cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Performance of the LHCb tracking system in Run I of the LHC

Abstract The LHCb tracking system consists of a Vertex Locator around the interaction point, a tracking station with four layers of silicon strip detectors in front of the magnet, and three straw-tube and silicon strip tracking stations behind the magnet. This system allows reconstruction of charged particles with a high efficiency ( > 95 % for particles with momentum p > 5 GeV ) and excellent momentum resolution (0.5% for particles with p 20 GeV ). The high momentum resolution results in narrow mass peaks, leading to a high signal-to-background ratio in such key channels as B s 0 → μ μ . The excellent performance of the tracking system yields a decay time resolution of ~50 fs, allowing to resolve the fast B 0 s oscillation with a mixing frequency of 17.7 ps −1 . Such a decay time resolution is an essential element in studies of time dependent CP violation. I present an overview of the track reconstruction in LHCb and its performance in Run I of the LHC. I highlight the challenges and improvements of the track reconstruction from Run II onward, including efforts to improve the timing of the online reconstruction and approaches to unify the online and offline reconstruction.
PREDICTING PRESENCE-ABSENCE OF THE ENDANGERED GOLDEN-CHEEKED WARBLER (DENDROICA CHRYSOPARIA)

Abstract The golden-cheeked warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia) is a federally endangered, Neotropical migrant songbird that breeds exclusively in central Texas. Previous studies have identified habitat characteristics associated with the warbler, but a predictive model incorporating data collected over the entire breeding range is lacking. Using logistic regression, we constructed models at 2 scales based on vegetational and topographical data from individual survey points (local-scale) and potential habitat patches (landscape-scale). Models identified similar characteristics important in predicting golden-cheeked warbler occupancy, despite a difference in scale. The models suggested that warbler occupancy was positively associated with steep slopes, forest interior, Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei) canopy cover, a tall canopy, and proximity to protected lands.
Improved Parametrization of Li+, Na+, K+, and Mg2+ Ions for All-Atom Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Nucleic Acid Systems

Atomic-scale modeling of compacted nucleic acids has the ability to reveal the inner workings of spectacular biomolecular machines, yet the outcome of such modeling efforts sensitively depends on the accuracy of the underlying computational models. Our molecular dynamics simulations of an array of 64 parallel duplex DNA revealed considerable artifacts of cation–DNA phosphate interactions in CHARMM and AMBER parameter sets: both the DNA arrangement and the pressure inside the DNA arrays were found to be in considerable disagreement with experiment. To improve the models, we fine-tuned van der Waals interaction parameters for specific ion pairs to reproduce experimental osmotic pressure of binary electrolyte solutions of biologically relevant ions. Repeating the DNA array simulations using our parameters produced results consistent with experiment. Our improved parametrization can be directly applied to molecular dynamics simulations of various charged biomolecular systems, including nucleic acids, proteins...
Design of a high-foot high-adiabat ICF capsule for the national ignition facility.

The National Ignition Campaign's [M. J. Edwards et al., Phys. Plasmas 20, 070501 (2013)] point design implosion has achieved DT neutron yields of $7.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1{0}^{14}$ neutrons, inferred stagnation pressures of 103 Gbar, and inferred areal densities ($\ensuremath{\rho}R$) of $0.90\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{g}/\mathrm{cm}{}^{2}$ (shot N111215), values that are lower than 1D expectations by factors of $10\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}$, $3.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}$, and $1.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}$, respectively. In this Letter, we present the design basis for an inertial confinement fusion capsule using an alternate indirect-drive pulse shape that is less sensitive to issues that may be responsible for this lower than expected performance. This new implosion features a higher radiation temperature in the ``foot'' of the pulse, three-shock pulse shape resulting in an implosion that has less sensitivity to the predicted ionization state of carbon, modestly lower convergence ratio, and significantly lower ablation Rayleigh-Taylor instability growth than that of the NIC point design capsule. The trade-off with this new design is a higher fuel adiabat that limits both fuel compression and theoretical capsule yield. The purpose of designing this capsule is to recover a more ideal one-dimensional implosion that is in closer agreement to simulation predictions. Early experimental results support our assertions since as of this Letter, a high-foot implosion has obtained a record DT yield of $2.4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1{0}^{15}$ neutrons (within $\ensuremath{\sim}70%$ of 1D simulation) with fuel $\ensuremath{\rho}R=0.84\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{g}/\mathrm{cm}{}^{2}$ and an estimated $\ensuremath{\sim}1/3$ of the yield coming from $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-particle self-heating.
A Fossil Arachnid from the Lower Carboniferous Shales (Pocono Formation) of Virginia.

