cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Platelets Obtained from Premature Neonates To Determine Whether Platelet Dysfunction Mediates the Development of Intraventricular Hemorrhage.

Abstract Hemorrhagic complications occur in neonates, including intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in premature babies. The premature infant appears to be at greatest risk for a head bleed from days 2–3 until day 7 after birth. A relationship exists that suggests that the shorter the gestation, the greater the risk for this potentially fatal hemorrhagic event. The basis of intra-ventricular brain hemorrhage (IVH) in the premature infant is unknown. Premature birth is not necessarily the cause of IVH. The neonate is known to have a transient platelet dysfunction at the time of birth. Studies to define the transient platelet dysfunction in the neonate have been limited. Explanations in the literature include: a diminished response to physiologic agonists, defective platelet (PL) dense granule (DG) secretion, and/or ineffective mobilization of intracellular calcium in platelets. We and others have found that the adenine nucleotide content of platelets obtained from umbilical cord blood is significantly less than seen in adults. We have found that platelets obtained from umbilical cord blood have an average of 0.79±0.08 DG/PL (n=62), which is significantly decreased compared to the adult population (4–6 DG/PL) (Blood , 100(11):691a, 2002). Although the concentration of ADP and ATP were found to be decreased compared to normal adult platelets, the ATP/ADP ratio in neonatal platelets is 1.95 (n=61), consistent with established adult normal range ratio values (1.4–1.95). The current studies are ultimately intended to evaluate infants that have survived severe IVH for platelet dysfunction due to platelet dense granule deficiency (δ-SPD). Preliminary data have been obtained on peripheral blood from premature infants (n=15) obtained 3–5 d after birth. Their values (mean±2sd) are: gestational age 31±4.8 weeks and wt 1506±474 gr. The DG number (1.01±0.16/PL) is significantly decreased compared to normal adults, while the ATP (3.19±0.36 μM/1011 PL), ADP (2.63±0.54 μM/1011 PL) and ATP/ADP ratio (1.46±0.13) are normal. The decreased DG number in premature PL is strikingly similar to the DG content in cord blood PLs. We have studied one infant's cord blood (2.41 DG/PL)and day 1 peripheral blood (3.87 DG/PL). The parents have had a normal DG number and adenine nucleotide content. These results would suggest that the premature infant platelets may have an incomplete incorporation of calcium into the dense granules 3–5 days after birth when compared to the normal adenine nucleotide content. A decrease in DG calcium would explain the decreased numbers of DGs calculated from whole mounted PLs by EM. Calcium is electron dense and if lacking in DGs, would result in an artificially low number of DGs determined by this method. To date, we have not obtained blood from a premature infant with a significant IVH or its parents to evaluate δ-SPD as a potential etiology of severe IVH.
Metatheory and the Practice of Psychoanalysis

I feel both honored and somewhat bashful trying to comment on this paper. I earn my living practicing psychoanalysis and psychotherapy and my interest in philosophy can only be regarded as amateurish. This paper has impressed me, however, and I think it may be important not only to me but to other practitioners in my field.
Induction of the acrosomal reaction in sperm from the white sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus.

Sperm from the white sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus possess an acrosome while the eggs possess numerous micropyles. The sperm undergo an acrosome reaction that includes exocytosis and process formation. This acrosomal reaction can be induced in freshwater with ionophore A23187, high pH, high Ca++, or egg water. In addition, this event is dependent on extracellular Ca++ and Mg++. Upon immersion of eggs in freshwater, a water-soluble jelly layer hydrates and forms a highly adhesive coating surrounding the eggs. Jelly release and hydration appears dependent on both a trypsin-like protease and Ca++ and Mg++ ions. Isolated egg jelly (110,000 dalton glycoprotein) does not possess acrosome reaction inducing activity. The acrosome reaction inducing activity in egg water resides in a water-soluble 66,000 dalton glycoprotein. Egg water appears species specific in its ability to elicit a response. Prior to freshwater exposure, the egg envelope possesses a water-insoluble glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 70,000 daltons. When isolated from polyacrylamide gels, the 70,000 dalton component induces acrosome reactions in a species specific manner. Following freshwater exposure, the egg envelope possesses the water-soluble 66,000 dalton glycoprotein in addition to the 70,000 dalton component. The 70,000–66,000 dalton conversion can be blocked by incubating eggs in freshwater containing inhibitors of trypsin-like proteases. Both the 66,000 dalton and 70,000 dalton glycoproteins originate and reside in layer three of the egg envelope.
Emerging vascular endothelial growth factor antagonists to treat neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Evolving anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatments for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) include long acting agents, combination strategies involving new pathways, topical agents, sustained-release, and genetic therapy strategies.Areas covered: Brolucizumab and abicipar pegol have smaller molecular size, facilitating higher concentrations and potentially longer duration than current anti-VEGF agents. Agents being combined with anti-VEGFs include OPT-302 (to inhibit VEGF-C and VEGF-D); pegpleranib and rinucumab (to inhibit platelet derived growth factor, PDGF – but both failed to show consistently improved visual outcomes compared to anti-VEGF monotherapy); and RG7716, ARP-1536 and nesvacumab (to activate the Tie-2 tyrosine kinase receptor, which reduces permeability). X-82 is an oral anti-VEGF and anti-PDGF being tested in phase 2 studies. Topical anti-VEGF ± anti-PDGF drugs under study include pazopanib, PAN-90806, squalamine lactate, regorafinib, a...
The role of IVIG in the management of patients with antiphospholipid antibodies and recurrent pregnancy losses.

