cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Renal Cell Carcinoma—Angioinfarction

AbstractIn our experience the mortality rate in 46 patients who underwent angioinfarction for renal cell carcinoma was 4 per cent. Fever, ileus and leukocytosis were noted in 86 to 90 per cent of our patients. The use of absolute ethanol as a medium for renal infarction was associated with a significant incidence of damage to other organs. A 30 per cent decrease in tumor volume following angioinfarction using absorbable gelatin sponge and Gianturco coils was noted in 75 per cent of the patients. There was no evidence of metastatic tumor reduction and we could not document any significant decrease in operative time or blood loss. It would appear that there is some increased survival rate in patients with metastasis who are given adjuvant immune ribonucleic acid therapy. However, the numbers in our series are not significant to draw any definite conclusion. It is apparent that patients treated with infarction, delayed nephrectomy and medroxyprogesterone acetate did not have any significant survival over tho...
The Human Vaginal Microbiome

Humans live in association with abundant, complex, and dynamic microbial populations (the microbiome) that colonize many body sites, including the vaginal tract. Interactions between the host and the vaginal microbiota greatly affect women’s health, where they often serve a protective role in maintaining vaginal health. Disruption of the microbial composition can lead to increased susceptibility to various urogenital diseases, including bacterial vaginosis (BV), vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as infection with Chlamydia, Trichomonas, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The composition of the vaginal microbiota also has a notable impact on pregnancy and neonatal outcome, including complications such as preterm labor and delivery. Understanding the composition and dynamics of the vaginal ecosystem as well as the involvement of metabolic and immunologic components is an area of increasing interest and research.
Advanced Model Order Reduction Techniques in VLSI Design: Truncated balanced realization methods for MOR

Introduction Model order reduction methods for linear and non-linear dynamic systems in general can be classified into two categories [6]: Singular-value-decomposition (SVD) based approaches Krylov-subspace-based approaches. Krylov-subspace-based methods have been reviewed in Chapter 2. In this chapter, we focus on the SVD-based reduction methods. Singular value decomposition is based on the lower rank approximation, which is optimal in the 2-norm sense. The quantities for deciding how a given system can be approximated by a lower-rank system are called singular values , which are the square roots of the eigenvalues of the product of the system matrix and its adjoint. The major advantage of SVD-based approaches over Krylov subspace methods lies in their ability to ensure the errors satisfying an a-priori upper bound. Also, SVD-based methods typically lead to optimal or near optimal reduction results as the errors are controlled in a global way. However, SVD-based methods suffer the scalability issue as SVD is a computational intensive process and cannot deal with very large dynamic systems in general. In contrast, Krylov-subspace-based methods can scale to reduce vary large systems due to efficient computation methods for moment vectors and their orthogonal forms. SVD-based approaches consist of several reduction methods [6]. In this chapter, we mainly focus on the truncated-balanced-realization (TBR) approach and its variants, which were first introduced by Moore [81].
Analysis of 3-D Near-interface Fractures in Bounded, Heterogeneous Domains Using the Surface Integral and Finite Element Hybrid Method

Efficient numerical strategies for studying 3-D fractures in piecewise homogeneous domains have been developed based on the surface integral and finite element hybrid method. The basic procedure combines a surface integral model of the fracture in an infinite region with a finite element model of the uncracked bounded domain, leading to a coupled matrix formulation. Fractures approaching and/or intersecting planar bimaterial interfaces pose a special challenge because of the dual singularities in stress at the crack tip and at the material interfaces. The hybrid formulation was specialized for this class of problems by introducing the force dipole solutions for an infinite bimaterial region. Demonstration results which test the accuracy and generality of these procedures are presented.
Hydrogen/deuterium interaction with CMOS transistor device structure: Sintering process studied by SIMS

Passivation of the SiO2-Si interface by hydrogen/deuterium in MOS transistors serve to ensure their operating reliability against channel hot carriers. Physical characterization of device sintering process in deuterated forming gas (10%D2:90%N2) is carried out by dynamic SIMS on planar CMOS gate stack structures, in conjunction with device hot carrier electrical testing. It is found that incorporation of deuterium in the doped poly-Si/SiO2/Si interfacial region readily occurs under typical post-metallization sintering conditions, demonstrating that transport of deuterium through CMOS gate is an effective pathway in an encapsulated device structure with silicon nitride sidewalls. The measured Si-D areal densities in the interfacial region depend on gate poly-Si doping type, but in both cases, appear to be sufficient to achieve complete interface Si dangling bond (˜1012 cm−2) passivation for the SiO2-Si system.
Pretreatment antigen-specific immunity and regulation - association with subsequent immune response to anti-tumor DNA vaccination

