cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genome-Wide Anaplasma phagocytophilum AnkA-DNA Interactions Are Enriched in Intergenic Regions and Gene Promoters and Correlate with Infection-Induced Differential Gene Expression.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum, an obligate intracellular prokaryote, infects neutrophils and alters cardinal functions via reprogrammed transcription. Large contiguous regions of neutrophil chromosomes are differentially expressed during infection. Secreted A. phagocytophilum effector AnkA transits into the neutrophil or granulocyte nucleus to complex with DNA in heterochromatin across all chromosomes. AnkA binds to gene promoters to dampen cis-transcription and also has features of matrix attachment region (MAR)-binding proteins that regulate three-dimensional chromatin architecture and coordinate transcriptional programs encoded in topologically-associated chromatin domains. We hypothesize that identification of additional AnkA binding sites will better delineate how A. phagocytophilum infection results in reprogramming of the neutrophil genome. Using AnkA-binding ChIP-seq, we showed that AnkA binds broadly throughout all chromosomes in a reproducible pattern, especially at: i) intergenic regions predicted to be matrix attachment regions (MARs); ii) within predicted lamina-associated domains; and iii) at promoters ≤3,000 bp upstream of transcriptional start sites. These findings provide genome-wide support for AnkA as a regulator of cis-gene transcription. Moreover, the dominant mark of AnkA in distal intergenic regions known to be AT-enriched, coupled with frequent enrichment in the nuclear lamina, provides strong support for its role as a MAR-binding protein and genome “re-organizer.” AnkA must be considered a prime candidate to promote neutrophil reprogramming and subsequent functional changes that belie improved microbial fitness and pathogenicity.
Technical Guidance for Implementing BMPs in the Coastal Zone

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released the Guidance Specifying Management Measures for Sources of Nonpoint Pollution in Coastal Waters on January 14, 1993. This document is EPA9s technical guidance on the best affordable ways to reduce or prevent nonpoint source (NPS) pollution in the coastal zone. The authors believe that it is currently the most comprehensive summary of best management practices (BMPs) available. The guidance contains BMPs for the control of NPS pollution from agriculture, forestry, urban areas, marinas, and hydromodification (channels, dams, and stream and shoreline erosion). Wetlands, riparian areas, and vegetated treatment systems are addressed in the guidance as additional options to control nonpoint pollution. The guidance also includes monitoring and compliance tracking techniques to accompany the management measures. EPA and NOAA are developing approaches to help states, local governments, and affected parties understand and use the technical guidance in their coastal nonpoint source programs. Although final decisions have not yet been made, this paper summarizes the current thinking regarding this technical assistance.
Pediatric MEG: Investigating Spatio-Temporal Connectivity of Developing Networks

The extended development of the human brain provides a unique opportunity to study the maturation of cortical networks that subserve sensory and cognitive functions using noninvasive functional neuroimaging techniques. However, considerable challenges have limited the number of functional neuroimaging studies in children. MEG addresses a number of those limitations. MEG provides high temporal and spatial resolution to assess the development of dynamic cortical networks. The technique provides a secure, peaceful testing environment, requires minimal preparation of the child and offers technology to compensate for head movement during scans. We contrast MEG with other functional neuroimaging techniques and describe effective MEG paradigms for testing children. We present MEG as the technique of choice for testing the dynamics of healthy and disordered brain networks.
Equalized Megahertz-Bandwidth HF Channels for Spread Spectrum Communications

In this paper we discuss the use of skywave propagation paths in the HF band for spread spectrum communications involving coherent bandwidths of about one megahertz. We present experimental data describing wide-bandwidth one-hop F-layer links, discuss real-time adaptive equalization procedures for wideband spread spectrum signaling on these links, and conclude with some recent measurements over equalized paths of up to 2000 km. Two significant attributes of these equalized wideband channels are (1) time invariance over many seconds (typically ten), and (2) freedom from fading caused by the presence of multiple propagation modes. Both are dependent on achieving mode isolation in the receiver through the use of wideband waveforms. The measurement data was gathered in 1981 using MITRE's wideband HF test facility which consists of a mobile transmit terminal and a fixed receive terminal in Bedford, Massachusetts. The transmit terminal is capable of generating signals for channel measurement and data communications testing. The receive terminal is capable of real-time adaptive equalization over a 1.024 MHz bandwidth, signal processing, and data recording. The data presented here describes unequalized and equalized channel measurements.
Does a Delayed Origin for Biological Life Count as Evidence Against the Existence of God

Many theists have argued that contemporary physics provides evidence for the existence of God, insofar as the fundamental laws of nature display evidence of having been fine-tuned to allow for the emergence of biological life. (See, e.g., the works of Stephen Barr, Robin Collins, Paul Davies, John Leslie, Richard Swinburne, etc.) But some have objected that this evidence needs to be weighed against the conflicting evidence that biological life is a relatively late phenomenon in the universe. For if God really wanted the universe to contain life (esp. intelligent life), such that He specifically designed its laws with this in mind, why would He have set things up in such a way that it took billions of years for life to appear? One can employ this general concern to formulate an argument against intelligent design. In this paper I critically evaluate some existing theistic solutions to this sort of argument, and also propose several new lines of reply.
Characterization of convex domains in ℂ 2 with non-compact automorphism group

