cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
592 Utility of Routine C4d Staining in the First Year after Pediatric Heart Transplantation

Purpose: C4d assessment of endomyocardial biopsy specimens (EMB) after heart transplantation (HTx) has been widely adopted to aid in the diagnosis of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR), yet it remains unclear whether to assess all pts routinely and at what frequency/duration. We sought to test the hypothesis that routine C4d staining is indicated in the first year after pediatric HTx. Methods and Materials: We reviewed clinical and anti-HLA antibody data and serial EMB on all 51 pts who received HTx at our center since we instituted routine C4d staining (polyclonal Ab on paraffin sections) of all first-year EMB. EMB data were blindly reviewed for ACR grade, histological features of AMR, and characterization of C4d staining. C4d was considered positive (C4d ) if diffuse capillary staining ( 2 ) was present. Rare/focal capillary staining or absence of staining was considered negative. PreTx donor-specific antibody (DSA) was defined as a positive T and/or B cell CDC-XM and/or 1 DSA 4000 MFI by Luminex®. Results: A total of 406 first-year EMB were reviewed in 51 pts [median age at HTx 6.6 yrs (15d–20.4yr)]. Eleven pts (23%) had preTx DSA. A total of 28 EMB (7%) were C4d , with 17/28 (61%) occurring within 30d and 26/28 (93%) occurring within 180d of HTx. All C4d EMB occurred in 7 pts (14%), 5 of whom had preTx DSA. Pts with preTx DSA collectively had 25/28 (89%) of the C4d EMB and individually had between 2 and 9 C4d EMB. All pts with preTx DSA who had C4d EMB were C4d on their first (n 3) or second (n 2) EMB (at 5–16d post HTx). Upon loss of C4d , none recurred. Of the 2 pts without preTx DSA, 1 had 2 C4d EMBs at 110 and 159d post HTx with no AMR, while the other had a 1 C4d EMB at 15d post-HTx with histological features of AMR. Neither had postTx DSA. PreTx DSA showed 71% sensitivity, 86% specificity, 45% PPV, and 95% NPV for having any C4d EMB. Conclusions: The absence of preTx DSA is a strong predictor for lack of C4d after pediatric HTx. These findings suggest that routine, first-year surveillance for C4d in all children after HTx is not warranted. 593
Critical zone evolution: Climate and exhumation in the Colorado Front Range

The architecture of the critical zone—the distribution of mobile regolith, the thickness of weathered rock, and their characteristics, as well as the topography of the land surface—is shaped by erosion and weathering processes that depend upon both lithology and climate. In this trip we explore the Boulder Creek watershed, a landscape that juxtaposes uplifted Precambrian crystalline rocks of Colorado’s Front Range against Mesozoic marine sedimentary rocks underpinning the western edge of the High Plains. The landscape is strongly shaped by Quaternary climate cycles operating on this template inherited from the Laramide orogeny. Stop 1 will provide an overview of the abrupt topographic step at the Front Range–High Plains join, where we will discuss fl uvial strath terraces on the Plains. At Stop 2 in Betasso Preserve, we will discuss the impact of the canyon cutting set off by late Cenozoic exhumation of the High Plains on the hillslopes and groundwater systems lining the master stream. At Stop 3, we will hike 2 miles down Gordon Gulch, a focus site in the Boulder Creek Critical Zone Observatory. At stops on the hike, we will discuss exhumation rates, climate-modulated weathering, hillslope hydrology and hillslope sediment transport, and the infl uence of slope aspect on these processes. Our goal is to focus on the history of climate-driven erosion and weathering processes, and how to incorporate these processes into quantitative models of landscape evolution. Anderson, S.P., Anderson, R.S., Tucker, G.E., and Dethier, D.P., 2013, Critical zone evolution: Climate and exhumation in the Colorado Front Range, in Abbott, L.D., and Hancock, G.S., eds., Classic Concepts and New Directions: Exploring 125 Years of GSA Discoveries in the Rocky Mountain Region: Geological Society of America Field Guide 33, p. 1–18, doi:10.1130/2013.0033(01). For permission to copy, contact editing@geosociety.org. ©2013 The Geological Society of America. All rights reserved. CELEBRATING ADVANCES IN GEOSCIENCE 1888 2013 on June 26, 2014 fieldguides.gsapubs.org Downloaded from
The research and design of white LED driver

This paper aims at developing the efficiency of white LED driver.By using Cadence softeare as a platform;on the basis of further research on the relationship between the power consumption and the size of electric device;and adopting 0.18μm CMOS process,a boost driver which can drive four white LEDs connected in series has been designed.The simulation experiment shows the boost driver has the characteristics of high converting efficiency and strong anti-interference.Besides,the boost converter can meet the expected performance requirements in worse case environment and have a wide application.
Investigation and Pollution Status of Rural Drinking Water Quality in Gucheng County of Hebei Province