A few years ago Dr. David White, for many years chief geologist of the United States Geological Survey, found what appears to be the oldest fossil land arthropod yet taken in North America. It is an interesting specimen not alone because of its antiquity, but because of the important taxonomic relations of the extinct order to which it belongs. This group, the Anthracomarti, together with that other very rare group of both living and extinct forms, the Ricinulei, bridge over the otherwise very wide gap between the spiders and the mites and help us construct what is believed to be a more rational system of classification for the Arachnida. The Anthracomarti are related to the Ricinulei in having the tergites of the abdomen divided by two longitudinal grooves and to the extinct Phalangiotarbi in having the first pair of legs pediform.
American-Jewish Reactions to the Spanish Civil War

European Jews during the 1930s were confronted with severe economic and political threats to their existence and safety. One should need only to recall Nazi Germany as an example of the most calculated and vicious form of anti-Semitism. The gradual exclusion of Jews from public life, coupled with lootings and confiscations of property, was copied to lesser degrees in Austria, Poland, Lithuania, and Romania.1 No country, not even the western democracies, was without anti-Semitic movements, and literally millions of distraught Jews, if given the option and the means, would have emigrated to Palestine and elsewhere. Not so widely known, however, is the fate of the small Jewish community in Spain during the tragic Spanish Civil War (1936 1939). The origin of this remarkable community, rebuilt anew only after its abolition under the Spanish Inquisition in 1834, has been told elsewhere and needs not to be repeated here.2 The existence of a Jewish population in Spain is an inextricable aspect of this article. In it the author will identify and interpret the reactions of Jews in the United States to the Spanish Civil War as reflected by the Jewish press. The insights gathered by this study will serve to explain the overwhelming pro-Loyalist position taken by the American Jew ish press and its difference from the Catholic position on the
Les mille et une frontières de l’Iran: Quand les voyages forment la nation

In this bold and far-reaching anthropological study of what she calls “the social practices of travel,” Fariba Adelkhah takes readers across several frontiers of Iran and Iranianness by way of the ...
A First Assignment to Create Student Buy-In in an Introductory Business Statistics Course.

Summary This paper presents a sample assignment to be administered after the first two weeks of an introductory business focused statistics course in order to promote student buy-in. This assignment integrates graphical displays of data, descriptive statistics and cross-tabulation analysis through the lens of a marketing analysis study. A marketing sample was chosen because marketing is a tangible business practice to which all students, regardless of their background, have been exposed. The purpose of the assignment is to quickly cement in the students minds both the applicability of the course material within the business world as well as their own ability to master it.
Pattern of chemotherapy dosing in obese patients in a community hospital.

e13099 Background: Obesity has increased to epidemic proportions, with 32.2% of US adults aged 20 years or older classified as obese (body mass index ≥ 30 mg/m2). In view of altered pharmacokinetic...
Survival After Primary Debulking Surgery Compared With Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Advanced Ovarian Cancer: A National Cancer Database Study.

Objective The aim of this study was to compare overall survival (OS) of women with advanced ovarian cancer treated with primary debulking surgery (PDS) or neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) using a large national cohort. Methods The 1998–2011 National Cancer Database was queried to identify women with stage III or IV ovarian cancer treated with multiagent chemotherapy and stage-appropriate surgery. Overall survival was estimated and compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis between women who received PDS followed by multiagent chemotherapy or NAC followed by interval surgery. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model tested for associations of potential explanatory variables with OS. Analyzed confounders included age, composite comorbidity scores, stage, grade, histology, insurance status, income quartile, and race. Results Overall, 44,907 women (85.9%) underwent PDS, and 7348 women (14.1%) received NAC. Women who received NAC were older (64 vs 61 years, P Conclusions Primary debulking surgery was associated with increased OS among women with stage III but not stage IV ovarian cancer in a nationally representative cohort with low NAC use. If this finding reflects treatment assignment bias, it suggests that providers often well select candidates for PDS rather than NAC, although median OS times remain low.
The Philadelphia chromosome in an unusual case of myeloproliferative disease.

In an unusual case of myeloproliferative disease, the Ph 1 chromosome was found in association with persistently elevated levels of LAP activity. Clinical findings in this case included marked thrombocytosis, basophilocytosis, absence of splenomegaly and a preceding history of untreated ankylosing spondylitis. Cytogenetic findings were compatible with the existence of the Ph 1 chromosome in erythroid and megakaryocytic as well as granulocytic marrow precursors. This case illustrates the difficulties currently encountered in the clinical differentiation of myeloproliferative disorders and in interpreting the diagnostic significance of the Ph 1 chromosome. The co-existence in this case of the Ph 1 chromosome and elevated LAP does not support the concept of a direct relationship between Group G chromosomes and LAP activity.
Herpetofaunal Communities in Restored and Unrestored Remnant Tallgrass Prairie and Associated Wetlands in Northwest Arkansas, USA.

