cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mapping Dispersion Misfit and Uncertainty in Vs Profiles to Variability in Site Response Estimates

AbstractUncertainty in site response analyses can be attributed to a number of parameters, including analysis methods, input ground motions, nonlinear dynamic soil properties, and shear-wave velocity profiles. In this paper, several approaches commonly used to account for shear-wave velocity (Vs) uncertainty in site response are investigated. Specifically, the Vs profiles considered are categorized into three groups: (1) Vs profiles determined directly from surface-wave inversion, (2) simple statistical Vs profiles derived indirectly from the surface-wave Vs profiles (including bounding-type, median, and other percentile Vs profiles), and (3) statistically based, randomly generated Vs profiles. A companion paper discusses the development of these Vs profiles for two international blind-study sites. In this paper, the effects of using each approach to account for Vs uncertainty in site response are investigated by linking the dispersion misfit values for each Vs profile to variability in equivalent linear ...
International Expansion of the U.S.-Based Franchisors: Opportunities and Problems

This paper describes a research in progress on the international business involvement of the U.S.-based franchising firms and the opportunities and problems associated with their international franchise operations. The preliminary findings of the research will be presented at the conference.
Real Time, in vivo Photoacoustic Potassium Imaging and Monitoring

Potassium ions are of physiological interest due to the role they play in the action potential, electrochemically balancing biological ions, and maintaining a healthy heart. Traditionally, in vivo potassium-sensing has been performed using ion-specific electrodes. However, these electrodes are limited by their inherently intrusive application and inability to generate diagnostic images. Using the thin film rehydration method, we have developed a potassium sensor suitable for real-time in vivo potassium sensing and monitoring. Nanoscale micelles synthesized from pluronic coblock polymers were loaded with a potassium ionophore and a highly absorbent, ratiometric pH dye. Due to hydrogen abstraction from the bulk solution, changes in potassium concentration induce a measurable pH change within the micelle. By exciting this dye at its protonated wavelength, we are able to use of the photoacoustic effect, and non-invasively measure ultrasonic, potassium-dependent frequencies produced from the dye in real time. Furthermore, the acoustic signal allows us to generate ultrasonic images of the target area, enhancing the diagnostic benefit. The micelle boasts a wide sensitivity range spanning three orders of magnitude, which includes typical intra- and extracellular potassium concentrations. Additionally, our approach is robust in that one need only switch the ionophore to probe a different cation of interest. These micelles represent the first demonstration of cationic-analyte imaging and will contribute positively to diagnostic efforts.
A design of hybrid feedback stabilization on 1D coverage with topological perspectives

In this paper, we study the topology of the space of coverings for a 1 dimensional coverage problem. In the sense of full coverage with excess one agent, the topological structure of the space of coverings is described by the skeleton of permutahedron. Based on its topological structure, we design a periodic trajectory which satisfies natural performance requirements and a two-level hybrid hierarchical control on the multi-agent system. Then we compare the hybrid hierarchical control to a usual centralized control through a numerical example and simulations.
Facing “Double Jeopardy”? Depressive Symptoms in Left-Behind Elderly in Rural China

Objective: When examining the depressive symptoms of left-behind elderly, this article goes beyond a focus on disruption to traditional patterns of living arrangements and investigates the heterogeneities in the patterns of migration distance, as well as the role of community contexts in buffering the loss of migrant children’s support. Method: This study uses the first wave of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey, and employs random effects multi-level modeling. Results: Having migrant children is associated with increased depressive symptoms among older adults, above and beyond living arrangements. Having their migrant children all live outside the province further puts older adults in disadvantaged mental conditions. This disadvantage can be further compounded by residence in impoverished communities. Discussion: In assessing depression among rural older adults in China, examination of living arrangements may be insufficient. It may be necessary to reference to children’s migration statu...
Temperature, Age, and Febrile Seizure Recurrence

Factors that predict recurrence of a seizure during a subsequent fever episode were studied in 230 children included in a randomized placebo controlled trial of ibuprofen prophylaxis treatment at the Sophia and Juliana Children's Hospitals, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Size Specific Transfection to Mammalian Cells by Micropillar Array Electroporation

Electroporation serves as a promising non-viral gene delivery approach, while its current configuration carries several drawbacks associated with high-voltage electrical pulses and heterogeneous treatment on individual cells. Here we developed a new micropillar array electroporation (MAE) platform to advance the electroporation-based delivery of DNA and RNA probes into mammalian cells. By introducing well-patterned micropillar array texture on the electrode surface, the number of pillars each cell faces varies with its plasma membrane surface area, despite their large population and random locations. In this way, cell size specific electroporation is conveniently carried out, contributing to a 2.5~3 fold increase on plasmid DNA transfection and an additional 10-55% transgene knockdown with siRNA probes, respectively. The delivery efficiency varies with the number and size of micropillars as well as their pattern density. As MAE works like many single cell electroporation are carried out in parallel, the electrophysiology response of individual cells is representative, which has potentials to facilitate the tedious, cell-specific protocol screening process in current bulk electroporation (i.e., electroporation to a large population of cells). Its success might promote the wide adoption of electroporation as a safe and effective non-viral gene delivery approach needed in many biological research and clinical treatments.
Racial Disparities in Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

