cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A family of genus‐specific RNAs in tandem with DNA‐binding proteins control expression of the badA major virulence factor gene in Bartonella henselae

Bartonella henselae is a gram-negative zoonotic bacterium that causes infections in humans including endocarditis and bacillary angiomatosis. B. henselae has been shown to grow as large aggregates and form biofilms in vitro. The aggregative growth and the angiogenic host response requires the trimeric autotransporter adhesin BadA. We examined the transcriptome of the Houston-1 strain of B. henselae using RNA-seq revealing nine novel, highly-expressed intergenic transcripts (Bartonella regulatory transcript, Brt1-9). The Brt family of RNAs is unique to the genus Bartonella and ranges from 194 to 203 nucleotides with high homology and stable predicted secondary structures. Immediately downstream of each of the nine RNA genes is a helix-turn-helix DNA-binding protein (transcriptional regulatory protein, Trp1-9) that is poorly transcribed under the growth conditions used for RNA-seq. Using knockdown or overexpressing strains, we show a role of both the Brt1 and Trp1 in the regulation of badA and also in biofilm formation. Based on these data, we hypothesize that Brt1 is a trans-acting sRNA that also serves as a cis-acting riboswitch to control the expression of badA. This family of RNAs together with the downstream Trp DNA-binding proteins represents a novel coordinated regulatory circuit controlling expression of virulence-associated genes in the bartonellae.
Phase I Study of XK469R (NSC 698215), a Quinoxaline Phenoxypropionic Acid Derivative, in Patients with Refractory Hematological Malignancies.

Abstract XK469R is a quinoxaline phenoxypropionic acid derivative which possesses broad activity against murine and human tumors (including leukemia) and high activity against multidrug-resistant tumors. COMPARE analysis of cytotoxicity data from the NCI cell line screen suggested a unique mechanism. Phase I studies in patients with advanced solid tumors indicated that the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was myelosuppression, without other significant toxicities noted, at a fixed dose of 1400 mg/dose when given on a day 1,3,5 schedule every 21 days. Therefore, we conducted a phase I study to establish the DLT and maximally tolerated dose (MTD) of XK469R in patients with refractory hematologic malignancies, as well as to study the pharmacokinetics of XK469R in this patient population. XK469R was given as a straight dose as an IV infusion over 30 minutes-1 hour on days 1, 3, and 5 of a 21 day cycle. Because significant interpatient variability in drug clearance (associated with toxicity) was noted in prior studies, each dose cohort included a minimum of six patients. The dose levels studied were 1400 mg (n=6), 1750 mg (n=12), 2200 mg (n=14), and 2750mg (n=14). A total of 46 patients with relapsed/refractory leukemia have been treated and are evaluable for toxicity; 41 patients with AML, 4 ALL, and 1 CML-BC. The group consists of 26 males and 20 females with a median age of 53 (range 20–85). ECOG PS included 0 (n=19), 1 (n=21), and 2 (n=6). Median number of cycles received was 1; 10 patients received 2 cycles and 2 patients received 3 cycles. DLT was defined as any clinically significant grade 3 or 4 adverse nonhematologic toxicity other than prolonged myelosuppression, as defined by NCI criteria specific for leukemia. DLTs of colitis and mucositis were observed at the 2200 mg dose level, and mucositis and elevated bilirubin at the 2750 mg dose level. Other possibly related grade 1 and 2 toxicities noted were SGOT/PT elevations, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, indigestion, rash, and alopecia. The MTD, defined as the dose level at which
Topological Hochschild homology of maximal orders in simple Q-algebras

We calculate the topological Hochschild homology groups of a maximal order in a central algebra over the rationals. Since the positive-dimensional THH groups consist only of torsion, we do this one prime ideal at a time for all the nonzero prime ideals in the center of the maximal order. This allows us to reduce the problem to studying the THH groups of maximal orders A in simple algebras over Q_p. We show that the topological Hochschild homology of A/(p) splits as the tensor product of its Hochschild homology and the topological Hochschild homology of F_p. We use this result in Brun's spectral sequence to calculate THH(A; A/(p)), and then we analyze the torsion to get the homotopy groups of the completion at p of THH(A).
Weighted compact and non-compact scheme for shock tube and shock entropy interaction