In the field of several complex variables, the Greene-Krantz Conjecture, whose consequences would be far reaching, has yet to be proven. The conjecture is as follows: Let D be a smoothly bounded domain in ℂn. Suppose there exists {gj} ⊂ Aut(D) such that {gj(z)} accumulates at a boundary point p ∈ ∂D for some z ∈ D. Then ∂D is of finite type at p. In this paper, we prove the following result, yielding further evidence to the probable veracity of this important conjecture: Let D be a bounded convex domain in ℂ2 with C2 boundary. Suppose that there is a sequence {gj} ⊂ Aut(D) such that {gj(z)} accumulates at a boundary point for some point z ∈ D. Then if p ∈ ∂D is such an orbit accumulation point, ∂D contains no non-trivial analytic variety passing through p.
Fall nitrogen enhances spring nitrogen enhanced flowering in the long day strawberry cultivar ‘Elan’

Architectural analysis describes the position and fate (vegetative or floral) of plant meristems to account for differences in their sensitivity to stimuli depending on developmental stage and position on the plant. To provide further insight into the flowering responses of long day strawberries to nitrogen, ‘Elan’ seedlings were fertilized in mid-October, overwintered in a greenhouse, then dissected the following March and their floral architecture evaluated. Additional plants from fall N treatments were placed under ND and fertilized weekly for four weeks with 100, 400, 800 or 1200 ppm N during greenhouse-forcing under ND and growth monitored until June. Plants were dissected after forcing and their floral architecture evaluated. Fall fertilized plants were significantly more floral than non-fertilized controls before forcing. Some axillary buds of fertilized plants formed floral branch crowns but there were no floral branch crowns on non-fertilized plants. Precocity was not affected by fall N and 400, 800 or 1200 ppm spring N were equally effective in accelerating flowering (+1 week) compared to 100 ppm spring N. Fall N enhanced the number of inflorescences and flowers produced by the primary crown. Spring N enhanced flowering of branch crowns and the total numbers of inflorescences and flowers per plant. Inflorescence production was a qualitative response to N while flower production was quantitative. Architectural models of post-forcing dissected plants provided additional insight. All 100 ppm spring N terminal meristems were floral while 400 and 800 ppm spring N meristems were less floral. All terminal meristems of plants receiving 100 ppm fall N before 1200 ppm spring N were floral but meristems from plants that did not receive fall N before 1200 ppm spring N were much less floral. Branch crown formation was enhanced with elevated (400, 800 or 1200 ppm) spring N and prior fall N enhanced their floral nature.
The good doctor: more than medical knowledge & surgical skill

You have worked hard in school over many years to excel in academic and extracurricular activities. You submitted a strong application for successful entry into medical school during which time you doubled up on your academic productivity and soaked in everything that you could possibly learn about medicine. You feel that your academic productivity paid off since you were able to obtain a residency in your favorite field: ophthalmology.
Pacific Community Ventures & Galaxy Desserts: Community Development Through Private Equity Investing

A managing partner of Pacific Community Ventures, a San Francisco-based private equity fund, had until the end of the week to decide if he wanted to invest in Galaxy Desserts, a Bay Area manufacturer of premium baked goods. PCV was a private equity firm that took a "double-bottom-line" approach, a two-pronged objective of delivering both financial and social returns. Excerpt UVA-ENT-0174 Dec. 6, 2011 PACIFIC COMMUNITY VENTURES AND GALAXY DESSERTS: Community Development through Private Equity Investing Eduardo Rallo, better known to his colleagues and friends as Edo [pronounced ED-oh], ran up to a row of turnstiles at the Powell Street Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) station as he heard the screeching of his train arriving. His portfolio company's quarterly budget meeting had just run 75 minutes over schedule, so he was in a hurry as he anxiously fumbled through his wallet in search of his ticket to open the turnstile's gates, raced down the stairs, and stepped onto the lower platform only to see the train pull away. For the next 12 minutes, he would be stranded without Internet access or cell reception. His thoughts drifted toward his latest investment opportunity, Galaxy Desserts, Inc. (Galaxy), a San Francisco Bay Area-based manufacturer of premium baked goods. As managing partner of Pacific Community Ventures (PCV), a San Francisco-based private equity fund, Rallo had until the end of the week to decide if he wanted to invest in Galaxy. PCV was a private equity firm that took a “double-bottom-line” approach, a two-pronged objective of delivering both financial and social returns. Rallo had broad experience working and investing in the food service industry and had an extensive network of individuals that eventually led to his introduction to Galaxy. . . .
Perspectives on Microresonator Optical Frequency Combs

Microresonators are currently used to generate optical frequency combs with high energy efficiency and low pump power. We discuss in this communication some of the challenges ahead in this field.
Diabetes: Recurrent DKA - for whom the bell tolls.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is the leading cause of death, morbidity and excessive health-care utilization and costs in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus; DKA is common at initial diagnosis, but uncommon thereafter. A new study has determined the risk factors for multiple DKA episodes and their relationship to the risk of death.
Simulating Variation in Families' Spending across Marketplace Plans.

