cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Do patients with an ECOG of 3 or 4 receive anti-cancer therapy after discharge from subacute rehabilitation?

e18856Background: Patients with advanced cancer inevitably experience a functional decline diminishing quality of life. Many are admitted to the hospital due to progression of disease and become fu...
S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe)

Abstract S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) is an essential biomolecule required for normal cell function and survival. It occurs naturally in the human body and regulates a plethora of cellular functions. This includes the synthesis and metabolism of neurotransmitters and their potential epigenetic effects. Due to the overwhelming encumbrance of depression, the pervasiveness of treatment resistance, and the sizable expense associated with inept remedial treatment for depression compared to successfully treated depression ( Byford et al., 2011 ), there is an immediate desideratum to examine less well recognized pharmacological approaches to treatment. SAMe may be an important addition to the conglomeration of antidepressants. Additionally, it has a crucial physiological role especially in liver function and thus has a potentially therapeutic value in chronic liver diseases. The goal of this chapter is to shed light on the various biochemical processes associated with SAMe and their significance in to human health based on scientific evidence.
Trends in liver cancer mortality in the United States: dual burden among foreign- and US-born persons.

Background Since the mid-1980s, the burden of liver cancer in the United States has doubled, with 31,411 new cases and 24,698 deaths occurring in 2014. Foreign-born individuals may be more likely to die of liver cancer than individuals in the general US-born population because of higher rates of hepatitis B infection, a low socioeconomic position, and language barriers that limit the receipt of early cancer detection and effective treatment. Methods To determine whether liver cancer mortality rates were higher among foreign-born individuals versus US-born individuals in the United States, population-based cancer mortality data were obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Annual population estimates were obtained from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey. Age-adjusted mortality rates and rate ratios (RRs) for liver cancer stratified by birth place were calculated, and the average annual percent change (AAPC) was used to evaluate trends. Results A total of 198,557 deaths from liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancer were recorded during 2005-2014, and 16% occurred among foreign-born individuals. Overall, foreign-born individuals had a 24% higher risk of liver cancer mortality than US-born individuals (RR, 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22-1.25). Foreign-born individuals did not have any significant changes in liver cancer mortality rates overall, but among US-born individuals, liver cancer mortality rates significantly increased (AAPC, 2.7; 95% CI, 2.1-3.3). Conclusions Efforts that address the major risk factors for liver cancer are needed to help to alleviate the health disparities observed among foreign-born individuals and reverse the increasing trend observed in the US-born population.
A Migrant Flow Pension Model for Small Open Economies

Securing pensions relates to careful planning, which in turn requires adequate predictions. Among the many factors in an increasingly globalized world that impede adequate predictions is the factor of migrant flows. To date, most pension models do not consider migrant worker cohort flows. This has critical implications, particularly for pension planning in small open economies with a high inflow and outflow of migrant workers. To close that gap, the article provides a highly innovative model that considers not only population aging but also the cohort of cross-border workers and their entitlement to a partial pension in the future. It is doing that through forecasting pension cohorts annually for the native population, cross-border workers, and net migrations. Based on demographic variables, the article develops an enabling framework for policymakers. This framework outlines a set of scenarios for the long-term sustainability of pension systems in small open economies. The framework also offers important insights for larger economies with high levels of migrant flows. TOPICS:Pension funds, emerging markets, retirement
Contact-assisted Protein Threading: An Evolving New Direction

Protein threading is a popular template-based approach for predicting protein three-dimensional structure in the absence of close templates. However, identifying remote homologous templates remains challenging. Inspired by recent progress in inter-residue contact prediction driven by sequence co-evolution and deep learning, we have developed a new contact-assisted threading method to explore whether incorporating residue-residue contact information along with various sequential and structural features improves threading performance [1]. Experimental results show statistically significant threading performance boost with the incorporation of native contacts as well as ultra-deep learning based state-of-the-art RaptorX predicted contacts compared to baseline contact-free threading method on Test500 dataset. We also observe that our contact-assisted method outperforms popular threading method MUSTER on the same dataset (Test500) using both true and predicted contacts. Furthermore, benchmarking on PSICOV150 dataset reveals that our contact-assisted threading method significantly outperforms cutting-edge contact-assisted ab initio folding method CONFOLD2, both using the same classical neural network based MetaPSICOV predicted contact maps. Overall, these results demonstrate that incorporating residue-residue contact maps boost protein threading performance. Furthermore, our systematic study unravels the mutual association between the quality of contact maps and threading performance by demonstrating that contact-assisted threading using low-quality pure co-evolutionary based contacts (mfDCA and PSICOV) badly degrades threading performance as opposed to high-quality contacts (RaptorX and MetaPSICOV) that combine machine learning with co-evolutionary information, with RaptorX, the most accurate contacts, assisted threading attaining the best threading performance. On the recently concluded 13th Critical Assessment of protein Structure Prediction (CASP13) experiment, our work outperforms state-of-the-art contact-assisted threading methods EigenThreader and map_align based on mean TM-score of top ranked models as well as success rate of identifying correct folds, establishing our method as one of the best cutting-edge contact-assisted threading methods. Furthermore, to investigate the relative contribution of highly accurate state-of-the-art contact maps on threading performance, we consider the top five officially ranked contact predictors of comparable qualities from CASP13. The results demonstrate that the first-ranked contact predictor, TripletRes, attains the best threading performance by reaching a mean TM-score that is comparable to other top ranked predictors, but statistically significantly better than the fifth-ranked contact predictor, DeepMetaPSICOV. In view of the rapid developments in contact prediction technologies, this study opens a fertile line of research - how contact-assisted threading pushes the frontier of low-homology protein modeling beyond what is currently feasible.
Genetic landscape of KEAP1 and NFE2L2 mutated cancers from the AACR GENIE database

