cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A NEW SPECIES OF BUFO (ANURA: BUFONIDAE) FROM SOUTHERN ECUADOR

We describe a new species of Bufo from the Andes of southern Ecuador. This species is assigned to the phenetic Bufo spinulosus group based on its narrow frontoparietals, poorly developed cranial crests, and weak sculpturing of the dermal roofing bones. This species most closely resembles B. spinulosus, but they differ from one another in several aspects of their external and cranial morphology. A key is provided for the species of the Bufo from the Andes of Ecuador and Peru. Resumen Describimos una nueva especie del genero Bufo de los Andes del sur del Ecuador. Asignamos a la nueva especie al grupo B. spinulosus por poseer frontoparietales angostos, crestas cefalicas poco desarrolladas y huesos craneales lisos dorsalmente. Esta especie se diferencia de B. spinulosus en varios aspectos de su morfologia externa y craneal. Incluimos una clave para las especies de Bufo de los Andes del Ecuador y Peru.
monographaR: An R package to facilitate the production of plant taxonomic monographs

Taxonomic data are essential in many fields of biology. However, the production of taxonomic treatments is usually very time consuming and few programs are available for taxonomic use. The R-based package monographaR automates the production of some ubiquitous components of plant taxonomic studies, generating a monograph skeleton and figures for publication. The package includes functions to convert tables into taxonomic descriptions, lists of collectors, and examined specimens. Additionally, wrapper functions to batch generate phenology histograms and distributional maps are also available. Automated workflows, such as the one provided by the monographaR package, can facilitate the production of taxonomic treatments, potentially increasing the dynamics of taxonomic data generation and preventing format mistakes in repetitive tasks that are otherwise performed manually.
Oncocytic carcinoma of the major salivary glands: A population-based study of 278 cases.

Background Oncocytic carcinomas of the major salivary glands are extremely rare, with <100 cases reported. Methods A retrospective review of the National Cancer Database was performed from 1998 to 2012. Results We found 278 cases of major salivary oncocytic carcinoma. Most patients were men (61.9%), white (84.8%), with parotid disease (88.5%). Median age was 67 years (range, 16–90 years). Regional and distant metastases were found in 36.4% and 4.7% of cases. Overall survival at 5 and 10-years was 64% and 39%, respectively. Distant metastasis (hazard ratio [HR] = 13.87; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.98–64.52; p = .0010) and regional metastasis (HR = 3.01; 95% CI = 1.20–7.55; p = .019) are significant negative predictors, whereas positive margins approached significance (HR = 3.01; 95% CI = 1.20–7.55; p = .074). Conclusion Oncocytic carcinoma has a poor long-term prognosis and lymph node metastases are common. Distant and regional metastases are significant predictors of decreased survival. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1981–E1986, 2016
Efficacy of carbon and bioenergy markets in mitigating carbon emissions on reforested lands: A case study from Southern United States

Abstract Carbon markets would encourage forest landowners to increase rotation ages of their plantations. Emerging wood-based energy markets would increase prices of small-diameter timber products, thereby encouraging forest landowners to possibly opt for shorter rotation ages. We developed a comprehensive forest carbon model to track four carbon pools (carbon related to silvicultural activities, carbon sequestered on forestlands, carbon sequestered in wood products and wood present in landfills, and avoided carbon emissions) at the stand level to determine efficacy of carbon and bioenergy markets in mitigating carbon emissions with and without any change in rotation ages. Slash pine (Pinus elliottii) – a common species planted across the Coastal Plain of Georgia and Florida was taken as a representative species. We find that an increase in rotation age does not necessarily transform into additional carbon savings relative to some base rotation ages over a planning horizon of 100 years. Similarly, a decrease in the rotation age is not necessarily beneficial from carbon perspective either with respect to some base rotation ages. The utilization of all timber products for manufacturing of wood pellets to generate electricity in the United Kingdom maximizes carbon savings without any change in the rotation age. Suitable safeguards need to be incorporated in existing forest and bioenergy certification schemes to ensure efficacy of reforested lands in mitigating carbon emissions. Climate policies should emphasize on a systemic approach to maintain carbon mitigation potential of the forestry sector over time.
The Impact of Airfoil Selection on the Design of Small Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines

Most small wind turbines are designed to maximize the power output at a given design tip speed ratio, TSR. Airfoils are then selected so as to achieve the maximum lift to drag ratio, L/D, over the given Reynolds number range. Allowing the airfoil performance to be an independent variable in the design process, however, drives the design to a particular optimum operating conditions for the airfoil selected. Numerical studies were performed using mRotor, a blade element momentum, BEM, code, to examine the impact of L/D on the optimum operating TSR condition. The results indicated that a configuration with an airfoil having a high L/D operates better at a high TSR, however, an airfoil with a low L/D was observed to perform better if operated at a low TSR. Results were compared to the National Renewable Energy Lab BEM code WT_Perf. The impact of hub size and the implications of the results on the design space are also discussed.
A Flexible Flight Control System for Rapid GNC and Distributed Control Deployment

