cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neglected turbidity correction in light scattering experiments—a source of erroneous values of the second virial coefficient☆

Abstract Neglecting turbidity leads to an overestimation of the second virial coefficient in light scattering experiments. Although this effect is totally negligible for polymers in good solvents, it is dominant for systems consisting of large compact particles and for polymers at theta conditions. The turbidity correction is proportional to the characteristic constant of light scatterning K and thus inversely proportional to λ4. The true virial coefficient can be obtained by extrapolation of Kc/R to vanishing value of K. Light scattering of a well characterized sample of polystyrene in cyclohexane at three different wavelengths and several temperatures has been used to demonstrate the correction for turbidity. The true second virial coefficient for polystyrene in cyclohexane at various temperatures was obtained. Theta temperature and the entropic factor ψ were found to be 35.4°C and 0.21, respectively. Alternative procedures for evaluating the correction using light scattering data measured at a single wavelength were also offered.
Literary narrative as a cognitive structure in the brain

This paper proposes that literary narrative is the result of an unconscious computation in the brain, a computation that arises from the dynamical interaction of specific innate and representational lower-order neuronal circuits and mappings. It is also proposed that these specific circuits constitute the fundamental building blocks of literary narrative. The analysis further suggests that as literary narrative evolves in the brain, its development is influenced by an evolutionarily-biased broad class of attractors known as archetypes. In this context, a description of literary narrative is devised, and six phases leading to the production of literary narrative are then identified. The description presented here may have applications in the production of literary narrative by artificial systems.
Screening level assessment of risks due to dioxin emissions from burning oil from the BP Deepwater Horizon Gulf of Mexico spill

Between April 28 and July 19 of 2010, the U.S. Coast Guard conducted in situ oil burns as one approach used for the management of oil spilled after the explosion and subsequent sinking of the BP Deepwater Horizon platform in the Gulf of Mexico. The purpose of this paper is to describe a screening level assessment of the exposures and risks posed by the dioxin emissions from these fires. Using upper estimates for the oil burn emission factor, modeled air and fish concentrations, and conservative exposure assumptions, the potential cancer risk was estimated for three scenarios: inhalation exposure to workers, inhalation exposure to residents on the mainland, and fish ingestion exposures to residents. U.S. EPA's AERMOD model was used to estimate air concentrations in the immediate vicinity of the oil burns and NOAA's HYSPLIT model was used to estimate more distant air concentrations and deposition rates. The lifetime incremental cancer risks were estimated as 6 × 10(-8) for inhalation by workers, 6 × 10(-12) for inhalation by onshore residents, and 6 × 10(-8) for fish consumption by residents. For all scenarios, the risk estimates represent upper bounds and actual risks would be expected to be less.
EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF AN ELECTRIC ARC AIR-SPIKE WITH AND WITHOUT BLUNT BODY IN HYPERSONIC FLOW

The effects of an arc discharge in a hypersonic flow are currently being studied in the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 24-inch Hypersonic Shock Tunnel (RPI HST) and modeled computationally. The arc is a high current car battery array-driven, 75-kilowatt peak, self-sustaining electrical discharge in a Mach 10, 260 psia stagnation pressure, and 560 K stagnation temperature flow. In this low enthalpy, "ideal gas," condition, schlieren photographs were taken of the apparatus with and without a downstream blunt body, with varying arc powers. The computational effort employed the Euler gasdynamic equations to represent a heat source in flow conditions and geometries identical to those tested in the RPI HST. These two results are then compared to qualitatively validate the code and gain a better perspective on the loss mechanisms involved in the experiment.
THE RESIDENTIAL CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN JAPANESE AND OTHER ETHNIC GROUPS IN SAN FRANCISCO

In social geography, a number of studies have delineated the residential patterns of individual ethnic groups using the concept of concentration and segregation. Ironically, none of those studies have demonstrated the degree to which a given group lives with other groups in part of a city. This study investigates the degree of areal correspondence between the residential patterns of Japanese in San Francisco and six other ethnic groups: White, Latin, Black, Chinese, Filipino and American Indian. Analysis of 1970 census data, utilizing Spearman's rank order correlation, reveals three major patterns in ethnic residential areal correspondence and it also reveals the fact that only the Japanese group shows a positive correspondence, at a statistically significant level, with the White category among all other groups.
Leased Departments as a Major Force in the Growth of Discount Store Retailing

Little attention has been given to the unusual strategic significance of leased departments in the early development and maturation of discount retail organizations. In this article, the authors analyze the reasons for the unprecedented reliance upon leased departments, examine the origin and growth characteristics of leased department companies, and evaluate the future prospects for leased departments in discount companies.
Omega-3 Fatty Acid Plasma Levels Before and After Supplementation: Correlations with Mood and Clinical Outcomes in the Omega-3 and Therapy Studies

