cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Linezolid as treatment for pulmonary Mycobacterium avium disease.

Objectives To identify the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters and exposures of linezolid in the treatment of pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease. Methods Human-derived monocytes infected with MAC were inoculated into hollow-fibre systems for dose-effect and dose-scheduling studies. We mimicked linezolid concentration-time profiles achieved in adult human lungs treated for 28 days. Sampling to confirm that the intended linezolid pharmacokinetics had been achieved, and for enumeration of MAC colony-forming units, was performed based on repetitive sampling from each system over the 28 days. We then performed 10 000 patient Monte Carlo simulations to identify doses associated with optimal effect in the clinic. Results Linezolid achieved a hitherto unprecedented feat of at least 1.0 log10 cfu/mL reduction. Efficacy was most closely linked to the AUC0-24/MIC ratio. The AUC0-24/MIC ratio associated with no change in bacterial burden or bacteriostasis was 7.82, while that associated with 1.0 log10 cfu/mL kill was 42.06. The clinical dose of 600 mg/day achieved or exceeded the bacteriostasis exposure in 98.73% of patients. The proportion of 10 000 patients treated with the standard 1200 mg/day who achieved the exposure for 1.0 log10 cfu/mL kill was 70.64%, but was 90% for 1800 mg/day. The proposed MIC breakpoint for linezolid is 16 mg/L, with which 49%-80% of clinical isolates would be considered resistant. Conclusions Linezolid is associated with a bactericidal effect in pulmonary MAC that is greater than that seen with other recommended drugs. However, because of the MIC distribution, doses that would optimize the bactericidal effect would be associated with a high adverse event rate.
Factors Contributing to Disparities in Baseline Neurocognitive Performance and Concussion Symptom Scores Between Black and White Collegiate Athletes.

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) concussion guidelines state that all NCAA athletes must have a concussion baseline test prior to commencing their competitive season. To date, little research has examined potential racial differences on baseline neurocognitive performance among NCAA athletes. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences between Black and White collegiate athletes on baseline neurocognitive performance and self-reported symptoms. A total of 597 collegiate athletes (400 White, 197 Black) participated in this study. Athletes self-reported their race on the demographic section of their pre-participation physical examination and were administered the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test (ImPACT) neurocognitive battery in a supervised, quiet room. Controlling for sex, data were analyzed using separate one-way analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) on symptom score, verbal and visual memory, visual motor processing speed, and reaction time composite scores. Results revealed significant differences between White and Black athletes on baseline symptom score (F (1,542) = 5.82, p = .01), visual motor processing speed (F (1,542) = 14.89, p < .001), and reaction time (F (1,542) = 11.50, p < .01). White athletes performed better than Black athletes on baseline visual motor processing speed and reaction time. Black athletes reported higher baseline symptom scores compared to Whites. There was no statistical difference between race on verbal memory (p = .08) and that on visual memory (p = .06). Black athletes demonstrated disparities on some neurocognitive measures at baseline. These results suggest capturing an individual baseline on each athlete, as normative data comparisons may be inappropriate for athletes of a racial minority.
What is the fate of artificial urinary sphincters among men undergoing repetitive bladder cancer treatment

Purpose Functional characteristics and durability of the artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) among patients who develop bladder cancer has been poorly characterized. We sought to evaluate AUS outcomes among patients subsequently diagnosed with bladder cancer, in order to describe device survivability when subject to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures such as cystoscopy, transurethral resection, and cystectomy. Materials and methods We retrospectively reviewed 1,803 male patients treated with AUS surgery at a single institution between 1983-2014. We describe AUS device outcomes among patients undergoing surveillance and treatment for bladder cancer. Results Following AUS placement, 14 (0.8%) patients were subsequently diagnosed with and treated for bladder cancer and 4 patients with bladder cancer undergoing treatment and screening, subsequently received AUS placement. The median follow-up from device placement was 7.2 years (interquartile range [IQR], 2.8-11.5), and the median time from AUS placement to bladder cancer diagnosis was 6 (IQR, 0-9). There were a total of 8 primary and 1 secondary devices failures. Despite a median of 2 diagnostic cystoscopies (IQR, 1-6) and 0 bladder tumor resections (IQR, 0-0) per patient following device implantation, only 1 (5.6%) patient experienced an iatrogenic erosion related to urethral manipulation. Among those undergoing cystectomy (n=4), 1 device was left in situ without complication. Conclusions Bladder cancer surveillance and treatment with an AUS device in place appears to confer minimal additional risk to AUS survival. Careful attention should be given to device deactivation and use of the smallest caliber instruments available to minimize the risk of iatrogenic urethral erosion.
California drought impact: Multimodal data representation to predict the water cycle