Background Racial and ethnic disparities are a critical issue in access to care within all fields of medicine. We hypothesized that analysis of a statewide administrative dataset would demonstrate disparities based on race with respect to access to this latest technology and the associated outcomes following endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). Methods Utilizing de-identified data from the Florida State Agency for Health Care Administration, we identified patients based on International Classification of Diseases Ninth Revision procedure codes who underwent EVAR between the years 2000 and 2014. We then assigned these procedures with the specialty of the operating physician and then analyzed outcomes based on the race of the patient. Results We identified 36,601 EVAR procedures during the study period. The average age of the total sample was 73.38 (±9.87), with the majority of the cohort being male (n = 29,034, 81.2%). Breakdown of patients within each race category was as follows: 17,056 (47.7%) non-Hispanic Whites, 1,630 (4.6%) non-Hispanic African Americans, 16,431 (46.0%) Hispanics, and 632 (1.8%) patients identified as “other.” Data analysis showed significant differences among age at presentation, sex of patient, and comorbidity score of patients at presentation. There were significant differences in outcomes based on race with respect to total hospital charges, length of stay, disposition, and payer status. Conclusions Racial disparities were discovered with respect to EVAR treatment. African Americans present at younger ages, have the highest percentage of females requiring intervention, have the longest hospital stays, have the highest Medicaid payer source, have the highest in-hospital total charges of any racial group, and are more likely to be treated by academic practitioners. Hispanics present with the highest comorbidity scores compared to their counterparts and, along with African Americans, are more likely to be treated by nonvascular surgeons.
A Comparative Analysis of the Greek Financial Crisis and the IMF’s Bailout Programs: An East Asian View

This chapter examines the current financial and economic crisis in Greece from a perspective of the East Asian Financial Crisis. It traces some of the distinctive features of the ongoing economic crisis in Greece, comparing them with those of the financial crisis in East Asia in the late 1990s. This comparative analysis of the two crises shows that the aggravation in the Greek economic situation is primarily due to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Troika’s misguided bailout conditionality, just as the IMF’s failed bailout programs in East Asia severely damaged many East Asian economies. Drawing upon this observation, the chapter proposes a series of reform agendas in the domain of regional and international financial arrangement.
The Effect of Hemolymph Extraction Volume and Handling Stress on Horseshoe Crab Mortality

We evaluated mortality associated with hemolymph extraction of 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40% of estimated hemolymph volume among low-stress and high-stress groups of horseshoe crabs. In addition to bleeding, the high-stress group underwent simulated transport and handling procedures associated with the biomedical industry’s bleeding process. Mortality rates of the unbled animals were not significantly different between the stressed and unstressed groups. Of the bled animals, there was a significantly higher mortality rate (8.3%) in the stressed group when compared to the unstressed group (0%), suggesting a possible synergistic effect between hemolymph extraction and external stressors. Within the stressed group, mortality was significantly associated with bleeding (P = 0.009). Within the stressed group, mortality was significantly associated with the amount of blood withdrawn (P = 0.009). Mortality rate ranged from 0 to 29.4% over the range of 10–40% hemolymph volume withdrawn. Insight was provided into the possible synergistic effect of blood extraction and external stressors associated with biomedical transport and holding methods on horseshoe crab mortality. Future strategies to reduce horseshoe crab mortality associated with biomedical bleeding must not only take into consideration the effects of bleeding but also the physiological stressors attributable to harvest, transport, and holding conditions.
Jets and high pT hadrons in CMS

Abstract We present the recent experimental results on jets and high p T hadrons measured by the CMS Collaboration using various observables: jet and high p T charged hadron yields, dijet imbalance, jet shapes and fragmentation functions. The measurements of dijet p T and pseudorapidity distributions in pPb collisions using the data delivered by LHC at early 2013 are also presented.
ANNEALING OF ION-IMPLANTED GaAs WITH A PULSED RUBY LASER*

Si-implanted GaAs pulse-annealed with, a Q-switched ruby laser was studied and the results compared with those obtained using thermal annealing. Activation efficiencies of 45˜56% with mobilities 900˜1350 cm 2 /V-sec were measured in laser irradiated GaAs implanted at 200 keV with a fluence of 1˜5×10 14 cm –2 . SIMS profiles showed substantial impurity profile broadening on samples irradiated with high energy density laser pulses (˜2 J/cm 2 ) but little impurity redistribution with lower energy density pulses (≲1 J/cm 2 ). Non-alloyed ohmic contacts were formed by direct evaporation of AuGe onto high-dose implanted, pulsed laser beam (0.8˜1.5 J/cm 2 ) irradiated GaAs.
Evolution of a flipped pathway creates metabolic innovation in tomato trichomes through BAHD enzyme promiscuity.

