cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Process Analysis of the 1971 Quadripartite Agreement on Berlin

The process of the 1971 quadripartite negotiations offers several general lessons that may be useful for all negotiators to keep in mind. These guidelines can be summed up as follows: Be prepared, patient and persistent; Cultivate personal friendships with the other side; Seek high-level intervention if an impasse develops; Be aware that events external to the negotiating process can exert a profound influence on the process and affect the final agreement; Do not make concessions if the other side perceives this as a weakness. A tit-for-tat strategy may will prove more successful; Know your position, as well as that of your adversary, thoroughly; And finally, be open to the possible. Even the most intractable of problems can be negotiated if the parties want to find a solution badly enough.
Epidemiology and prevention of valvular heart diseases and infective endocarditis in Africa

Valvular heart diseases in Africa affect mainly children and young adults and are a result of rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever is a preventable disease, but in Africa the combination of a lack of resources, lack of infrastructure, political, social and economic instability, poverty, overcrowding, malnutrition and lack of political will contributes to the persistence of a high burden of rheumatic fever, rheumatic valvular heart diseases and infective endocarditis. Combating and eradicating rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart diseases requires economic development and implementation of best practices of primary and secondary prevention measures. The barriers to achieving this goal in Africa are numerous, but not insurmountable.
A multiproxy approach to understanding the "enhanced" flux of organic matter through the oxygen deficient waters of the Arabian Sea

Abstract. Free-drifting sediment net traps were deployed 14 times at depths between 80 and 500 m for 1–3 days each during the late monsoon–intermonsoon transition in the central Arabian Sea. Two locations (19.5 and 15.5° N) were within the permanently oxygen-deficient zone (ODZ), and a third (11° N) had a shallow and thin oxygen minimum. The secondary nitrite maximum, which serves as a tracer of the ODZ, thinned from ∼ 250 m thick at stations 19.5 and 15.5° N to ∼ 50 m thick at station 11° N. Overall, organic carbon fluxes ranged from 13.2 g m2 yr−1 at 80 m to a minimum of 1.1 g m2 yr−1 at 500 m. Fluxes at the more oxygenated 11° N station attenuate faster than within the permanent ODZ. Martin curve attenuation coefficients for 19.5 and 15.5° N are respectively 0.59 and 0.63 and for 11° N it is 0.98. At least six potential mechanisms might explain why particles sinking through the ODZ are more effectively transferred to depth: (M1) oxygen effects, (M2) microbial loop efficiencies and chemoautotrophy, (M3) changes in zooplankton dynamics, (M4) additions of ballast that might sorb and protect organic matter from decay (M4a) or change sinking speeds (M4b), (M5) inputs of refractory organic matter and (M6) temperature effects. These mechanisms are intertwined, and they were explored using a combination of mineral (XPS) and organic matter characterizations of the sinking material, shipboard incubation experiments, and evaluations of existing literature. Direct evidence was found supporting an oxygen effect and/or changes in the efficiency of the microbial loop including the addition of chemoautotrophic carbon to the sinking flux in the upper 500 m. Less direct evidence was found for the other potential mechanisms. A simple conceptual model consistent with our and other recent data suggests that the upper ODZ microbial community determines the initial flux attenuation, and that zooplankton and sinking speed become more important deeper in the water column. The exact interplay between the various mechanisms remains to be further evaluated.
Echocardiographic assessment of LV mass in rabbits: models of pressure and volume overload hypertrophy

We describe a method for the noninvasive measurement of left ventricular mass in small animals using two-dimensionally guided M-mode echocardiography. We compared echocardiographic cross-sectional area (CSA) and cubed-based volumetric indexes of left ventricular (LV) mass with postmortem wet weight in renovascular hypertension-induced pressure overload (group I) and acute aortic insufficiency-induced volume overload (group II) models of ventricular hypertrophy. CSA and cubed echocardiographic indexes correlated well with wet weight from a combination of group I and II animals and their controls (r = 0.89, P < 0.001 for both groups). Separate analyses of groups I and II also demonstrated significant relationships between mass indexes and wet weight using CSA and cubed formulas, respectively, in both pressure (r = 0.57, P = 0.01 and r = 0.71, P < 0.001) and volume (r = 0.90 and r = 0.89, P < 0.001) overload models. Echocardiographically predicted LV mass derived from cubed and CSA regression formulas was 89 and 56% sensitive for pressure overload hypertrophy in group I and 100% sensitive (both cubed and CSA methods) for volume overload hypertrophy in group II. Cubed and CSA mass regression formulas were 60 and 80% specific for hypertrophy in group I and 100 and 90% specific in group II. Normalization of predicted LV mass for body weight added little to the overall technique accuracy with measured sensitivities of 83 and 75% and specificities of 92 and 77%, respectively, for cubed and CSA methods. Two-dimensionally guided M-mode echocardiography provides a reasonably accurate method of LV mass determination in rabbits with pressure- or volume-overloaded ventricles.
Comparing European and North American is Research Using Concept Frequency Analysis: Methods and Preliminary Findings