The NASA Langley Autonomy Incubator focuses on enabling autonomous, cooperative operations of multiple small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and, more generally, creating autonomous system technologies that change the way people and goods are moved from place to place. To enable rapid test and deployment of autonomous algorithms an avionics system is under development. The system, called the Autonomous Entity Operations Network Flight Control System (AEON-FCS), is being developed to be capable of implementing both classic Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) law algorithms in a monolithic system architecture and also a network connected fully distributed control system. AEON-FCS is a subset of the overall AEON system that includes the Avionics System for Remotely Operated Vehicles LiTe (ASROV-LT) codebase and additional data centric tools for distributed control implementation and rapid simulation and testing. The ASROV-LT codebase provides utilities for hard real-time flight control loop processing and serialized sensor parsing. To enable rapid testing of autonomous algorithms, AEON-FCS provides seamless integration between simulation and hardware by utilizing a data centric inter-process communication approach and a global data bus available on the network. A goal for the AEON-FCS is to enable implementation of fully distributed control. Processing locations may be paired with sensors and distributed across either an airframe or across different air and/or ground vehicles on the network connected system. AEON-FCS aims to enable agile, high performance, robust operation of single or multiple cooperative UAV performing challenging missions like search and rescue under the forest canopy, delivery in rapidly changing unstructured environments (rescue in burning building), and ensemble collaboration for robust resilient system operations in hostile environments. The current state of the structure, function, and novel features of the AEON-FCS are described herein.
An Overview of International Electrical and Safety Codes and Standards Governing the Application of Turbomachinery in Hazardous Areas

A plethora of codes, standards, and guidelines exist throughout the world offering a significant amount of input for the design engineer as he attempts to safely apply hydrocarbon processing equipment to hazardous areas. Fire suppression standards generated in and applicable to use in North America are also used throughout Europe. Off shore techniques are more stringent and must be carefully followed to protect the owner’s investment and for the safety of the equipment operators.This paper is a digest of all internationally recognized codes issued through commonly employed authorities extracting the peculiarities from each and building upon some basic premises to form a design specification that can be modified to suit the specific application or individual company policies.The discussion will be limited to enclosed and unenclosed gas turbine drivers and hydrocarbon gas processing compressors. Indoor and out door installations of this type equipment will also be considered.Copyright © 1994 by ASME
Eutrophication Induced CO2-Acidification of Subsurface Coastal Waters: Interactive Effects of Temperature, Salinity, and Atmospheric PCO2

Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) is raising seawater CO2 concentrations and thereby acidifying ocean water. But a second environmental problem, eutrophication, is also causing large CO2 inputs into coastal waters. This occurs because anthropogenic inputs of nutrients have fueled massive algal blooms, which deplete bottom waters of oxygen (O2) and release CO2 when the organic matter from these blooms is respired by bacteria. On the basis of a biogeochemical model, these CO2 inputs are predicted to decrease current pH values by 0.25 to 1.1 units, effects that increased with decreasing temperature and salinity. Our model predictions agreed well with pH data from hypoxic zones in the northern Gulf of Mexico and Baltic Sea, two eutrophic coastal systems with large temperature and salinity differences. The modeled and measured decreases in pH are well within the range shown to adversely impact marine fauna. Model calculations show that the acidification from respiratory CO2 inputs interacts in a comp...
Mathematical analysis of depolarization block mediated by slow inactivation of fast sodium channels in midbrain dopamine neurons.

Dopamine neurons in freely moving rats often fire behaviorally relevant high-frequency bursts, but depolarization block limits the maximum steady firing rate of dopamine neurons in vitro to ∼10 Hz....
Sample-and-Hold Inputs for Minimum-Phase Behavior of Nonminimum-Phase Systems

The advantages of minimum-phase (MP) systems for control applications are well known. Prior research has shown that a non-MP (NMP) system can be discretized to an MP system using either a zero-order hold (ZOH) or a square-pulse sample-and-hold input (SHI). This paper investigates the MP characteristics of the discrete-time (DT) system obtained by discretizing a continuous-time single-input single-output NMP system using different SHIs. Two new SHIs (forward and backward triangular) are studied in addition to the square pulse. Numerical simulations were adopted for studying the MP property of the resulting DT system as a function of sample-and-hold parameters. The simulation results show that it is possible to find a smaller sampling period that results in an MP DT system using the proposed SHIs compared with the ZOH. The $q$ -Markov cover system identification with pseudorandom binary signal was then used for a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation study. A resistor–capacitor filter was used to represent the implementation error of the SHI due to unmodeled actuator dynamics. The HIL simulation results show that the proposed SHI scheme is robust to actuator modeling error. The MP properties of the DT systems with three SHIs are compared. The results show that the forward triangle SHI has the best performance due to its robustness to unmodeled actuator dynamics and the capability of retaining the MP property of the discretized system at small sampling periods.
Inquiry and Analysis of Evolution Trend on Modern Technology Law's Form--Emphasis on technical legislation

