cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Outcomes during and after Pregnancy in Patients with Primary Hypercoagulable States.

Abstract Pregnant women with primary hypercoagulable states have an increased risk of recurrent fetal loss, fetal growth retardation, preclampsia, and placental abruption, as well as thromboembolism in both the antepartum and postpartum periods. Conditions that have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes include inherited gene mutation disorders such as Factor V Leiden G1691A (FVL); prothrombin gene mutation G20210A (PGM); hyperhomocysteinemia with C677T mutation (MTHFR); deficiencies of protein S (PS), protein C (PC), antithrombin III (ATIII); and anticardiolipin antibodies/lupus anticoagulants (LA). Screening by obstetricians for these disorders has led to an increase in diagnosis yet there are no established guidelines and therapeutic interventions are variable. A retrospective chart review was conducted on 59 women and 197 pregnancies (1–12 per pt) in whom primary hypercoagulable state was diagnosed: FVL (n=7), PGM (n=11), MTHFR (n=3), ATIII (n=2), PC (n=1), PS (n=8), LA (n=10), and those with more than one thrombophilic risk (TR) (n=12) or lupus (n=2). Of the 197 pregnancies, only 106 (54%) were carried to term in 50 pts (85%). Of the remaining 91 pregnancies, there were 16 terminations, 5 ectopic pregnancies and 4 preterm live births. 66 fetal losses occurred: 45 in the first trimester (26 with single TR/19 with >1 TR), 19 in the 2nd–3rd trimester (14 with single TR/5 with > 1 TR) and 2 unknown. See Table for risk of fetal loss by class of hypercoagulable state. Venous thromboembolism occurred in 8/106 (8%) of term pregnancies, including 5 postpartum. Of women with previous fetal losses, management with anticoagulation (A/C) subsequently was utilized in 20 pregnancies: 9 low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), 6 LMWH+aspirin (ASA), 3 heparin (H), 1 ASA, and 1 H+ASA. 18/20(90%) of these pregnancies resulted in live term births; 1 loss due to intracranial hemorrhage at 27 weeks in a patient on L+ASA. Compared to 146 pregnancies untreated with A/C, successful completion of pregnancy was significantly greater on A/C, 90% vs. 58% (p=0.006). Conclusions: Fetal losses secondary to TR occurred in both the first and late trimesters in high proportion of pregnancies in women with hypercoagulable states. Outcomes may be improved with the use of A/C therapy. Table - . Risk of Fetal Loss by Class of Hypercoagulable State LA PGM MTHFR PS FVL ATIII FVL/other Trimester1 9/38 (24%) 7/44 (16%) 3/9 (33%) 3/27 (11%) 1/27 (4%) 2/5 (40%) 17/42 (40%) Trimester 2–3 5/38 (13%) 1/36 (3%) 0% 5/16 (31%) 2/27 (7%) 1/5 (20%) 4/44 (9%)
A phenomenological investigation of altruism from the perspective of counsellors in Scotland

Aim/Purpose This phenomenological investigation sought to describe how counsellors (n = 9), residing in Scotland, experience altruistic caring in their personal and professional lives. This study is an extension of a research line of qualitative studies focused on a model of altruism development. The purpose is to focus on practising counsellors’ common experiences as they relate to altruistic caring and to describe the phenomenon that occurs within the context of the Altruism Development Model (ADM) (Curry, Smith & Robinson, 2009). Methodology This study is a phenomenological research design. The research team obtained permission from the institutional review board (IRB) to conduct in-depth interviews and record observations. A diverse group of practising counsellors, living in Scotland, were interviewed. Moustaka's (1994) transcendental approach was used to analyse the data, to provide a new perspective from previous studies. More specifically, the research team conducted horizontalisation and developed structural and textural descriptions to describe the phenomenon. Findings The findings provide support for the ADM. The textural description of participants’ experiences of altruism is that their experiences are complex, and sometimes conflicting. The structural description of participants’ experiences of altruism is that it is a part of themselves. Counsellors in Scotland experience altruism as part of everyday life and view it as an expectation, and counsellors in Scotland recognise that altruism can include wellness and self-care and that these are important to be an effective counsellor. Research Limitations All the participants were members of a professional organisation and self-selected to be a part of the study. Additionally, the researchers’ culture may have influenced the way they analysed the findings. Implications Altruism is a socially learned attribute, and it is highly regarded in Scottish culture. Therefore, counsellors may want to explore the influence of culture within a client's life, in relation to altruism. Additionally, exploring the constructs of altruism and self-care for clients may be an important step in a holistic assessment.
Survey of financial burden of families in the U.S. with children using home mechanical ventilation.

