cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preclinical progenitor cell therapy in traumatic brain injury: a meta-analysis.

Abstract Background No treatment is available to reverse injury associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Progenitor cell therapies show promise in both preclinical and clinical studies. We conducted a meta-analysis of preclinical studies using progenitor cells to treat TBI. Methods EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Review, Biosis, and Google Scholar were searched for articles using prespecified search strategies. Studies meeting inclusion criteria underwent data extraction. Analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3 according to a fixed-effects model, and all studies underwent quality scoring. Results Of 430 abstracts identified, 38 met inclusion criteria and underwent analysis. Average quality score was 4.32 of 8 possible points. No study achieved a perfect score. Lesion volume (LV) and neurologic severity score (NSS) outcomes favored cell treatment with standard mean difference (SMD) of 0.86 (95% CI: 0.64-1.09) and 1.36 (95% CI: 1.11-1.60), respectively. Rotarod and Morris water maze outcomes also favored treatment with improvements in SMD of 0.34 (95% CI: 0.02-0.65) and 0.46 (95% CI: 0.17-74), respectively. Although LV and NSS were robust to publication bias assessments, rotarod and Morris water maze tests were not. Heterogeneity (I2) ranged from 74%-85% among the analyses, indicating a high amount of heterogeneity among studies. Precision as a function of quality score showed a statistically significant increase in the size of the confidence interval as quality improved. Conclusions Our meta-analysis study reveals an overall positive effect of progenitor cell therapies on LV and NSS with a trend toward improved motor function and spatial learning in different TBI animal models.
Heavy metals bioconcentration from soil to vegetables and appraisal of health risk in Koka and Wonji farms, Ethiopia

Heavy metal accumulation in agricultural crops has grown a major concern globally as a result of a significant health impact on human. The quantification of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cr, Zn, Cu, and Ni) in the soil and vegetables at two sites (Koka and Wonji Gefersa) was done using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The mean concentrations of heavy metals in vegetable fields’ soil samples obtained from Koka were higher for Pb, Cr, Zn, Cu, and Ni. The overall results of soil samples ranged 0.52–0.93, 13.6–27.3, 10.0–21.8, 44.4–88.5, 11.9–30.3, and 14.7–34.5 mg kg−1 for Cd, Pb, Cr, Zn, Cu, and Ni, respectively. The concentrations of heavy metals were maximum for Cd (0.41 ± 0.03 mg kg−1), Pb (0.54 ± 0.11 mg kg−1), Zn (14.4 ± 0.72 mg kg−1), Cu (2.84 ± 0.27 mg kg−1), and Ni (1.09 ± 0.11 mg kg−1) in Cabbage and for Cr (2.63 ± 0.11 mg kg−1) in green pepper. The result indicated that Cd has high transfer factor value and Pb was the lowest. The transfer pattern for heavy metals in different vegetables showed a trend in the order: Cd > Zn > Cu > Cr > Ni > Pb. Among different vegetables, cabbage showed the highest value of metal pollution index and bean had the lowest value. Hazard index of all the vegetables was less than unity; thus, the consumption of these vegetables is unlikely to pose health risks to the target population.
Long-term survival based on pathologic response to neoadjuvant therapy in esophageal cancer.

Abstract Background Neoadjuvant treatment is standard for locally advanced esophageal cancer. However, whether the addition of radiation to neoadjuvant regimen improves survival remains unclear. The aim of this study was to compare survival in locally advanced esophageal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy versus chemoradiation. Materials and methods A prospectively maintained database of esophagectomies (1999-2012) was analyzed. We identified 297 patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer that underwent either neoadjuvant chemotherapy (n = 231) or chemoradiation (n = 66) followed by esophagectomy. Pretreatment and pathologic staging were compared to assess response. Overall survival was recorded. Results Most patients in the chemotherapy and chemoradiation groups had pretreatment stage III disease (66.7% versus 65.2%; P = 0.44). Median follow-up was 79.3 and 64.9 mo for chemotherapy and chemoradiation cohorts, respectively. Complete response rate was higher in chemoradiation than chemotherapy groups (30.3% versus 13.8%; P Conclusions In patients undergoing esophagectomy for locally advanced esophageal cancer, neoadjuvant chemotherapy was associated with an equivalent overall survival, when compared with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Adding neoadjuvant radiation may enhance complete response rates but does not appear to be associated with improved survival.
Good Jobs and Bad Management

It is generally agreed that new technologies are having a profound effect on the character of work in modern society. The nature of these changes, however, is as yet little understood. Which areas are being most effected? Which areas are less effected? Which consequences are desirable and which are undesirable? This article will address these issues by investigating some of the consequences of “high-tech” production systems for the skill content of jobs, for labor market segmentation, for organizational structure, and finally, for the satisfactions and frustrations that workers derive from their employment.1
Cooperating Across Classrooms: Cooperative–Experiential Learning Through Design and Implementation of Health Campaign Messages:

