cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Does myasthenia gravis affect the brain

Associations between myasthenia gravis (MG) and CNS functions have been made for over 80 years. An increased incidence of psychiatric disorders, epilepsy and multiple sclerosis as well as electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities and abnormal evoked responses have been noted in patients with MG. Descriptions of sleep and memory disturbances in MG patients appeared as knowledge accumulated about the role of brain cholinergic systems in sleep and memory. The inference of many of these studies has been that the alleged central cholinergic effects in MG were caused either by the anticholinesterases used to treat MG or by antibodies to muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAchR) present in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of MG patients. The antigenic differences between muscle nAchR and neuronal nAchRs, together with the very low concentrations of muscle nAchR antibodies in the CSF, make highly unlikely the claims that CNS cholinergic systems are affected by these muscle antibodies in MG patients. Evoked response abnormalities, if indeed present, are more likely caused by peripheral than central mechanisms, and sleep abnormalities in MG also probably originate in the periphery rather than in the CNS, the result of hypoxia caused by oropharyngeal, intercostal and diaphragmatic muscle weakness which may worsen during sleep, especially during REM sleep. Such hypoxia may account for some of the EEG abnormalities noted in MG patients, but the association of MG with epilepsy appears to be either coincidental or the result of uncontrolled MG. Significant excessive daytime sleepiness resulting from sleep disturbances can also impair memory and the performance of MG patients on neuropsychological tests, as can the presence of mental depression. The psychological aspects of MG can be attributed to the expected consequences of a chronic but unpredictable neuromuscular disease involving weakness of breathing, swallowing, talking, limb and eye movement. Considering the number and variety of claims for direct CNS involvement in MG, the evidence for this is remarkably unconvincing. The quality of MG treatment, both physical and psychological, is a presently undefined variable which might help explain the diametrically opposed results which have been obtained in some of the studies reviewed. Adequate respiratory muscle strength during sleep is an often overlooked peripheral influence upon mental functioning and general well-being of MG patients.
Adaptation to Seismic Risk and Climate Change: San Francisco and Berkeley, California, USA

This chapter examines the multi-sector resiliency and climate adaptation approaches undertaken by the San Francisco Bay Area cities of Berkeley and San Francisco. The Paton and Johnston disaster resiliency model is used to assess the adaptive capacity of these two cities. Findings show that “partnering” with civic, business and community based organisations (CBO) is a central element for producing sustainable resiliency and lowering disaster risk. San Francisco adopted a Climate Action Plan in 2004, followed by Berkeley in 2009. Both cities use state government-generated data to assess risk and their own funding to lower risk and adapt to climate change. The key lesson uncovered in this analysis is that it matters less which level of government (local, state, federal) provides guidance; rather it matters more that guidance is based on accepted science that can be easily accessed and used by anyone interested in resiliency and climate change adaptation.
Social Origins of Dictatorships: Elite Networks and Political Transitions in Haiti

Existing theories of democratic reversals emphasize that elites mount actions like coups when democracy is particularly threatening to their interests. However, existing theory has been largely silent on the role of elite social networks, which interact with economic incentives and may facilitate antidemocratic collective action. We develop a model where coups generate rents for elites and show that the effort an elite puts into a coup is increasing in their network centrality. We empirically explore the model using an original dataset of Haitian elite networks that we linked to firm-level data. We show that central families were more likely to be accused of participating in the 1991 coup against the democratic Aristide government. We then find that the retail prices of staple goods that are imported by such elites differentially increase during subsequent periods of nondemocracy. Our results suggest that elite social structure is an important factor in democratic reversals.
hrHPV positivity in ASC-US Papanicolaou tests from women with treated HPV- and non-HPV-related gynecologic malignancies

Introduction Although the utility of high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing is established in the triage of ASC-US Papanicolaou tests from the general population, its role in women who have been treated for cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers is less clear. Materials and methods Records of patients with ASC-US Papanicolaou tests and HPV testing results submitted by our gynecologic oncology service with a history of malignancy between 2006 and 2012 were reviewed. Results Thirty-nine women with a history of treatment for HPV-related cancer and ASC-US Papanicolaou tests who had undergone hrHPV testing were identified. hrHPV was detected in the in specimens from 12 of the 39 patients. Among the 12 patients with ASC-US/hrHPV+ Papanicolaou tests, 2 had a subsequent Papanicolaou test with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) and 1 had a cervical biopsy that showed invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Among the 27 patients with ASC-US/hrHPV– Papanicolaou tests with pathologic follow-up, none had HSIL or worse. In patients with treated non-HPV-related cancers, hrHPV was detected in cervical/vaginal cytology specimens from 11 of 47 patients. Of 11 patients with ASCUS/hrHPV+ Papanicolaou tests, 1 had an HSIL Papanicolaou test and a negative vaginal biopsy within 18 months. None of the 36 patients with ASC-US/hrHPV– Papanicolaou tests had HSIL or worse on follow-up. Conclusion The rates of hrHPV positivity in ASC-US Papanicolaou tests from women treated for both HPV-related (31%) and non-HPV-related (23%) gynecologic malignancies were similar to those reported in women older than 45 years. hrHPV testing identified all women with ASC-US Papanicolaou tests who subsequently developed HSIL or worse.
Topics in Neonatal Informatics: Standardizing Diagnoses in Neonatology: Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia and Beyond

There are many data efforts in neonatology established to advance improvements in quality of care for neonatal patients. Challenges in the standardization and alignment of diagnoses still exist. Data harmonization initiatives are underway to standardize nomenclature starting from fetal life.
Marginal Fit Comparison of CAD/CAM Crowns Milled from Two Different Materials.

