cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Examination of problem mastitis herds in Ohio

4 problems can occur in a dairy herd which may cause the herd to be identified as a problem mastitis herd. These are (i) antibiotic residues present in bulk tank milk, (ii) high bacterial count, (iii) high leucocyte count, and (iv) increased number of serious clinical cases with deaths. Milk samples were taken from Ohio dairies during the period from Jan. to May 1975 and data are given for (i) and (ii): less than or equal to 0.45% of samples contained antibiotic residues; and less than or equal to 7.5% contained >100 000 bacteria/ml. To determine (iii), milk samples were screened using the Wisconsin Mastitis Test and if a high reading was recorded, the leucocyte count was confirmed using Direct Microscopic Somatic Cell Count. Between 1/4 and 1/3 of Ohio herds were experiencing quite high leucocyte counts. Measures are outlined to assist the dairyman in preventing (i)-(iv) which involves: checking the environment, milking machine function and milking technique; cow examination and dry cow therapy.
Intra-tumoral delivery of functional ID4 protein via PCL/maltodextrin nano-particle inhibits prostate cancer growth

// Maxwell Korang-Yeboah 1, * , Divya Patel 2, * , Derrick Morton 2 , Pankaj Sharma 2 , Yamini Gorantla 1 , Jugal Joshi 2 , Perri Nagappan 2 , Ravi Pallaniappan 1 , Jaideep Chaudhary 2 1 College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA, USA 2 Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA, USA * These authors have contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Jaideep Chaudhary, email: jchaudhary@cau.edu Keywords: ID4, prostate cancer, tumor suppressor, nano-carrier, protein delivery Received: March 11, 2016 Accepted: June 30, 2016 Published: July 30, 2016 ABSTRACT ID4, a helix loop helix transcriptional regulator has emerged as a tumor suppressor in prostate cancer. Epigenetic silencing of ID4 promotes prostate cancer whereas ectopic expression in prostate cancer cell lines blocks cancer phenotype. To directly investigate the anti-tumor property, full length human recombinant ID4 encapsulated in biodegradable Polycaprolactone/Maltodextrin (PCL-MD) nano-carrier was delivered to LNCaP cells in which the native ID4 was stably silenced (LNCaP(-)ID4). The cellular uptake of ID4 resulted in increased apoptosis, decreased proliferation and colony formation. Intratumoral delivery of PCL-MD ID4 into growing LNCaP(-)ID4 tumors in SCID mice significantly reduced the tumor volume compared to the tumors treated with chemotherapeutic Docetaxel. The study supports the feasibility of using nano-carrier encapsulated ID4 protein as a therapeutic. Mechanistically, ID4 may assimilate multiple regulatory pathways for example epigenetic re-programming, integration of multiple AR co-regulators or signaling pathways resulting in tumor suppressor activity of ID4.
rat: A Secure Archiving Program with Fast Retrieval

A new archive format called rat was developed. This format was designed to allow very fast retrieval of individual files. This is achieved using a table of contents to quickly find the file.Each file in the archive is individually compressed with a compression method specific to the file. A user created configuration file is used to specify what type of compression to use on each file based on parameters such as the file extension and file size. Multiple sets of rules can be defined and activated from the command line to achieve different aims such as speed or size or to deal with different types of file sets. Parameters passed to the compression algorithms may also be specified.The format also provides for signatures to be stored with the files. The program will generate and save the signature when the archive is created and verify the file when the archive is restored. Encryption is possible but not implemented.The format is quite robust. If the archive is truncated or the table of contents is lost, the files in the portion that survived can still be recovered. Every file and table is preceded by a magic number so even recovery from bit rot may be possible.The current implementation incorporates gzip (as zlib), bzip2, and LZO compression. Library versions of these compression algorithms are linked in for performance reasons. Only PGP signatures are currently implemented. Due to export restrictions on encryption software, a child process is spawned to execute a separate binary to do the signature creation and verification.A library called librat implements all the functionality required to create the archive and restore files from the archive. Alternate user interfaces or embedded applications are therefore quite readily created. Three front ends to librat have been implemented. The first front end is a simple command line interface similar to tar . The second front end is character based interface that allows the user to browse the archive and selectively restore files similar to the restore program used with dump . The third front end is a GUI implemented using Qt.
Grain Boundary Specific Segregation in Nanocrystalline Fe(Cr)

A cross-correlative precession electron diffraction - atom probe tomography investigation of Cr segregation in a Fe(Cr) nanocrystalline alloy was undertaken. Solute segregation was found to be dependent on grain boundary type. The results of which were compared to a hybrid Molecular Dynamics and Monte Carlo simulation that predicted the segregation for special character, low angle, and high angle grain boundaries, as well as the angle of inclination of the grain boundary. It was found that the highest segregation concentration was for the high angle grain boundaries and is explained in terms of clustering driven by the onset of phase separation. For special character boundaries, the highest Gibbsain interfacial excess was predicted at the incoherent ∑3 followed by ∑9 and ∑11 boundaries with negligible segregation to the twin and ∑5 boundaries. In addition, the low angle grain boundaries predicted negligible segregation. All of these trends matched well with the experiment. This solute-boundary segregation dependency for the special character grain boundaries is explained in terms of excess volume and the energetic distribution of the solute in the boundary.
Environmental-economic dispatch of power system based on frequency stability constraint