Abstract Background NFE2L2 encodes Nrf2, which is activated at times of cellular stress to neutralize reactive oxygen species. KEAP1 acts as a negative regulator of Nrf2. Nrf2 has been implicated in tumorigenesis of many human cancers via the mTOR pathway. The prevalence and genetic landscape of NFE2L2 and KEAP1 mutants remains poorly characterized. Methods We extracted data from AACR GENIE 5.0 database, including only subjects with complete demographic, mutational, and CNA data (n = 54,237). We quantified the prevalence of NFE2L2 and KEAP1 mutations, determined location frequency by gene subdomain, copy number alterations, and most frequent co-mutated genes. Results We identified 720 NFE2L2 mutations and 1422 KEAP1 mutations. NFE2L2-mutated samples showed a difference in age (61.6 vs 55.9 years, p Conclusions NFE2L2 and KEAP1 mutations in their respective binding domains were found in a wide variety of cancer types. Based on estimated incidence of these mutations, mTOR inhibitors may play an important role in treating a signficant number of cancers. Legal entity responsible for the study The authors. Funding Has not received any funding. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Medicare Reimbursement for Hip and Knee Arthroplasty From 2000 to 2019: An Unsustainable Trend.

Abstract Background While reimbursement models for physicians continue to evolve, limited data exist regarding recent trends in physician reimbursement for hip and knee arthroplasty. The purpose of this study is to evaluate monetary trends in Medicare reimbursement rates from 2000 to 2019 for the most common hip and knee arthroplasty procedures. Methods The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons coding reference was queried to determine the Current Procedural Terminology codes most frequently used in hip and knee adult reconstruction. Next, the Physician Fee Schedule Look-Up Tool from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services was queried for each Current Procedural Terminology code, and physician fee data were extracted. All monetary data were adjusted for inflation using the consumer price index and expressed in 2019 US dollars. The average annual and the total percent change in reimbursement were calculated based on these adjusted trends for all procedures. Results After adjusting for inflation, the average physician reimbursement decreased by 31.9% for all hip arthroplasty procedures and by 33.3% for all knee arthroplasty procedures from 2000 to 2019. During this period, primary total hip arthroplasty physician fees decreased by 37.1% and primary total knee arthroplasty fees decreased by 40.6%. From 2000 to 2019, the inflation-adjusted reimbursement rate for all procedures decreased by an average of 1.7% per year. Conclusion Throughout the study period, physician reimbursement decreased for all knee and hip arthroplasty procedures. Increased awareness and consideration of these trends will be important for policy-makers, hospitals, and surgeons to assure equitable access to quality hip and knee arthroplasty care in the United States.
Chironomidae of the Upper Saint Croix River, Wisconsin

Chironomid communities of the upper St. Croix River, Wisconsin, were sampled for pupal exuviae at four locations monthly from April to October, 2007. Species richness was very high, with 252 species from 73 genera, dominated by the subfamilies Chironominae and Orthocladiinae. Most studies of lotic systems find fewer than 150 chironomid taxa, and often less than 100. The high richness may be due to regional conditions that support diverse aquatic communities, such as thermal regime, typical landscape patterns such as elevated mid-order stream diversity or increased β-diversity in headwaters, or the collection method which can detect species from adjacent habitats. There were 35 species that are atypical of lotic systems and some may have occupied microhabitats or adjacent habitat that more closely matches their preferences. Twenty-one species, mostly in Orthocladiinae, had range expansions into the western Great Lakes region or appear to be previously undescribed for the Nearctic. Sixty morphotypes, dominated by 41 Chironominae, did not fit any published exuviae descriptions.
Fate of the Preserved Sinuses of Valsalva After Emergency Repair for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection.

