cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ILLINOISCLOUDNLP: Text Analytics Services in the Cloud

Natural Language Processing (NLP) continues to grow in popularity in a range of research and commercial applications. However, installing, maintaining, and running NLP tools can be time consuming, and many commercial and research end users have only intermittent need for large processing capacity. This paper describes ILLINOISCLOUDNLP, an on-demand framework built around NLPCURATOR and Amazon Web Services Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2). This framework provides a simple interface to end users via which they can deploy one or more NLPCURATOR instances on EC2, upload plain text documents, specify a set of Text Analytics tools (NLP annotations) to apply, and process and store or download the processed data. It can also allow end users to use a model trained on their own data: ILLINOISCLOUDNLP takes care of training, hosting, and applying it to new data just as it does with existing models within NLPCURATOR. As a representative use case, we describe our use of ILLINOISCLOUDNLP to process 3.05 million documents used in the 2012 and 2013 Text Analysis Conference Knowledge Base Population tasks at a relatively deep level of processing, in approximately 20 hours, at an approximate cost of US$500; this is about 20 times faster than doing so on a single server and requires no human supervision and no NLP or Machine Learning expertise.
La investigación sobre alcohol y drogas en Costa Rica desde el ámbito de la salud pública

Este articulo realiza un balance de la investigacion sobre alcohol y drogas en el pais a partir del contexto general de la epidemiologia positivista, sus intereses y metodos. Se destaca la participacion del Instituto sobre Alcoholismo y Farmacodependencia en la produccion de conocimientos derivados de este tipo de investigacion. Asimismo, se senala una serie de alcances, limitaciones y perspectivas, enfatizando en la necesidad de brindarle un lugar reconocido a la investigacion cualitativa, como instancia que permita proporcionarle un sentido a los numeros desde la subjetividad humana.
Retrospective analysis of concomitant Cisplatin during radiation in patients aged 55 years or older for treatment of advanced cervical cancer: a gynecologic oncology group study.

Hypothesis: Patients with stages II to IVa cervical cancer aged 55 years or older were compared with patients younger than 55 years who received weekly cisplatin during pelvic radiation for differences in chemoradiation administration, toxicity, and outcome. Methods: Retrospective review included patients enrolled on Gynecologic Oncology Group trial Nos. 120 and 165 (n = 335) who received weekly cisplatin (40 mg/m2) during pelvic irradiation (40.8-50.1 Gy) followed by intracavitary brachytherapy (30-40 Gy). Results: For all 335 patients, 53% completed 6 cycles of chemotherapy during radiation with no observed difference in frequency among patients younger than 55 years or 55 years or older (P = 0.616). Excess hematological but not genitourinary toxicity was seen in patients 55 years or older. At 5 years, 56% of patients younger than 55 years were predicted to be alive and disease-free compared with 55% of those aged 55 years or older (P = 0.629). A 5-year survival was 60% in patients younger than 55 years as compared with 56% in patients aged 55 years or older (P = 0.265). Conclusions: Patients aged 55 years or older with locally advanced cervical cancer undergoing concurrent weekly cisplatin with pelvic radiation on cooperative group clinical trials achieve similar progression-free and overall survivals as younger patients. Disparity was not observed in the seriousness or frequency of treatment-related sequelae.
Complement Deviation in Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

The experiments here described have been made at various times in this laboratory, the original object being to provide a basis for an early diagnostic test for Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The first experiments were carried out by Liborio Gomez at the suggestion of Dr. Ricketts and we shall give a brief outline of his unpublished results. Gomez used an ox-rabbit system, using the serum from infected guinea-pigs as antigen (drawn during second to fourth day of fever) and immune serum from guinea-pigs and rabbits as antibody. He first determined that the serum containing the antigen and the serum containing the antibody possessed no hemolytic amboceptors for ox corpuscles. His experiments then followed the method of Bordet-Gengou. A positive deviation was obtained in the case of one guinea-pig which had recovered from the disease and which had received an immunity test some ten weeks before being killed. In a recovered rabbit he also obtained a positive though weak fixation of the complement. In two guineapigs killed four or five months after recovery from a single attack of spotted fever Gomez found a retardation of hemolysis of from two to five hours, as compared with controls of immune serum and virus alone.
Mitigating Iodomethane Emissions and Iodide Residues in Fumigated Soils

Although long-regarded as an excellent soil fumigant for killing plant pests, methyl bromide (MeBr) was phased out in 2005 in the USA, because it can deplete the stratospheric ozone layer. Iodomethane (MeI) has been identified as an effective alternative to MeBr and is used in a number of countries for preplant pest control. However, MeI is highly volatile and potentially carcinogenic to humans if inhaled. In addition, iodide anions, a breakdown product of MeI, can build up in fumigated soils and potentially cause plant toxicity and contaminate groundwater via leaching. In order to overcome the above two obstacles in MeI application, a method is proposed to place reactive bags containing ammonium hydroxide solution (NH4OH) on the soil surface underneath an impermeable plastic film covering the fumigated area. Our research showed that using this approach, over 99% of the applied MeI was quantitatively transferred to iodide. Of all the resulting iodide, only 2.7% remained in the fumigated soil, and 97.3% wa...
Overground Gait Training for Individuals with Chronic Stroke: A Cochrane Systematic Review

