cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Suboptimal vitamin K status despite supplementation in children and young adults with cystic fibrosis

Background: For children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF) and pancreatic insufficiency, the efficacy of routine vitamin K supplementation to normalize vitamin K status remains unclear. Objective: This study examined and determined predictors of vitamin K status in subjects aged 8–25 y with CF and pancreatic insufficiency taking various vitamin K supplements. Design: In 97 subjects, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], dietary intake, vitamin K supplement intake, and vitamin K statusmdashdetermined on the basis of the percentage of serum undercarboxylated osteocalcin (%ucOC; sufficient: lt 20%) and plasma proteins induced by vitamin K absence–factor II (PIVKA-II; n = 60; sufficient: le 2 mug/L)mdashwere assessed. The vitamin K supplementation groups were as follows: lt 150 mug/d (low; multivitamins or no supplement), 150–999 mug/d (middle; CF-specific vitamins), and ge 1000 mug/d (high; mephyton). %ucOC values were compared with 140 healthy subjects aged 6–21 y. Results: In subjects with CF, the median (range) %ucOC was 35% (3%, 76%) and the median (range) for PIVKA-II was 2 (0, 42) mu g/L. Subjects with CF had a higher %ucOC with low [45% (10%, 76%)] and medium [41% (3%, 66%)] supplement intakes but not with a high supplement intake [16% (4%, 72%)] compared with healthy subjects [23% (0%, 43%); both P lt 0.05]. Supplementation group for males and females and 25(OH)D and age for males were significant predictors of vitamin K status. Conclusions: Vitamin K status was often suboptimal despite routine supplementation. Only subjects taking high-dose vitamin K achieved a status similar to healthy subjects, and only the vitamin K supplementation dose predicted vitamin K status for males and females. These data suggest that higher doses of vitamin K are required.
Keynes, Newton and the Royal Society: the events of 1942 and 1943.

Most discussions of John Maynard Keynes's activities in connection with Newton are restricted to the sale in 1936 at Sotheby's of Newton's Portsmouth Papers and to Keynes's 1946 essay ‘Newton, the Man’. This paper provides a history of Keynes's Newton-related work in the interim, highlighting especially the events of 1942 and 1943, which were particularly relevant to the Royal Society's role in the domestic and international promotion of Newton's legacy. During this period, Keynes lectured twice on Newton, leaving notes that would later be read by his brother Geoffrey in the famous commemoration of the Newton tercentenary in 1946. In 1943 Keynes assisted the Royal Society in its recognition of the Soviet celebrations and in the acquisition and preservation of more of the Newton library. In each instance Keynes took the opportunity to promote his interpretation of Newton as ‘the last of the magicians’: a scientist who had one foot in the pre-modern world and whose approach to understanding the world was as much intuitive as it was methodical.
Clinical and Molecular Comparison of Pediatric and Adult Reverse Remodeling With Ventricular Assist Devices

Ventricular assist device (VAD) support induces reverse remodeling of failing myocardium that leads to occasional functional recovery of the adult heart. While there have been numerous clinical reports in adult patients with end-stage cardiomyopathy, little is known about reverse remodeling in children, which has increasing clinical potential with the recent expansion of pediatric VADs in the setting of static organ supply for heart transplantation. Pediatric myocardium also promises theoretical advantages for recovery over adult myocardium due to its greater abundance of cardiac progenitor cells. To identify potential targets of future studies, we conducted a literature review with two aims: (i) to summarize clinical cases of pediatric patients who exhibited cardiac recovery following VAD support; and (ii) to analyze genetic changes in pediatric myocardium induced by VAD support compared with those observed in adult patients. Several clinical series of pediatric VAD cases report that small proportions of their cohorts were weaned off from device support, but a lack of information about the etiology and support duration of these patients limits the ability to determine whether they represent reverse remodeling of myocardial structure or just recovery from acute illness. A comparison of pediatric and adult gene expression changes with VAD support reveals approximately 40% of genes to be oppositely regulated, indicating that the pediatric genetic response is distinct. These observations highlight a necessity to better understand reverse remodeling specific to pediatric myocardium, which is crucial to improving clinical strategies for bridge-to-recovery in children.
Croire: Interrogations philosophiques sur les religions en Afrique

Doit-on chercher a determiner les diverses manifestations des religions africaines (ou des religions en Afrique) a partir de la problematique de la representation? En effet, la representation nous place devant deux enigmes: celle de la manifestation et celle du retrait. La re-presentation est un mot iteratif qui reprend dans un regime particulier une presentation. Tout se passe comme si la presence, faible en elle-meme, s’attirait un surplus d’etre en se redoublant comme re-presentation.
Lateral Stability of Recreational Vehicles in Steady-State Turning: An Extended Bicycle Model

Etude de la stabilite laterale des vehicules recreatifs, basee sur une analyse incorporant les effets de l'angle de la roue et de la localisation des forces de traction dans les tournants stationnaires
Objective and Subjective Cognitive Problems among Caregivers and Matched Non-caregivers