Abstract Objective: This study evaluated the marginal fit of CAD/CAM copings milled from Hybrid ceramic (Vita Enamic) blocks and lithium-disilicate (IPS e-max CAD- Ivoclar Vivadent) blocks. It also evaluated the effect of crystallization firing on the marginal fit of lithium-disilicate copings. Method and Material: A standardized metal die with a 1mm wide shoulder finish line was imaged using the CEREC® AC Bluecam (Sirona). The coping was designed utilizing CEREC 3 software. The design was used to fabricate 15 lithium-disilicate and 15 hybrid ceramic copings. Design and milling were accomplished by one operator. The copings were seated on the metal die utilizing a pressure clamp with a uniform pressure of 5.5 Ibs. A Macroview Microscope was used for direct viewing of the marginal gap. Four areas were imaged on each coping (buccal, distal, lingual and mesial). Image analysis software was used to measure the marginal gaps in micrometers in 15 randomly selected points on each of the four surfaces. A total of sixty measurements were made per sample. For lithium-disilicate copings the measurements for marginal gap were made before and after firing. Data was analyzed by paired t-test. Results: The overall mean difference in marginal gap between the hybrid ceramic and crystallized lithium-disilicate copings was statistically significant (p<0.01). The overall mean difference in marginal gap before and after firing (pre-crystallized and crystallized lithium-disilicate copings) showed an average of 62 microns increase in marginal gap after firing. This difference was also significant (p<0.01). Conclusion: This study concluded that crystallization firing can result in a significant increase in the marginal gap of the lithium-disilicate CAM/CAM crowns. In addition a significant difference exists in the marginal gap discrepancy when comparing hybrid ceramic and lithium disilicate CAD/CAM crowns.
EFFECT OF ACULOPS TAIHANGENSIS ON THE GROWTH AND PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL INDEXES OF THE TREE OF HEAVEN,AILANTHUS ALTISSIMA

The effects of Aculops taihangensis on the morphology indexes,contents of chlorophyll,soluble protein,free amino acid and free proline of the tree of heaven,Ailanthus altissima,were investingated in this study.The results showed that the growth rate of the tree of heaven damaged by A.taihangensis was significantly slower than the health control group.On the 30th day after the treatment,the height and the number of total leaves of damaged plant increased only by 1% and 85.4%,respectively,while the control increased by 23.3% and 252%,respectively.Damaged leaves started to fall down after 20 days,and the buds of the plant become dry and then dropped.The buds of 70% individual damaged plants dropped off after 60 days and 54% of leaves fell down after 70 days.The content of chlorophyll in the injured leaves was obviously lower than the control,but the contents of soluble protein and free amino acid were higher than the control during the first 25 days,and then become lower than the control.The content of free proline in the leaves of damaged trees,however,was significantly higher than control during the most of experiment time.The range of hosts test showed that the A.taihangensis only feed on the tree of heaven,but not on Toona sinensis,Brucea javanica(Linn),Mangifera indica,Robinia pseudoacacia L and other eight tested species.
Analysis on 1513 Aged TB Outpatients

Objective To understand the sources and incidence of aged TB outpatients.Methods Visiting of 1,513 TB outpatients in Changfeng county in 2002～2006 was analyzed.Results The proportion of aged TB outpatients was more than one-third with increasing trend yearly.Secondary tuberculosis accounted for 98.55%.Most were referral patients,accounted for 57.89%.57.77% TB patients had no TB history.Patients had symptoms of cough,expectoration ≥ 3 weeks.52.61% patients were positive of sputum smear.Distribution of the lesions was wide with 2.52 active lesions per lung fields.Lesions in two upper lung fields accounted for 64.97%～83.74%.Of them,9.83% patients had cavity lesions.Conclusions High incidence,wide lung lesions of tuberculosis occurred in aged population in Changfeng county.Propaganda.on TB should be further strengthened.Active and effective measures to combat tuberculosis should be taken in order to improve TB control.
Clinical and Radiologic Outcome of Gamma Knife Radiosurgery on Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenomas.