The management of connective-tissue diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), can often be as daunting as the disease itself. The prospect of early cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and aseptic necrosis as a consequence of long-term corticoste- roid therapy is overshadowed only by the possibility of sterility and/ or neoplasia resulting from the immunosuppressive agents we have in use today. New therapies must be found, and recent reports have suggested that intravenous immune serum globulin (IVIG) may be an option (1, 2, 3, 4).
Providing a ‘‘Leg Up’’: Parental Involvement and Opportunity Hoarding in College:

Although higher education scholars are increasingly exploring disparities within institutions, they have yet to examine how parental involvement contributes to social-class variation in students’ e...
Surgical Procedures in Health Professional Shortage Areas: Impact of a Surgical Incentive Payment Plan

Abstract Introduction The Affordable Care Act established a Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services based 10% reimbursement bonus for general surgeons in Health Professional Shortage Areas. We sought to assess the impact of the Affordable Care Act Surgery Incentive Payment on surgical procedures performed in Health Professional Shortage Areas. Methods Hospital utilization data from the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2015, were used to categorize hospitals according to Health Professional Shortage Area location. A difference-in-differences analysis measured the effect of the Surgery Incentive Payment on year-to-year differences for inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures by hospital type pre- (2006–2010) versus post- (2011–2015) Surgery Incentive Payment implementation. Results Among 409 unique hospitals that performed surgical procedures for at least 1 year of the study period, 2 performed surgery in a designated Health Professional Shortage Area. The two Health Professional Shortage Area -designated hospitals were located in a rural area, were non-teaching hospitals, and had 196 and 202 hospital beds, respectively. After the enactment of the Surgery Incentive Payment, while non- Health Professional Shortage Areas had only a modest relative decrease in total inpatient procedures (Pre-Surgery Incentive Payment: 4,666,938 versus Post-Surgery Incentive Payment: 4,451,612; Δ−4.6%), the proportional decrease in inpatient surgical procedures at Health Professional Shortage Area hospitals was more marked (Pre-Surgery Incentive Payment: 25,830 versus Post-Surgery Incentive Payment: 21,503; Δ−16.7%). In contrast, Health Professional Shortage Area hospitals proportionally had a greater increase in total outpatient procedures (Pre-Surgery Incentive Payment: 17,840 versus Post-Surgery Incentive Payment: 22,375: Δ+25.4%) versus non- Health Professional Shortage Area hospitals (Pre-Surgery Incentive Payment: 5,863,300 versus Post-Surgery Incentive Payment: 6,156,138; Δ+4.9%). Based on the difference-in-differences analysis, the increase in the trend of surgical procedures at Health Professional Shortage Area hospitals was much more notable after Surgery Incentive Payment implementation (Δ+75.2%). Conclusion The Medicare Surgery Incentive Payment program was associated with an increase in the number of surgical procedures performed at Health Professional Shortage Area hospitals relative to non-Health Professional Shortage Area hospitals during the study period, reversing the trend from negative to positive.
Chapter 9 – Heat and mass transfer

This chapter discusses the cross phenomena or the coupled heat and mass transfer using the linear nonequilibrium thermodynamics theory. Heat and mass transfer occurs in absorption, distillation, and extraction, drying, melting and crystallization, and evaporation–condensation, such as thermal diffusion effects in partial film condensation. The chapter suggests various formulations and methodologies for describing combined heat and mass transfer problems. Using the dissipation function, the conjugate flows and forces are identified and used in the phenomenological equations for simultaneous heat and mass transfer. The chapter discusses the degree of coupling and coupling in different types of liquid mixtures. The degree of coupling is a dimensionless parameters quantifying the coupling of the energy conversion in a process.
Fibrinogen and factor XIII: newly recognized roles in venous thrombus formation and composition.

Purpose of review In spite of significant morbidity and mortality associated with venous thromboembolism, the underlying pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Recent findings Clues to operant pathogenic mechanisms are found in the unique morphology and composition of these thrombi, which have substantial red blood cell and fibrin content. Recent studies have revealed biochemical and biophysical mechanisms that dictate fibrin structure in venous thrombi and promote retention of red blood cells within the contracted clots. These mechanisms include newly recognized contributions of fibrin network structure and factor XIII(a)-mediated fibrin crosslinking to venous thrombus composition, size, and stability. Summary Continued work to elucidate mechanisms by which fibrin(ogen), factor XIII, and red blood cells contribute to venous thrombus formation, structure, and stability may expose novel molecular targets and strategies for reducing thrombosis and thrombotic complications in certain at-risk patients.
Zero-g Hydrogen Tank Venting Systems

