cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of hypocretin (orexin) antibodies in patients with narcolepsy.

Study objectives We tested the hypothesis that patients with narcolepsy have serum antibodies specific for preprohypocretin and its derivatives. Design We tested sera from strictly diagnosed HLA DQB1*0602-positive narcoleptic patients with cataplexy for evidence of autoantibodies against human preprohypocretin, hypocretin 1 and 2, N-terminal leader and C-terminal peptides of preprohypocretin using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). These results were compared to samples from nonnarcoleptic psychiatric and sleep apnea controls. Laboratory personnel were blinded to subject status. Setting Narcoleptic patients and nonnarcoleptic controls were recruited from the Mayo Clinic facilities in Rochester, Minnesota; Scottsdale, Arizona; and Jacksonville, Florida. Laboratory testing was conducted in the Mayo Psychogenomic Laboratory at the Rochester Mayo Clinic. Participants A sample of 34 narcoleptic patients and 49 nonnarcoleptic controls. Interventions None. Measurements and results ELISA measurements were in optical density. Primary analyses were of the entire narcoleptic and control groups for each potential antigen, and none of the differences reached P values required for significance after Bonferroni adjustment. Secondary analyses by age and sex yielded P values that were significant after Bonferroni adjustment in only 2 cases, but further statistical analyses cast doubt on the veracity of these differences. In all cases where a significant difference was recorded, the hypothesis was not supported because the control optical density reading was higher than the narcoleptic values. Conclusions These ELISA assay results do not support the hypothesis that HLA DQB1*0602-positive narcolepsy with cataplexy is associated with serum antibodies against preprohypocretin or its cleavage products.
Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Causing Arterial Hypotension

The authors report five patients of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) with arterial hypotension which occurred immediately after the ictus and were not the sign of terminal stage. The patients consisted of three males and two females of ages ranging from 32 to 76 years (average 51 years). They had had no previous SAH attacks and no cardiopulmonary diseases except for arterial hypertension in one patient and chronic bronchitis in another. The site of ruptured aneurysm was the internal carotid artery in three patients, the middle cerebral artery in one, and the vertebral artery in one. All were admitted within two hours after ictus. The clinical manifestations on admission were severe disturbance of consciousness in four patients, remarkable pulmonary edema in two, abnormal electrocardiogram in four, and arterial hypotension (systolic blood pressure≤80 mmHg) in all patients. In four patients, recovery from arterial hypotension and stabilization of arterial blood pressure was accomplished after adequate treatment, but one patient showed paroxysmal hypertension and hypotension which resulted in aneurysm rebleeding during the acute stage. Clipping of aneurysms was successfully performed in two patients. Two patients died due to rebleeding, two patients were discharged with no neurological signs and one patient with slight dementia. There was no mortality associated with cardiopulmonary complications including arterial hypotension. The mechanisms of the arterial hypotension in these patients were speculated as the following: 1) effect of SAH to the vasomotor center of brain stem; 2) stimulation to the parasympathetic nerve center; 3) vasovagal reflex to meningeal irritation caused by aneurysmal SAH; and other unknown causes. In the acute stage of SAH, the autoregulation of cerebral blood flow might be disrupted and prolonged arterial hypotension is probably fatal. In this syndrome, early correct diagnosis and early treatment are important.
In older adults, macrolide antibiotics were not linked to increased risk for ventricular arrhythmia

Source Citation Trac MH, McArthur E, Jandoc R, et al. Macrolide antibiotics and the risk of ventricular arrhythmia in older adults. CMAJ. 2016;188:E120-9. 26903359
Series-Parallel Cell Width Minimization

In 1978, Uehara and vanCleemput published their original paper introducing a new and area-efficient layout style, the one-dimensional functional cell, which we have discussed in Chapters 1 and 2 [Uv78]; Fig. 3.1 illustrates such an cell. They also defined the WR layout problem of Fig. 2.4 and presented a heuristic that attempts to solve it for practical-sized functional cells. Many other researchers have subsequently studied this problem, as we have seen. Some have proposed heuristic solutions to the WR problem, while others have developed algorithms and heuristics for related problems. But no prior methods solve the WR problem exactly as originally proposed.
Stock Options as Incentives for Company Executives: International Experience (Overview for Russian Audience)

The Russian version of this paper can be found at http://ssrn.com/abstract=1870206.This paper is a loose translation into English of an overview article, written for a Russian audience which has limited experience with stock options. We offer guidelines on the role that stock options can play in an overall compensation package, how these options should be structured, the incentives they create to either take or avoid risk, and the potential benefits and risks from using options as part of an overall compensation plan.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Identify Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma in cT1a Renal Masses

