cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Transcription Factor Runx3 Establishes Chromatin Accessibility of cis-Regulatory Landscapes that Drive Memory Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Formation.

Summary T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation of naive CD8+ T cells initiates reprogramming of cis-regulatory landscapes that specify effector and memory cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) differentiation. We mapped regions of hyper-accessible chromatin in naive cells during TCR stimulation and discovered that the transcription factor (TF) Runx3 promoted accessibility to memory CTL-specific cis-regulatory regions before the first cell division and was essential for memory CTL differentiation. Runx3 was specifically required for accessibility to regions highly enriched with IRF, bZIP and PRDM1-like TF motifs, upregulation of TFs IRF4 and Blimp1, and activation of fundamental CTL attributes in early effector and memory precursor cells. Runx3 ensured that nascent CTLs differentiated into memory CTLs by preventing high expression of the TF T-bet, slowing effector cell proliferation, and repressing terminal CTL differentiation. Runx3 overexpression enhanced memory CTL differentiation during iterative infections. Thus, Runx3 governs chromatin accessibility during TCR stimulation and enforces the memory CTL developmental program.
A Ferric Semiquinoid Single-Chain Magnet via Thermally-Switchable Metal-Ligand Electron Transfer.

We report the synthesis of a semiquinoid-bridged single-chain magnet, as generated through a thermally induced metal–ligand electron transfer. Reaction of FeCl3 with 2,5-dichloro-3,6-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone (LH2) in the presence of (NMe4)Cl gave the compound (NMe4)2[LFeCl2]. Together, variable-temperature X-ray diffraction, Mossbauer spectra, Raman spectra, and dc magnetic susceptibility reveal a transition from a chain containing (L2–)FeII units to one with (L3–•)FeIII upon decreasing temperature, with a transition temperature of T1/2 = 213 K. The dc magnetic susceptibility measurements show strong metal–radical coupling within the chain, with a coupling constant of J = −81 cm–1, and ac susceptibility data reveal slow magnetic relaxation, with a relaxation barrier of Δτ = 55(1) cm–1. To our knowledge, this compound provides the first example of a semiquinoid-bridged single-chain magnet.
A Soft Robotic Wearable Wrist Device for Kinesthetic Haptic Feedback.

Advances in soft robotics provide a unique approach for delivering haptic feedback to a user by a soft wearable device. Such devices can apply forces directly on the human joints, while still maintaining the safety and flexibility necessary for use in close proximity to the human body. To take advantage of these properties, we present a new haptic wrist device using pressure-driven soft actuators called reverse pneumatic artificial muscles (rPAMs) mounted on four sides of the wrist. These actuators are originally pre-strained and release compressive stress under pressure, applying a safe torque around the wrist joints while being compact and portable, representing the first soft haptic device capable of real-time feedback. To demonstrate the functional utility of this device, we created a virtual path-following task, wherein the user employs the motion of their wrist to control their embodied agent. We used the haptic wrist device to assist the user in following the path and study their performance with and without haptic feedback in multiple scenarios. Our results quantify the effect of wearable soft robotic haptic feedback on user performance. Specifically, we observed that our haptic feedback system improved the performance of users following complicated paths in a statistically significant manner, but did not show improvement for simple linear paths. Based on our findings, we anticipate broader applications of wearable soft robotic haptic devices towards intuitive user interactions with robots, computers, and other users.
A Bernstein Polynomial Approach to Density Function Estimation

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a Bernstein polynomial approach to density function estimation and describes the Bernstein polynomial estimate of f(x). The form is one of a linear combination of beta densities with random coefficients. The order of convergence of the Bernstein polynomial estimate is comparable to that of other methods. The estimate chapter has a significant practical advantage as it is well adapted to computation.
Accurate determination of renal function in patients with intestinal urinary diversions.

AbstractThe regular determination of renal function is a critical part of the management of patients who have had the urinary tract reconstructed with intestinal segments. These intestinal segments reabsorb urinary solutes and, thereby, complicate the determination of renal function by conventional methods. Urinary clearances of urea, creatinine and inulin were performed in patients with intestinal segments in the urinary tract and controls under varying diuretic conditions. Patients with intestinal diversions also underwent radioisotopic determination of renal function.The urinary clearances of urea, creatinine and inulin are highly dependent on the rate of urine flow in patients with intestinal segments in the urinary tract. Diuresis maximizes the urinary clearances of these solutes by minimizing intestinal reabsorption.Creatinine clearance prediction from the serum creatinine underestimates true glomerular filtration rate. Radioisotopic determination of renal function correlates poorly with true glomer...
Dislocations in Deformed Beryllium

