cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
P58 An audit of treatment outcomes for patients with tuberculosis diagnosed at an inner London teaching hospital between 2000 and 2010

Background The WHO has the ambition that 85% of patients starting treatment for TB achieve treatment success (cure or treatment complete). 1 There has been considerable anxiety that poor treatment completion rates would lead to increased transmission of tuberculosis and perhaps drive increased drug resistance. We have been monitoring treatment outcomes for patients registering at our hospital since the year 2000. Here we report outcomes and analyse risk factors for treatment interruption for patients with tuberculosis registering up until 2010. Methods All patients diagnosed with tuberculosis at an inner London teaching hospital between 2000 and 2010 were included in the study. Outcomes were recorded, as defined by the requirements of the London TB Register. Follow-up of patients is predominantly nurse-led with little day-to-day involvement from doctors. Samples are sent to the National Mycobacterial Reference Laboratory – Whitechapel, for culture and sensitivity testing with first line anti-tuberculous drugs. Sex, Age (Decade), HIV status, disease site (pulmonary or extra pulmonary) and resistance to any first line drug were evaluated to see whether they were associated with “ost to follow up”, as opposed to all other outcomes, using chi-square test for proportions. Results One thousand two hundred and forty two patients were identified. Ten patients (1%) had MDRTB, 714 58% were male, 981 (79%) were born abroad, 160 (13%) aged 0–20 years, 679 (55%) 21–40 years, 279 22% (41–60), 124 10% > 60, 164 (13%) were known to be HIV, 596 (48%) had pulmonary disease 147 (18%) of 803 with positive cultures had any drug resistance. None of the variables assessed were significantly associated with being lost to follow up. Discussion Our nurse led TB programme has resulted in outcomes that meet international standards. Less than 5% of patients interrupt treatment. The results would probably improve if we obtained treatment outcomes for those who transferred out. None of the variables examined should be used as indicators for enhanced supervision. World Health Organization - Stop TB Partnership. The Stop TB Strategy, 2006.
Reachable sets and controllability of bilinear time-invariant systems: a qualitative approach

This paper is concerned with a qualitative method for the study of reachable sets and controllability of bilinear time-invariant systems. A nonlinear decomposition technique which reduces the solution of the problem to the analysis of the qualitative behavior of a finite number of linear uncontrolled systems is introduced. Special consideration is given to the homogeneous bilinear systems with commutative matrices. Two- and three-dimensional examples are discussed.
A Miniature Transmitter for Telemetering Muscle Potentials

A miniature transmitter was designed to telemeter muscle potentials from dogs. The implanted transmitter is operated by a nickel-cadmium battery. In order to obtain information over long periods of time, the battery is recharged by induction from an external power source. By using the oscillator transistor in an inverted configuration, the transmitter's circuit serves to recharge the battery without the addition of extra components. The simplicity of the circuit makes the unit compact and minimizes the failure of components. A magnetic switch is used to actuate the circuit, thus eliminating complete drain and degeneration of the battery.
Estimation of sequencing error rates in short reads

Short-read data from next-generation sequencing technologies are now being generated across a range of research projects. The fidelity of this data can be affected by several factors and it is important to have simple and reliable approaches for monitoring it at the level of individual experiments. We developed a fast, scalable and accurate approach to estimating error rates in short reads, which has the added advantage of not requiring a reference genome. We build on the fundamental observation that there is a linear relationship between the copy number for a given read and the number of erroneous reads that differ from the read of interest by one or two bases. The slope of this relationship can be transformed to give an estimate of the error rate, both by read and by position. We present simulation studies as well as analyses of real data sets illustrating the precision and accuracy of this method, and we show that it is more accurate than alternatives that count the difference between the sample of interest and a reference genome. We show how this methodology led to the detection of mutations in the genome of the PhiX strain used for calibration of Illumina data. The proposed method is implemented in an R package, which can be downloaded from http://bcb.dfci.harvard.edu/∼vwang/shadowRegression.html . The proposed method can be used to monitor the quality of sequencing pipelines at the level of individual experiments without the use of reference genomes. Furthermore, having an estimate of the error rates gives one the opportunity to improve analyses and inferences in many applications of next-generation sequencing data.
Polymorphic Phase Transformation of Lead Monoxide and Its Influence on Lead Zirconate Titanate Formation

The polymorphic phase transformation of PbO from massicot to litharge phase is easily produced by mechanical force. The transformation is relatively quick by wet ball-milling. The additions of TiO2 and ZrO2 tend to retard it. A second-order exponential relation is observed between the fractional conversion and the milling time for pure PbO, PbO-TiO2, and PbO-ZrO2-TiO2 systems with a rutile constituent. This exponential relation is changed into a first-order logarithmic relation when anatase instead of rutile is used. Although the PbOss phase is observed irrespective of the phase of the PbO in the raw materials, this PbOss peak is more obvious when massicot PbO or anatase TiO2 is used. The formation of PbOss phase is also dependent on the reactivity of the ZrO2, and its presence can affect the formation and piezoelectric properties of PZT ceramics.
Conceptualizing Child and Family Outcomes of Early Intervention Services for Children with ASD and Their Families.

