cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Home care reimbursement for intravenous ganciclovir therapy

Variability in reimbursement for home i.v. ganciclovir therapy among three types of payers was investigated. A survey was developed to estimate reimbursement for drug and medical supplies and nursing services associated with preparing i.v. ganciclovir and administering it to persons with cytomegalovirus (CMV)-associated retinitis in the home care setting. The questionnaire was mailed to 45 home health care agencies and 11 nursing agencies. Of the 56 surveys mailed, 26 (46%) were returned and considered usable. Of the 26 respondents, 22 were home health care companies, 4 were nursing agencies, 22 served patients covered by managed care or state assistance that reimbursed on a per diem basis, and 9 did not provide care to fee-for-service patients. The mean total daily reimbursement rate (for ganciclovir, supplies, and nursing services) from managed care per diem plans was $137.69 per patient, compared with $129.18 from fee-for-service plans and $72.68 from state assistance per diem plans. The dissimilarity may have been due to geographic variations in reimbursement and different mechanisms of reimbursement. Providers of home i.v. ganciclovir therapy for persons with CMV retinitis received the highest mean total daily reimbursement from managed care per diem plans, followed by fee-for-service plans and state assistance per diem plans.
Allocating time between feeding, resting and moving by the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae and its predator Phytoseiulus persimilis

This study characterizes the timing of feeding, moving and resting for the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch and a phytoseiid predator, Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot. Feeding is the interaction between T. urticae and plants, and between P. persimilis and T. urticae. Movement plays a key role in locating new food resources. Both activities are closely related to survival and reproduction. We measured the time allocated to these behaviours at four ages of the spider mite (juveniles, adult females immediately after moult and adult females 1 and 3 days after moult) and two ages of the predatory mite (juveniles and adult females). We also examined the effect of previous spider mite-inflicted leaf damage on the spider mite behaviour. Juveniles of both the spider mite and the predatory mite moved around less than their adult counterparts. Newly emerged adult female spider mites spent most of their time moving, stopping only to feed. This represents the teneral phase, during which adult female spider mites are most likely to disperse. With the exception of this age group, spider mites moved more and fed less on previously damaged than on clean leaves. Because of this, the spider mite behaviour was initially more variable on damaged leaves. Phytoseiulus persimilis rested at all stages for a much larger percentage of the time and spent less time feeding than did T. urticae; the predators invariably rested in close proximity to the prey. Compared to adult predators, juveniles spent approximately four times as long handling a prey egg. The predator-prey interaction is dependent upon the local movement of both the predators and prey. These details of individual behaviours in a multispecies environment can provide an understanding of population dynamics.
Changes Associated with Acquired Immunity During Initial Infections in Saurian Malaria

This paper represents a continuation of the experimental studies in saurian malaria described by Thompson and Huff (1944a and b), which included descriptions of 3 new species of parasites, observations on their life cycles, and data on various other aspects of the infections in several species of lizards. It is now possible to describe the entire course of the initial infections and certain changes associated with acquired immunity in saurian malaria. The immunity studies are restricted primarily to observations made from blood smears
Manufacture of Submicron Light-Emitting Porous Silicon Areas for Miniature LEDs

We have investigated several methods to form submicron-size porous silicon regions. Porous silicon can emit light from the violet to past 1.5 μm with high photoluminescence efficiency at room temperature. It is composed of a high density of nanometer-scale crystalline silicon wires or dots. To integrate light-emitting porous silicon (LEPSi) LEDs with conventional Si microelectronics, it is necessary to produce miniature LEPSi regions adjacent to fully protected crystalline silicon regions. These techniques can be divided into two groups. In the first group formation of LEPSi is prevented during electrochemistry. Using optical and electron beam lithography, and a trilayer process with silicon nitride or amorphization by ion-implantation, we have made LEPSi patterns as small as 100 nm. In the second group, the formation of LEPSi during electrochemistry is enhanced by ion-milling or reactive ion-etching which we have found to help the pore nucleation. We have used a variety of mapping techniques, such as photoluminescence, atomic force and electron beam microscopies, to characterize the sharpness of the interface between the porous silicon and crystalline silicon regions.
Ion-transfer voltammetry of perfluoroalkanesulfonates and perfluoroalkanecarboxylates: picomolar detection limit and high lipophilicity.