Objective To examine fatty acid profiles, their response to omega-3 fatty acid (Ω3) supplementation, and associations with clinical status and treatment response in youth with mood disorders. Methods In a placebo-controlled 2X2 design, 7-14 year-olds (N = 95) in parallel pilot trials (depression N = 72; bipolar N = 23) were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of Ω3 supplementation (1.4 g eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA], 0.2 g docosahexaenoic acid [DHA], and 0.27 g other Ω3 per day); psychoeducational psychotherapy (PEP); their combination; or placebo (mainly oleic and linoleic acid) alone. Blood was drawn at baseline (N = 90) and endpoint (n = 65). Fatty acid levels were expressed as percent of total plasma fatty acids. Correlational and moderator/mediator analyses were done with SPSS Statistics 23. Results At baseline: (1) DHA correlated negatively with alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) (r = -0.23, p = 0.029); (2) Arachidonic acid (AA, Ω6) correlated negatively with global functioning (r = -0.24, p = 0.022); (3) Total Ω3 correlated negatively with age (r = -0.22, p = 0.036) and diastolic blood pressure (r = -0.31, p = 0.006). Moderation: Baseline ALA moderated response to Ω3 supplementation: ALA levels above the sample mean (lower DHA) predicted significantly better placebo-controlled response (p = 0.04). Supplementation effects: Compared to placebo, 2 g Ω3 per day increased EPA blood levels sevenfold and DHA levels by half (both p Conclusion Ω3 supplementation at 2 g/day increases blood levels substantially, more so in smaller children. A possible U-shaped response curve should be explored.
MicroRNA expression profiling of Xp11 renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) with Xp11 translocation (Xp11 RCC) constitute a distinctive molecular subtype characterized by chromosomal translocations involving the Xp11.2 locus, resulting in gene fusions between the TFE3 transcription factor with a second gene (usually ASPSCR1, PRCC, NONO, or SFPQ). RCCs with Xp11 translocations comprise up to 1% to 4% of adult cases, frequently displaying papillary architecture with epithelioid clear cells. To better understand the biology of this molecularly distinct tumor subtype, we analyze the microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles of Xp11 RCC compared with normal renal parenchyma using microarray and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. We further compare Xp11 RCC with other RCC histologic subtypes using publically available data sets, identifying common and distinctive miRNA signatures along with the associated signaling pathways and biological processes. Overall, Xp11 RCC more closely resembles clear cell rather than papillary RCC. Furthermore, among the most differentially expressed miRNAs specific for Xp11 RCC, we identify miR-148a-3p, miR-221-3p, miR-185-5p, miR-196b-5p, and miR-642a-5p to be up-regulated, whereas miR-133b and miR-658 were down-regulated. Finally, Xp11 RCC is most strongly associated with miRNA expression profiles modulating DNA damage responses, cell cycle progression and apoptosis, and the Hedgehog signaling pathway. In summary, we describe here for the first time the miRNA expression profiles of a molecularly distinct type of renal cancer associated with Xp11.2 translocations involving the TFE3 gene. Our results might help understanding the molecular underpinning of Xp11 RCC, assisting in developing targeted treatments for this disease.
Building a Culture of Respect Across Genders: Eliminating Sexual Misconduct

ABSTRACTClinical staff members at virtually all college counseling centers provide therapy for victims of sexual misconduct experiences such as sexual assault, sexual harassment, relationship viole...
An 11-bit 250-nW 10-kS/s SAR ADC with doubled input range for biomedical applications

This paper presents a low power, area efficient 11bit single-ended successive-approximation-register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with small loading effect targeted for biomedical applications. The design features an energy-efficient switching technique with an error cancelling capacitor network to cover an input range twice the reference voltage. The ADC's loading effect to previous stage is reduced by using single-ended structure and eliminating the largest capacitor in switching network. The common-mode voltage of the input signal, generated by other blocks, can be used as reference voltage. All building blocks were designed in subthreshold for power efficiency, with asynchronous self-controlled SAR logic. The ADC was fabricated in a 0.18 μm CMOS 2P4M process. The measured peak SNDR was 60.5 dB, the SFDR was 72 dB, the DNL +0.6/−0.37 LSB and the INL +0.94/−0.89 LSB. The total power consumption was 250 nW from a 0.75 V supply voltage.
Relationship between serum trimethylamine N-oxide and exposure to dioxin-like pollutants

Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is a diet and gut microbiota-derived metabolite that has been linked to cardiovascular disease risk in human studies and animal models. TMAO levels show wide inter and intra individual variability in humans that can likely be accounted for by multiple factors including diet, the gut microbiota, levels of the TMAO generating liver enzyme Flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) and kidney function. We recently found that dioxin-like (DL) environmental pollutants increased FMO3 expression to elevate circulating diet-derived TMAO in mice, suggesting that exposure to this class of pollutants might also contribute to inter-individual variability in circulating TMAO levels in humans. To begin to explore this possibility we examined the relationship between body burden of DL pollutants (reported by serum lipid concentrations) and serum TMAO levels (n = 340) in the Anniston, AL cohort, which was highly exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). TMAO concentrations in archived serum samples from the Anniston Community Health Survey (ACHS-II) were measured, and associations of TMAO with 28 indices of pollutant body burden, including total dioxins toxic equivalent (TEQ), were quantified. Twenty-three (22 after adjustment for multiple comparisons) of the 28 indices were significantly positively associated with TMAO. Although the design of ACHS-II does not enable quantitative assessment of the contributions of previously known determinants of TMAO variability to this relationship, limited multivariate modeling revealed that total dioxins TEQ was significantly associated with TMAO among females (except at high BMIs) but not among males. Our results from this cross-sectional study indicate that exposure to DL pollutants may contribute to elevated serum TMAO levels. Prospective longitudinal studies will be required to assess the joint relationship between DL pollutant exposures, other determinants of TMAO, and health outcomes.
In Vivo Photopharmacology.

Synthetic photoswitches have been known for many years, but their usefulness in biology, pharmacology, and medicine has only recently been systematically explored. Over the past decade photopharmacology has grown into a vibrant field. As the photophysical, pharmacodynamic, and pharmacokinetic properties of photoswitches, such as azobenzenes, have become established, they have been applied to a wide range of biological targets. These include transmembrane proteins (ion channels, transporters, G protein-coupled receptors, receptor-linked enzymes), soluble proteins (kinases, proteases, factors involved in epigenetic regulation), lipid membranes, and nucleic acids. In this review, we provide an overview of photopharmacology using synthetic switches that have been applied in vivo, i.e., in living cells and organisms. We discuss the scope and limitations of this approach to study biological function and the challenges it faces in translational medicine. The relationships between synthetic photoswitches, natural...
Do the Nonhandicapped Have a Right to an Individualized Education Program

(1979). Do the Nonhandicapped Have a Right to an Individualized Education Program? Journal of Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 50, No. 6, pp. 19-19.
Design, Modeling, and Simulation of a New Nanoelectromechanical Switch for Low-Power Applications

We present analysis and modeling of a new innovative nanoelectromechanical switch (NEMS) with virtually zero leakage current, 1–3-V operation voltage, 1–10-ns switching time, and small footprint. In addition to acting as a simple switch, the physical structure of NEMS enables positioning of multiple contacts to realize functional logic gates in a single device. The implementation of basic two (or more) input logic gates using a single device improves reliability and reduces charging delay time. The reduction in the number of devices also improves yield and power while simplifying implementation. To evaluate NEMS design, we present an accurate NEMS SPICE circuit simulation model which enables the measurement of NEMS timing and power requirement. Based on the model and the device fabrication data, we show that NEMS ISCAS-85 circuit shows significant improvement over CMOS technology counterpart (using 65- and 45-nm technology).
The Logic of the Lesion Experiment and Its Role in the Neural Sciences

(1) Since the logic of the lesion method is similar to that of other methods, it should not be singled out in regard to the inadequacy of our concepts of brain function and the possible localization of functions. In fact, molar studies of the effects of lesions on behavior may yield reductionistic formulations which cannot be achieved in any other way. Those who devise such formulations must be aware of their metaphorical foundations. (2) The possibility of ever disentangling the variables that constitute systems even less complex than the brain has been questioned, when prior knowledge of the plan of construction is unavailable. However, certain evolutionary considerations suggest that the brain may be very amenable to study by the lesion method. (3) Because science is concerned with relatively inaccessible mechanisms, it is easy to lose sight of the fact that scientific method rests on the same foundation as do the much more rapid evaluations involved in everyday perception. Everyday perception involves the integration of multiple cues with past experience. In science, single cues take much effort to obtain. In this way, it can be seen that the double-dissociation criterion for lesion studies is really a special case of the search for converging information.
The Violence of Uncertainty - Undermining Immigrant and Refugee Health.

The Violence of Uncertainty Immigrants and refugees in the United States have long faced structural violence due to unequal health care access. Now they’re being subjected to “the violence of uncer...
Provably good pattern generators for random pattern test

This paper describes a pseudorandom pattern generator for the random pattern test of combinational circuits. Suppose that a fractionp of the possible patterns detects some fault and the generator generates L patterns to test the circuit. Then the probability that the generator generates a pattern that tests the fault is at leastpL/(pL + 1). The only assumption is that all values of the seed of the generator are equally likely. The seed is twice as long as a single pattern. The generator is less than twice as expensive as a linear feedback shift register. Thus, it can be used in practice. More complicated generators that achieve a better bound are also discussed.
Opportunity Zones: An Analysis of the Policy's Implications

