cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Critical Role of the Staff Nurse in Antimicrobial Stewardship—Unrecognized, but Already There

An essential participant in antimicrobial stewardship who has been unrecognized and underutilized is the "staff nurse." Although the role of staff nurses has not formally been recognized in guidelines for implementing and operating antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) or defined in the medical literature, they have always performed numerous functions that are integral to successful antimicrobial stewardship. Nurses are antibiotic first responders, central communicators, coordinators of care, as well as 24-hour monitors of patient status, safety, and response to antibiotic therapy. An operational analysis of inpatient admissions evaluates these nursing stewardship activities and analyzes the potential benefits of nurses' formal education about, and inclusion into, ASPs.
Alteration of coffinite (USiO4) under reducing and oxidizing conditions

Samples of natural coffinite (USiO4·nH2O) from Grants uranium region, New Mexico were investigated in order to understand the alteration process of coffinite under reducing and oxidizing conditions. Alteration of the primary coffinite under reducing conditions was promoted by organic acids and as a result secondary coffinite precipitated. Subsequently oxidizing fluids altered the coffinite, and (Na,K)-boltwoodite and jachymovite precipitated with no rare earth elements. Based on the charge balance calculation we suggest that the amount of U6+ in the coffinite is less than 0.2 [apfu] and U6+ is accommodated in the structure via substitution: U4+ + Si4+ ⇔ U6+ + 2(OH)-. The high and variable analysis total of electron microprobe indicates that H2O is not an essential component in coffinite structure. The U-Pb ages of coffinite formation vary from 36.6-0 Ma suggesting that the coffinite has precipitated continuously in this period and organic matter can preserve reducing conditions even when oxidizing conditions dominate.
Complement-fixing antigens in concentrates of streptococcal culture supernates.

Summary1. Supernates of cultures of β-hemolytic streptococci were concentrated with respect to macromolecular material present. Such concentrates gave positive complement-fixation reactions with sera of rabbits which had been given courses of injections of living streptococci, and with sera of human subjects. 2. Evidence was obtained that complement-fixing antigenic material in such preparations was not identical with the complement-fixing fractions obtained from streptococcal cells, and complement fixation was probably not due to any of a number of the extracellular enzyme-antigens which can be found in streptococcal culture supernates.
EXINI Quantitative Bone Scan Index: Expanded Utility for the Planar Radionuclide Bone Scan.

> John Henry was a steel drivin’ man… > —“The Ballad of John Henry,” American folk song John Henry pitted his strength against a steam steel-driving machine and for a day and a half drove steel “like a man” in a contest that was, as it turned out, to the death. Although the ballad
Time-varying effects of family ethnic socialization on ethnic-racial identity development among Latino adolescents.

Previous research has established that family ethnic socialization messages promote ethnic-racial identity (ERI) development, yet it is unknown whether these effects remain constant throughout adolescence. The current study examined the time-varying effects of family ethnic socialization on ERI exploration and resolution among Latino adolescents (n = 323, Mage at T1 = 15.31, SDage = .76; 49.5% female). As adolescents progressed from middle to late adolescence, the relation between family ethnic socialization and exploration became stronger, while the relation between family ethnic socialization and resolution became weaker, with a significant difference between the magnitude of these associations emerging in late adolescence. The findings underscore the differential impact that family ethnic socialization messages can have on ERI developmental processes at different points in adolescence. In addition, the current study provides a useful illustration of how time-varying effects modeling can be used to examine how familial influences on youth development can change across developmental periods. (PsycINFO Database Record
Advanced three level active neutral point converter with fault tolerant capabilities

A novel fault-tolerant power converter topology is developed based on conventional active neutral point clamped (ANPC) converter. The effect on converter performance due to open/short circuit faults of power devices is investigated. By leveraging the redundant leg in the proposed topology, the lost voltage vectors in the space vector diagram can be restored. This new fault-tolerant topology is capable of maintaining the full output voltage and maximum modulation index during post-fault operation stage. A 25-kW converter prototype based on using 1.2kV SiC MOSFETs has been built in the laboratory, and the experimental results verified the efficacy of the proposed fault-tolerant ANPC converter.
Time, Temperature, and Cationic Dependence of Alkali Activation of Slag: Insights from Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Spectral Deconvolution:

The use of waste/by-product materials, such as slag or fly ash, activated using alkaline agents to create binding materials for construction applications (in lieu of portland cement) is on the rise. The influence of activation parameters (SiO2 to Na2O ratio or Ms of the activator, Na2O to slag ratio or n, cation type K+ or Na+) on the process and extent of alkali activation of slag under ambient and elevated temperature curing, evaluated through spectroscopic techniques, is reported in this paper. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy along with a Fourier self-deconvolution method is used. The major spectral band of interest lies in the wavenumber range of ∼950 cm-1, corresponding to the antisymmetric stretching vibration of Si-O-T (T = Si or Al) bonds. The variation in the spectra with time from 6 h to 28 days is attributed to the incorporation of Al in the gel structure and the enhancement in degree of polymerization of the gel. 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is used to quantify the Al incorporation with time, which is found to be higher when Na silicate is used as the activator. The Si-O-T bond wavenumbers are also generally lower for the Na silicate activated systems.
Forging the Fate of Cellular Therapies for Cardiovascular Disease.

