cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Holographic correction and phasing of large sparse-array telescopes.

I have constructed a 13m-diameter telescope using separate, low-quality spherical primary mirror segments. A single hologram of the mirrors is used to correct the random surface distortions as well as spherical aberration, while simultaneously phasing the individual apertures together. I present experimental results of the removal of an error of thousands of waves to produce a diffraction-limited instrument operating over a narrow bandwidth. This technique promises to have many benefits in future space-based telescopes for imaging, lidar, and optical communications.
Effect of Race Upon Organ Donation and Recipient Survival in Liver Transplantation

The effect of the race of the donor on organ donation and on the outcome of clinical liver transplantation has not been addressed previously. The aims of this study were to determine: (1) the number of organs donated by each of the major racial groups of the United States, (2) the outcome of transplantation of these organs across racial groups, and (3) the pattern of liver disease that required transplantation in each of these racial groups. A significantly higher proportion of organs were donated by white non-Hispanic Americans than either black or Hispanic Americans. There was no significant difference in survival when an organ was transplanted between black and white Americans and vice versa. Postnecrotic cirrhosis from a variety of causes was the most common indicator affecting black and white recipients, while primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis were uncommon in the black population. While the number of organs donated by blacks was low, it was, however, proportional to the number of black recipients in this study. Reasons for the low rate of donation by the black and white Hispanic population are discussed. It is concluded that race is not a criteria to be used in selection of donors for liver transplantation. Educational programs addressing issues of organ donation and transplantation directed towards the black and Hispanic populations are recommended.
webSPADE: a parallel sequence mining algorithm to analyze web log data

Enterprise-class web sites receive a large amount of traffic, from both registered and anonymous users. Data warehouses are built to store and help analyze the click streams within this traffic to provide companies with valuable insights into the behavior of their customers. This article proposes a parallel sequence mining algorithm, webSPADE, to analyze the click streams found in site web logs. In this process, raw web logs are first cleaned and inserted into a data warehouse. The click streams are then mined by webSPADE. An innovative web-based front-end is used to visualize and query the sequence mining results. The webSPADE algorithm is currently used by Verizon to analyze the daily traffic of the Verizon.com web site.
Five Commentators: A Brief Response

So much of the work that we do as philosophers is published without much critical commentary from our colleagues. Only rarely do we have the chance to improve our work through the extensive critical analysis of our colleagues. That is why I am very grateful to have this opportunity to benefit from the valuable critical analysis that the contributors to this volume have directed at my practical reconciliation argument for making people just. While in this brief response I cannot hope to discuss all the interesting points that my distinguished commentators Kurt Baier, Gerald Doppelt, James Fishkin, John Hospers, Alison Jaggar, Eric Mack, Jeffrey Reiman, Rosemarie Tong and Iris Young have raised, I will try to lay to rest at least some of their doubts concerning my practical reconciliation argument for making people just.
Socialism after Hayek and human sociality

Was Hayek a postmodernist? Pointing to the important role that human sociality plays in Hayek’s work, Ted Burzack’s answer is resounding “yes.”
Harbingers of Migration Regression: Global Trends and a Mexican Case Study*

Objectives The question raised here is whether global labor migration has reached its high-water mark and will not in fact recover its prerecession magnitudes. This study examines this question, and the underlying causes of migration regression, reviewing studies at the international level and carrying out a case study of Jerez municipio, Zacatecas, Mexico. Methods Two surveys in Jerez—of 242 randomly selected households in six towns in 1995, and of 304 households in the same towns in 2009—provide a cross-section of conditions before and after U.S. economic setbacks beginning around 2000. Results The results point to a reduction in migration to the United States over the period. Furthermore, in the later period, lower fertility, higher educational attainment, and higher household income were all associated with lower levels of active U.S. migration, and income returns to local education were positive, whereas the income returns to U.S. migration were negative. Conclusions The results for Jerez are consistent with trends elsewhere in Mexico and those within leading sending nations globally, and they suggest a regression in future migration from these countries.
Performance of coded modulation schemes using multiple transmit antennas

In this paper, we evaluate the performance of coding schemes which utilize multiple transmit antennas but just one receive antenna. The pairwise error probability between sets of coded sequences in the presence of non-dispersive Rayleigh fading is evaluated. Both an exact expression and a Chernoff bound are evaluated. The Chernoff bound provides more insight into the properties of the coded sequences needed for good performance. The analytical performance is compared to simulation results.
Quantile Tests for Comparing Several Treatments with a Control Under Unequal Right‐Censoring

Tests are proposed for comparing K treatments with a control when the samples are subject to unequal patterns of right censorhip. The tests are useful in the context of life testing experiments and clinical trials for survival analysis, where cost of experimentation is usually high, since the tests can be applied before all the units have failed. A numerical example is given to illustrate the implementation of the tests. The asymptotic distributions of the test statistics are obtained under both the null and the alternative hypotheses. Pitman efficacies of the tests are derived under the usual sequences of translation and proportional hazard alternatives. The size and the power of the tests are examined in a simulation study.
SLEDE: lightweight verification of sensor network security protocol implementations

