cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Duration of Erk1/2 Signaling Determines Neutrophil Versus Monocyte Cell Fates in Response to G-CSF and M-CSF

Neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages are derived from hematopoietic stem cells that, through progressive commitment, give rise to granulocyte-monocyte progenitors that in turn develop into either neutrophils or monocytes/macrophages. Although it is well known that cell fate specification in the hematopoietic system depends on the expression of lineage specific transcription factors, the roles of cytokines in lineage commitment are less clear and two models have been proposed. According to the stochastic model, cell fate choice is stochastic and cytokines simply provide signals for the survival and proliferation of committed cells. The instructive model, on the other hand, proposes that cytokines stimulate intracellular signaling pathways that dictate cell fate decisions. G-CSF and M-CSF are two lineage-specific cytokines that play a dominant role in granulopoiesis and monopoiesis, respectively. Recent studies lend strong support to the roles of G-CSF and M-CSF in instructing lineage commitment. However, the signaling pathways that determine neutrophil versus monocyte cell fate following stimulation with G-CSF and M-CSF are unknown. Here we show that tyrosine (Y) 729 of the G-CSFR is involved in transducing signals that specify neutrophil cell fate. Substitution of Y729 with phenylalanine (F) results in monocytic differentiation in response to G-CSF in murine myeloid 32D and multipotent FDCP-mix A4 cells. G-CSF stimulated activation of Erk1/2 was prolonged in cells expressing G-CSFR Y729F mutant. Significantly, treatment of cells with Mek1/2 inhibitors U0126 or PD0325901 rescued neutrophilic differentiation. M-CSF has been shown to induce prolonged activation of Erk1/2, which is required for monocytic differentiation. Interestingly, the Mek1/2 inhibitors also promoted neutrophil cell fate at the expense of monocytic development in lineage marker negative (Lin - ) primary bone marrow cells cultured in M-CSF. We further demonstrate that prolonged activation of Erk1/2 was associated with augmented activation of c-Fos and Egr1, both of which have previously been shown to promote monocytic development. Consistent with this, knockdown of c-Fos or Egr1 redirected 32D cells expressing G-CSFR Y729F mutant to develop into neutrophils in response to G-CSF. We propose that M-CSF stimulates more sustained activation of Erk1/2 than G-CSF does and that the duration of Erk1/2 signaling regulates neutrophil versus monocyte cell fate choices, likely through altering the activation statuses of c-Fos and Egr1. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Think rich, feel hurt: the critique of capitalism and the production of affect in the making of financial subjects in South Korea

This article describes the process of financial subjectification by observing a private educational programme on financial self-management in South Korea. ‘Wealth-tech’ is a popular Korean term tha...
Experimental verification of virtual inertia in diesel generator based microgrids

The dynamic frequency stability issues in microgrids with large penetration of low inertia and intermittent photovoltaic (PV) systems can be improved by using virtual inertia (VI). A VI is the combination of energy storage system, power electronics converter and a proper control algorithm. This paper presents design and experimental verification of the VI in a PV-diesel generator based remote microgrid system. Firstly, the VI was designed and tested in simulation using MATLAB/Simulink. Later, a hardware prototype of 1 kW inverter for the VI was designed and tested with a 13 kW diesel generator test system. The VI unit was able to reduce the frequency variations from a minimum value of 57.39 Hz to 58.03 Hz for a step change in the system load. The frequency deviations can be further reduced with a larger VI unit or multiple VI units in a real microgrid scenario.
Gun Violence Following Inpatient Psychiatric Treatment: Offense Characteristics, Sources of Guns, and Number of Victims

Objective:This study presents data on the relative contribution to gun violence by people with a history of inpatient psychiatric treatment and on federal efforts to deter presumptively dangerous persons from obtaining firearms, information useful for analyzing the potential public health benefits of gun policies targeting people with serious mental illness. The study also estimates the reduction in gun violence victims that would be expected if individuals with a previous psychiatric hospitalization were prohibited from purchasing firearms.Methods:Data from 838 violent gun offenders from a nationally representative sample of state prison inmates were analyzed. Those with and without a history of psychiatric hospitalization were compared on a range of offense characteristics, including relationship to the victim, number of victims, location of the offense, and source of firearms.Results:Inmates with a history of hospitalization constituted 12% of all violent gun offenders and accounted for 13% of the samp...
Brave New Worlds: The Expanding Universe of Lyme Disease

Abstract Projections around the globe suggest an increase in tick-vectored disease incidence and distribution, and the potential for emergence of novel tick-borne pathogens. Lyme disease is the most common reported tick-borne illness in the Unites States and is prevalent throughout much of central Europe. In recent years, the worldwide burden of Lyme disease has increased and extended into regions and countries where the disease was not previously reported. In this review, we discuss the trends for increasing Lyme disease, and examine the factors driving Lyme disease expansion, including the effect of climate change on the spread of vector Ixodid ticks and reservoir hosts; and the impacts of increased awareness on disease reporting and diagnosis. To understand the growing threat of Lyme disease, we need to study the interplay between vector, reservoir, and pathogen. In addition, we need to understand the contributions of climate conditions to changes in disease risk.
Observation driven sensor scheduling