Objective To examine variations in premium and cost-sharing across marketplace plans available to eligible families. Data sources 2011-2012 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), 2014 health plan data from healthcare.gov, and the 2011 Medicare Part D public formulary file. Study design We identified a nationally representative cohort of individuals in the MEPS who would have been eligible for marketplace coverage. For each family, we simulated the total out-of-pocket payment (premium plus cost-sharing) under each available plan in their county of residence, assuming their premarketplace use. Data collection/extraction methods Confidential state and county of residence identifiers were merged onto MEPS public use files and used to match MEPS families to the plans available in their county as reported in the publicly available data from healthcare.gov. Principal findings We found substantial variation in total family health care spending, especially premium component, across marketplace plans. This is true even within a plan tier of the same minimum actuarial value, and for families eligible for subsidies. Variation among families with income below 250 percent of the FPL is larger than variation among families with higher income. Conclusions Our simulations show substantial variations in net premium and out-of-pocket payments across marketplace plans, even within a plan tier.
Association of Posttraumatic Stress Symptom Severity With Health-Related Quality of Life and Self-Reported Functioning Across 12 Months After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

Abstract Objective To investigate the relation between posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptom severity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Design Longitudinal prospective multicenter, cohort study on severe TBI in Switzerland (2007–2011). Setting Hospital, rehabilitation unit, and/or patient's living facility. Participants Patients with severe TBI (N=109) were included in the analyses. Injury severity was determined using the Abbreviated Injury Score of the head region after clinical assessment and initial computed tomography scan. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures HRQoL (Medical Outcomes Study 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey Physical and Mental Component Summaries) and self-reported emotional, cognitive, and interpersonal functioning (Patient Competency Rating Scale for Neurorehabilitation). Results Multilevel models for patients >50 and ≤50 years of age revealed significant negative associations between PTS symptom severity and interpersonal functioning (P Conclusions Findings indicate that PTS symptoms after severe TBI are negatively associated with HRQoL and emotional, cognitive, and interpersonal functioning.
Control structures for incorporating picture-specific context in image interpretation

This paper describes an efficient control mechanism for incorporating picture-specific context in the task of image interpretation. Although other knowledge-based vision systems use general domain context in reducing the computational burden of image interpretation, to our knowledge, this is the first effort in exploring picture-specific collateral information. We assume that constraints on the picture are generated from a natural language understanding module which processes descriptive text accompanying the pictures. We have developed a unified framework for exploiting these constraints both in the object location and identification (labeling) stage. In particular, we describe a technique for incorporating constrained search in context-based vision. Finally, we demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach in PICTION, a system that uses captions to label human faces in newspaper photographs.
Regulation of longevity and stress resistance: A molecular strategy conserved from yeast to humans?

Recent studies implicate similar proteins in the regulation of longevity in organisms ranging from yeast to mice. Studies in yeast and worms suggest that inactivation of glucose or insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) signaling pathways extends longevity by causing a shift from a reproductive phase to a non-reproductive maintenance phase involving the expression of many genes. These stress resistance pathways appear to have evolved to induce maintenance systems and promote longevity during periods of starvation. In yeast, mutations that decrease the activity of glucose signaling pathways extend longevity by activating stress resistance transcription factors that regulate the expression of genes involved in antioxidant and heat protection, glycogen storage, protein degradation, DNA repair, and metabolism. A remarkably similar set of proteins regulated by growth factors that control glucose metabolism is implicated in life span extension in worms, and possibly in flies and mice. Studies in worms and flies point to secondary hormones as mediators of the effect of insulin/ IGF-1 signaling on longevity, whereas studies in yeast and mammalian cells indicate that glucose or insulin/ IGF-1 may decrease longevity by directly down-regulating stress resistance genes. In yeast, longevity mutations postpone superoxide toxicity and mitochondrial damage. However, the small life span extension caused by the overexpression of superoxide dismutases and catalase in yeast and flies indicates that increased antioxidant protection alone cannot be responsible for the major life span extension caused by signal transduction mutations. Although we are only beginning to understand the molecular mechanisms that mediate life span extension, the similarities between longevity regulatory pathways in organisms ranging from yeast to mice suggest that insulin/ IGF-1 signaling pathways may also regulate cell damage and longevity in humans.
Two different ways evolution makes neurons larger.