The objective of this article is twofold: (a) demonstrate the utility of cooperative–experiential learning within the health sciences curriculum and (b) diversify student classroom experiences through a health campaigns project that challenged students to creatively and strategically develop health messages. Cooperative–experiential learning is a hybrid pedagogy that exposes students to many of the complexities they can expect to face within their career, thus bridging the gap between the classroom and workplace. The health campaigns project used to appraise the value of cooperative–experiential learning in this article tasked upper-level undergraduate student groups from two unique college courses (Health Promotion and Visual Communication) to design, launch, and analyze health-relevant campaigns on the authors’ college campus. At two points throughout the semester, students independently completed reviews (cooperation reports) of their group dynamics and progress—these reports became the data set for ou...
Treatment of Cancer In Vitro Using Radiation and High-Frequency Bursts of Submicrosecond Electrical Pulses

High-frequency irreversible electroporation (H-FIRE) is an emerging cancer therapy, which uses bursts of short duration, alternating polarity, high-voltage electrical pulses to focally ablate tumors. Here, we present a preliminary investigation of the combinatorial effects of H-FIRE and ionizing radiation. In vitro cell cultures were exposed to bursts of 500 ns pulses and single radiation doses of 2 or 20 Gy then analyzed for 14 days. H-FIRE and radiation therapy (RT) appear to induce different delayed cell death mechanisms and in all treatment groups combinatorial therapy resulted in lower overall viabilities. These results indicate that in vivo investigation of the antitumor efficacy of combined H-FIRE and RT is warranted.
Latino Immigrant Families and Restrictive Immigration Climate: Perceived Experiences with Discrimination, Threat to Family, Social Exclusion, Children’s Vulnerability, and Related Factors

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between known cultural protective factors, immigration factors, and perceived consequences of restrictive immigration climate. Survey data were collected in the state of Arizona (N = 300). Over eighty percent (83%, n = 248) of the participants were mothers, the remaining participants were fathers (17.3% or n = 52). Eighty-six percent of the participants were married and had three children (SD = 1.12). Participants were more established immigrants (M = 15.8, SD = 6.42). Hierarchical linear regressions were used to assess the associations between immigration variables, protective factors, and perceived effects of immigration policies. The results revealed social support, familismo, deportations, and financial hardship were significant predictors. Implications of the impact of restrictive policies on immigrant families are discussed.
MatrixEpistasis: ultrafast, exhaustive epistasis scan for quantitative traits with covariate adjustment.

Motivation For many traits, causal loci uncovered by genetic mapping studies explain only a minority of the heritable contribution to trait variation. Multiple explanations for this 'missing heritability' have been proposed. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-SNP interaction (epistasis), as one of the compelling models, has been widely studied. However, the genome-wide scan of epistasis, especially for quantitative traits, poses huge computational challenges. Moreover, covariate adjustment is largely ignored in epistasis analysis due to the massive extra computational undertaking. Results In the current study, we found striking differences among epistasis models using both simulation data and real biological data, suggesting that not only can covariate adjustment remove confounding bias, it can also improve power. Furthermore, we derived mathematical formulas, which enable the exhaustive epistasis scan together with full covariate adjustment to be expressed in terms of large matrix operation, therefore substantially improving the computational efficiency (∼104× faster than existing methods). We call the new method MatrixEpistasis. With MatrixEpistasis, we re-analyze a large real yeast dataset comprising 11 623 SNPs, 1008 segregants and 46 quantitative traits with covariates fully adjusted and detect thousands of novel putative epistasis with P-values < 1.48e-10. Availability and implementation The method is implemented in R and available at https://github.com/fanglab/MatrixEpistasis. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Investigating Complications Associated With Occipital Nerve Stimulation: A MAUDE Study.

Objectives The objectives of this study are to utilize the MAUDE data base to enhance our understanding of the complication profile for Occipital Nerve Stimulation, a therapy for which the current level of evidence is limited. Additionally, it is our objective to describe a systematic approach to processing the MAUDE data, which addresses its flaws and enhances its utility. Methods From the FDA website, we accessed adverse events reports from the MAUDE data base for devices used in Occipital Nerve Stimulation between June 30, 2007 and June 30, 2017. All reports were sorted into an overall classification for types of adverse events, types of patient complaints, and types of specific device-related complications. We then evaluated for the total number of adverse event reports that contained each of the patient complains and device-related complications. Results A total of 1233 adverse event records were obtained. Eight hundred twenty-two records were classified as surgically manageable post-operative complications, 121 as device malfunction, 29 as patient compliance issues, and 27 as intra-operative complications. Two hundred thirty-seven records were not classified. A total of 683 records contained patient complaints including 467 complaints of ineffective stimulation, 122 complaints of inappropriate or over-stimulation, 50 complaints of device-shock, and 44 complaints of IPG site pain. We found 581 post-operative device-related complications, which included 206 instances of lead migration, 157 reports of lead erosion, 155 infections, 46 lead-fractures, and 17 lead disconnections. Conclusion The MAUDE data base is a useful tool to investigate device related complications and helps fill the current gap in ONS data. Reviewing the types and frequencies of complications reported over the years allows clinicians with less personal experience to have a more realistic expectation of complications and make informed decisions based on the patient's unique needs. Additionally, patient complaint data are useful in establishing more realistic expectations for patient outcomes.
Growing Single Crystals