This article summarizes the Opportunity Zone incentive in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act by providing descriptive statistics on the selected zones, outlining considerations for investors, and using data on the New Markets Tax Credit to inform expectations of investors' responses to this policy.
Warmth and Competence are Parallels to Communion and Agency : Stereotype Content Model

Fiske describes the Stereotype Content Model (SCM). It proposes that what people want to know first about other individuals and groups is their intent for good or ill – that is, their warmth. People’s second information-seeking priority is whether the others can enact their intent – that is, their competence. SCM data come from varied methods, and the dimensions generalize across domains. Others have picked up this approach, suggesting its utility, but future challenges remain, as the closing section illustrates. In this book collecting research programs relevant to agency and communion, this chapter concentrates on what the SCM offers distinctively.
Excitation, but not inhibition, of the fastigial nucleus provides powerful control over temporal lobe seizures.

Key points On-demand optogenetic inhibition of glutamatergic neurons in the fastigial nucleus of the cerebellum does not alter hippocampal seizures in a mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy. In contrast, on-demand optogenetic excitation of glutamatergic neurons in the fastigial nucleus successfully inhibits hippocampal seizures. With this approach, even a single 50 ms pulse of light is able to significantly inhibit seizures. On-demand optogenetic excitation of glutamatergic fastigial neurons either ipsilateral or contralateral to the seizure focus is able to inhibit seizures. Selective excitation of glutamatergic nuclear neurons provides greater seizure inhibition than broadly exciting nuclear neurons without cell-type specificity. Abstract Temporal lobe epilepsy is the most common form of epilepsy in adults, but current treatment options provide limited efficacy, leaving as many as one-third of patients with uncontrolled seizures. Recently, attention has shifted towards more closed-loop therapies for seizure control, and on-demand optogenetic modulation of the cerebellar cortex was shown to be highly effective at attenuating hippocampal seizures. Intriguingly, both optogenetic excitation and inhibition of cerebellar cortical output neurons, Purkinje cells, attenuated seizures. The mechanisms by which the cerebellum impacts seizures, however, are unknown. In the present study, we targeted the immediate downstream projection of vermal Purkinje cells - the fastigial nucleus - in order to determine whether increases and/or decreases in fastigial output can underlie seizure cessation. Though Purkinje cell input to fastigial neurons is inhibitory, direct optogenetic inhibition of the fastigial nucleus had no effect on seizure duration. Conversely, however, fastigial excitation robustly attenuated hippocampal seizures. Seizure cessation was achieved at multiple stimulation frequencies, regardless of laterality relative to seizure focus, and even with single light pulses. Seizure inhibition was greater when selectively targeting glutamatergic fastigial neurons than when an approach that lacked cell-type specificity was used. Together, these results suggest that stimulating excitatory neurons in the fastigial nucleus may be a promising approach for therapeutic intervention in temporal lobe epilepsy.
A Fast and Accurate Method for Genome-wide Scale Phenome-wide G × E Analysis and Its Application to UK Biobank

The etiology of most complex diseases involves genetic variants, environmental factors, and gene-environment interaction (G × E) effects. Compared with marginal genetic association studies, G × E analysis requires more samples and detailed measure of environmental exposures, and this limits the possible discoveries. Large-scale population-based biobanks with detailed phenotypic and environmental information, such as UK-Biobank, can be ideal resources for identifying G × E effects. However, due to the large computation cost and the presence of case-control imbalance, existing methods often fail. Here we propose a scalable and accurate method, SPAGE (SaddlePoint Approximation implementation of G × E analysis), that is applicable for genome-wide scale phenome-wide G × E studies. SPAGE fits a genotype-independent logistic model only once across the genome-wide analysis in order to reduce computation cost, and SPAGE uses a saddlepoint approximation (SPA) to calibrate the test statistics for analysis of phenotypes with unbalanced case-control ratios. Simulation studies show that SPAGE is 33–79 times faster than the Wald test and 72–439 times faster than the Firth’s test, and SPAGE can control type I error rates at the genome-wide significance level even when case-control ratios are extremely unbalanced. Through the analysis of UK-Biobank data of 344,341 white British European-ancestry samples, we show that SPAGE can efficiently analyze large samples while controlling for unbalanced case-control ratios.
Methods for High-Fidelity Spectral Data Collection for Generating Ground Truth Data for Simulated Tissues

Our research is focused on creating and simulating hyper-realistic artificial human tissue analogues. Generation and simulation of macroscopic biological material depends upon accurate ground-truth data on spectral properties of materials. Here, we developed methods for high fidelity spectral data collection using two differently colored simulated skin tissue samples and a portable spectral imaging camera. Using the standard procedure we developed, we quantified the reproducibility of the spectral image signatures of the two synthetic skin samples under natural and artificial lighting conditions commonly found in clinical settings. We found high coefficients of determination for all measures taken under the same lighting. As expected, we found the spectral image signature of each sample was dependent on the illumination source. Our results confirm that illumination spectra data should be included with spectral image data. The high fidelity methods for spectral image data collection we developed here should facilitate accurate collection of spectral image signature data for gross biological samples and synthetic materials collected under the same illumination source.
Prostaglandin E1 used as a pre-operative treatment for the neonates with transposition of great vessels with intact ventricular septum