Finding flaws in security protocol implementations is hard. Finding flaws in the implementations of sensor network security protocols is even harder because they are designed to protect against more system failures compared to traditional protocols. Formal verification techniques such as model checking, theorem proving, etc, have been very successful in the past in detecting faults in security protocol specifications; however, they generally require a model. Developing these models is a non-trivial task for an average developer. This task is further complicated by the impedance mismatch between the implementation language and the modeling language. For example, while the dominant implementation language for sensor network applications (nesC) uses an event-based paradigm, the modeling language (Promela) uses message-driven paradigm. The key goal of this research is to ease the task of verifying sensor network security protocol implementations for the sensor network community by defining an approach for automatically extracting a model from the nesC implementations of a security protocol. We contribute the design and implementation of a verification framework that we call Slede which emulates our approach to extract a PROMELA model from nesC security protocol implementations. By significantly decreasing the cost of verification, we believe our approach will improve the overall quality of the nesC security protocol implementations.
Stability of Coxiella burnetii in stored human blood.

Background Coxiella burnetii, an obligate intracellular organism, is the causative agent of the zoonotic disease Q fever. The seroprevalence rate for Q fever in the United States is 3.1%, suggesting a high number of infections each year. However, fewer than 200 cases of Q fever are reported to the CDC annually. This discrepancy is likely the result of underutilized diagnostics and a high percentage (>50%) of asymptomatic infections. The detection of C. burnetii in patient blood during the first 2 to 3 weeks of infection raises the possibility that the organism could be present in donated human blood. The purpose of this study was to determine if extracellular C. burnetii would be stable in blood under normal storage conditions. Study Design and Methods Donated human blood was separated into whole blood, leukoreduced whole blood, red blood cells, and plasma. Each component was spiked with purified, extracellular C. burnetii strain Nine Mile Phase 1, and the viability and infectivity of the organisms were tested weekly. Results C. burnetii did not decrease in viability or the ability to infect cells after storage in any of the blood products, even after 6 weeks of storage at 1 to 6°C. Conclusions Extracellular C. burnetii can survive and remain infectious in donated blood products.
A continuum approach for second‐order shape design sensitivity of elastic solids with loaded boundaries

A second-order shape design sensitivity analysis (DSA) method applicable to the shape change on the loaded boundaries is derived for three-dimensional linear elastic solids using a continuum method with the material derivative. The continuum method is also used to derive mixed second-order variations of stress and displacement performance measures with respect to shape design variables and distribution of non-conservative traction loads, and also with respect to shape design variables and material properties. A shape design acceleration field is defined for the second-order shape design sensitivity. Both direct differentiation and hybrid methods are presented in this paper. A numerical method, which can be implemented using established finite element analysis (FEA) codes, is developed. The feasibility and accuracy of the proposed second-order shape DSA method has been demonstrated by solving a structural example-doubly curved arch dam.
The bench scientist's guide to statistical analysis of RNA-Seq data

Background RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) is emerging as a highly accurate method to quantify transcript abundance. However, analyses of the large data sets obtained by sequencing the entire transcriptome of organisms have generally been performed by bioinformatics specialists. Here we provide a step-by-step guide and outline a strategy using currently available statistical tools that results in a conservative list of differentially expressed genes. We also discuss potential sources of error in RNA-Seq analysis that could alter interpretation of global changes in gene expression.
Deletion of Caldicellulosiruptor bescii CelA reveals its crucial role in the deconstruction of lignocellulosic biomass

Background: Members of the bacterial genus Caldicellulosiruptor are the most thermophilic cellulolytic organisms described to date, and have the ability to grow on lignocellulosic biomass without conventional pretreatment. Different species vary in their abilities to degrade cellulose, and the presence of CelA, a bifunctional glycoside hydrolase that contains a Family 48 and a Family 9 catalytic domain, correlates well with cellulolytic ability in members of this genus. For example, C. hydrothermalis, which does not contain a CelA homolog, or a GH48 Family or GH9 Family glycoside hydrolase, is the least cellulolytic of the Caldicellulosiruptor species so far described. C. bescii, which contains CelA and expresses it constitutively, is among the most cellulolytic. In fact, CelA is the most abundant extracellular protein produced in C. bescii. The enzyme contains two catalytic units, a Family 9A-CBM3c processive endoglucanase and a Family 48 exoglucanase, joined by two Family 3b carbohydrate-binding domains. Although there are two non-reducing end-specific Family 9 and three reducing end-specific Family 48 glycoside hydrolases (producing primarily glucose and cellobiose; and cellobiose and cellotriose, respectively) in C. bescii, CelA is the only protein that combines both enzymatic activities. Results: A deletion of the celA gene resulted in a dramatic reduction in the microorganism’s ability to grow on crystalline cellulose (Avicel) and diminished growth on lignocellulosic biomass. A comparison of the overall endoglucanase and exoglucanase activities of the mutant compared with the wild-type suggests that the loss of the endoglucanase activity provided by the GH9 family domain is perhaps compensated for by other enzymes produced by the cell. In contrast, it appears that no other enzymes in the C. bescii secretome can compensate for the loss of exoglucanase activity. The change in enzymatic activity in the celA mutant resulted in a 15-fold decrease in sugar release on Avicel compared with the parent and wild-type strains. Conclusions: The exoglucanase activity of the GH48 domain of CelA plays a major role in biomass degradation within the suite of C. bescii biomass-degrading enzymes.
On Authority and Political Destination: Michael Polanyi and the Threshold of Postmodernism