For some applications, ceramic materials must be prepared as single crystals. When used as substrates for thin-film growth [e.g., silicon-on-sapphire (SOS) technology or the growth of superconductor thin films], it is the crystalline perfection of a single crystal that is the important requirement. In optical applications [e.g., the use of ruby and yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) for laser hosts and quartz and sapphire for optical windows], single crystals are used to minimize scattering or absorption of energy. In piezoelectric materials (e.g., quartz), the optimum properties are obtained in single-domain single crystals. Table 29.1 lists some of the applications that utilize the desirable optical, electrical, magnetic, or mechanical properties of ceramic single crystals.
Just in Time in Space or Space Based JIT

Our satellite systems are mega-buck items. In today's cost conscious world, we need to reduce the overall costs of satellites if our space program is to survive. One way to accomplish this would be through on-orbit maintenance of parts on the orbiting craft. In order to accomplish maintenance at a low cost I advance the hypothesis of having parts and pieces (spares) waiting. Waiting in the sense of having something when you need it, or just-in-time. The JIT concept can actually be applied to space processes. Its definition has to be changed just enough to encompass the needs of space. Our space engineers tell us which parts and pieces the satellite systems might be needing once in orbit. These items are stored in space for the time of need and can be ready when they are needed -- or Space Based JIT. When a system has a problem, the repair facility is near by and through human or robotics intervention, it can be brought back into service. Through a JIT process, overall system costs could be reduced as standardization of parts is built into satellite systems to facilitate reduced numbers of parts being stored. Launch costs will be contained as fewer spare pieces need to be included in the launch vehicle and the space program will continue to thrive even in this era of reduced budgets. The concept of using an orbiting parts servicer and human or robotics maintenance/repair capabilities would extend satellite life-cycle and reduce system replacement launches. Reductions of this nature throughout the satellite program result in cost savings.
The necessity for full ventricular coverage with noncontrast T1 mapping in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Background Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic heart disease characterized by diverse phenotypic expression. T1 mapping is a novel CMR imaging sequence aimed at characterizing abnormal myocardial substrate. Current protocols obtain a mean T1 value derived from a single mid-LV short axis slice (single slice protocol) or three short-axis locations: apical, mid-LV and basal (three slice protocol). However, given the heterogeneity of disease expression within HCM, it is unclear if T1 values obtained from these limited portions of the LV chamber are representative of values derived from the entire LV myocardium (global).
Background Speech Disrupts Working Memory Span in 5-Year-Old Children.

Objectives The present study tested the effects of background speech and nonspeech noise on 5-year-old children's working memory span. Design Five-year-old typically developing children (range = 58.6 to 67.6 months; n = 94) completed a modified version of the Missing Scan Task, a missing-item working memory task, in quiet and in the presence of two types of background noise: male two-talker speech and speech-shaped noise. The two types of background noise had similar spectral composition and overall intensity characteristics but differed in whether they contained verbal content. In Experiments 1 and 2, children's memory span (i.e., the largest set size of items children successfully recalled) was subjected to analyses of variance designed to look for an effect of listening condition (within-subjects factor: quiet, background noise) and an effect of background noise type (between-subjects factor: two-talker speech, speech-shaped noise). Results In Experiment 1, children's memory span declined in the presence of two-talker speech but not in the presence of speech-shaped noise. This result was replicated in Experiment 2 after accounting for a potential effect of proactive interference due to repeated administration of the Missing Scan Task. Conclusions Background speech, but not speech-shaped noise, disrupted working memory span in 5-year-old children. These results support the idea that background speech engages domain-general cognitive processes used during the recall of known objects in a way that speech-shaped noise does not.
Regulation of Histone Deacetylase 3 by Metal Cations and 10-Hydroxy-2E-Decenoic Acid: Possible Molecular Epigenetic Mechanisms of Queen-Worker Bee Differentiation

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) catalyze the hydrolysis of ?-acetyl-lysine residues of histones. Removal of acetyl groups results in condensation of chromatin structure and repression of gene expression. Human class I, II, and IV HDACs are said to be zinc-dependent in that they require divalent zinc ions to catalyze the deacetylase reaction. HDACs are considered potential targets for the treatment of cancer due to their role in regulating transcription. They are also thought to play important roles in the development of organisms such as honey bees. The fatty acid, 10-hydroxy-2E-decenoic acid (10-HDA), which can account for up to 5% of royal jelly composition has been reported as an HDAC inhibitor. The crystal structure of the HDAC3:SMRT complex possesses two monovalent cations (MVCs) labeled as potassium with one MVC binding site near the active site Zn(II) and the second MVC binding site ≥20 A from the active site Zn(II). We report here the inhibitory effects of excess Zn(II) on the catalytic activity of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) bound to the deacetylase activating domain of nuclear receptor corepressor 2 (NCOR2). We also report the effects of varying concentrations of potassium ions where [K+] up to 10 mM increase HDAC3 activity with a maximum kcat/KM of approximately 80,000 M-1s-1 while [K+] above 10 mM inhibit HDAC3 activity. The inhibition constant (Ki) of 10-HDA was determined to be 5.32 mM. The regulatory effects of zinc, potassium, and 10-HDA concentration on HDAC3 activity suggest a strong correlation between these chemical species and epigenetic control over Apis mellifera caste differentiation among other control mechanisms.
Length of Stay after Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair Depends on Indication and Acuity.