A cryogenic propellant tank in space absorbs heat, resulting in a tank pressure rise even with a heavy thermal-protection system. Vapor venting to relieve tank pressure can be accomplished easily on the earth’s surface or during powered flight because the liquid and vapor occupy predictable positions within the tank and a simple vent pipe can be employed; however, under low-gravity conditions the vapor/liquid distribution in the tank can shift easily as the result of small disturbing forces. Settling rockets have been used to orient the liquid and vapor in present-day venting applications, but these affect vehicle guidance and are excessively heavy for any but very low acceleration levels and settling times. It is important, therefore, to develop more efficient methods for venting vapor.
Perspectives on antibacterial performance of silver nanoparticle-loaded three-dimensional polymeric constructs

Silver nanoparticle (AgNP)-loaded polymeric constructs are widely investigated for potential applications as drug delivery systems, wound dressings, and antibiofouling biomaterials. Herein, the authors present several methods for fabricating such materials and evaluate their efficacy against Escherichia coli. H2O(v) plasma surface modification is employed to enhance material surface wettability (explored by water contact angle goniometry) and nanoparticle incorporation. Compositional analyses reveal that incorporation of AgNPs on the surface and bulk of the materials strongly depends on the fabrication methodology. More importantly, the nature of AgNP incorporation into the polymer has direct implications on the biocidal performance resulting from the release of Ag+. The materials fabricated herein fell significantly short of healthcare standards with respect to antimicrobial behavior, and, in comparing their results to numerous literature studies, the authors identified a glaring disparity in the way such results are often described. Thus, this work also contains a critical evaluation of the literature, highlighting select poor-performing materials to demonstrate several shortcomings in the quantitative analysis and reporting of the antibacterial efficacy of AgNP-loaded materials. Ultimately, recommendations for best practices for better evaluation of these constructs toward improved antibacterial efficacy in medical settings are provided.
College Student Preferences for Substance Use Disorder Educational Videos: A Qualitative Study.

Background: College student preferences regarding substance use disorder (SUD) education and treatment-related education have been understudied, despite this population's relatively high risk of de...
Social Dancing as a Project in Physical Education

(1933). Social Dancing as a Project in Physical Education. The Journal of Health and Physical Education: Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 28-54.
Reaction Dynamics and Spectroscopy in the VUV and XUV

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of the reaction dynamics and spectroscopy in the VUV–XUV laser source. This laser source has the bandwidth of 250 MHz and is continuously tunable from 70nm to >150nm with typical peak powers of 100 to 1000 watts in a 5 ns pulse. This source is used to study the ultrahigh-resolution spectroscopy of krypton. The chapter provides the preliminary results of an experiment in which high resolution VUV laser is applied to study the processes of practical interest: the mechanism of H+ elimination and the product state distribution of H2 following the UV photolysis of cyclohexadiene (CHDN) at 212 nm. In this experiment, CHDN in a pulsed molecular beam was excited by 212 nm laser radiation. By using the VUV laser, the vibrational- and rotational energy distribution as well as the Doppler profile of the η2 product was mapped, which provided a qualitative but clear understanding of the mechanism and the dynamics of the reaction. Further, a second laser, delayed by 10–100 ns relative to the excitation laser, was used to probe the H2 product by VUV–UV resonance, which enhanced two-photon ionization. The results of the experiment point to a transition state where the H 2 molecule is pushed away from the benzene ring as it is being formed, carrying with it little vibrational and rotational energy.
21 – A Neurochemically Distinct Third Channel in the Macaque Lateral Geniculate Nucleus

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the combination of anatomical and neurochemical methods to reveal a third population of geniculocortical neurons in the macaque lateral geniculate nuclei (LGN), which has provided a major, direct output to the CO-rich puffs of VI. It has been found that the three parallel channels, which appear to arise from separate groups of retinal ganglion cells, remain segregated in the LGN as magnocellular, parvocellular, and intercalated layers, and persist as separate populations up to the first synapse in V1. From there, a tangle of intracortical connections seems to thoroughly mix signals in V1 and in its many targets. Moreover, anatomically distinct channels that perform physiologically distinct roles dominate the retinogeniculocortical portion of the visual system.
Naming Things for Children: The Basic Level Is Not Ad Hoc

Some think that naming matters, others think it is less important. To young children, however, naming is crucial. In particular, the naming of things by their parents is crucial. Names (words) that the children make up themselves tend to be not as well, and certainly not as widely, understood. Children rely on their parents for naming that is both sufficiently understandable and sufficiently consistent that the child can learn from it. This paper addresses a small portion of the issue of naming conventions employed by parents of young children. Section 1 reviews the literature on basic-level and ad hoc categories and on 'the cooperative mother'. Section 2 discusses the methodology of this study, speaking to the basic approach, categorization of examples, and the data itself. Section 3 presents evidence supporting the extent and the limits of 'the cooperative mother', with the discussion in Section 4. Section 5 presents the conclusions at this stage of the work and suggests avenues for further research.
The Variability of U.S. Women’s Plus Size Product Sizing and Self-Identified Size 18 Bodies