Consider a remote sensing system consisting of two sensors, a scheduler and a non-collocated fusion center. Each sensor observes a distinct component of a bivariate Gaussian source. The fusion center and the sensors are separated by a noiseless channel that can support the transmission of only one of the measurements at a time. The scheduler must decide which of the measurements will be revealed to the fusion center based on both of the observations. Finally, the fusion center forms an estimate of the entire source based on the observation chosen by the scheduler. Our goal is to design scheduling and estimation policies that jointly minimize a mean squared error criterion. We establish the person-by-person optimality between a scheduling policy where the observation with the largest magnitude is transmitted and its corresponding conditional expectation estimation policy in two scenarios: when the state is distributed according to a bivariate Gaussian density with independent components; and according to a symmetrically correlated Gaussian density with unit variances.
A meta-analysis of the effect of therapist experience on outcomes for clients with internalizing disorders

Objective: This meta-analysis synthesized the literature regarding the effect of therapist experience on internalizing client outcomes to evaluate the utility of lay providers in delivering treatment and to inform therapist training. Method: The analysis included 22 studies, contributing 208 effect sizes. Study and client characteristics were coded to examine moderators. We conducted subgroup meta-analyses examining the relationship of therapist experience across a diverse set of internalizing client outcomes. Results: Results demonstrated a small, but significant relationship between therapist experience and internalizing client outcomes. There was no relationship between therapist experience and outcomes in clients with primary anxiety disorders. In samples of clients with primary depressive disorders and in samples of clients with mixed internalizing disorders, there was a significant relationship between experience and outcomes. The relationship between therapist experience and outcomes was stronger when clients were randomized to therapists, treatment was not manualized, and for measures of client satisfaction and "other" outcomes (e.g., dropout). Conclusions: It appears that therapist experience may matter for internalizing clients under certain circumstances, but this relationship is modest. Continuing methodological concerns in the literature are noted, as well as recommendations to address these concerns.
Response of the Equatorial Ocean to Periodic Forcing

The annual and semiannual cycles in the atmosphere are the result of low-frequency periodic forcing of the ocean. This chapter systematically develops the theory of the ocean response to a periodically-varying wind stress. Special emphasis is given to low frequency forcing and the use of the low frequency/meridional geostrophy approximation to analyze it.
Transitions of Care in the Perioperative Period

The purpose of this article is to summarize the evolving literature concerning perioperative handoffs for surgical patients. Perioperative transitions of care are high-risk events with the opportunity for patient harm. Recognition of this risk has led to increased scrutiny of handoffs occurring throughout the perioperative care continuum. Though limited, previous literature has focused on the use of checklists as a strategy to increase handoff reliability. More recent literature suggests that broader, process-driven interventions may be more effective in addressing the multiple factors that contribute to the success of patient handoffs. Further, recent studies have begun to address the sustainability of such interventions. Handoffs are complex, error-prone patient care events. Handoff process standardization (including, but not solely consisting of checklist use) is a promising, evidence-based strategy that has been shown to improve communication and mitigate harm to patients receiving care in perioperative settings.
Pulse-Width Modulation based Dot-Product Engine for Neuromorphic Computing System using Memristor Crossbar Array

The Dot-Product Engine (DPE) is a critical circuit for implementing neural networks in hardware. The recent-developed memristor crossbar array technology, which is able to efficiently carry out dot-product multiplication and update its weights in real time, has been considered as one of the viable technologies to build a high-efficient neural network computing system. In this paper, the Pulse-Width-Modulation (PWM) based DPE has been presented and analyzed. Here, the PWM based signal, instead of the traditional amplitude modulated (AM) signal, is used as the computation variable. Comparing to the existing AM based system, this PWM counterpart provides an alternative approach to reduce the power consumption and chip area of its peripheral circuits. Power and area saving becomes more prominent when the size and/or the number of arrays increase. This new approach also provides the critically needed scalability to accommodate the computation variable with higher precision. In this paper, a 4-bit (can be easily expanded to 8-bit) feed forward neural network with 3-bit weights (memristor's conductance) is constructed using the proposed PWM DPE to identify digits from the MNIST data set. The circuit system is implemented in 130 nm standard CMOS technology. The entire circuit system consumes about 53mW with more than 86% recognition accuracy in average.
Comparing panoramic radiographs and cone beam computed tomography: Impact on radiographic features and differential diagnoses