Here we report on ion-transfer voltammetry of perfluoroalkanesulfonates and perfluoroalkanecarboxylates at the interface between a plasticized polymer membrane and water to enable the ultrasensitive detection of these persistent environmental contaminants with adverse health effects. The ion-transfer cyclic voltammograms of the perfluoroalkyl oxoanions are obtained by using a ∼1 μm thick poly(vinyl chloride) membrane plasticized with 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether. The cyclic voltammograms are numerically analyzed to determine formal ion-transfer potentials as a measure of ion lipophilicity. The fragmental analysis of the formal potentials reveals that the 104 times higher lipophilicity of a perfluoroalkanesulfonate in comparison to the alkanesulfonate with the same chain length is due to the inductive effect of perfluorination on lowering the electron density of the adjacent sulfonate group, thereby weakening its hydration. The fragmental analysis also demonstrates that the lipophilicities of perfluoroalkyl a...
Correcting perceived perspective distortions using object specific planar transformations

Distortions due to perspective projection is often described under the umbrella term of foreshortening in computer graphics and are treated the same way. However, a large body of literature from artists, perceptual psychologists and perception scientists have shown that the perception of these distortions is different in different situations. While the distortions themselves depend on both the depth and the orientation of the object with respect to the camera image plane, the perception of these distortions depends on other depth cues present in the image. In the absence of any depth cue or prior knowledge about the objects in the scene, the visual system finds it hard to correct the foreshortening automatically and such images need user input and external algorithmic distortion correction.
The use of multiple variables to predict response to endocrine therapy in carcinoma of the prostate: a preliminary report

AbstractWe are attempting to develop a method to predict hormonal response in patients with carcinoma of the prostate. We have measured multiple biochemical variables and determined Gleason grade in prostatic needle biopsies obtained from 16 patients immediately before castration or initiation of estrogen therapy. Biochemical variables included 6 enzymes (3 enzymes involved in androgen metabolism and 3 hydrolytic enzymes), androgen receptor content, and tissue testosterone and dihydrotestosterone content. The 16 patients were followed prospectively and the response of each patient to hormonal therapy was assessed clinically. Two groups of patients were identified: 1 group of 7 patients in which the mean duration of response was 7.7 plus or minus 1.5 months (plus or minus standard error) and in which all patients have relapsed and died of their disease, and a second group of 9 patients in which the mean duration of response was 18.6 plus or minus 1.6 months (plus or minus standard error) and in which 7 of ...
A cross-tool communication study on program analysis tool notifications

Program analysis tools use notifications to communicate with developers, but previous research suggests that developers encounter challenges that impede this communication. This paper describes a qualitative study that identifies 10 kinds of challenges that cause notifications to miscommunicate with developers. Our resulting notification communication theory reveals that many challenges span multiple tools and multiple levels of developer experience. Our results suggest that, for example, future tools that model developer experience could improve communication and help developers build more accurate mental models.
Primary cilia regulate the osmotic stress response of renal epithelial cells through TRPM3.

Primary cilia sense environmental conditions, including osmolality, but whether cilia participate in the osmotic response in renal epithelial cells is not known. The transient receptor potential (T...
Degree of automation in command and control decision support systems

This paper investigates the effects of integrating automation into the various stages of information processing in a military command and control scenario. Command and control (C2) is an extreme decision-making paradigm characterized by high uncertainty, high risk, and severe time pressure. We introduce a principled approach to decision support system (DSS) design that specifically addresses these issues. Our approach establishes the principles of communicating confidence in sensor estimates and consequence of actions in an intuitive, timely manner. We hypothesize that automation designed to communicate confidence and/or consequence will improve task performance over systems that neglect these concepts. Toward this end, human-subjects experiments were conducted to compare the effects of displaying confidence/consequence information in a C2 target-tracking and interdiction scenario. Four variations of a decision support interface were designed, each with a distinct “degree of automation”: (i) an instantaneous sensor measurement visualization (baseline), (ii) a confidence-based visualization, (iii) a confidence- and consequence-based visualization, and (iv) a confidence- and consequence-based visualization with explicit decision recommendations. While increasing automation generally improved results, the inclusion of consequence information did not have a major effect, perhaps because the scenario was overly-simplified.
Extending segment routing into optical networks

New extensions to Segment Routing are introduced here that allow for an end-to-end path to include optical transport network segments that steer packets across optical networks for maximal performance with minimal operational changes.
Isolation and characterization of Yersinia enterocolitica from swine feces recovered during the national animal health monitoring system swine 2000 study

A national study was conducted for the isolation of pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica in pig feces in the United States as part of the National Animal Health Monitoring System's Swine 2000 study. Fecal samples collected from swine operations from September 2000 to March 2001 from 77 production sites in 15 of the top 17 swine-producing states were tested for the presence of pathogenic Y. enterocolitica. After enrichment of swine fecal samples in irgasan-ticarcillin-potassium chlorate broth, the enriched cultures were plated on cefsulodin-irgasan-novobiocin agar for isolation of presumptive Y. enterocolitica. The isolates were confirmed as pathogenic Y. enterocolitica by the fluorogenic 5' nuclease PCR assay targeting the chromosomal attachment invasion ail gene. Of 2793 fecal samples tested, 106 (3.80%) ail-positive strains of Y. enterocolitica were isolated. These 106 ail-positive isolates originated from 7 of the 15 participating states. The predominant serotype O:3 (n = 79 of 106) was distributed in five states (n = 5 of 7). Serotype O:5 (n = 27 of 106) was also found in five states (n = 5 of 7). All isolates contained the virulence plasmid and expressed virulence-associated phenotypic characteristics. These results indicate that swine in the United Stares harbor Y. enterocolitica that can potentially cause human illness.
A Learning Progression for Geometrical Measurement in One, Two, and Three Dimensions