In 2016, the apparel market value for plus sizes in the U.S., was estimated at 20.4 billion dollars. As there is a lack of accessible measurement and sizing standardization in the U.S. for this body type, retailers have developed their own unique systems. This pilot study will explore how a sample of 65 plus size women, through 3D body scans, fit into the top U.S. retailer’s measures and sizes. The retailers investigated, included: Walmart, Kohl’s, JC Penney, Target, Macy’s and Lane Bryant. The findings established that none of the retailers are meeting the needs of the plus size body. Future research must consider methods to improve access to measurements, apparel sizing and product development for this growing demographic.
Caregivers for the Elderly: Clinical Issues and Intervention

AbstractThe African American women who provide informal (unpaid) caregiving for African American elders are a valuable resource for their care recipients, families, and communities. However, the de...
Memories of Black Indian Materialities in Colonial New Orleans

The Black Indian past of New Orleans has received considerable attention in recent years, thanks in part to the Mardi Gras Indians, parading groups known for their elaborate beaded suits, many of w...
Versatile 3′ Functionalization of CRISPR Single Guide RNA

Specific applications of CRISPR/Cas genome editing systems benefit from chemical modifications of the sgRNA. Herein we describe a versatile and efficient strategy for functionalization of the 3'-end of a sgRNA. An exemplary collection of six chemically modified sgRNAs was prepared containing crosslinkers, a fluorophore and biotin. Modification of the sgRNA 3'-end was broadly tolerated by Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 in an in vitro DNA cleavage assay. The 3'-biotinylated sgRNA was used as an affinity reagent to identify IGF2BP1, YB1 and hnRNP K as sgRNA-binding proteins present in HEK293T cells. Overall, the modification strategy presented here has the potential to expand on current applications of CRISPR/Cas systems.
EVOLOCUMAB USE IN PATIENTS WITH HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS AND DYSLIPIDEMIA: PRIMARY RESULTS OF A DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY (BEIJERINCK)

People living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease due to metabolic abnormalities, chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation. PLHIV may receive suboptimal lipid-lowering therapy because of drug-drug interactions between high-intensity statins
Protecting a whale in a sea of phish

Whaling is one of the most financially damaging, well-known, effective cyberattacks employed by sophisticated cybercriminals. Although whaling largely consists of sending a simplistic email message...
Race, explicit racial attitudes, implicit racial attitudes, and COVID-19 cases and deaths: An analysis of counties in the United States.

Objectives To examine the potential moderating effects of explicit racial attitudes and implicit racial attitudes on the relationship between percent of Black county residents and COVID-19 cases and deaths. Methods We collected data from a variety of publicly available sources for 817 counties in the US. (26% of all counties). Cumulative COVID-19 deaths and cases from January 22 to August 31, 2020 were the dependent variables; explicit racial attitudes and implicit racial attitudes served as the moderators; subjective poor or fair health, food insecurity, percent uninsured, percent unemployed, median family income, percent women, percent of Asian county resident, percent of Hispanic county residents, and percent of people 65 or older were controls. Results The percent of Black county residents was positively associated with COVID-19 cases and deaths at the county level. The relationship between percent of Black residents and COVID-19 cases was moderated by explicit racial attitudes and implicit racial attitudes. Conclusions Implicit racial attitudes can take on a shared property at the community level and effectively explain racial disparities. COVID-19 cases are highest when both the percent of Black county residents and implicit racial attitudes are high.
Division-Algebras/Poincare-Conjecture Correspondence

We briefly describe the importance of division algebras and Poincare conjecture in both mathematical and physical scenarios. Mathematically, we argue that using the torsion concept one can combine the formalisms of division algebras and Poincare conjecture. Physically, we show that both formalisms may be the underlying mathematical tools in special relativity and cosmology. Moreover, we explore the possibility that by using the concept of n-qubit system, such conjecture may allow generalization the Hopf maps.
Dissertation I: Human–Environment Interactions

This proposal focuses on human–environment interactions and the notion of environmental justice. The proposal develops a qualitative GIS methodology to investigate the relationship between place attachment and environmental activism in two study areas.
The Space and Time a Pandemic Makes

Urban planners and designers grapple with the literal and metaphorical blueprints of urbanism beyond the pandemic. The conversation seems wide open. There has been an urge to recur to known categor...
Pathways to better nutrition in South Asia: Evidence on the effects of food and agricultural interventions

Abstract In South Asia, nearly half a billion people are malnourished. This paper examines the links of food and agriculture with nutrition in South Asia, with the goal of informing policy to reduce hunger and malnutrition in the region. We investigate pathways including public food transfer programs, agricultural diversification, and different methods of food fortification. We find that public food transfer programs, used to make food available and affordable to poor households, are often unable to significantly protect or promote nutrition. But several supply-side food and agricultural interventions show promise in improving nutrition, although their effects have yet to be well identified. These include the cultivation of home gardens, animal agriculture, and use of biofortification and post-harvest fortification. All these efforts to reduce hunger and malnutrition will be futile, however, without parallel efforts to mitigate rising challenges in the region, including those posed by climate change, urbanization, food loss and food waste, and food safety hazards.
Palbociclib and cetuximab in cetuximab-resistant human papillomavirus-related oropharynx squamous-cell carcinoma: A multicenter phase 2 trial.