Immunotherapies have demonstrated clinical benefit for many types of cancers, however many patients do not respond, and treatment-related adverse effects can be severe. Hence many efforts are underway to identify treatment predictive biomarkers. We have reported the results of two phase I trials using a DNA vaccine encoding prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) in patients with biochemically recurrent prostate cancer. In both trials, persistent PAP-specific Th1 immunity developed in some patients, and this was associated with favorable changes in serum PSA kinetics. In the current study, we sought to determine if measures of antigen-specific or antigen non-specific immunity were present prior to treatment, and associated with subsequent immune response, to identify possible predictive immune biomarkers. Patients who developed persistent PAP-specific, IFNγ-secreting immune responses were defined as immune “responders.” The frequency of peripheral T cell and B cell lymphocytes, natural killer cells, monocytes, dendritic cells, myeloid derived suppressor cells, and regulatory T cells were assessed by flow cytometry and clinical laboratory values. PAP-specific immune responses were evaluated by cytokine secretion in vitro, and by antigen-specific suppression of delayed-type hypersensitivity to a recall antigen in an in vivo SCID mouse model. The frequency of peripheral blood cell types did not differ between the immune responder and non-responder groups. Non-responder patients tended to have higher PAP-specific IL-10 production pre-vaccination (p = 0.09). Responder patients had greater preexisting PAP-specific bystander regulatory responses that suppressed DTH to a recall antigen (p = 0.016). While our study population was small (n = 38), these results suggest that different measures of antigen-specific tolerance or regulation might help predict immunological outcome from DNA vaccination. These will be prospectively evaluated in an ongoing randomized, phase II trial.
National status of state developed and implemented forestry best management practices for protecting water quality in the United States

Abstract United States forestry best management practices (BMPs) were developed by U.S. states to protect water quality while enhancing the sustainability of forest management activities. Forestry BMPs are revised over time or new BMPs are written to meet current water quality standards. Properly implemented forestry BMPs have been found to minimize the impact of erosion and sediment that may occur during forest management activities. States developed implementation strategies to help determine if BMPs are being implemented correctly; however, these strategies can vary between regions and states making implementation results difficult to interpret. Few studies have compared monitoring strategies and implementation of BMPs on a national level. This study surveyed and received responses from state forestry agencies in all 50 states. Each state reported a documented BMP manual. Twenty states reported non-regulatory BMP guidelines, 19 reported quasi-regulatory BMP guidelines, and 11 reported regulatory BMP guidelines. Thirty-nine states have BMP monitoring programs with the state forestry agency as the lead agency in 35 states. BMP effectiveness studies were reported in 33 states with 19 states reporting current or future effectiveness studies. Thirty-two states reported that they have conducted BMP implementation studies resulting in a mean national BMP implementation rate of 91%. However, when evaluating implementation of individual BMP categories, the survey indicated potential deficiencies for some states, yet these states’ overall BMP implementation rate appear to be satisfactory. There was no significant difference between non-regulatory, quasi-regulatory, and regulatory BMP guidelines when compared by mean state BMP implementation rates (90.2%, 90.2%, and 93.4%, respectively). Mean BMP implementation rates for the western (93.2%) and southeastern (92.4%) regions were significantly higher than the northeastern region (86.4%). This assessment of state BMP programs indicates that BMP programs appear to be implemented at relatively high levels across the U.S. These findings should be useful globally for agency managers to improve program effectiveness and better understand BMP implementation and program structure among 50 diverse states.
Beyond 12.5: The implications of an increase in Saudi crude oil production capacity

Abstract A combination of factors is encouraging Saudi Arabia to consider raising crude oil production capacity beyond the current ceiling of 12.5 million barrels per day. The kingdom has managed to maintain a constant share of global crude oil markets, even as it copes with growing domestic demand for oil and a spate of investments in refineries, inside and outside the kingdom. Longer term, the threat of peak global oil demand – perhaps in response to climate change – enhances the attractions of a shorter time horizon to depletion. However, an increase in Saudi crude oil production would have consequences for markets and competing forms of energy, as well as for the kingdom's geopolitical stature. The wide range of potential outcomes suggests that a major capacity increase is a risky strategy.
Abstract P237: Exercise Training Prevents Hypercholesterolemia-Induced Cardiac Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Hypercholesterolemia has been suggested to have direct negative effects on myocardial function due to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and increased myocyte death. Mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) is a significant mediator of cell death, which is enhanced by ROS generation and attenuated by exercise training. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of hypercholesterolemia on the MPT response of cardiac mitochondria. We hypothesized that familial hypercholesterolemic (FH) pigs would have an enhanced MPT response, and that exercise training could reverse this phenotype. FH pigs were obtained from the University of Wisconsin. Control, normolipidemic farm pigs were maintained on standard pig chow. After 4 months on a high-fat diet, the FH pigs were switched to the standard pig chow, and randomized to sedentary or exercise groups. The exercise group underwent a progressive treadmill-based training program for 4 months. At the end of the training protocol the animals were sacrificed and the heart removed. MPT was assessed by mitochondrial swelling in response to Ca2+. Protein nitrotyrosylation, GSH levels, and antioxidant enzyme expression were also examined. FH pigs did show an increased MPT response despite no change in the expression of putative MPT pore components adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT), mitochondrial phosphate carrier (PiC), and cyclophilin-D (CypD). FH also caused increased oxidative stress, depicted by increased protein nitrotyrosylation and decreased GSH levels. This was associated with concomitant decreases in the expression of mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and thioredoxin-2 (Trx2). However, chronic exercise training was able to normalize the MPT response in FH pigs, reduce oxidative stress, and increase MnSOD expression. We conclude that hypercholesterolemia causes increased oxidative stress and enhances the MPT response in the porcine myocardium, and that exercise training can correct for both the increased oxidative stress and MPT alterations observed with hypercholesterolemia.
From Domination to a Caring Ecology: Healing Paradigms and Creative Practices for the Apprenticene

