cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oral condyloma acuminatum A Case Report with Light Microscopic and Ultrastructural Features

A case of intraoral condyloma acuminatum with clinical, light microscopic, and ultrastructural features is presented. The presence of intranuclear virus particles is demonstrated by electron microscopy. To the best of our knowledge, the presence of viruses has not previously been reported in the oral lessions of this disease.
LAD: localization anomaly detection for wireless sensor networks

In wireless sensor networks (WSNs), sensors' locations play a critical role in many applications. Having a GPS receiver on every sensor node is costly. In the past, a number of location discovery (localization) schemes have been proposed. Most of these schemes share a common feature: they use some special nodes, called beacon nodes, which are assumed to know their own locations (e.g., through GPS receivers or manual configuration). Other sensors discover their locations based on the reference information provided by these beacon nodes. Most of the beacon-based localization schemes assume a benign environment, where all beacon nodes are supposed to provide correct reference information. However, when the sensor networks are deployed in a hostile environment, where beacon nodes can be compromised, such an assumption does not hold anymore. In this paper, we propose a general scheme to detect localization anomalies that are caused by adversaries. Our scheme is independent from the localization schemes. We formulate the problem as an anomaly intrusion detection problem, and we propose a number of ways to detect localization anomalies. We have conducted simulations to evaluate the performance of our scheme, including the false positive rates, the detection rates, and the resilience to node compromises.
Cholesterol-lowering effects of a proprietary Chinese red-yeast-rice dietary supplement

Background: We examined the cholesterol-lowering effects of a proprietary Chinese red-yeast-rice supplement in an American population consuming a diet similar to the American Heart Association Step I diet using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospectively randomized 12-wk controlled trial at a university research center. Objective: We evaluated the lipid-lowering effects of this red-yeast-rice dietary supplement in US adults separate from effects of diet alone. Design: Eighty-three healthy subjects (46 men and 37 women aged 34-78 y) with hyperlipidemia [total cholesterol, 5.28-8.74 mmol/L (204-338 mg/dL); LDL cholesterol, 3.31-7.16 mmol/L (128-277 mg/dL); triacylglycerol, 0.62-2.78 mmol/L (55-246 mg/dL); and HDL cholesterol 0.78-2.46 mmol/L (30-95 mg/dL)] who were not being treated with lipid-lowering drugs participated. Subjects were treated with red yeast rice (2.4 g/d) or placebo and instructed to consume a diet providing 30% of energy from fat, <10% from saturated fat, and <300 mg cholesterol daily. Main outcome measures were total cholesterol, total triacylglycerol, and HDL and LDL cholesterol measured at weeks 8, 9, 11, and 12. Results: Total cholesterol concentrations decreased significantly between baseline and 8 wk in the red-yeast-rice-treated group compared with the placebo-treated group [(x ± SD) 6.57 ± 0.93 mmol/L (254 ± 36 mg/dL) to 5.38 ± 0.80 mmol/L (208 ± 31 mg/dL): P < 0.001]. LDL cholesterol and total triacylglycerol were also reduced with the supplement. HDL cholesterol did not change significantly. Conclusions: Red yeast rice significantly reduces total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and total triacylglycerol concentrations compared with placebo and provides a new, novel, food-based approach to lowering cholesterol in the general population.
The Rise of Leftist– Populist Governance in Latin America The Roots of Electoral Change

Over the past decade the contours of political party competition in Latin America have been dramatically altered by an upsurge of support for leftist–populist parties and the related weakening of e...
A SYNOPSIS OF IMMEDIATE AND DELIBERATE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS

Environmental assessments can be classified by the urgency of the problem and therefore the amount of time allowed for the assessment before a decision is made to benefit environmental and social objectives. Deliberate (occurring in an unhurried fashion) and immediate (performed without delay) assessments have different constraints; and different value judgments or standards are used to judge their quality. Being aware of the differences and similarities can improve the quality of both deliberate and immediate environmental assessments. In particular, deliberate assessments can eventually provide knowledge or decision tools for future unanticipated emergencies.
The neurotoxic component in Parkinson’s disease may involve iron-melanin interaction and lipid peroxidation in the substantia nigra

There are indications of oxidative stress in Parkinson’s disease (PD). This can be attributed to the selective increases of iron (III) due to its decompartmentalization and lipid peroxidation and a decrease of glutathione (GSH) oxidation in substantia nigra (SN). The net effect would be accumulation of H2O2, and the formation of free cytotoxic hydroxyl (OH·) radical from the interaction of iron either with H2O2 or melanin or both, to drive the Fenton reaction. Identification of two high-affinity binding sites for Fe3+ on dopamine-melanin indicates the iron binding potency of melanin. This interaction does not result in prevention but rather in potentiation of iron-induced lipid peroxidation, a process selectively inhibited by iron chelators. Thus, H2O2 and melanin are thought to participate in altering the redox state of iron between its two valencies with resultant formation of OH·. This hypothesis can explain the vulnerability and selectivity of melaninized nigrostriatal dopamine neurons to degeneration in PD. Determination of OH· or lipofusin in the CSF, as a by-product of lipid peroxidation, may be a valid approach to early diagnosis of PD.
Education in South Asia