Background and Purpose:Overground gait training—observation and cueing of patient’s walking pattern along with related exercises—forms a major part of rehabilitation services for individuals with chronic stroke in almost every setting. This report of a Cochrane systematic review assessed the effects
Nonoperative Management of Blunt Splenic Trauma in the Elderly: Does Age Play a Role?:

Nonoperative management (NOM) of blunt splenic injury has become more frequent in the past several decades. Criteria that predict successful NOM remain poorly defined, and one factor that has been ...
Development of the chicken as a model for prenatal stress.

Exposing a pregnant mammal to stressors causes behavioral and physiological alterations in her offspring ("prenatal stress"); however, elucidation of the underlying mechanism is hindered by an inability to control maternal compounds that may affect the fetus. We designed this experiment to determine if the autonomously developing chicken embryo could be developed as a model for prenatal stress. On d 16 of incubation, eggs were treated with: 1) 60 ng corticosterone (CORT), 2) elevated incubation temperature (40.6 degrees C) for 24 h (HEAT), or 3) no treatment (Control). Chicks from all three treatments hatched at similar weights; however, HEAT chicks weighed less by 100 d of age and remained lighter until the end of the study (P 0.20) among treatments, basal plasma corticosterone concentrations tended (P 0.20). At 11-wk, HEAT birds had heavier adrenal glands than did Control birds (P 0.10). Administration of corticosterone during incubation replicated some, but not all, of the effects seen in prenatal stress in mammals.
Multi-Scale Characterization of Corrosion Initiation of Preloaded Hybrid Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Composites

Many reinforced concrete structures susceptible to corrosion damage are subjected to externally applied loads, causing cracking. These cracks increase the permeability of the material, accelerating the ingress of corrosion-inducing deleterious agents. In this paper, the effect of multiple microcracking and macrocrack formation on corrosion initiation was investigated. A hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete (HyFRC), which forms ductile, distributed microcracking prior to dominant crack localization due to multiple tiers of fiber reinforcement, is being studied for its performance against corrosion damage. The effect of matrix cracking on corrosion initiation was studied with beam specimens preloaded in flexure prior to long-term corrosion exposure. Reinforced HyFRC composites were found to have a delayed corrosion initiation response due to reductions in crack widths and suppression of splitting cracks, compared to conventional reinforced concrete. The influence of microcracks on corrosion is studied using X-ray micro-computed tomography (μCT) on reinforced fiber-reinforced cementitious composites and reinforced mortar preloaded in tension.
Redundant Macromolecular Mechanisms in Central Synaptic Regulation

Viewing in retrospect the evolution of our understanding of central biogenic amine mechanisms, we seem to have arrived at a third generation of neuropharmacological explanation. In the earliest correlations between drug action, behavioral effects, and neurochemical parameters, the level of measurable biogenic amine was the major dependent variable in relation to action and behavior. For example, comparisons were made between the behavioral and biochemical effects of reserpine and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Reserpine depleted the brain stores of measurable amines (serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine) and depressed behavior in animals and mood in humans. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, intruding on a major metabolic route of aminic degradation, resulted in increased brain amines, increased spontaneous exploratory behavior in animals and elevation of mood in humans. This chemical hydrodynamic model represented the conclusion that motor activity and psychic energy rose and fell with the level of the biogenic amines in the brain.
Baroreceptor reflex failure: Review of the literature and the potential impact on patients with head and neck cancer.

Background Baroreceptor dysfunction and reflex failure may occur after surgery affecting the carotid artery. The implications for patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer are not well described. Methods A literature search of PubMed was performed between March 2016 and May 2016. Search terms used individually and in combination included: “baroreflex failure,” “carotid sinus sensitivity,” “carotid endarterectomy,” “carotid body tumor,” and “head and neck cancer.” Bibliographies of included articles were also reviewed for additional pertinent articles. Results There is evidence of baroreceptor failure in certain patients after interventions associated with the carotid artery, including carotid endarterectomy and carotid body tumor excision. Few studies have been performed investigating the potential effect of head and neck surgery treatment, including surgery and/or radiation, on baroreflex function. Conclusion Head and neck cancer treatment has the potential to cause baroreflex failure, and this is likely an underrecognized and underdiagnosed condition.
Tables of Annuity Values Which Were Sanctioned by the Roman Law for the Purposes of the Lex Falcidia

On the question of whether Ulpian's table contains an interest factor Hendriks (1852, p. 224) writes: “ ... as it was the special duty of the jurist to look to a sufficient fund being created for the discharge of the obligations under such annuities, he is not likely in those times to have taken much account of interest, which at best could only have been continuously obtained with great difficulty.”
Optimizing MapReduce for Highly Distributed Environments

