cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mediastinal dissection for recurrent cancer after laryngectomy.

A technique for radical dissection of the superior mediastinum which includes the repositioning of the trachea has been described with emphasis upon the importance of protecting the trachea from the great vessels. This procedure, as used upon six cases of recurrent stomal cancer after laryngectomy, is described in detail. The feasibility of adapting this technique to control and cure advanced subglottic lesions is suggested.
Usability levels for sparse linear algebra components

Sparse matrix computations are ubiquitous in high-performance computing applications and often are their most computationally intensive part. In particular, efficient solution of large-scale linear systems may drastically improve the overall application performance. Thus, the choice and implementation of the linear system solver are of paramount importance. It is difficult, however, to navigate through a multitude of available solver packages and to tune their performance to the problem at hand, mainly because of the plethora of interfaces, each requiring application adaptations to match the specifics of solver packages. For example, different ways of setting parameters and a variety of sparse matrix formats hinder smooth interactions of sparse matrix computations with user applications. In this paper, interfaces designed for components that encapsulate sparse matrix computations are discussed in the light of their matching with application usability requirements. Consequently, we distinguish three levels of interfaces, high, medium, and low, corresponding to the degree of user involvement in the linear system solution process and in sparse matrix manipulations. We demonstrate when each interface design choice is applicable and how it may be used to further users' scientific goals. Component computational overheads caused by various design choices are also examined, ranging from low level, for matrix manipulation components, to high level, in which a single component contains the entire linear system solver. Published in 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the U.S.A.
Specific disruption of smooth muscle caldesmon expression in mice

Abstract Caldesmon (CaD) is an actin-binding protein that is capable of inhibiting the actomyosin ATPase activity in vitro. CaD has a single gene that is alternatively spliced to generate the smooth muscle-specific form, h-CaD, and a shorter isoform, l-CaD, that is present only in non-muscle cells. The difference between h- and l-CaD is a highly charged repeating sequence, corresponding to a 35 nm-long single helical region that separates the N-terminal domain from the C-terminal domain of h-CaD. To test whether such an elongated h-CaD is essential for smooth muscles to function properly, we have specifically abrogated its expression in the mouse by targeting h-CaD without affecting the expression of l-CaD. After genotyping, we have obtained homozygous knockout mice that indeed lack h-CaD, but nevertheless express varying amounts of l-CaD in a tissue-dependent fashion. The contractility of smooth muscles isolated from the knockout animals is currently under investigation.
Mechanochemical regulation of oscillatory follicle cell dynamics in the developing Drosophila egg chamber

During tissue elongation from stage 9 to stage 10 in Drosophila oogenesis, the egg chamber increases in length by ∼1.7-fold while increasing in volume by eightfold. During these stages, spontaneous oscillations in the contraction of cell basal surfaces develop in a subset of follicle cells. This patterned activity is required for elongation of the egg chamber; however, the mechanisms generating the spatiotemporal pattern have been unclear. Here we use a combination of quantitative modeling and experimental perturbation to show that mechanochemical interactions are sufficient to generate oscillations of myosin contractile activity in the observed spatiotemporal pattern. We propose that follicle cells in the epithe- lial layer contract against pressure in the expanding egg chamber. As tension in the epithelial layer increases, Rho kinase signaling activates myosin assembly and contraction. The activa- tion process is cooperative, leading to a limit cycle in the myosin dynamics. Our model pro- duces asynchronous oscillations in follicle cell area and myosin content, consistent with ex- perimental observations. In addition, we test the prediction that removal of the basal lamina will increase the average oscillation period. The model demonstrates that in principle, mech- anochemical interactions are sufficient to drive patterning and morphogenesis, independent of patterned gene expression.
Multi-agent coordination techniques for multi-robot task allocation and multi-robot area coverage

Multi-robot systems have emerged as a central research theme within robotics with applications in several domains that require automated robotic assistants such as unmanned search and rescue, automated surveillance and reconnaissance operations, automated civilian transportation, extra-terrestrial exploration, and even domestic applications such as agriculture, lawn mowing, vacuum cleaning, etc. One of the major computational challenges in multi-robot systems is to design appropriate coordination techniques between the robots that enable them to perform operations efficiently in terms of time, cost and energy expended while keeping the system robust to individual robot failures as well as scalable in the number of robots. Coordination technologies from the field of multi-agent systems offer a rich array of solutions that can be adapted to multi-robot sytems. In this talk, we will summarize our research on two operations that are frequently encountered in many multi-robot domains, namely, multi-robot area coverage [1] and multi-robot task allocation [2]. First, we will describe a coalition game theory based technique for dynamically reconfiguring multi-robot teams by splitting or merging them, when they encounter obstacles while covering an initially unknown environment. We will introduce two heuristics that, given the set of robots requiring reconfiguration, guarantee rapid convergence to the appropriate partition of the set of robots while taking into consideration the physical characteristics of the robots and the environment [3]. Secondly, I will describe a distributed, auction-based multirobot task allocation algorithm called DynamicBids [4] that improves the performance of tasks and significantly reduces the communication overhead between robots by allowing a bidder robot to selectively revise its bids on tasks if that improves the cost of the schedule of the tasks to the bidder robot. For both techniques, we will describe analytical results, and, experimental results from simulations on the Webots simulator as well as on physical robots. Finally, we will demonstrate our ongoing work on autonomous, multi-robot landmine detection that uses the techniques mentioned above to coordinate a set of robots, fitted with different types of landmine detection sensors, to potentially improve the accuracy with which landmines can be detected [5].
The impact of performance incentives on child health outcomes: results from a cluster randomized controlled trial in the Philippines