Objective To elucidate the role of Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) in the management of nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFAs). Materials and Methods A retrospective review of 57 consecutive patients spanning 2000 to 2013 with NFAs was performed. Of 57 patients, 53 patients had recurrent or residual tumors after microsurgical resection. The study population was evaluated clinically and radiographically after GKRS treatment. The median follow-up time was 45.57 months. Results GKRS in pituitary adenomas showed significant variations in tumor growth control (decreased in 32 patients [56.1%], arrested growth in 21 patients [36.1%], and increased tumor size in 4 patients [7%]). Progression-free survival after GKRS at 3, 7, and 10 years was 100%, 98%, and 90%, respectively. The neurologic signs and symptoms were significantly improved after GKRS (14% versus 107%) compared with pretreated signs and symptoms (p < 0.0001). Five patients (8.8%) required additional treatment. Conclusion Recent follow-up revealed that GKRS offers a high rate of tumor control and preservation of neurologic functions in both new and recurrent patients with NFAs. Thus GKRS is an effective treatment option for recurrent and residual as well as newly diagnosed patients with NFAs.
Long-term evolution of multiple sclerosis disability in the treatment era

Objective To characterize the accrual of long‐term disability in a cohort of actively treated multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and to assess whether clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data used in clinical trials have long‐term prognostic value.
Social environmental disparities on children's psychosocial stress, physical activity and weight status in Eastern Alabama counties

Social environmental injustice could directly influence children's physical activity and weight, but also indirectly through changing their psychosocial processes. This study aims to assess spatially continuous physical and social environments and to examine the impact of psychosocial stress on the complex interaction between children and obesogenic environments in three Eastern Alabama counties. The obesogenic environment is defined with particular physical, social, and economic characteristics, causing higher risk of being overweight or obese. Survey questionnaires were collected for 690 children in grades K-6 at six schools to measure children's weight, height, socio-demographics, and home locations. Physical activity, psychosocial stress, and family environment were further gathered from a subsample of children aged 8–13 (n = 65) through extended surveys. GIS and statistical methods were used to assess multilevel environments at family, community, and school levels. The associations between children's physical activity, stress, weight, and physical and social environments were examined by a series of multi-level regression models. Of the sample, 42.3% of the participants were measured as overweight or obese, much higher than the national rate of 31.8%. High weight clusters were observed in a variety of block groups with diverse physical and social environments. Community physical and social environments exhibited inconsistent even opposite spatial patterns (r = −0.18; p < 0.05). The results of multi-level regression models demonstrated the bidirectional causal interactions of physical activity, psychosocial stress, and weight. We also found that family (p < 0.01) and school environments (p < 0.01) were more influential to children's participation in physical activity, psychological wellbeing, and weight status compared to community environments.
The Role of University Centers in Environmental and Sustainability Education in Envisioning Futures

This paper considers the role that university centers in environmental and sustainability education might play in envisioning futures for the field—as well as for tomorrow’s campus. The paper attempts to move the conversation of “the future” beyond a general or rhetorical sense and instead toward how university centers might participate in the collective, institutional, intergenerational, and social processes necessary to imagine, design, and actualize alternative, sustainable futures. This working understanding of “the future” comes from within traditional sustainability discourse on “present and future generations,” such as intergenerational education and intergenerational justice—as well as discourse further afield, such as speculative movements within the fields of design and architecture. University research centers in environmental and sustainability education are particularly suited to the task of envisioning socio-ecological futures, as they have been successful in promoting the mainstreaming of sustainability in home institutions, in academe, and in the larger culture and society. Centers are able to develop programs for and with students, connect the university to other communities, work with government, involve industry, and encourage scholars to explore intergenerational learning and transformative leadership for sustainability. Centers are a platform for interdisciplinary knowledge creation and feed sustainability ideas into universities and other societal institutions that they are not able to produce on their own. Centers, then, can be a place to envision futures for environmental and sustainability education, for tomorrow’s campus, and for Earth.
Internal Conversion Processes—Yesterday and Today

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the past and present scenarios of internal conversion processes. The understanding of the physical mechanism that resulted in the emission of the discrete energy electrons took years to develop. The emission of the charged particles in α- or β-decay set the nucleus and atom vibrating with subsequent y-ray emission or electron emission from internal photoelectric absorption of the gamma ray. The agreement between theory and experiment makes it probable that for many of the γ-ray lines, the ejection of electrons is due to ordinary photoelectric absorption; if this is the case, a nucleus can radiate either the dipole or the quadrupole field. With the availability of nuclear reactors and more particle accelerators, many radioactive isotopes became available for study. Internal conversion studies were carried out in increasing numbers. The high multipole transitions received attention because these were easier to measure with their large conversion coefficients.
Penicillin fifty years after Fleming - Introductory remarks

