cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multilayered grouping parallel algorithm for multiple-level multiscale analyses

SUMMARY Multiscale analysis technique became a successful remedy to complicated problems in which nonlinear behavior is linked with microscopic damage mechanisms. For efficient parallel multiscale analyses, hierarchical grouping algorithms (e.g., the two-level ‘coarse-grained’ method) have been suggested and proved superior over a simple parallelization. Here, we expanded the two-level algorithm to give rise to a multilayered grouping parallel algorithm suitable for large-scale multiple-level multiscale analyses. With practical large-scale applications, we demonstrated the superior performance of multilayered grouping over the coarse-grained method. Notably, we show that the unique data transfer rates of the symmetric multiprocessor cluster system can lead to the seemingly ‘super-linear speedup’ and that there appears to exist the optimal number of subgroups of three-tiered multiscale analysis. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Murine Peyer’s Patches Favor Development of an IL-10-Secreting, Regulatory T Cell Population

Peyer's patches (PP) are believed to be the principal sites for induction of tolerance to Ags from food and commensal flora, yet the phenotype of T cells activated within the PP is largely unexplored. We hypothesize that exposure to Ags within the PP promotes differentiation of T cells with immunoregulatory functions. Cytokine production and cell surface marker expression of murine PP mononuclear cells (MC) are compared with those from mesenteric lymph nodes and peripheral lymph nodes (PLN). In response to stimulation through the TCR/CD3 complex, PP MC exhibit vigorous proliferation, modest production of IL-2, and significantly elevated synthesis of IL-10. Exogenous IL-12 enhances both IL-10 and IFN-gamma secretion by activated PP MC. Cell surface marker analysis reveals that PP T cells consist of activated and memory subpopulations compared with the predominantly naive T cells identified in the PLN and mesenteric lymph nodes. Upon stimulation, only CD45RB(low)CD4(+) PP T cells produce IL-10, whereas secretion of IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-gamma was not detected. Furthermore, PP MC, but not PLN MC, stimulated through the TCR/CD3 complex suppress proliferation of purified PLN T cells in vitro, evidence for a regulatory function among PP lymphocytes. We conclude that PP favor differentiation of an IL-10-producing, regulatory CD45RB(low)CD4(+) T cell population and that inhibition of T cell proliferation by activated PP MC may reflect regulatory activity consistent with T regulatory cells.
An international survey of the clinical practice of EUS

Background No comparative information exists regarding clinical variations in EUS practice patterns among American and international endosonographers. Methods Eligible attendees of the XIIIth International Symposium on EUS, October 4–6 2002, New York, New York, were asked to complete a 2-page survey questionnaire on clinical practice of EUS. Results A total of 191 of 391 eligible attendees (48.9%) participated in the survey (110 from the United States, 81 from 30 different countries). The mean age of participants was 40.5 (10.6) years, and 171 (89.5%) were men. A total of 102 endosonographers (53.4%) were in academic practice. The majority (150, 78.5%) also performed ERCP. Seventy-eight (40.8%) had performed EUS for more than 5 years and 21 (11%) for less than 1 year. Only 36 (18.8%) had more than 6 months of dedicated hands-on EUS training, and more than a third of the respondents learned to perform EUS by observing others or they were self-taught. Compared with respondents from the United States, relatively fewer international respondents were performing open-access EUS, pancreatobiliary EUS procedures, and interventions such as EUS-guided FNA and celiac plexus neuralysis. Conclusions This survey provides insight into the status of EUS as practiced in the United States and internationally. Although it appears that over the last decade EUS has become disseminated fairly uniformly on a global basis, a lack of consistent training standards and also inadequate opportunities for EUS training remain important areas of concern.
Thrombotic Catastrophe in the Patient with Multiple Björk-Shiley Prostheses

Thrombosis of the Bjork-Shiley prosthesis has been a recognized problem for many years. Review of 172 patients at the University of Kentucky Medical Center who had one or more Bjork-Shiley valves inserted between January, 1975, and July, 1980, revealed special problems in those patients with multiple prostheses. Diagnosis and therapy prove more difficult, and the cumulative incidence of thrombosis in the patients with multiple prostheses is 26.8% at six years. Projected long-term use of multiple Bjork-Shiley prostheses is discouraged.
Parsing graphs representing two dimensional figures

Generalized two dimensional context free grammars an extension of context free grammars to two dimensions, is described. This extension is a generalization of Tomita's two dimensional context free grammars (M. Tomita, 1989), and better fits into the families of graph grammars described by Crimi (1990) Relation Grammars and by Flasinski (1988) edNLC Grammars, Figure Grammars are particularly useful for applications such as handwritten mathematical expressions. A two dimensional extension of the Cocke-Kasami-Younger parser for context-free languages is used to parse figures using these grammars. >
Low-power signal processing via error-cancellation

