cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential Expression of Two Distinct Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase Genes in Condensed Tannin-Accumulating and Lignifying Cells of Quaking Aspen

Lignins, along with condensed tannins (CTs) and salicylate-derived phenolic glycosides, constitute potentially large phenylpropanoid carbon sinks in tissues of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.). Metabolic commitment to each of these sinks varies during development and adaptation, and depends on L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), an enzyme catalyzing the deamination of L-phenylalanine to initiate phenylpropanoid metabolism. In Populus spp., PAL is encoded by multiple genes whose expression has been associated with lignification in primary and secondary tissues. We now report cloning two differentially expressed PAL cDNAs that exhibit distinct spatial associations with CT and lignin biosynthesis in developing shoot and root tissues of aspen. PtPAL1 was expressed in certain CT-accumulating, non-lignifying cells of stems, leaves, and roots, and the pattern of PtPAL1 expression varied coordinately with that of CT accumulation along the primary to secondary growth transition in stems. PtPAL2 was expressed in heavily lignified structural cells of shoots, but was also expressed in non-lignifying cells of root tips. Evidence of a role for Pt4CL2, encoding 4-coumarate:coenzyme A ligase, in determining CT sink strength was gained from cellular co-expression analysis with PAL1 and CTs, and from experiments in which leaf wounding increased PAL1 and 4CL2 expression as well as the relative allocation of carbon to CT with respect to phenolic glycoside, the dominant phenolic sink in aspen leaves. Leaf wounding also increased PAL2 and lignin pathway gene expression, but to a smaller extent. The absence of PAL2 in most CT-accumulating cells provides in situ support for the idea that PAL isoforms function in specific metabolic milieus.
Measurements of Smith–Purcell radiation

We present experimental results on Smith–Purcell radiation. Our primary interest was in the measurement of radiation angular distribution, output power, and spectral content. The variations of the angular distribution and the output power were shown for different electron-beam voltages and currents. The output power measured with a 3-mA and 120-kV electron beam was ∼30 μW/cm2-sr. The spectral analysis of the radiation shows excellent agreement between the measurements and the theoretical predictions. Our results were compared with those obtained by Gover et al, [ J. Opt. Soc. Am. B1, 723 ( 1984)].
A low-glycemic diet lifestyle intervention improves fat utilization during exercise in older obese humans

Objective: To determine the influence of dietary glycemic index on exercise training-induced adaptations in substrate oxidation in obesity. Design and Methods: Twenty older, obese individuals undertook 3 months of fully supervised aerobic exercise and were randomized to low- (LoGIX) or high-glycemic (HiGIX) diets. Changes in indirect calorimetry (VO2; VCO2) were assessed at rest, during a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, and during submaximal exercise (walking: 65% VO2max, 200 kcal energy expenditure). Intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) was measured by 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Results: Weight loss (−8.6 ± 1.1%) and improvements (P < 0.05) in VO2max, glycemic control, fasting lipemia, and metabolic flexibility were similar for both LoGIX and HiGIX groups. During submaximal exercise, energy expenditure was higher following the intervention (P < 0.01) in both groups. Respiratory exchange ratio during exercise was unchanged in the LoGIX group but increased in the HiGIX group (P < 0.05). However, fat oxidation during exercise expressed in relation to changes in body weight was increased in the LoGIX group (+10.6 ± 3.6%; P < 0.05). Fasting IMCL was unchanged, however, extramyocellular lipid was reduced (P < 0.05) after LoGIX. Conclusions: A LoGIX/exercise weight-loss intervention increased fat utilization during exercise independent of changes in energy expenditure. This highlights the potential therapeutic value of low-glycemic foods for reversing metabolic defects in obesity.
Interconnected Tile Standing Wave Resonant Oscillator Based Clock Distribution Circuits

Standing wave oscillators (SWOs) are attractive since they can sustain extremely high oscillation frequencies with very low power consumption due to their resonant nature. In this paper, we present a technique to design a high frequency SWO to cover a large area on an IC. We achieve this by combining two techniques. The first technique increases the area coverage of an individual SWO by ensuring that it sustains an odd number (greater than one) of standing waves along the ring. The second approach further increases the area coverage by tiling multiple SWOs side by side, and connecting them such that they oscillate with the same high frequency and phase. The combined approach is simulated for a 3×3 array of tiles, using 3D, skin-effect adjusted RLC parasitic extraction. Our simulations are performed using a 90nm process, and indicate that this tiled structure can oscillate at about 7.25 GHz, with low power (about 68 mW per SWO tile) and low jitter (about 3.1% of the nominal clock period).
Families as Natural Experiments A Procedure for Estimating the Potentially Biasing Influence of Families on Relationships Between Variables

In this article, the author argues that data on siblings provide a way to account for the impact of unmeasured, omitted variables on relashionships of interest. This is possible because families form a sort of natural experiment. Family members are likely to have many shared experiences, as well as a common genetic heritage, but relationships between variables defined as differences between family members cannot be attributed to these shared family characteristics. Although fixed- and random-effects models are discussed as one means to make use of information on siblings from the same family, the author proposes a latent-variable structural equation approach to the problem. This model provides estimates of both within-and between-family relationships, and it accounts for the impact of measurement error.
An analysis of length-dependent active stiffness in smooth muscle strips.