Wetlands within tallgrass prairie are among the most endangered ecosystems in North America and serve as critical habitat for many sensitive and endemic species. Although loss of these habitats has acutely affected reptiles and amphibians, most prairie restoration initiatives take an ecosystem restoration approach adapted for plant and/or game species, with few focusing particularly on herpetofauna. Limited information exists documenting the population responses of reptiles and amphibians to wetland restoration in tallgrass prairie ecosystems. We used multiple techniques to compare reptile and amphibian communities in recently (2006) restored and unrestored tallgrass prairie and associated wetland habitats at Woolsey Wet Prairie Sanctuary (WWPS), a wetland mitigation site in Northwest Arkansas (USA). We documented 24 reptile and amphibian species and found that Regina grahamii (Graham’s Crayfish Snake) and Lithobates areolatus (Crawfish Frog), both of which are considered species of greatest conservation need in the state, showed preferential use of restored habitat, while common, widespread species did not use restored or unrestored habitat preferentially. Our results demonstrate that restoration of tallgrass prairie and associated wetlands benefits rare and sensitive herpetofauna and highlight two important management considerations: 1) promoting ephemeral (fishless) hydrology, and 2) emphasizing terrestrial movement corridors and critical upland habitat.
Enhancing the Stability of Broadband Amplifiers Using Third Order Nested Feedback

An inductorless, broadband amplifier architecture with enhanced stability and suppressed peaking is introduced. The architecture utilizes third order nested feedback technique to achieve high speed operation while maintaining robust stability compared to conventional architectures. The analysis and design considerations of the proposed architecture are presented and a prototype limiting amplifier is designed in 0.13-μm CMOS technology. The limiting amplifier achieves a voltage gain of 52 dB with a −3 dB bandwidth of 9 GHz while dissipating 75 mW from a 1.2 V power supply. An optical receiver front-end including the proposed amplifier is also implemented in the same technology. Measurement results with PRBS 231 −1 input confirm the functionality of the architecture for data rates up to 7Gb/s, limited mostly by the on-chip capacitance that emulates a photodiode. The entire chip dissipates 90 mW (without the 50Q output buffer) from a 1.2V supply and occupies an active area of only 0.074 mm2, including the offset cancellation network.
Purification and characterization of an endopolygalacturonase produced by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

Abstract An endopolygalacturonase from C. gloeosporioides was purified 130-fold to apparent homogeneity using phenyl sepharose chromatography followed by isoelectric focusing. The purified preparations contained two polygalacturonase species of 68 and 62 kD based on SDS gel electrophoresis and thin layer gel electrofocusing. These apeared to be glycosylation adducts of a single protein since their amino acid composition and N-terminal amino acid sequences were identical and treatment with endoglycosidase F altered their migration to yield a single band on SDS gel electrophoresis. The purified C. gloeosporioides endopolygalacturonase efficiently macerated avocado and cucumber tissue. Epicatechin at 20 and 80 μg ml−1 inhibited enzyme activity by 6.5% and 43%, respectively. The concentration of epicatechin in peel of unripe avocado fruits ranged between 430–1970 μg g−1 fr wt (570–2600 μg ml−1) but decreased in ripe susceptible fruits to 6–25 μg g−1 fr wt (approx. 8–30 μg ml−1). These observations raised the possibility that epicatechin might regulate the activity of the fungal endopolygalacturonase in infected avocado fruits.
Assessing Teachers' and Students' Preferences for School-Based Reinforcers: Agreement Across Methods and Different Effort Requirements

The goal of Experiment 1 was to identify reinforcers that teachers perceived as available and appropriate for use in classroom settings. A sample of 31 elementary and secondary teachers rank ordered potential school-based reinforcers using the survey developed by Northup et al., J. Appl. Behav. Anal., 1996. The highest ranked items involved teacher praise/attention and the use of desired activities. Items rated lowest by teachers included escape from academic work and edible snacks. The goals of Experiment 2 were to compare two methods of assessing students' preferences for school-based reinforcers identified in Experiment 1 (phase 1) and to examine the influence of increased effort requirements on students' choices (phase 2). Three students referred for academic difficulties and 2 students with emotional disturbances participated. In phase 1, each student was presented with all possible pairwise combinations of 6 reinforcers that had been rank ordered from pictures (pictorial-choice method) and was asked to choose the task associated with the more preferred item on each trial (concurrent-operants method). The same pairwise combinations were presented in phase 2, but the effort required to obtain higher preferred items was increased. Rank order correlations between the assessment methods were generally low, and 4 of the 5 students tended to choose the less effortful task/lower preferred item on each trial. Implications of these results for assessing students' preferences for school-based reinforcers are discussed.
Management of Kidney and Ureter Injuries

