cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detection of specific DNA segments of Marek's disease herpes virus in Japanese quail susceptible to atherosclerosis☆

Genetically selected lines of Japanese quail, highly susceptible (SUS) and resistant (RES) to atherosclerosis, were used to study the possible involvement of Marek's disease herpes virus (MDV). An EcoRI gene library of MDV cloned in pBR328 was used to prepare the 32P-DNA probe in dot-blot and Southern blot hybridizations to detect the presence of MDV DNA sequence in the aorta, embryo and other tissue specimens. The viral DNA was found present in the aorta of SUS quail and it increased with the severity of the aortic lesion. For the DNA isolated from the atherosclerotic aorta, the endonuclease restriction map is specific but not identical to MDV genome. When screening the embryos of SUS and RES quail, it was found that all the SUS were positive with approximately 10 or more viral genome equivalents or virus copies per cell. The RES embryos were heterogeneous, 41% negative (less than 0.1 copy per cell), 43% intermediate (1-10 copies per cell) and 16% positive (10 or more copies per cell). The vaccination of SUS quail with the herpes virus of turkey vaccine did not prevent the disease. These results indicated that a part of MDV genome or another related herpes virus genome was integrated into the host DNA of SUS quail. The integrated viral gene or genes are believed to be important in atherogenesis, because they are genetically co-selected with the atherosclerosis-susceptibility.
Acceleration-induced scalar field transitions of n-particle multiplicity

In this paper we calculate the effect of acceleration on the decay and excitation rates of scalar fields into a final state of arbitrary multiplicity. The analysis is carried out using standard field operators as well as an Unruh-DeWitt detector. Using the equivalence of the two methods, we show how to correctly set up the computation and interpret the results in terms of the particle content of the initial and final state Rindler and Minkowski spacetimes. We find the dominant transition pathway, and thus final state multiplicity, is acceleration dependent. The formalisms developed are then used to analyze the electron and muon system. We compute the transition rates and lifetimes for accelerated electrons and muons as well as the branching fractions for muon decay.
Clofarabine in relapsed lymphoma: what is the optimal dose?

I read with interest the recent article by Blum et al. [1] investigating single agent clofarabine in patients with relapsed or refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The study reported o...
On ellipsoidal solutions of Liouville's equation in general relativity.

A relativistic, collisionless gas of gravitating particles all having the same proper mass (possibly equal to zero) is studied under the assumption that the oneparticle distribution function is locally ellipsoidal in momentum space with respect to some timelike vector field (observer). Liouville's equation implies that the distribution function depends only on a quadratic form in the 4- momenta, whose coefficients are a Killing tensor in the case of non- vanishing proper mass, and a conformal Killing tensor in the case of vanishing rest mass of the particles. It is suggested that cosmological models of Bianchi-type I can be described in terms of ellipsoidal momentum distribution functions whose ellipsoidal tensor is built out of the Killing vectors associated with the spatial homogeneity.
Identification of a novel 5–base pair deletion in calcineurin B (PPP3R1) promoter region and its association with left ventricular hypertrophy

Background Calcineurin is a calcium/calmodulin-regulated protein phosphatase that functions as a key mediator of hypertrophic response of the heart. Calcineurin B (CnB) is a regulatory subunit of calcineurin and is important for the phosphatase activity. Methods We identified a novel 5–base pair (bp) insertion/deletion (5I/5D) polymorphism within the CnB promoter region and investigated its association with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in 368 severe hypertensive participants (53% African Americans) in the Hypertension Genetic Epidemiology Network study. Traditionally defined LVH was identified by LV mass index >50 g/m 2.7 in men and >47 g/m 2.7 in women. Left ventricular mass predicted from sex, stroke work, and height 2.7 was calculated according to an equation derived from a normal population, and inappropriately high LV mass was defined as observed/predicted LV mass >1.28 based on the equation. Results The CnB 5I/5D variation was not significantly associated with the traditionally defined LVH. However, there was a significant association between the CnB 5I/5D polymorphism and presence of inappropriately high LV mass. The ethnicity-adjusted ORs for the 5I/5D and 5D/5D genotypes compared with the 5I/5I genotype was 1.23 (95% CI 0.66-2.28) and 3.05 (95% CI 1.28-7.29) ( P = .02 for trend test). This association was independent of age, sex, body mass index, heart rate, prevalent coronary heart disease, and/or diabetes and antihypertensive medications. Conclusions The 5–base pair deletion within the CnB gene may cause excessive LV growth beyond the level appropriate for cardiac workload when exposed to severe hypertension or may be in linkage disequilibrium with the causal mutation.
“Impulsive” youth suicide attempters are not necessarily all that impulsive

