cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of extrapleural pneumonectomy in the management of pleural cancers

7577 Background: We report our experience with EPP for non-mesothelial malignancies. Methods: A retrospective chart review, from June 1994 to October 2007. For all cases, the site of disease involv...
Physiologic Functional Evaluation of Left Internal Mammary Artery Graft to Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery Steal due to Unligated First Thoracic Branch in a Case of Refractory Angina

Unligated side branches of the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) have been described in the literature as a cause of coronary steal resulting in angina. Despite a number of studies reporting successful side branch embolization to relieve symptoms, this phenomenon remains controversial. Hemodynamic evidence of coronary steal using angiographic and intravascular Doppler techniques has been supported by some and rejected by others. In this case study using an intracoronary Doppler wire with adenosine, we demonstrate that a trial occlusion of the LIMA thoracic side branch with selective balloon inflation can confirm physiologic significant steal and whether coil embolization of the side branch is indicated.
Smartphone Optosensing Platform Using a DVD Grating to Detect Neurotoxins

We present a smartphone optosensing platform (SOP) using a digital versatile disc (DVD) diffraction grating for rapid in-field detecting neurotoxins. The smartphone holder and sample holder were 3D printed for the SOP. A DVD grating is demonstrated for the first time in a low-cost miniature spectrometer on the SOP to quantify the concentrations of neurotoxins. The SOP is capable of detecting optical absorbance spectra within the entire visible spectral range from 400 to 700 nm with the spectral resolution of 0.2521 nm/pixel. We demonstrated the performance of the DVD grating compared with a commercial transmission grating on the SOP and a conventional microplate reader. Paraoxon, as the selected neurotoxin model, is assayed by two types of cholinesterase (ChE) on our SOP, respectively. Integrating a DVD grating in the SOP allows quantification of paraoxon in the range from 5 nM to 25 μM with the detection limit of 2.9 nM. In addition to the low assessed detection limit at medically relevant concentrations...
Optimal Fair Opportunistic Scheduling For Wireless Systems Via Classification Framework

In this work, we exploit historical channel data via linear programming and machine learning tools to perform opportunistic scheduling for multiuser wireless systems under temporal fairness constraints. We first derive linear program-based scheduling (LPS) algorithms that compute the scheduling decisions from a window of past user metrics. The proposed linear program scheduling policies approach the optimal policy as the window size gets large. However, as demonstrated via simulations, even with a short window, the performance of the proposed policies can be very close to optimal. For stationary environments, we introduce a new interpretation of the scheduling problem that casts the resource allocation problem as one of statistical classification. We then propose a novel supervised classification-based scheduling (SCS) framework, which uses the LPS decisions to obtain labeled samples for training a multiclass classifier and obtaining optimal scheduling decision boundaries. In addition, as applications of the proposed classification framework, we devise efficient classification methods to learn the scheduling offsets for existing offset-driven scheduling policies.
Benchmarketing competition

Benchmarketing aims to make the benchmark numbers as high as possible, regardless of whether they actually have any predictive power.
An optimized method for estimating the tidal volume from intracardiac or body surface electrocardiographic signals: implications for estimating minute ventilation

The ability to accurately monitor tidal volume (TV) from electrocardiographic (ECG) signals holds significant promise for improving diagnosis treatment across a variety of clinical settings. The ob...
Thermochemical Properties of Selenium Fluorides, Oxides, and Oxofluorides

The bond dissociation energies (BDEs), fluoride and fluorocation affinities, and electron affinities of SeFn (n = 1–6), SeOFn (n = 0–4), and SeO2Fn (n = 0–2) have been predicted with coupled cluster CCSD(T) theory extrapolated to the complete basis set limit. To achieve near chemical accuracy, additional corrections were added to the complete basis set binding energies based on frozen core coupled cluster theory energies. These included corrections for core–valence effects, scalar relativistic effects, for first-order atomic spin–orbit effects, and vibrational zero point energies. The adiabatic BDEs contain contributions from product reorganization energies and, therefore, can be much smaller than the diabatic BDEs and can vary over a wide range. For thermochemical calculations, the adiabatic values must be used, whereas for bond strength and kinetic considerations, the diabatic values should be used when only small displacements of the atoms without change of the geometry of the molecule are involved. Th...
Effect of Venostasis on Heart Failure with Particular Reference to Cardiac Asthma.

Though the etiology of cardiac asthma is unknown, a markedly increased cardiac output and blood velocity throughout the body and especially the lungs are according to Eppinger, Papp and Schwartz1 significant factors. They explain the attack by a relatively left ventricular insufficiency dependent on the excess of blood brought to the lungs and heart. In view of the convincing nature of their experiments the writer has attempted to check the circulatory overflow in the periphery by the compression of the veins in the four extremities. This is conveniently performed by applying four blood pressure cuffs around the extremities as near to the trunk as possible. These cuffs are all in series and connect with an ordinary blood pressure manometer and rubber bulb. We have called the apparatus the “Venostat.” (Fig. 1.)The cuffs are gradually inflated up to diastolic pressure and maintained at this level for 10 to 12 minutes. They are then very gradually deflated.The application of this procedure during a cardio-as...
Boundary regularity for linear and quasilinear variational inequalities

On montre a l'aide d'une extension d'une methode de Jensen que les derivees secondes des solutions de divers problemes d'obstacles lineaires sont bornees sous des hypotheses de regularite des donnees plus faibles que celles de Jensen
Inferior exercise economy in children: perpetuating a myth?