AIM To describe and quantify the out-of-pocket expenses, employment loss, and other financial impact related to caring for a child using home mechanical ventilation (HMV). METHOD We conducted a cross-sectional survey of U.S. families with children who used HMV. Eligible participants were invited to complete a questionnaire addressing household and child characteristics, out-of-pocket expenses, employment loss/reduction, and financial stress. Participants were recruited with the help of three national patient registries. RESULTS Two hundred twenty-six participants from 32 states (152 with children who used invasive ventilation and 74 with children who used noninvasive ventilation) completed the questionnaire. Participants' median reported yearly household income was $90 000 (IQR 70 000-150 000). The median amount paid in out-of-pocket expenses in the previous 3 months to care for their child using HMV totaled $3899 (IQR $2900-4550). Reported levels of financial stress decreased as income increased; 37-60% of participants, depending on income quintile, reported moderate financial stress with "some" of that stress due to their out-of-pocket expenses. A substantial majority reported one or more household members stopped or reduced work and took unpaid weeks off of work to care for their child. CONCLUSION The financial impact of caring for a child using HMV is considerable for some families. Providers need to understand these financial burdens and should inform families of them to help families anticipate and plan for them.
Loss of Epitranscriptomic Control of Seleno-cysteine Utilization Engages Senescence and Metabolic Reprogramming through mTOR Activation and Predicts Poor Survival in Clear Cell Renal Cell Cancer Patients

Over 14,000 Americans die each year from kidney cancer with clear-cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC) being the most prevalent and malignant type of kidney cancer. Recent work has implicated disruptions in glutathione (GSH) metabolism as predictors of poor survival in ccRCC. Maintenance of the GSH redox cycle is reliant on the activities of selenocysteine-containing GSH metabolizing enzymes whose translation is controlled by the alkylation repair homolog 8 (Alkbh8) tRNA methyltransferase. In cells from Alkbh8-/- mice the absence of the tRNA methyltransferase Alkbh8 decreases the levels of many GSH metabolizing selenoproteins, promotes increased ROS and DNA damage levels, and confers enhanced sensitivity to oxidizing agents. Surprisingly the Alkbh8-/- mice reproduce, thrive normally but display phenotypic characteristics of premature ageing such as weight loss, reduced subcutaneous fat, alopecia (hair loss), kyphosis (curvature of the spine) when compared to their aged-matched WT control. Alkbh8-deficiency also triggers a senescence and metabolic gene signature that is predictive (Hazard Ratio 2.94, p
Determination of melt processing conditions for high performance amorphous thermoplastics for large format additive manufacturing

Abstract As the application space for large-scale 3D printed components continues to grow, it is necessary to identify appropriate processing conditions for high-performance thermoplastics on large format Additive Manufacturing (LFAM) systems. This study compares the rheological behavior of a high-performance thermoplastic, polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), with that of a commonly used low-temperature polymer, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), to identify suitable processing conditions for large format AM systems. The linear viscoelastic properties (complex viscosity, storage modulus, loss modulus, and tan delta) of these materials are evaluated as a function of temperature, angular frequency, and carbon fiber content. Over the range of frequencies of interest to LFAM (10–100 rad/s), ABS behaves more like an elastic solid whereas PPSU behaves more like a viscous liquid. The addition of 20–35% by weight of carbon fiber increased the shear thinning effect of both thermoplastics, showing a potential variation of 2–3 x over the range of expected LFAM extrusion shear rates (10–100 s−1).
Rescue in Acute Care Surgery: Evolving Definitions and Metrics

Rescue is salvage of a patient after the development of a complication. This review describes the origins of this concept and provides an update on the factors influencing the ability to rescue acute care surgery (ACS) patients. The current literature on rescue in ACS reveals the complex interplay of patient and hospital characteristics that shape the development of complications and mortality during admission. Our unique patient population requires careful monitoring and timely intervention to achieve optimal outcomes. The definition of rescue in ACS patients is evolving based upon our understanding of preventability of adverse events and death, as well as the often emergent nature of our practice. Surgical rescue is an essential component of the practice of Acute Care Surgery, encompassing the care of the injured patient, interventions for acute surgical pathology, and management of operative and procedural complications. The ability to rescue requires not only the skill of individual practitioners, but also the resources and commitment of entire institutions.
Using Competitive Learning Models for Multiple Prototype Classifier Design

First three competitive learning models are reviewed: learning vector quantization, fuzzy learning vector quantization, and a deterministic scheme called the dog-rabbit (DR) model. These models can be used with labeled data to generate multiple prototypes for classifier design. Then these three models are compared to three methods that are not based on competitive learning: a clumping method due to C.L. Chang; a new modification of C.L. Chang’s method; and a derivative of the batch fuzzy c-means algorithm due to Yen and C.W. Chang. The six multiple prototype methods are then compared to the sample-mean based nearest prototype classifier using the Iris data. All six multiple prototype methods yield lower error rates than the labeled subsample means classifier (which yields 11 errors with 3 prototypes). The modified Chang’s method is, for the Iris data and processing protocols used in this study, the best of the six schemes in one sense; it finds 11 prototypes that yield a resubstitution error rate of 0. In a different sense, the DR method is best, yielding a classifier that commits only 3 errors with 5 prototypes.
Maternal peanut consumption and risk of peanut allergy in childhood.