State early intervention programs (EIPs) have been encouraged to develop and implement comprehensive outcomes measurement systems. As the number of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their families receiving services in state EIPs increases, disability-specific outcomes data are needed to better understand issues of access, costs, and benefits. The New York State Early Intervention Program (NYSEIP) used concept mapping with parent and professional stakeholders to define child and family outcomes expected from early intervention services for children with ASD and their families. Stakeholders generated more than 700 statements (synthesized to 105), then individually sorted (17 parents, 39 professionals) these statements into categories. Stakeholders rated each outcome on importance (20 parents, 48 professionals) and likelihood (18 parents, 46 professionals) that EIP services will yield a positive impact. The aggregated sort data were subjected to two separate sets of multivariate statistical ...
Comparing MOOC-based platforms: Reflection on pedagogical support, framework and learning analytics

The rapidly expanding, highly evolving online course market (Massive Open Online Course or MOOC) is influential in academia. Many well-known MOOC platforms have emerged over the last decade. There is a need to compare the support level offered by these platforms so that educators can deliver materials and students are able to learn better. Additionally, there is a need to explore what kinds of data are gathered from these platforms to exploit big data analytics opportunities. This paper evaluates three major online MOOC course providers namely Coursera, EdX, and Udacity. We first compare these platforms in terms of pedagogical support and implemented technologies. We then look at the literature and compare learning analytics support among these tools that are currently offered. We also suggest a set of analytics concepts that can aid instructors to mine student's interaction data and generate guidance for effective teaching.
The Goldilocks Principle: Avoiding Pitfalls in Interpretation of Regression Coefficients

Regression coefficients estimate the effect of a one-unit increase in the independent variable X on the dependent variable Y. Although a one-unit increase is mathematically convenient, it is an arbitrary choice for interpreting the substantive significance of a coefficient. Depending on the type of variable and its level and distribution, a one-unit increase is too big for some independent variables, too small for others, and just right for yet others. This paper discusses theoretical and empirical criteria for choosing the right size contrast for each Xi to convey the size and shape of its relationship with Y. Transformation of variables and model specification are also considered. Example sentences are used to illustrate how to interpret coefficients in the context of the research question and data.
Effects of marihuana and placebo marihuana smoking on hemodynamics in coronary disease

The effects of smoking 1 marihuana and 1 placebo marihuana cigarette on cardiovascular hemodynamics were evaluated by echocardiography in a double-blind crossover study in 10 patients with angina pectoris. Smoking marihuana increased the heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressures, did not significantly change the end-systolic volume and cardiac index, and decreased the end-diastolic volume, stroke index, and ejection fraction. Smoking placebo marihuana did not significantly change the heart rate, blood pressure, and end-systolic volume, and decreased the end-diastolic volume, stroke index, cardiac index, and ejection fraction. The decrease in stroke index and ejection fraction after marihuana was greater and lasted longer than after placebo marihuana. The decrease in stroke index, cardiac index, and ejection fraction after placebo marihuana may be attributed to increased carboxyhemoglobin level. The increase in heart rate and blood pressure after marihuana is attributed to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The decrease in stroke index and ejection fraction after marihuana may be attributed to delta-9-THC in addition to increased carboxyhemoglobin level.
Another Strategy for SIM

the pieces. Although this puzzle can be solved readily by trial and error, perhaps the reader might like to apply the graph techniques [2] used to solve Instant Insanity. Serendipity occurs in a rather unique way in this topic. Several months after determining that the coloring scheme above is best, a colleague pointed out that the puzzle could be solved with the altered rule: only one color can appear on each face. In fact, the solution is unique with this rule. Furthermore, two solutions of the original puzzle can be obtained from the latter puzzle by merely rotating each small tetrahedra about the line normal to its hidden face. Either make all rotations clockwise or make all rotations counterclockwise. Recall that there are 4(12)5 and 2(12)4 distinct arrangements for Cleopatra's Pyramid and Instant Insanity, respectively, and that there are 19 and 1 solutions respectively. Hence, although the ultimate goal of a unique solution to Cleopatra's Pyramid has eluded us, we have still constructed a puzzle 24/19 times as difficult as Instant Insanity.
Morphology of Chaetomium funicolum.

