cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bone marrow failure and the telomeropathies

Our understanding of the pathophysiology of aplastic anemia is undergoing significant revision, with implications for diagnosis and treatment. Constitutional and acquired disease is poorly delineated, as lesions in some genetic pathways cause stereotypical childhood syndromes and also act as risk factors for clinical manifestations in adult life. Telomere diseases are a prominent example of this relationship. Accelerated telomere attrition is the result of mutations in telomere repair genes and genes encoding components of the shelterin complex and related proteins. Genotype-phenotype correlations show genes responsible for X-linked (DKC1) and severe recessive childhood dyskeratosis congenita, typically with associated mucocutaneous features, and others (TERC and TERT) for more subtle presentation as telomeropathy in adults, in which multiorgan failure may be prominent. Telomerase mutations also are etiologic in familial pulmonary fibrosis and cryptic liver disease. Detection of a telomere disease requires awareness in the clinic, appropriate laboratory testing of telomere content, and genetic sequencing. In treatment decisions, genetic screening of related donors for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is critical, and androgen therapy may be helpful. Telomeres shorten normally with aging, as well as under environmental circumstances, with regenerative stress and oxidative damage. Telomere biology is complexly related to oncogenesis: telomere attrition is protective by enforcing senescence or apoptosis in cells with a long mitotic history, but telomere loss also can destabilize the genome by chromosome rearrangement and aneuploidy.
Novel Clock Phase Offset and Skew Estimation Using Two-Way Timing Message Exchanges for Wireless Sensor Networks

Recently, a few efficient timing synchronization protocols for wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have been proposed with the goal of maximizing the accuracy and minimizing the power utilization. This paper proposes novel clock skew estimators assuming different delay environments to achieve energy-efficient network-wide synchronization for WSNs. The proposed clock skew correction mechanism significantly increases the re-synchronization period, which is a critical factor in reducing the overall power consumption. The proposed synchronization scheme can be applied to the conventional protocols without additional overheads. Moreover, this paper derives the Cramer-Rao lower bounds and the maximum likelihood estimators under different delay models and assumptions. These analytical metrics serves as good benchmarks for the thus far reported experimental results
Allohexaploidy, introgression, and the complex phylogenetic history of Elymus repens (Poaceae).

The phylogenetic position of hexaploid Elymus repens within the tribe Triticeae (Poaceae) was examined using cloned sequences from the low-copy nuclear genes encoding phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (pepC) and β-amylase. A previous analysis of E. repens using data from the nuclear granule-bound starch synthase I (GBSSI) gene had yielded five phylogenetically distinct gene copies, two more than expected from hexaploidy alone. The three gene trees share three distinct E. repens clades, suggesting that E. repens contains three phylogenetically divergent genomes, contributed by Hordeum, Pseudoroegneria, and an unknown donor. The two additional GBSSI sequences, including one that was apparently derived from outside of the tribe, appear to reflect past introgression of GBSSI sequences into the E. repens genome. On all three trees, the Hordeum-like E. repens sequences are polyphyletic within Hordeum, and the trees are in conflict with regard to the placement of these sequences within Hordeum, highlighting multiple contributions from Hordeum to E. repens.
Ezrin promotes functional expression and parathyroid hormone-mediated regulation of the sodium-phosphate cotransporter 2a in LLC-PK1 cells.

The sodium-phosphate cotransporter 2a (NPT2a) is the principal phosphate transporter expressed in the brush border of renal proximal tubules and is downregulated by parathyroid hormone (PTH) throug...
Wireless medium access control in networked control systems

We present a framework to study the performance of networked control systems where the feedback control loops are closed over a shared wireless network. In particular, we study the effects of the wireless network medium access control (MAC) protocols on the performance of the networked control systems. We consider a joint performance index of all the systems sharing the wireless channel. We compare several wireless network MAC protocols with a numerical example of two inverted pendulum systems. We show that the control performance degrades due to distributed medium access control in addition to the performance degradation due to communication faults including limited data rates, random delay and packet losses.
Accelerated stress buildup on the southern San Andreas fault and surrounding regions caused by Mojave Desert earthquakes

