cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deoxynucleoside Triphosphate Incorporation Mechanism of Foamy Virus (FV) Reverse Transcriptase: Implications for Cell Tropism of FV

Here, we investigated the pre-steady-state deoxynucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) incorporation kinetics of primate foamy virus (PFV) reverse transcriptase (RT) in comparison with those of HIV-1 and MuLV RTs. PFV RT displayed a drastic reduction in primer extension at low dNTP concentrations where HIV-1 RT remains highly active, indicating a low dNTP binding affinity in the case of PFV RT. Indeed, kinetic analysis showed that, as observed with MuLV RT, PFV RT exhibits approximately 10 to 80 times lower dNTP binding affinity than HIV-1 RT. These three RTs, however, show similar catalytic activities. In conclusion, PFV RT displays mechanistic distinctions in comparison to HIV-1 RT and shares close similarity to MuLV RT.
The Influences of Religious Attitudes on Volunteering

Religiosity has long been known to promote volunteering in the US and elsewhere. Despite the growing body of research examining religious correlates of volunteering, however, few studies have focused on whether and how religious attitudes affect volunteering. With data from the Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS II), 2004–2006, we examine the influences of religious attitudes, namely, the religiously based feelings of exclusiveness and inclusiveness, and openness to other religious faiths, on volunteering. We find that while religious exclusiveness significantly promotes volunteering only in religious areas, religious inclusiveness promotes both religious and secular volunteering. Moreover, those who are open to other religious faiths are more likely to engage in both types of volunteer work. Implications of these findings are discussed for future research linking religious attitudes to volunteering.
Body composition, muscle strength and hormonal status in patients with ataxia telangiectasia: a cohort study

Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is a devastating human autosomal recessive disorder that causes progressive cerebellar ataxia, immunodeficiency, premature aging, chromosomal instability and increased cancer risk. Affected patients show growth failure, poor weight gain, low body mass index (BMI), myopenia and increased fatigue during adolescence. The prevalence of alterations in body composition, muscle strength and hormonal status has not been well described in classical A-T patients. Additionally, no current guidelines are available for the assessment and management of these changes. We analyzed body composition, manual muscle strength and hormonal status in 25 A-T patients and 26 age-matched, healthy controls. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) was performed to evaluate the body composition, fat-free mass (FFM), body cell mass (BCM), extracellular matrix (ECM), phase angle (PhA), fat mass (FM) and ECM to BCM ratio. Manual muscle strength was measured using a hydraulic hand dynamometer. The BMI, FFM and PhA were significantly lower in A-T patients than in controls (BMI 16.56 ± 3.52 kg/m2 vs. 19.86 ± 3.54 kg/m2; Z-Score: -1.24 ± 1.29 vs. 0.05 ± 0.92, p <0.001; FFM 25.4 ± 10.03 kg vs. 41.77 ± 18.25 kg, p < 0.001; PhA: 4.6 ± 0.58° vs. 6.15 ± 0.88°, p < 0.001). Manual muscle strength was significantly impaired in A-T patients compared with controls (10.65 ± 10.97 kg vs. 26.8 ± 30.39 kg, p < 0.0001). In addition, cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels were significantly lower in A-T patients than in controls. Altered body composition, characterized by depleted BMI, PhA and BCM; by the need to sit in a wheelchair; by altered hormone levels; and by poor muscle strength, is a major factor underlying disease progression and increased fatigue in A-T patients. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02345200
A Study of Strategic Orientations, Pakistani Brands and Implications

Purpose of this paper is to explore the three strategic orientations (customer, competitive, and technological) of the firm and new product performance. To understand which of three different strategic orientations is more appropriate, when and why it is so in the context of developing product innovations. To discuss Pakistani brands and develop prepositions with reference to the working styles of Pakistani brands. It also discusses the theoretical and managerial implications for business in Pakistan.
Adjustable resolution/sensitivity slit-slat collimator for task-specific clinical SPECT imaging