Purpose of the study Caregivers (CGs) have been shown to do more poorly than non-caregivers (NCGs) on objective cognitive tests (Trails B and Digit Symbol Test, DST), but less is known about whether these groups differ in: (a) reports of subjective cognitive problems (SCPs, memory complaints, etc.) and (b) relationships of SCPs with objective cognitive tests, depression, and stress exposure. Such relationships are important because researchers/clinicians use SCPs as proxies for objective cognitive tests. Design and methods One hundred and twenty-two spouse CGs of persons with Alzheimer's disease and 117 demographically matched NCG spouses were compared on Trails B and DST at baseline (T1), 1 year later (T2), and 2 years later (T3) and on SCPs at T1. Results Trails B was slower in CGs than NCGs and DST declined in CGs relative to NCGs. CGs reported more SCPs than NCGs. Depression mediated group differences in Trails and DST and was also associated with SCPs. Trails B and DST explained variance in SCPs in NCGs, but not in CGs. Hours of care explained variance in SCPs in CGs, but not in NCGs. Implications When using SCPs to make inferences about CG cognitive function, researchers/clinicians should consider the possible influence of stress exposures and depression. The lack of associations of objective and subjective cognitive measures may be a reflection of poorer self-monitoring among CGs, a potential new area of CG research.
The dual role of Andean topography in primary divergence: functional and neutral variation among populations of the hummingbird, Metallura tyrianthina

The ridges and valleys of the Andes create physical barriers that limit animal dispersal and cause deterministic local variation in rainfall. This has resulted in physical isolation of animal populations and variation in habitats, each of which has likely contributed to the evolution of high species diversity in the region. However, the relative influences of geographic isolation, ecoclimatic conditions, and their potential interactions remain poorly understood. To address this, we compared patterns of genetic and morphological diversity in Peruvian populations of the hummingbird Metallura tyrianthina. Phylogenetic and variation partitioning analyses showed that geographic isolation rather than climatic dissimilarity explained the greatest proportion of genetic variance. In contrast, bill length variation was explained by climatic seasonality, but not by genetic divergence. We found that mutation-scaled migration rate (m) between persistently humid and semi-humid environments was nearly 20 times higher when the habitats were contiguous (m = 39.9) than when separated by a barrier, the Cordillera de Vilcanota (m = 2.1). Moreover, the population experiencing more gene flow exhibited a lesser degree of bill length divergence despite similar differences in climate. Geographic isolation is necessary for genetic divergence. Ecological differences, represented here by climate characteristics, are necessary for functional divergence. Gene flow appears to hinder the evolution of functional traits toward local adaptive optima. This suggests that functional diversification requires geographic isolation followed or accompanied by a shift in ecological conditions. Andean topography causes both isolation and climatic variation, underscoring its dual role in biotic diversification.
PlanSourcing: Generating Behavior Change Plans with Friends and Crowds

Specific, achievable plans can increase people's commitment to behavior change and increase their likelihood of success. However, many people struggle to create such plans, and available plans often do not fit their individual constraints. We conducted a study with 22 participants exploring the creation of personalized plans by strangers and friends to support three kinds of behavior change: diet, physical activity, and financial. In semi-structured interviews and analyses of the generated plans, we found that friends and strangers can help create behavior change plans that are actionable and help improve behavior. Participants perceived plans more positively when they were personalized to their goals, routines and preferences, or when they could foresee executing the plans with friends - often the friend who created the plan. Participants felt more comfortable sharing information with strangers and they received more diverse recommendations from strangers than friends.
International Actors as Critics of Domestic Freedoms

When outside actors criticize domestic rights and freedoms, do voters update their beliefs on rights and freedoms in predictable ways? We help address this important issue by arguing that messages coming from outsiders who condition resources on democracy, and who have expertise in democracy promotion, are more likely to change minds. We also argue that partisanship is a mediating variable when it comes to the impact of outside messages: partisan elites amplify or lessen the impact of outside messages. We offer evidence from a series of survey-experiments we deployed in Turkey. The theory and evidence identify a significant potential for the international community to impact voters in liberalizing countries directly, on the issue of domestic rights and freedoms.
Disconnect of Intent: The Disparity Between Teacher Intention and Student Interpretation Concerning Page Requirements in College Writing

This article is a report of the results of a study conducted on the reasons and reactions to page requirements in college writing. Using grounded theory as a basis for the research, college professors were interviewed and college students were surveyed to ascertain the pedagogical motivations of the professors and the students’ interpretations of page requirements. This study creates a new conversation in the academic community which lacks sufficient exploration of this particular concern. The results show that educators have good reasons for creating the requirements that they do, but they recognize that those reasons are often not elucidated to their students. Students have mixed experiences with page requirements, and the results were contradictory. A majority of students found the requirements arbitrary, yet a majority also understand why teachers utilize them. The primary conclusion drawn from this research is that a conversation between professors and students on this issue needs to occur frequently to maximize student learning and assignment potency.
Spaceflight Activates Lipotoxic Pathways in Mouse Liver