The measured stiffness of contracting smooth muscle is strongly dependent on the level of developed force. This force-dependent stiffness is a consequence of contractile activity, and it is possible that a portion of it represents the stiffness of the population of attached crossbridges. The relationship between force and stiffness is sensitive to the particular stage of the contraction-and-relaxation cycle (Meiss, 1978), to specific external mechanical constraints imposed on the muscle (Meiss, 1987), and to the length of the muscle when the stiffness is measured (Meiss, 1978; Meiss, 1990). The character of the length-dependent stiffness relationship depends on the mechanical mode of contraction, and interpretation of these effects rests on assumptions regarding how the process of stiffness measurement interacts with changing tissue dimensions. The purpose of this paper is to characterize the difference between the length-dependent stiffness measured in isotonic and isometric contractions. Possible reasons for the differences will be considered, and a tentative model to account for the isotonic length-dependence of stiffness will be proposed.
Selling and Sales Management in Action: Customer Satisfaction-Based Incentive Systems: Some Managerial and Salesperson Considerations

As the emphasis on relationships with customers increases, managers feel that customer satisfaction should be an important objective of sales organizations. For example, a significant portion of the incentive pay for IBM's salesforce is based on customer satisfaction ratings. The efficacy of compensating salespeople based on customer satisfaction ratings, however, is not well documented. The paper focuses on the perspective of the salesperson and suggests that the implementation and consequences of compensation systems based on customer satisfaction ratings are neither simple nor intuitive. Managerial implications of the findings and future research opportunities are highlighted.
Identification of Interacting Proteins Using the Yeast Two-Hybrid Screen

Transmembrane-signaling events are mediated and regulated by protein-protein interactions. The yeast two-hybrid screen has proven to be an effective approach for studying interaction between signaling molecules, such as ras and raf. This approach can be used to identify new binding partners for a protein of interest or define the interaction domains and relative affinity between two proteins known to interact. To determine interaction, one protein is produced as a fusion protein with a known DNA-binding domain and a second protein is produced as a fusion protein with an acidic activation in yeast. If there is interaction between the two proteins of interest, the DNA-binding domain is brought into the vicinity of the acidic-activation domain, which recreates a functional transcriptional activator, which drives transcription of reporter genes allowing for selection and/or quantification of interaction between the two proteins. Here we describe a two-hybrid yeast system that has been used to successfully characterize protein interactions among signaling molecules.
Dynamic Stokes Shift of the Time-Resolved Phosphorescence Spectrum of ZnII-Substituted Cytochrome c

The dynamic phosphorescence Stokes shift (PSS) response of ZnII-substituted cytochrome c (ZnCytc) was detected using the time-resolved phosphorescence spectrum of the intrinsic ZnII-porphyrin chromophore, which senses the motions of the surrounding protein and hydration shell. The phosphorescence spectrum of ZnCytc exhibits resolved vibronic structure arising from in-plane deformations of the porphyrin macrocycle, as is also observed in the absorption and fluorescence spectra. As the emission time increases, the phosphorescence spectrum shifts to the red without incurring a significant change in vibronic structure or line shape, so the shift arises from dynamic solvation, the reorganizational motions of the protein and solvent that occur in response to formation of the first excited triplet state. A correlation time of 294 ± 14 μs was obtained from a single-exponential fit to the time dependence of the mean emission frequency of the T(0,0) peak in the phosphorescence spectrum. This time scale is consisten...
Nonlinear Model Predictive Control of Systems with Probabilistic Time-invariant Uncertainties*

Abstract Many model predictive control algorithms have been formulated with the objective of including chance constraints and the shaping of probability density functions (PDFs) of system states and outputs. Although many algorithms consider time-varying (TV) uncertainty, the consideration of time-invariant (TI) uncertainty is more challenging since the Markov property cannot be applied directly to the state-space system. Additional challenges associated with handling TI uncertainty include the incorporation of feedback, uncertainty propagation through the uncertain system, the handling of hard input and chance constraints, computational cost, and guaranteeing stability of the closed-loop system and feasibility of the control policy. Efforts to employ polynomial chaos theory (PCT) to mitigate some of these challenges are reviewed. Much of this literature performs stochastic analysis using PCT online in a receding-horizon framework. We discuss differences between the PDFs calculated online and the PDFs of the actual closed-loop system, and provide an example that proves that chance constraints, when implemented in the receding-horizon manner, are not necessarily satisfied by the closed-loop system. Opportunities for future research are suggested, which include the use of PCT for the online analysis of closed-loop systems and the modeling of TI uncertainty as TV uncertainty coupled with a low-pass filter.
Trigenomic perithecia in a three-component heterokaryon of Ceratocystis radicicola