It is one of the most established, well-documented pieces of dogma in the pediatric exercise physiology literature: compared with adults, children exhibit a greater metabolic requirement to move body mass—an inferior exercise economy—during weight-bearing exercise (1,7). In a typical example provided by Unnithan and Eston, 9–10 year old boys had a 24% greater mass-relative oxygen demand while running on a treadmill at 9.6 km h-1 compared with 18–25 year old men (47 ml kg-1 min-1 versus 38 ml kg-1 min-1; 15). Cross-sectional studies indicate that this economy improves with increasing age. In an early study, Skinner et al. demonstrated a progressive decline in metabolic demand during uphill treadmill walking from 46 ml kg-1 min-1 in a group of 6–8 year old children to 41 ml kg-1 min-1 in a cohort of 12–16 year old youth (13). Longitudinal studies have verified this trend. In the Amsterdam Growth, Health, and Fitness Study, data from 192 subjects showed a mean decrease in VO2 per kg from 37.6 to 30.3 ml kg-1 min-1 between the ages of 13 and 27 years (16). Rowland et al. determined treadmill walking economy at 3.25 mph and 8% grade annually for five years in children beginning at age 9 years (9). Mass-relative oxygen uptake fell progressively over this time span from an initial mean value of 31.0 ml kg-1 min-1 to 26.5 ml kg-1 min-1. The findings have been remarkably consistent: metabolic cost per kg body mass at a given exercise load progressively decreases in a continuum through the growing years. VO2/kg at a given treadmill speed and grade setting can be predicted to decline by an average of approximately 1.0 ml kg-1 min-1 for each year of increasing age until midlate adolescence. From the perspective of developmental exercise physiology, this “wasteful gait” of children has been considered as a disadvantage in their capacity for endurance exercise compared with adults. “The high metabolic cost of walking and running,” it has been suggested, “makes the small child less of an ‘aerobic machine” (1). From a more pragmatic standpoint, the progressive change in exercise economy
Impulsive Harvesting Strategy in a Stage Structure Population Model with Birth Pulse

Based on impulsive differential equations,the dynamical behaviors of a single specie model with stage structure,birth pulse and impulsive harvesting,are investigated,where birth pulse and impulsive harvesting act at different times.The existence and stability of the positive period solution of model are discussed.By using center manifold theorem and bifurcation theorem,the condition of occurrence for filp bifurcation is derived.Moreover,the numerical simulations results of the phase portraits,the periodic solutions and the bifurcation diagram,which are illustrated by an example,are in good agreement with the theoretical analysis results.
The Comparison Test of the Efficacy of Three Kinds of Mothproofers in Laboratory

The efficacy of three kinds of mothproofers,camphor,p-dicholorabenezene and pyrethriod,against Attgenus unicolor was studied and compared.In laboratory,motality of Attgenus unicolor,weight-losing of fabric and destroying level were determined.The test results showed that when applied at the same dosage,p-dicholorabenezene had the highest moth killing effect.The moth killing effect of pyrethrod was also higher than that of camphor.Their protecting rates in weight-losing were the same of more than 90%,and the destroying situations were also the same of grade 0.According to the test results,mothproofers of camphor and pyrethrod were recommended considering p-dicholorabenezene has more toxicity to human being.
Toward rigorous design of domain-specific distributed systems

The advent of data center, cloud computing and IoT has thrust distributed systems building into the programming mainstream. Building correct distributed systems is notoriously hard, yet today's developers have little training and few tools to aid them in reasoning about these complex systems. To that end, we present DS2 -- a domain-specific language and integrated framework for specifying, synthesizing, and reasoning. The DS2 language is parsimonious, and comes with an operational semantics that lends semantic clarity and enables formal analysis. A variety of techniques for model exploration, active testing, and synthesis of detailed implementations from higher level specifications are being developed. This paper details these aspects of DS2 and provides a roadmap of its evolution.
One Minute of Marijuana Secondhand Smoke Exposure Substantially Impairs Vascular Endothelial Function

BackgroundDespite public awareness that tobacco secondhand smoke (SHS) is harmful, many people still assume that marijuana SHS is benign. Debates about whether smoke‐free laws should include mariju...
Development of Y-123 Tape Conductors by Vapor Phase Deposition