Background Length of stay (LOS) is a commonly used metric to optimize value in medical care. Although pathways have been developed for some procedures in vascular surgery to reduce LOS, they do not yet exist for thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). The purpose of this study is to identify and define the risk factors for prolonged LOS in patients undergoing TEVAR to facilitate pathway development. Methods We included TEVAR patients in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2005 to 2015. Prolonged LOS was defined as LOS > 75th percentile of the overall cohort (11 days). Because initial analysis revealed the distinct clinical differences between dissection and aneurysm patients, further analysis was stratified by aortic pathology. Student’s t-test and Chi-square tests were used to compare demographic and perioperative variables between dissection and aneurysm patients, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the predictors for prolonged LOS. Results A total of 3,021 patients underwent TEVAR, with 858 patients (28.4%) undergoing TEVAR for dissection and 2,163 (71.6%) undergoing TEVAR for aneurysm. An initial analysis with logistic regression identified dissection indication (odds ratio [OR], 2.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1–7.3) as an independent predictor of prolonged LOS. Further analysis for prolonged LOS was subsequently performed separating dissection and aneurysm patients. Aneurysm patients were older (71.2 ± 11.7 vs. 63.1 ± 13.6 years, P 3 ASA vs. 45.5%, P Conclusions Dissection and aneurysm patients undergoing TEVAR are comprised of different patient populations, with dissection patients more often enduring prolonged hospitalizations. In contrast, TEVAR performed for nonemergent aneurysm repair had the shortest LOS. These data support the development of separate pathways defined by indication and acuity for patients undergoing TEVAR.
Using a 2-shock 1D platform at NIF to measure the effect of convergence on mix and symmetry

We describe the use of a robust new 1-D like implosion platform at the National Ignition Facility [G. H. Miller et al., Opt. Eng. 43, 2841 (2004)] to study the effect of convergence on mix and shape. Previous experiments suggest that nuclear yields and ion temperature degrade with increased convergence [M. D. Cable et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 73, 2316 (1994)] due to enhanced perturbation growth and mix, but little has been reported on the distortion of the shape with time. The 2-shock platform was developed [S. F. Khan et al., Phys. Plasmas 23, 042708 (2016)] to maintain a high degree of sphericity during the whole implosion phase and has a thick, uniformly doped (1% Si) plastic CH shell to minimize the effect of mixing due to hydrodynamic feed-through from the outer ablator surface. An inner layer of deuterated plastic (CD) and hydrogen-tritium (DT) gas fill allows for the measurement of DT neutrons produced by the mix between the gas and ablator. DD neutrons provide information about the hot, unmixed CD region. By changing the fill gas density while keeping the capsule diameter, ablator thickness, and Au hohlraum conditions fixed, the x-ray hot spot convergence ratio was varied from 14 to 22. We find that the atomic mix (DT yield) grows linearly as a function of convergence, but since Tion changes as well, it does not necessarily mean that the amount or extent of mix grows linearly as well. We also find the DD yield, which is a measurement of the shell heating, saturates above a certain convergence. We describe the use of a robust new 1-D like implosion platform at the National Ignition Facility [G. H. Miller et al., Opt. Eng. 43, 2841 (2004)] to study the effect of convergence on mix and shape. Previous experiments suggest that nuclear yields and ion temperature degrade with increased convergence [M. D. Cable et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 73, 2316 (1994)] due to enhanced perturbation growth and mix, but little has been reported on the distortion of the shape with time. The 2-shock platform was developed [S. F. Khan et al., Phys. Plasmas 23, 042708 (2016)] to maintain a high degree of sphericity during the whole implosion phase and has a thick, uniformly doped (1% Si) plastic CH shell to minimize the effect of mixing due to hydrodynamic feed-through from the outer ablator surface. An inner layer of deuterated plastic (CD) and hydrogen-tritium (DT) gas fill allows for the measurement of DT neutrons produced by the mix between the gas and ablator. DD neutrons provide information about the hot, unmixed CD r...
An old monarchy, a new democracy and gross national happiness in Bhutan: A holistic approach for sustainable development.

