cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measurement, model testing, and legislative influence in the European Union

Within the last several years, new data have become available to test the various theoretical models of EU decision-making, and, in doing so, to assess actor influence. This article examines the extent to which the recent DEU and DEUII datasets provide sufficient information to distinguish between competing theoretical models of legislative decision-making, and accurately assess the power of the different branches of EU government. It argues that insufficient attention has been paid to measurement error in these data. Once measurement error is accounted for, it becomes clear that these data do not provide sufficient information to distinguish between most models of legislative politics. Moreover, empirical models that fail to account for measurement error are likely to lead researchers to erroneous conclusions about actors’ legislative influence.
Fractal notation for nearly‐symmetrical dendrimers

Dendrimeric and related molecules that have the same atomic connectivity from exterior to core, P-C1-J1-C2- … Z (P peripheral group, J juncture, C connector, Z core) can be described completely by a highly compact fractal notation, which is of the general form PfJ1,J2 … (C1.C2 …)Z. In this paper, we show how to describe molecules that deviate slightly from the symmetry of a related parent molecule, by use of parenthetic expressions (iX), (dX), and (YrX) which designate atoms or molecular groups that are inserted, deleted, or replaced by other groups in the parent. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 2979–2983, 1998
Phase Correction in FT-IR

Two approaches to phase correction in FT-IR spectroscopy are discussed. Using synthetic data, both the Mertz method and the symmetrization-convolution method are evaluated with respect to the accurate reproduction of a single-beam spectrum. The variation in photometric accuracy with (1) the number of points used in the phase calculation, and (2) apodization in the phase calculation is examined.
THE ROLE OF IMMUNITY IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF EXPERIMENTAL RETROGRADE PYELONEPHRITIS

Retrograde pyelonephritis was produced in rats by the intravesical injection of Proteus mirabilis. When animals were preimmunized against Proteus mirabilis by (a) prior infection, (b) administration of antigen, or (c) passively transferred antiserum, they were resistant to infection by proteus when challenged by the retrograde route. The protective effect of specific preimmunization in retrograde pyelonephritis indicates that a major site of action is retardation of bacterial growth within the parenchyma of the kidney.
DAILY REMOTE PERITONEAL DIALYSIS MONITORING: AN ADJUNCT TO ENHANCE PATIENT CARE

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is the preferred dialysis modality in children, but it relies on the patient or caregiver to perform dialysis daily at home. We describe the utilization of a modem transmission system in 2 pediatric PD patients to improve communication with the dialysis team, monitor compliance via frequent remote data collection, and decrease dialysis-related complications. A home dialysis modem was provided for each patient and connected to the home telephone line by the dialysis nurse. PD treatment data were transmitted daily to the dialysis unit, records entered into the patient's electronic medical record, and reviewed by the patient's PD nurse and/or pediatric nephrologist and adjustments made accordingly. This resulted in improved medical outcomes specifically related to fluid balance and cardiovascular health, ultimately facilitating renal transplantation in each case. In summary, the use of the ProCard (Baxter Healthcare, Deerfield, Illinois, USA) has improved the ability to monitor home PD patients effectively. However, the additional use of the modem to transmit data on a more frequent basis can further enhance the care of chronic continuous cycling PD patients and should be considered in more challenging medical situations.
The self-association and fibronectin-binding sites of fibulin-1 map to calcium-binding epidermal growth factor-like domains.

Fibulin-1 is a modular glycoprotein with amino-terminal anaphylatoxin-like modules followed by nine epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like modules and, depending on alternative splicing, four possible carboxyl termini. Fibulin-1 has been shown to self-associate as well as to bind calcium, fibronectin (FN), laminin, nidogen, and fibrinogen. To map ligand-binding sites within fibulin-1, polypeptides corresponding to various regions of fibulin-1 were expressed recombinantly and evaluated for their capacity to bind calcium, FN, or fibulin-1. A calcium-binding site(s) was mapped to EGF-like modules 5–9. A fibulin-1 self-association site was localized to EGF-like modules 5 and 6 (amino acid residues 356–440), as was a binding site for FN. The self-association interaction mediated by this pair of modules involved calcium since divalent cation chelators reduced the binding affinity of the interaction. By contrast, FN binding to EGF-like modules 5 and 6 was unaffected by the presence of divalent cation chelators. It can be concluded that EGF-like modules 5 and 6 bind calcium and mediate homotypic interaction between EGF-like modules 5 and 6 present in different fibulin-1 molecules and heterotypic interaction between EGF-like modules 5 and 6 and type III repeats 13 and 14 in FN. While additional binding sites for calcium or FN were not detected, another fibulin-1 self-association site was found within amino acid residues 30–173. However, unlike the self-association site in EGF-like modules 5 and 6, which was functional in the native protein, the amino-terminal site was cryptic and revealed only after the protein was denatured.
A gross anatomic and histologic study of the innervation of the proximal interphalangeal joint