We present an algorithmic noise-tolerance (ANT) technique for designing low-power DSP systems. The proposed technique achieves substantial energy savings via voltage overscaling, whereby the supply voltage is scaled beyond the minimum supply voltage V/sub dd-crit/ at which the architecture operates correctly for a given throughput specification. The resulting input-dependent soft errors are corrected via a low-complexity error canceller and hence is referred to as adaptive error-cancellation. The trade-off between energy savings and algorithmic performance is illustrated by employing a reduced-order least mean square (LMS) algorithm to compensate for the design overhead. Simulation results in a 0.35 /spl mu/m CMOS technology demonstrate that the proposed technique achieves up to 73% energy savings in a multiuser communication scenario over present-day voltage-scaling, with a 3 dB algorithmic performance loss. Moreover, a 40% energy reduction is obtained over conventional DSP systems without algorithmic performance degradation.
Carry-out Restaurant Intervention Increases Purchases of Healthy Food

A pilot multiphase environmental intervention (February to September 2011) was conducted in 4 intervention and 4 comparison carry-outs in low-income urban areas of Baltimore, Maryland, to examine the association between exposure to a point-of-purchase intervention and purchasing behavior among customers (n = 186). Intervention exposure score (IES; range: 0–24) combined the number of intervention materials seen. Multivariate linear regression calculated an adjusted beta-coefficient (β) and 95% confidence intervals for a diversity of healthy items (DHI) purchased, adjusting for sociodemographic and eating out behavioral factors. Intervention customers purchased 4.5 DHI, whereas comparison customers purchased less than 1 (P < .001). Those who reported high intervention exposure purchased more DHI (β = 5.0, 95% confidence interval, 2.3–7.7) than those with low exposure. An environmental intervention at carry-outs increased healthy item purchasing among low-income consumers.
Biological Weapons Defense

Many toxins and replicating agents have the potential for malevolent use. Of prime concern is the use of agents or toxins that would affect large populations. Delivery of these agents through food or water is of concern but is restricted by the quantity of agent required, thus limiting use to objectives where less than mass morbidity is intended. Contrary to popular perception, dilution factors and modern food supply refinement (to include water purification) significantly limit the efficient use of biological agents by the oral route of exposure (1). Biological threat agents are most likely to be effectively delivered covertly and by aerosol in a biological warfare or terrorism scenario. Estimations of potential exposure levels have been derived to assist medical planners, logisticians, and field officers in predicting biological warfare contingency requirements.
Membrane Oxidation Enables the Cytosolic Entry of Polyarginine Cell-penetrating Peptides

Arginine-rich peptides can penetrate cells and consequently be used as delivery agents in various cellular applications. The activity of these reagents is often context-dependent, and the parameters that impact cell entry are not fully understood, giving rise to variability and limiting progress toward their usage. Herein, we report that the cytosolic penetration of linear polyarginine peptides is dependent on the oxidation state of the cell. In particular, we find that hypoxia and cellular antioxidants inhibit cell penetration. In contrast, oxidants promote cytosolic cell entry with an efficiency proportional to the level of reactive oxygen species generated within membranes. Moreover, an antibody that binds to oxidized lipids inhibits cell penetration, whereas extracellularly administered pure oxidized lipids enhance peptide transport into cells. Overall, these data indicate that oxidized lipids are capable of mediating the transport of polyarginine peptides across membranes. These data may also explain variability in cell-penetrating peptide performance in different experimental conditions. These new findings therefore provide new opportunities for the rational design of future cell-permeable compounds and for the optimization of delivery protocols.
An Overview of the Bayesian Approach to Estimation

In the subsections below, I will go into considerable detail on the philosophy, methodology and characteristics of the Bayesian approach to statistical estimation. It seems appropriate to begin the discussion by presenting the famous theorem by Thomas Bayes which underpins the entire enterprise. Its most common form involves a two-stage experiment. Consider an event A of interest as a possible outcome of the first stage of the experiment and an event B, a possible outcome of the second stage. If, for example, one is drawing marbles at random from an urn containing red and white marbles, A might be the event of drawing a red marble on the first draw and B might be the event of drawing a white marble on the second draw. Such experiments are often represented by a “tree” such as that in Figure 3.1.
NUTRIENT AND METABOLIC NEEDS OF THE FETUS AND VERY SMALL INFANT : A COMPARATIVE APPROACH

Introduction Optimal nutrition of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) and very low birth weight (VLBW) infants must provide for unique and changing requirements for energy utilization and growth of body components and proportions to mimic those of normal intrauterine growth. Normal intrauterine growth rate is an accepted current goal for these infants [I]. Such a goal is not easily or often met, however, even today with attempts at more aggressive feeding of such infants and the use of specialized intravenous and enteral nutrient products. It may be that extremely preterm birth produces insurmountable impediments to growth. These would include gravity, low humidity, low temperature, tactile pressure, breathing, peristalsis, muscle contractions, pathophysiological processes such as hypoxia and acidosis, diseases such as sepsis, medical/surgical treatments and stresses, and so on. Furthermore, many of these infants are already significantly growth-restricted at birth [Z]. Such growth restriction usually results from insufficient placental transfer of nutrients to the fetus [3,3], as well as metabolic and hormonal adaptations in the fetus that act to substitute a slower rate of growth to meet the decreased nutrient supply [ S ] . So successful is this adaptation that further adaptation over considerable time is required before growth can resume [6,7]. In addition, most of these infants are simply not fed enough to meet the nutrient requirements for energy utilization and growth [8]. The reasons for this are many. There are real problems such as the relatively frequent occurrence of marked pathophysiology including hypoxia and acidosis, diseases such as sepsis, and pharmacological treatments such as steroids for prevention and/or treatment of chronic lung disease. There is also the fear among physicians and nurses that aggressive feeding will produce pathology principally necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), but
M4Ag44(p-MBA)30 Molecular Nanoparticles