To ensure the stable operation of a power system, its frequency must remain within a safe region. Since frequency deviation is strongly affected by inertia, a minimum amount of inertia is vital to maintaining frequency stability. The generation dispatch problem not only finds a solution for generation that minimizes cost and emission but also one that ensures system stability. This paper addresses the environmental-economic generation dispatch of a power system while considering frequency stability in the optimization problem. The proposed frequency stability constraint is represented by the maximum system frequency deviation limit. A non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II is implemented to investigate the multi-objective dispatch problem. Environmental-economic generation dispatch will be examined on the IEEE 30-bus system to demonstrate the proposed idea.
The press is a foreign country

Scientists, I have noticed, often adopt an unscientific attitude towards the media. We all know that newspapers, TV and radio systematically transform what passes through them, while presenting the illusion of transparency. But when scientists have unfortunate encounters with journalists they frequently seem content to curse, denounce or express surprise at their treatment. The scientific approach would be to learn how the media work and how to use them for one's own purposes.
Some ecological effects of artificial circulation on a small eutrophic lake with particular emphasis on phytoplankton

A small eutrophic New Hampshire lake was artificially circulated from July 16 to September 12, 1968. Artificial circulation destratified Kezar Lake completely; the stability of stratification was reduced to zero when the lake became isothermous. Mixing caused an increase in the heat budget. Water transparency also increased after mixing.
Transscleral freezing of the retina: An experimental study

Transscleral freezing of the dogs retina for 2 seconds icas done experimentally and demonstrated ophthalmoscopically and histologically. The residling lesion was studied from the instant of freezing to the stage of final healing. Attempts were made to alter the lesion by methods known to affect the freezing of live tissue. The Cooper-Linde cryoprobe was used to produce the lesions. Retinal freezing occurred when the temperature of the probe tip was between -30 and -40° C. Adhesive chorioretinitis involving sclera was observed, first evident in 4 days, and healed in 7 days. The lesion was resistant to retinal separation and without hemorrhage. The conjunctiva appeared unaffected. Retinal destruction increased with increased duration of freezing up to 20 seconds, with little further damage thereafter. Decreasing the temperature of the probe tip to -60° C. for 2 seconds caused a marked increase in retinal destruction, but little change with longer durations at that temperature. Refreezing increased retinal destruction slightly and choroidal reaction markedly. Rapid thawing and subconjunctival injection of glycerol had no effect.
Conservation agriculture in Ecuador’s highlands: a discrete choice experiment

Conservation agriculture has successfully spread in a number of developing country contexts, resulting in both positive production and environmental impacts. However, there are ongoing questions about the appropriateness of conservation agriculture for small-scale farming as poor farmers tend to be risk averse, typically lack access to credit, and may have planning horizons associated with heavily discounted future benefits. This study investigates farmer attitudes toward how a hypothetical set of conservation agriculture production practices will affect yield, labor use, erosion, and cost in two communities of Bolivar province, Ecuador, through the implementation of a discrete choice experiment. Results show producers are most concerned with future yields, planting labor, and overall costs. While off-farm erosion impacts are of concern, producers only placed small values on these impacts. Results provide support for conservation agriculture outreach to highlight practices that increase long-run production and reduce the time and technical skills associated with planting.
Novel approach for 1D resistivity inversion using the systematically determined optimum number of layers

Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, 2018.
Targeting brain tumors by intra-arterial delivery of cell-penetrating peptides: a novel approach for primary and metastatic brain malignancy

Computational modeling shows that intra-arterial delivery is most efficient when the delivered drugs rapidly and avidly bind to the target site. The cell-penetrating peptide trans-activator of transcription (TAT) is a candidate carrier molecule that could mediate such specificity for brain tumor chemotherapeutics. To test this hypothesis we first performed in vitro studies testing the uptake of TAT by one primary and three potentially metastatic brain cancer cell lines (9L, 4T-1, LLC, SKOV-3). Then we performed in vivo studies in a rat model where TAT was delivered either intra-arterially (IA) or intravenously (IV) to 9L brain tumors. We observed robust uptake of TAT by all tumor cell lines in vitro. Flow cytometry and confocal microscopy revealed a rapid uptake of fluorescein-labeled TAT within 5 min of exposure to the cancer cells. IA injections done under transient cerebral hypoperfusion (TCH) generated a four-fold greater tumor TAT concentration compared to conventional IV injections. We conclude that it is feasible to selectively target brain tumors with TAT-linked chemotherapy by the IA-TCH method.
Solving the Problem of Puppy Mills: Why the Animal Welfare Movement's Bark is Stronger than its Bite

