cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parent–Child Book-Reading Styles, Emotional Quality, and Changes in Early Head Start Children’s Cognitive Scores

ABSTRACTResearch Findings: The objective of this study was to understand how instructional book-reading style and emotional quality of reading interact and relate to cognitive skills in a sample of at-risk infants and toddlers. Participants were 81 parents and their children participating in Early Head Start programs in the rural Midwest. Correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to test the hypothesis that parental book-reading instructional style and emotional quality interact and relate to changes in children’s cognitive scores for culturally and linguistically diverse families. Results included that there were variations in how book-reading qualities interacted and related to changes in child cognitive scores for families whose primary home languages were either English or Spanish. Practice or Policy: The results of this study are discussed in conjunction with findings from a previous study published in this journal that examined concurrent relationships in the same sample of Early Head S...
Dielectric confinement effect on excitons in Pbl 4 -based layered semiconductors

Optical properties of excitons in conventional semiconductor quantum-well structures derive from the spatial confinement of electrons and holes by variations in the electronic potential across the barrier and the well layers. However, a barrier layer with a smaller dielectric constant can substantially increase the binding energy of excitons in the well, especially when the dielectric constant in the barrier layer is sizably smaller than that in the well layer (eb < ew). Theory suggests that the binding energy of excitons in the well can substantially exceed the value of four-exciton Rydbergs, the ideal limit of the conventional two-dimensional (2D) system.
Rapid and Accurate $C$ – $V$ Measurements

We report a new technique for the rapid measurement of full capacitance-voltage ( $C$ – $V$ ) characteristic curves. The displacement current from a 100-MHz applied sine wave, which swings from accumulation to strong inversion, is digitized directly using an oscilloscope from the MOS capacitor under test. A $C$ – $V$ curve can be constructed directly from this data but is severely distorted due to nonideal behavior of real measurement systems. The key advance of this paper is to extract the system response function using the same measurement setup and a known MOS capacitor. The system response correction to the measured $C$ – $V$ curve of the unknown MOS capacitor can then be done by simple deconvolution. No deskewing and/or leakage current correction is necessary, making it a very simple and quick measurement. Excellent agreement between the new fast $C$ – $V$ method and $C$ – $V$ measured conventionally by an LCR meter is achieved. The total time required for measurement and analysis is approximately 2 s, which is limited by our equipment.
Achieving the gauge potential for the photon in a synthetic space

We introduce a synthetic frequency dimension in a one dimensional array of ring resonator system and generalize the concept of photonic gauge potential. A topologically protected edge state is created in the synthetic space.
Caenorhabditis elegans RIG-I Homolog Mediates Antiviral RNA Interference Downstream of Dicer-Dependent Biogenesis of Viral Small Interfering RNAs.

Dicer enzymes process virus-specific double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) into small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to initiate specific antiviral defense by related RNA interference (RNAi) pathways in plants, insects, nematodes, and mammals. Antiviral RNAi in Caenorhabditis elegans requires Dicer-related helicase 1 (DRH-1), not found in plants and insects but highly homologous to mammalian retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I)-like receptors (RLRs), intracellular viral RNA sensors that trigger innate immunity against RNA virus infection. However, it remains unclear if DRH-1 acts analogously to initiate antiviral RNAi in C. elegans Here, we performed a forward genetic screen to characterize antiviral RNAi in C. elegans Using a mapping-by-sequencing strategy, we uncovered four loss-of-function alleles of drh-1, three of which caused mutations in the helicase and C-terminal domains conserved in RLRs. Deep sequencing of small RNAs revealed an abundant population of Dicer-dependent virus-derived small interfering RNAs (vsiRNAs) in drh-1 single and double mutant animals after infection with Orsay virus, a positive-strand RNA virus. These findings provide further genetic evidence for the antiviral function of DRH-1 and illustrate that DRH-1 is not essential for the sensing and Dicer-mediated processing of the viral dsRNA replicative intermediates. Interestingly, vsiRNAs produced by drh-1 mutants were mapped overwhelmingly to the terminal regions of the viral genomic RNAs, in contrast to random distribution of vsiRNA hot spots when DRH-1 is functional. As RIG-I translocates on long dsRNA and DRH-1 exists in a complex with Dicer, we propose that DRH-1 facilitates the biogenesis of vsiRNAs in nematodes by catalyzing translocation of the Dicer complex on the viral long dsRNA precursors.IMPORTANCE The helicase and C-terminal domains of mammalian RLRs sense intracellular viral RNAs to initiate the interferon-regulated innate immunity against RNA virus infection. Both of the domains from human RIG-I can substitute for the corresponding domains of DRH-1 to mediate antiviral RNAi in C. elegans, suggesting an analogous role for DRH-1 as an intracellular dsRNA sensor to initiate antiviral RNAi. Here, we developed a forward genetic screen for the identification of host factors required for antiviral RNAi in C. elegans Characterization of four distinct drh-1 mutants obtained from the screen revealed that DRH-1 did not function to initiate antiviral RNAi. We show that DRH-1 acted in a downstream step to enhance Dicer-dependent biogenesis of viral siRNAs in C. elegans As mammals produce Dicer-dependent viral siRNAs to target RNA viruses, our findings suggest a possible role for mammalian RLRs and interferon signaling in the biogenesis of viral siRNAs.
Revised Risk Assessments and the Insurance Industry