Perithecial development of Chaetomium funicolum is initiated with the formation of a sessile ascogonial coil formed as a specialized hyphal branch from vegetative hyphae having uninucleate cells. C...
Immune Response to Viruses: Cell-Mediated Immunity

Cell-mediated immunity, which encompasses T-cell responses, plays a principal role bringing viral infections under control. T cells accomplish this by elaborating effector functions, such as the production of chemokines and cytokines, which can have direct as well as indirect antiviral effects, and also assist in regulating the overall immune response. Certain effector T cells can kill virus-infected cells through cell-to-cell contact and in this way provide an important means of destroying the host's cells which serve as the production sites of progeny virus. Cell-mediated immune responses are not only effective during acute phase of viral infections but also establish long-lived immunological memory. These memory T cells become rapidly activated if they re-encounter virally infected cells and therefore function to protect against secondary exposures to the original viral pathogen. Although many viral infections are cleared from the host, certain viruses can persist indefinitely following infection. In these instances T-cell responses often bring about some level of initial containment of the infection and operate to control the infection at a steady-state level over time. Cell-mediated immune responses during viral infections are not always beneficial as they can cause damage to host tissues which manifests as immunopathology.
Leaks and Fistulas After Bariatric Surgery

Enteric leaks are a challenging complication after bariatric surgery that potentially result in serious patient morbidity. Both physiological and technical factors may lead to the development of gastrointestinal (GI) leaks. The diagnosis of anastomotic leak postbariatric surgery can be elusive, and a high clinical suspicion must be maintained. Upper GI series, computed tomography, and endoscopy are all potential diagnostic modalities, although the most definitive test is diagnostic laparoscopy. Nonoperative management may be tried for stable patients. Surgical revision is often complicated and carries significant risk. Approaches using minimally invasive endoscopic repair techniques are increasingly being used as first-line therapies. Endoscopic clips, suturing, stent placement, sealants, plugs, internal drainage, and vacuum-assisted closure have all been used successfully to seal postoperative leaks in some patients.
Phylogenomics using Target-Restricted Assembly Resolves Intrageneric Relationships of Parasitic Lice (Phthiraptera: Columbicola)

Parasitic "wing lice" (Phthiraptera: Columbicola) and their dove and pigeon hosts are a well-recognized model system for coevolutionary studies at the intersection of micro- and macroevolution. Selection on lice in microevolutionary time occurs as pigeons and doves defend themselves against lice by preening. In turn, behavioral and morphological adaptations of the lice improve their ability to evade host defense. Over macroevolutionary time wing lice tend to cospeciate with their hosts; yet, some species of Columbicola have switched to new host species. Understanding the ecological and evolutionary factors that influence coadaptation and codiversification in this system will substantially improve our understanding of coevolution in general. However, further work is hampered by the lack of a robust phylogenetic framework for Columbicola spp. and their hosts. Previous attempts to resolve the phylogeny of Columbicola based on sequences from a few genes provided limited support. Here, we apply a new approach, target restricted assembly, to assemble 977 orthologous gene sequences from whole-genome sequence data generated from very small, ethanol-preserved specimens, representing up to 61 species of wing lice. Both concatenation and coalescent methods were used to estimate the species tree. These two approaches yielded consistent and well-supported trees with 90% of all relationships receiving 100% support, which is a substantial improvement over previous studies. We used this new phylogeny to show that biogeographic ranges are generally conserved within clades of Columbicola wing lice. Limited inconsistencies are probably attributable to intercontinental dispersal of hosts, and host switching by some of the lice. [aTRAM; coalescent; coevolution; concatenation; species tree.].
Multi-Cell Monte Carlo Relaxation method for predicting phase stability of alloys

Abstract A Multi-Cell Monte Carlo Relaxation – (MC)2 Relaxation – method, is introduced to predict stable phases of alloys, using ab initio energies. This method uses two parallel supercells for independent energy optimizations while allowing for atom swaps between/within the two supercells, and is particularly useful in predicting ordering or phase separation in multicomponent alloys. We predict the expected phases in the Au-Pt and Hf-Zr binary systems. In case of the HfNbTaZr “high-entropy” alloy, we predict separation into HfZr and TaNb phases, in agreement with recent experiments. Finally, we compare the method with other approaches that perform similarly unbiased searches.
Multiple Receptor-Dependent Steps Determine the Species Specificity of HCV-229E Infection

Human coronavirus (HCV) -229E causes disease only in humans and grows in human cells and in cells of other species that express recombinant human aminopeptidase N (hAPN), the receptor for HCV-229E. We compared the species specificity of HCV-229E infection with the species specificity of virus binding using immunofluorescence, assay of virus yields, fluorescence activated cell sorting and a monoclonal antibody directed against hAPN that blocks infection. We found that HCV-229E binds to intestinal brush border membranes (BBM) and to membranes of cell lines from cats, dogs, pigs, and humans, however the virus only infects two of these species. HCV-229E will not bind to BBM or to membranes from cell lines derived from hamster or mice. Animal coronaviruses related to HCV-229E, including FIPV, CCV, and TGEV bind to cell membranes from cats, dogs, cows, pigs and humans (but not mice), while each virus infects cells from only a subset of these species. Infectious genomic HCV-229E RNA, can infect cells of all of these species. These data suggest that the species-specificity of infection for this serogroup of coronaviruses is determined at the levels of virus binding and penetration. Since binding of viral spike glycoprotein to cellular receptors is not the only limiting factor, we suggest that one or more steps associated with virus penetration may determine the species specificity of infection with the HCV-229E serogroup of coronaviruses.
ASTRO: Autonomous, Sensing, and Tetherless netwoRked drOnes