According to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, eight membership countries are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka form South Asia. After a brief background of these countries, the literacy rate is provided based on the Central Intelligence Agency World Fact Book (2009). The literacy rate is low in most of the countries compared to the international average due to poverty and lack of educational facilities. Despite the nations' emphasis on free and compulsory education as well as child labor laws, many children still do not go to school and work in the field because of economic situations. Males generally have a higher rate of literacy rate than females. The educational system in various countries is reviewed and surprisingly similar in terms of the classification of levels into primary, secondary, and high school levels. Most of the nations support teaching two languages or more from early grades.
Comparative Development of Anurans: Using Phylogeny to Understand Ontogeny1

Abstract Hypotheses of relationships are critical to describing and understanding patterns of evolution within groups of organisms. But rarely has a comparative, historical approach been employed to study developmental change, particularly among anurans. A recent resurgence of interest in collecting basic ontogenetic information provides us with the opportunity to compare ontogenetic trajectories in a phylogenetic framework. Larval skeletons and osteological development were examined for 22 taxa and compared to two hypotheses of relationships—that of Cannatella, and one proposed herein based on 41 morphological characters from larvae and 62 from adults. Larval characters were mapped on the alternate cladograms using the ACCTRAN optimization criterion. Several larval features are highly conserved among some anurans, suggesting that there is some level of canalization of morphology early in ontogeny. In contrast, a number of morphologies vary among groups, supporting the fact that there have been major evol...
Modular organization of motor behavior.

The issue of translating the planning of arm movements into muscle forces is discussed in relation to the recent discovery of structures in the spinal cord. These structures contain circuitry that, when activated, produce precisely balanced contractions in groups of muscles. These synergistic contractions generate forces that direct the limb toward an equilibrium point in space. Remarkably, the force outputs, produced by activating different spinal-cord structures, sum vectorially. This vectorial combination of motor outputs might be a mecha­nism for producing a vast repertoire of motor behaviors in a simple manner.
Escherichia Coli O157:H7

Escherichia coli 0157:H7 has emerged in the past 20 years as a pathogen of public health importance. Although most E. coli are normal flora in the colons of humans and other warm-blooded animals, several strains are capable of causing disease in humans. In recent years, E. coli 0157:H7 and other shiga-like toxin-producing strains have been transmitted via foods and caused disease ranging from bloody diarrhea, and in more severe cases, hemolytic uremic syndrome and thrombocytopenic purpura. The reservoir appears to be cattle and, perhaps, other ruminants. Control is difficult in nonheated foods due to the organism's tolerance to low pH. Only supportive, symptomatic treatment is available for affected humans, and means to eliminate carriage in livestock are not presently available.
Subject identification based on EEG responses to video stimuli

In this work we examine the best system for subject identification and authentication using the electroencephalograph (EEG) signals that result when video stimuli are presented. A comparison is done on the performance of linear support vector machine (SVM) and Gaussian Mixutre Models (GMM) using cepstral coefficient feature vectors for subject classification. We evaluate and identify which region of the head results in the best classification and authentication results using a GMM ratio test between the claimed subject and a background model.
Lymphocyte Cytotoxicity in X-Irradiation-Induced Adenocarcinoma of the Rat Small Bowel. I. Measurement of Target Cell Destruction by Release of Radioiodinated Membrane Proteins: Brief Communication

A cell-mediated immune response as denoted by lymphocyte cytotoxicity was detected in Holtzman rats with X-irradiation-induced adenocarcinomas of the small bowel. Cytotoxicity was measured by target cell destruction as determined by release of intracellular 51Cr or radioiodinated (125I) membrane proteins. The radioiodination assay possessed an important advantage over the 51Cr technique in that the radiolabel was spontaneously lost slowly, thus permitting long-term studies.
Development Strategy of Rice Science and Technology in China

The characterization of modern science and technology in rice,international development trend of rice industry,and the future demands for rice due to the rapid development of national economy and society were analyzed.The history and achievements were reviewed on construction of China′s innovation system in rice science and technology.Based on the development trend in modern rice science and technology and the requirements from the rice industry,the future development strategy and key projects of rice science and technology in China were suggested.
Study on Reliability Evaluation Method for VSC-MTDC Transmission System

