cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Convergent evolutionary patterns of shell ornamentation in Cretaceous planktonic foraminifera: was there method to the madness?

Depth ecology models for Cretaceous planktonic foraminifera have suggested a positive correlation between the size, thickness and ornamentation complexity of foraminiferal shells relative to the depth at which the adult chambers grew. Small sized, thin-walled and weakly ornamented “primitive” species were thought to have had short life spans within the ocean mixed layer whereas larger, thicker walled “complex” species were thought to have had longer life cycles, reaching adult sizes at or near the thermocline. Stable isotope studies of well preserved planktonic assemblages ranging from the late Aptian through late Maastrichtian have suggested that there are a number of exceptions to this depth ecology model, with some “complex” species yielding δ18O and δ13C values indicative of growth at relatively shallow depths in the mixed layer and “primitive” species with values that indicate growth at or below the thermocline. However, interpretations of stable isotope cross-plots, from which the depth ecology inferences are based, are not unequivocal, as inter-species differences in stable isotopic signatures could also reflect offsets in the timing of population abundance peaks, with different species reaching abundance maxima during the cooler versus warmer seasons.
Integrated PV Capacity Firming and Energy Time Shift Battery Energy Storage Management Using Energy-Oriented Optimization

In this paper, we propose a complete active-power-management scheme for the control of battery energy-storage systems (BESSs) for two main applications: 1) photovoltaic (PV) capacity firming and 2) energy time shift (ETS). In the proposed approach, first two control algorithms are designed to provide active-power set points to BESS for the above applications. Then, an optimization routine for integrating these controllers is designed. The proposed approach uses an energy-conservation method to integrate these two applications of energy-storage system. The designed algorithm was tested on a transient simulation platform and then implemented on a 720-node actual power distribution feeder. The main advantage of the proposed method is that the algorithm can be used to optimize multiple functions and perform simultaneous control of BESS.
Comparison of Laboratory and Quick-Test Methods for Forage Nitrate

Nitrate contained in forage may pose performance and health risks to ruminants. With timely and accurate assessment of forage nitrate levels, steps to reduce the risks of excessive nitrate intake by livestock can be applied. Traditionally, plant nitrate is measured in the laboratory from finely ground oven-dried tissue, which is slower than nitrate quick-test assays of plant sap. However, use of plant sap nitrate requires calibration to nitrate in dried samples. Winter wheat forage (Triticum aestivum L.) collected at jointing and heading from fields fertilized with 56 to 235 kg N ha -1 was used to compare a laboratory flow injection analysis (FIA) method (Cu-Cd reduction column) with nontraditional laboratory microplate (M-NaR) and field-test (F-NaR) enzyme linked kits (nitrate reductase, E.C. 1.6.6.1), and two hand-held quick-test nitrate assays using a card mounted ion specific electrode (ISE-card) and test strip reflectance meter (TSR). Hot-water extracts of oven-dried samples and fresh samples macerated in propanol solution with a high-speed hand-held blender were prepared. Compared with FIA, mean differences in tissue nitrate were nearly always greater (13-66%, P = 0.05) with the other methods. For dried samples, these differences were due partially to extract interferences that suppressed detection of nitrate with FIA and falsely elevated nitrate detection with the ISE-card. Interferences caused only a slight underestimation of forage nitrate with TSR, and were nearly absent with the M-NaR assay. The ISE-card was the most variable and deviated the most from the FIA. Nitrate extraction over a nearly fourfold range was 18% less from fresh than oven-dried tissue. The quick-test consumable cost per nitrate assay was similar for F-NaR and TSR methods, but the TSR was easier to use. Because a hand-held meter is not required with F-NaR, initial startup cost can be reduced. Both TSR and F-NaR performed well for quick-tests of tissue nitrate.
Surgical management of pulmonary metastases.

Cancer that has metastasized to the lung is not necessarily beyond surgical control. Even multiple bilateral lung lesions can be resected in many cases. Criteria for selecting patients are (1) ability to tolerate the operation, (2) absence of disease at the primary site, and (3) absence of metastases beyond the projected pulmonary resection. When these strict criteria are met, as many as 35 percent of patients can be expected to be alive five years later.
Sensitivity, Bias, and Mental Workload in a Multitasking Environment

In this paper, we used signal detection theory (SDT) as a tool to evaluate human performance in a multitasking environment. The primary objective of using SDT is to assess an operator’s sensitivity (d’) and bias (β). In addition, NASA-TLX was used to measure participants’ workload under different complexity scenarios. During the experiment, participants were asked to detect abnormal and alarm signals on a gauge monitoring display. They also needed to perform multi-attribute task battery (MATB) tasks at the same time. The gauge-monitoring screen contains total 52 gauges (flow, level, temperature, and pressure). The MATB consists of system monitoring, target tracking, and dynamic resource management. The results of this study demonstrate that participants showed various levels of sensitivity (d’) in the gauge-monitoring task based on the degree of task complexity.
System to induce and measure embodiment of an artificial hand with programmable convergent visual and tactile stimuli

The sense of prosthesis embodiment, or the feeling that the device has been incorporated into a user's body image, may be enhanced by emerging technology such as invasive electrical stimulation for sensory feedback. In turn, prosthesis embodiment may be linked to increased prosthesis use and improved functional outcomes. We describe the development of a tool to assay artificial hand embodiment in a quantitative way in people with intact limbs, and characterize its operation. The system delivers temporally coordinated visual and tactile stimuli at a programmable latency while recording limb temperature. When programmed to deliver visual and tactile stimuli synchronously, recorded latency between the two was 33 ± 24 ms in the final pilot subject. This system enables standardized assays of the conditions necessary for prosthesis embodiment.
Potassium channels of T lymphocytes take center stage in the fight against cancer.