Abstract Background The relationship between impulsivity and suicide has been conceptualized in the literature as a direct one. In contrast, Joiner's [Joiner, T.E., 2005. Why people die by suicide. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.] theory posits that this relationship is indirect in that impulsive individuals are more likely to engage in suicidal behavior because impulsivity makes one more likely to be exposed to painful and provocative stimuli. Method Adolescents were selected from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) sample between the years of 1993–2003 who had planned for a suicide attempt but did not actually attempt ( n = 5685), who did not plan but did attempt (“impulsive attempters;” n = 1172), and who both planned and attempted ( n = 4807). Items were selected from the YRBS to assess demographic variables, suicidal behaviors, and impulsive behaviors. Results Participants who had planned suicide without attempting were significantly less impulsive than those who had attempted without planning and than those who had both planned and attempted. Crucially, participants who had made a suicide attempt without prior planning were less impulsive than those who had planned and attempted. Limitations We were unable to conduct a multi-method assessment (i.e., measures were self-report); the measure of impulsivity consisted of items pulled from the YRBS rather than a previously validated impulsivity measure. Conclusions The notion that the most impulsive individuals are more likely to plan for suicide attempts is an important one for many reasons both theoretical and clinical, including that it may refine risk assessment and attendant clinical decision-making.
Evaluation of Potential Transit Signal Priority Benefits along a Fixed-Time Signalized Arterial

This paper presents the findings of a study evaluating the potential benefits of implementing transit signal priority along the Columbia Pike arterial corridor, in Arlington, Va. The study uses the \IINTEGRATION\N microscopic traffic simulation model to evaluate the impact of a number of alternative priority strategies on both the prioritized buses and general traffic during the morning peak and midday traffic periods. The transit priority strategies considered include providing priority to express buses traveling along Columbia Pike, to both express and regular buses along the arterial, and to all buses within the study corridor. The priority logic that is considered in the study provides simple green extensions and green recalls within a fixed-time traffic signal control environment. The simulation results indicate that the buses provided with priority would typically benefit from transit priority, but that these benefits may be obtained at the expense of the overall traffic, particularly when traffic demand is high. However, it is also found that in periods of lesser demand, the overall negative impacts could be negligible due to the availability of spare capacity at the signalized intersections.
Improving system performance for wireless networks

In this dissertation, we solve two problems in wireless networks: Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) enhancement and cluster node sleep scheduling. When TCP is deployed in a wireless mesh network, it encounters several challenges: transmission errors, packet reordering due to multipath routing, interference among multihop wireless links, and congestion in both wired and wireless networks. Most of the existing TCP enhancements do not properly treat all four challenges. In this dissertation, we propose a new TCP enhancement method, called Congestion Coherence, which can effectively decouple congestion signals from different types of packet recovery. This allows all four aforementioned challenges to be handled properly in wireless mesh networks. Simulation results show that this method improves TCP performance significantly. In cluster-based sensor networks, part of the sensor nodes can be switched into a sleep state in order to conserve energy, if their neighbors can provide the same or almost the same sensing coverage. However, as the number of nodes in the sleep state increases, coverage for the cluster is degraded. It is crucial to maintain high coverage of clusters in order to preserve performance. In this dissertation, we propose a coverage-aware sleep scheduling (CS) algorithm to improve the coverage of each cluster. Compared with two previous schemes: the randomized scheduling (RS) scheme and the distance-based scheduling (DS) scheme, the CS algorithm maintains higher coverage, while guaranteeing the same lifetime for the cluster. The CS algorithm thus improves the overall performance of the cluster-based sensor networks.
Assessing Older Adults’ Usability Challenges Using Kinect-Based Exergames

Exergames have been growing in popularity as a means to get physical exercise. Although these systems have many potential benefits both physically and cognitively, there may be barriers to their use by older adults due to a lack of design consideration for age-related changes in motor and perceptual capabilities. In this paper we evaluate the usability challenges of Kinect-based exergames for older adults. Older adults rated their interaction with the exergames system based on their perceived usefulness and ease-of-use of these systems. Although many of the participants felt that these systems could be potentially beneficial, particularly for exercise, there were several challenges experienced. We discuss the implications for design guidelines based on the usability challenges assessed.
Chiropractors’ perception of occupational stress and its influencing factors: a qualitative study using responses to open-ended questions

Job stress and emotional exhaustion have been shown to have a negative impact on the helping professional. The development and causal relations of job stress and emotional exhaustion are rather unclear in the chiropractic profession. The objective of this study is to understand the main sources of occupational stress and emotional exhaustion among doctors of chiropractic. Analysis of the written responses to web-based open-ended questionnaire was performed using an interpretive research methodology. Additionally, cross tabulation and Chi square statistical tests were conducted to match and couple the demographic data with the categorical themes. Fourteen professional stress categories emerged from the 970 completed surveys. “Managed Care Organization regulation”, “Managed Care reimbursement” and “Scope of Practice Issues” were the most common stressors that negatively influenced chiropractors’ professional and personal lives. The results of the categorical analysis suggests that age, marital status, number of years in practice and location of practice may have an influence on the category of stress reported by chiropractors. The qualitative approach revealed common, conventional and culture-specific job stressors in doctors of chiropractic. Notably, these findings suggest an association between third-party payer influences (increased regulation/decreased reimbursement) with that of increased job stress. Further research will be undertaken to refine the stress and satisfaction parameters and address stress interventions.
Human Hemochromatosis Protein (HFE) Immunoperoxidase Stain Highlights Choriocarcinoma within Mixed Germ Cell Tumors