Insuring disaster risks can be challenging, due to spatial correlations and fat-tailed loss distributions. This chapter examines catastrophe insurance with a particular focus on events that alter risk assessments in the insurance industry. It addresses two questions: (1) What types of events lead the (re)insurance industry to update risk assessments? (2) How do companies, consumers, and the government respond to updated risk assessments? Updating is more likely to occur for risks with unknown or changing loss distributions. When an extreme event leads to altered assessments of the risk, insurance firms will reevaluate their pricing, exposure, underwriting policies, and capital management practices. Severe events that lead to this type of risk updating, however, also often lead to updating on the part of consumers and governments. This chapter traces how all three sectors may respond when they assess a risk as higher than they did previously. This may lead to temporary adjustments, or it could cause new equilibrium conditions in the market or permanent government interventions.
Servo control of solenoid actuators using augmented feedback linearization

Solenoids are commonly used in fuel injection systems, in process automation, medical systems, etc. They have numerous advantages: they are fast, reliable, compact and produce a high force output, making them a competitive replacement option for purely mechanical actuators and pneumatic control valves. However, their coil inductance and electromagnetic force vary non-linearly as a function of position and controlling their position can be a significant challenge — conventional PI, PD, PID controllers fall short of providing acceptable performance. This work aims at developing a servo control scheme for the solenoid using an Augmented Feedback Linearization (AFL) based approach. The AFL controller includes classical current regulation, a reduced-order feedback linearization and error integration. The control scheme is formulated and a multirate state feedback motion controller is designed to achieve closed loop position regulation. The control algorithm is verified using experimental results and shows superior performance over classical control techniques.
Hemodynamic Response to Nitroprusside in Patients With Low-Gradient Severe Aortic Stenosis and Preserved Ejection Fraction

AbstractBackground: Low-gradient severe aortic stenosis (LGSAS) with preserved ejection fraction (EF) is incompletely understood. The influence of arterial afterload and diastolic dysfunction on th...
Epidermal Growth Factor and Transforming Growth Factor-α

Since its discovery in 1963 as a polypeptide that accelerated the in vivo maturation of epithelial tissues (Cohen and Elliott, 1963), epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been assumed to be important in regulating epidermal growth, differentiation, and repair. Over the last 30 years, the concepts inherent to EGF and its related growth factors have merged with that of lymphokines, interferons, and cytokines to become synonymous with small peptide factors that regulate multiple functions of cells and tissues. The regulatory signals induced by binding of soluble and matrix protein-bound growth factors/cytokines to specific receptors is termed signal transduction. Although in vitro and in vivo biochemical and genetic studies of signal transduction are unfolding at a rapid pace, these complex signaling mechanisms have not yet been evaluated in the more complicated milieu within cutaneous wounds. To provide an appropriate background for this chapter on EGF and its common factors involved in wound healing, a brief description of this expanding family of EGF-like molecules, their cellular interactions, and emerging signal transduction mechanisms is described below.
Solitons in multi-body interactions for a fully modulated cubic–quintic Gross–Pitaevskii equation

Abstract A phase imprint approach is applied to a cubic Gross–Pitaevskii equation (GPE) in order to obtain a modified non-autonomous derivative cubic–quintic nonlinear GPE with fully variable coefficients. This model describes the dynamics of condensates in Bose–Einstein condensates, with both two- and three-body interatomic interactions with an external potential when the coefficient of the dispersion term is constant. This model is also applicable to fiber optics media in the absence of external potential. We show that this modified GPE model has a Lax-pair when all of its coefficients depend on time. However, the external potential depends on both the time and space variables. We obtain two classes of exact analytical solutions. These classes of solutions contain four different types of solitary-like wave solutions in the form of kink, anti-kink, bright, dark solitary, and periodic wave solutions. We reveal the effects of a quintic term on wave numbers, for both the carrier and envelope waves. Stability analysis is carried out, and conditions on parameters that determine regions with linear stability are discussed. Graphical analysis of some solutions are presented.
Becoming White: How Mass Warfare Turned Immigrants into Americans

How do groups on the social periphery assimilate into the social core of a nation? I develop a theory of cultural assimilation that highlights the way in which mass mobilization around warfare can reduce ethnic stratifications by incorporating low-status ethnic groups into the dominant national culture. To test the theory, I focus on the case of World War I in the United States -- a period that closely followed a massive wave of immigration into the United States. Using an instrumental variables strategy exploiting the combination of the exogenous timing of the war and features of the draft system, I show that individuals of foreign, European nativity -- especially, the Italians and Eastern Europeans -- were more likely to assimilate into American society. I also provide evidence of backlash against Germans despite their service for the United States in World War I. The theory and results contribute to our understanding of the ways in which states make identity and the prospects for immigrant assimilation in an age without mass warfare.
Molecular Characterization of a Novel Family of Low Voltage-Activated, T-Type, Calcium Channels