Purpose: The detection of small renal masses is increasing with the use of cross-sectional imaging, although many incidental lesions have negligible metastatic potential. Among malignant masses clear cell renal cell carcinoma is the most prevalent and aggressive subtype. A method to identify such histology would aid in risk stratification. Our goal was to evaluate a likelihood scale for multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of clear cell histology.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with cT1a masses who underwent magnetic resonance imaging and partial or radical nephrectomy from December 2011 to July 2015. Seven radiologists with different levels of experience who were blinded to final pathology findings independently reviewed studies based on a predefined algorithm. They applied a clear cell likelihood score, including 1—definitely not, 2—probably not, 3—equivocal, 4—probably and 5—definitely. Binary classification was used to determine the acc...
Photon pair generation using silicon photonic microring and hybrid laser

Using all silicon photonic components, including an electrically-pumped hybrid silicon laser and a high-Q ring resonator, photon pairs with non-classical correlations were generated at room temperature near 1310 nm wavelengths.
Thermal stability and evolved gas analysis of rejuvenated reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) bitumen using thermogravimetric analysis–Fourier transform infrared (TG–FTIR)

Several reports exist on the use of natural-oil-based materials as rejuvenators to restore the properties of aged binders—more specifically, regarding their ability to enhance the binders’ low-temperature properties and to reduce their stiffness. Rejuvenators are typically made of low molecular weight constituents which could easily volatilize and thus render the rejuvenated binder thermally unstable. Hence, the study of the thermal stability of rejuvenated binders is of paramount importance. In this research, a binder with a performance grade (PG) of PG58-28 modified with a soybean-derived rejuvenator at 12% by mass is added to an extracted reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) binder at a ratio of 1:5 resulting in a rejuvenator dosage rate of 2% by total mass of binder. The PG of the rejuvenated RAP binder is determined using both dynamic shear rheometer and bending beam rheometer. The thermal stability of the rejuvenator and the binders is verified using thermogravimetric analysis (TG). The rejuvenator shows good thermal stability up to a temperature of 302 °C. The RAP binder containing the rejuvenator shows similar thermal stability to the unrejuvenated RAP binder. The evolved gases from the TG analysis are analyzed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) to chemically characterize the rejuvenator and the binders. The FTIR spectrum of the rejuvenator reveals characteristic peaks. The intensity of these peaks serves as an indication of the rate of mass loss of the rejuvenator within the rejuvenated RAP binder.
Networked linear parameter varying control framework for a hydro power plant

This study presents a network controlled Linear Parameter Varying (LPV) modeling and control framework for a hydro power plant, remotely controlled over communication networks. The controller and plant signals are assumed to be transmitted over different networks with a bounded network delay in terms of a Pade approximation and associated packet drops in terms of a polytopic LPV system, with the packet lost condition as the time varying parameter that can be measurable in future periods. The networked controlled linear parameter varying modeling and controller synthesis results illustrate the efficacy of the proposed framework on guaranteed global stability and performance of the networked controlled power system operation.
Bioanalytical Assay for Characterization of Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs)

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) combine the characteristics of large-molecule biologics and small-molecule drugs. Although a number of assays have been reported to characterize the ADCs, new and comprehensive bioanalytical strategy to overcome the limitations of the current methods is required for better characterization of ADCs for clinical use. An appropriate bioanalytical assay is essential for characterization of ADCs including physiochemical and pharmacokinetic properties due to their complex and heterogeneous structures. The commonly used bioanalytical methods that are typically implemented to characterize various ADCs are summarized in this chapter. The challenges and perspectives of the assays are also discussed.
Data Integration and Access

This chapter describes the progress of the Digital Government Research Center in tackling the challenges of integrating and accessing the massive amount of statistical and text data available from government agencies. In particular, we address the issues of database heterogeneity, size, distribution, and control of terminology. In this chapter we provide an overview of our results in addressing problems such as (1) ontological mappings for terminology standardization, (2) data integration across data bases with high speed query processing, and (3) interfaces for query input and presentation of results. The DGRC is a collaboration between researchers from Columbia University and the Information Sciences Institute of the University of Southern California employing technology developed at both locations, in particular the SENSUS ontology, the SIMS multi-database access planner, the LEXING automated dictionary and terminology analysis system, the main-memory query processing component and others. The pilot application targets gasoline data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Energy Information Administration of the Department of Energy, the Census Bureau, and other government agencies.
Evidence for Nutrient Modulation of Tumor Phenotype: Impact of Tyrosine and Phenylalanine Restriction

The link between nutrition and cancer is well documented, but also complex and oftentimes confusing. Nutritional factors are implicated in cancer progression, cancer prevention, and chemotherapy. Carbohydrates,1,2 fats,3–7 vitamins,8–10 and other trace elements11–13 alter not only tumor phenotype—including growth,14 morphology,15 membrane characteristics,15,16 and metastatic potential17,18—but also host responses to tumor.19–21 Dietary manipulation of amino acids, which exploits differences in nutritional requirements of tumor cells compared with normal cells,14,15,22 can yield antitumor activity. For example, methionine dependence of several tumor systems has been utilized to preferentially inhibit tumor growth.22–27 Additionally, l-asparaginase has achieved clinical success as an antileukemic drug.28–30
Approaches to decision-making among late-stage melanoma patients: a multifactorial investigation.