Through the subsystems division of multi-terminal HVDC(MTDC)system based on voltage source converter(VSC),a kind of equivalent model for accessing the reliability evaluation of the VSC-MTDC transmission system is presented based on state space method,which can avoid the dimension disaster due to lots of components,then reduce the amount of calculation.In addition,the reliability index can also be calculated besides the steady state probability,such as the failure frequency index,duration time index.The reliability calculation results of 5-terminal VSC-MTDC transmission system verify the correctness and effectiveness of this method.The weak link can be found through parameter sensitivity analysis of system equipments,and results show that the submarine cables between offshore and onshore and the offshore converters are the important elements that influence system reliability.
Immunization services built and search based on internet map

Objective To explore methods of building electronic map of immunization services by using internet map.Methods Using Baidu Map pickup coordinate system tool to collect immunization services coordinates,and import data to Baidu Map background database. Results The basic database and electronic map of immunization services was established,and online map service was implemented. Conclusion During internet era,providing basic information online search about the location of immunization services relying on the Baidu map company could provide convenience to vaccination units or guardians.
Early Impairment of Synaptic and Intrinsic Excitability in Mice Expressing ALS/Dementia-Linked Mutant UBQLN2.

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are believed to represent the different outcomes of a common pathogenic mechanism. However, while researchers have intensely studied the involvement of motor neurons in the ALS/FTD syndrome, very little is known about the function of hippocampal neurons, although this area is critical for memory and other cognitive functions. We investigated the electrophysiological properties of CA1 pyramidal cells in slices from 1 month-old UBQLN2P497H mice, a recently generated model of ALS/FTD that shows heavy depositions of ubiquilin2-positive aggregates in this brain region. We found that, compared to wild-type mice, cells from UBQLN2P497H mice were hypo-excitable. The amplitude of the glutamatergic currents elicited by afferent fiber stimulation was reduced by ~50%, but no change was detected in paired-pulse plasticity. The maximum firing frequency in response to depolarizing current injection was reduced by ~30%; the fast and afterhyperpolarization in response to a range of depolarizations was reduced by almost 10 mV; the maximum slow afterhyperpolarization was also significantly decreased, likely in consequence of the decreased number of spikes. Finally, the action potential upstroke was blunted and the threshold depolarized compared to controls. Thus, synaptic and intrinsic excitability are both impaired in CA1 pyramidal cells of UBQLN2P497H mice, likely constituting a cellular mechanism for the cognitive impairments. Because these alterations are detectable before the establishment of overt pathology, we hypothesize that they may affect the further course of the disease.
Kent Thiry: "Mayor" of DaVita

Kent Thiry, CEO of dialysis provider DaVita, is considering how to integrate employees from recently acquired Gambro Healthcare without damaging DaVita's robust, unconventional internal culture. When Thiry joined DaVita in 1999, breaking an important promise to his family in order to do so, he was determined to create a differentiated company with a community-like culture. Over six years, he had engineered an impressive financial turnaround and successfully developed the strong culture he had envisioned. In late 2004, DaVita acquired arch-rival Gambro Healthcare, whose 12,000 employees would nearly double DaVita in size once the integration is completed in fall 2005. Confident that the deal makes business sense but worried about potential adverse impacts of the integration-especially in light of rumors that Gambro employees are suspicious of Thiry's authenticity and critical of DaVita's arguably eccentric culture-Thiry is considering whether to impose DaVita's culture on the new arrivals, or just allow Gambro to operate independently for a period of time.Learning Objective: To illustrate how life experiences-good and bad-contribute to personal career choices, priorities, and leadership styles.
Tracing the genetic signature of human brown adipocytes

Until recently, a functional brown adipose tissue was thought to be restricted to rodents and human infants. The last eight years have seen a re-emergence in the presence and activity of brown adipose tissue in adult humans. This study by Shinoda and co-workers 1 characterizes the cellular origins and molecular identity of adult human brown adipose tissue. Using RNA sequencing and genome wide expression analysis, the authors characterize that the clonally derived adipocytes isolated from brown fat of adult humans carry the genetic signature of recruitable thermogenic beige adipocytes. They further identify novel molecular markers that were highly enriched in the adult human brown adipocytes and rodent beige adipocytes. This
Detection and prevalence of Haemoproteus archilochus (Haemosporida, Haemoproteidae) in two species of California hummingbirds

