cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Procedural volume and survival after lung transplantation in the United States: the need to look beyond volume in the establishment of quality metrics

Abstract Background We sought to evaluate the effect of center volume on patient survival. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis on nationwide data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients provided by United Network for Organ Sharing pertaining to lung transplantation (LT) recipients transplanted between 2005 and 2013. Centers were categorized into 4 groups based on their annual volume as follows: less than 20, 20 to 29, 30 to 39, and greater than or equal to 40 LTs. Baseline characteristics were compared and Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to estimate survival. Results A total of 13,506 adult recipients underwent LT during the study period. Of these, 2,491 (18.4%) patients were transplanted in centers with volume less than 20, 2,562 (19.0%) in centers with volume 20 to 29, 2,998 (22.2%) in centers with volume 30 to 39, and 5,455(40.4%) in centers with volume greater than or equal to 40. Survival was poorest in the lowest volume centers (1-year 81.4% vs 85.5% and 5-year 49.7% vs 56.5%, respectively). Conclusions Post-LT survival in low volume centers is significantly lower than in high volume centers but the explanatory power of volume as a predictor of survival is low.
Hard X-ray Photoemission: An Overview and Future Perspective

The various aspects of hard X-ray photoemission are reviewed, including in particular more newly developed directions of measurement, but also with references to other chapters in this book or prior publications in which additional details can be found. An overview of the different dimensions of the technique, including a look at promising future directions, is presented.
Getting Past the Name-Calling: A Framework for Analyzing Affirmative Action Plans

Where race is not used as a factor, then the means used does not classify according to a suspect trait - and judicial review is relatively undemanding: the end sought to be achieved may be merely a "legitimate governmental objective" which is reasonably likely to be achieved by the race-neutral means involved. Moreover, there is a presumption that the governmental conduct is proper, thus casting a substantial burden on the challenger to demonstrate invalidity.
Omnidirectional coatings for telecom applications

OmniGuide Optical Fibers. A review of the OmniGuide fiber which utilizes a photonic band gap to guide light through a hollow core will be presented. The unrivaled degree of optical confinement in this fiber provides a mechanism for achieving low loss propagation, reduced non-linearities and interesting dispersion characteristics. Design principles for this fiber as well as current challenges will be discussed
Effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors on colorectal cancer incidence and its precursors

Incretin-based antihyperglycemic therapies increase intestinal mucosal expansion and polyp growth in mouse models. We aimed to evaluate the effect of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) or glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1ra) initiation on colorectal cancer incidence. We conducted a cohort study on US Medicare beneficiaries over age 66 from 2007 to 2013 without prevalent cancer. We identified three active-comparator and new-user cohorts: DPP-4i versus thiazolidinediones (TZD), DPP-4i versus sulphonylureas (SU), and GLP-1ra versus long acting insulin (LAI). Follow-up started from 6 months post-second prescription and ended 6 months after stopping (primary as-treated analysis). We estimated hazard ratios (HR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) for incident colorectal cancer adjusting for measured confounders using propensity score weighting. The median duration of treatment ranged 0.7–0.9 years among DPP-4i cohorts. Based on 104 events among 39,334 DPP-4i and 63 events among 25,786 TZD initiators, there was no association between DPP-4i initiation and colorectal cancer (adjusted HR = 1.17 (CI 0.88, 1.71)). There were 73 events among 27,047 DPP-4i and 266 events among 76,012 SU initiators with the adjusted HR 0.98 (CI 0.74, 1.30). We identified 5600 GLP-1ra and 54,767 LAI initiators and the median duration of treatment was 0.8 and 1.2 years, respectively. The adjusted HR was 0.82 (CI 0.42, 1.58) based on <11 events among GLP-1ra versus 276 events among LAI initiators. Although limited by the short duration of treatment, our analyses based on real-world drug utilization patterns provide evidence of no short-term effect of incretin-based agents on colorectal cancer.
Synthesis of 6-phosphofructose aspartic acid and some related Amadori compounds

We describe the synthesis and characterization of 6-phosphofructose-aspartic acid, an intermediate in the metabolism of fructose-asparagine by Salmonella. We also report improved syntheses of fructose-asparagine itself and of fructose-aspartic acid.
Windshield on the Heat Transfer Efficiency of Direct Air Cooled Island and the Windshield Optimization

Taking Mengda 600MW direct air-cooled units in our country into consideration,in view of serious hurdles of air-cooled units available—the unfavorable influences of Ambient Wind,we tentatively proceeds to making numerical simulation research on external flow field of direct air-cooled island by using CFD software Fluent.For the case of affection by horizontal wind,installing windshield under the windbreak of air-cooled island.Under the typical wind direction,analyze the effect of different heights and different permeable rates of the windshield on the heat exchange efficiency for optimizing the windshield.Through the study,Fluent that after the installation of windshield can effectively resist the impact of environment wind and improve the heat efficiency of direct air-cooled island.
Chapter 4.4 - Shock Tubes and Tunnels: Facilities, Instrumentation, and Techniques