The relationship between man and dog is one characterized by companionship, service, and love; but dogs serve a variety of functions beyond just qmanls best friend.q These companion animals provide valuable assistance to people with disabilities, in military and police service, in therapeutic contexts, and in numerous other areas of life. With approximately 78.2 million pet dogs in the United States, and approximately 39 percent of U.S. households owning at least one dog, it...
Richard Price: The Schedules of Mortality

Two centuries ago, Richard Price assisted in compiling the Northampton Tables, allowing lives to be insured with probabilistic rationality. This was part of a life’s work concerning the measurement of mortality risk. Though such early demographic investigations gained predictive power, explanatory power lagged behind. Herein we reread Price’s work on mortality risk using life history evolution, which, after all, is organized around mortality and longevity, making it an invaluable aid in understanding the actuarial life table. As can only be explained at length, it is apparent that Price, in measuring mortality, was indirectly measuring life history; and in applying his researches to life insurance, was in effect facilitating post-mortem parental care.
Weighted Composition Operators from the Analytic Besov Spaces to BMOA

Let ψ and \( \varphi \) be analytic functions on the open unit disk \( (\mathbb{D}) \) with \( \varphi(\mathbb{D})\sqsubseteq\mathbb{D}\, {\rm and\, let }\, 1\leq p<\infty \). We characterize the bounded and the compact weighted composition operators \( {W_{\psi\varphi}} \) from the analytic Besov space B p into BMOA and into VMOA. We also show that there are no isometries among the composition operators.
The burden of cystic fibrosis in the Medicaid population.

Purpose To conduct an analysis describing clinical characteristics, pulmonary exacerbation (PEx) events, and health care resource utilization among Medicaid-insured patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Patients and methods A retrospective analysis of the Truven Health MarketScan® Medicaid Multi-State administrative claims database (2010-2014) was undertaken. Patients aged ≥6 years with a CF diagnosis, continuously enrolled for 12 months, were identified. Demographics, comorbidities, PEx events, and health care resource utilization and costs over a 12-month enrollment period were analyzed for all patients and by age groups. Results In total, 1196 patients with CF aged ≥6 years were identified from a sample size of approximately 10 million Medicaid patients. Mean (SD) age was 16.1 (8.8) years. A greater proportion of patients were in younger age groups (6-11 years: 35.5%, 12-17 years: 29.1%, 18-26 years: 25.6%, 27-34 years: 6.7%, ≥35 years: 3.2%). Across all age groups, approximately 90% of patients had at least 1 PEx event; 50.7% of those had a PEx event involving treatment with intravenous antibiotics, and 42.8% required hospitalization. PEx recurrence was frequent: 55.7% of all patients experienced ≥3 PEx events during 1 year. Mean (SD) health care expenditures during a PEx event rose with increasing age, ranging from US$44,589 (US$139,024) to US$116,169 (US$387,752). Overall health care resource utilization was high among patients with CF; 47.2% of the population required an inpatient admission, and 26.8% had subsequent hospitalizations totaling 29.1 days per year in hospital. Conclusion High rates of PEx, hospitalizations, and time spent in hospital demonstrate the significant health care burden of CF among Medicaid beneficiaries.
Bitcoin: Investment or Illusion?

The case describes a hypothetical hedge fund manager who is examining whether to invest in bitcoin. The case discusses potential risks and rewards of investing in bitcoin, the role of bitcoin and digital currencies more broadly, and financial innovation in the space, such as ICOs. It can be taught as part of a second-year MBA elective course in investments, financial institutions/capital markets, or fintech. Excerpt UVA-F-1819 Rev. Jan. 29, 2018 Bitcoin: Investment or Illusion? Stay away from bitcoin. It is a mirage. —Warren Buffett It is a fraud. It is worse than tulip bulbs. —Jamie Dimon Bitcoin offers a sweeping vista of opportunity. —Marc Andreessen . . .
Use of Machine Learning to Identify Follow-Up Recommendations in Radiology Reports.

