cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tolerance to Vancomycin in Pneumococci: Detection with a Molecular Marker and Assessment of Clinical Impact

BACKGROUND: Vancomycin is often added to therapy for meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Tolerant bacteria without classic resistance that escape killing by multiple antibiotics have been reported sporadically. We determined the prevalence of tolerance to vancomycin in pneumococci and its effect on the outcome of meningitis. METHODS: Archival samples of 215 nasopharyngeal (NP) and 113 meningitis isolates were tested for the killing efficacy of vancomycin. Specific DNA sequence changes in a transporter locus were identified for tolerant isolates. Similar tests were conducted prospectively on 517 NP isolates from healthy children. RESULTS: In archival isolates, tolerance to vancomycin was detected in 3.7% of NP and 10.6% of invasive isolates. Patients with meningitis caused by tolerant isolates had a worse estimated 30-day survival than did patients with meningitis caused by nontolerant isolates (49% vs. 86%; P = .048); 62.5% of tolerant archival NP isolates harbored a specific sequence change for pep27 and vex2 (P = .021). Prospective analysis of 517 carriage isolates indicated that 8.1% were tolerant to vancomycin and that 82.1% of tolerant isolates harbored the specified marker gene sequences (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Tolerance to vancomycin exists in the population of pneumococci. Tolerant isolates are associated with meningitis of increased mortality, and these isolates can be tracked by specific marker sequences in 2 genes.
Use of glider-class acoustic Doppler profilers for estimating zooplankton biomass

Author(s): Powell, JR; Ohman, MD | Abstract: We evaluate the feasibility of estimating zooplankton biomass using acoustic Doppler profilers (ADP) as deployed on autonomous ocean gliders. A Sontek Spray ADP mounted on a Mocness net was used for simultaneous collection of zooplankton and measurement of acoustic backscatter (ABS). Zooplankton biomass was estimated from optically scanned plankton samples. We found a direct proportionality between ABS and the summed cross-sectional area of the zooplankton as well as with the estimated zooplankton carbon biomass. ABS at 750kHz was most closely related to the summed cross-sectional area of zooplankton and micronekton greater than 1.6 mm equivalent circular diameter. © 2012 The Author.
Structure equations for a monopole model with a coleman-weinberg potential

A model consisting of aSO3 gauge field interacting with an isovector Higgs field is investigated. When the Higgs mass parameter vanishes, no symmetry breakdown occurs at the tree level, but may be induced at the one-loop level. The one-loop effective potential is of the Coleman-Weinberg type, which is required of many new inflationary cosmological scenarios. Approximate equations determining the structure of a magnetic monopole are obtained at the one-loop level of this model.
Individual Rights and Community Responsibilities

Hocking’s general theory of the political community maintains liberty and community in tension. The purpose of the political order is to develop the potentialities of its members, and the common political action necessary to achieve this purpose and to solve social problems requires the sovereign enforcement of the community’s political experiments. The political community must be active and its laws binding; yet, there must be limits on political institutions if liberty is to be preserved. Because of this tension, Hocking cannot avoid the question of human rights. There must be a standard by which individuals can judge whether government acts beyond its proper limits, but it must be a standard that encourages political participation and the performance of political duty, not withdrawal. An adequate conception of rights will protect freedom while maintaining social unity and common political action. Hocking develops such a theory of human rights. It is grounded in his conception of ethical duty and in his theory of human nature and development.
Current Practices in Archaeogeophysics

As the cost of conducting archaeological research continues to rise, so has the need to define site structure while minimizing excavation efforts. At the same time there is a growing ethic for site conservation and the use of noninvasive procedures for site exploration. Near surface geophysical methods are increasingly seen as useful and cost-effective tools for archaeological exploration because they provide a means to remotely sense what lies beneath the earth. By raising the probability of encountering sought-for features, data recovery efficiency through excavation is increased and costs are reduced. Yet, the very success of geophysical methods has led to a misconception that they are suited only for discovery purposes. A growing perspective is that they are useful, in themselves, for acquiring primary data of relevance to a variety of research questions (Dalan, 1993; Summers et al., 1996). In some contexts, for example, and depending on research goals, the need for excavation may be precluded as when geophysical surveys provide accurate plans of buried architectural remains that offer sufficient information for cultural resource management purposes. Indeed, the simple mapping of architectural and other anthropogenic features (e.g., trenches, ditches, pits, middens, pathways) through geophysics now constitutes a principal means of site inventory in the United Kingdom and elsewhere (David, 1995; Payne, 1996).
Inflammatory Pseudotumor of the Spleen Associated With a Clonal Epstein-Barr Virus Genome

