cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Translational Correlation: Alzheimer’s Disease

In order to understand higher cortical functions of the human brain, behavioral neurologists and cognitive neuroscientists employ several approaches. The animal models only provide a reductive method of analyzing cortical functions at their simplistic levels. Historically, observations on patients with specific brain lesions show the evidence that the human intellect attributes, including attention, memory, language, motor action, and higher cortical perceptions are localized in cerebral cortices. The modern neuroimaging tools, such as functional MRI, enable researchers to formulate plausible cognitive processes of individual higher cortical functions. Often a brain disease can provide a unique window that fascinates clinicians as well as researchers in their views of how higher cortical functions interact with the environment for survival. More than 100 years ago, Dr. Alois Alzheimer described not only a vivid account of a patient with the disease of the cerebral cortex that later bears his name (Alzheimer's disease), but also linked progressively failing higher cortical functions with specific pathological signatures of cerebral cortices. Since mid-1970s, research on Alzheimer's disease has stimulated enthusiasm for exploration into the mechanism of higher cortical functions. In this chapter, major discoveries about Alzheimer's disease are highlighted. Most importantly, the fact that Alzheimer's disease can affect higher cortical functions is discussed.
Snap, crackle, and pop: Acoustic-based model estimation of snapping shrimp populations in healthy and degraded hard-bottom habitats

Abstract Human use of the ocean and its ecosystems continues to degrade coastal habitats around the world. Assessing anthropogenic impacts on these environments can be costly and manpower-intensive; thus, the development of rapid, remote techniques to assess habitat quality is important. We employed autonomous hydrophone receivers to record the soundscapes of healthy, sponge-rich hard-bottom habitat in Florida Bay, Florida (USA) and hard-bottom areas impacted by sponge die-offs. We also recorded sounds emanating from individual sponges of three species that were isolated in underwater sound booths, and then enumerated the invertebrates (mostly snapping shrimp) dwelling within the canals of each sponge. From these recordings, a modified cylindrical sound propagation model was used to estimate distances to individual snapping shrimp snaps. Using the program Distance , we estimated snapping shrimp population density and abundance within both habitat types. More snapping shrimp snaps per unit time were recorded in healthy hard-bottom areas as compared to degraded hard-bottom areas. In addition, the average distance to a snap source was greater within degraded hard-bottom areas than within healthy hard-bottom areas. As a consequence, the estimated density and abundance of snapping shrimp were one to two orders of magnitude greater within healthy habitat than within degraded habitat. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using acoustic sampling and modeling to rapidly assess populations of soniferous benthic indicator species, whose vocalizations may yield indirect estimates of habitat quality.
Gate current degradation in W-band InAlN/AlN/GaN HEMTs under gate stress

Schottky gate degradation of W-band InAlN/AlN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs) has been studied under prolonged positive gate stress. Two different degradation mechanisms have been identified. In an early stage, a gate leakage current increase takes place without any observable drain current nor source and drain resistance degradation. We propose electric field induced trap generation in the AlN barrier layer as the cause. Under harsher gate stress, a second degradation mechanism kicks in where gate leakage current, as well as drain current and the source and drain resistances degrade significantly. We attribute this to Schottky barrier degradation due to severe local self-heating.
Casein Kinase II (CK2), Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 (GSK-3) and Ikaros mediated regulation of leukemia

Signaling networks that regulate cellular proliferation often involve complex interactions between several signaling pathways. In this manuscript we review the crosstalk between the Casein Kinase II (CK2) and Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 (GSK-3) pathways that plays a critical role in the regulation of cellular proliferation in leukemia. Both CK2 and GSK-3 are potential targets for anti-leukemia treatment. Previously published data suggest that CK2 and GSK-3 act synergistically to promote the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) pathway via phosphorylation of PTEN. More recent data demonstrate another mechanism through which CK2 promotes the PI3K pathway - via transcriptional regulation of PI3K pathway genes by the newly-discovered CK2-Ikaros axis. Together, these data suggest that the CK2 and GSK-3 pathways regulate AKT/PI3K signaling in leukemia via two complementary mechanisms: a) direct phosphorylation of PTEN and b) transcriptional regulation of PI3K-promoting genes. Functional interactions between CK2, Ikaros and GSK3 define a novel signaling network that regulates proliferation of leukemia cells. This regulatory network involves both direct posttranslational modifications (by CK and GSK-3) and transcriptional regulation (via CK2-mediated phosphorylation of Ikaros). This information provides a basis for the development of targeted therapy for leukemia.
Abstract TMP51: Activation of PGE2 EP1 Receptor Promotes Microglial Phagocytosis Though CD36 Receptor Recycling