KEY POINTS Peanut allergy in children is on the rise in North America, with a self-reported prevalence of 1.4% in 2008, up from 0.4% in 1997 ( p < 0.001).[1][1] As a result, prevention of peanut allergy has become an important public health goal. A recent guideline recommends early introduction of
Transactive-Goal-Dynamics Theory: A Discipline-Wide Perspective:

Theories of goal pursuit typically conceptualize goal pursuers as isolated actors; in contrast, empirical research from diverse areas of psychology has demonstrated that goal setting, pursuit, and ...
Scalable Nanogap Sensors for Non-Redox Enzyme Assays

Clinical diagnostic assays that monitor redox enzyme activity are widely used in small, low-cost readout devices for point-of-care monitoring (e.g., a glucometer); however, monitoring non-redox enzymes in real-time using compact electronic devices remains a challenge. We address this problem by using a highly scalable nanogap sensor array to observe electrochemical signals generated by a model non-redox enzyme system, the DNA polymerase-catalyzed incorporation of four modified, redox-tagged nucleotides. Using deoxynucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs) tagged with para-aminophenyl monophosphate (pAPP) to form pAP-deoxyribonucleoside tetra-phosphates (AP-dN4Ps), incorporation of the nucleotide analogs by DNA polymerase results in the release of redox inactive pAP-triphosphates (pAPP3) that are converted to redox active small molecules para-aminophenol (pAP) in the presence of phosphatase. In this work, cyclic enzymatic reactions that generated many copies of pAP at each base incorporation site of a DNA template ...
The invisible/visible claims to justice: sexual violence and the university camp(us)

Legal responses to rape and sexual assault on university campuses are often framed as being protective of victim’s human rights but are only enacted when threats are made to masculine privilege. Th...
Trading Computation for Communication: A Taxonomy of Data Recomputation Techniques

A critical challenge for modern system design is meeting the overwhelming performance, storage, and communication bandwidth demand of emerging applications within a tightly bound power budget. As both the time and power, hence the energy, spent in data communication by far exceeds the energy spent in actual data generation (i.e., computation), (re)computing data can easily become cheaper than storing and retrieving (pre)computed data. Therefore, trading computation for communication can improve energy efficiency by minimizing the energy overhead incurred by data storage, retrieval, and communication. This paper provides a taxonomy for the computation versus communication trade-off accompanied by a quantitative characterization.
Surgical intervention in pediatric intracranial hypertension: incidence, risk factors, and visual outcomes

Purpose To evaluate the incidence of surgical intervention in pediatric intracranial hypertension (IH), evaluate the visual outcomes of surgically managed patients, and identify potential predictors for surgical intervention. Methods The medical records of patients with primary and secondary IH at Nationwide Children's Hospital from 2010 to 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. Presenting characteristics of medically and surgically managed patients were compared, and the clinical courses of surgically managed patients were reviewed. Results A total of 129 medically and 14 surgically managed patients were included. The surgical incidence was 9.8%. Final visual acuity in 27 of 28 surgically managed eyes was 20/25 or better. In combined primary and secondary IH patients, elevations in body mass index (BMI; OR = 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01-1.11; P = 0.022) and lumbar puncture opening pressures ≥52 cm H2O (OR = 6.17; 95% CI, 1.93-19.67; P = 0.002) were significantly associated with the likelihood of surgical intervention when assessed by univariate logistic regression; grade of papilledema >2 was of marginal significance. After controlling for BMI, a lumbar puncture opening pressure of ≥52 cm H2O was more likely to result in surgery (adjusted OR = 4.69; 95% CI = 1.39-15.98; P = 0.013). Conclusions Most pediatric IH can be treated medically. Patients with lumbar puncture opening pressures ≥52 cm H2O at the time of diagnosis are at a higher risk of surgical intervention and should be monitored closely. Elevations in presenting BMI and grade of papilledema may also increase the odds of surgery.
Invasive perennial forb effects on gross soil nitrogen cycling and nitrous oxide fluxes depend on phenology.

Invasive plants can increase soil nitrogen (N) pools and accelerate soil N cycling rates, but their effect on gross N cycling and nitrous oxide (N2 O) emissions has rarely been studied. We hypothesized that perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium) invasion would increase rates of N cycling and gaseous N loss, thereby depleting ecosystem N and causing a negative feedback on invasion. We measured a suite of gross N cycling rates and net N2 O fluxes in invaded and uninvaded areas of an annual grassland in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta region of northern California. During the growing season, pepperweed-invaded soils had lower microbial biomass N, gross N mineralization, dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA), and denitrification-derived net N2 O fluxes (P < 0.02 for all). During pepperweed dormancy, gross N mineralization, DNRA, and denitrification-derived net N2 O fluxes were stimulated in pepperweed-invaded plots, presumably by N-rich litter inputs and decreased competition between microbes and plants for N (P < 0.04 for all). Soil organic carbon and total N concentrations, which reflect pepperweed effects integrated over longer time scales, were lower in pepperweed-invaded soils (P < 0.001 and P = 0.04, respectively). Overall, pepperweed invasion had a net negative effect on ecosystem N status, depleting soil total N to potentially cause a negative feedback to invasion in the long term.
Experience of a single institution with femoral vein homograft as right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit in stage 1 Norwood operation.