We report a case of an inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) of the spleen occurring in an 81-year-old woman with a history of a monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. Eighteen-month follow-up after splenectomy demonstrated no tumor recurrence or progression of underlying plasma cell disease. Histologic examination of the tumor demonstrated a polymorphic population of inflammatory and epithelioid and spindle cells. Immunophenotyping showed large numbers of T cells, B cells, and polyclonal plasma cells. The epithelioid and spindle cells were positive for vimentin and CD68 but lacked expression of follicular dendritic cell markers and actin. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome was identified in the epithelioid and spindle cell population by in situ hybridization using probes specific for EBV-encoded RNAs (EBER1 and EBER2). Southern blot analysis of digested DNA extracted from the tumor using an EBV-specific probe (XhoI) demonstrated the presence of a single high-intensity band, indicative of EBV monoclonality. While there have been 2 previous reports of hepatic IPTs containing a monoclonal population of EBV-infected tumor cells, this is the first report of such an association occurring in the spleen. The presence of clonal EBV DNA suggests some splenic IPTs may be true neoplasms.
No Apparent Association of GSTP1 A313G Polymorphism with Breast Cancer Risk among Postmenopausal Iowa Women

GSTP1[3][1] catalyzes the conjugating reactions of PAHs and their electrophilic compounds to facilitate their excretion [(1)][2] . Burned foods and cigarette smoke contain mammary carcinogens such as PAHs [(2)][3] . Mice treated with PAHs had an elevated risk of skin tumors, particularly among those
The economic feasibility of sugar beet biofuel production in central North Dakota

Abstract This study examines the financial feasibility of producing ethanol biofuel from sugar beets in central North Dakota. Under the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007, biofuel from sugar beets uniquely qualifies as an “advanced biofuel”. EISA mandates production of 21 billion gallons of advanced biofuels annually by 2022. A stochastic simulation financial model was calibrated with irrigated sugar beet data from central North Dakota to determine economic feasibility and risks of production for 0.038 hm 3 y −1 (or 10 MGY (Million Gallon per Year) and 0.076 hm 3 y −1 (or 20 MGY) ethanol plants. Study results indicate that feedstock costs, which include sugar beets and beet molasses, account for more than 70 percent of total production expenses. The estimated breakeven ethanol price for the 0.076 hm 3 y −1 plant is $400 m −3 ($1.52 per gallon) and $450 m −3 ($1.71 per gallon) for the 0.038 hm 3 y −1 plant. Breakeven prices for feedstocks are also estimated and show that the 0.076 hm 3 y −1 plant can tolerate greater ethanol and feedstock price risks than the 0.038 hm 3 y −1 plant. Our results also show that one of the most important factors that affect investment success is the price of ethanol. At an ethanol price of $484.21 m −3 ($1.84 per gallon), and assuming other factors remain unchanged, the estimated net present value (NPV) for the 0.076 hm 3 y −1 plant is $41.54 million. By comparison, the estimated NPV for the 0.038 hm 3 y −1 plant is only $8.30 million. Other factors such as changes in prices of co-products and utilities have a relatively minor effect on investment viability.
Biomedical Functional Imaging of Tissue in Coherence-Domain Speckle Holography

This paper describes holographic optical coherence imaging of cellular motility in living, diseased and pharmacologically treated tissue. The coherence gate is a photorefractive quantum well device that facilitates the elimination of multiply scattered light from the tissue. To accomplish high-fidelity functional imaging of metabolic activity at depth within the tissue, spatial coherence in the illuminating beam must be controlled to reduce channel cross-talk. We show results for rat osteogenic sarcoma tumor spheroids.
Elastic rods with stretched cross sections

The paper investigates the linear constitutive equations for an elastic rod which undergoes a small motion from an initially deformed reference configuration. The cross section of the rod is allowed to shear, rotate and stretch. The influence of geometry and of the material properties on the constitutive coefficients are obtained.
The Influence of Thiouracil on Semen Quality in the Fowl

Abstract THE role of the thyroid gland in the regulation of many body processes is well known but its influence upon reproduction is only partially understood. Crew (1925) fed desiccated thyroid gland to five cocks and seven hens, five to eight years of age, for six months from May to October. After molting, the plumage was characteristic of younger fowl, head furnishings became red and turgid and egg production was increased. Cole and Hutt (1927) fed 20 White Leghorn hens desiccated thyroid at the rate of 59 milligrams per pound of live weight for a period of six weeks beginning November 1. This dosage did not affect egg production. Turner et al. (1945a) (1945b) found that the feeding of thyroprotein to laying hens was beneficial in maintaining a high level of egg production during the second half of the laying year of pullets and increased egg production considerably in the second . . .
Measurement of Uncertainty for Vaporous Ethanol Concentration Analyzed by Intoxilyzer® 8000 Instruments