Identification of choriocarcinoma within a germ cell tumor can have major implications for the subsequent staging and treatment of testicular neoplasms. Immunoperoxidase staining greatly enhances the speed and sensitivity of identifying occult, though clinically significant, tumor components. In mixed germ cell tumors, staining for beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) has been historically used to assess for the presence and burden of choriocarcinoma. However, current β-hCG stains produce variable, intense staining of trophoblastic elements and surrounding tissues, clouding the assessment of true-positive staining. Human hemochromatosis protein (HFE) is a membrane bound mediator of iron transport expressed at high levels within placenta. Additionally, previous reports have demonstrated that choriocarcinoma cell lines express HFE, although in vivo expression had not been examined. To address whether HFE can stain trophoblastic elements, HFE immunohistochemistry was conducted in choriocarcinoma (n = 4), mixed germ cell tumors (n = 11), seminoma (n = 4), and placenta (n = 11). HFE consistently demonstrated cytoplasmic and membranous staining, highlighting both syncytiotrophoblasts and cytotrophoblasts within choriocarcinoma and placenta. Staining of intratumoral white blood cells was observed within seminomas and mixed germ cell tumors, corroborating prior reports stating that HFE highlights monocytes and macrophages. Taken together, HFE may serve as an alternative target from β-hCG for immunoperoxidase studies when highlighting choriocarcinoma.
Histologic Lesions Induced by Murine Norovirus Infection in Laboratory Mice

Murine noroviruses (MNVs) are highly prevalent in laboratory mice, can cause persistent infections, and have been shown to infect macrophages, dendritic cells, and B cells. To address the potential impact of MNV infection on research outcomes, numerous studies have been conducted with various mouse models of human disease and have generated mixed results, ranging from no impact to significant disease. Many of these studies included histologic evaluations after MNV infection, and these results have similarly been variable in terms of whether MNV induces lesions, despite the fact that localization of MNV by viral culture and molecular techniques have demonstrated systemic distribution regardless of mouse immune status. The aim of this review is to summarize the histologic findings that have been reported with MNV infection in several mouse models. The studies demonstrate that experimental infection of MNV in wild-type mice results in minimal to no histologic changes. In contrast, immunodeficient mice consistently have detectable MNV-induced lesions that are typically inflammatory and, in the most severe cases, accompanied by necrosis. In these, the liver is commonly affected, with more variable lesions reported in the lung, gastrointestinal tract, mesenteric lymph nodes, brain, and spleen. In specific disease models including atherosclerosis, MNV infection had a variable impact that was dependent on the mouse model, viral strain, timing of infection, or other experimental variables. It is important to recognize the reported MNV lesions to help discern the possible influence of MNV infection on data generated in mouse models.
Rethinking Democracy and International Peace: Perspectives from Political Psychology

The intent of this article is to expand our understanding of the “zone of peace” that appears to surround democracies by proposing several explanations derived from psychological theories. These explanations, in contrast to those considered conventionally, explicitly incorporate leaders, leaders' perceptions, and their leadership styles. The first builds on social identity theory and focuses on leaders' images and beliefs about the enemy. The second examines leaders' responsiveness to normative and institutional constraints and the effect this sensitivity exerts on their leadership style, suggesting how the latter can shape governments' security strategies. The explanations embed research on the democratic peace into the theoretical context of decision making and encompass autocratic as well as democratic political systems in the process.
Oxalosis: An Unusual Cause of Myelophthisis in Childhood

In a child with renal failure and oliguria due to hyperoxaluria myelophthisis developed as a result of extensive bone-marrow replacement with calcium oxalate crystals and an accompanying fibrous proliferations. The histopathology associated with this metabolic disorder was demonstrated in posterior iliac crest bone-marrow trephine biopsies, renal biopsies, and nephrectomy specimens. Crystals were demonstrated in biopsy specimens of transplanted kidneys within six weeks following renal transplantation.
Acute Neurologic Infections

This article discusses acute bacterial, viral, toxin-mediated, and parasitic neurologic infections, emphasizing those infections that are potentially treatable, are rapidly fatal if untreated, or pose a significant risk of person-to-person transmission.
Novel cell-free high-throughput screening method for pharmacological tools targeting K+ channels

K(+) channels, a superfamily of ∼80 members, control cell excitability, ion homeostasis, and many forms of cell signaling. Their malfunctions cause numerous diseases including neuronal disorders, cardiac arrhythmia, diabetes, and asthma. Here we present a novel liposome flux assay (LFA) that is applicable to most K(+) channels. It is robust, low cost, and high throughput. Using LFA, we performed small molecule screens on three different K(+) channels and identified new activators and inhibitors for biological research on channel function and for medicinal development. We further engineered a hERG (human ether-a-go-go-related gene) channel, which, when used in LFA, provides a highly sensitive (zero false negatives on 50 hERG-sensitive drugs) and highly specific (zero false positives on 50 hERG-insensitive drugs), low-cost hERG safety assay.
Intelligent Content Generation via Abstraction, Evolution and Reinforcement