Haemosporidian blood parasites are transmitted to a wide range of avian hosts via blood-sucking dipteran vectors. Microscopy has revealed an impressive diversity of avian haemosporidia with more than 250 species described. Moreover, PCR and subsequent sequence analyses have suggested a much greater diversity of haemosporidia than morphological analyses alone. Given the importance of these parasites, very few studies have focused on the charismatic hummingbirds. To date, three Haemoproteus species (Haemoproteus archilochus, Haemoproteus trochili, and Haemoproteus witti) and one Leucocytozoon species (Leucocytozoon quynzae) have been described in blood samples taken from hummingbirds (Trochilidae). Unconfirmed Plasmodium lineages have also been detected in hummingbirds. Here, we report the detection of H. archilochus in two hummingbird species (Calypte anna and Archilochus alexandri) sampled in Northern California and perform a phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) gene lineages. A total of 261 hummingbirds (157 C. anna, 104 A. alexandri) were sampled and screened for blood parasites using PCR and microscopy techniques. Combining both methods, 4 (2.55%) haemosporidian infections were detected in C. anna and 18 (17.31%) haemosporidian infections were detected in A. alexandri. Molecular analyses revealed four distinct H. archilocus cyt b lineages, which clustered as a monophyletic clade. No species of Plasmodium or Leucocytozoon were detected in this study, raising the possibility of specific vector associations with hummingbirds. These results provide resources for future studies of haemosporidian prevalence, diversity, and pathogenicity in California hummingbird populations.
Higher peripheral lymphocyte count to predict survival in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

1010Background: A rich lymphocytic infiltrate in pre-treatment tumor biopsies predicts better overall survival (OS) in TNBC. We investigated whether peripheral lymphocyte count is similarly associa...
Zebrafish abcb11b mutant reveals strategies to restore bile excretion impaired by bile salt export pump deficiency.

Bile salt export pump BSEP (ABCB11) is a liver-specific adenosine triphosphate-cassette binding transporter that mediates canalicular bile salt excretion from hepatocytes. Human mutations in ABCB11 cause progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type II (PFIC2). Although over 150 ABCB11 variants have been reported, our understanding of their biological consequences is limited by the lack of experimental model that recapitulates the patient phenotypes. We applied CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing technology to knockout abcb11b, the ortholog of human ABCB11, in zebrafish and found that these mutants died prematurely. Histological and ultrastructural analyses showed that abcb11b mutant zebrafish exhibited hepatocyte injury similar to that seen in patients with PFIC2. Hepatocytes of the mutant zebrafish failed to excrete the fluorescently tagged bile acid that is a substrate of human BSEP. Multi-drug resistance protein 1 (MDR1), which is thought to play a compensatory role in Abcb11 knockout mice, was mislocalized to the hepatocyte cytoplasm in abcb11b mutant zebrafish and in a patient lacking BSEP protein due to nonsense mutations in ABCB11. We discovered that BSEP deficiency induced autophagy in both human and zebrafish hepatocytes. Treatment with rapamycin restored bile acid excretion, attenuated hepatocyte damage, and extended lifespan of abcb11b mutant zebrafish, correlating with the recovery of canalicular Mdr1 localization. Conclusions: Collectively, these data suggest a model that rapamycin rescues BSEP-deficient phenotypes by prompting alternative transporters to excreting bile salts. MDR1 is a candidate for such alternative transporter. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Alternative middle school models: An exploratory study

A Midwestern state allocated grant funding to encourage more accessible alternative programming at the middle level. Seventeen schools were approved for this grant and used the funds to supplement ...
Bioluminescent High-Throughput Succinate Detection Method for Monitoring the Activity of JMJC Histone Demethylases and Fe(II)/2-Oxoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenases:

The modification of a diverse array of substrates by Fe(II)/2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases is central to the modulation of distinct biological processes such as epigenetics, hypoxic signaling, and DNA/RNA repair. Of these, JumonjiC domain-containing histone lysine demethylases (JMJCs) and prolyl hydroxylases are potential drug targets due to their relevance to human diseases. Thus, assays to interrogate this enzyme superfamily are needed to identify selective and potent inhibitors as leads for drug development and that could also be useful research tools. Since succinate is a common product to all Fe(II)/2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase reactions, a method that detects succinate would be suitable to all members of this enzyme superfamily. We therefore developed a bioluminescent and homogenous succinate detection assay and validated its use with diverse sets of enzyme classes. We evaluated the substrate specificities of these enzymes, their apparent kinetic constants, and inhibition profiles and mode of action of reported and novel inhibitors. Our results indicate that succinate detection is a useful readout for the monitoring of enzymatic activities with distinct substrate entities, as well as for the discovery of novel inhibitors. By investigating a large number of Fe(II)/2-oxoglutarate-dependent enzymes, this method could have a significant impact on the field of dioxygenase research.
Early Dynastic Mesopotamia

Climatic conditions in the Early Dynastic tradition were similar to those today. Winters were mild, while summers were hot and dry. Mean annual temperature was between 20 and 25° C, and mean annual rainfall is only about 200 mm.
Case libraries for middle school science instruction

Case Libraries: A case library is a computer-based multimedia database containing cases that describe real-world problems and how they have been solved (successfully or unsuccessfully). In an educational setting, students navigate a case library to find cases and stories that can help them solve problems. Cases suggest issues needing exploration, methods for solving problems, past solutions that may be applicable, and potential pitfalls. Cases are structured as graphic and textual overviews, lists of significant issues, and their elaborations in both general and specific terms. Cases are indexed according to situations in which they might be useful. We are building case libraries of both artifacts and experiments for use by middle school students. We will demonstrate a case library constructed to help students design an artificial lung, one of a set of problems that we have developed for our middle school project.
Signet ring cell features with peritoneal carcinomatosis in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy are associated with poor overall survival.