As part of the CBAL® learning and assessment initiative in mathematics, we developed a hypothesized learning progression (LP) for geometrical measurement in 1, 2, and 3 dimensions based on a synthesis of empirical literature in this field and through expert review. The geometrical measurement LP is intended to represent a developmental progression of students' understandings and learning for 1-, 2-, and 3-dimensional measurement in terms of transitions along levels within a dimension and connections across the 3 dimensions. In addition, we designed cognitive laboratory tasks associated with the levels of the geometrical measurement LP. The development process of the geometrical measurement LP and cognitive laboratory tasks presented here provide guidance for future development of LPs and task design that would provide the evidence supporting the proposed LPs.
The impact of bisphenol S on bovine granulosa and theca cells

Bisphenol S (BPS) is an endocrine-disrupting chemical with multiple potential mechanisms of action, including as an oestrogen receptor agonist. BPS is increasingly used in plastics and thermal receipts as a substitute for bisphenol A, which has been phased out due to concerns about human health implications. The ability of BPS to alter female reproductive function in mammals has not been widely studied, despite the importance of normal hormone signalling for female reproduction. The aim of this study was to investigate how BPS (in a wide range of doses, including very low doses) affects granulosa cell and theca cell steroid hormone production and cell viability in the bovine. Granulosa cell oestradiol production was stimulated when cells were exposed to 100 μM BPS under basal conditions, but there was no effect of BPS when cells were stimulated with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Additionally, there was no effect of BPS on granulosa cell progesterone production or cell viability under basal or FSH-stimulated conditions. BPS did not affect theca cell androstenedione or progesterone production, or theca cell viability under basal or luteinizing hormone-stimulated conditions. This study suggests for the first time that BPS may alter oestradiol production by bovine granulosa cells, albeit at a concentration that is unlikely to be physiologically relevant. Further studies are needed to determine the effects of BPS on the bovine oocyte and on other functions of follicular cells.
Refractory Status Epilepticus and Chronic Kidney Disease in a Large Pedigree Due to a Variant in the Mitochondrial Encoded tRNA Phenylalanine (MT-TF) Gene (P2.287)

Objective: To present clinical features and genetic findings in a large pedigree with maternally inherited refractory status epilepticus and chronic kidney disease. Background: Mitochondrial disorders present with a spectrum of neurological manifestations. Epilepsy is a common feature, though different mutations may present with multiple phenotypes. Myoclonus epilepsy with ragged red fibers (MERRF) commonly presents with epilepsy while mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) rarely presents with epilepsy. Genetic mutations can be shared between these defined disorders making prediction of phenotypes difficult. Nine individuals with refractory status epilepticus, intractable seizures, and/or chronic kidney disease were identified from a large pedigree with maternal inheritance. A variant was identified in the MT-TF gene in one family member with both chronic kidney disease and refractory status epilepticus by mitochondrial genome sequencing. Design/Methods: DNA for affected and unaffected individuals in the pedigree was obtained from saliva sample or cheek swab. Segregation analysis was performed by Sanger sequencing for the MT-TF variant in 21 individuals in the pedigree. Individuals positive for the MT-TF allele underwent pyrosequencing allele quantification to determine the degree of heteroplasmy in each individual to assess for correlation to severity of disease. Results: Five family members had refractory status epilepticus, two had intractable epilepsy without status epilepticus, and two had seizures controlled with medication. Five individuals have chronic kidney disease including four which have had a renal transplant. Sanger sequencing showed the MT-TF variant was present in all affected individuals. Pyrosequencing indicated that all affected individuals had a heteroplasmy level of 98% or more. Conclusions: MT-TF mutations have been associated with a variety of mitochondrial syndromes including MELAS, MERRF, tublointerstitial nephritis, and epilepsy. We describe a family with both severe chronic kidney disease and epilepsy with refractory status epilepticus due to a mutation previously associated only with renal disease. Disclosure: Dr. Ellis has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mayne has nothing to disclose. Dr. Imburgia has nothing to disclose. Dr. Butterfield has nothing to disclose.
Improved enzymatic method to measure processing effects and starch availability in sorghum grain.