[Objective]To understand the status of rural drinking water quality in Gucheng County of Hebei Province.[Methods]According to " Standard Examination Methods of Drinking Water"(GB/T5750-2006),drinking water from townships(towns)and villages of Gucheng County were tested.The test indexes included color,pH,chloride,total hardness,total dissolved solids,sulfate,nitrate nitrogen,fluoride,cyanide,volatile phenol,iron,manganese,copper,zinc.[Results]Of 337 tested water samples,only 10% met all drinking water hygiene standards.The major over standard indexes were total hardness,chloride,total dissolved solids;fluoride level of water from deep well exceeded the standard for over 2 times.[Conclusion]The quality of rural drinking water was poor in this county,the best way to ensure the safety of drinking water is building centralized water supply system.
Inter-network Access to Database Based on Database Security Proxy

With the development of computer network,the security problem of database inter-network access is becoming more and more serious. In order to enhance inter-network access security of database application system,a database security proxy technology is introduced in the paper. The database inter-network access system is implemented by using the remote method invocation (RMI) and Java database connectivity (JDBC) technology. The system proposed supports common databases and has fine generality. It can also support the security filtering based on IP,port,mandatory access control (MAC) address and structured query language (SQL) semanteme. Testing results show that the database security proxy system can satisfy the demand of database inter-network access and enhance the security of inter-network access of database application system.
Untersuchung 1: Eine HMI-Strategie zur Förderung des Situationsbewusstseins und der mentalen Modelle des Fahrers

In diesem Kapitel wird die erste Studie zur Identifikation von Einflussgrosen eines HMI-Konzepts zum teilautomatisierten Fahren in Szenarien, wie beispielsweise die Innenstadt oder Autobahn, und auf die Leistung des Fahrers bei kurzzeitiger Uberwachung im Fahrsimulator naher betrachtet. Ziel ist es, zwischen zwei entwickelten HMI-Konzepten abzuwagen sowie den Einfluss der Teilautomation auf das Situationsbewusstsein im Vergleich zur manuellen Fahrt zu identifizieren. Daruber hinaus sollen die mentale Einordnung einer teilautomatisierten Funktion sowie der Informationsbedarf des Fahrers wahrend seiner Uberwachungsaufgabe eruiert werden.
The Reproduction of Viruses: A Comparative Survey

Publisher Summary This chapter describes virus multiplication as a biological process that belongs on the level of the replication of subcellular elements, that is, on the level of cell growth rather than cell multiplication. Virus multiplication is not a process homologous to cell multiplication. All cells capable of multiplication contain certain essential chemical constituents including proteins and nucleic acids both of the ribose and deoxyribose types and certain essential organelles such as nucleus, mitochondria, microsomes, and cell membranes. Viruses are grouped together taxonomically on methodological rather than biological criteria. The ability to invade living cells from outside and to multiply within them, which is a major criterion used to define viruses, may well be common to a variety of unrelated elements. Four main approaches provide information on virus multiplication: (1) the kinetic approach, which follows the increase in numbers of virus particles by measurements of infectivity or of other specific virus properties, (2) the cytochemical approach, which studies the structural changes in cell organization accompanying virus production and the localization of viral materials within infected cells, (3) the biochemical approach, which analyzes the biosynthesis, origin, fate, and continuity of virus constituents and the alterations in cellular functions correlated with virus multiplication, and (4) the genetic approach, which traces the continuity and variation of the specific determinants of virus properties, their organization within the virus, and the interactions between viral and cellular determinants of specificity.
Agglomeration and location of manufacturing activity: the theoretical framework

The primary purpose of this chapter is to articulate the theoretical framework upon which the empirical analysis, in the next chapter, will be conducted. The view put forth is that indivisibilities in production are the main forces leading to scale economies in the widest sense, and agglomeration of manufacturing activity. Since production function analysis is a technique consistent with this theoretical scheme, a variant of the CES production function is proposed to measure scale economies. A two-fold approach will be employed: (1) time-series analysis will be utilized to estimate agglomeration or scale coefficients directly for each two-digit SIC industry in a given SMSA via production function techniques; (2) these scale coefficients will then be employed as a dependent variable in a cross-sectional industry-by-industry regression model designed to decompose the agglomeration measure into: (a) internal scale economies; (b) localization economies; (c) urbanization economies; and (d) urbanization diseconomies.
Musicians Are Better than Non-musicians in Frequency Change Detection: Behavioral and Electrophysiological Evidence.