[Abstract] In this paper, we introduce a new type of high order shock capturing schemes – uniform weighted compact and non-compact scheme (UWCNC) or simply XJL scheme developed by Xie, Jiang and Liu. This new scheme is based on the feature of discrete data sets instead of the physics. The fundamental task of CFD is to provide an accurate approximation of derivatives for a given discrete data set. The data are first normalized then measured by so called “smoothness”. According to the smoothness, the set is divided into three regions: smooth, oscillatory, and non-differentiable (shock) regions. The strategy of this new scheme is to achieve spectral-like resolution and high order of accuracy by using central weighted compact scheme in smooth and oscillatory regions and use the non-compact scheme to cross the shock to capture shocks sharply without oscillation. In a 6th order one parameter family of the compact schemes (Lele, 1992), we turn the control parameter to 1/3, keeping the exact formulation of the 6th order weighted compact scheme and turn it to zero gradually when approaching the shock, which makes the scheme non-compact. Besides the WENO weights, there is only one additional control parameter, which we call smoothness function. In this new uniform weighted compact-non compact scheme, a sixth-order weighted compact scheme and a corresponding fourth-order weighted non-compact scheme are combined following this basic idea. Numerical tests show that the new scheme has captured the 1-D shock sharply without non-physical oscillation and obtained much higher resolution for 1-D shock-entropy interaction than the 5th order WENO scheme.
Light Invariant Hand Gesture Recognition

Recently, there has been a growing interest in the field of light invariant recognition. For advanced applications, a system can be set up in the laboratory with ideal conditions. However, in practical scenarios the hand gesture recognition systems may have applications in various environments. In image processing applications, the light intensity plays an important role because it significantly affects the segmentation of the ROI from the original image frame. The light intensity may not be same everywhere.
Zircon Geochronology of Berach Granite of Chittorgarh, Rajasthan

Discordant ages of zircons from Berach granite suggest that this granite crystallized around 2610 m.y. ago and lost lead during an episodic event around 710 m.y. The 710 m.y. date probably reflects a response to a regional thermal event also recorded in the 730 m.y. zircon age for the Mt. Abu 'Erinpura type' granite.
A Role for Soluble IL-6 Receptor in Osteoarthritis

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is one of several pro-inflammatory cytokines present at elevated levels in the synovial fluid of individuals with confirmed clinical diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). The mechanism of action of IL-6 was shown to involve its capacity to interact with a membrane-bound IL-6 receptor (mIL-6Rα), also known as the “classical” IL-6 pathway, or through its interaction with a soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) termed the “trans-signaling” pathway. Activation of downstream signaling is transduced via these IL-6 receptors and principally involves the Janus Kinase/Signal Transduction and Activators of Transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway that is further regulated by glycoprotein-130 (gp130) interacting with the IL-6/mIL-6R complex. Phosphorylation of STAT proteins via JAK activation facilitates STAT proteins to act as transcription factors in inflammation. However, the biological function(s) of the sIL-6R in human chondrocytes requires further elucidation, although we previously showed that exogenous sIL-6R significantly suppressed the synthesis of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in the immortalized line of human chondrocytes, C28/I2. NGAL was shown to regulate the activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), whose activity is crucial in OA for the destruction of articular cartilage. The “shedding” of sIL-6R from the plasma membrane is carried out by a family of enzymes known as A Distintegrin and Metalloproteinase (ADAM), which are also elevated in OA. In this paper, we have systematically reviewed the role played by IL-6 in OA. We have proposed that sIL-6R may be an important target for future drug development in OA by ameliorating cartilage extracellular protein degradation.
A modular approach to creating large engineered cartilage surfaces

Native articular cartilage has limited capacity to repair itself from focal defects or osteoarthritis. Tissue engineering has provided a promising biological treatment strategy that is currently being evaluated in clinical trials. However, current approaches in translating these techniques to developing large engineered tissues remains a significant challenge. In this study, we present a method for developing large-scale engineered cartilage surfaces through modular fabrication. Modular Engineered Tissue Surfaces (METS) uses the well-known, but largely under-utilized self-adhesion properties of de novo tissue to create large scaffolds with nutrient channels. Compressive mechanical properties were evaluated throughout METS specimens, and the tensile mechanical strength of the bonds between attached constructs was evaluated over time. Raman spectroscopy, biochemical assays, and histology were performed to investigate matrix distribution. Results showed that by Day 14, stable connections had formed between the constructs in the METS samples. By Day 21, bonds were robust enough to form a rigid sheet and continued to increase in size and strength over time. Compressive mechanical properties and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content of METS and individual constructs increased significantly over time. The METS technique builds on established tissue engineering accomplishments of developing constructs with GAG composition and compressive properties approaching native cartilage. This study demonstrated that modular fabrication is a viable technique for creating large-scale engineered cartilage, which can be broadly applied to many tissue engineering applications and construct geometries.
Optimal control of wind farms for fatigue load minimization

In this paper, we introduce a distributed control methodology that enables wind generators (WGs) to dynamically dispatch and regulate their power outputs to optimal equilibria in real-time. These equilibria are constructed such that the total mechanical fatigue loads experienced by WGs are minimized and a total assigned power demand is collectively met. We begin by posing the fatigue-load minimization constrained optimal control problem (FLMCOC) as a restricted agreement problem and then propose a fully distributed control methodology for recovering its solution that leverages a particular consensus+innovations algorithm. The distributed algorithm can be realized via any arbitrary peer-to-peer communication network and under any case, it can guarantee dynamic regulation of WGs' power outputs to their optimal values. Collectively, this paper offers a distributed control methodology for attaining a solution to the FLMCOC problem for large-scale wind farms that is computationally efficient, scalable, resilient to single-point communication or agent failures and privacy preserving. The proposed control methodology is validated through numerical simulations on the modified IEEE 24-bus power network.
Early experience with transcatheter mitral valve replacement: successes, challenges, and future directions.