As evolution makes larger brains it also increases the size of many of the individual neurons that make up the brain. How neurons are made larger can give clues about design principles of the brain's circuits. One way of making a larger neuron is called conservative scaling . If evolution magnifies a particular type of neuron by a factor of two – that is, each dendrite is made twice as long – then the neuron is scaled conservatively if the magnified neuron has dendrites with 4 times the diameter of their unscaled counterparts. This type of scaling leaves the passive cable properties of the neuron unchanged and so maintains a balance in effectiveness between proximal and distal dendritic inputs. One might imagine that, for some types of circuits, maintaining such a balance would be necessary to use just the same neuronal interconnections in both large and small brains. We have compared dentate granule cells and CA1 pyramidal neurons in cat and human to establish how these cell types are, in fact, scaled. Both cell types are larger in human than in cat, even though their general form is conserved. Pyramidal neurons scale conservatively, but dentate granule cells do not. The CA1 circuits seem, then, to require conservation of the passive cable properties of their elements, whereas dentate does not. We suggest that the reason CA1 neurons scale conservatively is that, for this region, each individual synaptic input exerts a significant effect on the cell's output, whereas in dentate the neuronal output represents the average of a large number of anonymous individual inputs.
Time-Frequency Analysis and the Uncertainty Principle

In this chapter we discuss the notion and goals of time-frequency analysis. We first build some intuition about what is meant by time-frequency analysis. As a motivation we use signal analysis and the analogy of time-frequency analysis with a musical score.
The Direction of Causality Between Supply Chain Excellence and Firm Performance

A widely-accepted measure of supply chain excellence is the Supply Chain Top 25 List published annually by Gartner Research. It evaluates firms from five quality dimensions: return on assets, inventory turns, revenue growth, peer evaluation, and Gartner opinion. However, subjective voting by industrial experts and Gartner consultants are likely to be influenced by financial market variables, such as a firm's market value, alpha, beta, and market return. This article investigates whether the Gartner list is a true reflection of a firm's SCM excellence and how market variables affect the Gartner list, especially its subjective quality dimensions. Correlation and regression analysis show that the Gartner list is largely affected by a firm's market value and alpha, but is not associated with the firm's beta and market return. Moreover, the Gartner list is influenced by a firm's prior market information, but is not capable to predict its future performance.
LISTENING TO NATIVE RADIO

Community-based radio is vitally important to Native Americans in the United States. These radio stations broadcast programs that meet the diverse needs of the communities they serve, such as news ...
In good conscience: the legal trend to include prescription contraceptives in employer insurance plans and Catholic charities' "conscience clause" objection.

Imagine a woman running a routine errand in California: she enters her local drug store hands the pharmacist her prescription for a well known drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and then is surprised to learn that her prescription is not covered under her insurance plan. Upon inquiry with her religiously-affiliated employer - one that provides health care benefits-she learns that this particular prescription drug was the only one intentionally excluded from her employee prescription plan. The woman must then decide between a thirty-dollar out-of-pocket cost each month or a change in her lifestyle to obviate the need for the drug altogether. How did this situation arise? (excerpt)
Understanding L1 and L2 Interaction in Collaborative Writing: A Lexico-Grammatical Analysis.

Despite previous research suggesting that first language (L1) use fulfills important functions in collaborative writing (CW) tasks, research has yet to examine whether L1 or second language (L2) us...
Learning to Communicate with Limited Co-design

In this work we examine the problem of learning to cooperate in the context of wireless communication. We consider the two agent setting where agents must learn modulation and demodulation schemes that enable them to communicate with each other in the presence of a power-constrained additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel. We investigate whether learning is possible under different levels of information sharing between distributed agents that are not necessarily co-designed. We make use of the “Echo” protocol, a learning protocol where an agent hears, understands, and repeats (echoes) back the message received from another agent. Each agent uses what it sends and receives to train itself to communicate. To capture the idea of cooperation between agents that are “not necessarily co-designed,” we use two different populations of function approximators – neural networks and polynomials. In addition to diverse learning agents, we include non-learning agents that use fixed standardized modulation protocols such as QPSK and 16QAM. This is used to verify that the Echo approach to learning to communicate works independent of the inner workings of the agents, and that learning agents can not only learn to match the communication expectations of others, but can also collaboratively invent a successful communication approach from independent random initializations. In addition to simulation-based experiments, we implement the Echo protocol in physical software-defined radio experiments to verify that it can work with real radios. To explore the continuum between tight co-design of learning agents and independently designed agents, we study how learning is impacted by different levels of information sharing – including sharing training symbols, sharing intermediate loss information, and sharing full gradient information. The resulting learning techniques span supervised learning and reinforcement learning. We find that in general, co-design (increased information sharing) accelerates learning and that this effect becomes more pronounced as the communication task becomes harder.
EnviroSCALE: Resilient Data Collection for Air Quality Monitoring in Developing Cities