Abstract What are the implications for political life of Polanyi's conception of knowing and being? How do Polanyi's philosophic foundations situate him in relation to the political dimensions of postmodernism? In examining these questions, let us take as the representative of political postmodernism the neo-pragmatism of Richard Rorty. Assisted by Oakeshott's portrayal of political life as like a ship at sea, we will discover that while there are important parallels between the political perspectives of Rorty and Polanyi, at a critical juncture their paths diverge; as a result, they offer deeply incompatible visions of the nature and proper aim not only of political activity but of human life generally.
The ridiculous mouse.

As a nation, we seem to have become preoccupied with inconsequential matters, while matters of the most magnitude are left in a horrifying state of neglect. A few years ago, holierthan-thou politicians brought the government to a virtual standstill with their concern regarding a possible presidential peccadillo; this was not why we elected them, and the country was held in thrall by sensationseeking news media for months. In the meantime, the economy was slipping and information about terrorist activity in the United States and genocide occurring in other parts of the world was largely ignored by our country. To fiddle while Rome burns is neither new nor unique to our community. In the final decades before the birth of Christ, the ancient Roman poet and philosopher, Horace, was writing about the emptiness of boastful political promises, “The mountains are in labor, and a ridiculous mouse is born.” (The metaphor of using “mouse” as a mark of gross inadequacy is still with us today, often preceded by “Mickey.”) There are so many things that are expected of us anew, brought about by a humongous administrative process that leaves our patients little or no better off. So often the rules are changed to try to enforce what we were doing anyway but, in fact, create little change other than more paperwork to show observance of the protocols.
Patterns of Keratin 19 Expression in Normal, Metaplastic, Condylomatous, Atrophic, Dysplastic, and Malignant Cervical Squamous Epithelium

Keratin 19 (K-19) expression has been strongly correlated with dysplasia in oral epithelium. Expression of K-19 was evaluated by immunoperoxidase staining in formalin-fixed normal ectocervical tissue, normal endocervical tissue, cervical dysplasia, squamous metaplasia, atrophic epithelium, cervical condylomas, and invasive carcinoma to determine if a correlation of K-19 expression with dysplasia was present in the cervical epithelium. Uniform expression of K-19 was seen in endocervical epithelium and in the basal layer of normal ectocervical epithelium in all areas where these epithelia were present. Cervical dysplasia without associated condylomatous changes showed increased expression of K-19 in suprabasal epithelium, corresponding to the level of immature cells. Squamous metaplasia was characterized by scattered cells with increased staining (patch-quilt pattern). There was considerable overlap in the patterns of K-19 expression in dysplastic and metaplastic epithelium. Thus K-19 staining pattern could not be used as a distinctive marker for dysplasia in the cervical epithelium. Atrophic epithelium showed a characteristic uniform but low-level expression of K-19 in suprabasal areas. This pattern may be of diagnostic use in differentiating atrophic lesions from dysplasia. Condylomas showed focal loss of K-19 in the basal layer, suggesting induction of premature differentiation in the basal layer by human papillomavirus infection. Invasive carcinomas showed variable patterns. K-19 is a marker of immature cervical squamous epithelium, with generally distinctive but sometimes overlapping patterns of expression in various diagnostic categories.
Penile and Scrotal Swelling: An Underrecognized Presentation of Crohn's Disease

Background Penile and scrotal swelling can occur as an extraintestinal manifestation of Crohn's disease (CD) and is thought to be an uncommon form of metastatic CD (MCD). Because of the rarity of this manifestation, much is unknown concerning the presentation, treatment, and response to therapy in children with genital MCD. Methods Boys ages 1 to 17 years presenting with genital edema and a confirmed diagnosis or strong suspicion of CD who were evaluated at the Mayo Clinic between 1996 and 2014 were included for review. We sought to characterize the clinical and pathologic features of genital MCD and response to treatment in our cohort of patients. Results Eight patients with genital MCD were identified from our institution (mean age 11.4 yrs, range 7-16 yrs). Seven (88%) patients experienced cutaneous symptoms before a formal diagnosis of CD was made, and two of the seven had no adverse gastrointestinal symptoms at that time. Patients were prescribed an average of 3.4 medications (topical and systemic) for management of their gastrointestinal CD and MCD. Conclusions Penile and scrotal swelling can occur as an extraintestinal manifestation of CD and is thought to be an uncommon form of MCD. In boys, genital swelling typically precedes intestinal CD. Treatment of the underlying CD with systemic medications was most helpful in this series. An evaluation for CD is necessary in all patients presenting with unexplained genital swelling.
In-the-works of understanding workaholism