Objectives The aims of this study were to determine whether lesion features appear differently on panoramic radiography (PAN) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), and whether the use of CBCT affects diagnostic accuracy and observers' confidence in comparison with PAN. Study Design Three oral and maxillofacial radiologists reviewed 33 sets of PAN images and CBCT volumes of biopsy-proven lesions. They described 12 different lesion features and provided up to 3 ranked differential diagnoses, as well as their confidence with respect to those diagnoses. Their confidence was weighted by the rank at which the correct diagnosis was provided. Results Odds ratios (ORs) were statistically significant for border definition (OR = 5.45; P = .004), continuity of border cortication (OR = 0.34; P = .035), effect on neurovascular canals (OR = 6.38; P = .043), expansion (OR = 18.56; P Conclusions Before acquiring a CBCT scan to aid in the diagnosis of an intraosseous lesion, clinicians should consider the diagnostic information that is expected to be gained. In this study, although there were differences between PAN and CBCT with respect to some lesion features, CBCT did not help improve diagnostic accuracy.
Neoadjuvant ipilimumab in locally/regionally advanced melanoma: Clinical outcome and immune monitoring.

8533 Background: Neoadjuvant ipilimumab (ipi) for stage IIIB-C melanoma may improve the clinical outcomes and provide access to pre/post ipi blood and tumor to gain insight into host effector and suppressor immune response mechanisms. Methods: Patients were treated with ipi (10 mg/kg IV q3weeks x 4doses total) bracketing definitive surgery. Tissue samples were obtained at baseline and at definitive surgery (week ≥ 6) and serum/PBMC collected at baseline, 6 weeks, then at 3, 6, 9, 12 months and/or progression. Flow cytometry was used to monitor the host effector and suppressor immune response in blood and evaluable tumor. Results: Thirty pts (21 male, 9 female), age 40-87 were enrolled (25 cutaneous primary, 1 unknown, 4 mucosal). Six had AJCC stage IIIB (N2b, N2c) and 24 IIIC (N3) melanoma. Ninety-three cycles have been delivered (median 4). Worst toxicities included grade 3 diarrhea/colitis (5 patients; 17%), hepatic enzyme elevations (2; 7%), rash (2; 7%), lipase (1; 3%), all manageable. Median follow u...
Information processing channels in the sense of touch

The concept of channels and their properties as defined in terms of mechanisms is discussed with respect to the multichannel model for taction. Analysis of neurophysiological results and the establishment of psychophysical-physiological linking hypothesis show how the functional basis of the multichannel model was established. A discussion of how the effects of multimodal interactions, attention and learning affect the information carried by the channels is also included.
Immediate and Short-Term Biologic Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation on Normal Skin

A host of biologic effects of ultraviolet exposure of normal human skin begin immediately after absorption of ultraviolet photons within the tissue. Biophysical and photochemical molecular events are followed by alterations in biochemistry and subsequent changes in cell metabolism. Electron-microscopic and histochemical studies demonstrate changes in cell structure and function occurring in minutes to hours after UV exposure. Subsequently, products of photochemistry and altered metabolism lead to cellular changes recognizable by routine light microscopy. Over hours to days, changes in blood flow, cell kinetics, and pigment production cause grossly observable changes in the whole organ.
Hypothesis on the significance of RNA-directed DNA synthesis for evolution.

The hypothesis is advanced that genetic information packaged in protoviruses is routed both horizontally (from cell to cell and from organism to organism) and vertically (from somatic cells to germ cells) as a means of advancing evolution. Protoviruses are produced in response to environmentally-induced stress and via the RNA → DNA feedback loop are inserted into the genome of recipient cells. Once inserted there, they confer new biochemical properties to the host cell which are normally of selective value.
Annotating The Satanic Verses: An Example of Internet Research and Publication

The project of creating annotations to Salman Rushdie's novel, The Satanic Verses, involved drawing on many resources on the Internet, including Web pages, E-mail lists, and individual correspondents. Internet research naturally stimulates collaborative research, and the end product is more flexible, useful, and available to a wider audience than is conventional paper publishing.
Intrinsic versus extrinsic goals: The role of self-construal in understanding consumer response to goal framing in social marketing

Abstract According to Self-Determination Theory, goal framing can be categorized as intrinsic or extrinsic. Intrinsic goal framing emphasizes the attainment of intrinsic goals (e.g., autonomy, growth, and health), whereas extrinsic goal framing articulates the attainment of extrinsic goals (e.g., wealth, image, and fame). Although prior research has demonstrated that intrinsic (vs. extrinsic) goal framing leads to more desirable goal-related outcomes, three experiments in the context of persuasion reveal a boundary condition of this established relationship. Specifically, this work demonstrates that the established positive effect of intrinsic (vs. extrinsic) goal framing is evident only when consumers' independent self-construal is accessible. In addition, findings show that both autonomous motivation and message persuasiveness mediate these effects. This work offers a theoretical contribution to the motivation and consumer behavior literature streams by demonstrating the moderating role of consumers' accessible self-construal on goal framing. This work also offers practical implications for advertising and message strategy.
Cracking and spalling of the oxide layer developed in high-burnup Zircaloy-4 cladding under normal operating conditions in a PWR

