cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dissolved Organic Carbon: Patterns of Utilization and Turnover in Two Small Lakes

Planktonic bacterial utilization of 14C-labelled glucose and acetate was monitored by kinetic measurements throughout an annual period in a small lake. Resulting kinetic uptake data have shown that from 1–15% of the total dissolved organic carbon pool was removed chemo-organotrophically per day during the year by bacteria capable of metabolizing these substrates. The kinetic uptake of nine selected organic compounds was measured in a second small lake during summer thermal stratification. Metabolism of glucose, acetate, and glycollate was preferred. Respiration rates of the nine compounds varied generally between 20–60% of the total uptake. The uptake of these compounds accounted for removal of 3–8% of the total dissolved organic carbon pool per day.
Some Remarks on Modular Regular Types

Here we consider some problems concerning regular types. In the first place we consider a strongly minimal set D . One can ask what is the strength of the assumption that D has (full) elimination of imaginaries (namely, every definable set X over D has as canonical parameter some tuple from D ). We show that D cannot be locally modular. Nontriviality of D is immediate. However, to exclude the locally modular nontrivial case one has to understand structures of the form G/E , where G is a modular strongly minimal group and E is a definable equivalence relation on G with finite classes. We show that the quotient structure G/E can be obtained in two steps. First quotient by a finite subgroup K of G to obtain a strongly minimal group H . Now let Γ be a finite subgroup of the group Aff( H ) of definable affine automorphisms of H (namely maps of the form x → α x + a , where α is a definable automorphism of H and a ∈ H ), and quotient H by Γ (namely form the orbit space of H under Γ). It can clearly be arranged that Γ contains no nontrivial subgroup of translations. In the second place we look at a nontrivial modular regular type p whose pregeometry is actually a geometry. The geometry is then known to be (infinite-dimensional) projective geometry over a division ring F . We ask whether F is definable (internally to p ). If F is finite, this is clear. In fact in this case p must have U -rank 1. So we assume F to be infinite. We are only able to show definability of F in the case where F is a field, using some results on 2-transitive subgroups of PGL [V]. Moreover in the superstable case we also observe that p is isolated.
Outcome of Prosthetic Joint Infection in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Impact of Medical and Surgical Therapy in 200 Episodes

Background. Prosthetic joint infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is a serious complication of total joint arthroplasty. Little information is available on the outcome of medical and surgical treatments of prosthetic joint infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods. We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients with rheumatoid arthritis and a total hip or total knee arthroplasty infection evaluated at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) between 1 January 1969 and 31 December 1995. Results. A total of 200 first episodes of prosthetic joint infection in 160 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were diagnosed during the study period. Thirty-seven percent of prosthetic joint infection episodes were due to Staphylococcus aureus. Of these episodes, 23% and 19% were treated with debridement and retention of components and 2-stage exchange, respectively. The type of surgical procedure was the only analyzed clinical variable that was associated with treatment failure ( ). Rates of 5-year survival free of treatment failure for patients with P ! .001 prosthetic joint infection episodes treated with debridement and retention of components, 2-stage exchange, and resection arthroplasty were 32% (95% confidence interval [CI], 21%‐49%), 79% (95% CI, 66%‐93%), and 61% (95% CI, 49%‐74%), respectively. Conclusions. S. aureus is the most common pathogen among patients with rheumatoid arthritis with prosthetic joint infection. Two-stage exchange was used in only 19% of the prosthetic joint infection episodes among patients with rheumatoid arthritis during the study period, but it was associated with the best outcome. The variable most strongly associated with the outcome was the type of surgical procedure.
Prenatal methylazoxymethanol exposure alters evoked responses in fetal rats.

Although there is considerable interest in identifying methods to detect central nervous system impairment early in development, few behavioral assessment tools are available for detecting CNS deficits in the fetus. In the present study, methylazoxymethanol [MAM; Midwest Research Institute, (MRI)] was used to induce deficits in CNS development in fetal rats to assess effects on coordinated fetal behavior. Fetuses were exposed by administering MAM to pregnant rats on E17 of gestation via intraperitoneal injection and then were prepared for behavioral testing 3 days later on E20. After externalization from the uterus into a warm saline bath, fetal subjects received either an intraoral infusion of lemon extract to evoke a facial wiping response or were presented with an artificial nipple to evoke an oral grasping response. Interlimb coordination and paw–face contact during facial wiping were disrupted in MAM-exposed fetuses. Similarly, MAM exposure diminished the ability of fetuses to grasp or maintain oral contact with the artificial nipple. Although clear disruptions of movement coordination were seen in the MAM-treated subjects, there were no significant differences from saline controls in weight or anatomical measures. Together, these findings suggest that behavioral assessments of fetal motor coordination may be useful in identifying neural insult during prenatal development.
Single-Molecule Fluorescence Spectroscopy: New Probes of Protein Function and Dynamics