MapReduce, the popular programming paradigm for large-scale data processing, has traditionally been deployed over tightly-coupled clusters where the data is already locally available. The assumption that the data and compute resources are available in a single central location, however, no longer holds for many emerging applications in commercial, scientific and social networking domains, where the data is generated in a geographically distributed manner. Further, the computational resources needed for carrying out the data analysis may be distributed across multiple data centers or community resources such as Grids. In this paper, we develop a modeling framework to capture MapReduce execution in a highly distributed environment comprising distributed data sources and distributed computational resources. This framework is flexible enough to capture several design choices and performance optimizations for MapReduce execution. We propose a model-driven optimization that has two key features: (i) it is end-to-end as opposed to myopic optimizations that may only make locally optimal but globally suboptimal decisions, and (ii) it can control multiple MapReduce phases to achieve low runtime, as opposed to single-phase optimizations that may control only individual phases. Our model results show that our optimization can provide nearly 82% and 64% reduction in execution time over myopic and single-phase optimizations, respectively. We have modified Hadoop to implement our model outputs, and using three different MapReduce applications over an 8-node emulated PlanetLab testbed, we show that our optimized Hadoop execution plan achieves 31-41% reduction in runtime over a vanilla Hadoop execution. Our model-driven optimization also provides several insights into the choice of techniques and execution parameters based on application and platform characteristics.
Where Do We Look? Assessing Gaze Patterns in Breast Reconstructive Surgery with Eye-Tracking Technology.

Background:Aesthetics plays a large role in determining a successful outcome in plastic and reconstructive surgery. As such, understanding perceptions of favorable aesthetics is crucial for optimizing patient satisfaction. Eye-tracking technology offers an unbiased way of measuring how viewers evalu
Willingness to produce perennial bioenergy crops: A contingent supply approach

Abstract In order to reduce economic and national security risks, U.S. energy policy, in 2005 and 2007, mandated production of renewable biofuels. By 2010, the renewable biofuel industry was consuming approximately one-third of domestic corn and soybean production. To meet this growing demand, conservation and pastureland has been cultivated with corn and soybean, resulting in a reduction in ecosystem services. Perennial bioenergy crops (e.g., switchgrass) offer a more sustainable alternative. However, unlike annual crops, farmers and landowners have little experience with perennial bioenergy crop production. Uncertainty in production and prices may impact the supply of these novel crops into an emerging market. Using a contingent supply method, we show that agricultural landowners are willing to produce perennial bioenergy crops, given competitive returns, but only on a portion of their land.
Long-Term Physical HRQOL Decreases After Single Lung as Compared With Double Lung Transplantation.

Background Single lung transplantation (SLT) and double lung transplantation (DLT) are associated with differences in morbidity and mortality, although the effects of transplant type on patient-reported outcomes are not widely reported and conclusions have differed. Previous studies compared mean health-related quality of life (HRQOL) scores but did not evaluate potentially different temporal trajectories in the context of longitudinal follow-up. To address this uncertainty, this study was designed to evaluate longitudinal HRQOL after SLT and DLT with the hypothesis that temporal trajectories differ between SLT and DLT. Methods Patients transplanted at a single institution were eligible to be surveyed at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and then annually after transplant using the Short Form 36 Health Survey, with longitudinal physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores as the primary outcomes. Multivariable mixed-effects models were used to evaluate the effects of transplant type and time posttransplant on longitudinal PCS and MCS after adjusting age, diagnosis, rejection, Lung Allocation Score quartile, and intubation duration. Time by transplant type interaction effects were used to test whether the temporal trajectories of HRQOL differ between SLT and DLT recipients. HRQOL scores were referenced to general population norms (range, 40 to 60; mean, 50 ± 10) using accepted standards for a minimally important difference (½ SD, 5 points). Results Postoperative surveys (n = 345) were analyzed for 136 patients (52% male, 23% SLT, age 52 ± 13 years, LAS 42 ± 12, follow-up 37 ± 29 months [range, 0.6 to 133]) who underwent lung transplantation between 2005 and 2016. After adjusting for model covariates, overall posttransplant PCS scores have a significant downward trajectory (p = 0.015) whereas MCS scores remain stable (p = 0.593), with both averaging within general population norms. The time by transplant type interaction effect (p = 0.002), however, indicate that posttransplant PCS scores of SLT recipients decline at a rate of 2.4 points per year over the total observation period compared to DLT. At approximately 60 months, the PCS scores of SLT recipients, but not DLT recipients, fall below general population norms. Conclusions The trajectory of physical HRQOL in patients receiving SLT declines over time compared with DLT, indicating that, in the longer term, SLT recipients are more likely to have physical HRQOL scores that fall substantively below general population norms. Physical HRQOL after 5 years may be a consideration for lung allocation and patient counseling regarding expectations when recommending SLT or DLT.
Synthesis of a Copper Silyl Complex by Disilane Activation