Objective: The objectives of this study were: 1) to determine if musicians have a better ability to detect frequency changes under quiet and noisy conditions; 2) to use the acoustic change complex (ACC), a type of electroencephalographic (EEG) response, to understand the neural substrates of musician vs. non-musician difference in frequency change detection abilities. Methods: Twenty-four young normal hearing listeners (12 musicians and 12 non-musicians) participated. All participants underwent psychoacoustic frequency detection tests with 3 types of stimuli: tones (base frequency at 160 Hz) containing frequency changes (Stim 1), tones containing frequency changes masked by low-level noise (Stim 2), and tones containing frequency changes masked by high-level noise (Stim 3). The EEG data were recorded using tones (base frequency at 160 Hz and 1200 Hz, respectively) containing different magnitudes of frequency changes (0%, 5%, and 50% changes, respectively). The late-latency evoked potential evoked by the onset of the tones (onset LAEP or N1-P2 complex) and that evoked by the frequency change contained in the tone (the acoustic change complex or ACC or N1’-P2’ complex) were analyzed. Results: Musicians significantly outperformed non-musicians in all stimulus conditions. The ACC and onset LAEP showed similarities and differences. Increasing the magnitude of frequency change resulted in increased ACC amplitudes. ACC measures were found to be significantly different between musicians (larger P2’ amplitude) and non-musicians for the base frequency of 160 Hz but not 1200 Hz. Although the peak amplitude in the onset LAEP appeared to be larger and latency shorter in musicians than in non-musicians, the difference did not reach statistical significance. The amplitude of the onset LAEP is significantly correlated with that of the ACC for the base frequency of 160 Hz. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that musicians do perform better than non-musicians in detecting frequency changes in quiet and noisy conditions. The ACC and onset LAEP may involve different but overlapping neural mechanisms. Significance: This is the first study using the ACC to examine music-training effects. The ACC measures provide an objective tool for documenting musical training effects on frequency detection.
Using Symbolic-Experiential Family Therapy to Treat Adjustment Disorder: A Case Study

ABSTRACTDespite studies claiming Adjustment Disorders (AD) affect up to 10% of the general population, research is severely lacking for effective treatment recommendations and screening tools. This article presents the treatment of a 30-year old Caucasian male diagnosed with AD - mixed anxiety and depression subtype. After 12 standard 60-minute sessions, treatment using a Symbolic-Experiential Family Therapy (SEFT) approach resulted in the alleviation of depression and anxiety symptoms. This case study provides preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of SEFT using a mixed methods case study. Implications for further study, and the usefulness of SEFT for the treatment of AD, is presented.
Inhibition of UBE2Q2 Sensitizes Cells to Mitotic Arrest and Cytotoxicity Caused by Vincristine.

A microarray study was previously performed to identify G2/M-specific genes and genes with altered expression in response to G2 DNA damage checkpoint activation. We predicted that many of these proteins would be mitotic regulatory proteins which might serve as potential targets in the treatment of malignancies. Included in this set were several proteins involved in ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation including a putative ubiquitin conjugating enzyme known as UBE2Q2. We have demonstrated that this gene is expressed in a cell cycle dependent manner and that the encoded protein can function as an ubiquitin conjugating enzyme (or E2) in vitro . To assess the role of this protein in mitosis and the cellular response to treatment with chemotherapy agents, we inhibited UBE2Q2 function by expressing a dominant-negative version of the protein. With dominant-negative UBE2Q2 (DN-UBE2Q2) expression, no alteration in normal cell cycle kinetics is observed in unperturbed cells. However, DN-UBE2Q2 expression causes a dramatic change in the cellular response to vincristine and other microtubule inhibiting agents (MIAs). While control cells transiently arrest in mitosis after low dose vincristine treatment, DN-UBE2Q2-expressing cells have an impaired ability to escape this arrest which leads to a dramatic potentiation of the mitotic arrest. Cells expressing DN-UBE2Q2 are also much more sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of both vincristine and paclitaxel, MIAs with distinct mechanisms of action. Although DN-UBE2Q2 causes sensitization to all MIAs tested, it does not confer increased sensitivity to etoposide or doxorubicin, two DNA damaging agents, indicating that the effect is specific for microtubule disruption. The increased sensitivity to MIAs conferred by DN-UBE2Q2 expression is a result of caspase-mediated apoptosis and can be blocked using a caspase inhibitor. In order to independently confirm these findings, we also inhibited UBE2Q2 expression using siRNA. As with dominant-negative expression, we found that RNAi directed against UBE2Q2 enhanced the vincristine-induced mitotic arrest. These findings suggest that inhibition of UBE2Q2 might be used to augment the effectiveness of MIAs in the treatment of hematologic and other malignancies.
Potential for Utilizing Coal Combustion Residues in Co-Utilization Products

Approximately 90 millions tons of coal combustion by-products are produced annually in the United States, consisting of 54 million tons of fly ash (solid particles removed from smoke), 15 million tons of bottom ash, 3 million tons of boiler slag, and 20 million tons of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) material. Markets for boiler slag are well developed, but only 33% of bottom ash, 25% of fly ash and 8% of FGD residues are beneficially used.
Discussion and outstanding questions

This monograph presents a mathematical perspective on synthetic aperture imaging of the Earth’s surface from satellites. Its main focus is on the accurate quantitative description of the distortions of SAR images due to the ionosphere and on the development and analysis of the means for mitigating those distortions (Chapter 3). The discussion of transionospheric SAR imaging also includes the case of a turbulent ionosphere (Chapter 4) and the case of a gyrotropic ionosphere (Chapter 5).
Robotic surgery: the promise and finally the progress.