Plants produce hundreds of thousands of structurally diverse specialized metabolites via multistep biosynthetic networks, including compounds of ecological and therapeutic importance. These pathways are restricted to specific plant groups, and are excellent systems for understanding metabolic evolution. Tomato and other plants in the nightshade family synthesize protective acylated sugars in the tip cells of glandular trichomes on stems and leaves. We describe a metabolic innovation in wild tomato species that contributes to acylsucrose structural diversity. A small number of amino acid changes in two acylsucrose acyltransferases alter their acyl acceptor preferences, resulting in reversal of their order of reaction and increased product diversity. This study demonstrates how small numbers of amino acid changes in multiple pathway enzymes can lead to diversification of specialized metabolites in plants. It also highlights the power of a combined genetic, genomic and in vitro biochemical approach to identify the evolutionary mechanisms leading to metabolic novelty. Plants produce large numbers of structurally diverse metabolites through multistep pathways that often use the same precursors. Here the authors utilize the pathway leading to the production of acylated sucroses in the tomato plant to illustrate how metabolite diversity can arise through biochemical pathway evolution.
Advances in Patellofemoral Arthroplasty

To describe current indications, implants, economic benefits, comparison to TKA, and functional and patient-reported outcomes of patellofemoral arthroplasty. Modern onlay implants and improved patient selection have allowed for recent improvements in short- and long-term outcomes after patellofemoral joint replacement surgery. Patellofemoral arthroplasty has become an increasingly utilized technique for the successful treatment of isolated patellofemoral arthritis. Advances in patient selection, implant design, and surgical technique have resulted in improved performance and longevity of these implants. Although short- and mid-term data for modern patellofemoral arthroplasties appear promising, further long-term clinical studies are needed to evaluate how new designs and technologies will affect patient outcomes and long-term implant performance.
Broadening participation Opening remarks

Highlighting efforts and providing the rationale to increase the participation and success of underrepresented groups in computing.
The Effect of Set Composition on Stopping Behavior in a Finite Search Among Assortments

The process by which individuals make sequential searches among choice sets prior to choosing a single item is examined. Economic search theory prescribes that such searches should be made by focusing on expectations of the maximum utility likely to be found in each set, ignoring external features of sets such as their complexity. Empirical research in psychology, however, suggests that search behavior may be highly influenced by set features, most notably a tendency to defer choices from sets that are perceived as difficult to evaluate. An experimental investigation of choice-set search reveals that stopping decisions are indeed influenced by normatively irrelevant external features of sets, but not in a way that is completely consistent with previous work on context effects. In particular, we find that individuals are likely to stop sooner in search when encountering larger versus smaller choice sets (holding their maximum utilities constant), and decisions to stop are unaffected by two traditional measures of difficulty: whether a choice set lacks dominant options and the similarity of overall utilities of options in a set. Implications of the work for the ability to generalize findings in static choice to dynamic task settings are explored.
Sample Selection Bias in Health Econometric Models

This article discusses nonrandom sample selection (SS), its causes, and consequent biases for causal inference and prediction. SS bias in the conventional linear framework is detailed, and the classical Heckman-type two-stage SS estimator is reviewed. Linear models and methods are not, however, compatible with most empirical contexts in health economics and health services research which often involve outcomes that are qualitative or otherwise limited in range. For this reason, SS in a general nonlinear framework is reviewed, and a recently developed two-stage estimation approach for such nonlinear models is outlined.
Mimicry is not mastery

Threshold concepts are the tricky ideas that underpin so much knowledge. In teaching them, it is important to recognize that a correct answer is not necessarily evidence of understanding.
Evaluation of a Dialectical Behavior Therapy Psychiatry Residency Training Program