We propose ASTRO, a drone network that realizes three key features: (i) networked drones that coordinate in autonomous flight via software defined radios, (ii) off-grid tetherless flight without requiring a ground control station or air-to-ground network, and (iii) on-board machine learning missions based on on-drone sensor data shared among drones. We implement ASTRO and present a suite of proof-of-concept experiments based on a mission in which a network of ASTRO drones must find and track a mobile spectrum cheater.
Comparing Extremes: Mixing of Fluids, Mixing of Solids

Mixing’s reach is remarkably wide; examples appear in the liquid-liquid, solid-liquid, and solid-solid areas. Traditional engineering approaches tackle all of these problems on a case-by-case basis, no description being expected to cover all possible situations. Much can be gained, however, by juxtaposing extremes; fluid-fluid mixing and solid-solid mixing provide such bounds. For fluids mixing, basic understanding at a continuum level is firmly established: Navier-Stokes equations provide a first principles description valid on macroscopic scales for most problems. Somewhat paradoxically, basic understanding for solids mixing is much less developed despite the fact that a first principles description — particle dynamics — is arguably better for solids than for fluids. Shortcomings of continuum descriptions manifest themselves on macroscopic scales, particle segregation being an instance where physical meso-scale processes are not well understood. Slow mixing of powders and slow mixing of fluids can be described by maps; in powders the map is a succession of distinct avalanches; in fluids the repetition of stretching and folding. In both cases rather simple pictures can be extended to the point that non-trivial conclusions can be obtained. In mixing of fluids repeated stretching and folding leads to chaos, the disorder often being accompanied by symmetries and regularity; in powders by unmixed cores and systems that mix or do not mix depending upon the sense of rotation.
Blood transfusion strategies for total knee arthroplasty: Minimizing autologous blood wastage, risk of homologous blood transfusion, and transfusion cost

In this nonrandomized study, alternative strategies were suggested to 10 orthopaedic surgeons to minimize autologous blood wastage, the risk of homologous blood transfusion, and cost associated with blood product usage after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). One hundred fifty-five patients with 177 consecutive TKAs over a 2-year period were studied. Group 1 patients had undergone unilateral TKA and did not predonate; 1A patients (n = 19) were drained with a Hemovac, and 1B patients (n = 28) with a postoperative blood recovery system. Group 2 patients (n = 47) predonated one packed red blood cell (pRBC) unit. Group 3 patients (n = 20) predonated 2 pRBC units. Group 4 patients had undergone bilateral sequential TKAs (n = 21) and had predonated 2 pRBC units. Group 5 patients (n = 14) had undergone revision TKA procedures and their blood requirements were individualized. Group 6 patients (n = 6) had preexisting anemia and were excluded from the study. There was no significant difference in total blood loss (909 mL) between groups. Female sex was associated with significantly lower admission hematocrit. Homologous blood was required for 4% of patients in the entire study and the percentage was not statistically different between groups. Twenty-five percent of patients who predonated autologous pRBCs did not use all or some of it. In group 1, the postoperative blood recovery system had a significant effect on reducing postoperative hematocrit drop (P = .0001), but it was not a significant factor if autologous pRBCs were available. The costs associated with group 1A were significantly less (P = .0001) compared with the other groups; group 1A had the highest admission hematocrit (43.2). Transfusion with autologous pRBCs was related to lower admission hematocrit rather than to increased postoperative blood loss. An algorithm is presented to provide cost-effective management of blood products after TKA.
The Application of Thermal Diffusivity Imaging to Sic-Fiber-Reinforced Silicon Nitride

Strong, tough, high temperature ceramic matrix composites are currently being developed for application in advanced heat engines. These new materials require new nondestructive inspection and material characterization techniques to insure the final integrity, as well as reduce the time require for development. One of the most promising of these new materials is SiC fiber-reinforced silicon nitride ceramic matrix composite (SiCf/ Si3N4). The high temperature thermal and mechanical performance of ceramic matrix composites is strongly dependent on the thermal diffusivity and interfacial bond strength of the material. Previous work has shown a interaction between the thermal diffusivity and the fracture toughness of SiCf/Si3N4. A thermal imaging technique has been developed to provide rapid large area measurements of the thermal diffusivity perpendicular to the fiber direction in these composites. Results are presented for a series of SiCf/Si3N4 (reaction bonded silicon nitride) composite samples heat-treated under various conditions. These results are compared with previous experimental and analytical work in this field.
The Nasopharyngeal Reflex is Impaired with the Progression of Chronic Heart Failure in Conscious Rabbits

Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, 68198-5850 Cigarette smoke stimulates nasopharyngeal (NP) receptors causing sympatho-excitation and acute cardiorespiratory changes. Cardiovascular respons...
Kant’s Categorical Imperative and Moral Duties

Kant offered his categorical imperative as the basis for a process that reflects common thinking about methods for deriving practical moral maxims and duties. This process is shown here as relevant for managerial leadership and firm efficiency. The role of reflective thought in establishing and maintaining these maxims is emphasized. The categorization of these maxims into associated perfect and imperfect duties is reviewed so that absolute prohibitions can be understood as distinctly different from those volitional duties with practical limitations.
Phase I study of epigenetic priming using azacitidine prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with resectable esophageal and gastric adenocarcinoma.