We present our approach for visualizing and sonifying multivariate data describing California's drought using physical data sculptures and projection-mapping images with user interactions. We provide an interaction tool to depict the causes and impact of the drought and promote awareness of water consumption. It offers an opportunity to experience a metamorphosis of water and its impact on the drought. Prototypes of an interactive multimodal data visualization and sonification depict the past, present, and future of the drought by altering water morphology (water metamorphosis) which occurs as a result of climate changes. Thus, this multimodal data representation not only provides an aesthetically meaningful visualization but also encourages good environmental stewardship using the hybrid practices of art and design. This data representation also leads to a new media interactive interface utilizing audio synthesis, visualization, and real-time interaction. In this paper, we describe the design process and illustrate how this interface was developed based on environmental issues and can also be applied to other interactive media artwork to visually reveal informative patterns.
Associations between Mindfulness Facets and PTSD Symptom Severity in Psychiatric Inpatients

The current study concurrently examined associations of mindfulness facets with PTSD symptom severity and symptom cluster severity in a trauma-exposed, psychiatric inpatient sample. Participants included 152 psychiatric inpatients (42.1% women; mage = 33.86, SD = 11.29), who reported a history of trauma exposure consistent with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders—Fifth Edition (DSM-5) PTSD Criterion A. A cross-sectional design was used to determine associations between mindfulness facets and PTSD symptom severity and symptom cluster severity. Participants completed questionnaires regarding mindfulness and PTSD symptomatology. The data were analyzed at the bivariate level as well as multivariate level through hierarchical linear regression analyses. Results revealed that the mindfulness facets of acting with awareness (β = − 0.34, p < 0.001), non-judging of inner experience (β = − 0.34, p < 0.001), and non-reactivity to inner experience (β = 0.34, p < 0.001) demonstrated significant, incremental negative associations with total PTSD symptom severity, as well as PTSD intrusions (p’s < 0.05) and negative alterations in cognitions and mood (p’s < 0.05) symptom clusters, above and beyond covariates. Covariates included total number of traumatic life events and number of psychiatric diagnoses. This study investigated associations between mindfulness facets and PTSD symptom severity in acute care, psychiatric inpatients. Mindfulness may hold significant clinical utility for trauma-exposed psychiatric inpatients with varying levels of PTSD symptom severity. Research implications and future directions are discussed.
Rapid wave modeling of severe historical extratropical cyclones off the Northeastern United States

Abstract Storms play a significant role in coastal zone hydrodynamics, morphodynamics and flooding. The US Northeast is influenced by both extratropical (e.g. nor'easters) and tropical cyclones, which produce extreme winds, storm surges and waves, and as a result erosion and coastal damage. In this study, simulations of 100 of the most severe historical extratropical cyclones in this region were used to evaluate a new, rapid numerical wave model that is a candidate model for ensemble forecasting and hazard assessment. The main tool used was a coupled hydrodynamic-wave model, forced by wind and pressure from preexisting meteorological reanalysis datasets. The coupled models were the Stevens institute Estuarine and Coastal Ocean hydrodynamic Model (sECOM) and the Mellor et al. (2008) (hereafter MDO) wave model, and includes several important physical interactions (e.g. wave setup). Wave model results were compared to offshore buoy observational data from 1980 to 2012, and a sensitivity analysis was used to evaluate important model parameters. Results show that the wave model is very accurate for wave height (Hs), with an average RMSE of 0.92 m and skill ranging from 0.7 to 0.9. Results were less accurate for average wave period (Tavg), with an average RMSE of 1.97 s and skill ranging from 0.5 to 0.7. However, a comparison with a more widely used existing rapid wave model shows a substantial improvement over those Tavg results. Large waves approach the coast in Massachusetts Bay during extratropical cyclones, leading to important wave impacts including setup, and modeled storm surge is shown to have good accuracy and no bias at Boston. These results demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of the model for rapid simulations of waves under history's most extreme extratropical cyclones, and the evaluation results and sensitivity analysis are used to suggest its appropriate uses and possible avenues of improvement.
Beamwidth in bat biosonar and man-made sonar

Beamwidth measures how a sonar system distributes emitted energy or receiver sensitivity over angle. For man-made sonars, this is considered to be of critical importance, since a small beamwidth supports high-resolution imaging. For bat biosonar, the role of beamwidth is far less clear. In order to investigate how biosonar beamwidths could compare to its man-made peers, we have compiled beamwidth data for bats (based on numerical predictions) and man-made sonar systems (based on data sheets). An analysis of this data shows that bat biosonar and man-made sonars operate in very different regimes with respect to the ratio of characteristic dimension (i.e., aperture diameter for bats and array length for man-made sonars) to wavelength. Whereas the aperture diameters of bats ranged from falling below the employed wavelength to being about 10 times larger, man-made sonars were typically at least one order of magnitude larger than the employed wavelengths and ranged up to 1000 times larger. Furthermore, for any given characteristic-dimension-to-wavelength ratio, bats showed much more variability in beamwidth than man-made sonar. In fact, the variability in the bat beamwidths was found to be as large as that in a set of random horns, which indicates a role for other determining factors.Beamwidth measures how a sonar system distributes emitted energy or receiver sensitivity over angle. For man-made sonars, this is considered to be of critical importance, since a small beamwidth supports high-resolution imaging. For bat biosonar, the role of beamwidth is far less clear. In order to investigate how biosonar beamwidths could compare to its man-made peers, we have compiled beamwidth data for bats (based on numerical predictions) and man-made sonar systems (based on data sheets). An analysis of this data shows that bat biosonar and man-made sonars operate in very different regimes with respect to the ratio of characteristic dimension (i.e., aperture diameter for bats and array length for man-made sonars) to wavelength. Whereas the aperture diameters of bats ranged from falling below the employed wavelength to being about 10 times larger, man-made sonars were typically at least one order of magnitude larger than the employed wavelengths and ranged up to 1000 times larger. Furthermore, for any ...
Assessment of Reamer Irrigator Aspirator System (RIA) filtrate for its osteoinductive potential in a validated animal model