This chapter deals with the explanation of blast tubes. A blast tube facility is more completely described as an "explosively driven shock tube." A blast tube is composed of two parts: long tube and an explosive energy source. This chapter presents the experimental design specification of blast tubes for blast effects studies. For blast effects studies, the most common design specification is an ideal blast wave from an open-air explosion. The typical waveform is an exponentially decaying pressure time history. The peak static pressure is usually specified or alternatively a distance from an explosion of a specified strength. From the specifications, a static pressure time history can be determined. Once the blast wave is specified, the goal is to match the specifications as closely as possible for the positive phase of the blast wave. Because there is no fixed location at which the high-pressure gas and diaphragm must be located in the blast tube, the designer has freedom in choosing an experimental configuration most appropriate for the task at hand. The explosive driver can be located anywhere along the length of the blast tube or even outside of it. Multiple drivers can be used of varying strengths to custom tailor a blast environment. Gases or cross-sectional area changes can be used to modify the blast environment. To keep the design cases simple, only a constant cross-section tube with one explosive driver is considered.
Trajectory Bucket-Type Energy Dissipators

Factors to consider in design of trajectory bucket-type energy dissipators; data compiled from model and prototype tests; recourse to laboratory model studies should be made in order to refine or verify merits of each design.
Adenosis, Sclerosing Lesions, Microglandular Adenosis, and Mucocele-Like Lesions

Sclerosing adenosis, sclerosing lesions, microglandular adenosis, and mucocele-like lesions are benign lesions that may mimic invasive carcinoma on routine histology. Adenosis and sclerosing lesions are small glandular proliferations that may resemble well-differentiated invasive ductal or tubular carcinoma, whereas mucocele-like lesions may be confused with mucinous carcinoma. It may be especially difficult to recognize these lesions in the limited core needle biopsy sample, and therefore, it is important to maintain a low threshold for diagnostic work-up. Immunohistochemical studies for myoepithelial cell markers facilitate the correct diagnosis in challenging cases. However, a notable exception, microglandular adenosis, lacks myoepithelial cells, and must be distinguished from well-differentiated invasive carcinoma by its S-100 protein immunoreactivity and triple negative phenotype.
Toxaphene: chemistry, biochemistry, toxicity and environmental fate.

Toxaphene is a complex mixture of polychlorinated monoterpenes with a broad spectrum of pesticidal activity. Before its ban in 1982, it was the most heavily used insecticide in the U.S. and many parts of the world. When dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) was banned in the early 1970s, toxaphene replaced DDT as a major agricultural insecticide (Schmitt et al. 1981). Cumulative world use of toxaphene during the period 1946 to 1974 exceeded 409,000 metric tons (Toxaphene Working Group 1977). Toxaphene was first introduced in the U.S. in 1945 by Hercules Co. as Hercules 3956, a new insecticide to control a variety of insect pests. It was registered for use on more than 277 agricultural commodities and crops to control 167 major insect pests. While its primary use has been on cotton, it has also been sprayed extensively on soybeans and peanuts, and has been used as a cattle dip (Korte et al. 1979). It was used most extensively in the southern and southeastern U.S. (Carey et al. 1978, 1979) where most cotton farming is located. Toxaphene and toxaphene-like preparations (camphachlor, polychlorocamphenes, and strobane) have also been used worldwide and are still used in South America, Africa, Mexico, Romania, Hungary, the Federal Republic of Germany, Poland, and the USSR (Saleh 1987).
Effects of mixture fraction on edge-flame propagation speeds

Abstract The propagation speeds (Uedge) of nonpremixed edge-flames were measured as a function of stoichiometric mixture fraction (Zst) and global strain rate (σ) for several fuel/oxidant/diluent combinations using a counterflow slot-jet burner. It was found that for fuel Lewis number (Lef) ≈ 1 and oxidant Lewis number (Leo) ≈ 1 with fixed σ, Uedge increases monotonically with increasing Zst. In contrast, for Lef >1 and Leo ≈ 1 with fixed σ, Uedge exhibits a minimum, typically at Zst ≈ 0.3, except for dimethyl ether which showed Uedge montonically decreasing with increasing Zst. These results indicate that Zst has both chemical and Lewis number effects on nonpremixed edge-flame speeds. For Lef ≈ Leo ≈ 1, chemical effects dominate over the whole range of Zst whereas for Lef> 1 and Leo ≈ 1, Lewis number effects become important at low Zst. It is shown that all observed Uedge vs. Zst trends are consistent with computed values of extinction strain rate (σext) of these mixtures in a 1D counterflow, thus σext serves as a simple surrogate for predicting edge-flame behavior.
Generating one-column grids with fractal flow dimension

