cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unrelated donor marrow transplantation therapy for chronic myelogenous leukemia: initial experience of the National Marrow Donor Program

In the interval from December 1987 to November 1990, 196 consecutive patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) received unrelated donor marrow transplantation using marrow procured by the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) at 21 NMDP-affiliated marrow transplant centers. Baseline donor and recipient data as well as follow-up data were obtained systematically in all cases by the NMDP. The median interval from the initiation of a search for an unrelated donor to bone marrow transplantation was 8.4 months (range, 1.7 to 34.6 months). Median age of the recipients was 33.3 years (4.5 to 54.5 years). Seventy-five recipients were female and 121 were male. At time of transplant, 115 patients were in chronic phase, 51 in accelerated phase, 14 in blast crisis, and 16 in a second or subsequent chronic phase. In 133 cases, donors and recipients were identical at the HLA A, B, and DR loci using standard serologic typing, and in 63 cases, there was nonidentity at one HLA locus. Patients were prepared for transplantation with a combination of high-dose chemotherapy and total body irradiation (N = 169) or with high-dose chemotherapy only (N = 27). Thirty-five patients received marrow depleted ex vivo of T lymphocytes, whereas 161 patients received non-T-depleted marrow. One hundred seventy-four of 196 patients engrafted (absolute neutrophil count > or = 500/mm3 for 3 consecutive days). The median time to engraftment was 22 days (6 to 69 days). Twenty-two patients failed to engraft, and an additional 10 patients experienced late graft failure. The incidence of grades III or IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was 0.54 +/- 0.10, and that of extensive chronic GVHD was 0.52 +/- 0.12. A lower incidence of both grades III and IV acute GVHD (P = .0003) and of extensive chronic GVHD (P = .01) were independently associated with use of T-depleted marrow. The actuarial incidence of hematologic relapse at 2 years is 0.11 +/- 0.06. The 2-year actuarial incidence of disease-free survival for patients transplanted in first chronic phase within 1 year of diagnosis is 0.45 +/- 0.21, in chronic phase more than 1 year from diagnosis is 0.36 +/- 0.11, in accelerated phase is 0.27 +/- 0.12, in second or subsequent chronic phase is 0.22 +/- 0.21, and in blast crisis is 0. Fifteen of 55 patients transplanted at 40 to 50 years of age survive.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Adrift toward Empire: The Lost Porticus Octavia in Rome and the Origins of the Imperial Fora

In seeking the origins of the celebrated portico-framed fora of Imperial Rome, John R. Senseney explores the earliest recognizable example of this architectural type, a lost porticus of the 160s BCE built by the victorious commander Gnaeus Octavius. Adrift toward Empire: The Lost Porticus Octavia in Rome and the Origins of the Imperial Fora adduces ancient testimony to aid our understanding of the purposes and formal appearance of this pivotal monument. While the author suggests that Octavius emulated a Hellenistic model, he does not posit that the patron necessarily sought to associate his triumph with those of his Greek forebears. Those meanings did, however, become attached to the building type by later viewers and the architects who created the Imperial fora. In order to appreciate this phenomenon, the author questions the usefulness of fixed categories like "Hellenistic" and "Roman" and argues for a history sensitive to the fluidic intentions and changing meanings of architecture.
Discrete wave-number representation of seismic-source wave fields

A method based on a discrete horizontal wave-number representation of seismic-source wave fields is developed and applied to the study of the near-field of a seismic source embedded in a layered medium. The discretization results from a periodicity assumption in the description of the source. The problem is basically two-dimensional but its extension to three dimensions is sometimes feasible. The source is quite general and is represented through its body-force equivalents. Tests of the accuracy of the method are made against Garvin's (1956) analytical solution (a buried line source in a half-space) and against Niazy's (1973) results for a propagating fault in an infinite medium. In both cases, a remarkably good agreement is found. The method is applied to the modeling of the San Fernando earthquake, and to the computation of synthetic seismograms at short distance from a complex source in a layered medium. In particular, we show that the high acceleration-high frequency phase of the Pacoima Dam records is due to the Rayleigh wave from the point of ground breakage. Other high-acceleration phases, predicted by our model, are associated with the shear-wave arrival from the hypocenter or result from changes in the fault orientation.
Abstract 756: Pharmacokinetics of curcumin and curcumin O-glucuronide in healthy volunteers characterized by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Purpose: To develop and validate a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method (LC-MS/MS) for simultaneous quantification of curcumin and curcumin O-glucuronide (COG) in human plasma, and to characterize the pharmacokinetics (PK) of curcumin and COG in healthy volunteers after separate oral administrations of Curcumin C3 Complex (CC3C) and nano-emulsion Curcumin (NEC) using this method. Methods: The study was conducted at The Ohio State University (OSU) with the approval of the OSU Institutional Review Board. CC3C and NEC were administered orally to four healthy volunteers and plasma levels of curcumin and COG were determined by a validated LC-MS/MS method. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using WinNonlin computer software. Clinical safety assessment included vital signs and biochemical measurement on the day of each PK study and three weeks following each PK study to monitor potential toxicity. A mixed effect model was used for comparing the concentration of curcumin or COG at each time point after the oral consumption of CC3C or NEC across each donor using SAS 9.2 software. Results: An LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous quantification of curcumin and COG in human plasma with the lower limit of quantification of 2 ng/mL was established. The within-day and between-day validation parameters were consistent with the Food and Drug Administration9s (FDA) criteria for Good Laboratory Practice analytical methods. A cross-over pharmacokinetic study in the four healthy volunteers revealed that 2g NEC delivered much higher plasma concentrations of free curcumin (1.5-8.0 ng/mL vs. non-detectable, p Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 756. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-756
Functional outcomes of partial prostate ablation and focal therapy: are we managing expectations of a bar set too high?