This study introduces a computational text-mining technique called Concept Frequency Analysis, and demonstrates its usefulness by detecting convergence and divergence trends between North American and European information systems (IS) research. Applying this technique to the corpora of articles published in leading North American and European IS journals (MISQ and ISR vs. EJIS and JIT, respectively) from 1991 through 2013 (2,959 articles), using 10.6 million unique concept labels identified from Wikipedia, and performing approximately 31.4 billion document search operations, we find that while the conceptual density of research affiliated with European and North American research seems to be gradually converging, differences in the concepts and topics being discussed on these two continents have been growing since the mid-1990s. Hence, the world of IS research is not yet flat, and in fact appears to be shifting away from cross-continental convergence.
Damage and Costs Associated with Insect Management Options in Irrigated Cotton

This study measured the influence of planting date, cotton cultivar, and insecticidal control on pest abundance, damage, yield, and net returns in irrigated cotton. Cotton was planted in late April, late May, and late June from 1986 to 1989 at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station at Monday. Densities of drips, Franklin fella occidentals (Pervade), were highest in cotton planted in late April and lowest in cotton planted in late June. Densities were not affected by the cultivates TOMCAT CANDIE or Lankart Sel 611. Lowest densities of cotton fleahoppers, Pseudatomoscelis seriatus (Reuter), were recorded in cotton planted in late April and highest in cotton planted in late June. Cotton fleahopper densities were significantly higher in ‘CAMD-E’, as compared with ‘Lankart Sel. 611’, in the late June planting; but differences were not observed between cultivars in the other two planting dates. Densities of overwintered boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman, were highest in cotton planted in late April. When averaged over the four years, densities of bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddis), larvae were not influenced significantly by planting date or by cultivar. Boll weevil damage during the growing season was almost twice as high in the late-June planting compared with damage in the late-April and late-May plantings. Percentage square damage was reduced in both cultivars treated with insecticides compared with damage in untreated plots when cotton was planted in late April; there were no differences between treated and untreated plots in either cultivar when cotton was planted in late May. When cotton was planted in late June, percentage square damage was reduced in ‘CAMD-E’ plots treated with insecticides compared with damage in untreated plots, but differences were not observed between treated and untreated plots in ‘Lankart Sel. 611’. Ninety-four percent of the insecticide applications were for management of boll weevils. Lint yields were similar in the late-April and late-May planting dates; both dates produced higher yields than those in the late June planting. Yields were higher in ‘CAMD-E’ than in ‘Lankart Sel. 611’, and yields in treated plots were higher than those in untreated plots. Net returns were lowest in late June cotton, but they were similar in the late-April and late-May plantings. Net returns for ‘CAMD-E’ were higher than those for ‘Lankart Sel. 611’. Returns were higher in untreated cotton compared with treated cotton in the late-April and late-June planting dates. Differences were not observed between returns in treated and untreated plots in the late-May planting date.
Electron Microscopic Study of Domains in Relaxor Ferroelectrics

The ferroelectric and antiferroelectric displacements in perovskite-based ceramics give rise to a wide range of domain structures. This paper reports on transmission electron microscopy observations as a function of temperature of such structures in PLZT and PLSnZT. In the PLZT system superposition of the diffraction patterns from modulated domains of low symmetry give rise to patterns with an apparent high symmetry. The ½( hkl )-type reflections become more intense with decreasing temperature and split into diffuse rods at high temperature. In the PLSnZT system a hierarchy of domain structures is observed with length scales ranging from unit cell dimensions to the full grain size. A temperature dependent long-period modulation along the directions is observed.
2002～2003 Epidimiology and Etiology Surveillance of Influenza in Hubei Province

Objective To investigate the influenza epidemic in Hubei province and detect new variation timely.Methods Epidemiology, etiology and serology surveillance were applied to analyze the influenza epidemic.Results In the year 2002, the highest percentage for Influenza Like Illness(ILIs)/outpatients both appeared in January in our two surveillance sites, 43.5% and 24.1% respectively. And also in 2002, totally 57 isolates was detected from 981 throat swabs specimens, the positive rate was 5.8%; The highest positive rate appeared in January and December, 21.4% and 17.1% respectively.56 isolates were isolated from 881 specimens in the year 2003, the positive rate was 6.3%; The highest positive rate occurred in July and June, 29.6% and 15.2% respectively.Conclusion There was one influenza epidemic peak in winter in Hubei province every year, and no regular epidemic pattern was found in summer; The antibody level between local strain and national representative strain was quite different.
Analysis on Surveillance Data of the Suspected Adverse Events Following Immunization in Huaihua from 2010 to 2011

Objective To analyze the features of the suspected adverse events following immunization(AEFI) in Huaihua during the period of 2010-2011,to objectively evaluate the safety of vaccines,to improve the immunization quality,and to formulate scientific immunization strategies.Methods Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the data of AEFI cases reported by AEFI information management system between 2010 and 2011.Results A total of 286 AEFI cases were reported in Huaihua between 2010 and 2011,including 264(92.31%) general reaction cases,12(4.2%) adverse reaction cases,7(2.44%) coincident cases,2(0.69%) cases due to psychogenic reaction,and 1(0.35%) inoculation accident case.Adverse reactions due to 20 kinds of vaccines were found,and the incidence rate of AEFI of 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine was the highest(6.15/100,000).The AEFI cases mainly focused on children at the age of 0-1 year,accounting for 63.28% of the total cases.92.3% of the AEFI cases had fever,redness and swelling,scleroma.Conclusions There was one inoculation accident reported in Huaihua in 2010.The results suggest that the quality of immunization services should be further improved.It is necessary to strictly normalize the inoculation procedure,conduct more training sessions for medical staff,and simultaneously enhance the propaganda and education of immunization so as to decrease the negative impact of AEFI on immunization programs.
Maintenance and regulation of cellular handedness in Tetrahymena.