A sequence of four Mw . 6 earthquakes, including the 1992 Mw 5 7.3 Landers and Mw 5 7.1 Hector Mine earthquakes, occurred in the Mojave Desert in the 1990s in close proximity to the southern San Andreas fault, inducing stress changes on several of its segments. We calculate that coseismic slip combined with postseismic relaxation of viscous lower crust and/or upper mantle has led to a Coulomb stress increase of 2.3‐3.5 bar on the San Bernardino Mountain segment of the southern San Andreas fault between 1992 and 2001, with a projected increase of 3.6‐4.9 bar by the year 2020. In comparison, the calculated coseismic stress increase is 1.8 bar for this segment. This accelerated buildup of stresses is predicted to bring the San Bernardino Mountain segment, which last ruptured more than 190 yr ago, closer to a potentially major rupture. Meanwhile we project a net stress decrease of as much as 23.5 bar between 1992 and 2020 for the western Coachella Valley segment if the fault is governed by low effective friction, or an increase of 1.5 bar if the fault is governed by high effective friction. Coulomb stresses are calculated to decrease on the Mojave segment by as much as 21 bar between 1992 and 2020. Accelerated stress buildup is also predicted to occur on parts of the San Jacinto, Elsinore, and Calico faults. The pattern of the observed post-Landers aftershock clustering and the calculated Coulomb stress buildup on the Calico fault is similar to that noted in the Hector Mine region prior to the 1999 Mw 5 7.1 earthquake. These results imply that the stress changes caused by an earthquake may still play a role in triggering future quakes in neighboring crust many years later through viscoelastic processes.
Stress corrosion cracking in amine acid gas scrubbing units

This paper presents a brief summary of the stress corrosion cracking experience of carbon steel in amine acid gas scrubbing units. In addition, it discusses the current views of the most probable mechanism of cracking of carbon steel equipment in amine acid gas scrubbing units and the probable role of the nature of the amine molecule.
Differential Space–Time Coded Switch and Stay Combining

The design and analysis of differential space-time coding is considered where the receiver, with a single radio frequency (RF) chain, uses switch and stay combining (SSC). Without channel knowledge at the receiver, a receive-power-based switching algorithm is proposed. By deriving the distribution of the received signal on the selected antenna, upper and lower bounds on the Chernoff bound on the pairwise error probability are derived. Using the upper bound, it is shown that even when the code satisfies the conditions to achieve full transmit diversity, if a fixed switching threshold with respect to the average SNR is used, receive diversity will not be attained. Following this, a switching threshold that offers full diversity is obtained and shown to be a logarithmic function of the average SNR at a high SNR. Furthermore, code design criteria for the proposed system are developed. For the special case of two transmit antennas, new codes for the proposed differentially modulated SSC scheme are designed and shown to perform better than existing codes. Simulation results are included to corroborate our analytical results.
Teaching the Art and Science of the Clinical Interview: The Pediatrician as Mentor

A person may have learned a very great deal and still be an exceedingly unskillful physician, who awakens little confidence in his powers...the manner of dealing with patients, of winning their confidence, the art of listening to them, of soothing and consoling them...all of this cannot be learned from books. (Christian Albert Theodor Billroth, 1876) A doctor who cannot take a good history and a patient who cannot give one are in danger of giving and receiving bad treatment.
Prognostic significance of nucleolar organizer regions (NORS) in malignant melanoma.

Nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) are loops of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) in the nucleolus and are associated with acidic proteins. They are seen in routinely processed paraffin sections by using a one-step colloidal silver (Ag) staining method; they appear as black dots termed “AgNORs”. The quantitative assay of AgNORs has been used to differentiate benign from malignant neoplasms. Melanocytic lesions differ significantly in AgNOR counts between malignant melanoma and nevi. However, conflicting results have been reported as to AgNORs' prognostic value in melanoma. A recent study showed AgNOR counts to be a more accurate prognostic indicator than Breslow's thickness. In this study, we counted the AgNORs in 26 patients with primary cutaneous melanomas (CMM) between 2.0 mm and 2.5 mm thick. Of these, 14 are alive without disease (AN) at 5 years after diagnosis (group 1), and 12 are dead of disease (DD) in less than 5 years (group 2). The AgNORs were scored in 30 nuclei per tumor, and the means were calculated. For group 1, the mean number of AgNORs per nucleus was 6.88, ranging from 3.73 to 12.70. For group 2, the mean number was 6.97, ranging from 3.63 to 11.67. Statistical analysis using analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed no significant difference between the groups (p=0.33). In our study, AgNOR counts did not prove to be of prognostic value in malignant melanoma. Ronan SG, Farolan MJ, McDonald A, Manaligod JR, Das Gupta TK. Prognostic significance of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) in malignant melanoma.
Low‐Temperature Preferential Oxidation of Carbon Monoxide on Pt3Ni Alloy Nanoparticle Catalyst with Engineered Surface

The front cover artwork for Issue 01/2016 is provided by the catalysis research group at the University of Akron (USA). The image shows an octahedral Pt3Ni alloy nanoparticle catalyst that benefits from unique surface geometry and electronic structure. This catalyst exhibits high activity and selectivity for the preferential oxidation of carbon monoxide in hydrogen. See the Communication itself at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cctc.201500783.
Tomographic retrieval of cloud liquid water fields from a single scanning microwave radiometer aboard a moving platform – Part 1: Field trial results from the Wakasa Bay experiment