Abstract Purpose The aims of this study were to assess follow-up recommendations in radiology reports, develop and assess traditional machine learning (TML) and deep learning (DL) models in identifying follow-up, and benchmark them against a natural language processing (NLP) system. Methods This HIPAA-compliant, institutional review board–approved study was performed at an academic medical center generating >500,000 radiology reports annually. One thousand randomly selected ultrasound, radiography, CT, and MRI reports generated in 2016 were manually reviewed and annotated for follow-up recommendations. TML (support vector machines, random forest, logistic regression) and DL (recurrent neural nets) algorithms were constructed and trained on 850 reports (training data), with subsequent optimization of model architectures and parameters. Precision, recall, and F1 score were calculated on the remaining 150 reports (test data). A previously developed and validated NLP system (iSCOUT) was also applied to the test data, with equivalent metrics calculated. Results Follow-up recommendations were present in 12.7% of reports. The TML algorithms achieved F1 scores of 0.75 (random forest), 0.83 (logistic regression), and 0.85 (support vector machine) on the test data. DL recurrent neural nets had an F1 score of 0.71; iSCOUT also had an F1 score of 0.71. Performance of both TML and DL methods by F1 scores appeared to plateau after 500 to 700 samples while training. Conclusions TML and DL are feasible methods to identify follow-up recommendations. These methods have great potential for near real-time monitoring of follow-up recommendations in radiology reports.
Expanding the Vision of the Social Constructionist Debates: Creating Relevance for Practitioners:

The term social constructionism has been associated with the research debates among academic social workers. Recently Atherton offered an analysis of the research debates in an attempt to communica...
Audits, Markets, and Patents

The valuation of illiquid assets is a challenge across many areas of law, from tax to torts to takings to intellectual property. The most common approaches to the problem are state assessment and self-assessment. In a state assessment system, some actor or body employed or deputized by the government — such as an assessor, a jury, or a judge — estimates the value of the asset in question, and that state assessment becomes binding (generally after an appeals process has run its course). Examples of state assessment include local property tax valuations, jury awards in tort cases, court-ordered compensation for takings, and the process for patent and copyright holders to obtain compensation from the federal government when it uses their intellectual property without a license. In a self-assessment system, asset owners or taxpayers report their own valuations of the item in question. Rather than relying on scout’s honor, authorities generally subject those self-assessed valuations to random or quasi-random audits and then impose penalties if the self-assessment appears to be self-serving. Examples of self-assessment abound in the federal tax context, including the valuation of in-kind income, noncash charitable contributions, goods and services transferred among affiliated business entities, and gifts and inheritances subject to wealth transfer taxes. Audits are not the only way that governments can test the accuracy of reported valuations in a self-assessment system. An alternative to an “audit test” is a “market test.” In the context of a self-assessed property tax, for example, a market test would allow anyone to purchase the property for the self-assessed price. Following in the footsteps of economist Arnold Harberger, a number of scholars of law and economics have developed detailed and innovative market-test proposals, including Saul Levmore, Lee Fennell, and — most recently — Eric Posner and Glen Weyl. This Essay revisits the tradeoff between state assessment and self-assessment as well as the choice between market tests and audit tests as mechanisms for policing self-assessment. It observes that a combination of audits and markets will work best when the private sector can gather and process information about valuation more efficiently than the public sector can, and when overvaluation, not undervaluation, is the primary valuation-related concern. These conditions appear to apply to government patent buyouts. The Essay concludes that a hybrid audit/market regime will likely represent an important improvement over existing patent buyout proposals.
Using Motivational Interviewing to Support the Coming Out Process

Despite the significance of coming out for many sexual minority individuals, the literature contains few resources for service providers who are attempting to support clients with decisions of if, ...
Growth Evolution of Polycrystalline CdTe/CdS with Atomic Scale Resolution via Molecular Dynamics

A new method to study polycrystalline growth of CdTe layers has been developed using Molecular Dynamics (MD). The results show the creation of polycrystalline CdTe/CdS structures that closely recreate the morphology of experimental polycrystalline growth. The growth shows the nucleation and coalescence of grains at early stages for CdS on amorphous CdS and CdTe on polycrystalline CdS.
Assessment of Maya women's knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs on sexually transmitted infections in Guatemala: a qualitative pilot study.

Despite Guatemala’s large indigenous population, indigenous health is often neglected in reported health data and interventions. Although this data is limited in scope, it shows that indigenous people have poorer health outcomes. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are now a growing threat in Guatemala and pose great risk to the wellbeing of its indigenous population. This qualitative pilot study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of STIs through semi-structured interviews among a previously unstudied population of indigenous Maya women (n = 35, ages 18–50) in the six municipalities of Santa Cruz La Laguna, Guatemala. Four key themes were identified: 1) indigenous Maya women have limited factual knowledge about sex and STIs; 2) widespread partner infidelity minimizes women’s control over preventing STI contraction; 3) close-knit communities and the resulting heightened fear of gossip prevents communication and hinders care seeking; and 4) lack of quality medical care and inaccessibility of biomedical healthcare systems pose barriers to seeking care for potential STIs. To address these findings, we suggest methods to improve sexual education, combat male infidelity, promote condom use, and improve health services to reduce the incidence of STIs in Maya Guatemala.
The BNL-AGS Experiment 896