A modified enzymatic method to measure processing effects and starch availability in steam-flaked sorghum grain (SFSG) was developed. To establish the method, experiments were conducted to determine the required enzyme concentration, color reagents, precipitants, sample particle size, shaking frequency and buffer pH. Glucose release at different incubation times (0 to 48 h) from uncooked (UNC) or fully cooked (CK, 100% gelatinized) ground sorghum grain, a 50:50 mixture of UNC and CK (C50) and SFSG was determined. Glucose release from UNC, CK and SFSG was expressed as one-component equations with rate constant k and r2 of .119 and .98, 1.781 and .98, and .368 and .99, respectively; C50 was characterized by having two starch components, one with a fast rate constant, 2.624/h, and one with a slow rate constant, .066/h (R2 = .99). Different degrees of gelatinization were obtained by mixing different proportions of CK and UNC. Glucose release from these samples was highly correlated with starch gelatinization (r2 = .99). By adjusting the tension between mill rollers, five SFSG samples with bulk densities ranging from 476 to 283 g/liter (37 to 22 lb/bu) were produced; respective roller mill electrical load ranged from 21 to 51.5 amps. Enzymatic determination of glucose release resulted in values of 422, 512, 588, 618 and 678 mg/g, which were more closely related to bulk density than birefringence measurements. The modified method for starch availability determination was found to be relatively simple, fast and sensitive, and is recommended.
Antecedents to Supply Chain Integration

Although supply chain management and supply chain integration have become topics found within today‟s organization as well as topics for researchers from various disciplines, little research has been completed concerning the linkage between business strategy, supply chain strategy, and the resulting decision which an organization makes to enter into an integration initiative. This paper discusses the experience of one organization in formulating a supply chain strategy which is well aligned with its business strategy. The paper concludes with key elements driving the supply chain which emerge from this linkage.
Microstructural characterization of shock-modified zirconia powders

The internal structure of explosively shocked zirconia powders was examined using transmission electron microscopy. Lower-pressure (20 GPa) shocked powders exhibit crystallite size reduction accompanied by extensive deformation. High-pressure (27 GPa) shocked specimens exhibit a high degree of deformation as well as localized particle-size reduction accompanied by recrystallization to the high-temperature tetragonal zirconia polymorph. Recrystallization of heavily deformed monoclinic zirconia particles in both low- and high-pressure shocked powders could be induced by electron-beam heating. Ultra-fine (< 30 nm) tetragonal particles in the high-pressure shocked powders were resistant to recrystallization during electron-beam heating.
BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF MIF/MAF-MACROPHAGE INTERACTIONS: A putative glycolipid receptor for MIF, the existence of two distinct MIFs, and their regulation by macrophage-associated esterases

Publisher Summary This chapter describes migration inhibitory factor (MIF) as a lymphocyte mediator of cellular immunity that can alter the behavior of macrophages. MIF is biochemically indistinguishable from the macrophage activating factor, a lymphocyte mediator that modulates the morphology, biochemistry, and function of macrophages enhancing their bactericidal and tumoricidal capabilities. The studies on the role of macrophage surface carbohydrates, on a putative macrophage glycolipid receptor for MIF, on the physicochemical properties of two distinct MIF species, and on the role of macrophage-associated esterases in the control of the mediator-cell reactions are presented in the chapter. In one of these studies described in the chapter, macrophages incubated with water soluble glycolipids obtained from macrophages showed an enhanced response to MIF. Incorporation of these glycolipids into liposomes greatly facilitated their interaction with the macrophages. Enhancement of peritoneal exudate cell responsiveness to MIF was specific for glycolipids from guinea pig macrophages because glycolipids extracted from guinea pig brain or polymorphonuclear leukocytes as well as several bovine and porcine glycolipids had no effect.
Endosymbiont genomes yield clues of tubeworm success.