Abstract Objectives We previously reported that palbociclib, a selective CDK4/6 inhibitor, given with cetuximab, resulted in an objective response rate (ORR) of 19% in cetuximab-resistant human papillomavirus (HPV)-unrelated head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In this study, we aimed to determine the proportion of patients with cetuximab-resistant HPV-related oropharynx (OP)SCC who achieved an objective response to palbociclib and cetuximab. Materials and Methods We performed a multicenter phase 2 trial. Key eligibility requirements included measurable HPV-related OPSCC that progressed on a cetuximab-containing regimen. Palbociclib 125 mg po was administered on Days 1–21 of 28 day cycles, with weekly cetuximab. The primary endpoint was objective response (RECIST1.1). The study design had a probability of 0.70 of accepting the alternative hypothesis (ORR ≥ 20%) and rejecting the null hypothesis (ORR ≤ 5%). Two or more tumor responses among 24 patients were needed to accept the alternative hypothesis. Results Twenty-four patients enrolled. The median interval from prior cetuximab to study enrollment was 0.7 months (IQR 0.2–6.1). Disease progression on a platinum agent occurred in 23 patients (96%). An objective response occurred in one patient (ORR 4%). The duration of response was 4 months. Stable disease with ≥ 10% decrease in target lesions occurred in 2 patients (8%). Median follow-up was 8.9 (IQR 3.7–16.8) months. The median progression-free survival was 1.9 months (95% CI 1.8–2.1) and the median overall survival was 17.1 months (95%CI: 5.8–21.5). Conclusion The trial did not meet its primary endpoint. Further investigation of palbociclib and cetuximab in cetuximab-resistant HPV-related OPSCC is not warranted.
MGMT Epigenetics: The Influence of Gene Body Methylation and other Insights Derived from Integrated Methylomic, Transcriptomic, and Chromatin Analyses for Various Cancer Types

BACKGROUND MGMT (O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase) is primarily responsible for limiting the activity of some widely used chemotherapeutic agents, including temozolomide (TMZ) and carmustine (BCNU). The gene encoding this protein is epigenetically regulated, and assessment of methylation at its promoter region is used to predict glioma patients' response to TMZ. METHODS In this report, we employed a bioinformatic approach to elucidate MGMT's epigenetic regulation. Integrated for the analysis were genome-wide methylation and transcription datasets for > 8,600 human tissue (representing 31 distinct cancer types) and 500 human cancer cell line samples. Also crucial to the interpretation of results were publicly available data from the ENCODE Project: tracks for histone modifications (via ChIP-seq) and DNase I hypersensitivity (via DNaseseq), as well as methylation and transcription data for representative cell lines (HeLa-S3, HMEC, K562). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION We were able to validate (perhaps more comprehensively) the contrasting influences of CpG methylation at promoter region and at gene body on MGMT transcription. While the MGMT promoter is populated by CpG sites whose methylation levels displayed high negative correlation (R) with MGMT mRNA counts, the gene body harbors CpG sites exhibiting high positive R values. The promoter CpG sites with very high negative R's across cancer types include cg12981137, cg12434587, and cg00618725. Among the notable gene body CpG sites (high positive R's across cancer types) are cg00198994 (Intron 1), cg04473030 (Intron 2), and cg07367735 (Intron 4). For certain cancer types, such as melanoma, gene body methylation appears to be a better predictor of MGMT transcription (compared to promoter methylation). In general, the CpG methylation v. MGMT expression R values are higher in cell lines relative to tissues. Also, these correlations are noticeably more prominent in certain cancer types such as colorectal, adrenocortical, esophageal, skin, and head and neck cancers, as well as glioblastoma. As expected, hypomethylation at the promoter region is associated with more open chromatin, and enrichment of histone marks H3K4m1, H3K4m2, H3K4m3, and H3K9ac. CONCLUSION Overall, our analysis illustrated the contrasting influence of promoter and gene body methylation on MGMT expression. These observations may help improve diagnostic assays for MGMT.
Dissolved oxygen concentration predictions for running waters with different land use land cover using a quantile regression forest machine learning technique

