cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diagnosing sepsis is subjective and highly variable: a survey of intensivists using case vignettes

Sepsis is the focus of national quality improvement programs and a recent public reporting measure from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. However, diagnosing sepsis requires interpreting nonspecific signs and can therefore be subjective. We sought to quantify interobserver variability in diagnosing sepsis. We distributed five case vignettes of patients with suspected or confirmed infection and organ dysfunction to a sample of practicing intensivists. Respondents classified cases as systemic inflammatory response syndrome, sepsis, severe sepsis, septic shock, or none of the above. Interobserver variability was calculated using Fleiss’ κ for the five-level classification, and for answers dichotomized as severe sepsis/septic shock versus not-severe sepsis/septic shock and any sepsis category (sepsis, severe sepsis, or septic shock) versus not-sepsis. Ninety-four physicians completed the survey. Most respondents (88 %) identified as critical care specialists; other specialties included pulmonology (39 %), anesthesia (19 %), surgery (9 %), and emergency medicine (9 %). Respondents had been in practice for a median of 8 years, and 90 % practiced at academic hospitals. Almost all respondents (83 %) felt strongly or somewhat confident in their ability to apply the traditional consensus sepsis definitions. However, overall interrater agreement in sepsis diagnoses was poor (Fleiss’ κ 0.29). When responses were dichotomized into severe sepsis/septic shock versus not-severe sepsis/septic shock or any sepsis category versus not-sepsis, agreement was still poor (Fleiss’ κ 0.23 and 0.18, respectively). Seventeen percent of respondents classified one of the five cases as severe sepsis/septic shock, 27.7 % rated two cases, 33.0 % respondents rated three cases, 19.2 % rated four cases, and 3.2 % rated all five cases as severe sepsis/septic shock. Among respondents who felt strongly confident in their ability to use sepsis definitions (n = 45), agreement was no better (Fleiss’ κ 0.28 for the five-category classification, and Fleiss’ κ 0.21 for the dichotomized severe sepsis/septic shock classification). Cases were felt to be extremely or very realistic in 74 % of responses; only 3 % were deemed unrealistic. Diagnosing sepsis is extremely subjective and variable. Objective criteria and standardized methodology are needed to enhance consistency and comparability in sepsis research, surveillance, benchmarking, and reporting.
Regulation of pancreatic amylase and lipase gene expression by diet and insulin in diabetic rats

Although insulin has been proposed to mediate the dietary regulation of pancreatic amylase, its interaction with diet in the regulation of amylase and lipase is not well understood and was examined in diabetic rats fed diets high in carbohydrate (HC), protein (HP), or fat (HF) and treated with insulin. Diabetes, independent of diet, decreased amylase content (97%; P < 0.0001) and mRNA (90%; P < 0.0001), but insulin only restored amylase content and mRNA to respective dietary control values. Diabetes, independent of diet, also increased lipase mRNA 1.6-fold (P < 0.004) but interacted (P < 0.0003) with diet on lipase content, resulting in opposite effects in HC- (increased 202%) and HF-diabetic rats (decreased 40%). Insulin partially restored lipase content and mRNA to respective dietary control values. Diet, independent of diabetes, regulated amylase content (P < 0.0001) and mRNA (P < 0.0003), which were three- to fourfold greater in HC- than in HF-fed rats, and lipase content (P < 0.001) and mRNA [rat pancreatic lipase 1 (rPL-1), P < 0.04; rPL-3, P < 0.0001], which were 1.8-fold greater in HF- than in HC- or HP-fed rats. Insulin failed to stimulate maximal amylase gene expression in HP- or HF-fed diabetic rats, suggesting that it is necessary, but not sufficient, for this dietary regulation. Differential regulation of lipase activity and mRNA by diet and insulin raises the possibility that lipase gene expression is regulated by a complex interaction of diet and insulin.
The long-term geopolitics of the pre-modern Middle East

The geopolitical shape of the Middle East has varied greatly over time. This article is concerned with the period from Late Antiquity to the end of the eighteenth century, during which four basic configurations succeeded each other. Late Antiquity was marked by the coexistence of two large empires, one based in the western Middle East and the other in the eastern Middle East; the early Islamic period saw the dominance of a single empire the location of whose centre was unstable; the medieval period was characterised by the absence of large and lasting empires and a shifting plurality of smaller states; finally in the Ottoman period we see the renewed dominance of a single empire, now based in the western Middle East. Are these changes to be seen as random fluctuations, or can they be explained in terms of a small number of underlying factors? The point of this article is to argue that a focus on the potential imperial heartlands of the Middle East can help us to explain much—though not all—of the changing geopolitical configuration of the region.
Set-Off Defences in International Commercial Arbitration - A Comparative Analysis by Christiana Fountoulakis