Over the past decade, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has revolutionized the treatment of patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). TAVR gained a foothold as a viable aortic valve replacement (AVR) strategy in patients deemed inoperable, and early clinical trials in this setting confirmed a clear and dramatic survival advantage of TAVR over palliative medical therapy (1).
Old World Archaeology and Archaeologists from a New World Perspective

The 50th anniversary meeting of the Society for American Archaeology (SAA) in 1985 was planned as an occasion for the society and its membership to reflect on the past, evaluate the present, and to take a cautious look into the future. From the earliest planning stages, a major concern was that the meeting not be perceived as discouraging international participation. The name of the society and the contents of its journal, American Antiquity, has tended to convey such a meaning to the outside world in the past.
Oceanic Islands: Models of Diversity

Oceanic islands are unusual in their isolation, which has allowed the formation of uniquely evolved biotas that exhibit community characteristics such as disharmony, high endemism, and sometimes relictualism. Characteristics of species may include reduced dispersal capabilities, evolutionary innovations, and size and reproductive changes. Ecological and evolutionary changes play a key role in successful island colonization, and often result in adaptive radiation. While such circumstances may have facilitated rapid speciation, they also result in high rates of extinction, greatly accelerated since the arrival of humans. Human-mediated impacts on islands cannot be held back; however, the islands present a relatively simple system in which it is possible to understand the dynamics of species formation and loss.
Material Limitations and Exotic Materials in the Copying of a Hellenistic Statuary Type

The statues of the hanging Marsyas preserved from antiquity are known for the pathos of their theme, the veristic treatment of their anatomy and the fact that they appear to be derived from two separate originals. These statues show the satyr Marsyas, suspended from a tree and about to be flayed for challenging Apollo to a contest, a position which brings his anatomy into sharp relief. Some of the Marsyas replicas (fig. 1), a group which has come to be known as the replicas of the “red” type because the best-known examples are in red pavonazzetto marble, are very animated. The muscles of the arms, legs and torso are expanded as the satyr struggles against the ropes binding him to the tree; his face is contorted with fear as he watches the preparations of the executioner kneeling below. A second group of copies, known as the replicas of the “white” type, show the satyr at a later moment within the mythological narrative when he sags exhausted against the tree trunk. His strength is gone; his muscles are slack, and it is only the strain placed on the muscles by the hanging position that throws them into prominence (1).
Deficits in mindfulness account for the link between borderline personality features and maladaptive humor styles

Abstract Negative humor styles are associated with rumination, aggression, and suicidal ideation. BPD features are positively associated with negative humor styles; however, few studies have identified factors that mediate this relationship. The present study examines mindfulness skills as a mediator of the link between BPD features and negative humor styles, in a sample of undergraduate students (N = 197), many reporting clinically significant levels of BPD features. Significant indirect effects suggest that individuals with higher BPD features engage in more aggressive humor style partially due to lower levels of nonreactivity. However, individuals with higher BPD features engage in more self-defeating humor style partially due to lower levels of acting with awareness. Higher BPD features were related to less positive humor styles partially due to low describe scores. These findings suggest that different facets of mindfulness skills may assist in decreasing negative and increasing positive humor styles.
Native advertising in mobile applications: Thinking styles and congruency as moderators

This study tested the moderating roles of individual thinking styles and congruency between the promoted brand and the mobile application’s characteristics in the effects of native ads in mobile ap...
SparkFSM: A Highly Scalable Frequent Subgraph Mining Approach using Apache Spark

Knowledge mining from graph data has attracted many researchers over the past several years. With the evolution of internet, computer technology, social networking sites, and web logs, graphs have become a very crucial dataset for mining and finding appropriate knowledge. Based on the application, graphs take different forms, such as airline flight information graph is mostly directed and smaller graphs, chemical compound structures are small and undirected, and social network graphs are very large single graphs based on the different types of associations between people. Earlier, our first attempt to use Hadoop (MapReduce model) to mine the directed frequent subgraphs from a large group of smaller graphs, which is famously known as transaction graphs, proved to be very scalable over the memory-based or database-oriented approaches. In this paper, we introduce SparkFSM, which not only handles undirected and directed graphs, but is also very scalable and efficient in handling isomorphism with the relatively new technology in industry (Spark/Scala). The combination of Spark with the functional style language Scala has established to be a de Facto standard while dealing with in-memory large data processing.
Neural network modeling of in situ fluid-filled pore size distributions in subsurface shale reservoirs under data constraints