Background Patients with acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) present with heterogeneous involvement of the aortic root complex. Despite this variation, the aortic root can usually be preserved the majority of the time by Teflon (WL Gore, Newark, DE) inlay patch reconstruction of the dissected sinuses of Valsalva (SOV). In this study, we report the long term anatomic, functional, and clinical outcomes associated with the preserved SOV after surgery for ATAAD. Methods From 2002-2017, of 776 emergency ATAAD operations at a single institution, 558 (71.9%) underwent valve resuspension with SOV preservation. Echocardiography reports were reviewed to obtain postoperative SOV dimensions. Cumulative incidence of SOV dilation ≥ 4 5mm was calculated using the Fine-Gray method with death as a competing risk. Repeated-measures linear mixed effects model was used to determine risk factors for SOV growth over time. Results During the follow-up period, 62 of 558 (11.1%) patients developed SOV diameter ≥ 45 mm. Cumulative incidence of SOV dilation ≥ 45 mm at 1, 5, and 10 years was 5.5%, 12.4%, and 18.9% respectively. In a multivariable Cox regression model, preoperative SOV diameter ≥ 45 mm was associated with a hazard ratio of 14.11 (95% confidence interval 7.03-31.62) for postoperative SOV dilation ≥ 45 mm. In a repeated-measures linear mixed effects model, preoperative and discharge SOV diameter were significant predictors of SOV dilation. Postoperative time course was also identified as significant indicating growth over time. Conclusions The preserved sinuses of Valsalva after surgery for ATAAD may be prone to progressive dilatation over time. Closer echocardiographic surveillance may be warranted in these patients.
Sterile α-motif domain requirement for cellular signaling and survival

Hundreds of sterile α-motif (SAM) domains have predicted structural similarities and are reported to bind proteins, lipids, or RNAs. However, the majority of these domains have not been analyzed functionally. Previously, we demonstrated that a SAM domain-containing protein, SAMD14, promotes SCF/proto-oncogene c-Kit (c-Kit) signaling, erythroid progenitor function, and erythrocyte regeneration. Deletion of a Samd14 enhancer (Samd14–Enh), occupied by GATA2 and SCL/TAL1 transcription factors, reduces SAMD14 expression in bone marrow and spleen and is lethal in a hemolytic anemia mouse model. To rigorously establish whether Samd14–Enh deletion reduces anemia-dependent c-Kit signaling by lowering SAMD14 levels, we developed a genetic rescue assay in murine Samd14–Enh−/− primary erythroid precursor cells. SAMD14 expression at endogenous levels rescued c-Kit signaling. The conserved SAM domain was required for SAMD14 to increase colony-forming activity, c-Kit signaling, and progenitor survival. To elucidate the molecular determinants of SAM domain function in SAMD14, we substituted its SAM domain with distinct SAM domains predicted to be structurally similar. The chimeras were less effective than SAMD14 itself in rescuing signaling, survival, and colony-forming activities. Thus, the SAMD14 SAM domain has attributes that are distinct from other SAM domains and underlie SAMD14 function as a regulator of cellular signaling and erythrocyte regeneration.
Differential Gene Expression in the Development of Actinorhizal Root Nodules

Actinorhizal root nodules form as a result of the interaction of actinomycetes in the genus Frankia with the appropriate host plant roots. In the actinorhizal symbiosis with Alnus, the first easily detectable sign of interaction between the plant and bacterial partners is the extensive deformation of plant root hairs. This root hair deformation which is detectable in a matter of hours has been shown not to require direct contact between bacteria and host plant (Prin, Rougier, 1987). There appears to be an as yet unidentified diffusible factor synthesized or released by frankiae in response to exposure to host plant root exudate in a manner analogous to the rhizobia/legume signaling system. Root hair deformation is followed by penetration of the root hair by Frankia filaments and the initiation of cortical cell divisions leading to prenodule formation (Berry, Sunell, 1990). The colonization of prenodule tissue is followed by the induction of a lateral root primordium in the pericycle. As the lateral root primordium grows through the infected prenodule tissue the postmeristematic cells of the now-nodule primordium are themselves infected with the microsymbiont which rapidly proliferates within host cells and begins to fix nitrogen. The nodule meristem bifurcates giving rise to the lobed nodules characteristic of Alnus.
CHAPTER EIGHT – Payroll

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses payroll for businesses. For many businesses, the amount of money paid to its employees is a significant expense. The chapter describes several methods for calculating the amount that an employee earns, known as the gross earnings. Gross earnings are the amount earned before any payroll deductions for taxes, medical insurance premiums, and union dues. The periodic gross earnings for an employee can be the result of a base salary plus a commission, based on a percent of sales produced by a salesperson. When a salaried position is advertised, the gross pay can be quoted on a weekly, monthly, or yearly basis. Because an employee can budget his or her personal expenses over a period that does not match the pay period, it is important to be able to convert gross earnings per pay period to gross earnings per budget period. To offer a salesperson incentive to generate a high volume of sales, it is common to have a part of the salesperson's salary be a variable amount that is based on a percent of the net sales. When this is done, the result of multiplying the net sales by the percent is called the commission.
Eighth Amendment Values