YBa2Cu3O7-x oxide superconductor has intrinsically strong pinning properties at 77K, which suggests its potential for applications at liquid nitrogen temperatures. Formerly, YBa2Cu3O7-x was considered difficult for use in forming conductors because its severe intergranular weak links could not be easily removed due to difficulty in crystalline alignment control. In recent years several possibilities of using flexible coated conductor have been indicated with the effective removal of intergranular weak links to produce “biaxially aligned structures.” Four kinds of methods have been proposed to produce “biaxially aligned structures, ” such as ion-beam-assisted deposition (IBAD), modified bias sputtering, inclined pulsed laser deposition, and rolling assisted biaxially textured substrates (RABiTS). This article reviews the current status of the development of YBa2Cu3O7-x oxide superconducting tapes produced by vapor phase deposition. Biaxially aligned YBa2Cu3O7-x coated conductors have the following advantages: (a) high Jc values: stable Jc values over 105A/cm2 (77K, 0T) were achieved, and Jc values over 106A/cm2 (77K, 0T) were obtained in short samples; (b) the possibility of large-current conductors: Ic (77K, 0T) values over 100A were obtained in 2-μm-thick YBa2Cu3O7-x films; (c) strong pinning properties at 77K; (d) excellent flexibility and mechanical durability; and (e) the low a.c. losses caused by thin-strip geometry and the low conductivity of substrates. YBa2Cu3O7-x tape conductors are unexplored technologies which require long-length, flexible tapes with uniform biaxial texturing. It has been a great challenge to remove the intergranular weak links and derive the intrinsic performance of oxide superconductors, which deserves further persistent research & development.
What Does the WRAML2 Core Battery Measure? Utilizing Exploratory and Confirmatory Techniques to Disclose Higher Order Structure:

The present study examined the factor structure of the Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning–Second Edition (WRAML2) core battery with participants from the normative sample aged 9 to 90 yea...
Women's experience of being interviewed about abuse: a qualitative systematic review.

Accessible summaryWhat is known on the subject? There is disagreement about the costs and benefits of asking women about their abuse experiences in practice and research settings. No known meta-syntheses have been conducted to evaluate the qualitative data that exist on the experiences of women being asked about their abuse. What this paper adds to the existing knowledge? This review adds robust qualitative evidence that interviewing women about their abuse experiences can be a beneficial and healing experience for them. Mental health nurses are in an ideal position to create a therapeutic environment to interview women about their abuse experiences. What are the implications for practice? Mental health nurses are strongly encouraged to ask about and document abuse in all of their interviews and assessments, as well as act as advocates and discuss reported abuse within their interdisciplinary teams, to provide individualized, trauma-informed care. The mental health nurse should listen attentively, avoid judgement, offer reassurance, make appropriate referrals and provide resources for women, including those with both past and current abuse histories. Nurses are strongly encouraged to ask about abuse in all settings in which they encounter women, including in psychiatric and mental health settings. AbstractIntroduction Collections of quantitative data exist outlining the costs and benefits of asking female research participants about their abuse experiences; however, no known meta-syntheses have been conducted to evaluate the qualitative data that exist on the experiences of women being asked about their abuse. Aim/Question The purpose of this qualitative systematic review was to analyse and interpret qualitative findings regarding asking women about their abuse experiences with the intention of understanding risks and benefits. Method The sample (N = 11) was derived from an expansive search of peer-reviewed literature using multidisciplinary electronic databases. Qualitative findings were extracted, coded and categorized. Reflective memos were developed, and themes emerged. Results While initially distressing, being interviewed about abuse is more beneficial than harmful for women, due to the therapeutic process of talking about abuse. Discussion To maximize the therapeutic impact of discussing abuse, women must maintain autonomy and feel they are in a safe and confidential environment. Within this supportive atmosphere, very few women report any regret after discussing abuse and are able to identify positive outcomes. Implications for practice Findings from this review support the need for mental health nurses and other clinicians to create an optimal environment for discussing abuse and offer relevant practice recommendations. Researchers are encouraged to include women in studies that involve asking about abuse experiences.
Combining Test and Proof in MBAT

In the aerospace industry, it has become possible to use formal analysis results as certification evidence thanks to the new version of the standard DO-178C and its formal methods supplement DO-333. Furthermore, formal proof has a high potential of cost reduction. On the other hand, it is not possible to replace testing completely by formal analysis, because the latter only considers more or less abstract models of the system under analysis, and can fail due to a too high complexity. But since certain verification tasks can be carried out by formal analysis with an advantage compared to testing, the question arises how both techniques, i.e. proof and test, can be combined in the best way. The European project MBAT gives answers to this question, and in this article we show how the combined approach has been applied to a relevant use case from Rockwell Collins.
Integrating Care Ethics and Design Thinking