Abstract Objective Femoral vein homograft can be used be used as valved right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit in the Norwood operation. We describe the results of this approach, including pulmonary artery growth and ventricular function. Methods A retrospective chart review of 24 consecutive neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome or complex single ventricle undergoing this approach between June 2012 and December 2017 was performed. Conduit valve competency and ventricular function were estimated using transthoracic echocardiogram, and pulmonary artery growth was measured using Nakata's index. Changes in ventricular function pre-Glenn and at latest follow-up were assessed by ordinal logistic regression with a general linear model to account for the correlation within the same patient over time. Results Median age at surgery was 4 days, and mean weight was 3 kg. There was no interstage mortality. A total of 21 patients have undergone Glenn operation, and 9 patients have completed the Fontan operation. None of the conduits developed thrombosis. Sixty-three percent of conduits remained competent in the first month, and 33% remained competent after 3 months of operation. Catheter interventions on conduits were necessary in 14 patients. Median Nakata index at pre-Glenn catheterization was 228 mm2/m2 (interquartile range, 107-341 mm2/m2). Right ventricular function was preserved in 83% of patients at a median follow-up of 34 (interquartile range, 10-46) months. Conclusions Femoral vein homograft as a right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit in the Norwood operation is safe and associated with good pulmonary artery growth and preserved ventricular function as assessed by subjective echocardiography. Catheter intervention of the conduit may be necessary.
Examining physics teacher understanding of systems and the role it plays in supporting student energy reasoning

In this paper, we argue that the definition of what constitutes a system differs in physics from other sciences, and in particular, biology, and that these differences matter for learning. Furthermore, even within physics, what textbooks (and instructors) mean by the phrase “energy is conserved” is not unambiguous, often giving the impression that whether or not energy is conserved is contingent on the type of system one chooses for analysis, inappropriately, thereby, interweaving conservation with constancy. These discrepancies and ambiguities in the canonical approach to systems as a tool for energy reasoning may, in turn, undermine the knowledge that teachers need to support energy learning among their students. We present data from a validated assessment of the specialized physics knowledge that teachers use to help students make progress in energy learning, which we administered to hundreds of high school physics teachers and senior physics majors. Assessment results support the following claims: (a) Both high school teachers of physics and senior physics majors manifest significant difficulties in applying a consistent systems approach to energy analysis; (b) Teachers who demonstrate a strong understanding of a systems approach to energy analysis are also better equipped to respond productively to student reasoning about a system approach to energy; and (c) Teachers with a strong understanding of a systems approach to energy analysis are also significantly better equipped to respond productively to student reasoning than senior physics majors who demonstrate a similarly strong understanding. Our results have implications for the professional preparation of teachers, graduate Teaching Assistants, Learning Assistants, and physics faculty in their role as instructors.
FerroTag: a paper-based mmWave-scannable tagging infrastructure

Inventory management is pivotal in the supply chain to supervise the non-capitalized products and stock items. Item counting, indexing and identification are the major jobs of inventory management. Currently, the most adopted inventory technologies in product counting/identification are using either the laser-scannable barcode or the radio-frequency identification (RFID). However, the laser-scannable barcode is entangled by an alignment issue (i.e., the laser reader must align with one barcode in line-of-sight), and the RFID is economically and environmentally unfriendly (i.e., high-cost and not naturally disposable). To this end, we propose FerroTag which is a paper-based mmWave-scannable tagging infrastructure for the next generation inventory management system, featuring ultra-low cost, environment-friendly, battery-free and in-situ (i.e., multiple tags can be simultaneously processed outside the line-of-sight). FerroTag is developed on top of the FerroRF effects. Specifically, the magnetic nanoparticles within the ferrofluidic ink reply to probing mmWave with classifiable features (i.e., the FerroRF response). By designating the ink pattern and hence the location of particles, the related FerroRF response can be modified. Thus, a specifically designated ferrofluidic ink printed pattern, which is associated with a unique FerroRF response, is a remotely retrievable (a.k.a., mmWave-scannable) identity. Furthermore, we augment FerroTag by designing a high capacity pattern system and a fine-grained identification protocol such that the capacity and robustness of FerroTag can be systematically improved in mass product management in inventory. Last but not least, we evaluate the performance of FerroTag with 201 different tag design patterns. Results show that FerroTag can identify tags with an accuracy of more than 99% in a controlled lab setup. Moreover, we examine the reliability, robustness and performance of FerroTag under various real-world circumstances, where FerroTag maintains the accuracy over 97%. Therefore, FerroTag is a promising tagging infrastructure for the applications in inventory management systems.
Dust condensation in evolving discs and the composition of planetary building blocks