4047 Background: Epigenetic silencing of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) is an acquired abnormality observed in cancer and is prototypically linked to DNA methylation. 5-Azacitidine (V) is a cytosine...
Spatially continuous fully distributed microwave-photonic and coaxial cable sensors for structural health monitoring

This report summarises our recent research progresses in developing new distributed sensing technologies for structural health monitoring (SHM) based on the new microwave-photonic and coaxial cable platforms. The two new platforms have the combined advantages of high measurement resolution, large strain capability, long span of coverage, easy-to-install/embed, spatial continuity (no dark zones), and flexible gauge lengths. The new distributed sensing technology may bring a revolutionary tool to address a number of insufficiently-studied areas in SHM, such as distributed monitoring of cracks and corrosion, post seismic monitoring to ensure mission-critical services in disaster responses and emergency evacuations, study of the progressive structural failures/collapses under extreme loads, and high performance smart structures.
Higher mortality in pediatric and adult trauma patients with traumatic coagulopathy, using age-adjusted diagnostic criteria.

Abstract Background Acute traumatic coagulopathy has been described in adult trauma patients. Acute traumatic coagulopathy may be associated with higher mortality and morbidity in pediatric trauma patients. We aimed to (1) compare acute traumatic coagulopathy incidence among various age groups, using age-adjusted normal reference values for three tests of coagulation, and (2) compare acute traumatic coagulopathy–associated mortality by age. Methods We queried our institutional trauma database for all level 1 and 2 activations with an injury severity score ≥ 9 during 2012 to 2017. Demographics, injury information, and coagulation test results were collected. Coagulopathy was defined using published age-specific and assay-specific parameters. Variables were compared among age groups (children, adults, and older adults), and logistic regression was used to determine independent associations with mortality. Results A total of 1,983 patients were included with a median injury severity score of 17 and mortality of 12%. Prolonged partial thromboplastin time, prolonged international normalized ratio, and hypofibrinogenemia were all strongly associated with mortality among adults and children, but not among older adults (P .01, respectively). Logistic regression revealed an independent association between prolonged partial thromboplastin time and mortality (P Conclusion Prolonged partial thromboplastin time/international normalized ratio and hypofibrinogenemia were common among trauma patients of all ages and were associated with mortality among children and adults, but not older adults, perhaps implicating age-related hemostatic biologic differences.
The Interplay Between Brand Globalness and Localness for Iconic Global and Local Brands in the Transitioning Chinese Market

AbstractFocusing on the transitioning Chinese market, this study examined the interplay between perceived brand globalness and localness for local and global brands. Focus groups and in-depth inter...
Affordable Housing in Regions with Naturally Occurring Asbestos

Several cities lack affordable housing. Creating new ones or annexing additional lands for development that are beyond a city's boundaries could help address this issue in some instances. Undertaki...
Looking forward to student-athlete mental health: Racial/ethnic trends from 2010 to 2015

Objective: This study examined trends in functionally impairing depression, significant anxiety, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts among college student-athletes across time, racial/ethnic gr...
NICU to Home Discharge Communication: a Quality Improvement Project

Background: Approximately 1 in 10 babies is born prematurely each year in the United States. Many graduates of the NICU will require chronic care management after discharge, with needs for frequent primary care visits, multispecialty care, complex pharmaceutical and dietary regimens, and community- based early intervention services particularly if they are extremely preterm or had rough NICU course. Our NICU discharge process did not include routine notification of primary care physicians (PCP). We undertook a longitudinal QI project aimed at initiating a two way communication with the receiving physician in …
Debunking material induction

In this paper, we present an explanatory objection to Norton's material theory of induction, as applied to predictive inferences. According to the objection we present, there is an explanatory disconnect between our beliefs about the future and the relevant future facts. We argue that if we recognize such a disconnect, we are no longer rationally entitled to our future beliefs.
Abstract TMP35: Neural Recovery Following Cerebral Ischemia is Exacerbated by Loss of DNA Polymerase-Beta

Oxidative DNA damage (ODD) after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury occurs rapidly and has been implicated in the patholgenesis of ischemic injury. Ischemic ODD in the brain are primarly characte...
Monitoring Sexual Violence Trends in Emergency Department Visits Using Syndromic Data From the National Syndromic Surveillance Program-United States, January 2017-December 2019.