Clinical SPECTs diagnostic performance is mainly limited by the absorptive collimation which leads to the resolution/sensitivity trade-off, with the optimal balance dependent on the imaging task. Even in a single study it is desirable to have the capability to perform different tasks without disturbing the patient. An example is adaptive SPECT, applicable to cardiac systems which derive high performance from the use of a small field of view (FOV) effectively viewed by the system's detector. A fast scout scan performed with a high-sensitivity (hi-sens) large-FOVcollimator can be used to guide the placement of the heart into the appropriate FOV for imaging with a higher resolution collimator. An ideal system would provide several options for the FOV to effectively accommodate patients across the population. Another application for variable collimation is dynamic SPECT study of tracer kinetics, performed with a hi-sens collimator after a bolus injection, followed by imaging with a higher resolution collimator once the tracer distribution has stabilized. Long studied by the clinical research community for its potential to detect coronary problems at an earlier stage, dynamic SPECT has so far proven impractical due to limitations imposed by absorptive collimators, though applicable radiotracers are available. Collimator sensitivity change during a study is possible and practical for slit-slat collimators (SSC), hybrids of parallel-hole and pinhole collimators, due to the two physically separate 1D orthogonal collimators. SSC is the appropriate collimator for imaging of medium-sized organs due to the favorable distance dependence of its sensitivity. We developed an adjustable SSC for the C-SPECT cardiac system. The SSC is capable of changing the resolution configuration in both dimensions without disturbing the patient. The adjustable slat stack is based on two interpenetrating 6 mm-pitch stacks of tungsten foils of 0.2 mm thickness, to yield a 3 mm pitch for the high-resolution (hi-res) mode. For the hi-sens mode, one of the stacks is collapsed on top of the other by a pneumatic actuator, yielding a 6 mm pitch. At the same time, a precision conveyor is used to exchange the slits for those corresponding to a different resolution and FOV. The presented system's ability to rapidly change collimation along both dimensions brings an unprecedented functionality within a minimal footprint, a key step towards optimization of the most limiting aspect of SPECT imaging.
Understanding Information Usage by Residential Construction Supervisors and Bridge/Structure Inspectors As a First Step in Adoption of Field Based IT

This paper explores parallels in field information processes in two different construction sectors and operational domains, 1) field supervision in residential construction and 2) bridge and structure inspections. The work presented in this paper represents the first stage of a multi- stage project that will result in the integration of hand-held IT tools to be used by field personnel for two way field access to corporate IT systems. The first stage of the project looks at up grading current office based web access to corporate IT systems using hand-held tools. The second stage of the project looks at transforming current field processes to take full advantage of the new technologies in operating practices. Information flows and work processes of these two distinct domains were examined through interviews and field studies. Process mapping techniques were used to document field personnel interactions with the corporate IT system as well as data collection and information usage in daily work. Sample process maps are presented in the paper. Analysis of the process maps identified trigger points in project inspection and management, known as “ready,” “set,” and “go” points that become translated into field management tasks as planning, actuating, and reporting. An understanding of these trigger points is used to redesign interactions within the corporate IT system to provide maximum usability for field personnel and is expected to result in a more accurate corporate IT system. An interesting by product of the two research projects in seemingly unconnected sectors of the construction industry is the similarities present between the field information requirements and interactions with the corporate IT system. The paper concludes with parallel strategies for transforming existing field practices using hand- held technologies developed in the projects.
DS-03SONIC HEDGEHOG ANTAGONISTS POTENTLY INDUCE APOPTOSIS IN THE CEREBELLAR EXTERNAL GRANULE LAYER: IMPLICATIONS FOR MEDULLOBLASTOMA TREATMENT

There is a great interest in Hedgehog signaling both for its role in cerebellar development and medulloblastoma (MB) treatment. The cerebellum maintains its own proliferative layer called the external granule layer (EGL) that produces over 90% of its neurons. During development, the established dogma views Hedgehog signaling as a robust mitogenic stimulator of EGL proliferation. However, in other regions of the body, Hedgehog stimulation acts as a survival signal by potently inducing NPC apoptosis when signaling is lost. In this manner, the sonic hedgehog ligand's concentration gradient determines NPC survival or death thereby morphologically sculpting the developing nervous system. Therefore, we tested whether Hedgehog signaling also acts as a survival signal in the EGL by administering several Hedgehog antagonists (vismodegib, cyclopamine, and jervine). Remarkably, we found all Hedgehog antagonists (HAs) potently induced EGL apoptosis within a few hours of administration. This suggests a large portion of the HAs' anti-proliferative effects are due to the apoptotic loss of a large number of EGL NPCs. This research may also have important implications for MB formation and treatment. There is convincing evidence that EGL neural progenitor cells (NPCs) can be the tumor initiating cells for MBs (the most common malignant brain tumor in children). Therefore, we examined if HAs can also produce apoptosis in Patched mice which exhibit constitutive Hedgehog stimulation and are prone to MB formation. We found HA administration also potently increased apoptosis in both EGL NPCs and preneoplasms. This may have important implications for the treatment of MBs with HAs. For example, apoptosis involves signaling mechanisms distinct from proliferation that may need to be disabled for malignant transformation. In addition, the requirement for Hedgehog signaling may prevent metastasis by killing tumor cells as they spread to regions where such signaling is absent.
Development of Populations of Acarus siro (Acarina: Acaridae) on Various Foodstuffs

The following experiment was carried out to determine the suitability of various foodstuffs as substrates for the flour mite, Acarus siro L. The foodstuffs tested were: whole wheat flour, white flour (enriched and non enriched), wheat germ, corn meal, bran, nonfat dry milk powder fortified with vitamins A and D, and polished rice flour.
Some Ecological Aspects of Insect Eradication

Fifteen years ago, Prof. Harry S. Smith and I suggested the rather far-fetched idea of inoculation of plants with pest insects in order to control the same pest species. Currently this method of augmenting biological control is being utilized in one of the most successful pest control districts in California. I'd like to present some additional far-fetched ideas relating to the possibilities of utilizing competing species, particularly ecological homologues, in eradication or control programs. Please bear in mind that we are discussing possibilities, ideas, and potential research areas merely to stimulate thinking and investigation and that most examples used in this discussion are hypothetical ones, some of which are clearly impractical as herein suggested. The use of ecological homologues would be highly controversial at best and certainly limited to a restricted number of species. Nevertheless, the possibilities have great economic as well as academic potential and should be thoroughly investigated. First, however, let us examine and discuss for background purposes the title of this symposium.
Water impacts of CO2 emission performance standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants.