Abstract In this paper, the evolution of cracks from the surface of a thick oxide layer on Zircaloy-4 cladding has been analyzed for the normal operation of pressurized-water reactors. The conditions for the propagation of radial cracks towards the interface, channeling along the axis of the cladding, and the possible subsequent spalling of the oxide have been studied. The analysis was conducted by first calculating how the stresses in the oxide developed during operation, using a numerical model that incorporates multiple mechanisms such as creep, swelling and oxidation. These calculations demonstrate that the circumferential stresses within the oxide increase as oxidation proceeds and as the cladding expands under the effect of fuel swelling. Although the intrinsic growth stresses of the oxide are compressive, tensile stresses can eventually develop in the outer region of the oxide. Within this regime, the energy-release rate for the radial propagation of a crack was determined using the J-integral along with the calculated stress profile. By assuming a suitable value of toughness for the oxide, it is possible to determine the depth to which such a radial crack can grow. A second fracture-mechanics calculation was then conducted to explore the conditions under which such a surface crack can subsequently channel along the axial direction of the cladding. A third fracture-mechanics analysis considered oxide spalling. This showed the possibility of spalling from the radial cracks, which leaves a thin layer of the oxide adhered to the metal that can result in a local cold spot responsible for hydride formation.
Five Different Species of Legal Tests--And What They All Have in Common

As every law-school graduate knows, not all the legal world is categorical or elemental. Outcomes are often uncertain. This can be troubling news, but there is good news as well: first, the different species of legal tests (and there are at least five) are capable of being described, and their purposes understood. Second, most (if not all) rules have one thing in common: they are just if-then propositions. In this essay, we explain some different species of legal tests: elements, factors, balancing tests, means-ends tests, and categorical tests. We also briefly discuss the best structure for legal reasoning—the conditional syllogism—and provide a new way of presenting that structure to students and practitioners alike. Finally, we discuss how to apply rules as if-then propositions, regardless what kind of test is being applied.
Current practice and perceptions regarding pain, agitation and delirium management in patients receiving venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Abstract Purpose To characterize monitoring of pain, agitation, and delirium; investigate opioid and sedative choices; and describe prevention and treatment of delirium in adults receiving venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vv-ECMO) for respiratory failure. Materials and methods International, cross-sectional survey distributed January 2018 to members of the Society of Critical Care Medicine. Results Respondents were predominately physicians (58%) from North America (89%). Fentanyl (77%) and hydromorphone (48%) were the most common intravenous opioids used to manage pain. A deep level of sedation was targeted in the first 24-h after initiation of vv-ECMO 64% of the time. When deep sedation was targeted, propofol (70%) and benzodiazepines (41%) were the most common sedatives. The most common sedatives for light sedation were dexmedetomidine (45%) and propofol (39%). Delirium prevention included avoidance of benzodiazepines (73%), whereas the most common treatment strategy was scheduled atypical antipsychotics (83%). Centers that extubated patients during vv-ECMO used dexmedetomidine as the second preferred sedative as compared to benzodiazepines at non-extubating centers (p = 0.04). Conclusions Most respondents use validated scales and protocols to assess and manage pain, agitation/sedation, and delirium. The majority of respondents reported targeting a deep level of sedation with propofol being used for both deep and light levels of sedation.
Adjustable continence therapy (ProACT) for the treatment of male stress urinary incontinence: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Aims First, to evaluate the efficacy of adjustable balloon devices or adjustable continence therapy (ProACT) in the treatment for male stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Second, to investigate the safety profile and rates of adverse events associated with the implantation of adjustable balloon devices. Method A review of the literature was performed by searching the PubMed database with the most applicable search terms. We narrowed included studies with adult male patients with SUI; outcomes included pads or pad weight per day and quality of life (QOL) questionnaires, as well as safety outcomes. Results In total, 19 studies were included with a total of 1264 patients and 4517 patient-years of follow-up data (mean follow-up time 3.6 years). ProACT implantation resulted in an incontinence QOL improvement of 30.8 points from baseline. At baseline, patients on average were using 4.0 pads per day (PPD) (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.6-5.4), which was reduced to an average of 1.1 PPD (95% CI: 0.5-1.7) after ProACT implantation. The number of patients that were considered "dry" was 60.2% (95% CI: 54.2%-65.9%) and the number of patients who were found to be either "dry" or improved greater than 50% was 81.9% (95% CI: 74%-87.8%). Conclusions Implantation of adjustable balloon devices is efficacious and safe for the treatment of male SUI. Given the minimal invasiveness of the therapy, adjustable balloon devices may be a serious option as a first-line treatment in nonirradiated patients with SUI who are not ideal candidates for the artificial urinary sphincter.
Novel Use of N-Acetylcysteine in Management of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Induced Acute Liver Injury.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been adopted in the treatment of a variety of malignancies. Despite their popularity, the underlying mechanism of the adverse effects seen with the use of TKIs is not completely understood. Acute liver injury is a known side effect of many of these drugs. Some papers have demonstrated that N-acetylcysteine may have a role in non-acetaminophen induced acute liver failure (NAI-ALF). There is little evidence supporting the use of N-acetylcysteine in the treatment of tyrosine kinase inhibitor-induced acute liver injury. This case report adds to the limited body of existing knowledge. We present a 67-year-old Caucasian female with a past medical history of anxiety, hyperlipidemia, in utero exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES), and well-differentiated angiosarcoma of the right breast. She achieved remission for approximately six years after mastectomy with adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation. Subsequent surveillance imaging revealed new hepatic and cervical lesions. Further investigation with cutaneous biopsy near the occipital region confirmed recurrent metastatic angiosarcoma. The patient was started on high-dose pazopanib and initially tolerated the TKI without any adverse effects. However, after approximately two weeks of therapy, she began to experience dark colored urine, myalgias, and fatigue. These symptoms, along with significant elevations in liver enzymes (alanine transaminase of 1377 units/L, aspartate transaminase of 1212 units/L), prompted admission for evaluation of acute liver injury. The etiology of the acute liver injury was suspected to be secondary to TKI therapy. Treatment with intravenous N-acetylcysteine was initiated for non-acetaminophen induced acute liver failure (NAI-ALF) and resulted in a dramatic improvement in transaminases before discharge. Evidence suggests that there is a beneficial role for N-acetylcysteine in the management of NAI-ALF. However, when it comes specifically to the management of TKI induced acute liver injury, there is limited evidence to support its use. This case report highlights a possible use of N-acetylcysteine in the management of TKI mediated acute liver injury. Additional studies should be conducted to determine the role N-acetylcysteine plays in the management of TKI mediated liver injury.
Reactive Power Optimization in Distribution Network Considering Reactive Power Regulation Capability and Fuzzy Characteristics of Distributed Generators