This article is based on the former one, multiple simultaneous legislations for science and technology? which was published on the studies in science of science on August 2005. It still considers technology law which consists protecting and controlling technology as the most effective method by verifying other methods' effectiveness. On the basis of result how society influences the construction of science and technology and how modern technology influence efficiency、fair and order, article think the evolution of form of technology law not only need to legislate towards science and technology respectively also lay emphasis on latter one. Only in this way can truly limit the application and spread of the technology which harm human beings effectively, meanwhile make sure we build an innovation-independent country.
Research on content of amino acid neurotransmitters in facial lobe of Southern catfish(Silurus meridionalis Chen)

HPLC system with fluorescence detection(FL) was used to examine amino acid derivatives,including aspartate,glutamate,glycine and γ-aminobutyric acid in facial lobe of Silurus meridionalis Chen formed by a reaction with o-phthalaldehyde(OPA) in the presence of the internal standard homose-rine.The result showed that precise separation of the four amino acids was achieved using isocratic elution within 40 min.Amino acid concentration and peak area ratio was a good linear relationship with correlation coefficients not less than 0.999 2.Therefore,the method is simple,sensitive and has strong specificity and good repetition.It is suitable for the content determination of amino acid neurotransmitters in facial lobe of Silurus meridionalis Chen by HPLC-FL.
Simulation and research on blind parameters estimation of OFDM system based on MUSIC algorithm

Based on the introduction of an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing(OFDM) System and its basic receiving model,this paper achieves an application of Multiple Signal Classification(MUSIC) algorithm of space spectral estimation into the blind parameter estimation of this system.Experiments and simulations conducted using MATLAB are quoted to demonstrate that, even without any prior knowledge of signal-under-estimation,this algorithm is capable of effectively estimating the number of sub-carriers and IFFT points on emulated OFDM signal bearing an lower SNR and the actual 802.11a signal.
Effect of midazolam on ketamine-induced c-fos expression in cingulated cortex of rats

[Objective] To investigate the effect of midazolam on ketamine-induced c-fos expression in cingulated cortex of rats.[Methods] 20 SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: control group, ketamine group,midazolam group,midazolam+ketamine Ⅰ andⅡgroup(MK Ⅰ andⅡgroup).The rats in MK Ⅰ and Ⅱ group were injected intraperitoneally 2.5 mg/kg,5 mg/kg midazolam,followed by 100 mg/kg ketamine injection 5 minutes later.Rats were administered intraperitoneally 0.9% saline,100 mg/kg ketamine or 5 mg/kg midazolam in the control group,ketamine group and midazolam group respectively.The brain of rats were removed and sliced under frozen condition.Immunohistochemical technique for Fos-protein was used.[Results] The number of Fos-like immunoactivity neurons(FLIN) in ketamine group was higher than that in the control group and midazolam groups(P0.01).The number of FLIN in MK Ⅰ and Ⅱgroup was fewer than that in midazolam group.Furthermore,the number of FLIN in MKⅡgroup was fewer than that in MK Ⅰ group(P0.01).[Conclusion] Midazolam could inhibit ketamine-induced c-fos expression in cingulated cortex of rats in a dose-dependent manner,by which it alleviated or eliminated neuropsychiatric effects of ketamine.
Is family care associated with reduced health care expenditures

BACKGROUND Specific components of family medicine associated with reduced health care costs are not well understood. We examined whether people who received "family care," the sharing of a personal physician across familial generations, had lower health care expenditures than those who received "individual care" that lacked generational continuity. METHODS We studied 1728 children and 2543 adults using a data subset of the 1987 National Medical Expenditure Survey, a representative sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized US population, to examine the relationship between care category and total health care expenditures, adjusting for potential confounders and effect modifiers. Survey respondents from households with either a married or a single woman aged 18 to 55 years as head of household and at least 1 child younger than 18 years were included. Only individuals reporting a family physician (FP) or general practitioner (GP) as their personal doctor were examined, since intergenerational family care is provided almost exclusively by FPs and GPs. RESULTS Family care provided by an FP or GP was associated with 14% lower expenditures for adults ($51), after adjustment for covariates (P = .04), compared with individual care provided by a family or general practitioner. Although not statistically significant, for children family care was associated with 9% lower expenditures ($19). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that family care provided by FPs or GPs is associated with lower health care costs. Policies promoting family care may reduce health care costs.
Chronic nicotine treatment during adolescence attenuates the effects of acute nicotine in adult contextual fear learning