In this panel talk, we present our experiences regarding the development and deployment of an Internet of Things (IoT) based air quality monitoring system for developing cities. We consider the areas where widespread free WiFi is not prevalent; instead, the platform needs to rely on expensive and metered cellular data connections with limited data budgets. For the better utilization of the limited data plan, we apply two adaptation techniques in sensemaking. First, we adjust sensing intervals of periodic sensors so that the data volume remains bounded within the plan. Second, we enable putting application-specific software modules on-board through containers to process media data locally and thus to reduce bulk upload. The platform we developed is called EnviroSCALE (Environmental Sensing and Community Alert Network), which hosts a set of air quality sensors on a Raspberry Pi and uses a 3G connection to upload data. We outline our deployment experience of EnviroSCALE in Dhaka city, the capital of Bangladesh.
Prediction of Outcomes after Heart Transplantation Using Machine Learning Techniques

Purpose Machine learning (ML) techniques can improve predictive modeling over more traditional methods by identifying higher dimensionality and non-linear relationships between variables. We hypothesized that an AutoML algorithm would be superior to a logistic regression (LR) model for prediction of outcomes in HT. Methods The UNOS database was queried for patients receiving single-organ heart transplantation between 2006-2016. Pre-transplant variables for the donor and recipient were used for the prediction of one-year mortality or re-transplant. Auto machine-learning (AutoML) with stacking of Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM) derived algorithms was used to create a ML predictive meta-model. These results were compared to a traditional LR model using receiving operating characteristic (ROC) values. Results During this time period 18,612 patients with HT were identified. Observed one-year mortality or re-transplant was 11.5%. The AutoML derived model performed modestly (ROC=0.66, Figure 1) but showed improvement in outcome prediction over the LR model (ROC=0.62, Figure 2). Strongest predictive variables in the LR model were recipient bilirubin, creatinine, mechanical ventilation, donor age and ischemic time. The meta-model structure of AutoML precludes direct assessment of individual variable weight. Conclusion Using contemporary input from the UNOS database, AutoML meta-modeling outperformed LR for prediction of one-year outcomes in HT. Automation of predictive modeling using ML in HT is powerful, albeit limited by the “black box” effect on individual variables. AutoML in HT warrants further investigation.
Laser-induced plasma generation of terahertz radiation using three incommensurate wavelengths

We present the generation of THz radiation by focusing ultrafast laser pulses with three incommensurate wavelengths to form a plasma. The three colors include 800 nm and the variable IR signal and idler outputs from an optical parametric amplifier. We observe that stable THz is generated when all three colors are present, with a peak-to-peak field strength of ~200 kV cm−1 and a relatively broad, smooth spectrum extending out to 6 THz, without any strong dependence on the selection of signal and idler IR wavelengths (in the range from 1300 to 2000 nm). We confirm that three colors are indeed needed, and we present plasma current modeling that corroborates our observations.
Rank Deficiency? Analyzing the Costs and Benefits of Single-Winner Ranked-Choice Voting

In the past decade, debate around the effects of the instant runoff voting (IRV) has intensified, as proponents seek to build upon a victory in Maine to expand its use to more states. However, there has relied on unsubstantiated claims from both sides, as it has only been used in a single statewide election. This lack of information around IRV is compounded by the fact that relatively little work has been done around the behavioral impacts of IRV in a multi- party setting, with most of the elections happening in cities that lean strongly Democrat. This study seeks to better understand this reform by being the first to holistically analyze both the micro-level and macro-level impacts of IRV. In doing so, I find strong experimental and observational evidence to suggest that the negative impacts of IRV outweigh any positive effects, and that elite-led opinion may serve as a mitigating factor.
3’-Sulfated Lewis A is a Biomarker for Metaplastic and Oncogenic Transformation of Several Gastrointestinal Epithelia

ABSTRACT Introduction Multiple previous studies have shown the monoclonal antibody Das-1 (formerly called 7E12H12) specifically recognizes metaplastic and carcinomatous lesions in multiple organs of the gastrointestinal system (e.g. Barrett’s esophagus, intestinal-type metaplasia of the stomach, gastric adenocarcinoma, high-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasm, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma) as well as in other organs (bladder and lung carcinomas). Beyond being a useful biomarker in tissue, mAb Das-1 has recently proven to be more accurate than current paradigms for identifying cysts harboring advanced neoplasia. Though this antibody has been used extensively for clinical, basic science, and translational applications for decades, its epitope has remained elusive. Methods In this study, we chemically deglycosylated a standard source of antigen, which resulted in near complete loss of the signal as measured by western blot analysis. The epitope recognized by mAb Das-1 was determined by affinity to a comprehensive glycan array and validated by inhibition of a direct ELISA. Results The epitope recognized by mAb Das-1 is 3’-Sulfo-Lewis A (3’-Sulfo-LeA). 3’-Sulfo-LeA is broadly reexpressed across numerous GI epithelia and elsewhere only after metaplastic and carcinomatous transformation. Discussion 3’-Sulfo-LeA is a clinically important antigen that can be detected both intracellularly in tissue using immunohistochemistry and extracellularly in cyst fluid and serum by ELISA. The results open new avenues for tumorigenic risk stratification of various gastrointestinal lesions.
Childhood Asthma and Smoking: Moderating Effect of Preterm Status and Birth Weight.

