate is 34% area efficient, 45% faster, and consumes 40% less power compared to conventional TVD design.
Envenomations during pregnancy reported to the national poison data system, 2009–2018

Envenomations during pregnancy have consequences affecting both maternal and fetal outcomes. U.S. poison center data on envenomations offers a comparative view of envenomations in pregnant and non-pregnant women. The National Poison Data System of the American Association of Poison Control Centers was searched for cases of envenomation during pregnancy between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2018 and compared with exposures to non-pregnant females of childbearing age. Odds ratios and descriptive statistics were used where appropriate. There were a total of 3,555 venomous animal exposures in pregnant women during this 10-year period, most commonly with scorpion stings. These were compared with 87,553 envenomations in non-pregnant women of childbearing age during that time period. Overall, drug treatment was administered in 350 (9.9%) cases of envenomation in pregnant women compared with 21,381 (24.4%) of non-pregnant patients. Antihistamines were less likely to be used in pregnant patients with scorpion (1.8% v. 9.2%), hymenoptera (bee, wasp, or hornet) (12.4% v. 37.1%), black widow spider (2.8% v. 8.1%), and caterpillar (10.4% v. 37.7%) exposures. There was an increased likelihood of antivenom use during pregnancy with rattlesnake envenomations (85.0% v. 58.9%) and black widow spider bites (4.8% v. 2.2%). There were no maternal deaths, and most maternal outcomes were coded as having no (1.0%) or minor (87.6%) effects. Three fetal deaths occurred, all following snakebites and all before 20 weeks gestation. Two were attributed as related, and one as of uncertain relationship to the exposure, by the managing poison centers. Most envenomations caused no or minor effects to pregnant women.
Technologies for Reading, Writing & Editing Omes

To achieve exponential improvements in cost and quality of DNA reading and writing (R&W) up to 10 million-fold, we’ve introduced a series of NGS technologies (for example, fluorescent microscopy, nanopore and direct electronic measures). The next steps are extending these revolutions to other biomolecules and their functional impacts — reflected in ever increasing resolution in time and in spatial 3D structures (R&W). A key recurring concept (going far beyond ‘parallelism’) is ‘molecular multiplexing’ in which pools of hundreds to trillions of tagged molecular and cellular types are treated with the same effort as single unpooled reactions. Improvements in quality and resolution do not increase costs, indeed often reduce them. Applications include therapeutic editing, genetic matchmaking, synthetic organs, pan-virus resistance and in situ diagnostics. New approaches to protein design for novel sensors and delivery vehicles are emerging. Software and other interfaces with the public are key components of future revolutions.
A Robotically Steerable Guidewire With Forward-Viewing Ultrasound: Development of Technology for Minimally-Invasive Imaging

Objective: The current standard of care for peripheral chronic total occlusions involves the manual routing of a guidewire under fluoroscopy. Despite significant improvements in recent decades, navigation remains clinically challenging with high rates of procedural failure and iatrogenic injury. To address this challenge, we present a proof-of-concept robotic guidewire system with forward-viewing ultrasound imaging to allow visualization and maneuverability through complex vasculature. Methods: A 0.035” guidewire-specific ultrasound transducer with matching layer and acoustic backing was designed, fabricated, and characterized. The effect of guidewire motion on signal decorrelation was assessed with simulations and experimentally, driving the development of a synthetic aperture beamforming approach to form images as the transducer is steered on the robotic guidewire. System performance was evaluated by imaging wire targets in water. Finally, proof-of-concept was demonstrated by imaging an ex vivo artery. Results: The designed custom transducer was fabricated with a center frequency of 15.7 MHz, 45.4% fractional bandwidth, and 31 dB SNR. In imaging 20 μm wire targets at a depth of 6 mm, the lateral −6 dB target width was 0.25 ± 0.03 mm. The 3D artery reconstruction allowed visualization of vessel wall structure and lumen. Conclusion: Initial proof-of-concept for an ultrasound transducer-tipped steerable guidewire including 3D image formation without an additional sensor to determine guidewire position was demonstrated for a sub-mm system with an integrated ultrasound transducer and a robotically-steered guidewire. Significance: The developed forward-viewing, robotically-steered guidewire may enable navigation through occluded vascular regions that cannot be crossed with current methods.
Introduction to Supervised Machine Learning