Objectives. To report trends in sexual violence (SV) emergency department (ED) visits in the United States.Methods. We analyzed monthly changes in SV rates (per 100 000 ED visits) from January 2017...
School Counselor Burnout, Job Stress, and Job Satisfaction by Student Caseload:

In this cross-sectional quantitative study, we employed survey research to examine the differences in school counselors’ (N = 327) burnout, job stress, and job satisfaction based on their student c...
Computational analysis of multi-contact phase change device for toggle logic operations

Abstract In this work, two dimensional six-contact phase change devices that can perform toggle logic operations is analyzed through 2D electrothermal simulations with dynamic materials modelling, integrated with CMOS access circuitry. Toggle configurations are achieved through a combination of isolation of some contacts from others using amorphous regions and coupling between different regions via thermal crosstalk. Use of thermal crosstalk as a coupling mechanism in a multi-contact device in the memory layer allows implementation of analog routing and digital logic operations at a significantly lower transistor count, with the added benefit of non-volatility. Simulation results show approximately linear improvement in peak current and voltage requirements with thickness scaling.
Concordance of Identified Cases of Pediatric HA-VTE with American College of Physicians and Cincinnati Children's Hospital HA-VTE Prophylaxis Guidelines Over a 10-Year Period.

Objective: Our aim is to (1) ascertain the proportion of pediatric patients at a tertiary hospital in Western Massachusetts over a 10-year period with hospital-acquired venous thromboembolism (VTE)...
Empathy as exoneration or resistance? The politics of male empathy in the Chinese #Metoo movement

Chinese digital feminism has attracted increasing public and scholarly attention, and yet men’s participation remains understudied. Drawing on interviews with male supporters and textual analysis o...
Light Collection and Exciton Dynamics in Photosynthetic Membranes

The first steps in photosynthesis involve light absorption by specialized antenna pigments followed by efficient energy migration to a reaction center complex whereupon the excitation is utilized to drive the photosynthetic process. Figure 1 illustrates how the harvesting is thought to occur. The dots represent chlorophyll a (Chl a) molecules and RC represents a reaction center. Mot shown are accessory pigment molecules which assist in absorbing light. There are a variety of accessory pigment species [1] with complimentary overlapping absorptions that together span the visible spectrum. Once excited, the accessory pigment molecules very quickly (~ 1 ps) transfer their energy via a nonradiative dipole-dipole interaction to a Chl a molecule. The Chl a’s first excited singlet state has a lower energy than the singlet states of the other antenna piqments and so the excitation cannot easily jump back. Possible, however, are further similar Forster transitions between neighboring Chl a molecules and consequently the excited state, or Frenkel exciton, begins a random walk through the Chl a antenna matrix until it wanders near the reaction center complex whereupon it is quickly captured. The entire process, from initial pigment absorption to reaction center capture, although involving many hundreds of separate energy transfer steps, occurs in less than one nanosecond and has quantum yields for photon utilization approaching 100%.
Rat insulin-like growth factor II gene. A single gene with two promoters expressing a multitranscript family.

Abstract We have characterized the single-copy rat gene encoding the protein precursor of insulinlike growth factor II (pre-pro-rIGF-II) that is located downstream from and in the same transcriptional orientation as the homologous insulin II gene (5′-insulin-IGF-II-3′). This gene consists of at least three coding exons and utilizes two promoters that generate alternate 5′ non-coding exons. Multiple transcripts from both promoters appear primarily in fetal or neonatal tissues (in all of the developmental stages and tissues that we have examined), but they are extremely rare or undetectable in adult tissues, with the exception of the brain and the spinal cord. These transcripts, which exhibit characteristic developmental profiles in various tissues, differ both in the presence of one of the alternate 5′ non-coding exons and in the length of their fourth exon. The possible occurrence of differential splicing or differential polyadenylation (or both) in this region is discussed.
Role of stem cells in cardiovascular biology

This review article addresses the controversy as to whether the adult heart possesses an intrinsic growth reserve. If myocyte renewal takes place in healthy and diseased organs, the reconstitution of the damaged tissue lost upon pathological insults might be achieved by enhancing a natural occurring process. Evidence in support of the old and new view of cardiac biology is critically discussed in an attempt to understand whether the heart is a static or dynamic organ. According to the traditional concept, the heart exerts its function until death of the organism with the same or lesser number of cells that are present at birth. This paradigm was challenged by documentation of the cell cycle activation and nuclear and cellular division in a subset of myocytes. These observations raised the important question of the origin of replicating myocytes. Several theories have been proposed and are presented in this review article. Newly formed myocytes may derive from a pre-existing pool of cells that has maintained the ability to divide. Alternatively, myocytes may be generated by activation and commitment of resident cardiac stem cells or by migration of progenitor cells from distant organs. In all cases, parenchymal cell turnover throughout lifespan results in a heterogeneous population consisting of young, adult, and senescent myocytes. With time, accumulation of old myocytes has detrimental effects on cardiac performance and may cause the development of an aging myopathy.
Race, Waste, and Space: Brownfield Redevelopment and Environmental Justice at the Hunters Point Shipyard