Introduction Although studies have examined the association between childhood asthma and parental smoking and secondhand smoke, little research has explored the moderating role of birth weight and prematurity (BWP) status on this association. We examined the association between secondhand smoke exposure, asthma, and asthma severity in children aged six to 17 as well as the modifying effect of BWP on parental smoking and asthma. Methods We used data from 36,954 children from the National Survey of Children’s Health 2017-2018. In addition to univariate analysis, adjusted and unadjusted logistic regression models were used to estimate the effect of secondhand smoke on asthma. The interaction term between parental smoking and BWP was tested. Multinomial regression was used to evaluate the association between secondhand smoke on asthma severity. Results About 15.1 % of children had asthma and 15.4% of parents reported smoking. Odds of asthma were higher in children living with an outdoor (AOR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.06-1.52) and indoor (AOR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.01-2.11) smoker in the adjusted model. The association of parental smoking with asthma differed by birth weight and premature status. Normal weight children who are premature had the highest odds ratio (AOR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.2-3.86). In the multinomial model, low birth weight and premature children had higher odds of mild (AOR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.40-2.56) and moderate/severe (AOR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.16-2.84) asthma compared to the no asthma group. Conclusion The Association of parental smoking on asthma was modified by BWP. Focused asthma interventions in children should inquire about BWP status as well as parental smoking and household smoke exposure to reduce asthma morbidity and mortality.
Blustein’s Psychology of Working: A Very Short Introduction

This precis introduces Blustein (2006) and its new perspective for career development, counseling, and public policy.
Trends in Cochlear Implantation in Texas: An Exploration of Outpatient Discharge Data, 2010 to 2017

Objectives:To describe trends in cochlear implantation (CI) disparities in Texas using an all-payer database from 2010 to 2017.Methods:Texas Outpatient Surgical and Radiological Procedure Data, a p...
The Second Decade of Hospital Pediatrics.

What a remarkable decade for the journal and the field of pediatric hospital medicine. Catalyzed by the wonderful and visionary work of Dr Jennifer Daru and colleagues several years before, the first official, fully peer-reviewed issue of Hospital Pediatrics debuted 10 years ago. Looking back at that issue, I am struck by how July of 2011 seems both recent and a lifetime ago. So many of the defining characteristics of our field are in the inaugural issue: a wariness that more antibiotics are not better care,1 a recognition that nontailored practices in hospital care are unlikely to reduce health disparities,2 an evaluation of gaps in the complex and multistakeholder process of family-centered rounds,3 and (gulp) a debate about the field pursuing formal subspecialty status.4 Our field’s growth and development over the last 10 years is amazing. We are the newest (and already one of the largest) board-certified pediatric subspecialties. From a handful of formal fellowship programs in 2011, there are now >60. Although we still do not have a reliable mechanism to count everyone practicing pediatric hospital medicine, there are now no doubt ≥1000 folks doing so today who were not 10 years ago. Even as our research infrastructure continues to grow, we have more precisely answered many of the research questions of the last decade. Do posthospital phone calls reduce readmissions? No.5 Do scheduled follow-ups for bronchiolitis reduce readmissions? No.6 Does treatment with hypertonic saline for infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis improve outcomes? No.7,8 Perhaps we do not fully know the answer to Ralston’s9 first research idea on the impact of pulse oximetry on hospital length of stay in bronchiolitis, but the …
Brief original report: Does smoking status provide information relevant to screening for other substance use among US adults?

Abstract We assessed whether tobacco screening provides clinically meaningful information about other substance use, including alcohol and other drug use, potentially facilitating targeting of screening for substance use. Using data from the Veterans Aging Cohort Study survey sample (VACS; N = 7510), we calculated test performance characteristics of tobacco use screening results for identification of other substance use including sensitivity, specificity, positive-likelihood-ratio (+LR = [sensitivity/(1-specificity)]: increase in odds of substance use informed by a positive tobacco screen), and negative-likelihood-ratio (-LR: [(1-sensitivity)/specificity]: reduction in odds of substance use informed by a negative tobacco screen). The sample was 95% male, 75% minority, and 43% were current and 33% were former smokers. Never smoking, versus any history, indicated an approximate four-fold decrease in the odds of injection drug use (-LR = 0.26), an approximate 2.5-fold decrease in crack/cocaine (-LR = 0.35) and unhealthy alcohol use (-LR = 0.40), an approximate two-fold decrease in marijuana (-LR = 0.51) and illicit opioid use (-LR = 0.48), and an approximate 30% decrease in non-crack/cocaine stimulant use (-LR = 0.75). Never smoking yielded more information than current non-smoking (never/former smoking). Positive results on tobacco screening were less informative than negative results; current smoking, versus former/never smoking, provided more information than lifetime smoking and was associated with a 40% increase in the odds of non-crack/cocaine stimulant use (+LR = 1.40) and opioid use (+LR = 1.44), 50% increase in marijuana use (+LR = 1.52) and injection drug use (+LR = 1.55), and an 80–90% increase in crack/cocaine use (+LR = 1.93) and unhealthy alcohol use (+LR = 1.75). When comprehensive screening for substance use is not possible, tobacco screening may inform decisions about targeting substance use screening.
Mouse lymphoma model for monitoring the tumor growth and effects of immunoradiotherapy using a non-invasive in vivo optical imaging system