Stable heterokaryons of different mating- type components are readily formed in the hetero- thallic ascomycete Ceratocystis radicicola. The hetero- karyons herein reported involved the mating-type lo- cus and three unlinked single-gene color mutants, one brown br-1 and two albino wh-1 and wh-2, each specifying the color of macroconidia and perithecia. Pairwise crosses homozygous for wh-2 are incompat- ible, indicating pleiotropy of the locus. Three double mutants of albino phenotype and different mating type, br-1 wh-1 Mat-a, br-1 wh-2 Mat-a and wh-1 wh- 2 Mat-A, grown on one agar plate a short distance apart, formed a brown heterokaryon of the first two components and a black heterokaryon of the three. Single black, multinucleate macroconidia of the lat- ter yielded the three albino components, two differ- ent albino heterokaryons, brown 2-component het- erokaryons and black 3-component heterokaryons. Cultures of the last heterokaryons were self-fertile, producing abundant black perithecia. The asco- spores from individual perithecia, analyzed for the four markers, revealed that two 3-point crosses oc- curred in each perithecium: br-1 wh-1 Mat-a X wh-1 wh-2 Mat-A and br-1 wh-2 Mat-a X wh-1 wh-2 Mat-A. The combined progeny of each perithecium consist- ed of 12 different genotypes. In view of the fact that genetic complementation between the third compo- nent and either one of the others is not feasible and pairwise crosses homozygous for wh-2 are incompat- ible, it is evident that a 3-component heterokaryon widens the range of genetic complementation and broadens the scope genetic recombination within a trigenomic perithecium.
Effect of Neostigmine (Prostigmin) and Physostigmine upon the Denervated Iris of the Gat

ConclusionNeostigmine (prostigmin) does not stimulate the denervated iris muscle of the cat. It causes miosis only when some or all of the ciliary (parasympathetic) ganglion cells are intact or when the postganglionic fibers are stimulated.
Action potential reflection and failure at axon branch points cause stepwise changes in EPSPs in a neuron essential for learning.

In leech mechanosensory neurons, action potentials reverse direction, or reflect, at central branch points. This process enhances synaptic transmission from individual axon branches by rapidly acti...
Study on the Establishment of Inbound Tourist Flow Forecast Models in Gansu Province

Forecast for inbound tourist flow is the basis for the study of inbound tourism industry.Scientific and effective forecast is the key to promoting the sustainable and sound development of inbound tourism industry.With the relevant data analysis method of SPSS statistical analysis software,the paper makes systematic and empirical study that aims at the changes of inbound tourist flow from 1998 to 2007 and summarizes two different types of quantitative forecast models for inbound tourist flow.It also makes forecast and analysis of the development scale and growth speed for inbound flow in Gansu province for the future period of time.The study results show that compared with traditional quantitative and simple ways of measurement,the study establishes two tourist flow models with higher accuracy and good adaptability.By adopting these two models that can scientifically and effectively forecast mid-long term inbound tourist flow,we can accurately grasp the growth trend and speed of inbound tourist flow in Gansu province for a certain period of time in future,which will provide basis for scientific development of inbound tourist flow in Gansu province.
Is liquid ventilation a reasonable alternative

Liquid breathing has been in medical literature for nearly 80 years and has been proposed as a means of improving gas exchange in critically ill infants since the 1970s. Extensive laboratory experience with perfluorochemical liquid ventilation has lead to clinical trials in infants, children, and adults. This article discusses the process and physiologic response to liquid breathing in neonates, and reviews some of the factors that need clarification prior to approval as a routine clinical therapy.
Out-of-Office Monitoring in Clinical Practice

Clinical undertaking of an ABPM program is no small endeavor. Current reimbursements are marginal and start up, as well as maintenance, costs are significant. A checklist for one’s resolve in undertaking the establishment of 24-h ABPM might include the following: The purchase of software and of ABPM devices. Training of staff to initialize, manage, and enable draft ABPM reports. Education of patients while wearing the ABP monitor. Expectations of what constitutes an “adequate” ABPM recording. A plan to deal with phone calls while patients are wearing the ABP Monitor. What to do with the diary that patients bring back to the clinic? Recognition of patterns on ABPM and adequate expertise to comment on the clinical question that generated the ABPM request.
Higher Education from Antiquity to the Medieval University

This chapter traces the origins of higher education and comments on elements relevant specifically to the current-day business school. The modern-day university primarily has its roots in Europe. The medieval university evolved out of the Catholic cathedral schools, and universities flourished first in Paris and Bologna. Numerous customs in universities today have their roots in the medieval university. Funding and sponsorship of the medieval university came from the state and the church. As a quid pro quo, the university was expected to educate professionals for both benefactors—the administrators needed by the state and the clerics needed by the church. The standard form of a complete university came to be a Faculty of Arts and three “superior faculties” of Theology, Law, and Medicine. This format foreshadows the twenty-first century university that is called upon to train professionals desired by various current-day benefactors.
Converting Pasteurella multocida α2–3-sialyltransferase 1 (PmST1) to a regioselective α2–6-sialyltransferase by saturation mutagenesis and regioselective screening