The field of cell therapy for cardiovascular disease has progressed at an uneven rate and will likely follow the translational paths of other biological therapies. The field will require novel public–private partnerships to guide it to its ultimate applications. The long process of developing new therapeutics for cardiovascular disease may often seem like a guideless journey into the unknown. The process begins with definition of an unmet clinical need and is combined with insights into the pathophysiologic nature of disease. Whether the proposed therapy is a device, small molecule, or biological each requires extensive preclinical and clinical investigation prior to approval. While each new treatment must create its own path to approval, outcomes may be predicted by prior experiences. Cell-based therapies for cardiac and vascular disease have progressed at an uneven pace. High-profile publications suggested plasticity and potency of bone marrow–derived cells when delivered into infarcted myocardium and spurred clinical investigation seemingly before the ink dried on the original papers.1 These human studies identified a promise of therapy without harmful effects when data were aggregated.2 However, these uniformly positive small studies have not been confirmed by larger studies. This has prompted a reexamination of the underlying premise on which the original studies were based.3,4 The path by which cell-based therapeutics is being developed is illuminated by the development of other biological approaches for cardiovascular disease. The similarities allow for educated guesses as to the outcome of this therapeutic journey. Will cells ever be widely used as first-line therapy for cardiac and vascular diseases? Which diseases will be the first approved targets for cell-based therapies? How might the development process be improved? I think the answers to these questions may be informed by the fates of other biologics, including antibodies, gene therapy, and peptides. Few academic …
Hypertonic glucose infusion during labor. Maternal-fetal blood glucose relationships.

Abstract Maternal-fetal blood glucose relationships were studied in 32 patients in labor before and after an infusion of glucose. Maternal and fetal hyperglycemic responses to the infusion were not parallel. The fetal peak occurred 10 minutes after the maternal, and the fetal glucose levels declined more slowly. There was not a constant glucose gradient or ratio between the materal and fetal compartments. Evidence for placental transfer of glucose by facilitated diffusion is presented and glucose disappearance rates were calculated on mothers and fetuses. A more basic understanding of carbohydrate metabolism in normal and abnormal pregnancies is needed before new therapeutic regimens involving the use of glucose can be evaluated.
The Effects of Chlorpromazine and D-Amphetamine on the Acquisition and Performance of a Conditioned Escape Response in Rats

Moderate dosages of chlorpromazine (CPZ) and d-amphetamine (D-AM) were administered to rats in a balanced factorial design permitting the separate assessment of drug effects on the learning and performance of an escape response. CPZ impaired both learning and performance of escape responding, while D-AM facilitated performance only.
Social Disparities in Early Intervention Service Use and Provider-Reported Outcomes.

ABSTRACT:Objective:To describe social disparities in early intervention (EI) service use and provider-reported outcomes.Methods:Secondary data analysis of administrative data to ascertain EI service use of all EI and discipline-specific services and child and family characteristics. Adjusted logisti
Removal of paclobutrazol from irrigation water using granular-activated carbon

A small-scale granular-activated carbon (GAC) system was evaluated for removal of the plant growth regulator paclobutrazol [(2RS,3RS)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)pentan-3-ol] from water. A solution with 50 µg L−1 of paclobutrazol was passed through canisters filled with 0.50–4.75 mm particle size (8 × 30 US mesh) granular-activated carbon at a flow rate of 6 L min−1. Paclobutrazol solution was exposed to varying amounts of contact time with GAC by increasing the number of filters in series. Analysis of samples using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) found that paclobutrazol concentration decreased by 90 and 99% with a contact time of 12 and 59 s, respectively. In bioassay tests, broccoli hypocotyls at 14 days were 104% longer and begonia dry mass was 36% greater when treated with solutions that had a contact time of 59 s compared with the 0 s of GAC exposure. With the highest GAC contact time, begonia dry mass was the same as for plants treated with a zero paclobutrazol solution. Bituminous coal and coconut shell GAC sources were equally effective in reducing paclobutrazol concentration based on broccoli hypocotyl length, and paclobutrazol concentration measured using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Removal of paclobutrazol was not affected by solution pH from 4.0 to 10.0.
Relationship between perioperative blood transfusion and surgical site infections in pediatric general and thoracic surgical patients.