We present a system for autonomously generating puzzles in the form of a 2D, tile-based world. Puzzle design is entirely dependent on tile characteristics, which are implemented as abstract classes that can be modified by the system. Thus, the system controls not only the base-level puzzle design but also (to some extent) the meta-level component design. The result is a rich space of possible puzzles that the system explores with a combination of evolutionary computation and Q -learning. The system autonomously produces a variety of puzzles of varying difficulty to create a game called Loki's Castle . The system is almost completely autonomous, requiring only a minimal description of what a puzzle should include, and the abstraction allows extensibility so that future versions can invent entirely new classes of tiles. Several puzzle examples are presented to demonstrate the system's capability.
The role of GSM in the development of standards for a worldwide personal communications network

For the past five years, technical specifications have been written for a new digital cellular system in Europe. In many aspects, the new digital cellular system provide capabilities which are required in a personal communications network. Planners of future personal communications networks will be studying the rollout of this system in Europe to gain practical information on the usefulness and efficiency of services offered in this system. Also, the similarity in requirements for PCN and GSM systems sets the first stage for the GSM network to evolve into a worldwide personal communications network when such a network is developed. >
Fully resolved viscoelastic particulate simulations using unstructured grids

Viscoelastic particulate suspensions play a key role in many energy applications. Our goal is to develop a simulation-based tool for engineering such suspensions. This study is concerned with fully resolved simulations, wherein all flow scales associated with the particle motion are resolved. The present effort is based on Immersed Boundary (IB) methods, in which the domain grids do not conform to the particle geometry. The particles are defined on a separate Lagrangian mesh that is free to move over an underlying Eulerian grid. An immersed boundary forcing technique for moving bodies within an unstructured-mesh, non-Newtonian viscoelastic flow solver is thus developed and described. This method is implemented in a massively parallel, finite-volume-based incompressible fluid solver. A number of flows, simulated using this method are presented to assess the accuracy and correctness of the algorithm.
Megakaryocyte Development and Platelet Production

Blood platelets are 2–3 μm anucleate fragments that are formed from the megakaryocyte cytoplasm and have a distinctive discoid shape. To generate and release platelets, megakaryocytes undergo endomitosis to become polyploid and follow a maturation program that results in the transformation of the bulk of their cytoplasm into multiple long processes called proplatelets. To generate 1000–2000 platelets, a megakaryocyte may extend multiple proplatelets, each of which begins as a thick pseudopodium that over time elongates and branches repetitively. Platelets form predominantly at the tips of proplatelets. As platelets mature, their content of organelles and granules is delivered to them in a flow of individual cargo moving from the cell body of the megakaryocyte to the assembling platelets at the proplatelet ends. Platelet generation can be indiscriminately divided into two stages. The first stage takes days to complete and requires megakaryocyte-specific cytokines, such as thrombopoietin. Substantial nuclear proliferation to 16–32 × N and expansion of the megakaryocyte cytoplasm occur as the platelet is packed with platelet-specific granules, cytoskeletal proteins, and abundant membrane to complete the platelet assembly phase. The second stage is relatively fast and can be completed in hours. During this phase, megakaryocytes generate platelets by reorganizing their cytoplasm first into proplatelets, then preplatelets, which undergo fission to generate platelets. Each day, 100 billion platelets must be generated from megakaryocytes to sustain the normal platelet count of 2–3 × 108/mL.
Philadelphia chromosome negative B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in older adults: Current treatment and novel therapies.

Abstract Older adults with Philadelphia chromosome negative (Ph-),-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have the highest rates of treatment failure and treatment complications with current therapy, and, thus, there is no standard treatment for these patients. Approximately 16 percent of patients with newly diagnosed Ph- B-cell ALL are aged 60 years or older [1]. The five-year overall survival for this older cohort of patients is approximately 20 percent, and there has been no improvement in their survival in decades [2]. The challenge in managing older patients with ALL is achieving balance between efficacy of treatment and the toxicity of multi-agent chemotherapy. The latter approach is highly effective in younger adults, but greatly limited by toxicity in older adults. New classes of agents, bi-specific T-cell engager (BiTE) monoclonal antibody and antibody drug conjugates (ADC) have been introduced into the treatment of ALL, and these agents have achieved therapeutic responses and manageable toxicity in patients of all ages with relapsed refractory ALL. These newer immunotherapy agents may improve the treatment of older adults. This review focuses on the new approaches to treatment of Ph- B-cell ALL in older patients. Other reviews in this special edition of ALL will focus on Philadelphia chromosome positive ALL, Philadelphia-like ALL, and allogeneic stem cell transplant as related to older adults.
Flibanserin toxicity in a toddler following ingestion.