It was 1983, when the first experimental surgical robotic operations were performed by McEwen, Auchinlec, and Day on the Arthrobot at the University of British Columbia.
Cation effects on imidization of the hexamolybdate dianion via direct dehydration using the green combination of dimethoxypropane in dimethylsulfoxide

Abstract The imidization of hexamolybdate clusters with aromatic amines to produce hybrid organic-inorganic molecules is a rapidly expanding area of inorganic chemistry research due to the unique combination of structural and electronic properties. The earliest methods relied on the use of highly toxic isocyanates, while more recent developments have resulted following the discovery that dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) could be used as a dehydrating agent in acetonitrile under relative mild conditions. Unfortunately, DCC remains acutely toxic, and a new alternative system is reported here, with 2,2-dimethoxypropane (DMP) serving as the dehydrating agent in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). To outline the utility of this new approach, a study the kinetic effects of the quaternary ammonium counter-cation size on the rate and extent of imidization is presented. Overall, in the range from the tetraethyl- to the tetraheptyl-ammonium cations, the fastest and highest conversion rates are found with the bis(tetrabutylammonium) hexamolybdate.
When Harry Resigns Unexpectedly: An Asynchronous Discussion Role-Play for the Online Management Classroom:

Management instructors are continually challenged to create learning activities in online courses that duplicate the same opportunities to develop managerial skills afforded to students in traditio...
Ultrasound Vein and Artery Mapping by General Surgery Residents During Initial Consult Can Decrease Time to Dialysis Access Creation.

Background Formal preoperative ultrasound (US) mapping of vascular anatomy by radiology is recommended before hemodialysis access surgery. We hypothesized that US performed by general surgery residents in place of formal US would decrease the time from initial consult to creation of dialysis access without affecting patient outcomes. Methods This is a retrospective review of all patients who underwent dialysis access surgery from November 2014 to July 2016 and received preoperative upper extremity US vein and artery evaluation by either radiology or general surgery residents. The primary endpoints were days from initial consult to dialysis access creation, rate of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation, fistula maturation, and 1-year primary assisted patency. Results Of 242 patients, 167 (69%) had formal US, and 75 (31%) had only a resident US. The resident US group had 100% AVF creation compared with the formal US group with 92.2% AVF creation (P = 0.01). There was no difference between the groups in rate of fistula maturation (P = 0.1) and 1-year assisted patency (P = 0.9). Of the resident US 90.7% occurred in the outpatient setting. On multivariable analysis controlling for outpatient consult, the average time to the operating room was 13.7 days longer for the formal US group in the outpatient setting (P = 0.0006). Conclusions Ultrasound vein and artery evaluation at the time of the initial consult by general surgery residents can decrease the time to dialysis access creation by bypassing the need for formal US with a higher rate of AVF creation and no difference in fistula maturation or 1-year primary assisted patency.
Diabetes and Sepsis: Risk, Recurrence, and Ruination

Sepsis develops when an infection surpasses local tissue containment. A series of dysregulated physiologic responses are generated, leading to organ dysfunction and a 10% mortality risk. When patients with sepsis demonstrate elevated serum lactates and require vasopressor therapy to maintain adequate blood pressure in the absence of hypovolemia, they are in septic shock with an in-hospital mortality rate greater than 40%. With improvements in intensive care treatment strategies, overall sepsis mortality has diminished to approximately 20% at 30 days; however, mortality continues to steadily climb after recovery from the acute event. Traditionally, it was thought that the complex interplay between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses led to sepsis-induced organ dysfunction and mortality. However, a closer examination of those who die long after sepsis subsides reveals that many initial survivors succumb to recurrent, nosocomial, and secondary infections. The co-morbidly challenged, physiologically frail diabetic individuals suffer the highest infection rates. Recent reports suggest that even after clinical “recovery” from sepsis, persistent alterations in innate and adaptive immune responses exists resulting in chronic inflammation, immune suppression, and bacterial persistence. As sepsis-associated immune defects are associated with increased mortality long-term, a potential exists for immune modulatory therapy to improve patient outcomes. We propose that diabetes causes a functional immune deficiency that directly reduces immune cell function. As a result, patients display diminished bactericidal clearance, increased infectious complications, and protracted sepsis mortality. Considering the substantial expansion of the elderly and obese population, global adoption of a Western diet and lifestyle, and multidrug resistant bacterial emergence and persistence, diabetic mortality from sepsis is predicted to rise dramatically over the next two decades. A better understanding of the underlying diabetic-induced immune cell defects that persist following sepsis are crucial to identify potential therapeutic targets to bolster innate and adaptive immune function, prevent infectious complications, and provide more durable diabetic survival.
Whose mammogram is this anyway? Perspectives on technology, breast health and mammography

ABSTRACTThere is an increasing demand to ensure that emerging health technologies are patient-centred. Yet, understanding what constitutes patient-centredness can be a complex task, particularly in relation to screening technologies, where lack of patient-centred design can result in decreased compliance with screening recommendations. This holds true for breast cancer screening, where nearly 80% of women do not comply with screening mammography recommendations. To support patient-centred design of breast screening systems, semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants who could provide diverse perspectives on breast screening, including mammographers, breast cancer survivors, and self-identified mammography avoiders. Interviews explored opinions and attitudes surrounding current screening technology and systems, and ways in which screening might be conducted in the future. Using an inductive, constructivist approach, we identified several themes that should be considered when designing brea...
Southern realignment, party sorting, and the polarization of American primary electorates, 1958–2012