As with many constitutional provisions, the language of the Eighth Amendment is open-ended and vague in its proscription of excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishments. Because the language of the Constitution does not provide any additional descriptive information concerning what might make bail or fines excessive, or punishments cruel and unusual, courts must look beyond the text itself to ascertain the meaning of the Eighth Amendment. With respect to the prohibition on cruel and unusual punishments, the U.S. Supreme Court has, over the course of several decades, articulated a number of relevant underlying values that offer some guidance in interpreting this Eighth Amendment provision. These values are also helpful in assessing the excessiveness of bail and fines. This Chapter explores several of these core Eighth Amendment values, providing an overview of their origin and indicating how such values might apply in interpreting the Eighth Amendment in the future. Specifically, this Chapter discusses the principles of dignity, individualized sentencing, proportionality—both absolute and comparative, humanness, non-arbitrariness, and differentness. The Court has explicitly or implicitly invoked each of these values in its Eighth Amendment cases and detailed the scope and importance of these values to varying degrees. For the most part, though, the Court has remained opaque about how much each of these values influences, and should influence, its Eighth Amendment decisions.
Production and excretion of astaxanthin by engineered Yarrowia lipolytica using plant oil as both the carbon source and the biocompatible extractant

This study aimed to develop a bioprocess using plant oil as the carbon source for lipid-assimilating yeast to produce high-value astaxanthin. Using high-oleic safflower oil as a model, efficient cell growth and astaxanthin production by the engineered Yarrowia lipolytica strain ST7403 was demonstrated, and a considerable portion of astaxanthin was found excreted into the spent oil. Astaxanthin was the predominant carotenoid in the extracellular oil phase that allowed facile in situ recovery of astaxanthin without cell lysis. Autoclaving the safflower oil medium elevated the peroxide level but it declined quickly during fermentation (reduced by 84% by day 3) and did not inhibit cell growth or astaxanthin production. In a 1.5-L fed-batch bioreactor culture with a YnB-based medium containing 20% safflower oil, and with the feeding of casamino acids, astaxanthin production reached 54 mg/L (53% excreted) in 28 days. Further improvement in astaxanthin titer and productivity was achieved by restoring leucine biosynthesis in the host, and running fed-batch fermentation using a high carbon-to-nitrogen ratio yeast extract/peptone medium containing 70% safflower oil, with feeding of additional yeast extract/peptone, to attain 167 mg/L astaxanthin (48% excreted) in 9.5 days of culture. These findings facilitate industrial microbial biorefinery development that utilizes renewable lipids as feedstocks to not only produce high-value products but also effectively extract and recover the products, including non-native ones. Key Points • Yarrowia lipolytica can use plant oil as a C-source for astaxanthin production. • Astaxanthin is excreted and accumulated in the extracellular oil phase. • Astaxanthin is the predominant carotenoid in the extracellular oil phase. • Plant oil serves as a biocompatible solvent for in situ astaxanthin extraction.
Splenic leukocytes mediate the hyperglycemic exacerbation of myocardial infarct size in mice

Acute hyperglycemia during acute myocardial infarction is associated with worse myocardial injury and increased mortality. Using a mouse model of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, we tested the hypothesis that acute hyperglycemia activates splenic leukocytes and subsequently exacerbates myocardial infarct size. We then examined whether the adverse effects of hyperglycemia could be attenuated by a potent anti-inflammatory agent (an agonist of the adenosine A2A receptor) administered immediately prior to reperfusion. C57BL6 (WT) mice underwent 30-min LAD occlusion and 60-min reperfusion with or without prior splenectomy. Acute hyperglycemia before ischemia increased myocardial infarct size (IS) by 43 % (p < 0.05). Splenectomy before ischemia did not change IS (vs. control, p = NS) but did serve to prevent the exacerbation of IS by hyperglycemia. Acute hyperglycemia activated splenic leukocytes by increasing formyl peptide receptor expression and reactive oxygen species production before ischemia, and enhanced splenic neutrophil release with resultant peripheral neutrophilia and increased myocardial neutrophil infiltration during reperfusion. Acute adoptive transfer of splenic leukocytes to splenectomized mice before ischemia restored the hyperglycemic exacerbation of infarct size. ATL146e, an adenosine 2A receptor (A2AR) agonist, abolished neutrophilia during reperfusion and reduced IS in hyperglycemic mice. ATL146e also reduced IS in splenectomized hyperglycemic mice with transfer of WT splenic leukocytes, but not with transfer of splenic leukocytes from A2AR knockout mice. Acute hyperglycemia prior to myocardial ischemia and reperfusion exacerbates IS by activating splenic leukocytes. ATL146e administered at reperfusion suffices to abrogate the hyperglycemic exacerbation of IS by acting on A2ARs on splenic leukocytes.
Automated landslide detection model to delineate the extent of existing landslides