A recent study by Eil at al. published in Nature in September 2016 provides evidence that alterations of the K+ homeostasis of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in necrotic areas of the tumor microenvironment (TME) suppress the function of effector T cells. Furthermore, they establish that overexpression of K+ channels in T lymphocytes counterbalances this negative effect of the TME and restores the ability of TILs to function, ultimately leading to increased survival of tumor bearing mice. Thus, K+ channels in T lymphocytes become interesting new targets for novel immunotherapies in cancer. This Commentary discusses Eil’s finding in the context of the central role that K+ channels play in the suppressed state of TILs as they mediate the immunosuppressive effects of multiple conditions of the TME including hypoxia and adenosine.
Radiation in Gyrotropic Medium

The electromagnetic radiation from an electric Hertzian dipole in an electrically gyrotropic medium such as magnetically biased cold plasma, i.e. magnetoplasma, is very important for radio propagation problem in the ionosphere and for some problems in laboratory plasmas.
Role of PARP-1 as a novel transcriptional regulator of MMP-9 in diabetic retinopathy

In diabetes, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is activated, which damages mitochondria, resulting in accelerated capillary cell apoptosis. Regulation of MMP-9 is controlled by multiple transcription factors including nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1). Binding of these transcription factors, however, can be regulated by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1), which forms a strong initiation complex at the promoter region and facilitates multiple rounds of gene transcription. This complex formation with the transcription factors is regulated by posttranslational acetylation of PARP-1, and in diabetes, the deacetylating enzyme, Sirt1, is inhibited. Our aim was to understand the role of PARP-1 in transcriptional regulation of MMP-9 in the development of diabetic retinopathy. Using human retinal endothelial cells, the effect of PARP-1 inhibition (pharmacologically by PJ34, 1μM; or genetically by its siRNA) on MMP-9 expression was investigated. The effect of PARP-1 acetylation on its binding at the MMP-9 promoter, and with NF-kB/AP-1, was investigated in the cells transfected with Sirt1. In vitro results were validated in the retinal microvessels from diabetic mice either administered PJ34, or overexpressing Sirt1. Inhibition of PARP-1 ameliorated hyperglycemia-induced increase in the binding of NF-kB/AP-1 at the MMP-9 promoter, decreased MMP-9 expression and ameliorated mitochondrial damage. Overexpression of Sirt1 attenuated diabetes-induced increase in PARP-1 binding at MMP-9 promoter or with NF-kB/AP-1. Thus, PARP-1, via manipulating the binding of NF-kB/AP-1 at the MMP-9 promoter, regulates MMP-9 expression, which helps maintain mitochondrial homeostasis.
A Note on Trigram Pronunciability

Pronunciability is one of several variables that have been used to define and distinguish between trigrams, as these verbal items have been used in various human learning experiments. There are eight configurations of trigram units: CCC, CCV, CVC, VCC, CVV, VCV, WC, and VW. Consideration is given presently to the procedural and functional differences that result from the two methods by which trigram units have been scaled for pronunciability. These methods are rated pronunciability (Prat) and pronunciability latency (Plat). Although the rank orders of Prat and Plat CVCs show a positive relationship to each other, they are differentially related to certain indices of meaningfulness. There are somewhat similar underlying differences between Prat CVCs and Cccs. The implications of these two findings, as well as the general issue of measurement equivalence, are discussed.
Beamforming array for detecting buried land mines

A beam forming array is investigated for use in a radar system that is part of a hybrid acoustic/electromagnetic technique for detecting land mines. The radar is used to measure the surface displacement of the earth due to acoustic waves in the earth. The beamforming array is used to obtain small spatial resolution of the measurement of the displacement while allowing an adequate standoff distance for the radar. The tradeoffs between the resolution and the sidelobes of the array are investigated. Finite-difference time-domain and experimental models have been implemented to examine the feasibility of the beamforming array.
Keyword extraction for document clustering using submodular optimization

With the rapid growth of information services, enormous amount of text corpus cannot simply be read and understand. Therefore, text clustering and visualization present a direct way to observe the documents as well as understand the topic by corresponding keywords. However, even a short paragraph contains a variety of words, which makes the keyword or topic extraction difficult to achieve. Therefore, we propose an algorithm to extract keywords efficiently and effectively, which makes use of the latent semantic indexing and submodular optimization. The visual layout allows users to simultaneously visualize (1) the overview of the whole dataset, (2) the detailed information in the specific scope of the collection of documents, and (3) the relationships of documents with their keywords.
Killings in Context: an Analysis of the News Framing of Femicide