Low voltage-activated, T-type, calcium channels are thought to be involved in pacemaker activity, low threshold Ca2+ spikes, neuronal oscillations and resonance, and rebound burst firing. Mutations in T-type channel genes may be a contributing factor to neurological and cardiovascular disorders, such as epilepsy, arrhythmia, and hypertension. Due to the lack of selective blockers, little is known about their structure or molecular biology. This review discusses our recent findings on the cloning, chromosomal localization, and functional expression, of two novel channels, α1G and α1H. The biophysical properties of these cloned channels (distinctive voltage dependence, kinetics, and single channel conductance) demonstrates that these channels are members of the T-type Ca2+ channel family.
FDA regulations for growth factors and related products.

Biological products, including the majority of growth factors, are regulated by the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S.FDA) under two statutes; U.S. Federal Food Drug and Cosmetics (FDC) act and the U.S. Public Health Service act. As stipulated in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR) under the FDC act, the testing of new products in humans is conducted under an Investigational New Drug (IND) application. The primary objective of the FDA in all Phases of an investigation is assure safety of human subjects. During phase II and phase III studies, additional assurance regarding the scientific quality of the clinical investigation is required. A marketing approval is granted by CBER following the review of Product License Applications (PLA) and Establishment License Applications (ELA). CBER’s review process provides guidance to the manufacturers of biological products towards the development of safe and effective biological products for human use. Information pertinent to preclinical issues and clinical trial design is presented here with a special emphasis on the non-hematopoietic growth factors.
Distance Functions and Productivity

The goal of this chapter is to move toward the analysis of performance over time. One of the most basic notions used by economists in this regard is productivity and productivity growth. We deal with this topic in this chapter and in Chapter 4. Here we focus on the construction of productivity indexes. In Chapter 4 we focus on one of the components of productivity, namely technical change.
The Barber of Seville, or The Useless Precaution

Thank you very much for your comments on our article concerning the identity of mathematical items. We should like to outline a possible response to your arguments.
Disruption of the Putative c-myc Auto-Regulation Mechanism in a Human B Cell Line

It has been proposed that excessive or temporally inappropriate expression of the c-myc proto-oncogene determines a genetic program for cells that directs them toward proliferation, and away from differentiation. In support of this proposal, constitutive expression of c-myc in either murine erythroleukaemia cells, or 3T3-L1 cells largely prevents the progression of their respective differentiation schedules(1,2). Additionally, when resting cells of numerous types are treated with various mitogens, proliferation is preceded by rapid induction of c-myc expression (3,4). The inductive role that the mitogens play in proliferation can be in part substituted for by c-myc (5). An issue that remains outstanding is how the induction of c-myc is controlled. It has been theorised that c-myc auto-regulates its own transcription (6). This was provoked by the observation that in Burkitts lymphoma (BL), there is de-regulated expression of c-myc derived from the translocated allele, whilst the unrearranged allele is generally silent (6). This situation was to some extent re-capitulated by Lombardi et al (7) who witnessed the down-regulation of c-myc genes in human B cell lines into which they had stably introduced de-regulated c-myc. Because the products of the c-myc gene are two nuclear phosphoproteins with DNA-binding capacity, it has been considered that the auto-regulation is direct, requiring only the c-myc product and the c-myc template. Alternatively, the effect may be indirect, operating via pathways that may be disrupted and hence rendered inoperative in certain cell types. In order to examine this, we have investigated the generality of auto-regulation. Here we report an established human B cell line that is not susceptible to auto-regulation.
Medetomidine-induced alterations of intraocular pressure and contraction of the nictitating membrane

The alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist, medotomidine (MED), was examined for effects on: (1) intraocular pressure (IOP) in normal and sympathectomized (SX) rabbits; (2) IOP in normal rabbits pretreated with the alpha-2 antagonist idazoxan; (3) contractions of the cat nictitating membrane (CNM) elicited by nerve stimulation and intra-arterial (IA) norepinephrine. Unilateral topical administration of MED (7.5-75 micrograms) caused dose-dependent, bilateral IOP reduction in normal eyes, but MED (25 micrograms) had no appreciable hypotensive activity in SX eyes. The ocular hypotensive effect of MED (25 micrograms) was antagonized by treatment with idazoxan (100 micrograms, bilaterally), a relatively selective alpha-2 antagonist. MED and dexmedetomidine (DMED) also inhibited frequency-related contractions of CNM induced by electrical stimulation of the cervical sympathetic trunk. Rauwolscine (100 micrograms, IA) shifted the MED dose response in the CNM to the right indicative competitive antagonism, whereas SK&F 104078 (300 micrograms, IA), a relatively dose-selective postjunctional alpha-2 antagonist, had no effect on DMED suppression. These results show that MED lowers IOP in part, by interacting with alpha-2 adrenoceptors located on sympathetic nerve endings. An effect of MED on imidazoline sites may also be possible.
‘Reverse’ Hofmeister effects on the sol–gel transition rates for an α-helical peptide–PEG bioconjugate