M4Ag44(p-MBA)30 molecular nanoparticles, where M is an alkali metal, have recently been shown to have exceptional stability, which confers unique traits to this molecule. In particular, the synthesis is straightforward, produces a truly single-sized molecular product, and has a quantitative yield. Here we describe in detail the results of experimental and theoretical studies on the synthesis, structure, stability, and electronic and optical properties of M4Ag44(p-MBA)30, including ESI-MS, NMR, optical absorption, IR, TGA, and other measurements as well as DFT and TDDFT calculations. This work deepens our understanding of this important Ag molecule, which should facilitate its use in a wide range of fundamental studies and applications.
Answer: They're Everywhere and We Know Quite a Bit About Them

Bergman and Jean (2016) suggest that an underrepresentation of nonmanagerial workers in industrial and organizational (I-O) research is hindering our contribution to practice and ultimately our legitimacy as a discipline. I agree with the target article authors’ overarching message insomuch as it serves as a reminder that we, as I-O psychologists, have responsibilities to understand and improve the work experience of a diverse range of populations. However, I also believe the authors’ claim that nonmanagerial workers are underrepresented may be overstated. Moreover, I offer a perspective suggesting that the current supply of research being produced in the name of I-O psychology is driven by real world demand, that this naturally occurring phenomenon is what maximizes our impact on practice, and that ignoring this phenomenon is actually what hinders the legitimacy of applied disciplines.
Machiavellian Scores of Volunteer Student Counselors and Student Government Officers

Two groups of students, campus counselors and campus officers, were given Christie's (1962) scale of Machiavellianism in interpersonal orientation. Campus officers made significantly higher (more machiavellian) scores than did campus counselors, and a significant interaction effect suggests that the major difference was between female counselors and officers. It is suggested that Christie's scale taps different value orientations toward working with others.
Culture and Military Effectiveness: How Societal Traits Influence Battle Outcomes

CULTURE AND MILITARY EFFECTIVENESS HOW SOCIETAL TRAITS INFLUENCE BATTLE OUTCOMES Eric S. Fowler Old Dominion University, 2016 Director: Dr. Kurt Taylor Gaubatz What must states do to ensure victory on the field of battle? Conventional scholarship claims that a number of material and institutional factors significantly affect a nation’s ability to generate military power. Recent studies suggest that other factors, including levels of education, civil-military relations, and western culture also play an important role. This new line of logic is important because these factors tend to be glaringly absent from rigorous concepts of military power. The principle finding of this study is that culture matters and that it matters more than originally thought. Culture is admittedly complex, intangible, and difficult to count, but empirical evidence shows that culture manifests concrete effects in combat, at times determining battlefield outcomes. Culture’s absence from meaningful definitions of military power results in world leaders, military commanders, and learned scholars making important political, operational, and theoretical decisions with only partial information. Put plainly, decision-makers cannot accurately assess the martial capabilities of themselves or others without accounting for culture. Consequently, national leaders likely perceive threats where none exists; ignore threats that truly matter; place great trust in incapable allies, and turn away competent help. Moreover, this ignorance of what truly matters in combat means that much of a state’s potential military capability remains untapped and left to happenstance.
Generate, test and debug: a paradigm for combining associational and causal reasoning

Efficiency and robustness are two desirable, but often conflicting, goals of problem solvers. This paper examines how a combination of associational and causal reasoning can be used to achieve both goals. We describe the Generate, Test and Debug (GTD) paradigm, which uses associational reasoning to solve most problems efficiently, while relying on causal reasoning to maintain overall robustness. The problem-solving characteristics of associational and causal reasoning are presented, based on an analysis of the types of knowledge and reasoning used in GTD. In particular, we argue that the characteristics depend largely on the extent to which interactions between events are represented and reasoned about — associational reasoning is efficient because it uses rules that (nearly) encapsulate interactions, while causal reasoning is robust because it analyzes the effects of events and their interactions.
Post-licensure surveillance of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in adults aged ⩾19years old in the United States, Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), June 1, 2012-December 31, 2015.