Spaceflight affects numerous organ systems in the body, leading to metabolic dysfunction that may have long-term consequences. Microgravity-induced alterations in liver metabolism, particularly with respect to lipids, remain largely unexplored. Here we utilize a novel systems biology approach, combining metabolomics and transcriptomics with advanced Raman microscopy, to investigate altered hepatic lipid metabolism in mice following short duration spaceflight. Mice flown aboard Space Transportation System -135, the last Shuttle mission, lose weight but redistribute lipids, particularly to the liver. Intriguingly, spaceflight mice lose retinol from lipid droplets. Both mRNA and metabolite changes suggest the retinol loss is linked to activation of PPARα-mediated pathways and potentially to hepatic stellate cell activation, both of which may be coincident with increased bile acids and early signs of liver injury. Although the 13-day flight duration is too short for frank fibrosis to develop, the retinol loss plus changes in markers of extracellular matrix remodeling raise the concern that longer duration exposure to the space environment may result in progressive liver damage, increasing the risk for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Enrich Differentially Expressed cDNA from Alcoholic Rat Liver Library by Subtractive Hybridization

The effect of ethanol on hepatic gene expression has not been thoroughly investigated. To better understand the altered hepatic gene expression in alcoholic liver disease, we constructed a cDNA library from the liver of a rat which had been fed ethanol for 16 weeks using the intragastric ethanol feeding model (Tsukamoto-French Model). Liver histology demonstrated focal necrosis with periportal and pervenular fibrosis. A subtraction library was obtained by subtracting excess biotinylated normal rat liver mRNA from the alcoholic rat liver cDNA library. Approximately 90 colonies were obtained. Several colonies were selected for further study. One clone was sequenced in both directions using the dideoxynucleotide method. Comparison of this 800 base sequence with sequences in gene bank did not reveal a significent match. On northern analysis, this cDNA hybridized with a 1. 8 kd mRNA which was expressed at several fold higher levels in alcoholic rat liver compared with normal and with control-fed rat liver. In conclusion, we have isolated a cDNA clone which codes for a differentially expressed mRNA in alcoholic rat liver. This sequence has not been previously reported to gene bank.
Effects of cefotetan disodium, cefoxitin, cefazolin, and cefotaxime in vitro on polymorphonuclear leukocytes from patients with leukopenia and severe pelvic inflammatory disease

The effects of cefotetan, cefoxitin, cefazolin, and cefotaxime on polymorphonuclear leukocyte chemotaxis and chemiluminescence were determined in 10 patients with pelvic inflammatory disease and 10 oncologically treated patients. It was found that cefotetan enhanced both chemotaxis and chemiluminescence, with the favorable effects more pronounced in the oncologically treated patients with leukopenia. Cefotaxime depressed polymorphonuclear leukocyte functions. Cefoxitin and cefazolin had no significant effects. It would be logical, when treating empirically, to choose a regimen that enhances and not depresses host defenses in all patients but more expressly in leukopenic and other immunologically compromised patients.
Is a submissive posture adaptive when being evaluated negatively? Effects on cortisol reactivity.

Objectives Subordinate status and submissiveness are stressful and are often associated with ill-health. However, when there is a physical or social threat posed by more powerful others, showing submissiveness may be a good strategy to avoid or terminate conflict. One way to show submissiveness is to assume a subordinate body posture, which may also help regulate one's own stress responses by making one feel safer, and by diverting attention away from one's negative emotions and positive expectations. Methods 85 male participants were randomly assigned to assume either a dominant posture (expansive, taking up more space with open limbs) or a subordinate posture (constrictive, taking up less space with closed limbs) while delivering a speech and performing difficult arithmetic tasks in front of two critical evaluators. Cortisol levels were assessed from saliva samples obtained before and after these stressful tasks. Results Dominant posture resulted in a larger cortisol response compared to the subordinate posture. Participants in the subordinate posture did not show the normative increase in cortisol observed in other studies using this standardized social-evaluative stress protocol. Conclusion The finding that a subordinate posture decreases acute stress responses during negative social evaluation suggests that submissive strategies may be appropriate and adaptive in uncontrollable situations involving negative social evaluation. Submissiveness may diminish endocrine stress responses, which are hypothesized to have adverse effects on health in the long term. These findings have implications for developing strategies to help individuals deal with stressful social-evaluative situations while protecting their physical and mental health.
Importance of Midstream in Oil and Gas Resource Development

The midstream activities are necessary to bring oil and natural gas from producing fields to consumers but are typically low-margin businesses. Oil consumption is almost universal; midstream infrastructure may be taken for granted. But, pipeline examples are provided to demonstrate the necessity of midstream to monetize oil resources. The challenge is more acute for gas. Gas consumption is not as pervasive as oil consumption because it requires expansive networks of pipelines, storage, and customer connections. If there is no heating demand, power generation and industrial use are the only options to burn gas but they are dependent on existing electricity and industrial infrastructure and demand. Gas exports have to be via pipelines or in liquefied form, which can be expensive. As a result of these challenges, gas resources have remained stranded in many cases. Examples of gas export projects and future trends are discussed to underline the need to consider midstream investments when evaluating resource potential.
Many Neurology Readmissions Are Nonpreventable.