Background and Purpose: We have shown that the deletion of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) EP1 receptor undermined microglial phagocytosis in vivo. However, the related mechanism still remains unknown. CD36 is a type II scavenger receptor that mediates microglial phagocytosis. It was reported that microglial CD36 contributes to hematoma clearance after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). In this study, we sought to identify the effects of two EP1 agonists on microglial phagocytosis and CD36 receptor recycling in primary microglial cultures. Method: The EP1 agonists: 17-phenyl trinor-PGE2 (17-pt-PGE2) and ONO-DI-004 were used to treat primary microglial cultures, respectively. Fluorescent latex beads or CFSE-labeled red blood cells (CFSE-RBCs) were added to microglial cells at a concentration of ten beads/RBCs per cell for live-cell imaging. Immunocytochemistry was also performed with antibody against ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1, a marker to microglia). Furthermore, we analyzed CD36 receptor recycling by using an established receptor recycling assay. Result: The primary microglial cells were incubated with fluorescent latex beads and treated with the EP1 agonist 17-pt-PGE2 for 120 min. We found that 17-pt-PGE2 significantly increased the number of attached beads to microglial cells at the concentration of 10 μM from 40 min to 120 min of incubation. Furthermore, we analyzed CD36 receptor recycling using an established receptor recycling assay and the quantitative results showed that 10 μM of 17-pt-PGE2 treatment markedly increased the area of recycled CD36 receptor in microglial cells. We then treated primary microglial cells with another selective EP1 agonist ONO-DI-004 for 120 min at the concentration of 5 μM and 10 μM, respectively. The area of CFSE-RBCs after ice-cold PBS washing was markedly increased with 10 μM of ONO-DI-004 treatment. In the live-cell imaging experiment, 10 μM of ONO-DI-004 treatment also significantly increased the number of attached CFSE-RBCs to microglial cells from 25 min to 60 min of incubation. Conclusions: This study showed that the EP1 agonists: 17-pt-PGE2 and ONO-DI-004 can promote microglial phagocytosis in vitro and enhanced CD36 receptor recycling could mediate some of these effects.
Bupropion Use During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review.

Objective To evaluate data on birth outcomes following bupropion use during pregnancy. Data sources A systematic literature review of PubMed and PsycINFO was performed through June 2017 for clinical studies published in English. The following keywords were used: bupropion, pregnancy, depression, smoking cessation, birth outcomes, miscarriage, and spontaneous abortion. References and related articles were also searched to yield additional publications. With the exception of limiting the search to human subjects, no other limitations were applied in an effort to capture all relevant published studies. Study selection/data extraction No studies were excluded. A total of 8 studies were included in this review. Results Bupropion's use in the first trimester has been linked with a small elevation in the risk of cardiovascular defects, although the absolute risk was low and confounding by indication (eg, use for smoking cessation) cannot be excluded. While the risk of miscarriage following prenatal bupropion exposure was higher than that of a control group of women in one study, it remained within the general population rate. Conclusions While more studies are needed, research to date suggests that bupropion may be a reasonable treatment option for depressed pregnant women who require pharmacotherapy, particularly when they also are attempting to reduce nicotine use during pregnancy.
It makes you keep trying: Life review writing for older adults.

ABSTRACTLife review writing produces numerous psychosocial benefits for older adults, who are at risk for isolation and depression. This article shares findings from a study that examined the exper...
Introduction: Transatlantic Hues and Paradigmatic Cues

Broadening the three Pollack-Shaffer-Peterson phases of post-World War II ‘transatlantic studies’, this opening chapter exposes some news-making nuances taking a toll: the increasing sophistication/complexity; treating the United States as a sine qua non actor; the emerging exogenous factors influencing the zone; and the capacity of procedural and structural change as a catalyst. Accordingly, three new study dimensions to enrich the ‘transatlantic studies’ field are posited: (a) going backwards from World War II to the American discoveries; (b) extending the transatlantic zone, dominated by northern flows, to the central and south Atlantic flanks; and (c) admitting ideas/mind-sets to the stock of extant material or diplomatic ‘flows’. Since many ‘transitions’ crop up with the extended framework, how the subsequent chapters will treat them ultimately gets spelled out.
Consortial Geospatial Data Collection: Toward Standards and Processes for Shared GeoBlacklight Metadata

ABSTRACTConsortial geospatial data communities, such as the OpenGeoPortal federation and the GeoBlacklight initiative, facilitate contextualized discovery and promote metadata sharing to disperse hosting and preservation responsibilities across institutions. However, the challenges of communal metadata are manifold; they include proliferating standards, varying levels of completeness, mutable technology infrastructures, and uneven availability of human labor. Drawing from literature on metadata quality control, we outline a procedure for “scoring” GeoBlacklight records to establish a Domain Specific Language for metadata best practices. We propose strategies for authorship and management conducive to functionally interoperable geospatial metadata, that is versioned and enhanceable by the collective.
PIV-measurements of reactant flow in hydrogen-air explosions

Abstract The paper present the work on PIV-measurements of reactant flow velocity in front of propagating flames in hydrogen-air explosions. The experiments was performed with hydrogen-air mixture at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. The experimental rig was a square channel with 45 × 20 mm2 cross section, 300 mm long with a single cylindrical obstacle of blockage ratio 1/3. The equipment used for the PIV-measurements was a Firefly diode laser from Oxford lasers, Photron SA-Z high-speed camera and a particle seeder producing 1 μm droplets of water. The gas concentrations used in the experiments was 14 and 17 vol% hydrogen in air. The resulting explosion can be characterized as slow since the maximum flow velocity of the reactants was 13 m/s in the 14% mixture and 23 m/s in the 17% mixture. The maximum flow velocities was measured during the flame-vortex interaction and at two obstacle diameters behind the obstacle. The flame-vortex interaction contributed to the flame acceleration by increasing the overall reaction rate and the flow velocity. The flame area as a function of position is the same for both concentrations as the flame passes the obstacle.
Libertine botany: Vegetal sexualities, vegetal forms