1616 Objectives: In this study, we present the animal model by which we can trace the tumor growth and effects of immunotherapy at a very early stage of tumor growth using non invasive optical imaging system (Xenogen IVIS system). Methods: One million cells/mouse of luciferase-transfected Raji Lymphoma cells were injected to female CB-17 SCID mice s.c and i.v. We continuously monitored photon intensity of the mice for 40 minutes after luciferine i.p injection using the Xenogen system. For treatment, 100µg/mouse of Rituximab (anti CD20 monoclonal antibody) was injected by i.p (17 and 21 days after tumor injection) and followed up to 52 days after tumor injection. Results: In the s.c injection group (n=6), a tumor luminescent signal can be visualized from day 0 of tumor injection. The signal started to grow exponentially from day 3 to 4. This signal continued to localize to the injection site and all animals were alive throughout the observation period. On the other hand, in the i.v injection group (n=6), the tumor signal was seen in the lungs at day 0, which declined to baseline levels between day2-5 where it then spread to whole body. A strong signal was seen along the spine. Non-treated animals died by day 22-25 with hind-leg paralysis and treated animals died by day 30. The effect of treatment was determined by decline of signal growth: CR (0% of iv and 33% of sc), PR (66% of i.v and 66% of sc) and NC (33% of iv and 0% of sc). Conclusions: This lymphoma model proved to be a highly sensitive, robust tool for monitoring the early sage of tumor growth and also seems to be useful for evaluating the effects of radioimmunotherapy.
THE FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION'S PROPAGANDA AND THEODORA WILSON WILSON'S LITERARY CONTRIBUTION 1914-1917

During W odd War I Theodora Wilson Wilson, who shortly before the war had returned to her ancestral Quaker faith, made a unique contribution to the Fellowship of Reconciliation's (FOR) propaganda. Instead of the usual expository writings aimed at the well educated, she wrote simple stories directed at casual readers. They emphasised the kind of activity, 'doing', the FOR leadership had decided to curtail after an attempt at tramping in the Midlands in the summer of 1915 had resulted in a near riot. Her perspective reflected that of many Friends. Some very limited attention has been given to these stories, but their contexts have not been explored adequately. This essay attempts to correct this deficiency and provides insight into an important Quaker stream within the FOR.
Solar UV Radiation Induced Variations in the Lower Stratosphere and Upper Troposphere: A Review

Several types of measurements (ozone, temperature, geopoten-tial height) indicate the existence of a quasi-decadal oscillation (QDO) of the lower stratosphere that has been in phase with the Schwabe solar activity cycle for more than three cycles. Although a solar cycle variation of ozone is expected from photochemical considerations, the observed variation has an altitude and latitude dependence that differs substantially from the predictions of current two-dimensional stratospheric models. In agreement with geopotential height and temperature data for the lower stratosphere, the maximum amplitude of the apparent solar variation of total ozone in the northern hemisphere occurs near 30° latitude in winter and spring. This property as well as other observed characteristics of the QDO suggest that wave-mean-flow interactions may modify and enhance the solar cycle variation of the lower stratosphere in the northern winter. Indirect perturbations of tropospheric dynamics are predicted by several recent global circulation model simulations.
Chapter 39 – Embryonic Stem Cells in Tissue Engineering

Traditional approaches to restoring tissue function involve organ donation. Despite attempts to encourage organ donations, there is a shortage of many transplantable human tissues. Currently, more than 256,000 patients in the United States are awaiting organ transplantation, and less than 28,000 people receive transplants annually (HRSA/OPTN, April 2013). Tissue engineering is an interdisciplinary science that involves the use of biological sciences and engineering to develop tissues that restore, maintain, or enhance tissue function. However, to realize the dream of creating off-the-shelf organs for transplantation, a renewable source of cells is required. Embryonic stem (ES) cells have potential as a source of cells for tissue engineering applications because they can differentiate into all somatic cells and proliferate indefinitely. However, several challenges must be addressed before ES cells can be used safely and effectively in clinics. This chapter introduces tissue engineering approaches, and the role of ES cells in various tissue engineering applications.
Law, Strategy, and Competitive Advantage

Firms aggressively seek a competitive advantage over rivals. A voluminous body of strategy scholarship has identified numerous sources of competitive advantage. Yet, the notion that law may be a source of competitive advantage remains largely unexplored. This is surprising given the significant time and resources managers dedicate to legal issues. This article examines whether legal resources can generate a sustainable competitive advantage for firms. This article also identifies firm attributes and managerial attitudes that might encourage legally strategic thinking. This article concludes that law can be a source of a sustainable competitive advantage and numerous variables exist worthy of future study.
Patient-oncologist alliance as protection against suicidal ideation in young adults with advanced cancer.