This article explores the integration of the seemingly disparate notions of care ethics and design thinking. The business community has adapted “design thinking” from engineering and architecture to facilitate innovation and problem solving through participatory processes. “Care ethics” is a relational approach to morality characterized by a concern for context, empathy, and action. Although design thinking is receiving significant attention and application in business practices, care ethics has only achieved limited traction among business ethicists in academia. “Caring design” is offered as a mutually beneficial integration of the two ideas. Care ethics and design thinking have much in common. For example, the relational and responsive dimension of design thinking is analogous in some important ways, namely empathy and inquiry, to the relational and responsive approach of care ethics. The shared themes in care ethics and design thinking make the integration of the two plausible and reciprocal advantages make the combination compelling. Explicit ethical language can shape design thinking as more than a tool of productivity while the participatory processes of design thinking can aid in expanding the circle of care ethics as a social and political ethic. Furthermore, caring design may provide a palatable path for greater acceptance of care ethics among business professionals. An overview of design thinking and care ethics is offered prior to exploring how the synergies are mutually beneficial. The article concludes with a focus on how to educate the next generation of business students for caring design.
Hunting Specialization and its Relationship to Participation in Response to Chronic Wasting Disease

This article examines the influence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) on displacement and desertion among hunters of varying degrees of specialization. Data were obtained from surveys (n = 9,567) of...
Molecular Testing of Head and Neck Tumors

Per cubic centimeter, the head and neck region gives rise to a greater diversity of neoplasms than any other site in the human body does. The diversity is due partly to the anatomic complexity of and highly varied tissues in this compact area. Two unique areas of study within the head and neck region are squamous mucosal lesions and salivary gland tumors. Results of morphologic, histologic, and immunohistochemical analyses are the mainstay of diagnosis, but recent advances in molecular pathology are being used to identify potential targets, and for pathologists as aid for the diagnostic approach. This chapter provides contemporary information on the molecular characterization and testing of head and neck squamous epithelial lesions and salivary gland tumors for clinical management.
Authenticity: The Sociological Dimensions of a Politically Consequential Concept

In this brief essay, I reflect on the concept of authenticity and its potential convergence with topics of sociological concern. I argue that sociologists should consider the topic of authenticity for two reasons: its problematic role in modern social life and its prominence in contemporary electoral politics. I then provide a brief survey of the concept’s historical development in Western thought and argue that the modern notion of authenticity exists in sharp contrast with its antecedents in classical thought. Where once authenticity was associated with external and transcendent goods, the rise of modernity transformed the concept into an individual and interior phenomenon. Thus, contemporary authenticity is coterminous with the sociological theories of dramaturgy and social performance. Finally, I argue that if sociologists integrate the notion of authenticity into dramaturgical analysis, the apparently perplexing role of authenticity in politics will be rendered more intelligible.
Ultrasonography training and utilization in surgical critical care fellowships: a program director's survey.

Abstract Background Intensivist-performed ultrasound (IPUS) is an adjunctive tool used to assist in resuscitation and management of critically ill patients. It allows clinicians real-time information through noninvasive methods. We aimed to evaluate the types of IPUS performed and the methods surgical critical care (SCC) fellows are trained along with challenges in training. Methods One hundred SCC fellowship directors were successfully sent an email inviting them to participate in a short Web-based survey. We inquired about program characteristics including hospital type, fellowship size, faculty size and training, dedicated surgical critical care beds, and ultrasound equipment availability. The survey contained questions regarding the program directors' perception on importance on cost effectiveness of IPUS, types of IPUS examinations performed, fellows experience with IPUS, challenges to training, and presence and methods of quality assurance (QA) programs. Results A total of 38 (38.0%) program directors completed the survey. Using a 100-point Likert scale, the majority of the respondents indicated that IPUS is important to patient care in the SICU and is cost-effective (mean score 85.5 and 84.6, respectively). Most (34, 89.5%) utilize IPUS and conduct a mean of 5.1 different examination types with FAST being the most prevalent examination (33, 86.8%). Thirty-three (86.8%) programs include IPUS in their SCC training with varying amounts of time spent training. Of these programs, 19 (57.6%) have a specific curriculum. The most frequently used modalities for training fellows were informal bedside teaching (28, 84.8%), hands-on lectures (20, 60.6%) and formal lectures (19, 57.6%). The top three challenges program directors cited for IPUS education was time (23, 69.7%), followed by concerns for ongoing QA (19, 57.6%) and lack of faculty trained in IPUS (18, 53.9%). Only 20 (60.6%) programs review images as a part of QA/quality improvement. Conclusions Utilization and training of IPUS is common in SCC fellowships. There is varied education type and training time devoted to IPUS which could lead to gaps in knowledge and care. Development of a standard curriculum for SCC fellowships could assist surgical intensivists in achieving a base of knowledge in IPUS to create a more homogenously trained workforce and standards of care.
Social costs are an underappreciated force for honest signalling in animal aggregations

Animals in social aggregations use signals of quality or motivation to attract mates and intimidate rivals. Theory indicates that honesty can be maintained in these signals if the costs of signalling affect low-quality individuals more than they affect high-quality individuals. Considerable research has focused on identifying the nature of those costs and their ability to maintain honest signals. Much of this research, particularly in recent years, has focused on receiver-independent physiological costs of signal production. Less research attention has been paid to receiver-dependent costs that might arise from conspecific responses to signals. Here we survey the literature on these different types of costs, focusing in particular on case studies from a diversity of taxa. We find that signals often do carry significant physiological production costs, but this is not universal, as many signals appear to be physiologically inexpensive to produce. More importantly, very few studies have tested the key prediction that physiological production costs differentially affect low-quality individuals over high-quality individuals. In contrast, research from a diversity of taxa indicates that signals such as coloration and vocalizations often affect agonistic interactions, which in turn affect the production of signals, and that deceptive signallers receive more aggression than do honest signallers in at least some systems. Social costs are a plausible but understudied mechanism for maintaining honest signalling.
Turing machine-inspired computer science results