ABSTRACTEthnographic research probes both contextually situated and personally resonate values in ways that may provoke ethical tensions for researchers. Reflecting on my fieldwork, I demonstrate how my engagement with recovering workaholics disturbed the ontological security underlying my long-held understandings of “work ethic” and success. Subsequently, I encourage applied communication scholars to embrace the uncertainties they discover through their work—not as sites for resolution, but rather as sources for ongoing, heuristic inquiry.
Antibiotic resistance in Africa - discerning the enemy and plotting a defence.

Clearly prudent use of antibiotics and infection control sanitation and hygiene practices are steps that must be taken now to stem the trend of rising resistance. These are all focus areas of the WHO global strategy for containment of antimicrobial resistance which was released in 2001. In particular adopting prudent practices will conserve the efficacy of the drugs of the future. Responsibility for instituting and maintaining programmes that will optimise antimicrobial therapy lies with health workers who are in a better position to understand the devastating consequences of acting otherwise. In countries all over the world many are organising chapters of the Alliance for Prudent Use of Antibiotics to identify and address the priority areas in their own countries and to map out locally relevant strategies for combating the problem. No time must be lost. Resistant bacteria began the war almost a century ago and clearly have acquired an edge. If they are to be overcome they must be resisted now. (excerpt)
Abstract 2: Ogg1 Plays A Protective Role In Diet Induced Atherosclerosis in LDLR KO mice.

Introduction: In human atherosclerosis, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage occurs in both circulating cells and the vessel wall, suggesting the importance of DNA damage repair enzymes. Mitochondria are a central regulator of NLRP3 function, which is a sensor of specific pathogen, host, and environmental danger molecules. Oxidized mtDNA can bind to and activate the NLRP3 inflammasome, which cleaves and activates interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18, cytokines that are pro-atherogenic. Ogg1, an oxoguanine glycosylase, can repair oxidized DNA. Objective: To assess the importance of the oxidative DNA damage repair gene, Ogg1, in atherogenesis. Methods and Results: To investigate the role of Ogg1 in atherogenesis, we generated Ogg1-/-Ldlr-/- mice. These mice had significantly larger plaques and greater lipid content in the aorta and the aortic root. Elevated levels of 8-OH-dG (a marker of oxidative DNA damage), Caspase-1 activation by FLICA staining, and apoptosis by TUNEL staining, were increased in Ogg1-/-Ldlr-/- ...
A New Approach to Reduce Engine-Out Emissions Enabled by Trajectory-Based Combustion Control

Previously, the authors have proposed the concept of piston trajectory-based combustion control enabled by free piston engines (FPE). With this novel control method, the FPE realizes in-cycle real-time combustion control, in terms of adjusting the ignition timing and manipulating the in-cylinder temperature trace, through various piston trajectories and achieves higher thermal efficiency compared to the conventional internal combustion engines. In this paper, the effects of this new combustion control on engine-out emissions are studied. First, a model is developed that includes different piston trajectories in the FPE, a convective heat loss sub model and a reduced n-heptane reaction mechanism with major emissions species from diesel engines. Afterwards, a new approach which reduces the engine-out emissions by employing novel piston trajectories is described. At last, analyses of the simulation results demonstrating the variable piston trajectories’ effects on CO and NOx emissions are presented, which further reveal the advantages of the trajectory-based combustion control.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Near-Unity Reaction Probability in Olefin Hydrogenation Promoted by Heterogeneous Metal Catalysts.

The kinetics of the hydrogenation of ethylene on platinum surfaces was studied by using high-flux effusive molecular beams and reflection–absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS). It was determined that steady-state ethylene conversion with probabilities close to unity could be achieved by using beams with ethylene fluxes equivalent to pressures in the mTorr range and high (≥100) H2:C2H4 ratios. The RAIRS data suggest that the high reaction probability is possible because such conditions lead to the removal of most of the ethylidyne layer known to form during catalysis. The observations from this study are contrasted with those under vacuum, where catalytic behavior is not sustainable, and with catalysis under more realistic atmospheric pressures, where reaction probabilities are estimated to be much lower (≤1 × 10–5).
Coulomb Potentials Have Strong Effects on Anion Electronic States