Abstract. Tomographic methods offer great potential for retrieving three-dimensional spatial distributions of cloud liquid water from radiometric observations by passive microwave sensors. Fixed tomographic systems require multiple radiometers, while mobile systems can use just a single radiometer. Part 1 (this paper) examines the results from a limited cloud tomography trial with a single-radiometer airborne system carried out as part of the 2003 AMSR-E validation campaign over Wakasa Bay of the Sea of Japan. During this trial, the Polarimetric Scanning Radiometer (PSR) and Microwave Imaging Radiometer (MIR) aboard the NASA P-3 research aircraft provided a useful dataset for testing the cloud tomography method over a system of low-level clouds. We do tomographic retrievals with a constrained inversion algorithm using three configurations: PSR, MIR, and combined PSR and MIR data. The liquid water paths from the PSR retrieval are consistent with those from the MIR retrieval. The retrieved cloud field based on the combined data appears to be physically plausible and consistent with the cloud image obtained by a cloud radar. We find that some vertically-uniform clouds appear at high altitudes in the retrieved field where the radar shows clear sky. This is likely due to the sub-optimal data collection strategy. This sets the stage for Part 2 of this study that aims to define optimal data collection strategies using observation system simulation experiments.
Solid-State Blending of Poly(ethylene terephthalate) With Polystyrene : Extent of Compatibilization and its Dependence on Blend Composition

Polystyrene (PS) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) were blended together in the solid state via cryogenic mechanical attrition (CMA) and in the melt through conventional twin-screw extrusion. Consecutive modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) and thermogravitometric analysis (TGA) investigations allowed for the quantitative estimation of the extent of blend compatibility through the accurate determination of sample composition. The extent of blend compatibility, i.e., the amount of PET calculated to have been removed from the bulk and into interphase entanglements with PS, was found to be higher for milled blends than for extruded blends. This compatibility enhancement was the most pronounced for PET-rich blends. The other benefits of CMA are more precise compositional homogeneity through intimate mixing and the ability for more amorphous PET chains to be entangled with the amorphous PS phase at the interphase. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Post-traumatic stress disorder, drug abuse and migraine: new findings from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R).

Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been shown to be associated with migraine and drug abuse.Methods: This was an analysis of data from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R) to evaluate the association of PTSD in those with episodic migraine (EM) and chronic daily headache (CDH).Results: Our sample consisted of 5,692 participants. Lifetime and 12-month prevalence rates of PTSD were increased in those with EM and CDH. After adjustments, the lifetime odds ratio (OR) of PTSD was greater in those with EM (OR 3.07 confidence interval [CI]: 2.12, 4.46) compared to those without headache; was greater in men than women with EM (men: OR 6.86; CI: 3.11, 15.11; women: OR 2.77; CI: 1.83, 4.21); and was comparable or greater than the association between migraine with depression or anxiety. The lifetime OR of PTSD was also increased in CDH sufferers. The OR of illicit drug abuse was not increased in those with EM or CDH unless co-occurring with PTSD or depression.Conclusion: The lifetime...
Learning Disabilities Individual Needs or Categorical Concerns

Despite the fact that the field of learning disabilities has grown dramatically in recent years, many questions remain unanswered or disputed. In the absence of a clear definition of learning disabilities, the authors suggest that it has become an educational simile with children described as “like a learning disabled child.” It is postulated that the learning disabled label has become reflective of a problem related more to social structure than to children. It is time that the optimism orginally connected with the term should lead to greater attention to individual needs and less emphasis on categorical concerns.
Simplifying the instrument selection process in a hardware independent environment

Achieving hardware-independence in a Signal-Oriented test software framework relies on a flexible procedure for selecting instruments when a test is executed. The procedure requires a list of available instrument knowledge of the requirements of the signal, knowledge of the capability of the instruments, and a means for making an instrument selection. With this information, instrument selection can be made statically by a user before run-time or dynamically as the test is run. This paper discusses how the required information is obtained from the framework and describes a tool that presents this information and facilitates a static instrument selection process.
Diabetes Medications: Impact on Inflammation and Wound Healing

Chronic wounds are a common complication in patients with diabetes that often lead to amputation. These non-healing wounds are described as being stuck in a persistent inflammatory state characterized by accumulation of pro-inflammatory macrophages, cytokines and proteases. Some medications approved for management of type 2 diabetes have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties independent of their marketed insulinotropic effects and thus have underappreciated potential to promote wound healing. In this review, the potential for insulin, metformin, specific sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors to promote healing is evaluated by reviewing human and animal studies on inflammation and wound healing. The available evidence indicates that diabetic medications have potential to prevent wounds from becoming arrested in the inflammatory stage of healing and to promote wound healing by downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines, upregulating growth factors, lowering matrix metalloproteinases, stimulating angiogenesis, and increasing epithelization. However, no clinical recommendations currently exist on the potential for specific diabetic medications to impact healing of chronic wounds. Thus, we encourage further research that may guide physicians on providing personalized diabetes treatments that achieve glycemic goals while promoting healing in patients with chronic wounds.
Successful pregnancy after radiation therapy for carcinoma of the cervix