This article explores, in four main sections, the idea of designing and applying human-environment paradigms. First, Caring Ecology criteria for human-environment paradigms are proposed that combine the principles of caring in Partnership Studies, with compatible ecological conceptions of humans’ dependent and integrated relationship within Earth systems. Next, these criteria are used to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of five environmental paradigms which sets the stage for the following section critiquing the current “Anthropocene” paradigm and proposing a counter-paradigm: the “Apprenticene.” Paradigms suggest roles and actions and “Apprenticene Practices” are proposed, calling for humans to see our dependence on Earth systems, heal our story as we accept past failures, and learn by apprenticing ourselves to the Earth system. Finally, these Apprenticene Practices are illustrated in an example of a creative practice called Earth Systems Journey that engages youth with an integrated experience of their human-natural environment. The paper concludes with reflections on how Partnership Studies and ecological principles can work together to support a thriving future for humans and the rest of nature.
Iron and Cobalt Diazoalkane Complexes Supported by β-Diketiminate Ligands: A Synthetic, Spectroscopic, and Computational Investigation

Diazoalkanes are interesting redox-active ligands and also precursors to carbene fragments. We describe a systematic study of the binding and electronic structure of diphenyldiazomethane complexes of β-diketiminate supported iron and cobalt, which span a range of formal d-electron counts of 7-9. In end-on diazoalkane complexes of formally monovalent three-coordinate transition metals, the electronic structures are best described as having the metal in the +2 oxidation state with an antiferromagnetically coupled radical anion diazoalkane as shown by crystallography, spectroscopy, and computations. A formally zerovalent cobalt complex has different structures depending on whether potassium binds; potassium binding gives transfer of two electrons into the η2-diazoalkane, but the removal of the potassium with crown ether leads to a form with only one electron transferred into an η1-diazoalkane. These results demonstrate the influence of potassium binding and metal oxidation state on the charge localization in the diazoalkane complexes. Interestingly, none of these reduced complexes yield carbene fragments, but the new cobalt(II) complex LtBuCoPF6 (LtBu = bulky β-diketiminate) does catalyze the formation of an azine from its cognate diazoalkane, suggesting N2 loss and transient carbene formation.
Electron Bifurcation and Confurcation in Methanogenesis and Reverse Methanogenesis

Flavin-based electron bifurcation plays an essential role in the CO2 reduction pathway of methanogenesis. The first reaction in the pathway is the thermodynamically unfavorable ferredoxin-dependent reduction of CO2 with H2 or formate to formylmethanofuran and the final reaction is the thermodynamically favorable reduction of the heterodisulfide CoM-S-S-CoB with H2 or formate to coenzyme M (CoM-SH) and coenzyme B (CoB-SH). The two reactions are energetically coupled by the electron bifurcating heterodisulfide reductase (HdrABC), complexed with hydrogenase or formate dehydrogenase, catalyzing the CoM-S-SCoB-dependent reduction of ferredoxin with H2 or formate. A structural and functional variant of HdrABC (HdrA2B2C2) is proposed to play a role in the Fe(III)-dependent anaerobic oxidation of methane by catalyzing the bifurcation of electrons from reduced coenzyme F420 (F420H2) into ferredoxin and CoM-S-S-CoB in response to limiting concentrations of Fe(III). A role for electron confurcation by an HdrABC/FrhB complex is proposed for nitrate-dependent anaerobic oxidation of methane in which the endergonic oxidation of CoM-SH/CoB-SH and the exergonic oxidation of ferredoxin confurcate to the reduction of two F420. The F420H2 is substrate for the Fqo (F420H2 dehydrogenase) complex that generates a proton gradient driving ATP synthesis.
The association of carcinoma of the esophagus with achalasia.