We examine the dynamics of the sol-gel transition for end-functionalized linear- and 4-arm-peptides bioconjugated to poly-ethylene glycol (PEG) in aqueous environments with increasingly chaotropic (Cl- < Br- < I-) anions. A 23-amino acid peptide sequence is rationally designed to self-assemble upon folding into the ordered α-helical conformation due to the hydrophobic effect. We use Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) to quantify the ensemble average reversible secondary structure transitions as a function of electrolyte concentration and specific ion effects along the Hofmeister series. Subsequently, microrheology is used to quantify the kinetics of the gelation process, as it relates to folding and specific ion interactions. Our key findings were non-intuitive. We observe the faster evolution of the gel transitions in systems with more chaotropic anions. For our peptides in aqueous solution, "water-structuring" ions yield faster assembly behavior with a viscoelastic exponent, n, closer to unity representing self-assemblies that are Rouse-like. In contrast, ions that are "water-breaking" resulted in smaller viscoelastic exponents where self-assembly dynamics result in a viscoelastic exponent that suggests polymer entanglements.
Accuracy of abdominal ultrasound for the diagnosis of small bowel obstruction in the emergency department.

Background Emergency physicians frequently encounter patients with acute small bowel obstructions (SBO). Although computed tomography (CT) imaging is the current gold standard in the assessment of patients with suspected SBO in the emergency department, a few studies have examined the use of ultrasound as an alternative imaging technique. Methods We evaluated the accuracy of ultrasound performed in the ED by a variety of providers (physicians with various levels of training, physician assistants) compared to CT imaging in 47 patients with suspected SBOs. Results Our data demonstrated a sensitivity of 93.8% and a specificity of 93.3% when compared to abdominal CT, and a sensitivity of 94.3% and specificity of 95.2% using a composite endpoint of abdominal CT and discharge diagnosis. Conclusion Ultrasound can play an important role in the identification of small bowel obstructions in ED patients.
On measure-preserving mathcal C1 transformations of compact-open subsets of non-archimedean local fields

We introduce the notion of a locally scaling transformation defined on a compactopen subset of a non-archimedean local field. We show that this class encompasses the Haar measure-preserving transformations defined by C (in particular, polynomial) maps, and prove a structure theorem for locally scaling transformations. We use the theory of polynomial approximation on compact-open subsets of non-archimedean local fields to demonstrate the existence of ergodic Markov, and mixing Markov transformations defined by such polynomial maps. We also give simple sufficient conditions on the Mahler expansion of a continuous map Zp → Zp for it to define a Bernoulli transformation.
Affirmative Disclosure: Long-term Monitoring of Residual Effects:

In 1973, the Federal Trade Commission charged the manufacturer of Hawaiian Punch fruit drink with deceptive advertising of the proportion of natural fruit juice in the product. A consent order that...
Science as a rational enterprise

Scientists often disagree about whether a new theory is better than the current theory. From this some (e.g., Thomas Kuhn) have inferred that the values of science are changing and subjective, and hence that science is an ‘irrational’ enterprise. As an alternative, this paper develops a ‘rational’ model of the scientific enterprise according to which the scope and elegance of theories are important elements in the scientist's utility function. The varied speed of acceptance of new theories by scientists can be explained in terms of the optimal allocation of time among different scientific activities. The model thus accounts for the ‘rationality’ of science in a way that is broadly consistent with the empirical evidence on the history and practice of science.
An embedded feature selection method for imbalanced data classification

Imbalanced data is one type of datasets that are frequently found in real-world applications, e.g., fraud detection and cancer diagnosis. For this type of datasets, improving the accuracy to identify their minority class is a critically important issue. Feature selection is one method to address this issue. An effective feature selection method can choose a subset of features that favor in the accurate determination of the minority class. A decision tree is a classifier that can be built up by using different splitting criteria. Its advantage is the ease of detecting which feature is used as a splitting node. Thus, it is possible to use a decision tree splitting criterion as a feature selection method. In this paper, an embedded feature selection method using our proposed weighted Gini index &#x0028 WGI &#x0029 is proposed. Its comparison results with Chi2, F-statistic and Gini index feature selection methods show that F-statistic and Chi2 reach the best performance when only a few features are selected. As the number of selected features increases, our proposed method has the highest probability of achieving the best performance. The area under a receiver operating characteristic curve &#x0028 ROC AUC &#x0029 and F-measure are used as evaluation criteria. Experimental results with two datasets show that ROC AUC performance can be high, even if only a few features are selected and used, and only changes slightly as more and more features are selected. However, the performance of Fmeasure achieves excellent performance only if 20 &#x0025 or more of features are chosen. The results are helpful for practitioners to select a proper feature selection method when facing a practical problem.
On the fourth order Schrödinger equation in four dimensions: Dispersive estimates and zero energy resonances