Background Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) is effective in select patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). Signet ring cell (SRC) pathology is associated with poor prognosis. The role of CRS/HIPEC in this population is unclear. Methods Patients diagnosed with PC due to appendiceal (AC), colorectal (CRC), and gastric cancer (GC) undergoing CRS/HIPEC 2007-2016 were included. Results A total of 268 patients were referred for CRS/HIPEC. Of the 204 patients who underwent complete CRS/HIPEC, 101 (49.5%) had AC, 85 (41.7%) CRC, and 18 (8.8%) GC. Patients with GC had higher rates of SRC pathology than AC and CRC: 12 (66.7%) vs 16 (15.8%) and 10 (11.7%). The 3-year survival rate after CRS/HIPEC was 5.7% for the SRC group and 66.1% for the non-SRC group (P 15 (P = 0.046). Upon multivariate analysis of the SRC population, PCI > 20 (P = 0.007) and GC (P = 0.008) were found to be independent predictors of poor overall survival. Conclusions Performing CRS/HIPEC for PC from gastrointestinal malignancies presenting SRC features is recommended on patients with select diseases of appendiceal and colorectal origins.
ANTS OF GRENADA (HYMENOPTERA, FORMICIDAE)

On West Indian islands, as elsewhere in the world, ants are a very important component of virtually every terrestrial ecosystem. Nonetheless, the ants of most West Indian islands have remained largely unknown and unstudied. Now several destructive exotic ant species are spreading through the region, threatening native biodiversity. Here, we have compiled published and unpublished ant records and collected new specimens to document the diversity of ants on the island of Grenada. Our investigations increased the list of ant taxa known from the island to 82 (65 New World and 17 Old World species). Of these, 71 species are represented among specimens we collected, whereas 11 are New World species known from Grenada solely on the basis of earlier records. Some species recorded earlier, including at least nine not seen for more than 100 years, may now be extinct on Grenada. Grenada has more New World ant species than are known for Barbados (46), a neighboring island that has 34% more land area. Factors that may contribute to this difference include: 1) during low sea levels 15,000 years ago, Grenada was part of a larger island about 10 times Grenada's current size; 2) Grenada is more mountainous than Barbados; and 3) Grenada has more remaining forest cover than Barbados (50.0% vs. 14.7%). Conversely, Grenada has fewer Old World ant species than are known for Barbados (24). Factors that may contribute to this difference include: 1) lower human population density, 2) lower levels of imported lumber products, and 3) lower tourism levels. Records for only four of the 17 Old World exotic ants found in Grenada date to before 1995. Major tramp ant species that are known from the West Indies but have not yet been recorded from Grenada include Old World species such as the pharaoh ant (Monomorium pharaonis), the African big-headed ant (Pheidole megacephala), and the difficult white-footed ant (Technomyrmex difficilis), as well as the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta).
Assessment of Allergic States: IgE Methodology and the Measurement of Allergen-Specific IgG Antibody,

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the most commonly employed immunological tests that have some usefulness in research and practice of clinical allergy. The chapter discusses the three major areas: the determination of total serum IgE levels, allergen-specific IgE determinations, and allergen-specific IgG antibody determinations. Solid-phase radioimmunoassay methods have some technique of insolubilizing a highly specific anti-IgE antibody, which is then employed in a competitive binding assay using radioiodinated IgE and the standards of known IgE content. The antibody-coated particles are incubated with a radiolabeled IgE and unlabeled IgE preparations, either standards or unknowns. After the incubation period, the immunosorbent is washed by centrifugation and then counted by gamma scintillation. This technique is called the radioimmunosorbent test (RIST). A more sensitive variant of the RIST involves a direct assay sandwich technique. Solid-phase radioimmunoassay have an advantage that they do not require the addition of a second reagent after the completion of the competitive binding assay to separate bound from free antigen.
Abstract 414: Postnatal Cardiac Tissue Harbors Progenitor Cells With Unique Metabolic Profile

Rationale: The developmental cardiac tissue is a proliferative organ capable of regeneration that extends briefly into the postnatal period. Studies show that the heart undergoes alterations in met...
Linking the Academy to the Community Through Internships: A Model of Service Learning, Student Empowerment, and Transformative Education

This paper provides an overview of an internship program designed to empower students and to build collaborative relationships within the local community. The structure of the internship program is designed from a combined service learning, empowerment, and transformative learning perspective. It is set up with a series of empowering activities, including preplanning, initial exploration, siteselection, and contract design. The requirements for the internship course include a commitment to academic education and skill development that are couched within an emancipatory pedagogy. Through transformative learning, students can become empowered citizens. Through university-community partnerships, the potential for ameliorating social problems is strengthened. As we create a new community of learners in the twenty-first century, the role of the university in the community may be strengthened through internship programs.
Modern Management of Bleeding, Clotting, and Coagulopathy in Trauma Patients: What Is the Role of Viscoelastic Assays?