Subsurface nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logs acquired in the wellbore environment are sensitive to fluid-filled pore size distribution, fluid mobility, permeability, and porosity in the near-wellbore reservoir volume. NMR response of a formation layer is processed to extract the T2 distribution, which approximates the fluid-filled pore size distribution. NMR logs are acquired in limited number of wells due to financial and operational challenges, which adversely affects reservoir characterization. We developed two neural-network-based machine learning techniques, long short-term memory (LSTM) network and variational autoencoder with a convolutional layer (VAEc) network, to process the ‘easy-to-acquire’ formation mineral and fluid saturation logs to generate synthetic NMR T2 distributions in the absence of ‘hard-to-acquire’ NMR T2 distribution log. Both the predictive models are trained and tested on limited wireline log measurements randomly selected from a 300-ft depth interval of the Bakken shale formation. Synthesis performances of LSTM and VAEc models in terms of R2 are 0.78 and 0.75, respectively. Noise is inevitable in logging data due to the complex wellbore and formation conditions. Notably, both the predictive models robustly synthesize the fluid-filled pore size distributions in the presence of 50% noise in input logs and 30% noise in training T2 data. The performance of the proposed methodology improves with access to larger volume of training data from other formation types. The proposed method is critical to the synthesis of in situ fluid-filled pore size distributions in shale formations under data constraints due to financial and operational challenges.
Systematic Review of Preoperative Risk Discussion in Practice

Background Informed consent is an ethical imperative of surgical practice. This requires effective communication of procedural risks to patients and is learned during residency. No systematic review has yet examined current risk disclosure. This systematic review aims to use existing published information to assess preoperative provision of risk information by surgeons. Methods Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses as a guide, a standardized search in Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, CINHAL, and PubMed was performed. Three reviewers performed the study screening, with 2-reviewer consensus required at each stage. Studies containing objective information concerning preoperative risk provision in adult surgical patients were selected for inclusion. Studies exclusively addressing interventions for pediatric patients or trauma were excluded, as were studies addressing risks of anesthesia. Results The initial search returned 12,988 papers after deduplication, 33 of which met inclusion criteria. These studies primarily evaluated consent through surveys of providers, record reviews and consent recordings. The most ubiquitous finding of all study types was high levels of intra-surgeon variation in what risk information is provided to patients preoperatively. Studies recording consents found the lowest rates of risk disclosure. Studies using multiple forms of investigation corroborated this, finding disparity between verbally provided information vs chart documentation. Conclusions The wide variance in what information is provided to patients preoperatively inhibits the realization of the ethical and practical components of informed consent. The findings of this review indicate that significant opportunities exist for practice improvement. Future development of surgical communication tools and techniques should emphasize standardizing what risks are shared with patients.
Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Philadelphia Chromosome Negative Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in the Modern Era of Immune Therapy.

This review will discuss the data and controversies related to HCT in the front-line and relapsed/refractory setting in the context of newly available targeted immunotherapies. Recent studies in adult Ph-negative ALL support the use of measurable residual disease (MRD) response to front-line therapy to guide consolidation. As such, most MRD-negative patients do not require front-line HCT. Blinatumomab benefits patients with B-ALL with MRD+ complete response (CR) and can be used as a bridge to HCT; whether HCT is still required in this setting is an area of ongoing inquiry. Blinatumomab and inotuzumab result in high rates of MRD negative CR in adults with relapsed/refractory ALL and allow more patients with relapsed disease to receive HCT. Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapies may serve as a bridge to HCT or as a stand-alone therapy for relapsed/refractory patients; data suggests there may be greater benefit to consolidating CAR-T with HCT in HCT-naive adults. The decision to incorporate consolidative allogeneic HCT into front-line therapy should be primarily guided by MRD status and the ALL regimen utilized. Targeted immunotherapies result in high MRD-negative CR rates, allowing more adults with relapsed/refractory ALL to be successfully bridged to HCT; early incorporation of these therapies may also prove valuable in reducing the need for HCT in the front-line setting by increasing MRD negative CR rates.
Physical activity and psychosocial correlates following bariatric surgery among patients with loss-of-control eating