While attacks against members of the LGBT community are increasingly covered as hate crimes and are widely viewed as a form of repression, attacks on women are almost never covered as violations of human rights. We propose that until violence against women is recognized as a form of repression and a threat to the physical security of women, we cannot expect much to be done to prevent it. We posit that policies aimed at preventing violence against women are unlikely to come about unless this abstract concept is connected, through a connection frame, to concrete crimes against women. We conducted a framing analysis of news coverage of all confirmed femicides in Massachusetts in 2013 and find that while journalists have the potential to draw these connection frames, they seldom put these killings in the context of violations of women’s rights.
Sore Feet in the City of Light

Is this some bairro of ParnassusThat names street after street after poetsOr just a flight from where we live?The airport’s a quick Metro ride awayFrom Rua Fernando Pessoa,But my fasciitis prompts no songOn cobblestones where two cops clampDenver boots on two parked cars.
MARKUP PREMIA OF EXPORTERS: BECAUSE OF EXPORTING, OR IN SPITE OF IT?

We study the effect of exporting on markups building on two stylized facts: (1) exporters charge higher markups than nonexporters and (2) firms increase markups when they start to export. These facts suggest that exporting increases markups, but the causal relationship has not been studied directly. To do so, we modify Melitz and Ottaviano (2008) by adding decreasing returns technologies and demand and productivity shocks to account for sales correlations across markets. We calibrate and simulate a trade cost reduction. Old exporters increase markups on average, while new ones reduce them. Three mechanisms matter: (1) cost reductions are not fully passed on to prices, (2) firms expand, increasing marginal cost, and (3) foreign demand is more elastic than domestic demand. The first effect dominates along the intensive margin, while the others prevail along the extensive margin. Thus, exporters charge larger markups in spite of exporting, not because of it.
37 Motor Behavior and the Role of Cognitive Processes and Learner Strategies1

It is quite meaningful for instructional and self-learning purposes to determine those processes that may be under the conscious control of the learner. Correspondingly, the most effective strategies need to be identified that can enhance the operation of these processes. The use of appropriate strategies should facilitate the acquisition of skill, as well as retention and transfer. Learners, it is posited, will be better performers when they can associate pertinent strategies with certain kinds of tasks, and learn to use self-managed strategies more and externally-imposed strategies less.
Gene Regulatory Elements

While the annotation and functional characterization of the 2% of our genome that encodes for protein has been extremely successful, the remaining 98% still remains primarily uncharted territory. Within this territory reside gene regulatory sequences that instruct genes when, where, and at what levels to turn on or off. There is abundant evidence, as described in this book, that nucleotide and epigenetic changes in these gene regulatory sequences can lead to human disease. In this chapter, we will define the different types of gene regulatory elements (promoters, enhancers, silencers, and insulators) and how to identify and functionally characterize them.
Microbial Degradation of Chlorinated Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Incomplete degradation of multiple halogenated aromatic compounds [e.g., polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)] through the meta-fission pathway may be due to accumulation of halogenated unsaturated fatty acids. In order to study their further degradation, the enrichment culture technique was applied to isolate a microorganism capable of growing on the model compound chlorocrotonic acid (3-chlorobutenoic acid). The isolated strain, called CC1, grows on cis-chlorocrotonic acid, trans-chlorocrotonic acid, 3-chlorobutanoic acid, 2-chlorobutanoic acid, 2-chloropropionic acid, and chloracetic acid as sole sources of energy and carbon. Experiments with both resting cells and cell-free extract assays revealed that CC1 produces constitutively a 2-chloroalcanoic acid dehalogenase which acts on mono- and dichloroacetate, 2-chloropropionate, 2, 2-dichloropropionate, and 2-chlorobutanate. The specific activities in terms of chloride release that were measured with cell-free extracts were highest for 2-chloropropionate and 2-chloroacetate—ranging from 0.6 to 1.6 μMol/min/mg protein. Dehalogenase activity on β-chloro-C4 acids was not observed from cell-free extracts of cells grown on chlorinated or nonchlorinated acids, whereas it was observed from whole cells.
Clinical pathway for abbreviated postoperative hospital stay in free tissue transfer to the head and neck: Impact in resource utilization and surgical outcomes.