Purpose of reviewProstate ablation treatments have long been utilized although a recent shift away from whole gland ablation has occurred in an effort to decrease side-effects. Interest in this form of focal treatment has developed following encouraging initial reports suggesting feasibility, safety
Reduced total and cause-specific mortality from walking and running in diabetes.

ABSTRACTPurposeThis study aimed to assess the relationships of running and walking to mortality in diabetic subjects.MethodsWe studied the mortality surveillance between January 1, 1989 and December 31, 2008, of 2160 participants of the National Walkers’ and Runners’ Health Studies who reported usin
Intravenous Deoxycytidine Therapy in a Patient with Adenosine Deaminase Deficiency

Adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency usually results in severe combined immunodeficiency disease. Without therapy, these children usually die from overwhelming infections. The most successful therapy remains bone marrow transplantation from a histocompatible sibling donor. Efforts at a biochemical approach have focused on enzyme replacement using repeated transfusions from ADA-positive donors (Polmar et al., 1976). Unfortunately, only a relatively few patients with ADA deficiency have histocompatible siblings to provide a bone marrow transplant and less than 50% of patients with ADA deficiency show a significant response to red cell transfusions. In addition, there are significant risks of repeated red cell transfusions, including iron overload, transfusion reactions, and viral infections.
Onion Thrips (Thrips tabaci Lind.) Infesting Cabbage

Infestations of thrips, principally Thrips tabaci Lind., but including small numbers of Frankliniella fusca (Hinds), F. tritici (Fitch), F. exigua Hood, and F. tenuicornis (Uzel) have seriously damaged maturing fresh market cabbage in production fields in eastern Iowa. On the basis of trapping records, the thrips apparently migrated from alfalfa and winter wheat where they had attained great numbers which were counted in periodic samplings. The thrips were not controlled by DDT nor, in fact, by other compounds after they had become established within the cabbage head. A series of insecticides were compared in field plots in 1956 and 1957 through a method of visual rating of relative plant damage at harvest. Heptachlor was the most effective in preventing thrips damage. Following a weekly schedule of applications of heptachlor at one-half pound per acre the marketable crop was increased 30% above that of untreated check plots where losses ranged from 36 to 39% of the crop. The problem of thrips damage to cabbage, though not widely recognized is potentially serious.
Role of serum procalcitonin in clinical diagnosis of severe pneumonia

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of serum procalcitonin(PCT)in the diagnosis of severe pneumonia. Methods Choose 40 cases of patients with severe pneumonia(group 1),35 cases of mild pneumonia patients(group second),35 cases of healthy subjects(Group Third)as the object of study,compare the serum procalcitonin and prognosis index in both groups. Results PCT values in the first group(6.01±7.12)ng/mL,second groups(0.81±0.72)ng/mL,third groups (0.12±0.11)ng/mL. Conclusion The level of serum procalcitonin can reflect the severity of pneumonia patients,and can be used as an important index of judging prognosis.
Disorders of Phagocytic Function: Diagnosis and Treatment

Phagocytosis denotes a process by which cells engulf and internalize sizable extracellular objects, including bacteria. Phagocytes, the cells that carry out phagocytosis, include neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, and eosinophils. These specialized white blood cells play an important role in defending the body against infection. There are a number of disorders of phagocytic function that can result in human disease (Table 1). Because disorders of phagocytic function usually impair the immune system, most fall under the more general category of primary immunodeficiencies.
Is Your Tutorial Pretty or Pretty Useless? Creating Effective Tutorials with the Principles of Multimedia Learning.