Abstract Purpose Previous studies indicate that Reamer Irrigator Aspirator (RIA) filtrate contains proteins that have the potential to stimulate bone healing. This study aimed to determine the osteoinductive capabilities of RIA filtrate in a validated in vivo model. Methods With Institutional Review Board approval, RIA filtrates from 9 patients were collected. The filtrate was processed to remove cells and inorganic particles. A portion of each sample was set aside for protein analysis while the remainder was lyophilized and prepared for implantation. With Animal Care and Use Committee approval, athymic mice (n = 16; 32 hind limbs) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups (n = 8 limbs per group) for percutaneous gastrocnemius muscle injection of demineralized bone matrix (DBM) (10 mg), lyophilized RIA powder (10 mg), RIA liquid (10 mg of lyophilized RIA powder in 100ul phosphate buffered saline (PBS)), or DBM (10 mg) + RIA liquid (10 mg in 100ul PBS). Radiographs were obtained 2, 4, and 8 weeks after injection. At 8 weeks, mice were sacrificed and the entire gastrocnemius muscle from each hind limb was collected and processed for histologic examination. Histological sections and radiographs were assessed for ossification/calcification. Data were compared for statistically significant (p 0.7) correlations between outcome measures. Results The protein composition of RIA filtrates was consistent among patients and matched previous data. For all groups, radiographic scores were significantly (p 0.77) to radiographic scores for all groups. Conclusion RIA filtrate liquid and powder were osteoinductive in vivo with new bone formation being most abundant using a combination of DBM and RIA filtrate in this validated animal model. RIA filtrate has potential for clinical use in augmenting bone healing treatments.
The nature of lignocellulosics and their pretreatments for enzymatic hydrolysis

The imminent shortage of fossil fuels and their skyrocketing prices have intensified research for bioconversion of lignocellulosics to fuels. Lignocellulosic biomass is a renewable and low cost energy resource and is available in vast amounts. Enzymatic hydrolysis of native lignocellulosics is prohibitively slow so that it is difficult to develop an economically viable process; therefore, pretreatment is an essential prerequisite to enhance the susceptibility of lignocellulosic residues to enzyme action. This review encompasses the nature of lignocellulosic materials, the nature of lignocellulosic structural resistance to enzymatic attack, and various pretreatment methods and their mechanisms.
Genome Structure of Mouse Hepatitis Virus: Comparative Analysis by Oligonucleotide Mapping

Several natural variants of mouse hepatitis viruses have been compared by the T1-oligonucleotide fingerprinting technique. In general, they have aiverged quite extensively. However, MHV-3, a hepatotropic strain, and A59, a nonpathogenic strain, were found to be extremely related. Yet, each of them contains 2–4 specific oligonucleotides. One of the MHV-3-specific oligonucleotides was mapped in 30S poly(A)-containing RNA or 6–7 Kb from the 3-end and the other near the 5′-end of the genome. These two genetic regions might be associated with viral pathogenicity. In addition, two JHM plaque variants, DL producing large plaques and DS producing small plaques, were also compared. They share almost all T1-oligonucleotides, but each contains one unique spot. The DL-specific oligonucleotide was mapped in 21S poly(A)-containing RNA or at about 4 kb from the 3′-end. Finally, the MHV genome was found to contain the “cap” structure, confirming that it is a positive-stranded RNA.
Semantic information system: applications in K-12 education

This paper focuses on the development of a Semantic Information System (SIS), its multicasting applications aiming at facilitating K-12 education, and their integration with a Semantic Network established in the CSULA SPACE Center [1]. The SIS facilitates the generation of objectized contents in a collaborative fashion among the classroom participants who may be identified as "birds of a feather (BoF)." The ubiquity of video conferencing enhances the distance-learning communication and eliminates students' need to be in classroom settings. In order to effectively accommodate this model the SIS interface provides a collection of effortless controls while Extensible Markup Language (XML) is used to define the syntax based on the content structure [2]. These efforts permit a seamless integration of the objectizing programming components using a "Tuple Space" programming paradigm [3]. SIS allows its users to generate educational information, disseminate this information to other users, and provide various functionalities that support real-time teamwork environment with full control of these abilities administered by the classroom instructor. For example, upper graders can have the permission to generate and disseminate new information as well as retrieve information from their peers. Low graders on the other hand can be restricted to retrieval of existing information.
THE QUADRATIC CRITERION PROBLEM FOR SYSTEMS GOVERNED BY RETARDED FUNCTIONAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS AND A MODAL ANALYSIS APPROXIMATION PROCEDURE