Background Assess the impact of a clinical pathway and progressive care unit (CPW/PCU) for patients undergoing head and neck free flap reconstruction with regard to patient outcomes and resource utilization. Methods Retrospective chart review of 270 patients at an academic tertiary-care center (2009-2014). Outcomes were compared among a control, CPW/PCU transition, and CPW/PCU groups. Results Compared to control, the CPW/PCU group had significantly reduced medical complications (21.1%-4.1%), intensive care unit length of stay (LOS, 5.02-0.2 days), hospital LOS (10.5-6.2 days), standardized total charges ($88 270-$58 661), and hospital costs ($41 365-$22 680). There were no observed differences in flap viability, surgical complications, reoperations, or readmissions. The CPW/PCU group achieved 100% home discharge. Conclusions Our proposed CPW significantly improved patient outcomes and reduced resource utilization while maintaining flap outcomes. We propose a dynamic model for resource allocation that is easily reproducible in both academic and nonacademic settings.
The Harrisburg 7 and the New Catholic Left (William O’Rourke, 2012)

Nineteen-seventy-two in Harrisburg? Why, that was Hurricane Agnes, of course, when the Susquehanna crested fifteen feet above flood stage and the region sustained billions of dollars in damage. But there was another inundation just before the June flood, as the national press, FBI agents, and Harrisburg Defense Committee workers descended on Pennsylvania’s capital from January to April for the trial of a loose-knit group of opponents of the Vietnam War who became known as the Harrisburg 7. The prosecution of these (mainly) Catholic religious activists, accused by FBI director-for-life J. Edgar Hoover of plotting to kidnap Henry Kissinger and blow up heating tunnels under the nation’s capital, was one of several high-profile trials of antiwar activists on conspiracy charges. The Chicago 8 (who allegedly planned to disrupt the 1968 Democratic convention), the Boston 5 (opponents of conscription, one of whom was pediatrician Benjamin Spock), and Daniel Ellsberg (who leaked the “Pentagon Papers”) are better remembered today, but the Harrisburg trial deserves recognition as well. As this evocative account by William O’Rourke reveals, it underscores the intersection of the local and the national during this turbulent era.
Electrochemical Characteristics of Benzanthrone Studied via Cyclic Voltammetry: Charge Transfer Redox Processes

The electrochemical behavior of benzanthrone (BA), a known mutagen and carcinogen, and an environmental pollutant widely found in aerosol particulates, was studied on a platinum electrode using cyc...
Synchronizing conservation to seasonal wetland hydrology and waterbird migration in semi‐arid landscapes

In semi‐arid ecosystems, timing and availability of water is a key uncertainty associated with conservation planning for wetland‐dependent wildlife. Wetlands compose only 1–3% of these landscapes; however, large populations of migratory waterbirds rely on these wetlands to support energetically demanding life history events such as breeding and migration. Migration is considered a crucial period for birds associated with individual survival and reproductive success, yet our understanding of migration ecology remains limited. To better inform conservation planning supportive of these demands, we quantified synchrony of wetland flooding and waterbird migration by reconstructing bi‐monthly surface water patterns from 1984 to 2015 across 11.4 million ha of the semi‐arid Great Basin, USA. Results were then linked to seasonal migration chronologies for seven dabbling ducks species. Seasonal patterns were used in landscape planning simulations to assess efficiency in conservation strategies that aligned temporally sensitive wetland flooding and species migration. Wetland data were combined with land tenure to evaluate periodicity in waterfowl reliance on public and private lands. We found migration chronologies misaligned with wetland flooding. In spring, half (43–59%) to three‐quarters (68–74%) of seasonal wetlands were flooded and available to early‐ and late‐migrating species while seasonal drying restricted wetland flooding to 13–20% of sites during fall migration. Simulations showed wetland conservation inconsiderate of temporal availability was only 67–75% efficient in meeting waterfowl habitat goals on private lands that made up ~70% of flooded wetland area in spring. Private–public wetland flooding was equivalent during fall migration. Accounting for spatiotemporal patterns of wetland flooding is imperative to improving efficiencies linked to migratory bird conservation. Timing of public–private wetland flooding, demonstrated by our models, provides landscape context that emphasized a joint role in supporting migratory waterbird habitat. Integrated management scenarios may capitalize on public lands’ flexibility to expand fall flooding to offset seasonal drying on private lands while targeted incentive‐based conservation assures private wetland flooding in spring. Such scenarios illustrate benefits of holistic public–private wetlands management representing a forward‐looking alternative that aligns conservation with forecasts of increasing water scarcity.
The North Korean Nuclear Dilemma: Does China Have Leverage?:

AbstractNorth Korea has repeatedly defied the international community with regards to its nuclear weapons programme. Many look to China for leverage to change North Korea’s behaviour. This study re...
Movement Error Based Control for a Firm Touch of a Soft Somatosensitive Actuator

We propose a control architecture with the aim of providing a firm touch of a soft somatosensitive actuator (SSA) finger with an object. The two main components of the architecture are a reference tracking curvature controller and a force controller. The first one sets the finger in motion which is blocked if the finger comes into contact with an object. The result of such an event is that the finger bending is constrained, and the tracking error of the curvature controller increases. Once the error exceeds a predetermined threshold value, there is a switch from the reference tracking to the force controller, which maintains the finger in contact with the object. Therefore, the proposed architecture accounts not only for sensory data, but also for the error of the movement towards the touch. The proposed control architecture is illustrated with numerical simulations.
MLLT10 in benign and malignant hematopoiesis