Among 156 patients with achalasia who were treated during a 13 year period, two developed squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. The first, a 33-year-old man, developed a carcinoma of the upper third of the esophagus 2 years after the onset of symptoms of achalasia. He was treated by a Heller myotomy and radiation therapy and survived 16.7 months. The second, a 60-year-old man, had had symptoms of achalasia for 15 years. He is alive with suspected recurrence 6 months after undergoing esophagogastrectomy for a carcinoma of the middle and lower thirds. A summary of the literature regarding carcinoma complicating achalasia is presented. This indicates that carcinoma arises in at least 1 to 7 per cent of patients with achalasia. Delay in diagnosis is common. The treatment need not differ from that of carcinoma without achalasia, but the prognosis is dismal. Since there is evidence that retention esophagitis is a premalignant condition, it should be possible to prevent the development of carcinoma in achalasia by early cardiomyotomy in cases in which hydrostatic dilatation is not completely effective. A plea is made for closer surveillance of patients with achalasia so that, if carcinoma supervenes, it may be detected at an early stage.
The Robustness of Anchoring Effects on Market Good Valuations

Ariely, Loewenstein, and Prelec (2003) showed that people’s judgments of a product’s value are strongly and systematically influenced by considering numbers (or “anchors”) which should be irrelevant to their valuations. However, subsequent studies showed inconsistent results while using different experimental protocols. To bridge the gap between conflicting prior studies, we replicated the anchoring effect in product valuations while also varying the experimental protocol. We examined whether the type of anchoring number (Social Security number vs. random number), recruiting method (classroom vs. email recruiting), or cover story (in-class market research demonstration vs. participation in research experiment) contributed to the divergent results. Our results replicated the anchoring effect at economically significant magnitudes (near the middle of the range for previous studies), but we did not find evidence that the procedural differences can account for the conflicting prior results.
Support for Balanced Justice and Rehabilitation for Justice-Involved Veterans:

Justice-involved veterans face increased behavioral health (e.g., mental health and substance abuse) issues and are more likely to be incarcerated for a violent offense compared to nonveterans. Des...
Shipboard Fault Detection Through Nonintrusive Load Monitoring: A Case Study

As crew sizes aboard maritime vessels shrink in efforts to reduce operational costs, ship operators increasingly rely on advanced monitoring systems to ensure proper operation of shipboard equipment. The nonintrusive load monitor (NILM) is an inexpensive, robust, and easy to install system useful for this task. NILMs measure power data at centralized locations in ship electric grids and disaggregate power draws of individual electric loads. This data contains information related to the health of shipboard equipment. We present a NILM-based framework for performing fault detection and isolation, with a particular emphasis on systems employing closed-loop hysteresis control. Such controllers can mask component faults, eventually leading to damaging system failure. The NILM system uses a neural network for load disaggregation and calculates operational metrics related to machinery health. We demonstrate the framework’s effectiveness using data collected from two NILMs installed aboard a U.S. Coast Guard cutter. The NILMs accurately disaggregate loads, and the diagnostic metrics provide easy distinction of several faults in the gray water disposal system. Early detection of such faults prevents costly wear and avoids catastrophic failures.
The 'Achilles Heel' of Metabolism in Renal Cell Carcinoma: Glutaminase Inhibition as a Rational Treatment Strategy

An important hallmark of cancer is 'metabolic reprogramming' or the rewiring of cellular metabolism to support rapid cell proliferation [1-5]. Metabolic reprogramming through oncometabolite-mediated transformation or activation of oncogenes in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) globally impacts energy production as well as glucose and glutamine utilization in RCC cells, which can promote dependence on glutamine supply to support cell growth and proliferation [6, 7]. Novel inhibitors of glutaminase, a key enzyme in glutamine metabolism, target glutamine addiction as a viable treatment strategy in metastatic RCC (mRCC). Here, we review glutamine metabolic pathways and how changes in cellular glutamine utilization enable the progression of RCC. This overview provides scientific rationale for targeting this pathway in patients with mRCC. We will summarize the current understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying anti-tumor efficacy of glutaminase inhibitors in RCC, provide an overview of clinical efforts targeting glutaminase in mRCC, and review approaches for identifying biomarkers for patient stratification and detecting therapeutic response early on in patients treated with this novel class of anti-cancer drug. Ultimately, results of ongoing clinical trials will demonstrate whether glutaminase inhibition can be a worthy addition to the current armamentarium of drugs used for patients with mRCC.
Generalized Born Implicit Solvent Models for Biomolecules