Abstract Modeling dissolved oxygen (DO) in running water represents a challenge due to complex interactions among various processes affecting its concentration and the intricacy of using process-based water quality models. In this study, a quantile regression forest (QRF) machine learning technique was used to develop data-driven models for predicting DO levels in three rivers that drain watersheds with distinctly different land use and land cover characteristics in different geographical regions. Water quality data, spanning 2007 to 2019, was used to develop and validate the models. Key DO drivers were first identified based on the variable importance index, and models were constructed for different combinations of the identified drivers as the input variables. Each model was calibrated for each input scenario using 80% of the data and validated by predicting the DO concentrations using the remaining 20% of the data. Excellent model performance was obtained with water temperature, pH, specific conductance, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) as input variables across the stations with water temperature and pH as the top predictors. The developed models outperformed multilayer perceptron neural network (MLPNN) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency models in explaining data variance as well as giving lower errors in predictions. The commonality of the top-ranked predictors for the three geographically distant rivers suggests the possibility of building parsimonious models with a minimal number of predictors for in-stream DO predictions. These predictors are among the common physio-chemical water quality parameters of existing ambient water quality monitoring programs and are readily available for the model development.
Constructive Journalism in the Face of a Crisis: The Effects of Social Media News Updates About COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic brought along with it concerns about anxiety, racial bias, and pushback against public health recommendations, all of which are intensified by the news and social media. This ...
A numerical investigation of the potential impact of stream restoration on in-stream N removal

Abstract Wastewater treatment plants are common point sources of nutrients to streams. Excess loading of nutrients, particularly nitrogen (N), can result in significant water quality degradation. Where stream loading cannot be increased by water quality trading with other point or nonpoint sources, stream restoration may be an alternative means for point sources to increase loading while maintaining or improving stream health by increasing in-stream N removal via denitrification. However, the primary drivers of nitrogen removal are currently not well understood and thus optimizing restoration efforts is difficult. A two-storage zone transport model with Michaelis–Menten uptake kinetics was applied to a river system based on the Truckee River of Nevada to simulate N removal for multiple restoration scenarios and different types of nitrogen loading. Rates of N removal were found to be most sensitive to the size of the hyporheic zone (AHTS) and maximum denitrification rate in the hyporheic zone (U′max,HTS), followed by the half-saturation concentration for denitrification (Km,HTS). Graphs that incorporate the ranges of these three parameters indicate the potential effectiveness of restoration activities for increasing N removal. Combining restoration targets (e.g., increasing AHTS, sinuosity, width-to-depth ratio, etc.) provided more N removal than the sum of N removal from the individual targets. The relative fractions of the three nitrogen species (dissolved organic-N, total ammonia-N, and nitrate-N) was found to significantly affect a stream's potential to remove N. Together, these results can be used to help guide stream restoration activities to increase a stream’s N removal capacity.
Humeral shaft nonunion

Abstract Humeral shaft fractures are typically treated nonoperatively with a functional brace; however, approximately 6% of these fractures progress to nonunion. Humeral shaft nonunions are a significant source of patient morbidity and can be challenging complications for orthopedic surgeons to treat. This chapter reviews the management of humeral shaft nonunions and discusses a variety of treatment modalities. Particular emphasis is placed on patient presentation, medical optimization, and surgical intervention.
Technology decisions for a flexible health care organization

Summary form only given. The fastest growing service sector, health care, is facing the same challenges as their manufacturing counterparts. In this case, however, there are more constraints since health care is partially regulated by the government and reimbursing organizations. These constraints and intensive competition forced health care organizations to revise their strategic objectives. Similarities of the new competitive challenges encouraged health care organizations to look at new technologies used in dealing with these challenges in the manufacturing sector. Health care organizations have a number of strategic choices in meeting their customer requirements. These choices can be summarized in a strategy continuum defined by two extreme strategies: broad range competition and specialist competition. In order to compete in an environment which is defined by new consumer driven focus in which new products and services must be developed quickly and marketed continuously with reasonable cost, health care organizations, just like their manufacturing counterparts have been doing it, must adopt flexible organization systems. This is a strategic move by both types of organizations. There are significant organizational requirements to be met in this transition. Role of technology, organization's strategic emphasis, their current resource-mix and capacity availability, market pressures, government regulations, and ever complex reimbursement mechanism will add additional constraints in this transformation. Flexible organizations for health care will be a requirement for survival.
Myelodysplastic Syndromes: What Do Hospitalists Need to Know?

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) comprise a heterogeneous group of clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorders characterized by dysplasia, ineffective hematopoiesis leading to peripheral blood cytopenias, and a variable risk of leukemic progression. MDS primarily affects the elderly, and although its prevalence is increasing, MDS is frequently overlooked and underdiagnosed. MDS should be suspected in any patient with unexplained cytopenias, and a bone marrow evaluation is ultimately needed to make the diagnosis and exclude other causes of bone marrow failure. The last 15 years have witnessed significant advances in our understanding of the complex pathogenesis, classification and prognostication, and therapeutic approaches to MDS. Several prognostic models facilitate outcome prediction and risk-adapted therapy. The addition of azacitidine, decitabine, and lenalidomide to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in our armamentarium offered new effective therapeutic options for many patients who are not candidates for intensive interventions. Improved understanding of the genetic, epigenetic, and immunologic mechanisms that operate in MDS will help develop better prognostication tools and rationally design more effective therapies. Hospitalists are likely to encounter both patients with MDS and patients in whom MDS should be suspected. In this review of MDS, we focus on the epidemiology, diagnosis, pathogenesis, classification and prognostic tools, and treatment options.
Dimeric human sulfotransferase 1B1 displays cofactor-dependent subunit communication