The quadratic criterion problem for systems governed by functional differential equations has been tackled using dynamic programming arguments in a space of continuous functions in several papers such as [10], [15], [2], [9], [1] and [15]. The solution is obtained in feedback form and the gain matrices satisfy a coupled set of first order partial differential equations. Working in the 2 Hilbert space M2 (see [4]) and using the direct method of Lions [12], Delfour and Mitter [5] have obtained the solution in terms of a M2 operator which satisfies (analogously to the ordinary differential equation case) an abstract Riccati differential operator equation. From this equation it is possible to deduce the coupled set of first order partial differential equations satisfied by the gain matrices [13], [7].
Structural basis for polymerase η–promoted resistance to the anticancer nucleoside analog cytarabine

Cytarabine (AraC) is an essential chemotherapeutic for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and resistance to this drug is a major cause of treatment failure. AraC is a nucleoside analog that differs from 2'-deoxycytidine only by the presence of an additional hydroxyl group at the C2' position of the 2'-deoxyribose. The active form of the drug AraC 5'-triphosphate (AraCTP) is utilized by human replicative DNA polymerases to insert AraC at the 3' terminus of a growing DNA chain. This impedes further primer extension and is a primary basis for the drug action. The Y-family translesion synthesis (TLS) DNA polymerase η (Polη) counteracts this barrier to DNA replication by efficient extension from AraC-terminated primers. Here, we provide high-resolution structures of human Polη with AraC incorporated at the 3'-primer terminus. We show that Polη can accommodate AraC at different stages of the catalytic cycle, and that it can manipulate the conformation of the AraC sugar via specific hydrogen bonding and stacking interactions. Taken together, the structures provide a basis for the ability of Polη to extend DNA synthesis from AraC terminated primers.
Constrasting methodologies for expanding microfinance outreach to the rural poor: trade-offs and lessons from Mexico's Patmir Project

PATMIR (Project of Technical Assistance for Rural Microfinance) began in Mexico as an initiative aimed at expanding outreach of financial services to the rural poor in a sustainable manner. Using international technical assistance, three primary methodologies were employed in 34 cooperatives: i.) creating new cooperatives, ii.) strengthening existing cooperatives, and iii.) encouraging existing institutions to expand into underserved areas. Various outreach indicators, including two composite measures, were calculated to compare across institutions. In general, new and expanding cooperatives attained better depth of outreach than the strengthened institutions. While it is true that some of the smaller subsidized institutions have nearly all of their clients meeting the prototypical PATMIR outreach standards, it is important to recognize that larger institutions can and do serve the same segment of marginalized clients in addition to their middle and upper income clients. This strategy has advantages in that it allows for portfolio diversification, liquidity management, economies of scale, and financial viability. There does appear to be a trade-off between many measures of outreach and sustainability. A higher dependence on subsidies is correlated with better depth of outreach, smaller loan and deposit sizes, and lower staff productivity. Not surprisingly, institutions trying to serve a large, rural area per branch have impressive depth of outreach and lower average loan sizes. However, these institutions have a greater reliance on subsidies, lower staff productivity, and higher transaction costs for clients in the form of travel time. There was no clear winner among methodologies as certain cooperatives from each category achieved both outreach and sustainability. New institutions have strong outreach indicators and are making strides to becoming sustainable. However, there is a large start-up cost in time, training, and resources. Existing institutions start with potentially significant scale, but face ingrained corporate culture that can impede necessary changes. To the extent that the management is committed to attaining a deeper outreach and the new portfolio is cost effective, more existing institutions will be inclined to serve marginalized groups.
Accelerated Gradient Play Algorithm for Distributed Nash Equilibrium Seeking

We study distributed algorithms for seeking a Nash equilibrium in a class of non-cooperative games with strongly monotone mappings. Each player has access to her own smooth local cost function and can communicate to her neighbors in some undirected graph. We first consider a distributed gradient play algorithm, which we call GRANE, for determining a Nash equilibrium. The algorithm involves every player performing a gradient step to minimize her own cost function while sharing and retrieving information locally among her neighbors in the network. We prove the convergence of this algorithm to a Nash equilibrium with a geometric rate. Further, we introduce the Nesterov type acceleration for the gradient play algorithm. We demonstrate that, similarly to the accelerated algorithms in centralized optimization and variational inequality problems, our accelerated algorithm outperforms GRANE in the convergence rate.
Spotlight on liposomal irinotecan for metastatic pancreatic cancer: patient selection and perspectives