Abstract We study the fourth order Schrodinger operator H = ( − Δ ) 2 + V for a decaying potential V in four dimensions. In particular, we show that the t − 1 decay rate holds in the L 1 → L ∞ setting if zero energy is regular. Furthermore, if the threshold energies are regular then a faster decay rate of t − 1 ( log ⁡ t ) − 2 is attained for large t, at the cost of logarithmic spatial weights. Zero is not regular for the free equation, hence the free evolution does not satisfy this bound due to the presence of a resonance at the zero energy. We provide a full classification of the different types of zero energy resonances and study the effect of each type on the time decay in the dispersive bounds.
Rapid Generation of Hierarchically Porous Metal–Organic Frameworks through Laser Photolysis

Hierarchically porous metal-organic frameworks (HP-MOFs) facilitate mass transfer due to mesoporosity while preserving the advantage of microporosity. This unique feature endows HP-MOFs with remarkable application potential in multiple fields. Recently, new methods such as linker labilization for the construction of HP-MOFs have emerged. To further enrich the synthetic toolkit of MOFs, we report a controlled photolytic removal of linkers to create mesopores within microporous MOFs at tens of milliseconds. Ultraviolet (UV) laser has been applied to eliminate "photolabile" linkers without affecting the overall crystallinity and integrity of the original framework. Presumably, the creation of mesopores can be attributed to the missing-cluster defects, which can be tuned through varying the time of laser exposure and ratio of photolabile/robust linkers. Upon laser exposure, MOF crystals shrank while metal oxide nanoparticles formed giving rise to the HP-MOFs. In addition, photolysis can also be utilized for the fabrication of complicated patterns with high precision, paving the way towards MOF lithography, which has enormous potential in sensing and catalysis.
Risk Factors for Medical and Surgical Complications After Single-Level Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion

ABSTRACT Background: The prevention of perioperative and postoperative complications is necessary to avoid poor postoperative outcomes and increased costs. Previous investigations have identified risk factors for complications after various spine procedures, but no such study exists in a population solely undergoing minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF). The purpose of this study is to determine risk factors for the development of complications up to 2 years after MIS TLIF procedures. Methods: Patients who underwent primary, single-level MIS TLIF from 2007 to 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. The incidence of medical and surgical complications up to 2 years postoperatively was determined. Patients were categorized according to demographic, comorbidity, and procedural characteristics. Bivariate Poisson regression with robust error variance was used to determine if an association existed between patient characteristics and complication incidence. A final multivariate model including all patient characteristics as controls was created using backwards, stepwise regression until only those variables with P Results: 390 patients were analyzed. Upon bivariate analysis, age >50 years (P = .025), diabetes mellitus (P = .001), and operative duration >105 minutes (P = .016) were associated with increased medical complication rates. Regarding surgical complications, age ≤50 years (P 105 minutes (P = .009) and diabetes mellitus (P = .001) were independent risk factors for medical complications. Independent risk factors for surgical complications on multivariate analysis included age ≤50 years (P Conclusions: Diabetic patients and those who underwent longer operations were at increased risk of medical complications, while younger patients, obese patients and those also with diabetes mellitus were at increased risk of surgical complications up to 2 years after MIS TLIF. Practitioners can use this information to identify patients who require preventative care before their procedure or increased postoperative vigilance and monitoring after single-level MIS TLIF. Level of Evidence: 3.
CT guided cervical medial branch block and radiofrequency ablation.

Abstract The purpose of this report is to describe the procedure for CT fluoroscopy– guided Cervical medial branch block and facet radiofrequency ablation. CT fluoroscopic guidance allows more-precise needle tip positioning with visualization of bony landmarks and at the same time be aware of the adjoining soft tissue anatomy with good localization of adjacent critical non-targeted areas such as the neural foramina and the dorsal root ganglia. This serves as an alternative method for performing medial branch blocks and facet radiofrequency ablation.
Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron deficiency, with or without anemia, is common in adolescent girls both globally and within the United States. Iron is a key nutrient that supports critical functions such as erythropoiesis, oxygen transport, aerobic metabolism, and neuronal myelination. Therefore, in addition to the progression to anemia, the non-hematologic effects of iron deficiency are diverse. Affected girls may report fatigue, poor concentration, restless legs, and pica. Low iron diet and menstrual blood loss are the most common etiologies of iron deficiency in adolescent girls, and these risk factors should be thoroughly assessed in all presenting patients. In addition, the presence or absence of gastrointestinal symptoms suggestive of blood loss or malabsorption, as well as acute or chronic inflammation, should be evaluated. The diagnosis of iron deficiency is based on clinical risk factors in the presence of a microcytic anemia. It can be confirmed with additional iron studies, if necessary. Iron replacement therapy may be provided with oral iron preparations administered once daily. Alternatively, intravenous iron preparations can be considered for those girls with complicated, recurrent, or refractory iron deficiency.
Does Prior Breast Augmentation Affect Outcomes After Mastectomy With Reconstruction? An Analysis of Postoperative Complications and Reoperations.