We employ an integrated systems modeling tool to assess the water impacts of the new source performance standards recently proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for limiting CO2 emissions from coal- and gas-fired power plants. The implementation of amine-based carbon capture and storage (CCS) for 40% CO2 capture to meet the current proposal will increase plant water use by roughly 30% in supercritical pulverized coal-fired power plants. The specific amount of added water use varies with power plant and CCS designs. More stringent emission standards than the current proposal would require CO2 emission reductions for natural gas combined-cycle (NGCC) plants via CCS, which would also increase plant water use. When examined over a range of possible future emission standards from 1100 to 300 lb CO2/MWh gross, new baseload NGCC plants consume roughly 60–70% less water than coal-fired plants. A series of adaptation approaches to secure low-carbon energy production and improve the electric power in...
Authors' reply to Barbieri and Kovarik, Mariani, and Waxman and Kanzaria.

Barbieri and Kovarik raise several interesting points regarding our study and the empirical malpractice literature in general.1 2 It is important to note that our study intended to explore the positive question of how physicians’ use of resources relates to subsequent malpractice risk rather than whether physicians “should” spend more to reduce liability. This last question relies on notions of causality and economic welfare that we could not answer. However, we recognise the implications of our findings for physicians’ behaviour, particularly given the important role that malpractice plays in physicians’ practice. …
Nutritional Status Survey and Dietary Intervention for HIV Infected Individuals and AIDS Patients

[Objective] To understand the nutritional status of HIV infected individuals and AIDS patients in rural areas of Henan Province,and provide basic evidence for adjusting diet structure and implementing dietary intervention.[Methods]A total of 30 healthy people aged 30~65 years old were selected as the control group,40 individuals with HIV infection and 42 AIDS patients as the observation group.Physical examination,dietary survey and blood biochemical examination were conducted on the 2 groups.The data processed by statistical software SPSS 13.0.[Results]The differences of per-capita daily intakes of cereals,vegetables and eggs were significant between 2 groups(P0.05).Diet structure was cereal-based,with lower intake of fruits and vegetables,seriously inadequate intake of beans,milk,poultry meat and aquatic products,unreasonable ratio of energy to nutrients,low levels of zinc in blood and albumin,and low serum calcium level.[Conclusion]As most patients infected with HIV and sufferers from AIDS are in the incubation or early period of AIDS,the overall nutritional status of the respondents are tolerable.Dietary structure is irrational.A variety of vitamins,minerals need to be supplemented.Energy and protein (especially high-quality protein) need to be added.Nutrient intake of such groups can not meet their own needs.The implementation of dietary intervention is urgent to carry out.
Cardiovascular effects of the antidepressants: recognition and control

The elderly frequently receive antidepressant medications that can affect cardiac conduction and rhythm, heart rate, and blood pressure. Because coexistent cardiovascular disease is common in the elderly, these medications must be used with caution, remembering that different antidepressants produce different cardiovascular effects. Fortunately, a variety of antidepressant medications are available, facilitating the selection of a safe agent for elderly patients who are at risk for cardiovascular side effects.
The safety and clinical utility of esophagogastroduodenoscopy for acute gastrointestinal bleeding after myocardial infarction : a six-year study of 42 endoscopies in 34 consecutive patients at two university teaching hospitals

The risks versus benefits of panendoscopy performed soon after myocardial infarction were studied. At Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital from January 1986 through December 1991 and at Princeton Medical Center from January 1990 through December 1991, 82 patients developed overt gastrointestinal bleeding (1.2% of all myocardial infarctions) and 14 patients developed occult gastrointestinal bleeding (0.2% of all myocardial infarctions) within 3 weeks after myocardial infarction. Thirty-four of the patients underwent 42 panendoscopies within 3 weeks of myocardial infarction. Indications for the initial endoscopy included hematemesis in 25, melena without hematemesis in four, red blood per rectum in three, and occult blood in the stool in two. The initial panendoscopy, on average, was performed 6.2 +/- 7.5 (SD) days after myocardial infarction. The 34 initial panendoscopies provided the diagnosis in 27 (79%), and clinically helpful information in four (12%). Common diagnoses were duodenal ulcer in 11, hemorrhagic gastritis in four, and hemorrhagic esophagitis in three. Three complications were due to the initial endoscopy, including fatal ventricular tachycardia, near respiratory arrest, and hypotension. These complications occurred in three (37.5%) of eight patients who were significantly unstable before endoscopy. No (0%) complications occurred in the 26 relatively clinically stable patients undergoing the initial endoscopy. This difference in complication rate was statistically significant (p < 0.01, Fisher's exact test). We conclude that recent myocardial infarction is not an absolute contraindication to panendoscopy. In this retrospective study, the benefits exceeded the risks of panendoscopy in medically stable patients with significant gastrointestinal bleeding. Panendoscopy should be performed with monitoring by electrocardiography and pulse oximetry after stabilization of vital signs, which may require transfusion of blood products, supplemental oxygen administration, endotracheal intubation, and mechanically assisted ventilation. Panendoscopy in highly unstable patients had a high complication rate in this study.
Pharmacology of the fluoroquinolones.