Single-molecule fluorescence methods provide new tools for the study of biological systems. Single-pair fluorescence resonance energy transfer has provided detailed information about dynamics and structure of the Ca2+-signaling protein calmodulin. Single-molecule polarization modulation spectroscopy has probed the mechanism by which calmodulin activates the plasma membrane Ca2+ pump.
Parallel Programming Approaches

Scientific and engineering computations focus on theories, methods and applications in such areas as large-scale simulations, time-critical computing, computer-aided design and engineering, computer-aided manufacturing, visualization of scientific data and human-machine interface technology. Parallelism offers one way to solve these computational problems quickly by creating and coordinating multiple execution processes. However, until recently parallelism has been extremely difficult to use because of the lack of suitable parallel programming approaches. In general, the acceptance of parallel computation has been facilitated by two major developments: massively parallel processors and the widespread use of distributed computing. A good parallel programming environment must fulfill a number of objectives: 1. It must augment the sequential programming language that is most appropriate for whatever the computational problem is. 2. It must support both process creation and interprocess communication as extensions of the high-level base programming language. 3. It must be able to be run on any parallel architecture or on any collection of networked computers. 4. It must be easy to use with regard to parallelism implementation, meaning that it must offer simple operations to create and coordinate parallel processes.
The Fate of Antitrypsin in Egg White During Storage and Incubation

Abstract THE antitryptic factor in egg white has been identified by Lineweaver and Murray (1947) with ovomucoid, and shown by Stacey et al. (1942) and by Takemori et al. (1952) to be a protein-carbohydrate complex. The behavior of this complex during storage or incubation was a matter of lively interest 30–40 years ago, long before its antitryptic property was recognized. It is therefore somewhat surprising that little or nothing appears to have been published since, despite the widely held opinion that ovomucoid and ovomucin together are probably responsible for the jelly-like consistency of egg white which is frequently taken as a criterion of its freshness. The early workers, Needham (1926) and Bywaters (1913) were not at first in agreement as to whether ovomucoid disappeared or not during incubation, but substantial agreement was later reached (Needham, 1927) that no great change in the total ovomucoid occurred until very late in the …
The Terrorist Age-Crime Curve: An Analysis of American Islamist Terrorist Offenders and Age-Specific Propensity for Participation in Violent and Nonviolent Incidents

Objective This study examines the age-crime relationship among terrorist offenders. Method This study relies on a data set of over 600 American terrorism offenders inspired by one of three Islamist groups: Hamas, Hezbollah, or Al Qaeda. Results We find that the pattern of violent Islamist crime in the United States departs from the standard age-crime curve in significant ways. Violent action among terrorist offenders peaks at a later age and occurs across a broader age range than is the case for ordinary violent crimes.
Handicapping under Uncertainty in an All-Pay Auction

A fundamental result of contest theory is that evenly matched contests are fought most intensely, implying that a contest designer maximizes effort from each contestant by artificially boosting the chances of the underdog. Such "handicapping" is credited with making sports contests more exciting, improving efficiency in internal labor markets, increasing effort from students competing to enter college, and raising revenues in auctions. We reexamine the handicapping problem in a two-period contest where the only information available on player ability is performance in the first period. When a contest is perfectly discriminating (i.e. an all-pay auction), the player who exerts the most effort wins, but the weaker player will not participate with some probability, resulting in lower total effort. However, we find that in the two-period contest, handicapping the loser of the first period increases total effort for all ability differences. When the objective is to increase accuracy in identifying the better player, handicapping the winner is optimal.
Myosin synthesis in chronic heart failure.

SummaryLeft heart failure was produced in rabbits by constriction of the ascending aorta, Incorporation of Cystine-S35 into cardiac myosin, water soluble enzymes, plasma protein and skeletal muscle protein was studied. There were no significant differences between the rate of synthesis of left ventricular myosin and the other protein fractions obtained under conditions of heart failure, as compared to the same protein fractions in the normal animal.
A longitudinal exploration of the relations between electronic word-of-mouth indicators and firms profitability

We employ Automatic Text Analysis to extract valuable information contained in text online reviews.We examine the patterns of the bi-directional relations between eWOM indicators and banks profitability over time.Both star ratings and expressed anger in eWOM significantly predict firms future profitability.Star ratings are a consistent predictor of firms future profitability over time and expressed anger explains additional variance of firms future profitablility beyond the star ratings.Both star ratings and verbalized positive feelings reflect firms past financial performance. Prior research on electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) has focused on the predictive utility of star ratings. Extending these studies conceptually and methodologically, this paper employed Automatic Text Analysis to investigate the predictive utility of evaluative textual information contained in online reviews. Based on a real-world dataset that matched eWOM with annual financial performance of 68 banks over an eight-year period, this study tested patterns of the bi-directional relations between eWOM indicators and banks profitability over time. Results showed that both star ratings and consumers verbalized emotions in eWOM significantly predicted increases in firms future profitability, which is measured by Return on Assets. Star ratings emerged as a consistent predictor, and their effects lasted for at least two years. Expressed anger predicted lower profitability in the following year and explained additional variance beyond the star ratings. Finally, higher firm profitability was prospectively related to higher star ratings and more verbalized positive feelings in next years eWOM.
Pulmonary vascular pressures of strenuously exercising thoroughbreds after administration of flunixin meglumine and furosemide.