Pancreatic cancer is a highly lethal disease, where the mortality closely matches increasing incidence. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common histologic type that tends to metastasize early in tumor progression. For metastatic PDAC, gemcitabine had been the mainstay treatment for the past three decades. The treatment landscape has changed since 2010, and current first-line chemotherapy includes triplet drugs like FOLFIRINOX (folinic acid, 5-fluorouracil, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin), and doublet agents like nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine. Nanoliposomal encapsulated irinotecan (nal-IRI) was developed as a novel formulation to improve drug delivery, effectiveness, and limit toxicities. Nal-IRI, in combination with leucovorin-modulated fluorouracil (5-FU/LV), was found in a large randomized phase III clinical trial (NAPOLI-1) to significantly improve overall survival in patients who progressed on gemcitabine-based therapy. This review will focus on the value of using nal-IRI, toxicities, recent clinical experiences, and tools to improve patient outcomes in this setting.
RRAM/memristor for computing

Abstract Memristors are effectively variable resistors whose resistance can be modified electrically. This state of internal resistance is a function of the history of the applied voltage or current. Such devices have the ability to store and process data and provide for several attractive performance characteristics that make it more capable at solving modern day computing problems compared to conventional complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)-based technology. These devices are often built out of a simple conductor/insulator/conductor stack and the insulator is often comprised of a metal oxide. Although, the idea for such devices was conceived as early as the 1960s, only recent progress in the field has been able to achieve very desirable features such as fast operation speed, low-energy consumption, and high endurance. Apart from that, these devices can be scaled down to less than 10 nm and stacked in three dimensions. In this chapter, we review recent progress in the development and understanding of memristive devices. We also explore how memristive devices have been used by the community in useful computing applications.
Surgical Repair of Ebstein's Anomaly Using a Bicuspidization Approach.

Background Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve is a rare and heterogeneous form of congenital heart defect. The purpose of this study was to review the surgical experience with Ebstein's anomaly at a single institution. Methods This was a retrospective review of 47 patients with Ebstein's anomaly who were previously unrepaired and underwent surgical repair of the tricuspid valve. Our surgical approach repairs the leaflets at the preexisting level and does not attempt to reposition the hinge points at the anatomic annulus. The median age at surgery was 17 years (range, 2-53). Preoperatively the median degree of tricuspid regurgitation was graded as moderate-to-severe, and the median right ventricular function was slightly below normal. Results Forty-seven patients underwent surgical repair without any mortality. Forty-three patients (91%) had a successful repair as evidenced by a decrease in the amount of tricuspid regurgitation to trace/mild. Four patients (9%) had an unsuccessful initial repair. Thirteen patients (29%) underwent a concomitant bidirectional Glenn procedure. Eight patients (17%) required late reoperation. Seven of these 8 patients initially had undergone a successful repair but returned with recurrent tricuspid regurgitation. Six of the 8 late reoperations entailed a re-repair, whereas 2 (4%) required tricuspid valve replacement. Conclusions The bicuspidization surgical technique resulted in 91% percent of patients undergoing a successful initial repair. These results suggest this technique may be a viable alternative to the "cone" procedure.
Concurrent and lagged associations of prescription opioid use with pain and negative affect in the daily lives of chronic pain patients.

Objective Prescribed opioids for chronic pain management contribute significantly to the opioid crisis. There is a need to understand the real-world benefits that, despite risks, lead chronic pain patients to persist in opioid use. Negative reinforcement models of addiction posit that individuals use substances to reduce aversive states but have seldom been applied to prescribed opioids. Using ecological momentary assessment, we examined reciprocal associations between opioid use and physical pain, for which opioids are prescribed, and negative affect (NA), for which they are not. Method Chronic low back pain patients on long-term opioid therapy (n = 34) without significant past-year opioid misuse reported multiple times daily via smartphone over 2 weeks (nobservations = 2,285). We hypothesized that pain and NA would be positively associated with subsequent opioid use, and that use would be negatively associated with subsequent pain and NA. Results Time-lagged multilevel models indicated that participants were more likely to use opioids and in larger doses following elevated pain and NA. There was also an interaction of concurrent pain and NA on opioid dose. In turn, participants reported reduced pain and NA following larger doses. Additionally, individuals at high risk for opioid misuse, compared with low risk, took larger doses following pain, but also experienced smaller subsequent pain and NA reductions. Conclusions Opioid use was bidirectionally associated with pain and NA. Findings fit negative reinforcement models associated with risk of developing opioid use disorder. Educating patients and providers about negative reinforcement may help reduce opioid use and opioid-associated risks. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
The Great War: from memory to history

Now that the centenary of the Great War has passed, it is time to reflect on what difference it made on the way historians think about the war. Reviewing in 2019 this collection of essays surroundi...
The complement system

Abstract The complement system is the human’s first line of defense against microbial pathogens, and it holds important housekeeping and infection/inflammation control roles. It is composed of a series of soluble and cell-bound proteins that are activated in a cascade effect, similar to the coagulation pathways. There are different pattern-recognizing molecules that activate the complement system in response to different stimuli or threats, and three known complement activation pathways: classical, lectin, and alternative. All pathways converge at the C3 component. The main outputs of the complement system action are cell lysis, pro-inflammatory anaphylatoxins, and opsonization of targets. Laboratory testing is relevant in the setting of suspected complement deficiencies, autoimmune diseases, and a series of complement-mediated injuries. Most common assays measure complement lytic activity and the different complement component concentrations. Specialized testing includes evaluation of autoantibodies against complement components, activation fragments, and genetic studies.
General Relativistic Simulations of the Quasicircular Inspiral and Merger of Charged Black Holes: GW150914 and Fundamental Physics Implications