ABSTRACTWith the proliferation of free and easy-to-use tools to make online tutorials, many libraries have been creating online tutorials for their users. These cover everything from showing users how to navigate the databases to covering issues like copyright and evaluation. While the tutorials range from entertaining to rather dry, many of them, regardless of their entertainment value, do not employ the methods that can lead to deeper learning. Mayer (2014a) has explored the concepts and research around online tutorials in The Cambridge Handbook of Multimedia Learning. The principles covered in the handbook and in the related research can be quite counterintuitive for those of us who create online tutorials. This article explores these principles as they relate to tutorials created for library instruction. Additional research to expand on and support Mayer's principles will be discussed to provide evidence-based strategies for deepening learning and reducing elements that detract from learning.
On the Progenitor of the Type IIb Supernova 2016gkg

Author(s): Kilpatrick, CD; Foley, RJ; Abramson, LE; Pan, YC; Lu, CX; Williams, P; Treu, T; Siebert, MR; Fassnacht, CD; Max, CE | Abstract: We present a detection in pre-explosion Hubble Space Telescope (HST) imaging of a point source consistent with being the progenitor star of the Type IIb supernova (SN IIb) 2016gkg. Post-explosion imaging from the Keck adaptive optics system was used to perform relative astrometry between the Keck and HST imaging. We identify a single point source in the HST images coincident with the SN position to 0.89σ. The HST photometry is consistent with the progenitor star being an A0 Ia star with T = 9500 K and log (L/L⊙) = 5.15. We find that the SN 2016gkg progenitor star appears more consistent with binary than single-star evolutionary models. In addition, early-time light-curve data from SN 2016gkg revealed a rapid rise in luminosity within ~0.4 d of non-detection limits, consistent with models of the cooling phase after shock break-out. We use these data to determine an explosion date of 2016 September 20.15 and progenitor-star radius of log (R/R⊙) = 2.41, which agrees with photometry from the progenitor star. Our findings are also consistent with detections of other SNe IIb progenitor stars, although more luminous and bluer than most other examples.
Towards Automated Conflict Resolution In Air Traffic Control 1

Abstract This paper describes a project currently underway at Stanford University to model and synthesize safe and efficient control schemes for a system of aircraft where each aircraft has some degree of autonomy in planning and tracking its own dynamic trajectory. A key element of this project is an automated conflict resolution scheme (Tomlin et ah, 1998a), which would be used either on the ground by Air Traffic Control or in the air by the Flight Management System (FMS) of each aircraft. Our conflict resolution scheme is based on sequences of maneuvers which are finite sequences of flight modes such as heading, altitude and speed changes for each aircraft. These types of maneuvers are routinely used in current Air Traffic Control practice since they are easily understandable by pilots as well as easily implementable by on-board autopilots which regulate the aircraft to heading and speed setpoints. This paper presents the generation and verification of such maneuvers by means of example, describes the mathematical framework and computation engine used, and discusses some of the benefits of such a scheme in a human-centered Air Traffic Control environment.
Creating an Immigrant-Friendly Society—What Drives Feelings Toward Immigrants?

The number of individuals currently living in a country other than the one in which they were born peaked at more than 244 million in 2015. This makes the global society a culturally and racially d...
Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty Using a Bone-preserving Glenoid Component: Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes

IntroductionPrimary reverse shoulder arthroplasty has been reported to provide good outcomes. The majority of designs utilize a large portion of the glenoid. Some studies have reported worrisome ra...
Selective Reagent Ions for the Direct Vapor Detection of Organophosphorus Compounds Below Parts-per-Trillion Levels.

Real-time low to sub parts-per-trillion (pptv) vapor detection of some organophosphorous compounds (OPCs) is demonstrated with an atmospheric flow tube–mass spectrometer. The chemical species investigated included dimethyl methylphosphonate, triethyl phosphate, and tributylphosphate. The atmospheric flow tube provides ambient chemical ionization with up to several seconds of ionization time. With sensitivities in the parts-per-quadrillion (ppqv) range, there are many background contaminants competing for charge with the target analytes. Initially, the OPCs were not observable in direct room air analysis, presumably due to other trace components possessing higher proton affinities. However, the addition of a trialkylamine as a dopant chemical served to provide a single reagent ion that also formed a proton-bound heterodimer with the OPCs. These asymmetric proton-bound dimers had sufficiently high hydrogen bond energy to allow the cluster to remain intact during the analysis time of several seconds. Changes...
Leveling the Mitigation Playing Field

“Leveling the playing field” had long been the mantra of entrepreneurial mitigation bankers. In their view, if all mitigation providers (banks, in-lieu fees, and permittees) were subject to the same standards, mitigation bankers would prevail (and profit) because they provided a superior product. Mitigation bankers called for equal treatment; what they got were “equivalent standards.” As we will see, the Corps and the EPA have taken the position that equivalent standards do not necessarily mean equal or identical standards. But we will also see that the agencies embraced a preference for mitigation banking in the regulation, which seems to run counter to the concept of a level playing field.
Anxiety and Depression in Medically Ill Older Adults

Anxiety and depression are extremely common in the elderly with medical problems. They can manifest not only as symptoms of a primary psychiatric illness, but also as physiologic sequelae of medical illnesses and medical treatments. Recognition and treatment of depression and anxiety in the medically ill is especially difficult. If these states go untreated, they result in higher morbidity and mortality, higher health care costs and utilization, and poorer functional status and outcomes. Three of the most common medical illnesses that afflict geriatric patients, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, and rheumatoid arthritis, will be presented to illustrate the difficulty in recognizing depression and anxiety and the impact of treating these symptoms in the medically ill elderly. Multidisciplinary approaches combining optimal medication regimens and psychosocial interventions can be effective for treatment of anxiety and depression in the medically ill elderly.
Interventional Cardiology at a Pivot Point