High-purity beryllium single crystals were deformed in tension for basal and for prism slip. Some of the work-hardening mechanisms operating at various stages were deduced from observations of dislocations in foils cut from the bulk crystals and from slip lines observed on the surface. Observation of long-edge pairs and edge dipoles in foils cut from crystals deformed in stage I for basal slip suggests that screws have high mobility on the basal plane in stage I and that the crystals exhibit very little hardening. In stage II the presence of numerous edge boundaries was associated with the onset of a rapid rate of work hardening just prior to failure. Three stages of hardening were observed for crystals deformed for prism slip. In stage I the observation of a predominance of screw dislocations suggested that screw dislocation intersections with the grown-in networks had to occur, producing jogs in the screws which acted to impede the motion of the screw dislocations. In stage II complex interactions produced complicated tangled masses of dislocations. In stage III the onset of duplex slip produces stable low-angle boundaries as a result of dislocation interactions along intersections of glide planes.
Tenecteplase utility in acute ischemic stroke patients: A clinical review of current evidence

Abstract Introduction Acute ischemic stroke is a leading cause of disability in the United States. Treatment is aimed at reducing impact of cerebral clot burden and life-long disability. Traditional fibrinolytic treatment with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) has shown to be effective but at high risk of major bleeding. Multiple studies have evaluated tenecteplase as an alternative to tPA. Objective This review evaluates literature and utility of tenecteplase for treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Discussion Tenecteplase is modified, third generation fibrinolytic with greater specificity for fibrin bound clots. Current data in acute myocardial infarction suggest decreased bleeding events compared to alteplase. Multiple trials have investigated superiority of tenecteplase compared to tPA for treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Current guidelines designate tenecteplase as an alternative treatment for mild acute ischemic stroke patients based on recent literature. Conclusion Recent emerging literature and limited recommendation guidance from governing medical societies leave many emergency medicine providers to weigh benefit versus risk of fibrinolytic therapy and tenecteplase's place in therapy. This review evaluates the available literature regarding tenecteplase and its utility in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke patients.
Immune-Mediated Lung Diseases

Immune-mediated lung diseases are a complex group of diseases characterized by inflammatory cellular infiltration of the lungs which can result in progressive airway remodeling and parenchymal injury. Diseases have variable presentation depending on antigen exposure, patient predisposition, and type of immune response. Early recognition, removal of the inciting antigen, and steroid intervention are important to prevent disease progression. This article will review key clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features of immune-mediated lung diseases.
Effects of Pilot Contamination Attacks in Multi-Cell Multi-User Massive MIMO Relay Networks

The detrimental effects of pilot contamination attacks by active eavesdroppers are investigated for multi-cell multi-user massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) relay networks. To this end, secure transmission strategies are designed for both users-to-relay and relay-to-destination channels in the presence of active pilot attacks with imperfect legitimate user channel state information (CSI) and with no eavesdropper CSI knowledge at the relay. The excess degrees-of-freedom offered by the massive MIMO relay are exploited to mitigate detrimental effects of cooperative jamming (CJ) signals and to generate artificial noise (AN) during the first and second time-slots, respectively. Thereby, the achievable secrecy rate lower bounds for active attacks are derived in the finite/infinite relay antenna regimes. The secrecy rates for passive eavesdropping are deduced and compared to that of active attacks. A joint optimal power allocation scheme for the pilot, payload data, and AN and CJ signals is formulated and solved by using geometric programming techniques. Rigorous numerical and simulation results are provided to obtain valuable insights, which are useful in designing secure physical layer transmission strategies for multi-cell multi-user massive MIMO relay networks.
MRI safety risks in the obese: The case of the disposable lighter stored in the pannus

Obese patients constitute 40% of the adult population. MRIs of obese patients are typically challenging because of the effects of a large field of view on image quality and the increased risk of thermal burns from contact with the bore. In this case report, the impacts of obesity on MRI procedures and safety are introduced. Then a case is presented of a 30-year old female cervical cancer patient who received an MRI simulation to verify the placement of a titanium tandem and colpostats for brachytherapy. A large magnetic susceptibility artifact was detected near the right pelvis during the MRI scout indicating the presence of ferrous material. The source of the artifact turned out to be a disposable lighter that was stored inside the patient's pannus. The finding highlights an unanticipated risk to MRI safety and image quality associated with large body habitus.
Nanoscale Pore Structure Characterization of Tight Oil Formation: A Case Study of the Bakken Formation

Pore structure of unconventional reservoir is fundamental for understanding hydrocarbon storage, fluid transport, and geomechanics. The pore structure of shale gas reservoirs has been studied exten...
High-Resolution Ex Vivo Microstructural MRI After Restoring Ventricular Geometry via 3D Printing.

