cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heparin and heparan sulfate partially inhibit induction of acetylcholine receptor accumulation by nerve in Xenopus culture

It has been demonstrated that ACh receptors in Xenopus nerve-muscle cultures migrate in the membrane to the nerve contact area during junction formation (Anderson et al., 1977) and that "diffusion trapping" is the major mechanism for nerve-induced receptor accumulation (Kidokoro and Brass, 1985; Kuromi et al., 1985; Kidokoro et al., 1986). A crucial remaining question is how the nerve induces the trap for randomly diffusing ACh receptors. In this study we examined the effect of various glycosaminoglycans in the culture medium on the nerve-induced receptor accumulation and found that heparin and heparan sulfate partially inhibited nerve-induced receptor accumulation, but similar molecules, chondroitin sulfate type A and type C, did not. By chemical modification of heparin we also showed that N-sulfate residues and a large-molecular-weight molecule are essential for this inhibitory effect. Heparin did not affect ACh receptor clustering (hot-spot formation) in myocytes cultured without nerve. By changing the time and duration of heparin application, we found that heparin was effective in inhibiting nerve-induced receptor accumulation only when it was present in the culture medium during the period that neurites are actively forming contact with muscle membrane.
Inpatient Hospital Admission Rates for Nonmalignant Respiratory Disease Among Workers Exposed to Metal Removal Fluids at a U.S. Automobile Manufacturer

This study was undertaken to determine the impact of exposure to metal removal fluids (MRFs) on the respiratory health of exposed workers. The outcome measure selected was the rate of hospital admissions for nonmalignant respiratory disease episodes as determined from healthcare insurance claims data. A cohort of MRF-exposed employees was assembled from 11 manufacturing facilities where MRFs were extensively used in the manufacture of automotive engines, transmissions, and other machined parts. The MRF-exposed cohort included 20,434 employees of such facilities who worked at any time from 1993 through 1997. A non–MRF-exposed cohort was assembled from other employees of the same company during the same time period, but working in warehouse operations and other manufacturing facilities that did not use MRFs or any known respiratory sensitizing agents. The non-exposed cohort included 8681 employees, The crude hospital admission rate for the MRF-exposed cohort was 44 percent higher than that of the non-expose...
Cystic fibrosis and sinusitis in children: outcomes and socioeconomic status.

Objectives. Although chronic sinusitis is prevalent in children with cystic fibrosis (CF), little is known regarding pulmonary outcomes following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Furthermore, lower ...
Probabilistic Short-Term River Yield Forecasts

A predictive model, employing a first order autoregressive structure, which enables estimation of the probability distributions of streamflow volumes in future seasons is developed. The model is applicable to streams that have intraseasonal runoff volumes describable by lognormal probability distributions. A season long observation provides the initial value which is propagated through future seasons by the first order autoregressive streamflow volume structure. For high interseasonal (lag one) correlations application of the model yields valuable forecasts for as many as 10 time periods in the future, while for low correlations such forecasting is of no additional value after four time periods. The method has the greatest utility for streams having high variability and distinct seasonality.
Band gap engineering of a soft inorganic compound PbI2 by incommensurate van der Waals epitaxy

Van der Waals epitaxialgrowth had been thought to have trivial contribution on inducing substantial epitaxial strain in thin films due to its weak nature of van der Waals interfacial energy. Due to this, electrical and optical structure engineering via van der Waals epitaxial strain has been rarely studied. In this report, we show that significant band structure engineering could be achieved in a soft thin film material PbI2 via van der Waals epitaxy. The thickness dependent photoluminescence of single crystal PbI2 flakes was studied and attributed to the substrate-film coupling effect via incommensurate van der Waals epitaxy. It is proposed that the van der Waals strain is resulted from the soft nature of PbI2 and large van der Waals interaction due to the involvement of heavy elements. Such strain plays vital roles in modifying the band gap of PbI2. The deformation potential theory is used to quantitatively unveil the correlation between thickness, strain, and band gap change. Our hypothesis is confirmed by the subsequent mechanical bending test and Raman characterization.
Quantitative Framework for Preferential Flow Initiation and Partitioning

A model for preferential flow in macropores is based on the short-range spatial distribution of soil matrix infiltrability. It uses elementary areas at two different scales. One is the traditional representative elementary area (REA), which includes a sufficient heterogeneity to typify larger areas, as for measuring field-scale infiltrability. The other, called an elementary matrix area (EMA), is smaller, but large enough to represent the local infiltrability of soil matrix material, between macropores. When water is applied to the land surface, each EMA absorbs water up to the rate of its matrix infiltrability. Excess water flows into a macropore, becoming preferential flow. The land surface then can be represented by a mesoscale (EMA-scale) distribution of matrix infiltrabilities. Total preferential flow at a given depth is the sum of contributions from all EMAs. Applying the model, one case study with multi-year field measurements of both preferential and diffuse fluxes at a specific depth was used to obtain parameter values by inverse calculation. The results quantify the preferential–diffuse partition of flow from individual storms that differed in rainfall amount, intensity, antecedent soil water, and other factors. Another case study provided measured values of matrix infiltrability to estimate parameter values for comparison and illustrative predictions. These examples give a self-consistent picture from the combination of parameter values, directions of sensitivities, and magnitudes of differences caused by different variables. One major practical use of this model is to calculate the dependence of preferential flow on climate-related factors, such as varying soil wetness and rainfall intensity.
Factors Influencing the Accuracy of Noninvasive Blood Pressure Measurements in NICU Infants.