Abstract Objective Physical activity (PA) is an integral component of the medical management of patients following bariatric surgery as it is thought to be associated with biopsychosocial outcomes, including mood and physical function. This study examined self-reported PA (SR-PA) and psychosocial correlates among patients with loss-of-control (LOC) eating following bariatric surgery. Method Participants were 145 patients (82.8% female, 53.8% White) who were experiencing recurrent LOC-eating approximately six months after having undergone sleeve gastrectomy surgery. Body mass index (BMI) and percent total weight loss were calculated using measured height and weight.. Eating-disorder symptoms were assessed using the Eating Disorder Examination-Bariatric Surgery Version interview and participants completed established self-report measures assessing PA, health-related quality of life (mental and physical functioning domains), weight-related disability, and depression. Results Approximately two-thirds of the participant group reported at least one bout (≥15 min) of moderate PA per week. SR-PA was significantly negatively associated with LOC-eating frequency, dissatisfaction with weight and shape, depression, and weight-related disability, and was significantly positively correlated with physical functioning. After adjusting for depression and BMI, SR-PA remained significantly associated with better physical functioning but no longer contributed significant independent variance to eating-disorder psychopathology or weight-related disability. Conclusions Among patients with LOC-eating following bariatric surgery, an inactive lifestyle is common. Greater PA was associated with better psychosocial functioning and finding ways to promote greater engagement with recommended levels of PA following bariatric surgery may contribute to improved bariatric surgery outcome.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Seasonal Influenza Vaccination among Dialysis Facilities in the United States.

Background Racial and ethnic disparities in vaccination rates for seasonal influenza exist. Whether such disparities extend to patients with ESKD, who simultaneously are at risk for complications of infection and have extensive contact with health care providers, has not been investigated. Methods To determine whether the proportion of patients vaccinated at a dialysis facility differs according to the facility's racial and ethnic composition, we examined dialysis facility data reported to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The main outcome was the proportion of facility patients vaccinated for influenza among 6735 Medicare-certified facilities operating between 2014 and 2017. Results Among dialysis facilities, the mean percentage of patients vaccinated during the influenza season was 72.1%. Facilities with higher proportions of Black and Hispanic patients had significantly lower vaccination percentages than less diverse facilities. The average proportion of patients vaccinated at each facility decreased significantly from 2014 to 2017 (a decrease of 1.05% vaccinated per year) and decreased significantly more so among facilities with higher minority proportions. The share of vaccinated patients in facilities in the quartile with the highest proportion of Black patients decreased 1.21% per year compared with a decrease of 0.88% per year in facilities in the quartile with the lowest proportion of Black patients. We found similar trends for Hispanic patients. Conclusions Rates of seasonal influenza vaccination are modestly but significantly lower among dialysis facilities with larger proportions of minority patients, and the gap seems to be widening over time. As wide-scale vaccination efforts grow more urgent amid the current COVID-19 pandemic, these disparities must be addressed to protect patients and communities equitably.
Medical Undistancing Through Telemedicine: A Model Enabling Rapid Telemedicine Deployment in an Academic Health Center During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The authors draw upon their experience with a successful, enterprise-level, telemedicine program implementation to present a "How To" paradigm for other academic health centers that wish to rapidly deploy such a program in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic. The advent of social distancing as essential for decreasing viral transmission has made it challenging to provide medical care. Telemedicine has the potential to medically undistance health care providers while maintaining the quality of care delivered and fulfilling the goal of social distancing. Methods: Rather than simply reporting enterprise telemedicine successes, the authors detail key telemedicine elements essential for rapid deployment of both an ambulatory and inpatient telemedicine solution. Such a deployment requires a multifaceted strategy: (1) determining the appropriateness of telemedicine use, (2) understanding the interface with the electronic health record, (3) knowing the equipment and resources needed, (4) developing a rapid rollout plan, (5) establishing a command center for post go-live support, (6) creating and disseminating reference materials and educational guides, (7) training clinicians, patients, and clinic schedulers, (8) considering billing and credentialing implications, (9) building a robust communications strategy, and (10) measuring key outcomes. Results: Initial results are reported, showing a telemedicine rate increase to 45.8% (58.6% video and telephone) in just the first week of rollout. Over a 5-month period, the enterprise has since conducted over 119,500 ambulatory telemedicine evaluations (a 1,000-fold rate increase from the pre-COVID-19 time period). Conclusion: This article is designed to offer a "How To" potential best practice approach for others wishing to quickly implement a telemedicine program during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Atypical choroidal nevus in a subject with a germline PALB2 pathogenic variant

Recent evidence suggests that PALB2 variants may increase risk for the development of uveal melanoma and uveal melanocytic neoplasms. Here we report a case of an atypical choroidal nevus in a patient with a personal history of cancer and pathogenic PALB2 germline variant. A 75-year-old white female presented with an elevated predominantly amelanotic choroidal lesion OS. On examination and ophthalmic imaging, the mass measured 8.8 mm × 6.5 mm × 1.5 mm. The mass showed predominantly medium to high reflectivity on diagnostic A-scan and acoustic hollowing on B-scan. OCT over the lesion showed no subretinal fluid. The patient has a personal history of breast cancer and gastric adenoma and a strong family history of cancer. The patient was found to have a pathogenic truncating variant in PALB2 (rs118203998 c.3549C > A, p.Y1183*). Together with our previous findings of pathogenic PALB2 variants in uveal melanoma patients, this new finding of an atypical choroidal nevus in a patient with a pathogenic PALB2 germline variant suggests that pathogenic PALB2 variants may be a risk factor for uveal melanocytic neoplasms. This finding warrants further assessment of the prevalence and progression of uveal melanocytic neoplasms in PALB2 pathogenic variant carriers.
Contractual Commitments, Bargaining Power and Governance Inseparability: Incorporating History into Transaction Cost Theory