Set-Off Defences in International Commercial Arbitration – A Comparative Analysis by Christiana Fountoulakis Published by Hart Publishing, Oxford and Portland, Oregon (2011, pages xxvi and 257 pp.), Hardcover, Price EUR 73.99. ISBN 978-1-84946-032-3. An arbitrator confronted with a declaration of set-off in a cross-border case would normally first ascertain whether she has jurisdiction to deal with the cross-claim. This book, Set-off Defences in International Commercial Arbitration , takes a different approach. It discusses the jurisdictional issue briefly1 and concludes that there is ‘continued acceptance of the view that the question of whether a set-off should be heard will primarily depend on the parties’ arbitration agreement'. In the absence of an unequivocal agreement to the contrary, the arbitrator should hear a cross-claim even if it is outside the scope of the arbitration clause.2 This rather terse treatment of jurisdictional issues emphasizes the central theme of the book: Set-off is a substantive rather than procedural issue. While set-off appears as a simple and straightforward device from a commercial point of view, it presents the arbitrator with intricate issues because at least two obligations are to be cleared by a declaration of set-off. These may be of differing origin and subject to different laws. Therefore, the book examines which rules the arbitrator should apply to assess set-off in cross-border cases: Should a common set of national set-off rules be determined or should conflicts-of-law rules be used to determine a specific national law? The book concludes that the answer is found neither in a common set of national set-off rules nor in the choice-of-law rules. Rather, a uniform, a-national set of rules should govern the operation, the requirements – such as reciprocity, similarity, liquidity and connectivity of claims – and the effects of a declaration of set-off.3 The author specifically addresses the international arbitration …
Characteristics of osmolarity-stimulated urea transport in rat IMCD

Urea transport across the terminal inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) is mediated by a urea transporter that is stimulated by vasopressin (AVP) or hyperosmolarity. To determine whether hyperosmolarity stimulates urea transport by an adenylyl cyclase-dependent or -independent mechanism, terminal IMCDs were perfused with 10 microM forskolin followed by an increase in osmolality or with increasing osmolality followed by 10 nM AVP. In both protocols, stimulating adenylyl cyclase caused an additive increase in urea permeability (Purea) to that stimulated by hyperosmolarity. Next, we investigated whether hyperosmolarity stimulates the same urea transporter as AVP by studying the inhibitor profile and IMCD subsegment response of hyperosmolarity-stimulated urea transport and comparing it to properties already demonstrated for AVP-stimulated urea transport. In terminal IMCDs, luminal phloretin (250 microM) reversibly inhibited Purea by 63%. Thiourea (100 mM) inhibited Purea by 73% at two different levels of osmolality, 690 and 290 mosmol/kgH2O. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (K1/2) for thiourea at 690 mosmol/kgH2O was not significantly different from the K1/2 value at 290 mosmol/kgH2O, suggesting that stimulation by hyperosmolarity is related to an increase in the Vmax for the urea transporter. Finally, we found that hyperosmolarity did not stimulate Purea in the initial IMCD. In summary, the data suggests that hyperosmolarity stimulates urea transport by an adenylyl cyclase-independent mechanism. However, the inhibitor profile and the IMCD subsegment response for hyperosmolarity-stimulated and AVP-stimulated Purea are similar, suggesting that both hyperosmolarity and AVP stimulate the same urea transporter.
Can Chronic Pain Be Prevented

All chronic pain begins at some discrete point in time. Significant strides in the understanding of mechanisms and risk factors associated with the transition from a new, or acute, pain experience to a chronic pain condition have been made over the past 20 years. These insights provide the hope of one day being able to modify or even halt this pathophysiologic progression. This article reviews some of the current knowledge of this transition as well as the evidence currently available to best prevent and treat it using persistent surgical pain as a model.
Immunohistochemical Staining of Metastatic Ductal Carcinomas of the Breast by Monoclonal Antibodies used in Imaging and Therapy: A Comparative Study:

Five monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) (L6, 170H.82, 155, BrE-3 and BR96), most of which have been previously shown to target breast cancer and not normal tissues by immunoscintigraphic imaging, were e...
Treatment of single factor deficiencies: a case study approach.

1. Marisa B Marques, MD[⇑][1] 1. is the coagulation service medical director at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham AL 1. Address for correspondence: Marisa B Marques MD, Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 619 South 19th Street, West Pavilion, P230, Birmingham AL 35233. von Willebrand disease and hemophilia A are the two most common inherited bleeding disorders.1 The diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of patients with these conditions requires frequent interaction between the patient's physician and the clinical laboratory. In many institutions, coagulation factor concentrates are dispensed from the blood bank along with other blood-derived products, while the special coagulation laboratory offers assays to monitor response to treatment. It is important in these instances that there is open communication among the staff of those laboratories and an understanding of the important issues in the management of patients with von Willebrand disease or hemophilia A with or without inhibitor.2 In this discussion, such issues are highlighted using a case study-based approach. CASE 1: von WILLEBRAND DISEASE A 40-year old white female was hospitalized to have left total knee arthroplasty on the next day. Her past medical history was significant for severe von Willebrand disease and multiple episodes of hemarthrosis in the affected joint. The orthopedic surgeon called the coagulation consultant to decide on von Willebrand factor replacement for surgery. Although von Willebrand disease is classically associated with manifestations of abnormal primary hemostasis such as mucosal bleeding, in the severe form of this disease, patients also have a deficiency of factor VIII and suffer from joint bleeds. The deficiency of factor VIII is a consequence of increased proteolysis of this factor in the absence of normal levels of von Willebrand factor to protect it in the circulation. Until a few years ago, cryoprecipitate was the product… [1]: #corresp-1
IgG4: concepts et applications cliniques