This review will focus on the pharmacologic properties of the major new quinolones with particular reference to their use in management of urinary tract infections. As a knowledge of in vitro antibacterial activity is essential in applying the pharmacologic data, a brief overview of the antibacterial activity of the fluoroquinolones is given
Ratee Reactions Drive Performance Appraisal Success (and Failure)

Although the authors make strong arguments for both sides of the debate in “Getting Rid of Performance Ratings: Genius or Folly? A Debate,” we argue that performance appraisal reactions were largely overlooked beyond a few exceptions, where the authors either alluded to or explicitly mentioned reactions. For example, the authors explain that one reason organizations have eliminated the forced distribution approach is negative employee reactions. The authors also highlight the importance of managers using appropriate language when delivering performance appraisal ratings in order to improve employee reactions. Despite these exceptions, we believe it is necessary to call more attention to the critical role of ratee reactions in the performance appraisal process. Therefore, our commentary expands on the conversation sparked by Adler et al. (2016) by incorporating ratee reactions.
The History, Politics, and Economies of Three Communities and Their Inhabitants

This chapter introduces the specific communities I studied – which I have called “Favela Leste,” “Favela Sul,” and “Jardim Sudoeste” (pseudonyms for two squatter settlements and one neighborhood in the periphery of Sao Paulo) – and their inhabitants, providing a visual background and an overview of the employment situation. Here I examine the extent to which community politics and organization, age of the community, and/or location of the community play a part in the employment situation of the inhabitants of the communities, thereby acting as intervening variables between globalization and unemployment. I conclude that the economic crisis has greatly influenced the effect of these variables on employment. The work history of one woman from each community is highlighted, allowing the reader to better understand the links between a woman living in a favela, the economic crisis, and economic globalization.
The epidemiology of burns in young children from Mexico treated at a U.S. hospital

INTRODUCTION: Young children are the most vulnerable for sustaining burns. At this pediatric burn hospital we have provided medical care to young children with severe burns from Mexico for many years. This study identified modifiable risk factors that could be used to assist in prevention of burns in this age group. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed with children RESULTS: There were 187 females and 260 males with large burns >20% total body surface area (TBSA) burned. Primary causes of burns were flame and scalds. Children with flame injuries were older (3.0±1.5 years of age) than those with scalds (2.6±1.2 years of age). Admissions attributed to flame burns were largely from explosions by propane tanks, gas line leaks, and house fires. Most admissions for scalds were predominantly from falling in large containers of hot water, food, or grease; and fewer were attributed to spills from hot liquids. Most cases reported to a social service agency were to find resources for families. Mortality rate for flame and scald burns was low. CONCLUSIONS: It is important take into account demographic, cultural, and socioeconomic variables when developing and implementing prevention programs. Burn prevention instruction for parents is crucial.Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved. Language: en
Self-Efficacies, Anxiety, and Aggression among African American and Latino Adolescents with Disabilities

ABSTRACTSelf-appraisals can combine with aspects of the school environment in predicting adolescent emotions and behaviors. This study examined how academic self-efficacy and social self-efficacy are related to anxiety and aggression, and how these relations are moderated by school stressors, academic achievement, and school belonging. The participants of the study were African American and Latino adolescents with an intellectual disability and/or a physical disability. Self-report surveys were completed by 98 adolescents. Regression analyses revealed that higher levels of both self-efficacies were associated with lower levels of anxiety, but these relations were reduced as school stressors increased. Also, high academic self-efficacy was associated with more aggression when academic achievement was low, and high social self-efficacy was associated with more aggression when school belonging was low. The findings have implications for the development of self-efficacy and for the management of adolescent an...
Tuning Up Tethered Particle Motion

Tethered Particle Motions assays are a simple but powerful tools for monitoring the effective length of individual DNA strands and other linear bio-polymers in real-time. The technique has been employed in various capacities including characterization of DNA topology, transcription factor - DNA interactions, and monitoring progress of enzymes that translocate along DNA. At its core the technique is relatively simple to implement, only requiring a research-grade microscope and a video camera; however, it is important to note that optical resolution, frame rate, exposure time, particle size, and solution viscosity all affect the ability to discriminate different tether lengths and detect changes. Through a combination of simulations and control experiments we demonstrate these limits, and present a collection of best-practices.
GreenCrowd: An IoT-Based Smartphone App for Residential Electricity Conservation