Introduction: Flibanserin is a medication recently approved by the FDA for treatment of generalized hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in premenopausal women. Its mechanism of action is not f...
Applications of Dense Graph Large Deviations

This chapter contains some simple applications of the large deviation principle for dense Erdős–Renyi random graphs that was derived in the previous chapter. The abstract theory yields surprising phase transition phenomena when applied to concrete problems.
Gut Microbiota Contribute to Age-Related Changes in Skeletal Muscle Size, Composition, and Function: Biological Basis for a Gut-Muscle Axis

Skeletal muscle is a highly plastic tissue that plays a central role in human health and disease. Aging is associated with a decrease in muscle mass and function (sarcopenia) that is associated with a loss of independence and reduced quality of life. Gut microbiota, the bacteria, archaea, viruses, and eukaryotic microbes residing in the gastrointestinal tract are emerging as a potential contributor to age-associated muscle decline. Specifically, advancing age is characterized by a dysbiosis of gut microbiota that is associated with increased intestinal permeability, facilitating the passage of endotoxin and other microbial products (e.g., indoxyl sulfate) into the circulation. Upon entering the circulation, LPS and other microbial factors promote inflammatory signaling and skeletal muscle changes that are hallmarks of the aging muscle phenotype. This review will summarize existing literature suggesting cross-talk between gut microbiota and skeletal muscle health, with emphasis on the significance of this axis for mediating changes in aging skeletal muscle size, composition, and function.
Perioperative outcomes of aspirin use in radical prostatectomy.

150Background: Increasing cardiovascular disease has led to increases in the patient population on anti-platelet therapy who require urologic surgery. We sought to study perioperative outcomes for those undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP) while taking or not taking perioperative aspirin (pASA). Methods: A retrospective review of patients undergoing RP was performed on the Premier Hospital Database from 2003 to 2015, with survey projection weighting resulting in a cohort of 157,674 patients. Two groups were formed – those continued on pASA (group 1, n = 4400) and those with no pASA (group 2, n = 153,274). In-hospital complication rates were studied: major bleeding, overall transfusion, day-of-surgery transfusion, prolonged ( > 4 days) length of stay (LOS), and prolonged ( > 285 minutes) operative time. We also assessed 90-day rates of: cardiovascular catastrophe, readmission, major complication, and DVT/PE. Unadjusted rates were calculated for all RP patients and further subdivided into open and minimall...
iDeepLe: deep learning in a flash

Emerging as one of the most contemporary machine learning techniques, deep learning has shown success in areas such as image classification, speech recognition, and even playing games through the use of hierarchical architecture which includes many layers of non-linear information. In this paper, a powerful deep learning pipeline, intelligent deep learning (iDeepLe) is proposed for both regression and classification tasks. iDeepLe is written in Python with the help of various API libraries such as Keras, TensorFlow, and Scikit-Learn. The core idea of the pipeline is inspired by the sequential modeling with considering numerous layers of neurons to build the deep architecture. Each layer in the sequential deep model can perform independently as a module with minimum finitudes and does not limit the performance of the other layers. iDeepLe has the ability of employing grid search, random search, and Bayesian optimization to tune the most significant predictor input variables and hyper-parameters in the deep model via adaptive learning rate optimization algorithms for both accuracy and complexity, while simultaneously solving the unknown parameters of the regression or the classification model. The parallel pipeline of iDeepLe has the capacity to handle big data problems using Apache Spark, Apache Arrow, High Performance Computing (HPC) and GPU-enabled machines as well. In this paper, to show the importance of the optimization in deep learning, an exhaustive study of the impact of hyper-parameters in a simple and a deep model using optimization algorithms with adaptive learning rate was carried out.
Relationships between Extreme Rain Rates and Convective Intensities from the Perspectives of TRMM and WSR-88D Radars

AbstractTRMM PR 2A25, version 7 (V7), retrievals of reflectivity Z and rainfall rate R are compared with WSR-88D dual-polarimetric S-band radar data for 28 radars over the southeastern United States after matching their horizontal resolution and sampling. TRMM Ku-band measurements are converted to S-band approximations to more directly compare reflectivity estimates. Rain rates are approximated from WSR-88D data using the CSU–hydrometeor identification rainfall optimization (HIDRO) algorithm. Tropics-wide TRMM retrievals confirm previous findings of a low overlap fraction between extreme convective intensity, as approximated by the maximum 40-dBZ height, and extreme near-surface rain rates. WSR-88D data also confirm this low overlap but show that it is likely higher than TRMM PR retrievals indicate. For maximum 40-dBZ echo heights that extend above the freezing level, mean WSR-88D reflectivities at low levels are approximately 2 dB higher than TRMM PR reflectivities. Higher WSR-88D-retrieved rain rates fo...
Safety and Efficacy of IV Lidocaine in the Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Status Migraine.