This article unearths a tradition of libertine botany that emerges in the seventeenth century with the writings of Guy de La Brosse (1586–1641) and Cyrano de Bergerac (1619–1655), and moves forward subterraneanly into our own, more ecologically-focused times. This tradition imagines vegetal life, in the flexible and formally inventive pleasures it enables, as a model for human sexuality, thereby countering the tendency to impose human categories (such as gender difference) on plant life. Vegetality functions here as a scene of queer animacy, in which affects and sensations are mobilized across different kinds of bodies and diverse modes of being.
Bilateral Chronic Subdural Hematoma in the Posterior Fossa Treated with a Burr Hole Irrigation: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSH) in the posterior fossa is extremely rare. The surgical strategy is still controversial. We report a case of bilateral CSH in the posterior fossa successfully treated with a single-burr hole surgery. A 74-year-old man under anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy developed headache and nausea during observation for an asymptomatic supratentorial CSH. Radiological examinations revealed appearance of bilateral CSH in the posterior fossa associated with hydrocephalus. Upon rapid deterioration of the patient’s consciousness, an urgent treatment was required. A burr hole was made near the transverse-sigmoid junction on the left side to access the hematoma. No ventricular drainage was placed as his consciousness improved during the decompression of the hematoma. Postoperative computed tomography showed that bilateral CSH and hydrocephalus had been successfully treated. In bilateral CSH in the posterior fossa, there may be a connection between each side. CSH in the posterior fossa, when urgent, can be treated under local anesthesia with a unilateral burr hole irrigation.
Numerical analysis of the sensitivity of crystal growth experiments to spacecraft residual acceleration

The use of numerical models as an integral part of the development of space experiments not only provides guidance necessary for optimal, cost-effective use of space laboratories. As an illustration of the type of results that can be obtained for materials processing experiments, we discuss the analysis of the sensitivity of the Bridgman-Stockbarger method using an idealized model. A range of operating and boundary conditions are applied to examine the system behavior for a variety of accelerations, including those arising from attitude changes and actual acceleration data measured on-orbit. To characterize the system sensitivity we examine the dopant non-uniformity at the melt-crystal interface. For steady and transient accelerations, including acceleration profiles measured on Spacelab-3, the compositional non-uniformity is insensitive to time-dependent accelerations characteristic of relatively “quiet periods”, but is susceptible to steady accelerations greater than 10−6 g and to certain types of transient disturbances and oscillations. We find that the largest compositional nonuniformities occur for disturbances with amplitudes above 10−6 g and frequencies below 10−2 Hz. These nonunifomities are barely detectable at early times, reach a maximum after the velocity transient and subsequently decrease over the characteristic concentration diffusion time. The system is found to exhibit marginal sensitivity to only one of several “g-jitter” profiles synthesized from SL-3 measurements with frequencies between 10−1–10 Hz.
A Qualitative Study of “fa’a’amu” Kinship Care Experiences in Tahiti

“Fa'a'amu” is a type of adoption commonly found in French Polynesia involving open, informal adoption arrangements, in which the child maintains ties to the family of origin. Although the function ...
Trader Participation in Disclosure: Implications of Interactions with Management

Technological advances are creating a shift in the information disclosure environment allowing more investors to interact with management. We examine three key levels of trader-management interaction to assess the accuracy of traders’ market-tested value estimates and resulting market price. These data require an engaging experiment and a complex, contextually-rich asset, which we create by playing a popular gaming app before the experiment. Participants view financial information, ask management questions, estimate value, and trade. We find that receiving non-personalized question responses improves trader estimates of value and market price efficiency relative to when traders ask questions but do not expect a response. This occurs because traders exert more effort estimating value and trading. However, receiving personalized versus non-personalized responses harms value estimates and market efficiency. This occurs because traders receiving personalized responses fixate on the interaction with management, dividing their attention and diverting it away from valuing and trading the asset.
Interferon-Independent Activities of Mammalian STING Mediate Antiviral Response and Tumor Immune Evasion.

Summary Type I interferon (IFN) response is commonly recognized as the main signaling activity of STING. Here, we generate the Sting1S365A/S365A mutant mouse that precisely ablates IFN-dependent activities while preserving IFN-independent activities of STING. StingS365A/S365A mice protect against HSV-1 infection, despite lacking the STING-mediated IFN response. This challenges the prevailing view and suggests that STING controls HSV-1 infection through IFN-independent activities. Transcriptomic analysis reveals widespread IFN-independent activities of STING in macrophages and T cells, and STING activities in T cells are predominantly IFN independent. In mouse tumor models, T cells in the tumor experience substantial cell death that is in part mediated by IFN-independent activities of STING. We found that the tumor induces STING-mediated cell death in T cells to evade immune control. Our data demonstrate that mammalian STING possesses widespread IFN-independent activities that are important for restricting HSV-1 infection, tumor immune evasion and likely also adaptive immunity.
Etomidate, Adrenal Insufficiency and Mortality Associated With Severity of Illness: A Meta-Analysis.