This paper discusses how the Turing machine model directly inspired and guided developments in theoretical computer science. In particular, the Turing machine model was ideal for the creation of computational complexity theory, which has grown into an essential part of theoretical computer science and has found application in other disciplines. The machine operation count was used to define time-bounded computations and the tape squares used defined the tape or memory-bounded computations. The definition and exploration of the corresponding asymptotic complexity classes followed naturally.
DECK-MODEL CALCULATION FOR DOUBLY CHARGED K $pi$$pi$ SYSTEMS IN KN $Yields$ K* $pi$N REACTIONS.

A Deck-model calculation for doubly charged ${K}^{*}\ensuremath{\pi}$ systems in $\mathrm{KN}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{K}^{*}\ensuremath{\pi}N$ reactions has been performed. The resulting ${K}^{*}\ensuremath{\pi}$ mass spectra show obvious low-mass enhancements. If the recent remarks of Chew and Pignotti apply to this calculation, these enhancements should be interpreted as evidence for resonance behavior in doubly charged ${K}^{*}\ensuremath{\pi}$ systems.
Rehabilitation of metallic civil infrastructure using fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites: a materials and systems overview at the adhesive bond level

Abstract: This chapter provides an overview at the materials and systems levels to the use of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites for the rehabilitation of metallic civil infrastructure. The focus of the chapter is the adhesive bond between the FRP composite and the metallic substrate, which is intrinsic to any rehabilitation scheme involving bonded elements. Factors considered include the types of adhesives, surface characteristics of the adherends, and characteristics of the bond between the adhesive and the adherend.
Die Genetik anderer intemperenter Bakteriophagen

Der Bakteriophage T4 ist wahrscheinlich der am besten untersuchte intemperente Virus, aber es gibt viele andere Viren, die ebenfalls eingehenden Untersuchungen unterzogen wurden. In diesem Kapitel werden ausgewahlte Phagen beschrieben, um den hohen Grad genetischer Verschiedenheit zu zeigen, der dem Bakteriengenetiker zur Verfugung steht, und um Vergleiche zwischen diesen verschiedenen Phagen untereinander und mit T4 zu ziehen. Um diese Vergleiche zu erleichtern, werden die physikalischen Eigenschaften jedes Phagen in der Tabelle 5-1 zusammengefast, die in diesem Kapitel besprochen werden.
Decoding the Binary: Reconsidering the Hacker Subculture through a Gendered Lens

Research has demonstrated that hacker subculture – like many other tech-oriented communities – is disproportionately composed of men. While prior attempts have been made to explain this disparity, ...
Some Internal Problems with Revisionary Gender Concepts

Feminism has long grappled with its own demarcation problem—exactly what is it to be a woman?—and the rise of trans-inclusive feminism has made this problem more urgent. I will first consider Sally Haslanger’s “social and hierarchical” account of woman, resulting from “Ameliorative Inquiry”: she balances ordinary use of the term against the instrumental value of novel definitions in advancing the cause of feminism. Then, I will turn to Katharine Jenkins’ charge that Haslanger’s view suffers from an “Inclusion Problem”: it fails to class many trans women as women. Jenkins offers a novel norm-relevancy account of woman to avoid the Inclusion Problem. Unfortunately, Jenkins’ account has serious internal problems, i.e. problems by Jenkins’ own lights: it is unintelligible, or it suffers from an Inclusion Problem of its own. After that, I will develop novel arguments for the conclusion that the project of Ameliorative Inquiry is both incoherent and also impossible to complete—at least, impossible to complete in a trans-inclusive way. Trans-inclusive feminism, therefore, would do well to move beyond Ameliorative Inquiry. Insofar as that’s not possible, trans-inclusive feminism inherits the incoherence of Ameliorative Inquiry.
Mannogen-ing Central Carbon Metabolism by Leishmania.

Leishmania parasites synthesize mannogens, a unique type of storage carbohydrate, from finely tuned interactions between synthesis and degradation by a family of mannosyltransferase/phosphorylases (MTPs) newly discovered by Sernee et al. The crucial roles of mannogen in regulating central carbon metabolism and in vivo virulence suggest the potential of MTPs as promising drug targets.
Effect of Sodium Hydroxide Pretreatment on Lignin Monomeric Components of Miscanthus × giganteus and Enzymatic Hydrolysis