The characteristics of distributed generators (DGs) are its reactive power control capacity and fuzzy feature, which bring great effect to reactive power optimization of distribution network. The reactive power control capacity of PV station and wind turbine driven doubly-fed induction generator is considered, and trapezoidal fuzzy number is used to express fuzzy feature of the DGs. Taking the reactive power of DGs \backslash the operating number of parallel capacitors and the tap of load regulating transformer as its optimization variables, the expectation of active loss and node voltage deviation minimization are chosen as the objective function in the proposed reactive power optimization algorithm, and solved by the improved firefly algorithm. The proposed model is verified by IEEE 33-bus system, to which the distributed PV generation and wind power generation are simultaneously added, and an optimal scheme possessing the meaning of fuzzy statistics is achieved, and the results show the efficiency of the model and algorithm.
Effect Financial Ratio, Company Age, Size Public Accountant Firm In Audit Delay

The accuracy in submission of financial statements is a condition where the company must accurately and timely calculate the report before being audited by public accountants. The purpose of this study was to Determine the effect of profitability, solvability, liquidity, company age and size of the public accounting firm with size as control variables on audit delay either simultaneously or partially. The population in this study was the mining companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2015-2017 and used 37 samples companies. The statistical analysis used in this study was the data panel regression analysis and continued testing of hypotheses with EViews version 9.0 software program. Based on the results of the analysis, it was concluded that the variable of profitability, liquidity, and age of company had no significant effect on audit delay. solvability, size of public accounting firm, and company size had a significant effect on audit delay.
How the Trump Administration's Pandemic Health Care Response Failed Racial Health Equity: Case Studies of Structural Racism and a Call for Equity Mindfulness in Federal Health Policy Making.

CONTEXT: The racial health equity implications of the Trump administration's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We focus on four key health care policy decisions made by the administration in response to the public health emergency: rejecting a special Marketplace enrollment period; failing to use its full powers to enhance state Medicaid emergency options; refusing to suspend the public charge rule; and failing to target provider relief funds to providers serving the uninsured. FINDINGS: In each case, the administration's policy choices intensified, rather than mitigated, structural racism and racial health inequality. Its choices had a disproportionate adverse impact on minority populations and patients who are more likely to depend on public programs, be poor, experience pandemic-related job loss, lack insurance, rely on health care safety net providers, and be exposed to public charge sanctions. CONCLUSIONS: Ending structural racism in health care and promoting racial health care equity demands an equity-mindful approach to the pursuit of policies that enhance-rather than undermine-health care accessibility and effectiveness and resources for the poorest communities and the providers that serve them.
Contemporary Trends in Hospitalizations for Comorbid Chronic Liver Disease and Substance Use Disorders.