The grid generation capability built into the numerical simulator TOUGH for multi-phase fluid and heat flow through geologic media can create one-column grids with linear or radial geometry, corresponding to one-dimensional or two-dimensional radial flow, respectively. The integral-finite-difference-method that TOUGH employs for spatial discretization makes it very simple to generalize the grid-generation algorithm from integer to non-integer (fractal) flow dimension. Here the grid-generation algorithm is generalized to create one-column grids with fractal flow dimension ranging from less than 1 to 3. The fractal grid generation method is verified by comparing numerical simulation results to an analytical solution for a generalized Theis solution for integer and non-integer flow dimensions between 0.4 and 3. It is then applied to examine gas production decline curves from hydraulically fractured shale that is modeled as a fractal-dimensioned fracture network with flow dimensions between 0.25 and 3. Grids with fractal flow dimension are useful for representing flow through fracture networks or highly heterogeneous geologic media with fractal geometry, and may be particularly useful for inverse methods.
THE THERMAL ENTRANCE REGION IN LAMINAR POWER LAW FLOWS

The Mercer method is applied to power law flows in tubes. The Mercer method is an extension of the Leveque method for determining effects in the thermal entrance region of ducts without the excessive computation charaeteristic of eigenvalue problems. The method may be applied to flow between parallel plates. (N.W.R.)
Is imagination too liberal for modal epistemology

Appealing to imagination for modal justification is very common. But not everyone thinks that all imaginings provide modal justification. Recently, Gregory (2010) and Kung (Philos Phenomenol Res 81(3):620–663, 2010) have independently argued that, whereas imaginings with sensory imageries can justify modal beliefs, those without sensory imageries don’t because of such imaginings’ extreme liberty. In this essay, I defend the general modal epistemological relevance of imagining. I argue, first, that when the objections that target the liberal nature of non-sensory imaginings are adequately developed, those objections also threaten the sensory imaginings. So, if we think that non-sensory imaginings are too liberal for modal justification, we should say the same about sensory imaginings. I’ll finish my defense by showing that, when it comes to deciding between saying that all imaginings are prima facie justificatory and saying that no imaginings are justificatory, there is an independent reason for accepting the former.
Dynamic Volume Computed Tomography Imaging of the Upper Airway in Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Study Objectives:To describe a dynamic three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) technique for the upper airway and compare the required radiation dose to that used for common clinical studie...
Team Approach: Degenerative Spinal Deformity.

Degenerative spinal deformity is common and affects a large percentage of the aging population. The burden of degenerative spinal deformity is high when measured on the basis of prevalence, impact, and cost of care.A broad spectrum of specialists treat degenerative spinal deformities with use of bot
Group observed structured encounter (GOSCE) for third-year medical students improves self-assessment of clinical communication

AbstractObjectives: This study assesses the effectiveness of a GOSCE in teaching medical students clinical communication, as well as group collaboration and peer feedback.Methods: The GOSCE was administered during the Internal Medicine clerkship. Groups consisted of 4–6 students and one faculty member. Students completed pre- and post-GOSCE surveys to assess confidence in clinical communication and a GOSCE evaluation to rate the overall experience. Pre- and post-GOSCE program survey scores were compared, and the mean score and standard deviation of the GOSCE evaluation was calculated.Results: Students perceived improvement in their general (Mean 4.49–4.57, p < .0001), case-specific (3.61–3.84, p < .0001) and group clinical communication (3.75–4.09, p < .0001) skills. Students agreed or strongly agreed that the GOSCE taught them something new (91.20%), made them more comfortable in giving (64.31%) and receiving (66.57%) feedback and working with a group (64.22%). Students found the GOSCE to be as effective...
The Concepts of Data, Fact and Evidence as a Chain of Conceptual Derivatives from Information

Now let us turn our attention to some important concepts that relate to information and info-dynamics and their respective roles in the system of decision-choice actions for the management of command-control systems within the dynamics of the system of social actual-potential polarities.
Response invariance in a lattice of bistable elements with elastic interactions

In this study, the dynamics of a lattice of bistable elements connected by linear springs are investigated with emphasis on the spatial dependence of the response profiles created by the nonlinear transition wave. We address the difficulty in creating a permanent-form transition wave in real-world settings even though such a solution theoretically exists and explain how to utilize the speed difference in wave propagation to minimize this undesirable behavior through numerical investigations. We further introduce dissipative elements along with asymmetric on-site potentials to the baseline lattice and show that almost perfect response invariance can be achieved, where the response is not only spatially independent but also input-independent.
A role for the molecular chaperone protein BiP/GRP78 in Drosophila sleep homeostasis.

Study objectives Microarray studies have identified numerous genes that change in response to prolonged wakefulness. The challenge is to determine which transcriptional changes translate into protein changes that are critical for recovery following sleep loss. BiP is a protein indicator of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and BiP mRNA increases in mouse and rat cerebral cortex and in Drosophila heads in response to sleep loss. We first sought to determine whether the expression of BiP protein parallels sleep homeostatic drive and dissipates with recovery sleep. We then sought to establish a key role for BiP in the homeostatic process of sleep by contrasting recovery sleep in models of over- and under-expression of BiP. Subjects and interventions Drosophila melanogaster were used to take advantage of the UAS-Gal4 system to both over express wild-type BiP and express a dominant negative form of BiP. Results BiP protein rises two and a half fold across sleep loss and falls in recovery sleep, in parallel with gene changes. BiP over expression in the flies leads to an increase in recovery sleep in response to sleep loss, in parallel with a delay in the unfolded protein response. Flies with the dominant negative mutation and reduced functional BiP show the opposite effect. Conclusions We show directly that BiP protein, a key indicator of ER stress is instrumental in determining the amount of recovery sleep following enforced wakefulness. We have thus identified a novel window into regulation of sleep homeostasis.
An Old Ghost in a New Body