Background The purpose of this study is to evaluate how prior breast augmentation impacts rates of complications and risk for reoperation after mastectomy with concurrent breast reconstruction. Methods Patients undergoing nipple-sparing, skin-sparing, or simple mastectomy with implant-based reconstruction from 2008 to 2018 were identified in a prospective database. Postoperative complications and reoperations were then analyzed comparing patients with prior augmentation to patients without history of previous breast surgery. Results A total of 468 patients were identified with a median follow-up of 4 years. Of these, 72 had prior augmentation mammoplasty. These patients underwent nipple-sparing (52, 72%), skin-sparing (15, 21%), or simple (5, 7%) mastectomy with immediate direct-to-implant (46, 61%) or tissue expander (26, 35%) reconstruction. On univariate analysis, this cohort had a lower body mass index (23.3 vs 25.3, P = 0.003), a higher rate of nipple-sparing mastectomy (72% vs 54%, P = 0.01), and a higher prevalence of stage I disease (44% vs 33%, P = 0.04). Differences in age, comorbidities, reconstructive techniques, tumor size, and neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapies were not significant. Overall complication rate between patients with or without prior augmentation did not significantly differ (51% vs 50%, P = 0.83); no significant differences in rates of surgical site infection, hematoma, mastectomy skin flap/wound necrosis, nipple complications, implant loss, or capsular contracture were found. Analysis of reoperations between patients with and without prior augmentation revealed no significant differences in average number of subsequent planned, unplanned, or total reoperations. On multivariate analysis, prior breast augmentation was found to be associated with significantly increased risk for undergoing ≥1 unplanned reoperation (odds ratio, 2.28; 95% confidence interval, 1.28-4.05, P = 0.005). Conclusions Prior augmentation mammoplasty does not significantly affect rates of postoperative complications after mastectomy with concurrent reconstruction. Although prior augmentation does not affect number of subsequent reoperations on average, it does increase the risk of experiencing 1 or more unplanned reoperation after mastectomy with reconstruction.
Looking Backward to Charter Schools

Charter schools are promoted as a contemporary American invention. But the documented history reveals that charter schools actually evolved over the centuries in England, structured to reflect the ...
Nonlinear MPC for collision-free and deadlock-free navigation of multiple nonholonomic mobile robots

Abstract In this paper, we present an online nonlinear Model Predictive Control (MPC) method for collision-free, deadlock-free navigation by multiple autonomous nonholonomic Wheeled Mobile Robots (WMRs). Our proposed method solves a nonlinear constrained optimization problem at each time step over a specified horizon to compute a sequence of optimal control inputs that drive the robots to target poses along collision-free trajectories, where the robots’ future states are predicted according to a unicycle kinematic model. To reduce the computational complexity of the optimization problem, we formulate it without stabilizing terminal constraints or terminal costs. We describe a computationally efficient approach to programming and solving the optimization problem, using open-source software tools for fast nonlinear optimization and applying the multiple-shooting method. We also provide rigorous proofs of the feasibility of the optimization problem and the stability of the proposed method. To validate the performance of our MPC method, we implement it in both 3D robot simulations and experiments with real nonholonomic WMRs for different multi-robot navigation scenarios with up to six robots. In all scenarios, the robots successfully navigate to their goal poses without colliding with one another or becoming trapped in a deadlock.
Donor clonal hematopoiesis increases risk of acute graft versus host disease after matched sibling transplantation.

Clonal hematopoiesis (CH) is associated with older age and an increased risk of myeloid malignancies and cardiovascular complications. We analyzed donor DNA samples in patients with AML/MDS who underwent first allogeneic stem cell transplant (SCT) to investigate the association between donor CH and transplant outcomes. We performed targeted deep sequencing of 300 genes on donor blood samples and identified CH with the minimum variant allele frequency of 2%. Among 363 donors, 65 (18%) had CH. The most frequently mutated genes were DNMT3A (31 of 65; 48%), TET2 (16 of 65; 25%), PPM1D (5 of 65, 8%), and ASXL1 (7 of 65; 11%). Transplant outcomes: time to neutrophil and platelet recovery, relapse incidence, transplant-related mortality and progression-free survival, were comparable by donor CH. However, risk of grade II-IV and III-IV acute graft versus host disease (aGvHD) at 6 months after transplant was higher with donor CH vs. without donor CH (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.4, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.6-3.6, p < 0.001 and HR = 3.8, 95% CI = 1.6-8.9, p = 0.003). In this homogenous population of AML/MDS patients, donor CH was associated with increased risk of grade II-IV and III-IV aGvHD. Further studies to investigate the mechanisms of increased aGvHD and therapeutic interventions to improve aGvHD in the context of donor CH are warranted.
Response to a Response