Objective To study the therapeutic effects of prostaglandin E1 on the neonates with transposition of the great vessels with intact ventricular septum (TGV/IVS) retrospectively. Method From January 2004 to June 2009, 34 neonates with TGV/IVS were enrolled in this study. The pulse rate and oxygen saturation (SpO2) of patients were measured percutaneouly at admission. Lipo-prostaglandin E1 (Lipo-PGE1) was administered via peripheral vein with pumping infusion continuously after diagnosis by echocardiography in order to keep the ductus arteriosus (DA) patent. The dose and the time required for the Lipo-PGEl to produce effect were recorded. The changes of SpO2 before and after administration of Lipo-PGE1 were observed. The changes of DA's diameter detected by using echocardiography before and during the operation. Results In all patients the initial dose of Lipo-PGEl was 5 ng/( kg·min) except 3 patients whom larger dosed were required to give guided by the change of SpO2 with 10 ng/(kg·min) in two patients and 15 ng/(kg·min) in one patient. The time required for Lipo-PGE to produce the effect was 5-15 minutes in most infants with mean of (12 ± 3) minutes. The mean SpO2 of the patients measured at admission was (80.05±7.64)%, and it was (86.41±4.83)% two hours before operation (P < 0.05). The average diameter of DA was (0.37±0.08) cm at the time diagnosis and it was (0.51 ±0.15) cm during the operation. The adverse effects occurred in two patients and one of them had apnea and was treated mechanical ventilation. Conclusions Lipo-PGE1 given by continuous pumping infusion via peripheral vein in dose of 5 ng per kilogram per minute can maintainthe DA patency and promote the systemic oxygenation and perfusion, improving the circulation and oxygenation and correcting the acidosis until the plastic surgery performed. Most of the adverse effects of PGE1 are dose related. Key words: Therapeutic effect; Lipo-prostaglandin E1; Transposition of the great arterial with intact ventricular septum ; Ductus arteriosus; Percutaneous pulse oxygen saturation
Psychometric Properties of the Book Readings for An Affective Classroom Education (BRACE) Coding System

In the present study, the relation between children’s emotion knowledge and preschool teachers’ book reading behaviors during shared book reading in the classroom was examined. A new coding system,...
Can maternal characteristics on admission for preterm prelabor rupture of membranes predict pregnancy latency

Background Latency duration after preterm prelabor rupture of membranes has been an area of investigation for many years. Previously described factors associated with latency include gestational age at the time of rupture, cervical dilation of >1 cm, vaginal bleeding at the time of presentation, and oligohydramnios. However, little is known about the impact of composite maternal factors and presenting symptoms on the duration or prediction of the latency period. Objective This study aimed to determine whether maternal factors and subjective presenting symptoms can predict pregnancy latency after preterm prelabor rupture of membranes. Study Design This is a retrospective observational study of singleton pregnancies complicated by preterm prelabor rupture of membranes for over 3 years at a single institution utilizing a uniform management protocol. Maternal demographics, obstetrical data, maternal subjective symptoms and physical examination findings on admission, amniotic fluid volume assessment, presence of contractions, and maternal perception of feeling unwell were collected and analyzed. Clinical characteristics were summarized with mean and standard deviation for continuous measures and frequency and percentages for categorical variables. For skewed variables, medians with 25th and 75th percentiles were reported. Cumulative latency duration (ie, survival time) was estimated with a Kaplan-Meier model. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model with backward variable selection was used to determine the effects of maternal factors on latency duration. Results Of the 212 patients available for analysis, there was a considerable variability in the latency duration with values ranging between 0 and 119 days. Factors related to latency duration included maternal age, parity, gestational age at rupture, cervical dilation, amniotic fluid volume, and contractions. Advancing maternal age (P=.012), increased gestational age at rupture (P Conclusion Maternal factors and presenting symptoms can predict pregnancy latency after preterm prelabor rupture of membranes. We created a nomogram for clinical use that provides a visual display of the probability of pregnancy latency. This tool may be useful for counseling and providing additional information on expectations for providers and patients with pregnancies complicated by preterm prelabor rupture of membranes.
Characterizing loads at transfemoral osseointegrated implants