Energy is a scarce commodity. Diffusion of responsibility, forgetfulness, lack of knowledge and motivation are reasons for families’ electricity waste. GreenCrowd is a smartphone application and IoT system to help families to decrease their electricity consumption. GreenCrowd incorporates educational, motivational and supportive features. The IoT device (smart LED lamp) reports previous consumption with a comparison to each family baseline. The smart LED lamp works as a notification tool that targets all house members. The current study presents preliminary results for electricity reduction during an intervention experiment. Also, it presents result about the effectiveness of the smart LED lamp as a notification tool.
Does Better Spatial Access Lead to Better Use of Prenatal Care? A Population Study in Georgia

Understanding the effect of spatial accessibility on service utilization is essential to facilitate prenatal care delivery. Previous studies suggest that mothers with better spatial access are more...
The enhancement of a block-oriented modeling method to improve inference and prediction

In process identification (i.e., dynamic model development) information on the precision and reliability of a parameter estimate is conveyed by a confidence interval. The best confidence interval is the one with the shortest width for a given level of confidence. Confidence interval widths widen as the standard error increases or as the number of estimated parameters increases. This article focuses on minimizing the width of confidence intervals by reducing the number of estimated dynamic parameters in the context of blockoriented modeling. This objective is accomplished by the development of a procedure that finds parameter equivalencies within (intra) and between (inter) the functional forms for the responses (i.e., outputs). It is important to recognize that the least squares estimation criterion is not valid under inter-parameter equivalency. However, the multiresponse criterion does not have this limitation and is used in this work. For the seven (7) input, five (5) output, simulated CSTR from Bhandari and Rollins (2003), the number of estimated dynamic parameters was reduced from 84 to 23. This reduction resulted in a 50% decrease in confidence interval width for a given level of confidence or, equivalently, an increase in confidence level from 50% to 99.9% for a fixed interval width.
Hodgkin Lymphoma and the Microenvironment

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is a malignant neoplasm derived from germinal center B-cells. The histopathologic findings in HL are unique in that the neoplastic cells are relatively few in number and can be obscured by large numbers of nonneoplastic cells, including lymphocytes, macrophages, plasma cells, eosinophils, and fibroblasts. The microenvironment encompasses all of the inflammatory cells, fibroblasts, blood vessels, and cytokines found within the vicinity of the neoplastic cell population. The relationship between the tumor cell population and the microenvironment is critical for tumor growth and survival. The peculiar histopathologic findings of HL have lead investigators to study the role of the microenvironment with respect to disease pathogenesis and clinical outcomes. Herein, we review the role of the microenvironment of HL and its relationship to disease pathogenesis through the modulation of host cell response. We conclude with a brief description of new therapeutics targeting molecules in the microenvironment.
Ralph Nader: When Purpose and Legacy Collide

This case tells the story of Ralph Nader's leadership, from his success as a crusader for consumer interests and active public participation in the political process to his controversial campaigns for the US presidency.Learning Objective:This case enables a discussion of a leader with a strong sense of values and principles -- many of which are opposed to the dominant or mainstream interests. As a result, Ralph Nader, the case protagonist, has always been a controversial public figure, reviled as often as he is revered. The case therefore also permits a discussion of how a leader might deal with this controversial public image.
In vivo hippocampal subfield shape related to TDP-43, amyloid beta, and tau pathologies

Abstract Despite advances in the development of biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD), accurate ante-mortem diagnosis remains challenging because a variety of neuropathologic disease states can coexist and contribute to the AD dementia syndrome. Here, we report a neuroimaging study correlating hippocampal deformity with regional AD and transactive response DNA-binding protein of 43 kDA pathology burden. We used hippocampal shape analysis of ante-mortem T1-weighted structural magnetic resonance imaging images of 42 participants from two longitudinal cohort studies conducted by the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center. Surfaces were generated for the whole hippocampus and zones approximating the underlying subfields using a previously developed automated image-segmentation pipeline. Multiple linear regression models were constructed to correlate the shape with pathology measures while accounting for covariates, with relationships mapped out onto hippocampal surface locations. A significant relationship existed between higher paired helical filaments–tau burden and inward hippocampal shape deformity in zones approximating CA1 and subiculum which persisted after accounting for coexisting pathologies. No significant patterns of inward surface deformity were associated with amyloid-beta or transactive response DNA-binding protein of 43 kDA after including covariates. Our findings indicate that hippocampal shape deformity measures in surface zones approximating CA1 may represent a biomarker for postmortem AD pathology.
Kinetics of Cyclophosphamide Metabolism in Humans, Dogs, Cats, and Mice and Relationship to Cytotoxic Activity and Pharmacokinetics