Forty years after discovery of chemosynthetic symbiosis in the tubeworm Riftia pachyptila, how organisms maintain their unique host–symbiont associations at the cellular level is still largely unknown. Previous studies primarily focus on symbionts associated with host lineages living in hydrothermal vents. To understand physiological adaptations and evolution in these holobiont systems in markedly different habitats, we characterized four novel siboglinid-symbiont genomes spanning deep-sea seep and sedimented environments. Our comparative analyses suggest that all sampled siboglinid chemoautotrophic symbionts, except for frenulate symbionts, can use both rTCA and Calvin cycle for carbon fixation. We hypothesize that over evolutionary time siboglinids have been able to utilize different bacterial lineages allowing greater metabolic flexibility of carbon fixation (e.g., rTCA) enabling tubeworms to thrive in more reducing habitats, such as vents and seeps. Moreover, we show that sulfur metabolism and molecular mechanisms related to initial infection are remarkably conserved across chemoautotrophic symbionts in different habitats. Unexpectedly, we find that the ability to use hydrogen, as an additional energy source, is potentially more widespread than previously recognized. Our comparative genomic results help elucidate potential mechanisms used to allow chemosynthetically dependent holobionts adapt to, and evolve in, different environments.
Risk-Based Hospital and Surgeon-Volume Categories for Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND Studies of volume-outcome relationships typically subdivide volume via non-evidence-based methods, producing categories that vary widely among studies, preclude the comparison of results, and possibly obscure the true volume-outcome relationships. The goal of the current study was to use quantitative methods to derive meaningful, risk-based categories for hospital and surgeon total hip arthroplasty (THA) volume based on relationships with mortality, complications, and revision. METHODS Using New York statewide patient data (1997 to 2014; n = 187,557), we derived risk-based hospital and surgeon-volume categories for primary THA based on relationships with 90-day complications and mortality and 2-year revision. RESULTS The following categories, based on relationships with complications, mortality, and revision, were derived for surgeon volume: 0 to 12, 13 to 25, 26 to 72, 73 to 165, 166 to 279, and ≥280 THA/year. For hospital volume, the categories derived were 0 to 11, 12 to 54, 55 to 157, 158 to 526, and ≥527 THA/year. More than 35% of THA cases in New York State were conducted by surgeons performing ≤1 THA/month (0 to 12 THA/year), and these were associated with a 2 to 2.5-fold increase in the risk for complications, mortality, and revision relative to higher-volume surgeons. Similarly, 15% of THA cases in New York State were conducted in hospitals performing ≤1 THA/week (0 to 11 or 12 to 54 THA/year), and these were associated with a nearly 1.5-fold increase in complications and between a 4 and 6-fold increase in mortality. Traditional non-evidence-based quartile categories were concentrated at lower volumes, did not capture the full magnitude of the volume-related differences, and were a poorer representation of the outcome data, as assessed by several model metrics. Thus, quartiles showed only a <2-fold increase in complications, mortality, and revision for the lowest versus the highest surgeon-volume quartile and failed to show the increased risk for lower versus higher hospital volumes. CONCLUSIONS The volume-outcome relationships in THA are more pronounced than previously apparent through standard statistical techniques. Volume-based strategies for improving outcomes in THA should use benchmarks that are evidence-based to achieve optimal results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
De Novo Fatty Acid Synthesis Driven Sphingolipid Metabolism Promotes Metastatic Potential of Colorectal Cancer

Metastasis is the most common cause of death in colorectal cancer patients. Fatty acid synthase (FASN) and sphingosine kinase-1 and -2 (SPHK1 and 2) are overexpressed in many cancers, including colorectal cancer. However, the contribution of FASN-mediated upregulation of sphingolipid metabolism to colorectal cancer metastasis and the potential of these pathways as targets for therapeutic intervention remain unknown. This study determined that sphingosine kinases (SPHK) are overexpressed in colorectal cancer as compared with normal mucosa. FASN expression significantly correlated with SPHK2 expression in data sets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and a colorectal cancer tumor microarray. FASN, SPHK1, and SPHK2 colocalized within invadopodia of primary colorectal cancer cells. Moreover, FASN inhibition decreased SPHK2 expression and the levels of dihydrosphingosine 1-phosphate (DH-S1P) and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) in colorectal cancer cells and tumor tissues. Inhibition of FASN using TVB-3664 and sphingolipid metabolism using FTY-720 significantly inhibited the ability of primary colorectal cancer cells to proliferate, migrate, form focal adhesions, and degrade gelatin. Inhibition of the FASN/SPHK/S1P axis was accompanied by decreased activation of p-MET, p-FAK, and p-PAX. S1P treatment rescued FASN-mediated inhibition of these proteins, suggesting that FASN promotes metastatic properties of colorectal cancer cells, in part, through an increased sphingolipid metabolism. These data demonstrate that upregulation of the FASN/SPHK/S1P axis promotes colorectal cancer progression by enhancing proliferation, adhesion, and migration. IMPLICATIONS: This study provides a strong rationale for further investigation of the interconnection of de novo lipogenesis and sphingolipid metabolism that could potentially lead to the identification of new therapeutic targets and strategies for colorectal cancer.
On the Best Search Method in the LEM1 and LEM2 Algorithms

This report presents results of experiments on two algorithms of machine learning: LEM1 and LEM2. Both algorithms belong to the LEM (Learning from Examples Module) family developed at the Department of Computer Science, University of Kansas.
Cost-Efficient Resource Sharing in Ethernet-based 5G Mobile Fronthaul Networks

In 5G, Mobile Fronthaul (MF) is referred to as the connection between Remote Radio Head (RRH) and BaseBand processing Unit (BBU) pool. To save cost while satisfying its rising bandwidth demand, we propose a MF Resource-Sharing (MFRS) scheme that allows to share (1) the capacity of the Ethernet network among MF traffic and background traffic and (2) the Baseband Processing Functions (BPFs) among various RRHs. To estimate the resource savings achievable with MFRS, we formulate a routing and BPF placement problem. The goal is to minimize cost in terms of required BPFs under the constraints of latency and network capacity. Simulation results show significant improvement in terms of number of supported RRHs and required BPFs compared to two baseline schemes.
DNA damage response gene alterations are associated with high tumor mutational burden and clinical benefit from programmed death 1 axis inhibition in non-small cell lung cancer.