Computational modeling of the heart requires accurately incorporating both gross anatomical detail and local microstructural information. Together, these provide the necessary data to build 3D meshes for simulation of cardiac mechanics and electrophysiology. Recent MRI advances make it possible to measure detailed heart motion in vivo, but in vivo microstructural imaging of the heart remains challenging. Consequently, the most detailed measurements of microstructural organization and microanatomical infarct details are obtained ex vivo. The objective of this work was to develop and evaluate a new method for restoring ex vivo ventricular geometry to match the in vivo configuration. This approach aids the integration of high-resolution ex vivo microstructural information with in vivo motion measurements. The method uses in vivo cine imaging to generate surface meshes, then creates a 3D printed left ventricular (LV) blood pool cast and a pericardial mold to restore the ex vivo cardiac geometry to a mid-diastasis reference configuration. The method was evaluated in healthy (N = 7) and infarcted (N = 3) swine. Dice similarity coefficients were calculated between in vivo and ex vivo images for the LV cavity (\(0.93\pm 0.01\)), right ventricle (RV) cavity (\(0.80\pm 0.05\)), and the myocardium (\(0.72\pm 0.04\)). The \(R^2\) coefficient between in vivo and ex vivo LV and RV cavity volumes were 0.95 and 0.91, respectively. These results suggest that this method adequately restores ex vivo geometry to match in vivo geometry. This approach permits a more precise incorporation of high-resolution ex vivo anatomical and microstructural data into computational models that use in vivo data for simulation of cardiac mechanics and electrophysiology.
Self-Peptides in TCR Repertoire Selection and Peripheral T Cell Function

The vertebrate antigen receptors are anticipatory in their antigen recognition and display a vast diversity. Antigen receptors are assembled through V(D)J recombination, in which one of each Variable, (Diverse), and Joining gene segment are randomly utilized and recombined. Both gene rearrangement and mutational insertion are generated through randomness; therefore, the process of antigen receptors generation requires a rigorous testing system to select every receptor which is useful to recognize foreign antigens, but which would cause no harm to self cells. In the case of T cell receptors (TCR), such a quality control responsibility rests in thymic positive and negative selection. In this review, we focus on the critical involvement of self-peptides in the generation of a T cell repertoire, discuss the role of T cell thymic development in shaping the specificity of TCR repertoire, and directing function fitness of mature T cells in periphery. Here, we consider thymic positive selection to be not merely a one-time maturing experience for an individual T cell, but a life-long imprinting which influences the function of each individual T cell in periphery.
In-line microwave reflection measurement technique for determining moisture content of biomass material

An in-line microwave reflection measurement technique for determining moisture content of biomass material (sawdust) moving past the sensor on a conveyer is presented. The proposed system consists of four open-ended rectangular substrate-integrated waveguide (ORSIW) sensors mounted on the conveyor walls, three RF-switches and a 3.0 GHz six-port reflectometer for the reflection measurement from the sensors. The dielectric permittivity of the biomass as a function of moisture content and bulk density can be extracted by using the six-port measurement technique. The density-independent algorithm for moisture content determination was developed based on the power readings from the six-port circuit at conveyor speeds of 0.15, 0.23 and 0.35 m s−1. Finally, the predicted moisture contents were compared with those determined by the standard oven-drying method with standard errors of calibration (SEC) of 1.75%, 1.70% and 1.28% for conveyor speeds of 0.15, 0.23 and 0.35 m s−1, respectively.
Who to share information with? A model of strategic diffusion in social networks

I study information diffusion in a social network where a third party can control the precision of information as well as who initially receives information. Applications include spreading of news by digital media outlets, lobbyists persuading senators to contribute to a project and others. A designer engages in a bayesian persuasion game with multiple agents, but is constrained to send information privately to a subset of agents. The agents can communicate this information to each other through links in a social network. The designer relies on this word-of-mouth communication channel to diffuse information. The optimal precision of information sent by the designer reflects a fundamental tradeoff: precise information increases diffusion, but reduces the designer’s ability to manipulate the agents’ beliefs to- wards his objective. The optimal seeding strategy involves choosing an agent with the highest “influence”, a novel centrality measure that is determined in endogenously by information accuracy and the network structure. As preferences become more diverse, I show that there exists equilibrium with sub- optimal spreading where the designer caters only to agents relatively more aligned towards his objective.
The Effect of Starting the Protein-Sparing Modified Fast on Weight Change over 5 years

Ketogenic diets have been highlighted as a way to lose weight while experiencing reduced hunger. The protein-sparing modified fast (PSMF) induces ketosis but may be difficult to maintain. To track weight loss for individuals initiating PSMF versus all other diets (e.g., balanced, high protein) for up to 5 years. Retrospective cohort study Adults who discussed the PSMF with a clinician between 2007 and 2014 Initiating the PSMF diet versus other diets The main outcome was percent weight change up to 5 years. Demographic and health data were collected using electronic health records. We fit regression models including age, sex, race, insurance, new medication prescriptions, and specialist visit to identify the effect of PSMF diet on percent weight change. We grouped patients by percent weight change at each year (≥ 5% loss, 4% loss to 4% gain, ≥ 5% gain) and used Pearson χ2 tests to compare proportions. Of 1,403 eligible patients, 879 (63%) started the PSMF. The PSMF group was slightly younger (52 vs. 54 years, p < 0.01) and had a higher body mass index (41.9 kg/m2 vs. 40.4 kg/m2, p < 0.001). In the adjusted analysis, the PSMF group averaged 3% more weight loss than the other group over the 5-year follow-up (95% CI − 3.5, − 2.0, p < 0.001). PSMF patients lost more weight initially, but by year 4, there was no difference between diets (1.6% versus 1.3%, PSMF versus other diets, p = 0.12). Patients starting the PSMF were more likely to experience ≥ 5% weight loss at 1 year (55% vs 20%, p < 0.001) and 3 years (33% vs. 23% p < 0.05), but not 5 years (34% vs 29%, p = 0.16, PSMF versus other diets, respectively). In clinical practice, the PSMF achieves rapid weight loss in the first 6 months, but only a small percentage of patients maintained significant weight loss long term.
A Bioresorbable Fiducial for Head and Neck Cancer.