Abstract Background The 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) was first recommended for use in adults aged ⩾19 years with immunocompromising conditions in June 2012. On August 2014, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended routine use of PCV13 among adults aged ⩾65 years. Methods We assessed adverse events (AEs) reports following PCV13 in adults aged ⩾19 years reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) from June 2012 to December 2015. VAERS is a national spontaneous reporting system for monitoring AEs following vaccination. Our assessment included automated data analysis, clinical review of all serious reports and reports of special interest. We conducted empirical Bayesian data mining to assess for disproportionate reporting. Results VAERS received 2976 US PCV13 adult reports; 2103 (71%) of these reports were from PCV13 administered alone. Fourteen percent were in persons aged 19–64 years and 86% were in persons aged ⩾65 years. Injection site erythema (28%), injection site pain (24%) and fever (22%) were the most frequent AEs among persons aged 19–64 years; injection site erythema (30%), erythema (20%) and injection site swelling (18%) were the most frequent among persons aged ⩾65 years who were given the vaccine alone. The most frequently reported AEs among non-death serious reports were injection site reactions and general malaise among persons 19–64 years old; injection site reactions, general malaise and Guillain-Barre syndrome among those ⩾65 years (Table 2). Data mining did not detect disproportional reporting for any unexpected AE. Conclusions The results of this study were consistent with safety data from pre-licensure studies of PCV13. We did not detect any new or unexpected AEs.
Salmonella Surveillance Among Great-Tailed Grackles (Quiscalus mexicanus) and Other Urban Bird Species in Eastern Texas

Wild birds may play an important role in maintaining and transmitting Salmonella. Their ability to travel large distances and their proximity to human habitations could make them a vehicle for bridging Salmonella from wild and domestic animals to humans. To determine the potential public health risk presented by urban birds, we investigated the prevalence of Salmonella among great-tailed grackles (Quiscalus mexicanus) and other cohabiting urban bird species. Fecal samples were collected from 114 birds communally roosting in parking lots of retail locations in Brazos County, Texas, from February through July of 2015. Great-tailed grackles and European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) were the predominant species sampled. Standard bacteriologic culture methods were used to isolate Salmonella from samples, and isolates were characterized by serotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Overall, 1.8% (2/114) of samples were confirmed positive for Salmonella. Both positive birds were great-tailed grackles sampled in June, yielding a 2.6% (2/76) apparent prevalence among this species. Isolates were serotyped as Salmonella Typhimurium and found to be pan-susceptible based on the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) panel of antimicrobial agents. The occurrence of Salmonella in great-tailed grackles represents a potential threat to public health, particularly considering their population size and tendency to congregate near human establishments such as grocery stores.
Prospects for the Development of Human Resources in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Microenterprises, and in Informal Sectors

An overview of the global position held by Asian countries looks very impressive on the world map. It is important to reconfirm at first Asia’s standing in the world as a community. Asia’s high economic growth in 2005 was most impressive in the last decade. Further, China’s and India’s growth in gross domestic product (GDP) taken together in the same year is more impressive. In 2005, the GDP of China (40.9 %) and India (14.3 %) together accounted for 55.2 % of the Asian GDP, up from 49 % in 2000. The combination of the two emerging economies, China and India, has been referred to as ‘CHINDIA’. China is projected to produce one-third of all the wealth in the world, provided the economic trends established between 1975 and 2002 continue for another decade.
In situ characterization of cofacial Co(IV) centers in Co4O4 cubane: Modeling the high-valent active site in oxygen-evolving catalysts

The Co4O4 cubane is a representative structural model of oxidic cobalt oxygen-evolving catalysts (Co-OECs). The Co-OECs are active when residing at two oxidation levels above an all-Co(III) resting state. This doubly oxidized Co(IV)2 state may be captured in a Co(III)2(IV)2 cubane. We demonstrate that the Co(III)2(IV)2 cubane may be electrochemically generated and the electronic properties of this unique high-valent state may be probed by in situ spectroscopy. Intervalence charge-transfer (IVCT) bands in the near-IR are observed for the Co(III)2(IV)2 cubane, and spectroscopic analysis together with electrochemical kinetics measurements reveal a larger reorganization energy and a smaller electron transfer rate constant for the doubly versus singly oxidized cubane. Spectroelectrochemical X-ray absorption data further reveal systematic spectral changes with successive oxidations from the cubane resting state. Electronic structure calculations correlated to experimental data suggest that this state is best represented as a localized, antiferromagnetically coupled Co(IV)2 dimer. The exchange coupling in the cofacial Co(IV)2 site allows for parallels to be drawn between the electronic structure of the Co4O4 cubane model system and the high-valent active site of the Co-OEC, with specific emphasis on the manifestation of a doubly oxidized Co(IV)2 center on O–O bond formation.
Advances in cardiac pacing and defibrillation

AbstractIntroduction: There have been many milestones in the evolution of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) over the past few decades. Along with advancements in the field, new challenges have arisen. The ability to pace the right ventricular was the original breakthrough in the late 1950s, however adverse structural and clinical effects of long-term pacing induced dyssynchrony have recently become evident. Biventricular pacing has provided a viable option to help mitigate dyssynchrony, but has only proved to be beneficial for selective patients (primarily left bundle branch block and QRS duration ≥ 150 ms with depressed left ventricular (LV) function).Areas Covered: More recently, technological advances have made His Bundle pacing a feasible option that may provide a more physiological form of pacing for a wider patient population. Pacemaker and implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) systems have traditionally utilized transvenous leads that are implanted within the heart. Unfortunately, le...
Correlation of near-infrared spectral tomography (NIRST) with residual cancer burden (RCB) for prognostic assessment subsequent to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer.