Improving clinical performance using measurement and payment incentives, including pay for performance (or P4P), has, so far, shown modest to no benefit on patient outcomes. Our objective was to assess the impact of a P4P programme on paediatric health outcomes in the Philippines. We used data from the Quality Improvement Demonstration Study. In this study, the P4P intervention, introduced in 2004, was randomly assigned to 10 community district hospitals, which were matched to 10 control sites. At all sites, physician quality was measured using Clinical Performance Vignettes (CPVs) among randomly selected physicians every 6 months over a 36-month period. In the hospitals randomized to the P4P intervention, physicians received bonus payments if they met qualifying scores on the CPV. We measured health outcomes 4–10 weeks after hospital discharge among children 5 years of age and under who had been hospitalized for diarrhoea and pneumonia (the two most common illnesses affecting this age cohort) and had been under the care of physicians participating in the study. Health outcomes data collection was done at baseline/pre-intervention and 2 years post-intervention on the following post-discharge outcomes: (1) age-adjusted wasting, (2) C-reactive protein in blood, (3) haemoglobin level and (4) parental assessment of child’s health using general self-reported health (GSRH) measure. To evaluate changes in health outcomes in the control vs intervention sites over time (baseline vs post-intervention), we used a difference-in-difference logistic regression analysis, controlling for potential confounders. We found an improvement of 7 and 9 percentage points in GSRH and wasting over time (post-intervention vs baseline) in the intervention sites relative to the control sites (P ≤ 0.001). The results from this randomized social experiment indicate that the introduction of a performance-based incentive programme, which included measurement and feedback, led to improvements in two important child health outcomes.
All-Weather Landing

The development of all-weather landing is reviewed, particularly with regard to automatic control aspects. Flare-out schemes are described as well as experience with various systems. Problems of cross wind and techniques for eliminating their effects are included, along the ?weather cock? technique. Crab-angle elimination and castering cross-wind landing gear methods are touched upon.
Leveraging standard core technologies to programmatically build Linux cluster appliances

Clusters have made the jump from lab prototypes to full-fledged production computing platforms. The number variety, and specialized configurations of these machines are increasing dramatically with 32-128 node clusters being commonplace in science labs. The evolving nature of the platform is to target generic PC hardware to specialized functions such as login, compute, Web server file server and a visualization engine. This is the logical extension to the standard login/compute dichotomy of traditional Beowulf clusters. Clearly, these specialized nodes (henceforth "cluster appliances") share an immense amount of common configuration and software. What is lacking in many clustering toolkits is the ability to share configuration across appliances and specific hardware (where it should be shared) and differentiate only where needed In the NPACI Rocks cluster distribution, we have developed a configuration infrastructure with well-defined inheritance properties that leverages and builds on de facto standards including: XML (with standard parsers), RedHat Kickstart, HTTP transport, CGI, SQL databases, and graph constructs to easily define cluster appliances. Our approach neither resorts to replication of configuration files nor does it require building a "golden" image reference. By relying on this descriptive and programmatic infrastructure and carefully demarking configuration information from the software packages (which is a bit delivery mechanism), we can easily handle the heterogeneity of appliances, easily deal with small hardware differences among particular instances of appliances (such as IDE vs. SCSI), and support large hardware differences (like /spl times/86 vs. IA64) with the same infrastructure. Our mechanism is easily extended to other descriptive infrastructures (such as Solaris Jumpstart as a backend target) and has been proven on over a 100 clusters (with significant hardware and configuration differences among these clusters).
Red Light Cameras: Innocent But Guilty

Automated traffic enforcement schemes employing cameras are increasingly used by local governments. In some schemes, as in Chicago, traffic violations are pursued against vehicle owners as well as drivers where there is no mens rea requirement that typically accompanies crimes. Strict liability is justified because of owners= ability to control the drivers and because traffic accidents will be reduced. Though angering many citizens, automated schemes may well spread. If so, many new schemes will employ administrative processes, as in Chicago, which free trial courts for the more significant civil and criminal cases. Many vehicles owners will be fined for the bad driving by others. This short article explores the Chicago traffic ordinances. It then examines the limits on automated traffic enforcement schemes.
Normal Human Lymph Node Cells: An Electron Microscopic Study

Lymph nodes, from 15 patients undergoing surgery for conditions not related to lymphoid tissue disease, have been examined with the electron microscope. The human lymph node cell types—including lymphocytic, reticular and plasma cells—have been described at low and medium electron microscopic magnifications, and the criteria for their identification are discussed. The characteristic features outlined for identification of these cell types provide a basis for comparison with pathologically altered lymph node cells.
Exploring stimulus equivalence formation in infants.