A microtiter plate-based screening assay capable of determining the activity and regioselectivity of sialyltransferases was developed. This assay was used to screen two single-site saturation libraries of Pasteurella multocidaα2-3-sialyltransferase 1 (PmST1) for α2-6-sialyltransferase activity and total sialyltransferase activity. PmST1 double mutant P34H/M144L was found to be the most effective α2-6-sialyltransferase and displayed 50% reduced donor hydrolysis and 50-fold reduced sialidase activity compared to the wild-type PmST1. It retained the donor substrate promiscuity of the wild-type enzyme and was used in an efficient one-pot multienzyme (OPME) system to selectively catalyze the sialylation of the terminal galactose residue in a multigalactose-containing tetrasaccharide lacto-N-neotetraoside.
Increasing Student Motivation to Learn by Making Computer Game Technology More Engaging: Measurable Outcomes That Determine Success.

In the 21 st Century, Educators are called to thinking in broader terms about the purpose of technology in engaging learners to work on tasks that are meaningful to them. Through technology, as described in this paper, the researcher has attempted to broaden student engagement level by developing a more engaging online game framework. The research attempted to increase engagement by modifying a less goal oriented maze game into a sporting challenge called Downhill Skier. In creating simulation software for the individual sport of downhill skiing, the Downhill Skier app was developed using the elm programming language. Since Elm is a relatively easy programming language to learn, Elm code can be modified and shaped to ones intended purpose. Using the EGameFlow Survey, an instrument that has been tested for internal and external validity, the research demonstrated that engagement levels were increased, in seven of the eight categories that EGameFlow measures, by changing the nature of the game from a maze walk through into an e-sport challenge.
The rising gap between rich and poor: A look at the persistence of educational disparities in the United States and why we should worry

AbstractIn 2001 the no child left behind act was signed into law with the promise to close the achievement gap between disadvantaged children and their white and more affluent peers. Ribbons were cut, ceremonies were held, as America set off on a new path to ensure that all children would have the tools necessary to achieve the American Dream. Children who in the past only had access to low-quality schools would now be able to attend high-quality schools and acquire the skills necessary to become productive citizens and obtain jobs that would catapult them into the middle class. They would have a “choice.” The choice to attend a failing school, usually deemed “public” or the choice to attend a “charter school” the new option, which would provide them with a high-quality education. Fast forward and after fourteen years of living with the law the idea of obtaining a good public education has continued to decline while the notion of attending a high-quality charter school has continued to be popular in spite...
The impact of aging on epithelial barriers

The epithelium has many critical roles in homeostasis, including an essential responsibility in establishing tissue barriers. In addition to the fundamental role in separating internal from external environment, epithelial barriers maintain nutrient, fluid, electrolyte and metabolic waste balance in multiple organs. While, by definition, barrier function is conserved, the structure of the epithelium varies across organs. For example, the skin barrier is a squamous layer of cells with distinct structural features, while the lung barrier is composed of a very thin single cell to minimize diffusion space. With the increased focus on age-dependent alterations in organ structure and function, there is an emerging interest in the impact of age on epithelial barriers. This review will focus on the impact of aging on the epithelial barrier of several organs, including the skin, lung, gastrointestinal tract and the kidney, at a structural and functional level.
Development of visible-light responsive and mechanically enhanced “smart” UCST interpenetrating network hydrogels

An interpenetrating polymer network (IPN), chlorophyllin-incorporated environmentally responsive hydrogel was synthesized and exhibited the following features: enhanced mechanical properties, upper critical solution temperature (UCST) swelling behavior, and promising visible-light responsiveness. Poor mechanical properties are known challenges for hydrogel-based materials. By forming an interpenetrating network between polyacrylamide (PAAm) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc) polymer networks, the mechanical properties of the synthesized IPN hydrogels were significantly improved compared to hydrogels made of a single network of each polymer. The formation of the interpenetrating network was confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), the analysis of glass transition temperature, and a unique UCST responsive swelling behavior, which is in contrast to the more prevalent lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behaviour of environmentally responsive hydrogels. The visible-light responsiveness of the synthesized hydrogel also demonstrated a positive swelling behavior, and the effect of incorporating chlorophyllin as the chromophore unit was observed to reduce the average pore size and further enhance the mechanical properties of the hydrogel. This interpenetrating network system shows potential to serve as a new route in developing "smart" hydrogels using visible-light as a simple, inexpensive, and remotely controllable stimulus.
Flanking sound transmission in wood‐framed construction