Les IgG4 en tant qu'anticorps anaphylactiques ou bloquants. Interpretation des resultats des tests IgG4. Description de l'IgG4 FAST test
Preoperative Manual Detorsion of the Torsed Spermatic Cord

AbstractDuring a 10-year period 35 of 104 patients with torsion of the spermatic cord had preoperative manual detorsion. The detorsion was performed at the initial physical examination, most commonly without analgesia or sedation. In 34 evaluable patients all of the testes were salvaged without any evidence of atrophy. One patient whose testis appeared viable at operation was not available for followup. Recurrence was prevented by subsequent orchiopexy. The elapsed time between urological consultation and surgery ranged from 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 months. Six patients underwent an elective operation. Torsion did not recur between the time of manual detorsion and orchiopexy. Preoperative manual detorsion should be attempted at the initial physical examination because, if successful, the relief of testicular ischemia converts an acute urological emergency into an urgent or elective surgical procedure. More important, 100 per cent of the testes are salvaged.
Spin susceptibility of Andreev bound states

We calculate the electronic spin susceptibility and spin-lattice relaxation rate in a singlet superconductor near a pair-breaking surface, or in a domain wall of the order parameter. We directly link the presence of high-density Andreev bound states in the inhomogeneous region, combined with coherence factors, to the enhancement of the susceptibility above the normal state's value for certain $\mathbf{q}$ vectors. Besides the dominant peak at ferromagnetic vector $q=0$, we find significant enhancement of antiferromagnetic correlations at vectors $q\ensuremath{\lesssim}2{k}_{f}$, with $\mathbf{q}$ along the domain wall in an $S$-wave superconductor, and across the domain wall in $D$-wave (nodes along the wall). These features are destroyed by applying a moderate Zeeman field that splits the zero-energy peak. We solve Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations in momentum space and discuss the deviation of our results from the lattice models investigated previously. Large enhancement of the spin-lattice relaxation rate ${T}_{1}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ at the domain wall provides a clear signature of the quasiparticle bound states, and is in good agreement with recent experiment in organic superconductor $\ensuremath{\kappa}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{(\mathrm{BEDT}\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{TTF})}_{2}\mathrm{Cu}{(\mathrm{NCS})}_{2}$.
Cognition and affect in stereotyping: Parallel interactive networks.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses cognition and affect in stereotyping. It presents a network model of stereotype-related cognitions and that of the affect and cognition. Perhaps the most basic issue to address concerning the relationship between cognition and the affect in stereotyping is whether the two are independent, form a unitary system, or operate as parallel systems. Independence would seem to be unlikely, except under special circumstances. If the cognitive and affective networks of stereotypes were independent, the affective responses to a stimulus would not be mediated by categorization. Instead, they would be primitive responses to the appearance and behavior of others. Independence is plausible in the case of some spontaneous positive and negative affective reactions. Cognition and affect are also unlikely to be a totally unitary system in which the cognitive and the affective nodes completely overlap. In such a system, cognition and affect would be indistinguishable.
HIV and reproductive healthcare in pregnant and postpartum HIV-infected women: adapting successful strategies

Linkage and retention in care for many HIV-infected women in the postpartum period is suboptimal, which compromises long-term virologic suppression and the HIV Care Continuum. Efforts are needed to improve individual outcomes by addressing transitions in care. We summarize some successful strategies to engage and retain HIV-infected women in care during the postpartum period.
Abstract 2845: PRMT5-PTEN molecular pathway regulates senescence and self-renewal of Glioblastoma stem-like cells

PURPOSE: Glioblastoma (GBM) represents the most common and aggressive histologic subtype among malignant astrocytoma and is associated with poor outcomes because of heterogeneous tumor cell population including mature non-stem like cell and immature stem-like cells within the tumor. Thus, it is critical to find new target-specific therapeutic modalities. Protein arginine methyltransferase enzyme 5 (PRMT5) regulates many cellular processes through its methylation activity and its overexpression in GBM is associated with more aggressive disease. Previously, we have shown that silencing of PRMT5 expression in differentiated GBM cell lines results in apoptosis and reduced tumor growth in mice. Here we report the critical role of PRMT5 in differentiated GBM non-stem-like cells (non-GSC) grown in serum and undifferentiated GBM stem-like cells (GSC) grown as neurospheres in vitro. METHODS: GSC grown in stem-cell media and non-GSC grown in serum were transfected with specified siRNAs. At appropriate time, these cells were tested for in vitro proliferation, self-renewal capacity, apoptosis, cell cycle progression, mRNA expression and protein expression. Also, using intracranial mouse xenograft, tumor forming ability of PRMT5-intacta and depleted GSC and non-GSC was determined. RESULTS: Our results uncover a very significant role for PRMT5 in GSC self-renewal capacity and proliferation. PRMT5 knockdown in non-GSC led to apoptosis, knockdown in GSC led to G1 cell cycle arrest through upregulation of p27 and hypophoshorylation of Rb protein, leading to senescence. Comparison of impact of PRMT5 on cellular signaling by Human Phospho-Kinase Array and ChIP-PCR revealed that unlike non-GSC, PRMT5 controls both AKT and ERK activity by direct repression of PTEN in GSC. In vivo transient depletion of PRMT5 decreased intracranial tumor size and growth rate in mice implanted with both primary tumor derived GSC and non-GSC. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to identify PTEN as a potential downstream target of PRMT5 and vital to support both mature and immature GBM tumor cell populations. Citation Format: Yeshavanth Kumar Banasavadi-Siddegowda, Luke Russell, Jianying Zhang, Vrajesh A. Karkhanis, Jaime Imitola, Robert Baiocchi, Balveen Kaur. PRMT5-PTEN molecular pathway regulates senescence and self-renewal of Glioblastoma stem-like cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 2845.
Accuracy of Axisymmetric Drop Shape Analysis in Determining Surface and Interfacial Tensions