High-intensity exercise results in a dramatic increase in mean pulmonary capillary blood pressure of horses, and administration of furosemide 4 hours before exertion significantly attenuates this exercise-induced increment. To test whether this effect of furosemide is mediated via release of prostaglandins, right atrial and pulmonary vascular pressures were measured in 8 healthy, sound, exercise-trained Thoroughbreds at rest and during incremental-step exercise on a treadmill. Horses were studied on 3 separate occasions: after i.v. administration of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution, after administration of furosemide (250 mg, i.v., 4 hours before exercise) alone, and after administration of flunixin meglumine (1.1 mg/kg, i.v., q 8 h for 3 days) and furosemide (250 mg, i.v., 4 hours before exercise; last dose of flunixin meglumine was administered 90 seconds after furosemide injection). Experiments on each horse were separated by at least 7 days and were performed in random order. At rest and at the highest workload (14.5 m/s on a 5% uphill incline), mean pulmonary capillary blood pressure recorded after administration of furosemide alone was not significantly different from that recorded after administration of flunixin meglumine and furosemide. However, these values were significantly (P < 0.05) less than corresponding values of mean pulmonary capillary blood pressure recorded after administration of saline solution. Thus, it was concluded that furosemide-induced attenuation of the increment in pulmonary capillary blood pressure during strenuous exercise is probably not mediated via prostaglandin production.
Creeping Flow – Three-Dimensional Problems

Although the solution methods of the preceding chapter are very useful and allowed us to derive a number of interesting results, they were all based on transforming the creeping-flow and continuity equations into a single higher-order differential for the streamfunction so that the classical methods of eigenfunction expansions can be used to obtain a general representation of the solution. This approach will work whenever the geometry of the boundaries and the form of any imposed flow are consistent with either a 2D or axisymmetric velocity and pressure field. We applied it to some representative 2D problems, as well as to problems involving the motions of spherical or near-spherical particles, bubbles, and drops in axisymmetric applied flows. There are, of course, other problems involving axisymmetric bodies in an axisymmetric flow – for example, any body of rotation in which the rotation axis is parallel to the axis of symmetry of the undisturbed flow. These problems can all be formulated in the same way, and, provided the geometry of the body is coincident with a coordinate surface in some orthogonal coordinate system, the same procedures can be followed. In spite of the fact that there are actually quite a large number of axisymmetric problems, however, there are many important and apparently simple-sounding problems that are not axisymmetric.
Endocrine Disorders in Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is frequently complicated by endocrine disorders. Diabetes can be expected to affect most with CF and pancreatic insufficiency and varies widely in age of onset, but early identification and treatment improve morbidity and mortality. Short stature can be exacerbated by relative delay of puberty and by use of inhaled corticosteroids. Bone disease in CF causes fragility fractures and should be assessed by monitoring bone mineral density and optimizing vitamin D status. Detecting and managing endocrine complications in CF can reduce morbidity and mortality in CF. These complications can be expected to become more common as the CF population ages.
Conclusions from the history of research into the effects of police force size on crime—1968 through 2013: a historical systematic review

We describe and explain how the findings from nonexperimental studies of the relationship between police force size and crime have changed over time. We conduct a systematic review of 62 studies and 229 findings of police force size and crime, from 1971 through 2013. Only studies of U.S. policing and containing standard errors of estimates were included. Using the robust variance estimation technique for meta-analysis, we show the history of study findings and effect sizes. We look at the influence of statistical methods and units of analysis, and time period of studies’ data, as well as variation in police force size over time. Findings vary considerably over time. However, compared to research standards and in comparison to effect sizes calculated for police practices in other meta-analyses, the overall effect size for police force size on crime is negative, small, and not statistically significant. Changes in research methods and units of analysis cannot account for fluctuations in findings. Finally, there is extremely little variation in police force size per capita over time, making it difficult to estimate the relationship with reliability. This line of research has exhausted its utility. Changing policing strategy is likely to have a greater impact on crime than adding more police.
Housing pathways, elective belonging, and family ties in middle class Chileans’ housing choices

Abstract Much of the research on culture and stratification has focused on cultural consumption. In contrast, this paper addresses the housing field, an important arena for the reproduction of social inequality. Models of housing choice often assume individuals are rational actors functioning in free markets. In contrast, scholars combining the concept of “housing pathways” with a Bourdieusian framework demonstrate that the state shapes housing markets, and families deploy different forms of capital to access housing. Additionally, scholars use the concept of “elective belonging” to understand middle class housing tastes and identities. This analysis of 68 interviews with 77 middle class adults in Santiago, Chile, finds that middle class families’ differential access to family wealth and state subsidies sorts them into distinct niches in the housing market. Further, middle class families that are richest in cultural capital alternatively choose neighborhoods to display aesthetic taste, accumulate social capital, or reproduce cultural capital through children’s education. Some of these patterns reflect the concept of elective belonging while others illustrate traditional strategies of social reproduction. For Chile’s middle classes, extended family is an important source of housing wealth and a key influence on housing decisions
Association of a Perioperative Education Program With Unplanned Readmission Following Total Laryngectomy