Abstract Background Recently, perioperative transfusions were demonstrated to be associated with higher rate of surgical site infections (SSIs) in neonates. We sought to examine whether a similar relationship exists between perioperative blood transfusions and SSI among non-neonatal pediatric general surgical patients. Methods We conducted an IRB-approved retrospective study reviewing non-neonatal patients (age greater than 28days and less than 18years) who underwent a general or thoracic surgical procedure in 2012, 2013, 2014, in the American College of Surgeons National Safety and Quality Improvement Project-Pediatric (ACS-NSQIP-P) Participant User Files. We used Chi-square analyses to perform a bivariate analysis comparing proportions of SSI's between patients who received blood transfusion to those who did not. Multiple logistic regression analyses compared the odds of SSIs in transfused versus nontransfused patients controlling for organ failure, steroid use, nutritional status, current infection, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status classification, and wound classification. Results There were 55,133 patients with 1779 patients who received blood transfusion (≥25ml/kg body weight) during or within 72h of surgery. Bivariate analysis showed at least twice the rate of infection in transfused patients compared to nontransfused patients (p Conclusion In non-newborn pediatric general and thoracic surgery patients, transfusions were associated with higher risk of SSI or wound dehiscence. Although there was a significant interaction between ASA and transfusion, OR for SSI was stronger for lower ASA classes. Type of Study Retrospective Review. Level of Evidence II
Endolymphatic Interventions for the Treatment of Chylothorax and Chylous Ascites in Neonates: Technical and Clinical Success and Complications.

Background The aim of this study was to report the technical and clinical success of performing minimally invasive endolymphatic embolization in neonates presenting with a chylothorax or chylous ascites. Methods Three neonates, 2 males and 1 female, with a mean age of 28 days (range: 19–39 days) presented with a chylothorax or chylous ascites that was refractory to conservative management. All 3 patients (1 previously reported) underwent intranodal lymphangiography, followed by thoracic duct embolization, with 1 patient undergoing additional sclerosis of the retroperitoneal abdominal lymphatics. Results Lymphangiography, thoracic duct embolization, and sclerosis of the retroperitoneal abdominal lymphatics were technically successful. The chylothorax resolved in both the patients. Persistent chylous ascites was noted after treatment which resolved after surgical placement of a vicryl mesh and fibrin sealant. One major complication occurred with nontarget embolization of glue into the lungs requiring embolectomy. Conclusions Thoracic duct and retroperitoneal abdominal lymphatic embolization can be performed in neonates. Resolution of chylothorax was seen in 2 patients (one previously reported) after embolization, whereas 1 patient with chylous ascites required surgical management after endolymphatic intervention.
Physiological Basis for Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea) Tolerance to Florasulam

Tall fescue is susceptible to injury from many acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors used for broadleaf weed control in turfgrass. Florasulam is an ALS inhibitor that selectively controls broadleaf weeds in tall fescue, but the mechanisms for selectivity are not well understood. The objective of this research was to evaluate the physiological basis of tall fescue tolerance to florasulam. In greenhouse experiments, florasulam rates required to injure tall fescue 20% (I20) and white clover 80% (I80) measured 320 and 65 g ai ha-1, respectively. The I20 and I80 values of another ALS inhibitor, flucarbazone, on these species measured 33 and 275 g ai ha-1, respectively. In laboratory experiments, the time required to reach 50% foliar uptake for 14C-florasulam and 14C-flucarbazone measured 23 and 62 h for white clover, respectively, and >72 h for both herbicides in tall fescue. The half-lives of florasulam and flucarbazone in tall fescue were 15 and 40 h, respectively, whereas the half-life in white clover was >72 h for both herbicides. The concentrations of florasulam and flucarbazone required to inhibit ALS enzymes 50% in excised leaves of tall fescue measured >1,000 and 32 µM, respectively. The selectivity of florasulam for white clover control in tall fescue is associated with differential levels of absorption and metabolism between species. Tall fescue has faster metabolism and less ALS enzyme inhibition from florasulam as compared to a more injurious ALS inhibitor, flucarbazone, which contributes to the differential tolerance levels between these herbicides.Nomenclature: Florasulam; flucarbazone-sodium; tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea Shreb.; white clover, Trifolium repens L.
Race and ethnic differences in mental health need and services received in justice-involved youth

Abstract This study examined differences in mental health need and in services received in seven different racial and ethnic groups of justice-involved youth. Data came from a nationally representative sample 7073 youth in residential placement across 36 states representing five program types. Descriptive analyses and regression modeling techniques were used to examine the relationship between race/ethnicity, mental health need, and mental health services received. Results show that almost 10% of youth self-identified exclusively as American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, or multiracial. In almost all instances, the needs of one or more of these non-dominate groups were significantly higher than non-Hispanic whites, African Americans, and/or Hispanics. Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander youth had the highest rate of suicide ideations and the second highest rate of a suicide attempts, but approximately 17% of these youth were in a program that did not screen for suicide risk. Moreover, around half of all Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander youth were in placements that used untrained and/or no staff to evaluate youth for suicide risk. Multiracial youth were more likely to receive any counseling compared to Hispanic youth, but they received significantly less frequent counseling than African Americans and Hispanics. This study validates the need for samples that include sufficient numbers of non-dominant racial/ethnic groups because mental health problems appear to be elevated in these subpopulations.
Epinephrine Upregulates Sickle Trait Erythrocyte Adhesion to Laminin and Integrins