INTRODUCTION Chronic liver diseases (CLDs) and substance use disorders (SUDs) are increasingly prevalent and often coexist. Contemporary studies describing the characteristics and hospitalization trends of those with comorbid CLD-SUD are lacking. We aimed to characterize a population-based cohort with comorbid CLD-SUD and describe trends in these hospitalizations over time by individual-level characteristics. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the National Inpatient Sample from 2005 through 2017. Diagnosis codes were used to identify adult hospitalizations with CLD, SUD, or both. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to make comparisons between diagnosis categories. Unadjusted and age-adjusted trends in these hospitalizations were described over time. RESULTS Of 401,867,749 adult hospital discharges, 3.2% had CLD-only and 1.7% had comorbid CLD-SUD. Compared with CLD-only, comorbid CLD-SUD hospitalizations resulted in higher inpatient mortality (3.1% vs 2.4%, P < 0.001) and were associated with younger age, male sex, Native American race, and urban and Western US location. Over time, comorbid hospitalizations grew 34%, and the demographics shifted with larger increases in hospitalization rates seen in younger individuals, women, Native Americans, and those publicly insured. In comorbid hospitalizations, alcoholic SUD and CLD decreased, but drug SUDs and nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases are fast-growing contributors. DISCUSSION In this comprehensive analysis of US hospitalizations, comorbid CLD-SUD hospitalizations are increasing over time and lead to higher inpatient mortality than CLD alone. We further characterize the changing demographics of these hospitalizations, providing a contemporary yet inclusive look at comorbid CLD-SUD hospitalizations. These data can guide interventions needed to improve the poor outcomes suffered by this growing population.
Life Cycle Environmental Impacts of Precursors Used in the Supply Chain of Emerging Perovskite Solar Cells

This paper presents estimations for life cycle energy demand, human toxicity, and climate change of industrial-scale production of A-site cation precursor chemicals that may be used in production of perovskite solar cells. We employed process scale-up concepts, updated data sources and industry-relevant process modelling assumptions to build commercially relevant life cycle inventories (LCIs) for each of the perovskite precursors. Life cycle assessment (LCA) was applied to characterize and compare the resulting life cycle impacts and comparisons were made with other module components. The main finding of this work is that precursor impacts are similar to each other and about 1,000 times less than solar glass. Therefore, selection of perovskite compositions for commercialization should be driven solely by efficiency and stability rather than environmental concerns.
Acute Sacroiliac Joint Pain: Clinical Presentation, Causes, and Investigations

This review focuses on the clinical approach to acute sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain, to improve clinicians’ ability to identify key features of SIJ-related pain syndromes, risk factors, and underlying etiologies. We review anatomy, common presentations, and etiologies for SIJ pain and its mimics as well as evaluate the workup of SIJ pain. Despite numerous physical exam maneuvers which put stress on the SIJ, no one test is best to identify SIJ as the etiology of pain. Fluoroscopic-guided injection may prove to be a technique helpful in distinguishing this poorly understood joint. Given the complexity of the SIJ anatomy and its inter-individual variation and changes with age, a thorough history, physical exam, and appropriate workup with laboratory studies and imaging will help guide clinicians to properly evaluate SIJ pathology etiology.
Vapors in the ambient—A complication in tribological studies or an engineering solution of tribological problems?

Tribology involves not only two-body contacts of two solid materials—a substrate and a counter-surface; it often involves three-body contacts whether the third body is intentionally introduced or inevitably added during the sliding or rubbing. The intentionally added third body could be lubricant oil or engineered nano- material used to mitigate the friction and wear of the sliding contact. The inevitably added third body could be wear debris created from the substrate or the counter surface during sliding. Even in the absence of any solid third-body between the sliding surfaces, molecular adsorption of water or organic vapors from the surrounding environment can dramatically alter the friction and wear behavior of solid surfaces tested in the absence of lubricant oils. This review article covers the last case: the effects of molecular adsorption on sliding solid surfaces both inevitably occurring due to the ambient test and intentionally introduced as a solution for engineering problems. We will review how adsorbed molecules can change the course of wear and friction, as well as the mechanical and chemical behavior, of a wide range of materials under sliding conditions.
The effect of wine policy on the emerging cold-hardy wine industry in the northern U.S. states

The recent development of cold-hardy and disease-resistant grape cultivars have enabled rapid expansion of the wine industry in northern states in the United States. As the nascent enterprises seek sustainable profitability, it is important to understand what factors are making the industry sustainable. Using the primary dataset collected in 2012 from 82 wineries currently operating across 10 northern states, this study examines how state-level policies are influencing the revenue of the emerging wine industry. OLS and quantile regression methods are employed to account for heterogeneous effects of policy instruments on sales of wineries. The empirical results show that policies directed at the wine industry have heterogeneous effects on the revenue streams of wineries depending on the location of a winery along the revenue distribution curve of wineries in northern U.S. states.
Inactivation of trypsin-like proteases by active-site-directed sulfonylation: Ability of the departing group to confer selectivity