We perform general-relativistic simulations of charged black holes targeting GW150914. We show that the inspiral is most efficient for detecting black hole charge through gravitational waves and that GW150914 is compatible with having charge-to-mass ratio as high as 0.3. Our work applies to electric and magnetic charge and to theories with black holes endowed with U(1) (hidden or dark) charges. Using our results, we place an upper bound on the deviation from general relativity in the dynamical strong-filed regime of Moffat's modified gravity.
Exposure of Human Skin Models to KrCl Excimer Lamps: The Impact of Optical Filtering

Far-UVC radiation is a promising technology that is potentially both effective at killing airborne microbes such as coronaviruses and influenza, and being minimally hazardous to the skin and eyes. Our previous studies on health risks from far-UVC have employed a krypton-chloride (KrCl) excimer lamp, emitting principally at 222 nm, supplemented with an optical filter to remove longer wavelength emissions inherent to these lamps. This study explores KrCl lamp health hazards by comparing filtered and unfiltered KrCl lamps using effective spectral irradiance calculations and experimental skin exposures. Analysis of effective irradiances showed a notable increase in allowable exposure when using a filter. Induction of DNA dimers (CPD and 6-4PP) was measured in human skin models exposed to a range of radiant exposures up to 500 mJ cm-2 . Compared to sham-exposed tissues, the unfiltered KrCl lamps induced a statistically significant increase in the yield of both DNA lesions at all the radiant exposures studied. Conversely, filtered KrCl lamps do not induce increased levels of dimers at the current daily TLV exposure limit for 222 nm (23 mJ cm-2 ). This work supports the use of filters for far-UVC KrCl excimer lamps when used to limit disease transmission in occupied locations.
Credentialing, Certification, and Peer Review Essentials for the Neurosurgeon

Credentialing and certification are essential processes during hiring to ensure that the physician is competent and possesses the qualifications and skill sets claimed. Peer review ensures the continuing evolution of these skills to meet a standard of care. We have provided an overview and discussion of these processes in the United States. Credentialing is the process by which a physician is determined to be competent and able to practice, used to ensure that medical staff meets specific standards, and to grant operative privileges at an institution. Certification is a standardized affirmation of a physician's competence on a nationwide basis. Although not legally required to practice in the United States, many institutions emphasize certification for full privileges on an ongoing basis at a hospital. In the United States, peer review of adverse events is a mandatory prerequisite for accreditation. The initial lack of standardization led to the development of the Health Care Quality Improvement Act, which protects those involved in the peer review process from litigation, and the National Provider Databank, which was established as a national database to track misconduct. A focus on quality improvement in the peer review process can lead to improved performance and patient outcomes. A thorough understanding of the processes of credentialing, certification, and peer review in the United States will benefit neurosurgeons by allowing them to know what institutions are looking for as well and their rights and responsibilities in any given situation. It could also be useful to compare these policies and practices in the United States to those in other countries.
The Arabidopsis thaliana papain-like cysteine protease RD21 interacts with a root-knot nematode effector protein

The root-knot nematode Meloidogyne chitwoodisecretes effector proteins into the cells of host plants to manipulate plant-derived processes in order to achieve successful parasitism. Mc1194 is a M. chitwoodieffector that is highly expressed in pre-parasitic second-stage juvenile nematodes. Yeast two-hybrid assays revealed Mc1194 specifically interacts with a papain-like cysteine protease (PLCP), RD21A in Arabidopsis thaliana. Mc1194 interacts with both the protease and granulin domains of RD21A. PLCPs are targeted by effectors secreted by bacterial, fungal and oomycete pathogens and the hypersusceptibility of rd21-1mutants to M. chitwoodiindicates RD21A plays a role in plant-parasitic nematode infection.
Functional Impairment and Cognition in Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a common, chronic and severe mental disorder, affecting approximately 2% of the adult population. Bipolar disorder causes substantial psychosocial morbidity that frequently affects the patient's marriage, children, occupation, and other aspects of the patient's life. Few studies have examined the functional impairment in patients with affective illness. Earlier outcome studies of mania reported favorable long-term outcomes. However, modern outcome studies have found that a majority of bipolar patients evidence high rates of functional impairment. These low reports of functional recovery rates are particularly surprising. The basis for such limited functional recovery is not entirely clear. Factors associated with functional dysfunction include presence of inter-episode symptoms, neuroleptic treatment, lower social economic class, and lower premorbid function. Cognitive dysfunction, a symptom domain of schizophrenia, has been identified as an important measure of outcome in the treatment of schizophrenia. Recently, there has been some suggestion that there may be impaired neuropsychological performance in euthymic patients with recurring mood disorders. Whether impaired neuropsychological performance in associated with the functional impairment in bipolar patients who have achieved syndromal recovery is an intriguing question. The literature on functional impairment and cognition in bipolar disorder is reviewed.
Results from the Simulations of Geopotential Coefficient Estimation from Gravity Gradients