Descartes regarded a living human being as a machine inhabited by a person—a ghost, critics say—and he called this inner person “the soul.” The operator of a crane is often used to illustrate his conception, but mistakenly. For the crane can do nothing without the help of its operator. The human machine, on the other hand, can do many things without the help of the inner person: It can digest food, breathe air, adjust its own temperature, and so on. Descartes believed that animals are mere machines, and therefore held that the human machine can do anything an animal (even an ape) can do without the help of the soul.
Author Correction: Direct evidence for microbial-derived soil organic matter formation and its ecophysiological controls

In the originally published version of this Article, financial support was not fully acknowledged. The PDF and HTML versions of the Article have now been corrected to include support from the NSF Long-term Ecological Research Program (DEB 1637653) at the Kellogg Biological Station and from Michigan State University AgBioResearch.
The Political Economy of Mortgage Lending

We show that banks expand mortgage lending in the home states of Senate Banking Committee chairs, and the effect is more pronounced when the incumbent Senate Banking Committee chair is up for re-election. Consequently, these banks suffer worse mortgage asset quality in the following years, but their overall profitability increases after favoring the home states of the Banking Committee chairs. Our results are statistically and economically robust to a geographical regression discontinuity design that focuses on census tracts immediately adjacent to state borders, suggesting that the results are not driven by demand-side factors. We also find that banks strategically target politically active borrowers in the home states of Banking Committee chairs, and the effect is stronger when the bank is politically connected to the incumbent senator. Our findings suggest that political influences could distort private capital allocation beyond conventional political contribution channels.
The Paradox of Using Radionuclides To Treat Disease

New method for the large-scale production of 119mTe and 119Sb may allow for significant expansion in the use of these radionuclides to treat disease.
Unintentional RF Energy Transfer During Tonsillectomy: An In Vitro Investigation

One-third of tonsillectomy patients experience post-operative taste disturbances (dysgeusia), yet the underlying cause is unknown. We hypothesize that unwanted radio-frequency (RF) energy couples to the metal-based mouth retractor during tonsillectomy and could be a possible cause of dysgeusia. To validate our hypothesis, in vitro studies are performed in a ground beef phantom with sensors measuring, first, the unwanted current coupled to the mouth retractor and, second, the unwanted temperature rise in the tissues that surround the retractor. The simulated surgery was performed using two separate surgical techniques: monopolar electrosurgery and coblation. Results indicate that unintentional RF energy transfer is indeed a real issue. During electrosurgery, peak-to-peak unwanted currents vary from 80.53 to 181.48 mA for typical power levels ranging from 10 to 30 W. Tissue temperature unintentionally increases by 1.3 °C and 1.8 °C, respectively. Coblation indicates smaller coupling effects, with peak-to-peak currents on the mouth retractor capped at 12.33 mA for a typical 7 W setting. Concurrently, tissue temperature is reduced by 0.73 °C, as attributed to the saline solution inherent to coblation. As the first of its kind, this study illuminates possible causes of post-tonsillectomy dysgeusia and intends to trigger future studies. The ultimate goal is safe and complication-free tonsillectomies.
A Machine Learning Model to Maximize Efficiency and Face Time in Ambulatory Clinics

AbstractIntroduction:Ambulatory appointments are typically scheduled in fixed increments, resulting in suboptimal time utilization. Advanced analytics are rarely applied to address operational chal...
209 MYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIA FOLLOWING CAFFEINE OVERDOSE.

Introduction Caffeine is present in large numbers of beverages, diet supplements, and over-the-counter medications. Because of its widespread use, the potential for pediatric caffeine ingestion is high, particularly among toddlers and adolescents. Although caffeine has a wide therapeutic index, it can be toxic in high doses. Case A 52.3 kg, 17-year-old girl presented to the emergency room after ingesting approximately 25 tablets of Excedrin Migraine (acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine) in a suicide attempt. She complained of emesis, diarrhea, tinnitus, and chest and abdominal pain. Her physical examination, including neurologic and cardiopulmonary systems, was normal. She denied drug or tobacco use. Laboratory values showed elevated serum acetaminophen and salicylate levels and a metabolic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis. She was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit for treatment of acetaminophen and salicylate overdose. Concerns regarding caffeine overdose were not noted in her initial history and physical or by poison center staff. Electrocardiography (ECG) was performed in the emergency department to evaluate her chest pain; it showed marked ischemic changes inconsistent with known cardiac effects of either acetaminophen or aspirin but consistent with caffeine overdose. Two days after admission she was discharged after a normal ECG and echocardiogram. Conclusion Caffeine overdose poses a potential risk for myocardial ischemia and eventually infarction. Therefore, early recognition of caffeine intoxication signs in a patient with a history or caffeine overdose, who is experiencing a cardiac ischemic event, is crucial.
Assessing the Efficacy of Consumer Boycotts of U.S. Target Firms: A Shareholder Wealth Analysis