The Coulomb destabilization of intrinsic electron binding strengths and in forming repulsive Coulomb barriers (RCB) that can act to trap an excess electron are overviewed for a variety of anionic systems that include (i) multiply charged anions in which the charged sites are spatially well separated, (ii) multiply charged anions that have negative electron binding energies but in which the RCB decreases the rate of electron detachment, (iii) multiply charged superhalogen anions, (iv) positively charged polypeptides in which positive sites’ Coulomb potentials stabilize antibonding orbitals allowing an electron to attach, (v) DNA duplex oligomers containing a thymine dimer damage site that is repaired by electron attachment, and (vi) DNA fragments in which an electron attached to a base π* orbital results in formation of a strand break. Special attention is paid to the degree to which such Coulomb interactions are screened, especially in the latter two cases.
"Paradice's Only Map": The "Topos" of the "Locus Amoenus" and the Structure of Marvell's "Upon Appleton House"

Upon Appleton House is a poem in which superficial sprightliness and subterranean portentousness, a variety of rhetorical stances, and a loose, episodic structure apparently conspire to create disunity. But a unifying principle is supplied by the formulaic topos of the locus amoenus. As this convention developed from Homer through the Elizabethans, it took on potentially ambiguous connotations of refection, generation, and eroticism. Marvell systematically exploits these connotations, making of the Fairfax estate a double microcosm which reflects a disorderly world and his own uncertain relation to it. The confusion is further mirrored in Marvell's deployment of the topos. As rhetorical device, its impact should normally be synchronous, so that its elements strike the reader as a unit, not as a sequence of terms successively qualifying one another. But Marvell breaks the unit down, anatomizes it, taking its topographical elements (garden, grass, shade, water) serially and discontinuously. Gradually, however, the locus reasserts its mythic totality. As it does, Marvell also traces a historical movement back through the development of civilization to the first locus amoenus, Eden, and a rhetorical movement from critical objectivity to devotional subjectivity. These movements come to a focus in the figure of Maria Fairfax, whom Marvell, as poet-priest, adores as summarizing the virtues of Appleton House, now become the emblem of a reordered cosmos, a refuge from the corrupting processes of time and change. The vision cannot last, as Marvell implies by sustaining the mocking extravagance of his language right through to the last, ambiguous lines. The unity is only poetic, conceptual, rhetorical. But a unity it is, sung out of confusions, with the locus amoenus as its major chord.
Experimental Study of Sub-Grid Scale Physics in Stratified Flows

The accuracy of large-eddy simulation (LES) of stratified flows is significantly influenced by sub-grid scale (SGS) stress and scalar flux models. In this study, two-dimensional high-resolution velocity and scalar (density) data (simultaneously obtained using a combined Particle Image Velocimetry and Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence technique) in a horizontal turbulent stratified jet are used to examine the SGS parameters and the performance of SGS models. The profiles of SGS dissipation of kinetic energy indicate that the flow has more capability to sustain its structure in the stable region (upper mixing layer) of stratified jet. The backscatter is observed from the components of the SGS dissipation of kinetic energy and SGS dissipation of scalar variance in the stable stratification region of jet in the high-Ri case. The SGS dissipation of kinetic energy and of scalar variance are shown strong dependence on the stability status of local flow field, which experience the ascending and descending as the stability parameter increases. In the SGS model tests, the scale-invariant dynamic model shows better performance of predicting Display FormulaCs2 than classic Smagorinsky model and scale-dependent dynamic model. From the current study, the SGS turbulent Prandtl number is suggested as constant (e.g., Pr ≃ 0.46) to a achieve a good simulation of scalar field in engineering applications to economize the computational cost.© 2013 ASME
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: The New Complication of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasingly common in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with an estimated prevalence of 60% to 80%. The relationship of NAFLD and T2DM is complex, with each condition negatively affecting the other. Although NAFLD is associated with more metabolic and cardiovascular complications and worse hyperglycemia, T2DM accelerates the progression of liver disease in NAFLD. Despite the high prevalence and serious clinical implications, NAFLD is usually overlooked in clinical practice. This article focuses on understanding the relationship between NAFLD and T2DM, to provide better care for these complex patients.
Molecular Changes in Children with Heart Failure Undergoing Left Ventricular Assist Device Therapy.