Transaction cost and modern property rights theories of the firm take the transaction as the fundamental unit for analyzing governance choices. This paper explores the limits of the theories when transactions cannot be analyzed and governed separately; that is, when they are subject to "governance inseparability". We argue that two sets of factors act individually, or in combination, to produce governance inseparability. First, prior contractual commitments with parties other than the immediate contractual partner can limit the feasible set of mechanisms for governing current transactions. Second, unanticipated changes in bargaining power can enable a party to place restrictions on the governance choices that a partner can make in future contracts with other parties. We use several examples to show how governance inseparability has constrained outsourcing, subsidiary formation, and the terms and conditions of franchise contracts. We draw implications for the affects of firm and environmental characteristics on governance choices, as well as the limits to, and impact of uncertainty on, firm scope.
Surface lattice engineering through three-dimensional lead iodide perovskitoid for high-performance perovskite solar cells

Summary Surface modification of organic-inorganic halide perovskite thin films represents a promising approach to enhance the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells. Here, we synthesized N-methyl-1,3-propane diammonium diiodide (Me-PDAI2) and found that Me-PDA2+ can template a three-dimensional “perovskitoid” structure (Me-PDA)Pb2I6. Simple surface treatment with Me-PDAI2 on top of a standard (FAPbI3)0.85(MAPbI2Br)0.10(CsPbI3)0.05 perovskite induces the formation of a thin (Me-PDA)Pb2I6 perovskitoid surface layer, leading to smoother surface texture, longer charge-carrier lifetime, higher charge-carrier mobility, and a reduced surface-defect density. With the perovskitoid surface modification, the device efficiency is significantly improved from 20.3% to 22.0% along with enhanced stability in both shelf life (ISOS-D-1 stability) and operation (ISOS-L-1 stability). We further demonstrated that the perovskitoid surface engineering approach is applicable to various perovskite compositions, including CsFAMA-, FAMA-, and MA-based lead halide perovskites, making perovskitoid an important design motif for perovskite surface engineering for enhanced device performance and stability.
Deep clinical phenotyping of Alzheimer’s Disease Patients Leveraging Electronic Medical Records Data Identifies Sex-Specific Clinical Associations

Abstract Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a devastating disorder that is still not fully understood. Sex modifies AD vulnerability, but the reasons for this are largely unknown. There has been efforts to understand select comorbidities, covariates, and biomarkers of AD, with and without sex stratification - but there has not yet been an integrative, big data approach to identify clinical and sex specific associations with AD in an unbiased manner. Electronic Medical Records (EMR) contain extensive information on patients, including diagnoses, medications, and lab test results, providing a unique opportunity to apply phenotyping approaches to derive insights into AD clinical associations. Here, we utilize EMRs to perform deep clinical phenotyping and network analysis of AD patients to provide insight into its clinical characteristics and sex-specific clinical associations. We performed embeddings and network representation of patient diagnoses to visualize patient heterogeneity and comorbidity interactions and observe greater connectivity of diagnosis among AD patients compared to controls. We performed enrichment analysis between cases and controls and identified multiple known and new diagnostic and medication associations, such as positive associations with AD and hypertension, hyperlipidemia, anemia, and urinary tract infection - and negative associations with neoplasms and opioids. Furthermore, we performed sex-specific enrichment analyses to identify novel sex-specific associations with AD, such as osteoporosis, depression, cardiovascular risk factors, and musculoskeletal disorders diagnosed in female AD patients and neurological, behavioral, and sensory disorders enriched in male AD patients. We also analyzed lab test results, resulting in clusters of patient phenotype groups, and we observed greater calcium and lower alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in AD, as well as abnormal hemostasis labs in female AD. With this method of phenotyping, we can represent AD complexity, and identify clinical factors that can be followed-up for further temporal and predictive analysis or integrate with molecular data to aid in diagnosis and generate hypotheses about disease mechanisms. Furthermore, the negative associations can help identify factors that may decrease likelihood of AD and help motivate future drug repurposing or therapeutic approaches.
The Admissions Dilemma