Objective Compare invasive blood pressure (IBP) and noninvasive blood pressure (NIBP) measurement methods in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) across various gestational age and postmenstrual age (PMA), and determine the effect of gestational age and PMA on accuracy of NIBP measurements. Study Design Retrospective chart review of paired mean IBP and NIBP measurements from infants admitted to a single NICU from January 2008 through December 2010. Infants with congenital anomalies or receiving therapeutic hypothermia were excluded. Difference between paired measurements was analyzed using Bland–Altman method. We examined the association between PMA, sex, race, mechanical ventilation, medications, and axillary temperature, and the difference in measurements using a mixed effects linear regression model. Results Eighty-seven infants had 243 observations. The mean (range) gestational age at birth was 31.9 (23–41) weeks and PMA at time of measurement ranged from 26 to 52 weeks. We found poor agreement between IBP and NIBP measurements, with mean difference (95% limits of agreement) of −8.8 (11, −28.7) mm Hg. The mean blood pressure percent difference ( ± SD) was −28.3 ( ± 35.6%). A greater blood pressure percent difference between the two measurement techniques was associated with lower PMA and lower mean IBP. Conclusion NIBP measurements overestimate IBP measurements particularly in smaller, sicker infants at lower IBP measurements.
Not All Crime Policies Are Created Equal Presidential Speeches and Symbolic Rhetoric by Crime Policy Types

Previous research suggests that American presidents resort to the use of symbolic rhetoric because of public opinion, party affiliation, election year politics, and divided government. This research, however, treated crime policy as a general topic, disregarding the nuances that emerge from different types of crime policies. The research at hand posits not all crime policies are the same or handled the same politically, and thus divides them into seven crime policy categories: law enforcement, courts, corrections, juveniles, guns, death penalty, and drugs. Drawing upon the theory of symbolic rhetoric and categorizing presidential speeches from 1948 through 2010 into these seven categories, this study employs logistic regression to explain the influencing variables upon the likelihood presidents will employ symbolic rhetoric for each of these crime policy types. Findings suggest that although the use of symbolic rhetoric is different for each crime policy issue, there are two key factors that matter overal...
Rate of flow and cell count of thoracic duct lymph in the mouse.

Summary1. A method is described for obtaining lymph from the abdominal thoracic duct of the anesthetized mouse. 2. Average rate of lymph flow was approximately 0.1 ml/hr, or 5.5 ml/hr/kg B.W. 3. The cell content averaged 11,700/mm3, and the total lymphocyte output averaged 1.10 × 106/hr. 4. There was a significant diurnal variation in lymphocyte output which was greater in the afternoon than in the morning.
Inverted papilloma of the ureter.

Abstract We report 2 cases of inverted papilloma of the ureter with clinical, radiographic and pathologic correlations. Although the inverted papilloma is probably best regarded as a benign epithelial proliferation true urothelial neoplasia may be associated with it. This sequence was illustrated in 1 of our cases in which adenocarcinoma of the bladder developed several months after removal of the ureteral inverted papilloma. The association and structural similarity of Brunn’s nests and cystitis cystica with inverted papilloma are discussed.
AlCl3/amide ionic liquids for electrodeposition of aluminum

AlCl3/amide (acetamide, propionamide, butyramide) ionic liquids were used as the electrolytes to study the electrodeposition behavior of aluminum on a tungsten electrode. Cyclic voltammograms on the tungsten electrode indicate that Al(III) ions can be reduced to aluminum only within the molar ratio range of 1.1 to 1.5 and the reduction potentials of Al(III) ions strongly depend on the molar ratio of AlCl3/amide. Raman spectra results reveal that the electroactive specie of AlCl3/amide ionic liquids is Al2Cl7 −. Aluminum coatings were prepared at −0.25 V (vs. Al/Al3+) and at 313 K in AlCl3/amide ionic liquids with the molar ratio of 1.3. The SEM and cross-sectional SEM images show that all the obtained aluminum films are silver-colored, thick, and adherent. The EDS and XRD analysis confirm that the obtained deposits are pure aluminum. The present results can provide a new route for aluminum electrodeposition under ambient conditions.
mTORC1 inhibition for epilepsy in TSC: Feasibility in question.

Clinical signs and symptoms have been used to diagnose and define tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), with the first description being that of the Vogt triad (epilepsy, intellectual disability, and facial angiofibromas).1 The clinical criteria to diagnose TSC no longer include epilepsy and intellectual disability, and have been further expanded. Presence of a disease-causing mutation in TSC1 or TSC2 (the genes involved in TSC) is now included as an independent diagnostic criterion.2
Fast approximations of dynamic stability boundaries of slender curved structures

Abstract Curved beams and panels can often be found as structural components in aerospace, mechanical and civil engineering systems. When curved structures are subjected to dynamic loads, they are susceptible to dynamic instabilities especially dynamic snap-through buckling. The identification of the dynamic stability boundary that separate the non-snap and post-snap responses is hence necessary for the safe design of such structures, but typically requires extensive transient simulations that may lead to high computation cost. This paper proposes a scaling approach that reveals the similarities between dynamic snap-through boundaries of different structures. Such identified features can be directly used for fast approximations of dynamic stability boundaries of slender curved structures when their geometric parameters or boundary conditions are varied. The scaled dynamic stability boundaries of half-sine arches, parabolic arches and cylindrical panels are studied.
NIST Calibration Uncertainties of Organic Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers over the Range from −196 °C to 20 °C

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Industrial Thermometer Calibration Laboratory (ITCL) investigated the calibration uncertainties of low-temperature organic-filled liquid-in...
Combinations of technology in US patents, 1926–2009: a weakening base for future innovation?