Importance Patients undergoing total laryngectomy (TL) are at high risk for 30-day hospital readmission. Strategies to decrease the readmission rate remain unknown. Objectives To assess the association of a comprehensive perioperative TL education program with unplanned readmissions; to determine the program’s association with the rate of readmissions for stomal or tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) complications and patient and caregiver knowledge of and preparedness for TL. Design, Setting, and Participants This single-institution prospective pilot study was conducted between December 1, 2014, and November 30, 2016, among 50 patients undergoing a perioperative TL education program at a tertiary care academic medical center. Intervention The perioperative TL education program consisted of speech-language pathology counseling, a hands-on class with an otolaryngology nurse educator, a TL “Journal Guide” booklet, and a prehospital discharge competency assessment. A family member or friend acting as a laryngectomy coach accompanied patients throughout. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was the rate of 30-day unplanned readmission. Secondary measures included the rate of readmission for stomal or TEP complications and change in knowledge of and preparedness for TL. Results Of the 50 patients (12 women and 38 men; median age, 61 years [range, 47-86 years]) who underwent the TL education program, the 30-day unplanned readmission rate was 20% (n=10). Only 1 patient (2%) had a readmission for a stomal or TEP complication. Patients increased their TL knowledge (median improvement in TL knowledge test score, 3.5 [95% CI, 2.8-4.2] of 12) and preparedness (median improvement in TL preparedness score, 3.1 [95% CI, 2.4-3.8] of 10) after undergoing the intervention. Conclusions and Relevance This prospective pilot study evaluated an intervention to decrease unplanned readmission in head and neck oncology patients. It provides data indicating that a comprehensive perioperative TL education program is feasible. This program has the potential to decrease 30-day readmission for stomal or TEP complications and merits further study in a larger, multicenter clinical trial.
El Naturalismo con Sabor Argentino de Eugenio Cambaceres: Transculturaciones, Xenofobia Ilustrada

Desde nuestra epoca, ya en pleno siglo XXI, nos resulta dificil trasladarnos imaginariamente hacia el 1880 rioplatense, y vislumbrar la importancia que las obras de Eugenio Cambaceres tuvieron para aquellos lectores de la Argentina del “salto modernizador”, de finales del siglo XIX (Ludmer, 229). Desde su aparicion, las obras de Cambaceres fueron avidamente leidas, e inmediata y sucesivamente reeditadas (Santacatalina, 14). Martin Garcia Merou, influyente critico literario y miembro de la famosa generacion del 80, nos dice en Libros y autores (1886) que Pot-pourri, su primera novela publicada aparecida en 1881 “corria de mano en mano” pues “el estilo de aquellas paginas acres e interesantes, produjo, ante todo, un movimiento de asombro” (Garcia Merou, 71). Por su parte, Ricardo Rojas, sostiene todavia en su Historia de la literatura argentina (1917) que.
136 Preventing gender-based violence in the wake of major disaster

Purpose This study examined the nature of gender-based violence perpetrated in the aftermath of the 2011 Great East Japan Disasters and sought to develop recommendations for improving disaster response policies and programs. Methods Using the key informant survey method, we collected data on incidents of violence against women and children after the Great East Japan Disasters. We excluded anecdotal information and reports from secondary sources. If the victim was a minor or otherwise dependent, we included cases that the informant heard from the victim’s family members (e.g., parent or guardian). Results In addition to domestic violence, reported cases involved sexual assault, sexual harassment, and unwanted sexual contact perpetrated by non-intimates, many of which were targeted at women who were single, divorced, separated, or widowed. Perpetrators often exploited a sense of fear, helplessness, and powerlessness, including quid pro quo types of assault where threats were used to force compliance with sexual demands in exchange for shelter, food, and other life-sustaining resources. Conclusions and Significance and Contributions to Injury and Violence Prevention Science This study elucidated various pathways through which the pre-disaster gender inequity predisposes women to the risk of gender-based violence in and after the disaster. Examination of post-disaster gender-based violence helps expose social mechanisms and power structures that contribute to and exacerbate women’s vulnerability to gender-based violence. This, in turn, allows for the development and implementation of prevention strategies that are aimed at altering socio-cultural-political mechanisms and power structures that disadvantage and discriminate against women.
The Impact of World War I on Tractor Adoption: Reflections on the Industrial Ideal

While economists generally assume that producers adopt new technology when it makes sense to do so, historians do not necessarily agree; and the views of the latter may have greater influence over popular thought. Deborah Fitzgerald, a historian of technology at MIT has argued that farmers were essentially bamboozled into buying tractors in the 1920s by “the industrial ideal” – a set of progressive ideas spread by business leaders, economists, engineers, and the county extension agents of land grant universities. This paper takes issue with the Fitzgerald thesis.
Multiple Sclerosis Prognosis in a Contemporary, Multiethnic Population-Based Cohort (P04.124)