A systmatic replication of the Devany, Hayes and Nelson (1986) and the Augustson and Dougher (1992) studies was conducted with infants to explore the relation of stimulus equivalence to language development. 9 normal infants, age 21 to 25 months participated in 5 to 15 experimental sessions, each session on a different day. Infants expressive language skills were assessed (REEL Scale 2, 1991) before submitting each of them to a learning task consisting of matching different animal-like figures in a matching-ta-sample (visualvisual) conditional discriminationformat. In a single-subject design, infants were taught four conditional discriminations: if A, then B; if A, then C; if D, then E; and if D, then F. The order of presentation and the left-right position of correct response were counterbalanced across training and testing trials. Once an infant learned these mixed relations under various reinforcers, the transitivity test was given. Equivalence was established when a child matched Band C, in as much as A had been the matching samplefor both and when a child matched E and F. both of which earlier had been paired to D. Every subject attained criterion on the four independent conditional discriminations and on the mixed training. 5 subjects who attained transitivity (at 80% or above), performed below chance level on at least one of thefour symmetry tests. 8 out of our 10 subjects performed between 80 and 100 % correct responses in the transitivity tests. Wefound a significant negative correlation between the total number of trials to criterion during the conditional discrimination training and the combined receptive and expressive language quotient. Those infants with higher language-skill scores required fewer trials to complete the conditional-discrimination training. The results suggest that language skills play a role in stimulus equivalence formation.
Chronic alcohol consumption induces peripheral skewed dentritic cell sets without affecting dendritic cell progenitors. (HEM5P.238)

Alcoholism impairs innate and adaptive immune responses and increases susceptibility to infectious diseases, caused among others by alcohol induced defects in dendritic cell (DC) function and frequency. This study aims at understanding how DC turnover is affected by chronic alcohol exposure, characterizing its influence on DC development at the progenitor stages and the underlying mechanisms. Alcohol (EtOH) is delivered in the drinking water to C57BL/6 mice at 20% v/v (Meadows-Cook diet). Lymphoid tissue (LT) DCs from thymus and spleen, non-lymphoid tissue (NLT) DCs from liver and lung and bone marrow (BM) progenitors are analyzed by flow cytometry. After 12 weeks of EtOH exposure BM populations at the Macrophage-DC Progenitor (MDP) stage decrease by 60% (P<0,05) but there is no difference in the numbers of Common DC Progenitors (CDP). In the liver we observe a 70% increase (P<0,05) of plasmacytoid DCs (pDC) while CD103+ classic DCs (cDC) decrease by 50% (P<0,01). Concordantly hepatic T cell numbers decrease: CD8+ CTL by 40% (P<0,01), CD4+ TH by 30% (P<0,005) and CD4+ TREG by 45% (P<0,05). In summary, alcohol in a chronic model does not change CDP numbers, the main progenitor of pDC and cDC, suggesting little effect on DC development. There is however a major imbalance between pDC and cDC, reflected by the impact on steady-state T cell subsets. Going forward we will elucidate the underlying mechanisms responsible for this peripheral effect of alcohol on DC populations.
Bone morphogenetic protein 2 stimulates chondrogenesis of equine synovial membrane-derived progenitor cells.

Objectives: Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) is critical for skeletal and cartilage development, homeostasis and repair. This study was conducted to clone and characterize equine BMP-2, develop expression constructs for equine BMP-2, and to determine whether BMP-2 can stimulate chondrogenesis of equine synovial membrane-derived progenitor cells (SMPC). Methods: Equine BMP-2 cDNA was amplified from chondrocyte RNA, and then transferred into an expression plasmid and adenoviral vector. Effective expression of equine BMP-2 was confirmed using a BMP reporter cell line. SMPC were isolated from synovium, expanded through two passages and transferred to chondrogenic cultures, with recombinant human (rh) transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) or rhBMP-2. Chondrogenesis was assessed by up-regulation of collagen types II and X, and aggrecan mRNA, secretion of collagen type II protein and sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAG), and by alkaline phosphatase induction. Chondrogenic stimulation of SMPC by the equine BMP-2 adenovirus was assessed by sGAG secretion and histology. Results: The mature equine BMP-2 peptide is identical to human and murine peptides. Recombinant human BMP-2 and TGF-β1 stimulated equivalent amounts of collagen type II protein in SMPC pellets, but sGAG secretion was doubled by BMP-2. Neither factor stimulated hypertrophic marker expression. The equine BMP-2 adenoviral vector induced chondrogenesis comparably to rhBMP-2 protein, with no indication of hypertrophy. Clinical significance: Bone morphogenetic protein 2 is a potent inducer of SMPC non-hypertrophic chondrogenesis, supporting the use of this combination for articular cartilage repair applications.
Emerging Biomaterials in Trauma