The cytosolic sulfotransferases (SULTs) are dimeric enzymes that catalyze the transformation of hydrophobic drugs and hormones into hydrophilic sulfate esters thereby providing the body with an important pathway for regulating small molecule activity and excretion. While SULT dimerization is highly conserved, the necessity for the interaction has not been established. To perform its function, a SULT must efficiently bind the universal sulfate donor, 3′-phosphoadenosine-5′-phosphosulfate (PAPS), and release the byproduct, 3′, 5′-diphosphoadenosine (PAP), following catalysis. We hypothesize this efficient binding and release of PAPS/PAP may be connected to SULT dimerization. To allow for the visualization of dynamic protein interactions critical for addressing this hypothesis and to generate kinetically testable hypotheses, molecular dynamic simulations (MDS) of hSULT1B1 were performed with PAPS and PAP bound to each dimer subunit in various combinations. The results suggest the dimer subunits may possess the capability of communicating with one another in a manner dependent on the presence of the cofactor. PAP or PAPS binding to a single side of the dimer results in decreased backbone flexibility of both the bound and unbound subunits, implying the dimer subunits may not act independently. Further, binding of PAP to one subunit of the dimer and PAPS to the other caused increased flexibility in the subunit bound to the inactive cofactor (PAP). These results suggest SULT dimerization may be important in maintaining cofactor binding/release properties of SULTs and provide hypothetical explanations for SULT half-site reactivity and substrate inhibition, which can be analyzed in vitro.
Purine N-oxides—LII: ESR studies on photochemically induced radicals from N-hydroxyxanthines

Abstract UV, gamma-, or X-irradiation of several N-hydroxyxanthines as powdered solids produces radicals that are indefinitely stable in the solid state at room temperature, but are highly unstable in protic solvents. The ESR spectra are not sufficiently resolved to be definitive but are compatible with an amidogen radical, the unpaired electron of which is partially delocalized through the aromatic π system. Structural characterization was obtained by comparing the UV induced radicals from 3-hydroxyxanthine and 3-hydroxy-8-methylxanthine with chemically generated nitroxyl radicals from the same compounds. These two radical species show differences in their ESR spectra, in the extent of interaction of the unpaired electron with the methyl group at position 8, and in the products resulting upon reaction in water. The amidogen radical reacts instantaneously with water to yield the parent xanthines. Parallels are drawn between this reduction of the amidogen radical, the photoreduction of 3-hydroxyxanthine when solutions of it are irradiated with UV light, and the reduction of 3-acetoxyxanthine in aqueous solution in the absence of light. The synthesis of a requisite derivative, 3-hydroxy-7,8-dimethylxanthine, is reported.
Stereo Image Processing

The sections in this article are 1 The Correspondence Problem 2 Epipolar Geometry 3 3-D Scene Reconstruction 4 Instrumentation 5 Concluding Remarks
Scalable rule management for data centers

Cloud operators increasingly need more and more fine-grained rules to better control individual network flows for various traffic management policies. In this paper, we explore automated rule management in the context of a system called vCRIB (a virtual Cloud Rule Information Base), which provides the abstraction of a centralized rule repository. The challenge in our approach is the design of algorithms that automatically off-load rule processing to overcome resource constraints on hypervisors and/or switches, while minimizing redirection traffic overhead and responding to system dynamics. vCRIB contains novel algorithms for finding feasible rule placements and adapting traffic overhead induced by rule placement in the face of traffic changes and VM migration. We demonstrate that vCRIB can find feasible rule placements with less than 10% traffic overhead even in cases where the traffic-optimal rule placement may be infeasible with respect to hypervisor CPU or memory constraints.
Acute Brain Slice Methods for Adult and Aging Animals: Application of Targeted Patch Clamp Analysis and Optogenetics

The development of the living acute brain slice preparation for analyzing synaptic function roughly a half century ago was a pivotal achievement that greatly influenced the landscape of modern neuroscience. Indeed, many neuroscientists regard brain slices as the gold-standard model system for detailed cellular, molecular, and circuitry level analysis and perturbation of neuronal function. A critical limitation of this model system is the difficulty in preparing slices from adult and aging animals, and over the past several decades few substantial methodological improvements have emerged to facilitate patch clamp analysis in the mature adult stage. In this chapter we describe a robust and practical protocol for preparing brain slices from mature adult mice that are suitable for patch clamp analysis. This method reduces swelling and damage in superficial layers of the slices and improves the success rate for targeted patch clamp recordings, including recordings from fluorescently labeled populations in slices derived from transgenic mice. This adult brain slice method is suitable for diverse experimental applications, including both monitoring and manipulating neuronal activity with genetically encoded calcium indicators and optogenetic actuators, respectively. We describe the application of this adult brain slice platform and associated methods for screening kinetic properties of Channelrhodopsin (ChR) variants expressed in genetically defined neuronal subtypes.
Noncustodial fathers' ability to pay child support.