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the intermediate-term prognosis in MS patients varies by race/ethnicity and has improved now that early treatment is common. BACKGROUND: Little is known about whether disability from multiple sclerosis (MS) has improved since the widespread use of early treatment or whether MS-related disability is worse in blacks or Hispanics. DESIGN/METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of incident MS cases identified through the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Acquired Demyelinating Diseases Cohort in 2008. Full medical records were abstracted through September 2012. The median duration and range of follow-up from diagnosis was 3.9 years (0.06-4.6). Hazards ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were adjusted for age, gender, and race/ethnicity using Cox proportional hazards. RESULTS: We identified 150 newly diagnosed MS patients including 86 whites, 31 Hispanics and 29 Blacks. The majority of patients (n=130, 86.7%) were treated early with immunomodulatory agents (IMAs, median time from symptom onset=1.48 years). Despite this, 27 (18%) were cane dependent or worse and an additional 35 (23%) had gait abnormalities but able to ambulate without assistance at the end of the follow-up period. 14 of the 27 patients requiring a cane or worse had a relapsing-onset course. Independent risk factors for requiring a cane or worse were older age at symptom onset (adjusted p=0.04) and Black (adjusted HR=2.0 95%CI=0.8-5.3; p=0.13) or Hispanic race/ethnicity (adjusted HR=4.6, 95%CI=1.4-15.3; p=0.01). Delay in diagnosis, treatment with IMAs and progressive onset were not independent risk factors. Treatment with IMAs did not vary by racial/ethnic group. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from our pilot study imply that despite early treatment with IMAs the risk of significant disability within 5 years of symptom onset remains relatively high, particularly in Hispanics and blacks. Whether this reflects racial/ethnic differences in utilization of care, MS pathophysiology and/or inadequate efficacy of IMAs in aggressive MS warrants further study. Supported by: Kaiser Permanente Community Benefits Fund. Disclosure: Dr. Beaber has nothing to disclose. Dr. Zhang has nothing to disclose. Dr. Langer-Gould has received research support from Biogen-Idec.
Fallen Superheroes and Constitutional Mirages: The Tale of Brady v. Maryland

This essay is based on a lecture given as part of the McGeorge School of Law's Distinguished Speaker Series. The essay examines Brady v. Maryland as one of the Warren Court's criminal procedure cases that has taken on superhero status, announcing not only an important procedural right, but doing so in ringing moral terms that forever associate the right with the case. In Brady, the majority crafted its holding that an accused has a constitutional right to material exculpatory evidence as embodying the prosecutor's ethical duty to pursue "justice" and not simply victory in the courtroom. By crafting the opinion in this way, Brady joined cases like Gideon, Miranda and Mapp as opinions that possess special rhetorical power because they are expressly founded upon fundamental values like equality, human dignity, and the morality of government. This essay argues, however, that subsequent cases have largely robbed Brady of its superhero powers as a pre-trial discovery doctrine. By setting a very high threshold before exculpatory evidence becomes "material" and must be turned over - evidence that "could reasonably be taken to put the whole case in such a different light as to undermine confidence in the verdict" - the Court essentially has turned Brady from a pre-trial discovery device into a post-trial safety net to catch cases of government misconduct. Indeed, the essay suggests that the materiality standard is now so high that a prosecutor who discovers true Brady evidence prior to trial should ethically be considering dismissal of the charges, let alone the need to turn the evidence over to the defense. Because of Brady's limited usefulness as a pre-trial source for discovery, the essay urges that we not let the "mirage" of a constitutional right to discovery keep us from debating the need for broader discovery through statutory discovery rights and the rules of criminal procedure.
Characterization of the neuroinvasive profile of a pseudorabies virus recombinant expressing the mTurquoise2 reporter in single and multiple injection experiments

Abstract Background Viral transneuronal tracing has become a well established technology used to define the synaptic architecture of polysynaptic neural networks. New Method In this report we define the neuroinvasive profile and reporter expression of a new recombinant of the Bartha strain of pseudorabies virus (PRV). The new recombinant, PRV-290, expresses the mTurquoise2 fluorophor and is designed to complement other isogenic recombinants of Bartha that express different reporters of infection. Results & Comparison with Existing Methods: PRV-290 was injected either alone or in combination with isogenic recombinants of PRV that express enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP; PRV-152) or monomeric red fluorescent protein (mRFP; PRV-614). Circuits previously defined using PRV-152 and PRV-614 were used for the analysis. The data demonstrate that PRV-290 is a retrograde transneuronal tracer with temporal kinetics similar to those of its isogenic recombinants. Stable expression of the diffusible mTurquoise2 reporter filled infected neurons, with the extent and intensity of labeling increasing with advancing post inoculation survival. In multiple injection experiments, PRV-290 established productive infections in neurons also replicating PRV-152 and/or PRV-614. This novel demonstration of three recombinants infecting individual neurons represents an important advance in the technology. Conclusion Collectively, these data demonstrate that PRV-290 is a valuable addition to the viral tracer toolbox for transneuronal tracing of neural circuitry.
ROP: Dumpster Diving in RNA-sequencing to Find the Source of 1 Trillion Reads Across Diverse Adult Human Tissues