We aim to evaluate a novel bioresorbable fiducial for marking tumor bed margins in head and neck cancers (HNCs) to improve upon current use of nonresorbable materials. A feasibility test was done placing the marker (L-lactide and e-caprolactone) in an orange for computed tomography (CT) and applesauce for T1-, T2-, and PD-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) image acquisition, using routine clinical parameters. The resulting CT and MRI images showed excellent delineation of the marker with all of its margins well seen without adjacent artifact. The marker appeared similar to air on CT and MRI, surrounded by fluid-like appearance of the medium. Surgical bed appearance when radiotherapy is planned should not produce any artifact near the marker, and there should be no inherent marker-related artifact. These pilot CT and MR images show clinical utility for intraoperative marking of positive margins in the skull base or neck to guide future treatment and monitoring.
Syndemics of HIV with mental illness and other noncommunicable diseases: a research agenda to address the gap between syndemic theory and current research practice.

Purpose of review The aim of this article is to summarize the status of syndemic research on HIV and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) to identify opportunities for improving research to benefit prevention and treatment of NCDs among persons living with HIV. Recent findings The majority of research on syndemics of HIV and NCDs has been conducted in the United States, with few studies in low and middle-income countries. The substance abuse, violence, and AIDS syndemic model was used by a quarter of the studies, however, most other studies failed to outline a syndemic model for interpreting their findings. Mental illnesses were the dominant NCD (15 out of 16 studies), and only one study explored physical health NCDs. Summary Recent studies referring to syndemics of HIV and NCDs often do not meet criteria for a syndemic framework. Future research needs to assure minimum criteria are met: articulation of two or more health conditions, descriptions of social/geographic context that impact the relationship among these conditions, a syndemic model with proposed mechanisms for interaction in the particular social/geographic context, and a population or context without the observed syndemic. Expanding the current syndemic research beyond the United States context and beyond mental illness also would enrich the field.
As polí­ticas públicas educacionais em tempos de educação 3.0: limites e possibilidades

O objetivo do presente artigo consiste em suscitar o debate sobre os limites e as possibilidades das poli­ticas publicas educacionais em tempos de educacao 3.0. A metodologia tem abordagem qualitativa e buscou seus dados em uma revisao da literatura pertinente i tematica. O referencial teorico fundamenta-se, principalmente, em autores como Moran (2014), Levy (1999), Sant"™Ana, Suanno e Sabota (2017), Fava (2014), entre outros. Os resultados sinalizam que: a) a educacao 3.0 transcende a questao da utilizacao das tecnologias como recurso pedagogico, uma vez que supoe uma mudanca profunda na educacao, a qual deve considerar a interdisciplinaridade e a complexidade; b) a educacao brasileira, desde o Brasil Imperial, tem um carater publico, portanto as poli­ticas publicas educacionais precisam acompanhar as mudancas impostas pela contemporaneidade; c) o maior desafio pelo qual passam as poli­ticas educacionais na atualidadeconsiste em acompanhar as demandas da educacao 3.0, cenario em que um estudantemais autonomo e conectado exige praticas docentes que condizem com as suas necessidades,bem como um sistema educacional pensado para o cenario que se apresenta. O debate esta aberto.
Constructing visual policy narratives in new media: the case of the Dakota Access Pipeline

Increasingly, advocacy organizations are routing their communications through social media platforms. One notable difference from traditional communication outlets is the easy inclusion of visual e...
Imaging Tissue Physiology In Vivo by Use of Metal Ion-Responsive MRI Contrast Agents

Paramagnetic metal ion complexes, mostly based on gadolinium (Gd3+), have been used for over 30 years as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. Gd3+-based contrast agents have a strong influence on T1 relaxation times and are consequently the most commonly used agents in both the clinical and research environments. Zinc is an essential element involved with over 3000 different cellular proteins, and disturbances in tissue levels of zinc have been linked to a wide range of pathologies, including Alzheimer’s disease, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus. MR contrast agents that respond to the presence of Zn2+ in vivo offer the possibility of imaging changes in Zn2+ levels in real-time with the superior spatial resolution offered by MRI. Such responsive agents, often referred to as smart agents, are typically composed of a paramagnetic metal ion with a ligand encapsulating it and one or more chelating units that selectively bind with the analyte of interest. Translation of these agents into clinical radiology is the next goal. In this review, we discuss Gd3+-based MR contrast agents that respond to a change in local Zn2+ concentration.
Effects of Polarity and Hydrogen Bonding on Physical Properties and Ion Dissociation in 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Ionic Liquid + Non-aqueous Solvent Systems