Axisymmetric drop shape analysis (ADSA) has been used in a broad range of applications for determining surface tensions of air–liquid surfaces and interfacial tensions of liquid–liquid interfaces. However, it is well-known that the accuracy of ADSA deteriorates upon the reduction of drop volume. Here, we systematically compared different criteria and parameters in evaluating the accuracy of ADSA upon reducing drop volume. By scrutinizing the dependence of ADSA accuracy on various parameters, including the capillary constant (c), the Bond number (Bo), the Worthington number (Wo), and the shape parameter (Ps), we concluded that the classical Bond number failed to predict the accuracy of drop shape analysis at very small drop volumes. Thus, we proposed a replacement of the classical Bond number, called the Neumann number Ne ≡ (ΔρgR0H)/γ. The design rationale of this new dimensionless number lies in the use of the geometric mean of the radius of curvature at the drop apex (R0) and the drop height (H) as the n...
RhoC disrupts tight junction formation and epithelial polarity in inflammatory breast cancer

3572 Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) shows strong expression of E-cadherin. Unlike many other malignant breast cancers with low or null expression of E-cadherin, the mechanism of breast cell transformation into IBC remains poorly understood. Previous studies indicate that overexpression of RhoC GTPase is a specific genetic alteration in IBC tumors and in SUM149, an IBC cell line. We show here that knockdown of RhoC in SUM149 had no effect on the expression levels and the localization of E-cadherin. RhoC silencing, however, induced the formation of functional tight junctions (TJ), as evident by a sharp and continuous ZO-1 staining, correct co-localization of the TJ proteins and ZO-1, high transepithelial resistance, and the appearance of the TJ-like structure under transmission electron microscope. The restoration of TJ in RhoC-knockdown SUM149 cells is dependent on the expression of CRB3, a component in the CRB3/PALS1/PATJ polarity complex, in SUM149. Knockdown of a closely related isoform of RhoC, RhoA, failed to form TJ. Furthermore, knockdown of RhoC in SUM149 restored cell polarity by localizing the CRB3/PALS1/PATJ complex to TJ. In conclusion, RhoC GTPase activity disrupted epithelial polarity and proper formation of TJ to contribute to the epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity of SUM149.
When foresters reterritorialize the periphery: post-socialist forest politics in Białowieża, Poland

State Forestry is regarded by political ecologists as a coercive tool deployed by state authorities to nationalize, control and order the forest as a resource within the territory of a nation. The consequence of this is civilizing local people and subjecting them to the grip of the state. Much of this literature comes from the global South. However, in the iconic Bialowieza Forest in eastern Poland, touted as Europe's last primeval forest for its old oaks and woodland bison, state foresters altered the prominence of their nationalistic and nationalizing history in three surprising ways: 1) they downplayed their historical role in nationalizing the periphery in the 1920s when the area was split between a national park and a forest belonging to the newly formed Polish state (the Second Polish Republic); 2) they created new allegiances with the Belarusian-identified local population, and 3) they referenced neighbouring Belarus' preferential management of forests within the adjacent Belovezshkaya National Park. This article weaves together insights from political ecology, post-socialist studies and environmental history in an ethnographic account of Polish state foresters in interaction with biologists, conservationists and "local" people in the fight to expand the Polish Bialowieza National Park from 1990-2013. Foresters downplayed the forest's significance for the nation, at least rhetorically, because conservationists viewed and promoted the forest as having national, European and global heritage. Yet the globalized cosmopolitics of conservationists enabled, or perhaps even forced, foresters to frame their concerns in a language of local and ethnic minority rights and community participation. The transcendence of ethnic and cultural differences by foresters over nearly ninety years of existence marks an important and novel component of the post-socialist period. Keywords: Post-socialist, political ecology, forests, environmental history, Poland, Belarus, foresters, ethnography, periphery
Systemically administered MSCs given 24hrs after osteotomy do not affect bone formation in rat distraction osteogenesis