Many scholars have argued that primary elections are an important factor in the polarization of the American Congress. Yet little research measures change in the policy preferences of primary electorates to evaluate the connection directly. We create the first explicit measures of the preferences of primary voters over the last 60 years using a Bayesian item-response theory model. Although the overall distribution of population preferences has changed little, the preferences of primary voters are now much more related to the party of the primary that they attend. We show that liberals are much more likely to turn out in Democratic primaries and conservatives are much more likely to turn out in Republican primaries. We estimate that the divergence of primary from general electorates is six times larger in 2012 than in 1958 owing to this “primary sorting”. This trend began with the emergence of the Southern Republicans. As the Republican party became viable, conservative Southerners switched to Republican primaries leading to a leftward shift in Democratic primary electorates. Nationwide, primary sorting began sometime after it began in the South. We speculate that Southern realignment played a clarifying role that contributed to subsequent sorting of primary electorates nationwide.
Prevalence and risk factors for bloodstream infection present on hospital admission

Background:Bloodstream infection present on hospital admission (BSI-POA) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to measure prevalence and describe the risk facto...
Predicting efficacy of therapeutic services for autism spectrum disorder using scientific workflows

Early intervention in autism, although deemed as essential, has high variance in the outcome attained, partially due to complex interaction between multitude of factors and variables involved, and the lack of systematic study to untangle their influences in the outcome. Therefore, pairing set of interventions with an individual children to cater for their need remains highly challenging. From the perspective of parents, unknown factors emanate from their unfamiliarity with what interventions are out there and why. From the perspective of caregivers, it is critical to understand unique attributes of the individual children develop over time. There is a scarcity of exploration of interactions between attributes specific to a child, family characteristics and therapeutic, medical and educational services. In this research, we aim to bridge the gap. In this study, we identify predictive features pertaining to each individual child and how they interact responding to different interventions and services. We have studied temporal data and model improvement/regression outcomes at different timestamped milestones and overlayed a model to aid parents and caregivers in coming up with pragmatic intervention plan. We propose a scientific workflow to automate the modeling process and rely on DATAVIEW to guarantee computational reproducibility and data fidelity. We use data collected by SFARI dataset for evaluation. To the best of our knowledge, this is first-time amalgamation between the Autism Health informatics community and the Workflow community; and this is the first-time study that combines prediction methods applied on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Phenotype data to provide guidance to parents and caregivers.
Astrocyte remodeling without gliosis precedes optic nerve Axonopathy.

Astroyctes serve myriad functions but are especially critical in white matter tracts, where energy-demanding axons propagate action potentials great distances between neurons. Axonal dependence on astrocytes for even normal function accentuates the critical role astrocytes serve during disease. In glaucoma, the most common optic neuropathy, sensitivity to intraocular pressure (IOP) challenges RGC axons early, including degradation of anterograde transport to the superior colliculus (SC). Astrocyte remodeling presages overt axon degeneration in glaucoma and thus may present a therapeutic opportunity. Here we developed a novel metric to quantify organization of astrocyte processes in the optic nerve relative to axon degeneration in the DBA/2 J hereditary mouse model of glaucoma. In early progression, as axons expand prior to loss, astrocyte processes become more parallel with migration to the nerve’s edge without a change in overall coverage of the nerve. As axons degenerate, astrocyte parallelism diminishes with increased glial coverage and reinvasion of the nerve. In longitudinal sections through aged DBA/2 J nerve, increased astrocyte parallelism reflected elevated levels of the astrocyte gap-junction protein connexin 43 (Cx43). In the distal nerve, increased Cx43 also indicated with a higher level of intact anterograde transport from retina to SC. Our results suggest that progression of axonopathy in the optic nerve involves astrocyte remodeling in two phases. In an early phase, astrocyte processes organize in parallel, likely through gap-junction coupling, while a later phase involves deterioration of organization as glial coverage increases and axons are lost.
Playing in the Mud

Because I may sound critical of Virtual Reality (VR) research, let me start by saying how enthusiastic I am about this new computer-based technology. Computer-based technology in general has the potential to greatly impact the ways in which we educate and train all people. For military organizations, who expend great amounts of money, resources, and time on training and readiness, these capabilities can provide the key to meeting the requirements for increasingly sophisticated and adaptive military personnel systems during a time of decreasing budgets. For one, computer-based technologies are beginning to provide digital library and processing resources that are unimaginable right now to many isolated, understaffed, or severely restricted operational environments.
Equations and Inequalities With BK-Products of Relations