The Ho is the simplest and most plausible of the exotic multi-quark states originally derived from the MIT bag model.[l] It is a six-quark state with the quark composition of uuddss, baryon number B=2, spin-parity J π=O+, and strangeness S=−2. It is not a bound pair of distinct Λ particles (uds+uds), and it differs from both the deuteron (uud+udd) and the conjectured multi-hyperons in that all six quarks are contained in a single bag.† This particle has not yet been observed unambiguously.
Factors associated with adoption breakdown following implementation of the Fostering Connections Act: A systematic review

Abstract The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 was one of several United States federal initiatives meant to encourage adoptions from child welfare and support parents in post-adoption. The majority of these policies provide financial assistance in the form of subsidies and tax breaks. This systematic review explores the effect of these federal initiatives on adoption by examining recent studies (n = 6) of adoption breakdown in the United States. Several of the previously identified factors associated with adoption breakdown appear to remain a challenge for children and families in post-adoption. Child characteristics that remained significant are 1) age of child at adoption, 2) number of placements while in foster care, and 3) emotional and behavior challenges. Some parent and agency characteristics also continued to be observed in situations of adoption breakdown. Yet, this review indicated a potential positive impact of the Fostering Connections Act and previous legislation aimed at strengthening families in post-adoption. Implications for practice include a call for future federal initiatives to continue efforts to support adoptive families by expanding the adoption competency trainings to reach adoptive parents as well as professionals. Future research needs include exploring the post-adoption needs of kinship adopters and expanding the examination of parent and agency factors currently associated with adoption breakdown in the United States.
Optical Biosensors for Virus Detection: Prospects for SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19.

The recent pandemic of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused huge worldwide disruption due to the lack of available testing locations and equipment. The use of optical techniques for viral detection has flourished in the past 15â years, providing more reliable, inexpensive, and accurate detection methods. In the current minireview, optical phenomena including fluorescence, surface plasmons, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), and colorimetry are discussed in the context of detecting virus pathogens. The sensitivity of a viral detection method can be dramatically improved by using materials that exhibit surface plasmons or SERS, but often this requires advanced instrumentation for detection. Although fluorescence and colorimetry lack high sensitivity, they show promise as point-of-care diagnostics because of their relatively less complicated instrumentation, ease of use, lower costs, and the fact that they do not require nucleic acid amplification. The advantages and disadvantages of each optical detection method are presented, and prospects for applying optical biosensors in COVID-19 detection are discussed.
Multiobjective design of meta-materials exhibiting a targeted non-linear deformation response

This paper presents recent advances in developing a systematic design procedure for nonlinear cellular meta-materials. In previous work by the authors, the Unit Cell Synthesis method was introduced for designing unit-cell-based meta-materials that exhibit targeted nonlinear deformation response. The method is based on a fundamental understanding of simple entities that exhibit geometric nonlinearities under deformation. The geometric parameters associated with these entities can be tuned to achieve the desired nonlinear response. In this work, the original Unit Cell Synthesis method is extended to include a multi-objective optimization step to take into consideration multiple application-specific criteria while optimizing the meta-material design. A case study of designing a meta-material to mimic the nonlinear compressive behavior of an existing elastomer component in a military tracked vehicle is presented to demonstrate the method. Furthermore, to understand the effects of the manufacturing accuracy of design parameters on the performance of the optimized meta-material, a sensitivity analysis is carried out to obtain a feasible range of mechanical behavior for the meta-material and reveal the significance of individual design parameters and their interactions.
Sallust and Catiline: Conspiracy Theories

In this paper it is argued: (1) that the First Catilinarian Conspiracy of 66-65 BC, described by Sallust at BC 18-19, is not ‘fiction’ (as is almost universally assumed); and (2) that the revolutionary plans ascribed by Sallust to Catiline in 64 BC (BC 17, 20-3) have not been retrojected from the following year (as is also almost universally assumed).
SARS-CoV-2 variants and convalescent plasma: reality, fallacies, and opportunities.

In recent months genomic characterization of pandemic SARS-CoV-2 isolates identified viral variants that are less susceptible to neutralization by convalescent plasma (CP), vaccine-elicited plasma/sera, or SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies than earlier SARS-CoV-2 strains. In this Viewpoint, Casadevall et al. argue against the causal association made in some press articles between the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants and convalescent plasma use.
Microbiota and human allergic diseases: the company we keep

Environmental, maternal and early life microbial/immune networks program human developmental trajectories and health outcomes and strongly modify allergic disease risk. The effects of environmental microbiota are illustrated by the 'farm effect' (the protection against asthma and allergy conferred by growing up on a traditional farm) and other natural experiments in populations exposed to microbe-rich environments. The role of gut microbiome maturation in the asthma/allergy trajectory is demonstrated by the most recent farm studies, which identified microbial metabolites specifically associated with asthma protection, and studies in other cohorts, which defined dynamic microbial community profiles associated with allergic disease phenotypes. Current and future studies in germ-free mice associated with gut microbiota from human disease states are providing novel mechanistic insights into the role of microbiota in shaping immune function and allergic disease susceptibility.
Central Venous Access in Children – Recent Trends