This paper presents results from the first phase of a project to characterize flanking sound transmission at wall/floor junctions in wood‐framed constructions suitable for multifamily residential buildings. This phase of the study focused on the junction between a wood joist floor and a separating wall with two rows of 38×89‐mm studs. The objective of the study was to identify details that simultaneously provide good noise control and fire resistance. This paper presents the experimental approach and key results from the acoustical measurements. In addition to comparing how five common fire control solutions for the floor/wall junction affect the airborne and impact sound transmission, several generic retrofit modifications to reduce the structural noise transmission were tested. Parameters studied included the floor‐joist orientation (parallel or perpendicular to the separating party wall), and the type of subfloor (plywood or oriented strand board). The study has shown that suitable details can provide both adequate fire resistance and noise control. The technical approach provides a framework for extending beyond established laboratory measurement procedures, to predict performance in actual buildings.
Outpatient, combined use of opioid and benzodiazepine medications in the United States, 1993-2014.

The combined use of opioid and benzodiazepine medications increases the risk of hazardous effects, such as respiratory depression. Although recent increases in outpatient use of opioid prescriptions have been documented, there are limited data regarding rates and correlates of combined opioid and benzodiazepines among adults in outpatient settings. Our objective was to examine annual trends in outpatient visits including opioids, benzodiazepines, and their combination among adults as well as clinical and demographic correlates. We used data from the 1993-2014 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) among non-elderly (i.e., ages 18-64 years) adults to examine the probability of a visit including an opioid, benzodiazepine, or their combination, in addition to clinical and demographic correlates. From 1993 to 2014, benzodiazepines-with-opioids visits increased from 9.8 to 62.5 (OR = 9.23, 95% CI = 5.45-15.65) per 10,000 visits. Highest-represented groups among benzodiazepines-with-opioids visits were older (50-64 years) (49.1%), white (88.8%), commercially insured (58.0%) patients during their first visit (87.6%) to a primary-care physician (41.9%). We identified a significant increase in the outpatient co-prescription of opioids and benzodiazepines, notably among adults aged 50-64 years during primary-care visits. Educational and policy changes to provide alternatives to benzodiazepine-with-opioid co-prescription and limiting opioid prescription to pain specialists may reduce rates of this potentially hazardous combination.
3D printing of extremely viscous materials using ultrasonic vibrations

Abstract Heterogeneous materials used in biomedical, structural and electronics applications contain a high fraction of solids (>60 vol.%) and exhibit extremely high viscosities (μ > 1000 Pa s), which hinders their 3D printing using existing technologies. This study shows that inducing high-amplitude ultrasonic vibrations within a nozzle imparts sufficient inertial forces to these materials to drastically reduce effective wall friction and flow stresses, enabling their 3D printing with moderate back pressures (
Systemic Design Approach to a Real-Time Healthcare Monitoring System: Reducing Unplanned Hospital Readmissions.

Following hospital discharge, millions of patients continue to recover outside formal healthcare organizations (HCOs) in designated transitional care periods (TCPs). Unplanned hospital readmissions of patients during TCPs adversely affects the quality and cost of care. In order to reduce the rates of unplanned hospital readmissions, we propose a real-time patient-centric system, built around applications, to assist discharged patients in remaining at home or in the workplace while being supported by care providers. Discrete-event system modeling techniques and supervisory control theory play fundamental roles in the system’s design. Simulation results and analysis show that the proposed system can be effective in documenting a patient’s condition and health-related behaviors. Most importantly, the system tackles the problem of unplanned hospital readmissions by supporting discharged patients at a lower cost via home/workplace monitoring without sacrificing the quality of care.
Aromatic thermosetting copolyester bionanocomposites as reconfigurable bone substitute materials: Interfacial interactions between reinforcement particles and polymer network

Development of porous materials consisting of polymer host matrix enriched with bioactive ceramic particles that can initiate the reproduction of cellular organisms while maintaining in vivo mechanical reliability is a long-standing challenge for synthetic bone substitutes. We present hydroxyapatite (HA) reinforced aromatic thermosetting copolyester (ATSP) matrix bionanocomposite as a potential reconfigurable bone replacement material. The nanocomposite is fabricated by solid-state mixing a matching set of precursor oligomers with biocompatible pristine HA particles. During endothermic condensation polymerization reaction, the constituent oligomers form a mechanochemically robust crosslinked aromatic backbone while incorporating the HAs into a self-generated cellular structure. The morphological analysis demonstrates near-homogenous distributions of the pristine HAs within the matrix. The HAs behave as a crack-arrester which promotes a more deformation-tolerant formation with relatively enhanced material toughness. Chain relaxation dynamics of the nanocomposite matrix during glass transition is modified via HA-induced segmental immobilization. Chemical characterization of the polymer backbone composition reveals the presence of a hydrogen-advanced covalent interfacial coupling mechanism between the HAs and ATSP matrix. This report lays the groundwork for further studies on aromatic thermosetting copolyester matrix bionanocomposites which may find applications in various artificial bone needs.
Can Fetal Umbilical Venous Blood Be a Reliable Source for Admission Complete Blood Count and Culture in NICU Patients