Introduction:Reducing unplanned hospital readmissions has become a national focus due to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) penalties for hospitals with high rates. A first step in reducing unplanned readmission is to understand which patients are at high risk for readmission, which readmissions are planned, and how well planned readmissions are currently captured in comparison to patient-level chart review.Methods:We examined all 5455 inpatient neurology admissions over a 2-year period to University of California San Francisco Medical Center and Johns Hopkins Hospital via chart review. We collected information such as patient age, procedure codes, diagnosis codes, all-payer diagnosis-related group, observed length of stay (oLOS), and expected length of stay. We performed multivariate logistic modeling to determine predictors of readmission. Discharge summaries were reviewed for evidence that a subsequent readmission was planned.Results:A total of 353 (6.5%) discharges were readmitted w...
An Intervention Featuring Public Posting and Graphical Feedback to Enhance the Performance of Competitive Dancers

This study evaluated an intervention package that used public posting and feedback to enhance dance movements for adolescent dancers on a competition team. Four dancers each performing two or three dance movements (a turn, kick, and/or leap) had their scores posted on a bulletin board at their studio. Dance movements were scored as a percentage correct by using a 14- to 16-step task analysis checklist. Intervention was evaluated in a multiple baseline across behavior design. The students received graphical feedback on their performance from the previous weeks and saw the scoring sheet that reviewed the incorrect and correct aspects of their performance. This study found that this treatment package including public posting and feedback enhanced each of the dance movements for all participants.
Correlating the depth of invasion at specific anatomic locations with the risk for regional metastatic disease to lymph nodes in the neck for oral squamous cell carcinoma

Background The purpose of this study was to investigate the critical primary tumor depth of invasion in oral squamous cell carcinoma that would lead to a 20% or greater risk of nodal metastasis. Methods An institutional review board approved retrospective review of our head and neck database was performed from 2009 to 2014 and the data were statistically analyzed. Results Two hundred eighty-six patients with a diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma who met our inclusion criteria underwent primary excision and neck dissection. For a depth of invasion of 1 mm or less, there were no patients with a positive node. From 1.1 mm to 2 mm of depth of invasion, there was 1 of 11 patients (9%) who had at least 1 positive node. At 2.1 mm to 3 mm, 5 of 25 patients (20%) had at least 1 positive node. Conclusion Depth of invasion and the location of the tumor are 2 important variables to consider when making treatment recommendations to patients with clinical N0 disease. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 974–979, 2017
Incidence, Impact, and Risk Factors for 30-Day Wound Complications Following Elective Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery

Study Design:Case-control study.Objective:To determine the incidence, impact, and risk factors for wound complications within 30 days following elective adult spinal deformity surgery.Methods:Curre...
Colonial and State Immigration Policy and Immigration Federalism, 1700s-1892

In 2010, the Department of Justice asserted in U.S. District Court and before the U.S. Courts of Appeals that the federal government has exclusive control to regulate immigration and therefore Arizona’s controversial SB 1070 immigration control law was unconstitutional because it had been “preempted” by federal authority. That assertion of the division of labor between the national and sub-national government units on immigration policy needs to be empirically and doctrinally evaluated. In fact, for a century and a half before the federal government actively became involved in immigration policy, colonies and then states actively regulated that policy area. This paper explores the political and doctrinal reasons for the delayed federal intervention in this policy area. It argues that in the nineteenth century, the federal government simply lacked the administrative capacity to regulate immigration and that only competition among the states that impeded commercial interests and entreaties from the states themselves for federal financial assistance in the late 1880s paved the way for federal entry into immigration regulation. Moreover, our historical amnesia of this century and a half of sub-national immigration regulation distorts contemporary debates by making it appear as if federal power over immigration always was and that state and local regulation are anomalies.
Response of Swine to Periparturient Vitamin C Supplementation