In the 21st century Bhutan has re-established its geopolitical identity by adopting a new system of government, a new constitution and also creating a global interest in their policy of Gross National Happiness. Leo Rose, in his seminal 1977 work, “The Politics of Bhutan”, observes that there is “no other political system presently extant with which the Bhutanese polity is comparable in either its ‘traditional’ polity or its process of political development.” In 2008 Bhutan adopted a democratic system of government, against the will of the people by the monarchy. The new democracy still works with the consent of the 5th King of Bhutan, as the Head of State. The new governance structure of Bhutan is intrinsically tied to its holistic state policy of Gross National Happiness (GNH), which Bhutan adopted as a state policy, pioneered by the 4th king in 1972. This paper discusses the process of democratization in Bhutan and role of the monarchy in the new governance. This paper examines how the new governance structure of Bhutan, has succeeded in adapting to the state policy of GNH. The paper is based on fieldwork in Bhutan, and interviews with government officials including the Speaker of the National Assembly, journalists and other researchers in Bhutan involved with implementing the policy of GNH under the new democratic government. The research seeks to answer the following questions: How has Bhutan made the transition from Monarchy to Democracy? What is the role of the Monarchy in the new democratic Bhutan? How has the new government implemented the policy of GNH? What has been the impact of GNH on the people, including the different ethnicities living in Bhutan? What has been the international response to GNH? Despite challenges, the new governance in Bhutan, has developed a holistic vision of sustainable development for its people under the banner of Gross National Happiness.
Smart Meter Selection Using Pythagorean Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process

Smart home, no one at home or not, is a home that provides convenience, security, comfort and energy efficiency at all times to homeowners. “Smart meters” have a key role in efficient management of devices in these smart homes. Smart meter selection determines the level of realization of users’ goals. Therefore, in this study Pythagorean Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process is proposed to evaluate the smart meters in smart homes. First, we detect six main criteria and 17 sub-criteria. Then, we establish a four level hierarchy and we utilize three experts in order to evaluate alternatives according to the detected criteria. We propose a new linguistic scale to evaluate alternatives and get pythagorean fuzzy weights at last step. The proposed model handles the smart meters selection problem effectively and efficiency.
Reflection: How Multiracial Lives Matter 50 Years after Loving

Black Lives Matter. All Lives Matter. These two statements are both true, but connote very different sentiments in our current political reality. To further complicate matters, in this short reflection piece, I query how multiracial lives matter in the context of this heated social and political discussion about race. As a multiracial person committed to racial justice and sympathetic both to those pushing for recognition of multiracial identity and to those who worry such recognition may undermine larger movements, these are questions I have long grappled with both professionally and personally. Of course, multiracial lives matter — but do they constitute a sub agenda of the Black Lives Matter movement, or is there an independent agenda the moniker “Multiracial Lives Matter” might represent? If the latter, is there a danger that such an agenda might be co-opted by other forces and used to further unintended purposes, such as the advancement of colorblindness? To the extent that agenda demands unique recognition of multiracial identity, how can it co-exist with broader identity-based racial justice movements?
Prevalence and risk factors for the presence of serum antibodies against canine distemper, canine parvovirus, and canine adenovirus in communities in mainland Ecuador

Abstract The purpose of this study was to estimate the apparent prevalence and identify risk factors for antibody levels (AL) against canine distemper virus (CDV), canine parvovirus (CPV), and canine adenovirus (CAV) in three communities in the metropolitan area of Quito, Ecuador that have limited access to regular veterinary care. Whole blood samples were collected from 154 dogs presenting to three veterinary field clinics in mainland Ecuador and tested for AL against CDV, CPV, and CAV by a commercially available point-of-care ELISA. Potential risk factors for the presence of AL were analyzed. A majority of dogs had AL against CDV (66%, 95% CI = 58–73%), CPV (95%, 95% CI = 91–98%) and CAV (60%, 95% CI = 52–67%). Dogs had significantly greater odds of AL against CDV if they were >2 years of age, from an urban community, and had previously received veterinary care. Dogs had significantly greater odds of AL against CAV if they were male, >2 years of age, and had previously received veterinary care. Results provide baseline estimates of AL within each community and allow for the targeting of future veterinary services to communities and dogs most at risk.
Vitamin D deficiency and its treatment in cystic fibrosis

Vitamin D deficiency is a common finding in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF), despite routine supplementation. Hypovitaminosis D is often the result of fat malabsorption, but other contributors include increased latitude, poor nutritional intake, decreased sun exposure, impaired hydroxylation of vitamin D, and non-adherence to the prescribed vitamin D regimen. Vitamin D is critical for calcium homeostasis and optimal skeletal health, and vitamin D deficiency in CF can lead to skeletal complications of osteopenia and osteoporosis. Over time, our understanding of treatment regimens for vitamin D deficiency in CF has evolved, leading to recommendations for higher doses of vitamin D to achieve target levels of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D. There is also some evidence that vitamin D deficiency may have non-skeletal consequences such as an increase in pulmonary exacerbations. The exact mechanisms involved in the non-skeletal complications of vitamin D deficiency are not clearly understood, but may involve the innate immune system. Future clinical studies are needed to help address whether vitamin D has a role in CF beyond skeletal health.
Objective prior distributions for Jolly-Seber models of zero-augmented data.