High-throughput RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) technologies provide an unprecedented opportunity to explore the individual transcriptome. Unmapped reads are a large and often overlooked output of standard RNA-seq analyses. Here, we present Read Origin Protocol (ROP), a tool for discovering the source of all reads originating from complex RNA molecules. We apply ROP to samples across 2630 individuals from 54 diverse human tissues. Our approach can account for 99.9% of 1 trillion reads of various read length. Additionally, we use ROP to investigate the functional mechanisms underlying connections between the immune system, microbiome, and disease. ROP is freely available at https://github.com/smangul1/rop/wiki.
Analysis of critical machine reliability in manufacturing cells

Purpose: In an increasingly competitive business environment, machine reliability problem merits special attention in operations of manufacturing cells. This is mainly due to flow line nature of the cellular layout, interdependency of downstream and upstream of machines related to each other. This study investigates the effect of critical machine reliability improvement on production capacity and throughput time in manufacturing cells. Design/methodology/approach: A discrete-event simulation model was developed to investigate the effectiveness of a reliability plan focusing on the most critical production machines in improving the performance level as an alternative to increasing the reliability of all machines. Four machine criticality policies are examined in the simulation experiments. Findings: The results of this experimental study indicated that an improvement of reliability of a limited number of machines leads to an increase in overall production capacity and speed in cellular manufacturing operations. A reliability plan, that focuses on a set of critical machines, potentially offers a more economical alternative to increasing the reliability of all machines in such facility. Research limitations/implications: The results demonstrate that to achieve higher production capacity and shorter throughput times, managers should consider directing more resources to increase the reliability of critical machines, particularly, those with shorter mean time to failure and higher utilization. Originality/value: The designed simulation model is unique in representing the dynamics of a real world manufacturing cell environment by encoding operational functions such as machine failure, maintenance resource allocation, material flow, job sequencing and scheduling. A new machine availability metric is defined as well.
Biphenylyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole based liquid crystals – synthesis, mesomorphism, effect of lateral monofluorination

ABSTRACTAiming at developing a new type of materials for functional applications, three series of new compounds were prepared, 3-(biphenylyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazoles, Series I; laterally mono-fluorinated...
Establishment of a NORM baseline for selected seafood in the Gulf of Mexico.

Abstract Naturally occurring radioactive material was characterized in selected seafood samples from three areas in the Gulf of Mexico. Relatively desirable and abundant fish such as Red Snapper, Red Drum, Northern Whiting, and Spotted Trout as well as oysters were collected and analyzed using gamma spectroscopy to determine the concentration of 228Ra, 226Ra, and 40K. Average total activity concentration from these radionuclides were 0.9 ± 0.6, 1.6 ± 1.2, and 132 ± 57 Bq kg−1 respectively, in the edible portion of wet weight samples. The results were consistent with previous studies for other bodies of water. A small but statistically significant increase in 226Ra was found in comparison to similar research performed 20 years prior. These measurements provide a reasonable baseline for the examined species from the Gulf of Mexico.
In Vitro Activity of Imipenem-Relebactam Alone or in Combination with Amikacin or Colistin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Relebactam is a novel class A/C β-lactamase inhibitor that restores imipenem in vitro activity against multidrug-resistant and carbapenem-nonsusceptible Pseudomonas aeruginosa Time-kill analyses were performed to evaluate the potential role of imipenem-relebactam in combination with amikacin or colistin against P. aeruginosa Ten clinical P. aeruginosa isolates (9 imipenem nonsusceptible) with imipenem-relebactam MICs ranging from 1/4 to 8/4 μg/ml were included. The isolates had varied susceptibilities to imipenem (1 to 32 μg/ml), amikacin (4 to 128 μg/ml), and colistin (0.5 to 1 μg/ml). Duplicate 24-h time-kill studies were conducted using the average steady-state concentrations (Cssavg) observed after the administration of imipenem-relebactam at 500 mg/250 mg every 6 hours (q6h) alone and in combination with the Cssavg of 25 mg/kg of body weight/day amikacin and 360 mg/day colistin in humans. Imipenem-relebactam alone resulted in 24-h bacterial densities of -2.93 ± 0.38, -1.67 ± 0.29, +0.38 ± 0.96, and +0.15 ± 0.65 log10 CFU/ml at imipenem-relebactam MICs of 1/4, 2/4, 4/4, and 8/4 μg/ml, respectively. No synergy was demonstrated against the single imipenem-susceptible isolate. Against the imipenem-nonsusceptible isolates (n = 9), imipenem-relebactam combined with amikacin resulted in synergy (-2.61 ± 1.50 log10 CFU/ml) against all amikacin-susceptible isolates and in two of three amikacin-intermediate (i.e., MIC, 32 μg/ml) isolates (-2.06 ± 0.19 log10 CFU/ml). Synergy with amikacin was not observed when the amikacin MIC was >32 μg/ml. Imipenem-relebactam combined with colistin demonstrated synergy in eight out of the nine imipenem-resistant isolates (-3.17 ± 1.00 log10 CFU/ml). Against these 10 P. aeruginosa isolates, imipenem-relebactam combined with either amikacin or colistin resulted in synergistic activity against the majority of strains. Further studies evaluating combination therapy with imipenem-relebactam are warranted.
Astrotrichilia leroyana, sp. nov. (Meliaceae, Melioideae): a new species from northeastern Madagascar