Objective To determine whether left ventricular assist device (LVAD) treatment in children with heart failure would result in the modification of molecular pathways involved in heart failure pathophysiology. Study design Forty-seven explanted hearts from children were studied (16 nonfailing control, 20 failing, and 11 failing post-LVAD implantation [F-LVAD]). Protein expression and phosphorylation states were determined by receptor binding assays and Western blots. mRNA expression was measured with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. To evaluate for interactions and identify correlations, 2-way ANOVA and regression analysis were performed. Results Treatment with LVAD resulted in recovery of total β-adrenergic receptor expression and β 1 -adrenergic receptor (β 1 -AR) in failing hearts to normal levels (β-adrenergic receptor expression : 67.2 ± 11.5 fmol/mg failing vs 99.5 ± 27.7 fmol/mg nonfailing, 104 ± 38.7 fmol/mg F-LVAD, P ≤ .01; β 1 -AR: 52.2 ± 10.3 fmol/mg failing vs 83.0 ± 23 fmol/mg non-failing, 76.5 ± 32.1 fmol/mg F-LVAD P ≤ .03). The high levels of G protein-coupled receptor kinase-2 were returned to nonfailing levels after LVAD treatment (5.6 ± 9.0 failing vs 1.0 ± 0.493 nonfailing, 1.0 ± 1.3 F-LVAD). Interestingly, β 2 -adrenergic receptor expression was significantly greater in F-LVAD (27.5 ± 12; P P = .02) and failing (0.8 ± 1.0, P = .01) hearts. Also, atrial natriuretic factor (0.6 ± 0.8) and brain natriuretic peptide (0.1 ± 0.1) expression in F-LVAD was significantly lower compared with failing hearts (2.8 ± 3.6, P = .01 and 0.6 ± 0.7, P = .02). Conclusion LVAD treatment in children with heart failure results in reversal of several pathologic myocellular processes, and G protein-coupled receptor kinase-2 may regulate β 1 -AR but not β 2 -adrenergic receptor expression in children with heart failure.
Successful AP Music Theory Instruction: A Case Study:

The purpose of this case study was to examine the instructional approach of a highly successful Advanced Placement Music Theory teacher. I visited the participant’s class twice a week for 14 weeks,...
Physiologic Mechanisms of Water and Electrolyte Disturbances After Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery.

Background Disturbances in water and electrolyte homeostasis are common after transsphenoidal surgery. These disorders are variable and unpredictable, increasing patient risk and complicating postsurgical treatment. Clinically, it is generally accepted that damage to the pituitary is the cause, but the mechanisms behind the response variability and underlying pathophysiology remain unknown. Objective To test the hypothesis that changing the degree of damage to the pituitary stalk produces a spectrum of water and electrolyte disturbance along which all presentations of postsurgical water and electrolyte disturbances can be identified. Methods We used HumMod, a large mathematical model of physiology, to simulate pituitary stalk damage at differing fractions: 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%. The damaged neurons were modeled to undergo a 5-day countdown to degeneration and release stored antidiuretic hormone as they die, as is proposed to occur. Results Lower pituitary damage (20%) resulted in transient polyuria and intermediate damage (40%) was associated with delayed polyuria and diabetes insipidus. Higher levels of damage (60% and 80%) showed a triphasic pattern of diabetes insipidus. Conclusions We postulate that our model provides a plausible mechanistic explanation for some varieties of postsurgical water and electrolyte disturbances, in which increasing damage to the pituitary potentiates the likelihood of a full triphasic response. However, our simulation shows that merely modifying the level of damage does not produce every presentation of water and electrolyte imbalance. This theory suggests that other mechanisms, which are still unclear and not a part of this model, may be responsible for postoperative hyponatremia and require further investigation.
Effects of electrical loads containing non-resistive components on piezoelectric energy harvesting

Abstract This study investigates the fundamental effects of electrical loads containing non-resistive components (e.g., rectifiers and capacitors) on piezoelectric energy harvesting performance. Theoretical, numerical and experimental studies have been carried out to investigate three types of electrical loads, namely (I) a rectifier followed by a resistor, (II) a rectifier followed by a regulating capacitor and a resistor, and (III) a simple charging circuit consisting of a rectifier and a capacitor. It is shown that device performance based on pure-resistive loads cannot be generalized to applications involving non-resistive components, i.e., rectifiers and capacitors. Results from cases (I) and (II) show that the rectifier voltage drop leads to a decrease in the power delivered to the load resistance and to an increase in the natural frequency of the device but does not change the optimal resistance corresponding to a driving frequency. The regulating capacitor, however, results in increases in both the optimal load resistance and the natural frequency of the device. Therefore, tuning the natural frequency of a piezoelectric device is possible through an adjustable regulating capacitor with an appropriate rectifier. From case (III), it has been found that a larger storing capacitor, with a low rectifier voltage drop, improves the piezoelectric energy harvesting performance.
A Systematic Review of Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) in the United States: Methodologies, Youth Outcomes, and Future Directions:

Objectives. To use a systematic review methodology to describe the state of the youth participatory action research (YPAR) literature and synthesize findings about the youth outcomes reported in th...
Extraskeletal versus Skeletal Ewing Sarcoma in the adult population: Controversies in care