Introduction Adolescent onset of nicotine abuse is correlated with worse chances at successful abstinence in adulthood. One reason for this may be due to enduring learning deficits resulting from nicotine use during adolescence. Previous work has indicated that chronic nicotine administration beginning in late adolescence (PND38) caused learning deficits in contextual fear when tested in adulthood. The purpose of this study was to determine if chronic nicotine treatment during adolescence would alter sensitivity to nicotine's cognitive enhancing properties in adulthood. Methods C57BL/6J mice received saline or chronic nicotine (12.6mg/kg/day) during adolescence (postnatal day 38) or adulthood (postnatal day 54) for a period of 12 days. Following a 30-day protracted abstinence, mice received either an acute injection of saline or nicotine (0.045, 0.18, and 0.36mg/kg) prior to training and testing a mouse model of contextual fear. Results It was found that chronic nicotine administration in adult mice did not alter sensitivity to acute nicotine following a protracted abstinence. In adolescent mice, chronic nicotine administration disrupted adult learning and decreased sensitivity to acute nicotine in adulthood as only the highest dose tested (0.36mg/kg) was able to enhance contextual fear learning. Conclusions These results suggest that adolescent nicotine exposure impairs learning in adulthood, which could increase the risk for continued nicotine use in adulthood by requiring administration of higher doses of nicotine to reverse learning impairments caused by adolescent nicotine exposure. Implications Results from this study add to the growing body of literature suggesting chronic nicotine exposure during adolescence leads to impaired learning in adulthood and demonstrates that nicotine exposure during adolescence attenuates the cognitive enhancing effects of acute nicotine in adulthood, which suggests altered cholinergic function.
A Subjective Bayesian Surrogate for Evidence

We contend that Bayesian accounts of evidence are inadequate, and that in this sense a complete theory of hypothesis testing must go beyond belief adjustment. Some prominent Bayesians disagree. To make our case, we will discuss and then provide reasons for rejecting the accounts of David Christensen, James Joyce, and Alan Hajek. The main theme and final conclusions are straightforward: first, that no purely subjective account of evidence, in terms of belief alone, is adequate and second, that evidence is a comparative notion, applicable only when two hypotheses are confronted with the same data, as has been suggested in the literature on “crucial experiments” from Francis Bacon on.
Constrained inference in linear regression

Regression analysis is probably one of the most used statistical techniques. We consider the case when the regression function is monotonically changing with some or all of the predictors in a region of interest. Restricted confidence interval for the mean of the regression function is constructed when two predictors are present. Earlier analyses would allow an investigator either to ignore monotonicity altogether or to consider only one predictor at a time but not both simultaneously. The methodologies developed are applied on a real data set to study the effects of patients age and infection risk on their length of stay in US hospitals.
Low-Dimensional Statistics of Anatomical Variability via Compact Representation of Image Deformations.

Using image-based descriptors to investigate clinical hypotheses and therapeutic implications is challenging due to the notorious “curse of dimensionality” coupled with a small sample size. In this paper, we present a low-dimensional analysis of anatomical shape variability in the space of diffeomorphisms and demonstrate its benefits for clinical studies. To combat the high dimensionality of the deformation descriptors, we develop a probabilistic model of principal geodesic analysis in a bandlimited low-dimensional space that still captures the underlying variability of image data. We demonstrate the performance of our model on a set of 3D brain MRI scans from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database. Our model yields a more compact representation of group variation at substantially lower computational cost than models based on the high-dimensional state-of-the-art approaches such as tangent space PCA (TPCA) and probabilistic principal geodesic analysis (PPGA).
A diffuse interface method for the Navier–Stokes/Darcy equations: Perfusion profile for a patient-specific human liver based on MRI scans

Abstract We present a diffuse interface method for coupling free and porous-medium-type flows modeled by the Navier–Stokes and Darcy equations. Its essential component is a diffuse geometry model generated from the phase-field solution of a separate initial boundary value problem that is based on the Allen–Cahn equation. Phase-field approximations of the interface and its gradient are then employed to transfer all interface terms in the coupled variational flow formulation into volumetric terms. This eliminates the need for an explicit interface parametrization between the two flow regimes. We illustrate accuracy and convergence for a series of benchmark examples, using standard low-order stabilized finite element discretizations. Our diffuse interface method is particularly attractive for coupled flow analysis on imaging data with complex implicit interfaces, where procedures for deriving explicit surface parametrizations constitute a significant bottleneck. We demonstrate the potential of our method to establish seamless imaging-through-analysis workflows by computing a perfusion profile for a full-scale 3D human liver based on MRI scans.
Stereochemistry specifies the regiochemistry of phosphorylation in two cAMP-dependent protein kinase substrates.