The left-handed phenotype of Tetrahymena thermophila (LH) is a global mirror image of its right-handed counterpart (RH). LH cells are ‘wound’ in the opposite direction from that of RH cells with respect to the placement of all structures that are asymmetrically disposed on the cell circumference. However, the local geometry of ciliary rows, including the asymmetrically placed microtubule bands and other accessory structures, is identical in RH and LH cells. Populations of LH cells grow more slowly than those of RH cells, probably because of nutritional problems due to faulty construction of the cell mouth. LH cells, like RH cells, conjugate in a homopolar configuration, while LH cells mate with RH cells in a heteropolar union which suffices to initiate the conjugal nuclear events but is insufficient to allow survival of progeny. Subclonal analyses indicate that reversion of the LH to the RH form is relatively rare. However, the frequency of reversion is greatly increased by conditions that promote the formation of doublets by fission arrest. An analysis of intermediate doublet forms in such cultures strongly suggests that reversion takes place through a specific pathway, with LH-LH doublets regulating to LH-RH forms that then may give rise to RH singlets. The origin and fate of the LH-RH intermediate forms can be explained by applying a modified polar coordinate model of positional information with the proviso that there is a preferred direction for the intercalation of new positional values.
Hemispheric processing of predictive inferences during reading: The influence of negatively emotional valenced stimuli

ABSTRACTAlthough a left hemisphere advantage is usually evident during language processing, the right hemisphere is highly involved during the processing of weakly constrained inferences. However, currently little is known about how the emotional valence of environmental stimuli influences the hemispheric processing of these inferences. In the current study, participants read texts promoting either strongly or weakly constrained predictive inferences and performed a lexical decision task to inference-related targets presented to the left visual field-right hemisphere or the right visual field-left hemisphere. While reading these texts, participants either listened to dissonant music (i.e., the music condition) or did not listen to music (i.e., the no music condition). In the no music condition, the left hemisphere showed an advantage for strongly constrained inferences compared to weakly constrained inferences, whereas the right hemisphere showed high facilitation for both strongly and weakly constrained ...
Lead Exposure: Inappropriate Screening Practices?

Physician screening practices at a hospital-based, university-affiliated pediatric primary care center serving an urban high-risk population in Rochester, NY were evaluated to determine the feasibility of the 1991 Centers for Disease Control guidelines.
Iodine Atom Transfer Reactions in Organic Synthesis

Sequential free radical reactions have been used with considerable success to rapidly assemble functionalized organic molecules. Often, such reactions are carried out with a trialkyltin hydride reagent. However, the use of tin hydride is not always desirable (or possible), particularly when one or more slow steps are involved in a given sequence. The unique capability of iodine atom transfer reactions to control free radical sequences will be discussed. In this “atom transfer” method, the starting iodide substitutes for the tin hydride in the key chain transfer step. With proper design, intermediate radicals are permitted maximum lifetimes (to undergo desired reactions) while final radicals are permitted very short lifetimes. The development of addition, cyclization, and annulation reactions controlled by iodine atom transfer is described.
Cavity-enhanced eigenmode and angular hybrid multiplexing in holographic data storage systems

Resonant optical cavities have been demonstrated to improve energy efficiencies in Holographic Data Storage Systems (HDSS). The orthogonal reference beams supported as cavity eigenmodes can provide another multiplexing degree of freedom to push storage densities toward the limit of 3D optical data storage. While keeping the increased energy efficiency of a cavity enhanced reference arm, image bearing holograms are multiplexed by orthogonal phase code multiplexing via Hermite-Gaussian eigenmodes in a Fe:LiNbO3 medium with a 532 nm laser at two Bragg angles. We experimentally confirmed write rates are enhanced by an average factor of 1.1, and page crosstalk is about 2.5%. This hybrid multiplexing opens up a pathway to increase storage density while minimizing modification of current angular multiplexing HDSS.
Characterization and estimation of microsphere-lens misalignment from FTIR response data of microsphere-lens-enhanced MWIR SLS photo detectors