This paper advances the concept of “waste formations” as a way of thinking together processes of race, space, and waste in brownfield redevelopment projects. Defined as formerly industrial and contaminated properties, in the 1990s brownfields emerged as the grounds for new forms of urbanization and an emerging environmental remediation industry. Through their redevelopment, the twentieth century's urban wastelands—environmentally degraded, economically divested, and often racially marked—have become sites of investment, resignification, and value formation. The concept of waste formations provides a critical framework on the ways these socio-ecological transformations rework twentieth century urban inequalities—in particular, the articulation of waste and toxic waste—and the ways they produce new geographies of environmental injustice through the displacement of toxic waste to newly waste-able spaces. This paper develops an analytic of waste formations and applies it to the process of brownfield redevelopment at the Hunters Point Shipyard in southeast San Francisco.
Are Religious Women More Likely to Have Breast Cancer Screening

The study objective was to investigate whether women who frequently attend religious services are more likely to have breast cancer screening—mammography and clinical breast examinations—than other women. Multivariate logistic regression models show that white women who attended religious services frequently had more than twice the odds of breast cancer screening than white women who attended less frequently (Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.61; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.12, 6.06). The behavior of white women was different from African American women (religious attendance-race interaction term p-value = 0.008); African American women who attended religious services frequently were possibly less likely to have breast cancer screening (OR 0.49; CI = 0.19–1.31).
Metallic nanocone array photonic substrate for high-uniformity surface deposition and optical detection of small molecules

Molecular probe arrays printed on solid surfaces such as DNA, peptide, and protein microarrays are widely used in chemical and biomedical applications especially genomic and proteomic studies (Pollack et al 1999 Nat. Genet. 23 41–6, Houseman et al 2002 Nat. Biotechnol. 20 270–4, Sauer et al 2005 Nat. Rev. Genet. 6 465–76) as well as surface imaging and spectroscopy (Mori et al 2008 Anal. Biochem. 375 223–31, Liu et al 2006 Nat. Nanotechnol. 1 47–52, Liu 2010 IEEE J. Sel. Top. Quantum Electron. 16 662–71). Unfortunately the printed molecular spots on solid surfaces often suffer low distribution uniformity due to the lingering 'coffee stain' (Deegan et al 1997 Nature 389 827–9) problem of molecular accumulations and blotches, especially around the edge of deposition spots caused by solvent evaporation and convection processes. Here we present, without any surface chemistry modification, a unique solid surface of high-aspect-ratio silver-coated silicon nanocone arrays that allows highly uniform molecular deposition and thus subsequent uniform optical imaging and spectroscopic molecular detection. Both fluorescent Rhodamine dye molecules and unlabeled oligopeptides are printed on the metallic nanocone photonic substrate surface as circular spot arrays. In comparison with the printed results on ordinary glass slides and silver-coated glass slides, not only high printing density but uniform molecular distribution in every deposited spot is achieved. The high-uniformity and repeatability of molecular depositions on the 'coffee stain'-free nanocone surface is confirmed by laser scanning fluorescence imaging and surface enhanced Raman imaging experiments. The physical mechanism for the uniform molecular deposition is attributed to the superhydrophobicity and localized pinned liquid–solid–air interface on the silver-coated silicon nanocone surface. The unique surface properties of the presented nanocone surface enabled high-density, high-uniformity probe spotting beneficial for genomic and proteomic microarrays and surface molecular imaging.
Effect of CYP3A5 genotype on ketoconazole induced QT prolongation

Background/Aim Ketoconazole (Keto) is used extensively as a test inhibitor of cytochrome P450 3A-mediated metabolism in clinical drug interaction studies with drugs that might prolong the QT interval. Prior studies in healthy volunteers suggested that Keto itself, (400mg per day by mouth) contributes to QTc prolongation but inter-individual variability was substantial. We tested the hypothesis that inter-individual difference in prolongation of QTc by Keto are associated with CYP3A5 genotype. Methods 15 healthy volunteers (12 males, 29± 9 yrs) participated in a three phase randomized, crossover study. The subjects were treated with either 200mg QD or 400mg QD of Keto for 6 days. QT interval was measured before, and after treatment using a digitizing pad in three consecutive beats in leads II and V5. The measured QT was corrected based on a linear multiple regression model with log-transformed data (QT and RR). CYP3A5 genotype was done by allele specific real time PCR. Results (see Table 1 and Table 2). Conclusions 200mg of ketoconazole induced prolongation in QTc (delta QTc= 17.2 msec, p<0.0032) as did the 400mg dosage regimen (delta QTc= 16.8 msec, p<0.0065). Subjects who carried two CYP3A5*3 alleles had greater QTc than those with at least one*1 allele (p<0.0001). The extent of QTc prolongation with Keto was independent of CYP3A5 genotype. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77, P5–P5; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.11.021 Table 1. Effect of Keto on QTc prolongation QTc msec (Mean ± SE) Phase 1 (baseline) 382.2 ± 4.2 Phase 2 399.4 ± 4.8 Phase 3 399.0 ± 4.4 Table 2. Effect of CYP3A5 genotype on Keto induced QTc prolongation CYP3A5 genotype Baseline QTc msec (mean ± SE) QTc msec (mean ± SE) at the end of Keto therapy *1/*1 (n = 3) 369.2 ± 5.3 386.1 ± 5.4 *1/*3 (n = 4) 366.4 ± 5.1 383.4 ± 5.0 *3/*3 (n = 8) 394.2 ± 4.1 411.2 ± 3.7
Stylet Bundle Morphology and Trophically Related Enzymes of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Hemiptera: Adelgidae)