The innervation of the proximal interphalangeal joint was studied by gross dissection with magnification and histologic analysis. The joint is innervated by a constant articular branch arising from the palmar proper digital nerve at the level of the midproximal phalanx. This articular nerve bifurcates adjacent to the joint, and its terminal branches enter the joint in the midlateral plane at the junction of the palmar plate and lateral capsule. No contribution to the articular innervation was found to arise from the sensory radial, dorsoulnar cutaneous, and collateral branches of the proper digital nerve that cross the joint. The innervation of the proximal interphalangeal joint is congruent with the palmar sensory innervation and has no relation to the dorsal sensory innervation.
Low-power CMOS continuous-time filters

A design technique for low-power continuous-time filters using digital CMOS technology is presented. The basic building block is a fully-balanced integrator with its unity-gain frequency determined by a small-signal transconductance and MOSFET gate capacitance. Integrator excess phase shift is reduced using balanced signal paths, and open-loop gain is increased using low-voltage cascode amplifiers. Two-pole bandpass and five-pole lowpass ladder filters have been implemented in a 1.2 /spl mu/m n-well CMOS process. The lowpass prototypes provided 300 kHz-1000 kHz bias-current-tunable -3 dB bandwidth, 67 dB dynamic range with 1% total harmonic distortion (THD), and 30 /spl mu/W/pole (300 kHz bandwidth) power dissipation with a 1.5 V supply; the bandpass prototypes had a tunable center frequency of 300 kHz-1000 kHz, Q of 8.5, and power dissipation of 75 /spl mu/W/pole (525 kHz center frequency) from a 1.5 V supply. The active filter area was 0.1 mm/sup 2//pole for both designs.
Channel-consistent forewarning of epileptic events from scalp EEG

Phase-space dissimilarity measures (PSDM) have been recently proposed to provide forewarning of impending epileptic events from scalp electroencephalography (EEG) for eventual ambulatory settings. Despite high noise in scalp EEG, PSDM yield consistently superior performance over traditional nonlinear indicators, such as Kolmogorov entropy, Lyapunov exponents, and correlation dimension. However, blind application of PSDM may result in channel inconsistency, whereby multiple datasets from the same patient yield conflicting forewarning indications in the same channel. This paper presents a first attempt to solve this problem.
Tick-borne diseases.

Tick-transmitted infectious agents have assumed increased importance as causes of human disease in the United States. During the past two decades, Lyme borreliosis, ehrlichiosis, and babesiosis have emerged as newly described tick-borne infectious diseases of significance for pediatricians and pediatric neurologists. In fact, the highest rates of infection for Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), by decade of age, are in childhood. As such, tick-borne infectious disease are of considerable public health concern, particularly for children residing in endemic regions. RMSF and human ehrlichioses can be life-threatening but are also eminently treatable when recognized early. Delays in diagnosis and treatment can lead to adverse outcomes. This article reviews the clinical and epidemiological features of Lyme borreliosis, RMSF, and ehrlichiosis, important causes of neurological illness among children, and summarizes current therapeutic and preventive strategies.
Dynamic Regulation of Tec Kinase Localization in Membrane-proximal Vesicles of a T Cell Clone Revealed by Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence and Confocal Microscopy

Tec family tyrosine kinases are key regulators of lymphocyte activation and effector function. Several Tec family kinases (Tec, Itk, Rlk/Txk) are expressed in T cells, but it is still not clear to what degree these are redundant or have unique functions. We recently demonstrated that Tec alone, among the Tec kinase family members examined, can induce nuclear factor of activated T cell-dependent transcription. This unique functional characteristic correlated with a unique pattern of subcellular localization, as Tec (but not other family members) was found in small vesicles, the appearance of which requires signaling through the T cell receptor for antigen. Here we report on our studies of these Tec-containing structures in live T cells, using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. With this technique, we showed that, in live T cells, the Tec vesicles are located at the plasma membrane, the vesicles are unique to Tec (and not the related kinase Itk), and their formation and maintenance require T cell receptor signaling through Src family kinases and PI 3-kinase. Finally, we have imaged isolated T cell membranes by confocal microscopy, confirming the membrane-proximal location of Tec vesicles, as well as demonstrating overlap of these vesicles with the tyrosine kinase Lck, the Tec substrate PLC-γ1, and the early endosomal antigen 1 marker EEA1.
A Comparison of Drogue and GEK Measurements in Deep Water1