Objectives:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of IV lidocaine in treating children and adolescents with status migraine.Design:Retrospective observational study.Setting:Single center PICU.Patients:Children and adolescents admitted with status migraine.Intervention:IV lidocaine.Measurement and Main
Not an Ordinary Dry Spinal Tap: Froin's Syndrome in an Unusual Case of Neurosarcoidosis (P05.207)

OBJECTIVE: To describe an unusual etiology for a "dry" spinal tap in a case of neurosarcoidosis complicated by Froin9s syndrome. BACKGROUND: In 1903, Froin first described the syndrome bearing his name marked by cerebrospinal fluid xanthochromia and hypercoagulability due to an increased protein content. This was noted in loculated areas of the subarachnoid space, sequestered from cerebrospinal fluid circulation by an obstructing inflammatory or neoplastic lesion. DESIGN/METHODS: Case Report. A 43-year-old man presented with a 4 week history of limb weakness, severe back and radicular leg pain, urinary retention and headache. Fever, night sweats and weight loss were reported. Limb flaccidity was followed by spasticity among other pyramidal signs and he developed bilateral Horner9s syndrome. Intraorbital bullet fragments precluded MRI neuroaxis imaging and initial noncontrast CT scanning only showed possible mild hydrocephalus. Extensive infectious, inflammatory, toxic, metabolic, neoplastic/paraneoplastic and autoimmune studies were unremarkable except for CSF findings. There were 4 dry lumbar spinal taps before success with a C1-C2 level tap with CSF showing RBC: 0mm/3, WBC: 162mm/3 (Neutrophils-40%, Lymphocytes-60%), protein: 22mg/dL, glucose: 67mg/dL; and cytology: negative. Contrast CT scans of the spine revealed ill-defined extradural versus intramedullary enhancing lesions at the cervicothoracic and the lumbosacral levels. A biopsy attempt with a L4-L5 laminectomy was without histopathological yield but an intraspinal canal filled with a gelatinous material encasing the nerve roots was seen with no CSF present. The CSF protein was found to be 256mg/dL when an external ventricular drain was placed for worsening hydrocephalus. The patient eventually succumbed to a subarachnoid hemorrhage. RESULTS: Postmortem neuropathology revealed sarcoid granulomas extensively affecting dural and perivascular tissues. There were large obstructing subarachnoid granulomatous lesions consistent with neurosarcoidosis. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with inflammatory or neoplastic neurological conditions, Froin9s syndrome must be considered in the differential for a repeatedly dry spinal tap. Disclosure: Dr. Morren has nothing to disclose. Dr. Salgado has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity from Belvoir Media Group as Consulting Editor of A Special Report published by the editors of Heart Advisor Cleveland Clinic STROKE: Advances in Prevention and Treatment of Cerebrovascular Disease.
Normal blood leukocyte concentration values.

Absolute blood leukocyte counts were determined in 291 normal individuals (226 Caucasian and 65 Negro), using modern, electronic leukocyte counting methods. Two hundred cell differential counts of coverslip smears stained with Wright’s stain were done. Normal mean values and 95% limits expressed as cells per cu. mm. were: band neutrophils 500 (100 to 2,100); segmented neutrophils 3,000 (1,100 to 6,050); total neutrophils 3,650 (1,830 to 7,250); lymphocytes 2,500 (1,500 to 4,000); monocytes 430 (200 to 950); eosinophils 150 (0 to 700); basophils 30 (0 to 150). No clinically significant differences between Negroes and Caucasians were found.
Non-Random Diffusion in Ionic Crystals

Non-random diffusion can result both from the presence of atonic driving forces and from the motion of defects in a crystal. Defect-related non-random effects appear in two different ways in the kinetic diffusion equations, as correlation effects and as defect-wind effects. In the present paper, the origin and magnitude of these effects during diffusion in a driving force are discussed. Kinetic expressions for the drift velocity are derived from expressions for the effective frequencies of independent atom jumps and are related to the tracer diffusion coefficient D*. For impurity diffusion in an electric field, deviations from the Nernst-Einstein relation result from defect-wind effects. Recently developed equations for the ionic-impurity drift-mobility when diffusion occurs via divacancies moving on one of the sub-lattices in the NaCl structure are summarized. Extensions of the simple equations derived here to more complex situations are discussed.
Narrating Rape: An Ethnographic Case-Study of Non-Consensual Sexual Debut in Tanzania

ABSTRACTThis article explores the issue of (female) sexual consent in a non-western context by examining narratives of the non-consensual sexual debut in Tanzania within the institutional and cultu...
Robotic urologic surgery: trends in litigation over the last decade