Background: Minimizing initial neonatal blood draws and their associated pain is important. The placenta has ample fetal blood that is otherwise discarded; obtaining admission laboratory evaluations from fetal umbilical venous blood (FUVB) may provide a suitable alternative. Objective: We hypothesized that obtaining an aerobic bacterial blood culture (BCX) and a complete blood count with manual differential (CBC/diff) from FUVB is feasible and yields results comparable to those obtained directly from the neonate. Study Design: BCX and CBC/diff were attempted on paired samples from FUVB (in the delivery room) and neonatal blood (shortly after NICU admission) of 110 patients. The paired t test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient (R), and multivariable linear regression were used for data analysis. Results: Positive BCXs were found in 9 of 108 FUVB samples compared to 1 of 91 neonatal samples. Three out of 9 FUVB cultures were true pathogens, including 2 Escherichia coli and 1 viridans group streptococcus, all with negative corresponding paired neonatal cultures. There was 1 positive neonatal BCX, E. coli, with a negative paired FUVB culture. Neonatal hemoglobin (Hb), platelets (PLT), and white blood cells (WBC) all significantly (p < 0.0001) correlated with the paired FUVB samples (R = 0.50, 0.49, and 0.84, respectively). Hb, PLT, and WBC values were clinically comparable but statistically higher in neonatal blood (the differences were 2.3 g/dL, 30,000 cells/μL, and 2,800 cells/μL, respectively; p < 0.007 for all comparisons). Conclusions: FUVB is suitable for obtaining CBC/diff. FUVB is an appropriate second source for BCX as it yields additional true pathogens. Our findings may support the presence of “culture-negative sepsis” in some neonates.
Singlet Fission in 9,10-Bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene Thin Films

Singlet fission (SF) in two or more electronically coupled organic chromophores converts a high-energy singlet exciton into two low-energy triplet excitons, which can be used to increase solar cell efficiency. Many known SF chromophores are unsuitable for device applications due to chemical instability and low triplet state energies. The results described here show that efficient SF occurs in polycrystalline thin films of 9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene (BPEA), a commercial dye that has singlet and triplet energies of 2.40 and 1.11 eV, respectively, in the solid state. BPEA crystallizes into two polymorphs with space groups C2/c and Pbcn, which undergo SF with kSFA = (109 ± 4 ps)−1 and kSFB = (490 ± 10 ps)−1, respectively. The high triplet energy and efficient SF evidenced from the 180 ± 20% triplet yield make BPEA a promising candidate for enhancing solar cell performance.
Hydrothermal scavenging of ^(230)Th on the Southern East Pacific Rise during the last deglaciation

Thorium-230 (^(230)Th) is a fundamental tool for estimating sediment fluxes in the open ocean. Because ^(230)Th is rapidly scavenged by particles falling through the water column, the flux of ^(230)Th to underlying sediments is typically equal to its water column production rate. However, recent surveys suggest hydrothermal plumes are unusually efficient scavengers of ^(230)Th. Here we show that hydrothermal scavenging on the Southern East Pacific Rise (SEPR) resulted in ^(230)Th fluxes several times higher than the water column production rate during the last deglaciation. Elevated fluxes likely require diffusive transport of dissolved ^(230)Th from the ridge flanks towards the ridge crest. Depending on the length-scale of ^(230)Th transport, the resulting deficits in ^(230)Th may yield overestimates of sediment flux to ridge flank sediments. We also show that Fe fluxes at 19°S on the SEPR lag those at 11°S and 6°S by several thousand years, inconsistent with a signal driven by changes in deep water pH and oxygen levels. Instead, variable hydrothermal activity is the simplest explanation of the observed signals in the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic basins.
Influence of transporters in treating cancers in the CNS

Abstract Brain tumors are difficult to treat, in part, due to lack of adequate drug delivery across the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Although the BBB is compromised to some degree in brain tumors, it is not uniformly disrupted and some tumor locations have a relatively intact BBB. The presence of transporters (efflux) at the BBB limits the brain distribution of therapeutics intended for the treatment of CNS disorders. The differences in clearance processes, arising due to differences in the transporter expression and orientation in BBB vs BCSFB (blood–CSF barrier), make it complex to understand the specific influence of transporters on the CNS drug delivery, and also limit the use of CSF as a surrogate for unbound brain concentrations. Several opportunities to overcome the transporter-based barrier exist and it is important to recognize that solving the drug delivery problem will open many new doors for targeted therapies to be efficacious in the treatment of brain tumors.
Akratic Action under the Guise of the Good

Many philosophers have thought that human beings do or pursue only what we see as good. These “guise-of-the-good” views face powerful challenges and counterexamples, such as akratic action, in which we do what we ourselves believe we ought not do. I propose a new way for guise-of-the-good views to address this central counterexample by appealing to conflicting beliefs. I then answer concerns that this appeal is insufficiently explanatory, attributes too much conflict, leaves out an essential asymmetry in action against one’s “better” judgment, attributes systematic error about one’s own beliefs, and is too implausible.
Chapter 13 – Tumor Markers

In this chapter, common tumor markers that are measured in the clinical laboratory, such as PSA, CA-15-3, CA-125, CA-19-9, beta-hCG, and alpha-fetoprotein, will be discussed with emphasis on pitfalls of measurement of these hormones in the clinical laboratory (including interferences from heterophilic antibody).
Understanding surgical decision-making in older adults with differentiated thyroid cancer: A discrete choice experiment.