I argue that, beyond sustainability theater, companies will never produce something that their customers will not buy or that they have to sell at a loss. Similarly, legislators will not enact substantial regulations contrary to the desires of their citizens, lest they be voted out of office.
Impacts of constraints and uncertainties on projected amount of Hanford low-activity waste glasses

Abstract A systematic evaluation of Hanford low-activity waste (LAW) loading in alkali-aluminoborosilicate glasses was performed. A set of 22 waste compositions were selected to represent the range of wastes anticipated across the Hanford mission. Glass composition was formulated for each waste to simultaneously satisfy a full cadre of property and composition constraints while maximizing waste loading. Glass properties were estimated using property models recently developed for Hanford LAW Facility operation. The impacts from the property and composition constraints on the glass mass to be produced were calculated and compared. Electrical conductivity, Vapor Hydration Test and SO3 melter tolerance, and canister-centerline cooling crystal constraints have a large effect on reducing total glass mass, while the impacts from Product Consistency Test, viscosity, and isothermal crystal constraints are relatively small. Additionally, effects of model prediction and process/composition uncertainties were quantified. The results identified areas of future research that could be useful to improve the efficiency of plant operation.
A paradox of parasite resistance: Disease-driven trophic cascades increase the cost of resistance, selecting for lower resistance with parasites than without them

Most evolutionary theory predicts that, during epidemics, hosts will evolve higher resistance to parasites that kill them. Here, we provide an alternative to that typical expectation, with an explanation centered on resource feedbacks. When resistance is costly, hosts evolve decreasing resistance without parasites, as expected. But with parasites, hosts can evolve lower resistance than they would in the absence of parasites. This outcome arises in an eco-evolutionary model when four conditions are met: first, resistance has a fecundity cost (here, via decreased foraging/exposure rate); second, resources increase during epidemics via trophic cascades; third, increased resources magnify the benefit of maintaining a fast foraging rate, thereby magnifying the cost of evolving a slower foraging/exposure rate (i.e., resistance); fourth, that amplification of the cost outweighs the benefit of resistance. When these conditions are met, hosts evolve lower resistance than without parasites. This phenomenon was previously observed in a mesocosm experiment with fungal parasites, zooplankton hosts, and algal resources. Re-analyzing this experiment produced evidence for our model9s mechanism. Thus, both model and experiment indicate that, via resource feedbacks, parasites can counterintuitively select against resistance.
Representation Formats in Psychology

Representation formats are specific methods used by the mind/brain to store information for later use. Keywords: features; propositions; representation; analog; semantics
Surgical Techniques: Z-Plasty Reductional Labiaplasty

FIGURE 1 The labia minora are bilateral mucosal-cutaneous refolds located between the labia majora and vulvar vestibule.While there is a wide range of normal anatomic variants, in general, the labia minora are semicircular with a 3-cm long base and a free edge extending from the clitoris to the posterior commissure. The medial mucosal surface is derived from the primitive urogenital sinus and is shiny and pink. The free edge and the lateral cutaneous surface are derived from the urethral folds and are more deeply pigmented. Enlargement of the labia minora can occur by several factors, including: congenital enlargement, mechanical irritation, multiple pregnancies, stretching with weights, and vulvar lymphedema. Women may desire labiaplasty for aesthetic dissatisfaction, discomfort in clothing, discomfort when walking or participating in exercise, and entry dyspareunia caused by invagination of the protuberant tissue. © 2007 International Society for Sexual Medicine
Thioredoxin Acts as a B Cell Growth Factor in Channel Catfish

To identify differentially expressed genes from channel catfish macrophages, a cDNA library from LPS-stimulated catfish macrophages was screened by subtractive hybridization. This screening yielded a 552-bp cDNA coding for catfish thioredoxin (CF-TRX). The deduced amino acid sequence revealed that CF-TRX contains 107 amino acids and is 59% homologous to human adult T cell leukemia-derived factor/TRX, originally described as an IL-2Rα-inducing factor. Northern blot analyses showed that CF-TRX is expressed in catfish T and macrophage cell lines, but weakly in B cell lines. Similar results were also observed in Western blot analyses using a mAb specific for recombinant CF-TRX (rTRX). The use of rTRX in functional studies demonstrated that rTRX induces in vitro proliferative responses of catfish PBL that were synergistically enhanced by the addition of culture supernatants from catfish T cell lines. In addition, cell separation studies and flow cytometric analyses revealed that the cells proliferating in rTRX-stimulated cultures were mostly B cells. These results suggest that CF-TRX may have an important role in the activation and proliferation of channel catfish B cells.
The role of linoleic acid in endothelial cell gene expression. Relationship to atherosclerosis

Although the mortality from coronary heart disease has declined recently, atherosclerosis and related vascular disorders still are the leading causes of death in the United States and other Western countries. The etiology of this disease is multifactorial, with hyperlipidemia, smoking, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and obesity being well-established risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis. Dietary fat affects plasma lipids and lipoproteins and thus is linked to atherosclerosis (Watkins et al., 1996). Injury to or abnormal mechanisms of the vascular endothelium may be initiating events in the etiology of atherosclerosis.
Does behavioral bootstrapping boost weight control confidence?: a pilot study.