A new species of Astrotrichilia (Harms) J.-F. Leroy ex T. D. Penn. & Styles (Meliaceae, Melioideae) from seasonally dry forests in northern Madagascar is described. The new species is most similar to A. asterotricha (Radlk.) Cheek, but differs in a number of vegetative characters and has a distinct geographical distribution. A previous study of the new species has shown it to possess secondary compounds with antiproliferative properties towards ovarian cancer cells, highlighting the urgent need for its conservation. Images, a distribution map, and a preliminary assessment of risk extinction using the IUCN Red List Criteria are provided for the new species.
Family Perspectives on Social-Cognitive Impairment in Verbal Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder:

Social-cognitive challenges in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are often assessed using caregiver report or performance-based instruments. This study compared caregiver report and p...
Pregnancy preferences and contraceptive use among US women.

Abstract Objectives An understanding of the relationship between individuals’ pregnancy preferences and contraceptive use is essential for appropriate patient-centered counseling and care. We examined the relationship between women’s pregnancy preferences and contraceptive use using a new prospective measure, the Desire to Avoid Pregnancy (DAP) scale. Study Design As part of a study examining women’s suspicion and confirmation of new pregnancies, we recruited patients aged 15 – 45 from seven reproductive health and primary health facilities in Arizona, New Jersey, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Texas in 2016–2017. We used multivariable logistic, multinomial logistic, and linear regression models to examine the associations among DAP scores (range: 0 – 4) and contraceptive use outcomes and identify factors associated with discordance between DAP and use of contraception. Results Participants with a greater preference to avoid pregnancy had higher odds of contraceptive use (aOR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.31, 2.04) and used contraceptives more consistently (aβ = 8.9 percentage points, 95% CI: 5.2, 12.7). Nevertheless, 63% of women with low preference to avoid pregnancy reported using a contraceptive method. Higher preference to avoid pregnancy was not associated with type of contraceptive method used: women with the full range of pregnancy preferences reported using all method types. Conclusion When measured using a rigorously developed instrument, pregnancy preferences were associated with contraceptive use and consistency of use. However, our findings challenge assumptions that women with the highest preference against pregnancy use more effective methods and that women who might welcome pregnancy do not use contraception. Implications Women’s preferences about pregnancy contribute significantly to their use of contraception. However, health care providers and researchers should consider that contraceptive features besides effectiveness in preventing pregnancy shape contraceptive decision-making and use.
3D isocentricity analysis for clinical linear accelerators

Purpose To perform a three-dimensional (3D) concurrent isocentricity measurement of a clinical linear accelerator's (linac) using a single 3D dosimeter, PRESAGE. Methods A 3D dosimeter, PRESAGE, set up on the treatment couch of a Varian TrueBeam LINAC using the setup lasers, was irradiated under gantry angles of 0 ∘ , 50 ∘ , 160 ∘ , and 270 ∘ with the couch fixed at 0 ∘ and subsequently, under couch angles of 10 ∘ , 330 ∘ , 300 ∘ , and 265 ∘ with the gantry fixed at 270 ∘ . The 1 cm 2 (at 100 cm SAD) square fields were delivered at 6 MV with 800 MU/field. After irradiation, the dosimeter was scanned using a single-beam optical scanner and images were reconstructed with submillimeter resolution using filtered back-projection. Postprocessing was used to extract views parallel to the star-shot planes from which beam trajectories and the smallest circles enclosing these were drawn and extracted. These circles and information from the view orthogonal to both star-shots were used to represent the rotational centers as spheroids. The linac isocenter was defined by the distribution of midpoints between any, randomly selected, points lying inside the center spheroids defined by the table and gantry rotations; isocenter location and size were defined by the average midpoint and the distribution's semi-axes. Collimator rotations were not included in this study. Results Relative to the setup center defined by lasers, the table and gantry rotation center coordinates (lat., long., vert.) were measured in units of millimeters, to be (-0.24, 0.18, -0.52) and (0.10, 0.53, -0.52), respectively. Displacements from the setup center were 0.60 and 0.75 mm for the table and gantry centers, while the distance between them measured 0.49 mm. The linac's radiation isocenter was calculated to be at (-0.07, -0.17, 0.51) relative to the setup lasers and its size was found to be most easily described by a spheroid prolate in vertical direction with semi-axis lengths of 0.13 and 0.23 mm for the lateral-longitudinal and vertical directions, respectively. Conclusions This study demonstrates how to measure the location and sizes of rotational centers in 3D with one setup. The proposed method provides a more comprehensive view on the isocentricity of LINAC than the conventional two-dimensional film measurements. Additionally, a new definition of isocenter and its size was proposed.
Culture, growth, pigments and lipid content of Scenedesmus species, an extremophile microalga from Soda Dam, New Mexico in wastewater