In combinatorial models of innovations, new technologies are built from combinations of pre-existing technological components. Researchers learn which components work well together by observing previously successful combinations and the pool of ideas can be ‘fished out’, i.e. exhausted, if it is not ‘restocked’ by the discovery of novel connections. We first show US patents have made increasingly less novel connections among technological constituents since the 1950s, and that the number of technological fields to which these connections are applicable has stopped growing since the 1980s. We then estimate the parameters of an ideas production function, and find parameter estimates consistent with technology fields being fished out if not continually restocked by the discovery of novel connections between technological components. We use the ideas production function to estimate the number of new patent applications induced by each patent granted between 1926 and 2001, and show this number has tren...
Reply to ‘No correction for the light propagation within the cube: Comment on Relativistic theory of the falling cube gravimeter’*

The comment (Nagornyi 2018 Metrologia) claims that, notwithstanding the conclusions stated in the paper Relativistic theory of the falling cube gravimeter (Ashby 2008 Metrologia 55 1–10), there is no need to consider the dimensions or refractive index of the cube in fitting data from falling cube absolute gravimeters; additional questions are raised about matching quartic polynomials while determining only three quantities. The comment also suggests errors were made in Ashby (2008 Metrologia 55 1–10) while implementing the fitting routines on which the conclusions were based. The main contention of the comment is shown to be invalid because retarded time was not properly used in constructing a fictitious cube position. Such a fictitious position, fixed relative to the falling cube, is derived and shown to be dependent on cube dimensions and refractive index. An example is given showing how in the present context, polynomials of fourth order can be effectively matched by determining only three quantities, and a new compact characterization of the interference signal arriving at the detector is given.
Use of Polidocanol Endovenous Microfoam to Improve Hemodynamics and Symptomology in Patients with Challenging Clinical Presentations: A Case Series.

Background Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a widely prevalent condition. Saphenous venous reflux is the most common underlying pathology that leads to CVI. Endovenous thermal ablations (ETA) are the current gold standard. However, some patients present with some unique challenges making ETA less ideal. Nonthermal nontumescent therapies could be considered as alternative therapy in these patients. Methods We performed a retrospective review of treatment effects with United States Food and Drug Administration-approved polidocanol endovenous microfoam (PEM; Varithena® 1%) on venous symptomology in 10 (n = 10) C3-C6 patients with CVI and concomitant complex disease/pathology that limited the use of ETA. The pathology included risk of bruising or bleeding, severe lipodermatosclerosis, hidradenitis suppurativa, chronic fibrosis of the vein from prior superficial thrombosis, risk for nerve injury, and failed prior ETA. Before treatment, all patients underwent a venous incompetence study by duplex ultrasound (DUS). Preprocedure pain, symptoms, and Venous Clinical Severity Scores (VCSSs) were recorded. Clinical assessments and DUS were performed 4 days, 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year after treatment. Results DUS demonstrated reflux in the great saphenous vein (GSV), anterior accessory GSV, and/or the small saphenous vein. Pain scores and VCSS were reduced 4 days and 6 weeks after treatment. These lower scores were maintained for up to 1 year after treatment. Conclusions PEM use in C3-C6 patients resulted in successful improvement in VCSS, CVI symptoms, and wound healing among patients in whom ETA was not considered to be the optimal therapy.
Unloading Farmers' Stock Warehouses with a Peanut Vacuum

ABSTRACT A peanut vacuum developed by redesigning an existing grain vacuum (vac) specifically to handle farmers' stock peanuts was tested. The peanut vac consists of a PTO-driven positive displacement blower, two cyclone separators, and a hydraulically-powered airlock valve. The blower pulls air and farmers' stock peanuts through a length of suction hose into the first cyclone separator where the peanuts are separated from the airstream. The air then travels to a second cyclone separator where the suspended dirt and other fine particles are separated from the airstream. The cleaned air proceeds through the blower and is blown through a discharge chute beneath the outlet of an airlock valve mounted on the bottom of the first cyclone. Farmers' stock peanuts from the first cyclone fall from the outlet of the airlock valve into the airstream in the discharge chute and are conveyed up into a waiting trailer. The peanut vac is powered by a 1000-rpm PTO shaft of a tractor supplying a minimum of 75 kW. Initial fe...
Renal Tubular Transport of Calcium: Update

Early studies of calcium transport emphasized the striking similarity between the renal handling of calcium and of sodium (1) and pioneering micropuncture studies suggested that calcium transport occurred throughout the nephron paralleling sodium (2,3). More recently, sophisticated studies by a number of investigators have allowed us to begin to dissect out various segments of the nephron in an attempt to define the site of action of the factors which regulate the urinary excretion of calcium. These studies have allowed the development of a concept of calcium transport which emphasizes the importance of the distal portions of the nephron in the determination of calcium excretion. In this review, I will discuss transport in the various segments of the nephron but because of time limitations, I will be able to emphasize only some of the recently studied important issues.
Delimiting the autoinhibitory module of von Willebrand factor.