Statistical models of capture-recapture data that are used to estimate the dynamics of a population are known collectively as Jolly-Seber (JS) models. State-space versions of these models have been developed for the analysis of zero-augmented data that include the capture histories of the observed individuals and an arbitrarily large number of all-zero capture histories. The number of all-zero capture histories must be sufficiently large to include the unknown number N of individuals in the population that were ever alive during all sampling periods. This definition of N is equivalent to the "superpopulation" of individuals described in several JS models. To fit JS models of zero-augmented data, practitioners often assume a set of independent, uniform prior distributions for the recruitment parameters. However, if the number of capture histories is small compared to N, these uniform priors can exert considerable influence on the posterior distributions of N and other parameters because the uniform priors induce a highly skewed prior on N. In this article, I derive a class of prior distributions for the recruitment parameters of the JS model that can be used to specify objective prior distributions for N, including the discrete-uniform and the improper scale priors as special cases. This class of priors also may be used to specify prior knowledge about recruitment while still preserving the conditions needed to induce an objective prior on N. I use analyses of simulated and real data to illustrate the inferential benefits of this class of prior distributions and to identify circumstances where these benefits are most likely to be realized.
Renewable hydrogen from glycerol steam reforming using Co–Ni–MgO based SBA-15 nanocatalysts

Abstract Steam reforming of glycerol was carried out using Si-based mesoporous SBA-15 catalysts. Different mesoporous catalysts- Co-SBA-15, Ni-SBA-15, Co–MgO-SBA-15, Ni–MgO-SBA-15, and Co–Ni-SBA-15 were prepared using a one-pot hydrothermal method. An incipient wetness impregnation method was used only for the bimetallic Co–Ni-SBA-15 catalyst (catalyst designated as Co–Ni-SBA-15-IMPG) to compare its activity to that prepared by the one-pot method. The catalysts were characterized using XRD, TPR, TEM, TGA-DSC, ICP-OES and N2 adsorption-desorption analytical techniques. A high surface area in the range of 540–750 m2/g was observed depending on the catalyst composition. The glycerol steam reforming (GSR) activity of the catalysts was studied in the reaction temperature range of 450 °C–700 °C for hydrogen production. Results from the GSR studies for continuous 40 h showed that both Co–Ni-SBA-15-IMPG (impregnation) and Co–Ni-SBA-15 (one-pot) were resistant to deactivation, and both yielded 100% glycerol conversion for the entire 40 h. 10%Co–5%Ni-SBA-15 and 10%Co–5%Ni-SBA-15-IMPG produced (70–78) % and (60–78) % H2 selectivity, respectively. Addition of MgO to Co-SBA-15 and Ni-SBA-15 increased the activity and stability of the catalysts. The catalyst stability performance followed the trend 10%Co–5%Ni > 10%Co–5%MgO >10%Co–5%Ni-IMPG. > 15%Co > 10%Ni–5%MgO >15%Ni-SBA-15. Thermal analyses of the spent catalyst showed a substantial amount of coke deposition which could be the major factor responsible for catalysts deactivation. Bimetallic catalysts prepared by one-pot method (10%Co–5%Ni-SBA-15) and incipient wetness impregnation (10%Co–5%Ni-SBA-15-IMPG) exhibited remarkable GSR activity compared to their monometallic counterparts. The GSR activity was observed in the order: 10%Co–5%Ni-IMPG ≥ 10%Co–5%Ni > 10%Co–5%MgO >15%Co > 15%Ni > 10%Ni–5%MgO.
Remembering Sue Ann Park

Sue Ann Park was the beloved Senior Master Teacher and Director of Training Emerita of The Lessac Research and Training Institute. She died on the morning of Saturday, February 27 2016. She will be...
Particulate Juvenile Articular Cartilage vs Osteochondral Allograft for Patellar Cartilage Defects: A Matched Cohort Analysis:

Objectives:Management of full-thickness cartilage defects of the patella remains a significant clinical challenge. Osteochondral allograft transplantation (OCA) is a reliable cartilage restoration ...
Book Review: Governing Immigration Through Crime

The following is a book review of the book "Governing Immigration Through Crime: A Reader."
A theoretical foundation of state-transition cohort models

Abstract Following its introduction over three decades ago, the cohort model has been used extensively to model population trajectories over time in decision-analytic modeling studies. However, the stochastic process underlying cohort models has not been properly described. In this study, we explicate the stochastic process underlying a cohort model, by carefully formulating the dynamics of populations across health states and assigning probability rules on these dynamics. From this formulation, we explicate a mathematical representation of the system, which is given by the master equation. We solve the master equation by using the probability generation function method to obtain the explicit form of the probability of observing a particular realization of the system at an arbitrary time. The resulting generating function is used to derive the analytical expressions for calculating the mean and the variance of the process. Secondly, we represent the cohort model by a difference equation for the number of individuals across all states. From the difference equation, a continuous-time cohort model is recovered and takes the form of an ordinary differential equation. To show the equivalence between the derived stochastic process and the cohort model, we conduct a numerical exercise. We demonstrate that the population trajectories generated from the formulas match those from the cohort model simulation. In summary, the commonly-used cohort model represent the average of a continuous-time stochastic process on a multidimensional integer lattice governed by a master equation. Knowledge of the stochastic process underlying a cohort model provides a theoretical foundation for the modeling method.
Optimal Monetary Policy with an Occasionally Binding ZLB and Central Bank Asset Purchases