Reporting a measurement of uncertainty helps to determine the limitations of the method of analysis and aids in laboratory accreditation. This laboratory has conducted a study to estimate a reasonable uncertainty for the mass concentration of vaporous ethanol, in g/210 L, by the Intoxilyzer(®) 8000 breath analyzer. The uncertainty sources used were: gas chromatograph (GC) calibration adjustment, GC analytical, certified reference material, Intoxilyzer(®) 8000 calibration adjustment and Intoxilyzer(®) 8000 analytical. Standard uncertainties attributed to these sources were calculated and separated into proportional and constant standard uncertainties. Both the combined proportional and the constant standard uncertainties were further combined to an expanded uncertainty as both a percentage and an unit. To prevent any under reporting of the expanded uncertainty, 0.10 g/210 L was chosen as the defining point for expressing the expanded uncertainty. For the Intoxilyzer(®) 8000, all vaporous ethanol results at or above 0.10 g/210 L, the expanded uncertainty will be reported as ±3.6% at a confidence level of 95% (k = 2); for vaporous ethanol results below 0.10 g/210 L, the expanded uncertainty will be reported as ±0.0036 g/210 L at a confidence level of 95% (k = 2).
261 GENDER DIFFERENCE IN THE IMPACT OF MULTIPLE CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS ON THE FEMORAL ARTERY INTIMA-MEDIA THICKNESS IN ASYMPTOMATIC YOUNG ADULTS: THE BOGALUSA HEART STUDY.

Background Males in general are considered to have more peripheral arterial disease (PAD) than females. Manifestations of PAD in relation to cardiovascular risk factors have been studied by ultrasound-assessed femoral artery intima-media thickness (IMT), mainly in middle-aged and older men and women. However, little is known on the impact of risk factors on the femoral IMT in young adults by gender. This study examined whether gender influences the impact of multiple cardiovascular risk factors on the femoral artery IMT in asymptomatic young adults in a biracial (black-white) population. Methods Femoral IMT was measured by B-mode ultrasonography in 1,080 males and females (aged 24-43 years; 71%w hite, 43% male) who participated in the Bogalusa Heart Study. Results Age-adjusted femoral IMT showed a gender difference (males > females, p = .0001). In a bivariate analysis adjusted for age and race IMT related significantly to BMI, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol (inverse relation), total to HDL cholesterol ratio and triglycerides in females and only to systolic blood pressure and LDL cholesterol in males. In a multivariate model age, systolic blood pressure, cigarette smoking, and total to HDL cholesterol ratio related independently, in that order, to IMT in females and age and LDL cholesterol in males. In females, mean IMT increased with increasing number of risk factors defined as values above the age-, race-, and gender-specific 75th percentile of systolic blood pressure, waist circumference, total to HDL cholesterol ratio, and insulin along with positive smoking status (p for trend = .001), with respective mean IMT (mm) values of 0.61, 0.65, 0.72, and 0.77, for 0, 1-2, 3, and 4-5 risk factors. There was no such significant trend in males. Conclusions Although males vs females had thicker IMT, the observed increasing trend of femoral IMT with increasing number of risk factors in asymptomatic young female adults suggests that females are relatively more susceptible in this regard than males. These results suggest that gender should be considered in risk profiling and interventions.
Influence on HBV Vaccination on Adults HBV Serum Markers

Objective To evaluate the influence of HBV vaccination on the HBV serum markers in adult pupulation. Methods The serum samples of 2 820 adults (vaccination group 1 344, control group 1 476) were examined with ELISA kit of hepatitis B 5 items: HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb, HBcAb and the serum marker patterns of these two groups were analyzed. Results There were 22 HBV serum markers pattern in the population. There were 19 patterns after received vaccination, which including HBsAb + (55.73%) ; all the markers - (14.36%); HBsAb, HBeAb and HBcAb + (8.26%), and HBsAb and HBcAb + (7.96%). While in the population not received vaccination, there were 22 original serum marker patterns, they were all the markers - (44.11%); HBsAb + (14.09%); HBsAg, HBeAb and HBcAb + (8.88%); and HBsAb, HBeAb, and HBcAb + (6.71%). The non-infection rate and HBsAb positive rate of the vaccination group was significantly increased (P0.01). However, the HBsAg positive rate and major or minor three items positive rate (HBsAg, HBeAg amd HBcAb, + or HBsAg , HBeAb amd HBcAb +) of control group were significantly higher (P0.01). Conclusions The HBV marker pattern change after HBV vaccination is definitely improved in adult population, which implicates development of protective immunity. The results suggest that HBV vaccination in adult population is necessary in prevention and contnd of HBV infection.
Space Weather Influence on Relative Motion Control using the Touchless Electrostatic Tractor