The treatment decisions of melanoma patients are poorly understood. Most research on cancer patient decision-making focuses on limited components of specific treatment decisions. This study aimed to holistically characterize late-stage melanoma patients’ approaches to treatment decision-making in order to advance understanding of patient influences and supports. (1) Exploratory analysis of longitudinal qualitative data to identify themes that characterize patient decision-making. (2) Pattern analysis of decision-making themes using an innovative method for visualizing qualitative data: a hierarchically-clustered heatmap. Participants were 13 advanced melanoma patients at a large academic medical center. Exploratory analysis revealed eight themes. Heatmap analysis indicated two broad types of patient decision-makers. “Reliant outsiders” relied on providers for medical information, demonstrated low involvement in decision-making, showed a low or later-in-care interest in clinical trials, and expressed altruistic motives. “Active insiders” accessed substantial medical information and expertise in their networks, consulted with other doctors, showed early and substantial interest in trials, demonstrated high involvement in decision-making, and employed multiple decision-making strategies. We identified and characterized two distinct approaches to decision-making among patients with late-stage melanoma. These differences spanned a wide range of factors (e.g., behaviors, resources, motivations). Enhanced understanding of patients as decision-makers and the factors that shape their decision-making may help providers to better support patient understanding, improve patient-provider communication, and support shared decision-making.
Brief Report: Sex Differences in ASD Diagnosis—A Brief Report on Restricted Interests and Repetitive Behaviors

Previous research found repetitive and restricted behaviors (RRBs) were less predictive of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in females, indicating the diagnostic construct may not adequately describe RRB presentations in females. This mixed-methods study investigated the female presentation of RRBs, namely restricted interests, in a clinic sample of 125 participants (n = 40 female; ages 2–83 years; 75 ASD). RRB severity did not differ between sexes, t = 1.69, p = 0.094, though male participants scored higher on the Restricted Behavior subscale. Qualitatively, females demonstrated a narrower range of restricted interests and expressed them in a socially oriented manner compared to males. The results suggest unique quantitative and qualitative sex differences in RRB profiles that could shed light on the female ASD phenotype.
Exosomes Exercise Inhibition of Anti-Tumor Immunity during Chemotherapy.

Exosomes are nano-sized extracellular vesicles that contain DNA, RNA, proteins, and lipids. Exosomes likely participate in facilitating intercellular communication and tumor growth. In this issue of Immunity, Zhang et al. (2019) report on the metabolic activity of B cell-derived exosomes in facilitating the suppression of cytotoxic T cells.
Learning to teach climate change as if power matters

At one level, climate change is not a terribly difficult concept to understand: human beings are moving carbon from the ground, setting it on fire, and sending it into the air where it acts like a ...
Prevalence and related factors of depression and falls among the elderly living in rural communities of Guangzhou.

Few studies have concentrated on the prevalence and related factors of depression and falls among the elderly living in rural communities of Guangzhou. A total of 335 participants aged ≥60 years we...
Long-term outcome of resuming anticoagulation after anticoagulation-associated intracerebral hemorrhage.