The objective of this research was to study the influence of delignification, caused by NaOH, on lignin chemistry. Miscanthus × giganteus samples were pretreated with various concentrations of sodium hydroxide (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0%, w/v) at different pretreatment times (15, 30, and 60 min) in batch systems. Results indicated that NaOH had a significant effect on lignin removal with delignification ranging from 42.3 to 84.6% depending on the severity of pretreatment. Nitrobenzene oxidation was used to investigate changes in lignin chemistry of pretreated M. giganteus by analyzing syringyl to guaiacyl ratio (S/G ratio) and p-hydroxyphenyl to guaiacyl ratio (H/G ratio). The S/G ratio of pretreated Miscanthus increased from 0.64unpretreated sample to 0.77 while the H/G ratio decreased from 0.48unpretreated sample to 0.28 at 0.5% NaOH pretreatment suggesting that H unit of lignin was most susceptible to NaOH pretreatment. The data also suggested that NaOH concentration was a critical factor in changing lignin chemistry of pretreated Miscanthus. A better understanding of the correlation between pretreatment severities, changes in lignin chemistry, and enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency subsequent to pretreatment of herbaceous grasses warrant further investigations.
The Voting Rights Act and the Debasement of Minority Voting Rights in Virginia 2001-2015: A Preliminary Analysis -- Updated

The use of single-member districts to implement the Voting Rights Act in Virginia elections has undermined the intent of the VRA and the rights of minority voters. Elections data from 2001-15 demonstrate that voters in majority-minority districts experience fewer competitive or contested elections, register in fewer numbers and turnout in fewer numbers. As a result, the VRA serves more to protect minority incumbents than the interests of minority voters.
On the solar system—debris disk connection

This paper emphasizes the connection between solar and extra-solar debris disks: how models and observations of the Solar System are helping us understand the debris disk phenomenon, and vice versa, how debris disks are helping us place our Solar System into context.
From Mixed Hyperplastic/Adenomatous Polyp to Sessile Serrated Lesion: A Long and Winding Road for Long and Winding Crypts.

Context.— During the past 3 decades, numerous articles in the literature have offered terminology, diagnostic criteria, and consensus recommendations regarding the entity currently referred to by the World Health Organization as sessile serrated lesion. Given the many names and various, variably reproducible diagnostic criteria ascribed to sessile serrated lesion, confusion persists for many pathologists and gastroenterologists regarding the diagnosis. This distinction is important, as sessile serrated lesion can progress to malignancy, unlike its main differential diagnosis, hyperplastic polyp. Research studies have shed light on the characteristic architecture and morphology, immunohistochemical patterns, and molecular alterations of sessile serrated lesion, and multiple consensus meetings around the globe have developed their criteria and nomenclature, often clashing or mixing terms. Objective.— To provide a narrative review from the entity's early description to our current understanding. Data sources.— The existing scientific and clinical literature, published texts, medical society recommendations, and specialty consensus guidelines. Conclusions.— The current World Health Organization criteria are a distillation of this scientific process, but terminology is still a point of contention worldwide.
Constrained evolutionary paths to macrolide resistance in a Neisseria commensal converge on ribosomal genes through sequence duplication

Abstract Neisseria commensals are an indisputable source of resistance for their pathogenic relatives; however, the evolutionary paths commensal species take to reduced susceptibility in this genus have been relatively underexplored. Here, we leverage in vitro selection as a powerful screen to identify the genetic adaptations that produce azithromycin resistance (≤ 2 μg/mL) in the Neisseria commensal, N. elongata. Across multiple lineages (n=7/16), we find mutations encoding resistance converge on the gene encoding the 50S ribosomal L34 protein (rpmH) and the intergenic region proximal to the 30S ribosomal S3 protein (rpsC) through duplication events. Importantly, one of the laboratory evolved mutations in rpmH is identical, and two nearly identical, to those recently reported to confer high-level resistance to azithromycin in N. gonorrhoeae. Transformations into the ancestral N. elongata lineage confirmed the causality of both rpmH and rpsC mutations. Though most lineages inheriting duplications suffered in vitro fitness costs, one variant showed no growth defect, suggesting the possibility that it may be sustained in natural populations. Finally, we assessed the potential of horizontal transfer of derived resistance mutations into multiple strains of N. gonorrhoeae. Though we were unable to transform N. gonorrhoeae in this case, studies like this will be critical for predicting commensal alleles that are at risk of rapid dissemination into pathogen populations. Importance Commensal bacterial populations have been increasingly recognized for their importance as sources of resistance for pathogens, however the collection of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) mechanisms within these communities are often understudied. The risk of reduced antibiotic susceptibility as a result of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is amplified in highly recombinogenic genera, such as the Neisseria. Indeed, there have been multiple documented cases of macrolide and beta-lactam resistance acquisition in the pathogen N. gonorrhoeae from close commensal relatives. This work uncovers multiple novel azithromycin resistance-conferring mutations in a Neisseria commensal through experimental evolution, investigates their fitness impacts, and explores the possibility of transfer to N. gonorrhoeae. Ultimately these types of studies will illuminate those resistance mutations that may rapidly be acquired across species boundaries.
The Clinical Use of Serum Biomarkers in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review Stratified by Injury Severity.