9077Background: DNA damage response (DDR) gene alterations are associated with increased tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, higher genomic instability, and higher tumor mutational burden (TMB) in canc...
Why We Love Michelle: Understanding Public Support for First Lady Michelle Obama

After eight years as the first lady of the United States, Michelle Obama left the White House beloved in the eyes of many Americans. Being well liked by Americans is not in and of itself an unusual phenomenon for first ladies. What is remarkable about the love so many Americans expressed toward First Lady Michelle Obama is that she was able to maintain high favorable evaluations through a period of political, social, and electoral acrimony that made high approval ratings for national political figures increasingly unlikely. By drawing on a wealth of aggregate data drawn from the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research archives and individual-level public opinion data drawn from the 2012 American National Election Studies survey as well as original survey data, this article identifies several important forces behind Michelle Obama's popularity.
How the Distance Between Drag-Cloth Checks Affects the Estimate of Adult and Nymphal Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) Density

Drag-cloth sampling is the most commonly used method to sample for ticks. A cloth is dragged along the ground and checked for ticks at regular intervals to count ticks before they drop off. The distance between drag-cloth checks differs between studies, which could result in lower density estimates for studies with greater distances between checks. Here, we measured this effect by 1) calculating the rate at which nymphal and adult Ixodes scapularis Say ticks drop off the cloth per meter dragged and 2) measuring tick density by drag-cloth sampling with three different drag-cloth check interval distances. We found a higher drop-off rate for adult ticks, 0.083/m, than nymphal ticks, 0.047/m. The estimated density of ticks decreased with increasing check interval distance. Our results not only highlight the importance of accounting for check interval distance when estimating tick density, but also provide the first estimate of nymphal I. scapularis drop-off rate.
Benevolent ageism: Attitudes of overaccommodative behavior toward older women

Stereotypes of older adults fit a paternalistic pattern, including elevated warmth and lowered competence, yet little effort has been made to elucidate this in an everyday context. This phenomenon ...
Protective Effects of Combined Heart Transplantation on Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Purpose Despite significant advances in the field of heart transplantation, cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) continues to be a major limitation of long-term survival. Previous studies have suggested that compared with isolated heart transplant (HTx) recipients, those who receive multiorgan heart transplants (HTxC) have superior clinical outcomes. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effects of combined organ transplantation on the incidence of CAV. Methods We searched Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for studies evaluating outcomes after combined heart transplantation, in particular the incidence of CAV. We identified 1207 potential eligible publications. Outcomes were compared using the random-effects model and heterogenicity examined via X2 and I2 statistics. Results Six retrospective studies were included in our analysis for a total of 1383 heart transplant recipients. Of these, 190 (16%) underwent HTxC: 50 heart-kidney transplant (HKTx), 103 heart-lung transplant (HLTx), and 37 heart-liver transplant (HLvTx). Multiorgan heart transplantation was associated with less incidence of CAV (OR 0.19; 95% CI 0.07-0.51; p = 0.0009) and acute cardiac rejection (OR 0.18; 95% CI 0.07-0.47; p = 0.0005). Survival at 1 year was not significantly different among HTxC and HTx recipients (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.42-1.10; p = 0.12). Conclusion Multiorgan heart transplantation appears to be associated with a protective effect against CAV and acute cardiac rejection. Short term survival after combined heart transplant is comparable to isolated heart transplantation.
Geologic Record of Atmospheric Circulation on Tectonic Time Scales

There exists a reasonable geologic record of atmospheric circulation, based on information extracted from eolian dust preserved in deep-sea sediments, that extends back to the late Cretaceous in the northern hemisphere and to the late Oligocene in the southern hemisphere. On tectonic timescales of 500,000 years or longer, important changes in atmospheric circulation do not always occur in conjunction with known paleoenvironmental changes, such as times of ice buildup on continents. There appears to be essentially no change in wind intensity across the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary. The single greatest change in wind intensity in the Cenozoic occurs at the Paleocene-Eocene boundary, a reduction of higher intensity Mesozoic and Paleocene circulation to the sluggish atmosphere of the middle Tertiary. Circulation intensity remained low throughout the Eocene and increased beginning in the Oligocene to a PlioPleistocene maxima. Southern hemisphere records show that the mid-Miocene increase in ice volume at 13 to 14 Ma does not correspond to an increase in wind intensity, suggesting that the inferred direct correspondence of glacial buildup to polar cooling may not always hold. There appears to be little response to the onset of northern hemisphere glaciation in the records of southern hemisphere atmospheric circulation — one indication of the independent behavior of the two hemispheres.
Current status and recognition of acute respiratory distress syndrome in the application of bronchoscopy intervention

The application of bronchoscopy intervention is focused on the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary disease infection, central airway and upper airway stenosis for children.There are few reports on the application of acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS), the indications and timing of the application is not common, and lack of rando-mized controlled study.Despite this, the present limited study suggests that therapeutic prospects have been shown in the treatment of ARDS with bronchoscopy intervention. Key words: Bronchoscopy; Intervention; Acute respiratory distress syndrome
Assessment of the cutaneous trunci muscle reflex in neurologically abnormal cats.