The common conception and criticism of machine learning (ML) in medicine is that it centers around a “black box,” an inscrutable series of mathematical calculations that take in data and spit out predictions, lacking the pathobiological explanatory rigor to which medical researchers are accustomed. Although this is oversimplified, it is not altogether untrue. It is also not really a problem. The true place for ML in medicine is not in explanation, but in prediction. The broadest definitions of ML describe processes that take in historical data, learn salient relationships, and use that knowledge to make predictions on new data. To that end, ML algorithms have been present in medicine for decades—hiding in plain sight in the form of, for example, logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models. Although these algorithms fall within the category of supervised ML (there is a single target outcome, such as death, to predict), they are somewhat special in that they are readily interpretable and assign a “weight” to the various parameters in the model. Indeed, researchers often over interpret these weights, suggesting they imply a causal mechanism as opposed to a mere association (1). Modern ML algorithms reorient the central goal to flexibly predicting outcomes for new data as closely as possible. This allows us to ease many of the strong assumptions behind classic models, permitting the connection between covariates and an outcome to be mediated by any black-box algorithm, saving considerations of interpretability and plausibility for post-hoc discussions (2) In this communication, we hope to orient readers to the techniques, mechanisms, and purpose of supervised ML, which has a goal of predicting outcomes. For ML strategies to work, the entire data lifecycle must be carefully considered. The pipeline naturally begins with data selection, which includes cohort selection, but further aims to clarify which aspects …
Hydrothermal Organic Geochemistry (HOG) sampler for deployment on deep-sea submersibles

Abstract The fate of carbon while passing through the rocky subseafloor of the ocean has direct implications on the global carbon cycle now and over geologic time, as well as the abundance and distribution of subseafloor life. Many organic geochemical studies require larger volumes of fluids than traditional hydrothermal samplers can provide, and also require rigorous steps to be taken to prevent contamination. The Hydrothermal Organic Geochemistry (HOG) sampler is designed to collect large volume (2–9 L) fluid samples with minimal introduction of organic or microbial contamination, and to be powered and deployed in real time from a submersible. Additional design constraints include utilizing materials appropriate for sampling fluids with elevated temperatures, fitting the sampler into the space available on the submersible, and minimizing the time needed to remove samples and prepare the sampler for re-deployment between dives. It utilizes two inlets, one devoted to natural abundance geochemistry and one that can be used for samples pre-dosed with isotopic labels or preservatives. Temperature probes providing real-time data are incorporated into each inlet to facilitate positioning the intake in areas of the hottest fluid flow, thereby minimizing entrainment of ambient bottom seawater while sampling. Fluids are shunted through two main conduits by a large volume pump. Smaller ports stemming off the main conduit connect to positive displacement fluid sample chambers and in situ filters. The outlets of these chambers and filter holders are connected to a 24-port valve, which in turn is connected to a small volume pump. The HOG sampler has successfully collected over 100 high purity fluid samples and 50 in situ filters during two expeditions to deep sea hydrothermal fields.
Gastroschisis with intestinal atresia leads to longer hospitalization and poor feeding outcomes

Objective Compare in-hospital outcomes in gastroschisis with intestinal atresia versus simple gastroschisis (GS) using a national database. Study design The Children's Hospitals Neonatal Database identified infants with gastroschisis from 2010 to 2016. Results 2078 patients with gastroschisis were included: 183 (8.8%) with co-existing intestinal atresia, 1713 (82.4%) with simple gastroschisis, the remainder with complex gastroschisis without atresia. Length of hospitalization was longer for those with atresia, and yielded higher rates of mortality, medical NEC, and intestinal perforation. They began enteral feedings later, were less likely to initiate feeds orally, and reached full feedings later. They were less likely to be receiving any maternal breast milk or breastfeeding at discharge and more likely than simple gastroschisis to be discharged with a feeding tube. Conclusion A large multicenter cohort showed gastroschisis with atresia results in worse outcomes and complications, including necrotizing enterocolitis, feeding delays, and enteral feeding tube dependence.
Unsatisfactoriness of Ordinal Methods in Dealing with Problems of Social Choice

This chapter is devoted to illustrating the contention that any social decision function which does not take into consideration the strengths of preference of the members of the social choice situations in determining the social action to be taken, may produce unsatisfactory results.
Precise and Efficient Retrieval of Captioned Images: The MARIE Project.

The MARIE project has explored knowledge-based information retrieval of captioned images of the kind found in picture libraries and on the Internet. It exploits the idea that images are easier to understand with context, especially descriptive text near them, but it also does image analysis. The MARIE approach has five parts: (1) find the images and captions; (2) parse and interpret the captions; (3) segment the images into regions of homogeneous characteristics and classify them; (4) correlate caption interpretation with image interpretation using the idea of focus; and (5) optimize query execution at run time. MARIE emphasizes domain-independent methods for portability at the expense of some performance, although some domain specification is still required. Experiments show MARIE prototypes are more accurate than simpler methods, although the task is very challenging and more work is needed. Its processing is illustrated in detail on part of an Internet World Wide Web page.
The International Geophysical Year: U.S. Programme

(1957). The International Geophysical Year: U.S. Programme. IETE Journal of Research: Vol. 3, No. 3, pp. 183-189.
Mission reliability analysis of phased-mission systems-of-systems with data sharing capability