Pediatric central venous access is often required and is difficult to achieve especially in neonates and children below 5 years of age. All pediatric central venous access should be performed under ultrasound guidance. For short-term central venous access, two types of catheters are available: peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) and temporary central venous catheters (CVCs) also known as non-tunneled central venous catheters. For patients requiring long-term central venous access for any reason, two broad types of catheters/devices are available: cuffed central venous catheters also known as tunneled central venous catheters and implantable venous ports. The aim of this chapter is to provide the reader information about technique of central venous catheter placement and how to choose which type of catheter is best suited for a particular situation.
Chest X-ray Severity and its Association with Outcomes in Patients with COVID-19 Presenting to the Emergency Department

Background: Severity of radiographic abnormalities on chest X-ray (CXR) in patients with COVID-19 has been shown to be associated with worse outcomes, but studies are limited by different scoring systems, sample size, patient age and study duration. Data regarding the longitudinal evolution of radiographic abnormalities and its association with outcomes is scarce. We sought to evaluate these questions using a well-validated scoring system (the Radiographic Assessment of Lung Edema [RALE] score) using data over 6 months from a large, multi-hospital healthcare system. Methods: We collected clinical and demographic data and quantified radiographic edema on CXRs obtained in the emergency department (ED) as well as on days 1-2 and 3-5 (in those admitted) in patients with a nasopharyngeal swab positive for SARS-CoV-2 PCR visiting the ED for COVID-19-related complaints between March and September 2020. We examined the association of baseline and longitudinal evolution of radiographic edema with severity of hypoxemia and clinical outcomes. Results: 870 patients were included (median age 53.6, 50.8% female). Inter-rate agreement for RALE scores was excellent (ICC = 0.84, 95% CI 0.82 - 0.87, p < 0.0001). RALE scores correlated with hypoxemia as quantified by SpO2-FiO2 ratio (r = -0.42, p < 0.001). Admitted patients had higher RALE scores than those discharged (6 [2, 11] vs 0 [0, 3], p < 0.001). An increase of RALE score of 4 or more was associated with worse 30-day survival (p < 0.01). Larger increases in the RALE score were associated with worse survival. Conclusions: The RALE score is reproducible and easily implementable in adult patients presenting to the ED with COVID-19. Its association with physiologic parameters and outcomes at baseline and longitudinally makes it a readily available tool for prognostication and early ICU triage, particularly in patients with worsening radiographic edema.
Potential Mechanisms for Linking Phage Mu Transposition with Cell Physiology

This chapter discusses potential mechanisms for linking phage Mu transposition with cell physiology. Derepression of transposition can potentially benefit the host under conditions of stress, and these mechanisms can be part of the cellular stress response. Bacteriophage Mu is a model of regulated transposition, for it functions within its host as a fully active transposon as well as a virus. Transposition of the Mu genome into the host chromosome establishes lysogeny and replicates Mu DNA for lytic development. Upon completion of strand exchange, the transpososome remains in a tight complex with the two Mu ends in what is known as the type II transpososome or the strand-transfer complex (STC), posing as an impediment to the assembly of a replisome. The processes in DNA replication relevant to potential mechanisms in Mu derepression and those properties providing insights about Mu's relationship with its host are summarized in this chapter. Two types of repressor mutants which induce lytic development in Mu lysogens have provided insight as to how Mu derepression may be triggered. The C-terminal domain (CTD) of Rep plays an important role not only in eliciting thermolability of cts DNA binding domain (DBD) mutations present in cis but also in promoting Rep degradation induced by Vir expressed in trans. Recent evidence implicates a role for the Mu repressor CTD in S derepression and regulation of transposition. The CTD’s influence on DNA binding as well as repressor degradation represents two potential pathways by which derepression may be triggered.
Clinical study on acupuncture combined with low-frequency electric stimulation for scissor gait in children with spastic cerebral palsy

Objective To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture combined with low-frequency electric stimulation on scissor gait in children with spastic cerebral palsy.
X-Ray Double Crystal Diffractometer Investigations of Implanted Silicon: D+ and N+

Double crystal diffractometer measurements on silicon bombarded to a fluence >1016 ions/cm2 with 1 MeV deuterium and 2 MeV nitrogen are reported. Such measurements provide insight into radiation damage in silicon through the observation of Bragg case pendelloe-sung fringes and double peak rocking curves. Bragg case pendelloesung fringes are used to determine non-destructively the projected range of ions in silicon. Double peak rocking curves are used to measure changes in lattice parameter with the ion dose. Finally, a model of radiation damage in silicon is presented.
Assimilation Experiments of One-dimensional Variational Analyses with GPS/MET Refractivity