Distraction osteogenesis is a unique postnatal bone formation employed by orthopaedic surgeons to treat many conditions, however, the overall time to external frame removal can be extensive. Any strategies that accelerate healing would improve patient care. Distraction osteogenesis research in the past decade has shown that direct stem cell implantation enhances new bone formation. Systemic implantation would be more clinically desirable. Systemically delivered stem cells have been shown to home to a mandibular distraction site; however, effects on bone formation have not been studied. Ten-week-old, male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent surgery to implant an external fixator-distractor and an osteotomy was performed. Twenty-four hours postoperatively, each rat received tail vein injections of either saline or 10^6 fluorescently labeled primary mesenchymal stem cells. Animals in the validation groups were euthanized two days after surgery and the femora processed for histology. Animals in the experimental groups were given five days of latency, then the femur was lengthened once daily for five days (0.75mm/day, 3.75mm total). Following four weeks of consolidation, the animals were euthanized and the femora were evaluated by microCT and histology to quantify new bone formation. Labeled stem cells were found at the distraction site in validation animals. However, there were no differences in any bone or soft tissue outcomes. Systemic stem cell administration 24 hours after surgery does not improve DO outcomes. It is possible that the animal model was not challenging enough to discriminate any augmentation provided by stem cells.
Decoding the Pathway to Biomarker Qualification: Will an Evidentiary Map Framework Do the Trick?

Drug development is a costly and time-consuming endeavor with high potential risks. These and other barriers could discourage pharmaceutical companies from pursuing novel drug development. Concerns have arisen periodically about the flattening or decreasing rates of new drug approvals and applications filed at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Leveraging the use of biomarkers represents a viable alternative to streamline drug development. A biomarker is “a defined characteristic that is measured as an indicator of normal biological processes, pathogenic processes, or responses to an exposure or intervention, including therapeutic interventions.” (1) Biomarkers are vital for drug development, with potential safety (e.g., early identification of drug toxicity) and efficacy (e.g., response to therapy, end-point measures) benefits. Therefore, stakeholders are committed to developing pathways for effective biomarker qualification. Biomarker qualification …
Effects of fuel properties and free stream turbulence on characteristics of bluff-body stabilized flames

Abstract An experimental investigation of the effect of fuel properties and different levels of free stream turbulence intensities on the structure of bluff body stabilized lean, premixed flames is reported. The diagnostic techniques involving simultaneous imaging of hydroxyl (OH) and formaldehyde (CH2O) by planar laser induced fluorescence and particle image velocimetry (PIV) were used to study the interaction between the flame and the flow field. CH2O fluorescence and the pixel-by-pixel multiplication of OH and CH2O fluorescence signals were utilized to mark preheat and heat release regions, respectively. As the turbulence intensity increased from 4% to 14%, pronounced formation of cusps and unburnt mixture fingers were observed along the flame front. For the intense turbulence conditions, different characteristics of the flame front were observed which strongly depended on the properties of fuel/air mixture. For lean methane/- and ethylene/air (ϕ = 0.85), localized extinctions along the flame sheet and flamelet merging were observed which created isolated pockets of reactants in the flame envelope with heat release regions along their boundary. In addition to these features, propane/- and ethylene/air (ϕ = 0.655) flames exhibited the occurrence of flame fragmentation events which created multiple islands of OH filled regions separated by thick layers of CH2O. The overall flame shape for these conditions was observed to change intermittently from symmetric to asymmetric mode with increasing turbulence intensity. Several properties were measured to characterize the effects of turbulence–flame interaction which includes the preheat and reaction zone thicknesses, 2-D strain rate, burning fraction, flame brush thickness, flame surface density and turbulent to laminar flame area ratio.
ANALISIS BIAYA OPERASIONAL DAN PENDAPATAN OPERASIONAL (BOPO) TERHADAP RETURN ON ASSETS(ROA)

Banking in Indonesia is progressing rapidly every day. Sophisticated banking transactions make it easier for individuals or companies to use banking services. Related to these conditions will certainly increase the number of transactions in the Bank including at PT. State Savings Bank. To support banking activities, PT. Bank Tabungan Negara always wants to be a healthy bank with a high level of performance efficiency and gain a significant advantage. In the correlation coefficient test results at Bank Tabungan Negara can be seen that the relationship between Operational Costs and Operating Income (BOPO) to Return On Assets (ROA) is having a weak and unidirectional relationship. From the result of determination coefficient of determination of Return On Assets (ROA) influenced by Operational Cost and Operating Income (BOPO) equal to 47,7% the rest 52,3% influenced by other factor. The calculation results show the regression equation Y = 4.793 - 0.039x formed can be seen that the constant of 4.793 states that if there is no Operational Cost and Operating Income (ROA) thenReturn On Assets (ROA) will be 4.793%. With the regression coefficient x of -0.039. Stated that if Operational Cost and Operating Income (BOPO) increased one unit (1%) will reduce Return On Assets (ROA) by 0,039%. Keywords: BOPO, ROA
What happens to large changes? Saltation produces well-liked outputs that are hard to generate