This article analyzes the effectiveness of 125 U.S. boycotts from 1978 to 2017. On average, the results suggest that actual consumer boycott calls against U.S. target firms (treatment firms) had a negative and statistically significant effect on the shareholder wealth of U.S. target firms. The synthetic control method and the placebo tests confirmed that the negative cumulative abnormal returns (CAR) observed here are robust and not due to idiosyncratic shocks unrelated to the announced boycotts. Negative and statistically significant boycott effects were also found for boycott threats and categorical issues related to union issues, animal rights, living wages in less‐developed countries, racial/sexual discrimination, ideological issues, and political/religious boycotts. The results also show that firms with a higher level of competition and advertising activity experienced larger negative boycott effects; and firms with higher net income observed mitigated boycott effects.
Family Perceptions of Quality of End-of-Life Care for Veterans with Advanced CKD

Background and objectives Little is known about the quality of end-of-life care for patients with advanced CKD. We describe the relationship between patterns of end-of-life care and dialysis treatment with family-reported quality of end-of-life care in this population. Design, setting, participants, & measurements We designed a retrospective observational study among a national cohort of 9993 veterans with advanced CKD who died in Department of Veterans Affairs facilities between 2009 and 2015. We used logistic regression to evaluate associations between patterns of end-of-life care and receipt of dialysis (no dialysis, acute dialysis, maintenance dialysis) with family-reported quality of end-of-life care. Results Overall, 52% of cohort members spent ≥2 weeks in the hospital in the last 90 days of life, 34% received an intensive procedure, and 47% were admitted to the intensive care unit, in the last 30 days, 31% died in the intensive care unit, 38% received a palliative care consultation in the last 90 days, and 36% were receiving hospice services at the time of death. Most (55%) did not receive dialysis, 12% received acute dialysis, and 34% received maintenance dialysis. Patients treated with acute or maintenance dialysis had more intensive patterns of end-of-life care than those not treated with dialysis. After adjustment for patient and facility characteristics, receipt of maintenance (but not acute) dialysis and more intensive patterns of end-of-life care were associated with lower overall family ratings of end-of-life care, whereas receipt of palliative care and hospice services were associated with higher overall ratings. The association between maintenance dialysis and overall quality of care was attenuated after additional adjustment for end-of-life treatment patterns. Conclusions Among patients with advanced CKD, care focused on life extension rather than comfort was associated with lower family ratings of end-of-life care regardless of whether patients had received dialysis.
Social Media as an Emerging Data Resource for Epidemiologic Research: Characteristics of Regular and Nonregular Social Media Users in Nurses’ Health Study II

With advances in natural language processing and machine learning, researchers are leveraging social media as a low-cost, low-burden method for measuring various psychosocial factors. However, it is unclear whether information derived from social media is generalizable to broader populations, especially middle-aged and older adults. Using data on women aged 53-70 years from Nurses' Health Study II (2017-2018; n = 49,045), we assessed differences in sociodemographic characteristics, health conditions, behaviors, and psychosocial factors between regular and nonregular users of Facebook (Facebook, Inc., Menlo Park, California). We evaluated effect sizes with phi (φ) coefficients (categorical data) or Cohen's d (continuous data) and calculated odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. While most comparisons between regular and nonregular users achieved statistical significance in this large sample, effect sizes were mostly "very small" (conventionally defined as φ or d <0.01) (e.g., optimism score: meanregular users = 19 vs. meannonregular users = 19 (d = -0.03); physical activity: meanregular users = 24 metabolic equivalent of task (MET)-hours/week vs. meannonregular users = 24 MET-hours/week (d = 0.01)). Some factors had slightly larger differences for regular users versus nonregular users (e.g., depression: 28% vs. 23% (φ = 0.05); odds ratio = 1.27 (95% confidence interval: 1.22, 1.33); obesity: 34% vs. 26% (φ = 0.07); odds ratio = 1.42 (95% confidence interval: 1.36, 1.48)). Results suggest that regular Facebook users were similar to nonregular users across sociodemographic and psychosocial factors, with modestly worse health regarding obesity and depressive symptoms. In future research, investigators should evaluate other demographic groups.
Excitation Function for the V 51 (γ, α)Sc 47 Reaction

Yields of the ${\mathrm{V}}^{51}(\ensuremath{\gamma}, \ensuremath{\alpha}){\mathrm{Sc}}^{47}$ reaction have been determined by measuring the ${\mathrm{Sc}}^{47}$ radioactivity produced in metallic vanadium targets irradiated with bremsstrahlung of maximum energy varying from 10.5 to 25 Mev. The reaction was not observed below 15.5 Mev because of the severe effect of the Coulomb barrier on the outgoing alpha particles. The excitation function derived from these measurements has a maximum value of 0.81 mb at 23 Mev, and the integrated cross section to 24.5 Mev is 4.3 Mev-mb. The observed excitation function agrees very well with one calculated from a statistical theory for the decay of a compound nucleus. This appears to be a general feature of ($\ensuremath{\gamma}, \ensuremath{\alpha}$) reactions in medium-weight nuclei.
Applications of Algebraic Topology in Elasticity