With recent interest in the use of electrostatic forces for contactless tugging and attitude control of noncooperative objects for orbital servicing and active debris mitigation, the need for a method of remote charge control arises. In this paper, the use of a directed electron beam for remote charge control is considered in conjunction with the relative motion control. A tug vehicle emits an electron beam onto a deputy object, charging it negatively. At the same time, the tug is charged positively due to beam emission, resulting in an attractive electrostatic force. The relative position feedback control between the tug and the passive debris object is studied subject to the charging being created through an electron beam. Employing the nominal variations of the GEO space weather conditions across longitude slots, two electrostatic tugging strategies are considered. First, the electron beam current is adjusted throughout the orbit in order to maximize this resulting electrostatic force. This open-loop control strategy compensates for changes in the nominally expected local space weather environment in the GEO region to adjust for fluctuations in the local plasma return currents. Second, the performance impact of using a fixed electron beam current on the electrostatic tractor is studied if the same natural space weather variations are assumed. The fixed electron beam current shows a minor performance penalty (<5 %) while providing a much simpler implementation that does not require any knowledge of local space weather conditions.
Efficacy of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell administration in a model of acute ischemic kidney injury in cats.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the effects of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in a model of ischemic acute kidney injury (AKI). Study design Randomized controlled trial. Animals Adult, purpose-bred research cats (n = 15) and a historical reference group (n = 3). Methods Cats underwent unilateral, in vivo, warm renal ischemia, then intravenous administration of 4 million adipose-derived MSCs, bone marrow-derived MSCs, or fibroblasts (n = 5/treatment) 1 h after reperfusion. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen concentrations were measured at baseline and days 1 and 6. Urine specific gravity, urine protein to urine creatinine ratio, and glomerular filtration rate were measured at baseline and day 6. Both kidneys were harvested on day 6; histopathology was described and scored and smooth muscle actin was quantified with histomorphometry. A 2-way ANOVA was used to compare time and treatment. Chi square analysis was used to determine the % of cats with at least International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) Grade 1 AKI. Results Time, but not treatment, had a significant effect on renal function. No difference was noted in % of cats with IRIS AKI. Significantly fewer mitotic figures were observed in ischemic kidneys that received bone-marrow derived MSCs vs. fibroblasts. No differences in smooth muscle actin staining were noted. Conclusions This study did not support the use of allogeneic MSCs in AKI in the regimen described here. Type of renal injury, MSC dose, allogenicity, duration, and route or timing of administration could influence the efficacy MSCs.
Prevention of Tardive Dyskinesia

Neuroleptics produce many unwanted effects including extrapyramidal side effects. The latter usually occur early in treatment and are seen frequently in psychiatric practice. Recently, much attention has been given to the late-onset condition, tardive dyskinesia (TD). Despite the fact that this syndrome was described in the literature soon after the introduction of neuroleptics in the early 1950s (Schonecker, 1957: Sigwald et al., 1959), there is still wide disagreement among investigators regarding its prevalence (estimates have ranged from 0.5% to 56%). This reflects the need for a precise definition of TD (Simpson et al., 1982) and has hampered clinicians’ efforts to make an early diagnosis of TD. The availability of standardized, objectively defined rating scales (NIMH, 1975; Simpson et al.,1979) and other diagnostic devices represents a significant advance in clarifying these problems (Schooler and Kane, 1982). These developments provide clinicians with a useful tool to objectively document the evolution and severity of TD. This represents the first step toward the goal of preventing the debilitating and sometimes irreversible effects of this disorder.
Causes and Counterfactuals

We must now analyze the concept of a causal law, both for its own sake and because the analyses to follow will involve the concept. As usual, the solipsist is on the lookout for the most economical analysis, and theories of the Humean sort are unquestionably the most economical.
Dynamic characteristics of 410 nm semipolar (202¯1¯) III-nitride laser diodes with a modulation bandwidth of over 5 GHz

The dynamic characteristics of III-nitride multi-quantum well laser diodes (LDs) emitting at 410 nm were investigated. LDs were grown on semipolar (202¯1¯) bulk GaN substrates and fabricated into devices with cavity lengths ranging from 900 nm to 1800 nm. A 3-dB bandwidth of 5 GHz and 5 Gbit/s direct modulation with on-off keying were demonstrated, which were limited by the bandwidth of the photodetector used for the measurements. The differential gain of the LDs was determined to be 2.5 ± 0.5 × 10−16 cm2 by comparing the slope efficiency for different cavity lengths. Analysis of the frequency response showed that the K-factor, the gain compression factor, and the intrinsic maximum bandwidth were 0.33 ns, 7.4 × 10−17 cm3, and 27 GHz, respectively.
International Finance in the Civil War Era

As this volume makes clear, the Civil War extended beyond the USA. One of the most important overseas battlegrounds took place on British and European money markets, where the cash-strapped Union and Confederate governments sought foreign capital. Statesmen in Washington and Richmond also hoped that a successful foreign loan would lend credibility to their respective causes by establishing abroad a politically influential group of bondholders. “I think every bond sold on this side of the water becomes a bond of sympathy,” Union financial agent to Britain William Aspinwall declared in 1863.1 The international financial dimension of the Civil War thus merged with its political and diplomatic ones.
General Approach to the Care of the Child With Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a complex pulmonary vascular disease of multiple etiologies, characterized by inappropriate elevation of pulmonary vascular pressure and resistance that can present at any age, including during childhood. The pharmacologic care of patients with PH has seen tremendous advances in the past 20 years, improving survival and overall quality of life for patients of all ages, although mortality remains high.1 While the care of children with PH involves the same PH-specific medicines used for adults, PH-specific drugs are employed off-label due to a lack of Federal Drug Administration approval, which adds to the complexity of administration.2 Furthermore, in addition to pharmacologic therapy, multiple other factors are involved in the care of the pediatric PH patient that require careful consideration, such as differences relating to growth and developmental stages and according to PH etiology. This review will discuss some of the highly relevant pediatric-related issues outside of ...
Randomized trial of a question prompt list to increase patient active participation during interactions with black patients and their oncologists