We derive optimal monetary policy in a New Keynesian model with central bank asset purchases, accounting for an occasionally binding zero lower bound, ZLB, on the policy rate. Potential gains to central bank asset purchases arise with the policy rate away from the ZLB due to a constraint on the financial sector. Optimal central bank balance sheet management eliminates ZLB dampening of "supply" shocks and ZLB amplification of "demand" shocks. In simulations calibrated to match United States data, the average ZLB event length falls by 25%, and the prevalence of ZLB events falls by 75% with optimal monetary policy.
Adenovirus-associated intussusception in a child

Intestinal intussusception is one of the most common causes of acute abdominal emergencies in children under 2 years of age. We herein describe a case of adenovirus associated small intestinal intussusception in a 5-month-old boy. A brief review on triggers of intussusception in children is provided. Thorough gross and microscopic inspections of resected intussusception specimens are recommended to diagnose subtle predisposing triggers such as viral infections.
Transitions of care at an ambulatory care clinic: An implementation science approach.

Abstract Background Transitions of care (TOC) issues contribute to approximately 76% of preventable hospital readmissions. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) focus on improvement of quality of care through TOC services. Studies have not used both implementation science and patient input to develop a TOC program that fulfills CMS criteria and satisfies patients’ reported needs. Objectives The study objectives were to I) develop the TOC program in alignment with CMS criteria, identifying and remedying barriers during the process, and II) conduct a needs assessment and obtain patient perspectives on TOC service. Methods The implementation science approach was chosen to refine the TOC service at one university medical center ambulatory care clinic. Barriers within the TOC program that prevented CMS criteria from being followed were identified on site during patient care. Changes were implemented in a timely manner by the pharmacy resident and TOC team. A prospective nine-item open-answer survey was administered to patients discharged less than 90 days from inpatient care. Data was collected, categorized, and presented to the TOC team for incorporation into the TOC service. Results Barriers and gaps in care were identified in the sample of 19 patients undergoing service from November 2019 to January 2020. CMS criteria and established TOC protocol had not been fulfilled for all patients. Eight barriers were revealed throughout the TOC process. Solutions were implemented through an in-service, monthly reminders, and communication to staff from the resident pharmacist. Patient responses (n = 22) to the needs assessment indicated a desire for enhanced TOC education (discharge medications and therapy). Conclusions Through implementation science, the TOC program was adapted to fulfill CMS criteria and TOC protocol. The needs assessment highlighted desired changes by TOC patients. Long-term outcomes will need to be studied to determine if the implemented changes at this site are sustainable.
DEHYDROXYLATION OF KOALINITE DICKITE AND HALLOYSITE: HEATS OF REACTION AND KINETICS OF DEITYDRATION AT P(WATER) = 15 PSI

Values of the enthalpy of dehydration determined by difierential thermal analysis are 151, 156 and 160 cal/gm for kaolinite, dickite and halloysite respectively. Activation energies for dehydration at a water pressure of 15 psi are consideratrly greater than published activation energies determined at much lower water vapor pressures. Kinetic data obtained from the DTA curves suggest that the order of reaction for the dehydration of kaolinite, dickite and halloysite is somewhat greater than one INrnorucrroN Published determinations of the heat required to dehvdrate the clay minerals have generally been in poor accord. Values of AH for unidentified brick clays (Ramachandran and Majumdar 1961) have ranged as low as 9 cal/gm, while values as high as 253 cal/gm for kaolinite (Barshad 1952) have been reported. In this paper, the results of 51 AH determinations of 9 samples of kaolinite, 5 samples of hallol'site and 1 specimen of dickite dehydrated at PHrs:15 psi are given. Data concerning the reaction kinetics were derived from the same differential thermal anal-vsis (DTA) curves. ExpenruoNtAt The DTA apparatus described by Herold and Planje (1948), in which the sample containers themselves serve as the difierential thermocouple, has been modifi.ed and incorporated in a +tt I.D ., 2n O .D . steliite pressure vessel. The difierential thermocouple comprises a sealed platinum "reference" capsule about 15 mm long and 2.5 mm in diameter containing Al2O3, and an unsealed capsule of simiiar dimensions in rvhich approximately 80 mg of sample are packed. Connecting the tlvo capsules to each other and to the potentiometric recorder are Platinel noble-metal thermocouple wires (Accinno and Schneider 1960) which provide an emf comparable with chromel-alumel. Amplification is provided by a solid state Acromag d.c. amplifier with a long term drift of 5 microvolts and a noise level of 1 microvolt. After a weighed amount of sample crushed to - 325 mesh particle size is packed into the sample capsule, fiberfrax for electrical insulation is wound around the differential couple and the temperature measuring
Yaba Tumor Poxvirus Synthesis In Vitro I. Cytopathological, Histochemical, and Immunofluorescent Studies