MWIR microsphere-lens-enhanced detectors have exhibited an increase in detector sensitivity. One factor affecting microsphere-lens-enhanced MWIR detectors sensitivity is the microsphere lens misalignment as we show in this work. Microsphere lens misalignment can cause reduced spectral responses. Modeling of all physical factors, including detector environment sources causing non-desired artifacts, is tedious and complex (not complete). There is a need for better empirical methods/signal processing/data analysis to try to accurately estimate and extract microsphere misalignment. This paper presents a novel signal processing and data analysis method based on a custom software filtering algorithm that involves a step based process consisting of FTIR boundary computation, wavelet de-noising, sensitivity normalization and quantitative computation to estimate microsphere misalignment directly from microsphere enhanced-lens detector FTIR signal responses. Multiple SLS detector sizes, microsphere-lens materials and microsphere sizes are analyzed. Results show microsphere misalignment, based on the data considered, generally increases with the diameter of the sphere, and decreases with respect to the size of the detector. This calls for new signal processing methods and data analysis methods to automatically detect and correct microsphere misalignment.
Layering and rejuvenation in Tsuga canadensis (Pinaceae) on Wachusett Mountain, Massachusetts

Abstract The phenomenon of layering in trees involves the production of adventitious roots by low-growing lateral branches and their subsequent reorientation from horizontal to vertical. This study provides the first documentation of layering in any natural populations of eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis. Twelve layered hemlock clumps, consisting of 5 to 20 layered branch stems originating from a parent tree, were observed on the upper slopes of Wachusett Mountain in central Massachusetts. Layered hemlocks ranged from 7 to 17 m tall, and several layered branches produced second-generation layers. Harsh growing conditions, slow hemlock growth, and the open habitat associated with small-statured hardwood species and exposed bedrock allowed the hemlocks to retain their lower branches for extended periods of time. Fallen limbs and debris associated with past disturbances pinned these branches to the ground and likely set the stage for layering. The production of physiologically rejuvenated hemlock ramets thr...
Environmental factors impact temporal Passalora sequoiae conidia counts from Leyland cypress

Needle blight disease, caused by Passalora sequoiae, results in a progressive loss of leaf tissue on Leyland cypress (×Cupressocyparis leylandii) within container and field tree nurseries, in the landscape and on Christmas tree farms. Fungicide schedules have been developed in response to seasonal symptom progression and conidia dispersion without clarification of the influence of weather conditions on disease. Conidia count data of P. sequoiae were collected approximately weekly from June to December in 2001 in Watkinsville, GA, and in 2002 in Dearing, GA. Peak conidia numbers were trapped in September and October. Daily weather data summaries were obtained from a weather station at each location. Deterministic models were developed individually for summer (1 June to 30 September) and fall (1 October to 21 December) seasons. A three-day moving average (MA) of average daily temperature (avgT) had a positive quadratic relationship with conidia counts in the summer season. A 10-day MA of avgT, vapour pressure deficit (VPD) and total solar radiation (SolR) had a positive quadratic, a negative linear and positive linear relationship, respectively, with conidia counts in the fall season. The models show that the seasonal shift to cooler fall temperatures, along with lower VPD and SolR, favour production and dispersal of P. sequoiae conidia.
Soil property trends and classification of alluvial floodplains, South Carolina Coastal Plain

Abstract Alluvial soils derived from sediments of Piedmont origin occur in the Atlantic Coastal Plain of the southeastern U.S. In South Carolina, high-order rivers receiving sediment are Savannah (SV), Congaree (CN), Wateree (WA), Santee (ST), Lynches (LY), and Great Pee Dee (PD). This study investigated distribution of soil properties on natural levee, valley flat, and backswamp landforms within and among the six river floodplains and compared results to the taxonomic classifications used historically during soil survey production. This study also investigated the contribution of sediment sources to soil characteristics. Data were compiled for 65 soil pedons sampled from 16 soil survey areas during a 41-year time period. Pedons were located in three Major Land Resource Areas (MLRAs), and the results should aid in development of both land resource area and ecological site concepts. Data analyses centered on clay and silt contents, mineralogy, base saturation (BS), and cation exchange activity (CEA) classes. Evaluation of data from the six river floodplains revealed common properties among soils on fluvial landscapes across multiple MLRAs. Four soil systems, each derived from a predominant rock type, composed the Piedmont drainage basin of each river. The absolute area of each soil system differed between rivers, but sediment supplied typically did not result in great soil texture variation per landform. The land area proportion of the Carolina Slate Belt soil system had a close relationship to silt contents of the alluvial soils. On the valley flat landform of five floodplains, particle-size control section (PSCS) median clay content ranged only between 302 g kg − 1 and 405 g kg − 1 . Among all valley flats median PSCS silt content ranged between 361 g kg − 1 and 511 g kg − 1 . Slight positive downriver trends for clay were observed on SV, WA, and PD and for silt on SV and WA. Although local BS variation could be high between pedons, slight positive downriver BS trends on valley flats were observed on SV, WA, and ST. Negative BS trends were seen on LY and PD. Kaolinite was the dominant clay mineral in soils of all landforms on the six floodplains. Weatherable primary minerals in sand and silt fractions resulted in higher BS except for the LY soils, where resistant minerals composed sand and silt fractions. The semiactive CEA class occurred predominantly on all three landforms. Taxonomic analysis supported soil assignment to the suborders Aquepts or Udepts on all floodplains. Great group level Eutrudepts in South Carolina are first reported here, and they occur extensively enough on SV, CN, WA, and PD to warrant recognition in soil map units. Because most soil properties showed little variability for soils occurring in floodplains for all six rivers, botanical assessments will be needed to determine the magnitude of the role the properties have toward defining ecological sites. Ultimately, the alluvial systems may be aggregated as a single land resource area within the Coastal Plain.
Effects of recurrent urinary tract infections on graft and patient outcomes after kidney transplantation.