Radiosensitivity of the ovary is considered, and the possibility of recovery of ovarian function following pelvic radiotherapy is evaluated with reference to previously reported cases and a new case. In the standard radiation program of combined Ra and x-ray therapy currently employed for the control of carcinoma of the cervix, thc amount of radiation delivered to the gonads makes preservation of ovarian function nearly impossible. Even after Ra therapy alone for cervical cancer, continued ovarian activity as evidenced by regular menstruation is infrequent, and successful pregnancy after Ra treatment for a malignant growth on the cervix is an extremely rare occurrence. Data are tabulated for nine previous cases in which pregnancy occurred after radiotherapy for cervical carcinoma. In the present case, a 21-yr-old women was treated with 5000 mg-hr and became pregnant twice, four and six yrs later. No external x-ray therapy was given. The patient experienced vaginal bleeding consistent with a menstrual period in each of the first two months after Ra insertion but had total amenorrhea for the next year. Rectal bleeding and diarrhea six months later because of radiation proctitis. A cervical biopsy performed three yr later showed a severe radiation reaction. Regular menses commenced four monthsmore » after this procedure. Both pregnancies terminated prematurely but in both instances an apparently normal infant was born, and no subsequent abnormalities in their growth, development, or behaviour were noted. In the reviewed group of cases, preservation of ovarian function was attributed in great measure to the increased distance of the ovaries from the Ra source because of an intrauterine gestation (five cases), recent parturition (one case), recent miscarriage (one case), and a large exophytic tumor (one case). The existence of an amenorrheic state for nine months in one earlier case and for 12 months in the present case indicates that the radiosensitive gonads were significantly affected by the action of radiation. The relative youth of these two patients may have played a role in the capacity of their ovaries to reestablish ovulation. The effect of radiation on the function of cervical dilatation in parturition was also discussed after a study of these cases. Because of radioinduced scarring of the cervix, cesarean section is usually necessary for delivery in such cases. Among the 10 children who were born of these mothers whose ovaries had received a subliminal castration dose of radiation there was no evidence of any gross congenital defect, but the follow-up on all of these children is incomplete and the possibility of a genetic defect in a future generation cannot be ruled out if children should be born to any of these individuals.« less
Transition from Laminar to Turbulent Flow in a Pipe

Transition experimentally observed during flow establishment in smooth straight pipe; turbulence originated as spots; downstream face of turbulent spots was transported with centerline velocity of preceding laminar flow; turbulent spot formation was in qualitative agreement with Tollmein-Schlichting theory of small disturbances.
Magnetic Relaxation of Poly-γ-Benzyl-L-Glutamate Solutions in Deuterochloroform

For liquid and liquid crystalline solutions of poly-γ-benzyl-L-glutamate (PBLG) in deuterochloroform, the spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) of deuterium in CDCl3 is strongly dependent upon temperature and concentration, while the proton T1 of PBLG has no concentration dependence and only a small temperature dependence. The data are analyzed based upon a model in which highly associated and bulk solvent molecules are in chemical exchange, and its validity is discussed.
Improving Shoulder Kinematics in Individuals With Paraplegia: Comparison Across Circuit Resistance Training Exercises and Modifications in Hand Position.

Background Circuit resistance training (CRT) should promote favorable kinematics (scapular posterior tilt, upward rotation, glenohumeral or scapular external rotation) to protect the shoulder from mechanical impingement following paraplegia. Understanding kinematics during CRT may provide a biomechanical rationale for exercise positions and exercise selection promoting healthy shoulders. Objective The purposes of this study were: (1) to determine whether altering hand position during CRT favorably modifies glenohumeral and scapular kinematics and (2) to compare 3-dimensional glenohumeral and scapular kinematics during CRT exercises. Hypotheses The hypotheses that were tested were: (1) modified versus traditional hand positions during exercises improve kinematics over comparable humerothoracic elevation angles, and (2) the downward press demonstrates the least favorable kinematics. Design This was a cross-sectional observational study. Methods The participants were 18 individuals (14 men, 4 women; 25–76 years of age) with paraplegia. An electromagnetic tracking system acquired 3-dimensional position and orientation data from the trunk, scapula, and humerus during overhead press, chest press, overhead pulldown, row, and downward press exercises. Participants performed exercises in traditional and modified hand positions. Descriptive statistics and 2-way repeated-measures analysis of variance were used to evaluate the effect of modifications and exercises on kinematics. Results The modified position improved kinematics for downward press (glenohumeral external rotation increased 4.5° [ P =.016; 95% CI=0.7, 8.3] and scapular external rotation increased 4.4° [ P <.001; 95% CI=2.5, 6.3]), row (scapular upward rotation increased 4.6° [ P <.001; 95% CI=2.3, 6.9]), and overhead pulldown (glenohumeral external rotation increased 18.2° [ P <.001, 95% CI=16, 21.4]). The traditional position improved kinematics for overhead press (glenohumeral external rotation increased 9.1° [ P =.001; 95% CI=4.1, 14.1], and scapular external rotation increased 5.5° [ P =.004; 95% CI=1.8, 9.2]). No difference existed between chest press positions. Downward press (traditional or modified) demonstrated the least favorable kinematics. Limitations It is unknown whether faulty kinematics causes impingement or whether pre-existing impingement causes altered kinematics. Three-dimensional modeling is needed to verify whether “favorable” kinematics increase the subacromial space. Conclusions Hand position alters kinematics during CRT and should be selected to emphasize healthy shoulder mechanics.
Photoperiod-driven variation in an allergic response is independent of allergen exposure