Purpose:Etomidate causes adrenal insufficiency. Yet in critically ill patients, it is controversial whether it increases mortality rates above that of comparator anesthetic induction agents. We pos...
Low Loss LTCC Ag System for 5G Applications

Low dielectric constant/low loss LTCC materials have drawn much attention with the emergence of 5G wireless telecommunications. LTCC offers unique properties in the millimeter wave frequency range. The low dielectric constant and dielectric loss enable low latency devices with enhanced performance. To meet the market demands of higher performance and lower cost, Ferro has developed a new M7 LTCC/Ag cofireable system suitable for antenna in 5G and other high frequency applications. M7 LTCC ceramic green tape and cofireable Ag conductors have been developed and tested. Properties of the LTCC/Ag system are included herein including high frequency dielectric properties.
Hibernoma with inflammatory features: A description of a new variant

Abstract Hibernoma is an uncommon benign tumor arising from brown fat. These tumors are well-described in the literature, and occur throughout the body with the majority of cases arising in the thigh, shoulder, and upper back, with some in the retroperitoneum. Several morphologic variants have been described, including typical, spindle, lipoma-like, and myxoid. The overlap with a well-differentiated liposarcoma/atypical lipomatous tumor is well-known, and the two lesions can be differentiated by immunostaining and in-situ hybridization for MDM2. In this report, we describe a case of hibernoma with a dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate arising in the retroperitoneum, a morphologic variant not previously described in the literature.
Incidence of Invasive Fungal Infection (IFI) in ACUTE Myeloid Leukemia (AML) on Primary Prophylaxis with Voriconazole in Tertiriary Care Center in Pakistan

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to establish the incidence of IFI in AML patients receiving voriconazole prophylaxis in developing country. METHOD: This prospective study was conducted at The Children's Hospital, Lahore from July 2019 to December 2019 under Prospective AML registry approved by Institutional Review Board. All, consecutive patients of AML, either newly diagnosed or previously diagnosed cases with persistent fever and prolonged neutropenia, were included. Moreover, all patients of AML receiving chemotherapy also received voriconazole prophylaxis. Data of 64 patients was computed in accordance with age, gender, FAB classification, chemotherapy regimen and anti-fungal therapy. EORTC/MSG criteria was used to determine and classify IFI as proven, probable, or possible after performing CT chest and PNS, x-ray PNS, and abdominal ultrasound. CT scan was independently reviewed by a trained radiologist. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 22. RESULTS: Total 64 patients of AML were included in the study. The mean age of presentation was 6 years, range 1.5years to 16 years with 45 % males. Out of 64 patients, fungal infection was suspected in 50 patients (78%) due to persistent fever and prolonged neutropenia. In suspected 50 patients, probable and possible fungal infections were found in 22(34.37%) Patients. Eighteen 18/22 (81.81 %) were probable and 4/22 (18.18 %) were possible fungal infection. Majority of the cases 13/22 (59%) patients developed fungal infection during or after course of first induction therapy. CONCLUSION: Patients with high-risk hematologic malignancies especially AML are more at risk to develop IFI. In our study despite primary prophylaxis with voriconazole, incidence was higher than that reported in the literature from developed countries. Our data suggests that there is need to further improve supportive care measures and implement IFI preventive measures to decrease the incidence of IFI and improve survival. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Management of multiple brain metastases via dual-isocenter VMAT stereotactic radiosurgery

Abstract Single-isocenter volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) techniques to treat multiple brain metastases simultaneously can significantly improve treatment delivery efficiency, patient compliance, and clinic workflow. However, due to large number of brain metastases sharing the same MLC pair causing island blocking, there is higher low- and intermediate-dose spillage to the normal brain and higher dose to organs-at-risk (OAR). To minimize this problem and improve plan quality, this study proposes a dual-isocenter planning strategy that groups lesions based on hemisphere location (left vs right sided) in the brain parenchyma, providing less island blocking reducing the MLC travel distance. This technique offers simplified planning while also increasing patient comfort and compliance by allowing for large number of brain metastases to be treated in 2 groups. Seven complex patients with 5 to 16 metastases (64 total) were planned with a single-isocenter VMAT-SRS technique using a 10MV-FFF beam with a prescription of 20 Gy to each lesion. The isocenter was placed at the approximate geometric center of the targets. Each patient was replanned using the dual-isocenter approach, generating 2 plans and placing each isocenter at the approximate geometric center of the combined targets of each side with corresponding non-coplanar partial arcs. Compared to single-isocenter VMAT, dual-isocenter VMAT plans provided similar target coverage and dose conformity with less spread of intermediate dose to normal brain with reduction of dose to OAR. Reduction in total monitor units and beam on time was observed, but due to the second isocenter setup and verification, overall treatment time was increased. Dual-isocenter VMAT-SRS planning for multiple brain metastases is a simplified approach that provides superior treatment options for patient compliance who may not tolerate longer traditional treatment times as with individual isocenters to each target. This planning technique significantly reduces the amount of low- and intermediate-dose spillage, further sparing OAR and normal brain, potentially improving target accuracy though localization of left vs right-sided tumors for each isocenter set up.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of pembrolizumab for BCG-unresponsive carcinoma in situ of the bladder.