Saltatory alternations ‘skip over’ intermediate sounds, as in k~s skipping over [t]. Recent research has argued that saltation is diachronically unstable and documented one possible cause of instability: Learners exposed to saltatory alternations may overgeneralize them to intermediate sounds. However, this research has trained participants to criterion or excluded participants who did not reach criterion accuracy on familiar sounds. In first language acquisition, learners of languages with saltatory patterns cannot hope to receive more exposure to the pattern than those learning non-saltatory patterns. For this reason, we examined learning of saltatory and non-saltatory patterns after a constant amount of training. We compared saltatory labial palatalization to non-saltatory alveolar and velar palatalization. Participants showed overgeneralization of saltatory palatalization in a judgment task. However, saltatory alternations did not result in increased rates of palatalizing similar sounds, compared to non-saltatory alternations. Instead, saltatory alternations were less likely to be produced than non-saltatory alternations. These results suggest that large, saltatory alternations may be diachronically unstable because they are harder to (learn to) produce. Instead of being overgeneralized to intermediate sounds, saltatory alternations may disappear from the language by losing productivity and being replaced with faithful mappings.
Silver–carbon electrocatalyst for air cathodes in alkaline fuel cells

A method for producing electrocatalysts containing silver supported on different carbons was developed. The catalysts were investigated in air (oxygen) diffusion electrodes in alkaline electrolyte (7 M KOH). Depending on the carbon support used, up to a threefold improvement in electrode performance was achieved compared with the activity of the uncatalysed carbon in this media. At ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure, a current density of 150 mA/cm−2 was obtained at electrode potential 1.2 V vs zinc (0.75 vs HE). A correlation between electro catalytic activity and wetted surface area of the electrocatalysts was found.
Russian Social Science in Transition: Applied Political Research and Social Criticism

One means by which the Soviet state maintained hegemony was through control over the production and movement of information. This function created ambiguity, on the one hand, and contradiction on the other, as sociological inquiry progressed within the Soviet system. This circumstance extended to both the appropriate subject matter and the methodology of sociological research. While sociology practiced in the West operated more or less within broad boundaries of free inquiry, such was not the case for most of twentieth century Russia. This paper explores this history of “permissible” sociological research in Russia, and then turns an eye on the more recent developments in sociology in light of the new Russian state. In particular, the development of democratic processes in Russia have led to a concomitant growth in research centers, institutes, and consultancies, all of which have significant practical and applied objectives for the sociological product. A listing of Russian research centers on the web is included.
Pulse oximetry evaluation of vitality in primary and immature permanent teeth.

Present methods of assessing pulp vitality (electric and thermal testing) are of limited use with children, often resulting in false positive or false negative results. Pulse oximetry is a proven, atraumatic method of measuring vascular health by evaluating oxygen saturation (SaO 2 ). This pilot study explores the use of a modified pulse oximetry ear probe to assess pulpal vascular oxygen saturation in primary and immature permanent teeth. Pulse oximetry readily differentiated between known vital and nonvital teeth. Vital teeth consistently provided SaO 2 values that were lower than the values recorded on the patients’ fingers. Further study of the SaO 2 changes in traumatized teeth, with a probe designed specifically for teeth, is warranted by these initial results. Although additional research is indicated, pulse oximetry is already an objective, atraumatic clinical alternative to the present electrical and thermal methods of assessing pulp vitality in children’s teeth. (Pediatr Dent 21:109-113,1999)
Social-emotional well-being among youth living in out-of-home care

Abstract The current study examined the use of socio-emotional well-being measures among a sample of 57 children and youth living in a congregate care type setting such as a group home or shelter. One or two measures were administered depending on the age of the child/youth, the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale-2 for children ages 5–18 years and the Youth Quality of Life-Short Form for youth ages 13–18 years. In addition to the measures completed by the children/youth, caregivers also completed measures assessing the social-emotional well-being of the child in her/his care. Results suggest differences between child/youth assessments of their own well-being and adult caregiver assessments. Important considerations for future measurement of socio-emotional well-being and implications for practice and future research were discussed.
Southern Sclerotium Root Rot Caused by Athelia rolfsii on Table Beet in New York

Southern Sclerotium root rot caused by Athelia rolfsii (syn. Sclerotium rolfsii) is a damaging soilborne disease of field and specialty crops. In 2015, 2016, and 2017, wilted plants, root rot, and ...
Acute ophthalmic artery occlusion in a COVID-19 patient on apixaban.