Partial condensation of dust from the Solar nebula is likely responsible for the diverse chemical compositions of chondrites and rocky planets/planetesimals in the inner Solar system. We present a forward physical-chemical model of a protoplanetary disc to predict the chemical compositions of planetary building blocks that may form from such a disc. Our model includes the physical evolution of the disc and the condensation, partial advection, and decoupling of the dust within it. The chemical composition of the condensate changes with time and radius. We compare the results of two dust condensation models: one where an element condenses when the midplane temperature in the disc is lower than the 50\% condensation temperature ($\rm T_{50}$) of that element and the other where the condensation of the dust is calculated by a Gibbs free energy minimization technique assuming chemical equilibrium at local disc temperature and pressure. The results of two models are generally consistent with some systematic differences of $\sim 10$\% depending upon the radial distance and an element's condensation temperature. Both models predict compositions similar to CM, CO, and CV chondrites provided that the decoupling timescale of the dust is on the order of the evolution timescale of the disc or longer. If the decoupling timescale is too short, the composition deviates significantly from the measured values. These models may contribute to our understanding of the chemical compositions of chondrites, and ultimately the terrestrial planets in the solar system, and may constrain the potential chemical compositions of rocky exoplanets.
Factors defining the stability of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) spheres for the sustained release of a cysteine protease inhibitor.

Abstract Colloidal stability and the regularity of the release kinetics benefit from the high circularity and the narrow size dispersion of polymeric particles as drug delivery carriers. A method for obtaining such particles composed of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), averaging at 1.0 ± 0.3 µm in size, is reported here, along with the analysis of the effects of different synthesis parameters on their morphological characteristics. As in agreement with the classical nucleation theory, the particle size and the degree of cohesion were inversely proportional to supersaturation. Consequently, the optimal conditions for the precipitation of small and narrowly dispersed particles involved an abrupt elevation of supersaturation. Owing to the high colloidal stability of the particles, centrifugation exhibited a counterintuitive effect on them, refining their morphological features and promoting their individuation. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was used as a steric repulsion additive and its effect on the stability of PLGA spheres was concentration-dependent, with the particles aggregating, partially coalescing and losing their distinct features both with no PVA in the system and at PVA concentrations higher than the optimal. At its narrowest, the particle size distribution was bimodal, exhibiting the average circularity of 0.997 ± 0.003 and the average roundness of 0.913 ± 0.054. PLGA spheres were loaded with an inhibitor of EhCP4, a cysteine protease from E. histolytica, a parasite causing amoebic dysentery in the tropical and developing world. The burst release of the drug at early time points was followed by a zero-order release period, yielding a biphasic profile that can be of benefit in the delivery of anti-infective agents. The release profile fitted poorly with the Hixson-Crowell kinetic model and excellently with the Higuchi and the Korsmeyer-Peppas ones, indicating that the release is conditioned by diffusion rather than by the degradation of the polymer. The release and the erosion proceeded independently from one another, suggesting that the pore formation, water penetration and swelling are the primary driving forces for the release of the drug.
Aliens and Alienation in Pierre Boulle’s La Planète des Singes

This article offers a radical re-reading of Pierre Boulle’s Planete des singes (1963), a novel dealing with interplanetary exploration in 2500 and the discovery of a world in the Betelgeuse system ...
Sub-epidemic model forecasts for COVID-19 pandemic spread in the USA and European hotspots, February-May 2020

Mathematical models have been widely used to understand the dynamics of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic as well as to predict future trends and assess intervention strategies. The asynchronicity of infection patterns during this pandemic illustrates the need for models that can capture dynamics beyond a single-peak trajectory to forecast the worldwide spread and for the spread within nations and within other sub-regions at various geographic scales. Here, we demonstrate a five-parameter sub-epidemic wave modeling framework that provides a simple characterization of unfolding trajectories of COVID-19 epidemics that are progressing across the world at different spatial scales. We calibrate the model to daily reported COVID-19 incidence data to generate six sequential weekly forecasts for five European countries and five hotspot states within the United States. The sub-epidemic approach captures the rise to an initial peak followed by a wide range of post-peak behavior, ranging from a typical decline to a steady incidence level to repeated small waves for sub-epidemic outbreaks. We show that the sub-epidemic model outperforms a three-parameter Richards model, in terms of calibration and forecasting performance, and yields excellent short- and intermediate-term forecasts that are not attainable with other single-peak transmission models of similar complexity. Overall, this approach predicts that a relaxation of social distancing measures would result in continuing sub-epidemics and ongoing endemic transmission. We illustrate how this view of the epidemic could help data scientists and policymakers better understand and predict the underlying transmission dynamics of COVID-19, as early detection of potential sub-epidemics can inform model-based decisions for tighter distancing controls.
PLASMA BIOCHEMISTRY PROFILES OF JUVENILE GREEN TURTLES (CHELONIA MYDAS) FROM THE BAHAMAS WITH A POTENTIAL INFLUENCE OF DIET