Previously, we have shown that the dissociation of ions in ionic liquids (ILs) and IL solutions can be estimated from measurements of ionic conductivity, viscosity, and density. Here, we explore th...
Demonetization and Its Impact on India's Textile and Apparel industry's Comparative Advantage

On November 8, 2016, the Indian government unexpectedly declared a ban on all 500- and 1000-rupee notes ($7.3 and $14.7 respectively). This amounted to the demonetization of 86 percent of the Indian currency in circulation. The demonetization highlighted sharp job losses in small and medium manufacturing enterprises. Labor market statistics showed that up to 3.5 million jobs have been lost during the three months following demonetization while 15 million people have exited the labor force. RCA and its variant normalized revealed comparative advantage (NRCA) is used in this study to measure demonetization’s impact on the textile and apparel competitiveness of India. The results pointed out that though India has a comparative advantage in textile and apparel products, however, India has lost some of its share in the world textile and apparel market due to demonetization. The study shows that there was a significant decline in comparative advantage for Indian apparel and textile products across all HS Codes in 2016, and subsequently in 2017 and 2018.
Isaiah 40:1–2: Reading Royal Commission as a Call for Return Migration in the Early Persian Period

This paper offers a new interpretation of Isa 40:1–2 that takes into account the greater rhetorical project of Isa 40–48 as well as evidence of Judean diaspora life from Al–Yahudu. Rather than a charge to the divine council, the call to comfort Jerusalem is meant to inspire an embedded community of Judeo-Babylonians to return migrate by hailing them as members of Yahweh's royal procession. This new reading gestures towards broader questions of Judean diaspora identity in the 6th century.
Middle Holocene Hydrologic Changes Catalyzed by River Avulsion in Big Soda Lake, Nevada, USA

Big Soda Lake is a 63 m deep, 1.6 km2 maar lake in the Great Basin of Nevada, USA. Water level in the lake is controlled by groundwater inputs from the surrounding aquifer and the only surface water input is rainfall, which is negligible. A core taken in 2010 records an 8.75 m depositional history of the lake. A radiocarbon date on fossil pollen from 8.4 m below the sediment water interface (BSWI) of 14,740 (+1120/−825) cal yr BP suggests that the core may cover the latest Pleistocene and Holocene depositional history of the lake. Stable isotope values of oxygen and carbon (δ18O and δ13C) on authigenic calcite, diatom assemblages, and sedimentary structures all show consistent hydrological change from initially saline water at the bottom of the core to fresh/brackish water at about 6 m BWSI, back to saline water at 4.3 m. At 4.3 m depth, the bedding and color of the core change abruptly, and the stable- isotope and diatom assemblages indicate a consistently hypersaline lake until near the top of the core, when fresh water entered the lake due to irrigation and canal building in the twentieth century. The stable isotopes of the calcite abruptly change from inversely varying isotopic compositions below 4.3 m depth to covarying above. This break between relatively fresh and saline conditions in the lake occurs during the middle Holocene, although the exact timing of the transition is unknown due to variability in the 14C age determinations. The cause for such an abrupt change is difficult to explain through climate shifts, as evidence suggests climate in the Great Basin was different from what the Big Soda Lake record indicates in the Early Holocene. It is hypothesized that the Walker River flowed to the Carson River basin before 5600 cal yr BP, with water either flowing directly into the lake or raising the groundwater table sufficiently to freshen Big Soda Lake. The initial increase in salinity likely was caused by decreased flow of the Walker River due to Middle Holocene aridity. The lake level lowered slowly, and more saline conditions prevailed until 4.3 m depth when water from the Walker River stopped flowing into the Carson River basin. Above 4.3 m depth, diatom and isotopic evidence indicates that the lake became consistently saline. The isotopic and diatom assemblage transitions observed in Big Soda Lake sediment are not consistent with climate reconstructions and demonstrate that hydrologic shifts in a basin can be an important driver of change regardless of climatic conditions. However, climate shifts may also play a role in the hydrologic changes by supplying more or less water to river courses that may induce river avulsion.
Sociodemographic and hospital-based predictors of intense end-of-life care among children, adolescents, and young adults with hematologic malignancies