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is characterized by a sudden deterioration in kidney function. Clinical diagnosis of AKI is based on serum creatinine levels, urine output, and abdominal or flank tenderness or bruising. Hemodynamic stability is determined after vital signs are obtained and a physical examination is performed. A stable patient suspected to have an AKI may have further analysis of blood work completed, as well as diagnostic imaging such as a computerized axial tomography (CT) scan to determine what further actions are necessary based on the grade of the injury. If the patient is hemodynamically unstable, immediate surgical intervention such as a laparotomy is required to determine the mechanism of injury and plan of treatment. After treatment is received, appropriate follow-up care is recommended. AKIs are becoming more common, whereas injury to the ureter continues to be very uncommon. Flank pain, penetrating injury to the abdomen, or recent surgery are indicative of ureter injury. If the injury to the ureter is detected initially, hemodynamic stability should be the next variable considered. If the patient is hemodynamically stable, a CT scan should be performed to diagnose the injury. If the patient is not stable, immediate surgical intervention is needed. Oftentimes, ureter injury is not detected upon initial examination. In this scenario, ultrasonography should be performed, and the necessary procedures should occur. Following these procedures, if symptoms persist, exploratory surgery is recommended.
Analysis of FinTech in the banking industry

This paper discusses the diffusion of financial technology or FinTech in the banking industry. The main contribution of this research study is the development of systemic innovation model which can be used as a tool to understand the systemic characteristics and the pattern of technology diffusion. It is argued that systemic characteristics of the innovation process are the outcome of interactions between the complexity of the innovation and the capabilities of innovators in managing the innovation. The study provides useful implications to support the FinTech landscape of the banking industry.
A Commercial Satellite-University Joint Venture in DBS Markets: Creating Future Tele-education Markets Via Satellite

Nations recognize the need to invest in education and to develop productive citizens for national and local communities; most require mandatory schooling. In developing nations, satellite technology has the capacity to reach teachers in remote and educationally deficient areas contributing to improved teaching skills and productivity.
Reorganization of the Egg Surface at Fertilization

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the structural, chemical, and functional changes of the egg plasma membrane as the results of gamete fusion and cortical granule dehiscence. There is a discussion on the investigations examining the fate of the sperm plasma and cortical granule membranes following their fusion with the egg plasmalemma. The fundamental mechanisms related to metabolic changes of the activated ovum are also reviewed. The processes related to aspects including dynamic changes of the egg cortex and secretory functions of cortical granules during fertilization are focused. The interactions and fusion of the sperm and egg, changes are initiated that affect virtually all components of the egg cortex. The egg plasmalemma becomes a mosaic composed of membranes derived from the egg and sperm, as well as from dehisced cortical granules. Membrane changes reflecting an integration of sperm and egg plasma membranes along the fertilization cone are demonstrated using tracers at the ultrastructural level of observation. The shunting of membrane from the egg surface in the form of endocytotic vesicles, to the Golgi complex, and lysosomes are demonstrated by tracer studies.
Metabolic rates from Bluntnose minnow (Pimephales notatus) populations at lower latitudes are more sensitive to changes in temperature than populations at higher latitudes

Predicting the potential effects of changes in climate on freshwater species requires an understanding of the relationships between physiological traits and environmental conditions among populations. While water temperature is a primary factor regulating metabolic rates in freshwater ectotherms, how metabolic rates vary across the species range is unclear. In addition, photoperiod has also been hypothesised to influence metabolic rates in freshwater taxa based on seasonal changes in activity rates. Using an experimental approach, we investigated whether variation in routine metabolic rate (RMR) and sensitivity of RMR to changes in temperature are correlated with local thermal regimes, photoperiods and body mass among ten populations across the geographic range of the Bluntnose minnow (Pimephales notatus), a North American freshwater fish species. Routine metabolic rate data were collected from populations acclimatised to three temperature treatments (9, 18 and 27°C) and correlated with water temperature and photoperiod estimates at collection locations for each population. Routine metabolic rate was negatively correlated with minimum photoperiod at 9°C, negatively correlated with weekly high temperature at 18°C and positively correlated with weekly high temperature at 27°C. Body mass was also a predictor of RMR at each temperature treatment. Thermal sensitivity of RMR was positively correlated with weekly high temperature, indicating that individuals from warmer low latitude populations experienced greater sensitivity of RMR to changes in temperature than individuals from cooler high latitude populations. These results indicate differential responses among populations to variation in temperature and suggest the importance of recognising this variation when characterising responses of freshwater taxa to increases in water temperature.
Heroin and nonmedical prescription opioid use among high school students in urban school districts.