We report a case of ophthalmic artery occlusion (OAO) in a young patient with COVID-19 infection that was on therapeutic anticoagulation with apixaban for deep venous thrombosis (DVT). A 48-year-old man with obesity was hospitalized with a severe form of COVID-19 infection, complicated with acute respiratory failure, septic shock, dilated cardiomyopathy and fungemia. Despite treatment with prophylactic enoxaparin (initial D-Dimer 1.14 µg/ml FEU (normal < 0.05 µg/ml FEU), D-Dimer increased to above 20 µg/ml FEU and patient continued to spike high fevers. This prompted further investigations and upper and lower extremities DVTs were confirmed and managed with enoxaparin 1 mg/kg twice daily. D-dimer level decreased to 4.98 µg/ml FEU while on therapeutic anticoagulation. Three weeks later pending hospital discharge, the anticoagulation was switched to oral apixaban 10 mg twice daily. Patient developed acute severe right eye visual loss of no light perception and was diagnosed with incomplete OAO. D-Dimer was elevated at 2.13 µg/ml FEU. Stroke etiological work-up found no embolic sources, resolution of the dilated cardiomyopathy and negative antiphospholipid antibodies. Treatment was changed to enoxaparin and no thrombotic events were encountered to date. Ocular vascular complications have not yet been reported in COVID-19. Controversy exists on the best management algorithm for the hypercoagulable state associated to COVID-19 Either direct oral anticoagulants or low-molecular-weight-heparin are considered appropriate at discharge for patients with venous thromboembolism. The optimum regimen for ischemic stroke prevention and the significance of D-Dimer for anticoagulation monitoring in COVID-19 remain unclear.
Caffeinated Coffee and Tea Consumption, Genetic Variation and Cognitive Function in the UK Biobank.

BACKGROUND Coffee and tea are the major contributors of caffeine in the diet. Evidence points to the premise that caffeine may benefit cognition. OBJECTIVE We examined the associations of habitual regular coffee or tea and caffeine intake with cognitive function whilst additionally accounting for genetic variation in caffeine metabolism. METHODS We included white participants aged 37-73 y from the UK Biobank who provided biological samples and completed touchscreen questionnaires regarding sociodemographic factors, medical history, lifestyle, and diet. Habitual caffeine-containing coffee and tea intake was self-reported in cups/day and used to estimate caffeine intake. Between 97,369 and 445,786 participants with data also completed ≥1 of 7 self-administered cognitive functioning tests using a touchscreen system (2006-2010) or on home computers (2014). Multivariable regressions were used to examine the association between coffee, tea, or caffeine intake and cognition test scores. We also tested interactions between coffee, tea, or caffeine intake and a genetic-based caffeine-metabolism score (CMS) on cognitive function. RESULTS After multivariable adjustment, reaction time, Pairs Matching, Trail Making test B, and symbol digit substitution, performance significantly decreased with consumption of 1 or more cups of coffee (all tests P-trend < 0.0001). Tea consumption was associated with poor performance on all tests (P-trend < 0.0001). No statistically significant CMS × tea, CMS × coffee, or CMS × caffeine interactions were observed. CONCLUSIONS Our findings, based on the participants of the UK Biobank, provide little support for habitual consumption of regular coffee or tea and caffeine in improving cognitive function. On the contrary, we observed decrements in performance with intakes of these beverages which may be a result of confounding. Whether habitual caffeine intake affects cognitive function therefore remains to be tested.
A glycan cluster on the SARS-CoV-2 spike ectodomain is recognized by Fab-dimerized glycan-reactive antibodies

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has escalated into a global crisis The spike (S) protein that mediates cell entry and membrane fusion is the current focus of vaccine and therapeutic antibody development efforts The S protein, like many other viral fusion proteins such as HIV-1 envelope (Env) and influenza hemagglutinin, is glycosylated with both complex and high mannose glycans Here we demonstrate binding to the SARS-CoV-2 S protein by a category of Fab-dimerized glycan-reactive (FDG) HIV-1-induced broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) A 3 1 A resolution cryo-EM structure of the S protein ectodomain bound to glycan-dependent HIV-1 bnAb 2G12 revealed a quaternary glycan epitope on the spike S2 domain involving multiple protomers These data reveal a new epitope on the SARS-CoV-2 spike that can be targeted for vaccine design Highlights: Fab-dimerized, glycan-reactive (FDG) HIV-1 bnAbs cross-react with SARS-CoV-2 spike 3 1 A resolution cryo-EM structure reveals quaternary S2 epitope for HIV-1 bnAb 2G12 2G12 targets glycans, at positions 709, 717 and 801, in the SARS-CoV-2 spike Our studies suggest a common epitope for FDG antibodies centered around glycan 709
GeneLiFT: A novel test to facilitate rapid screening of genetic literacy in a diverse population undergoing genetic testing.

With the broader introduction of genomic medicine in research and clinical care, an increasing number of persons are offered genetic testing. Many factors, including genetic literacy, may impact the utilization of genetic results by patients and their families. We developed a rapid, self-administered measure of genetic literacy, called Genetic Literacy Fast Test (GeneLiFT). We next evaluated the association of GeneLiFT scores with the comprehension of limitations of genomic medicine in participants undergoing genetic testing in the NIH-sponsored eMERGE III study at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York. All participants underwent genetic screening for variants in 74 actionable genes associated with adult-onset disorders. A diverse cohort of 724 participants completed the survey (60% women, 45% less than 40 years old, and 53% self-reported White non-Hispanic ancestry). The GeneLiFT was validated using known group differences based on education, health literacy, and numeracy, and with questions assessing genetic knowledge. GeneLiFT identified multiple standard genetics terms, that is, jargon, not recognized by more than 50% of participants (including actionability and pathogenicity). Low genetic literacy, identified in 210 participants (29%), was significantly associated with poor understanding of the limitations of genetic testing (p-values < 10-9 ). This association was independent of education, health literacy, and numeracy levels, highlighting the importance of directly measuring genetic literacy. Low genetic literacy was also associated with low satisfaction with the informed consent process. GeneLiFT is a practical tool for rapid assessment of genetic literacy in large studies or clinical care. GeneLiFT will allow future research to efficiently assess the role of genetic literacy on the clinical impact of genetic testing.
Percutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation Induces Cerebral Vasodilation in a Dose-Dependent Manner.