Silylations remain a longstanding challenge in organic synthesis. While much recent work has focused on the use of first-row transition metals to perform silylations, catalysts based on platinum and palladium remain the catalysts of choice. One of the challenges of copper-catalyzed silylations is the use of specialized silicon reagents, such as silylboranes, that are required to create the intermediate copper silyl complex. While silylboranes have enjoyed considerable success in copper catalysis, they are air and water sensitive, making them difficult to work with, and they are difficult to synthesize or expensive to buy. Herein, we report the synthesis of a copper silyl complex from an easy to handle and relatively inexpensive disilane. The structure of the complex was confirmed by X-ray crystallography, and the mechanism has been investigated computationally.
Readmissions of adults within three age groups following hospitalization for pneumonia: Analysis from the Nationwide Readmissions Database

Background While 30-day readmissions following hospitalization for pneumonia have been well-studied in the elderly, their burden in young adults remains poorly understood. Objective To study patterns of readmissions following hospitalization for pneumonia across age groups and insurance payers. Methods In the Nationwide Readmission Database for the years 2013 and 2014 we identified all adults (≥18 years) discharged alive after a hospitalization with the primary diagnosis of pneumonia, and examined rates of readmissions within 30-days of discharge. Using covariates included in the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services risk-adjustment model for pneumonia readmissions in a multivariable regression model for survey data, we identified predictors of 30-day readmission. Results We identified 629,939 index pneumonia hospitalizations with a weighted estimate of 1,472,069 nationally. Overall, 16.2% of patients were readmitted within 30 days of their hospitalization for pneumonia, with 30-day readmission rates of 12.4% in the 18-44 year age-group, 16.1% in the 45-64 year age-group, and 16.7% in the ≥65-year age-group. In risk-adjusted analyses, compared with elderly, middle-aged adults were more likely to be readmitted (risk-adjusted OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03-1.07). Mean cost per readmission was also highest for this age group at $15,976. Conclusion Middle-aged adults experience substantial rates of 30-day readmission that are comparable to those over 65 years of age, with a higher cost per readmission event. Future efforts are needed to identify potential interventions to alleviate the high burden of pneumonia readmissions in middle-aged adults.
Mood and Luxury Perception: A Tale of Two Genders: An Abstract

The effects of mood and gender on consumption and decision-making are well documented in consumer behavior research. While a lot of research focuses on the effect of mood, gender, or their interaction on purchase likelihood, very few studies, if any, explore those effects on luxury perception. This paper tackles that very question. We begin by reviewing literature on gender, mood, luxury perception, and materialism, among other variables, and then build a conceptual model that explores interaction between mood and gender on luxury perception.
The four Ps of patient experience: A new strategic framework informed by theory and practice

This article proposes a new strategic framework to assist healthcare organizations in achieving great patient experiences in the healthcare setting. We synthesize models of practice and literature relevant to the patient experience in order to propose the four Ps of patient experience. Key levers used in this model are: (a) trained autonomous physicians, (b) multidisciplinary partners, (c) alternative places of care delivery matched to patient conditions and needs, and (d) standardized yet flexible processes. Healthcare leaders will be able to use the proposed framework to develop detailed strategies toward improving patient satisfaction and experiences.
Role of heat shock protein and cytokine expression as markers of clinical outcomes with glutamine-supplemented parenteral nutrition in surgical ICU patients.

Summary Background Nutrients, such as glutamine (GLN), have been shown to effect levels of a family of protective proteins termed heat shock proteins (HSPs) in experimental and clinical critical illness. HSPs are believed to serve as extracellular inflammatory messengers and intracellular cytoprotective molecules. Extracellular HSP70 (eHSP70) has been termed a chaperokine due to ability to modulate the immune response. Altered levels of eHSP70 are associated with various disease states. Larger clinical trial data on GLN effect on eHSP expression and eHSP70's association with inflammatory mediators and clinical outcomes in critical illness are limited. Objective Explore effect of longitudinal change in serum eHSP70, eHSP27 and inflammatory cytokine levels on clinical outcomes such as pneumonia and mortality in adult surgical intensive care unit (SICU) patients. Further, evaluate effect of parenteral nutrition (PN) supplemented with GLN (GLN-PN) versus GLN-free, standard PN (STD-PN) on serum eHSP70 and eHSP27 concentrations. Methods Secondary observational analysis of a multicenter clinical trial in 150 adults after cardiac, vascular, or gastrointestinal surgery requiring PN support and SICU care conducted at five academic medical centers. Patients received isocaloric, isonitrogenous PN, with or without GLN dipeptide. Serum eHSP70 and eHSP27, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and 8 (IL-8) concentrations were analyzed in patient serum at baseline (prior to study PN) and over 28 days of follow up. Results eHSP70 declined over time in survivors during 28 days follow-up, but non-survivors had significantly higher eHSP70 concentrations compared to survivors. In patients developing pneumonia, eHSP70, eHSP27, IL-8, and IL-6 were significantly elevated. Adjusted relative risk for hospital mortality was reduced 75% (RR = 0.25, p = 0.001) for SICU patients with a faster decline in eHSP70. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.76 to 0.94) for the final model suggesting excellent discrimination between SICU survivors and non-survivors. GLN-PN did not alter eHSP70 or eHSP27 serum concentrations over time compared to STD-PN. Conclusion Our results suggest that serum HSP70 concentration may be an important marker for severity of illness and likelihood of recovery in the SICU. GLN-supplemented-PN did not increase eHSP70.
Discounting: A practical guide to multilevel analysis of choice data

Multilevel modeling provides the ability to simultaneously evaluate the discounting of individuals and groups by examining choices between smaller sooner and larger later rewards. A multilevel logistic regression approach is advocated in which sensitivity to relative reward magnitude and relative delay are considered as separate contributors to choice. Examples of how to fit choice data using multilevel logistic models are provided to help researchers in the adoption of these methods.
Paul F. Cranefield Award to Anne E. Carlson.