Background Children, adolescents, and young adults with hematologic malignancies tend to receive high-intensity end-of-life care (HI-EOLC), but sociodemographic and hospital-based predictors of HI-EOLC remain unclear. Methods The authors conducted a population-based, retrospective cohort study with the Premier Healthcare Database. They identified individuals with hematologic malignancies who were 0 to 39 years old at death and died between 2010 and 2017. HI-EOLC was defined as experiencing 2 or more of the following: cardiopulmonary resuscitation, intravenous chemotherapy, hemodialysis, mechanical ventilation, tracheostomy placement, or an emergency department visit within the last 30 days of life and death in the intensive care unit. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to identify patient sociodemographic and hospital characteristics associated with HI-EOLC. Results Among 1454 decedents, more than half (55%) experienced HI-EOLC. In multivariable models, patients treated in medium (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-2.50) or large hospitals (aOR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.45-3.39), insured by Medicaid (aOR, 1.40 ; 95% CI, 1.09-2.06), or receiving cancer-directed treatment in the Northeast (aOR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.05-2.15) were more likely to receive HI-EOLC. Conclusions A majority of children, adolescents, and young adults with hematologic malignancies experienced HI-EOLC, and the likelihood of HI-EOLC was influenced by the hospital size, type of insurance, and geographic region. Further research is needed to determine how to mitigate these risks.
Intermittent Vagal Nerve Stimulation-Associated Vocal Fold Movement Impairment.

Objectives:Implanted vagal nerve stimulators (VNS) are an accepted therapy for refractory seizures. However, VNS have been shown to affect vocal fold function, leading to voice complaints of hoarse...
Immunotherapeutic Strategies for Multiple Myeloma

The advent of biologic-based therapies for multiple myeloma has resulted in improved patient outcomes over the last decade. However, curative outcomes remain elusive. There has been an increased appreciation of the critical role host immunity plays in the evolution of disease and the potential therapeutic efficacy of immune-based therapies. These treatment approaches hold the potential promise of selective targeting of the malignant clone, disruption of stromal-plasma cell interactions, and generation of sustained antitumor immunity and durable response. However, the development of clinically efficacious immunotherapy is dependent on achieving greater understanding of the complex interactions between the immunologic milieu and disease. A number of antigens have been identified on malignant plasma cell that may be targeted by both humoral and cell-mediated immunotherapeutic strategies, and encouraging results have been demonstrated both preclinically and in clinical trials. In this chapter we summarize the immunotherapeutic strategies for multiple myeloma together with the most up-to-date clinical trial outcomes.
Operators with Discrete Spectra

There are various classes of operators whose spectra have significant special properties. In this chapter we shall discuss operators whose spectra are “discrete” or “partly discrete”.
Dynamics of the Frame in Visual Composition.

The position of an object within a visual composition produces an effect on the observer. Does an observer see the object as strong and active if it is in the center of the picture, in one corner, “floating” off-center? Does the framing of the object or the field surrounding it give an object more meaning? Forty-four college students rated six framed, black-andwhite, single-object pictures. The 264 observations were subjected to principal axis factoring, resulting in four dimensions: activity, potency, evaluative, and verticality.
Spectral Hermite Approximations for the Actively Mode-Locked Laser

An approximation technique for the governing equations for the mode-locked laser is examined. The technique centers on a transformation of the governing equations in which the resulting equations closely resemble the Hermite equation. The approximation of the system is constructed through a linear combination of Hermite polynomials resulting in a Hermite-spectral method. The rate of decay of the resulting modes is examined for a simplified problem and difficulties in showing the stability of the method are also discussed. Numerical comparisons with a finite difference scheme are also presented.
Gradual and Sudden Shifts in Political Perceptions: Impressions of Negativity in the 2000 U.S. Presidential Campaign

How do citizens’ perceptions of a political campaign change over the course of the campaign? To find out, we probed the dynamics of the perceived difference in the negativity of the Bush and Gore campaigns in the 2000 U.S. presidential election. The analysis revealed a major turning point in these perceptions shortly after the first campaign debate; beyond that major one-time shift, the tone of what the candidates said during the campaign had no significant effect on the public’s impressions of the tone of the campaign. These results are interesting in and of themselves, and the analysis that produced them holds out considerable promise for future research on the dynamics of election campaigns.
Playing Tricks with Slow Light

Recent studies have shown that light can be slowed down substantially and even stopped. In their Perspective, Scully and Zubairy highlight two reports that may help to use slow and stopped light in applications. In the first report, Bigelow et al . show that light can be slowed to a speed of 100 m/s in room-temperature solids. The work should aid the development of devices that exploit slow light. In the second report, van der Wal et al . use slow-light physics to make correlated photon states, which may find application in quantum cryptography.
Quantitative Modeling of Earth Surface Processes

1. Preface 2. Introduction 3. The diffusion equation 4. Flow routing 5. The advection/wave equation 6. Flexural isostasy 7. Non-Newtonian flow equations 8. Instabilities 9. Stochastic processes Appendix 1. Codes for solving the diffusion equation Appendix 2. Codes for flow routing Appendix 3. Codes for solving the advection equation Appendix 4. Codes for solving the flexure equation Appendix 5. Codes for modeling non-Newtonian flows Appendix 6. Codes for modeling instabilities Appendix 7. Codes for modeling stochastic processes References Index.
Craniodental characters and the relationships of Procyonidae (Mammalia: Carnivora)