Non-random chromosomal translocations involving the putative transcription factor Mixed Lineage Leukemia Translocated to 10 (MLLT10, also known as AF10) are commonly observed in both acute myeloid and lymphoid leukemias and are indicative of a poor prognosis. Despite the well-described actions of oncogenic MLLT10 fusion proteins, the role of wild-type MLLT10 in hematopoiesis is not well characterized. The protein structure and several interacting partners have been described and provide indications as to the potential functions of MLLT10. This review examines these aspects of MLLT10, contextualizing its function in benign and malignant hematopoiesis.
1962 Case Study

Between 1960 and 1962, President Kennedy took specific action to implement campaign promises to reduce US reliance on nuclear weapons and build capacity for the US military to operate at any level of war—especially low-intensity unconventional war. As part of this effort, he directed the Army in writing to update its doctrine and to make low-intensity warfare a mission responsibility for the entire Army, not just the special forces branch of the Army. Although the Kennedy Administration shifted the US internal balance of power by expanding both its nuclear and conventional warfare capabilities in an effort to bolster the NATO alliance, the doctrinal shift the Army made in 1962 was in the opposite direction—toward low-intensity unconventional warfare. This neither reflected any effort to help maintain the NATO alliance institution, nor did it reflect the shift in the US internal balance of power more toward increased numbers of nuclear and conventional capabilities.
Anion and cation co-doping of Na4SnS4 as sodium superionic conductors

Abstract Na based all-solid-state batteries are one of the most promising candidates for large-scale electrochemical energy storage owing to their low cost and outstanding safety properties. The key enabler of this technology is solid electrolyte with sufficiently high ionic conductivity at room temperature. In this work, the design, synthesis, characterization, and testing of a series of novel fast Na-ion conductors, Na4-x-ySn1-xAxS4-yXy with aliovalent cation (P5+/Sb5+) and anion (Cl−/Br−) substitutions of the parent compound Na4SnS4 are reported. The doped samples crystalize in a new phase with space group I41/acd and show ionic conductivities that are one to four orders of magnitude higher than that of undoped Na4SnS4. R. t. conductivity of 0.64 mS cm−1 is achieved in Na3.7Sn0.8Sb0.2S3.9Cl0.1 with a low activation energy of 0.26 eV. Rietveld refinement against high resolution synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data reveals that the distribution of the doping ions and the resulted Na vacancies are underlying causes of the enhanced conductivity.
A Stacked Ensemble Neural Network Classifier for Ultrasonic Non-Destructive Evaluation Applications

This work presents a new classifier architecture for Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) applications which can robustly detect the presence and location of material flaws, by combining an Adaptive Noise Cancellation (ANC) technique with a stacked ensemble of neural networks. The ANC is utilized as a preprocessing unit to reduce interference and enhance a flaw echo. The ANC output data is the input to a 2-level ensemble neural network which makes a final flaw detection prediction. Initial simulation results show that the proposed architecture can offer highly reliable flaw detection and localization, with significant Flaw to Clutter Ratio (FCR) enhancements.
MPN-188: Myeloablative Fludarabine and Busulfan Regimen in Myelofibrosis (MF): Long-Term Outcomes and Analysis of Prognostic Factors

Context: Standard scoring systems prognosticate outcomes of MF at diagnosis and at allogeneic transplantation. Thorough evaluation of pre-transplant characteristics can point to appropriate mitigation strategies to improve outcomes. Objective: To evaluate the impact of individual components of standard scoring systems, along with factors previously reported in the literature, on transplant outcomes in patients with MF. Design: 65 consecutive patients transplanted for MF with a myeloablative regimen (details below) during 2007-2019 at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, were identified; associations between factors of interest and outcomes were evaluated. Median follow-up for survivors was 35.6 months. Patients: At transplant, median age was 61 years (range, 27-73); 42% were transfusion-dependent; 31% had secondary MF; and 53% of the patients were intermediate-2 while 42% were high-risk by DIPSS-plus. Interventions: Conditioning was Fludarabine 40 mg/m2 daily for 4 days, each dose followed by one daily dose of PK-guided IV Busulfan to an average daily AUC of 4,000 μM-min, or total course AUC of 16,000 μM-min. GvHD prophylaxis was tacrolimus and mini-methotrexate, patients with an unrelated donor received rabbit-antithymocyte globulin at a dose of 4-7.5 mg/kg. Outcomes: Overall survival (OS), non-relapse mortality (NRM), and cumulative incidence of relapse. Results: One-year and 3-year rates for OS were 78% and 65%, for relapse were 21% and 27%, and for NRM were 16% and 20%, respectively. Multivariable analysis (HR [95%CI]) showed a significant increase in risk of death for time from diagnosis to transplantation > 12 months (vs. ≤12 months; 3.01 [1.05-8.60], p=0.040), HCT-CT ≥ 3 (vs. 12 months (vs. ≤12 months; 7.20 [0.96-53.94], p=0.055). Increased risk of relapse was associated with age > 65 years at transplant (vs. ≤65 years; 2.77 [1.05-7.31], p=0.039), with a trend towards higher risk of relapse for patients with time to transplantation > 12 months (vs. ≤12 months; 4.50 [0.91-22.18], p=0.06). Conclusions: Time from diagnosis to transplant > 12 months was associated with worse OS with a trend towards worse NRM and relapse. Among DIPSS-components, only age and peripheral blood blasts ≥ 1 were associated with worse outcomes in this study. Analyses supported in part by the Cancer Center Support Grant (NCI Grant P30 CA016672)
Walking to the virtual era. Analysis of the telehealth experience in the infectious diseases clinic during the COVID pandemic