The late Paul F. Cranefield, MD, PhD, was the editor of the Journal of General Physiology for 30 years, from 1966 to 1995. During his editorship, Dr. Cranefield worked tirelessly to advance the mission of the Journal—to promote and publish high quality original research that elucidates basic
A modular microreservoir for active implantable drug delivery

ABSTRACT Active implantable microscale reservoir-based drug delivery systems enabled novel and effective drug delivery concepts for both systemic and localized drug delivery applications. These systems typically consist of a drug reservoir and an active pumping mechanism for precise delivery of drugs. Here we present a stand-alone, refillable, scalable, and fully implantable microreservoir platform to be integrated with micropumps as a storing component of active implantable drug delivery microsystems. The microreservoir was fabricated with 3D-printing technology, enabling miniature, scalable, and planar structure, optimized for subcutaneous implantation especially in small animals (e.g., mouse), while being readily scalable for larger animals and human translation. Three different capacities of the microreservoir (1 μL, 10 μL, and 100 μL) were fabricated and characterized all with 3 mm thickness. The microreservoir consists of two main parts: a cavity for long-term drug storage with an outlet microtubing (250 μm OD, 125 μm ID), and a refill port for transcutaneous refills through a septum. The cavity membrane is fabricated with thin Parylene-C layers using a polyethylene glycol sacrificial layer, minimizing restoring force and hence backflow, as fluid is discharged. This feature enables integration to normally-open mechanisms and improves pumping efficiency when integrated to normally-closed pumps. The results of in vitro optimization and characterization of the cavity membrane show 95% extraction percentage of the cavity with insignificant (2%) backflow due to restoring force of the membrane. The refill port septum thickness is minimized down to 1 mm by a novel pre-compression concept, while capable of ~65000 injections with 30 Ga non-coring needles without leakage under 100 kPa (4× greater than physiological backpressure). To demonstrate integrability of the microreservoir to an active micropump, the 10 μL microreservoir was integrated to a micropump recently developed in our laboratory, making an implantable drug delivery microsystem. Two different microsystems were subcutaneously implanted in two mice, and the outlet microtubing was implanted into the round window membrane niche for infusion of a known ototoxic compound (sodium salicylate) at 50 nL/min for 20 min. Real-time shifts in distortion product otoacoustic emission thresholds and amplitudes were measured during the infusion. The in vivo results show a mean shift of 22.1 dB after 20 min for the most basal region, matching with syringe pump results. A biocompatibility experiment was performed on the microsystem for six months to assess design and fabrication suitability for chronic subcutaneous implantation and clinical translational development. The results demonstrate very favorable signs of biocompatibility for long-term implantation. Although tested here on mice for a specific inner ear application, this low-cost design and fabrication methodology is scalable for use in larger animals and human for different applications/delivery sites.
One to a customer: associations between squat lobsters (Chirostyloidea) and their anthozoan hosts

During 2016–2017, the remotely operated vehicle Deep Discoverer photographed squat lobsters during expeditions to the central Pacific Ocean. Photographs showed at least five species of chirostyloid lobsters living on anthozoans at 270–3280 m depth. The lobsters usually associated with only one or two host species. Only one chirostyloid lived on an individual host colony at a time. They occupied different host species than the ophiuroid Ophiocereas oedipus, which also lives on colonial anthozoans, and did not seem to interact with predatory starfishes (Goniasteridae).
The Synthesis of Tritium-labeled 14α-Methyl-5α-cholest-7-en-3β-ol and Its Enzymatic Demethylation

Abstract 14α-Methyl-5α-cholest-7-en-3-one has been prepared and labeled with tritium by isotope exchange chromatography. Reduction with lithium aluminum hydride furnished pure, highly labeled 14α-methyl-5α-cholest-7-en-3β-ol. Incubation of this compound with homogenates of rat liver results in its conversion to cholesterol, which has been identified by a variety of chemical and chromatographic techniques. The results show that enzymatic removal of the 14α-methyl group from synthetic compounds is feasible, and offer a new approach to the study of the demethylation mechanism in steroid structures.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Humanity