Cyclophosphamide (CP), a prodrug that is enzymatically converted to the cytotoxic 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide (4OHCP) by hepatic enzymes, is commonly used in both human and veterinary medicine to treat cancers and modulate the immune system. We investigated the metabolism of CP in humans, dogs, cats, and mice using liver microsomes; apparent KM, Vmax, and intrinsic clearance (Vmax/KM) parameters were estimated. The interspecies and intraspecies variations in kinetics were vast. Dog microsomes were, on average, 55-fold more efficient than human microsomes, 2.8-fold more efficient than cat microsomes, and 1.2-fold more efficient than mouse microsomes at catalyzing CP bioactivation. These differences translated to cell-based systems. Breast cancer cells exposed to 4OHCP via CP bioactivation by microsomes resulted in a stratification of cytotoxicity that was dependent on the species of microsomes measured by IC50: dog (31.65 μM), mouse (44.95 μM), cat (272.6 μM), and human (1857 μM). The contributions of cytochrome P450s, specifically, CYP2B, CYP2C, and CYP3A, to CP bioactivation were examined: CYP3A inhibition resulted in no change in 4OHCP formation; CYP2B inhibition slightly reduced 4OHCP in humans, cats, and mice; and CYP2C inhibition drastically reduced 4OHCP formation in each species. Semiphysiologic modeling of CP metabolism using scaled metabolic parameters resulted in simulated data that closely matched published pharmacokinetic profiles, determined by noncompartmental analysis. The results highlight differential CP metabolism delineated by species and demonstrate the importance of metabolism on CP clearance.
Developing an Adaptive Opponent for Tactical Training

This paper describes an effort to create adaptive opponents for simulation-based air combat, where the opponents behave realistically while at the same time fulfilling instructional objectives. Three different models are developed to control the behavior of red pilots against (simulated) blue trainees in a set of 2v2 scenarios. These models are then evaluated on their tactical and instructional performance, with the machine-learning model performing on par with the two hand-constructed models. The contribution of this paper is to investigate technology and infrastructure enhancements that could be made to existing systems used for simulation-based air combat training.
The Intersection of Family Caregiving and Work: Labor Force Participation, Productivity, and Caregiver Well-Being

Half of the estimated 18 million family caregivers of older adults in the United States worked either part or full time (Schulz & Eden, 2016). The effects of combining work and caregiving on caregivers, their disabled relatives, and business and industry have emerged as an important research topic in the last two decades. The goal of this chapter is to address key issues in the literature on caregiving and employment, including the reciprocal effects of work on caregiving and vice versa, the extent to which work moderates the caregiving experience, and the economic impacts of caregiving on caregivers and employers. We conclude with recommendations for policy and research.
The development and demonstration status of practical flow battery systems

Abstract In recent years, the introduction of energy storage batteries has gained in importance from the viewpoint of the stabilization of electric power systems, with global promotion for the introduction of renewable energy sources. Redox flow batteries (RFBs) offer excellent features, including suitability to large capacity, a long lifetime, and a high level of safety. It has already been 40 years since its basic principle was proposed by NASA in 1974. At present, RFBs adopting vanadium (V) electrolytes have been aggressively developed and operated in various parts of the world. Hokkaido Electric Power Company in Japan has started practical operation of a RFB system with a capacity of 15 MW × 4 h. This review will describe development trends and some operation case examples from the viewpoint of RFB systems.
P331 Extraintestinal manifestations of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease: a tunisian single-center experience

Introduction The incidence of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) increased during last years. However, extra intestinal manifestations (EIM) in children with IBD are poorly characterized. The aim of this study was to describe clinical features of extraintestinal manifestations of IBDs in the Tunisian pediatric population. Methods We conducted a retrospective study from 2012 to 2017 of children admitted to the pediatric gastroenterology department of BECHIR HAMZA Children’s Hospital for Crohn’s disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC). Results We collected 14 patients, six boys and eight girls, five cases with UC and nine cases with CD. The mean age at diagnosis was 10±3.3 years [18 month-14 years]. EIMs were reported in ten of 14 patients. EIMs included aphthous stomatitis (n=3), osteoporosis/osteopenia (n=4), peripheral joint infammation (n=5), primary sclerosing cholangitis (n=1), ankylosing spondylitis (n=1), cerebral venous thrombosis (n=1) and cerebral vasculitis (n=1). We observed three children with skin involvement : one with erythema nodosum, the other with ulcerative skin eruption and a case of vitiligo. EIMs were more frequent in CD than UC (7/9 vs 3/5, p = 0.041). EIM appeared before IBD diagnosis in 11/18 cases. Three patients were treated with anti-TNF agents, six with azathioprine and only one with methotrexate. Conclusion The prevalence of EIMs in children with IBD in our study was high mainly in patients with CD. EIM may appear before IBD diagnosis. Knowledge of these fndings may led to an increased awareness of underlying IBD, thereby decreasing diagnostic delay.
Abatacept is effective as GVHD prophylaxis in unrelated donor stem cell transplantation for children with severe sickle cell disease