Abstract The p-nitrophenyl ester of p-amidinophenylmethanesulfonic acid had been found to inactivate thrombin by affinity labeling but did not have this action on other proteases of similar specificity such as trypsin, plasmin, or plasma kallikrein [Wong, S.-C., and Shaw, E., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 161, 536 (1974)]. The ortho- and meta-nitrophenyl esters of this sulfonic acid have now been synthesized and shown to be less selective. In addition to thrombin, trypsin and plasma kallikrein are also inactivated. The ortho isomer is more effective than the meta. Plasmin is unaffected by all three esters. The results are interpreted to reflect geometrical differences in the first departing group subsite of these homologous active centers and to provide an additional structural basis for achieving selectivity of affinity labeling.
Serum copper concentration as an index of experimental lung injury

Serum copper (Cu) concentration was evaluated as an index of lung injury in two rat models of pneumotoxicity: hemithoracic irradiation and monocrotaline ingestion. In both models there was a dose- and time-dependent increase in serum Cu concentration. This hypercupremia paralleled the development of pulmonary endothelial dysfunction (decreased lung plasminogen activator activity and increased prostacyclin production) and pulmonary fibrosis (hydroxyproline accumulation). In the radiation model, lung injury and hypercupremia persisted for at least 6 months, and were spared similarly when the total dose was delivered in multiple daily fractions as compared to single doses. In irradiated rats, the elevated serum Cu concentration was accompanied by increases in plasma ceruloplasmin, lung Cu concentration, and lung Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. In monocrotaline-treated rats, lung damage and hypercupremia also were accompanied by a reduction in liver Cu concentration, and by a direct correlation between the concentrations of Cu and SGOT in the serum. In both models, some but not all modifiers of lung damage (penicillamine, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, pentoxifylline) also partially prevented the insult-induced hypercupremia. In contrast, serum iron concentration was largely independent of treatment in all experiments. These data suggest that elevated serum copper concentration is an accurate and minimally invasive index of lung injury in irradiated and monocrotaline-treated rats.
Automated Assessment of Aggregate Query Imprecision in Dynamic Environments

Queries are widely used for acquiring data distributed in opportunistically formed mobile networks. However, when queries are executed in such dynamic settings, the returned result may not be consistent, i.e., it may not accurately reflect the state of the environment. It can thus be difficult to reason about the meaning of a query's result. Reasoning about imperfections in the result becomes even more complex when in-network aggregation is employed, since only a single aggregate value is returned. We define the semantics of aggregate queries in terms of a qualitative description of consistency and a quantitative measure of imprecision. We provide a protocol that performs in-network aggregation while simultaneously generating quality assessments for the query result. The protocol enables intuitive interpretations of the semantics associated with an aggregate query's execution in a dynamic environment.
Neighborhood-Based Local Sensitivity

We introduce a nonparametric model for sensitivity estimation which relies on generating points similar to the prediction point using its knearest neighbors. Unlike most previous work, the sampled points differ simultaneously in multiple dimensions from the prediction point in a manner dependent on the local density. Our approach is based on an intuitive idea of locality which uses the Voronoi cell around the prediction point, i.e.all points whose nearest neighbor is the prediction point. We demonstrate how an implicit density over this neighborhood can be used in order to compute relative estimates of the local sensitivity. The resulting estimates demonstrate improved performance when used in classifier combination and classifier recalibration as well as being potentially useful in active learning and a variety of other problems.
Writing About the Unseen

Chance in the House of Fate A Natural History of Heredity. Jennifer Ackerman. Houghton Mifflin, New York, 2001. 268 pp. $25. ISBN 0-618-08287-5. Ackerman applies her skills at nature writing to a consideration of heredity that is focused on the microscopic world of molecular biology.
Structure, growth, and decomposition of laminated algal-bacterial mats in alkaline hot springs.

Abstract Laminated mats of unique character in siliceous alkaline hot springs of Yellowstone Park are formed predominantly by two organisms, a unicellular blue-green alga, Synechococcus lividus, and a filamentous, gliding, photosynthetic bacterium, Chloroflexus aurantiacus. The mats can be divided approximately into two major zones: an upper, aerobic zone in which sufficient light penetrates for net photosynthesis, and a lower, anaerobic zone, where photosynthesis does not occur and decomposition is the dominant process. Growth of the mat was followed by marking the mat surface with silicon carbide particles. The motile Chloroflexus migrates vertically at night, due to positive aerotaxis, responding to reduced O2 levels induced by dark respiration. The growth rates of mats were estimated at about 50 μm/day. Observations of a single mat at Octopus Spring showed that despite the rapid growth rate, the thickness of the mat remained essentially constant, and silicon carbide layers placed on the surface gradually moved to the bottom of the mat, showing that decomposition was taking place. There was a rapid initial rate of decomposition, with an apparent half-time of about 1 month, followed by a slower period of decomposition with a half-time of about 12 months. Within a year, complete decomposition of a mat of about 2-cm thickness can occur. Also, the region in which decomposition occurs is strictly anaerobic, showing that complete decomposition of organic matter from these organisms can occur in the absence of O2.
Posttranscriptional mechanisms regulate ontogenic changes in rat renal sodium-phosphate transporter