In this chapter we discuss some applications of algebraic topology in elasticity. This includes the necessary and sufficient compatibility equations of nonlinear elasticity for non-simply-connected bodies when the ambient space is Euclidean. Algebraic topology is the natural tool to understand the topological obstructions to compatibility for both the deformation gradient F and the right Cauchy–Green strain C. We investigate the relevance of homology, cohomology, and homotopy groups in elasticity. We also use the relative homology groups in order to derive the compatibility equations in the presence of boundary conditions. The differential complex of nonlinear elasticity written in terms of the deformation gradient and the first Piola–Kirchhoff stress is also discussed.
Likely weakening of the Florida Current during the past century revealed by sea-level observations

The Florida Current marks the beginning of the Gulf Stream at Florida Straits, and plays an important role in climate. Nearly continuous measurements of Florida Current transport are available at 27°N since 1982. These data are too short for assessing possible multidecadal or centennial trends. Here I reconstruct Florida Current transport during 1909–2018 using probabilistic methods and principles of ocean physics applied to the available transport data and longer coastal sea-level records. Florida Current transport likely declined steadily during the past century. Transport since 1982 has likely been weaker on average than during 1909–1981. The weakest decadal-mean transport in the last 110 y likely took place in the past two decades. Results corroborate hypotheses that the deep branch of the overturning circulation declined over the recent past, and support relationships observed in climate models between the overturning and surface western boundary current transports at multidecadal and longer timescales. Understanding trends in ocean circulation and dynamics is hampered by a lack of long-term records. Here the author uses probabilistic reanalysis of available data to show that transport by the Florida Current has declined over the past 110 years, indicating a slowdown of Atlantic Ocean circulation.
Multisensory Configural Learning of a Home Refuge in the Whip Spider Phrynus marginemaculatus

Whip spiders (Amblypygi) reside in structurally complex habitats and are nocturnally active yet display notable navigational abilities. From the theory that uncertainty in sensory inputs should promote multisensory representations to guide behavior, we hypothesized that their navigation is supported by a configural, multisensory representation of navigational inputs, an ability documented in a few insects and never reported in arachnids. We trained Phrynus marginemaculatus to recognize a home shelter characterized by both discriminative olfactory and tactile stimuli. In tests, subjects readily discriminated between shelters based on the paired stimuli. However, subjects failed to recognize the shelter in tests with either of the component stimuli alone. This result is consistent with the hypothesis that the terminal phase of their navigational behavior, shelter recognition, can be supported by the integration of multisensory stimuli as a configural representation. We hypothesize that multisensory configural learning occurs in the whip spiders extraordinarily large mushroom bodies, which may functionally resemble the hippocampus of vertebrates.
Metabolic engineering of non-pathogenic Escherichia coli strains for the controlled production of low molecular weight heparosan and size-specific heparosan oligosaccharides

Abstract Background Heparin, a lifesaving blood thinner used in over 100 million surgical procedures worldwide annually, is currently isolated from over 700 million pigs and ~200 million cattle in slaughterhouses worldwide. Though animal-derived heparin has been in use over eight decades, it is a complex mixture that poses a risk for chemical adulteration, and its availability is highly vulnerable. Therefore, there is an urgent need in devising bioengineering approaches for the production of heparin polymers, especially low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), and thus, relying less on animal sources. One of the main challenges, however, is the rapid, cost-effective production of low molecular weight heparosan, a precursor of LMWH and size-defined heparosan oligosaccharides. Another challenge is N-sulfation of N-acetyl heparosan oligosaccharides efficiently, an essential modification required for subsequent enzymatic modifications, though chemical and enzymatic N-sulfation is effectively performed at the polymer level. Methods To devise a strategy to produce low molecular weight heparosan and heparosan oligosaccharides, several non-pathogenic E. coli strains are engineered by transforming the essential heparosan biosynthetic genes with or without the eliminase gene (elmA) from pathogenic E. coli K5. Results The metabolically engineered non-pathogenic strains are shown to produce ~5 kDa heparosan, a precursor for low molecular weight heparin, for the first time. Additionally, heparosan oligosaccharides of specific sizes ranging from tetrasaccharide to dodecasaccharide are directly generated, in a single step, from the recombinant bacterial strains that carry both heparosan biosynthetic genes and the eliminase gene. Various modifications, such as chemical N-sulfation of N-acetyl heparosan hexasaccharide following the selective protection of reducing end GlcNAc residue, enzymatic C5-epimerization of N-sulfo heparosan tetrasaccharide and complete 6-O sulfation of N-sulfo heparosan hexasaccharide, are shown to be feasible. Conclusions We engineered non-pathogenic E. coli strains to produce low molecular weight heparosan and a range of size-specific heparosan oligosaccharides in a controlled manner through modulating culture conditions. We have also shown various chemical and enzymatic modifications of heparosan oligosaccharides. General significance Heparosan is a precursor of heparin and the methods to produce low molecular weight heparosan is widely awaited. The methods described herein are promising and will pave the way for potential large scale production of low molecular weight heparin anticoagulants and bioactive heparin oligosaccharides in the coming decade.
Receive Antenna Selection in Uplink Smart Antenna MIMO Systems