There is a lack of information regarding malpractice claims and indemnity payments associated with robotic cases in surgery. Malpractice claims and indemnity payouts will elucidate and mitigate harms of future adoption of new technology into surgery. We analyzed claims filed against Intuitive Surgical, Inc. from 2000 to 2017. A law librarian identified product liability claims from 2000 to 2017 with the defendant "Intuitive Surgical, Inc." using the Bloomberg Law database. We reviewed all available legal documents pertaining to identified claims, and extracted data points including filing date, surgery date, surgery type, robot type, instrument type, complications, and case outcomes. Since 2000, 123 claims were filed; 108 met criteria for inclusion. Gynecologic surgeries comprised the majority of claims (62%, 67 claims), followed by urologic surgeries (20%, 22 claims). Number of claims filed peaked in 2013 (30%, 32 claims) and then decreased each year, with 6% (7 claims) filed in 2016, and only 1% (1 claim) filed in 2017. Of the 22 claims regarding robotic urologic surgeries, 19 claims (86%) pertained to prostatectomy. Commonly alleged injuries in urologic cases were bowel injury (8 claims), erectile dysfunction (5 claims), bowel fistulas (4 claims), and incontinence (4 claims). Device failure was cited in only 2 claims. Early adopters of robotic surgery were at highest risk of litigation. This risk subsequently decreased despite the wide spread adoption of this technology. Almost all claims were secondary to surgical complications and not device failure, thus demonstrating a need for more systematic training for novel devices and early adopters.
Why Collaboration is Important Now and Opportunities for Future Research

Collaboration among early childhood education programs can leverage scarce resources to provide greater access to services, meet a wider range of family needs, maximize professional development, ac...
Advanced Idiosyncratic Risk and Multi-Factor Models

A common scenario risk analysis employs a multiple factor model with assumed changes in the factors to obtain changes in non-factor variables. This analysis is sometimes designated as a “predictive stress scenario”. We choose to designate the factor model as a multifactor “CAPM” model, also related to APT models. We are not concerned with the details of the factor model. The risks of the scenarios are evaluated for a portfolio of instruments depending on changes of the variables. A systemic problem with this factor model approach is that the empirical correlations between pairs of non-factor variables are not maintained. We designate “advanced idiosyncratic risk” or “AI-Risk” as the correction to the risk of a predictive stress CAPM model scenario that includes a better approximation to the physical correlations. We have developed a new, effective, and economical AI-Risk formalism. There are two parts to AI-Risk. The first part, which is actually standard, has independent normal random variables with no correlations; we designate that as part of the CAPM model to get the variances correctly reproduced; we believe this is standard practice. The second part contains the corrections to the correlations; this is new. We evaluate AI-Risk for some stock portfolios. We find that the AI-Risk can be important, typically between 10%-50% of the predictive stress risk. The amount depends on the ratio of long/short (“L/S”) position values, with larger AI-Risk for higher L/S ratios.A technical remark is that we use correlations as the metric for model improvement. Therefore we work with z-scores or “unit” returns with the empirical volatility divided out.Finally, we indicate the generalization to cross-sectional regression factor models.In summary this work achieves two results: 1. A parsimonious formalism incorporating correlated idiosyncratic risk that gives better agreement with given empirical correlations (so risk is calculated closer to the physical world). 2. Indications of substantial addition to risk due to correlated idiosyncratic contributions, with respect to the smaller risk obtained in the standard model with uncorrelated idiosyncratic risk.
The Need for Advanced Clinical Education for Nurse Practitioners Continues Despite Expansion of Doctor of Nursing Practice Programs

We read with great interest Mundinger and Carter's exposition of how, in their view, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) education has lost its way and what consequences might result. Mundinger and Carter note that DNP programs are overwhelming focused on nonclinical practice. We share the concern of Mundinger and Carter about the future of nurse practitioner (NP) education within the context of expanding DNP programs. In this commentary, we raise concerns about NP transition to practice and the limited, but concerning, evidence that new NPs struggle in their transition to practice. We note that this concern is magnified as NPs continue to move into specialty roles. Health systems have responded to this concern by developing residency and fellowship programs. Fifteen years after the AACN position statement on the clinical doctorate was issued, the goal of DNP education remains an unfinished project. An important question remains: Can, will, and how should DNP programs deliver?
31 – Wind Power

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses use of wind power as a source of energy. Wind power differs from most other “alternative energy technologies” in that it is an old and proven source. . It is a technology which could be quickly brought to a large-scale use given determination and support on the part of the private and public sectors. The laws of physics tell that kinetic energy varies as the square of the wind speed. Since the amount of air which passes through the diameter of a windmill per unit time depends on the first power of the velocity of the air, the power available depends on the third power or cube of the wind velocity. Thus, if the wind speed doubles, the power available increases eight-fold. It is thus important for wind machines to operate at as high a wind speed as possible. Since the energy comes from the cylindrical volume of air which passes through the blades, the power available varies as the square of the windmill's diameter. Thus if the diameter is doubled, the power output is quadrupled.
Why have band theorists been so successful in explaining and predicting novel superconductors

In this contribution to the J. Phys.: Condens. Matter memorial issue in honor of Sandro Massidda I reflect on a phenomenon Sandro had been a part of. While theoretical condensed matter physicists have made, over the years, exciting and most elegant contributions to the theory of superconductivity (which, in and by itself, is one of the most beautiful constructs in theoretical physics), some of them of utmost importance, they have had less success in predicting and explaining superconducting states and mechanisms in specific materials. More down-to-earth computational materials scientists, who often go by the moniker 'band theorists', have been much more successful in applying (usually other people's) ideas in such circumstances. In this essay I give some examples, largely drawn from my own experience, and speculate on their meaning.
A Survey of Ron Douglas’s Contributions to the Index Theory of Toeplitz Operators

In this survey article, we look back on some of the important contributions that Ron Douglas made to the study of index theory for various generalizations of Toeplitz operators.
Treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum: A multicenter survey-based study assessing satisfaction and quality of life.