Emerging technologies and research into the science of biomaterials have developed exponentially and provide facial reconstructive surgeons with a plethora of options for a multitude of varying presentations. This article presents a comprehensive discussion in the ever-evolving field of material science and emerging biomaterials. A complete understanding of the current status of such materials is necessary for the appropriate incorporation and applicability to adequate clinical situations. The rapid progress seen in biomaterials is evidenced through the forward direction of bioengineered tissues, the incorporation of growth factors in varying scenarios, and the unique characteristics of 3-D printing of patient specific scaffolds.
Community Contribution to Political Socialization: The Global is Local

The family is considered a primary source of political socialization for youth—although research has shown that it is not the only source of political socialization. Youth political socialization is complex and influenced by a variety of factors, including youth agency. Traditionally, the family was the primary resource to understand political socialization, and this linear analysis neglected to capture the dynamic interaction between family, community, and the state. While the family can be an important contributor to youth’s political development, for the purpose of the book, more attention will be given to other community interactions of youth political socialization in an attempt to reconceptualize the discussion of youth political agency. Given this, the community structure where youth live is an influential element of political socialization that is (at times) closely related to immediate family. This chapter discusses the political socialization elements of the community structure as they pertain to the living reality of youth.
Promoting healthy transition to college through mindfulness training with first-year college students: Pilot randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACTObjective: Given the importance of developmental transitions on young adults' lives and the high rates of mental health issues among U.S. college students, first-year college students can be particularly vulnerable to stress and adversity. This pilot study evaluated the effectiveness and feasibility of mindfulness training aiming to promote first-year college students' health and wellbeing. Participants: 109 freshmen were recruited from residential halls (50% Caucasian, 66% female). Data collection was completed in November 2014. Methods: A randomized control trial was conducted utilizing the Learning to BREATHE (L2B) program, a universal mindfulness program adapted to match the developmental tasks of college transition. Results: Participation in the pilot intervention was associated with significant increase in students' life satisfaction, and significant decrease in depression and anxiety. Marginally significant decrease was found for sleep issues and alcohol consequences. Conclusions: Mindfulne...
Teaching Family Therapy-Centered Integration: Assimilation and Beyond

This article addresses key themes in the teaching of family therapy-centered integration and describes the critical role of assimilative integration. The tenets of assimilative integration provide a framework for introducing students to multiple systemic theories and techniques while allowing them to maintain a secure base in one main theory. This form of integration is compared and contrasted to theoretical eclecticism, which guides students to become securely based in multiple theories through providing a framework for selecting which systemic approach to use when and with whom. Other issues that shape the form, content, and process of integrative training are discussed including the role of institutional culture and clinical needs, the importance of fully incorporating issues of diversity and social oppression, and the relational context within which teaching and learning take place.
Diffusional Control of Nitric Oxide in the Vessel Wall

Despite its simple molecular makeup, reactive chemical properties, and diffusion characteristics, nitric oxide ( NO) can invoke complex and contradictory actions in vascular cells, producing both beneficial and toxic effects. To balance the potent signaling actions of NO, vascular cells have evolved mechanisms to fine-tune and compartmentalize NO diffusion, allowing for the precise signaling necessary for normal vascular function. Some of the cellular processes that affect NO diffusion and signaling include control of NO synthase (NOS) expression, activity and localization, reactions with reactive oxygen species, and interactions with metalloproteins. When pathological processes perturb any of these processes, NO diffusion and signaling may be affected. Here we discuss the basic physiologic mechanisms regulating NO diffusion in the vessel wall and examples of pathological alterations occurring in disease. We also describe instances where our understanding of these mechanisms may lead to advancement toward therapies to restore balanced physiologic NO signaling.
Altered subcellular localization of fragile X mental retardation signaling partners and targets in superior frontal cortex of individuals with schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe, debilitating, neurodevelopmental disorder that affects 1% of the world's population. Recent findings from our laboratory have identified reduced levels of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) and several downstream FMRP targets in superior frontal cortex of individuals with schizophrenia. We hypothesized that altered subcellular expression of FMRP and its signaling partners may explain these changes. In the current study we employed subcellular fractionation and western blotting to determine levels of FMRP, phosphorylated-FMRP as well as selected signaling partners [protein phosphatase 2A catalytic subunit (PP2AC), p70 S6 kinase (p70 S6K), and amyloid-β A4 precursor protein (APP)] in the total homogenate, nuclear, and rough endoplasmic reticulum fractions in superior frontal cortex of individuals with schizophrenia versus controls (N=12/group). In total homogenate of individuals with schizophrenia, we identified significantly lower levels of FMRP, phosphorylated-FMRP, and PP2AC. In the nuclear fraction of individuals with schizophrenia we found significantly higher levels of PP2AC, p70 S6K, APP 120 kDa, and APP 88 kDa proteins. Finally, in rough endoplasmic reticulum of individuals with schizophrenia, we identified significantly lower protein levels of p70 S6K and APP 120 kDa. These results provide evidence for a potential mechanism to explain altered FMRP expression in schizophrenia.
Research Article: An analysis of the influence of winter severity on early season bass tournament catch rates for Weiss Lake, Alabama