Background Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common following kidney transplantation (KT); however, the influence of recurrent post-KT UTI (R-UTI) is not well-characterized. Methods We compared graft outcomes, patient outcomes and multidrug-resistance rates between patients with no UTI, nonrecurrent UTI (NR-UTI) (urine sample containing >105 bacterial colony-forming units/mL) and R-UTI (≥2 UTIs in any 6-month period or ≥3 UTIs in any 12-month period) post-KT in a retrospective cohort study (1999-2014) at Barnes-Jewish Hospital (St Louis, MO). All adult KT recipients were included and those experiencing mortality within 30 days of KT were excluded. Results Of 2469 recipients included, 1835 (74.3%) had no UTI, 465 (18.8%) had NR-UTI and 169 (6.8%) had R-UTI. R-UTI was associated with poorer graft survival compared with NR-UTI [hazard ratio (HR) 1.45; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23-1.83; P < 0.001) and no UTI (HR 2.11; 95% CI 2.02-3.80; P < 0.001). This relationship persisted after adjusting for confounding factors in Cox regression (HR 2.01; 95% CI 1.53-2.66; P < 0.001). There was no difference in patient survival between no UTI and NR-UTI (HR 1.21; 95% CI 0.91-1.63; P = 0.181); however, R-UTI was associated with poorer patient survival compared with nonrecurrent cases (HR 1.87; 95% CI 1.21-2.89; P = 0.005). R-UTI were more likely to be caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative organisms (risk ratio 1.49; 95% CI 1.31-1.70; P < 0.001). Conclusions R-UTIs were associated with poorer graft and patient outcomes, as well as increased multidrug-resistance compared with nonrecurrent cases.
Response commentary: exosomes vs microvesicles in hematological malignancies.

The commentary by Dr Caivano et al.1 submitted in response to our review of exosomes in hematological malignancies published in Leukemia2 makes an important and pertinent point. The authors ask whether a distinction should be made between various subsets of tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) present in the plasma of patients with hematological malignancies. They submit that tumor-derived microvesicles (MVs) sized at 150–1000 nm and formed by cell surface membrane ‘blebbing’ have been shown to mediate the same spectrum of biological activities as those ascribed to exosomes sized at 10–150 nm. Why then separate exosomes and MVs into distinct categories of vesicles?
Extended Impact of Pin1 Catalytic Loop Phosphorylation Revealed by S71E Phosphomimetic.

Abstract Pin1 is a two-domain human protein that catalyzes the cis–trans isomerization of phospho-Ser/Thr–Pro (pS/T–P) motifs in numerous cell-cycle regulatory proteins. These pS/T–P motifs bind to Pin1's peptidyl-prolyl isomerase (PPIase) domain in a catalytic pocket, between an extended catalytic loop and the PPIase domain core. Previous studies showed that post-translational phosphorylation of S71 in the catalytic loop decreases substrate binding affinity and isomerase activity. To define the origins for these effects, we investigated a phosphomimetic Pin1 mutant, S71E-Pin1, using solution NMR. We find that S71E perturbs not only its host loop but also the nearby PPIase core. The perturbations identify a local network of hydrogen bonds and salt bridges that is more extended than previously thought, and includes interactions between the catalytic loop and the α2/α3 turn in the PPIase core. Explicit-solvent molecular dynamics simulations and phylogenetic analysis suggest that these interactions act as conserved “latches” between the loop and PPIase core that enhance binding of phosphorylated substrates, as they are absent in PPIases lacking pS/T–P specificity. Our results suggest that S71 is a hub residue within an electrostatic network primed for phosphorylation, and may illustrate a common mechanism of phosphorylation-mediated allostery.
Case 103: Bonus Question

I worked as an anesthesiologist for 17 years attached to King Edward VIII Hospital, Natal Medical School, University of Natal, Durban, South Africa. About once every 6 weeks in the 1970s, I would spend a week providing anesthesia in several rural hospitals north of Durban in Zululand.
TREM2-activating antibodies abrogate the negative pleiotropic effects of the Alzheimer's disease variant Trem2R47H on murine myeloid cell function.

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is an orphan immune receptor expressed on cells of myeloid lineage such as macrophages and microglia. The rare variant R47H TREM2 is associated with an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease, supporting the hypothesis that TREM2 loss of function may exacerbate disease progression. However, a complete knockout of the TREM2 gene in different genetic models of neurodegenerative diseases has been reported to result in both protective and deleterious effects on disease-related end points and myeloid cell function. Here, we describe a Trem2R47H transgenic mouse model and report that even in the absence of additional genetic perturbations, this variant clearly confers a loss of function on myeloid cells. The Trem2R47H variant–containing myeloid cells exhibited subtle defects in survival and migration and displayed an unexpected dysregulation of cytokine responses in a lipopolysaccharide challenge environment. These subtle phenotypic defects with a gradation in severity across genotypes were confirmed in whole-genome RNA-Seq analyses of WT, Trem2−/−, and Trem2R47H myeloid cells under challenge conditions. Of note, TREM2-activating antibodies that boost proximal signaling abrogated survival defects conferred by the variant and also modulated migration and cytokine responses in an antibody-, ligand-, and challenge-dependent manner. In some instances, these antibodies also boosted WT myeloid cell function. Our studies provide a first glimpse into the boost in myeloid cell function that can be achieved by pharmacological modulation of TREM2 activity that can potentially be ameliorative in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.
‘You-on-a-chip’ for precision medicine