An admissions officer at a graduate business school faces a dilemma. The development office is cultivating a relationship with a wealthy alumnus who wants his daughter to attend the institution. But the young woman's credentials fall short of the school's admissions standards. Excerpt UVA-E-0359 Oct. 28, 2010 The Admissions Dilemma Having just returned from a lengthy meeting with the dean of Birdwood Business School and the director of its development office, Janel Lehman sat down at her desk to gather her thoughts. As Birdwood's director of admissions, Lehman knew her recommendation to admit the daughter of a trustee and prominent businessman would not only have an immediate impact on the future of two applicants, but also might affect the capital campaign Birdwood had recently initiated. Additionally, Lehman realized that her decision would set a precedent upon which future admissions criteria could be based. Birdwood Business School Birdwood Business School had long been regarded as one of the premier business schools in the country. Like other top programs, the school relied heavily on the generous financial contributions of its alumni and other wealthy patrons to help finance the program and its continued development. To maintain its strong academic reputation and its elite status among business school programs, Birdwood attracted top faculty and provided cutting-edge resources and classes to its students. These efforts came at a hefty price, but they set Birdwood apart and allowed it to attract the best applicants and a long list of corporate recruiters year after year. To build and maintain a top program was expensive, and tuition alone did not cover a substantial part of the overall program cost. . . .
Linking population dynamics to microbial kinetics for hybrid modeling of bioelectrochemical systems.

Abstract Mechanistic and data-driven models have been developed to provide predictive insights into the design and optimization of engineered bioprocesses. These two modeling strategies can be combined to form hybrid models to address the issues of parameter identifiability and prediction interpretability. Herein, we developed a novel and robust hybrid modeling strategy by incorporating microbial population dynamics into model construction. The hybrid model was constructed using bioelectrochemical systems (BES) as a platform system. We collected 77 samples from 13 publications, in which the BES were operated under diverse conditions, and performed holistic processing of the 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing data. Community analysis revealed core populations composed of putative electroactive taxa Geobacter, Desulfovibrio, Pseudomonas, and Acinetobacter. Primary Bayesian networks were trained with the core populations and environmental parameters, and directed Bayesian networks were trained by defining the operating parameters to improve the prediction interpretability. Both networks were validated with Bray-Curtis similarly, relative root-mean-square error (RMSE), and a null model. A hybrid model was developed by first building a three-population mechanistic component and subsequently feeding the estimated microbial kinetic parameters into network training. The hybrid model generated a simulated community that shared a Bray-Curtis similarity of 72% with the actual microbial community at the genus level and an average relative RMSE of 7% for individual taxa. When examined with additional samples that were not included in network training, the hybrid model achieved accurate prediction of current production with a relative error-based RMSE of 0.8 and outperformed the data-driven models. The genomics-enabled hybrid modeling strategy represents a significant step toward robust simulation of a variety of engineered bioprocesses.
First manic episode following COVID-19 infection.

A 56-year-old Caucasian male with no past psychiatric history presented to the Emergency Department (ED) for evaluation of new onset (24 hours) odd and erratic behavior preceded by a 4-week period of decreased need for sleep, averaging two hours per night. The sleep pattern change began within one week of an untreated symptomatic upper respiratory infection suspected to be due to COVID-19. On presentation to the ED, he endorsed fluctuating mood, increased energy, distractibility, and overvalued religious ideation that he was a prophet, although this was not a fixed belief. He was conceptually disorganized, responded to religiously themed command auditory hallucinations, but demonstrated fair insight into his unusual behavior. Family and personal past psychiatric history both were unremarkable. Medical workup in the ED included head computerized tomography (CT), general laboratory studies, and SARS-Coronavirus-2 RNS testing; other than mild neutrophilia and thrombocytosis, all studies were negative. He was admitted to the medical service for further evaluation. Risperidone 1 mg daily for psychotic symptoms and lorazepam 1 mg at bedtime for sleep were initiated.
HIV Rates in the State of Georgia: A Growing Threat among Predominantly African American Populations

Background: US rates of HIV/AIDS continue to rise with over 55% of new cases identified in southern states in 2003. The objective of this study was to determine the magnitude of HIV/AIDS cases in rural southeast Georgia in comparison to urban areas of the state. Methods: County level data was acquired using OASIS. Rates of HIV infections by gender and race (black vs. white) were aggregated over a five year period (2000–2005) and indirectly adjusted using Georgia as the standard. Rates for rural counties, (populations less than 35,000), were statistically compared to urban rates (α = 0.05). Results: HIV infections in urban counties were significantly higher as compared to rural counties. Statistically high infection rates in urban areas were also evident when controlling race and gender. Black males and black females in urban counties were the groups most heavily impacted. Conclusions: HIV/AIDS is an increasingly complex problem throughout the state of Georgia. Although urban areas continue to be significantly impacted, HIV infections among rural populations, especially black residents, represent a serious and growing threat.
The λ-Shift Interchange Format

λ-Shift is an interchange tool format for dynamic networks of hybrid systems. λ-Shift accepts (formal) specifications of hybrid systems and specifications of properties and semantics for proving these properties. To support this 3 part abstraction λ-Shift provides facilities to simulate, verify dynamic networks of hybrid systems and to implement hybrid controllers. In this paper we describe the basic features of λ-Shift.
Encrypting Problem Instances