e12655Background: NIRST provides biophysical data including oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin, water, lipid, and scatter components, useful in distinguishing cancer from normal breast tissue. Unlike anatom...
Mechanical Signaling and the Cardiac Renin-angiotensin

Cardiac hypertrophy is a common outcome of hypertension or myocardial infarction and a major contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Under conditions of increased hemodynamic load, the heart compensates by undergoes compensatory hypertrophy, a response that restores lost function and normalizes wall stress. It is thus very important to understand the molecular mechanisms responsible for the development of cardiac hypertrophy. In isolated cardiac myocytes, mechanical stretch induces activation of several protein kinases, fetal gene expression, upregulation of renin-angiotensin system components and cellular hypertrophy. Pretreatment with an angiotensin II (Ang II) type II receptor blockers significantly attenuates all of the mechanical stretch induced events. Many animal and clinical studies have shown that blockade of the RAS with AT1 receptor blocker or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor induce regression of cardiac hypertrophy and prevent progression of heart failure, resulting in a reduction in cardiac morbidity and mortality. These studies indicate that the local RAS is activated by hemodynamic overload and that the AT1 receptor has a crucial role in the development of load-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Although it is evident that mechanical stress is the primary trigger of cardiac hypertrophy, it is not clear how mechanical stimuli is sensed and converted into intracellular signals. Integrins and associated signaling machinery have been reported to be sensors for mechanical stress. Below, we focus on evidence for integrins as the mechanosensors and mechanotransduction systems responsible for cardiac hypertrophy and activators of the cardiac RAS.
Staged Arterial and Venous Embolizations in Treatment of Type IV Intraosseous Dural Arteriovenous Fistula.

Objective: This is a case report of an adult male with complex type IV intraosseous DAVF causing severe venous hypertension and bony destruction, presenting with severe hemotympanum, and a novel way of staged arterial and venous embolizations to treat the emergent symptoms. Methods: First and second stages were direct selective arterial embolizations using Onyx liquid agent. Goal was to reduce flow into the fistula by embolizing the feeder branch and distal penetration of the nidus with Onyx. The third stage was performed through the venous route: the transverse sinus and sigmoid sinus were embolized using Penumbra Ruby coils and Onyx, two microcatheters were used and two large coils were placed simultaneously to form a stable coil mass and the entire sinus was embolized using Coils and Onyx. Results: Patient’s venous hypertension and degree of hydrocephalus had significantly decreased after the procedure. He was able to return to work, but was instructed to avoid heavy lifting and placing anything in and around his right ear. Conclusions: Multiple step arterial and venous embolization procedures were successful in decreasing the frequency of hemotympanum, degree of hydrocephalus and improving quality of life of this patient.
A 5GHz 245fsrms 8mW Ring Oscillator-based Digital Frequency Synthesizer

The phase noise of ring oscillator-based frequency synthesizers is limited by jitter accumulation. In this paper, we present a synthesizer architecture that uses a low noise passive multi-phase generator and digital background calibration to synthesize a 245fs rsm 5GHz output from a 54MHz crystal oscillator while consuming only 8.2 mW.
‘His brain was not working properly’: the surrender of HMS Seal and the court-martial of Lieutenant-Commander Rupert Lonsdale, RN

The post-war court-martial of Lieutenant-Commander Rupert Lonsdale, skipper of a British submarine captured at sea by the German Navy eight months into the Second World War, resulted in a full acqu...
Regional-Scale Ecological Risk Assessment of Mercury in the Everglades and South Florida

The purpose of this chapter is to provide information to resource managers about current ecological risk from mercury exposure to fish and wildlife in the Everglades and the wider south Florida environment. The chapter begins with an overview of the history of previous ecological risk assessments in south Florida. Next, methods to assess toxicological effects and the difficulties in assessing exposure to fish and wildlife across this varied landscape are reviewed. Risks to south Florida wildlife are then characterized based on multiple lines of evidence for a variety of ecological receptors. The chapter closes with a discussion of potential future risk following the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan.
Plasmon-Induced Charge Transfer: Challenges and Outlook.