I was recently asked to give the Hildner Lecture at the Opening Plenary Session of the Society for Cardiac Angiography and Intervention. This prompted me to reflect upon the current and future role...
FarSight: A Smartphone-based Vehicle Ranging System

Maintaining an adequate separation from the vehicle in front is key to safe driving. While LIDAR and RADAR sensors could be used for ranging, cost considerations and the huge installed base of vehicles that lack these sensors, especially in developing regions, call for a low-cost yet robust alternative. To this end, we present FarSight, a system that performs vehicle ranging using a smartphone mounted on the windshield or the dashboard. FarSight uses the smartphone's camera to identify and draw a bounding box around vehicles in front, based on which ranging is performed. Unlike prior smartphone-based work, FarSight does not depend on any infrastructure support such as standard-width lane markers and works with a heterogeneous mix of vehicles, both of which are characteristics of developing regions. We develop a novel hybrid approach for vehicle detection and tracking, which balances accuracy and speed by combining deep neural network based vehicle detection with vision-based object tracking in a pipelined manner. We also devise data augmentation techniques to improve the effectiveness of vehicle detection, thereby increasing the ranging distance. We show that FarSight can range accurately in both daytime and nighttime conditions and up to distances of 90 m. We have implemented FarSight as an Android-app and tested it across various phones. Further, we present two ranging-based applications built on FarSight.
A Comparative Study of Biological Scientists' Data Sharing Between Genome Sequence Data and Lab Experiment Data.

This research aims to explore how the institutional pressure, resource, and individual motivation factors all affect biological scientists’ data sharing behaviors in different data types. This research utilized a combined theoretical framework including institutional theory and theory of planned behavior to examine institutional pressure, resource, and individual motivation factors influencing biological scientists’ data sharing intentions between different data types including genome sequence data and lab experiment data. A total of 342 survey responses from biological sciences were employed for a series of statistical analyses including Cronbach’s alpha, factor analysis, hierarchical regression, and t-test. This research shows that biological scientists’ data sharing intentions are led by institutional pressure, resource, and individual motivation factors, and the levels of those factors are significantly different between genome sequence data and lab experiment data. This research shows that biological scientists’ data sharing differs depending on the data they share, and different policies and support needs to be applied to encourage biological scientists’ data sharing of different data types.
Effect of prophylactic clip placement following endoscopic mucosal resection of large colorectal lesions on delayed polypectomy bleeding: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND The role of prophylactic clipping for the prevention of delayed polypectomy bleeding (DPB) remains unclear and conclusions from prior meta-analyses are limited due to the inclusion of variety of resection techniques and polyp sizes. AIM To conduct a meta-analysis on the effect of clipping on DPB following endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) of colorectal lesions ≥ 20 mm. METHODS We performed a search of PubMed and the Cochrane library for studies comparing the effect of clipping vs no clipping on DPB following endoscopic resection. The Cochran Q test and I2 were used to test for heterogeneity. Pooling was conducted using a random-effects model. RESULTS Thirteen studies with a total of 7794 polyps were identified, of which data was available on 1701 cases of EMR of lesions ≥ 20 mm. Prophylactic clipping was associated with a lower rate of DPB (1.4%) when compared to no clipping (5.2%) (pooled OR: 0.24, 95%CI: 0.12-0.50, P < 0.001) following EMR of lesions ≥ 20 mm. There was no significant heterogeneity among the studies (I2 = 0%, P = 0.67). CONLUSION Prophylactic clipping may reduce DPB following EMR of large colorectal lesions. Future trials are needed to further identify risk factors and stratify high risk cases in order to implement a cost-effective preventive strategy.
The Physical Layer

As stated before, see 2.1, the physical layer has one simple, and extremely important function: to move bits from one NIC to another as quickly as possible. How this is done depends solely upon the media used to connect the two NICs. For copper wiring this is done by varying the voltage between one voltage for a binary “0” and another for a binary “1”. For wireless or fiber similar techniques are used. The speed at which a message can be transmitted is based solely upon how fast one NIC can produce a varying signal that can be correctly interpreted by the other. This speed is measured in terms of raw bits and can vary from a few hundred bps1 to many millions of Bps2.
Nucleolar protein NOP2/NSUN1 suppresses HIV-1 transcription and promotes viral latency by competing with Tat for TAR binding and methylation

Recent efforts have been paid to identify previously unrecognized HIV-1 latency-promoting genes (LPGs) that can potentially be targeted for eradication of HIV-1 latent reservoirs. From our earlier orthologous RNAi screens of host factors regulating HIV-1 replication, we identified that the nucleolar protein NOP2/NSUN1, a m5C RNA methyltransferase (MTase), is an HIV-1 restriction factor. Loss- and gain-of-function analyses confirmed that NOP2 restricts HIV-1 replication. Depletion of NOP2 promotes the reactivation of latently infected HIV-1 proviruses in multiple cell lines as well as primary CD4+ T cells, alone or in combination with latency-reversing agents (LRAs). Mechanistically, NOP2 associates with HIV-1 5' LTR, interacts with HIV-1 TAR RNA by competing with HIV-1 Tat protein, as well as contributes to TAR m5C methylation. RNA MTase catalytic domain (MTD) of NOP2 mediates its competition with Tat and binding with TAR. Overall, these findings verified that NOP2 suppresses HIV-1 transcription and promotes viral latency.
Inaccuracies in News Media Reporting About the 2019 US Food and Drug Administration Ban on Transvaginal Mesh for Pelvic Organ Prolapse Repair.