Landslides are one of the most common natural hazards and cause major socioeconomic impacts worldwide. Identifying the locations of the active or inactive landslides before development may play a major role in identifying areas of high risk. Traditional methods for inventorying landslides involve field surveying and interpretation of photogrammetric data. The advent of recent remote sensing technologies has expedited this process, and as a result, several computer-based algorithms used to identify the locations of past landslides have been proposed. Computer-based analyses provide significant advantages over traditional methods; however, a majority of these computer-based analyses require the user to define the properties of the landslide prior to the search and require supervision and quality assurance. The purpose of this study is to present a simple, new methodology that can be implemented with readily available tools and datasets without the need to supervise the analysis after the parameters regarding landslide morphology are defined for that region. This methodology is referred to as automated landslide detection model (ALDM). Three areas with LiDAR bare earth digital elevation models (DEMs) have been used to test the ALDM, each consisting of a varying range of mapped landslide features. The ALDM results were compared against data obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and landslides that were determined visually from the hillshade map of the study area. The results demonstrate that the ALDM method was able to accurately capture both the landslides and non-landslides in all of the areas evaluated with accuracies of 70% and 92%, respectively. Additionally, the study showed that the proposed ALDM method could be implemented in different regions where landslides of different shapes and sizes could be detected.
Psychosocial Adjustment and Adherence to Prescribed Medical Care of Children and Adolescents on Dialysis

Since the release of the last edition of this text, there have been limited advances in research devoted to better understanding the impact of pediatric end-stage renal disease and dialysis treatment on psychological functioning or treatment adherence. However, the existing evidence base demonstrates that living with ESRD and receiving dialysis can be physically and emotionally burdensome for children and their families. Although many aspects of dialysis cannot be changed, there are some aspects of the treatment that can be modified to promote quality of life and address children’s responses to treatment that may positively influence their mood, coping, and health outcomes.
Decaf or regular? Energizing the caffeine receptor

Partial agonism describes the relative efficacy of a drug compared to one that produces a greater response in a particular system; the designation is dependent upon the comparator and the system. In this issue of Cell, Huang et al. describe biophysical approaches to define the signature of GPCR partial agonists, providing direct measures of varying intrinsic efficacy.
On Shakespeare and cutaneous diseases.

Abstract Disorders with dermatologic features are intractable and rife in Shakespeare's world. For this reason, they occupy an unusual position in culture. “The plague” and “leprosy” are popular insults and epithets—indictments of not external pathogens but of moral failure. It may be no surprise to identify, as a present-day reader, syphilis and the plague in early modern England, but what about other dermatologic conditions at the time? “The plague,” “leprosy,” “the pox,” and “measles” are commonly used terms, although ultimately interchangeable in Shakespeare's plays. Rosacea and scurvy, however, are described by Shakespeare before they become named entities. Bardolph's skin characterizes his alcohol addiction and thievery, and Caliban's “monstrous” form mirrors his state as an untouchable in society. Shakespeare also documents the “royal touch” in Macbeth, which links the ability of a monarch to heal the skin lesions of extrapulmonary tuberculosisto political legitimacy. Shakespeare does little more than document this historic ritual around the skin, but he does catalogue the ways these acquired diseases of the skin are used in daily speech and character writing. At the end of Macbeth, the “royal touch” gives Prince Malcolm the backstory and political precedent to march on Dunsinane Hill to reclaim the Scottish throne.
Digital Disparities: Lessons learned from a Patient Reported Outcomes Program During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The collection of patient reported outcomes (PROs) allows us to incorporate the patient's voice within their care in a quantifiable, validated manner. Large scale collection of PROs is facilitated by the electronic health record (EHR) and its portal, though historically patients have eschewed the portal and completed patient reported outcome measures (PROMS) in clinic via tablet. Furthermore, access to and use of the portal is associated with known racial inequities. Our institution oversees the largest clinical PRO program in the world, and has a long history of racially equitable PRO completion rates via tablet. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to remove tablets from clinics and rely exclusively on portal use for PRO completion, profound racial disparities resulted immediately. Our experience quantifiably demonstrates the magnitude of inequity that the portal, in its current configuration, generates and serves as a cautionary tale to other health care systems and EHRs.
Decentralized Localization in Homogeneous Swarms Considering Real-World Non-Idealities

This letter presents a decentralized algorithm that allows a swarm of identically programmed agents to cooperatively estimate their global poses using local range and bearing measurements. The design of our algorithm explicitly considers the phase asynchrony of each agent's local clock, moreover, the execution of our algorithm does not require each agent to actively keep the same neighbors over time. A theoretical analysis about the effect of each agent's sensing noise and communication loss is given, in addition, we validate the presented algorithm via experiments running on a swarm of up to 256 simulated robots and a swarm of 100 physical robots. The results from the experiments show that the presented algorithm allows each agent to estimate its global pose quickly and reliably. Video of 100 robots executing the presented algorithm as well as supplementary material can be found in [1] and [2] .
Information Leakage Prior to SEC Form Filings–Evidence from TAQ Millisecond Data