Introduction: This forward-thinking review will introduce microphysiological systems (MPS), also known as organs-on-chips or tissue chips and their potential utility in personalized medicine. The a...
Pregabalin and paradoxical reaction of seizures in a large overdose

We report the case of a 54-year-old female with intentional pregabalin 3825 mg ingestion that resulted in a rare adverse effect of a witnessed seizure with confirmatory serum concentrations. After ...
TRMM MICROWAVE IMAGER (TMI) ALIGNMENT AND ALONG-SCAN BIAS CORRECTIONS.

The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Microwave Imager (TMI) dataset released by the Precipitation Processing System (PPS) has been updated to a final version following the decommissioning of the TRMM satellite in April 2015. The updates are based on increased knowledge of radiometer calibration and sensor performance issues. In particular, the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Microwave Imager (GMI) is used as a model for many of the TMI updates. This paper discusses two aspects of the TMI data product that have been reanalyzed and updated: alignment and along-scan bias corrections. The TMI's pointing accuracy is significantly improved over prior PPS versions, which used at-launch alignment values.A TMI instrument mounting offset is discovered as well as new alignment offsets for the two TMI feedhorns. The original TMI along-scan antenna temperature bias correction is found to be generally accurate over ocean, but a scene temperature-dependent correction is needed to account for edge-of-scan obstruction. These updates are incorporated into the final TMI data version, improving the quality of the data product and ensuring accurate geophysical parameters can be derived from TMI.
Molecular beam epitaxy and characterization of Mg-doped GaN epilayers grown on Si (0 0 1) substrate through controlled nanowire coalescence

Abstract We report on a detailed investigation of molecular beam epitaxy and characterization of GaN epilayers on Si (0 0 1) substrate through controlled nanowire coalescence. By varying the substrate temperature, the axial/lateral growth ratio of GaN nanowires on Si (0 0 1) can be modulated by nearly two orders of magnitude. As such, the transition from GaN nanowire arrays to coalesced GaN epilayers can be obtained through a relatively thin (∼150 nm) intermediate layer, which leads to the subsequent formation of crack-free GaN epilayers on Si (0 0 1) substrate. Detailed scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) studies suggest that the resulting GaN epilayers are nearly free of dislocations and stacking faults. Controlled p-type conduction is further achieved for Mg-doped GaN epilayers. Hole concentrations ∼5.6 × 10 17 cm −3 were measured at room temperature, with mobility values ∼3 cm 2 /V·s. Moreover, we have demonstrated functional InGaN/GaN LEDs on Si (0 0 1) substrate, wherein the active region and p-contact layer consist of InGaN/GaN disks-in-nanowires and Mg-doped GaN epilayers, respectively. The devices exhibited a turn on voltage of 2.7 V and strong emission at 525 nm.
Introduction to the Special Issue of School Mental Health on Best Practices in Effective Multi-tiered Intervention Frameworks

Contemporary concerns regarding the mental health of children and adolescents in schools require multi-tiered systems of support across key areas of mental health conditions. This introduction outlines the rationale of a special issue on multi-tiered systems of support for common mental health disorders that may impact social, academic, and behavioral functioning. The special issue of School Mental Health includes articles addressing intervention frameworks to address bullying, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, aggression, suicide, high-functioning autism, anxiety, and the impact of trauma.
Individual Risk Factors Associated with Increased Levels of Restricted Housing among Detained Youth

The current study examined individual characteristics as potential risk factors associated with increased levels of restrictive housing among detained youth. Data was analyzed from 129 youth who co...
Benefit of a Visual Aid in the Management of Moderate-Severity Contrast Media Reactions

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to compare management of moderate-severity reactions with and without a visual aid or flowchart in contrast medium reaction simulations. SUBJECTS AND METHOD...
Laryngeal fracture presentation and management in United States emergency rooms.

Objectives/hypothesis There are limited data on laryngeal fracture presentation and management in US emergency departments (EDs). We aimed to characterize patients who are diagnosed with laryngeal fractures in the ED and identify management patterns. Study design Retrospective review of the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) from 2009 to 2011. Methods The NEDS was queried for patient visits with a primary diagnosis of open or closed laryngeal fracture (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes 807.5 and 807.6). Patient demographics, comorbidities, ED management, and hospital characteristics were extracted. Results There were 3,102 ED visits with a diagnosis of laryngeal fracture during the study period. Mean patient age was 40.9 years (range, 3-93 years). The majority of patients were male (85.5%) and sustained a closed (vs. open) fracture (91.4%), with an overall mortality rate of 3.8%. The majority of patients were treated for more than one injury during the same visit (76.2%). Most patients were evaluated at a trauma hospital (53.9%), and most patients were admitted to the hospital (71.9%). Emergent intubation or tracheostomy was rarely reported (2.6% and 0.1% of all cases), and a minority of patients underwent fiberoptic flexible laryngoscopy in the ED (1.9%). Laryngeal fractures occurred more frequently during summer months (28.2%). Mean charge for the entirety of the ED stay was $4,957.34. Conclusions Laryngeal fracture is rare and frequently associated with other injuries. The frequency of emergent airway procedure, imaging, and flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy is lower than expected, raising concerns about appropriate workup and management or recognition of injury in the ED setting. Level of evidence NA Laryngoscope, 129:2341-2346, 2019.
Cloacal dysgenesis sequence associated with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula: A case report and review of literature