System-of-systems (SoS) are increasingly the preferred solution to meeting capability requirements. An SoS solution may be quicker and more affordable, especially by utilizing existing systems, and offers more flexibility to changing requirements and technology upgrades. The challenge is in achieving interoperability among the physically independent systems and evaluating the key performance metric for SoS mission effectiveness; mission reliability. In this paper, we present an approach for estimating lower bound mission reliability for an SoS in which SoS is operating a phased mission and its constituent systems are capable of exchanging data. This approach is based on defining and describing the mission of an SoS in terms of phases, i.e. durations, mission essential functions and success criteria. Since data sharing among the systems is the key enabler of effective SoS operation, we modeled the function of data generation and sharing as a redundant common SoS mission essential function. This approach has wide applicability in planning an SoS capability using existing systems as well as development of future SoSs. Data generation and sharing concepts, such as moving the data generation from certain systems to other means, can readily be evaluated in terms of SoS mission reliability. The problem of mission reliability modeling and analysis for an SoS with data sharing capability is illustrated through a realistic case of a search and rescue mission.
DIFFUSE NEONATAL HEMANGIOMATOSIS

Two infants with diffuse neonatal hemangiomatosis are presented. One infant developed thrombocytopenia and bleeding while the other infant with more widely diffuse lesions succumbed to extensive central nervous system involvement. Steroid therapy caused no obvious alteration in either of the patient9s course. The vascular lesion in this disease is possibly congenital absence of vessel wall pericytes. Six previous cases of diffuse neonatal hemangiomatosis are briefly reviewed in relation to the sites of the lesions, cause of death and malignant potential.
Laser Flash Photolysis Studies of Triplet Carbenes

In the last 12 years, flash photolysis has taken its place among the standard tools which can be brought to bear on the study of triplet carbenes.† The seminal experiment was performed by Closs and Rabinow in 1976.(1) Using a very inexpensive and even primitive conventional flash lamp system, they obtained the first absolute rate constant for a carbene reaction in solution. Subsequent investigators using equipment that was much more sophisticated and about 50 to 100 times more expensive than that available to Closs and Rabinow have been able to confirm the results of their studies of diphenyl-carbene (DPC). More seriously, though, DPC is among the least reactive of all carbenes and about the only one sufficiently long-lived to be detected in a conventional flash photolysis experiment. It would not have been possible to study fluorenylidene or the naphthylcarbenes without nanosecond (ns) pulsed lasers. Before extolling the virtues of laser flash photolysis (LFP), another debt must first be acknowledged.
Radiation levels from Ra-223 Chloride unit doses and shielding requirements

2728 Objectives Radium-223 Chloride (Xofigo, Algeta) is an alpha emitting therapeutic radiopharmaceutical used to treat metastatic bone cancer primarily from prostate cancers. Ra-223 decays by a series of multiple α, β, and γ emissions. The manufacturer states that radiation emitted from the patient unit dose is low, so no additional shielding is required for administration. The objective was to determine the radiation levels from Ra-223 unit doses and the most effective syringe shield for Ra-223. Methods The radiation levels from 2 unit doses of Ra-223, with an activity of 93.6uCi/5ml (dose 1) and 132.0uCi/7.2ml (dose 2), were evaluated. Two thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) were placed on each unit dose syringe, exposed for 30 minutes, removed and sent to Landauer Inc. for radiation measurement. Dose 1 was placed in a Biodex Beta Syringe Shield and 2 TLDs were positioned on the outside of the shield for 30 minutes. Dose 2 was placed in a Tc-99m Tungsten Syringe Shield and 2 TLDs were positioned on the outside of the shield for 30 minutes. TLDs were then removed and sent to Landauer Inc. Two additional TLDs were used as controls. Results The radiation levels from the unshielded 93.6uCi Ra-223 unit dose and the unshielded 132.0uCi Ra-223 unit dose were 1110 mrem/hr and 670 mrem/hr and 1110 mrem/hr and 760 mrem/hr, respectively, indicating significant radiation levels. The radiation levels from the 93.6uCi Ra-223 dose in a Biodex Beta Shield and the 132.0uCi Ra-223 dose in a Tc-99m tungsten syringe shield were both background indicating effective shielding for both syringe shields. Conclusions The radiation levels from two clinical Ra-223 unit doses were evaluated. Significant radiation levels of 1110 mrem/hr were obtained for both unit doses. A Biodex Beta Syringe Shield and Tc-99m Tungsten Syringe Shield were both effective at reducing radiation levels to background. Although radiation levels from unit doses are relatively low, radiation emitted from the Ra-223 dose should be shielded to adhere to the ALARA principle.
Mouth preparation for removable partial dentures

Abstract The dentist-patient relationship in removable partial denture construction is enhanced by careful attention to mouth preparation before the final impression is made. The patient's health has an effect, favorable or unfavorable, on the longevity of the prosthesis. Mouth preparation for the removable partial denture impression is directed toward the reduction of stress in order to protect and preserve the teeth and tissues. The preconstruction planning should not only include improvement of the existing conditions, but should prevent the inclusion of new stresses.