Background: The COVID pandemic has changed and will continue changing the way we practice medicine We sought to investigate the impact of telehealth (TH) in the delivery of healthcare in the general infectious diseases (GID), and HIV clinic during the COVID pandemic The University of Rochester Medical Center is a major tertiary care and referral center for ID in upstate NY From March through May of 2020, the clinics were closed, and nearly all visits were conducted by TH Methods: We surveyed (either by telephone or online) a total of 260 patients who participated in TH visits, with a mean age of 56 years in the HIV group and 59 years in the GID group With a predominance of 62 8 of males v/s 37 2 of females We collected information regarding the reason for the TH visits, access to technology, patient satisfaction, and preferences over in-person visits We obtained the volume and no-show rate from prior years through EPIC We evaluated compliance between in-person and TH visits using statistical analysis Results: We found 93 4% of GID and 84 3% of HIV patients surveyed, either strongly agreed or somewhat agreed that their TH visit was as satisfactory as a clinic visit 67 5% of GID and 63% of HIV patients agreed that the option of TH would increase their compliance rate in the future The no-show rate during the TH period in the HIV group decreased from 23% to 5% compared to the previous year, while the no-show rate in GID decreased from 9% to 4% These results were statistically significant with a P-value < 0 005 in both groups Conclusion: GID patients were more likely to have TH for hospital follow-up, follow-up of acute problems, and outpatient antibiotic therapy, compared to HIV patients, who more often had TH for chronic problems GID patients were more likely to have the capability for televideo visits when compared to the HIV group, although this was not statistically significant TH was statistically significant in improving patient compliance with appointments in both the HIV and ID clinics Patients were overall highly satisfied with their TH experience and many patients also reported that continued availability of telemedicine would improve their compliance with appointments
Statin Use Is Associated with More Severe COVID-19 Disease in Hospitalized Patients

Background: Given the relatively modest benefit of currently available treatments in improving COVID-19 clinical outcomes, there is an urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies, especially in reversing associated lung inflammation. Attention has focused on repurposing existing agents with immune modulatory properties to accelerate their incorporation into clinical practice. Recent evidence has demonstrated that the cholesterol-lowering agents, statins, are associated with reduced mortality in patients with influenza, sepsis, community-acquired pneumonia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). We sought to investigate the relationship between statin use and COVID-19 disease severity in hospitalized patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis of COVID-19 patients admitted to the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions between March 1, 2020 and June 30, 2020 was performed. The outcomes of interest were mortality and severe COVID-19 infection, as defined by prolonged hospital stay (≥ 7 days) and/ or invasive mechanical ventilation. Logistic regression, Cox proportional hazards regression and propensity score matching were used to obtain both univariable and multivariable associations between covariates and outcomes in addition to the average treatment effect of statin use. Results: Of the 4,447 patients who met our inclusion criteria, 594 (13.4%) patients were exposed to statins on admission, of which 340 (57.2%) were male. The mean age was higher in statin users compared to non-users [64.9 ± 13.4 vs. 45.5 ± 16.6 years, p <0.001]. The average treatment effect of statin use on COVID-19-related mortality was RR=1.00 (95% CI: 0.99 – 1.01, p= 0.928), while its effect on severe COVID-19 infection was RR=1.18 (95% CI: 1.11 – 1.27, p <0.001). Conclusion: Statin use was not associated with altered mortality, but with an 18% increased risk of severe COVID-19 infection. Funding Statement: The retrospective cohort study was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants UH3AI122309 and K24AI143447 to P.C.K Declaration of Interests: We declare no competing interests. The Johns Hopkins Core for Clinical Research Data Acquisition provided the data for this analysis. Ethics Approval Statement: All procedures were in accordance with the ethical standards of the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions and the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 and Data Research Evaluation (CADRE) Committee. The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine IRB reviewed the study protocol and determined that it qualifies as exempt research under the DHHS regulations.
Duration of pemetrexed maintenance therapy with or without pembrolizumab is associated with risk of renal toxicity in patients with metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC.

e21205Background: Use of maintenance pemetrexed with pembrolizumab is the standard of care among patients with metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC without EGFR or ALK alterations treated with the KEYNOTE-...
How to convince an editor to accept your paper quickly

Let's imagine that you have just finished writing a scientific paper. The paper is well-structured and clearly written, and you are proud of it. Now is the time to submit it to a peer-reviewed journal and see what your colleagues think of it. You are now entering the peer-review publishing system, which is overseen by journal editors. Dealing with these editors is a skill that can be acquired like any other. Here is some advice on dealing with the peer-review system and with editors. This advice is based on my years of experience as an associate editor of an American Chemical Society journal. I have also submitted and revised hundreds of papers in my career and have reviewed hundreds more. (Google my name for details.) Thus, I have learned how to deal with editors from both sides.
AML-446: CD34+ Dosing and Correlation with Cytokine Release Syndrome in Haploidentical SCT