The decay of a surface plasmon, a collective electron oscillation at the surface of a metal, can generate hot charge carriers that may be transferred to an adjacent semiconductor. This plasmon-indu...
Mindfulness training for clinically elevated social anxiety: The impact on peak drinking

Abstract Social anxiety is related to more drinking in high-risk drinking situations and to more drinking-related problems. Given the rise in mindfulness-based interventions for social anxiety, it is important to test whether drinking impacts outcomes among individuals with clinically elevated social anxiety. Undergraduates with clinically elevated social anxiety were randomly assigned to mindfulness training (n = 29) or thinking-as-usual control (n = 29). They were encouraged to practice mindfulness or thinking-as-usual in response to social events daily for two-weeks following baseline. Follow-up measures were completed one month post-baseline. The interaction of baseline peak estimated blood alcohol content (eBAC) X condition predicted one-month follow-up peak eBAC such that among those with greater (but not lower) baseline eBAC, mindfulness was related to lower follow-up eBAC compared to control. Similarly, mindfulness training resulted in less post-training anxiety among those with greater (but not lower) baseline eBAC. However, this effect was not evident during a two-week practice period nor at one-month follow-up. Rather, at one-month follow-up, the interaction of baseline eBAC X condition predicted follow-up mindfulness (non-reactivity); among those with higher (but not lower) baseline eBAC, mindfulness training was associated with less follow-up mindfulness than the control condition. Results indicate that among those with greater baseline peak eBAC, mindfulness practice resulted in lower follow-up eBAC compared to control among those with clinically elevated social anxiety. However, although mindfulness training may result in less anxiety in the short-term among heavy drinkers with social anxiety, this effect did not last longer-term. Rather, heavier drinkers evinced poorer longer-term mindfulness-related outcomes.
Clinical Outcomes of COVID-19 with Evidence-Based Supportive Care.

Calls for adherence to evidence-based medicine have emerged during the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic but reports of outcomes are lacking. This retrospective study of a single-institution cohort including 135 patients with confirmed COVID-19 demonstrates positive outcomes when institutional standards of care consist of evidence-based supportive therapies.
Assessment of patient satisfaction, functionality, and quality of life after ultrasound-guided knee intervention: a prospective study

The use of ultrasound (US) guidance for the injection and aspiration of joints has improved accuracy. The aim of this study was to determine if differences exist in the level of patient satisfaction, functionality, and the quality of life in adult patients receiving US-guided (USG) versus landmark-guided (LMG) knee procedures. This prospective, randomized study enrolled 41 patients undergoing knee procedures to USG or LMG groups. visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS), and patient satisfaction score on a 5-point Likert scale were measured pre-procedure, immediate (< 30 min) and late (4–6 weeks) post-procedure. Thirty-seven patients were included in the final analysis after exclusion of 4 dropouts (18 in LMG arm, 19 in USG arm). Compared with LMG group, patients in the USG group had significantly better improvement in pain immediately (VAS 1.63 ± 1.6 (95% CI 0.91, 2.35) vs 4.05 ± 2.5 (95% CI 2.90, 4.62), p = 0.001) and later post-procedure (VAS 2.68 ± 2.0 (95% CI 1.78, 3.58) vs 6.38 ± 3.8 (95% CI 4.62, 8.14) p = 0.004) and satisfaction scores immediately (4.89 ± 0.3 (95% CI 4.76, 5.02) vs 4.11 ± 1.0 (95% CI 3.65, 4.57), p = 0.002) as well as delayed post-procedure (4.52 ± 0.9 (95% CI 4.12, 4.92) vs 3.38 ± 1.6 (95% CI 2.64, 4.12), p = 0.028). USG knee procedures were associated with higher patient satisfaction, both immediately after the procedure and after 4–6 weeks compared with LMG knee procedures.
Fahreignung bei autoimmunen Anfällen und autoimmun-assoziierten Epilepsien

Die aufgehobene Fahreignung ist eine der einschneidendsten Folgen fur Menschen mit neu aufgetretenen epileptischen Anfallen. Rezidivierende Anfalle im Rahmen einer Autoimmunenzephalitis (AE) treten oft mit Antikorpern (AK) gegen Oberflachenantigene auf. Dies sind in der Regel der N‑Methyl-D-Aspartat-Rezeptor (NMDAR), Leucine-rich-Glioma-Inactivated-Protein 1 (LGI1) oder Contactin-assoziiertes Protein‑2 (CASPR2). Es handelt sich um akut-symptomatische Anfalle, die haufig und anhaltend unter adaquater Therapie sistieren. Allerdings finden sich in den aktuellen deutschen Fahreignungsleitlinien keine Vorgaben fur sich wiederholende, sondern nur fur singulare akut-symptomatische Anfalle. Angesichts der gunstigen Prognose scheint bei solchen Patienten eine Wiederbewilligung der Fahreignung fur Gruppe-1-Fuhrerscheine bei guter Uberwachung des Krankheitsverlaufes nach 6 Monaten vertretbar. Fur Aussagen zur Fahreignung fur Gruppe-2-Fuhrerscheine ist die Datenlage noch nicht ausreichend. Fur autoimmun-assoziierte Epilepsien (z. B. mit AK gegen Glutamatdekarboxylase [GAD]) gelten die ublichen Vorgaben fur Epilepsien anderer Atiologien.
Myeloid-like γδ T cell subset in the immune response to an experimental Rift Valley fever vaccine in sheep.