The GPS/MET 1995 experiment demonstrated the feasability of remote soundings of the Earth’s atmosphere using the GPS radio occultation technique [1] . Subsequent studies assessed the information content of such measurements (e.g. [2]) . Several groups have attempted to assimilate the GPS radio occultation measurements into a global Data Assimilation System (DAS). These attempts followed in general the methodology proposed by Eyre [3], and range from direct four-dimensional variational assimilation of bending angles to assimilation of inverted profiles of temperature and/or humidity. We present here an hybrid approach. We attempted to take advantage of the accurracy of current weather models to constrain one-dimensional variational analyses using GPS refractivity. Retrieved profiles of atmospheric parameters were then assimilated like other types of observations in a global DAS for issuing the next forecast period. We compare analyses (as well as forecasts) performed with and without assimilating GPS radio occultation observations.
The Effect of the Enron Collapse on Investor Perceptions of Auditor Independence and Financial Statement Reliability

Investor confidence regarding the reliability of financial statements is absolutely critical for publicly traded companies. The bankruptcy of Enron has brought to the forefront the issue of auditor independence and financial statement reliability. As a response to the criticism that the growth in consulting services by CPA firms was leading to a conflict of interest and significantly hindering auditor independence, the SEC approved new auditor independence regulations that required publicly traded firms to disclose the level of fees that were paid to their external auditor for non-audit services. This paper investigates the impact that the Enron collapse has had on investor perceptions about auditor independence and financial statement reliability. Using data from proxy statements concerning non-audit fees paid to external auditors, we find evidence that auditor independence and therefore financial statement reliability are compromised by the provision of these non-audit services. The results indicate that in the wake of the Enron revelations, investors perceive financial statements as being less reliable and thus require an additional risk premium, which translates into lower stock prices and a loss of firm value. We also find that there is negative relationship between the extent to which firms use non-audit services and the negative abnormal returns they suffered during the Enron collapse.
Focus on Elementary: The Gender Journey in Picturebooks: A Look Back to Move Forward

Children's literature is a powerful medium that conveys the ideas and perspectives of society in a child-friendly form for young readers. The messages contained in children's books therefore have i...
Using a Behavior Chain Interruption Strategy to Teach Communication Skills to Students with Severe Disabilities

Two adolescents with severe disabilities were taught pictorial communication skills using an interrupted behavior sequence strategy. The independent variable involved insertion of a typical operant instructional trial for teaching communication skills into the midst of ongoing predictable sequences of behaviors, such as making toast or washing dishes, rather than at the beginning of the task performance. Results indicated the strategy was effective, and are discussed in terms of motivational factors and in terms of potential application of the strategy in community settings.
Correlation of exhaled breath temperature with bronchial blood flow in asthma

In asthma elevated rates of exhaled breath temperature changes (Δe°T) and bronchial blood flow (Qaw) may be due to increased vascularity of the airway mucosa as a result of inflammation.
Basolateral Endocytic Recycling Requires RAB-10 and AMPH-1 Mediated Recruitment of RAB-5 GAP TBC-2 to Endosomes

The small GTPase RAB-5/Rab5 is a master regulator of the early endosome, required for a myriad of coordinated activities, including the degradation and recycling of internalized cargo. Here we focused on the recycling function of the early endosome and the regulation of RAB-5 by GAP protein TBC-2 in the basolateral C. elegans intestine. We demonstrate that downstream basolateral recycling regulators, GTPase RAB-10/Rab10 and BAR domain protein AMPH-1/Amphiphysin, bind to TBC-2 and help to recruit it to endosomes. In the absence of RAB-10 or AMPH-1 binding to TBC-2, RAB-5 membrane association is abnormally high and recycling cargo is trapped in early endosomes. Furthermore, the loss of TBC-2 or AMPH-1 leads to abnormally high spatial overlap of RAB-5 and RAB-10. Taken together our results indicate that RAB-10 and AMPH-1 mediated down-regulation of RAB-5 is an important step in recycling, required for cargo exit from early endosomes and regulation of early endosome–recycling endosome interactions.
Educational Intervention to Reduce Frequency of Use of Restricted Abbreviations in a Community Health Center

Background:Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations' (JCAHO) patient safety goals recognize that misuse of many common medical abbreviations correlates directly with medication errors. An institution-specific educational intervention may facilitate appropriate use of abbreviations to improve communication.Objective:To estimate the frequency of use of JCAHO-restricted abbreviations in prescriptions received at an outpatient pharmacy and determine whether an educational intervention on proper abbreviations decreases the rate of use of restricted abbreviations.Methods:Prescription records from an outpatient pharmacy of an urban community health center were reviewed during a 3 week interval to determine the baseline rate of inappropriate abbreviation use. Following an educational intervention, prescription records were prospectively reviewed for a 3 week interval to compare the frequency of inappropriate abbreviation use.Results:Inappropriate abbreviation use occurred at a rate of 25.8% (...
A revised simplex method for linear multiple objective programs