Introduction: Optimum dosing of CD34+ haploidentical stem cells in allogeneic stem cell transplant is not clear. Investigators have shown better outcomes with higher doses of CD34+ stem cells, but there is a concern for higher rates of cytokine release syndrome (CRS). We investigated the dosing of CD34+ stem cells at our institute. The aim of this study was to find out if higher dosing resulted in higher rates of CRS and if CD34+ dose affected 1-year GRFS (graft-vs-host disease relapse-free survival), OS (overall survival), and RFS (relapse-free survival). Method: Retrospective chart review of patients who underwent haploidentical stem cell transplant at Norris Cancer Center. Patients who received CD34+ + ≤ 5×106/kg were included in group A, and CD34+ >5×106/kg were included in group B. Results: A total of 103 patients were reviewed, 55% male and 45% female, the majority of which were Hispanic (62%). The most common diagnoses were AML (40%) and ALL (34%). CD34 did not correlate with aGVHD, cGVHD, grade 2 CRS, or pressor requirement, but it was significantly correlated with the grade 3 CRS requirement for oxygen, and ICU admission increased with higher CD34 doses. We did not find any significant difference in 1-year GRFS (p-value=0.297), OS (p-value=0.151), or RFS (p-value=0.175) between both groups. Conclusion: Our review raises some concerns that higher doses of CD34+ are correlated with higher rates of cytokine release syndrome, and optimum dosing should be studied in prospective trials.
Mitochondrial import and processing of rat liver carnitine palmitoyltransferase II defines the amino terminus of the mature protein. Possibility of differential modification of the rat and human isoforms.

[35S]Methionine-labeled porcine heart citrate synthase (used here as a positive control) and rat liver carnitine palmitoyltransferase II (CPT II) were generated by in vitro transcription and translation of their cDNA constructs in appropriate Bluescript plasmids. Each product was imported into rat liver mitochondria in an energy-dependent manner to yield an immunoprecipitable protein of smaller size that comigrated with the corresponding purified enzyme. The size shift occurring with citrate synthase was consistent with the removal of the postulated 27-amino acid leader peptide. To determine the amino terminus of mature CPT II, [35S]methionine- or [3H]leucine-labeled material (after import and processing) was subjected to Edman degradation, followed by counting of the radioactivity released on each cycle. The results established that the precursor targeting peptide was cleaved between leucine 25 and serine 26 in the previously deduced amino acid sequence. Taken in conjunction with the recent report of Finocchiaro et al. (Finocchiaro, G., Taroni, F., Rocchi, M., Martin, A. L., Colombo, I., Tarelli, G. T., and DiDonato, S. (1991) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 88, 661-665), the present results establish three key points concerning the rat and human forms of CPT II. First, it appears that in both species the initial translation product contains 658 amino acids and, upon mitochondrial import, is reduced in length by 25 residues through cleavage at an identical site. Second, the difference in electrophoretic mobility between the two mature proteins (documented earlier) presumably reflects either anomalous behavior of one of them on polyacrylamide gels or differential covalent modification. Finally, the recent suggestion by Brady et al. (Brady, P. S., Liu, J. S., Park, E. A., Hanson, R. W., and Brady, L. J. (1991) FASEB J. 5, A817) that our CPT II cDNA construct is incomplete in the 5'-coding region is refuted.
Inactivation of Glycogen Synthetase and Activation of Phosphorylase Kinase by Muscle Adenosine 3',5'-Monophosphate-dependent Protein Kinases

Rabbit skeletal muscle glycogen synthetase I has been purified and obtained essentially free of phosphorylase, phosphorylase kinase, and glycogen synthetase kinase. Using the purified glycogen synthetase as substrate, it was determined that two separable adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP)-dependent protein kinase fractions from skeletal muscle each catalyze the conversion of glycogen synthetase I to glycogen synthetase D; activity changes during the reaction correlate closely with the uptake of phosphate by glycogen synthetase. These same protein kinase fractions also catalyze the cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation and activation of phosphorylase kinase. The specific activities of the two protein kinase fractions towards phosphorylation of glycogen synthetase and phosphorylase kinase were enriched equally during purification. Further evidence that phosphorylase kinase phosphorylation and glycogen synthetase phosphorylation are common activities of the same enzyme was obtained by studying heat inactivation of the protein kinase, destabilization by cyclic AMP, inhibition by a protein inhibitor, and the cyclic nucleotide specificity. Evidence is presented that the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase acts directly on glycogen synthetase I and not through a second kinase as occurs in the phosphorylase activation system. Rabbit skeletal muscle glycogen synthetase I sediments as a single peak with an s20, w of 14.3. Preliminary studies indicate that the enzyme probably exists as a tetramer composed of subunits having a molecular weight between 90,000 and 100,000. On conversion of the I form to the D form, the enzyme incorporates 1 mole of phosphate per 91,000 g of protein.
Usability of an evidence-based practice website on a pediatric neuroscience unit

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is an established method for improving clinical practice and has been shown to improve cost-effectiveness of patient care. Despite the evidence that EBP promotes positive outcomes, nurses have been slow to incorporate this process into practice. One major barrier to nurses implementing evidence in their daily work is the lack of time to search the literature. The objective of this study is to design, implement, and evaluate an inpatient unit-specific website which allows nurses and other direct care providers to easily access literature on specific nursing and pediatric neuroscience care issues. The goal is to minimize time dedicated to the literature search as a barrier to implementing EBP.
An Ordered Set of Size aleph 1 with Monochromatic Maximal Chains.