Two experiments were conducted, involving 68 third-litter sows and 20 first-litter gilts in Exp. 1 and 82 first-litter gilts in Exp. 2. On d 108 of gestation, the dams were moved into individual crates, stratified by parity and breed, and randomly assigned within strata, to one of two treatments: (1) fed a basal 16% protein corn-soybean meal diet, 1.8 and 2.7 kg once daily before farrowing and for the first 7 d of lactation, respectively, and then ad libitum until pigs were weaned at 28 d of age, and (2) fed the basal diet plus 1 g of L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C)/dam daily from d 108 of gestation through d 7 of lactation and on the same feeding schedule as for treatment 1. In Exp. 1, no effect of vitamin C supplementation was observed in sows or gilts on total pigs born/litter, number of live pigs/litter or average live pig weight at birth, 7 or 28 d of age, or on plasma vitamin C concentration of dams at d 108 of gestation or d 7 of lactation or of pigs at birth, 7 or 28 d of age. However, there was a lower (P less than .01) plasma vitamin C concentration of the dams at d 7 of lactation than at d 108 of gestation. Plasma vitamin C concentration also declined (P less than .01) as pigs aged. In Exp. 2, with all gilts, vitamin C supplementation again showed no effect on any of the reproductive traits measured in Exp. 1. It is concluded that daily supplementation of 1 g of vitamin C to either sows or gilts from d 108 of gestation through d 7 of lactation has no beneficial effect on the reproductive or lactation performance of swine.
Effects of Nod Factors on Alfalfa Root Hair Ca ++ and H + Currents and on Cytoskeletal Behavior

In order to understand more about the early responses of alfalfa root hairs to nodulation factors, we used the nonintrusive ion-specific vibrating microelectrode [1,2] to determine the time course of calcium and proton currents around mature and growing root hairs before and after nod factor stimulation. Fluorescence video microscopy was used to study the actin cytoskeleton in normally growing root hairs as well as changes in the actin staining patterns after application of Nod factors over a period of 12 hours. In growing root hairs, the calcium gradient indicates a net influx of calcium ions, while the direction of the proton gradient indicates a net efflux of protons from the root hair tip. No significant gradient was observed in non-growing root hairs. Root hairs perfused with NodRm-IV (S) had a consistent and dramatic rise in proton efflux within five to seven minutes. The response of the Ca++ flux to Nod factors was more complicated with an oscillating pattern of Ca++ influx and efflux recorded at the root tip. The network of actin present in normally growing root hairs is described. After Nod factor exposure, the dynamic changes of the actin filament network over time were found to involve breakdown and rearrangements. The early ionic changes in response to nodulation factors are temporally related to the early membrane depolarization reported by Ehrhardtet al.[3] and the observed changes in the actin cytoskeleton as well as other previously observed rearrangements [4] of the cytoplasmic structure.
Pseudo-Groups, Moving Frames, and Differential Invariants

We survey recent developments in the method of moving frames for infinite-dimensional Lie pseudo-groups. These include a new, direct approach to the construction of invariant Maurer-Cartan forms and the Cartan structure equations for pseudo-groups, and new algorithms, based on constructive commutative algebra, for establishing the structure of their differential invariant algebras.
Same-Day Discharge for Nonperforated Appendicitis in Children: An Updated Institutional Protocol.

Abstract Background The evolving demands of our current health care system for enhanced efficiency and safety while decreasing hospital length of stay has led to our institutional protocol for same-day discharge (SDD) after laparoscopic appendectomy. We have previously demonstrated a 28% rate of SDD in children with nonperforated appendicitis. The purpose of our study is to assess the effectiveness of a mature protocol for SDD by evaluating discharge success, duration of hospital stay, and readmission rates. Materials and methods A retrospective review of prospectively collected data was conducted. All children undergoing a laparoscopic appendectomy for nonperforated appendicitis at Children's Mercy Hospital between December 2015 and July 2017 were included. Patients were classified according to whether they were discharged home the same day as their operation or had an overnight stay. Demographic data, time of day the procedure was completed, postoperative length of stay, and readmission rates were abstracted from patient medical records. Comparative analysis was performed in STATA using chi-squared or Fisher exact tests for categorical variables and t-test or Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous variables. Results A total of 569 children were included, with 87% (n = 495) discharged home the same day as their appendectomy. Of the patients discharged home the same day of surgery, their median length of postoperative stay was 4 h (IQR: 3, 5) compared with 19 h for the patients who stayed overnight (IQR: 15, 25, P Conclusions After laparoscopic appendectomy in children with nonperforated appendicitis, SDD not only reduces postoperative length of stay but also is not associated with higher hospital readmission rates.
Operative Management of Degenerative Spondylolisthesis: A Critical Analysis Review

Decompressive surgical procedures for degenerative spondylolisthesis are supported by Level-II evidence demonstrating a sustained benefit compared with nonoperative care.Decompression and arthrodesis have a proven role for select cases of degenerative spondylolisthesis, but recent Level-I evidence c
Model bots, not humans on social media

The Posting schedule reveals characteristic patterns of users on social media. Motivated by this knowledge, several researchers have modeled posting schedules and argued that deviation from the model indicates bot or spammer characteristics. It is true that circadian rhythms induce regularity in human posting behavior; however, in this paper, we show that this regularity is an individual trait and insufficient to develop a generic model. More surprisingly, we show that bots are more structured in their posting behaviors compared to humans by using a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). More precisely, we demonstrate using Class Activation Maps that bots contain less entropy than humans. Thus, we conclude that bots are more amenable to generic models than humans. We evaluate the hypothesis on more than 32 million posts from 12 thousand Twitter users with 97% accuracy.
Conjugative Transposons and Their Cargo Genes Vary across Natural Populations of Rickettsia buchneri Infecting the Tick Ixodes scapularis