Abstract The substrate specificity of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase has been assessed with peptides bearing threoninol diastereomers. The threoninol residue contains both a primary alcohol and a secondary alcohol, either of which may serve as a site of phosphorylation. The enzyme-catalyzed phosphorylation of Gly-Arg-Thr-Gly-Arg-Arg-Asn-(2R,3R)-threoninol furnishes a Km of 498 +/- 39 microM and a Vmax of 7.8 +/- 0.2 mumol/min-mg, whereas the phosphorylation of Gly-Arg-Thr-Gly-Arg-Arg-Asn-(2S,3S)-threoninol provides a Km of 16.3 +/- 0.8 microM and a Vmax of 16.0 +/- 0.4 mumol/min-mg. Mass spectral analysis of the phosphopeptide reaction products revealed that each species is phosphorylated only once. 1H-coupled 31P NMR experiments unequivocally demonstrated that the (2R,3R)-isomer is specifically phosphorylated at the secondary alcohol, whereas the (2S,3S)-isomer is exclusively phosphorylated at the primary alcohol. This regiospecificity appears to be a consequence of the stereochemistry at C-2 in the threoninol residues. The structural attributes of the protein kinase that appear to be responsible for the observed differentiation between the C-2 stereoisomers is discussed.
The Presence of Interleukin-13 at Pancreatic ADM/PanIN Lesions Alters Macrophage Populations and Mediates Pancreatic Tumorigenesis

The contributions of the innate immune system to the development of pancreatic cancer are still ill defined. Inflammatory macrophages can initiate metaplasia of pancreatic acinar cells to a duct-like phenotype (acinar-to-ductal metaplasia [ADM]), which then gives rise to pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) when oncogenic KRas is present. However, it remains unclear when and how this inflammatory macrophage population is replaced by tumor-promoting macrophages. Here, we demonstrate the presence of interleukin-13 (IL-13), which can convert inflammatory into Ym1+ alternatively activated macrophages, at ADM/PanIN lesions. We further show that Ym1+ macrophages release factors, such as IL-1ra and CCL2, to drive pancreatic fibrogenesis and tumorigenesis. Treatment of mice expressing oncogenic KRas under an acinar cell-specific promoter with a neutralizing antibody for IL-13 significantly decreased the accumulation of alternatively activated macrophages at these lesions, resulting in decreased fibrosis and lesion growth.
Wayfinding Research in Library and Information Studies: State of the Field

Abstract Objective – Often people enter libraries focused on their primary information needs and haven't considered their need for spatial information to find their way to what they need. This presents unique wayfinding information challenges for libraries. Papers on library wayfinding often include some discussion of the lack of wayfinding research in libraries, but apparently there has been no comprehensive review of the LIS literature on wayfinding. Methods – This paper is a comprehensive review of library wayfinding literature, using the Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text (via EBSCOhost) database to collect the dataset. Results – Findings indicate a small collection of library wayfinding research, primarily focused on academic libraries. Conclusion – Empirical research in this area is limited. Suggestions for future research on library wayfinding, including potential foci for that research, are presented.
Applications of moment methods to finite nuclei

We summarize approaches to a number of many-body problems utilizing moment methods. We develop some tests with valence particle systems and some tests with the soluble Lipkin-Meshkov-Glick Hamiltonian in order to assess accuracy of the moment method approach for finite nuclei. We present results for the binding energy and for the elastic electron scattering cross section of 160 using â realistic microscopic no-core effective Hamiltonian.
When Will Breakfast be Ready: Temporal Prediction of Food Readiness Using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks on Thermal Videos

In this paper, we perform prediction of food readiness during cooking by using deep convolutional neural networks on thermal video data. Our work treats readiness prediction as ultra-fine recognition of progression in cooking at a per-frame level. We analyze the performance of readiness prediction for eggs, pancakes, and bacon strips using two types of neural networks: a classifier network that bins a frame into one of five classes depending on how far cooking has progressed at that frame, and a regressor network that predicts percentage of cooking time spent at each frame. Our work provides classification accuracies of 98% and higher within one step of the ground truth class using the classifier, and provides an average error of within 20 seconds for the elapsed time predicted using the regressor when compared to ground truth.
Dissociable Contributions of Precuneus and Cerebellum to Subjective and Objective Neuropathy in HIV

Neuropathy, typically diagnosed by the presence of either symptoms or signs of peripheral nerve dysfunction, remains a frequently reported complication in the antiretroviral (ART)-treated HIV population. This study was conducted in 109 healthy controls and 57 HIV-infected individuals to investigate CNS regions associated with neuropathy. An index of objective neuropathy was computed based on 4 measures: deep tendon ankle reflex, vibration sense (great toes), position sense (great toes), and 2-point discrimination (feet). Subjective neuropathy (self-report of pain, aching, or burning; pins and needles; or numbness in legs or feet) was also evaluated. Structural MRI data were available for 126/166 cases. The HIV relative to the healthy control group was impaired on all 4 signs of neuropathy. Within the HIV group, an objective neuropathy index of 1 (bilateral impairment on 1 measure) or 2 (bilateral impairment on at least 2/4 measures) was associated with older age and a smaller volume of the cerebellar vermis. Moderate to severe symptoms of neuropathy were associated with more depressive symptoms, reduced quality of life, and a smaller volume of the parietal precuneus. This study is consistent with the recent contention that ART-treated HIV-related neuropathy has a CNS component. Distinguishing subjective symptoms from objective signs of neuropathy allowed for a dissociation between the precuneus, a brain region involved in conscious information processing and the vermis, involved in fine tuning of limb movements. Graphical Abstract In HIV patients, objective signs of neuropathy correlated with smaller cerebellar vermis (red) volumes whereas subjective symptoms of neuropathy were associated with smaller precuneus (blue) volumes.
Updates on Nocardia Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in Solid Organ Transplantation