Absence of any orifice in perineum, presence of smooth perineum, and absence external genitalia are characteristic of cloacal dysgenesis sequence (CDS). Newborn of 40w gestational age, born to mother with oligohydramnios, had very low APGAR scores, and was put on ventilator. Child had dysmorphic facies, short neck, compressed chest, no urinary bladder swelling, absence of any perineal orifice, a raised fold of skin at the site of phallus and bilateral talipes calcaneovalgus. Esophageal atresia (EA) was diagnosed clinically and radiographically. Pulmonary hypoplasia, distal tracheoesophageal fistula (TOF), thin, flat and broad cervical vertebrae with spina bifida, partial sacral agenesis and cardiac anomalies were demonstrated by radiographs and echocardiography respectively. Child progressively more desaturated on ventilator and died at 16h after birth before detailed assessment including sex could be done. CDS results from failure of urorectal septum to fuse with cloacal membrane at 7 th week of intrauterine life. It can occur in male and female. CDS is lethal resultant from associated severe pulmonary hypoplasia and renal insufficiency. Very rarely such child is born alive as in our case. Association of CDS with EA+TOF is extremely rare. In view of 5 long-term survival reports of CDS, prenatal diagnosis is warranted and treatment should be initiated.
Intraoperative Fluid Balance and Perioperative Outcomes After Aortic Valve Surgery.

Background The effect of intraoperative fluid balance on postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in cardiac surgical patients is poorly defined. Methods In this retrospective study of patients undergoing aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis, the primary outcome of interest was postoperative AKI. Secondary outcomes were postoperative fluid balance, cardiac index, vasopressor use, hospital-free days, stroke, myocardial infarction, hospital readmission, and 30- and 90-day mortality. Results A total of 2327 patients were analyzed. Positive intraoperative fluid balance was associated with lower odds of AKI; the lowest odds were in the 20- to 39-mL/kg group (odds ratio, 0.56; 95% confidence interval, 0.38-0.81; P = .002). Positive intraoperative fluid balance was associated with a lower postoperative fluid balance. Increased ultrafiltration volume was associated with increased postoperative fluid resuscitation and vasopressor use. AKI was associated with increased 30- and 90-day mortality. Increased fluid balance was associated with increased odds of myocardial infarction and 30-day mortality. Increased ultrafiltration volume was associated with increased odds of 30- and 90-day mortality. Conclusions In patients who underwent aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis, positive intraoperative fluid balance was associated with decreased odds of AKI. Patients developing AKI had increased 30- and 90-day mortality. Although the overall incidence was low, increased intraoperative fluid balance was associated with myocardial infarction and 30-day mortality, whereas increased ultrafiltration volume was associated with 30- and 90-day morality. Prospective studies are needed to better define proper intraoperative fluid management in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
Symmetry breaking, strain solitons and mechanical edge modes in monolayer antimony

Two-dimensional materials exhibit a variety of mechanical instabilities accompanied by spontaneous symmetry breaking. Here, we develop a continuum description of the buckling instability of antimonene sheets. Regions of oppositely directed buckling constitute domains separated by domain walls that are solitons in our model. Perturbations about equilibrium propagate as waves with a gapped dispersion in the bulk, but there is a gapless mode with linear dispersion that propagates along the domain walls in a manner reminiscent of the electronic modes of topological insulators. We establish that monolayer antimonene is a mechanical topological insulator by demonstrating a mapping between our continuum model and an underlying Dirac equation of the symmetry class BDI, which is known to be a topological insulator in one dimension and a weak topological insulator in two dimensions. Monolayer antimony can be produced by exfoliation as well as epitaxy, and the effects predicted in this paper should be accessible to standard experimental tools such as scanning probe microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. We surmise that the effects studied here (namely, low-scale symmetry breaking, strain solitons, and gapless edge modes) are not limited to antimonene but are common features of two-dimensional materials.
Effects of acute hyperglycemia on the exercise pressor reflex in healthy rats.