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) lacks consensus regarding treatment, and no prior studies assess treatment satisfaction in PG. To determine patient-reported satisfaction in the treatment of PG, and associations with satisfaction. Multicenter one time cross-sectional survey for patients who received systemic medication(s) to treat PG. Thirty-five patients completed the survey (mean age: 54.0 years, 65.7% female, response rate: 81.4%). Mean (± SD) SATMED-Q score was 75.0 (±16.2, range: 67.6-85.3). Older patients (72.6 ± 23.6 for 18-39 years, 74.4 ± 16.1 for 40-59, 77.1 ± 11.6 for 60+), plus those with higher incomes (72.9 ± 20.3 for $0-49 000; 74.0 ± 17.6 for $50000-99 000; 79.0 ± 14.6 for $100000+) and education status (69.4 ± 14.3 for high school equivalent, 72.9 ± 15.9 for undergraduate, 91.7 ± 10.6 for graduate), were more satisfied with treatment. Ulcerative PG had higher SATMED-Q scores (79.0 ± 13.2) than other subtypes (66.2 ± 19.3). For local therapy, wound care, or pain control, 63.2%, 100%, and 75% were satisfied, respectively. The mean DLQI was 8.6 (±7.6, range: 0-29), and higher DLQI was associated with decreased satisfaction. Satisfaction with providers was positively correlated with global satisfaction (Pearson's r = 0.638). The presence of pain and/or depression influenced both SATMED-Q (72.8 ± 18.8 with pain, 78.3 ± 11.2 without; 68.2 ± 18.8 with depression, 80.1 ± 12.2 without) and DLQI scores (12.1 ± 8.1 with pain, 3.9 ± 3.4 without; 10.3 ± 7.1 with depression, 7.4 ± 8.0 without). To optimize the patient experience, non-modifiable associations should be individually considered, and potentially modifiable associations such as satisfaction with specific providers, pain, and depression, may be targeted for management. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Treatment of tardive dyskinesia: a review and update for dermatologists managing delusions of parasitosis.

This article introduces to the dermatology provider two medications for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia (TD), which were the first medications approved by the US FDA specifically for the treatm...
Anthropogenic resources contribute to settlement of mud-nesting Barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) in an arid environment

Globally, bird populations are declining. This may be caused by human alterations of habitats formerly used by birds. Migratory birds show flexibility in resource use, however, a distinct move to a...
Intrinsically disordered proteins identified in the aggregate proteome serve as biomarkers of neurodegeneration

A protein's structure is determined by its amino acid sequence and post-translational modifications, and provides the basis for its physiological functions. Across all organisms, roughly a third of the proteome comprises proteins that contain highly unstructured or intrinsically disordered regions. Proteins comprising or containing extensive unstructured regions are referred to as intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). IDPs are believed to participate in complex physiological processes through refolding of IDP regions, dependent on their binding to a diverse array of potential protein partners. They thus play critical roles in the assembly and function of protein complexes. Recent advances in experimental and computational analyses predicted multiple interacting partners for the disordered regions of proteins, implying critical roles in signal transduction and regulation of biological processes. Numerous disordered proteins are sequestered into aggregates in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) where they are enriched even in serum, making them good candidates for serum biomarkers to enable early detection of AD.
In silico screening and molecular dynamics simulation of deleterious PAH mutations responsible for phenylketonuria genetic disorder

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetic disorder that if left untreated can lead to behavioral problems, epilepsy, and even mental retardation. PKU results from mutations within the phenylalanine-4-hydroxylase (PAH) gene that encodes for the PAH protein. The study of all PAH causing mutations is improbable using experimental techniques. In this study, a collection of in silico resources, sorting intolerant from tolerant, Polyphen-2, PhD-SNP, and MutPred were used to identify possible pathogenetic and deleterious PAH non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs). We identified two variants of PAH, I65N and L311P, to be the most deleterious and disease causing nsSNPs. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were carried out to characterize these point mutations on the atomic level. MD simulations revealed increased flexibility and a decrease in the hydrogen bond network for both mutants compared to the native protein. Free energy calculations using the MM/GBSA approach found that BH4 , a drug-based therapy for PKU patients, had a higher binding affinity for I65N and L311P mutants compared to the wildtype protein. We also identify important residues in the BH4 binding pocket that may be of interest for the rational drug design of other PAH drug-based therapies. Lastly, free energy calculations also determined that the I65N mutation may impair the dimerization of the N-terminal regulatory domain of PAH.
March Madness Magic: Constructing a Tournament with a Magic Cube

A magic cube of order n is an n×n×n array containing each of the first n3 positive integers exactly once, such that the sum of entries in every row, every column, and every pillar are the same. We ...