ABSTRACT The hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand (Hemiptera: Adelgidae), is a pest of eastern and Carolina hemlocks (Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carriere and Tsuga caroliniana Engelmann, respectively) in the eastern United States and has already caused catastrophic changes to eastern forests. As one of the significant exotic forest pests, it is imperative that the basic biology of hemlock woolly adelgid be understood for use in novel and improved management techniques. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy and enzyme assays were used to elucidate the feeding biology of hemlock woolly adelgid and are discussed in the context of the pest—plant interactions and the implications for host plant resistance. Morphological characters indicate that hemlock woolly adelgids may use labial sensilla and neural canals within the mandibular stylets to guide their stylets through close-range host acceptance processes. Stylet bundle insertion is likely assisted by external sheath material that secures the styl...
Social Economics and Evolutionary Learning

Abstract The major premise of this paper is that social and individual well-being depends significantly on people's capacity to learn and unlearn in communication with each other. This paper builds on social economic traditions that see communication and conversation as evolutionary generative and adaptive mechanisms through which individual and social learning occurs. Drawing on educational psychology and organizational behavior scholarship, five dynamic processes of conversational learning are introduced with the contention that they can help social economists understand at a micro level more deeply and more concretely how learning happens in the give-and-take of conversation. The paper explores the role of the state, organizations, and communities in fostering individual freedom and dignity, human rights, and economic democracy and concludes that the investment of value in people and their capability for purposeful action as social economic stakeholders can be enhanced through conversation as learning.
Classification of Alaska Spring Thaw Characteristics Using Satellite L-Band Radar Remote Sensing

Spatial and temporal variability in landscape freeze- thaw (FT) status at higher latitudes and elevations significantly impacts land surface water mobility and surface energy partitioning, with major consequences for regional climate, hydrological, ecological, and biogeochemical processes. With the development of new-generation spaceborne remote sensing instruments, future L-band missions, including the NASA Soil Moisture Active and Passive mission, will provide new operational retrievals of landscape FT state dynamics at moderate (~3 km) spatial resolution. We applied theoretical simulations of L-band radar backscatter using first-order radiative transfer models with two and three-layer modeling schemes to develop a modified seasonal threshold algorithm (STA) and FT classification study over Alaska using 100-m-resolution satellite Phased Array L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR) observations. The backscatter threshold distinguishes between frozen and nonfrozen states, and it is used to classify the predominant frozen or thawed status of a grid cell. An Alaska FT map for April 2007 was generated from PALSAR (ScanSAR) observations and showed a regionally consistent but finer FT spatial pattern than an alternative surface air temperature-based classification derived from global reanalysis data. Validation of the STA-based FT classification against regional soil climate stations indicated approximately 80% and 75% spatial classification accuracy values in relation to respective station air temperature and soil temperature measurement-based FT estimates. An investigation of relative spatial scale effects on FT classification accuracy indicates that the relationship between grid cell size and classified frozen or thawed area follows a general logarithmic function.
The numerically stable reconstruction of a Jacobi matrix from spectral data

We show how to construct, from certain spectral data, a discrete inner product for which the associated sequence of monic orthogonal polynomials coincides with the sequence of appropriately normalized characteristic polynomials of the left principal submatrices of the Jacobi matrix. The generation of these orthogonal polynomials via their three term recurrence relation, as popularized by Forsythe, then provides a stable means of computing the entries of the Jacobi matrix. The resulting algorithm might be of help in the approximate solution of inverse eigenvalue problems for Sturm-Liouville equations. Our construction provides, incidentally, very simple proofs of known results concerning existence and uniqueness of a Jacobi matrix satisfying given spectral data and its continuous dependence on that data.
Activity of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C from Bacillus cereus with thiophosphate analogs of dimyristoylphosphatidylinositol.

Abstract Phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) was studied with sonicated dispersions of a thiophosphate analog of phosphatidylinositol, 1,2-dimyristoyloxypropane-3-thiophospho(1 d -1-myo-inositol) ( d -thio-DMPI). Kinetic parameters were derived from the rate as a function of bulk lipid concentration at constant saturating surface concentration of substrate (case I), and as a function of surface concentration of substrate at a constant saturating bulk concentration of lipid (case II). The substrate, d -thio-DMPI, was diluted with l -thio-DMPI or dimyristoyl phosphatidylmethanol (DMPM). In the presence of l -thio-DMPI, values for Vmax=133 μmol min−1 mg−1, Ks′ (the apparent dissociation constant for the enzyme-interface complex)=0.097 mM, and Km* (the apparent interfacial Michaelis constant)=0.22 mol fraction were obtained. DMPM caused enzyme inhibition in case I but no inhibition in case II. l -Thio-DMPI is an ideal neutral diluent with which to study the kinetics of PI-PLC.