Erythrocytes from sickle cell trait (SCT) patients aggregate during strenuous exercise, resulting in inflammation, blood flow impairment, and vaso-occlusive events. While the exact role of exercise conditions and how they lead to complications is virtually unknown, it likely occurs because of their adhesive interactions with the extracellular matrix (ECM) and endothelial cells (ECs), irregular viscoelastic properties, and morphology. The current study employs single-molecule atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiments to quantitatively measure the frequency and bond strength of SCT erythrocytes with ECM laminin α5 and endothelial αvβ3. Epinephrine, a hormone secreted during stressful conditions, is administered in vitro to determine its direct effect on SCT adhesion. In the presence of epinephrine, we measured an increase in the frequency of adhesion events of BCAM/Lu and LW expressed on the SCT erythrocyte surface with ECM laminin α5 and endothelial αvβ3, respectively. The observed clustering of BCAM/Lu and LW receptors into nanodomains explains the measured amplification in bond strength. In conclusion, we found that epinephrine modulates the BCAM/Lu-laminin α5 and LW-αvβ3 bond interactions. The measured increases in adhesion frequency and bond strength suggest that epinephrine contributes to the pathophysiology of vaso-occlusive sequelae related to sudden death in SCT individuals during strenuous exercise.
Crime and Delinquency

Until recently most research relating to the use of behavior-modification programs with criminals and delinquents has focused on the short-term effect of contingency management procedures (Braukmann & Fixsen, 1975; Burchard & Harig, 1976; Davidson & Seidman, 1974). The results have been very impressive. Given the tight control of relevant reinforcement, as well as punishment contingencies and behavioral targets that are defined in specific and observable terms, significant change in the behavior of delinquents and criminals has generally been achieved. This result has been demonstrated in institutional as well as community-based settings, and it applies to the elimination of undesirable, antisocial behavior as well as the development of incompatible, prosocial behavior and academic and vocational skills.
La cerámica vidriada de A Pousada (Santiago de Compostela): Un estudio estilístico y arqueométrico

El yacimiento de A Pousada, excavado en un contexto de arqueologia de urgencia, es un despoblado altomedieval, cuyas fases posteriores suministraron un conjunto de materiales ceramicos vidriados adscribibles a epoca bajomedieval y moderna. En el presente trabajo se muestran los resultados del estudio de una parte de los mismos, centrandose principalmente en el estudio arqueometrico. Las caracteristicas de sus pastas nos aportan informacion sobre sus tecnicas de factura asi como su posible fabricacion exogena, datos de vital importancia para comprender el comercio ceramico del momento.
Ultra-wideband parametric amplification in telecom wavelengths with an optimally mode-matched PPLN waveguide

Ultra-wideband parametric amplification over 14 THz in the telecom band is realized via cascaded nonlinear processes in an optimally mode-matched PPLN waveguide. With a tailored waveguide cross-section, we observe a maximum gain of 38.3 dB.
Lessons Learned During Three Decades of Operations of Two Prospective Bioresources.

Prospective collection is a model through which biospecimens are provided for research. Using this model, biospecimens are collected based on real-time requests from the research community instead ...
Phase 1 cancer clinical trials, evolving by complexity.

e17545 Background: Phase 1 trials are experiencing a constant change in their design. Thus, an efficient and successful phase 1 program can be challenging in light of the development of new targete...
Real time dynamics of Gating-Related conformational changes in CorA.

CorA, a divalent-selective channel in the metal ion transport superfamily, is the major Mg2+-influx pathway in prokaryotes. CorA structures in closed (Mg2+-bound), and open (Mg2+-free) states, together with functional data showed that Mg2+-influx inhibits further Mg2+-uptake completing a regulatory feedback loop. While the closed state structure is a symmetric pentamer, the open state displayed unexpected asymmetric architectures. Using high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM), we explored the Mg2+-dependent gating transition of single CorA channels: HS-AFM movies during Mg2+-depletion experiments revealed the channel’s transition from a stable Mg2+-bound state over a highly mobile and dynamic state with fluctuating subunits to asymmetric structures with varying degree of protrusion heights from the membrane. Our data shows that at Mg2+-concentration below Kd, CorA adopts a dynamic (putatively open) state of multiple conformations that imply structural rearrangements through hinge-bending in TM1. We discuss how these structural dynamics define the functional behavior of this ligand-dependent channel.
Distributed Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning by Actor-Critic Method

Abstract We investigate the problem of multi-agent reinforcement learning, in which each agent only has access to its local reward and can only communicate with its nearby neighbors. A distributed algorithm based on actor-critic method has been developed to enable all agents to cooperatively learn a control policy that maximizes the global objective function. Simulations are also provided to validate the proposed algorithm.
Reproducible Derivation and Expansion of Corneal Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for Therapeutic Applications.