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a widely disseminated evidence-based treatment for patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). This evaluation of a community psychiatry residency rotation compared a DBT training program to a standard care training program to determine the levels of confidence in treating patients with BPD, willingness to treat patients with BPD, and attitudes towards this patient population. Participants were 57 psychiatry residents who completed a 3-month community psychiatry rotation in a DBT clinic (N = 33), or standard care clinic (N = 24) based in a partial hospitalization program in a community mental health center. A mixed method design was used to collect qualitative and quantitative data on participants’ experiences working with BPD and patients at high-risk for suicide. Participants were asked several open-ended questions to determine what aspect of their community psychiatry rotation influenced their level of confidence in treating, and willingness to treat BPD, non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors, and suicidal behaviors. Compared to training in the standard care condition, the DBT condition demonstrated significantly higher rates of willingness to treat, and confidence in treating patients with BPD, and confidence in treating non-suicidal self-injury. There were no significant differences between the two conditions in the level of confidence in treating suicidal patients. Four themes emerged from a qualitative content analysis examining the benefits of the training program, including (1) exposure to high-risk patients, (2) team-based treatment structure, (3) formal didactic training, and (4) individual or group supervision. Participants receiving DBT training had more willingness to treat and confidence in treating patients with BPD compared to participants receiving training in the standard care clinic. Team-based structure of DBT and exposure to high-risk patients were two themes from the training that impacted these variables across both study arms, according to participant self-report. Internal validity of the study was limited by the lack of randomization and pre-post design. External validity of the study was strengthened due to the setting of a community mental health clinic and resident training program.
Highly Active and Durable Cu x Au(1-x) Ultrathin-Film Catalysts for Nitrate Electroreduction Synthesized by Surface-Limited Redox Replacement.

Cu x Au(1-x) bimetallic ultrathin-film catalysts for nitrate electroreduction have been synthesized using electrochemical atomic layer deposition by surface-limited redox replacement of Pb underpotentially deposited layer. Controlled by the ratio of [Cu2+] ions and [AuCl4 -] complex in the deposition solution, the alloy film composition (atomic fraction, x in the range of 0.5-1) has been determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and indirectly estimated by anodic stripping voltammetry. The catalytic activity and durability of Cu x Au(1-x) thin films, Cu thin film, and bulk Cu have been studied by one- and multiple-cycle voltammetry. The synthesized Cu x Au(1-x) thin films feature up to two times higher nitrate electroreduction activity in acidic solution compared to bulk and thin-film Cu counterparts. Highest activity has been measured with a Cu0.70Au0.30 catalyst. Durability tests have demonstrated that Cu thin films undergo rapid deactivation losing 65% of its peak activity for 92 cycles, whereas Cu0.70Au0.30 catalysts lose only 45% of their top performance. The significantly better durability of alloy films can be attributed to effective resistance to poisoning and/or hindered dissolution of Cu active centers. It has been also found that both Cu x Au(1-x) and pure Cu thin films show best electroreduction activity at lowest pH.
Not Everyone Gets a Seat at the Table!: Responding to the Language Games of Diversity

Teaching issues of diversity, privilege, equity, and equality occupies a precarious but indispensable position given the increasing tensions between so-called “liberal” institutions of education and conservative politics. Over the past decade, as social justice movements have gained momentum, we have simultaneously witnessed the language of equality and inclusion become co-opted for the purposes of ensuring white-supremacist, patriarchal, and capitalist dominance. With this reformulation of progressive rhetoric to serve racist, xenophobic, and sexist ends, how do we as educators communicate to students the importance of diversity and equality while simultaneously critiquing the language games played by those who use progressive narratives as a Trojan horse of social justice? This chapter was generated from the experiences of two teacher educators, who are also scholars in the field of critical discourse analysis. They propose subverting rhetoric launched against social justice efforts—repackaging the Trojan horse and sending it back—in order to reconfigure language of inclusion/exclusion, equality/equity, and free/hate speech. The purpose of preparing future teachers for the growing complexity of interdiscursive language games is to empower them to navigate educational settings that are becoming simultaneously more diverse and yet more restricted in terms of the conversations that can take place.
Large-Scale Datasets and Social Justice: Measuring Inequality in Opportunities to Learn

Large-scale datasets allow for the tracking of persistent patterns of inequality and inequity in education. This chapter demonstrates how inequality in students’ learning opportunities compounds in high schools. This chapter uses the Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) of Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) curricula to demonstrate how a four-part chain of events in curriculum opportunities exacerbate inequality of education in the US. This census dataset allows for small numbers of historically marginalized voices to be heard among the many. With these voices, researchers can begin to listen to the social injustices that undertow our society and begin to enact change through educational policy. These findings move forward the educational opportunity and tracking discussions in the twenty-first century to understand the nested spaces of opportunity along curricular pipelines.
Innovative Thinking: Encouraging Creative Diversity with Video Scenarios