Abstract γδ T cells are a numerically significant subset of immune cells in ruminants, where they may comprise up to 70 % of all peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in young animals and 25 % in adults. These cells can be activated through traditional TCR-dependent mechanisms, or alternatively in a TCR-independent manner by pattern recognition receptors and have been shown to uptake antigen, as well as process and present it to αβ T cells. We have identified a novel CD11b+ subset of γδ T cells in normal sheep peripheral blood. An increase in the frequency of these cells in sheep peripheral blood in response to immunization with an experimental recombinant subunit Rift Valley fever (RVF) vaccine was observed. However, injection of the vaccine adjuvant ISA-25VG alone without the recombinant RVF virus antigens demonstrated the same effect, pointing to an antigen-independent innate immune function of CD11b+ γδ T cells in response to the adjuvant. In vitro studies showed repeatable increases of CD11b-, CD14-, CD86-, CD40-, CD72-, and IFNγ- expressing γδ T cells in PBMCs after 24 h of incubation in the absence of a mitogen. Moreover, the majority of these myeloid-like γδ T cells were demonstrated to process exogenous antigen even in the absence of mitogen. ConA activation increased CD25- and MHCII- expression in γδ T cells, but not the myeloid associated receptors CD14 or CD11b or co-stimulatory molecules such as CD86 and CD40. Considering the role of CD11b and CD14 in the activation of innate immunity, we hypothesize that this subpopulation of sheep γδ T cells may function as innate antigen presenting and pro-inflammatory cells during immune responses. The results presented here also suggest that stress molecules and/or damage-associated molecular patterns may be involved in triggering antigen presenting and pro-inflammatory functions of γδ T cells, given their appearance in vitro in the absence of specific stimulation. Taken together, these data suggest that the early appearance of γδ T cells following adjuvant administration and their possible role in early activation of αβ T cell subsets may non-specifically contribute to augmented innate immunity and may promote strong initiation of the adaptive immune response to vaccines in general.
State-of-the-art diagnostic evaluation of common variable immunodeficiency

Abstract Objective To summarize the current understanding of diagnostic and postdiagnostic evaluation of common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). Data Sources PubMed Central database. Study Selections Original research articles and review articles from 2015 to 2020 including seminal articles that shaped the diagnostic and postdiagnostic evaluation of CVID were incorporated. This work focuses on initial diagnosis of CVID, genetic evaluations, and postdiagnostic assessment of respiratory, gastrointestinal, and hepatobiliary diseases including spleen and lymph node enlargement. Results CVID presents not only with frequent infections but also with noninfectious complications such as autoimmunity, gastrointestinal disease, chronic lung disease, granulomas, liver disease, lymphoid hyperplasia, splenomegaly, or malignancy. The risk of morbidity and mortality is higher in patients with CVID and noninfectious complications. Detailed diagnostic approaches, which may incorporate genetic testing, can aid characterization of individual CVID cases and shape treatment in some instances. Moreover, continued evaluation after CVID diagnosis is key to optimal management of this complex disorder. These postdiagnostic evaluations include pulmonary function testing, radiologic studies, and laboratory evaluations that may be conducted at frequencies determined by disease activity. Conclusion Although the diagnosis can be achieved similarly in all patients with CVID, those with noninfectious complications have distinct concerns during clinical evaluation. State-of-the-art workup of CVID with noninfectious complications typically includes genetic analysis, which may shape precision therapy, and thoughtful application of postdiagnostic tests that monitor the presence and progression of disease in the myriad of tissues that may be affected. Even with recent advancements, knowledge gaps in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of CVID persist, and continued research efforts are needed.
Comparative study of a novel portable indirect calorimeter to a reference breath-by-breath instrument and its use in telemedicine settings

Summary Background & aims Resting Energy Expenditure (REE) quantitatively describes the calories used to support body function (e.g. breathing, blood circulation, etc.) at resting condition. Assessment of the REE is essential for successful weight management and the understanding of metabolic health. REE is typically determined via indirect calorimetry. Current biomedical indirect calorimetry technologies, utilizing assessment of oxygen consumption (VO2) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) rates (which are typically in the form factor of a metabolic cart) are bulky and require on-site calibration and/or trained professionals to operate. We introduce a novel wearable medical device with FDA clearance to determine REE accurately, portable, and user-friendly format, which can be used both by health professionals in a clinical environment and by the patient at home. Previously, we have reported the validation of Breezing Med (also named as Breezing Pro™) through Douglas Bag Method, a gold standard for gas exchange measurement, and excellent agreement has been found between the two methods for the determination of REE, VO2, and VCO2 rates (Mora et al., 2020). Now we present the validation of Breezing Med against Medical Graphics (MGC) CPX Ultima™, a FDA 510 k cleared metabolic cart, which principle is based on breath-by-breath analysis. In addition, we present Breezing Med as a tool for daily measurement of metabolic rate by the lay person at home. Methods A) The validation study was executed via parallel measurement of 20 healthy participants under resting conditions using both the Breezing Med and the MGC Ultima CPX™ (10 min test). B) Breezing Med measurements were carried out by six subjects at home during stay-at-home order due to COVID-19 for 30 days. Results A) The resulting measurements from both devices was compared with correlation slope's and R-squared coefficients close to 1. B) Results were recorded and analyzed for variability. The pilot study demonstrated the advantage of Breezing Med device to be easy-to-use at home by lay people, which make the valuable device for telemedicine applications related to weight management from home. Conclusions This result shows that the MGC Ultima CPX™ and Breezing Med are substantially equivalent for REE measurement; and an advantage of this device for metabolic assessment under the current COVID-19 pandemic situation, for people with impaired physical mobility, and for those who lives in rural areas or face impediments that limit physical access to care.
Long Time Coming, Not Here Yet: The Possibilities of the Social in Age and Life Course Studies