Bass fishing is an important recreational activity in Alabama reservoirs and a variety of factors (e.g. management activities, weather conditions, etc.) can influence angler success. Therefore, it is important to determine locations that allow anglers to make a decision regarding likelihood of success (i.e. catching fish) or the potential to catch larger fish (trophy fishing). Data collected from bass tournaments held on Alabama reservoirs via the Bass Anglers Information Team (BAIT) program were collected and analyzed for early season (April) catch rates for three reservoirs (Lake Guntersville, Lake Eufaula, and Weiss Lake). A significant difference was found between catch rates (using catch per unit effort, CPUE) and average bass size. Weiss Lake had a higher average CPUE and smaller average fish size and Lake Guntersville had higher average fish size but the lowest catch rate. Additionally, a positive correlation was found between CPUE and the number of days with minimum temperature at or below freezing. These results indicate that managers and tournament hosts should consider the severity of the previous winter and fishery when planning early season tournaments or angling activities.
Does Agency Structure Affect Agency Decisionmaking? Implications of the CFPB's Design for Administrative Governance

An extensive literature has analyzed the accountability of administrative agencies, and in particular, their relationship to Congress. A well-established strand in the literature emphasizes that Congress retains control over agencies by their design, with a focus on the structure and process by which agency decisionmaking is undertaken. This paper examines the relationship between agency structure and decisionmaking across four agencies with similar statutory missions but different organizational structures: the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”), with a uniquely independent and controversial structure, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Consumer Product Safety Commission, and Securities and Exchange Commission with more conventional independent commission structures. It presents data indicating that agency structure influences agency decisionmaking. More specifically, the statistical analysis is robustly consistent with an agency’s insulation from Congress being related to its choice of regulatory instrument, as the most independent agency in this study, the CFPB, uses significantly less frequently the most publicly accountable regulatory instrument of notice-and-comment rulemaking.The paper concludes with the analysis’ implications for the CFPB’s organization and more broadly for administrative reform proposals and the agency design literature.
Web App- and Text Message-Based Patient Education in Mohs Micrographic Surgery-A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background Consent and wound care (WC) videos are used for education in Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). Postoperative text messaging is poorly studied. Objective Develop and evaluate perioperative resources for MMS patients-video modules (DermPatientEd.com) and postoperative text messaging (DermTexts.com). Materials and methods A study was conducted on 90 MMS patients. Patients were randomized 1:1:1:1 to videos with text messages, videos-only, text messages-only, or control. Primary outcomes included preoperative anxiety and knowledge of MMS and postoperative care. The secondary outcome included helpfulness/preference of interventions. Results Patients experienced a 19% reduction in anxiety as measured by a visual analog scale after the MMS video (p = .00062). There was no difference in knowledge after the WC video (p = .21498). Patients were more likely to report the WC video "very helpful" when compared with the pamphlet in understanding postoperative WC (p = .0016). Patients in text messaging groups were not more likely to report the service as "very helpful" when compared with the pamphlet (p = .3566), but preferred to receive WC instructions by text message for future visits (p = .0001). Conclusion These resources proved helpful and effective in reducing preoperative anxiety. Patients prefer text message-based WC instructions over pamphlets after experiencing the service, but do not find them more helpful.
Population Size Distribution of Rare Earth and Non-metallic Inclusions in 4130 and 8630 Steels

The purpose of this work was to find the population size distribution of rare earth and non-metallic inclusions in polished samples and filter paper samples of 4130 and 8630 steels. The steels had additions of either rare earth silicide or EGR grain refiner. Interest in rare earth-containing inclusions has increased due to their ability to refine the solidification structure of steel. However, the exact mechanism is not fully understood. To accurately determine size and composition, electrolytic dissolution with 2% TEA was employed to dissolve the steel matrix away. A scanning electron microscope examined the isolated inclusions on filter paper specimens. For comparison, other samples were analyzed in a more typical polished metallographic specimen. All heats had very similar inclusion sizes. Most inclusions were between 5 and 9 μm. There was a variation in inclusion composition between the 4130 and 8630 heats. The cause of this variability appeared to be due to random changes in the amount of reoxidation that occurred during tapping.
A Robot Dynamics Simulator