We investigate the stock price movements prior to the publication of publicly-listed firms' SEC form filings. By analyzing the time-stamps of all SEC form filings as well as the stock prices in the 30-minute interval pre- and post-publication, utilizing the TAQ millisecond data, we find strong evidence of information leakage in the 30-minute intervals around Edgar acceptance timestamp of corporate SEC filings, in that if the stocks are ranked into 5 portfolios based on the price run-up prior to filing release, for all form types, the events with the highest run-up would also have the highest price increase post filing release. Regressing pre-publication return on buyer-initiated (classified according to Lee and Ready) minus seller-initiated trade volume fraction yields a positive and highly statistically-significant coefficient. Also, depending on the type of the SEC filing, for filings that could contain both positive and negative information, for example, form 8K 10K and 10Q (as opposed to 13D or 13G which generally can only be good new for stock price), the events with the most run-down prior to the release would also have the most price decrease post filing release. The results are not driven by momentum, and they remain even after the SEC's server fix in March, 2015, as Bolandnazar et al. (2018) have documented information leakage in the several-minutes range due to a technical issue related to SEC's dissemination through FTP and PDS services, which is also a different time-horizon than the 30-minute range we are focusing on. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper that documents this phenomenon.
Revealing the structural role of MgO in aluminosilicate glasses

Abstract The addition of MgO to aluminosilicate glasses usually leads to significant changes for many macroscopic properties. The underlying microscopic structure origin of this effect, however, remains elusive. We herein conduct systematic studies to reveal the structural role of MgO in sodium aluminosilicate glasses over a wide composition range from peralkaline to peraluminous using molecular dynamics simulations. Our results provide pieces of evidence to show that MgO plays a dual role of glass network modifier/charge compensator and network former, with the balance of these two roles strongly depending on the composition of other oxides in the glass. Specifically, Mg2+ tends to play a network modifier/charge compensator role when the glass simultaneously contains large amount Al atoms that need to charge balanced and a low concentration of other modifier oxides. In contrast, Mg2+ exhibits a more pronounced network-forming role in Al-poor glasses. Additionally, by considering the structural role of MgO in the glass network, we further demonstrate that the non-linear evolution of the isokom annealing temperature upon increasing Al2O3 content in the peraluminous regime can be rationalized in terms of the combined effects of short-range connectivity and medium-range ring size distribution. The findings provide insights to further exploit MgO in making glasses with advanced properties.
Feedback Linearization based Direct Power Control of a three-phase grid-connected inverter with online parameter update

Feedback linearization based direct power control for a three-phase grid-connected inverter has been presented in this paper. An online parameter update scheme based on model reference adaptive system has been implemented in this paper to achieve better tracking performance. Power transferred between two ac sources is a non-linear function of voltage and current therefore, feedback linearization based control architecture makes the overall closed loop system linear and easier to design a compensator. However, the overall controller architecture is a function of the filter parameters therefore, a methodology to estimate the filter parameters and online update the controller gains is presented in this paper. Two fictitious quantities $A=v\times i^{*}$ and $B=v^{*}.i$ are utilized to estimate the filter parameters. The proposed architecture is verified via computer simulations based on MATLAB/Simulink and PLECS domain to check the efficacy for various important case studies.
Patent Portfolio Race and Secrecy

When firms can protect their innovations by secrecy or lead-time, the additional effect of patent protection is not obvious. This paper shows that when firms compete for a single innovation, patent protection still increases R&D investment but decreases social welfare due to over-investment. However, when firms compete for multiple complementary patents (called a patent portfolio), patent protection decreases R&D investment and decreases social welfare due to under-investment. If firms cannot rely on secrecy, patent protection increases investment regardless of whether firms compete for a single patent or for a patent portfolio.
Use of Radioisotope Scan in Evaluation of Intrascrotal Lesions

AbstractThere were 98 patients with a variety of intrascrotal lesions studied with a radioisotope 99mtechnetium-pertechnetate scanning technique. Retrospective analysis in 50 patients subjected to an operation revealed a 94 per cent accuracy of the scan in the differential diagnosis of testicular torsion and epididymitis as compared to a clinical accuracy of 48 per cent. In 7 patients with a scan diagnosis of epididymo-orchitis with abscess the diagnosis was confirmed during the operation or by followup examination. While the scan has been a simple, safe, rapid and reliable technique to differentiate acute and subacute lesions, it has proved to be of limited diagnostic significance in cases of chronic intrascrotal lesions and carcinoma.
Understanding e-Governance for Development