Abstract Introduction The risk and benefit of restarting oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy among patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter (AF) and an episode of anticoagulation-associated intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remain unclear. Whether or not to resume OAC after an OAC-associated ICH will remain an unanswered clinical question until we have sufficient data through randomized clinical trials. Here, we analyzed the long-term outcome of patients with AF who did or did not resume OAC after an OAC-associated ICH. Patients and methods We studied consecutive patients with AF who were discharged from our institution after an OAC-associated ICH event between 2010 and 2017. Baseline characteristics of patients, past medical history, and history or OAC use were recorded. Outcome measures in our study included recurrent ICH, ischemic stroke or systemic emboli, and death. Results Out of 115 patients with AF and OAC-associated ICH, 93 patients (mean age 76.2 ± 10.3 years [44–91 years old], 54.3% men) were included in this study. Thirty-eight (40.9%) patients resumed OAC after the episode of OAC-associated ICH. More than 70% of patients had resumed OAC within two months of ICH (mean delay 56.0 ± 52.5 days). There was no significant difference between the group who resumed OAC and the group who did not in terms of mean follow-up duration (1.9 vs. 2.4 years), the type of initial ICH, as well as history of hypertension, diabetes, previous ischemic stroke, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and tobacco use. There was no significant difference between the two groups considering the incidence rate of recurrent ICH (relative risk 2.9; 95% CI, 0.3–30.8). There was also no significant difference between the two groups regarding the incidence rate of ischemic stroke or systemic emboli (relative risk 0.9; 95% CI, 0.3–2.7). There was no significate difference between patients who did and did not resume OAC was 96 and 121 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (relative risk 0.8; 95% CI, 0.3–1.9). Conclusions We did not observe any significant difference between the group of patients who resumed OAC and the patients who did not in terms of recurrent ICH, ischemic stroke or systemic emboli, and death. However, there was a tendency toward a higher long-term risk of recurrent ICH among patients who resumed OAC.
Short-Term Effects of Recent Fire on the Production and Translocation of Pyrogenic Carbon in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Fire affects the quantity and quality of soil organic matter (SOM). While combustion of the O-horizon causes direct losses of SOM, fire also transforms the remaining SOM into a spectrum of thermally altered organic matter. Pyrogenic carbon (PyC) can resist degradation and may have important effects on soil carbon cycling. The objectives of this study are to examine the mobility of PyC. Studying the effects of wildfire is challenging due to the rapid post-fire changes in the ecosystem and lack of robust controls. We overcame those limitations by examining the Chimney Tops 2 Fire which burned 4,617 ha of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSMNP), including a National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) site, in November 2016. We examined PyC in soils from three time points from an area burned at low-severity (pre-, immediate post-, and 11 months post-fire) and two time points from areas burned at lower to higher severity (immediate post- and 11 months post-fire). At locations with pre-fire soil samples we found that PyC increased in the O-horizon (2.22 g BPCA/kg soil) after low severity fire, which resulted in higher PyC concentrations at 5-10 cm (0.73 g BPCA/kg soil and 17.79 g BPCA/kg C) and 10-20 cm (12.19 g BPCA/kg C) of depth in the mineral soil. Sites burned at higher severity had more PyC in the O horizon relative to sites burned at lower severity (10.29 g BPCA/kg soil and 29.89 g BPCA/kg C). As a result of higher concentrations of PyC in the O-horizons burned at higher severity, statistically more PyC moved from the O-horizon to the 0-10 cm horizon from immediate to 1-year post-fire (1.37 g BPCA/kg soil and 16.10 g BPCA/kg C). Lastly, the depth profile of C and BPCA suggest a shift in the source and amount of PyC in these soil profiles over time – possibly as a result of fire suppression. Results indicate that low severity fire may be an important mechanism by which PyC is produced and transported into mineral soils.
Joint periviability counseling between neonatology and obstetrics is a rare occurrence.

To investigate the frequency with which neonatal and maternal–fetal medicine (MFM) providers perform joint periviability counseling (JPC), compare content of counseling, and identify perceived barriers to JPC. An anonymous REDCap survey was e-mailed to members of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine and to members of the Society for MFM. There were 424 neonatal and 115 MFM participants. Fifty-two percent of neonatal and 35% of MFM respondents reported rarely/never performing JPC (p 60%) of respondents in both groups reported that clinical duties posed a significant/great barrier to JPC. JPC is recommended but infrequently performed, with both specialties interested in further collaboration to strengthen the counseling provided.
Impact of polysubstance use on high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I over time in homeless and unstably housed women.

Abstract Introduction The use of controlled substances like cocaine increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and myocardial infarction (MI). However, outside of alcohol and tobacco, substance use is not included in CVD risk assessment tools. We identified the effects of using multiple substances (nicotine/cotinine, cannabis, alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and other opioids) on cardiac injury measured by high-sensitivity troponin (hsTnI) in homeless and unstably housed women. Methods We recruited 245 homeless and unstably housed women from shelters, free meal programs and street encampments. Participants completed six monthly study visits. Adjusting for traditional CVD risk factors, we examined longitudinal associations between substance use and hsTnI. Results Median participant age was 53 years and 74 % were ethnic minority women. At baseline, 76 % of participants had hypertension, 31 % were HIV-positive, 8% had a history of a prior MI and 12 % of prior stroke. The most commonly used substances were cotinine/nicotine (80 %), cannabis (68 %) and cocaine (66 %). HsTnI exceeding the 99th percentile (14.7 ng/L) – a level high enough to signal possible MI – was observed in 14 participants during > 1 study visit (6%). In adjusted analysis, cocaethylene and fentanyl were significantly associated with higher hsTnI levels. Conclusions Fentanyl use and the co-use of cocaine and alcohol are associated with myocardial injury, suggesting that the use of these substances may act as long-term cardiac insults. Whether risk counseling on these specific substances and/or including their use in CVD risk stratification would improve CVD outcomes in populations where substance use is high merits further investigation.
Nonadiabatic Topological Energy Pumps with Quasiperiodic Driving

We derive a topological classification of the steady states of d-dimensional lattice models driven by D incommensurate tones. Mapping to a unifying (d+D)-dimensional localized model in frequency space reveals anomalous localized topological phases (ALTPs) with no static analog. While the formal classification is determined by d+D, the observable signatures of each ALTP depend on the spatial dimension d. For each d, with d+D=3, we identify a quantized circulating current and corresponding topological edge states. The edge states for a driven wire (d=1) function as a quantized, nonadiabatic energy pump between the drives. We design concrete models of quasiperiodically driven qubits and wires that achieve ALTPs of several topological classes. Our results provide a route to experimentally access higher dimensional ALTPs in driven low-dimensional systems.
Numerical Simulation of the Motion of Inextensible Capsules in Shear Flow Under the Effect of the Natural State