Robotic manipulators are complex (coupled and nonlinear) multi-variable mechanical systems that are designed to perform specific tasks. The versatile robot arm dynamic simulation tool VAST (Ref. 1) has been created to provide a user-friendly working environment in which to simulate and interpret the physical characteristics of robot and actuator dynamics and design and evaluate feedback controllers for robotic manipulators. The development and features of VAST are highlighted in this article. The simulator structure is flexible, versatile, and amenable to further development. The simulator has been designed to become the foundation of a robot-oriented CAD (computer-aided design) system.
Hemoglobin Synthesis and Globin Gene Expression

In mammals hemoglobins are synthesized primarily by nucleated erythroid cells in the bone marrow or within other hematopoietic tissues. Circulating reticulocytes also synthesize hemoglobin, but mature erythrocytes do not.
Microscopic and Macroscopic Response of a Cortical Neuron to an External Electric Field Computed with the Boundary Element Fast Multipole Method

The goal of this study is to demonstrate how one can compute the activating function and surface charge density resulting from application of an external electric field to a high-resolution realistic neuronal morphology. We use the boundary element fast multipole method (BEM-FMM) on an ordinary computer to accurately perform these computations in under 2-10 minutes for a dense surface mesh of a single neuron with approximately 1.4 million triangles. Prior work used commercial finite element method (FEM) software which required creation of a volumetric tetrahedral mesh between fine neuronal arbor, potentially resulting in prohibitively large volume sizes and long mesh generation times. We used the example of a human pyramidal neuron with an externally applied E-field to show how our approach can quickly and accurately compute the induced surface charge density on the cell surface and the activating function of the cable equation. We found that the induced surface charge density perturbs the macroscopically applied E-field on a microscopic spatial scale. The strength of the perturbation depends on the conductivity contrast; the stronger the contrast, the larger the perturbation. In our example, the induced surface charge density may change the average activating function by up to 75%. We also embedded this neuron model into a detailed macroscopic human head model and simulated a realistic TMS excitation using the BEM-FMM method for the combined model. The solution obtained in this case predicted a smaller activating function error. The difference between the microscopic and the macroscopic effect of the externally applied electric field is of much interest to users of extracellular stimulation techniques and merits further study.
Smart product design for automotive systems

Automobiles evolved from primarily mechanical to electro-mechanical, or mechatronic, vehicles. For example, carburetors have been replaced by fuel injection and air-fuel ratio control, leading to order of magnitude improvements in fuel economy and emissions. Mechatronic systems are pervasive in modern automobiles and represent a synergistic integration of mechanics, electronics and computer science. They are smart systems, whose design is more challenging than the separate design of their mechanical, electronic and computer/control components. In this review paper, two recent methods for the design of mechatronic components are summarized and their applications to problems in automotive control are highlighted. First, the combined design, or co-design, of a smart artifact and its controller is considered. It is shown that the combined design of an artifact and its controller can lead to improved performance compared to sequential design. The coupling between the artifact and controller design problems is quantified, and methods for co-design are presented. The control proxy function method, which provides ease of design as in the sequential approach and approximates the performance of the co-design approach, is highlighted with application to the design of a passive/active automotive suspension. Second, the design for component swapping modularity (CSM) of a distributed controller for a smart product is discussed. CSM is realized by employing distributed controllers residing in networked smart components, with bidirectional communication over the network. Approaches to CSM design are presented, as well as applications of the method to a variable-cam-timing engine, and to enable battery swapping in a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.
Longitudinal Associations of Sleep Duration, Morning and Evening Cortisol, and BMI During Childhood.

Objective This study aimed to examine associations between sleep duration, BMI, and cortisol levels across childhood. Methods Participants included 361 children adopted domestically in the United States. Random-intercept cross-lagged panel models tested for between-person and bidirectional within-person associations of sleep duration, BMI, and morning and evening cortisol at age 4.5 to 9 years. Results Sleep duration and BMI were stable during childhood, inversely associated at the between-person level, and unrelated to morning or evening cortisol. BMI at age 6 years predicted longer sleep duration and lower evening cortisol at age 7 years, and lower morning cortisol at age 7 years predicted higher BMI at age 9 years within individuals. Conclusions The association between sleep and BMI is more likely a stable between-person phenomenon rather than a unidirectional association that develops within individuals over time.
Beyond Cervical Length: Association between Postcerclage Transvaginal Ultrasound Parameters and Preterm Birth.