Two series of current measurements made with GEK and drogues are shown to agree closely, not only in the averaged results of three days’ data, but in short-period variations about the mean. The variations measured are probably too large to be the ordinary tide, and the possibility of their being the orbital velocities of internal waves is discussed.
Reversal of fortune: a statistical analysis of penalty calls in the National Hockey League

This paper analyzes a unique data set consisting of all penalty calls in the National Hockey League between the 1995{6 and 2001{2 seasons. The primary nding is the prevalence of \reverse calls": if previous penalties have been on one team, then the next penalty is more likely to be on the other. This pattern is consistent with a simple behavioral rationale based on the fundamental diculty of refereeing a National Hockey
When Random Assignment Is Not Enough: Accounting for Item Selectivity in Experimental Research

Experimental methods are critical tools in marketing, psychology, and economics to isolate the effects of key variables from vagaries intrinsic to field data. As such, they are often considered exempt from the sort of sample selectivity artifacts widely documented in empirical research, in part because participants are randomly assigned to experimental conditions. To conserve time and resources, experiments often focus on items participants have chosen or are familiar with, for example, postchoice satisfaction ratings, certain free recall tasks, or specifying consideration sets preceding brand choice. When consumer input even partially influences the items about which researchers request subsequent data, the potential for item selectivity arises. In such situations, analyses are contingent on both the choice context(s) of the experiment and the alternatives participants elect to evaluate, potentially leading to substantial item selectivity overall and to differing degrees across conditions. We examine sit...
Twenty years after ACEIs and ARBs: emerging treatment strategies for diabetic nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a serious complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The disease is now the most common cause of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in developed countries, and both the incidence and prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing worldwide. Current treatments are directed at controlling hyperglycemia and hypertension, as well as blockade of the renin angiotensin system with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), and angiotensin receptor blockers. Despite these therapies, DN progresses to ESKD in many patients. As a result, much interest is focused on developing new therapies. It has been over two decades since ACEIs were shown to have beneficial effects in DN independent of their blood pressure-lowering actions. Since that time, our understanding of disease mechanisms in DN has evolved. In this review, we summarize major cell signaling pathways implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease, as well as emerging treatment strategies. The goal is to identify promising targets that might be translated into therapies for the treatment of patients with diabetic kidney disease.
Leadership education and development at the Uniformed Services University.

INTRODUCTION The mission of the Uniformed Services University (USU) is to train, educate, and prepare uniformed services health professionals, officers, and leaders to directly support the Military Health System (MHS), the National Security, and National Defense Strategies of the United States and the readiness of our Armed Forces. USU’s commitment to this mission has not wavered since the school was founded in 1972. When the legislation that established USU was drafted, USU’s supporters in Congress envisioned that its graduates would form the backbone of the MHS. In this way, it was anticipated that USU would serve for the MHS what the Service academies— the U. S. Military Academy, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, and the Coast Guard Academy—played for the nonmedical line. Today, 42 years after USU opened its doors, its 5,000-plus alumni have validated this vision. Over this time span, USU has contributed greatly to the MHS, with growing numbers of physician, nurse, and allied health alumni rising to key roles. Recognizing the Department of Defense’s (DoD) growing interest in leadership training, USU’s faculty and administration recently examined the content, quality, and impact of the training we provide our students to prepare them for the challenges the MHS will face. As we undertook this critical work through a task force charged with adapting and refining the USU Strategic Framework, we asked ourselves how well USU fosters six core leadership attributes required of future military leaders: (1) understand the environment and the effect of all instruments of national power; (2) anticipate and adapt to surprise and uncertainty; (3) recognize change and lead transitions; (4) operate on intent through trust, empowerment, and understanding; (5) make ethical decisions based on the shared values of the medical, nursing, and dental professions balanced with the Profession of Arms; and (6) think critically and strategically in applying health services support to joint warfighting principles and concepts in joint operations. In this manuscript, we describe USU’s approach to leadership development. Our program of instruction and experiential learning is designed to meet the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dempsey’s challenge of providing skilled leaders to the MHS to support the mission(s) of the DoD. THE LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE
Mathematical Modeling of TRPM8 and the Cold Thermoreceptors

The role of TRPM8 channel in thermotransduction involves several aspects of complexity that make it difficult to understand intuitively. First, it is activated by several stimuli (cold, voltage, agonists and intracellular signaling) that interact with each other, raising the question of how these interactions occur. Experimental evidence in this type of polymodal channel may be misinterpreted if the consequences of a working hypothesis are not considered carefully. Second, in parallel with the identification of TRPM8 as the main molecular transducer of cold temperatures in cold thermoreceptors of the somatosensory system, a list of other ion channels have been shown to be involved in the activity of cold-sensitive neurons and nerve endings. The variety of firing patterns observed at cold sensitive nerve endings arises from a complex interaction of ion channels that operate on different time scales. Mathematical modeling has been instrumental in understanding these phenomena, showing the consequences of the hypotheses raised. Here we review some of the models that have been proposed in these two areas: the activation of TRPM8 and TRPV1 by voltage and temperature, and the generation of firing patterns of cold thermoreceptors. We finish this chapter with a mathematical model showing how the calcium-dependent adaptation of TRPM8 may account for the response of cold thermoreceptors to rapid changes in temperature.
Scleroderma and Raynaud Phenomenon