Abstract Background Research on adolescent heroin use has focused on national surveillance, access, prevalence of use, and overdose deaths, however, to our knowledge, no study has examined local-level differences in the prevalence of adolescent heroin use in the context of nonmedical prescription opioid (NMPO) use. This study characterizes heroin and NMPO use among US high school students in select urban areas by sex and race/ethnicity. Methods Data are from 21 urban school districts that participate in CDC’s Local Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. We describe 2017 prevalence estimates (and 95 % confidence intervals) of lifetime heroin and NMPO use among youth stratified by sex and race/ethnicity (i.e., White, Black, Hispanic/Latino). Results The highest estimates of heroin use were in Baltimore, MD (7.6 %), Shelby County, TN (6.3 %), and Duval County, FL (6.1 %), whereas NMPO use was highest in Duval County, FL (18.1 %), Cleveland, OH (18.0 %), and Shelby County, TN (16.8 %). Heroin use was higher among boys than girls, especially among Hispanic/Latino boys in Duval County (12.3 %) and Black boys in Baltimore (10.9 %). NMPO use was highest among Hispanic/Latino girls (21.3 %) and White girls (19.9 %) in Duval County. Discussion While some cities and subpopulations with high levels of adolescent heroin use also had elevated levels of NMPO use, others did not, illustrating the complexities of this opioid epidemic.
General Anesthesia Leads to Increased Adverse Events Compared With Spinal Anesthesia in Patients Undergoing Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty.

Abstract Background The volume of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has increased dramatically in recent years with good reported long-term outcomes. UKA can be performed under general or neuraxial (ie, spinal) anesthesia; however, little is known as to whether there is a difference in outcomes based on anesthesia type. The purpose of the present study is to compare perioperative outcomes between anesthesia types for patients undergoing primary elective UKA. Methods Patients who underwent primary elective UKA from 2007 to 2017 were identified from the American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database. Operating room times, length of stay (LOS), 30-day adverse events, and readmission rates were compared between patients who received general anesthesia and those who received spinal anesthesia. Propensity-adjusted multivariate analysis was used to control for selection bias and baseline patient characteristics. Results A total of 8639 patients underwent UKA and met the inclusion criteria for this study. Of these, 4728 patients (54.7%) received general anesthesia and 3911 patients (45.3%) received spinal anesthesia. On propensity-adjusted multivariate analyses, general anesthesia was associated with increased operative time (P Conclusion General anesthesia was associated with an increased rate of adverse events and increased operating room times as well as a reduced likelihood of discharge to home. There was no difference in hospital LOS or postoperative readmission rates between anesthesia types.
Fluid–Solid Reaction Kinetics for Solids of Nonbasic Geometries: Comparison of the Sohn–Wall Method and the Shape-Factor Method

The shape of solids undergoing a reaction with a fluid influences how the reaction proceeds with conversion. Complex numerical solutions are needed in general to calculate the conversion–time relat...
Applications of high-power 2 m thulium fiber lasers in materials processing

Recent advances in the development of high-power laser sources emitting at the wavelength around 2 mm have enabled a novel material processing regime that is currently finding many new industrial and scientific applications, from automotive manufacturing and biomedical engineering to microelectronics and infrared photonics. High output powers and system reliability enabled by a robust fiber laser architecture bring many new opportunities to laser materials processing community, but also many scientific and technical challenges. On the one hand, a large number of new and unique processes have been introduced, from absorber-free welding of transparent polymers and volume-selective micro-processing of semiconductors to local refractive index modifications in infrared optical materials. On the other hand, with a steadily growing selection of commercially available continuous-wave (CW) and pulsed thulium-doped fiber lasers, processing limits for many conventional laser processing techniques such as cutting, drilling, and welding, will need to be reassessed. In addition, the knowledge of materials' response to irradiation at 2 mm is still incomplete for many important classes of materials, and a limited availability of beam delivery equipment optimized for this wavelength makes industrial implementation of thulium fiber lasers challenging. This chapter is aiming at improved understanding of fundamental principles of light-matter interaction at 2 mm, discusses various new applications, and contributes to implementation of thulium fibers lasers as a promising tool for many industrial areas.
Determinants of per Capita State-Level Health Expenditures in the United States: A Spatial Panel Approach

The United States ranks second among the advanced nations of the world in per capita health care expenditures. However, there is wide variation in health care spending across states. This paper therefore focuses on exploring factors that influence the per capita outlays in health care across the United States between 2000 and 2009. A Spatial Durbin Panel Model is used to account for the possibility that the health care expenditures of any particular state may influence health care expenditure patterns in neighboring states in the same way. Results indicate that, apart from the presence of positive spatial dependence in health care spending across the states, variables such as a state’s gross domestic product (GDP), Medicaid expenditures, proportion of the population that is elderly, number of active physicians per 100,000 people, and poverty rate positively influence per capita state-level health expenditures. GDP (by state), proportion of population above age 65, and poverty rate negatively affect the neighboring states’ per capita health expenditures. Furthermore, the number of hospital beds per 1,000 people and number of hospitals per 1,000 people positively influence bordering states’ per capita health expenses.
Extramedullary Motorized Lengthening of the Femur in Young Children