The purpose of this review is to briefly outline the current state of hemorrhage control and resuscitation in trauma patients with a specific focus on the role viscoelastic assays have in this complex management to include indications for use across all phases of care in the injured patient. Viscoelastic assay use to guide blood-product resuscitation in bleeding trauma patients can reduce mortality by up to 50%. Viscoelastic assays also reduce total blood products transfused, reduce ICU length of stay, and reduce costs. There are a large number of observational and retrospective studies evaluating viscoelastic assay use in the initial trauma resuscitation, but only one randomized control trial. There is a paucity of data evaluating use of viscoelastic assays in the operating room, post-operatively, and during ICU management in trauma patients, rendering their use in these settings extrapolative/speculative based on theory and data from other surgical disciplines and settings. Both hypocoagulable and hypercoagulable states exist in trauma patients, and viscoelastic assays are better at diagnosing both relative to standard coagulation testing and can better indicate what therapy may be most appropriate. Further study is needed, particularly in the operating room and post-operative/ICU settings in trauma patients.
Adjoint Optimization of Efficient CMOS-Compatible Si-SiN Vertical Grating Couplers for DWDM Applications

Data communication in silicon photonic interconnects requires efficient and broadband on/off-chip coupling components. Recently, perfectly vertically-emitting grating couplers have been proposed to increase spatial I/O density of the optical link and potentially improve manufacturing costs and ease of optical beam characterization. In this article, adjoint optimization was leveraged in the design of low-loss single (silicon) and dual layer (silicon + silicon nitride) perfectly-vertical grating couplers that are compatible with a scalable silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform for the 65 nm CMOS technology node. In simulation, the best design peaks at −0.52 dB insertion loss with a 1 dB-bandwidth of 24 nm at the 1310 nm datacom wavelength.
In Vivo Analysis of RNA Proximity Proteomes Using RiboPro

Functional and mechanistic annotation of uncharacterized long noncoding RNAs is challenging and often requires identification of interacting proteins. Here we report RiboPro, a flexible method that leverages the RNA-binding specificity of inactive Cas13b and proximity labeling activity of peroxidase APEX to permit rapid and unbiased discovery of target RNA binding proteins in vivo. RiboPro of poly(A)+ RNA reveals insights into poly (A)+ RNA nucleocytoplasmic transport, localization, turnover, and higher-order structure.
Diastolic blood pressure predicts outcomes after aortic paravalvular leak closure.

OBJECTIVES We sought to determine hemodynamic effects of aortic paravalvular leak (PVL) and predictors of clinical outcomes after aortic PVL closure. BACKGROUND The significance of hemodynamic alterations in PVL and relation to severity, procedural success of percutaneous closure and clinical outcomes have not been defined. METHODS Patients undergoing percutaneous PVL closure between July 21, 2004 and September 10, 2018 were included. PVL severity was assessed by echocardiography and aortic angiography. Hemodynamics were assessed by intra-arterial pressure tracings before and after PVL closure. The primary outcome was a composite of mortality, redo aortic valve replacement (AVR) and redo PVL closure. RESULTS One hundred and seventeen patients (mean age 70.3 ± 14.9 years, 79% surgical and 21% transcatheter prostheses) underwent PVL closure with 94% technical success. PVL was moderate or greater in 106 (91%) at baseline and 11 (11%) post-procedure. Diastolic BP for those with moderate or greater PVL was lower than for those with less PVL (50.3 ± 11.7 vs. 56.5 ± 12.4 mmHg, p < .001). Pulse pressure was similar between these groups (69.9 ± 20.3 vs. 67.4 ± 21.2 mmHg, p = .39). 35 patients (34%) had 40 events during a mean follow-up of 1.6 ± 1.9 years (23 deaths, 12 redo AVR, and five redo PVL closures). In a multivariate model, final diastolic BP <47 mmHg (HR 3.27 [1.45-7.36], p = .007) was a significant predictor of the composite endpoint. CONCLUSIONS Diastolic BP was significantly associated with aortic PVL severity and clinical outcomes after PVL closure. In contrast, pulse pressure did not correlate with PVL severity or outcomes. These findings have implications for clinical management of patients with aortic PVL.
Pineal Gland Lesions

Lesions arising in the pineal gland present a particular challenge in the context of intraoperative consultation. The organ is difficult to access, and so biopsies are often small in size. Lesions arising in this area are not frequent, and therefore, the experience level of most pathologists is relatively lacking. Table 10.1 summarizes the differential diagnosis of the most commonly encountered lesions in this location.
Multimode Hydrodynamic Instability Growth of Preimposed Isolated Defects in Ablatively Driven Foils.