Abstract: Allergy prevalence and severity varies seasonally in humans, presumably due to intra-annual changes in allergenexposure. However, it is possible that seasonality of allergic responses is also influenced by seasonal changes in the immunesystem. Here, we asked whether extended exposure to different day lengths would alter allergic responses to pentadecylcate-chol (PDC), an allergenic component of poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans (L.) Kuntze), in Siberian hamsters (Phodopussungorus (Pallas, 1773)), a species exhibiting extensive seasonal variation in immune functions. We found that contact der-matitis responses were larger in short day-length (SD) housed animals than in long day-length (LD) housed animals eventhough sensitization and challenge dosages of allergen were identical. Furthermore, SD animals were smaller and had re-gressed reproductive tissues compared with LD animals, results typically observed in this species in response to photoper-iod. These data suggest that endogenous changes in immune functions, via melatonin, may underlie some seasonal variationin allergic responses.Key words: allergen, dermatitis, immune, season, hypersensitivity, Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus), poison ivy(Toxicodendron radicans).Resume : La prevalence et la gravite des allergies varient selon les saisons chez les humains, supposement en raison de va-riations intraannuelles de l’exposition aux allergenes. Il est toutefois possible que le caractere saisonnier des reactions aller-giques soit egalement influence par des changements saisonniers dans le systeme immunitaire. Nous avons examine laquestion a savoir si une exposition prolongee a differentes durees du jour modifierait les reactions allergiques au pentadecyl-catechol (PDC), un compose allergene de l’herbe a puce (Toxicodendron radicans (L.) Kuntze), chez le hamster russe (Pho-dopus sungorus (Pallas, 1773)), une espece dont les fonctions immunitaires presentent d’importantes variations saisonnieres.Nous avons observe que les reactions de dermite de contact etaient plus importantes pour les animaux loges dans des condi-tions de courte duree du jour (SD) que dans des conditions de longue duree du jour (LD), meme pour une sensibilisation etdes doses d’amorce identiques. De plus, les animaux SD etaient plus petits et presentaient des tissus reproducteurs regressespar rapport a ceux des animaux LD, des resultats typiquement observes chez cette espece dans les essais sur la photope-riode. Ces donnees suggerent que des modifications endogenes des fonctions immunitaires par l’entremise de la melatoninepourraient sous-tendre une certaine variabilite saisonniere des reactions allergiques.Mots‐cles : allergene, dermite, immune, saison, hypersensibilite, hamster russe (Phodopus sungorus), herbe a puce(Toxicodendron radicans).[Traduit par la Redaction]
Fifty-two percent efficient second harmonic generation of a cw diode-pumped laser using a monolithic external ring cavity

There has been much recent interest in the development and applications of diode-laser-pumped solid-state lasers. Efficient frequency doubling of these lasers requires some method to increase the intensity in the doubling crystal over that available from the diode pump, since the diode pump intensities are relatively small. Diode- pumped solid-state lasers have been Q-switched or mode-locked to produce high-peak-power outputs that can be efficiently frequency doubled. Approaches to cw second harmonic generation have concentrated on intracavity frequency doubling, where advantage is taken of the high circulating intensity present inside the laser resonator.
Comparison of symptoms and gastric acid reflux between non-erosive reflux diseases and reflux esophagitis in children

Objectives Comparing the clinical symptoms and characteristics of esophageal acid exposure between non-erosive reflux disease(NERD)and reflux esophagitis(RE)in children.Methods One hundred and twenty-seven(127)patients with vomiting and acid regurgitation and diagnosed as gastroesophageal refiux disease(GERD)were divided into NERD group and RE group according to gastroscopic findings.Symptoms and the severity of esophageal acid exposure by twenty-four-hour esophageal pH monitoring in the two groups were compared.Results Of 127 children,79(62.2%)had NERD and 48(37.8%)had RE.Among them,the number of cases with grades Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ RE was 34,10 and 4 respectively.The positive rate of acid reflux in NERD group was(64.6%),while 62.5% in RE group(χ2 = 0.05,P 0.05).The incidence of vomiting/regurgitation,abdominal pain,extra-esophageal manifestations in the NERD group was higher than that in the RE(P 0.05).No differences of acid regurgitation and heartburn/retrosternal pain were found between the two groups.The accumulated regurgitation frequencies and the percentage of regurgitation with pH 4 in patients with RE are significantly higher than those in NERD patients(P 0.05).All parameters of abnormal acid ruflux in RE group were significantly higher than those in NERD group(P 0.05).There were no differences of parameters of acid ruflux among patients with different grade RE(P 0.05).Conclusions The incidence of the atypical reflux symptom and extra-esophageal manifestations are more prevalent in children with NERD.The development of GERD was closely related to gastric acid reflux.Prolonged acid exposure and more reflux frequency may be important factors to result in RE.Quantity of acid reflux was not clearly correlative with the severity of RE.
Evolutionary Principles and Host Defense