The surgical patient who suffers from Raynaud phenomenon or systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) presents many challenges that often require a multidisciplinary approach to management. In this chapter, we will ­discuss the aspects pertinent to the peri-/intraoperative management of such patients.
Ensemble Learning of QTL Models Improves Prediction of Complex Traits

Quantitative trait locus (QTL) models can provide useful insights into trait genetic architecture because of their straightforward interpretability but are less useful for genetic prediction because of the difficulty in including the effects of numerous small effect loci without overfitting. Tight linkage between markers introduces near collinearity among marker genotypes, complicating the detection of QTL and estimation of QTL effects in linkage mapping, and this problem is exacerbated by very high density linkage maps. Here we developed a thinning and aggregating (TAGGING) method as a new ensemble learning approach to QTL mapping. TAGGING reduces collinearity problems by thinning dense linkage maps, maintains aspects of marker selection that characterize standard QTL mapping, and by ensembling, incorporates information from many more markers-trait associations than traditional QTL mapping. The objective of TAGGING was to improve prediction power compared with QTL mapping while also providing more specific insights into genetic architecture than genome-wide prediction models. TAGGING was compared with standard QTL mapping using cross validation of empirical data from the maize (Zea mays L.) nested association mapping population. TAGGING-assisted QTL mapping substantially improved prediction ability for both biparental and multifamily populations by reducing both the variance and bias in prediction. Furthermore, an ensemble model combining predictions from TAGGING-assisted QTL and infinitesimal models improved prediction abilities over the component models, indicating some complementarity between model assumptions and suggesting that some trait genetic architectures involve a mixture of a few major QTL and polygenic effects.
IMOD-Ont: Towards an Ontology for Instructional Module Design

An information technology (IT) tool that can guide STEM educators through the complex task of course design development, ensure tight alignment between various components of an instructional module, and provide relevant information about research-based pedagogical and assessment strategies will be of great value. A Semantic Web-based software tool called Instructional Module Development (IMOD) System, currently under development, is built upon a framework for outcome-based course design. It uses Semantic Web technologies to provide intelligent interactions with the users, dictate a course design process in conformance with the underlying framework, checks for omissions and inconsistencies in the design, provides feedback to the user on their course design, and recommends relevant assessment and pedagogical approaches along with help on how they are implemented. In this paper, we present an ontology called IMOD-Ont that aims at describing and formalizing entities in the domain of instructional design and is used by the IMOD system. IMOD-Ont ontology complements existing metadata schemas and linked data approaches in the field of technology-enhanced learning that focus on describing learning resources and educational content that is available on the Web. The goal is to make the semantic data generated from course designs created through the IMODS tool available as linked education data on the web.
Relative Attractiveness of Tobacco Etch Virus-Infected and Healthy Flue-Cured Tobacco Plants to Aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae)

The relative attractiveness of tobacco etch virus (TEV) infected versus healthy flue-cured tobacco plants to alighting aphids under field conditions was evaluated in 1985 and 1986. In 1987, the effect of plant age and time of inoculation on aphid alighting was also evaluated. Many more aphids (4 species, 2 genera) were attracted to TEV-infected plants than to healthy plants in the 1st half of the growing season. However, no significant trends were detected for the 2nd half of the growing season. The relative attractiveness of TEV-infected plants compared with healthy plants was greater in 1985 than 1986 or 1987. The tobacco cultivar used in 1985, 'NC 2326', showed much inure pronounced TEV-induced chlorotic mottling of young leaves compared with 'Coker 176', which was used in 1986 and 1987 and exhibited more subtle symptoms of TEV infection. Younger plants were more attractive to alighting aphids early in the growing mason.
Athletic footwear and orthotic appliances.