The present investigation sought to characterize the relationship between ontogeny and Na(+)-P(i) transporter expression in the rat kidney. Results showed that the maximal reaction rate (nmol.mg protein-1.10 s-1) of Na(+)-P(i) transport was highest in 21-day-old rats (2.26 +/- 0.26), was lower in 42- to 45-day-old rats (1.44 +/- 0.19) and 4-mo-old rats (0.78 +/- 0.15), and was lowest in 14-day-old rats (0.50 +/- 0.16) (P = 0.0009, n = 3). The Michaelis constants (mM Pi) were not significantly different in the four age groups. Northern blot analysis revealed that the abundance of Na(+)-P(i) transporter mRNA was similar in all four age groups (n = 5). Western blot analysis demonstrated the highest immunoreactive protein signal in the 21-day-old rat (Na(+)-P(i)/beta-actin = 4.15 +/- 1.16), followed by decreasing protein levels in 42-day-old rats (2.13 +/- 0.22), 4-mo-old rats (0.85 +/- 0.25), and 14-day-old rats (0.75 +/- 0.37) (P = 0.022, n = 5). Immunohistochemical analysis of kidney cortex in the four age groups showed specific staining of only apical membranes in all samples. We conclude that posttranscriptional mechanisms play a role in regulating this transporter during rat ontogeny.
Function-transformation methods for multi-objective optimization

It is useful with multi-objective optimization (MOO) to transform the objective functions such that they all have similar units and orders of magnitude. This article evaluates various transformation methods using simple example problems. Viewing these methods as different means to restrict function values sheds light on how the methods perform. The weighted sum approach for MOO is used to study how well different methods aid in depicting the Pareto optimal set. Whereas using unrestricted weights is well suited for providing a single solution that reflects preferences, it is found that using a convex combination of functions is desirable when generating the Pareto set. In addition, it is shown that some transformation methods are detrimental to the process of generating a diverse spread of points, and criteria are proposed for determining when the methods fail to generate an accurate representation of the Pareto set. Advantages of using a simple normalization–modification are demonstrated.
MicroSort® sperm sorting causes no increase in major malformation rate

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the safety of MicroSort (MicroSort Division, GIVF, Fairfax, VA, USA) sperm sorting by monitoring major malformations in infants and fetuses conceived using sorted spermatozoa. Data were collected in a prospective protocol with monitoring that began from conception through birth until 1 year of life. Comprehensive ascertainment identified fetuses and stillbirths with malformations after 16 weeks gestation, pregnancies terminated for malformations and babies with major malformations. Outcomes in MicroSort pregnancies were compared with outcomes in published studies that used active and comprehensive ascertainment of malformations in the general population and in pregnancies established after assisted reproduction. Using comprehensive outcomes from all pregnancies, the rate of major malformations in MicroSort pregnancies conceived after IVF with or without intracytoplasmic sperm injection was 7.8%; this did not differ significantly from the rates reported in the three assisted reproductive technology control studies not associated with MicroSort (8.6%, 9.2% and 8.3%). Similarly, the rate of major malformations in MicroSort pregnancies initiated with intrauterine insemination was 6.0%, not significantly different from that reported in non-assisted reproductive technology pregnancies not associated with MicroSort (6.9%, 4.6% and 5.7%). Prospective record review of pregnancy outcomes and paediatric evaluation to 1 year indicate no association between MicroSort sperm sorting and major malformations.
Electrocardiogram Recording By Telephone in Antiarrhythmic Drug Trials

The purpose of this study was to evaluate ECG recording by telephone as a research tool for documenting the cardiac rhythm during symptoms of paroxysmal atrial tachycardia. Eleven patients were enrolled in the study during the first year. They transmitted 34 rhythm strips during symptoms, 17 of which showed paroxysmal atrial tachycardia; only one of the 34 was uninterpretable. Three patients thought they were having paroxysmal atrial tachycardia when their rhythm strips showed that they were having sinus tachycardia. Patient compliance and satisfaction with our follow-up system were high. Our study supports the use of ECG recording by telephone as an excellent tool to document arrhythmias in patients enrolled in clinical trials.
Syngenic Divisions of the Cellular Slime Mold Polysphondylium violaceum

SYNOPSIS. Mating type analysis of new isolates of Polysphondylium violaceum supports the subdivision of this morphological species into two reproductively isolated breeding groups or syngens. Representatives of both syngens have been identified in soil samples taken from widely separated geographical locations. Intersyngenic cross reactions have been observed in some stocks.