The principles of evolution are uniquely relevant to understanding and reliably manipulating mechanisms of host immunity, pathogen behavior, and the interaction between host and pathogen in the service of promoting the health and well-being of individual patients and populations. In this chapter, I use examples of immune system function and interactions between pathogens and human hosts to illustrate some of the ways that evolution-related insights are exploited to advance the aims of clinicians and public health officers. I first focus on the coevolutionary processes by which human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) evades neutralizing antibodies synthesized by host B-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes evolve such that the antibodies they secrete can bind better to HIV-1 variants. In particular, I address the critical roles of somatic hypermutation of antibody variable domain genes and selection of Blymphocytes in the production of potent and broadly neutralizing antibodies which are regarded as necessary for a highly efficacious vaccine intended to control the spread of a highly variable pathogen such as HIV-1. I also use other examples to illustrate the contributions of evolutionary thinking in immunology and infectious disease, including determining the paths of transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, the effects of vaccines and antibiotics on pneumococcal epidemiology, and the patterns of antibiotic resistance in selected pathogens.
ROS: novel regulators of thrombopoiesis.

In this issue of Blood, Wu et al describe a novel dominant negative loss-of-function mutation (BLVRB S111L) in a heme catabolic pathway deregulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and associated with thrombocytosis.1
Optimal revascularization for left main coronary artery disease—coronary artery bypass grafting versus percutaneous coronary intervention

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has historically been the standard of care for management of left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD). Studies have demonstrated a survival advantage when CABG has been compared to optimal medical management alone in LMCAD (1-3).
The relationship between perceived organizational support, perceived coworker support, debriefing and professional quality of life in Florida law enforcement officers:

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between perceived organizational support, perceived coworker support, and debriefing on the one hand, and compassion satisfaction, burnout...
Some Graphical Interpretations of Melan’s Theorem for Shakedown Design

Bree Interaction Diagrams have long been one of the major visual design guides for employing and evaluating shakedown in engineering applications. These diagrams provide representations of the realms in which elastoplastic behaviors, including shakedown, are found for a material and structure under variable loads. The creation of these diagrams often relies upon some combination of upper or lower bound shakedown theorems and numerical shakedown limit determination techniques. Part of the utility of these diagrams is that, for a given structure and loading conditions, inspecting them is sufficient to determine whether shakedown will occur or not. The diagrams cannot however, give the designer insight into how the conditions for shakedown are met. This chapter presents some graphical interpretations of one of the common methods for shakedown determination: the use of Melan’s Lower Bound Theorem. The intent is to provide additional insight for designers regarding how shakedown conditions are satisfied. In this way, additional directions for modifying designs to recover shakedown behavior may also be identified. Revisiting this well-established theorem from a graphical and pedagogical approach, also provides a foundation for interdisciplinary innovation. The particular focus is on simple examples that highlight ways in which Melan’s theorem may be applied to shakedown design problems.
Findings across Practitioner Training Studies in Special Education: A Comprehensive Review and Meta-Analysis.

Existing reviews address important questions about subsets of practitioner training studies in special education but leave important questions about the broader literature unanswered. In this compr...
Linear Output Feedback Control

The paper presents an algorithm to determine linear output feedback gains to stabilize and/or arbitrarily assign the poles of a linear time invariant system. Conditions for the feasibility of linear output feedback control are derived. The feasibility analysis and the control design procedure are based on the dynamics of the eigenvalues of the closed loop system.
Experimental effects and causal representations

In experimental settings, scientists often “make” new things, in which case the aim is to intervene in order to produce experimental objects and processes—characterized as ‘effects’. In this discussion, I illuminate an important performative function in measurement and experimentation in general: intervention-based experimental production (IEP). I argue that even though the goal of IEP is the production of new effects, it can be informative for causal details in scientific representations. Specifically, IEP can be informative about causal relations in: regularities under study; ‘intervention systems’, which are measurement/experimental systems; and new technological systems.
International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) (Bangladesh): The Issues of Fairness and Transparency