395Background: Patients with BCG-unresponsive carcinoma in situ (CIS) are treated with radical cystectomy (RCx) or salvage intravesical chemotherapy (SIC). Recently, the FDA approved pembrolizumab ...
0030 Assessing suicide mechanisms by geographic division, urbanization, sex, race/ethnicity, and age – united states 2004–2018

Statement of purpose We assessed suicide rates by mechanism within geographic divisions by urbanicity, age, race/ethnicity and sex to inform targeted approaches for suicide prevention strategies. We addressed health equity by highlighting potential disparities and differences between and within demographics, geographic divisions and urbanization levels. Methods/Approach We will conduct temporal trend analysis using population-based mortality data from the National Vital Statistics System between 2004 and 2018 to estimate trends in suicide rates. We will tabulate national annual counts of suicide deaths among U.S. residents, by injury mechanism, stratified by Census Divisions, 2013 NCHS urban-rural classification scheme for counties, age, race/ethnicity, and sex. Results In preliminary analysis using CDC WONDER we found certain mechanisms of suicide increasing. We found females had statistically significant higher crude rates of suicide by suffocation than by firearm in large central metro areas in New England (1.3; 0.3) and Middle Atlantic (1.2; 0.3) and in large fringe metro areas in New England (1.6; 0.4) and Middle Atlantic (1.3; 0.6). Males had statistically significant higher crude rates of suicide by suffocation than by firearm in large central metro areas in New England (6.0; 3.7) and Middle Atlantic (4.2;3.5) and in large fringe metro areas in New England (6.4; 4.3). Suicide rates by firearm are highest in most other geographic and urbanization areas for sex. Further analyses will highlight trends in suicide rates by mechanism and by sex, age, race/ethnicity within geographic areas and urbanicity to elucidate differences between and within demographic groups. Conclusions Results may inform suicide prevention strategies for different populations based on overlapping demographics, geographic areas and urbanicity. Significance Using a health equity lens, we will provide nuanced suicide data needed for a multifaceted approach to inform suicide prevention strategies in the US.
The effects of ventilation and filtration on indoor PM2.5 in office buildings in four countries

Abstract Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is an airborne pollutant associated with negative acute and chronic human health outcomes. Although the majority of PM2.5 research has focused on outdoor exposures, people spend the majority of their time indoors, where PM2.5 of outdoor origin can penetrate. In this work, we measured indoor PM2.5 continuously for one year in 37 urban commercial offices with mechanical or mixed-mode ventilation in China, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States. We found that indoor PM2.5 concentrations were generally higher when and where outdoor PM2.5 was elevated. In India and China, mean workday indoor PM2.5 levels exceeded the World Health Organization's 24-hour exposure guideline of 25 μ g/m3 about 17% and 27% of the time, respectively. Our statistical models found evidence that the operation of mechanical ventilation systems could mitigate the intrusion of outdoor PM2.5: during standard work hours, a 10 μ g/m3 increase in outdoor PM2.5 was associated with 19.9% increase in the expected concentration of indoor PM2.5 (p
The unusual case of babesiosis causing disseminated intravascular coagulation with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

Babesiosis is increasing in the elderly due to an age-related decline in immunity. Prompt diagnosis with blood smear and PCR prevent life-threatening complications, like DIC and HLH. Studies focusing on pathophysiology and risk factors are needed.
Medicare Claim-Based National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale to Predict 30-Day Mortality and Hospital Readmission.

Background The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) penalizes hospitals for higher than expected 30-day mortality rates using methods without accounting for condition severity risk adjustment. For patients with stroke, CMS claims did not quantify stroke severity until recently, when the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) reporting began. Objective Examine the predictive ability of claim-based NIHSS to predict 30-day mortality and 30-day hospital readmission in patients with ischemic stroke. Design Retrospective cohort study of Medicare claims data. Patients Medicare beneficiaries with ischemic stroke (N=43,241) acute hospitalization between October 2016 and November 2017. Measurements All-cause 30-day mortality and 30-day hospital readmission. NIHSS score was derived from ICD-10 codes and stratified into the following: minor to moderate, moderate, moderate to severe, and severe categories. Results Among 43,241 patients with ischemic stroke with NIHSS from 2,659 US hospitals, 64.6% had minor to moderate stroke, 14.3% had moderate, 12.7% had moderate to severe, and 8.5% had a severe stroke,10.1% died within 30 days, 12.1% were readmitted within 30 days. The NIHSS exhibited stronger discriminant property (C-statistic 0.83, 95% CI: 0.82-0.84) for 30-day mortality compared to Elixhauser (0.74, 95% CI: 0.73-0.75). A monotonic increase in the adjusted 30-day mortality risk occurred relative to minor to moderate stroke category: hazard ratio [HR]=2.92 (95% CI=2.59-3.29) for moderate stroke, HR=5.49 (95% CI=4.90-6.15) for moderate to severe stroke, and HR=7.82 (95% CI=6.95-8.80) for severe stroke. After accounting for competing risk of mortality, there was a significantly higher readmission risk in the moderate stroke (HR=1.11, 95% CI=1.03-1.20), but significantly lower readmission risk in the severe stroke (HR=0.84, 95% CI=0.74-0.95) categories. Limitation Timing of NIHSS reporting during hospitalization is unknown. Conclusions Medicare claim-based NIHSS is significantly associated with 30-day mortality in Medicare patients with ischemic stroke and significantly improves discriminant property relative to the Elixhauser comorbidity index.
Site Investigation and Soil Conditions