Abstract Background Prior studies demonstrated that older adults tend to undergo less surgery for thyroid cancer. Our objective was to use a discrete choice experiment to identify factors influencing surgical decision-making for older adults with thyroid cancer. Methods Active and candidate members of the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons were invited to participate in a web-based survey. Multinomial logistic regression was utilized to assess patient and surgeon factors associated with treatment choices. Results Complete survey response rate was 25.7%. Most respondents were high-volume surgeons (88.5%) at academic centers (76.9%). Multinomial logistic regression demonstrated that patient age was the strongest predictor of management. Increasing age and comorbidities were associated with the choice for active surveillance (P = .000), not performing a lymphadenectomy in patients with nodal metastases (relative-risk ratio: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.4–4.2, P = .002 and relative-risk ratio: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.2–2.1, P = .004, respectively), and recommending hemithyroidectomy versus total thyroidectomy for a cancer >4 cm (relative-risk ratio: 4.4, 95% CI: 2.5–7.9, P = .000 and relative-risk ratio: 3.4, 95% CI: 2.3–5.1, P = .000, respectively). Surgeons with ≥10 years of experience (relative-risk ratio: 3.3, 95% CI: 1.1–10.3, P = .039) favored total thyroidectomy for a cancer Conclusion This study highlights the variation in surgical management of older adults with thyroid cancer and demonstrates the influence of patient age, comorbidities, surgeon experience, and fellowship training on management of this population.
A single center randomized double blind controlled trial of pentoxifylline in acute pancreatitis: Challenges and opportunities

Abstract Objectives Despite substantial morbidity and mortality associated with acute pancreatitis (AP), only one small randomized controlled drug trial (RCT) is available in the past few decades from the United States. Hence, we conducted a single-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT of pentoxifylline in AP. Methods A total of 9 doses of oral pentoxifylline 400 mg or placebo tablet, three times daily, was administered within 72 h of diagnosis, using randomization blocks by pharmacy. Primary outcome was a composite outcome including any of the following: death, peripancreatic and/or pancreatic necrosis, infected pancreatic necrosis, persistent organ failure, persistent systemic inflammatory response syndrome, hospital stay longer than 4 days, need for intensive care, and need for intervention for necrosis. Results Between July 7, 2015, and April 4, 2017, we identified 685 patients with AP, 233 met eligibility criteria and 176 were approached for the study. Of these, 91 (51.7%) declined and finally 45 in pentoxifylline group and 38 in placebo group (83 total) were compared. There were no significant differences in primary outcome (27 [60.0%] vs 15 [39.5%]; P = .06). Pentoxifylline group was not associated with any benefit, but withlonger stay (42% vs. 21%; P = .04) and higher readmission rates (16 %vs 3%; P = .047). Conclusions We could not demonstrate superiority of pentoxifylline over placebo. Smaller sample size and inclusion of all types of severity might be the reasons for lack of efficacy. The challenges observed in the present study indicate that, in order to conduct a successful drug trial in AP, a multi center collaboration is essential.
Clinical, Bronchoscopic, and Imaging Findings of e-Cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use-Associated Lung Injury Among Patients Treated at an Academic Medical Center.