Background The trigeminal nerve directly innervates key vascular structures both centrally and peripherally. Centrally, it is known to innervate the brainstem and cavernous sinus, whereas peripherally the trigemino-cerebrovascular network innervates the majority of the cerebral vasculature. Upon stimulation, it permits direct modulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF), making the trigeminal nerve a promising target for the management of cerebral vasospasm. However, trigeminally mediated cerebral vasodilation has not been applied to the treatment of vasospasm. Objective To determine the effect of percutaneous electrical stimulation of the infraorbital branch of the trigeminal nerve (pTNS) on the cerebral vasculature. Methods In order to determine the stimulus-response function of pTNS on cerebral vasodilation, CBF, arterial blood pressure, cerebrovascular resistance, intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, cerebrospinal fluid calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) concentrations, and the diameter of cerebral vessels were measured in healthy and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) rats. Results The present study demonstrates, for the first time, that pTNS increases brain CGRP concentrations in a dose-dependent manner, thereby producing controllable cerebral vasodilation. This vasodilatory response appears to be independent of the pressor response induced by pTNS, as it is maintained even after transection of the spinal cord at the C5-C6 level and shown to be confined to the infraorbital nerve by administration of lidocaine or destroying it. Furthermore, such pTNS-induced vasodilatory response of cerebral vessels is retained after SAH-induced vasospasm. Conclusion Our study demonstrates that pTNS is a promising vasodilator and increases CBF, cerebral perfusion, and CGRP concentration both in normal and vasoconstrictive conditions.
Myelination, oligodendrocyte development, and associated neurodevelopmental disorders

Abstract The classical description of myelin is that of a multilamellar insulating membrane responsible for the facilitation of rapid “saltatory” conduction of nerve impulses. However, myelin and oligodendrocytes, the cells that make this complex membrane in the central nervous system (CNS), are now recognized as critical regulators of plasticity in the developing brain and spinal cord. For this reason, myelination and oligodendrocyte generation are among the most crucial and vulnerable processes that occur during CNS development. This chapter discusses the myelin functions in axonal growth regulation and maintenance and the multiple factors that control oligodendrocyte generation and differentiation. The complexity and importance of the myelin membrane and oligodendrocytes is further underscored by cognitive and behavioral effects that accompany a growing list of disorders and factors altering myelination.
The Two Faces of Opposition to Chemical Weapons: Sincere Versus Insincere Norm-Holders

Prominent research holds that the use of weapons of mass destruction is taboo. But how strong are these norms? Investigating this question among the mass public, we argue that some citizens actually support taboo policies in private but are unwilling to express counter-normative opinions openly due to fear of social sanction. These insincere norm-holders are difficult to identify empirically because they are observationally equivalent to sincere norm-holders in direct-question surveys. To overcome this challenge, we use a list design, which allows survey respondents to indirectly express sensitive opinions. The results from three list experiments show that between 10% and 17% of Americans falsify their preferences over chemical weapons use when asked directly. Our findings advance a specific debate on the strength of weapons taboos, while our conceptualization of insincere norm-holders and methodological application have broader implications for how scholars might think about and measure norms in international politics.
Charities and the Constitution: Evaluating the Role of Constitutional Principles in Determining the Scope of Tax Law's Public Policy Limitation for Charities

Charities and the Constitution is a follow-up to The Power of The Treasury, 33 U.C. DAVIS L. REV. 389-447 (2000) and Tax Expenditures, Social Justice and Civil Rights, 2001 B.Y.U. L. REV. 167 (2001). Collectively, these three articles both highlight problems with tax law's public policy limitation and offer possible solutions to those problems. The public policy limitation provides that tax-exempt charities violating established public policy must lose their 501(c)(3) tax exemption. Charities and the Constitution examines a central problematic aspect of the public policy limitation - the lack of specific standards to be used by Service in determining whether a policy is sufficiently established for purposes of the limitation. The Service recently intimated that it will rely primarily on constitutional law doctrine as its standard to ascertain established public policy with respect to private charities. However, the Constitution generally concerns permissible activities by government, not private actors like charities. Thus, this Article asks: should constitutional limitations on government action necessarily limit the Service's ability to determine established public policy for private charities? This Article argues that the Service's primary reliance on constitutional law decisions is inappropriate for a variety of theoretical and practical reasons, not the least of which is that the Constitution was never intended to limit private activity without specific congressional authorization.
Engineering Development of the MSBR Fuel Recycle

The molten-salt breeder reactor being developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) requires continuous chemical processing of the fuel salt, 7LiF-BeF2-ThF4 (72-16-12 mole%) containing ~0.3 mol...