Essentials The self-inhibitory mechanism of von Willebrand factor (VWF) remains unclear. Residues flanking the A1 domain of VWF form a discontinuous autoinhibitory module (AIM). rVWF1238-1493 exhibited greater thermostability and inactivity than its shorter counterparts. The cooperative coupling between the N- and C- AIM regions are required for inhibiting A1. SUMMARY Background The hierarchical hemostasis response involves a self-inhibitory feature of von Willebrand factor (VWF) that has not been fully characterized. The residues flanking the A1 domain of VWF are important in this self-inhibition by forming an autoinhibitory module (AIM) that masks the A1 domain. Objectives To delimit the AIM sequence and to evaluate the cooperative interplay between the discontinuous AIM regions. Methods ELISA, flow cytometry, a thermal stability assay and hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HDX) mass spectrometry were used to characterize recombinant VWF A1 fragments varying in length. Results The longest A1 fragment (rVWF1238-1493 ) showed higher inactivity in binding the platelet receptor glycoprotein (GP) Ibα and greater thermostability than its shorter counterparts. The HDX results showed that most of the N-terminal residues and residues 1459-1478 at the C-terminus of rVWF1238-1493 have slower deuterium uptake than the residues in its denatured counterpart, implying that these residues may interact with the A1 domain. In contrast, residues 1479-1493 showed less difference from the denatured form, indicating that these residues are unlikely to be involved in binding the A1 domain. The A1 fragment that lacks either the entire C-terminal flanking region of the AIM (C-AIM), i.e. rVWF1238-1461 , or the entire N-terminal flanking region of the AIM (N-AIM), i.e. rVWF1271-1493 , showed high GPIbα-binding affinity and low thermostability, suggesting that removal of either N-terminal or C-terminal residues resulted in loss of AIM inhibition of the A1 domain. Conclusion The AIM is probably composed of residues 1238-1271 (N-AIM) and 1459-1478 (C-AIM). Neither the N-AIM nor the C-AIM alone could fully inhibit binding of the A1 domain to GPIbα.
Agreement between the 3-minute Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) Embedded in a Wrist-worn Device and the Laptop-based PVT:

The study assesses the agreement between the 3-minute version of the Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) with an interstimulus interval (ISI) of 2 to 10 seconds and the validated 3-minute laptop-based PVT (ISI=1-4 seconds). The experiment utilized a randomized, within-subject, repeated-measures design with three factors (PVT device type, the backlight feature of the wrist-worn device, ambient lighting). Results show the differences in reaction times (RT) between devices are incrementally associated with the magnitude of the RTs. These differences tend to be in opposing directions when the backlight feature in the wrist-worn device is on. That is, RTs in the wrist-worn device tend to be faster compared to the laptop for (on average) faster individuals, whereas (on average) slower individuals tend to do better in the laptop compared to the wrist-worn device. The proportional bias introduced by the wrist-worn device compared to the laptop makes it difficult to translate individual RTs between different devices....
Six New Species of the Cichlid Genus Otopharynx from Lake Malaŵi (Teleostei: Cichlidae)

The endemic Lake Malaŵi cichlid genus Otopharynx is increased from 14 species to 20 by the description of six new species collected from inshore sandy or intermediate rocky/sandy areas or trawled in depths to 59 m. Otopharynx alpha is distinguished from congeners by its unique melanin pattern with suprapectoral spot discrete but supraanal and precaudal spots connected to form a stripe, and by its distinctively shaped pharyngeal bone with numerous small, crowded teeth. Otopharynx mumboensis, thought to be endemic to Mumbo Island, is separated from most congeners by a suprapectoral spot placed entirely below the upper lateral line, and from all others by the combination of 13 gill rakers, pharyngeal bone with posterior margin nearly straight, crowns of all pharyngeal teeth in the median columns broadened and flattened, head length 30.9–32.2% SL, body depth 35.5–36.1% SL, and lower jaw 35.7–36.2% HL. Otopharynx styrax has a more elongate body (depth 24.3–28.6% SL) than any congener. Otopharynx aletes can be diagnosed by the combination of a suprapectoral spot overlapping the upper lateral line, seven or eight vertical bars below the dorsal-fin base, 10 or 11 gill rakers, 34–36 scales in the lateral line, lower pharyngeal bone with molariform posteromedian teeth, and caudal peduncle length 1.6–2.0 times its depth. Otopharynx panniculus is diagnosed by the combination of a prominent square suprapectoral spot spanning subdorsal bars 3 to 4, no dorsal midline spots, 13–15 gill rakers, 31–33 scales in the lateral line, 15 or 16 dorsal-fin spines, absence of a lacrimal notch, and slightly enlarged teeth in the median columns of the lower pharyngeal bone. Otopharynx peridodekamost closely resembles O. panniculus and shares the loss of the lacrimal notch, but has 34–35 scales in the lateral line and 11–13 gill rakers. Photographs of living or freshly collected specimens of five of the new species are provided.
Intercomparison of airborne multi-angle polarimeter observations from the Polarimeter Definition Experiment.