Abstract Objective Communication during racially-discordant interactions is often of poor quality and may contribute to racial treatment disparities. We evaluated an intervention designed to increase patient active participation and other communication-related outcomes during interactions between Black patients and non-Black oncologists. Methods Participants were 18 non-Black medical oncologists and 114 Black patients at two cancer hospitals in Detroit, Michigan, USA. Before a clinic visit to discuss treatment, patients were randomly assigned to usual care or to one of two question prompt list (QPL) formats: booklet (QPL-Only), or booklet and communication coach (QPL-plus-Coach). Patient-oncologist interactions were video recorded. Patients reported perceptions of the intervention, oncologist communication, role in treatment decisions, and trust in the oncologist. Observers assessed interaction length, patient active participation, and oncologist communication. Results The intervention was viewed positively and did not increase interaction length. The QPL-only format increased patient active participation; the QPL-plus-Coach format decreased patient perceptions of oncologist communication. No other significant effects were found. Conclusion This QPL booklet is acceptable and increases patient active participation in racially-discordant oncology interactions. Future research should investigate whether adding physician-focused interventions might improve other outcomes. Practice implications This QPL booklet is acceptable and can improve patient active participation in racially-discordant oncology interactions.
Abstract 048: Epigenetic Regulation of the Human Angiotensinogen Gene: Role of Individual SNPs and Implication for Hypertension

Hypertension is a complex disease caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Renin angiotensin system (RAS) dysfunction is a frequent accompaniment of essential hypertension. In this regard, polymorphisms in the angiotensinogen (AGT) gene increase RAS activity and cause blood pressure elevation. We have identified two distinct haplotypes of the human AGT gene constituted by a group of four SNPs in linkage disequilibrium. Variants -1670A, -1562C, and -1561T always occur with -6A and form the haplotype-I (Hap-I), while variants -1670G, -1562G, and -1561G always occur with -6G and constitute haplotype-II (Hap-II). We hypothesized that these SNPs, when present together as Hap-I or Hap-II in transgenic mice (TG) may lead to haplotype-dependent DNA methylation of CpG sites in the promoter of the hAGT gene. Methylation patterns alter gene transcription at an epigenetic level and this, in turn, could be dependent on individual polymorphisms. hAGT promoter CpG sites in the kidney are more methylated as compared to liver and fat. In the Kidney, the hAGT promoter CpG sites are methylated at -460, -434, -386, -346, -282, -261, -245, -229, -218, -185, -144, -18, -11, -7, +10, +42, +65 in Hap-II whereas, in Hap-I the promoter DNA methylation is observed at -460, -434, -401, -386 positions. Further, in both liver and fat the CpG sites were methylated at -11, +42, +65 positions in Hap-II TG mice, whereas in the Hap-I there were no methylation sites detected. The hAGT gene mRNA levels from these tissues were quantitated by qPCR and were 2.1 (kidney), 2.5 (liver) and 4.28 (fat) fold higher in haplotype-I vs. haplotype-II (p
ACE Inhibitor Causes Kinin-Mediated Renal Vasodilatation in Goldblatt Rabbit

P24 ACE inhibitors cause an increase in renal blood flow (RBF) by a kinin-mediated mechanism in the sodium-restricted dog with a high renin level. Previous findings of an inconsistent decrease in plasma angiotensin II after ACE inhibition in Goldblatt rabbits, lead to the hypothesis that a similar effect of ACE inhibition occurs in this high renin model. The systemic blood pressure (BP) and renal hemodynamic effects of enalaprilat (10 mg/kg IV) were compared in 2 groups of rabbits anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital. Blood pressure was measured from the carotid artery and right RBF determined by electroflowmetry. All rabbits underwent clipping of the left renal artery on the average 24 days prior to the acute experiment. Group 1 (n=7) was administered enalaprilat to elicit the normal response to ACE inhibition. Group 2 (n=5) was given the kinin B2 receptor antagonist icatibant as an IV infusion (5 μg/kg/min) during the administration of enalaprilat. This dose of icatibant blocked completely the depressor response to kallidin and itself had no effect on BP or RBF. Results of these experiments are summarized in the Table. Enalaprilat caused a marked rise in RBF and decrease in BP and renal vascular resistance in Group 1. No significant effect of enalaprilat was seen in Group 2. Thus, based on these results, it is concluded that the kallikrein-kinin system plays a major role in the BP and renal hemodynamic response of ACE inhibition in this high renin state.
Contrast ratio dynamic range: A new beamformer performance metric

The beamformer plays a crucial role in increasing the quality of images acquired with an ultrasound imaging system. Numerous beamforming methods have been introduced, evaluated and reported with substantial improvement in resolution and contrast, compared with conventional delay-and-sum (DAS) beamforming. Better beamforming should not only provide high quality images, but the image should also be accurate and reliable. To address these problems, we propose a new beamformer performance metric that predicts how well a beamformer will preserve intrinsic contrast. We call the proposed metric contrast ratio dynamic range. We quantified it as the longest continuous duration along the true contrast line. We then applied it to several beamformers. In no added clutter case, the dynamic range using DAS, DAS+CF, MV, SLSC and ADMIRE with low and high degrees of freedom (df), are 56.3 dB, 21.0 dB, 55.5 dB, 17.1 dB, 28.5 dB and 58.1 dB, respectively.
Atmospheric Electric Measurements at the South Pole