Penicillin - what names, accomplishments and benefits that word evokes. A combination of medicinal products that has wrought countless miracles, an area where superlatives almost become understatements. It is remarkable that research in the penicillin area has continued for 50 years and has produced such spectacular benefits to mankind. In addition, the penicillin molecule has proved to be an extraordinary stimulus for scientific research in a wide variety of disciplines. Listed alphabetically, Abraham, Bachmann, Barton, Bose, Chain, Clark, Coghill, Fleming, Florey, Folkers, Foster, Heilbron, Hodgkin, Keefer, Morin, Robinson, Tishler, Du Vigneaud, Wintersteiner, Woodward - a partial litany of names, each of whom has brought a stone to the magnificent edifice that we call the penicillin story. Unfortunately, some are no longer with us: some departed prematurely at the height of their powers and some have succumbed to the inexorable ravages of time. Some of them, happily, are with us today for this auspicious occasion. It has been my good fortune to have met them all. It is convenient to divide the penicillin saga into three periods. The first started with Fleming’s observation in 1929 and continued sporadically through the extensive and intensive World War II research. From the late 1940s until 1959 the only published research on the synthetic chemistry of penicillin was carried out at M .I.T. under my direction. Foolishly, or perhaps not so foolishly, our laboratory was engaged in this lonely but eventually rewarding research effort which culminated in the total synthesis of penicillin V and of 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6APA), the penicillin nucleus, in 1956 and 1957 and the acylation of this same compound to form a variety of new penicillins. The field received a great impetus by the development in the Beecham Laboratories of commercially attractive microbiological methods of producing 6APA. The acylation of 6APA has led to the explosive development of the semi-synthetic penicillins, a development which continues to the present day.
Complexation of Metal Ions with Azacrown Ethers Bearing an 8-Hydroxyquinoline Side Arm

Thermodynamic quantities (log, K, ΔH, and TΔS) for theinteractions of six azacrown ethers each bearing an 8-hydroxyquinoline (CHQ)side arm (1-6) with Na+, K+, Ba2+, and Cu2+ were determined by calorimetrictitration in methanol solution at 25°C. The results indicate that theseligands form stable complexes with the cations studied. Ligands 1 and 3 thathave CHQ attached through position 7 (next to the OH group) show highselectivity for Cu2+ (log K values of 8.12 and 9.44, respectively) over Na+,K+, and Ba2+ by more than four orders of magnitude. On the other hand,ligands 2 and 4 that have CHQ attached through position 2 (next to thequinoline nitrogen group) form more stable complexes with Na+, K+, and Ba2+,but less stable complexes with Cu2+, than ligands 1 and 3. All ligandsinteract more strongly with K+ than with Na+. The K+/Na+ selectivity forligands 4 and 5 is about 1.5 log K units. All complexation reactions displaynegative enthalpy changes. In most cases the entropy changes are alsonegative, indicating that formation of the complexes is enthalpy driven. 1HNMR spectral experiments demonstrate coordination of the cations by alldonor atoms of the ligands including those of the CHQ arm. In all cases, theOH signal is observed in the 1H NMR spectra, suggesting that thecomplexation with the cations does not involve deprotonation of the CHQgroups in the ligands.
Ferenczi's Trauma Theory

Ferenczi's Trauma Theory Jay B. Frankel, Ph.D. Trauma was at the heart of Sandor Ferenczi's clinical concerns. Toward the end of his life, he became convinced that trauma was an important cause of much neurotic and character pathology, despite the fact that traumatic factors were generally neglected by other analysts (1933, p. 156).’ Ferenczi's final ideas about trauma were presented in very brief form—“a short extract” (1933, p. 156), as he said—in his final paper, “Confusion of Tongues Between Adults and the Child.” He intended to expand, develop, and reevaluate these ideas (Balint, 1958), but soon after he wrote this paper he became too ill to do so, and after several months he died. However, Ferenczi had published other papers that dealt with trauma, notably during the First World War on “war neurosis” (1916/17), and much later in his papers on relaxation technique (1929, 1930, 1931). In his last years, he also made many notes to himself on his ideas about trauma, among other topics, which were posthumously gathered together and published in the third volume of his collected papers (1955) under the title, “Notes and Fragments” (1920 and 1930-1932). These “Notes and Fragments” flank his Clinical Diary (1932), which was written between January and October 1932 but not published until 1985 (and not until 1988 in English), and which contains many additional clinical observations and ideas about trauma. The present paper will attempt to bring together all of Ferenczi's writings about trauma and to present them in a concise, integrated, and organized way.
DNA Methylation Changes in Lung Cancer

Recent evidence has suggested a role for DNA methylation changes and for DNA (cytosine 5-) methyltransferase in some aspect of tumor development. Limited data are currently available related to changes in the methylation process in lung cancer. Using a novel two-dimensional genome scanning approach to detect gene dosage alterations in tumors, we have identified loci that exhibited hypermethylation and others that exhibited hypomethylation in lung adenocarcinoma. The data suggest that some of the methylation changes observed are unlikely to be due to methylation errors. Full implementation of the genome scanning approach will probably uncover a large number of loci affected by methylation change in lung carcinogenesis.
Light regulation of nitrate reductase in Ulya fenestrata (Chlorophyceae)