In this paper, a computational model for the natural state of an inextensible capsule has been successfully combined with a spring model of the capsule membrane to simulate the motion of the capsule in two-dimensional shear flow. Besides the viscosity ratio of the internal fluid and external fluid of the capsule, the natural state also plays a role for having the transition between two well known motions, tumbling and tank-treading (TT) with the long axis oscillates about a fixed inclination angle (a swinging mode), when varying the shear rate. Between tumbling and tank-treading, the intermittent behavior has been obtained for the capsule with a biconcave rest shape. The estimated critical value of the swelling ratio for having the intermittent transition behavior is less than 0.7, i.e., the capsules with rest shape closer to a full disk do not have the intermittent behavior in shear flow. The intermittent dynamics of the capsule in the transition region is a mixture of tumbling and TT with a swinging mode. Just like the motion of TT with a swing mode, which can be viewed as a tank-treading with an incomplete tumbling, the membrane tank-treads backward and forward within a small range during the tumbling motion.
Erectile dysfunction in patients undergoing multiple attempts at hypospadias repair: Etiologies and concerns.

Summary Introduction One-third of adult patients presenting for the repair of persistent penile defects after failing multiple hypospadias repair attempts during childhood will complain of erectile dysfunction (ED). The goal of this paper is to identify possible etiological causes of its onset. Materials and methods Five selection criteria were used for entrance into the study: 1) Patients had to have failed ≥ three prior hypospadias repair attempts. 2) Present for evaluation between 18 and 40 years of age. 3) No known congenital or medical anomaly could be present that could have predisposed to erectile dysfunction. 4) Sexual history inventory for men (SHIM-5 score) completed. 5) All patients with moderate to severe ED (SHIM scores ≤ 16) underwent psychological screening; individuals with good quality spontaneous or self-stimulated erections, experiencing major life events, or had documented psychological problems were excluded from the study. One hundred consecutive patients meeting these criteria were assessed. We evaluated multiple factors to discern if they were associated with the onset of ED: the initial location of the urethral meatus, if a corporoplasty was performed, the type of corporoplasty used, if the urethral plate was divided or resected, the use of a ventral corporal graft, the total number of open reparative procedures performed before referral, the number of direct visual internal urethrotomies (DVIU) performed, the length of a urethral stricture at the time of the referral and whether lichen sclerosus was present. Statistical evaluations used chi-square analysis, two-tailed t-tests, or a logistic regression model where indicated, p-values Results 37% (37/100) of our patients complained of moderate to severe ED (SHIM score ≤16). Statistical analysis comparing patients with ED to those without ED (63%:63/100), revealed patients with ED were older, median age 34 yrs (range 20–40) vs 26 yrs (range 18–40) p = 0.0212, had undergone division of the urethral plate 70.3% (26/37) vs 47.6% (30/63), p = 0.0276, had placement of a ventral corporal graft, 24% (8/33) vs 1.5% (1/67), p = 0.0003 or had undergone repetitive DVIU's to manage urethral stricture disease, median number 4 (range 0–15) vs 0 (range 0–6), p Conclusions The early onset of ED in patients that failed multiple attempts at hypospadias repair in childhood is associated with advancing age, division of the urethral plate, and prior ventral corporal grafting. Especially significant is the association of ED to the use of repetitive internal urethrotomy to manage urethral stricture disease.
The intersection of child welfare services and public assistance: An analysis of dual-system involvement and successful family preservation completion on a maltreatment re-report

Abstract Families involved in child welfare services (CWS) and public social services simultaneously, known as dual-system families, have been shown to be at higher risk for repeat child abuse and neglect compared to CWS-only families, yet few studies have examined these families’ characteristics and whether programs like Family Preservation (FP) might help protect their children from a re-report to CPS. Using administrative data on families receiving FP between January 2013 and December 2014 (including a subset of dual-system families), we examined the effect of demographic characteristics and successful FP completion on a maltreatment re-report between 2013 and 2017. Dual-system families differed from CWS-only families on demographics including mother’s age, child race/ethnicity, and child age. Controlling for demographics, multivariable survival analyses revealed that dual-system involvement was associated with increased risk of a re-report while successful FP completion was associated with decreased risk of a re-report. An interaction effect of dual-system involvement by FP completion was tested but not significant, and the effect of FP completion was similar for CWS-only families and dual-system families. Our findings highlight the vulnerability of dual-system families and suggest that successful FP completion can help protect against the risk of a maltreatment re-report for both dual-system families and CWS-only families.
Cocaine binding to the Fab fragment of a humanized anti-cocaine mAb quantitated by dye absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy.