It would often be useful in computer simulations to use an implicit description of solvation effects, instead of explicitly representing the individual solvent molecules. Continuum dielectric models often work well in describing the thermodynamic aspects of aqueous solvation and can be very efficient compared to the explicit treatment of the solvent. Here, we review a particular class of so-called fast implicit solvent models, generalized Born (GB) models, which are widely used for molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of proteins and nucleic acids. These approaches model hydration effects and provide solvent-dependent forces with efficiencies comparable to molecular-mechanics calculations on the solute alone; as such, they can be incorporated into MD or other conformational searching strategies in a straightforward manner. The foundations of the GB model are reviewed, followed by examples of newer, emerging models and examples of important applications. We discuss their strengths and weaknesses, both for fidelity to the underlying continuum model and for the ability to replace explicit consideration of solvent molecules in macromolecular simulations.
Arithmetic Classification of Pairs ( L , H )

Let L be a lattice in \(\mathbb{R}^{3}\), and let H ≤ O(3) be a point group such that H ⋅ L = L. In this chapter, we classify pairs (L, H) up to arithmetic equivalence (defined below). The equivalence classes of pairs (L, H) are in one-to-one correspondence with isomorphism classes of split crystallographic groups (see Chap. 4).
Comparison of mortality and second primary oropharyngeal malignancies by human papilloma virus (HPV) status in patients (pts) with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) using an updated Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database.

e17518Background: Prognosis and patterns of failure differ between HPV positive (pos) and HPV negative (neg) OPSCC. HPV neg have an increased risk of developing head, neck, and lung SPM due to fiel...
Effect of pre-harvest exposures to adult Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) on feeding injury to apple cultivars at harvest and during post-harvest cold storage

Abstract The effect of exposing apples to brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, for discrete intervals before harvest and of post-harvest cold storage on feeding injury expression was evaluated in 2011 and 2012. Individual apples from four cultivars in experimental orchards in Virginia and West Virginia, USA were caged soon after fruit set to protect them from insect injury. During each of the four weeks preceding harvest of each cultivar, five adult H. halys were placed in a subset of cages for 7-days, then removed. Control fruit were not exposed. The proportion of injured fruit and the number of external injuries was evaluated at harvest, after which the fruit were held in cold storage for about 5 weeks, followed by assessments of the proportion of fruit injured and the number of external and internal injuries. Most exposure timings resulted in external injury at harvest, but fruit exposed closer to harvest tended to show less injury than those exposed earlier. Fruit from all cultivars showed external injury at harvest, with variation in the proportion of injured fruit among them. The proportion of injured fruit and the number of external injuries tended to increase during post-harvest cold storage in some, but not all cultivars. The number of external injuries at harvest and after cold storage underrepresented the number of internal injuries. Results are discussed in the relation to the length of pre-harvest protection required to mitigate fruit injury from H. halys.
Gender disparities are present in academic rank and leadership positions despite overall equivalence in research productivity indices among senior members of American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) Fellowship Faculty.

Background This study aims to examine potential disparities in scholarly performance based on sex, academic rank, leadership positions, and regional distribution of faculty in accredited Head and Neck Surgery fellowships in the United States. Methods Online faculty listings for 37 accredited fellowships were organized according to academic rank, leadership position, sex, and institutional location. Academic productivity was measured with three bibliometric indices: h-index, m-index, and the weighted relative citation ratio. Results A total of 732 faculty members were included, of which 153 (21%) were female. Fifty-eight males (89.2%) held leadership positions, compared to seven females (10.8%). There was no significant difference in overall productivity between male and female senior faculty. There were regional differences in productivity by sex. Conclusions Females are underrepresented in senior faculty and within three common leadership positions, although scholarly productivity for male and female senior faculty and for those in leadership positions is similar.
Prototype Small-Animal PET-CT Imaging System for Image-guided Radiation Therapy

Molecular imaging is becoming essential for precision targeted radiation therapy, yet progress is hindered from a lack of integrated imaging and treatment systems. We report the development of a prototype positron emission tomography (PET) scanner integrated into a commercial cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) based small animal irradiation system for molecular-image-guided, targeted external beam radiation therapy. The PET component consists of two rotating Hamamatsu time-of-flight PET modules positioned with a bore diameter of 101.6 mm and a radial field-of-view of 53.1 mm. The measured energy resolution after linearity correction at 511 KeV was 12.9% and the timing resolution was 283.6 ps. The measured spatial resolutions at the field-of-view center and 5 mm off the radial center were 2.6 mm × 2.6 mm × 1.6 mm and 2.6 mm × 2.6 mm × 2.7 mm respectively. 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose-based PET imaging of a NEMA NU 4-2008 phantom resolved cylindrical volumes with diameters as small as 3 mm. To validate the system in-vivo, we performed 64Cu-DOTA-M5A PET and computed tomography (CT) imaging of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-positive colorectal cancer in athymic nude mice and compared the results with a commercially available Siemens Inveon PET/CT system. The prototype PET system performed comparably to the Siemens system for identifying the location, size, and shape of tumors. Regions of heterogeneous 64Cu-DOTA-M5A uptake were observed. Using 64Cu-DOTA-M5A PET and CT images, a Monte Carlo-based radiation treatment plan was created to escalate the dose to the 64Cu-DOTA-M5A-based, highly active, biological target volume while largely sparing the normal tissue. Results demonstrate the feasibility of molecular-image-guided treatment plans using the prototype theranostic system.
Presence of Fibromyalgia Syndrome and Its Relationship with Clinical Parameters in Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis.