The geotechnical engineer needs to develop an appropriate game plan to conduct a piling engineering project. Investigation of the site is a very important step in any geotechnical engineering project. In a site investigation program, some major steps are involved, that are, literature survey, site visit, subsurface investigation program and sampling, and laboratory test program. The very first step in a site investigation program is to obtain published information relevant to the project. Subsurface information can be obtained from the sources, namely—national geological surveys, adjacent property owners, published literature, and aerial photographs. After conducting a literature survey, it is a good idea to pay a site visit that is helpful in determining the surface soil characteristics. Surface soil may indicate the existence of underlying fill material or loose organic soil. A comprehensive boring program should be conducted to identify soil types existing in the site. Local codes should be consulted before developing the boring program.
The Effect of Computerized Provider Order Entry on Medical Student Clerkship Experiences

Objective: To describe medical students' attitudes toward placing orders during training, and the effect of computerized provider order entry (CPOE) on their learning experiences. Design: Prospective, controlled study of all 143 Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine students who began the Basic Medicine clerkship between March 2003 and April 2004 at one of three teaching hospitals: one using CPOE, one paper orders, and one that began using CPOE midway through this study. Measurements: Survey of students at the start and after the first month of the clerkship. Results: Ninety-six percent of students responded. Students expressed a desire to place 100% of orders for their patients. Ninety-five percent of students believed that placing orders helps students learn what tests and treatments patients need. Eighty-four percent reported that being unavailable due to conferences and teaching sessions was a significant barrier to participating in the ordering process. Students at hospitals using CPOE reported placing significantly fewer of their patients' follow-up orders compared to students at hospitals using paper orders (25% vs. 50%, p < 0.01) and were more likely to report that their resident or intern did not want them to enter orders (40% vs. 16%, p < 0.01). Comparisons of students at hospitals using CPOE to each other showed that these differences were attributable to one of the hospitals. Thirty-two percent of students at both hospitals using CPOE reported that the extra length of time required for housestaff to review their orders in the computer was a significant barrier. Conclusion: Hospitals need to ensure that the educational potential of medical students' clinical experiences is maximized when implementing CPOE.
A Deductive Database System with Applications to Route Planning

The issue of deductive query optimization has received widespread attention, yet the problem of dealing with functions defined on complex data structures remains unresolved. In this paper we present an approach which allows for abstract data types and arbitrary user-defined functions within the framework of an extended relational model. Functions may appear in both rules and queries, and the optimization process uses a combination of term rewriting and distribution of selections. Our approach provides a clean integration of functions into both the language and the optimization algorithm, and yields efficient strategies for a wide range of queries. The technique is demonstrated on a route planning application.
Computer‐Aided Production Planning

The sections in this article are 1 Knowledge Representation 2 Simulation Methodology 3 Automatic Simulation Model Generation 4 Conclusion 5 Appendix 1. Dynamic Models
ROCK FRACTURE SPACINGS, OPENINGS, AND POROSITIES

The amount of grout to inject into a given volume of fractured foundation rock depends on the fracture porosity and on the spacing and sizes of fracture openings. These properties cannot be measured directly but can be calculated from water-pressure tests if several simplifying assumptions are made. The method is valid for fractured rock masses whose intergranular permeability is very small compared to the fracture permeability, and if solution cavities or pervious interbeds are absent. Studies of 35 dam sites indicate that maximum fracture porosities are about 0.05% near the surface, decreasing to about 0.005% at the 200-ft depth. The volume of grout required for impregnation is correspondingly small. Fracture openings decrease from about 100 microns to 50 microns in the same depth interval. Cement grout penetration is accordingly limited to a small proportion, only the largest, of fractures. The minimum spacing of open fractures increases from 4 ft to 14 ft. All rock types appear to be similar in fracture properties.
Piroxicam Is an Ineffective Inhibitor of N-Nitrosomethylbenzylamine-induced Tumorigenesis in the Rat Esophagus