Four areas of concern regarding proper and improper footwear are taken into consideration, namely, the shoe-surface interface, the shoe components and construction, the shoe size and fit, and the shoe-player interface.
NBC Surveillance and Emergency Preparedness in Guangzhou Asia Game

Objective To summary the measures of surveillance of NBC and emergency preparedness in Guangzhou Asia Game for the development of similar work experience.Methods According to the security situation and task characteristics,exploring the steps and methods of completing diversified military missions.Results The effective experience included controlling the situation of terror,familiar with the emergency management steps,detailing the tasks of the medical rescue of NBC injuries,and strengthening ability construction.Conclusion Targeted work is the important guarantee to completing diversified military missions.
The characteristics of echocardiography of diabetic cardiomyopathy

Objective To improve the diagno sis and treatment of diabetic car diomyopathy (DCMP) by analyzing the presentation characteristics of echocardiogr aphy of DCMP. Methods A comparison of the echoc ardiography presentati on between 38 patients proved with DCMP (DCMP group) and 30 healthy subjects (co ntrol group) had been done. Results In DCMP gro up, the indexes of LA, LVD, LVS, RV, RA, IVS and LVP were higher than those in control group; there were statistically significant differences, P0. 01 or 0.05. Conclusion The heart structure and function were injured i n different degree in patients with DCMP. The changes of the heart structure and function can be shown by echocardiography early and accurately without trauma.
Etiology and pathogenesis of chronic pancreatitis.

A new classification system based on imaging criteria is expected to help provide a framework for clinical management as well as for filling in gaps in our understanding of alcohol-related disease. Among those gaps are the sequence relating alcohol abuse to the onset of chronic pancreatitis and a full explanation as to why the disease progresses in patients who have stopped drinking.
Rationale for Immunotoxin Therapy of Metastatic Prostate Carcinoma Formatted as a Multi-Stage Delivery System

A family of triple hybridomas secreting hybrid monoclonal antibodies has been developed in our laboratory. The hybrid monoclonal antibodies exhibit bimolecular specificity towards both antigenic determinants on the prostate carcinoma cell surface as well as toxin or toxic moieties (ricin A chain and pokeweed antiviral protein). These hybrid antibodies, when bound univalently to their cognate toxin, constitute the primary reagents responsible for selective in vitro prostate carcinoma cell kill; oncolytic impact is achieved by binding of the hybrid antibody-toxin complex (primary hybrid immunotoxin) to a prostate carcinoma cell surface-expressed antigen by the remaining univalent binding site of the hybrid antibody, allowing access of the toxin to the cytosol by internalization of the hybrid antibody-toxin complex. Internalization by endocytosis of a hybrid antibody-toxic subunit has been strikingly enhanced by the use of secondary monoclonal antibody reagents alone or in conjunction with other biomodifier reagents. For example, use of a second monoclonal antibody specific for ricin A chain to which ricin B chain (binding subunit) is chemically coupled results in selective and synergistic cell kill of targeted cancer cells. In vitro studies involving temporally staggered exposure of the cells to the individual components (primary hybrid antibody, toxin, and secondary antitoxin monoclonal antibody biomodifier) have been performed in a manner allowing maintenance of cytotoxic efficacy. It is concluded that sequential administration of these immunotherapeutic components, individually nontoxic, is a feasible strategy to develop an effective immunotherapeutic treatment of human prostate carcinoma.
Sleep in aging.

Sleep-related complaints, particularly insomnia and wakefulness at night, are common. The causes are multiple, and include normal, if not ideal, changes in sleep stages and organization with age. The prevalence of sleep disorders is also known to increase with advancing age. These factors are even more exaggerated in the sleep of older individuals who suffer from dementia, and may account for nocturnal agitation in this group.
Application of the logistic regression procedure to the classification of species on an example of the genu Diplostomum Nord (Digenea)

We introduce logistic regression procedure and explain how it can be applied for classification of species. This technique is more useful than traditionally used linear discriminant analysis since it does not require multivariate normality in populations being classified. Finally, the proposed approach is illustrated by an example of classification of four species of metacercariae of Diplosomum.
Girls can play ball: Stereotype threat reduces variability in a motor skill

The majority of research on stereotype threat shows what is expected: threat debilitates performance. However, facilitation is also possible, although seldom reported. This study investigated how stereotype threat influences novice females when performing the sensorimotor task of bouncing a ball to a target. We tested the predictions of two prevailing accounts for debilitation and facilitation due to sterotype threat effects: working memory and mere effort. Experimental results showed that variability in performance decreased more in stigmatized females than in control females, consistent with the prediction of the mere effort account, but inconsistent with the working memory account. These findings suggest that stereotype threat effects may be predicated upon the correctness of the dominant motor behavior, rather than on a novice-expert distinction or task difficulty. Further, a comprehensive understanding should incorporate the fact that stereotype threat can facilitate, as well as debilitate, performance.
Upconversion Losses in Flashlamp-Pumped Cr,Tm:YAG

We report recent measurements of upconversion loss rates in flashlamp pumped YAG crystals doped with trivalent chromium, thulium. Fluorescence lifetimes and upconversion coefficients for the thulium 3F4 metastable level were determined and compared with recent similar measurements in thulium sensitized holmium YAG crystals.
Undertriage of Firearm-Related Injuries in a Major Metropolitan Area.