Abstract In this work, we establish that cocaine binding to the Fab fragment of a recombinant humanized anti-cocaine mAb (h2E2) can be directly and easily quantitated using simple and inexpensive absorption and fluorescence measurements, employing dyes typically used for differential scanning fluorimetry, DASPMI and SYPRO Orange. For concentrated samples of the Fab fragment, absorbance spectroscopy employing these dyes reveals the number of cocaine sites present, using either DASPMI (by measuring the increase in dye absorbance) or SYPRO Orange (by measuring the change in dye maximal absorbance wavelength). Interestingly, we observed that cocaine binding to the Fab fragment had a much different effect on the SYPRO Orange dye absorbance than previously reported for the intact h2E2 mAb, resulting in a large decrease in the total dye absorbance for the Fab fragment, in contrast to previous results with the intact h2E2 mAb. For dilute samples of Fab fragment, a dye fluorescence emission spectroscopy assay was developed to quantitate the number of cocaine (and other high affinity cocaine metabolites) binding sites via the ligand-induced decrease in fluorescence emission of both of these extrinsic dyes. The difference in the cocaine titrations for the high affinity (Kd 30 μM) ligands, norcocaine, ecgonine methyl ester, and ecgonine were obvious using this assay. These simple, direct, and inexpensive techniques should prove useful for evaluation of other small molecule antigen binding Fab fragments, enabling quantitation and rapid biochemical assessments necessary for determining Fab fragment suitability for in vivo uses and other assays and experiments.
Reading, Writing, and Regulations: A Survey of the Expanding Federal Role in Elementary and Secondary Education Policy

Since its inception, the education system in the United States has been structured in a very decentralized way. The federal government has historically played a limited role in public schools, leaving the majority of decisions to be made at the state and local level. The extent of federal involvement began to widen, however, in 1965 with the passage of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). While the original legislation was relatively narrow in purpose, its scope broadened dramatically with subsequent amendments and reauthorizations. This study provides a survey of how federal education legislation and associated regulations have increased across time, highlighting the changes generated by the ESEA and its successors, as well as recent developments in programs like Race to the Top and Common Core. Both the descriptive summary and empirical measurements show strong?and sometimes very rapid?growth of federal influence.
What is special about spatial data science and Geo-AI?

The importance of spatial data science and Geo-AI is growing with the rise of spatial and spatiotemporal big data (e.g., trajectories, remote-sensing images, census and geo-social media) [1-2]. Societal use cases include Agriculture (global crop monitoring, precision agriculture), Location-based services (e.g., navigation, ride-sharing), Public Health (e.g., monitoring disease spread), Environment and Climate (change detection, land-cover classification), Smart Cities (e.g., mapping buildings), etc. [1-2] Classical data science and AI (e.g., machine learning) often perform poorly when applied to spatial data sets because of the many reasons [1-5]. First, spatial data is embedded in a continuous space and classical statistics (e.g., correlation) are not robust to the modifiable areal unit problem. Second, spatial data-items have extended footprints (e.g., line strings, polygons) and implicit relationships (e.g., distance, touch). Third, high cost of spurious patterns requires guardrails (e.g., statistical significance tests) to reduce false positives. Furthermore, spatial autocorrelation and variability violate the classical assumption of data samples being generated independently from identical distributions, which risk models that are either inaccurate or inconsistent with the data. Thus, new methods are needed to analyze spatial data [1-5]. This talk surveys common and emerging methods for spatial classification and prediction (e.g., spatial autoregression, spatial decision trees [6], spatial variability aware neural networks [7]), as well as techniques for discovering interesting, useful and non-trivial patterns such as hotspots (e.g., circular, linear, arbitrary shapes [8]), interactions (e.g., co-locations [9], tele-connections), spatial outliers [10], and their spatio-temporal counterparts [3].
Allgemeine orthopädische Therapie

Durch die richtige Lagerung werden z. B. bei Lahmungen Fehlstellungen und Kontrakturen in den Gelenken vermieden. Der betroffene Abschnitt des Bewegungsapparates mus so gelagert werden, das sich die Gelenke in Mittelstellung befinden, z.B. geringe Abduktion in der Schulter; an den oberen Extremitaten: leichte Beugung im Ellenbogengelenk, geringe Dorsalextension im Handgelenk, Fingerbeugung; an den unteren Extremitaten: Streckstellung im Huftgelenk, Streckstellung im Kniegelenk, Rechtwinkelstellung im Fusgelenk.
Polarization measurements in a UWB multipath channel