Natural disasters including earthquakes, tsunamis, and anthropogenic disasters, such as wildfires, are dynamic situations requiring constant monitoring as numerous hazards are constantly emerging that hinder humanitarian efforts and create deadly conditions for rescue workers and victims. Now, with humanity facing a pandemic, it becomes even more vital to provide health care workers and first responders with low-cost and robust methods to protect themselves and help stop the spread of a disease that is ravaging our lives and economies. There are high expectations that Artificial Intelligence will be the game changing technology that will make sense of the plethora of disparate sources of data being collected about individuals, communities and the environment and that it will help solve all of these problems. Meanwhile, coupling AI with robotics is anticipated to be the foundation for a future contactless society that will mitigate the spread of diseases and keep us healthier. However, AI is not a box that can magically produce these solutions and building trustworthy AI comes with many challenges. This talk will discuss those challenges and explore some of the pathways forward to best utilize AI and its promise to advance robotics to conquer societal challenges.
Extracellular vesicles produced by bronchial epithelial cells in response to oxidative stress contain micro-RNAs associated with senescence

Background: Cellular senescence is one of the hallmarks of COPD. The miR-34a and mir-570 are involved in the induction of cellular senescence by inhibiting anti-ageing sirtuins. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a key role in intercellular communication. Senescent cells produce high amounts of EVs and contain miRNA that can regulate cellular senescence. The role of EVs in spreading cell senescence remains unclear. Aim: To characterize extracellular vesicles released by epithelial cells in response to oxidative stress and to assess their effect on epithelial cells senescence. Methods: BEAS-2B bronchial epithelial cells were stimulated with H2O2 for 24 or 48h. Microvesicles and exosomes were isolated by differential ultracentrifugation of cell supernatant and characterised by Western blot and labelling membrane with the dye PKH67. The RNA content of EVs was determined by fluorescence and by qRT-PCR. Results: After 48h treatment, EVs are released by cells stimulated with medium or H2O2. The fluorescence intensity of pkh67 increased in response to H2O2 (n=2, from 2.6 fold for microvesicles, and 1.4 fold for exosomes) suggesting that epithelial cells release more EVs in response to oxidative stress. In response to H2O2, miR-34a and miR-570 expression is augmented only in exosomes. Conclusion: These data suggest that in response to oxidative stress, epithelial cells produced exosomes enriched in miRNA involved in cellular senescence. This may contribute to COPD pathophysiology by spreading senescence in adjacent epithelial and other cells.
G-baToN: a versatile reporter system for cancer cell-stromal cell interactions.

Cell-cell interactions influence all aspects of development, homeostasis, and disease. In cancer, interactions between cancer cells and stromal cells play a major role in nearly every step of carcinogenesis. Thus, the ability to record cell-cell interactions would facilitate mechanistic delineation of the role of cancer microenvironment. Here, we describe GFP-based Touching Nexus (G-baToN) which relies upon nanobody-directed fluorescent protein transfer to enable sensitive and specific labeling of cells after cell-cell interactions. G-baToN is a generalizable system that enables physical contact-based labeling between various cell types, including diverse cancer-stromal cell pairs. A suite of orthogonal baToN tools enables reciprocal cell-cell labeling, interaction-dependent cargo transfer, and the identification of higher-order cell-cell interactions across a wide range of cell types. The ability to track physically interacting cells with these simple and sensitive systems will greatly accelerate our understanding of the outputs of cell-cell interactions in cancer as well as across many biological processes.
Use of tranexamic acid is not associated with complications following bipolar hemiarthroplasty for metastatic disease.

Introduction Advances in the care of cancer patients have resulted in increased survival. The proximal femur is a common site for metastatic disease, often requiring surgical intervention. Tranexamic acid (TXA) has proven to be safe in elective and traumatic femoral hemiarthroplasty; however, its use has not been investigated in oncologic patients. Method We reviewed 66 patients (37 males) with a mean age of 64 ± 3 years undergoing a hemiarthroplasty for metastatic disease in the femoral neck. A total of 22 (33%) patients received intraoperative TXA. Primary outcomes included postoperative blood loss, intraoperative and postoperative transfusion requirement, and postoperative complications. Results There was no difference in the baseline characteristics between the TXA and non-TXA groups. When comparing the TXA and non-TXA groups, there were no differences in 72 h postoperative blood loss between groups (1.21 L vs. 1.33 L, p = 0.61), percentage of patients requiring transfusion (36.4% vs. 36.4%, p = 1.0), or the incidence of postoperative complications including venous thromboembolism (14% vs. 11%, p = 0.70) and pulmonary embolism (0% vs. 5%, p = 1.0). Conclusion Oncology patients are a high-risk population for thromboembolic events. This initial study supports the safe use of TXA intraoperatively in femoral hemiarthroplasty performed for metastatic disease.
Effectiveness of recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Abstract Background and Aims Patients with Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at an increased risk of developing herpes zoster (HZ). The effectiveness of the recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) in patients with IBD is unknown. Methods In this retrospective cohort study using Explorys (October 2017–April 2020; IBM Corporation, Somers, NY, USA), the effectiveness of RZV for the prevention of HZ in patients with IBD ≥ 50 years was compared to general population aged ≥ 50 years. Rates of de-novo HZ were compared between patients with IBD and the general population and stratified by number of RZV doses received. Results are presented as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results The overall proportion of IBD patients ≥ 50 years who received HZ vaccination with the live zoster vaccine (ZVL) or RZV was low (n = 11320, out of 112,200 IBD patients in the cohort). A total of 1670 patients received RZV. Receipt of the RZV resulted in a significantly lower rate of HZ in IBD patients (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.23–0.56) compared to the general population (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.59–0.92). However, despite vaccination, patients with IBD who received the RZV were still 3-times more likely to develop HZ during the study follow up period compared to the general population receiving the RZV (OR 3.06, 95% CI 1.87–5.02) and unvaccinated IBD patients were 6-times more likely to develop HZ compared to general population (OR 6.21, 95% CI 6.02–6.41). Conclusion The recombinant zoster vaccine is effective in reducing the risk of HZ in patients with IBD compared to the general population. During our follow up period, patients with IBD, however, still remain at an increased risk for HZ despite vaccination.
Incidence of Motor Neuron Disease Presenting with Isolated Fasciculations (4244)