This highly participatory Special Session introduces video scenarios as a collaborative approach that enables students to hone innovative thinking skills while experiencing how diverse viewpoints contribute to innovation. The videos present fictitious scenarios involving individuals experiencing a variety of problems for which the audience is challenged to think of creative technology-based solutions. Emphasizing conceptual solutions, decoupled from implementation, allows students with a variety of ability and experience levels to participate equally in the exercises, highlighting the value of all voices in the creative process. It also allows the videos to be used in a wide of range classes from the general education and introductory levels through senior capstones in both computing and engineering. Participants in this special session will experience how video scenarios provide a platform that highlights the influence and value of diversity for creative problem solving while developing and honing innovative thinking skills. By taking part in a variety of activities, the participants will be ready to use video scenarios to easily bring collaborative exercises for innovative thinking into their classes. Videos and discussion prompts are available at www.youtube.com/virt-university in the Creativity College.
Abstract 2141: Mechanistic studies of altertoxin II: A fungal metabolite with selective activity against Ewing sarcoma

Ewing sarcomas (ES) are bone and soft tissue tumors that affect children and adolescents. These cancers are driven by chromosomal translocations that most frequently result in expression of the abnormal EWSR1-FLI1 fusion protein, a transcriptional activator and modulator of RNA splicing, or similar fusion proteins. Despite significant advances in therapies for pediatric hematological malignancies over the past 30 years, there has been less progress in the development of curative therapies for advanced or metastatic pediatric solid tumors. Approximately 35% of ES are resistant to standard-of-care chemotherapeutic agents, and nearly 70% of ES patients with metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis die within 5 years. Therefore, there is a need to develop new, targeted therapies for ES that improve patient survival and decrease toxicity. We performed high-content phenotypic screens of natural product libraries to identify compounds with selective actions against pediatric solid tumor types and found that the fungal metabolite altertoxin II (ATXII) has highly selective cytotoxic activity against 6 ES cells lines compared to a panel of other pediatric and adult cancer cell lines. On average, the IC50 of ATXII is 94-fold higher (range 16- to 400-fold) in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cells than in ES cells, indicating high selectivity for ES. Mechanistic studies were conducted to determine this compound’s mechanisms of actions in ES cells, with the goal of identifying new molecular targets for the treatment of ES. We found that 100 nM ATXII, a concentration that has no effect on RMS cell viability, induces cell cycle accumulation in ES cells in the S and G2/M phases, and rapid phosphorylation of histone H2A.X (gamma-H2A.X) and checkpoint kinase 1, suggesting ATXII selectively induces cell cycle arrest and DNA damage in ES cells. To determine if ES sensitivity to ATXII is a dominant or recessive phenotype, we hybridized sensitive EW8 cells (ES) with resistant Rh30 cells (RMS) and determined the sensitivity of these hybrids to ATXII. Five single-cell subclones derived from these hybrids were resistant to ATXII, suggesting that sensitivity to ATXII is a recessive phenotype in ES cells. Ongoing studies are aimed at determining the cellular uptake and binding kinetics of radiolabeled ATXII and identifying genes that mediate sensitivity and resistance to this compound by performing a genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 knockout screen. Citation Format: Andrew J. Robles, Wentao Dai, Robert H. Cichewicz, Susan L. Mooberry, Peter J. Houghton. Mechanistic studies of altertoxin II: A fungal metabolite with selective activity against Ewing sarcoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2141.
The complexity of adverse event assessment and counseling for patients on biologic treatment.

Although many immune disorders were difficult to manage in the past, recent advancements in biologic therapies have enabled healthcare providers to control such difficult-to-treat pathologies. Howe...
Superior Vena Cava Syndrome and Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Secondary to a Massive, Right-Sided Immature Cervical Teratoma:

Cervical teratomas are a rare form of fetal teratoma that can grow to massive size. Generally, these masses can be surgically excised after birth with excellent physical and functional prognosis because the benign variants respect anatomical borders. The primary complications of these masses are associated with compromise of the trachea and esophagus: upper airway obstruction and polyhydramnios. We report the first documented occurrence of superior vena cava syndrome and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy associated with a massive, right-sided cervical teratoma. This case highlights that when cervical teratomas are right-sided and sufficiently large, they can extend inferiorly and compromise central venous return to the heart. This unique presentation would likely have required fetal surgical excision to avoid catastrophic cerebral injury.
Momentum dependence of the superconducting gap and in-gap states in MgB 2 multiband superconductor

We use tunable laser-based angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy to study the electronic structure of the multiband superconductor ${\mathrm{MgB}}_{2}$. These results form the baseline for detailed studies of superconductivity in multiband systems. We find that the magnitude of the superconducting gap on both $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ bands follows a BCS-like variation with temperature with ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}}_{0}\ensuremath{\sim}7\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}\mathrm{meV}$. The value of the gap is isotropic within experimental uncertainty and in agreement with a pure $s$-wave pairing symmetry. We also observe in-gap states confined to ${k}_{F}$ of the $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ band that occur at some locations of the sample surface. The energy of this excitation, $\ensuremath{\sim}3$ meV, is somewhat larger than the previously reported gap on $\ensuremath{\pi}$ Fermi sheet and therefore we cannot exclude the possibility of interband scattering as its origin.
Teaching Demography and Population Change Using Web GIS Tools and Data