Importance National anatomic triage criteria prescribe specific transport rules for injured patients. However, there is limited information about patients with firearm-related injuries undertriaged to nondesignated facilities (ie, hospitals without specialized trauma teams or units), including what clinical outcomes are achieved and how many are transferred to a higher level of care. Without these data, it is difficult to make informed regional or national policy decisions about triage practices. Undertriage of firearm-related injuries is a good model for evaluating the undertriage of patients with trauma because the anatomic triage criteria for patients with firearm-related injuries are simple. Objective To evaluate the prevalence, spatial distribution, and clinical outcomes of undertriage of firearm-related injuries. Design, Setting, and Participants This study is a retrospective analysis of firearm-related injuries in residents of Cook County, Illinois, from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2013. Outpatient and inpatient hospital databases were used. Participants included patients with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification firearm-related cause-of-injury codes. Data were collected all at once in August 2014. Data analysis took place from March 12, 2015, to February 1, 2016. Main Outcomes and Measures Undertriaged cases were defined as patients who met the national anatomic triage criteria for transfer to higher-level trauma center care. Spatial distribution, injury severity, and clinical outcomes, including death, were analyzed. Results Of the 9886 patients included in this analysis, 8955 (90.6%) were male, 7474 (75.6%) were African American, and 5376 (54.4%) were aged 15 to 24 years.In Cook County, Illinois, where there are 19 trauma centers, 2842 of 9886 (28.7%) firearm-related injuries were initially treated in nondesignated facilities. Among the 4934 cases with firearm-related injury who met the anatomic triage criteria, 884 (17.9%) received initial treatment at a nondesignated facility and only 92 (10.4%) were transferred to a designated trauma center. Significant spatial clustering was identified on the west side of Chicago and in the southern parts of Chicago and Cook County. In the multivariable models, patients treated in nondesignated facilities were less likely to die than were patients treated in designated trauma centers. Conclusions and Relevance Undertriage of firearm-related injuries was much more prevalent than expected. Although the likelihood of dying during hospitalization was greater among patients treated in designated trauma centers, these patients were substantially in worse condition across all measures of injury severity. A smaller proportion of patients treated in designated trauma centers died during the first 24 hours of hospitalization. This study highlights the need for better regional coordination, especially with interhospital transfers, as well as the importance of assessing the distribution of emergency medical services resources to make the trauma care system more effective and equitable.
Establishing a Hospital Response Network Among Children's Hospitals.

A timely and effective response to public health threats requires a broad-reaching infrastructure. Children's hospitals are focused on evaluating and managing some of the most vulnerable patients and thus have unique preparedness and response planning needs. A virtual forum was established specifically for children's hospitals during the 2014-15 Ebola outbreak, and it demonstrated the importance and utility of connecting these specialty hospitals to discuss their shared concerns. Developing a successful children's hospital response network could build the national infrastructure for addressing children's needs in preparedness and response and for enhancing preparedness and response to high-consequence pathogens. Using the Laboratory Response Network and tiered-hospital network as models, a network of children's hospitals could work together, and with government and nongovernment partners, to establish and refine best practices for treating children with pathogens of public health concern. This network cou...
Relationship between brain large artery characteristics and their downstream arterioles

We aimed to test the hypothesis that brain large artery diameters relate to distal downstream arteriolar diameters. In a sample of 110 autopsied individuals (69% men, 76% HIV+, mean age 51), we used multilevel models to relate large artery lumen and lumen-to-wall ratio to left frontal lobe arteriolar lumen and lumen-to-wall ratio adjusting for demographics and vascular risk factors. Comparing the large artery characteristics of the whole brain did not disclose significant associations with frontal lobe arteriolar characteristics. However, restricting the comparison to large arteries upstream of the studied arterioles demonstrated an independent association between left-sided frontal lobe arteriolar luminal diameter with large artery luminal diameters (B = 1.82 ± 0.77, P = 0.01) and with large artery lumen-to-wall ratio (B = 0.58 ± 0.29, P = 0.05). In stratified models, the point estimates in the HIV+ subsample were larger than in the HIV− subsample. These finding suggest coupling between higher proximal blood flow represented by large artery diameter and lower distal resistance represented by arteriolar dilatation. The relationship between arteriolar dilatation and brain parenchyma homeostasis should be further studied.
Uses and abuses of HO endonuclease.