BACKGROUND Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a disorder with a population prevalence of 1% to 5%. There are insufficient data in the literature on the incidence of FMS in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (SpA), with only a limited number of studies conducted. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the presence of FMS in patients diagnosed with axial SpA and to investigate the effect of this coexistence on clinical and laboratory assessments in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. STUDY DESIGN This research involved a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. SETTING The research took place in an outpatient rheumatology clinic. METHODS This study included 125 patients diagnosed with axial SpA according to the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society criteria. The presence of FMS was investigated according to the 2010 American College of Rheumatology criteria. Pain during activity, resting, and at night was examined using the Visual Analog Scale. Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Scores were used for assessment of disease activity, Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Scale was used for quality of life, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index was used for functionality, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used for sleep quality. RESULTS Incidence of FMS was 29.6% in the study population, which consisted of patients who were all diagnosed with axial SpA. Comparison of patient groups with and without FMS revealed no statistically significant differences in age, weight, body mass index, marital status, family history, and smoking history (P > .05), with a higher rate of female patients in the group with FMS at 55% (P < .05). Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score-C-Reaktif Protein, Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score-Erythyrocyte Sedimentation Rate, Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Scale, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Visual Analog Scale pain scores were significantly higher in the group with FMS (P < .05). LIMITATION The study involved a limited number of patients. CONCLUSIONS FMS is observed in one-third of patients with axial SpA. The presence of FMS negatively affects quality of life, functional status, sleep quality, disease activity, and pain level of patients with ankylosing spondylitis. The possibility for coexistence of FMS should be kept in mind when determining the treatment protocols for patients with axial spondyloarthritis, and adjunctive treatment should be given if necessary. KEY WORDS Disease activity, fibromyalgia, quality of life, spondyloarthritis, sleep quality.
Elevated radium levels in Nubian Aquifer groundwater of Northeastern Africa.

The Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System in Northeast Africa and the Middle East is a huge water resource of inestimable value to the population. However, natural radioactivity impairs groundwater quality throughout the aquifer posing a radiological health risk to millions of people. Here we present measurements of radium isotopes in Nubian Aquifer groundwater from population centers in the Western Desert of Egypt. Groundwater has 226Ra and 228Ra activities ranging from 0.01 to 2.11 and 0.03 to 2.31 Bq/L, respectively. Most activities (combined 226Ra + 228Ra) exceed U.S. EPA drinking water standards. The estimated annual radiation doses associated with ingestion of water having the highest measured Ra activities are up to 138 and 14 times the WHO-recommended maxima for infants and adults, respectively. Dissolved Ra activities are positively correlated with barium and negatively correlated with sulfate, while barite is approximately saturated. In contrast, Ra is uncorrelated with salinity. These observations indicate the dominant geochemical mechanisms controlling dissolved Ra activity may be barite precipitation and sulfate reduction, along with input from alpha-recoil and dissolution of aquifer minerals and loss by radioactive decay. Radium mitigation measures should be adopted for water quality management where Nubian Aquifer groundwater is produced for agricultural and domestic consumption.
The impact of central bank policy on transport asset prices: Evidence from the US airline industry

Abstract This paper examines the impact of monetary policy shocks on air transportation stock returns and the effectiveness of risk management to mitigate these effects. Results from econometric analyses of high-frequency stock data finds airline stock returns to be highly sensitive to monetary policy shocks. Specifically examining airline financials, the transmission of these shocks is found to be strongest through airline cash flows via the discount rate effect. Moreover, major and non-major airline returns have become more sensitive to monetary policy shocks following the Great Recession and zero-lower bound of interest rates highlighting the necessity of managerial awareness. Despite the increased sensitivity, risk management strategies employed by airlines to address interest rate risk are found to be ineffective at mitigating the effects of these shocks. These findings suggest that airline managers may be better served devoting resources and attention to improved investment strategies and cash flow volatility mitigation.
Nasopharyngeal Swab for COVID-19 Test Necessitating Mechanical Ventilation and Tracheostomy