In early 2013, three airborne polarimeters were flown on the high altitude NASA ER-2 aircraft in California for the Polarimeter Definition Experiment (PODEX). PODEX supported the pre-formulation NASA Aerosol–Cloud–Ecosystem (ACE) mission, which calls for an imaging polarimeter in polar orbit (among other instruments) for the remote sensing of aerosols, oceans, and clouds. Several polarimeter concepts exist as airborne prototypes, some of which were deployed during PODEX as a capabilities test. Two of those instruments to date have successfully produced Level 1 (georegistered, calibrated radiance and polarization) data from that campaign: the Airborne Multiangle Spectropolarimetric Imager (AirMSPI) and the Research Scanning Polarimeter (RSP). We compared georegistered observations of a variety of scene types by these instruments to test whether Level 1 products agreed within stated uncertainties. Initial comparisons found radiometric agreement, but polarimetric biases beyond measurement uncertainties. After subsequent updates to calibration, georegistration, and the measurement uncertainty models, observations from the instruments now largely agree within stated uncertainties. However, the 470 nm reflectance channels have a roughly +6% bias of AirMSPI relative to RSP, beyond expected measurement uncertainties. We also find that observations of dark (ocean) scenes, where polarimetric uncertainty is expected to be largest, do not agree within stated polarimetric uncertainties. Otherwise, AirMSPI and RSP observations are consistent within measurement uncertainty expectations, providing credibility for the subsequent creation of Level 2 (geophysical product) data from these instruments, and comparison thereof. The techniques used in this work can also form a methodological basis for other intercomparisons, for example, of the data gathered during the recent Aerosol Characterization from Polarimeter and Lidar (ACEPOL) field campaign, carried out in October and November of 2017 with four polarimeters (including AirMSPI and RSP).
La violencia del orden de lo maravilloso: Cien años de soledad y la ley de la masacre de las bananeras

This essay reads One Hundred Years of Solitude as the progression of time, a series of territorial orders, each violently superimposing upon the next. It proposes that the novel too imposes itself as an order on Colombian reality, with its own violence of the marvelous. In considering the episode of the resistance and massacre of the banana workers, it suggests that the text, like the law that permitted the massacre to actually occur, eliminates that which is heterogeneous to the order of capital accumulation, and silences the horror upon which the nation is built.
Place-making and the everyday lives of children born into the Lord’s Resistance Army

After decades of war in northern Uganda, children born of forced marriage in the rebel group the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) struggle to feel belonging. Based on data collected through a longitudi...
The Effectiveness of Training and Supervising Urban Elementary School Teachers in Child–Teacher Relationship Training: A Trauma-Informed Approach:

This case study explored three urban elementary teachers’ experiences with Child–Teacher Relationship Training (CTRT) and the impact of CTRT on the teachers’ emotional intelligence, perception of s...
Evaluating Multimedia and Language Tasks.

Evaluating information access tasks, including textual and multimedia search, question answering, and understanding has been the core mission of NIST’s Retrieval Group since 1989. The TRECVID Evaluations of Multimedia Access began in 2001 with a goal of driving content-based search technology for multimedia just as its progenitor, the Text Retrieval Conference (TREC) did for text and web.
Study on the variations and prevalent trend of infectious disease in railway workers

Objective To find out the variations and prevalent trend of infectious diseases in railway workers,so as to provide basis for the prevention and control.Methods A retrospective investigation was conducted on the data of the category A and B infectious disease epidemic in Nanning Railway Bureau from 2000 to 2010.It was analyzed by the method of descriptive epidemiology.Results The main reported category A and B infectious diseases in railway workers from 2000 to 2010 were tuberculosis,viral hepatitis,bacillary dysentery,syphilis,and gonorrhea and the average annual incidence rates were 144.12/105(1627 cases),116.13/105(1311 cases),36.23/105(409 cases),27.19/105(307 cases)and 21.70/105(245 cases)separately.The incidence rate of viral hepatitis,gonorrhea and syphilis decreased,withe that of bacillary dysentery increased.The incidence rate of tuberulosis always had a high level.Conclusions The infectious disease spectrum is changing,so the strategy of prevention and control in railway workers should be adjusted. Key words: Infectious diseases; Railway; Prevalent trend
MS2-TRIBE evaluates both protein-RNA interactions and nuclear organization of transcription by RNA editing

Both UV-cross-linking and immunoprecipitation (CLIP) and RNA editing (TRIBE) can identify the targets of RNA-binding proteins. To evaluate false-positives of CLIP and TRIBE, endogenous β-actin mRNA was tagged with MS2 stem loops, making it the only bona fide target mRNA for the MS2 capsid protein (MCP). CLIP and TRIBE detected β-actin, albeit with false-positives. False-positive CLIP signals were attributed to nonspecific antibody interactions. In contrast, putative false-positive TRIBE targets were genes spatially proximal to the β-actin gene. MCP-ADAR edited nearby nascent transcripts consistent with interchromosomal contacts observed in Hi-C. The identification of nascent contacts implies RNA regulatory proteins (e.g., splicing factors) associated with multiple nascent transcripts, forming domains of post-transcriptional activity. Repeating these results with an integrated inducible MS2 reporter indicated that MS2-TRIBE can be applied to a broad array of cells and transcripts to study spatial organization and nuclear RNA regulation.
Geometric Adaptive Control With Neural Networks for a Quadrotor in Wind Fields