Objective: To determine how many patients diagnosed with motor neuron disease (MND) at a neuromuscular specialty clinic presented with fasciculations as an isolated symptom. Background: Benign fasciculations are a common phenomenon in the general population. However, some people seek out medical opinion regarding this phenomenon, often with concern for a motor neuron disease such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A follow up study by Blexrud found that of 121 patients diagnosed with benign fasciculation syndrome, none developed MND. There are limited reports of patients with MND presenting with fasciculations, but often in combination with muscle cramps. There are only rare reports of patients with MND presenting with isolated fasciculations (Eisen, Carvalho). Design/Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with possible, probable or definite ALS, progressive muscular atrophy (PMA), and primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) seen at our neuromuscular center was done to determine how many patients diagnosed with MND presented initially with fasciculations. The primary endpoint was to assess the proportion of patients presenting with isolated fasciculations. Results: 56 charts were reviewed. 23 patients reported muscle twitching consistent with fasciculations, which is a higher proportion than those reported in prior studies. However, only 5 patients reported fasciculations as one of their primary complaints. Weakness was reported as a concurrent symptom in 22 patients. 12 patients reported cramping as well as twitching. 3 patients reported concurrent paresthesias, however 2 of those patients had chronic paresthesias due to comorbid conditions. 20 patients had muscle atrophy on exam. Notably, 0 patients presented with isolated fasciculations. Conclusions: Our review found that no patients with MND presented only with fasciculations. This provides a compelling argument to counsel patients that isolated fasciculations are unlikely to progress to MND. Disclosure: Dr. Youn has nothing to disclose. Yes - Medical malpractice expert review Yes - Orion Pharma
Cesium Bromide (CsBr)

Publisher Summary Refractive indices and extinction coefficients for cesium bromide (CsBr) in the region 0.124 to 4.13 X 10-5μmare calculated from atomic scattering coefficients of the component materials. The optical-density data of Eby et al in the region 0.11 to 0.19 μmis has been scaled to compensate for uncertainty in sample thickness. At very long wavelengths the 2 mm result of Dianov and Irisova is an early example of a technique later generalized for simultaneous acquisition of a range of frequencies and known as “dispersive Fourier-transform spectroscopy.” In specific, the source is a monochromatic microwave oscillator at 2.31 mm feeding a Michelson interferometer in a hybrid waveguide or optical configuration. The sinusoidal interference pattern because of moving one mirror was measured with no sample, then again with the sample in the moving mirror arm. The refractive index is determined from the shift in phase between the two measurements. The samples used are described only as crystals.
Somesthesis, Neural Basis Of

Somesthesis is the awareness of sensation from the skin, muscles, joints, and viscera, through specialized receptors in the skin and deep tissues.
Electoral Margins and American Foreign Policy

Conventional wisdom holds that large margins of electoral victory contribute to presidential power. How does this variation in power impact U.S. foreign policy? I argue here that presidents who win elections by a substantial margin authorize the use of substantial military force more regularly, but do so at the expense of personal diplomacy and low-level crisis engagement. This distinction stems from the variation in the external constraint that other political actors place on these policies. New presidents who are empowered by a decisive election have more leverage and are therefore better able to pursue otherwise constrained foreign policies such as the use of major force. In contrast, those who win by smaller margins have less political capital and are forced disproportionately to the less constrained arenas of diplomacy and crisis intervention.
Spectra and structure of gallium compounds: Part IX. Infrared and Raman spectra of trimethylphosphinegallium trichloride and normal coordinate calculations of gallium trichloride and the adduct