This paper describes ongoing work on the task of encrypting problem instances, also known as computing with encrypted data. A problem is specified by a function f and an instance by a value x in the domain of f. The scenario involves two people, A and B. A has instances {x i} of f to which she needs answers, but she lacks the resources to compute them. We use the term resources completely generally-she may be lacking time, space, algorithmic knowledge, or appropriate hardware, or she may simply be too lazy to implement a solution that she knows others have already implemented. B has the resources to compute f(x) and is willing to let A use them, i.e., he is willing to send her f(x) if she sends him x. She would like to take advantage of his generosity without having to trust him, i.e., she does not want to reveal any more about her data than she must in order to enable him to compute the correct answer. Intuitively, we say that f is encryptable if A can easily transform instance x into instance x′, obtain f(x′) from B, and easily compute f(x) from f(x′) in such a way that B cannot infer x from x′.
Isotope Fractionation in Interstellar Molecules

Fractionation of carbon isotopes in interstellar clouds is treated in some detail. Acting together, the exchange reaction 13c++12co = 12c++13co + ΔE and the high vapor pressure of CO may cause a preferential loss of 12C from the gas due to freezing onto dust grains. The 13c/12c ratio for the carbon in the gas is then raised by factors ∼ 2 to 4. Fractionation of deuterium is also discussed since the proposed process is similar to the carbon isotope exchange and here there is no question that fractionation is a major effect. Important information about physical conditions in dense clouds — the fractional electron density and CO abundance — can be derived from the fractionation process producing the enhanced DCO+/HCO+ ratio. Possible fractionation reactions for isotopes of other elements (oxygen, sulfur) are mentioned briefly.
Nonblocking Concurrent Data Structures with Condition Synchronization

We apply the classic theory of linearizability to operations that must wait for some other thread to establish a precondition. We model such an operation as a request and a follow-up, each with its own linearization point. Linearization of the request marks the point at which a thread’s wishes become visible to its peers; linearization of the follow-up marks the point at which the request is fulfilled and the operation takes effect. By placing both linearization points within the purview of object semantics, we can specify not only the effects of operations, but also the order in which pending requests should be fulfilled.
George Bush versus Al Gore : irreversibilities in greenhouse gas accumulation and emission control investment

Abstract This paper investigates the fundamental problem of mitigating the impacts of climate change in an environment of uncertainty and learning. In particular; the paper uses a stochastic version of Nordhaus's DICE model to show that the irreversibility of investment capital has a stronger effect than irreversibilities in climate change (other than catastrophic effects). The implications are that if abatement decisions are irreversible, there should be less emission control today than would be optimal without taking learning into account; and that policy makers should pursue control policies that are costlessly reversible — a variant on the no regrets strategy.
Roles of intra- and extracellular carbonic anhydrase in alveolar-capillary CO2 equilibration

Alveolar-capillary CO2 equilibration involves diffusive equilibration of CO2 across the blood-gas barrier and chemical equilibration of perfusate CO2-HCO-3-H+ reactions. These processes are governe...
Characterization of Arid Land Water‐Balance Processes at Yucca Mountain, Nevada

Water-balance processes were characterized to estimate net infiltration at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, to help determine the suitability of this site as a potential high-level radioactive waste repository. Detailed water-content data were collected from 98 boreholes located in four topographic positions (ridgetops, sideslopes, alluvial terraces, and active channels) representing four infiltration zones. These data include monthly volumetric water-content readings with depth for 1984 through 1995 and water potential measurements made at a soil-bedrock contact in 1995. These data, combined with measured evapotranspiration and precipitation data, provide the seasonal and areal distribution of changes in volumetric water content needed to assess hydrologic processes contributing to net infiltration. The conceptual model of infiltration at Yucca Mountain describes the processes of precipitation, runoff, evapotranspiration, and vertical redistribution of water in the shallow unsaturated zone. Field observations and measurements and data analysis indicate that, in order for net infiltration to occur, water must reach and nearly saturate the soil-bedrock contact to initiate flow in the underlying fractured bedrock, and water must penetrate deep enough to escape the influences of evapotranspiration. The amount of net infiltration is a function of how long or how frequently the contact is saturated. Water must penetrate deep enough to escape the influences of evapotranspiration. The penetration of water through the soil is influenced primarily by the seasonal timing and areal distribution of precipitation, the storage capacity of soil, and the properties of the underlying bedrock.
Nondipole asymmetries of K-shell photoelectrons of Kr, Br2, and BrCF3

Abstract The nondipole asymmetries of Kr 1s and Br K-shell photoelectrons of Br 2 and BrCF 3 were measured and compared with first-order retardation calculations within the independent-particle approximation. The measured asymmetries agree well with calculations and demonstrate the importance of screening on the normalizations and phase shifts of the continuum functions. Only small deviations are observed between the molecular Br K-shell measurements and calculations for atomic Br 1s nondipole asymmetries.