Abstract The exercise pressor reflex is exaggerated in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Hyperglycemia, a main characteristic of T2DM, likely contributes to this exaggerated response. However, the isolated effect of acute hyperglycemia, independent of T2DM, on the exercise pressor reflex is not known. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of acute, local exposure to hyperglycemia on the exercise pressor reflex and its two components, namely the mechanoreflex and the metaboreflex, in healthy rats. To accomplish this, we determined the effect of an acute locol intra-arterial glucose infusion (0.25 g/mL) on cardiovascular responses to static contraction (i.e., exercise pressor reflex) and tendon stretch (i.e., mechanoreflex) for 30 s, as well as hindlimb intra-arterial lactic acid (24 mM) injection (i.e., metaboreflex) in fasted unanesthetized, decerebrated Sprague-Dawley rats. We measured and compared changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) before and after glucose infusion. We found that acute glucose infusion did not affect the pressor response to static contraction (ΔMAP: before: 15 ± 2 mmHg, after: 12 ± 2 mmHg; n = 8, p > 0.05), tendon stretch (ΔMAP: before: 12 ± 1 mmHg, after: 12 ± 3 mmHg; n = 8, p > 0.05), or lactic acid injection (ΔMAP: before: 13 ± 2 mmHg, after: 17 ± 3 mmHg; n = 9, p > 0.05). Likewise, cardioaccelerator responses were unaffected by glucose infusion, p > 0.05 for all. In conclusion, these findings suggest that acute, local exposure to hyperglycemia does not affect the exercise pressor reflex or either of its components.
Electrically conductive adhesive (ECA) processing for shingled modules analyzed by x-ray imaging

Electrically conductive adhesives (ECAs) are being used in several different PV module architectures, including shingled modules. Presently, there is limited available literature on the failure mechanisms of ECAs. X-ray imaging techniques can image a wider region than that of sample extraction for SEM imaging, while still retaining resolutions down to 0.5 µm/pixel. X-ray projections have been used to study the effect of different ECA application methods and curing conditions on the ECA in a shingled mini-module. It was found that lamination does not affect the ECA, if it has already been cured. Additionally, the cell lay-up step in the shingled module fabrication was found to be the primary cause of voids in the ECA layer.
Would the United States Benefit from a COVID Lockdown? Reassessing the Situation

Though COVID vaccines have become available in United States in December 2020, the speed of vaccinations remains slow. In the meantime, the virus continues to claim thousands of lives every day. I estimate that with the promised rate of vaccinations, if no additional non-pharmaceutical interventions are implemented, 156 thousand more lives will be lost, and the future cost of the pandemic will reach nearly one trillion dollars, or 5% of GDP. I assess whether it is optimal for the United States to follow the lead of many European countries and introduce a nation-wide lockdown. A lockdown would be indeed optimal and, depending on the assumptions, it should last between two and four weeks and will generate a net benefit of up to $508 billion. A lockdown should last even longer and its net benefit could nearly triple if the more transmissible "U.K. variant" of the virus becomes prevalent in the U.S. in the future.
MethylSPWNet and MethylCapsNet: Biologically Motivated Organization of DNAm Neural Network, Inspired by Capsule Networks

Abstract DNA methylation (DNAm) alterations have been heavily implicated in carcinogenesis and the pathophysiology of diseases through upstream regulation of gene expression. DNAm deep-learning approaches are able to capture features associated with aging, cell type, and disease progression, but lack incorporation of prior biological knowledge. Here, we present modular, user-friendly deep learning methodology and software, MethylCapsNet and MethylSPWNet, that group CpGs into biologically relevant capsules – such as gene promoter context, CpG island relationship, or user-defined groupings – and relate them to diagnostic and prognostic outcomes. We demonstrate these models’ utility on 3,897 individuals in the classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumors. MethylCapsNet and MethylSPWNet provide an opportunity to increase DNAm deep learning analyses’ interpretability by enabling a flexible organization of DNAm data into biologically relevant capsules.
The State of Current Reading Intervention Research for English Learners in Grades K–2: a Best-Evidence Synthesis

This best-evidence synthesis reviews the past 20 years of rigorous reading intervention research to identify effective programs of instruction for Grade K–3 English Learners (ELs), as well as to determine the average effect of reading instruction on reading outcomes for this population. We identified 10 studies, all of which only included students in Grades K, 1, and/or 2. These studies evaluated the effects of seven programs, reporting 76 effect sizes. We did not identify any studies that included Grade 3 ELs. To guide researchers and practitioners, we describe each program and discuss associated effect sizes in foundational skills, fluency, comprehension, and oral language. Proactive Reading, delivered in a small group setting, produced some of the largest effects on foundational skills, fluency, and reading comprehension outcomes. Sound Partners was also shown to be effective even when delivered for a shorter duration, in a one-to-one setting. Finally, for practitioners and researchers aiming to improve oral language outcomes, Early Vocabulary Connection, delivered to small groups of students for 20 weeks, had the largest effects on oral language outcome measures. The primary limitation of this review was the small number of studies meeting the best-evidence synthesis criteria. Future research is needed to better understand the impact of reading interventions on reading outcomes for ELs in Grades 2–3 and the impact of meaning-focused intervention on reading outcomes. In particular, additional research is needed to identify interventions that have the potential to meaningfully improve reading comprehension and oral language outcomes for K–3 ELs.
The Wiley Handbook of Healthcare Treatment Engagement: Theory, Research, and Clinical Practice

The issue of patient engagement with treatment (often referred to as patient adherence to treatment) is an important area of focus for health care providers and researchers, with important implicat...