Objective To assess the value of transvaginal ultrasound parameters after cerclage placement in estimating the risk of spontaneous preterm birth. Study Design This is a retrospective cohort at a single tertiary care center from 2013 to 2016. Women carrying a singleton, nonanomalous fetus with cerclage in situ and at least one postcerclage transvaginal ultrasound from 160/7 to 256/7 weeks' gestation were included. In addition to abstracting maternal demographic and obstetric characteristics, two study investigators separately reviewed each of the images from the first transvaginal ultrasound after cerclage placement, masked to pregnancy outcomes. We measured the angle between the anterior uterine wall and cervical canal at the internal os and external os, closed canal length above and below the stitch, width of the anterior and posterior cervix at the level of the cerclage, and stitch distance from the cervical canal. The presence of additional ultrasound findings such as sludge and cervical funneling was also noted. The main outcomes were preterm birth Results A total of 102 women met inclusion criteria: 58% had history-indicated, 20% ultrasound-indicated, and 23% exam-indicated cerclages. Of these, 28 (27.5%) women delivered at Conclusion Rates of preterm birth are high postcerclage. In addition to measuring cervical length, utilization of postcerclage transvaginal ultrasound to evaluate the location of the cerclage within the cervix, the curvature of the cervical canal, and the presence of funneling and sludge may help identify women who are at the highest risk for preterm birth.
Predictors of Gestational Weight Gain in a Low-Income Hispanic Population: Sociodemographic Characteristics, Health Behaviors, and Psychosocial Stressors

Hispanic women have a higher prevalence of weight associated complications in pregnancy. This ethnic disparity is likely related to behavior patterns, social circumstances, environmental exposures, and access to healthcare, rather than biologic differences. The objective was to determine associations between sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, and psychosocial stressors and gestational weight gain (GWG) in low-income Hispanic women. During pregnancy, information on sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, and psychosocial stressors were collected. Linear regression estimated mean differences in GWG by selected predictors. Multinomial logistic regression estimated odds of inadequate and excessive GWG by selected predictors. Five-hundred and eight women were included, 38% had inadequate and 28% had excessive GWG; 57% with a normal pre-pregnancy BMI had inadequate GWG. Compared to women with normal BMI, women with overweight or obesity were more likely to have excessive GWG (aRRR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.04, 3.40 and aRRR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.08, 3.62, respectively). Mean total GWG was higher among women who were nulliparous (s = 1.34 kg, 95% CI: 0.38, 2.29) and those who engaged in ≥3 h of screen time daily (s = 0.98 kg, 95% CI: 0.02, 1.94), and lower among women who were physically active during pregnancy (s = −1.00 kg, 95% CI: −1.99, −0.03). Eating breakfast daily was associated with lower risk of inadequate GWG (aRRR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.26, 0.83). Depressive symptoms and poor adherence to dietary recommendations were prevalent, but none of the psychosocial or dietary variables were associated with GWG. In this cohort of primarily immigrant, low-income, Hispanic women, there were high rates of poor adherence to diet and physical activity recommendations, and a majority of women did not meet GWG guidelines. Modifiable health behaviors were associated with GWG, and their promotion should be included in prenatal care.
Mimosine facilitates metallic cation uptake by plants through formation of mimosine–cation complexes

Iron deficiency conditions as well as iron supplied as a Fe(III)–mimosine complex induced a number of strategy I and strategy II genes for iron uptake in leucaena. Leucaena leucocephala (leucaena) is a tree-legume that can grow in alkaline soils, where metal-cofactors like Fe(III) are sparingly available. Mimosine, a known chelator of Fe(III), may facilitate Fe(III) uptake in leucaena by serving as a phytosiderophore. To test if mimosine can serve as a phytosiderophore, three sets of experiments were carried out. First, the binding properties and solubility of metal–mimosine complexes were assessed through spectrophotometry. Second, to study mimosine uptake in plants, pole bean, common bean, and tomato plants were supplied with mimosine alone and metal–mimosine complexes. Third, the expression of strategy I (S1) and strategy II (S2) genes for iron uptake from the soil was studied in leucaena plants exposed to different Fe(III) complexes. The results of this study show that (i) mimosine has high binding affinity for metallic cations at alkaline pH, Fe(III)–mimosine complexes are water soluble at alkaline pH, and that mimosine can bind soil iron under alkaline pH; (ii) pole bean, common bean, and tomato plants can uptake mimosine and transport it throughout the plant; and (iii) a number of S1 and S2 genes were upregulated in leucaena under iron-deficiency condition or when Fe(III) was supplied as a Fe(III)–mimosine complex. These findings suggest that leucaena may utilize both S1 and S2 strategies for iron uptake; and mimosine may play an important role in both strategies.
Bisoxazoline-pincer ligated cobalt-catalyzed hydrogenation of alkenes

Abstract The efficient and atom economical hydrogenation of alkenes using a novel bisoxazoline ligated cobalt complex has been developed. The hydrogenation of a variety of alkenes containing electron neutral and electron-donating groups proceeds in high yield, while electron-withdrawing and sterically hindered groups are not tolerated. Heterocycles and internal alkenes were also hydrogenated in moderate to high yields. While the catalyst is enantiopure, no enantioinduction was observed suggesting that other factors are involved in achieving enantiocontrol.
Common-Subcontracting and Multimarket Contact in the Airline Industry