New information and communication technologies can make a significant contribution to the achievement of good governance goals. This 'e-governance' can make governance more efficient and more effective, and bring other benefits too. This paper outlines the three main contributions of e-governance: improving government processes (e-administration); connecting citizens (e-citizens and e-services); and building external interactions (e-society). Case studies are used to show that e-governance is a current, not just future, reality for developing countries. However, most e-governance initiatives fail. Countries therefore face two challenges. First, the strategic challenge of e-readiness: preparing six identified pre-conditions for e-governance. Second, the tactical challenge of closing design — reality gaps: adopting best practice in e-governance projects in order to avoid failure and to achieve success. A vision for change is therefore outlined of which more details are given in a related paper.
Interactive design of a virtual factory using cellular manufacturing system

An interactive virtual factory testbed was developed as a part of a research to explore the applications of virtual environments in the area of manufacturing automation. This fully immersive factory built with special attention to details consists of a set of modular machines that a designer can drag and place in the factory to study issues such as plant layout, clusters and part flow analysis. The paper further discusses several cell formation and visualization techniques developed especially for the design of the virtual factory. A modified Boolean matrix approach algorithm was improved as an example of applying traditional factory design methods in developing virtual factories of the future. Finally a novel interactive part-machine matrix visualization interface was developed to provide a more intuitive view of the mathematical results.
Boundary shape identification problems in two-dimensional domains related to thermal testing of materials

The identification of the geometrical structure of the system boundary for a two-dimensional diffusion system is reported. The domain identification problem treated here is converted into an optimization problem based on a fit-to-data criterion and theoretical convergence results for approximate identification techniques are discussed. Results of numerical experiments to demonstrate the efficacy of the theoretical ideas are reported.
Prospective histologic examinations in patients who practice traumatic hairstyling

Objectives Alopecia is the fifth most common dermatologic diagnosis in African-American patients. Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) is the most common form of scarring alopecia in this group. This study sought to evaluate clinical and histologic findings in patients without clinical alopecia who use chemical and/or thermal straighteners to determine whether follicular damage is evidenced histologically. Methods Eight African-American women with no clinical evidence of alopecia or scalp inflammation were included in the study. All participants had engaged in some form of traumatic hair care within the previous month. Participants submitted to clinical photography and 4-mm punch biopsy. Histologic examination was performed and the characteristics of each case recorded. Results There were no clinical signs of alopecia or inflammation in any patient. Histopathology showed peri-infundibular lymphocytic inflammation in all patients and mild superficial perivascular lymphocytic inflammation in three. Concentric infundibular fibrosis was observed in each hair follicle in all specimens. One sample showed additional focal peri-isthmus fibrosis. There was no evidence of complete follicular dropout, follicular epithelial thinning, or premature desquamation of inner root sheaths. The mean number of hair follicles was 4.88 per 4-mm punch. Hair cycling was consistently within normal ranges. Conclusions Biopsy findings characteristic of CCCA suggest that a clinical prelude exists histologically. Further follow-up may provide a longitudinal timeframe for the potential progression, halting, or reversal of disease if hairstyling practices are, respectively, continued or discontinued. Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia is likely to represent a common pathway of inflammation and scarring that can be instigated by traumatic hairstyling practices in genetically predisposed subjects.
New Evaluations for Multiaxial-stress Properties of Ceramic Materials

This paper suggests some new evaluations for multiaxial-stress properties of ceramic materials. These evaluations include some that have been used for other kinds of materials, as well as others which have not been previously employed. In some cases, these methods represent modifications of existing evaluations. The paper is confined to macroscopic behavior based upon bulk laboratory specimens. The influences of volume, stress gradients and localized behavior are not considered here since considerable attention has recently been devoted to these questions. The important prob- lem of fracture strength will not be considered since this property appears to be considerably influenced by local- ized microscopic behavior. However, new evaluations of remaining mechanical properties for states of combined stresses will be presented. These include elastic and plastic strength, stiffness, ductility, resilience and tough- ness. Emphasis on combined-stress properties was selected since recent critical reviews indicate the need for for such an evaluation. Part A of this paper outlines new experiments that are needed to evaluate the me- chanical properties and to confirm theories proposed in Part B. In Part B of this paper, new macroscopic engi- neering-type theories for combined-stress behavior are
Mathematical model of negative control of E-coli bacteria

A mathematical model for the negative control of the lac operon is presented. This model consists of coupled nonlinear differential equations representing the dynamic behaviors of the repressor-inducer components of negative control components of the system. To eliminate the dependency of the magnitude on the system of units of measurements, a dimensionless derivation for the operon system was employed to produce singularly perturbed models with fast and slow time-scale models. The fast model represents the dynamical behavior of the operator. Whereas the slow model represents the dynamical behaviors of the inducer and the repressor. It is shown that by applying the singular perturbation theory we can study the approximate behavior of the free operator by solving one equation instead of three coupled nonlinear differential equations. The behavior of the system can be described as a rapid on-off switch of structural gene transcription. This is consistent with the requirement of the bacterial cell to quickly respond to nutrient fluctuations.
The binding of calcium to bovine Factor VII