Publisher Summary The site-specific HO endonuclease is a member of a family of endonucleases implicated in the transposition of intron sequences. HO evolved to catalyze the homothallic switching of mating-type (MAT) genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but over the past three decades, the uses to which HO has been put go much further than simply changing the mating type of a cell. HO-induced double-strand breaks (DSBs) have been used to study and define in detail several different mechanisms of homologous recombination in both mitotic and meiotic cells, as well as to identify a surprisingly large number of different pathways of nonhomologous recombination. HO has also been used to create defined DNA damage that elicits a DNA damage checkpoint response. Finally, HO-induced events have provided insights into chromatin structure and chromosome architecture.
The History and Radiobiology of Hypofractionation

The use of hypofractionation in radiation therapy dates back to the first third of the twentieth century, but was largely abandoned thereafter due to unacceptable normal tissue complications. In recent years however, it has been “repurposed” thanks to more than a century of advances in physics and imaging that now allow most normal tissues to be excluded from the radiation field. Advances in clinical radiobiology—in particular an improved understanding of the differing fractionation sensitivities of normal tissues and tumors—have also contributed to hypofractionation’s return. The biology of hypofractionation is controversial however, not only in terms of hypofractionation’s mechanism(s) of action, but also the appropriateness of using isoeffect models that were developed with conventional and hyperfractionated radiotherapy in mind. The possible roles vascular injury, microimmune effects and volume effects play in hypofractionation’s efficacy remain unclear, so some have questioned the continued use of conventional isoeffect formulae, based largely on the 5Rs of radiotherapy.
Rovalpituzumab Tesirine: A Novel DLL3-Targeting Antibody-Drug Conjugate.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) comprises about 15% of all cases of lung cancer. In recent years, owing to a change in the epidemiology of smoking habits, the incidence of the tumor has decreased; however, it remains a significant challenge to global health. While the tumor has a favorable initial response to chemoradiation, relapse is invariable, and second-line regimens may be intolerable given the severity of side effects. For patients with tumors resistant to second-line regimens, no current standard regimens exist. Rovalpituzumab tesirine is a novel antibody–drug conjugate, targeting delta-like protein 3, fundamental in the downstream cellular signaling for proliferation and apoptosis. This drug is reported to have shown promise in pre-clinical and phase I trials. It appears effective in decreasing tumor burden and is reported to be well tolerated, albeit with a significant adverse effect profile. Currently, it is being studied as part of initial and subsequent line chemotherapeutic regimens; it remains to be seen if this is a viable option in the treatment of SCLC. This may add to the agents that can be used against SCLC, and help improve outcomes.
Injection Laryngoplasty for Children with Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis: Procedural Limitations and Swallow Outcomes.

ObjectiveVocal fold immobility with resultant dysphagia is a known cause of morbidity in the pediatric population. Herein we evaluate the efficacy and adverse events of injection laryngoplasty in c...
Effects of nitrogen on the interface density of states distribution in 4H-SiC metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors: Super-hyperfine interactions and near interface silicon vacancy energy levels

The performance of silicon carbide (SiC)-based metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) is greatly enhanced by a post-oxidation anneal in NO. These anneals greatly improve effective channel mobilities and substantially decrease interface trap densities. In this work, we investigate the effect of NO anneals on the interface density of states through density functional theory (DFT) calculations and electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR) measurements. EDMR measurements on 4H-silicon carbide (4H-SiC) MOSFETs indicate that NO annealing substantially reduces the density of near interface SiC silicon vacancy centers: it results in a 30-fold reduction in the EDMR amplitude. The anneal also alters post-NO anneal resonance line shapes significantly. EDMR measurements exclusively sensitive to interface traps with near midgap energy levels have line shapes relatively unaffected by NO anneals, whereas the measurements sensitive to defects with energy levels more broadly distributed in the 4H-SiC bandgap are significantly altered by the anneals. Using DFT, we show that the observed change in EDMR linewidth and the correlation with energy levels can be explained by nitrogen atoms introduced by the NO annealing substituting into nearby carbon sites of silicon vacancy defects.The performance of silicon carbide (SiC)-based metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) is greatly enhanced by a post-oxidation anneal in NO. These anneals greatly improve effective channel mobilities and substantially decrease interface trap densities. In this work, we investigate the effect of NO anneals on the interface density of states through density functional theory (DFT) calculations and electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR) measurements. EDMR measurements on 4H-silicon carbide (4H-SiC) MOSFETs indicate that NO annealing substantially reduces the density of near interface SiC silicon vacancy centers: it results in a 30-fold reduction in the EDMR amplitude. The anneal also alters post-NO anneal resonance line shapes significantly. EDMR measurements exclusively sensitive to interface traps with near midgap energy levels have line shapes relatively unaffected by NO anneals, whereas the measurements sensitive to defects with energy levels more broadly distributed in the ...
CBF-dependent and CBF-independent regulatory pathways contribute to the differences in freezing tolerance and cold-regulated gene expression of two Arabidopsis ecotypes locally adapted to sites in Sweden and Italy

Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) increases in freezing tolerance in response to low nonfreezing temperatures, a phenomenon known as cold acclimation. The CBF regulatory pathway, which contributes to cold acclimation, includes three genes—CBF1, CBF2 and CBF3—encoding closely-related transcription factors that regulate the expression of more than 100 genes—the CBF regulon—that impart freezing tolerance. Here we compare the CBF pathways of two Arabidopsis ecotypes collected from sites in Sweden (SW) and Italy (IT). Previous studies showed that the SW ecotype was more freezing tolerant than the IT ecotype and that the IT ecotype had a nonfunctional CBF2 gene. Here we present results establishing that the difference in CBF2 alleles contributes to the difference in freezing tolerance between the two ecotypes. However, other differences in the CBF pathway as well as CBF-independent pathways contribute the large majority of the difference in freezing tolerance between the two ecotypes. The results also provided evidence that most cold-induced CBF regulon genes in both the SW and IT ecotypes are coregulated by CBF-independent pathways. Additional analysis comparing our results with those published by others examining the Col-0 accession resulted in the identification of 44 CBF regulon genes that were conserved among the three accessions suggesting that they likely have important functions in life at low temperature. The comparison further supported the conclusion that the CBF pathway can account for a large portion of the increase in freezing tolerance that occurs with cold acclimation in a given accession, but that CBF-independent pathways can also make a major contribution.
High Impact of [Whiteness] on Trans* Students in Postsecondary Education

This article asserts whiteness as an ideology that reaches beyond race/racism to shape and reproduce other interlocking oppressive systems. In higher education, this notion of whiteness permeates c...
Decision making in the management of asymptomatic patients with aortic regurgitation: a cardiologist's perspective.

The current study represents an important step toward improving clinical judgment in the optimal timing of valve replacement for aortic regurgitation. This analysis, in conjunction with previously published data, supports recommending valve replacement at the onset of left ventricular dysfunction in patients with asymptomatic isolated severe regurgitation. Caution is needed in extending this conclusion to patients who have coexisting cardiac or non-cardiac conditions; the altered probabilities and utilities for each case should be taken into account as detailed in the decision model. Close follow-up of asymptomatic patients with aortic regurgitation is needed for early detection of left ventricular dysfunction.
A classification of dysgeusia

The results of this study indicate that patients with dysgeusia can be classified into groups on the basis of the number and kinds of foods and beverages they perceive as distorted. Furthermore, a relationship between this classification and weight loss has been demonstrated, suggesting that caloric intake is decreased, particularly in patients with Type III and IV. The symptoms of dysgeusia worsened in 41% of all patients. These patients had sought medical help more quickly than any other patients with dysgeusia. An elevation in dysgeusia type (increase in severity) occurred in only a small number of patients, and no patient exhibited any improvement in dysgeusia once it occurred. Specific types of foods and beverages were commonly distorted in these patients. To characterize these abnormalities, we used six common food groups. On occasion, patients would eliminate an entire food group from their diets; if the nutrients contained in these foods could not be obtained from other dietary sources or if the food aversion persisted long enough (16), these patients could develop nutritional deficiencies. A nutritional history, using a standard form, was selected as the method for collecting data. Classification might have been even more accurate if a standardized food array had been used as part of this study. Indeed, we have developed such an array consisting of 120 food items and have since used it in conjunction with a diet history to evaluate patients with dysgeusia. Preliminary results confirm its usefulness in the classification described in this article.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A deep separable neural network for human tissue identification in three-dimensional optical coherence tomography images

This research proposes a dilated depthwise separable network for human tissue identification using three-dimensional (3D) optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. Automatic human tissue identific...
Recent advances in the alignment of silicon mirrors for high-resolution x-ray optics

Recent advances in the fabrication of segmented silicon mirrors make it possible to build large-area, lightweight, high-resolution x-ray telescopes with arc-second angular resolution. To build such a telescope, we fabricate accurate silicon mirrors and develop alignment and bonding techniques to precisely align and integrate these silicon mirror segments into modular units. In this way, the processes of mirror fabrication, mirror alignment and bonding, and subsequent integration into units of successive larger scale are completely independent, and their technologies can be developed independently. In this paper, we present recent improvement in the precision of optical alignment and mirror bonding. We discuss the measurement of the mirror’s focusing in a parallel optical beam and address the practical challenges in bonding these mirrors into modules as an intermediate step to build up a full-scale telescope for space missions.
Cultivating teacher candidates who support student agency: Four promising practices

ABSTRACTIn this article, we consider how teacher educators can support the development of agency in teacher candidates. Using a sociocultural understanding of agency, we describe four promising pra...