For linear multiple-objective problems, a necessary and sufficient condition for a point to be efficient is employed in the development of a revised simplex algorithm for the enumeration of the set of efficient extreme points. Five options within this algorithm were tested on a variety of problems. Results of these tests provide indications for effective use of the algorithm.
Recombinant Neutral Endopeptidase Attenuates Substance P-Induced Plasma Extravasation in the Guinea Pig Skin

To determine whether exogenously administered neutral endopeptidase (NEP; enkephalinase, EC 3.4.24.11) inhibits the substance P-induced increase in vascular permeability in the skin, we examined the e
Shyness in Asian American Children and the Relation to Temperament, Parents' Acculturation, and Psychosocial Functioning

The purpose of this study was to examine whether anxious shyness and regulated shyness, initially identified in Asian cultures, can be differentiated in Asian American children and to explore how these two forms of shyness were related to children's temperament, parents' acculturation, and children's psychosocial functioning. Participants were 155 fourth and fifth grade children (81 girls, Mage = 10.35 years) who were recruited from an elementary school in Hawai'i. The results of an exploratory factor analysis replicated the two-factor model of shyness found in previous studies of Asian children. Anxious and regulated shyness were similarly related to temperamental shyness and solitary behaviour but differed in their relations to attention regulation, social preference, anxious behaviour, peer exclusion, and loneliness. In addition, parents' orientation to their Asian natal cultures was positively related to regulated but not anxious shyness. These findings from an Asian-concentrated context in a Western culture provide preliminary support for the distinction between anxious and regulated shyness in Asian American children. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microarray Technology: A Promising Tool in Nutrigenomics

Microarray technology is a powerful tool for the global evaluation of gene expression profiles in tissues and for understanding many of the factors controlling the regulation of gene transcription. This technique not only provides a considerable amount of information on markers and predictive factors that may potentially characterize a specific clinical picture, but also promises new applications for therapy. One of the most recent applications of microarrays concerns nutritional genomics. Nutritional genomics, known as nutrigenomics, aims to identify and understand mechanisms of molecular interaction between nutrients and/or other dietary bioactive compounds and the genome. Actually, many nutrigenomic studies utilize new approaches such as microarrays, genomics, and bioinformatics to understand how nutrients influence gene expression. The coupling of these new technologies with nutrigenomics promises to lead to improvements in diet and health. In fact, it may provide new information which can be used to ameliorate dietary regimens and to discover novel natural agents for the treatment of important diseases such as diabetes and cancer. This critical review gives an overview of the clinical relevance of a nutritional approach to several important diseases, and proposes the use of microarray for nutrigenomic studies.
Exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise: importance of resting blood pressure

Normotensive individuals who exhibit an exaggerated blood pressure (BP) response to exercise have an increased risk of future hypertension. However, previous studies failed to control for resting BP despite the fact that an elevated resting BP in the normotensive range is also a strong predictor of future hypertension. Therefore, we determined whether maximal systolic BP is associated with resting BP. Resting BP was measured in 68 healthy normotensive men on three separate days. The subjects then performed a graded, maximal exercise test on a Monark cycle ergometer. Maximal systolic BP was strongly correlated with resting systolic BP (r = 0.64, P 220 mmHg) also had higher (P < 0.005) resting BP than those without (< 220 mmHg). When stepwise regression analyses were performed, systolic BP at rest was a significant independent predictor of maximal systolic BP, explaining over 40% of the variability. These results suggest that exaggerated BP response as a predictor of future hypertension reported in previous studies may be little more than a simple reflection of elevated resting BP. Specifically, these studies should not be interpreted as demonstrating that exercise BP is a better predictor of future hypertension than resting BP alone. In the future, defining the BP 'response' to exercise as a change score (i.e. maximal BP minus resting BP) may be advantageous as it permits the effects of exercise to be examined independently of the level of resting BP.
Using hockey pucks to help students understand vector addition, orientation, and change of basis

ABSTRACT The transition from multivariate calculus to linear algebra is often difficult for students because they continue to think of vectors as ordered sets of numbers. While relatively innocuous in the first weeks of their study, the inflexibility of this paradigm causes particular troubles when students attempt to understand the way a change of basis affects the matrix representation of a linear operator. This brief note describes an easy activity that is designed to help students develop a good foundation from the start.
On one approach to finding the branching lines and bifurcation points of solutions of nonlinear integral equations whose kernels depend analytically on two spectral parameters

We consider iterative algorithms of finding the curves of eigenvalues and their bifurcation points of a nonlinear algebraic two-parameter spectral problem, which appears in the solution of the problem of synthesis of plane antenna arrays by a given amplitude directivity pattern. These algorithms are based on the numerical procedure of calculation of ordinary and partial derivatives of a matrix determinant and the algorithm of finding all eigenvalues in a given domain of change in the spectral parameters. We also present some results of numerical experiments.