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of the cutaneous trunci reflex (CTR) in a population of neurologically abnormal cats in regard to age, body condition score (BCS), sex, ...
Melanocortin-4 receptor antagonist TCMCB07 ameliorates cancer- and chronic kidney disease-associated cachexia

Cachexia, a devastating wasting syndrome characterized by severe weight loss with specific losses of muscle and adipose tissue, is driven by reduced food intake, increased energy expenditure, excess catabolism, and inflammation. Cachexia is associated with poor prognosis and high mortality and frequently occurs in patients with cancer, chronic kidney disease, infection, and many other illnesses. There is no effective treatment for this condition. Hypothalamic melanocortins have a potent and long-lasting inhibitory effect on feeding and anabolism, and pathophysiological processes increase melanocortin signaling tone, leading to anorexia, metabolic changes, and eventual cachexia. We used 3 rat models of anorexia and cachexia (LPS, methylcholanthrene sarcoma, and 5/6 subtotal nephrectomy) to evaluate efficacy of TCMCB07, a synthetic antagonist of the melanocortin-4 receptor. Our data show that peripheral treatment using TCMCB07 with intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, and oral administration increased food intake and body weight and preserved fat mass and lean mass during cachexia and LPS-induced anorexia. Furthermore, administration of TCMCB07 diminished hypothalamic inflammatory gene expression in cancer cachexia. These results suggest that peripheral TCMCB07 treatment effectively inhibits central melanocortin signaling and therefore stimulates appetite and enhances anabolism, indicating that TCMCB07 is a promising drug candidate for treating cachexia.
Optimization-based control using input convex neural networks

Abstract Input convex neural networks (ICNNs) are a family of deep learning models where the outputs are constructed to be convex functions of the inputs. By parameterizing system models using ICNNs, optimization-based control problems can be solved as convex optimization problems, leading to improved performance and robustness. This work proposes a novel framework where the control objective function and constraints are modelled using ICNNs. A case study of optimization-based control with output constraints is conducted on a process with input multiplicity and nonminimum phase behavior. The simulation results demonstrate improved economic yield compared with normal neural networks. Additionally, the input convexity formulation is compared with simple regularization techniques, and unique benefits such as improved data efficiency and robustness of the proposed formulation are shown. By explicitly incorporating prior knowledge about convexity, this framework provides a good balance between the universal approximation power of deep learning and computational feasibility required by control.
Exons as units of phenotypic impact for truncating mutations in autism

Abstract Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of related neurodevelopmental diseases displaying significant genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity1-4. Despite recent progress in understanding ASD genetics, the nature of phenotypic heterogeneity across probands remains unclear5,6. Notably, likely gene-disrupting (LGD) de novo mutations affecting the same gene often result in substantially different intellectual quotient (IQ) phenotypes. Nevertheless, we find that truncating mutations that affect the same exon frequently lead to strikingly similar intellectual phenotypes in unrelated ASD probands. Analogous patterns are observed for two independent probands’ cohorts and several important ASD phenotypes. These results suggest that exons, rather than genes, often represent a unit of effective phenotypic impact for truncating mutations in autism. We find that phenotypic effects are likely mediated by nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) of splicing isoforms, and that autism phenotypes are usually triggered by relatively mild (15-30%) decreases in overall gene dosage. For genes with recurrent truncating mutations, predicted expression changes can be used to infer phenotypic consequences in individual ASD probands. We further demonstrate that LGD mutations in the same exon usually lead to similar expression changes across human tissues. Therefore, analogous phenotypic patterns may be also observed in other developmental genetic disorders.
Examining the Impact of Audit Firms’ Use of Trait Skepticism Feedback in Auditor Training

In response to PCAOB concerns about auditors’ professional skepticism, certain international auditing firms instituted a training practice that involves providing feedback on staff auditors’ trait skepticism levels as measured by the Hurtt Professional Skepticism Scale (“HPSS”), coupled with a prompt to increase skepticism if they scored low in trait skepticism. To test the efficacy of the firms’ training approach, we conducted an experiment in which participants responded to the HPSS and, one week later, examined two simulated accounts receivable confirmation exceptions. We varied whether participants receive HPSS score feedback and/or a skepticism prompt. We find that the audit firms' training practice increases skeptical actions and improves skeptical judgment accuracy compared to a control condition. However, separate analyses reveal that score feedback increases skeptical actions without improving skeptical judgment accuracy (i.e., feedback decreases efficiency without an improvement in effectiveness), whereas the prompt to increase skepticism improves skeptical judgment accuracy and does not affect skeptical actions (i.e., the prompt improves effectiveness without reducing efficiency). Further, the HPSS itself does not predict skeptical behavior in our setting, suggesting the score feedback may not be accurate. Together, these findings suggest that skepticism prompts can be effective, but providing trait skepticism score feedback may lead to unintended negative consequences for audit quality.
Labor Unemployment Insurance and Bank Loans

I investigate influences of unemployment insurance benefits on the cost of bank loans by exploiting changes in state unemployment insurance laws as a source of variation in labor unemployment costs. The evidence shows that the cost of bank loans is significantly lower for firms headquartered in states with more generous unemployment insurance benefits. I also find that higher unemployment insurance benefits reduce the loan spreads particularly for labor intensive and unionized firms. Empirical results are robust to controlling for loan characteristics, macroeconomic conditions and borrower characteristics. Overall, results suggest that credit markets respond to workers’ unemployment costs while approving and pricing loan contracts.
Compassion Science: Embracing and Cultivating Compassionate Minds in Early Childhood Classrooms.