A five-year program of atmospheric electric measurements is now in its second year at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. Major objectives of the program are to establish an environmental benchmark of the atmospheric electric climate of the region and to investigate those processes which may control, maintain, or influence the “global circuit”. Surface measurements of the potential gradient and the air-earth current density exhibit the well known 24-hour pattern found at other remote monitoring sites. Balloon measurements of the air-earth current density reveal that the current, measured at the same time each day, may vary by more than an order of magnitude even in the stratosphere, and is usually not constant with altitude.
Secure and efficient handover schemes for WiMAX over EPON networks

In this paper, we propose an end-to-end network architecture based on Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) over Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON) and present a security framework adopting both RSA and Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) authentication. We also introduce handover scenarios in the integrated network and propose corresponding handover schemes, for which we employ a pre-authentication method for the authentication key (AK) pre-distribution and we use the communication framework of the ranging step to implement mutual authentication between subscriber and mobile network. Through our analysis, we show that our proposed handover mechanisms simplify and accelerate the handover process compared with the standard Mobile WiMAX handover scheme while keeping the handover procedure secure.
Central venous lines in critically ill children: Thrombosis but not infection is site dependent.

Abstract Background Central venous catheters (CVC) are vital to the management of critically ill children. Despite efforts to minimize complications, central line associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) and venous thromboembolisms (VTE) still occur. Methods We performed a retrospective review of a prospectively collected database for children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) between November 2013 and December 2016. Results In total, 2714 CVC were in place, 979 of which were percutaneous CVC. During the study period, 21 CLABSI (1.6/1000 line days) were identified, of which, nearly half (n = 9, 42.9%) were associated with percutaneous CVC (2.6/1000 line days). Poisson regression analysis did not identify a single risk factor for CLABSI when adjusting for line type, anatomic location and laterality of placement, geographic location of placement, length of PICU admission, presence of gastrostomy tube, concurrent mechanical ventilation, age, weight, and height. Forty clinically significant VTE (2.9/1000 line days) were identified, with percutaneous CVC having the highest incidence (7.5/1000 line days, p Conclusion This data suggests that the femoral site may be an important risk factor that should be considered in prevention strategies for catheter-associated VTE in children. Level of Evidence III.
Physical Layer Neural Network Framework for Training Data Formation

In this paper, we propose a low decay, low bias dataset synthesis framework that models Machine Learning (ML) dataset theory using Python classes and instruction files, and whose simulation results show an 11.58% entropy decrease at classification time relative to state-of-the-art training sets. The demand for signal-domain Neural Networks (NNs) have increased significantly in recent years with respect to the classification of observed radio activity. In particular, there has been a growing interest in choosing appropriate training data in order to enhance NN performance at classification time. Developing ML based signal classifiers requires training data that captures the underlying probability distribution of real signals. To synthesize a set of training data that can capture the large variance in signal characteristics, a robust framework that can support arbitrary baseband signals and channel conditions is presented.
Live Cell Fluorescence Imaging for Phenotypic Analysis of Mitosis

Live-cell fluorescence microscopy is a powerful tool for characterizing aberrant mitotic phenotypes resulting from exposure to chemical inhibitors or after depletion of protein targets by RNA interference or other methods. Live imaging of cultured cells during mitotic progression presents challenges in maintaining optimal health of cells while achieving the temporal and spatial resolution to accomplish the goals of the study. We describe herein strategies to monitor and analyze mammalian cell mitosis with standard, inverted, fluorescence microscopy systems that are widely available.
APPLICATION OF EPIMERISATION-FREE AMIDE COUPLING CONDITIONS TO THE SYNTHESIS OF MATRIX METALLOPROTEASE INHIBITOR INTERMEDIATES

Abstract Coupling of the N-acyltert-leucine derivative 2 with a variety of amines 3a-g gave amides 4a-g in good to excellent yields (75–95%) with minimal epimerisation (≤ 3%) at thetert-leucine stereogenic centre. Limitations of the method are discussed.
Gentrification and the evolution of commuting behavior within America's urban cores, 2000–2015

Abstract This study examines recent changes (2000 - ~2015) in the socio-economic/demographic make-up of U.S. urban cores (UCs), and potential associations with commuting behavior including mode and time. Based on a sample of 101 UCs and their encompassing urbanized areas (UAs), the data suggest that UCs have undergone substantial demographic change during the first fifteen years of the 21st century, with key attributes of gentrification on the rise. At the same time, commuting via transit has declined faster within UCs than within their encompassing UAs, while the proportion of workers working from home and cycling to work grew faster than any other mode. Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau's decennial census and American Community Survey (ACS), a series of longitudinal regression models indicated several significant associations between common indicators of gentrification, including proportion of white/non-minority residents, home owners, young adults (18–39), household income, and proportion of college graduates, and changes in non-automotive commute modes (i.e. walking, cycling, transit). This may have implications for transportation infrastructure and policy as urban neighborhoods in the U.S. continue to undergo socio-economic/demographic change.
Demonstration of a Radiatlvely Cooled Laser