The Nike KrF laser facility was used to study the evolution of isolated defects with characteristic sizes of $l1$ to 10s of $\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$ in laser-accelerated plastic foils. The experimental platform permitted, for the first time, the systematic study of localized perturbation growth, which is inherently multimode, through ablative Richtmyer-Meshkov and Rayleigh-Taylor stages and into the strongly nonlinear regime. Initial target defects were relatively large amplitude, but spatially localized, and emulated tent, fill-tube, and other nonuniformities that are present in inertial confinement fusion capsules. Face-on x-ray radiography indicated initial growth of the perturbation in both depth and width, followed by its apparent closure due to oblique spike growth. Hollow jetlike profiles of laterally expanding, rising, Rayleigh-Taylor bubbles were observed on the rear surface of the target from each isolated defect. Radiation hydrodynamic simulations provided insight into the mechanism of the closure and other features of the bubble and spike evolution specific to isolated defects.
Analytic Sensitivity of 3 Nucleic Acid Detection Assays in Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

BACKGROUND: Detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by reverse transcription PCR is the primary method to diagnose coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the analytic sensitivity required is not well defined and it is unclear how available assays compare. METHODS: For the Abbott RealTime SARS-CoV-2 assay (m2000; Abbott Molecular), we determined that it could detect viral concentrations as low as 26 copies/mL, we defined the relationship between cycle number and viral concentrations, and we tested naso- and oropharyngeal swab specimens from 8538 consecutive individuals. Using the m2000 as a reference assay method, we described the distribution of viral concentrations in these patients. We then used selected clinical specimens to determine the positive percent agreement of 2 other assays with more rapid turnaround times [Cepheid Xpert Xpress (GeneXpert; Cepheid); n = 27] and a laboratory developed test on the Luminex ARIES system [ARIES LDT (Luminex); n = 50] as a function of virus concentrations, from which we projected their false-negative rates in our patient population. RESULTS: SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 27% (95% CI: 26%-28%) of all specimens. Estimated viral concentrations were widely distributed, and 17% (95% CI: 16%-19%) of positive individuals had viral concentrations 100 copies/mL for the GeneXpert but not the ARIES LDT, corresponding to projected false-negative rates of 4% (95% CI: 0%-21%) and 27% (95% CI: 11%-46%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial proportions of clinical specimens have low to moderate viral concentrations and may be missed by methods with less analytic sensitivity.
Price transmission with sparse market information: The case of United States chickpeas

In this paper, supply‐related and price data for several chickpea importing regions and supply‐related data for export competitor countries were encompassed into price transmission models to determine whether such factors are helpful for explaining the United States chickpea price variation. Specifically, the models included satellite‐based normalized difference vegetation index, a measure of growing conditions, and area planted estimates for importing regions of the Indian subcontinent and the Mediterranean, and area planted estimates for exporting competitors, Australia and Canada. Results show that inclusion of supply‐related information improved goodness of fit statistics in all models relative to base models that only include prices, providing evidence that such information is important for explaining United States chickpea price changes. The models with the highest goodness of fit statistics were those that accounted for (1) deteriorating growing conditions in the Mediterranean region coinciding with declining area planted in Canada and (2) concurrently deteriorating growing conditions and declining area planted in the Indian subcontinent. [EconLit citations: Q11, Q17]
The Ẇ−1,p Neumann problem for higher order elliptic equations

We solve the Neumann problem in the half space R+n+1, for higher order elliptic differential equations with variable self-adjoint t-independent coefficients, and with boundary data in the negative ...
Validated diagnostic test for introductory physics course placement

Initial validation of a diagnostic test for physics placement covering a broad range of topics in physics and mathematics relevant to introductory mechanics.
Diurnal properties of tonic and synaptic GABAA receptor-mediated currents in suprachiasmatic nucleus neurons.

A tonic current (Itonic) mediated by GABAA receptors (GABAARs) containing α4-, α5- and δ-subunits was observed in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. The Itonic amplitude strongly depended on the action p...
Hot carrier devices using novel alloys and substrates

High conductivity metals have long been the material of choice for traditional electronics, and over the past two decades low-loss metals have led to many novel optical devices and structures as a result of plasmonic confinement. As these fields merge, metal optoelectronics using hot carrier effects may pave the way for new device architectures with improved flexibility, frequency response, and ultrafast time-dynamics. In this presentation, we will discuss our recent work building hot electron photodetectors for NIR detection using Si and metal oxides, improved response using nanoscale metal alloys, and time-resolved ultrafast detection via pump-probe techniques exploiting surface plasmon excitation. Further, we will show how the incorporation of index near zero (INZ) substrates can lead to nearly 100% absorption in thin metal films, providing a new platform for hot electron devices. We will conclude with an outlook and discuss future possibilities with these novel material systems.
Computed Tomography Perfusion-Based Prediction of Core Infarct and Tissue at Risk: Can Artificial Intelligence Help Reduce Radiation Exposure?