Recent phylogenies of Procyonidae based on molecular data differ significantly from previous morphology-based phylogenies in all generic sister taxon relationships. I have compiled the most comprehensive dataset of craniodental morphology that incorporates previous morphological characters, and with the aid of high-resolution X-ray computed tomography, new characters. This expanded craniodental analysis is based on 78 characters and yields new phylogenetic results regarding the ingroup relationships of Procyonidae. These results include Bassariscus astutus as the least derived member of Procyonidae and Ailurus fulgens nested well within the clade. Additionally, there are some similarities to previous morphological analyses of Procyonidae. Although the characters used to unite and diagnose Procyonidae vary depending on the phylogenetic analysis and have ambiguous taxonomic distribution amongst both Procyonidae and Musteloidea, there is significant morphological support for clades within Procyonidae. In addition to the strength of the morphological support within the clade, the disparate topographical regions of the skull from which the characters are derived may indicate that these synapomorphies are indeed the result of homology rather than adaptive convergence, as suggested by analyses based on molecular data. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 164, 669–713.
Period and Period Changes of RR Lyrae Variables in M15

New observations of the variables in M15 have been made with the Yale 40-in. reflector for the study of periods and period changes.
A Comparative Study of the 3D Structure of Myoglobin and its Affect on the Physiology of Terrestrial and Aquatic Mammals

Sperm whales dive deeper than two kilometers and swim for up to 90 minutes while searching for prey. Underwater, they depend on previously inhaled oxygen molecules. Myoglobin (Mb) contributes to this process by binding and storing oxygen until the time of need, and then releasing it, providing oxygen within muscle cells for aerobic respiration. Although the molecular structure of Mb was solved more than five decades ago, its unique connection to the physiology of underwater lifestyles has only recently come to light. Surprisingly, aquatic and terrestrial mammals differ in the net surface charge (Z) of their Mb protein, as calculated by summing up all the positively and negatively charged surface residues. For instance, sperm whales' Mb (pdb 1MBN) has a Z of +4, while aardvarks' Mb has a Z of +0.25. It thus seems possible that aquatic mammals' larger oxygen supply results from their Mb's greater net surface charge, as the greater the net surface charge leads to more repulsion between Mb proteins and subseq...
Organization of the hao gene cluster of Nitrosomonas europaea: genes for two tetraheme c cytochromes.

Abstract The organization of genes for three proteins involved in ammonia oxidation in Nitrosomonas europaea has been investigated. The amino acid sequence of the N-terminal region and four heme-containing peptides produced by proteolysis of the tetraheme cytochrome c554 of N. europaea were determined by Edman degradation. The gene (cycA) encoding this cytochrome is present in three copies per genome (H. McTavish, F. LaQuier, D. Arciero, M. Logan, G. Mundfrom, J.A. Fuchs, and A. B. Hooper, J. Bacteriol. 175:2445-2447, 1993). Three clones, representing at least two copies of cycA, were isolated and sequenced by the dideoxy-chain termination procedure. In both copies, the sequences of 211 amino acids derived from the gene sequence are identical and include all amino acids predicted by the proteolytic peptides. In two copies, the cycA open reading frame (ORF) is followed closely (three bases in one copy) by a second ORF predicted to encode a 28-kDa tetraheme c cytochrome not previously characterized but similar to the nirT gene product of Pseudomonas stutzeri. In one copy of the cycA gene cluster, the second ORF is absent.
Design by necessity.

They're back. I suppose we should have always known they'd be back. As in those children's games played with tiny hammers, no sooner have you pounded them down in one place that they pop up somewhere else. I am referring, of course, to the anti-evolutionists. I suppose they're not really back, because they never actually went away. They simply get a little quieter for a while when their argument du jour is soundly refuted, but they don't go away. Before long they find some other, seemingly new, irrefutable argument that they cling to the way a drowning man clutches at a straw. The simile is apt, I think; there is a curious element of desperation about their behavior. It resembles that of the test pilot in Thomas Wolfe's The Right Stuff (Bantam Doubleday: 1980): aircraft malfunctioning, frantically radioing, "I've tried A! I've tried B!! What do I try next??"
Effect of ingestion of unsaturated fat on lipolytic activity of rat tissues

Homogenates of some rat tissues, incubated in Tris-maleate buffer containing bovine serum albumin, olive oil emulsion, heparin, and serum, liberated free fatty acids. The total lipolytic activity in tissues of rats fed a low fat, 20% lard, or 20% corn oil diet for 6 wk was measured. Similar activities were found in all the livers, but there was a significant increase in the total lipolytic activity of the mucosa, epididymal fat, and mesenteric tissues after ingestion of an unsaturated fat diet as compared with that containing a more saturated fat. From measurements of the lipolytic activity in the presence of 1 M NaCl or 0.2 M NaF and in the absence and presence of heparin and serum, the conclusion is drawn that more lipoprotein lipase was present in adipose tissue of rats on unsaturated fat diets. An increase in available lipoprotein lipase after unsaturated fat diets may aid in clearing lipids from the blood of these rats and thus in producing the lower blood lipid levels obtained.
Combating malnutrition in HIV infection.