Due to their immunocompromised status, solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are at risk for Nocardia infections. These infections often necessitate early invasive diagnostics alongside prolonged, often combination antimicrobial therapy. This review summarizes the importance of this pathogen in skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in SOT recipients inclusive of recently reported cases in the literature and an update on the epidemiology, diagnostics, and management. Six studies with 13 isolated SSTIs due to Nocardia have been published in the last 5 years in SOT recipients. The most common underlying type of transplant was kidney and time from transplantation to infection varied from 6 months to 16 years. Misdiagnosis was frequent. Available identified species included N. brasiliensis (2), N. farcinica (2), N. flavorosea (1), N. abscessus (1), N. anaemiae (1), N. asteroides (1), N. nova (1), and N. vinacea (1). Treatment choice and duration varied widely, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was utilized most often with no documented infection relapse. Nocardia SSTIs can occur both in isolation and as a component of a disseminated infection. Overall, isolated Nocardia SSTIs are uncommon in SOT recipients and are often initially misdiagnosed. They present multiple challenges to the clinician including evaluation for potential co-pathogens and/or non-infectious processes and ruling out the presence of disseminated infection. While trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole remains the agent of choice for management of most isolated SSTIs, therapy must be tailored to the individual patient based on species-specific susceptibility patterns and formal susceptibility testing, site(s) of infection, and patient tolerability.
Linear Precoding with Friendly Jamming in Overloaded MU-MIMO Wiretap Networks

We consider the downlink of a multiuser MIMO (MU-MIMO)network in the presence of an external eavesdropper (Eve). No knowledge of Eve's location is assumed at the access point (Alice). The information signals for downlink users (Bobs)are accompanied by bogus signals (a.k.a. friendly jamming)that are generated from Alice. The network is studied in underloaded and overloaded conditions. In an underloaded (overloaded)network, the number of antennas at Alice is larger (smaller)than the total number of Bobs' antennas. In the overloaded setting, traditional methods of creating friendly jamming (FJ), such as zero-forcing-based methods, are infeasible. We propose a linear precoding scheme that relaxes such infeasibility in overloaded MU-MIMO networks. In the worst-case scenario where Eve has knowledge of the channels between Alice and Bobs, we show that our method imposes the most stringent condition on the number of antennas required at Eve to cancel out FJ signals. We verify our analysis with simulations. It turns out that choosing the number of data streams has an important role in achieving a tradeoff between security, reliability, and the achievable rate.
Computational vibrational spectroscopy for the detection of molecules in space

Abstract Quartic force fields have been defining the potential portion of the internuclear Hamiltonian for decades. This review discusses the history of their development as a tool for analyzing and producing vibrational and rovibrational spectra for molecules of interest to astrophysical observation. Coupled cluster theory has long been a necessary partner in this development, and correlation consistent basis sets, second-order vibrational perturbation theory, and now explicitly correlated electronic wavefunctions have demonstrated consistent usefulness in the determination of these properties. The current status of this approach has produced vibrational frequencies within 1.0 cm−1 of experiment in many cases, preceded the laboratory observation of specific molecules, and is now becoming a helpful tool for the detection of new molecules in space.
The Complexity of a ‘Rope’

Are there many things simpler than a rope? I can remember at the beginning of my career when most clinicians viewed the anterior cruciate ligament as a static check rein that contributed to the mechanical four-bar cross linkage roll/glide mechanism of the knee joint. It was purely a mechanical view of the ligament, which was viewed basically as a ‘rope’ that sometimes broke in the knee. We woefully underestimated its neurologic, biological and psychological impact when injured. The situation was far from as simple as we perceived it. As orthopaedists, we are not alone in our failure to appreciate the complexity of the human body and the power of the poorly understood mind–body interaction.
Time spent on childcare and the household Healthy Eating Index