New information of the short and medium wavelength components of the geopotential is expected from the measurements of gravity gradients made by the future European Space Agency (ESA) Aristoteles and the NASA Superconducting Gravity Gradiometer (SGG) missions. In this paper, results are presented from preliminary simulations concerning the estimation of the spherical harmonic coefficients of the geopotential expansion from gravity gradients data.
Mycobacterium Avium Complex

The M. Avium Complex Epidemiology of the M. Avium Complex Ecology of the M. Avium Complex Transmission of the M. Avium Complex Molecular Epidemiology of the M. Avium Complex Methods for Working with the M. Avium Complex Growth and Physiological Ecology of the M. Avium Complex Disinfection Resistance of the M. Avium Complex Antimicrobial Resistance of the M. Avium Complex Keywords: mycobacterium avium; pathogens, bacterial
Complacency and Constitutional Law

We yearn for blind and disembodied Justice. Yet we also expect and quietly hope that in the end, in a vital case, a great Justice will let the mask slip just a bit. We expect the Court to be tough and neutral and above the fray-but we also want it to come through in the crunch. In other words, we assign to the court the Bogart role in "Casablanca."
Job Structure and Organizational Burnout: A Study of Public School Bus Drivers, Bus Aides, Mechanics, and Clerical Workers

This study examines the relationship between job structure and the different dimensions of job burnout. The study has two related empirical components. First, the authors administered Karasek's job control inventory to workers across four occupational categories at multiple sites in one organization to explore how different positions in a single organization vary systematically in terms of job demands and decision latitude. This analysis confirms that different occupational groups are distinguished by different levels of control and job latitude. In the second phase of analysis the authors relate these differences to distinct submeasures of Maslach, Jackson, and Leiter's organizational burnout inventory, finding that individuals in distinct occupational categories experience different forms of burnout. These results suggest the need to address the conditions of specific occupations in organizational development efforts to mitigate the risk of worker burnout and its associated costs.
PLASMA AMINO ACIDS IN YOUNG AND OLDER ADULT HUMAN SUBJECTS.

Nineteen amino acids were determined in the plasma of young and older individuals by the chromatographic procedure of Moore, Spackman, and Stein (7,8). Of the essential amino acids, valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, and lysine were found to be lower in older subjects. In all, 11 of the 19 amino acids studied showed lower values in these individuals, indicating some differences in protein metabolism between the elderly and younger adults.
Systems engineering tools

There are many definitions and perceptions of "system" and "system engineer". There are also many computer-aided tools that claim to be "systems engineering" tools. Many of these are highly productive in a narrowly defined problem domain. Others are more generic, but still cover only a subset of a system engineer's tasks. We find a shortage of tools that fit the broad needs of system engineers well. Therefore, we have designed and are prototyping a systems engineering design tool. By evaluating this tool on selected projects, we hope to: expose the target community to computer-aided system engineering tools, assess the cultural fit and effective methodologies, and refine the requirements and implementation methods. In addition to providing some badly needed capabilities, evaluation of this prototype allows us to expose the system engineering community to a new class of tools. >
Single-dose cefotetan versus multidose cefoxitin for prophylaxis in cesarean section in high-risk patients

A prospective, randomized, open trial of a single intravenous dose of a new broad-spectrum and long-acting cephalosporin was compared with the effect of three doses of cefoxitin in a group of 70 women undergoing cesarean section who were at high risk for postoperative endomyometritis and wound infection. All patients either had ruptured membranes or were in active labor, or both, without clinically detectable chorioamnionitis at the time of prophylaxis. Forty-six women received a single 2 gm dose of cefotetan and 24 received 2 gm of cefoxitin every 4 hours to complete a three-dose regimen. Outcomes of infectious febrile morbidity due to endomyometritis (15% versus 8%), wound erythema (4% versus 12%), and other parameters were similar for cefotetan and cefoxitin, respectively. Both agents were well tolerated in this high-risk population. Within the limits of this study, single-dose cefotetan chemoprophylaxis appears to be comparable to multidose cefoxitin administration in reducing morbidity in operative site infections after cesarean section.
Diffusion coefficient measurements in microfluidic devices.