Abstract Background and Objectives A lack of consensus exists on the prognosis of extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma (EES) relative to its skeletal (ES) counterpart in adults. This study sought to characterize outcome differences between the two diagnoses. Methods From 2004 to 2014, the NCDB identified 2,660 Ewing Sarcoma patients. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for overall survival (OS). Results EES patients were older, more likely to be female, and have smaller tumors. Among patients with ES, 4.0% received no treatment, 2.5% received local therapy only (surgery and/or radiation), 16.8% received chemotherapy only, while 52.2% received combination therapy (local and chemotherapy), and 17.0% recieived triple therapy (surgery, radiation and chemotherapy). Among patients with EES, 4.3% recived no treatment, 5.6% received local therapy only, 15.6% received chemotherapy only, while 47.0% received combination therapy, and 21.6% received triple therapy. No difference in OS was observed between the two groups (P = 0.816). Factors independently associated with OS for ES included age (HR = 1.26, P = 0.01), Charlson-Deyo Score (CDS) ≥2 (HR = 3.66, P Conclusions Demographic, histological, and treatment characteristics differ between adult patients diagnosed with ES and ESS. However, survival and independent predictors of survival are consistent between the two diagnoses.
The decays eta --> pi microe.

We analyze the available information on the interactions that can contribute to the decays \ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\pi}}}^{0}$${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$${\mathit{e}}^{\ensuremath{\mp}}$, and discuss the implications for the \ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\pi}}}^{0}$${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$${\mathit{e}}^{\ensuremath{\mp}}$ branching ratios. For all cases the experimental results on ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${\mathit{e}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ conversion in nuclei set stringent limits on the strength of the interactions. For the case of a scalar interaction, which in renormalizable gauge theories is the only possible source of \ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\pi}}}^{0}$${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$${\mathit{e}}^{\ensuremath{\mp}}$ at the tree level, we find B(\ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\pi}}}^{0}$${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$${\mathit{e}}^{\ensuremath{\mp}}$)\ensuremath{\lesssim}4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}18}$. For interactions involving second-class currents the branching ratio is not likely to be larger than \ensuremath{\sim}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}15}$, which is still considerably below the level that could be explored at present.
Maximizing Expected Coverage of Flow and Opportunity for Diversion in Networked Systems

Placement of facilities, such as those providing surveillance or assistance functions, is essential for effective and efficient system operation. Planning for where to provide these types of services in a network necessitates addressing different objectives. For instance, notifying users of future network conditions and/or availability of other services requires general exposure to that information at some point during a movement between an origin and destination. Alternatively, the usefulness of services such as the provision of information regarding current network conditions can depend upon where the service is provided relative to opportunities for users to divert from their current path to make use of that service. Regardless of the service to be made available, there is always some uncertainty as to whether or not it will be available and/or observed by users of the system. To address these planning considerations, several new models for optimizing the location of service facilities in a network are described. In particular, the proposed models account for expected coverage of network flows as well as the opportunity that exists for flows to make effective use of a service once it has been provided. While the proposed models involve non-linear objective functions, it is shown that a linearization exists given the topological relationships within a network. The developed optimization models are then integrated into a multi-objective modeling framework and applied to a case study to demonstrate the tradeoffs that exist between the planning objectives.
Application of new biotechnologies for improvements in swine nutrition and pork production

Meeting the increasing demands for high-quality pork protein requires not only improved diets but also biotechnology-based breeding to generate swine with desired production traits. Biotechnology can be classified as the cloning of animals with identical genetic composition or genetic engineering (via recombinant DNA technology and gene editing) to produce genetically modified animals or microorganisms. Cloning helps to conserve species and breeds, particularly those with excellent biological and economical traits. Recombinant DNA technology combines genetic materials from multiple sources into single cells to generate proteins. Gene (genome) editing involves the deletion, insertion or silencing of genes to produce: (a) genetically modified pigs with important production traits; or (b) microorganisms without an ability to resist antimicrobial substances. Current gene-editing tools include the use of zinc finger nuclease (ZFN), transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN), or clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-associated nuclease-9 (CRISPR/Cas9) as editors. ZFN, TALEN, or CRISPR/Cas9 components are delivered into target cells through transfection (lipid-based agents, electroporation, nucleofection, or microinjection) or bacteriophages, depending on cell type and plasmid. Compared to the ZFN and TALEN, CRISPR/Cas9 offers greater ease of design and greater flexibility in genetic engineering, but has a higher frequency of off-target effects. To date, genetically modified pigs have been generated to express bovine growth hormone, bacterial phytase, fungal carbohydrases, plant and C. elagan fatty acid desaturases, and uncoupling protein-1; and to lack myostatin, α-1,3-galactosyltransferase, or CD163 (a cellular receptor for the "blue ear disease" virus). Biotechnology holds promise in improving the efficiency of swine production and developing alternatives to antibiotics in the future.
Modeling gene expression evolution with EvoGeneX uncovers differences in evolution of species, organs and sexes