Abstract Establishing normative and outlying loads on transfemoral osseointegrated devices will assist development of preclinical mechanical testing strategies to inform manufacturers and government regulators. Therefore, force and moment data from osseointegrated transfemoral transcutaneous implants were collated to better understand baseline load levels. Load data were also collected from other devices including transfemoral socket prostheses, instrumented hip stems, instrumented knee devices, instrumented limb salvage femoral endoprostheses, as well as estimated loads on transfemoral prostheses using data from able-bodied subjects. These additional data were assessed for their ability to bolster the limited osseointegrated device data. Several activities of daily living were investigated to characterize normative loading. Falling events were investigated to characterize outlying loads. Results revealed that limited loading data exist for osseointegrated devices. The most often reported activity was level walking. While these normative data may inform fatigue testing, they may not fully characterize fatigue loads during all activities of daily living. Socket prosthetics and able-bodied individuals may provide supplementary data, but significance is limited by sample sizes. Falling data are sparse, and insufficient data exist for characterizing adverse loads on osseointegrated devices. Future data collection should include more activities of daily living and adverse events to better define osseointegrated device loading profiles.
In the Era of Direct-Acting Antivirals, Liver Transplant Delisting Due to Clinical Improvement for Hepatitis C Remains Infrequent.

Abstract Background / Aims Studies have suggested marked increases in transplant delisting due to clinical improvement for patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) associated cirrhosis in the era of direct acting antivirals (DAAs). This study provides a ‘real world’ assessment of waitlist dynamics for HCV transplant candidates in the current era. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of adults waitlisted for liver transplant (LT) alone between 1/1/2005-12/31/2018 using national US data. The post-DAA era included all listings occurring after 1/1/2013. Temporal trends in waitlisting, patient characteristics and outcomes with decompensated cirrhosis were evaluated. Adjusted competing risks models assessed the interaction of DAA-era and HCV history on (i) waitlist mortality, and (ii) delisting due to clinical improvement. Results Overall listing rates for HCV patients have decreased in the DAA era and particularly with Model for End-stage Liver Disease score ≥15 and ≥30. Rates of refractory ascites and severe encephalopathy at listing have increased. Delisting due to clinical improvement remains low (6.1% for 2013-2017 versus 5.2% for 2009-2012 versus 4% for 2005-2008; p Conclusion Listing rates for decompensated HCV cirrhosis have decreased in the DAA era. Delisting of HCV patients for clinical improvement has increased, but remains infrequent and many continue to experience considerable morbidity.
Are sexist beliefs related to mental health problems

Ambivalent Sexism Theory delineates two forms of sexist beliefs: hostile and benevolent. While several studies have indicated interpersonal problems associated with both forms of sexist beliefs, fe...
State Policy and National Representation: Marijuana Politics in American Federalism

Members of Congress represent geographically demarcated districts embedded in subnational policy environments. Drawing on policy feedback literature and literature on congressional representation, I argue that, because of this institutional configuration, subnational policy adoption can affect national representation. More specifically, policy reforms in the states they represent can increase pressures members face from organized groups and individuals in their constituencies to promote aligned federal policies. Empirically, I examine the effects of state marijuana legalization. The inferential design leverages differences across the states in statewide citizen initiative institutions, which provides exogenous variation in legalization. Instrumental variables analysis indicates legalization influenced pro-marijuana bill sponsorship and roll calls in the 116th Congress. The evidence points to growing influence of industry in legalizing states—including the ability to mobilize employees and customers—as the key mechanism, thus underscoring the importance of a political economy perspective for studying interdependencies in American federalism.
Proposed Source of Sub-picosecond Far Infrared Radiation

We propose that far infrared radiation (FIR) with gigawatt peakpower can be generated from a plasma produced at the focus of a high-intensity, ultra-short laser pulse as a result of the coherent acceleration of electrons through ponderomotive forces. A well defined vacuum-plasma interface will optimize the generated FIR.
The Future of Farm Policy Analysis: A Household Perspective

Farms, farmers, farm families, and even farm policy have changed since the New Deal. Now it is time to bring the methods of farm policy analysis and the scope of data collection up to date. Agricultural economics, by tradition an empirical discipline, can once again offer important insights into the design, implementation, and effectiveness of policy. To succeed in this century, though, requires an emphasis on understanding microeconomic behavior at the farm household level.
Widening the path and window of opportunity for FDA approval of non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant specific antidotes and reversal agents

There remains a need for safe, immediately effective, and easy to administer antidotes for patients taking novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in the settings of major bleeding, need for emergency surgery, and accidental overdose. We review considerations for the successful safety and effectiveness evaluation of potential antidotes currently under development. These compounds are in expedited regulatory approval programs aimed at accelerating the preclinical and clinical evaluation and approval processes for treatments of serious conditions. We review the features of these expedited programs as well as the FDA's efforts to broadly advance the efficiency of drug development and increase the number of new compounds brought to market. The critical path initiative and regulatory science initiative have resulted in numerous successful programs to address current challenges such as a paucity of validated biomarkers and surrogate endpoints as well as unreliable animal models of toxicity. The FDA has also advocated for increased use of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling and adaptive trial design. These efforts foster collaboration between academia, industry and the public sector across interdisciplinary sciences and may continue to widen the pathway for NOAC-specific reversal agents and other novel compounds.
Image representations for visual learning