Observations were made on the behavior of nitrate reductase activity in the green alga Ulva fenestrata under controlled light:dark regimes. The activity of nitrate reductase (NR) was examined in response to normal seasonal photoperiods as well as in response to shortened or extended periods of darkness. NR activity exhibits a light-dependent diurnal rhythm under both normal summer and winter photoperiods, with a maximum in the early morning (2 to 2.5 h after the start of illumination). This peak of activity is followed by a lower steady-state level of activity which is sustained throughout the light period. There is a sustained minimal level of activity in darkness. The morning peak in activity is always observed as long as tissue is illuminated, irrespective of the previous light or dark treatments. As such, it appears that nitrate reductase activity in U. fenestrata is under circadian control. There is no major difference in the NR activity pattern between summer and winter plants, except that the peak activity values in winter plants are consistently much higher (5 times) than in summer plants. The study also suggests that illumination prior to the normal start of photoperiod triggers a different set of regulatory mechanisms, indicating that the physiological state of plants is important in dictating the NR activity response to illumination.
Chemo-thermo-mechanically Coupled Crystal Plasticity Simulation of Stress Evolution in Thermally Strained β-Sn Films

Whisker formation in tin films is a mode of stress relaxation, but the exact conditions causing them are yet to be established. In this work, a three-dimensional full-field chemo-thermo-mechanically coupled crystal plasticity simulation of thermally strained tin films was performed to evaluate the stress evolution and connect it to the redistribution of vacancies. Spatial heterogeneity in the hydrostatic stress along the grain boundary network (that served as the primary conduit for mass transport) was observed, which became more homogeneous towards the film surface. Normal and shear tractions on the columnar grain boundaries were evaluated as they might be crucial to breaking of the oxide layer (formed on the film surface) especially when inclined grain boundaries are present. With such an advanced multi-physics framework, several crystallographic and geometrical factors influencing whisker formation can be analyzed thereby leading to a better understanding of the factors modulating the nucleation and growth of such whiskers.
Relationships between urban green land cover and human health at different spatial resolutions

Relationships between landscape patterns and ecological processes can vary with changing resolution. Many studies in ecosystem services and human health rely on spatial-dependent data, yet the effects of changes in spatial resolution on the linkages between landscape and human health are underexplored. This study seeks to address the research gap by exploring the relationships of green land cover and pattern metrics at 1 m, 10 m, and 30 m with life expectancy in the City of Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Spearman’s rho correlation and stepwise and hierarchical regression models were applied. Results showed that the effects of resolution change did not emerge for percent green land cover but were evident in other pattern metrics. Multivariate relationships showed that metrics at 1 m explained the most variability of the relationships between green land cover and life expectancy after controlling for potential confounding factors (adjusted R2 = 0.776, and 0.752 at 10 m and 0.747 at 30 m). Edge density of coarse vegetation was significantly associated with life expectancy at 1 m (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.012, 95%CI = 1.004–1.024, p < 0.01) and 10 m (AOR = 1.018, 95%CI = 1.009–1.027, p < 0.001) but not at 30 m. Euclidean distance of fine vegetation had a strong positive association with greater life expectancy at 1 m (AOR = 2.067, 95%CI = 1.185–4.072, p < 0.05) but not at 10 m and 30 m. These findings underscore the importance of acknowledging the effects of resolution on the interpretation of landscape-human health relationships and the need for caution when results are used in planning and management decisions.
Networking Strategies and Efficiency in Human Communication Networks

Individuals communicate with each other strategically to improve their access to information and to capitalize on social connections in attaining personal and professional goals. Yet, we know little about how specific networking strategies impact the efficiency of communication networks both at a global and local level. Here, we perform data-driven computer simulations that examine the effect of two predominant networking strategies: (i) structural change, involving addition and deletion of communication channels and (ii) frequency change, involving increase or decrease of communication on existing channels. In our proposed framework, these two strategies encompass the spectrum of exploring new connections and exploiting existing ones, and are implemented based on the generic social processes of interaction reciprocity and triadic closure. Three main results emerge from our simulations. First, our structural and frequency change strategies designed to reflect human behavior differ from null models represented by random strategies. Second, they have distinct effects on global and local efficiency. Third, these strategies work consistently across heterogeneous network structures and various network evolution scenarios. Taken together, our findings reassess conventional wisdom about the effectiveness of networking strategies and introduce novel frameworks to study the impact of networking via modeling approaches informed by social and communication theory.
LDM: Lineage-Aware Data Management in Multi-tier Storage Systems

We design and develop LDM, a novel data management solution to cater the needs of applications exhibiting the lineage property, i.e. in which the current writes are future reads. In such a class of applications, slow writes significantly hurt the over-all performance of jobs, i.e. current writes determine the fate of next reads. We believe that in a large scale shared production cluster, the issues associated due to data management can be mitigated at a way higher layer in the hierarchy of the I/O path, even before requests to data access are made. Contrary to the current solutions to data management which are mostly reactive and/or based on heuristics, LDM is both deterministic and pro-active. We develop block-graphs, which enable LDM to capture the complete time-based data-task dependency associations, therefore use it to perform life-cycle management through tiering of data blocks. LDM amalgamates the information from the entire data center ecosystem, right from the application code, to file system mappings, the compute and storage devices topology, etc. to make oracle-like deterministic data management decisions. With trace-driven experiments, LDM is able to achieve 29–52% reduction in over-all data center workload execution time. Moreover, by deploying LDM with extensive pre-processing creates efficient data consumption pipelines, which also reduces write and read delays significantly.
Short periods of instruction improve learners’ phonological categories for L2 suprasegmental features