This article explores the extent to which noncustodial fathers can pay child support by estimating the income of noncustodial fathers and coupling these estimates with simulations of alternative normative standards for how much absent parents should be expected to contribute to the costs of rearing their children. The study indicates that the amount that is currently paid in child support ($6.8 billion in 1983) is far below the amount that should be paid under the various standards—from $24 billion to $29 billion.
The isoprostanes - unique products of arachidonate peroxidation: their role as mediators of oxidant stress.

The isoprostanes (IsoPs) are a series of novel prostaglandin-like compounds formed in vivo in humans from the free radical-catalyzed peroxidation of arachidonate independent of the cyclooxygenase. While quantification of these compounds is a highly accurate measure of oxidant stress in vivo in humans, IsoPs also possess potent biological activity and likely mediate certain aspects of oxidative injury. The purpose of this review is to summarize selected aspects of our knowledge regarding the bioactivity of the IsoPs. I will first briefly highlight mechanisms involved in IsoP formation. Subsequently, I will discuss the biological activities of certain IsoPs that are formed in abundance in vivo and focus on two compounds, 15-F 2t -IsoP and 15-E 2t -IsoP, that have been studied in the greatest detail. This review will then examine, at a molecular level, mechanisms by which IsoPs exert their bioactivity. It has been shown that they are ligands for various eicosanoid receptors, in particular, the thromboxane receptor. In addition, I will discuss the controversial evidence that a unique IsoP receptor(s) exists. Finally, I will offer avenues for future research related to the development of pharmacological approaches to modulate IsoP formation and action in vivo and thus decrease the pathophysiological sequelae of oxidative injury.
Biochemical analysis of TREX complex recruitment to intronless and intron-containing yeast genes

The TREX complex is involved in both transcription elongation and mRNA export and is recruited to nascent transcription complexes. We have examined Yra1p, Sub2p and Hpr1p recruitment to nine genes of varying lengths and transcription frequencies. All three proteins increase from the 5′ to the 3′ ends of the four intronless genes examined. A modified chromatin immunoprecipitation assay that includes an RNase step indicates that Sub2p is bound to nascent RNA, Yra1p is associated with both RNA and DNA, and Hpr1p is associated with DNA. Although Hpr1p is recruited similarly to both intronless and intron-containing genes, low Yra1p and Sub2p levels are present on a subset of intron-containing genes. The residual Yra1p and Sub2p recruitment is less RNA-associated, and this correlates with high levels of U1 SnRNP on these genes. These experiments support a model in which TREX is recruited via the transcription machinery and then Yra1p and Sub2p are transferred to the nascent RNA. On some intron-containing genes, retention and/or transfer of Yra1p and Sub2p to nascent RNA are inhibited.
Dirofilaria immitis: performance and standardization of specific antibody immunoassays for filariasis.

The factors associated with the development, optimization, and validation of immunoassays for the detection of parasite-specific antibody in filariasis infections were investigated using the dog heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis as a model. We examined two assays, the Protein A solid-phase radioimmunoassay (SPRIA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), for quantitation of specific antibody to the parasite in canine serum. Precision, reproducibility, and parallelism were examined using response-error relationships and precision profile analyses. A staphylococcal Protein A saturation analysis was applied to the standardization of IgG antiparasite antibody reference sera in weight per volume units (μg/ml). Using the mean minimal detectable dose + 3 SD and an intraassay precision profile < 10% coefficient of variation (CV) as criteria for assay sensitivity, the SPRIA and ELISA displayed comparable positive thresholds of 1 μg/ml IgG anti-parasite antibody/ml of serum. Both assays also demonstrated good reproducibility (< 15% interassay CV) and parallelism (< 20% interdilutional CV) over their working ranges (SPRIA: 1–40 μg/ml; ELISA: 1–5 μg/ml). Specificity of each assay was enhanced by preadsorption of cross-reacting antibodies in canine serum (i.e., specific for Toxocara canis antigens) with solid-phase antigen prior to assay. Methods for comparing different immunoassay designs are considered in relation to the variables that influence the assays' performance characteristics.
A Re‐Investigation of the Reactions of Amines and Alcohols with 6,9‐Bis‐(Acetonitrile)Decaborane

The reaction of 6,9‐bis‐(acetonitrile)decaborane, I, with amines and alcohols has been studied. The products of the reactions of n‐BuNH2, (n‐Bu)2NH, PhNH2, n‐PrNH2, (n‐Pr)2NH, and CH3OH with I, which results in retention of the decaborane cage have been fully characterized, including the molecular strucutures of 6,9‐bis‐(N‐di‐n‐butylacetamidine)decaborane and 6,9‐bis‐(N‐phenylacetamidine)decaborane.
The measurement of technical competencies

Abstract Technical competencies are operationalized and tested on a census of the international semiconductor industry. This study is an important step in moving competence and capability from a popular topic of trade publications and theorists to a quantifiable management science. A series of questions that can be used for the study of other competencies is developed and tested. Competence is shown to be a single trait measure, with a high reliability. The reliability and validity of technical competencies are also considered.