Teaching and learning about demographics and population change in an effective, engaging manner is enriched and enlivened through the use of web mapping tools and spatial data. These tools, enabled...
What guns meant in eighteenth-century Britain

This article briefly summarizes the place of guns in British society and culture in the long eighteenth century. My approach is that of a historical anthropologist, examining the meaning of guns from the way they were used and depicted. I examine the way guns were used and understood in civilian and military realms, especially their meaning and role in the expansion of the British Empire. Finally, the essay discusses whether and how this history should influence our understanding of the Second Amendment, which was written in the eighteenth century. It concludes that history substantiates both sides of the current debate about gun use in America and that we must therefore turn to other ethical systems of judgment to resolve that debate.
Alzheimer’s disease tau is a prominent pathology in LRRK2 Parkinson’s disease

Mutations in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are the most common cause of familial Parkinson’s disease (PD). While the clinical presentation of LRRK2 mutation carriers is similar to that of idiopathic PD (iPD) patients, the neuropathology of LRRK2 PD is less clearly defined. Lewy bodies (LBs) composed of α-synuclein are a major feature of iPD, but are not present in all LRRK2 PD cases. There is some evidence that tau may act as a neuropathological substrate in LB-negative LRRK2 PD, but this has not been examined systematically. In the current study, we examined α-synuclein, tau, and amyloid β (Aβ) pathologies in 12 LRRK2 mutation carriers. We find that α-synuclein pathology is present in 63.6% of LRRK2 mutation carriers, but tau pathology can be found in 100% of carriers and is abundant in 91% of carriers. We further use an antibody which selectively binds Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-type tau and use quantitative analysis of tau pathology to demonstrate that AD tau is the prominent type of tau present in LRRK2 mutation carriers. Abundant Aβ pathology can also be found in LRRK2 mutation carriers and is consistent with comorbid AD pathology. Finally, we assessed the association of neuropathology with clinical features in LRRK2 mutation carriers and idiopathic individuals and find that LRRK2 PD shares clinical and pathological features of idiopathic PD. The prevalence of AD-type tau pathology in LRRK2 PD is an important consideration for understanding PD pathogenesis and refining clinical trial inclusion and progression criterion.
Impact of structured interdisciplinary bedside rounding on patient outcomes at a large academic health centre

Background Effective communication between healthcare providers and patients and their family members is an integral part of daily care and discharge planning for hospitalised patients. Several studies suggest that team-based care is associated with improved length of stay (LOS), but the data on readmissions are conflicting. Our study evaluated the impact of structured interdisciplinary bedside rounding (SIBR) on outcomes related to readmissions and LOS. Methods The SIBR team consisted of a physician and/or advanced practice provider, bedside nurse, pharmacist, social worker and bridge nurse navigator. Outcomes were compared in patients admitted to a hospital medicine unit using SIBR (n=1451) and a similar control unit (n=770) during the period of October 2016 to September 2017. Multivariable negative binomial regression analysis was used to compare LOS and logistic regression analysis was used to calculate 30-day and 7-day readmission in patients admitted to SIBR and control units, adjusting for covariates. Results Patients admitted to SIBR and control units were generally similar (p≥0.05) with respect to demographic and clinical characteristics. Unadjusted readmission rates in SIBR patients were lower than in control patients at both 30 days (16.6% vs 20.3%, p=0.03) and 7 days (6.3% vs 9.0%, p=0.02) after discharge, while LOS was similar. After adjusting for covariates, SIBR was not significantly related to the odds of 30-day readmission (OR 0.81, p=0.07) but was lower for 7-day readmission (OR 0.70, p=0.03); LOS was similar in both groups (p=0.58). Conclusion SIBR did not reduce LOS and 30-day readmissions but had a significant impact on 7-day readmissions.
The Influence of Grades on Learning Behavior in MOOCs: Certification vs, Continued Participation

MOOCs (massive open online courses) often use comprehensive exams and homework problem sets to assess students in their overall understanding of course material. The grades students receive on these tests and assignments determine whether they complete or become certified in course material. However, beyond receiving a certification, how do grades impact the learning behavior in students? Do students who receive poor grades actively change their overall activity to improve their grades? To better understand the impact of grades, we observe overall student activity on two MITx MOOCs for certified students and students who continuously participate in MOOC assignments. We use click stream data to compile the overall activity of a student and we use points earned divided by total possible points to calculate the students’ grades. We observe that students with the highest levels of activity have some of the highest grades. We also observe that the difference in activity before and after the finalization of a grade (delta-activity) have greater variation as grade increases. Finally, we observe very little changes in grades (delta-grade) for certified students when visualized against delta-activity and that continuously participating students have greater grade changes compared to certified students.
Development and Validation of a 34-Gene Inherited Cancer Predisposition Panel Using Next-Generation Sequencing.