Background Serum biomarkers have gained significant popularity as an adjunctive measure in the evaluation and prognostication of traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, a concise and clinically oriented report of the major markers in function of TBI severity is lacking. This systematic review aims to report current data on the diagnostic and prognostic utility of blood-based biomarkers across the spectrum of TBI. Methods A literature search of the PubMed/Medline electronic database was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We excluded systematic reviews and meta-analyses that did not provide novel data. The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association criteria were used to assess levels of evidence. Results An initial 1463 studies were identified. In total, 115 full-text articles reporting on 94 distinct biomarkers met the inclusion criteria. Glasgow Coma Scale scores, computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities, and injury severity scores were the most used clinical diagnostic variables. Glasgow Outcome Scores and 1-, 3-, and 6-month mortality were the most used clinical prognostic variables. Several biomarkers significantly correlated with these variables and had statistically significant different levels in TBI subjects when compared with healthy, orthopedic, and polytrauma controls. The biomarkers also displayed significant variability across mild, moderate, and severe TBI categories, as well as in concussion cases. Conclusions This review summarizes existing high-quality evidence that supports the use of severity-specific biomarkers in the diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of TBI. These data can be used as a launching platform for the validation of upcoming clinical studies.
Out-of-Pocket Costs of Diagnostic Breast Imaging Services After Screening Mammography Among Commercially Insured Women From 2010 to 2017.

This cross-sectional study evaluates the out-of-pocket costs of diagnostic breast imaging services incurred by commercially insured women who underwent additional imaging evaluation and procedures after screening mammography.
A Challenging Process Outlined

The development process is defined by variables. A successful developer identifies, monitors, understands, and attempts to control these variables. Most development projects require the developer to be prepared to negotiate with any number of parties, and much of the time, the tie-up or acquisition of the property is only the first step in a long process. For many projects, the discretionary approval process at the local level, commonly called entitlement, is the major consumer of time and resources. It is through this very process, however, that value is created. Gaining an understanding of the legal aspects of land-use regulation in general— and entitlement in particular—can help developers effectively identify and manage risk. This paper provides an overview of the procedural and legal underpinnings of the entitlement process in order to illustrate the risks involved. Several techniques for creating value and mitigating risk, as applied through the approvals process, are also discussed.
STUDIES ON THE METABOLISM OF SHIGELLA IV. 3 Nutritional Requirements of Shigella Flexneri Serotype

Pan, Sylvia F. (University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa.), Robert B. Yee, and Horace M. Gezon. Studies on the metabolism of Shigella . IV. Nutritional requirements of Shigella flexneri serotype 3. J. Bacteriol. 83: 61–65. 1962.—A study of the nutritional requirements of five strains of Shigella flexneri serotype 3 was carried out. Four of the strains could be cultured in a synthetic medium composed of a mineral salts glucose base, NH 4 H 2 PO 4 or an amino acid as the nitrogen source, and nicotinamide; the fifth one required the presence of both NH 4 H 2 PO 4 and an amino acid in the medium. Variation among the former strains in their nitrogen and vitamin requirements was observed. The least fastidious one produced maximal growth using the simple ammonium salt as its source of nitrogen and did not require the addition of nicotinamide. Two strains were moderately fastidious, producing better growth within 24 hr in the presence of l-aspartic acid instead of NH 4 H 2 PO 4 , and requiring nicotinamide as an accessory growth factor. The fourth strain was extremely fastidious, growing poorly or not at all in the synthetic medium. Incubation of large inocula of the fastidious strain in synthetic medium and over a prolonged period resulted in adaptation of the organism to the medium. Some of the adapted cultures grew readily in the presence of NH 4 H 2 PO 4 and did not require nicotinamide.
Correlation Between Susceptibility to Bacteriophage PBS1 and Motility in Bacillus subtilis

Joys, Terence M. (University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis). Correlation between susceptibility to bacteriophage PBS1 and motility in Bacillus subtilis. J. Bacteriol. 90:1575–1577. 1965.—A correlation is shown to exist in Bacillus subtilis between susceptibility to phage PBS1 and motility, indicating that the receptor site for this phage is located on the flagellum.
Sinusoidal endothelial cells as an early target for hepatic toxicants

Recent studies demonstrate that the hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (SEC) are a sensitive direct target for early toxicity to acetaminophen (paracetamol, APAP) and this toxicity is exacerbated following a single and multiple week-end type alcoholic binge(s). SEC become swollen and begin to lose the ability to endocytose FITC-FSA, a ligand for the scavenger receptor, as early as 30 minutes after the administration of APAP. Gaps through the SEC appear to be formed by the destruction and/or coalescence of fenestrae and are seen as early as 2 hrs after the administration of APAP which is prior to any evidence of injury to parenchymal cells. The gaps permit red blood cells to penetrate into the Space of Disse. Subsequently, the sinusoid may collapse or disintegrate reducing blood flow. The gaps are larger and more frequent in ethanol binged animals subsequently treated with APAP. Similar gaps are seen in the early stages of hepatic venoocclusive disease. Administration of a NO donor or a MMP-2 and MMP-9 inhibitor minimizes endothelial injury and red blood cell penetration into the Space of Disse. The injury is exacerbated when an inhibitor of eNOS is administered and minimized when iNOS is inhibited suggesting a protective role for constitutive NO derived from SEC. Both NO and MMPs are known to affect the cytoskeleton of SEC which in turn affects the formation and maintenance of the fenestrae.
Immunophenotyping of cerebrospinal fluid cells in virus-associated neurologic diseases