Smart Antenna (SA) and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems have enhanced the performance of communication systems. The combination of these systems has advantages of both these two systems simultaneously. The capacity of single-user uplink SA-MIMO systems is investigated in the literature. One drawback of multi-antenna is the high complexity burden and hardware cost due to using more radio frequency (RF) chains. One remedy for this drawback is the antenna selection technique in which the best antennas are selected among available antennas and hence the number of RF chains is reduced. This paper proposes the antenna selection technique in the uplink SA-MIMO systems. The proposed technique selects the best subset of antennas to maximize the capacity of these systems. The simulation results show that how the proposed technique significantly reduces the computational burden and hardware cost while the performance is influenced insignificantly.
Latarjet After Failed Arthroscopic Bankart Repair Results in Twice the Rate of Recurrent Instability Compared With Primary Latarjet.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess recurrent instability of the shoulder following open Latarjet performed as the primary stabilization procedure or as a salvage procedure. Methods A retrospective, comparative cohort study was performed for a consecutive series of patients in the Military Health System who underwent open Latarjet from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2018. All patients were diagnosed with recurrent anterior shoulder instability and had a minimum of two years of postoperative follow-up. Patients were categorized as either having a primary Latarjet (PL) - defined as no prior shoulder stabilization procedure - or salvage Latarjet (SL) - defined as having at least one previous arthroscopic surgical stabilization procedure. Results A total of 234 Latarjet procedures were performed in 234 patients. The overall recurrent instability rate was 15.8% (37/234), the overall reoperation rate was 16.7% (36/234), and the overall complication rate was 14.2% (33/234) over a mean 5.0 years of follow-up. There were 99 primary Latarjet (PL) procedures and 135 salvage Latarjet (SL) procedures. The SL had significantly more recurrent instability than the PL group (PL 9/99, 9.1%; SL 28/135, 20.7%; p=0.0158). There was no difference in overall reoperation rates (PL 13/99, 13.1%; SL 26/135, 19.3%; p=0.2140) or complication rates (PL 13/99, 13.3%; SL 20/135, 14.8%; p=0.9101). Conclusion The rate of recurrent instability following the Latarjet procedure in an active, high-risk population 15.8%. Primary Latarjet was found to have lower rates of recurrence when compared to salvage Latarjet procedures (9.1% vs 20.7%). Level of Evidence Level III Evidence
O07.3 Molecular investigation of Treponema pallidum strains associated with ocular syphilis in the United States

Background Ocular syphilis cases continue to be identified in the United States since two clusters were reported in late 2014 into early 2015. Ocular syphilis (OS) is an inflammatory eye condition that can occur at any stage of syphilis with vision loss and blindness reported in some patients. We performed genotyping and whole genome sequencing (WGS) on Treponema pallidum strains from OS cases as part of molecular surveillance activities. Methods A total of 79 specimens from 57 patients with suspected or confirmed OS were received from 14 states between February 2016 and November 2020. Specimens included CSF, whole blood, serum, plasma, vitreous fluid, and a throat swab. T. pallidum DNA was detected with a real-time PCR assay targeting the polA gene. Genotyping was done using the four-component typing scheme (tpr E, G, & J; arp, tp0548, and tp0279). T. pallidum genomic DNA was enriched by selective whole genome amplification (SWGA) using Multiple Displacement Amplification (MDA) with custom oligonucleotides followed by WGS on an Illumina MiSeq v2 500 cycle platform. Results Twenty-three patients (40.4%) were MSM and HIV positive, respectively; 41 (71.9%) identified as White race, 4 (7%) Hispanic, and 3 (5.3%) Black. Twenty-three specimens from 18 (31.6%) patients tested positive for T. pallidum DNA. Thirteen of 23 (56.5%) specimens were CSF, while the remaining 10 included whole blood, serum, vitreous fluid, and a throat swab. Specimens from 3 patients were fully typed, revealing strain types 14b9g, 14d10g, and 14e9f. Six patients had partial genotypes. WGS was successful on 1 CSF and 2 vitreous fluid specimens from 2 cases resulting in 87% – 98% genome coverage with at least 5 reads/site. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the 2 strains belonged to the Street 14 clade. Conclusions Our findings show that multiple strain types are responsible for ocular syphilis in the United States.
Using cyclodextrin-induced lipid substitution to study membrane lipid and ordered membrane domain (raft) function in cells.