This article presents a geometric adaptive controller for a quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle with artificial neural networks. It is assumed that the dynamics of a quadrotor is disturbed by the arbitrary, unstructured forces and moments caused by wind. To address this, the proposed control system is augmented with the multilayer neural networks, and the weights of the neural networks are adjusted online according to an adaptive law. By using the universal approximation theorem, it is shown that the effects of the unknown disturbances can be mitigated. More specifically, under the proposed control system, the tracking errors in the position and heading directions are uniformly ultimately bounded. These are developed directly on the special Euclidean group to avoid the complexities or singularities inherent to local parameterizations. The efficacy of the proposed control system is first illustrated by numerical examples. Then, several indoor flight experiments are presented to demonstrate that the proposed controller successfully rejects the effects of wind disturbances even for aggressive, agile maneuvers.
Protocol for high-throughput compound screening using flow cytometry in THP-1 cells.

Summary Flow cytometry is a valuable method for analyzing protein expressions at the single cell level but can be difficult to apply to large numbers of samples. This protocol provides instructions to perform a high-throughput small molecule screen using flow cytometry analysis of THP-1 cells, a human monocytic leukemia cell line. We describe a methodology for identifying compounds that regulate PD-L1 surface expression in IFN-γ-stimulated cells, which has been successfully used to screen a collection of ∼200,000 compounds. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Zavareh et al. (2020) .
Scalp Psoriasis: A Literature Review of Effective Therapies and Updated Recommendations for Practical Management

The scalp is one of the most commonly affected regions in psoriasis. However, scalp psoriasis can be difficult to treat because of challenges in the delivery of therapy. Effective therapeutic regimens for scalp psoriasis are essential to improving the quality of life of patients. Recent data on topical therapies, phototherapy, systemic agents, and complementary therapy have demonstrated that it is possible to achieve and maintain significant improvement in scalp psoriasis. In this review, efficacy data for these modalities and an algorithm for the practical management of scalp psoriasis are presented.
Changes in dependence, withdrawal, and craving among adult smokers who switch to nicotine salt pod-based e-cigarettes.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS For electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) to be a viable substitute for combustible cigarettes, it is likely that they must be rewarding enough for regular use, indicated by factors such as craving and dependence, important aspects of reinforcement. This study aimed to understand short-term changes in measures of nicotine dependence between groups differing by use trajectory in a switching trial, and within group changes of these measures. DESIGN Secondary data analysis of one arm of an e-cigarette randomized clinical trial. SETTING San Diego, California and Kansas City, Missouri, United States. PARTICIPANTS 114 African American (n = 60) and Latinx (n = 54) smokers (58.8% male) attempting to switch to nicotine salt pod system (NSPS) e-cigarettes in a 6-week trial. MEASUREMENTS At week 6, participants were classified by use trajectory: exclusive smokers (n = 16), exclusive e-cigarette (n = 32), or dual users (n = 66). E-cigarette, cigarette, and total nicotine dependence (cigarette + e-cigarette), use patterns, cigarette craving and nicotine withdrawal, and cotinine were assessed at baseline and week 6 using standard measures. FINDINGS In between group comparisons, exclusive e-cigarette and dual users showed greater reductions in cigarette dependence (e-cigarette: -32.38, 95% CI = -37.7,-27.1; dual: -18.48, 95% CI = -22.2,-14.7), withdrawal (e-cigarette: -6.25, 95% CI = -8.52,-3.98; dual: -3.18, 95% CI = -5.02,-1.34), craving (e-cigarette: -11.44, 95% CI = -14.2,8.7; dual: -9.59, 95% CI = -11.6,-7.59), and cigarettes per day (CPD; e-cigarette: -11.19, 95% CI = -13.1,-9.27; dual: -9.39, 95% CI = -11.3, -7.52) compared with exclusive smokers. In within group analyses, e-cigarette and dual users showed reductions in craving and withdrawal from baseline to week 6. Exclusive e-cigarette and dual users, maintained cotinine levels (all Ps > 0.05) and showed reductions in CPD and cigarette dependence (all Ps < 0.01). Findings were inconclusive regarding changes in total nicotine dependence from baseline to week 6 among exclusive e-cigarette users (P = 0.123). Dual users showed increased total nicotine dependence (P < 0.001) and smokers showed decreased total dependence (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS Smokers who switch to nicotine salt pod system e-cigarettes maintain their nicotine levels and transfer their dependence, suggesting that nicotine salt pod system e-cigarettes have a similar reinforcement potential to cigarettes and facilitate switching.
Ibrutinib Plus Venetoclax for First-line Treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Nonrandomized Phase 2 Trial.