We present the first-ever reported case of massive epistaxis following nasopharyngeal (NP) swabbing requiring intubation and tracheostomy A 67-year-old male with a mechanical aortic valve on warfarin presented from a nursing home to the emergency department with hypoxia NP swab for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was obtained, immediately followed by significant epistaxis Patient desaturated to low 80s requiring intubation for airway protection and hypoxemic respiratory failure Anterior nasal packing was performed The COVID-19 test resulted negative Extubation was unsuccessful on days four and nine The patient subsequently underwent tracheostomy and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement The patient was transferred to sub-acute rehabilitation with a tracheostomy tube on minimal ventilator support The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended obtaining an NP swab in COVID-19 suspects to test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) A study found that NP swabbing was associated with epistaxis in approximately 5-10% of the cases Nursing home populations are at higher risk for COVID-19 and also reported to have increased use of oral anticoagulation for chronic atrial fibrillation with other comorbidities (high CHADVASc score) which may increase bleeding risk with NP swabbing Less invasive methods such as salivary and mid-turbinate sampling, nasal swab or saliva can be a better alternative sample for detecting SARS-CoV-2 as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and suggested by FDA Positive PCR testing beyond nine days of illness is likely due to persistent dead virus particles and thus repeat testing is not suggested Obtaining a history of bleeding diathesis, use of oral anticoagulants and consideration of NP anatomy is advised before swabbing
Legitimacy, Legality, Legacy, and the Life of Democracy

The Trump Administration challenged notions of good governance. It challenged our expectation of majoritarian legitimacy to the extent only a minority of voters elected President Donald Trump in 2016. It challenged our demands for reasoned decision-making insofar as the President sought to dismantle the administrative state and govern by fiat. It challenged our expectation of checks and balances in the way it approached appointments and removals to accumulate power at the expense of congressional design. These challenges sound in different legal theories, but they all reflect shattered expectations of good governance. And yet, the most lasting legacy of the Trump Administration may have nothing to do with governing. It is hard to guess how historians will view this period, but I write and revise this essay in December 2020 and Spring 2021, having watched the most flamboyant, stunning, and blatant attempt to prostrate the United States’ electoral system.4 This flagging has raised concerns about the continuing legitimacy of democracy.5 But this concern reflects a simplistic and mistaken view of democracy. In fact, democracy remains the solution—not the problem. The problem lies in the fact that elections alone do not make a democracy. The solution lies in the complexity of our constitutional arrangement, which despite staggeringly selfish attacks on the electoral process, maintains some stability.
Design and Experimental Results of Three- Phase Interleaved DCM Buck-Boost-Derived PFC Converter for MEA and Comparison with Single-cell Converter

In more electric aircrafts (MEAs), the synchronous generators are connected directly to the turboengine to reduce the weight of an empty aircraft which in turn resulted in constant voltage variable frequency (CVVF) AC supply bus. In addition, the MEA has adopted high voltage DC bus in its power system to cater the various categories of load used by aircraft. Therefore, the MEA requires AC-DC power converters to convert CVVF AC to constant DC. Hence, a three- phase interleaved buck-boost-derived power factor correction converter designed for discontinuous current conduction mode in order to achieve unity power factor (UPF) operation for wide range supply frequency of MEA. The benefits of the proposed interleaved converter are higher power density, efficiency, and reliability. An analytical comparison has been made with singlecell converter to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed interleaved converter and the relevant results has been presented. The experimental results from a 2.0 kW laboratory concept-proof hardware prototype have been shown to validate the proposed converter UPF operation for wide range supply frequencies. A low input current THD of 2.7% and a maximum efficiency of 96.3% are recorded from the developed prototype.
UNOS/OPTN Data-guided Assessment of Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis After Kidney Transplantation and Evaluation of Immunosuppressive Protocols in a Steroid-free Center.

Background Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a common recurrent glomerulopathy associated with graft loss and patient survival after kidney transplantation (KT). However, its natural history, clinical predictors, and treatment response are still poorly understood. Steroid withdrawal regimens in KT have been associated with improvements in cardiovascular risk and patient outcomes. The Scripps Center for Organ Transplantation (SCOT) uses a rapid low-dose steroid withdrawal immunosuppression (IS) protocol for KT maintenance. Methods We assessed the impact of our protocol on FSGS disease recurrence over a 10-y period to reassess our steroid and IS protocols and to evaluate if our patient outcomes diverge from published data. We compared 4 groups: steroids always, steroid free, steroid switch on, and steroid weaned off. We used IS and induction-matched retrospective data from United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) to investigate patient and graft survival for FSGS at SCOT. Results Our analysis results differ from earlier studies showing that FSGS was associated with a higher risk of graft loss, perhaps because of selection of a UNOS data set filtered to match the SCOT IS protocol for making direct comparisons. Overall outcomes of graft failure and recipient death did not differ between SCOT patients and steroid-free transplant patient data from the UNOS data for FSGS. SCOT recurrence rate for FSGS was 7.5%, which was lower than in most published single-center studies. Conclusions Based on our results, we believe that it is safe to continue the steroid avoidance protocols at SCOT and the steroid-free protocol may not be detrimental when the adverse effects and toxicities associated with steroid use are considered.
No-Tillage in the Tropics