Purpose A reproducible protocol for the production of corneal mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (cMSCs) is necessary for potential clinical applications. We aimed to describe successful generation and expansion of cMSCs using an explant method. Methods Corneoscleral rims of human cadaveric eyes were divided into four pieces and used as explants to allow outgrowth of cMSCs (passage 0, or P0). The cells were subcultured at a 1:10 ratio until passage 5 (P5). The characteristics as well as therapeutic effects of expanded cMSCs were evaluated both in vitro, using a scratch assay, and in vivo using epithelial debridement and chemical injury mouse models. Results All explants demonstrated outgrowth of cells by 7 days. Although the initial outgrowth included mixed mesenchymal and epithelial cells, by P1 only cMSCs remained. By subculturing each flask at a ratio of 1:10, the potential yield from each cornea was approximately 12 to 16 × 1010 P5 cells. P5 cMSCs demonstrated the cell surface markers of MSCs. The secretome of P5 cMSCs induced faster closure of wounds in an in vitro scratch assay. Subconjunctival injection of P5 cMSCs in mouse models of mechanical corneal epithelial debridement or ethanol injury led to significantly faster wound healing and decreased inflammation, relative to control. Conclusions cMSCs can be reproducibly derived from human cadaveric corneas using an explant method and expanded with preservation of characteristics and corneal wound healing effects. Translational relevance The results of our study showed that cMSCs produced using this scheme can be potentially used for clinical applications.
Increased Pain Reporting by Head and Neck Cancer Patients at Radiation Oncology Consultation: A Quality-of-Life Analysis.

Objectives Head and neck cancers (HNC) are associated with significant morbidity. Quality-of-life (QoL) analyses can assist with understanding subjective factors shaping the patient experience. Here, we assess for patient and/or tumor factors associated with increased pain reporting at the time of initial radiation oncology consultation at a single institution in 2015. Study design Prospective cross-sectional questionnaire research. Methods All new patient consultations in 2015 were offered the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Questionnaire Core-30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) survey. HNC patients were also offered the EORTC QLQ-HN35 module. Retrospective chart review was performed on patients who completed the surveys. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and QoL responses were analyzed for potential associations. Statistical analyses were conducted using SAS v9.4 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC), with P Results Of 771 new patient consultations, 137 consultations were for HNC patients. Of those, 62 patients completed both surveys. HNC patients reported greater pain relative to all other disease sites (odds ratio [OR]: 2.05; P 4 cm (OR: 3.05; P ≤ .05). The EORTC QLQ-HN35 data revealed lymph node involvement to be independently associated with pain (OR: 3.12; P ≤ .05). On multivariate analysis, increased pain was associated with lack of pain medication prescription at the time of consultation (P ≤ .05) and age ≥ 65 years (P ≤ .05). Conclusion Patients with HNC reported significantly more pain at consultation than patients with other primary malignancies. Understanding factors contributing to subjective pain may allow providers to potentially address these symptoms proactively to improve patients' QoL. Level of evidence 2c - Outcomes research. Laryngoscope, 131:326-332, 2021.
How States Should Now Consider Expanding Sales Taxes to Services, Part 2

This essay explains some of the implementation details and options for how states might go about expanding their sales tax bases to include services as a response to the fiscal challenges of the COVID-19 crisis.
Very High Spatial Resolution Downscaled SMAP Radiometer Soil Moisture in the CONUS Using VIIRS/MODIS Data

Satellite remote sensing has been providing passive microwave soil moisture (SM) retrievals of a global spatial coverage and a high revisit frequency for research and applications in earth and environmental sciences, specifically after the soil moisture active and passive (SMAP) was launched in 2015. But, the spatial resolution of SM data is restricted to tens of kilometers, which is insufficient for regional or watershed scale studies. In this article, an SM downscaling algorithm was developed based on the vegetation modulated apparent thermal inertia relationship between SM and changes in land surface temperature (LST). The algorithm used data sets from the North America Land Data Assimilation System Noah model outputs and the advanced very high resolution radiometer data of the long term data record from 1981 to 2018. Here, the downscaling model was applied to visible/infred LST data from the visible infrared imaging radiometer suite at 400-m and the moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer at 1 km to downscale the L2 radiometer half-orbit 9 km SMAP SM from 2018 to 2019 for the contiguous United States. The 400-m/1-km downscaled SM products were validated using 125 in situ SM ground measurements acquired from the International Soil Moisture Network. The validation results summarized by SM network show that the overall unbiased RMSE for 400-m of the improved/original downscaling algorithms and 1-km SM outperform 9-km SM by 0.01, 0.007, and 0.012 m3/m3 volumetric soil moisture, respectively, which indicates a fairly good performance of the downscaling algorithm. It is also found that precipitation has an impact on the 9-km SMAP SM.
Severe Vitamin B12 Deficiency Mimicking Microangiopathic Hemolytic Anemia.