We report results of a phase 1 multicenter stem cell transplantation (SCT) trial from HLA-matched (n = 7) or one-antigen-mismatched (n = 7) unrelated donors (URD) using bone marrow or cord blood as stem cell source, following reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) in severe sickle cell disease (SCD). Conditioning included distal alemtuzumab, fludarabine, and melphalan (matched donors), with thiotepa (mismatched donors). Abatacept, a selective inhibitor of T cell costimulation, was added to tacrolimus and methotrexate as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis to offset GVHD risks, and was administered for longer duration in bone marrow recipients than in cord blood recipients because of increased incidence of chronic GVHD with bone marrow. Median age at transplant was 13 years (range, 7-21 years). The incidence of grades II to IV and grades III to IV acute GVHD at day +100 was 28.6% and 7%, respectively. One-year incidence of chronic GVHD was 57% and mild/limited in all but 1 patient who received abatacept for a longer duration. Only 1 patient developed reversible posterior encephalopathy syndrome and recovered. With a median follow-up of 1.6 years (range, 1-5.5 years), the 2-year overall and disease-free survival was 100% and 92.9%, respectively. The encouraging results from the phase 1 portion of this RIC SCT trial, despite risk factors such as older age, URD, and HLA-mismatch, support further evaluation of URD SCT in clinical trial settings. The phase 2 portion of the trial is in progress. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03128996.
A novel, low-cost transradial socket fabrication method using mass-producible components and expanding rigid foam:

Background:Millions of people in low- and middle-income countries lack access to prosthetic care. A well-fitting, durable socket is important for prosthesis comfort and function, but conventional f...
Provider practices for the prevention of eclampsia and attitudes toward magnesium sulfate: results of a nationwide survey.

To survey OB-GYNs regarding their practice patterns and perspectives when it comes to using magnesium sulfate (magnesium) in the prevention of eclampsia. We conducted a cross-sectional web-based 18...
Reverse shoulder arthroplasty: trends in the incidence, indications and complications as reported by ABOS part II oral examination candidates from 2005 through 2017

Abstract Background The experience of early-career orthopedic surgeons performing reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) has not been previously reported. The aims of this study were to evaluate (1) the temporal trends in the incidence of and indications for RSA procedures performed among board-eligible orthopedic surgeons, (2) the temporal trends in the incidence of reported complications after RSA, and (3) the patient-related and surgeon-related variables that affected the reported complication rate. Methods A query of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) Part II Oral Examination database for all cases of RSA from 2003 through 2017 was performed. The data over this time period was analyzed for incidence, indications, and complications. Risk factors for complication including patient demographic factors and shoulder fellowship training were also evaluated. Results From 2003 to 2017, a total of 2,633 RSA procedures were reported. There was an increased incidence of RSA (23-fold) and increased proportion of candidates performing RSA (19-fold) (P-trend Conclusion There was a dramatic increase in the use of RSA among board eligible orthopedic surgeons in the United States. The early complication rates for ABOS candidates performing RSA are above others reported in the literature and showed an increasing trend over the study period. Despite the improvements in the literature, and shoulder fellowship training, there has been no decrease in the incidence of surgical complications over the decade represented in this study. Level of evidence Level III; Cross-Sectional Design; Treatment Study
Invitation to Linear Programming and Game Theory

Written in a conversational tone, this classroom-tested text introduces the fundamentals of linear programming and game theory, showing readers how to apply serious mathematics to practical real-life questions by modelling linear optimization problems and strategic games. The treatment of linear programming includes two distinct graphical methods. The game theory chapters include a novel proof of the minimax theorem for 2x2 zero-sum games. In addition to zero-sum games, the text presents variable-sum games, ordinal games, and n-player games as the natural result of relaxing or modifying the assumptions of zero-sum games. All concepts and techniques are derived from motivating examples, building in complexity, which encourages students to think creatively and leads them to understand how the mathematics is applied. With no prerequisite besides high school algebra, the text will be useful to motivated high school students and undergraduates studying business, economics, mathematics, and the social sciences.
441 Cutaneous findings in COVID-19 patients hospitalized at a large urban academic medical center

Background: Cutaneous manifestations have been associated with COVID-19 infection and their clinical significance in hospitalized patients remains unclear Methods: A retrospective chart review of 1216 patients older than 18 years of age hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from March 12, 2020 to May 31, 2020 at a large urban academic medical center A keyword search query of patient records combined with manual chart review by at least two dermatologists identified a study group having cutaneous manifestations concurrent with COVID-19 infection, specifically between 14 days prior to admission and up to discharge Results: 122 patients with 195 skin lesions concurrent with COVID-19 hospitalization were identified Dermatology reviewers evaluated clinical photographs for 116 lesions (59 5%) and inpatient dermatology consultations for 42 lesions (21 5%) The most common cutaneous findings in patients with COVID-19 hospitalization were pressure injuries (n=118;60 5%) and morbilliform eruptions (n=33;16 9%) A very small number of patients (0 6%;n=7/1216) had exanthems occurring within 2 weeks of COVID-19 symptom onset The majority of exanthems developed within 14 days of exposure to possible culprit drugs and beyond the 14-day window of COVID-19 symptom onset, making viral association unlikely Conclusion: Skin lesions concurrent with COVID-19 hospitalization were most frequently linked to hospitalization-related factors, such as pressure injuries or drug-related exanthems, rather than due to novel pathologies related to SARS-CoV-2 itself
Finding broken Linux configuration specifications by statically analyzing the Kconfig language