The polarization effects in an ultra-wideband (UWB) propagation channel can be studied with arrays of propagation measurements. An approach to estimate the polarization is presented for the single-path channel. For the multi-path channel, an array signal processing algorithm (the sensor-CLEAN algorithm) was applied to array measurement data to decompose a received waveform with a dense multi-path profile into its component single-path signals. This algorithm was tested on a 3 /spl times/ 3 /spl times/ 3 array of UWB propagation measurements for three receiving antenna orientations. An estimation algorithm was constructed to characterize time-of-arrival, angle-of-arrival, waveform shape and polarization of each resolvable waveform in the composite received signal. A modified channel propagation model was proposed to include the polarization characteristics. The suggested channel model with estimated parameters was applied to estimate the received waveform for a different antenna orientation. The estimated waveform was compared with a measured waveform to verify the polarization estimation algorithm and the modified channel model including polarization characteristics.
Monitoring the pulse of hospital activity: Electronic health record utilization as a measure of care intensity

BACKGROUND Hospital care on weekends has been associated with reduced quality and poor clinical outcomes, suggesting that decreases in overall intensity of care may have important clinical effects. We describe a new measure of hospital intensity of care based on utilization of the electronic health record (EHR). METHODS We measured global intensity of care at our academic medical center by monitoring the use of the EHR in 2011. Our primary measure, termed EHR interactions, was the number of accessions of a patient's electronic record by a clinician, adjusted for hospital census, per unit of time. Our secondary measure was percent of total available central processing unit (CPU) power used to access EHR servers at a given time. RESULTS EHR interactions were lower on weekend days as compared to weekdays at every hour (P < 0.0001), and the daytime peak in intensity noted each weekday was blunted on weekends. The relative rate and 95% confidence interval (CI) of census-adjusted record accessions per patient on weekdays compared with weekends were: 1.76 (95% CI: 1.74-1.77), 1.52 (95% CI: 1.50-1.55), and 1.14 (95% CI: 1.12-1.17) for day, morning/evening, and night hours, respectively. Percent CPU usage correlated closely with EHR interactions (r = 0.90). CONCLUSIONS EHR usage is a valid and easily reproducible measure of intensity of care in the hospital. Using this measure we identified large, hour-specific differences between weekend and weekday intensity. EHR interactions may serve as a useful measure for tracking and improving temporal variations in care that are common, and potentially deleterious, in hospital systems. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2013;8:513–518. © 2013 Society of Hospital Medicine
Arctic and Antarctic precipitation simulations produced by the NCAR community climate models

Precipitation predictions from globai-climate models (GCMs) for the ice-covered Arctic Ocean and the ice sheets of Antarctica are among the most important aspects of the inferred response of the polar areas to climate change. It is generally recognized that the atmospheric hydrologic cycle, which includes precipitation as a key part, is one of the components of the climate system that GCMs do not handle particularly well. The present-day atmospheric-moisture budget poleward of 70° latitude in both hemispheres, as represented by two versions of the NCAR (U.S. National Center for Atmospheric Research) community climate model (CCM1 and CCM2), is compared with observational analyses. The quantities examined on the seasonal and annual timescales are precipitation, evaporation/sublimation and atmospheric poleward moisture transport. The results are discussed in terms of the physiographic and climatic characteristics of both polar regions and how the particular models handle moisture transport: CCM1 uses the positive-moisture fixer and CCM2 the semi- Lagrangian transport. A particularly important test both for models and for observations is the degree to which the independently determined moisture-budget quantities actually balance. Deficiencies of both observations and models are discussed.
Mutations That Alter the Kinase and Phosphatase Activities of the Two-Component Sensor EnvZ

signaling states, the OmpR kinase-dominant state (K 1 P 2 ) and the OmpR-P phosphatase-dominant state (K 2 P 1 ). The balance between the two states determines the level of intracellular OmpR-P, which in turn determines the level of porin gene transcription. To study the structural requirements for these two states of EnvZ, mutational analysis was performed. Mutations that preferentially affect either the kinase or phosphatase have been identified and characterized both in vivo and in vitro. Most of these mapped to previously identified structural motifs, suggesting an important function for each of these conserved regions. In addition, we identified a novel motif that is weakly conserved among two-component sensors. Mutations that alter this motif, which is termed the X region, alter the confirmation of EnvZ and significantly reduce the phosphatase activity. To survive, bacteria must adapt to their rapidly changing environment, and two-component regulatory systems are key to this process. More than 250 two-component pairs have been discovered, and these systems sense and respond to a variety of environmental parameters and insults (5). A two-component system is generally composed of a sensor histidine kinase and a response regulator. The sensor kinase is often localized to the cytoplasmic membrane, where it senses external stimuli and transduces this information to the response regulator. The response regulator, which is normally a transcriptional regulatory protein that controls expression of a set of related genes (9, 18), mediates the proper cellular response to the stimuli. A key feature of the information flow from the sensor to the regulator is protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation (references 9 and 18 and references therein). The sensor can be autophosphorylated by ATP at a conserved histidine residue and subsequently transfer the phosphoryl group onto a conserved aspartic acid residue in the regulator. In many cases, the sensor kinase can dephosphorylate the phosphorylated response regulator. Thus, unlike their counterparts in eukaryotic signal transduction systems, three enzymatic activities are often associated with bacterial two-component sensor kinases: the autokinase, response regulator kinase, and response regulator phosphate phosphatase. How the catalytic domain of one protein catalyzes these three different reactions is a topic of considerable interest.
An empirical path loss model for Wireless Sensor Network deployment in an artificial turf environment