Abstract The infrared (3200−50 cm−1)and the Raman (3200−30 cm−1) spectra of (CH3)3PGaCI3 have been recorded for the solid state. The spectra are interpreted on the basis of an effective C3v molecular symmetry for the crystalline state and a complete vibrational assignment except for the torsional modes is presented. The frequencies and potential energy distribution for GaCl3 and those of the adduct have been calculated utilizing a modified valence force field model. A comparison of the calculated potential constants for the adduct with those of the free Lewis acid and base is made and the differences are shown to be consistent with structural changes upon adduct formation and explained in terms of the VSEPR model. Extensive coupling is observed between the GaP stretching mode and the GaCI3 and the PC3 stretching and symmetric deformational modes. Various degrees of coupling are also observed between other skeletal modes of vibration, including coupling between the PC3 and GaCI3 rocking motions. The value of 2.01 mdyn A−1 for the GaP stretching force constant is the same as that previously determined for the same constant for (CH3)3PGaH3. Several weak bands, observed in the low frequency region of the infrared and Raman spectra of crystalline (CH3)3PGaCl3, are characterized as lattice modes arising from intermolecular librations. These results are compared to the similar quantities in some corresponding molecules.
Muscle Flexibility as a Risk Factor for Developing Muscle Injuries in Male Professional Soccer Players A Prospective Study

Background: Muscular tightness is frequently postulated as an intrinsic risk factor for the development of a muscle injury. However, very little prospective data exist to prove this.Hypothesis: Increased muscle tightness identifies a soccer player at risk for a subsequent musculoskeletal lesion.Study Design: Prospective cohort study.Methods: We examined 146 male professional soccer players before the 1999—2000 Belgian soccer competition. None of the players had a history of muscle injury in the lower extremities in the previous 2 years. The flexibility of the hamstring, quadriceps, adductor, and calf muscles of these players was measured goniometrically before the start of the season. All of the examined players were monitored throughout the season to register subsequent injuries.Results: Players with a hamstring (N = 31) or quadriceps (N = 13) muscle injury were found to have significantly lower flexibility in these muscles before their injury compared with the uninjured group. No significant differences...
Functional roles for the TATA promoter and enhancers in basal and Tat-induced expression of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 long terminal repeat.

Abstract We have analyzed the contributory role of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) promoter and enhancers in basal and Tat-induced transcription. We found that a minimal promoter competent for basal expression is contained within sequences spanning nucleotides -43 to +80. Basal expression from this HIV-1 promoter was boosted more by the additional presence of the NF-kappa B elements than by the Sp1 elements. The minimal long terminal repeat promoter (-43 to +80), while having an intact TAR sequence, was not Tat inducible. However, the simple addition of short synthetic enhancer motifs (AP1, Oct, Sp1, and NF-kappa B) conferred Tat responsiveness. This ability to respond to Tat was in part dependent on the presence of the HIV-1 promoter. Changing the HIV-1 TATA to other eucaryotic TATA or non-TATA initiators minimally affected basal expression but altered Tat inducibility. Our findings suggest a specific context of functional promoter and enhancer elements that is optimal for Tat trans activation of the HIV-1 long terminal repeat. Our results do not allow conclusions about whether Tat acts at the level of initiation or at the level of elongation to be drawn.
Periocular Skin Cancer in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Purpose To determine the proportion of solid organ transplant recipients developing periocular nonmelanoma skin cancer and to describe the morbidity of these cancers in transplant recipients. Design Cohort study. Participants Consecutive patients undergoing solid organ transplantation at the Cleveland Clinic between 1990 and 2008. Methods The charts of all patients receiving a solid organ transplant from 1990–2008 evaluated in the dermatology department for a subsequent biopsy-proven head and neck malignancy through April 2015 were reviewed. Patients with a periocular region nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) or a nonperiocular NMSC causing a complication requiring eyelid surgery were included. Charts were reviewed for demographic data; transplant date, type, and source; immunosuppressive agents received at diagnosis; and type of NMSC, number of nonperiocular NMSCs, ophthalmologic findings, and periocular sequelae after the repair. Main Outcome Measures Primary outcome measures included the type, location, final defect size, tumor-node-metastasis classification, presence of perineural invasion, and reconstruction technique(s) used for each periocular NMSC. Secondary outcome measures included the type and treatment of ocular sequelae due to nonperiocular facial NMSC. Results A total of 3489 patients underwent solid organ transplantation between 1990 and 2008. Of these, 420 patients were evaluated in the dermatology clinic for biopsy-proven NMSC of the head and neck during the study period, and 11 patients (15 malignancies) met inclusion criteria. Nine patients developed 12 periocular malignancies and 3 patients required eyelid surgery for facial malignancies outside the periocular zone. All 11 patients developed a squamous cell carcinoma (14 malignancies), and 1 patient (1 malignancy) also developed a periocular basal cell carcinoma. There was orbital invasion in 4 cases and paranasal and/or cavernous sinus invasion in 3 cases. Two patients underwent exenteration. Seven cases required reconstruction with a free flap or graft. Periocular sequelae included lower eyelid ectropion (6 malignancies), dry eye and/or exposure symptoms (8 malignancies), unilateral vision loss (3 malignancies), and facial nerve paresis (5 malignancies). Conclusions Squamous cell carcinoma affecting the periocular region represents a risk of solid organ transplantation and may produce significant ocular morbidity, including the need for major eyelid reconstruction, globe loss, and disfiguring surgery.