Importance Oral targeted therapies have advanced the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). These therapies include Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors, used as monotherapy, and the Bcl-2 inhibitor venetoclax, typically combined with the CD20 monoclonal antibody. Preclinical studies have shown synergy between Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors and the Bcl-2 inhibitor venetoclax. Objective To examine the rate of complete remission, complete remission with incomplete count recovery, and bone marrow–undetectable measurable residual disease (U-MRD) after treatment with the combination of ibrutinib and venetoclax. Design, Setting, and Participants A single-center, phase 2 nonrandomized trial enrolled patients from August 17, 2016, to June 5, 2018. Participants included previously untreated patients with CLL who met International Workshop on CLL 2008 criteria for treatment indication. Patients were required to have at least 1 of the following features: del(17p),TP53-mutated CLL, del(11q), unmutated immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable gene, or age 65 years or older. Interventions Therapy consisted of ibrutinib, 420 mg/d, monotherapy for 3 cycles, thereafter combined with venetoclax (standard weekly dose ramp-up to 400 mg/d) for a total of 24 cycles of combination treatment. Responses were assessed at serial points according to International Workshop on CLL 2008 criteria. Measurable residual disease (MRD) was assessed by multicolor flow cytometry with a sensitivity of 10−4. Main Outcomes and Measures Outcomes included complete remission, complete remission with incomplete count recovery, and bone marrow U-MRD rate. Results Eighty patients (57 [71%] men) were treated; median age was 65 years (range, 26-83 years). The median follow-up for all 80 patients was 38.5 months (range, 5.6-51.1 months). Five patients discontinued the study during the ibrutinib monotherapy phase; the remaining 75 patients received combination therapy. On an intent-to-treat analysis of combined treatment, 45 (56%) patients achieved bone marrow U-MRD remission at 12 cycles and 53 (66%) patients achieved bone marrow U-MRD remission at 24 cycles. Overall, 60 (75%) patients achieved bone marrow U-MRD remission as their best response. Responses were seen across all high-risk subgroups, independent of the immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable gene mutation status, fluorescence in situ hybridization category, orTP53mutation. The 3-year progression-free survival was 93%, and 3-year overall survival was 96%. No patient had CLL progression; 2 patients developed Richter transformation. Conclusions and Relevance The findings of this study suggest that combination therapy with ibrutinib and venetoclax might be beneficial for previously untreated patients with CLL. Remissions appeared to be durable during a follow-up of more than 3 years, with activity seen across high-risk disease subgroups, including those with del(17p)/TP53-mutated CLL. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT02756897
Couple Dynamics and Child Abuse: An Interaction Process Analysis:

Most research on child abuse has been based on clinical studies, self-reports, survey data, or official records. This paper reports on behavioral research. A group of couples where child abuse had ...
Evaluation of bone formation on orthopedic implant surfaces using an ex-vivo bone bioreactor system.

Recent advances in materials and manufacturing processes have allowed the fabrication of intricate implant surfaces to facilitate bony attachment. However, refinement and evaluation of these new design strategies are hindered by the cost and complications of animal studies, particularly during early iterations in the development process. To address this problem, we have previously constructed and validated an ex-vivo bone bioreactor culture system that can maintain the viability of bone samples for an extended period ex-vivo. In this study, we investigated the mineralization of a titanium wire mesh scaffold under both static and dynamic culturing using our ex vivo bioreactor system. Thirty-six cancellous bone cores were harvested from bovine metatarsals at the time of slaughter and divided into five groups under the following conditions: Group 1) Isolated bone cores placed in static culture, Group 2) Unloaded bone cores placed in static culture in contact with a fiber-mesh metallic scaffold, Group 3) Bone cores placed in contact with a fiber-mesh metallic scaffold under the constant pressure of 150 kPa, Group 4) Bone core placed in contact with a fiber-mesh metallic scaffold and exposed to cyclic loading with continuous perfusion flow of media within the ex-vivo culture system and Group 5) Bone core evaluated on Day 0 to serve as a positive control for comparison with all other groups at weeks 4 and 7. Bone samples within Groups 1-4 were incubated for 4 and 7 weeks and then evaluated using histological examination (H&E) and the Live-Dead assay (Life Technologies). Matrix deposits on the metallic scaffolds were examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while the chemical composition of the matrix was measured using energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX). We found that the viability of bone cores was maintained after seven weeks of loading in our ex vivo system. In addition, SEM images revealed crystallite-like structures on the dynamically loaded metal coupons (Group 4), corresponding to the initial stages of mineralization. EDX results further confirmed the presence of carbon at the interface and calcium phosphates in the matrix. We conclude that a bone bioreactor can be used as an alternate tool for in-vivo bone ingrowth studies of new implant surfaces or coatings.
Finite Element Formulations of Electromagnetic BVPs

This chapter contains sections titled: Electrostatic Boundary Value Problems Magnetostatic Boundary Value Problems Magneto-Quasi-Static (Eddy-Current) Problems Full-Wave Boundary Value Problems Partial Element Equivalent Circuit Model ]]>
Evidence-Based Practice: Management of Vertigo

The article focuses on the evidence basis for the management of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, the most common diagnosis of vertigo in both primary care and subspecialty settings. An overview is presented, along with evidence-based clinical assessment, diagnosis, and management. Summaries of differential diagnosis of vertigo and outcomes are presented.
Growth stimulation of Euphorbia lathyris L. by GA4+7 and BA.