Epidemiological studies indicate an association between the frequent use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and decreased risk for esophageal cancer. These studies suggest that limiting excess prostaglandin production, via inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX)-mediated arachidonic acid metabolism, may be an important strategy for the prevention of this type of malignancy. N-Nitrosomethylbenzylamine (NMBA)-induced tumorigenesis in the rat esophagus is a model of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma used for investigations of chemical carcinogenesis and for the evaluation of putative chemopreventive agents. In this study, we characterized COX-mediated arachidonic acid metabolism in NMBA-induced rat esophageal tumorigenesis by measuring COX-1 and COX-2 expression and prostaglandin E(2) production. In addition, we evaluated the ability of piroxicam, a potent COX inhibitor, to prevent postinitiation events of NMBA-induced tumorigenesis in the rat esophagus. After a 2-week acclimatization period, groups of 30 male F344 rats received s.c. injections of NMBA (0.5 mg/kg b.w.) three times/week for 5 weeks. Seventy-two h after the final NMBA treatment and for the remainder of the study, piroxicam was administered in the diet at 200 and 400 ppm. Twenty-five weeks after the initiation of NMBA treatment, we observed an elevation in COX mRNA and protein expression and prostaglandin E(2) production in NMBA-treated esophageal tissues compared with normal epithelium. However, these changes were associated with data indicating that a COX inhibitor is not preventive in NMBA-induced rat esophageal tumorigenesis. Administration of piroxicam in the diet produced no significant reductions in esophageal tumor incidence, multiplicity, or size. The reasons for the lack of effect are largely unknown but may be related to the inability of piroxicam to modulate other biochemical pathways involved in NMBA-induced tumorigenesis.
‘Thinking in cartoons’: reclaiming Spiegelman’s In the Shadow of No Towers

In this essay, I try to reclaim Art Spiegelman’s In the Shadow of No Towers from critics who have tried, since Maus, to read his work solely through the lens of trauma- or affect-based theory. Situating In the Shadow of No Towers intertextually against his earlier Breakdowns: Portrait of the Artist as a Young %@*}! and his published interviews, I trace out Spiegelman’s theorization of the ‘grammar’ of comics as a ‘medium of thought’ and explicate how In the Shadow of No Towers thematizes a model of ‘traumatic transmission’ based on a more old-school notion of authorial intentionalism: namely, one that suggests that the text transfers its message directly to the reader’s mind. Thus, rather than the aporetic or alchemical models suggested by trauma and affect theory, Spiegelman embraces what he calls an ‘architectonic’ model that hearkens back to more formalist, traditional modes of literary criticism.
Thermoelectric power of antiferromagnetic chromium-iron alloys

Abstract Absolute thermoelectric power ( S ) of chromium and chromium-iron alloys containing 1.8, 3.3, 4.9, 9.5, and 11.2 at.% iron has been measured as a function of temperature ( T ) between 50 and 350 K. The S vs. T curves exhibit large anomalies in this temperature range due to the transition from the paramagnetic to various antiferromagnetic states. The large increases in the thermopower with decreasing temperatures in the antiferromagnetic region can be approximately correlated with the corresponding increases in the electrical resistivity. The thermopower and electrical resistivity data indicate that the energy gaps resulting from the onset of antiferromagnetism are of the order of 0.1 eV. The transport-property data at elevated temperatures do not obey the Nordheim-Gorter rule.
Theory of contact for geometric continuity of parametric curves

This paper develops a theory of contact for piecewise parametric curves based on the differential geometry of evolutes, polar curves, and binormal indicatrices. This theory is completely geometric, independent of parametrization and generalizes to any order. Two sets of dimensionless, characteristic numbers describing the local geometry of a curve up tonth order are defined. These characteristic numbers can be used to describe conditions for higher order contacts in an algebraic fashion. The same characteristic numbers can also be used to interpret contact conditions of up tonth order in terms of the geometry of higher evolutes and binormal indicatrices. The resulting geometric contact conditions are used to design piecewise parametric curves for Computer Aided Geometric Design (CAGD) applications.
Hydrocortisone decreases the internalization of low density lipoprotein in cultured human fibroblasts and arterial smooth muscle cells.

. The effect of hydrocortisone on the cellular low density lipoprotein (LDL) pathway was studied in cultured human skin fibroblasts and arterial smooth muscle cells. Hydrocortisone decreased both uptake and degradation of 125I-LDL. LDL binding, measured at 4°C, was not affected by the hormone. Physiological concentrations of hydrocortisone (4.1 ± 10-8 mol/1) resulted in a 30% reduction of LDL uptake and degradation which could not be accounted for by an effect of the hormone on macromolecular synthesis, cell protein or cell number. To test whether the decrease in uptake and degradation of 125I-LDL was due to reduced internalization, the effect of hydrocortisone on the internalization of prebound LDL was determined and found to be decreased. Also, preincubation with unlabelled LDL in the presence of hydrocortisone resulted in less down regulation of LDL receptor activity than when no hydrocortisone was present. An effect of the hormone on bulk phase endocytosis has been excluded, since hydrocortisone did not affect either LDL degradation by receptor negative cells or endocytosis of 14C-sucrose by normal skin fibroblasts. Thus, hydrocortisone impairs LDL catabolism by decreasing the internalization of LDL normally bound to its cell surface receptor. These results may be relevant to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in conditions associated with reduced cellular LDL catabolism.
Differences in the covalent binding of benzo[a]pyrene, safrole, 1'-hydroxysafrole, and 4-aminobiphenyl to DNA of pregnant and non-pregnant mice.