The advance of scientific knowledge and understanding proceeds through a continuous dialectic of multiple intellectual tensions – between theory and research, and sometimes practice, and between multiple and often competing conceptual and methodological paradigms within and across disciplines. At its best, scientific work entails an ongoing discourse of discovery and interpretation guided by logic and evidence, and yet it is also a discourse that is shaped unavoidably by the biographical experience and social location of individual researchers. “Making science” is a human process, located in a specific sociohistorical space, within the broader everyday life processes through which society is continuously reconstituted. Thus, it is epistemically incumbent on the researcher to consider carefully the impact of her own life history and social location upon her work. The editors of this volume are to be especially thanked for inviting essays that encourage such reflexive work – combining a view of the field of aging and life course studies with autobiographical particularity, which is what I shall attempt in this essay.
Anticonvulsant Therapy After Neonatal Seizures—How Long Should it Be Continued?

The risk of epilepsy or afebrile seizures after convulsions in the neonatal period is compared with the benefits and risks of chronic use of anticonvulsants in infants. The best predictor of later seizures appears to be the presence of moderate to severe neurologic damage. In the absence of such deficits, the risk is below 10%, but increases to 50-70% when damage is severe. A comparison of reports indicates no difference in seizure recurrence rates when anticonvulsants are stopped early in the neonatal period or when treatment is longer, even in the high-risk group. After phenobarbital is discontinued and the plasma concentration falls below the therapeutic range, seizures usually recur within a few days or not for several months. Only 50% of these seizure types are expected to be controlled with phenobarbital. Long-term phenobarbital use is associated with impaired cognitive function in infants and toddlers, and retarded brain growth in rodent studies.
Crown-Rump Length of Fetuses in Purebred Holstein-Friesian Cows,

Abstract Regressions of crown-rump length in millimeters on day of gestation and of day of gestation on crown-rump length were computed for 229 outbred Holstein-Friesian fetuses of known gestation ages. The regressions were DAY = 8.4 + .087 CROWN-RUMP + 5.46 CROWN-RUMP , and CROWN-RUMP = −87.8 + 2.74 DAY for gestationsof 34 to 92 days and CROWN-RUMP = −297.1 + 4.70 DAY for gestations of 98 to 270 days duration.
Bound on Vtd from K±→π±vv and B factories

Abstract We analyse the present knowledge of the Kobayashi-Maskawa element Vtd and study the improvement on its bound arising from future measurements of mt, B( K ± →π ± v v ) and Vcb. We find that, provided that mt is known, a measurement of B( K ± →π ± v v ) will test the consistency of the standard model, but actual improvement on the value of Vtd will require the additional knowledge of Vcb to a few percent accuracy. At that point, the use of B(K ± →π ± v v ) for the determination of Vtd will be limited by the uncertainty on mc.
Abstract 20533: Gender and Race Differences in Patient Characteristics and Outcomes in 10,582 Hospitalizations for Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy

Introduction: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTCM) is characterized by acute, reversible left ventricular dysfunction in the absence of epicardial coronary artery occlusion. Because of its rarity, little is known about age, gender and race differences in patients with TTCM. Objectives: To describe gender and race differences in TTCM Methods: Deidentified hospital data from California, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, New Hampshire, West Virginia, and Colorado between 2006 and 2012 were harmonized, and hospital records reporting the ICD-9 code 429.83 (takotsubo cardiomyopathy) were analyzed. Demographics, comorbid conditions, and in-hospital outcomes including death and major adverse events (MAE) defined as death, mechanical ventilation, cardiac arrest, shock, or placement of intra-aortic balloon bump were stratified according to race and gender. Characteristics independently associated with death and MAEs were identified using multivariate logistic regression. Results: In total, 10,582 TTCM cases were identified including 1077 (11.4%) men and 8350 (88.6%) women (1155 not available). Where race was reported, 5960 (70.7%) were white, 1266 (15.0%) had African Ancestry (AA), 291 (2.7%) were Asian, 748 (7.1%) were Hispanic, and 162 (1.5%) were of other or mixed race. Women were significantly older than men (p Conclusions: There are significant gender- and race-based differences in patient characteristics and adverse outcomes in patients hospitalized with TTCM. Further study of these differences may yield insight into the pathophysiology of this increasingly recognized disorder.