Background Limb lengthening by distraction osteogenesis is now achievable via motorized intramedullary devices, mitigating many complications of lengthening by external fixation. In young patients, antegrade intramedullary nailing of the femur risks avascular necrosis of the femoral head. A method of extramedullary placement of a motorized expandable intramedullary nail has been employed by the senior author to safely achieve femoral lengthening without the use of an external fixator in young patients. Methods Eleven skeletally immature patients with lower limb length discrepancy were reviewed who underwent extramedullary placement of a magnetic, expandable intramedullary nail for lengthening of the femur. Surgical details, lengthening parameters, and complications were reviewed and classified according to the modified Clavien-Dindo Classification. Results Average lengthening was 32.3 mm (range: 27 to 40 mm) comprising an average 14.8% of femoral segment length. The average lengthening duration was 6.3 weeks, and average full weight-bearing began at 12.6 weeks. All but 1 patient underwent early removal of the device at an average of 4.5 months, and 5 had immediate plating of the femur. Complications rates were comparable to other methods of femoral lengthening, including varus or procurvatum through the regenerate, and unplanned reoperation in 3 of 11 cases. Preoperative considerations included careful planning of implant length due to short femoral segments and protection of the knee joint from contracture or iatrogenic instability. Conclusions Extramedullary placement of a magnetic expandable intramedullary lengthening nail can achieve lengthening of the femur without the use of external fixation. Considerations with this technique include careful planning of implant length relative to trochanteric-physeal distance, protection against knee subluxation during lengthening, and mitigating deformity of the regenerate. Off-label, extramedullary use of these devices can be considered to decrease the burdens of external fixation in young children. The technique begs the advent of future all-internal technology specifically designed for safe limb lengthening in this age group. Level of evidence Level IV-retrospective case series.
Remdesivir improved time to recovery in adults hospitalized with COVID-19 and lower respiratory tract involvement.

SOURCE CITATION: Beigel JH, Tomashek KM, Dodd LE, et al. Remdesivir for the treatment of Covid-19-preliminary report. N Engl J Med. 2020. [Epub ahead of print]. 32445440.
Does poverty alleviation help enhance social investment? The case of South Korea

Using the 2015 Korean Welfare Panel Study data and a regression discontinuity design, this study examines the effects of the National Basic Livelihood Security System (NBLSS) participation on socia...
Optimization of Simultaneous Measurement for Variational Quantum Eigensolver Applications

Variational quantum eigensolver (VQE) is a promising algorithm suitable for near-term quantum computers. VQE aims to approximate solutions to exponentially-sized optimization problems by executing a polynomial number of quantum subproblems. However, the number of subproblems scales as N4 for typical problems of interest-a daunting growth rate that poses a serious limitation for emerging applications such as quantum computational chemistry. We mitigate this issue by exploiting the simultaneous measurability of subproblems corresponding to commuting terms. Our technique transpiles VQE instances into a format optimized for simultaneous measurement, ultimately yielding 8-30x lower cost. Our work also encompasses a synthesis tool for compiling simultaneous measurement circuits with minimal overhead. We demonstrate experimental validation of our techniques by estimating the ground state energy of deuteron with a quantum computer. We also investigate the underlying statistics of simultaneous measurement and devise an adaptive strategy for mitigating harmful covariance terms.
Structural basis of transport and inhibition of the Plasmodium falciparum transporter PfFNT.

The intra-erythrocyte stage of P. falciparum relies primarily on glycolysis to generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the energy required to support growth and reproduction. Lactic acid, a metabolic byproduct of glycolysis, is potentially toxic as it lowers the pH inside the parasite. Plasmodium falciparum formate-nitrite transporter (PfFNT), a 34-kDa transmembrane protein, has been identified as a novel drug target as it exports lactate from inside the parasite to the surrounding parasitophorous vacuole within the erythrocyte cytosol. The structure and detailed molecular mechanism of this membrane protein are not yet available. Here we present structures of PfFNT in the absence and presence of the functional inhibitor MMV007839 at resolutions of 2.56 A and 2.78 A using single-particle cryo-electron microscopy. Genetic analysis and transport assay indicate that PfFNT is able to transfer lactate across the membrane. Combined, our data suggest a stepwise displacement mechanism for substrate transport. The PfFNT membrane protein is capable of picking up lactate ions from the parasite's cytosol, converting them to lactic acids and then exporting these acids into the extracellular space.
Providing Care for a Changing CF Population

As the health of patients with cystic fibrosis has improved over the last 20 years, the need for a structured approach to transition from pediatric to adult care has become increasingly necessary. In many ways, CF experts have been at the forefront of advocating for a transition process. In this chapter, we review the unique aspects of CF as a multisystem disease, the impact of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, changing disease state in the setting of highly active CFTR modulator therapy, and recommendations for best practices in CF transition.
Postharvest spraying of zinc oxide nanoparticles enhances shelf life qualities and zinc concentration of tomato fruits