In the tropical regions of the world there exists a wide range of differences in climate, vegetation and soil resources. The so-called tropical zone comprises about one-third of the land surface of the earth. It is difficult to clearly define the tropics, and for convenience is often given a latitudinal definition, which includes the zone between Tropic of Capricorn and Tropic of Cancer or latitudes of 23.5° N and S (Kalpage, 1974). Another definition of the tropics (Sanchez, 1976) is that part of the world where the mean monthly temperature variation is 5°C or less between the average of the three warmest and three coldest months. Located within this tropical zone are many of the developing nations that face food supply problems (U.S. President’s Science Advisory Council, 1967) because food production technology has lagged behind population growth.
Motor Vehicles - A Comparative Analysis of Seat Belt Legislation

Of the 43,600 lives snuffed out by traffic mishaps in the United States in 1963, 5000 would not have died if seatbelts have been installed and used in all motor vehicles involved. A seatbelt, although remarkably proficient in preventing injury or death, is, bye present automotive standards, inexpensive item of equipment. The present value of seatbelts was recognized as far back as 1949 when Nash motor company install belts as standard equipment on all new autos. This innovation was less than spectacular success - the buyers tore out the belts. After the next experiment failed, the Ford Motor Company began optional belt installations with their 1956 models. The first important seatbelt legislation was enacted in 1961. In that year, Wisconsin passed a law making seatbelts mandatory in new passenger cars. In 1962, despite the efforts of "lobbyists from Detroit," New York became the second state to require seatbelts in passenger cars. After 14 states have legislative statutes similar to those of Wisconsin in New York, the automotive industry announced that seatbelts would be installed in all private passenger autos as standard equipment. As of this writing, 23 states have enacted statutes requiring that seatbelts me install an all new private passenger vehicles.
Before ‘Desert Storm’: A comparison of 1980 Iraq-Iran war coverage in four American and Arab newspapers

This article examines the content of major Iraq-Iran war stories as reported in the New York Times, Washington Post, An-Nahar, and Asharq Al-Awsat during 1980 - the time of the American hostage ordeal in Tehran. Articles were limited to major war stories. Each article was judged in terms of favorable, unfavorable or neutral/balanced references to Iran. In general, the analysis suggests that American press coverage of international news is more balanced, at least in some aspects, than many scholars think.
Feasible Direction Decomposition Algorithms for Training Support Vector Machines

The article presents a general view of a class of decomposition algorithms for training Support Vector Machines (SVM) which are motivated by the method of feasible directions. The first such algorithm for the pattern recognition SVM has been proposed in Joachims, T. (1999, Scholkopf et al. (Eds.) Advances in kernel methods-Support vector learning (pp. 185–208). MIT Press). Its extension to the regression SVM—the maximal inconsistency algorithm—has been recently presented by the author (Laskov, 2000, Solla, Leen, & Muller (Eds.) Advances in neural information processing systems 12 (pp. 484–490). MIT Press). A detailed account of both algorithms is carried out, complemented by theoretical investigation of the relationship between the two algorithms. It is proved that the two algorithms are equivalent for the pattern recognition SVM, and the feasible direction interpretation of the maximal inconsistency algorithm is given for the regression SVM. The experimental results demonstrate an order of magnitude decrease of training time in comparison with training without decomposition, and, most importantly, provide experimental evidence of the linear convergence rate of the feasible direction decomposition algorithms.
Germination of Azotobacter vinelandii Cysts: Sequence of Macromolecular Synthesis and Nitrogen Fixation

Azotobacter vinelandii cysts undergo conversion to vegetative cells in Burk's nitrogen-free medium utilizing glucose, sucrose, or acetate. In 1% glucose, this overall process was complete in 8 hr and consisted of a germination and an outgrowth phase. Respiration, ribonucleic acid, and protein synthesis began soon after the addition of the germinant, and these processes proceeded at rates characteristic of the germination. The rates of respiration and synthesis increased sharply between 4 and 5 hr, the beginning of the outgrowth, at which time deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis and nitrogen fixation began. Respiration, macromolecular synthesis and nitrogen fixation continued at high rates until the emergence of vegetative cells from the cyst coats.