Poor diet quality in the U.S. is directly related to high rates of a variety of diseases that disproportionally affect low socio-economic status populations. Federal food assistance programs such as SNAP and WIC attempt to mitigate these negative outcomes, but are limited by not considering household time constraints. Current research has investigated the link between time spent in food-related activities and household diet quality, but little work has investigated the link between time spent in childcare and household diet quality. This link is particularly important because a majority of food assistant participants are households with children. Using the National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey and the American Time Use Survey, we investigate three increasingly detailed questions about how time spent on childcare impacts the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) 2010, a standard metric for a household’s diet quality, for food-at-home (FAH) purchases. Although, we find that time spent in combined childcare is not associated with household FAH HEI, we do find a statistically significant relationship when time spent on childcare is disaggregated into its primary and secondary components. Time spent on secondary childcare is negatively associated with household HEI, while primary childcare is positively associated. In addition, when we investigate data subsamples, we find that participation in and eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program reduces the impact of these household time constraints. These results suggest that policies or programs that help reduce the time spent in secondary childcare may generate diet-quality benefits.
The rule of two's didn't work: Meckel's diverticulum with hemorrhagic shock in an adolescent.

Abstract Meckel's diverticulum classically follows the rule of two's; presenting before the age of two years, found 2 ft. from the ileocecal valve, approximately 2 in. in length, and present in roughly 2% of the population. To our knowledge, there are few cases detailing emergent medicine management of hemorrhagic shock in patients with acute blood loss from a Meckel's diverticulum. We report the case of a 13-year-old male presenting in hemorrhagic shock secondary to an undifferentiated gastrointestinal bleed who was effectively resuscitated in a children's emergency department. Meckel's scan revealed abnormal tracer uptake consistent with Meckel's diverticulum and the patient underwent surgical resection of the diverticulum. This case report details the importance of prompt recognition and appropriate volume resuscitation in a pediatric patient suffering from hemorrhagic shock. Emergency medicine physicians should maintain an index of suspicion for Meckel's diverticulum in any pediatric patient presenting with undifferentiated gastrointestinal hemorrhage.
Readmission, Complication, and Disposition Calculators in Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Systemic Review

Abstract Background Predictive tools are useful adjuncts in surgical planning. They help guide patient selection, candidacy for inpatient vs outpatient surgery, and discharge disposition as well as predict the probability of readmissions and complications after total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Surgeons may find it difficult due to significant variation among risk calculators to decide which tool is best suited for a specific patient for optimal decision-based care. Our aim is to perform a systematic review of the literature to determine the existing post-TJA readmission calculators and compare the specific elements that comprise their formula. Second, we intend to evaluate the pros and cons of each calculator. Methods Using a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols protocol, we conducted a systematic search through 3 major databases for publications addressing TJA risk stratification tools for readmission, discharge disposition, and early complications. We excluded those manuscripts that were not comprehensive for hips and knees, did not list discharge, readmission or complication as the primary outcome, or were published outside the North America. Results Ten publications met our criteria and were compared on their sourced data, variable types, and overall algorithm quality. Seven of these were generated with single institution data and 3 from large administrative datasets. Three tools determined readmission risk, 5 calculated discharge disposition, and 2 predicted early complications. Only 4 prediction tools were validated by external studies. Seven studies utilized preoperative data points in their risk equations while 3 utilized intraoperative or postsurgical data to delineate risk. Conclusion The extensive variation among TJA risk calculators underscores the need for tools with more individualized stratification capabilities and verification. The transition to outpatient and same-day discharge TJA may preclude or change the need for many of these calculators. Further studies are needed to develop more streamlined risk calculator tools that predict readmission and surgical complications.
Abstract PO-017: Targeting NF-kB pathway through IRAK4 renders immune checkpoint blockade effective in pancreatic cancer

Effective immunotherapy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is impeded by multiple barriers in the tumor microenvironment. These include the dense extracellular matrix (ECM), excessive inhibitory myeloid cells, cytokines and chemokines, which collectively incapacitate anti-tumour T cells. Constitutive activation the NF-kB pathway is a mechanism that drives intrinsic survival of PDAC cells and stromal fibrosis, but its impact on anti-tumour immunity has not been investigated. Using The Cancer Genome Atlas database, we found that expression of RELA, a canonical NF-kB factor, in PDAC samples is associated with activated stroma and lower cytotoxic T cell signatures. In a PDAC tissue microarray, the staining intensity of activated IRAK4, the innate immune kinase that drives NF-kB signaling, negatively correlates with T cell abundance. Based on these findings, we investigated the immunological impact role of IRAK4 in PDAC. Transcriptomic analysis showed that ablation of IRAK4 in PDAC cells downregulates NF-kB and inflammatory signatures, and markedly decreases transcription of hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2). Accordingly, pharmacologic inhibition of IRAK4 significantly decreased intratumoral hyaluronan, as well as collagen, in autochthonous PDAC mice and potentiated standard chemotherapy. Furthermore, IRAK4 inhibition also significantly reduced production of several suppressive chemokines and checkpoint ligands PD-L1 and Nectin2, leading to revitalization of infiltrative CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. These effects were partly mediated through reduction of intratumoural hyaluronan, which we recapitulated with HAS inhibitor, 4-MU. Accordingly, combined IRAK4 inhibitors with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) especially anti-CTLA4, were highly efficacious in abrogating tumour growth in autochthonous PDAC mice and doubling their survival. In summary, we showed that targeting the NF-kB pathway through IRAK4 renders ICB effective via multiple mechanisms and should be tested in clinical trials for PDAC patients. Citation Format: Daoxiang Zhang, Vikas Somani, Paarth B. Dodhiawala, Patrick M. Grierson, Lin Li, Kuljeet Seehra, Xiuting Liu, Brett L. Knolhoff, Marianna B. Ruzinova, David G. DeNardo, Kian-Huat Lim. Targeting NF-kB pathway through IRAK4 renders immune checkpoint blockade effective in pancreatic cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer; 2020 Sep 29-30. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(22 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-017.
Trade-Off Results and Preliminary Designs of Near-Term Hybrid Vehicles