The use of genetic testing to identify individuals with hereditary cancer syndromes has been widely adopted by clinicians for management of inherited cancer risk. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a 34-gene inherited cancer predisposition panel using targeted capture-based next-generation sequencing (NGS). The panel incorporates genes underlying well-characterized cancer syndromes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA1/2), along with more recently discovered genes associated with increased cancer risk. We performed a validation study on 133 unique specimens, including 33 with known variant status; known variants included single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and small insertions and deletions (Indels), as well as copy-number variants (CNVs). The analytical validation study achieved 100% sensitivity and specificity for SNVs and small Indels, with 100% sensitivity and 98.0% specificity for CNVs using in-house developed CNV flagging algorithm. We employed a microarray comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) method for all specimens that the algorithm flags as CNV-positive for confirmation. In combination with aCGH confirmation, CNV detection specificity improved to 100%. We additionally report results of the first 500 consecutive specimens submitted for clinical testing with the 34-gene panel, identifying 53 deleterious variants in 13 genes in 49 individuals. Half of the detected pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants were found in BRCA1 (23%), BRCA2 (23%), or the Lynch syndrome-associated genes PMS2 (4%) and MLH1 (2%). The other half were detected in 9 other genes: MUTYH (17%), CHEK2 (15%), ATM (4%), PALB2 (4%), BARD1 (2%), CDH1 (2%), CDKN2A (2%), RAD51C (2%), and RET (2%). Our validation studies and initial clinical data demonstrate that a 34-gene inherited cancer predisposition panel can provide clinically significant information for cancer risk assessment.
A Framework for Hierarchical Multilingual Machine Translation.

Multilingual machine translation has recently been in vogue given its potential for improving machine translation performance for low-resource languages via transfer learning. Empirical examinations demonstrating the success of existing multilingual machine translation strategies, however, are limited to experiments in specific language groups. In this paper, we present a hierarchical framework for building multilingual machine translation strategies that takes advantage of a typological language family tree for enabling transfer among similar languages while avoiding the negative effects that result from incorporating languages that are too different to each other. Exhaustive experimentation on a dataset with 41 languages demonstrates the validity of the proposed framework, especially when it comes to improving the performance of low-resource languages via the use of typologically related families for which richer sets of resources are available.
Surgical treatment of congenital choledochal cyst

Objective To study the treatment of congenital choledochal cyst.Methods Twenty-one cases of congenital choledochal cyst were treated with cyst resection,cholecystectomy,liver ductjejunum Roux-en-Y anastomosis and artificial theleplasty.Results Twenty-one cases recovered well postoperatively.No anastomotic fistula,anastomotic stenosis or other complications.Liver functions returned to normal,and all patients were cured and discharged.Conclusions Resection of congenital choledochal cyst,biliary reconstruction and application of artificial nipple anti-reflux can prevent intestinal,pancreatic juice counter flow to hepatic duct well,significantly reduce biliary tract infection.It is the ideal operation method for the treatment of congenital choledochal cyst. Key words: Congenital choledochal cyst; Hepatic duct-jejunum anastomosis; Biliary tract infection; Artificial papillary
Single-cell analyses identify dysfunctional CD16+ CD8 T cells in smokers.

Tobacco smoke exposure contributes to the global burden of communicable and chronic diseases. To identify immune cells affected by smoking, we use single-cell RNA sequencing on peripheral blood from smokers and nonsmokers. Transcriptomes reveal a subpopulation of FCGR3A (CD16)-expressing Natural Killer (NK)-like CD8 T lymphocytes that increase in smokers. Mass cytometry confirms elevated CD16+ CD8 T cells in smokers. Inferred as highly differentiated by pseudotime analysis, NK-like CD8 T cells express markers characteristic of effector memory re-expressing CD45RA T (TEMRA) cells. Indicative of immune aging, smokers' CD8 T cells are biased toward differentiated cells and smokers have fewer naive cells than nonsmokers. DNA methylation-based models show that smoking dose is associated with accelerated aging and decreased telomere length, a biomarker of T cell senescence. Immune aging accompanies T cell senescence, which can ultimately lead to impaired immune function. This suggests a role for smoking-induced, senescence-associated immune dysregulation in smoking-mediated pathologies.
Deployment of Engineered Microbes: Contributions to the Bioeconomy and Considerations for Biosecurity