Plasma biochemistry profiles aid health assessment of marine turtles, but knowledge of the influence of regional biological factors (e.g., habitat, diet) on marine turtle blood plasma values is limited. To investigate the influence of diet on plasma biochemistry values in juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas), we used carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes to provide a quantitative estimate of forage items in green turtles feeding at two distinct areas (Bonefish Hole and South Flats) in Bimini, Bahamas. Plasma samples were obtained from 13 turtles in Bonefish Hole (a mangrove tidal estuary) and 15 turtles in South Flats (an open water seagrass bed) in 2018. All turtles appeared outwardly healthy. Sessile filter feeders contributed the largest proportion of diet in Bonefish Hole, and seagrass contributed the highest proportion of diet in South Flats. Turtles at Bonefish Hole presented significantly lower cholesterol, total protein, phosphorus, triglycerides, and aspartate transaminase compared to South Flats. Across all turtles, those feeding primarily on red algae presented the highest uric acid and alkaline phosphatase, and turtles with a seagrass-dominated diet had the highest cholesterol. Understanding dietary influence on plasma biochemistry may help explain variances seen in local health and nutritional evaluations, and the trends reported can aid the interpretation of plasma analyte values in marine turtles.
Black Transgender Women and the School-to-Prison Pipeline: Exploring the Relationship Between Anti-trans Experiences in School and Adverse Criminal-Legal System Outcomes

The school-to-prison pipeline (STPP), a framework which describes mechanisms and pathways within the education system that drive students toward involvement in the criminal-legal system, has seen increasing attention from youth researchers, professionals, and advocates in recent years. However, the experiences of transgender individuals and trans-related policies in schools have largely been absent from explorations of the STPP. To begin addressing this gap, this study explores the relationship between anti-trans experiences in school and adverse criminal-legal system outcomes among a sample of 138 Black/African American transgender women (ages 18–65). Data were derived from a life course survey of transgender women in Atlanta and Chicago conducted between August 2014 and September 2017. Only participants who were Black/African American were included in the analytic sample (n = 138). Bivariate and logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore the relationship between education factors (high school/GED completion, anti-trans school victimization, anti-trans school expulsion/denial of enrollment, and denial of gender-appropriate facilities) and criminal-legal system factors (incarceration, anti-trans police mistreatment, and discomfort seeking police assistance). Analyses were conducted for both the full sample and youth subsample of 83 participants (age 30 or younger). Among the overall sample, logistic regression models revealed that anti-trans school expulsion/denial of enrollment was associated with a greater odds of anti-trans mistreatment by police (p = .026, OR = 5.091). Denial of gender-appropriate facilities in school was also associated with anti-trans mistreatment by police (p = .034, OR = 3.873). Among the youth subsample, anti-trans victimization in school was associated with a greater odds of incarceration (p = .021, OR = 3.717). Anti-trans school expulsion/denial of enrollment was also associated with a greater odds of incarceration (p = .046, OR = 9.460). These associations suggest that anti-trans school experiences warrant consideration as factors in the school-to-prison pipeline. Future research that traces the pathways between anti-trans school environments and outcomes in the criminal-legal system would be valuable. Policy interventions that combat anti-trans school victimization and institutional discrimination may be critical to disrupting the STPP for Black/African American transgender women.
Nuevos datos sobre la vida del autor de comedias Bartolomé de Mendoza

espanolEn el presente estudio damos a la luz un documento de 1582 que nos permite conocer nuevos datos sobre el autor de comedias Bartolome de Mendoza. Se trata de un proceso que este interpuso contra Juan de Ibanez, alcaide de las carceles reales de Pamplona, por el pago de tres ducados por una representacion que hizo en las mismas. Este documento nos proporciona interesantes datos sobre aspectos tales como la representacion, el ambito de representacion, la compania de Mendoza y la vida de los actores en el siglo xvi. EnglishThe present study aims to bring to light a document from 1582 that uncovers new information about actor (autor de comedias) Bartolome de Mendoza. The document consists of a legal claim that the writer brought against Juan de Ibanez, the ward of the Royal Prison of Pamplona, for three ducados in payment for a performance that took place in the prison. The document provides new details and insights into the nature of performances, types of performance venues, Mendoza’s theater troupe and the life of actors in sixteenth-century Spain.
A Hybrid Framework for Detecting Repackaged Applications on the Android Market

Smartphones and tablets have become part of our daily lives. These devices run on two major competing software platforms: Apple’s iOS and the Google’s Android OS. The popular software design has implemented applications which are purchased by end users. Android apps are mostly purchased through the Google Play Store, while iOS apps are available on Apple’s App Store. The apps exclusively have given birth to a new market as well, attracting all kinds of interested users, hackers and cybercriminals. In this paper, we focus on the Android software being more susceptible to attacks through the purchase or download of malicious apps, also known as “repackaged apps.” These are applications containing malicious code and phishing malware that are visually similar to the original app that the end user intended to purchase. The objective of this research is twofold: Our first research goal is to analyze the three state of the art malware detection mechanisms and identify their known vulnerabilities that can be exploited by the existing threats. Our second research goal is to develop a hybrid malware detection framework by combining the strong features of the preexisting schemes. In addition, we show the practicality of our proposed framework by presenting three case studies that demonstrate how different components of our hybrid solution will work together to maximize the malicious-code detection in repackaged applications.
Effect of Echinostoma caproni on Presumptive Lactic Acid Bacteria Abundance and Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Colonization in the Mouse Gut