Abstract The binding isotherm of Ca 2+ to bovine coagulation Factor VII has been examined at 25°C, and pH 7.4, by equilibrium ultrafiltration. The simplest model which describes the nonlinear isotherm obtained assumes that two strong Ca 2+ sites exist, with an average K D of 0.1 ± 0.04 m m , and at least four weaker sites, with an average K D of 1.7 ± 0.3 m m . Concomitant with Ca 2+ interaction, the intrinsic steady state fluorescence of bovine Factor VII decreases. Approximately 80% of the total fluorescence alteration occurs as a consequence of saturation of the two strong Ca 2+ sites. The remainder of the fluorescence decrease takes place upon the total binding of three to four Ca 2+ sites. This result indicates that an alteration in the environment of a tryptophan residue(s) occurs upon binding of Ca 2+ to bovine Factor VII.
Gesetzmässigkeit für den Diffusionsgrenzstrom an teilweise blockierten Modellelektroden

Zusammenfassung Die Ruhrabhangigkeit des Grenzstromes an einer rotierenden teilweise blokkierten Scheibenelektrode lasst sich unter vereinfachenden Voraussetzungen mit Hilfe des elektrischen Analogons als Naherungslosung angeben. Diese Theorie wurde an Platin-Modellelektroden fur die Reduktion des Ferricyanids uberpruft. Der Radius der kreisformigen aktiven Stellen variierte von 5·10−2–6·10−4 cm, wobei bis zu 105 aktive Bereiche/cm2 modellmassig erzeugt wurden. Im sogenannten “Frumkin-Gebiet”, d.h. bei nicht allzu grossen Ruhrgeschwindigkeiten, konnte die vorgeschlagene Theorie voll und ganz bestatigt werden. Die Ruhrgeschwindigkeiten, bei denen Abweichungen von der Frumkin-Geraden auftreten, geben einen Anhaltspunkt fur den Abstand zwischen den aktiven Bereichen. Die Theorie wurde auch im ansteigenden Teil der Strom-Spannungs-Kurve bei reiner Diffusionsuberspannung bestatigt.
Homosexuality and the Medical Model

In the eighteenth century the whole subject of sexuality came to be of increasing medical concern, and medical concepts about sexual deviation came to enforce traditional religious concepts which were under attack. These ideas were amplified in the nineteenth century until all nonprocreative forms of sexuality were looked upon as pathological.
Barriers to Forced Transitions in Polysaccharides

Recent atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiments have measured the elastic properties of polysaccharides. The results of these experiments suggest that their elastic responses can be understood in terms of the conformational transitions of the monomeric units. In amylose, the unbranched form of starch found in plants, forced extensions by AFM have lead to the conclusion that the basic elastic unit, an α-d-glucopyranose ring, extends by a chair-to-boat conformational transition. Forced extensions on cellulose, the main component in plants, Archea (in a modified form), and Eubacteria cell walls, showed no elongation of the monomeric unit, β-d-glucopyranose. In this study, we used ab initio HF/6-31G* calculations to investigate a series of boat conformations and a twist-boat conformation, which are likely candidates for the elongated structures seen in AFM experiments. Using a linear transit method, we constructed conformational pathways in the form of potential curves which start from the ground-state chair...
Structural evolution and thermophysical properties of ZrxNi100 − x metallic liquids and glasses

Abstract The results of high-energy X-ray scattering studies over a wide temperature range for equilibrium and supercooled ZrxNi100 − x (x = 36, 57, 76) liquids and the corresponding glasses are presented. The results of liquid density and viscosity measurements are also shown. All of the liquid studies were made on containerlessly processed liquids using the technique of electrostatic levitation. The scattering data were used to determine the temperature-dependent total structure factor, S(q), and pair-correlation function, g(r). A discontinuity is observed between the magnitude of the first peak in S(q) of the liquid when extrapolated to the glass transition temperature, Tg, and the value determined for the structurally relaxed glass at Tg. This indicates that the structural ordering in the liquid accelerates upon approaching Tg, consistent with the behavior expected for a fragile liquid. An asymmetry in the first peak in the pair correlation function develops with decreasing temperature for all alloy liquids and glasses, suggesting that chemical ordering accompanies the structural ordering.
Digital Coil protection system for the National Spherical Torus experiment upgrade

An upgrade to the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) is currently in progress. The NSTX Center Stack Upgrade (NSTX-U) experimental device has an operating space that is both larger and more complex than that of the original NSTX. The mechanical integrity of some machine components can be compromised both by the instantaneous values of combinations of magnet currents and as a result of the time histories thereof. An upgrade to the existing protection systems and methodology is required to allow for both safe and effective use of the expanded operating space. A Digital Coil Protection System (DCPS) is planned as a major component of an upgraded Coil Protection System (CPS).