BACKGROUND Young adults with cancer are at an increased risk of suicidal ideation. To the authors' knowledge, the impact of the patient-oncologist alliance on suicidal ideation has not been examined to date. The current study examined the relationship between the patient-oncologist therapeutic alliance and suicidal ideation in young adults with advanced cancer. METHODS A total of 93 young adult patients (aged 20 years-40 years) with incurable, recurrent, or metastatic cancer were evaluated by trained interviewers. Suicidal ideation was assessed with the Yale Evaluation of Suicidality scale, dichotomized into a positive and negative score. Predictors included diagnoses of major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, physical quality of life, social support, and use of mental health and supportive care services. The Human Connection Scale, dichotomized into a strong (upper third) and weak (lower two-thirds) therapeutic alliance, assessed the strength of the patients' perceived oncologist alliance. RESULTS Approximately 22.6% of patients screened positive for suicidal ideation. Patients with a strong therapeutic alliance were found to be at reduced risk of suicidal ideation after controlling for confounding influences of cancer diagnosis, Karnofsky performance status, number of physical symptoms, physical quality of life, major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and social support. A strong therapeutic alliance was also associated with a reduced risk of suicidal ideation after controlling for mental health discussions with health care providers and use of mental health interventions. CONCLUSIONS The patient-oncologist alliance was found to be a robust predictor of suicidal ideation and provided better protection against suicidal ideation than mental health interventions, including psychotropic medications. Oncologists may significantly influence patients' mental health and may benefit from training and guidance in building strong alliances with their young adult patients. Cancer 2014;120:2272–2281. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
Comparison of RLS and LMS algorithms for tracking a chirped signal

The authors study the capabilities of the exponentially weighted recursive-least-squares (RLS) and least-mean-squares (LMS) algorithms, when configured as adaptive predictors, to track a chirped sinusoid in white background noise. The lag and fluctuation behaviors of each of the algorithms are calculated, and their influence on the misadjustment error is determined. The optimum tracking parameters for each algorithm are evaluated. The misadjustment errors for these optimum values are compared as a function of the chirp rate psi , the SNR rho , and the number of filter taps M. It is shown that for sufficiently small psi , small rho , and M such that rho M>>1, the LMS algorithm is superior to RLS because it has a smaller lag. >
Directional topographic site response at Tarzana observed in aftershocks of the 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake: Implications for mainshock motions

Abstract The Northridge earthquake caused 1.78 g acceleration in the east-west direction at a site in Tarzana, California, located about 6 km south of the mainshock epicenter. The accelerograph was located atop a hill about 15-m high, 500-m long, and 130-m wide, striking about N78°E. During the aftershock sequence, a temporary array of 21 three-component geophones was deployed in six radial lines centered on the accelerograph, with an average sensor spacing of 35 m. Station C00 was located about 2 m from the accelerograph. We inverted aftershock spectra to obtain average relative site response at each station as a function of direction of ground motion. We identified a 3.2-Hz resonance that is a transverse oscillation of the hill (a directional topographic effect). The top/base amplification ratio at 3.2 Hz is about 4.5 for horizontal ground motions oriented approximately perpendicular to the long axis of the hill and about 2 for motions parallel to the hill. This resonance is seen most strongly within 50 m of C00. Other resonant frequencies were also observed. A strong lateral variation in attenuation, probably associated with a fault, caused substantially lower motion at frequencies above 6 Hz at the east end of the hill. There may be some additional scattered waves associated with the fault zone and seen at both the base and top of the hill, causing particle motions (not spectral ratios) at the top of the hill to be rotated about 20° away from the direction transverse to the hill. The resonant frequency, but not the amplitude, of our observed topographic resonance agrees well with theory, even for such a low hill. Comparisons of our observations with theoretical results indicate that the 3D shape of the hill and its internal structure are important factors affecting its response. The strong transverse resonance of the hill does not account for the large east-west mainshock motions. Assuming linear soil response, mainshock east-west motions at the Tarzana accelerograph were amplified by a factor of about 2 or less compared with sites at the base of the hill. Probable variations in surficial shear-wave velocity do not account for the observed differences among mainshock acceleration observed at Tarzana and at two different sites within 2 km of Tarzana.