Most individuals with vitamin B12 deficiency present with anemia, fatigue, and neurologic disturbances such as paresthesia and loss of sensory function if chronic. However, in severe states, it may manifest as hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, schistocytosis, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, and low reticulocyte production. This phenomenon is known as pseudo-thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), and is most commonly due to pernicious anemia. The overlap in clinical presentation with primary TMA creates a challenge in the diagnosis and management of pseudo-TMA. Primary TMA, particularly thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, is emergently managed with plasma exchange and may require admission to an intensive care unit due to high risk of mortality. In contrast, pseudo-TMA does not respond to plasma exchange and instead is treated with vitamin B12 supplementation. Patients with this atypical presentation of B12 deficiency may receive unnecessary, costly, and potentially harmful therapy. We present the case of a patient with pseudo-TMA in the setting of pernicious anemia. J Hematol. 2021;10(4):202-205 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jh889
A Two-Tier Procedure for Designing and Analyzing Medical Device Trials Conducted in US and OUS Regions for Regulatory Decision Making

The number of clinical trials conducted simultaneously in the USA and outside of the US (OUS) for medical device development has been increasing over the last decade. However, the presence of inherent regional differences in treatment effects poses a great challenge to the US regulatory agency’s decision making. In this chapter, we propose a two-tier procedure for analyzing data from such trials for the US regulatory agency’s decision making, allowing treatment effects to vary from region to region. We differentiate direct evidence from supporting evidence while using both to exemplify the advantage of such trials for the US regulatory agency’s decision making. The contribution of the supporting evidence can be adjusted according to the expectation of the magnitude of regional differences and the statutory requirements in the USA. Examples are presented to illustrate the design and analysis based on our proposed procedure. Using the proposed two-tier procedure with an upfront explicit decision tree can increase the predictability and transparency of the regulatory decision making.
Effective Board Leadership: Factors Associated with Student Achievement.

The purpose of this study was to establish the content, construct, and predictive validity of the Effective Board Leadership Practices Survey (EBLPS). The EBLPS was designed to measure the leadersh...
An auroral scintillation observation using precise, collocated GPS receivers

[1] On 10 January 2009, an unusual ionospheric scintillation event was observed by a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver station in Fairbanks, Alaska. The receiver station is part of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's (NGA) Monitoring Station Network (MSN). Each MSN station runs two identical geodetic-grade, dual-frequency, full-code tracking GPS receivers that share a common antenna. At the Fairbanks station, a third separate receiver with a separate antenna is located nearby. During the 10 January event, ionospheric conditions caused two of the receivers to loose lock on a single satellite. The third receiver tracked through the scintillation. The region of scintillation was collocated with an auroral arc and a slant total electron content (TEC) increase of 5.71 TECu (TECu = 1016/m2). The response of the full-code tracking receivers to the scintillation is intriguing. One of these receivers lost lock, but the other receiver did not. This fact argues that a receiver's internal state dictates its reaction to scintillation. Additionally, the scintillation only affected the L2 signal. While this causes the L1 signal to be lost on the semicodelessly receiver, the full-code tracking receiver only lost the L1 signal when the receiver attempted to reacquire the satellite link.
Metal complexes of alkylating agents—III: Complexes by cyclophosphamide

Abstract Complexes of cyclophosphamide (L) * which have been synthesized include Rh 2 (acetate) 4 (L) 2 , Rh 2 (propionate) 4 (L) 2 , Rh 2 (butyrate) 4 (L) 2 , and SbCl 3 (L). Spectral data are consistent with coordination of both axial P = O and ring NH in the rhodium(II) carboxylate complexes of (L) and coordination of only axial P = O in SbCl 3 (L). Preliminary antitumour tests gave negative results for these complexes.
Nuclear-cytoplasmic relationships in human cells in tissue culture: II. The microscopic behavior of enucleate human cell fragments

Abstract Enucleation of mammalian cells in tissue culture has been performed by cutting a narrow cytoplasmic strand connecting the nucleated portion of a cell from a non-nucleate cytoplasmic mass. Conditions influencing “survival” are discussed and data for duration of survival of 301 enucleate cytoplasmic fragments are compiled. A structural organization within enucleated cytoplasmic pieces has been described as a “granular ring”, possessing remarkable constancy of size and rigidity within otherwise mobile cytoplasm. Preservation of motility, motion of cell surfaces, and pinocytosis in enucleate mammalian cells is contrasted with loss of these normal functions in enucleate amoebae.
Chapter 18 Positive spontaneous visual phenomena