The last few years have seen new successful approaches to object recognition and to computer graphics based directly on images without the use of intermediate 3D models. I will argue that most of these techniques depend on a representation of images that induces a linear vector space structure and in principle requires dense correspondence. This image representation allows the use of learning techniques for the analysis and for the synthesis of images, that is for both computer vision and computer graphics.
Circulating microRNAs as biomarkers of retinal toxicity

Despite of the attrition due to retinal toxicity during drug development there are no early reliable predictive biomarkers of retinal toxicity and this is increasingly becoming a concern. Thus far, in pharmacology and toxicology the technologies for assessing retinal side effects are limited to inconvenient visual behavioral tests, invasive electroretinograms or terminal histopathology. To address the lack of convenient early predictive retinal toxicity biomarkers, we explored a set of potential novel retinal enriched miRNAs in rats ex vivo and in vivo with known retinal toxicant pan-CDK inhibitors to assess circulating plasma miRNAs in rats and non-retinal toxicants as controls. Rats were administered a single intravitreal (IVT) injection and blood samples were collected pre-dose, various time points post-dose and then analyzed for five retinal enriched miRNAs (miR-96, miR-124a, miR181a, miR-182 and miR-183) by qRT-PCR. Ophthalmic exam, electroretinogram and histopathology were performed as confirmatory tests. All five miRNAs tested in retinal explants culture were highly expressed after pan-CDK inhibitor treatment. In vivo the pan-CDK inhibitors caused elevations of miR-96, miR-124a and miR-183 in blood. These results highly correlated with ocular exam, electroretinograms and microscopic findings. Comparatively, there were no changes in miRNA levels, electroretinograms, or histopathology in the negative control treatment groups. Although these miRNAs need additional confirmatory evaluation whether they truly predict retinal toxicity prior to clinical observations and histopathology, these results provide promise for further testing using additional retinal toxicants.
Cell culture approaches to the analysis of glomerular inflammation

In this paper, we have attempted to provide an overview of the methods and findings of a large number of investigators who have dealt with an analysis of the glomerular inflammatory response using tissue culture techniques. These observations represent only a beginning. With the growing interest in this aspect of kidney disease, it is to anticipated that many further advancements in the understanding of the cell biology of the glomerulus are forthcoming. The translation of this fundamental information into new diagnostic and therapeutic modalities is an exciting challenge to investigative nephrology.
Quantitative genetic analysis of flowering time in the Davis Population of gerbera. I. Components of genetic variance and heritability

Genetic components of variance and heritability of flowering time (FT) were estimated for 5 generations of the Davis Population of gerbera using the NCII design. Estimates of narrow-sense heritability averaged 0.50; those of broad-sense heritability, 0.77. Narrow-sense heritability was also estimated with two models of parent-offspring regression, resulting in average heritability of 0.49 and 0.51. Estimates of the components of variance indicated that the major genetic effect controlling FT is additive. However, the dominance component accounted for 28% of the total variance; the environmental component was only 23%. FT was not selected over the six generations in this study. A predictive model suggests that FT can be reduced by selection in this population.
Indirect Multi-Touch Interaction for Brushing in Parallel Coordinates

Interaction in visualization is often complicated and tedious. Brushing data in a visualization such as parallel coordinates is a central part of the data analysis process, and sets visualization apart from static charts. Modifying a brush, or combining it with another one, usually requires a lot of effort and mode switches, though, slowing down interaction and even discouraging more complex questions. We propose the use of multi-touch interaction to provide fast and convenient interaction with parallel coordinates. By using a multi-touch trackpad rather than the screen directly, the user's hands do not obscure the visualization during interaction. Using one, two, three, or four fingers, the user can easily and quickly perform complex selections. Being able to change the selections rapidly, the user can explore the data set more easily and effectively, and can focus on the data rather than the interaction.
Here Comes the (Daughter of the) Bride: Parental Weddings in Two Contemporary Girls’ Series Books

This article examines the way that weddings are portrayed in contemporary series fiction for girls, in particular Ann M. Martin’s The Baby-sitters Club and Phyllis Reynolds Naylor’s Alice books. It argues that, while weddings in these novels offer the protagonists supporting roles in compelling family dramas, they also provide few opportunities to deviate from a prefabricated script. Inclusion in the family wedding experience is predicated on the tacit acceptance of fairy tale romance and enthusiastic participation in the rituals of consumption, both of which emphasize a constrictive, heteronormative view of life and love.
Skin injuries and serum enzyme activities of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) harvested by fish pumps

Abstract External injuries and the serum activities of two enzymes were determined for market-sized channel catfish moved from ponds to hauling trucks by either a conventional lift net attached to a boom, a turbine pump or a vacuum pump. One series of three harvests was conducted in cool weather (January–April), and the other in warm weather (June–September). Compared to other loading methods, the turbine pump caused significantly more reddened cutaneous abrasions, split fins, and broken fin spines in cool-weather experiments and caused more reddened abrasions, lacerations, and broken fin spines in warm-weather experiments. Histologically, reddened abrasions of the skin were inflamed or hemorrhagic. These abrasions involved removal of some or all of the epidermis, whereas portions of the dermis were removed as a result of more severe abrasions. Activities of both serum aspanate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) increased significantly (P
Anomalous temperature dependence in the Raman spectra of l-alanine: Evidence for dynamic localization.