This paper presents a model for predicting Radio Frequency (RF) propagation for Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) deployment in an artificial turf environment. To create the model, data from a physical deployment are collected and an empirical path loss prediction model is derived from the actual measurements. Furthermore, the presented measurements and empirical path loss model are compared with measurements and models obtained from WSN deployments in other terrains, such as one characterized by long-grass and another by sparse-tree environments. The results from the comparison of these different terrains show significant differences in path loss and empirical models' parameters. In addition, the proposed model is compared with Free Space Path Loss (FSPL) and Two-Ray models to demonstrate the inaccuracy of these theoretical models in predicting path loss between wireless sensor nodes deployed in artificial turf environments.
40.2: Sequential Color Recapture and Dynamic Filtering: A Method of Scrolling Color

Scrolling color has long been a goal of the projector industry, as it enables the most efficient use of light in a single panel display. Current methods of implementing scrolling color use the techniques of splitting the light into primary colors, and manipulating that light on the modulator. The authors present the techniques of dynamic filtering and sequential color recapture (SCR) to achieve the same result with no moving components other than a color wheel, showing that the efficiency of 3-modulator systems can be approached with one modulator. Analysis of the technique applied to DLP™ projection displays, and results of prototype projection systems using the techniques, will be presented.
Some links between economic status and untreated illness.

Abstract Some variables which have been empirically identified as possible links between socio-economic status and the utilization of medical care are listed. Some of this empirical evidence implies, although it does not establish, that discontent with medical care and with society generally constitutes one such link. This hypothesis is tested by means of the procedure required for proof that a given variable intervenes between two others. The role played by discontinuity of medical care in linking discontent to utilization is then similarly investigated. The results are consistent with findings from studies of voting behavior and with Lewin's Field Theory.
Elevated blood histamine caused by vaccinations and Vitamin C deficiency may mimic the shaken baby syndrome

The findings of subdural hematoma and retinal hemorrhages in infants, without any documented history of major trauma, do not always indicate child abuse. A combination of ascorbate depletion and the injection of foreign proteins can cause a very high blood histamine level, leading to capillary fragility and venular bleeding. This can be prevented by the administration of vitamin C.
The comet halley nucleus: random jets

Abstract The Comet Halley nucleus is modeled as a homogeneous, triaxial ellipsoid precessing under the torque of nine randomly placed cometographically fixed jets. We employ the ansatz of random jets to elicit the dominant periods in the solar-heating-induced emission spectrum and to test the permanence of the spin state against disruption by the torque from the jets. The precessing nucleus is followed numerically using nonsingular, matrix differential equations. Eight models in the literature are evaluated in relation to the constraints imposed by: (i) the observed long-axis directions at the spacecraft encounters, (ii) the observed ground-based emission periods harmonically related to ≈7.4 days ( M. J. S. Belton 1990 , Icarus 86, 30–51), (iii) the need for a 2-day total spin period in models of the jet morphology, (iv) the limitation on the net rotation (roll) around the long axis between the Vega 2 and Giotto spacecraft encounters ( Smith et al. 1987 , Nature (London) 326, 573–574), (v) the resistance to spin-state change from the torque of the jets, and (vi) the return of the nucleus to the same spatial orientation roughly every 7.4 days. All eight models were constructed to satisfy spacecraft-encounter long-axis directions. The ground-based emission periods disfavor the five models (numbered 1, 2, 6, 7, and 8 below) that were derived from a 2.2-day long-axis precession. The same models fail to repeat their orientation every 7.4 days. The three remaining models (3, 4, and 5 below) proposed by Belton (1990) are based on a 3.7-day long-axis precession and his Assumption SV1G2 that the long axis is reversed at Vega 1 and reflected in the plane of the sky as seen from Giotto. Models 1, 3, and 8 fail the test of a permanent spin state. The extremely inhomogeneous LAM Model 4 satisfies the six constraints. But, the emission spectrum of Model 4 is weighted toward the fifth harmonic of 7.4 days while that of Model 5 is weighted toward the third. Models 1, 2, 5, and 7 require reexamination of the Smith et al (1987 , Nature 326, 573–574) constraint. Models 3 and 5 require reanalysis of the jet morphology with a 3-day spin period.
Success of mutant Drosophila at different sex ratios

Relative courtship success of mutant Drosophila melanogaster males was found to vary with sex ratio. Males with one of three recessive mutants: White, vermilion, or vestigial, competed with wild type males for females. Female-biased sex ratios were associated with increased success of all three different mutant phenotypes relative to wild-type as compared to an unbiased sex ratio. There was no difference in the success of mutant males in the first or second half of the observation periods, which spanned one hour.