Background and Purpose: We explored the feasibility of automated, arterial input function independent, vendor neutral prediction of core infarct, and penumbral tissue using complete and partial com...
Culturally relevant stressors as moderators of intergenerational transmission of mother-adolescent executive function in Mexican immigrant families

The intergenerational transmission of executive function may be enhanced or interrupted by culturally salient environmental stressors that shape the practice of executive function in the family. Building upon past research, the current study tests whether culturally relevant stressors such as economic stress and foreigner stress have a direct effect on adolescent executive function, as well as whether they modify the intergenerational transmission of mother–child executive function (i.e., working memory, inhibitory control, and shifting) in low-income Mexican immigrant families. The sample consists of 179 Mexican American adolescents (Mage = 17.03 years; SDage = 0.83; 58% females) and their Mexico-born mothers (Mage = 43.25 years; SDage = 5.90). Results show that mothers’ perceived economic stress is associated with poor inhibitory control in adolescents. Low levels of mothers’ perceived foreigner stress related to a stronger association between mothers’ and adolescents’ working memory, while high levels of mothers’ perceived foreigner stress related to enhanced intergenerational transmission of poor shifting ability. Study findings demonstrate the prominence of perceived foreigner stress as a contextually relevant factor moderating the intergenerational transmission of mother–child executive function in low-income Mexican immigrant families. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41235-021-00333-x.
Quantitative Electroencephalography for Early Detection of Elevated Intracranial Pressure in Critically Ill Children: Case Series and Proposed Protocol.

Objective To describe quantitative EEG (electroencephalography) suppression ratio in children with increased intracranial pressure comparing acute suppression ratio changes to imaging and/or examination findings. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the suppression ratio from patients with neuroimaging and /or examination findings of increased intracranial pressure while on continuous EEG. The time of the first change in the suppression ratio was compared to the time of the first image and/or examination change confirming increased intracranial pressure. Results Thirteen patients with a median age of 3.1 years(interquartile range 1.8-6.3) had a rise in the suppression ratio with median time from identification to acute neuroimaging or examination of increased intracranial pressure of 3.12 hours (interquartile range 2.2-33.5) after the first increase in the suppression ratio. Conclusions Acute suppression ratio increase is seen prior to imaging and/or examination findings of increased intracranial pressure. With further study, the suppression ratio can be targeted with intracranial pressure-lowering agents to prevent morbidity and mortality associated with increased intracranial pressure.
A knowledge-level analysis of informing

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews how informing modifies the knowledge of an agent and the manifestation in terms of its problem solving performance. Robust intelligent systems must work in many differing situations. When the environment or computational resources change, a system must modify its behavior accordingly. To make matters even worse, information available to an agent is often incomplete, especially in complex domains. Designing intelligent agents that are able to adapt to their environment, to handle partial information, and to learn from experience has been a challenging task for AI researchers. Then it becomes important to build informable agents that are able to accept declarative information at runtime and put that information to use without the intervention of a human programmer. Intuitively, informing increases the amount of knowledge held by an agent. Informing adds knowledge to an agent. For an agent to be truly informable, it has to share the same conceptual primitives as the informing agent. Control knowledge may appear as various forms of procedural hints to the agents, such as prescription of specific actions, elimination of specific actions, constraints on actions, and preference among actions etc. Even though procedural hints are generally not in the deductive closure of the agent's body of domain knowledge, they do not necessarily enable the agents to solve more problems. With more knowledge about the problem-solving process, which may help cut down combinatoric explosions, an agent is able to solve problems more efficiently. Thus informing is a desirable feature for intelligent adaptive agents. Furthermore, Declarative representations such as predicate calculus are expressive enough to cope with incomplete and incremental information.
A Generalized Platform for the Specification, Valuation, and Brokering of Heterogeneous Resources in Electronic Markets

This paper describes MARI (Multi-Attribute Resource Intermediary), a project which proposes to improve online marketplaces, specifically those that involve the buying and selling of non-tangible goods and services. MARI is an intermediary architecture intended as a generalized platform for the specification and brokering of heterogeneous goods and services. MARI makes it possible for both buyers and sellers alike to more holistically and comprehensively specify relative preferences for the transaction partner, as well as for the attributes of the product in question, making price just one of a multitude of possible factors influencing the decision to trade. Ultimately, we expect that the ability to make such specifications will result in a more efficient, richer, and integrative transaction experience.