Rickettsia buchneri (formerly Rickettsia endosymbiont of Ixodes scapularis, or REIS) is an obligate intracellular endoparasite of the black-legged tick, the primary vector of Lyme disease in North America. It is noteworthy among the rickettsiae for its relatively large genome (1.8 Mb) and extraordinary proliferation of mobile genetic elements (MGEs), which comprise nearly 35% of its genome. Previous analysis of the R. buchneri genome identified several integrative conjugative elements named Rickettsiales amplified genomic elements (RAGEs); the composition of these RAGEs suggests that continued genomic invasions by MGEs facilitated the proliferation of rickettsial genes related to an intracellular lifestyle. In this study, we compare the genomic diversity at RAGE loci among sequenced rickettsiae that infect three related Ixodes spp., including two strains of R. buchneri and Rickettsia endosymbiont of Ixodes pacificus strain Humboldt, as well as a closely related species R. tamurae infecting Amblyomma testudinarium ticks. We further develop a novel multiplex droplet digital PCR assay and use it to quantify copy number ratios of chromosomal R. buchneri RAGE-A and RAGE-B to the single-copy gene gltA within natural populations of I. scapularis. Our results reveal substantial diversity among R. buchneri at these loci, both within individual ticks as well as in the I. scapularis population at large, demonstrating that genomic rearrangement of MGEs is an active process in these intracellular bacteria.
Forensic Analysis and Differentiation of Black Powder and Black Powder Substitute Chemical Signatures by Infrared Thermal Desorption–DART-MS

The trace detection and forensic analysis of black powders and black powder substitutes, directly from wipe-based sample collections, was demonstrated using infrared thermal desorption (IRTD) coupled with direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS). Discrete 15 s heating ramps were generated, creating a thermal desorption profile that desorbed more volatile species (e.g., organic and semivolatile inorganic compounds) at lower temperatures (250–400 °C) and nonvolatile inorganic oxidizers at high temperatures (450–550 °C). Common inorganic components of black powders (e.g., sulfur and potassium nitrate) as well as the alternative and additional organic and inorganic components of common black powder substitutes (e.g., dicyandiamide, ascorbic acid, sodium benzoate, guanidine nitrate, and potassium perchlorate) were detected from polytetrafluoroethylene-coated fiberglass collection wipes with no additional sample preparation. IRTD–DART-MS enabled the direct detection of intact inorganic salt spec...
Smoking and Clinical Outcomes of Assisted Reproductive Technologies

Abstract Background: Smoking near conception has adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes. We estimated the proportion of assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles with smoking reported and associ...
Chapter 6 – Vitamin A

Vitamin A is the generic descriptor for compounds with the qualitative biological activity of retinol. It is a nutrient of global importance, as over 250 million people are estimated to have deficient levels, and/or related eye disease. Dietary sources of vitamin A include retinoids, which are stored in animal tissues, and provitamin A carotenoids, which are found in green, orange, and yellow plant tissues. Vitamin A is fat-soluble and is absorbed through a process involving hydrolysis of retinyl esters and micellar solubilization. A primary function of vitamin A is in vision; 11-cis-retinal serves as the photosensitive chromophore of the visual pigments of the photoreceptor cells of the retina. Vitamin A supports systemic functions such as immunity, growth, and skin health, and it also functions in the regulation of gene transcription. Vitamin A deficiency is associated with malnutrition, and signs include night blindness, loss of appetite, and scaly skin.
Survival among breast cancer patients with a history of previous cancer.

e14080Background: A growing number of women newly diagnosed with breast cancer have survived a previous cancer. Although little is known about their prognosis, this population is frequently exclude...
Development and Implementation of a Handheld Pupillometer for Detection of Optic Neuropathies.

Purpose: Quantitative pupillometry has utility in research settings for measuring optic nerve and autonomic function. We configured a portable device to perform quantitative pupillometry with appli...
Evaluating human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 roles in the efficacy of Tamoxifen treatment in breast cancer, a systematic review.