Waste heat is generated inside all laser media as a by-product of the lasing process. More power is always required to establish a population inversion than can be extracted by stimulated emission. In high power solid-state lasers, heat loads are usually in excess of 500 W/cm3. This magnitude heat load distorts laser beam quality and restricts the average power of solid-state laser system.
Impacts of Browsing and Grazing Ungulates on Plant Characteristics and Dynamics

Plant communities are intricate systems influenced by many factors, including disturbance by ungulates. Differential grazing and browsing preferences, as well as variation in the timing and severity of herbivory, have fitness consequences for plants that lead to shifts in their competitive relationships. In this Chapter, I summarize why different plant types are of variable preference to ungulates. Next, I discuss how plants react to herbivory via altered growth rates and resource reallocation. Then, I describe how these differential responses by individuals and populations of plants lead to change in the overall structure and composition of vegetation communities. I close by addressing vegetation recovery following reduced herbivore pressure, and impediments to recovery such as limited seed availability, recalcitrant layers, invasive species, and the need for site-specific management prescriptions.
THE IMPACT OF MICROFINANCE ON DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL BUSINESS VENTURE BENEFICIARIES IN MANNAR DISTRICT

This study basically attempts to analyze the impact of microfinance on development of small business venture beneficiaries in Mannar District. The study is also meant to obtain insights regarding factors developing small business venture beneficiaries through microfinance services and which factors influences most and what extent effect on economic, social and psychological development. A total of 100 copies of questionnaires were administered to selected small business venture owners who joined with microfinance in Mannar District. This study made use of descriptive statistics such as frequencies, means and standard deviation to measure the impact of microfinance on small business venture beneficiaries. The results indicate that there is a significant positive shift of all indicators of small business venture beneficiaries’ development in Mannar District after joining in microfinance. According to findings of this research the overall small business venture beneficiaries’ development has increased by 45.57% after joining in microfinance. Briefly, microfinance seems to be unique action oriented development strategy to tap the gesture for the upliftment in economic social and psychological point of view. The findings of the study are likely to be important to microfinance institutions, govt. and NGOs in designing policy to develop small business owners economically, socially and psychologically. This study makes the valuable contribution by providing a base to the microfinance institutions for strengthening and expanding their support to small business owners.
De novo transcriptome assembly and data for the blue-winged teal (Spatula discors).

Abstract The blue-winged teal (Spatula discors) is a recreationally and ecologically important dabbling duck species in North America. Transcriptomic data of this species can be used in public and animal health studies given its role as a natural reservoir host for avian influenza, which can be a zoonotic disease of high concern. Ileum and bursa of Fabricius tissues were sampled from six captive raised blue-winged teals, four of the six who were experimentally infected with low-pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N9. RNAseq data were generated from extracted total mRNA from each tissue and pooled to create a de novo assembly of the transcriptome using Trinity. A total of 571,105 transcripts were identified at 449,956 unique unigenes that have been functionally annotated. This transcriptome will be useful for future blue-winged teal gene expression research, especially in hypothesis driven differential expression studies to determine the driving forces of avian influenza host-pathogen interactions, spatial distribution, and transmission.
Central oxytocin signaling inhibits food reward-motivated behaviors and VTA dopamine responses to food-predictive cues

Oxytocin potently reduces food intake and is a potential target system for obesity treatment. A better understanding of the behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms mediating oxytocins anorexigenic effects may guide more effective obesity pharmacotherapy development. The present study examined the effects of central (lateral intracerebroventricular [ICV]) administration of oxytocin in rats on motivated responding for palatable food. Various conditioning procedures were employed to measure distinct appetitive behavioral domains, including food seeking in the absence of consumption (conditioned place preference expression), impulsive responding for food (differential reinforcement of low rates of responding), effort-based appetitive decision making (high-effort palatable vs. low-effort bland food), and postingestive reward value encoding (incentive learning). Results reveal that ICV oxytocin potently suppresses food-seeking behavior, impulsivity, and effort-based palatable food choice, yet does not influence postingestive reward value encoding in the incentive learning task. To investigate a potential neurobiological mechanism mediating these behavioral outcomes, we utilized in vivo fiber photometry in ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons to examine oxytocins effect on phasic dopamine neuron responses to sucrose-predictive Pavlovian cues. Results reveal that ICV oxytocin suppressed food cue-evoked dopamine neuron activity and increased latency to consume the sucrose reinforcement. Collectively, these data reveal that central oxytocin signaling inhibits various obesity-relevant conditioned appetitive behaviors, potentially via reductions in food cue-driven phasic dopamine neural responses in the VTA.
Modular Three-level T-type Power Electronics Building Block for Aircraft Electric-Propulsion Drives