We measured the temperature dependence of the intensity of the two lowest Raman modes in single crystals of l-alanine. The sum of the intensities obeys Maxwell-Boltzman statistics accurately from 20 to 340 K but the intensities of the individual lines are anomalous. This behavior is explained by assuming that both lines share the same degrees of freedom but that a mode instability is triggered abruptly at an occupation of seven quanta. This instability, which has an activation energy of 500 K, is observed at temperatures as low as 20 K, possibly indicating the existence of dynamic localization of vibrational energy.
Confirmation of the superdeformed band in192Pb

High-spin states in192Pb were populated via the reaction173Yb(24Mg,5n) at a beam energy of 140 MeV, and the resultingγ-rays were deteced using GAMMASPHERE. A previously observed superdeformed band in192Pb has been confirmed.
PS1-30: Post-discharge Survival and Rehospitalization Associated With Heart Failure Program Participation.

Background/Aims The Essentia Health Heart Failure Program (HFP) began in 1998, with the primary goal of improving care, with the expectation that both mortality and rehospitalization would be better controlled. This effort reviewed the electronic health records (EHR) of Essentia Health East heart failure patients ages 65 and over (65+), following hospital discharge, to assess the relationships between HFP participation and post-discharge survival (all-cause mortality) 30 days, six months and one year, and rehospitalization at 30 and 60 days.
Bug/Drug Resistance: Sometimes Less is More

Increased use of antibiotics in any community increases the risks that future bacterial strains will resist the effects of current antibiotics. The consequences of a resistant bacterial strain include costs for more expensive and powerful drugs, additional hospital days, and on rare occasion, death. A key to understanding the importance of this problem is better knowledge about the rate that resistance increases and persists as antibiotic use rates increase. Using the scant evidence available in the literature, this study conducts a sensitivity analysis to calculate the unrecognized costs of antibiotic use annually in the United States under various possible circumstances. For the estimated 150 million annual antibiotic prescriptions, the unrecognized costs appears to be at least $.1 billion, and they may exceed $30 billion in the worst case. The estimates of the burden caused by bacterial resistance to antibiotics depend heavily on unknown parameters, including the rate that resistance occurs, the dose-resistance patterns through time, the frequency of inappropriate use of antibiotics, and the frequency with which death occurs due to a resistant bacterial infection. New studies in each of these areas are needed to improve our understanding of the extent of the resistance problem.
Dopant deactivation and reactivation study of advanced doping technologies

Electrical-assisted diffusion of carriers had been proposed as a new hypothesis of a major dopant deactivation kinetics. New metrology methods, including SIMS/ARXPS and CAOT/DHE methods, are used for this study and supply supporting evidences and data. N-type (P- and As-based) implants show more serious deactivation, but similar reactivation to P-type (B-based) implants, which can be interpreted by the electrical-assisted diffusion mechanism. In this paper, dopant deactivation and reactivation of advanced doping techniques including both n-type doping by As beam-line (BL) implant and p-type doping by molecular BF 2 BL implant and B 2 H 6 plasma doping (PLAD) are studied and demonstrated.
Adaptive high-gain stabilization of 'minimum-phase' nonlinear systems

The authors present an adaptive high-gain controller which can stabilize minimum-phase nonlinear systems with strong relative degree. The basic structure of the control method is similar to adaptive control methods in the sense that there are two feedback loops. The inner loop is a high-gain feedback loop with a plant and a controller. The controller is completely specified except for a scalar parameter, the high-gain parameter. The controller is designed such that the stabilization of the closed loop will be achieved if the high-gain parameter is chosen large enough. This feature facilitates a simple procedure of tuning the high-gain parameter by increasing it monotonically until it is large enough. The tuning of the parameter is set up by the outer loop. The high-gain parameter is increased in a stepwise fashion so as to follow a continuous-time parameter which is determined by an adaptation rule. The stepwise incrementation plays a crucial role in simplifying the analysis, since between any two switching points the controller is a simple linear time-invariant one. >
An efficient biosynthetic method to prepare fatty acyl chains highly enriched with 13C.

Abstract A method has been developed for the biosynthetic incorporation of 13C acetate into fatty acyl chains. It combines both high specific enrichment and high utilization of the acetate.