Plant growth relies on the bioavailability of essential nutrients in the growth environment. Access to mineral nutrients is particularly challenging for crops cultivated in alkaline soil, and in these environments, postharvest application may be effective. Advancements in nanotechnology have provided approaches to improve the essential nutrient content of plants and shelf life of produce. Mineralisation by nanoparticles is a promising postharvest technique that can fortify the essential minerals of plants. This study investigated the role of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) as a potential nano-agent to enhance Zn content in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), with ZnO-NPs at 100 mg L–1 applied externally to tomatoes postharvest for 4 weeks. The assimilation of Zn into the tomato tissues was quantified by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The main shelf life factors affecting tomato quality, including microbial spoilage, water loss and colour change, were studied. All experimental data were incorporated through the neural networks model to simulate microbial involvement in fruit spoilage. The biological spoilage factor in the shelf life of tomatoes was projected with high accuracy and a relative error of 3%. Application of ZnO-NPs was associated with 47% inhibition of microbial growth on tomatoes, which may enhance the total lycopene content by up to 6%. In addition, the Zn content of tomatoes was significantly enhanced by 17%. The results also shed light on the thermal conductivity of Zn metal, which increased the dehydration of tomatoes and improved colour maturation. This study provides vital information about the beneficial application of ZnO-NPs and their role in mineralisation to enhance the shelf life of tomatoes.
Youth perceptions of national change in middle school: how critical reflection supports different models of nationalism

While ample research has examined how youth in the United States define ‘Americanness’, little attention has been given to how youth imagine the nation of the future, particularly in light of ongoi...
Fluid Resuscitation and Progression to Renal Replacement Therapy in Patients with COVID-19

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is associated with respiratory symptoms and renal effects. Data regarding fluid resuscitation and kidney injury in COVID-19 is lacking and understanding this relationship is critical. Objectives To determine if there is an association between fluid volume administered in 24 hours and development of renal failure in COVID-19 patients. Methods Retrospective chart review; 14 hospitals in Indiana. Included patients ≥18 years old, admitted between March 11, 2020 and April 13, 2020 with a positive test for SARS-CoV-2 within 3 days of admission. Patients requiring renal replacement therapy prior to admission were excluded. Volumes and types of resuscitative intravenous fluids in the first 24 hours were obtained with demographics, medical history, and other objective data. The primary outcome was initiation of renal replacement therapy. Logistic regression modeling was utilized in creating multivariate models for determining factors associated with the primary outcome. Results The fluid volume received in the first 24 hours from hospital admission was associated with initiation of renal replacement therapy in two different multi-variate logistic regression models. An odds ratio of 1.42 (CI 1.01 – 1.99) was observed when adjusting for age, heart failure, obesity, creatinine, bicarbonate, and total fluid volume. An odds ratio of 1.45 (CI 1.02 – 2.05) was observed when variables significant in univariate analysis were adjusted for. Conclusions Each liter of intravenous fluid administered to patients with COVID-19 in the first 24 hours of presentation was independently associated with an increased risk for initiation of renal replacement therapy, supporting judicious fluid administration in patient with this disease.
Failure Mode of Si Field Emission Arrays based on Emission Pattern Analysis

Large arrays of nanoscale silicon field emitters are tested in a UHV system equipped with a phosphor screen. The anode current is measured and the emission pattern is captured at the same time. The emission pattern shows the whole Field Emission Arrays (FEAs) are emitting from the beginning of the test. But as the test progresses, the regions at the edge of the array are more vulnerable and tend to be damaged/shorted first. A few shorted emitters along the edges could reduce the effective gate bias applied to the central region of the array, causing the emission current of the whole array to drop dramatically, and prompt the FEA to fail, while the physical integrity of majority emitters in the array are intact.
Long-term seizure monitoring using a 256 contact dense array system.

ABSTRACT.Adapting a 256 contact dense array system to perform multiday long-term EEG and video monitoring requires additional technical attention compared to standard long-term monitoring (LTM). Areas of concern are patient comfort, electrode maintenance, and increased time for record review.
Classical and postclassical modes of regulation of the synthesis of degradative bacterial enzymes.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes that enteric bacteria have evolved in a manner that has made glucose their preferred source of carbon and energy, and ammonia their preferred source of nitrogen. However, they have the ability to use a large variety of carbon compounds as substitutes for glucose and a large variety of nitrogen compounds as substitutes for ammonia. Some compounds, like the amino acid L -histidine, can substitute for both glucose and ammonia: their degradation serves to provide the cell with energy, as well as with carbon- and nitrogen-containing building blocks. The utilization of these alternative sources of energy—carbon and nitrogen—depends on enzymes not required by cells growing on glucose and ammonia. The chapter provides an overview of the classical and postclassical modes of regulation of their synthesis. The result of these regulatory mechanisms is that the production of these enzymes occurs only when they are required for growth.
John Dewey: A case of educational utopianism