The paper presents an algebraic setting for dealing with fuzzy relational inequalities and equations. The algebraic apparatus that provides constructive means for formulating the relational algorithns is based on pseudoassociative compositions of fuzzy relations called BK-products in the literature. BK-products allow us to develop the theory of generalized morphisms which is an extension and substantial generalization of crisp and fuzzy relational homomorphisms. This extension yields morphisms of two kinds: (1) Generalized Morphisms (or forward compatibility) and (2) Generalized Proteromorphisms (backward compatibility). When both properties (1) and (2) hold, we obtain Generalized Ampimorphisms (both-ways compatibility). Stadard crisp or fuzzy relational homomorphisms are special cases of Generalized Amphimorphisms.
Psychological Autopsy: Consultative Tool for Suicide Determination

Abstract The psychological autopsy has become an essential part of the evaluation of manner of death in difficult forensic cases. Through careful assessment of scene investigation, autopsy findings, the decedent’s psychological background, presence or absence of risk factors for suicide, and other information, mental health professionals can provide significant insight into the decedent’s state of mind at the time of death. In a “contested” case, the medical examiner has determined that the manner of death is suicide and the psychological autopsy determines whether there is enough evidence to overcome this presumption. In an “equivocal” or “undetermined” case, the medical examiner does not have enough information to determine the manner of death. The purpose of the psychological autopsy in this situation is to look for information that either supports or contradicts a mental condition consistent with suicide.
Confounding Case of Hemolysis in a Patient with Acute Leukemia

A 12-year-old boy with refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML)2 was transferred to our hospital for compassionate treatment with gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO; MylotargTM). Before transfer, the patient had received 2 courses of salvage chemotherapy, after which bone marrow biopsy was negative for the disease. A plan for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation during his third cycle was halted because of disease recurrence. On admission, the patient had leukemic infiltrates in his lungs, skin, distal esophagus, and gastric mucosa. He was profoundly immunocompromised, neutropenic, anemic, and thrombocytopenic. Despite persistent fever, daily blood cultures performed at an outside hospital and on admission at our hospital were negative. The patient was treated with a comprehensive panel of antibiotics without a significant change in his persistent fever. A day after admission, the patient began a 15-day cycle of GO therapy. On day 5, the laboratory began receiving visibly hemolyzed specimens with increased hemolysis indices. Consequently, results from multiple biochemical tests were suppressed according to laboratory protocol (Table 1). The laboratory was contacted to help determine whether the hemolysis was in vivo or in vitro. View this table: Table 1 Relevant laboratory testing performed during the patient's hospitalization.a During in vivo hemolysis, hemoglobin is released and irreversibly captured by haptoglobin. The haptoglobin–hemoglobin complex exposes a neoepitope that is recognized by the transmembrane CD163 receptor expressed almost exclusively in cells of monocyte lineage (1). The CD163 receptor binds to the hemoglobin–haptoglobin complex at a high affinity and mediates the internalization and subsequent lysosomal degradation of the complex (2). Similarly, another transmembrane receptor, the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein, also called CD91, provides an efficient backup mechanism after plasma haptoglobin has been depleted by removing free heme released into the circulation (1). Hemopexin binds free heme circulating in the plasma. The CD91 receptor recognizes the heme–hemopexin complex and mediates the endocytosis of …
VAST Challenge 2017: Mystery at the Wildlife Preserve

The VAST Challenge 2017 offered three mini-challenges and a grand challenge dealing with environmental problems potentially caused by human patterns of life and potentially harmful chemically laden effluent plumes being emitted from factory smokestacks. The data provided included traffic patterns, sensor data though a Preserve, information about the Preserve, multispectral imagery and a map to help an ornithology graduate student particularly concerned with the population decrease of the Rose-Crested Blue Pipit determine who and what might be responsible. Mini-Challenge 1 focused on analysis of vehicles passing through the Preserve over time. Mini-Challenge 2 looked at data collected by air sampling monitors surrounding nearby factories, along with meteorological readings, to understand potential impacts they may be having on the Pipit. Mini-Challenge 3 required investigation into several months of multi-spectral imagery over the area to understand the Preserve’s general health. The Grand Challenge asked participants to synthesize across all three mini-challenges to create hypotheses of what is happening and what sensible next steps could be. This year’s challenge received 58 submissions and recorded over 1100 unique downloads from 20 countries prior to the submission deadline.
CRISPR/Cas9 editing of APP C-terminus attenuates β-cleavage and promotes α-cleavage