Abstract Objective To analyze inaccuracies in the news media reporting of the 2019 US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ban on surgical mesh for transvaginal repair of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Methods We queried the NexisUni media database for English-language news articles about “transvaginal mesh” or “FDA” published before and after the ban. Content analysis was based on discussion of the ban, indications for surgical mesh, and assessment of bias. We characterized public interest in transvaginal mesh using Google Trends. Results Of 290 news articles reviewed, 42 articles were included for analysis. Public interest in transvaginal mesh increased 4-fold after the FDA announcement. While 15 articles (38%) accurately reported that mesh was used in both POP and incontinence repairs, a plurality (18, 43%) only described using mesh for POP. The majority (30, 71%) of articles did not specify that the FDA ban applied to only transvaginal repair of POP and not to incontinence. Despite multiple professional societies affirming the use of mesh for incontinence, only 2 (5%) articles cited these evidence-based recommendations. About half of the articles had an overtly biased tone; articles with an anti-mesh bias were significantly less likely to identify the mesh indications relevant to the ban (P Conclusion Seventy percent of news reports about the 2019 FDA ban on transvaginal mesh for POP failed to distinguish between the clinical indications for mesh impacted by the ban. The findings raise concern about patient perceptions of and future access to mesh surgery, regardless of indication.
Adsorption-coupled reduction mechanism in ZnO-Functionalized MWCNTs nanocomposite for Cr (VI) removal and improved anti photocorrosion for photocatalytic reduction

Abstract It is essential to utilize the adsorption-coupled reduction mechanism when using adsorption techniques for heavy metal ions remediation. This particular work deals with the synthesis of ZnO functionalized MWCNTs (ZC) where ZnO nanoparticles are grafted on the functionalized MWCNTs by a facile hydrothermal approach for Cr (VI) removal. The metal ion adsorption behavior of ZC nanocomposites has been examined for removal of Cr (VI), and it was noticed that ZC-10 (10 wt % functionalized MWCNT content) exhibited excellent adsorption capacity and removal efficiency of 94% was accomplished at pH 2. Equilibrium data have been analyzed using various isotherm models and were found to be represented best by the Langmuir adsorption model. Various kinetic models have been used to understand the adsorption process, and the kinetics of adsorption best followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The influence of several operational parameters such as initial pH, Cr (VI) concentration, dosage, agitation speed, and the presence of competing anions were well elucidated and optimized. Thermodynamic parameters revealed that the adsorption of Cr (VI) on ZC-10 adsorbent was spontaneous and endothermic. Additionally, ZC-10 nanocomposite exhibited improved photocatalytic activity under UV–Vis light irradiation in contrast to ZnO as a result of reduced electron-hole pair recombination and improved anti-photocorrosion.
Characterizing the total within-sample variation in cotton fiber length using the High Volume Instrument fibrogram

Within-sample variation in cotton fiber length is important when explaining variation in yarn quality. However, typical High Volume Instrument (HVI) length parameters, the Upper Half Mean Length (U...
Genome-wide pQTL analysis of protein expression regulatory networks in the human liver

Previous expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) studies have identified thousands of genetic variants to be associated with gene expression at the mRNA level in the human liver. However, protein expression often correlates poorly with mRNA levels. Thus, protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL) study is required to identify genetic variants that regulate protein expression in human livers. We conducted a genome-wide pQTL study in 287 normal human liver samples and identified 900 local pQTL variants and 4026 distant pQTL variants. We further discovered 53 genome hotspots of pQTL variants. Transcriptional region mapping analysis showed that 1133 pQTL variants are in transcriptional regulatory regions. Genomic region enrichment analysis of the identified pQTL variants revealed 804 potential regulatory interactions among 595 predicted regulators (e.g., non-coding RNAs) and 394 proteins. Moreover, pQTL variants and trait-variant integration analysis implied several novel mechanisms underlying the relationships between protein expression and liver diseases, such as alcohol dependence. Notably, over 2000 of the identified pQTL variants have not been reported in previous eQTL studies, suggesting extensive involvement of genetic polymorphisms in post-transcriptional regulation of protein expression in human livers. We have partially established protein expression regulation networks in human livers and generated a wealth of pQTL data that could serve as a valuable resource for the scientific community.
When X Shouldn’t Mark the Spot: A Crosswalk to a Unified Code of Ethics for Collaboration in the COVID-19 Era