Publisher Summary Positive spontaneous visual phenomena (PSVP) are defined as visual events occurring in isolation that is in the absence of altered consciousness, dementia, or psychosis. The Swiss naturalist Charles Bonnet in 1769 described PSVP as related to an impaired visual system. He reported vivid hallucinations of animals and people experienced by his grandfather who suffered from severe visual loss after bilateral cataract surgery. This chapter adopts the terminology of Vaphiades et al., with the addition of visual distortions, such as micropsia and macropsia. The following PSVP are described in this chapter: phosphenes, photopsias, kinetopsia, palinopsia, polyopia, visual allesthesia, visual distortions are abnormal perception of figures and objects, and can be further subdivided into: Macropsia, micropsia, pelopsia, teleopsia and metamorphopsia, visual hallucinations consist of complex scenes, which may include people, animals, furniture, landscapes, vehicles that may be stationary or mobile, colored or black and white, and which are perceived as real. Visual hallucinations are rarely static; they appear real or they look like a scene seen on a movie screen, and the Images move appropriately to the content of the scene.
Origins and uses of linear programming methods for treating L1 and L∞ regressions: Corrections and comments on

Abstract This note comments on and corrects some of the referrals and comments of Castillo et al. [Castillo, E., Minguez, R., Castillo, C., Confino, A.S., 2008. Dealing with the multiplicity of solutions of the l 1 and l ∞ regression models. European Journal of Operational Research 188, 460–484] concerning the origins and uses of linear programming to estimate L 1 and L ∞ statistical regressions.
An Exact Probability Metric for Decision Tree Splitting

ID3’s information gain heuristic is well-known to be biased towards multi-valued attributes. This bias is only partially compensated by the gain ratio used in C4.5. Several alternatives have been proposed, notably orthogonality and Beta. Gain ratio and orthogonality are strongly correlated, and all of the metrics share a common bias towards splits with one or more small expected values, under circumstances where the split likely ocurred by chance. Both classical and Bayesian statistics lead to the multiple hypergeometric distribution as the posterior probability of the null hypothesis. Both gain and the chi-squared significance test are shown to arise in asymptotic approximations to the hypergeometric, revealing similar criteria for admissibility and showing the nature of their biases. Previous failures to find admissible stopping rules are traced to coupling these biased approximations with one another or with arbitrary thresholds; problems which are overcome by the hypergeometric. Empirical results show that pre-pruning should be done, as trees pruned in this way are simpler, more efficient, and no less accurate than unpruned trees. Average training time is reduced by up to 30%, and expensive post-pruning avoided.
Game-theoretic and Behavioral Negotiation Theory

This article evaluates the state of the art and provides an interdisciplinary framework for game-theoretic and behavioral negotiation theory. The former is based on concepts like extensive form, payoff and information structure, and equilibrium concepts. The latter has a foundation in psychology, organization theory, sociology, and related fields. The objectives of the article are to build upon recent advances in both game-theoretic and behavioral negotiation theory, bring the disciplines closer together, and generate a foundation for future research in interdisciplinary negotiation theory. The article develops two interdisciplinary frameworks for game-theoretic and behavioral negotiation theory. Implications of the frameworks are discussed to illustrate their applicability and superiority over earlier frameworks.
Development and validation of a rapid HPLC method for quantitation of SP-141, a novel pyrido[b]indole anticancer agent, and an initial pharmacokinetic study in mice

There is an increasing interest in targeting the MDM2 oncogene for cancer therapy. SP-141, a novel designed small molecule MDM2 inhibitor, exerts excellent in vitro and in vivo anticancer activity. To facilitate the preclinical development of this candidate anticancer agent, we have developed an HPLC method for the quantitative analysis of SP-141. The method was validated to be precise, accurate, and specific, with a linear range of 16.2–32,400 ng/mL in plasma, 16.2–6480 ng/mL in homogenates of brain, heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, muscle and tumor, and 32.4–6480 ng/mL in spleen homogenates. The lower limit of quantification was 16.2 ng/mL in plasma and all the tissue homogenates, except for spleen homogenates, where it was 32.4 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-assay precisions (coefficient of variation) were between 0.86 and 13.39%, and accuracies (relative errors) ranged from −8.50 to 13.92%. The relative recoveries were 85.6–113.38%. SP-141 was stable in mouse plasma, modestly plasma bound and metabolized by S9 microsomal enzymes. We performed an initial pharmacokinetic study in tumor-bearing nude mice, demonstrating that SP-141 has a short half-life in plasma and wide tissue distribution. In summary, this HPLC method can be used in future preclinical and clinical investigations of SP-141. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Time-domain nonlinear finite element analysis of air breakdown using a simplified plasma model