Abstract Methods for efficient cyclodextrin-induced lipid exchange have been developed in our lab. These make it possible to almost completely replace the lipids in the outer leaflet of artificial membranes or the plasma membranes of living cells with exogenous lipids. Lipid replacement/substitution allows detailed studies of how lipid composition and asymmetry influence the structure and function of membrane domains and membrane proteins. In this review, we both summarize progress on cyclodextrin exchange in cells, mainly by the use of methyl-alpha cyclodextrin to exchange phospholipids and sphingolipids, and discuss the issues to consider when carrying out lipid exchange experiments upon cells. Issues that impact interpretation of lipid exchange are also discussed. This includes how overly naive interpretation of how lipid exchange-induced changes in domain formation can impact protein function.
Identification of a Potent Inhibitor of CREB-Mediated Gene Transcription with Efficacious in Vivo Anticancer Activity

Recent studies have shown that nuclear transcription factor cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (CREB) is overexpressed in many different types of cancers. Therefore, CREB has been pursued as a novel cancer therapeutic target. Naphthol AS-E and its closely related derivatives have been shown to inhibit CREB-mediated gene transcription and cancer cell growth. Previously, we identified naphthamide 3a as a different chemotype to inhibit CREB’s transcription activity. In a continuing effort to discover more potent CREB inhibitors, a series of structural congeners of 3a was designed and synthesized. Biological evaluations of these compounds uncovered compound 3i (666-15) as a potent and selective inhibitor of CREB-mediated gene transcription (IC50 = 0.081 ± 0.04 μM). 666-15 also potently inhibited cancer cell growth without harming normal cells. In an in vivo MDA-MB-468 xenograft model, 666-15 completely suppressed the tumor growth without overt toxicity. These results further suppo...
Melanoma-intrinsic β-catenin signalling prevents anti-tumour immunity

Melanoma treatment is being revolutionized by the development of effective immunotherapeutic approaches. These strategies include blockade of immune-inhibitory receptors on activated T cells; for example, using monoclonal antibodies against CTLA-4, PD-1, and PD-L1 (refs 3-5). However, only a subset of patients responds to these treatments, and data suggest that therapeutic benefit is preferentially achieved in patients with a pre-existing T-cell response against their tumour, as evidenced by a baseline CD8(+) T-cell infiltration within the tumour microenvironment. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that underlie the presence or absence of a spontaneous anti-tumour T-cell response in subsets of cases, therefore, should enable the development of therapeutic solutions for patients lacking a T-cell infiltrate. Here we identify a melanoma-cell-intrinsic oncogenic pathway that contributes to a lack of T-cell infiltration in melanoma. Molecular analysis of human metastatic melanoma samples revealed a correlation between activation of the WNT/β-catenin signalling pathway and absence of a T-cell gene expression signature. Using autochthonous mouse melanoma models we identified the mechanism by which tumour-intrinsic active β-catenin signalling results in T-cell exclusion and resistance to anti-PD-L1/anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody therapy. Specific oncogenic signals, therefore, can mediate cancer immune evasion and resistance to immunotherapies, pointing to new candidate targets for immune potentiation.
On the Nature of Cyclic Dispersion in Spark Assisted HCCI Combustion

We report experimental observations of cyclic combus-tion variability during the transition between propagating flame combustion and homogeneous charge compres-sion ignition (HCCI) in a single-cylinder, stoichiometri-cally fueled, spark-assisted gasoline engine. The level of internal EGR was controlled with variable valve actua-tion (VVA), and HCCI combustion was achieved at high levels of internal EGR using the VVA system. Spark-ignition was used for conventional combustion and was optionally available during HCCI. The transition region between purely propagating combustion and HCCI was mapped at multiple engine speeds and loads by incre-mentally adjusting the internal EGR level and capturing data for 2800 sequential cycles. These measurements revealed a complex sequence of high COV, cyclic com-bustion variations when operating between the propagat-ing flame and HCCI limits. We were able to experimen-tally demonstrate an increase in the zone of acceptable HCCI-like combustion by using the spark assist. A de-tailed analysis of the cyclic variations in the intermediate zone indicates that they are dominated by nonlinear, nonrandom processes. Comparisons with previous studies of lean-limit cyclic variations suggest that nonlin-ear EGR feedback is probably the major source of the observed variations for this engine. The predictable na-ture of this feedback suggests the possibility of develop-ing on-line diagnostics and proactivemore » control algorithms for expanding stable HCCI operation and improving transitions between conventional and HCCI modes.« less
Do bank regulation and supervision matter? International evidence from the recent financial crisis

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of bank regulation and supervision on bank development, efficiency and fragility over the period of 1999-2011. Design/methodology/approach – The authors’ approach is based on a multivariate difference-in-difference model which controls for potential endogeneity of the explanatory variables and unobservable country-specific effect. The paper investigates the changes of bank outcomes and a country’s regulation and supervisory practices, in terms of capital regulation, supervisory power, private monitoring, entry into banking requirements, overall restrictions on bank activities and government ownership of banks in a sample of 53 countries with a total of 482 observations. Findings – Empirical results indicate that greater capital regulatory requirements reduce bank fragility, as measured by lower levels of non-performing loans but reduce bank efficiency, as measured by higher levels of net interest margin; supervisory practices that strengthen pri...