Hormone therapy with Tamoxifen is an effective treatment that can decrease recurrence rate and mortality. Numerous molecular mechanisms can modify the response to Tamoxifen. The objective of this study was to determine Tamoxifen efficacy on patients’ recurrence and mortality rates, according to the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status. In this meta-analysis of published studies, relapse and death rates were measured in both HER2 negative and positive patients treated with Tamoxifen. Besides, the relative risk of treatment with Tamoxifen compared to no Tamoxifen treatment was evaluated in both HER2 positive and negative patients. There was an increased risk of recurrence in HER2 positive patients who received Tamoxifen compared with HER2 negative ones (RR = 1.63, p value < 0.001). Tamoxifen treatment is associated with decreased relapse rate (RR = 0.70, p value < 0.001); however, it did not effect on HER2 positive ones (RR = 1, p value = 0.99). According to the analysis result, the relapse rate in breast cancer patients who were treated with Tamoxifen depends on the HER2 situation. Despite the limited sample size, it is revealed that Tamoxifen can decrease the relapse rate only in HER2 negative patients.
Distinct Inflammatory Biomarker Patterns in COVID-19 Associated Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) Suggest Overlap between Kawasaki Disease and Macrophage Activation Syndrome

Background: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a potentially life-threatening hyperinflammatory syndrome that occurs after primary SARS-CoV-2 infection. The pathogenesis of MIS-C remains undefined, and whether specific inflammatory biomarker patterns can distinguish MIS-C from other hyperinflammatory syndromes including Kawasaki disease (KD) and macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is unknown. Methods: We studied a prospective cohort of nineteen MIS-C and nine KD patients and an established cohort of eleven new onset SJIA and nine MAS associated SJIA patients. Clinical and laboratory features as well as S100A8/A9, S100A12, IL-18, CXCL9 and IL-6 levels were compared between disease groups. Findings: KD and MIS-C patients have similar S100 proteins and IL-18 profiles but are distinguished by significantly higher levels of the IFN-γ-induced chemokine CXCL9 in MIS-C. Stratifying MIS-C patients by CXCL9 levels revealed differential severity of clinical and laboratory presentation. MIS-C with high CXCL9 levels was associated with acute kidney injury, altered mental status, a higher frequency of shock (40 vs 90%), myocardial dysfunction (20 vs 50%), and more severe systemic inflammatory markers, cytopenia, and coagulopathy. The low CXCL9 MIS-C group in contrast resembled KD patients including the frequency of coronary involvement. We also found that elevated S100A8/A9, S100A12 and IL-18 were useful in distinguishing SJIA from KD with high sensitivity and specificity. Interpretation: Our findings show MIS-C is distinguished from KD primarily by elevated CXCL9. The stratification of CXCL9 levels of MIS-C patients provides support for MAS pathophysiology in patients with severe MIS-C, suggesting new approaches for diagnosis and management. Funding: This work was supported by an Academic Research Clinical (ARC) award to AG and GS from the Cincinnati Children’s Research Foundation. GS was supported by NIAMS/NIH K08-AR072075, AG by P30-AR070549, and JRS and GC by T32-AR069512. EV was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation, DFG/448863690). Declaration of Interests: AG has served as a consultant and received research support from Novartis, Sobi, NovImmune and AB2Bio. GS consulting fees from Novartis and SOBI. All other authors report no disclosures. Ethics Approval Statement: The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (CCHMC IRB2018-2408).
Automated Non-Coplanar VMAT for Dose Escalation in Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer Patients

This study evaluates the potential for tumor dose escalation in recurrent head and neck cancer (rHNC) patients with automated non-coplanar volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) planning (HyperArc). Twenty rHNC patients are planned with conventional VMAT SBRT to 40 Gy while minimizing organ-at-risk (OAR) doses. They are then re-planned with the HyperArc technique to match these minimal OAR doses while escalating the target dose as high as possible. Then, we compare the dosimetry, tumor control probability (TCP), and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) for the two plan types. Our results show that the HyperArc technique significantly increases the mean planning target volume (PTV) and gross tumor volume (GTV) doses by 10.8 ± 4.4 Gy (25%) and 11.5 ± 5.1 Gy (26%) on average, respectively. There are no clinically significant differences in OAR doses, with maximum dose differences of <2 Gy on average. The average TCP is 23% (± 21%) higher for HyperArc than conventional plans, with no significant differences in NTCP for the brainstem, cord, mandible, or larynx. HyperArc can achieve significant tumor dose escalation while maintaining minimal OAR doses in the head and neck-potentially enabling improved local control for rHNC SBRT patients without increased risk of treatment-related toxicities.
Competition, Reputation, and Venture Capital Investment

This paper examines the impact of competition on the investment behavior and outcomes of venture capital (VC) firms with differing reputations. Following the introduction of investor tax credit programs that increase competition, reputable VCs decrease the number and size of their investments. The results are more pronounced in states with lower investment requirements and lower VC supply. Reputable VCs also reduce their syndicate size and shrink the time between financing rounds. They become less likely to partner with serial founders and their performance deteriorates. Our results suggest that increasing competition depresses returns for reputable VCs, hurting their incentive to invest.
Double Helix of Phyllotaxis

Boris Rozin. 2020. Double Helix of Phyllotaxis: Analysis of the Geometric Model of Plant Morphogenesis. (ISBN-13: 978-1-62734-748-8, pbk). Brown Walker Press/Universal Publishers, Inc., 200 Spectrum Center Drive #300, Irvine, California 92618-5004, U.S.A. (Orders: www.BrownWalkerPress.com). $39.95 US, 186 pp., color figures throughout, appendices, references, index, 6" × 9".
Demonstration of Spatial Multiplexing by Digital Beamforming in 5G Fiber-Wireless Integrated Network