Abstract Second language listening scholars have advocated for greater instructional emphasis on discrete listening sub-skills, including the ability to perceive suprasegmental features and integrate them into listening comprehension. The goals of the current study were to review research that investigated the effects of instruction on suprasegmental listening skills, and determine the extent to which instruction is effective in improving those skills. A comprehensive search identified 17 relevant primary studies that investigated a range of target languages and suprasegmental features. Effects of instruction were then aggregated across studies. The results of the meta-analysis indicate that instruction has a large, positive effect on the ability of learners to develop phonological categories for suprasegmental features in the target language (d = .94). Further, these effects were observed after periods of instruction that lasted only a few hours. Based on these findings, it is recommended that teachers provide suprasegmental training opportunities for learners. Future research should investigate the effect of instruction beyond the level of phonological categories, focusing on learners’ skill in integrating suprasegmental features into listening comprehension.
Tandem Requirement for Full Renal D1R and D5R Activity

ABSTRACT The peripheral dopaminergic system promotes the maintenance of blood pressure homeostasis by engendering natriuresis, mainly through the renal D1R and D5R receptors. This effect is most apparent under conditions of moderate body sodium excess. Human and rodent renal proximal tubules express both receptors, which share common structural features and pharmacological profiles. Genetic ablation of either receptor in the kidney results in hypertension in mice. In this study, we demonstrated that in renal proximal tubules, these two receptors colocalized, co-immunoprecipitated, co-segregated in lipid rafts, and heterodimerized with one another, which was enhanced by treatment with the D1R/D5R agonist fenoldopam (1 μM, 30 min). Gene silencing via antisense oligonucleotides in renal proximal tubule cells abrogated cAMP production and sodium transport in response to fenoldopam. Our results highlight the cooperation and co-dependence of these two receptors through heterodimerization in renal proximal tubule cells.
Quantum Dot Lasers Epitaxially Grown on Si

InAs quantum dot lasers epitaxially grown on Si show promise for achieving lower cost and higher performance photonic integrated circuits. The discrete density of states inherent to quantum dot lasers reduces their threshold current, improves stability against optical feedback, and yields better high temperature performance [1]. Through optimization of the epitaxial III-V buffer layers on on-axis (001) Si, dislocation densities have been reduced from 3 × 108 cm−2 to < 7 × 106 cm−2 leading to an improvement in device lifetime of more than four orders of magnitude at 35°C [2].
The Health Benefits of Resilience

Resilience is the ability of an individual to bounce back from adversity and move forward with life. In this chapter, the focus is on four elements of resilience and how they impact health. The four elements of resilience discussed fit into the GROW framework: good emotions, reason and purpose, others (support from and to others), and wellness flexibility. Each of these elements impacts health in a variety of ways. When patients have high levels of good emotions, a strong sense of reason and purpose, consistent support from and to others, and the ability to be flexible, be self-aware, and learn from mistakes, their health outcomes are better in a variety of diseases. This chapter includes evidence for the impact of resilience in cancer, cardiovascular, metabolic, kidney, and neuropsychiatric illnesses. Patients can improve their resilience in these 4 domains by practicing skills such as gratitude, identifying values and setting goals, yoga, conflict-resolution, building and deepening relationships, volunteering, and accepting one’s faults and failures and learning from them. Clinicians can encourage patients to enhance their resilience with simple interventions that might, in turn, improve their overall health and well-being.
Review of Biomarkers and Analytical Methods for Organophosphate Pesticides and Applicability to Nerve Agents.