The emergence of COVID-19 as a global pandemic has necessitated the cooperation and collaboration of public health, public administration, and GIS professionals in order to keep the public informed...
Wiskott Aldrich syndrome: healthcare utilizations and disparities in transplant care

Wiskott Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is a rare disease and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) is considered the treatment modality of choice for WAS. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis on the KIDS' pediatric inpatient database and compared hospitalization rates, complications and healthcare utilizations in the transplant and non-transplant arms. Of the 383 pediatric admissions with diagnosis of WAS between 2006-2012, 114 underwent transplant and 269 did not. The non-transplant arm included older children, female patients and more African Americans. Death rates, income and payer source were similar in both arms, however the total charge for each admission was higher in the transplant arm. Emergency room visits were similar but non-elective admissions were more in the non-transplant arm. Length of stay was prolonged in the transplant arm. When comparing morbidities, lymphomas, ulcerative colitis and autoimmune complications of WAS were seen only in the non-transplant arm. Our study shows that transplant is the largest contributor to healthcare utilization in WAS patients. We identified healthcare disparities based on race and socioeconomic status and found that this rare disease is being appropriately directed to centers with HCT expertise. We noted a change in practice moving away from splenectomy in WAS patients.
Use of Blended Binder Tests to Estimate Performance of Mixtures with High Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement/Recycled Asphalt Shingles Content:

The purpose of this study is to assess the use of blended binder tests to estimate mixture performance properties of high reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP)/recycled asphalt shingles (RAS) mixtures u...
Balancing Patient-Centered and Safe Pain Care for Nonsurgical Inpatients: Clinical and Managerial Perspectives

Background: Hospitals and clinicians aim to deliver care that is safe. Simultaneously, they are ensuring that care is patient centered, meaning that it is respectful of patients’ values, preferences, and experiences. However, little is known about delivering care in cases in which these goals may not align. For example, hospitals and clinicians are facing the daunting challenge of balancing safe and patient-centered pain care for nonsurgical patients, due to lack of comprehensive care guidelines and complexity of this patient population. Methods: To gather clinical and managerial perspectives on the importance, feasibility, and strategies used to balance patient-centered care (PCC) and safe pain care for nonsurgical inpatients, the research team conducted in-depth, semistructured interviews with hospitalists, registered nurses, and health care managers from one health care system in the Midwestern United States. We systematically examined transcribed interviews and identified major themes using a thematic analysis approach. Results: Participants acknowledged the importance of balancing PCC and safe pain care. They envisioned this balance as a continuum, with certain patients for whom it is easier (for example, an opioid-naive patient with a fracture), vs. more difficult (for example, a patient with opioid use disorder). Participants reported several strategies they use to balance PCC and safe pain care, including offering alternatives to opioids, setting realistic pain goals and expectations, and using a team approach. Conclusion: Clinicians and health care managers use various strategies to balance PCC and safe pain care for nonsurgical patients. Future studies should examine the effectiveness of these strategies on patient outcomes.
Identifying treatment patterns in patients with Bertolotti syndrome: an elusive cause of chronic low back pain

Abstract BACKGROUND CONTEXT Bertolotti Syndrome is a diagnosis given to patients with lower back pain arising from a lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV). These patients can experience symptomatology similar to common degenerative diseases of the spine, making Bertolotti Syndrome difficult to diagnose with clinical presentation alone. Castellvi classified the LSTV seen in this condition and specifically in types IIa and IIb, a “pseudoarticulation” is present between the fifth lumbar transverse process and the sacral ala, resulting in a semi-mobile joint with cartilaginous surfaces.Treatment outcomes for Bertolotti Syndrome are poorly understood but can involve diagnostic and therapeutic injections and ultimately surgical resection of the pseudoarticulation (pseudoarthrectomy) or fusion of surrounding segments. PURPOSE To examine spine and regional injection patterns and clinical outcomes for patients with diagnosed and undiagnosed Bertolotti Syndrome. DESIGN Retrospective observational cohort study of patients seen at a single institution's tertiary spine center over a 10-year period. PATIENT SAMPLE Cohort consisted of 67 patients with an identified or unidentified LSTV who were provided injections or surgery for symptoms related to their chronic low back pain and radiculopathy. OUTCOME MEASURES Self-reported clinical improvement following injections and pseudoarthrectomy. METHODS Patient charts were reviewed. Identification of a type II LSTV was confirmed through provider notes and imaging. Variables collected included demographics, injection history and outcomes, and surgical history for those who underwent pseudoarthrectomy. RESULTS A total of 22 out of 67 patients (33%) had an LSTV that was not identified by their provider. Diagnosed patients underwent fewer injections for their symptoms than those whose LSTV was never previously identified (p = 0.031). Only those diagnosed received an injection at the LSTV pseudoarticulation, which demonstrated significant symptomatic improvement at immediate follow up compared to all other injection types (p = 0.002). Patients who responded well to pseudoarticulation injections were offered a pseudoarthrectomy, which was more likely to result in symptom relief at most recent follow up than patients who underwent further injections without surgery (p CONCLUSIONS Undiagnosed patients are subject to a higher quantity of injections at locations less likely to provide relief than pseudoarticulation injections. These patients in turn cannot be offered a pseudoarthrectomy which can result in significant relief compared to continued injections alone. Proper and timely identification of an LSTV dramatically alters the clinical course of these patients as they can only be offered treatment directed towards the LSTV once it is identified.
The Elusive Pursuit of Incentive Systems: Research on the Cadre Management Regime in Post-Mao China