We estimate the effect of major airlines' use of the same regional airlines (as common-subcontractors) across different markets, on ticket prices. We consider the hypothesis that there is a complementarity between the anti-competitive role of multimarket contact and the role of having common vertical relationships, henceforth, common-subcontracting. To this end, we construct a measure of common-subcontracting, and find that, on average, common-subcontracting, when acting as a “multiplier” of multi-market contact, is associated with a 6.17% increase in prices. This positive effect on prices is in addition to the 2.66% increase in prices that is due only to the standard multimarket contact among major airlines.
Risk factors associated with death of newborn with congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Objective To investigate the risk factors of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) deaths. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 37 CDH patients during 10 years. Clinical characteristics and risk factors were compared and non-conditional logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors for mortality. Results Twenty nine patients, from a total of 37, underwent surgery for CDH. The total mortality rate in patients with CDH was 32.4% (12/37) and the overall operative mortality was 13.8% (4/29). There was a significant difference between CDH patients who survived (n=25) and those who died (n=12) in birth weight [(3.12±0.41) kg vs (2.66±0.65) kg], the age on admission [(135.14±209.71) h vs (6.67±7.79) h], hospital length of stay [(16.52±6.23) d vs (1.25±1.38) d], oxygenation index [(239.55±115.95) mmHg vs (96.10±59.18) mmHg, 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa], early antenatal diagnosis (3 cases vs 6 cases), right congenital diaphragmatic hernia (1 cases vs 4 cases), cardiac malformations (2 cases vs 6 cases) and presence of persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn (3 cases vs 7 cases) (P<0.05). Using logistic regression analysis, the following factors independently predicted mortality were antenatal diagnosis (OR=20.97, 95%CI 1.60~275.78), low oxygenation index (OR=18.12, 95%CI 0.80~123.12) and cardiac malformations (OR=22.0, 95%CI 1.46~332.32). Conclusion CDH patients have higher mortality. Risk factors for mortality in neonatal CDH are associated with early antenatal diagnosis, low oxygenation index and cardiac malformations. Key words: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia; Risk factors; Mortality; Infant, newborn
DNA methyltransferases in hematological malignancies

DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) are an evolutionarily conserved family of DNA methylases, transferring a methyl group onto the fifth carbon of a cytosine residue. The mammalian DNMT family includes three major members that have functional methylation activities, termed DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B. DNMT3A and DNMT3B are responsible for methylation establishment, whereas DNMT1 maintains methylation during DNA replication. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that regulation of DNA methylation by DNMTs is critical for normal hematopoiesis. Aberrant DNA methylation due to DNMT dysregulation and mutations is known as an important molecular event of hematological malignancies, such as DNMT3A mutations in acute myeloid leukemia. In this review, we first describe the basic methylation mechanisms of DNMTs and their functions in lymphocyte maturation and differentiation. We then discuss the current understanding of DNA methylation heterogeneity in leukemia and lymphoma to highlight the importance of studying DNA methylation targets. We also discuss DNMT mutations and pathogenic roles in human leukemia and lymphoma. We summarize the recent understanding of how DNMTs interact with transcription factors or cofactors to repress the expression of tumor suppressor genes. Finally, we highlight current clinical studies using DNMT inhibitors for the treatment of these hematological malignancies.
Initial Experience with a Virtual Platform for Advanced Gastrointestinal Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship Interviews

Background The COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions triggered a rapid alteration in the interview process for fellowships this spring. We describe our initial experience with virtual interviews for Advanced Gastrointestinal (GI) Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowships and assess the value and limitations via a post-interview applicant survey. Study Design Twenty candidates were interviewed via Zoom teleconferencing during March and April 2020 using combined group and breakout rooms. An anonymous post-interview Likert and free text survey was sent to candidates with questions regarding feasibility, appropriateness, and acceptability of this method. Results Seventeen of 20 candidates (85%) responded to the survey. The candidates rated ease of interaction with the program director, faculty surgeons, and the current fellow highly: 94%, 83%, and 89%, respectively. The majority (53%) stated the virtual interviews exceeded or met expectations. Only a minority, 12%, reported the virtual platform was short of expectations. Approximately 70% noted little to no impact of not being able to conduct these interviews in-person and not being able to physically see the program institution. Overall, 94% were satisfied with their experience, and only 6% were neutral, with no respondents reporting dissatisfaction. Finally, 76% would recommend a virtual interview in the future. Most negative open response comments were secondary to issues with software rather than the lack of the in-person traditional interviews. Conclusions The use of a remote teleconferencing platform provides a favorable method for conducting fellowship interviews and results in a high degree of candidate satisfaction. Virtual interviews will likely be increasingly substituted for in-person interviews across the spectrum of medical training.