Introduction Recent malicious use of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) is a reminder of their severity and ongoing threat. One of the main categories of CWAs is the organophosphate (OP) nerve agents. Presently, there is an urgent need to identify and evaluate OP nerve agent biomarkers that can facilitate identification of exposed individuals post-CWA incident. While exposures to OP nerve agents may be scenario-specific, the public is commonly exposed to OP compounds through the ubiquitous use of OP pesticides, which are chemically related to nerve agents. Therefore, a systematic literature review and methodological quality assessment were conducted for OP pesticide biomarker studies to serve as a baseline to assess if these approaches may be adapted to OP nerve agent exposures. Materials and methods We conducted a systematic literature review to identify biomarkers of OP pesticide exposures. English language studies of any design that reported primary data on biomarkers for exposures in nonhuman primates or adult human study participants were eligible for inclusion. Using standard criteria for assessing the completeness of reported analytical methods, the quality of study methods was critically evaluated. Results A total of 1,044 studies of biomarkers of OP pesticide exposure were identified, of which 75 articles satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria. These studies described 143 different analyte/sample matrix combinations: 99 host-based biomarkers, 28 metabolites, 12 pesticides, and 4 adducts. The most commonly reported biomarkers were dialkyl phosphate urinary metabolites (22 studies), blood acetylcholinesterase, and plasma butyrylcholinesterase (26 studies each). None of the assessed quality review criteria were fully addressed by all identified studies, with almost all criteria scoring less than 50%. Conclusion Cholinesterase activity may have utility for identifying individuals with exposures surpassing a given threshold of OP nerve agent, but further investigation of how acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase levels correlate with observed patient symptoms may be required to ensure accuracy of results. As CWAs and nerve agents are more readily used, more standardized reporting of biomarker measurements are needed to develop new approaches for OP nerve agent biomarkers.
Machine Learning Based Computer Aided Diagnosis of Breast Cancer Utilizing Anthropometric and Clinical Features

Abstract Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancers in females, which has become rampant all over the world in recent years. The survival rate of breast cancer patients degrades considerably for patients diagnosed at an advanced stage compared to those diagnosed at an early stage. The objective of this study is two folds. The first one is to find the most relevant biomarkers of breast cancer, which can be attained from regular blood analysis and anthropometric measurements. The other one is to improve the performance of current computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system of early breast cancer detection. This study utilized a recent data set containing nine anthropometric and clinical attributes. In our methodology, first, we performed multicollinearity analysis and ranked the features based on the weighted average score obtained from four filter-based feature evaluation methods such as F-score, information gain, chi-square statistic, and Minimum Redundancy Maximum Relevance. Next, to improve the separability of the target classes, we scaled and weighted the dataset using min-max normalization and similarity-based attribute weighting by the k-means clustering algorithm, respectively. Finally, we trained standard machine learning (ML) models and evaluated the performance metrics by 10-fold cross-validation method. Our support vector machine (SVM) model with radial basis function (RBF) kernel appeared to be the most successful classifier by utilizing six features, namely, Body Mass Index (BMI), Age, Glucose, MCP-1, Resistin, and Insulin. The obtained classification accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity are 93.9% (95% CI: 93.2–94.6%), 95.1% (95% CI: 94.4–95.8%), and 94.0% (95% CI: 93.3–94.7%), respectively; these performance metrics outperformed state-of-the-art methods reported in the literature. The developed model could potentially assist the medical experts for the early diagnosis of breast cancer by employing a set of attributes that can be easily obtained from regular blood analysis and anthropometric measurements.
Chest discomfort at night and risk of acute coronary syndrome: cross-sectional study of telephone conversations.

BACKGROUND During telephone triage it is difficult to assign the adequate urgency to patients with chest discomfort. Considering the time of calling could be helpful. AIM To assess the risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in certain time periods and whether sex influences this risk. METHOD Cross-sectional study of 1,655 recordings of telephone conversations of patients who called the out-of-hours services primary care (OHS-PC) for chest discomfort. Call time, patient characteristics, symptoms, medical history and urgency allocation of the triage conversations were collected. The final diagnosis of each call was retrieved at the patient's general practice. Absolute numbers of patients with and without ACS were plotted and risks per hour were calculated. The risk ratio of ACS at night (0 am to 9 am) was calculated by comparing to the risk at other hours, and was adjusted for gender and age. RESULTS The mean age of callers was 58.9 (SD ± 19.5) years, 55.5% were women and in total, 199 (12.0%) had an ACS. The crude risk ratio for an ACS at night was 1.80 (CI = 1.39 to 2.34, P<0.001); 2.33 (1.68 to 3.22, P<0.001) for men, and 1.29 (0.83 to 1.99, P = 0.256) for women. The adjusted risk ratio for ACS of all people at night was 1.82 (1.07 to 3.10, P = 0.039). CONCLUSION Patients calling the OHS-PC for chest discomfort between 0-9 am have almost twice a higher risk of ACS than those calling other hours, a phenomenon more evident in men than in women. At night, dispatching ambulances more 'straightaway' could be considered for these patients with chest discomfort.
A new face of the HPV epidemic: Oropharyngeal cancer in the elderly.