Container-grownEuphorbia lathyris plants were treated with foliar sprays of various combinations of BA and GA4+7 or 0–3600 mg L−1 Promalin (1∶1 BA + GA4+7) in separate experiments. GA4+7 and Promalin stimulated plants to grow taller. BA and Promalin promoted axillary shoot growth. Multiple applications of Promalin stimulated branching more than single treatments. Dry weight accumulation was stimulated only if the growth regulators were applied to 28–33-cm and not to 56-cm tall plants. Chemical names used: (1α, 2β, 4aα, 4bβ, 10β)-2,4a,7-trihydroxy-1-methyl-8-methylenegibb-3-ene-1,10-dicarboxylic acid 1,4a-lactone (GA4+7),N-(phenylmethyl)-H-purin-6-amine (BA), and Promalin [1∶1 (wt/wt) GA4+7 and BA].
Development of population PK model with enterohepatic circulation for mycophenolic acid in patients with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • Despite its increased use, the pharmacokinetics (PK) of mycophenolic acid (MPA) and the relationship between dose, plasma concentration and exposure are poorly understood, especially in children. • The PK of MPA are associated with high inter- and intra-individual variability. • MPA and its metabolites, like the inactive 7-O-MPA-β-glucuronide (MPAG) undergo enterohepatic circulation (EHC), which can contribute to an increase in exposure to MPA of 40% (range 10–60%). WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • Thisis the first report of MPA PK in adolescents with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE). • The proposed final population PK model successfully incorporates the physiological aspects associated with MPA disposition, which includes MPA and its main metabolite MPAG, and adequately reflects the complex processes of absorption and enterohepatic circulation associated with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) oral dosing in patients with cSLE. • This model provides a basis for further development of a model-based Bayesian estimator for individualized MPA dosing in paediatric patients treated for cSLE. AIM This study aimed to develop a population pharmacokinetic (PK) enterohepatic recycling model for MPA in patients with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE). METHODS MPA concentration–time data were from outpatients on stable oral mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and collected under fasting conditions, with standardized meals (1 and 4 h post-dose). Sampling times were pre-dose, 20, 40 min, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 9 h, post dose. The population PK analysis simultaneously modelled MPA and 7-O-MPA-β-glucuronide (MPAG) concentrations using nonlinear mixed effect modelling. RESULTS PK analysis included 186 MPA and MPAG concentrations (mg l–1) from 19 patients. cSLE patients, age range 10–28 years, median 16.5 years were included. Mean ± SD disease duration was 3.8 ± 3.7 years. The final PK model included a gallbladder compartment for enterohepatic recycling and bile release time related to meal times, with first order absorption and single series of transit compartments. The PK estimates for MPA were CL1/F 25.3 l h–1, V3/F 20.9 l, V4/F 234 l and CL2/F 19.8 l h–1. CONCLUSION The final model fitted the complex processes of absorption and enterohepatic circulation (EHC) in those treated with MMF for cSLE and could be applied in Bayesian dose optimization algorithms.
Comparative risk of death from induced abortion at ≤ 12 weeks' gestation performed with local versus general anesthesia

Abstract Although complications of anesthesia are now the leading cause of death from abortion at ≤ 12 weeks' gestation, the comparative risk of death from abortions performed with local versus general anesthesia is unknown. To estimate this risk for both anesthesia-related and nonanesthesia-related legal abortion deaths at ≤ 12 weeks' gestation, we used 1972–1977 data from the Center for Disease Control and the Alan Guttmacher Institute. When adjusted for preexisting disease and concurrent sterilization, the death-to-case rate for abortions at ≤ 12 weeks' gestation associated with general anesthesia was 0.37 deaths/100,000 abortions, and the rate with local anesthesia was 0.15/100,000. For nonanesthesia-related deaths, the comparable adjusted rates were 0.49 and 0.28, respectively. Use of general anesthesia is associated with a twofold to fourfold increased risk of death from abortion at ≤ 12 weeks' gestation.
Left-handedness and alcoholism.

Publisher Summary Alcoholism is generally regarded as one of the most serious public health problems. This chapter reviews the evidence that links left-handedness and cerebral laterality to alcoholism. This association includes an increased frequency of left-handedness in alcoholic men—which is associated with a less favorable treatment outcome—with an alcoholic father and with the more serious type 2 (male-limited) form of alcoholism. Also, several factors associated with alcoholism or with being at an increased risk of developing alcoholism are related to left-handedness or left-hemisphere dysfunction. In addition, alcoholism is associated with the phenomena that are linked to left-handedness, such as atypical season of birth patterns, season sensitivity as an adult, and thyroid disorder. The association of left-handedness and alcoholism suggests that the current strategy of comparing, for example, the sons of alcoholic fathers with the sons of non-alcoholic fathers might not control for handedness or for patterns of cerebral laterality. The Geschwind theory that prenatal sex hormones, particularly testosterone, affect the development of left-handedness states that one form of alcoholism might also be the result of these prenatal events and that prenatal environmental factors such as season of conception, birth order, and the spacing of children could affect the development of alcoholism as an adult. Thus, alcoholism might be a special case of more general biological principles involving cerebral laterality and handedness.