This essay reviews recent scholarship on four key components of the post-Mao party state’s cadre management regime—nomenklatura system, cadre performance evaluation system, bianzhi, and the Party school system. This review suggests that findings of each group of studies are clouded by a great deal of uncertainty due to the complexity and secrecy of the Chinese bureaucratic structure and politics, and that this uncertainty thus challenges the confidence level of research applying these findings to explain cadre behavior. The review also detects a common disconnect both within and among these groups of studies that has prevented a more accurate understanding of the workings of the cadre management regime. This review serves to catalyze rethinking of the dominant theory of how control and incentivizing mechanisms of the personnel management institutions can predict individual behavior. Based on these findings, future research should start thinking seriously and creatively about how to overcome the challenge of obtaining data on the cadre management regime amid an increasingly conservative political climate within the country, exacerbated by strained U.S.-China relations. Moreover, intellectual cross-fertilization both within individual groups of scholarship and among them is needed to fully capture the intricate dynamics between control mechanisms of the bureaucratic apparatuses and cadre behavior.
The functional morphology of thin sensory axons: some principles and problems.

Publisher Summary The extraordinary phenotypic specialization of most neuronal populations contrasts with the heterogeneity and diversity of the small sensory ganglion cells emitting thin, principally unmyelinated, axons. Electrophysiological analysis of the sense organs (receptors) associated with these axons has emphasized the properties of sensitization and polymodality—features lacking in other sense organs. Morphological analyses have revealed that although almost half the ganglion cells belong to the small neurons with C fibers, their distribution and density in the various non-integumentary regions of the body is, at best, rarely related to sensory activity. The variety of axon terminal fine structure, the classes of molecular markers for unmyelinated axons and their distinctive relations to terminal distribution patterns, and the variety of chemical stimuli now known to generate or sensitize afferent impulse activity, suggest the need for a new taxonomy of C fibers. The morphological features of contemporary painful neuropathy models in relation to cytokines, neurotrophins, and other molecular mediators of C fiber excitability changes provide the key insights into the nature of pain pathology of peripheral origin.
Sedimentology of Erect Vegetal Filters

In order to analyze sediment deposition in vegetated areas, it is necessary to develop relationships that define the steady-state sediment transport capacity of a given filter media. The development of these relationships was greatly facilitated by drawing an analogy between the flow in a narrow, deep channel and flow through closely spaced erect bodies. Based on the analogy, a dimensionless shear parameter is calculated using a spacing hydraulic radius as the characteristic length. Utilizing data collected with artificial media, this dimensionless shear is correlated to the bed load and total load parameters of Graf and Einstein with r² values ranging from 0.81 - 0.94. Neil's relationship was also analyzed and yielded a high r² value. Relationships based on the analogy were further examined by incorporating them into a model that predicted the sediment deposition wedge advance distance in actual vegetation. The agreement between the predicted and observed values was excellent. Thus, the sedimentology of grass filters presented herein is considered useful for design and research applications.
Reactive power considerations in linear ATC computation

The paper presents some initial concepts on including reactive power in linear methods for computing Available Transfer Capability (ATC). It proposes a new approach that first determines the reactive power flows using the exact circle equation for the transmission line complex flow, and then determines ATC using active power distribution factors. The ideas are demonstrated on 3-bus and 7-bus systems, and the results are discussed and compared with those obtained without reactive power considerations, and full nonlinear solutions.
Prolapsing the Inferior Fat Pads and Fornix in Lower Blepharoplasty

The successful transconjunctival incision to identify the fat pads in lower blepharoplasty depends on adequate prolapse and exposure of the conjunctival fornix. The lower eyelid margin is retracted by the assistant with two fingers. At the same time, ballottement of the globe so as to prolapse the fat and conjunctiva anteriorly. A liberal horizontal roll of prolapsing fat and overlying conjunctiva will present itself reliably and visibly.
Synthesis of Double-Stranded RNA in a Virus-Enriched Fraction from Agaricus bisporus

Partially purified virus preparations from sporophores of Agaricus bisporus affected with LaFrance disease had up to a 15-fold-higher RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity than did comparable preparations from health sporophores. Enzyme activity was dependent upon the presence of Mg/sup 2 +/ and the four nucleoside triphosphates and was insensitive to actinomycin D, ..cap alpha..-amanitin, and rifampin. The /sup 3/H-labeled enzyme reaction products were double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) as indicated by CF-11 cellulose column chromatography and by their ionic-strength-dependent sensitivity to hydrolysis by RNase A. The principal dsRNA products had estimated molecular weights of 4.3 /times/ 10/sup 6/ and 1.4 /times/ 10/sup 6/. Cs/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ equilibrium centrifugation of the virus preparation resolved a single peak of RNA polymerase activity that banded with a 35-nm spherical virus particle containing dsRNAs with molecular weights of 4.3 /times/ 10/sup 6/ and 1.4 /times/ 10/sup 6/. The data suggest that the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase associated with the 35-nm spherical virus is a replicase which catalyzes the synthesis of the genomic dsRNAs.
Care of the critically ill child: acute adrenal insufficiency.