Abstract Objectives As the human papillomavirus (HPV) epidemic continues to grow, the number of elderly patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is rapidly increasing. Despite this observation, this cohort remains understudied. We aimed to understand HPV prevalence and characteristics within this cohort as well as its impact on disease control in elderly patients. Methods and Materials We identified patients aged ≥70 with newly diagnosed, non-metastatic, OPSCC treated with curative intent at our institution from 2007 to 2018. Logistic regression and survival analyses were used for outcome-specific endpoints. Results In total, 88 patients were identified with a median age of 73 (interquartile range [IQR]: 71–78) and a median Charlson Comorbidity Index of 6 (IQR: 5–7). Eighty-two percent were ECOG 0 or 1 performance. Of note, 70% of the cohort had HPV+ tumors. Fifty-one percent of patients were AJCC 8th edition stage I/II and 49% were stage III/IV. Median follow-up time was 2.5 years (IQR: 0.9–4.7). Eight percent had surgery alone, 27% underwent adjuvant RT, and 64% received definitive RT. Sixty-four percent received concurrent chemotherapy. By both univariate and multivariable analyses, HPV+ status was significantly associated with improved locoregional control (LRC), overall survival (OS), and disease specific survival (DSS). Conclusions In our cohort of elderly patients with OPSCC, the majority was HPV+, which was associated with improved clinical outcomes. There are many challenges when managing elderly patients with OPSCC, but as the population ages and the HPV epidemic evolves, these patients should be considered for elderly specific clinical trials.
Congenital Heart Disease and Myelomeningocele in the Newborn: Prevalence and Mortality.

Myelomeningocele (MMC) and congenital heart disease (CHD) are independent risk factors for increased morbidity and mortality in the newborn period and each can require significant operations shortly after birth. Few studies have examined the impact of these combined lesions. We sought to examine the incidence of CHD in patients with MMC, and to evaluate length of stay (LOS), hospital charges, and mortality. Using the Texas Inpatient Public Use Data File, ~ 6.9 million newborn records between 1/1999 and 12/2016 were examined. Hospitalizations were classified as MMC without CHD (n = 3054), CHD without MMC (n = 72,266), and MMC with CHD (n = 171). The birth prevalence of CHD with MMC was 0.3/10,000 live hospital births, with 5% of patients with MMC having CHD, and 0.2% of those with CHD having MMC. There was increased LOS in patients with both MMC and CHD (median 15 days, IQR 5–31), compared to CHD without MMC (median 6 days, IQR 2–20) and MMC without CHD (median 8 days, IQR 1–14) and higher total hospital charges (median $95,007, IQR $26,731–$222,660) compared to CHD without MMC (median $27,726, $6463–$118,370) and MMC without CHD (median $40,066, IQR $5744–$97,490). Mortality was significantly higher in patients with MMC and CHD (22.2% compared to 3.1% in MMC without CHD and 4.1% in CHD without MMC). Significance remained when limiting for patients without genetic conditions or additional major birth defects. MMC with CHD in the newborn compared to either CHD or MMC alone is associated with longer LOS, higher charges, and increased mortality.
"At Least We Could Give Our Input": Underrepresented Student Narratives on Conventional and Guided Inquiry-Based Laboratory Approaches.

Policy documents continually stress the need to develop a scientifically literate and diverse workforce. One commonly recommended way to achieve these goals is through the redesign of introductory level science courses to foster students' interest in science. Such redesigns take advantage of a myriad of evidence-based strategies such as inquiry and context-based approaches that place students at the center of learning. In this study, we report on interviews of 10 female students participating in a zoo-context guided-inquiry laboratory structure within an introductory chemistry course. Half of these students were taking the laboratory for the first time (first-experience, n = 5), and half were taking the laboratory a second time (second-experience; n = 5), having failed the course in a conventional format a previous semester. The conventional laboratory format was designed to reinforce lecture content with prescriptive-style laboratories while the zoo-based guided-inquiry laboratory structure was focused on supporting student-designed investigations tied to zoo exhibits. Using interviews, we sought to understand students' experiences and how such experiences could inform future laboratory iterations. Through inductive thematic analysis, we found three themes describing student experiences in both laboratory environments-classroom relationships, relevancy of the work, and ownership of the experiments. This work describes the nuances across student perspectives of laboratory approaches and the implications of these findings for iterations to laboratory structures toward greater student science interest, both for conventional and guided-inquiry approaches.
Performance of beef steers continuously stocked on different annual ryegrass cultivars

ABSTRACT Objective The objective was to study the performance of beef steers grazing different annual ryegrass cultivars. Materials and Methods In 3 consecutive years, steers were continuously stocked on 4 different annual ryegrass cultivars. Cattle were weighed and ryegrass samples were obtained fortnightly. Forage mass, nutritive value, growth rate, animal performance, production per area, DMI, and forage allowance were determined. Mixed models were used to determine the effect of treatment, sampling day, and year on response variables. Results and Discussion Differences in forage mass, total ADG, and production per hectare were observed for cultivar and year, and there was a cultivar × sampling day interaction for nutritive value, herbage accumulation, and forage allowance. Limited differences were detected between a late-maturing diploid and mid-to-late- and late-maturing tetraploid cultivars; however, differences were detected with an early-maturing cultivar. Earlyploid production characteristics (early maturity) explain differences in most production variables. Implications and Applications Lack of differences between diploid and tetraploids made the decision of choosing a cultivar somewhat easier. Cost of seed might be the major determinant in this decision. There are, however, characteristics of Earlyploid worth considering such as its use when a different cultivar and grazing may have negative effects on early spring growth of summer perennials, staple forages on beef production systems in the Gulf Coast.