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the cellular immunophenotype of cells in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with virus-associated neurologic diseases. BACKGROUND: Various inflammatory neurologic diseases are associated with viral infections. These agents may cause direct damage of infected cells associated with immunological alterations such as chronic activation, immunodeficiency and infiltration of inflammatory cells into the CNS that underlie the pathogenesis of inflammatory neurologic diseases. Therefore, characterization of local immune responses that are associated with the inflammatory milieu may provide evidence or pathogenic “signature” of an immunopathogenic process in virus-associated neurologic diseases. DESIGN/METHODS: Multicolor flow cytometry is used to characterize CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, B cells, monocytes and NK cells in the CSF and blood of patients with virus-associated neurologic diseases including HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP; n=16), HIV adequately treated with antiretroviral drugs (n=16), multiple sclerosis (MS; n=4) and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML; n=6) compared to healthy volunteers (n=6). RESULTS: In all patients, T cells were the predominant population in the CSF. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were significantly altered among the groups, and the CD4/CD8 ratio reduced in HIV, HAM/TSP and a subset of PML, but elevated in MS. In patients with HAM/TSP, activated CD4+ T cells were significantly increased in the CSF as well as the blood and correlated with HTLV-1 proviral DNA loads. MS patients had a decreased frequency of effector/memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the CSF. B cells and antibody producing plasma cells were elevated in patients with HAM/TSP, MS and PML whereas monocytes were reduced. CD56bright/CD56dim NK cell ratio was elevated in the CSF of patients with HAM/TSP. CONCLUSIONS: Immunophenotyping of CSF cells may reflect immune pathology in inflammatory neurologic diseases and can serve to highlight differential diagnoses that may lead to a better understanding of disease pathogenesis and clinical treatment. Disclosure: Dr. Akahata has nothing to disclose. Dr. Massoud has nothing to disclose. Dr. Caruso has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ohayon has nothing to disclose. Dr. Billioux has nothing to disclose. Dr. Von Geldern has nothing to disclose. Dr. Smith has nothing to disclose. Dr. Nath has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jacobson has nothing to disclose.
High contents of trimethylamine oxide correlating with depth in deep-sea teleost fishes, skates, and decapod crustaceans.

In muscles of shallow-living marine animals, the osmolyte trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is reportedly found (in millimoles of TMAO per kilogram of tissue wet weight) at 30-90 in shrimp, 5-50 in crabs, 61-181 in skates, and 10-70 in most teleost fish. Recently our laboratory reported higher levels (83-211 mmol/kg), correlating with habitat depth, in deep-sea gadiform teleosts. We now report the same trend in muscles of other animals, collected off the coast of Oregon from bathyal (1800-2000 m) and abyssal plain (2850 m) sites. TMAO contents (mmol/kg +/- SD) were as follows: zoarcid teleosts, 103 +/- 9 (bathyal) and 197 +/- 2 (abyssal); scorpaenid teleosts, 32 +/- 0 (shallow) and 141 +/- 16 (bathyal); rajid skates, 215 +/- 13 (bathyal) and 244 +/- 23 (abyssal); caridean shrimp, 76 +/- 16 (shallow), 203 +/- 35 (bathyal), and 299 +/- 28 (abyssal); Chionoecetes crabs, 22 +/- 2 (shallow) and 164 +/- 15 (bathyal). Deep squid, clams, and anemones also had higher contents than shallow species. Osmoconformers showed compensation between TMAO and other osmolytes. Urea contents (typically 300 mmol/kg in shallow elasmobranchs) in skates were 214 +/- 5 (bathyal) and 136 +/- 9 (abyssal). Glycine contents in shrimp were 188 +/- 17 (shallow) and 52 +/- 20 (abyssal). High TMAO contents may reflect diet, reduce osmoregulatory costs, increase buoyancy, or counteract destabilization of proteins by pressure.
No‐Notice Urban Evacuations: Using Crowdsourced Mobile Data to Minimize Risk

Emergency evacuations during the past decade have transitioned from landline analog to mobile digital communication devices. Over 88% of US citizens own a mobile phone, providing a tool to enable better communication between first responders and citizens in order to minimize risk to evacuees during no-notice evacuations. During an emergency, evacuees rely on social media to communicate with family, friends, and coworkers, often finding accessibility to social media more reliable than trying to make a phone call. Federal, state, and local emergency operations centers have made limited use of social media or Internet-based communications to provide an alternative means for citizens to request assistance or provide information. Mobile devices provide an alternative method of incident reporting and analysis through volunteered geographic information (VGI), which first responders can use to minimize risk to evacuees.