During the 9-month-long Bangladesh Liberation War, millions of Bangladeshi people were subject to atrocious war crimes. In the post-liberation period under the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Awami League Government took certain specific steps to hold war crimes trials, but eventually abandoned for a number of political considerations. In 2009, Awami League came to power for the third time and established the International Crimes Tribunal, a domestic mechanism, to try alleged war criminals. Initially, two tribunals were established in 2010 and 2012, but the second one has been placed in abeyance in September 2015 as number of cases dwindled. This chapter attempts to understand the jurisprudential dimension of war crimes trial in its historic and cultural context. It further explores whether the Rules of Evidence and Procedure of war crimes tribunal of Bangladesh meets international standards of fairness and transparency. It also evaluates the criticism that the Tribunal is still far away from being fair and transparent in its operations. This study finally makes a brief assessment of the repercussions of the execution of top Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders.
When Should Complete Blood Count Tests Be Performed in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty Patients

Abstract Background Routine laboratory studies are often obtained following total hip arthroplasty (THA). Moreover, laboratory studies are often continued daily until the patient is discharged regardless of medical management. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of routine complete blood count (CBC) tests following THA. Secondarily, the purpose was to identify patient factors associated with abnormal postoperative lab values. Methods This retrospective review identified 352 patients who underwent primary THA at a single institution from 2012 to 2014. Preoperative and postoperative CBC values were collected along with demographic data, use of tranexamic acid (TXA), and transfusion rates. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with an abnormal postoperative lab and risk of transfusion. Results Of the 352 patients, 54 patients were transfused (15.3%). Patients who underwent transfusion had a significantly lower preoperative hemoglobin (Hb; 12.0 g/dL) compared to patients who did not undergo transfusion (13.5 g/dL; P Conclusion Under value-based care models, cost containment while maintaining high-quality patient care is critical. Routine postoperative CBC tests in patients with a normal preoperative Hb who receive TXA do not contribute to actionable information. Patients who are anemic before THA or do not receive TXA should at minimum obtain a CBC on postoperative day 1.
Equal Employment Opportunity Planning and Staffing Models

Manpower planning for equal employment opportunity (EEO) must ensure a representation of social groups within the organization that matches their representation in the environment surrounding that organization. This paper discusses a multi-level system of goal programming models with embedded Markoff processes—a master model for evaluating corporate goals and a “coherence” model for local personnel management decisions. Both models have unique state-of-the-art features such as dual goal sets, the incorporation of flexibility options, the use of “bridge positions” and the use of piece-wise linear goal functionals in a capacitated distribution model format. A brief description of each model is given, followed by a discussion of some issues surrounding the process of goal setting and attendant issues of reporting and accountability.
Urinary biomarkers in radiation therapy of cancer.

The ability to monitor noninvasively the biological effect of a radiation dose in humans is potentially beneficial for screening cancer patients during the course of radiotherapy. Yet no universal approach exists for this purpose other than routine examination of patients and visible tumors, although in limited situations specific parameters are measured after treatment is completed (e.g., determinations of antibody levels after breast cancer therapy). In all cases, no appreciable indicators of the effects of the irradiation are apparent during the early part of the therapy regimen.
Getting Started in Biological Pathway Construction

The increasingly extensive data on dynamic cellular processes are revolutionizing biology and medicine. Computational tools are necessary for exploring these data. A familiar and intuitive approach is to organize information into biological pathways. This chapter provides a general overview and an introduction to the specific software and notations used to store, construct, and analyze biological pathways. Biological pathways are collected in public and private databases, which are often curated by many researchers. In these databases, information is represented in one of several standard notations, is usually viewable in several different layouts, and can be readily updated by multiple users. Specialized software allows users to manually or automatically mine the data in order to construct biological pathways.
Teaching HCI in a crowded computing curriculum

This paper describes a minimalist but effective approach to teaching human-computer interaction (HCI) in an already overcrowded computing curriculum. The approach is minimalist in that it does not require a specific course on HCI. It is effective in that it a) achieves the ABET HCI criteria for information technology baccalaureate degrees; b) shows learning outcomes indicating students are effectively learning and employing sound HCI principles and practices; and c) shows that students realize both the importance and dynamic nature of HCI because they tend to do research to identify current best practices for HCI in their exercise and project work. The approach was developed by working in two directions: 1) Forward from the wealth of sound HCI materials available online; and 2) Backwards from the ACM/IEEE-CS Model IT curriculum. Main findings covered here include that a) this approach is effective; b) it fits well with both major directions of HCI and HCI education and curriculum design and implementation constraints for small colleges and universities; c) can be generalized to teaching and training HCI-related topics across the curriculum and within industry as well and d) works well within the ever-expanding educational resources and delivery options of today. Tips and recommendations for effectively embedding HCI within computing classes are recommended.
CAR-T Cell Therapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Transforming the Treatment of Relapsed and Refractory Disease