Co-infections of mammalian hosts with intestinal helminths and bacterial pathogens are common, especially in areas with inadequate sanitation. Interactions between co-infecting species and host microbiota can cause significant changes in host immunity, disease severity, and pathogen transmission, requiring unique treatment for each case. A greater understanding of the influences of parasite-bacteria co-infections will improve diagnosis and therapeutic approaches to control infectious diseases. To study the influence of the trematode parasite Echinostoma caproni on commensal and pathogenic bacteria in the mouse gut, we examined the abundance of intestinal lactic acid bacteria and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium in control mice not exposed to E. caproni (P-) or S. Typhimurium (S-), E. caproni-infected (P+S-), S. Typhimurium-infected (P-S+), and E. caproni-S. Typhimurium co-infected (P+S+) mice, and determined bacterial burdens in the livers and spleens of the P-S+ and P+S+ mice. We also examined a subset of P+S- and P+S+ mice for survival and the relative location of E. caproni in the small intestine. The numbers of presumptive lactic acid bacteria were significantly higher in the P+S+ and P-S+ mice compared to the uninfected mice, and S. Typhimurium colonization in the liver and spleen was significantly reduced in the P+S+ mice compared to the P-S+ mice. Echinostoma caproni were located anteriorly in the intestine of P+S- mice, while in the P+S+ mice, the parasites were distributed more posteriorly. Survival of E. caproni was unaffected in either group. The results of our study suggest that E. caproni facilitates a higher abundance of presumptive lactic acid bacteria in the mouse intestine and reduces colonization of S. Typhimurium in the liver and spleen of the co-infected host.
TensorFlow ManOpt: a library for optimization on Riemannian manifolds.

The adoption of neural networks and deep learning in non-Euclidean domains has been hindered until recently by the lack of scalable and efficient learning frameworks. Existing toolboxes in this space were mainly motivated by research and education use cases, whereas practical aspects, such as deploying and maintaining machine learning models, were often overlooked. We attempt to bridge this gap by proposing TensorFlow RiemOpt, a Python library for optimization on Riemannian manifolds in TensorFlow. The library is designed with the aim for a seamless integration with the TensorFlow ecosystem, targeting not only research, but also streamlining production machine learning pipelines.
What Is the Role of Stathmin-2 in Axonal Biology and Degeneration?

Stathmin-2 (STMN2) is a microtubule-associated protein that has a major role in axonal development and repair. STMN2 promotes microtubule instability necessary for normal axonal outgrowth and regeneration. The expression of STMN2 is strongly regulated by nuclear transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 kDA (TDP-43). This multifunctional nucleic acid binding protein is a primary component of insoluble cytoplasmic aggregates associated with several neurodegenerative disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) resulting in frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Recent evidence indicates that reduced nuclear TDP-43 function leads to improper splicing of the gene encoding STMN2, leading to the production of a truncated protein.1,2 This finding provides a mechanistic link between TDP-43 proteinopathies and axonal degeneration.1,3
EXTENSION REQUIREMENTS FOR RURAL WOMEN TO PRODUCE HEALTHY MILK AND DAIRY PRODUCTS IN FAYOUM GOVERNORATE

The study aimed to determine the nutrition awareness level ofrespondents(rural women),define relative advantage of information sources inthe field of producing safe and healthy milk and manufacture its products,determine the implementation degree of the Recommendations in relation to thesame field, and finally define the association betweenThe studied variables and the implementation degree of the Recommendations.Study was conducted at Fayoum Governorate, Fayoum Etsa and Ibshwaydistricts, were selected as representive 59.3% of the total population of FayoumGovernorate, and 60.4% of the total number of households. One village fromeach district was selected . a random sample of rural women was selected (34women from each village) so the total number of respondents Researched to102 respondents4 findings could be summarized as follows:The nutrition awareness level of more than two thirds ofrespondents(68.6%), fall in high category of awareness self experience, friendsand neighbors, were the most important sources of information .the exposure toinformation sources was either average (64.7%) or low (33.3%) and more thanhalf of the respondents (56.4 %)had low benefit of it compared to 1.9% whohad high . findings also indicate that the most important practices which weremore interested to the respondents in the field of producing safe and cleanmilk were: periodic disclosure on animals and isolate the infected ones (3.37),but in relation to factors concerning milking ,these practices were: Choosingappropriate pots in terms of shape and composition (3.52).The most important practices concerning safe and healthy dairyproduction were as follows: a)for practices of cheese cottage it was sinteringaccording to the air temperature (3.39). b – cream, it was cream separatorsusing Lafraz (3.34), C -for butte, it was washing and squeeze (3.7), D – formargarine: it was filtering, packaging and storage (3.88) E –for yogurt it was:incubation (3.57), findings showed that about half of respondents (51%) fallinto the high of application level and there was an association relationship between the level of application of respondents practices for the production ofdairy healthy, safe and manufacture of its products and: wife age, educationallevel of both wife, and husband, work of both wife, and husband, type of animaltenure, standard of living, cultural opines cosmopolitenes, and finally benefitsof information sources.Findings also showed that the majority of respondents (85.3%) produceddairy products of self consumption, or to compliment relatives and neighbors(60.8%), or to got an additional income for family (49%).
Asking for Help