Abstract While DNA sequence evolution has been well studied, the expression of genes is also subject to evolution. Yet the evolution of gene expression is currently not well understood. In recent years, new tissue/organ specific gene expression datasets spanning several organisms across the tree of life, have become available providing the opportunity to study gene expression evolution in more detail. However, while a theoretical model to study evolution of continuous traits exist, in practice computational methods often cannot distinguish, with confidence, between alternative evolutionary scenarios. This lack of power has been attributed to the modest number of species with available expression data. To solve this challenge, we introduce EvoGeneX, a computationally efficient method to uncover the mode of gene expression evolution based on the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process. Importantly, EvoGeneX in addition to modelling expression variations between species, models within species variation. To estimate the within species variation, EvoGeneX formally incorporates the data from biological replicates as a part of the mathematical model. We show that by modelling the within species diversity EvoGeneX significantly outperforms the currently available computational method. In addition, to facilitate comparative analysis of gene expression evolution, we introduce a new approach to measure the dynamics of evolutionary divergence of a group of genes. We used EvoGeneX to analyse the evolution of expression across different organs, species and sexes of the Drosophila genus. Our analysis revealed differences in the evolutionary dynamics of male and female gonads, and uncovered examples of adaptive evolution of genes expressed in the head and in the thorax.
Giant cell tumour of tendon sheath mimicking nodal osteoarthritis

Giant cell tumour of the tendon sheath (GCTTS) commonly presents as a slow-growing and painless soft-tissue lesion in the hand. It has a propensity to mimick other benign and malignant lesions of the hand including lipoma, haemangioma, myxoid cyst, synovial sarcoma, aneurysmal bone cyst, fibroma and osteosarcoma. GCTTS has a unique histopathological appearance that aids in definitive diagnosis. Although bony invasion and local aggressive characteristics have only been reported rarely, the treatment of choice is local excision. The following case illustrates a fairly typical presentation of GCTTS with certain atypical features.
Changes in Neck Angle, Neck Length, Maximum Diameter, Maximum Area and Thrombus after Endovascular Aneurysm Repair.

Purpose The correlation of initial anatomy of the aneurysm, aneurysmal remodeling and endoleaks is controversial. We performed a retrospective study to measure aneurysmal remodeling with time, and to assess the structural changes in the aneurysm neck after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Materials and Methods From January 2013 to February 2018, 108 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) underwent EVAR. Follow-up computed tomography images were available for 90 patients. Anatomic variables, including the neck angle, neck length, maximal diameter, maximal area, and thrombus volume were measured. Temporal changes were measured preoperatively, immediate postoperatively (within 1 week after EVAR), and at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years post-EVAR. Correlation between the variables according to the temporal changes and presence of type Ia endoleaks (T1aE) was analyzed. Results The mean follow-up period was 10.63±20.34 months. Significant decreases in neck angle and length occurred immediately postoperative (P<0.001 and 0.036). Maximum diameter decreased at 6 months post-EVAR (P=0.003), but no significant changes in the maximal area occurred over time (P=0.142). Thrombus volume in the aneurysm sac increased immediately post-EVAR (P=0.008). There was no significant relationship between T1aE and neck changes in the group and time comparison (P=0.815 and 0.970). Conclusion Changes in neck angle, length and thrombus volume occurred immediately after EVAR, whereas a change in the maximum diameter of the AAA was noted 6 months after EVAR. Preoperative anatomic variables related with T1aE were not found.
Optimal Strategies to Screen Health Care Workers for COVID-19 in the US with SARS-CoV-2 PCR and IgG Antibody Assays

Background: Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in health care facilities poses a challenge against pandemic control. Health care workers (HCWs) have frequent and high-risk interactions with COVID-19 patients. We undertook a cost-effectiveness analysis to determine optimal testing strategies for screening HCWs to inform strategic decision-making in health care settings. Methods: We modeled the number of new infections, quality-adjusted life years lost, and net costs related to five testing strategies: (1) no tests, (2) only PCR test, (3) only IgG test, (4) conditional PCR test if IgG test is positive, and (5) concurrent PCR and IgG tests. We applied our model to four strata of HCWs, defined by the presence and timing of clinical presentation. We conducted sensitivity analyses to account for uncertainty in inputs. Findings: When screening asymptomatic and recently symptomatic HCWs, conducting only a PCR test offers the best health outcomes and fewest costs; it is associated with 28-144 fewer new infections over two weeks per 100 HCWs screened compared to no test, and saves between $810-$4,600 per test. When screening HCWs in the late clinical disease stage, PCR testing is associated with 49·5 additional infections per 100 HCWs screened compared to no screening. Depending on the degree of immunity conferred, IgG testing may avoid up to 3·7 additional infections. Interpretation: PCR testing is a beneficial strategy to identify infected HCWs and reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in health care settings. Utility of IgG testing depends on the time when the test is administered and immunity characteristics. More evidence is needed on the latter to better inform policy decisions. Funding: None received. Declaration of Interests: Authors declare no conflicts of interest.