Highly-configurable software underpins much of our computing infrastructure. It enables extensive reuse, but opens the door to broken configuration specifications. The configuration specification language, Kconfig, is designed to prevent invalid configurations of the Linux kernel from being built. However, the astronomical size of the configuration space for Linux makes finding specification bugs difficult by hand or with random testing. In this paper, we introduce a software model checking framework for building Kconfig static analysis tools. We develop a formal semantics of the Kconfig language and implement the semantics in a symbolic evaluator called kclause that models Kconfig behavior as logical formulas. We then design and implement a bug finder, called kismet, that takes kclause models and leverages automated theorem proving to find unmet dependency bugs. kismet is evaluated for its precision, performance, and impact on kernel development for a recent version of Linux, which has over 140,000 lines of Kconfig across 28 architecture-specific specifications. Our evaluation finds 781 bugs (151 when considering sharing among Kconfig specifications) with 100% precision, spending between 37 and 90 minutes for each Kconfig specification, although it misses some bugs due to underapproximation. Compared to random testing, kismet finds substantially more true positive bugs in a fraction of the time.
Factores predictores del embarazo en adolescentes y mujeres jóvenes en el Ecuador: Un modelo de regresión logística múltiple: Artículo Original

Introduction: Teenage pregnancy is a serious social problem with harmful consequences for the mother and the child. It is important to understand the factors related to this problem in order to develop adequate social policies. The present work identifies the predictive factors of adolescent pregnancy in Ecuador. Methods: The 2018 National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) of the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses of Ecuador is analyzed. The sample was probabilistic, women between 10 and 24 years old were selected. Descriptive statistics and a multivariate logistic regression analysis were used: the adolescent pregnancy variable is the dependent variable, the predictor variables are education, modern contraceptive use, socioeconomic status, marital status, age at first sexual intercourse. Odds ratio is reported. Results: Women between 10 and 24 years of age were studied (22239 cases). There were 38 cases / 7587 (0.5%) cases of pregnancy in women aged 10 to 14 years, 714/6053 (11.8%) of pregnancies in women aged 15 to 18 years, and 1978/8599 (23%) cases of women. ages 19 to 24 who had a teenage pregnancy. Afterwards, the analysis focused on those who have had sexual relations (8879 cases). It was found that the variables associated to teenage pregnancy are marital status "married or in a free union" OR = 2.53 (95% CI 2.50-2.56) P<0.001, sexual relations before the age of 14 OR 5.72 (95% CI 5.63-5.81) P<0.001, unsatisfied basic needs OR = 1.57 (95% CI 1.55-1.59), schooling OR = 0.87 (95% CI 0.866-0.87) P<0.001 and modern contraceptive use OR = 0.53 (95% CI 0.525-0.537) P<0.001. The prediction equation has an accuracy of 76.1%. Conclusions: It is possible to determine factors associated to teenage pregnancy and to generate public policy to face this issue. Specifically, better sex education and campaigns to stop early unions are needed.
Uterine myomas: effect of prior myomectomy on pregnancy outcomes.

Objective Reproductive aged women with fibroids must weigh the risks and benefits of preconception myomectomy. Women with fibroids may have higher rates of fetal growth restriction (FGR) and stillbirth; however, there is a paucity of data on the impact of myomectomy on pregnancy outcomes. We compared perinatal outcomes in women with prior myomectomy versus those with no prior myomectomy and at least one fibroid ≥ 5 cm. Methods Retrospective cohort study of women at a single center who delivered between 2008 and 2017 with a viable intrauterine pregnancy at initial ultrasound scan and either prior myomectomy, or, in the no-myomectomy cohort, at least one fibroid ≥ 5 cm on a prenatal scan performed at Results A total of 290 women met inclusion criteria: 70 had a prior myomectomy, 220 women had ≥1 fibroid ≥5cm. Women with prior myomectomy were older, more likely to have private insurance, and more likely used artificial reproductive technology to conceive; 20% with prior myomectomy still had at least one ≥ 5 cm myoma on their obstetric scan. Rates of spontaneous loss were lower in the prior myomectomy group (1.4% vs 7.3%; p = .08). Of the 273 pregnancies continuing beyond 20 weeks, women with prior myomectomy had significantly more PTBs (35% vs. 21%, p = .02) and significantly different primary birth indications (p Conclusions Women with prior myomectomy had significantly more PTBs, due in part to more preterm, prelabor cesareans in the late preterm period. Otherwise, prior myomectomy did not confer appreciable obstetric or perinatal benefits, as patients had more CDs, and higher EBL. Recommendations to perform preterm prelabor cesareans in this population may explain some of the PTB disparity. The effect of prior myomectomy on early pregnancy loss and infertility requires further study.