Phase I of the Near-Term Hybrid Vehicle Program involved the development of preliminary designs of electric/heat engine hybrid passenger vehicles. The preliminary designs were developed on the basis of mission analysis, performance specification, and design trade-off studies conducted independently by four contractors. THe resulting designs involve parallel hybrid (heat engine/electric) propulsion systems with significant variation in component selection, power train layout, and control strategy. Each of the four designs is projected by its developer as having the potential to substitute electrical energy for 40% to 70% of the petroleum fuel consumed annually by its conventional counterpart.
Low-angle neutron scattering analysis of Na/K-ATPase in detergent solution.

The Na/K—ATPase is a membrane-bound enzyme system found in all eucaryotic cells. This enzyme regulates Na and K concentrations and energy metabolism, as well as controlling the transport of other cellular constituents. The Na/K—ATPase has been isolated to about 90% purity in a membrane-bound form from kidney outer medulla by detergent extraction (Jorgenson et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta 694:27). The pure enzyme consists of two major subunits: the catalytic subunit (a) having an estimated molecular weight of 90 to 120K, and another subunit of unknown function (β) with molecular weight estimated as 45 to 65K. The stoichiometry of the subunits has been the subject of some debate. However, the bulk of the evidence suggests that the ratio of subunits (α/β) is 1/1, and the enzyme exists as a dimer in vivo (α2, β2). Analysis of low-angle neutron scattering from a solution containing detergent-solublized membrane protein provides a direct method of determining molecular weight and radius of gyration of a membrane protein. In this study, a purified Na/K—ATPase preparation from guinea pig outer medulla was first solubilized with the nonionic detergent Brij 58 (a polyoxyethylene ether) at a weight ratio of 5 mg detergent/mg protein. The purified protein was further delipidated by ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE in the presence of 0.2% Brij 58. The ATPase-Brij complex preserved 30% of the original membrane-bound Na/K—ATPase activity at Vmax. Contrast matching by varying the H2O/D2O ratio of the detergent-protein solution was used to eliminate the scattering contribution of the detergent. The scattering intensity at zero angle for a set of proteins of known molecular weight was derived experimentally; the molecular weight of the Na/K—ATPase was thus determined to be 385 to 421K by measuring the zero-angle scattering intensity from the protein-detergent complex at the contrast match-point of the detergent. The radius of gyration of the Na/K—ATPase was found to be 76.2 A. The molecular weight and radius of gyration indicate that the Na/K—ATPase is in the dimer form (α2, β2) in this micellar preparation. (Work supported by DOE and partially by NIH and NSF.)
Review Essay: Better Late Than Never? The Delayed Debate over the Costs of Vietnam

In 1965, President Lyndon Johnson sharply escalated the U.S. military effort in Vietnam and prepared for further escalation in 1966. He and his aides, notably Defense Secretary Robert McNamara, did their best to forestall a public debate about the potential costs of the war. They concealed their plans for increased military expenditures and expanded commitments of American troops. Not until the United States was deeply embroiled in Vietnam did a full-fledged public debate finally emerge, along with protests and demonstrations at American universities. If the administration had been more candid about its plans from the outset, U.S. policy might have gone in a different direction, and the domestic and international costs of the war might not have been as onerous.
Barriers to Attorneys’ Discussion and Use of ADR

This article summarizes the findings of an empirical study involving a survey of Arizona civil litigators that examined their voluntary discussion and use of ADR and the prevalence of factors thought to act as barriers to ADR use. Most civil litigators discussed ADR with clients in most cases, but they were less likely to discuss ADR with opposing counsel and seldom did so early in the case. How frequently judges suggested the use of ADR was the factor most strongly related to how frequently attorneys discussed ADR with clients and opposing counsel and to how frequently they voluntarily used ADR. Attorneys' knowledge and views of ADR played a smaller role in their ADR discussions and use, although the potential cumulative effect of these factors was substantial. The implications of the findings for proposed approaches to increase voluntary ADR use are also discussed.