Abstract The effects of pregnancy on the covalent binding of several carcinogens to DNA were investigated in mice. Non-pregnant or timed-pregnant (18th day of gestation) ICR mice of similar age were treated with benzo[ a ]pyrene (BP, 200 μmol/kg), safrole (600 μmol/kg), 1′-hydroxysafrole (400 μmol/kg), 4-aminobiphenyl (4-ABP, 800 μmol/kg), or trioctanoin (4 ml/kg) per os. Tissue DNA adduct levels at 24 h after carcinogen treatment were analyzed via a 32 P-postlabeling assay. Pregnancy lowered the binding of the ultimate carcinogenic metabolite of BP, 7β,8α-dihydroxy-9α,10α-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[ a ]pyrene (BPDE I), to liver and lung DNA by 29–41%, but not the binding of other metabolites. The binding of safrole and its proximate carcinogen, 1′-hydroxysafrole, to liver and kidney DNA was increased 2.3–3.5 fold. Pregnancy decreased the binding of 4-ABP to liver DNA by ∼18% but increased its binding to kidney DNA by 67%. The results suggest that exposure to some genotoxic compounds, especially those requiring conjugation reactions for metabolic activation, may be more hazardous during pregnancy than in the non-pregnant state.
Lactational responses of dairy cows to diets containing regular and high oleic acid sunflower seeds.

Abstract Ten Holstein cows were used in a 15-wk nested factorial to evaluate the response to diets containing added fat from sunflower seeds high (>65%) in linoleic acid (regular sunflower seeds) or high (80%) in oleic acid (high oleic acid variety sunflower seeds). Replicated periods were of 5 wk each, with data collected the last 3 wk of each period. Total mixed diets were 40% corn silage (DM basis), 15% alfalfa hay, and 45% concentrate mix. Concentrate mixes were control, 20% regular sunflower seeds, or 20% high oleic acid sunflower seeds in place of portions of the corn and soybean meal. Yields of milk (27.9, 25.4, and 28.8 kg/d) were similar for all diets, while 4% FCM (24.0, 19.2, and 24.0 kg/d) and SCM (24.8, 20.2, and 24.8 kg/d) were lower when cows were fed regular sunflower seeds. Percentages of fat (3.14, 2.43, and 2.92%) were reduced when cows were fed regular sunflower seeds, but protein (3.00, 3.24, and 3.03%) and total solids (12.12, 11.34, and 11.82%) were similar for all diets. Milk fat from cows fed regular sunflower seeds contained the highest proportions of unsaturated fatty acids with the lowest proportions from cows fed the control diet. Dry matter intakes (22.8, 20.6, and 21.9 kg/d) were similar. Molar percentages of ruminal acetate were lower and propionate higher when cows were fed regular sunflower seeds than when fed high oleic acid sunflower seeds or control. The fatty acid composition of dietary fat influenced the fatty acid composition of cows milk.
Pharmacogenetics of the cytochrome P450 enzyme system: Review of current knowledge and clinical significance

Genetic variation in drug metabolizing enzymes is an important contributor to interindividual variation in drug disposition and response and is associated with significant clinical consequences. Many commonly used drugs are dependent on the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase enzymes (CYP450) for their metabolism and elimination. At present, more than 57 active human CYP450 genes are known, and the majority of these genes are polymorphic. Despite the large number of CYP450 genes, only the CYP1, CYP2, and CYP3 families of enzymes have a major role in drug metabolism. Approximately 10 CYP450s are responsible for the metabolism of a large number of pharmacologic agents in human beings. The polymorphic forms of the CYP450s are responsible for the development of a significant number of adverse drug reactions and may also contribute to drug response. Genetic polymorphisms have now been identified in the genes encoding all the main CYP450s that contribute to drug and other xenobiotic metabolism, and there are marked i...
A Live Oral Fowl Typhoid Vaccine with Reversible O-Antigen Production

Salmonella enterica serovar Gallinarum causes fowl typhoid, recognized worldwide as an economically important disease. The current vaccine, 9R, lacks a complete O antigen, which is a Salmonella virulence factor, and, in addition, has a number of other less well characterized chromosomal mutations. For optimal efficacy, 9R is administered by injection. In an effort to develop a vaccine suitable for oral administration, we constructed Salmonella Gallinarum strains with a reversible O-antigen phenotype. In this scenario, the vaccine strain produces full-length O antigen at the time it is administered to birds. After the vaccine has had time to colonize internal lymphoid tissues, the O-antigen is gradually lost, resulting in an attenuated strain. We found that strains carrying single mutations conferring this phenotype, Apmi and arabinose-regulated rfc, retained virulence. However, a mutant strain carrying both of these mutations was completely attenuated and immunogenic in chickens. This work demonstrates a novel approach for developing live Salmonella vaccines for poultry.
Molecular imaging in oncology: the acceptance of PET/CT and the emergence of MR/PET imaging

In the last decade, PET-only systems have been phased out and replaced with PET-CT systems. This merger of a functional and anatomical imaging modality turned out to be extremely useful in clinical practice. Currently, PET-CT is a major diagnostic tool in oncology. At the dawn of the merger of MRI and PET, another breakthrough in clinical imaging is expected. The combination of these imaging modalities is challenging, but has particular features such as imaging biological processes at the same time in specific body locations.