Background: Since confidence is an important predictor of ability to lose weight, methods for increasing weight-control confidence are important. The purpose of this study was to test the relationship between short-term behavior changes (‘behavioral bootstrapping’) and change in weight-control confidence in a small prospective weight-loss project. Methods: Data were available from 38 patients who received an initial motivational interview and a follow-up visit. Body mass index at baseline ranged from 25.5 kg/m2 to 50.4 kg/m2 (mean = 35.8, median = 34.4). Independent variables were change in weight (measured in kilograms in the clinic), self-reported change in minutes of physical activity, age, sex, and marital status. Minutes of physical activity were assessed at baseline and after 30 days, using the following question, “How many minutes do you exercise per week (e.g. fast walking, biking, treadmill)?” Weights were measured in the clinic. Results: Weight change was inversely correlated with change in confidence (p = 0.01). An increase in physical activity was associated with an increase in confidence (p = 0.01). Age, sex, and marital status were not related to change in confidence. Independent effects of weight change and physical activity were estimated using multiple linear regression analysis: b = −0.44, p = 0.04 for change in weight, and b = 0.02, p = 0.03 for change in physical activity (r2 = 0.28). Conclusions: Short-term changes in behavior (losing weight and exercising more) lead to increased weight-control confidence in primary-care patients.
Phase I Trial of Docetaxel With Estramustine in Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer

PURPOSE: To evaluate the toxicity, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of docetaxel when combined with oral estramustine and dexamethasone in a phase I study in patients with progressive metastatic androgen-independent prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-four men were stratified into minimally pretreated (MPT) and extensively pretreated (EPT) groups. Estramustine 280 mg PO tid was administered 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals on days 1 through 5, with escalated doses of docetaxel from 40 to 80 mg/m2 on day 2. Treatment was repeated every 21 days. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were assessable for toxicity and 33 for response. In the MPT patients, dose-limiting myelosuppression was reached at 80 mg/m2, with six patients experiencing grade 3/4 granulocytopenia. In EPT patients, escalation above 70 mg/m2 was not attempted. Fourteen MPT (70%) and six EPT (50%) patients had a ≥ 50% decline in serum PSA on two consecutive measurements taken at least 2 weeks apart. The overall 50% PSA response rate was 6...
Swenson revisited: a one-stage, transanal pull-through procedure for Hirschsprung's disease.

Abstract Background: Hirschsprung's disease is a common cause of neonatal intestinal obstruction. A variety of operations have been used to treat this neurogenic form of bowel obstruction. This report describes an experience with a 1-stage abdominal and transanal pull-through operation in 15 patients with rectosigmoid disease. Methods: Fifteen infants with Hirschsprung's disease included 11 boys and 4 girls. Median age at diagnosis was 3 days, and median age of operation was 30 days. Diagnosis was confirmed by rectal biopsy. Biopsies to confirm the transition zone were performed intraabdominally through a left lower quadrent incision. A Swenson pull-through was performed via transanal dissection. Results: There were no instances of anastomotic leaks, wound infections or postoperative bowel obstructions. All patients survived. Two had postoperative enterocolitis. Twelve of 15 patients did well and had 2–3 bowel motions per day. One with Down's syndrome had enterocolitis and required a colostomy. Two were lost to follow up. Conclusions: A one-stage transanal pull-through procedure in infancy is a safe alternative to staged procedures for Hirschsprung's disease.
Mesoscale Simulation of Uniaxial Tension of FCC Polycrystal Using Viscoplastic Self Consistent Method

A viscoplastic self consistent model was developed using a rate sensitive constitutive relation, isotropic hardening law, and considering the interaction between the grains and their surroundings. The model was applied to simulate the mesoscopic responses of fcc polycrystalline aggregate during tensile deformation. The macro textures, the grain rotation behaviors, plastic strain and stress heterogeneities, and slip system activities were investigated. The model successfully predicts the typical tensile textures, the grain rotations toward (111) and (100) directions and the orientation dependent slip activities, etc. The simulation results are qualitatively in agreement with experimental measurements and theoretical predictions.
Generation and the ambident character of 9-anthrylmethyl carbanions

Abstract 9-Methoxymethylanthracene, 9-trimethylsilylmethylanthracene and 9-thiomethoxymethylanthracene are converted by butyllithium reagents to α -methoxy-9-anthrylmethyl, α -trimethylsilyl-9-anthrylmethyl and 9-anthrylmethyl carbanions, respectively, which react at their C-10 and C-11 positions with appropriate electrophiles.