CRISPR/Cas9 guided gene-editing is a potential therapeutic tool, however application to neurodegenerative disease models has been limited. Moreover, conventional mutation correction by gene-editing would only be relevant for the small fraction of neurodegenerative cases that are inherited. Here we introduce a CRISPR/Cas9-based strategy in cell and animal models to edit endogenous amyloid precursor protein (APP) at the extreme C-terminus and reciprocally manipulate the amyloid pathway, attenuating APP-β-cleavage and Aβ production, while up-regulating neuroprotective APP-α-cleavage. APP N-terminus and compensatory APP-homologues remain intact, with no apparent effects on neurophysiology in vitro. Robust APP-editing is seen in human iPSC-derived neurons and mouse brains with no detectable off-target effects. Our strategy likely works by limiting APP and BACE-1 approximation, and we also delineate mechanistic events that abrogates APP/BACE-1 convergence in this setting. Our work offers conceptual proof for a selective APP silencing strategy.
Association Between Vulvovaginal Discomfort and Activity of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Background & Aims Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) affect 200–400 people per 100,000 in the United States, about half of whom are women. We aimed to define the prevalence of vulvovaginal symptoms and association with IBD activity in a large cohort of women. Methods Women more than 18 years old with IBD (1250) completed an online survey querying the presence and severity of vulvar or vaginal itch, burn, or irritation, vaginal discharge or dryness, and vulvovaginal pain. The survey collected information on demographic features and IBD activity (categorized using the Manitoba index). Women with and without symptoms were compared using bivariate analyses. Logistic regression evaluated associations between IBD severity and vulvovaginal symptoms, adjusted for diagnosis, menopause, smoking, depression, and use of medications to treat IBD. Results A total of 512 (41%) women reported at least 1 moderate–severe vulvovaginal symptom. All vulvovaginal symptoms except vaginal dryness were more common in women with active IBD. In a multivariate model controlled for menopause, smoking, t-score from the PROMIS depression instrument, and use of IBD medications, women with constant or frequent active IBD, based on Manitoba index scores, had increased odds for moderate–severe vulvovaginal symptoms (odds ratio, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.22–2.32) compared to women in remission. Vulvovaginal discomfort frequently or always decreased interest in sex (n=336; 28%) or ability to have sex (n=207; 16%). Conclusions In an online survey of 1250 women, we found that women with more active IBD have increased prevalence of vulvovaginal discomfort, compared to women in remission. These symptoms affect sexual health.
The influence of palatal harvesting technique on the donor site vascular injury: A split-mouth comparative cadaver study

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of two harvesting approaches on the donor site vascular injury. METHODS A split-mouth cadaver study was designed on 21 fresh donor heads. Every hemi-palate was assigned to receive the trap-door harvesting technique (TDT) or the epithelialized free gingival graft harvesting technique (FGGT). A soft tissue graft was harvested from each side for histology analyses. Betadine solution was used to inject the external carotid artery and a collagen sponge was positioned over the harvested area to compare the amount of "leakage." RESULTS The mean leakage observed was 16.56 ± 3.01 µL in the FGGT-harvested sites, and 69.21 ± 7.08 µL for the TDT group, a ratio of 4.18 (P < 0.01). Regression analyses demonstrated a trend for more leakage at thinner palatal sites for the FGGT group (P = 0.09), and a statistically significant correlation for the TDT-harvest sites (P = 0.02). Additionally, a shallow palatal vault height (PVH) was associated with a higher leakage in both harvesting groups (P = 0.02). The histomorphometric analyses revealed that grafts harvested with TDT exhibited a significantly higher mean number of medium (o = 0.1 to 0.5 mm, P = 0.03), and large vessels (o ≥ 0.5 mm, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Within the limitations of the present research, the TDT resulted in a significantly higher leakage than the FGGT, which was also correlated with the histology analyses where a greater number of medium and large vessels were observed in the harvested grafts.
Optimum Design of Battery-Assisted Photo-Voltaic Energy System for a Commercial Application

This paper focuses on the optimum design of a battery-assisted photo-voltaic (PV) system by using real world data from commercial users. Specifically, we identify the size of PV panels, the capacity of battery energy storage system (BESS), and the optimum scheduling of BESS charging/discharging, such that the long-term average cost, including both energy cost and system cost, can be minimized. The optimum designs are performed by considering the overall cost of the PV system, which usually accounts for a big amount of initial investment, and the aging effects of batteries and solar panels. Practical considerations, such as calendar aging and cycling aging of batteries, inflation of utility cost, and interest rates for investments required for system construction, are considered in the study. The problem is formulated as a mixed integer non-linear programming (MINLP) problem over a time horizon on the order of years to capture the aging effects, whereas almost all existing works on PV system designs consider much shorter time horizons on the order of days or months. The MINLP is transformed into mixed integer linear programming (MILP) and solved by the branch-and-bound (B&B) algorithm. Applying the newly developed algorithms on real-world data from a commercial user in San Francisco reveals that the system achieves the break-even point at the 62nd month and a 38.5% reduction in utility bills.
Subelliptic Peter–Weyl and Plancherel theorems on compact, connected, semisimple Lie groups

Abstract We will study the connections between the elliptic and subelliptic versions of the Peter–Weyl and Plancherel theorems, in the case when the sub-Riemannian structure is generated naturally by the choice of a Cartan subalgebra. Along the way we will introduce and study the subelliptic Casimir operator associated to the subelliptic Laplacian.
Surface roughness and finishing techniques in selective laser melted GRCop-84 copper for an additive manufactured lower hybrid current drive launcher