In this paper, the time-domain finite element method (TDFEM) is employed to analyze the high power breakdown in air. During the breakdown process, the motion of free electrons generates plasma currents, which produce secondary fields that couple back into the externally applied fields and interact with the free electrons. Such a breakdown process can be described by a coupled electromagnetic-plasma system, where the electromagnetic fields are governed by Maxwell's equations and the plasma current is modeled by a simplified plasma fluid equation. Due to the nonlinear characteristics of the breakdown phenomenon, the coupled system results in a nonlinear second-order partial differential equation that is solved by TDFEM together with the Newton-Raphson method. A numerical example is given to demonstrate the nonlinear characteristics of the breakdown phenomenon and the self-sustaining property of the plasma current.
Integrated Genomic Analysis Suggests MLL3 is a Novel Candidate Susceptibility Gene for Familial Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Background: Little is known about genetic factors associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). To gain insight into NPC etiology, we performed whole exome sequencing on germline and tumor DNA from three closely related family members with NPC. Methods: The family was ascertained through the Pediatric Familial Cancer Clinic at The University of Chicago. The diagnosis of NPC was confirmed pathologically for each individual. For each sample sequenced, 97.3% of the exome was covered at 5x, with an average depth of 44x. Candidate germline and somatic variants associated with NPC were identified and prioritized using a custom pipeline. Results: We discovered 72 rare deleterious germline variants in 56 genes shared by all three individuals. Of these, only three are in previously identified NPC-associated genes, all of which are located within MLL3, a gene known to be somatically altered in NPC. One variant introduces an early stop codon in MLL3, which predicts complete loss-of-function. Tumor DNA analysis revealed somatic mutations and EBV integration events; none, however, were shared among all three individuals. Conclusions: These data suggest that inherited mutations in MLL3 may have predisposed these three individuals from a single family to develop NPC, and may cooperate with individually-acquired somatic mutations or EBV integration events in NPC etiology. Impact: Our finding is the first instance of a plausible candidate high penetrance inherited mutation predisposing to NPC.
Organizational designs and innovation streams

This article empirically explores the relations between alternative organizational designs and a firm’s ability to explore as well as exploit. We operationalize exploitation and exploration in terms of innovation streams; incremental innovation in existing products as well as architectural and/or discontinuous innovation. Based on in-depth, longitudinal data on 13 business units and 22 innovations, we describe the consequences of organization design choices on innovation outcomes as well as the ongoing performance of existing products. We find that ambidextrous organization designs are relatively more effective in executing innovation streams than functional, cross-functional, and spinout designs. Further, transitions to ambidextrous designs are associated with increased innovation outcomes, while shifts away from ambidextrous designs are associated with decreased innovation outcomes. We describe the nature of ambidextrous organizational designs—their characteristics, underlying processes, and boundary conditions. More broadly, we suggest that the locus of integration and degree of structural differentiation together affect a firm’s ability to explore and exploit. We suggest that the senior team’s ability to attend to and deal with contradictory internal architectures is a crucial determinant of a firm’s ability to exploit in the short term and explore over time.
Combining descriptive and functional analysis logic to evaluate idiosyncratic variables maintaining aggression

For one boy with developmental disabilities, we conducted naturalistic observations and saw that aggression occurred during instructional task presentations. Next, in an experimental analysis, we manipulated the manner in which instructions were presented. Results showed that differentially high rates of aggression were observed when the manner in which instructions were presented was manipulated. Based on the results of the assessment, a successful intervention was developed that incorporated the idiosyncratic finding observed during both the naturalistic observations and the experimental analysis. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
GENTRIFICATION AND THE GRASSROOTS: POPULAR SUPPORT IN THE REVANCHIST SUBURB

ABSTRACT:Most existing research on neighborhoods facing gentrification has portrayed residents as resistant or politically quiescent. Drawing from a year of fieldwork in Dundalk, MD, I argue that developers and the neoliberal state will probably find popular support for gentrification as they reinvest in the politically divided industrial suburbs of the United States. Local homeowners and community associations have emerged as gentrification supporters for three interrelated reasons. First, many of them have drawn from a resurgent national conservatism to explain decline as an effect of government subsidies and “people from the city;” their desire to reclaim suburban space—a “suburban revanchism”—although avoiding accusations of racism makes gentrification-induced displacement appealing. Second, the rebirth of urban neighborhoods and other industrial suburbs provides visual evidence of gentrification’s success. Third, the neoliberal state’s retreat from social programs and its emphasis on private-sector r...
Evaluating the usability of an evolving collaborative product —changes in user type, tasks and evaluation methods over time

The first users of a new technology are often engineers and enthusiasts. The functionality and interface that they find acceptable may be very different than the requirements of a more mainstream audience. This poses challenges for usability engineers in both defining user groups and then evaluating a product against usability goals, when both users and goals are changing as the technology matures. Usability evaluation methods for collaborative applications must evolve and iterate at least as fast as the products themselves. This paper describes the changes in approach taken by usability engineers between Version 1 and Version 3 of the Microsoft NetMeeting product.
Mothers, daughters, and female identity therapy in how to make an American quilt

This essay reads the 1995 film How to Make an American Quilt as female identity therapy. Produced during a period when womanhood is contested and Mother is politicized, the film rescues female‐identification and the Mother‐Daughter symbolic from patriarchal matrophobia. The film forgives Mother for institutionalized motherhood and re‐inscribes Mother's presence and voice in the Daughter's narrative. Genealogy themes and quilting metaphors imagine a female‐defined Mother‐Daughter symbolic that privileges women's relationships with women as a source of love and identity. This script is not only progressive but also theoretically promising. Regardless of their differences, all women are daughters of women.