This essay does not seek to clarify nuances of John Dewey’s thought, but rather uses it as an example to illustrate the phenomenon of educational utopianism. Utopias ignore people’s material interests and the limits inherent in any social institution. We just need to replace old forms of schooling with better ones, Dewey believes — we just need to be smarter about schooling. Children’s wishes and interests are important to Dewey, but their economic reasoning is simply invisible to him. Dewey assumes that we can expect children to perform any amount of work in school, if we only select and organize such work properly. This thinking leads to a utopian concept of education that simply does take not into account the limits of what schooling can and cannot deliver, and how much we can ask children to do. One prominent consequence of this utopianism is the defense of compulsory public schooling on the grounds of preserving and supporting democracy. A meaningful reform of education will remain impossible without accepting that students are laborers, and without giving up the idea of government-run universal schooling as the only way to educate the young.
The Anatomy of an Object Oriented Visualization System for Algorithm Design

The components of an object-oriented visualization system for algorithm design and algorithm learning are described. This system, called ALGO, provides an environment in which both instruction and the design of algorithm can be conducted. It combines intelligent tutoring techniques, hypermedia linking tools to a computer-aided instruction library, facilities for assessing understanding of complex concepts via goal-directed dialogue aids, simulation packages and algorithm animation, and algorithm design through analogies and constraint satisfaction.
The stability and structure of mixed lipid monolayers and bilayers: I. Properties of lipid and lipoprotein monolayers on OsO4 solutions and the role of cholesterol, retinol, and tocopherol in stabilizing lecithin monolayers

Lipid monolayers have been examined on OsO4-containing substrates. The results showed that OsO4 reacted only when double bonds were present in the hydrocarbon portion of monolayer molecules. No evidence for polar group interaction between saturated lecithins, monoglycerides, fatty acids, nor cholestanol and OsO4 was obtained. Egg lecithin and oleic acid monolayers were unstable after reaction with OsO4 and dissolved into the substrate. Cholesterol, monoolein, monolinolein, and d-α-tocopherol yielded stable monolayers after reaction with OsO4. Monolinolein formed a solid film at high surface pressure and all-trans-retinol gave an incompressible solid on OsO4 substrates, indicating polymer formation by cross linking via diesters of osmic acid. In contrast, monoolein formed dimers. Lung lipoportein was attacked by OsO4 and the characteristics of the film were altered. Only the protein moiety reacted. Egg lecithin was stabilized at the air-water interface in 1:1 mixed monolayers with either cholesterol, retinol, or tocopherol. Egg lecithin was stabilized at the interface by incorporation into the OsO4-retinol polymer. The results obtained with egg lecithin-cholesterol and egg lecithin-tocopherol mixed monolayers indicated that in these mixed films the reaction of OsO4 with double bonds of lecithin was inhibited. These results are discussed in terms of the staining and fixing properties of OsO4 on cell membranes and model myelinic systems.
Getting Even vs. Being the Odd One Out: Conflict and Cohesion in Even and Odd Sized Groups

Contrary to people's intuitive theories about even and odd numbers and groups, this paper argues that odd-sized groups are often more harmonious than even-sized groups. Study 1 found that people view even numbers more favorably than odd numbers and predict that even-sized groups are more peaceful than odd-sized groups. However, Study 2 found that three- and four-person groups without conflict did not differ, but three-person groups with coalitions (two vs. one) produced more positive relationships than four-person groups with coalitions (both two vs. two and three vs. one). Finally, Study 3 involved a natural experiment at Harvard University, and found that White freshmen assigned to odd-sized rooming groups (three or five persons) maintained relationships with White roommates more than did White freshman assigned to even-sized rooming groups (four or six persons), but these patterns did not emerge when Whites roomed with Asians and Blacks. We suggest that a group's even or odd size is an important situational variable that affects its coalitional structure, conflict management, and cohesion.
Episodic Memory, Computational Models of

Computational models of episodic memory constitute mechanistically explicit theories of how we recall previously experienced events, and how we recognize stimuli as having been encountered previously. Because these models concretely specify the algorithms that govern recall and recognition, researchers can run computer simulations of these models to explore how (according to a particular model) different manipulations will affect recall and recognition performance. Keywords: episodic memory; recognition; recall; hippocampus; neural network models
Characterizing MEMS nonlinearities directly: The ring-down measurements

We present a technique for direct estimation of the conservative and dissipative nonlinearities of symmetric MEMS resonators. The technique is based on measuring the ring-down response, during which the nonlinearities result in an amplitude-dependent frequency and non-exponential decay. Here we show how analysis of the amplitude and phase of the ring-down response allows one to estimate conservative and dissipative nonlinearities, in addition to the linear natural frequency and quality factor, associated with a vibrational mode. The coefficients obtained from the test allow one to predict the nonlinear open and closed loop responses of the resonator.