Four methods for measuring diffusion coefficients were compared on a microfabricated fluidic device using rhodamine 6G as the analyte. The measurements were made using a static imaging method and three dynamic methods-stopped flow, varying the applied potential (E-field method), and varying the detection length (length method). Under conditions where analyte-wall interactions (adsorption) are minimized, e.g. in a 50/50 (v/v) methanol/aqueous buffer, the stopped flow (2.71+/-0.09x10(-6) cm(2) s(-1)), E-field (2.684+/-0.005x10(-6) cm(2) s(-1)) and the static imaging (2.69+/-0.02x10(-6) cm(2) s(-1)) measurements were all within experimental error of one another and previously reported values. Under 100% aqueous conditions, however, the diffusion coefficient measured dynamically was 11% larger than that measured statically. Diffusion coefficients for rhodamine B, fluorescein, 2',7'dichloro-fluorescein (DCF), rhodamine 6G, tetramethylrhodamine labeled glutamic acid and isoleucine, and fluorescein conjugated bovine serum albumin and ovalbumin were also measured using the static imaging method.
The elastic scattering of 30.5 mev alpha-particles from Ni, Cu and Au

Abstract The angular distributions of 30 MeV alpha particles elastically scattered from Au, Cu, and Ni have been measured and compared to pure Coulomb scattering. A sensitive comparison of the Cu and Ni data was made by comparing the ratio of Cu to Ni from experiment to that which would be expected if diffraction scattering were the only contributing process. An absence of a significant compound elastic contribution is concluded.
Evaluation of increases in nerve terminal-dependent vs nerve terminal-independent compartments of GABA in vivo

Abstract Evaluation of increases in nerve terminal-dependent and nerve terminal-independent compartments of GABA in vivo . Changes in GABA occurring in the absence and in the presence of GABAergic nerve terminals were estimated using rats in which the GABAergic projection to the substantia nigra (SN) was destroyed on one side of the brain. The net increase in GABA content of the GABA-denervated SN was compared with that of the intact SN after injection of amino-oxyacetic acid (AOAA), n-dipropylacetate (DPA) and γ-vinyl GABA (GVG). One week post-operative, GABA concentration in the SN on the transected hemisphere was 10–20% of control. AOAA (30 mg/kg) produced a two-fold increase in GABA content in the denervated SN, whereas DPA (300 mg/kg) was without effect. Since DPA caused an increase in GABA in the intact SN which was similar to that caused by AOAA (25–30%), it appears that the DPA induced elevation of GABA depends upon the presence of GABAergic nerve terminals whereas AOAA primarily elevates GABA in non-nerve-terminal compartments. GVG, an irreversible GABA-T inhibitor, increased GABA levels in both compartments. The predominant effect of GVG was on nerve terminal-independent GABA (4-fold increase after 900 mg/kg); the GABA increase associated with nerve terminals was smaller (30%) and did not appear until 60 hr after a single injection of GVG. The ability of DPA, AOAA and GVG to protect against chemically- and electrically-induced seizures was directly correlated with increases in nerve-terminal GABA, and not related to increases in other GABA pools.
Floating-point arithmetic with 84-bit numbers

A classic and straightforward technique is presented which is not limited to the size or type of number representation used or multiple precision arithmetic.
Watershed-scale modeling of streamflow change in incised montane meadows

Land use practices have caused stream channel incision and water table decline in many montane meadows of the Western United States. Incision changes the magnitude and timing of streamflow in water supply source watersheds, a concern to resource managers and downstream water users. The hydrology of montane meadows under natural and incised conditions was investigated using watershed simulation for a range of hydrologic conditions. The results illustrate the interdependence between: watershed and meadow hydrology; bedrock and meadow aquifers; and surface and groundwater flow through the meadow for the modeled scenarios. During the wet season, stream incision resulted in less overland flow and interflow and more meadow recharge causing a net decrease in streamflow and increase in groundwater storage relative to natural meadow conditions. During the dry season, incision resulted in less meadow evapotranspiration and more groundwater discharge to the stream causing a net increase in streamflow and a decrease in groundwater storage relative to natural meadow conditions. In general, for a given meadow setting, the magnitude of change in summer streamflow and long-term change in watershed groundwater storage due to incision will depend on the combined effect of: reduced evapotranspiration in the eroded meadow; induced groundwater recharge; replenishment of dry season groundwater storage depletion in meadow and bedrock aquifers by precipitation during wet years; and groundwater storage depletion that is not replenished by precipitation during wet years.
Effect of paramagnetism and spin - orbit scattering on Hc2 of Zr - Nb alloys

Abstract An expansion for the temperature dependence of Hc2(T) in the realm T/Tc ⪡ 1 is developed from the recent theories of Werthamer et al. and of Maki and is used to analyze our data for several Zr-Nb alloys. These theories do not consistently account for the temperature dependence of Hc2(T) in these alloys for both low temperatures and for T near Tc.
Decision Net, Directed Graph, And Neural Net Processing Of Imaging Spectrometer Data

A decision-net solution involving a novel hierarchical classifier and a set of multiple directed graphs, as well as a neural-net solution, are respectively presented for large-class problem and mixture problem treatments of imaging spectrometer data. The clustering method for hierarchical classifier design, when used with multiple directed graphs, yields an efficient decision net. New directed-graph rules for reducing local maxima as well as the number of perturbations required, and the new starting-node rules for extending the reachability and reducing the search time of the graphs, are noted to yield superior results, as indicated by an illustrative 500-class imaging spectrometer problem.