Abstract Recent advances in selective laser melting (SLM) 3D printing technology allows additive manufacture of lower hybrid current drive (LHCD) RF launchers from a new material, Glenn Research Copper 84 (GRCop-84), a Cr2Nb (8 at. % Cr, 4 at. % Nb) precipitation hardened alloy, in configurations unachievable with conventional machining. Rough surfaces in additive manufactured components are a limiting factor in RF structures. Surface roughness increases RF losses and impedes conditioning by trapping gas and contaminants that induce arcing by evolving from the surface at high power. SLM printed GRCop-84 is post-processed with mass finishing to reduce surface roughness. Wet blasting, vibratory finishing, and chemical etching remove adhered powder grains from SLM printed GRCop-84. Profilometry and scanning electron microscopy were used to quantify resulting surface quality. Chemical etching is examined to remove zinc contamination from wire electrical discharge machining slag prior to vacuum use. Etch rates in SLM printed GRCop-84 are anisotropic, and etch times should be limited to prevent pitting corresponding to the laser hatch pattern. Vibratory mass finishing and mechanical polishing produced surfaces suitable for low RF loss. Use of chemo-mechanical finishing is recommended for the interior of SLM printed structures.
Revisiting the Formation of a Native Disulfide Bond: Consequences for Protein Regeneration and Beyond

Oxidative protein folding involves the formation of disulfide bonds and the regeneration of native structure (N) from the fully reduced and unfolded protein (R). Oxidative protein folding studies have provided a wealth of information on underlying physico-chemical reactions by which disulfide-bond-containing proteins acquire their catalytically active form. Initially, we review key events underlying oxidative protein folding using bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A (RNase A), bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI) and hen-egg white lysozyme (HEWL) as model disulfide bond-containing folders and discuss consequential outcomes with regard to their folding trajectories. We re-examine the findings from the same studies to underscore the importance of forming native disulfide bonds and generating a "native-like" structure early on in the oxidative folding pathway. The impact of both these features on the regeneration landscape are highlighted by comparing ideal, albeit hypothetical, regeneration scenarios with those wherein a native-like structure is formed relatively "late" in the R→N trajectory. A special case where the desired characteristics of oxidative folding trajectories can, nevertheless, stall folding is also discussed. The importance of these data from oxidative protein folding studies is projected onto outcomes, including their impact on the regeneration rate, yield, misfolding, misfolded-flux trafficking from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the cytoplasm, and the onset of neurodegenerative disorders.
The relationship between growth in principal leadership and growth in school performance: The teacher perspective

Abstract Using a multilevel multiset time-series model, the present study aimed to examine whether changes in teacher perceived principal leadership practices were associated with the change in school academic performance. Teacher perceived principal leadership practices tapped into various aspects of school process and principal leadership. School academic performance was measured as a school’s average in reading and mathematics at a certain grade level (Grades 5–8) in a certain calendar year (2013–2017). Change in teachers’ perceptions regarding principals’ efforts to improve parent involvement was identified as the single most important teacher perceived principal leadership practice for growth in both school reading and school mathematics performance across grade levels (moderate effect size of .481 in reading and small effect size of .254 in mathematics). Implications were discussed, including the hypothesis of “growth” factors in principal leadership practice.
Psychotherapists' Challenges With Online Therapy During COVID-19: Concerns About Connectedness Predict Therapists' Negative View of Online Therapy and Its Perceived Efficacy Over Time

Therapists' forced transition to provide psychotherapy remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic offers a unique opportunity to examine therapists' views and challenges with online therapy. This study aimed to investigate the main challenges experienced by therapists during the transition from in-person to online therapy at the beginning of the pandemic and 3 months later, and the association between these challenges and therapists' perception of the quality of the relationship with their online patients, and therapists' attitudes and views about online therapy and its efficacy at these two timepoints. As part of a large-scale international longitudinal survey, we collected data from 1,257 therapists at two timepoints: at the start of COVID-19, when many therapists switched from providing in-person therapy to online therapy, as well as 3 months later, when they had had the opportunity to adjust to the online therapy format. At both timepoints, therapists reported on perceived challenges, quality of working alliance and real relationship, attitudes toward online therapy, and their views on online therapy's efficacy compared to in-person therapy. Factor analysis of individual survey items at both timepoints identified four different types of challenges among this therapist sample: Emotional connection (feeling connected with patients, reading emotions, express or feel empathy), Distraction during sessions (therapist or patient), Patients' privacy (private space, confidentiality), and Therapists' boundaries (professional space, boundary setting). Older and more experienced therapists perceived fewer challenges in their online sessions. At baseline, all four types of challenges were associated with lower perceived quality of the therapeutic relationship (working alliance and real relationship), and more negative attitudes toward online therapy and its efficacy. After 3 months, perceived challenges with three domains - Emotional connection, Patients' privacy, and Therapists' boundaries significantly decreased - whereas challenges in the fourth domain - Distraction - increased. In our study, therapists' concerns about being able to connect with patients online appeared to be the most impactful, in that it predicted negative attitudes toward online therapy and its perceived efficacy 3 months later, above and beyond the effect of therapists' age and clinical experience. Clinical and training implications are discussed.