Physicians should use nutrition as adjunctive therapy for all patients affected by HIV disease. However, when wasting is already present, a thorough evaluation (examination and labs) to elucidate and treat the underlying causes of malnutrition should be initiated, dietary counseling made available, and nutritional and vitamin/mineral supplementation encouraged. Appetite stimulants may be helpful when appropriate. If wasting syndrome develops despite intervention, enteral or parenteral nutrition may be considered. Clinical trials are currently underway to assess the utility of anabolic therapies and cytokine inhibitors as additional options. Malnutrition is a leading cause of morbidity in HIV disease. With continued research and early nutritional interventions (i.e., prevention as well as treatment strategies), the task of preventing wasting may eventually become "a piece of cake."
Characteristics of field-aligned E-region irregularities over Iioka (36°N), Japan—II

Abstract In continuation of an earlier study ( Tanaka and Venkateswaran , 1982) of irregularities in middle latitude E s -layers, observations of multifrequency (4–64 MHz) echoes using an oblique incidence ionosonde and of Doppler spectra using a fixed frequency (25 MHz) radar are presented and discussed in this paper. The ionosonde observations are capable of being explained in terms of the linear theory of cross-field or gradientdrift instability which presumably generates the field-aligned irregularities. The Doppler shifts indicate predominant east-west rather than north-south apparent drift velocities. The widths of the Doppler spectra are rather large (~ 10 Hz). Several possible causes of the spectral broadening mechanisms are examined; it is suggested that turbulence broadening might be a contributing factor as in the case of the equatorial type II irregularities. It would appear from a preliminary examination of our data that the basic assumptions of the theory of turbulence broadening developed specifically for the equatorial case ( Sudan and Keskinen , 1979) are more or less satisfied by middle latitude irregularities. More extensive and refined observations are, however, needed for establishing the existence and extent of middle latitude plasma turbulence.
Selective interactions between macro‐molecules and two‐component solvents

A new method of measuring the refractive index increment of a macromolecular solution while it is at equilibrium with a composite solvent is presented. A synthetic boundary is formed in the ultracentrifuge cell between the solution and composite solvent, which was not dialyzed against the solution. The solvent components equilibrate much faster than the macromolecules, and by proper extrapolation the refractive index increment of the macromolecules is obtained. Refractive index increments of a series of solutions of bovine serum albumin in guanidinium chloride solutions were measured and the amount of preferentially bound guanidinium chloride was calculated.
The behavior of the species of theRamalina siliquosa group in Portugal

Four of the six European species of the maritime rock-inhabitingR. siliquosa group occur in Portugal.Ramalina siliquosa (producing protocetraric acid) andR. curnowii (stictic acid) are very common there;R. druidarum (hypoprotocetraric acid), although locally abundant, is less frequent; andR. crassa (salazinic acid) is extremely rare. As it does in northern Europe,R. curnowii inhabits the most exposed situations, those subjected to the harshest environmental conditions, whileR. siliquosa and especiallyR. druidarum completely dominate the more sheltered habitats and those at some distance from the sea altogether. The ecological sensitivity of the species of theR. siliquosa group is so great that it appears that surfaces of various exposures on boulders as small as three meters high may supportRamalina vegetations of substantially different composition.
Valuable utilisation of spray dryer ash and its performance in structural concrete

This paper focuses on the valuable utilisation of spray dryer ash (SDA) and investigates its performance in concrete for structural applications. Based on the challenges associated with the disposal of coal combustion products (including SDA) and the economic costs linked to cement production, this research seeks to provide an environmentally friendly and more cost-effective concrete product by utilising SDA in partial replacement of cement in concrete. With the exception of a relatively high-sulphur content, SDA exhibits very useful properties that are closely related to Class C fly ash and Portland cement. Experimental tests were carried out to determine the effect of SDA replacement of Portland cement (ranging from 0 to 50% replacement) on the compressive strength, bond strength, freeze-thaw performance and corrosion resistance of concrete. The addition of SDA in non-air entrained concrete provided a general increase in its strength with optimal limits ranging between 25 and 35% replacement. The additi...
Point-of-care technologies for molecular diagnostics using a drop of blood

Molecular diagnostics is crucial for prevention, identification, and treatment of disease. Traditional technologies for molecular diagnostics using blood are limited to laboratory use because they rely on sample purification and sophisticated instruments, are labor and time intensive, expensive, and require highly trained operators. This review discusses the frontiers of point-of-care (POC) diagnostic technologies using a drop of blood obtained from a finger prick. These technologies, including emerging biotechnologies, nanotechnologies, and microfluidics, hold the potential for rapid, accurate, and inexpensive disease diagnostics.
Gamification of Library Instruction

Gaming in the library is a topic of interest that has evolved rapidly over the past few years. There have been library board games, quiz show events, and arcade games purposed to either increase in...
The incursion of ‘Big Food’ in middle-income countries: a qualitative documentary case study analysis of the soft drinks industry in China and India

Public health research is only just beginning to explore the myriad ways in which the food and beverage industry, or ‘Big Food’, has sought to influence policy and increase consumption of energy-de...