In the article, "Care of the Critically Ill Child: Acute Adrenal Insufficiency," by A. M. Bongiovanni (PEDIATRICS, 44:109, 1969), the maintenance doses of cortisone, page 110, should read, "(about 25 mg per m2 per day by mouth)."
Challenges of Supply: An Evolving Energy Paradigm [In My View]

Examine the challenges enery and power companies face in the evolving enery management industry.
Prop-free pointing detection in dynamic cluttered environments

Vision-based prop-free pointing detection is challenging both from an algorithmic and a systems standpoint. From a computer vision perspective, accurately determining where multiple users are pointing is difficult in cluttered environments with dynamic scene content. Standard approaches relying on appearance models or background subtraction to segment users operate poorly in this domain. We propose a method that focuses on motion analysis to detect pointing gestures and robustly estimate the pointing direction. Our algorithm is self-initializing; as the user points, we analyze the observed motion from two cameras and infer rotation centers that best explain the observed motion. From these, we group pixel-level flow into dominant pointing vectors that each originate from a rotation center and merge across views to obtain 3D pointing vectors. However, our proposed algorithm is computationally expensive, posing systems challenges even with current computing infrastructure. We achieve interactive speeds by exploiting coarse-grained parallelization over a cluster of computers. In unconstrained environments, we obtain an average angular precision of 2.7°.
HEAT TRANSFER IN MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC FLOW BETWEEN PARALLEL PLATES

Abstract An analysis is presented of convective heat transfer in the fully developed laminar flow of an incompressible conducting fluid between parallel plates through a transverse magnetic field. In particular the earlier analysis of Siegel involving non-conducting plates is corrected and extended to plates of finite conductivity.
Transient expression of TIP60 protein during early chick heart development.

Screening of an embryonic chick cDNA library revealed a gene product termed chick TIP60 (cTIP60) due to its homology with human TIP60, a founding member of the "MYST" family of proteins that possess functional motifs, including chromo, zinc finger, and histone acetyltransferase domains. cTIP60 expression was assessed during early chick embryogenesis, at the RNA level by using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and at the protein level by using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. RT-PCR indicated that cTIP60 transcripts in whole embryos are present as early as Hamburger-Hamilton (HH) stage 5, diminishing after HH10. Western blotting of total embryonic protein revealed that cTIP60 was present in uniform quantities between HH3 and HH25. By contrast, Western blotting of protein from isolated hearts revealed that cTIP60 protein was strongly expressed at the earliest stages of heart development (HH11-13), diminishing thereafter. This finding was corroborated by immunohistochemistry, which revealed that cTIP60 protein was selectively expressed at high levels in the myocardium between HH 10-14. Considered in the context of its functional domains, these findings suggest that cTIP60 modulates transcriptional processes which regulate terminal cell differentiation, proliferation, or both, during early myocardial development.
Dynamic nonlinear networks: State-of-the-art

This paper surveys the state-of-the-art of the qualitative aspects of nonlinear RLC networks. The class of networks being surveyed may contain multi-terminal and multi-port RESISTORS, INDUCTORS, AND CAPACITORS, as well as dc and time-dependent voltage and current sources. The concepts of impasse points and local solvability are introduced and shown to be of fundamental importance in modeling a physical network. Simple criteria are given which guarantee the existence of a global state equation. General theorems are presented for identifying or testing whether a dynamic nonlinear network possesses one or more of the following basic qualitative properties: 1. No finite-forward-escape-time solutions. 2. Local asymptotic stability of equilibrium points and observability of operating points. 3. Eventual uniform-boundedness of solutions. 4. Complete stability and global asymptotic stability. 5. Existence of a dc or periodic steady-state solution. 6. Unique steady-state response and spectrum conservation. The hypotheses of most of these theorems are couched in graph- and circuit-theoretic terms so they can be easily checked, often by inspection. Special efforts are made to state the concepts and results in a form that can be easily understood and used by the nonspecialist. Moreover, each concept and property is profusely illustrated with carefully conceived examples, and intuitive explanations so as to make this paper both motivating and somewhat self-contained. Extensive references are provided to facilitate researchers interested in conducting future research on the many unsolved problems in dynamic nonlinear networks.
Theory of impact ionization and Auger recombination in Hg1-xCdxTe.

We derived the impact ionization and Auger recombination rates within the framework of the six-band Kane model. The theory involves the electron distribution function and average electron energy which we computed using Monte Carlo simulations, along with the electron drift velocity. The excess carrier concentration is then determined from the balance equation. The results of the calculation are in good agreement with experimental data for HgCdTe at 77 K.