Every model of ZFC contains a product of two linear orders, each of size ℵ1, with the property that every subset or complement thereof contains a maximal chain.
Influence of hormonal therapy for ulcerative colitis upon the course of surgical treatment.

Summary There is no doubt that the addition of adrenocortical steroids to the armamentarium of the physician caring for patients with ulcerative colitis has proven to be of value. The tremendous improvement in the clinical status of the seriously ill, preparatory to operative treatment, is a significant achievement. As with all powerful tools, adrenocortical steroid therapy must be employed with great caution. The recognition that serious complications are much more apt to occur with this form of therapy compels simultaneous employment of all adjuvant measures to prevent or to recognize early the complications and treat them accordingly.
Queering Catholic Fundamentalism: On Liking Theology in Masculinities Research

This article seeks to build on recent movement in the fields of religion and gender studies in order to analyze and critically reflect on “the relation, confrontation and intersection of gender and religion” (Korte, 2011, p. 2). Here the author works to investigate the possibility that emerges in new forms of analysis that marry theological interventions with masculinities studies as a way to newly attend to patriarchy and fundamentalism. Utilizing feminist Catholic theology, the work addresses unique and recent problems that have emerged in the Church in the face of a new era that appears both more progressive and that has engendered conservative backlash. Along the way the article addresses issues of gender and sexuality as they relate to the priesthood and Pope Francis’ recent assertions linking gender theory to ideological colonization and even nuclear armaments.
Efficiency and bias in studies of early pregnancy loss.

Recent advances in laboratory techniques for measuring the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin have allowed detection of occult very early pregnancy losses based on assaying urine. We used data from the Early Pregnancy Study carried out in North Carolina to develop a simplified collection protocol for reducing costs and improving compliance in similar studies conducted in less-selected populations of women. Collection of specimens only during menses would have caused some decrease in sensitivity but would nevertheless have allowed detection of at least 75% of the losses detected in the North Carolina study. Reduced-collection protocols would also result in some loss in specificity. Simulations suggest that moderate losses in sensitivity and specificity, as would result from reduced-collection protocols, produce only moderate loss of power for detecting associations between risk factors and early pregnancy loss. A “fertility bias” exists, however, which can produce seriously misleading results when specificity is less than perfect. We therefore recommend use of a baseline group of sterile women, so that criteria for “pregnancy” can achieve specificity close to 1.0. (Epidemiology 1992;3:17–22)
Modulation of amphetamine-stimulated (transporter mediated) dopamine release in vitro by σ2 receptor agonists and antagonists

Abstract Some σ receptor ligands have been shown to bind with low affinity to the dopamine transporter and to inhibit [3H]dopamine uptake. It has not previously been shown whether any of these compounds influence release of dopamine via facilitated exchange diffusion. To further examine the nature of the interaction between σ receptor ligands and the dopamine transporter, the effects of σ receptor ligands on amphetamine-stimulated [3H]dopamine release were examined in slices prepared from rat caudate putamen. In the absence of exogenous Ca2+, both (+)-pentazocine and (−)-pentazocine potentiated amphetamine-stimulated [3H]dopamine release at concentrations consistent with their affinities for σ2 receptors. In contrast, BD737 (1S,2R-(−)-cis-N-{2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl}-N-methyl-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)cyclohexylamine), a σ1 receptor agonist, had no effect on amphetamine-stimulated release. Neither isomer of pentazocine alone had any effect on basal [3H]dopamine release under these conditions. Three antagonists at σ receptors, one of which is non-selective for subtypes, and two of which are σ2-selective, all blocked the enhancement of stimulated release produced by (+)-pentazocine. Enhancement of stimulated release by (−)-pentazocine was similarly blocked by σ2 receptor antagonists. Our data support the contention that it is possible to regulate transporter-mediated events with drugs that act at a subpopulation of σ receptors pharmacologically identified as the σ2 subtype.
Radiance of Sea and Sky in the Infrared Window 800-1200 cm-1

Expressions are obtained for the infrared radiance of a rough ocean surface by a method closely following that of Cox and Munk. For normal viewing, average radiance is found to be practically independent of roughness, but for oblique viewing blackness increases with roughness. Shadowing is treated in a simple approximate manner and estimates of surface radiance are made for glancing angles of viewing: an infrared horizon is predicted. The theoretical results, which are closely substantiated by observations, reveal the dish-shaped character of the ocean and indeed of any rough surface.