This chapter discusses the transition from trainee to attending and the art of knowing when to ask for advice. Knowing your surroundings, resources, and your own comforts and limits will help you succeed in your role as an attending physician.
Classically optimal quantum algorithms

Hybrid quantum-classical algorithms, such as variational quantum algorithms (VQA), are suitable for implementation on NISQ computers. In this Article we expand an implicit step of VQAs: the classical pre-computation subroutine which can non-trivially use classical algorithms to simplify, transform, or specify problem instance-specific variational quantum circuits. In VQA there is a trade-off between quality of solution and difficulty of circuit construction and optimization. In one extreme, we find VQA for MAXCUT which are exact, but circuit design or variational optimization is NP-HARD. At the other extreme are low depth VQA, such as QAOA, with tractable circuit construction and optimization but poor approximation ratios. Combining these two we define the Spanning Tree QAOA (ST-QAOA) to solve MAXCUT, which uses an ansatz whose structure is derived from an approximate classical solution and achieves the same performance guarantee as the classical algorithm and hence can outperform QAOA at low depth. In general, we propose integrating these classical pre-computation subroutines into VQA to improve heuristic or guaranteed performance.
Enzymatic Barriers to Peptide and Protein Absorption and the Use of Penetration Enhancers to Modify Absorption

The mammalian body possesses several extremely efficient mechanisms to restrict the entry of macromolecules. These include the presence of various epithelia that are poorly absorptive, the presence of significant levels of enzymatic activity at various locations between the point of entry into the systemic circulation and the target site of a peptide or protein, the availability of multiple enzymes to degrade peptides and proteins at a given location, and varying levels of immunoglobulins to neutralize peptides and proteins both before and after they are absorbed. The inevitable result is that the bioavailability of peptides and proteins is likely to be much less than that for small drug molecules, a factor that must be kept in mind in designing realistic strategies to optimize peptide and protein absorption. These strategies include the co-administration of penetration enhancers to alter membrane permeability, coadministration of inhibitors to restrain the activity of proteolytic enzymes primarily at the absorption site, and the design of analogs that are metabolically stable and which, at the same time, may be more readily absorbed.
Protein Kinase Cα-Mediated Chemotaxis of Neutrophils Requires NF-κB Activity but Is Independent of TNFα Signaling in Mouse Skin In Vivo

Protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms are major regulators of cutaneous homeostasis and mediate inflammation in response to 12- O -tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). We have previously reported that transgenic mice overexpressing PKCα in the skin exhibit severe intraepidermal neutrophilic inflammation and keratinocyte apoptosis when treated topically with TPA. Activation of PKCα increases the production of TNFα and the transcription of chemotactic factors (MIP-2, KC, S100A8/A9), vascular endothelial growth factor, and GM-CSF in K5-PKCα keratinocytes. In response to PKCα activation, NF-κB translocates to the nucleus and this is associated with IκB phosphorylation and degradation. Preventing IκB degradation reduces both the expression of inflammation-associated genes and chemoattractant release. To determine whether TNFα mediated NF-κB translocation and subsequent expression of proinflammatory factors, K5-PKCα mice were treated systemically with a dimeric soluble form of p75 TNFR (etanercept) or crossed with mice deficient for both TNFR isoforms, and keratinocytes were cultured in the presence of TNFα-neutralizing Abs. The in vivo treatment and TNFR deficiency did not prevent inflammation, and the in vitro treatment did not prevent NF-κB nuclear translocation after TPA. Together these results implicate PKCα as a regulator of a subset of cutaneous cytokines and chemokines responsible for intraepidermal inflammation independent of TNFα. PKCα inhibition may have therapeutic benefit in some human inflammatory skin disorders.
Diabetic proximal neuropathy: Clinical and electromyographic studies

Abstract Clinical and electromyographic findings in 27 diabetics with proximal lower extremity weakness were analyzed. Two groups could be distinguished: patients in whom electromyographic findings were restricted to the clinically involved parts of the lower extremity (group A) and those in whom an associated distal symmetric, peripheral neuropathy could be proved on clinical and electromyographic grounds (group B). Patients in group B had significantly greater incidence of the following features: gradual onset of symptoms, bilateral proximal lower extremity weakness, insulin dependency, recent weight loss, EMG evidence of bilateral disease and paraspinal fibrillations. These findings concur with recent reports describing heterogeneity in the syndrome of “diabetic proximal neuropathy”.