The power electronics drives for electric propulsion in more-electric aircraft need to highly efficient and power-dense. Moreover, a modular approach to the drive’s construction ensures reduced costs, reliability, and ease of maintenance. In this paper, the design and development of a modular power electronics building block (PEBB) in a dc-ac three-level t-type single phase-leg topology is presented. The designed PEBB is capable of 100-kW power processing and suitable for 1-kV dc-link. A hybrid switch consisting of a silicon IGBT and silicon carbide MOSFET was used as the switching device in the PEBB. The hybrid switch enables high switching frequencies at high-power than the conventional silicon IGBT. A model-based design tool facilitated the topology and semiconductor selection for high conversion efficiency and lightweight. Due to the unavailability of commercial three-level t-type power modules, a PCB- and off-the-shelf discrete semiconductor-based high-power switch was designed for the neutral point clamping. A non-trivial design of an aluminum-based multilayer laminated busbar, a key element in the PEBB, was the primary focus of the work. The busbar had symmetrical low-inductance commutation loops, and the value was in the range of 28 - 29 nH. The block’s specific-power and volumetric power density were estimated to be 27.7 kW/kg and 308.61 W/in3, respectively. Finally, the block’s continuous operation was demonstrated at 48 kVA, and the efficiency of the block was 98.2%.
On higher spin generalizations of string theory

We construct BRST operators for certain higher-spin extensions of the Virasoro algebra, in which there is a spin-s gauge field on the world sheet, as well as the spin-2 gauge field corrresponding to the two-dimensional metric. We use these BRST operators to study the physical states of the associated string theories, and show how they are related to certain minimal models.
Intrapartum Antibiotic Exposure and Body Mass Index in Children.

BACKGROUND Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) reduces a newborn's risk of group B streptococcal infection (GBS) but may lead to an increased childhood body mass index (BMI). METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study of infants (n = 223 431) born 2007-2015 in an integrated healthcare system. For vaginal delivery, we compared children exposed to GBS-IAP and to any other type or duration of intrapartum antibiotics to no antibiotic exposure. For cesarean delivery, we compared children exposed to GBS-IAP to those exposed to all other intrapartum antibiotics, including surgical prophylaxis. BMI over 5 years was compared using nonlinear multivariate models with B-spline functions, stratified by delivery mode and adjusted for demographics, maternal factors, breastfeeding, and childhood antibiotic exposure. RESULTS In vaginal deliveries, GBS-IAP was associated with higher BMI from 0.5 to 5.0 years of age compared to no antibiotics (P < .0001 for all time points, ΔBMI at age 5 years 0.12 kg/m2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: .07-.16 kg/m2). Other antibiotics were associated with higher BMI from 0.3 to 5.0 years of age. In cesarean deliveries, GBS-IAP was associated with increased BMI from 0.7 years to 5.0 years of age (P < .05 for 0.7-0.8 years, P < .0001 for all other time points) compared to other antibiotics (ΔBMI at age 5 years 0.24 kg/m2, 95% CI: .14-.34 kg/m2). Breastfeeding did not modify these associations. CONCLUSIONS GBS-IAP was associated with a small but sustained increase in BMI starting at very early age. This association highlights the need to better understand the effects of perinatal antibiotic exposure on childhood health.
Primary Care Relevant Risk Factors for Adverse Outcomes in Patients With COVID-19 Infection: A Systematic Review.

Background: The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the best available evidence regarding individual risk factors, simple risk scores, and multivariate models that use patient characteristics, vital signs, comorbidities, and laboratory tests relevant to outpatient and primary care settings. Methods: Medline, WHO COVID-19, and MedRxIV databases were searched; studies meeting inclusion criteria were reviewed in parallel, and variables describing study characteristics, study quality, and risk factor data were abstracted. Study quality was assessed using the Quality in Prognostic Studies tool. Random effects meta-analysis of relative risks (categorical variables) and unstandardized mean differences (continuous variables) was performed; multivariate models and clinical prediction rules were summarized qualitatively. Results: A total of 551 studies were identified and 22 studies were included. The median or mean age ranged from 38 to 68 years. All studies included only inpatients, and mortality rates ranged from 3.2% to 50.5%. Individual risk factors most strongly associated with mortality included increased age, c-reactive protein (CRP), d-dimer, heart rate, respiratory rate, lactate dehydrogenase, and procalcitonin as well as decreased oxygen saturation, the presence of dyspnea, and comorbid coronary heart and chronic kidney disease. Independent predictors of adverse outcomes reported most frequently by multivariate models include increasing age, increased CRP, decreased lymphocyte count, increased lactate dehydrogenase, elevated temperature, and the presence of any comorbidity. Simple risk scores and multivariate models have been proposed but are often complex, and most have not been validated. Conclusions: Our systematic review identifies several risk factors for adverse outcomes in COVID-19–infected inpatients that are often available in the outpatient and primary care settings: increasing age, increased CRP or procalcitonin, decreased lymphocyte count, decreased oxygen saturation, dyspnea on presentation, and the presence of comorbidities. Future research to develop clinical prediction models and rules should include these predictors as part of their core data set to develop and validate pragmatic outpatient risk scores.