Genetically engineered T cells expressing a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR-T) targeting specific antigens present on acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) blasts have generated promising results in children and adults with relapsed and refractory disease. We review the current evidence for CAR-T cell therapy in ALL, associated toxicities, and efforts to improve durable response to therapy. CD19-directed CAR-T cells have recently been approved by the FDA for use in children and young adults with ALL and in adults with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the relapsed/refractory setting. CD22-directed CAR-T cells have shown efficacy against leukemia as well in a recent clinical trial, representing the first alternative CAR target to approach comparable efficacy to CD19 CAR-T cells. Standardization of toxicity grading and management, strategies to combat significant relapse rates after CAR-T therapy, and applicability of CAR-T cells to treat central nervous system (CNS) disease remain challenges in the field and represent priorities for continued research. CAR-T cells are a feasible, effective, and rapidly evolving therapy for patients with relapsed and refractory B cell malignancies.
Expanding the application of the van Gurp-Palmen plot: New insights into polymer melt rheology

Abstract We report on an extension of the van Gurp-Palmen (vGP) plot [van Gurp, M. and Palmen, J., Rheology Bulletin, 1998, 67(1), 5–8.] developed through a compilation of literature data for polymer melts with different topological structures: linear (pure and blend), ring, comb, and bottlebrush. We introduce a new parameter: the reciprocal of complex modulus at the first minimum moving from the terminal regime ( 1 / G δ min , 1 ∗ ) and compare it with the steady-state recoverable compliance J s . Results show that 1 / G δ min , 1 ∗ and J s while related to each other in that they follow similar dependences on the molecular weight (linear and bottlebrush polymers), weight fraction of high molecular weight content (linear blends), and backbone concentration (comb polymer), there are also differences. For example, in the unentangled regime both J s and 1 / G δ min , 1 ∗ increase with increasing molecular weight but reach different plateau values as entanglement coupling sets in. In the case of ring polymers, the molecular weight dependences of 1 / G δ min , 1 ∗ ( ∼ M w 1 ) and J s ( ∼ M w 2 ) show very different scaling with molecular weight and do not reach a plateau value even for molecular weights as high as approximately 15 times the entanglement molecular weight of the linear counterpart. Furthermore, examination of the impact of linear additives on the vGP plots of the rings potentially provides a new way to assess their freedom from linear contamination. Also, because 1 / G δ min , 1 ∗ occurs in the frequency regime above that of the terminal regime and J s requires either very good estimates of terminal behavior in dynamic measurements or direct determination from creep and recovery measurements, 1 / G δ min , 1 ∗ is easier to obtain. The work shows that detailed analysis of the van Gurp-Palmen plot has the potential to provide new insights into the rheological response of polymer melts over what is obtained conventionally from viscoelastic characterization methods.
Qualitative Interviewing: Testing Health Surveys Among Vietnam War Veterans at the Age of 70 Years:

The Vietnam Era Health Retrospective Observational Study (VE-HEROeS) is a nationwide study designed to compare the health of U.S. Vietnam era veterans to age- and sex-matched U.S. residents. Two se...
Preoperative exercise as a predictor of weight loss in adolescents and young adults following sleeve gastrectomy: a cohort study.

Abstract Background Preoperative exercise is associated with weight loss following bariatric surgery in adults, but this relationship in adolescents and young adults (AYA) is not well studied. Objectives The present study examined AYA-reported preoperative exercise and demographic factors and their prediction of percent excess body mass index (BMI) loss at 6 and 12 months following sleeve gastrectomy. Setting The setting for recruitment and surgeries was in a children’s hospital in the United States. Methods Participants were 173 AYA aged 12–21 years (mean age, 16.5 [SD, 2.0] yr; mean preoperative BMI, 50 [SD, 8.5] kg/m2). Demographic characteristics including age, sex, ethnicity, and preoperative BMI were extracted from the medical record. Preoperatively, adolescents self-reported on exercise using 5 items from the Center for Disease Control’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey. The study evaluated the association of self-reported preoperative exercise in total and obtained a threshold of higher exercise to weight loss at 6 and 12 months after surgery. Results More preoperative exercise was associated with greater weight loss at 12 months. Grouping participants by those who reported exercising at high levels (≥5 hr/wk) compared with those who reported Conclusions Preoperative exercise may predict and contribute to weight loss in AYA and could be a target for pre- and postoperative intervention to improve outcomes. The importance of lower preoperative BMI for maximizing postoperative weight loss was also supported.
Composable, sound transformations of nested recursion and loops

Scheduling transformations reorder a program’s operations to improve locality and/or parallelism. The polyhedral model is a general framework for composing and applying instance-wise scheduling transformations for loop-based programs, but there is no analogous framework for recursive programs. This paper presents an approach for composing and applying scheduling transformations—like inlining, interchange, and code motion—to nested recursive programs. This paper describes the phases of the approach—representing dynamic instances, composing and applying transformations, reasoning about correctness—and shows that these techniques can verify the soundness of composed transformations.