Engineering at microscopic scales has an immense effect on the modern bioeconomy. Microbes contribute to such disparate markets as chemical manufacturing, fuel production, crop optimization, and pharmaceutical synthesis, to name a few. Due to new and emerging synthetic biology technologies, and the sophistication and control afforded by them, we are on the brink of deploying engineered microbes to not only enhance traditional applications but also to introduce these microbes to sectors, contexts, and formats not previously attempted. In microbially managed medicine, microbial engineering holds promise for increasing efficacy, improving tissue penetration, and sustaining treatment. In the environment, the most effective areas for deployment are in the management of crops and protection of ecosystems. However, caution is warranted before introducing engineered organisms to new environments where they may proliferate without control and could cause unforeseen effects. We summarize ideas and data that can inform identification and assessment of the risks that these tools present to ensure that realistic hazards are described and unrealistic ones do not hinder advancement. Further, because modes of containment are crucial complements to deployment, we describe the state of the art in microbial biocontainment strategies, current gaps, and how these gaps might be addressed through technological advances in synthetic engineering. Collectively, this work highlights engineered microbes as a foundational and expanding facet of the bioeconomy, projects their utility in upcoming deployments outside the laboratory, and identifies knowns and unknowns that will be necessary considerations and points of focus in this endeavor.
Effect of Temperature on Host Preference in Two Lineages of the Brown Dog Tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus.

Rhipicephalus sanguineus is a species complex of ticks that vector disease worldwide. Feeding primarily on dogs, members of the complex also feed incidentally on humans, potentially transmitting disease agents such as Rickettsia rickettsii, R. conorii, and Ehrlichia species. There are two genetic Rh. sanguineus lineages in North America, designated as the temperate and tropical lineages, which had occurred in discrete locations, although there is now range overlap in parts of California and Arizona. Rh. sanguineus in Europe are reportedly more aggressive toward humans during hot weather, increasing the risk of pathogen transmission to humans. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of hot weather on choice between humans and dog hosts among tropical and temperate lineage Rh. sanguineus individuals. Ticks in a two-choice olfactometer migrated toward a dog or human in trials at room (23.5°C) or high temperature (38°C). At 38°C, 2.5 times more tropical lineage adults chose humans compared with room temperature, whereas temperate lineage adults demonstrated a 66% reduction in preference for dogs and a slight increase in preference for humans. Fewer nymphs chose either host at 38°C than at room temperature in both lineages. These results demonstrate that risk of disease transmission to humans may be increased during periods of hot weather, where either lineage is present, and that hot weather events associated with climatic change may result in more frequent rickettsial disease outbreaks.
Building a climate service for North America based on the NA-CORDEX data archive

Abstract The NA-CORDEX data archive contains output from regional climate models run over a domain covering most of North America using boundary conditions from reanalyses and global climate model simulations in the CMIP5 archive. These simulations run from 1950 to 2100 with a spatial resolution of 0.22°/25 km or 0.44°/50 km. Data is available for impacts-relevant variables at daily and longer frequencies in CF-compliant netCDF format. Five of the major variables used by impacts researchers as well as decision makers have also been bias-corrected so that the data can be correctly used for impacts research and stakeholder decision-making. This archive of CORDEX regional simulation outputs for North America makes up the core data element in a climate service that supports appropriate use of these data in climate impacts research and decision-making.
Effect of perioperative penicillin G procaine on bovine castration wound infection rate

Perioperative administration of B-lactam antimicrobials, including penicillin G procaine, is commonly performed at the time of bovine surgical castration despite a paucity of published evidence regarding rate of bovine castration wound infections and efficacy of single-dose perioperative antimicrobial therapy for bovine castration. The best data on frequency of bovine castration complications was generated from a survey of US bovine veterinarians, which reported wound infection, swelling, gait stiffness, and hemorrhage as the most common complications. This same survey identified that a narrow majority of bovine veterinarians routinely utilized perioperative antibiotics, most commonly β-lactams class drugs, including penicillin G procaine. Increasing public demand for antimicrobial stewardship is elevating professional and consumer scrutiny around veterinary antimicrobial use in food animals. In the current climate that increasingly emphasizes judicious use of antimicrobial drugs, it is imperative to base decisions to incorporate antimicrobial prophylaxis into routine protocols on quality evidence. Currently, there is no published data to suggest that perioperative use of PPG reduces scrotal wound or generalized tetanus infection following routine surgical castration of calves. The objective of the study is to establish whether perioperative administration of penicillin G procaine at the time of surgical castration with the Henderson castrating tool decreases the risk of postcastration surgical wound infections.
Tension Pneumocephalus Following Balloon Sinuplasty

Balloon sinus dilation (BSD) is a common method of relieving sinus outflow obstruction. With the rising utilization of BSD, increasing numbers of BSD-related complications have also been reported. Here, we report a case of pneumocephalus and cerebrospinal fluid leak following BSD of the frontal sinus. Additionally, a review of the literature regarding BSD complications was performed.