Importance e-Cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) has caused more than 2800 illnesses and 68 deaths in the United States. Better characterization of this novel illness is needed to inform diagnosis and management. Objective To describe the clinical features, bronchoscopic findings, imaging patterns, and outcomes of EVALI. Design, setting, and participants This case series of 31 adult patients diagnosed with EVALI between June 24 and December 10, 2019, took place at an academic medical center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Exposures e-Cigarette use, also known as vaping. Main outcomes and measures Symptoms, laboratory findings, bronchoscopic results, imaging patterns, and clinical outcomes. Results Data from 31 patients (median [interquartile range] age, 24 [21-31] years) were included in the study. Patients were primarily men (24 [77%]) and White individuals (27 [87%]) who used e-cigarette products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (29 [94%]). Patients presented with respiratory (30 [97%]), constitutional (28 [90%]), and gastrointestinal (28 [90%]) symptoms. Serum inflammatory markers were elevated in all patients. Bronchoscopy was performed in 23 of 28 inpatients (82%) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) revealed the presence of lipid-laden macrophages (LLMs) in 22 of 24 cases (91%). BAL samples tested positive for Pneumocystis jirovecii (3 patients [13%]), rhinovirus (2 patients [8%]), human metapneumovirus and Aspergillus (1 patient each [4%]); all except human metapneumovirus were determined to be false-positives or clinically inconsequential. The exclusive or dominant computed tomography (CT) pattern was organizing pneumonia in 23 of 26 cases (89%). Patients received antibiotics (26 [84%]) and corticosteroids (24 [77%]), and all survived; 20 patients (65%) seen in follow-up showed marked improvement, but residual symptoms (13 [65%]), radiographic opacities (8 [40%]), and abnormal pulmonary function tests (8 of 18 [44%]) were common. Conclusions and relevance In this case series, patients with EVALI characteristically presented with a flu-like illness with elevated inflammatory markers, LLMs on BAL samples, and an organizing pneumonia pattern on CT imaging. Bronchoscopic testing for infection had a high incidence of false-positive results. Patients had substantial residual abnormal results at early follow-up. These data suggest a limited role for bronchoscopy in typical presentations of EVALI without risk factors for alternative diagnoses and the need for careful longitudinal follow-up.
Twisted supersymmetry and the topology of theory space

We present examples of four-dimensional, non-supersymmetric field theories in which ultraviolet supersymmetry breaking effects, such as bose-fermi splittings and the vacuum energy, are suppressed by (α/4π)N, where α is a weak coupling factor and N can be made arbitrarily large. The particle content and interactions of these models are conveniently represented by a graph with sites and links, describing the gauge theory space structure. While the theories are supersymmetric ``locally'' in theory space, supersymmetry can be explicitly broken by topological obstructions.
Breaking Bad: Bad News, Unexpected News, and Hope

Hope is one of the most important comforts a healthcare worker can provide to patients and their families. Providing hope when the prognosis is bleak and despair is the initial emotion is a difficult challenge. A patient who is given an unexpected poor prognosis or a grieving family may not be able to understand all necessary information in one sitting. The physician must learn appropriate techniques for conveying heart-breaking news as the words of comfort and actions at this time will be remembered by patients and family, often more clearly than the actual details. Delivering and receiving unexpected news, while always done in a highly emotional setting, can be facilitated if the healthcare team leader is prepared to answer questions, focus attention, and has reviewed what words of comfort work and words and phrases to avoid. Experience has taught healthcare professionals how to do this in a manner that conveys information about outcomes that cannot be changed, yet leaves room for hope for what can be done. Here we present one effective method for doing that. The SPIKES protocol for delivering bad news is reviewed and we suggest ideas for communicating information, including education about the disease, results of testing, planned therapy, or palliative care.
The Evaluation of User Experience and Functional Workload of a Physically Inter- active Virtual Reality System:

In this study, we evaluated the user experience of a physically interactive virtual reality (VR) system, which was developed to provide passive kinesthetic haptics in order to enhance motor learnin...
Water in the time of corona(virus): The effect of stay-at-home orders on water demand in the desert

Abstract In response to COVID-19, many U.S. states implemented stay-at-home orders to mitigate disease spread, causing radical changes across all facets of consumer behavior. In this paper, we explore how a stay-at-home (SAH) order impacted one aspect of behavior: the demand for water. Using a unique panel dataset of property-level water usage in Henderson, Nevada, we analyze changes in water usage from the SAH order, finding an initial and continuous decline in average daily usage for commercial and school users. In contrast, we find an initial increase in consumption by residential users with this effect increasing over time. Aggregated across all users, the SAH order led to an increase in net water usage between 32 and 59 million gallons over the first 30 days.
Identifying Signals of the Cross Section of Stock Returns

The proliferation of anomalies and the resulting `factor zoo' has challenged finance researchers to identify firm characteristics that are genuinely related to the cross-sectional variation in expected stock returns. We address this challenge using a Bayesian ensemble of trees approach, namely, Bayesian Additive Regression Trees (BART), which combines the advantages of machine learning with a Bayesian inference framework. Applying the methodology to U.S. stock returns and a large set of characteristics, we find a firm's market value is the sole consistently relevant characteristic. A BART framework that exploits the information content of a sparse set of characteristics identified in real time, offers substantial gains over competing models in both statistical and economic terms. We further confirm that the stochastic discount factor based on a sparse set of factors can successfully explain most of the variation in expected returns. A key reason for the sparsity of the factor set identified by BART is the methodology’s ability to incorporate non-linearities and high order interaction effects in a non-parametric manner. Our findings suggest that the vast majority of the documented anomalies are redundant, and in this sense our results offer a more optimistic view of the state of affairs in asset pricing.
Virasoro Structures in the Twisted Vertex Algebra of the Particle Correspondence of Type C

In this paper we study the existence of Virasoro structures in the twisted vertex algebra describing the particle correspondence of type C. We show that this twisted vertex algebra has at least two distinct Virasoro structures: one with central charge 1, and a second with central charge − 1.