Yohn, David S. (Roswell Park Memorial Institute, Buffalo, N.Y.), Victoria A. Haendiges, and James T. Grace, Jr. Yaba tumor poxvirus synthesis in vitro. I. Cytopathological, histochemical, and immunofluorescent studies. J. Bacteriol. 91:1977-1985. 1966.-Yaba tumor poxvirus synthesis in BSC-1 cell culture was followed sequentially with light microscopy, immunofluorescent microscopy, and various histochemical stains. The first evidence of infection was detected at 24 hr when nucleoli became hypertrophic, reflecting enhanced ribonucleic acid (RNA) synthesis. At 36 hr, deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis was detected in the cytoplasm. This was immediately followed by or associated with antigen synthesis at paranuclear sites and enhanced RNA synthesis in the cytoplasm. Cytoplasmic inclusions were readily apparent at 4 days in initially infected cells. Contiguous spread of virus was judged to have occurred around the third day of infection. The time required to complete the synthetic cycle from time of infection to production of infectious progeny was estimated to be of the order of 60 hr. This cycle is 6 to 10 times longer than for vaccinia virus. By light microscopy, cytopathic effects (CPE) were detectable in 5 days in heavily infected cultures. With 100 units or less of infectious virus, CPE was not readily detected until the 10th to 14th day. At this time, focal areas of infection classified either as microtumors or microplaques were present. Secondary foci appeared during the 4th week of incubation.
Affirmative Action as a Strategy of Justice

The problem that affirmative action seeks to remedy is a structural one. For its first hundred years, this country embraced a slave system defined in racial terms; for its next hundred, the country's caste structure was maintained by a strict system of segregation known as Jim Crow.
Looking at the past for help in the present: The role of historical photos in middle and secondary history classes

The purpose of this article is to provide guidance on how teachers can introduce historical photographs to their history class. Werner (2002) argues that visual texts are no longer simple tools that enhance the look of a written text, but are central to student learning. We (one author is a veteran social studies teacher and the other author is an education professor) specifically address Werner’s call for social studies educators to teach students how to be critical readers of visual texts. In the manuscript, we discuss the role of historical photographs in social studies classes and provide practical methods and activities teachers can use to introduce more images to their students. By bridging students’ visually rich outside world with the world inside the classroom, we seek to enable leaners to be interpreters rather than uncritical consumers of visual texts.
The Role of the Antigen-Presenting Cell in Fas-Mediated Direct and Bystander Killing: Potential In Vivo Function of Fas in Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis

Costimulatory molecules are critical in mediating Fas-dependent direct and bystander lysis. In direct lysis, the APC is the Fas-positive target. It presents Ag to the T cell, thereby activating the T cell. The activated T cell then up-regulates FasL, allowing it to kill the APC. In bystander lysis, the APC again induces FasL expression on the T cell, but the target is a third Fas-positive cell that may lack the appropriate MHC-restricting element to activate the T cell. This study shows that ICAM-1 and B7-1 can serve as important adhesion molecules in direct killing using CD4+ T cell effectors. In bystander killing, B7-1 appears to act as a signaling molecule as well. It has been demonstrated that lpr and gld mice are less susceptible to experimental allergic encephalomyelitis than their wild-type counterparts. In this study, we show that although microglia are poor targets of direct killing, they are capable of stimulating myelin basic protein-specific T cells to kill innocent Fas-positive targets. This presents a possible mechanism for the pathogenesis of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis.
Aspiration Level, Labor Market Evaluation, and the Decision to Become an Entrepreneur

Why and when do some people become entrepreneurs? We attempt to answer the question by considering both the variability in the quality of opportunities and aspiration levels that can vary over individuals and over time. When individuals have higher aspiration levels than their readily available non-entrepreneurial opportunities, they tend to search for entrepreneurial opportunities. When people are biased or existing organizations have limitations in reflecting the true values of people, there tend to be entrepreneurs.
Prevalence of malignancies among U.S. male patients with haemophilia: a review of the Haemophilia Surveillance System

The prevalence of malignancies in US male patients with haemophilia, with or without concomitant viral infections, remains unknown. To estimate the prevalence of malignancy in US male patients with haemophilia. We investigated the prevalence of malignancies among male patients with haemophilia using data from a six-state haemophilia surveillance project. Case patients with malignancies were identified using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification codes abstracted from hospital records and death certificates during the surveillance period. Cancer prevalence rates were calculated for each year during the surveillance and compared with age- and race-specific prevalence rates among the U.S. male population obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program. A total of 7 cases of leukaemia, 23 cases of lymphoma and 56 classifiable solid malignancies were identified among 3510 case patients during a total of 15,330 annual data abstraction collections. The rates of leukaemia, lymphoma and liver cancer among case patients were significantly higher than the rates among U.S. males as judged by prevalence ratios of 3.1 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.4-7.0] and 2.9 (95% CI =1.8-4.6), respectively. In contrast, the prevalence ratio of prostate cancer was lower than expected at 0.49 (95% CI = 0.31-0.77). Overall the prevalence of most cancers among case patients was similar to that of the U.S. male population. However, patients with haemophilia who have unexplained symptoms should be evaluated for malignancy.