Abstract We isolated an extremophile green alga from Jemez New Mexico; 18S rDNA sequencing confirmed it as Scenedesmus species Novo. Cultures in TAP medium (24 ± 1 °C, 132–148 μmol photons m− 2 s− 1) attained peak biomass (27.4 × 106 cells ml− 1, 49.11 μg chl a ml− 1 and 24.93 μg carotene ml− 1) and a division rate of 0.54 day− 1. Under outdoor harsh conditions (6524–7360 μmol photons m− 2 s− 1 and 40 °C), biomass peaked at 10.41 × 106 cells, 6.92 μg chl a, and 4.49 μg carotene. Indoor wastewater cultures enriched with TAP yielded 63 to 94.3 pg lipid cell− 1 and 16.7 to 36.6 pg lipid cell− 1 in outdoor cultures which are amongst the highest for microalgae; lipid as dry cell weight reached peak values of 85% and 33%, respectively. Total carotenoids (pg cell− 1) ranged from 1.52 to 3.58 in indoor cultures and 0.34 to 1.08 for outdoor cultures comparable to 0.24–4.75 to literature values. Because of its ability to produce high levels of biomass, lipids and carotenes in wastewater under harsh ambient climatic conditions, Scenedesmus species Novo has the potential to sustain biotechnological applications. We recommend continued exploration of extremophile algal species native to New Mexico and beyond, to develop strategies for a viable and sustainable bio-economy.
Barrett's Esophagus Management in the Elderly: Principles and Best Practice.

Endoscopic screening and surveillance for Barrett’s esophagus (BE) as well as treatment of dysplastic BE is well established. A significant proportion of BE patients are older (geriatric age group, > 65 years age). There is relatively little information or recommendations in the literature with regards to evaluation and management of geriatric BE patients. The purpose of this review is to outline specific caveats and best practice recommendations to help manage the geriatric BE patient. In this review, we have attempted to summarize the latest evidence and guideline-based recommendations for evaluation and treatment of BE and early esophageal neoplasia, with a special focus on the challenges and considerations involved when caring for the geriatric BE patient. Concepts related to sedation, endoscopy, risk-benefit assessment, and other unique issues pertaining to the older BE patient are discussed. Expert recommendations are provided wherever possible. This review highlights the importance of recognizing the unique aspects of evaluating and managing the geriatric BE patient. Practical recommendations are discussed which will help the provider individualize and optimize care for their geriatric BE patient.
The association of dental education with pediatric Medicaid participation.

PURPOSE This study examines whether characteristics of dental education, practice characteristics and state Medicaid policies are associated with dentists' pediatric Medicaid participation. METHODS Cross-sectional analysis of data about dentists' Medicaid participation in 2016, based on current practice characteristics and characteristics of dental schools they attended 5 to 10 years earlier. We analyze data about 22,500 general and pediatric dentists, drawn from the American Dental Association's Masterfile for 2016 and its dental school survey for 2009-10. The primary outcome is whether dentists participated in Medicaid-enrolled to accept Medicaid patients and payments-in at least 1 of their practice sites in 2016. RESULTS A majority (55%) of dentists accepted Medicaid in at least 1 practice site, while a quarter (24%) accepted Medicaid in all their sites. Dentists who attended schools with higher tuition rates were less likely to serve Medicaid patients at any site several years later (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = .761). Dental schools' receipt of grants that encourage community-based training were associated with increased Medicaid participation at all sites (AOR = 1.22). Those practicing in rural areas also had higher Medicaid participation (AOR = 2.62). A 10% increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates was associated with increased Medicaid participation at any site (AOR = 1.24). CONCLUSIONS Dental school practices and state Medicaid policies are associated with whether dentists care for Medicaid patients. Changes in dental school or Medicaid policies, such as higher reimbursement rates, could help encourage more dentists to accept Medicaid patients, thereby increasing access to care.
Computing value of spatiotemporal information

Location data from mobile devices is a sensitive yet valuable commodity for location-based services and advertising. We investigate the intrinsic value of location data in the context of strong privacy, where location information is only available from end users via purchase. We present an algorithm to compute the expected value of location data from a user, without access to the specific coordinates of the location data point. We use decision-theoretic techniques to provide a principled way for a potential buyer to make purchasing decisions about private user location data. We illustrate our approach in three scenarios: the delivery of targeted ads specific to a user's home location, the estimation of traffic speed, and the prediction of location. In all three cases, the methodology leads to quantifiably better purchasing decisions than competing approaches.