The critical and persistent impact of violence, abuse, and social injustice on the overall development of young children has necessitated a global discourse on the importance of cultivating compass...
Hybrid Fluoroscopic and Neurophysiological Targeting of Responsive Neurostimulation of the Rolandic Cortex.

Background Precise targeting of cortical surface electrodes to epileptogenic regions defined by anatomic and electrophysiological guideposts remains a surgical challenge during implantation of responsive neurostimulation (RNS) devices. Objective To describe a hybrid fluoroscopic and neurophysiological technique for targeting of subdural cortical surface electrodes to anatomic regions with limited direct visualization, such as the interhemispheric fissure. Methods Intraoperative two-dimensional (2D) fluoroscopy was used to colocalize and align an electrode for permanent device implantation with a temporary in Situ electrode placed for extraoperative seizure mapping. Intraoperative phase reversal mapping technique was performed to distinguish primary somatosensory and motor cortex. Results We applied these techniques to optimize placement of an interhemispheric strip electrode connected to a responsive neurostimulator system for detection and treatment of seizures arising from a large perirolandic cortical malformation. Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) phase reversal technique facilitated neuroanatomic mapping and electrode placement. Conclusion In challenging-to-access anatomic regions, fluoroscopy and intraoperative neurophysiology can be employed to augment targeting of neuromodulation electrodes to the site of seizure onset zone or specific neurophysiological biomarkers of clinical interest while minimizing brain retraction.
Recorp: Receiver-oriented Policies for Industrial Wireless Networks

Future Industrial Internet-of-Things (IIoT) systems will require wireless solutions to connect sensors, actuators, and controllers as part of high data rate feedback-control loops over real-time flows. A key challenge in such networks is to provide predictable performance and adaptability in response to link quality variations. We address this challenge by developing RECeiver ORiented Policies (Recorp), which leverages the stability of IIoT workloads by combining offline policy synthesis and run-time adaptation. Compared to schedules that service a single flow in a slot, Recorp policies share slots among multiple flows by assigning a coordinator and a list of flows that may be serviced in the same slot. At run-time, the coordinator will execute one of the flows depending on which flows the coordinator has already received. A salient feature of Recorp is that it provides predictable performance: a policy meets the end-to-end reliability and deadline of flows when the link quality exceeds a user-specified threshold. Experiments show that across IIoT workloads, policies provided a median increase of 50% to 142% in real-time capacity and a median decrease of 27% to 70% in worst-case latency when schedules and policies are configured to meet an end-to-end reliability of 99%.
Music-based interventions for people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias: A review of the research

This paper is an umbrella review of systematic research reviews investigating music-based interventions for people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. While the quality of research methodology for many articles is variable, the findings are nevertheless impressive regarding a variety of positive results for music and music therapy. The strongest outcomes include the ability of these interventions to reduce agitation, anxiety, depression, and other behavioral/psychological symptoms in this population. Yet the impact on cognition and memory is mixed, and it is difficult to determine whether observed improvements might be due to reductions in anxiety. The article addresses several specific music-based interventions, service delivery options and caregiver programming that have been effective. Finally, neurological evidence is presented to account for preserved musical ability of people into late stages of Alzheimer’s disease. These findings support the success of music-based interventions, as well as need for clinical and research guidelines to standardize protocols and compare research studies.
David Oliver: Covid shows the need for transparency in prioritising acute care.

As the covid-19 pandemic has exceeded last spring’s peak, many NHS leaders are warning that the NHS is overwhelmed. What we really mean is that hospitals are overwhelmed—that people who could benefit from admission or treatment may be denied it because there’s no room. In extremis, that may mean battlefield-type triage: deciding who gets to live or die, with intensive care units already running at twice their normal bed base, on borrowed staff and borrowed beds, and with capacity for surgery compromised. The Medical Protection Society and other medical organisations recently called for emergency legislation to protect doctors from legal action if they have to decide how limited resources are allocated.12 With oxygen delivery systems under pressure and record numbers of patients on non-invasive ventilation, it may prove necessary—as happened in northern Italy last spring—to choose between patients, …
Outdoor Recreational Needs Assessments: The Importance of Drawing Two Samples from the Community

This research examines two questions. First, do the responses given by adults to a household survey reflect the responses given by teens to a teen survey? Second, if the two groups respond differen...