Multiple data streams sharing the same time-frequency resource block through digital beamforming technique are received at different angles of arrival by a 1-by-4 antenna array and decoded simultaneously in 5G fiber-wireless integrated access network.
The human microbiome in transplantation: the past, present, and future.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Over the past 20 years, DNA sequencing technology has transformed human microbiome research from identity characterizations to metagenomics approaches that reveal how microbials correlate with human health and disease. New studies are showing unprecedented opportunity for deep characterization of the human microbial ecosystem, with benefits to the field of organ transplantation. RECENT FINDINGS In the present review, we focus on past milestones of human-associated microbiota research, paying homage to microbiota pioneers. We highlight the role of sequencing efforts to provide insights beyond taxonomic identification. Recent advances in microbiome technology is now integrating high-throughput datasets, giving rise to multi'omics - a comprehensive assessment modeling dynamic biologic networks. Studies that show benefits and mechanisms in peritransplant antibiotic (Abx)-conditioned recipients are reviewed. We describe how next-generation microbial sequencing has the potential to combine with new technologies like phage therapy (PT) to translate into life-saving therapeutics. SUMMARY The study of the microbiome is advancing the field of transplantation by enhancing our knowledge of precision medicine. Sequencing technology has allowed the use of the microbiome as a biomarker to risk stratify patients. Further research is needed to better understand how microbiomes shape transplantation outcomes while informing immune cell - tissue crosstalk platforms.
DESIGN ANALYSIS FOR HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES - TODAY AND TOMORROW

This paper examines the use of design analysis in the development of heavy duty vehicles. Some unique characteristics of heavy duty vehicle design are discussed. Today's use of design analysis technology, analysis loads and criteria, and analysis project management philosophies are discussed, as well as possible future developments in each of the three areas.
Graduate credit for prematriculation experiences

Although undergraduates often earn academic credit for prior learning acquired through experience, graduate students are rarely afforded that opportunity. Central Michigan University and The University of Northern Colorado are examples of the very few institutions that do accept prior experiential learning toward graduate degrees. The Council of Graduate Schools in the United States adamantly opposes graduate credit for prematriculation experiences; however, the American Council on Education favors the assessment of extrainstitutional learning which has occurred prior to a student's enrollment. Further, the Council for the Advancement of Experiential Learning recently formed a task force to promote experiential learning in the graduate sector. The future for the assessment of experiential learning for graduate credit is indeed favorable.
YidC/Alb3/Oxa1 Family of Insertases

The YidC/Alb3/Oxa1 family functions in the insertion and folding of proteins in the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane, the chloroplast thylakoid membrane, and the mitochondrial inner membrane. All members share a conserved region composed of five transmembrane regions. These proteins mediate membrane insertion of an assorted group of proteins, ranging from respiratory subunits in the mitochondria and light-harvesting chlorophyll-binding proteins in chloroplasts to ATP synthase subunits in bacteria. This review discusses the YidC/Alb3/Oxa1 protein family as well as their function in membrane insertion and two new structures of the bacterial YidC, which suggest a mechanism for membrane insertion by this family of insertases.
Exploring Congruence between Habermasian Philosophy, Mixed-Method Research, and Managing Data Using NVivo

Remaining faithful to the conceptual underpinnings of philosophy, methodological approach, and language can present researchers with dilemmas when a researcher exercises the freedom to choose mixed-method approaches to make meaning from inquiry. In this article, the author explores one approach to maintaining consistency while deriving outcomes that are trustworthy and have authenticity. She demonstrates how a researcher can remain grounded in the world of the research subject and thereby maintain authenticity and transferability. The discussion of computer-aided data management by programs such as NVivo illustrates how these tools can be usefully employed in constructivist methods to assist the researcher with the extensive bulk of qualitative research data.
Data Practices and Curation Vocabulary (DPCVocab): An empirically derived framework of scientific data practices and curatorial processes

Conceptual frameworks and taxonomies are an important part of the emerging base of knowledge on the curation of research data. We present the Data Practices and Curation Vocabulary (DPCVocab), a functional vocabulary created for specifying relationships among data practices in research, types of data produced and used, and curation roles and activities. The vocabulary consists of 3 categories—Research Data Practices, Data, and Curation—with 187 terms validated through empirical studies of scientific data practices in the Earth and life sciences. The present article covers the DPCVocab development process and examines applications for mapping relationships across the 3 categories, identifying factors for projecting curation costs and important differences in curation requirements across disciplines. As a tool for curators, the vocabulary provides a framework for charting curation options and guiding systematic administration of curation services. It can serve as a shared terminology or lingua franca to support interactions and collaboration among curators, data producers, system developers, and other stakeholders in data infrastructure and services. The DPCVocab as a whole supports both the technical and the human aspects of professional curation work essential to the modern research system.